Monday, July 28, 2014

Twilight Tuesdays



Come join us, Janice Ross and I, this Tuesday at 3 pm EST as we discuss everything Supernatural involving new shows. 

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/culturalcocktails/2014/07/29/twilight-tuesdays-w-dormaine-janice-new-paranormal-favorites

Thores-Cross by Karen Perkins

by
Karen Perkins

#1 Bestseller - British Horror, Amazon.com

A haunting horror thriller set in Britain's North Yorkshire Moors about isolation, superstition and persecution.
 Thores-Cross follows the stories of Emma, a present day writer, and Jennet, an eighteenth century witch.


Emma Moorcroft is still grieving after a late miscarriage and moves to her dream house at Thruscross Reservoir with her husband, Dave. Both Emma and Dave hope that moving into their new home signifies a fresh start, but life is not that simple. Emma has nightmares about the reservoir and the drowned village that lies beneath the water, and is further disturbed by the sound of church bells - from a church that no longer exists.

Jennet is fifteen and lives in the isolated community of Thores-Cross, where life revolves about the sheep on which they depend. Following the sudden loss of both her parents, she is seduced by the local wool merchant, Richard Ramsgill. She becomes pregnant and is shunned not only by Ramsgill, but by the entire village. Lonely and embittered, Jennet's problems escalate, leading to tragic consequences which continue to have an effect through the centuries.

Emma becomes fixated on Jennet, neglecting herself, her beloved dogs and her husband to the point where her marriage may not survive. As Jennet and Emma's lives become further entwined, Emma's obsession deepens and she realises that the curse Jennet inflicted on the Ramsgill family over two hundred years ago is still claiming lives. Emma is the only one who can stop Jennet killing again, but will her efforts be enough?

Review

What could I say about this tale that could give it justice? Thores-Cross is about the past, Jennet, and the present, Emma, whose lives intertwine. The story tells of love and betrayal which is told magically.

We follow both women’s lives along their journey through hardship and tragedy but Jennet’s was so tormenting that, at times, it was cruel. To be honest, I loved her majority of the time but there were moments that I became so frustrated with her because of her antics. I had to catch myself and remember that she was only fifteen. Jennet’s story definitely touched me the most. I love traveling back in time to learn how others lived and Karen did a splendid job in explaining that in this work of art. Her words truly came to life and I could vision the lay of the land as I read.

Emma was of the present time and, although her story was a great one, my heart yearned for more of Jennet’s. At first I thought that Emma was selfish, but then it became apparent the curse Jennet set forth inflicting pain on others. There was a funny moment in Emma’s story when Mark caught her entranced while writing, yet he stuck around. Absolutely not!

The link across centuries was believable to me and I wondered how it was going to be explained and Karen pulled it off wonderfully. She basically put it out there to either accept or reject and I accepted. The tale was flawless and well written. This is the first of many books that I shall read from Karen Perkins. I utterly loved this read.

5/5 STARS!

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Legally Undead by Margo Bond Collins


Blurb:

A reluctant vampire hunter, stalking New York City as only a scorned bride can.

Elle Dupree has her life all figured out: first a wedding, then her Ph.D., then swank faculty parties where she’ll serve wine and cheese and introduce people to her husband the lawyer.

But those plans disintegrate when she walks in on a vampire sucking the blood from her fiancé Greg. Horrified, she screams and runs--not away from the vampire, but toward it, brandishing a wooden letter opener.

As she slams the improvised stake into the vampire’s heart, a team of black-clad men bursts into the apartment. Turning around to face them, Elle discovers that Greg’s body is gone—and her perfect life falls apart.


My Review: 

This book revolves around the main character, Elle Dupree, who is engaged to a lawyer named, Greg. One even, after a long day of studying for her PH.D, she makes it home to find a bloodsucker attacking Greg. From there the story takes off into the unknown for Elle. There is a lot of action, mystery, action, dysfunctional romance or ex romance involved and of course humor. 

