Jean Murray's Blog, page 11

April 8, 2013

Author Open MIC: Welcomes Paloma Beck + Erotic Giveaway

Click to view slideshow.
Welcome to Paloma Beck’s Release Tour of Hold My Hand!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paloma Beck

Paloma Beck is a Romance Author living a life of contradiction… she’s a happily married carpooling mom writing erotic romance. It’s almost naughty! Paloma writes in both the Contemporary and Paranormal realms, journaling the stories her characters tell her, and they are anything but PG. She dabbles in vampires, witches, ménage, spanking and BDSM- all in her books, of course.

Paloma believes a daily dose of espresso and a good book make any day better.

Connect with Paloma

WEBSITE http://palomabeck.weebly.com

TUMBLR http://palomabeck.tumblr.com/

BLOG http://RomanceBeckons.blogspot.com

TWITTER https://twitter.com/PalomaBeck

FACEBOOK http://www.facebook.com/PalomaBeckAuthor

PINTEREST http://www.pinterest.com/PalomaBeck

GOODREADS http://www.goodreads.com/PalomaBeck

BOOK REVEAL & EXCERPT

Title: Hold My Hand

Author: Paloma Beck

Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance

Elements: BDSM-lite, Consensual Adult Spanking

Release Date: April 1, 2013

Blurb

Aubrey has been hurt in the past, discouraged and degraded by a heartless father. Still, William sees something in her that won’t allow him to walk away. Instantly drawn to her but intuitive enough to take it slowly, he courts her. Then he bargains, persuades and seduces until he ensnares Aubrey with his commanding nature. He’s everything she ever needed but never had the courage to want for. Despite the fight she puts up in accepting William’s lifestyle, the bonds he places on Aubrey give her a freedom she desperately needs. Together, they heal old wounds and find their perfect love.

BUY LINKS

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/298418

Amazon: http://is.gd/AoHfwb

BOOK EXCERPT

© Hold My Hand, Paloma Beck, 2013

“You can keep your robe on and I’ll simply part it along the bottom or you can feel free to take it off if that makes you more comfortable,” Shea instructed me.

I laughed, my nervous laugh, and left my robe securely fastened.

Shea patted the lushly cushioned table and I hopped up. Shea placed one of her tiny warm hands on my calf reassuringly as she separated the panels of my robe. My anxiety edged up. It’s just a few hairs, I told myself repeatedly in my head but the words did nothing to stem my anxiety.

As she prepared the wax, Shea talked to me. “William requested a small triangular area of hair be maintained. I‘ll trim you to make the removal easier then begin waxing from the exterior and work our way in. We can take a break whenever you need it but the best thing for you is to relax, close your eyes, listen to the music and focus on your breathing.”

“Okay. You make it sound so simple.” I breathed in deeply, knowing it wasn’t as simple as she’d made it sound.

“I’ve done this enough to know it’s going to hurt but also enough to know there are worse things.”

I nodded and relaxed into the table when she raised the volume of the music. I felt light touches but chose not to look. I allowed the music to fill me. After some quiet moments, Shea bent my leg to the side, opened me and left me completely exposed to this virtual stranger. I cringed inwardly but maintained my relaxed position.

The warmth of the wax as she spreads it along the valley connecting leg to torso was soothing, so incongruous with the next act to follow. I braced myself.

“Relax, Aubrey. Don’t hold your breath. You were doing well with the deep breathing. Keep breathing deeply. I will count for you. Deep breath in, two, three, four, deep breath out, two three, four…” Shea comforted me.

It was somewhere in that seventh breath when the burning, pinching, mother of all pain struck. Shea quickly ripped the wax from my skin and with it, tore my hair out. Just a few hairs, I told myself, but it was more pain than I had even imagined. Tears ran from my eyes as I lay thinking about how much more there was to be done. I wanted to crawl from the table. I whimpered, unable to locate my center again.

“Aubrey, you’re doing this for William. I know you want to please him. Keep your thoughts on him and continue breathing.” Bending my other leg, she spread more wax, “let’s breathe together again.”

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON TODAY!

E-COPY OF HOLD MY HAND

TODAY’s QUESTION
Do you wax? Would you do it for your lover if he asked?

Paloma is offering a DAILY CONTEST during her release tour to WIN a Hold My Hand ebook. Enter to win each day by answering the QUESTION in the COMMENTS section of that day’s post. The question must be answered to be eligible. The commenter needs to provide their email address and preferred ebook format.

RELEASE TOUR STOPS

Find a listing of all stops at Romance Beckons. http://romancebeckons.blogspot.com/p/blog-hops.html#.UVXrnByG2So

Filed under: Author Open Mic, Giveaway, Guest Author Tagged: author-open-mic, BDSM, erotic romance, free book, giveaway, HOLD MY HAND, PALOMA BECK, wicked romance

View more on Jean Murray's website »

1 like · Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on April 08, 2013 04:00

April 1, 2013

Author Open MIC: Welcomes Barbara Monajem + $25 GC Giveaway

Click to view slideshow.
Welcome!

Hi folks! I’m very excited to introduce my next guest, Regency Romance Author Barbara Monajem. She has an amazing backlist of Regency books that any reader would fall in love with. Check out her Amazon Author Page.

The Regency period (early 1800′s) was a time of turmoil — wars, manufacturing, fashion and let us not forget, “manners.” I’m by far no expert, so lets turn over the MIC to someone who is…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Barbara Monajem

Barbara Monajem wrote her first story in third grade about apple tree gnomes. After dabbling in neighborhood musicals and teen melodrama, she published a middle-grade fantasy when her children were young. Now her kids are adults, and she’s writing historical and paranormal romance for grownups. She lives in Georgia, USA, with an ever-shifting population of relatives, friends, and feline strays.

INTERVIEW

Hi,Barbara. Welcome to Wicked Romance and a spotlight we call Author Open MIC.

Thank you for having me here today, Jean.

How did you get into writing? Was it something you were born with or did you discover your hidden talent?

