Monday, December 21, 2015

#COVER REVEAL and #GIVEAWAY: Cogling byJordan Elizabeth Mierek

COGLING
A Steampunk Fairy Tale for Young Adults
who love a little Romance in their Adventures

When fifteen-year-old Edna Mather tears an expensive and unfamiliar pocket watch off her little brother's neck, he crumbles into a pile of cogs right before her eyes. Horrified, Edna flees for help, but encounters Ike, a thief who attempts to steal the watch before he realizes what it is: a device to power Coglings—clockwork changelings left in place of stolen children who have been forced to work in factories.

Desperate to rescue her brother, Edna sets off across the kingdom to the hags' swamp, with Ike in tow. There, they learn Coglings are also replacing nobility so the hags can stage a rebellion and rule over humanity. Edna and Ike must stop the revolt, but the populace believes hags are helpful godmothers and healers. No one wants to believe a lowly servant and a thief, especially when Ike has secrets that label them both as traitors.

Together, Edna and Ike must make the kingdom trust them or stop the hags themselves, even if Ike is forced to embrace his dark heritage and Edna must surrender her family.
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COGLING has already gained advanced praise from NY Times Bestselling author Maria V. Snyder!
“This is a fun YA Steampunk novel. It's very different than many other Steampunk stories I've read. Basic plot is Edna's brother is kidnapped by hags and replaced with a "cogling" and she's on a mission to find and rescue her brother. The world is a Victorian-era with a strict class system for the humans and for those with magic. The woman with magic are called hags and the men with magic are orges and they're not nice and are planning to change the system. I really enjoyed learning about the world and the characters are well drawn and engaging.”
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Check out COGLING on GoodReads and Curiosity Quills.



Meet the author – Jordan Elizabeth Mierek lives in a dream world.  Sometimes she comes out to do her day job, but most of the time she is writing about her favorite people – her characters!  COGLING is her fourth book.  Her previous steampunk series, the Treasure Chronicles, include TREASURE DARKLY and BORN OF TREASURE.  Her debut novel, ESCAPE FROM WITCHWOOD HOLLOW, is a young adult fantasy-horror.  You can find her short stories in numerous anthologies.  Check out her website, JordanElizabethMierek.com, for contests and bonus stories!


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Saturday, December 19, 2015

#COVER REVEAL: Nirvana by Melissa Lummis

The Final Story in the Love and Light Series wraps up Wolf, Loti, Heather, and Christian in an enlightened bow just in time for the holidays...

You can Pre-Order your copy for just 99 cents now:





What is it about the holidays that brings out the drama in every family? And Christian's unusual hearth and home is no exception. Christmas was never the vampire's favorite time of year, but when Loti goes into premature labor during a wintry nor-easter he will learn for the first time what family--and maybe even Christmas--is all about.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

#EXCERPT and #GIVEAWAY: A Shadow of Time by Louann Carroll

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A Shadow of Time

When young widow Kellyn O’Brien discovers her toddler has inherited the Shadow Ley fortune and estate, she thinks all of her problems are solved. Unseen, a mysterious guardian dwells deep beneath the house. As the run-down mansion repairs itself, Kellyn is plagued by nightmares – windows into other dimensions that are as confusing as they are frightening. Not sure what is real or imagined, Kellyn turns to her new friends for help. When they realize that their dreams are connected, they are determined to find the truth behind the unbelievable coincidence. But the presence at Shadow Ley has something more diabolical in mind. And the friends must unravel the secrets before the insane entity takes more lives, beginning with theirs.  

Excerpt  from A SHADOW OF TIME


Michael disappeared into the haze, his face graying out and blending with watery droplets. Suddenly a baby cried. A soft noise so quiet it hardly made an impression. 
She stiffened. Again, a mewling echoed in the distance. She leaned over the side of the tub to get a better view. Warm mist coalesced into a lacy fog. On the other side of the bathroom a cradle shimmered. The flowered linoleum floor supported a white wicker cradle with a pinkish veil drawn across the opening. Four wooden legs held up the cradle with white paint flecking off ancient legs.
Stunned, she pulled herself to her feet, got out of the tub, and walked toward the cradle. She touched the wood, finding it soft with mold, then drew the veil from the cradle as the material rotted away in her hands. There, lying on a bed of stained red satin, was the decaying remains of an infant, its mouth contorted in agony. Bits of skull showed in-between wizened skin, its eyes gone, forever sightless. Her stomach contracted and her breath hitched. From a depth she hadn’t known existed within her, she screamed.
Kellyn’s eyes flew open, her heart thumping in fear. One hand held Scott’s fingers in a death grip while the other curled defensively around the child in her womb. She drew in a deep breath while tears sprang from her eyes. Her heart ratcheted up a beat, and the hand that protected her belly flew to her chest.
Jesus. I can’t breathe!  

