Katie Hamstead's Blog, page 36

Guest Post: The Mythical Encantado

So I had this idea for a new novel and I wanted it to be paranormal. No surprise there, seeing my work. I didn’t want to go down the track of the usual mythical creatures so went searching. Don’t get me wrong, I have used most of them. I have demons, vampires, angels, shapechangers and all sorts of magical creatures.I decided I would like to write a book with something I had not heard of. I was also fascinated by Brazil, after watching Michael Palin’s series on the country. He had been swimming with the pink dolphins also known as Boto. It became obvious that the locals had built up mythical stories around these dolphins.I started to do research and found the Encantado. In Brazil the Encantado is known also as the enchanted one.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encantadohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazil_with_Michael_Palin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enchanted_Moura
All About MaggieMaggie Mundy lives in Adelaide, Australia and is a member of Romance Writers of Australia, and the local chapter SARA (South Australian Romance Authors). She recently completed a Bachelor of Arts in Drama, English and Creative Writing at Flinders University. She has four books out with Rogue Phoenix Press. Two erotic novellas called Blood Scent and Blood Oath and paranormal romances called World Change and World Apart. She also has a supernatural thriller out with Soul Mate Publishing called Hidden Mortality and paranormal romance called Unknown Protector. A Death in the Family is her first self published book.
She has also performed for many years in corporate entertainment for which she wrote her own sketches, which probably explains why her head is so full of characters. She loves writing romance, but thinks falling in love can be scary, especially in her stories where creatures of the night really exist.http://www.pinterest.com/maggiemundy/http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5428101.Maggie_Mundy?from_search=true http://www.soulmatepublishing.com/ http://www.maggiemundy.com https://twitter.com/MundyMaggie http://www.pinterest.com/maggiemundy/ https://www.facebook.com/MaggieMundyAuthor http://tinyurl.com/lfy3ymr Amazon Link http://maggiemundy.blogspot.com.au
BLURBA Death in the Family is a 1920’s murder mystery with a paranormal twist.Finding out who killed her aunt means socialite Annabel Larch must delve into the past. A past filled with ghosts calling to her, and if she answers she may end up dead herself. The mysterious Isaac Pennington may help her find some of the answers, but what will Annabel have to do to get them. This is a story involving Brazilian artifacts, heroin dens and cult worship. Isaac and Annabel have to sort through the clues to find out who killed her Aunt Gwen and try not to get killed themselves.

Release: Never Forgotten by Stacey Nash (Collective #3)

Published by: HarperCollins
Publication date: September 1st 2015
Synopsis:
Continuing on from Forget Me Not and Remember Me, this is the thrilling third novel in Stacey Nash’s unforgettable series.
Since the strike on Collective territory during Anamae’s rescue, things have taken a turn for the worse. Unprovoked attacks on innocent people have Anamae and her friends fighting day and night to minimize the damage. With hundreds of lives lost, morale amongst the resistance fighters has plummeted. But that’s the least of her worries.
Manvyke still has Anamae’s mom, Annie, secreted away somewhere and after the way they parted, Anamae worries it’s not at her mother’s bidding. Maybe Annie’s disappearance all those years ago wasn’t her choice. But with Manvyke scouring the world, there’s something far more pressing than the need to find Anamae’s mother …
It’s a fight against time to find the other keys before Manvyke. In his hands, the three relics could unlock enough power to reek a much worse havoc than the current issues at hand. If the councillor gets his hands on those keys, civilization will bow down.
THE RACE IS ON.
Excerpt:

We’re too late.

The minute I step out of the alley with my crew of resistance fighters I can tell. Blood, so 

much blood everywhere. And the silence. You’d think in the midst of such horror it’d be loud: 

people screaming, wailing, crying even. But it’s not. The silence is almost deafening.

My heart constricts like someone tugged at its laces.

We’re too late.

We can only help the survivors now and that’s the horrid truth. On autopilot, I walk then 

run to the closest victim. A woman sprawled on the ground, blood covering every inch of her, so 

I can barely make out the color of her blouse. She moans when I hold my fingers to her neck, 

checking for a pulse.

