D.E. Haggerty's Blog, page 83
March 22, 2016
Guest Post from @rmpbook, author of Between Good and Evil
I’m excited to welcome R. Michael Phillips, author of Between Good and Evil, to Readsalot today. He’s written a guest post about how the main protagonist, Sheriff Promise Flynn, came into this world
When I started the new series, Auburn Notch Mysteries, picking the setting was easy. This series was going to be set firmly in America, so what better place than New England. I spent many youthful years in New Hampshire, and those memories, scents, and sounds still linger with me as if I was just there yesterday. All those memories distilled down and became Auburn Notch, New Hampshire. It has a defined character that I needed only make a few minor creative adjustments to suit the series arc. One thing to remember, the setting can be as much a character as anyone in the book, but we’ll leave that explanation for another day. For now, lets get back to those characters.
Auburn Notch is home to a new sheriff. She’s tough, but vulnerable. To-the-point, but with a sarcastic bite when irked. Attractive, but modest. She has a dark past which she has every intention of outrunning. All of these traits are just the framework of a character. The easy part. Next comes fleshing out the character. There are a number of ways to do this. The backstory is important; as they lead the reader to the reasons behind the lingering conflicts your character is currently struggling with. Add in emotional stability, attitude, and moral compass, and you’ve pretty much got yourself a character. The general description (eyes, hair color, height, political affiliation, etc.) is a fun exercise and can be accomplished by filling out a dating site-like questionnaire.
With all that done, we come to the name. Nothing is more important than the name of your character. It’s as much a reflection of who they are as any of the other information you’ve compiled on them. Whether the protagonist, antagonist, or a tertiary character, the name can make or break them.
Think back over all the books you’re read. Odds are you won’t remember all the titles, but you will probably recall most of their main characters’ names. Stringfellow Hawke. Miss Marple. Jesse Stone. Harry Potter. Katniss Everdeen. Miss Havisham and Pip (Philip Pirrip). Atticus Finch. Sunny Randall. Jake Brigance. And the list goes on and on. These are some of my favorite characters. The names instantly conjure up the image of the characters I’ve composed in my head from all the stories I’ve read. I certainly don’t remember all the individual facts about them, but the names are enough to remind me I like them.
I’ve seen too many new authors try to distinguish their characters with names that are almost unpronounceable. As a result I stumble over the name every time it comes up in the story. The name actually becomes a distraction at this point. I did a search in my latest story for the main character’s name. It came up in some form 612 times over 224 pages. Just something to keep in mind.
So, how did I come up with the name for my new protagonist? It was a combination of things. Long before I came up with the idea for a new series I met a woman at a book-signing event for my British series. Her first name was Quality. “What a great name,” I blurted out. Putting aside the fact that she was a very attractive woman, and as accomplished as the name suggests, it was the name that really stuck with me. We talked a bit, exchanged cards, and went on our separate ways.
Three years later, when I was putting together the first book in the new series, that chance meeting at a book signing popped back into my head. If I was going to invent a new protagonist I wanted her name to be as much an introduction to her essence as any of the backstory that accompanies her without being a distraction. This is an ongoing series, so once the name is out in print there is no going back. I used a placeholder name as I began writing the story, all the while kicking around names for weeks, checking them on line on sites specializing in the meaning of names. Then it happened, I finally came up with one that worked. The last name is relatively common, which is good because it makes it familiar, and the first name is a familiar word but distinctive as a name. Perfect!
So that is how Sheriff Promise Flynn came into this world.
Title: Between Good and Evil
Author: R. Michael Phillips
Published: January 24, 2016
Publisher: Sunbury Press, Inc.
Genre: Crime – Mystery
~ Synopsis ~
Years after the Willis Asylum closed, the secrets of its past lingered in its decaying halls as a reminder to the good people of Auburn Notch—when Evil closes a door, he also opens a window. Sheriff Promise Flynn was new to the town, and she was about to find out some windows should never be opened.
