Margo Bond Collins's Blog, page 20

Spotlight On: Building Victoria by M. D. Cooper, #bookblast #giveaway

Building Victoria by M.D Cooper

The Intrepid is drifting slowly between the stars.

After near calamity at LHS 1565, the ship is headed for Kapteyn’s Star to make repairs. There, the crew will need to spend decades building a temporary industrial base.

Across the void, the Noctus prepare to leave Sirius for the same destination. Their plan is to colonize the system and forge a new lives for themselves … if they aren’t destroyed by their government first.

In an epic tale spanning over a century, General Tanis Richards finds herself in another fight for her life as the new colony of Victoria is built under the threat of interstellar war.

Now Available on Amazon

 

About M.D Cooper:

After years of attempting to write fantasy stories I decided to try my hand at science fiction. I’ve always been a fan of sci-fi and really took to it. Like many authors, the first book you try to get out doesn’t always see the light of day and that original manuscript is still waiting for its time to shine.

However, that didn’t slow me down, and I have three books released: Outsystem, A Path in the Darkness, and Building Victoria. These books begin the Intrepid Saga, a series of books which follow the crew of a colony ship as they make their way between the stars. The fourth book in the series will be out on November 1, 2016, and the fifth book is already in the works.

During the day I am a software engineer at a company which builds sites and services around the open-source CMS named Drupal. I find that starting with a blank canvas and writing code is not that different than writing stories.

When not writing stories or code I’m usually my wife and daughter, or doing carpentry–a hobby which I’ve been growing over the years.

My other interests include astronomy, cars and racing, blacksmithing, movies, and just about any creative work one can do.

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The author is giving away a Malcolm Reynolds Pop Figure!! He’s adorable.

giveaway ends 7/21/16 at 11:59 pm EST.

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The Enigmatologist by Ben Adams ~ $.99 Sale

Twenty-something, John Abernathy is disillusioned. His job as a private investigator is unfulfilling, and he can’t find work in his chosen field, Enigmatology, the study and design of puzzles. He is about to quit when the National Enquirer calls. A woman in Las Vegas, New Mexico sent them a photo of someone who’s supposed to have died 35 years ago—Elvis Aaron Presley. And they need John to investigate it.

When the Elvis impersonator, Al Leadbelly, is murdered, John investigates, finding Air Force colonel, Alvin Hollister—convinced Leadbelly has information regarding Elvis’s death—at the crime scene conducting his own investigation. John discovers great-great-great grandfather’s journal—unearthing a conspiracy entwining Elvis, shape-shifting aliens, and Mary Todd Lincoln. When John finds Leadbelly, alive and wearing a sequined jumpsuit, John must help him escape before Colonel Hollister finds him, and discover if Leadbelly is really Elvis, an obsessed fan, or something more.

Buy for only $.99 on Amazon

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Spotlight On: Nine30 by Melissa Lummis

Nine30

They say home is where the heart is, but if that’s true, then I’m lost because I have no clue where my heart is, anymore. I thought I knew—until I met Maximillian.

I was on my way out of the Capital City before the local vampires could catch on to me and let’s just say if that happened then this club dancer would be facing her expiration date. And that’s when the famous DJ blew into town—and into my head and heart. He turned all my plans upside down with his sick friend and his electric blue eyes, damn it.

I should have cut bait and run for my life, but I couldn’t abandon someone I could heal—even if it meant the vampires might catch up with me. Besides, Maximillian smelled familiar, like deep forest and pine needles baked in the sun mixed with that chilly snap of running water and the coolness of twilight. Those things have a smell that adds up to a dream.

You can get lost in that kind of dream. It can fill your mind with ideas and notions you have no business thinking or feeling. Dreams like that make it easy to forget the danger you’re in.

Buy on Amazon: http://amzn.to/29csVNK
FREE until July 2nd.

