INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR LARISSA EMERALD (REVIEW OPPORTUNITY)

CHECK OUT a new Paranormal Romantic Thriller/Suspense series from author Larissa Emerald. PERFECTION is receiving rave reviews on Amazon!

For an added treat, scroll down to read Larissa’s interview. 😃

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PERFECTION REVIEWING OPPORTUNITY

Interested in a copy of PERFECTION to read for review? Email me at cynthiashepp@yahoo.com or comment on this post.

Author: Larissa Emerald

Book: Perfection: Book 1 of Code Perfect series

Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/3brV67v

Release date: Already published

Review time: 2 weeks

Review copy delivery: Book Funnel

Reviews to be posted on: Amazon. Goodreads and Bookbub much appreciated, but not required.

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🆓PERFECTION IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED!

Her perfect life is everything she ever wanted…until it isn’t. How far will Kindra go to save her child?

Kindra B-Zaika designs Genetically Engineered Individuals, and with each generation, they become smarter, more beautiful, healthier–whatever improvements the Committee decrees. It doesn’t matter to them that the divide grows ever wider between Coders and GEIs. Or at least not until a prominent dignitary’s D Generation child suddenly dies of a mysterious virus.

Now Kindra must team with York Richmond, a striking, rough-around-the-edges Coder police lieutenant, to catch the sociopath who unleashed the deadly virus. To him, she’s an icy GEI scientist. Just like the ones who wouldn’t give him the time of day when he needed them most. At least, that’s what he thinks until he spots her being human.

The killer poses a threat to an entire generation of children, and they must stop him before all of D Generation is infected, including Kindra’s own daughter. But as they work together to find their suspect and develop an antidote in the meantime, a forbidden attraction sparks between them.

Can they find the answers before time runs out for the children?

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Feel like escaping into a paranormal #thriller? Discover the too-realistic future of genetic engineering in @LarissaEmBooks Perfection: Code Perfect series. #FREE on #KindleUnlimited #readers #reviewers https://t.co/aSbmgBYoDS

— Cynthia Shepp (@CynthiaShepp) May 6, 2020

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AUTHOR INTERVIEW WITH LARISSA EMERALD

• What inspired you to start writing?

Reading, of course. Then, I began by rewriting the endings to movies. I’d get upset when they didn’t end the way I wanted, so I’d rewrite the ending. When my kids were young, I’d write little things for them. One day I found an announcement for a writing class hosted at the library. I dropped everything and attended the workshop. I’ve been writing ever since.)

• What advice would you give a new writer, someone just starting out?

Develop a thick skin. Perfection can be a killer in so many ways. Just write. Persevere. Never give up.

• What comes first, the plot or characters?

It depends on the story. My paranormal series Divine Tree Guardians began with driving along and seeing a tree roped off with construction fencing. I have a huge love of trees. My Terror, MN series began knowing I wanted a team of angels to protect the town. My Nocturne Falls Universe stories all began with a character. I already knew they would be set in the fun town of Kristin Painter’s Nocturne Falls.

 

 

 

• Do you hear from your readers much? What do they say?

Yes. I love hearing from my readers! Most of my books are paranormal stories. My readers love the imaginary places I take them to, and I usually include an element of family in the story.

• What was your favorite part, and your least favorite part, of the publishing journey?

My favorite part is writing the story and meeting readers. My least favorite is marketing.

• Where can readers purchase your books?

All my books are on Amazon. My Nocturne Falls Universe stories and a few others are on Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and iBooks.

Author Larissa Emerald

• Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

My website, which is where you can also sign up for my newsletter.

You can also follow me on Facebook.

Contemporary List     or     Paranormal List

• Are there any secrets from PERFECTION you can share with your readers?

One thing I played around with is the myth that we use only 10 percent of our brain. In creating more intelligent genetically enhanced humans, I gave the heroine telekinetic powers. You’ll have to look for these instances in the story.

• What was the inspiration for the story?

My son is the initial inspiration for Perfection and the book is dedicated to him. He was born with a rare genetic abnormality. He’s an adult now, mentally handicapped, but doing well living on his own in an apartment complex for individuals with disabilities. There were times when he was growing up when I wondered what it would be like if science and doctors could genetically “fix” his genes and make him normal. I love him so much. Life gives us all challenges, this was mine.

A secondary inspiration is my granddaughter. She has been battling leukemia for three years. Diagnosed when she was thirteen, I enjoyed writing a world where people were immune to all diseases, no cancer, no cystic fibrosis, no illness.

