Cherie Reich's Blog, page 7

#SpecFic Bookworm News: A Review of Rachel Morgan's Scarlett #ya #fantasy

BOOKS READScarlett by Rachel Morgan
BOOK REVIEWSScarlett by Rachel Morgan Beth must embrace her powers or be controlled by them in Rachel Morgan's Scarlett. This story is a companion tale for Morgan's Creepy Hollow series and tells how the character Scarlett came into her magical powers. What I loved most about this book is Beth's transformation into Scarlett. In the beginning, she's terrified of what her awakening powers can do and ostracized for it, even from her own kind, but she finds a way to embrace herself. The repetition of "I am independent. I am strong. I am powerful." speaks to Scarlett, and those three simple sentences hold power we can believe in. If you are a fan of the Creepy Hollow series or young adult paranormal books, then you won't want to miss out on reading Scarlett by Rachel Morgan.
#SPECFIC BOOKS RELEASING IN JUNENever Ever by Sara SaediSuperNova by Liz LongThe King Slayer by Virginia BoeckerLast Call at the Nightshade Lounge by Paul KruegerThe Invisible Library by Genevieve CogmanTitanborn by Rhett C. BrunoAge of Myth by Michael J. SullivanThe Book of Esther by Emily BartonThe Reaper's Sacrifice by Abigail BakerBlue Moon by Lisa KesslerShadow Rider by Christine FeehanA Faerie's Curse by Rachel Morgan
End of Watch by Stephen King
And I Darken by Kiersten White
The Fireman by Joe Hill
Magic Bitter, Magic Sweet by Charlie N. Holmberg
Legacies by Greg Cox
On Monday, June 13, I was over at Christine Rains' blog sharing some of my favorite parallel universes/alternate history books, TV shows, and movies.
Don't forget People of Foxwick and Their Neighbors is 99c for the month of June!Amazon.com | Other Amazon Sites | Google Play | iTunes | Kobo | Nook | OmniLit | Smashwords
A reminder: #SpecFic Bookworm News is moving to the first Wednesday of the month in July. See this post for an explanation why.

I'd also like to say that my heart has been heavy since hearing about the mass shooting in Orlando at Pulse. As someone who did a little bit of clubbing back in the day, the gay clubs were always the best and most welcoming. My heart breaks for their friends and family. The brilliant Lin-Manuel Miranda (of Hamilton fame) wrote a beautiful, emotional sonnet for his acceptance speech that mentioned the tragedy. If you haven't seen it, you should.

(And a big shout out to Hamilton for their eleven Tony Awards! Even though I can't afford spending over two weeks' salary on a ticket to the show right now, just you wait, just you wait.)

#IWSG: "And there's a million things I haven't done, but just you wait..."

The Insecure Writer's Support Group was created by the awesome Captain Ninja Alex J. Cavanaugh. Click here to visit the other participants. The co-hosts for the June 1 posting of the IWSG will be Murees Dupe, Alexia Chamberlynn, Chemist Ken, and Heather Gardner!

"And there's a million things I haven't done, but just you wait, just you wait." That line is from the musical Hamilton. If you haven't heard the soundtrack, you must do so. The musical is up for 16 Tony Awards this month and is just brilliant. Hamilton has been playing in my car on my way to work since March 8. Yes, I almost know all the lyrics by heart. My favorite part to sing is King George's lines. He's so delightfully foppish. I hope to see the musical sometime this century. But I digress...

That line is also how I feel coming from May. So many things to do and so little time, but I will accomplish them eventually. I just need Alexander Hamilton's energy. Seriously. The desire to do ALL THE THINGS has left me a bit overwhelmed.
So I've decided I need to adjust some things so I can get more of what I really want to do finished. The blog will be a major change. Starting in July, I'm combining IWSG, my writing goals update, and #specfic bookworm news into one post on IWSG day so I have one planned post a month. It'll make the post a bit long, but you have all month to visit and comment. It will also free up the blog for a guest post or announcement at any ol' time. And maybe it won't take me weeks to catch up on visiting blogs and commenting like it has been the past few months.
A person can hope.

At this time, I also plan to not add a second writing project when I finish Destined. Although I may change my mind, it will be nice putting my writing attention on the Soul Reaper series for a while.
Do you have a million things waiting for you to do? Have you heard the music from Hamilton or seen the musical? If you have seen it, I am super-jealous, just so you know.As for last month's goals, editing was a big bust. I had some time but none of the energy for it. I did, however, continue writing in Destined and A Soul to Reap. In Destined, I've completed 32 out of 41 chapters. Since I finished A Soul to Reap's outline in May, I now know I have completed 4 out of 43 chapters. I also finished writing the not-quite-so-short story "A Soul to Protect" at 14,360 words.

I did have two anniversaries in May. On May 24, I completed my goal of exercising every single day for one year. My next goal is to exercise every single day for at least thirty minutes a day for a year, which should happen on November 1. Also, on May 29, I've officially been blogging here for seven years. Wow! The time flies.

