Monthly Archives: November 2012
Blood’s Voice by Aine P. Massie – Spotlight/Excerpt/Giveaway
Giveaway:
Áine will be giving away one eBook of BLOOD BOUND plus a $5 Gift Card from Amazon or Are to one luck winner! In order to win you need to fill out the Rafflecopter form below.
Blood’s Voice
(Book One of the House Millar series)
by Áine P Massie
Title: Blood’s Voice
Author: Áine P Massie
Publisher: Geas Publishing
Series: House Millar, #1
Genre: New Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Length: Novel
Anya Millar had no memory of her life or an instruction manual on how to navigate the insane world of humans, biting, and reality. Instead, Anya has had to learn to navigate the world of love, life, and sanity while avoiding those that would see her dead or enslaved.
Anya must come to terms with who she is and her missing past, Nicholas must win back the object of his eternal love while dealing with new cravings in his silent heart, and Declán must learn to destroy the very creatures that he has unequivocally given his heart and blood.
This is the ongoing journey of Anya and Nicholas, human loving vampires and the human they love, Declán. What makes it all more complicated is that they are abominations in their own world and Declán is a natural born vampire hunter called a Guardian.
Excerpt:
His eyes, filled with wonder, began to stream with tears. “What was that? I can . . . feel you!”
He reached over and gently caressed my face with his hand. It felt as if he was merging with my skin when he touched me, but his eyes did not empty, his body did not seize. I could still smell him though and feared the consequences if I didn’t pull back. I couldn’t risk anything further right then; my body was too excited, ravenous.
Taking his hands with mine, I worked to keep control. “Declán? Say something, please?”
His voice was thick with tears. “I touched you. I can feel you with me.” And with that he collapsed . . . unconscious.
“Great!” I cannot win. Now what do I do . . .? Suddenly I heard Nicholas outside; he then appeared in the window.
“Anya, what did you do?”
Follow Along links:
Before: Queen of the Night Reviews – http://queenofthenightreviews.blogspot.com/
After: The Writers’ Voice – http://ourbooksourvoice.blogspot.com/
Buy Links
Purchase eBook: Geas Publishing | Amazon | ARe | Barnes & Noble | iStore
Purchase Print: Geas Publishing | Amazon
Signatures: Authorgraph or Bookplate
Praise for Blood’s Voice
“Aine’s love for her characters shines in Blood’s Voice. She gives you a reason to become invested in their well-being. The definition of love triangle takes on a whole new meaning in the House of Millar. I was surprised in a most pleasant sort of way. This book does not contain the constant bickering and whining that are found in a lot of YA literature…a refreshing change. And, before I forget…a big thanks to Aine for her inclusion of alternate lifestyles in a very compelling manner.” – Kristin @ Better Read Than Dead
“I like the issues of LGBT that are brought up in the story and felt they were just enough of a sample of that lifestyle to not offend close minded individuals. It was very realistic and I enjoyed reading more about it. There is a ménage de trois alluded to in the book so some people may be a bit uncomfortable with that part of the story. From my point of view, it was very well written and only enhanced the book. I give this a 4 fair review as it was a very romantic story with paranormal elements that drew you in with the intricate plot.” – Heather @ Earth’s Book Nook
“Most of the vampires in this series have some type of unique ability. Especially Anya. She gives a new meaning to the coin phrase of “I get whatever I want”. You follow her on her adventures of trying to fit in with humans and seemingly thwarted by her own kind almost every time. She begins to have feelings for Nickolas, as well as Declan but they are different and easy to separate. At least for her. She loves whom she loves. Towards the middle of the book I grew a little envious of her situation.” – Nikki @ CEWTNK
“This is one book I could not put down at all and this is really one I want to read book #2 as soon as I can. Very well written and a great Young Adult book. If you are into Young Adult vampire books I think you will most likely like this book.” – Chantale @ Geeky Girl Reviews
“The author did a great job keeping my interest and making me want to finish the story to find out what happened next. They’re lots of surprises along the way and some things that truly didn’t expect but that just made it better than I thought the ending was going to be!” – Christina @ Intoxicated by Books
“This was an absolute pleasure to read, and an easy story to get into. I had no trouble getting lost in the pages and the storyline. Aine P. Massie has a very unique writing style which I found very pleasant. The characters never once got on my nerve. I quite enjoyed reading about them.” – Kyanara Night @ Kyanara’s Mad Reviews
“It’s a really easy book to read, I literally swallowed it in two days, and I really liked it! I recommend this book to all those who love vampire stories with romance, and those who like to learn new languages and cultures… Yes? Why? Well, because the author will delight us with a sweet romance full of phrases and words in Irish. : ) Happy Reading!” – Idris @ Throwing Books
About the Author
Áine P Massie is originally from Florida, she now lives in Wisconsin where she works on her House Millar series full time while raising four children (the term herding cats comes to mind). Her major in College was Childhood Education (specialization in ages zero to five) with a minor study in Deaf Culture/ASL. She is also a Wiccan priestess dedicated to the gods, family, and love.