You can buy A Shadow of Time exclusively from Amazon!

FREE on Kindle Unlimited

Regular Kindle Edition

Paperback Edition

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Louann Carroll

Carroll Author pic Louann Carroll is a Native Californian living in the Sierra Nevada foothills with her husband, Dennis. Mother to three children and grandmother to seven, she is an avid rock, fossil, and gem hunter, who enjoys sharing her finds with family and friends. She is a student of alternative religion, archaeology, anthropology, and paleontology. Louann has written numerous radio talk shows, articles on adoption, and is the author of Innocent Blood, Gemini Rising, The Light and the Flame, and The Journey Series, heartfelt childrens’ books about the challenges of life.    
You can follow Louann at these links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook

 

GIVEAWAY

Open internationally, with one exception. Signed book is USA only. Must be 13+ to win.
Prizes:
1 -Rear-view Mirror Ornament (Skulls)
1 - $10 Amazon Gift Card
1 - Signed Paperback Copy of A Shadow of Time
 
 
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December 15, 2015 Intoxicated by Books https://intoxicatedbybooks.wordpress.com/
December 15, 2015 Books R Us http://www.booksrusonline.com/
December 15, 2015 Susan Heim on Writing http://www.susanheimonwriting.com
December 16, 2015 Raven Bower http://ravenbower.com/blog/
December 16, 2015 Second Book to the Right http://2ndbooktotheright.blogspot.com
December 16, 2015 Nerd Girl Official http://nerdgirlofficial.com/
December 16, 2015 Mythical Books http://www.mythicalbooks.blogspot.ro/
December 17, 2015 Jody A Kessler http://jodyakessler.com/jody-a-kessler/
December 17,2015 Maer Wilson http://maerwilson.com/
December 18, 2015 La Fin Absolute du Monde http://ddevor.weebly.com

Monday, December 14, 2015

#GUEST POST: Love or Justice by Rachel Mannino

  

LoveorJustice Front Cover  Laurie Shelton is the only person alive who can identify Hawaii’s most notorious mob boss… After stumbling into a deadly kidnapping, Laurie’s life is in grave danger, and it falls to US Marshal Dante Stark to keep her safe until she testifies against Kaimi Quamboa—assuming he can be captured. Dante knows he’ll lose his job if he becomes romantically involved with a witness… But when he has to comfort her through constant nightmares, he finds it nearly impossible to fight his attraction to the beautiful, strong young woman he is sworn to protect. Laurie feels it too, but aware she’s in a high-stress situation and that when the danger is past she’ll never see Dante again, she tries to ignore his easygoing smile and the security he offers. Laurie and Dante are forced to flee again… When Kaimi’s men descend on their hideaway, they escape to a second safe house, only to be tracked down there as well. Dante now knows there’s a mole inside the US Marshal Service, and the only thing left to do is disappear. Kaimi will never stop looking for Laurie, and if he’s caught, showing up to testify could be the last thing she ever does. With each choice as dangerous as the next, Dante and Laurie must confront the boundaries of what they’re willing to sacrifice, and which is more important… Love or Justice.

Buy: Amazon Kindle | Amazon Paperback

 Character Interview with Laurie
By: Rachel Mannino

Laurie is ripped away from her life and her friends when she accidentally stumbles across Hawaii’s most notorious mob boss and his kidnapping victims. Under protective custody, Laurie is still the target of hit men, while U.S. Marshal, Dante Stark tries desperately to save her. Deep in hiding, Laurie found time to sit down with her author to talk about her traumatic ordeal.

RM: Laurie, you’ve been through so much already. How do you keep going?

LS: Well, I have to, you know. I can’t go backwards. I can never go back to Hawaii. I can’t see any of my friends there. You just have to keep moving forward with your life. Dante helps me with that. Being with him, finding him in the midst of this terrible ordeal, has been the best thing that ever happened.

