Saturday, January 3, 2015

Shadow Fire by Kimber Leigh Wheaton - 99¢ Jan 3 - Jan 7




YA Romantic Fantasy

Release Date: 02/24/14
Astraea Press
310 pages

Summary from Goodreads:

Ashlyn – a free-spirited teenager whose peaceful life is shattered when the village elders honor her with a perilous quest to recover a stolen relic.

Zane – a jaded mercenary, torn by his undeniable desire for Ashlyn and the dark secret that could make her hate him forever.


Delistaire – a malevolent sorcerer driven by an insatiable lust for power.

All three are bound together by an ancient relic supposedly infused with the power of a Goddess.

Shadow Fire - adventure, passion, secrets, and betrayal


As Ashlyn and Zane race to stay one step ahead of the evil lurking in the shadows, their passions are ignited and their bond strengthens. But will they find the relic before Delistaire? Or has their entire quest been orchestrated from the very beginning by a madman in pursuit of ultimate power?




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Excerpt

The village is quiet as we make our way down the main street to the tavern. Brinda, Celeste and I walk in utter silence. The chirps of the crickets seem deafening in the unusual stillness. We plod along, shoulders slumped, eyes downcast. To an outsider we must appear more like a funeral procession than a group of girls heading to a party. Parties are meant to celebrate something, a birth, a marriage, completion of an apprenticeship. Who would throw a party to send a maiden off to her death? And why in the Goddess’ name did I agree to attend this blatant absurdity?
As the tavern comes into view, I’m awed by the beauty. Sconces full of candles flicker in the darkness, adorning the eaves and surrounding the entry. Someone took the time to make a banner out of pink cloth. It hangs above the entrance, the words scrawled out in black paint, ‘Good Luck Ashlyn Silverthorne’.
I swallow around the lump forming in my throat as I stare at the banner. After three weeks of sideways glances and whispers about my impending doom, the four little words written on the sign bring a bit of solace. Thank goodness it doesn’t read, ‘Try not to die, Ashlyn’ or even better, ‘May your death be quick and painless’. When I break out in nervous titters from the morbid thought, my sisters both stare at me, their faces pinched with worry. I’d like to reassure them I won’t have a breakdown tonight, but the way I’m feeling right now is far from cool and collected. Cory made the situation worse with his assault today. Dear Goddess, I hope he’s not inside!
“ASHLYN!” a chorus of voices chant my name followed by several minutes of cheering.
My fingers dig into the doorjamb, my nails scraping at the white paint. I contemplate whether fleeing now is an option. With a furtive glance, I scan the packed room, flushing when I locate Zane at a small table in the corner. His sultry garnet eyes meet mine. My breath catches in my throat, and my heartbeat accelerates, threatening to hammer right out of my chest. Before I can find the presence of mind to move, my older brothers, Abel and Jess, approach, each grabbing an arm before dragging me to a chair at the head of a large banquet table.
“There’ll be plenty of time for food and drink in a moment,” Jess shouts to the boisterous crowd. “Now it’s time for going away gifts.”
The cheer in the room is odd, making me feel as though I’m moving to a new town rather than leaving on a dangerous quest. When a wrapped gift is thrust into my hands, I’m too stunned to do anything other stare at the small box.
“This is from Jess and me,” Abel says, his lips curled into a melancholy smile.
For some reason the sorrow in his dark brown eyes is soothing, a tiny push back into reality. False cheer is understandable, but the festive atmosphere in the tavern is downright creepy. Pushing it to the back of my mind, I tear open the bright red wrapping and open the box. Nestled inside is the most beautiful silver brooch I’ve ever seen in my life. I know this piece of jewelry quite well since I’ve been admiring it every weekend at the merchant’s fair in the town square. My fingers trace the head of the dragon following the scales down to the unfurled wings. The eyes are twin sapphires which match the velvet cloak Brinda and Celeste gave me.
“Thank you, I love it,” I breathe out in a whisper. Brinda takes the brooch from my shaking hands and pins it to my velvet cloak. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Just promise to take care out there,” Jess says, giving me a quick hug followed by a kiss on the head.
“We’ll go with you, Ashlyn,” Abel whispers when he leans down to kiss my cheek.
If only things were that easy. Jess has a wife and child, Abel is taking over the carpentry shop and is engaged. I could never ask them to risk their lives on a foolhardy quest, not as happy as both are. Besides, my parents shouldn’t lose three children all at once. Such pain would be unbearable.
“No, I’ll be fine on my own,” I whisper back through the lump forming in my throat. “You both have people here who need you.” Sadness is reflected in his soulful eyes along with worry, but the most disturbing is relief. “Hey, at least those martial arts lessons you and Jess have paid for since I was thirteen may finally come in handy,” I say with a fake laugh, trying to lighten the mood.
“You’ve become a formidable woman,” Jess murmurs. “Be careful out there and never let your guard down.”





























