Spotlight feature of Elisabeth Naughton’s Stolen Chances

Stolen Chances (1)

Pre-order HERE

Nine years ago, Archaeologist Maren Hudson lost everything when a member of her team was killed during a routine dive. Now she’s been drawn back to Mexico and the career she walked away from in order to protect the most precious thing in the world: her daughter.

One desperate phone call brings salvage expert Thad Leighton back to Mexico. For his murdered brother, he’s ready to settle the score, but one look at Maren and everything changes. Years may have passed, but she’s still as mesmerizing as she once was, and a few days on site together have him questioning his priorities and why the hell he walked away from her so long ago.

Sparks between them reignite, but Thad knows Maren is holding something back. Thrust together in the middle of the sweltering Yucatan, Thad is more than willing to strip away her layers. But while the truth might offer the second chance he’s been searching for, forgiveness may be as elusive as the relic they’re both hunting. Because when Thad unearths Maren’s biggest secret and discovers who she’s really working for, suddenly it’s not just about a life that was stolen from both of them, it’s about staying alive and outwitting a madman who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

 

 

 

 

Stolen Chances Blog Tour Banner

 

 

Elisabeth-200x300 (1)Author’s Bio
I was never one of those people who knew they wanted to be an author at the age of six. I didn’t have imaginary friends. I didn’t write stories in my journal or entertain my relatives by firelight after Thanksgiving dinner. For the most part, I was just a normal, everyday kid. I liked to read, but I wasn’t exceptional at it. And when my teachers complimented me on my writing abilities, I brushed them off. I did, however, always have a penchant for the unique and absurd. And as my mother told me all throughout my childhood, I should have been an actress—I was a drama queen before my time.

Years ago, my husband bought me Scarlett: The Sequel to Gone With The Wind. If you ever saw the book, you know it’s a long one. I sat and read that thing from cover to cover, and dreamed of one day being a writer. But I didn’t actually try my hand at writing until years later when I quit my teaching job to stay home with my kids. And my husband? After that week of reading where I neglected him and everything else until I finished Scarlett, he vowed never to buy me another book again. Little did he know I’d one day end up sitting at a keyboard all day drafting my own stories.

My writing journey has not been easy. I didn’t just sit down one day, decide I was going to write a book and voila! sell my very first attempt. As most authors will probably agree, the path to publication is filled with hours of work, pulling all-nighters I thought I’d given up in college, sacrifices, rejections, but a love I discovered along the way I just can’t live without. Instead of a big, thick book to read by lamplight (I do read much smaller ones when I get the chance), I’ve traded in my reading obsession for a laptop. And I’ve never been happier.

I’m one of the lucky ones. I have a wonderful family and fabulous husband who put up with my writing—and obsessive personality—even when life is chaotic. More than once my kids have been late to swimming or baseball because I needed just five more minutes to finish a scene. Their support and encouragement mean the world to me. I also have amazing friends and a support network I couldn’t survive without. So to all of you out there who have encouraged me along the way, sent me emails and fan letters, phone calls and congratulations, I just want to say, thank you. You make this whole writing gig that much more enjoyable. I truly wouldn’t be here without you.

 

Author Links:

Website/Blog:  http://www.elisabethnaughton.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElisNaughton

FB Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/elisabeth.naughton1

Eternal Guardians FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/EternalGuardians

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2002988.Elisabeth_Naughton

 

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Book Spotlight: Scorched by Mari Mancusi

scorched

Scorched is the first book in the amazing new trilogy by Mari Mancusi and I made the mistake of starting this book right before bedtime.  I got so wrapped up in its storyline that I couldn’t wait to see what happened next.

Sixteen-year-old Trinity Foxx is used to her grandfather’s crazy stories, so she never believed the latest treasure he brought home was a real dragon’s egg. Not until their home is invaded by soldiers trying to steal it and a strange boy who tells her the world as she knows it will be wiped out in a fiery dragon war—unless they work together to stop it. 

Meantime, there’s a different voice whispering to Trinity, calling to her, telling her what to do…the dragon inside her egg is not ready to give up without a fight.


About the Author:

marimancusiMari Mancusi always wanted a dragon as a pet. Unfortunately the fire insurance premiums proved a bit too large and her house a bit too small–so she chose to write about them instead. Today she works as an award-winning young adult author and freelance television producer, for which she has won two Emmys.

When not writing about fanciful creatures of myth and legend, Mari enjoys goth clubbing, cosplay, watching cheesy (and scary) horror movies, and her favorite guilty pleasure—playing videogames. A graduate of Boston University, she lives in Austin, Texas with her husband Jacob, daughter Avalon, and their dog Mesquite.

 

Jennifer’s Review of Scorched

TITLE: Scorched

CHARACTERS: Trinity Foxx, Connor and Caleb

AUTHOR:  Mari Mancusi

PUBLICATION DATE:  09/03/13

ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:

Trinity–Don’t leave me here… It starts with a whisper. At first Trinity thinks she’s going crazy. It wouldn’t be a big surprise—her grandpa firmly believes there’s a genuine dragon egg in their dusty little West Texas town. But this voice is real, and it’s begging for her protection. Even if no one else can hear it…

Connor
He’s come from a future scorched by dragonfire. His mission: Find the girl. Destroy the egg. Save the world.

Caleb
He’s everything his twin brother Connor hates: cocky, undisciplined, and obsessed with saving dragons.

Trinity has no idea which brother to believe. All she has to go by is the voice in her head—a dragon that won’t be tamed.

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Jennifer            NUMBER OF STARS: Five Stars  

REVIEW: Scorched was an amazing thrill-ride in an exciting new world where dragons are the way of the future.  Trinity Foxx is trying to hold everything together since her mother’s death two years ago and has been living with her grandfather while working at his roadside museum.  Money is tight and Trinity can’t wait until Christmas when she can open her beloved video game that is sitting under the tree.  Her grandfather comes home on Christmas Eve with a new exhibit for the failing museum.  A beautiful dragon egg from Antarctica that her grandfather had purchased with the last remaining money that was supposed to pay the property taxes on their house.  Trinity’s life is about to change with this beautiful new object, a destiny that will change the world and only she and a handsome young man from the future can stop the end of days.

