Thursday, October 30, 2014

Book Blast: Man on the Run by Gail Hamilton

 



Lydia Marshall needs to round up the last samples of an unpredictable "relationship enhancer" created by her employer, NuGenn Pharmaceuticals. The last batch of the so-called potion is in the hands of a test subject, Damone Reid. But when Lydia finally tracks him down she's in for a shock. He is no longer the shy, awkward programmer she interviewed months before. Suddenly, she finds herself swept up in Damone's potion-fueled quest to live life to the fullest. They go kite flying.  They go whale watching. They go dancing in the moonlight.

Even though Lydia tries to keep things professional the former nerd's enthusiasm--and kisses--are infectious. As the tall, sexy adventurer takes her on a wild ride, Lydia finds herself falling for him. But is it the love potion that is igniting her feelings? And what will Damone do if he finds out her secret mission is to destroy the very thing that is changing his life? The discovery could destroy their blossoming romance.
 
 
Lydia asked to see Damone right away but Mrs. Benson shook her head. 
"He's gone.  Packed a bag this morning and told me he was going on a trip to have some fun. Didn't know when he'd be back.  Whistling show tunes, he was, and said he meant to start at some place called Barrel-o-Thrills.  Took off before I could get another word out of him."
Hastily, Lydia thanked Mrs. Benson and rushed out to her car.  A quick search on her cell phone found Barrel-o-Thrills out on the edge of the city. It was a club specializing in bungee jumping. The website announced: Give yourself the thrill of a lifetime.  Your molecules will never be the same.  
Lydia remembered the 50-foot railing and tore out of the driveway.  What if Damone came to real harm because of NuGenn!  What if he'd used too much of the potion and it had morphed into a thrill enhancer instead of a relationship enhancer!
Oh, the lawsuit!  Oh, the bad publicity!
By the time Lydia got to Barrel-o-Thrills, parked and paid admission, her heart was pounding.  She raced over to bungee towers just in time to see a long, gangling body flying through the air, arms and legs wind-milling, yelling with delight.  When she finally got to where the crew were slipping the harness from Damone, she could see what his grandmother meant. He was grinning even though, wobbling and whooping, he could barely stand upright.
Could the potion have done this? Lydia wondered again.
Or had he just discovered common recreational drugs?
Moving swiftly and decisively, she rushed over and grabbed Damone by the elbow.
         "Let him go.  I'll take care of him from here," she told the crew chief.
Unclipping the last of the harness, the man shrugged and handed Damone over.  Reeling from the wild plunge, Damone staggered straight into Lydia.  Hanging on to stay upright, he blinked at her in disoriented, astonished surprise.
"Volta..." he gasped.
The next second, he flung both his arms around Lydia and started kissing her with a passion that curled her toes and shocked her at the same time.
In fact, Lydia was so shocked that she just stood there while Damone tightened his embrace even more.  His mouth feasted on hers with such total delight, and such complete abandon that the sensation swept away any resistance Lydia tried to muster.  The fellow was kissing her as though he hadn’t kissed a woman in ages--kissing as though he meant to claim every delicious pleasure he had missed living like a hermit in a basement.   Lydia could actually feel the determination rushing through him.


Gail Hamilton has been creating novels since the great romance boom of the eighties, writing for Harlequin and other publishers. She has been a farm hand, English teacher, ad copywriter, and once rode a British Bedford truck across the Sahara and back to see Timbuctu. All of it is fodder for her fiction. She is drawn to action, romance, adventure and characters with a distinctly odd twist. These show up in her many romance novels and her fast-moving historical novel, The Tomorrow Country.
 
After trying urban life in Europe and Toronto, Gail returned to live on the family farm where she grew up. In this rural corner hugging the north shore of Lake Ontario, Gail digs into the rich, raucous local history. She cherishes a secret passion for animated movies and loves snapping photos of nature all around her, reading the constant changes like a newspaper every morning. What better place to hatch brand new tales for everyone’s enjoyment.
 
Visit Gail’s website at www.gailhamiltonwriter.com.

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Book Blast: ABE–Ties of Steel #1 by @mjfieldsbooks





Twenty-six-year-old Abraham O’Donnell is the CFO of Steel Inc. After working tirelessly for over a year, he takes a week off to enjoy the sand, surf, and bikini-clad women of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. After all, he's earned it.

When a brief interlude with a flight attendant in her hotel room goes awry, Abe heads to a rental home with a private beach. While floating naked in the pool, he learns a guest house on the property is also occupied. So much for rest and relaxation. Ever the gentleman, Abe tries to make the most of his misfortune, and offers to make the beauties staying on the property some dinner.

It's senior year and Nikolette (Nikki) Bassett is a few days late for her last college Spring Break with her four best girlfriends. When she arrives, all these ladies can talk about is the guy next door. And once Nikki gets a look at him, she knows what they mean. Fresh from an afternoon of surfing, Nikki can hardly believe her eyes when Abe approaches. The sexual tension and banter between the two of them leads to steamy hot sex on the Atlantic shore.

