JeanzBookReadNReview

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - TABITHA VALE

2012-03-15T13:30:00.000Z

What is your name, wherewere you born and where do you live now?

My name is Tabitha Vale and I live in Portland,Oregon.

Did you always want to be awriter? If not what did you want to be?
Yes, I've always wanted to be a writer. Evenknow as I work on my degree I'd much rather be writing than doing any of thatother stuff.

When did you first consideryourself as a "writer"?
I still don't consider myself a writer. I won'tgive myself that title until I can earn enough money to live off of it. Thereason I do this is because anyone can be a writer. I don't want people tothink that this hobby of mine is my career if it really isn't.

Did it take a long time toget your first book published?
It took me a couple years of querying agents tofinally decide to self publish. At first I had never considered it, but afterhearing some good things about it I tried it out. After I decided to do it, theprocess was quick and easy.

Do you work another job aswell as your writing work?
Nope, just a college student.

What is the name of yourlatest book, and if you had to summarise it in less than 20 words what wouldyou say?
VENUS CITY, which is my debut novel. Gosh, 20words? That's so hard! Let's try this; Braya grew up believing the magenta-eyedboys were inferior to her, but one handsome foreign boy with blue eyes shattersthose beliefs. Close enough to twenty words? Haha.

Who is your publisher? ordo you self publish?
Self publish and proud of myself for doing itall on my own.

How long does it usuallytake you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?
Three weeks! I'm a college student, what elsewould I do with my time? lol

Which of your books wereeasier/harder to write than the others?
I'm in the process of writing the sequel toVENUS CITY, and I'll definitely say that VENUS CITY was harder to write becauseit was the first one I intended to publish and I was really nervous about makingit perfect.

What can we expect fromyou in the future? ie More books of the same genre? Books of a differentgenre?
Lots and lots of more books in the same genre. Ilove my urban fantasy/romance category! That's all my brain seems capable ofimagining.

Do you have plans for anew book? Is this book part of a series?
Yes. The sequel to VENUS CITY (titled EPHRAIMCITY) will be out on March 5, 2012, and the third book in the series is set tocome out April 1, 2012. Beyond that, I have even more plans to continue theseries to to start up a few more series.

Do you have a favouritecharacter from your books? and why are they your favourite?
Asher is definitely my favorite. He's sohandsome, so playful, and so skillful, yet he is deeply flawed. I don't want tosay too much because his flaws are something that become more apparentthroughout the series as he develops and Braya gets to know him better. It'sfor the reader to discover.

If you had to choose to beone of your characters in your book/books which would you be? and why?
Braya, the main character. She goes through alot of troubles, but she really learns her lesson (and will continue throughthe next several books) yet as she learns those valuable life lessons she's stillflawed, and I think that's something I can relate to well, and I hope otherscan too. Plus she transforms from an arrogant little girl to a really powerfuland confident young woman later on in the series.

Where do you get your bookplot ideas from?What/Who is your inspiration?
They usually come at me out of the blue when I'mleast expecting it from the least likely sources.

Do you have a certainroutine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?
I like to move to different places in the house,go to a library, go to a bookstore. Change things up. Sometimes mood-settingmusic can help me portray a certain emotion better, too.

Do you have anybody readyour books and give you reviews before you officially release them?ie. Yourpartner, children, friends, reviewers you know?
I let my younger sisters read them while I'm inthe process of writing them just they can yell at me to keep writing becausethey want to know what happens in the next chapter.

Do you gift books toreaders to do reviews?
Yes, I love doing that.

How do you come up withthe Title and Cover Designs for your book/books?Who designed the Cover of yourbooks?
I think about the titles a lot. I want it to bememorable but also make the readers somewhat curious. Plus, I like titles thatno other books would have. As for the book covers, I like symbolic designsbetter than just a girl or guy's face. I'm not criticizing those kinds ofcovers, though, believe me. Some of them look great! I designed the cover forVENUS CITY but I had a friend design the one for EPHRAIM CITY.
'
Do you choose a titlefirst, or write the book then choose the title?
Write first for sure. Sometimes the title mightbe apparent to me in the middle of writing, or at the end, so if I can't comeup with anything right away I'll be patient. It always comes to me eventually.

How do you come up withcharacters names and place names in your books?
I think of my character names very carefully. Idon't always look up the meaning behind the names, I do sometimes, but mostly Itry to pick names that appeal to me, and names that aren't on the top 100 orsomething. Place names...I usually make those up on the spot haha.

Do you decide on charactertraits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or as you goalong?
I usually know a couple things about mycharacters. Like things about their general personality and some things theymight have to do through the course of the book (and for the main character Iknow way more information than the other characters) but generally they end upchanged through the course of my writing.

Do you basic plot/plan foryour book, before you actually begin writing it out? Or do you let the writingflow and see where it takes the story?
I have to make extensive plans or I'll get lostin the middle. It's happened to me many times. I love planning. It's half thefun!

Have you ever sufferedfrom a "writer's block"? What did you do to get past the"block"?
Everyone does at one point, right? I escape fromthe story. Usually when I'm going about my day it's always there in my head,looming in the background, nagging me. If I have writers block that gets reallyannoying, so I do something to distract myself so that maybe the next day orthe day after that I can return to it with a fresh head.

What do you do to unwindand relax? Do you have a hobby?
Writing is my hobby right now haha. But otherthan that I like watching movies, traveling, spending time with my boyfriend,shopping, and discussing fashion ;) And I study of course!

Have you ever basedcharacters on people you know or based events on things that have happened toyou?
I always hear "write what you know" soyes, most of my characters are based off of bits and pieces from people I know,and even some things from myself are added to them as well.

Are there any hiddenmessages or morals contained in your books? (Morals as in like Aesops Fablestype of "The moral of this story is..")
Yup! Can you guys find them? I love embeddingmorals into the story. I think it makes it easier for a reader to attach orrelate to the story.

Which format of book doyou prefer, ebook,hardback, or paperback?
Love paperback, but I also love ebooks. I grewup reading tons of fanfiction so on my laptop or phone is very comfortable forme!

Do you think ebooks willever totally replace printed books?
It's possible. These kinds of things have atendency to surprise us.

Do you think children atschools these days are encouraged enough to read? and/or do Imaginativewriting?
Reading, yes. At least the schools I went to,and that wasn't that long ago, so I can't imagine they changed it! Writing,however, wasn't encouraged so much (creative writing, at least)

Did you read a lot atschool and write lots of stories or is being a writer something newer in yourlife?
Yup, I was a bookworm, especially in middleschool. In high school I wrote a few books. Even my senior project was writinga book! Everyone seemed to think that was amazing, but I thought it was justnormal haha.

Your blog details?
I blog about my writing, my books, publishing(sucesses/trials/tribulations of self publishing) and sometimes about my ownlife. I don't get hardly any visitors as of yet since I'm still brand new.That's okay :) Here's the link: tabithavale.blogspot.com

Your facebook page?
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tabitha-Vale/343271342372372

Your Goodreads author page?
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5753762.Tabitha_Vale

Your Twitter details?
https://twitter.com/#!/TabithaVale

And any other information you wish to supply?
My Amazon page:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00792MJJ2

I'm a brand new author (only published 1 weekago) so my sites are all very follower-less. Just letting you know it's notbecause I'm repellent :)
Aaw hopefully we will change that soon and you will gain many more followers! Thanks so much for the Interview!

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - LEGACY OF THE SARES

2012-03-15T09:30:00.000Z

Book 1 in the Legacy of The Sares

BLURB from Goodreads
"His magenta eyes flashed up to meet hers and for a moment she thought she saw something spark behind them—something fierce, something challenging." In a city where boys’ eyes are magenta and their emotions of lust, anger, greed, and ambition are remarkably absent, spoiled Braya Vace finds herself in the biggest problem of her young life when she meets handsome, blue-eyed Asher Benedict. It wasn’t supposed to be possible. There wasn’t supposed to be anyone else living outside Venus City. As she tries to unravel the mystery of Asher and his group of foreigner boys, the rest of Braya’s life seems to crumble apart around her. A disapproving mother, a sick younger sister, a mysterious brother, and a humiliating career as a Bride are just a few of the things that Braya has to deal with. Those, and her conflicting feelings for Asher.

Available from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk £1.96

Below is the cover of Book 2 of the Legacy Of The Sares.

EXCERPT - WE SHALL RISE BY J.E. HOPKINS

2012-03-15T09:00:00.000Z

EXCERPT

Beforeshe could blink, he used his supernatural speed to move in front of her. Hepressed his body into hers, intensifying the fireworks between them, hisstrikingly handsome face a mere inch away from hers. The slightest lean forwardand he would once again taste the sweetness of her lips. He remembered that onekiss they shared. It may have been a ploy on her part to lure Helena out fromhiding, but for him it was the gas that ignited the flame of his buried heart.So often he dreamt of that moment—her taste was so sweet and uniquely Reysa.She was the only elixir that could quench his interminable thirst.

He leaned to the side, burying hisface in her neck, breathing in her jasmine scent. Although he was well over sixfeet, with those heeled boots, Reysa was only a couple of inches shorter.

Breathing in deeply, Kadenresponded, “You don’t smell repulsed.” He pulled back, but remained close,staring intently to Reysa’s darkening eyes. “You don’t look repulsed either.You just look hungry.”

Kaden knew he was treadingdangerous ground here. The goal was to push Reysa far away from the darknessthat surrounded him, yet his body screamed for her. What he wouldn’t give foranother taste. Maybe one more chance to savor her unique flavor would free himfrom this dreadful need, but he feared once would never be enough. He wouldfight this temptation. He would never be a slave to lust again. He barelysurvived Helena and Reysa already duped him once, using his attraction to gethim to comply with her plan. He would not fall victim to his passions again. Hewould stay in control.

“Get away from me,” Reysa warned ina calm but lethal voice that signaled Kaden was about to cross a line thatwould lead to severe pain and not the pleasurable kind.

Kaden wanted her to back downfirst. He wanted her to be the one to walk away, but Reysa never responded theway he planned. Goading her was the only option.

“Too intense for you, Rey? Can’tfight your longing for me? You’re not the first woman who had a hard timeresisting and you won’t be the last. I just have that effect on the oppositesex. Don’t be too hard on yourself, babe. Would you like me to kiss you andmake your ache go away?” Please say yes,Kaden hoped, even though his mind cursed him for asking the dangerous question.

“Don’t touch me, Kaden,” Reysawarned again.

A smart man might have taken a fewsteps back and put an end to this tension, but Kaden reveled in the challenge.He enjoyed pushing Reysa to her limits. He wanted to see this beauty explode.She was so close to an eruption. Too close for Kaden to back down now.

Kaden bent his head forward tobrush his lips against hers, but before he could savor the taste, Reysa wasgone. The next thing he felt was a heel in his ass, launching him through thewall of the warehouse. He dug himselfout of the debris and crawled to safety before another portion of the wallcollapsed on him. The motion caused a searing pain in his arm. His collarbonewas dislocated, but no serious damage. He closed his eyes and quickly tuggedhis bone back into place as he spat out a mouthful of plaster. The pain was intense,but it would pass. He opened his eyes and saw his favorite pair of legsstanding in front of him. He gradually looked up and his eyes met a long,silver sword pointing a little too close to his head.

Those blades were never far fromtheir owner. They were a constant companion to Reysa that she used to protectherself, as well as her fellow Misfits. Her skill was undeniable.

“I’m not apologizing for this,” Reysa explainedshifting the sword to point to Kaden’s neck. “I told you to back off, but youwouldn’t listen. You kept pushing and pushing until I had no choice but to pushback. It’s not my fault that I pushed a little harder. Next time, when a girlsays ‘no,’ you’ll hear her.”

WHEN ALL THAT'S LEFT OF ME IS LOVE BY LINDA CAMPANELLA

2012-03-15T06:00:00.000Z

BLURB from Goodreads
When All That's Left of Me Is Love is an intensely personal story about one family's determination to enjoy life while anticipating death. Linda Campanella's emotional account of her last year with her mother, Nancy Sachsse, wrote itself on the pages of her mind as she lay awake unable to sleep in the days and weeks following Nan's death one year and one day after a diagnosis of terminal cancer. It is a heartwarming memoir filled with insights and inspirations that will help anyone jolted into confronting the inevitability and sudden imminence of death. Join the author as she reconstructs and relives a year of living while dying and, in the process, comes to terms with the pain and permanence of her loss. When All That's Left of Me Is Love is indeed a sad story born of death, but it is above all an uplifting portrait of living, loving, believing, and letting go. It is a celebration of the special bond between mothers and daughters, a touching love story, a spiritual journey, a poetry lesson, and even a case for happy hour. This story of a daughter's undying love for her dying mother will move and inspire not only those who face or fear death but also those who love and embrace life.

MY REVIEW

I pride myself on being honest so I have to say that I found this book personally difficult to read. that is not to say it is poorly written, or the content isn't book worthy. The problem I had was that I have lost quite a few aunties in the past few years to this awful disease called cancer, so found the book personally taxing and upsetting to read.

Linda is the brave person telling this heartfelt, and heart-wrenching story of her last year spent with her deeply loved mother, Nancy. I will not lie, the book did upset me at times I was reading it through tears and bleary eyes, but that has much more to do with my own family circumstances and the poignant memories it brought back to me.

As Linda explained to me the book is not written as a "sad" book it has an uplifting feeling to it too. This book contains the wonderful emotions of unconditional, unending love that Linda has for her mum. obviously cancer is mentioned in the book and how Linda and Nancy come to terms with the diagnosis.

I wont add my normal So was the book good etc as I think to do so to such a beautiful, heartfelt book on the subject this one covers is wrong. I would say if you'd like to read Linda and Nancy's journey then go ahead< I would recommend this to you certainly, but just be aware if you have suffered losses to cancer how this book may make you feel and the memories it will rekindle. Having said that all the memories the book re-kindled in me were not bad or sad ones, just highly emotional ones. Its a book to read alone with your tissues undisturbed, I find it difficult to find the words as to say the book is enjoyable or that I enjoyed it sounds wrong. I feel its a book to be treasured and perhaps when I am feeling down thinking of one or the other of my aunties I can perhaps dip into this book to read an uplifting section to help me through too! So thank you for sharing your very personal story with us the readers. I must also add what a beautiful title, and so beautifully written too.

Available from Amazon.com, and Amazon.co.uk.

SHOES, HAIR, NAILS BY DEBORAH BATTERMAN

2012-03-14T10:00:00.000Z

BLURB from Goodreads
The settings of these stories - 1980s New York City, 1950s Brooklyn, Las Vegas, an exurban town post-9/11 - are as diverse as the rich palette of characters drawn with heart, humor, and sensuality. With a sharp sense of the telling detail, Deborah Batterman weaves narratives around the everyday symbols in our world and their resonance in our lives.

