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Fun Summer Reads

6/19/2014

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Comment to get a free book of your choice. Three winners will be picked.

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Blurb
Cinda isn’t ready to become a glorious butterfly. She’s still in the caterpillar stage with her generous curves. All she really wants is for a man to appreciate who she is. The way Jack did when they met at the airport. They shared a romantic day as they both waited for their flights. He kissed her goodbye and tucked his card in her suit pocket with instructions to call. It figures she’d lose his card. Luck never dealt her a romantic winning hand, but it’s time to reshuffle the cards. 

Six months fantasizing about Jack was enough. Raven determines not only to help her friend to become the butterfly she is, but also to give her friend a gift she’ll never forget. Cinda voices her doubts about attending the masquerade ball. Raven reveals that Santa left her special gift at the ball. Her job is to retrieve it.

Read an excerpt

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Blurb:
Teresa Gallagher did not expect to become an old maid school teacher at the great age of thirty-six, but she does teach and is single. She also didn’t expect a gorgeous stranger to slip into her university writing class. The man claims a historical name as his own and an interest in writing. She has high school students who lie better.

Marcus Aronson specializes in small colleges with problems. His company usually gobbles up the college, lays off people and takes over administration. Jefferson is his latest project. He slips into a classroom to check out if a favorite professor might be the embezzler. What he finds instead is a passionate woman hiding behind a button up exterior. Someone needs to release Teresa from her inhibitions and that someone would be him. There were rules about mixing business and pleasure. Rules he intended to break.

Read an excerpt
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Nina can't control love in her ordered universe. It has eluded her until a mysterious fortuneteller, Helena, reveals she's already met her soul mate. Three times in fact and has only four times remaining before he passes from her life forever. A magic crystal ball allows her to see what he looked like several years ago, but no address. Helena warns her if she forces the meeting it won't happen.

Tony's life has hit a major rough spot with Sheila kicking him out of his house when he discovers her in bed with another man. If that wasn't bad enough, she spreads rumors that she's afraid of him because he's abusive. What did he do to deserve this? All he ever wanted was to love one woman until he died.

At this rate, he's destined to die alone. It will take magic to meet his soul mate.

Read an excerpt

Don't forget to comment for your free eBook.

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Hot Box Book Blast & Giveaway News

6/18/2014

1 Comment

 

Scroll down for Giveaway News

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Sizzling Thriller Hot Box Release: Get Yours Today 8 Sizzling Thrillers From 8 Best-Selling Authors Get Yours Today Amazon Smashwords (99c) Good Reads:  

 

8 Sizzling Thrillers From 8 Best-Selling Authors

Steven Bannister – Fade to Black

John Paul Davis – The Cortes Enigma

C R Hiatt – Sanctioned Kill

David Leadbeater – The Razor’s Edge

Andy Lucas – Race Amazon

Karen Perkins – Dead Reckoning

C K Raggio – Heron Park

Mike Wells – Wild Child

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Steven Bannister – Fade to Black

Allie St Clair is young and brilliant and today she's been promoted to Detective Chief Inspector at New Scotland Yard. But the time for celebration is short. Something is wrong in rain-swept London. Very wrong.

John Paul Davis – The Cortes Enigma
1581: It appeared in the west as the sun was setting, a distant silhouette like a fire on the water. Twelve hours later it appeared again, this time much closer to the mainland . . . Who was on board or where they came from remained a mystery . . . No trace of the vessel was ever found . . .


C R Hiatt – Sanctioned Kill
Destined for Danger. Sanctioned to Kill.

 
David Leadbeater – The Razor’s Edge
Trent, Silk and Radford are the Razor’s Edge and the best spy team in the business – until the government they toiled, served and bled for, disavowed them.

Andy Lucas – Race Amazon
James Pace, ex-RAF helicopter pilot and amateur cameraman, is still trying to figure out what to do with the rest of his life when a child's bullet nearly kills him.

 
Karen Perkins – Dead Reckoning
A historical adventure of piracy, love and revenge in the Caribbean in the seventeenth century.

C K Raggio – Heron Park
A small Long Island town erupts in a panic when a woman and her dog are found savagely murdered on a popular hiking trail.

 
Mike Wells – Wild Child
A fast, suspenseful thriller with an ending that you'll never see coming.

Get it now:

Amazon:

Smashwords
 ($0.99)

Good Reads:


Giveaway Links

Karen Perkins Kindle Giveaway

Fabulousity Tours is giving away six Kindles.