• What is the key theme and/or message in the book?

I think it’s that life is precious. Children are precious.

• What is the future for the characters? Will there be a sequel?

Yes, two stories are coming in August. Forbidden, a novella. The story takes the reader further into Kindra and York’s relationship and their decision to make their life together—top secret, there’s a wedding– despite the rules of the time against mixed marriage between GEI, genetically engineered individuals, and Coders, the ancient race gene pool. Flawed, a novel where the heroine and hero of this story undertake the job of protecting Kindra.

• What were the key challenges you faced when writing this book?

Even though the story is set in the future, the characters experience the same things we see today. Teenagers still push the envelope and have their own style. Parents still love their children. Families have their ups and downs. People fall in love. Yes, it’s a romance, too. It was a bit of a challenge to imagine what the world would be like then. I really enjoyed researching advancements and technology. My husband helped a lot with that. He’s an engineer. If you know any engineers then you may be able to imagine some of our discussions.

• Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with your readers about?

I’m working on book 3 of Code Perfect series. Hold on to your seats and guard your heart.

• How many plot ideas are just waiting to be written? Can you tell us about one?

At the moment, I have three other very different stories begging to be written. The first is a paranormal women’s fiction. And one of these days, I’m going to write the psychic time-travel story about a young woman who goes back in time and is trapped in the body of her ancestor. She experiences falling in love, only to be thrown back to her time. And then…  

(Cynthia: I couldn’t help snickering at Larissa’s teasing, lol…)

 

 

 

• What are you reading now?

Sucks To Be Me by Kristin Painter

• Favorite quote:

• What do you like about audiobooks?

I can do two things at once.

• How many bookshelves are in your house?

Two.

• What do you like to do when you are not writing?

Gardening, traveling, reading.

 

• What’s your favorite food?

Chicken Pot Pie. And I make a yummy one with homemade from-scratch crust. Ooh, wait a minute. Maybe I should change that to wine and chocolate. Yes, that’s a favorite, um… dessert.

• Have you ever been on a sports teams? If so, what sport?

Competitive baton twirling. I can’t throw a ball to save my life, but a metal stick, I rock that.

• Share something your readers wouldn’t know about you.

I have three golden retrievers. See pics on FB.

• If you could cure a disease, what would it be?

Cancer. Oh, how I wish!

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WOULD YOU RATHER:

• Would you rather be in a room full of snakes or a room full of spiders? (That depends.

Spiders. As long as they’re not tarantulas.)

• Would you rather live in a haunted mansion or live in an un-haunted cottage?

Un-haunted cottage.

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EITHER/OR:

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• Do you have a favorite recipe?

I share my favorites in my newsletter. Hint hint.

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BTW, I also share inspiration for my books on Pinterest. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DON’T FORGET TO GRAB PERFECTION, FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED!

OR, IF YOU WOULD LIKE A REVIEW COPY, LEAVE A COMMENT WITH YOUR EMAIL OR MESSAGE ME ON FACEBOOK.

 

♥

Need an editor? 

READ TO REVIEW-EROTIC ROMANCE

SHARING FOR ANNA AMBROSE, EROTIC 

ROMANCE AUTHOR

 

18+ Only!

Read to Review—Erotic Romance—M/F, M/F/F, and M/M.

REVIEWS ARE NOT REQUIRED IF YOU ACCEPT ONE OR BOTH READER COPIES, BUT THEY ARE MUCH APPRECIATED. 💋

BLOGGERS AND REGULAR READERS ARE WELCOME TO ACCEPT READER COPIES!

Lucy: An Open-Door Policy Novella—Written by Anna Ambrose.

Lucy is book 1 in the Open-Door Policy series, but it can be read as a standalone. Thirteen thousand words. M/F main love story with M/F/F and M/M scenes. http://bit.ly/LucyNRylan 

Fall in love with Lucy & Rylan in this deliciously taboo ménage agreement between best friends.

If Lucy can only find the courage to let go of her inhibitions, she’ll have the perfect opportunity to discover her true self while going after exactly what she wants—Ry.

“If I like it, I reserve the right to go back, and I do not want to have to obey you or be your pity lay every time.” -Lucy

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐A FEW LINES FROM AMAZON REVIEWERS⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Steamiest Novella I’ve ever read!”

“So intense and enticing!”

“Hot steamy Novella: This novella is full of heat. Like damn. The author doesn’t hold back with the scenes… hallelujah!!! You feel like you’re sitting in the room with Rylan, Lucy, and three other guests.”