Character Interview

Ashlyn Silverthorne

What was the scariest moment of your life? 
The day I was announced as Verdane's next Chosen was the scariest moment of my life. It was devastating. The entire town gathered in the town square that day. There were so many people packed together, it was hard to breathe. When the announcement came, it didn't click right away, you know? I remember being shuffled to the front by numerous hands, until I was standing on the wooden dais with the mayor. Everyone yelled and cheered. They laughed. I was being sent to my death and they all cheered.

Wow, that must have been rough. Do you know why they chose you?
I'd like to think it's because the townspeople thought I might succeed due to my hunting and martial arts skills. Perhaps I was considered the most expendable of the girls in the village. It doesn't matter anymore. What's done is done.

How about a lighter question: What do you think makes a good story?
Lots of adventure. Travel to distant, strange lands. Amazing creatures. Oh, and romance–that's the most important element. A swoon-worthy hero who sweeps the heroine off her feet is a must.

What is your favorite meal? 
Mmm. So glad you asked! Seafood, especially crab. I was introduced to the best fresh seafood during my time on the pirate ship. Taranis and his crew eat quite well.

What would we find under your bed? 
A couple of broken bow strings I can't bear to part with—Zane bought those for me when we first started our adventure. The romance novel I stole from my sister, Celeste. A dress my mother made for me when she decided I needed to be more feminine—not my style at all, but I love it anyway since she made it. Oh, and Taranis' new boots. He let some girl talk him into these awful pirate boots. I swiped them while he was sleeping. No one should have to look at him in those boots!

If I came to visit early in the morning would you impress me as being more like a chirpy bird or a grumpy bear? 
A grumpy bear. And if you wake me up before the sun rises, I'm a grumpy bear who bites!
  
What is the next big thing? 
Don't laugh, but Taranis won a treasure map in a poker game. After we stop for supplies, we are going on a good, old-fashioned treasure hunt. The map looks real. Well, if old and worn are indications of validity. I'm really excited, though. Who hasn't dreamed of searching for pirate treasure?

What's your message to others based on your experience?
Live everyday like it's your last. We are responsible for shaping our own destinies. I thought being chosen was the worst thing that ever happened to me, the end of my life. After you read my story, you decide. Was being chosen the worst or the best thing that could have happened? I know my answer…


About the Author

Kimber Leigh Wheaton is a bestselling YA/NA author with a soft spot for sweet romance. She is married to her soul mate, has a teenage son, and shares her home with three dogs, four cats, and lots of dragons. No, she doesn’t live on a farm, she just loves animals. Kimber Leigh is addicted to romance, videogames, superheroes, villains, and chocolate—not necessarily in that order. (If she has to choose, she’ll take a chocolate covered superhero!) She currently lives in San Antonio, TX but has been somewhat a rolling stone in life, having resided in several different cities and states.