A lifelong reader, Áine has always had a particular fascination with vampires, mythology, and the unusual. When she can escape from her children and books, she enjoys . . . oh yes, reading, playing, ritual, a good cappuccino, and working with her healing stones.
Her first published work came in high school where she was part of a writing and drama group. But, she’s been reading the likes of Shakespeare and Poe since late elementary school and enjoys most forms of fiction. Blood’s Voice has been a long time in coming and with its publication (June 2011) Áine embarked on a new chapter in her life.
Social Contact
Website – http://apmassie.com
Blog – http://apmassie.com/blog/
Facebook (Author) – https://www.facebook.com/apmassie.author
Facebook (Series) – https://www.facebook.com/BloodsVoice
Twitter – http://twitter.com/AnyaMillar
Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/anyamillar
Google + – https://plus.google.com/115857487824411469639/
eMail – anya.millar@gmail.com
Chloe’s Double Draw by Fiona Archer – Promo/Spotlight
Making Magic by Still Moments Publishing Team – Promo
Making Magic
Composed by the SMP Team
Recipes, crafts, photos, poems, and more!
$1.99
The perfect gift!
Buy Link from Still Moments
I have edits and the blurb!
I have edits!!!! And a release date of December 28, 2012. Woo Hoo!!!!
Here is the official back cover blurb:
A woman has one thing on her mind tonight…sex. Dirty, sweaty, kinky sex with a cowboy. With her man gone more than he is at home, she needs the release.
After being away for two weeks, a cowboy goes looking for someone to play with for the night. Being away is part of the job but not having someone to come home to is hurting his soul. Feeling disconnected in his love life, the red head will be perfect.
Once they meet, can one night of pure passion led to more than just a one night stand for either of them? Communication is the key to every relationship. Can these two find a way to connect emotionally or are they destined for heartache.
What do you think?
Midnight’s Warrior by Donna Grant – Spotlight
ISBN-10: 0312552599
ISBN-13: 978-0312552596
Mass Market Paperback
Dark Warriors #4
November 27, 2012
Midnight’s Warrior
Ramsey ~ Our HERO!The fierce one. He’s not a man to show emotion, but Ramsey sees all. His destiny is before him, but will he be able to face his future with his past riding him? |
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Born: | September 1284 |
| Turned: | 1305 | |
| God: | Ehtexia, god of thieves | |
| Warrior Color: | Bronze | |
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Abilities:
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Manipulates mass
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TaraA Druid whose magic is so unpredictable that she doesn’t try to use it. Her family is, and when they try to force her to become one, she runs away. For ten years she’s kept on the run until a man unlike any other enters her life, a man who makes her yearn to trust again. |
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Writing the Query Letter——UGH!
This is me at the moment. Ugh! Okay, I’m not blond but I do have green eyes. 
Trying to write a query letter. Okay, okay…why a query letter? Well, I have two stories that the synopsis done and one story has the first three chapters done. I’m looking to query submissions on both of them to two different publishers and a query letter is required. Shocked, you are? You really shouldn’t be. I’ve written on two different stories for the past months and both of them are as different as night and day. One is a sweet (heat level) Romantic Suspense and the other is a sensual contemporary set in a small town. Kim, Tony, Forrest and Donna are really screaming at me now and the time is right. I need to get their stories finished so that I can get them out there.
As a newbie writer, a query letter seemed a little old-fashioned to me but as I read more and more about the different publishers and there requirements, they are requiring not only the synopsis but the letter, too. Crap, where to start? Writing the synopsis was hard enough and now a letter, too? Well luckily I remembered and bookmarked a blog that a YA author has that is wonderful. Here is the link: Elana Johnson, Blog
She has even offering her book on how to write a query letter for free. I downloaded it and it has been fabulous. She even has worksheets for the learning impaired like me. I’m a visual person, so the worksheets have been great to work with and get my thoughts on the paper. It’s not pretty on the worksheets but at least now I can work with what I have.
