Lisa Rayns's Blog, page 23

Ripple Book Tour

RippleWhen high-powered attorney Helen Thompson discovers that her fifteen-year old daughter has been sexually assaulted, she takes drastic measures. Finding herself in trouble, Helen must relinquish control and put her faith in a process she knows to be flawed. As a team of lawyers, therapists and women from a safe house help Helen and Phoebe find hope and healing, a sociopath lurks, waiting for his moment to strike. A lyrical, dark fairytale that will resonate with fans of women's literature and psychological thrillers, RIPPLE delves into the nature of evil, without seeking to provide final answers to the issue of what makes a human commit evil acts. And while the author takes readers to scary places, she ultimately shines a light on the human condition and celebrates the triumph of the human spirit in the face of great tribulation.
Purchase on Kindle / Paperback About the Author - Ex-lawyer E.L. Farris is a born-again, marathon-running married mother of three who resides in Northern Virginia. What else do you need to know about me? I talk a lot. I write a lot. I adore my husband. I adore my children. What else? Well, I run. I’ve been running since I turned 14. I started to run then and I’ve been running ever since. Whenever I stop running, I land in a lot of trouble. I ran through a childhood that could well be described as hell. I ran through major depressive episodes and often teetered one step from the edge of a breakdown. Through running, I held onto my sanity, my sobriety, my life and my belief in God. Each step I take, no matter how physically painful, draws me a shade closer into my better angels. And the steps have become painful over the years, which is how I earned the nickname Phoenix. Some mornings I feel like I’ve been run over by a bus and the truth is, I was. I survived a collision with a metro bus, and it’s fair to say that the accident messed me up. And yet I keep rising from the pyre of a burning fire and as I run I realize that as long as I hold the Holy Spirit inside me, my spirit will never die. 

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Follow the Tour! Tour prize - Autographed copy of Ripple, A Tale of Hope and RedemptionAutographed copy of I Run, A Novel$25 Amazon gift certificate
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Unfinished Business Book Blast

Genre: Chic Lit, Paranormal 
When Angela's mother Fran dies and comes back as a ghost, Angela's ordinary life turns into a carnival show, starring both Angela and her nosy, dead mother. It seems Fran's got some unfinished business on earth and she's determined to get it done, no matter what. When Fran returned, she reignited her daughter's long suppressed psychic gift, one she neglected to mention to Angela, and now Angela sees ghosts everywhere. And they won't leave her alone. Fran can't help but stick her transparent nose where it doesn't belong, making Angela's life even crazier. Now Angela has to find a way to keep her old life in tact and help the dead with their unfinished business, all while trying to keep her dead mother out of trouble. And it's a lot for one woman to handle.




Purchase Unfinished Business:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
About the Author
Carolyn Ridder Aspenson is a freelance writer based in Cumming, GA. She lives with her husband and three children, two dogs and one cat. Carolyn doesn't see ghosts, but swears she'd be okay with it, as long as it was only during daylight hours.   


Follow the author: Website | Facebook | Twitter    


 Ends 6/16/13 Open to US residentsa Rafflecopter giveaway

Home Review

What could a gypsy and a Vietnam veteran have in common?
Silvertown's outcast, Poppy Tippen, has loved football hero Sam "The Force" Callahan forever. But he never seemed to know she was alive. Now he's home from the war and she suddenly finds herself comforting him from the demons of "that damn war." Is his attention merely an escape from the haunting nightmares? Or does she hold the interest of the only man she's ever truly loved?
Sam Callahan's only solace from the war nightmares wrecking his life comes in the unlikely form of a gypsy girl with stigmas of her own. He's known Poppy his entire life, but there's something different about her now. Something special he desperately wants to hold on to. Can he convince her she's the only thing he needs to put the past behind him?

Author Website
Purchase on Amazon / B&N / for only $ .99!
And now for my review...
Home by Calisa Rhose
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Home is a beautiful story about the pain of war, the longing for your high school crush, the stigma with small towns, and the heartbreak that goes with it all. Set in 1967, this story affected me more than it probably should have because personally I am very anti-war. It’s exquisitely-written, touching, and heart-warming with lovable characters. Love overcomes all things in this cozy tale. I loved it!

