Roxanne Rhoads's Blog, page 515

Now On Tour The Corpse Goddess by Kristi Jones

Hi everyone!
My name is Kristi…welcome to the first stop on my very first blog tour! My debut novel, The Corpse Goddess, was recently released by Evernight Publishing. It’s an urban fantasy novel about Valkyries, a zombie (or two), and gods behaving badly.  I like to think of it as a zombie love story with a twist.
Take a look at the schedule below and stop by the awesome blogs I’ll be visiting. We’ll talk about Valkyries, the walking dead and what it means to be immortal! We’ll also have a few giveaways along the way.
Thanks to all the wonderful bloggers who agreed to host me and my new book. I can’t wait to get to know you all!


August 3 Tour IntroFang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
August 4 InterviewRoxanne’s Realmwww.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com
August 5 Guest blogThe Creatively Green Write at Home Momwww.creativelygreen.blogspot.com
August 8 PromoMila Ramos, Paranormal & Contemporary Romance http://jademystique.blogspot.com 
August 8 reviewForget About TV, Grab a Bookforgetabouttvgrababook.blogspot.com
August 9 InterviewComfort Books: http://paigebradish1996.blogspot.com/
August 11 Interview Laurie's Paranormal Thoughts & Reviews http://lauriethoughts-reviews.blogspot.com
August 13 PromoUrban Girl Reader – http://www.urbangirlreader.com 
August 14 guest blogCaptivated Readinghttp://captivatedreading.com
August 15 reviewAmber's Supernatural & YA Reviewshttp://ambersupernaturalandya.blogspot.com/
August 16 Promo and reviewHappy tails and talesWww.magluvsya03.wordpress.com
August 17 InterviewPreternatura: http://suzanne-johnson.blogspot.com
August 17 ReviewPersephone's Winged Reviewswingedpersephone.wordpress.com
August 18 Guest blogA Great Book Is The Cheapest Vacationhttp://www.bookmarkyourthoughts.com
August 19 Guest blog and reviewRomance Book Junkieshttp://romancebookjunkies.blogspot.com
August 19 review and promoHD's Reading Cornerhttp://hdsreadingcorner.blogspot.com/
August 20 Guest blogThe Speculative Salon http://speculativesalon.blogspot.com/
August 20 reviewParanormal Cravings - Paranormal Book Review Bloghttp://paranormalcravings.blogspot.com
August 21 Guest blogCoffee Beans & Love Scenes http://coffeebeanslovescenes.blogspot.com
August 22 Interview and promoRai29BookReadNReview – http://rai29bookreadnreview.blogspot.co.uk/
August 24 PromoSapphyria's Book Reviews.saphsbookblog.blogspot.com
August 25 Interview and reviewBooks & Other Spells: http://nightskydarkstar.blogspot.com
August 26 Interview and reviewZombiegirl Shamblinghttp://zombiegirlshambling.blogspot.com/
August 27 Interview and reviewMy Guilty Obsessionhttp://myguiltyobsession.blogspot.com/
August 27 Promo and reviewwww.stormgoddessbookreviews.blogspot.com
August 28 Guest blogA Soul Unsung http://soulunsung.blogspot.com
August 28 Promohttp://www.destinyblaine.blogspot.com/
August 30 Promo and review, Playlistwhoopeeyoo :Dhttp://whoopeeyoo.com
August 30 ReviewWTF Are You Reading?http://wtfareyoureading.com
August 31 Guest blogA Bibliophile's Thoughts on Bookshttp://bibliophilesthoughtsonbooks.blogspot.com/
August 31 Interview and reviewHttp://blackhippiechick.wordpress.comBlack Hippie Chick's Take on Books & The World
August 31 PromoNazish Readshttp://www.nazishreads.net
The Corpse GoddessBy Kristi Jones
Genre:Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Evernight PublishingASIN:B008EZXJ7E
Number of pages: 274Word Count: 79,034
Blurb/Book Description:
Party girl Meg Highbury wakes up the morning of her twenty-first birthday with one hell of a hangover – and a walking corpse in her apartment.  Meg turns to her straight-laced neighbor Armando for help and together they discover that Meg is a Valkyrie. 
What’s more, her first duty is to trade places with the corpse.  But Meg is being sent to her Death Duty too soon. In a race against time, Meg frantically tries to find a loophole to her gruesome fate, but while Meg is determined to live whatever the cost, Armando's strict moral principles keep getting in the way of her plans for escape.
Can Meg walk the 'right' and narrow path, possibly sacrificing her mortal life, for love? And if she can, will Armando have the stomach to love a rotting corpse of a girl who is falling apart in more ways than one?
Evernight Publishing
Amazon
Author Bio:
Kristi Jones spent her childhood exploring European castles, crumbling manor houses and ornate cathedrals, always looking for secret passages and hidden rooms.  She holds a degree in European history and loves to throw ‘ordinary’ characters into extraordinary circumstances. 
She currently lives in south Texas with her husband and two children, who inspire her daily.  She is a member of the Writers’ League of Texas and Romance Writers of America.  She loves old movies, being a Mom, the feel of paper in her hands and things that go bump in the night.
http://kristimjones.com/
http://authorkristijones.blogspot.com/
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15724882-the-corpse-goddess
http://www.facebook.com/authorkristijones
https://twitter.com/authorkristi
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Interview with Nichola Moffat

Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself and what inspired to write in this particular genre?
A bit about me… We’ll I’m twenty years old, I have been writing for six years now, I love to write as I feel I’m exploring my own imagination, I am a film fanatic… Huh, it’s harder than it sounds telling people about me! As for the genre I write in, I write what I love otherwise I doubt it would be any good.
What is it about the paranormal, in particular vampires, that fascinates you so much?
I live with my head in the clouds so I suppose it’s the lack of normality that I like. I’m definitely a dreamer. As for vampires, what’s not to like? The ‘average’ vampire in today’s culture is mysterious, smart and, more often than not, tall dark and handsome. And they’re immortal - let’s not forget that part.
What inspired you to write this book?
I just felt it was a story I really wanted to write, the characters had something to say. It’s not that I was inspired to write the book, the story was just there and yearning to be written.


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’ll try a lot of names out before I assign one. For a long time most of my characters don’t have names in fact. I won’t look for a specific meaning, in most cases anyway, I just go with what feels right. I alway say I don’t choose the name, the character does.
Is there a character that you enjoyed writing more than any of the others?
I really liked writing about Ollie Conners and I really wish I’d allowed readers to know more about him. It was interesting creating an Angel of Death and I suppose I’d like to explore the concept more at some point.
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?
It’s like with the names, I don’t decided, the characters and their personalities come to me partly formed and as I write I discover more about them in terms of personality and motivation.
What is your favorite scene from the book? Could you share a little bit of it, without spoilers of course?
Without spoilers? I’m not exactly great at that so I’ll just say I like the storm.
Can you tell readers a little bit about the world building in the book/series? How does this world differ from our normal world?
We’ll people can go back  in time for a start! I’d point out that there’s a world between life and death but who am I to claim there isn’t a one in reality too? Other than that, it’s a pretty average world.

Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? How do you deal with it?
I do sometimes, but then I just skip to writing a different chapter until I feel ready to complete the one I got stuck on.
Do you have any weird writing quirks or rituals?
I don’t write the book in order if that counts? I write key scenes first and then simply fill in the blanks.
Do you write in different genres?
I’ve only really dabbled in paranormal and fantasy so far but I’ve got ideas forming for a romance.
When did you consider yourself a writer?
When I had my first short story published though a competition. Having my work published made me suddenly feel like a professional.
What are your guilty pleasures in life?
I’m not really guilty about any of my pleasures! I do love chocolate and films though. Sorry for not being more exciting.
Other than writing, what are some of your interests, hobbies or passions in life?
I’m a film fanatic and as you can imagine I love to read.
What was the last amazing book you read?
The Hunger Games - I’ve read a lot of books since then but none with the same wow factor. I like a story that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page, that’s the mark of a good read.
Where is your favorite place to read? Do you have a cozy corner or special reading spot?
I can read anywhere and still lose myself just as easily in the story. I read a lot in bed but I’m a very fidgety person and am always moving spots.
Where can readers find you on the web?
Well, our novel, The Days before, can be found on amazon (Kindle Version and Paper Back Versions) at this link:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007K8DC32Also on the following websites:https://www.facebook.com/TheDaysBeforehttp://www.softerdreams.com
Would you like to leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from the book?Definitely yes
EXERCPT FROM THE DAYS BEFORE:
Emylya headed over to the empty table and began to clear the empty mugs and plates onto a tray. As always, the young boy had pulled his tomato out from his sandwich and left it on the side of the plate. The tray of dishes was balancing precariously on Emylya’s arm as she wiped down the tabletop and straightened up the condiments. On the floor was Mrs Harman’s purse.“Oh, Katrina!” she called, holding up the purse by way of explanation.“She’s always leaving something,” Katrina said with a roll of her eyes. She moved towards the windows and glanced up and down the road. Despite it being nearly half past six there was still a surprising amount of people out and about. “Oh, look! I can see her, she stood at the bus stop just over the street. Could you be a doll, Em?”“Sure thing,” Emylya put the tray back down on the table and untied her apron before running out the door and into the street.And then there was nothing.“Emylya Sawyer, eighteen, female, sister, friend, sixth form drop out...” The man peered over his fact sheet and gazed up at Emylya, whose eyes were just beginning to flicker open. His face was covered in a thin layer of red stubble which matched his mop of rugged hair. “Glad to see you’re coming around,” he gave a slight hint of a smile before continuing. “Musician? Loved one? Maybe even a murderer.”“You know nothing,” Emylya spat and wiped away the blood that ran freely from her cheek.“Correction, I know much. Though, if denial is your thing, I suppose I could drop it down to just an accomplice to murder. And denial is your thing, isn’t it, Emylya?”“Who are you?” She pulled herself up to lean on her elbows and peered around the room. She was sitting in a hospital bed, dressed in the usual bland gown. At her sides the machines lay dormant while beyond the swinging doors the hospital appeared dead. She watched them for a second, just willing a less observant doctor to waltz in.The man grinned, as he did a flicker of knowing burned behind his emerald eyes. “Most would call me Grim, but for you I’ll go by Ollie. And anyway, if I were to go by Grim I’d be one of many. Oh, and I’m not your doctor.”…………


The Days BeforeBy Nichola Moffat and Lubowa M.Planet
Genre: FantasyISBN: 978-1470153434ASIN: B007K8DC32
Number of pages: 358Word Count: 41,188
Purchase Links: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007K8DC32
Book Description:
The days before is a novel of Fantasy and mystery.
In this novel, Ollie Connor is a man with many answers, but his very existence raises many more questions, just as Emylya is about to find out.

When Emylya has an accident which brings her close to losing her life she ends up in Ollie's world, a place between death and life. Back on Earth her body is in a deep coma which she may never wake from. Ollie can change that. He's an Angel of Death and one with an offer to make.

To get the offer means you’ve missed an opportunity, one that could have brought you untold happiness. Emylya can, if she chooses, go back to Earth for thirty days, and try to find her opportunity on the condition she forfeits her life entirely afterwards. Or she can lay back in her coma, and wait. It all comes down to how much she values her forever.

Enter Sam Fisher; he’s smart, handsome and about to burst into Emylya’s life in a riot of colour, taking her on a journey that will change both of their lives forever.
 Author Bio:
Nichola first started writing at the age of fourteen when she was entered into a local essay competition through school. Out of nearly three hundred entrants she came first, her prize being having her work published and receiving a laptop, and having caught the writing bug she has not stopped churning out words since.
By the age of seventeen she'd won another two competitions, had a short story published, won an award for her work and self-published two novels. Despite having a deep love for fiction she has also published  press releases, submitted several articles to a variety of websites and aided the company she previously worked for with business letters, press releases for both newspaper and radio and in-store posters.
Nichola Moffat was born in the United Kingdom where she currently lives at Cornhill on Tweed, Northumberland
http://www.softerdreams.com  https://www.facebook.com/TheDaysBeforehttps://twitter.com/#!/LubowaMPhttp://www.amazon.com/-/e/B007RYT6J8

Taking Chances Excerpt and Giveaway

“All right, Roz, you’re all set. I’ve got everything moved around like you wanted,” Alex said, coming up to the table. “Thanks, hon, I appreciate you coming in before work.” “So did you get everything squared away?” he asked. Clair quickly looked at Roz, knowing exactly what Alex was asking. Roz gave her a faint smile and nodded. Her eyes welled up with tears and she bit her lip, trying to hold them back. Alex had seen her cry enough last night and she didn’t want to let him see it again. But she had to say something to him. All she wanted to do when she left his apartment was eat breakfast and leave. She didn’t ask him for a handout or to share her private business with whomever. “Roz, can you give me a minute with Alex before he leaves?” She nodded and gave up her seat. “I’ll be back in a few to continue our conversation.”Clair waited for Roz to walk far enough away so as not to hear her conversation before she spoke. "Why Alex? Why did you tell her?" She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. "Tell who what? What are you talking about?" "What made you think it was okay to tell Roz my personal business?" She leaned over the table toward him, making sure Alex heard every word. "I didn't mean for it to happen, it just came out that…” “Just because you most likely saved my life last night doesn't mean I need to be saved from everything else that is screwed up." The volume of her voice rose the more she talked and she noticed other people turning in their seats to look. "I wasn't trying to pity you, I was only trying to help," he yelled defensively. "Well, nothing good ever comes from a guy trying to help me out. There's always something more they want out of the deal,” she said, lips trembling. “You won't be getting anything out of me, so you can just move on to someone else." She looked away as fat tears spilled down her cheeks. She swiftly wiped them away with the back of her hands. The diner was quiet and Clair turned around to see everyone watching their scene play out. Looking back at Alex, he only stared at her, the corners of his lips turned down. She couldn’t bear his sad expression or the beady eyes from the guests at the diner, as they bored into her from every direction. Clair bolted out of her seat, and ran into the bathroom, shielding herself from the onlookers. Leaning over the sink in the bathroom, Clair looked in the mirror. Her lip was puffy and swollen and there was a bruise around the edge of her left eye. She turned the faucet on and ran her hands through the cool water. Splashing water on her face, she mixed it with the tears that still streamed down her cheeks. She looked in the mirror again, asking herself the one question that would forever alter her life. “What should I do? Do I stay or go?” Behind her in the mirror, she saw Roz, who placed a hand on Clair’s shoulder and looked at her reflection. “Well that’s an easy decision, hon. You stay of course,” she smiled.“I don’t know,” she said, shaking her head. “Well, I hope you’re not basing your decision on Alex. He really felt bad about what happened to you last night. When he was telling me about you, he didn’t know you were still in town. It upset him that you left and were still out there, possibly needing his help. He might not have known you long, but it’s evident that he cares. I can see it in his eyes. Alex has been through a lot and… well, that’s all I’ll say about it. If he wants you to know the details, he’ll fill you in at some point, if you stay.”Clair was touched that Alex seemed to care about what happened to her. Should she really pass up on a chance of starting over when it was being offered to her on a silver platter? “Yes. I will accept your offer,” she announced as she wrapped her arms around this former stranger, this woman who was willing to give her a chance. Maybe she wouldn’t have to run anymore.

August 1 Tour IntroRoxanne’s Realmwww.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com
August 2 PromoFang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
August 3 Guest blogCreatively Greenwww.creativelygreen.blogspot.com
August 5 PromoLisa’s World of Bookswww.lisasworldofbooks.net
August 8 Guest blogthefaeryromanticlibrarian.blogspot.com 
August 9 PromoCoffee Beans & Love Scenes http://coffeebeanslovescenes.blogspot.com 
August 10 Promohttp://aobibliosphere.blogspot.com/
August 13 reviewThe Autumn Reviewwww.autumnreview.com 
August 17 Guest blog and reviewAndi's Book Reviews
August 17 Promo/Playlistwhoopeeyoo :D http://whoopeeyoo.com
August 18 Reviewwww.book-whisperer.blogspot.com
August 19 Guest blogCaptivated Readinghttp://captivatedreading.com 
August 20 guest blogA Bibliophile's Thoughts on Bookshttp://bibliophilesthoughtsonbooks.blogspot.com/ 
August 21 PromoNette's Bookshelf Reviewshttp://nettesbookshelf.blogspot.com
August 22 Interview and reviewRomance Book Junkieshttp://romancebookjunkies.blogspot.com
August 23 Guest blog and reviewMy Neurotic Book Affairhttp://myneuroticbookaffair.blogspot.com

August 24 Guest blog and reviewBookish Things & More www.bookishthingsandmore.com 

August 28 Interview and reviewLiterature lovers labrynith www.literaturelabrynith.wordpress.com
August 30 PromoMama Knows Books http://mamaknowsbooks.blogspot.com
reviewJackie @ The BookWhisperer





