The Reading Cat

Notice - 13 November 2014 - Twitter Account Has Been Hacked

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 10:00:00 +0000

Quick note from the old cat man, some person who shares my ardent interest in book covers and reading has hacked my twitter account (@thereadingcat1)

I am currently squatting at @readingcatjames

Cheers from the old cat man.

Sue Parritt Shares a Day in Her Life @OdysseyBooks #SannahAndThePilgrim #AmWriting #SciFi #Dystopian

noreply@blogger.com (Quality Reads UK) — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 10:00:00 +0000

A day in the life of Sue Parritt

The day begins around 7.15 when my husband, an early riser, brings me a cup of tea in bed and slips back in beside me. I savour each sip; this first cup somehow superior to all those that follow, ponder between brief conversation yesterday’s paragraphs awaiting attention. Out of bed no later than 7.45, lingering, daydreaming or staring into space isn’t an option for this well-organised writer. Breakfast a brief affair: muesli, toast, and another cup of tea. Next item on the agenda is the morning walk along the cliff top. I walk at a reasonable pace for half an hour, one day one direction, next day other direction. Where tangled trees give way to coastal shrubs or grassy banks the view is magnificent and ever-changing. Mirror-smooth or white-capped, I never tire of Port Philip Bay. Then it’s back home to domestic deeds or a quick trip to the shops, cursing long queues in the bank and post office, toddlers running riot in the supermarket, the spiralling cost of household necessities. Like the late Elisabeth Jolley, I can’t settle to writing until these chores have been completed.

Mid-morning I begin the key business of the day, the pursuing of a long-held dream, reward for long years supplying others’needs. In order to focus my mind, particularly if writing a first draft, I return to the previous day’s work, rereading and editing obvious errors. Major edits are generally postponed for the second and subsequent drafts but as a reminder I insert directions such as ‘extend para’ or ‘rewrite whole chapter’ into the text in upper case. When ideas pertinent to a different part of the narrative surface, I scribble them on paper, adding them later to a file of notes on the computer. A cataloguer in my former life, I am meticulous about organising my files in an easily retrievable form. Atypically, my desk is often a mess with pieces of paper scattered around, and by the end of the day, numerous empty teacups, plates and here I confess to a bad habit, crumbs caught in the keyboard!

Writing is a lonely business and occasionally a phone call or knock at the door can be a welcome intrusion (as any writer will attest) when staring at a problem paragraph threatens to cause meltdown or migraine. However, the longer I spend writing, the more I resent intrusions and am considering having a studio built in the garden (no phones, no temptation to run and answer the door) in order to achieve the desired peace and quiet.

Around five or six, depending on whether I’m on a roll or literally stuck for words, I save my document to a USB despite the fact I have a Seagate backup plus drive and venture into the kitchen to prepare the evening meal. Sometimes, in an attempt to ignore my secondary role, I set the oven timer for an hour or so and settle back down in front of the computer. Oh, for a string of servants to perform those boring but essential domestic tasks!

About the Author:

Sue Parritt is an Australian writer, originally from England. Her poetry and short stories have been published in magazines and anthologies in Australia, Britain and the USA. After graduating BA University of Queensland 1982 (majors: English Literature, Drama and French), Sue worked in university libraries until taking early retirement in 2008 to pursue her long-held dream of becoming a professional writer. Since then she has written Sannah and the Pilgrim, numerous short stories and poems and‘Feed Thy Enemy’, a feature film script set in Naples in 1944 and 1974 and based on a true story (Sue is currently seeking a producer). She recently completed a second novel Safety Zone and is now writing a sequel to Sannah and the Pilgrim – the working title is Pia and the Skyman.

General Information - Sannah and the Pilgrim by Sue Parritt

ISBN: 978-1-922200-14-3

Genre: Speculative Fiction / Sci-fi / Dystopian

Release Date: 26 April 2014 (Paperback and ebook)

Publisher: Odyssey Books (http://www.odysseybooks.com.au/)

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1kBKqan

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/sannah-and-the-pilgrim

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sannah-and-the-pilgrim-sue-parritt/1119209936?ean=9781922200143

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/sannah-and-the-pilgrim/id872478599?ls=1&mt=11

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21883471-sannah-and-the-pilgrim

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sue.parritt

LinkedIn: http://au.linkedin.com/pub/sue-parritt/60/622/301

Description:

When Sannah the Storyteller, a descendant of environmental refugees from drowned Pacific islands, finds a White stranger on her domestep, she presumes he’s a political prisoner on the run seeking safe passage to egalitarian Aotearoa. However, Kaire’s unusual appearance, bizarre behaviour, and insistence he’s a pilgrim suggest otherwise.

Appalled by apartheid Australia, Kaire uses his White privileges to procure vital information for Sannah and her group of activists regarding new desert prisons that are to be built to house all political prisoners. The group plans sabotage but needs help, and Kaire is a willing accomplice. But when Sannah turns Truthteller and threatens to reveal the country’s true history, even Kaire’s White privilege and advanced technology cannot save Sannah and her daughter from retribution.

About Sannah and the Pilgrim:

Sannah and the Pilgrim is a tale of courage, defiance and deceit that asks the reader, ‘Would you risk death by telling the truth about your country, or would you play it safe and spend your life as a storyteller?’

Are you concerned about our governments’ (both past and present) failure to act on climate change and the detention and inhumane treatment of refugees? I am, so I have drawn on contemporary conservative attitudes to present a dystopian view of a future Australia in my speculative fiction novel Sannah and the Pilgrim. Read it and discover what could happen to our‘lucky’ country.

The Right Way and the Wrong Way to Promote Your Book Online by @DPDenman #WriteTip #AmWriting

noreply@blogger.com (Quality Reads UK) — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 08:00:00 +0000

The Right Way and the Wrong Way to Promote Your Book Online

There is a marketing tradition created by master salesmen that says if you want to sell a product you need to make sure everyone knows it exists and you need to be aggressive in your promotion. Think Tony Robbins.

Some authors adopt that attitude without realizing you can’t use that method to sell books. Maybe juicers and spot removers but not fiction.

Most authors know better than to go to people who follow them on social media and pitch their book. Some still haven’t gotten the message. You don’t approach friends on Facebook or followers on Twitter with private messages asking them to read your latest story. It’s the equivalent of walking up to a stranger on the street and shoving a pamphlet in their face. It makes an incredibly bad impression and most people will just throw it in the trash without giving it any real consideration.

Successful authors don’t promote their books. They promote their brand and there is a big difference. When people learn who you are and what you do, curiosity will lead them that last step to looking at your books. In other words, authors need to act more like politicians than car salesmen. Meet some people. Shake some hands. Get involved in a few discussions. If people like the interactions and comments, they will want to know more. Then you can lead them to your website and tell them about your books. That’s also why behavior online is so important. If readers (and other authors, who are also readers) are offended by what you post or turned off by your attitude, that moment of curiosity will never happen and you’ve lost a sale.

Buried lies never die.

Liam has a new career, a new condo, a newfound sense of control and none of it is quite right. Shadows drift behind the bright sparkle of his life; things he's determined to ignore until a shocking revelation makes it impossible. With the help of Justin and a new friend, Liam must face the life he's buried.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre - Contemporary Gay Romance

Rating – R

More details about the author

Connect with DP Denman through Facebook & Twitter

Website http://www.dpdenman.com

#ReviewShare #BookReview #Mystery - Steps Into Darkness (Shakertown Adventure) by @BenSWoodard

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 10:00:00 +0000

Steps Into Darkness by Ben Woodard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The book started off slow for me but I recommend that you stick with it. As the mystery develops, the plot becomes tighter and you breeze by the pages as quickly as you can. One of the downfalls of teen mysteries is that sometimes authors are unable to create natural dialogue or settings. This book wasn’t like that.

I enjoyed the story, the editing was close to perfect and the cover was perfect for the title. Simple, to the point and it automatically evoked “mystery” in a reader’s mind. The character interactions were important to me because it was this way that I connected most with the plot and overall story.

For parents or schools looking at setting up book clubs for younger folk, this is a book that must be included. A truly, marvelous read.

Disclosure - As a Quality Reads UK Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for my book review. This book review is based on my thoughts, opinion and understanding of the book. This book review does not reflect the opinion of other book club members.

View all my reviews

Seven Things You Don’t Know About "Moxie’s Problems" by Hank Quense @hanque99 #Fantasy #SciFi

noreply@blogger.com (Quality Reads UK) — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 07:00:00 +0000

Seven things you don’t know about Moxie’s Problems

The original Moxie story was a short story that I couldn't sell. I loved Moxie’s character and I was determined to put her into her own novel.

I was half-way through Moxie’s Problems when I put it on the side to write a series of non-fiction books called Self-publishing Guides. I did that because I got angry at all the misinformation floating around the internet on self-publishing.

I was able to return to the Moxie novel fairly easily because I always develop a series of mind-maps for my novels before I start to write the first draft. I had maps for the major characters, the plots and subplots and a third which is a graphical synopsis. These mind-maps allowed me to get back into the novel very quickly.