View all my reviews

No Brainer Book Blast

No BrainerGenre: Young Adult, Mystery Two weeks before junior year, Darcy hops a plane to Orlando for a little R&R with her best friend Dylan and his family. Fresh off the heels of solving three murders in Valley, you'd think she'd sit back and enjoy the vacation capital of the world…maybe if you're a noun. Darcy Walker, however, is nothing but verb. Before her feet hit the Orlando soil, she's meddling in the disappearance of a five-year-old boy who vanished six months earlier. With authorities still no closer to solving the case, Darcy is shanghaied by her impulsivity and runs headlong into that proverbial burning building, convinced she can bring him home. She travels down a road that not only follows this missing child but branches off into the corrupt and sinister world of mob activity when she tampers in a case on which Dylan's detective grandfather is working. After a near disastrous midnight meeting in a warehouse and a date with a mechanical bull, Darcy realizes she might've bitten off more than she can chew. Add the boiling flirtationship with her best friend and the appearance of his romantic rival, and she is in over her head. Will she survive a life of flirting with death too easily? Or will her flirtationship with Dylan become the actual death of her instead? For a girl with a habit of finding dead bodies, No Brainer gives Darcy Walker more of the same…surprising twists and turns…and running for her life. Purchase
Book #1 Grade A StupidBook #2 No Brainer About Author AJ LapeA. J. lives in Cincinnati with her husband, two feministic daughters, an ADD dog, a spoiled hamster, and an unapologetic and unrepentant addiction to Coca-Cola. She studied English, Journalism, and Political Science at Morehead State University and left the business world when her daughters were born. Her love for suspense and a good story was spawned from watching Mystery Science Theater with her sister during childhood. That and any B movie with comedic undertones they could get their hands on. When she’s not riding that razor-thin line between creativity and insanity, she likes to read, watch too much cable TV, or cheer like a banshee at her daughters' sporting events. She’s a huge hometown sports fan and loves to watch the Cincinnati Bengals and Cincinnati Reds whenever she can. A. J. loves to connect with fans! If you would like to receive emails of upcoming releases, please sign up for her distribution list by visiting her homepage at http://www.ajlape.com and clicking the “contact” tab 

 Follow AJ Lape:Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon 

Join the No Brainer Release Event May 28 at 7:00pm 

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Literary Addicts Bookfest

Welcome to the Literary Addicts Fest!
Come RSVP to the Author Panels Saturday June 1st
12 PM -
New Adult Panel1:30 PM -
Contemporary Romance Panel3:00 PM -
Romantic Edge Books Round Table PanelSunday 2 June
12 PM -
Urban Fantasy/ Paranormal Romance Panel1:30 PM -
Young Adult Panel3 PM -
The Indie Biz4:30 PM
Workshop - The writing process (3 Parts)Contests Starting June 1
Kindle Fire Giveaway
Contest for Bloggers
Swag Pack GiveawaysContests for ReadersContests for AuthorsEnter to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card   a Rafflecopter giveaway

Legends of AMUN RA - The Emerald Tablet Book Tour

Genre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy 

Leoros doesn't have many friends. The son of a scientist and archeologist, he is constantly on the move. But when his parents make a startling discovery in Egypt, Leoros' world is turned upside down. Do you wish you could have the power of a god? Would you use it for good…or for evil? When an archaeologist discovers the mythic Emerald Tablet buried beneath Egypt’s desert, her son decodes the ancient text leading him to a distant world. On that world, a slave girl begins a journey towards a destiny she cannot imagine. But when an ancient foe rises from the ashes, they will be brought together by forces neither understands. Leoros, who dreams of being like the heroes in the comic books, must fight to unlock the secrets of the universe to save a people he never knew existed. Atlantia, whose bloody visions wake her in the night, senses the darkness coming. Together they will face an enemy with the power of dark energy, lose a mentor to the assassin’s blade, and be betrayed by someone they trust. Their fight for the future is just beginning, and before it is over, a final sacrifice must be made. When the darkness comes, will they stand and fight or will they join it? There is darkness in everyone. 