Promise Flynn is an overly impulsive Metro Detective whose disregard for procedure finally resulted in her being shot and left for dead during an investigation. To repair her bruised ego and splintered confidence she abandons the callous dark alleys of Chicago to patrol the quiet, birch-lined streets of Auburn Notch—a favorite vacation spot of her youth. For two years everything was idyllic, until the body of a young girl found in the abandoned asylum outside of town awakens the insecurities she thought her new life would insulate her from.
As the new Sheriff she begins her investigation refusing to accept the similarities between the young woman’s death and her own case, oblivious to being unexpectedly recognized and penciled in at the top of a clever murderer’s To-Do list. Her internal struggle intensifies when a discredited crime reporter from the past suspiciously arrives in town to resurrect his threadbare reputation, along with an FBI agent chasing down a lead in a cold case. Both men quickly become entangled in Flynn’s investigation and her attempts to finally put her past to rest.
Flynn reluctantly accepts the murder of the young girl might be the work of the two men responsible for her hasty departure from Chicago, but Agent MacGregor insists the evidence points to a man he’s been chasing. As the rising current of her past threatens to pull her under, Flynn finds herself unprepared for option three.
Purchase Links
~ About the Author ~
Michael is a classically trained artist turned mystery writer. By combining his creative talents with a passion for mysteries he conceived his first series—The Ernie Bisquets Mysteries. It introduced Ernie Bisquets, a retired London pickpocket who decided he was going to assist the London police with their most difficult cases—whether they want his help or not. Michael has completed 3 books in the series, and has plans for at least five additional books.
Michael travels a bit, especially to Great Britain, but also has a fondness for New England. He spent many winters in the shadow of the White Mountains, skiing and enjoying the beautiful countryside. Those fond memories are the backdrop now for the new Auburn Notch Mysteries being published by Sunbury Press. The main character is Sheriff Promise Flynn—an ex-metro detective who left a dark past and her big-city detective shield behind and moved to a small New England town. What follows is anything but therapeutic.
When he’s not painting or writing Michael is an avid antique collector, filling his current home—an 1894 Queen Ann Victorian he, his wife, and son are restoring—with an assortment of antiques from around the world. Michael also enjoys cooking, working in the garden, and playing in the yard with their two rescues, Beau and Pup.
Author Links
Website ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~ A Fifer’s Blog
~ Giveaway ~
March 21, 2016
Blitz ~ Back in My Life by @Mariecrauthor
Romance / Erotica
Date Published: February 27, 2016
Back in my Life is a story set in the beautiful cities of New York and Chicago. This story is not the typical and simple “boy meets girl, boy and girl get marry story.” This story is a powerful story that shows how real and unselfish love truly looks like. The love between Ruby and Clyde is an amazing and genuine love that survived everything that came in between them—even the most painful experiences that destiny had planned for them.
During a college internship at a prestigious New York magazine, Ruby Sparks (a journalist graduate student from Chicago) meets Clyde Holt, (a fellow intern and a creative photography student from a London based college) whom from day one became Ruby’s obsession and the new reason for her existence. After developing strong feelings for her emotionally unavailable friend, Ruby finds herself trapped in a whirlpool of emotions while trying to earn her friend’s love. What Ruby doesn’t know is that while she is looking for true love, Clyde’s presence in her life came with a different purpose.
About the Author
I have been writing for pleasure for the past couple of years, but this is the first time I do a book tour so I am very excited for it. Writing is my passion, and I enjoy using real-life stories as the basis for my novels, but giving them a little twist to make them more melodramatic and breath-taking. I am also the author of Pamela’s Confessions and Confesiones del Alma. I currently live in Florida with my husband and three children.