My mother read to me a lot when I was very young, and I was hooked right away on making up my own stories. The first one I remember writing was in third grade. It was about some gnomes that lived in an apple tree. The teacher praised the first chapter so much that I got a terrible case of nerves—I hated being the focus of attention (still do)—and gave it a boring sort of ending on purpose. I still struggle with endings, but now that’s because I try to get them right. :-)

Tell us a little about the time period you write about, England in the early 1800s. What attracted you to write about this time and what is special about it?

I became interested in writing Regency-era romances after reading Georgette Heyer’s novels. It’s a fun period to write about—long enough ago that it feels different from today, but not too terribly distant. I’m not interested in writing about present-day reality (there’s plenty of that around us!), so I write either historical or paranormal romances…or a combination, in the case of my two new releases, which are Regencies with more than a touch of magic.

What is the single, most important element when writing a historical novel? What do you find most challenging?

Hmm. I like to be accurate (except when it comes to magic, when anything goes), but I’m not a historian, and I’m not willing to spend a huge amount of time on research. I enjoy research, but it’s time-consuming, and I like writing much more. That’s one reason I’ve stuck to the Regency period so far—I know it fairly well, and there are lots of resources out there to help a non-historian like me. It can be quite a challenge to balance historical accuracy with what readers want—such as women who are able and willing to be independent and go against the rules. There have always been independent women, but many freedoms we have today simply weren’t available, especially if a woman wanted to be accepted by society. I think that’s why so many Regencies are about women who break out of the mold. It’s fun writing about heroes who love these independent women.

Can you describe the clothing that your characters wear in your novel? Are there any challenges when writing love scenes, fight scenes etc..?

One of the challenges when writing a love scene is getting the heroine’s clothes off. Women wore many more layers then, and the hero meets hindrances such as stays, which require a lot of unlacing. (Of course, this can make for some very sexy interaction.) Also, the heroine usually needs help getting her clothes on—whether it’s the hero helping (which is fun) or her maid (which means an extra character when you don’t necessarily want one).

I haven’t written many fight scenes. Usually my heroes are the rough and ready sort when it comes to fights and know how to deal with an opponent quickly. It might be fun to learn about fencing, though—I love reading about swordplay.

Tell us about the characters in each of your books. Are they compatible or is it the attraction of opposites that fuels their passion?

In The Magic of His Touch, the hero and heroine are very compatible, although it takes a while for the heroine to believe it. In Bewitched by His Kiss, they’re diametrically opposed to one another, and the heroine struggles to resist the attraction—and the belief that they belong together—until the very end.

I understand there is a paranormal element– magic. How does it play in your story?

The magic in my duet of Regency novellas has to do with an ancient May Day custom. At dawn on the first of May, a woman who rolls naked in the dew will magically call her true love to her side. Just imagine the possibilities! So much could go wrong…or right!

What are you cooking up next? What can readers expect?

Right now, I’m working on another duet of Regency novellas with a Christmas/Twelfth Night theme. I’m also working on some contemporary paranormal romances in my Bayou Gavotte vampire series—a novel and a novella. Hopefully I’ll have one of those out soon.

Where can readers find you and your books?

My website has links to all my books, with blurbs and excerpts. www.BarbaraMonajem.com

I’m on Twitter at @BarbaraMonajem and on Facebook at facebook.com/Barbara.Monajem

Open MIC FAV FIVE:

Favorite hero or heroine -This list changes and grows from day to day. I like the Scarlet Pimpernel, Captain Jack Sparrow, Beauvallet (an Elizabethan hero written by Georgette Heyer), Marcus Didius Falco (a Roman private eye of sorts in the mysteries by Lindsey Davis), Sherlock Holmes as played by Benedict Cumberbatch, and Doctor Who. And that’s just for starters. Favorite heroine – Cordelia in Cordelia’s Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold and Venetia Lanyon in Venetia (one of Heyer’s Regencies).
Favorite author- there are too many to list, but I’ve re-read more books by Georgette Heyer than by any other author, so I guess that says something!
Favorite music to write by- None. Usually, I ignore everything that’s going on in the background. I’m a big Paul McCartney fan, though. I wrote a children’s fantasy while playing some of his CDs.
Favorite inspiration- Right now, it’s ancient magic. Next, who knows? I like to be surprised.
Most memorable writing moment- I don’t remember!

BOOK INFORMATION

Book 1, The Magic of His Touch

England, 1804

Tired of being paraded before every eligible bachelor, Peony Whistleby decides it’s time to find her true love—through the ancient custom of rolling naked in the dew on May Day morning. But the magic goes awry when she is caught in the act—and by an entirely unsuitable man. And yet, the way his eyes linger upon her flesh ignites a sensual craving that can only be satisfied by his touch…

The Magic of His Touch (available April 1):

Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/bb823aa

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-magic-of-his-touch-barbara-monajem/1114334728?ean=9781460310960

Harlequin: http://ebooks.harlequin.com/A1CEDFD7-54F8-4304-A8E7-A7C5B41E68EC/10/141/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=69E9E950-511F-4500-8E66-FDF8523A1BCA

Bewitched by His Kiss

England, 1804

Lucasta Barnes knows the folly believing in magic can lead to—and she won’t accept that her illicit tryst with a notorious rake was the result of anything more than pure lust. Or that it has bonded them together forever. Yet, she can’t deny that she yearns for just one more night in his arms…

David, Earl of Elderwood, is used to women being enchanted by him, but ever since a passionate encounter with Lucasta three years ago, he desires only her. How can he convince his thoroughly practical paramour that love is the greatest magic of all?

Bewitched by His Kiss (available May 1):

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Bewitched-His-Kiss-Mischief-ebook/dp/B00BAT1S0Q/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1364517175&sr=8-12&keywords=barbara+monajem

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bewitched-by-his-kiss-barbara-monajem/1114335453?ean=9781460313084

Harlequin: http://ebooks.harlequin.com/A1CEDFD7-54F8-4304-A8E7-A7C5B41E68EC/10/141/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=200C183C-4541-4082-AEA3-54EE40E6834C

BOOK EXCERPTS
Excerpt from The Magic of His Touch:

“Get up! Get dressed!”

