Roxanne Rhoads's Blog, page 465

The Strings of the Violin by Alisse Lee Goldenberg Giveaway

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The Strings of the ViolinHadariah ChroniclesBook One
Alisse Lee Goldenberg
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: Prizm BooksDate of Publication: June 26, 2013
ISBN: 1610404947
Number of pages: 212Word Count: 55,000
Cover Artist: Brandon Clay
Amazon    Paperback     Prizm Books
Book Description:Seventeen-year-old Carrie is lying in her backyard ignoring all the looming responsibilities in her life, when a fox makes a mad dash across the grass in front of her. After she manages to keep her dog from attacking the frightened animal, the fox turns to Carrie and seems to bow in gratitude before he disappears into the bushes. All Carrie knows in that moment is that something has unexpectedly changed in her life.Carrie has been best friends with Lindsay Smith and Rebecca Campbell for years. During a summer when they should focus on choosing colleges, the girls suddenly find themselves swept away on the adventure of their lives.The fox reappears three days later and reveals to Carrie that he is Adom, emissary to the king of Hadariah. With his land of music and magic in peril, Adom has been sent to seek help from Carrie and her friends. In the blink of an eye, the three teenage girls go from living an average suburban life to being the champions of a world where they must contend with giants, witches, and magical beings. Will they ever make it home once more?
Short Excerpt:
Carrie Eisen lay in the grass, knees bent, a sweatshirt pillowed under her head. The sun felt warm on her body as she drifted off to sleep. She had gone outside intending to read the new fantasy novel she had bought. She had read a few chapters and put it aside, just soaking up the sun. In the backyard, her cocker spaniel, Finnigan, was hunting flies. So far, he had caught none. But he refused to give up, leaping about in the grass and futilely pouncing on the buzzing insects.
There was one month left in summer vacation, and come September, Carrie would start the twelfth grade. This was something she did not want to think about until it was absolutely necessary. To her, her final year of high school meant she would ultimately have to make decisions about her future, decide a path, and begin to grow up -- something she dreaded with all her heart and soul. She wished she could just run away and have an adventure like the characters in the books she loved.
Already her parents were on her case, encouraging her to research universities and pick out programs she liked. She was finding the entire thing overwhelming. At the age of seventeen, how was she supposed to decide these things? It was hard enough some days to figure out what she wanted to eat for breakfast. But they were pressuring her to start now. She would have to do her applications this year. Her mind swam with choices and questions. What if she was rejected from the programs she wanted? What if a school looked good on paper but was horrible when she actually got there? She knew she could always change her mind, but it might mean a wasted year. And what were her friends doing? She knew they were as confused as she was, and Carrie was thankful she was not alone. She dreaded going to a large university and knowing no one. She had this vision in her head of being a lost first-year student dwarfed by a cold and massive campus. She did not want this but feared it was inevitable.
Carrie was a tiny girl in all respects, except her eyes. She had huge green-blue eyes that seemed to take up a full third of her heart-shaped face. They peered out from behind a sandy fringe of bangs, always drinking in every aspect of her surroundings. She wore her hair in a shaggy pixie cut that she never let get any longer than chin length, but it was constantly out of control.
She had been lying in her backyard for over an hour. The idea of just being lazy and ignoring all responsibility had appealed to her, and she had indulged this whim with a vengeance. Barefoot, in a pair of raggedy cutoff jean shorts and an old T-shirt, Carrie had run outside and flung herself out onto the grass, prepared not to move until she absolutely had to. Finnigan had followed, leaping at her ankles, begging to play, but Carrie had turned away, resolving not to use a single ounce of energy on anything other than soaking up the sun on that hot summer’s day.
Now, after some time had passed, Carrie lay contented, her mind deliciously blank. She heard, as if through a fog, the barking of her dog and the buzzing of the flies. She could hear the happy panting as Finnigan occasionally walked up to her and left a present of an unfortunate insect. Silently, a new sensation crept over her body. Her blue eyes flew open, and she glanced around. Despite the sun’s warmth, Carrie felt goose bumps prickling up and down her skin. She felt a distinct feeling that someone, somewhere, was watching her. She sat up and quickly spotted Finnigan. She opened her mouth to call to her dog but could not find the voice to do it. The words caught in her throat. Finnigan was standing and staring at a small bush that grew in a corner of the yard. He was growling, a low rumble that Carrie could feel vibrating in the air around her. The guttural sound caused the hairs to stand up along the nape of her neck.
“Finn?” Carrie managed to get out. She could not believe how hoarse her voice sounded. Her pet’s behavior was giving her the creeps. “Finn, what is it?”
Upon hearing his name, Finnigan turned to Carrie and cocked his head to the side, as if asking if she saw what he did in the bush. When he got no answer, he turned back and continued to stare fixedly.
Carrie squinted at the leaves, wondering what it was that had so enthralled him and so spooked her. She peered intently and let out a small gasp when she spotted two coal-black eyes staring right back at her.
Carrie scrambled to her feet, never taking her eyes off the bush. A black, button nose appeared below the eyes. A long red snout. Two large ears, a face, a small body. Carrie made a grab for Finnigan as the fox sauntered out from within the branches.
“Oh no,” Carrie breathed. She knew not to make any sudden movements around a wild animal. Unfortunately, Finnigan did not seem aware of this bit of advice, and he lunged at the fox. He snarled, gnashing his teeth at this creature who dared to invade his yard.
Carrie let out a cry of alarm as her dog escaped her. “Finnigan!” she yelled and propelled herself forward as dog and fox made a mad dash across the lawn. Carrie ran, her bare feet skidding across the ground, arms reaching, desperate to get a hold of her pet. Finnigan leapt ahead, just out of reach.
The fox ran at the head of the chaseeither bolder than Carrie had first thought or spurred on by fear. Finnigan was merely a few steps behind him. Carrie made a leap for the spaniel and just missed him, falling face-first on the grass, staining her shirt and chin green. She quickly picked herself back up and tried to cut the animals off from a different angle, but again she was unsuccessful. Her mind filled with frightening ideas about what would happen if the fox turned on her dog. What if it was rabid? What if it bit Finnigan? A whole list of horrible scenarios filled her mind. She was panicking, not just for her dog but for the fox as well. She did not know what would happen if Finnigan got a hold of the animal. There was always a chance that he was not chasing it to play, but to hunt and hurt.
Carrie tried again to make a grab for Finnigan. This time she managed to get a hold of him, eliciting a yelp of surprise. He tried to bolt out of her arms, upset at the indignity of being kept from his prey. She held on for dear life as he squirmed and struggled to get back to the chase. She held tighter, and he finally gave up, panting against her chest.
Carrie stood and surveyed the yard, trying to see where the fox had gone. She finally spotted him sitting calmly by the same bush from which he had first emerged. He peered back at her with intelligent, thoughtful, almost curious black eyes, his red fur stark against the green of the bush. Carrie could not understand how he could have hidden so successfully inside it. The fox looked directly at her, bowed his head low in what seemed a gesture of gratitude, and disappeared the same way he had come.
Carrie sat down on the grass and stared long and hard at the bush. Had that fox somehow thanked her? What had just happened? All she knew was that something had changed. The air around her was uncommonly still. She stood up on legs that seemed to be made of jelly, hugged Finnigan to her, and was rewarded with a lick. Then she turned and entered the house, her day of laziness forgotten.