It's only a Spring Break fling, and both Abe and Nikki know better than to make it out to be more than that. Or do they? Abe’s calm demeanor changes once he has a taste of Nikki. That night, no location is safe. He takes her on the beach and ravages her in his bed. But despite their mind-blowing sex, Abe's taste for ultimate control in the bedroom makes Nikki uneasy. Nikki's just getting over a heartbreak and she can't afford to let Abe in. So, she pushes aside her budding feelings, and leaves Florida and Abe behind without a backwards glance.

Not used to being dumped and afraid to admit how much it hurts, Abe cuts his loses and heads back to Steel Inc., resume his role at the top of Steel Inc., pouring his heart and soul into his work. But Nikki Moore won't be forgotten so easily. Her taste, scent, voice, the noises she made when he brought her to ecstasy, the way she tasted on his tongue, and felt under his touch haunts him. Always fighting for control, Abe tries to push Nikki far into the back of his mind, as he fucks the rented women he had grown accustom to.

But Karma is a bitch, and Abe blames her for Nikki leaving him the way she did. So when Nikki shows up unexpectedly, Abe welcomes Karma with open arms. Control has left the building and safety of one's heart is no longer strong enough to stop what happens next.

ABE, is the first in the TIES OF STEEL series from bestselling erotica author MJ Fields. It is a spin-off of the bestselling MEN OF STEEL series featuring the Steel brothers: Jase, Cyrus, Zandor and Xavier.

 
 
 
 

MJ Fields's love of writing was in full swing by age eight. Together with her cousins, she wrote a newsletter and they sold it to family members. She self-published her first New Adult romance in January 2013. Today, she has completed four self-published series, The Love series, The Wrapped series, The Burning Souls series, and The Men of Steel series. The Norfolk series has one title self-published so far and Ties of Steel, which was acquired by Swoon Romance in June 2014. Book 1 ABE releases October 28, 2014. MJ is a bestselling romance erotica author and former small business owner, who recently closed the business so she could write full time.
MJ lives in central New York, surrounded by family and friends. Her house is full of pets, friends, and noise ninety percent of the time, and she would have it no other way.
 
 
 
This complete collection of MJ Fields Men of Steel series together has over 600 5 star reviews.
 
Men of Steel
Tattooed, pierced, alpha, New Jersey brothers Jase, Cyrus, Zandor, and Xavier Steel work side by side at their families tattoo shop Forever Steel.
These sexy and confident young men vow to never fall in love. They show no restraint when it comes to living life the way they want, and enjoy the simple pleasures in abundance. They have an unbreakable family bond and stand by each other through all of lives ups and downs.
 
 
 

Book Blast & Interview: Stranger In Paradise by @barbarabretton

Stranger in Paradise Banner 851 x 315_thumb[1]

 

bookblast

 

 

clip_image002_thumb[1]Stranger In Paradise

Home Front

Book Two

Barbara Bretton

Genre: Post -World War 2 Romance

Publisher: Free Spirit Press

Date of Publication: October 15, 2014

ISBN: 9781940665085

ASIN: B00MTC0RBY

Number of pages: 347

Word Count: approx. 70,000

Cover Artist: Tammy Seidick

Blurb/Book Description:

Before they became The Greatest Generation, they were young men and women in love . . .

The year is 1953 and London is throwing the party of the century. Even though the ravages of World War II are still visible throughout the kingdom, the world is gathering on the Mall to celebrate the coronation of England's beautiful young queen.

For almost ten years, journalist Mac Weaver has been far from his New York home. America has changed since the war ended and he wonders if there's still a place for him in the land of backyard barbecues and a new Ford in every driveway.

However a chance encounter with beautiful English reporter Jane Townsend is about to change his life forever. As the new monarch waves from the window of her fairy-tale glass coach, a homesick Yank and a lonely Brit fall in love.

One week later, Mr. and Mrs. Mac Weaver board the Queen Mary for New York and a guaranteed happily ever after future in the land where dreams come true.

But there are dark shadows on the horizon that threaten Mac and Jane's happiness and family scandals that just might tear them apart . . .

"This generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny."

--Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Available at Amazon Kobo Smashwords BN iTunes

Read a sneak peek at http://www.barbarabretton.com/sip.shtml

character

Character Name: Mac Weaver

Character Bio: I’m a New York City kid who dreamed of seeing the world. I became a reporter and when World War II broke out, I was on my way. I became a war correspondent and have been in Europe since V-E Day, eight years ago. I was days away from going back home to the States when I met Jane Townsend in the crowd waiting to see the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth II and everything changed.

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MAC WEAVER

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JANE TOWNSEND

Describe yourself what is your worst and best quality?

I’m stubborn as hell. I’m also loyal. I hope the loyal part makes up for the stubborn.

What is your biggest secret something no one knows about?

I’m a romantic.

What are you most afraid of?

Another war. We came too close to losing everything that matters during the last one. And now that we have The Bomb …

What do you want more than anything?