Contact Information
Website
Purchase Link
Amazon
March 17, 2016
Wealth & Privilege and Brains & Beauty by @JeanetteAWatts
Title: Wealth & Privilege and Brains & Beauty
Author: Jeanette Watts
Genre: Historical Fiction
~ Synopsis ~
Book One (Wealth & Privilege)
Boy meets girl, falls in love at first sight. Oops, she’s already married. Bad planning. She becomes a friend and a muse, helps him find his voice. He knows that no one gets to capture their own muse, but he can dream, can’t he…?
Book Two (Brains & Beauty)
Girl meets boy, falls in love at first sight. Kind of unfortunate for a married woman. He becomes her best friend, the only man in her life that she can really count on. She wishes there could be more to it. There can’t be, but she can dream, can’t she…?
~ Excerpt ~
A soft rumble of thunder sounded in the distance, and they both groaned.
“Just what we need,” Thomas observed. “More water.”
“Well, I suppose thunder doesn’t necessarily mean more rain,” Regina answered
hopefully.
It was an odd sort of thunder. It took Thomas a moment to realize why. Then it
occurred to him that it was continuous, and getting louder, instead of fading away.
A strange black fog began to drift through the air. They froze, staring at each
other, listening. The rumble increased like – what? It was a cross between an oncoming train, and – and – Thomas imagined this must be what an avalanche must sound like.
Then he knew what was going on. The South Fork dam had broken!
Before he could share his insight, Regina’s face changed. She stared up Clinton
Street, mouth open, eyes wide with horror. She pointed, incoherent noises issuing from her throat. Thomas turned, and nearly fell off their precarious little raft.
The source of the crashing rumble was a towering wall of debris moving toward
them. A misty black cloud hung in the air, occasionally obscuring the horrific sight. A writhing mass of tree roots, rooftops, planks, railroad pieces and other metal parts
tumbled over and over upon itself.
The rumble had clarified into a roar of screaming and crashing as the rapidly
approaching behemoth rolled toward them. They couldn’t outrun it, either on or off their little craft. Regina pointed to the nearest building. The brick corners were coined, laid unevenly enough to make a decent ladder. Thomas understood without a word. They poled their way across the watery distance, desperation giving them strength and speed.
Regina looked at him as they grabbed the corner of the building. “You go first,”
she shouted over the noise.
Thomas didn’t understand why, but this was no time to stand around arguing
etiquette. He stood up on the raft, found a foothold and handhold, and clambered up the side of the building. He slowed his ascent to look down at Regina.
Gritting her teeth in determination, she was making slow progress. Looking up,
she caught his eye as he waited, uncertainly, for her. “Don’t wait for me! Go!” He
could barely hear her over the roar.
Frustrated and helpless, he climbed up onto the roof, then lay on his stomach so
that he could reach back down towards Regina. She was making better time, but he
feared the wall of debris would reach the roof before she would. He scooted forward,
upside down on the pitched roof, caught hold of her wrist, and managed to bodily yank her onto the roof beside him.
“Why did you have me go first?” he demanded angrily.
“No reason we should both die,” she answered.
The words were no sooner out of her mouth then Thomas was absolutely certain they were both going to die. With a grinding, crunching, screaming moan, the wave hit the building.
~ About the Author ~
Jeanette Watts is a dance instructor and performer of many different kinds of dance, a costumer, a former television producer, and a big softie who can’t learn to say no when people need help with their festivals. It makes it really difficult for her to get time to write.
Review of The Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum by @KirstenWeiss
Title: The Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum
Author: Kirsten Weiss
Published: March 8, 2016
Publisher: Midnight Ink
Genre: Cozy Mystery
~ Synopsis ~
When Maddie Kosloski’s career flatlines, she retreats to her wine-country hometown for solace and cheap rent. Railroaded into managing the local paranormal museum, she’s certain the rumors of its haunting are greatly exaggerated. But a new ghost may be on the loose. A fresh corpse in the museum embroils Maddie in murders past and present.
With her high school bully as one of the officers in charge, Maddie doubts justice will be served. When one of her best friends is arrested, she’s certain it won’t be.