Some of the adventures in the novel, especially for King Artie were originally short stories I wrote a long time ago, but were never published. The Dogs of War and the Isolde adventure are two such short stores. The initial football game between the Knights and the Saxons was a short story I sold four or five times.

Originally, the novel was set in a fantasy land and Moxie was a dwarf. Her three knightly companions were a dwarf, an elf and a human. The fantasy setting conflicted with my plan to use Camelot as a backdrop so I had to change it.

The Camelot background bothered me for a while. The problem was my story bashed against the traditional Camelot legends and not in a small way. My Camelot was radically different and I felt it would annoy reads who hoped for a retelling of the traditional legends. My solution to this problem came with a sprinkling of scifi dust. Once I realized my Camelot took place in a parallel universe, I had my justification and it even encouraged me to develop more non-traditional aspects of Camelot.

One character I really enjoyed writing about was Tristan. In the story he is Camelot’s Bard and the world’s worst poet. I wrote a number of doggerel poems for him. I also made him a schizophrenic. His warrior self and his poet self are in a constant battle for supremacy of his mind. His poet self wants to soothe enemies with words, while his warrior self wants to attack audiences with his sword.

Do you enjoy untypical coming-of-age stories? Well, you won’t find one more untypical that Moxie’s Problem. Moxie is an obnoxious, teen-age princess who has never been outsider her father’s castle. Until now. The real world is quite different and she struggles to come to grips with reality. The story take space against a backdrop of Camelot. But it isn’t the Camelot of legends. It’s Camelot in a parallel universe. So, all bets are off!

Buy Now @ Amazon & Smashwords

Genre – Fantasy, Sci-fi

Rating – G

More details about the author

Connect with Hank Quense through Facebook & Twitter

Website http://hank-quense.com/wp/

@KatDeFalla Shares 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Becoming a Published Author #WriteTip #SelfPub

noreply@blogger.com (Quality Reads UK) — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 08:00:00 +0000

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Becoming a Published Author

The work has only just begun! Start marketing right away. Don’t wait until you “get the call” to set up your website, FB Author Wall, and Twitter accounts. Start a blog and get a following.

People will surprise you. Family members you think will for sure read and love your book won’t open it and people you NEVER thought would read it, do and write a fabulous review.

Ah yes, reviews. Grow some thick skin. You can’t make everyone happy and aren’t expected to. Revel in the great reviews and try to find the constructive criticism in the negative ones. Then move on.

Expect to spend more money than you make at first. This is a business and an investment. You have to spend money to help spread the word. The rewards will be worth it – I promise!

Your publisher needs you to help solicit reviews. Even if your publisher makes your book available to review sites, you still need to do legwork on your own and go out there and ask for reviews yourself.

Every step of this journey is fun! Most writers like writing more than editing, but this whole process has so many aspects. Go ahead, and enjoy all of them!

Publishers have others authors. It’s true, even after you sell the book that your publisher has fallen in love with, they really are quite busy people that have also fallen in love with other authors. This doesn’t mean they have forgotten about you! Don’t feel bad emailing them whenever you have questions or concerns. They are there to help. I’d had the privilege of being published with both The Wild Rose Press and Crescent Moon Press (as Kat Green). Both publishers are top notch!

The publisher is expecting your second book to be done and polished the day your first book comes out, so get writing!

Other authors are in your same situation. Network, network, network. You will love having these friends as sounding boards as your career progresses.

People will come you know you in your public circles as “the author” – Wow! Embrace this new title, you deserve it!

Calise Rowe's question of who walks among us leads her into an ancient war between seers and demons.

For years, Calise Rowe has been able to sense unusual energy from people, making her believe she is different. Pulled into an ancient war raging for centuries between demon hunters and seers, she's about to find out she's right.

Her search for the truth leads her to Lucas Rojas, a seer of angels and demons who walk the earth shrouded from normal human eyes. He's hidden his gift for years and refuses to endanger Calise by sharing it with her.

In the sultry Costa Rican Jungles, their worlds collide. As their passion and desire ignite, so does the ancient war between demons and seers. Will their combined efforts be enough to save themselves and the entire human world, or will their new found love be their downfall?

2nd Place Winner in the LuckyCinda Book Contest 2014 for Paranormal

Semi-Finalist in the KBR’s Best Kindle Book Awards 2014

Indie Book of the Day Award Winner July 25, 2014

Genre: Mainstream Paranormal/Paranormal Romance

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Link to Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/17gFt26ncoU

Bio:

Author Kat de Falla was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where she learned to roller skate, ride a banana seat bike, and love Shakespeare thanks to her high school English teacher.

Four years at the UW-Madison wasn’t enough, so she returned to her beloved college town for her Doctor of Pharmacy degree and is happily employed as a retail pharmacist where she fills prescriptions and chats with her patients.

She is married to her soul mate, classical guitarist, Lee de Falla and raising four kids together ala the Brady Bunch.

Kat’s Links:

Author Website: www.katdefalla.com

Blog: www.quillorpill.blogspot.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/@katdefalla

Facebook:www.facebook.com/authorkatdefalla (message me to join my street team!)

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20931705-the-seer-s-lover?from_search=true

Lee’s Bio/Info:

Composer Lee de Falla, a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was raised in a family of professional musicians. He picked up his father's guitar at age eight and hasn't put one down since. Although well versed at playing all genres of music, his love is composition for modern classical guitar and instrumental orchestrations. He is finishing work on two CD's which will be available later this year.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/leedefalla and www.facebook.com/bfpmusic

Composer Website: www.bayafaya.com where FREE music requests are available that accompany THE SEER’S LOVER:

Anna’s Dance is a jazzy bossa nova meant to accompany chapter two.
Shane's Torment is a churning soundscape of despair meant to accompany chapter six.
Cali and Lucas First Dance is a Latin fusion instrumental love song meant to accompany chapter twelve.

As I touch on Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) in this book, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to www.iorphan.org

Buy Links:

AMAZON

http://www.amazon.com/Seers-Lover-Seven-Archangels-ebook/dp/B00ILXE2NO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1402840350&sr=8-1&keywords=the+seer%27s+lover

BARNES AND NOBLE

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-seers-lover-kat-de-falla/1119665778?ean=2940149242733

KOBO

http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-seer-s-lover

Excerpt:

She traced a circle in the sand with her finger.

Why would she disclose her whole existence to someone she’d just met? Someone who talked so little about himself that she found herself talking to fill the void. Saying things she could barely admit in her own head.

His hand covered hers. “I’m lonely, too. Getting to know you this week has been the brightest point in my life and I don’t want you to leave, but I know the only place you’ll be safe is far away from me.”

She swallowed. He had read her mind.

He lay down on his back and closed his eyes. “Cali, you know when you hear a song for the first time and you kind of ingest it? You can’t possibly know right away that it will be one of your favorite songs for the rest of your life. A classic.”

“Yeah.” She hoped he was going somewhere good with this.

“That first listen,” he continued, “you pick up a little of the melody and some lyrics that catch you. But when the song ends, you have to hear it again because you want to memorize all the words and sing along. After you hear it a few times and learn the words inside and out, then you begin to let the melody seep inside you. Next thing you know, you’ve completely digested the song and find yourself humming it while you are doing nothing, like shaving or driving your car. Finally, the song becomes so ingrained it becomes a part of you. Forever. You can recall it and it’s with you whenever you need it. Am I making any sense?”

She nodded, blinking back the tears fighting to fall.

“Cali, I don’t want you to go back because you’re my favorite song.”

Acclaim for THE SEER’S LOVER:

“Distinctly haunting and deliciously dark, The Seer's Lover is the debut novel from author Kat De Falla and it’s one to be read with the light on! A paranormal romance, it may not howl originality as the age old forces of Angels and Demons muster for yet another face off, but De Falla certainly distinguishes herself with the quality of her writing and the ability to weave a riveting and intriguing plot. With a meticulous eye for detail her characters are skillfully drawn, shunning the genre tendency towards stoic stereotypes to deliver flawed real world personas that quickly feel familiar and are ultimately endearing. The action is generous and well described, the twists served with perfect timing, it has all the elements readers expect from the best in genre and they are sure to keep the pages turning at a frantic pace.”

--Book Viral (http://bookviral.com/the-seers-lover/4584242750)

The Seer's Lover is truly an unusual creation in the e-world: it comes with musical interludes (which can be downloaded for free) and it tells of Calise, who has long known she has different abilities than most. What she hasn't realized is that her powers will draw her into an ancient conflict between good and evil, pitting her against some of the strongest adversaries in the universe.

If all this sounds familiar, it's because the classic 'good-versus-evil' plot has been done time and again: but as with any good book, it's not just the plot that makes for an exceptional read, but how it's done.

Kat de Falla places her main protagonist on a journey of discovery that leads to the Costa Rican forest, there to encounter a man who (much like herself) has hidden his abilities. Lucas can actually see the demons and angels who walk the earth; but not only has he concealed his abilities; he doesn't want to endanger her by sharing his gift.

What evolves is paranormal romance fiction at its best: a story steeped in passion with the overlay of deadly dangers and powerful talents woven into an ever-changing plot.

Now, the genre of paranormal romance has rapidly expanded. Over the last ten years romance writers have added a variety of elements to spice their creations, and entry into paranormal realms is just one of these newer devices. Another device used here is that of music which runs through the story line as a theme so that musical passages accompany the story.