Not too late for her, thank god.

“I’ve called 911.” Will’s voice echoes through my mind. Even with the lack of inflection 

due to the telcom I can hear the sorrow in his words.

“Damn it,” Jax says through the same tech device, “we’re getting later each time.”

And he’s right, we are. More people perish with each attack and all because we can’t 

reach them in time to intercept the Collective. I’ve never felt so useless.

The woman groans—a long drawn-out noise like no other I’ve ever heard—and slowly 

sound returns to the scene. Moaning, whimpering, noises of pain, and my friends’ voices pitched 

low and soothing as we reassure the wounded it’s okay. They’ll be okay. Even though sometimes 

we know that they won’t. Like this woman. Each ragged breath now comes a little shorter and 

sharper than her last. I hate the damn Collective for stealing people’s lives, but she doesn’t need 

to see that.

“I’m here. You’re okay.” I rest my hand on her sticky arm.

Her breath hitches, she gives a last weak heave and she’s gone, her head rolling to the 

We are too late.

The saddest thing in this whole mess is that I can’t cry. I’ve seen so much it’s like 

nothing’s left in me but hatred. My compassion is drained. I glance around trying to decide 

where I’m needed most, but too many dead and wounded lay in the open-air amphitheater that 

it’s impossible to know where to turn next. In places, the bodies pile on top of each other, just 

lying where they fell.

So much loss and devastation and for what? Because the Collective want to send a 

message to us; that they’re in control, that the resistance is hurting more people, not helping. 

Somehow I don’t think us backing off will help.

A guy walks toward me, his T-shirt—an advertisement for the main band—a tattered 

mess with his bloody shoulder peeking through a gaping hole. His eyes lock on me, but they’re 

unseeing, glassed over like he’s retreated inside his mind. He steps over and around those on the 

ground as if he knows right where they are without looking.

Hate isn’t a strong enough word for how I feel about the Collective.

I dread the day we might turn up to find one of my friends, like Cynnie or Xane. I’m not 

sure how I’d react, but I like to think I won’t see them. That neither of my free-thinking friends 

would be involved in something like this, regardless of agent duty.

It doesn’t take long before the wail of sirens fills the air and as the paramedics arrive on 

the scene, we’re no longer needed. Jax and Will both appear at my side looking as somber as I 

feel. Today we have another person who’s seen too much, left with too little, and has no choice 

but to port with us. We can’t leave him for the Collective’s clean up.

Jax takes a look at the ragged, zombie-like guy and says, “I’ll catch a ride with one of the 

others.”

I nod, any words I might have had stolen by this day’s horror, then grab my charge and Will to 

port us out.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23269128-never-forgotten?ac=1
Purchase:Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Never-Forgotten-Collective-Stacey-Nash-ebook/dp/B00XTG48JG/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1442509789&sr=1-1&keywords=Never+Forgotten+staceyB&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/never-forgotten-stacey-nash/1122500734?ean=9781460705636



AUTHOR BIO:Writing for the young and new adult market, Stacey's books all hold a lot of adventure, a good dose of danger, a smattering of romance, and plenty of KISSING! Hailing from the Hunter Valley in New South Wales, she loves nothing more than immersing herself in the beauty and culture of the local area.

Author of the Collective Series; Forget Me Not, Remember Me, Never Forgotten. And the Oxley College Saga; Shh! and Wait!

Author links:http://www.stacey-nash.com/https://www.facebook.com/StaceyLeeNashhttps://twitter.com/staceynashhttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7150198.Stacey_Nash

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal: Naked and Far from Home by J.P. Grider

Publication date: October 18th 2015 
Synopsis:Tia Mercury was a freshman in high school and had her first serious crush – on a senior who wouldn’t touch her. At least not until she turned eighteen.
Clinton Daniels was not your everyday teenage boy, and because his tougher-than-nails father wouldn’t let him forget it, Clinton became a loner. And learned to distrust everyone.
Until he met Tia.
She was sweet, she was funny, and she knew nothing about good music. It was the nineteen-eighties for goodness sake – time to turn off that AM radio crap. So, while Tia drooled over Clinton, he was busy making her mix-tapes.
She was falling in love. He was ignoring his heart.
See, Clinton had a secret. But sharing it could cost him their friendship, and he was not willing to risk losing the only person he ever loved.
Naked and Far From Home is a serious story that spans a decade. A tale about unconditional love and what two people are willing to look past to prove that love.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26232441-naked-and-far-from-home