I loved this book and I can’t tell you how much I loved this story!  I made the mistake of starting this book right before bed and I couldn’t stop reading until midnight.  The story is action-packed with enough twists and turns that will make you read one more chapter to see what happens next.  Trinity was a great character who seemed so much older than her teenage years.  She was trying desperately to hold everything together by managing the money for her flighty grandfather and being one step away from being homeless.  When Connor came into her life, I liked that even though she was presented with all this information about the future, HER future, she didn’t freak out.  It showed what a strong person she was and she would do anything to prevent this destructive future from happening.

I really liked Connor.  He came from the future to the past to prevent Trinity and her new dragon from creating an apocalyptic future.  He reminded me a lot of Kyle from Terminator.  A man coming from the future to change the past and falling in love with the girl with the power to make it right.  That was what endeared me to this book because of some of the similarities and the fantasy aspect of a world with dragons.  This was a great read for me and I can’t wait to read Shattered, the second book in the trilogy, out next year.

 

 


Guest blog & Giveaway with Emma Jane Holloway

Is that a tentacle, or are you just happy to say hello?

When asked about the appeal of steampunk, it’s hard to give a serious answer. We’re talking about a group of ingenious folk who adore squids and octopi and parade around with their underwear on display, possibly wearing birdcages on their heads. I love steampunk and everything about it, but I don’t like overanalyzing the phenomenon or its participants. My head might combust.

Not that steampunk can’t be serious, but it’s enormously difficult to define beyond the standard answer of: it’s alternate history (typically Victorian) plus unusual technology (typically steam), often with themes of rebellion (which is where the punk comes in). To try and narrow it down any more than that wouldn’t be wise.

It’s that difficulty of definition that makes steampunk appealing to me. It is whatever you want it to be, and though it got its start in literature (classic authors include Jules Verne), it’s become an endeavor that spans everything from music to furniture making to fashion to iPhone apps. I maintain steampunk is an aesthetic, not a genre, but people tend to roll their eyes and tell me I’m talking like a professor.

So I can only tell you why steampunk appeals to me and let others speak for themselves. First and foremost, it’s cool. I’ve had a wardrobe of semi-Victorian clothing since I was in university and discovered Folkwear patterns (they’re still around at www.folkwear.com). I also absolutely love the fact that so many in the steampunk community are reviving old craft techniques and making just about everything by hand. In a world of shopping malls and throw-away goods, I value quality, unique items made by a person I can name. Call it a rebellion against mass-market culture if you like, but I’m content thinking of it as nifty. I’m also very much in favor of the revived interest in good manners—let’s hope that one spreads!

But back to the storytelling side of things. I’ve steeped in history and literature pretty much since my parents gave me my first book to chew, so writing historical fiction feels like I’ve finally come home. I also love the fact that most steampunk stories are packed with adventurers, pirates, and mad scientists. I live for edge-of-the-chair stories with derring-do and heroism, and here I have the scope to write that. My books have adventure, magic and romance—and my heroine, Evelina Cooper, is Sherlock Holmes’s niece. Of course there is mystery, too!

If the word “steampunk” didn’t exist, I’d call the Baskerville Affair trilogy Victorian fantasy with an ensemble cast. My books are long, but I have four important character arcs to see through by the end of the series, and I don’t cheat readers out of the full ride. In A Study in Silks, my characters start out in the elegance of London’s Mayfair and end up by the time A Study in Ashes comes along as players in a war of magic and machines that tears the Empire apart. Along the way, they have to face the darker sides of their natures and decide just how much they’re willing to risk for the futures—and the people—they desire.

So what’s the appeal of steampunk books? In many ways, they are the same as any other books. There might be flying machines and automatons, historical settings and tea, but all excellent tales are about good and evil and the complexity of the human heart. If you’ve got that, and a few good chase scenes—romantic or by dirigible—what’s not to like?

Have you read any steampunk stories?

What is your favorite thing about steampunk?

 

GIVEAWAY TIME

Answer one of the questions above, and you’ll be entered into a draw for these earrings.

They are adorably perfect for book lovers!

They’re hand made in Scotland and are tiny bound books with real pages.

These are ornamented with tiny silver butterflies.

Giveaway ends 9/16. Make sure you leave your email address too!!!!

Open to everyone

booksnkisses_butterfly earrings

 

 

Visit my web page: http://www.emmajaneholloway.com/

Like me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmmaJaneHollowayAuthor

 

A Study in Silks

September 2013

Study Silks small version

Evelina Cooper, the niece of the great Sherlock Holmes, is poised to enjoy her first Season in London’s high society, but there’s a murderer to deal with—not to mention missing automatons, a sorcerer, and a talking mouse . . .

In a Victorian era ruled by a Council of ruthless steam barons, mechanical power is the real monarch, and sorcery the demon enemy of the Empire. Nevertheless, the most coveted weapon is magic that can run machines—something Evelina has secretly mastered. But rather than making her fortune, her special talents could mean death or an eternity as a guest of Her Majesty’s secret laboratories. What’s a polite young lady to do but mind her manners and pray she’s never found out?

But then there’s that murder. As Sherlock Holmes’s niece, Evelina should be able to find the answers, but she has a lot to learn. And the first decision she has to make is whether to trust the handsome, clever rake who makes her breath come faster, or the dashing trick rider who would dare anything for her if she would only just ask . . .

Read an excerpt here:  http://www.emmajaneholloway.com/books/

 

emma-1A little about Emma Jane Holloway

Ever since childhood, Emma Jane Holloway refused to accept that history was nothing but facts prisoned behind the closed door of time. Why waste a perfectly good playground coloring within the timelines? Accordingly, her novels are filled with whimsical impossibilities and the occasional eye-blinking impertinence—but always in the service of grand adventure.