She goes into great detail about the four parts of the first query letter: The Hook, The Set Up, The Conflict and The Consequence. I’m sure most of you know about the four parts of a query letter but this newbie did not have a clue. The book that I sold, sold on a pitch so I skipped the synopsis and query letter part of the process. I’ve spent the better part of today, Black Friday, working on this. I’ve been flat on my back for most of the holiday so far…back went out Wednesday, so its been hard to work on the computer. I’ve barely been able to sit at the computer but with the worksheets printed out, I’ve written up one query letter and working on the second one. Don’t even want to read now. Just want to write.
Wish me luck and if/when I hear back from my query letters, I will let you know the status.
Harlie
Special thanks to Mart Ramirez for leading me to Elana’s blog. *Big Kiss* Mart’s link is Martha Rameriz, Writer Martha has got links and more links than you can imagine for the newbie and established writer. You really should check it out.
Master’s Submission by Helena Harker Author Interview
Blurb:
When Bethany reads her Master’s note, she expects it to contain the usual set of instructions telling her how to prepare for their Friday evening play session. But her Master asks for the unexpected—he wants her to be his Domme. Bethany is terrified at the prospect, but she doesn’t want to disappoint Master. She’ll need to tap into her inner dominatrix if she’s to give her newly submissive lover what he needs.
Interview:
What started your writing career?
I’m not sure if I’d call it a career. It’s an obsessive hobby that’s been with me since I was 15. I have so many ideas in my head, all begging to be set free on the printed page!
What are you favorite genres to write? Anyone more challenging than the other?
I have written thrillers, fantasy, urban fantasy, steampunk, contemporary erotica, BDSM. They all have their own challenges. Right now I am hopelessly in love with steampunk because I have always loved the Victorian era.
I noticed on your website that you are teacher? Have your students read anything that you wrote?
They definitely haven’t read any of the erotica! LOL! I write for young adults as well, but I think my students are a little too old for the books I have written.
Describe getting the “call” or “email” regarding your first book that was published?
My most thrilling acceptance wasn’t the first novel. My most thrilling acceptance came with my current story, “Master’s Submission.” I couldn’t believe that Ellora’s Cave accepted my very first erotic story. I was ecstatic! They have also accepted another one, which will be out soon, a cougar story called “Art of Desire.”
If you could invite 6 writers for a roundtable discussion, who would they be and what would be the topic?
Philip Pullman, Stephen King, J.K. Rowling, Stephenie Meyer, P.C. Cast, Kristen Callihan. I would ask them where they get their ideas and how they plot from beginning to end.
Where do you see yourself as a writer 5 years from now?
I hope to have lots more publications with Ellora’s Cave.
What’s next for you?
An erotic steampunk novella entitled “Camellia’s Cabinet of Curiosities.” Think hell hath no fury like a woman scorn’d set in Victorian times. There’s a touch of BDSM in there too!
Thank you so much Helena for answering my questions.
If you would like to read my review of Master’s Submission, it can be found at My review
Helena Harker is a teacher by day, writer by night, a daydreamer who loves to escape to other worlds. Her fiction is populated by strong men, passionate women and lots of paranormal creatures. In her free time she enjoys photography and curling up with a good book. She is multi-published and also writes in other genres.
Email: Author Email
Website: Author Website
Twitter: Twitter Link
Facebook: Facebook Link
Smoking Ruin by D.R. Martin – Author/Book Spotlight/Guest Post/Giveaway
Blurb:
Minneapolis PI Marta Hjelm failed to prevent a preventable murder. Her guilt has brought her right to the edge of burnout and dropout. But a prize specimen from her ancient past—her cheating ex-husband—appears out of nowhere with a gig too good to turn down. One last job, Marta figures, can’t hurt.
But hurt it does, as Marta tries to make sense of a terrorist plot at a major ad agency. In the dead of a long, bitter Minnesota winter, Marta struggles to survive attempts on her life. To understand her conflicted feelings toward an ex who wants her back, and toward the man who healed her when everything was dark. To make peace with the ghost of a victim she should have saved. And to crack open multiple conspiracies that lead to murder and smoking ruin.
Excerpt:
Snuggled tight in the heated basement garage, the ad agency’s Lexus started like a charm. I touched the button on the remote door control, and drove up and out into the brutal January night. I turned right, through the back parking lot, and right again, around the end of the building, into the front parking lot, past my frozen Mercury Marquis.
A minute later I was curving north and east at a good clip, toward Wayzata, feeling like a rally driver. The sky was a deep azure, clear as glass and full of the stars you don’t often see in the city.