About the Author:
Alisse Lee Goldenberg is an author of Horror and Young Adult fantasy fiction. She has her Bachelors of Education and a Fine Arts degree, and has studied fantasy and folk lore since she was a child. Alisse lives in Toronto with her husband Brian, their triplets Joseph, Phillip, and Hailey, and their rambunctious Goldendoodle Sebastian.
www.alisseleegoldenberg.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alisse-Lee-Goldenberg/254397934598975
@AliLGoldenberg







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Now on Tour Seal Of Awakening by Traci Douglass

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Seal Of AwakeningSeven Seals SeriesBook ThreeTraci Douglass
Genre: Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy
Publisher: SpinTale Publishing
Date of Publication: October 28th, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-9897829-0-6
Number of pages: 261Word Count: 70,000
Cover Artist: Kim Killion
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/vTn0_15T2iY
Book Description:
Socially awkward geneticist Quinn Strickland has willingly forgone the pleasures in life to reach her career objectives. Alone and approaching thirty, she uses her independence to mitigate any risk of a broken heart. Her strategy works until the day a handsome stranger bursts into her lab and her orderly plans shoot straight to Hades. He claims to be her personal divine protector, a powerful, ancient warrior sent to defend a prophetic time bomb existing within her own genetic code.

The Scion’s alpha-geek Wyck is offered the opportunity of his immortal lifetime as head of his own covert operation. He arrives at a Colorado lab expecting starched white coats and sterile surroundings—not a redheaded spitfire in charge of both his project and his libido. His skills have carried him from the battlefields of ancient England to the pits of Hell and he has no plans to be felled by one woman, regardless of her shag-worthy charms. Divine duty requires him to protect the apocalyptic Seal encrypted within Quinn’s DNA, but his heart has other ideas. When his personal feelings interfere with his age-old vendetta, he’s forced to decide between desire and retribution.
About the Author:
Traci is the author of paranormal romance/urban fantasy and contemporary romances featuring a sly, urban edge, including her current Seven Seals series. Her stories feature sizzling alpha-male heroes full of dark humor, quick wits and major attitudes; smart, independent heroines who always give as good as they get; and scrumptiously evil villains who are—more often than not—bent on world destruction. She enjoys weaving ancient curses and mythology, modern science and old religion, and great dialogue together to build red-hot, sizzling chemistry between her main characters.
She is an active member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), Indiana Romance Writers of America (IRWA) and Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal Writers (FF&P) and is pursing a Masters of Fine Arts degree in Writing Popular Fiction through Seton Hill University. Her stories have made the final rounds in several RWA chapter contests, including the 2012 Duel on the Delta, the 2012 Molly Awards, and the 2012 Catherine Awards. An earlier draft of the first book in the Seven Seals Series, Seal of Destiny, won the paranormal category of the 2012 Marlene Awards sponsored by the Washington Romance Writers.