“Wow oh wow!!! This novella was scorching.”

Read to Review—M/M Erotic Romance

Xander: An Open-Door Policy Novella—Written by Anna Ambrose.

Xander is book 2 in the Open-Door Policy series, but it can be read as a standalone. Thirty-one thousand words. M/M main love story with M/F and M/F/F scenes. http://bit.ly/XanderNLiam 

Fall in love with Xander & Liam in this delicious slide into sizzling hot sex and unexpected emotion.

 

Realizing what he craves doesn’t mean Xander accepts it. But when an unexpected ally makes him see he’s missing out on the best parts of life, he finally decides to open himself up to the possibility…

“Okay, so what—you needed three girls and what smells like a whole bottle of alcohol to convince yourself you aren’t attracted—more than attracted—to a guy?” -Liam

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐A FEW LINES FROM AMAZON REVIEWERS⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Explosively detailed and vivid descriptions. The descriptions of taste and smell are of such level you can almost taste what the character is tasting.” 

“This smoking hot, sexy, and fantastic story almost set my ereader on fire! Keep a fan and cold drink handy.”

“The author writes so vividly that you can see all these emotions & fears Xander goes through.” 

“Beautifully written. I only wished it was longer (yes, I know it’s a novella, but I fell in love with Xander and Liam together and never wanted it to end!)”

If interested in reviewing one or both books, please fill out the form below and make sure to include whether you would like MOBI, PDF, or EPUB.

You can also message Anna Ambrose on Goodreads or Twitter or email her at annaambroseauthor@gmail.com.

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The Captain’s Bluestocking Mistress

Today we have an exclusive excerpt from USA Today bestselling author Erica Ridley’s newest Dukes of War regency romance: The Captain’s Bluestocking Mistress!

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Captain Xavier Grey’s body is back amongst the beau monde, but his mind cannot break free from the horrors of war. His friends try to help him find peace. He knows he doesn’t deserve it. Just like he doesn’t deserve the attentions of the sultry bluestocking intent on seducing him into bed…

Spinster Jane Downing wants off the shelf and into the arms of a hot-blooded man. Specifically, the dark and dangerous Captain Grey. She may not be destined to be his wife, but nothing will stop her from being his mistress. She could quote classical Greek by the age of four. How hard can it be to learn the language of love?

Amazon/Kindle | Kobo | Nook | iBooks/Apple | Goodreads

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In this scene, Captain Grey has rejected Miss Downing’s offer to become his mistress—and her assertion that he is a hero. He doesn’t feel like one, and believes sending her home with her virginity intact will be the first step toward becoming a better man. However, the two are snowbound in his remote cottage for the foreseeable future, and Jane isn’t willing to give up the hope of sparking something between them. She’s been invisible her entire life, and has finally found someone who truly sees her…

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Xavier glared at Miss Downing in silence.

She lowered her voice. “War is terrible. I recognize that. But now it’s over. What happens next is up to you.”

He pushed to his feet and piled the dishes and silverware into a stack. “It’s not that simple, and we’re done talking about it.”

She gathered the cups and the teapot and followed him into the kitchen. “Of course it’s not simple. Did you know Major Blackpool was one of only two people who ever bothered to stand up to dance with me at a ball? That moment will literally never happen again. He no longer attends balls at all. He’s missing a leg. From what I understand, he can barely walk and shall never dance again. But his life isn’t over.”

Captain Grey submerged the plates into a bucket of water and pushed it out of her reach. “Who was the other man you danced with?”

“My brother. Why won’t you let me wash the dishes?”

“Scullery work is hard on the skin, and you have pretty hands.” He began to scrub the first plate. “Blackpool is a hero. I am not. You’d do well to remember that. It would be the height of foolishness to trust a man who doesn’t trust himself.”

She shook her head. “Fighting for innocents and defending your country is inherently heroic. I believe in you. Closing yourself off won’t change that. No matter what you do, your heroism will always—”

He grabbed her face with wet hands and closed his mouth over hers with bruising force. No doubt he expected her to swoon, or slap him, or some other such nonsense.

She gripped his arms and held on tight.

His lips were wide and firm. The rough hands cradling her face dripped with water, but all she felt was warm. Desired. He was holding her in place as if he never wanted to let her go. Hope soared within her. She pressed herself even closer and let her eyes flutter closed.

