Showing posts with label book trailer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book trailer. Show all posts

Monday, February 19, 2018

Guest Post: Shoeburn and the Ill-Fitting Necklace by Shoeburn Ruffet


Blurb:
Shoeburn Ruffet is forced into finding the whereabouts of a business magnate’s lost piece of jewellery. Regina Wendle, the most powerful woman in Welt Foot and the business magnate, will unleash bees, sink phoney submarines, and sabotage helicopter outings until her necklace is found. 

Shoeburn will do slightly less exciting stuff to figure out what the necklace’s true purpose is. 

The necklace has something to do with him. It has something to do with his father. It may even have something to do with his dead mother, who could or could not be Regina Wendle. Shoeburn does a few heroic things in this story amidst all his blundering, but he’s not really a hero. He just finds himself unable to say ‘no’ in a situation that isn’t about a missing necklace but is instead one in which a necklace goes missing. 

He’d just rather not be there at all.





About the Author:

Shoeburn Ruffet has no formal education, thinks chickens should have bigger wings, and has lived half his life with the same suspenders. He spends days looking out a keyhole, and he thinks you know as much about him already as you should ever know.

Tea is his drink of choice, but if it’s too hot it’s not tea anymore and is a third degree burn instead. During his last visit to the graveyard, Shoeburn met four people whom he had forgotten about. He wants you to know that he knows nothing about Regina Wendle or her necklace.

He is constantly rethinking the definition of “private diary literature.”

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Release: Between Midnight and Dawn By: Cheryl Yeko

By: Cheryl Yeko
Releasing May 19, 2016
Soul Mate Publishing

Blurb

Kyle Wade has spent over half his life seeking justice for his mother’s brutal murder at the hands of the serial killer known as C.H.K. His efforts lead him to Nicole Chambers, a woman he quickly develops strong feelings for.
Now he’s torn between keeping Nicole safe, or using her as bait to capture the monster stalking her.

Goodreads Amazon








Nicole paced nervously, waiting for Kyle to return. She’d thrown on her workout clothes; a black pair of Capris, a long purple T-shirt with large cut-out armholes, and a black sports bra that peeked out from underneath. She was covered practically from head to foot, so why did she get so nervous thinking about Kyle seeing her in the outfit?
Because he’ll be touching me, that’s why. And though not as daring as what a lot of the women wore at the club, it still showed far more skin than Nicole was used to, except when she was working out. Did this qualify?
This is a bad idea.
Her doorbell rang out.
She took a steadying breath. Too late to back out.
When she opened the door and Kyle saw her, his eyes lit with a smoldering fire. But all he said was, “Ready?” as he moved past her, greeting her dog, “Hey, Charlie.
Taking a moment to close the door, and calm her jittery nerves, she turned back to him. The desire she’d so clearly recognized in his heated stare, had lessened to a more neutral expression.
He nodded toward the living room, where she’d pushed the furniture out of the way, clearing a large spot in the middle. “You should have waited for me to help.”
Nicole rolled her eyes. “Please. I do vacuum, you know. The furniture doesn’t move itself.”
A slightly crooked smile curved Kyle’s lips as Charlie headed over to his dog bed for a nap. “Suppose not.”
Her stomach fluttered. He was too damn charming for his own good. How in the hell was she supposed to resist him? No men rule, remember. Gah! What a dumb rule. What had she been thinking?
Maybe that your taste in men is crap, and you needed a good long break after the last guy you dated almost killed you.
Oh, yeah. That was it.
Kyle moved to the center of the room, looking all too fine in a pair of tight jeans that hugged his ass. He waved her over with two crooked fingers. Her cheeks flamed, hoping he hadn’t caught her checking him out. But by the smirk on his face, she figured he had.
“Now,” he said as she approached, his tone shifting to all business. “If someone tries to grab you, whatcha gonna do?”
“Um. Run away?”
He nodded. “That might work. But, let’s say he manages to get ahold of you. What then?”
She licked her dry lips, nerves rolling around in her stomach. “Is this a trick question?”
The smile that split his face stole her breath. Gone was the serious tenant-slash-police officer from her backyard cottage. The man who stood before her now was a total, flat out, hands-down, no-question-about-it, hottie. His sex appeal exploded into the room like an atomic bomb filling up every nook and cranny.
And in just a minute or so, he was going to put his hands on her.
Ohmygod. Trouble. Seriously.
Maybe this really wasn’t such a good idea—
Nicole screamed when she was suddenly grabbed and her back brought up against Kyle’s chest. One arm clamped around her waist, the other across her throat.
Her natural instinct was to struggle, but he had one leg wrapped around her shins, totally immobilizing her. The heat from Kyle’s body burned her up, and she wasn’t unaware of the rising bulge against the small of her back. Excitement tickled through her.
Charlie let out a little bark, but only lazily watched them. She scowled at him. Some guard dog!
Mouth pressed against her ear, Kyle murmured in a seductive drawl, “If I were the bad guy, sweetheart, your pretty little ass would be mine right now.”

Author Info
My writing career began in 2011, after my wonderful husband bought me a Kindle for Christmas and changed my world. I started reading romance novels, and fell in love with them. I decided to write one myself, and disappeared into my room over a long Wisconsin winter and wrote my debut novel, PROTECTING ROSE. I submitted to a few publishing houses and was offered a contract with Soul Mate Publishing, which I quickly accepted.

PROTECTING ROSE went on to win the 2012 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence in the romantic suspense category. Well, I was hooked.