The Seer's Lover is all about building atmosphere, from its eye-catching cover of a man and a woman on an island facing down blazing red eyes in the sky to these musical interludes that reinforce action.

And this atmosphere is created right from the start, where Calise is already involved with Lucas: "Why would she disclose her whole existence to someone she’d just met? Someone who talked so little about himself that she found herself talking to fill the void. Saying things she could barely admit in her own head."

There are no pat answers here; no formula approaches that would lend too much predictability to events. Calise is alternately brave and terrified, as her abilities are yet untested but her adversaries are seasoned and powerful: "This is not going so well. I’m turning out to be a pretty shitty Buffy the Demon Slayer."

And there are surprises peppered throughout: in the form of a mother whom Calise comes to realize as the wellspring of her powers, and in the guise of a romances past and present which rise up to haunt her. There are unexpected religious experiences, there's a search to find self, and there are elements of suspense tying all of these events together.

In the end Calise faces the greatest challenge of her life - and with prior events having helped her grow, she's in the strongest position ever to find peace in her life.

The open-ended conclusion leaves room for a possible sequel but in the true style of a superior read, it's not essential that more be written: The Seer's Lover is a self-contained novel that properly wraps up its story, and will satisfy any reader of paranormal or romance fiction.

Highly entertaining by anyone’s reckoning, The Seer's Lover from author Kat De Falla is an exciting debut novel and certainly one that deserves a place on your reading shelf. It is strongly recommended.

--D. Donovan, eBook Reviewer, MBR

Kelly Wilson's Thoughts on When Should You Start #BookMarketing @LiveCheap #Memoir #AmReading

noreply@blogger.com (Quality Reads UK) — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 10:00:00 +0000

When Should You Start Marketing Your Book?

Writers no longer have the luxury of writing a great piece of fiction or nonfiction and sending it off to an editor to be made into a book. Even for those with traditional publishing contracts, the book marketing responsibilities are placed squarely on the author’s shoulders.

It took me about ten years to finish Caskets From Costco, my funny book about grief. And by the time I submitted it for publishing, I had been marketing the book for easily two years. When Caskets From Costco was finally released, people were ready to buy it.

How did I know? From an exchange on Facebook, in which I asked for people’s opinions about the book cover design and one person commented, “Quit playing with the cover already - when can I buy the book???"

That’s when I knew that I had been doing a good job marketing my book. Regardless of whatever stage you find yourself in writing or publishing your book, it’s never too late – or too early – to put effective book marketing strategies in place.

Write a Good Book

Marketing comes second only to writing a really good book. Even though book marketing wants to suck the time, life and creativity from writers, it is essential to prioritize the craft of writing. Take classes and workshops, read books about writing, read for enjoyment, write every day, join a critique group, and make the most of your writing skills and talent. No amount of publicity can replace writing a book of which you are extremely proud.

Build a Website

When it comes to effective marketing efforts, start by building a foundation through creating and maintaining and quality website that belongs to you. Consider your website the home of your marketing efforts, building a place for readers and writers to come back to time and time again to connect with you.

Websites can range from expensive and complicated to cheap and simple. Decide what you want to spend on hosting and the initial set up, and then ask for help from people you know. Chances are good that a friend of yours has already gone through the process and will help you out at little to no cost. Include information about you, your books, and how to connect with you through social media to create a solid online presence.

Produce a Consistent Blog

If your website is the home of your marketing efforts, the blog is the décor. A blog needs to change often – at least once a week – so that search engines take your online presence seriously and readers come back to your writing again and again. Writing blog posts is also an excellent way to keep learning more about and practicing the craft of writing on a regular basis. Build in an email-capture system on your website so that you can gather email addresses of people who visit. You can then target your blog posts toward your consistent readers.

Maintain a Social Media Presence

Social media isn’t just about viral videos and selfies. There are actually very effective ways to connect with fellow readers and writers using social media outlets, and each one has their advantages.

A Google+ page is important to Google, so it needs to be important for book marketing.

Facebook makes it easy to build an author page.

Twitter makes it easy to connect with fellow writers, and writers seem to prefer it.

LinkedIn has a great group function and a lot of writing groups to choose from.

The trick is finding which one really works for your needs. Start with one and get to know it, then move on to another social media outlet from there to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

So when should you start marketing your book?

Is the book finished?

It doesn't matter.

Is the book published?

This also doesn't matter.

The answer is to start marketing your book NOW.

For twenty years, Kelly Wilson thought that she had been marching through the stages of grief in a straight line. She had been following the formula, crossing each processed grief experience off her list.

Except that Kelly was totally deluded. And she didn’t discover that until Jim, her beloved father-in-law, died. She found herself drying off from her shower the morning after his death, really hoping that he couldn’t see her naked. Or, if he could, that he was averting his eyes.

From that moment, Kelly's path through grief resembled a roller coaster, spiraling and twisting and turning, circling back around. Echoes of past trauma, including childhood abuse and cheating death, would no longer be ignored. She somehow needed to get from the beginning to the end of this grief adventure, and she doesn't have a good sense of direction.

But what is always present during a journey through grief, regardless of the path chosen?

Hope.

Caskets From Costco is a funny book about grief that demonstrates the certainty of hope and healing in an uncertain and painful world.

Bio:

Kelly Wilson is a Portland, Oregon author and comedian who continues to sweat through writing conferences of all kinds. She is the author of Live Cheap & Free, Don’t Punch People in the Junk, and Caskets From Costco, along with numerous articles and short stories for children and adults. Kelly Wilson currently writes for a living and lives with her Magically Delicious husband, junk-punching children, dog, and cat, with a stereotypical minivan in the garage. Read more about her at www.wilsonwrites.com.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre - Memoir, Humor

Rating – PG-13

More details about the author

Connect with Kelly Wilson on Facebook & Twitter

#ReviewShare #BookReview #Horror - Imaginary Friend by Troy McCombs @sonne3

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 09:00:00 +0000

Imaginary Friend by Troy McCombs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you love being surprised, this is a book for you. I must mention that despite the fact that this touches on child abuse, it is no way meant to be read by anyone who is younger than 18. There are some very strong themes of violence, bloody scenes and some younger readers may find this too much to digest.

To start, you have the old cat man’s usual rant. Guessed it yet? Sure, you have. The book cover. It’s black. It’s tacky and it despite its best effort to create an imagery of Max, all I got was, no. Knocking three images together does not make a good cover. I like the idea of it but presentation did nothing for me. Would I pick up this book based on the cover alone? No. Which is a pity because this was a fantastic read.

The mystery of Nathan’s imaginary friend and the way it was unfolded really appealed to me. The author’s writing style was easy to connect with. Overall story progression and plot was good, made more interesting by side characters Nathan meets along the way.

Disclosure - As a Quality Reads UK Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for my book review. This book review is based on my thoughts, opinion and understanding of the book. This book review does not reflect the opinion of other book club members.

View all my reviews

Amanda Lee on Querying Publishers & Mistakes to Stay Away From @GayleTrent #AmWriting #WriteTip

noreply@blogger.com (Quality Reads UK) — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 07:00:00 +0000

1) Don’t study your markets.

You wouldn’t choose a babysitter you know nothing about. You wouldn’t choose a bank that was housed in a tent on the side of the road. Why would you throw your manuscript to every publisher you can find without first knowing that publisher’s reputation, contract terms, and specialty?

2) Once you know your markets, ignore the rules.

Go ahead and submit your horror novel to Harlequin. There’s no romantic subplot at all, but, hey, they need to learn to branch out, right? Your book is so good that it transcends things like genre.

3) Begin your query letter with, “I know this isn’t the type of stuff you usually publish, but—“

When I was acquiring manuscripts for a small press, I actually got a query letter that began with those very words. When, out of the goodness of my heart, I wrote the writer a very nice letter explaining why he should only submit his manuscripts to editors whose houses do publish the type of work he was trying to sell, he wrote me a scathing reply. Even if he’d later written something that we’d have loved, I wouldn’t have considered it because he’d burned his bridge.

4) Burn bridges.

Only be nice to important people, because no one will ever get promoted or demoted in this business. Besides, it takes so much effort to be nice! When someone gives you helpful advice, throw it back in their faces, especially editors. How dare they criticize an expert like you? They’re not really trying to help you make your manuscript better anyway; they just like being mean.

5) Follow up…every few hours.

What parent hasn’t ridden in a car with a child and delighted in hearing Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Editors feel an affectionate glee for writers who constantly ask, “Did you get my manuscript? Have you had time to look it over yet? Do you like it? Are you considering it for publication?” Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? If said editor finally does get back to you with suggested revisions, see Number 4.

Embroidery shop owner Marcy Singer is about to have the rug pulled out from under her....

Marcy can’t wait to see the new exhibit at the Tallulah Falls museum on antique tapestries and textiles, including beautiful kilim rugs. But her enthusiasm quickly turns to terror when, the day after the exhibition opens, she discovers a dead body behind her store, the Seven-Year Stitch, wrapped up in a most unusual fashion.

