The Ghosts of Aquinnah cover reveal & Creepy Freebies

Blurb:

A brilliant flash of light transcends through time.

Another freezes a cloaked figure within a frame of salty mist as waves crash against a rocky shore. Her harrowing expression shadows the beacon to a pinprick.

By the next blaze, she is gone. Only the lighthouse remains.

Hannah’s eyes blink in step with each heartbeat. Images of her deceased parents and Martha’s Vineyard explode like firecrackers inside her mind.

She shakes her head.

For weeks this eerie woman dressed in nineteenth century garb has been haunting my webcam, but tonight she stared into my soul.

Why? ...

Who is she? ...

Casting aside months of research on historic lighthouses, Hannah drives to the coast and boards a ferry.

What is the strange connection she has to this mysterious woman suspended in time?

Hannah finds out.

But, it’s not at all what she expects ...

Hannah unravels a century old murder.

Author Bio:

Julie Flanders is a novelist and freelance writer in Cincinnati, Ohio. She has a life-long love affair with the ocean and has spent more summer vacations than she can count on the island of Martha’s Vineyard. When not writing, Julie can be found reading, cheering on her favorite sports teams, and watching too much television. She is an animal lover and shares her home with her dog and cat.

Find Julie at:

Website ~ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest ~ Goodreads

The Ghosts of Aquinnah will be released by Ink Smith Publishing on December 5, 2013

Creepy Freebies is back!

Milo James Fowler is giving out scary treats every Friday in October. Raffles and free ebooks. You don't even have to dress in a costume! But it would be cool if you did.

Milo has organized a great line-up of authors sharing their books. I was honored he asked me to be a part of Creepy Freebies. On October 11th, you can enter to win THE 13th FLOOR COMPLETE COLLECTION!

I'll remind you every Friday this October. Books are the best treats!

Don't forget tomorrow is the first day of The 13th Floor Collection blog tour. October is going to be an awesome month!

Friday Five for September 27, 2013

1. It's been a busy week. I'm all set for The 13th Floor Complete Collection blog tour. The book is already available on Amazon and Smashwords. It looks fantastic! Cherie Reich did an excellent job editing and formatting for me. We're making great progress with the print version. It'll definitely be ready for October 13th.

2. Click on over to Heather Musk's blog and read what she thought of the final novella in the 13th Floor series, THE GHOST. She'll be interviewing me on October 11th for my blog tour. Don't miss out!

3. I had a terrific time with Yolanda Renee on Monday. As promised, I used Random.org to pick a winner of an ecopy of MEMORIES OF MURDER. The winner is Catherine Stine! Congratulations, Catherine. I've already informed Yolanda that you were picked. Enjoy the book! Guess what? Yolanda is hosting me during my tour next month too. Join us on the 19th.

4. It's school picture day at my son's preschool. Last year I was the photographer's helper, and the boy refused to smile. This year, I won't be there, so hopefully he'll show them his cute dimples. It's been a long week with four days spent babysitting, a school board meeting, and an optometrist's appointment. Glasses have gotten so expensive!

5. Join me Monday for some creepiness. Julie Flanders' cover reveal for THE GHOSTS OF AQUINNAH and an announcement to give you the chills. In a good way!

Have a fantastic weekend!

How To Date a Nerd Blog Hop

How could I resist this blog hop?
I think the bigger question would be how can I pick only one thing when everything about me is nerdy?!

The amazing Cassie Mae is hosting this blog hop celebrating the release of her newest contemporary romance, HOW TO DATE A NERD. Click HERE to add the book to Goodreads.

The rules are simple.
You must answer the question: what is the nerdiest thing about you?

Some lucky nerd will win a prize too!
Cassie is giving away a nerd swag bag!
SQUEEEEE!

Okay, okay, Hmmmm.... the nerdiest thing about me.
My closet full of geeky t-shirts? Nah, that's cool.
The comic books under my bed, in my dresser, and in several of my closets? Nope, it's quality reading material.
My love of cheesy Syfy Channel movies? That's just goofy.

Ah ha! Here we go.
My closet full of boardgames is organized by size and genre, and they are the items I dust most often in the house even though they are stored in a closet.

