Lisa Rayns's Blog, page 19

Crowdfunding For Social Good Book Tour

Crowdfunding for Social Good: Financing Your Mark on the Worldby Devin D. ThorpeOver the last year of writing my Forbes blog, I have had the opportunity to really dig deeply into the world of crowdfunding. I’ve just completed my first draft of my new book, Crowdfunding for Social Good: Financing Your Mark on the World. The book is a guide to successful crowdfunding for people who want to change the world. The book is not a sequel to my book, Your Mark On The World, but it is written in the same spirit. I’ve studied a dozens of successful crowdfunding campaigns, interviewing the people behind them to learn their secrets for success. Devin's Book, Your Mark on the World, was downloaded over 75,000 times and reached the #19 spot on Amazon's free book list--among all free books. It remains on the top 50 free nonfiction books at Amazon.
Buy on PaperbackAbout Devin: Devin D. Thorpe thinks he is the luckiest person alive. After being “let go” from the best job he’d ever had—as the Chief Financial Officer of the multinational food and beverage company MonaVie—he and his wife ended up living in China for a year where he wrote Your Mark On The World and embarked on the career he’d always wanted yet hadn’t dared dream. Now, as an author, a popular guest speaker and Forbes contributor, Devin is devoted full time to championing social good. His current life isn’t much like his past. As an entrepreneur, Devin ran—at separate times—a boutique investment banking firm and a small mortgage company. He served as the Treasurer for the multinational vitamin manufacturer USANA Health Sciences years before becoming CFO for MonaVie. Over his career he led or advised on the successful completion of $500 million in transactions. Devin squeezed in two brief stints in government, including two years working for Jake Garn on the U.S. Senate Banking Committee Staff and another year working for an independent state agency called USTAR, where he helped foster technology entrepreneurship during Governor Jon Huntsman’s administration. Devin is proud to have graduated from the University of Utah David Eccles School of Business, which recognized him as a Distinguished Alum in 2006. He also earned an MBA at Cornell University where he ran the student newspaper, Cornell Business. Today, Devin channels the idealism of his youth with the loving support of his wife, Gail. Their son Dayton is a PhD candidate in Physics at UC Berkeley (and Devin rarely misses an opportunity to mention that).

Twitter: @devindthorpeFacebook.com/yourmarkontheworldGoogle+: devinthorpe.comTumblr: yourmarkontheworld.comTo get all of Devin's updates please subscribe here to his newsletter
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Tour Prize: Devin is giving away a Kindle Fire HD!
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To Love a Wolf Book Tour

To Love A Wolf (Wolves of Shadow Falls)

Genre: Paranormal Erotica Romance

Passions are fueled...Two World's collide... What would you do if your future had another plan for you?

Cevin Harpster is in his residency year to obtain his M.D. He's looking forward to his new life after graduation, where he will open his own practice and marry his high school sweetheart. 

When Cevin suddenly starts dreaming of a beautiful woman he can't help but wonder if he may be going insane, as she seduces him night after night, taking him to heights of ecstasy he never knew he longed for. As the dreams become more frequent, his sex drive rockets and his fiance', Sam, finds Cevin's new desire for experimenting enticing, even if a bit rough, when his sexual experiences from his dreams are used on her. 

Weird things continue to happen in Cevin's dreams, when he learns that this mysterious woman actually exists, and he is meant to be her mate and lead a pack of wolves he never imagined to be real. 

When dreams and reality meet...someone always gets burned! Purchase on Amazon About B.K. Walker

When dreams and reality meet...someone always gets burned! Jack of all trades, master of none, so she believes.BK Walker is first and foremost a mother and a wife. With three beautiful children and a wonderful husband, she enjoys her days living on their farm in Eastern Pennsylvania.

When she's not writing, she manages her time organizing virtual book tours for other authors, and coaching authors through her mentor programs at BookIt BK. Putting most of her time into research, BK is always seeking for the most effective ways to market and promote books and business alike.
Art is a secondary love, and you may often find her sketches popping up on one of her blogs, or simply catch her reading the magic created in the pages of a great novel. Who knows, it just may be yours. http://www.bkwalkerbooks.com
Author Links:Facebook | BK Walker Books Fan Page | Twitter | Linkedin | Pinterest | Goodreads

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The Author is giving away a signed set of Immortal Kisses and Night Secrets paperbacks, a $10 GC along with 3 bookmark swag packs.

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Cache a Predator Book Tour

Cache a Predatorby, M. Weidenbenner 

Officer Brett Reed will do anything to gain custody of his five-year-old daughter, Quinn. But when the man-hating judge grants Brett’s drug-addicted ex-wife custody and slaps him with a protective order for losing his temper, he fears for Quinn’s safety. Who will protect her now? 

