Victoria Adams's Blog, page 30
April 6, 2016
Legal Thriller - Dollar Signs by Manning Wolfe
DOLLAR SIGNS BY MANNING WOLFE
Genre: legal thrillerRelease Date: 2/18/16Publisher: Starpath Books, LLCMERIT BRIDGES, an attorney and widowed mother in Austin, Texas, works hard, drinks too much wine, and sleeps with younger men. When Merit goes after a shady corporation threatening her client, she encounters hired gun Boots King. His charge is simple, “Stop her!” Merit and her team – including Betty, a mothering office manager with a bad-ass attitude – struggle to stay alive, while they navigate a labyrinth of legal issues, and prove once again that you don’t mess with a Texas lady lawyer.
BUY LINKSAmazonIndieBoundBarnes & NobleABOUT THE AUTHOR
MANNING WOLFE an author and attorney residing in Austin, Texas, writes cinematic-style, smart, fast-paced thrillers with a salting of Texas bullshit. The first in her series, featuring Austin Lawyer Merit Bridges, is Dollar Signs: Texas Lady Lawyer vs Boots King.
A graduate of Rice University and the University of Texas School of Law, Manning’s experience has given her a voyeur’s peek into some shady characters’ lives and a front row seat to watch the good people who stand against them.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manning.wolfe/?ref=hl www.manningwolfe.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/ManningWolfe Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14468516.Manning_Wolfe Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manningwolfe/ Google+ https://plus.google.com/u/0/+ManningWolfe LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manning-wolfe-60a724?trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile_pic
PRAISE FOR DOLLAR SIGNS!A legal thriller not to be missed…Manning Wolfe just putherself on my list of must-read authors. — Mark Pryor, HugoMarston Novels
Move over, John Grisham. There’s a lady lawyer in town.— Elizabeth Garcia, Deputy Ricos Tales
This novel is smart, funny, moving, and entertaining as hell.— Jesse Sublett, 1960’s Austin Gangsters
A great read, and Texas crime fiction has a new star.— Bill Crider, Dan Rhodes Mysteries
Pages smoke like burnt fried chicken grease on a Saturdaynight…This one, my friends, is a non-putter-downer!— George Wier, Bill Travis Mysteries.
A high-speed storyline full of twists and turns upon a starkbackground of reality as lawyers might really experienceit. Manning Wolfe is one of the up and coming legal thrillerwriters of this generation. Read her and enjoy her, but don’texpect much sleep! — John Ellsworth, author, ThaddeusMurfee Legal Thrillers
GIVEAWAYEcopy of the booka Rafflecopter giveaway
What’s up and coming on Victoria’s Pages of Romance8 – Friday Snippets #FridaySnippets9 –My Sexy Saturday - #MySexySaturday10 –Weekend Writing Warriors - #8sunday11 – author spotlight - Clare Chase – A Stranger's House12 – author spotlight - Ken & Anne Hicks - Weave a Murderous Web 13 –Book Hooks - #MFRWhooks14 – Thursday Thoughts - #ThursThoughts15 – Friday Snippets #FridaySnippets16 –My Sexy Saturday - #MySexySaturday17 – Weekend Writing Warriors - #8sunday18 – author spotlight - 19 – release day- Ed Hoornaert - Escapee20 –Book Hooks - #MFRWhooks21 – Thursday Thoughts - #ThursThoughts22 – Friday Snippets #FridaySnippets23 –My Sexy Saturday - #MySexySaturday24 – Weekend Writing Warriors - #8sunday25 – author spotlight - Marie Laval – Dancing With the Devil26 – author spotlight - 27 – Book Hooks - #MFRWhooks28 - author spotlight – Rachel Dove – The Chic Boutique on Baker Street 29 - Friday Snippets #FridaySnippets30 –My Sexy Saturday - #MySexySaturday
If you see an Author Spotlight place that is available and would like to post on that day - leave a comment with your email and I'll get back to you ASAP.
April 5, 2016
What's my insecurity this month? Insecure Writer Support Group #IWSG
Link Back to IWSG
Welcome to my Aprilposting for ISWG. Where we: post our thoughts, talk about our doubts, any fears we may have conquered, discuss our struggles and triumphs, and offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling.
Well, I'm happy to announce my other pen name finished the trilogy and sent book one off to the publisher.
I've had time to figure out why I was so nervous and a lot can be explained by this.
My basic insecurities. I feel like what I do ends up looking like the second picture and there is no way I could ever be as good as the first picture.
Why?
My other pen name's first two editors where brutal. It wasn't that they didn't do their job and showed me my typos or over use of passive verbs or any of the other things a newbie author needs to learn.
It was their arrogant and demeaning attitude.
Don't get me wrong. I'm used to being criticized - have yet to do anything right as far as my mother's concerned, but that's a whole other story!
Writing used to be fun. Now I have to struggle to get those 2 editors out of my head. Then the words will flow.
Now I could go on for pages on how a critical mind/voice can stifle creativity or I can toss out a suggestion.
When you are doing a critique or edits - brutality isn't necessary. I laugh my ass off when I read someone's request for a critique - Be as tough as you can. Rip my story to pieces.
I just want to reply - Dude - if the book needs that much work - rewrite it yourself!
Some will disagree with me. Others are siting in the same shadow - cowering waiting for the next set of edits.
Which side of the fence do you sit on?
