Roxanne Rhoads's Blog, page 473

My Favorite Books by Anthony Karakai Author of The End of Athens

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho:
This book changed my life, as I’m sure it has many others around the world. Its simplicity is powerful, the story courageous. The Alchemist should be compulsory reading for all school students. Magical realism is a brilliant genre that does not receive enough recognition nor input from authors; this novel is the reason I write in this genre, and seek to bring hope and inspiration to my readers. My brother gave me this book.
The Beach by Alex Garland:
If you haven’t read this book I implore you to. The backpacking adventure is now legendary on both beaten and unbeaten paths around the world- if you have a son or daughter about to graduate, give them The Beach as a present, and encourage them to get out and see the world. I found this at a second-hand bookstore in Airlie Beach, Australia.
Maximum City: Bombay Lost and Found by Suketu Mehta:
A Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2005, the travel memoir and social analysis of Mumbai’s underworld is breathtaking. It stands out above most other travel memoirs, for unless you have lived it, you truly wouldn’t understand this type of travel. I bought this in Milan, Italy.
The Zahir by Paulo Coelho:
The Zahir is a work about the power of love, and its absolution as we journey through life. This book is food for the soul, and will bring contentment to even the most hectic of minds. I bought this in Santorini, Greece.
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami:
Murakami is a writer’s writer. His style, approach and ability to tell meaningful stories with surrealism is masterful. This is just one of many books by the Japanese author which should be read by every aspiring writer. I was given this as a present by my brother.
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry:
A timeless classic. A philosophical tale about life in the disguise of a children’s book. I picked this book up originally as I was once called ‘The Little Prince’ on my travels. I only discovered five years later that it was in reference to this fable. 
Twelve Days: The Story of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution by Victor Sebestyen:
For anybody who has grown up in a culture they haven’t identified with, and wanted to trace their roots to help discover who they are, I highly recommend this book. For me, it showed what life was like for my parents and grandparents in beautiful Hungary at the time- atrocity, murder, corruption and cruelty. I bought this at the House of Terror, in Budapest, Hungary. 
The Quiet American by Graham Greene:
I studied this book in high school. The Quiet American is a great book which can teach the world many lessons about the wars we find ourselves in- war with other countries, and war with ourselves. 
Dracula by Bram Stoker:
An absolute masterpiece, what more can I say? The fact that mainstream media has portrayed Dracula as a bloodsucking vampire who terrifies people is a grave injustice. This book really deserves more than that. The depth in the story, the descriptive nature of the text and the rich territory it unfolds in deserves the highest praise.
The Motorcycle Diaries by Che Guevara:
This travel memoir truly is exceptional, despite what you think of the man. Is Guevara a murderer or a liberator? An angel or a savage? Before he became a revolutionary, he embarked on a travel adventure with his best friend- this is his story. The reason this book is so well received is because it resonates deeply with those who travel for the first time- the things we see, the people we encounter- it all makes up an experience which helps shape our view of the world. Ultimately, this shows Guevara in a non-mythical light that any young man or woman can relate to- somebody who so, so desperately wanted to change the world. For those who do not like Guevara, you should give this a read as you will find it particularly interesting. You will see a young, bright physician with the whole world before him
July 22 SpotlightKelly P's Blog http://kellyatx.blogspot.com/
July 22 Spotlightaobibliosphere™http://aobibliosphere.blogspot.com/
July 23 InterviewPembroke Sinclair.  pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com
July 24 InterviewSimply Infatuatedhttp://www.simplyinfatuated.com/
July 25 SpotlightLisa’s World of Bookswww.lisasworldofbooks.net 
July 26 InterviewThe Little But Awesome Things In lifehttp://bianca-s-blog.blogspot.ro/
July 29 Guest blog and reviewNicole Hewitt @ Feed Your Fiction Addictionhttp://feedyourfictionaddiction.blogspot.com
July 30 Spotlight and reviewBookwormBridgette's Worldhttp://bookwormbridgette/blogspot.com
July 31 InterviewA.C. James acjamesbooks.blogspot.com
August 1 InterviewThe Creatively Green Write at Home Momwww.creativelygreen.blogspot.com
August 2 InterviewMusings of Mistress of the Dark Path http://mistressofthedarkpath.wordpress.com/
August 5 InterviewInto the Land of Bookshttp://etherealistic-reader.blogspot.com/
August 6 InterviewRoxanne’s Realmwww.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com
August 7 Spotlight Wicca Witch Book Bloghttp://wiccawitch4.blogspot.ca/
August 8 Guest blogFang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
August 9 reviewThe Avid Readerhttp://the-avidreader.blogspot.com/
August 9 reviewaobibliosphere™http://aobibliosphere.blogspot.com/
August 12 SpotlightElfie Books http://elfie-books.blogspot.co.uk 
August 13 SpotlightItara @ my midnight fantasiesWww.mymidnightfantasies.blogspot.com
August 14 spotlight/excerpt Books & Taleshttp://www.booksandtales.blogspot.co.uk/
August 15 Spotlight and reviewA_TiffyFit's Reading Cornerhttp://tiffyfit.blogspot.com
August 16 SpotlightBuried Under Bookshttp://buriedunderbooks1.wordpress.com
August 19 SpotlightMommasez...bloghttp://ccclubbs.com/




The End of Athens
Anthony Karakai
Genre: Dystopian Thriller/Urban Fantasy
ASIN: B00CLXM6WY
Number of pages: 320Word Count: 70,000
Cover Artist: Anthony Karakai
Amazon
Book Description:
In the year 2091, humans have lost the ability to dream. After decades of financial and social depression, dreams and aspirations have become a recessive gene—an impossibility of the modern mind. 
Greece is one of the worst social and economic disaster zones, and all hope of a better future has been lost. One young man, Nikos, discovers that he is not like everybody else—there is something different about him.

Believing that he may be going crazy, he soon discovers that he is the only person in Greece who has inherited the ability to dream. Time is running out as the government continues its tirade of corruption and suppression against the people, and Nikos must find a way to teach others how to dream so that once more society can free itself from the shackles of mental slavery.
About the Author:
Anthony Michael Karakai was born in Melbourne, Australia, and is a dual citizen of Hungary. Holding an International Business degree, he is also a qualified percussionist and music producer, having studied music extensively since the age of seven. Working in journalism, his work has been published in various magazines and websites. With an insatiable appetite for travel and an eagerness to explore off the beaten path, Karakai travels at every opportunity- his travels and ongoing commitment to exploring the world are what inspires him to write.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/karakaibooks
Twitter: @AnthonyKarakai
Website: http://www.anthonykarakai.com
Good Reads: Anthony Karakai