AUTHOR BIOS:J.P. Grider is a New Adult and Young Adult author. She is the author of eight novels. Her young adult series The Honor Trilogy consists of A Touch of Honor, A Man of Honor, and A Heart of Honor, while her first two novels - Unplugged (A Portrait of a Rock Star) and Maybe This Life - are standalone adult contemporary novels. Her most recent release is the new adult romance Reaching Rose, which is the third in her Hunter Hill University series. All the books in the Hunter Hill University series are standalone books and can be read in any order. Currently, J.P. is working on two standalone novels that are not related to the Hunter Hill University series. They will be released in February, 2016.

You can follow J.P. on Facebook at J.P. Grider, Author, on Instagram and Twitter @JPGrider1, and on her blog at jpgrider.com

Author links:http://www.jpgrider.com/https://www.facebook.com/JPGriderhttps://twitter.com/JPGRIDER1https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5321310.J_P_Grider

Guest Post: Historical Fiction: Why We Love It!

From time to time, literary critics and other publishing industry wags have heralded the demise of historical fiction only to be proven very wrong by the people who really matter, the readers. Though it waxes and wanes like any genre, historical fiction endures, perhaps to the dismay of some academicians, but it gives no indication of leaving us anytime soon. Its popularity has been evident from the publication of Sir Walter Scott’s Waverly, considered the first work of modern historical Waverlysold out in two days, an achievement to be envied by any author. Scott followed that success with others, most notably Ivanhoe, The Lady of the Lake, Rob Roy, and The Bride of Lammermoor. His works have enjoyed long life across multiple media, including comic books, movies, TV, and Donizetti’s opera Lucia di Lammermoor. Although Scott may have been the first, he was certainly not the last. Since the publication of Waverlyin 1814, the list of successful works of historical fiction, and in its variety of sub-genres, has grown long indeed. So why does historical fiction remain popular while there are so many persons who say they hated studying history in school?
In my opinion, it comes down to the difference between looking at history through the impersonal lens of academia verses having a personal experience through the close point of view writing found in most novels, especially historical romances. By its very definition and due to the rigors of academic investigation, the historian must remain objective and keep his/her subject at arm’s length. As Joe Friday on Dragnet would have said, “Just the facts, ma’am.” While historians do offer personal opinions by drawing conclusions, they do so only after a cold examination and evaluation of the evidence. The novelist, on the other hand, brings history to life by creating interesting characters living in richly described periods. In the hands of an adept novelist, we see what the characters see, we feel what they feel, we taste what they taste. Their experiences become our experiences, and in so doing, we are transported to another time and place. We, the readers, get to time travel without the mess and bother of leaving home.
That brings me to a question I am asked fairly frequently when the subject of studying history in the public schools comes up. In my other life, I am an educational administrator. People want to know if teaching novels in history classrooms is a good idea. My answer is a resounding yes, provided the selected books are well written, well researched, and teach the facts of the historical periods in which the books are set. It should be noted that to qualify as true historical fiction, works of any of the multiple subgenres must rest upon a foundation of exacting research. That said, I have seen good history teachers turn kids who “hate history and reading” into avid readers and lovers of the past simply by using great novels and short stories to illustrate the historical points and eras they are studying.  Cases in point are Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt, The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane, Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor . . . the list is a long one.
So, tell us. Why do you enjoy reading historical fiction? Did you like studying history when you were in school? Would you have enjoyed being taught history through the use of novels in the classroom?

