Roxanne Rhoads's Blog, page 497
December 15, 2012
December 14, 2012
The Old Man and The Monkey by George Polley
Writing stories is one of the most fascinating things I have ever done. It is certainly the case with my novella “The Old Man and The Monkey”. One morning in 2006 I awoke from a dream about a big Japanese “snow” monkey (“snow” because they live in Japan’s snowy north). He had a bright red face and something of a snarl, so didn’t look especially inviting, but his eyes seemed friendly enough. Why had he appeared and what was I to do with him? Since I didn’t know, I asked him. I’m a writer, after all, and writers do odd things like that. “Why did you show up?” I asked; “And what am I supposed to do?” “Listen,” he seemed to say. So I did. And over the next several months the story of the old man and the monkey appeared. The first puzzle was where to locate him. I chose Japan’s most northern island, Hokkaido, where my wife is from. “But,” I said, “monkeys don’t live there.” “Doesn’t matter,” he seemed to say. “Well, where in Hokkaido?” I wondered, digging out a map of Hokkaido and looking at the southeast part of the island. “You figure it out,” seemed to be his answer, “not not there.” So I began looking farther west, and settled on a tiny village with no name somewhere along the rail line between the cities of Fukugawa and Asahikawa, about a hundred miles northeast of Hokkaido’s capitol, Sapporo. And there began the legend of the old man and the monkey, their friendship, and what it meant to the villagers and the old man’s family. The old man’s name, by the way, is Genjiro Yamada, his wife’s name is Harue (pronounced “Harooay”), and the monkey’s name Yukitaro, which means snow monkey in Japanese. It’s a simple story that’s been compared with “The Little Prince” by French writer, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, a story that I read in high school eons ago. Is it a children’s story? Well, children do like it, and so do adults, so I guess I’d say it has a wide appeal, which is what I intended. All I was doing was telling the old monkey’s story, letting him guide me. Funny thing, that’s often my experience: I think of a character and the character tells me his or her story. And if I get it wrong (which I sometimes do), the whole thing comes to a halt until I listen closely enough and allow the character to talk. My job as a story teller, after all, is to listen and tell the story as it wants to be told. At least, that’s what works the best for me, and people seem to like the results. So if you’re looking for an interesting adventure involving an old man and his monkey friend. It’s not a very long tale (a bit over 7,200 words), but it’s long enough. Try as I might to lengthen it, nothing worked. “The story,” the monkey Yukitaro seemed to be telling me, “is as long as it’s supposed to be.” And it is.
December 7 Guest blogLisa’s World of Bookswww.lisasworldofbooks.net
December 8 Promoaobiblioclassique™http://aobiblioclassique.blogspot.com/
December 10 Promo and reviewReviews by Martha's Bookshelfhttp://marthasbookshelf.blogspot.com/
December11 InterviewKeeping Up With The Rheinlander'shttp://mnmrheinlander.com
December 12 InterviewThe Creatively Green Write at Home Momwww.creativelygreen.blogspot.com
December 14 InterviewFang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
December 15th Interview and reviewPublishing The Paranormal http://jbridgerwriting.blogspot.com
December 17 PromoSapphyria's Book Reviews saphsbookblog.blogspot.com
December 19 ReviewBooks for mehttp://booksformee.blogspot.in/
December 21 Interview and reviewhttp://andisbookreviews.blogspot.com
The Old Man and The MonkeyGeorge PolleyGenre: Adventure, Inspirational, Legend
Publisher: Taylor Street Publishing
ISBN: 9781451543773ASIN: B003T0GJ4E
Number of pages: 60Word Count: 7,267
The Old Man and The Monkey is about a village elder in Japan and the large monkey who became his friend over the last five years of his life. Since the villagers don't like monkeys, none of them approve of the friendship between the old man Genjiro Yamada and Yukitaro ("snow monkey" in Japanese).
But Genjiro refuses to give up the friendship, even when his wife objects to it. After all, monkeys are nuisances and thieves. But over time, both Genjiro’s wife and the villagers come to grudgingly accept him, especially when, on several occasions, they receive a special blessing from him.
'The Old Man & The Monkey' is a stunningly beautiful story of a relationship which develops between an old man and a creature which is regarded as a dangerous pest in Japan, a snow monkey, in George Polley's moving allegory of dignity in the face of prejudice and racism.
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About the Author:
George Polley was born in Santa Barbara, California and raised in Seattle, Washington. He has lived in California (Berkeley and Stockton), Illinois (Cooks Mills and Villa Grove), Minnesota (Luverne, Marshal and Minneapolis), and from 1984 until early in 2008, in Seattle, when he and his wife moved to Sapporo, Japan so that she could fulfill her dream of returning to the land of her birth.
His work has appeared in the South Dakota Review, Crow's Nest, Expanding Horizons, The Enchanted Self, Community Mental Health Journal, Maturing, The Lyon County (Minnesota) Review Wine Rings, North Country Anvil, North American Mentor Magazine, the McLean County (Illinois) Poetry Review, River Bottom, Tower Talks and Foundations.
He has also authored several booklets in the mental health field, two of them co-authored with Ana Dvoredsky, M.D. in 2007.