The victim appears to be a visiting art professor in town for the exhibit. Did someone decide to teach the professor a lesson, then attempt to sweep the evidence under the rug? Along with her boyfriend, Detective Ted Nash, Marcy must unravel an intricate tapestry of deception to find a desperate killer.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Cozy Mystery

Rating – PG

More details about the author

Connect with Amanda Lee on Facebook

Website http://www.gayletrent.com

Christopher Mannino on What Inspired "School of Deaths" @Ctmannino #YA #Fantasy #GoodReads

noreply@blogger.com (Quality Reads UK) — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 07:00:00 +0000

What Inspired Me to Write My Book

The idea for SCHOOL OF DEATHS emerged when I was finishing my graduate degree at Oxford University. I spent four months abroad, far from everyone I knew. Every week, I traveled somewhere I had never been before. I would climb castle ruins in Wales and visit cathedrals in England. One of my favorite trips was to Tintagel Castle in Cornwall. After misjudging the time it’d take to get there, I became stranded. The tourist office was closed, and I couldn’t find a hostel. I walked from pub to pub asking if I could sleep above their bar.

The next morning, having slept none, since I’d found a room over a noisy pub, I crept to Barras Nose before dawn. Barras Nose is a stone peninsula, or rocky outcropping jutting into the Celtic Sea, just north of Tintagel. Tintagel itself is a small island with castle ruins on its cliffs. Some believe it to be the birthplace of King Arthur. When I reached Barras Nose, the winds howled so fiercely that I had to crawl on all fours to keep from being blown into the ocean below. Then dawn broke. No other humans were in sight. I struggled to keep my balance, but watched the sun rise on the ruins of the ancient castle, listening to the thunder of waves pounding the fifty foot cliffs I clung to. Wind battered me with ferocity, and I imagined a character being buffeted by winds, completely alone. I envisioned Suzie, alone in a world of men, buffeted by sexism.

Thirteen-year-old Suzie Sarnio always believed the Grim Reaper was a fairy tale image of a skeleton with a scythe. Now, forced to enter the College of Deaths, she finds herself training to bring souls from the Living World to the Hereafter. The task is demanding enough, but as the only female in the all-male College, she quickly becomes a target. Attacked by both classmates and strangers, Suzie is alone in a world where even her teachers want her to fail.

Caught in the middle of a plot to overthrow the World of Deaths, Suzie must uncover the reason she’s been brought there: the first female Death in a million years.

Buy Now @ Amazon & Smashwords

Genre - YA Fantasy

Rating – PG

More details about the author

Connect with Christopher Mannino through Facebook & Twitter

Things You Didn't Know About @LoniFlowers #AmWriting #AmReading #Romance

noreply@blogger.com (Quality Reads UK) — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 08:00:00 +0000

Things You Didn’t Know About Author Loni Flowers

What is it about me that you probably don't know already? I'm a very open person, so I really had to dig deep for these.

I'm the only one in my family to have Asthma.
I grew up with severe asthma when I was a child, but every time I had an attack and my parents took me to the hospital, I was be fully recovered by the time we arrived. We could never show them proof asthma attacks. It turned out the calmness of the car ride was a good trick to relieving an attack. It wasn't until my teenage years that a car ride wouldn't fix my problems and I was finally able to prove to a doctor my lungs weren't "normal." And worse, the seasonal weather changes are usually the main cause of an attack. Sucks!

I'm allergic to most dogs and house dust.
Weird right?! When I was five, my mother became obsessed with birds. At one point we had 20 different types. I know that sounds like a zoo or something, but it never felt like we were "the crazy cat lady" type. Most were small birds, but we had a couple really large birds too. Among the asthma flare ups, I would also break out in hives around my eyes and they would spread all over my body. My eyes would swell shut and itch like crazy. Test results confirmed I was allergic to dogs and house dust. This basically included any animal that didn't have hair similar to a human (like a Poodle or a Yorkie). I could still pet them and be around them, but I always had to wash my hands afterwards or else the eyes would swell shut and hives would spread. Fun times! We ended up getting rid of all of the birds but a few.
I had plastic surgery on my ears when I was about 7 years old.
Yep, cosmetic surgery to be exact. My ears stuck out like Dumbo the flying Elephant. Go ahead. Laugh. I know you want to, and it’s alright. It is funny...now. But even in elementary school, children are cruel and I was picked on for it. So my parents took me to a wonderful doctor, William P. Magee Jr. who had just started a charity while I was in his care. You may have heard of it: Operation Smile. Their charity has done more than 200,000 free surgeries for children and young adults who suffer from cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities. So I pretty much got worked on by a rock star surgeon and have the best, most beautiful ears ever!
I competed professionally in horse shows when I was about 10 years old.
My family are animal lovers, if you can't already tell from the previous facts. At one point in my childhood, we owned seven horse. They are loving, friendly, beautiful animals. I was a natural, or so my parents and trainer said, when it came to riding and the ease of the sport allowed me to compete effortlessly in Equestrian riding. I entered basic classes, but I will never forget my first horse show. There were about twenty other competitors and all were adults except for about three children, including me. During one show you compete in three rounds and can win a ribbon and points for each round. Points are added up after the three rounds and a overall winner is names. I walked out of my first show with 2- first place ribbons and 1- second place ribbon earning me a Champion ribbon for my overall class. My mom was so excited and I was like, "What the heck does all this mean?!" I learned pretty quickly and by the time the showing season was over for the year, I earned Reserve Champion (2nd place overall) in point standing for the entire show year. Pretty awesome for a first-timer!

I know, I know. I’m so dang interesting it’s a bit hard to handle. Just kidding. I think most people find the whole ear surgery thing the most interesting. And despite my asthma and allergies, I will always have pets. I don’t ride horses anymore, but it was a part of my childhood I will always remember. I had so many great times when it was just me and my pony, Coco, enjoying a Big Mac and fries. Yes, she ate what I ate.

So that’s a bit about me. What is something not many people know about you? Please share!

Keep a low profile. That's what Abigale Peterson was supposed to do, especially when the person she was being protected from was one of the world's worst crime lords. After seven years in the Witness Protection Program, she felt no safer now than she did when she was seventeen. Revenge was rarely forgotten when it came to a professional criminal like Zerilli.

Low profiles meant no social life and definitely no love life.

Paranoia and lies became daily habits, going against everything Abigale believed in, but they kept her safe. They kept everyone safe.

Until a house fire puts her out of that safety and into the arms of a stranger. Max Smith is sexy, smart, and has major attitude. He’s the only one who seems to get her. He calms her fears and comforts her from her nightmares. But he also sees right through her lies.

Before Abigale can stop, she’s in too deep; confiding too much and breaking the one rule she promised herself to uphold: Never fall in love.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Contemporary Romance

Rating – R

More details about the author

Connect with Loni Flowers through Facebook & Twitter

SHADOW JOURNEY #Excerpt : A Mrs. Blackstone Story by S.D. O'Donnell @sdodonnell #AmReading

noreply@blogger.com (Quality Reads UK) — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 06:30:00 +0000

I sit in the gazebo, alone. No cup of tea. No neighborly conversation to help fill the silence. Haunted by 85 years worth of musings, I watch the sun set and feel my age.

A November breeze kicks fallen leaves across the hillside and I’m happy I have on a heavy shirt since I’ve forgotten my shawl. I brush tears off my cheek before the wind can chill them.

Today is an anniversary. Not a good one but one that has come and gone 35 times. Only a few are left who remember the significance of this date. Only I have ever known the truth of it.

The weight of that truth grows heavier the closer I get to my own end. Maybe some part of me feels guilt and wants the release of confession. More likely, the weight comes from vanity. I don’t want the most significant event in my life to never be known, even though I will never speak of it while alive.

The last rays of sunlight disappear behind the peaks as I reach a decision. I'll expose my secret on paper and leave it for my friends Saul and Jayne, the two people most likely to care when I’m gone. This way, they can remember the whole of who I was, the worst along with, I hope, the best.

Love ... Loss ... Secrets

A Haunting Psychological Read

She starts alone.

"I SIT IN THE GAZEBO, alone. No cup of tea. No neighborly conversation to help fill the silence. Haunted by 85 years worth of musings, I watch the sun set and feel my age."

She ends alone.

And exposes a closely-guarded secret of 35 years in between.

˃˃˃ Meet Mrs. Vera Blackstone

First introduced in the thriller Deadly Memories, she quickly became a well-loved character -- even though she isn't the main one. But you don't have to read Deadly Memories before you enjoy this novella.

˃˃˃ Warning

This story will make you think and stays with you long after the last word is read.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Short Fiction

Rating – PG-13

Connect with S.D. O'Donnell on Facebook & Twitter

Website www.sdodonnell.com

#ReviewShare #BookReview #SelfHelp - From Stress to Stillness: Tools for Inner Peace by @GinaLake

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 13:30:00 +0000

From Stress to Stillness: Tools for Inner Peace by Gina Lake
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

From Stress to Stillness is a first step in a learning journey about the stress that we manufacture in our own minds. Gina Lake shares her words of wisdom gently and without pretension, leading the reader gently to a sense of empowerment and control.