Author Links:
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Friday, January 2, 2015

The Complete Guide to Writing for Young Adults - Review



The Complete Guide to Writing for
Young Adults: Volume 1

Non-fiction Reference
Dragon Moon Press
November 26, 2014

Goodreads * Amazon UK * Amazon * B&N

The Complete Guide to Writing for Young Adults is an essential resource for the emerging YA author. Here you'll find honest advice from award winners, international bestsellers, and industry professionals. If you've wondered why you need an agent, how to build your career, whether you should collaborate on that project, or how to write responsibly for a younger audience... it's all here to get you started:

The Emergence of YA: Adrienne Kress Age Considers, Youth Ventures: Defining YA: E.C. Myers The Problem With Parents: Deby Fredericks Writing YA Science Fiction as if Science Matters: Allen Steele More Than Girl And Boy Books: Gender In YA: Leah Bobet Creepy Or Romantic: Fanny Valentine Darling Making Your Readers Team Players: Julie Kagawa Trans 101 for YA Writers: Sassafras Lowrey Agent Secrets For YA Writers: Laurie McLean Book Bloggers Are Your Friends: Pam van Hylckama Vlieg The Best About Collaboration (and a little of the worst): Clay and Susan Griffith The Home Field Disadvantage: Leah Peterse

My Review: I received this book from the authors in exchange for an honest review

The Complete Guide to Writing for Young Adults is a great reference for anyone interested in a career as a YA author. Don't know much about the YA category? This reference guide will give you much needed information to get you started. The beginning chapters discuss YA at its very essence: what makes a novel YA.

Many important aspects of YA are explored, including: parental roles, gender issues, and love. There are also chapters about the role of agents for a YA author, the importance of book bloggers for marketing, and the challenges of collaboration.

Each chapter is written by a different author, which I thought made the book less dry than other reference materials. Lots of examples are given, and many YA works are referenced, There is also a great glossary of literary devices at the end that would be quite helpful for new writers.

If you are a published YA author, then this book might be a tad too rudimentary for you. However, if you don't know much about YA and have a yen to write, then I think this book is a great place to start. I wish this book was available back when I started writing YA... it would have saved me from making lots of mistakes.

The Authors

The Emergence of YA: Adrienne Kress
Age Considers, Youth Ventures: Defining YA: E.C. Myers
The Problem With Parents: Deby Fredericks
Writing YA Science Fiction as if Science Matters: Allen Steele
More Than Girl And Boy Books: Gender In YA: Leah Bobet
Creepy Or Romantic: Fanny Valentine Darling
Making Your Readers Team Players: Julie Kagawa
Trans 101 for YA Writers: Sassafras Lowrey
Agent Secrets For YA Writers: Laurie McLean
Book Bloggers Are Your Friends: Pam van Hylckama Vlieg
The Best About Collaboration (and a little of the worst): Clay and Susan Griffith
The Home Field Disadvantage: Leah Petersen

More Info:


Thursday, January 1, 2015

The Shadow Box - A Dark Urban Fantasy Anthology - Giveaway

Explore The Dark Side of Urban FantasyParanormal Suspense

THE SHADOW BOX

23689203-1
 
***A limited offer at a steeply discounted price***

Ten full length books for only .99 Cents !

  Ride the cutting edge of dark fantasy in this unique collection of fast-paced, gritty, suspenseful thrillers. Filled with black magic, vampire trailer trash, werewolves, sorcerers, assassins, clairvoyants, zombie draggers, and old-school gothic horror, a sure bet for fans of paranormal suspense.  

Goodreads 

Buy Links 

Amazon // Barnes and Noble // iTunes // Smashwords

 

Are you brave enough to discover what lurks in the Shadows?

Only one way to find out. 

Buy ShadowBox Today!

2940046438468_p0_v1_s260x420

 Travis Luedke , Rob CornellSean T. PoindexterM. Joseph MurphyAndrew ButcherShane KP O'NeillSimon OkillSteven RamirezCraig SchaeferKristopher Norris

Meet the men Shadow Box men and their dark and dangerous books.

What darkness lies in the hearts of these men?

Only the Shadow Box can reveal.


Darker Things DARKER THINGS by Rob Cornell
Release Date: 2011  

Fifteen years have passed since Craig Lockman worked for a shadowy agency fighting monsters most think exist only in nightmares. A mysterious teen girl arrives at his door with his fiercest enemy on her tail. Now he must protect the daughter he never knew from the dark world he thought he left behind.  