George's e-book 'The Old Man & The Monkey' poses one of the most elegant and powerful arguments against racism of all time, and his 'Grandfather & The Raven' argues equally compellingly against violence in all its forms.
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The Stone Guardian Release Day Blitz by Theresa McClinton
Dec 14 BlitzA BibliophilesThoughts on Bookshttp://bibliophilesthoughtsonbooks.blogspot.com/
Book Liaison – http://www.bookliaison.com
DEB SANDERShttp://DebSanders.com
Mila Ramoswww.jademystique.blogspot.com
Impressions of a Princesshttp://gongjumonica.wordpress.com/
Inkk Reviews http://inkkreviews.blogspot.com
Oh, Chrys!http://www.ohchrys.blogspot.com
Fang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogpsot.com
Creatively Greenwww.creativelygreen.blogspot.com
Roxanne’s Realmwww.Roxannesrealm.blogspot.com
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Dec 15-29 tour
December 15 Interview and reviewMarked By Books http://markedbybooks.blogspot.com/
December 16 InterviewOh, Chrys!http://www.ohchrys.blogspot.com
December 18th Book SpotlightMonique Morganhttp://www.moniquemorgan.com
December 19 Guest blogMy Reading Addictionmyaddictionisreading.blogspot.com
December 20th Guest PostMonique Morganhttp://www.moniquemorgan.com
December 21 Interview and reviewImpressions of a Princesshttp://gongjumonica.wordpress.com/
December 22 PromoInkk Reviews http://inkkreviews.blogspot.com
December 23 InterviewBooks & Other Spells. nightskydarkstar.blogspot.com
December 24 Guest blogwww.christina-mcknight.blogspot.com
December 26 PromoTBQ'S Book Palacehttp://tbqspersonalbookpalace.blogspot.com/
December 27 Guest blog and reviewThe Bookshelf – http://bookshelf.shotgunopera.net
December 27 PromoSMARTMOUTHTEXAN www.smartmouthtexan.wordpress.com
December 28 FeatureVictoria Danann, http://www.victoriadanann.me
December 29 PromoParanormal Opinionhttp://paranormalopinion.blogspot.com
January 2 InterviewMichelle @ Mom With A Kindlehttps://momwithakindle.blogspot.com
January 3 InterviewDelirious About Books http://deliriousaboutbooks.blogspot.com
January 6 Guest blogViviana, Enchantress of Bookshttp://www.vivianaenchantressofbooks.blogspot.com/
January 7 Promo and reviewStorm Goddess book Reviewshttp://stormgoddessbookreviews.blogspot.com/
January 7 PromoFrankie Blooding Blooding Book Reviewshttp://frankieblooding.wordpress.com/
January 8 Guest blog and reviewBooks, Books, and More Bookshttp://dream-reader-dreamer2229.blogspot.com/
January 10 PromoKrystal's Enchanting Reads ... http://enchantingreads7.blogspot.com/
The Stone GuardianTheresa McClinton
Tagline: When myth becomes reality, reality becomes a nightmare.
Description:
Like any other teenager in America, Ashley just wants a normal life. But growing up in an orphanage for the insane is anything but normal. After endless therapy and increasing medication, her nightmares have only gotten worse.
Probably because they’re not nightmares.
When Ashley’s mysteriously abducted, she finds a reality even less normal than the orphanage. And she discovers something else—she’s no ordinary orphan. Faced with enemies thought to only exist in fairy tales, Ashley discovers she possesses a powerful Maya bloodline. She’s the daughter of an ancient Maya Guardian, whose duty is to protect the Stone of Muuk’ich, an enchanted relic blessed by the gods. But first she must get it back from Sarian, a power-hungry demigod who slaughtered the last guardian—Ashley’s mother. Without the stone, all will be lost.