Struggling between the practical and the artistic—a family tradition, along with ghosts and a belief in the curative powers of shortbread—Emma Jane has a degree in literature and job in finance. She lives in the Pacific Northwest in a house crammed with books, musical instruments, and half-finished sewing projects. In the meantime, she’s published articles, essays, short stories, and enough novels to build a fort for her stuffed hedgehog.

Kissin’ the week of Sept 2nd-7th Goodbye

Kiss Goodbye

9.2.13

Guest blog & giveaway with Ashlyn Chase

Jennifer reviews Asylum by Madeleine Roux

Introducing… Winter Romance Wednesday!

9.3.13

Interview with Elizabeth Chadwick

Release Day Madness

Kimberly reviews Blue By You by Rachel Gibson

9.4.13

Bran New Death Blog Tour & Giveaway 

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews The Memory Tree by Joseph Pittman

9.5.13

Guest blogger Ashley Nemer

Kelly reviews Rush by Joan Swan

Thursday’s Thought…

9.6.13

Guest blog & giveaway with Marian Lanouette

Kelly reviews Hunter’s Heart by JD Tyler

9.7.13

SINsational Saturday Series

Southern Witch series by Kimberly Frost

Kimberly Frost’s Southern Witch Series

Would-Be Witch

Southern Witch #1

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The promising debut of a hot new voice in paranormal romance-and the first of the Southern Witch novels.

The family magic seems to have skipped over Tammy Jo Trask. All she gets are a few untimely visits from long-dead, smart-mouthed family ghost Edie. But when her locket-an heirloom that happens to hold Edie’s soul-is stolen in the midst of a town-wide crime spree, it’s time for Tammy to find her inner witch.

After a few experiences with her dysfunctional magic, Tammy turns to the only person in small-town Duval, Texas, who can help: the very rich and highly magical Bryn Lyons. He might have all the answers-and a 007savoir faire to boot-but the locket isn’t the only heirloom passed down in Tammy’s family. She also inherited a warning: stay away from Lyons.

*****

Barely Bewitched

Southern Witch #2

2

Welcome to Duvall, Texas, where Tammy Jo Trask has just unleashed an accidental Armageddon.

When Tammy Jo’s misfiring magic attracts the attention of the World Association of Magic, a wand-wielding wizard and a menacing fire warlock show up to train her for a dangerous—and mandatory—challenge. But is there more to their arrival than they claim?

The town comes unglued when a curse leads to a toxic spill of pixie dust and the doors between the human and faery worlds begin to open. To rescue the town and to face the challenge, Tammy needs help from the incredibly handsome Bryn Lyons, but the association known as WAM has declared him totally off-limits…

*****

Halfway Hexed

Southern Witch #3

3

New witch Tammy Jo Trask has a whole town full of trouble, in the latest from the national bestselling author of Barely Bewitched.

First, there are the local residents who form a scripture-spouting posse and kidnap Tammy to “defend” Duvall, Texas, against witchcraft. Next, someone saddles her with a secret package chock full of dangerous visions, just as the president of WAM-the World Association of Magic- arrives with his entourage to investigate her. And who worse to examine Tammy’s entanglement with off-limits and drop-dead gorgeous wizard Bryn Lyons than his ex-girlfriend? Not to mention that the clash between the locals and the magical visitors leads to a series of unnatural disasters that may doom them all.

While the fate of the town hangs in the balance, one thing’s certain: this would-be witch is ready to rumble, Texas style.

*****

Slightly Spellbound

Southern Witch #4

4

With two kinds of magick at odds inside her and two gorgeous men vying for her attention, Tammy Jo Trask is used to being pulled in opposite directions. But in the latest Southern Witch novel she’ll have to make some serious decisions—like how she intends to stay alive.

Tammy Jo’s romance with the wizard Bryn Lyons is on hold while her ex-husband is in town trying to remind her of the good old days. Choosing between them isn’t easy, and it doesn’t help that a skeletal creature is spying on her, a faery knight is hunting her, and she just made friends with Evangeline Rhodes—a rich witch who thinks her own family is trying to kill her.

When Evangeline disappears under suspicious circumstances, Tammy Jo is determined to find out what happened. As she uncovers a secret more dangerous—and personal—than she could have imagined, she also discovers that, in both love and magic, you can’t stay neutral forever.

*****

Casually Cursed

Southern Witch Book #5
Expected publication: May 2015

Guest blog & giveaway with Marian Lanouette

If I Fail & Burn in Hell Banner

I’m excited to be here at Books-N-Kisses, thanks Kelly for the invite. September 7th marks my first anniversary as a published author and so much has happened within this year. I’ve had three e-books release and one paperback.  It’s been a whirlwind ride. Anticlimactic and yet filled with joy and anticipation. Why anticlimactic? E-books are great, in fact, I own both a Nook and a Kindle, but I wasn’t able to hold my babies in my hands. I love my e-readers though there is still nothing like holding a book. A paperback or hard covered book not only engages your imagination, it entices your senses-the look, the feel, the smell all enhance the enjoyment of reading in my opinion.  I remember as a child rushing home from the library with my new treasure. Finding a corner alone (which was quite hard being one of ten children living in a five room apartment) to lose myself in the story.

This month If I Fail, A Jake Carrington Mystery will be out in paperback, followed up quickly with Burn in Hell, A Jake Carrington Mystery in November. There’s no feeling in this world that compares to sending out your baby (book) out into the world. I had the jitters naturally accompanied with an upset stomach, along with a heart filled with happiness. I waited all day for the reviews to start to come in. And thank goodness they were great.  A bunch of friends, family and fellow authors helped me mark the occasion. This year to celebrate the anniversary of If I Fail as it hits the bookshelves, I’m giving away an autograph copy when it comes off the presses.

