Natalina Reis's Blog, page 37
May 1, 2017
The Heart of Betrayal-Review
The Heart of Betrayal
by Mary E. Pearson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
After reading “The Kiss Of Deception” and loving it, I was weary about reading its sequel. Could Mary E. Pearson really write another book as good and surprising as the first one? Well, apparently she can. I loved the surprises she threw at the reader in the first book in the series and she didn’t disappoint again on the second. She keeps you on your toes through most of the story, she makes you hate and love the characters at the same time, and in the end you thirst for that next book. Pearson has a knack to write characters who are lovable and strong as much as they are uncomfortably imperfect and to describe a cruel and hopeless world with heart. I also love that the women in the story are strong and never give up,no matter what their circumstances may be. Pearson gives her female characters a sense of sisterhood that I truly appreciate and hope holds true in real life. Another amazing read. Looking forward to the next (already in my Kindle) one.
April 25, 2017
Their Confession-New Release
S.Valentine – Their Confession – OUT NOW!
Their Confession, book #3 of The Black Door Trilogy is out NOW in eBook and paperback format.
Blurb:
Gabriella Woods eventually wants it all: love, passion, marriage, a family. With the sale of the club, she feels closer to Darion Milano, and believes his dark sexual desires are behind him.
A reunion at The Black Door to celebrate the opening awakens the past.
Gabi and Darion remember where and how they fell in love. Gabi is pleased to see Darion in touch with his old friends, in particular Gina.
Until their confession changes everything.
The news shatters Gabi’s world.
Can she and Darion get through it?
Will the link to his past sway him from a life he now leads, to a life he once led?
A world of decisions, desires and deepest fears.
Purchase links for book #1 His Confession & book #2 Her Confession:
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2oZ1vCe
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2iLtiEZ
Author Bio:
S. Valentine grew up in England. Studying English language and literature, as well as law, she worked in a solicitors for many years before moving to Spain. She does however still visit the UK, which in a way, will always be home.
Returning to her lifelong passion of writing books, she’s also a weekly columnist for The Ibizan newspaper on: lifestyle and fashion. Her other interests include reading, shopping and a nice glass of wine to shows such as Sons Of Anarchy, Dexter, Gossip Girl and SATC. She’s a social media addict, and loves connecting with new people.
For more information, please visit: www.s-valentine.wix.com/books. If you join her newsletter, you will be the first to receive sneak peeks of chapters, teasers, news, giveaway prizes and more!
www.facebook.com/SophiaValentineAuthor
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April 17, 2017
The Vexing Issue of Time
The great J.K. Rowlings once said, “Be ruthless about protecting writing days, i.e., do not cave in to endless requests to have “essential” and “long overdue” meetings on those days. The funny thing is that, although writing has been my actual job for several years now, I still seem to have to fight for time in which to do it. Some people do not seem to grasp that I still have to sit down in peace and write the books, apparently believing that they pop up like mushrooms without my connivance. I must therefore guard the time allotted to writing as a Hungarian Horntail guards its firstborn egg.”
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It’s heartwarming and validating to know that even the great writers of our time, those who have met with immeasurable success and I would kill to have as my best friends (well, most of them) and/or mentors still struggle with the same problems a writer of little or no renown like me. Unfortunately it doesn’t make the issue any less vexing to the likes of writers who like myself have to actually fight for a few minutes of sacred writing time in a world that demands your attention 24/7. And when you do stand up like “a Hungarian Horntail” to defend that time you are viewed as selfish and/or neglectful of your responsibilities (even when those so-called responsibilities comprise of watching your husband sleep in the recliner with the news blaring on the TV) .
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I know I’m preaching to the choir, but I had to vent. I have had one week of what should have been blissful free time while my students are enjoying their Spring break, and for the most part I did manage to write a bit (and edit), but I was looking forward to a great many days of having nothing else to do but catch up on my long overdue reading, great TV shows and movies, and yes, time to indulge in my two WIPs without guilt. It didn’t happen quite that way.