What’s up and coming on Victoria’s Pages of Romance
7 – author spotlight - Manning Wolfe – Dollar Signs8 – Friday Snippets #FridaySnippets9 –My Sexy Saturday - #MySexySaturday10 – Weekend Writing Warriors - #8sunday11 – author spotlight - Clare Chase – A Stranger's House12 –author spotlight - Ken & Anne Hicks - Weave a Murderous Web 13 –Book Hooks - #MFRWhooks14 – Thursday Thoughts - #ThursThoughts15 – Friday Snippets #FridaySnippets16 –My Sexy Saturday - #MySexySaturday17 – Weekend Writing Warriors - #8sunday18 – author spotlight - 19 – release day- Ed Hoornaert - Escapee20 –Book Hooks - #MFRWhooks21 – Thursday Thoughts - #ThursThoughts22 – Friday Snippets #FridaySnippets23 –My Sexy Saturday - #MySexySaturday24 – Weekend Writing Warriors - #8sunday25 – author spotlight - Marie Laval – Dancing With the Devil26 – author spotlight - 27 – Book Hooks - #MFRWhooks28 - author spotlight – Rachel Dove – The Chic Boutique on Baker Street 29 - Friday Snippets #FridaySnippets30 –My Sexy Saturday - #MySexySaturday
If you see an Author Spotlight place that is available and would like to post on that day - leave a comment with your email and I'll get back to you ASAP.
April 4, 2016
April 3, 2016
April 2, 2016
Cover Reveal for M.S. Kaye's Once (book 1) #coverreveal
If you are here for WWW - please scroll down - I messed up and double booked
OnceBook One
Her first and also her once. Jonathan and Rebecca’s paths cross at exactly the right moment, when each most needs to hear what the other has to say. But Jonathan is three days from entering the priesthood, and Rebecca leaves him to his peace. But he is unable to find peace. Without each other’s comfort and strength, they must each struggle to forge a new path, with only memories of the one day that changed everything. But are they able to forget and let go?
Will be released July 2, 2016 from Inkspell Publishing.Add to your to-read on Goodreads.Author Bio
M.S. Kaye has several published books under her black belt. A transplant from Ohio, she resides with her husband Corey in Jacksonville, Florida, where she tries not to melt in the sun. Find suspense and the unusual at www.BooksByMSK.com. To receive news on upcoming releases, sign up for email updates on her website.
Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Goodreads | Amazon | TSU | Pinterest | LinkedIn Once & Again , book two Will be released September 4, 2016 from Inkspell Publishing. She was once his secret desire…will she be again? Father Aiden, an ex-marine and new priest, falls in love with Maylynn, but he struggles to stay away from her. He’s successful for many years, though he can’t keep her out of his dreams. Then one day she shows up for a pre-marital counselling session with her fiancé, Davis. Aiden soon realizes Davis isn’t who he says he is, but what does that mean for Maylynn, and for himself?
Once & Forever , book three Will be released December 2016 from Inkspell Publishing. Eden, a nun, is constantly struggling against her dark past of living on the streets, and her attraction to Trace, an ex-convict farm worker. After a twelve-year separation, Eden is finally reunited with her brother, Thomas, but why hadn’t she reached out to him in all those years? As Eden and Trace grow closer, confessing their pasts to each other, will they be able to resist getting too close?
Excerpt from Once “What’s the answer?” He paused. “A switchblade.” With my fingertips, I reached out and traced the scar across his cheek. “Did you win?” He removed my hand and closed his eyes. “Yes.” I slid his Book back to him. “This says we can find forgiveness.” His eyes still closed, his jaw clenched. He bowed his head. “It also says ‘Thou shalt not kill.’” I took his hand in both of mine, petted his rough skin, and then brought it to my lips. He had a talent for guiding invisibly, but I didn’t know how to do that. He watched me again. His eyes were intense, like the black of the night sky, and his forehead was furrowed, as if his emotions were scattered, as if he was shocked at my reaction, as if he had been sure his answer would drive me away. But I knew him. Already, I knew him. “You’re still a good person,” I said. His jaw clenched. “I’ve been trying to believe that.” “I have faith in you.” He continued to watch me. His forehead never smoothed, as if he was fighting for strength, but his eyes softened. He slid around the booth, closer to me. I didn’t move, not sure what to do, what was right, what he wanted. He leaned closer. I only watched him. He touched his lips to my cheek, the faintest pressure. I struggled to sit still, to keep my hands in my lap, not to grab hold of him. And then his lips were gone, such brief contact that I couldn’t be sure if he had actually kissed my cheek or if I wanted his contact so much that I’d imagined it. He spoke in my ear. “You must be some kind of final test.” My heart pounded into my ribs, against the point of the blade. “Are you going to pass?” His lips brushed against my jaw. “I don’t know.” He trailed to my neck, his mouth softly pressing. My hand curled into his hair, the other on his shoulder, holding, clutching. His mouth found mine, barely touching. His warmth invaded my head. “God give me strength,” he murmured. The door slid open, and the compartment filled with laughter. He closed his eyes. Then he slid away from me.
OnceBook One
Her first and also her once. Jonathan and Rebecca’s paths cross at exactly the right moment, when each most needs to hear what the other has to say. But Jonathan is three days from entering the priesthood, and Rebecca leaves him to his peace. But he is unable to find peace. Without each other’s comfort and strength, they must each struggle to forge a new path, with only memories of the one day that changed everything. But are they able to forget and let go?Will be released July 2, 2016 from Inkspell Publishing.Add to your to-read on Goodreads.Author Bio
M.S. Kaye has several published books under her black belt. A transplant from Ohio, she resides with her husband Corey in Jacksonville, Florida, where she tries not to melt in the sun. Find suspense and the unusual at www.BooksByMSK.com. To receive news on upcoming releases, sign up for email updates on her website. Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Goodreads | Amazon | TSU | Pinterest | LinkedIn Once & Again , book two Will be released September 4, 2016 from Inkspell Publishing. She was once his secret desire…will she be again? Father Aiden, an ex-marine and new priest, falls in love with Maylynn, but he struggles to stay away from her. He’s successful for many years, though he can’t keep her out of his dreams. Then one day she shows up for a pre-marital counselling session with her fiancé, Davis. Aiden soon realizes Davis isn’t who he says he is, but what does that mean for Maylynn, and for himself?