Chapter One of Little Red and a Giveaway

CHAPTER ONERed
            This is it. This has to be it! My entire life has been spent with someone holding me back. Alwaysholding my life in their hands and controlling my every move. Not now, not anymore. I’m taking mylife in my own hands. This is my new beginning, my long awaited, well-deserved fresh start.I kick back a little more on the throttle of my motorcycle as the wind whips into my helmet andleather jacket. It’s not quite the January weather I’m used to. The weather is milder and the wind ismuch warmer down here in Louisiana. It’s nice and kind of comforting. My surroundings havecompletely changed. I’m miles away from Kentucky. I take a quick peek around. The road has beenquiet for a few hours. It’s nearing dark. This also means I risk bigger animals coming out. Surely, theyhave deer down here in Louisiana. I’ll have to find a place to lay my head anyways.            I’ve been riding for hours. It becomes uncomfortable on a motorcycle and I have to be nearing theend of this tank of gas. Not to mention, my ass just so happens to be killing me. I peer at a few roadsigns and see the few upcoming towns, nothing more than a local diner or two and a handful of gasstations. Not even your typical cheap motel. I really am in the middle of nowhere. The tent in mysaddlebags will certainly come in handy tonight. At least, it’ll do until morning. Another 20 miles untilthe next town, that doesn’t seem bad if I keep my 75 mile an hour pace. I relax and begin to lookforward to a peaceful night’s sleep. Until the loud sputtering from my motorcycle jolts me back to fullawareness.            “Son-of-a-bitch!” I cry out from underneath my helmet. I’d misjudged my mileage and with no gas gauge, I had no way of telling when I’d run out of gas. I’m luckily able to roll my bike to a slow andsteady stop off on the shoulder of the road. I shake my head, wanting to give myself a good hard kickfor not being more careful. I glance around as I hop off. Figures, I am surrounded by nothing but woodsand my guess, swamps and nearly 20 miles away from any town. This isn’t exactly what I had in mindwhen I said I would make use of the tent in my saddlebags. I let out an exasperated sigh as I undo thechinstrap to my helmet, yanking it off my head and let my hair fall around my shoulders. I bite downon my lip and contemplate. I can’t leave my bike here on the side of the road. I can’t walk 20 miles andback just for gas with it already so dark either. I have no choice. I’ll walk my bike into the woods andset up camp. People do this all the time, right? No big deal. It’s not like the big bad wolf will jump outand get me. I peer into the woods. Darkness has already fallen over the trees. They stand quiet and stillas even the animals, it seems, have all gone quiet for the night. I laugh off the thought of the big badwolf. I guess it’s alligators I have to watch fordown here. Or, is it crocodiles? I shiver, put on a braveface and straddle my bike once more. It’ll take all my strength to waddle it down the ditch and into thewoods over the uneven terrain. I figure a short way off the side of the road and into the woods and Ishould be fine. Enough to be out of the line of traffic but not enough to get myself terribly lost. As Iwiggle the bike down the small slope I begin to exert myself on the flat but rough terrain as I push thebike forward, throwing my petite body into it as much as I can. I grunt as I give one more strong pushforward. The bike lurches along slowly as my helmet clangs against the already scratched black paint. Igroan, aggravated with myself more than ever for letting the gas tank get bone dry.            “What in the hell are you doing?” I stop dead in my tracks. I hadn’t heard a single footstep, not even a twig. I swallow hard and throw myself off the bike, flipping out the kickstand as I do.I turn slowly to see a rugged looking man staring hard at me. His dark washed jeans are splatteredwith dirt and debris at the bottom, suggesting that he has been romping in the woods beyond. His heavyboots are caked in a layer of thick mud that’s starting to dry in certain spots. He places his hands on hiships, making his leather jacket open to display a well-fitted tee shirt that I can see defined chestmuscles, visible even under the moonlight. His gray eyes shine and shimmer under the light of the fullmoon as they glare at me in an almost threatening way. No, not threatening. Warning me of somethingand somehow worried. His brown hair is styled fairly nice, which is surprising considering the 5o’clock shadow on his face. He’s much larger than me. Well, almost everyone is larger than me, but hemust be over 6 foot tall. Huge compared to my tiny 5’5” frame. “You shouldn’t be out here alone.”I glare at him and swallow, not quite sure of what to say. “I don’t have a choice.” I tell him, “I ranout of gas.”            His eyes shift to my motorcycle. He lets out an almost mocking chuckle, “You ride that?”            I nod, “How else do you think I got here?” I shoot, now just feeling annoyed with him. I turn back to my bike as I kick the stand up and start on my way.            “I wouldn’t go in there if I were you,” He hollers.            “Good thing I’m not you,” I yell back. This time, the footsteps are unmistakable. They’re loud andpounding on the earth. I have a sudden urge to drop my bike and run, but where? I feel his hands on thehandlebars of my bike and I feel myself sigh out of relief. I look over at him and for the first time, Ithink I catch a smile.            “I can’t let you go into these woods alone.” He tells me as he helps guide the bike forward.            “And just why not?” I ask. “I’m in the middle of nowhere. I don’t have much of a choice and I’mnot staying on the side of the road.”            His gray eyes suddenly turn on me. I stop dead in my tracks and stare back. They’re bright, silvery glow almost matches the full moon. I gasp, shocked and almost frightened by their beauty. “The big bad wolf might get you, Red,” He winks. I let out an unsure chuckle. By big bad wolf, he could mean himself or an actual animal. I feel myheart rate quicken as he shoots me another smile, “Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you.”            “And, just how do I know that?” I ask, now letting him take on the full weight of the motorcycle.            He glances over at me, almost unsure himself. He stops and seems to think about something for amoment, “You just have to trust me, Red.”            “Trust you? A man I just met in the woods.” I say, crossing my arms in front of me.            “I did just meet you in the woods,” He declares.            I think for a moment, lick my lips and give him a nod. “But, I’m half your size. You could take me out in a second,” I tell him. I snap my mouth shut realizing what I’ve just said.            He laughs. “Relax Red, you’re safe. I won’t let the big bad wolf get you,” He winks.            “Red?” I ask, finally.            He takes a moment to nod toward my red leather jacket and helmet. Both are a brighter red. I’mstupid. I feel myself laugh for a moment as he starts pushing the bike forward again, “Where exactly doyou want this thing?” He questions.            “Just off the road, where someone passing by can’t see my bike,” I tell him.            “Someone passing by, huh,” He says, coming to a row of trees that he hides the bike behind.            “Would that someone passing by be anyone in particular?” He plops the kickstand down and stands the bike carefully. His silvery-gray eyes meet mine again.            “Just,” I pause. “Just some old ex, he’s sort of a pain in my ass.”            “Ahh,” he breathes out, “Running from the ex.”            I stop and think for a second, “Something like that.”            “That must mean you’re not from around here,” He says.            I shake my head. “Kentucky,” I mumble as I shove my hands into my pockets.            “So, Red, you have a name?” He questions.            “Samantha Wentworth,” I mumble softly. “Everyone calls me Sam.”            “Well, I’m not everyone,” he states matter-a-factly, “I’ll call you Red.”            I stare at him, almost confused for a few moments. “Just who exactly are you?”            “Ethan Parker,” He tells me. “Just call me the keeper of these woods.”            “Am I on your land?” I ask, knowing that back home a few people I know have their land stretching for miles. Some so far that they reach county roads.            He gives his head a slight shake, “Not exactly.”            “Going for a walk?” I ask, glancing again at his simple jeans, tee shirt and leather jacket.            “You could call it that.” His expression changes, he glances at me in a nearly pitiful way, as though he feels sorry for me. I quickly look down at my feet and kick a small stick out of the way. “You really should find your way into town, somewhere safe.”            “I’m not walking twenty miles just to get to some run down motel,” I say. “Besides, that’d be thefirst place.” I stop myself suddenly and bite hard on my tongue. I refuse to tell him anything toopersonal.            “That would be the first place he would look.” Ethan finishes suddenly.            I look up and into those gray eyes. They soften as he turns his head slightly to the side. I open mymouth to speak but for some reason not a single sound comes out.            “I’m sorry,” He tells me. “I shouldn’t pry. It’s none of my business.” He looks me up and down,taking me in. His eyes stop on mine and his lips curl up and into a slight smile. Finally, he releases asoft sigh, “Well, I can’t just leave you out here alone.”            “You can’t?” I ask, taking a few steps back.            He laughs, holding up his hands, “Look, Red, I’m not going to hurt you.”            “And, just how in the hell do I know that?” I shoot as I take one more step back.            He laughs again, bringing his hand up to rub the back of his neck, “You just have to trust me. You remind me of someone I knew, someone that I would never hurt.”            “Your girlfriend?” I ask, now finding myself giving him the once over. His dark hair, his silveryeyes that I now feel are beginning to glow under the fast rising full moon. His frame is built, he’sstrong. His chest muscles seem to pop from underneath his simple tee shirt. His body tenses for a briefmoment and relaxes as he shakes his head.            “I’m sorry.” Now I feel as though I’ve invaded his privacy.            “It’s okay,” He says softly. “She was my sister.”            Was, he’s speaking in past tense. I suddenly get a feeling she’s not among the living and clench my teeth, begging myself not to say another word about it. I fight through my mind for something to say. I don’t have many conversations with people, especially strangers. To my relief, he’s the first to speak.            “How long have you been riding?” He asks.            I feel my jaw relax, “About six years. This is just some old bike that I helped fix up.” I look down at it with it’s now empty gas tank. “Guess I should work harder at judging the mileage on the gas tank.” Ilet out an annoyed laugh.            “What exactly was your plan once you got it here in the woods?” He questions, staring down at the two meager saddlebags.            “Camp out,” I say, wrapping my arms tightly in front of me. “My whole life is pretty much wrapped up in those two bags.”            His glittery eyes flit down to the bags again and the corners of his lips curl down into a small frown, “Seems sad to have your whole life in just those two little things.”            “Yeah, well,” I start kicking another stick, “I don’t have much.”            “No family?” He looks up at me; his eyes now take on a sad expression. The corners of them crease slightly as he blinks.            I shake my head, “It’s a long story.”            “I’m sorry.” He tells me, “I’m not trying to be.”            “Invasive? Nosey?”            He laughs. “I’m just trying to make conversation. I did just find you in the woods, alone, trying topush a bike twice your size behind the trees.” His eyes finally meet mine, “You are in my territory.”            “I didn’t know you had a territory,” I tell him. “What are you, some dog marking his territory?”He turns his head up and goes into a fit of laughter. “Look, you’re certainly not in your comfortzone. You’re not from here. You’re in the woods with a complete stranger.”            “Look, I get it,” I say, “I’m in your territory, all alone in the middle of nowhere. How many timescan you say it?” I roll my eyes, now annoyed with both my bike and him.            “It’s a full moon, you know.” He says.            I look at him a little confused but finally nod in agreement.            “You look cold.” He says, “I know this place. I could take you there.”            “A place,” I begin, “In the middle of some woods?” I stare hard into him as though I can read histhoughts. He seems sincere enough. He doesn’t have the face of a serial killer. But, then again, neitherdid Ted Bundy.            “There are lots of places hidden back in the woods,” He tells me, pointing around him. “Would you believe people live in the woods out here?”            Now I just feel like he’s mocking me. “I guess I don’t have much of a choice. It’s either with you in the woods or without you in the woods. And, you at least know where you’re going.”            His eyes turn on me again and his expression changes. He seems to tense and then slowly relaxes. He gives me a silent nod.            I shake my own feeling of uneasiness. “So, that place, it’s warm?” I say, looking up at the night sky.            “I’m going to bet it gets a little colder out here at night.”            He shakes something off as he glances at the ground briefly, “Not much, but you probably will get chilly in just the leather.”            I look at my old and faded leather jacket. The red leather is soft and worn from years of use but I’ll be the first to admit, it’s not to warmest thing on Earth. “So, you lead the way?” I ask.            He quickly looks away from me and nods, “This way.” He trails quietly deeper into the woods. Iglance back at my bike and my helmet before heading after him.            “We’ll be able to find my bike again, right?” I call after him, now sprinting to keep up. He givesme a quick nod. “Hey!” I cry out, “Since when are we in a hurry?”            He stops dead in his tracks to look up at the moon. “Can’t keep up?”            I shoot him a dirty look, “Yes, but I just figured we didn’t have to be in such a hurry.”            He turns to look at me and laughs. I can’t keep the uneasy feeling from tying a knot in my stomach.            I feel somewhat ridiculous to even trust him. I feel as though I’m breaking one of the cardinal rules of ‘stranger danger.’ Here I am following some man I don’t know into woods that I’m completely clueless about. I have got to be stupid. Not only am I going willingly but now my guide is laughing like some crazed lunatic. What in the hell is he laughing at? I find myself laughing nervously, “You know, if you’re busy, we don’t,” I stop. “You don’t have to.”            His expression changes once more to a soft, sad and sincere one, “It’s okay, I’ve got time.”            I draw in a long breath and release it slowly. His expression softens again and he shakes his head,“Don’t worry about your bike. I know this place a little too well.”            I finally nod as he begins walking in a slower pace. I catch up to him easily this time and keep asteady pace by his side.            “How old are you, Red?” Now I can hear a smile in his voice.            “Twenty-four,” I glance over at him, “How old are you?” He doesn’t look any more than 25 to behonest. No fine lines, no wrinkles. Just perfectly flawless skin buried under the scruff of facial hair.            “Thirty.” He says, keeping his eyes forward.            I bury my hands in my pockets and send a breath outward, “What exactly do you do?”            “I’m a mechanic,” He tells me. “I work on cars. I have my own business for restoration,” Heexplains.            “I’m not an idiot,” I tell him. “I know what a mechanic does.” I shoot, now annoyed.            He laughs, “And just what do you do?”            I peer at my feet and lick my lips, “I don’t really have a job. Not a steady one any ways. I workwhere I can and save what I can.”            I see him nod from the corner of my eyes. “Do you always ride the bike everywhere?”            I give him a nod. Other than my red leather jacket, my bike is my most valued possession. It’s acomplete luxury for me, despite its age and I’m very lucky to have it in the first place. “It’s all I have.Besides, gas is cheap.”            He finally turns his head to look at me, “What do you do in the winter?”            I stop and kick a large clump of hardening mud over my boots, “Migrate south.”            This makes him laugh again as he gives me a genuine smile, one that gives me a little pang ofexcitement somewhere deep inside. I smile back, “It’s supposed to be warm down here, right?”            “Something like that.” He says, as his feet start moving. “So, how long do you plan on stayinghere?”            I shrug, “As long as my ex doesn’t find me.”            “Is he that bad?” He asks.            I keep my eyes forward and give him a little nod. I suddenly feel something on my back. I peer next to me and realize his hand has gently landed on the small of my back giving me a soft pat. I fight theurge to walk faster, to pull myself way. I swallow hard and feel my heart rate quicken. I look up andinto his gray eyes again and I can’t help but to notice that as he moves they seem to bounce light off inthe way an animal’s would. I shake out of my thoughts but can’t seem to manage to pull my eyes awayfrom him.            He pulls his hand away and shyly looks away, “Sorry.” He shakes his head, “I get the impressionhe’s hurt you.”            “He wasn’t nice.” I say, putting a good width of distance between us.            “Sorry,” He says softly. He glances over at me again, “You just remind me a lot of her.”            “Of your sister?” I ask.            He gives me another nod and looks down. I can tell he’s struggling with something. His body tenses and relaxes a few more times. He glares at his feet and shoves his fists into his pockets.            “Sure is light out here.” I say, making a quick attempt to change the subject.            He laughs and looks up, “The full moon will do that, Red.”            I suddenly feel silly and half-stupid. “I just didn’t think it would light up the woods.” Even in total darkness, I can feel the heat beginning to rise off my cheeks.            “What. You mean to tell me you don’t go playing in the woods alone back in Kentucky, Red?” He asks.            I let out a soft chuckle, “Not exactly.”            “It’s just a little bit further.” He states as we both step over a large, fallen tree log. “It’s not too farfrom your bike, like I said, and we can easily find it.”            I nod as I begin trailing behind him. If I feel a threat, I can at least put distance between us,strategically place him in front of me to easily watch his moves. I’m smaller and may be quick enoughto, at the very least, outrun him if needed. It’s getting out of the woods in the right direction I need toworry about if worse comes to worse. I keep my eyes forward and there in a small clearing of trees
with the bright moonlight highlighting it, is a small and run down cabin.