Even through his clothes, the muscles of his arms were tight and firm beneath her ungloved hands. What would it be like to feel them wrapped around her? Would he hold her close with the same desperate passion that had begun this kiss? Or would his embrace be tender, as his lips were now, brushing against hers with gentle insistence?

As he suckled her lower lip, her mouth parted—not in surprise, but in eagerness. Just because it was her first kiss didn’t mean she was ignorant of what pleasures it might bring. She rose on her toes to meet him.

She had researched the matter extensively, and was delighted to discover that he had been right about book knowledge failing to communicate the complete picture. No mere words on parchment could remotely convey the heat and immediacy and… dizziness of having his mouth mold to hers. The heady sensation of need and shared desire.

Being kissed was more than she’d ever imagined. Being kissed by him was more than she’d ever dreamed.

Her fingers trembled—her entire body trembled—and she clutched his neck with abandon. She could no longer stand. She couldn’t feel her legs, her knees, anything except her mouth on his and their bodies cleaving together. The rest of the world melted away. It was as if she’d been waiting for this moment, this man, all of her life.

She licked at his lower lip and thrilled when a raw groan escaped his throat. Her heart hammered against her ribs, pushing her bosom against his chest with every staccato beat. All she could think was that she never wanted their kiss to end. This was heaven.

His tongue met hers and a delicious shiver shot down her spine, electrifying her skin. He tasted of tea, but also of a spice she could not define. He tasted of virile man, she supposed. Of Captain Xavier Grey. Everything about him was strong and sure and masculine and completely irresistible. She wanted to be his. She wanted him to be hers.

Her knees weakened. He felt like home and danger and hope all wrapped into one. Her breath escaped in tiny bursts when she remembered to breathe at all. He didn’t just make her feel desirable. He proved with every consuming kiss, with the thundering of his own heart against hers, that his desire for her was powerful enough to devour them both.

She was already lost.

He pulled away, gasping, and ran a shaking hand through his hair.

It was all she could do not to sway right back into his embrace.

“Was that heroic?” he rasped. “Or was it a selfish man doing what selfish men do?”

She gazed back at him in wonder. Her lips were tender from his kiss. “It was beautiful.”

“It was foolish.” He turned back to the bucket and reached for the next dirty saucer. “It shan’t be repeated.”

###

Amazon/Kindle | Kobo | Nook | iBooks/Apple | Goodreads

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Erica Ridley is a USA Today best-selling author of historical romance novels. Her latest series, The Dukes of War, features roguish peers and dashing war heroes who return from battle only to be thrust into the splendor and madness of Regency England.

When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found riding camels in Africa, zip-lining through rainforests in Costa Rica, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter

The Prodigal Sun by S.E. Meyer (Promotion & 5 eBook Rafflecopter Giveaway)

The Prodigal Sun: A Novel

 S.E. Meyer

Genre: Sci-Fi / Mystery / Thriller / Fact-Filled Fiction

Word Count 200,000

Pages 553

Release date: January 12th, 2015

Facebook Page

Twitter: @semeyerbooks

 Buy on Amazon

Synopsis:

S.E. Meyer combines ancient alien astronaut theory, ancient Sumerian codices, current religious beliefs from around the world and the book of Revelation in a way that tears down the veil of traditional thinking to reveal new though provoking theories on the origins of the human race and its many traditional beliefs. The Prodigal Sun will wow you with a fact filled, thrilling and intricately blended story that interweaves mythologies and religions in new compelling ways explored through a truly unique premise.

All references to historical locations, religions, ancient writings, and the representation of current beliefs of local peoples from around the world described in this novel are true.

John Mitchell’s life in the small Midwestern town of Mill City is changing forever. The animals in his lab are dying, he learns gut wrenching news about his wife, and the most important meeting of his career gets canceled when Dr. Frank Johnson mysteriously disappears.

After receiving a cryptic package from the missing doctor and accidentally injecting himself with its contents, a serum made from the instructions inscribed onto a seven-thousand-year-old artifact, John discovers he has new powerful abilities, and new blood-chilling enemies. He and his wife Jenny are soon running for their lives, hunted by the terrifying figures that will stop at nothing to protect the serum’s seven-thousand-year-old secret, and retrieve the artifact needed to finish their plans.

On the run and searching for answers, they are thrown into a world of ancient secrets, esoteric mysteries and a clandestine underground race, when they become trapped in a cavern that holds the shocking secret history of the Human Race, deep underneath the ancient ruins of Babylon.