All the things I thought I didn’t give a damn about when I left home to see the world. I want a home. I want a family. I want to grow old with my wife. I want what my parents were lucky enough to have. War changes your perspective. If it doesn’t, there’s something wrong with you. I know what’s important and it was worth fighting for.

What is your relationship status?

Newlywed. I eloped with the woman I met at the Coronation and we’ll be living in New York.

How would you describe your sense of fashion?

That’s a joke, right? I’m an American male. I have no sense of fashion. If it’s clean, I wear it. If it’s not, I toss it on the floor and look for something else. Besides, it’s 1953 . . .

How much of a rebel are you?

I don’t have a nine-to-five job. I married a woman I’d known less than forty-eight hours. And I stood up to Tail Gunner Joe McCarthy. That tells you everything you need to know.

What do you considered to be your greatest achievement?

Standing up for my wife and her uncle when the world crashed in on them. It scared me more than any German bomber overhead ever did but it was the right thing to do.

What is your idea of happiness?

Read my story. You’ll find out.

What is your current state of mind?

Hopeful. The future is finally looking good.

What is your most treasured possession?

My class ring from Columbia University. It became Janie’s wedding ring.

What is your most marked characteristic?

I follow my gut not my head. Janie says I follow my heart, but I’m not ready to admit to that. Who would’ve guessed I’d turn out to be a family guy?

What is it that you, most dislike?

War.

Which living person do you, most despise?

Senator Joe McCarthy.

What is your greatest regret?

That I didn’t meet Janie sooner.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Fairness.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Compassion.

Who is your favorite hero in fiction?

Robinson Crusoe. He made the most of what he had and survived.

Which living person do you most admire?

My wife. She’s the strongest person I’ve ever known.

If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

I would’ve met Janie a long time ago and started being happy sooner.

What is your motto?

Carpe diem. Because that’s all you’ve got. Losing my brother Doug during the war brought that home to me.

  abouttheauthor

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A full-fledged Baby Boomer, Barbara Bretton grew up in New York City during the Post-World War II 1950s with the music of the Big Bands as the soundtrack to her childhood. Her father and grandfather served in the navy during the war. Her uncles served in the army. None of them shared their stories.

But her mother, who had enjoyed a brief stint as Rosie the Riveter, brought the era to life with tales of the Home Front that were better than any fairy tale. It wasn’t until much later that Barbara learned the rest of the story about the fiancé who had been lost in the war, sending her mother down a different path that ultimately led to a second chance at love . . . and to the daughter who would one day tell a little part of that story.

There is always one book that’s very special to an author, one book or series that lives deep inside her heart. SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY and STRANGER IN PARADISE, books 1 and 2 of the Home Front series, are Barbara’s. She hopes they’ll find a place in your heart too.

www.barbarabretton.com

www.barbarabretton.net

Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorbarbarabretton

Twitter: www.twitter.com/barbarabretton

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/Barbara_Bretton

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Book Blast, Giveaway & Interview: Seraphina - Initiation by @Sheena_Hutch

Seraphina Initiation Banner TOUR 851 x 315_thumb[1]

bookblast

 

clip_image002_thumb[1]Seraphina: Initiation

Seraphina Series

Book Two

Sheena Hutchinson

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Hutchinson Publishing

Date of Publication: 10/20/2014

ISBN: 1502319608

ASIN: B00NE4Q7J2

Number of pages: 200

Word Count: 60,000

Cover Artist: Andrea Garcia

Book Description:

Seraphina Cross is unexpectedly thrown into this crazy, spiritual world of Angels versus Demons. Never did she expect to meet Nate who was just a figment of her imagination until last week. Now she finds herself moving in with him because of her innate responsibility to protect her loved ones from harm.

Finally beginning to feel at home in her new house and with her new relationship. Nate begins training Sera in all that she can do, surprising even himself at times.

Just when she is starting to feel safe and powerful, the Devil finds a new way to attack her at her most vulnerable.

When her dreams are no longer a gift, can Sera control the powers needed to defeat what's coming before Lucifer fulfills his promise to her?

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/GFFT-_DAuZk

Available at Amazon Amazon UK

  excerpt

Climbing the three steps, I turn to Nate and state, “I want to cook!” as I push him into his seat in the breakfast nook.

“Are you sure?” he asks me knowing full well I have no culinary skills and we could conjure a meal in seconds. I could attempt to conjure a meal, but to be honest I crave some normalcy.

“How bad can I screw up eggs?” I joke over my shoulder as I’m checking the cabinets for a frying pan. When I find it I open the refrigerator for some eggs. As I open the door, I feel the cold hit my bare legs and I’m suddenly fully aware I’m wearing nothing but a short, sheer, silk nightgown. I’m beginning to feel Nate’s eyes all over me. I take a calming breath, grab a few eggs, and turn to the stove pretending not to notice. I turn the flame on when he finally speaks.

“I feel useless! Can’t I do something?” he asks with a smirk I know implies more than he says.