My June goals are:
Write for 30 minutes a day in Destined.Write for 15 minutes a day in A Soul to Reap.Edit the short stories for Ghosts of Fire, UR anthology #3, which includes my story "On Day 168."What are your goals for June?
2016 Stats: 145,698 words written and 780 pages edited I'm running a 99c sale on People of Foxwick and Their Neighbors this month. You can pick up an e-copy at these retailers: Amazon.com, Other Amazon Sites, Google Play, iTunes, Kobo, Nook, OmniLit, and Smashwords. If you subscribe to my newsletter, you can receive A to Z Flashes of Foxwick for free.

Misha Gerrick Creates Immortals in Endless | #SpecFic Bookworm News

Creating Immortalsby Misha Gerrick

When I realized that I wanted to write about an immortal falling for her enemy without realizing it, I thought I could go a bit further than only making it a factional thing. 
I also knew that I didn’t want to go with the usual Urban Fantasy menagerie of immortal creatures. (Although some sneaked in regardless.) So that meant that I needed to think a bit further than the usual meaning of immortal. 
See, I realized the immortality itself could serve as a cause for the enmity between the factions. If, for example, one faction needed the other to remain immortal. 
Then I started thinking about human folklore and how a lot of it was symbolism for something else. And thought: What if some of the magical creatures I like were in fact symbols for my immortals? 
What would being a phoenix entail? Rebirth. Fire. But then fire power would have to be something reserved for an elite class or the enemy faction probably wouldn’t do all that well. BUT. A phoenix’s ability to be reborn was the key to what my other faction wanted. 
The idea of making the other faction griffons just basically came to me because I love griffons and always wanted to write a book with them, but just never got the chance. To me, being a griffon was about power. Strength. Speed. Flight. But then I also gave their power this one serious limit. They can live a long time, but not forever. 
Unless they steal power from phoenixes. 
And that power is incredibly addictive. 
Which basically formed the basis of my factions. There’s a lot more to the story, of course, but you’d just have to go read the book. 
Have you ever had to create a new being for your stories? How do you approach it? 
“First, do no harm.” Blake Ryan swore that oath to become a doctor. Ironic, given that he spent most of his thousand year life sucking souls out of other immortals.

Things are different now. Using regular shots of morphine to keep his inner monster at bay, Ryan has led a quiet life since the Second World War. His thrills now come from saving lives, not taking them.

Until a plane crash brings Aleria into his hospital. Her life is vibrant. Crack to predators like him. She’s the exact sort of person they would hunt, and thanks to a severe case of amnesia, she’s all but defenseless.

Leaving Aleria vulnerable isn’t an option, but protecting her means unleashing his own inner monster. Which is a problem, because his inner monster wants her dead most of all.
Amazon US | Amazon Universal | Apple | Barnes & Noble | Kobo| Goodreads
Misha Gerrick lives near Cape Town, South Africa, and can usually be found staring at her surroundings while figuring out her next book.
If you’d like to see what Misha’s up to at the moment, you can find her on these social networks: Tumblr | Twitter | Google Plus | Writing Blog
BOOKS READBig Burning by Christine Rains
Martinis with the Devil, Part One by A.A. Chamberlynn
BOOK REVIEWSBig Burning by Christine Rains Susie Russell can't imagine losing her heart to a Bigfoot skeptic in Christine Rains' Big Burning. Susie clings to her stubborn side when it comes to the man she once loved. Brach Stevens thinks he has nothing to apologize for. These two people ignite the passion and bring the fire in this third installment of the Sasquatch Susies series. Rains definitely turns up the heat between these characters--sometimes quite literally. This fast-paced story quickly made it my favorite of the series, and I loved the sweet ending. I recommend Big Burning by Christine Rains to all who enjoy some paranormal with their adult romances.


Martinis with the Devil, Part One by A.A. Chamberlynn Zyan Star gets a job offer she wants to refuse in A.A. Chamberlynn's Martinis with the Devil, Part One. Zyan is a bartender, a bounty hunter, and a soul-eater. Despite being eternally damned, she might be heaven's only hope. I loved how Zyan plays off Eli, the angel, and the other characters in the story. Zyan is one fierce fighter with a sarcastic edge, but she genuinely cares about her friends. The story line is fast paced and keeps me wondering what will happen to Zyan, Eli, and her friends. The world building ignites the reader's imagination and has a smorgasbord of different supernatural creatures. Part One ends in a cliffhanger that'll make the reader what to pick up Part Two and keep reading to find out if they can save the Holy Representative or will all Hell break loose. I recommend Martinis with the Devil, Part One by A.A. Chamberlynn to urban fantasy readers who like strong heroines.
#SPECFIC BOOKS RELEASING IN MAYThe Square Root of Summer by Harriet Reuter HapgoodCourt of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. MaasThe Rose and the Dagger by Deckle EdgeAdmiral by Sean DankerParallels: Felix Was Here by Various Authors, including meThe Map of Bones by Francesca HaigThe Star-Touched Queen by Roshani ChokshiThe Hidden Oracle by Rick RiordanMer-Charmer by Amy BearceTrue Born by L.E. SterlingReflection: The Stranger in the Mirror by Rachel R. SmithCloaked in Blood by T.F. WalshLois Lane: Double Down by Gwenda BondThe Queen’s Dance by Jamie K. SchmidtThe City of Mirrors by Justin CroninI, Human by John NelsonEchoes of Silence by Elana JohnsonThe Fireman by Joe HillPlaces No One Knows by Brenna YovanoffThe Paladins by Julie ReeceThe Haunted Stepsister by Medeia SharifSoldier by Julie KagawaEnemy by K. EasonScarlet by Rachel Morgan
I was over at the Untethered Realms' blog last Tuesday (May 10) promoting Parallels: Felix Was Here. I have instructions on how to make your own paper frogs. Today (May 18), I'm on Crystal Collier's blog with two truths and a lie.
For this month, Reborn is only 99c, and you can purchase it on Amazon.com, Other Amazon Retailers, Google Play, iTunes, Kobo,Nook, OmniLit, and Smashwords.