Once & Forever , book three Will be released December 2016 from Inkspell Publishing. Eden, a nun, is constantly struggling against her dark past of living on the streets, and her attraction to Trace, an ex-convict farm worker. After a twelve-year separation, Eden is finally reunited with her brother, Thomas, but why hadn’t she reached out to him in all those years? As Eden and Trace grow closer, confessing their pasts to each other, will they be able to resist getting too close?
Excerpt from Once “What’s the answer?” He paused. “A switchblade.” With my fingertips, I reached out and traced the scar across his cheek. “Did you win?” He removed my hand and closed his eyes. “Yes.” I slid his Book back to him. “This says we can find forgiveness.” His eyes still closed, his jaw clenched. He bowed his head. “It also says ‘Thou shalt not kill.’” I took his hand in both of mine, petted his rough skin, and then brought it to my lips. He had a talent for guiding invisibly, but I didn’t know how to do that. He watched me again. His eyes were intense, like the black of the night sky, and his forehead was furrowed, as if his emotions were scattered, as if he was shocked at my reaction, as if he had been sure his answer would drive me away. But I knew him. Already, I knew him. “You’re still a good person,” I said. His jaw clenched. “I’ve been trying to believe that.” “I have faith in you.” He continued to watch me. His forehead never smoothed, as if he was fighting for strength, but his eyes softened. He slid around the booth, closer to me. I didn’t move, not sure what to do, what was right, what he wanted. He leaned closer. I only watched him. He touched his lips to my cheek, the faintest pressure. I struggled to sit still, to keep my hands in my lap, not to grab hold of him. And then his lips were gone, such brief contact that I couldn’t be sure if he had actually kissed my cheek or if I wanted his contact so much that I’d imagined it. He spoke in my ear. “You must be some kind of final test.” My heart pounded into my ribs, against the point of the blade. “Are you going to pass?” His lips brushed against my jaw. “I don’t know.” He trailed to my neck, his mouth softly pressing. My hand curled into his hair, the other on his shoulder, holding, clutching. His mouth found mine, barely touching. His warmth invaded my head. “God give me strength,” he murmured. The door slid open, and the compartment filled with laughter. He closed his eyes. Then he slid away from me.
Is Tricia still planning on going on the date with Robert? From Dancing in Circles on WeWrWa #8Sunday
Link back to Weekend Writing Warriors - www.wewriwa.com
Scene set - Julie watched Robert's fight - after school. Robert has already invited Trish to the dance Saturday night.
Julie's gaze followed while the insignia of the coiled snake faded as Robert and his compatriots left the park. She reviewed what she'd witnessed. A group of people jumped out of the trees and handed Robert a black leather biker jacket. Suddenly he went from classmate Robert to Shoresmen Robert. A gang member fully equipped with an insignia-emblazoned jacket and a knife, but somehow Robert was different from the others. Soon the roar of a group of motorcycles signified Robert and his colleagues' departure from Westland."Are you still going on your date with him?" asked Heather, eyelids opened wide."You bet. There's no way I'd miss this," said Tricia, biting her bottom lip.
Blurb – One born into privilege and a charmed life surrounded by love and family. The other born to a life of violence on the streets as the solemn gang leader of the notorious Shoresmen. A young, idealistic co-ed, Julie, meets a jaded, cold gang member, Robert, and cracks his icy shell, allowing the warmth of her love to awaken his soul.
Exclusively at – AMAZON
5 Stars - I loved the cover, as well as the story. I liked the school setting, and the description in the beginning of Julie and her friends. Julie is the dreamer, searching for a happy ending. I also liked Robert, who is a "bad boy" gang leader. "from the wrong side of the tracks," etc. One of Julie's relatives says he has a heart of gold, and he does. He's smart and practical and I think he's great.
April 1, 2016
Why is Darcy amazed at Shamus's home? From contemporary flash fiction - Red Tulip on #MySexySaturday #MSS135 #flashfiction
Welcome to the 135thweek of My Sexy Saturday.
This week’s theme: Bring It Home for Sexy
This week’s theme is Bring It Home for Sexy and once again, it can be for any genre. This theme is our nod to burning the home fires and the love that goes with that scene. Every one has their idea of what home means and what it means when they’ve found that one special lover. It can be in a log cabin, a space ship or a home built for that love. It can be near or far, on this world or even another. From my contemporary sweet flash fiction - Red Tulip
I transformed into Super Gardener, filling beds with seedlings at a pace designed to shove the hands of the clock to quitting time. At last, my day was done, my tools put away and I had set up series of safe calls to my best friend. Walking towards the duck pond, the sound of Shamus's yell made me turn. I hurried to the parking lot and accepted the motorcycle helmet he held out. "Where're we going?" I asked as I fumbled with the strap."Home."After asking for his address, I keyed it in, pressed send, tightened the helmet strap and climbed on. He revved the engine and roared out of the parking lot.His definition of home was not a tiny apartment, but an English manor. Nervousness filled me as he parked the motorcycle in front of the door and dismounted.I stood next to him. "This is your home?""Been in the family for generations."He swung the oak door open and led me inside. As we crossed an entryway, I glanced at the gleaming marbled floor then at my soil-stained work clothes and rolled my eyes. A door opened and a butler appeared. He bowed his head. "Good evening, Mr. McTavis. Drinks?"
Blurb - Darcy O'Calahann, a junior gardener from a small mid-western town, is trying to make her way in the big city.Shamus McTavis is a wealthy bachelor with a mysterious family past.Are Darcy's eyes playing tricks on her? Is she losing her mind? Or is there really a Red Tulip tying her and Shamus together?