When she meets Arwan, a hot Belizean time bender, his delicious olive skin and dark eyes make her feel a little less alone. But his gentle whispers and reassuring touch might not be all they seem. How can she balance love and duty when it’s up to her to prevent the rising of the underworld? Especially when the guy she loves might be its crown prince…
Book Trailer http://youtu.be/fN1JvOOntWw
Excerpt:
“Where are we going?” Ashley asked, walking a few steps behind. Arwan slowed his pace for her much shorter stride. She wasn’t used to hiking in the jungle, but she didn’t want to show it. He found that a cute addition to the many things he admired about her.Without offering an explanation, he grabbed a stick from the ground. If he told her where he was taking her, it would ruin the surprise. He just hoped the creatures hadn’t taken shelter somewhere else because of the heavy rains.Soon they arrived at a clearing where hundreds of tall, thin bushes with elegant purple blooms covered the ground. Mature trees formed a canopy overhead, while gaps in the branches allowed the sun to speckle the jungle floor with light.“I thought you would like it here.” He watched for her reaction.She inspected the space. “It’s neat.”Of course, she didn’t know why they were really there. He watched her shift her weight. Did she lie when she said he didn’t make her uncomfortable? It seemed like he did. Every time he smiled at her, her cheeks flushed or her muscles tensed.Arwan gently took her hand. She allowed him to, without hesitation. It was the first time.Carefully, he guided her through the maze of shrubs. When they reached the center, he stood in front of her and put his lips close to her ear. “Can I hold you?” She took a small step back. He waited for her to decide and, at the slightest nod, took her hand. “I just want to show you something.”He slid his hand gently around her waist and drew her close. Her chest jumped when they pressed together. He savored the feeling of her drumming heartbeat. In fact, he could almost hear it.She rested her hands against his chest, and he wondered if she felt his heart drumming too. “You’re blushing.”She pressed the backs of her hands on her face. “I am?”He caressed the silky curve of her cheek. “You’re lovely when you blush.” The stick secure in his hand, he extended it to the side. “Watch.” With a powerful strike, he whacked a nearby bush on its base. Dozens of butterflies launched into the air.The flight of few caused a chain reaction, and soon they blanketed the sky. Several landed in her hair and on her arms while more flew overhead.Arwan tilted his head back to the sky. Ashley gasped and stared at the countless array of colors gliding overhead. A butterfly rested on his shoulder, pumping its cobalt blue wings. She gently blew on it, her warm breath caressing his neck.His chest swelled with longing. He clenched his jaw. Watching her lips form into a soft circle, she continued to blow on its colorful wings. He had never wanted someone so fiercely. She brought something out of him he couldn’t control. Something instinctual, animalistic. He watched her lips, longing to kiss her. To feel her mouth pressed against his. The need surged in his chest and spread throughout his limbs. He tensed and pulled her closer.He knew he had to be gentle. As much as he tried to conceal the need, it threatened to destroy him if he didn’t at least try. Slowly, he leaned in to kiss her. His lips hovered above hers. Her hot breath broke over his mouth.Ashley gasped and stepped back. Her teary eyes forced him to look away. He silently cursed himself. He’d pushed her too far.“I…” The hurt in her voice surprised him. “I can’t. I’m sorry.”Before he could respond, Ashley ran back toward the house, leaving him alone in the clearing.He watched her stumble through the trees until she was gone. The jungle was quiet, except for the sound of chirping birds and the rustling of lemurs in the trees.He turned, balling his fists. What the hell was he thinking? He’d known that if he tried to kiss her, it would push her away. He should have shown more restraint.Each of his steps pounded against the jungle floor. The birds’ chirps ceased, and the lemurs took quiet refuge in the branches. When he escaped the maze of bushes, he charged his fist into the trunk of a mature tree, spitting layers of bark and redwood in every direction.
About the Author:A long time enthusiast of things that go bump in the night, Theresa started her writing career as a journalism intern—possibly the least creative writing field out there. After her first semester at a local newspaper, she washed her hands of press releases and features articles to delve into the whimsical world of young adult paranormal romance.
Since then, Theresa has gotten married, had three terrific kids, moved to central Ohio, and was repeatedly guilt tripped into adopting a menagerie of animals that are now members of the family. But don’t be fooled by her domesticated appearance. Her greatest love is travel. Having stepped foot on the soil of over a dozen countries, traveled to sixteen U.S. states—including an extended seven-year stay in Kodiak, Alaska—she is anything but settled down. But wherever life brings her, she will continue to weave tales of adventure and love with the hope her stories will bring joy and inspiration to her readers.
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Celebrating the Holiday Season
There are a couple of things I need to mention before I get into any details of how a witch would celebrate the holiday season. First, the “witch” in my book, A Witch’s Tale, is not a witch at all. Cassie Adams and her mother are members of a Wiccan coven. They are Wicca, not witches. And, second, I am neither a witch (although my children may have argued that point at one time or another as they were growing up) nor a Wiccan.
I have always been very interested in the religions of the world and have, whenever possible, been witness to religious practices that are different from my own. This practice led me to investigate the Wiccan tradition. I have met and been befriended by Wiccans. I have even participated in one of their religious rituals.
The one thing that struck me the most about the followers of this faith is how welcome they always made me feel, even though they knew I did not follow their beliefs. They never tried to change my mind – just accepted me as I was and presented themselves as they were.
Now, about how they celebrate the holidays. Since the question was asked during the Christmas season I am assuming what the real question is, is do they celebrate it like we do? Do the put up Christmas trees? Do they exchange presents?
When I thought about it I realized I didn’t know the answer to those questions. So, I did what just about everyone who has a computer does, I went to Google. This is what I learned: The Wiccan (or Pagan) religion predates Christianity by generations. They are an earth based faith, much like that of the American Indian. Their holidays (my word, not theirs) are based on the sun and stars.
They celebrate the Winter Solstice (Yule) as the rebirth of the Sun God. Although each coven celebrates in their own, unique fashion, they customarily set up a Yule tree which they decorate with red and green handmade decorations. They might also use gold or yellow candles as a symbol of the sun’s heat and light. They might also wear red or green robes, dresses or shirts. Round shaped cookies, which reflect the sun, might be offered along with other baked winter foods. It would not be uncommon for them to serve hot cider with cinnamon sticks.
An alter would be made, set up next to the Yule tree. After these things have been done, they would then cast a ritual circle for their simple ceremony. At the Wiccan ceremony I attended the after casting the circle the leader of the coven then addressed all four of the compass’s spirits, asking for their blessings. Thanks were given and bequests asked. All in all, it was a lovely, gentle sort of ceremony. One that I believe anyone with an open mind would find beautiful.