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I had family over for most of the break. Don’t get me wrong: it was great to see and get to interact with these ladies. I had fun. Just not the writing “fun” I so yearn for–you know, those peaceful moments when you can write without feeling (or made to feel) guilty you are not being the good host, or washing the dishes, or cooking a healthy meal. The moments when you can reach out to your laptop the minute you get an awesome idea, or that instance when you figure out that character who’s been bugging you for weeks.
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Tomorrow I go back to my day job and my sweet (however energy-sucking little creatures they may be) students which leaves me with a very short daily window to get any writing done and no time or energy to read or do other activities that inspire me to write.
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I’m already looking forward to Memorial Day Weekend! Who’s with me?
April 10, 2017
Gallowglass – Cover Reveal
✦ ✦ #CoverReveal✦ ✦
Gallowglass by Jennifer Allis Provost
Series: Gallowglass #1
Genre: #UrbanFantasy #ParanormalRomance
Release Date: June 6, 2017
Publisher: Bellatrix Press
✦ SYNOPSIS ✦
Karina didn’t set out to free the Seelie Queen’s gallowglass. Now she’ll do anything to keep him.
After Karina and her brother, Chris’s, lives fall apart in separate yet equally spectacular ways, they leave New York behind and head to the UK. Karina buries herself in research for her doctoral thesis, all the while studiously not thinking about the man who broke her heart, while Chris—who’d been a best-selling author before his ex-fiancée sued him for plagiarism—drinks his way across the British Isles.
In Scotland, they visit the grave of Robert Kirk, a seventeenth- century minister who was kidnapped by fairies. No one is more shocked than Karina when a handsome man with a Scottish brogue appears, claiming to be the Robert Kirk of legend. What’s more, he says he spent the last few hundred years as the Gallowglass, the Seelie Queen’s personal assassin. When they’re attacked by demons, Karina understands how dearly the queen wants him back.
As Karina and Robert grow closer, Chris’s attempts to drown his sorrows lead him to a pub, and a woman called Sorcha. Chris is instantly smitten with her, so much so he spends days with Sorcha and lies to his sister about his whereabouts. When Chris comes home covered in fey kisses, Karina realizes that the Seelie Queen isn’t just after Robert.
Can Karina outsmart the Seelie Queen, or is Robert doomed to forever be the Gallowglass?
Preorder here - http://amzn.to/2nxpF7L
✦ Cover Designer ✦
Deranged Doctor Designs
http://www.derangeddoctordesign.com/
✦ About the author ✦
Jennifer Allis Provost is a native New Englander who lives in a sprawling colonial along with her beautiful and precocious twins, a dog that thinks she’s a kangaroo, a parrot, a junkyard cat, and a wonderful husband who never forgets to buy ice cream. As a child, she read anything and everything she could get her hands on, including a set of encyclopedias, but fantasy was always her favorite. She spends her days drinking vast amounts of coffee, arguing with her computer, and avoiding any and all domestic behavior.
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/…/…/2975887.Jennifer_Allis_Provost
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/copperraven
WEBSITE: http://authorjenniferallisprovost.com/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/parthalan
April 2, 2017
Becoming a Writer- A Journey of a Lifetime
Maybe it’s because I’m getting older. Or maybe just wiser. But I found myself philosophizing my path into becoming the writer I am today and what I hope to be in the future.
I have always loved writing. And I do mean always. I have been creating stories and characters since I first learned how to write. I think I was probably making up stories in my head even before I knew how to put them down on paper (I’m ancient. There were no computers back then).
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Many years ago (I won’t say how many but it was before the advent of the electronic mail) I decided to try the publication route. Until then I had written for fun, for myself. But I wanted to share my stories with the world, as terrifying as that was. So one day, when my oldest son was still a newborn, I wrote a novel, went to the library to check out a copy of the Writer’s Market, and began spending the little money we had on good quality paper, copying, and stamps. I still have the records from back then when the rejection letters came one after another, ripping my heart and my dreams to shreds.
I know now I wasn’t ready. I really wasn’t. I realize in hindsight that my whole life has been a long practice run for what was ultimately that moment in time when I decided to submit something during a PitMad on Twitter and got published.