Amazon - US Amazon - Canada
What’s up and coming on Victoria’s Pages of Romance3 – author spotlight – cover reveal – M.S. Kaye - Once4 – author spotlight – Diane Wickles - 5 – author spotlight – Legal Thriller from Brooks Cottage6 – Insecure Writer Support Group - #IWSG7 – author spotlight - Manning Wolfe – Dollar Signs8 – Friday Snippets #FridaySnippets9 –My Sexy Saturday - #MySexySaturday10 –Weekend Writing Warriors - #8sunday11 – author spotlight - Clare Chase – A Stranger's House12 – author spotlight - 13 –Book Hooks - #MFRWhooks14 – Thursday Thoughts - #ThursThoughts15 – Friday Snippets #FridaySnippets16 –My Sexy Saturday - #MySexySaturday17 – Weekend Writing Warriors - #8sunday18 – author spotlight - 19 – release day- Ed Hoornaert - Escapee20 –Book Hooks - #MFRWhooks21 – Thursday Thoughts - #ThursThoughts22 – Friday Snippets #FridaySnippets23 –My Sexy Saturday - #MySexySaturday24 – Weekend Writing Warriors - #8sunday25 – author spotlight - Marie Laval – Dancing With the Devil26 – author spotlight - 27 – author spotlight - Maggie Bolitho – Outback Promise28 - author spotlight – Rachel Dove – The Chic Boutique on Baker Street 29 - Friday Snippets #FridaySnippets30 –My Sexy Saturday - #MySexySaturday
If you see an Author Spotlight place that is available and would like to post on that day - leave a comment with your email and I'll get back to you ASAP.
March 31, 2016
Why was Sian worried about J'dol? on Friday Snippets #FridaySnippets #timetravel
Popping up an episode from my WIP flash fiction - Sunrise
Scene set - Sian was meditating on the end of her dock at sunrise - a man crash lands behind her.He is injured. She wishes to help him but he disappears. She suspects he is a time traveller.
Chapter 9
Sian's gaze followed the police dispatcher's car as it disappeared up the road. The words echoed in her head, "You’ll be glad to know they caught the intruder who was hanging around the lake."She bolted to her car and raced to the police station. Barging through the main entrance, Sian stopped at the main desk. "I need to see the person they just brought in."The officer behind the desk blinked. "Why?""My…my…cou—" Mind racing, Sian focused her thoughts. She inhaled a big breath. "Let me start over. My friend is supposed to be dropping in to visit. And I'm worried he got lost and went to the wrong cabin and you guys mistook him for an intruder."From what I heard, the man resisted arrest and isn't talking."Sian rubbed the center of her forehead. "That sounds like him. He…well...he… uh…has issues with the law."The officer stood and indicated she follow him. He pointed at a grey, metal door. "Take a look."Pulse pounding in her ears, Sian peered into the room. Her gaze settled on a male with a scruffy, black beard and long, greasy dark hair. Her blood pressure dropped twenty points as she turned and smiled. "Not my friend."The officer nodded. "Good. I'm glad. No harm in asking."Back inside her car, Sian tapped her steering wheel. "So if that's not J'dol, then where is he?" She wove her way through the crowds of people leaving the fireworks display and drove down the long, dark lane. Parking her car near her cottage, she gasped as she spotted a huddled form under her deck. Sian crept close and placed her hand on his shoulder. "There you are."She felt J'dol jump. He faced her. She could see the relief sweep through him when he recognized her. Sian held out her hand. "Here. Let's get you inside. I was so worried."J'dol ignored her offer of assistance and crawled out into the open. He held his sword in one hand and backpack in the other.Sian caught her breath. His green eyes were dull and his face unshaven, but that only made him more ruggedly handsome. Standing so close, Sian noticed her eye level matched his chest. His broad chest. She bit back a smile. "Follow me. And this time, please don't run."She led him into the cabin, turning on the kitchen light and then the lamp in the living room. Her ears caught the low growl in his throat as they passed through the living room. She glanced over her shoulder, catching him glaring at her painting. Confused but curious, she continued upstairs and opened the guest room door."You can sleep here."Puzzlement crossed J'dol's brow. He opened his mouth as if to say something then paused as he swayed. He grasped the doorframe and sighed. Entering the room, he placed his sword and backpack next to the carpet then settled down on it.Stifling a chuckle, Sian pointed to the bed. "You can sleep there. It's okay.""Where will you sleep?" The depth of his voice made her shiver."In my room.""You have two sleeping areas?"Sian nodded. Stepping closer, she reached her hand out and stroked the mark on his cheek. Her finger nails chattered across his unshaven stubble. She paused and frowned. "May I?" She lifted her hand to his forehead. "You're hot. I think you've got a fever. Your cheek is healing nicely. Can you take your shirt off so I can see your arm?"He grabbed the bottom of his shirt and pulled it over his head. Sian's gaze caught his reflection in the mirror. Broad muscles flexed as he moved, but what snagged her attention was the black scorpion tattoo and the large inflamed wound on his back.She pulled the sheets down. "Lay on your belly. I'm going to get the medical kit. The injury on your back is infected."He staggered, but caught himself. "Leg, too" He pointed at a tear midway down his right thigh."Take your pants off and I'll check that, too. Be right back." Sian hurried to her bathroom and opened the closet. As she reached for the medical kit, she snorted. Did I really just ask him to take his pants off? Hot, naked, sexy guy in my guest room. Life is good.Sian stumbled to a stop at the doorway to her guest room. Sprawled, belly down on the bed was a butt-naked J'dol. Her gaze started at his head and roamed to his feet. She didn't notice an ounce of spare flesh. Just rock hard muscles. And his back side…oh my. Wonder if the front side is just as enticing. Settling on the edge of the bed, Sian peered at the wounds on his arm and back. "These are infected and the wood has to come out. It's probably going to hurt. Wish I had something to give you to take away the pain.""Just do it."With a pair of tweezers, she plucked splinters from each wound then cleansed the area with an antiseptic. Sweat rolled down J'dol's forehead and his body tensed, but not a sound escaped his lips. "Now I'm going to look at your leg." She scooted down the bed, trying not to be distracted by his firm, round buttocks. When she'd finished cleaning and taping all his wounds, she sat back. His eyes were closed and his breathing slow. She placed her hand on his forehead. It felt warm although he was shivering. Pulling the sheet over his shoulders, Sian stood to leave."No! No!" Terror filled his voice. "Don't let her die!"She edged closer. "Who? Don't let who die?"