Other current projects include upcoming books in the Seven Seals series, a new contemporary novella series due out in early 2014, and a new futuristic suspense series with hints of the paranormal and plenty of romance.
Website and blog: http://www.tracidouglass.net
FB Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/TraciDouglassAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Traci_Douglass  
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8112113-traci-douglass
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/tracidouglass



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Guest blog and Giveaway with SI Hayes

Caution Author has Deer in Headlights reaction to the Guest Post....
I have little experience in writing for other people as to their blogs. I'm sure it shows as in actually mentioning it, my novice shines brightly. But I figure fuck it, you can chock it up to being part of my charm.
So here I am sitting at my computer with a Wildhorse Cigar and a big honkin' French Vanilla Iced Coffee from my local D&D set to run my mouth about.... Gimme a min, I'm sure it will come to me, as I am rarely at a loss for words....
Okay, I think I've got something for you, a little look into my writing process and character development for one of the more dangerous obstacles from In Dreams... The Solitary Road. The Echoes.
In the series they serve as one of the many dangers in a world that indeed resembles our own, because it is ours. 250 million years from now, when the continents have shifted to the point that a new Pangea has been formed, my characters walk the roads.
Large parts of the land are covered in Ice, as the earth left above sea level has again traveled northward. I had to do some extensive research into Continental Drift Theory to get my maps, but it was wild to read while I did.
This hellish environment got me to thinking and the idea of humanoid creatures re-evolving and branching out into different types just sent my imagination into over drive. Thus creating a character to serve as a real danger to my Protagonists. Those poor unfortunate souls who think to take refuge from the hostile snows that surround the mountains soon find that the artic winds would have been the kinder death.
On two separate occasions my Protagonist Amara Dagon encounters what the Raepuwa call Echoes. Creatures that dwell within the Icy Caverns of The Braithorian Mountains. Slithering, humanoids with a taste for any flesh that crosses their territory, they use their telepathic voices to confuse and turn their hapless victims round and round in the  caverns until either the cliffs take them or exhaustion lays them flat on the icy floors.
At no point are they described in the tale as Amara never sees them, only hears them as they torment her with whispers and primal snarls deposited directly into her mind. As if that isn't creepy enough. Later they have a scene where they drag off some charred remains to what purpose one can only guess.

When I was working on the scenes I decided that to give a description of the creatures would be to tell too much, as they reappear through out the early books with in the series. You see I never write anything to simply fill my pages, every character no matter how minor they may appear eventually gets their 15 mins of fame. The Echoes are and will be no exception. If you would like to see them in action, do be a darling and pick up a copy of In Dreams... The Solitary Road. I don't believe I will disappoint. 
In Dreams... The Solitary Road
S.I.Hayes
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: S.I.Hayes
Date of Publication: October 1, 2013
ISBN-13: 978-1491092118 ISBN-10: 1491092114
Number of pages: 206
Word Count: 45k
Cover Artist: S.I.Hayes and Eri Nelson
Book Description:
Dumped in a treacherous Arctic land, Amara Dagon must master her spell craft if she is to survive a year in exile, but fear, doubt and the loss of her family threatens to take hold. Can Amara gain control of her magic or will she succumb to it leaving her people in the hands of a dangerous tyrant?

About the Author:
I am the Co-Author to Awakenings: The Wrath Saga, a paranormal drama likened to Big Brother meets The Real World, of the Preternatural.
I'm currently working on the sequels to In Dreams... Due for release in 2014.I have a mind that is easily distracted and prone to wandering. Tangents are my forte, and if you think my characters are going to fit a cookie cutter shape of any kind, think again. They live, they love, they eat, sleep and fuck. I believe that people are inherently sexual creatures and my characters be they human or something all together else are no exception.
I don't adhere to a single genera, I toe the line on several and wouldn't presume to be a master of any. So I suppose you could call me jack-of-all-trade-paperbacks.I am a truth seeker, in my life, in my work. I’d apologize for it, but I kinda can't help m’self. It's my best and worse personality trait, well mostly, being Bi-Polar I guess you could say that is the worse. But I believe that the disorder has made me, well... Me.
I have taken this life and twisted, carved, shaped and molded it in to the worlds of my characters. Albeit with a chainsaw, and it has made all the difference
A Writer’s Mind, More or Less
The 131 Preview Review 
In Dreams... The Solitary Road
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Blitz: Silent Oath by Paul Anthony Shortt

Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself and what inspired to write in this particular genre?
I was born and raised in Bray, in the northernmost part of County Wicklow, in Ireland. I went to University College Dublin, where I studied English and ancient Greek and Roman civilisation in between hanging out with the Games Society. It’s where I met my wife and many of my closest friends.
I’d always been interested in magic and the supernatural. I was drawn to horror movies and folklore, but my favourite moments in any of those stories was when the hero finally mustered the strength to fight back. I wanted to see more stories where this could happen. As a teenager, I really had no idea there was a whole genre, Urban Fantasy, where this exact thing was commonplace. When I found out, I knew it was the genre for me.
What is it about the paranormal, in particular vampires, that fascinates you so much?
I think it’s how close it is to the real world, and a certain innocence and faith it represents (the paranormal, that is, not vampires!). It saddens me that there’s so much cynicism in the world these days, where someone who happens to have a particular faith can be tarred with the same brush as religious fanatics. To me, the study of the paranormal means accepting the possibility that there’s more to the universe than we, humans, can understand right now, that perhaps there are things we’re not meant to understand, and that’s okay.
I’m afraid the reason I included vampires in the series is a little less philosophical. I’d just grown tired of seeing vampires reduced to love interests or excuses for super powers. I wanted to show them back in the role of monsters, representations of the side of ourselves we fear. Vampires used to be the lords of horror, the ultimate villain. One day, I’d like to see them reclaim that.
Please tell us about your latest release.
Happy to! Silent Oath is the second instalment of the Locked Within Trilogy. Following on from my debut release last year, the book sees Nathan Shepherd continuing his fight to protect the people of New York from the Council of Chains, who seek immortality and treat normal humans as prey.
Nathan has accepted that he can’t keep fighting alone, and, together with his friends, is working to establish a conclave, an organisation dedicated to keeping people safe from supernatural predators. However, all his work stands to fall apart when Athamar, an enemy from past lifetimes, arrives on the scene. Nathan finds himself in the middle of a deadly game where everything he holds dear is at stake.
Do you have a special formula for creating characters' names? Do you try to match a name with a certain meaning to attributes of the character or do you search for names popular in certain time periods or regions?
Given that much of the series deals with reincarnation, it was important to keep character names accurate. I read history articles and watched period movies to pick out potential names. At the same time, I do like adding a little bit of deeper meaning to character names, so once I find a name I like, I’ll look up its meaning to see how well it suits the character.
I try to avoid using lists of popular names because you can end up picking names that have been used a lot in other books already.
Was one of your characters more challenging to write than another?
I think Elena DeSantis, Nathan’s lost lover, was pretty tough to write. I’m more used to writing male protagonists, and Elena’s importance puts her on more or less equal footing with Nathan, both in terms of her status within the setting and in terms of the story. I also had to make sure that the initial uncertainty between the two was strong, but without losing the reader’s sympathy.
With the book being part of a series, are there any character or story arcs, that readers jumping in somewhere other than the first book, need to be aware of? Can these books be read as stand alones?
I made sure to include summaries of previous events as important topics came up, so it is possible to read Silent Oath without having read Locked Within. I don’t think there should be too much confusion. That said, I would definitely recommend reading Locked Within first, otherwise a lot of the emotional impact of some of the new revelations in Silent Oath will be lost.
Do you write in different genres?
Yes. In addition to Urban Fantasy, I’m currently working on a YA Steampunk Fantasy and some of my ideas for the future venture into Science Fiction as well.
Do you find it difficult to write in multiple genres?
Urban Fantasy appeals to me because I find it natural to think in a mix of action and mystery, so that will bleed over when I write other genres. I focus on telling fun adventure stories, and worry about smaller details later. The hardest part is actually making the switch from one setting to another, keeping in mind that for some, like my Steampunk series, Lady Raven, I have to create an entire world from scratch, while for Silent Oath, I was using New York as a base, and had to make sure to keep certain elements consistent with the real world.
When did you consider yourself a writer?
I’m probably supposed to say that anyone who writes should consider themselves a writer. But the truth is, it was last year, at my first book launch. Seeing so many people all lining up to buy my book, many of whom started reading right there in the store, was a profound experience. It stopped being a dream and suddenly became real.
What are your guilty pleasures in life?
Nothing fancy. Video games, re-watching movies and shows I loved as a kid (The Princess Bride remains one of the greatest movies ever made! We used the theme music when my wife walked down the aisle at our wedding), or coming home from work and getting straight into a comfy bathrobe and having a glass of wine.
Other than writing, what are some of your interests, hobbies or passions in life?
I love film and music. I’ll watch a movie or listen to a particular song no matter how many times I have before, all to experience it again and again. Music, particularly, is important to me, and I’ve been known to dislike a movie just because the score disappointed me.
I also love to cook. I find it incredibly relaxing to put together a meal from scratch.
Aside from that, I’m also an avid gamer, and have a group of friends who call out every week to play tabletop roleplaying games.
What can readers expect next from you?
Well the most important thing will be the third and final instalment of Nathan’s story. Currently titled Final Hope, the last book in the trilogy will see Nathan’s ultimate showdown with Athamar and the forces of the Styx, the gods who seek to conquer our world. It’s due out next year, and I can’t wait to start the edits.
Beyond that, as I mentioned I’m working on Lady Raven, the first of a YA Steampunk Fantasy series, which I’ll be self-publishing. I plan to have that out next year as well.
But I’ll still be publishing traditionally as well. I have a new Urban Fantasy series in mind for adults, which I’ll be submitting to my publisher for consideration. This one will be a bit of a cross between an Urban Fantasy and a police procedural.
Where can readers find you on the web?
My website is http://paulanthonyshortt.blogspot.com, and I can also be found on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pashortt, and on Twitter, @PAShortt




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Silent Oath
Locked Within TrilogyBook TwoPaul Anthony Shortt
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Publisher: WiDo Publishing
Date of Publication: October 8th, 2013ISBN: 978-1937178369
Number of pages: 300Word Count: 80,000
Cover Artist: Steven Novak
Amazon
Book Description:
Hope has returned to New York City. Nathan Shepherd leads a small band of dedicated fighters against the Council of Chains and the city's supernatural masters. But it's not enough. Because from the shadows of Nathan's former lives comes an old enemy, one who knows terrible secrets that Nathan has not yet remembered, secrets that could undo everything he has fought for.
Nathan's only chance to uncover the memories of his previous existence, and to conquer these new forces of evil, lies in Elena DeSantis. A woman he has fought beside in past lifetimes. A woman he has loved.
Together, Nathan and Elena are the only future the city has.
About the Author:
A child at heart who turned to writing and roleplaying games when there simply weren't enough action figures to play out the stories he wanted, Paul Anthony Shortt has been writing all his life. Growing up surrounded by music, film and theatre gave him a deep love of all forms of storytelling, each teaching him something new he could use. When not playing with the people in his head, he enjoys cooking and regular meet-ups with his gaming group.
Paul lives in Ireland with his wife Jen and their dogs, Pepper and Jasper. Their first child, Conor William Henry Shortt, was born on July 11th, 2011. He passed away three days later, but brought love and joy into their lives and those of their friends. The following year, Jen gave birth to twins, Amy and Erica.
Paul's first novel, Locked Within, was released on November 6th, 2012, by WiDo Publishing. Silent Oath is the second book in this urban fantasy trilogy.