 

Melissa Lummis

Melissa Lummis considers herself a truth seeker and a peaceful warrior, in addition to a paranormal and fantasy author. With too many interests for her own good, she has rarely been content with one vocation. Her first professional life was as a high school English teacher, which led to another incarnation as a wife and an instructional designer /technical writer. After starting a family, she found herself reincarnated as a mother, yoga instructor, and personal trainer.

While all her past lives have contributed to who she is today, yoga has become a part of how she gives back, maintaining her Registered Yoga Teacher status with Yoga Alliance so she can help people one-on-one to overcome physical limitations and heal themselves. But she has always been and always will be a writer. She’s authored dozens of wellness articles for various publications, as well as maintains a blog focusing on wellness, healing, and living a life on purpose.

She is an author of new age suspense in a fantasy setting, but her stories are also straight up, steamy adult romance. The Love and Light Series is currently available at exclusively on Amazon, as well as the Little Flame Series, a spin-off focusing on the character Fiamette from the Love and Light world.

A Yankee by birth and a Penn State graduate, she lives in rural Virginia with her husband, two children, an Alaskan Malamute, and a myriad of forest creatures. Melissa believes the universe conspires to help an adventurer, and if we live our lives as if it is a daring escapade (and it is!), then everything we need will find its way to us.

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Guest Post: Top Ten Fast Recipes for Writers (or busy Moms) by Jill Cooper, author of Blood Debt

Top Ten Fast Recipes for Writers (or busy Moms)

We’re all busy, right? And we all still need to eat, even those of us that like to snack on twizzlers while trying to make our daily word count goal. When I’m hitting the word goal hard, I have a few go to recipes that satisfy the dinner need, and some even get to go in a crockpot!

Hopefully I won’t have to break from writing this post to make anyone dinner because just writing about dinner, is enough for me.

Dump Thanksgiving Turkey: Turkey breast in a crockpot with cranberry sauce and French onion soup mix dumped on top. In 6 hours you have a yummy warm dinner that will please the most picky family.
Chili Dinner: Into the crockpot mix a chili pack mix, ground beef and our favorite beans. At dinner time serve with shredded cheese, lettuce, and call it a meal!
Seriously? These people want to eat again? For the love! Call it breakfast at dinner and break out the toaster because we’re having Frozen Section Waffles! For bonus points, give them sprinkles and make bacon.
Everyone loves bacon. Case in point, make some barbeque beans. Take two cans of Pork and beans, mix in a bottle of BBQ sauce, ¼ cup brown sugar, and throw in a pan. On top, add slices of as much bacon as you can stomach (read: the whole package) Bake and then broil until thick, and bacon is crisp and yummy yummy looking.
If your beans make it to the table without you eating half the bacon pieces off, then you are a better person than me.
Another dinner. Seriously? What are these people growing, or something? Coffee counts if you add cream to it. That’s a dairy, right?
McDonald’s. To get in extra writing time, refuse to open their toys for them and watch them struggle with it, while trying not to cackle. You’re welcome.
I’ve lost count and patience to keep feeding these people, who I consider must have a tape worm. So we’re doing pasta and lots of it. Ground beef, dump sauce. Boil pasta. Everyone gobbles it up and I only have four million dishes to wash. Score.
Ice Cream.
There’s no number 10 because I’m shipping everyone to grandma’s. Break out the wine!

About Blood Debt

The queen of the underworld has a new play toy and her name is Jessica Blood.

Bad boy Duncan Jasper and passive healer Amanda Blood are on the run for their lives with a horde of demons on their tale. The queen of the underworld, Lourdes, wants Amanda to free Lourdes from her prison and it’s all on Duncan to keep this from happening.

But Amanda’s soul is fractured and bleeding thanks to the torture she suffered at the hands of the high-level demon, Vaughn. Now a painful ritual is her soul’s only chance at survival. If Duncan fails, Jessica Blood may never be free from the chains that bind her to Lourdes.

Demons swarm to their location and Jessica walks right into a trap they’ve set for her. But to cure her sister, Amanda will have to embrace the pain and welcome the beauty of death.

