Roxanne Rhoads's Blog, page 307

Interview - Swords and Stilettos by Kristin D. Van Risseghem

Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself and what inspired to write in this particular genre?
Writing isn’t my day job so I have to balance my life and stay focused. Between working, writing, marketing, I also run giveaways (because who doesn’t LOVE free books, swag, prizes and stuff?!?) and all of that takes time to set up and coordinate. When I was little reading was like second nature. I read a lot, but as I grew up and dance, band, choir took priority so I didn’t read as much in high school or college. It wasn’t until Eclipse came out and everyone was talking about Twilight, that a couple friends of mine started a book club and asked me to join. I’ve been reading ever since. Broke 2 Kindles along the way, read main stream books and Indie authors. But I thoroughly enjoy young adult fantasy, urban fantasy, dystopian, paranormal, mysteries, thrillers, romance, contemporary … basically I’ll give anything a whirl.
What inspired you to write this book?
I dreamed the opening warehouse scene for three consecutive nights. I knew the story had to be written.

Is there a character that you enjoyed writing more than any of the others?
My favorite character to write is Sidelle, the Summer Fairy. Why? She’s the least like me and probably how I would want to be. She’s fun, funny, snarky, witty; almost the complete opposite of me.
What is your favorite scene from the book? Could you share a little bit of it, without spoilers of course?
My favorite scene is when Zoe, the main character, goes on her first date with Shay (the Nephilim). He takes her to an open field, have a dessert picnic, then go flying. Vague, I know. LOL
What are your guilty pleasures in life?
I eat chocolate a lot. Cakes, cupcakes, candy, shakes, ice cream … you name it, if it comes in chocolate, I’ll eat it. Or at least try it,
What was the last amazing book you read?
I read a lot of Indie published books, maybe because I like to support them. Or maybe it’s because I’m an Indie author. But the last five-star book was called Cinnamon & Salt by C.J. Ethington.
What can readers expect next from you?
I’ll be releasing a novella entitled Arrows & Angels in March 2017. It’s Kieran’s biography on how he became the Guardian Angel he is today.
Where can readers find you on the web?
I’m all over the web mostly because I do have a unique last name. But all my deets are here:
www.KristinVanRisseghem.com https://twitter.com/KVanRisseghem www.facebook.com/pages/Kristin-D-Van-Risseghem-Authorhttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13665730.Kristin_D_Van_Risseghem
Would you like to leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from the book?
This is from about the middle of the book (Chapter 14):Dad glanced at me with hopeful eyes. I couldn’t deny him this.“I think you should,” I told him.Now that he had my permission, Dad walked around the Bel Air, not touching it, but examining it under a microscope. Looking up from the wheels he asked, “What made you pick this model and not some other one?”“It was between her and a 1962 Lincoln Continental Convertible with suicide doors.” He shrugged. “I got a better deal on this.”“A ‘62 Lincoln. That’s a pretty sweet car, but I’d have to agree. This is better.” He shook Shay’s hand again. “Good choice. Very good choice.” They stood side by side, staring at the car, and I had to work on not laughing.“I’ll leave you two alone now,” I said with a grin, then turned back to the house. Just before I reached the front door, I glanced back, still amazed at my dad’s behavior. If I hadn’t turned around, I would have missed it. Dad had leaned over to whisper something in Shay’s ear. Shay nodded and said something back. I was dying to know what they were talking about. Then again, they were probably just talking cars.By the time I made it to the front door, Shay had jogged up to stand beside me. “Your dad is way cool!”“You’re saying that to butter him up.”“No, he is. Kieran says so, too.”“What did he whisper to you at the end?” I asked.He smiled gently and brushed his fingers over my cheek, tucking back my hair. “He told me to treat you better than I care for the car. He said a car can be replaced, and you can’t be.”Now that was nice to hear. “And you said?”
“I promised I’d protect you with my life.”
Swords and StilettosEnlighten SeriesBook OneKristin D. Van Risseghem
Genre: YA urban fantasy
Publisher: Kasian Publishing LLC
Date of Publication: December 7, 2016
ISBN: 9781943207367ASIN: B01N8Y9LUS
Number of pages: 290Word Count: 73k
Cover Artist: Angela Fristoe of Covered Creatively
Book Description:
Zoe Jabril needs to devise a kick-ass plan to save the world ASAP. Otherwise, Armageddon starts the day she turns eighteen—and if that happens, everything is going to hell. Literally.
She could be any other 17-year-old attending parties and checking out cute guys—except she discovers her best friend is a Guardian Angel and the boy she crushes on is a Nephilim, both sent to protect her from the demons who want her dead.
Now Zoe has to deal with growing feelings toward the Nephilim, who spreads a strange electrical current through her body every time he touches her. And she’s under constant attack from Demons, trying to stop her from fulfilling the Prophecy: a girl will be born who will unite Angels, Nephilim, Fairies and Werewolves to battle evil. Then she has to control newly found talents if she’s to prevent the devil from escaping Hell.
Amazon     iBooks     Nook     Kobo
Excerpt: I stumbled into Kieran as a tremor moved through me. Hairs on my arms stood at attention like tiny lightning rods. “Do you feel that?” my voice sounded breathless, even to me.He glanced sideways, “Feel what?”“Look.” I held out my arms to him. “I feel strange. Like someone . . .” I rubbed my slightly numb hands over my forearms and sucked in a breath, as he hooked his head around. I fell into step beside him. “Never mind. It’s probably nothing.”This happens when lightning’s about to strike, right?
The heat from the sun radiated off the few cars parked along Boutique Row, their owners engaged in mid-afternoon shopping. Store fronts displayed the new and trendy “must-have” dresses, shorts, and shoes for the spring season. I paused to see my reflection. Not a hair was out of place. Thank God.
About the Author:
USA Today bestselling and Award-Winning, Kristin D. Van Risseghem grew up in a small town along the Mississippi River with her parents and older sister. Currently, Kristin lives in Minnesota with her husband and two Calico cats. She also loves attending book clubs, going shopping, and hanging out with friends. She has come to realize that she absolutely has an addiction to purses and shoes. They are her weakness and probably has way too many of both.
In the summer months, Kristin can usually be found lounging on her boat, drinking an ice cold something. Being an avid reader of YA and Women's Literature stories, she still finds time to read a ton of books in-between writing. And in the winter months, her main goal is to stay warm from the Minnesota cold!
Kristin’s books are published by Kasian Publishing LLC.
FB: https://www.facebook.com/KristinDVanRisseghem.Author/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KVanRisseghem
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinvanrisseghem/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kristin-d-van-risseghem
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Kristin-D.-Van-Risseghem/e/B00VK84TF8/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blitz - Simulation by M. Black