Website: http://paulanthonyshortt.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulanthonyshortt
Twitter: @PAShortt
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6476977.Paul_Anthony_Shortt 

Authors: Win A Custom Book Cover Photo Shoot

Authors: Win A Custom Book Cover Photo Shoot from Steven Jon Horner Photography



The winner can choose from a single unique image to be used for a book cover, a custom photo shoot featuring your book and characters, or if in the local Michigan area, a personal photo shoot for the author
Your custom photos can be used for many types of book promotion purposes- covers, website designs, bookmarks, postcards, book trailers, character profiles and more
A personal photo shoot is a great way for an author to have the perfect bio image and great photos for their media kits, promo packs, websites and facebook pages.

Learn more about the photographer at https://www.facebook.com/StevenJonHornerPhotography and http://www.stevephoto.me

See an extensive example of a custom photo shoot featuring book characters and scenes from the Vehicle City Vampires Serieshttp://www.stevephoto.me/Events/Hex-Sequel-Shoot/


Read an excerpt from Hex and the Single Witch and view the custom photos that go along with it, shot on the location featured in the book, Glenwood Cemetery – in this month’s issue of Bewitching Book Tours Magazine- also look for the special ad featuring a coupon code for discount photo shoots. www.issuu.com/bewitchingbooktours



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October 2013 Bewitching Book Tours Magazine

October 2013 Bewitching Book Tours Magazine
Halloween thrills, chills and fun abound in our special Halloween double issue of Bewitching Book Tours Magazine. We have True Tales of the Paranormal, a Guide to Greening Halloween, Halloween Crafts, and Hallow Halloween art by Brigid Ashwood and Ash Evans.
Articles and features include: When Humanity Slips By Laura Bickle; Hooray for Halloween By Roxanne Rhoads; Witchcraft, Writing, and Cooking By Ann Gimpel; The Fictional Characters I’m inviting to my Ultimate Halloween Party by Paula Millhouse; My Top 10 Favorite Vampires By B Patterson; Hitchcock By Kenya Carlton; Weddings from the Dark Side by Wenona Napolitano;  A Halloween Interview with the Witches from Paranormal Pleasures;  and Setting the Stage for Creepiness -Choosing the Perfect Locations for Story Settings with Laura Bickle, Suzanne Johnson and Roxanne Rhoads.
Flash fiction- Lenny Blue by Jerry Bolduc and The Party by Charlie Daye.
Interviews with Boone Brux, Adrienne deWolfe, Candace Osmond, Charles O’ Keefe, and Mark D Evans
We have some wonderful new items this month- like the Pin Up Files featuring an interview with model Ginger Kewl. We also have some wonderful photographs from Russ Turner Photography, Steven Jon Horner Photography, and Southern Allure Photography.
There is also a special feature with the Glenwood Cemetery Scene from Hex and The Single Witch showcasing custom book photography from Steven Jon Horner.

Time Travel with Rachael Stapleton

Thanks for having me. I’m thrilled to be here. And because I’m sure you’re dying to know, let’s talk about time travel. Philosophers, physicists, and people all smarter than me have put forth a number of viewpoints; from the idea that history cannot be changed to the notion that it would create a paradox thus by destroying the universe. These are all very deep concepts that as a writer I researched and by that I mean searched on Google and considered for all of about 10 seconds before abandoning and creating a time-travel story based on my own warped imagination. 
So with that in mind, let’s take a look at The Temple of Indra series. It follows Sophia, a small-town librarian, on her journey into the 19th century where she awakens to more than just a bump on the head. In the body of a Princess with only a mysterious diary to guide her, she flees, seeking out a questionable alchemist to avoid becoming a pawn in a murderous plot for the throne. As she races through time to solve the mystery of her family’s past she meets two remarkable men leaving her confused by love, kidnapped by bandits, robbed of her jewel and accused of witchcraft. With the help of a fellow librarian, a professor and a medium, she uncovers a warning as well as the alchemist’s spell book and begins to understand why she’s been pulled through time as well as the dangers to possessing it but will she be able to control the magic and break the curse before it breaks her.
Since time travel is such a big part of The Temple of Indra series, I thought I’d share a little bit about my version of it here. For time travel, you always need a time machine. Doc Brown had the DeLorean. Diana Gabbaldon had the stones. And Sophia? She has the Purple Delhi Sapphire.

This is the mysterious stone that inspired parts of the series. Of course I completely changed the look of it – it needed to be glamorous. The actual gemstone was rumored to have been stolen by a British solider from the Temple of Indra, during the Indian Mutiny of 1857. It was brought to England by Colonel W. Ferris, whose family then supposedly suffered many financial and health woes.  Heron-Allen, wary of its alleged powers, locked it away in seven boxes and surrounded it with good luck charms. After his death, his daughter donated the amethyst to London's Natural History Museum. Along with the stone, she gave them a letter that her father wrote cautioning future owners against directly handling it. So far no one has reported time travelling through it but you never know. Writing time travel isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s definitely fun! I hope this has given you a little taste of The Temple of Indra’s Jewel. Don’t forget to look for it online now!