Today, I'm a multi-published, award-winning author, and live in Wisconsin with my husband Patrick. I love to read, play piano, and spend time with family and friends. I enjoy novels with fast-paced action and steamy romance, protective alpha men and strong heroines. I belong to several writing groups, including Romance Writers of America (RWA) and Sisters in Crime.

Please sign up for Cheryl’s Newsletter, with her two BFF’s, Char Chaffin and Callie Hutton.
Char and Cheryl also write together under the pen name, CiCi Cordelia, Writing From The Heart.  Find us on Amazon

Cheryl is also an Acquisitions Editor for Soul Mate Publishing. As an Editor, she welcomes Romantic Suspense, Paranormal, Sci-Fi, Contemporary, and Erotica. You can reach her at Cheryl@SoulMatePublishing.com

Author Links:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads


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Friday, January 22, 2016

Blog Tour: The Glass Ceiling by Julie LaVoie



The Glass Ceiling
by 
Julie LaVoie
Release Date: December 11th 2015
Frost Books Group

Summary from Goodreads:

Pickaxes, grime, and watery oatmeal are all sixteen-year-old Heart has ever known. Growing up in the tunnels, the only breaks in her muscle-aching monotony are the numerous nights spent cramped in a metal box. Stupid runaway mouth. But when strange visions and a hidden map hint there’s more to life than she’s been led to believe — boys being one of them — only one thing weighs on her mind. Escape.

Yet freedom is a tease. Heart merely trades her small prison for a larger one — a transparent dome controlled by the Guardian, an aging leader bent on creating a genetically perfect race. Heart's birthmark on her shoulder? An abomination that carries a lifetime sentence of slavery for females.

Refusing to let a glass ceiling deter her, Heart searches for a way out of the dome. But unraveling the Guardian's secrets is a risky endeavor. Human skulls atop crude sticks serve as a warning: treason is punishable by death. When her new friends are captured, and escape is just an arm’s reach away, Heart must decide. Take the freedom she so desperately wants or save her friends’ lives?

Buy Links:

Book Trailer: 

Excerpt:
Just as Heart touched the doorknob, muffled voices sounded from the other side. Crap. She looked around her. The closest object was a trash can. She lowered herself behind it, wrinkling her nose at the putrid smell of dirty diapers. The door swung open and the Matriarch stepped out. A messy braid laid over one shoulder.
“We need to locate her. Check the bathroom. Check the tunnels. She couldn’t have gotten far.”
The woman stomped past the trash can without noticing Heart. In one bright flash, all the fluorescents came on. Chills spread through Heart like black oil. They were going to find her.
The dorm mother put one of the older girls in charge and rushed toward the east tunnels. Heart stayed in her kneeling position, frozen to her spot. Think, Heart, think. Going inside her dorm was out of the question. Her only choice was to go west. Her heart sank. The west tunnels were in the opposite direction of the Box. She couldn’t leave 176 behind.
Before she could change her mind, she abandoned her hiding spot and sprinted toward the common area. Luckily, everyone was already in the tunnels and she made it through without being detected.
She neared the Box and moaned. She’d forgotten about the padlock. How was she going to get 176 out? She banged her fist against the thick metal. “176, you in there?”
There was no response. Of course, 176 couldn’t talk. She placed her ear against the door, listening for movement. Three thumps came from within.
“The door is locked and I can’t open it.” Heart banged once more. “I have to go, but I’ll come back for you, okay?” She hesitated. Promises alone wouldn’t help 176 survive the Box. “Just concentrate on the sliver of light. Pretend it’s an angel, wrapping you with her wings. Protecting you. That’s what I do.”
A ball formed in Heart’s throat. “Stay strong. I know you can do it.”
A thump sounded. Heart sniffled and wiped at her nose. There was nothing more she could say.
With a final glance over her shoulder, she rushed toward the west tunnels, staying close to the walls. She made a note of the small alcoves she passed. If needed, she could easily squeeze into one.
Every couple of minutes, she stopped and listened for voices. Yells and the beating of feet into dirt bounced off the cavern walls. She couldn’t tell if they were ten feet away or a hundred. Adrenaline forced Heart forward and she quickened her pace. If the Matriarch caught her, losing her tongue would be the best scenario she could hope for.
The walls grew narrower and the path more treacherous. She’d never been this far into the tunnels. Looming rock formations snagged at her hair. What if she’d picked the wrong turn? What if it was a dead end?
She turned a corner and her stomach flipped. A wrought iron gate marked the exit, a six inch thick steel bar holding it in place. Beyond the gate, a pinkish purple glow filled the tunnel. Freedom? Heart grasped the cold metal bar. C’mon, c’mon, c’mon! She tugged until her veins threatened to pop out of her forehead.
It didn’t budge. She whipped her head back and forth, searching for something hard. She grabbed a rock and slammed it into the bar. A pinging sound echoed off the walls. She didn’t care that the commotion would attract attention. There was no other escape. No bright arrows pointing the way. Nothing left to do but hit that bar with every bit of strength she could muster.
The footfalls came quicker now. A whistle blew. Heart hit the bar faster. Harder. The sounds were closing in. Every hair on her head could sense her pursuers. And yet she continued. Bang. Bang. Bang.
The bar moved slightly and tears of hope stung her eyes. Please!
Her body jolted as someone grasped her arm. The rock, and her only chance of escape, slipped from her fingertips.