Little Red
Believe Series, Book OneTrista Jaszczak
Genre: romance/fantasy
Publisher: Front Porch RomanceeBook released June 18, 2013 and paperback fall 2013
ASIN: B00DHRYKDG
Number of pages: 207 estimated eBookWord Count: 62,921
Cover Artist: Charisma Knight: Designs by Charisma
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/WW-os9YuHx8
Amazon   Goodreads  ARe  Publisher
Book Description:
Follow Sam Wentworth through the winding back roads of Louisiana, on a desperate escape from her past, where she falls into the arms of the unlikely and sometimes unwilling hero, Ethan Parker.
When circumstances and fate seal the two together, entangling them with his six older brothers, Sam finds her life changing in ways that she never imagined. Filled with feuding families and a little old bayou magic, can Ethan put aside everything he has ever known to keep Sam safe from the dangers that their lives and their love possess.
About the Author:
Trista Jaszczak (pronounced Jazz-ick) is a writer, military spouse and a mother. She is originally from Hamilton, Ohio but calls home where ever the military sends her and her family, which is currently Anchorage, Alaska. She has a great love for writing, the outdoors, fitness, guitar and the arts. 
www.facebook.com/AuthorTristaJaszczak
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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spotlight on Obsession by Sharon Buchbinder

July 29 InterviewPembroke Sinclair.  pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com
July 30 Guest blog and reviewfundinmentalhttp://www.fundinmental.com
July 30 reviewBook boyfriend reviewshttp://bookboyfriendreview.blogspot.com
July 30 reviewDEB SANDERShttp://DebSanders.com
July 31 Guest blog and reviewEscape Into A BookEatsleepread88.blogspot.com
August 1 Guest blogRoxanne’s Realmwww.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com
August 2 Guest blogReading In Twilighthttp://readingintwilight.blogspot.com
August 5 InterviewThe Creatively Green Write at Home Momwww.creativelygreen.blogspot.com
August 7 SpotlightFang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
August 9 SpotlightLisa’s World of Bookswww.lisasworldofbooks.net
August 12 Interview and reviewSun Mountain Reviews http://sunmountainreviews.wordpress.com



Obsession Sharon Buchbinder
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Page Count: 288 
Word Count: 71392 

ISBN : 978-1-61217-867-7

Amazon


Book Description:

A year after a barbaric childbirth, complete with a near-death experience and an encounter with her guardian angel, Angie Edmonds is just happy she and her son, Jake, are alive.

She's finally in a good place: clean, sober, and employed as a defense attorney.

But at the end of a long work day, she finds herself in a parent's worst nightmare: Jake has been kidnapped and taken across the Mexican border by a cult leader who believes the child is the "Chosen One."Stymied by the US and Mexican legal systems, Angie is forced to ask the head of a Mexican crime syndicate for help.

Much to her chagrin, she must work with Alejandro Torres, a dangerously attractive criminal and the drug lord's right-hand man.

Little does she know Alejandro is an undercover federal agent, equally terrified of blowing his cover--and falling in love with her.