The Temple of Indra’s JewelRachael Stapleton
Genre: Fiction/Fantasy/Romance
Publisher: iUniverse, LLC
ISBN: 978-1-4917-0223-9ISBN: 978-1-4917-0224-6ISBN: 978-1-4917-0225-3
Number of pages: 274Word Count: 75,279
Book Description:
Sophia Marcil awakens from a snorkeling accident in the Lérins Islands to find herself in the chambers—and the body—of a nineteenth-century princess.
In a confused state and with no idea of her whereabouts, Sophia embarks on a desperate quest for answers, hoping she can find her way back to her fiancé, Nick, and her true identity.
After she finds a diary in an antique desk, Sophia follows a clue that leads her to a questionable alchemist, who relays the history and magic of the mysterious amethyst she inherited from her greatgrandmother— the only possession that made the leap through time with her and perhaps the only thing that can prevent her from becoming a pawn in a murderous plot for the throne.
Using her inheritance, Sophia races through time to the twenty-first century to solve the mystery of her family’s past.
But once she is there, she unearths a dire warning about a curse that clings to her heirloom, leading her down a dangerous path involving two men from different times and ultimately puts her life at risk.

In this tale of obsession, greed and passion, a woman on a journey through time struggles to regain a family heirloom and control its magic, hoping to break the curse before it breaks her.
About the Author:
Rachael Stapleton grew up in a small town, writing as a hobby until the age of sixteen when she was given the opportunity to pen a column for the Orono Weekly Times. Today she is a dedicated writer who contributes to a weekly writer’s circle and is also a proud member of the Writer’s Community of Durham Region.
Rachael lives in Ontario, Canada, with her husband and two children.
http://www.rachaelstapleton.com/

http://rachaeljacksonthetempleofindrajewels.blogspot.ca/
https://twitter.com/RaquelleJaxson
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachael-Stapleton-Author-of-The-Temple-of-Indra/137831156290570
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18501101-the-temple-of-indra-s-jewel



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 October 14 SpotlightThe Amber Diary http://claireamber.blogspot.com/
October 15 SpotlightStephanie's BookshelfStephaniesbookshelf.blogspot.com
October 16 SpotlightLis Les Livreswww.lisleslivres.blogspot.com
October 17 Guest blogFang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
October 18 SpotlightPure Textualityhttp://puretextuality.com
October 21 InterviewRoxanne’s Realmwww.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com
October 22 InterviewPembroke Sinclair.  www.pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com
October 23 Guest blogThe Creatively Green Write at Home Momwww.creativelygreen.blogspot.com
October 24 Guest blogMy Tangled Skeins Book Reviewshttp://mytangledskeinsbookreviews.blogspot.com
October 25 SpotlightLisa’s World of Bookswww.lisasworldofbooks.net
October 28 InterviewDalene’s Book Reviewshttp://dalenesbookreviews.blogspot.com
October 29 SpotlightEclipse Reviewshttp://totaleclipsereviews.blogspot.com
October 30 InterviewA Writer's Mind- www.skypuringtonwrites.blogspot.com
November 1 reviewThe Indigo Quill – http://theindigoquill.blogspot.com
November 4 Guest blogMythical Bookshttp://mythicalbooks.blogspot.ro/
November 4 SpotlightA Night's Dream of Bookshttp://anightsdreamofbooks.blogspot.com/
November 5 Spotlight Sapphyria's Book Reviewssaphsbookblog.blogspot.com
November 5 SpotlightBooks & Tales:http://www.booksandtales.blogspot.co.uk/
November 6 Guest blogMagic and Mayhem http://MagicMayhemBlog.com
November 7 SpotlightBookwormBridgette's Worldhttp://bookwormbridgette.blogspot.com/
November 8 InterviewMarsha A MooreMarshaAMoore.blogspot.com
November 8 Spotlight and reviewWho's Reviewshttp://whosreviews.wordpress.com/
November 11 SpotlightBook Worm & More, http://bookwormandmore.blogspot.com/
November 11 reviewhttp://pwrspot.blogspot.com/

Guest Blog and Giveaway with Shelli Rosewarne

Hi there, and thanks so much for letting me visit today.
My zombie-themed romance 'Love Reawakened' was just released on Friday so I'm very excited! I know what you're thinking – zombies and romance don't really go together. But to be honest, I think zombies get rather a poor deal in the paranormal romance stakes. Let's face it, you think vampire you think dark, tortured, sexy, with optional drool-worthy European accent that just makes you want them to bite you... *coughs* well, you get the idea! Zombies on the other hand, you tend to think of rotting flesh, shambling gait, optional loss of limbs and a definite lending towards the 'ewww' rather than then 'mmmm' factor! I'm sure if the poor zombie had been given a choice he'd have preferred to come back as a vampire, but he didn't – and now he has to face blatant 'vampire preference' in his already not great afterlife. To help him out though, myself and some other authors over at Breathless Press have come up with some zombie pick-up lines that are almost guaranteed to tip the scales.