~Synopsis~
Craig Lockman—no one had called him that in fifteen years.
Not since his days at the Agency. Not since he was trained to kill creatures that were supposed to exist only in nightmares.
Yet the teenage girl on his doorstep not only knows his real name, she claims she's his daughter.
Before Lockman can learn how the girl found him, he's attacked by a black-ops team of assassins. But these aren't ordinary killers—they're heavily armed vampires sent by his most hated enemy.
Forced on the run, Lockman protects his daughter from an onslaught of horrors while searching for who betrayed him and why. The investigation leads him to Detroit, where he unwittingly sets a plan into motion that could trigger a paranormal apocalypse and cost him his soul.

About the Author

Rob Cornell Rob Cornell is the author of eight novels and several short stories. He is best known for the urban fantasy series, The Lockman Chronicles, featuring ex-government agent turned paranormal vigilante, Craig Lockman. He has also penned three mystery novels about private-eye and karaoke bar owner, Ridley Brone, as well as a stand-alone thriller, Red Run. Rob's latest release is Saving Sasha Brown, a Ridley Brone mystery. The fifth book in The Lockman Chronicles is due out soon.

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MOTH 400 x 600MOTH by Sean Poindexter
Release Date: August 3, 2014

Social worker Max Hollingsworth is no stranger to monsters. Supernatural or human, he's faced all kinds. But when he's called upon to investigate a missing child, he may have met his match.  
~Synopsis~
Social worker Max Hollingsworth is no stranger to monsters. Supernatural or human, he's faced all kinds. But when he's called upon to investigate a missing child, he may have met his match.

Children are vanishing, not just from the streets, but from their parents' memories. Max's investigation leads him to a gang of neo-Nazi vampires running a child slavery ring. There, he comes face to face with the deadliest enemy he's ever met, their charismatic and powerful leader Boone.

Running low on hope and options to find the missing children, Max turns to his friends for help. But even they aren't enough. Forced to face the darkness of his own past, Max forges an alliance with the least likely ally of all.An enemy whose cruelty was almost his end, and haunts him s till.
For mature readers, 18+.


About the Author

Sean Poindexter Author picThough born in Mesa,Arizona, Sean has spent most of his life in Missouri. After college, Sean went into social and investigative work, primarily with disabled adults and seniors. Sean’s background in sociology, criminology, and philosophy and his experience as an investigator for the State of Missouri, are heavy influences in his writing. While Sean has been writing most of his life, he did not consider doing so professionally until he was inspired by a terrible vampire movie. During the film, Sean amused himself by imagining the vampires being attacked by a dragon. His imagination resulted in his series, The Dragon’s Blood Chronicles, featuring dragons and vampires. Sean enjoys watching and reading science fiction, fantasy, horror, and thrillers. His hobbies include playing Xbox, fantasy role playing games and collecting firearms. Moth is Book 1 of The Max Hollingsworth Paranormal Mysteries. Sean’s other books include The Shadow of Tiamat and The Will of the Darkest One, both from The Dragon’s Blood Chronicles.

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The Shepherd Final font6 (1)THE SHEPHERD by Travis Luedke
Release Date: September 27, 2013  

After saving a mysterious girl from a hit and run, 16 yr. old Mike Evans soon finds his life spiraling out of control. Facing clairvoyant visions of grisly death, Mike struggles to avert disaster and make his way through the chaos. 

~Synopsis ~
Skate punks, kleptomaniacs, clairvoyant visions and reincarnation...
THE SHEPHERD is unlike any other Young Adult novel you have ever read.
For me, Mike Evans, a skate punk living in a white-trash trailer park, high school blows.
My dad's an out-of-work drunk. My ex-girlfriend avoids me like the plague. My best friend, Anita, won't keep her hands off me...then there's Moses Lake's champion wrestler. The a-hole is waiting for an excuse to beat my face into the skate park concrete.
Worse, my visions of grisly death are back again, and if I tell anyone what I've seen I might actually cause these terrible events to happen.
I'm in way over my head, and Natasha? The girl I rescued from a hit-and-run? The girl who's stalking me nightly and climbing through my window? There's something seriously wrong with that girl.
Sharp, witty, dark and gritty, The Shepherd is a paranormal thriller for all ages. Get your copy now!