As millions of people around the world suddenly begin disappearing, John and Jenny learn the horrific news of the inevitable extinction of the human race. But when John discovers the hideously evil, secret motivation of the ancient race that is supposed to be saving them, he must rely on his new-found abilities to rescue the woman he loves, Earth, and the billions of tortured souls locked deep within it.

Join the thousands of fans that have taken S.E. Meyer’s thrilling, fact filled, roller-coaster ride, deep into the thought provoking, controversial, yet compelling world of what we think we know to be true.

What people are saying about The Prodigal Sun.

“From the beginning I was hooked on the easy flow of the plot. It was well thought out and inventive. The use of historical fact was intriguing. I found myself pausing and thinking ” wow is this really fact” and ” how did I not know this?”

“One of the best books that I have read in a long time. A real page turner.”

“I would recommend this to anyone! It is packed full of action! So many twists in the story made it extremely immersing and interesting. S.E. Meyer is a new favorite author and can’t wait to read his next book!”

“I wasn’t sure what to expect, but was gladly surprised. The story is entertaining, gave me great suspense and at times when I thought I had something figured out, the author surprised me.”

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ALL ANTHOLOGIES ARE ON SALE (eBooks & Paperbacks)

All the anthologies (eBooks and Paperbacks) are ON SALE until the end of the year!

They are also on sale in every country for comparable prices.

ALL eBooks are On SALE for $0.99:

 

Stalkers: (Reg. $3.99)

 

 

 

 

Apocalypse: (Reg. $2.99)

 

 

 

 

Stardust: (Reg. $2.99)

 

 

 

 

Twist: (Always $0.99)

 

 

 

 

 

Paperbacks are ON SALE:

Apocalypse: $7.88 (Reg. $10.99) Prime is cheaper!

 

 

 

Twist: $9.98 (Reg. $12.99) Prime is Cheaper!

 

 

 

 

Stardust: $11.50 (Reg. $14.99)(Prime is Cheaper!)

 

 

 

 

Stalkers: $17.50 (Reg. $19.99) (Prime is Cheaper!)

$0.99 Sale and a Freebie (Stardust and Twist)

STARDUST is ON SALE for $0.99 for 48 hours only!

After that, it goes up to $1.99 for 48 hours!

Then, it goes back to its regular price of $2.99.

Get it while it’s cheap! *Kindle Countdown Deal*

Stardust: A Futuristic Romance Collection

Welcome to a world where space travel by the common man is as normal as getting on a plane, life has been discovered on other planets, humans travel light-years to find their soul mates, technology exists along the lines that we have only imagined, and a passport will take you anywhere.

Stardust… where love has no boundaries and worlds are just waiting to be discovered.

Ten different authors. Ten tales of fantastical love. Ten different ways to discover the stars.

Zero by Rene Folsom
ISAAC by Michael Loring
World Wide Gone by Bart Hopkins
Life Companion by M.L. Ryan
Born Ready by Katheryn Van Pelt
Show Me by Magen McMinimy
New Eden by Eaton Thomas Palmer
Love Forgotten by Stephanie Summers
What Happens on Destiny 2… by Tara Moeller
Brandy by Carrie Avery Moriarty

Edited by: Cynthia Shepp
Cover & Interior Designer: Rene Folsom

TWIST IS FREE FOR 3 DAYS ONLY!

Paranormal Anthology with a TWIST

Paranormal stories that span across the genre, which will wow you, shock you, and leave you gasping for more.

Eleven different authors, one main idea, and worlds that will TWIST your imagination…

Featured Stories:

“Voices of the Soul” by Rene Folsom
“Number 18” by Michael Loring
“Sweet Lenora” by Bart Hopkins
“Truth or Dare” by Jon Messenger
“Suburban Zombie” by Anthony Lance
“All I Want for Christmas” by Jason Brant
“In the Eyes of the Beholder” by Penelope Anne Bartotto
“Little Tchotchkes” by Nicki Scalise
“I am Serna” by Magen McMinimy
“Bloodlines” by S. L. Dearing
“Metronome” by Eaton Thomas Palmer

Edited and Compiled by Cynthia Shepp & Rene Folsom

Feel Free To ReBlog and/or Share

Always Forever Blog Tour (Mary Smith)

 

Always Forever Blurb:

Music has been there for them, Always Forever

Colton Cruise has a determined, focused, hardworking attitude. He’s the manager of one of the most popular bands. However, all of his problems are coming from a smart mouth, petite, guitar player of the opening band.

Ivee Jamison is a blunt, outspoken girl who has been on her own for a while. She does whatever she wants. That is, until her new boss, Colton Cruise, starts barking orders.