 The plot is thick with an amazing storyline and the characters are well written and likable. We are left with unanswered questions, but it's done in a way that you still feel satisfied with the book and yet yearn for more.  This is most definitely a book to by as Margo Collins has not disappointed us in another one of her fantastic novels. A must read! 

_____________________________________________

About the Author

Margo Bond Collins is the author of a number of novels, including Waking Up Dead, Fairy, Texas, and Legally Undead (forthcoming in 2014). She lives in Texas with her husband, their daughter, and several spoiled pets. She teaches college-level English courses online, though writing fiction is her first love. She enjoys reading urban fantasy and paranormal fiction of any genre and spends most of her free time daydreaming about vampires, ghosts, zombies, werewolves, and other monsters.


_____________________________________________

Connect with Margo
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MargoBondCollin  @MargoBondCollin
Goodreads Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/vampirarchy


Be sure to add Legally Undead to your Goodreads bookshelves: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18366353-legally-undead




Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Blog Tag- My Writing Process


My Writing Process

I was so intrigued when Janice G. Ross asked me to be a part of a blog hop, which was new to me.  Janice is such a talented author, and having read her books, I feel privileged she has asked me to join in this wonderful event.  Please look up her books on Amazon as her many works have inspired me to strive higher in my works.


WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON?

I am currently working on several different projects with very different backgrounds.

The Connor series is a coming of age story that follows a group of teen who discover that they have certain abilities. The book is seen through the eyes of the main character, Connor, who realizes her life is not when it seems after she comes into her abilities.  She meets other teens like her and we follow them as their lives unfold. I’m currently working on Connor: Revealed (Book 2)

MadameLilly, Voodoo Priestess series is a historical fiction horror set in the late 1800s. It deals with a Creole woman, birth name Odara, in New Orleans reared in the ways of placage where she became a common-law-wife to a wealthy Frenchman. We watch how she grows from a naïve girl to a scorned woman after dealing with her husband’s abusive ways. Through voodoo, she seeks vengeance against him and those who’ve wronged her. I’m currently working on Madame Lilly, Voodoo Priestess: Sanura (Book 3).

 I am also working on a new series that has yet to be titled surrounding the life of Native Americans and lycanthropes. It will be viewed from a male perspective dealing with supernatural beings.


 HOW DOES YOUR WORK DIFFER FROM OTHERS OF ITS GENRE?

In whatever genre I write, I like to write stories where the main characters are strong and deal with life situations in a spirited way. My characters must be diverse, covering several different ethnic groups and/or cultures.

Also, I don’t believe in picture book endings that are unrealistic and glossed over.  Giving my readers a more believable story is important to me. My approach is plot driven and hard-core where the characters must handle what is thrown at them but I still try to make for an easy read.




 WHY DO YOU WRITE WHAT YOU DO?

I write for the love of expression and the need for diverse characters.
HOW DOES YOUR WRITING PROCESS WORK?

When I think of a character, I simply sit down and write the story out. I don’t plot anything, but instead let the tale come to me as I imagine it. I allow the words to flow without the restriction of an outline limiting my creativity, although at times, I will chart a timeline for accuracy purposes.  If research is needed, I delve in, gather all required material, then plot my story even more. I will research before and during my writing process to make sure what I’m giving you is accurate as possible. 
Who Goes Next?

I now hand the torch over to an exceptional writer, Kish Knight. Please be sure to visit her blog and support her along the journey.
Kish Knight is a paranormal/scifi author and founder of Tintdteen a collaboration of young adult authors working on diversifying reading. She currently has two series out through Amazon. The first is titled The Shelf and the second Geek-Senior Year. She is a very talented author who takes young adult drama to the next level. Read more about Kish on her blog at http://kishknight.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

New Release: Pearseus, Mad Water by Nicholas C. Rossis



Yesterday’s crimes. Tomorrow’s retribution.

Blurb:

In the third book of the best-selling Pearseus series, the incessant scheming of the various players and their nebulous puppet-masters has brought about major change. Cyrus is now the new ruler of the Capital, struggling to fight Jonia’s revolt along with his own demons. Gella strives to keep abreast of Teo’s devious plans in order to end the war with Jonia. David returns to the First in an effort to overcome his loss of the Voice. Lehmor’s struggle to reunite with Moirah brings him to uncharted territories, where the enigmatic Iota play with minds, senses and the future of the entire planet.