All before they get ready to stand off against Lourdes and the demons of hell, coming to claim their souls.

Hold onto your seats! Long-held family secrets and heartache are about to be revealed.

Order on Amazon (Free on KU)

Buy Blood Lust Book 1 Amazon

About the Author:

I could write this in the third person. I could tell you what I like, where I was born, and what my favorite things are.

But instead, I’ll say I don’t want to write like everyone else. I don’t want to craft stories you’ve read a thousand times before. I want my novels to be a cinematic experience, blending themes, genres, and situations unlike any you’ve ever read.

I want to break the rules. I want you to break out in a cold sweat as you read my books out of fear, love, and excitement. I want my books to be an experience. When you finish, I want you to feel something. Good or bad.

If you do, then I’ll have succeeded. If not, I’ll keep trying.

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Spotlight On: Unbridled Trail by Bonnie R. Paulson

A vengeful cowboy seeking justice loses his heart to a damsel-in-distress, but can the results of saving her outweigh their chance at love?

Kyle Darby doesn’t want to be a lonely ranch hand forever. If he can help his cousin run a ranch, his chances at future foreman will be drastically increased. But his need to find revenge for his sister clouds his logic.

Sherry isn’t into dating or anything normal – she studies bugs for crying out loud. When Kyle rescues her one night at a bar, she finds it hard to believe his continued interest is sincere. Used to saving herself and her heart, Sherry has to accept that sometimes she needs help.

With her life hanging in the balance, Sherry has to learn to rely on someone else – Kyle.

Can she do it without losing her heart? Or are they both destined to just be along for the ride?

Buy on Amazon / iBooks / Kobo / Nook

About Bonnie R. Paulson

Bonnie R. Paulson mixes her science and medical background with reality and possibilities to make even myths seem likely and give every romance the genetic strength to survive. Bonnie has discovered a dark and twisty turn in her writing that she hopes you enjoy as much as she has enjoyed uncovering it. Dirt biking with her family in the Northwest keeps her sane.

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Reader Giveaway – Boxed Ebook Set of Westerns, cowboy soap, & $10 Amazon Gift Card. Fill out the form to enter. US addresses only 18+

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Spotlight On: Black Five by J. Lynn Bailey

YA Bound Book Tours is organizing a Blog Tour for: Black Five by J. Lynn Bailey. This tour will run from June 27th to July 1st. 

 

Black Five
by J. Lynn Bailey 






Release Date: 11/17/15






Poorhouse Publishing






400 pages







Summary from Goodreads:






No one ever accused Penelope Jackson of being normal, nor did they suspect the dark secret she kept. A dangerous web of deceit and secrecy unravels when news of a stranger’s death puts Penn on a collision course with the very person she’s been hiding from her whole life. Her fragile world is shaken to its core with the sudden arrival of Vacavious and she soon discovers the bizarre and magical world surrounding her seemingly ordinary life.


 


No one is who they claim to be, including those closest to Penn. A mysterious security detail emerges from the shadows scrambling to protect her as powerful forces await the fall of her protective veil on her eighteenth birthday. 






 


Penn prepares to fight against unseen evils before it’s too late. The world of Nighmerianotte and its population depends on her survival, for she is the Sanguine, the Black Five.

Buy Links:

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About the Author

I’m a mother of two beautiful children and a wife to an adorably supportive husband. Seriously, he’s adorable and tall. Really tall; he’s my high school sweetheart. I’m also a mother of two fur children who are extremely needy, Leo and Vinni.

I live with my family in a small town tucked away in the redwood forest located on California’s northern coast. I’m quite boring. But in case you’re wondering, you can see what my loves, my loathes and things you may not know about me by clicking the menu above.