Peony froze in mid-roll. A strange man bounded toward her, gesturing, his voice low but urgent. She scrambled to her feet, a shriek catching in her throat.

“I won’t hurt you,” he said, but he kept on coming. Her heart clambering into her gullet, she tried to cover herself with her hands.

“Who— What—” She couldn’t get a word out.

“Don’t stand there like an idiot, girl! I already know what you look like naked.” A blush crowded up her neck and burned her cheeks. “Get your clothes on, and be quick about it.” With brisk, shooing motions he herded her toward the hawthorn where she’d left her shift and gown.

Anger swelled up, overcoming her fear. How dare he order her about? “Go away,” she said, hating how her voice trembled as she fled before him. “What are you doing here? You have no right.” A little way round the circle of meadow, she spied a horse, cropping the grass at the edge of the wood.

“You should be thankful I’m here,” he said, stopping several feet away when she reached the hawthorn. “I don’t know what foolishness you’re up to, but clearly your lover isn’t coming, and—”

“No, because you spoiled everything,” she said. Her hair had fallen out of its ribbon and stuck wetly to her face. She clawed it away, wanting to hit him. Her chance at finding love was gone. “Go away!”

He folded his arms and just stood there, scowling—and looking at her as if, underneath that frown, he was enjoying himself. “Not until you put your clothes on and be off home where you belong.”

Another flush overwhelmed her, this time of shame and misery, as she realized what he meant. He thought she’d come out here to tryst with some likely village lad, as if she were a scullery maid. And who was he, anyway? She’d never seen him before. He was dressed like a gentleman and spoke like one, too, but he didn’t belong here.

“Who gave you the right to order me about?” she demanded. “This is private land.”

His eyes widened. “You silly little fool, I’m trying to protect you. I traveled here with a friend. To him, a naked woman is a blatant invitation. You’re lucky it’s I who came upon you and not he.”

She grabbed her shift and turned it right side out. “Stop staring at me.”

“You’re a beautiful girl without any clothes on,” he said. “I wouldn’t be much of a man if I didn’t stare.”

Excerpt from Bewitched by His Kiss:

Setup: It’s late at night, and Lucasta, our heroine, fears that her cousin Peony has gone rolling naked in the dew again. She bumps into Lord Elderwood on the way out to check on her.

“Shall we go verify that Peony is safe?” Lord Elderwood’s voice was a silky dare.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Lucasta retorted. “Alexis is a gentleman through and through.” Unlike Elderwood, who would take advantage of a woman with or without clothing. She remembered leaving the future to fate and shivered. No, this meeting was pure chance. Nothing else.

That didn’t stop every nerve in her body from coming alive and afire.

The path through the wood appeared like magic. No, not magic—just luck that they’d found it easily in the dark. She hastened onward. “But for her safety, I must make certain he is with her.”

Elderwood laughed. From ahead came a startled squeak, stifled immediately. Urgent whispers stretched toward them, ghostly and unintelligible. Peony was talking to someone, but she didn’t sound frightened, and she hadn’t had time to disrobe. It must truly be Alexis, thank heavens. He was a reassuring sort of man. He would convince her to keep her clothes on. He would make sure she returned to the house safely.

Elderwood laughed again. “Come now, my love. Tell the truth. Don’t you want to know what Alexis is doing with your cousin?”

“Damn you,” she said too loudly, whirling back toward the orchard. She lowered her voice. “Stop laughing, for God’s sake. Have you no discretion?”

A muffled snort came from directly behind her. He must be close enough to touch her and intending to do so.

“Stupid question,” she muttered. She was at his mercy, or rather at the mercy of her own rampaging desires. She hurried forward, clutching the pistol close so he couldn’t get it, but suddenly the path petered into nothing. She must have mistaken the way in the dark; she dodged the other direction, around a massive oak she’d passed on the way in.

Blocked again, this time by a wall of undergrowth and a closed rank of trees. She whirled again and stumbled.

Lord Elderwood caught her. “Dear, dear,” he said. “Are we lost?”

“Where did the path go?” she burst out. “It was right here. I’m sure of it.”

“And now it isn’t,” Elderwood said, one arm strong around her, the other plucking the muff pistol from her hand.

She moaned. “That makes no sense at all.”

He took her chin in his hands and tipped it up. His eyes seemed to glow in the darkness. “It does, if you believe in magic.”

Win $25 Gift Card from AMAZON

Win $25 Gift Card from BARNES & NOBLE

ENTER RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY HERE

Additional chances to win – click on the Rafflecopter link above

Don’t Forget ~ Book Release
Bewitched by His Kiss (available May 1)
The Magic of His Touch (available April 1)

Filed under: Author Open Mic, Giveaway, Guest Author Tagged: 1800's, author open mic, barbara monajem, bewitched by his kiss, historical, magic, regency, romance, wicked romance

View more on Jean Murray's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on April 01, 2013 04:00

March 29, 2013

WINNERS Announced: SOUL AWAKENED Book Tour ~ Giveaways + KINDLE FIRE HD

Over 9,557 entries in 2 months: Soul Awakened Book Tour & Kindle Fire HD Giveaway!!!

Winners at the individual site giveaways were chosen by the Blog Hosts.

It’s time to announce the winners…..