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My childhood years when my father took me and my sister on road trips around my country, visiting different places and learning new things were all research trips. Those years that our family lived in different places in Africa, learning new languages, new ways, news perspectives on life? Research. My days as an animateur at a Club Med-type resort were nothing else than groundwork for characters and plot twists. The earthquakes I lived through, the hurricane, the tornado scares…fodder for stories. Losing my dad, my grandmother’s many strokes, my c-section, yoga lessons, medieval re-enactment events, being bullied as a kid and as an adult, having a son with a mental illness…you get the point. Every step of my life is now a piece in a rather vast bank of ideas and resources for my writing. I feel blessed I had such a rich life so far (even though I always thought it was a boring life) and I pledge to use it in all my stories.
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Some people take years to finish one novel. Others take years to gather enough material to write many stories. Which type of writer are you?
P.S. -Here’s a poem I wrote a while back about the sounds of my life (I’m almost sure I have posted it before but I’m too lazy to go look for it) that sort of summarizes the sources of my inspiration. I’m no poet so I apologize in advance. I hope you enjoy it at least a little bit.
The Sounds of My Memories
How does a memory sound?
My memories sound like ocean waves breaking against the sand,
Christmas songs sang out of tune,
Hail Marys and Our Fathers whispered at night.
My memories sound like my father saying goodnight
Or the last time we said goodbye.
They sound like my mother’s voice calling us to the table,
Teaching us to be kind.
My grandfather doubting men ever walked on the moon
And my grandma reminiscing about her honeymoon.
The sound of the Chestnut Man yelling
“Quentes e boas!” in the cold of the street.
The whistle of the Knife-Sharpening man,
Early in the morning, drawing us in.
An old pop song playing in the background,
The sound of pots and pans in the kitchen,
The national anthem playing on TV at midnight,
“What’s up doc?” and “I tawt I taw a putty tat”.
My memories sound like jet planes
Landing and taking off,
“Tighten your seat belts” and “Please, don’t smoke.”
My memories squeak like airport dollies
And old airplane rolling stairs.
They are thunder and wind of an African storm,
The roaring of the fast waters of the Congo River,
The incessant bartering of women at the market,
The pleads of the beggars in the streets,
The moaning of the sick and the lonely.
My memories whistle like the wind on Scottish muirs,
And growl like the Puffins at Dunnottar.
The crystalline sound of my baby son’s laughter
And the Scottish accent of my four-year old.
Carolers singing throughout the night,
A medieval tune played out of sight.
Whistle and “Captain Aboard”,
Crowds of Navy families crying goodbyes,
Or celebrating hellos.
The silence of a Pacific Mountain,
The peace of the Puget Sound.
My memories have so many sounds.
They whisper in my ears,
Quietly, soundlessly sometimes.
They yell at me,
Loud and piercing other times.
They are echoes of my past,
Little souvenirs of feelings, thoughts, impressions,
Tiny mosaics that made me strong enough to last.
April 1, 2017
Project Revolution
Project Revolution (book 2 of R is for Rebellion)
Rebellion is more than skin-deep…
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The #13 hottest contemporary romance releases on Amazon, Project Revolution!
The Sequel to the Romance, Contemporary Romance, and Coming of Age AMAZON #BESTSELLER is on #LIVE!
March 28, 2017
Strawberry Kisses
STRAWBERRY KISSES
by Marianne Rice
A Rocky Harbor Novel #2
Limitless Publishing
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Rachael Riley is back home in Rocky Harbor, but she’s not the same woman she once was…
After being rescued from an abusive relationship, Rachael is a shadow of her true self. The only place she manages to find some degree of comfort is in the kitchen, hiding behind her apron as she continues to shut everyone out. Her foster sister knows the real Rachael has been broken, and reaches out by signing her up for self-defense classes, hoping to get her outgoing, confident, and nosy older sister back.
Jake Morgan has done his time and is finally free of his past…
Teaching self-defense is Jake’s way of giving back, compensating for what was taken away from him years ago. He’s well aware that most women in his class have a backstory, and avoids getting emotionally involved—until a beautiful, blue-eyed woman walks in. Jake is instantly drawn to Rachael and sees the inner confidence she tries to hide behind her blonde bangs and hunched shoulders.