Please visit the other participants in this nerdtastic blog hop and find out their nerdy secrets!

Wicked Wednesday - what do you as readers want?

It feels like it's been a long while since we've had a Wicked Wednesday post, hasn't it? September was a busy month, and October is going to be even busier with The 13th Floor Collection blog tour. November and December will be a break time except for a few special events. I need to get working on what comes next now that my series is done.

I want to revise and query one of my unpublished novels. I considered a sci-fi or dystopian, but I don't think I'm quite ready to delve back into those yet. My focus is still on the paranormal romances. I have three options I'm considering. I'd appreciate your opinion. What catches your interest as a reader?

1) WITCH'S FIRST RULE. This is the first book in a completed trilogy. Before my son was born, I queried this book, and it got some interest, but eventually, everyone passed on it. I realized I was marketing it all wrong. I also did some major rewrites. The protagonist is a witch and professional marriage therapist named Magena Silver. She uses love potions to reignite the passion in broken marriages and boost her success rating. Magena has been with me for several years. Every time I take a break from her story, I eventually find myself coming back to her. Magena is strong, opinionated, and in charge of her life. She doesn't like it when I ignore her.
Overall story: A powerful witch demands Magena reverse the effects of a love potion on two of her clients. She must create an antidote or lose her life.
Romantic plot: Nathan is an empath sent to watch over Magena as she tries to create the antidote. He's the only man that has ever been able to get past her emotionally cool facade.

2) SUPER FAMOUS. This was my NaNoWriMo book from last year. It's a superhero romance. I thought it was a bit silly at the time I was writing it, but I've recently read it again, and I liked it a lot. It would need a lot of revising, but it could work. Oakley a.k.a. The Silver Skipper is the leader of a group of superheroes. They're on the rise to international fame. Unfortunately this draws the attention of some scary super villains. With super crime increasing, the government is cracking down on all people with superpowers including the heroes. The heroes are forbidden to use their powers lest they become criminals too.
Overall story: Oakley and her team risk their freedom and lives to save the innocent as the villains kidnap children with superpowers.
Romantic plot: Oakley is the ultimate superhero and never lets her guard down, but Benniton sees her more than just as The Silver Skipper.

3) SORROW PHAGE. (That's only the working title.) This is a paranormal romance where the protagonist works at a supernatural funeral home. Hey, paranormal beings can die too. Erinys is a demon that feeds on people's sorrow. See, it's handy she works at a funeral home! A new and gorgeous vampire wakes up in the mortuary, and she finds herself tangled up in a whole load of trouble.
Overall story: Supernatural drug war reveals itself as something much more horrifying, and Erinys is caught in the middle of it.
Romantic plot: Erinys helps a new vampire named Nicholas and starts to fall for him even when he brings death to her door.

If only I could write better taglines! So what do you think? What catches your attention?

Primetime and After Dark cover reveals

Curiosity Quills Press brings some of their bestselling authors together to create a spine-tingling, mind-blowing, quirky collection of short stories in their first ever, annual PRIMETIME Anthology, scheduled for release 7th October, 2013. Available in digital and paperback formats, with an IndieGoGo campaign launching after release to fund the hardback version.

The anthology is not limited to one specific genre, but all of our novels are guaranteed to be quirky and paranormal, in some way or another.  We also guarantee 10% of every purchase will go straight to animals in need. The CQ team has selected humane societies on both the East and West coast that spend well and do not stray from the “no-kill” policies of their strays.

Featuring: J.R. Rain, Tony Healey, A.W. Exley, Vicki Keire, A.E. Propher, Eliza Tilton, Gerilyn Marin, Grace Eyre, James Wymore, K.H. Koehler, Matthew Graybosch, Michael Panush, Michael Shean, Mike Robinson, Nathan Yocum, Nina Post, Rand B. Lee, Randy Attwood, Sharon Bayliss, William Vitka.

Official Primetime Page | Primetime on Goodreads

Curiosity Quills Press brings some of their bestselling authors together in PRIMETIME’s steamier, sexier counterpart, AFTER DARK.  Scheduled for release 7th October, 2013. Available in digital and paperback formats, with an IndieGoGo campaign launching after release to fund the hardback version.

