Talon P.S.'s Blog, page 13
October 20, 2015
Blog Tour – The Knight Reign by Shad O. Walker
One Warlock’s Love Story book 5
Shad O. Walker
Release Date: October 21, 2015
Blurb:
In a world where shape shifters are openly bisexual, vampires have insatiable sex drives, and warlocks emit pheromones that make everyone around them horny, Zander Knight finds himself at a crossroads. He emerges from a coma with the realization that that he may be the only living being in the world that is part vampire, part magical and part shape shifter.
Unable to understand or control his new powers, his condition puts him at odds with his family who is at the very center of a movement to end supernatural race mixing. If that weren’t enough, he is being forced to choose between his place in the House of Aleph and his position as the Alpha mate for his lover and pack leader, Zuri Tau Long.
Just as Zander’s world is changing, so is the supernatural community. New threats arise as different factions of vampires, shifters and magicals fight to take their place in the new order. Zander is left deciding between fighting for his family and friends, and fighting to save the world that he has come to know and love. This is more than just one warlock’s love story – this is a supernatural adventure.
Pages or Words: 57,086 words
Categories: Erotica, Fantasy, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy
Excerpt:
Agent Jonas Hunt was a member of the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit based in Quantico, Virginia, and assigned to work “special cases.” At 6’1” and 159 pounds, Agent Hunt managed to look more like a model than an agent.
Jonas had been supervising the removal of the body of a murdered pregnant woman from the Potomac when he was called to North Carolina to collect a unique set of humanlike bones found in a trashcan on a small college campus.
Agent Hunt’s phone rang, and it was Harlem Gilliams, the medical examiner back at Quantico, assigned to work his case. Harlem was an ebon-hued pseudo-nerd with small, slanted dark eyes and a set of exceptionally full lips. Harlem and Jonas had become fast friends over a year ago when they were assigned to work on the case of a female serial killer in the Baltimore metropolitan area.
“Harlem, how are you?” Jonas said.
“I’m fine. This is a very strange corpse that you sent me.”
“What do you mean?”
“The anatomy looks human, but the medical examination reveals significant anomalies in the bone structure, musculature, and nervous system.”
“What are you saying?” Jonas asked.
“I am saying that I have never seen anything like it,” Harlem explained.
“Just take good notes and don’t tell anyone what you’ve found. I’ll be back from North Carolina in a few days,” Jonas said.
“Are we going to get a chance to spend time together?” Harlem lowered his voice.
“You know Juliette is going to be expecting me to come home as soon as I get back in the city,” Jonas explained.
“I know, but what about what I need?” Harlem whined. Jonas sighed.
“You know I can’t always make it over to see you. We’ve talked about this a thousand times.” Jonas lived in Alexandria with his wife, Juliette, a Georgetown law school graduate who had never gotten around to taking the bar exam. Juliette spent her days and nights looking for ways for Jonas to make her the center of his world. Harlem, on the other hand, lived alone in DC, where he had made Jonas the center of his world for the last few months.
“I know,” Harlem said, sounding defeated.
“Don’t sound that way,” Jonas pleaded.
“I just don’t think you know how much I want to see you,” Harlem continued.
“You know what, I’ll work this out for you, babe. I’ll tell Juliette that I have to stay out of town one more day and then I’ll come back and spend the evening with you.”
“Really?”
“For real.”
“I’ll do that thing you like when you get here.”
“I’m counting on it.”
Buy the book:
http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=200&products_id=4514
Meet the author:
Shadrach Octavio Walker, a.k.a. Shad O. Walker, has always been an avid fan of all things science fiction and fantasy. It wasn’t until he realized that there were no significant fantasy or paranormal series featuring LGBT characters of color that he created his first groundbreaking series, One Warlock’s Love Story (OWLS).
Armed with multiple degrees, numerous life experiences, and several writing awards, Shad remains as elusive as the vampires in his series’ House of Aleph with writing as powerful as the shifters in its Alpha pack. Supported by a coven of loyal readers, Shad is sure to take the literary world by storm.
Inspired by the creativity of Octavia Butler, storytelling of James Baldwin, and passion of E. Lynn Harris, Shad is at the forefront of an entirely new expression of science fiction and fantasy. Excerpts from the series were originally posted on a social networking site that gained Shad a solid and loyal fan base. What started out as a desire to create and share a new kind of fantasy turned into a dream come true with the release of the first installment of One Warlock’s Love Story titled All Knight Long. Follow Shad and the One Warlock’s Love Story series at www.shadowalkermedia.com.