MY REVIEW
Honestly, I found this one a little difficult to get through. That is not to say that this book is poorly written. I found that I read more of the book by reading the individual stories in between other book reviews. I could see these individual stories being printed in the big name Women's Magazine's. The stories are detailed, and as the blurb above says are about everyday objects that we all have in our own homes.
The one I felt I liked the most was actually the first one titled SHOES, the way the daughter identified with her mother and was trying to tell her mother to leave her father if she really wasn't happy etc, I actually felt I identified most closely with that one too.
Some of the stories may seem light and fluffy, but when you read them there is a deeper moral or meaning to them.
To be honest these stories are not specifically the genres I usually read so read between other reviews where a change from the norm.
So did I enjoy it? I thought the individual stories were good. Would I recommend? Probably, to friends who would read this type of genre.

Available from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk from £10.98 paperback £3.18 on kindle.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - REGINA SIROIS

2012-03-14T07:00:00.000Z

My name is ReginaSirois, I was born in Missouri and I now live in Kansas.

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

No. I actually fought it. I grew up surroundedby geniuses (literally- all my siblings are geniuses) and I wanted to be ableto do what they could do (math and science). I never counted my talents because I thought writing was easy. I thoughtit was what people did if they weren’t smart enough to do harder things. Ilearned with time that it is a beautiful gift to love words and it enhances mylife far more than algebra.

When did you first consider yourself as a "writer"?

The first time I saw strangers blog about mybook and pronounce it one of their favorites something happened inside of me. Ilooked at myself and said, “holy cow. You are a writer.” It felt delicious.

Did it take a long time to get your first book published?

Um… yeah. I gave up. I told myself it didn’tmatter if I wrote like Bronte and Shakespeare rolled together (which I don’t,by the by)- nobody wanted a book about a normal girl with normal human powersinteracting with normal people. I deleted all my rejection emails and shoved mymanuscript in a drawer and pretended it didn’t exist. I got on with life. Ilearned to see writing as something that made me a better friend- not a destinyto fulfill. And then one day a former test reader asked me for a copy of mymanuscript. She said she missed my book. She wanted it to read again. And thatdid something to me. Lit a fire. I pulled it out, said hello, and tore it apartbefore I started stitching it back together. I decided to print it for myfriends and family to give as gifts. Four days later more than 14,000 peoplehad found it and downloaded it. (I truly have no idea how. No idea.)

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

My debut novel is “OnLittle Wings.” A secret aunt, a questfor truth, a genius with a scar and a heart taking it’s first flight.

What genre would you place your books into?

Young AdultLiterature. I write young adult fiction because that is what I read. Even mostof the classics I love were primarily written for young men and women. It isthat time of life when people are discovering so many powerful truths andemotions and abilities. I love to be there as my characters are on the verge ofthemselves.

Do you have a favourite character from your books? and why arethey your favourite?

My favorite character to write is Little. When I had towrite her scenes I sat at my computer and laughed because that woman cracks meup! I don’t feel like I invented her. I feel like she was always there waitingto be found. She is a jewel.

Do you have anybody read your books and give you reviews beforeyou officially release them?ie. Your partner, children, friends, reviewers youknow?

I think test readers are critical. I even printed up copies of my bookwith a pen name and told friends that my “friend” in Utah wrote a book andneeded opinions. I didn’t want their feelings to taint their review. It gave them the freedom to be honest. Theyprobably wondered why I was tearing up when they liked it. Or they thought Iwas a very empathetic “friend.”

Do you gift books to readers to do reviews?

Absolutely! If I amasking for their time and efforts and honesty, the least I can do is providethe manuscript.

Would you ever ask a reviewer to change their review if it wasnot all positive about your book/books?

Never. If someone thought my book fellsomewhere between frog legs and yard waste I wouldn’t broadcast it on myreviews page, but I believe when you write, you owe something to your readers.And readers should know the truth. My loyalty is to them, not my ego.

How do you come up with the Title and Cover Designs for yourbook/books?Who designed the Cover of your books?

My husband, known as the Artist in my blog, isan accomplished artist and photographer. There was never any question who wouldmake my cover. When I said, “I don’t know, I need it to be a little more…” Henodded and did it. He has a direct line to my brain and when he asked, “do youthink we need to…” I would slap his shoulder and say “definitely.” We were intotal unison when it came to the cover.

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

Write the book first! The title for my bookeluded me for so long. With one week left before I was supposed to order aproof to give my sister for Christmas I finally figured it out. When it was theright one, I knew it. I could feel it.

How do you market/promote your books?

I don’t. I write and I let it go and hope somegood readers catch it before it falls. The most I do is announce on my blog andtell my friends on facebook.

Is there a certain Author that influenced you in writing?

I love Jerry Spinelli. He teaches me thatpoetry can be terse, earthy and beautiful without being sentimental. I thinkyou can taste the words of his books.

What is your favourite book and Why? Have you read it morethan once?

I love I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith. Istill have the same copy from when I was in high school and it is stained,wrinkled, dog-eared, and worn through! Whenever I start to think I am a goodwriter I open it up and get schooled.

Wherecan readers follow you?
On my website, my blog and facebook. (Seriously people, Ijust don’t think twitter is for me)

Your blog details? Tapperandcompany.blogspot.com
Your web site ? reginasirois.com
Your facebook page? Regina Sirois, author

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - ON LITTLE WINGS BY REGINA SIROIS

2012-03-14T03:00:00.000Z

BLURB from Goodreads

Jennifer must do the impossible – bring her mother home. When a family is torn apart by death, two sisters take violently divergent paths and the story of their family appears to end terribly and abruptly. Two decades later Jennifer never dreams that the photo she finds stuck between the pages of a neglected book will tear open a gaping wound to her mother’s secret past. Abandoning her comfortable life with her parents and best friend in the wheat fields of Nebraska, Jennifer’s quest for a hidden aunt leads her to the untamed coast of Maine where she struggles to understand why her mother lied to her for sixteen years.

Across the grey, rocky cove she meets Nathan Moore, the young, reluctant genius surrounded by women who need him to be brother, father, friend, provider, protector and now, first love. The stories, varied, hilarious, and heartbreaking, unfold to paint a striking mural of the shattered past. As Jennifer seeks to piece together her mother’s story, she inadvertently writes one for herself.

Available Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk £1.97 on Kindle.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - MADISON DANIEL

2012-03-13T09:00:00.000Z

1. What is your name, where were you born and where do you live now?

MD: Madison Daniel. Born in Normal, Illinois. Burning bright in Arizona.

2. Did you always want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
MD: No. I wanted to be a rockstar! I was for a little while. Now, I try and bring that intensity to
my books.

3. Did it take a long time to get your first book published?
MD: I spent over 2 in a half years fighting the grind of “trying to get published.” Almost
happened a few times but I eventually decided on self-publishing. So glad I did...that exciting
road led me to my new publishing home! Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing.

4. What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarize it in less than 20 words
what would you say?
MD: Ember. Love never dies...but it can kill.

5. Who is your publisher? or do you self publish?
MD: Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing. They’re a new indie company. Very smart,
very dedicated.

6. What can we expect from you in the future? ie More books of the same genre? Books of a
different genre?
MD: Ember is set for a six book storyline. I have another series I will be pushing soon called “13
Breaths.” It’s more paranormal/scifi/YA. I also have a few literary surprises coming too. So
much going on!

7. Do you have a favourite character from your books? and why are they your favourite?
MD: It’s usually whomever I am writing at the moment. I love Max Valentine, my main
protagonist from the Ember series. BUT I have found a renewed joy for writing with the birth of
a new character named Neve. If I do my job right, she will flip the action heroine genre on its
head! She was originally created for a short story but I am so head over heals for her, that I am
developing an all new saga around her.

8. How do you market/promote your books?
MD: Mostly in the digital realm right now. Websites, blogs and social pages. I am hoping to get
on the road soon. Maybe have a book signing or two.

9. What do you do to unwind and relax? Do you have a hobby?
MD: Write and play music. I enjoy a nice round of golf too. Settles the everyday demons that
haunt us all. Ya know...work, bills, family.

10. Are there any hidden messages or morals contained in your books?
MD: Everything I write can be summed up in one word...HOPE. All my characters are in search
of it in some way. I think we all are. No matter how dark or ugly the world can be, we strive for
the light.

11. Do you think ebooks will ever totally replace printed books?
MD: Eventually they will. No time soon. It will be a generation or two before everyone gives up
on the physical book. When that happens though, it will be a sad day. Because when the
machines finally take over (or zombie apocalypse), we’ll be kicking ourselves that we didn’t
save all those precious words on paper. Ha!

12. Are there any New Authors you are interested in for us to watch out for? and Why should we
watch out for them?
MD: Alexia Purdy, Jenna Kay, Linna Drehmel, Kyani Swanigan, Tymothy Longoria, Nathan
Squiers and Wayne Rutherford. All great voices just getting ready to take over the world. Their
literary appetites are ferocious and they have the best imaginations.

13. If you could invite three favourite writers to dinner, who would you invite and enjoy chatting
with?
MD: Great question! Stephen King, Dr. Suess and Oprah!

14. Where can readers follow you?
MD: The most popular sites of course!

BLOG: http://madisondaniel13.blogspot.com/
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/Madison.Daniel.Author
GOODREADS: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5098993.Madison_Daniel
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/#!/MadisonDaniel13
WEBSITE: http://www.crushingheartsandblackbutterfly.com/index.html

MD: Thank you for your time! I had a great time! Rock on ~ M.
Thankyou for taking the time to take part in this Interview for my blog!

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - MADISON DANIEL

2012-03-13T06:00:00.000Z

About the Author:

Musicis LIFE and the written word is our SOUL. Music and writing have been my trueambition since I was a child. I have used music in every form possible; writingit, performing it, healing with it, etc. I call it my "life'ssoundtrack." I have always written in some form, from comic books toscreenplays to short stories and now the new series "Ember." I havespent my writing life inspired by all the music of the universe, 80's moviesand eye candy. When not writing I enjoy dreaming out loud, challenging the realworld and inspiring the ones I love. I have found a true passion for my storiesand characters and am eager to share them with the world. See you on the nextbook tour...M.D.

Blog:

http://madisondaniel13.blogspot.com/

Twitter:

http://twitter.com/#!/MadisonDaniel13

Goodreads:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5098993.Madison_Daniel

Tumblr:

http://maddanauthor.tumblr.com/

Facebook Author:

http://www.facebook.com/Madison.Daniel.Author

Facebook Book Series:

http://www.facebook.com/EmberSeries

Amazon Author:

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005DMSAIO

Smashwords:

http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/MadisonDaniel

Email:

madisondaniel13@yahoo.com

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - EMBER BY MADISON DANIEL

2012-03-13T03:00:00.000Z

Ember

By Madison Daniel

~Book One in the Ember Series~

Atouch of fire.

Asoul lost to darkness.

Alonging to change the past.

MaxValentine is 18, alone and has the power of a thousand suns at his fingertips.The crush of love will haunt him. The promise of normalcy will elude him. Witha song in his heart and a guitar in his hand he will discover the painfultruth...

...lovenever dies but it can kill.

COVER REVEAL - TASTE BY KATE EVANGELISTA

2012-03-12T10:00:00.000Z

And here is the Cover Reveal for Kate Evangelista's book

Taste

At Barinkoff Academy, there's only one rule: no students on campus after curfew. Phoenix McKay soon finds out why when she is left behind at sunset. A group calling themselves night students threaten to taste her flesh until she is saved by a mysterious, alluring boy. With his pale skin, dark eyes, and mesmerizing voice, Demitri is both irresistible and impenetrable. He warns her to stay away from his dangerous world of flesh eaters. Unfortunately, the gorgeous and playful Luka has other plans.

When Phoenix is caught between her physical and her emotional attraction, she becomes the keeper of a deadly secret that will rock the foundations of an ancient civilization living beneath Barinkoff Academy. Phoenix doesn’t realize until it is too late that the closer she gets to both Demitri and Luka the more she is plunging them all into a centuries old feud.

Hmmm thinking this is one for my wishlist! What does everyone else think?

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - DANA MICHELLE BURNETT

2012-03-12T06:00:00.000Z

Whatis your name, where were you born and where do you live now?

My name is DanaMichelle Burnett. I was born in New Albany, Indiana and now I live in thevery small town of Lanesville Indiana.

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

I think it waspretty obvious from the start that I would be either a writer or anactress. As a child I was always making up stories and then acting themout. I really can't remember ever wanting to be anything else.

Whendid you first consider yourself as a "writer"?

I consideredmyself a "real writer" the first time I actually got paid forsomething I wrote. I couldn't believe that people were willing to give memoney for something I loved to do.

Didit take a long time to get your first book published?

It seemed like it took forever, but when theebook revolution took off, I jumped on the bandwagon too. Once my firstbook was published, everything just seemed to snowball. All of a sudden,all of those stories in my head just started spilling out.

Doyou work another job as well as your writing work?

I'm a stay at home mom to my beautifuldaughter. She is a little dancing diva which makes me a proud dancemom. She is my biggest fan and I love going to her competitions where Ican return the favor by cheering her on.

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

My novel istitled Spiritus. I would describe it as a ghost haunting the teenage girlthat he believes is his wife that killed him reincarnated.

Whois your publisher? or do you self publish?

I made thedecision to self publish. I spent years writing for literary andcommercial magazines. My fiction work always got noticed, but somehownever found an agent or publisher. I've never looked back and lookforward to self publishing many more books.

Howlong does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea tofinishing writing it?

I try to have abook at least every six months, three months would be better, but doesn'thappen that often.

Whichof your books were easier/harder to write than the others?

Spiritus was theeasiest to write, the story seemed to take on a mind of its own. I wouldwrite all day and then stay up well into the night writing some more. Thesequel to Spiritus, Haunted, has proven to be more difficult. It's darkerthan Spiritus and so many things take place behind the scenes that it's easy toget lost in all of that.

Whatcan we expect from you in the future? ie More books of the same genre? Books ofa different genre?

I'm in theprocess of writing Haunted, which is the sequel to Spiritus. It will befollowed by the final book in the story Incarnate. I also have a roughoutline for another paranormal romance book, but it's in the very early stagesso I'm not sure if it will be a single book or another series.

Doyou have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?

Haunted willfollow Spiritus in the upcoming months. After that will come Incarnatewhich will complete the series.

Whatgenre would you place your books into?

I considerSpiritus to be a paranormal romance.

Whatmade you decide to write that genre of book?

Lanesville is close to Corydon Indiana whereSpiritus is set and everytime I went to the grocery, I would drive throughCorydon and see the old mansions and the Civil War battlefield. It wasn'tso much that I decided to write a paranormal romance, that's just what thestory in my head turned out to be.