Book Trailer http://youtu.be/f1kujUWoGbk

Excerpt:
“You’re not like any of the drug dealers I’ve ever met before. What’s a nice guy like you doing in a place like this,” Angie waved her hand at the villa, “with goats?”
He pulled the key out of the ignition, turned, raised his sunglasses, and winked.
Her breath caught in her throat, and her stomach tensed—but not from giggles. Handsome, charming, breath taking. And a drug lord. She was not falling for a drug dealer. No. Way. Not again.
As if reading her thoughts, he gave her a long, sexy smile that went all the way up to piercing azure eyes. Pinned by the intensity of his scrutiny, her boneless arms refused to move. Almost otherworldly in color and intensity, his bright blue gaze and slow non-verbal assessment reminded her of someone she’d met long ago. Who? Where? The man had to be the devilincarnate. Maybe the goats were his.
He reached over and placed his hand on her shoulder with care. The gentle touch and warmth of this chivalrous man’s hand on her shoulder warred with the hard, cold knowledge that he worked for one of the biggest cartel bosses in Mexico. Alejandro tipped his head toward the mansion and spoke in a low rasp.
“Here, at this house, no one is what they seem. Remember that. It could save your life.”
Alejandro climbed out of the VW bug and glanced at the woman through the windshield. Dammit. Of all the drug cartels in all of Mexico, why did this gal have to come to Isabel’s? And why did she have to be so damn—winsome? Under that kick ass exterior, the woman had a childlike quality and sweetness that reached into his chest and squeezed his tough heart. He shifted his gaze to the munching goat. He had to stop thinking about her that way. She was a momentary bump in an otherwise smooth operation. There was no room for romance in his life. His weekly visits with the lovely Natasha satisfied his needs. What more could an undercover agent want?
He shook his head. It was the damn mother card. Hooked. Again. First the sex-trafficked Natasha, who really did have a daughter being held hostage by an organized crime ring in Moldova, now Angie, who had a baby being held hostage by an organized religious cult. Since when did criminals and cults become organized? Had they all gone to business schools for MBAs? What was the world coming to?
He sneaked a glance at Angie. Why, oh why, did she have to be a redhead, too? Her long copper colored hair was the erotic equivalent of waving a red cape in front of a horny bull. Add the gorgeous breasts that he tried to pretend he didn’t see in the craptastic jail, her battered but still beautiful patrician face, and her warped sense of humor—and he was ready to slit his jugular. As if feeling the heat of his gaze through the glass, she looked up and gave him a teary, lopsided grin with perfect teeth. His heart lurched. He pressed his eyeballs to crush an image of grabbing her and pulling her into her into a passionate kiss on her full red lips. Ifhe didn’t stop, he’d have a hard time explaining his hard-on.


About the Author Sharon Buchbinder
I’ve been writing fiction since I was in high school and have the rejection slips to prove it.
After I graduated with a BA in Psychology and no job, I realized my dreams of working in the attic writing great prose would have to take a back seat to the simple pleasures of eating, drinking, and having a roof over my head.
Fast forward a few decades, and I had a career path that would make all but the kindest say, “What were you thinking?” After working in health care delivery for years, I became a researcher, then an academic. I had it all– a terrific, supportive husband, an amazing son, and a wonderful job. But that itch to write (some call it obsession), kept beckoning me to “come on back” to writing fiction. I spent one whole month away doing nothing but writing fiction, the first of many drafts of my first novel.
My genres include horror, mystery, romance and weird blends of the three. For a sampling of my work (fiction and nonfiction), click on “Stories and Links“.
When not attempting to make students and colleagues laugh, I can be found herding cats and dogs, golfing, deep sea fishing, or writing.
http://sharonbuchbinder.com/
https://www.facebook.com/sharon.buchbinder.romanceauthor
https://twitter.com/sbuchbinder

Lucky Phoo by Stacia Deutsch and Rhody Cohon

50 cents from each book bought between 7-8 PST 
today is being given to the ASPCA. 
Chapter One: Sabrina:Movie Magic
“Scene one. Take one.” Sabrina Robinson adjusted the zoom and focus on her digi-cam. “Ready.” Squinting, she surveyed the scene. A colorful picnic blanket was laid out in the center of a wide grassy area. A wicker basket, neatly packed with food, sat nearby. Her friends, Caylie Jiang-Kahn and Lauren Blindell, were both carefully positioned, resting on the blanket, soaking in the Sunday afternoon sunshine. Sabrina was very excited and at the same time very nervous. She never had time to do what she wanted and more than anything, Sabrina wanted to make this movie. It had taken her months to squeeze out enough time to write the script. And now, finally, she had a free hour to start filming. Sixty minutes. Not a minute more. Sabrina needed everything to go perfectly. The title was VBFs and the movie was about what it meant to really, truly be “Very Best Friends.” “Act natural,” Sabrina directed Caylie and Lauren, her VBFs. “How could I be more natural than this?” Caylie was lying on her stomach, flipping through a pile of fashion magazines, tearing out the pages she liked and stacking them to the side. Lauren was acting natural, too. She was sitting cross-legged on the blanket, head down, quietly doodling on the back of Sabrina’s script. “Ready. Action...” In the corner of the camera’s frame, not very far behind the girls, there was a dog. “No. No―” There was no dog in Sabrina’s script. “CUT!”“Ewww.” Sabrina groaned as the mutt lifted his leg and peed on a tree. She peered through the camera lens and zoomed in on the stray, ratty-looking thing. Under a thick, disgusting layer of mud-coated and hopelessly matted fur, Sabrina saw glimpses of yellowish fur peeking out. There was a touch of gray around his greasy-looking mouth. He didn’t look like any breed she’d ever seen. The dog was about knee high with weird ears; one stood up, the other flopped down. “Leave!” Sabrina shouted across the park, waving her arms. The dog finished doing his business, but instead of moving out of her shot, the mutt lay down in the grass and proceeded to get cozy. “Go away!” she told him. The dog looked up at her and cocked his one perky ear quizzically.“Get out of my movie,” Sabrina said, feeling certain he was listening. The dog nodded. Or at least she imagined that he did. And a few seconds later, he hopped up and trotted off, out of the camera’s view. “Here we go again.” Sabrina readjusted her purple beret over her super short, jet-black hair. The camera had been a present for her twelfth birthday. Sabrina always loved seeing movies, so her mom thought she might like to make one. The very moment she opened that box, she began to dream about becoming a director. She imagined that she would be the first tween-aged African-American female director to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. Sabrina had already cleared an open spot on her bedroom bookcase. That’s where she’d put her golden statuette.“Ready.” Sabrina eagerly peered at her friends through the eyepiece.     Caylie was wearing a patchwork skirt with a lacy blouse and bright turquoise cowboy boots. Her long, straight dark hair hung to her shoulders. Because Caylie’s mom was Chinese, she always added an Asian touch to her outfits; today it was jade dragon earrings that glinted in the sunlight.Lauren was dressed like, well, like Lauren: plain, simple, and boring. Usually, Sabrina didn’t care what Lauren wore. Sabrina herself was almost always decked out in warm up suits and tennies. But still, she secretly wished that Lauren had worn one thing, anything, that wasn’t beige. Even the brightly colored picnic blanket couldn’t make Lauren pop in the frame of the shot.Perhaps for another scene, Lauren would let Caylie pick out her outfit.Shoving the thought aside, Sabrina pressed the button and began recording.“Action!” she called.“It’s a fabulous day for a picnic!” Caylie recited the film’s very first line. Her flowing sleeve draped low as she reached for the picnic basket and pulled it forwards. “We are so lucky to have such a nice park in the neighborhood,” Caylie continued, pointing just like Sabrina had instructed, to the nearby playground. Sabrina slowly rotated the camera to capture a few kids giggling as they came down a large silver slide. “This is our numero uno place to hang out on weekends, right Lauren?”Moving the camera in a smooth arc, Sabrina focused on Lauren, all set to record Lauren’s cheerful expression as she recited the next line of the script. A beat passed, but Lauren didn’t speak or smile. Instead, Lauren sat there frozen. Her pencil hovered above one of the doodles she’d been drawing. Suddenly, Lauren put her hand over her mouth and burped. Loudly.Thatwasn’t in the script. “Um…” Caylie peeked up at Sabrina and shrugged. Sabrina motioned in a big circle with her hand, the director’s signal to stay the course. Keep acting. So, with a nod, Caylie turned back to Lauren. “We LOVE it here. Right, Lauren?” She improvised, working to save the take. Suddenly, in one super-speedy movement, Lauren popped up from the blanket, waving her hands around and saying, “Wait! Wait! Wait!” Her face was pasty and green. Sabrina paused her camera. “Cut!” “I’m sorry, Sabby,” Lauren apologized. “I...I can’t be in your movie.” Lauren put her head in her hands and let her long, curly blonde hair fall forward. She was completely hidden under the mass. “Seriously, Sabby. I can’t do it.” Lauren grunted. “I thought I could, but I can’t.” She shook her head sadly. “I feel the same way I did just before the disaster on book report day.”Caylie quickly popped up and scooted back, away from Lauren. “Are you going to do the projectile barfing, head spinning thing again?”“Maybe.” Lauren wrinkled her nose. “I’ve got a terminal case of stage fright.” She corrected herself. “Camera fright, too.” Lauren exhaled sharply. “I’ll never be a public kind of person.” “But it’s just the three of us,” Sabrina said. “Pretend we are hanging out and I’m not filming.” “No can do. Every time I look up at your camera, my stomach flips.” Lauren crossed her arms and hugged herself tightly. “I know how badly you want to make a movie starring the three of us, Sabrina, but it won’t be pretty if I’m heaving my guts out in every scene.” “It could be a horror movie,” Caylie suggested with a mischievous giggle, getting up off the blanket.Sabrina tagged Caylie on the arm. “You’re not helping!” “Wait a second,” Caylie cheered. “I have an idea.” Caylie had a lot of ideas. Sometimes they were good, sometimes not so much. “I know you weren’t planning to be in the movie till scene three, Sabby, but how-a-bout you put yourself in the movie now.” Caylie explained, “You don’t have to re-write the script. If you say all Lauren’s lines, all she has to do is smile. Or nod. Or shake her head.” “I think it might work…” Lauren breathed heavy. “I’ll keep my mouth closed. That seems safe.” She practiced by giving a nod “Yes.” Then, Lauren shook her head, “No.” “I’m good,” Lauren said confidently. “Let’s get this over with.”Before Lauren could change her mind, Sabrina grabbed the camera remote out of her bag and reset the scene. “VBFs. Scene one. Take two.” Sabrina began recording. “Action.” “It’s a fabulous day for a picnic!” Caylie recited her line again. “We’re so lucky to have such a nice park in the neighborhood.” Caylie continued. “This is our numero uno place to hang out on weekends, right Sabrina?”Sabrina glanced over at the tri-pod and smiled into the camera. “Yeah. It’s awesome. The park is so pretty,” she said.When Sabrina said “pretty” that was Lauren’s cue to nod. But she didn’t. “The park is so pretty,” Sabrina repeated. Still no response from Lauren.Lauren’s face was ghostly white and she was swaying. Sabrina wondered which Lauren was more likely to do first: puke or maybe faint. She was about to call “Cut!” and try to come up with another plan when, Lauren suddenly nodded. “Ace!” Sabrina was thrilled. Caylie’s idea had worked! A few more pages through the script and today’s filming would be a wrap. With time to spare, even.Everything was going perfectly—Until that mangy stray dog started barking