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Cover Reveal: Under the Full Moon by Mike Zimmerman

 

Cover Reveal

Under the Full Moon

For months, gruesome murders have gone unexplained near a rural English tavern in the woods. The deaths have been primal, and on the eve of the latest corpse discovery, a stranger enters town. Desperate to earn the trust of the patrons that same evening, he insists that he knows what beast has tortured the small community, and he knows how to stop it before it kills again.

Not everyone is convinced, and when another person goes missing, unlikely alliances are forged to end the nightmare under the full moon.

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Mike Zimmerman is a graduate of Oakland University in Rochester Michigan where he studied History, Political Science, and Social Studies. He is a published author in Renaissance Magazine and likes to write both fiction and nonfiction in his spare time.

Mike Zimmerman has also published a full-length, historical fiction novel titled

“Dracula’s Apprentice.”

Follow his website

A Bite Somebody Homage: The 5 Hottest Vampires of All Time By Sara Dobie Bauer

World Weaver Press just recently birthed my novel, Bite Somebody. It’s about vampires, but nobody sparkles in the sun or mopes around being deep.

Instead, newbie vamp Celia Merkin works in a gas station, fears her first bite, and is about as awkward as a dolphin in a tuxedo. What she needs to do—according to her moody vampire friend Imogene—is just bite somebody. But Celia wants her first bite to be special, and she has yet to meet Mr. Right Bite.

Then, Ian moves in next door. His scent creeps through her kitchen wall and makes her nose tingle, but insecure Celia can’t bring herself to meet the guy face-to-face. When she finally gets a look at Ian’s cyclist physique, curly black hair, and sun-kissed skin, other parts of Celia tingle, as well.

The vampires on my hottest of the hot list make me tingly, not going to lie. I’ve picked my top five hottest bloodsuckers of all time. See how my list compares to yours.

5. Dracula (Gary Oldman in Bram Stoker’s Dracula)

Yes, I realize Gary Oldman isn’t going to make it on any “Sexiest” lists anytime soon. However, something about the way he played the most famous vampire in literary history just got me all hot and bothered. Maybe it was the clothes. Or the dancing. Or the absinthe. Or the fact that I have a huge crush on Oldman as Sirius Black. Whatever the reason, he can nibble my neck anytime.

4. Spike (James Marsters in Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

This is a more obvious choice as all girls like a bad boy in leather. Plus, when you look at Marsters, I have one word: cheekbones. The brash British accent doesn’t hurt either. I’ve always been drawn a bit to bad boys, which is why I’m not on the Angel team. I mean, who wants an angel when you can have a boy more likely to give you a cigarette and a ride on the back of his motorcycle?

3. Selene (Kate Beckinsale in Underworld)

As if I’m not going to include a chick on this list. I mean, have you seen Beckinsale in full body, skin-tight leather? (Jeez, I might have a leather problem.) With her pale skin and glowing blue eyes, this super assassin immortal knows how to fan my flame. She’d totally protect me from werewolves, she wears excellent combat boots, and her hair is always flawless, even after ripping a guy’s heart from his chest.

2. Jerry Dandridge (Colin Farrell in Fright Night)

This casting wasn’t fair because Farrell already looks like a vampire and I already thought he was dreamy—so I was doomed to love good old neighbor Jerry from word “Go.” He’s a smooth operator, this one, and he’s so sexy that even after he blows up your house, you might still be willing to give him a bite. Plus, he has that sort of sick sense of humor that makes me laugh … all the way to the bedroom.

1. Imogene (from Bite Somebody)

Surprised? You shouldn’t be! Celia’s sidekick in Bite Somebody is a total sexpot. She’s got a skinny model body, huge purple hair, and she’s been known to lick hot guy’s faces. She wears rock star t-shirts and combat boots while breakdancing to Bowie. She can glamour you from twenty feet away, and she’s a bearcat in the sac. Want to meet my badass evil princess? Pick up your copy of Bite Somebody today, available from Amazon and World Weaver Press!

About Bite Somebody:

“Do you want to be perfect?”