Taking Chances         
By Loni Flowers
Genre: Adult Contemporary RomanceDate of Publication: March 1st, 2012ISBN: 978-1468184587ASIN: B006X6FTJC
Number of pages: 382Word Count: 86,000+
Amazon            Barnes & Noble         Smashwords   

Blurb/Book Description:
At age twenty-three, Alex has had a hard life. His parents died when he was quite young, leaving his grandparents to raise him. Right before his high school graduation, his grandparents passed on too, leaving him all alone.
After losing everyone he's ever loved, Alex turns to the streets in a self-destructive pattern until he finally ends up in Springhill, where he tries to make a new life for himself.
Clair’s childhood was normal until age thirteen, when her father left the family and she never heard from him again. Consequently, her mother went into a deep depression, forcing Clair to grow up quickly.
After finishing high school, Clair’s heartache over her father’s absence as well as her unbearable mother drive her to strike out on her own. But having nowhere to go and no family to speak of, Clair wanders aimlessly from town to town, homeless, and without purpose. Looking for work wherever she goes and living hand to mouth on the streets is tough, Clair discovers, but living with her mother is worse.
Now twenty-one years old, Clair has found her way to the last place she and her family took their final vacation as a family--Springhill. While in town, she crosses paths with Alex and their ensuing relationship grows faster than expected. Soon Clair wonders if coming back to Springhill and meeting Alex was the best decision or the worst decision she ever made.

Author Bio:  
Loni Flowers lives in Eastern North Carolina with her husband; two wild toddlers, who never slow down for a second; and three couch-potato dogs, who only raise an eye when foods around. She spends her days working full-time for a well-known bank. When she's not playing on the internet or chatting on Twitter or Facebook, she spends her free time with friends and family waiting for the next big idea strike.
She enjoys reading most anything, but is a sucker for a good romance story. Contemporary romance is her writing genre of choice but isn't opposed to writing something different should an excellent idea hit.
Some of her favorite authors include: L.J. Kentowski, Stefne Miller, Cassandra Clare, J.K. Rowling, and Karen Marie Moning, Nicholas Sparks, Jodi Picoult... just to name a few.

Blog: http://www.loniflowersauthor.com/
Web: http://www.loniflowers.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/LoniFlowers
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/AuthorLoniFlowers
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5405526.Loni_Flowers

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now on Tour DENIED SHADOWED LOVE, BOOK TWO by Kinley Baker

Welcome to the Shadowed Love Book Tour! I’m so excited the second book in the series just released from Crescent Moon Press. Denied is the story of a Warrior fighting for the right to be the first female guard in her kingdom, and a gentle giant from another realm, who’s struggling to find a place for his men after his people lost their women and children in a brutal invasion. Tabitha only wants to fight. Caleb only wants to protect her. It’s a battle to the very end.
In Ruined, the first story in the series, newly crowned King Vale of the Shadow Shifters falls for his forbidden Senior Healer Jessa, a woman he can’t let go.
If you’re not sure about the Shadow Shifters, discover the Realm of Shadows along with Falon and Ella as they both strive to fulfill their destinies by joining forces and saving their people in the prequel novella, Freed.
Thank you for the opportunity to share, and I hope you’ll get lost in a realm where passions lead, evil lurks, and shadows rule.

August 1 Tour Intro Fang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com 
August 1 PromoAndi's Book Reviews http://andisbookreviews.blogspot.com
August 2 reviewssamthebookaholicwww.samthebookaholic.wordpress.com
August 3 Guest blog and reviewshttp://tiensblurb.wordpress.com/
August 4 Guest blogRoxanne’s Realmwww.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com
August 5 Guest BlogThe Creatively Green Write at Home Momwww.creativelygreen.blogspot.com 
August 9 Promowww.julianahaygert.com/blognews/
August 10 PromoBookin' It Reviews ~ http://www.bookinitreviews.com/
August 12 PromoCaptivated Readinghttp://captivatedreading.com
Aug 16Bookworm Babblingshttp://inspirationsbysimone.blogspot.com

August 17 InterviewSultry Storyteller/ http://sultrystoryteller.blogspot.com/
Aug 18Guest blogParanormal Romantic Suspense, http://sjclarke.com/blog-2/
August 22 InterviewMarshaAMoore.blogspot.com
August 23 Guest blogMila Ramos, Paranormal & Contemporary Romance http://jademystique.blogspot.com
August 24 PromoBeLoved Books http://belovedbooks-rose.blogspot.com/
August 24 reviewThe Daydreamer's Book Obsessionhttp://thedaydreamer3.blogspot.com
August 29 reviewTBQ's Book Palacehttp://tbqspersonalbookpalace.blogspot.com/
August 30 review and promowhoopeeyoo :D http://whoopeeyoo.com
August 31 PromoBeverly @ The Wormholehttp://wormyhole.blogspot.com
October 17 - interviewOctober 18 - review - RuinedOctober 24 - review – DeniedBeverly @ The Wormholehttp://wormyhole.blogspot.com




DENIED SHADOWED LOVE, BOOK TWO 
When invaders brutally massacred the women and children of the Varner, Caleb witnessed loss and destruction on a scale few can comprehend. As the leader of a race on the brink of extinction, his only hope for survival is gaining acceptance into the Shadow Shifter Kingdom. Struggling with new customs, he meets Tabitha, a woman who challenges his limits. 
Refused the right to join the king’s guard because of her gender, Tabitha must be stronger than the men to prove she deserves to be the first accepted female Warrior in the kingdom. She believes Caleb will help improve her abilities, until she learns her goals conflict with the foundation of his culture. 
When the realm is attacked, Tabitha and Caleb must come together not only to fight, but to find the strength to win against an evil with the potential to destroy everything they revere most--including each other. 
Add DENIED as To-Read on GoodReads! 
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13646204-denied 
www.kinleybaker.com 
http://authorkinleybaker.blogspot.com 
www.twitter.com/kinleybaker 
www.facebook.com/kinleybaker 
http://www.goodreads.com/kinleybaker 
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kinley-Baker/196649877015210 
BIO: 

About the Author:
Kinley Baker is the author of the fantasy romance series, Shadowed Love. She read her first romance at the age of thirteen and immediately fell in love with the hero and the genre. 


She lives with her husband, Benjamin, and her dog, Joker, in the Pacific Northwest. Ruined, Denied, and Freed are all available now from Crescent Moon Press. 


Look for a new paranormal romance series in 2013. As a firm supporter of all supernatural lifestyles, she writes fantasy, paranormal, and futuristic romances. 


You can find Kinley at www.kinleybaker.com


http://authorkinleybaker.blogspot.com


www.twitter.com/kinleybaker


www.facebook.com/kinleybaker


http://www.goodreads.com/kinleybaker


http://www.facebook.com/AuthorKinleyBaker 

Interview with Pandora Richardson

What is it about the paranormal, in particular vampires, that fascinates you so much?

The escape that the genre provides is what fascinates me. The creatures and scenario’s make me wish that I could be a part of these worlds. I love sci-fi too, but in sci-fi you know that you don’t belong in that world, it’s too remote, too distant to even consider, but in the paranormal especially vampires, you feel and even hope that you may have that chance encounter or get a glimpse of or chance to join in this world. What’s not to love about a genre that often promotes the idea of immortality or superhuman abilities?

What inspired you to write this book?
I originally set out to write a novel about a vampire but put that project on hold to focus on a tale of a 25 year old in a unique situation. What inspired me was the trend in the genre itself to focus a lot on the power, world, and coolness factor of being an immortal or shifter. I wanted to see if I could write a character who was stuck in the human world and struggling to find her place in it. I wanted to explore the very real challenges that many 25 year old women go through, with several twists and complications that are obviously paranormal, but relatable, nonetheless.
Please tell us about your latest release.
Amelia Jones is a werewolf and a Private Detective who takes a case that gets out of hand. This is the surface story. But what Amelia is truly about is a young woman trying to find herself and navigating through various situations that challenge all that she thought about herself, her world, and her lifestyle. Growing up a werewolf in secret has had a longstanding impact on her life and in this particular book, Lost, things are just getting shaken up. Amelia has a long journey ahead of her and the various situations and difficulties Amelia finds herself in in this book, is just the tip of the iceberg.
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 wouldn’t say I have a special formula, but often my names do have meaning and have a lot to do with either the plot of the story or attributes of the character. Other times, I like to pay tribute to my favorite characters from other novels that I enjoy, but in subtle ways.