The anthology is not limited to one specific genre, but all of our novels are guaranteed to be quirky and paranormal, in some way or another.  We also guarantee 10% of every purchase will go straight to animals in need. The CQ team has selected humane societies on both the East and West coast that spend well and do not stray from the “no-kill” policies of their strays.

Featuring: A.W. Exley, Jose Prendes, Nathan Yocum, Jade Hart , Gerilyn Marin, A.E. Propher.

Official After Dark Page | After Dark on Goodreads

 

About Curiosity Quills:
Curiosity Quills launched in 2011 by writers, for writers, presenting uniformly top-notch quality, tastefully curated, hard-hitting storylines. We know it’s hard to stand out from the crowd when it’s millions large, but Curiosity Quills Press helps level the playing field through its members’ innovative social media approach, a transparent culture, and a deeply passionate team.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Google Plus |Tumblr | Pinterest

An Interview with Crime Writer Yolanda Renee

I'm excited to have the wonderful Yolanda Renee here today. She's the author of MURDER, MADNESS & LOVE, a fantastic tale of crime. Her next book in the series, MEMORIES OF MURDER comes out in a few weeks, and you can win an e-copy! Continue reading to find out how.

1. Your newest book, MEMORIES OF MURDER will be released in just over a week on October 4th. In three sentences or less, get us hooked!

World damnation is a psychotic man’s goal, but two obstacles stand in his way: greed and a dedicated detective.

2. How would you commit the perfect murder?

Believe it or not I've thought about this, probably too much, oh dear, did I just say that as if I've been planning to kill someone. NO! I'm not, but I have thought about it, because I write it. I own books on it, and I've Goggled the hell out of it, so I'll be the first suspect if anyone one close to me dies.

However, if all that weren't the case – I'd most likely choose the typical female weapon – poison. Poison is less messy, if you choose the right one. And I'd try to do it so that the individual dies with the help of poison but during an accident and hopefully forgo the autopsy. I'd also make the poison atypical, so if there is an autopsy the poison won't be easily found. Did I mention I have a Book of Poisons?

3. What three words best describe your protagonist, Detective Steven Quaid?

Passionate, honorable, determined.

4. Are there any real or fictional people who inspired Steven Quaid?

Of all the characters I've created Steven Quaid was an enigma – I had no idea where he came from and just recently figured it out. My first movie star crush was for Steve McQueen when I was a young girl – he had the most beautiful blue eyes, loved motorcycles and fast cars, and was just so cool. Detective Steven Quaid, also has blue eyes, owns a motorcycle and is damn cool. Although, Quaid looks nothing like McQueen, the essence of the real man (or the actor) is there!

5. Why crime stories?

I've always loved murder mysteries along with the great romances so it was a natural progression. Also, I'm very analytical and like to understand the why of things, especially murder.
 
6. What is the most interesting thing you've learned while researching for your books?

In Memories of Murder, I researched Satanism, and found a plethora of information on cults, believers and their temples. I was amazed by the religion, not to mention the mythology surrounding Lucifer and Lilith. Did you know there are over 40 names for the Devil?

Although the most shocking thing I discovered were the number of people named Lucifer. But then again, Lilith is a popular name too. My own grandmother was named Lilly. It is just a name, right?

I didn't want to insult anyone, or their beliefs, so I created my own Satanic religion based on my characters beliefs in a book I called Dominion, it's referenced in my book as a book that Lucifer, the antagonist, has written. Dominion details his beliefs, ceremonies, and prayers. I created a calendar of Blood Sabbaths, rituals and ceremonies, a full wedding ceremony, and the Summons Prayer.

7. Writing crime, you have characters that lie. Are you a good liar?

I'd like to think so, but my husband says I'm not. He's wrong. See how good I am, he believes he's right!
 
8. What's the biggest challenge to writing about murder?

The biggest challenge is creating empathy, while making the act realistic, without being too graphic.