“Uh, you can make the toast!” I turn around and joke, but he rises. Passing me so close he just barely makes contact, but I can sense his body heat radiating towards me. He pops a few slices of toast into the toaster before I feel his body heat behind me again. My body stiffens when my senses begin to go haywire. Then I feel his fingers touch my waist through my nightgown sliding themselves lightly up and down the side of my body. With his other hand I feel him move my hair to one side, over my shoulder as he gently places a kiss on the back of my neck. His body heat is rising behind me as he kisses down my neck to the tip of my shoulder. I close my eyes relishing in his touch and let my senses feel him. I let myself feel him, his touch, his emotions, his heat. I can sense him, and… smell him? I smell something else, something burning. I look over to see the toast hasn’t popped back up. Regrettably and slowly pulling away, I walk across to the toaster and pull out the black bread.

“I give you one job!” I joke waiving the burnt toast in his direction.

“Sorry, I was distracted!” he defends mockingly looking down like a puppy in trouble.

“Well, don’t let it happen again.” I parentally joke back as I throw the blackened bread at him playfully. He flashes me a heart-stopping smirk before sitting back in his place while I serve him his eggs. We eat breakfast in silence. It’s hard to put into human words, but it’s as if there’s some unspoken connection in the room. One that we are both aware we want, but we don’t want to act on it. So instead, we sit staring at each other, basking in the emotion the other is giving off for what seems like forever until Nate breaks the silence.

“Okay,” he leans back throwing his arms up in defeat, “I think it’s time you put some real clothes on so we can get some actual work done today!”

I giggle looking down at the nightgown that’s hugging my body before getting up to change. I’m almost down the stairs when I hear,

“Aren’t you going to clean up your mess?” Nate asks in his stern training mode voice.

“What?” I flash back around to ask in surprise.

“I think it’s time you try using your mind powers, clean this up,” he replies trying not to move his eyes lower than my hazel ones.

I sigh before closing my eyes, trying to remember how Nate explained using them. I focus my mind on all the dishes being clean and tucked back into their little places in the

cabinets before snapping my fingers. I open one eye first to check the table, when I see all the plates are missing from the table I open the other. I smile proudly, shrug my shoulders before turning around and dashing upstairs to put on something more, appropriate.

A few minutes later, I’m running down the stairs in my training clothes and my hand excitedly reaches for the front door when I hear Nate cough behind me. I turn to see him standing in the dining room. Confused, I walk towards him.

“Aren’t we going for a run?” I ask him pointing over my shoulder to the door behind

me.

“I’m sorry Sera, but we can’t go outside anymore. If you need to release some

energy I made a treadmill in the basement.”

I freeze staring past him and out the glass wall of the dining room at all the trees and the gorgeous cliff and my heart sinks. I can’t go outside anymore? I can’t feel the sun on my face? The wind in my hair? The heartbeat of the earth? I’m a prisoner in my own house. I know this is because of the bear yesterday and that this is for my own safety, but I can’t help feeling my heart drop and I know Nate can see it sprawled all over my face.

“I’m sorry Sera, but until you are trained you shouldn’t be in harm’s way… consciously, not if I can help it.”

I can’t be mad at Nate he’s only trying to protect me, but I can’t help the resentment I feel. I turn around without a word, open the basement door against the side of the staircase, and slam it behind me as I descend the stairs. When I reach the last step, I eye the plain cement basement with the treadmill in the middle of the room. He has set up a flat screen television with a picture of the forest, but it doesn’t help. Looking around, in this dreary training facility I notice there are no windows or air. I can’t help the anger I feel, but instead of thinking about it, I try and focus it. I turn the treadmill up and run. I run as fast as the stupid machine will go. I run, trying to escape all the anger, all the sadness, all the confusion and all the other weird feelings I can’t put into words. I run until all my overwhelming emotions produce a tear. I feel it begin to trace its way down my cheek. As if in slow motion, I see the singular tear drop all the way down to the belt before my foot extends and I step on it. I slam my foot down as if I’m repressing all the depressing feelings, all the anger I harbor. Somehow in all that is going on I realize the old, depressed, weak Sera is gone. She died that night in the middle of the street. The only thing that remains is Seraphina. She is strong, confident, and she is who I need to become. I slam my hand down on the ‘Stop’ button and jump off the treadmill wiping my cheek before heading upstairs, ready to learn how to become who I need to be.

authorinterview

Did you always wanted to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?

No, I actually had aspirations of being a model/ actress. I even went to school for Psychology and medical billing… so you could say I dabble in a little bit of everything.

When did you first consider yourself a “writer”?

That moment I held my first print copy—it just felt real.

How long did it take to get your first book published?

I self published online, so from conception until I clicked upload was almost a year.

Do you do another job except for writing and can you tell us more about it?

Yes, Medical reception/billing. Not as exciting believe me! I spend most of the time daydreaming about my characters.

What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarize it in less than 20 words what would you say?

Seraphina: Initiation. 