Maddie grapples with ghost hunters, obsessed taxidermists, and the sexy motorcyclist next door as outside forces threaten. And as she juggles spectral shenanigans with the hunt for a killer, she discovers there truly is no place like home.
Purchase Links:
~ Book Review~
The story of The Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum, while being perfectly proper, did take a while to warm up. It didn’t grab me at first and I had to work at getting into it. Maddie wasn’t my favorite character. Despite having a ‘high-powered’ job in the past, she was waffling about what to do with her future. It was a bit annoying. The dialogue was at times childish and at other times weird and abrupt. The relationships between the characters didn’t seem real to me. For example, Maddie’s friend ends up in jail, but it Maddie doesn’t make any attempt to see her.
I did enjoy some of the side characters in the novel – the contractor who has an illegal side business, the motorcycle man who runs the shop next door and causes women’s hearts to flutter, the secretive man who provides the museum with alls sorts of oddball objects.
I didn’t find the novel to be a murder mystery but more of a story that just happens to coincide with a murder (or two) happening. I missed Maddie investigating, finding clues, and following up. The murder case, which is interesting in this novel, is the old story surrounding a supposedly haunted picture hanging in the paranormal museum.
~ About the Author ~
Kirsten Weiss grew up in San Mateo, California. After getting her MBA, she joined the Peace Corps, starting an international career that took her around the fringes of the defunct USSR and into the Afghan war zone. Her experiences abroad not only gave her glimpses into the darker side of human nature, but also sparked an interest in the effects of mysticism and mythology, and how both are woven into our daily lives.
She writes paranormal mystery and suspense, blending her experiences and imagination to create vivid worlds of magic and mayhem.
Kirsten has never met a dessert she didn’t like, and her guilty pleasures are watching ghost Whisperer re-runs and drinking good wine.
Author Links
~ Giveaway ~
March 16, 2016
Luck of the Irish $250 Cash Giveaway
Even if you’re not Irish, you may have the luck of the Irish on your side!
Luck of the Irish $250 Giveaway
March 17th to 31st
$250 Amazon.com Gift Code or $250 in Paypal Cash
Thanks to this Awesome Group of Authors & Bloggers have joined with me to bring you this fabulous prize!!
Sponsor List
Jennifer Faye – Romance Author
Why Not? Because I Said So!(Sheila Staley)
Aubrey Wynne: Romantasy Through the Ages
Bella Street Time Travel Romance
Bonnie Blythe Christian Romance
~ Giveaway Details ~
$250 in Paypal Cash or a $250 Amazon.com eGift Card
Ends 3/31/16
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the authors, bloggers and publishers on the sponsor list. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
March 15, 2016
The First Time She Drowned by @kkletter
New books are amazing. New books that come with free gifts are even better!
Debut Young Adult author Kerry Kletter is giving you just that! Pre-order THE FIRST TIME SHE DROWNED on or before March 14th, 2016 and you’ll get a signed poster and bookmark! Supplies are limited to 50 sets, and ship ONLY in the US.
Getting your free poster and bookmark is as easy as 1..2..3..4..
Go to whatever book seller you like and pre-order THE FIRST TIME SHE DROWNED (links below in case you need them!)
Screen shot your reciept!
E-mail that reciept to meandmyshelf(at)gmail(dot)com ATTN: TFTSD Pre-Order
Fill out THIS FORM so Kerry knows where to send your goodies!
Direct Link to form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1fIJfMFoVysjIYhQ2-Kk5veSQ3xdxv7A_OWUPkx12quc/viewform
![TFTSD_PC_Front_thumb[1]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1458067021i/18440575.jpg)
Synopsis:
Cassie O’Malley has spent her whole life trying to keep her head above water—literally and metaphorically. It’s been two-and-a-half years since her mother dumped Cassie in a mental institution against her will, and now, at eighteen, she enrolls in college, ready to reclaim her life and enter the world on her own terms.