About the Author

Julie lives in historic Saratoga Springs, NY with the man of her dreams and their boys. Being surrounded by males, she overcompensates by owning everything pink. From her clothing, to purses, to even her pots and pans. She just can’t get enough pink.

She enjoys taking long road trips with her family to the beach and to amusement parks. She has one cat that she showers with kissy-baby talk, but who only returns a non-amused glance every once in a while. It’s her third cat to act this way, so she’s wondering if perhaps she should get a dog next time.

From a young age, Julie’s vivid imagination constantly invented story lines. But it wasn’t until she began working in a career that required zero creativity, that her need to write poured out like a dam bursting. And she’s been writing ever since.

Author Links:

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Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Release! Sachael Desires by Melody Winter


Sachael Desires
Melody Winter
(The Mine #2)
Published by: REUTS Publications
Publication date: November 24th 2015
Genres: Fantasy, New Adult, Romance
During her ordeal with the Sect, Estelle Bailey dreamt of escaping back into the arms of the sea—and Azariah. But freedom came at a price, and though she’s back with the Sachael who’s stolen her heart, she’s also land-bound until the next full moon. And with the threat of Orontes looming ever larger behind them, Azariah, Estelle, and Michael—her once-captor turned rescuer and friend—are on the run.
Following Michael’s lead, they seek sanctuary amidst the natural beauty of the Orkney and Shetland Islands until Estelle can complete her next submergence ritual and Azariah can whisk her away to the safety of Saicean.

Secrets, betrayals, and old enemies await them, though, and as events spiral out of control, Azariah makes a decision that puts all their lives at risk, forcing Estelle to face a journey she never wanted to take. With time running out and tempers running high, her only hope to save the man she loves lies in a reconciliation between two kingdoms who despise each other.
Book Two in the Mine Series, Sachael Desires further expands on the intricate underwater world of the Sachaels, and the hostility and isolation of not belonging.
Grab book 1 – Sachael Dreams – on Amazon today!
EXCERPT:
Orontes snarled, striding to the nearest tank and gently tapping his fingers on the glass. Nothing happened. The octopuses’ usual reaction was to scurry and hide between the rocks and sand at the bottom of the tank. They didn’t move. Shaking his head in disbelief, he systematically walked to each tank, repeating his action. He waited for a few seconds each time for any sign of movement, hoping at least one of them was alive.
He lingered over the last tank, sniffing the air above it. Moving his face closer to the water, he drew in a deep breath.
“Bleach,” he murmured, and then, as if to confirm it to himself and the men in the room who were ignoring him, he repeated the word louder. “Bleach! They were killed with bleach.” Spinning on the spot, he glared at the man who had attempted to answer him earlier. “Did you see Michael wandering around with the container in his hand? Did you see him pour it into the tanks?”
“No,” he answered, his voice shaking.
“And why wasn’t he stopped? He wasn’t allowed in here.” Orontes paced the laboratory, convinced this was Michael’s doing. “Is the venom contaminated?” he asked the man in the store room.
“No, the vials I’ve checked are clean.”
Orontes glanced at the tanks again before marching from the room. Long, heavy steps took him upstairs and to the left of the building—the rooms where the men he trusted would be. This whole tragedy wouldn’t have happened if he’d stayed. Michael wouldn’t have dared to take Estelle to the beach without him. He didn’t understand why nobody had stopped him. No one had questioned him. Not even Pactolus.
“Stupid half-bred idiot,” he growled.
Eight familiar faces turned to him as he opened the door to the game room. The television immediately switched off, and the two men playing pool stopped their game. These men were the ones who had returned this morning after the phone call from Lilith. They were Oceanids.
“Ten minutes, and we’re leaving,” he informed them.
“Leaving? Again?”
“Yes. We’ll be in the water.”
“But you’re not allowed in the water. Hebrus banned you.”
“And you think he will stop me?” Orontes snapped. “You can stay here if you want, but you’d better not be here when I return.”
What did it matter whether he was banned or not? Orontes didn’t care for Hebrus’s rule. He never followed it; although, this time, he would be in the water for considerably longer than the quick swims he occasionally went for. He smirked. Hebrus would never stop him. He’d never even know.
“Where are we going this time?” another man asked, already jumping to his feet, ready to leave.
Orontes fought a smile, confident with what would greet him when he arrived.
“The Orkneys,” he growled. “I need to visit Michael.”



Author Bio:
Growing up, Melody showed a natural ability in art, a head for maths, and a tendency to write too long English essays. Difficult to place in the world when she graduated, she pursued a career in teaching, but ended up working in finance. Melody is convinced the methodical times she spends working with numbers fuel her desire to drift into dream worlds and write about the illusory characters in her head.
Melody Winter lives in York, North Yorkshire, England with her husband and two sons. When not dealing with football, rugby, and a whole plethora of 'boy' activities, she will be found scribbling notes for her stories, or preparing for another trip to the nearby beaches at Scarborough and Whitby. With an obsession for anything mythical, Melody revels in reading and writing about such creatures.