Purchase the book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
About Joshua SilvermanJoshua Silverman was born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Orange County, California. While attending California State University, Fullerton and studying Criminal Justice, Joshua was introduced to a creative writing class where he wrote a series of paranormal stories. As a child, he has always been an amateur historian, focusing on ancient Egypt, Greece, and Roman civilizations. Since working in the legal environment, he has combined his passion for creative writing with his love of ancient history by penning his debut novel, The Emerald Tablet, the first of seven in the Legends of Amun Ra series. 

Follow Joshua Silverman:Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

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A Warrior's Blood Release Day!

It's Release Day!

A Warrior's Blood—Blood Burden Series Bonus Story
Blurb: Before the war, before the powers, and before the world crashed in on him Luke met a mortal woman.  Go back to the beginning of it all and take a look at Nicole through the eyes of Luke's hardened heart. Luke steps out of the shadows and plants himself into the police department to watch over Nicole who is new to the force. Loyal to his mission he keeps his distance but a missing girl brings them onto the same case.  Together Luke and Nicole unravel the dark underbelly of a small town putting their lives on the line.   Luke can handle criminals, crooked officials, and crazy town people but will he risk his mission for a chance at love or will Sage make sure the warrior walks a line?
About the Series: The Blood Burden Series is a fantasy/paranormal romance that is different from anything you've read before.  You will not find any vampires, werewolves, or a soft spoken woman waiting for a man to save her in this adventure.  But you will find a head strong woman who will protect those she loves with her last breath and a new paranormal element that is unique to the book world.
Reviewers are raving about the series: "The thrills start from page one and continue to the very end. I absolutely loved it and am looking forward to (the next book)." 5 STARS! -Kim Norris-The Kindle Book Review"How can you resist a story set in the South that treads on Irish folklore? You can't!!"
5 STARS! -John Ross, Author of "Another Lousy Day In Paradise""A Surefire winner by an author to watch!!"  5 STARS!-Hotmaja54
Reading Order: 1. Blood Awakening (Prelude) ** FREE almost everywhere e-books are sold.**2. Burden of Blood (Novel  1) (Available in paperback and e-book)3. Blood of Fire (Novel 2) (Available in paperback and e-book)4. A Warrior's Blood (Bonus Story Novelette e-book)Find them on Amazon, Barnes & Nobel, Kobo, IBooks, and Smashwords.
Buy Links: Blood Awakening: http://www.wenonahulsey.com/2013/04/blood-awakening-is-free-right-now.htmlBurden of Blood: http://www.wenonahulsey.com/p/burden-of-blood.htmlBlood of Fire:  http://www.wenonahulsey.com/p/blood-of-fire.htmlA Warrior's Blood: http://www.wenonahulsey.com/p/blog-page.html
Links to Author: http://www.wenonahulsey.comhttps://www.facebook.com/WenonaHulseyAuthorTwitter handle: @wenonahulsey

Secret to Proofreading

Secret to Proofreading by Lisa Rayns.

We’ve all seen reviews that say, “This book had a lot of missing words.” Even though the author hired and paid an editor to make sure their work was error free, they still wind up with these types of reviews. Why? Because going through 80,000 words is time consuming and editors have lives and a list of priorities of their own.