I like my men like I like my vodka – cold and stiff!Really baby, I love you for your brains!Is that rigor-mortis, or are you just pleased to see me?I've been feeling a little dead lately. Want to give me mouth-to-mouth?Great minds taste alike!I'd double tap that!It's a good thing I'm a zombie, because you are drop-dead gorgeous!Convinced yet? If not then I do also have a rather more drool-worthy necromancer, a very sassy witch, some action, romance, *ahem* slightly steamy scenes and a zombie cat called Mittens – come on, now you're intrigued!

Book Description:

Emma needs to find an escaped zombie! With lives on the line, the only person who can help is the man who broke her heart.
Emma Strachan is a professional witch and quite frankly a zombie raising should be all in day's work. Now, though, something has gone horribly wrong and with lives on the line Emma is forced to turn for help to the one person she never wanted to see again. When Emma Strachan shows up on Garret's doorstep he knows she must be in trouble – after all nothing else would bring her to his door. Still, he never imagined a zombie gone rogue, or that the blazing attraction between them would be as strong as ever.As Emma and Garret risk their lives to track down the missing zombie can they put aside past insecurities and trust in each other – before it's too late.

Amazon US   Amazon UK   Breathless Press

ExcerptHe grinned at her. "I've learnt a few things since you last knew me."She felt her face flame. Oh, they were so not going there. She turned on her heel, and headed back to the car. She heard his low laugh as he followed her and tried not to bristle at that. She slid in, a scowl on her face."What now? We still have no idea where he might be or how to reassure him when we find him. Any ideas?"She saw a slow grin spread across his face, then he leaned over and captured her lips with his, catching her surprised squeak. His tongue plunged deep, his mouth forceful, demanding, and she was helpless not to respond. A whimper rose in her throat as she clutched at his shoulders, heat curling in her stomach. His hand slid to the nape of her neck pulling her closer and she went willingly, her nipples hardening as she came up against his chest. He slowly pulled back, causing a moan of protest to rise in her throat. He smiled ruefully, resting his head against hers."This is really not the time or the place," he murmured.She pulled back crossly. "Why did you do it then?"He grinned at her. "It was an idea."Hilarious! "You have any ideas actually related to the problem at hand?" she snapped at him."Surprisingly, yes, I do have one. I know someone who might be able to help us find him."Emma frowned. "Who? And why didn't you just say that instead of, well, you know."He sighed. "You'll see, and I kissed you now because you might not let me afterwards."
About the Author

Shelli Rosewarne had always had a dream in the back of her head about wanting to be a writer, from the time she was handing in ten page stories at primary school and driving her teachers crazy. However, like with so many things, life and paying the bills got in the way and she worked in various jobs from call centers to shops to offices. She eventually realized that life is too short not to try and follow your dreams, and has since had her first stand alone novella published with Breathless Press, along with several submissions in anthologies, another novel contracted for later in the year and various works in progress in the pipeline. Yup, she's having to pinch herself as well! She currently lives in Edinburgh with her long-suffering fiancé and slightly psycho cat. When not writing she loves reading, music and photography.
You can follow her at:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shelli-Rosewarne/364962230246715

Twitter - @shellirosewarne

Blog – http://shellirosewarne.wordpress.com

Rafflecopter giveaway – prizes include a zombie themed mini book bag, a spooky Halloween phone cover and a witchy (and lavender scented) keyring – who said scary can't be cute! I'm also giving away a free copy of Love Reawakened in the ebook format of your choice. If you'd like to enter then just leave a comment. 

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Character Interview: Secret Surrender by Priscilla West

Vincent, what are your thoughts on Kristen?She’s feisty. That’s for sure. Not to be arrogant but I’ve honestly never had to work as hard as I’ve had for a girl before. But then again, I’ve never wanted to work as hard as I wanted to for her. When she came into our first business meeting, professional smile plastered on her face, she captured my attention. When she then fell into my lap and then pinched my nipple through my shirt, I was hooked. I knew she was special--both in a good way and a bad way. Because I mean who does that during a business meeting?
But I spoke with her before, and she comes across as being all business.*laughs*. That’s one of the things I like about her. Professional on the outside, soft on the inside. In her line of work as an analyst for a wealth management firm, she has to be concerned about appearances and her reputation.  What are your thoughts on her ex-boyfriend?*clenches jaw* Men like him don’t deserve to live. Not after what he did to Kristen. If he shows his face again, you can be sure I’m going to make him regret it.
Whoa, didn’t mean to touch a tender spot.It was a fair question. I’ve seen men like him before. That’s how I know they won’t give up until their victims are broken. Men like him need to be broken themselves. I’ve done it before and I’m not afraid to do it again.
On a lighter note, what’s the sexiest part of Kristen?All her parts are sexy, especially her mind. She’s one smart Kitten. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy the way she tries to resist my advances. She started off as a challenge but became so much more. She never ceases to amaze me. Even for all my successes and accomplishments, she makes me want to be a better man. I’ll be the first to admit I have flaws but I’m working on them.
*Thinks for a moment.* Wait actually her tits are pretty gorgeous and mouth-watering. Oh, also her ass. Firm and juicy. Did I mention her soft lips? I could go on and on but I think you get the idea. . . *grins*

Thank you for the time to talk to me today!