#IWSG: The anthology is here - Parallels: Felix Was Here #specfic #althistory

IWSG was created by the Captain Ninja Alex J. Cavanaugh. Click here to visit the other IWSG participants. This month's co-hosts are Stephen Tremp, Stephanie Faris, Susan Gourley/Kelley, Bish Denham, Fundy Blue, M.J. Fifield, and Loni Townsend.

My insecurity and excitement revolve around the release of Parallels: Felix Was Here. No matter how many stories I have out, I always have release week jitters.
Do you get nervous when you release a new story?
Enter the realm of parallel universes! 
What if the government tried to create the perfect utopia? Could a society linked to a supercomputer survive on its own? Do our reflections control secret lives on the other side of the mirror? Can one moment split a person’s world forever? 
Exploring the fantastic, ten authors offer incredible visions and captivating tales of diverse reality. Featuring the talents of L. G. Keltner, Crystal Collier, Hart Johnson, Cherie Reich, Sandra Cox, Yolanda Renee, Melanie Schulz, Sylvia Ney, Michael Abayomi, and Tamara Narayan. 
Hand-picked by a panel of agents and authors, these ten tales will expand your imagination and twist the tropes of science fiction. Step through the portal and enter another dimension!
Purchase the anthology at Amazon, iTunes, Kobo, Nook, and Smashwords.Add to your Goodreads list.Follow the blog.
My story in the anthology is "Folds in Life and Death." In 2001, the Curse of Tippecanoe strikes again. This story is set within the world of To the Future series, which I plan to start writing in the next few months.I'm sure many bloggers are trying to recover from the craziness that is April. I participated in the A-Z Challenge on the Parallels anthology blog, and it was a lot of fun, although I didn't get around to nearly as many blogs as I'd hoped.

I finished another edit of Marked (The Fate Challenges #1.5) and sent it to my next critique partner. This year I've written 24 of 41 chapters in Destined. I am almost finished writing "A Soul to Protect," a Soul Reaper short story. I've made progress on my outline for A Soul to Reap (Soul Reaper #1), but I didn't touch A Soul to Kill edits, although I have decided to rewrite it in first person instead of third.
My May goals include:Write 30 minutes a day in one project (Destined).Write 15 minutes a day in a secondary project ("A Soul to Protect" | A Soul to Reap).Rewrite A Soul to Kill. I'd like to complete at least half of this before the end of May.Edit "On Day 168" for the forthcoming UR anthology Ghosts of Fire.Outline A Soul to Reap.What are your goals for this month?

2016 Current Stats: 117,811 words written and 766 pages edited
Two years ago in May, I published my first novel Reborn (The Fate Challenges #1). Although the rest of the series won't be out until 2017 (most likely), I have decided to run a sale. For this month, Reborn is only 99c, and you can purchase it on Amazon.com, Other Amazon Retailers, Google Play, iTunes, Kobo, Nook, OmniLit, and Smashwords.

#SpecFic Bookworm News: Reviews of Angela Roquet's Graveyard Shift and Christine Rains' Big Longing

BOOKS READGraveyard Shift by Angela Roquet
Big Longing by Christine Rains
BOOK REVIEWSGraveyard Shift by Angela Roquet The fate of Eternity depends on low-level reaper Lana Harvey in Angela Roquet's Graveyard Shift. If the after life is anything like Roquet's Eternity, then sign me up. The basis of the world revolves around all religions being right, to some extent. Human belief makes the divine, and those who run in the soul reaping trade reside in Limbo City along with a variety of characters ranging from souls, to gods and goddesses, and even demons and angels. Lana Harvey enjoys breaking the rules and remaining as a low-level reaper, but others' decisions force her to change and grow as a character. Roquet makes every character come to life, and I found myself laughing a lot while reading the book. The tension keeps the story moving at a fast pace. Graveyard Shift by Angela Roquet is unique and refreshing, and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the Lana Harvey, Reapers Inc. series.

