Monday, March 25, 2013

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Blogger and Author Blast Giveaway!

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Hey everyone!  After all those author promotions, the time has come!  We are now having the big "Blogger and Author Blast" Giveaway!  We have many different prizes that we are going to giveaway today!  Remember to follow the rules and thank the awesome authors and bloggers who helped make this possible!

Other Bloggers' Links:

Author/Blogger Appreciation (Message from the writers of EBR):
Thank you to all the authors who have helped made this possible.  Because you allowed us to add the books to this giveaway, you also allowed us to make this happen.  Without you amazing authors (alliteration LOL), this wouldn't have been possible.  EBR's first "Blast" is completely dedicated to you (including other bloggers) and we are grateful that you can join us for our first one.  I hope that we can all work together in the future!  I would also like to thank the bloggers who have joined this.  Without you guys, again, this wouldn't have happened.  We wouldn't be able to spread the word of all the new bloggers and authors out there.  I also hope that some day we can work together again.  Whether we host another Blogger Blast or a Blog Tour (if that ever happens LOL), I want to work with everyone again!  We have been through a lot to get this work done, so lets do our best and expose our blog and these amazing authors!

Prize 1 (US Only):
- Night Sea Journey by Paula Cappa (ePub)
- Knight of the Purple Ribbon: A Novel by Jennifer K. Lafferty (Kindle)
- Little Red Riding Corp. by Tiffany Reisz (Hardcover)
- Entwined by Heather Dixon (Paperback)
- The Van Alen Legacy by Melissa De La Cruz (Paperback)
- Down to You by M Leighton (eBook)
- Ryder on the Storm by Violet Patterson (Paperback)
- The Upside of Ordinary by Susan Lubner (Hardcover)
- Alice In Zombieland by Gena Showalter (Hardcover)
- The Last Girl by Sangu Madanna (Hardcover)
- Shadow of the Silk Road by Colin Thubron
- King's Warrior by Jenelle Leanne Schmidt (Paperback) 
- My Wishful Thinking by Shel Delisle (Paperback) 
- Must've Done Something Good by Cheryl Cory (Paperback or ebook)
- We Have Confidence! by Cheryl Cory (Paperback or ebook)

Prize 2 (International):
- Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder (Paperback)
- The Trickster by Serafima Bogomolova (eBook)
- Angelfall by Susan Ee (Paperback)
- $25 Amazon Gift Card
- Love All by Kelly Hashway (PDF)
- Anew by Chelsea Fine (eBook)
- Lacrimosa by Christine Fonseca (eBook)
- Down to you by M Leightom (eBook)
- The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin (eBook)
- The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin (eBook)
- The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater (eBook)
- Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta (eBook)
- Daughter of Smoke and Bones by Laini Taylor (eBook)
- Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor (eBook)
- Reminding Me of You by Kathy Bosman (eBook)


a Rafflecopter giveaway

*We are not responsible for the damages, lost prize, etc. We are NOT the ones who mail the prize to you, therefore, Ethereal Book Reviews is solely not responsible for anything.

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Friday, March 22, 2013

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Fallen Stars Trailer Reveal


The Fallen Stars by Stephanie Keyes
Series: The Star Child #2
Publication date:  April 12th 2013
by Inkspell Publishing
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance


Synopsis:
Kellen St. James was just your average seventeen-year-old prodigy, until he eighty-sixed the Lord of Faerie and proposed to the Celtic Goddess, Calienta. But then everything in Kellen’s life gets turned upside-down when he and Cali end up on the run from a seriously irritated group of faeries. The worst part? They have zero idea why they’re being hunted.

Suddenly, Kellen is stuck in the middle of another prophecy that foresees him turning away from Calienta and embracing the dark. He’ll be forced to take sides in a struggle to claim his birthright, while discovering secrets about his father’s past. Meanwhile, his passion for Cali grows stronger, even as the prophecy threatens to tear them apart.

In the end, will Kellen and Cali survive the fates? When the ultimate power is within reach, which side will he choose?

AUTHOR BIO
Stephanie Keyes has been addicted to Fantasy since she discovered T.H. White as a child and started drumming up incredible journeys in her head. Today, she's still doing the same thing, except now she gets to share those ideas with readers!

When she's not writing, Stephanie is also a graphic designer, international speaker, teacher, musician, avid reader, and Mom to two little boys who constantly keep her on her toes. In addition, she's best friend to her incredible husband of eleven years.

Mrs. Keyes holds an undergraduate degree in Business and Management Information Systems from Robert Morris University and a M.Ed. from Duquesne University. She is a member of the Society For Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), as well as a featured author in the global group of writers, Love a Happy Ending.com.

Keyes is the author of the YA Fantasy series, The Star Child, which currently includes The Star Child (September 2012) and The Fallen Stars (April 2013), both released by Inkspell Publishing. She is currently hard at work on the third book in the trilogy, The Star Catcher.