Classic Good Versus Evil tale of the trials and tribulations of a Half-human/ half-Angel powerful anomaly.

Who is your publisher? Or do you self-publish?

I self-published. I’m on Amazon and I just started printing paperback copies!

How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?

It depends how inspired I am, Seraphina Awakening (book one) took about a year. Initiation (book two) I was writing at the same time, but I needed an extra few months to really double the drama.

What can we expect from you in the future?  ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?

The Seraphina Series will have hopefully two more books. I’m writing a spin off two book series coming after Sera’s story. Then I’m also working on two romance novels without the paranormal aspect. It was originally just to see if I could, but they are actually turning out quite nicely. My main project that’s always in the back of my mind is a YA Dystopian series. (Like I said I like to dabble in different things!)

What genre would you place your books into?

Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy 

What made you decide to write that genre of book?

It’s what I like to read, it’s fun and there is no wrong. The best part about writing fiction is, it’s fiction! You can’t tell me this didn’t / can’t happen!

Do you have a favorite character from your books? And why are they your favorite?

OOoh this is a tough one! It’s like picking your favorite child! I love Sera because she’s strong. I love Amanda because she’s everything I am not. I love Nate because he would do anything for the people he loves and I love Jack because he surprises me at every turn.

BUT … if you had a gun to my head and I had to choose, I would go with Seraphina. I feel like she’s my baby. I gave birth to this character that has blossomed off the page into this powerful woman and I hope I have enough creativity to make her story continue on and on.

How long have you been writing? and who or what inspired you to write?

I’ve been writing books for going on two years now.

A break up and a dream is what gave me the time and focus to dive right in.

Do you have a certain routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?

I NEED COFFEE! Haha, I can write pretty much anywhere when I’m inspired. When I’m not inspired there is not a chair or a song in the world that can get me to form a sentence. You’re going to think I’m crazy, but I do my best work at a busy Starbucks with my headphones in and a fully charged laptop.

Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?

Religiously! The good, the bad, and the ugly. It isn’t always easy, but I always try to use the bad reviews to make the books and my writing better.

Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?

I had the idea for the story, but it wasn’t until I decided on her name that I wanted it to be self titled. It’s such a beautiful name, Seraphina. When I found out there already was a book by that title that’s when I added the subtitles.

How do you come up with characters names and place names in your books?

I literally Googled “Angel Names” and Seraphina was the best one I found, Nathanael and Gabriel were two others. Amanda is loosely based off my friend Miranda, so that’s where her name came from and Jack was the name of a kid I used to babysit for, I love that name. As for the setting, I also owe to Google, did you know there is actually and town of Angelica in New York? Well, there is and the symbolism is too obvious for words. Jack’s Coffee Bean was just a play on words from Jack and the beanstalk. I originally wanted Java Jacks, but I wanted to be more original.

Are character names and place names decided after their creation? Or do you pick a character/place name and then invent them?

The name of the town and coffeehouse came last, it was just a minor detail to me. The character names were the first things I researched when I started writing. I just feel like for them to be real to me they have to be named. I can’t write about someone I can’t picture and a name says a lot about a person.

Do you decide on character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or as you go along?

For the most part, I know my characters. Seraphina I wanted to have an amazing transformation, I wanted her to be determined and grow stronger, Nate was always the overprotective stud, Amanda is the over the top comedic relief. But Jack’s character surprised me. When I first started writing the book, he wasn’t even a secondary character. He was some guy at the coffee house, but now he has come out of the shadows into a secondary love interest.

Are there any hidden messages or morals contained in your books? (Morals as in like Aesops Fables type of "The moral of this story is..")

Of course! I love hidden messages! I’m all about the symbolism even if it’s blatantly obvious.

Seraphina: The Awakening—“Everything Happens for a Reason”

Seraphina: Initiation—“Never Give up, Never Surrender”

Which format of book do you prefer, eBook, hardback, or paperback?

There is nothing like a good old fashioned book. I prefer paperbacks because I like to fold my books over.

What is your favorite book and Why?  Have you read it more than once?

Oooo this is a tough one! I have to say… Mortal Instruments is my top series. I love it because it’s original and the way she incorporates all the fantasy elements is pure genius.

Do you think books transfer to movies well? Which is you favorite/worst book to movie transfer?

No! I don’t know why I’m always excited to see a book on the big screen, I go to every single one like religiously. But it’s never the same. I do like seeing whom they pick to play my characters and I like to see how my imagination measures up to those of Hollywood.

My Favorites would be: Maze Runner, It was different from the book in a lot of ways, but I just thought they did an awesome job depicting the maze and the fear. Hunger Games was a good one too, I thought the weirdos at the capital and the games were amazingly pictured.

My Worsts: The mortal instruments, don’t get me wrong I LOVED the books and I watched the movie a zillion times but they changed and left out so much! The first Twilight movie was pretty bad too.

Your favorite food is?

Anything pumpkin or covered in chocolate. 

Your favorite singer/group is?