9. What was your favorite childhood game? Your favorite game now?

I was always very competitive, and as a child loved playing cards, and board games, especially Monopoly. We didn't have video games and watching TV was for the adults except Saturday mornings. We would explore the universe pretending the tree was our spaceship, or fight in the old west with the garage serving as Tombstone. Oh dear, there I go aging myself again.

Today, I'm unbeatable at Monopoly, but my husband is the better card player, he counts cards, the cheater!

10. People always describe a writer's style as a flavor. If your books were a flavor, what would they taste like?

My books would be the flavor of dark chocolate, sensual and sweet without being excessive, and sinful yet good for you!

Thanks Christine, for the opportunity to discuss my newest release.

It was a pleasure to chat with you, Yolanda. I can't wait to read your new book!

MEMORIES OF MURDER blurb:
Decades ago, the seeds were planted …

Today, dark, fathomless eyes rake the image before him. One final task and the transformation is complete. Steady fingers screw intricately carved horns on each side of a stiff brow, and a gargoyle suitable for Notre Dame scowls from the smokey mirror in satisfaction.

A jagged smile rips through his smooth, hairless face, and inked, reptilian scales caress his naked body.

A laugh of hideous resonance emanates from his gut as the demons of hell welcome Lucifer into their fold.

In a dungeon-like chamber, his Lilith awaits. The kidnapped daughter of a nun, groomed to fit the final piece in the complex puzzle for world domination. Will Lucifer marry his bride, on the summer solstice?

Only two things stand in his way ...

His greed ...

And ...

Detective Steven Quaid.

An adventurous spirit took Yolanda Renee to Alaska where she hiked the Brooks Range, traveled from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez, and learned to sleep under the midnight sun.

She claims her vivid imagination as a blessing, a habit, a hobby, a calling and sometimes a curse.

She now resides in Central Pennsylvania with her husband, two sons, and Boston terrier, Patches.

You can stalk Yolanda at these places: Blog * Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest 

You can enter to win a copy of MURDER, MADNESS & LOVE on Yolanda's blog, but I'm also giving away an e-copy of MEMORIES OF MURDER to one random commenter! You have until the end of the week to comment. Then I'll pick someone through Random.org. Don't miss out on this chance to win a great crime story.

Winners for the More Than Just A Kiss Blogfest and The 13th Floor Collection cover reveal giveaway

Thank you to everyone who participated in the MORE THAN JUST A KISS Blogfest. It was awesome. So many great entries. Even more so, each kiss was so very different. Some made me laugh, others had me sighing or fanning myself, and a few made my eyes watery. These were more than just kisses.

My most marvelous fellow judges - Cecilia Robert, Kyra Lennon, Laurelin Paige - and I had a tough time picking the winners. We all have different tastes, but there are three that stood out.

Here are our top three:

Our first place winner of a critique (not exceeding ten pages) from Cecilia, Kyra, and I is

L.G. KELTNER!

Our second place winner of a critique (not exceeding five pages) from Laurelin and I is

MICHELLE WALLACE!

Our third place winner of a one page critique from Cecilia and I is

ADRIANNE RUSSELL!

Congratulations, ladies! An email has been sent your way.

But wait! We have some bonus prizes to give out. Each of us judges have picked one entry to win our bonus prizes. Here they are!

Laurelin's pick to win FIXED ON YOU:

ROE!

Cecilia's pick to win TRULY MADLY DEEPLY YOU and REAPER'S NOVICE.:
ALEX TANNER!

Kyra's pick to win IF I LET YOU GO:

SUMMER ROSS!

My pick to win all six volumes of The 13th Floor series:

SHAH WHARTON!

Congratulations to you all!

And thank you again to every participant. Every single scene was great.

Now on to the winners of my cover reveal giveaway!

A huge thank you to everyone that helped introduce The 13th Floor Complete Collection to the world.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congratulations to the winners!

Emails have been sent your way.

Taking the World by Storm - Alex J. Cavanaugh's Cassa Trilogy

CassaStorm

By Alex J. Cavanaugh

From the Amazon Best Selling Series!

A storm gathers across the galaxy…

Commanding the Cassan base on Tgren, Byron thought he’d put the days of battle behind him. As a galaxy-wide war encroaches upon the desert planet, Byron’s ideal life is threatened and he’s caught between the Tgrens and the Cassans.