As for my venture in writing, it has allowed me to reinvent myself. We humans are truly multifaceted creatures, but unfortunately we tend to sort and categorize each other into neat, easily understood packages that rarely reveal the whole person. Perhaps you, too, want to step out of the box in which you find yourself. I encourage you to look at the possibilities and imagine. Be filled with childlike wonder in your mental wanderings. Envision what might be, not simply what is. Let us never forget, all good fiction begins when someone says to her or himself, "Let's pretend." 
I reside in the Houston area with one sweet husband and one adorable German Shorthaired Pointer who is quite certain she’s a little girl.
Favorite quote regarding my professional passion:  "History is filled with the sound of silken slippers going downstairs and wooden shoes coming up." Voltaire  
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLindaBennettPennell
Website:  Twitter:  @LindaPennell         
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lindabennettpen/
Buy link for Al Capone at the Blanche Hotel:  http://amzn.to/16qq3k5Buy link for Confederado do Norte:  http://amzn.com/B00LMN5OMI Buy ink for When War Came Home: http://amzn.com/B010RXNZROBuy link for Casablanca: Appointment at Dawn: http://amzn.com/B0121Q6S88  
   Casablanca: Appointment at DawnBy Linda Bennett Pennell
Will seven days be enough time to save the Allied war effort and the girl he loves?Casablanca, 1943: a viper’s nest of double agents and spies where OSS Officer Kurt Heinz finds his skill in covert operations pushed to the limit. Allied success in North Africa and the fate of the First Allied Conference—perhaps the outcome of the war—hang on Kurt’s next mission. The nature of his work makes relationships impossible. Nonetheless, he is increasingly torn between duty and the beautiful girl who desperately needs his protection and help.
Sarah Barrett, U.S. Army R.N., is finished with wartime romance. Determined to protect her recently broken heart, she throws all of her time and energy into caring for her patients, but when she is given a coded message by a mysterious dying civilian, she is sucked into a vortex of danger and intrigue that threatens her very survival. The one person who can help Sarah is Kurt, a man with too many secrets to be trusted.  
http://amzn.com/B0121Q6S88  
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/casablanca-linda-bennett-pennell/1122378249?ean=2940150767867

Review: The Charge by Sharon Bayliss

From Goodreads:
When the King of the Texas Empire kidnaps Warren's brother, Warren embarks into a still Wild West to save him. On his journey, he makes a discovery that changes his life forever—he and his brother are long-lost members of the Texas royal family and the King wants them both dead. 

He gets help from an activist Texan named Lena, who's itching to take on the King and happens to be a beautiful firecracker Warren can't stay away from. Convincing her he's not one of the bad guys becomes harder when a mysterious energy stirs in his body, turning his brain into a hive of emotions and memories—not all his own.

A legacy of violence is not all he inherited from the brutal Kings of Texas. The myth that the royal family possesses supernatural powers may not be myth at all.

Gone are the days when choosing a major was a big deal. Now Warren must save his brother and choose whether or not to be King, follow a King, or die before he can retire his fake ID.

My Thoughts:
As you may or may not not, I'm the acquiring editor for Sharon's December People series. I LOVE these books, and since I'm sitting waiting less than patiently for book 3, I needed to get my Sharon fix elsewhere. Luckily, I've had The Charge sitting on my kindle since before Destruction ever hit my inbox.

On to the point. The Charge follows mostly Warren, who at the beginning goes looking for his kidnapped brother. Along the way we encounter Lena, who Warren is inexplicably drawn to, and Will, her boyfriend and the son of the United States President.
In typical Bayliss fashion, there's a wide range of characters, some with hidden motives, good and bad, and others like Warren who just want to live out their lives but are caught up in something bigger.
Unlike a lot of books, The Charge kept me guessing throughout. I had no idea where any of it was going, and I could never really pick who was the good guy or bad guy. This conflict of interests, while each wanting to do their best according to their different views, makes this story so real, even with the fantasy element of the charged Wilde genetics.
The final twist surprised me. No spoilers though. Let's just say this is a novel worth picking up if you want something smart with realistic characters and surprising twists and turns.

Release: Fallen Darkness by RB Austin

The war between Apollyon and the Trihune has begun.
Lucas scours the street in need of a fix. He captures his enemy instead of kills. Spins lies instead of truth. Seeks darkness instead of light. So close to the edge with no concern for the fall.
The map was foretold. Its key long lost.
Sent on a mission to find the key necessary to defeat Apollyon, Lucas meets Kate. Fiery, powerful, unable-to-touch-any-object Kate. As his feelings for her grow, the addiction inside him wanes.
Until he learns she is not meant for him.
Find the key. Find the way and triumph.
His future with Kate is bleak. The darkness, too hard to control. The key, still lost.