There, that’s about all I know about how a “witch” would celebrate the holidays. As my Wiccan friends would do if they were here with me, I send you and your readers all good blessings. May you and your loved ones be safe and kind to one another throughout the season and on into the endless future.
December 14 Guest blogFang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
December 15 ReviewBooks, Books, and More Bookshttp://dream-reader-dreamer2229.blogspot.com/
December 16 PromoRoxanne’s Realmwww.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com
December 17 PromoInkk Reviews Http://inkkreviews.blogspot.com
December 17 Promo and reviewLissette E. Manninghttp://www.simplistik.org/lissetteemanning
December 18 Interview and reviewThe Avid Readerhttp://the-avidreader.blogspot.com/
December 20 PromoA Girl and Her Kindle www.agirlandherkindle.com
December 21 PromoSapphyria's Book Reviews saphsbookblog.blogspot.com
December 23 Guest blogwww.creativelygreen.blogspot.com
December 27 Guest blogCloey's Book Reviews and Other Stuffcloeyk.blogspot.com
December 31 Interview or Character InterviewLaurie's Paranormal Thoughts and Reviews http://lauriethoughts-reviews.blogspot.com
A Witch's Taleby Maralee LowderISBN-13: 978-1481023979ISBN-10: 1481023977
Publisher: Taylor Street Books
When hard-bittern reporter Mac McCormick is sent to Port Bellmont to report on the chilling death of the popular Reverend Elkins who has been found ritually sacrificed in a field just outside the town, he encounters an enraged crowd baying for the blood of a coven of witches whom it believes responsible for the crime.
However, when Mac subsequently meets the youngest of the witches, the beautiful flame-haired Cassie Adams, he immediately starts to doubt the crowd’s interpretation of events - or has he just fallen under her cunning spell?
About the Author:Maralee Lowder found so much pleasure in reading such a wide spectrum of romance genres, she has never been able to write in just one. Her novels run the gamut of contemporary, historical, humorous, horror, paranormal and suspense.
Look for the sequel to "The Morticians Wife" coming soon
http://www.maraleelowder.com
http://www.authorsden.com/maraleelowder
https://twitter.com/MaraleeLowder
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Pinpoint by Sheila Mary Taylor
ARE WRITERS LONELY?MUSIC WHILE I WRITE, AND OTHER DISTRACTIONS THAT HELP TO SET MY PEN AFLAME
The old adage that writers lead a lonely life sitting with their cats in an isolated turret, is simply not true any more.
Not counting the social networks, which I love, music, and the myriad ways to access it in this digital age, is first on my list of inspirational must-haves that make it impossible for me to ever feel lonely. It can motivate you, soothe you, make you feel loved, frighten the pants off you, turn you on – you name it, there isn’t a branch of music that can’t be utilized in the writing process. You never feel alone when you have music in your ears. Well, not just in your ears, because music reverberates through the whole body. Just recently I had an eye operation. For several days I couldn’t read or write or talk on FaceBook, or send emails or chat on Skype. I nearly went mad – until I plugged my head-set into my little radio and oh what bliss it was, especially when combined with looking out of the window at my beloved beach which I am not allowed to walk on right now in case the mighty south-easter blows sand into my slowly recovering eye.
When I was writing ‘Pinpoint’ I drove around some of the places in the UK where the characters had their most dramatic scenes: the lonely moors in the Peak National Park, the deserted canals through the city of Manchester. the notorious gangland areas of Manchester’s downtown Moss Side. On these journeys of discovery I always slotted in a CD with something dramatic, like ‘Night on a Bare Mountain’ by Mousorsky. Now that’s spine-chilling music! Especially if you play it really loud. I would also have my tape recorder on the seat next to me and would carry on a running commentary as if I were the character living the experience, and often these impromptu words went straight into Pinpoint without any alterations.
My lovely beach, here in Glencairn Heights where I live when I’m in Cape Town, often deserted apart from me, is another gem of companionship and inspiration to me. The wind and the roar of the crashing Indian Ocean waves drowns out the imaginary conversations I have with my characters, when the dialogue that tumbles from my lips seems far more real and dramatic than if I were sitting in front of my computer. The sound of the sea and the plaintive cry of the seagulls is the music, while the majesty of the mountains towering around me lends a sense of drama to the scene, and all this, combined with the smell of the sea and the feeling of other-worldliness gives me the freedom to let my imagination explode. I can even imagine a love scene on the beach, as though it were happening there and then – Wow!
My third most useful distraction/inspiration/companionship is that glass of ice-cold pink blanc-de-noir wine, made from the delicious grapes of the Cape Winelands. As you feel the tingle of this amazing wine trickling down your throat, you can sense the relaxing of your inhibitions that allows you to write whatever comes into your head without the desire to censor it in any way, and often this is when I write my best scenes. Two glasses in two hours is enough to create these moments of magic.
Lonely – oh no, far from it. Never!
Oh, and I nearly forgot one of the most important writing companions of all –
CHOCOLATE!!
PinpointSheila Mary TaylorPublisher: Taylor Street Books
Genre: Crime (Legal Crime Psychological Thriller)
ISBN: 1461049148
ASIN: B008G0IZ9O
Number of pages: 363
Word Count: 122,000
A lawyer, a murderer and a policeman - caught in a tangled web of love, loss, terror and intrigue.