Secret SurrenderThe Surrender SeriesBook Two
Priscilla West
Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance
Date of Publication: 9/30/2013
ISBN:ASIN:
Number of pages: 150Word Count: 35,000
Amazon   BN
Book Description:
“What gives you a thrill Kristen?”
I knew that giving in to Vincent Sorenson was a risk, but it was one I was willing to take. I had hidden my heart for so long and for the first time in a long time, Vincent was close to breaking down the walls.
When a trip to Vincent’s exclusive private island reveals the real Vincent underneath the layers of suave nonchalance, I thought we were close to the start of something special.
Just when things were looking up for us, I would discover the one secret that Vincent never intended for me to find.


About the Author:
Priscilla West is the author of the popular erotic romance series The Sandstone Affair and is currently writing the Surrender series. She likes to write stories with sassy heroines and strong but flawed heroes.
She enjoys: cuddles, men in suits, eskimo kisses, life-sized teddy bears, and eggs over medium.
You can find her at http://priscillawest.com
https://www.facebook.com/priscillawestauthor
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6761816.Priscilla_West


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Broken Dolls by BR Kingsolver

How a perfectly sane person becomes a paranormal novelist
Hi, my name is BR and I’m a paranormal fantasy addict.
It started when a friend, or at least I thought she was a friend, loaned me a couple of JD Robb’s In Death books. Then another supposed friend loaned me Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. I discovered Kim Harrison’s Hollows series and Richelle Meade’s succubus books.Before I knew it, I was on a death spiral into alternate realities. Yasmine Galenorn’s Sisters of the Moon, Faith Hunter’s Rogue Mage, Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson, I didn’t realize it, but I was hooked. I swallowed Nina Harper’s sophisticated Manhattan succubus and Jim Butcher’s warlock without a whimper of protest.
I found myself reading about vampires having sex with werewolves, witches casting spells on unsuspecting demons, fairies falling in love with Lokis (Lokis???), all without a single thought to the depravity I was sinking into. My capacity for critical thinking drowned in a suspension of belief that knew no end. I needed an intervention, but as with most addicts, I didn’t admit to myself how low I’d fallen. I didn’t care that I was wallowing in the unclean thoughts and magical thinking that is the paranormal gutter, underlying the lives of so many people who look and act normal in the every day world. I started fantasizing about, “wouldn’t it be weird if that guy was a werewolf?” or worse, “I wonder if vampire sex is really as hot as it’s supposed to be?”
Then I got a job, an incredibly boring job, with a two-hour a day commute. Eleven hours a day that I couldn’t read. I found myself in shaking withdrawal. In desperation, I began to make up my own stories, and then I found a world and a story that fascinated me. I didn’t need books anymore, I had a paranormal circus going on in my own head.
Visiting a friend, I got caught up in a conversation about self publishing. In what I now know was a final cry for help, hoping someone would recognize my problem and force me into a twelve-step program, I told her that I had a story I thought would make a good book. The final blow to reality was delivered with a sudden crashing finality. She encouraged me to write it down.
When I raised my head from my laptop several months later, I discovered I had created a world and characters that now seemed more real than my own family. In a fit of revenge seeking, I sent it to the people responsible for my sad state, the vicious women who gave me that first taste of candy, luring me into the dark, hidden world of urban fantasy and paranormal romance. My state was so reduced, all I could do at that point was inflict my madness on others, on those who turned me.
To my utter shock, they liked it. Not all of it. They gave me suggestions, comments, edits, and instead of calling in a shrink, actually encouraged me to finish my self destruction and publish it. 
Broken Dolls is my fourth book. I hope you like it.
  Broken Dolls
BR Kingsolver
Genre: Urban Fantasy / Paranormal Suspense
ISBN: 9781301813568 (ePub)
Number of pages: 235Word Count: 79,600Cover Artist: Mia Darien
Book Description:
Private investigator RB Kendrick makes her living nailing cheating spouses, digging up other dirt to help in a divorce, finding long-lost relatives, and occasionally sniffing out criminal activity and fraud.
When she takes a job to find a missing girl, she has no idea she is headed for the most dangerous case of her career. Usually, her ability to read minds gives her an edge. But when the people she’s hunting are also telepaths, that advantage is limited.
The search takes her into the dark underbelly of telepathic society, where anything, and anyone, is for sale. She discovers that telepathic women and girls are being trafficked as the ultimate sex slaves.
With people trying to kill her, she’s on the run, not knowing who she can trust. Will she find the missing girl, or become a victim herself?

Amazon
 About the Author:
I made silver and turquoise jewelry for almost a decade, ended up in nursing school, then took a master’s in business. Along the way I worked in construction, as a newspaper editor, a teacher, and somehow found a career working with computers.

I love the outdoors, especially the Rocky Mountains. I’ve skied since high school, with one broken leg and one torn ACL to show for it. I’ve hiked and camped all my life. I love to travel. I’ve seen a lot of Russia and Mexico, not enough of England. Amsterdam is amazing, and the Romanian Alps are breathtaking. I was in Paris and Iceland this summer.
I have a very significant other, two cats and two Basset Hounds. I’m currently living in Baltimore, nine blocks from the harbor, but still own a home in New Mexico. 
http://brkingsolver.com/
http://brkingsolver.com/author-s-blog
https://twitter.com/BRKINGSOLVER
https://www.facebook.com/brkingsolver
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5823296.B_R_Kingsolver
http://amazon.com/author/brkingsolver