Roxanne Rhoads's Blog, page 303

Cover Reveal - Allerleirauh by Chantal Gadoury

AllerleirauhChantal Gadoury
Genre: Historical Fantasy /Fairy Tale Retelling
Publisher: Parliament HousePublishing
Pending Release Date: August 22, 2017
ISBN: 978-1542850889
Cover Artist:  Parliament House
Book Description:
Long ago in the kingdom of Tranen, a king makes a promise to his dying wife to remarry only a woman who possesses her same golden hair. With time, the wicked king finds his attentions are captured by his maturing daughter. With her father’s dastardly intentions at her door post, Princess Aurelia wards off his advances by requesting impossible gifts…. Dresses created by the sun, moon and stars and a coat made of a thousand furs.
By the hands of horrible magic, the king is successful and the dresses are delivered and Aurelia decides to sacrifice her privileged life. She escapes her kingdom, the only home she’s ever known, disguised with a cloak and a new name, “Allerleirauh.”
Aurelia enters the safe haven of the kingdom of Saarland der Licht, where she is taken under the care of the handsome and gentle Prince Klaus. Hoping to not be discovered by her father’s courtiers, Aurelia tries to remain hidden under her new false identity. Unexpected love is challenged between Aurelia and Prince Klaus with an approaching arranged marriage between the heir of Saarland der Licht and the neighboring ruler’s daughter. With danger and heartache hanging in the air, Aurelia must face the troubles of her past and her fears for the future in her journey of self-discovery.
Based on the Grimm Brothers’ Fairy Tale “Allerleirauh.”
Goodreads

Excerpt: 
“Have you forgotten your mother’s last wish? I promised her I would marry someone as beautiful as she. You're the only one who has the same golden hair, the same smile, the same beautiful eyes. You are the only one who will do, who I can love. The only one worthy of my love, my power, my body. You will be my bride,” he declared as he ran a finger through my hair. My teeth clenched at his touch. The only thing keeping me in the room was the new plan wheeling through my mind. Perhaps it would be clever enough to save me from this fate. I could not live this life with him. I would rather die.             “If I am to marry you,” I began softly, letting out a deep breath. “I have four simple requests.”            My father grinned and nodded, “Go on…anything.”            It was clear he underestimated me by way of his confident sneer. The way he stared down his nose at me, he anticipated my requests to be silly and pedantic. I unclenched my white fingers and licked my bottom lip.“For our marriage to be arranged, I will require new gowns. I request three. The first, made and spun from the rays of sunbeams.  The second, silver and made from the full moon’s light. And the third, woven from the star dust that falls from the heavens.” My father’s face contorted with question and he puffed himself up, but continued to listen.             “My last request,” I continued, “A fur coat made from all the kingdom’s wild animals, so when the harsh winters come, I can keep sickness and death at bay.” I could feel my hands tremble from my trepidation. I couldn't believe I had actually made such ambitious demands—things truly impossible. What would the people think once they heard of the kind, my father, going to these magnificent lengths to marry me? Would they think I was a harlot? Would they think I encouraged my father’s behavior? My stomach knotted.              “And this is all you request from me?" he asked with his eyebrows lifted.I could see the amusement light up his face. As my throat constricted, I slowly nodded to him. Maybe this would actually work. Perhaps he would not see through my deceptiveness and agree. If he did, this would grant me more time to collect my chattels, arrange an escape from the palace, and move forward with my plans. I would never again be Princess Aurelia, but I would avoid a future most grim and contemptible.




About the Author:
Chantal is a 2011 graduate from Susquehanna University with a degree in Creative Writing. Since graduation, she has published three novels: “Seven Seeds of Summer” in March of 2014 with Waldorf Publishing, “The Songs in Our Hearts,” to be released in the Summer of 2017 with 48Fourteen Publishing, and “Allerleirauh,” which is to be re-released in a new edition by Parliament House Publishing, August 2017.
Writing novels for Chantal has become a life-long dream come true!When she’s not writing a book, she enjoys painting, drinking lots of DD Carmel Mocha Iced Coffee, and watching Disney classics. Chantal lives in Muncy, Pennsylvania with her Mom, Sister and furry-‘brother’ (aka, puppy) Taran.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/chantalgadouryfans
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Chantal-Gadoury/e/B00MTLD0P0/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8059023.Chantal_Gadoury
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/chantalgadouryauthor
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cgadoury16
Blog/Website: http://www.chantalgadoury.com
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/cmidWn

Cover Reveal Kinglet by Donna Migliaccio

KingletThe Gemeta StoneBook OneDonna Migliaccio
August 1, 2017
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Fiery Seas Publishing
Book Description:
Kristan Gemeta has lost everything:  his crown, his kingdom, his courage – even his name.
In the vast wilderness of the Exilwald, he's known to the other outcasts as Kinglet.  As long as Kristan stays hidden, he can elude the bounty hunters, brutal soldiers and terrifying spells of Daazna, the Wichelord who killed his father and destroyed his life.
But when a new band of pursuers comes looking for him, Kristan's wariness gives way to intrigue. For bounty hunters they're oddly inept, and a young woman in their company is leaving enigmatic drawings wherever they go.  As they plunge deeper into the Exilwald, Kristan follows. He discovers the drawings symbolize the Gemeta Stone, an ancient family talisman seized by Daazna but now in the little band's possession.
With the Stone's protection, Kristan might stand a chance against Daazna.  He could regain his birthright and his honor.  But to obtain the Stone, he must reveal his true identity and risk the one thing he has left...his life.
Fiery Seas

About the Author:
Donna Migliaccio is a professional stage actress with credits that include Broadway, National Tours and prominent regional theatres.  She is based in the Washington, DC Metro area, where she co-founded Tony award-winning Signature Theatre and is in demand as an entertainer, teacher and public speaker.  Her award-winning short story, "Yaa and The Coffins," was featured in Thinkerbeat's 2015 anthology The Art of Losing. 
https://donnamigliaccio.com/
https://www.pinterest.com/donnaiswriting/
https://twitter.com/donnamig
https://www.facebook.com/mrsmig
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14735250.Donna_Migliaccio