I don’t really have a favorite. I listen to pretty much anything. The only song I am obsessed with is A Thousand Years by Christina Perri, so I guess we can call her my favorite.

Your favorite color is?

I’m a classic pink girl

Your favorite Author is?

George RR Martin. How that man keeps so many story lines, point of views, & settings straight I will never know. I bow to you Mr. Martin, you are my idol!

  giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

   

  abouttheauthor

 

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Sheena is a born and raised New Yorker, even her writing can't seem to hide her hard sarcasm. She claims destiny has lead her back to her true passion for writing.

She constantly strives to be a positive role model and writes stories that empower and inspire. Sheena always roots for the underdog, believes in love at first sight, and that everyone should have their happily ever after.

While God is currently still writing her love story, she continues to put all her effort into her writing as she is constantly getting new inspiration.

For more info, updates, and fun facts visit her website at www.SheenaHutchinson.com

www.Twitter.com/Sheena_Hutch

www.Facebook.com/TheSeraphinaSeries

www.Goodreads.com/SheenaHutch

www.amazon.com/author/sheenahutchinson

Monday, October 20, 2014

Book Blast & Interview: Beacon of Sound by @authorrmgarry

Beacon of Sound Banner 851 x 315

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clip_image002Beacon of Sound

The Noir Dera

Book 1

R.M. Garry

Genre: Paranormal Romance

ISBN: 9781310047725

ASIN: B00LSSP92C

Number of pages: 247

Word Count: 86,260

Cover Artist: Brandi Doane McCann

Book Description:

There is no way to fight desire and destiny. Marie is going to learn that the only way to win is to give in.

Marie DeLou has everything a successful counselor could ever want. Her mental health practice is thriving and she can help most clients without trying. In addition to a great career, she’s married to a sexy, doting neurologist. Marie has convinced herself that her perfect life is quiet and nothing will change it. Little does she know that a freight train of a man named Patrick Alvang is about to tear right through her quiet existence and turn the world as she knows it upside down.

Prince Patrick Alvang of the Noir Dera has one job to do. His mission is to reveal the truth to Marie and save her from the danger lurking within her walls. The plan is simple that is, until he gets to know the damsel in distress and decides he wants to devour her instead. Saying that Marie is stubborn would be an understatement, so he’ll have to play dirty if he wants to save the damsel and claim Marie as his Na-Ou. Saving a reluctant woman is hard work, but Patrick is sure to enjoy every last erotic second of his undertaking.

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excerpt

Ahmose Sept Anno held her daughter’s hand close. They were completing a nightly ritual. Her young daughter Marie loved to take long walks and they always walked in the park or open field behind the aquatic complex. The scent of freshly cut grass and nature always left them feeling peaceful, and her young daughter needed to walk in order to remain calm. At the age of 12 the child had already shown amazing power through music.

Marie could recreate any sound she had ever heard on any instrument. While she clung to the cello as if it was her very breath, she took every opportunity to touch all instruments. Ahmose took her to Naples once a week to play the piano at a studio. From the small, migrant community of Immokalee in which they called home, the journey usually took about an hour. It was worth the long drive because the joy and light in Marie's eyes filled Ahmose with love.

She had been raising Marie alone since she fled her homeland with her mother and house sisters. They had all since split in hopes of hiding from the darkness that was out for their blood and power. Ahmose’s mother spent hours weaving spells from the wind in order to preempt any strikes against them. They had both decided that Marie would be encouraged to pursue her passion for music but would never be allowed to learn about the significance of her power. As long as Marie did not open herself to the Ether, no one would know of her existence. Every time Marie asked about her abilities, they just told her she was special and loved by all Gods.

No matter how much she masked her powers, Ahmose knew danger was only a heartbeat away. She and her mother both felt it, and every day they felt the dark powers in Immokalee growing. Something had finally caught up with them. They worked even harder to protect Marie. Ahmose was not afraid of dying; she was afraid that both her and Gran would be killed leaving Marie at the mercy of the Dera, and she could never allow that to happen. Once this walk was over, she would double her efforts and pull more power from the new God they now served.

After hiding in Haiti, their powers had been recognized by the Haitian Vodou Loa Loko. He was the only God that could make an individual a Hougan or Mambo. He had borne witness to their past and had blessed them with power, protection, and safe passage to the United States. They could never reveal their power to others or attempt to reconnect with their former God the Ether. If they chose to break that vow, they would be left open to danger and never allowed back into the fold of power.

For many reasons, Marie's powers had to be suppressed. They would have to willingly sacrifice themselves in order to help Marie gain her full powers. They would have to return to the Ether and leave Marie behind, and they were not willing to do that. As long as they both lived, the young, powerful musician that she had given birth to would be safe and remain alive.

"Mommy, did you hear me?” Marie's soft voice floated to her ears.

"Yes, dearest, I heard you. What instrument do you want to play now?” Ahmose replied.

"I had a dream about an Erhu. The music was so beautiful and sad, and the woman playing it had glowing eyes. She looked as though she wanted to cry but had to hold it in. The Erhu was crying for her and telling the world of her sadness.”

