Cover Reveal for Love In The First Degree

Title: Love In The First Degree (a charity anthology raising money for the Innocence Project)

 

Authors: Sarah Elizabeth & Ashlee Bryan, Kyra Lennon, Kirsty-Anne Still, Clare Dugmore, Allana Walker, and Laura Morgan

 

Blurb:

Love In The First Degree is a collection of short stories written by seven authors who have

come together to help raise money for The Innocence Project. This anthology includes stories by Kyra Lennon, Sarah Elizabeth & Ashlee Bryan, Kirsty-Anne Still, Laura Morgan, Allana Walker, and Clare Dugmore.

Each story speaks of crime, passion, determination, and most importantly, intense romance that will leave you thinking about the characters long after you have finished turning the pages.

Being wrongfully accused of a crime could happen to anyone, anywhere, and The Innocence Project works hard to overturn wrongful convictions and help innocent people get back to their real lives where they rightfully belong. All proceeds from sales of Love In The First Degree will be donated to The Innocence Project.

Genre: Romance (Contemporary/Paranormal)

Release date: July 18th

**

Author: Sarah Elizabeth & Ashlee Bryan

Title: Forbidden Innocence

Synopsis:

Let there be love, or let there be hate.

But, what if there is both?

She’s from the good side.

He’s from the bad side.

We both hate.

And we both love.

We are a sin.

But, in the end, it all comes down to being in the wrong place, at the right time.

Only she can protect my future.

Only he has the power to allow that to happen.

Apart.

Together.

The end result is just the same.

One of us has the option to make the ultimate sacrifice.

But will she?

But will I?

Author: Kyra Lennon

Title: Reasonable Doubts

Synopsis:

Darcy Ryan is a woman on a mission.

A mission to take down the corrupt cops who ensured her best friend, Matteo Torres, went to jail for a crime he didn’t commit – the murder of his wife, Rebecca.

Darcy is willing to do just about anything to prove his innocence, including getting up close and personal with the case’s lead detective, Finn Drake.

She knows she’s playing a dangerous game, but it gets more dangerous then she could have ever imagined when she discovers everything she thought she knew about Rebecca Torres was wrong, and Finn Drake isn’t the man she thought he was either.

Author: Clare Dugmore

Title: Seeking The Truth

Synopsis:

Erin Reynolds has been on the West Midlands Police force for seven years. She’s seen some strange things in the line of duty, but nothing quite like this.

On her first day working as a detective Erin witnesses something that makes the whole department question her sanity, and leads to her being sent on a leave of absence.

Desperate to prove what she saw was real, Erin tracks down the only other witness, Arcane Specialist Morgan Jackson. The occult expert is as infuriating as he is charming.

When the killer leaves a disturbing message on her answer phone, Erin is forced to work with Morgan in order to catch the culprit and get her job reinstated.

The hunt takes them around the West Midlands, visiting a flirty priestess, a druid on the wrong side of the law and a sorcerer from Morgan’s past. As Erin learns more about the supernatural world, she also realizes there’s more to Morgan than just his sarcastic wit and arcane knowledge.

She's drawn to him almost as deeply as she is to the truth of what she saw. Her feelings for him are bought into sharp when Morgan gets on the wrong side of the murderer and it's up to Erin to rescue him, and stop the occult forces plaguing the area before the darkness takes over.

Author: Laura Morgan

Title: Ensnared

Synopsis:

A hand outstretches amidst the chaos of a brutal attack, offering safety and protection—but only in the arms of a villainous gangster who certainly isn’t going to be good news. Take it and accept the consequences? Or refuse and risk losing it all in the aftermath?

That’s exactly what happens to Bree Locke the night she meets mobster Alexis Ramon.

What seems like a good idea at the time ends up being the turning point in her life, but how will things pan out, and will she be able to survive the consequences of her decision?

Because when you fall from the frying pan into the fire, you’re going to get burned…

Author: Kirsty-Anne Still

Title: Love Me Not

Synopsis:

I love him. He loves me. Our love story was that easy. I stuck by that, making sure he knew I was his person, his rock when he was arrested for murder. A murder that I knew he didn’t commit. But here I am, breaking his heart, unravelling our love story. All to save him. I’d break his heart – and mine – a thousand times over if it clears his name.

*** I wasn’t raised to be a good man. I was loved to be one. She was the one constant when my world started falling apart. Until she wasn’t. I was no longer the man I had become. I was a murderer, a criminal, a broken man. She started to see me as the murdered I was branded, but mark my words, this doesn’t end here. When I’m a free man I’ll tear this world apart to get her back.