IfIFail_500 final galley 3

Amazon

Are rules really meant to be broken? Jake Carrington finds out the hard way and the answer is no! Dating Chloe Wagner was a huge mistake, and Jake should have known better—he’s investigating the murder of Chloe’s sister. Now Chloe is the number one suspect in that murder. If she’s convicted, Jake could lose not only his rank, but his job. If that’s not bad enough, he’s got a stalker on his hands, someone who’s threatening his fledgling relationship with the lovely Mia. Things are getting just a little too personal for comfort!

 

Excerpt of Jake and Mia’s first meet

Jake walked into Louie’s house—the noise level, created by all the seven-year-olds running around, screaming at the top of their lungs, immediately pierced his ear drums. He dodged a few as he passed the living room; he noticed Louie Jr., whom everyone called LJ to distinguish between father and son, with his friends, playing some video game and ribbing each other as young boys often do.

Jake caught LJ’s eye. “Hey, Uncle Jake. Dad’s out back.”

“Thanks, I’ll see you later.” Jake continued to make his way to the kitchen. He could only hope the noise level would be lower outside.

Jake walked into the kitchen, looking around at the organized chaos. He spotted Sophia in the center of it, talking to a dark-haired woman in a low-cut red sundress with a jacket. The newcomer stole his breath, sucking all the air from his lungs. At five-nine those tall high heels she wore showcased her long, shapely legs. Wild thoughts ran through his head, he knew exactly where he’d like her to wrap them. She laughed at something Sophia said. Her laughter vibrated through him—sounding like music. A line from an old Bogie movie played in his head. ‘Boy, she was a tall drink of water’—he wanted a sip of that. Large gold hoop swung at her ears, a gold bracelet, and an emerald ring on her right hand, nothing on her left. Good detecting, Jake thought, laughing inwardly. Sophia moved around the kitchen while they spoke, each movement automatic. Food dishes containing different kinds of treats littered the counter. In his peripheral vision, he saw Sophia pull something out of the oven that smelled heavenly, though Jake never took his eyes off the other woman.

They’d yet to notice him. He cleared his throat. “My God, Sophia, you’ve outdone yourself this time. Whatever it is smells great. I want to be the first to taste it.” He leaned over, kissing Sophia on the cheek.

“Jake, you finally made it. This is my friend Mia Andrews.” Sophia introduced her.

“It’s nice to meet you. Sophia talks about you all the time.”

Taking the outstretched hand her firm handshake surprised him. The softness of her skin reminded him of satin, causing electrical sensations to shoot through his body. Jake wished he’d dressed for the party. Instead he’d wore broken-in jeans with boots, a collared cotton shirt, the sleeves rolled half way up his arms—his idea of dress-up. He had a thing for belt buckles. Today he wore a silver American Bald Eagle.

“Nice to meet you, Mia. I’ll have to speak with Louie. He never mentioned you.” He looked over at Sophia.

“Louie’s out back, Jake. He’s on grill duty,” Sophia said innocently.

“I’ll see him in a moment. For now, I think I’ll help out in here. What do you need me to do?” He hoped Sophia wanted him to do something because he didn’t want to leave the kitchen. Or leave Mia.

“She won’t accept any help. Everyone’s offered,”

“Oh, that’s our girl. Come on, Sophia, what do you need?”

“Nothing. Everything’s done. It just has to be taken out when Louie finishes cooking. In fact, let me check with him to see how he’s doing out there. I’ll be right back.” Sophia left them alone.

“Subtle, isn’t she?”

What a smile, Jake thought. Gleaming white teeth, though her eyes were what caught and held his attention. When she smiled, they lit up like stars; cerulean eyes that stared directly into his, igniting a fire which shot straight through his center. Jake brought himself back to earth, willing himself to look away, breaking the stare.

 

book (119) book profile picA little about Marian: 

Marian born and raised in Brooklyn, New York is the seventh child of ten. At the age of sixteen her family moved from New York to New England. As a typical teenager, she felt her life was ruined and took to journalizing her feeling and this new life. The journal helped her realize how easily she had adapted to the change. Although, she did miss her cherished friends terribly; she’s thankful, they are still friends today. The four of them refer to each other as the cradle to the grave friends.

Unbeknown to her parents, at the age of five she started reading the New York Daily News story about the murdered nurses in Chicago and the investigation. Marian followed the story every day as authorities rushed to solve the brutal crime. It had caught her attention and her imagination. To this day she stills checks her closet before going to sleep. Marian thinks it was on that day the mystery lover was created.

At the age of eight she wrote every day, whether it be a poem, a short story or in her journal. An eighth grade assignment got her published. Though she failed the assignment, the nun was impressed with her poem. It was supposed to be a four line poem, but she couldn’t still her pen. The Beach her first official published work is still her favorite though much longer than four lines. It was the nun who submitted the poem for her to the local paper. Thus, the writer was born.

Marian’s first book If I Fail, A Jake Carrington Mystery will be released on September 7, 2012; and will be followed up in January 2013 with the second book in the series, Burn in Hell, A Jake Carrington Mystery. Each book’s a mystery with romantic elements, because to quote Marian, “Life is both mysterious and romantic.”

Marian resides in New England with her husband.

Marian Lanouette | Facebook | Twitter

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Guest blog Ashley Nemer

So I asked someone what I should write about today. I wanted something new and fresh, yet still creative and fun. My friend tells me, “Leafs.”And I laughed, because actually, this is a perfect topic. My creativity as a youth came in all forms and fashion. One of the things I loved about growing up in Kansas City was the schools focus on the Arts. In fourth grade I took photography and music. I really loved photography. We learned so much about film that I wish I could remember.

What I do remember was the photos. We were instructed how to build a box camera. You know, like the ones in the old days. Then we were instructed how to properly take the pictures and then transport them into the dark room for development. My favorite photo (which I looked for but can’t find, one day I will remember where I put it,) was of a leaf.