Interview - Hard Act by Glover Wright

1 - Does writing energize or exhaust you?
A: Both, and often simultaneously
2 - What are common traps for aspiring writers?
A: With fiction – being too autobiographical.
3 - Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?
A: Once, with a non-thriller work which lies unpublished on my bookshelves.
4 - Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
A: Original always. You have to believe in yourself enough to feel your readers will accept what you give them.
5 - What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?
A: Jack Higgins – who read the first draft of my debut novel THE TORCH, believed in my writing and gave me the greatest gift any established writer can give to a novice and that is brutal editing with no care whatsoever for hurt-feelings. In his case, carried out with a thick green-ink pen, striking through great screeds of my overwritten, thus redundant, prose until what was left was a taut manuscript bought by the first publisher who read it – G.P. Putnam USA and subsequently, Hutchinson, UK, followed by a number of translations worldwide.
6 - Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
A: Stand-alone works for me as I do not usually follow a theme book-to-book. That is not to say I would or could not write a sequel to one of my works if the demand was there and, most importantly, that the sequel could turn out as well or better than its predecessor.
7 - How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
A: Publishing, per se, did not.  Technology certainly did. The physical ability to change what was on the page instantaneously was like having shackles unlocked from your imagination. A sentence or even a complete scene could be rewritten swiftly in an alternative way which could change the outcome of a plot or a character’s fate within it.


Hard ActGlover Wright
Genre: Thriller
Publisher: Fiery Seas Publishing
Release Date: February 21, 2017
Book Description:
Only the CIA knows the truth, and all it would take for the president’s legacy to be tarnished forever is for one agent involved to turn rogue and reveal everything . . .
In 2011, American Seal Team Six killed Osama bin Laden in an ultra-secret CIA operation hailed as the outgoing US president’s crowning achievement. Pakistan's chief investigator into US Operation Neptune Spear concluded Bin Laden was betrayed by Al Qaeda itself, fooling the CIA and gaining the US president’s bounty on their ailing leader’s head: $25,000,000, which may have given birth to deadly ISIS.
Loner, Agent Ben Markstein, betrayed and primed for retribution by his obsession with the Pakistani beauty at the dark heart of HARD ACT, an unsanctioned covert black operation planned by former US Senator Wendell Strachan to save the president and regain the $25,000,000 held in a Liechtenstein bank account by Saudi Prince Faisal bin Sharif, CEO of a billion-dollar Islamic charity trust and secret terrorist money-launderer.
Markstein learns that Serena Lashari, the beautiful, clever, successful Geneva-based fund-manager is Prince Faisal’s lover and has the account codes. He acts ruthlessly, manipulating Wendell Strachan and the black operation to win Serena and the money for himself.
Against a background of political conspiracy and escalating violence across Europe, culminating in potential catastrophe at a nuclear-armed U.S.A.F air-base in England, Ben Markstein plays HARD ACT’s ruthless game to win – even at the cost of the lives of all who stand in his way.


Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/iWQquXlhBk8

 

About the Author:
Glover Wright has a background in entertainment. He was lead-guitarist in the 1960’s for American Rock Legends Jerry Lee Lewis and Gene Vincent on their British tours, recorded as Buddy Britten & the Regents, was with the Beatles in their early Hamburg days and, through his friendship with John Lennon, became composer and producer with The Beatles Apple Music. After the Beatles split, he signed with Mercury records USA, had success as Simon Raverne and toured widely entertaining US troops, an experience he remembers with  pride.
With writing in mind, he broke from music in the 1970’s and spent time with contract soldiers and British SAS units in Oman, resulting in his debut novel The Torch, which was accepted immediately by Putnam USA and published worldwide including many translations. During his extended period in the Middle East he met many figures later to shape world events, including Libya’s Moammar al-Gaddafi and in Beirut’s celebrity-haunt nightclub Le Cave de Roy was invited ­– after being recognized and asked to perform a song on stage – to join the table hosted by a wealthy young Saudi Arab named Osama Bin Laden.
Glover Wright has had eight novels published to date and lives now in Jersey, British Channel Islands. He still performs musically at charity fund-raisers for servicemen and women wounded in action and is proud to do so.
HARD ACT is his most hard-hitting and timely thriller to date. World best-selling writer Jack Higgins describes it as: “The most ingenious thriller I have read this year.”

Website      Facebook      Linkedin



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Release Day Blitz Only a Duke Will Do by Tamara Gill

Only a Duke Will DoTo Marry a Rogue SeriesBook TwoTamara Gill
Genre: Regency Historical Romance
Publisher: Entangled - Select Historical
Date of Publication: February 20, 2017
Number of pages: 300+
Word Count: 80,000
Cover Artist: Erin Dameron-Hill
Book Description:
Without a Season, Lady Isolde Worthingham captured the Duke of Moore’s heart at a country dance. But on the eve of her wedding, a scandal that rocked the ton and sent her fleeing to Scotland alone and unwed, leaves her perfectly planned future in a tangle of disgrace and heartbreak.
Merrick Mountshaw, the Duke of Moore loathes the pitiful existence he hides from the ton. With a scandalous wife he never wanted, who flaunts her many indiscretions, life is a never-ending parade of hell. When the one woman he loved and lost returns to London, he knows he can no longer live without her.
But vows and past hurts are not easily forgotten. Love may not win against the ton when a too proper Lord and Lady play by the rules.
Excerpt:
“I’ve lost him. And I love him still.” Her voice broke at the realization.Her mother shushed her, pulling her into an embrace. “I know, darling. I know you do. But there is nothing for it now. You will have to return with us to Dunsleigh.”Isolde thought of all she had lost, not just Merrick, but her future, their plans. Their trip away to the Continent, Paris, Rome, and all the delightful places in between that they were going to visit, crumbled in her chest like her heart. “He’s really going to marry her, isn’t he?” Even saying such a thing sounded absurd, and yet it was the truth. The truth as she would know it from tonight onward.“Yes, he is.” Her mother’s face was a mask of concern and pain. “I’m so sorry, darling. You did not deserve this.”Isolde strove to calm down before her sobs woke her sisters and they started with their meddling questions. Her body hiccupped for breath; her eyes, so swollen and sore, hurt when she blinked.“Come, you must sleep.” Her mother helped her stand, and Isolde didn’t fight her decree. Tiredness would succeed over her mind and, for a sweet moment, she’d forget what had transpired this night. It was enough to make her lie down and try.She settled under the blankets. The maid knocked on the door and her mother ushered her into the room, taking possession of the glass of whisky and a cold compress. Isolde downed the drink in one gulp, grateful for the burning amber liquid and the cooling cloth against her eyes.The tears started afresh when the comforting embrace of her mother wrapped around her, pulling her close and holding her as if to never let her go. Not since she was a child had her mother acted in such a way, and some of the despair left her, knowing she had the support of her family.She would need them in the months to come.She took a shuddering breath. How could a night once filled with so much excitement and anticipation twist into such despair and horror? Rolling onto her side, the ring Merrick had given her pressed into her cheek.She held out her hand and looked at the cluster of five round diamonds, each of them encased in a bed of silver and sitting on a band of gold that was etched into a leaflike pattern. The ring had been Merrick’s grandmother’s, and it had been the most beautiful gift Isolde had ever received.But no longer. Now it represented a fractured circle of trust, pulled apart and unfixable.She yanked it off, unable to throw it no matter how much she longed to. She reached over and placed it on the cabinet beside her bed, looking at it as it twinkled prettily under the candlelight. The ring and its beauty were as fickle as its owner.