Can Lucas win the battle raging inside his body in order to win the war rising on the streets?

RB Austin Bio
RB Austin enjoys torturing dogs (dressing her Cairn terrier in knitted sweaters and booties), embarrassing her daughter (singing in the car . . . at the top of her lungs . . . with the windows open . . . at a stop light), and indulging in the second deadliest sin (chocolate, Swedish fish, chocolate, sour patch watermelons, and chocolate).
This author’s love of the sun puts in her in the more-than-likely-not-a-vampire category, unless you’re referring to the bloodsuckers in her Trihune series, then all bets are off.
Feeling stalkerish? Visit her website, www.rbaustin.com, and learn where she hangs out on the Interwebs.

Cover Reveal: Inconceivable! by Tegan Wren

INCONCEIVABLE! blurb A popular, young royal couple can't produce an heir? INCONCEIVABLE!

When Ozarks native Hatty goes “whole hog” during karaoke, she catches the eye of Prince John. He isn’t what she expects the heir to a small European nation to be: he's affable, witty, and isn’t put off by her tell-it-like-it-is demeanor. Their flirtation should be short lived, but a force stronger than fate—Hatty’s newspaper editor—assigns her to cover the royals. After spending time together, she and John soon begin dating, and Hatty finds herself making headlines instead of writing them.

But challenges loom that are even more complicated than figuring out how to mesh Hatty's journalism career with life at Belvoir Palace. Hatty and John soon find themselves embroiled in an unusual sex scandal: they can't produce an heir. Tabloids dub Hatty a “Barren-ess,” and the royals become irate. Hatty politely tells them to shove it. But beneath her confident exterior, she struggles to cope with a heartbreak that invades her most intimate moments with John. Pressured to choose between invasive medical procedures and abandoning John’s claim to the throne, the couple feels trapped until a trip to Ethiopia shows them happy endings sometimes arrive long after saying “I do.”

LINKS:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Inconceivable-Tegan-Wren-ebook/dp/B014U6D2SQAmazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Inconceivable-Tegan-Wren-ebook/dp/B014U6D2SQ/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1441326472&sr=8-10&keywords=inconceivableINCONCEIVABLE! on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24910975-inconceivable
Advance praise for INCONCEIVABLE! ·         "As someone who has experienced infertility, I empathize with Hatty's struggles. Wren beautifully illuminates the joy, grief, and adventure of creating a family against all odds in this heart warming and impactful story."  America Olivo Campbell, actress: DeGrassi: The Next Generation, Chicago PD, Mission Impossible 5. Spokesperson for Baby Quest Foundation
·         "I found the insights into infertility invaluable and sensitive." -Marnie Neve, Board Member, Baby Quest Foundation
·         "Not only was this a very well written and entertaining story (I flew through it), but I feel it's also a very important story." -Meredith Tate, author of Missing Pieces
·         "Tegan Wren’s debut novel is by turn funny, heartbreaking and ultimately inspiring." JDC, author and journalist
"I loved reading a romantic story about royals that didn't end at the wedding, showing us that there's more to love than falling in it. There's also staying in it, even when troubles come. For better and for worse." -Samantha Bryant, author of Going Through the Change


Tegan Wren bio The best compliment Tegan Wren ever received came from her sixth grade teacher: “You always have a book in your hand!”Guided by her love of the creative process, Tegan grew up acting in theatre productions and writing poetry, short stories, and plays. She turned her eye to writing about real life when she worked as a journalist, producing reports for various radio and television stations in medium and large markets in the Midwest and also filing some stories for a major national news network.  Wren has both a Bachelor’s of Journalism and a Master of Arts in Communications. After completing her graduate degree, Tegan had the opportunity to teach journalism courses at a major state university. She absolutely loved training the next generation of journalists.Tegan’s thankful that she’s had the opportunity to travel overseas, and uses those adventures to inform her writing. She also draws inspiration from her own struggles, joys, and life experiences. Tegan and her husband, Patrick, experienced infertility for five years before becoming parents through adoption.