But as she struggles to find her way forward, the startling truths she uncovers about her own family narrative make it impossible to cut the tethers of a tumultuous past. And when the unhealthy mother-daughter relationship that defined Cassie’s childhood and adolescence threatens to pull her under once again, Cassie must decide: whose version of history is the truth? And more important, whose life must she save?
A bold, literary story about the fragile complexities of mothers and daughters and learning to love oneself, The First Time She Drowned reminds us that we must dive deep into our pasts if we are ever to move forward.
Book links:
AMAZON ~ BARNES & NOBLE ~ INDIEBOUND
PRAISE:
Blurbs: “Beautiful and passionate . . . [Kletter is] a writer of great distinction and infinite promise.” —Pat Conroy, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Prince of Tides and South of Broad “A lovely and haunting keep-you-up-all-night heart-wrencher that is both beautiful and raw, painful and uplifting. An incredible read.” —Jennifer Niven, New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places “Sentence by sentence . . . one of the most lyrical novels I’ve ever read. Haunting and exquisite.” —Nicola Yoon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Everything, Everything
“The First Time She Drowned is an exquisite and masterful dive, a brave exploration into the complexities of family, and the saving grace of friendship. Kletter’s writing is hypnotic, her characters alive, her story tragic, beautiful, hopeful. Simply put, this book is stunning.” —David Arnold, critically acclaimed author of Mosquitoland
AUTHOR BIO:
![Author Photo For The First Time She Drowned_thumb[1]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1458067021i/18440576.jpg)
Kerry Kletter has had a lifelong passion for story. She holds a degree in literature and has an extensive background in theater, having appeared in film, television, and onstage. When not writing, Kerry can be found surfing, running, working with animals, or singing loudly in her car while stuck in LA traffic. A native of Ridgewood, New Jersey, Kerry now lives in Santa Monica, California, with her partner, screenwriter David Zorn. The First Time She Drowned is her debut novel. Follow her on Twitter @kkletter.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
TWITTER ~ INSTAGRAM ~ FACEBOOK ~ AUTHOR WEBSITE
March 13, 2016
Release Blitz ~ Dirty Bad Boys Box Set
Contemporary Romance
Date Published: March 1, 2016
Meet the bad boys and billionaires who know how to get their steam on. They’re wild, they’re dirty and they’re hard to tame. This is a sizzling-hot bundle of complete stories, no cliffhangers, with a special bonus and the kindle-melting happy ever afters you love.
This bundle includes:
The Billionaire’s Temptation Complete Series – JS Wilder – a billionaire bad boy ‘on-the-job’ romance.
Chase Complete Series – Chloe Grey – college romance has never been this steamy, or so dangerous.
Seized Complete Series – JC Coulton – bad boy romance with a good cop twist.
Hard Luck Series – Chloe Grey – coming into wealth and luck is that much harder when lust is involved.
Owned by the Billionaire Cowboy – Bella Wild – a rough and tumble erotic romance with a happy ever after that will leave you swooning.
Rocked Complete Series – Bella Love-Wins – a billionaire bad boy romance with a rock star-MMA twist.
Bonus – Gone 0.5 (The Prequel) – Kendra Wild – a bad boy MC romance.
Purchase Link
Amazon
Giveaway
Kindle Fire ($49 value plus US shipping, or $75 Gift card if winner is international )
a Rafflecopter giveaway
March 12, 2016
Dark Secrets of the Past by @EvelyneSants7
Title: Dark Secrets of the Past
Author: Evelyne Sants
Genre: Suspense
Published: May 5, 2015
~ Synopsis ~
Marion, a carefree and rebellious young girl, will discover her childhood, her parents, her entire life has been built on lies.
She will somehow try to rebuild her past, as heavy and painful as it is, in order to move forward and find the child she gave up for adoption before leaving for India for seven years in hopes of forgetting.
While there, she will meet extraordinary people, such as Shilpa, Nazma, Paoli, who will take her on a beautiful and difficult adventure across this country and culture that she barely knows. Unfortunately, the suffering caused by her child’s absence will never disappear.