Big Longing by Christine Rains Jill Russell seeks Bigfoot, but she finds the hot nature photographer quite a distraction in Christine Rains's Big Longing. A Forest Service employee and Sasquatch hunter, Jill seems uncertain of herself, especially when it comes to men. I loved how Jill didn't realize how much Theo liked her at first. Despite the fun and hot sexual encounters, Jill and Theo's budding relationship has a sweeter side to it. Rains knows how to toss the hero and heroine into a world of danger too. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the characters from the first Sasquatch Susies series as well as another taste of Our Guy (Bigfoot). Big Longing by Christine Rains is a fun, quick read perfect for people who like a splash of paranormal with their adult romances.
BOOKS RELEASING IN APRILSurge by Melissa WestMind: The Emergence by Jenn NixonSleeping Giants by Sylvain NeuvelFlamecaster by Cinda Williams ChimaThe Glittering Court by Richelle MeadLet the Wind Rise by Shannon MessengerArena by Holly JenningsEndless by Misha GerrickA Matter of Doubt by Nicole ZoltackTell the Wind and Fire by Sarah Rees BrennanTrial by Fire by Chris CannonSoldier by Julie KagawaTraces of Poppy by Decadent KaneMartinis with the Devil by A.A. Chamberlynn
The Warrior Prophet by Lisa Voisin
The Order Boxed Set by Nina Croft
Seattle Wolf Pack Boxed Set by Kristin Miller
Golden Age by James Maxwell
Daughter of Winter by Amber Argyle
Big Burning by Christine Rains
99c DURING APRIL
Amazon.com | Other Amazon Stores | Google Play | iTunes | Kobo | Nook | OmniLit | Smashwords
I'm over at the Parallels' blog again for Q in this year's A-Z Challenge with another excerpt from "Folds in Life and Death." Also, on April 23, Sandra Cox and I have a joint post for T.

A special thanks goes to Tamara Narayan whose P word for A-Z was Paperist, a term I created for "Folds in Life and Death," as well as Michelle Wallace who mentioned Once upon a Nightmare for O along with two other works.

Two Excerpts from Catherine Stine's Witch of the Cards #historical #fantasy #witches

“Oh, Ivy?” Mr. Dune implored. He grabbed a card deck from a basket on a shelf. In three long strides, he was in front of me, looking as imposing and dashing as he had when we’d entered his establishment. “I want you to have this.” He held it out. 
One of his illustrated Tarot decks wrapped in cellophane! A hot flush of pleasure and embarrassment shivered up my neck. “Oh, I couldn’t, really.” I didn’t even know him. Why would he do this? “It doesn’t seem right. I can’t pay you.”
“I insist.” He held it out further, the light glinting off his silver fox-head ring.
***
“Have you always had a talent for the unseen?” Peter asked me.
“Whatever do you mean? It was you who saw things that weren’t there.” I had to right myself because I was swooning and swaying so much I nearly fell into his lap. 
“But it was you who eked it out of me.”
“Little old me?” I giggled.
Fiera was born a sea witch with no inkling of her power. And now it might be too late. 
Witch of the Cards is historical, supernatural romantic suspense set in 1932 on the Jersey shore. Twenty-two year-old Fiera has recently left the Brooklyn orphanage where she was raised, and works in Manhattan as a nanny. She gets a lucky break when her boss pays for her short vacation in Asbury Park. One evening, Fiera and her new friend Dulcie wander down the boardwalk and into Peter Dune’s Tarot & Séance, where they attend a card reading. 
Fiera has always had an unsettling ability to know things before they happen and sense people’s hidden agendas. She longs to either find out the origin of her powers or else banish them because as is, they make her feel crazy. When, during the reading, her energies somehow bond with Peter Dune’s and form an undeniable ethereal force, a chain of revelations and dangerous events begin to unspool. For one, Fiera finds out she is a witch from a powerful sea clan, but that someone is out to stop her blossoming power forever. And though she is falling in love with Peter, he also has a secret side. He’s no card reader, but a private detective working to expose mediums. Despite this terrible betrayal, Fiera must make the choice to save Peter from a tragic Morro Cruise boat fire, or let him perish with his fellow investigators. Told in alternating viewpoints, we hear Fiera and Peter each struggle against their deep attraction. Secrets, lies, even murder, lace this dark fantasy.
Purchase at Amazon US | Amazon UK | iBooks | Kobo | Nook | Inktera | Amazon CA | Amazon AU |Amazon DE | Amazon IN
One $40 gift card, two hand-painted heart-boxes (by Catherine) with secret treasure inside, one signed paperback of Dorianna by Catherine Stine, one signed paperback of Witch of the Cards by Catherine Stine, one brand new collector Tarot deck along with an envelope full of special swag!a Rafflecopter giveaway I had the honor of meeting Catherine in person on Saturday, April 2 at the Roanoke Author Invasion. It was awesome to meet her, and I'm looking forward to reading my signed copy of Witch of the Cards soon.

#IWSG: The Pros and Cons of Writing Every Day | A Cover Reveal of Misha Gerrick's Endless

IWSG was created by the Captain Ninja Alex J. Cavanaugh. Click here to visit the other IWSG participants. The co-hosts are Megan Morgan, Christopher D. Votey, Viola Fury, Christine Rains, Madeline Mora-Summonte, L.G. Keltner, Patricia Lynne, and Rachna Chhabria.