After enemy ships attack the desert planet, Byron discovers another battle within his own family. The declaration of war between all ten races triggers nightmares in his son, threatening to destroy the boy’s mind.

Meanwhile the ancient alien ship is transmitting a code that might signal the end of all life in the galaxy. And the mysterious probe that almost destroyed Tgren twenty years ago could return. As his world begins to crumble, Byron suspects a connection. The storm is about to break, and Byron is caught in the middle…

“Cavanaugh has created wonderfully moving moments of great poignancy… CassaStorm could have been a dark story full of hardship and angst, but instead it's a cleverly balanced story about hope and triumph.”
- Lynda R. Young, author of Make Believe

"Cavanaugh makes world building on the galactic scale look easy. The stakes affect the entire known universe and yet Cavanaugh makes it intensely personal for our hero. The final installment of this series will break your heart and put it back together."
- Charity Bradford, science fantasy author of The Magic Wakes

Find CassaStorm:

Barnes and Noble

Amazon

Amazon Kindle

Goodreads

Book trailer

$16.95 USA, 6x9 Trade paperback, 268 pages, Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.

Science fiction/adventure and science fiction/space opera

Print ISBN 9781939844002 eBook ISBN 9781939844019

$4.99 EBook available in all formats

Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He is experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. The author of the Amazon bestsellers, CassaStar and CassaFire, he lives in the Carolinas with his wife.

Stalk Alex here: Website * Twitter * Goodreads

My question to Alex: What does literary science fiction do best compared to other media forms of science fiction?

Alex's response: In books, it’s all open to our imagination and we can put ourselves into the story. That’s not so easy with movies or television. 
  

Congratulations to Alex! His books are phenomenal. Check out my reviews for CassaStar HERE and CassaFire HERE. I can't wait to read the final book in his series.

Join me tomorrow when I announce the winners of The 13th Floor Complete Collection cover reveal giveaway AND the winners of the MORE THAN JUST A KISS blogfest!

Also, make sure you pop on over to visit Heather Musk to read her thoughts on 1305 & 1306 - THE ORACLE & THE VAMPIRE.

The Twisted Truth blog tour - excerpt

Excerpt from THE TWISTED TRUTH

Moving away she noticed that Ty was staring across the street. Michelle turned to see the same black car that had been sitting idle not so long ago.

Stepping outside, Ty's eyes stayed fixed on the car across the street. He puffed up his chest in an intimidating way. The moment he started to make long strides toward the street, the car that was sitting there sped off, leaving tire marks and white smoke in its departure.

Michelle walked swiftly to the curb where Ty had stopped walking.

“Ty, who was that?”

He turned back to Michelle, his face now back to a more gentle expression. Nobody. I don't want you to worry about that.”

A moment passed and his phone chimed. Pulling his iPhone out of his pocket, he inspected the screen and stepped away from Michelle as he hit the talk button.

“I have to go, Michelle. I'll call you tonight.”

He didn't even give her a chance to wish him good night. Before she could blink, he was already in his car. He took off down the street nearly as fast as the black car had done seconds ago.

Michelle stood there confused. She didn't know what had gotten Ty so up in arms, but she did have a feeling that it had something to do with the black car.

As Michelle turned to walk back up her driveway, she heard a car pull up. Turning, she saw the same black car. She froze. She couldn't see who was inside the car, but she knew that they were watching her. Michelle could feel their eyes burning through her.

Just as quickly as the car pulled up, it took off again, this time more slowly than the last. She felt that they were trying to send her a message. Whatever it was, she knew it wasn't a good one. It was something they wanted her to think about. Maybe something Ty should be thinking about too.

Either way, Michelle couldn't wait for her parents to get home, because she knew it would not be the last time she would see it. She just wasn't sure what would happen when she saw it again.

Title: The Twisted Truth 
Author: Erin Armstrong
Number of Pages: 324
Genre: Fiction/ Romance/Drama
Publisher: Libertine Press


Michelle Marshall is a strong independent woman with a lot of baggage. Raped right before the start of her senior year of college, Michelle grows to be a caring, single mother to her daughter. Things begin to look pretty grim when the Charity House, the women's shelter she founded, is on the brink of having to close its doors. 