We were in the dark room and the teacher told us to position our objects how we wanted them and she was going to turn on the light so the imprint would burn into the film. I was so pleased with how the leaf looked in the photo.

This was the first experience I had in creating something from nothing. I’ve said this before but writing is an Art and Art is magic. To me, moments like this are a perfect example of why magic is a part of everyday life, even when we can’t see or feel it.

I challenge everyone who reads this to find a way to create something from nothing. And having children doesn’t exactly count. Make this something – something creative. Something that will allow you to have joy when it’s just you and the object. What is it that pulls at your insides and craves for you to set it free? That’s what I challenge you to make. I’d love to hear what you come up with so make sure you post to me on Facebook or email me and let me know.

From one Artist to another – Happy Creating!

The Art of Safkhet Presents – The Blood Series

*****

Blood Purple

Purple

AMAZON

In a world we think we know, live other races entirely hidden from the mortal perspective.  Creatures of legend, of fable and myth, their very history and nature have allowed them to walk side by side with humans since time immemorial.  They are warriors, they are hunters, and they are Algula.  Vampire.  And in their own midst, a battle is brewing for supremacy, for dominance, that can and will affect all around them.  Old hatred never dies and vengeance is a fiery sword that cuts a bloody swath.

 

 

*****

Blood Yellow

Yellow

AMAZON  | SMASHWORDS |  B & N

The lines are drawn, and Zayn and Nikole must face each other in a battle of forgiveness and power; each attempting to right their wrongs, each battling their own inner demons.

Haydar and Leigh prepare for war, rounding their men and setting into motion courses that cannot be undone.

The tales will fall in line as the four of them come face to face with each other, and they will watch loved ones perish.

When the dust settles and dawn breaks, who’s going to be left standing and who will be missing? Will Nikole forgive Zayn for his betrayal? Will Leigh and Haydar overcome their differences? Will Adara say yes?

Blood Yellow…Because the stories only just begun….

 

 

AshleyAuthor Bio

Ashley is married and lives in Houston with her husband Tony. They have two dogs, Toto and Doogie. They have been together for over 8 and a 1/2 years and he brings her more joy than she could ever imagine as a child. She loves to read and has been hooked on the romance genre ever since her lifelong best friend Laura gave her “Ashes to Ashes’ by Tami Hoag to read when they were younger.

Ashley finds her strength through her family, especially her parents. They always support her in life; they push her to strive for greatness. There once was a motto that Ashley heard in her youth through her Taekwondo life ‘Reach for the Stars’ and that is what Ashley has always done. It was through her upbringing that the values Ashley has and displays come from. With her parents always cheering her on in life she was able to grow up having faith in herself and her ability to conquer the world.

Author Information: Ashley Nemer Website Facebook Twitter

Bran New Death Blog Tour & Giveaway with Victoria Hamilton

great escape tour banner large BRAN NEW DEATH448

I’m so glad to have Victoria Hamilton here today to talk about her new book, Bran New Death, which is the first in her new series.  Victoria writes the Vintage Kitchen Mysteries, which is one of my favorite mystery series at the moment.  I hope everyone will check out this new book.

Merry’s Romance

By: Victoria Hamilton

As a mystery writer I often wonder whether readers really want to see romance in a mystery.  The answer appears to be mixed, but I’ve always wanted my books to reflect real life, and a significant part of life is relationships.  So my protagonist should have friends, enemies and…well, lovers.

In the case of Merry Wynter, I started with the premise that she was a widow of seven years, and still in love with her late husband.  But when I wrote the first chapter, it turned out that there was (surprise, surprise!) a hunky sheriff in Autumn Vale, New York.  I know, as most writers do, that it is a bit of a cliche’ to have a handsome and available cop in a mystery.  However….why not indulge Merry a little and give her a romance to bring her out of her seven year funk.

Or will that happen? A lot of the fun – and agony! – of romance is the unknown stage, where it’s uncertain how the other person feels and so the dance of flirtation and doubt takes place. In my Vintage Kitchen Mystery series my heroine has a geeky millionaire after her, but she, too, is drawn to the good-looking cop.  Even I’m not sure how that one is going to turn out!

But I’ll let you in on a not-so-secret secret of mystery writing.  I don’t know about other writers, but I put a cop in there as a romantic lead (sometimes) because….it makes it so much easier to have him involved with the heroine, and have her bounce her mystery-solving ideas off of him! Also, it adds tension to the relationship, and makes her wary of telling him too much…or too little.

And I’ll say it right up front, I’ll never let the romance overtake the mystery.  So, readers, what do you say? Do you enjoy a little romance in your mystery, or does it put you off?

Merry Muffin Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/MerrysMuffinsMysterySeries

About the Author:

VictoriaHamilton-Web

Victoria Hamilton, nationally bestselling author of the Vintage Kitchen Mystery series, is the pseudonym of Donna Lea Simpson, bestselling author of romance and historical mystery novels.

Victoria started reading mystery novels at the age of 12 and devoured Agatha Christie mysteries, as well as those of Dorothy L. Sayers and Ngaio Marsh.  She still adores mysteries, especially the cozy mysteries of Janet Bolin, Krista Davis, and others.

She loves to cook, and collects teapots and teacups, as well as vintage kitchen utensils and bowls. She also enjoys crafts, especially cross-stitching and crocheting, and spends summer days in the garden, drinking tea or wine.  Besides the Merry Muffin Mystery series (Bran New Death – September 3rd). Victoria writes two other mystery series for Berkley Prime Crime, the Vintage Kitchen Mystery Series (Book 3, Freezer I’ll shoot debuts November 5th) and the Teapot Collector Mystery series which debuts with Tempest in a Teapot, out June 3rd, 2014.