"Write every day" is common advice given to writers.
When I first started writing, I wrote most days, but I was only writing in other people's worlds via online roleplaying games and fan fiction. That dedication to writing most days changed when I started writing for publication. I wrote in spurts. Some months I would write 20,000+ words. Others, I was lucky to get in 2,000 words. On July 1, 2015, I decided to spend a number of minutes a day on writing.
Now I don't believe you have to write every day. It's what is working for me now, but that doesn't mean I won't skip a day or more in the future. Like all advice, writing every day has its pros and cons.
Three pros are consistent writing, easier to remember where you left off in a manuscript, and completing works in a timely manner.
Two cons are you never get a day off and the necessity of having a new project ready to go when you finish an old one. That last con is my big insecurity for the day. I'm a few weeks away from starting a new novel, A Soul to Reap (Soul Reaper #1). In three or four months, I will start a new series, To the Future (YA Urban Fantasy). I've been panicking the last few weeks and wondering how in the world will I be ready to write these new books.
What is your insecurity this month?If you haven't guessed by now, I'm a big overachiever. I finished last month's goals. Two months in a row! On March 14, I completed the first draft of A Soul to Kill (Soul Reaper #0). The first draft came in at 40,905 words. Of course, two days after I finished it, I've been wondering if the story should have been told in first person point of view instead of third. If so, then I have a big rewrite to do in April/May. *sighs* Destined (The Fate Challenges #3) continues to progress, and I've completed 17 chapters out of 41. I finished edits on "Folds in Life and Death" and the bonus woodwose section, which I  plan to make available for free on my website in the coming months. I also outlined "A Soul to Protect" and have been writing it since March 15 and am on scene two out of five. I've made some progress with marketing, but we'll see how it goes the next few months.
My goals for April are:Write for 30 minutes a day in Destined.Write for 15 minutes a day in "A Soul to Protect." When I finish this short story, I'll start writing A Soul to Reap.Outline A Soul to Reap.Edit Marked based off my first critique partner's notes.Start rewriting/editing A Soul to Kill.What are your goals for April?

Current 2016 Stats: 90,027 words written and 705 pages edited
I'm over at the Parallels' blog today for the A-Z Challenge: Emotions. I have an excerpt from "Folds in Life and Death."
“First, do no harm.” Blake Ryan swore that oath to become a doctor. Ironic, given that he spent most of his thousand year life sucking souls out of other immortals. 
Things are different now. Using regular shots of morphine to keep his inner monster at bay, Ryan has led a quiet life since the Second World War. His thrills now come from saving lives, not taking them.
Until a plane crash brings Aleria into his hospital. Her life is vibrant. Crack to predators like him. She’s the exact sort of person they would hunt, and thanks to a severe case of amnesia, she’s all but defenseless.
Leaving Aleria vulnerable isn’t an option, but protecting her means unleashing his own inner monster. Which is a problem, because his inner monster wants her dead most of all.
Pre-order at AmazonUS | Amazon Universal | Apple | Nook | Kobo or add to Goodreads.
Misha Gerricklives near Cape Town, South Africa, and can usually be found staring at her surroundings while figuring out her next book. Tumblr | Twitter | Google Plus | Writing Blog
To celebrate one year since its re-release, Once upon a Nightmare: A Collection is 99c for a limited time. Purchase at Amazon.com | Other Amazon Stores | Google Play | iTunes | Kobo | Nook | OmniLit | Smashwords.

#SpecFic Bookworm News: A Sasquatch Susies Series Review and More

BOOKS READBig Yearning by Christine Rains
Storm Front by Jim Butcher
What a Werewolf Wants by Kristin Miller
BOOK REVIEWSBig Yearning by Christine Rains Suzetta Hughes yearns to find Big Foot, but her attraction to their forest guide may interfere with her plans in Christine Rains' Big Yearning. A nurse and Sasquatch hunter, Suzetta uses humor to derail any negative situation. I love how she tries her best to abide by girl code and ignore hunky Rayce Webb's advances. The action moves at a good pace and races to the conclusion, and the sexual situations are steamy and passionate. Christine Rains leads us into the mystery of whether or not Big Foot exists in this sexy romp of a story in Big Yearning.

To purchase Big Yearning by Christine Rains: Amazon | Kobo | Ellora's Cave | Nook | Google Play

Storm Front by Jim Butcher Magic might not be enough to get Harry Dresden out of trouble in Jim Butcher's Storm Front. Take one private detective, a heavy dose of magic, intriguing murders, and a splash of humor and you have the recipe for this delightful novel. Harry Dresden uses his wizarding skills to solve cases, and his self-deprecating humor, intelligence, and good nature make him a character a reader can relate to. The action moves the book at a good pace, and I found myself smiling and even laughing out loud. I feel like we've scratch the surface of this fantastic world Butcher has created. I'm thrilled to discover we have a lot more books to read in The Dresden Files. Storm Front by Jim Butcher is a must read for those people who enjoy urban fantasy and detective mysteries.