It was the first time that day I’d felt relatively on top of the situation. Sure, plenty of things were screwed up.
My boyfriend Rick needed calming down and getting home, where he belonged. I’d had to go to work for people I didn’t like, for a cause that gave pause. And my reaction to seeing my ex Terry again made me a little queasy. What’s up with that? I asked myself. But clear them all up—and I had no doubt that I would—and things looked a lot better.
I tooled over a narrow bridge, went left, then right, the lake only a dozen feet away. The headlights caught the glitter of ice on the road. I lightly tapped the brakes, but didn’t feel them catch. No anti-lock kicking in. Doing something wrong, I thought, as my heart accelerated and my gloved hands squeezed the wheel harder.
I feathered the brakes again—a reflexive, fluttery tapping of my right foot, from teen driving days—as I came onto the ice. I was going way too fast. Again, nothing happened. The Lexus kept rolling.
Turning the wheel left, I could feel my heart coming up into my mouth.
The tires refused to find a purchase on the ice and the car began to yaw sideways.
I kept feathering the brakes, then pressed hard. The pedal went to the floor with a forbidding “thunk.”
The road curved left again, but the Lexus kept going straight.
A puny steel-cable guard rail came up fast as a shot and the front of the Lexus sheared through it with a percussive roar.
I was briefly airborne over eight feet of steep shoreline, starting to scream, when the car nosed down.
The frozen lake rushed toward me, brilliant in the headlights, like a wall of dirty, corrugated granite.
Writing from the other side of the gender divide
We’ve all done it—looked at a person of the opposite sex and wondered what in the world makes him/her act the way he/she does.
I had the chance to delve deeper into that mystery when I created Smoking Ruin. The book is written in first-person, from the point of view of a female PI.
My protagonist, Minneapolis PI Marta Hjelm (pronounced “Helm”), is facing a perfect little storm of trouble and danger. She wants to quit PI work and join her boyfriend Rick in his photography business. But he’s not so sure that’s a good idea. A last big job comes her way courtesy of her bad-boy ex-husband—who clearly wants her back. And once she delves deeply into the case—with her primary client murdered in a horrible way—the unknown killer comes after her.
The mystery part of this equation is fairly straightforward, in the manner of detective stories everywhere. But how does a male author like me go about getting into the head of this woman who’s facing terrific personal and professional challenges? Well, most authors put a bit of themselves in each of their characters. And in many respects Marta is me—with a whole lot more guts and gumption. She’s kind of tired and cynical. She’s a snarky observer of social foibles and is often baffled at the illogicalities of the world. She’s nearly middle-aged and out of shape and feeling not very attractive. She’s dogged and loyal—a work horse, not a show horse.
When I was writing Smoking Ruin, I was fortunate to have a technical advisor on the female point-of-view—my wife. But once I wrinkled out those inauthentic moments in the story (“Sorry, hon, a woman would never think that.”), the women who have read the book have uniformly liked, even loved, Marta. With an early version of the book I toyed with the idea of turning Marta into Martin—thinking a male PI might sell better. A female friend who had read the manuscript was appalled. “Don’t you dare!” she snapped at me. “Marta’s not a man!”
I think any good writer should be able to bring off first-person in the opposite gender. Simply create a real human being with the personality and history and character that’s required for the story you intend to tell. That human being can be based on you or someone else you know or a totally fictional creation. Then start tweaking the gender details. If you’re a woman, ask your husband, boyfriend or male friends for technical advice; if you’re a man, ask the women you know.
What’s really important is that you know your character, like your character, and believe in your character. I know I’m awfully fond of Marta Hjelm and I hope readers who pick up a copy of Smoking Ruin will be, too.
Other books by D. R. Martin
Johnny Graphic and the Etheric Bomb, a kids’ ghost adventure; website at johnnygraphicadventures.com
The Karma of King Harald, a canine cozy written under the pen name Richard Audry, to be published in early December; website at richardaudry.com
D. R.’s Goodreads author page is at http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5874298.D_R_Martin
You can contact D.R. at richardaudry120@gmail.com.
The Pirates of Vampire Island by Phoenix and Lover Boy – Spotlight
The Pirates of Vampire Island (Steamy Voyages #1)
by Phoenix and Lover Boy
Self-Published
61,700 words (eBook format)
Paranormal Romantic Thriller
Heat Level: Sizzling
Available at:
Amazon – Amazon Buy Link
B&N – Barnes & Noble Buy Link
Blurb:
Pretty Jane O’Doherty always chooses the wrong kind of guys. Her specialty seems to be guys who have serious flaws and who break her heart. Her last breakup was a year ago and still she can hear his final words, “I’m sorry, Jane. I’ve found someone else.”