Old foes and unlikely new friends appear as invisible forces continue to pry humanity apart. Masks drop to reveal the ultimate truth: on Pearseus, everyone has their own agenda. And they’ll stop at nothing to achieve it.



What people say about Pearseus:

“He simply tells a story of corruption, people struggling as pioneers seeking to do with what they have...  The measure of this book is that the triumph is not a textbook description, but a sense of a living struggle.”

“A cross between Game of Thrones and Dune”

“Astonishing, intriguing, thoughtful”

“It will be hard to put this book down long enough to eat and sleep, never mind doing responsible things like going to work and taking care of the kids”

“[It] hits on those big archetypal themes of invasion, loss, leadership, death... and high tech. It gives the reader plenty of material for discussion.”

“Warning: May cause loss of sleep, lowered work productivity, and missed meals”


Nicholas C. Rossis bio:

Author. Avid reader. Web developer. Architect by training, holder of a PhD in Digital Architecture from the University of Edinburgh.
Nicholas loves to write.  Mad Water, the third book in his epic fantasy series, Pearseus, was just published, while his first children's book, Runaway Smile, is currently being illustrated.  He has also published The Power of Six, a collection of short sci-fi stories.
He lives in Athens, Greece, in the middle of a forest, with his wife, dog and two very silly cats, one of whom is always sitting on his lap, so please excuse any typos in his blog posts: typing with one hand can be hard...

Book links:

·        The Power of Six: 6+1 Science Fiction Short Stories can be found on http://amzn.to/1kKVduI
·        Pearseus: Schism, Book 1 in his epic fantasy series is available on http://amzn.to/1aDgXDA
·        Pearseus: Rise of the Prince, Book 2 in his epic fantasy series is available on http://amzn.to/1jlXLj6
·        Pearseus: Rise of the Prince, Book 2 in his epic fantasy series is available on http://amzn.to/1jlXLj6
·        You can also read Books 1 & 2 (special edition) on http://amzn.to/RqjNbU and
·        Books 1 to 3 (box edition) on
·        Also available: Tao Te Ching  (translated into Greek) on http://amzn.to/1ovrc4n

Web presence:

·        http://www.nicholasrossis.me



Fabulosity Reads Book Promotions is a book touring website that promotes authors and their precious works to an extensive audience using blogs, twitter, Facebook and other Social Media, with the aim of introducing them to an appreciative readership.
They offer a diverse range of both complimentary and affordable products to help the reach of your book go that much further.



Sunday, July 13, 2014

International Authors' Day Blog Hop 2014


My pen name is Dormaine G, birth name Deanna, and I absolutely love books. I never really was into books as a child until my mother started taking us to the library on Saturdays which exposed me to a world of different genres. I never knew that many books existed so Saturdays became the adventurous day to explore many tales. 

My favorite book growing up was “Meet the Austins” by Madeleine L’Engle. I was eleven years old and something about it hooked me from the beginning. They were kids trying to survive a family and a not so easy life.  Although our lives were not parallel, they were kids that I could relate to and it somehow comforted me. When I was introduced to young adult fantasy and suspense thrillers novels, they became my two favorite genres. Till this day my favorite authors are Kelley Armstrong, and James Patterson.

I love young adult fantasy books like Kelley’s because it takes me back to childhood when the idea of having superpowers or abilities was wondrous, plus to be involved in a great venture seemed spectacular. Fictitious stories can be so captivating exploring the unknown or crossing into the imaginary realm. Besides the fact that I refuse to grow up, young adult literature will always be a part of me.

As far as detective novels by James, who doesn’t like a seedy investigation? I secretly wanted to become a detective, working the streets late at night solving crimes but I chose a different route all together. So now I like to read a good novel involving psychos and/or narcissists being taken down by a good detective.