When lawyer Julia Grant interviews Sam Smith who has been charged with an especially vicious murder, she feels a strange connection to him, as if she has met him before, as if he holds the key to something she has forgotten among the unbearable memories from her past she has determinedly blotted out.
He feels a connection too. "Julia, you are the only one who can help me," he pleads.
Is it the same connection? Does he know something she cannot recall?
When he is duly convicted despite her best efforts, he suddenly turns on her in the courtroom and threatens that one day he will make sure to wreak his revenge on her.
But why? What has she ever done to him?
And then, on his way to prison, he escapes ......
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Book Trailer http://youtu.be/R7Ou3N7hx8Q
About the Author:Sheila Mary Taylor was born in Cape Town beneath the towering slopes of Table Mountain. Her Scottish parents, both serious academics and writers, despaired of her, as the things that turned her on as a youngster seemed far removed from their serious world of academia.
And no wonder. Cape Town was a distracting paradise to grow up in: mountain climbing, surfing in the glistening waters of the Indian Ocean, roller-skating, riding, hunting – and parties galore. She did it all, although the thing she loved most was dancing, and until she was twenty-three when she met Colin, her husband-to-be, on a visit to the UK, she wanted to make ballet her career. But having been surrounded by wall-to-wall books from an early age, and listening to music almost non-stop as her father played his hi-fi classical records so loud it was like having an orchestra in the house, was bound to have a belated influence on her. Yet it was only much later that these two strong influences – combined with the clock-ticking heartbreak of her youngest son Andrew being diagnosed with teenage cancer – would change her life and kick-start her writing career.
Her plethora of unusual activities: jockey in amateur ladies’ races, exhibition roller skating in night-clubs, a spell of acting and directing, secretary to a diplomat, creator and editor of a dramatic society magazine, dancing in the Royal Albert Hall, and above all, living in exciting exotic places around the world with Colin, her mining engineer husband of almost sixty incredible years – have all enriched and inspired her writing.
http://sheilamarytaylorauthor.blogspot.com/
http://sellyourstoryuk.com/2012/10/01/sheila-mary-taylor/
Twitter: @AuthorSMBelshaw
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sheila.belshaw
LinkedIn: Sheila Belshaw
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December 13, 2012
Five things to love about Christmas erotica
Five things to love about Christmas erotica
Erotic fiction is good at any time of the year, in my opinion. But what about Christmas? What makes Christmas erotica special? Here’s five things that I love about Christmas erotica.
1. So many jokes, so little time. I don’t really consider myself a funny individual, but I do appreciate a good joke, especially when it’s handed to me. And yes, Christmas erotica is sexy, and gorgeous, but sometimes, you can’t fault a well-timed stocking joke.
2. Wouldn’t you want a hot naked partner with a red bow on him or her? Seriously, that can happen in fiction. The world is wide open for these things. If I could have fit it in there, I’d have put a red bow on Leo in O Christmas Three. The dude attracts both men and women, he’s so hot. I may have a crush on my own character, just saying.
3. It keeps you warm in the dead of winter. Okay, so it’s not quite the dead of winter just yet, but we’re getting close. Some of us have snow (unlike me… December in Texas is pretending to be September right now…) and reading something hot melts the icicles right off.
4. Christmas trees aren’t the only things that get up during the holidays. Sure, you’ve got family visiting, the kids are home from school, and there is no way that you can get your husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend/ect alone for a few hours. But you’ve got your trusty ereader. And thank goodness for that.
5. Dude. It’s sex in a book… at Christmas time. What’s not to love?
O Christmas ThreeSuzan Butler
Genre: Contemporary menage
Publisher: Soaring Phoenix Press
ISBN: 978-1-938927-02-7Word Count: 32,000Cover Artist: Soaring Phoenix Media
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/iVna-YVxU1s
Book Description:
Garrett and Brianna Zane have the perfect marriage on the surface. They share everything from love to their wildest sexual desires with ease. So when Brianna confesses she wants a threesome with his best friend Leobardo Vasquez, it awakens feelings Garrett has long tried to forget.
But the smoldering attraction between Leo and Brianna is hard to deny and even harder to dismiss when it’s all he can think about, especially when the three are trapped together in Leo’s cabin during a snowstorm. Seducing Leo will test their relationship, reveal old secrets, and maybe tear them apart. While there may be room for Leo in bed, there may not be room for a third in their marriage.
About the Author:Suzan Butler has a penchant for Dr. Pepper, ice hockey, and world domination. She lives in Texas under a not-so-secret identity with two monsters, writing books and planning the next step in her evil plans into the twilight hours of the night because that’s when it’s quiet in the house.
Website: http://www.suzanbutler.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/SuzanButler
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SuzanButler
Character Profiles Returned Pendle Hill Trilogy Book One by Keeley Smith
Character ProfilesName: Jack Thomas
Age: 17 years old
Witch Age: 417 years old
Date of Birth: 10th August 1597
Place of Birth: Pendle
Zodiac Sign: Leo
Current Occupation: I’m a witch. That’s a good occupation to have!
Likes: Jezza Kyle, fighting, fish and chips.
Dislikes: Betrayal. Fears: I worry that I won’t be able to protect everyone I love.