A 30-day cruise through the exotic Indonesian Islands with a little unusual adventure with her best friend seems like the perfect distraction to mend her broken heart.
On board, she meets rich and devastatingly gorgeous Nick, who attracts women in droves to the possibility of a fantasy romance. And she meets Peter, who is a cute geek with puppy dog eyes, who is obviously totally enamored with her.
Will either one just lead to another broken heart? Should she run the other way from them both and just enjoy the cruise?
But before Jane can decide, the ship is attacked by modern day pirates. Unlike the pirates of old, these guys are vampires and are more interested in human treasure than gold and jewels.
They take over the ship and take twelve women hostage.
However handsome pirate leader—with eerie chalk-white skin, and red eyes, also has another agenda – he is looking for a special prize. He wants a woman for his mate and queen.
This creature is not your usual handsome, sexy vampire hero. No. He is evil . . . very evil and extremely vicious. Jane catches his eye, but she, along with Nick and Peter, manage to escape in a lifeboat and onto the open sea. They drift for fourteen days before finally finding an island.
But the fates are cruel. Soon the suspense and the horror of the occult begin when the island turns out to be the lair of the vampires.
EXCERPT #3:
As we approached the outdoor swimming pool on the top deck, I saw dark clouds threatening a storm. My hair was whipping in the wind. I shivered. Bad idea. But Remy was undaunted. She immediately ran and did a cannonball. As I stood wondering if I should just go back to the cabin, a waiter came up, a small, dark boy about sixteen, probably a native of the area. He wore a short white jacket with epaulets and black pants.
“Would you like a drink, mum?”
“How about a snow suit?” I laughed. “Just kidding. No, I’m good for now.” I surveyed the sunbathers and swimmers. There he was. As usual, he was surrounded by women. He was dressed in a simple white pullover sweater and tan slacks, but the cut and fabric screamed money. His luxurious, curly black hair whipped in the wind, making him look very unkempt, rugged, and nonchalant, as if fine grooming was so not important because he was stunningly handsome no matter what he wore or did.
“Excuse me, sir?” I said.
The waiter turned.
“What’s that guy’s name? The one with the black curly hair.”
“Nickolas Angelopoulos.” He stood for a moment. “Anything else I can help you with?”
“Nope. Thank you,” I said, not taking my eyes off the amazing-looking man.
“You’re gawking.”
I shook myself and looked down. Remy was hanging on the side of the pool. “Yeah, I guess I am.”
Enough of that.
“I’m coming in.” I walked over to the diving board and performed a perfect dive. I had always been very athletic, and I knew my body showed it.
I swam several laps, trying not to look at this guy named Nickolas, and climbed out of the pool, dripping water, and squeezing it out of my thick mane. I shivered a little in the cool wind, and as I finished drying, I saw out of the corner of my eye that Nicholas was staring at me – well, at my chest anyway. I looked down to see that my nipples were perfectly erect through my black bikini. I quickly draped my towel around my shoulders so it covered my breasts and was suddenly looking for a quick way to exit.
About the Author:
I was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, and grew up in California. I came from a long line of Americans who were pioneers and individualists. The family tree is filled with rugged people: rough coal miners, pioneers, and farmers living in log cabins in the early west. I wrote A Whisper from Eden, A Historical Fantasy, but like to write in several genres.
Lover Boy (aka my husband) was born and raised in Anaheim, California and wishes to remain anonymous because he doesn’t want anyone to know he likes to write romance novels. (Let’s keep his secret.)
We wrote THE PIRATES OF VAMPIRE ISLAND, A Paranormal Romantic Thriller (Steamy Voyages #1). And we are working the sequel to Steamy Voyages and a dystopian thriller, The Trash Pile People. We live in Hollywood with our ornery tomcat, Snickers.
Contact Phoenix at:
Website: http://www.fictionbyphoenix.com
E-mail: read@booksbyphoenix.com
Twitter: @PhoenixRead
Goodreads: Phoenix Reads
Facebook Page: Fiction by Phoenix
Facebook Profile: Lee Jordan
Pinterest: Lee Jordan
Amazon Author Central: Amazon.com/author/phoenixread
Amazon Reviews by Phoenix Profile Page: http://amzn.to/P8T5QD