Lucky Phoo
Stacia Deutsch and Rhody Cohon
Genre: Children’s Mid Grade (ages 7-11)

Publisher: Imajin Books
Date of Publication: August 1, 2013
Number of pages: 109Word Count: 43,000
Cover Artist: Ryan Doan
Amazon  
Book Description:
Seventh grade best friends, Caylie Jiang-Kahn, Lauren Blindell, and Sabrina Robinson have busy middle school lives.
Sabrina wants to make a movie about their friendship, but a stray dog shows up and ruins the day. In frustration, Lauren curses, “Oh Phooey.” The name sticks. The crazy mutt will forever be named Phoo.
Sabrina pieces together bits of the footage she shot. She highlights Phoo’s silly antics and puts the video up on a movie contest website.
The video goes viral and suddenly, Lauren, Caylie, and Sabrina are celebrities at school. When a volunteer at the dog shelter sees the film, she assumes the dog belongs to the girls and calls them to come collect Phoo.
The girls arrange to take turns caring for Phoo until he can be adopted.
While sharing Phoo, Caylie, Sabrina and Lauren begin to notice that if the dog is around, lucky things seem to happen. The moment he’s gone…the luck disappears.
When they all need the dog’s magic at the same time, it’s up to the girls to decide once and for all: Is Phoo truly a lucky dog?
Review blurbs for LUCKY PHOO
“With punchy dialogue and a fast moving pace, LUCKY PHOO takes readers on a wild adventure as three friends try to share fostering duties of a lovable stray dog.” —Marianne Mitchell, author of FIREBUG
“Stacia Deutsch and Rhody Cohon are two very best friends who write books together, which is very lucky for their readers. You’ll want to share LUCKY PHOO with all your friends, too!” —Jennifer J. Stewart, author of CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF A THIRD WORLD KIND, Connecticut Nutmeg Book Award List; Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award List; Arizona Grand Canyon Reader Award List
"LUCKY PHOO is a great story about friendship, love and responsibility--Phoo, the lucky dog who wanders into Sabrina's, Caylie's and Lauren's world is indeed  lucky--although maybe not as lucky as these girls whose life he changes." —Terry Trueman, Printz Honor Author of STUCK IN NEUTRAL
"Okay, full disclosure: I LOVE good, strong, dog stories--Lucky Phoo is precisely one of those!" —Terry Trueman, Printz Honor Author of STUCK IN NEUTRAL




About the New York Times Best Selling Authors:
Rhody Cohon wishes she could adopt a million pets! Until her house is big enough she'll pamper the few she has and help others find the perfect home.Find Rhody at www.rhodycohon.com.
Stacia Deutsch sits at the keyboard crafting stories all day and then, plays with her own crazy, lucky, dog at night. She and her three kids live in Southern California. You can visit Stacia at www.staciadeutsch.com or on twitter at @staciadeutsch.
Website: www.staciadeutsch.com, www.rhodycohon.com
Blog: http://www.goodreads.com/staciadeutsch
Twitter: @staciadeutsch  
Facebook: www.facebook.com/staciadeutsch  or www.facebook.com/luckyphoo to post your own pet photos and videos
LinkedIn: Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/staciadeutsch
AuthorCentral: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B002BMB0UE


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Kann's Perfect ChocoGalore Recipe

Kann's Perfect ChocoGalore Recipe
Ingredients:1 phone1 phone number for DeliciUs Fine Sweets Delivery3-4 hours of tiring Karla out
In extreme cases, also add:1 phone call to Mike or Ela so they'd take Karla out (use with extreme caution, because if she catches on, you'll be a very frustrated gargoyle for a week!)
Preparation:- Wait 'till Karla is out of the house. Give her a good ten minutes advance, just in case she's lingering by the door and eavesdropping to catch you red-handed.- When Karla is safely away, pick up the phone and call DeliciUs Fine Sweets Delivery. Order two Extra Special ChocoCakes, four vanilla & melon cupcakes, and a few ChocoShots for good measure.
- Wait by the door, with cash - never leave a traceable credit card trail!- Upon delivery, proceed to devour everything (minus the delivery guy, the wrapping, paper bags and boxes).
- After consumption, spray room freshener wherever the sweets aroma might have crawled into, aside your gargoyle mouth. Brush teeth and rinse with mouthwash repeatedly; the burns will heal quicker than Karla's wrath would take to disappear.
- Slouch in bed and ride your sugar-high in all its tingly glory. To prevent unpleasant consequences of said high, make sure to tie one wrist to the bed (firmly!). Should Karla come home sooner than expected, you can always play the 'frisky surprise' card.  


July 15 Character interviewLaurie's Paranormal Thoughts and Reviewshttp://Lauriethoughts-reviews.blogspot.com
July 15 reviewAuthor Karen Swarthttp://authorkarenswart.blogspot.com
July 16 Guest blogC.W. Book Reviews @ The House of Malfunctionwww.houseofmalfunction.com
July 16 reviewNicky Peacock Authorhttp://nickypeacockauthor.wordpress.com/
July 17 SpotlightMythical Bookshttp://www.mythicalbooks.blogspot.ro/
July 17 SpotlightCoffee and Charactershttp://www.daniellecromero.blogspot.com
July 18 spotlight and reviewFaerie Tale Bookswww.faerietalebooks.org    
July 18 spotlightparanormal book club www.paranormal-bookclub.com
July 19 InterviewLove in a Bookhttp://www.loveinabook.com
July 19 reviewA Cliffhanger Crisishttp://acliffhangercrisis.blogspot.com
July 22 Guest blogUrban Fantasy Investigationshttp://urbanfantasyinvestigations.blogspot.com/
July 23 InterviewBooks & Other Spells. nightskydarkstar.blogspot.com
July 24 SpotlightButterfly-o-Meter Books /http://butterflyometerbooks.blogspot.com/
July 26 spotlightShare My Destinyhttp://ShareMyDestiny.blogspot.com
July 31 Spotlight and reviewOffbeat Vagabondhttp://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/
August 1 Guest blog and reviewUrban Girl Reader – http://www.urbangirlreader.com
August 2 reviewA Girl and Her Kindle www.agirlandherkindle.com
August 5 Guest blog Fang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
August 6 Guest blogRoxanne’s Realmwww.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com
August 7 Guest blogThe Creatively Green Write at Home Momwww.creativelygreen.blogspot.com
August 8 InterviewSimply Infatuatedhttp://simplyinfatuated.com/
August 8 SpotlightCover Reveals http://CoverReveals.blogspot.com
August 9 Spotlightbooks & tales.http://www.booksandtales.blogspot.co.uk/
August 9 Spotlight and reviewThe LUV'NVhttp://www.theluvnv.com
August 12 interviewPembroke Sinclair.  pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com




Gargoyle AddictionOtherworlds Summons Book OneLivia Olteano
Genre: New Adult (Spicy!) Paranormal Romance
Expected Publication: July 15 2013
Book Description:
Summonari don’t trust. Under their command, they summon any number of creatures from the Otherwolds—but never trust them outside of the summoning.Gargoyles don’t love. Fierce descendants of dragons, they function on power and fear—never love.
Karla isn’t the happily-ever-after type of girl. No territory-hungry guy is going to stick flags all over her unclaimed grounds.
Kann’s world is death and betrayal. As Dar Primus of Haus Varis, he’s expected to follow tradition but he’s not your regular gargoyle. In fact, he’s anything but.One fateful Friday night, Otherworlds collide. Stuck together in one world or another, Karla and Kann face everything from Awakenings and turbulent love to Festnavals and bloodthirsty scorned suitors.
If there’s one thing they can’t escape, it’s the addiction to each other. And they’ve got it bad.
About the Author:
Livia lives in Europe where she listens to obscene amounts of music and devours every reading material in sight. When she’s not doing either of the two, she fiddles with anything remotely customizable within reach.
She spamificates the world online via:
Website: http://www.liviaolteano.com/
Blog: http://blog.liviaolteano.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LiviaOlteano
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LiviaOlteano
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/11350038-livia-olteano

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Interview with Leigh Evans: The Thing About Weres

Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself and what inspired to write in this particular genre?