1 Comment

RAGT14 RECAP

6/10/2014

3 Comments

 
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An author friend was astounded that I had never heard of Lori Foster's Annual Reader and Author Get Together. This year marks the 10th year of the event. It is composed of about 80% readers and about 18% authors with a smattering of associated industry types. Lori Foster wanted to get authors and readers together to allow new authors' a voice. Let's face it most conferences are for the big names, the New York Times Best Selling Authors, not the new guy.
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RAGT Volunteers, Lori Foster,Her husband, Allen,
The same friend insisted I go & sign up pronto. RAGT sold out of author spaces in under twenty minutes. Lucky for me, I'm the anxious type and registered at 1:01 when registration opened at 1pm.  
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Martini Party Basket
I made up raffle baskets for the event.  This year over $17,000 was raised that went to a farm that helps abused children. It was amazing to see the endless row of baskets various authors and organizations contributed.
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SCP AUTHOR PANEL
I had the opportunity to meet fellow SCP authors. I also met other  traditional and independent authors too. Rubbed shoulders with bloggers, publicists, and best of all, readers. One volunteer described the event as a book club for a few hundred  of your closest friends. It was that. There were games, contests, chances to network, brainstorm, and just shoot the breeze.
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Friday Night Signing with Tamara Hoffa
Of course, there is the book signing, which went very well. I'm not a veteran at signings, but this one was crowded with people out to meet their favorite author or discover some new ones too. We spent the last day eating at Bob Evans with people who wanted to eat with a writer. I imagine they got a few mental stories along with the paperback ones to take home.

Summary: Go to RAGT15 if you can. It's great for readers and authors. Local folks don't have to book a hotel. There are several surrounding hotels if the Marriott is too expensive.  If you're a reader, it's a great place to get free books and meet authors.  For the writer, it allows you to get your name out. Word of mouth can be more powerful than a glossy magazine ad. Two thumbs up and a huge thank you to Lori Foster and her amazing volunteers.
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A Mile Apart Review & Giveaway

6/9/2014

2 Comments

 

Scroll down for giveaway & review.

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BOOK SYNOPSIS

Only one thing stands between her and the man she loves…gold

Eden Montgomery arrived in the lawless territory of Whistle Creek as a newlywed, but she quickly lost her husband to his mistress…gold, and the claim he called The Golden Angel. When a premature blast at the cave killed her husband, and took the life of her unborn baby, Eden closed the mine…for good. Now she runs the local supply store, and in her bitterness, looks down on the men who shirk familial responsibilities in pursuit of something as meaningless as gold.

Joseph Benton knows the crime, filth and disease of a mining camp is no place for a child. So when his young son Christopher suddenly arrives at his tent, he turns to Eden Montgomery to care for the boy. But the uppity and righteous Eden refuses. Joseph is shocked at what he thinks is her lack of maternal instinct. Now he’s torn between his need to strike gold…and his desire to be a father.

When a ruthless speculator encroaches on the camp, threatening Joseph and the other miners, Eden knows she must do the one thing she vowed never to do…for the one man she vowed never to love.
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BOOK EXCERPT

It took several moments for Joseph to comprehend not only a female’s voice in the camp, but one calling out a Mr. Benton. By the time he got his bearings on the notion, his name had been called three times. Intrigued, he turned toward the whimsical voice and said with caution and curiosity, “I’m Joseph.”

In an instant, his heart fell like a stone as his eyes went from the shopkeeper to the little person at her side. Surely, his mind was playing with him and being cruel. It wouldn’t be the first time lack of nutrition did things to his head. But the apparition continued to move toward him. Then he heard a frightful word come from the boy.

“Pa!”

He nearly choked and staggered backward. Questions assaulted him. Where was Katherine? Francis? Why is the storeowner frowning at him like she wanted to hurt him? And definitely, the man with her looked like he would carry out the deed.

“Christopher?”

The woman gave his son a small nudge forward.

Christopher ran, promptly wrapping his arms around his thighs. Joseph threw a confused glance at the woman, while planting his palm on top of his son’s familiar head. Before he could help it, he flung himself down and held on tight, likely to never let go. “I don’t understand, son. I was going to come home to you—why did you come?”

The woman emitted a sound of pity and Joseph looked up to see her turn away. Was she crying? Alarm shot through him. “Christopher, where’s your ma?”

“She’s gone and died, Pa. Her and Baby Nell.”

Baby Nell? Who was Baby Nell? He sat hunched on his heels, unable to speak, and buried his face into his hands. What had he done?

He became aware that the rest of the camp was now at a standstill—a woman and child coming into their midst was highly unnatural. Now all attention was on him and he didn’t like it. Imploringly, he pierced the woman with a look as she began walking away with the man.

He found his voice and choked out, “Wait!”

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sarah Jae Foster has a desire to portray a raw brand of inspirational stories. While she believes there is a purpose for guidelines of inspirational works, she also believes in portraying the reality of life, as it is today.