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Thursday, October 8, 2015

Guest Post: Cars in her Novel by Linda O'Connor

Katie - Thank you very much for inviting me to your blog! In Perfectly Reasonable, Margo MacMillan spends a lot of time driving between the painting jobs and her volunteering at a local soup kitchen. She has some pretty strong ideas about the characteristics of a driver depending on what kind of car they drive. Whether it's a red car or yellow car:
Margo pulled into the parking lot of Paint and Putty, her favorite store in all of Rivermede. She parked her little red Mini-Cooper beside a red BMW and gave a wide berth to the yellow Pontiac. Red car people were the best. Most conscientious drivers, cautiously opened their doors to avoid dinging the car next to them, and followed a regular vacuuming schedule. The complete opposite of yellow car people. Honestly, they should have a separate area of the parking lot.
a green van:
Margo huffed out a breath and glanced at the clock on the dashboard. Just her luck to get behind a green van. She didn’t need the green-van treatment this morning. Her alarm had startled her out of a deep sleep, mainly because the deep sleep didn’t happen until three in the morning. She had burned her tongue on her coffee, her hair was a mess, and her brain still in a fog. She was going to have to make a detour for another coffee. And the brake happy, ‘it’s-such-a-nice-day-let’s-admire-the-scenery’ green van wasn’t even hitting the speed limit. Holy cow, could you drive any slower? She stared at the little stick figure drawings of a dad, mom, four children, dog, and two cats on the back windshield of the van. Great. Potentially four more green van people in the wings. Just what the world needed.
a shiny gray jeep:
Margo shook her head at the shiny gray jeep stopped beside her at the light. The shiny gray jeep with no doors. She’d seen it in the summer, but with temperatures a few degrees above freezing, she’d want doors. He didn’t seem to mind. With a tuque pulled down over his ears, a multicolored scarf blowing in the wind, rosy cheeks, and his thumbs tapping on the steering wheel to the hard rock bass blaring from his speakers, the driver looked pretty content. He glanced over and smiled, and Margo couldn’t help smiling back. You had to love those free-spirited drivers of no-door, shiny gray jeeps.
a white sedan, blue hatchback, black Suburban, orange Hummer, or lime green Beetle – they all have their own unique drivers. Margo loves her little red Mini-Coop, but the big question is – what kind of car does Trace drive? :D

Linda would LOVE to offer an e-copy of Perfectly Reasonable to someone who comments, and as a bonus, I'll throw in an e-copy of Deceptive Cadence too.

perfectly reasonable cover 

  Perfectly Reasonable (Book 2 Perfectly Series)

 Love what you do and do what you love. Sounds perfectly reasonable, but chances are, you’ll find your passion in the last place you look . . . Margo MacMillan finished medical school, but in the process, her self-confidence and self-esteem took a beating. So for the sake of self-preservation, she’s stepped away from medicine to re-group. In the meantime, painting soothes her soul and pays the bills. Trace Bennett set his sights on a medical degree and has to prepare the perfect medical school application. His big plan is to paint his condo for a little feng shui divine luck. When Margo shows up to paint, he realizes he’s found exactly what he’s looking for. He just has to convince Margo to share more than the art of medicine. She’s got it. He wants it. It’s Perfectly Reasonable.

 Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/Perfectly-Reasonable-Linda-OConnor-ebook/dp/B0143ZW2P8    
Video Book Trailer:


Linda O'Connor  Meet Linda O’Connor ~ Linda has been writing romance novels for four years and is very grateful to Debby Gilbert at Soul Mate Publishing for the ultimate encouragement to her writing - with the leap to publishing. She has many titles including Doctor, Mom, and proud Canadian, but “Linda O'Connor - hereinafter called the Author” is one of the sweetest. Contemporary romantic comedies are her favorite novels to read and write. Linda balances writing with her work as a physician at an Urgent Care Clinic and being a mom to three sons (luckily grown and capable of throwing together a decent meal, in a pinch). She also likes to keep active and cycle, cross-country ski, skate, walk, or dance every day. Laugh every day. Love every minute.

  Linda loves connecting with readers:
 Website: http://www.lindaoconnor.net
 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LindaOConnorAuthor
 Twitter: https://twitter.com/lindaoconnor98
 Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Linda-OConnor/e/B00S7CNLEA  

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Release, Trailer Reveal, AND Giveaway! Summer Wier is Rocking It!

 


This is a super exciting day! I read this book for the first time over a year ago and loved it! Summer has come a long way since then, and is now getting what she deserves for her had work. This book is a must read, so keep you eyes out for my review to come later this month.

 LINK by Summer Wier 
(The Shadow of Light #1) 
Published by: REUTS Publications
Publication date: September 29th 2015
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult
About LINK:
For seventeen-year-old Kira, there’s no better way to celebrate a birthday than being surrounded by friends and huddled beside a campfire deep in the woods. And with a birthday in the peak of summer, that includes late night swims under the stars.

Or at least, it used to.

Kira’s relaxing contemplation of the universe is interrupted when a piece of it falls, colliding with her and starting a chain of events that could unexpectedly lead to the one thing in her life that's missing—her father.

Tossed into a pieced-together world of carnivals and gypsies, an old-fashioned farmhouse, and the alluring presence of a boy from another planet, Kira discovers she’s been transported to the center of a black hole, and there’s more to the story than science can explain. She’s now linked by starlight to the world inside the darkness. And her star is dying.

If she doesn’t return home before the star’s light disappears and her link breaks, she’ll be trapped forever. But she’s not the only one ensnared, and with time running out, she’ll have to find a way to save a part of her past and a part of her future, or risk losing everything she loves.

Dreamy, fluid, and beautiful, Link pairs the mystery of science fiction with the minor-key melody of a dark fantasy, creating a tale that is as human as it is out of this world. 
Available now from Amazon, and other retailers.