Where to find the author:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shadrach.walker.3
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Shad_O_Walker
Website: www.shadowalkermedia.com
Other: www.shadowalkermedia.com
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/150754-one-warlock-s-love-story
Publisher: Torquere Press
Cover Artist: BSClay
Tour Dates & Stops:
Parker Williams , Happily Ever Chapter , MM Good Book Reviews , Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents , Cheekypee Reads and Reviews , Full Moon Dreaming , Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews , BFD Book Blog , Havan Fellows , The Hat Party , Molly Lolly , KathyMac Reviews , Bayou Book Junkie , Kimi-Chan , Nautical Star Books , the Twins: Talon ps & Princess so , Inked Rainbow Reads , Vampires, Werewolves, and Fairies, Oh My
Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of The Knight Reign
Rafflecopter Code:
BOOKS ‘n COZY SPOTS BOOK REVIEWS – Trailer Trash by Rick Johnson
~ 5 Stars ~
Review of TRAILER TRASH, by Rick Johnson
Mystery-Suspense / Crime / Satire-Humour
purchased on Amazon.com
Reviewed by Jaycee ~ for Books ‘N Cozy Spots Book Reviews, www.Talon-ps.com
You have to know that a guy who is nick-named Trailer Trash is just not going to have things go well for him. Despite being one of only two characters who possesses two firing neurons in the delightful, if dwindling cast of many, TT for short, is nearly brought down by wilful stupidity.
Disguised as a murder mystery in a hick town, replete with more twists than a Twizzler and some wickedly unexpected humour, this is to me, largely, a rather sad commentary on humanity. And I use that term loosely. Read More >>>
October 19, 2015
October 16, 2015
Talking Kink and the Lifestyle – Acceptance
Everyone is different, yet Everyone wants to fit in. This is the crux of many a problem on this blue-green ball, but there really isn’t a way around it. I wish it could be as simple as telling you you don’t need anyone’s approval. I wish more people in the world were the “live and let live” type. I wish a lot of things. But the truth of the matter is that there will always be someone to tell you you are wrong in how you live your life. Kinky. Vanilla. Gay. Straight. Queer. Mon-amorous. Polyamorous. Religious. Pagan. Atheist. No matter where you fall, no matter your label, you will never be perfect. You will never be “right” in the eyes of everyone you meet. Read More >>>
October 15, 2015
BOOKS N COZY SPOTS Book Reviews – BASH by Candace Blevins
~ 5 Stars ~
Review of BASH, Volume I, by Candace Blevins
Paranormal Erotic M-F Romance / Biker / Werewolf Shifter / Kink, light BDSM
*ARC copy provided by author for honest review.
Reviewed by Jaycee ~ for Books ‘N Cozy Spots Book Reviews, www.Talon-ps.com
Can the wolf you love to hate become the wolf you love? Yep! Can a Bad-Boy-for-Real have a heart of gold underneath it all? Well a heart at least, and perhaps of tarnished silver, but fans of the previous installation (“Brain”) in the Rolling Thunder MC series will be pleased to know that Bash does have some redeeming qualities. And a seriously fine set of skills…but I digress…
This time our heroine (Angelica) is wolf herself, born and raised the over-protected daughter of an RTMC chapter President… Read More >>>
October 14, 2015
Guest Stop – Haunted Hotties Vol 1
Haunted Hotties Volume 1
Kiernan Kelly, Laney Cairo, Alex Cohen, Katey Hawthorne, Jamie Jennings, Aaron Michaels,
Jacey Mills, L.J. Hamlin, Shira Glassman, Sheri Velarde, Kassandra Lea, Mychael Black
Release Date: October 14, 2015
This Halloween collection has a little something for everybody. With demons, ghosts, psychics, reapers, shifters, and witches… a rainbow of paranormal/supernatural is included.