Long before I was a writer, I was a rabid reader who tore through romances, mysteries and thrillers. Then one happy day, I discovered the paranormal world which manages to combine all three elements. Oh, the thrill of stepping into the heroine’s thigh high leather boots! Within a few pages, I was everything I wasn’t in real life—a size six given to withering quips, lights-out punches and sizzling come-hithers.    

That being said, after a couple hundred books, I found myself wanting to meet a urban fantasy heroine who wasn’t tall, gorgeous and naturally brave. If I wrote a book, I thought, I’d write a coming of age story about a short, round girl whose first inclination in the face of danger would be to haul ass as fast as possible…

Meet Hedi Peacock. Half-Fae, half-Were, all trouble. 

(A small confession: I didn’t toss out all of the tropes. What’s life without a good comeback? I kept the withering quips.)

Please tell us about your latest release.

The first book in the series, The Trouble With Fate, explored the concept that you can’t escape your destiny.  The  Thing About Weres takes it one step further. What if choices you made altered the course of your destiny and you weren’t totally thrilled with the results?

What’s a girl to do? Should you ever pin a wish upon a star? 

Perhaps not, if you’re Hedi Peacock longing for her missing mate, Robson Trowbridge. For that’s when Karma steps in again, determined that this small,  plump morsel of a half-Fae, half-Were girl receives exactly what she asked for. Charged with emotion and razor-sharp wit, The Thing About Weres, has been described as a realm-challenging thrill! 

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?

Expediency is key when it comes to secondary character names which is why I pinch those from my personal contacts and/or the credits on IMDB. Once I have a short list of first and last choices, I mix what I have together until I create something that sounds right to me. Want an example? Kerry Butcher.

So, secondary characters don’t get the love. On the other hand, you wouldn’t believe how long it took me to come up with memorable monikers for my heroine, Hedi Peacock, and her love interest, Robson Trowbridge. My protagonist’s first name was lifted from a 40’s bombshell called Hedi Lamar, her last from the gilt script on an Interior Decorator’s truck. 

Here’s an irony: despite the effort I put into producing a unique name for my protagonist everybody gets Hedi’s name wrong. Please, scrub the image of the Swiss Alps from your mind! It’s not Heidi, which sounds like “Hi-Dee”. It’s Hedi, pronounced like “Head-ee”! 

Was one of your characters more challenging to write than another?

Hands down, the hardest character to develop was Merry, a sentient being trapped inside a hunk of amber amulet. Pendants, as a rule, are mute. Just how do you make a pet rock interesting? Turns out Merry is given to attitude and action. She soon pushed me aside and showed me the way to telegraph her opinions.

Is there a character that you enjoyed writing more than any of the others?

A six foot ex-Drag Queen named Cordelia. She drawls her vowels and sways on her heels. She wears Ann Taylor and leaves a trail of perfume. I’ve always wanted an Ann Taylor dress…

Do you have a formula for developing characters? Like do you create a character sketch or list of attributes before you start writing or do you just let the character develop as you write?

Nope. I just throw words on the page until I discover their ‘hook’—the telltale thing about them that defines their personality. It’s not a particularly elegant method but I’ve given up on trying to force my character’s arrival on the page. When they’re ready, they’ll show up. 

What is the most interesting thing you have physically done for book related research purposes?

I did a deliberate face plant in a swampy bit of conservation land. In early spring. On a very cold day. Think about it. 

Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? How do you deal with it?

Yes. Chocolate. 

Where is your favorite place to read? Do you have a cozy corner or special reading spot?

I wish I could say that it’s a hammock strung between two birch trees but I live in one of Toronto’s high rises, so it’s my bed. The city lights twinkle like stars as I turn the pages. 

What can readers expect next from you?

I’ve just finished writing the third novel in the four-book Mystwalker series and I’m happy to report that my editor was thrilled with The Problem with Promises. I can’t wait to share it with my readers!

Where can readers find you on the web?

Head over to my website www.LeighEvans.com for my blog and the latest news/contest alerts. (Psst:  Don’t tell my editor but I also spend way too much time loitering on social media. You can also find me on Facebook as LeighEvansAuthor or on twitter under the handle @LeighEvans001)

Would you like to leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from the book?


With a sigh, I slid my hand free from my safe cocoon to touch his pelt and said (in what I still maintain to this day was a nice, soft, pacifying whisper), “This would work better if you weren’t a wolf.”

Buy links:  Amazon    Kindle   Barnes and Noble 

About the Author:

Leigh Evans writes paranormal romances for St. Martin’s Press. Her very first novel earned high praise from RT Book Review and these rave words from NYT bestselling author Patricia Briggs, “Reader beware, if you pick up a Leigh Evans book, you won't put it down until the last page.”  

Born in Montreal, Quebec, Leigh now lives in Toronto with her husband. She’s raised two kids, mothered three dogs, and herded a few cats. Other than that, her life was fairly routine until she hit the age of 50. Some women get tattoos. Leigh decided to write a book. A little tardy, but then again, her Mum always said she was a late bloomer.

Follow Leigh~

Website: www.LeighEvans.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeighEvansAuthor

Twitter: LeighEvans001

book description:Working as a student midwife in an Austr...

book description:Working as a student midwife in an Australian country hospital is never easy, but Belinda finds more trouble than most.There's the intern doctor who follows her around like an overgrown puppy, the dangerous local wildlife and her own secrets she must keep.When she finds herself without a place to live, what else can possibly go wrong?Or is it time for something to go right?Goodreads:http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18187696-water-and-firewebsite:http://www.demelzacarlton.wordpress.com
The teaser trailer:http://youtu.be/ZLJxZ3HfruIThe official book trailer:http://youtu.be/JS9f3t-r4eI

SPotlight on Hers To Command: Verdantia Series Book One by Patricia A. Knight

July 15 Guest blogA.C. James acjamesbooks.blogspot.com
July 15 SpotlightBewitching Book Tours Magazine www.issuu.com/bewitchingbooktours 
July 16 Guest blogTracing the Starshttp://www.TracingTheStars.com
 July 17 InterviewPembroke Sinclair.  pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com
July 18 SpotlightThe Creatively Green Write at Home Momwww.creativelygreen.blogspot.com
July 19 Spotlight and review The Boyfriend Bookmarkhttp://theboyfriendbookmark.com
 July 19 SpotlightElfie Bookshttp://elfie-books.blogspot.co.uk
July 22 Spotlighthttp://kellyatx.blogspot.com 
 July 23 InterviewRoxanne’s Realmwww.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com
July 24 Spotlight and reviewFaerie Tale Bookswww.faerietalebooks.org
July 25 InterviewErotica by Cori Vidaehttp://www.corividae.com/shiny/
July 26 SpotlightBuried Under Bookshttp://buriedunderbooks1.wordpress.com
July 29 InterviewRomance on a Budgethttp://www.suzannerock.wordpress.com
July 30 SpotlightFang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
July 31 SpotlightMommasez...
ccclubbs.com
August 1 Guest blog and reviewFor The Love of Readinghttp://niinas-reading-and-reviewing.blogspot.com/ 
August 2 SpotlightOlgaNMhttp://OlgaNM.wordpress.com
 August 2 SpotlightSmoldering Heathttp://smolderingheat.wordpress.com
 August 5 Spotlight and reviewWords of Wisdom from The Scarf Princesshttp://wowfromthescarfprincess.blogspot.com
August 5 Guest blogLove in a Bookhttp://www.loveinabook.com 
 August 6 Spotlight and reviewI am a book addict...and proud of it  http://romanceinthehighlands.blogspot.com/
 August 6 reviewFandom Fanatichttp://fandomfanatic.blogspot.com/
August 7 Guest blogShare My Destinyhttp://sharemydestiny.blogspot.com
August 8 Guest blogErotica For All, http://eroticaforall.co.uk 
August 9 SpotlightLet's Talk About Bookshttp://michelle-willms.tumblr.com/http://michellewillmsblog.wordpress.com/
 August 9 reviewLiteral Hotties Naughty Book Reviewshttp://literalhottiesnaughtybookreviews.blogspot.com/
August 12 Guest BlogGrave Tellswww.gravetells.com
August 12 reviewA Bibliophiles Thoughts on Bookshttp://bibliophilesthoughtsonbooks.blogspot.com/ 