Name: Cora Hunt
Age: 17 years old
Witch Age: 417 years old
Date of Birth: 23rd September 1597
Place of Birth: Pendle
Zodiac Sign: Libra
Current Occupation: Shop Assistant/ Goddess extraordinaire.
Likes: Hot chocolate, reading, quirky little goodies (mainly witch stuff)
Dislikes: the dark, fighting, *whispers* I’m not really a big fan of cats.
Fears: I won’t live up to the expectations of people.
ReturnedPendle Hill Trilogy Book OneKeeley SmithGenre: Fantasy, Young Adult
ASIN: B009YE6J94
Number of pages: 319Word Count: 96,415
Cover Artist: Keeley Smith
Amazon
Book Description:
17 year old Cora Hunt has one wish, to live the life of a normal teenager.
Her wish never comes true.
After her reluctant move to a sleepy village in the middle of Lancashire Cora's life is turned upside down when she discovers she is a witch, a very powerful witch. Cora is not just any old witch, she is the daughter of Alizon Device who was one of the most powerful witches of her time.
Dealing with her new found powers is quite a challenge, but when the past she didn't know about unearths new complications in the form of Jack Thomas, her life becomes increasingly dangerous with each waking minute.
Jack also has a secret past, a past that clashes with Cora's.
A confrontation between the two results in a life or death situation. The brutal events of 1612 happened hundreds of years ago, but what Jack and Cora face is a definite déjà vu. The only question is, will their fate be the same as those who perished in 1612?
About the Author:Keeley Smith is the author of Returned, a new and exciting young adult fantasy about witches. Cora Hunt is a witch, she's been a witch since 1612, since the day her mother was murdered in the infamous Pendle Hill witch trials. Now Cora must learn to control her new power, but with this new power comes danger. Is she strong enough to survive to threat that comes with being the new witch in the village?
Keeley lives in the UK with her husband and rabbit. She has a BA Hons in English Literature and Language from the Open University. When she isn't writing and spending time with her "book friends" she also loves to read and keep fit, by keeping fit she means picking up chocolate and placing it in her mouth, then repeating the process. It's a very good workout!
www.keeleysmithauthor.com
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16078270-returned
https://twitter.com/Keeley_Smith1
http://www.facebook.com/#!/Keeley.Smith.Fan
December 12, 2012
Interview with Christie Palmer
Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself and what inspired to write in this particular genre?
I have always loved Fantasy and Romance, and have been writing since I was a teenager. But it wasn’t until Urban Fantasy really took off that I felt compelled to actually finish a book and try and get it published. The readership had finally caught up with what I loved most in a book.
What is it about the paranormal, in particular vampires, that fascinates you so much? Its all about the unknown, the possibilities of what is out there when the lights are out. For example, have you ever been out late by yourself (not something I recommend by the way) and the night is dark and you stand beneath a street lamp. The shadows are alive at that moment in time. That is what I love about the paranormal aspect. ANYTHING is possible.
Please tell us about your latest release.
Shadow Play is being released soon which is my debut novel and I can’t wait. It’s the story of Kyra an Air Element and Ryder a Tracker. It’s a great love story that touches on several paranormal aspects.
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?
I go a little nuts on character names, they have to fit perfectly and I have to know the meaning of the name so that it fits the character profile. But I don’t let that alone build my character. I have a general idea of who my characters are then research names and fine the right one. For me it gives my character more depth. I always start my search with names from old Gaelic, Irish, or Scottish and Celtic names.
Was one of your characters more challenging to write than another?
Yes, the bad guy in Shadow Play the blackness in the mountain, he was so difficult I could never seem to get a bead on what he was until maybe the fourth or fifth read through. Then I had to change a great deal of the book in order to accommodate who he had evolved into. But it was worth it.
Is there a character that you enjoyed writing more than any of the others?
My favorite character right now is Astrid a young elemental. I can’t wait to tell her story.
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?
I do all my notes in Notebook, and I get pictures of them from images online that I can refer back to. I list all the important characteristics so that I don’t forget. After I have an idea what they look like I let them develop into what and who they are. Its fun as a writer to do that , its new to me as I go.
What is your favorite scene from the book? Could you share a little bit of it, without spoilers of course?
My favorite scene is the bonding ritual between Ryder and Kyra, I usually have a difficult time writing love scenes but this just flowed out of me. To me is beautiful and hot. Can’t say anymore without spoiling anything.
Do any of your characters have similar characteristics of yourself in them and what are they?
I try to throw a little of myself in all my characters. For example Kyra’s favorite breakfast is Waffles with whip cream, bananas, and caramel syrup. OH my gosh the best breakfast in the world.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? How do you deal with it?
I do suffer from writers block. To the point that I can’t write a greeting card much less anything for a book I am working on. And I have tried everything from changing the sided of the bed I sleep on. Different foods, I have even killed off main characters in a bid to get my imagination to kick in. But in the end, the only thing that truly works is time. I might walk away from a piece of work for months until I can get the feel for it again.
When did you consider yourself a writer?
Believe it or not, I didn’t consider myself a writer until recently. The whole process of being published has been so surreal. That until someone said to me recently oh you’re a local author how wonderful. I didn’t consider myself an author until that moment.
What are your guilty pleasures in life?