About the Author:
Tamara is an Australian author who grew up in an old mining town in country South Australia, where her love of history was founded. So much so, she made her darling husband travel to the UK for their honeymoon, where she dragged him from one historical monument and castle to another. A mother of three, her two little gentleman in the making, a future lady (she hopes) and a part-time job keep her busy in the real world, but whenever she gets a moment’s peace she loves to write romance novels in an array of genres, including regency, medieval and time travel.
Visit Tamara’s website at http://tamaragill.com/
Join Tamara’s Newsletter at http://bit.ly/188eyFF
Friend Tamara on Facebook http://on.fb.me/1Fu0JPL
Follow Tamara on Twitter http://bit.ly/1Y3B4Vr
Join Tamara’s Street Team http://on.fb.me/1FIlG6J
Review Tamara’s books on Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/TamaraGill

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Release Day Blitz Seraphina’s Initiation by Sheena Hutchinson

Seraphina’s InitiationSeraphina SeriesBook TwoSheena Hutchinson
Publication Date: 2/20/2017
Publisher: Sheena Hutchinson LLC
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Page count: 298
ASIN: B01N1ON9GY
Cover: Cover Me Darling
Book Description:
Seraphina Cross is unexpectedly thrown into this crazy, spiritual world of Angels versus Demons.Never did she expect to meet Nate who was just a figment of her imagination. Now she finds herself moving in with him because of her innate responsibility to protect her loved ones from harm.
Finally beginning to feel at home in her new house and with her new relationship. Nate begins training Sera in all that she can do, surprising even himself at times. Just when she is starting to feel safe and powerful, Lucifer finds a new way to attack her at her most vulnerable.
When her dreams are no longer a gift, can Sera control the powers needed to defeat what's coming before Lucifer fulfills his promise to her?
Amazon         Goodreads


About the Author:
Sheena is a born and raised New Yorker, even her writing can't seem to hide her hard sarcasm. She claims destiny has lead her back to her true passion for writing. She constantly strives to be a positive role model and writes stories that empower and inspire. Sheena always roots for the underdog, believes in love at first sight, and that everyone should have their happily ever after.
While God is currently still writing her love story, she continues to put all her effort into her writing as she is constantly getting new inspiration.
For more info, updates, and fun facts visit her online:
www.SheenaHutchinson.com
www.Facebook.com/TheSeraphinaSeries
www.Goodreads.com/SheenaHutch
www.Twitter.com/Sheena_Hutch
www.Instagram.com/Author_Shea
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sheena-hutchinson
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/1QLcn


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My Lipstick Obession #NYXCOSMETICS

I have always loved lipstick. 

My two got-to-have cosmetic products have always been eyeliner and lipstick. 

I love them because they enhance my best features.

Lately I've been obsessed with Nyx Lipsticks.

Here's what I played with this week.


Velvet Matte in Soft Femme



 Lip Lingerie in Exotic


Liquid Suede in Kitten Heals



My absolute favorite is the Velvet Matte Soft Femme, it is a nice neutral color for every day wear. Looks great on me. This soft mauve color is a must have for me. Long lasting and feels great on my lips.

The Lip Lingerie Exotic is another good every day wear. A little more dramatic but not too much. Still looks good with just about anything. A warm reddish brown base makes this a good color for me. This lasted all day with no touch ups even after eating.

The Liquid Suede Kitten Heals is very dramatic. Very bright.  A cherry red with an orange base, it is a lot brighter than the reds I usually wear. It looks darker in the tube. I prefer darker blood reds with more of a brown base. This is just too much for every day wear. But I still like it, feels great.

