C.A. Milson's Blog, page 219
June 22, 2015
Dressed to Kill Virtual Book Tour
Title: Dressed to Kill
Author: Lynn Cahoon
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Format: Kindle
Jill Gardner—owner of Coffee, Books, and More in the tucked-away town of South Cove, California—is not particularly thrilled to be portraying a twenties flapper for the dinner theater murder mystery. Though it is for charity…
Of course everyone is expecting a “dead” body at the dress rehearsal…but this one isn’t acting! It turns out the main suspect is the late actor’s conniving girlfriend Sherry…who also happens to be the ex-wife of Jill’s main squeeze. Sherry is definitely a master manipulator…but is she a killer? Jill may discover the truth only when the curtain comes up on the final act…and by then, it may be far too late.
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I love happy endings. My stories are all about life in small town America and building the family that you deserve. You know, the people who love you unconditionally – even when you’re less than perfect.
Personal stuff? I’m a seven-year breast cancer survivor. I’m married to my own hero who shaved his shoulder length hair when I lost mine during chemo. I’m the proud mom of a computer engineer (although I don’t know what that means.) And I have four fur babies.
I’m an active member of MORWA, my local RWA chapter.
My debut was THE BULL RIDER’S BROTHER released June 4th, 2012 from Crimson Romance. Cowboys aren’t easy to love—but they sure are easy on the eyes. I bet you’ve felt the same way my heroine Lizzie has, at least once or twice. Since that time, THE BULL RIDER’S MANAGER, came to your favorite digital store. If flying was hell, waiting to fly was purgatory. Both are available in print as well as digital. And the long awaited bull rider story is finally out and available. Check out THE BULL RIDER’S KEEPER!
For those of you who like a little magic in your stories — The Council Series starts with A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL. A rogue hunter, a clueless witch and a mission to save an unknowing world. The second book, RETURN OF THE FAE, continues Parris and Ty’s adventures, and is a 2014 RONE finalist.
2013 brought MARRIAGE NOT INCLUDED, a organic farmer’s daughter meets corporate seed executive. Set in Idaho, this story takes me home.
2014 sees more big news – e-Kensington released The Tourist Trap Series – with GUIDEBOOK TO MURDER kicking the fun off in April. MISSION TO MURDER arrived July 31st, and a third book, IF THE SHOE KILLS, November 10th. Set in a small coastal California town, I love these who dun it’s with a touch of romance.
Summer of 2015 – DRESSED TO KILL and KILLER RUN will be arriving.
I’ve come a long way from the little girl on the school bus who used to cut out pictures from Teen Beat to illustrate my tales of love and loss. And yet, not so far.
So pull up a chair, pour a cup of coffee, and let’s chat about writing, love, life, and the pesky things that get in the way of our goals and dreams.
I’m glad you found me.
Visit Lynn’s website. Connect with Lynn on Twitter and Facebook.
Filed under: Guest Authors Tagged: @LynnCahoon, A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL, Book Tour, Dressed to Kill, Lynn Cahoon, Pump Up Your Book, PUYB, THE BULL RIDER’S BROTHER, THE BULL RIDER’S KEEPER, THE BULL RIDER’S MANAGER, virtual book tour
June 21, 2015
Kenaniah 1522 ~ Bendigo Hotel Review
Kenaniah 1522 – There are rock bands, then there is Kenaniah 1522.
With a sound comparable to Rez Band, Led Zeppellin, Uriah Heep, (and dare I say Petra), matched with the style of the hard rock generation, it’s not difficult to see why these four from Tarneit, Victoria, Australia are positioned to not only play at some of the best clubs in Melbourne, but also take the world by storm.
Listening to Rock music – Now I’m not talking about the stuff performed by wanna-be’s – has to be one of the better ways to spend your day (or night). I am a rocker from way back, and one thing I do enjoy is good rock music. KenaniaH-1522 shows that they have what it takes to make their lasting impression on the rock scene, making them a cut above the rest and one of the few bands I would put in my personal Top List.
Heading up the band is Daniel Farmer. His voice teeters on the cusp of screaming as he tears through each note of every song without hesitation, and strums the guitar just as good as the late Jimmy Hendrix. The songs are all their own original material, with standouts including the anthem ‘Battle for Life, ‘While Scavengers Hunt’ and ‘Live For Him’.
Making up Kenaniah 1522 is:
Daniel Farmer – Guitar/Lead Vocal
Joel Farmer – Drums/ Backing Vocals
Deanna Farmer – Bass/Backing Vocals
Patrick Quinlan – Keyboard/Backing Vocals/2nd Guitar
Bendigo Review: We had the pleasure of being invited to see Kenaniah 1522 perform recently at The Bendigo Hotel. It had been a long time coming to see the band perform live… After all, we had seen the band perform in the local church, and had been invited a few times to see them perform, but one thing or another always seemed to get in the way.
But this one particular night, we put everything aside and nothing was going to stop us from getting there. Now, I had listened to some of Kenaniah’s music on Reverbnation, but that was nothing to what was in store for the live performance at the Bendigo.
Being the foodie that I am, I naturally checked out the pub meals on their website, and had my sights set on the massive burger meal… However, that mindset quickly changed when we walked into the place…
Upon entering the establishment, we were greeted by the overwhelming ambiance of something very unnatural. Now I have been to a lot of pubs in my time, but this place would have been the first pub I have entered that had the whole “post apocalypse” look down-pat. And for a moment I thought that we were on the set of a Mad Max movie :)
Kenaniah 1522 opened with Last Look At Eden, and belted out the hits one after another in their 40 minute set. Their line up included; Blackened, Peace Of Mind, Murder By Pride, Lies, Battle For Life, and ended the set with their version of Wolfmother’s song Joker And The Thief.