What is your favorite scene from the book? Could you share a little bit of it, without spoilers of course?
My favorite scene in the book would have to be Amelia’s first encounter with her client’s husband. Up to this point in the story, we know that Amelia is reserved and afraid of encounters with the opposite sex, but to close her case she has to meet with the husband. This scene and chapter was my first chance as a writer to really deal with the varied emotions and conflicts in the main characters’ mind and provided me my first opportunity to write a scene that I think is memorable. Without giving nothing away, this scene in chapter five of my book helped pave the way for too more similar scenes in the book and caused me to pursue writing more romantic genres.

With the book being part of a series, are there any character or story arcs, that readers jumping in somewhere other than the first book, need to be aware of? Can these books be read as stand alones?
I have already begun work on the second book which I believe will be OK as a standalone, but in general it would be difficult to jump right into the series as I continue to release more novels. In the first novel there are at least five concurrent story arcs that are present that will have far-reaching consequences as they play out and while some aren’t as detailed as they will be in the first book, overtime, it will become necessary to read the series from the beginning to truly understand Amelia’s world.
Do any of your characters have similar characteristics of yourself in them and what are they?
Amelia and I are alike in the sense that we’re both very indecisive and have a tendency to jump feet first into a situation without really thinking through the consequences, or we push forward even when we know we shouldn’t. That’s about where our similarities end as I spent a great deal writing myself out of the novel. If we were more alike, Amelia wouldn’t be so innocent and much more aggressive and sarcastic then she is. I’m a lot like Spider-man, I would make smart, snarky comments on the fly, plus I have a dark sense of humor. Amelia’s too reserved for that, at least at this point in her life.

Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? How do you deal with it?
Too often. To recover, I usually go on a reading binge, ignoring my writing schedule and spending time in other author’s worlds. At some point, I’m re-inspired and return to my own writing. Eventually.

Do you write in different genres?
Yes. I currently write an erotic series and have a romantic novel and sci-fi titles in the works.

Do you find it difficult to write in multiple genres?
No. I believe a writer is only limited by their imagination. However, I believe that there will be some slippage from one genre to the next. For instance light erotica can often slip into paranormal genres along with romance. In one of my sci-fi novels for instance, vampires and shifters exist, so there’s some definite genre confusion going on there.
When did you consider yourself a writer?
I’m still working on that title. I write and have some published works, I’ve even managed to sell and give away some copies, but I personally won’t feel comfortable with the title in it’s entirety until I’m able to quit my day job.
What are your guilty pleasures in life?
I love Vampires, Chocolate, and sex and not necessarily in that order. Am I too revealing?
Other than writing, what are some of your interests, hobbies or passions in life?
I’m actually a serious geek. I’m a high ranking Sith, member of Starfleet, and own a timeshare in Mordor. Other than that, I’m also into tech, cars, and video games.
What was the last amazing book you read?
I’m on book five in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward. I’m loving each one of them so far.
What can readers expect next from you?
Definitely more Amelia Jones and erotic encounters, but I’m really excited about my vampire novels and zombie stories I have in the pipeline.

Where can readers find you on the web?
Pandorarichardson.com@authorpandora on Twitterauthorpandorarichardson on Facebook
Would you like to leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from the book?
Certainly JBe warned, adult semi-erotic content from the novel.I stood in a clearing surrounded by a circle of trees. The scents of the forest filled me, and I yearned for them like one hungers for fresh-baked bread. I was naked and I looked down at myself, enjoying the faint glow of moonlight as it danced across my skin. I knew this was a dream—something deep within let me know that—but it was also something more. I felt more at home in this place than in any other I had ever been.“Home,” I whispered into the night, feeling a pleasure that warmed my insides like a hearth’s fire warms the hands on a wintery day. Was this place really home? Deep down, I really didn’t care. I inhaled the chilly night air, slowly filling my lungs to their maximum capacity, and exhaled, watching the clouds my breath made. The cool, moist earth tickled my bare feet and I giggled. The sensation of the wet grass between my toes was wonderful.Then I heard a sound and felt something or someone coming toward me. My eyes darted toward the sound of rustling leaves, and I peered into the thick forest, trying to focus on the source. Then the clearing became quiet again. I tilted my head back slightly and inhaled again; the familiar smell of wolf was in the air. My body tensed with the instinctual knowledge that danger was close at hand.The crunch of dried leaves and the crackle of branches broke the silent standoff, and I saw the wolf darting off into the forest. Without a moment of hesitation, my beast rushed to surface, I shifted my body and ran after it.I gave chase through the forest, avoiding branches, ditches, and fallen trees with the slightest turn of my body. The wolf was ahead of me; he was fast, but I was faster. His scent filled the air. He was afraid, and the smell of his fear excited me. I ran faster. He leaped and bounded through the trees. Panic overtook him and he stumbled several times as a result. This slowed him down and I pressed harder after him. But even with all my effort and all his mistakes, he still was just out of reach. No matter how hard or fast I ran I couldn’t catch him. I would be within striking distance and then suddenly far away.My heart was pounding, and my tongue began to flap with fatigue. I didn’t have the stamina for this chase, and there didn’t seem to be enough adrenaline to keep me going. He sensed my failure was at hand, and the scent of triumph filled the air.My anger was so intense it nearly consumed my flesh. I clamped my muzzle tightly and quickened my pace anew. I got close enough to bite down on his bushy grey tail, but instead clamped my jaws around one of his hind legs as he tried to change direction.He yelped and fell over whimpering and I was right on him. His form began to shift and elongate as I prepared to go for his throat.I froze in mid-strike. He was tall, pale, and his intense blue eyes seemed to bore into me. I looked at him, shocked, amazed, and finally confused. I tried to call out his name, but couldn’t. He smiled and placed a finger to his lips.
My eyes shot open and I sat up in my bed, panting. Except it wasn’t my bed at all.Pleasure shot through my body like a bolt of lightning before I could form a coherent thought. I was naked and chained to a bed in a room that vaguely resembled my own. My arms were bound to the headboard, and my legs were chained spread-eagle to the bottom. I couldn’t move and didn’t want to as I lay with my back arched. Tender kisses and gentle caresses wove in, out, around, and in between my thighs. My body writhed and twisted, captive of sensations I had never known.What was happening felt too wonderful for me to think, too intense for me to focus, and too great to care about anything. Every new motion and flick of the tongue negated even my slightest attempt at thought or protest. All the nerves in my body tingled in delight, and I moaned deep in my throat.My head fell back and my eyes rolled up into my head from the intensity. My stomach clenched and my hips began to undulate as I tried to free myself from what felt like a bomb preparing to detonate between my legs. My body filled with heat and my skin became moist with sweat as I squirmed and shimmied. My thighs quivered and I tightened around the tongue as it pressed deeper inside of me. My eyelids fluttered as I panted from what I instinctively knew was about to happen. I struggled to see my captor and raised my head just as the pace sped up, causing the tension in my body to increase and my toes to curl. I moaned and threw my head back, screaming as my entire body exploded in a rush of excitement and pleasure.Everything went bright as if the sun had blinded me.My entire body tensed, released, tensed, and released again. I shivered violently and then fell still. The chains around my wrists and ankles rattled as I did. Nothing seemed to matter. I felt as if I were simultaneously floating and going to melt into the sheets. Strong hands gripped my thighs. The power I felt in them sent another rush of heat through my body.It took a lot of effort to open my eyes. I peered through the haze and stared into bright eyes and a smiling face. My eyes widened and my heart raced. His blue eyes and boyish grin seemed to sparkle in response. He placed a finger gingerly on my full lips when I tried to speak. The scent of roses filled the room.