About the Author

Travis LuedkeTravis Luedke is a NY Times & USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy and paranormal romance, best known for his violently sexy NIGHTLIFE SERIES. Travis can be found catching a third degree sunburn in San Antonio, Texas, while arm-wrestling a bottle of red wine. Though often defeated by merlot and shiraz, he never gives up the fight.

 As the author of the Nightlife Series novels, Travis lives very vicariously through his writings. He invites you to enjoy his macabre flights of fancy, but be warned: T he Nightlife Series is violent, sexy, and occasionally violently sexy.

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Council of Peacocks - SmallerCOUNCIL OF PEACOCKS by M. Joseph Murphy
Release Date: June 2013  

 A band of misfit, half-demon teenagers join the ruthless, immortal Wisdom, to stop The Council of Peacocks. The Council, a secret society of sorcerers, has plotted for centuries, and now the time has come for Activation – a hostile takeover of Earth.  


~ Synopsis ~
There is a dark world, hidden in plain sight, filled with vengeful djinn and shadowy demons. The Council of Peacocks, a secret society of sorcerers, has plotted for centuries. And now the time has come for Activation - a hostile takeover of Earth.
A band of misfit, half-demon teenagers with extraordinary powers join Wisdom, an immortal wizard, to stop The Council. They are trained to stop the Council and their army of reptilians. But there’s something that Wisdom doesn’t know. The Council is no longer working alone. If Wisdom and his students cannot stop The Council, the world as they know it will cease to exist.
This is the first installment of M Joseph Murphy's exciting paranormal thriller series.


About the Author

M Joseph MurphyJoseph Murphy was born and raised in Ontario, Canada. He earned his geekdom at an early age. He read X-Men comics from at the age of 8 and it only went downhill from there.

As a teenager, he wrote short stories and wanted to be the next Stephen King. Instead of horror, however, he kept writing fantasy stories.After surviving high school as a goth with a purple mohawk, he studied English and Creative Writing at the University of Windsor.

When not writing, Joseph works as Lead Accounting instructor at a local college. He lives in Windsor, ON (right across the stream from Detroit, Michigan) with his husband, two cats, and shy-but-friendly ghost.

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A Death DisplacedA DEATH DISPLACED by Andrew Butcher
Release Date: June 14, 2014  

When Nicolas Crystan unexpectedly sees the future, he acts fast to save Juliet Maystone from a fatal accident, unintentionally "displacing" her–giving her the power to see ghosts. Together, they must use their newfound abilities to unravel a mystery more connected to Nicolas than he ever imagined ...


~Synopsis~
A woman fated to die. A vis ion that could s ave her ...
Nicolas Crystan, struggling to cope with his traumatic past, shuffles through life keeping mostly to himself ... until he has a disturbing daydream of a woman's death. At first he tries to forget it, but when real life mimics the daydream, he realises it was no ordinary fantasy--it was a vision of the future. To save a life, he must act fast.
When Juliet Maystone escapes death, defying fate, she becomes 'displaced' in this world.All she wants is to return to her bustling day-to-day routine, successfully running her own business, but as hard as she tries, she can't ignore that things have changed for her. She has to face up to the fact that being 'displaced' comes with an unexpected ability.
On Lansin Island, a quaint place with a dark history of its own, Nicolas and Juliet must learn to use their newfound abilities and work together to unravel a mystery more connected to Nicolas than he could ever have imagined ...


 About the Author

Andrew ButcherAndrew Butcher lives in England with his family and partner. When he's not writing he loves to watch TV series and read paranormal and fantasy books. Writing is what he wants to do as a career, and it makes him happy to know that other people are enjoying his books.

 The genres he writes in are paranormal suspense, contemporary fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal mystery, and paranormal romance.

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Bound By Blood coverBOUND BY BLOOD by Shane KP O’Neill
Release Date: Dec. 1, 2012  

Vlad Dracula: ruler, tyrant, warlord, and champion of the Catholic faith, is seized by Lucifer in his moment of death and becomes a monster, born of Darkness. Vlad is charged with destroying the institution of the Catholic Church, to help turn man against God so that Lucifer may finally return to Heaven and end all of mankind.  