What a Werewolf Wants by Kristin Miller Josie Cole will be a famous matchmaker if she can pull off her 100th perfect match, but Ryder McManus desires to ruin her plans in Kristin Miller's What a Werewolf Wants. This book worked as a standalone title, although it is the third book in the San Francisco Wolf Pack series. I don't usually buy into the whole fated mates type of romances, but Josie and Ryder seemed so incompatible, despite great sexual chemistry, I was curious at how Miller would get them together in the end. Josie believes in love so strongly that anything seemed possible. Although Ryder is quite pessimistic about romance and love, his desire to help his best friend made me like him. The glimpses into a werewolf's world created wonderful tension and conflict upon the pages. Opposites definitely attract in What a Werewolf Wants by Kristin Miller, and I'm looking forward to reading the other books in the San Francisco Wolf Pack series.
SPECULATIVE FICTION BOOKS RELEASING IN MARCHMarked in Flesh by Anne BishopBlood Passage by Heather DemetriosThe Great Hunt by Wendy HigginsYellow Brick War by Danielle PaigeBurning Glass by Kathryn PurdieSeven Black Diamonds by Melissa MarrInto the Dim by Janet B. TaylorHolding Court by K.C. HeldCloaked in Secrecy by T.F. WalshAmid Wind and Stone by Nicole LuikenAtlantis Quest by Gloria CrawRemnants: Season of Glory by Lisa Tawn BergrenReleased by Jus AccardoRebel of the Sands by Alwyn HamiltonConspiracy Boy by Cecily White
Playing the Witch's Game by Zoe Forward
Relic by Gretchen McNeil
Witch of the Cards by Catherine Stine
The Last Girl by Joe Hart
The Queen's Poisoner by Jeff Wheeler

RELEASE DAY BLITZ
Witch of the CardsCatherine StineGenre: paranormal historical suspensePublisher: Konjur Road PressPublication: March 2016ISBN 13: 978-0-9848282-6-5    ISBN 13: 978-0-9848282-7-2  Number of pages: 265Cover Artist: Mae I Designs
Book Description: Fiera was born a sea witch with no inkling of her power. And now it might be too late. 
Witch of the Cards is historical, supernatural romantic suspense set in 1932 on the Jersey shore. Twenty-two year-old Fiera has recently left the Brooklyn orphanage where she was raised, and works in Manhattan as a nanny. She gets a lucky break when her boss pays for her short vacation in Asbury Park. One evening, Fiera and her new friend Dulcie wander down the boardwalk and into Peter Dune’s Tarot & Séance, where they attend a card reading. 
Fiera has always had an unsettling ability to know things before they happen and sense people’s hidden agendas. She longs to either find out the origin of her powers or else banish them because as is, they make her feel crazy. When, during the reading, her energies somehow bond with Peter Dune’s and form an undeniable ethereal force, a chain of revelations and dangerous events begin to unspool. For one, Fiera finds out she is a witch from a powerful sea clan, but that someone is out to stop her blossoming power forever. And though she is falling in love with Peter, he also has a secret side. He’s no card reader, but a private detective working to expose mediums. Despite this terrible betrayal, Fiera must make the choice to save Peter from a tragic Morro Cruise boat fire, or let him perish with his fellow investigators. Told in alternating viewpoints, we hear Fiera and Peter each struggle against their deep attraction. Secrets, lies, even murder, lace this dark fantasy.
Purchase at Amazon US | Amazon UK | iBooks | Kobo | Nook | Inktera | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Amazon DE | Amazon IN
One $30 gift card, one signed paperback of Dorianna (or eBook), one signed paperback of Witch of the Cards (or eBook), one super-swag pack of Catherine’s personally designed greeting cards.a Rafflecopter giveaway
FREE DURING MARCH
Amazon | Google Play | iTunes | Kobo | Nook | OmnLit | Smashwords

Read about what inspired me to write "Folds in Life and Death," a short story in the forthcoming IWSG anthology Parallels: Felix Was Here, on Yolanda Renee's blog.

#IWSG: A Tenative Marketing Plan #pricepulsing

IWSG was created by the Captain Ninja Alex J. Cavanaugh. Click here to visit the other IWSG participants. This month's co-hosts are: Lauren Hennessy, Lisa Buie-Collard, Lidy Wilks, Christine Rains, and Mary Aalgaard.

I have social and generalized anxiety. Despite taking medication to help tone down the side effects, I have pulled away a lot from social activities, particularly social media. My book sales, or lack thereof, show it. So far this year across four books, I've sold a whopping 4 copies and have had 2 free downloads.
So I've decided to take baby steps to promote myself more. I utilize my newsletter once a month or so. I enjoy blogging, and blogging two times a month is really working out well for me, but I need to do more than that.
Here is what I have planned so far:Price pulsing. I plan to lower the price of one of my books a month. This month A to Z Flashes of Foxwick is free.Advertising. Although I don't have much money to advertise my books or enough reviews on three of them to advertise them on paid sites, I can create promo images, post in Facebook groups that allow ads, and mention my books once in a while on Twitter with the goal of not spamming people. (I think the last time I mentioned my book(s) on Twitter was back in November or something like that.)Mention my blog posts on my Facebook page and Twitter.Talk about my works in progress more on my Facebook page and Twitter.My goal is to do a little more without edging into the spamming people side of promoting, and I hope to find a way to share more of my interests too that relate to the realm of speculative fiction. We'll see how it goes. One step at a time.