Sarah Jae is a Christian, a wife, and a mother, wholeheartedly yet imperfectly, loving God since she was a child. She wants to share stories about characters with faith who mess up big time due to the seductions in society. In doing so, she's willing to take a risk and be on the cutting edge of writing for the inspirational market, sharing what's in her heart and in the world today.

CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR

Author Page: Amazon

https://www.facebook.com/sarahjae.foster

a Rafflecopter giveaway

REVIEW 3.5/5

A Mile Apart is a great title for this book since it refers to the upright merchants and other towns folk who live a mile from the seedier side of the mining town. It might as well be a thousand miles apart. Eden Montgomery stranded in the mining town after the death of her husband manages a dry goods store. It’s a lonely existence until a stranger drops off a small boy at her store mentioning the father’s name before his hasty departure.

Eden braves the mining camp to reunite the child with his father against her better judgment. Suddenly, she finds herself not only caring for the child, but the father too testing her resolve not to get involved. Things become even more difficult when an unethical land speculator appears on the scene forcing Eden to take drastic action.

A Mile Apart is an inspirational romance. Author Sarah Jae Foster does a nice job of inserting period details into the story and creating vivid settings. Eden is a strong, capable character who is a bit stiff necked in the beginning, but entirely appropriate for the period. Spoiler alert: what was difficult for me was seeing the delinquent father has a romantic hero. There wasn’t enough growth to merit Eden’s respect and love. A Mile Apart is an interesting snapshot of a period in America history that is often overlooked.
2 Comments

A Summer For Love Blog Hop

6/4/2014

24 Comments

 

GRAND PRIZES
(6) $50 Amazon or B&N Gift Cards

Comment with your name and email to be entered into the Grand Prize drawing. Comments without name and email will not be counted. Commenting on each and every stop will increase your chances of winning.
Winners for the (6) Grand Prizes will be drawn and announced on THE ROMANCE TROUPE blog by June 10th.


Find a list of all stops here!

http://www.theromancetroupe.com/p/a-summer-for-love-blog-hop.html



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Ever wonder why there are so many movies, book and song titles with summer in them?  Those of us in the Snowbelt often fantasize about summer while stuck knee high in snowdrifts. Teen movies often feature  random hot nights, beautiful girls in convertibles, and impulsive decisions that lead to combustible, tire squealing conclusions.

If the Baby New Year arrives on the stroke of midnight of the New Year, then summer must be the muscular adult version of the Baby New Year. All grown up and ready to hit the road, stroll the beaches, and fall in love. Summer allows us to do things we wouldn’t in the dark days of winter.

We laugh more, stay up later, and often fall in love all over again. There's always a music sound track to accompany our warm holiday memories. It could range from steel band music to country ballads. There are hundreds of songs with summer in the title or mention summer in the lyrics.





Here’s a list of my favorite summer songs. What’s yours?


1.       Summer in the City-Loving Spoonful


2.       Summer of 69-Bryan Adams

(This capture the possibilities that only exists with summer.)
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2.       Summer of 69-Bryan Adams

(This capture the possibilities that only exists with summer.)

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3.       All Summer Long-Kid Rock

(Imagery describes a Midwest summer perfectly.)
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4.       Summer Girl-LFO

(Maybe not actually my favorite, but because my middle  son sang it endlessly it

is tattooed on my memory.)

5. My all time favorite is the searing vocal rendition of Summertime by Ella Fitzgerald that exemplifies both the longing and promise that summer creates.
The big contest is still happening even though my site contest ended this morning. I need to set the times on Rafflecopter better.  I'll throw in a secret contest just for Sunday because of my time issue. Your choice of any any book on my back list on www.morgankwyatt.com or on the sidebar. Tell me what you want in the comments.
PictureSummer time in NYC w/ darling husband.
Morgan K Wyatt, raised on a steady diet of superheroes, believed she could fly at a very young age. After using trees, barn lofts, sliding boards, and even a second story window as launch pads, she found her flying skills were limited to fast and downward. By the age of nine, her dreams to be a superhero needed some modifications, which caused her to turn to writing and horseback riding as alternatives to flying.

 At the age of twenty, she had another chance at superhero greatness as being one of the few female soldiers trained for combat. The fact that women will be able to serve in combat soon indicates that all the witnesses to the grenade incident have retired. The grenade incident didn’t prevent her two sons or daughter-in-law from enlisting in the service. Having different last names probably helped.

Morgan recently retired from teaching special needs students to write fulltime, instead of in the wee hours of the night. With the help of her helpful husband and loyal hound, she creates characters who often grab plot lines and run with them. As for flying, she prefers the airlines now.




Website    Facebook   Twitter  Goodreads  Pinterest  Amazon

Blogs

www.datingafterfortyeight.blogspot.com

www.frugaldivatellsall.blogspot.com


24 Comments

Beyond The Count Cover Reveal

6/1/2014

6 Comments

 
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Beyond the Count

Ed. Margo Bond Collins

Long before Dracula, vampires stalked the literary scene.

These early literary vampires are sometimes terrifying,  at times melodramatic, and occasionally ridiculous, but they are always out for blood—and their vampiric descendants continue to fascinate and captivate us.

Beyond the Count  is a collection of vampire stories, plays, and poems from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. This collection gives students, scholars, and vampire aficionados the opportunity to examine works often long out of print and to contextualize the development of vampire legend beyond that most famous of literary Counts. 

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About the Editor

 

Margo Bond Collins holds a Ph.D. in eighteenth-century British literature and is a professor of English, and is also the author of a number of novels, including Taming the Country Star, Legally Undead, Waking Up Dead, and Fairy, Texas. After a decade of moving all around the country (Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta are a few of the places she's lived), she has settled in her native Texas. Margo lives near Fort Worth with her husband, her daughter, and several very spoiled cats, and she spends most of her free time daydreaming about heroes, monsters, cowboys, and villains. You can learn more about her writing at www.MargoBondCollins.net

Connect with Margo

 

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/margobondcollins

Email: MargoBondCollins@gmail.com

Website: http://www.MargoBondCollins.net

Blog: http://www.MargoBondCollins.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MargoBondCollin  @MargoBondCollin

Google+: https://plus.google.com/116484555448104519902

Goodreads Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/vampirarchy

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/MargoBondCollins

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/mbondcollins/

6 Comments

Catch a Wolf Tour Stop & Review

5/27/2014

2 Comments

 
150About Catch A Wolf

Raine, Ly’Tana and the others escape Brutal’s trap, but with dire consequences. Kel’Ratan has been grievously injured, and Rygel must take him to safety to save his life. Yet, they are not out of danger. A monstrous storm called the Wrath of Usa’a’mah has halted their flight from Khalid and they must seek shelter within a remote monastery or die under the storm’s power.

But High King Brutal has allied himself with the deadly assassins, the Shekinah Tongu. The secretive clan has sworn out a Blood Oath against Rygel in retaliation for his leaving their brothers in the forest to die. With their hellish hounds and Brutal’s dark wizard, Ja’Teel, they track Raine and Ly’Tana through the devastation left by the storm. Raine leads them into the west, toward Ly’Tana’s home of Kel’Halla, with Brutal’s menace confronting them at every turn.

As he finds himself falling in love with the exotic Ly’Tana, Raine is plagued by a mysterious voice in his head. Is he going crazy? In Raine, Ly’Tana discovers the one man she cannot live without. However, an evil entity has targeted Ly’Tana, bent on her destruction. How can Raine, Rygel, Kel’Ratan and her griffin bodyguard, Bar, keep her safe from its vast, unseen power?

Hunted by Brutal and his evil allies, Raine, Ly’Tana and their friends discover a new, and very strange, force dogging their trail – a pack of enormous, cunning wolves. Mysterious wolves who call to Raine in the night, and bring alive the secret he’s kept hidden, even from himself. Taunted by nightmarish visions, Raine is forced to confront his own dark demon – the beast within himself.

Who will catch Raine and Ly’Tana first? Brutal and his pets – or the wolves?

Thus begins the second novel of the Saga of the Black Wolf series.

 

150About A Katie Rose

A. Katie Rose is a Colorado native, and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado. She enjoys riding, teaching and learning from horses, likes camping, reading novels, watching movies and, of course, lives to write fantasy books. She currently works as a photographer in San Antonio, Texas, and is a slave to her six cats and four horses. “In a Wolf’s Eyes” is her first novel.

Amazon UK : http://www.amazon.co.uk/Catch-Wolf-The-Saga-Black-ebook/dp/B00DNPQ6A2/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1391878969&sr=1-2&keywords=Catch+a+Wolf

Amazon US : http://www.amazon.com/Catch-Wolf-The-Saga-Black-ebook/dp/B00DNPQ6A2/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1391878969&sr=1-2&keywords=Catch+a+Wolf

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“Catch a Wolf” Deleted Scene

For this blog post, I thought you might like to read a scene from “Catch a Wolf” I cut. Being a rather anal writer, I edit stuff out, but like to hang onto them. You never know: I might want to use it somewhere else. Besides, readers of my blog may find this entertaining. I certainly enjoyed writing it.

“All right, who volunteers to cook the rest of the meat for travelling?” I asked the room. “Tor deserves a well-earned respite.”

Witraz sighed. “Alun and I will.”

Alun rounded on him in a huff before glancing at me. He relented with a sigh of his own. “He and I,” he muttered.

“Left and Right, you’re on clean up duty.”

I didn’t bother looking around to witness their twin scowls. “Just do it,” I snapped.

Kel’Ratan and Rygel chuckled. Corwyn stared at me, a look of wide-eyed amazement on his face. He half-lifted his hand toward the twins behind me. “How did you -“

“My lord, didn’t you realize?” I said with wide-eyed innocence. “I know everything.”

“Back to business,” Wolf said. “If Ja’Teel can find Corwyn at any time, then he can find us. I refuse to put him in harm’s way, just to divert Brutal.”

“It probably won’t work anyway,” I said.

“How so, Your Highness?” Corwyn asked.

I smiled. “That lovely, inspirational gesture from you to him, my friend.”

Understanding flooded his puzzled face and Wolf’s voice. “No matter what, Brutal won’t let that insult pass.”

“Even if it’s to convince us that Corwyn is on our side?” Kel’Ratan asked.

“Brutal won’t care,” I said. “He will command Ja’Teel kill him at the first opportunity.”

“If Ja’Teel can find him any time -“

“Rygel,” Wolf said quickly. “Break Ja’Teel’s spell.”

“I can’t.”

“What the bloody hell do you mean?” I snapped. “Are you the best or not?”

Rygel smiled sadly. “I would if I could, Princess. But one magician cannot break another’s spell without first findingthe signature.”

“What signature?” Wolf asked.

“Every wizard has his own very unique signature wrapped into his or her spells,” Rygel explained. “Unless one knows the signature, spells cannot be broken. It’s almost impossible to find someone’s signature. Especially when one is as smart as he is.”

I leaned forward. “You said ‘almost’.”

“I did, Princess,” Rygel said, his hands out palms up. “But it’s a daunting task. There’s another answer, though.”

Wolf raised his hand as though to clout Rygel upside his head. “Why didn’t you say so, you egotistical toad?”

Rygel flinched back. “I was getting to it, dammit.”

I covered my grin with my hand. “I strongly suggest you step lively, Rygel.”

Rygel glowered at Wolf, miffed. “I can block the spell. That way Ja’Teel can’t find Corwyn and all will be, well, perfect.”

Wolf growled, low in his throat. “Then get on it before I rearrange how your head sits on your neck.”

Muttering under his breath, Rygel stood up and strode behind Corwyn as he sat next to Rannon. I didn’t have to see his blue eyes widen, or his shoulders suddenly tense, or the flesh about his mouth pale to know his fear. For I felt it myself. While Rygel had benign, even friendly intentions, his power took the breath away.

If he used much power, I didn’t see it. Standing behind Corwyn, Rygel lightly touched his fingers to Corwyn’s head and shut his eyes for a long moment. Corwyn blinked in confusion several times before Rygel stepped lightly back and shrugged.

“’Tis done,” he said, sitting back down.

“Done?” I asked, bewildered. “What did you do?”

“Set a block,” he answered, in his most irritating drawl. “As I said I would.”

I leaned toward Wolf, catching his eyes. “Can I shoot him? Please?”

Wolf glanced from me to Rygel, then back again. He sighed, a deep mournful gust of breath. “While I wish with all my heart I could say knock yourself out,” he answered, “we need him.”

I eyed Rygel with scorn. “I disagree.”

Wolf massaged my knuckles with his fingers. “I promise you this, my dear lady. Once we’re out of Khalid for good, I’ll hold your – er – coat.”

“And this is the thanks I get,” Rygel snapped. “Ja’Teel can’t find Corwyn or us because of me and I’m to be shot? I ask you!”

“Just ignore him for the next six months,” Wolf advised.

“Depend on it,” I replied.

Rygel huffed in righteous indignation. “I am so unappreciated in my time.”

“Oh, you are appreciated, braud,” Wolf said, amiably clasping Rygel’s shoulder in his huge hand. “We just, um, hate you.”

“That’s good to know,” he replied acidly. “I feel ever so much better.” Rygel buried his aristocratic nose in his wine cup, muttering under his breath.

 

 Kindle Fire HD International Giveaway

To be in with a chance of winning a Kindle Fire HD, everyone who purchases either In A Wolf's Eyes and/or To Catch A Wolf and email proof of purchase to sylv@book-tours.com will be placed into the draw. Purchase one and get one entry, purchase both books and get three entries. In A Wolf's Eyes Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1d5W8VX Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1fSQhnl Amazon DE: http://amzn.to/MABToW Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1d5WzzD Amazon AU: http://bit.ly/1ectGNP Catch a Wolf Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1bzjwa5 Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1iGVxdK Amazon DE: http://amzn.to/1jmgKNw Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/LI4xne Amazon AU: http://bit.ly/1o4u0XD

This giveaway is international

One of $50 Amazon Coupon One of $30 Amazon Coupon

The winner will be announced at the end of the tour.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

A FUN NAILBITER *****



Catch a Wolf
by Laurie Rose is book two in The Black Wolf Saga. The book starts on a run and grabs you by the throat.  Raine and Ly’Tana are running from the high overlord, who is appropriately named Brutal. The overlord will do whatever he needs to do to eradicate the two and what they represent, even hiring assassins.

Raine doubts his sanity as he experiences visions while he and Ly’Tana flee. The fleeing refugees are trailed not only by Brutal’s deadly henchmen, but by wolves too.

Catch a Wolf is a fast suspenseful read with romantic elements. This tightly written tale is well worth a read. It can be read alone or out of order too.

( My review on Amazon is under Silver Wolf.)

2 Comments

Cover Appeal

5/23/2014

1 Comment

 

You probably heard of houses having curb appeal. People won't bother going inside if the outside is unappealing. Same with books, a book could possibly be the best book ever written, but the writer went cheap and used her five-year-old son's artwork turning away potential readers.

This can be confusing for authors since the Twilight series went big using stock images that other authors bought too. Sometimes the cover doesn't matter too much if word of mouth does the advance promotion. Here's some of my favorite covers.

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This is a YA book and you know this immediately because there is a young girl on the front. Not some model who has too much makeup on and showing too much cleavage to be considered naive or vulnerable. 

The greenery, cottage, and fire hint at the mysterious and time travel echoing the tagline.

( Don't you hate picking up a book and thinking it is going to be about pirates because of the pirate on the front and it isn't. I remember these bait and switch covers from VHS tape covers too.)

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The title tells us two things immediately that it is a dark paranormal. It is fitting to have a full moon and a mysterious crouching figure. It is hard to know if the figure is human.  It invokes a sense of curiosity that could have a potential reader flipping the cover over or clicking to discover more.

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This is a clean cover that would be easy to see as a thumbnail. The background and the cover lets you know that it is a historical. The tagline tells you that it is a romance. Never underestimate the power of a tagline.

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The surprise factor is obvious in this outline of a head that is flying to pieces. If you're forgetting then part of your memory is leaving. The image helps reinforce the title. The fact that it is an usual image keeps it in your mind. Since initially seeing this cover, I've seen several similar images, which makes the image not as unique as it was once.

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This is the cute cover either using an adorable animal or baby.  People are naturally drawn to dogs, kittens, and babies and will usually at least look at the cover and possibly investigate the book. I'm always a fan of dogs on covers. I've been fooled only to discover there is no mention of a dog in the story.

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The tasteful romance cover encourages the average romance lover to pick it up. I have friends who write X-rated romances, but are well aware that few customers and stores will publicly handle their covers.  This is a type of cover that tells you the story is about real issues that occur in a romance, instead of mind boggling sexual antics.

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Type font and backdrop tell you a great deal about this novel. The backdrop hints at gothic, historical, and possibly southern roots. The font tells you it is a paranormal, which means one of the lovers caught in the ardent embrace might not be fully human.  In a deceptively simple cover, a lot of information is conveyed.



There you have it the covers I find noteworthy. Tell me what your favorites are and the reasons behind it.
1 Comment

His Haven:The Redemption Series

5/14/2014

2 Comments

 

Thank you for having me here on your blog today! His Haven The Redemption Series: Book One 

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Ignorance isn’t always bliss…

Handsome and diligent Avrum Brenin should have died in the fire with his mother and older brother. Instead, he is saved by the powerful and wealthy immortal, Lord Henri. Placed under his care, Avrum shares in his world of endless splendors. He must do one thing in return—look after Haven, a human and Lord Henri’s newest rescue.

The simple task proves to be more complicated than it seems. Haven is disobedient, ungrateful, and hostile, yet she is beautiful and mystifying at the same time. One night, when Avrum stumbles across Haven barely clothed and bound at the wrists, the world he has trusted in unravels before his eyes. He soon discovers that no one—from Lord Henri and Haven to his closest friend, Lysander—are who they seem to be.

Now faced with the truth, will Avrum choose to surrender to the man who rescued him, or will he have the courage to save the woman who captivated him?

Paranormal/Historical Romance

Heat Level: Sensual 

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His Haven is NOW available in ebook AND paperback!

GET IT FROM

Amazon      Barnes & Noble       Allromance      Bookstrand       Sony       Secret Cravings Publishing      Smashwords

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Harper A. Brooks lives in a small town on the New Jersey shore. Even as a young child, she has surrounded herself with good literature, so it is no surprise that her love for reading and writing has expanded into all parts of her life. She is a dedicated softball coach, student, teacher, and friend who enjoys writing about fantastical worlds when she believes real life gets too mundane.

Five things I can't write without:

1. A purple pen

It has to be purple. I don't know why. Purple isn't even my favorite color!

2. My writing notebook

It can't just be any notebook. I have a special one just for my novel writing. 5-Star College Ruled. Black or red in color.

3. Music playing

Although sometimes, I have to shut it off. Especially if I'm stuck on a scene and need full concentration.

4. Iced coffee

I'm addicted! I admit it!

5. My puppy, Sammy

He's a Cavachon (Cavalier King Charles and Bichon mix). I consider him my son! He loves to lay in my lap when I write, and sometimes contribute by walking over my keyboard.

FOLLOW ME

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EXCERPT:

Maybe I can’t do this on my own…

“Help me,” she told him, realizing it was her only real option. “Help me leave… You can help me now. Together, we can get to my father and we―”

His disheartened expression made her stop. 

“You can never go back to your father,” he said. “It will be the first place Keagan and Henri will look for you.”

Terror made her mind race and her hands tremble. There had to be a way for her to get out. “You can bring me and my father somewhere safe,” she blurted out in desperation. “Please, there has to be some way. I can’t stay here.”

Avrum’s eyes drifted over her shoulder to where the manor laid quiet and still. He inhaled. “You have been bitten,” he said.

Haven took a slight step back. 

“I saw the wounds when I found you,” he replied to her perplexed look. “Your blood is now entangled with Henri’s. For as long as they are together and flowing through his veins, you will be connected to him. He will know where you are, no matter how far.”

She gasped, her hand flying to the place on her chest where the two pierce wounds laid underneath. “How do you know this?”

“It is something we all learn when we are first changed.”

“Have you ever killed?” she asked but then hesitated. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to know the answer to that question.

“No,” he replied. “I have taken blood from humans before, when I was first turned, but I have made sure to never harm any of them. Now, I drink from a stock supply of human and animal blood in the manor cellar.”

The thought of consuming a person’s blood made Haven nauseous. “Can you ever stop? Never drink it again?”

Avrum let out a short laugh. “I have asked the same questions,” he said. “I still have to be reminded that I am no longer like you. I cannot stop the drinking because I am no longer fully alive. The living blood replaces what I have lost during the change.”

“What are you, exactly?”

“We are called vampires.”

She couldn’t speak. She had never heard the name before, but for some reason, it made her voice freeze in the pit of her throat.

“With your blood still coursing through Henri’s veins, you can be tracked. I need to get you back to the manor before he wonders where you are and realizes you’re gone.” Avrum held out a hand to her. She stared at the open palm with wide, fearful eyes. The skin there glistened against the amber lights of the manor windows. It was marked with faint scars. Each one seemed to overlap the others.

“We keep the scars we have earned as humans,” he told her, as if reading her thoughts. “I have many of my own to bear.”

     For some reason, his words made the warmth in her chest grow even more and the pains in her body ease. She stretched her own hand out, the raw and marred marks around her wrist standing out against the paleness of her skin.

Avrum offered her a tender smile―a smile that told her that this time she wasn’t alone. “Come back with me,” he told her. “I will protect you with everything I am. I swear it. Please…”

Haven hesitated for a moment, their hands hovering close. In the space between them, all her doubt and fears lingered. Could she really trust him? He was one of them after all. A vampire.

She sucked in icy night air and, taking a step forward, placed her shaking hand in his. 

  Praise for His Haven:            
“His Haven is a fantastic mix of historical and paranormal romance… Action. Romance. A touch of horror. You can’t put this book down.”
–Cynthia Carole, author of the Cedarville Novella Series “Exciting and suspenseful… sweet and hot all at the same time. I recommend that anyone that loves books about vampires read this and you won’t regret it.”–Crystal N., Reviewer from SSYL

“Ms. Brooks has started a story of other-worldly magnitude where adventure and secrecy filled the pages. Twist and turns ran amok as the author delivered angst, love, friendship and intrigue.”–Evelise, Reviewer from S.E.X. Reviews
2 Comments

Secret Cravings Contemporary Blog Hop

5/2/2014

18 Comments

 
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WHY CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE ROCKS

I enjoy writing both contemporary and historical romances. This is my list about what's good about the 21st century tales.

10. I can include conversations I overhear in stores, restaurants and even libraries in my stories.

9. I can craft my secondary characters on people I’ve met. It’s hard to have a Civil War heroine with a tattooed best friend who used to work as an NCIS agent.

8. I shamelessly cull settings from places I’ve lived or traveled. Look out Tennessee, I’ve spent so much time there that the mountains and big-hearted people will show up in an upcoming novel.

7. Contemporary romance allows me to address modern issues such as whose career matters more in a relationship.

6.  The modern world of romance can include some bad date stories too. I figure those dates had to be good for something other than devouring an entire half gallon of rocky road ice cream in one setting to ease my humiliation. I was researching, but I didn’t know it at the time.

5. Setting the atmosphere is much easier. It isn’t that hard to decide on what music is romantic. Of course, I’m guilty of thinking any song by Bruno Mars is wonderful.

4. Clothing. Need I say more? I’ve started FB wars over what women wore under their petticoats. All I have to do is walk through the mall to research. That’s right. It’s work, not shopping.

3. Complicated life scenarios. Boy meets girl and falls in love is not the typical 21st century love story. It is more like man and woman meet on vacation and have a hot fling only later to find out, that she’s his new boss.

2. The modern man is a complex creature who has to balance the alpha male image with the unlikely hobbies such as knitting or growing roses.

1. Best of all, contemporary romances draw the reader in and allows her to be the one falling in love.

Two lucky commenters win signed paperback copies of Dangerous Curves and The Soulmate Search. Two other commenters receive ecopies of Incognito or Perfect Stranger. Specify your choice.

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Nina can’t control love in her ordered universe. It has eluded her until a mysterious fortuneteller, Helena, reveals she’s already met her soul mate. Three times in fact and has only four times remaining before he passes from her life forever. A magic crystal ball allows her to see what he looked like several years ago, but no address. Helena warns her if she forces the meeting it won’t happen. 

Tony’s life has hit a major rough spot with Sheila kicking him out of his house when he discovers her in bed with another man. If that wasn’t bad enough, she spreads rumors that she’s afraid of him because he’s abusive. What did he do to deserve this? All he ever wanted was to love one woman until he died. At this rate, he’s destined to die alone. It will take magic to meet his soul mate.

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Wolfe Jackson is hot on the trail of a domestic terroristic who has been causing havoc and panic by blowing up factories. The trail, although sketchy, has led to a convention in the Midwest. Is it a false trail? Wolfe is unsure, but he knows that a certain blonde named Krista bears investigating.

Krista Harlow finds her life as a principal dull. So bland in fact, she thinks attending the annual principal conference might enliven it. She even harbors secret romantic aspirations. As a principal, she must keep everything strait laced and buttoned down, but that was before she was mistaken for a corporate spy and saboteur, and possible murderer.

Wolfe initially approaches the suspect by pretending he knows her. Krista plays along, proving she’s either devilishly clever or she’s really interested in him as a man. The road to restore his credibility is full of dangerous curves.

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Teresa Gallagher did not expect to become an old maid school teacher at the great age of thirty-six, but she does teach and is single. She also didn’t expect a gorgeous stranger to slip into her university writing class. The man claims a historical name as his own and an interest in writing. She has high school students who lie better.

Marcus Aronson specializes in small colleges with problems. His company usually gobbles up the college, lays off people and takes over administration. Jefferson is his latest project. He slips into a classroom to check out if a favorite professor might be the embezzler. What he finds instead is a passionate woman hiding behind a button up exterior. Someone needs to release Teresa from her inhibitions and that someone would be him. There were rules about mixing business and pleasure. Rules he intended to break.

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Cinda isn’t ready to become a glorious butterfly.  She’s still in the caterpillar stage with her generous curves.  All she really wants is for a man to appreciate who she is.  The way Jack did when they met at the airport. They shared a romantic day as they both waited for their flights. He kissed her goodbye and tucked his card in her suit pocket with instructions to call. It figures she’d lose his card. Luck never dealt her a romantic winning hand, but it’s time to reshuffle the cards._

Six months fantasizing about Jack was enough. Raven determines not only to help her friend to become the butterfly she is, but also to give her friend a gift she’ll never forget.  Cinda voices her doubts about attending the masquerade ball. Raven reveals that Santa left her special gift at the ball. Her job is to retrieve it.


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Web: www.morgankwyatt.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorMorganKWyatt

Twitter: www.twitter.com/morgankwyatt

Blogs:

www.writerwonderland.weebly.com

www.datingafterfortyeight.blogspot.com

www.frugaldivatellsall.blogspot.com

Pinterest http://pinterest.com/morgankwyatt/

Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6936818.Morgan_K_Wyatt

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Morgan-K.-Wyatt/e/B008EEC4EY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1370798169&sr=8-2




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