Jan 14 – Fang-tastic Books – 1 Signed copy of Soul Reborn + $10 Amazon GC

Michelle Harlan

Jan 21 – Paranormal Perceptions Series - Ebook of Soul Reborn

Book Lady

Jan 20 – The Creatively Green Write at Home Mom - ebook Soul Reborn + Wicked Romance Tote

Lyre (gaia(dot)athena(at)gmail.com)

Feb 2 - Crazy Four Books Guest blog and review of Soul Reborn & Soul Awakened - ebook Soul Reborn

Dorothy

Feb 6 – Marsha A Moor Interview - ebook Soul Reborn

Shannon Bereza

Feb 25th - Louisa Bacio Blog ~ Interview / Egyptian Charm + Signed Cover flats:

Egyptian Charm

Shannon Bereza

Signed Cover Flats

Anne (anne.j2)
BN100 (bn100candg)
Shannon Bereza (sbereza22)
Ash (ash_app)
Pat Lee

Feb 26th – Pamela Turner Blog ~ Guest Post – “It’s a colorful world.” Giveaway – Mini Maglite / Signed Cover flat:

Shannon Bereza

Kindle Fire HD + Ebook Set (Soul Reborn/Awakened)
Anne Consolacion

**********

Winners have 72 hours to claim prizes by sending an email:
murray(dot)jeanm@gmail.com
www.jean-murray.com

BOOK TRAILER

Filed under: Events, Key to the Cursed, Uncategorized Tagged: Author Jean Murray, bewitching blog tour, book trailer, giveaway, key to the cursed, kindle fire HD, release party, soul awakened, soul reborn

View more on Jean Murray's website »

1 like · Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on March 29, 2013 04:00

March 28, 2013

Where am I? Bakari’s Interview

My hero, Bakari, from Soul Awakened is making a rare appearance on Mimi Sebastian’s Blog. He’s agreed to answer her questions. Time to ask death a question. He promises not to steal your soul.

Winners of the Book Tour will be release tomorrow morning at 0700.

Filed under: Uncategorized

View more on Jean Murray's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on March 28, 2013 17:03

March 21, 2013

Where am I? Interview at the very funny Aaron Ritchey’s

Hi everyone.

A fellow CMP Author, Aaron Ritchey, is interviewing me today on his blog. He titled the post, “I Walk Like an Egyptian and Get Nursey with Paranormal Romance Author Jean Murray.”

If you want a laugh, stop by and get re-acquainted with the Village People. Yes, I did say Village People – music video and all.

Hope to see you there.

Jean

Filed under: Guest Author, Key to the Cursed, Uncategorized Tagged: Aaron Ritchey, egyptian, interview, key to the cursed, navy, village people

View more on Jean Murray's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on March 21, 2013 17:45

March 16, 2013

ENDS SUNDAY NIGHT!!! Over 8400 entries: SOUL AWAKENED Book Tour ~ Giveaways at each stop + KINDLE FIRE HD

Over 8400 entries : Soul Awakened Book Tour & Kindle Fire HD Giveaway!!!
This has been a wonderful book tour, but it is time to select a WINNER. Giveaway ends Sunday night at midnight.
Click on the rafflecopter link to see all the ways to enter:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
LAST CHANCE

****************

NEW STOPS/More Chances to WIN

Feb 25th - Louisa Bacio Blog ~ Interview / Egyptian Charm + Signed Cover flats

http://www.louisabacio.blogspot.com/2013/02/key-to-cursed-with-jean-murray.html#comment-form

Feb 26th – Pamela Turner Blog ~ Guest Post – “It’s a colorful world.” Giveaway – Mini Maglite / Signed Cover flats

http://www.pamela-turner.com/2013/02/tuesday-guest-post-jean-murray.html

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE

January 14 Guest blog

Fang-tastic Books – 1 Signed copy of Soul Reborn + $10 Amazon GC

http://fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-heart-of-heroine-guest-blog-and.html

January 15 Interview

Night Owl Magazine Issue 38

Paranormal and Urban Fantasy Column

http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Magazine/NOR-Magazine-38/Articles/Urban-Fantasy-And-The-Paranormal-Jan-2013-By-Roxanne-Rhoads

January 17 Promo and review of Soul Reborn & Soul Awakened

The Solitary Bookworm

http://www.thesolitarybookworm.com/book-review-soul-reborn-soul-awakened-by-jean-murray-giveaway/

January 18 Interview

Roxanne’s Realm

http://www.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com/2013/01/interview-with-jean-murray.html?zx=ab19d815e11d6008

January 20 Interview

The Creatively Green Write at Home Mom

http://www.creativelygreen.blogspot.com/2013/01/interview-and-giveaway-with-author-mom.html

January 21 Guest blog

Paranormal Perceptions Series

http://www.pwcreighton.com/surveillance-report/2013/1/21/paranormal-perceptions-cursed.html

January 22 Promo

http://bitten2ice.com/promo-soul-awakened-by-jean-murray/

January 30 Interview

http://vividumas.wordpress.com/2013/01/30/soul-awakened-by-jean-murray/

February 1 Promo and review

Deal Sharing Aunt

http://www.dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com/2013/02/soul-awakened-by-jean-murray-review.html

February 2 Guest blog and review of Soul Reborn & Soul Awakened

Crazy Four Books

http://crazyfourbooks.blogspot.com/2013/02/vbt-review-giveaway-guest-blog-by-jean.html?showComment=1359856398750#c3759340165592174686

February 3 Promo and review

Readaholic’s Reviews,

http://readaholicsreviews.com/soul-awakened-book-review-giveaway-excerpt/

February 4 Guest blog

http://www.christina-mcknight.blogspot.com/2013/02/guest-post-jean-murray-soul-awakened.html

February 4 Promo

http://victoriadanann.me/2013/02/04/soul-awakened-feature-today/

February 5 Interview and review of Soul Reborn & Soul Awakened

Happy Tails and Tales

http://magluvsya03.wordpress.com/2013/02/05/soul-awakened-blog-tour-w-giveaways/

February 5 Guest Post – PENDING

Le Vanity Victorienne

http://thevictorianvanity.blogspot.com/

February 6 Interview

Marsha A Moore

http://www.marshaamoore.blogspot.com/2013/02/interview-with-jean-murray-about-her.html#Label1

February 7 Guest blog

Frankie Blooding’s Bookshelf

http://frankieblooding.wordpress.com/2013/02/07/guest-jean-murray-as-she-tells-us-about-her-book-bloopers/

Book Bloopers

February 8 Review of Soul Reborn & Soul Awakened

Bookishly Devoted – PENDING

http://www.bookishlydevoted.blogspot.com/

February 8 Guest blog

http://www.booksandtales.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/guest-post-giveaway-with-jean-murray.html

February 12 Interview and review of Soul Reborn & Soul Awakened

http://jodiepierceauthor.blogspot.com/2013/02/author-jean-murray.html

HOPE YOU WILL JOIN THE PARTY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
www.jean-murray.com

BOOK TRAILER

View more on Jean Murray's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on March 16, 2013 14:33

March 11, 2013

Author Open MIC: Welcomes Poet Amy Lyre Turner + 2 Signed Prints of Pieces of the Soul

Click to view slideshow.
Welcome!