About Summer Wier:
Summer Wier is an MBA toting accountant, undercover writer, and all around jack-of-all-trades.  Link is her debut novel and the first in The Shadow of Light series. She has three short stories appearing in Fairly Twisted Tales For A Horribly Ever After and co-authors the Splinter web serial. When she’s not digging through spreadsheets or playing mom, you can find her reading/writing, cooking, or dreaming of the mountains in Montana.





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Monday, March 16, 2015

REUTS Author Interview: Emily Taylor

Emily Taylor began writing in early primary school and after two novellas, which will never see the light of day, she began to join writing sites. She finished her first novel, Blood of Angels, on Goodreads before moving to the disbanded Inkpop. There she finished her second novel, To Turn Left, which hit the Top 5. Figment bought Inkpop in 2012, making her the last ever Inkie of the Week, and To Turn Left became a “handpicked fig” by author Jackson Pearce that same year. Recently,Taylor has become more active on Wattpad, finishing Unmask Me, A Soul to Take and a remake of Blood of Angels, which won Watty Awards for On The Rise, Horror/Paranormal.

Besides writing, Taylor currently studies Music Technology at her state’s Conservatorium and in 2012, helped with Respect Cat Production’s feature film, In a Corner, as a Script Advisor. She is also taking screenwriting electives on the side.

A Soul to Take is her first formally published work and Book One of The Soul Stealer’s Trilogy, a New Adult paranormal romance.


1.      Tell us how you came to be an Author with REUTS.
I was actually discovered on the writing site Figment by owner Ashley. She messaged me out of the blue about this new writing agency she was starting in 2013, and if I was interested in submitting my novel. You can imagine my shock and excitement at the request. Of course, I seized the opportunity, and joined the family.

2.      What do you enjoy most about being a REUTS Author?
The community. Everyone is extremely friendly, and it’s nice knowing they are there to support you and help in any way they can.

3.      What have your experiences been like working toward being published?
Fun and fascinating. Like I was saying before, it’s just great having this team dedicated in assisting you. I’m learning so much.

4.      What would you have done differently?
Compact everything to a smaller deadline. We’ve had a few delays with my novel, unfortunately, that have been outside of our control. But while frustrating, in the end of the day, my novel has become so much more and if things had occurred when they should of, I know I wouldn’t have been at the level of writing I am now, and I cringe at what could have been. Funny how things works out like that.

5.      How has your book been marketed?
Through blog tours featuring trailers, visual “quote” promos, interviews, guest posts etc. I love this side of things, and try to be as involved as I can. Marketing is half the fun!

6.      Any advice on how to better market a book?
My team at REUTs have done everything I would have thought of up to date; it all comes down to exposure and luck in the end, and without forking out heaps of money, you are a bit restricted. The best thing to do is be active. Make friends. Put yourself out there. A team can only do so much without you making the leap and engaging your audience.

7.      Last question; If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go, when would it be, and what would you be wearing?

There are so many places I want to go! But Japan would have to be first. Preferably in the bloom of Cherry Blossoms. I don’t know what I would be wearing—I usually wear spring dresses/playsuits with black high-top sneakers and floppy hat.


The world has changed. Demons are no longer legend, but part of life, integrated into our society . . . or so the Government claims. Things are never that simple, though, and neither side favors the new union. Agent Elixia Albelin knows the dark nature of demons firsthand, and will do everything in her power to protect the innocent from their wrath.

But when a mission from the Agency goes sour, Elixia finds herself in a predicament. Murdered, with her last living family-member kidnapped, her only hope is an offer from the very thing she despises: a demon. It’s no ordinary demon offering the contract, though, and his motive for such a deal is unclear. But if she's to discover the truth and save her sister, she must commit the greatest taboo for an Agent:

Sell her soul. 

Now, Marked and shackled to the terms of the contract, she must try to uncover the mystery of her sister's abduction before her new "owner" comes to claim what is his. Her past may hold answers, but what happens when her investigation finds something far more sinister? Something not even the demons can condone?

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Cover Reveal: Devil in Duke's Clothing by Nina Mason



What's inside is just as wickedly delicious.

Devil in Duke’s Clothing, an erotic historical romance set in Scotland in 1680, tells the story of an innocent bride's struggles to come to grips with her new husband’s eccentric erotic tastes amidst the instability and hedonism of the reign of Charles II. The book is coming in January from Nina Mason, the author of The Queen of Swords and The Tin Man. Book One in the Royal Pains Trilogy, Devil in Duke's Clothing is highly erotic, features scenes of voyeurism, bondage, flagellation, and a voyeuristic menage.

Here's the blurb:

Maggie York, a convent-raised foundling, knows the Duke of Dunwoody’s sexual tastes are a shade or two darker than normal, but marries him anyway—partly because she has no other prospects and partly because, try as she might, she can’t seem to exorcize her desire for the dashing ducal devil. Two years ago, she watched him swive and spank her lady's maid, luring her from the garden of innocence into the orchard of fleshly delights--and she's been hungry for more ever since.

Robert Armstrong, the duke, is a Roman Catholic whose extreme devotions as a child warped his desires as a man. He’s also a slave to the times in which he lives--and to his king. Everything he is, everything he holds dear, depends on staying in Charles II’s good graces. Unfortunately, Maggie isn't the bride the king selected for him. Now, to make amends, the duke must choose between the lesser of two evils: whore his wife or be reduced to a penniless commoner.

Whose interests will Robert choose to serve, his own, the king’s, or the woman he loves?