So last year I stopped working to take my writing career seriously and love it! I have always felt that I had a story to tell and through the years I have written stories but never published.  Plus, growing up I never really saw anyone on television or read in books where characters looked like me so I feel it’s vital to write tales involving a diversity of characters. The world is housed with so many different cultures, so how could we not represent as many as possible? So in my stories I like to have a variety of cultures represented.

So now you know a little something about me. I plan on continuing to read as many books as possible, write reviews and publish books because in a good book I love to get lost. Thanks for stopping by! 




 Head of blog Host Hop:  http://www.b00kr3vi3ws.in/

Monday, July 7, 2014

Shattered Imperfections by Nicole Dunlap


blurb / synopsis
Nobody is perfect. Through the scandalous family lies that bind them all together the Shaw women have survived. Four generations of women have tackled ups and downs: now, Annette is perfectly comfortable wither life. Charlene has tasted the bittersweet notes of success. Raven is preparing for the wedding of a century, and a life rich in love afterward. Beautiful, young Royael has all the pleasures of a princess…
While Dallas is in uproar over a gruesome rape-homicide, a lead Detective transforms into the ultimate stalker. A hitman lurks nearby. And death will surely come. The list of those wanting vengeance has reached its peak, but the Bible says that “God will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.”
Take one last roller coaster ride with the Shaw and Devereux families. Will there be rest for these souls?

#1Author Interview
Describe what "gumbo genre" is to your readers.
I’ve dubbed myself as “the gumbo genre” novelist because books shouldn’t be lightly seasoned. I write stories with drama, drizzled with suspense, seasoned with romance, and peppered with a few good laughs and an occasional cry. I try to be unique, especial with series’ so readers aren’t seeing patterns throughout the installments. For example, the Shaw Family Saga, Miss Nobody was a mixture of drama and touched on suspense. The future books add fire of emotions, action, suspense, spiritual awakening. With gumbo, every bite is new and unique.
2. What is one experience as a counselor that had the most impact on you? Has it influenced your writing?
I’ve listened to horror story after horror story–that is life for teenagers and little children. A student whose mother was murdered by a Los Angeles serial killer–I’ll never forget his motivation to succeed through it all. A five year old that is left at home alone, a high schooler that comes home to find the apartment empty and parents have moved without telling him, so now he’s a gang member. They believe that being in a gang provides them with family. One girl similar to teenage Raven is in an abusive relationship. These girls lose themselves in guys that are “popular” as Raven did with Chris in Miss Nobody. Their stories work on my emotions slowly, and I can literally feel Raven’s depression in the first books. By the time the series ends, the readers are dealing with a lifetime impact of family issues.
4. How do your characters deal with their abandonment issues?
Charlene redirects her issues into the form of acting. She will overcompensate for not taking care of Raven. Raven is very internal, holding in her problems and tries to keep secrets. I do show theme evolving somewhat, because learning to cope takes years.
5. Describe your writing process.
I co-weave drama by writing the first draft of a story and making bullet points for some of the plot to be answered in other series. There are issues from Miss Nobody that have traveled over to Miss Perfect. Not big ones where the reader gets frustrated, waiting for a resolution. I wouldn’t do that. It gets annoying. But when you get to book three and four, your bottom lip will drop, realizing that a small issue in book one was sooo very important.
6. What advice can you offer to new writers?
Get a thick skin. Not all stories are for everybody. You will get a review from a reader who thinks the story should have gone left when it went right. Read every review, take some of your fans advice, oftentimes it is useful. I’ve had book clubs invite me to discussions, and they come up with themes in my stories that I didn’t even know I had. It is awesome.