Doyou have a favourite out of the books you have written? If so why is it yourfavourite?

Spiritus is by far my favourite so farbecause it was so much fun. With it, anything was possible. Iwasn't limited by reality.

Doyou have a favourite character from your books? and why are they yourfavourite?

I loveAlastor! He is just hot, sexy, and irresistable. There is somethingabout him and the way that he loves Becca so completely that just makes himstand out.

Ifyou had to choose to be one of your characters in your book/books which wouldyou be? and why?

I would so beBecca and hook up with Alastor. My previous novel, Two Out of Three has agreat character in Sarah, but she's too self destructive. My literarynovel, Ghost Country, is based too closely on myself to really be that much ofa stretch. I would love to walk a mile in Becca's shoes.

Howlong have you been writing?, and who or what inspired you to write?

I've beenwriting professionally since I was nineteen years old. I got my start asa guest columnist for my local paper, The Tribune, out of New Albany Indiana.

Wheredo you get your book plot ideas from?What/Who is your inspiration?

The idea forSpiritus came from driving past the old mansions in Corydon. Each time Iwould see them the story would progress a little more in my mind until I hadthe complete story mapped out in my head.

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

My writingroutine is a little odd. First off, I don't write in order. I alsotend to write everything out long hand first in old fashioned spiralnotebooks. I also try to listen to music that matches whatever scene Ihappen to be writing.

Doyou have anybody read your books and give you reviews before you officiallyrelease them?ie. Your partner, children, friends, reviewers you know?

My daughterlistens to me talk to myself while I'm writing, so I get instant feedbackthere. My mother is my primary reader and my harshest critic. Ialso have a few friends that read the final edits.

Doyou gift books to readers to do reviews?

I do a lot of giveaways on blogs and Ialways hope that the winners will do a review, but it doesn't always happenthat way. I'm working on building up my mailing list of readers thatwould like free copies in exchange for honest reviews. It would really benice when I do a launch to already have a few reviews lines up.

Doyou read all the reviews of your book/books?

I'm a complete freak about my reviews. I read each and every review. I stress over every star and always worrythat people will hate my book. When I get the email from google alertsthat my book is mentioned somewhere, I immediately get butterflies in mystomach.

Whatwas the toughest/best review you have ever had?

I've had a few bad reviews, but I whine tomy family about it and then go on. It's impossible for everyone to loveyour book, but I still give myself permission to boohoo for a moment and then Ijust move on.

Wouldyou ever ask a reviewer to change their review if it was not all positive aboutyour book/books?

I've had somereviews that made me say ouch, but that's the nature of the business. Itwould be totally unacceptable for me to ask a reviewer to change theirreview. I would consider that not only ridiculous, but also careersuicide.

Howdo you come up with the Title and Cover Designs for your book/books?Whodesigned the Cover of your books?

As crazy as it sounds, my eight year olddaughter helps me design most of my covers. She has an eye for the visualdetails that I don't have. She basically designed the Spiritus cover anddid some really cool stuff on CafePress.com with some quotes from the novel ona mousepad.

Doyou choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?

Spiritus spentmost of its life as "Untitled Ghost Book" because every title I cameup with sounded too hokey. I was watching television and there was apriest talking in latin and there it was...Spiritus. It was short,simple, and most people are aware that it means spirit.

Howdo you market/promote your books?

I love visitingblogs and spreading the word, but I'm aqlso a nut for Twitter. I couldeasily waste an entire day on Twitter without accomplishing anything. Ialso utilize Facebook and Goodreads as much as possible.

Whichformat of book do you prefer, ebook,hardback, or paperback?

I have to admitthat I love ebooks. I don't think I'll ever buy another paperbackagain. I got the Kindle Fire for Christmas and I love it!

Whatis your favourite book and Why? Have you read it more than once?

My favorite book is Gone With TheWind. I love how it's not a predictable "happily ever after"sort of story and has a female lead that takes control of her owndestiny. I've read it so many times that the print has been rubbed offthe pages around the edges.

Doyou think books transfer to movies well? Which is you favourite/worst book tomovie transfer?

Myfavourite book to movie transfer has to be the Twilight Saga. Most of thetime I don't think that books transfer well, but in the case of Twilight Ithink they caught the look and feel portrayed in the novel.

Doyou think ebooks will ever totally replace printed books?

I think print only has a few years left atthe most. Ebooks are just more convenient. I have boxes of bookseverywhere, but with an ereader you can store hundreds of books without needingextra storage.

Doyou think children at schools these days are encouraged enough to read? and/ordo Imaginative writing?

I wrote a blogpost about why we should all get down on out knees and thank Stephenie Meyerfor capturing the interest of our youth with her sparkling vampires. Kidstoday are not encouraged to have imaginations and if it wasn't for Twilight andHarry Potter, they would all be vapid minded drones.

Didyou read a lot at school and write lots of stories or is being a writersomething newer in your life?

I always lovedreading and almost got thrown out of school for reading Lolita. I beganwriting stories in junior high and by high school had many short stories andnovellas finished.

Isthere a book you know you will never read? Or one you tried to read but justcouldn't finish? I triedto read Secret Life of Bees, but couldn't finish it. No matter how hard Itried, I just couldn't connect with the characters.

Arethere any New Authors you are interested in for us to watch out for? and Whyshould we watch out for them?

I discovered afellow author that lives across the river from me. Her name is RosePressey and her books are also paranormal romances and I'm really liking them.

Whatdo you think about book trailers?

I love booktrailers. I did one for my decorating book that was really simple and notthat impressive, but people still seemed to like it when I had it on thesite. I did two trailers for Two Out of Three, a short one and a longerone, I love both of them. I wanted to do one for Spiritus, but justcouldn't get the right feel.

Whatpiece of advice would you give to a new writer?

I would tell a new writer to have a killercollection of beta readers that can be cruel. I would also suggest selfpublishing or at least finding an ebook publisher. The days of print arequickly fading.

Wherecan readers follow you?

Your blog details?  http://www.danamichelleburnett.com/blog.html
Your web site ?  http://www.danamichelleburnett.com/index.html
Your facebook page?  http://www.Facebook.com/DanaMichelleBurnett
Your Goodreads author page? http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4539327.Dana_Michelle_Burnett
Your Twitter details?  http://www.Twitter.com/DanaMBurnett

Thankyoun Dana for taking the time to take part in this Interview.

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - SPIRITUS BY DANA MICHELLE BURNETT

2012-03-12T03:00:00.000Z

BLURB from Goodreads

A love that refuses to die…

“As I watched him vanish into a soft mist that faded away, I knew that he was no ordinary spirit…I knew that he was a dangerous entity that could be in some corner of another realm planning his revenge, but I also knew that I was hopelessly in love with him.”

When Becca moves into her ancestral home in Corydon, Indiana, her life takes a puzzling and thrilling turn when she meets the ghost haunting the halls. As the seductive spirit lures her closer and closer, she learns about her own past and starts to understand that some mistakes are meant to last.

Becca McAllister has always been different from other girls her age. Never part of the "in crowd", Becca never really fit in anywhere. When her mother dies and her father moves them to the small town of Corydon, Indiana, Becca didn't expect things to change.

But things do change when Becca accidentally makes contact with a one hundred and sixty year old ghost, Alastor Sinclair, that haunts the halls of her new home.

To Becca, Alastor is a seductive spirit that seems to see straight into her soul. To Alastor, Becca is what he was waited a century for--A second chance.

But the closer they get, the more Becca realizes that this isn't the first time she and Alastor have known each other. Worse still, is she the one responsible for his death so long ago? And if so, did he come back for love or revenge?

Available from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk £0.77 a bargain!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - SKY LUKE CORBELLI

2012-03-11T13:00:00.000Z

1. What is your name, where were you born andwhere do you live now?

Sky Luke Corbelli, born in California and stillliving here because, honestly, why would I leave?

2. Did you always want to be a writer? If notwhat did you want to be?
I did not. For much of my youth, I claimed towant to rule the world, but I was young and foolish. Looking back, I believe Iactually wanted to be a mad scientist of the benign megalomaniac persuasion, asI've found myself to be chaotic neutral whenever possible. Apparently suchoccupations are frowned upon in this day and age, so I have instead decided toinflict my mad will upon a fantasy world, as is the natural progression ofthings.

3. When did you first consider yourself as a"writer"?
Immediately after my book became a best seller.Wait, that hasn't happened yet. Um... in that case, the first time that I saw asale of my book to someone I did not personally know.

4. What is the name of your latest book, and ifyou had to summarise it in less than 20 words what would you say?
My latest (only?) book is Wind-Scarred. And Iwould probably say something like...

What?! Twenty words?! But... but... The depth ofmy characters! The unique magic system! Wormholes! Honestly, there's simply noway.

5. Who is your publisher? or do you selfpublish?
I self publish, because I'd rather have peopleread my book today than publishers look at it tomorrow.

6. How long does it usually take you to write abook, from the original idea to finishing writing it?
Hmmm... I had the first inkling of a scene inWind-Scarred nearly six years ago. For four more years after that it stewed inmy mind, latching on to errant ideas and idle thoughts, growing in the darkplaces, occasionally venturing out and giving me glimpse of what it had become.Finally my wife got fed up with hearing snippets of the story and demanded Iwrite it down. For a month I slaved away over the manuscript, tirelesslyworking my way through the first half of the story... and then a new JimButcher book came out, work got busy, I played some video games, got married,bought a house... and the story sat, untouched. A year and a half passed, andthe story made its triumphant return. Two months of writing, editing, and betareading later, it was finished.

Of course, in the month and a half since then,I've written the sequel, and expect to have it and the conclusion out beforethe middle of the year.

7. What can we expect from you in thefuture? ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?
More books, although I'll probably be stickingwith some flavor of fantasy. Currently in the works are the remainder of mysci-fi fantasy as well as an urban fantasy series, with some Lovecraftianhigh(ish) fantasy... and if all of that gets written, I'll be so impressed withmyself, I'll pretty much have to write more.

8. Do you have plans for a new book? Is thisbook part of a series?
I do! Book 2 of The Will of the Elements:Water-Seer should (by the time you are reading this) be in editing.

9. What genre would you place your books into?
Ah, good, an easy question. Distopian ScienceFiction Fantasy Adventure with a touch of Humor and a dash of Romance.

10. What made you decide to write that genre ofbook?
A touch of madness. Also, it seemed like a goodidea at the time.

11. Do you have a certain routine when writing?For example, do you listen to music, sit in a certain chair?
I listen to something by Yuki Kajiura, BellaFleck, or Andreas Vollenweider and type until I can't feel my fingers.

12. Do you have anybody read your books and giveyou reviews before you officially release them? Your partner, children,friends, reviewers you know?
I have a small horde of beta readers how are soenraged at the fact that I actually wrote a book that they pick my plot andprose apart with a passion and glee I've rarely witnessed outside of hungrypredators.

13. Do you gift books to readers to do reviews?

Sometimes.

14. Do you read all the reviews of yourbook/books?
Every single one.

15. Would you ever ask a reviewer to changetheir review if it was not all positive about your book/books?
Never, although I do enjoy talking to them aboutwhat they didn't like. Without honest criticism, I'll never get better.

16. How do you come up with the Title and Cover Designsfor your book/books? Who designed the Cover of your books?
Using nothing but duct tape and WD-40, Imanufacture a small scale atom smasher and look for patterns in the decayresidue of the subatomic particles.

That's actually a lie. I come up with an idea,my wife points out that it's stupid, then she proceeds to create somethingamazing which I callously slap on the front of my book.

17. What do you do to unwind and relax?Do youhave a hobby?
Chess. Oh, and swimming! Often, though, videogames.

18. Are there any hidden messages or moralscontained in your books? (Morals as in like Aesops Fables type of "Themoral of this story is..")
Yes, but if I told you what they were, I'd havekill you.

19. What is your favourite book and Why? Have you read it more than once?
One of the hard questions... for much of myyouth, it oscillated between A Horse and His Boy and The Hobbit. If you have toask why, go read them.

As I grew, books like Monstrous Regiment andGood Omens jumped to the top, and A Game of Thrones sat there for a time.Uglies has been a contender, as has Cursor's Fury... it almost seems I have afavorite for every mood and day of the week.

Right now, it is probably The Name of the Wind,because it was brilliant, although Mr. Sanderson is always surprising me withnew and interesting things...

Are there people who only read books they likeonce? How extraordinary...

20. Do you think books transfer to movies well?Which is you favourite/worst book to movie transfer?
Sometimes... although often not.

Eragon was probably the worst... while I'm nofan of the series, the movie was truly atrocious. The Prestige or Stardust aremy favorites, as I loved both movies and disliked both books, which surprisedme.

21. What are you currently reading? Are youenjoying it? What format is it?(ebook, hardback or paperback)
This question. I guess so. Oh, you meant books!

The Emperor's Edge series by Lindsay Buroker. Iam, very much. Ebook.

22. Are there any New Authors you are interestedin for us to watch out for? and Why should we watch out for them?
Lindsay Buroker and B. Justin Shier, becausethey're awesome.

23. Is there anything in your book/books youwould change now if you could and what would it be?
I would change the hidden city to a ninjaacademy, the main characters to ferrets, the wormholes to Valkyries, andeveryone else to rabbits with laser vision who are also pirates. That's right,ninja ferrets riding Valkyries versus laser rabbit pirates, copyright Sky LukeCorbelli.

Seriously though, aside from a typo or two I'msure is lurking in there, I wouldn't change a thing.

24. What piece of advice would you give to a newwriter?

Write a book. It makes writing books easier.

Thank-you for taking the time to take part in this Interview!

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - WIND SCARRED BY SKY LUKE CORBELLI

2012-03-11T10:00:00.000Z

Ezra Hawkins is going to change the world.

Although, honestly, there isn't that much world left to change. After the Great War that nearly destroyed the Earth, mankind has been reduced to a single city: Sanctuary. Hidden from the ravages of the world, the last scions of humanity have eked out their existence through hard work and ingenuity, managing survival, maybe even a little happiness.

But Ezra Hawkins, last heir to the legacy of wormhole technology, will show them something that no human in over a thousand years has known: Hope.

This is a story of science against magic, of people who can bend the elements to their will and the shadowy forces that police them. And most of all, Wind-Scarred tells the tale of a young man desperate to learn the true nature of the past, and of a planet that has its own ideas about the future.

Availalble Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk £0.77 a bargain price!