Upon returning home, her only thought will be to find her child. In her quest for the truth, she will take every risk, discovering a terrifying secret. She will put her life in danger while confronting a terrible revenge.
Will she live up to the incredible journey that awaits her? There’s only one solution – face the past in order to better understand the present, understand the present to better live the future.
~ Excerpt ~
Helen looked at her daughter with heartache. There was no denying it. Marion had indeed become a beautiful young woman. Her eyes sparkling, her skin smooth, a flawless complexion, life bursting out of a perfect body, all the energy and vitality of her seventeen years was translated in her every movement.
“Mom! Say something! Please! If you’re so afraid of him, I’ll tell him. I can’t take this anymore. Anyway, there won’t be a problem for getting home after the party. Lucy and her parents are going. I’ll go with them and I’ll sleep over at Lucy’s. There is no reason for dad to be against it.”
Helen understood perfectly well why her daughter wanted so badly to go to the party. Her rebellion was understandable. But she also knew that what her daughter considered the unreasonable whims of a tired and bitter man, were in fact a little more complicated than that.
Helen had become small and muted over the years. The light in her deep, troubling eyes had gone out long ago. The woman who had loved to laugh, filling the room with joy, was now trapped in walls of silence, weighed down with a burden she would never get rid of.
“Marion, believe me, I understand your frustration. But you know how your father is. It’s only going to cause a fight if you insist.”
“You’re afraid of him, Mom! You’ve always been afraid, haven’t you? Good God! He’s your husband! You’ve got to be able to stand up to him for once. It’s as if you owe him your life or something. It’s unbelievable!”
But that was exactly the problem. Perhaps Helen didn’t owe him her life, but she felt she owed him nonetheless. She had made a mistake and she would always have to make up for it. She could not stand up to him or even annoy him.
“Fine! Looking at your worried and anxious face, I’ll take care of it myself!”
Marion stormed off to her room, determined to not give in this time. She left her mother alone with her thoughts and her sadness, to not be able to stand up for the daughter she loved and offer her a happier and easier life.
Later that evening, as usual, Marion heard her father come in. She ran down the stairs to speak with him before he sprawled out on the living room couch, falling asleep for the night.
He was so predictable and the opportunities to talk with him were so rare. His presence in the house was felt solely when he exercised an overbearing authority. He never showed Marion any affection, never an “I love you, Marion, my little girl.”
John hung up his old gray overcoat on the hall-stand in the entrance way. In fact, the worn-out topcoat was the only thing he took off when he came into the house. Most of the time he did not even bother to undress before passing out on the couch.
“Dad…?” Marion hesitated.
“Hey, you’re still up? It’s late. You should be in bed.”
Marion did not back down. She stood in front of him, watching him, wondering what he did when he was out so late, why he came home drunk every night. He reeked of alcohol. She could smell it from across the room. He was no longer a man. He was an empty soul, a distant gaze, the lines in his face carved out by suffering and bad living, a complete waste of a life.
“I know, Dad. I was waiting up for you. I wanted to ask you something.”
Marion felt intimidated by this man who always had an imposing and powerful air about him.
“Yes? What is it? I’m tired. I’m going lie down.”
John turned his back on his daughter, as usual, as always, to go stretch out on the living room couch.
“Dad, I’d like to go to a party in town on Saturday night and…”
John stood up furiously, glaring threateningly into Marion’s eyes.
“No way! You hear me?”
“But Dad! I’m going to be eighteen years old. I’m no longer a child and I need to experience all the things the world has to offer at my age.”
“Oh really? Going out to a party all dressed up like a whore, that’s what you need to experience?”
Helen had gotten up. Of course she hadn’t been able to sleep. Worried about her daughter, she stood quietly against the living room door.
“How can you call me a whore? You don’t even trust your own daughter, and you want to know why? Because you’ve done nothing but drink all these years, forgetting I even exist. You don’t know me at all!”