What inspires authors to write?
That is the question I've been thinking about for this guest post. I guess the quick answer is that it's in our blood. But if I think about it more deeply, I have to ask myself why that is. Why are we, as authors, full of a desire to tell a story? 
I think this desire broods deep inside of us even way back to our early ancestors. Stories often let people know what happened before, kept histories, and even kept groups entertained. Stories, told well, could help us define and understand our human existence, what it means to be human. 
To tap into the very emotions we all share--the fears and joys, the pains and pleasures--is something universe and touches us all when we read about a character who feels the same way. We can relate or empathize with well written characters in some of our favorite stories, and maybe even live vicariously through them.
We can learn more about ourselves, humanity, and even dream about our future. Hope to make changes if our futures seem dim or learn to love more passionately. Sometimes stories can simply be that escape we so desperately need. 
So, why did I tell the story of SIMULATION? I guess I felt a lot of the above. A need to tell a story of a future we could have if we are not careful, a story that all of us share--of believing like a child until we know better, until we know the world around us is not like we imagined when we were young. 
There comes a moment in everyone's life when they realize that, on some level. This story, I guess, is a way to understand that, to dive deeper into that condition. I also wanted to write a story that contrasts important current issues. Issues of technology vs nature, rich vs poor, power vs powerless, greed vs compassion.
I hope my readers identify with Ilia and Jez as they take their journey in SIMULATION and I hope my readers learn something too.
Thank you for sharing this post with me!
Happy Reading and Happy New Year!