That’s what Danny asked Celia the night he turned her into a vampire. Three months have passed since, and immortality didn’t transform her into the glamorous, sexy vamp she was expecting but left her awkward, lonely, and working at a Florida gas station. On top of that, she’s a giant screw-up of an immortal, because the only blood she consumes is from illegally obtained hospital blood bags.

What she needs to do—according to her moody vampire friend Imogene—is just … bite somebody. But Celia wants her first bite to be special, and she has yet to meet Mr. Right Bite. Then, Ian moves in next door. His scent creeps through her kitchen wall and makes her nose tingle, but insecure Celia can’t bring herself to meet the guy face-to-face.

When she finally gets a look at Ian’s cyclist physique, curly black hair, and sun-kissed skin, other parts of Celia tingle, as well. Could he be the first bite she’s been waiting for to complete her vampire transformation? His kisses certainly have a way of making her fangs throb.

Just when Celia starts to believe Ian may be the fairy tale ending she always wanted, her jerk of a creator returns to town, which spells nothing but trouble for everyone involved.

About Sara Dobie Bauer

Sara Dobie Bauer is a writer, model, and mental health advocate with a creative writing degree from Ohio University. She spends most days at home in her pajamas as a book nerd and sex-pert for SheKnows.com. Her short story, “Don’t Ball the Boss,” was nominated for the 2015 Pushcart Prize, inspired by her shameless crush on Benedict Cumberbatch. She lives with her hottie husband and two precious pups in Northeast Ohio, although she would really like to live in a Tim Burton film. For more about Sara, visit her website: http://SaraDobieBauer.com.

 

 

 

Where to buy Bite Somebody:

World Weaver Press

http://www.worldweaverpress.com/store/p103/Bite_Somebody.html

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Bite-Somebody-Sara-Dobie-Bauer-ebook/dp/B01DL9M2UC

Spotlight On: Gem Apocalypse by Ruth Silver

Gem Apocalypse

by Ruth Silver

Released: June 15, 2016

Publisher: Lazy Day Publishing

 

At seventeen, Aria Stone has broken the laws of her kingdom by refusing to come to court and offer herself as a courtesan. When guards storm Aria’s house and murder her mother, she is drugged and dragged from her home, taken to the royal palace. Aria must accept her fate: be chosen by a prince of Brayleigh or die.

Prince James is third in line for the throne and forced to follow and obey his father’s rule. King Gideon is known for running the country and his household with a strict hand. When the prince discovers the young woman brought in by the royal militia, she peaks his interest, and his desire to bring her to his harem.

Aria awakens at the palace and is forced to strip down and bare herself to the king and his four sons. Humiliation is just the beginning of her journey to survive.

In a tale of murder, heartbreak, lust, and betrayal, Aria must come to terms with the life forced upon her, just as a prince of Brayleigh must recognize his power to change a corrupt system and discover the world outside of their kingdom.

Recommended for readers 16+

 

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Excerpt

Aria sneered at James. “Tell me you don’t believe it.” Emeralds, people with green eyes, were known to be power and money hungry. Did James think that about her? It was not true. No part of the belief system created to destroy the world in genocide was true. How could James think of her like that? She may not be easy or pleasant at times, but she wasn’t what the enemy said.

James shifted in his seat. “Of course not, but you are trouble. I can see it in you, the rebellious streak. My father will beat it out of you if you are not careful.”

She did not let his words hurt her. They were mere threats. King Gideon did not have to know of her struggle or her disloyalty to the crown. “So what? I’m supposed to pretend it doesn’t bother me that he ordered the execution of my mother and dragged me from my home, drugged me, stripped me naked, and stole my freedom? No part of what you and your father are doing is okay.” Did he not see the problem or was he too blinded by the gems and riches that he was given?

James grimaced. “I am sorry about your mother. I can’t change our world, but I can protect you here. If you will let me.”