 Excerpt
I’m going to kill myself…” The words pulled Raven in and shook her to the core. She closed her eyes momentarily and rubbed her face with the back of her hand.
Why of all times?
Her mind, her body, her soul warned her to hurry to the jaded teen, but the ease of the Marcielago engine indicated that she might not make it down the hill if she sped too fast. Less than fifteen minutes later, Raven slowed down in Sadie’s neighborhood of three-story mini mansions. She parked on the driveway of Sybille’s Spanish-style villa and hopped out of the car.
In distressed jeans and a long tee, Sadie loomed on the wrought iron banister from her bedroom balcony. The sun had been cast out by the willow trees, the day already misty–a muggy wet summer indeed–Sadie’s Converses could slip from the banister and down she’d go. All because she couldn’t take Raven’s breakup. Jon wanted Raven to rid herself of Tyriq, and knowing that brother and sister were so close, she’d called Sadie over to tell her the same.
“Please!” Raven held up her hands, eyes wet with worry.
“Come up, Sis. Come see me.”
“Okay, oh-kay…” Raven hurried to the front door, her hands went to the knobs and she yanked them both open. Mud on her feet trekked over the white carpet as she took the stairs two at a time. Inside Sadie’s room, with its mellow yellow walls, butterfly and smiley face stickers, scattered makeup. It was a room for… a confused soul who knew not if she wanted to transform from child to adult, a mixture of confused adolescence. When Raven stepped out onto the deck, there was no trace of Sadie.
“Sis…” Sadie called.
Raven turned around. She hadn’t seen this area before. There should’ve been just a wall with posters of young rap groups and pictures but no, the wall was gone. Within the folds was an opened stainless steel door.
“Sadie,” Raven hurried to her. She could’ve slapped the teen, but hugged Sadie instead. “Don’t ever do that again. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. That was stupid of me, but don’t…” her voice broke as Sadie let her go. The apology for abandoning a friend lay dormant within the bristling of her belly. She knew disregarding Sadie because of her brother, Tyriq was–
“Raven.” Tyriq spoke her name in multisyllabic, as if years apart had torn his heart into pieces and just this mere sight of her, slowly intertwined the meat of it back together.
She glared at him.
BOOM.
The steel door slammed shut. Raven looked around. His sister was out of sight, except for a few monitors linked to the panic room. Sadie stood just on the other side of the partition, looking into the camera.
“I need you and Tyriq to talk things out.” Sadie smiled, wiping away tears.
The five-by-five safe room decreased in size. Raven refused to look at him. Refused to acknowledge his presence, even though he tried. Too angry to retort, she glared at Sadie’s innocent eyes. A few minutes later Sadie asked how it was going.
Tyriq pressed the intercom, “Not well.”
“Have you lost your mind?” Raven asked.
He let go of the button. He looked at her with eyes that bore right through her soul. “Do you know how much you hurt Sadie?”
Forget that, she asked, “Was this your idea?”
“No.”
“How could you let your little sister stand on the ledge like that!”
“Sadie can tightrope walk. Look,” he began with a seedy breath. “This is not you–the breaking up of friends? That’s ridiculous. Even if we have a falling out, Sadie has nothing to do with it.”
“Well, you just brought her in to this!”
“I didn’t know what she planned. She just told me you’d be here today.”
“Okay, Detective,” she smirked in disbelief.
“You didn’t grow up putting friends aside. You’ve always been very loyal to the point of being at fault. Remember the time you picked up Sadie from that town at the tippy top of Texas! She’d shoplifted with her rich friends. You wouldn’t just stop being friends with her…”
Raven batted back tears. He was right. Though she wouldn’t admit, she hummed within the confines of her brain trying not to hear the things she’d done for Jon. Whatever her husband wanted, he got, and would always get.