Blitz- Poison My Pretty by Amity Allen

Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself and what inspired to write in this particular genre? 
I’m a psychologist turned author. My favorite books to read are filled with mystery and suspense so I decided to try my hand at writing my own cozy mystery series.
What inspired you to write this book? 
I watch this show “Toddlers & Tiaras” and the people on it entertain me so I thought I’d write a book about some pageant people and throw a murder in there.
Please tell us about your latest release. 
When a beauty pageant director face plants into her potato salad, former TV witch detective Poppy Parker vows to hunt down her killer.
What is the most interesting thing you have physically done for book related research purposes? 
Last year I attended the Writer’s Police Academy in Wisconsin. I learned so much and discovered cheese curds while I was there! My favorite talk was by the medical examiner who said the first thing she did was introduce herself to her patients.
Can you tell readers a little bit about the world building in the book/series? How does this world differ from our normal world? 
Poppy is just beginning to learn about the paranormal world she’s a part of. She finds she’s able to communicate with the world of witchcraft through a special “Northern Lights” browser on her computer. One of the best parts for her is that it allows her to connect with her mother who died giving birth to her. That’s a connection that helps fill a hole that’s always been in her heart.
Do any of your characters have similar characteristics of yourself in them and what are they? 
I’m probably most like Poppy’s friend Skylar. She’s a sassy girly girl who likes to have fun.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? How do you deal with it? 
Not really. I usually have several works in progress so if I run out of ideas for one I just work on another. There’s always something I can write, and before I know it I get “unstuck” on the original manuscript and go back to it.
Do you have any weird writing quirks or rituals? 
I watch nature videos while I write. I’m very visual and it inspires me to look up and see a gorgeous sunset on my screen or a windswept desert. The beautiful scenes help put me in a creative frame of mind, and Netflix has several of them in the Moving Arts series. My author friends who live where it gets cold tease me because I watch fireplace videos, but I love those in the winter. It makes me feel cozy and I can pretend it’s cold outside.
Do you write in different genres? 
Yes. I was a nonfiction blogger for years and I’ve written over twenty romance books. I also have a medical thriller and a police procedural in the works under the pen name N.D. Hill.
Do you find it difficult to write in multiple genres? 
No, it’s actually nice to change it up. I think it helps prevent me from getting burned out.
What are your guilty pleasures in life? 
Reality TV and pasta. I love the Housewives and macaroni & cheese!
Other than writing, what are some of your interests, hobbies or passions in life? 
We are a big basketball family. My son plays and we travel a lot for his games. I love it to pieces! 
What was the last amazing book you read? 
You by Caroline Kepnes
Where is your favorite place to read? Do you have a cozy corner or special reading spot? 
My bed. When I can get away with it I love staying in my pajamas and reading all day.
What can readers expect next from you? 
The next Poppy Parker book is coming this Spring. It’s called Gunshots My Girl.
Where can readers find you on the web? 
www.amityallen.com or http://www.facebook.com/AmityAllen/ 
Would you like to leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from the book?
Sure. In this scene, Poppy has been pulled over by a handsome police officer and she’d love to be able to use her newfound magic powers to get out of a speeding ticket, but she’s not sure how.
Officer Goodnight appeared at my window again, and when he said, "I'm going to have to write you a ticket," he didn't look nearly as handsome.
"Yes, sir," I groaned. 
It was times like these when I really wanted to know if I could harness my supposedly magical powers so I could control his mind. Convince him he just needed to let me off with a warning, but so far I didn't know enough about how to influence other people that way. 
Hopefully, that would change if I experimented more. That is, if my aunt could give me some guidance.
Out of nowhere, a splitting pain drove through my head like a spike. 
Squinting my eyes, I tried to plant the thought "let her off with a warning" into his brain.
He just looked at me funny. "Ma'am, are you okay?"
"Peachy." I squinted again.
"Okay, so when does this pageant start?"
"In a couple of hours, but we’re supposed to be there early. About ten minutes ago." 
He scribbled on a piece of paper then handed it to me. "I'm sure it will still be there when you arrive. Slow it down, all right?"
I gave him a salute before taking the piece of paper. 
As the paper passed from his hand to mine, I closed my eyes, concentrated real hard, and gave it one more try.






Poison My PrettyAmity Allen
Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Date of Publication: February 15, 2017
ASIN: B01MYNTAE8
Word Count: 50,000
Cover Artist: Rachel Olson at No Sweat Graphics
Book Description:
As soon as Poppy Parker turns 21, the star of a popular TV show about witch detectives discovers she has supernatural powers off the set as well as on. When the show is canceled, she returns home to figure out how to harness the magic brewing inside her.
Freaked out by these recent paranormal gifts, Poppy just wants to fit in, so when she’s asked to serve as a judge for the annual Bloomin’ Belles youth beauty competition she readily agrees.
But when the pageant’s snooty director drops dead and Poppy’s friend is arrested,the former TV sleuth sets out to uncover the real killer, only to find…the business of beauty can be deadly.
Amazon Excerpt:
Skylar’s twin sister Mads called while I was driving to the convention center. “Are you really going over there? I can’t believe they’re going to continue this pageant.”“So you heard about the murder?”“Yeah. Skylar told me last night when she got home. It’s awful.”“Yes, but you know how it is. The show must go on! Surely you can’t be that surprised.” I was only beginning to understand the importance of these competitions to their participants, and I could picture pageant moms dragging their glitzed-up toddlers over the dead bodies of fallen competitors. The way zombies climbed over each other to get to the top of the pile in movies—only prettier.“Are they sure it was a murder? She didn’t just have a heart attack or something?” I could hear the anxiety creeping into Mads’ voice, and I didn’t blame her. Our little town was supposed to be safe. Murders didn’t happen here. That was the sort of thing that happened in the city across the bridge, not in our sleepy little bedroom community.
“That’s what they said, Mads, but I don’t think you need to worry. If it was a murder, you can bet it was personal. Certainly not the doin’s of a mad man or a serial killer. If Heather Morgan was murdered, it was by somebody who knew her and had something to gain from her death. This was no a random act of violence.”
About the Author:
Amity grew up reading every mystery she could get her hands on, burning through everything by Agatha Christie in record time and wanting to be Nancy Drew when she grew up. After writing books in other genres for the past few years, she's finally come home to her true love - cozy mysteries.
Amity and her husband live in L.A. (lower Alabama) with a houseful of teenagers and a half dozen pets. Besides books, Amity's favorite things are football, needlepoint, fried shrimp, and sweet tea.
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Amity_Allen   
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AmityAllen  
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16080362.Amity_Allen
Sign up for Amity’s Book Club: http://eepurl.com/coqgxX
Text MYSTERY to 24587 for new release alerts.