It has been a long time since I have seen a band perform live, and to see Kenaniah 1522 in action was no doubt the best band of the evening.
Kenaniah Rocked the house :)
Some of the tracks that are my personal favorites are:
While The Scavengers Hunt
Murder By Pride
Last Look At Eden
Battle For Life
Lies
You can find Kenaniah 1522 on Facebook, Reverbnation, Twitter, and You Tube.
Filed under: Music Reviews Tagged: @KenaniaH1522, Battle For Life, Kenaniah 1522, Last Look At Eden, Murder By Pride, Music Review, While The Scavengers Hunt, Wolfmother
Book Tour ~ Duke City Desperado
About the Book
Title: Duke City Desperado
Author: Max Austin
Genre: Thriller
For fans of Breaking Bad and the bestselling fiction of Don Winslow and George Pelecanos comes Max Austin’s latest fast-paced, rollicking “Lawbreakers Thriller” of criminals and lovers, malcontents and madmen–all within the treacherous city limits of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Under a sky full of stars, Dylan James lies sleeping on the roof of a pueblo-style house. Everyone in Albuquerque seems to be looking for him. A murderous Mafia prince wants to kill him. Two FBI agents want to cuff him. A Goth girl wants to make love to him. And a fierce, sexy Chicana just wants to clean up the mess Dylan made. The trouble started with a drug-addled career criminal named Doc, and a bank robbery staged with a garage-door opener. And it all goes off the rails after a little misunderstanding with Dylan’s ex-girlfriend and her jealous, gun-toting new beau. When the sun comes up, this sleepy, scrawny desperado is going to show the world what he is made of–all for a one-in-a-million shot at walking out of Duke City alive.
Author Bio
Max Austin is the pseudonym of writer Steve Brewer. He lives in Duke City (Albuquerque), New Mexico.
Blog: http://stevebrewer.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/brewerrules
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7847087.Max_Austin
Links
Penguin Random House
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
iBooks
GooglePlay
Books a Million
Goodreads
Excerpt
It took FBI Agent Hector Aragon less than a minute to turn up a mug shot of Dylan James on his iPad. He and Pam Willis stood shoulder to shoulder in the hall outside the interrogation room, looking at the squinting face on the screen.
Dylan James had the glassy eyes and indoor pallor of a pothead. The kid looked soft, like so many young people today, gradually turning into the sofas they occupy. To Hector, who did push-ups and sit-ups before he allowed himself his morning coffee, such sloth seemed a disgrace.
“Six feet tall, one-seventy,” Pam said, reading the description below the photo. “That fits the physical description and the videos. Bet we find his prints in the van.”
“Check his priors,” he said. “Two B-and-E’s. One public drunk. Hardly a career criminal.”
“He’s twenty-four. He’s just getting started.”
“So he hitches his wagon to a weasel like Doc Burnett?”
“Nobody said he was a genius,” she said.
“Sure doesn’t look like one.”
“He was smart enough to flee the scene at that bank.”
“Yeah, but he’s not smart enough to stay fled.”
That made her smile. Hector spent much of his workday trying to make Pam smile. It wasn’t an easy task. She took her work seriously and kept up a cool professional demeanor. She had ambitions, more than Hector, who was happy to be the hometown boy who made good, working at the FBI’s Albuquerque office.
“We’ll put his face on TV,” he said. “We’ll have him by dawn.”
“I hope you’re right. We make quick work of this laugher of a case, and it’ll help rebuild our reputations.”
“There you go again. There’s nothing wrong with our reputations.”
“Believe that if you want,” she said, “but we’re still suffering from that shoot-out. Everybody knows we had Wyman right in our sights, in broad daylight, but he still managed to nail both of us.”
Hector sighed. Couldn’t a single day pass without her bringing it up? The day at the casino hotel still plagued his dreams, forcing him to relive the shoot-out with the mustachioed bank robber, Mick Wyman, beside the blue swimming pool. Hector often snapped awake in the middle of the night in a cold sweat. He didn’t need her constant reminders.
“Come on, Pam. It’s been over a year. We’re all healed up. We’re back on the job. Everybody’s forgotten about it.”
“I haven’t. His partner’s still out there somewhere, and he got away with a million dollars.”
“So far,” Hector said. “But he’ll turn up one of these days. He’ll make a mistake.”
“You keep saying that, but it hasn’t happened so far.”
“All in good time,” he said. “For now, let’s keep the focus on Dylan James.”
“You’re right.” She looked at the dopey face on the screen. “We’ll pull out all the stops. APD, county sheriffs, state troopers, the media. Plaster his face everywhere.”
“This kid won’t know what hit him,” Hector said, and he swiped the photo from the screen.
Filed under: Guest Authors Tagged: @brewerrules, Breaking Bad, Don Winslow, Duke City Desperado, George Pelecanos, Max Austin
June 19, 2015
Movie Review ~ It Follows
First posted over at HorrorAddicts.net.
It Follows (2014)
IMDB Rating: 7.5
Stars: Maika Monroe, Keir Gilchrist, Olivia Luccardi
Tagline: A young woman is followed by an unknown supernatural force after getting involved in a sexual encounter.
Review: For nineteen-year-old Jay, Autumn should be about school, boys and week-ends out at the lake. But after a seemingly innocent sexual encounter, she finds herself plagued by strange visions and the inescapable sense that someone, something, is following her. Faced with this burden, Jay and her friends must find a way to escape the horrors that seem to be only a few steps behind.