In Nine-Tenths of the Law by Kiernan Kelly, Oliver discovers he has a haunted sex toy. In Bear Hugs by Laney Cairo, Martin’s boyfriend might be bear shifter and apparently that’s news to him. In Houdini’s Masquerade by Alex Cohen, when Lila meets a succubus, everything changes. In Præsidium by Katey Hawthorne, Thackeray needs helps from a witch who won’t help him until he explains his demon. In Black Cat by Jamie Jennings, when a cat shifter can see ghosts, Micah’s simple life suddenly isn’t. In Haunted Honeymoon by Aaron Michaels, Dylan and Jake seem to be sharing their non-honeymoon with a couple of ghosts.
In And the Tarot Cards Said by Jacey Mills, an insistent ghost shouldn’t be too much to handle for psychic Vassily and his Tarot-reading assistant Ben. In Spirit Wolf by L.J. Hamlin, when Dawson rescues an injured wolf shifter, it’s not just his book that gets worked on while getting back to nature. In Wet Nails by Shira Glassman, it’s not every day a glamorous ’50s actress comes out of a TV but lonely grad student Adina isn’t complaining. In Possessed by Love by Sheri Velarde, a storm trapping them together gives Andrew and Damian the chance they’ve been waiting for. In The Last Night by Kassandra Lea, Eric gets one night a year and he always picks one particular Halloween. In Molly by Mychael Black, Detectives Cameron and Chase discover the murderer plaguing their city is more sinister than they could have known and not entirely human.
Pages or Words: 71,000 words
Categories: Contemporary, Gay Fiction, Horror, Lesbian Romance, M/M Romance, Paranormal, Romance, Anthology
Excerpt: From Nine-Tenths of the Law by Kiernan Kelly
Let me set the scene for you. There I was, on my bed, naked, my asshole greased, and the butt plug inserted in it as far as possible, angled to hit my prostate, the vibrating option turned on. I was fisting my cock, rock hard and slick with lube, edging so close to orgasm my balls felt ready to pop.
“Fuck, it’s dark in here.”
I believe I may have completely levitated off the mattress. I know my hard-on wilted like an ice sculpture in a microwave. Scanning the bedroom, I looked for an intruder, but could see no one.
“Tight, too. I always did love a tight, hot ass.”
The speaker was British; the voice, deep and sexy, and coming from right behind me. I spun around in a circle a few times, trying to catch the person I assumed could only be a machete-wielding-chainsaw-brandishing-serial killer that happened to have a silky, dark chocolate voice, but I couldn’t see anyone. As far as I could discover, I was alone, which of course meant I’d imagined the voice.
“What are you doing, Olivier? Stop it at once. You’re making me dizzy.”
Olivier? No one had called me that in years, not since… Hearing the old nickname was shocking enough to leach the fear out of me for a minute. It took me another full sixty seconds to realize the deliciously decadent voice was not only real, but also somewhat familiar, and more importantly, coming from my ass.
That’s when I finally fainted.
Buy the book: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=200&products_id=4510
Where to find Torquere Press:
Blog: http://glbtromance.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TorquerePressLLC
Twitter: https://twitter.com/torquere
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/torquerepress
Website: http://www.torquerebooks.com
Goodreads Link:
Publisher: Torquere Press
Cover Artist: BSClay
Tour Dates & Stops:
Parker Williams, Happily Ever Chapter, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, MM Good Book Reviews, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Cheekypee Reads and Reviews, BFD Book Blog, 3 Chicks After Dark, V’s Reads, Decadent Delights, The Hat Party, Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves, Havan Fellows, Divine Magazine, KathyMac Reviews, Andrew Q. Gordon, Jessie G. Books, Sinfully Addicted to All Male Romance, Foxylutely Book Reviews, Chris McHart, Redz World, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Sassygirl Books, Three Books Over The Rainbow, Bayou Book Junkie, The Jena Wade, The Day Before You Came, the Twins: Talon ps & Princess so, Open Skye Book Reviews, Inked Rainbow Reads, Velvet Panic, Iyana Jenna, Vampires, Werewolves, and Fairies, Oh My, Emotion in Motion
Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of the anthology
THE DOs and DOs OF MARKETING
THE DOs and DONTs DOs OF MARKETING
You know how you read an article or blog, and that usually leads you to another, and then another? Yeah well I’m guilt of it too. And the other day, just wandering and getting lost led me to a rather long winded blog written by an author (unknown to me) about authors seeking reviews for their books. In fact, it was so long I didn’t even read it all. I skimmed, gathering enough outraged from it that I sustained it was more a rant then a helpful blog. I concurred my judgement of her statement that “…authors who ask or seek out reviews for the books are lowly characters…” to be overly sanctimonious coming from someone whose books have 91, 64, 97, 72, 191… and so on reviews for their books. How easy it is to cast judgement on other authors when you’re already up at the top.