Author: Allana Walker

Title: Believe

Synopsis:

What happens when the one guy you thought would protect you, doesn't? What happens when your

own family and friends turn against you in your time of need? What happens when all you want is someone to

believe you? What happens when the one person you least expect does? Find out how one girls life turns upside

down only to turn back with a few simple words... "I believe you."

Secret Worlds - 21 books, 21 authors

Secret Worlds is a HUGE boxed set ebook collection for lovers of dark fantasy and paranormal romance from twenty-one popular authors of the genre, including Catherine Stine, a member of Untethered Realms.

Supernaturally thrilling and engaging, this boxed set has it all: ghosts, vampires, mind-readers, shapeshifters, demons, faeries, werewolves, hybrid beings, and more.

For a limited time, enjoy books from today's USA Today, Amazon Bestselling and award-winning authors, including titles slated for the big screen. When purchased separately, these books cost over $50. But they are yours today for less than $1.

Amazon * B&N * iBooks * Kobo

BOX set landing page: http://parabookdeals.com/secretworlds/

Get a flavor of the novels and novellas in the collection:

Taken by the Beast by Conner Kressley and Rebecca Hamilton

Women are going missing. Women who look a lot like Charisse. And the man this beauty is falling for may be the beast responsible.

The Forever Girl by Rebecca Hamilton

Sophia's ancestor's body went missing during the Salem Witch Trials, and the only one able to help solve the mystery is a shapeshifter Sophia is afraid to trust

Summoned by Rainy Kaye

Dimitri can't reveal the paranormal bond controlling him, and Syd won't tolerate his secrets.

Purgatory by Susan Stec

A sex-hungry myth with no name, no flesh, and no identity ...unless it wears one of you.

The Pandora Principle by Noree Cosper

As a descendant of Pandora, Cassi must discover if her lover is one of the evil spirits she hunts before all her friends die.

Heart Song by Samantha LaFantasie

When incredibly handsome Marren frees Relena, there's a catch.

Changeling by Debbie Herbert

As a changeling and a witch work together to restore order in Fairy, they discover that love, like magic, casts its own spell of enchantment.

Shiftless by Aimee Easterling

After years of suppressing her inner predator, Terra meets a shifter who forces her to reclaim her wilder side.

The Black Parade by Kyoko M.

Poltergeist Michael is the key to saving Jordan's soul from hell, but can she handle the cost of her salvation?

Haunting Echoes by Caethes Faron

Will Amaia's vampire clan kill her ex-fiance before she learns whether he returned from the grave for love or revenge?

Braving Fate by Linsey Hall

Diana and Cadan fight demonic forces and a deadly passion that has lasted centuries.

Trinity Rising by J.E. Taylor

Damian and Naomi are desperate for victory against the devil, but one wrong step couldtrigger Armageddon.

Moonlight by Katie Salidas

Good girls don't wear fur, fight over men, or run around naked, howling at the moon. But Fallon's not a good girl.

Lash by L.G. Castillo

Lash, a fallen angel, must choose where to place his trust--in a home he fought so hard to regain or in a forbidden love he can't bear to lose.

Between by Lisa Swallow

Alek could kill Rose with a kiss. Finn, with a touch. Pulled into an intense affair with Alek, Rose discovers her connection to Finn threatens them all.

The Devil's Fool by Rachel McClellan

When vampire Boaz gives Eve the one thing she never had--love--she falls into a world of greed and seduction.

Spark Rising by Kate Corcino

A runaway Spark and the agent arresting her ignite a revolution to end their people's enslavement while resisting the electricity between them.

Ruby's Fire by Catherine Stine

On the run from a desert cult, Ruby must choose which handsome stranger to trust with her heart and her darkest secret: Armonk or Blane.

Cursed by Lucy Leroux

Governess Isobel Sterling has been hiding an uncanny ability her whole life--until she has to use it to save herself from a madman.

Hunted by A.J. Colby

With Agent Holbrook's help, Riley races time to stay ahead of a crazed werewolf killer.

Vigilant by Angel Lawson

Ari stumbles into a world of crime and vigilantism while discovering the one man that sets her heart on fire.

Blood and Beauty and Other Weird Tales

Collects six short stories of fantasy and weirdness. Fans of Edgar Allan Poe, H. P. Lovecraft, Greek mythology, and biblical-inspired fantasy will find something interesting.