Ahmose drew in a sharp breath. The instruments were starting to call Marie, she thought. They were showing her the future. The Erhu is a Chinese violin. It had been used for centuries by different ethnic groups in China and throughout the world to convey emotions through music. Their neighbor Lan Yi had only played the instrument once in Marie’s presence but Marie was able to recognize it in a dream.

Before she could speak, she heard the sound of walking thunder.

The thunder was not coming from the sky; it was more of a thundering vibration that was coming towards them. Her heart began to race. They were here, and they were going to take Marie away. She had to protect Marie.

"Run daughter! Do not question me, just run!” Ahmose cried out.

They began to run and Ahmose called to the Vodou Loa Loko and began to draw on her powers as a mambo. She called for a spell of protection which descended upon her as she began to run faster.

Ahmose had a moment of relief that was immediately shattered as she realized that Marie was not covered by her protection. Loko would only protect the Hougans and Mambos, and Marie had not yet been inducted into that life. She would be protected while the life of her daughter was drained.

"Manman, what is that?” asked Marie. “I hear dark music. It is so scary.”

"Hush my daughter. I will protect you.”

Without warning, Ahmose and Marie were frozen still. Dark hands wrapped around Ahmose’s throat and she began to wheeze. The hands squeezed tighter and tighter. Marie saw the hands and began to cry.

"Rete w ap toufe l'! Stop, you’re choking her! Mommy, mommy!” screamed Marie as Ahmose called more power.

The hands around her throat began to ease. A second pair of hands began to close around Marie's throat. Ahmose did not think or hesitate.

"Do not cry daughter. Let the Erhu cry for you!”

Ahmose called forward her power of Earth. “I call on the power of Earth. Bind and protect my daughter, Marie Sept Anno. I open myself to the Ether. May its blessing be upon my daughter, the Beacon.”

There was a sound of fibers ripping as dark brown waves poured from the Sky and into Ahmose. She immediately shot her hands forward and ripped through the dark body strangling Marie. Marie started to wheeze, then caught her breath. The dark powers began to disappear except for one. She heard a familiar voice say, "What shall be our payment, Loko? Your mambo has broken her vow. You must pay the cost of her treason.” The figure then began to laugh.

Ahmose was prepared and knew what was coming. In an instant, her protective shields vanished and the dark hands returned to her throat. "I shall finally have your power, Beacon of Earth.” Ahmose would never let her powers be drained; she made her final sacrifice for her daughter. "Thank you, Loko, for your protection. My family will never be able to repay you. I take my punishment freely for breaking my vow.”

She looked at Marie and whispered, "I love you, Marie, daughter of my land.”

"Mommy, what are you saying? Let her go, please let her go!”

Ahmose looked to the sky as her throat began to close. "I call to the Ether, return me to your peace. Take Marie, the beacon of my womb, as my gift and sacrifice. Send my power to your first daughter, my mother. May it be there when she’s ready to receive your blessings? Oh great Ether, return me home.”

A flash of light hit the sky and blue power poured into Marie. Ahmose took one last breath and died. The dark power left her body in a heap on the ground as the figure of a woman shrouded by darkness moved towards Marie with malevolent intent. As she got close, a strong wind blew her away. The wind wrapped itself around Marie who was lying on top of her mother's body. "Manman, please wake up! It’s okay, you can breathe now. The mean lady is gone.” The wind blew in Marie's ears and whispered "Don't cry daughter; let the Erhu cry for you.”

Marie began to shiver as waves of blue light began to flow from her body. A sad melody filled the air, it was the music of an Erhu. Jia Peng Fang's “Cherry Blossoms” could be heard throughout the field and down the block. Marie shook and shivered but she never cried. She felt the wind return and her body was lifted off of her mother. Ahmose’s body rose up into the air and began to turn into brown waves and wind. The waves mixed with the wind and started floating away as the music grew louder. The brown waves wound themselves around Marie and lifted her up. After a few minutes, she was place on the ground and the waves disappeared into the sky. Marie laid down and did not get up. She waited in that very spot, hoping to wake up from this nightmare.

Femi Sept Anno felt the moment her daughter left the mortal plain. She felt her heart breaking. She put her fist to her mouth and held back her tears. She called out to the winds, "Find my granddaughter!” The winds obeyed and took her to Marie. She found Marie lying on the ground. Ahmose was gone. "Marie! Come to me! Let me take you home.” It was then that Marie opened her eyes as Femi saw something that she had prayed to never see in her granddaughter's eyes. The innocent girl she loved was gone. Sadness, fear, and hopelessness were the only things left in her brown, almost mortal eyes. She lifted her granddaughter into her arms and went home. This was only the beginning. One day she would have to give up the mortal world in order to protect Marie. Until that time, they would go home.

character

Character Name: Marcel DeLou

Character Bio: Marcel DeLou is 6’6” with beautiful hazel eyes. He is a neurologist with dark secrets. His wife Marie has no idea who he really is. Marcels has the ability to make someone confess their darkest secrets. No one can run from his dark power. He is the Beacon of Truth. In other words, Marcel DeLou is a sexy package of danger and deceit.