When Quinn is found abandoned on the streets, Brett’s worse nightmares turn toward a dark path. His daughter is placed in a temporary foster home until Child Protective Services can complete an assessment. It should only take a few days. 

But a lot can happen in a few days. 

Especially when there’s a deranged psychopath on the loose, someone who’s attacking pedophiles, someone who wants to protect children like Quinn, and someone who’s planting body parts in geocaching sites. 

Cache a Predator is a novel about a father’s love, justice, and the unhinged game of hide-the-cache. 

Buy Kindle / Paperback

 
About the Author
Michelle is a fulltime employee of God’s kingdom, writing and encouraging writers every day. She’s often a sucker for emotional stories, her sensitive side fueling the passion for her character’s plights, often giving her the ability to show readers the “other” side of the story.

She grew up in the burbs of Detroit with five brothers. No sisters. Each time her mom brought the boy bundle home from the hospital Michelle cried, certain her mom liked boys better than girls. But when her brothers pitched in with the cooking, cleaning, and babysitting—without drama, Michelle discovered having brothers wasn’t so bad. They even taught her how to take direct criticism without flinching, which might come in handy with book reviews.

Michelle is living her dream—writing every day and thanking God for the stories He puts in her path. When Michelle isn’t writing she’s winning ugly on the tennis court. She’s known as “Queen of the Rim Shots.” No joke. It’s ugly.

Follow Michelle: FaceBook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads


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Prize : $50 Amazon Gift Card and a signed copy of the book 
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Adela Arthur Guest Post

Adela Arthur and the Creator's Clockby Judyann McColeThis book 1 of 5 for The Chronicle of A Genre: Fantasy
To Who Ever This May Concern; I wish I could tell you the contents of this book were purely fictional. That I, Adela Arthur, was just a normal sixteen year old from Portland and that dragons, giants, elves and mermaids were just myths. I wish these were legends shared from crazy old grandparents to crazy old grandparents around campfires. After all, that is what I used to believe.I never would have thought they lived on the other side of our mirrors in a world called Cielieu. But they do…I never would have thought there were humans, better known as Volsin that lived among them with the ability to create light from a single thought. But there are…I never would have thought I was one of them… But I am… I am the last Arthur and I was brought to the human world after a Volsin, filled with greed, began to strip the light from our kind.The human world was supposed to be a safe haven… but he’s found us and the only way to stop him is to go back to Cielieu and begin training as a student in the Elpida Castle of Light.Like I said I wish the contents of this book were purely fictional and not my life… 

Adela Arthur is now on amazon on Paperback | Kindle

About the Author:
JUDYANN MCCOLE was a senior in high school when she started working on Adela Arthur and the Creator’s Clock during her history class. It started off as short story for a group of young kids she babysat for and grew into an adventure she herself wanted to go on. She is currently attending college in Virginia. Where she hopes to finish the next adventure in Adela Arthur’s life. She begin writing when she was in middle school most of it was just simple poetry but she was inspired by Maya Angelou and even a little of Dr. Seuss. 

Follow Judyann: Website | Blog | FaceBook | Twitter | Goodreads

Follow the Book Tour 

Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card plus copy of ebook 
Fill out the form below to enter to win. make sure to pick up your copy of the book!

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Now for the Guest post...

Authors + Reviewers = Complicated.

Before I was an author I was a book review, well even now I am still a book reviewer. One of the most annoying things I ever had to deal with were author’s who could not handle a negative review and attacked me for it. This isn’t just an Indie author thing it’s also for traditional publishers as well. I never understood why they took it so personally or felt the need to comment. I was giving my personal opinion, to which some agreed and others did not.
Well, I didn’t understand until I became an author. The only way I can explain it is by saying to us our book is our children. We are overbearing, overprotective, and constantly worrying about it.
We want our kids to be liked by everyone. But that’s unrealistic. There is no book that can be loved by every last person in the world. It’s just not possible we are all different.
So what can authors do? Shut up and take it. Seriously. That’s all you can do.
You need to understand that there are 3 categories of reviewers.
1.      Those who dislike your book. 2.      Those who dislike your book and you.3.      Those who are just trolls (Thank god they are very very few people in this last one. Most of them are for high profile books; like Twilight)
Most reviewers fit into the first box. They dislike your book but they have nothing against you. It’s hard to separate that but it’s a must. They have every right to express how they feel.
It doesn’t matter how many great reviews we get those ones that don’t like it that get us to re-think everything.
Tina Fey said once “If you ever start to feel too good about yourself, they have this thing called the Internet, and you can find a lot of people there who don't like you.”
As artist we are always judged. It sucks that some people will hate your work however there is nothing you can do about it expect grow from it.
Fighting back will or commenting negatively will actually hurt you in eyes of readers.
I’m dealing this right now. No matter how many good reviews I get I always beat myself over the negatives one. I told the reviewer thank you for her thoughts and moved on. If you feel tempted to read go to so of the most believed novels of all time and read the reviews. It’s actually a badge of honor in some ways.
But no matter what never stop writing.  Even if everyone in the world hates it (I doubt that.)
Reviews, bad or good, means someone read your work!
Judyann McColePs. I know it doesn’t really help but don’t lose hope in your work or yourself.          