As far as horror goes, It Follows is more like It Drags… out. I have noticed the term Horror is thrown about very loosely these days, and used by anyone who thinks that anything to do with creepy is deemed as horror. There is horror, and then there is this bucket.
It Follow runs more like a showcase of what consequences one can have if one has unprotected sex, and infact, this film comes across like an anti-sex campaign. I remember in the late 1980’s there were a series of commercials here in Australia warning of the dangers of AIDS. In these ads, it depicted the Grim Reaper at a bowling alley, getting a perfect strike with each bowl. While bowling and AIDS are different things entirely, the message was clear. That ad was creepy, and hence I will classify those series of ads as Horror, and it was still better than It Follows
It Follows is a 2 hour bore-fest that tells the plot in 5 seconds… In order to avoid being killed off by a ghost – whose only way of chasing you down is by walking slowly – one must have sex with anyone to “pass on the curse”… good job!
Acting was horrendous, camerawork was shaky and very amateur, and even the editing looked like it was done half-assed. And in the end, shall I say it? Yeah why not… The ghost that stalks slowly ends up getting whacked with a bullet to the head… lame… How this cost $2 million is beyond me.
It Follows is definitely one of the worst yawn-fest films I have seen in all time. Do yourself a favor, and save yourself the 2 hours you will never get back and watch 70’s horror films instead.
Verdict: It Drags…
My Rating: 0.5 out of 10
Filed under: Movie Reviews Tagged: HorrorAddicts.net, It Follows, It Follows (2014), Keir Gilchrist, Maika Monroe, Olivia Luccardi
June 18, 2015
Book Tour ~ In The Land Of Shiva – A Memoir by James O’Hara
Title: In The Land Of Shiva – A Memoir
Author: James O’Hara
Author Bio
Born in Milwaukee, WI, at age 18 O’Hara joined the Catholic order of Brothers who taught at his high school. As a Brother for almost 30 years, O’Hara taught math at both the secondary and college levels, and in his late ‘30s volunteered to travel to India to establish a branch of his religious order there. After seven years in India and Nepal, he returned to the States, left the Brothers, and became a massage therapist and massage instructor. In addition to doing bodywork, he has also become a certified dream worker. He makes his home in Berkeley, CA. His time in India and Nepal took him from immersion in religion to a place “beyond religion.”
Author Links
www.jamesohara.com
Facebook
LinkedIn
Amazon
Book Genre: Memoir
Publisher: Leandros Publishing
Release Date: June 10, 2014
Book Description:
When Brother Jim leaves his comfortable life teaching in Catholic high schools and travels to India, he finds himself unprepared for the challenges he faces.
His assigned task is to start his religious order in that country, but as he immerses himself in a land of unfamiliar customs and ancient religious traditions, he soon discovers that his mission has become deeply personal. Brother Jim questions not only all his vows, but his deepest beliefs.
As he travels across India and encounters holy men, thieves, rabid monkeys, and genuinely good-hearted people of all backgrounds, he realizes that the religion of his upbringing is but one of many paths to spirituality, and a sometimes oppressive one at that. On the eve of celebrating twenty-five years as a brother, Jim must decide what he truly holds as important and how he wants to live the rest of his life.
India and Nepal, with all their clamor, fascination, and surprises, come alive on every page in this unusual memoir set in the ‘80s.
Excerpt
Chapter: Monkey Business
Context: Bro Jim has been bitten by a monkey at a train station in South India.
…
“Your wound has become seriously infected. This is why you have a fever.” The emergency room doctor stood over me and explained the situation bluntly. “I shall admit you immediately and begin a course of antibiotics. We don’t want you to lose your leg.”
Lose my leg? My heart pounded painfully in my chest. Was the infection that bad? Had gangrene set in? I looked at the doctor and lone nurse that attended him. If the infection was serious, shouldn’t there be a whole team of physicians and nurses hovering nearby holding trays of bandages and clamps and antibiotics and narcotics? Where was everybody?
For the next several days I lay restlessly in my bed at St. John’s, a teaching hospital reputed to be the best in town. In the mornings, a doctor led a group of interns on their daily rounds, discussing each patient’s condition. The training was conducted in English, and since most patients didn’t understand that language, doctors and interns felt free to make candid remarks in front of the patient. Each morning I was the nine o’clock lesson.
“I want everybody to touch the red area near Mr. James’s wound,” Dr. Gopal said to his interns. “You see how hard the tissue is? That means that the antibiotics are not working. Perhaps we shall try some other sulfa drug.”
Perhaps? He’s saying it might be a good idea to try something else?
The interns poked, without protective gloves, on the back of my thigh.
“Excuse me,” I said, turning to look directly at Dr. Gopal. “From now on, I want to be informed personally about my progress. And I want to know your plan for treatment of possible rabies. Nobody has mentioned that yet.”
“Rabies?” Dr. Gopal glanced toward me, surprised that a patient should have questions. “I doubt that will be a problem. We are not certain the monkey bit you. The wound may be from his claw.” He turned away. “Now students, continue the rounds on your own and leave your reports in my office. Good day.”
Three interns remained behind and plied me with questions, but not about my well-being.
“Is it true that doctors are the richest people in America?”
“Do you know a hospital that is needing more doctors?”
“I hear that only wealthy people can obtain hospital care in the United States. Is it correct?”
I responded to their questions in short sentences, trying not to tire myself out any more than the fever already had. My leg had begun throbbing again with an added feeling of sharp pain. I was convinced the monkey had left several teeth in my leg. And my anxiety was rising—I could not stop thinking about rabies.