RM: And what first attracted you to him?

LS: Well, when we first met, he was so straight-laced. He called me ma’am. He played by the rules. Little by little, he relaxed. He let go. He let me into his life and his heart. I guess I was attracted to the fact that he took life seriously, but not so seriously that he couldn’t have fun and bend the rules a little.

RM: Do you like bending the rules?

LS: What rules? No, I’m kidding. Dante thinks that I never listen to him and that I do the exact opposite of what he tells me on purpose. I don’t. Not really. I guess I just act from gut instinct sometimes, and it’s not always in line with “the rules.”

RM: I imagine that running for your life makes you rely on your instincts. You must constantly be on edge. Can you talk about that?

LS: Ugh! We can hardly go out to get groceries without me looking over my shoulder every minute. I’ve been attacked so many times in Hawaii, I’ve lost count. We were running from one safe house to the next. We could barely catch our breaths. When Dante told me there was a mole in the Marshal Service, I thought he had lost his mind. I thought the pressure had gotten to him. I was nearly on the verge of a meltdown myself. But he had a plan and what he said made sense. It’s quiet here, where we’ve escaped to. It’s nice. We can finally breathe a little, but I know we can’t stay in hiding forever.

About the author:

Rachel Mannino 3Rachel Mannino is a passionate writer who creates characters and settings that allow readers to explore power dynamics in relationships, the empowerment of women, and the ethical and moral dilemmas love can create in our lives. Rachel also uses her writing skills to raise thousands of dollars for entities that enrich our lives and create community change around the world.  She has worked for the Peace Corps; the Humanities Council of Washington, DC; Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company; and the Mayor’s Office of Arts, Tourism and Special Events in Boston, MA. Her first novel, Love or Justice, was published by Limitless Press in November 2016. Her second novel, Fractal, will be published by eTreasures publishing in the spring of 2016. Rachel has a BA in theatre studies and writing, literature, and publishing from Emerson College, and she has used it every day since graduation.  She lives with her husband, author Christopher Mannino (http://www.christophermannino.com/), and their adorable dog and cat in College Park, Maryland.  
Facebook | Author Page (FB) | Twitter | Website | Amazon | Literary Addicts | Goodreads 

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Saturday, December 12, 2015

#PROMO and #GIVEAWAY: Rex's Mate by V.S. Morgan



Title: Rex's Mate
Author: V.S. Morgan
Genre: M/M Adult Paranormal IRMC Erotic Romance
Published: November 24, 2015
Publisher: Decadent Publishing 



Former assassin Rex realizes retirement isn’t all it’s cracked up to be without someone to share it with. He longs for the kind of connection his friends Hunter and Casey have. Tired of meaningless hookups, Rex and his wolf are ready to find their mate. But what if his mate is the human-were bunny shifter his former boss placed in his care? Can he win the heart of this fierce and beautiful man? 
Abducted and genetically altered against his will, Aaron is thrust into a world he’d thought was only make-believe. Under the protection of a Minnesota wolf pack, he struggles with his new abilities as a rabbit shifter and his growing attraction for his cocky protector. Can he trust the former assassin to keep him safe and find his brother still being held captive by the evil group responsible for changing his life forever?



“Ms. Morgan wove a tale of loyalty, honor and love. It was a quick read but fully developed and well thought out.”~4 Star Review by The Romance Reviews (from Amazon)
“Another great story by V.S. Morgan! . . . Once I started Rex's Mate, I couldn't put it down. The author has managed to put just the right amount of angst and suspense in the book, along with some sweetness and humor, that keeps you flipping pages. I can't wait to see who's story is next!” ~5 Star Review by Sydnee (from Amazon)
“EXCELLENT read. Loved every bit of it.”~5 Star Review by Amazon Customer




V.S. Morgan has lived all over the US but calls Minnesota her home now. Her family includes her hubby, son, and a menagerie of pets. She's been writing stories since she could hold a pencil and dreams of happily-ever-afters - even for two hot men - because love knows no boundaries. V.S. writes IRMC contemporary, paranormal, and suspense m/m and m/f with heart.  V.S. is a GLBT ally and a lifetime contributor of The Trevor Project.