The secrets that drive them are the one holding them back. Now will the music be able to save them once again?

Buy Links:

Amazon

iTunes

Smashwords

 Goodreads

Information about the model/muse:

Nolan Long

Facebook 

Excerpt:

“Where the hell is Nolan?” Reese Perkins, our drummer, asked unhooking his drum set.

“Wills grabbed him,” I answered.

Reese huffed, rolling his eyes. His blue spiked hair was losing shape as he started carting equipment down the stage. I know that he’s thinking that Nolan was trying to get out of work, because he usually does.

“Hey, Don Juan,” I whistled at Evan. “Wanna help?” I pointed to the items around us.

“I’m trying to get laid,” Evan informed me.

“Well, as long as you don’t break your hand loading up the equipment then you will,” I smarted off to him.

Evan placed his hand over his heart, gave me his sad, puppy dog eyes. “Are you saying I couldn’t get laid by those two, very hot ladies?”

“I’m saying you’ll have better luck with your hand.” I give him a fake smile.

Evan winked at me, knowing that I’m being serious, and then begins to gather up the wires and cords around us.

Once everything was loaded into Nolan’s truck, he decided to make his appearance.

“Where the fuck did you go?” Reese barked at him, jumping down from the tailgate and slamming it shut.

“You three won’t believe where I was?” Nolan’s face was practically glowing like a high watt light bulb.

“Did aliens abduct you?” I asked.

“No,” he growled at me.

“Did you get laid in the bathroom?” Evan questioned.

“Shut up,” he narrowed his eyes, “I was in Wills office and the manager of Shine was there, too.”

“What?” All three of us asked at the same time.

“Yep,” he popped out the ‘p’ with force. “We have a three o’clock audition tomorrow. He’s checking out bands to open for Shine’s latest tour.”

 

Author Bio:

Mary Smith was born in Chicago, Illinois but raised in Princeton, Illinois. She is currently living in West Virginia with her amazing husband. Mary never misses a Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bears, or a Chicago Bulls game. She loves her sports. Mary never goes anywhere without her Kindle, her laptop, or a book in hand. If you can’t find her reading, then she is reviewing books on her site, which she co-founded, Book Nerds Across America. Mary is the author of the Amazon bestselling Sports Romance series, The Ice Series, and The Penalty Kill Trilogy, which she co-authors with Lindsay Paige.

Stalk her at:

Twitter 

Facebook 

Author site

Review site

CLEAN TEEN PUBLISHING GIVEAWAY!

Our team at Clean Teen Publishing and Crimson Tree Publishing has a big reason to celebrate! We just signed our 65th Title! That’s big news for our company after just celebrating our one-year anniversary a few months back. To celebrate, we are giving away not one, but two $65 Amazon Gift Cards (or Paypal Cash)! We decided one wasn’t enough so Clean Teen Publishing will be giving away one and Crimson Tree Publishing is giving away the other.

Here is the big list of our 65 titles in alphabetical order:

A Place Halfway, Aftermath, Angus MacBain and the Island of Sleeping Kings, Burden of Sisyphus, Concealed in the Shadows, Current Impressions, Descending, Double Star, Ending ELE, Exposing ELE, Fall of Icarus, Finding ELE, Flame, Flame Caller, Haunting Zoe, Hidden Monster, Kindling Flames (Flying Sparks), Kindling Flames (Gathering Tinder), Last Orphans, Leighton’s Summer, Lingering Echoes, Losing Logan, Moonflower, Never Forgotten, Night Marchers, Project ELE, Purge of Prometheus, Queen of Someday, Red, Redemption, Released from the Darkness, Reluctant Guardian, Rising, River of Bones, Rumors, Secrets, Smoke Rising, Spark, Surviving ELE, Sweet Contradiction, The Awakener, The Bionics, The Eye of Tanub, The Hunted, The Key, The Mind’s Eye, The Power to See, The Wall, The Wanted, The Woodlands, The Wounded, Titanium, Unspeakable, Voodoo Moon, War, Water Shaper, Wicked Glory, Wicked Hunger, Wicked Power, Wind Warrior, Wolves of the Northern Rift, Wonderstruck, Worlds Between, Worlds Entwined, Worlds Undone

Here is the big list of our 65 titles in Mr. Squirrel’s order:

Now it’s time to enter the giveaway! This giveaway runs through September 30 2014. Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview, Cover Reveal & Giveaway with Fantasy Author, Melissa McPhail

1. How important do you think cover art is to selling your books?

I think cover art is essential to book sales. A well-crafted cover will tell the reader in which genre the book is classified, represent in some way the story’s theme, and give an overall impression of the world. Fantasy book covers are vital to presenting a sense and feeling of the world. In many cases, the cover is the only visual representation a reader gets.