Wanting to know the story hidden behind those blue eyes, Jake sets out to break down every barrier Rachael has built…
As he helps Rachael find the strength she’d lost, teaching her how to trust again, a secret from his past threatens to ruin the safety they have found in each other. There’s more connecting them than just their mutual attraction. Once their pasts finally collide, revealing a devastating truth, Jake’s commitment to Rachael is put to the ultimate test.
There is no guarantee when it comes to love, but sometimes all a broken heart needs to heal are sweet strawberry kisses…
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MEET THE AUTHOR: Marianne Rice writes contemporary romances set in small New England towns. Her heroes are big and strong, yet value family and humor, while her heroines are smart, sexy, sometimes a little bit sassy, and are often battling a strong internal conflict. Together, they deal with real life issues and always, always, find everlasting love. When she’s not writing, Marianne spends her time buying shoes, eating chocolate, chauffeuring her herd of children to their varying sporting events, and when there’s time, cuddling with her husband, a drink in one hand, a romance book in the other.
** PUBLISHER ** FACEBOOK ** TWITTER ** WEBSITE **
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March 27, 2017
A Constellation of Stars
I hung out with a constellation of stars this past weekend. Okay, maybe not exactly real stars (like in the heavenly bodies) but certainly with stars in their eyes. I speak of the fellow romance writers and all around amazing women I met during my stint at pretending to be a famous author at the Virginia Festival of the Book.
Last year I came across (can’t even remember how) information about this yearly festival and that there was a chance–however slim–my books may be picked to be represented there. Nobody can blame me of being unenthusiastic. In fact I am at times stupidly optimistic. At the time I had one book published and one under contract and nobody knew who the hell I was (that part still holds true today, I’m afraid). But I had to try. I have missed so many good things in my life for being overly-cautious or just plain not confident enough, that I have decided in recent years to be brave even when it seems I’m just being impulsive. I went for it. The worst thing that could happen was none of my books would be picked and I would be out of four softcovers.
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I entered both the book I had out and the one that would be published before the deadline of November. As it turned out I sent copies of Desert Jewel after the deadline already. Imagine my surprise when not only was D.J. picked for the Festival but I was picked to be a speaker. A speaker! You know, talking in front of people I don’t know.
Needless to say I didn’t get much sleep the week leading to my panel. Especially after I received the questions the moderator, Her Awesomeness herself, Madeline Iva, who gave me an awful lot more credit than I probably deserved. Those questions were hard!
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I relaxed significantly after talking to my co-panelist, the fabulous Pintip Dunn and equally amazing Margaret Locke. Knowing that they had both dubbed it the Torture Panel because of the difficulty of the questions made me feel a whole lot better about it, strangely enough.
I could not have asked for a better moderator or co-panelists. What a fantastic group of women writers. I hope I didn’t sound too stupid because I definitely had a lot of fun.
Even though I didn’t sell one single copy of my book (kind of used to it) I had a proud moment when the winner of a raffle picked the poster of the cover of my book over these other great books and told me she was going to try and convince her book club to read it. Score!
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All in all it was a great weekend. The other authors, the city of Charlottesville, the panels (who would have thought that listening to the male voices of audio romance books would be this exciting?), having two of my friends there to cheer me on…it was out of this world.
Note: If you’d like to hear (because you won’t be able to see us since it was recorded from a distance) our panel, Heroines of Destiny hop on to my Facebook page where I have posted it and some other pictures from the event.
March 23, 2017
Challenging My Introvert-Self
If you follow me you probably know by now that I’m an introvert. I love people, but I need my quiet and alone time. I love meeting with my friends but if I meet with more than a couple at time, I need a day or two to recuperate. It physically drains me.
I don’t go to concerts (unless it’s a classical music one and I can sit in the dark while listening to it) even though I love music because I can’t handle the crowds, the noise, the constant movement…I hate being like that sometimes!