"Blood and Beauty" tells the tragic love story of a satyr and a dryad.

"Sutter's Well" records the weird encounter between two boys and a Lovecraftian monster in Appalachia.

"Morphine and Chocolate" draws inspiration from the medieval poem Pearl as it follows a father's search for his missing daughter from one weird landscape to another.

"The Facts in the Case of M. Hussman" takes inspiration from Edgar Allan Poe and records the horrific consequences of artificially extending life in a steampunk world.

"Shafts to Hell" returns to the Old West and takes the reader inside the mind of an insane miner.

"Good King David" combines the tales of Hamlet and Absalom in a Biblical fantasy world.

Categories: weird fantasy, weird horror, Greek mythology, mythical creatures, steampunk.

Buy the book:

Amazon US * Amazon UK

Add it to read on Goodreads.

Find out more about Jeff Chapman on his blog!

The 13th Floor collection blog tour continues with the Ninja Captain

Oh what a week this will be on the tour!

Yesterday Zeus made an appearance, and today I'm over at the awesome Alex J. Cavanaugh's blog. I'll be talking about the 13th floor and other sentient places as characters in books.

Today is also the start of another giveaway!

If you haven't won a copy of the collection yet, enter for a chance to win one signed by me. I promise to think of something clever to write. Or, at the very least, something I think is clever!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The 13th Floor Collection blog tour on the 13th!

It's the 13th! Woo-hoo!

The print version of the Collection is here!

While I love the wonderful formatting for the ebook, the print book looks gorgeous. I can't stop caressing the pages.

Surely all authors do this with their books. It's not creepy... right?

Today I'm celebrating with an appointment with the Thunder God. Zeus has so kindly squeezed us into his schedule.
You'll find him on Heather Holden's blog. He agreed to her as a host because she loves Greek mythology so much. In fact, her web comic - Echo Effect - is based on a famous Greek myth. It's absolutely fabulous. Check it out!

Don't forget about my Friday Creepy Freebie giveaway hosted by Milo James Fowler.

Oh! And the Goodreads giveaway is still going on until the end of the month. So many chances for you to win a copy of my book!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The 13th Floor Complete Collection

by Christine Rains

Giveaway ends October 31, 2013.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

The 13th Floor collection tour continues

Do you have your copy of The 13th Floor Complete Collection yet?

Amazon * B&N * Kobo * Smashwords

I'm handing over the keyboard to a talented reporter today. Lois King was the one who revealed to the world that dragons still exist. What? You don't remember that article? Hmm, something suspicious is going on.

Head on over to Jackie Felger's blog to read a little slice from Lois' life with dragonslayer, Xan.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway on Cherie's blog for a chance to win a signed copy of the collection!

13th Floor collection tour - "The Shadow" - and the winners of the first giveaway

Happy Monday!

I'm not usually a Monday person, but today is a big day. Not only is there another giveaway and a chance for you to win a signed copy of The 13th Floor Complete Collection, but I'm going to tell you about the bonus short story that's included in the book.

You might know it's called "The Shadow,"

but it's not at all what you expect.

Join me at my awesome friend and critique partner, Cherie Reich's blog for the reveal and the giveaway.

Then go pick up Cherie's fantastic prequel to her YA fantasy series The Fate Challenges, "Magna's Plea."

It's free!

Now for the winners of week 1's giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congratulations to the winners!

Emails have already been sent.

Wicked Wednesday - you decide who's going to be in the 13th Floor collection new short story

Only three more days until the official release of the final book in the 13th Floor series, THE GHOST. I'm excited and anxious, and I'm already thinking about putting together a collection. I haven't found a cover I want for it yet. I might not have it ready to reveal after THE GHOST blog tour. It has to be perfect, though. I'm not going to settle for anything less than what blows me away.

Along with all the novellas, I'm going to include a short story in the collection. Originally, I was going to write about how Kiral came to live on the 13th floor. Yet the story isn't sticking with me as something spectacular. I want to captivate my readers rather than give them a few interesting facts.

Should I do another tenant's? Marc's or Stefanie's? Readers already know how Meira, Harriet, and Chiharo came to be on the 13th floor. I could also do a tenant that lived there in the past. Or even one that's just moving in. Lots of possibilities.

I'm going to let my readers decide. Who do you want to read about? This short story will appear in the 13th Floor collection. (I'm tentatively setting the release date for September 13th.)