I have a treat for you today. We have our first Poet Open MIC and Interview to share with you today. Amy Lyre Turner has an amazing book of poetry titled Pieces of the Soul. You know how I love souls, folks and this little number is aptly named. Amy was gracious enough to provide me with a copy to read before this guest post/interview. I don’t normally read poetry, so I was excited to give this book at try. It has not left my purse since I received it in the mail. I pull it out and read a poem whenever I can and I’ve already marked some of my favorites. I think everyone can relate to the emotions that Amy expresses in the lines of her writing. Things we celebrate, love, regret, hate, our insecurities, loves lost…. She captures all the elements we are inside and out. Pieces of the Soul is available at Amazon for $3.99 Kindle. She has two author signed copies to give away today, so stay tuned. Let me introduce Amy and then we will hand her the Mic.

ABOUT THE POET

Amy Lyre Turner

Amy “Lyre” Turner is a military brat and mental health professional who enjoys writing poetry and fiction, spending time with family and friends, and playing with her feline daughter, Samhain. “Pieces of the Soul” is her first published work. Ms. Turner lives in Northern Virginia.

Author Links

AuthorHouse : http://www.authorhouse.com

My Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4412731.Amy_N_Turner

Pieces of the Soul on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9527702-pieces-of-the-soul

Pieces of the Soul on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Pieces-Soul-Amy-N-Turner/dp/1438989539/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1362956784&sr=1-2&keywords=Pieces+of+the+Soul

Blog: http://amy-lyre.blogspot.com

GUEST POST: THE INTERNAL POET

One of the things I love most about poetry is that it can be so very personal. The style itself can be a reflection of the poet’s internal process. Whether a poet chooses free verse or haiku or something far more structured, like a sonnet, it’s about expression. For the most part, I am a free verse kind of girl. It gives me a great deal of flexibility to express what I want to express and how.

For me, poetry is often about catching a moment and distilling it – the essence, the truest emotion of that moment. Sometimes the emotion is my own, and other times, I’m trying to understand someone else’s emotions. My full time job is in community mental health, so I deal with emotions a lot. It helps me to sometimes get things out of my system if I can put it to paper, whether it’s my own stuff or someone else’s. I also find that there are just moments that are so pure and breathtaking that they end up inspiring me to jot something down so I remember it. Later, those little notes sometimes end up becoming a poem.

I read some poetry regularly, but mostly I spend my days reading fiction. Some of my favorite poets, though, are pretty classic (Robert Frost, William Wordsworth, Emily Dickinson) and a little more contemporary (e.e. cummings, Anne Sexton) and a little more interesting (Ellen Hopkins, who is really more a blend of poetry and fiction).

Who is your favorite poet and why? ~ Leave your comment and enter to win a copy of Pieces of the Soul by Amy Turner
INTERVIEW

When did you start writing poetry? Were you born with it or did you discover your talent?

I remember writing poetry as far back as middle school, but I’ve always been a storyteller (according to my parents, anyway). I’ve had a love affair with the written word from a very early age. I am an avid reader and love stories. I probably more discovered my poetry talent, though. When I was younger and we were living overseas, my mom used to watch this TV show called “Beauty and the Beast” (Ron Perlman and Linda Hamilton). In it, Vincent (played by Ron Perlman) often reads poetry to Catherine (Linda Hamilton). They made a tape (ha, just dated myself a smidge) of music from the show and Ron Perlman reading poetry selections: e.e. cummings, William Wordsworth, Shakespeare… I think that’s the first time I was conscious of how powerful poetry could be.

Where do you find the inspiration for your poetry? Personal experiences, observations, locations etc…

Yes. Ha! No, seriously, all of the above. I have several poems in Pieces of the Soul that are location inspired – either by something I saw or heard in my environment or a feeling I have about the place. Other poems are more interaction based; they stem from experiences I’ve had with other people or from experiences that I’ve observed between two people. Some are from dreams (day or night) and others are wishes or memories.

What inspired you to write and publish Pieces of the Soul ?

Well, Pieces of the Soul really started as a bunch of different poems that I had written over the years, kept all over the place: notebooks, livejournal, scrap pieces of paper. I am a fairly creative person and the year before, for Christmas, I’d given my dad a scrapbook of memories I had of just the two of us doing things. So, I then started trying to brainstorm something different for my mom. Mom is a big reader, like me. She is probably the one to blame for my voracious book appetite (THANKS, MOM!) and my love of words in general. So, I decided to try to get my collection of poetry bound and I would give it to her. In the process of trying to figure out the best way to do that, another author (Dorothy Morrison) suggested that I look into self-publishing. Then came the research into companies that do self-publishing and what options they had. I ended up choosing Authorhouse because they had a poetry-specific package and I knew someone from college who had used them. He was pretty pleased with the work they’d done with him, so I figured, why not? So, after I received my author copies, I ordered a copy for her. She got my first autographed copy of Pieces of the Soul.

Your book of poetry touches upon some very deep emotions. Does it have a message for readers?

Emotions are emotions. They are what we feel every day. They’re neither good, nor bad. It’s what we do with those emotions that counts. People get hung up on “I’m angry, that’s bad” or “I’m depressed, that’s bad.” It isn’t bad, it’s just how you feel. If you let your anger hurt your relationships, then you need to look at that. If you let your depression keep you from going to work, then you need to look at getting help. Feeling is what makes us who we are.