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Friday, December 11, 2015

#BLAST: PRE-ORDER available for Commander Henry Gallant by H Peter Alesso

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Commander Henry Gallant - EBookHe thought Alaina loved him, but now she’s found someone else. A tidal wave of loss and grief swept over Henry Gallant, leaving him undecided about what to do next, or how to move forward. Despite his sorrow, he goes on a dangerous mission to an invading aliens’ home world in the Gliese-581 star system. There he uses a neural interface to penetrate their communication network and steal a high ranking alien’s identity. Through this artifice he learns about their history and society, and discovers a way to hinder and possibly defeat them. A side-effect of linking into the alien network—which was created for autistic savants—is that Gallant’s mind was stimulated and enhanced to the point where he begins to experience superintelligence abilities. Upon returning from his mission, there is concern that Gallant might pose an even more serious threat than the aliens. While he struggles to fend off those who doubt his loyalty, he fights to win back Alaina. This is the fourth book of The Henry Gallant Saga, but it can be read as a standalone story.

Releases February 19th, 2016.

Preorder Commander Henry Gallant on Amazon

Buy: Henry Gallant Series on Amazon

 

About the author:

pete2As a scientist and author specializing in technology innovation, H. Peter Alesso has over twenty years research experience at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). As Engineering Group Leader at LLNL he led a team of scientists and engineers in innovative applications across a wide range of supercomputers, workstations, and networks. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a B.S. and served in the U.S. Navy on nuclear submarines before completing an M.S. and an advanced Engineering Degree at M.I.T. He has published several software titles and numerous scientific journal and conference articles, and he is the author/co-author of seven books.
Find the author:
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#BLAST: The Height of Perpetual Love by Monica F Hudson

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The Height of Perpetual LoveThy love is ageless, it penetrates the depth of time and encircles the face of your abiding love. In the shelter of the storm it shines it majestic power, giving soothing tranquility to the stormy seas. Know thy flames can never be extinguished or humanity hold its essence in the palm of their hands, for it is the power of the Holy Spirit that radiates its light and gives strength to the weary. It flows as music on air its notes give harmony and feeds the heart compassion.

Buy on Hudson Publishers

   

About the author

monica hudsonMonica F. Hudson has given her writing ministry a visionary depiction of boldness and creative awareness through her covers that leads you down a path inside the pages of not just truth, but a praise dance that any saint would give up a rejoicing word for. She is after all a spiritual writer, who has a genre that includes Christian discipleship, empowerment, and spiritual inspirations, leading her to a string of book, journals, and articles that look like a hymnal turned inside out. She is the author/publisher of Hudson Publishers, a company that markets Christian books for those who want a deeper meaning in their walk with Jesus Christ. She is a member of Allen Temple A.M. E. Church in Pine Bluff, AR. She is a member of the American Christian Writers, Spiritual Writers Association, Association of Writers and Writers Programs just to name of few. Find out more about this writing ministry at www.2cdivineanswers.com.

Find Monica here:

Twitter | LinkedIn | Goodreads | Youtube
 

#REVIEW: 117 Dumbest Criminal Stories The Southwest by Professor Birdsong

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117 non water markedHow dumb can a criminal be? Dumb enough to make you laugh out loud at these true stories of really dumb criminal activity. This volume of Professor Birdsong’s 117 Dumbest Criminal Stories: The Southwest is written just for fun and enjoyment. It showcases the kind of many funny and weird criminal law stories that he has found and written about since 2010. The stories in this volume come to you from the states of Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas -- the Southwest region of the U.S. Professor Birdsong has found out a lot of dumb criminal stories from the Southwest. They include, Drunk and/or Disorderly Dummies from the Southwest; Dumbest Robbers of the Southwest; and includes a chapter of the most bizarre dumbest criminals of the Southwest.     Readers will learn of:
  • the cross-dressing San Diego man who went on a rampage in a Denny’s restaurant when he believed that his cell phone had been stolen;
  • the story of the California man arrested for hoarding and keeping more than 400 snakes in his home;
  • the burglar who was arrested after he tried to break into a college office and became so entangled in the venetian blinds he could not get out;
  • then there is the Texas “panty robber’ who for two years broke into homes and stole women’s underwear;
  • the Arizona story about the bank robber who pulled off the job, received money and was caught shortly thereafter when he stopped down the street from the bank where he stopped and ordered beer and pizza with some of the bank loot;
  • the one about the Dallas woman who bit off her boyfriend’s lower lip while kissing him at midnight at a New Year’s party – she was charged with aggravated assault;
  • the Texas bank robber after receiving the loot tipped the teller with one of the $20 bills she had just given him;
and so many other stories about dumb criminals from the Southwest that make this anthology worth reading and will make you laugh out loud.