“If you don’t mind,” said a young intern named Sanjay, “I shall return to speak with you this afternoon. We are completely bored because there is hardly anybody in the hospital.” Sanjay explained why. The movie Coma had come to town two weeks earlier, and people were staying out of the hospital for fear that their organs might be stolen.
Filed under: Guest Authors Tagged: In The Land Of Shiva – A Memoir, James O’Hara, Rafflecopter giveaway
Book Tour ~ AEGIS INCURSION
AEGIS INCURSION
by S.S. Segran
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BLURB:
*** #1 AMAZON HOT NEW RELEASE (YA/Teen)*** WORLDS COLLIDE . HEROES ARISE ***
Great as a Standalone or as an Explosive Sequel to #1 Amazon Kindle Bestseller, AEGIS RISING.
On a bright July morning in 1948, a B-29 Superfortress flying a top-secret research mission over Nevada crashes into the calm waters of Lake Mead and sinks, remaining lost for half a century.
It has been nearly a year since five friends – Jag, Kody, Mariah, Tegan and Aari – mysteriously reappeared in a small town in Yukon several weeks after their small plane went down in Northern Canada. All were found in good health but with no recollection of what happened to them after the crash.
A baffling contagion is spreading across the bread-basket of North America destroying vital crops. As this dark shadow marches across the globe, widespread famine and riots bring desperate nations to the brink of war.
These seemingly unrelated events set the stage for a battle between the forces of darkness and those destined to become the ‘bearers of light’. From ravaged fields in the Great Plains to clandestine installations around the world, the Aegis League must race against time to save humanity.
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“Unique and compelling! With non-stop action, adventure and intrigue, Aegis Incursion will appeal to fans of Maze Runner, Percy Jackson and Hunger Games.” ~Michael Beas – Bestselling Author of ‘Strump: A World of Shadows’ ~
“S.S.Segran brings us a worthy sequel to her best-selling debut novel, Aegis Rising. Relentless action and gravity defying twists and turns hold the reader in a tight grip till the last page.” ~ Honore Gbedze ”” The SAGE Foundation ~
“RECOMMENDED! A good sequel stands alone as a strong work without the accomplishments of its predecessors, but a great sequel inspires readers to go back and relive a book they’ve already read, and that is precisely what this book accomplishes.” ~ The US Review of Books ~
“FIVE STARS! A great book to dive into and a fantastic follow up to the first… One of the best things author S.S. Segran has done here is that the book can be read as a stand-alone. Highly recommended!” ~ Readers’ Favorite Reviews ~
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EXCERPT
…A sound in the distance snapped him out of his daydream. It was a low rumbling, like thunder, but that was impossible—the sky was still bright and cloudless. As the sound gradually became louder, Elwood was able to pinpoint the location and slowly looked toward the east. He squinted against the sun, then gasped when he saw a shimmering silhouette emerge from the glare…
…The aircraft thundered right over Elwood’s head, so near that the vortex of air created by the plane’s passing churned the water violently, capsizing the canoe and pitching him into the lake. He struggled and attempted to cry out, only to choke on water. He floundered back up to the surface and sputtered and spat as he tried to regain his bearings.
Catching sight of the plane as it boomed overhead, he watched, agape, as the aircraft hit the surface of the lake on its belly. The massive propellers struck the water, violently tearing three of the four engines away from the wings…
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AUTHOR BIO
S.S.Segran spent a good chunk of her childhood exploring the enchanted forest of a million tales in the mystical land of books. In her early teens, she began crafting intriguing new worlds and conjuring up characters who came alive with the flick of her wand… err… pen. With the publication of her first novel in the Aegis League Series during her senior year of high school, she was surprised by the abundance of time that magically appeared right after graduation. She plans to use this newfound resource to expand the arc of the series. Her future plans include studying Cognitive Science at university and helping youths in developing countries realize their potential through her non-profit organization, Aegis League (www.aegisleague.org)
When not devouring a book or writing one, S.S.Segran can be found standing behind the cauldron of life, stirring a potion made up of chores, parkour, gaming, drawing, horseback riding and—having recently jumped off a perfectly fine airplane at fifteen thousand feet – perhaps skydiving.
WEBSITE: www.sssegran.com
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/SegranBooks
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/aegisnovel
AMAZON PAGE: http://www.amazon.com/Aegis-Incursion-Action-Adventure-Fantasy-ebook/dp/B00V56524W/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0R3B52T86N85KNNK5XFW
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GIVEAWAY
S.S. Segran will award a randomly drawn commenter via Rafflecopter a $25 Amazon/BN GC.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Filed under: Guest Authors Tagged: @SegranBooks, AEGIS RISING, Rafflecopter giveaway, S.S.Segran
June 17, 2015
Book Tour ~ Untouchable by Elizabeth SaFleur
Author Bio
Elizabeth SaFleur, an erotic romance author, penned the Elite Doms of Washington series, contemporary tales of dominance, seduction, and love set in our nation’s capital. The first novel, Lovely, was released in January 2015. She’s a member of the Romance Writers Association and avid reader of all fiction genres.
Author Links –
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon
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GIVEAWAY
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Book Genre: Romance
Publisher: Troll River Publications
Release Date: July 3rd, 2015 (pre-order special at $2.99 from the original $4.99)
Buy Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00V8CZ3KG
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/untouchable-elizabeth-safleur/1121714928?ean=2940151858380
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/untouchable-34
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/532355
Book Description
A powerful man in a powerful world, corporate attorney Carson Drake is the master of the short-term affair and the preemptive strike. His motto, do unto others before done to him, has kept him single and safe.Public relations executive London Chantelle relishes in her independence and is an unlikely partner. Mistrustful and damaged from her history, London wants nothing to do with men seeking to cage her.