I love one hit wonders, and can’t write without music. Another one that makes my husband crazy I love dried fruit. Especially pineapple, weird I know but my husband and kids know exactly where it is in the grocery store so when I am running low they know where to get. Definitely a guilty pleasure.
Other than writing, what are some of your interests, hobbies or passions in life? Reading , Cycling, Weight training, shooting guns with my family,
What was the last amazing book you read?
So many, contemporary: Seducing Cinderella by: Gina Maxwell
Fantasy: Madly by: M. Leighton
Urban Fantasy: Highland Warrior by: Anita Clenney
Where is your favorite place to read? Do you have a cozy corner or special reading spot?
My bed, I love to curl up in my bed and read.
What can readers expect next from you?
Book 2 is due out in February, Lost in Time. And I am working on book 3 another Tracker novel for Skylar and a Fae named Tabatha. Its been a work in progress for over six months.
Where can readers find you on the web?
www.author-christiepalmer.comFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/christie.palmer.5011Twitter: @christieauthor
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/11563672-christie-palmer
Would you like to leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from the book?
Kyra couldn’t agree more. “So why the sniffing thing?”
“You don’t know much about Trackers, do you?”
“No, not really. Until I met Ryder, I thought he was a myth,” Kyra admitted.
Marlee laughed. “Aren’t we all. Trackers have special senses; the strongest being taste, touch, and smell. They have a special gland in the back of their throats that gives them the upper hand in those areas. So if they get a taste or smell of something, they can track it anywhere.”
. “Does anything stop them?”
Marlee shrugged. “Funny enough, cloves. They are highly allergic to cloves. It kills their senses. And the amount and length of contact will determine how they’ll react and how long it’ll take them to recover. The original Trackers were nomads. They moved around, never in the same place for long. Basically they’re the same now. Hard to find, and even harder to hire. You have to have a pretty good reason for them to pick up a track. The Reapers use them. Creeps me out.”
That sent a chill up Kyra’s spine. “Why was he sniffing me?”
“One of two reasons: he either likes the way you smell or you were telegraphing your mood in your scent and it interested him.” Marlee patted Kyra on the back. “You’ll get used to it if you hang out with them long enough.”
Kyra was furious. “So is nothing private?”
Marlee smiled it was more wolf than human. “Not really. Not unless you can learn to mask your scent or always be downwind. If worse comes to worse you can use the cloves, like I said their allergic but only as a last resort. The last thing you want is a pissed off Tracker.”
Kyra had the strongest urge to walk back into the kitchen and punch Ryder in the face. He wouldn't be smelling anything if his nose was broken. He couldn't just go around sniffing her.
She thanked Marlee and walked to the front of the house instead, putting distance between them rather than slamming her fist into his face. She pushed open the front
door and stood in a ray of morning sunlight. She soaked it up, trying to put the horror of yesterday behind her.
Shadow PlayBook 1 of the Tracker Series, Book 1 of the OthersChristie Palmer
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal
Publisher: Jinx Fantasy Fiction LLC
ebook: 978-0-9885557-0-9Paperback: 978-0-9885557-1-6
Word Count: 375
Cover Artist: Jaycee De Lorenzo of Sweet N’ Spicy Designs
Book Description:
A small town in the mountains of Marshall, Montana is being plagued by an unknown entity. It’s mutilating and killing the women of the town. At his wits end the Sheriff of Marshall has nowhere to turn but to a friend. A friend, with the abilities to track and kill any prey.
Ryder doesn’t normally do mortal issues. However, he can’t turn his back on a friend. Besides he is the best at what he does. After all he is a Tracker, an ancient race with unparalleled abilities to track down any prey. With one of the three essential elements: Taste, Touch or Smell. Heartless and cold, Ryder knows what needs to be done and performs his duty without feeling.
Kyra, an Air Element and the only female Elemental Enforcer, is sent on a fact finding mission to Marshall, by the Druid Council. She needs to find out exactly what is happening in Montana before the Tribunal goes in and kills everyone.
The last thing she expects to find is a Tracker, and is even more surprised to find out that he is on her side. But can they get past their initial feelings upon meeting and the sexual tension? Or will the evil that is living in the mountain kill them both.
Ryder and Kyra must learn to work together to destroy the shadow and save Kyra from a fate worse than death. When pure evil is involved is love enough?
Author Bio:
Christie was born and raised in a suburb of Salt Lake City, Ut. She lives less than a mile from the home she grew up in. World traveler she is not. But what she lacked in travel she more than made up for in her imagination. Within her vivid imagination she has traveled the world over as well as different worlds and different times.
She works a full time day job to pay the bills but loses herself in books and her writing whenever possible.
She is a loving mother of two wonderful children that she admits she is obsessed with. She has been married for 18 years to a very tolerant man that is grounded in reality in order for her to fly to the heights of her own imagination.
She started writing when she was a teenager after reading a book that she didn't like the ending too. Took a hiatus to raise her wonderful children but has dedicated herself to becoming a published writer for the last several years.
www.author-christiepalmer.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/christie.palmer.5011
Twitter: @christieauthor
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/11563672-christie-palmer
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You've Gone Too Far This Time, Sir! Giveaway
You've Gone Too Far This Time, Sir!Danny BentGenre: Adventure, Experiential, Inspirational
Publisher: Taylor Street Books
ISBN: 10: 1477435972ASIN: 10: 1477435972
Number of pages: 240Word Count: 91,949
Have you ever woken up in the sultry heat of the morning, your hair and beard teeming with maggots, and then had potatoes picked out of your ears?