Who the author was is irrelevant for this blog, what is relevant, is YOU, author, should not listen to such tripe and do whatever it is you need to do to market your book. And that usually requires trying out several things. If you’re like me, you’re lucky you get 10 reviews on a book, so yes of course when I have a new release coming out, I send a copy out to several review bloggers with hopes they will read it and enjoy it enough to give it a god review. It doesn’t always work out that way. Sometimes my books never get accepted, sometimes the review is mediocre. Because let’s face it, not everyone is going to like my books. But that is beside the fact. Once I give or sell my book, what others think of it is their business and not mine. But that doesn’t discredit that book reviews are a fundamental tool in marketing. If your book is on Amazon, reviews play a big part in the algorithm [like it or not], the more reviews you have the more frequently your book will show up in Amazon’s own site search engine. THIS DOES NOT MEAN ITS OKAY TO BUY REVIEWS! That’s like cutting in line and other authors will not think twice of knocking you off the mountain peak if they find out you cheated to get there.
Marketing doesn’t have to be a competition, it’s just about getting noticed.
I was talking with another author the other day, whose books I enjoy and I am thrilled that he even talks to me. Well the conversation turned to marketing as he is about to venture into a whole new genre for himself and he asked if I had any suggestions. I sent him a list of things, which he was rather shocked that I would be so open and sharing with information some deem as secrets of forbidden knowledge and should never be shared.
The thing is, they’re not secrets and the other thing is they don’t always work. I seem to be cursed where nothing helps my books. But again that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give them try yourself, after all what works for them may not work for you, but quite the opposite can also happen; what didn’t work for may turn out stupendous for you; catapulting your book into the hands of a plethora of readers who will then swoon and wager for more and next thing you know you’re on the best sellers list. Which in some retrospect is part of the game.
Yeah… yeah… we write for the love of writing, sure, but we publish for a completely different reason. In hopes of being successful at selling books. So never mind those telling you: “Oh, I tried that, it didn’t work.” or the “You should never…”. Try a little bit of everything, find out what works for you and never give up!
SOME MARKETING STRATEGIES TO TRY
Website book ads – static advertising only works if the place where it’s located at gets enough visitors, so make sure it’s a popular site with heavy traffic and a good chance that a strong percentage of its viewers might be readers of the genre your book falls into. The other percentage you hope to persuade to give something new a try.
Blog tours and PAs – Bloggers and other authors keep their own websites busy by hosting other authors and guest bloggers, but finding them all, then scheduling a tour and making sure everyone gets all the info is time you probably would rather spend writing. So why not let someone else do it for you? This type service has seen a huge boom over the years, so there are plenty of them out there to choose from and price shop to fit your budget. Be sure to schedule with someone who caters to your genre. It won’t do you any good to schedule a tour for your Het-romance if your tour manager usually only works with an audience for MM Romance. Also, these cyber space promo pros usually offer a few other services to help you out and give you your time back for more writing. So see what else they can do for you.
Facebook ads – if you try these, pick up a preloaded credit card to use for your budget, not your regular card or debit, as FB sometimes continues to charge, even long after your campaign has ended. And since there is NO customer rep contact even for advertising clients to call up and tell them to knock it off or dispute billings issues, its best to just use limited cards and avoid getting overdrafted. ALSO make sure once your ad goes live it actually links to your buy source. I have seen numerous book ads that once clicked only took me to the facebook homepage. So make sure you are getting what you paid for.
Goodreads – at least there, everyone you encounter is looking for a book, so it makes sense to blog and advertise there. Just don’t read the reviews. Remember those are none of your business.
Thunderclap – is an all new thing, unsure if it’s useful or not. I think it can be, so long As you make sure to manage the supporters you get to insure at least 2/3 to 3/4 of them share a common interest for the same genre as your book is listed in. I mention this because you have to have a minimum of 100 supporters or your ad doesn’t go out. So in that first start up you’ll take whoever is willing. But Katty Waffle’s Candy Cakes and Truffles Shop [I totally made that up] who signed on isn’t going to get your Scifi Space Opera anywhere near the geek readers you want, but she was no. 63 in your supporters so you didn’t tell her to poo off. The good thing is, it’s free, so it can’t hurt.