Creating an awareness of the personal dangers of stress is the first—and most important—piece of this book that drew me in. Gaining an understanding that negative thoughts and worries were my own will helped me open up the the messages of From Stress to Stillness. Lake effectively breaks through the defensive moment when most people decide that stress is outside of their control or just something they have learned to deal with. Realizing that stress “undermines happiness, effectiveness, and relationships” as well as health, and that stress begins when we believe our thoughts are more important than they are was enough to truly strike a chord with me.

From Stress to Stillness succeeds in teaching the reader to know when to disconnect from harmful and negative thinking, and how to reprogram their thinking to remove themselves from negative stress-driven behaviors. Although gaining increased consciousness and awareness is a challenging task, Lake thoughtfully draws from common human experience to keep the reader engaged in finding their own meaningful connection to the book.

Lake creates a place for the reader where they may come to understand things about their inner voice and ego, encouraging mindfulness about the way we think. She is not the first person to help readers understand that they are not their inner voice, or that we can overcome and better cope with the negativity our inner voice creates for us, but her methods are different, and simply wonderful. From Stress to Stillness does not judge or over philosophize, but creates a perfectly relatable learning space within the page for readers of any type.

Disclosure - As a Quality Reads UK Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for my book review. This book review is based on my thoughts, opinion and understanding of the book. This book review does not reflect the opinion of other book club members.

View all my reviews

#ReviewShare #BookReview #Poetry - The Poetic Art of Seduction by @ClarissaClemens

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 19:00:00 +0000

The Poetic Art of Seduction: Erotic Poetry Collection by Clarissa O. Clemens
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Everyday is Valentine’s day with a collection like this. The words flowed like silk and almost every poem was something I could imagine. Where technique is concerned, the old cat man does recommend it for poetry lovers who appreciate the sensual theme. The author makes it a point to communicate honestly, raw emotions are visible in every stanza while the reader is gently whisked away to a state of pleasure in body, mind and soul.

It’s a good book, correct? Yes. I’ve made that very clear and I will say it again I loved the way the poems were written. Now, here’s the big BUT. My usual rant is about to commence about book covers. Why black? This was a point of curiosity from more than one reader I knew. The poems were about passion, love, seduction … which are introduced with a big chunk of black. Then, there was the text on the cover. Without a magnifying glass or reading glasses, if anyone can clearly read what it says from the second line onwards, I am in awe of you. Because try as I might, from the cover, I can’t even read the author’s name.

The other thing that significantly bothered quite a few of us were the pictures used in the book. I’m certain not all the images were taken by the author or are of the author and yet no source, photographer or site name is cited. This is definitely something I think the author should look into fixing to avoid any confusion later on. Were the pictures used with permission? Were there stock images? Too many questions.

In a nutshell, the cat man more than liked this book and thinks where the writing is concerned, it definitely deserves your time.

Disclosure - As a Quality Reads UK Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for my book review. This book review is based on my thoughts, opinion and understanding of the book. This book review does not reflect the opinion of other book club members.

View all my reviews

Cheryl Rice on What Inspired Her to Write Her Book @RiceonLife #AmWriting #SelfPub #Memoir

noreply@blogger.com (Quality Reads UK) — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 06:00:00 +0000

What Inspired Me to Write My Book

One life changing event and three simultaneous inner urgings inspired me to write my book, Where Have I Been All My Life? A Journey Toward Love and Wholeness.

The life altering event was the swift, merciless death of my mother – who happened to also be my best friend – when she was an otherwise robust and healthy 68 years old and I was 45. I was completely unprepared for life without her. Her death broke me open in unprecedented, yet ultimately life-affirming, ways.

While I was mired in grief, and playing all sorts of grief games in an effort to stay connected with her, I also felt compelled to live more boldly, authentically and vibrantly than I ever had before. Even though I had always prided myself on living with intention and enjoyed setting and reaching challenging goals, there were a few dreams, like writing a book, that I had been too scared and overwhelmed to tackle. But in the wake of my mom’s death there was no time for just thinking about “tomorrow” or relegating my long buried dream to “someday.” My someday was now.

The second thing that inspired me to write my book was a deep, intrinsic desire to produce something that would outlive me. While I had two wonderful stepchildren and a puppy I treated as my baby, I hadn’t yet truly offered the world something tangible that would endure. And now I had a fierce longing to give creative birth to something that would speak for me when I was gone – something that would be part of my legacy.

The third thread of inspiration for my book came from a yearning to find and validate my own voice. Ironically, as a professional leadership and life coach I was comfortable and competent helping others, especially women, claim and cultivate their own voice yet I had been remiss in doing the same for myself. Coming from a family of writers (but never identifying as one myself), I always knew that writing was a wonderful way of clarifying and cleansing one’s thoughts, but beyond penning some bad adolescent poetry and keeping journals episodically throughout my life, I never took myself or my writing seriously. That changed once my mother died, my heart broke, and my time and need for self-inquiry and validation burst forth.

Lastly, I had a strong desire to reach out and connect with other people, women in particular, who were struggling with similar issues. Issues like self-acceptance, using longing as a substitute for loving, and overcoming the loss of a loved one. Reading books, especially stories of personal resilience written by women, had always been a comfort and balm to me. Through the brave and honest stories of other women I found strength, companionship and validation. My loneliness or isolation would lift, even for a bit, and my fortitude and hopefulness would be reignited. Also, since I adore championing women, writing a book felt like a natural and necessary vehicle to connect with them on both a deeper and broader level and to inspire those who are on a similar journey toward love and self-acceptance.

Where Have I Been All My Life? is a compelling memoir recounting one woman’s journey through grief and a profound feeling of unworthiness to wholeness and healing. It begins with the chillingly sudden death of Rice’s mother, and is followed by her foray into the center of mourning.

With wisdom, grace, and humor, Rice recounts the grief games she plays in an effort to resurrect her mother; her efforts to get her therapist, who she falls desperately in love with, to run away with her; and the transformation of her husband from fantasy man to ordinary guy to superhero. In the process, she experiences aching revelations about her family and her past—and realizes what she must leave behind, and what she can carry forward with her.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Memoir

Rating – PG-13

More details about the author

Connect with Cheryl Rice through Facebook & Twitter

Website www.yourvoiceyourvision.com

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Kari Nichols @TheKariNichols #AmReading #HistFic #Fantasy

noreply@blogger.com (Quality Reads UK) — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 09:00:00 +0000

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Kari Nichols

My name is Kari Nichols, and here are ten think about me that you probably didn’t know!

I’m a massive sports fan. Even though I spend the majority of my time reading, writing, taking photos, and creating art, I absolutely love sports. Whether it’s NFL, NBA, NHL, or the Olympics, I’m a huge fan. My favorite sports to watch are NFL and NBA. And I’m actually in a fantasy football league with my husband every fall!
I was homeschooled for ten years. From first grade all the way through tenth grade, I was a homeschooler. Now, I wasn’t the kind of homeschooler that has zero social interactions and can’t function in society. My parents were very proactive about getting us involved in lots of activities. We were a part of a co-op, an athletic league, and various groups to make sure we were exposed to all kinds of social interactions.
I’ve traveled to sixteen countries. Traveling is one of my passions, and I have a list of about two hundred places I desperately want to visit over the course of my life. My favorite countries so far are Italy, France, Ireland, Swaziland and Thailand. Hopefully I’ll be able to add more countries to my list soon!
I’m obsessed with lists. It’s a little over-the-top at times. I’m so addicted to crossing things off my to-do list that sometimes, at the end of the day, I’ll make a list of all the things I’ve done that day just so I can cross them off. Yeah. Obsessed.
I can read a good book six or eight times. I don’t know what to tell you, but if I really enjoy the book, I’ll read it over and over again until I’m sick of it. I think I’ve read Catch-22 four times, and it never gets old. I’m currently reading the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead for the fifth time. It’s just that good.
I grew up in the South and have worked very hard to get rid of my southern accent. You can still hear it when I say certain words, but I try my hardest to speak without an accent. I love to imitate other accents (and was recently told by a man from London that my British accent was better than his best friend’s!). But in everyday life, I try to keep the accents to a minimum.
I’m a professional wedding photographer. My husband and I opened Cottonwood Studios in 2007 and have photographed over one hundred fifty weddings since.
I’m the youngest of three sisters. This means I grew up with an actual mother and two sisters who also acted like mothers. We’re all great friends now, but let’s just say I had authority issues for a large part of my life. It’s a wonder that I work for myself now …
I love love love scavenger hunts. The greatest gifts I’ve ever received were gifts I had to find using clues. I don’t know why, but adore them.
I have two tattoos. I have a tattoo of orchids on my right shoulder blade and one of swallows flying on my right collar bone. And I have plans for many, many more.

“We stand united, Family of Immortals. Plagued by life. Cursed by the hand of God …”

Rogue was born into an immortal family whose wealth is marked by a trail of blood. But when he meets the unnervingly familiar assistant of his next target, an unexpected rush of emotions begins to unravel his carefully laid plans.