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - INSANITY BY AARON JORDAN

2012-03-11T03:00:00.000Z

BLURB from Goodreads

Insanity has destroyed humanity once and is now poised to destroy it again. For a thousand years, the scourge has been held in check by specialized vitamins. Instability in the human genome, however, threatens to render the vitamins impotent, unless someone can solve the DNA Dilemma. Fighting a losing battle against his own decline into insanity, medical student John Turner writes a revolutionary thesis that he hopes will save the human race. But as events unfold, John discovers that insanity is not at all what his education has led him to believe. Furthermore, his wife concludes that his thesis is not the panacea he imagines, but instead represents the greatest threat to human freedom and happiness that the world has ever known. With time running out and the stakes rising, John must face the evil within and make a terrifying choice.

Available from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk £9.28 paperback

SWAG GIVEAWAY!

2012-03-10T11:30:00.001Z

Both myself and my daughter (from Rai29BookReadNReview) have kindly been sent quite a bit of swag from various authors over a few months and we have decided to do an international giveaway to share it with our followers!

We are giving away two brilliant swag packs, one for each winner.

The first Winner drawn will win this brilliant bumper swag pack "Swag pack One" pictured below.

SWAG PACK ONE

SWAG PACK ONE CONSISTS OF:

1 Large Exiled bookmark

1 Large Vaempires bookmark

1 Touch Of Frost bookmark

1 Kiss Of Frost bookmark

1 SIGNED Amongst The Ruins bookmark

1 Hunt The Moon bookmark

1 SIGNED Flame Of Surrender bookmark

1 Born At Midnight notebook

1 Born At Midnight pen

1 Born At Midnight bookmark

2 (different) Oh. My. Gods bookmarks

1 Sweet Venom sticker

1 Fins temporary tattoo

1 Oh. My. Gods pin badge

1 Got Myth? pin badge

And a second Winner drawn will receive the smaller but still brilliant Swag Pack Two pictured below.

SWAG PACK TWO

SWAG PACK TWO CONSISTS OF:

1 Large Exiled bookmark

1 Touch Of Frost bookmark

1 Kiss Of Frost bookmark

1 Hunt The Moon bookmark

1 SIGNED Flame Of Surrender bookmark

1 SIGNED Vision bookmark

1 SIGNED Radiant Shadows bookmark

2 (different) Oh. My. Gods bookmarks

1 Sweet Venom sticker

1 Fins temporary tattoo

1 Oh. My. Gods pin badge

So now you have seen the lovely Swag Packs that are available, lets take a look at the terms and conditions, basically you need to be 13+ or over, this Giveaway is International! so everyone can take part! The Winners will be drawn using Random.org and out joint blog decision is final. Please only enter once unless the option below indicates otherwise. And that's it! See the Rafflecopter Form below. Please remember you MUST be a follower of BOTH blogs to enter the giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - A SLIVER OF A SHADOW BY ALLISON PANG

2012-03-09T03:00:00.000Z

ASliver of Shadow

Book2 Abby Sinclair Series

ByAllison Pang

ASliver of Shadow Blurb:

Just when hernew life as a TouchStone – a mortal bound to help OtherFolk cross between Faeryand human worlds – seems to be settling down, Abby Sinclair is left in chargewhen the Protectorate, Moira, leaves for the Faery Court. And when theProtectorate’s away…let’s just say things spiral out of control when a spell onAbby backfires and the Faery Queen declares the Doors between their worldsofficially closed.

The resultsare disastrous for both sides: OtherFolk trapped in the mortal worldare beginning to fade, while Faerie is on the brink of war with the daemons ofHell. Along with her brooding eleven prince Talivar and sexy incubus Brystion,Abby ventures to the CrossRoads in an attempt to override the Queen’s magic.But nothing in this beautiful, dangerous realm will compare to the discoveriesshe’s making about her past, her destiny, and what she will sacrifice for thoseshe loves.

Buy Links:

Amazon Kindle B&N Nook BAM Powells Indiebound Chapters

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - ROBERT DOWNS

2012-03-08T13:00:00.000Z

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

Not at all. When I was little, I wanted to be a garbage man, and Iused to practice when my mom and I went to the grocery store. I’d hang off tothe side, one-handed, and I’d toss random cans into the cart when my mom hadher back to me. But I did always love reading, and when I was smaller, beingread to. That was how I woke up in the morning: with a stack of books tallerthan I was and either my mom or dad’s lap. I’d sit for hours listening to storyafter story. Out of all the gifts they’ve been able to give me that wascertainly one of the best.

Whatinspired you to write? Did it take you long to get your first book published?

The movie Finding Forrester helped change my way of thinking when it came towriting. I always hated writing in school, because it was all about the rules(not necessarily a bad thing), and it was forced down my throat. I neverthought of writing for myself, until I watched Finding Forrester. After the movie, though, something clicked forme, and I realized for a shy guy I had a whole lot to say. I opened thismassive floodgate that I haven’t been able to close since. And if I’m lucky,it’ll never close.

It depends on your definition of long. Istarted writing about twelve years ago, and my initial writing was prettyawful, even though my mom told me it was good. Later I found out that shedidn’t particularly care for it, but she didn’t want to hurt my feelings. But Ilearned a lot along the way, and I constantly strived to improve my craft. Likemost writers, my first novel, FallingImmortality, wasn’t the first manuscript I ever wrote. When I startedwriting it, though, something just clicked, and as I started getting into thestory, it felt different than the other stories that had come before it. Sobefore I was able to publish FallingImmortality, I’d already completed work on two sequels.

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

My debut mystery novel is called Falling Immortality. Casey Holden isasked by an attractive widow to solve a cold case, discovering more troublethan he expected.

Howlong does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea tofinished product?

It really depends on the book. You can’tmanipulate art, and you certainly can’t outsmart a fickle muse. When thewriting is going well, the words practically flow from my fingertips to themanuscript, without much effort on my part. And when it’s going poorly, you can’tbuy a vowel even if you have thousands of dollars in your pocket. But to answeryour question, I probably spent a year and a half or so of actual writing andediting time on Falling Immortality.Its sequel Graceful Immortality camea bit quicker. However, the third novel in the series took longer to producethan the second. So it really is a crapshoot.

Whatcan we expect from you in the future? i.e. More books of the same genre? Booksof a differentgenre?

I’d really like to find an audience for Falling Immortality, because I alreadyhave two sequels with my publisher. However, they’re a small, independentpress, so they want my first novel to have some legs before they commit todoing either of the two sequels. I’ve been told my writing has improved witheach manuscript, so I think I’m on the right track. Plus, Casey and I haveunfinished business together. And I’ve already learned a few things aboutmarketing a mystery novel, so I’m not ready to change genres just yet. I’vebegun work on manuscripts outside of the mystery genre, but I need to establishmyself as a mystery writer first.

What genre would you place your bookinto?

First and foremost my novel is a mystery.When you begin to narrow it down, I fall into the hard-boiled mystery category,along the lines of Mickey Spillane or Robert B. Parker. You could also classifymy books as MANfiction. My novel is written in first person, so I knew I neededa strong voice to sustain my main character through a novel, and ultimately, aseries of novels; I try to give the reader enough action to keep thementertained; and he drives a 2005 Dodge Viper SRT-10. I had no idea I’d writtenmyself into the MANfiction sub-genre, but I discovered later that I had all theelements of a MANfiction novel.

Wheredo you get your book plot ideas from? What/who is your inspiration?

From everywhere. God granted me the gift of an extremely analyticalmind, probably to my detriment, in some cases. But it does come in handy when Iwrite. I’m a huge fan of mystery and thriller novels, action movies, anddetective TV shows. On some level that I’m not even aware of, I channel all ofthis knowledge, pull out the different parts that I like the best, andhopefully create something brand new. I haven’t found a character like Casey Holdenyet, and so far neither has my publisher.

Doyou read all the reviews of your book?

Whether they’re good or bad, I read all thereviews of my book. If someone took the time to read my book, and then wentabove and beyond the call of duty by writing a review, I figure the least I cando is take the time to read what they have to say. I may not always likeeverything they have to say, or agree with it, but it’s only fair to give thema bit of my time, since they gave me a bit of theirs.

Doyou choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?

Again, it really depends on the book. Mostof the time I either have a title ahead of time, or I come up with a title veryearly on in the writing process. This was the case with Falling Immortality, and it was the case with many of my as yetunpublished works. I find the title helps give me a bit of focus for the novel,and since it can be tricky to choose a title, it’s nice to get that part out ofthe way. On the other hand, there have been times when I haven’t chosen aneffective title until the end of the process, but it wasn’t from a lack ofeffort on my part.

Howdo you market/promote your books?

Since this is my first novel, I’m tryingeverything I can think of to reach readers. But you also have to tailor yourapproach to what fits your personality. There are authors out there who believein the hard sell, but that’s just not me. More than anything, I’m trying tocreate awareness for my novel, so I’ve become fairly involved in socialnetworking (Facebook and Goodreads), speaking (I’m going to do a series oflibrary talks in New Mexico), advertising online, a website (it’s become standardnow), and of course, book signings. I’ve taken quite a few tips from JohnKremer, and I’ve tailored them to what I feel most comfortable doing.

Haveyou ever based characters on people you know or based events on things thathave happenedto you?

It’s really difficult to write (it’s suchan extremely personal endeavor), and not bring out various aspects of my personality.On one level or another, every character in my novels has personality traits orquirks that are either directly from me, or from people I have come in contactwith. Since writing for me is an escape from reality, I haven’t yet based anyof my plotlines on events in my life, because for the most part, my life ispretty boring, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Whatdo you think about book trailers?

I’m all for book trailers. I had COSProductions create a book trailer for FallingImmortality, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the result. But are booktrailers effective promotional tools for novels? So far I haven’t seen where ithas affected my book sales, but I hope it has increased awareness of my novel.Even if it doesn’t, though, I would probably still continue to do them, becausewhen they are done right, the end result is fantastic. Plus, I love watchingmovies, and I’ve always been a big fan of effective movie trailers.

Whatpiece of advice would you give to a new writer?

What I often hear and read frequentlymyself: never give up. Let’s face it, writing is extremely difficult, and it’seven harder to promote a novel than it is to write one. But if you can’timagine not doing it, and your main reason for writing is love of the craft, there’snot a more rewarding job out there. Nothing compares to connecting with areader, and having them actually get what you are trying to do; typing “TheEnd” on a completed manuscript; the entire creation process; or holding thephysical book in your hands. Not to take anything away from mothers (since Ilove mine and wouldn’t be the person I am today without her), but my novel ismy baby, and the entire experience will stay with me for the rest of my life.

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - FALLING IMMORTALITY

2012-03-08T10:00:00.000Z

MANfiction, as Steven King calls this genre of fiction. "Fallling Immortality" is a detective murder mystery written in the first person. The main character, Casey Holden, is a womanizing, smartass, Sports-car-driving trust-fund baby who doesn't have to work; but he's a darn good detective, especially when his client is gorgeous.

This book is in my to read and review pile as well as my mums pile and since robert kindly sent me a paperback my dad is also able to read and review this title too.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - AARON JORDAN

2012-03-08T06:00:00.001Z

What is your name, where were you bornand where do you live now?

My name is Aaron Jordan. I was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. I currently live in Charlottesville,Virginia, but only while my wife is in school.

Did you always want to be a writer? Ifnot what did you want to be?

I have wanted to be a writer for as longas I can remember, though I have wanted to do other things also. When I was a child and watched the televisionshow The Fall Guy, I wanted to be aHollywood stuntman. Later I wanted to bea jet fighter pilot and astronaut and study aeronautical engineering. By high school I wanted to be a pediatricheart surgeon, but this goal ended once I started the pre-medical program incollege. That is when I decided to get alaw degree and become a diplomat. I nowhave the legal education and have not entirely ruled out diplomacy, but I amnot actively trying to get into the Foreign Service at this time. I will probably continue to practice law . .. unless my writing takes me in a new direction.

When did you first consider yourself asa "writer"?

Probably when I was nine years old andwrote a Star-Wars-like science fiction story in elementary school.

Did it take a long time to get yourfirst book published?

It took probably about four or fiveyears to see my first novel in print after I first attempted to write a novel.

Do you work another job as well as yourwriting work?

Yes. I work as an attorney.

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

The name of my latest book is Insanity, which asks two main questions:Are people basically good or evil? Canthey govern themselves in freedom or not?

Who is your publisher? or do you selfpublish?

My publisher is Cedar Fort, Inc. It is a small publisher in Utah, where I usedto live. Cedar Fort publishes a lot ofLDS books, especially for the local Utah market, but it also publishesmainstream fiction for a broader national and international market. Insanityfalls into that broader category. Allbooks published by Cedar Fort have to meet certain basic standards to maintainthe publisher’s family-friendly image, so you won’t find any swearing orgraphic sex or extreme violence in Insanity.

Do you have plans for a new book? Isthis book part of a series?

Insanity is a stand-alone novel. Isuppose I could write a sequel to it, but I have no such plans at thistime. Right now I am getting close tofinishing a new novel that is more in the fantasy genre. It’s about a boy whose mother is dying, andhe is given an opportunity to travel into a parallel realm to obtain a uniqueflower that can heal her.

What genre would you place your booksinto?

My first novel, A Dream of Freedom, is historical fiction about a Soviet spy in theUnited States during World War II. Insanity is soft science fiction—dystopianscience fiction, to be more precise. Mynew novel, which I will probably name TheElixir, is fantasy.

What made you decide to write that genreof book?

I wrote Insanity as a dystopian novel because I felt that dystopia was thebest genre to address the moral and political issues that Insanity raises. Much of thereal world, especially in politics, reflects the sad tendency of human beingsto make imperfect reality worse while intending to make it better. It is the old tragedy of seeking perfectsolutions to life’s intractable problems. Some people eventually realize that they are chasing after castles inthe sky, while others never shake off their delusions and carry the fantasieswith them to their graves, sometimes leaving havoc in their wake. Insanityexplores different worldviews about human nature and political society.

Do you have a favourite out of the booksyou have written? If so why is it your favourite?

So far, my favorite is Insanity. I am a political junky who has always been asucker for dystopia. I put my heart andsoul into writing Insanity, and Ilearned much along the way. I hope thatin the future I will produce something even better for readers to sink theirteeth into.

Do you have a favourite character fromyour books? and why are they your favourite?

My favourite character so far isprobably Angela Turner from Insanity. I love her passion for human liberty and herkeen moral intuition.

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

For the past couple of years, I havedone most of my writing in the front passenger’s seat of my ToyotaCorolla. As a lawyer, I drive all overthe Commonwealth of Virginia conducting real estate auctions at courthouses,and I usually have a little time each day while I am waiting for my sales. That is when I try to squeeze in my writing,because I find it almost impossible to get anything done at home.

Do you have anybody read your books andgive you reviews before you officially release them?ie. Your partner, children,friends, reviewers you know?