Tegan's blog: http://www.teganwren.comTegan on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/teganwrenwritesTegan on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/teganwrenwritesTegan on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/teganwren

Blog Tour: Em and Em by Linda Budzinski @LindaBudz @chapterxchapter @swoonromance

Publication Date:  Sept 15, 2015Publisher:  Swoon RomanceGenre:  YA, Contemporary
The last thing sixteen-year-old Emily Slovkowski wants is to move away from her home at the Jersey shore, gorgeous surfer boyfriend Zach, and her entire identity. But that’s kind of how Witness Protection works, and Em must prepare herself for an epic do-over as she starts a new life in the Midwest.
Even as she pines for sandy beaches and the night life of the shore, the newly-named Ember O’Malley finds herself making new friends, taking photos for the high school newspaper, and thinking an awful lot about the paper’s editor, an oddly cute cowboy named Charles.
When Em stumbles upon a shady beneath-the-bleachers exchange between one of the school’s football coaches and a student, she refuses to get involved. The last thing she needs is to be witness to another crime or call attention to herself. Besides, she finally has some real friends – well, real except for the fact that they don’t know a single thing about her – and she prefers to keep it that way until the trial.
But as her day in court approaches, Em begins piecing together what she saw that day beneath the bleachers. And, as her own past secrets start to catch up with her, Em needs to figure out who she really is – Em or Em.

Add it on Goodreads
Purchase Links:
BAM| Chapters| Amazon | B&N| TBD 


Guest post topic: Favorite scenes from the book.
My favorite scenes? Great question! EM & EM is told (sort of) from two points of view. Most of the novel is told through the eyes of Ember O’Malley—meaning my main character when she is in Witness Protection. But every once in a while, there is a chapter told from the viewpoint of Emily Slovkowski—meaning we go back to the past to see what her life was like before she had her identity changed.
My favorite scenes tend to be those brief vignettes of her as Emily because they show, bit by bit, how she went from being a normal, everyday teen to someone who winds up fleeing for her and her family’s safety. We know from the beginning of the book that she witnessed a crime, but those chapters reveal in small chunks what exactly happened and how.
My very favorite scene of the entire novel, though, is about two-thirds of the way through, and it is told from Ember’s point of view. It’s not a mysterious scene, or a tense scene, or an action scene, but is a very sweet, simple interaction between her and a boy she’s met in her new life named Charles. He stops by to visit her and her mom and sister on Thanksgiving Day, and he asks her to take a walk with him:
They walked in silence for a while, until Charles cleared his throat. “So. I’ve been wondering about something.”
“Okay.”
“Remember in the Super Saver, when you were talking about that guy from Philly, and you said things were complicated. What does complicated mean, exactly?”
Ember stopped again. What did “complicated” mean at this point? She wasn’t sure she even knew. She and Zach hadn’t communicated in two weeks, and she had no way to reach him. For some reason, all of his Internet accounts had gone completely silent, so she had no idea what he was up to. The last thing she knew, surfgurrl had called him her boyfriend.
Meanwhile, here in front of her was a boy who, despite all of her efforts to convince herself otherwise, she was clearly crushing on. A nerdy, strip-dancing, football-superhero, pirate-loving cowboy who thought her dreams were worth dreaming and who stopped by out of the blue to wish her a happy Thanksgiving.
Of course, he also thought her name was Ember O’Malley and that she was a nice girl from Philly.
Ember turned and headed back toward home. She chose her words carefully. “When people say ‘complicated,’ it’s because they don’t want to have to explain. Or because they can’t.” Her voice caught. “I’m sorry, Charles. I wish I could give you a better answer.”
Charles said nothing until they reached her front yard. “You okay?”
Ember nodded, tears pricking the corners of her eyes. “I’m good. And I do appreciate your coming over today. And helping with the dishes. That was super nice.”
He shrugged. “I’m a nice guy. And simple. As in, not complicated.”