Lissie lives a mundane life filled with work … and little else. She hasn’t taken a risk since she moved to New York City after college—seven years ago. But when the mysterious Matthew McCloud walks through the door of her office, she finds herself diving head-first into a whirlwind romance she never saw coming.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre - Urban Fantasy, Contemporary Romance, Historical Romance

Rating – PG-13

More details about the author

Connect with Kari Nichols on Facebook & Twitter

Website http://karinichols.com/

The Blood Dynasty Chronicles #Excerpt by David L Dawson #Paranormal #Romance

noreply@blogger.com (Quality Reads UK) — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 07:00:00 +0000

She felt the tears staining her cheeks. “I don’t trust anybody. Not any more.”

“At least trust that I am human and that the vampires are bad.”

Ashlyn nodded. She knew at least that much, or was sure that vampires were the bad guys in this situation.

He held his gloved hand out towards her.

“Our ride will be arriving any minute,” vowed the man. “You’ll have one chance to come with me. My compatriots are holding out the stairs further down but we can’t afford to dally.”

Ashlyn felt her heart beating fast and her hands shaking. She was still in a white flimsy hospital gown and she felt that everything was closing in on her from all sides. The man was right, though. The vampires were bad. They were giving her as a slave to someone called Lord Sublime. Anything had to be better that that, including going off with someone who was most likely a terrorist. Or a freedom fighter, as she half suspected.

She took hold of his hand and smiled, showing her the confidence she had in him. His words moved her.

“What’s your name?” she asked him.

He saluted and said, “Union Jack.”

“Pleased to meet you, Union Jack.”

Excerpt 4

“Wake up,” someone whispered.

Ashlyn stirred in bed but kept her eyes closed. She’d just had the most terrible dream, but she was still sleepy. Surely she couldn’t have the same nightmare twice?

“Please wake up,” the voice pleaded once more. “You’ll get into trouble and I really don’t have time for this.”

“Harry?” Ashlyn mumbled.

She sat up in bed as a bucket of ice-cold water was thrown over her.

“Mom, what are you…”

The room wasn’t light pink with mirrors, posters and art prints. It was dark brown and the sole tiny window had bars on it. A stern looking woman with her arms crossed was standing by her bed. It reminded her of a nun’s cell from a documentary she’d watched on TV last year.

“Who are you?” Ashlyn asked.

“I am Dotrice,” said the wrinkled old woman. “You will get yourself dried and tidied up and then you will put on your uniform. Then I will show you around the house and allow you to get a handle on your duties.”

Ashlyn wiped the water from her eyes and said, “What duties?”

“Your duties as a slave of Lord Sublime,” said Dotrice.

Ashlyn staggered out of bed, finding herself in a damp white nightgown. Dotrice’s spindly fingers reached out and cupped her chin.

“You look confused,” she said.

“Where am I?” Ashlyn asked.

“You are in London at Sublime House,” said Dotrice.

“Who is Lord Sublime?”

Dotrice smiled. “You will meet him later. Get yourself dry and dressed and I will show you the house and tell you all you need to know.”

At that, the middle aged woman turned to leave.

“I will try to escape,” Ashlyn vowed.

Dotrice turned to face her and said, “You can escape if you want, but where would you go? Who would look after you?”

“I…”

“Your family died centuries ago. You have no friends and you cannot buy food if you haven’t an official stamp from a vampire family. You would just end up in the slums, starving to death. Is that what you want?”

Ashlyn hung her head, thinking about her family. They were all dead. Harry would’ve died from the cancer and her parents from old age. Even her friends would’ve had children and died a long time ago. She had nobody now.

“I miss my family,” she sobbed.

Epic paranormal romance with a dystopian twist!All 6 parts of the epic Blood Dynasty Chronicles in one super-sized boxset!

Ashlyn Fountain has woken from a thousand year sleep. Her family is dead. Her friends are dead. Her whole world is gone, replaced a new terrifying reality; a future ruled by vampires, where humans are viewed as cattle, and kept as slaves. She is sold into slavery and bought by the powerful Sublimes, a decadent vampire family ruled over by the charming Grey Sublime and his wicked wife, Catherine. Ashlyn resigns herself to her fate. What can she do but accept what is her life now?

Then she meets Jensen Sublime and Union Jack. Both are sexy, intriguing, and inject a little romance and mystery into her life. Who will ultimately win her heart – the handsome vampire, or the man who could free her from slavery for good?

The Blood Dynasty Chronicles is a bold new paranormal romance series, fusing the passion and romance of vampire fiction with the adventure and intrigue of dystopian adventures.

This boxset contains the following:
1. The Girl From Yesterday
2. The Streets Are Paved With Blood

3. Masks
4. Movie Night
5. New Whitby
6. The First Vampire

That’s over 180,000 words of vampires, romance and dystopia!

OUT NOW – “Shadow of the Snow Queen”, a Blood Dynasty Chronicles Christmas Special, featuring a long tale all about Ashlyn, and several short stories featuring the other characters.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre - Paranormal romance

Rating – PG-13

More details about the author

Connect with David L Dawson through Facebook

K S Ferguson Says, Authenticity is the Writer's Watch Word #AmWriting #UrbanFantasy #GoodReads

noreply@blogger.com (Quality Reads UK) — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 09:00:00 +0000

Authenticity is the writer's watch word. If you're describing a location like Chicago or Los Angeles, you'd better get the Starbucks at the right corner of the intersection. Intend to sink a nuclear sub? Make sure you mention all the right switches and buttons on the control panel. If you don't, readers will let you know that you screwed it up.

David Morrell, author of Rambo and over thirty other bestselling thriller novels knows this rule. That's why he's attended the FBI defensive driving course, knife-fighting school, and spent months learning to sail a boat.

Of course, David Morrell can afford to spend the time and money on research to ensure that his details are authentic. The rest of us merely mortal authors aim a little lower.

In my contemporary fantasy, Touching Madness, hapless hero River Madden is both schizophrenic and a dedicated pacifist. (Think about it—would you give a deadly weapon to someone who hallucinates?) But being a pacifist doesn't excuse River from facing physical danger.

River needs to 'get the goods' on a local mob boss and his drug lord supplier. He convinces the criminals to rendezvous with him in an abandoned factory under the pretext of making a drug buy. River's plans never go quite like he intends. I needed a contingency plan that would allow him to escape without turning to violence once things started to go wrong.

That's when I thought about smoke bombs (possibly because my brother got suspended from high school for a few days for lobbing one onto the football field at half-time). According to dozens of YouTube videos, they're dead simple to make, requiring only stump remover, newspaper, string, and an empty soda can. It was exactly the kind of home-made solution River would use. For the sake of authenticity, I thought I better try it out.

Really good smoke bombs aren't as simple as they seem. To get the necessary billowing clouds of smoke I wanted, I needed to get the air holes just right. And I needed a mass of bombs all going off at the same time. Fuses were an issue. Cotton string just isn't that flammable. Throwing them was a joke. I could barely get ignition when they were sitting on the ground in ideal conditions. In the end, I ditched the smoke bombs.

But all was not lost. I had a very authentic experience convincing the fire department and my neighbors that I was only a harmless writer and not a terrorist. I'm sure I'll use that conversation in a book someday.

Light bulbs talk to River Madden; God doesn't. When the homeless schizophrenic unintentionally fractures a dimensional barrier and accidentally steals a gym bag containing a million dollars, everyone from the multiverse police to the local crime boss—and an eight-foot tall demon—are after him. Can he dodge them long enough to correct his mistakes and prevent the destruction of three separate dimensions? If he succeeds, will the light bulbs stop singing off-key?

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Contemporary, Urban fantasy

Rating – R

More details about the author

Website http://www.ksferguson.net

Kate Bracy Shares Five Rules for Beginning Writers #WomensFic #AmWriting #IndieAuthors

noreply@blogger.com (Quality Reads UK) — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 06:30:00 +0000

Five Rules for Beginning Writers

If you are serious about writing – or anything else – you will at some point be asked to meet ridiculously ambitious deadlines. Here are five helpful rules that can keep you sane, yet productive, in the face of intimidating time targets.

Be honest. Tell the truth to yourself and your editor about what you can and cannot do. This is a gift to everyone. Let’s say your agent asks for the last five chapters by the end of the summer, and you are getting married in August. Do your marriage a favor and say, “I’m planning a wedding. I can get them to you by the end of September, but not by Labor Day.” Presumably, your agent will then tell you why that date was so important, and you can decide whether to cancel the wedding or the chapters. But making promises that you know you can’t keep is never good, and you’ll get a reputation for standing people up – either at the presses or at the altar.

Next, anticipate. Walk a project back and figure out exactly how much you have to write every day/week/etc. in order to meet the deadline. If you are writing a chapter for a medical text, and it is due in four months, figure out a writing schedule that gets you in well under the wire and then stick to it. I did this sort of math/planning for a book on Menopause that I wrote, and it saved my life. I was able to meet some pretty brutal deadlines writing only on my weekends. (I don’t recommend a demanding timeline that steals all your weekends, but it can be done.) Even if you’re the sort of person who thrives on the pressure of a deadline, let the little deadlines pressure you. That way, when you are in the home stretch, you will only procrastinate on the last few pages instead of the whole darn chapter – which results in much better writing and no ulcer.

Third, communicate. Stay in touch with your editor, agent or whoever is requesting the work. It keeps you on track, and helps reassure them and set the expectations as things go along. Building your relationship with them and establishing your reliability is based on trust. Keep them in the loop.