My mother read Insanity and hated it—well, she hated a particular scene in it anddemanded that I alter the plot. Herstrong, visceral reaction convinced me that the story had real punch to it, soI left the plot alone despite my mother’s objections. You know you’re doing something right whenyour mother reacts with such palpable intensity.

Do you gift books to readers to doreviews?

Right now, yes. But I can’t give away free books to everyone.

Do you read all the reviews of yourbook/books?

I’ve read the reviews of Insanity, but so far only a few peoplehave reviewed it. I look forward toseeing more reviews on the Internet, such as on Amazon and Goodreads.

Would you ever ask a reviewer to changetheir review if it was not all positive about your book/books?

No way. If you hate my book, let the world know why you hate it. All I ask is that you’re honest about it anddon’t misrepresent me or my book. As faras improving my writing goes, negative feedback helps me probably more thanpositive feedback, because it shows me what I should change. Of course, negative reviews might hurt thesales of my book, but then again, if my book isn’t good enough to earn positivereviews, then it does not deserve success, and I don’t want readers wastingtheir money on an inferior product that does not leave them feeling that theygot their money’s worth. Competition andfeedback are what the market is all about, and anyone who knocks me down in areview will see me rise again with a better product later on. So hit me with your best shot and show mewhere I need to do better. And if youlove what I have written, give me a boost.

How do you come up with the Title andCover Designs for your book/books?Who designed the Cover of your books?

Brian Halley at Cedar Fort isresponsible for the cover design of Insanity. I have never met Brian, nor did Icollaborate with him directly, but he did an awesome job. Cedar Fort asked me for suggestions for thecover, and I gave them some ideas. Iproposed a black book with a red title and a large, gray DNA double helix. I mentioned some other ideas, such as apicture of the world or the city where the story takes place. I even toyed around with images of mushroomclouds from atomic explosions. But in myresponse to Cedar Fort’s request for input, I dismissed these other ideas justas soon as I mentioned them, because I loved the symbolic imagery of the DNAdouble helix. I assume it was Brian whotook some of these secondary ideas of mine and incorporated them into the finaldesign.

So I helped with the concept for thecover design, and Cedar Fort added some other things, but ultimately Cedar Fortdid all the work on the design. Forexample, the idea of using the double helix as the “S” in the title was totallyCedar Fort’s, not mine. I thought thatwas a great touch. I also had nothing todo with the catchy phrase above the title that reads, “SOMETIMES THE CURE ISWORSE THAN THE DISEASE.” Another greattouch.

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

I originally chose the title Millennium and then wrote the book, but whenI looked at what I had written, I realized that Insanity was a much better title. I originally had intended to write about the dystopian society thatexisted for a thousand years, but I had to write my story before I reallydiscovered it. The writing processrevealed the story to me, and in the end, that process showed me that my storywas not really about the thousand years of utopia, but was rather about thecollapse of that utopia and the consequences unleashed by its demise. So I guess the answer to both parts of yourquestion is “Yes.”

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

Insanity is full of morals, metaphors, symbols, and lessons, but I, theauthor, do not know what all those lessons are. Some of them are hidden even from me! Only my readers can uncover them. I wrote Insanity with variousambiguities and different points of view built into the plot so that readerswill have to decide for themselves what the morals of the story are. I did not want to tell my readers what theyshould believe.

What piece of advice would you give to anew writer?

Never stop learning and never give up.

Your blog details?

http://www.aaronjordanauthor.blogspot.com/

Your web site?

www.amazon.com/author/aaronjordan

www.insanitybook.com

Your facebook page?

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aaron-JordanAuthor/216061015116924

Your Goodreads author page?

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1607096.Aaron_Jordan

Your Twitter details?

aaronjordan11

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - PERILOUS MOON

2012-03-08T06:00:00.000Z

BLURB from Amazon

Fired with a determination to find the reason why the Moon affects his planet so badly, Berannes gains the magical skills to transport himself there. On misty, sparsely-populated Lume he discovers the sorcerer Tironsar, bent on completing his mysterious Lodestone, which may give him supreme domination over many worlds; and the lovely princess Falmorwy of the Far Galaxy, who is somehow involved in the sorcerer’s plan.

Berannes finds his dreams of becoming a hero don’t always turn out the right way. The two “star-horses” may be allies, but they carelessly order him around; and dwarfish Dron and Lalmi also have a different agenda for him. Even his growing love for the princess brings him inner torment, as she insists on returning to the perils of the sorcerer’s Citadel on a quest for further information. And always he is conscious of the fact that time is running out—fast!

Available from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk £1.98 on kindle

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - CYNTHIA HARRIS

2012-03-08T03:00:00.000Z

Whatis your name, where were you born and where do you live now?

Hi,my name is Cynthia Harris, born in Sydney, Australia, and now living on a smallfarm about half way between Sydney and Canberra, with a wonderful husband andmany four-legged family members.

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

Ialways wanted to be a teacher like my nana – and that’s what I became; butmaking up stories was something I did constantly for as long as I remember.

Whendid you first consider yourself as a "writer"?

I’vebeen one as long as I could write, but mostly a “closet” writer, extremely shyabout showing anyone else my weird burblings.

Didit take a long time to get your first book published?

In aword, yes. For decades I never even tried, but the coming of the internetopened up some opportunities and I became a little bit braver.

Doyou work another job as well as your writing work?

Yes,I’m still teaching (old teachers never die – my grandmother retired at 72,though I hope I can manage it before that age).

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

Mylatest book is “Perilous Moon”: fantasy romance, suitable for YA (or older, dependingon your taste), sweet and clean but plenty of action. Escapist fun.

Whois your publisher? or do you self publish?

Thepublisher for this is Astraea Press, to whom I am very grateful. I also have anebook, “Undercurrents” (fantasy romance, slightly more adult) available throughUncial Press.

Howlong does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea tofinishing writing it?

Becausethere have often been work or family issues which have had to take first place,sometimes there have been long delays, but I would say a year is usual.

Whichof your books were easier/harder to write than the others?

Ihave lots partly written. If one seems to come to a temporary halt, I can moveon to another, but I mostly fix on one and keep going to the end, and I don’tthink any of them could be classified as hard to write. It’s just part of me,and if I don’t have time to write I do feel depressed.

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

Anybooks I have written belong in the fantasy genre (which means no-one can reallydisagree with me!) and they are all “clean”. I like action and romance, but Idon’t write about blood and gore and I don’t do erotica. I don’t think I’llever change. I have been writing for Middle Grade recently, and am finding thisvery enjoyable.

Doyou have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?

I’mworking on a Middle Grade fantasy at the moment, the second in a planned series(no, not published yet). I say “Middle Grade” because any romantic element isvery toned down, but I don’t dumb down my language. I never use “adults only”themes anyway – I’m the sort of person who avoids news reports as most of themare so depressing.

Wheredo you get your book plot ideas from? What/Who is your inspiration?

I’mone of those who never plan beforehand. An image, a sentence, a name maybe justpops into my head, and I wonder “What happened there? I must find out”. By thetime I am about two thirds through the book I might have to do a bit ofcross-checking, but I seriously think the characters write the storythemselves!

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

Ofrecent years, because I drive for three and a half hours daily to and fromwork, I let my mind drift on to what is going to happen next. (Believe me, I dokeep an eye on the traffic too, and switch my imagination off when I hit thecity!)

Doyou have anybody read your books and give you reviews before you officiallyrelease them?ie. Your partner, children, friends, reviewers you know?

Shockhorror, NO! I sometimes ask my husband if details about fighting are correct(he did Ancient and Medieval re-enactment), but actually no-one I know likesthe sort of thing I write, and I still feel really shy about confessing towriting.

Doyou gift books to readers to do reviews?

Withinreason! Not that thousands of people are likely to be seeking me out with thatpurpose in mind!

Whatdo you do to unwind and relax?Do you have a hobby?

Relaxation– what’s that? Fortunately, this year should be better (no extra after schooljob any more), and I hope to ride, sing or dance, study (yes, I’m a nerd), seemore of family and friends, and, of course, WRITE!

Isthere a certain Author that influenced you in writing?

Thereare a lot, because I have been reading diligently for …um, sixty years now(ssh, don’t mention the age!). I have so many favourites, but the top two wouldhave to be Tolkien and Georgette Heyer. Maybe that’s why my writing is a bit ofa mix-up. And I love unusual and old-fashioned words!

Whichformat of book do you prefer, ebook,hardback, or paperback?

Soundsstrange, when my two published (so far – hope there will be more) books areebooks, but I doubt that I will ever read an ebook. I love the feel of paper,the shape of books, the ease with which I can visualize where a special sceneis, the smell of books even. Books are like real people to me, and many of themcarry lovely memories. If the book is special to me, I prefer hardback: there’sjust something so satisfying about that.

Whatis your favourite book and Why? Have you read it more than once?

Myabsolute favourite is “Lord of the Rings”, truly the book of the century. Idiscovered it by accident in the local library when I was 14, was given thetrilogy for Christmas, and read it constantly for the next several years. Itaught myself Elven script, and could (still can) quote chunks of my favouritelines.

Doyou think books transfer to movies well? Which is you favourite/worst book to movie transfer?

You’llbe amazed to hear that my favourite book to movie transfer is … “Lord of theRings”. I understand that film is different from the written word, so am happyto feel that the book was “Manuscript A” and the movie “Manuscript B”. I reallyenjoyed the Harry Potter movies too (though some bits were too scary for me,world’s worst wimp). I often “see” parts of my own books in my head like amovie too. But there are some transfers that really don’t work for me.

Whatare you currently reading? Are you enjoying it? What format is it?(ebook,hardback or paperback)

I’mcurrently re-reading “Watership Down”, paperback: so beautifully written, somuch excitement in the story –and how amazing to create all this about a groupof rabbits. I wish I could write like Richard Adams.

Doyou think ebooks will ever totally replace printed books?

Icertainly hope not, because I’ll be in big trouble if that happens!

Doyou think children at schools these days are encouraged enough to read? and/ordo Imaginative writing?

No,they are not (at least, here in Australia, in my experience). Here comes my petpeeve: children should learn and practise the rules of writing, then cultivatetheir imagination and write lots themselves, and read lots and lots of goodbooks!

Didyou read a lot at school and write lots of stories or is being a writersomething newer in your life?

Ialways read, non-stop. It took me ages to get dressed, because I would have abook open in front of me all the time. I did go outdoors as well, don’t get mewrong there! I also wrote lots, including the little book (about a horse) Iwrote out neatly and illustrated when I was in my early teens.

Isthere a book you know you will never read? Or one you tried to read but justcouldn't finish?

Ihate to say this, but most of my favourite authors are dead! Thank heavensElizabeth Peters is still going strong! Just my personal preference, but I findmany modern authors too gory, too brutal, too graphic (sex or violence) tointerest me. Sorry – that’s just me.

So for a chance to win an ecopy of Cynthia's book Perilous Moon please leave a comment below with your email address and a winner will be chosen using random.org. You have until the 16th March to enter!

EXCERPT - TUNDRA 37 BY AUBRIE DIONNE

2012-03-07T12:00:00.000Z

ExcerptTundra 37 by Aubrie Dionne

Prologue

The Seers

I’mlosing her.

Abysmeguides the vessel in silence, her blind eyes rolling as she senses our course,two hundred years away from Paradise 18. She’s scattered her thoughts among thestars, and her mind drifts farther from the sister I once knew. I fear themachine has engulfed her individuality. She’s forgotten the meaning of ourgoal, the oath we took three centuries ago. Most of all, she’s forgotten me,creating an emptiness inside me more profound than the desolation surroundingus.

IfI had my arms, I’d reach out to comfort her and usher her back from the blackabyss spread before us. As children, I kept her alive through the destruction,signing us up for the Expedition and winning two tickets off Old Earth beforeit succumbed to hell. But can I save her now?

Isend impulses through my brainwaves and into the ship. Bysme, do you hear me?

Unlikeher, I have one operating eye and can see the control chamber we hang from.Twisting my head, I search her features. Her skeletal face twitches. Shewrithes and the wires holding her in place stretch taut. I wonder what I’vedone to us, the shock of our disembodiment jolting me. Every input hole drilledinto my skull snakes with activity. The ship surges through me, a vast intranetof information, names, status charts, and infinite trajectories. If I couldn’tfeel the cold, regulated air on the remnants of my torso, I’d be lost in themachine too. I remind myself of our mission and the perseverance flows into myveins.

Shedoesn’t respond and the fear wells up from within me. Can I guide the shipalone? I realize I’ve left her at the helm for too long while I drifted intomemories.

Statusof Beta Prime? Bysme speaks in monotone computer speech as she turns to thecorner of the main control deck where the orb glistens, tempting us with themysteries hidden in the cosmic swirls within its core. Sometimes, I wish we’dblasted the ball off the hull after its tendrils attached to the outer frameinstead of recovering it for study. We’ve guarded it for so long, Project BetaPrime has become part of us, yet we’re further than ever from unlocking itssecrets. All I know is the insistence of my memories, like ghosts that refusedto be ignored.

Unchanged.The weight of my voice in our mindspeak reflects my disappointment. Likeeverything else.

Bysmefalls silent, and I scan the systems searching for answers that aren’t there.

ChapterOne

Matchmaker

TheExpedition 2751

Namestrailed in pairs along the wallscreen as the next batch of destinies unfolded.Gemme pulled her hair into a ponytail and sipped her synthetic coffee,reviewing the computer’s choices. Beside her, a constellation of starsglittered on the sight panel. She studied the spherical pattern, content towatch the world float by from the safety of the Expedition’s computer analyticswing.

She’dlive and die on the decks of the aging transport ship. The certainty of herfate comforted her from the black void pressing in. Consistency gave hersolace, and in her life regularity reigned. She lived through her work, findinglife in numbers.

Afteranother long sip, she gazed up at the screen and read the first pair of names.

AaronTixton and Cassandra Smith.

Sheaccessed their profiles with the tip of her finger on her keypad. Both Liferstested well in energy maintenance and ship repairs. Their personalities weretype ISTP and type ENFJ, and their family trees didn’t intersect until thirdcousins in the first generation, providing a promising match. Neither showed anymanifestation of the rare hypergene they’d searched for since they left Earth,but no one she’d ever matched had. There were no guarantees the Seers wouldlast until the ship reached Paradise 18. Suppressing a moment of worry, shescratched her chin, then typed an affirmation on the touchscreen.

RayEllis and Melissa Stewart. Although they were three years apart, Ray being thesenior, their genes were optimally compatible. With resistance to Alzheimer’s,cancer, and heart disease, they would produce durable children. The touchscreenflashed as her finger pressed enter.