NO ONE will care about your work as much as you do.
You’ve spent months with you manuscript, reread it several times, and probably even read it out loud. Isn’t this enough? No, because our eyes see what they expect to see. I’m not going to bore you with the explanation of this. If you’re a writer, you know what I’m talking about. That’s why we have beta readers, in hopes of catching errors we can’t see in our own work. That’s still not enough.
I recommend you try this little trick on something that has been through editors and beta readers, maybe even those works that you’ve already published. You’ll be surprised that you still find errors. The silver lining is that you know they’re there and can now fix them!
Here it is: The SIMPLE secret to Proofreading to really make sure your book is error free.
Save your word document as a PDF file. Open it. Click on View > Read Out Loud > Activate Read Out Loud.
Put on headphones and listen to your story. I go through mine paragraph by paragraph, and even if I’m reading along, my ears will still catch things my eyes miss.
Listen carefully for odd sounding words. Ex: “lose” or “loose,” “decent” or “descent.” I find it also can help decipher if a comma is needed or not. 

That’s it. Fix what you need to fix and send it to the publisher.
Happy Writing!
If you’ve found this helpful or have other suggestions to add, please leave a comment and let me know!
Lisa Rayns

The Blashpemy Box Review

The Blasphemy Box 

“You know that nightmare you’ve always had? The one where you wake up one day to find yourself fat, frumpy, fifty and alone? I’m living it.” Maddy Nelson has an idyllic existence: a handsome husband, great kids, a comfortable, affluent lifestyle. One morning soon after she turns fifty, however, she wakes up in her San Francisco home to find her husband Steven announcing that he’s leaving her for a woman half her age. And a third of her size. Ouch! Feeling totally unmoored and grieving for her married life and husband, Maddy finds herself thrust into an unfamiliar and uncomfortable world of middle-aged singledom. There, she must come to terms with her situation and embark on her new life: divorce proceedings, single parenting, internet dating, and trying to earn a living. It’s enough to drive her over the brink. To help her cope, she shares her struggles in a smart, wry blog named The Blasphemy Box, after her ex-husband’s obnoxious habit of having her drop a quarter into a wooden box every time she said something off color. Her madcap middle-aged adventures find her devoted readers who identify with her challenges. In time, Maddy recreates herself and finds happiness in the arms of a good man, and a fulfilling new career as a novelist.
Purchase Kindle / Paperback
About Author Mandy Behbehani

Mandy Behbehani grew up in England and now lives in California. She holds a journalism degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and is a professional journalist whose work has appeared in a variety of publications from the Los Angeles Times and the San Francisco Chronicle to W magazine, Town & Country magazine and Travel & Leisure magazine.


Follow Mandy Behbehani:Blog | Facebook | Twitter

The author is offering a signed paperback book, and a Swarovski crystal bracelet that is part of her jewelry line for a tour prize. Check out the tour and giveaway HERE!

Now for my Review...



The Blasphemy Box by Mandy Behbehani
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Remarkable

This book is about the remarkable journey of an older woman reinventing herself after her husband of twenty years leaves her for a young woman. It’s a witty, enjoyable read, and the fact that I read the whole thing when I’ve never finished a book written in present tense before says a lot. It’s well-written and held my interest.

I think anyone who has ever been divorced or thought about divorce can relate in a way that will touch their soul. It brings up great issues about men, letting go, giving yourself another chance at life, learning to fight for what you need even if you hate confrontation. True to life accounts really give you the full spectrum of the emotions that creep up during the divorce experience, and I think anyone going through it for the first time should read this book immediately! The Blasphemy Box was a wonderful reading experience.



View all my reviews

May There Always Be Books Hop

Welcome to my blog! Leave a comment with your email address to win the first paperback copy of Wanted: Vampire - Bad Blood. 
(US Only for the paperback. Anyone outside the US can still enter but will receive an ecopy. Good Luck!)

Joel’s back.
Determined to return her sexy ex to his former vampire self, Tara Callister does what she has to do: She exposes three evil witches in order to enlist her coven’s help. Unfortunately for her, things don’t always work out as planned.
Targeted by her enemies, betrayed by her coven, she must figure out how to save herself and those she loves from the evil entwining itself in her life.But when her journey of self discovery leads her down an even darker path, will she stand behind her white witch promise or become one of them? And more importantly, are Joel’s feelings for her strong enough to survive it all?






This hop is hosted by Literary Addicts and is from May 20 at 12:00am – May 31 @11:59pm EST. Follow the Hop