John’s temper snapped at the insult from Marion who was now sobbing. Lunging out, he slapped her so hard she fell to the floor.
Shocked, Marion did not get up, holding her head between her hands. She did not understand what was happening. Of all the things he had done in the past, he had never hit her before.
All of a sudden John’s eyes were no longer empty. Filled with hatred and rage, he raised a trembling hand above Marion, ready to hit again, if it had not been for Helen who stepped in to face him.
How dare she defy him? She who had never stood up to him. She who owed him everything. Consumed with rage, he forgot Marion. But this small insignificant woman, she was going to pay for all the years of torment and silence.
Helen saw in her husband’s eyes all the hatred he felt for her and all the bitterness. But no matter what, she had to protect her daughter. Marion would not pay for the mistakes of the past.
~ About the Author ~
Poetry was my first discovery and my first passion. Putting words together that, in theory, did not go together, giving them breath, a new life, was a revelation for me. Yet despite this, my imagination tormented my mind. The desire to go further, to be able to create characters, to give them a destiny, emotions, an imaginary reality, illuminated my literary path.
Thus, “Dark Secrets of the Past” was born, a book which made me tremble many times while writing.
Carried away by this momentum, I could not return to my poems. This experience gave me the certainty that what I truly want to do is write passionate stories in order to share them with readers.
I hope this book carries and transports you as far as it did me while I was writing it.
March 10, 2016
Rulers of Darkness Box Set by @AmandaJGreene1 #paranormalromance
Title: Rulers of Darkness Box Set
Author: Amanda J. Greene
Genre: Paranormal Romance
~ Synopsis ~
Read 3 sizzling, dark, paranormal romance novels and fall in love with the Rulers of Darkness.
Passion can be lethal…
Caressed by Moonlight
Dorian Vlakhos is no ordinary aristocrat. He is a vampire king, who will do anything to save his clan from complete annihilation, before an ancient curse can claim his immortal life.
Penniless and orphaned, Victoria Kingston has nothing to bring to a marriage, yet she must shackle an unsuspecting gentleman into marriage by the end of the month or forfeit her rights as guardian of her younger sister. With the help of her dearest friend, Victoria begins her hunt, and vows to stay far away from the dark, mysterious, Dorian Vlakhos.
After meeting the beautifully innocent Miss Kingston, Dorian had to have her. He would do absolutely anything to make Victoria his. One sweet stolen kiss would bring them together while a force, more powerful than any vampire, would bind them for all eternity, but treachery, war, and death rule Dorian’s dark world and Victoria would be fortunate to survive.
Caressed by Night
Dimitri Arsov, the last remaining pure vampire, was thought to be dead for the past four hundred years. Now, he is back and has a score to settle with the traitor that had tried to kill him centuries ago. But as he waits for his prey to blindly step into his carefully laid trap, his overwhelming hunger for blood is triggered when he saves a beautiful art historian.
Kerstyn Ingmar’s life was normal and straight up boring until the night she is rescued by the dangerously sexy, powerfully mesmerizing, Dimitri. Unable to resist his diamond blue eyes and intense kisses, she is drawn into his world of darkness and closer to her impending doom.
While their desire consumes them, Dimitri is haunted by images of a bloody and deadly future. As his enemies draw near, he must find a way to save his mate from her destiny before fate destroys them both.
Caressed by a Crimson Moon
Consumed by madness and tormented by dark memories of blood and death, Hadrian Lucretius, King of the Validus Clan, has returned after living in self-imposed exile for nearly three hundred and fifty years.
To maintain peace with the vampires, Eva Maldonado is offered as a sacrifice to the crazed vampire king by her father, the alpha of the Silveria Shifter Pack. Hadrian’s reputation is both legendary and lethal; he is ruthless, bloodthirsty, lusty, and soulless. When Eva arrives at the ancient fortress high in the Carpathian Mountains, she is shocked to find a ravaged man with dark burning eyes filled with loneliness and dangerous desire.