SimulationM. Black
Genre: YA SyFy Dystopian
Publisher: Eloquent Enraptures Publishing
Date of Publication: DECEMBER 16th, 2016
ISBN: 978-1539194675   ISBN-10: 1539194671ASIN: B01N0QLPHH
Number of pages: 380Word Count: 85,000
Cover Artist: M. Black
Book Description:
SIMULATION is a fictional novel and is the debut release from Dystopian Thriller author M. Black.
A YA SyFy dystopia, along the lines of City of Ember meets CW’s The 100. This story will capture your heart and still won’t let go even at the end. Written in part while listening to Outside by Ellie Goulding, this story contrasts technology to nature, rich to poor, privilege to hardship, and illusion to reality.
“No one is getting in but whom we allow, and no one is ever getting out.”
Set in 2175 in Colorado, USA, where Citigogs are the new form of cities and citizens are kept under a careful population control, we meet Ilia the Princess of our main Citigog named Iliad, and Jez a Giver. As Ilia spends more time with Jez, she finds herself drawn to the Outside and ventures out of her Citigog only to learn that everything is not what it seems.
Fans of the Divergent and Hunger Games series will revel in this story about a strong, but disillusioned heroine who must become brave as she uncovers the truth about her world.
Book Trailer:  https://youtu.be/IO44dRFAAX0
Amazon
Excerpt:
I hardly notice my attraction, but my fingers have nudged their way onto the platform as my chin tucks over the wood, and my eyes fix on the Givers moving speedily to and fro as if I’m watching a coveted movie, though none inside of Iliad are as good as this performance. Attention is drawn to my fingers when Jez approaches from my side and taps his foot at my forefinger. “If it isn’t the Princess Thief. Have you come to take more goods?” I almost gasp. The guards had a strict talk with him about not speaking with me, and letting me take what I want—and yet here he is. Not that I expect that I should be able to do whatever I want, but I certainly don’t expect a Giver to not follow orders. I stumble my words. “Wha? I…I’m not here for that,” I defend poorly.“Then why are you here? Isn’t that what you Insiders do best? Take?” Jez’s voice cracks, as if the word take weighs particularly heavy on him.“I’m not here to take anything,” I say as my voice quivers, hands tremble, and my eyes flit around for focus. “Then why are you here?” His brazen tone makes me uneasy. The question stops me. I can’t be at all sure why I came, why I insisted on seeing Jez. Curiosity? Passion? I hardly know. I only know there is something about him—something mysterious— something different from all the rest of the boys of Iliad. Maybe it’s because he’s been Outside, seen the world. Maybe it’s because he must be so brave to do so.His eyes dig deep into mine, waiting for an answer I can’t give. So, I answer a little shakily, “I just wanted to see the inner workings of the Center of Citigog Goods.” Jez stares briefly, a smirk sliding across his face—not believing a word. Then he says snidely, “Curious how the other half lives?” “Why do you keep attacking me?” I grit my teeth, my fingernails scratching the wood of the platform, my head fixed upward at Jez, sun glares hurting my eyes. “What have I ever done to you?” His audacity surprises me. I should be used to it by now. Every time I talk with him, he has nothing but ridicule for me. Still, I can’t wrap my brain around his disgust. No one speaks to the princess this way.“Attacking you? You call a few words an attack?” Jez shakes his head and ruffles his fingers through his hair, releasing a loud huff of disbelief. “You didn’t answer my question,” I press, keeping my eyes locked on his. He isn’t going to get away with it this time. Not without an explanation.Jez pauses, his eyes searching me, and I can see questions circling his mind. “You really don’t know.” “Know what?” My brow quirks, and he draws all my attention. I wouldn’t notice now if a Citiguard stood beside me.“Anything,” Jez remarks, and I’m not sure if he’s just being smart or if he really cares about my so-called ignorance. “So, enlighten me, oh Giver of all.”He squats so that we are eye to eye, and his smirk becomes more of a sadness, his color more of a pale crème, but his hair engulfs him—his square face and broad shoulders—as it falls to his chest. Then, I regret what I’ve just said. I feel I’ve hit him somewhere deep inside where even I didn’t intend. “You live in your perfect princess castle, with three meals a day, and everyone at your beck and call. Safe from danger, and from the truth.” His head lowers, and he looks like he is about to cry, before he takes a deep breath and his head rises. “I won’t be able to enlighten you with anything but misery. I’m not a Giver. I’m a survivor.”“Survivor of what?” I ask, not sure if he even heard me ask the question, because at that moment the dark-skinned man with the buffalo tattoo pushes beside Jez and tugs on his shoulder.“Get going, Jez. Your tribe can’t handle another reprimand.” Jez looks at the dark man and nods before he pulls away from me and straightens up to return to the Box Carrier. As Jez walks away from me, the dark man hawk-eyes me. “You’re nothing but trouble for us. Why don’t you crawl back to your castle?” The corner of his mouth curls up as he turns back to Jez. I stand there, alone, lingering in questions. Survivor? Aren’t we all survivors of CR? What tribe? Safe from danger, the truth?
Everyone I come to for answers turns into another blockade, but I won’t let curiosities go unsatisfied this time. Jez knows something, something my aunt and mom know as well, something no one wants to tell me. I’ll watch him, and wait. He’ll lead me to what I want to know. He just has to. 
About the Author:
M. Black is a pen name of Ami Blackwelder.
M. Black is her dystopia and thriller line of books. Rebecca May is the pen name for her historical and contemporary line of books. Ami Blackwelder writes paranormal and sci-fi novels.
Her stories range from Tween and YA to NA (new adult), but focus primarily on YA. Growing up in Florida, she graduated UCF and in 1997 received her BA in English and additional teaching credentials. Then she packed her bags and travelled overseas to teach in Thailand, Nepal, Tibet, China and Korea. Thailand is considered her second home now. She has always loved writing and wrote poems and short stores since childhood; however, her novels began when she was in Thailand in her early thirties.
Having won the Best Fiction Award from the University of Central Florida (Yes, The Blair Witch Project University), her short fiction From Joy We Come, Unto Joy We Return was published in the on campus literary magazine Cypress Dome and remains to this day in University libraries around the USA.
Later, she achieved the semi-finals in a Laurel Hemingway contest and published a few poems in the Thailand’s Expat magazine, and an article in the Thailand’s People newspaper. Additionally, she has published poetry in Korea’s AIM magazine, the American Poetic Monthly magazine and Twisted Dreams Magazine.
http://MBlackDystoppianThrillers.blogspot.com
http://Twitter.com/AmiBlackwelder
http://AmiBlackwelder.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/amis.bookpage
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33398248-simulation