~Synopsis~
As his moment of death looms, Dracula suffers the ultimate betrayal. The champion of the Catholic faith in Eastern Europe realises there is no place in Heaven for him. It is Lucifer who comes to claim him, though he does not want Dracula's soul.
Instead, he bites into Dracula’s neck and then offers his own blood to drink. Dracula suffers his mortal death, but he re- awakens and suffers a startling metamorphosis, becoming a monster born of Darkness. Immortalised with Lucifer's blood coursing through his veins, the two are bound by blood for eternity. Lucifer has groomed him for this day, and lays out the task before him.
Dracula is to destroy the institution of that which he has championed. By bringing down the Catholic Church, he can undo the Crucifixion and turn man against God once more. If he succeeds, then Lucifer will ascend again to Heaven and signal the end for all mankind.


About the Author

Shane ONeilShane KP O'Neill is the writer of The Dracula Chronicles, a new and exciting series adding a fresh dimension to the Dracula legend, which combines the real historical Vlad Dracula with a new and different version of Dracula the vampire. He has released the series in two arcs, one that follows Dracula the man and the other following Dracula the vampire.
The author developed a fascination with Dracula from an early age. Like many others he was enthralled by Christopher Lee's portrayal of him on the big screen. It was in his late teens that he discovered Dracula the man and the love affair began from there. An avid lover of history, he studied the period in which the real historical Vlad Dracula lived, 15th Century Balkan, for many years. It followed from there then that with his love of writing he would always choose Dracula as his subject. He built a concept and premise where he could accommodate both Dracula the vampire and Dracula the man.

Away from writing, the author has a wide range of interests. He reads a lot of books from a wide variety of authors, hough his main interest lies in the horror genre. His love of books is matched only by his love of the countryside and of course, his family. As an added note, he has lived and travelled all over the world. He has a love for all things historical, with a particular fascination for medieval Europe. Anywhere he travels, he likes to search out locations with an historical interest and will always hunt for the ruins of an old castle before heading to the beach.

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Luna_Sanguis_Cover_Full_ResolutionLUNA SANGUIS by Simon Okill
Release Date: July 11th 2013  

 A mysterious woman awakes in an asylum in France, 1925, with amnesia. As her memory is restored she reveals her true vampiric nature and unleashes a bloody nightmare that might destroy all humanity.
~Synopsis~
Paris 1925. A young woman is nearing her Eternal Vampire state. But she is held captive by the hybrid vampire she created who needs her pure blood to stay alive. She escapes but he follows her scent and massacres all who dare protect his supply of Eternal blood.
She awakens in a tiny room, trapped and defenceless with amnesia. Something buried deep yearns to be set free by the next full moon – her Eternal Birthday. Her true self, Eternal, emerges in brief flashes of awareness to protect her from the horrors of this terrifying prison.
Desperate, she forges an alliance with her true love, a handsome young doctor treating her. But her nemesis is out there somewhere, relishing the hunt for her blood – and nothing will stop him from becoming Eternal.

About the Author

Simon OkillParanormal author Simon Okill lives in a South Wales coastal town with his wife where he is currently writing about the crazy adventures of Phantom Bigfoot and his tribe of Bigfoot Babes. Phantom Bigfoot Strikes Again is book one of a YA adventure Phantom Bigfoot Series, followed by Phantom Bigfoot & The Vampettes From Venus and book 3 is Phantom Bigfoot & The Haunted House. Simon has also written two other books, all available on Amazon - Luna Sanguis and Luna Aeturnus, dark Gothic romance set in France 1925. Due out Dec 6th is Murder Most Deadly a serial killer horror set in Cornwall and Wales and with its tongue firmly set in its cheek.

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TMWID CoverTELL ME WHEN I’M DEAD by Steven Ramirez
Release Date: August 26, 2013  

 When a contagion decimates the town of Tres Marias, recovering alcoholic Dave Pulaski, his wife, Holly, and a group of armed soldiers and civilians must find a way to survive.  