And of course, we all know that a book cover done well will catch a potential reader’s attention. It’s your best and sometimes only chance to make that memorable first impression.

2. For self-published and small house published authors, what do think is important to remember when deciding on the final cover for your work?

I stand firmly on the side advocating book covers that support the central themes of the story they contain. For literary fiction, you can get away with more creative (or minimalist) covers that don’t have much to do with the story itself but are artful and visually compelling.

But for fantasy and other genre fiction, covers should capture a particular feeling that’s prevalent in the story (loneliness, peril, mystery, love, longing…) and give the reader some sense of the world.

No matter your genre, ensure your cover communicates the things you need and want it to communicate, and don’t settle for anything less. The cover is your first communication to a potential reader. Make sure the communication you want is what gets across to them.

3. Who did you choose to use for cover art, and why? What was your process for deciding on who to use?

With the original covers for Cephrael’s Hand and The Dagger of Adendigaeth, I used an independent digital artist, Kentaro Kanamoto, to create the artwork, and then I designed the covers around the artwork.

The new covers were produced by Damonza.com. I really liked their approach to cover design and was attracted to them originally when I saw a cover they produced for another independent author. They ask for a lot of information about the story and its central themes up front, and then they get busy creating. They worked with me through a number of revisions until I was happy with the covers.

4. How does the new cover better relate to the book and its characters?

It was important to me to ensure that the new covers give a sense of the world as well as some of the story’s key thematic elements. All three of the new book covers give a visual representation of more themes that are central to their part of the story.

Cephrael’s Hand is the name of a constellation that features prominently in book one, so of course those stars are represented on the cover.

Patterning is the name of the magic system in the world, and some representation of Patterning is included on all of my new covers.

For the cover of Cephrael’s Hand, the most central character in the story is working a pattern. This was important to me, as I feel having that image there helps establish a visual concept of Patterning for the reader early on in the series. The new Cephrael’s Hand cover also gives a sense of the time period and setting of the story.

5. Can we expect similar covers for the rest of the series?

Yes. I decided to rebrand the entire series with new covers. Having all of the books similarly branded as part of the same series is important for continuity and will help readers from becoming confused. The covers also help establish a growing concept of the world as the story grows.

Interestingly, I debated rebranding the earlier books, since ideally once your readers are heading into the second or third books, they’re already committed to your series. It brooked the question if book covers were still that important later in a series. But as I looked at this topic, I saw that you never know at what point a reader will come across your books. Too, it isn’t always the first book that grabs their attention. So great covers are a must for every book.

6. Speaking of the series, when will books 2 and 3 be available?

Book two, The Dagger of Adendigaeth, was released in 2012, and book three, Paths of Alir, will be available in October 2014.

 

The Cover Reveal & Giveaway

Are you ready for the reveal of the new Cephrael’s Hand cover? Because here it is! What do you think? Does it do a good job conveying the fantasy genre? Is it a book you’d be attracted to in the store? Does it make you want to learn more?

Thank you for helping us celebrate! If you’d like to see the new covers for books 2 and 3 in the series stop by www.MelissaMcPhail.com, and check them out.

Guess what else? The author is offering a special giveaway as part of this grand event. Check out the Rafflecopter form below (it’s also available at www.novelpublicity.com/cephrael-cover-reveal/) to find out how you can win a Kindle Fire. Hooray!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Oh, and don’t miss learning more about Cephrael’s Hand and where you can pick up a copy—that’s below too.

“All things are composed of patterns…” And within the pattern of the realm of Alorin, three strands must cross:

In Alorin… three hundred years after the genocidal Adept Wars, the realm is dying, and the blessed Adept race dies with it. One man holds the secret to reverting this decline: Bjorn van Gelderan, a dangerous and enigmatic man whose shocking betrayal three centuries past earned him a traitor’s brand. It is the Adept Vestal Raine D’Lacourte’s mission to learn what Bjorn knows in the hope of salvaging his race. But first he’ll have to find him.