Yet their unexpected encounter at private BDSM club Diabolus offers a delicious opportunity for them both. Mesmerized by London’s spirit, Carson offers her a weekend of sexual, submissive pleasure. London, anticipating she could finally put her unwanted darker, longings to rest, agrees to his proposal.
The weekend proves beyond what either could guess. Carson quickly taps into London’s masochistic streak, and they discover how perfect they could be together. But when a blackmailing co-worker and long-buried secrets threatens their budding relationship, Carson must turn to the secret and powerful BDSM organization, The Tribunal, for help. Yet help always comes with a price, and soon Carson and London are forced to deal with their pasts.
Excerpt
“Control of your submissive goes beyond administering punishments and pleasure,” Carson said. Katie shifted once more. He traced a fingertip across the brunette’s shoulder tattoo. The ink on her flesh read Hurt Me. If only all women came pre-labeled with warning stickers, like this beauty draped over his legs. Perhaps then he’d have understood London’s edginess today a little better. Danger: High Voltage would have suited her.
For the last two hours he’d tried to stop thinking about those legs. Every technique he used only pushed her deep into his mind. And the thought of pushing deep into her.
Katie wiggled across his thighs and reclaimed his attention. He placed his hand over her lower back. “Be still.” He waited. When she finally stopped her attempts to grind into his crotch, he returned his attention to the growing audience for his spanking demo at Club Accendos.
“Settle,” he whispered. Carson willed his usual concentration to rise. After all, he’d agreed to this silly demo.
“Yes, sir.” Her words came out garbled. Katie was a screamer, so he’d gagged her. But he couldn’t enjoy her usual vocal appreciation of his work, thanks to unshakeable thoughts of a certain PR Princess.
He returned his attention to the ass presented. Smack! Smack! Katie’s behind grew more heated under his hand. When he palmed her pinkened butt, she pressed into his lack of an erection. It wasn’t Katie’s fault for his lackluster reaction to her. He’d just been here so many times before.
Katie’s flesh jiggled under three more swats. She fell further over his lap, releasing the last of her own tension and settling into the moment. If only he could do the same.
He slipped the gag from Katie’s mouth and let it clatter the floor. He eased her up and caught her by the arm as she swayed. Her heavy lids told him at least she’d enjoyed their time together.
“Thank you, sweetheart. As you can see, Katie is starting to float. That’s when you need to stop. Check in with your sub often and pay attention to the signs. Any questions?” If there is a God, there’ll be no questions.
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Interview with Elizabeth SaFleur
Elizabeth, tell our readers about you.….
Hello! Thanks for having me stop by. I’m an erotic romance author who is recovering from a thirty-year public relations career. For many years I’ve lived and worked in my novels’ setting, Washington, D.C. Due to the nature of my former clients, I write (and tweet and post) under my pseudonym, Elizabeth SaFleur, because my DC colleagues might be a little shocked at my new career choice. Then again, perhaps they’d fear they provided inspiration. (I have sworn secrecy.)
Today I share twenty-eight, wildlife-filled acres in Virginia with my husband and furry child, a westie (who is the real Dom in the household). If my house were to catch on fire I’d grab three things: the westie, my laptop and my Sally Rand regulation, five foot wide, black and pink, ostrich feather fans. In my spare time I dance (from cabaret to burlesque) with a semi-pro dance troupe. It’s never too late to take up burlesque.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
I don’t think the characters in my head would allow me to stay in bed all day. So many stories, so little time. Almost every day I wake up “talking” to characters. Those demanding Doms!
If you could hang out with one famous person for one day, who would it be and why?
Would it be bad if I said, Stephen Amell, the actor from Arrow? I promise to give him back to his wife at the end of the day. If not Stephen, then I’d like to spend the day with Bono. He is someone who has used his life well. He’s creative, philanthropic and dedicated to life-long learning. I think I could learn a thing or two just by breathing the same air as Bono.
What’s the story behind your latest book?
Untouchable was inspired by the hero, Carson Drake. Carson made a cameo appearance in the first Elite Doms’ book, Lovely. After Lovely debuted, Carson haunted me. I sensed he had a story that needed to be told. Of course, as soon as I thought about him, he began to “talk” to me. I began to ask him questions in my head and wrote down the dialogue. The entire story of Untouchable was inspired by me asking him two basic questions: who is your ideal partner and what would be the worst scenario in which you could meet this person? The story cascaded from his answers.
Tell us your writing process.
I try to write a first draft straight through, just to get the characters and story down. After the first draft, I go through every chapter asking myself what I was trying to accomplish with each one and how I wanted the characters to come across. The third (and subsequent drafts) are for line editing and plot holes. Copy editing and proofing are done in final drafts. Oh, and I tend to “futz” with the first seven chapters over and over and over again no matter where I am in the process. I am in awe of writers who can write just a few drafts and call it a day. I go through many!
When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?
I don’t recall a time when I didn’t write. I wrote my first novel, the Mystery of the Bunny, when I was seven. I think I one sale – to my parents for a dime. They are responsible for my writing addiction! Over the years I tried writing various novels and short stories. But Lovely was the first novel I tried to get published.
Tell us about your main character:
In Untouchable, Carson Drake is a corporate attorney and sexual dominant. When we meet him, he also is quite lonely. He’s honorable, but often comes across as gruff. He doesn’t understand why people don’t see what he does. But I love his loyalty. He simply would not give up on London.