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Haunted Mirror Tutorial #HalloweenDIY

So I made this Haunted Mirror for Halloween but never got around to posting the tutorial. I shared the images on Facebook and had several inquiries for instructions.

So here you go.

I found an old wooden photo frame with intact glass at Goodwill for under $1. I always look for wood frames because I can easily sand them and paint them any color I want.

I used several of the 8x10 ones I found to frame photos of my kids but this one was a little bigger 12x14 I think-  perfect for the Haunted Mirror.

You can use any size you want but I wouldn't use anything smaller than 8x10, you'll lose detail and effect.

This was relatively easy to make. The spray paint was the most expensive part of the project- around $12 for a small can at Michaels but there's enough paint to do a couple projects.

I purchased a strand of fairy lights on eBay for .99




Items Needed:

Old Photo Frame with Glass

(Optional- purchase a cheap frame that's ready to use)

Sandpaper

Paint for frame

Glass cleaner

Scotch Tape

Krylon Looking Glass Silver Spray Paint

A rag to wipe off paint if needed

Spooky image to put in mirror (you'll need to print two copies, one regular and one in reverse)

Optional: Battery operated wire strand of fairy lights

Instructions:




1) Start with your frame. Is it ready to go or do you want to paint it?



If you are going to paint the frame, disassemble, remove the glass and set it aside, lightly sand and wipe the frame clean.




2) Prepare your work surface.

I work at my kitchen table so I lay out wax paper to keep paint from getting on everything, plus your project won't stick to the paper even if you get paint on it.

3) Paint- I put the frame on the wax paper and painted it a mix of red and black with blood droplets on it.

4) Choose an image for the mirror. I just googled "spooky image with hand reaching" and found what I was looking for.




5) Print 2 copies of the image. One facing the way you want it to and one in reverse. To create a reverse/inverse image open the photo in your photo editing software and simply flip it. It'll be a mirror image, completely backwards to your original image.