What’s up and coming on Victoria’s Pages of Romance2 –My Sexy Saturday - #MySexySaturday3 – author spotlight – cover reveal – M.S. Kaye - Once4 – author spotlight – Diane Wickles - 5 – author spotlight – Legal Thriller from Brooks Cottage6 – Insecure Writer Support Group - #IWSG7 – author spotlight - Manning Wolfe – Dollar Signs8 – Friday Snippets #FridaySnippets9 –My Sexy Saturday - #MySexySaturday10 –Weekend Writing Warriors - #8sunday11 – author spotlight - Clare Chase – A Stranger's House12 – author spotlight - 13 –Book Hooks - #MFRWhooks14 – Thursday Thoughts - #ThursThoughts15 – Friday Snippets #FridaySnippets16 –My Sexy Saturday - #MySexySaturday17 – Weekend Writing Warriors - #8sunday18 – author spotlight - 19 – release day- Ed Hoornaert - Escapee20 –Book Hooks - #MFRWhooks21 – Thursday Thoughts - #ThursThoughts22 – Friday Snippets #FridaySnippets23 –My Sexy Saturday - #MySexySaturday24 – Weekend Writing Warriors - #8sunday25 – author spotlight - Marie Laval – Dancing With the Devil26 – author spotlight - 27 – author spotlight - Maggie Bolitho – Outback Promise28 - author spotlight – Rachel Dove – The Chic Boutique on Baker Street 29 - Friday Snippets #FridaySnippets30 –My Sexy Saturday - #MySexySaturday
If you see an Author Spotlight place that is available and would like to post on that day - leave a comment with your email and I'll get back to you ASAP.
March 30, 2016
Spotlight on soon to be released - Phoenix in Shadow by Jean Lamb #fantasy #romance
First of all, I’d like to thank Victoria Adams for this promo opportunity. I have a lot more experience at writing than I do at promotion. Also, I want to apologize; I thought my readers would have gotten back to me by now, but apparently everyone is as busy as I am J, so my book hasn’t actually been released yet.
But I’d like to offer you something for your trouble. PHOENIX IN SHADOW is a large fantasy novel with a romance at the heart of it, though many of the branches go off in other directions. It is also the first of a series about the same fantasy world. Lady Idabel is a young woman with strong ambitions of her own, most of which have to do with revenge against the evil forces that destroyed her family, and the city that they once ruled. She has been raised in the Temple in Anyakora, and its leader is using her as a weapon, though she doesn’t really mind. Lord Treasurer Fennoy seeks her hand—but is he really the right man for her? Or should she vow herself to the Maiden, as the Priestess-Mother would like?
Then there’s Tar-Kapel Demytry, who knows he must marry, but hides a sad secret that keeps him from trying. He desires women, especially the tempting Lady Ardry—but fears he cannot have children. Who can heal his heart and release him from this curse? His friends include the aging spymaster Afac Stellin, who protected Demytry when he was a child from his ill-tempered father, and Dar Wolfraven, Demytry’s sword-brother and truest friend.
Demytry and Idabel must find each other in a world full of betrayal, the evil forces from the south who will do anything to keep them apart, and finally, love. There seem to be times, though, when even love might not be enough. They must find the courage to be honest with each other, and to survive the worst that life can deal to them.
This world, unfortunately, is full of graphic and sometimes sexual violence, and there are times when the reader might wonder if those who are guilty of it will receive their just deserts. Still, there is also hope, atonement…and always, there is love.
I’d like to add a brief excerpt from the first chapter:
Idabel never forgot the horror of the burning city. Cleophis once sat peacefully in the mountains at the southern edge of the Phoenix Empire and overlooked the passes to the land of the enemy. Dar Nidas Idarlo and his Lady Consort Denali ruled the city and the territory surrounding it. Idabel had been a child then. She was excited when her oldest sister Minshall was betrothed to Tar-Kapel Demytry, even though Minshall herself was less enthusiastic. That had been over half her life ago. She was only eight when Cleophis fell to the armies of General Durchan, leader of the Dramen who lived to the south. Idabel had been the youngest of seven noisy girls. Now she was alone. As she sat inside the Temple in Anyakora, she relived the bumpy wagon ride barely ahead of the flames consuming her home. Father had wanted to send them away two weeks ago, and Idabel still remembered the argument she’d overheard. Father had been right. Now he fought with his troops to cover their retreat. Idabel sat in the wagon and saw nothing but the back of her mother’s head. Her sisters huddled together and moaned in fear, despite Minshall’s attempts to calm them. Shouting and the sounds of fighting filled the air everywhere around them. Idabel was more excited than frightened. Father had let her begin arms training a few months ago. Shosann, one of her other sisters, showed her some of what she had learned of weapons when no one else could be spared to teach her once the Dramen army began their siege. Now they had to run, though Idabel wished they could stay and fight. Lady Idarlo screamed and lashed the horses to greater speed. Idabel didn’t understand. Mama always told them to be gentle with the beasts. The wagon lurched forward. All of them shrieked in terror when something hit the wagon, and a spear point stabbed through the heavy canvas at the side. Idabel coughed from the smoke. This couldn’t be real. As if in a dream, the pins fell out of her mother’s hair, except for one at the top. The long, looped braids fell. Streaks of white hair winding through black looked like ribbons. Her mother’s face, usually kind with her olive-skinned, fine-boned beauty, was now a mask of fury. The wagon stopped. Then it moved again. Idabel could tell they were off the road now. She held her hands over her ears to stop the horrible noise. Wood cracked and popped as something battered the frame of their cart beyond endurance. Gigantic green-skinned warriors on horseback seized the reins from her mother, though Lady Denali struck them with her whip. Idabel struggled to move closed to her mother, but Minshall pushed her down beneath a leather trunk. Why did she do that?The