Fourth, admit what is impossible. If a writing assignment is too much for you, don’t take it. You will have many chances to write and to create work that you can be proud of. If something sounds like a big break, but you know it’s impossible, don’t put yourself – or your reputation – at risk by promising more than you can deliver. I quit a gig writing as a guide for About.com. I couldn’t meet their deadlines and do the writing I wanted, so I let it go – even though it paid pretty well. I hope someone else is rocking that assignment, but if I had kept doing that I wouldn’t have been able to write my novel. When you are in it for the long run, don’t make short-run crazy-making decisions.

Finally, quality matters most. If you know you can improve a piece exponentially by having it another couple of days, talk to your editor. Even if you have to send the lesser version in, ask for an extension if you know you want it to be better and can do it. Your text and your byline will be “out there” and available for a long time. Others will be looking at it to judge your credibility and maybe to hire you/sign you for other things. Make sure it is your best work. Chances are, your editor wants that, too.

Once in a while, you may mis-guess how long a project will take. But some careful attention to deadlines – well in advance – will save your sanity and their bottom line. Don’t be too hard on yourself – you may overshoot now and then.

But mostly you won’t.

Winner of four independent publishing awards, including the IndieReader Discovery Award in Women's Fiction, this debut novel hits the mark for smart, discerning readers.

There's nothing about her life that doesn't need a little work, so Melanie Davis thinks of herself as a "fixer-upper." Her history with men leaves her gun shy; her teenaged daughter can't string two civil words together; her best friend Donna just found out she has a life-threatening illness. When Donna also reveals a decades-old secret that still haunts her, Melanie makes it her mission to solve the mystery and reunite Donna with a precious link to her past - before it's too late.

Along the way Melanie discovers with startling clarity the pricelessness of love and friendship. With a finely-tuned emotional compass, Kate Bracy carries us through a trial-by-illness as funny as it is touching. Her narrator, Melanie, comes to realize the enduring power of love - between men and women, between mothers and daughters, between friends. Through her vivid, endearing characters Bracy creates a small-town world in northern New York where old loves rekindle, friendships prevail, and secret wounds are finally healed. This debut novel will leave you with an awakened heart and a strong urge to send postcards to all the people you love.

Buy Now @ Amazon & Smashwords

Genre - Women's Fiction

Rating – PG-13

More details about the author

Connect with Kate Bracy through Facebook

Website http://www.katebracy.com/

ANNA'S SECRET by @MargaretWestlie #AmReading #HistFic #Mystery

noreply@blogger.com (Quality Reads UK) — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 19:30:00 +0000

Ian fell silent and thought back over the years of backbreaking toil that had gone into clearing the land. Poppa and I worked side by side until one day Poppa sat down on a stump and said, "I cannot do this anymore," and died. After that I married Belle. She was a pretty fragile girl who wasn't able to work in the fields. She wasn't able to do much more than keep a clean house. Oh, but she was pretty and sweet, and wonderful to come home to. His heart yearned momentarily for a return to the days with Belle. Life was so easy then. At least until the baby wouldn't come, and now the two of them are lying in the same casket, the baby's bones still nestled in the curve of its mother's bones, never born.

"Come in then, dinner's on the table." Mary's voice through the open door interrupted the melancholy flow of his thoughts.

"Sit in to your usual place, Ian," said Mary. "I'll just pour the tea."

Angus pulled the extra chair from behind the stove and placed it for himself and left the stool for Mary.

Mary poured the tea and passed the cups, then settled herself comfortably on her little stool. "Angus, will you return thanks?"

They bowed their heads and Angus began a long prayer of intercession, thanks and apology. The food steamed and cooled in the serving dishes as Angus strolled on through his list of requests. Ian's stomach rumbled and his mouth watered. He swallowed hard. Angus paused to collect his thoughts and mentally review his petitions. "Oh, Lord," he began, then paused again.

"Amen," chirped Mary into the brief silence, a sparkle of mischief in her eyes. "That was a fine prayer, Angus. Pass Ian the potatoes. It's a shame Donald wouldn't join us today."

Ian spooned a generous helping of mashed potatoes onto his plate. "He was invited. He didn't even come to church as he said he would."

"Och, well, maybe something came up that he had to attend to," soothed Mary. "He's always been a responsible lad." She passed Ian the platter of chicken. "See, it roasted up well. It's so tender it's falling off the bones."

"It's a miracle then," Ian helped himself to a thigh. "The squawking and complaining that was coming out of the poor beast when Donald was butchering it, I was afraid it'd be like shoe leather."

"Well, it isn't. It roasted up just fine." Mary helped herself to the vegetables then passed them to Angus. "So, are you all snug for the winter yet?”

"Not yet," said Ian around a mouthful of potatoes and gravy. He swallowed, then said more clearly, "I was just thinking this morning that the banking isn't done and the storm windows aren't on and the storm doors need repair, and I don't know when I'm going to get to it all." He poured his steaming tea into his saucer to cool, then lifting it with his characteristic three-fingered grip, sipped noisily.

"Anna'd be ashamed of the house too. I'm sorry that I've had to let it go so. There's dust in the corners and the dishes are still there since the day before yesterday. Donald won't do them and I was so tired yesterday that I just didn't do them." He looked around Mary's tidy kitchen. The curtains were bright and fresh, the floor was swept, the wood box was filled to overflowing and there wasn't a speck of dust anywhere. Anna's kitchen used to look like this, he thought.

"I've been thinking," said Mary. "There's a few of us ladies who haven't a lot to do these days. If it wouldn't offend you, we could come over some day this week and do the fall housecleaning for you."

A ray of hope leaped into Ian's eyes. "Would you? I'm afraid I've not been able to keep up with the housekeeping too."

"What do you have over there for cleaning supplies?"

Ian's face fell. "I don't know. Anna took care of all that."

"Never mind then, we'll just bring it all."

Anna Gillis, the midwife and neighbour in Mattie's Story, has been found killed. The close-knit community is deeply shaken by this eruption of violence, and neighbours come together to help one another and to discover the perpetrator. But the answer lies Anna's secret, long guarded by Old Annie, the last of the original Selkirk Settlers, and the protagonist of An Irregular Marriage. Join the community! Read Anna's Secret and other novels by Margaret A. Westlie.

Buy Now @ Amazon & Smashwords

Genre – Fiction, mystery, historical

Rating – G

More details about the author

Connect with Margaret Westlie on Facebook & Twitter

Website http://www.margaretwestlie.com

Madi Brown on Book Covers and Cover Designers @Madithe1brown #AmWriting #WriteTip #SelfPub

noreply@blogger.com (Quality Reads UK) — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 07:30:00 +0000

Why Book Covers Are So Important

Unless you don't have eyes, people are visual. If there's a handsome guy sitting across from me during my daily commute on the train, I'm going to look. If I'm away on vacation, I'm going to appreciate the beautiful sights around me, because I know that I'm there to relax. If my mom bakes one of her yummy peach cobblers, I'm going to feast on it with my eyes first, and then I'm going to devour it. In the world of books, book covers work in the same way. There are probably millions of them out there, but most readers are only looking for one title. Just think, your book cover is going to be the very first thing that a buyer will see. If you're suddenly feeling the pressure of of just how important a book cover really might be, then continue to read on.

“I've penned a stellar novel. People are going to love me once they read what I've written.” Plenty of authors are probably thinking the exact same thing. But how are you going to let people know about this stellar body of work that you've just created? I'll tell you how. You're going to have a fabulous book cover that will make your book stand out from the rest. And don’t worry, I get it. Writers aren't book designers, but here's where you bring in someone to help with bringing your vision to life. Outsourcing can be your new best friend.

How to Find a Book Cover Designer That Fits Your Needs

I'm pretty infatuated with the book cover for my debut novel, The Truth About Emily, but it wasn't a one step process of knowing what I wanted straight away. It started with me doing research. Think about your storyline or nonfiction topic. Jot down some ideas so that you have a place of reference to pull from. Do you have a title already? Great. If you do, then keep that in mind too, because it's another source. Now go online and begin looking at other people's book covers. Are they popular authors? Ask yourself what it is, if anything, that's drawing your eyes to it. How do you feel about the colors, the images, the font style, and the font size? Also, check out some of the books that you've previously purchased; specifically on the strength of its book cover. What caused you to click on buying it? Next up, what you want to do, is take all of that information and keep it somewhere safe. We'll come back to it.

Now you'll need to find yourself a competent book cover designer. Fiverr (an online company that will do almost any task for you for $5.00) has loads of people on there who can assist you for a bargain, but just remember that most of those people specialize in quantity over quality. By this, I mean that you might end up with a book cover identical to someone else or it may have an appearance that looks manufactured. This isn’t to say that there aren’t some gems on there, but you'll have to diligently seek them out. As for myself, I chose to go with a freelancer. I was drawn to the element of selection in having access to a host of talented designers with exceptional portfolios and being able to make a choice based on a price that I’ve set. My final winning pick was Gavin Pledger, Creative Soutions King).