London Chantelle, the heroine in Untouchable, surprised me. She presented herself as being a this tough, public relations executive. But, as the story progresses, we find she has a softer, nurturing side. It’s that part of her that causes Carson to come undone.
I love how these two characters come together. The people they present to the world prove to be incompatible. But, their true selves – once revealed – show they are perfect for one another.
What are you working on next?
I’m writing the third and fourth Elite Doms books. Perfect is the third book and features Mark Santos – an ex special forces’ member who is in love with his brother’s widow, Isabelle. The fourth book, presently untitled, is about Derek Damon Wright, a club owner who will meet his match in dancer Samantha Rose.
Do you have any special/extraordinary talents?
I can teach any woman how to exotic dance. I’m not trying to shock — really. But, for many years, I taught exotic dance in a professional dance studio, teaching everyday women how to get back in touch with their sensual selves. We do not teach women how to be strippers. Rather, women come to us to recover their sensual side that they may have lost for a variety of reasons: medical conditions, sexual assault, losing themselves to family commitments and more. At the end of my lifetime, I already know I’ll look back on my dance teacher days and believe it was one of the best uses of my time.
Who are your favorite authors?
I have so many favorite authors! But two writers stand out for me: Joey W. Hill and Beth Kery. Both write emotionally deep and plot-rich stories that I can’t put down.
What do you like to do with your free time?
In addition to dance, I spend time with my furry child (a three year-old Westie) and my husband, taking long hikes through our woods and visiting local wineries and restaurants with friends and family.
Tell us about your plans for upcoming books.
I’m so glad you asked! The Elite Doms series is at least seven books, each one about a dominant and submissive seeking true love while staying true to themselves. The Doms are connected, but each story is a stand-alone story.
Any final thoughts?
Many thanks for having me stop by. Also, thank you to all the readers who read, comment and review books. Time is precious, so thank you for spending a little bit of yours with me. I love to hear from readers, so please feel free to drop me a line anytime: ElizabethLoveStory@gmail.com or stop by my blog: http://www.ElizabethSafleur.com/blog
Filed under: Guest Authors Tagged: @ElizaLoveStory, Book Giveaway, Elizabeth SaFleur, Rafflecopter giveaway, Troll River Publications, Untouchable by Elizabeth SaFleur, VBT Cafe, virtual book tour café
Book Tour ~ The Shakespeare Conspiracy
Title: The Shakespeare Conspiracy
Author: Jeffrey Hunter McQuain
Publisher: Telemachus Press
Genre: Fiction/Thriller
Format: Kindle
What makes a secret worth dying for? That’s what Christopher Klewe, a brash young professor from Virginia, finds out in Jeffrey Hunter McQuain’s new thriller “The Shakespeare Conspiracy” when he stumbles upon the most shocking cover-up in literary history.
On a rainy Halloween at Washington’s Kennedy Center, a masked killer brutally stabs Klewe’s best friend. Before dying, the victim deliberately drops his raincoat across a puddle and scrawls the letters “SoN” in his own blood.
Investigating the murder scene, Klewe is joined by Zelda Hart, a married reporter for The New York Times. They learn the victim’s ear was severed and find evidence of a 400-year-old secret society. When questioned by police, Klewe reveals the surprising question he’s been researching: was Shakespeare black?
Outside Kennedy Center, they meet a drunken security guard who saw the murder and swears that “Shakespeare did it.” Klewe and Zelda grow less skeptical when a figure wearing a Shakespeare mask and wielding an Elizabethan dagger chases them into the Metro subway system toward Maryland.
After being cornered in a remote Maryland cabin by the killer, the two escape to look for answers at Shakespeare and Company, a famous Paris bookstore, as well as in London’s Globe Theater. As they solve each step of the mystery, though, they face new obstacles to overcome and more clues to unravel in their search for the truth.
Pursued across two continents by murderers, the desperate Klewe and Zelda have only three days to solve the strangest mystery of Renaissance history. The evidence mounts up, drawn from actual anagrams hidden in Shakespeare’s own words as well as historically accurate descriptions of Elizabethan paintings and observations made by the playwright’s contemporaries.
Their dangerous journey takes them ultimately to Stratford and the Bard’s final resting place. There the words of the playwright’s epitaph help thwart the deadly conspiracy.
Once hailed as “a jaw-dropping premise” by the late columnist William Safire, “The Shakespeare Conspiracy” is the first novel by a published Shakespeare expert. It offers readers the twists of a thrill ride reminiscent of “The Da Vinci Code” as well as that novel’s excitement of wondering whether its central secret just might be true. If so, this new thriller has the potential to expose the biggest literary conspiracy of all time, offering a whole new way of looking at the world’s greatest writer, William Shakespeare.
ORDER INFORMATION
The Shakespeare Conspiracy is available for purchase at Amazon and B&N.
About The Author
Jeffrey Hunter McQuain, who holds a Doctorate in Literary Studies from American University, is co-author of several popular books, including “Coined by Shakespeare” and “The Bard on the Brain.” For more than a dozen years, he served as the researcher for William Safire’s “On Language” column in The New York Times. A poet and dramatist, he has also taught college courses in Shakespeare and occasionally performed in the Bard’s plays. His first novel, “The Shakespeare Conspiracy,” is based on his nonfiction book “Ebony Swan: The Case for Shakespeare’s Race.” Dr. McQuain lives in Maryland and is currently adapting “Ebony Swan” as a stage play.
For More Information
Visit Jeffrey’s website.