In the kingdom of Dannym… the young Prince Ean val Lorian faces a tenuous future as the last living heir to the coveted Eagle Throne. When his blood-brother is slain during a failed assassination, Ean embarks on a desperate hunt for the man responsible. Yet his advisors have their own agendas, and his quest for vengeance leads him ever deeper into a sinuous plot masterminded by a mysterious and powerful man, the one they call First Lord.

In the Nadori desert…tormented by the missing pieces of his life, a soldier named Trell heads off to uncover the truth of his shadowed past. But when disaster places him in the debt of Wildlings sworn to the First Lord, Trell begins to suspect a deadlier, darker secret motivating them. Honor-bound to serve the First Lord in return for his life, Trell continues on his appointed path, yet each day unveils new and stranger secrets that eventually call into question everything he knows.

Get it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or wherever awesome eBooks are sold!

 

A Guest Post & Cover Reveal by Melissa McPhail

One Often Overlooked Element of World-Building

A Guest Post & Cover Reveal by Melissa McPhail

Every author should understand world-building. Whether engaged in the writing of genre or literary fiction, an author crafts a unique world with each novel. Even when set in the present day, the novel’s events layer a new dimension upon our visible reality. It’s the dimension of those characters, of that story, but it should feel as real to the reader as his own tangible environment.

One overlooked element in world-building is religion. Often when religion isn’t factoring into the plot of the story, the author may fail to mention it. Yet when we take a look at how religion influences our daily lives—even when we ourselves may practice no particular faith—it’s clear that religion of some nature is part and parcel to nearly every culture that inhabits this earth.

Religion influences our daily interactions with others (moral codes, traditions) and for many, it determines at least in part the way they spend their mornings, nights or weekends. It even influences the words we swear (or curse) by.

Religious symbols and icons are prevalent in society, from cathedrals to dollar bills to the skylines of Earth’s most ancient cities. Sadly, in today’s culture, the subject of religion provides unending fodder for politicians, litigators, pundits and malcontents; yet these detractions aside, the belief in something greater than ourselves continues to offer spiritual succor for a majority of the world’s population.

Whether you as the author practice any faith, it’s impossible to escape the cultural foundations the world’s religions—from the pagan to the divine—have established through the centuries. Why would life be any different for other cultures, other worlds, other lands? Or for your magical vampire hunter detective?

Don’t overlook this valuable tool for making the world of your novel more real to the reader. The inclusion of some religious mention—whether mystical, magical or mythological—can bring greater depth to any story and create instant bonds of reality between the reader and your characters.

With that said, happy writing!

 

The Cover Reveal & Giveaway

Are you ready for the reveal of the new Cephrael’s Hand cover? Because here it is! What do you think? Does it do a good job conveying the fantasy genre? Is it a book you’d be attracted to in the store? Does it make you want to learn more?

Thank you for helping us celebrate! If you’d like to see the new covers for books 2 and 3 in the series stop by www.MelissaMcPhail.com, and check them out.

Guess what else? The author is offering a special giveaway as part of this grand event. Check out the Rafflecopter form below (it’s also available at www.novelpublicity.com/cephrael-cover-reveal/) to find out how you can win a Kindle Fire. Hooray!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Oh, and don’t miss learning more about Cephrael’s Hand and where you can pick up a copy—that’s below too.

“All things are composed of patterns…” And within the pattern of the realm of Alorin, three strands must cross:

In Alorin… three hundred years after the genocidal Adept Wars, the realm is dying, and the blessed Adept race dies with it. One man holds the secret to reverting this decline: Bjorn van Gelderan, a dangerous and enigmatic man whose shocking betrayal three centuries past earned him a traitor’s brand. It is the Adept Vestal Raine D’Lacourte’s mission to learn what Bjorn knows in the hope of salvaging his race. But first he’ll have to find him.

In the kingdom of Dannym… the young Prince Ean val Lorian faces a tenuous future as the last living heir to the coveted Eagle Throne. When his blood-brother is slain during a failed assassination, Ean embarks on a desperate hunt for the man responsible. Yet his advisors have their own agendas, and his quest for vengeance leads him ever deeper into a sinuous plot masterminded by a mysterious and powerful man, the one they call First Lord.

In the Nadori desert…tormented by the missing pieces of his life, a soldier named Trell heads off to uncover the truth of his shadowed past. But when disaster places him in the debt of Wildlings sworn to the First Lord, Trell begins to suspect a deadlier, darker secret motivating them. Honor-bound to serve the First Lord in return for his life, Trell continues on his appointed path, yet each day unveils new and stranger secrets that eventually call into question everything he knows.

Get it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or wherever awesome eBooks are sold!