Website /Facebook / Twitter

Jennifer’s Review of Bran New Death

BranNewDeathcoverTITLE: Bran New Death

SERIES #: Merry Muffin Mystery Series #1

CHARACTERS: Merry Wynter, Virgil Grace

AUTHOR:  Victoria Hamilton

PUBLICATION DATE:  09/03/13

ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

 

BOOK SYNOPSIS: When Merry Wynter discovered that she inherited a genuine American Castle in the “wilds” of upstate New York, her first reaction was to contact a real estate agent to sell it, sight unseen.  Things were a little complicated, what with a lunatic employer making her life miserable.  But after losing her job and with the castle not sold, Merry decides to trek to Wynter Castle to see what the problem is.

One barrier to selling is immediately evident; someone is digging giant holes on the property! Merry accuses local Tom Turner of being her late night gopher and warns him to stay off her property, or else, but it happens again.  Merry storms out to confront whomever is doing the damage, but doesn’t count on finding a dead man at the bottom of the hole.

What is going on at Wynter Castle and in Autumn Vale? How can Merry convince hunky sheriff Virgil Grace that she is not the one who bashed the victim over the head?

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Jennifer             NUMBER OF STARS: Four Stars

REVIEW: Merry moved to upstate New York to make a fresh start after the death of her husband and the loss of her career as a plus-size model/assistant. When she moves into Wynter Castle, she finds that the property is in desperate need of a renovation and has large-sized gopher holes in the front yard. She also finds that the townspeople are avoiding her and one of the locals, Tom Turner, believes that her deceased uncle killed his father and buried the body in the front yard of Wynter Castle.  Merry catches Tom in the act of digging up holes in her yard and threatens him in front of a crowd of people.  The next night, Tom, is found dead in Merry’s front yard and everyone believes that she is the culprit.  Now, Merry has to find the real killer and convince the town that she isn’t to blame or her vision for Wynter Castle will go up in smoke.

This book was very cute and charming and a great start to a new series.  I liked Merry instantly because she was the type of person that didn’t let anything stand in her way and was determined to make a new start in Autumn Vale with her inheritance from her estranged uncle. The mystery kept me guessing and there were so many suspects that wanted Tom dead.  Shilo was great as Merry’s best friend and held many secrets of her own.  The townspeople of Autumn Vale were a very quirky cast of characters and it will be fun learning more about them in future books. I thought that Bran New Death was an enjoyable mystery and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

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Interview & Giveaway with Elizabeth Chadwick

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome 1st time guest Elizabeth Chadwick to the blog

Susan Hicks (Elizabeth Chadwick) photographed by Charlie Hopkinson. © 2007Elizabeth, can you please share with us a little about yourself

I was born in the north of England in the county of Lancashire.  The family moved to Scotland when I was 3 years old and I lived there until I was 11, when we returned to England, to Nottinghamshire.  I now live with my husband and three fun-loving terriers in a lovely beamed cottage in the country.  On a clear day, we can just about see the turrets of Belvoir Castle (pronounced Beevor) from the landing window!

Have you always wanted to be an author?

From the age of 15, yes.  As a very small child I wanted to be a farmer, or marry one – neither of which happened, although my husband does grown all our own fruit and vegetables!   Serious careers I hadn’t thought about and then when I wrote my first novel as a teen, I realised that this was the job I wanted to do.  I worked in shops to earn money, but it was always a job and just a way of supporting myself until eventually I was published.

Who are some of your favorite writers?

Historically speaking they would be Sharon Penman, Dorothy Dunnett, C.J. Sansom and Diana Gabaldon.   I always enjoy Peter James for his modern police procedural novels.  I love Nora Roberts’ romantic suspense novels.  Charlaine Harris is a favourite.  Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman.  I tend to like books that take me somewhere different than my own doorstep.

Who do you feel has influenced your writing?

My inspirations and influences before I was published include Mary Stewart (I wanted to write as well as she did in The Crystal Cave – no chance!),  Roberta Gellis, Sharon Kay Penman and the late, great Dorothy Dunnett.  I loved their writing and just reading it taught me a lot.

How did you get into writing in this specific genre?  Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?

I wasn’t interested in historical things as a child beyond a general interest that any curious person has.  That changed when I saw a TV programme called Desert Crusader.  It was a costume drama about a gorgeous knight having adventures in the Holy Land.  I fell for him and started writing what I guess was a fan fiction piece, but it gradually changed into a work of fiction of its own kind.  It ended up a full 500 page novel, and I realized that this was what I wanted to do for a living.  I had to research the Middle Ages because I didn’t know anything about them, and the more I researched the more interested I became, and the more I wanted to write stories set in that era.  And here I am! If I wrote in a different genre, it would probably be either fantasy or horror.

What are some of your writing rituals?

Before I begin writing I always pop into my Facebook page and update that for my readers; the same with Twitter.  I will usually have a mug of tea or coffee at my side and a tub of spearmint chewing gum.  I tend to write better in the evening and at night than first thing in the morning, so you’ll quite often find me at my desk after midnight.  It’s getting on that way now.  Other than that I don’t really have any rituals.

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?9781402274626-PR

THE OUTLAW KNIGHT is the story of an English knight called Fulke FitzWarin, who lived on the Welsh borders in the 12th century, and who quarrelled with King John who declared him an outlaw with a price on his head.  It’s also the story of his turbulent marriage to Maud Walter, whom King John wanted to make his mistress (against her wishes).   Much of the story is true. Indeed, some historians think that the origins of the famous Robin Hood legends began with Fulke FitzWarin.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

THE OUTLAW KNIGHT grew out of my research.  I was looking up something in a book for an earlier work in progress when I came across a 13th century chronicle detailing Fulke’s life story.  It was so fascinating and exciting that I knew it would make a great subject for a future novel.

Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

THE SUMMER QUEEN has recently been published in the UK and will be coming to the USA next year – it’s the first part of a trilogy about Eleanor of Aquitaine. (Called Alienor in my novels because it’s the original medieval spelling).  I am currently writing the middle book in the trilogy, titled THE WINTER CROWN, and that too will be coming Stateside in due course.