Hers To Command
Verdantia Series Book OnePatricia A. Knight
Genre: ♂♀♂ Erotic Romance, Sci-fi/futuristic
Publisher: Troll River PublicationsDate of Publication: 6/4/2013
ISBN: 978-1-939564-10-8ASIN: B00D5KVIV2
Number of pages: 193Word Count: 73,428
Cover Artist: Truenotdreams
Book Description:
Conte Camliel Aristos deTano, Ari, has long spurned the marriage forced upon him. Princess Fleur Constante, his contractual bride and the beautiful future queen, though young and inexperienced, is willing to risk everything – including her own sanity – to save her planet.
The inhabitants of the sentient planet, Verdantia, are poised on the precipice of extinction following a brutal invasion by an off-world, nomadic horde. Verdantia’s capital, Sylvan Mintoth, must have its failing energy shield restored, or the planet is doomed. The Elders know the shield can draw energy from only one thing—a very arduous and grueling coupling of two specific people pre-chosen by the planet, Herself,  and promised by prearranged marriage contract.
Verdantia draws strength from the duo, but the sentient planet whispers to Ari that a third is necessary – Ari’s aide de camp, Visconte Doral deLorion, an angelically handsome, skilled assassin who silently surrendered his heart to Ari long ago.
The trio struggles to make this surprising partnership harmonious, pushing through pride, scars of past abuse, fears of inexperience and distrust. To save Verdantia, they must overcome their individual weaknesses and realize their full potential. Only the tetriarch and their combined synergy, can harness Verdantia’s immense power to shield its citizens from invasion.
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/sRt_mpFuenc
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Excerpt:

The potent aphrodisiac enveloped Fleur in a dizzying swirl as she swallowed the last of the jeweled goblet's contents. It tasted of wine, cinnagin and musk. The heavy door to the ritual chamber opened. A scarlet-robed man strode through, pulling the door closed behind him. He halted abruptly, standing motionless, fixing her with a long stare before lifting an ironic eyebrow.

“You are my partner? You are tiny. I could break you.”

His rich baritone vibrated in her feminine places. Her senses rioting, she inhaled the clean scent of lingnum soap borne on a waft of air. Her senses reeled under the masculine assault of the warrior standing before her. His robes indicated a seventh-level magister of advanced magicks. His scarlet robe of office loosely draped a tall, broad-shouldered, spare body. Warrior braids at his temple swept back heavy, shoulder-length, auburn curls, leaving his high cheekbones and strong jaw in clean profile. His hazel eyes regarded her with the intensity of a great hunting cat. You are a very large man.

Fleur stood as tall as her five-foot-nothing would allow. “I am sturdier than I look.”

Her eyes wandered over the height and breadth of him. Patricio is right. He has a physical presence. “The docenti told me that under the influence of cinnagin, I would happily service a bald-headed cave troll. You, sir, are not a cave troll.” He looked taken aback, then just snorted.

A sudden flush sent her equilibrium reeling. “This aphrodisiac is affecting me strangely. I feel a little—dizzy.”
Swaying where she stood, her gaze shot up to him as he moved silently to steady her. His large hand felt calloused and warm against her upper arm. A strange course of electric sensation pulsed between them. My mind is playing games with me.

His other hand held leather cuffs and lashings. She was unable to hold his amber gaze, unwilling to betray her precipitous arousal and mounting fear. Trembling, she stepped out of his gentle hold. Without thought, she rubbed her arm where his touch had sparked that strange electric tingle.

Fleur moved to the glazed window overlooking the profusely blooming courtyard below. Some young children laughed gaily as they pursued each other around the central fountain in a carefree game of tag. Such sweet innocence. It reminded her why she was here. She wanted to give them a lifetime of carefree days.

“You know we must succeed.” Fleur carefully placed the goblet on the sill and steadied herself, bracing both hands against the framing, her heart suddenly racing, her breath coming in short pants.

“Yes. I am aware of the stakes.”

She threw a glance toward him, at his dry, sardonic response. Her thoughts spun frantically. What do I know about House DeTano? They are superb horsemen. “I don’t remember seeing you at court,” she said.

“Before the invasion, I lived off-planet for a number of years. I came back to fight for Her, for the Senzienza, and for my people.”

Fleur straightened in astonishment. “She has spoken to you? The Senzienza, Verdantia, has spoken to you?”
He inclined his head slightly. “Yes.”

“I’ve never met—.” She shook her head. “Later.” He is vastly more than he seems.

Fleur glanced nervously to the leather cuffs held in her magister’s surprisingly elegant hands. “Being bound is difficult for me. But I will submit to you.” His head tilted in question, and then his hazel eyes softened.

“Most certainly, you will submit to me. I have performed the Great Rite many times, my Lady and though I would spare you, the binding is necessary.”

She could not control her trembling. He moved to stroke her bare arms in reassurance. Again, that strange sensation pulsed through her.

“Don’t fear me. I’ll take care with you,” he murmured.

Don’t fear him? Heat from his body engulfed her. Her skin tingled where his calloused hands caressed her arms. She didn’t understand why his erotic pull was so strong. It must be the cinnagin.

His hard thighs easily trapped her against the marble windowsill as he gathered her hair aside to pull at the golden cords holding up her gown. The firm length of his arousal pressed into her back. She heard the catch in his breath as he bared her. The warmth of his whispered, “By the goddess, you are exquisite,” flowed across her shoulders. “Lady, you have no conception how cruel the next few hours will become. We cannot rely solely upon your self-control, for in every way you must submit to me.”

His baritone voice rumbled through her. Now it begins. She would risk anything for even a chance of success. “Yes. I submit. Everything depends on it.”

“Yes, everything.” He nipped her shoulder then gently kissed the sting away.

“I am going to caress every part of you and keep you aroused until the crystals sing with power. The longer you stay at the edge of climax, the faster the crystals can draw on your energy. Sometimes it takes merely a day to replenish their power. If you should go over, I will bring you right back up. As long as you are able, you must deny yourself or tell me when you approach your peak. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” she whispered. “And when I can no longer discipline myself? If I am beyond self-control?” She gasped in air, her heart pounding in her ears. “What then?”

Swaying, unsteady on her feet, her eyes were drawn to the implements hanging on the far wall—whips, paddles, manacles, bars and others she could not identify. Her fear spiked upward.

“Then I will bring you back up, repeatedly.” He had followed her gaze. The corner of one lip quirked up and his amber eyes narrowed wickedly. “By whatever means necessary.”

At this, her knees buckled. If the conte had not been quick to catch her, she would have shared the floor with her robe, then all went dark.

About the Author:
Patricia A. Knight is the pen name for an eternal romantic who lives in Dallas, Texas surrounded by her horses, dogs and the best man on the face of the earth – oh yeah, and the most enormous bullfrogs you will ever see. Word to the wise: don’t swim in the pool after dark.
I love to hear from my readers and can be reached at  http://www.trollriverpub.com/  or   http://www.patriciaaknight.com
Check out my latest “Hunk of the Day,” book releases, contests and other fun stuff on my face book page:  https://www.facebook.com/patricia.knight.71619

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Release Day Blitz Matchpoint by Elise Sax

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MatchpointThe Matchmaker Series, Book TwoElise Sax
Genre: Comedic romantic mystery
Publisher: Ballantine (Random House)Paperback Pages: 288
ISBN: 978-0-345-53224-4
Book Description:
Lovably troublesome Gladie Burger runs into sizzling danger and a fiery love triangle in the second installment of Elise Sax’s hilarious and sexy Matchmaker romance series.
“Elise Sax will make you laugh. Her larger-than-life characters jump off the page and make crazy seem like a fun place to hang out.”—New York Times bestselling author Christie Craig
Since joining the family matchmaking business run by her eccentric Grandma Zelda, Gladie is always looking for love. But when an unbearable toothache knocks her out of commission and into the dentist’s chair, she prays only for relief. No such luck. Emerging from an anesthetic haze, Gladie awakes to find that not only is her tooth still throbbing, but her dentist is dead—and the lead suspect in the murder, office receptionist Belinda, just so happens to be Gladie’s first real client. Now it’s up to Gladie to find Belinda a man and keep her from being locked up behind bars.
As if that weren’t enough distraction, two gorgeous men are vying for Gladie’s attention: Spencer, the playboy chief of police, and Holden, Gladie’s secretive, gorgeously muscled neighbor. Still, Gladie’s not complaining about having a helping hand or two when the case leads her to a dangerously bizarre cult. She may have met her match—and if she’s not careful, it could be her last.