Where do you write? Do you write to music, if so what?

I carry a little notebook around with me a lot (or I use the notes app on my iPhone) to try to catch some of the poems that come to me. I have little scraps all over the place sometimes! I also will email myself a poem from time to time. I don’t often write to music (at least, not poetry) because I find it distracting. It’s hard to stay on track with the emotion I’m capturing when the music I’m listening to is evoking something else. J

Any works in progress. What can readers expect in the future?

Yikes, yes. I have two different works of fiction (novels) in the works, both of which started as NaNo adventures. I blame Jennifer Wells and Samantha Harvey, two very dear friends of mine, for sucking me into NaNo. They blame me for not finishing the novels yet! J I am actually trying to devote a lot of time over the next several months to finish the first one before I go back to the second.

I am always writing poetry, so hopefully in another year or so, I’ll have enough for a second poetry collection. It would be very different, because I am certainly a different person today than I was five years ago, and some of the poems in Pieces of the Soul are anywhere between five and ten years old.

Would you like to share a few of your poems from Pieces of the Soul ?

Happily! I’ll admit, I had some difficulty choosing which poems to share, so I went to two close friends (Jennifer Wells and Samantha Harvey) for input. In addition of one of my favorites, I’ll be sharing one each of theirs.

BOOK INFORMATION

Amy “Lyre” Turner brings the magickal and the mundane to life, simply and powerfully, in Pieces of the Soul, her first collection of poetry. Take your time and enjoy the works within, and experience just “how freeing the words can be.”

File Size: 272 KB
Print Length: 132 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: AuthorHouse (October 6, 2009)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00644BT9C
Text-to-Speech: Enabled

X-Ray: Not Enabled

Lending: Enabled

ASIN: B00ARU2Z6A

POEM EXCERPTs
First, one of my (Amy’s) favorites is called “last night”

last night

i dreamed of you last night

you smiled at me and i melted

into eternity

your words filled me like endless light

blazing forth from your soul

brilliant blinding

warm

you opened your world

and i wanted to fall in

just fall and never land

weightless and free

you held out your hand

and i reached

fingertips brushing

sending energy pulsing through my skin

when i woke up you were gone

the morning cold and gray

emptiness and sadness beckoning

then i remembered

fluttering and hopeful

i dreamed of you last night

One of Samantha’s favorites is called “you, me, and the end”

you, me, and the end

i don’t

remember

the beginning,

you, me, and the end

there was

laughter, happiness

sharing, smiles

even with space

which grew

wide and deep

and then,

(when, I’m not

sure)

change

subtle but building

rolling black clouds

blotting out the sunshine of us

I don’t

remember

the beginning,

you, me, and the end

but here we are

One of Jennifer Wells’s favorites is “Kindred”

Kindred

Strangers whose eyes meet

oh, so briefly – and,

while I do not know you,

I feel like I understand.

In the glint of your eyes, knowing,

and the warmth of your smile,

I saw a kindred soul.

Your words – both captivating and

exquisite –

I’ve found the essence of them

in my own craft, my own thoughts.

Were our worlds to overlap,

the irrevocable change,

what then?

Deep within, in the very quiet part of my soul,

a small piece of me longs to know.

Finally, the one that really captures it all:

freefall

dam breaking,

the water rushing free

an exhale

of relief, regret.

moments

of exultation, excitation.

the soul breaking out

into the sun

shimmering for the world

to see

how freeing the words

can be.

2 – Signed Print Copies of Pieces of the Soul.
Answer this question: Who is your favorite poet and why?

RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY: ENTER HERE

Leave your answer below or just say hi!!

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO WIN. SEE RAFFLECOPTER LINK ABOVE.

Filed under: Author Open Mic, Giveaway, Guest Author Tagged: amy lyre turner, author open mic, giveaway, pieces of the soul, poetry, wicked romance

View more on Jean Murray's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on March 11, 2013 04:00

March 4, 2013

Author Open MIC: Welcomes Shawna Romkey + Lily from Speak of the Devil

Click to view slideshow.
Welcome!

Hi folks! We are switching gears today and I have the great honor of interviewing Lily, the heroine, from Speak of the Devil by Shawna Romkey. Shawna’s new book is releasing in 11 days and counting. This will be Shawna’s debut novel and I am so excited for her. Her talent doesn’t stop there, as she also writes plays and manages Trindie Books – News, Reviews and Free e-Books for your Kobo . Before we introduce Lily from Speak of the Devil, let me tell you a little more about Shawna…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shawna Romkey

Fall into fantasy: fall in love, fall to pieces, fall from grace

Shawna grew up in around farms in the heart of Missouri but went to the University of Kansas, was raised in the US but now lives on the ocean in Nova Scotia with her husband, two sons, two rescue dogs and one overgrown puppy from hell. She’s a non-conformist who follows her heart.

She has her BA in creative writing from the University of Kansas where one of her plays was chosen by her creative writing professor to be produced locally, and two of her short stories were published in a university creative arts handbook. She earned her MA in English from Central Missouri State University where she wrote a novel as her thesis.

She’s taught English at the university and secondary levels for close to twenty years and can’t quite fathom how all of her students have grown up, yet she’s managed to stay the same. She’s a huge geek and fan of Xena, Buffy and all kick ass women, and loves to write stories that have strong female characters.

www.shawnaromkey.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shawna-Romkey-Author/137998326331706?ref=hl

https://twitter.com/sromkey

http://pinterest.com/shawnarp/

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6869437.Shawna_Romkey

CHARACTER INTERVIEW

Hi, Shawna. Welcome to Wicked Romance and a spotlight we call Author Open MIC. I understand you have brought Lily with you and she has agreed to answer some questions for our readers.

Thank you for having me here today, Jean.

I want to welcome Lily to the Wicked Romance. First off, let me tell you I love your name. Tell us a little about yourself and the town you live in.