6) Clean your glass thoroughly and let it dry. 

7) Now determine the front and back of the mirror. Place your image under the glass as it will be in the frame so you can get an idea of placement. 


8) Remove your image and flip over the glass so the back of the glass is facing up. Put the inverse image under the glass and tape it. It will be taped to the outside of the glass. You are painting the inside, which is the back of the glass.

9) Find a well ventilated area or take the glass outside to paint. Make sure it is a dry day. If it is a humid or rainy day the paint will bubble and turn cloudy. 

I made this mistake the first time I tried to paint.

Shake the can well before spraying. Have a rag handy so you can wipe away paint if you spray too much.

I lightly misted the glass. It didn't look like enough, so I sprayed again. Then I had to wipe away the middle so the image could be seen.

The goal is to have a mirror surface but still see the creepy face coming through the glass. This can be tricky to do and make take a few tries.

Don't worry about imperfections. You want the mirror to look cracked, creepy and worn.

10) Once everything is dry untape the inverse image, flip the mirror over, put your real image under the glass and place in frame. You should have a creepy haunted mirror.





11) Optional - add a strand of wire fairy lights.
I had several strands of fairy lights I bought on eBay for .99 each. I had gold and blue. 
I decided to add the blue lights to give the mirror a creepier effect in a dark room.
So I opened the frame back up and stuck the lights in around the inside of the frame under the glass. Just enough so they could be seen and give the spooky image a ghostly glow.




When I completed the project and took it to my husband, he looked at it, said "Oh that's cool. Then he looked closer, his face paled and he backed away, "No, uh uh, that's creepy."

I laughed. I knew I'd done a good job if it creeped him out. That was the effect I was going for. It is a Halloween decoration after all.

I plan on making a couple more of these this year. I have this amazing creepy old frame I trash picked. I just need to get glass for it then it is going to be a large haunted mirror.

Free Book Friday January 6, 2017

Free Copy of Simulation by M. Black Available at InstaFreebie
SimulationM. Black
Genre: YA SyFy Dystopian
Publisher: Eloquent Enraptures Publishing
Date of Publication: DECEMBER 16th, 2016
ISBN: 978-1539194675   ISBN-10: 1539194671ASIN: B01N0QLPHH
Number of pages: 380Word Count: 85,000
Cover Artist: M. Black
Book Description:
SIMULATION is a fictional novel and is the debut release from Dystopian Thriller author M. Black.
A YA SyFy dystopia, along the lines of City of Ember meets CW’s The 100. This story will capture your heart and still won’t let go even at the end. Written in part while listening to Outside by Ellie Goulding, this story contrasts technology to nature, rich to poor, privilege to hardship, and illusion to reality.
“No one is getting in but whom we allow, and no one is ever getting out.”
Set in 2175 in Colorado, USA, where Citigogs are the new form of cities and citizens are kept under a careful population control, we meet Ilia the Princess of our main Citigog named Iliad, and Jez a Giver. As Ilia spends more time with Jez, she finds herself drawn to the Outside and ventures out of her Citigog only to learn that everything is not what it seems.
Fans of the Divergent and Hunger Games series will revel in this story about a strong, but disillusioned heroine who must become brave as she uncovers the truth about her world.
Book Trailer:  https://youtu.be/IO44dRFAAX0

Click Here to Get Your Free Copy




Halloween in New Orleans, where anything can happen including love and magick.
Eternal DesireDesire SeriesBook OneRoxanne Rhoads
Publisher: Bewitching Books  
Release Date: April 14, 2015 (2 edition)
ASIN: B00VWIQGFM
Book Description:

Paranormal researcher Liz Beth's dreams are haunted by a sensual vampire.
She arrives in New Orleans the week of Halloween in search of her elusive dream lover, but instead finds a handsome stranger.
They begin a passionate affair. Soon she is torn between dreams and reality, lost somewhere in the middle trying to regain reason.


She aches to find the vampire of her dreams but can't seem to break free of the spell her sexy stranger has her tangled in.
Click Here to Get Your Free Copy



Want Your Free eBook Listed in Future Free Book Friday Promotions?