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Fantastical Supernatural and Writing - Guest Blog Secrets: In Wolf Lake by DK Davis

Fantastical Supernatural and Writing
Hello Roxanne, thanks so much for having me at your amazing place Fang-tastic Books. Love it…and the reason I enjoy this space so much is because of the supernatural vibrations wafting through the air the moment I walked through your door. WOW! And I know you, dear Roxanne, have something to do with it.
You enjoy the paranormal, supernatural just as much as I do. I’ve read your stories and you’ve read mine…we resonate with the same kind of “imagination” for the wild supernatural. We make sense out of what doesn’t make sense. LOL
That’s my very favorite part – brainstorming to make the wild and crazy…tame. Or at least, plausible.
I could hang out in a virtual world for…a long, long time. My husband and I watched a TV series, Beyond. And in that show, the story-star, Holden, was in a coma for twelve years…living in the Realm. It was a dank, desperate place, where dark entities lived. He had relationships from there. When he finally woke in the human “realm” – he had lost twelve years. (Can you imagine losing 12 years?) Everything looked different and he should have actually graduated high school – I believe he was only a twelve-year-old when he went into his unconscious state.
I enjoyed that series mostly because of the writer’s vivid imagination…the “realm” reminded me of a scary nightmare, and honestly, I thought it could very well be plausible. Then the author threw in a few abilities – paranormal kind of stuff. I applauded; ) That sort of “stuff” brings out the “geek” in me.
It’s the unexpected with a supernatural spin that gets my heart rockin’. Throw in a few perilous twists for a couple of unsuspecting (well fleshed-out) story-stars…and I’m totally ga-ga.
I watched the Vampire Diaries for years, until we lost the station, and also watched Supernatural – who doesn’t like Dean and Sam? I love Dean’s voice. How would you best describe that in words? Deep, baritone, a bit forceful? Honeyed? *smiles*
There are so many ideas for stories buzzing around inside my head – and the next two books in the Secret series only have a couple of my growing list of ideas. Secret: At HL Woods will include a story-star, Bri, who communicates with ghosts, so of course there will be a few of those floating around in the story; ) And they will need Bri to help them find justice…only to do that will mean sharing her ability with other’s. Then there’s Secret: Of Amber Eyes – story-star Morgan is sent to her aunt’s wildlife refuge and preserve. The place is not only for injured wildlife, but also therapy for troubled kids. She discovers something else residing there, and instinct binds her in self-discovery…of the shifter kind; )
Let me ask you all a question – I mean if you’re here visiting Fang-tastic Books, you are into supernatural, so what types of characters (supernatural / paranormal / sci-fi / fantasy) would you love to read about?
Please share…it might just show up in my Secret series book four story; )

Secrets: In Wolf Lake             Secret SeriesBook 1DK Davis
Genre: YA, sci-fi, fantasy
Publisher: Books We Love Ltd.  
Date of Publication: 1/1/2017
ISBN: 9781772993899Kindle: 9781772993905WEB: 9781772993912Print: 9781772993929ASIN: B01N7O41FM
Number of pages: 120Word Count: 41,200
Cover Artist: Michelle Lee
Secret: In Wolf Lake – Tagline
Samantha discovers a gifted creature living in Wolf Lake; now his life depends on her saving him.
Book Description:
Samantha’s dealing with a lot of emotional blow-back from her mother’s new marriage. Then she discovers a gifted creature living in Wolf Lake, and life suddenly becomes all about keeping his existence a secret, earning his trust. That is until his life depends on her saving him. But she won’t be able to do it alone…
Secret Series – Tagline
A series of secrets, invisible yet glaring, and most include a Supernatural spin, like an unwelcomed sensation sparking every nerve ending. 
Amazon

Excerpt:

“This freakin’ rocks!” Lisa zipped by again, spraying diamonds of water all over me. I gripped hard on the rod and stood up to keep the fishing line from snagging on her or the jet-ski. The boat pitched, dipping. I shuffled to regain my balance then turned to give Lisa a piece of my mind. In that nano-second the fishing line snapped. I spun around and tumbled nose first over the top of Koko. My rod splashed into the water in front of me as if I’d thrown it.

Instant coldness prickled through me, but I didn’t want to lose that fishing pole. I dove a little deeper, waiting for the water to settle. The sun illuminated beneath the surface and made it easy to see the rod leaning against a big rock right below me. I swam toward it.

A curl of water slid along my arm as something swam near me. I expected the lunker fish, the big guy that snapped the fishing line, but instead, I stared at two round black eyes. I couldn’t look away from its flat green face, the size of a baseball, with small slits for nostrils and a wider slash for its mouth.
Short tubular ears stuck out from each side of its head. Not any kind of fish or amphibian I’d ever seen.

It stared back at me and moved closer.

When it touched my arm, I screamed. A stream of bubbles flushed out of my mouth, blinding my vision. I pushed off from the huge rock with my feet and fought my way to the surface.
Air, I needed air.

Koko’s paws churned through the water just above me. His nails scratched across my cheek as I surfaced.

“Koko, get back, buddy,” I croaked, sucking in air, and then I nudged him to move back. But I didn’t want him too far away. My mind flashed to the thing beneath the water, greenish body, short arms and legs, and a long lizard-like tail. But those black eyes…the way it stared at me, almost like it had intelligence.

About the Author:
DK Davis writes YA sci-fi, supernatural, and fantasy with a good dollop of all the relationships woven in between. When she’s not writing, editing, or reading, she’s hiking, RV’ing, fishing, spending time with grandchildren or her favorite muse (her husband) in Southwest Michigan.
Twitter – https://twitter.com/DKDavisBooks   
FB – https://www.facebook.com/dk.davis.92     
Website – http://suda788.wixsite.com/dkdavis
Books We Love Ltd. Author Page –http://www.bookswelove.com/authors/davis-dk/
Amazon Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N7O41FM

Release Day Blitz Chameleon by Zoe Kalo

ChameleonZoe Kalo
Genre: YA Gothic/Multicultural
Date of Publication: February 15, 2017
Number of pages: 230Word Count: 55,000
Cover Artist: Deranged Doctor Designs
Book Description:
An isolated convent, a supernatural presence, a dark secret…
17-year-old Paloma only wanted to hold a séance to contact her dead father. She never thought she would be kicked out of school and end up in an isolated convent. Now, all she wants is to be left alone. But slowly, she develops a bond with a group of girls: kind-hearted Maria, insolent Silvy, pathological liar Adelita, and their charismatic leader Rubia.
When, yet again, Paloma holds a séance in the hope of contacting her father, she awakens an entity that has been dormant for years. And then, the body count begins. Someone doesn’t want the secret out…
Are the ghost and Paloma’s suspicions real—or only part of her growing paranoia and delusions?
Excerpt:
I cannot clearly say how I had enteredthe wood; I was so full of sleep just atthe point where I abandoned the true path.--Dante Alighieri, Inferno 1. 11-12