Here's the trailer (18+ only, please):




Here's an excerpt from the Prologue:


Maggie York had not set out to be a spy.

She’d only come into the housekeeper’s closet to look for a bootlace. It had finally stopped raining and she was eager to escape the musty, smoke-choked prison the castle had become over the past se’nnight. Sick to death of books and needlework, she yearned to be out of doors picking flowers or stalking rabbits, but could do neither of those things until she’d replaced the broken lace on her boots.

Her abigail, as usual, was nowhere to be found, so Maggie had ventured below stairs to apply to the housekeeper for aid. To Maggie’s vexation, Mrs. McQueen was nowhere to be found, either, and, too impatient to await her return, the young ducal ward elected to hunt for the needed item herself.

Now, she was where she should not be and someone was coming. Two someones, actually. If they caught her here, she’d be punished the way she’d been several years past when she’d broken the vase belonging to the duke’s mother. The old duke, the young duke’s late father, had tanned her hide so severely she hadn’t been able to sit down for a full week without wincing.

Fear pumped through Maggie’s veins as the larksome duet drew nearer. The lady was her absent abigail. The gentleman’s laughter she could not place. The duchy employed several male servants—footmen, a valet, a coachman, a gardener, and a handful of strapping young grooms--but the baritone tenor was unlike any of theirs. Neither was it the laugh of the duke’s younger brother, who’d been blessed with a cheerful disposition. The sounds of Hugh’s gaiety echoed so often through the castle’s corridors, she would have known it anywhere.

There was, however, one gentleman residing at Balloch who’d never laughed within range of her hearing. Once or twice, he’d deigned to grace her with a smile—and, Lord bless her—what a thing of beauty ‘twas to behold. Like the sun breaking through the clouds on a gloomy day. The merest glimpse made her bones feel like they were made from tallow. What a pity he was so seldom cheerful.

The laughter grew still louder. As the door opened wider, panic erupted in Maggie’s chest. She could not let them find her snooping like a common thief. Pulse racing, she closed the French doors betwixt closet and room as swiftly and quietly as circumstances permitted.

As luck would have it, the door’s linen curtains were arranged in such a way as to allow her to see into the room without being observed. The man came in first.

Her breath caught when she saw ‘twas none other than the duke himself—in naught but his kilt and shirtsleeves!

Mistress Honeywell, her lady’s maid, soon followed in her usual tartan dress but sans shoes.

Why were they both half undressed? What could they be about?

Maggie bit her lip as she watched in breathless silence.

After locking the door, the duke dropped the key into his sporran and led Mistress Honeywell to a long sofa facing the closet. Maggie’s heart leapt into her throat. She drew back and held her breath. If he saw her, she was doomed.

The maid sat quietly whilst he filled the antimonial cup with Mrs. McQueen’s medicinal whisky. Was the duke ill perchance?

His grace returned to the sofa and handed Mistress Honeywell the whisky. Was it the maid who’d taken ill? If so, why apply to the duke for physick? Maggie could not reason it out.

He stood over the maid as she drank the whisky. Since his back was to the closet, Maggie could not see what passed between them. After a spell, Mistress Honeywell rose and they turned to face one another, providing a perfect view of their full-length profiles.

Maggie expected them to embrace, but they did not.

Instead, Mistress Honeywell set about unlacing her bodice whilst he watched with rapt interest.

The maid wore no stays, but clearly had no need of their support. Her paps, though large, stood as proud and sure as a pair of cockerels.

When Mistress Honeywell was down to her shift, the duke stepped forward, untied the neckline drawstring, and reached inside with both hands.

Maggie swallowed a gasp when he seized both the maid’s breasts and proceeded to knead them like dough. Mistress Honeywell, astonishingly enough, offered no reproach. She only tipped back her head, parted her lips, and emitted a breathy sigh.

How could she abide, let alone enjoy, such exploitation? If a man ever treated Maggie thusly, she’d slap him so hard he’d see stars for a week!

The duke swept the shift off the maid’s shoulders. The thin garment slipped down her body to her ankles. To Maggie’s astonishment, Mistress Honeywell appeared to be unashamed--either by her nudity or his grace’s covetous stares.

By the light of Our Lady’s brow! Such impiety was not to be borne. How could they be so wicked? As Roman Catholics, both had to know what they were doing was sinful.

Here's a wee bit about the author:


Nina Mason is a hopeful romantic with strong affinities for history, mythology, and the metaphysical. She strives to write the same kind of books she loves to read: those that entertain, edify, educate, and enlighten.

She has two books out at present: The Queen of Swords, a darkly erotic Scottish paranormal romance/urban fantasy, and The Tin Man, a political thriller.

Ms. Mason is currently at work on two new series': an erotic historical trilogy titled Royal Pains and a four-part erotic paranormal/fantasy series titled The Knights of Avalon. Devil in Duke's Clothing is book one in Royal Pains. Starry Knight, book one in the Knights of Avalon will be released on August 4, 2015 by Lyrical/Kensington>

When not writing, she works as a communications consultant, doll maker, and home-stager. Born and raised in Orange County, California, Ms. Mason currently lives with her husband, teenage daughter, two rescue cats, and a Westie named Robert just north of Atlanta, Georgia.

