Inspiration From Life Outside of Writing by Beck Nicholas, Author of Temper + Giveaway

Congratulations to Beck Nicholas on her latest release- Temper!

Inspiration from life outside of writing
by Beck Nicholas

Thanks for having me here today. I’m so excited about Temper’s release. It’s no secret that writing a book and seeing it published is a long process but the real beginnings of Temper go back before even Lifer began.

Right back to sitting in a laboratory and waiting (and waiting) for vacuum pumps to do their thing.

I’ve always loved stories and I’ve always loved science. My favourite subjects at school were science and English. I studied laser chemistry at university for many years (see picture).

(Me getting my PhD)

In my field of physical chemistry, there was a lot of waiting. I used lasers to investigate chemical reactions. Vacuums and lasers take time to get going. Experiments using them can take hours and hours to run. During those times I would imagine stories, inspired by the experiments and scientists around me.

The characters in my head were influenced by my research. When it came time to write I drew on these experiences and writing sci-fi seemed to make sense. In this way I’m able to follow two things I love. It’s fun to use my knowledge and my imagination together to create something.

Happy reading.

Temper

Beck Nicholas

YA Sci-Fi

Month9Books

February 23, 2016

Amazon | Kobo | Chapters |Google Play | iBooks | TBD

Goodreads

FREEDOM COMES WITH A PRICE.

Free from the spaceship and reunited with Samuai, Asher should be happy. But thoughts of her dead family weigh heavily on her mind.

Things worsen when temper problems in camp lead to a murder. When Asher volunteers to get the drug need to calm people down, tension ignites.

Loyalties are questioned.

Jealousy rears its head. Sparks fly.

And when rumor of a second ship hits close to home, all bets are off.

Have the aliens returned? Is this the end of everything Asher has ever known?

Lifer

Beck Nicholas

YA Sci-Fi

Month9Books

December 16, 2014

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Chapters | IndieBound | Google Play | BAM | iBooks

Goodreads

The Bourne Identity meets Under the Never Sky in this intergalactic tale of love and deception from debut novelist Beck Nicholas.

Asher is a Lifer, a slave aboard the spaceship Pelican. A member of the lowest rung of society, she must serve the ship’s Officials and Astronauts as punishment for her grandparents' crimes back on Earth. The one thing that made life bearable was her illicit relationship with Samuai, a Fishie boy, but he died alongside her brother in a freak training accident.

Still grieving for the loss of her loved ones, Asher is summoned to the upper levels to wait on Lady, the head Official’s wife and Samuai’s mother. It is the perfect opportunity to gather intel for the Lifer’s brewing rebellion. There’s just one problem—the last girl who went to the upper levels never came back.

On the other side of the universe, an alien attack has left Earth in shambles and a group called The Company has taken control. Blank wakes up in a pond completely naked and with no memory, not even his real name. So when a hot girl named Megs invites him to a black-market gaming warehouse where winning means information, he doesn’t think twice about playing.

But sometimes the past is better left buried. As Asher and Blank’s worlds collide, the truth comes out—everyone has been lied to...

About the Author

I always wanted to write.  I’ve worked as a lab assistant, a pizza delivery driver and a high school teacher but I always pursued my first dream of creating stories. Now, I live with my family near Adelaide, halfway between the city and the sea, and am lucky to spend my days (and nights) writing young adult fiction.

Connect with the Author:  Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Tumblr | Instagram

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Interview with Ritter Ames, Author of Counterfeit Conspiracies

Please help me welcome Ritter Ames, author of Counterfeit Conspiracies

Tell us about the main character. Who is Laurel?

Laurel is an art recovery expert who works for a foundation whose mission is to keep art available to the public. In her pseudo 8 to 5 role she tries as much as possible to meet expectations, but when conventional rules don’t work Laurel has no difficulty bending to meet her ethics a bit to meet requirements. She’s highly ethical, even if hers are ones she created.

Laurel sounds like such an intriguing character. What inspired you when creating her?

I’ve always been a voracious reader—especially of mysteries and crime. In college, I took a number of art history classes, and one professor regularly discussed works that had been stolen and never seen again. Art law enforcement experts are a very small part of any country’s police force. Italy probably has the best, and things are improving all over, but pieces still go missing all the time. The class, and my subsequent reading sent me thinking in terms of what it would be like to be responsible for trying to gain back missing art. And what you might do if official channels made the task too difficult.

Then in 2008 I wrote a short story that became the basis of the opener for Counterfeit Conspiracies. It won the contest I entered, but more importantly it cemented the core of Laurel Beacham for me. I started working on the story arc for a novel series. This month, two books in the series were released by Henery Press, Counterfeit Conspiracies and Marked Masters, and a third, Abstract Aliases, comes out October 11^th.

Will this be an ongoing series?