 Open your book to a random page and tell us what’s happening.

Since I don’t yet have my USA copies of THE OUTLAW KNIGHT, I’ll do it in the UK paperback version.  Page 218.

Fulke has just been warned that his lands have been given away to someone else  in the King’s court, and Fulke is preparing to go and have it out with the King.

What would you be if you were not an author?

I’ve always rather fancied being an archaeologist!

 What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

I’m very eager to read King’s Ransom by Sharon Kay Penman. I’m also looking forward to Knights of the Hawk, the new release from James Aitcheson.  I would have said Dead Man’s Time by Peter James, but I’ve just read and loved it!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you for inviting me onto your blog of course!  I would also like to add just in case anyone becomes confused, that THE OUTLAW KNIGHT appears in the UK as LORDS OF THE WHITE CASTLE.  The reason for the change of title is a cultural one.  I understand that The White Castle is a hamburger chain in the USA and my publisher felt that THE OUTLAW KNIGHT was a more appropriate title and fitted the bill perfectly.

 

Learn more about Elizabeth and her books here

Email: elizabethchadwick@live.co.uk

Twitter: twitter.com/ChadwickAuthor

Facebook: www.facebook.com/elizabeth.chadwick.90

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ECAPBCJFM

Blogger: http://livingthehistoryelizabethchadwick.blogspot.com

 

9781402274626-PR

 

He should have known better than to fight with the future King John. Ruthless and feared, John is not one to forget or forgive. But Fulke FitzWarin couldn’t help himself, and now the vindictive John has insured that Fulke will never become lord of the castle he loves. Instead of accepting his fate, Fulke rebels. He begins an affair with Maude Walter, the wealthy widow desired by John himself. Negotiating a maze of deceit, treachery, and shifting alliances, Fulke’s route to success is blocked at every turn. And when the turmoil of the Magna Carta rebellion combines with a shocking tragedy, everything Fulke has fought for is thrown into the path of destruction.

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Interview with Cassie Alexander

shapeshifted

I have been a big fan of Cassie Alexander for a while because her books are great supernatural thrillers that are set in an environment that I know all too well.  Her new release, Shapeshifted, is out and is one of my favorite books at the moment.  I’m very glad that she took time out of her busy schedule to be with us here today.

1. Tell me about your new release Shapeshifted.

Shapeshifted is Edie Spence’s third adventure.  Edie’s a nurse for the supernatural community in her home town, on a secret floor at the county hospital.  At the end of Moonshifted she was shunned by the supernatural community, which she thought was a good thing–she’s human, and hanging out with vampires and werewolves wasn’t very safe for her.  But in hanging out with vampires and werewolves wasn’t very safe for her.  But in Shapeshifted she discovers that her mother’s ill. The only thing that can save her is vampire blood, and so Edie finds herself desperate to get back in with old “friends.”

2. Where did you come up with the idea for the series?

The idea for Nightshifted came to me in my first few months working as a new nurse on nightshift.  Work was terrifying,  I spent a lot of my time freaking out that I was going to kill someone on accident or piss of an important coworker or doctor.  Nightshifted was born out of my efforts to stay sane during the transition,  from panicked newbie to, well, whatever it is that I am now, five years in.

3. What kind of research did you have to do for this series?

Not much, really! All the hospital/medical stuff is kinda-sorta pulled from my own life (waves HIPPA invisibility wand, although it’s not like I’ve ever treated vampire servants anyhow…that I know of! ;)) and everything else flows from there.

4. Do you still work the night shift and how do you find time to write with such a busy schedule?

I do still work nights, but I’m only part-time, so it’s only three nights a week–there’s no way I could work full-time nights and write two books a year.  It’s hard though, there’s still a lot of juggling to make everything work out.

5. What are you working on now?

Right now I’m working on a proposal for books 6 & 7, and also unpacking, since I just moved 😉

6.  Which authors have inspired you?

Argh, all my books are in boxes right now, so I can’t cheat and look at a bookshelf! Early inspirations were Frank Herbert and Alfred Bester.  More recent ones are Seanan McGuire and Diana Rowland and Kat Richardson 😀

7. Any advice for aspiring writers?

Keep at it! Nightshifted was the tenth book that I’d written, it took a long time (longer than I’d have liked! ;)) to get good.  Try to find what works for you, writing-schedule-wise, and do what you can do but don’t beat yourself up – if you have a bad day, or a no word day, keep pressing on and don’t look back.

About the Author:

CassieAlexanderphoto1

Cassie Alexander is a registered nurse and the author of the Edie Spence urban fantasy series. Nightshifted, Moonshifted, Shapeshifted — out now! — and Deadshifted, and Bloodshifted are forthcoming.

Website /Twitter/Facebook

 

 

Jennifer’s Review of Shapeshifted

shapeshiftedTITLE:  Shapeshifted

SERIES #: Edie Spence #3

CHARACTERS: Edie Spence

AUTHOR:  Cassie Alexander

PUBLICATION DATE:  06/04/13

ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS: Nurse Edie Spence is once again called upon to save a life…and this time, it’s personal. Can her new community of zombies, vampires, and shapeshifters come to her rescue when she needs them most?

When Edie was fired from her paranormal nursing job at County Hospital, her whole world came crashing down.  Now she’s once again shaken to her core. Her mother is deathly ill and there’s only one thing that will save her: vampire’s blood. But with the paranormal community shunning Edie, where can she obtain it…without losing her own life in the process?

Edie hopes to procure it at her new job at the clinic across town, where the forces of evil loom large.  Vampire gang wars are rampant. Old underground enemies are rising to the surface. And Edie’s zombie ex-boyfriend has arrived at the scene–but is he the same man he used to be? And what should she make of the enigmatic doctor with whom she shares an unexpected connection?  She’ll have to figure it out soon, because all hell is about to break loose–literally–and time is running out…..