Here are the author's stalker links:


Nina Mason's website
Amazon Author's Page
Facebook
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Nina Mason's Blog

Monday, October 27, 2014

Heirs of War, Crown of Flames Blog Tour: Interview with the Amazing Mara Valderran


ABOUT HEIRS OF WAR:

The NA fantasy series Heirs of War has taken Wattpad by storm with over one million reads, and the second installment has arrived. Catch up on Heirs of War (#1) for just 99 cents now!

Heirs of War #1:


When seventeen year-old Zelene finds herself thrust into a world of magic and prophecy, she discovers fighting destiny might not be the toughest battle she has to face. Now she must join with three other girls, complete strangers linked only by blood relation, to fight a war they know nothing of and rescue the twin sister she's never met.


Add it to Goodreads


INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR MARA VALDERRAN


Katie Hamstead: Tell us a little about you.
Mara Valderran: Well, as you might have guessed from the title, I'm an author. I write young adult and new adult speculative fiction. I'm a huge fangirl and self-proclaimed geek. I'm possibly more excited about the return of Arrow and the premiere of Flash than I am about my own book release and book signing, which tells you just how much of a fangirl I am. =D I'm a big fan of Doctor Who and all things Joss Whedon (well, with the exception of Roseanne. I didn't like that show.). 

Well, I guess I'm a huge fangirl too, because I was way too excited about Arrow and Flash too!

Katie: You currently have The Heirs of War (book #1) available. Tell us a little about it and how you came up with the concept.
Mara: Heirs of War is centered on five girls born into the most powerful bloodlines in all the worlds. They were sent away for their own protection at a young age and have now been brought back to their world, which they know nothing about. Together, they are supposed to unite the worlds and end the sort of cold war that has been going on between the rebel Cahirans and the ruling body, the Duillaine. But they run into all sorts of problems along the way, like Ariana, the prophesized fifth, getting captured and her twin sister Zelene basically saying "Screw you and your politics, I'm going to rescue my sister." I think the biggest problem they have to face is figuring out where they land in this war that they've been thrown into. Are the Cahirans really wrong for wanting things to change? And can they even trust the Duillaine? What happens when you are thrown into a war and possibly landed on the wrong side?

The idea came to me because I wanted to write about these five strong, young women and the powerful connection they have to each other. I wanted it to mirror the relationship I have with my sister and my cousins. It goes beyond having a familial connection--throughout the course of my life it has felt like they are pieces of the same puzzle I'm trying to work out. The same can be said for Rhaya, Isauria, Terrena, Zelene, and Ariana. All five girls bring something to the table that goes beyond blood relation and the magical element they each represent. They influence each other, empower each other, and are connected in a way they've never felt before. That's where they get their strength--not their magic, but from being together. They are still working on that now, but I'm really looking forward to writing it when they finally do unite. That's when the real fun is going to start. =D

Katie: Your next book, Altar of Reality is signed for release soon. When will that be and what can you tell us about it?
Mara: Altar of Reality is a young adult dystopian set for release January 31st from Curiosity Quills Press. I'm so excited to be part of the CQ family. Really, I can't see how any publishing house could be better, and I'm glad Altar of Reality has a home with them. 

This is the first book in the Shifted Realities series. When sixteen year-old Madeline has her first grand mal seizure, she awakens in a world torn apart by World War III. Her enemies wear the faces of loved ones, and she finds allies in unlikely places. As she flips between realities, her connection to the war-torn world grows stronger and she’s thrust into the growing rebellion against the Lord Commander. Now she finds herself torn between two versions of the same boy, and the lines between her realities begin to blur as she struggles to save her lives in both worlds.

Katie: What types of books do you read?
Mara: I read mostly speculative fiction--fantasy and sci-fi. It has been a really long time since I've read anything that didn't have fantastical elements to it like a contemporary. I read a lot of indie books since that's the network I tend to travel in, so I'm really far behind on the really main stream books like Divergent and Game of Thrones. My friends give me a lot of crap for not being up to date on Game of Thrones since I write fantasy. But I have read the first book! And now watch the series. Haha!

Katie: Do you have any advice for novice writers?
Mara: Keep writing and always be open to developing your craft. When you get feedback, really listen to what the other person is saying with the attitude of what you can learn from instead of the attitude of being told what you did wrong. It is so easy to wear our hearts on our sleeves and get hurt when people are telling us how we can improve, but we should really be thanking them. Writing is a skill, and like any skill, there's always room for growth. You'll be a better writer in the end, even if it does sting a little at first.

Katie: Tell us about your writing habits.
Mara: I tend to listen to music when I write. Sometimes that's how storylines are born for me--from imagining it when I'm listening to a certain song. I don't like getting interrupted when I am working, so I tend to not write in public a whole lot and mostly write behind closed doors. Sometimes there is coffee involved, but most likely it is water.

Katie: If you were one of the characters in your book/s which one would you be and why?
Mara: Oh, wow. Probably none of them since I know what happens to them. Haha! My friends and family already say that Zelene is just like me when I was her age, even though I relate more to Isauria. I think I would probably choose Adelphi from the Heirs of War series because she's such a strong and elegant woman. I picture Gina Torres for her, and I think she's absolutely gorgeous, which is also a plus. =D From Altar of Reality, I'd say Ana. You'll have to read it to find out why, though. ;) No spoilers!

Katie: If you could live and write anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Mara: NEW YORK. Seriously. I know it sounds cliche, but I went there recently and absolutely fell in love with it. If I sell a million books, you'll be able to find me there. Probably somewhere in Westchester though. I like the idea of being close to a big city but not in it.