Yes, this story arc will run over five titles. If the series is a success, of course, there will be more adventures of Laurel & Jack after the first five.

What is your favorite work of art? Your favorite museum?

My favorite work of art is probably the picture Van Gogh painted of his bedroom. I saw it for the first time in high school, when a traveling exhibit came to a museum nearby, and my cousin took me to the exhibition. I already knew about Van Gogh’s depression and his life story, so when I first saw the cheery yellow scene, I couldn’t believe it. This was a bedroom I could see myself living in. My cousin assumed someone else decorated it for him in those colors, to try to keep his mood elevated. But it was the fact that he painted it in those colors, so inviting and cheerful, that told me things about Vincent Van Gogh I’d never thought about before. That’s what I love about any form of art—the more one studies the work and the artist, the more one can see beyond the “first look.”

When art leaves me thinking about it later—even though several decades have passed since I viewed that painting—it tells me the work is a true masterpiece. I realize others have different ideas about master works, but that’s my philosophy on the subject.

As far as favorite museums go, my all-time favorite is the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. Not only is it free to the public, but every imaginable kind of art is housed in its walls. During the era when “the sun never set on the British Empire,” travelers brought things back to England from colonial lands. These items were placed in the museum. So the mix is eclectic and very interesting.

However, my favorite part of the V&A museum is actually the restoration pit, which is where I have Laurel’s friend Cassie working in Counterfeit Conspiracies. A kind of glassed-in hall runs above the restoration area, and visitors to the museum can watch as restoration artists a story below work on art pieces that need a bit of restorative help. Seriously, my husband has to nearly drag me away every time. I would camp out in that glass hallway if I had the opportunity.

If you could visit any fictional place, where would you go?

There are so many real places I’d like to visit, they kind of crowd in around the fictional ones. Probably the one that first comes to mind is Brigadoon. Growing up, I absolutely loved watching old Gene Kelly movies, and the whole idea of a Scottish town that only “awoke” once every 100 years was something that fascinated me. Still does. I’d love to be in Brigadoon on the “once in a century” day that happened in my lifetime.

What is your favorite TV show or movie?

Ooh, that’s a tough one. I’m loving the Agent Carter series, and up until this season I would have probably said Castle was my favorite show, but I’m having a real problem with the scripts this year. I also love Scorpion and Grimm. If I had to pick a favorite movie I guess I’d have to choose one I’ve re-watched the most times, but even with that I’m not good at only finding one. Contenders would be Romancing the Stone, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, or maybe Dead Poet’s Society. And absolutely anything with Cary Grant as the lead actor.

What’s your go-to comfort food?

I love cheese. I think I would have queso with every meal if I could. And my fallback for lunch is always chicken quesadillas.

Where can readers find you online?

Oh, I’m everywhere. My website www.ritterames.com has all my contact info. My publisher has also built me a terrific author page at http://henerypress.com/ritter-ames/ . Readers can Follow me on my Amazon author page at www.amazon.com/Ritter-Ames/e/B00I78AQEW/, finding my latest tweets, blogs, and FB posts there as well as see information on my books and get updates about upcoming releases.

Before I go, Kimber Leigh, I want to thank you so much for inviting me here today, and to thank everyone for stopping by.

I'm totally with you on Castle. It was one of my favorite shows, but this season isn't as enjoyable. I also love Scorpion and Grimm too! The Mysteries of Laura is a really good one too. ~Kimber

Title: Counterfeit Conspiracies

Author: Ritter Ames

Genre: Mystery / Suspense

Laurel Beacham may have been born with a silver spoon in her mouth, but she has long since lost it digging herself out of trouble. Her father gambled and womanized his way through the family fortune before skiing off an Alp, leaving her with more tarnish than trust fund. Quick wits and connections have gained her a reputation as one of the world’s premier art recovery experts. The police may catch the thief, but she reclaims the missing masterpieces.

The latest assignment, however, may be her undoing. Using every ounce of luck and larceny she possesses, Laurel must locate a priceless art icon and rescue a co-worker (and ex-lover) from a master criminal, all the while matching wits with a charming new nemesis. Unfortunately, he seems to know where the bodies are buried—and she prefers hers isn’t next.

Author Bio

Ritter Ames is the USA Today Bestselling author of the Organized Mysteries series and the Bodies of Art Mysteries series. When she’s not writing or brainstorming new mysteries Ritter is usually trying to get her favorite yellow lab to stay out of the pond, or keep her grouchy black cat from trying to give the dog away on Freecycle. Ritter would love to live on a boat and write from far flung locations around the globe, but the dog would constantly have to be fished from the water, and her husband and cat would just complain endlessly about the dog’s smell, so staying on land seems to be the only good option to keep her sanity and not get sidetracked from writing.