Have you ever felt the cold barrel of a semi automatic gun against your forehead?
When Danny Bent cycled 15,000 kilometres from the UK to India to raise money for ActionAid, it was a decision that took twenty years and one minute. For twenty years he had wanted to do something to raise money for charity. The one minute was when as their teacher he was put on the spot by his pupils and declared that the means was by bike, and he was going to India.
What he had signed up for was slogging along roads with trucks bearing down on him, unable to see and choking in the smog; shooting down treacherous descents with 100 foot drops, shaking with cold and too numb to brake; muscle burn and saddle sores; delirium and food poisoning; thirst and malnutrition; foul and insanitary conditions; life-threatening crises; obstructive border guards, crazed dogs and inquisitive passers-by.
'You've Gone Too Far This Time, Sir!' is a real and compelling blow-by-blow account of Danny's trip across Europe, the former Soviet Republics, Russia, China, Pakistan and India.
And what people he met! They are the true delight of this book, mostly charming, sometimes reckless, occasionally threatening, always unpredictable, and forever inviting Danny to be up for the challenge of entertaining them, in one instance by dancing in front of a packed stadium, in another by eating sheep's brains in a local night market.
Danny turns the wheels, you turn the pages. The pace is relentless. The story is both heart-stopping and heart-warming. The arrival is breakdown-and-cry emotional. And there's loads of fun and wonderment along the way too.
What a book! What a ride! Live your dream.
Go for it, Danny.
Amazon.com Kindle Smashwords
About the Author:Danny Bent was born near Buxton in the Peak District into a very loving and supportive family.
His father was an international athlete and Danny was necessarily introduced to the attractions and rigours of sport at a very early age, and to cycling (down steps) not long afterwards.
He is an international tri-athlete and a bog diver, and has an aptitude for the sort of adventures which require major endurance and a great deal of luck to survive.
Fortunately for us, he is also an excellent raconteur, loves life and hugs people whenever possible, which means he gets access to a host of excellent stories and escapades he can roll around his tongue, and entertain us thoroughly, all at the same time.
Web: www.dannybent.com
FB - http://www.facebook.com/danny.bent
Twitter: www.twitter.com/dannybent
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Release Day Blitz Her Heart's Secret Wish
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Her Heart's Secret WishJuliana HaygertPublisher: Decadent PublishingPublication Date: Dec/12/2012
Word Count: 13,000
Genre: NA contempory romance
Book Description:
With a renowned reputation as a player, she had everything figured out...
Twenty-year-old college student, Natasha is the life of every party and the reason behind many celebrations. The easiest girl on campus has all guys at her feet and more than a few in her bed.
…until he came into the game…
Having entered the academic world by chance, Professor Jason Stone is surprised to find one of his young students a huge temptation. The infamous Natasha has caught his attention. But is there more to her than meets the eye?
…and changed the rules.
As their unexpected friendship grows, so does their attraction to each other. When Jason’s Christmas plans are canceled and he ends up at the same party as Natasha, sparks flare, destroying the safe zone around them. Will they figure out how to break through their self-imposed barriers to be together, or lose one another forever?
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16238589-her-heart-s-secret-wish
Excerpt:
Her delicate brows knitted together. “What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be with your family?”“Change of plans.” His tone was as harsh as his disappointment. “I had to stay and saw a few posters hanging around the school. Thought it was a better option than spending Christmas Eve alone.”The corner of her lips curled up. “Definitely.”Though he tried, he couldn’t ignore just how beautiful and vulnerable she appeared. Her long, brown hair fell around her porcelain face and into a smooth cascade down her back. Her usually energetic green eyes shone with relief instead. She wore red lipstick, which only made her mouth more inviting. The dress hugged her perfect curves, the hemline promising fun things on the other side.Jesus.Jason shook his head and shifted his gaze away. He’d probably caught her making plans for later, and he still wanted her? His mind was so messed up.“You don’t seem so well. What is it?” She stepped closer and her spicy perfume taunted his will.He held his breath for a moment and focused. “I’m good.” He smiled at her, transforming into his usual self. The laidback gaming nerd, and fun professor he brought out for his students.“Come in.” She gestured to the living room. “The party is starting.”Somewhere over the last six or seven months, when their conversations had become more profound and frequent, he had lost his mind. Six or seven months ago, he would never have crashed a student party so he could stare at one of them.Helpless, he followed her.
About the Author:Juliana is a Brazilian girl living in Connecticut.
She would love to be Wonder Woman, Cheetara, Elektra, Buffy, Phoebe, She-ra, Rose, Korra, Cornelia, a blood elf shadow priest, and other various kick-ass female from comics, TV series, movies, books and games, but she settles for—the less exciting but equally gratifying life—a wife, mother, friend and a writer. Her heroines are like the ones cited above and she also writes about the heroes who drive them crazy—and occasionally hot.
Since her first stories, she wrote about 20-something year old protagonists. Nowadays, besides writing full time, she battles for the recognition of New Adult as a category.
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