Sign Up Here https://goo.gl/forms/Fn09tW3drZJLWMUI3
This will post on the Bewitching Book Tours blog, on all of our social media outlets and we will send out a newsletter blast to all of our subscribers.
Get in on this promotion for just $10 per book.
Book must be available for free on the date your choose to promote.
It can be free on Amazon, BN, Smashwords, InstaFreebie or Book Funnel
Readers- want the Free Friday Email Blast?
sign up for the Bewitching Newsletter http://eepurl.com/0z3z1

Cover Reveal Just off the Path by Weston Sullivan

Just off the PathWeston Sullivan
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Fire Quill Publishing
Cover Artist: Joemel Requeza and Sandra Valente
Book Description:
Hansel never asked to be a hero. He never wanted to fall in love with Rapunzel, Queen of the East. He didn’t ask to be raised by Gothel the Wretch, and he certainly never wanted to be credited for her arrest. But more than any of that, Hansel never wanted to lie: but he did. He lied about everything. He thought that he was done with it all when he and his sister Gretel retreated into the woods to reclaim their land, but he should have known better.
Years later, Rapunzel’s guards knock at his door, and they say the words he hoped that he would never hear: Gothel has escaped. As he and Gretel take refuge inside Rapunzel’s castle in the eastern capitol of Hildebrand, Hansel is thrust back into everything he never wanted in the first place: his lies, his legend, and his lust. In the wake of it all, he knows that Gothel has escaped to finish what she started. She is out to make sure that the Sleeping Beauty never wakes, and that Grimm suffocates under her blanket of thorn and vine. In order to find Gothel and save the kingdom, Hansel and Gretel must look for fact in a land of fairy-tale by following a trail of grisly murders, a girl in a red cape, and a powerful little man who can’t stand the sound of his own name.
As they search for answers, Hansel finds that he isn’t the only liar in Grimm, and that there may be a traitor among them of royal proportion.

About the Author:
Weston Sullivan lives and writes in Tampa, Florida. He spends his days splitting time between writing, a full time job, and studying for his degree in Creative Writing from the University of South Florida. He enjoys everything related to storytelling, including film and theater. He likes to read all genres, from contemporary fiction to classic favorites such as Faulkner and Woolf. After he finishes his undergraduate coursework and continues to build his career as an author, he plans to attend graduate school in New York City.
Website: http://www.westonsullivan.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westonjsullivan
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/sullivan_weston
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62675405-weston-sullivan

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal TAPPED by Liz Crowe

TAPPED     The Brewing Passion SeriesBook OneLiz Crowe   
Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance
Publisher: Totally Entwined Group
Date of Publication:  2/14/17
Word Count: 74,500
Cover Artist: Totally Entwined Group
Book Description: 
When wealthy brewery owner Austin Fitzgerald meets sexy saleswoman Evelyn Benedict, angry sparks fly. They seem destined to clash, until a hot hookup in a cold beer cooler changes everything.
For Austin, it's a life-altering moment that sets him on a path away from his birthright, while Evelyn must face her fears about committing to a man considered the playboy of the micro-brewing world. 
The power of preconceived notions nearly tears them apart—until they meet up with brew master Ross, who opens their eyes to a deeper, even more erotic connection. But three strong personalities don’t always make for the best emotional mix and when a simple misunderstanding causes chaos, it’s up to Ross to repair the tattered shreds of their relationship.

About the Author:
Amazon best-selling author, mom of three, Realtor, beer blogger, brewery marketing expert, and soccer fan, Liz Crowe is a Kentucky native and graduate of the University of Louisville currently living in Ann Arbor. She has decades of experience in sales and fund raising, plus an eight-year stint as a three-continent, ex-pat trailing spouse. 
Her early forays into the publishing world led to a groundbreaking fiction subgenre, “Romance for Real Life,” which has gained thousands of fans and followers interested less in the “HEA” and more in the “WHA” (“What Happens After?”). More recently she is garnering even more fans across genres with her latest novels, which are more character-driven fiction, while remaining very much “real life.”
With stories set in the not-so-common worlds of breweries, on the soccer pitch, in successful real estate offices and at times in exotic locales like Istanbul, Turkey, her books are unique and told with a fresh voice. The Liz Crowe backlist has something for any reader seeking complex storylines with humor and complete casts of characters that will delight, frustrate and linger in the imagination long after the book is finished.
http://www.lizcrowe.com
http://www.a2beerwench.com
http://www.facebook.com/lizcroweauthor
http://www.twitter.com/beerwencha2
https://www.amazon.com/Liz-Crowe/e/B00573TC7M
Sign Up for Liz Newz: https://goo.gl/ZrdvAa