Ritter tries to blog regularly at http://ritterames.com/ and subscribe there to get the latest news about upcoming releases, and inside scoops on her characters and series. She uses her Pinterest boards at http://www.pinterest.com/ritterames/ to capture great places and ideas she wants to use in both series. Follow her blog and boards to learn more about Ritter and her upcoming books. You can find her Facebook author page at https://www.facebook.com/RitterAmesBooks and Follow her on Twitter @RitterAmes.

Links

Amazon

B&N

Kobo

Apple iTunes

Contact Links:

Website & blog: www.ritterames.com

Facebook Author Page: www.facebook.com/RitterAmesBooks

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Ritter-Ames/e/B00I78AQEW/

Twitter handle: @RitterAmes

Edge: A Young Adult/New Adult Paranormal Collection

YA/NA Boxed Set now available for pre-order!

EDGE: A Young Adult/New Adult Paranormal Collection
Publication date: April 5th 2016
Genres: New Adult, Paranormal, Young Adult

Limited Edition Paranormal Boxed Set
20 New York Times, USA Today, and International Bestselling Authors.

20 of today’s most magical, sought-after titles.

Yours for only $0.99.

Twenty Edgy Young Adult & New Adult Paranormal Tales

Twenty of today’s favorite young adult and new adult authors have come together to bring you a collection packed with full-length, spellbinding reads sure to keep you keep you on the edge of your seat and up way past your bedtime!

But reader beware: These novels take everything to the edge–and not just the edge of your seat. With authors who aren’t afraid to push the boundaries, you get stories that take everything to limit, creating whimsical reads that teens can actually relate to and that adults can enjoy, too.

Save over $50! This set is only available at this price for a limited time, so scroll up and grab your copy before it’s gone!

Goodreads / Amazon

PRE-ORDER today for only 99¢!

—

Sneak a peek at a couple of books in this collection:

Pretty Little Werewolf

“Whatever, Di. Help if you must, but don’t baby me.”
If Di heard her, she didn’t respond. Not that Giselle needed verbal confirmation; she turned back around and slammed her locker shut without looking, and then stumbled straight into something… someone… hard.
“Oh, sorry,” Giselle mumbled, trying to steady herself. She hadn’t caught the scent until after she looked up and saw who she’d almost knocked down – or, well, collided with. She couldn’t have knocked him down if she’d tried.
Hello, Boy!
He was magnificent. Was every guy in this school a male model? Towering over her at well above six foot, with muscles that went on for days, he was built like a statue with a hard jaw and stone-cold eyes to match. Though his looks were definitely worth paying attention to, it was his smell that had her standing dumbfounded. In all the years since she’d first experienced the change, she had never run into anyone like her. Now, standing here right in front of her was yet another wolf. She’d thought the lingering scent of wet earth might have been left in Di’s wake, but the longer he stood here, looking down at her, the stronger the smell got.
“Do you have a problem?” he asked with a voice that complemented that spectacular body of his. Smooth and deep. Seriously… what a package. Her wolf was definitely at attention and begging for a second to come to the surface for a closer inspection. It was all she could do not to wolf out right there in the hallway, with all the students around to see. Yeah. That would make for a great first impression.
Hiya, everyone… I’m the new girl, and… oh, yeah, and I’m a wolf, too. She might as well tape an old “Kick me” sign on her back; it would be less conspicuous.
While she was practically drooling where she stood, the strange boy, wolf, man –whatever he was – looked positively murderous. “Are you going to stand here all day, or can I get to my locker?”
So much for making a good first impression on him. “Sorry.” Giselle cleared her throat, wanting to say something smart, but for once, she didn’t have the words. She sidestepped sheepishly, and enjoyed the back view of him as he brushed past her to his own locker.
Damn. Nice butt.
Her wolf agreed, too. Wonder what his wolf looks like. I’ll show you mine if you show me yours! She couldn’t help but stare. How often did she run into other wolves? Male wolves.

—

Other Side of Forever

“Allie, why do you hate me so much?” he asked softly as he stared into the sky.
His question took me by surprise. Did he really think that?
“I…I don’t hate you, Ethan.” I stumbled over my words. “I barely know you.”
“Then why do you try so hard to avoid me?”
“I don’t,” I lied, knowing that I did, but not in a mean type of way. I closed my eyes and sighed, wishing he didn’t have to ask so many questions. Couldn’t he just go back to saying nothing at all?
“You do,” he argued. I could hear the change in his voice. He was smiling.
“No. I don’t,” I answered sarcastically. His persistence was pinching my nerves.
“Then look at me,” he challenged.
Without thinking, I turned my head and looked at him. His warm, sweet breath blew against my face as he exhaled. The scent of peppermint. His dark eyes snatched me up and whisked me away. I was lost and unprepared as he drew me deeper and deeper inside him. The walls he created around me were getting higher and harder to climb. Like I had slipped into a trench and I was sinking into the earth.
Ethan pressed forward, attempting to close the gap between us. His lips were so close to mine I could feel the heat emanating from them. And just as our lips were about to brush, the voice in my head begged and pleaded and screamed for me to stop.
Then I turned away.