Chapter 1
Puerto Rico, 1973
Oak trees dripping with Spanish moss embraced us from both sides, but not enough to shield us from the prison that would be my home for the next seven months. The high stone walls and neo-Gothic bell tower loomed over us as my stepfather drove his Mercedes through the spiked iron gates and into the sloping, curving driveway.A spider of dread crawled up my back. Prison indeed.I couldn’t believe it had come to this. The way things had blown out of proportion. I’d only wanted to contact my dead father. Ask his forgiveness.            My mother reached for my hand from the front seat without turning around to look at me. I stared at her perfectly polished red nails and the glittery square cut emerald on her ring finger. Her fingers flicked, silently pleading for my attention, but I was frozen inside. Her hand retreated.I stared at the convent, my eyes studying the pointed arched windows, the worn, age-blackened stones. The place looked haunted. Perfect for my state of mind. What was my mother thinking?Something moved behind one of the windows. A face. For an instant my pulse raced at the sheer paleness of it, at the two dark holes that made up its eyes.“What are you looking at?” Sara, my six-year-old half sister, asked.I pointed. “A girl.”She followed my line of vision. “Where?”“There. High up. In the window.”            She dipped her head so she could have a better look. “I don’t see anything.”            I felt a shiver, but not from the cold. It’s white. It’s watching us.            Then the car moved too close to the building, and the face vanished from view.             “Is this your new school, Paloma?” Sara asked.            I nodded. Sara was the child, female version of my stepfather. Her bottomless dark eyes, framed by velvety lashes, stared at me with misery. “I don’t like it,” she whispered, grabbing my hand.            “It’ll be okay,” I whispered back, and gave her hand a little squeeze.            “You promise?”            “I promise.”            “Well, here we are,” Domenico said in his strong Castilian accent, stopping the car in front of the entrance. He climbed out and opened the door for my mother. Then he proceeded to take out my suitcases from the trunk.            My mother was silent. She stepped out like a wooden mannequin, her eyes shimmery with unshed tears.            I climbed out, followed by Sara, the gravel crunching under our shoes. The early morning air was cool and a blanket of mist still lingered—not surprising, since the convent was on the outskirts of El Yunque, the island’s rain forest. More Spanish moss hung from the oak trees and rippled in the breeze like long, shivering memories. I could smell the dew on the leaves and the rich perfume of moist earth, redolent of open graves.            I glanced at the ominous clouds. “Beautiful morning.”An ongoing distant hum resonated all around us. One, two beats passed, before it struck me: Waterfall.Something within me shut down—or exploded, I couldn’t be sure.I shut my eyes for a second, wiping out memories of chilled water searing my lungs.            I repeated the eighth multiplication table in my head. This always helped.“After you,” Domenico said, interrupting my thoughts. I wanted to loathe him. Tried to, anyway. I could see what my mother saw in him: a powerfully charismatic, handsome man with the infinite skill to make people do his bidding. My mother, with her small delicate features and petite frame, looked invisible beside him. A mere spectre. But that was just a façade. I knew better.            The big oak door opened and a nun clad in black habit and a wimple came down the steps to greet us.            Sara wrapped her arms around my waist. Her gesture both comforted me and heightened my anxiety. Nuns in habit made me think of great black birds.             “Bienvenidos,” the nun said. Like my stepfather, she also had a Castilian accent. “I’m Madre Estela and I’m second in charge to Madre Superiora. You must be Señor and Señora de Aznar.”            They exchanged small talk. Madre Estela sounded polite enough, but she didn’t offer to shake hands with my parents, which I found strange. Maybe nuns weren’t allowed to shake hands. I wouldn’t be surprised. I noticed the wedding band on her ring finger. Married to God. Absurd.            “You must be Paloma,” she said tonelessly.             “Yes,” I said. Wasn’t it obvious? I didn’t know what else to say.            The cross on her chest caught my attention. It had a crucified Christ on it and I noticed the thorns cutting Christ’s forehead, the little drops of blood glistening on His fragile body.            “Welcome to our school, Paloma.” Her critical gaze scrutinized my makeup, my tight jeans. “I’ve heard much about you.”I didn’t miss the hint of cold disapproval in her voice. I wasn’t sure how much my parents had complained about my behavior, but considering I had been kicked out—well, actually, kindly asked to leave—from my previous school in the middle of October, it couldn’t be good.            “Are you ready to resume your senior year of high school?” Stress on resume.            “I can’t wait,” I said. There was no point in being nice—or pretending to be. That just wasn’t me. I felt miserable and couldn’t hide it. Besides, I could tell from our short exchange that she’d made up her mind not to like me long before meeting me, and I had the sinking feeling that no matter what I said or did, her opinion wouldn’t change. I had already been stamped in her Inquisition book, tagged a criminal.             Madre Estela’s stony eyes moved to Sara. My little sister’s arms clutched my waist even tighter. From the nun’s expression, I could tell she was wondering if I had infected Sara with whatever plague ailed me. She dismissed us and turned back to my mother and stepfather. “Madre Superiora is expecting you in her office.  Let’s not keep her waiting. Don’t concern yourselves with the suitcases. Someone will come for them shortly.”            They thanked her and followed her up the steps.            “I don’t want to go in,” Sara said.“It’ll be okay,” I said. I glanced at the window. I wanted to see the pale face again. But there was nothing.            A drop of rain hit my cheek and I wiped it off. Then I held Sara’s hand and together we walked up the steps and through the arched doorway.I felt my throat closing up.            Seven months.Seven months wasn’t that long, was it? Besides, Thanksgiving break was just around the corner. Six weeks, to be exact. I had already marked my calendar. I couldn’t wait. I would go through the motions, no need to make friends that I’d never see again. When you get close to people, you end up getting hurt.