By now ,you’ve found yourself a book cover designer (as far as the work contract is concerned, make sure that you add in how many times they’re willing to revise. Negotiate a flat fee). The first thing that they’ll want to know is what creative direction you’d like them to go in. This is when you whip out the notes that you’ve been compiling for your project. It’s your starting point. Don't be afraid to let them know what works for you, and what doesn’t. A really good book cover designer will be as excited as you are in getting right!

"If you LOVE New York, if you’re a name-dropping, fashion fiend careerist; fed up with serial dating, plagued with a thirst for sex, then you’ll totally stalk me for what I've penned.” - Author, Madi Brown

Description

29-year-old Emily Greene looks the part, but she’s still working on becoming a modern-day woman. Not that she’s one to back down from a challenge, but living as an eternal work-in-progress wasn't exactly the goal that she had in mind. It’s a harsh but true realization---the idea that that time isn't on her side, and the notion that wanting to have it all, doesn't mean getting it. The verdict is in; with zero prospects for a relationship and a stalled blogging career, Emily has every reason to believe that she’s been living a life too humdrum for her own good.

Making the change won’t be easy. She’ll have to do whatever it takes; start dating like a man, become more selective about which RSVP's she accepts, and work even harder at getting her dream job.The payoff’s huge; a modern twist on a storybook ending, but gains don’t often come without risks. In the here and now Emily just may be forced to choose...It’s got to be one or the other----the profession that she’s always wanted, or the love that she’s never had.

˃˃˃ Praise for Madi Brown &

her debut novel, The Truth About Emily

"The added depth of character promises complexity but wraps everything in the saucy cloak of Emily's evolving personality and newfound beliefs about life, love, and the real nature of happiness. And this is where The Truth About Emily outshines many competitors, making it a recommended read for those seeking more than a standard romance novel." - D. Donovan, eBook Reviewer, Midwest Book Reviews

"This book has just about anything a girl would love to read about. If there's anything Emily Greene has is ISH and lots of it, oh the ending... This book is a total keeper, just anything about fashion to relationships to friends and family." - Y. Sanchez, Goodreads

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Contemporary Women's Fiction

Rating – PG18

More details about the author

Connect with Madi Brown on Facebook & Twitter

#ReviewShare #BookReview #YA - Devolution by @PeterClenott

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 17:30:00 +0000

Devolution by Peter Clenott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was an unusual story with unusual characters. It’s like an older version of Tarzan filled with mystery and drama. Chiku is an endearing character that many teenagers will be able to relate to. Overcoming obstacles and soul searching would be the best two ways to describe this book.

Chiku goes in search of her missing father. Seems normal right? Here’s the twist. She was also raised by chimps. Her second family follows her on an adventure of a lifetime, albeit dangerous adventure and the reader is presented with a story that will stay in their minds for a long time.

In Devolution, Peter Clenott skillfully uses drama, humor, adventure to relate the story of Chiku, the plot is reader friendly and character development consistently sparks reader interaction.

One of the most endearing scenes is when Chiku announces her decision to stay because “the chimpanzees need me.” I thought this was mighty mature of a teenager to put her needs ahead of others. A story that was both informative and intelligent. Must read.

Disclosure - As a Quality Reads UK Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for my book review. This book review is based on my thoughts, opinion and understanding of the book. This book review does not reflect the opinion of other book club members.

View all my reviews

#ReviewShare #BookReview #LegalDrama - Malpractice! by William Louis Harvey @sexandlawnovel

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 16:30:00 +0000

Malpractice! the novel by William Louis Harvey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The first chapter usually dictates the overall tone of the book and Malpractice by William Louis Harvey was no different. It captured my interest and based on the author’s writing style, I knew I wanted to read more. However, as the book progressed there were numerous minor editing errors that distracted me and what would have been a quick read turned out to be much longer.

As I neared the end, we were given newer edited version which was significantly better but I had struggled through the first 80% and so I kept going. An operation to save a child becomes the focus of malpractice lawsuit and the author uses this as a hook for the rest of his story.

Characters are believable, the plot interesting and the main story has a firm foundation in the book. I did not have issues with the steamy sex scenes but it must be noted to readers that the plot was sometimes overshadowed by lust.

Disclosure - As a Quality Reads UK Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for my book review. This book review is based on my thoughts, opinion and understanding of the book. This book review does not reflect the opinion of other book club members.

View all my reviews

#ReviewShare #BookReview #Thriller - Lethal Journey by @KimCresswell

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 15:30:00 +0000

Lethal Journey by Kim Cresswell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you haven’t read any of Kim Cresswell’s book, you’re definitely missing out. This is the second book I am reading by her and she definitely has a talent for twisting your mind. Lauren Taylor starts out as a force to be reckoned with but as she becomes involved in a murder conspiracy so personal, you see the vulnerable sides of her which is of course where the chemistry kicks in.

We had continual debates on how much romance a thriller should have? I think this book had the right balance but as the genre is thriller, some readers may expect that the romance is minimal. For this reader, it worked and I liked it.

I read Reflection by Kim Cresswell and between the two, this is definitely my new favourite by the same author. She’s definitely set a standard for what thrillers are about.

Disclosure - As a Quality Reads UK Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for my book review. This book review is based on my thoughts, opinion and understanding of the book. This book review does not reflect the opinion of other book club members.

View all my reviews

FORTY 2 DAYS (The Billionaire Banker) by @GeorgiaLeCarre #Erotica #Romance #MustRead

noreply@blogger.com (Quality Reads UK) — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 10:30:00 +0000

Billie is right. My position is untenable. In his eyes I must be the worst kind of slut. Ahead lies only more misunderstanding and pain for both of us. The pain has already begun, a physical ache. It fills my chest. I can never tell him the truth. In his mind I will always be his bad romance. Lady Gaga singing, ‘I want your ugly. I want your disease.’

‘I’m sorry, but I had to sign a non-disclosure agreement,’ I say, with the full knowledge that without the truth he will always despise me. I lean back in my chair feeling soiled. I will never again be clean in his eyes. And there is not a damn thing I can do about it. The waiter returns with more whiskey.

‘I know you’re angry but—’

‘Shut the fuck up. You have no idea,’ he grates through gritted teeth.

I close my mouth. I have never seen him so openly angry. He is always so controlled, so smooth. Even when he was once angry with someone on the phone his fury was so tightly leashed, so frighteningly quiet that I stood stock still behind the door listening.

He shoots his whiskey aggressively, and turning the empty glass on its edge rolls it on the tablecloth. ‘Do you want more food?’

I shake my head miserably. This is turning out to be nothing like I imagined.

A muscle in his jaw twitches. He calls for the bill.

Someone in a suit comes rushing to his side. ‘Is anything the matter?’ he enquires worriedly.

‘Everything is fine.’ He looks at me hard and deep.

‘But your main course…’

Blake does not take his eyes off me. ‘I have unfinished business to take care of, Anton.’

I flush badly and Anton slips away with impressive speed from that which has nothing to do with him. Another waiter, his face schooled into impassive professionalism, comes bearing the bill. Blake signs for it, unfolds himself out of his chair and comes to stand by me. I get to my feet and he leads me out of the restaurant. We do not touch except for his hand splayed on the small of my back. Possessive, the way only a husband’s hand should be.

Not a word is spoken by either of us in the car, but every cell in my body is responding to his nearness. My desire for him is such that my hands are clenched tight against my thighs and my sex is actually throbbing. In fact, the need is so excessive it is almost violent. I sneak a look at him. He is staring ahead, the chiseled cheekbones like stone, but that muscle in his throat is ticking like a time bomb. I know that tick. It tells me what he cannot, how hard and deep he wants to fuck me. He is well and truly snared inside his bad romance.

‘What happened to all the clothes I left behind?’ I ask in the lift.

‘You enquire about last season’s fashions? What about the people you left behind, Lana? Why don’t you enquire about them? Me for instance.’

‘How have you been, Blake?’

‘You’re just about to find out,’ he replies with a nasty grin.

Beyond the seductive power of immense wealth lies… Dark Secrets

Devastatingly handsome billionaire, Blake Law Barrington was Lana Blooms first and only love. From the moment they touched his power was overwhelming. Their arrangement quickly developed into a passionate romance that captivated her heart and took her on an incredible sexual journey she never wanted to end.

The future together looked bright until Lana made a terrible mistake. So, she did the only thing she could… she ran.

Away from her incredible life, away from the man of her dreams, but she should have known a man such as Blake Law Barrington was impossible to escape. Now, he’s back in her life and determined that she should taste the bitterness of his pain.

Shocked at how rough the sex has become and humiliated that she is actually participating so willingly in her punishment, she despairs if she will ever feel the warmth of his touch–the solidity of his trust again? And even if she can win his trust, loyalties are yet to be decided, and secrets to be revealed–secrets that will test them both to their limits.

Will Lana be able to tear down the walls that surround Blake’s heart, and break him free of the brutal power of immense wealth?

Can Blake hold on to Lana’s heart when she discovers the enormity of the dark secrets that inhabit the Barrington family?

Lana has always believed that love conquers all. She is about to test that belief…

Buy @ Amazon

Genre – Erotic Romance

Rating – PG-18

More details about the author

Connect with Georgia Le Carre on Facebook & Twitter