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New Release Alert: Everlasting by L.K. Kuhl - Interview, Excerpt & Giveaway

I'm happy to welcome my fellow Clean Reads author, L.K. Kuhl, to the blog today. Her new YA paranormal, Everlasting, is now available!

1: Where did you get the idea for Everlasting?

I got the idea for Everlasting basically from a dream, where my brother-in-law who had recently passed away came to me in my dream and I was able to ask him questions about life after death. The dream was so real and life-like, I felt he was right there with me. Everlasting took me six months to write and three to four rounds of edits.

2: What are you currently working on?

I am currently working on the second book in the Everlasting Trilogy Series. This book is called, The One, and I am halfway through. It is getting very exciting!

3. How do you deal with writer’s block?

Chocolate and Wine…just kidding, but they do give me a nice boost. When I get writer’s block, I try to keep writing, even if it’s silly, goofy stuff. A lot of times this brings out the good stuff and I can go on from there. If not, I take a walk or exercise, just getting out and moving around gets the creative juices flowing.

4. What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

Never give up! If I can do it, anyone can! It took me over two years of countless rejections, but I persevered and kept plugging away. Don't let the rejections get you down and fold you, you can do it! Even the best of the best had rejections. There were days when I wanted to give up, but kept on. And besides, who else will catch your dreams if you don't? You create your own destiny. Live it to your fullest!

We can learn more from rejections and criticism than we do from all the praise in the world.

~Kimber

Everlasting
Everlasting Trilogy #1

L.K. Kuhl

Published by: Clean Reads Publishing
Publication date: February 18th 2016
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult

Seventeen-year-old Sophia Bandell is scared of boys, and her biggest fear is dying. Boys make her uncomfortable and itchy and dying is …well …dying. She is ecstatic when her long lost friend calls her, inviting her to spend the summer with her on the beach at Charleston, South Carolina.

When a plastic saucer hits her in the head as she’s sunbathing, Sophia has no idea it will forever change the course of her life. It is there she comes face to face with the impressive Tate Forester.

She is scared and …itchy, but he’s gorgeous and she can’t shake him from her mind. They begin dating and Sophia soon knows he’s the one.

But things turn dark when she learns Tate isn’t the person she thinks he is, and the real reason her friend has brought her to the beach will teach her about life after death.

This everlasting summer on the beach gives Sophia a sweet taste of first love—the happiness as well as the heartbreak.

Goodreads / Amazon / B&N / Kobo / iTunes

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EXCERPT:

We stood there and looked around, an awkward silence playing between us. Then he stepped closer and took my hand in his, sending a bolt of staggering electricity zipping through my chest. “Her hand fits perfectly in mine.” He whispered this, as if confirming it with someone. His gaze locked on it, analyzing, then with a shake of his head, he spoke louder. “Sophia, I’m sorry. I …I lied to you.”

I looked at him—bewilderment crinkling my face—and tried to understand. “Lied?” My voice broke. “I don’t get it.”

“I wasn’t sick that day. Well, in a way I was, I guess. The truth is, I was gut-sick. That guy …he was sitting by you the whole day …and …and he never left your side. I’d check throughout the day, but he was still there. I couldn’t help it. I was insanely jealous.” He looked down, his tone deepening as he flexed his fingers that were still laced through mine.

“What?” His words astounded me. I swiped my brow with my free hand. “You were jealous …of me?”

He released my hand and paced back and forth, the nervousness seeping through as he wrung his hands. “I know it’s stupid, but I couldn’t help myself. I love the way you laugh and …I like you, Sophia …a lot, and it hurt me to see you with someone else.”

He lifted his hair off his forehead, pushing it up. His eyes locked on mine again, captivating me. I couldn’t look away. My self-consciousness took over—heckling me. The way I looked right now—with my hair a matted mess from the mist, and no makeup on—must look ridiculous. I drew away, making myself smaller.

I laughed my nervous laugh and kicked the sand with my shoe. “Who, him? You mean …Brian?” My words wobbled, but I giggled, unable to believe that Brian talking to me could make anyone jealous.


Author Bio:

L.K. Kuhl lives in Nebraska with her husband Gene of twenty-nine years, young son, Nathan, and Greg, their Black Lab dog. She has two older daughters, Morgan and Brittani and son-in-law, Trevor. L.K. has been writing for over twenty years. She first began writing children’s books and poetry, moved on to writing music, and is now writing Young Adult and Adult novels. She loves spending time with her family, vacationing, writing, reading, and taking long walks. It’s the characters who write their own stories in her novels, and she is just their messenger, sharing it with the world.

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