Exclusive Excerpt Reveal
Please attach a 2/3 paragraph snippet of your novel. The more exciting/intriguing, the better! You can choose to offer different excerpts to different bloggers or you can allow them to post the same one. Either way, the content is going to different audiences.
“And she is supposed to be an Arthur. She looks more like a Dingle Bird. A very annoying Dingle Bird.” Scarlet smirked and a few other Red Diamonds laughed along with her. “Hector, are the Daneworts known for anything?” Adela turned back, making sure her voice was loud enough.“No, I don’t think so,” he replied, unsure why she asked. Turning her head back to Scarlet, Adela just smiled. “I guess it’s easier for you to wonder about my family when yours isn’t known for anything and you need to be the center of attention.” There were a few gasps and a lot of wide eyes in the room when Scarlet stood up in rage. “First, both my parents own almost half of Cielieu City, and second, what family? Last time I checked, Prin—hehad wiped out your whole family, and everyone knows he is coming for you next. You were stupid for coming back here. No one in their right mind would want to be an Arthur. Especially since we all know he will get into your head again and steal your light the moment he gets a chance,” she yelled, causing every last person to turn toward Adela once again. Luckily for her, Lord Figwort had, at that exact moment, chosen to walk in. The older man was completely oblivious to what had transpired only a second earlier, and no one wanted to be the one to inform him. Scarlet simply sat down and everyone pretended to pay attention to what Lord Figwort was saying. “Are you all right?” Hector whispered to her. “Yes. What’s a Dingle Bird?” she whispered back to him. Hector gave her an odd look before replying. “Imagine a baby hyena with wings.” She nodded and smiled, even though she didn’t want to.

Death Dealer Book Tour

Death Dealerby Ashley Robertson 

Death: a word Mia Baron was all too familiar with since the murder of her parents when she was a young girl. Her drive for vengeance was the reason she became a Death Dealer—a soul guide through the spirit realm—signing her life away in her own blood. Pain forged a concrete wall around her heart and no one or nothing would ever penetrate it…until she got what she desired most—revenge.

Deacon Gage craves justice for his own horrific tragedy that forced him into the same life Mia chose, with the same promise of vengeance dangling just out of reach. His expert training makes him an Elite—one of the few Death Dealers to ever achieve such a status—and no one can shift his focus from the blood he seeks. 

But when the two are partnered for yet another job and a heart-shattering case rips open Mia’s heart, Deacon realizes he’s the only one who can save her…at a price that might be too much to pay: opening his heart to her. The clock is ticking and her life hangs on the balance of whether he can truly let go or will hold onto his desire for blood.

 Buy on Amazon | Smashwords | Goodreads
About the Author: Ashley Robertson resides in sunny Orlando, Florida, and loves writing about anything paranormal. She also composes poems and songs, though she learned long ago she doesn’t have a singing voice. When she isn’t writing you’ll find her spending time with family and friends, sharing personal training and nutrition advice via ExtremeMakeovers.com, traveling and exploring new places, and drinking fine wines and gourmet coffees from her Nespresso machine. *2013 NATIONAL INDIE EXCELLENCE AWARDS FINALIST in the Fantasy genre for her book UNGUARDED*

 Visit her website to learn about her upcoming releases, guest blog posts, and featured giveaways at: AshleyRobertsonBooks.com

 Follow Ashley: FaceBook | Twitter | Goodreads | Blog | LinkedIn | Literary Addicts

 Follow the Book Tour

Ashley Robertson is giving away One: Signed Books Swag Bag (includes Crimson Groves, Unguarded, and Death Dealer. Plus graphic custom bookmark and custom made swag from The Book Swag Shop) Two: $30 Gift Card to either Amazon or B&N (winner can choose). Fill out the form below to Enter

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The Posse Book Tour

The PosseBeing a widow at the age of forty-four was never in Jude Hawthorne’s plans. After her husband’s death, she’s left with her family’s beach restaurant and two nearly-grown children. The last thing she’s looking for is another chance at love. However, if her husband’s best friends, the Posse, have anything to say about it, love is just what she’s going to get. The Posse is determined to take care of Jude, and when they decide the best way to do that is for one of them to sweep her off her feet, three begin to vie for her affections. But only one can reach her heart. 