What do you do to market yourself and your books?In February, I actually completed every single one of my goals! I think that's a first. I also decided to switch my main and secondary projects, and the decision worked out well. I wrote for thirty minutes a day in A Soul to Kill and have 13 out of 16 chapters written. As for Destined, I wrote for fifteen minutes a day and have 10 out of 41 chapters completed. I finished editing a friend's novel, another edit on "Folds in Life and Death," and outlined Destined. I also finally sat down and edited Marked, which is with my first critique partner. Man, I don't know why I waited so long to edit it. The story was maj and read well. Of course, I could be delusional. *laughs* I've also edited my short story "On Day 168" for the upcoming Untethered Realms' anthology and have sent it to the editor.
My March goals include:Write 30 minutes a day in A Soul to Kill.Write 15 minutes a day in Destined.Final edits on "Folds of Life and Death."Outline the short story "A Soul to Protect" for the Untethered Realms anthology Spirits in the Water (Forthcoming 2017).Edit the bonus woodwose section for the forthcoming boxed set of The Fate Challenges.Implement my new marketing plan.What are your goals for this month?
Current 2016 Stats: 59,469 words written and 577 pages edited.
Galactic Empires
Eight Novels of Deep Space Adventure
Adventure, war, intrigue and survival in the far reaches of space. Novels include The Backworlds by M. Pax, Ambassador 1: Seeing Red by Patty Jansen, Alien Hunters by Daniel Arenson, Hard Duty by Mark E. Cooper, Bypass Gemini by Joseph Lallo,  Sky Hunter by Chris Reher, The Galapagos Incident by Felix Savage, and First Conquest by David VanDyke.

FREE at Amazon | Google Play | iTunes | Kobo | Nook

#SpecFic Bookworm News: An Excerpt from Anna Simpson's White Light

BOOK READGrimm: The Chopping Block by John Passarella
BOOK REVIEWGrimm: The Chopping Block by John PassarellaNick Burkhardt knows the stranger the case, the more likely it's Wesen related in John Passarella's The Chopping Block, based off the TV show Grimm. This book is jammed pack with Grimm goodness with main points of view from Nick, Juliette, and Monroe. The fast-paced detective story kept me hooked as more people went missing and more bones showed up. I enjoyed Monroe's attempts to help out a fellow Blutbad, but best of all, I thought Passarella made me understand Juliette's motives more clearly as she plunges into the strange and fascinating Wesen world. Passarella definitely did his homework as he took the TV characters and made them come to life on the page. If you're a fellow Grimmster, then you'll love The Chopping Block by John Passarella.
SPECULATIVE FICTION RELEASING IN FEBRUARYThe Power by Jennifer L. ArmentroutRevenge and the Wild by Michelle ModestoAssassin’s Heart by Sarah AhiersReign of Shadows by Sophie JordanCalamity by Brandon SandersonFirstlife by Gena ShowalterThese Vicious Masks by Tarun Shanker and Kelly ZekasThe Forbidden Wish by Jessica KhouryWhere Futures End by Parker PeevyhouseThe Girl from Everywhere by Heidi HeiligUnhooked by Lisa MaxwellBlack Hearts by Nicole CastromanKingdom of Ashes by Rhiannon ThomasThe Shadow Queen by C.J. RedwineGlass Sword by Victoria AveyardScardust by Suzanne van RooyenWickedly They Dream by Cathrina ConstantineHarmony Black by Craig SchaeferGreta and the Lost Army by Chloe JacobsBackworlds 1-3 Boxed Set by M. PaxLove Me, Love Me Not by Alyxandra HarveyFable Ranger: Summons by A.L. BrownA Question of Faith by Nicole ZoltackParanormal After Dark boxed set by Various AuthorsThe Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValleTrace Evidence by Kathy Reichs and Brendan ReichsSupernatural: Cold Fire by John PassarellaStar Trek: Miasma by Greg CoxThrough the Veil by Colleen HalversonGhost Gifts by Laura Spinella
Big Yearning by Christine Rains
AN EXCERPT FROM ANNA SIMPSON'S WHITE LIGHTTo stay free, I perform a ritual every morning. It begins with stepping outside, where dawn streams through the leafy branches of my maple tree, landing, shifting, and dancing on the flowerbeds at my bare feet. A steaming cup of coffee warms my hands. The fragrant air fills my lungs. I sip, leaving the liquid on my tongue to capture a moment of rich goodness.
My name is Emma, and I need to stay grounded and calm. It’s important for my health, so I walk along the fence and let the cool blades of grass tickle my toes and dewdrops cling to my skin. For fun, I kick a ball of dandelion fluff. Little parachutes take flight catching the same breeze moving the leaves above my head. The seeds float up, and up, over the fence to land on Mrs. Perkins’ perfectly tended lawn. Not a dandelion or mat of moss to be seen.
In a half acre of green sits one flowerbed, brimming with Lily of the Valley. I remember the first time I saw them over fifteen years ago. The delicate white bells could only be fairy hats. Today, the round base of cemented river stone is still full of waxy green spear tips. I don’t see fairy hats anymore. No, now I enjoy the effects of nature—its simple perfection.
Mrs. Perkins does it best. In fact, everything around Mrs. Perkins is perfectly cared for—her home, her yard, her car—all perfect.
But not today. A dark line sits between the jamb and the edge of the door.A few inches of shadow drives my calm away and prickles the long blonde hairs at the nape of my neck. Butterflies in my stomach tell, no scratch that, demand I find my phone and go next door.
Don’t get the wrong idea. I’m not a snoop.
Mrs. Perkins, a wiry old bird, did everything herself. I’m not sure if it is because she’s the independent sort or if she has no one else to help her. Either way, when she suggested we watch out for one another, I agreed.
I’m also alone. It doesn’t bother me unless I catch the flu or something. Then I wonder if I will die and no one will notice. It’s a thought, or fear, I can’t shake. Mrs. Perkins’ house has my full attention, and within it sits the same worry. I’ll check on her because she would do the same for me.
I crash into my kitchen, slopping my coffee onto the counter as I slam the mug down. My phone could be anywhere. My gaze travels from the pine tabletop to the gray marble counter. It’s not here. I push through the swinging door to the living area, run my fingertips between the couch and chair cushions, scan the smoked-glass coffee table through my veil of long blonde hair, and sneak a peek under my overturned book on the throw rug. Desperate, I check around the bowl by the door where I toss my keys as I pass the spiral staircase to the loft. Still nothing.
Down the short hallway, I rush to my bedroom. I tug the midnight blue duvet off the bed and shake it. My pulse speeds up as something thuds on to the carpet. I pick up my smartphone and check the battery. Half power.
Excellent. I dash through my front door, across the lawn and unlatch Mrs. Perkins’ white picket gate. Her shiny yellow front door looks as solid as stone. I follow her path to the back wondering if danger lurks.
I gasp as I near the door. It’s like living a moment in a crime drama. I mimic what I have watched on television and bring up my phone to take a picture. Inching forward, heart pounding, I wonder if poor Mrs. Perkins is sprawled out on the bathroom floor, from a stroke, heart attack, or a butcher knife.
Don’t worry, Mrs. Perkins. I’m coming.
I pull my cotton sleeve over my hand and push the door wider. Her kitchen looks untouched as if it’s sterilized or newly installed. Tiles cool my bare feet with each step. Fear scratches at my nerves, “Mrs. Perkins? It’s Emma from next door. Are you okay?”
Silence.
I raise the phone to call for help.
A small sound carries from deeper in the house. I should stop, leave, and make the call.
Following the sound might be dangerous or, worse, plain stupid. And I’m scared. So scared, my breathing is all I hear over the pounding of my heart.
I’d look stupid if I’m wrong. Ravenglass Lake is so small-townsville, and Benny the bully is like no cop I’ve ever met. He would be no help. Worst of all, they’d call me crazy for sure. I slip the phone back into my denim pocket, quietly open her knife drawer, and pull out a meat cleaver. Armed, I creep forward.
Thank goodness Mrs. Perkins likes an open airy room. Evil housebreakers have nowhere to hide in the dining room.
A small thump like a cat landing on carpet makes me jump. But Mrs. Perkins doesn’t have a cat…or carpet—only allergies.
I tighten my grip on the cleaver as I stick my head into the living room. All is quiet and undisturbed. I enter the corridor to the front door. To my right are stairs to the upper floor. Farther ahead is a hall closet and nook where she keeps a desk and a small bookcase. Nothing seems touched.
I glance up at the glittery ceiling, swallow, and pull my phone from my pocket. The sensible thing is to dial 911. I sidestep for the front door, but in my mind’s eye Mrs. Perkins, wiry but frail, shakes her head. Her arm outstretched urging me not to leave.
Thump, I freeze. The noise is right beside me coming from the hall closet.
Without thinking, I open the door and find Mrs. Perkins tied up with duct tape across her lips. Her green eyes, round and unblinking, grow wide, and her usual perfect curls are mussed. I drop the cleaver. It clatters on the floor, and I pull the tape free.