Book Reviewers – submit copies to reviewers that run a blog and will also copy to amazon and goodreads. You can do this even before your book is out. If you’re planning on giving out a few copies to individuals in hopes of some reviews, you may want to wait until you’re closer to your book release or after, so that they can review while its fresh in their minds and not forget to post it up. But remember, what their opinions is, isn’t important. In fact, a mix of rating does more for your book in the readers’ eyes than 100 – 5 stars. The latter is more likely going to raise up suspicions.
Magazine ads – I only know a few authors who do these and I suppose it has a lot to do with price. Because they don’t come cheap. But those who do use magazine ads, declare a good amount of success with them. Again be conscious of your marketing target audience.
Twitter blasts – This is no different than a televising commercial, You create a sort ad with a link to your books and it gets posted to a mixed bag of viewers you hope were looking at the time your shout out went up and even greater hopes that a few of them might be interested in your book. Except you have no way of knowing for sure the number of viewers your single shout out ad might reach. Because of this secular unknowing I don’t recommend you shelling out any exorbitant amount of money for these. I have seen fees running from $75.00 to $200.00 for one single twitter shout out. Instead, head on over to Fiver and you can get the same damned thing for $5.00.
Well, my blog is getting a little long in the tooth now, so I’ll close it up. Just remember, never let anyone tell you not to give it a try. And always give everything a trial sample at least once, if your budget can support it. Also, don’t be afraid to try new things or share what you know with others. If you give an author a hand up, there’s a good chance they’ll return the favor.
October 13, 2015
BOOKS ‘n COZY SPOTS BOOK REVIEWS – Ivan vs Ivan by Princess S.O.
5 ~ Stars!
Review of ~ IVAN VS IVAN by Princess S.O.
Gay Romance / MM / Contemporary / Mature Bears / Industrial Blue Collar Theme / Suspense / Adult Content
(copy provided by author for honest review) and purchased from Amazon
Reviewed by Terry ~ for Books ‘N Cozy Spots Book Reviews, www.Talon-ps.com
I do love a story that not only takes you for a great ride but also makes you think. Princess S.O. has given us two rugged bears in a challenging profession both physically and mentally. The oil industry it seems is ever growing and moving forward in technology and equipment but still a bit in the past as attitudes go about personal relationships. Slowly the world is learning to accept couples of the same sex but not in this environment. It is more the don’t ask, don’t tell and definitely don’t show kind of environment.
Ivan Voloshyn and Ivan Blažević are not cute little pups just learning the ropes; they are seasoned older salty dogs and both Captains. Ivan V is Captain of the oil rig Marianna Shoal and Ivan B is Captain of the Sea Dock a heavy lift ship. They have the years and experience that not only makes them good at their profession but also gives them the ability to Read More >>>
October 12, 2015
ManCandy Monday brings you the Ivans
So to help get you in the mood the sexy rough bears, ManCandy Monday is gonna show you the models who helped inspire these two characters
October 8, 2015
BOOKS ‘n COZY SPOTS BOOK REVIEWS – Gemstone by Anastasia Vitsky
4 ~ Stars!
Review of ~ GEMSTONE by Anastasia Vitsky
Romance / FF / Contemporary
(copy provided by author for honest review) Also purchased from Author
Reviewed by Terry ~ for Books ‘N Cozy Spots Book Reviews, www.Talon-ps.com
I actually found this story, Gemstone and the author Anastasia Vitsky, at the Rainbow Con in Tampa Florida this summer. I say this every time the topic of book conventions come up, if you get the chance to go, DO IT!! You will have a ball meeting the authors you know and love and you will meet new ones to grow to love. So many fun things go on, like authors reading from their stories. It was during one of these author readings, Anastasia and one of her friends read a part of Gemstone and I knew I had to have it.
One of the things I love about this story is we have all been in both of the main characters, Gemma and Celine, position. Gemma is about to give up on love and thinks love is something she won’t have. Celine has a mad crush and feels if she can only get Gemma to see her, really see her it could bring about what they both want, a happily ever after.
I would say “Oh to be young.”, but our characters are in their thirties. Granted thirties are not old but for romance novels it is not the norm, which is another thing… Read More >>
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