Solstice by Braxton Cosby

SolsticeThe Star-Crossed SagaBook 3Braxton A. Cosby
Genre: YA Sci-fi, Romance
Publisher: Cosby Media Productions
Date of Publication: 11/25/2016
ISBN-13: 978-1540541673 ISBN-10: 1540541673ASIN: B01LZ4OMHI
Number of pages: 303Word Count: 90K
Cover Artist: CMP
Book Description: 
What You Believe, Can Destroy You!
William and Sydney have sacrificed everything to fortify their love, so much so that William dares to brave the depths of space to find a cure for their deadly Supernova bond, leaving both her and Earth vulnerable to Torrian Alliance attack. 
But with a full scale rebellion in play on Fabricius, the reality of Sydney’s execution from Torrian hands is diminished, only eclipsed by the certainty of a more threats – The Third Faction and The Dagmas Clan – lead by Dominic and his insurgent recruits. With overwhelming odds mounting against them, William makes a desperate attempt to find the last of the endangered Star-children only to be captured by a new menace, where he is forced to compete in the dreaded Gauntlet of sport. Allies surge to free Fabricius, seeking alliances across the galaxy while Sydney tries to keep her identity hidden and trains to master the third phase of her Star-child evolution: Solstice. 
With Sarah’s mysterious return home with clues to unlock the future, Noella’s training and Bill’s symbiotic development hope is restored, but will it be enough to unite the galaxy and destroy evil for once and for all?
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/NHUT02Fqk5w
Amazon
CHAPTER THREESydney and Noella walked hand in hand along the small winding path leading to the top the Mount Dothan. The dusking sky painted a sheet of orange and red light across the woodsy terrain around them, giving the impression of wading through a sea of fire. Amid the grim moment of the day and the burning sensation rising in Sydney’s throat, the tone seemed fitting. Silence accompanied them, and it wasn’t until the pair hit the peak that Sydney finally broke the ice. “So what do your people call this ceremony?” she asked. “The time of the harvest. It’s the moment when a fallen soldier is said to join the being of the sky. I think humans refer to it as God,” Noella said, her tone as flat as the expression on her face. “Sounds cool,” she replied as she surveyed the surroundings; a patch of flatland that housed a family of hawks who watched cautiously from above in a lone cedar tree. From here, every inch of Madisonburg could be observed without the need of telescope or binoculars. A bed of dandelions and weeping willows greeted them in the center of the field. “This way. I’ll show you where I buried his body,” Noella said. She could see that Noella was visibly shaken, slowly unravelling before her eyes. Her hands trembled as her eyes began to redden. She wondered how long it’d take, amazed at how Noella had not said a word since Arrion’s death a few weeks ago, only morning him in silence, which she explained was customary on Fabricius. She had done the deed all by herself, refusing to allow Sydney to assist in his burial. From scouting the plot of land to digging the hole, Noella insisted that it was protocol on her planet for a lone fellow soldier to be assigned the arduous task of preparation. Seeing as though William had departed soon after, there was no better candidate left for the job.  She took Noella by the hand and drew her close, giving her the most delicate and firm hug she could muster. Noella stood motionless, sinking into her friend’s embrace. After a few seconds, she released her, unable to make eye contact. “I’m here for you,” she murmured.    “Thanks, Syd,” Noella replied, her voice ragged.She finally looked up at her and gave a nod, following Noella’s lead over to the place where Arrion’s body lay. Surprisingly, the disturbed clay seemed more settled than she expected, dried from the sun and already showing signs of life as Bermuda grass had slowly began to encroach along the edges. A makeshift tombstone had been erected, fashioned from metallic fuselage scraps of the Daedallus, with only Arrrion’s name and handle tatted along the surface, minus dates to hide his identity to hikers in hopes that most consider it a memorial to a lost pet if they stumbled upon it.Noella knelt next to the grave, slid her backpack from her shoulders and began to open it. Searching her bag, she retrieved a small oval-shaped disk and a satchel filled with purple powder. “These are crushed lilacs pedals. We must first prepare the path for Arrion’s ascension by sending tribute to the sky.” She stood and sprinkled a few handfuls over the grave until a thin layer had materialized before them. “On our planet we usually use the oil of a Tonosia Tree, which is a lot thicker substance and is used for sterilization. Sarah thought it’d be a good idea to use lilacs as a substitute because it was a similar color.”“It’s beautiful,” she replied. “I will now begin the ceremony.” Noella placed the disc in the center of the burial site, depressed a red button on the top and came to her side. The two joined hands as the disc began to spin and dig into the hardened clay. Noella pointed a hydrogen phaser at the site and fired a stream of fire upon it that scorched the sheet of crushed pedals. The disc disappeared beneath the flames and Noella broke out into song, in an alien dialect that Sydney could not understand. It was less about the words and more the moment that choked at her, forcing the tears to flow freely down her face. She squeezed Noella’s hand as she crooned on. By the time Noella had finished, a small fissure had opened in the place where the disc had entered and a cloud of embers swirled into the air; a mix of red, orange and yellow. It lifted high into the sky and faded into the clouds. Noella dropped to her knees in a whimper. “It is finished.”Sydney came beside her and held her close. “It was… beautiful.” The two sat in silence with only sobs to drown out the sounds of the forest. 