Well I was living in a small town with my mom before the accident. There wasn’t much there but the school, the church and a corner store. It was in rural Missouri. After the accident I moved away to live with my dad in Kansas City. The school itself was bigger than the population of the town I came from, and there was a lot more to do, but I haven’t been feeling very social lately.

How would you describe your best friends in five words or less?

Dead unfortunately, but before that…. Fun, happy, nerdy cool.

What is the biggest challenge being a teenager in high school?

For a regular teenager, there’s school stress and peer pressure and drinking at parties. If that were all I had to worry about. For me I’ve had to deal with tragedy, and then there’s this thing with falling angels that somehow I’m wrapped up in.

You are only one year from graduation/senior year. What are your favorite things about school? What do you hate most about it?

I like the routine of school. Getting out of the house and getting my mind off things I don’t want to obsess over. I hate math class, but my teacher is cool. Sometimes I hate having to deal with people.

What do/did you want to be when you grow up?

I hadn’t thought about it a whole lot, but I like writing for the newspaper and investigating things. I think I’d be a good reporter.

Where do you go when things get tough? Do you run and hide? Fight? Or just shrug and move on?

I hate to say it but I guess I run. When the accident happened, I ran away to my dad’s to escape. I often go for walks in the fields by my dad’s house when I need to be alone and think.

What was your biggest worry before the accident?

Whether Mike and I would finally get together or if I’d pass a math test.

Do you have a boyfriend? What is he like?

Before the car accident, I had a crush on Mike. Now there’s Mo who seems really into me, and Luc who is crazy amazing, but I’m not sure if either will work out. They’re best friends, so…it’s complicated.

What do you want to tell us about Shawna? Where can readers find her?

Shawna can do an awesome Xena battle cry. I think that’s about it. Oh, she loves dogs and helps with animal rescues in our area. She hangs out here most days….

www.shawnaromkey.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shawna-Romkey-Author/137998326331706?ref=hl

https://twitter.com/sromkey

http://pinterest.com/shawnarp/

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6869437.Shawna_Romkey

Open MIC fav five for Shawna:

Favorite hero or heroine -Xena Warrior Princess :p
Favorite author- George RR Martin
Favorite music to write by- depends on the story and mood, usually silence
Favorite inspiration- images… I like finding pics of characters and creating a story around them
Most memorable writing moment- getting the email when Steph offered me the contract for SotD

BOOK INFORMATION
RELEASES MARCH 15, 2013

Speak of the Devil (young adult paranormal romance novel), in production with Crescent Moon Press.

What happens when falling in love and falling from grace collide?

After dying in a car accident with her two best friends, Lily miraculously awakens to grief and guilt. She escapes to her dad’s to come to terms with the event and meets some people at her new school who seem all too eager to help her heal. Sliding deeper into sorrow and trying to fight her feelings for two of them, she finds out who…what they really are and that they are falling too.

Can she find the strength to move on from the past, reconcile her feelings for Luc, find a way to stop a divine war with fallen angels, and still pass the eleventh grade?

BOOK TRAILER

BOOK EXCERPT

Rain fell, not uncommon for late spring in Missouri. “If you don’t like the weather here,” my grandfather would say, “wait five minutes.” Of course, I’d visited distant relatives in Maine once before, and they said the same thing.

Julie fumbled with the wipers while I pulled the sun visor down to check my face in its little rectangular mirror, even though I’d only left my vanity like five minutes ago. The lights on either side lit up the interior of the car. I reached into my tiny party purse to find my lip gloss, which was easy to locate since I’d only packed the essentials in my bag: phone, some cash, and make-up. As I glanced at myself, I saw Mike in the reflection, smiling at me from the back seat. I stuck my tongue out at him, making him laugh, and put on the lip-gloss, fully aware of how flirty I acted.

The windshield wipers couldn’t keep up with the sudden downpour. The pitter-patter turned to thumping. Hail came down in gumball-sized pellets. “Damn.” Julie jerked the steering wheel to keep The Whale off the curb.

“Slow down, Jules.” Mike gripped Julie’s headrest. “We can pull over until it passes.”

“Yeah.” She squinted to see the road before her.

I pressed my lips together to smooth out the gloss. “Damn is right. I didn’t bring a jacket.”

The Whale swerved to the right crunching along the gravel on the side of the road. I braced myself in my seat. Julie leaned up to the steering wheel and peered over it as my grandmother sometimes did when she drove. I squinted because of the stupid light up visor mirror. I slammed it shut, but Julie panicked and over corrected, pulling The Whale to the left and careening over the yellow dotted line in the middle of the street.

“Julie!” Mike shouted.

Time slowed and ticked out in heartbeats.

Ba bum.

Julie cringed, her hands moving up to shield her face. Her head turned away from the highway.

Ba bum.

Mike reached protectively from the back seat.

Ba bum.

The headlights illuminated the rail of the overpass.

Ba bum.

The car hit the rail on the opposite side of the road with a hard thud.

Ba bum.

Crap. We’re going over the bridge.

Ba bum.

The Whale’s nose pointed down toward the water.

Ba bum.

A jolt forward and my forehead slammed into the dashboard.

Ba bum.

The Whale flipped in the air. I’m upside down.

Ba bum.

Pain.

Ba bum.

Did my mom say good-bye when I left?

Ba bum.

Cold water rushed into the car.

Ba bum.

Is this it?

Ba bum.

I can’t breathe. Oh my God, I can’t breathe. I can’t see or breathe!

My heart quickened. It pounded. The Whale leaned on its side under the surface of the water which rushed in fast, and I couldn’t see a damn thing.

Calm, stay calm. Don’t panic. They say when you’re drowning not to panic because you use up your air faster.

Dammit, am I drowning?

I tried to get myself upright and jerked out of my seatbelt. Luckily, it gave way. I fought the latch to open the door facing up, but the pressure of the water from Black Water River held it closed, trapping me inside.

Jesus. I know this river. It’s more of a creek. It can’t be more than fifteen feet across and ten feet deep.

I pushed at the door. Opening my mouth to scream, I swallowed water.