About the Author:
A certified bookworm and ailurophile, Zoe Kalo has always been obsessed with books and reading. Reading led to writing—compulsively. No surprise that at 16, she wrote her first novel, which her classmates read and passed around secretly. The pleasure of writing and sharing her fantasy worlds has stayed with her, so now she wants to pass her stories to you with no secrecy—but with lots of mystery. She lives amongst cats and books in Belgium, and is the author of the Cult of the Cat young adult fantasy series and the Retribution novella series for adults.
Sign up for her newsletter at www.ZoeKalo.com and receive her exclusive short story “Arkalla.”
Website and blog: www.ZoeKalo.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/zoekalowriter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Zoe-Kalo-206262253053039
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14951190.Zoe_Kalo

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Guest Blog - Servants of Fate Books 1-3 by Wendy Sparrow

An Interview with the Sons of Father TimeAuthor Wendy Sparrow recently sat down with brothers, Zeit Geist of Stealing Time, Tempus Halt of Taking Time, and Ruin Angelus of Keeping Time.
Wendy: I’m turning this on, and I’ll transcribe it later.
Zeit: What is it? *picks up recorder* *tapping and shaking*
Wendy: No, put that down. It’s just a recorder.
Tempus: *snorts* Mortals have such weird devices.
Wendy: Okay, first, introduce yourselves.
Tempus: Seriously?
Wendy: Yes.
Tempus: Isn’t this what they do at those mortal addiction recovery meetings?
Zeit: On TV, they do.
Wendy: Just do it.
Tempus: Fine. Hello, my name is Tempus.
Zeit and Ruin: Hello, Tempus.
*chair scrapes*
Wendy: Sit down. Guys, knock it off. Here, I’ll do it. Zeit and Ruin, who are also sons of Father Time, are here too.
Zeit: Yup.
Ruin: Hey.
Tempus: Why did you wave? No one can see you. *silence* Right? They can’t see us? *picks up recorder*
Wendy: Put that down. *takes back recorder*
Ruin: How long is this going to take? I promised Phoebe I’d make it back in time to watch a movie tonight.
Tempus: On Valentine’s Day?
Ruin: *slowly* Is that not okay?
Tempus: Whose idea was it?
Ruin: Hers. She said if we weren’t doing anything, we could…
Tempus and Zeit: *groans*
Ruin: What?
Zeit: It’s Valentine’s Day! You were supposed to come up with something to do. Valentine’s Day is a huge deal with mortal women.
Tempus: I mean, they only have a limited amount of them—sixty—seventy—eighty—or whatever. How long do mortals live now? I should really know this.
Zeit: You should. Seventy-five or eighty years on average.
Tempus: But they probably don’t remember the first few, right?
Zeit: I wouldn’t think so. Either way, I’d discount those because they’re not doing much.
Tempus: But the seventy or so Valentine’s Days they do remember should be, well, memorable. It’s a mortal, uhh, thing. What did you do last year?
Ruin: Last year, we, uhh, watched a movie. *clears throat* She did get all dressed up for it, though…
Tempus: Dressed up like how?
Ruin: It was this short, tight black dress. It was made out of velvet maybe.
Tempus and Zeit: *groans*
Ruin: Well, what are you two doing tonight?
Tempus: I’m taking Lacey to the theatrical adaptation of And Then There Were None.Ruin: Don’t they all die in that?
Tempus: What? I don’t know. No. Did you just ruin the play, Ruin?
Ruin: The name of it is And Then There Were None. The title spoils it.
Tempus: No, you spoiled it. Hasn’t anyone ever told you that you don’t spoil endings like that?
Ruin: I haven’t read it. I might be wrong.
Tempus: Probably not though. Lacey has already read it, so she’ll be looking smug up until I figure out who the murderer is. She said I’m not allowed to gloat aloud when I figure it out.
Zeit: I heard there was a dance involved. Lacey told Hannah that, last time, you stood up in the movie theater and shimmied while your hands were up in the air, waving around.
Ruin: *laughs*
Tempus: For what movie?
Zeit: For whatmovie? You’ve done that more than once?
Tempus: No! Well…no, I don’t think so…maybe. But which one?
Zeit: I don’t know. Didn’t say. Just heard there was a dance. That’s what I’m doing tonight…well, not that! But I am taking Hannah dancing.
Ruin: Maybe I should do something like that.
Zeit: Not at the same place as Hannah and I. That’d be…weird.
Ruin: Why would it be weird?
Tempus: Yeah, Zeit, why would it be weird? What kind of dancing are we talking here? Dirty-dancing? Or maybe it’s the place you’re going…
Zeit: In Boise? You do remember I live in Boise, right?
Ruin: Boise could have a nightlife.
Tempus: In thrillers, it’s always places like that with the most graphic crimes playing out in the background. Like the tagline will read, “In the heart of America, a killer is waiting…” And the killer is always going after the kindergarten teacher or the librarian. Sometimes, it’s a punishment vendetta for the deep, dark secrets they have. Sweet, innocent-looking women are always hiding the sexy, but sort of naughty secrets. If she’s sweet, you know she’s got a ton of hidden desires, but she hasn’t told anyone—not her family or husband, especially not her husband, but the killer has found out. He knows her secret.
*silence*
Wendy: Guys, I do have some actual questions.
Zeit: Hold on, like what sort of secret?
Tempus: You know…what she’s into.
Zeit: What is she into?
Tempus: That sort of thing.
Ruin: What sort of thing?
Tempus: Well, I’m not going to bother telling you—you can’t even recognize that when a woman is wearing a tight, black dress, she’s not planning on sitting on a couch to watch a movie. And, Zeit, you live in Boise!
Zeit: Which is where you said all sweet women have secret hidden desires…and Hannah is sweet.
Ruin: Hannah is sweet.
Zeit: What does that mean?
Ruin: What do you mean what does it mean? I was agreeing with you.
Zeit: So, you think Hannah has a deep, dark fantasy that I’m not fulfilling?
Ruin: How should I know?
*silence*
Ruin: I thought watching a movie tonight was a good idea…clearly, I don’t know anything about women.
Tempus: She probably does.
Zeit: What?
Tempus: Hannah probably has a dark fantasy that you’re not fulfilling. Lacey has a ton of them…only I am fulfilling them. Probably a few tonight.
Zeit: Not if you stand up in the middle of the theater and yell that the butler did it before dancing like a monkey on crack.
Tempus: Wait, did you just spoil the ending? Did the butler do it?
Zeit: Maybe.
*scuffling sound ensues*
Wendy: Guys, stop it. Zeit, don’t… Seriously, put down that chair. Tempus! Urgh!
Ruin: I think the interview might be over.
Wendy: It wasn’t even the butler. I’ve read it, and it wasn’t the butler.
Ruin: I figured. What would you do tonight? I mean, if you were a woman who was into romance?
Wendy: I just… *sighs and shuts off recorder*