Michael Ealy would bring Marcel DeLou to life on the big screen.

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Describe yourself what is your worst and best quality?

Marcel: What do you mean worst qualities? I can bring a woman to her knees with a simple touch and I am French. I don’t have any bad qualities.

Do you consider yourself to be a good guy?

Marcel: I will admit that being bad makes me happy. I wouldn’t call myself a villain. It is my belief that a little bad is good for your soul.

What is the one thing you wish other people knew about you?

Marcel: Marie is a necessary evil. If I had a choice, I would have handed her over to someone else.

What is your biggest secret something no one knows about?

Marcel: I have a hidden power that will be triggered once I find my Na-Ou or life mate as you women call it. A real one this time. It is a long story and if you read the book then, you know what I am talking about.

What are you most afraid of?

Marcel: My biggest fear is losing control. I admit to being a little dark and a lot dangerous.

What do you want more than anything?

Marcel: I want to own my destiny. Instead of waiting for some miracle to fix things, I do what I must to survive.

What is your relationship status?

Marcel: I bet you would love to know. We could discuss it in private.

I thought you were married Mr. DeLou.

Marcel: I could force the truth of your desires out but we don’t have time. You can ask the next question.

How would you describe your sense of fashion?

Marcel: I am GQ. If it is worth owning than it is in one of my closets.

How much of a rebel are you?

Marcel: I do bad things and feel that being bad is ok. Does that make me a rebel?

What do you considered to be your greatest achievement?

Marcel: My greatest achievement was fooling Marie. She hangs on my every word and touch

What is your idea of happiness?

Marcel: Being able to control everyone and everything around me is my idea of happiness.

What is your current state of mind?

Marcel: I am always cautious.

What is your most treasured possession?

Marcel: My identity is my most treasured possession. Well, it was until…

Until what? What were you going to say?

Marcel: Next question.

What is your most marked characteristic?

Marcel: My eyes glow when I am bad. The women seem to love it.

What is it that you, most dislike?

Marcel: I despise weakness. If you choose a path follow it through the end.

Which living person do you, most despise?

Marcel: I despise Arimus. He will pay for the mess he created. He will repent on his knees.

What is your greatest regret?

Marcel: My ambitions destroyed everything I had with the woman I loved.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Marcel: I like women who aren’t afraid to beg me for more. She has to be feisty but not stubborn. I am done with stubborn women.

Who is your favorite hero in fiction?

Marcel: Dracula is my hero. He took whatever he wanted

Which living person do you most admire?

Marcel: I admire myself.

If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

Marcel: My wife Marie is a mental health counselor. She has tried to probe my mind and emotions on numerous occasions. I don’t need the same touchy feeling crap from you.

Is there a reason you laughed when you called Marie, your wife?

Marcel: Yea, there is a reason.

Are you going to share that information?

Marcel: Read the story.

What is your motto?

Marcel: Lies are easy. The truth is a dark place. I will take you into the dark but won’t guarantee you will return.

Wow, you are a terrifying man.

Marcel: I know, but you like it. Tell me the truth my little dove.

 

abouttheauthor

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R.M. Garry lives with her three male children a.k.a the wolf pack and her husband of 12 years.

Writing allows her to maintain her sanity while juggling her world.

Her goal is to give readers a brief escape from the realities of their world.

When she isn’t writing, R.M. is reading and keeping up with her favorite authors.

For updates and book information readers can visit

https://www.rmgarry.com

Twitter: @authorrmgarry

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rmgarry

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/RMGarry

Word Press Blog: http://authorrmgarry.wordpress.com/

Trailer Reveal: Hunter by Renee Donne

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Anaiah Press is proud to present the trailer reveal for YA novel HUNTER by Renee Donne.

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Moving across the country isn’t Hunter’s ideal start to her Junior year of high school. She has no friends to hang out with, no beaches to lounge on, and she’s living just a few miles from the secluded hiking trail where her father died when she was a baby.

Living in Wyoming isn’t all bad, though, thanks to Logan, the handsome veterinary assistant at the animal clinic where she lands an after school job. And he seems just as interested in her as she is in him.

As Hunter begins to settle into her new home, she learns more about the circumstances surrounding her father’s tragic death, and it may not have been the accident everyone believes. Something dangerous lurks in the woods, and Hunter might be the next victim.

Release Date: June 9, 2015

Add HUNTER to Goodreads!

And now for the trailer...

http://youtu.be/g4G2QXKegf0

 

 

                                                                          About the Author

Renee DonneRenee Donne is a native Floridian with a penchant for writing books with a western theme. In her head she's a world traveler and an amateur chef. In real life, she's a hometown girl with an affinity for fine wine and good friends. Her favorite place to write is sitting on her veranda, overlooking the beach.

 

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