MollyFritz and—

Theportal beeped, interrupting her work. Who would visit so early on the firstmorning shift? She’d dragged herself out of her sleep pod for a reason. TheSeers expected the next report by fourteen hundred, and she didn’t have timefor unplanned meetings.

Gemmesighed and clicked off the screen. She couldn’t have an intruder spying on thenew sets of matches. She pressed the portal panel and the particlesdematerialized like falling stars, revealing a stellar beauty.

“Luna?”

“Gemme.”Luna shifted and leaned her busty body against the portal frame. “How are you?I haven’t talked to you in years.”

Fora reason.

Uneasinessspread through Gemme’s shoulders, making her neck tingle. A vision of Luna’shighly mascaraed teen face scrunched up in anger came back to her. “What am Igoing to do with you, you freckle-faced cybergeek? You make me look bad withall your studying and high test scores,” Luna had taunted before she smackedGemme in the chest, leaving a bruise that had lasted for two months. Sure,Gemme had pushed her back, but Luna’s final shove had landed her in therecycling bin. She’d suffered in that cold, metal container for four hoursbefore a custodian heard her banging for help.

Lunahad claimed it was an accident, and as the Lieutenant’s daughter, and thedescendant of the original founder of the Expedition, everyone believed her.Gemme hadn’t pressed the issue. No one messed with the Legacys. Since then,she’d stayed clear of the beauty and her bullying tactics. As Luna hovered overher, Gemme sensed where this conversation led, and it made the coffee in herstomach churn like acid.

“I’vegot a lot of work to do, Luna. What do you need?”

Lunaflipped her wavy blonde hair behind her shoulder and stared at her as if shehad a right to be there. “I want to discuss my pairing.”

“Youknow I can’t talk of future matches.” Gemme fought to keep her toneprofessional. “The computer makes the decisions. I only review the pairings anddouble-check for glitches.”

“Youhave more power than you let on, Gemme, dear.” Luna pushed past her and slinkedacross her office, tapping her fingertips along the keyboards.

Hotair flared out of Gemme’s nostrils. The nerve! Luna asked her to change thebylaws, to risk her job after years of bullying? Her cheeks burned like asupernova. The keys clicked under Luna’s long nails in a rhythmicpitter-patter. Thank goodness she’d locked down the system.

Theblinking button for the screen stood out like a dwarf star. Luna inched towardit. Gemme squeezed by her and stuck her small body between Luna’s ginormouschest and the touchscreen, turning her back on her to protect the machine.

“Ican’t change the pairings, only approve or disapprove.”

“Youcan disapprove of everyone for me.”

Theharshness in her voice made Gemme whip around from the controls and stare herdown. “You’re telling me you don’t want a lifemate?”

“Youdidn’t let me finish.” Luna’s lips slid into a smile. “Everyone, that is,except Miles Brentwood.”

Ofcourse. Gemme could’ve guessed that request from a parsec away. The computerhadn’t assigned Miles Brentwood a lifemate yet. Five years their senior, notonly was he powerful, attractive, and brilliant, his sweet charm could warmeven the coldest reaches of deep space. Somehow, even though Luna was gorgeous,Gemme didn’t think she deserved Brentwood, and she reveled in the fact that shecouldn’t honor Luna’s request.

“Thecomputer decides the lifemates, not me.” Besides, pairing Luna with LieutenantBrentwood would explode the mainframe of the lifemate pairing system. Thecomputer’s choices had an excellent success rate, much better than thestatistics she’d seen from Old Earth. She couldn’t imagine people choosing forthemselves.

Lunashrugged as if she discussed tricking a five-year-old instead of defying acenturies-old system. “If you deny every pairing for me, eventually his namewill come up.”

Gemmeheld her nose up, but her head only came up to Luna’s magnificent plungingneckline. Why didn’t her uniform ever look as good? “I’m not going to bend therules for you.”

Lunapulled back and pouted her full lips. “I thought you’d say as much. That’s whyI brought you a bribe.”

Shedropped a piece of paper on Gemme’s desk. Before Gemme could reply, Lunaslipped around her and jogged out the portal. “Think about it. Get back to me.”Her voice echoed down the corridor, cheerful, yet tense.

Gemmewatched her leave, stunned. What could Luna have that she wanted, besides anapology? She’d already earned a cushy job with a cosmic view. Gemme picked upthe piece of paper, feeling the strange thinness in her hands. Paper was onlyused for formal occasions. What could it be?

Openingthe folds of the document revealed a border of glittering gold. The writing wasetched in inky cursive. Gemme gasped as she studied the contours of theinscription.

Requestgranted. Please present this upon arrival on Control Deck 67.

Aticket to visit the Seers. This rarity was one more shred of proof the Legacyshad advantages others didn’t have.

Whywould she ever want to meet them? The Seers had sealed their chamber for thelast century for fear of weakening their fragile bodies with germs. Peoplewhispered about their transformation from real humans born on Old Earth toskeletons and machines. Just thinking about how they’d severed their arms andlegs after the limbs had atrophied to have wires run directly into their torsosmade her squirm.

Sherealized Luna didn’t know her at all. Status quo contented Gemme more than anyhigh position or special meeting. She wanted to live her life on theExpedition, drink her coffee, and play matchmaker in space.

Gemmeslipped the document underneath her keyboard. She’d have to return it to Lunaherself. This couldn’t be trusted with interdepartmental mail and she didn’twant Luna thinking she owed her anything.

Afterthe portal materialized, she flicked on the button for the pairing system andthe list of names blinked on her wallscreen.

Nowwhere was I? Oh yes, Molly Fritz and—

Aletter G stole her attention from halfway down the second column. She skimmedthe names.

Itcouldn’t be.

Gemmegasped and backed away from the wallscreen. Her touchscreen fell to the floorand rattled.

GemmeReiner and Miles Brentwood.

Herfirst thought was of Luna running at her with a laser gun.

ButI didn’t choose it. The computer did.

Sheknew the day would come when her name would cross the screen, she just didn’tthink it would be today or it would be him. Everyone would suspect she devisedthe pairing herself. She’d look like the most selfish, hypocritical computeranalyst in the history of the Expedition. She might even lose her job.

Shescrambled to the floor and collected the touchscreen. Her hands shook as shereplaced it on her desk. Wasting no time, she highlighted their names and thereasoning for the pairing. They both had history of mild high blood pressure,and a few minor propensities for anxiety in their family trees. They weren’tincompatible, but they sure as hell weren’t a perfect match either. Although,their first names sounded so right together: Gemme and Miles.

Shakingthe nonsense from her head, she forced herself to focus. The florescent yellowconnecting her name and his made her uneasy. Her finger paused over the worddelete. For a millisecond, she thought of his strong hands touching her cheek,running across the back of her neck and into her hair.

Stopfantasizing!

Whywould such a man be matched to her? Obviously the computer had miscalculated.Here lay the one glitch she was destined to fix. Gemme’s finger trembled as shepressed the touchscreen. In an instant, their names disappeared, deletedforever in the vastness of deep space. Even the Seers wouldn’t detect it intheir nets.

Aresponse beeped on the screen.

Pairingdenied.

Gemmebreathed with relief. She couldn’t have people thinking she’d manipulated thesystem, especially Luna. Besides, attraction shouldn’t factor in any of thematches.

Shepicked up her coffee mug just as a crash echoed above her head. The floorrumbled beneath her feet. Had her deletion wreaked havoc on the whole system?

Twomonotone voices echoed in unison out over the intercom. “Comet showerapproaching. Collisions imminent. Evacuate the outer levels.”

Gemmefroze. Danger to the Expedition? Impossible! The Seers would have detected anydanger from a parsec away. They could never be wrong. The Guide said so.

Anothercrash shuddered the floor and she fell to her knees. The wallscreen flickered.She gazed out the sight panel at the familiar constellation. Balls of red withtrailing tails streaked the sight panel. She fisted her hands. Had the Seersfailed? She had no time to ponder the impossible. Her office lay on an outerdeck. She had to get to safety.

Herfirst thought shot to the computers. Could she save her life’s work? Forprivacy, the Seers instructed each matchmaker to store all data on the computerin front of her. The lights flickered out and an alarm screamed down the hall.One of the fiery balls grew larger, hurtling right toward the glass separatingGemme from the void of space.

Forgetthe data.

Takingone look back at her touchscreens, Gemme sprinted to the portal and slammed herfist on the panel. The second it took for the particles to dematerialize tuggedon her nerves. Visions of space sucking her out haunted her more than visionsof being stuck to the ship like the Seers. Gemme clutched her hands togetherand bounced on her toes.

Theparticles disappeared, and smoke wheezed in. Bending down, Gemme covered hermouth with the sleeve of her uniform and ran. The ship pitched sideways, andshe fell into the wall, bumping her knee. Her leg collapsed, but she forcedherself up through the pain. The corridors lay empty. Was she the last one onthe outer decks? She hoped so. Most of the Lifers slept in their cells at theheart of the ship at such an early hour.

“Hullbreach imminent. Congregate to the inner decks immediately.”

Wasthere a hint of fear in the Seers’ voices? Gemme refused to believe it. TheSeers had everything under control. They always did. They wouldn’t let anythinghappen to her, would they?

Shepunched the portal panel in front of the elevators, but nothing happened. Feartwisted her stomach, climbing its way up her throat. She breathed in, and theair seared the back of her mouth. Coughing, she slammed the panel harder.

Comeon, you aging piece of junk.

Thepanel light flickered out like a dying sun.

Smokefilled the corridor and burned her eyes. She ran to the air shaft’s emergencyladders. Another crash hit the hull, and another. What were the Seers doing?Had they lost their minds? She clung to each ladder rung as she climbed down,afraid another shock would send her plummeting ten levels at once.

Asshe reached the next deck, the air spiraled over her head. Pressure sucked thebreath out of her lungs. A warning buzz sounded, and the Seers’ unison voicesechoed out, “Hull breach on Deck 86.”

Gemmesearched below her feet. She could climb down ten more rungs to close the lowerhatch, or climb back up five to close the upper hatch. Metal clicked, and theemergency systems made the decision for her. Beneath her feet, the particles ofthe lower hatch materialized.

Panicrushed up her legs along with the dwindling air. The Seers had locked her out.

Gemmestared at the spinning particles. If she fell too soon, she’d be stuck in theparticles of the hatch and the portal would rematerialize inside her. She hadto wait for the hatch to become solid.

Theair grew thin and she gasped for breath. The force of the suction pulled ather, yanking hair out of her ponytail. Once the hatch formed, she leaped downon top of it. Scrambling in the folds of her uniform, she brought out herkeytag.

Thankgoodness she’d worn it around her neck. Sometimes the cord irritated her skin,and she took it off, setting it by her touchscreen. Now, she wasn’t sure if hertouchscreen still existed. The thought of her office pummeled by comets flashedin her mind. She couldn’t go back for anything now.

Sheshoved the keytag into the portal panel and typed override. A message popped up.

Pleaseenter your security code.

Thetemperature dropped and she shivered, sucking in one last breath. Gemme forcedherself to type slowly to get it right. One missed touch would shut her outforever.

Herheart raced as she tapped the panel and the particles disappeared.

Awave of hot air blew by her as the hatch reopened. Gemme jumped down andslammed her fist against the panel to close it above her. As the particlessolidified, she climbed down to the next level and kicked something blockingher way.

“Whoa!Look out.”

MilesBrentwood gazed up from the toes of her boots, his green-flecked eyes piercingthe semidarkness. Gemme’s heart sped up. To see any person right now made heremotions crumble, never mind the man she’d been thinking of ever since she deletedtheir pairing. “If you’re going up, there’s no way out. I sealed the passage.”

“I’mnot going anywhere.” He took the sight of her in, traveling up her cheek to hereyes and she almost lost her grip on the ladder rung. “I’m looking for you.”

MilesBrentwood had come to spend the end of the world with her? Gemme’s mind reeled.Nothing that morning had made any sense. She felt stuck in some sort ofquasi-nightmare turned hot dream. “What?”

Althoughchaos crashed around them, his hair still looked perfect, the blond wave risingan inch above his broad forehead. “I’m retrieving all the stragglers. Ifollowed your locater number.”

“Oh.”She looked away, feeling sheepish and small. How could she have ever thoughthe’d know who she was, never mind go searching for her in particular duringthis disaster?

Hegestured over his shoulder. “There’s a safe chamber just down this hall. Followme.”

Gemmecollected her scattered emotions just as something crashed against the hatchabove them. The screeching sound of crushed metal echoed down the vent shaft.

Brentwoodshouted over the din, “This compartment’s losing pressure, come on!”

Shefollowed him down two more levels and through a side passage she’d never havefound by herself. They crawled through an air shaft, collecting dust webs undertheir fingers. A metal grating hung missing half its hinges. Had he come allthis way just for her?

Brentwoodlooked back at her over his shoulder. “It’s not far. You can jump.”

Hepaused at the hole below them and waited for her to make the first move.

Ofcourse, his valor screamed “ladies first.”

Gemmedangled her legs and judged the distance from the ceiling to the floor belowher feet. If she fell the wrong way, she’d break both her ankles.

Hemust have seen fear cross her eyes because he offered his hands. “Here, I’llhelp you.”

Thewarmth in his voice calmed her racing thoughts. She locked on his gaze. Theflecks of green were so pure, they reminded her of the foliage in the biodome.Those eyes could have been hers to gaze into. She damned the pairing program.Why had it ever put such an outrageous idea in her head?

“Takemy hands.”

Gemmeblinked her thoughts away and slid her hands into his. Their palms molded intoa perfect fit. His skin emanated heat, warming her cold fingertips. She closedher eyes as the ship crashed around them. She expected to feel pain, but alight-headed ecstasy bubbled over her.

Whenshe opened her eyes, the airshaft remained intact with Brentwood eagerlywaiting for her to move. All the crashing had happened inside her, levels beingknocked down to reveal surprising emotions she didn’t think herself capable of.Yet, the feelings stirred an undercurrent of familiarity. Gemme searched hisfeatures to see if he experienced any of the same emotions, but his wide lipsfrowned. He was more concerned for her than drunk on possibility He hoisted herdown and her feet hit the floor with a bounce. The ship pitched again, and shefell against the wall. Brentwood jumped behind her and ushered her forward, hishands along her waist.

“Justa few more steps.”

Theyran to the belly of the ship, where the structural integrity would hold underpressure. Brentwood slapped a panel and the portal disappeared to reveal abunch of colonists huddling together. Food rations were stacked against the farwall along with space suits. Panic worked its way up Gemme’s spine. If theyneeded those suits, they were dead already.

“Shouldn’twe run to the escape pods?”

Brentwoodshook his head. “Not yet. The Seers believe they can salvage the ship. Theescape pods would only scatter us into deep space.”