Katie: If you had one wish (something personal) what would it be?
Mara: To live in New York? I guess. I don't really know. I don't spend much time wishing, as lame as that sounds. I just take things one day at a time.

ABOUT THE HEIRS OF WAR SERIES

The NA fantasy series Heirs of War has taken Wattpad by storm with over one million reads, and the second installment has arrived. Catch up on Heirs of War (#1) for just 99 cents now!

Heirs of War #1:


When seventeen year-old Zelene finds herself thrust into a world of magic and prophecy, she discovers fighting destiny might not be the toughest battle she has to face. Now she must join with three other girls, complete strangers linked only by blood relation, to fight a war they know nothing of and rescue the twin sister she's never met.


Add it to Goodreads


The adventure continues with Heirs of War, Crown of Flames...


Heirs of War, Crown of Flames
Heirs of War #2
Mara Valderran
Cover Art by Gretchen Byers

Weeks have passed since Ariana and Alec escaped from Kellen's dungeon, but danger isn't far behind them. The guilt of his past weighs heavily on Alec’s shoulders, and his secrets only push Ariana further away. As they travel through unknown lands and encounter multiple threats, their biggest challenge might be trusting one another.

The world appears to be going on regardless of the risks Ariana faces. The Duillaine insist that they are doing everything they can to find Ariana, but their actions betray that claim. Despite the danger and the war closing in around them, all of Anscombe seems to be more interested in the upcoming Imbolc festival and Terrena’s betrothal than rescuing Ariana.

Well…not everyone.

Tired of waiting for the Duillaine to help her twin, Zelene starts plotting on her own and finds a surprising ally in Rhaya, even as the Cynewards prepare to make a move of their own. But Zelene’s plans go awry when she finds herself with a new ability, a mysterious new friend, and more enemies within the walls of Anscombe than she thought.

Add it to Goodreads

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 
Mara Valderran is an author of young adult and new adult books, but she's more than just a madwoman with a writing box. She is an avid reader and fan of all things sci-fi and fantasy. She loves roller skating and movies, though typically not together. She lives in Las Vegas with her husband and demanding cat. She hopes to one day meet Daniel Jackson from SG1, or at least the actor who played him. When she’s not writing, you can find her reading, playing video games, or counting down the days until DragonCon.

Find Mara Online: 
Website & Blog  Twitter  Facebook  Google+  Goodreads  Wattpad  Amazon Author
Sign up for Mara's newsletter so you don't miss news on new releases and fun contests!


Want to follow this blog tour? Check out the calendar below!

Monday 10/13
Krystal WadeMargo Bond CollinsHere is What I Read Book Blog
Vicki TraskJessa RussoLorraine Harvey
Priya KanapartiNerd Girl OfficialTerry's Book Addiction
Ali DeanShooting Star Book Reviews
Tuesday 10/14Wednesday 10/15Thursday 10/16
Ali Dean (Review)Jan Farnworth (Review)James Wymore (Guest Post)
Terry's Book Addiction (Review)Jamie Ayres (Promo)
Friday 10/17Saturday 10/19Monday 10/20
Emma Adams (Interview)Laveda Kasch (Excerpt #1)Eliza Tilton (Excerpt #2)
Elsie Elmore (Interview)Jessa Russo (Excerpt #3)
Cait Spivey (Guest Post)Shooting Star Book Reviews (Excerpt #4)
Here is What I Read (Interview)
Tuesday 10/21Wednesday 10/22Thursday 10/23
Michael Panush (Review)Book Lover Blog (Review)Ayden Morgen (Guest Post)
Friday 10/24Monday 10/27Tuesday 10/28
K. L. Schwengel (Guest Post)Katie Teller (Interview)Priya Kanaparti (Guest Post)
Charity Bradford (Excerpt #5)Sharon Bayliss (Review)
Vicki Trask (Review)
Sarah Anderson (Interview)

The adventure continues with Heirs of War, Crown of Flames...

Heirs of War, Crown of Flames
Heirs of War #2
Mara Valderran
Cover Art by Gretchen Byers

Weeks have passed since Ariana and Alec escaped from Kellen's dungeon, but danger isn't far behind them. The guilt of his past weighs heavily on Alec’s shoulders, and his secrets only push Ariana further away. As they travel through unknown lands and encounter multiple threats, their biggest challenge might be trusting one another.

The world appears to be going on regardless of the risks Ariana faces. The Duillaine insist that they are doing everything they can to find Ariana, but their actions betray that claim. Despite the danger and the war closing in around them, all of Anscombe seems to be more interested in the upcoming Imbolc festival and Terrena’s betrothal than rescuing Ariana.

Well…not everyone.

Tired of waiting for the Duillaine to help her twin, Zelene starts plotting on her own and finds a surprising ally in Rhaya, even as the Cynewards prepare to make a move of their own. But Zelene’s plans go awry when she finds herself with a new ability, a mysterious new friend, and more enemies within the walls of Anscombe than she thought.

Add it to Goodreads


ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 
Mara Valderran is an author of young adult and new adult books, but she's more than just a madwoman with a writing box. She is an avid reader and fan of all things sci-fi and fantasy. She loves roller skating and movies, though typically not together. She lives in Las Vegas with her husband and demanding cat. She hopes to one day meet Daniel Jackson from SG1, or at least the actor who played him. When she’s not writing, you can find her reading, playing video games, or counting down the days until DragonCon.

Find Mara Online: 
Sign up for Mara's newsletter so you don't miss news on new releases and fun contests!

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