~Synopis~
Thanks to a beautiful, strong-willed woman named Holly, recovering alcoholic Dave Pulaski is getting his life back. Then a contagion decimates the town of Tres Marias, turning the victims into shrieking flesh-eaters. Now Dave, Holly and a group of armed soldiers and civilians must find a way to survive. But Dave is THIS CLOSE to drinking again. A woman he cheated with is after him—even though she’s no longer human. T he hordes of undead are growing and security forces are outnumbered. Hell has arrived in Tres Marias.
“Tell Me When I’m Dead” is the story of an antihero who must come to terms with all of the mistakes he has ever made. Faced with the most terrifying situation imaginable, he must decide whether to die drunk or stay alive and fight for those he cares about most. And he must learn that strength alone is never enough—you also need Faith.

 

About the Author

Steven - Friendly (Pressi)Steven Ramirez is the author of Books One and Two of THE DEAD SERIES, “Tell Me When I’m Dead” and “Dead Is All You Get.” He has also published a number of short stories, as well as a children’s book, and he wrote the screenplay for the horror-thriller film ‘Killers.’ To hear about new releases, visit stevenramirez.com. Steven lives in Los Angeles with his wife and daughters.      

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The-Long-Way-Down-Ebook-2 THE LONG WAY DOWN by Craig Schaefer
 Release Date: 2014  

 The death of a porn star leads sorcerer Daniel Faust down a rabbit hole of conspiracy and madness. For the first time, black magic and bullets might not be enough to save him from the brink of damnation.  
~Synopsis ~
Nobody knows the seedy underbelly of Las Vegas like Daniel Faust, a sorcerer for hire and ex-gangster who uses black magic and bullets to solve his clients' problems. When an old man comes seeking vengeance for his murdered granddaughter, what looks like a simple job quickly spirals out of control.
Soon Daniel stands in the crossfire between a murderous porn director; a corrupt cop with a quick trigger finger; and his own former employer, a racket boss who isn't entirely human. T hen there's Caitlin: brilliant, beautiful, and the lethal right hand of a demon prince.
A man named Faust should know what happens when you rub shoulders with demons. Still Daniel can't resist being drawn to Caitlin's flame as they race to unlock the secret of the Etruscan Box, a relic that people all over town are dying -- and killing -- to get their hands on. As the bodies drop and the double-crosses pile up, Daniel will need every shred of his wits, courage and sheer ruthlessness just to survive.
Daniel Faust knew he was standing with one foot over the brink of hell. He's about to find out just how far he can fall.

About the Author

Schaefer+BioBy the time he was four years old, Craig Schaefer knew he wanted to be a writer. He also wanted to be an astronaut, a private eye, and a fire truck, so nobody paid much attention. Other passions came and went with age, but the love of writing remained. He cut his teeth on the crime thrillers of Elmore Leonard and Richard Stark, which may explain a thing or two about the person he is today.
Exploring other genres he soon latched onto horror and weird fiction, falling hard for the worlds of Clive Barker and H.P. Lovecraft. The books of the Daniel Faust series are written in honor of all the writers who shaped him, blending gangsters, guns and black magic in a manner not unlike, he hopes, chocolate and peanut butter.
Research for the Faust novels has led Craig down some curious alleys -- sometimes literally -- and to conversations with interesting and occasionally frightening people. His reference bookshelf, stocked with tomes covering the spectrum from criminology to demonology, has been variously described as "disturbing," "a bit eccentric," and "the reason I'm not dating that guy anymore."
While he considers Las Vegas his second home and visits every chance he gets, Craig presently lives in Joliet, Illinois, the home of the Blues Brothers. He dwells in what was once a turn of the century convent, though he has never seen the alleged (and obligatory) ghostly nuns. The pipes do rattle in the night, though, and if you're standing in just the right spot, they sound like the pitter-patter of children's feet rushing by on the floor just above you.
When he's not behind the keyboard, he can be found visiting Chicago's historic museums, haunting libraries for inspiration, and spending too much time gaming while he should be writing. He also dabbles in sleight of hand, though unlike Daniel Faust, he's not very good at it.