Servants of FateBoxed SetBooks 1-3Wendy Sparrow
Genre: Paranormal romance
Publisher: Pen and Kink Publishing
Date of Publication: December 24, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-988233-21-5ASIN: B01N1Q567S
Number of pages: 308Word Count: 96,000
Cover Artist: Amanda C. Davis
Book Description:
As servants of Fate, Father Time’s sons must sacrifice a mortal’s lifetime on behalf of humanity before each year ends. It’s simpler if they don’t get involved, as their immortality is a barrier to relationships and to understanding the emotions of those whose lives end in a blink, especially if these time holders have a hand in it. Servants of Fate pass in and out of the lives of those around them, never interacting, until a different type of fate steps in. They can stop time, but love will leave them powerless.
Amazon
THIS COLLECTION CONTAINS ALL THREE TITLES FROM THE SERVANTS OF FATE SERIES
Stealing Time
Father Time’s son, Zeit Geist, must sacrifice a mortal’s lifetime to the Fates each New Year’s Eve. Last year—inexplicably, really—he made an 11:59 substitution. The Fates are pissed and they’re after his mortal Hannah. With the year ending, he ought to figure out why he’d saved her—and why he keeps doing it.
Following an unlucky year, Hannah Lyons needs a week’s holiday in a lodge to unwind. What she gets is near-death experiences and a sexy immortal who can’t avoid kissing her, but might have to kill her. After all, even Zeit can’t hold back time indefinitely.
Taking Time
Tempus fugit. Time flies…unless you’re Tempus Halt, Father Time’s son. Day in and day out are the same, except for New Year’s Eve when he steals the life of a mortal on behalf of the Fates. This year marks his first failure to stay the monotonous course. A mortal’s kiss and her insistence on taking the place of his year’s sacrifice stalled out everything. Now, Tempus has to keep her alive for a year so his sacrifice isn’t wasted, but that’s the only reason—definitely.
One of these crazy grim reapers stole Lacey Carpenter’s estranged father’s life two years ago. She’ll give her own life rather than letting it happen again. It backfires when Tempus doesn’t actually kill her, and they have to spend the year together. She’s falling for an immortal who stops time, not just to save her life, but also to ruin her dates and steal her books. This can never work and fate is just not on her side—in fact, they’d really like her dead before Tempus falls for her in return.
Keeping Time
When Ruin’s mortal sacrifice to the Fates on New Year’s Eve is already dying, it should be the easiest life he has to take, but not this year. The dying man knows Ruin is there to kill him, but he asks Father Time’s son to look after his twin sister. Ruin can’t stay away from the sweet and sensual Phoebe. His previous interactions with women changed the definition of his name, Ruin, so he can’t fall for her, especially when the lovely mortal doesn’t know he killed her brother.
Phoebe’s brother promised to send her a guardian angel, but Ruin seems too devilish to be holy. He only wants to be friends and keep watch over her, but she can’t resist him. Loving Ruin is a sin tempting her heart. How wrong is it to cause an angel’s fall? Ruin and Phoebe’s time is running out as another New Year’s Eve sacrifice approaches, and Ruin might lose everything for keeping his true hand in fate secret.

Excerpt:
It took them another three attempts to get what they both deemed were acceptable snowman portions.“Hey. Coal.” With raised eyebrows, Hannah held up the two lumps of coal that had come in his snowman kit. “Get a good long look because this is what you’re getting next year.”He couldn’t stop smiling at her. A dozen times each hour today, he’d wished he could slow down time because he wanted to spend more time with Hannah—he needed that. She was singing Frosty the Snowman with a carefree abandon he’d never felt before. If only he didn’t have the end of the year looming over him.“Okay, pass me his corn cob pipe,” she said.He pulled the “pipe” out of the box and stared at it. “Our snowman is a smoker? And this is a kids’ song?”“It was written back before people worried about things like their lungs,” she said, reaching for it.He pulled it away. No. It wasn’t right. “His days are already numbered, and he’s playing with fire—actual fire?”“Ohhhh, right.” She tilted her head. “Wow, that does make him a bit of a rebel, doesn’t it? I bet the snowladies were all suitably impressed.”Zeit looked around. There were mortal children all around. Young impressionable mortal children. He put the pipe back in the box.“Or he’s not really a rebel. He likes to play things safe. Then again,” she tapped his coal eyes, “he did earn his coal. Maybe he’s got nothing to prove. There should be buttons in the box.”He pulled off his glove to search through the bottom of the box, pulling out three buttons. “What is he buttoning up?” he asked as he handed them to Hannah.She’d started pressing the buttons into his middle snow section, but she stopped and bit her lip as she stared at the round button still in her hand. Finally, she shrugged and pushed the last one in. “I think you’re overanalyzing this.”“Or it’s a mortal tradition that could use some scrutiny.” He held out the faux carrot that came in his kit.“But, look, he’s healthy. A carrot.”“Is he going to eat his own nose?”“I can’t do this with you now.”


About the Author:
After a childhood spent wandering as a military brat, Wendy Sparrow found her home in Washington State. Her days involve convincing her two kids she knows how to properly parent and her nights showing her husband all the cool things romance authors know… or goofing around online…  or reading, but mostly the first thing.
She’s active in OCD and autism communities and writes on her blog to support awareness in both. With her whole heart, Wendy believes everyone deserves a happily-ever-after. If she's not writing or wrangling kids, she's on Twitter, @WendySparrow, where she'll chat with anyone about anything.
Web: http://wendysparrow.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WendySparrow
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WendySparrowAuthor/
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