Gemmenodded and bit her lower lip. She’d known his answer. Escape pods were uselessunless they found a habitable planet. It would only delay inevitable death.

Hebent down, his face hovering a breath away from hers, lips slightly parted.Gemme froze in shock, noticing each light hair in his eyebrows and the moistureon his lips. Only lifemates leaned in so close. He pulled back, shaking hishead as if recovering from a trance.

“Myapologies. I must search for others.”

BeforeGemme’s heart could beat again, he’d disappeared down the corridor, smoketrailing in his footsteps.

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - AUBRIE DIONNE

2012-03-07T06:00:00.000Z

About the Author:

Aubrie is an author and flutist in NewEngland. Her stories have appeared in Mindflights, Niteblade, Silver Blade, AFly in Amber, and several print anthologies including Skullsand Crossbones by Minddancer Press, Rise of the Necromancers,by Pill Hill Press, Nightbird Singing in the Dead of Night by NightbirdPublishing, Dragontales and Mertales by Wyvern Publications, AYuletide Wish by Nightwolf Publications, and Aurora Rising by Aurora Wolf Publications. Her epic fantasy is published with WyvernPublications, and several of her ebooks are published with Lyrical Press andGypsy Shadow Publishing. When she’s not writing, she plays in orchestras andteaches flute at Plymouth State University and a community music school.

http://www.authoraubrie.com
http://authoraubrie.blogspot.com

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - NEW DAWN SERIES BY AUBRIE DIONNE

2012-03-07T03:00:00.000Z

Paradise 21

New Dawn #1
Author: Aubrie Dionne
Genre: Sci-Fi Romance
Length: Novel
Release Date: August 2011
ePub ISBN: 978-1-937044-02-2
Print ISBN: 978-1-937044-03-9

http://www.entangledpublishing.com/paradise-21/

Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8vCni_TZUA

Amazon Paperback Amazon Kindle

A New Dawn Book One

Aries has livedher entire life aboard mankind’s last hope, the New Dawn, a spaceshiptraveling toward a planet where humanity can begin anew—a planet that won’t bereached in Aries’ lifetime. As one of the last genetically desirable women inthe universe, she must marry her designated genetic match and produce the nextgeneration for this centuries-long voyage.

But Aries hasother plans.

When herdesperate escape from the New Dawn strands her on a desert planet, Ariesdiscovers the rumors about pirates—humans who escaped Earth before itsdemise—are true. Handsome, genetically imperfect Striker possesses the freedomAries envies, and the two connect on a level she never thought possible. Butpursued by her match from above and hunted by the planet’s native inhabitants,Aries quickly learns her freedom will come at a hefty price.

The life of theman she loves.

Tundra 37

ANew Dawn, #2

Author: AubrieDionne

Genre: Sci-FiRomance

Length: 288 pages

Release Date:February 2012

ePub ISBN:978-1-937044-49-7

Print ISBN:978-1-937044-51-0

http://www.entangledpublishing.com/tundra-37/

Tundra 37 BookTrailer:

http://youtu.be/3XcwFtmeTcM

ANew Dawn Novel, Book Two

Gemme is a hi-tech matchmaker who pairsthe next generation of Lifers aboard the Expedition, a deep space transportvessel destined for Paradise 18. When the identity of her lifemate pops up onher screen, she’s shocked that he’s the achingly gorgeous and highly soughtafter Lieutenant Miles Brentwood—a man oblivious to her existence. Believingeveryone will think she contrived the match, she erases it from the computer’smemory.

Just as comets pummel the ship anddestroy the pairing system forever.

With the Expedition disabled, thecolonists must crash land on the barren ice world of Tundra 37 where Gemme isreassigned to an exploratory mission, led by Lieutenant Brentwood. Only in the frozentundra does she understand the shape of his heart and why the computer hasentwined their destinies.

AHero Rising

ANew Dawn, #3

Author: AubrieDionne

Genre: Sci-FiRomance

Length: novella

Release Date:February 2012

ePub ISBN:978-1-937044-83-1

http://www.entangledpublishing.com/a-hero-rising/

Prequelto A New Dawn - Book Three

After watching his love leave on acolony ship, James Wilfred must save those left behind from a planetaryapocalypse. Their salvation lies in an unfinished ship tucked away in a secretgovernment base, and only James can break in and pilot him and his people tofreedom on a nearby space station.

Skye O’Connor’s boyfriend never returnsafter his gang attempts an assassination of the Governor, and the StateBuilding is destroyed. Worse, crazed moonshiners addicted to the chemicalMorpheus have stormed the city, and she must find a safe place for her and herboyfriend’s daughter. When a heroic man saves her, Skye asks to accompany himon his quest to find the last colony ship left on Earth.

As the city falls around them, James andSkye must work together to build a new future, all the while rediscoveringtheir ability to love, before the apocalypse claims them both.

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - LAURA BICKLES

2012-03-06T06:00:00.000Z

http://books.simonandschuster.com/Sparks/Laura-Bickle/9781439167687/excerpt

Author Bio:

LauraBickle hasan MA in sociology-criminology (research interests: fear of crime andvictimology) and a BA in criminology. She has worked in and around criminaljustice since 1997. Although she does read Tarot cards, she's never used themin criminal profiling or to locate lost scientists. She recently took upastronomy, but for the most part her primary role in studying constellationsand dark matter is to follow her amateur astronomer-husband around central Ohiototing the telescope tripod and various lenses.

Writingas Laura Bickle, she's the author of EMBERS and SPARKS for Pocket - Juno Books.Writing as Alayna Williams, she's the author of DARK ORACLE and ROGUE ORACLE.

Moreinfo on her urban fantasy and general nerdiness is here: http://www.salamanderstales.com/

Laura/ Alayna’s blogs

http://www.salamanderstales.blogspot.com and http://delphisdaughters.blogspot.com

She’s also at Facebook

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - EMBERS & SPARKS BY LAURA BICKLE

2012-03-06T03:00:00.000Z

EMBERS

Anya Kalinczyk #1

Pocket Juno Books

Mass Market Paperback,$7.99

ISBN: 978-1439167656

April 2010

“One of the mostpromising debut novels I’ve read in a great while… I’d highly recommend thisbook to anybody who reads fantasy. It reminds me in many regards…of anotherexceptional first novel…Emma Bull’s seminal War for the Oaks, and there’s notmuch higher praise that I can give.”

—Elizabeth Bear on Tor.com

“Bickle has somethinggreat in Anya. Embers has everything: demons, ghosts, dragons, love, sex,police, and murder.”

—M.L.N. Hanover, bestselling author of Darker Angels

“Gritty but never grim,Embers is a truly urban fantasy, where the soul of a city haunts every page. Ican’t wait for more of Anya and the unforgettable Sparky!”

—Jeri Smith-Ready, award-winning author of Bad to the Bone and Shade

Unemployment, despair,anger--visible and invisible unrest feed the undercurrent of Detroit's unease.A city increasingly invaded by phantoms now faces a malevolent force thatfurther stokes fear and chaos throughout the city.

Anya Kalinczyk spendsher days as an arson investigator with the Detroit Fire Department, and her nightspursuing malicious spirits with a team of eccentric ghost hunters. Anya--who isthe rarest type of psychic medium, a Lantern--suspects a supernatural arsonistis setting blazes to summon a fiery ancient entity that will leave the city incinders. By Devil's Night, the spell will be complete, unless Anya--with thehelp of her salamander familiar and the paranormal investigating team --canstop it.

Anya's accustomed todanger and believes herself inured to loneliness and loss. But this time she'srisking everything: her city, her soul, and a man who sees and accepts her foreverything she is. Keeping all three safe will be the biggest challenge she'sever faced.

EMBERS is available nowfrom Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.

Read an excerpt at http://books.simonandschuster.com/Embers/Laura-Bickle/9781439167656/excerpt

SPARKS

Anya Kalinczyk #2

Pocket Juno Books

Mass Market Paperback,$7.99

ISBN 978-1439167687

September 2010

The second book inBickle’s series about Anya Kalinczyk is just as wonderful as the first—Anya isa compelling and likable protagonist and Bickle does an outstanding job in herportrayal of the city of Detroit; there are ruins, yes, but also hope in theashes. Anya never takes herself too seriously and there is a scene in a babysupercenter that is absolutely not to be missed. (4 stars)

- RT Book Reviews

...a charming andinventive read.

-Elizabeth Bear, Realms of Fantasy Magazine, December 2010

WITHOUT A TRACE...

Anya Kalinczyk is the rarest type of psychicmedium, a Lantern, who holds down a day job as an arson investigator with theDetroit Fire Department—while working 24/7 to exterminate malicious spiritshaunting a city plagued by unemployment and despair. Along with her inseparablesalamander familiar, Sparky, Anya has seen, and even survived, all manner offiery hell—but her newest case sparks suspicions of a bizarre phenomenon thatno one but her eccentric team of ghost hunters might believe: spontaneous humancombustion.

After fire consumes thehome of elderly Jasper Bernard, Anya is stunned to discover his remains—or,more precisely, a lack of them; even the fiercest fires leave some trace oftheir victims—and she is sure this was no naturally occurring blaze. Soon she’sunearthed a connection to a celebrity psychic who preys on Detroit’s poor,promising miracles for money. But Hope Solomon wants more—she’s collectingspirits, and in a frantic race against time, Anya will face down an eviladversary who threatens her fragile relationship with her lover, her belovedSparky’s freshly hatched newts, and the wandering souls of the entire city.

SPARKS is available forpre-order from Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Read an excerpt athttp://books.simonandschuster.com/Sparks/Laura-Bickle/9781439167687/excerpt

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - THE LAST BEGINNING BY RACHEL FIRASEK

2012-03-05T18:00:00.000Z

CURSE OF THE PHOENIX - Book 3

The Last Beginning
ByRachel Firasek
Genre:Paranormal Romance
Length: Novella
Release Date: February 2012
ISBN: 978-1-937044-56-5
http://www.entangledpublishing.com/the-last-beginning/
Sadie’sdays fighting off greedy claim jumpers ended in 1856 when Osiris snatched herfrom her filthy room and placed her with a trio of phoenixes. After 150 yearsliving a respectable life saving souls, she’s tired of playing by the god’srules. It’s time the master of manipulation learned her creed: live hard, playfor keeps, and never let the enemy see you suffer.
Osirisnever imagined the true queen he’s spent two millennia searching for would be ahalf-pint redhead with a mouth that makes him blush. She needs a gentle hand tobreach her defenses, but living with her and keeping his natural arrogance at asimmer proves a challenge worthy of any champion.
WhileOsiris teaches her the wisdom needed to rule a world with fairness, theirritating god only intensifies Sadie’s belief in her creed, reinforcing thewalls that keep her from happiness. If Osiris can’t win her hardened heart,Sadie’s ascension might threaten the world he’s struggled to create.
Book Trailer http://youtu.be/epOIgiSRUWo

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - THE LAST AWAKENING BY RACHEL FIRASEK

2012-03-05T15:00:00.000Z

CURSE OF THE PHOENIX -Book Two

TheLast Awakening

RachelFirasek
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novella
ReleaseDate: December2011
ISBN: 978-1-937044-44-1

http://www.entangledpublishing.com/the-last-awakening/

AmazonKindle

BookDescription:

For three hundred years, Arabella’s lifehas been one meaningless death after another. In a cruel twist of fate,Osiris–god of the Underworld–gifts the phoenix her mortality and returns hervoodoo magic. If she fails to harness her wayward magic and save a man worthyof a second chance, she’ll forfeit her power and her soul–forever.

Ex-soldier Greyson Meadows desperatelywants to be freed from the nightmares and guilt that haunt him after thetragedy that brought him and Ari together. Confronted by the waif of a womanwho forces him to face his worst fears, he resists, fighting the need to keephis personal demons hidden instead of setting them free.

When Ari becomes the target of her ownmagical blunder, it’s not just her life in danger, but now the one of the manshe loves.

Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ljDJMLPOn8&feature=colike

EXCERPT - THE LAST AWAKENING BY RACHEL FIRASEK

2012-03-05T12:00:00.000Z

TheLast Awakening Excerpt

Grey proppedhimself against the inside of the door. He’d given her a few minutes aloneafter work while he grabbed his bag from his car. In fact, he’d spent at leasta good ten convincing himself he could do this. Now, he wasn’t so sure, but hewould still fix her door before he left. Damn woman hadn’t even locked it. He’dknocked twice and stepped inside when she didn’t respond.

“Arabella?”

No answer.

He’d wait.Through the paper-thin wall he listened to the shower and then the light patterof dainty feet running across her room. This really was the worst apartmenthe’d ever seen. Worse than some of the military tents he’d lived in.

He sat his bagbeside him and tapped his fingers along the door. Any day now. Herbedroom door flew open, and she rushed out. He’d imagined her in silk pajamaswith beaded nipples teasing him and begging for his taste—not the sweatshirt orthe flannel bottoms. They weren’t bad either and actually may have added to her

appeal—there wassomething highly erotic about wondering what was beneath.

She sagged alittle and dropped a hand across her chest. The smile she’d met him withslipped. “What?”

“You’rebeautiful.” Damn, if he didn’t stop putting his foot in his mouth.

She blushed,painting her cheeks with the prettiest shade of pink before she ducked awayfrom him. “What’s in the bag?”

“You need moreprotection.” He pulled out his wallet and fumbled through the slots for abusiness card. She leaned in closer and stood on tiptoe, watching his everymove. “Nosy?”

When he handed herthe card, she frowned.

“What did youthink this was?” he asked.

She didn’tanswer, but her pink cheeks shouted it loud and clear.

“Did you think Iwas going for a condom?”

She turned away,sank down onto her sofa, and pouted.

Surely she didn’tthink…nah, no way could she want…He burst into a fit of laughter.Christ, how long had it been since he’d laughed? Really laughed? She wasfeisty as hell. He wanted more than anything to snatch her up and carry her toher creaky bed and let Mike—and whoever else wanted to—listen through her wallsas he connected with her in the basest of ways. But first, they had things toget out in the open.

“Don’t laugh atme.”

He chuckledharder and moved closer to her. “I’m sorry to disappoint you. I brought some locksover. Before I leave, I’ll install them.”

“You don’t haveto.”

“I want to.”

She sputtered.Her eyes sparked for a moment, and when she blinked a soft cloud covered theamber. Shit. Smoke floated across her eyes like something straight out of a Bmovie. He shook his head and pinched the tender skin above his brow. Damnhallucinations. He thought he was past them. “Are you okay?”

“You laugh at meand then want to know if I’m okay? Really?”

“Your eyes. Ithought I…never mind.” Shut up, man, before you show her what a fuckingfreak you are.