I couldn’t see or hear Julie or Mike. My watch ticked. Or was it my heart beating?

Ba bum. Ba bum. Ba bum.

Darkness.

Silence.

Cold.

Wet.

Defying gravity.

Nothing.

The dreams came. Like a good sleep you don’t want to wake up from. I felt heavy and floaty. I wore this long white gauzy gown and the wind blew my dress and my hair like in some feminine hygiene commercial. I could breathe slowly and deeply. Completely relaxed and at peace, but I was alone.

I floated along in a white space for a while. Drifting. Breathing. Relaxing. Had I gone to a spa? After an immeasurable amount of time, others appeared. They wore white clothing, too, and they floated like me, reaching out. They opened their arms as if to welcome me to them.

I stopped and frowned. I heard no sound, and I didn’t know who these white floaty people were or why they welcomed me. They smiled, genuinely happy, and held their arms out to me. I panicked.

Where’s my mom? My family? Wait, Mike and Julie were just with me, where are they? Are those wings?

I noticed the others floating with me had white feathery wings.

“Lily,” one of them called out.

Holy hell. I’m dead.

Available at Amazon on MARCH 15, 2013. PREORDER AVAILABLE NOW!!

MARCH 15, 2013, Book Release Details on Shawna’s Website

Filed under: Author Open Mic, Giveaway, Guest Author Tagged: author open mic, crescent moon press, paranormal romance, shawna romkey, speak of the devil, wicked romance, YA, young adult

View more on Jean Murray's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on March 04, 2013 04:00

March 3, 2013

Sneak Peak Sunday

Take a sneak peak at my latest release, Soul Awakened, Book 2 Key to the Cursed series. Make sure you take a look at the various authors and writers who have signed up for this blog hop below.

6 Paragraph Excerpt from Chapter 1, Soul Awakened

SoulAwakened-200x300

A familiar refuge of horror.

Black and desolate like his soul, the darkness draped the landscape of Bakari’s world. His prison for how long? He could gage only by his hunger, an unbearable pain burning through his chest and eating away what little of his soul remained. The darkness consumed everything, but his insanity.

Until now.

The onyx obscurity wavered into shades of grey. Bright sunlight danced and flickered in the barren corners of his mind beyond his reach. Bolts of lightning ripped across his skin and mind and tore at the fine fabric of his consciousness. The sheets of darkness fell like ash and scattered into the cold abyss.

His mind retreated—fearful. He had been tricked before only to suffer at the sadistic hands of his captor. The next arc struck harder and deeper. The white inferno fried what tendrils of his coma remained. In the wake of his agony, the soft caress of a human soul and the scent of sweet honeysuckle penetrated his skin. The very element that fed his power—living energy.

Like water for a dying man, the human’s energy trickled but did not satisfy his ravenous hunger. His chest clenched into a ball of fire, ignited by the minuscule energy he absorbed into his soul.

The vitality extinguished as quickly as it came. Left barren and wanting, rage consumed him. The goddess Kepi would pay for this new level of depravity. To have living nourishment so close, but denied to feed his dark hunger, was a torture like no other.

The walls of his wooden crypt pressed in upon him. He struggled to move an arm or leg, but the spell of his paralysis was unyielding. He screamed but not a word past his lips. In his mind he thrashed against the invisible bonds, willing himself to break free.

Check out these other SNEAK PEAKS!

1.
Cynthia Woolfs Blog

2.
Delynn Royer

3.
Cristal Ryder

4.
Tera Shanley

5.
Nikki Lynn Barrett: Welcome to My world

6.
Karen Rose Smiths Blog

7.
dlindunauthor. blogspot. com/

8.
Natalie J. Damschroder

9.
Velda Brotherton

10.
Sara Walter Ellwood

11.
Karen Michelle Nutt

12.
Rose Andersons blog – CalliopesWritingTablet

13.
Nancys Novels – Welcome to she said, he said. . .

14.
Christine Murphy Blog – Excerpt for Sphinx United

15.
Mackenzie Crowne

16.
Diane Burton ~ out of this world adventures

17.
Clares Blog 2- The Haven

18.
Sheri Fredricks, Modern Mythic Romance

19.
Kristina Knight

20.
The Circle 2 – The Last of Ursulas Flashback

21.
Victoria Adams

22.
Daryl Devore

23.
Sundays musings @ tessaberkleyauthor. bl

24.
Vintage Vonnie

25.
Susan Macatee Romance Writer

26.
Author Jean Murray ~ Key to the Cursed Series

Filed under: Key to the Cursed, PROMO Tagged: 5-star, 5-star rating, free excerpt, Jean Murray, key to the cursed, paranormal romance, Sneak Peak Sunday, soul awakened, soul reborn

View more on Jean Murray's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on March 03, 2013 04:00

February 25, 2013

Over 6,000 entries: SOUL AWAKENED Book Tour ~ Giveaways at each stop + KINDLE FIRE HD

6,000 entries so far: Soul Awakened Book Tour & Kindle Fire HD Giveaway!!!
It’s not to late to catch the tour. Click on the links below.
NEW STOPS/More Chances to WIN

Feb 25th - Louisa Bacio Blog ~ Interview / Egyptian Charm + Signed Cover flats

http://www.louisabacio.blogspot.com/2013/02/key-to-cursed-with-jean-murray.html#comment-form

Feb 26th – Pamela Turner Blog ~ Guest Post – “It’s a colorful world.” Giveaway – Mini Maglite / Signed Cover flats

http://www.pamela-turner.com/

a Rafflecopter giveaway
TOUR SCHEDULE

January 14 Guest blog

Fang-tastic Books – 1 Signed copy of Soul Reborn + $10 Amazon GC

http://fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-heart-of-heroine-guest-blog-and.html

January 15 Interview

Night Owl Magazine Issue 38

Paranormal and Urban Fantasy Column

http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Magazine/NOR-Magazine-38/Articles/Urban-Fantasy-And-The-Paranormal-Jan-2013-By-Roxanne-Rhoads