That is, until Tyler Austin, a mysterious and handsome stranger comes into the picture. Helping Michelle resuscitate the Charity House, Ty also helps her learn to trust, love and feel what she hasn't in years. Not everything is quite as perfect as Michelle would like though, as occasional hints lead her to believe something is not quite right. Her suspicions are confirmed when even more frightening developments occur and start to become...deadly.

Buy Links:

Amazon | 

Where to find Erin:

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Erin Armstrong knew she wanted to be a writer at the early age of 10. Throughout her life she has written several short stories, but struggled to find her niche. Eventually she was able to sit and write all of her ideas and was finally able to make her dream a reality.

Erin graduated from Franklin High School in Somerset, New Jersey and currently works for Easter Seals in New Jersey where she assists families with children with disabilities. She has been with the company for 5 years.

Erin lives at home with her husband, Shamar, of over 5 years and her two boys Davien and Cameron.  She enjoys spending time with them and watching them grow every day.

Review for Indiestructible

Blurb:
Need motivation and inspiration to self-publish or sign that contract with an interested small press? Have you done all the research you can, but still feel ambivalent about the idea? Indiestructible: Inspiring Stories from the Publishing Jungle brings you the experiences of 29 indie authors—their passions, their insights, their successes—to help you make the leap into indie publishing.

This is not a how-to guide. This is the best of the indie tradition of experienced authors paying forward what they’ve learned, giving you information to help you on your journey. The personal essays in this book will leave you itching to get your work into the hands of readers and experience, first-hand, all the rewards indie publishing has to offer.

100% of proceeds will be donated to BUILDON.org, a movement which breaks the cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and low expectations through service and education.

My review:
I'm already a published indie author. It wasn't a decision I made lightly, but it was one that was right for me at this time. All the pros and cons I've experienced firsthand. One of the cons about choosing this path is that it's a lonely one. It's frustrating, draining, and sometimes seemingly impossible. Doing it all myself makes it even more stressful.

What this book did for me was make me smile and filled me with hope. It reminded me that I'm not alone in this journey. There are other writers out there experiencing the same frustrations and challenges. INDIESTRUCTIBLE holds 29 amazing essays from authors walking an indie or small publisher path. Each is unique, but there's one powerful message: Don't give up on your dreams. You can do it too.

I felt stronger for reading: you're never too old to start writing. You're not a failure if you don't have an agent and you're not published by one of the Big 5. If you don't make a million dollars, it doesn't mean your story isn't loved. The laundry may not get done and you may not get much sleep, but with enough semicolons and proper time management, you can publish your own book. That makes you a success.

Thank you so much to all the contributors. This is a book I will keep on my Kindle and return to when I'm feeling lost and lonely. And even on good days, this is an excellent reaffirmation of why I'm proud to be an indie author.

Add INDIESTRUCTIBLE on Goodreads

Buy Indiestructible—support the indie author and an amazing charity—TODAY!

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE INDIESTRUCTIBLE

eBook: $0.99 USD
Publisher: Vine Leaves Press
ISBN 10: 0987593102
ISBN 13: 9780987593108
Language: English
Edited & Compiled: by Jessica Bell

Contributing authors: Alex J. Cavanaugh <> Angela Brown <> Anne R. Allen <> Briane Pagel <> C.S. Lakin <> Ciara Knight <> Cindy M. Hogan <> D. Robert Pease <> Dawn Ius <> Emily White <> Greg Metcalf <> Jadie Jones <> Jessica Bell <> Karen Bass <> Karen Walker <> Kristie Cook <> Laura Diamond <> Laura Pauling <> Laurel Garver <> Leigh Talbert Moore <> Lori Robinson <> Melissa Foster <> Michael Offutt <> Michelle Davidson Argyle <> Rick Daley <> Roz Morris <> S.R. Johannes <> Stephen Tremp <> Susan Kaye Quinn

About Jessica Bell: The Australian-native contemporary fiction author, poet, and singer/songwriter/guitarist, Jessica Bell, also makes a living as an editor and writer for global ELT publishers (English Language Teaching), such as Pearson Education, HarperCollins, Macmillan Education, Education First and Cengage Learning.