Ari spun awayfrom him. She gathered deep breaths, stretching the muscles in her back tight.“I’ll be in my room while you do whatever it is you’re going to do. Come get mewhen you’re done and can remember your manners, s’il vous plait.”

“Ari?”

She didn’t stopfor him. Damn, he’d been an ass. Exactly what he said he wasn’t going to do.His plan had been to fix her door. Maybe have a beer with her. Find out how shewas dealing with what happened, and possibly share some of his sorrow. But he’dthink twice about the drink if he was going to start seeing shit. He’d had allthe flashbacks he wanted in a lifetime, but to actually start hallucinating wastoo much. The alcohol was screwing with his head. Might be time to cut back.

He installed thenew deadbolts and loaded his tools. The bedroom door remained shut, but thelight peeked from beneath it. He crossed to knock softly on the thin wood.“Ari?”

No answer.

“I’m done. I’lllet myself out…come lock up after me.”

Yeah, he’dscrewed up and he’d be lucky if the one person he could connect with, who’dunderstand, ever talked to him again.

EXCERPT - THE LAST RISING, CURSE OF THE PHOENIX BY RACHEL FIRASEK

2012-03-05T09:00:00.000Z

Excerpt Book 1:

“Why is it I can’t get you out of my mind? You say we haven’t met,but my dreams remember you.”

Oh yeah, he’d dreamt of a womanfor months now. She resembled his dream woman in so many ways, but he’d neverseen his fantasy lover’s face.

She struggled against hisclutch. “Mr. Alcott, I assure you we haven’t met. And for your other question,I don’t know why,but you need to release me.”

Why did that quivering bottomlip make him suspect she was lying? Turner rested his forehead against the topof hers and sucked in her scent. “Please, tell me I’m not losing my mind. Tellme you don’t visit me every night and I’ll promise to leave you alone. I justneed to know.”

He sounded like a crazy man butshe had to tell him. She was the only one who could put a stop to his mind’sconstant fantasizing, and this feeling of déjà vu every time he saw her.

Ice wriggled in his arms, herthighs chafing against his slacks. “Mr. Alcott, you need to let me go.” Sheglanced around his shoulder. “Brodie is probably staring out that glass windowand I would hate for him to get the wrong impression.”

She was right. He needed toget ahold of himself, but he didn’t have the strength to walk away. Hishands traveled up and over her shoulders, stalling on her neck. Brushing histhumbs against her jaw, he pressed her head back and stared into hard eyes—noemotion. Couldn’t she see the battle he fought?

He teased the corner of hermouth with his thumb and her breathy gasp pleased him. So, she wasn’tcompletely immune to him. He dropped his head until his mouth hovered overhers.

“Mr. Alcott—”

“Shhh. I just need a taste ofthe sunshine.”

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - THE LAST RISING, CURSE OF THE PHOENIX BY RACHEL FIRASEK

2012-03-05T06:00:00.000Z

CURSE OF THE PHOENIX - Book One

The Last Rising
Rachel Firasek
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novella
ReleaseDate: September 2011
ePubISBN: 978-1-937044-28-2
MobiISBN: 978-1-937044-29-9

http://www.entangledpublishing.com/the-last-rising/

AmazonKindle

Book Description:

After payingtwo millennia’s penance to Osiris, world-weary Phoenix Ice has had enough.Saving souls without any hope for her own redemption isn’t how she imaginedspending eternity. Fed up, she decides her next death will be her last. Butwhen she sacrifices her own life for a sexy Texan in a catastrophic planecrash, she has no idea the consequences will be so great…or that she’ll end upback in his life for her next assignment.

Now that TurnerAlcott has survived the worst, finding a wife and mother for his son mattersmore than ever before. When the mysterious Ice comes into his life, Turnerknows she’s the one—but love is the last thing Ice wants. If he wants to winher heart, Turner must teach Ice how to forgive herself, and prove that love isthe ultimate sacrifice.

Book Trailer http://youtu.be/fd9wvz2gm_w

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - RACHEL FIRASEK

2012-03-05T03:00:00.000Z

About the Author:

Rachel Firasek grew up in the south anddespite the gentle pace, she harassed life at full steam. Her curiosity aboutmythology, human nature, and the chemical imbalance we call love led her towriting. Her stories began with macabre war poems and shifted to enchantedfairytales, before she settled on a blending of the two.

Today you’ll find her tucked on a smallparcel of land, surrounded by bleating sheep and barking dogs, with her husbandand children. She entertains them all with her wacky sense of humor or animatedreenactments of bad 80’s dance moves.

She’s intrigued by anything unexplainedand seeks the answers to this crazy thing we call life. You can find her wherethe heart twists the soul and lights the shadows… or at www.rachelfirasek.com.

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - SWEET AS SIN BY KENYA CARLTON

2012-03-04T12:00:00.000Z

BLURB from Goodreads

The rich and available Captain Drake Devlin had the biggest body count in World War I. Injected with serum that turned him into something unnatural, Drake’s troop annihilated the enemy, but once his tour ended, Drake was plunged into a world of family tragedy and financial ruin.

Sienna Caldwell is stunning to even the biggest cynic; with her exotic looks and rich brown skin, the playboy wasn’t exempt from her charms. Buckling under the pressure of his financially strapped inheritance, Drake makes a deal with the devil to marry the prosperous landowner in order to protect her. After one year, he can return the black beauty back to her island and collect on the fortune that will save his family’s reputation, but the task proves far easier said than done. The war may have made Drake into something lethal, but he soon finds his new bride was born more powerful than he could ever imagine. Not only does Drake have to figure out away to keep his hands off his alluring wife, but also he has to make sure she stays alive.

Available Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk £4.86 on kindle

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - JADED BY KENYA CARLTON

2012-03-04T10:02:00.000Z

BLURB from Amazon

War correspondent Mia James is back on US soil and ready to tackle a juicy political story that could make national headlines. A politician’s aid goes missing, and the son of the wealthiest family is the only suspect. Determined to take down the mayor of the small seaside town, Mia comes up against an angry ghost with her own agenda. Afraid she may be suffering from post traumatic stress Mia figures that she’s way over her head and enlists the help of resident black sheep Gabe Montgomery. Now, she must solve the mystery of her not so friendly ghost and stop herself from falling in love with the mysterious winery owner, while making it out alive.

Available from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk £4.81 on kindle.

EXCERPT - ROOK ALLIES WAR BY J.C. ANDRIJESKI

2012-03-03T09:00:00.000Z

I stared out thedirty window of the bottle-green Plymouth, watching trees and coast slide by.We were still on Highway 1, nearing where it merged with 101, not far from theOregon border.

I hadn’t been onthat stretch of road since I was a kid. What took minutes on Highway 5, or even101 from San Francisco to Eureka, took hours along Highway 1, making thetwisting two-lane road hugging the rocky coastline feel endless. But Revikwanted us off the main highway, at least until we crossed state lines. Even withinseaside towns, he took side streets, avoiding the main “strips,” if they couldbe called that in towns that maybe had four bars, a salt-eaten motel, a greasyspoon, a church, a head shop and one drive-through coffee stand.

Somewhere nearFort Bragg, he uncuffed me from the door. I suppose I should’ve been gratefulfor that, but as my hands and ankles remained bound, my gratitude was limited.I watched the sun slink into the Pacific as pelicans skimmed by, beating longwingspans.

I felt himlooking at me. When he didn’t stop after a few minutes, I exhaled sharply,facing him.

“What?”

He turned thewheel of the Plymouth, sliding behind the main street of another seasidevillage whose name I didn’t know. We passed a few bars and an auto shop. Hispale eyes shone in the neon signs.

“We are low ongas. Can I trust you?”

“Dehgo...whateveryour name is...”

“Revik.”

“Right. Are you going to tell me?What that guy meant about me ending the world?”

He exhaled.“Terian was trying to unbalance you. But it is true that they...” He amended, “...We believe you to be someoneimportant.”

“Important how?”

“Allie, can Itrust you, if I—”

“Revik,important how?”

Clicking tohimself, he pulled into a nearby Arco station. Stopping in front of a pump, heturned off the ignition. When an attendant walked right up to the window, Irealized with some surprise that we must be in Oregon. Revik rolled down thewindow, which stuck a few times. He gave me a last warning glance.

“Hey! Cool car,man! What can she do on the freeway...?”

The boy’s wordstrailed, just before his eyes filmed over.

Revik sat up totug the clip from his back pocket, handing through a few bills of paper money.I noticed the attendant’s eyes didn’t look at me as he took the folded paper.They also didn’t glance at the rust-colored stains on Revik’s shirt, or theslash of the same on his pale neck.

“Revik...”

Frowning, heglanced at me, then at the rearview mirror. I watched as he licked his fingers,rubbing at the dark stain on his neck. Then he leaned over my lap and pulledopen the glove box. Taking out an oil rag, he poured some water in it from aplastic bottle and rubbed it over his neck, erasing the mark completely.

“Revik, I’mhungry. I’m thirsty, too.”

Instead ofanswering, he handed me the half-full bottle.

I tilted it overmy mouth, drinking.

His toneremained neutral. “Like I told you...historical periods have beginnings,middles and ends,” he said. “At the end, the dominant species has anopportunity to evolve...in several possible directions. We seers call theseopportunities Displacements.” In the mirrors, he watched the boy hook the pumpto the tank. His fingers gripped the wheel, green in the florescent light.

“…In some humanmythology, this is called ‘Apocalypse.’ Do you know this word?”

I rolled myeyes. “Yeah. I might have heard it on one or two heavy metal albums.” I watchedthe blond kid in the dingy overalls enter the convenience store. He walked toone of the coolers in the back, pulled out a large bottle of water.

“...So youunderstand,” Revik said. “This will, of necessity, affect all of the species,not just humans. The elders have seen signs of the human displacementapproaching. Some of these signs relate to developments in the natural world.Others have to do with—”

“Okay,” I said,still watching the boy. “...So you’re paranoid. What does any of that have todo with me?” I watched the blond kid pull two plastic-sealed sandwiches out ofa cooler, two apples, a bag of chips...

“Burrito,” Iblurted. “Get me a frozen burrito...he can throw it in the microwave, right?”

A hint ofrevulsion grew visible in the set of Revik’s mouth, but when I looked back atthe store, the blond kid was stuffing a plastic-covered burrito into aindustrial microwave and twisting the grease-covered dial. When I glanced over,Revik was watching me again, his eyes narrow.

He said, “TheBridge ushers in the Displacement. They are the catalyst. They are also what wecall an intermediary being...one of the first. Historically, they gather threefriends—”

“Let meguess...the four of us, we all ride horses, right?” I propped my cuffed handson the armrest. “I do read, youknow.”

I leaned my headon the glass. Glancing in the side mirror, I winced. I looked like I’d escapedfrom a mental hospital, then got beaten up and thrown in a dumpster.

I saw himwatching me, eyes narrow.

“Trust me toattract crazies even among the seers,” I said. “...Jon will love this.”

Revik rolleddown his window, accepting the receipt from the blond in the dirty coveralls.The blue and white patch on his breast labeled him “Jerry.” Jerry handed apaper bag through the window that Revik placed on my lap, where its warmthsoaked through my waitressing uniform skirt.

“The Bridge isthe catalyst,” Revik repeated, like I hadn’t spoken. “They have their place,like any of the intermediary beings.” He turned the key, and the GTX’s enginerumbled to life. “You need to understand your importance. Not in terms of ego,but of role. It is a responsibility, Allie.”

I looked up fromthe bag. “So, just to be clear. You're saying I am going to end the world...atleast as we know it. And that this is a job that I should take seriously...anddo really, really well.” I tilted my head at him. “Did I get that right?”

I watched himthink. “Yes,” he said. “That is right. Simplistic, but ultimately correct.”Before I could speak, or even laugh, I saw his eyes click back into focus. “Youwill meet Vash. Then you will understand.”

“Did you justread my mind?” I said.

“Yes.”

“Is thatabsolutely fucking necessary?” I said.

He thought aboutthis also, glancing at me.

“Yes,” he said.

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - JC ANDREJESKI

2012-03-03T06:00:00.000Z

About the Author

JC Andrijeski is abestselling author who has published novels, novellas, serials, graphic novelsand short stories, as well as nonfiction essays and articles. Her short fictionruns from humorous to apocalyptic, and her nonfiction articles cover subjectsfrom graffiti art, meditation, psychology, journalism, politics and history.Her short works have been published in numerous anthologies, online literary,art and fiction magazines as well as print venues such as NY Press newspaper and holistic health magazines.

Obtaining an MA in political science from the New School for Social Research(NSSR) in NYC, she did her graduate studies in race and caste systems, slaveand ex-slave systems, religion and its impacts on social systems and otherhistorical weirdnesses which fitted her surprisingly well for both fictionwriting and being extremely annoying at parties. She moved from NYC to SanFrancisco in 1997, and otherwise has lived or spent considerable time inAlbuquerque, Portland, Los Angeles, Seattle, Vancouver BC, New York, Florida,San Diego, Prague, London, Berlin, Sydney and Swinoujscie, Poland. JC currentlylives and writes full time in Sidhpur, India, at the foot of the Himalayas inHimachal Pradesh, a location she drew on a fair bit in writing the Allie's War books.

website: http://www.jcandrijeski.com

blog: http://jcandrijeski.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/syrimne1

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Julie-C-Andrijeski/119289867659

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4470130.J_C_Andrijeski

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - GOLDEN CHARIOT BY CHRIS KARLSEN

2012-03-03T03:00:00.001Z

GOLDEN CHARIOT

By Chris Karlsen

Myth, murder,and money clash in this gripping undersea adventure.

BLURB:

The rarediscovery of a ship sunk during the time of the Trojan War has been found offthe coast of Turkey, near Troy. Charlotte Dashiell is an American nauticalarchaeologist and thrilled to be part of the recovery team. The wreck maycontain proof of her highly controversial theory about the Trojan War.

Charlotte is present when the Turkishgovernment agent assigned to guard the site is murdered. Her possibleinvolvement and a questionable connection to a private collector of blackmarket relics bring her under suspicion. Atakan Vadim is the Turkish agent sentto investigate her. Unknown to either of them, the smuggler behind the murderplans to steal a valuable artifact and frame Charlotte for the theft...afterthey murder her.

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - ROOK ALLIE'S WAR BY JC ANDREJESKI

2012-03-03T03:00:00.000Z

Rook: Allie's War, Book One

By JCAndrijeski

PublishedBy White Sun Press

28-year-old SanFrancisco native, Allie Taylor, at least thought she was human. But when shemeets her first real seer, a race of human-like beings discovered in the 1900s,he tells her that not only is she a seer, like him, but that all the otherseers believe she's going to end the world. Unfortunately, no matter what shedoes, everything that happens after that only seems to prove him right.

Smashwords