In a story of friendship, loss and second chances, Jude will learn her life is far from being over.   

Purchase - Amazon / Barnes and Noble / iTunes  

Join us August 14 - 16 to get to know Tawdra Kandle and her books on Facebook 

Twitter Chat with Author Tawdra Kandle August 20 @ 9pm EST #ThePosse   

 About Author Tawdra Kandle

  Tawdra Kandle is the author of THE KING SERIES, a young adult urban fantasy quartet. Born in South Jersey, Tawdra published her first short story at the age of 13 in Child’s Life magazine. During the early years of her marriage and motherhood, she wrote articles and columns on parenting and homeschooling, as well as some homeschooling curriculum. THE KING SERIES is her first published full-length fiction. Tawdra currently lives in central Florida with her husband, and children, both skin and fur types. And yes, she has purple hair.   

Follow Tawdra Kandle:Website / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Literary Addicts / Goodreads /Amazon 

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Tawdra Kandle is giving away a Beach Basket with earrings, Shell necklace, yummy scents, and a $10 Amazon GC. Fill out the form below to enter. 

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Cuspian Book Tour

Cuspian by DC Hall 

Twins, Kendal and Kennedi Myles are the envy of their peers with: a second string spot on the varsity football team, smartass but loyal teammates, miniature pores, and a killer spray tan. They had big plans for sophomore year, until their mother is slaughtered during a botched robbery. 

Forced to move with their estranged father, Kendal becomes fixated with finding their mother’s killer, while Kennedi tries to settle into life with their dad. After the discovering a trail of unsettling clues, the pair to believe their mother’s death was part of a conspiracy. As the teens’ investigation digs deeper into their mom’s enigmatic past, a mysterious agency stumbles upon them, and the twosome learns they are Cuspians—individuals gifted with supernatural abilities. Kendal and Kennedi are soon faced with the challenge of staying concealed from the shadowy organization hell-bent on enslaving powerful Cuspians while trying to solve a murder. 

Family secrets, bloody breadcrumbs, and deadly obsessions guide the twins through tough decisions and awful mistakes. Desperate for their lives to return to normal, the pair found normal is not written in the stars for either one of them.
Purchase on Amazon / Barnes and Noble ABOUT THE AUTHORDC Hall is obsessed with argyle socks, the smell of books and believes he is the smartest person in the room. Granted he’s usually alone when he thinks this but it still feels good. When his nose isn’t stuck in a book, DC is usually writing or trying to teach his dog, Brooklyn, how to wash dishes (success remains elusive.) DC is from the south where the teas are sweet, distance is measured in minutes—not miles, and the skies are always Carolina blue.

If you are interested in learning more about DC: Email: dchallauthor@gmail.com Twitter | Blog | Facebook

Follow the Book Tour Prize - Summer themed with nail polish, zodiac jewelry, and some other favorites of the main character

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Eternal Summer Released!

Eternal Summer - A Collection of Short Stories Eternal Summer is a collection of eight paranormal short stories. Participating authors include: Olivia Hardin, C.G. Powell, Mandie Stevens, Liz Schulte, Lola James, Tawdra Kandle, Stephanie Nelson and Melissa Lummis.
Purchase on Amazon / Barnes and NobleList of stories

One Bite Paradise by Olivia Hardin - author of the Bend-Bite-Shift trilogyJill’s wish gave Doc a new chance at life – literally. Almost a decade of years have passed since Jill watched her lover get killed and now that time is like a chasm between them. Can they learn how to make One Bite of Paradise become an eternity?

 Cat Napped by C.G. Powell - author of the Terra Stellar seriesTempers fly, when Sarik makes last minute changes to Jael’s and his vacation plans. How far will he go to get back in her good graces?

Eternally Yours by Mandie Stevens - author of Eva and Thomas seriesEva and Thomas are bound by magic and are getting on each others' nerves. Eva is ready for a vacation, but when someone from Thomas' past is in trouble, her holiday comes second to saving a soul from Hell.

Dark Remnants by Liz Schulte - author of the Guardian trilogy, the Easy Bake Coven series and the Ella Reynolds series.Ella Reynolds and vacations do not mix—but she is willing to give it a try for Gabriel. However, when she stumbles across the ghost of a young woman who needs her help, all thoughts of fun and relaxation vanish from her mind. Can Ella solve this mystery before her vacation ends or will the spirit be trapped in an infinite loop forever?