heavy thing squeezed her, and she found it hard to breathe. She wiggled first one way, and then the other, to escape the pressure. I only want to help! Why won’t Min let me? The wagon stopped. Idabel heard her mother and sisters shouting, and then weeping. One side of her prison broke wide open, and she slid down to the ground along with the trunk. Dramen warriors in dusty armor rode by laughing, while others pushed her family into the dirt. How dare they! What did they mean by taking turns? She finally pushed her way out from under the trunk, scooped up a fallen dagger, and flew at the enemy with a scream of rage. They paid her no attention till her blade sank into a soldier’s leg. One sweeping stroke of a spear-butt sent her flying. The last thing she remembered seeing was a torch being thrown onto the shattered wagon. Idabel never knew how long it was before she opened her eyes again. At first she didn’t understand why she wasn’t in her room. Everything shimmered and her head ached dreadfully. Her dress was partly burned, while one of her braids was charred to a stump. Her face hurt on that side, too. The wagon—the wagon was gone. A heap of smoldering embers sat in its place. Idabel struggled to her feet and looked for her mother. Mama would know what to do. The soldiers were gone. She was glad of that. She looked at the bodies on the ground without understanding at first. One of them had a green skirt, though it was now soaked with blood. Shosann always wore that color. The young girl was afraid to look at the faces. It was so quiet. She heard someone screaming. She wished they would stop. Then she realized why her throat hurt. She was the one screaming. She was screaming because the bodies on the ground were her mother and sisters—one, two, three, four, five, six—that wasn’t right. She had one mother and six sisters, that should add up to seven bleeding lumps, not six. Then Idabel forced herself to look at the faces, the frozen horrible faces. Minshall was gone. Just…gone. She thought she heard a whisper. Oh, merciful Mother. Mama was still alive. “Idabel,” Lady Denali murmured. Her mouth bled. “Look in my hair…under the left braid…” “Yes, Mama.” She gently lifted her mother’s head and searched through the filthy, crusted hair. She found a hard lump the size of a large bean under the braid’s beginning. She was afraid to yank on it. Her mother had other lumps on her head now. “Take it,” the dying woman said. “It won’t hurt much.” Idabel pulled it out, like a small bead sewn into a small cloth bag. She held it tightly in her hands, because she knew it was the Rose of Cleophis, a flaming ruby with a tiny flaw in the center like a miniature rose. It had been the talisman of the Idarlos for centuries. She didn’t understand why Papa didn’t have it with him, though. “Take it to your father,” her mother said. Then the light fled from her eyes. She was like everyone else on the ground now. It was quiet again. Mama had told her what to do. Where was Papa? He’d told them last night that they were going to Anyakora. Maybe the Tar-Kapel could help—he had a spymaster who told him everything, her father had said. Maybe he would know where Papa was. Maybe he could find Minshall, too. Anyakora was in the north on the map her tutor had shown her. I want to go home! But she couldn’t. The Rose was her responsibility till she could give it to Papa. Idabel took a few steps and fell down. That was silly, she was much too old to trip like a baby. She stood up and started again.
I would like to thank https://spittyfish.wordpress.com/for my beautiful cover! She adapted one of her premades to my needs, and I am delighted with the outcome.
Jean Lamb is an older woman (just took early retirement, whee!) who is now writing full time, and who lives on the dry side of the Cascades in the Pacific Northwest. She has three novels already for sale, and will soon add PHOENIX IN SHADOW as her fourth (look for her author page on Amazon). She has a distressing tendency to think in the six book series length, and promises to add a new volume to one of them this year rather than just starting a new series. Honest! She is a full member of SFWA for SF like “Galley Slave” in MAN/KZIN WARS VIII and horror like “Esprit de Corpse” in GETTING EVEN: WOMEN’S REVENGE STORIES. She spent four years in the Air Force, some time raising a special needs child, four years in the library, and 15 in accounting. She has been married for 42 years and has two grown children, plus one cat and four computers in the house. Oh, wait, five...(she lost count of the number of books some time ago). She has also written fanfic on www.fanfiction.net using the name of excessivelyperky (her husband was a chemistry teacher, so guess which character in Harry Potter she likes…<G>). She has a lot more books planned to write.
What’s up and coming next month on Victoria’s Pages of Romance 1 – Friday Snippets #FridaySnippets 2 –My Sexy Saturday - #MySexySaturday3 – author spotlight – cover reveal – M.S. Kaye - Once4 – author spotlight – Diane Wickles - 5 – author spotlight – Legal Thriller from Brooks Cottage6 – Insecure Writer Support Group - #IWSG7 – author spotlight - Manning Wolfe – Dollar Signs8 – Friday Snippets #FridaySnippets9 –My Sexy Saturday - #MySexySaturday10 –Weekend Writing Warriors - #8sunday11 – author spotlight - Clare Chase – A Stranger's House12 – author spotlight - 13 –Book Hooks - #MFRWhooks14 – Thursday Thoughts - #ThursThoughts15 – Friday Snippets #FridaySnippets16 –My Sexy Saturday - #MySexySaturday17 – Weekend Writing Warriors - #8sunday18 – author spotlight - 19 – release day- Ed Hoornaert - Escapee20 –Book Hooks - #MFRWhooks21 – Thursday Thoughts - #ThursThoughts22 – Friday Snippets #FridaySnippets23 –My Sexy Saturday - #MySexySaturday24 – Weekend Writing Warriors - #8sunday25 – author spotlight - Marie Laval – Dancing With the Devil26 – author spotlight - 27 – author spotlight - Maggie Bolitho – Outback Promise28 - author spotlight – Rachel Dove – The Chic Boutique on Baker Street 29 - Friday Snippets #FridaySnippets30 –My Sexy Saturday - #MySexySaturday
If you see an Author Spotlight place that is available and would like to post on that day - leave a comment with your email and I'll get back to you ASAP.