She is the co-publishing editor of Vine Leaves Literary Journal, and the director of the Homeric Writers’ Retreat & Workshop on the Greek island of Ithaca.

Connect with Jessica online: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

Tweet about Indiestructible:
Wanna support the #IndieAuthor? Buy INDIESTRUCTIBLE today! 99c! 100% profits go 2 @buildOnEmpowers #SelfPublishing http://goo.gl/aS0ri

St. Peter at the Gate guest post and W4WS event for Septemeber 2013

Welcome to the September 2013 W4WS event! I'm honored to co-host this event with three talented writers, Mary Pax, C.M. Brown, and Stephen Tremp.  The mission of this group is simple: we have a spotlighted author(s) that we strive to help bring awareness of their book(s) to tens of thousands of new people, increase the sales of their book(s), drive new traffic to their blogs and increase followers, and create verbal and viral buzz.
 
We've made this simple and fast. It's as easy as a tweet or a RT, and sharing a status on Facebook. Go to the writer's blog and copy a tweet or RT from the posts with the tag #W4WS. The W4WS Facebook page will have all the updates and links for you.
 
To join the W4WS event, click here for the linky list. It will only take a minute of your time, and you'll have talented writers take a step closer to their dreams. 

Cherie Reich is a self-proclaimed bookworm, a speculative fiction author, a freelance editor, and a book blogger. Her epic YA fantasy novel, REBORN, will be released May of 2014. Right now, her Nightmare Collection is just 99 cents! You can find Cherie on her blog, site, Facebook, and Twitter.

Helen Ginger is the author of three non-fiction books, a short story anthology, and a contemporary fiction novel, ANGEL SOMETIMES. She maintains an informational and interactive blog for writers and a weekly e-newsletter that has been going out to subscribers around the globe for thirteen years. You can find Helen on her site, blog, and Facebook.

Now on to our guest post by the talented M. Pepper Langlinais!

My award-winning novella St. Peter in Chains is currently free on Amazon (Kindle format only). In it, British spy Peter Stoller falls in love and must deal with the consequences when his lover is accused of espionage. And be sure to read the sequel, St. Peter at the Gate, in preparation for the third installment, St. Peter Ascends, which I hope to have out next year. As a fun little exercise, I’ve written a piece that shows Charles and Peter at Peter’s childhood home in Derbyshire. It is Charles’s first visit; Peter almost never goes home. Unlike the novellas, which focus on Peter’s perspective, this bit is told from Charles’s point of view. I hope you enjoy it!

He found Peter seated on a chair in the garden, a book from the house library open on his lap, the morning sun slanting over him in dappled kisses. For some, the honesty of light makes them appear older, but on Peter it had the opposite effect, making him unaccountably unlined, young and innocent. Charles felt ancient by comparison, though there were not a full five years of difference in their actual ages.

Peter knew he was there; Charles was certain of it. The appearance of youth did not bestow a lack of intelligence, and Peter’s work was as embedded in him as any genetic code. But Peter kept his eyes on his book as Charles walked over to join him.

The garden was enclosed in low hedges and ringed in rose bushes that were only just beginning to bud. A flagstone path led to a similarly paved square that held two chairs and a small table between them. The chairs faced out rather than one another, as if it was not expected that two people might want to look at each other while conversing. This simple arrangement told Charles more about Peter’s home life than anything else he’d yet encountered in the house.

But then, they had not yet seen Peter’s mother.

“You’re up early,” Charles remarked as he eased into the vacant chair. “Couldn’t sleep?”

“Mum only allows breakfast until eight,” said Peter, never looking up from his book. “One has to be up early if one wants to eat.”

Charles’s eyes traveled up the lovely grey stone of the house. Beautiful, but not warm. He suddenly understood why Peter had come out into the garden to read; the chairs were not the most comfortable, but there was warmth here that the plush armchairs of the library could not provide. The house radiated cool, even chill; the garden, with its smell of grass and perfume of roses, offered contentment and unspoken kindness.