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Amazon Paperback

 My Rating: 3 Stars

My Review: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have read a few of the author's books, and each one is the same: stories put together of the stupidest criminal stories. Most of the time, I enjoy his books. They are full of quick little blurbs of criminal stories that leave you scratching your head. Some of them are caught, like the convict who decided to jump the barbed wire fence and left his underwear and jumpsuit hanging on there, only to be caught in his pink socks, and nothing else....
However, this time there were stories in there that weren't criminal activity, but certainly Darwin award-worthy. For instance, the Pastafarian guy who convinced the DMV to allow him to take his license picture with a colander on his head, personally I am looking at the DMV supervisor who let that one through for a Darwin Award.
It is a very quick book to read, and quite numerous, however, I think the author is grasping for stories to fill his quota.

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birdsong-colorAbout the author:

Professor Birdsong received his J.D. from the Harvard Law School and his B.A. from Howard University. He teaches law in Orlando, Florida. After graduation from law school he worked four years at the law firm of Baker Hostetler. He then entered into a varied and distinguished career in government service. He served as a diplomat with the U.S. State Department with various postings in Nigeria, Germany and the Bahamas. Professor Birdsong later served as a federal prosecutor. After leaving government service, and before he began teaching, Professor Birdsong was in private law practice in Washington, D.C. Find Pfr Birdsong on his website and on Twitter @Prof_Birdsong, on Literary Addicts and Goodreads.

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Tuesday, December 8, 2015

#PROMO: Trouble Won't Wait by Autumn Piper

Title: Trouble Won't Wait
Series: Love-N-Trouble Series
Author: Autumn Piper
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: November 6, 2015


Good things may come to those who wait, but trouble waits for no one…


Cheating is a dealbreaker...or so Mandy has always thought. But when she catches her husband getting some “strange,” she realizes how hard it is to cut and run, or even file papers. She agrees to a month of counseling, which will give her time to grieve the loss of her marriage before she has to tell the world—and the kids. Then she meets Adam, who gives her a hunky, if mysterious, shoulder to cry on, and that thirty-day waiting period seems like an eternity.


Adam has no problem confessing that he’s watched Mandy from his window for months as she runs by his house. If he told her why, though, she’d freak out for sure. He knows they’ve got a future together, if he can think of a way to explain his past. And he’s sure the rat-bastard who cheated on her is putting the moves on her again, but he won’t be the revenge guy. The month-long cooling off period she agreed to is lasting forever, and might just be indefinite, if trouble keeps getting in their way.

CONTENT WARNING: Eccentric old lady pushing salt-of-the-earth advice, bossy big brother, kooky counselor, super-secretive hunk, and perfect justice served amidst adult situations and language.








“I was captivated from the moment I started and didn’t want to stop. Can there be something on the other side of this, perhaps something better? …a look at infidelity, the havoc it wreaks and life during and after. For those who like their fiction viable, I highly recommend it.”—Manic Readers
“…the story was full of emotion and feelings from the characters. The author did a wonderful job of pulling this reader into the midst of what was going on and keeping my attention until the very end. …the author's writing talent is superb and the story itself very well written.”—Long and Short Reviews
“Piper had me within the first paragraph. I started reading this at late at night and couldn’t let go of the story. Mandy is ‘every woman.’ She is approachable, she has flaws, and she tries to be a better person. …had a few laugh out loud moments, a lot of stomach churning “how can that happen moments” and lots of ups and downs. I will definitely check out Autumn Piper’s other works.”~Night Owl Reviews 




Born and raised in itty-bitty Rifle, Colorado, Autumn Piper studiously avoided trouble…but is now inclined toward it, particularly in her novels. She thinks the best things in life are funny, and the runners-up, romantic. 
An admitted carb addict, Autumn writes, edits, manages two teenagers, one husband and many supersize houseplants, and does the cooking and cleaning when forced to.
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