Filed under: Guest Authors Tagged: Jeffrey Hunter McQuain, Pump Up Your Book, PUYB, The Shakespeare Conspiracy
June 16, 2015
Book Tour ~ Myth And Magic
Title: Myth and Magic
Author: Mae Clair
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Format: Kindle
AS CHILDREN THEY PLAYED GAMES OF MYTH AND MAGIC…
Veronica Kent fell in love with Caith Breckwood when they were children. As a teenager, she was certain he was the man she was destined to marry. But a traumatic event from Caith’s past led him to fear a future together. He left Veronica, hoping to save her from a terrible fate. Twelve years later, Caith, now a P.I., is hired to investigate bizarre incidents at the secluded retreat Veronica manages. Returning to his hometown, Caith is forced to face his nightmares—and his feelings for the woman he’s always loved.
THEN ONE DAY THE MONSTERS BECAME REAL.
After the callous way Caith broke her heart, Veronica isn’t thrilled to see him again. But strange occurrences have taken a dangerous toll on business at Stone Willow Lodge. Forced to work together, Veronica discovers it isn’t ghostly apparitions that frighten her, but her passion for a man she has never forgotten. Or forgiven. Can two people with a tarnished past unearth a magical future?
PRE-ORDER INFORMATION
Myth and Magic is available for pre-order at Amazon, B&N, Kobo and GooglePlay.
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Mae Clair opened a Pandora’s Box of characters when she was a child and never looked back. Her father, an artist who tinkered with writing, encouraged her to create make-believe worlds by spinning tales of far-off places on summer nights beneath the stars.
Mae loves creating character-driven fiction in settings that vary from contemporary to mythical. Wherever her pen takes her, she flavors her stories with conflict, romance and elements of mystery. Married to her high school sweetheart, she lives in Pennsylvania and is passionate about writing, old photographs, a good Maine lobster tail and cats.
For More Information
Visit Mae’s website.
Connect with Mae on Twitter.
Interview with Mae Clair
Mae, tell us about you
Like many authors I work full-time (in the real estate field), I’m married to my high school sweetheart, and have been spinning tales since I was six. My books contain a mix of mystery, suspense, and romance, sometimes with paranormal or mythical elements woven through the plot. When I’m not writing, I love reading and devour books by the droves!
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
A great many things, but mostly the love of my life, my husband. He’s also my best friend and soul-mate.
If you could hang out with one famous person for one day, who would it be and why?
I’ll go with the assumption they don’t have to be currently living, in which case my answer would be Robert F. Kennedy. I’m too young to really remember him, but I started reading about him on a whim a number of years ago. Since then, I’ve developed quite a library on him. I’m fascinated by all he tried to do for America, and especially, the downtrodden. His personality was such an interesting mix of fierce loyalty, fearless bull-dogged tenacity, and extreme compassion. I would love to talk to him!
What’s the story behind your latest book?
It’s a romantic suspense novel centered around bizarre happenings at secluded corporate lodge. My hero, Caith Breckwood, is hired to investigate the strange occurrences plaguing Stone Willow Lodge, but there are numerous complications. Caith’s family owns the lodge, and he’s been estranged from them for twelve years. Complicating things further, the lodge is managed by Veronica Kent, the only woman he ever loved—-but left. A tragedy from his past has kept him isolated in ways he doesn’t realize until he’s forced to face his ghosts.
Tell us your writing process
I always start with characters before plot. All of my fiction is heavily character-driven so my hero, heroine, and even secondary characters tend to make themselves known first. From there, I sketch out their backgrounds, what motivates them, and the obstacles they have to overcome. That in turn, gives me a bare-bones idea of a plot, and from there I start writing. I “pants” most of the novel but I do make detailed character outlines beforehand.
What has and has not worked for you that you can share with aspiring & upcoming authors?
The hardest thing for me has been finding my audience, because my plots are an equal blend of mystery and romance (with suspense tossed in). A lot of romance readers don’t want mystery, and a lot of mystery readers don’t want romance. I’ve always been enamored of both. I also tend to have strong secondary plots in every novel. Again, some readers prefer a singular focus on the H/h. If I wrote that way I would probably be far more successful, but I think secondary characters (and secondary plots) can really enrich a novel. Reviewers of my books have said I weave a lot of threads together for a concise (and happy) ending. Another said I juggle plots and put them together with ease. I take that as a high compliment, but I also think that way of writing can sometimes be a hindrance…especially for a new author.
When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?
I can’t remember a time when I didn’t write. I was constantly scribbling away in notebooks as a kid. My parents encouraged me, teachers encouraged me, I talked to professional authors (even as a teen), read books on writing and constantly created stories. I think the desire to be a writer has always been with me from the time I was in grade school.
Tell us about your main character:
Caith Breckwood has a lot of baggage in his past. He hasn’t spoken to his father or brother for twelve years. He left the one person he loved (Veronica Kent) as a teenager headed for college, and never turned back. He’s haunted by a childhood kidnapping that turned deadly and, as a result, has been living under the grip of guilt and fear for most of his life. An ex-cop, he’s now a private investigator returning to his hometown to confront ghosts…but not all of them are of the spiritual variety.
What are you working on next?
I have a novella coming out in late November called FOOD FOR POE. It’s a paranormal Christmas romance.
Do you have any special/extraordinary talents?
I wish. Does loving to dance count?
Who are your favorite authors?
Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (writing team), P.J. Parrish, Cassandra Clare, Jim Buchter, Kate Ellis
What do you like to do with your free time?
I have a side interest in myth, urban legends, folklore and cryptozoology (think Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster). In my free time, I like to research all of the above. I also enjoy yoga and aquatic exercises. And, of course, I am always reading something!
Tell us about your plans for upcoming books.