Please let me know your choice by answering this poll or leaving a comment below. I'll be running this poll through to the 19th when I'll be announcing the results. (I tried out a new poll widget. Hopefully it works!)

Whose story would you like to see in the 13th Floor collection?
	Marc's
	Stefanie's
	Xan's
	Kiral's
	A tenant from the past
	A new tenant just moving in
pollcode.com free polls

Review for Passing Time

Passing Time: Nine Short Tales of the Strange and Macabre

Nine dark fiction stories that may just give you nightmares.

A man lives to regret Passing Time. A father will do anything to save his son in Expiration Date. An author finds out her worst nightmare is back in The Devil’s Song. A woman gets more than the claim fee when she takes out vampire insurance in Luna Black.

In Dining in Hell, the Death Valley Diner becomes the wrong place to stop.

A serial killer wants to add another file to his collection in The Vegas Screamer. In Eating Mr. Bone, an undertaker could meet an unfortunate end. A con man meets his first ghost in Land of the Free. And will truth finally be set free in The Letter?

 

My review:

Passing Time is a wonderfully written collection of dark and eerie tales. Each story has its own way of gripping your soul. Some are short and intense, and others lure you down a long twisted path. You're left wondering about your own mortality, what you would do for love, and what terrifies you the most. As a writer, I was particularly paralyzed by "The Devil's Song."

My two favorite stories were "Expiration Date" and "The Vegas Screamer." The first takes place in a future where cloning is possible. You never have to lose someone you love. The second frightening tale is about a serial killer that has a chilling collection. Though each story has a strong and unique voice, this one stood out with its Stephen King feel.

I can't wait to read more from Ellie Garratt.

Book Links

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

Goodreads

Facebook

Meet Ellie Garratt

A life-long addiction to reading science fiction and horror, meant writing was the logical outlet for Ellie Garratt’s passions. She is a reader, writer, blogger, Trekkie, and would happily die to be an extra in The Walking Dead. Her short stories have been published in anthologies and online. Passing Time is her first eBook collection and contains nine previously published stories. Her science fiction collection Taking Time will be published later this year.

Great stalking places:

Website | Amazon | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter

Review of Women of Foxwick

Blurb:

Follow five women from Foxwick in this five-story fantasy collection by Cherie Reich.

A bard will lose her head, if she doesn't find the correct notes. A dragon seer must decide whether to betray her dragons or her fair kingdom. An assassin will journey to the Shadowlands to destroy Death. Twins are selected for the Mage Game, and a princess will journey to Valdale in search of the sorceress who can save Foxwick.

My review: 
Women of Foxwick is a collection of five fantastic tales in a world of beauty, magic, and danger. In "Lady Bard," Lyrica must play the right tune to free a prince from a curse or else both of them will lose their lives. A young and kind girl named Vesta is dragged before the fearsome Queen of Wintermill to serve her destructive will in "Dragon Seer." "Lady Death" brings us into the dark world of an assassin named Umbria and her quest to kill Death himself. The twin sisters in "Mage Game" are as close as can be, and with their amateur skills, they must fight for the possibility of a better life through a challenge issued by the king. Finally, in "Magic Seeker," a princess' compassion and mysterious aunt help her to find a sorceress who might be able to save her realm.


Cherie Reich has created a rich and wonderful fantasy world with Foxwick. The people, land, and creatures are fascinating. I love how she links a few stories together, and how this collection intricately weaves with the stories in Flashes of Foxwick. Yet these can very much be enjoyed as stand-alone stories. There's never a dull moment, and each story has its own undeniable source of tension that will insure you don't stop reading. Cherie's writing is natural, poetic, and fluid, and reminds me very much of Juilet Marillier's books.


My favorite story of the bunch is "Lady Death." It begins with a sword fight and a plea to save the King's wife and child. The only way to save the woman and baby who are beyond any mortal's help is to kill Death. Umbria, the assassin and King's sister, cannot refuse him. She travels to the Shadowlands and faces the ghosts of loved ones before she meets Death himself. There's a lot of intensity and emotion packed into this short story, and I found myself holding my breath near the end. I had no idea what was going to happen. No one can kill Death, right? You'll have to read it to find out Cherie's clever twist.


I highly recommend Women of Foxwick for those of you who love fantasy, and for excellently written strong heroines.


Women of Foxwick will be released on June 26th. That's only four days away!


Until then, you can pick up A to Z Flashes of Foxwick for FREE on Amazon.


Please visit Cherie Reich's blog and say hello!