Lost
By Pandora RichardsonAmelia Jones Private Detective Series, Book 1
Genre: Mystery, ParanormalASIN: B00802VL80
Number of pages: 172Word Count: 61,000
Purchase Links: http://amzn.to/AmeliaJones
Book Description:
Amelia Jones finds her world turned upside down after meeting a wealthy client who needs evidence of her husband’s infidelity. Even though Amelia's offered a lot of money to go undercover in order to catch him, the situation is more than she can handle and unlike anything the young, virginal detective has ever experienced. Deep down Amelia knows that she should not accept the case, but the allure of money is too hard to resist. Distracted by a series of mysterious events and delicious eye candy, Amelia is lost with choices that threaten to reveal secrets that should remain hidden.
Author Bio:
Pandora Richardson grew up in Northern New Jersey with a pen and a pad stuck in her hand. Throughout her childhood she was either writing the next great American Novel or painting the next Mona Lisa. She always imagined that she would be famous as a writer, an artist, or both. However, life eventually got in the way of her dreams and Pandora found herself working as a consultant in Washington, DC where she now resides with her canine familiar, Loki. The past several years have found Pandora once again committed to writing, this time with her fingers glued to a keyboard. When she’s not creating the next bestseller or engaged in the thrilling misadventures of the Rat Race, Pandora loves to curl up on her sofa reading the next Vampire, Shape-shifter, Wizard, Zombie or Romance novel from one of her favorite authors.
http://pandorarichardson.com
Twitter: @authorpandora
Facebook: authorpandorarichardson
Goodreads: Pandora Richardson

BRAM STOKER REVIEWS BECK SHERMAN’S REVAMP Guest blog and Giveaway with Beck Sherman

BRAM STOKER REVIEWS BECK SHERMAN’S REVAMP

Quite a peculiar thing happened to me the other night. I was minding my business, studying the second draft of my thirteenth novel, which I have carved meticulously into the wood of my coffin with a small piece of slate, when I heard a knock. I do not crawl up to the surface for anyone, let alone a stranger, but this knock sounded desperate, in need of something only I could provide. My curiosity peaked, I stretched my bones and began my six-foot rise to the earth.


Standing there, by the light of a single candle, was a writer in need of a review. I accepted the task and was handed a most unusual object that had me frightened at first and retreating back into the ground, back to my grave that has kept me for over a hundred years now. The writer said, "Be still. Not to worry. It's just an iPad. You can read my book on it." My eye sockets squinted. I slid my phalanges across its soft surface. "Oh nice," I responded, and started reading where the writer instructed.


The novel, called Revamp, is about those beings that bump and bite in the night. Vampires. I was very well excited since I hadn't read a vampire novel since my own Dracula that was so successfully received, so many years ago.


I write today, on the twenty-ninth of July, in the year two thousand and twelve, to say that Revamp is a very good book indeed. I have heard hushed whisperings in the afterworld (no one wants to offend) of works of vampire fiction that have the un-dead and werewolves and fairies and humans all having relations and the news made my mandible twitch. Vampires with eyes the color of jaundice and skin sparkling in the sunlight like women's jewelry. Oh my. Revamp honors the traditional vampire, my vampire. I found myself sitting on the edge of my gravestone, a turn of the page too long to wait to find out what would happen next. The main vampire antagonist is devilish, his need for revenge all-consuming.


My only issue with this novel is that there aren't a lot of long, treacherous journeys. And letters. And cargo. Now that I have come to the aid of a fellow writer, I must go on a long journey of my own. During some research on what I've been told is called "The Internet," I have uncovered a most horrible truth. I have lived dead and as bones for so long now, that family is just flesh-covered skeletons to me and I'm afraid I have no allegiance. Let me declare, I will die a second time over before my beloved Dracula becomes a trilogy.


Dacre, I'm coming.

Friends and neighbors, I bequeath this review.




July 30 Tour Intro (short guest blog)Fang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
July 31 Guest blog and reviewwaiting on sunday to drown http://engelsigh.blogspot.com
July 31 PromoCover2CoverBlogwww.cover2coverblog.blogspot.com
August 1 InterviewBook on the Bright Side www.bookonthebrightside.blogspot.com
August 3 PromoCaptivated Readinghttp://captivatedreading.com
August 4 Guest blogLisa’s World of Bookswww.lisaworldofbooks.net
August 5 PromoBeverly @ The Wormholehttp://wormyhole.blogspot.com
August 6 InterviewBooks, Books, The Magical Fruithttp://booksbooksthemagicalfruit.blogspot.com
August 7 PromoMy Guilty Obsessionhttp://myguiltyobsession.blogspot.com/
August 11 Guest blogRead 2 Review http://read2review.com
August 13Book Nerd RevealedPromotional/Excerpt Stop
August 16 Interviewhttp://www.torymichaels.com/ 
August 18 Promo and reviewBajan Rosa Bookswww.Bajanrosabooks.blogspot.com
August 19 PromoSnowdrop Dreams of Bookshttp://www.snowdropdreams.ca
Aug 19 Guest blogMila Ramos, Paranormal & Contemporary Romance http://jademystique.blogspot.com
Aug 20 InterviewSimply Infatuatedhttp://simplyinfatuated.wordpress.com/
August 22 Guest blog and reviewBlack Hippie Chick's Take on Books & The WorldHttp://blackhippiechick.wordpress.com
August 23 Promo and reviewA Dream Within A Dreamhttp://adreamwithindream.blogspot.com
Aug 25 ReviewFictional Candyhttp://www.fictionalcandy.com/
August 26 Promo and reviewThe Avid Readerhttp://the-avidreader.blogspot.com/
Aug 27 Guest blog and reviewForget the Housework, I'm Readinghttp://forgetthehouseworkimreading.blogspot.com
Aug 27 Guest blog and reviewZombiegirl ShamblingHttp://zombiegirlshambling.blogspot.com/






Revamp

By Beck Sherman
Genre: Horror
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780985732707
ASIN: B007Q4LK9I
Number of pages: 439
Word Count: approx. 162,024
FOR THREE DAYS, IT WAS DARK.
News reporters scrambled. This was the biggest story to come along in weeks.
They called it a blackout.
The last one was in New York City in 2003, but this one was different, special, because the grids in six major cities across the country had been fried, kaput, see-you-next-Sunday. Everyone with some jurisdiction blamed each other, and when there was no one left to blame, terrorism rode in on its gallant steed.
It was the media’s fault. They were so busy stuffing fanatical Muslims with a penchant for Allah and decapitations down the American citizen’s throat, that they never saw it coming. I guess I shouldn’t be too hard on them.
They were partially right.
It was terror after all, but a whole new kind. And when the lights came back on, things had changed.

The dark had brought us visitors. 
Book Trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA6GEtgc0yY
Smashwords       Amazon           BN

Author Bio:
Beck Sherman was born and raised in Massachusetts, studied undergrad at Syracuse University, has a master’s degree in photojournalism from the University of Westminster, London, and when not writing, enjoys exploring abandoned insane asylums and photo-documenting the things that go bump in the night, when they’re kind enough to pose.


http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13581365-revamp
http://www.becksherman.com/
http://www.facebook.com/revampnovel
http://www.facebook.com/becksherman
https://twitter.com/BeckSherman


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Now on Tour A Wolf's Song

July 30 Guest blogSultry Storyteller/ http://sultrystoryteller.blogspot.com/
July 30 Promo and reviewreview, guest post or promohttp://donnasbloghome.blogspot.com/
August 1 Promo and reviewKeeping Up With The Rheinlander's http://mnmrheinlander.com
August 1 Promo and reviewwww.csmaxwell.blogspot.com
August 1 review and interviewBeverly @ The Wormholehttp://wormyhole.blogspot.com
August 2 PromoFall Into Bookshttp://falln2books.blogspot.com
August 2 reviewWolf Majick Reviewswww.wolfmajick.blogspot.com
August 3 PromoCoffee Beans & Love Scenes http://coffeebeanslovescenes.blogspot.com
August 4 PromoA Bibliophile's Thoughts on Bookshttp://bibliophilesthoughtsonbooks.blogspot.com/
August 4 guest bloghttp://jacqpaige.blogspot.com/
August 5 Promo Vanessa Romanowww.thejeepdiva.com
August 5 Promo and reviewHttp://blackhippiechick.wordpress.comBlack Hippie Chick's Take on Books & The World
August 6 Promo and reviewwhoopeeyoo :D http://whoopeeyoo.com
August 6 Promo and reviewHappy Tails and Tales http://magluvsya03.wordpress.com/

A Wolf's SongShannon PhoenixSupernaturals Now Book 1Genre: Paranormal/ Shifter Romance, contemporary
ASIN: B007WA33AKNumber of pages: 54Word Count: 69,000
Amazon 
Book Description:
Hamish hasn't been interested in love since his beloved wife died four hundred years ago. He knows that it's impossible for her to reincarnate, but he hasn't been able to let her go. Until now.

When he meets Desiree in Colorado, Hamish can't resist her. When she moves to Vermont to work, she's right in his back yard. He sets about winning her, ready for a future with her.

Yet his past won't let that happen. The mother of his children wants the contract they signed three hundred years before to be fulfilled. Hamish must mate with her and she must bear a werewolf son. Until the contract is fulfilled, Hamish must commit himself entirely to the raising of their child--twenty years without any romantic entanglements.