But I’d like to offer you something for your trouble. PHOENIX IN SHADOW is a large fantasy novel with a romance at the heart of it, though many of the branches go off in other directions. It is also the first of a series about the same fantasy world. Lady Idabel is a young woman with strong ambitions of her own, most of which have to do with revenge against the evil forces that destroyed her family, and the city that they once ruled. She has been raised in the Temple in Anyakora, and its leader is using her as a weapon, though she doesn’t really mind. Lord Treasurer Fennoy seeks her hand—but is he really the right man for her? Or should she vow herself to the Maiden, as the Priestess-Mother would like?
Then there’s Tar-Kapel Demytry, who knows he must marry, but hides a sad secret that keeps him from trying. He desires women, especially the tempting Lady Ardry—but fears he cannot have children. Who can heal his heart and release him from this curse? His friends include the aging spymaster Afac Stellin, who protected Demytry when he was a child from his ill-tempered father, and Dar Wolfraven, Demytry’s sword-brother and truest friend.
Demytry and Idabel must find each other in a world full of betrayal, the evil forces from the south who will do anything to keep them apart, and finally, love. There seem to be times, though, when even love might not be enough. They must find the courage to be honest with each other, and to survive the worst that life can deal to them.
This world, unfortunately, is full of graphic and sometimes sexual violence, and there are times when the reader might wonder if those who are guilty of it will receive their just deserts. Still, there is also hope, atonement…and always, there is love.
I’d like to add a brief excerpt from the first chapter:
Idabel never forgot the horror of the burning city. Cleophis once sat peacefully in the mountains at the southern edge of the Phoenix Empire and overlooked the passes to the land of the enemy. Dar Nidas Idarlo and his Lady Consort Denali ruled the city and the territory surrounding it. Idabel had been a child then. She was excited when her oldest sister Minshall was betrothed to Tar-Kapel Demytry, even though Minshall herself was less enthusiastic. That had been over half her life ago. She was only eight when Cleophis fell to the armies of General Durchan, leader of the Dramen who lived to the south. Idabel had been the youngest of seven noisy girls. Now she was alone. As she sat inside the Temple in Anyakora, she relived the bumpy wagon ride barely ahead of the flames consuming her home. Father had wanted to send them away two weeks ago, and Idabel still remembered the argument she’d overheard. Father had been right. Now he fought with his troops to cover their retreat. Idabel sat in the wagon and saw nothing but the back of her mother’s head. Her sisters huddled together and moaned in fear, despite Minshall’s attempts to calm them. Shouting and the sounds of fighting filled the air everywhere around them. Idabel was more excited than frightened. Father had let her begin arms training a few months ago. Shosann, one of her other sisters, showed her some of what she had learned of weapons when no one else could be spared to teach her once the Dramen army began their siege. Now they had to run, though Idabel wished they could stay and fight. Lady Idarlo screamed and lashed the horses to greater speed. Idabel didn’t understand. Mama always told them to be gentle with the beasts. The wagon lurched forward. All of them shrieked in terror when something hit the wagon, and a spear point stabbed through the heavy canvas at the side. Idabel coughed from the smoke. This couldn’t be real. As if in a dream, the pins fell out of her mother’s hair, except for one at the top. The long, looped braids fell. Streaks of white hair winding through black looked like ribbons. Her mother’s face, usually kind with her olive-skinned, fine-boned beauty, was now a mask of fury. The wagon stopped. Then it moved again. Idabel could tell they were off the road now. She held her hands over her ears to stop the horrible noise. Wood cracked and popped as something battered the frame of their cart beyond endurance. Gigantic green-skinned warriors on horseback seized the reins from her mother, though Lady Denali struck them with her whip. Idabel struggled to move closed to her mother, but Minshall pushed her down beneath a leather trunk. Why did she do that?The heavy thing squeezed her, and she found it hard to breathe. She wiggled first one way, and then the other, to escape the pressure. I only want to help! Why won’t Min let me? The wagon stopped. Idabel heard her mother and sisters shouting, and then weeping. One side of her prison broke wide open, and she slid down to the ground along with the trunk. Dramen warriors in dusty armor rode by laughing, while others pushed her family into the dirt. How dare they! What did they mean by taking turns? She finally pushed her way out from under the trunk, scooped up a fallen dagger, and flew at the enemy with a scream of rage. They paid her no attention till her blade sank into a soldier’s leg. One sweeping stroke of a spear-butt sent her flying. The last thing she remembered seeing was a torch being thrown onto the shattered wagon. Idabel never knew how long it was before she opened her eyes again. At first she didn’t understand why she wasn’t in her room. Everything shimmered and her head ached dreadfully. Her dress was partly burned, while one of her braids was charred to a stump. Her face hurt on that side, too. The wagon—the wagon was gone. A heap of smoldering embers sat in its place. Idabel struggled to her feet and looked for her mother. Mama would know what to do. The soldiers were gone. She was glad of that. She looked at the bodies on the ground without understanding at first. One of them had a green skirt, though it was now soaked with blood. Shosann always wore that color. The young girl was afraid to look at the faces. It was so quiet. She heard someone screaming. She wished they would stop. Then she realized why her throat hurt. She was the one screaming. She was screaming because the bodies on the ground were her mother and sisters—one, two, three, four, five, six—that wasn’t right. She had one mother and six sisters, that should add up to seven bleeding lumps, not six. Then Idabel forced herself to look at the faces, the frozen horrible faces. Minshall was gone. Just…gone. She thought she heard a whisper. Oh, merciful Mother. Mama was still alive. “Idabel,” Lady Denali murmured. Her mouth bled. “Look in my hair…under the left braid…” “Yes, Mama.” She gently lifted her mother’s head and searched through the filthy, crusted hair. She found a hard lump the size of a large bean under the braid’s beginning. She was afraid to yank on it. Her mother had other lumps on her head now. “Take it,” the dying woman said. “It won’t hurt much.” Idabel pulled it out, like a small bead sewn into a small cloth bag. She held it tightly in her hands, because she knew it was the Rose of Cleophis, a flaming ruby with a tiny flaw in the center like a miniature rose. It had been the talisman of the Idarlos for centuries. She didn’t understand why Papa didn’t have it with him, though. “Take it to your father,” her mother said. Then the light fled from her eyes. She was like everyone else on the ground now. It was quiet again. Mama had told her what to do. Where was Papa? He’d told them last night that they were going to Anyakora. Maybe the Tar-Kapel could help—he had a spymaster who told him everything, her father had said. Maybe he would know where Papa was. Maybe he could find Minshall, too. Anyakora was in the north on the map her tutor had shown her. I want to go home! But she couldn’t. The Rose was her responsibility till she could give it to Papa. Idabel took a few steps and fell down. That was silly, she was much too old to trip like a baby. She stood up and started again.