Right now I’m working on a mystery/suspense series set in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Book 1 is complete and book 2 is in the research stage. I plan a three book series, with a light romantic plot in each. The novels are set in 1982 and reference events that took place in the late 60s involving UFOs, men-in-black and a creature called the Mothman. Each book has a standalone plot, the first book being a murder mystery.
Any final thoughts?
Thank you for having me as your guest today. It was a delight to be hear and share MYTH AND MAGIC with you!
Filed under: Guest Authors Tagged: @maeclair, Mae Clair, Myth and Magic, Pump Up Your Book, PUYB
Wicked Ride, Waking the Dragon and Brand of the Pack Virtual Book Tour
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Title: Wicked Ride
Author: Rebecca Zanetti
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format: Kindle
“Non-stop action and a hero to die for!” —Alexandra Ivy
If you love the Dark Protectors, these wicked hot Realm Enforcers are for you!
Alexandra Monzelle is a hard-fighting, heat-packing Seattle vice cop, and she’s not much interested in being protected. Her short skirt and sex-kitten heels are tools to lure her suspects into talking about the deadly new drug hitting the streets. She can take care of herself and then some. Unfortunately, she can’t seem to get that through to Kellach Dunne.
Kellach is a fresh import from Dublin, and he’s landed at the heart of a vicious motorcycle club that deals in guns, narcotics, and mayhem. He’s all male, all rough power—and all interference in her damn investigation. Maybe he’s one of the good guys. Maybe not. Lex knows an affair with an immortal like him would risk everything. No matter how delicious he looks…
PRE-ORDER INFORMATION
Wicked Ride is available for pre-order at Amazon, B&N, Kobo and GooglePlay.
About The Author
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Rebecca Zanetti has worked as an art curator, Senate aide, lawyer, college professor, and a hearing examiner – only to culminate it all in stories about Alpha males and the women who claim them. She writes dark paranormals, romantic suspense, and sexy contemporary romances.
Growing up amid the glorious backdrops and winter wonderlands of the Pacific Northwest has given Rebecca fantastic scenery and adventures to weave into her stories. She resides in the wild north with her husband, children, and extended family who inspire her every day–or at the very least give her plenty of characters to write about.
Visit Rebecca’s website. Connect with Rebecca on Facebook, Pinterest, Goodreads and Twitter.
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Title: Waking the Dragon
Author: Juliette Cross
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format: Kindle
The Gladium Province is on the verge of civil unrest as humans and Morgons, the dragon-hybrid race, clash once more. But amid disorder can also arise passion…
When the bodies of three human women are discovered in Morgon territory—with the DNA of several Morgon men on the victims—it’s just a matter of time before civil unrest hits the Province. But for ambitious reporter Moira Cade, it’s more than just a story, and it may mean risking her own life.
Descending into the dark underworld of Morgon society, Moira is paired with Kol Moonring, Captain of the Morgon Guard, for her protection. Fiercely independent, Moira bristles at his dominance, and defies his will at every turn. Yet resistance proves futile when passion flares between them, awakening powerful emotions within both, body and soul. But as the killings continue, can their fiery newfound bond survive an even greater evil—one that threatens all of humanity, Morgonkind, and Moira’s very soul?…
PRE-ORDER INFORMATION
Waking the Dragon is available for pre-order at Amazon, B&N, Kobo and GooglePlay.
About The Author
Juliette calls lush, moss-laden Louisiana home where the landscape curls into her imagination, creating mystical settings for her stories. She has a B.A. in creative writing from Louisiana State University, a M.Ed. in gifted education, and was privileged to study under the award-winning author Ernest J. Gaines in grad school. Her love of mythology, legends, and art serve as constant inspiration for her works. From the moment she read JANE EYRE as a teenager, she fell in love with the Gothic romance–brooding characters, mysterious settings, persevering heroines, and dark, sexy heroes. Even then, she not only longed to read more novels set in Gothic worlds, she wanted to create her own.
Visit Juliette’s website. Connect with Juliette on Facebook and Twitter.
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Title: Brand of the Pack
Author: Tera Shanley
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format: Kindle
The last of her kind
As the last of the Silver Wolves, and the only female with the ability to produce werewolf offspring, Morgan Carter is a wanted woman. Male suitors from all packs vie for her, and threaten the safety of her young niece, Lana. But there is only one man Morgan wants . . .
The last of his control
Greyson Crawford has been through hell and back for Morgan. And he’d do it again. But until she learns to trust him, and lets him claim her as his own, he can’t fully protect her. When a force more powerful than either have known threatens to tear them apart, can Greyson convince Morgan to accept him as her mate once and for all, before it’s too late?
PRE-ORDER INFORMATION
Brand of the Pack is available for pre-order at Amazon, B&N, Kobo and GooglePlay.
About The Author
Hybrid author, Tera Shanley, is the twisted mind behind the zombie-rific Dead Rapture series. Schooled in weaponry and with an alpha male of her own, the dystopian romance genre was a natural draw. She has several books published through Omnific Publishing/Simon & Schuster and Lyrical Press/Kensington. A happy inhabitant of cozy, small town Texas, she spends her days chasing around her rambunctious family, spending time outdoors, reading, and typing up the stories her characters demand she write.
Visit Tera’s website. Connect with Tera on Facebook and Twitter.
Filed under: Guest Authors Tagged: @Juliette__Cross, @RebeccaZanetti, @terashanley, Brand of the Pack, Dead Rapture series, Juliette Cross, Pump Up Your Book, PUYB, Rebecca Zanetti, Tera Shanley, virtual book tour, Waking the Dragon, Wicked Ride