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BlackjackBLACKJACK by Kristopher Norris
Release Date: July 27, 2013  

When Vincent Black, a gun for hire, is told vampires are all too real, he thinks it’s a joke. But soon he learns that he is not the most dangerous brand of hunter out there...  


~ Synopsis ~
 Vampires are all too real, he thinks it’s a joke. But soon he learns that he is not the most dangerous brand of hunter out there... Vincent is recruited by a secret society, known simply as The Guild, and is rushed off to England. Soon after landing their convoy is attacked and William, Vincent’s recruiter, is taken hostage. Forced to find allies in some of the most unlikely of places, Vincent and his fellow hunters, aren’t stopping until William is returned. Fangs, fur, and bullets are going to fly while Vincent fights to find his place in the world of the paranormal.   
    

About the Author

K.NorrisKristopher Norris was raised in a military family and now has a daughter of his own. They live outside Omaha, Ne.  

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Giveaway

Various Digital Ebooks from author's backlist  and Gift Cards 

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Meet Your Baker by Ellie Alexander - Guest Post & Giveaway


Welcome to Ashland, Oregon, home of the world-famous Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the setting for Ellie Alexander’s debut mystery MEET YOUR BAKER.

MEET YOUR BAKER is a culinary mystery centered in the fictional bakeshop, Torte, with a mother/daughter pastry duo. It includes original handcrafted recipes. Meet Ashland!


In Ashland you’ll find an eclectic community of artists, outdoor adventure seekers, college students, farmers, retirees and a constant stream of tourists. At nearly 2,000 feet in elevation, its Mediterranean summers make it the perfect spot to watch Shakespeare under the stars or hike one of the surrounding peaks. In the winter, Ashland becomes home to ski enthusiasts with nearby Mt. Ashland, and plenty of backcountry trails.

You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a charming English village with Ashland’s Shakespeare-inspired pubs, restaurants and shops.


Meander through Lithia Park where you’ll pass ancient trees, grassy patches and picnic benches, and wild deer. Be sure to get a glimpse of the towering Oregon Shakespeare Festival buildings, and stop to drink from Lithia’s mineral spring fountains.


Take Shakespeare’s stairs to “the bricks” where theater lovers and actors gather before performances.


Finally, end your day with a sweet treat at one of Ashland’s many divine bakeshops.


Be sure to check out the blog tour that is filled with reviews, interviews and guest posts by the author! The tour starts January 5th and runs through the 16th. Check out the schedule!


About MEET YOUR BAKER:

Welcome to Torte—a friendly, small-town family bake shop where the treats are so good that, sometimes, it’s criminal…

After graduating from culinary school, Juliet Capshaw returns to her quaint hometown of Ashland, Oregon, to heal a broken heart and help her mom at the family bakery. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is bringing in lots of tourists looking for some crumpets to go with their heroic couplets. But when one of Torte’s customers turns up dead, there’s much ado about murder…

The victim is Nancy Hudson, the festival’s newest board member. A modern-day Lady Macbeth, Nancy has given more than a few actors and artists enough reasons to kill her…but still. The silver lining? Jules’s high school sweetheart, Thomas, is the investigator on the case. His flirtations are as delicious as ever, and Jules can’t help but want to have her cake and eat it too. But will she have her just desserts? Murder might be bad for business, but love is the sweetest treat of all…

"Alexander weaves a tasty tale of deceit, family ties, delicious pastries, and murder.” ―Edith Maxwell, author of A Tine to Live, A Tine to Die

"Sure to satisfy both dedicated foodies and ardent mystery lovers alike." ―Jessie Crockett, author of Drizzled with Death


About the Author:
Ellie Alexander is a Pacific Northwest native who spends ample time testing pastry recipes in her home kitchen or at one of the many famed coffeehouses nearby. When she’s not coated in flour, you’ll find her outside exploring hiking trails and trying to burn off calories consumed in the name of research. Follow her on Facebook or Twitter to learn more.

Links: 

Giveaway:
Paperback copy of Meet Your Baker, Chai Tea, designer baking liners and a Starbucks gift card.
Open to US addresses only.
Ends 1/6/15


a Rafflecopter giveaway
This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.