I would like to thank https://spittyfish.wordpress.com/for my beautiful cover! She adapted one of her premades to my needs, and I am delighted with the outcome.
Jean Lamb is an older woman (just took early retirement, whee!) who is now writing full time, and who lives on the dry side of the Cascades in the Pacific Northwest. She has three novels already for sale, and will soon add PHOENIX IN SHADOW as her fourth (look for her author page on Amazon). She has a distressing tendency to think in the six book series length, and promises to add a new volume to one of them this year rather than just starting a new series. Honest! She is a full member of SFWA for SF like “Galley Slave” in MAN/KZIN WARS VIII and horror like “Esprit de Corpse” in GETTING EVEN: WOMEN’S REVENGE STORIES. She spent four years in the Air Force, some time raising a special needs child, four years in the library, and 15 in accounting. She has been married for 42 years and has two grown children, plus one cat and four computers in the house. Oh, wait, five...(she lost count of the number of books some time ago). She has also written fanfic on www.fanfiction.net using the name of excessivelyperky (her husband was a chemistry teacher, so guess which character in Harry Potter she likes…<G>). She has a lot more books planned to write.
What’s up and coming next month on Victoria’s Pages of Romance 1 – Friday Snippets #FridaySnippets 2 –My Sexy Saturday - #MySexySaturday3 – author spotlight – cover reveal – M.S. Kaye - Once4 – author spotlight – Diane Wickles - 5 – author spotlight – Legal Thriller from Brooks Cottage6 – Insecure Writer Support Group - #IWSG7 – author spotlight - Manning Wolfe – Dollar Signs8 – Friday Snippets #FridaySnippets9 –My Sexy Saturday - #MySexySaturday10 –Weekend Writing Warriors - #8sunday11 – author spotlight - Clare Chase – A Stranger's House12 – author spotlight - 13 –Book Hooks - #MFRWhooks14 – Thursday Thoughts - #ThursThoughts15 – Friday Snippets #FridaySnippets16 –My Sexy Saturday - #MySexySaturday17 – Weekend Writing Warriors - #8sunday18 – author spotlight - 19 – release day- Ed Hoornaert - Escapee20 –Book Hooks - #MFRWhooks21 – Thursday Thoughts - #ThursThoughts22 – Friday Snippets #FridaySnippets23 –My Sexy Saturday - #MySexySaturday24 – Weekend Writing Warriors - #8sunday25 – author spotlight - Marie Laval – Dancing With the Devil26 – author spotlight - 27 – author spotlight - Maggie Bolitho – Outback Promise28 - author spotlight – Rachel Dove – The Chic Boutique on Baker Street 29 - Friday Snippets #FridaySnippets30 –My Sexy Saturday - #MySexySaturdayIf you see an Author Spotlight place that is available and would like to post on that day - leave a comment with your email and I'll get back to you ASAP.
March 29, 2016
What bad news did Chelsea discover at her best friend's apartment? From A Guy and A Girl on Book Hooks #MFRWAuthor #MFRWhooks
From my NA contemporary hockey romance - A Guy and A Girl
Scene Set - Chelsea drops over to her best friend's place only to discover some not good news. Chelsea speaks first.
"Good heavens, Kendall you look like you haven't been to bed yet."Plugging in her kettle, Kendall smiled and said, "Definitely been to bed. Just not to sleep.""Ooh, do tell. The blond stripper?""Hunter," she said as she placed two mugs on the counter and spooned in some instant coffee. Damn you. Couldn't leave him alone, could you?
Blurb
Lies, deceits and secrets - not a good way to begin a relationship.After an ugly past forced Hunter Connolly to escape to Europe, the talented hockey player is back in North America and determined to land a position with a professional team. But he can’t hide from his past forever, especially when his beautiful classmate, Chelsea, forces him to reexamine his life. Soon, hockey is not his first priority anymore.Chelsea Henderson is a bright co-ed working towards her dream of being a professional dancer. She forms a unique friendship with one of her father’s newest recruits and would love nothing more than to take it to the next level. However, there’s just one small problem. He doesn’t know she’s his coach’s daughter.Amid the deceptions, danger lurks closer than they could ever imagine. Will fate contrive to rip the young lovers apart? Or will Hunter and Chelsea have their shot at love?Amazon EcopyPrint Copy
One line quote of what people are saying about A Guy and A Girl By the end of this book I had tears running down my cheeks.
What’s up and coming on Victoria’s Pages of Romance31 –Thursday Thoughts - #ThursThoughts
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