“It’s a good thing I’m not hungry, then, I suppose,” Charles said. He hesitated, then asked the question that weighed on him. “Will she like me?”

“No.”

The answer came so quickly, and with such certainty, that Charles started where he sat. He looked hard at Peter, who finally deigned to lift his gaze from the pages. “I’m sorry,” Peter went on, though his tone was matter-of-fact, “but better to know the truth. Then you won’t need to waste any time trying to make a good impression. Ah, God,” he sighed, his eyes turning toward the house, and Charles looked too.

She was coming up the path toward them, her spine erect, her face pinched. But what surprised Charles—though why it should, he didn’t know—was how like Peter she looked. Or rather, he looked like her, Charles supposed. The same aristocratic cheekbones and stubborn mouth. And now the faces wore identical expressions, ones akin to two knights readying for the joust.

Pick up your copy of St. Peter in Chains on Amazon.

And you can find St. Peter at the Gate here!

Last day of the More Than Just a Kiss Blogfest

“A kiss, when all is said, what is it? 'Tis a secret told to the mouth instead of to the ear.” ~ Edmond Rostand

It's the last day of the blogfest. I've had so much fun reading your kissing scenes. It's going to be difficult to pick the winners. You all did a wonderful job. Bravo!
 I will confer with my fellow judges, and hopefully we'll have the winners picked within a few days.

 

Sweet, sizzling, fiery, awkward, mind-blowing. We want to read your kissing scenes.

 

The rules are simple:

1. Sign up on the linky list and post the badge on your blog.

2. On one of the days of the week of September 9th, post a kissing scene on your blog. It can be either fiction or non-fiction.

3. Please do not exceed 250 words.

4. This is a blogfest, so visit the other participants and have fun!

But wait! This is more than a blogfest.

We're offering prizes!

The scenes will be judged by these amazing romance authors: Cecilia Robert, Laurelin Paige, Kyra Lennon, and Christine Rains. (Hey, that's me!) We will choose three posts to win these awesome prizes.

Prize 1 - A critique of a kissing/intimate scene from your WIP (not exceeding ten pages). Critiques will be done by Cecilia Robert, Kyra Lennon, and Christine Rains.

Prize 2 - A critique of a kissing/intimate scene from your WIP (not exceeding five pages). This critique will be done by Laurelin Paige and Christine.

Prize 3 - A critique of a kissing/intimate scene from your WIP (not exceeding one page). This critique will be done by Cecilia and Christine.

BONUS PRIZES:
Cecilia, Kyra, Laurelin, and I will each choose one of our favorites to give out some fantastic ebooks.
Cecilia – TRULY MADLY DEEPLY YOU and REAPER'S NOVICE.
Kyra - IF I LET YOU GO
Laurelin - FIXED ON YOU
Christine – All six volumes of the 13th Floor series.

Sign up here!

 

My final kissing scene is from my unpublished superhero romance, SUPER FAMOUS.

 

“I think you're afraid of letting someone get to know the real you. Everyone knows the superhero, but not the woman underneath. Even your friends and family only know the persona you've created for yourself.”

It's what the world wanted. What she wanted. No one was interested in the daughter of a well-to-do lawyer who had nothing going on for herself. Everyone wanted the Silver Skipper. Even her family and friends wanted that powerful character. Being a superhero was what she was good at. Not just good, she was excellent. Without it, she was nothing.

And who was he to point this out to her?

“I'm not afraid.” She repeated, chin up.

“Then prove it. H—”

Oakley mashed her mouth to his. Her arms wound around his middle to pull him flush against her. It was even more sensational without the wine and chocolate. It was all Benniton. Hard, male, and tasting lightly of mint.

Their lips parted at the same time and tongues rolled vying for dominance. His hands slid up over her hips to rest on the small of her back, holding her tight as if she might try to escape. Her fingers dug into his shoulder blades. She wasn't going anywhere right now.

The kiss lasted several seconds, maybe even a few minutes. The sizzle fried her inner clock.

When they stopped to catch their breath, he pressed his forehead against hers and grinned. “I was only going to ask you to have dinner with me.”