Ember couldn’t help but smile. “And I like that about you.”

ABOUT LINDA BUDZKINSKI:  Linda Acorn Budzinski decided in the second grade that she wanted to be a “Paperback Writer,” just like in the Beatles song. She majored in journalism in college and now works in marketing and communications. She spent 18 years at a trade association in the funeral service industry, where she discovered that funeral directors are some of the bravest and most compassionate people on earth. Linda lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, Joe, and their chihuahua, Demitria. She has two step-daughters, Eris and Sarah. THE FUNERAL SINGER is her debut novel. She is represented by Andrea Somberg of Harvey Klinger Inc.
THE FUNERAL SINGER is Linda Budzinski's first novel.
Connect with the Author:   Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dancing in the Athenian Rain Release!

 
Publisher: Soul Mate PublishingGenre: New Adult Time Travel Romance
Blurb:When Donna is sent back in time to Classical Athens, she's furious at Dr. Stephens for sending her against her wishes. Then a Greek soldier purchases her to be his wife.

She's forced to learn a new language and culture, and faces her fears of never returning to her own time. The society hates her, especially because they think she’s an Amazon, which forces her to confront her issues—being compared to her genius brother, borderline abusive friends, and a cheating boyfriend.

But her husband, Peleus, is kind and patient. Although against her best judgment, she allows him into her heart. He counters all the negative voices from her past, but those voices drive a wedge between them. She must let go of her fears, her inhibitions, and insecurities, and admit her feelings, or she could lose him and the life they’ve built.
Goodreads  Amazon

New release day! Yay! This is the last one for a while, so hopefully you can catch up with all my crazy releases.

For fun, I have some teasers! So check out Dancing in the Athenian Rain, and my other recent releases Deceptive Cadence and Diverging Cadence.

Cover Reveal: Dead Girl Running by Ann M. Noser

Dead Girl Running is a Young Adult/New Adult Crossover Dystopian, and a cross between The Giver, The Handmaiden's Tale, and Agenda 21.


In case you can't read the small print, here's the Back Cover Blurb: Eight years ago, SILVIA WOOD's father died in an industrial accident. After suffering through years of Psychotherapy Services and Mandated Medications for depression and multiple suicide attempts, she longs to work in Botanical Sciences. When the Occupation Exam determines she must work in Mortuary Sciences instead, she wonders if the New Order assigned her to the morgue to push her over the edge.To appease her disappointed mother, Silvia enters the Race for Citizen Glory, in an attempt to stand out in the crowd of Equals. After she begins training with "golden boy" LIAM HARMAN, she discovers he also lost his father in the same accident that ruined her childhood. Then Silvia meets and falls for Liam's older cousin, whose paranoid intensity makes her question what really happened to her father. As the race nears, Silvia realizes that she's not only running for glory, she's running for her life. Scheduled release date : October 26th, 2015Want to reserve a copy? Here's a PRE-PURCHASE LINK Add to GOODREADS. Meet the Author:


Just kidding, here she is:

Ann M. Noser's Bio: My to-do list dictates that I attempt to cram forty-eight hours of living into a day instead of the usual twenty-four.  I’ve chosen a life filled with animals.  I train for marathons with my dog, then go to work as a small animal veterinarian, and finish the day by tripping over my pets as I attempt to convince my two unruly children that YES, it really IS time for bed.  But I can’t wait until the house is quiet to write; I have to steal moments throughout the day.  Ten minutes here, a half hour there, I live within my imagination.Like all busy American mothers, I multi-task.  I work out plot holes during runs.  Instead of meditating, I type madly during yoga stretches.  I find inspiration in everyday things: an NPR program, a beautiful smile, or a newspaper article on a political theory.I’d love to have more time to write (and run, read, and sleep), but until I find Hermione Granger’s time turner, I will juggle real life with the half-written stories in my head.  Main characters and plot lines intertwine in my cranium, and I need to let my writing weave the tales on paper so I can find out what happens next. Where to find me: BLOG FACEBOOK PAGE TWITTER GOODREADS

And now what you've all been waiting for...Enter the Rafflecopter here:
a Rafflecopter giveaway