To make matters worse, she intends to use Desiree to make him even more miserable. She demands that Desiree be the one to sentence him to a fate that will tear Hamish away from her forever.

Even while they face this dramatic mess, Deathwalkers are converging on them for an unknown purpose. Evil, malignant monsters, the Deathwalkers will stop at nothing to get their hands on Desiree. Desiree must confront her own past as well as Hamish's, escape the Deathwalkers, and find peace with herself. Hamish must realize his love for Desiree before he pushes her away forever.

Can Desiree defeat Hamish's past and bring hope to an entire race?


Warning: Contains intense open door love scenes between a woman and her sexy werewolf lover. This book is not erotica with a plot, it is a full length novel that includes sexual encounters. It's primarily a love story.

Author Bio: 
Shannon Phoenix always wrote stories. She watched the characters take on their lives within her mind, and began to write down what they were doing. She would write the stories and then let them go. But a few years ago, she got caught writing those stories. You know... those stories.
To her surprise, the person who found her stories loved her characters as much as Shannon did. She tentatively allowed others to read the stories, as well, and it was from that first foray into the scary world of letting others read her 'little tales' that Shannon Phoenix Books was born.
Shannon lives in New Hampshire with her husband, her daughter, and their family cat. Her full time job is parenting, her part time job is as a mother's helper to a family friend, and her passion is letting the characters in her mind out on paper--or keyboard, as the case may be.
Welcome to Shannon Phoenix's Books. May you find the magic in your own life.
http://www.shannonphoenix.com
http://www.facebook.com/shannon.phoenix.714
http://shannonphoenix.wordpress.com/
http://asupernaturaldiary.wordpress.com/  (Rated Adult)
https://twitter.com/#!/ShannonPhoenix
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5829040.Shannon_Phoenixa Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview with Kirsten Weiss Author of The Alchemical Detective

Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself and what inspired to write in this particular genre?
I spent nearly fourteen years working in developing countries and this inspired me to write paranormals on two levels.  First, the local superstitions and magical practices were fascinating.  Second, I had a lot of time on my hands, and ended up taking Tarot courses online.   Since Tarot is closely connected to Renaissance magic, alchemy, the Kaballah, and hermeticism, I wound up with a superficial knowledge of a lot of magical topics.

What inspired you to write this book?
I was driving down the road on a rainy day, thinking about how much I disliked my job, and began fantasizing about being a P.I.  Then I wondered about what a metaphysical detective would do, and what sort of character would do that kind of job.  The Riga Hayworth character was born!
Please tell us about your latest release.
In The Alchemical Detective, Riga’s lost (most of) her magic and is trying to figure out how to get it back.  At some level, she’s not sure if she wants to – magic hasn’t always been her friend.  But there’s a serial killer on the loose and he’s using demons to attack magical practitioners.  Riga has reason to believe she may be on his list.  And while she’s got lots of mundane skills to fight back, in the end, she’ll need to get her magic back on track.
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 try to match character names to their personality, so it’s easier for the reader to remember who’s who. 
Was one of your characters more challenging to write than another?
Initially when I wrote about the women in the Tea and Tarot group, I wanted to set them at odds with Riga.  I discovered that I’d made them too unlikable, and had to go back and humanize them a bit more.
Is there a character that you enjoyed writing more than any of the others?
I really enjoy writing Riga, because she doesn’t put up with any %$#@.  I wish I could be more like her!
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?
For my main characters, I create a fairly detailed character biography. But with the minor characters, I actually rely on Tarot cards, e.g. a Queen of Wands or Emperor character.   The Tarot court cards in particular have quite well developed positive and negative traits which work fairly consistently together.
What is your favorite scene from the book? Could you share a little bit of it, without spoilers of course?
The entire book is working towards the climax, where Riga faces off with the killer, so I spent a lot of time thinking about that scene.  However, there is another scene, which takes place in a burning church tower, which I like quite a bit as well.  I’d better not say anymore about it!
Did you find anything really interesting while researching this or another book?
I did a lot of research about alchemy for the book, and learned that some alchemists never stepped into a lab at all – they did all their work in their heads.  I like that idea, but I don’t think I have the discipline for it.
What is the most interesting thing you have physically done for book related research purposes?
The fact is, a lot of Riga’s interests are my own (shooting, martial arts, the paranormal) so I didn’t have to do anything special in the way of research.  I do try to be true to my knowledge of martial arts when Riga gets into a fight, and particularly the idea that just because you’re good at martial arts, doesn’t mean you can’t get your ass kicked.  There’s always someone better than you.  I hate it when fictional characters get cocky about their fighting skills.
Can you tell readers a little bit about the world building in the book/series? How does this world differ from our normal world?
The magic is a lot more over than the normal world.  I wanted to use “real” magical practices as they’re used today, so I spoke with demonologists… oh, hey, I did do some original research for this book!  Where was I?  Oh yeah, I wanted to incorporate spells and current magical practices.  But the reality is that when you’re summoning a demon, 99.9% of the time the demon does not appear in 3D, fire-spitting glory.  For the purposes of the book, I went for the 3D fire-spitting glory.
With the book being part of a series, are there any character or story arcs, that readers jumping in somewhere other than the first book, need to be aware of? Can these books be read as stand alones?
The book can be read as a stand alone, but if you want to find out how Riga lost her magic, and how she met Donovan, you’ll have to read Book One, The Metaphysical Detective.
Do any of your characters have similar characteristics of yourself in them and what are they?
They are all much cooler than I am.  So… not really.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? How do you deal with it?
I force myself to write anyway.  What goes on the paper may be garbage, but it’s the only way to get through it.  And then I have to edit like mad.
Do you have any weird writing quirks or rituals?
No, I wish I did.  Maybe I’d be more organized about writing then.
Do you write in different genres?
I wrote a historical mystery which was never published – and rightfully so.  It wasn’t very good.  I’ve also got a straight mystery/suspense novel in my head which I hope to come out with in 2013.