Aria stood. The longer she spent time with James the faster he seemed to be growing on her nerves. “I don’t need your protection.” She thought August or Henry would have been a poor choice to be paired with as a courtesan, but James seemed to be the winner in pissing her off. She would have been happier not discussing her life, pretending to be another girl like Lucie or Adalyn.

“Where are you going?” James asked. He stood and followed after her as she headed inside.

“Back to my room. Which is where?” Aria asked, feeling turned around. Aria hadn’t learned the halls of the palace. It wasn’t as though she was freely allowed to explore the area.

James reached for her arm, pulling her closer, his hand grazing her hip as he leaned in to kiss her.

How dare he! The nerve of him. She elbowed him away, forcefully, before smacking him across the face. “Do not dare touch me ever, without my permission!”

 

About the Author

Ruth Silver first began writing poetry as a teenager and reading heaps of fan fiction in her free time.

She attended Northern Illinois University in 2001 and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Communication. While in college she spent much of her free time writing with friends she met online and penning her first novel, “Deuces are Wild”, which she self-published in 2004. Her favorite class was Creative Writing senior year where she often handed in assignments longer than the professor required because she loved to write and always wanted to finish her stories.

Her love of writing, led her on an adventure in 2007 to Melbourne, Australia. Silver enjoys reading and sharing her favorite books with other readers. She runs her own book blog and also enjoys photography and traveling.

She currently also writes adult romance novels under the name Allison West.

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Under Her Skin ~ Only #99c for a limited time!

She’s lucky he’s a charmer. He’s lucky she doesn’t bite. Much. 

Lindi Parker works hard at being human, not an easy task for a snake shifter. She has no desire to search for others like her—until a new case changes everything. When Lindi learns that she she’s not the only shapeshifter in the world, she also realizes she might be next on a killer’s list.

In order to save herself and the abused children she works with, she will have to team up with Dr. Kade Nevala, a member of the shifter tribe responsible for eradicating weresnakes—and the most attractive man Lindi’s ever met. Even more terrifying, she’ll need to embrace her serpent side, a choice that has enormous consequences for Lindi, and for everyone around her.

 

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Excerpt 

He took a step forward, again seeming to loom over me. I leaned farther back, but I was trapped—I would either have to climb up on the bed or push my way past him. I wasn’t sure which would be better.

Then it was too late—he grabbed my upper arms and stared into my eyes. His hands burned hot against my skin. His eyes, too, glittered feverishly, golden highlights churning through the brown.

The intensity of his stare captured me. I drew in another breath, full of the scent of him, and my head swam. Again the color leached out of the room. This time, though, I couldn’t look away from him, couldn’t hide the way my eyes changed, the pupils narrowing and lengthening. The room shifted into shades of gray, and his golden eyes turned silvery as they held my own.

He inhaled sharply as he saw the transformation and his hands tightened convulsively.

“How are you here?” he whispered, shaking his head.

He pulled me closer to him, staring into my eyes. My pulse pounded in my temples. The muscles of my abdomen started to roil; I was about to shift, and I couldn’t control it.

And I might just be okay with that, some quiet, still part of my mind whispered from far away, because this man terrified me. I might have a better chance against him in my serpent form.

But something—some instinct deeper than thought—urged me to maintain my humanity.

I still couldn’t break eye contact; his gaze was hypnotic.

He leaned in and kissed me.

 

About the Author

Margo Bond Collins is addicted to coffee (mmm…caffeine) and SF/F television, especially Supernatural (mmm…Winchesters). She writes paranormal and contemporary romance, urban fantasy, and paranormal mystery. She lives in Texas with her daughter and several spoiled pets. Although she teaches college-level English courses online, writing fiction is her first love. She enjoys reading urban fantasy and paranormal fiction of any genre and spends most of her free time daydreaming about heroes, vampires, ghosts, werewolves, and the women who love (and sometimes fight) them.

 

For updates about publications, free fiction, and other goodies, be sure to subscribe to her newsletter.

 

You can learn more about her at http://www.MargoBondCollins.net and follow her on all the usual social media outlets:

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