Would she be his lover…or his prey? His savior…or his victim? Would Hadrian lure her into madness or would their perilous passion be their redemption?
Amazon ~ All Romance eBooks ~ Barnes & Noble Nook ~ Kobo
~ Book Review~
**** (out of 5)
I made a bit of a boo when I agreed to review the Rulers of Darkness. I thought I’d only have to read one novel, but it turned out to be three. Oops! But once I started reading, I was hooked. The first story, which I thought would be the least interesting, was actually my favorite. Victoria was easily the strongest woman of the three and Dorian was my favorite vampire. Although he waffled for a while about his future with Victoria, his indecisiveness was minor compared to Dimitri and Hadrian.
I didn’t enjoy Caressed by Night as much as Caressed by Moonlight. I didn’t think much of Kerstyn. She went on and on about how she was independent and earned everything for herself, but her dad paid for her entire education. That’s definitely not paying your own way. Then, she put herself and others in danger when there was a simple solution to the situation. With all the build-up, I was expecting an exciting background story regarding the creation of vampires. Dimitri’s story, however, wasn’t as complicated as I’d hoped.
Caressed by a Crimson Moon was my least favorite of the novels. It was slow and missed the fast paced action of the previous two novels. I didn’t connect to either Eva or Hadrian. There just wasn’t enough there for me.
A bit more editing would make these stories even more enjoyable. The writing wasn’t smooth, mostly due to the lack of use of contractions. The third novel contained a few more grammatical mistakes and typos than I prefer.
I was provided a free copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.
~ About the author ~
Amanda J. Greene creates paranormal romance for ravenous readers. She lives in Southern California, where she enjoys escaping the rewarding but hectic world of writing by spending time in the sun and sand with her military husband and their two dogs.
Contact Information
Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads
~ Giveaway ~
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March 9, 2016
Love me Tenor by Annabeth Albert
Inside the Book:
Title: Love Me Tenor
Author: Annabeth Albert
Release Date: February 16, 2016
Publisher: Lyrical Shine
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: Ebook
There’s no way he’ll shake this off….
Trevor Daniels is feeling aimless. A recent college grad, he’s not sure what to do with his useless degree, and his family all but abandoned him after he revealed the truth about himself. But a friend’s suggestion that he take his chances on a reality show aimed at finding the next big boy band strikes a chord with him—until the show’s producers convince him to act like he’s in a relationship with a guy who’s not at all his type. It isn’t exactly love at first sight for Jalen Smith either—but lust just might push them in an unexpected direction. If only their secrets weren’t even more twisted than their sheets, threatening to cost them the win—and each other…
Praise for the Portland Heat series
“Tremendously charming and sexy.” —RT Book Reviews on Served Hot
“A really enjoyable story.” —Joyfully Jay on Baked Fresh
“Sometimes an author just gets everything right…Absolutely perfect.” —Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews on Delivered Fast
Meet the Author:
Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer.
Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Annabeth loves finding happy endings for a variety of pairings and is a passionate gay rights supporter. In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two toddlers.
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Tour Schedule
Monday, February 29 – Book featured at Harmonious Publicity
Tuesday, March 1 – Books featured at A Title Wave
Thursday, March 3 – Books reviewed at Margay Leah Justice
Friday, March 4 – Books featured at The Review From Here
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Monday, March 7 – Interviewed at I’m Shelf-ish
Wednesday, March 9 – Book featured at Voodoo Princess
Thursday, March 10 – Book featured at Readsalot
Friday, March 11 – Interviewed at The Writer’s Life
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Monday, March 14 – Books featured at E-Romance News
Friday, March 18 – Books reviewed at Our Families Adventure
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Monday, March 21 – Book featured at Wicked Faeries’s Tales and Reviews
Tuesday, March 22 – Book reviewed at Pretty Little Book Reviews
Wednesday, March 23 – Book featured at The Dark Phantom
Friday, March 25 – Book reviewed at Alpha Book Club
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