When did you consider yourself a writer?
When people started sending me fan mail.  I know, I know – it’s shallow of me.  I need validiation!
What are your guilty pleasures in life?
Chocolate and wine and Ghost Whisperer reruns. 
Other than writing, what are some of your interests, hobbies or passions in life?
Martial arts are my number one hobby, but just to be clear, I’m not particularly good at them.  And of course wine tasting!
What was the last amazing book you read?
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.  It’s a sort of gothic/paranormal set in Spain and it’s beautiful and mind bending.
Where is your favorite place to read? Do you have a cozy corner or special reading spot?
Bed!  In fact, I’ve got books stuffed under my pillows, which is, admittedly, uncomfortable.
What can readers expect next from you?
The sequel to The Alchemical Detective, The Shamanic Detective is (fingers crossed) going to be available on Amazon this Halloween.
Where can readers find you on the web?
They can find me on my website, at: kirstenweiss.com and my twitter handle is @RigaHayworth
Would you like to leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from the book?
Chapter 1: Calcination
The egg quivered, then rolled, seemingly of its own accord, to the edge of the counter.  Riga stared at it, her violet-colored eyes narrowed in concentration.  Magic, she reminded herself, was a matter of will and she had that in spades.  However, it was also a matter of focus and in this area, she was lacking.
The egg trembled, then slowly rose into the air; one inch, two inches, five.
“Yes,” Brigitte said encouragingly, her voice a French-accented Lauren Bacall.  Her stone claws tensed, gouging tracks in the linoleum countertop.
The egg exploded, splattering the gargoyle with shell and yolk. 
Brigitte shrieked, the sound of rocks scraping against each together.  “Faugh!  Water!  Bring ze water!” 
Riga hurried to the sink and turned on the tap, frustration wrinkling her brow.  She grabbed a dishtowel and soaked it in warm water.  Her hands trembled and Riga swore under her breath.  Two months ago, this would have been easy. 
At first she’d thought her magic was gone.  Now Riga knew it had gone haywire and her rehab attempts weren’t working.  If anything, her magic had become more unpredictable, more dangerous.  She only dared practice with Brigitte because the centuries-old gargoyle was made of stone.  But even Brigitte wasn’t indestructible. 
Someone beat upon the front door and Riga whipped around, startled.  She should have sensed whoever was coming up the steps.  Another small failure.  More pounding; the cheap wooden door vibrated beneath the blows.
“Police!  Open the door!”
Gargoyle and woman looked at each other.  Woman acted first.  Riga tossed the towel in the sink.  “Don’t move,” she said to Brigitte.
“But ze egg.  It dries like cement,” Brigitte wailed.
“Later.”  Riga hurried to the door and flung it open.  A chilly blast of pine-scented air swept inside, tossing Riga’s auburn hair and stinging her skin. 
Two sheriffs stood before her in wide brimmed hats and heavy dark brown parkas.  Riga might have taken them for rangers had it not been for their belts, strapped with weapons, slung low on their hips.  The older one had his fist raised for another round of door pummeling.  He lowered it with what looked like regret.  He was bulky, bearlike, with steel blue eyes, and she imagined he enjoyed making the door shiver beneath his fist.  The tag under his badge read: Sheriff John King.  The badge itself: El Dorado County.
“I heard a woman scream,” King said. 
“I banged my shin on the coffee table,” Riga said. 
“Are you alone?”  He peered over Riga’s shoulder.  It wasn’t hard – Riga was five foot six, and he stood well over six feet tall, imposing in every direction. 
“Yes.  Can I help you?”  Riga didn’t budge, unwilling to let them in.  It wasn’t that Riga didn’t like cops; she was friends with plenty of them, when they were out of uniform. 
“It was quite a scream,” he said.
She quirked her lips.  “Now you’re just embarrassing me.” 
The Sheriff looked at her.  She returned his gaze.  The silence stretched between them.  The Deputy coughed.  “Are you Ms. Hayworth?” he asked.  Riga figured him for his early thirties, which meant she had a decade on him.   He was well built, and between the startling pale blue of his eyes and the chiseled planes of his face, would have looked at home on a magazine cover.  But Riga’s gaze was drawn to the Sheriff.  The Deputy had youth, the Sheriff had presence.
“I’m Riga Hayworth.”
“My name is Night, Deputy Night.  May we come in?  Please?”  He smiled ruefully, exposing dimples and gleaming white teeth.  “It’s kind of cold out here.”
Riga hesitated.  But she wasn’t wearing a coat and was freezing in the doorway.  She could feel the heat from the cabin oozing past her, out the door.  “Okay.”  Reluctantly, she stepped back, and allowed them past her.
Hands resting on the butts of their guns, they prowled the room as if they owned the place.  They could have it, for all Riga cared.   It was one of the lower-end tourist cabins, crammed with a mis-matched jumble of seventies era furniture.  A giant picture window looked out upon a forest scene:  pines, and patches of snow wetting the ground.  The afternoon sun slanted low in the sky, sending beams of light glittering through damp tree branches. 
 Brigitte, still covered in egg, had shifted to face the cabin’s small living room.  The deputy stared at the gargoyle, walked to Brigitte, and ran his hands across her stony feathers as if in a caress.  Brigitte would love that, Riga thought. 
“Cool harpy,” he said.  “Where’d you find it?”
“Garage sale.”
Night tucked his hat under one arm, and ruffled his blond hair with his free hand.  “Do you know it’s got egg on it?”
“Forget the statue,” the Sheriff barked.  Turning, he stumbled over a cheap American-Indian themed rug.  “Miss Hayworth, may we sit down?”
She indicated the lumpy sofa, a cruel gesture given the state of its springs, but she didn’t want them to linger. 
They sat.  She remained standing.
The Sheriff removed his hat and put it on a nearby coffee table, covering decades of coffee rings.  “Riga Hayworth.  Is that your real name?”
She raised an eyebrow.  “If you mean, did my parents choose it?  Yes.”
“Funny sort of name,” King said.  “Like that old movie star.  Were your parents fans?”
She shook her head, no.  Not after she’d grown to look more and more like the screen siren; that had disturbed her parents, made them wonder if they’d really picked the name or if the name had picked their daughter.  Riga’s resemblance to Rita Hayworth was uncanny; auburn hair, arched eyebrows, and olive skin. 
“How well did you know Sarah Glass?” King asked.
Riga looked at him blankly.
Sheriff King shifted with impatience.  “Otherwise known as Lady Moonstone.”
“The palm reader?” Riga asked, surprised.  “Not at all.  I think she’s a member of the Tea and Tarot group.  She didn’t show at last week’s meeting, which was my first, so I never had a chance to meet her.”  Riga had forced herself to attend for the first and probably last time.  She wasn’t a joiner. 
Now, Riga knew, she was supposed to ask why the police wanted to know about Sarah Glass.  But the cops weren’t here to satisfy a casual curiosity.  Something bad had happened and Riga wanted to put off learning what it was for as long as possible.  Though her magic had gone awry, she sensed the tug of something dark and inexorable moving towards her, and didn’t like the feeling.
“What’s Tea and Tarot?” King asked.
“The local metaphysical professionals meet twice a month to talk shop at the Fortune Teller’s Café.”
“Who was there last week?” the Sheriff said.
“The owner of the café, Tara, was there.  She reads cards.  Lily, a tea leaf and palm reader was too.  And so was an astrologer, Audrey.  She also has an energetics practice.”
“Energetics?” Night asked.
“Reiki, that sort of thing,” Riga said. 
The Sheriff drummed his fingers on the nearby table.  “I hear you’re a P.I. of some sort, did some consulting for the Oakland police.”
Riga crossed her arms, thinking.  The Oakland connection was an odd one for them to pick up since she’d lived in San Francisco.  The SF cops would have been a more obvious reference.  “I’m a metaphysical detective and I have a California investigator’s license.  I’m not licensed in Nevada.  How did you hear of it?”
“Cops talk,” the Sheriff said.  “They said you knew how to keep your mouth shut.”
It wasn’t exactly a rave review, but she couldn’t blame the Oakland PD.  It had been an unusual case, even by her standards. She was surprised they talked about her at all.  “Are you looking to hire a consultant?” Riga placed a subtle emphasis on the word “hire.”  She’d come here for an extended vacation, but turning it into a work trip held a certain tax deductible appeal.  
In response, the Sheriff unzipped his parka and pulled out a manila file folder.  From it he withdrew an eight by ten photo.  He extended it towards her. 
Okay, she thought: he wanted to see what a metaphysical consultant could do.  She took the photo, and returned to her spot against the counter beside the gargoyle.  Riga held the picture before her so Brigitte could view it: a black and white glossy of a metal disk with a symbol impressed upon it – two concentric circles with oddly shaped letters and symbols drawn between the two and a square grid in the center overlaid with jagged lines.  The expression on her face flickered, then stilled. 
“You know it?” the Sheriff said, leaning forward in his seat.
She grimaced in distaste.  “It’s a sigillum used to summon and control a demon when you don’t know the demon’s name,” she said.  “The style is similar to the Sigillum Dei Aemeth created by John Dee but there are key differences which make this unique.  There was a man in Paris who used a system like this, invented it in fact, named Francois Lefebvre.  The Parisian police will have a file on him.  He died five years ago in a fire.  Lefebvre didn’t take students, wasn’t the type to share, but he had servants.  They may have learned his technique.” 
“How did you learn it?” the Deputy asked.  He was taking notes and turning a pencil between his fingers.  His hands were calloused, roughened by work, and she imagined the young man swinging an axe, splitting firewood.
“I never said I learned it,” she said.
“But you know enough to identify it,” Night persisted.
“Lefebvre tried to summon a demon in my presence,” she said dryly.  “It’s not something one forgets.”
The Sheriff’s bushy eyebrows rose.  “Did he succeed?”
“Of course not,” she said.  Lefebvre had succeeded in raising the demon, but not in controlling it.  Riga had seen to that.  The demon had seen to Lefebvre.  Riga had managed to evade the Parisian cops, keep her involvement secret, and she wasn’t about to upset the status quo.
“You haven’t asked me what this is about,” King said.
“What’s this about, Sheriff?”
“Sarah Glass was murdered.  We found this beside her, and now you tell me you’re one of the few people in the world who knows what this is and how to use it.”
Damn it.  She should have known nothing good could come from telling them about Lefebvre.  But she’d maintained a reasonable relationship with the authorities by not withholding evidence, even when the police neither liked nor believed her. 
 “I understand you’ve got some fighting skills?” the Sheriff asked.  “Have studied martial arts?” 
“I’m no black belt.  What does hapkido have to do with this sigil?”
The Sheriff leaned forward, his stare unrelenting.  “So what happened here?  Did a demon kill her?”  His voice was mocking.
“I have no idea how she died or by whose hand,” Riga said.  “If I had more information—”
He stood and replaced his hat.  “Can’t give you that.  Thanks for your help, Miss Hayworth.  Don’t leave town.”