About the Author:
Braxton A. Cosby is the award-winning author of YA fiction. 
He endeavors to paint vivid pictures of his characters and worlds in the minds of readers, so that they too can share in his complex visions of the past, present and future. 
Braxton lives in Atlanta, GA with his amazing wife and four children.  
Instagram: braxtonacosby
Twitter: @BraxtonACosby
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrBraxtonCosby
Websites: www.braxtoncosby.com
www.theredgeminichronicles
www.cosbymediaproductions.com


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Secrets of Successful Virtual Book Tours by Roxanne Rhoads

Are you considering a virtual book tour? 

Not sure where to start or exactly what an online tour will entail?

Roxanne Rhoads, book publicist and owner of Bewitching Book Tours, shares her virtual tour expertise in this Quick Tips for Authors Guide.

Secrets of Successful Virtual Book Tours will guide you in utilizing the best marketing tool available- a virtual book tour, which can create online exposure for your book, jumpstart your book sales, help build your author brand, and expand your network.

In this guide you’ll learn:
•what you should do before a tour 
•the components of a great author website 
•the best social media outlets for authors to utilize 
•tips for building your author brand
•how to write great guest blogs
•what to expect from an online book tour
•the secrets of successful book tours
•how to schedule your own virtual book tour

And you’ll receive in-depth details about what to do during a virtual book tour to guarantee success.

AMAZON

A Review of The Sight by Chloe Neill

The Sight by Chloe Neill
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Phenomenal!

Chloe Neill has another amazing series on her hands. I was completely engrossed in this book from page 1. When I finished it I wanted more. I can't wait to see where this series goes. Two incredible books in and I want many more.

I was so sad when I heard the Chicagoland Vampires was ending. I am glad Neill got another series started before the last Chicagoland book came out. Now I won't be so sad to say goodbye to Merit because Claire is a worthy replacement.

Intense emotion, plenty of build up, a lot of set up for future books and an explosive ending you won't be prepared for.

Make sure you read book 1, The Veil, before diving into The Sight.

View all my reviews

A Review of Writers on Writing Vol. 1 - 4 Omnibus by Joe Mynhardt

Writers on Writing Vol. 1 - 4 Omnibus by Joe Mynhardt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Wow- the best collection of writing advice I have ever read.

This wasn't your average 'do this, do that, overcome writer's block, make time to write, blah, blah, heard it a million times before' advice.

No, this is a collection of real, unique and entirely useful advice that you will actually use - written by authors and editors who have been there- they talk about self-editing, proofreading, formatting, self-publishing, traditional publishing and so much more.

If you are a writer you NEED this book.

I received a copy of this book by Crystal Lake Publishing for review purposes.

View all my reviews