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Jennifer             NUMBER OF STARS: Four Stars

REVIEW: This is the third novel in the Edie Spence series and I liked how Edie was struggling to find her identity since she was no longer employed by the Shadows and was shunned by the paranormal community.  Edie finds that being “normal” wasn’t exactly what she was hoping for and takes a job at a health clinic in the seedy part of town.  With gang members threatening the clinic at every turn and her own desperate search for vampire’s blood to save her mother looking dismal, Edie doesn’t know where to go.  But Edie soon learns that being shunned doesn’t protect her from old enemies and her new position has put her in more danger than she bargained for.

After reading Moonshifted, I wasn’t sure what was next for Edie and I’m glad to see that she had decided to change a few things since we last saw her.  She has a brand new job and a new apartment that was far away from the paranormal community but instead of feeling safe, Edie was just feeling that her life was boring since leaving the hospital. She soon finds out that her mother is sick with cancer and Edie has no way to help since she isn’t working for the Shadows anymore.  I liked seeing this side of Edie where she was vulnerable with no one to really fall back on.  She seemed to grow more as a character in this one and I was very impressed.  The story was well-written with a dark sense of humor that is a great addition to the series.  I liked learning more about past characters that made a guest appearance in Shapeshifted and can’t wait to read more about Edie in the next book, Deadshifted.

Guest blog & giveaway with Ashlyn Chase

Top Mistake You Can Make When Dating a Dragon

In her journal, Bliss Russo should have written: Note to self…Next time you’re carried out of a burning building by a hot fire fighter, remember to grab your laptop with your whole life on it!

Instead, what she really wrote (and what her horrified roommate later read) was this:

A dragon? Seriously? A dragon. I think I’ve finally met a guy who might be worth a shot, and he turns out to be some kind of circus freak.

I’d never have believed him if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes. Transform? Yeah, right… Then he did it! Ack!

I keep waiting to wake up and find out this is just a crazy nightmare. Nope. I’ve pinched myself and then slapped myself for pinching myself. Still not popping out of any coma.

 I’ve even wondered if I was drugged. Drake never slipped me any pills. He didn’t even bring me a beer. Nope. Nothing went into my mouth except, well…him. Heh-heh.

Hey, I wonder if dragon penis can cause hallucinations? Naw. That doesn’t make sense. Because if it does, that means he’s a dragon and I didn’t hallucinate anything but the truth.

And while we’re at it…, no wonder he said he can’t get me pregnant. We’re not even the same species! Oh, man. If we ever got married, my mother would be in seventh heaven until she learned that little fun fact. Then she’d descend to the seventh circle of hell and never be seen again.

Why do I care what my mother thinks? Haven’t I always known she means well, but…

Yeah, there are no words following that “but.” Never have been. Never will be. Some things are better left alone.

So, back to Drake. What am I supposed to do with this information? He seemed relieved after he told me, but now I’m the one who’s all jiggy. I don’t know how I’ll feel next time I look at him…if there is a next time. Didn’t he say that biker chick was probably setting the fires and he had to stop her?

I may not have known him long, but one thing I’m certain of—he won’t hit a girl. I doubt he’d even fight back unless his life depended on it, and it well might. She must be some kind of psycho to beat him up and then set fires all over the place. All because he brought me flowers? I swear, if he lives through this, I’ll ask him never to bring me flowers again.

So…as you can see, there are loads of mistakes you can make when dating a dragon. The question to ask yourself is: “Is it worth it?”

If your dragon is as hot and heroic as Drake Cameron, you may be willing to make a few mistakes.

Here is my website where you’ll find all the major buy links, reviews, blog schedule, etc.

http://www.ashlynchase.com

So…what else would you like to know? Okay, there are a couple of important things. This is book 2 in the Flirting with Fangs series from Sourcebooks. Book 1 Flirting Under a Full Moon was released in April. And there will be a third book in March of 2014 called Kissing with Fangs. All take place in my beloved Boston in the Beacon Hill area.

Series arc: Anthony Cross is a vampire who believes that the different paranormal factions would get along if they simply got to know each other. So he opens a bar in Boston’s classy Beacon Hill area as a safe place for paranormals to congregate and socialize. Since immortals don’t seem to need or want wait-staff jobs, Anthony has to hire humans. The #1 rule for all paranormals is to keep humans ignorant of their existence.

But when some of the humans fall for their regulars, they could be in for the shock of their mortal lives!

 

HOW TO DATE A DRAGON

by ASHLYN CHASE

How to Date a Dragon Cover

IN STORES SEPTEMBER 2013

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books-a-Million | IndieBound | Chapters/Indigo | iBookstore | Sourcebooks

 Let the Sparks Fly…

Bliss Russo thought nothing exciting ever happened in her life. Until her building caught on fire and she had to be carried out of the flames in the arms of a gorgeous fireman. Sure, her apartment is now in shambles and she’ll have to start her huge work project completely from scratch. But at least her love life is finally looking up…if only she can find her red-hot rescuer again.

Dragon shapeshifter Drake Cameron is the last of his clan, and the loneliness is starting to claw at him. He’s met only one woman who might be able to stand the shock of his true nature. After all, she barely batted an eyelash when her home burned down. And feeling her curves against him was just as hot as the inferno. Just when he thinks he’ll never track her down, she walks into his firehouse—with no idea what she’s about to get herself into…

 

“[Ashlyn Chase] entertains with a voice that makes reading her stories pure pleasure. It’s like spending time with your favorite friends. Reviewer Top Pick”Night Owl Reviews on How to Date a Dragon

 

Ashlyn Chase Photo (new)ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award-winning author Ashlyn Chase specializes in characters who reinvent themselves, having reinvented herself numerous times. She has a degree in behavioral sciences, and has worked as a psychiatric nurse and Red Cross nurse for several years. She lives with her true-life hero husband in New Hampshire. For more information, please visit www.ashlynchase.com.

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