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Now that I am a bona fide published writer I discovered that I must try and do what does not come naturally to me if I want to make an impact with potential readers and/or potential publishers. It’s not the first time that I’m called to challenge my introvert-self. My first career, a tour guide in Portugal, required me to speak to a bus full of people (in different languages) on a regular basis. So, my new year’s resolution for 2017 was to put myself out there.
My first chance is coming up this Saturday as I will speak in public to a room full of people (hopefully it won’t be empty) as part of a three-author panel at the Virginia Festival of the Book. My partners in crime have a lot more experience than I do.One is a New York Times bestselling author of YA fiction and winner of a RITA award (not to mention she’s a Harvard graduate) and the other is a full PAN member of the Romance Writers of America which requires the author to have sold quite a few books. I am neither.
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I am a second language learner who has always loved to read and write. I have a couple degrees in two countries and I have sold very few books in spite of having three out. Needless to say I’m a freaking nervous wreck.
In May I will be travelling to Atlanta for the great RT Book Lovers Convention where I will meet my amazing publisher and a bunch of other authors. I’m so excited to meet them all but very nervous as well.
And to further challenge myself I just applied to be a speaker at another big writers’event in September (not sure my proposal will be accepted but…hey!). Apparently I’m a sucker for punishment, lol.
Moral of the story? Not sure there is one but, if you’re an introvert like me, know that you can do it. It’s not easy and you may not sleep the week preceding the event (yeah, I’m pretty exhausted) but you CAN do it! Introverts of the world unite…even if in a different place and by yourselves (paraphrased from a FB post I saw a while back. Sorry I can’t remember the author’s name).
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March 14, 2017
Fame and Secrets (Lords of Lyre #2)
Fame and Secrets (Lords of Lyre #2)
by Cora Kenborn
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Hosted by: Red Coat PR
Cover Design by: Bite Me Graphic Design
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2n7BWLo
#Free with #kindleunlimited
An empty house in Hollywood isn’t what Phoebe Ryan envisioned when she said “yes” to a rock star’s proposal…
Phoebe is pregnant and alone in Tinseltown. She had hoped a fresh start, but instead gets flashing cameras and tabloid gossip while her famous fiancé is on tour. Then the body of a young woman surfaces, bearing the same scars Phoebe has kept hidden for years. Phoebe fears the nightmare she can’t forget has come to collect an overdue debt.
Julian Bale struggles to balance his life as a touring rock star and his new role as a family man…
Everyone wants something from him, but he just wants to go home to the woman he’s fought so hard to keep. When inside information comes to light, threatening his fiancée and unborn child, he’ll do whatever it takes to protect what’s his, even if it costs him everything he’s worked for.
Phoebe and Julian thought they left the drama and danger behind, but they thought wrong…
When the monster from Phoebe’s past claims the most innocent of victims, accusations and grief shred what they’ve fought to build. Some say tragedy can make or break a family, but can Phoebe and Julian unite to fight for what was taken from them, or will fame and secrets ruin everyone?
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| About the Author |
Cora Kenborn writes contemporary and romantic suspense novels with lots of danger, snarky banter, lovable bad boys, and damsels NOT in distress. She loves delving into the twisted mind of a dark villain as well as writing light-hearted romcom.
Cora gets a kick out of talking about herself in the third person and is a true Southern girl from Eastern North Carolina, who grew up on sweet tea, front porches, and the simple life. She says “y’all,” “fixin’ to,” and should you deserve it will “bless your heart.” She’s the proud mother of three hyperactive and occasionally adorable children, and wife to an understanding husband who tolerates her chaotic writer’s cave.
Although reading is her passion, she can usually be found taking notes during true crime shows, effectively freaking out everyone in the room. Cora admits to being a horrible cook, an even worse baker, and believes she’s more dangerous with a hot glue gun than any weapon on earth. Oh, and she and autocorrect are mortal enemies.
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Follow Cora at:
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/corakenborn
Twitter https://www/twitter.com/corakenborn
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/corakenbornauthor
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/author/corakenborn
Website https://www.corakenborn.com
VIP Newsletter http://www.eepurl.com/b1xCtj
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15178303.Cora_Kenborn