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An Affair to DismemberThe Matchmaker Series, Book OneElise Sax
Genre: Comedic romantic mystery
Publisher: Ballantine (Random House)
ISBN: 978-0345532220
Number of pages: 320Word Count: About 80,000
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/sox1nLfSEmY


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Book Description:
Certain to appeal to fans of Janet Evanovich, Jennifer Crusie, and Katie MacAlister, Elise Sax’s hilarious series debut introduces matchmaker-in-training Gladie Burger, who stumbles into a dangerous quagmire of murder and red-hot romance.
Three months has been Gladie Burger’s limit when it comes to staying in one place. That’s why Gladie is more than a little skeptical when her eccentric Grandma Zelda recruits her to the family’s matchmaking business in the quaint small town of Cannes, California. What’s more, Gladie is also highly unqualified, having a terrible track record with romance. Still, Zelda is convinced that her granddaughter has “the gift.” But when the going gets tough, Gladie wonders if this gift has a return policy.
When Zelda’s neighbor drops dead in his kitchen, Gladie is swept into his bizarre family’s drama. Despite warnings from the (distractingly gorgeous) chief of police to steer clear of his investigation, Gladie is out to prove that her neighbor’s death was murder. It’s not too long before she’s in way over her head—with the hunky police chief, a dysfunctional family full of possible killers, and yet another mysterious and handsome man, whose attentions she’s unable to ignore. Gladie is clearly being pursued—either by true love or by a murderer. Who will catch her first?
Praise for An Affair to Dismember
“Elise Sax’s new Matchmaker series is off to a rousing start! . . . Sax gives the comic mystery genre a new spin. . . . A fun read sure to entertain.”—RT Book Reviews
“Fans of laugh-out-loud romantic suspense will enjoy this new author as she joins the ranks of Janet Evanovich, Katie MacAllister, and Jennifer Crusie.”—Booklist
“Elise Sax will win your heart.”—New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis
“In the tradition of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, Elise Sax’s new novel is a funny, sexy ride.”—Valerie Frankel, author of Four of a Kind
“What a fun book! It will leave readers begging for more.”—Kim Gruenenfelder, author of There’s Cake in My Future


 About the Author:
Elise Sax worked as a journalist for fifteen years, mostly in Paris, France. She took a detour from journalism and became a private investigator before trying her hand at writing fiction. She lives in Southern California with her two sons. An Affair to Dismember, the first in the Matchmaker mystery series, is her first novel.
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Interview with Ella J Phoenix

Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself and what inspired to write in this particular genre?
I discovered I was addicted to paranormal stories when I was quite young - I blame it on super heroes. Damn you, Wonder Woman! That passion led me to amateur theatre productions and a bachelor’s degree in Arts. But it was really my mother who lured me into writing. I call her “my catalyst” – she’s always been the one who I went to for advice on my acting career, my travel adventures, my love life… And she was always the one to say, “Go for it!” Until today, she’s the first person I send my manuscripts to.
What is it about the paranormal, in particular vampires, that fascinates you so much?
How can anyone not be fascinated by vampires? They are the Casanovas of all monsters! A lot has changed since Bram Stoker launched “Dracula” but the key factor is still oh-so true: our unquenchable attraction to a good bad-boy.
What inspired you to write this book?
I dreamt it. I don’t remember what I was reading at the time, but I went to bed one night and woke up with the entire first chapter of Dragon Heat (Book 1) drafted in my head. What really drove me to write this series though was the fact that there aren’t many romance series about a group of female warriors. There are loads of band of brothers – like J.R. Wards’ Black Dagger brotherhood and Gena Showalter’s Lords of the Underworld for example - but I haven’t seen many bands of sisters. And let’s face it; we can kick-ass as hard as our strong, powerful male heroes!
Please tell us about your latest release.
Dragon Heat is a paranormal ‘romantica’ series about a group of female warriors: Zoricah, the leader, a wicked draconian demigoddess; Samantha, a human woman with abnormal supernatural powers; and Yara, a Brazilian witch-shifter.
The first novel, Dragon Heat (Book 1), tells the love story between Zoricah and Tardieh, the powerful vampire king.
Zoricah, Sam and Yara have limited time to uncover a series of killings before one of their own meets the same fate. Determined not to let that happen, Zoricah has no other choice but to ask Tardieh to join her in the mission. Too bad he is her race’s archenemy. Together, they need to overcome millennia old prejudices and distrust before it’s too late.
In “Vampire Thirst” readers see Samantha’s passionate love-hate relationship with Hikuro, Tardieh’s second-in-command, blossom.
After successfully uncovering a chain of clandestine operations, Sam, Zoricah and Yara, have to trade sunny New York for gloomy London. Time is running out - more innocent people will die if they don’t catch the person behind the attacks in New York. But something is making Sam lose control of her powers. Something or someone. Ever since her first - and quite heated - encounter with Hikuro, her energies had gone haywire. The vampire king’s second in command affected her in a way no one had ever before. Her torment, however, is bound to get worse, with Hikuro’s unexpected arrival in London.
Do any of your characters have similar characteristics of yourself in them and what are they?
I dare say all characters have a bit of me in them - even the villains! (Come on, haven’t you ever dreamed of unleashing your dark side when no one was watching?) However, I’d say Zoricah, Sam and Yara are my true alter-egos.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? How do you deal with it?
I suffer from an even worse syndrome: lack of time. I work full time as marketing leader and have a fantastic loving husband, so I have very little time to spare for myself and my novels.
Do you have any weird writing quirks or rituals?
I don’t know if this is weird or not, but I usually dream about a character or a love story (or more accurately, I day-dream them). After that dream haunts me for a while, I sit down and write the first chapters, before drafting the storyline.
What are your guilty pleasures in life?
I love a good bottle of red wine with cheese, lots of cheese.
What was the last amazing book you read?
I’ve read a lot of great books lately, but one that comes to mind is “Hopeless” by Colleen Hoover.
What can readers expect next from you?
The third installment of the Dragon Heat series is in the oven!
Where can readers find you on the web?
Facebook or Goodreads.
Would you like to leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from the book?
Here it is! Excerpt from “Vampire Thirst (Book 2 of the Dragon Heat series)”
It was still raining outside – obviously, this was London – and Sam had left Yara’s trench coat on the chair, but she was so not going back to get it. She took a deep breath and walked toward the nearest tube station, which was quite far.
May the Soartas strike all men in the world!
Her only chance to redeem herself, to amend her fuck-ups, to find out where Yerik’s operations were, was now ruined, and why? Because of stupid, chauvinistic, control-freak male egos.
Footsteps on wet pavement behind her brought Sam back from her bitchin’ reverie. Years of self-defense training kicked in. She slowed down and located from which side her attacker was coming at her – left – and waited. Just before he reached her, she twisted her body, blocking her attacker’s raised arm and, using the heel of her hand, she hit him straight up the nose.
“Ouch, Sam!” Hikuro shouted, cupping his bleeding nose with both hands.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Sam asked, not knowing what to make of having successfully struck a vampire ninja. Yay?
“I came looking for you.”
“Oh yeah? Then that served you well.” She spun on her heels and walked off.
“Sam, wait.”
She kept on walking. Heels stomping on concrete.
“Damn it, woman, I said wait!” Hikuro shouted and grabbed Sam’s elbow.
She spun around and slapped his hand hard. “Do you want me to break your nose again?” She was furious! How dare he ruin her assignment? How dare he show up like that after what happened last night? He had no grounds for being here, no business following her around.
Hikuro raised his hands in surrender. “Let’s talk.”
“Oh, you want to talk now?” she replied sarcastically. “No problem, Hikuro, we can talk now that you are ready; now that your big ego isn’t blocking your brain activity, now that you're not busy breaking the arm of the only good lead we’ve had in freaking weeks!” Sam knew she was close to hysterical, but she didn’t care. She was simply, absolutely, utterly raging. 
“How in Hiad did you find me anyway?”
He shoved his hands into his back pockets and looked away.
“Oh, you didn’t dare…” Sam opened her bag and looked inside. It didn’t take long for her to find the small black device signaling her position. She saw red. “You put a tracker on me?”
“You left me no choice after you refused to let me give you proper backup…”
She paced back and forth like a caged lion. Her rage reached a new level. “I can’t believe this! What happened to ‘we must learn how to trust each other, whether we like it or not’, Hikuro? Is that how you show your trust? By putting a fucking tracker on me?”
“I do trust you,” he replied through clenched teeth. “I just don’t trust Phillip. He is a notorious womanizer, a snake that double crossed you once already.”
“I had the situation under control.”
“Oh please.” It was Hikuro’s turn to lose his cool. “He was all over you, Sam! He was licking your fingers, for Hiad's sake!”
“And why is that so bad, Hikuro? You said it yourself, I love playing games, don’t I? So, maybe that’s exactly what I wanted him to do. Have you thought about that?”
Hikuro lowered his chin and snarled. Sharp fangs emerged, but Sam didn’t get fazed. He could pull the “vampire in rage” act all he wanted, she would not be intimidated.
“I arranged this meeting, Hikuro, I needed the information, and I was going to do anything to get it. As a matter of fact, I’m going back there right now and offer my help in tending to Phillip’s wounds. Maybe he’s feeling lonely and vulnerable.”
“Don’t you dare.”
“Try and stop me.”
“Sam, don’t you take another step.”
“Bite me!”
“Sam, I’m warning you. Do not tempt me!”
“Why? Why, Hikuro?”
Strong hands grabbed her by the arms and pulled her close. His lips were inches from hers. His dark eyes flashed red.
“Because you are mine,” he snarled, then crushed his mouth against hers.

Click here to read the first chapters for free. http://www.amazon.com/Vampire-Thirst-Book-Dragon-ebook/dp/B00DNE27SS