Bound by Fate by Lola James - Author of the Spellbound seriesBen thought his trip to New York would be just like any other -- find two random people, nurture their love, and leave before his presence is detected. But when he runs into someone from his past, business as usual becomes complicated.The worlds of the Spellbound Series and the Fate Trilogy blend in Bound By Fate.

Stardust on the Sea by Tawdra Kandle - Author of the King seriesCathryn Whitmore does not want a vacation, not even in beautiful Cape May. But when she encounters a hot college professor at a bed and breakfast with a ghostly mystery, she just may change her mind.

Cursed Cove by Stephanie Nelson - Author of the Gwen Sparks and Anna Avery seriesGwen and Dorian head to Hawaii, but not for fruity drinks or sunbathing. A string of murders taint what the locals are calling Cursed Cove. Haunted by the infamous Captain Clarke, Gwen and Dorian must figure out how to rid the beach of the demonic ghost before more locals lose their lives.

Daylight Come by Melissa Lummis - Author of the Love and Light seriesSome fun in the sun was just what Loti needed, but from the moment she and Wolf arrive at the not- so-quaint hotel, they know something's off about the place. Cockroaches, dirty linens and an unkempt room turn out to be the least of their worries. An evil spirit haunts the beach front resort and it has no intentions of letting them check out until it gets what it wants. Can they solve the mystery before daylight comes?

Within the Realm Book Blast

The Gifted walk among us. They are unseen, but in plain sight. The Earth’s energies are as visible to them as the tangible world is to us and they can harness and bend these forces to their will. Atop the Pentagon resides the government of the Gifted Realm. 

Rainer Lawson is set to join the ranks of Elite Officers in the Gifted Police force. With his fellow officers, they will work together, using their abilities, to try and end the most sinister criminal organization in existence. His parents fought and died to re-establish the Realm, and he won’t allow them to have sacrificed in vain. The will to protect those he loves has always driven Rainer, but his desperation to protect Emily, the love of his life, consumes him. While passions ignite and vengeance is sought, Rainer may discover that all of his money, fame, and power, could cost him the only thing that has ever truly mattered. -
See more at: jillianneal.comBuy: Hardback | Paperback | Kindle | B&N Author Bio
Jillian Neal is the author of “The Gifted Realm” series of novels. She has a passion for telling strong, character driven stories that stretch the imagination. Her debut novel “Within the Realm” was released in 2013, with the next installments of the series soon to follow. She lives near Atlanta with her husband and children. 

For more information, visit her website at http://www.jillianneal.com   Follow: http://facebook.com/jilliannealauthorTwitter -@ jilliannealauth Website - http://jillianneal.com 


 Prize: Gift Cards to Emily's Favorite Stores $25 Anthropologie Gift Card $10 Victoria Secret Gift Card $10 Bath and Body Works Gift Card plus....... Within the Realm Fan Pack - Virginia Beach Travel Mug - Cinnamon Discs (Emily's favorite) - A box of Emily's favorite Tea - Dr Pepper Lip Smackers 

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The Keeper and the Rune Stone Book Tour

The Keeper of the Rune Stone by Paige W. Pendleton The Black Ledge Series The secrets of the Red Paint People have haunted Maine for 7000 years. From the vast fjords of Norway to the shores of New England, ancient standing stones mark a trail of betrayal, greed, and murder... The Keeper and the Rune Stone, Book One An unholy ritual, a ticking clock. Four children discover there are things that go bump in the night ... Centuries ago a group of Elves committed an unholy ritual. But the ritual was a spectacular failure. It transformed the Elves into the Noctivagi - the beings we know as vampires. Striving to maintain a fragile peace, the ancient Elves and Dwarves negotiated an Accord, which they've renewed every year on the Summer Solstice. The ceremony depends on the magical Rune Stone, but it's missing. If it is not found—and quickly—the consequences could be dire, and not just for Elves and Dwarves. Four children, Rob, Jack, Eleanor, and Flora, stumble into a world of magic and mayhem when they move into Black Ledge, the old estate on the Maine coast, and discover they aren’t the only ones who live there.

Buy The Keeper and the Rune Stone on Kindle Buy The Keeper and the Alabaster Chalice, Book 2 on Kindle


About the AuthorThe secrets of the Red Paint People have haunted Maine for 7000 years. Paige W. Pendleton is busy writing those tales.

 Follow Paige: Blog | FaceBook | Twitter Goodreads | Pinterest | Literary Addicts Follow the

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