[image error] The Alchemical Detective
By Kirsten WeissBook Two in the Riga Hayworth Series
Genre: Paranormal MysteryDate of Publication: May 31, 2012ISBN:  978-0-9855103-1-2ASIN: B0085XCDL8
Number of pages: 289Word Count: 75,000
Purchase Links:  Kindle
Book Description
A psychic has been murdered in an occult ceremony and the police pay a visit to Riga Hayworth, metaphysical detective.  But this time, she’s not a consultant on the case, she’s a suspect.
There’s a storm on the horizon.  Riga’s lost her magic, and has come to Lake Tahoe to recover and spend quality time with her new love.  But life for Riga is never that simple.  A psychic’s been murdered, and the police believe Riga has a connection to the crime.  They’re right.  And if that’s not enough, Riga is drafted as the host of a reality TV show about the local lake monster, and her niece is rejecting her metaphysical abilities.  Juggling demons, daimons, and angry tarot card readers, Riga must catch a killer before she becomes the next target.
The Alchemical Detective is a paranormal mystery that explores a world of alchemy and the imagination.
Author Bio:
Kirsten Weiss is the author of two paranormal mysteries available on the Kindle: the urban fantasy,  The Metaphysical Detective , and  The Alchemical Detective .  She is hard at work on the sequel, The Shamanic Detective. 
Kirsten worked overseas for nearly fourteen years, in the fringes of the former USSR and deep in the Afghan war zone.  Her experiences abroad not only gave her glimpses into the darker side of human nature, but also sparked an interest in the effects of mysticism and mythology, and how both are woven into our daily lives.
Now based in San Mateo, CA, she writes paranormal mysteries, blending her experiences and imagination to create a vivid world of magic and mayhem.
Kirsten has never met a dessert she didn’t like, and her guilty pleasures are watching True Blood and drinking good wine. 
Follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/RigaHayworth, view her world boards on Pinterest http://pinterest.com/kirstenweiss/or check out her blog at http://kirstenweiss.com

Author site/blog:  http://kirstenweiss.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/RigaHayworth
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/metaphysicaldetective
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5346143.Kirsten_Weiss
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/kirstenweiss/

Now on Tour Hexes in Texas

Howdy all, I wanted to start with a great big thank you for allowing me to talk about my book, Hexes in Texas. I had so much fun getting to know my characters. There is Julie, my Canadian witch who wants excitement, and Vance who wants true love. But I think my favorite character has to be Skippy, with his cool cat vibe and sarcastic wit. What started out as a search for ghost towns in Texas, turned into a story about adventure and romance in a hidden community of witches.  


July 30 Tour Intro Fang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com 
July 31 InterviewRead 2 Review http://read2review.com
August 1 Guest blog (review later)Taste of Kiwihttp://www.shelleymunro.com/blog/
August 2 Promowhoopeeyoo :D http://whoopeeyoo.com
August 3 Guest blog and reviewWAiting on Sunday to Drown http://engelsigh.blogspot.com
August 4 PromoCaptivated Readinghttp://captivatedreading.com
August 5 PromoCocktails and Books http://www.cocktailsandbooks.com
August 8 Promo and reviewwww.stormgoddessbookreviews.blogspot.com
August 9 Promo and reviewVampireRomanceBooks.comhttp://www.vampireromancebooks.com/
August 9 ReviewBlack Hippie Chick's Take on Books & The WorldHttp://Blackhippiechick.wordpress.com
August 10 Interview and reviewOn the BroomstickHttp://onthebroomstick.blogspot.com/
August 11 PromoMila Ramos, Paranormal & Contemporary Romance http://jademystique.blogspot.com
August 11 PromoThe Book Maven
August 12 ReviewBook on the Bright Side www.bookonthebrightside.blogspot.com
August 13 Promo and reviewQueen of the Night Reviews http://queenofthenightreviews.blogspot.com/


Hexes In Texas
By Michelle Kopra
Genre: Urban FantasyISBN: 9781476226156ASIN: B008G0EQ42
Number of pages: 128Word Count: 40740
Amazon     AllRomanceEbooks      Smashwords
Book Description:
Fed up with the slushy snow of winter, and the frigid Canadian wizards Julie McNabb wants a transfer to somewhere warm, and where the men are smoking hot!
Instead, she ends up in Bug Tussle. A small wizard farming community in Texas where the unicorns freak her out, and the resident witches watch NASCAR and eat Barbeque.
Despite her goals to get out as fast as she can, Julie makes friends, has fun, and falls for Vance, the hunky animal manager.
Now if only Julie can convince Vance to give up on Mrs. Right, for Mrs. right now!

About the Author:


I’m a Canadian Texan, a Doctor Who loving devotee (I don’t have a favorite, I love all 11 of the doctors), and destroyer of tomato plants. 
I tend to live in my own little fantasy world. Where characters pop in for tea, telling me their stories, and won’t leave me alone until I at least plot it out for them.  


Thankfully, my husband and children are used to my brand of crazy. They even encourage me to write the silly stuff in my head into real stories. Although my son will say there is too much kissing going on! 


http://www.facebook.com/michelle.kopra


https://twitter.com/#!/MICHELLEKOPRA
michellekopra.com

Guest blog with Nancy Straight

So a funning thing happened to me . . .
I should start this with:  I am a magnet for crazy.  Funning things happen to me all the time.  I tried to think about what you might like to read and settled on something that has nothing to do with being an author, book reviews, publishing, or anything of the sort.  I hope you enjoy this! 
This happened about a year ago.  Like all moms, it was the end of the week and I was exhausted.  I was watching television with my husband in our bedroom and had dozed off.  It was still pretty early in the evening, so the lights were on, but when I’m tired I don’t need dark to sleep.  I was in the middle of a dream when I realized I couldn’t breathe.  I startled myself awake and pulled myself out of my dream only to realize:  I was now awake and I still couldn’t breathe.  I looked at my husband while I was gasping for air; he was watching me with a strange look, but did nothing to help me. 
My hands instinctively went to my neck and I realized the t-shirt I was wearing was tight against my neck, so with both hands, I yanked the neck of my t-shirt as hard as I could.  I got air! But in the same instant I felt claws dig into my back. 
Okay, I read a ton of Paranormal Romance, Paranormal Thrillers and Urban Fantasy books, so at this point my mind is racing through about 300 plots - trying to identify what beast I was up against!  I couldn’t get a word out but knew my husband could see the pleading for help in my eyes.  I let go of the neck of my t-shirt and the claws eased on my back, but once again, I didn’t have air. 
After watching this cycle a couple times my husband simply said, “Flash is stuck.” 
Flash is my very cute Jack Russell Terrier.  He burrows under the covers at night because he gets cold.  He had somehow burrowed under the back of my t-shirt and was trying to climb out through the neck of my shirt!  Needless to say, a person’s neck and a pudgy JRT do not both fit through a crew neck t-shirt.  We both got a good laugh out of it, and I was thrilled to see that I wasn’t under attack from some sort of paranormal beast!




Meeting Destiny
By  Nancy Straight
Other books in series: Book 2 Destiny’s Revenge and Book 3 Destiny’s Wrath have been released
Genre: Paranormal Romance
ISBN: 978-1-4507-2109-7 (E-book) / 978-1468121377 (Paperback)
ASIN: B003U2RUP8
Number of pages: 295
Word Count: 98,000
Book Description:
Lauren is visited in her dreams for years by a stranger claiming to be her destiny. Destiny becomes reality when paths cross during a failed robbery attempt. Lauren and the stranger experience chemistry like no other and now her doubt over her long time relationship with her high school sweetheart is not her only secret…someone else knows about her keen intuition and sixth sense.  A mysterious clairvoyant seeks Lauren out and tells her not only of her life now but what the future may hold. Soon Lauren is in the middle of a murder investigation and a questionable friendship with the key suspect. Law enforcement, friends and family are concerned for Lauren but unfortunately they are unaware of the true danger…Sinister forces are at work and will stop at nothing to destroy Lauren’s abilities.
Download it for free at Amazon, BN, and Smashwords
Author Bio:
Nancy was born in Sioux City Iowa, left the cold of the Midwest in 1991 and only returns to see family in the summer time. She spent ten years traveling the world as a US Marine and settled in rural SC with her husband and two children.  She has three rotten dogs, enjoys RVing with her family, reading and writing all types of Paranormal literature.

Blog: www.authnancystraight.blogspot.com 
Twitter: @NancyStraight
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Nancy-Straight/243616005687882
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4114202.Nancy_Straight