White Light by Anna SimpsonGenre: Mystery (with a ghost)ASIN: B019DHODC6ISBN: 9990051305272
Emma never dreamed of being a super-sleuth. In her mind, she’s more Scooby Doo than Nancy Drew and when her nosy neighbor, Mrs. Perkins, drags her to an anniversary party to solve a mystery, she rolls her eyes, buys a box of chocolates and hops in the car.
What’s a party without an attack on its host—or more accurately on the host’s grandson, sparking an allergic reaction and moving the party to the hospital waiting room. Suddenly, everyone is a suspect. Emma and Mrs. Perkins, along with Great Aunt Alice (a spirit with boundary issues who keeps stepping into Emma’s body like a new dress and playing matchmaker), dive into an investigation that almost gets Emma killed along with the man they are trying to protect. With so many reasons to kill him and so much to be gained if he died, Emma and Mrs. Perkins must unravel the tenuous ties that point to every member of his family as potential killers.
Even if it means going back to the psych ward, Emma will protect her friend and this innocent man. What good is freedom if it’s haunted with guilt?
Book links: Amazon | Chapters/Indigo | Nook | iTunes | Google Play | Goodreads
What Some Are Saying:Sherry from fundinmental says:

“I love writing that can pull emotions from me and White Light does that.”

Laura from Laura’s Ramblins and Reviews says:

“There’s lots to laugh at and some serious business to draw you deeper into the story.”

Mary from Goodreads says:

“This is a great beach read with mystical elements. Simpson creates colorful characters, intriguing plot, and with her use of dialogue keeps the story moving along.”

Anna Simpson lives near the Canadian-US border with her family. Even though she’s lived in several places in British Columbia, her free spirit wasn’t able to settle down until she moved back to her hometown.
She is easy to find though, if you know the magic word — emaginette. Do an internet search using it and you’ll see what I mean. :-)
Anna’s links: Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads