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Bringing Up Mike Author Interview & Giveaway

12/8/2014

Writer Wonderland interviews Mark Duncan, 2014-12-9

Tell us about yourself.

I grew up in Pasadena, not far from Caltech. In high school I spent Friday and Saturday nights at the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Lab (SAIL) and subsequently was a member of the Homebrew Computer Club. I have worked or consulted for numerous startups in Silicon Valley. I do a fair amount of photography, subscribe to the local theater, and have visited all fifty states and much of Europe.

What was your first book?

Bringing Up Mike is my first young adult science fiction novel. My first book was a non-fiction book on the history of the Caltrain passenger service on the San Francisco Peninsula about twelve years ago.

Describe your first break.

I didn’t realize it at the time, but it was when my folks moved to San Mateo just before I started the 8th grade. It was before Silicon Valley started to drive the United States economy.

What is your favorite genre to read? To write?

While I read everything, I have a core fondness for good science fiction.

What makes a protagonist interesting?

You want characters with inherent conflicts and flaws. This is what makes a plot character driven and interesting—they need to have challenges and obstacles to overcome.

What is the best thing about being a writer?

You can create a unique world filled with interesting characters that you breathe life into.

What is the worst thing?

When editing the novel, you make one pass after another on the manuscript. Each time that you think you are finished, there seems to be some reason to make additional revisions or corrections, and you have to read through the document one more time.

Pantser or plotter?
I’m a little bit of both. For Bringing Up Mike, I worked out the major character arcs, various conflicts and plot points. But as I wrote each chapter, the characters took me in different directions and I modified the overall timeline of the plot accordingly.

What do you see the direction of your future writing taking? What can we expect next? Give us a little taste.

I’m working on the sequel to Bringing Up Mike. Joe, Sue and Mike go to Stanford University. Mike joins the Stanford Band and wants to play the trumpet. Sue becomes good friends with her wealthy roommate from New York. Joe works to become good at teaching (initially he’s terrible).

Just for fun

Cat or dog person? I grew up with cats, but I’m fond of dogs, in particular golden retrievers.

Favorite food? I’ve always had a sweet tooth. My kitchen counter always has bags of various candies and cookies. Fortunately I’ve never had to worry about my weight.

Favorite book? A great hard science-fiction novel with an interesting hero and character arc.

Favorite movie? I love Pixar Studio movies. They have great stories!

Favorite vacation destination (you just have to want to go there)

I’ve visited Hawaii several times. My favorite island is the Big Island. It has everything from observatories above the clouds to lava erupting. While Oahu has many attractions, it’s a bit too much of a tourist trap for me. Maui, Kauai and Lanai are all beautiful, but a bit small for my taste. I’d like to visit Japan, New Zealand and Australia. I own several pieces of Japanese art, the scenery in New Zealand is spectacular, and I have a friend that will be working in Sydney, Australia that I would like to visit.
Book and Author Links

Book Website: http://www.askmarpublishing.com/books/bringing up mike.html

Publisher Website: http://www.askmarpublishing.com

Author Website: http://www.askmaroublishing.com/authors/mark duncan.html

Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/askmarpub

Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/askmar

Mark will be awarding a $50 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on side banner to improve your chances by following the tour.

BLURB:

What happens when Joe, a teen prodigy makes drastic changes to his life and attends high school incognito with Mike, an artificial intelligence? His plans take an unexpected turn when he buys a neglected former racehorse.

Bringing Up Mike is a tapestry of intertwined stories over the course of a school year: A teen genius who has grown up too fast, a neglected former racehorse, a bereaved couple morning the death of their son, a girl struggling to attend college, and a former mobster determined to be top dog.

Bringing Up Mike is about people given a second chance at happiness and success and how they become better people and mature.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt One:

As he walked down the windowless hallway, Joe’s long hair swung back and forth across his back. He swiped his badge against the door lock, entered a PIN code, and it clicked open. He took another gulp of coffee and entered his office.

He touched his finger to the keyboard to scan his fingerprint, then gestured on a touchpad to log in and authenticate himself. The lights went off in the office, the lock clicked in place, and the introduction to The Outer Limits began to play: “There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do not attempt to adjust”

“Mike, very funny. Stop the effects, turn on the lights.”

The office lights flickered on. “Your wish is my command, O Master.”

“Enough with mimicking the genie from Aladdin.”

“I don’t sound like Robin Williams?”

“No, you’re perfect. I’m just not a morning person.” He pulled off his thick glasses and rubbed his brows before placing them back. “Any interesting news or urgent emails?”

“Nothing earth-shattering, the usual please respond immediately emails. Answered the trivial ones, but there are three that need your attention eventually.”

“How’s the meeting going?”

“Started half an hour ago. I gave your update ten minutes ago. Told them how we’d found and neutralized one hundred and four viruses and Trojans, and that if they didn’t like your acronym DAWG for Deleterious Adaptive Web Gladiator, you were open to suggestions. You want to listen?”

“No, I’ll nap for a bit. Wake me if anything comes up.”

Buy Links

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MQZ2CIU

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00MQZ2CIU

http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9781935842491

http://bn.com/w/bringing-up-mike-mark-phillip-duncan/1120032434?ean=2940150709683

http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/bringing-up-mike

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Schism Review & Giveaway

12/8/2014

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BLURB:
SCHISM is an atmospheric journey back in time to the year 1970, when drugs and anti-war protests dominated the headlines. This psychological suspense mystery follows the life of a middle-aged college professor, Jackson Boone, as he tries to unravel the truth about his girlfriend. He is in danger of losing his job, and perhaps his life, when he takes on a violent radical group in the process. Haunted by a past mistake, Boone tries to do the right thing in a world of increasingly ambiguous moral shadings.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt One:
Next Canto addressed the small, but well-lit kitchen. The refrigerator created a deep hum that might have been soothing in a larger space, but was irritating here. The lieutenant shook his head when he heard it. They opened all the cabinet doors and peeked inside the refrigerator. No dice. Miller was losing patience. He flipped on an old Magnavox table radio out of boredom.

“That figures. It’s dead.”

“Forget it, Miller. Help me move the fridge so I can see behind it.”

Miller checked the plug, and then he lifted the radio up to move it. “Something’s not right here, sir.”

“Let me see it,” Canto demanded. He picked up the radio. A heavy object was definitely loose inside which wasn’t original equipment. Miller produced a screwdriver from a kitchen drawer, and they removed the back panel.

“What in God’s name is this doing in here?” Canto asked. He pulled out a soldering iron, coils of wire, and a blasting cap from the empty shell of the radio. “It looks like there may have been more to Miss Riley’s life than just college classes and coke dates.”

****REVIEW**** 4/5

Boone, a professor at Indiana University, finds himself at a transitional stage in his life. School’s winding down late May 1970. He’s certain the new administration will give him the boot, but needs to see Susan before he makes his next career choice. Susan represents everything good in his life from her youth, energy, and beauty.

She’s found hanging in her bathroom with a suicide note tucked in the mirror. It makes no sense. Boone swore she was happy, despite her irritation at keeping their relationship secret. An anonymous letter informs him Susan served as a member of a radical group called Weatherman Underground. The mystery begins. Unfortunately, alerting the authorities to this vital information will mean coming clean about his relationship with a student, which is sure to make the possibility of getting another teaching job close to impossible. To do nothing will not only allow Susan’s killer to go free, but would assist dangerous movement . Next time, the collateral damage could be more than one disenfranchised graduate student.

Author Eaves crafts a protagonist slightly left of center. An opinionated individual whose ideas and willingness to stand behind them puts him between the hippies and the traditionalists. His conventional heart, pride and vulnerability makes him a believable character. The backdrop of the turbulent decade increases the complexity and suspense of the story.

The reader discovers as Boone does, that things are not always, as they seem in this fast-paced novel. One thing that is certain; Gregory Eaves is a powerful, original voice.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Gregory Eaves was born October 18, 1950, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He attended Speedway High School and Indiana University. In his twenties, he traveled extensively throughout the United States, with an eight year stay in San Diego, California, where he studied and practiced meditation.

Gregory moved to Florida and completed a master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the University of South Florida.

Library school rekindled his interest in reading, which had been his favorite activity as a child growing up. Mysteries had been his first love, and he devoured his first mystery books with singular passion and zeal. Nothing else seemed to hit the sweet spot like reading The Hardy Boys, Sherlock Holmes, and Poirot. He later enjoyed authors like Raymond Chandler, John D. McDonald, Graham Greene, Patricia Highsmith, and others.

SCHISM is Gregory’s first novel. His prior experience with writing included poetry and short stories. One of his short-shorts won runner-up in a contest in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.

He now lives on the east coast of Florida, and when he isn’t writing, he enjoys playing guitar and collecting vintage stereo gear and vinyl records. He is a member of American Mensa.

Links:

http://www.gregoryeaves.com/index.html

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Gregory%20Eaves&search-alias=digital-text&sort=relevancerank

http://www.amazon.com/Schism-Gregory-Eaves-ebook/dp/B00MSZLFYA/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411318276&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=schism+greg+eaves

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/schism-gregory-eaves/1120161590?ean=2940150735125

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How to Beguile a Duke Book Launch & Giveaway

12/7/2014

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This post is part of a book blast organized by Goddess Fish Promotions for the launch of Ally Broadfield's How to Beguile a Duke. One randomly chosen winner via Rafflecopter will receive a $25 Amazon/BN gift card.

The spirited Catherine Malboeuf has just arrived in England to reclaim her ancestral home, Walsley Manor, and a valuable missing heirloom. Nicholas Adair, the attractive and frustratingly inflexible Duke of Boulstridge, however, is quite unwilling to sell the estate back to Catherine. Unless, of course, she accepts a small wager...

Nick will sell Walsley Manor if--and only if--Catherine secures an offer of marriage from an eligible member of the ton before the end of the London season.

Of course, Nick is certain he'll win. After all, no proper gentleman would ever marry a woman who conceals a cutlass in her skirts. Yet something about Catherine's unconventional disposition seems to ignite a need deep inside him. A need that won't just cost him the wager, but the very heart he swore to never give away...

Enjoy an excerpt:

She crossed her arms. “Your Grace. I have never been so insulted. I am not accustomed to having my word questioned.”

“Well you must become accustomed to it if you are going to continue to break into other people’s homes at your whim.”

“You should as well if you are going to lie to your guests about your whereabouts.”

He took a step forward and looked down his nose at her. Every part of her body awakened to his proximity. A whiff of cedar tickled her nose.

“Miss Malboeuf, you would do well to learn the customs of English society. It is my prerogative to turn away callers I do not wish to see. When my butler told you I was not at home, you should have understood it meant I did not wish to give you audience.”

She took a step back, hoping her mind would reengage. “It is still an untruth, which is the same thing as a lie. Why not tell the truth? Then I would have known your intentions from the start.”

The duke clenched his jaw. “Perhaps you should seek out someone who can provide you lessons in deportment.”

“That won’t be necessary, Your Grace. I attended a class on deportment in New Orleans.”

His gaze dropped to her unshod feet. “It’s a pity you weren’t able to complete the course.”

About the Author: Ally lives in Texas and is convinced her house is shrinking, possibly because she shares it with three kids, four dogs, a cat, a rabbit, and several reptiles. Oh, and her husband. She likes to curse in Russian and spends most of her spare time letting dogs in and out of the house and shuttling kids around. She writes historical romance set in Regency England and Imperial Russia.

She loves to hear from readers and you can find Ally on her website, Facebook, and Twitter, though she makes no claims of using any of them properly.

Website: http://allybroadfield.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/allybroadfield
Twitter: http://twitter.com/abroadfield
Group Blog: http://embracingromance.com

Buy the book at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Kobo, Amazon UK, Amazon CA, or Google Play.

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Shadow Catcher Tour Stop & Giveaway

12/4/2014

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Make sure to enter the $20 Amazon Card Giveaway below. Improve your chances by following the tour by clicking on the banner or cover to follow the tour.

Shadow Catcher

by James R. Hannibal

BLURB:
From James R. Hannibal—a veteran combat pilot with Top Secret clearance from the U.S. government—comes an electrifying high-tech thriller in the great tradition of Tom Clancy…

Over ten years ago, Air Force major Nick Baron was part of a failed special ops mission that left a B-2 stealth bomber at the bottom of the Persian Gulf. Now, leading his men—the Triple Seven Chase team—Baron must find the bomber and dispose of it for good before any unfriendly nation can steal the onboard technology for its own purposes. But as the team embarks on its mission, there are greater dangers waiting.

When the CIA intercepts a call signal from an operative in China long thought dead, the Triple Seven Chase team is given the perilous task of retrieving the lone soldier from deep within the Chinese wilderness. There is only one plane for such a dangerous mission: the Shadow Catcher, a plane with capabilities beyond anything that has ever flown.

What Baron and his men don’t know is that the enemy is already among them—and that the Shadow Catcher itself may be the ultimate prize.

Excerpt One:

From Chapter 1

Kuwait
March 18, 2013

A lone Westerner weaved his way along the crowded sidewalk in front of the Souk Sharq in Kuwait City, suffering the uneasy glances and occasional loathing glares of the locals. They did not bother him; with his flaxen hair and fair skin, such looks were unavoidable. On another day, he might have indulged his audience by slowing to gaze up at the beautiful souk, playing the part of the wandering tourist, admiring the high towers and ornate arches that hearkened back to the glory days of the Persian Empire. But not today. There was no time.

For ten years, the objective had lain hidden, dormant. For ten years, the secret had remained sealed in its watery vault. Now that he was back, he felt like that seal had been broken, as if his mere presence in the Persian Gulf had started a race against an unknown enemy. And somehow he knew he was already behind.

Once inside the souk, Air Force major Nick Baron moved into the shadow of a pillar. Now free from the usual disdainful lo oks, he let his steel blue eyes slowly drift over the crowd, scanning the potpourri of faces for something much more dangerous: recognition. He found none. Finally satisfied that he was not being watched or followed, he turned his attention to finding his teammate. It did not take long.

Nick slowly shook his head and sighed.

Major Drake Merigold stood in the center of the Grand Corridor at the base of a beautiful two-story water clock, staring up at the Jules Vernian sculpture with his mouth slightly agape. He wore an orange and blue Hawaiian shirt that hung untucked over his khaki shorts. He could not have stood out more amid the drab garb of the locals if he had worn a fluffy red wig and big floppy shoes.

The two field operatives of the Triple Seven Chase squadron had arrived on separate flights, on separate carriers, under assumed names. Each had used a unique, indirect route to reach the souk, where they were supposed to quietly join up before heading out into the gulf to meet the rest of the team. The stakes of this mission demanded strict adherence to the principles of covert movement. But then how could Drake be expected to fully grasp the stakes? No one had told him the real reason they were here.

“Magnum PI called,” said Nick, joining his comrade at the water clock. “He wants his shirt back.”

Drake nodded, still looking up. “It’s called hiding in plain sight, boss.” He was nearly a head taller than Nick, with broad shoulders to match and chiseled Greek features. With his flawless dark hair and obnoxious shirt, he looked like a movie star about to go on a cruise rather than a military operative. He glanced around the wide corridor, pulling the loud shirt away from his body and fanning it to take advantage of the air-conditioning. “They did a good job rebuilding. The last time we were here, an Iraqi missile had just crashed through the ceiling. You’d never know that there was once a huge crater right where we’re standing.”

“They’ve had ten years to fix it,” said Nick. “We’ve been away a long time.”

For the first time since Nick had stepped out of the shadows, Drake looked him straight in the eyes. “So, why are we back?”

Nick dropped his eyes from Drake’s to check his watch. “The others should be reaching the rendezvous point soon. It’s time we got out there.”

Drake frowned. “You’re starting to act like the colonel.”

“Just pick up your bag and let’s go.”

Nick shifted the strap of the duffel bag that hung over his shoulder and started walking toward the central rear archway, the exit to the marina. Like Drake, he wore civilian clothes to hide his military affiliation, although his choices were a little more understated. His dark gray button-down shirt hung loose on his shoulders, masking the solid build beneath. Both men carried civilian duffel bags with enough gear to get them through a few days on the water, just as Colonel Walker had directed.

Warm salty air rushed over him as Nick pushed open the glass double doors. He started down the stairs to the wooden boardwalk, where several docks extended out into the gulf. Each had room for twenty small craft and each was nearly full, a forest of masts and canvas. Other than the whip and snap of the sails in the gentle breeze, all seemed quiet. Nick felt the temptation to relax.

The doors to the Grand Corridor clicked closed behind him, wrenching his senses away from the pleasant atmosphere. He paused halfway down the stairs. Scanning farther down the docks, he spied a pair of locals in the common white thaubs and keffiyehs. He watched them for a few moments as they prepared to launch a blue and white runabout, probably for an evening pleasure cruise. They looked harmless.

At the end of the third dock, he found a black dinghy waiting at the prescribed slip. He held it fast and tossed in their bags while Drake jumped on board and prepped the motor.

Within minutes, Drake had the throttle fully open, accelerating out into the open waters of the Persian Gulf. Every so often, he steered into a wave, sending white spray over the bow and onto Nick.

“I know you’re doing that on purpose,” said Nick, wiping the oily gulf water from his face.

“Just trying to lighten the mood,” replied Drake. “You gotta learn to relax, boss.”

“I’ll relax when the mission is complete and the team is safely back at Romeo Seven.”

“You know that ain’t true.”

Nick refused to respond. He was in no mood for friendly ribbing, and he feared that in a few hours’ time, Drake’s usual jovial temper would sour as well. Before the day was over, Drake would accuse him of betrayal, and he would have every right to.

Twenty minutes later, another craft appeared on the horizon. Despite his fears, Nick managed a thin smile. The commander of the Triple Seven Chase was well known in the covert ops community as an acquisitions wizard. Colonel Richard T. Walker had just pulled another rabbit out of his pointy hat, and this time she was a big one.

Nick estimated the vessel to be at least 250 feet long with a 50-foot beam. She looked fresh from the dry dock, with unblemished white paint and a thick red stripe along the rails. She was well equipped too, with three golf-ball-style radomes amidships and a docking station jutting out from the rear beneath two heavy salvage cranes.

“Illustro ex Caliga,” read Nick, squinting at the black lettering near the bow of the craft.

“It means ‘Illustrious Sea Monkey,’” said Drake.

“I don’t believe you.”

“Good call.” Drake scratched his chin in thought. “If I remember my Latin correctly, it means ‘Illumination out of Darkness.’” He guided the dinghy to the aft station, cutting his speed to a crawl and then inching into position in an agonizingly slow attempt at docking.

“Well, that was ugly, Merigold,” said a booming voice from above. An imposing figure leaned against the rail of the upper deck. With his gray crew cut and perpetual scowl, Colonel Walker carried the aura of a man in full US Army service dress, even when wearing a golf shirt and khakis.

“Hey, I fly airplanes, not boats,” retorted Drake, slapping the tubular black hull of the dinghy. “I’m used to touching down on a solid surface at a hundred and fifty knots, not wallowing in to a moving target at five. You should be glad I didn’t ram this thing into your little rental here.”

Walker ignored Drake’s attempt to bait him. “Hurry up, gentlemen,” he said. “We have a lot of work to do before dark.”

“And what work is that, sir?” asked Drake, hopping onto the ship’s dock to secure the dinghy.

The colonel’s usual scowl faded into a grim smile. “Preparing to raise a ghost from our past, Major Merigold,” he said. “Preparing to raise a ghost from our past.”

AUTHOR Bio and Links:
James R. Hannibal is a former US Air Force Stealth Bomber pilot with over a thousand hours of combat experience including over-watch, close air support, and HVI captures. He graduated from the US Air Force Academy in 1997 with a bachelors of science in Middle

Eastern Studies and earned a masters of science from Central Missouri State University in Aviation Safety Sciences. His flying career included the A-10 Warthog, B-2 Stealth Bomber, MQ-1 Predator, T-38 Talon, T-37 Tweet, and the Boeing 737, 757, and 767. When he is not flying or writing thrillers, James occasionally reviews for the New York Journal of Books.

Buy links:
Amazon

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Powell’s

Walmart

Penguin Publisher

Social Media:

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Website

Shadow Maker:

How far will collateral damage from a CIA drone strike reach?

When a suicide bomber shatters the peace of a winter afternoon on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., former pilot and undercover Cerberus operative Nick Baron receives an eerie invitation from the chess app on his phone—a mysterious figure named The Emissary wants to play.

Nick and his covert unit—the Triple Seven Chase team—soon find themselves drawn into battle against an unknown opponent who has resurrected an ancient order of assassins: the legendary Hashashin. And there is a long-awaited prophecy being fulfilled by a series of violent attacks which may culminate in a final apocalypse over Jerusalem.

As the Triple Seven fight to stop each attack, Nick tries to keep The Emissary on the hook by playing their digital chess game. The lines between the game and the fight begin to blur, as every time Nick loses a piece on the board, he loses one of his men. And if Nick cannot find a way to stop the terrorist mastermind, a checkmate may kill millions…

Wraith:

After the towers fall on 9/11, Lieutenant Nick Baron and the rest of the 81st Fighter Squadron are desperate for action. But CENTCOM puts them on the sidelines, leaving the young Warthog pilots restless—and reckless. Then the unthinkable happens. During a high-risk training flight, a rookie wingman slams into the ground.

In the darkness that follows, Nick wonders if he will ever learn to trust a wingman again—or even learn to trust himself. He will soon find out. Despite the black mark on his record, Nick’s application to the elite Stealth Wing is approved. A recruiter for a new covert team has taken note of Nick’s unique combination of skills. Suddenly Nick is swept into Operation Cerberus—a top secret mission that will take him from a harrowing flight over a black testing facility to a fight for his life on the Iraqi Dunes.

“Hannibal brings together a terrific mix of real air technology with intrigue and nonstop action. A true suspenseful story that will keep you turning the pages until the exciting finale; it really is a great tale.”—Clive Cussler

“Get out of the way, Nelson DeMille. Brad Thor—you’ve got competition!”—Raymond Benson

“A feast for thriller lovers!”—Grant Blackwood, New York Times bestselling author of The Kill Switch

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Eyes of Vengeance Super Book Blast

12/2/2014

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This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will award a $25 Amazon/BN GC to one randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Someone is methodically killing past members of The Consortium, a defunct group of ruthless businessmen who made their fortunes buying and selling prime Las Vegas real estate during the era that saw the beginnings of the mega casino and luxury hotels. Homicide Detective, Kennedy O’Brien, and her temporary partner, Reno Homicide Detective Hunt, race to stop a deranged predator who claims a new victim every forty-eight hours. The killer drugs his victims, slashes their wrists, and leaves a playing card with the body. As the clock continues to tick, the search for clues seems easy—too easy Kennedy suspects.

While chasing the killer, Kennedy must also try to control hotheaded Detective Hunt, who is hell-bent on finding out who killed the first victim—his best friend’s father. At the same time, she has to deal with a jealous Nick Campenelli, whom she may or may not be in a relationship with. Nick is unhappy with Kennedy spending so much time in close contact with the very smitten, Detective Hunt. Tossed into the mix are her retired cop grandfather, her self-appointed personal domestic slave, Elvis, and a boss who is demanding answers.

Is it any wonder that Kennedy doesn’t do relationships?

Enjoy an excerpt:

Kennedy, still half asleep, drew her gun, but wasn’t fast enough to take aim. A large, firm hand clamped over her wrist. “I wouldn’t do that, Detective O’Brien. Keep your hands still and drop the gun. You don’t need the weapon.”

Kennedy slowly released her Sig Sauer and laid her hands flat on her desk. She glanced around the detective’s bull pen. Nothing but empty desks.

“What now, ass-wipe? You think you can pull this crap in the middle of a goddamn police department?”

“I don’t see a lot of cops coming to your rescue. Do you?”

Kennedy sat up straight, stretched, and looked around. The place was deserted—really deserted. “Shit.”

“Been sleeping a while, have you? You’ve got some drool on the side of your face. I think there’s a paper clip stuck to your chin.” He plucked off the paper clip and held out his hanky. “Here.”

She slapped his hand away. “That’s none of your fucking business.”

“You have quite a potty mouth, don’t you, Detective?”

Kennedy gave a low growl. “Go to hell!”

“She’s friendly, too.”

“Who the hell are you and what the fuck-all are you doing here?”

He let go of her hand and gave her the Sig back. “Detective Lieutenant Kyle Hunt, Reno PD, at your service.” He cocked an eyebrow and took a bow.

“Oh.”

About the Author:

As a child, Teri made up her own bedtime stories. When her children came along, Teri always tweaked the fairy tales she told her daughters, giving them a bit more punch and better endings when needed.

Now she spends her days turning her ideas into books. She lives in Marietta, GA with her husband.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Teri-Riggs/e/B00F2KYWHK/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Teri-Riggs/329379907142621 Twitter: @TeriRiggs
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/terilriggs

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Ship of Dreams Tour Cover Reveal & Giveaway

12/1/2014

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This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. A randomly drawn commenter will receive a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift card. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Advertising Diva, Laura Armstrong is after Imperial Cruise Lines, the biggest account of her career and the one that will lead to the next step in her Life Plan of becoming one of the most powerful women in advertising. That winning the account will also prove her father wrong is a bonus.

Sexy Southern Gentleman, Nathan Maxwell, is after that very same account, but for completely different reasons. Landing the account means a sizeable bonus just in time to save his family’s farm, and the only stable home his sister’s ever known, from foreclosure.

When the two end up on the same ship in the middle of the Mediterranean for a clandestine reconnaissance mission, Mt. Vesuvius isn’t the only thing that could erupt.

Will Nathan sink her ship of dreams before it ever leaves port, or will the way to love be smooth sailing?

Enjoy an excerpt:

“I'm going to need the demographics on Imperial Cruise Lines, and its three closest competitors, ASAP.”

“We're going after Imperial? What happened to Kendall-Monroe?”

“Fired. And use your street team to find out the inside scoop on Kendall-Monroe and Hawk Media. I'm on my way to meet with the CEO of Imperial now.”

“Damn, woman, you work fast.”

“Jackson Jefferies is a long-time friend of the family, so getting a sit down was easy. Convincing him to listen to someone besides my father is a different story.” Jackson Jeffries was the CEO of the cruise line, one of her father's closest friends . . . and one of her father's best customers. Her family's shipbuilding business built Imperial's liners, and Jackson relied heavily on her father's counsel.

While at her best friend's wedding over the weekend, Laura's father had received an email from Jackson saying they'd fired their advertising agency. Since her irksome father had already given a competitor agency a heads-up that Imperial was in the market, time was of the essence.

“If anyone can convince him, it's you. You could sell moonshine to a teetotaler.”

“Thanks. I think. Anyway, wish me luck.”

“Good luck. And call me when you're done.”

Laura stashed her phone and entered the cool two-story lobby, walking directly to the security desk. After signing in, she took the elevators to the top floor for one of the most important meetings of her career.

A full-service advertising agency, Giddings-Rose had made a name for itself creating ad campaigns for traditional Fortune 500 companies, including insurance companies, department stores, banks, airlines, and manufacturers. But Laura's goal was to drag Giddings-Rose kicking and screaming into the twenty-first century, with accounts who wanted rich media campaigns, digital brand development, interactive marketing and communications strategy, and pay-per-click campaign management. The future of advertising.

When she'd first approached Curt, the agency's VP of Business Development, about Imperial and its needs he'd been skeptical, but the agency couldn't count a cruise line among its accounts, and having one would look good in its portfolio. And on his resume.

“What do you want, Laura?” Curt had asked.

She'd used her tough-minded skills on him. “I want your job, but I bring you Imperial, I'll take the VP of Client Management that's coming open.”

“You bring me Imperial, and we'll talk about it.”

“No.” She approached his desk. “I've reeled in some big fish for this agency. It's time I reaped the rewards of all that hard work. Dammit, Curt, you know I deserve it.”

Curt had held her gaze. “I know. Look, I'll go to bat for you, but I can't promise anything.”

“That's all I'm asking. Thanks, Curt.”

The elevator doors opened on the lobby of Imperial Cruise Lines bringing Laura back to the present. She took a deep breath and stepped onto the polished marble floor with all the determination of a gladiator stepping into the Roman Colosseum. “Showtime.”

About the Author:

Rebecca Heflin is an award-winning author who has dreamed of writing romantic fiction since she was fifteen and her older sister snuck a copy of Kathleen Woodiwiss' Shanna to her and told her to read it. Rebecca writes women's fiction and contemporary romance. When not passionately pursuing her dream, Rebecca is busy with her day-job as a practicing attorney.

Rebecca is a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), Florida Romance Writers, RWA Contemporary Romance, and Florida Writers Association. She and her mountain-climbing husband live at sea level in sunny Florida.

Awards:

2014 Florida Writers Association Royal Palm Literary Award Finalist (Dreams of Perfection)
2013 Florida Writers Association Royal Palm Literary Award Winner (Rescuing Lacey)
2013 Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence Winner (Rescuing Lacey)
2013 Virginia Romance Writers Holt Medallion Award of Merit (Rescuing Lacey)
2013 Georgia Romance Writers Published Maggie Finalist (Rescuing Lacey)
2013 Shooting Star Award (Rescuing Lacey)
2013 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence Finalist (Rescuing Lacey)
2013 Wisconsin Romance Writers Write Touch Readers' Awards Finalist (The Promise of Change)
2011 Royal Palm Literary Awards Finalist (The Promise of Change)

http://www.rebeccaheflin.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Rebecca-Heflin/e/B006RBM93C
https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaHeflinBooks
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5400814.Rebecca_Heflin
https://twitter.com/rebeccaheflin

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