 About The Author

I am the younger of two children. My older sister was just “all right” so they tried again and got lucky with me! I was born in Fontana, California to Clifford Glass and Rochelle Jones. My parents split while I was young. Hence, my life revolved around the scenic route of traveling back and forth from the Inland Empire to Long Beach, which was a cultural shock back in the day. While writing, I’ve painted a picture of myself, the people, and places that I’ve come across to create a story where readers can learn about the characters, root for them, hate them, love them, cry for them; and most of all, yearn to flip through the pages to the end of that character’s journey.
As a guidance counselor, I have worked with teenagers with issues of abandonment and low self- esteem. I took aspects from these beautiful teenagers’ identities and have seasoned my characters from MISS NOBODYwith them. This family saga continues with MISS SCANDALOUS in the Shaw family series and will be released March of 2013 with a third book to follow.
I am a wife and a mother. I am a sister that gives good advice to my best friend and one and only sister. I love to travel; there’s nothing like readingwhile traveling. I read everything from Beverly Lewis to Terri McMillan and back again. As a child, my go-to books were by R.L Stien and Christopher Pike. All these books have given my writing a flare of drama, inspiration, mystery, suspense—okay, let’s just say that my stories are a “genre pot of gumbo!” I write most days and get my inspiration from dreams, life’s unexpected curveballs, the good people I’ve met and the scandalous ones, too.
Contact links:
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6535805.Nicole_Dunlap





Fabulosity Reads Book Promotions is a book touring website that promotes authors and their precious works to an extensive audience using blogs, twitter, Facebook and other Social Media, with the aim of introducing them to an appreciative readership.
They offer a diverse range of both complimentary and affordable products to help the reach of your book go that much further.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Introducing Tintd Teen: YA Collaboration

 Tintd Teen's goal is to:

"Market fun, escapist novels with characters of color or otherwise, for children, teens and young adults that will expand their creative vision, open their eyes to the origins of fantasy, and that will live on for decades as a ‘memorable, reading experience’. 

The imprint focuses on a particular niche: interesting, quality novels in the fantasy, horror, sci-fi, and paranormal genres with unique spin – books that shape the adolescent memory of fiction reading."

Note from Cheryl Parsons, Founder

    Kish Knight
Some people are born into a family fortune. Bri has just entered into a family curse… 

…I don’t want to die…was what Bri’s best friend said only days before. Never having believed in curses, Bri dismissed Aeryal’s claims and assured her friend that she would live. Assured her that all the near-death incidents were just coincidence. 

Then came her funeral. 

And then come the attacks on Bri’s life, attacks that are eerily similar to the ones on Aeryal. Without warning, she’s running for her life from a demonic being that only she can see, and in the midst of it all, not one, but two gorgeous guys are suddenly vying for her attention. 

The thing is, mysterious artifacts snuggled away on her best friend’s bookshelf might prove that one of her boyfriends isn’t as innocent as he seems.

***
Khadija Craddock
I couldn't think or rationalize my actions. I could only feel the sensation of his blood traveling inside of me..."

Alaya Eveland is an aspiring track star at Equinox High in Equinox, Florida. She was beginning to make a name for herself throughout the city for her amazing speed and her infallible track record, but her obsession with becoming a professional athlete caused her to kill her mother and herself. Miraculously, she was given a second chance at life. However, Alaya is too grief stricken to care much about her school career and only focuses on track and Octavius, a striking, mysterious boy in her class. She is drawn to Octavius like water vapors to a cloud and ignoring him is almost impossible. Despite having a best friend and a crush on her teammate Shemroy, she still feels a heavy amount of burden and pain from killing her mother. But it seems maybe she was really better off dead, for she soon learns she needs blood to sustain her life, her father has to kill her for existing, her ex-boyfriend has extreme jealousy issues, her favorite track adversary has gone missing. People end up dead. Nothing is as it seems and no one is who they say; not even Alaya.

***

DORMAINE G.


"I, Connor, thought I was the average sarcastic teenager, living a normal boring life like everyone else with a crazy, annoying family. Wrong. I recently discovered that I have certain abilities. Abilities that link me to others like me, and others, unlike me, who want to cause me harm. 
I found out this world is not what I thought, as well as the strange creatures in it, and that frightens me. I had to grow up fast and find the strength to defend myself from those beings who don’t want me here or who will take my strengths by any means necessary. 
Throughout this craziness, I met a wonderful guy named Tony, who has abilities too. With him and five others like us we discover who we are and how we came to be. 
Then there is Ronin, a being who is young, smart, and cunning. He is set on taking his revenge out on me yet I have no idea why." 



The Keepers (Connor Chronicles Book 1)  Buy Here After young Connor is gifted with superhuman abilities, her life changes. When she learns o...