Author links:

TRAILER
The Fallen Stars from Stephanie Keyes on Vimeo GIVEAWAY: Stephanie is giving away a swag pack! a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Tuesday, March 19, 2013

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Author Interview: Diana L. Wicker

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About the Author:
Diana lives in the balmy climate of the southern United States with her husband, two children, two dogs, two cats, and a cantakerous rabbit.  She enjoys reading, sewing, genealogy research, and RPG games. (She comes from the old school paper/pencil style of gaming, but has transitioned happily to the interactive world of video games.)
The idea for Feyron started with a map, a place for her daughter and her friends to tell stories and live adventures.  The lore grew around the map, for every world needs lore.  The stories and adventures grew from there, and are continuing to grow through the ages of history for Feyron and the Worlds Beyond it touches.  Currently book two, The Guardian Child’s Return, is in the editorial stage and book 3 is in the drafting stage.
She does not keep a blog, but there is a Facebook fan page for the Tales from Feyron series where updates are periodically posted: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tales-from-Feyron-The-Ripples-of-Power/421079171274185

Interview:

What made you want to become a writer?
I think I have always been a storyteller.  I can remember making up magical lands and grand adventures as a small child.  I think writing stories down in notebooks when I was a child was just a natural progression from story telling.
Now, what made me want to publish is a separate question.  My daughter and her friends are very active interactive story telling roll players, and I wanted to create a little world where they could develop stories.  After much urging by the girls and a few of my friends, I decided to put the book on Amazon.  

Where do you get your inspirations from?
I find inspiration in many places.  Many times my stories start out as dreams, or daydreams, or sort of visions that play through my half asleep mind like a movie, or more likely an anime or RPG style CGI video game.  They tend to grow and weave over several days or weeks before I can grasp them tightly enough to tie to paper, and often they have to be set aside and picked up several times before they form themselves into a coherent tale.  Sometimes they have to jump back and forth between one another before the entire tale appears, spread between many different short stories that may someday form a complete whole.
I often find that my writing takes on the feel of whatever I am absorbed in while I’m writing a particular tale.  Sometimes certain plots or characters even have theme songs that play through my mind as I write them, and these become very important to holding on to the flavor of that plot or character when I return to it after visiting another tale.
I love a good story no matter what form it is presented in - tales told by grandparents on a leisurely Saturday afternoon; myths, fables, and legends from around the world; anime, music, and movies (most of my television viewing tends to be in the children’s categories); and role-playing games (both old school and video game), and I’m certain these things influence my writing as well.

Other than writing books, what else do you do in your free time? 
As a mom, much of my non-work time is spent with my children and their activities; but, when I have time in the evenings, I have an exercise bike I am very fond of.  I have made a little makeshift desk out of the handlebars and put my laptop there and read or write or sometimes sew while I ride.  When there are very engaging, high interactive story content RPG games out, I play video games.  

If you could work with another author, who would it be?
I do enjoy co-writing stories with writers that I know well and have a good feel for the characters and world the story is set in.  I have had the pleasure of co-writing short scenes and stories with another Goodreads Indie Author, Alexandra Butcher, in the past and would gladly do so again.

What are major themes of your work? 
I think at the heart of many of my stories are the ties that bind us, the value of Kith and Kin and the acts of caring for those people, be they the family we were born with, or the family we have chosen for ourselves in the friends we have made throughout our lives.  In Dreamweaver, we see the ties of family and friendship as the adventurers work together to care for one another during very unexpected circumstances.  I hope that future tales will continue to explore the ties that bind the clans of Faie together and their value of Kith and Kin.
 
What do you think people look for in a book?
I suppose that different people look for different things when choosing a book to read.  I would hazard a guess that someone choosing a work of fantasy might be looking for a bit of escape from the every day, a bit of magic and the fantastical to make their day a little more exciting.  I know that is one of my greatest joys in reading, to be transported to another place and time and live life through someone else’s eyes for a brief moment in time until I have to return to the hustle and bustle of the real world.

Are there any recent works that you admire?
I am horribly behind in reading in that I don’t tend to rush out and buy books from the best sellers list.  I have authors I like, and genres I enjoy, and I tend to hang out in those.  I love the works of Michael Jecks.  I have not caught up my reading to his most recent releases, but he never fails to offer an enjoyable tale that both teaches me about medieval British history, and has me taking notes trying to gather and piece together clues right along with his main characters.


*The questions and answers of this author interview are only for Ethereal Book Reviews to use.  If you would like to get interviewed, please visit our "Contact Us" page and send us an e-mail.

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Monday, March 18, 2013

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Book Promotion: The Dreamerweaver's Journey by Diana L. Wicker

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Synopsis:
The Realm of Feyron has always been.  It is the origin of all the magical, the axis point where all the worlds meet.  Once, in days gone by, there were many gateways within the Temple of Pyli connecting the Worlds Beyond seeded with magic to their home.  Now many gateways have flickered out, and Feyron weakens as the magic fades and the Guardians are lost.

For the first time in over three hundred years, a Dreamweaver has come of age and is tasked with contacting the Guardians.  When she awakens in the might after a vision of her best friend love and alone, injured in the snows at the top of Crystal Mountains, she seeks out the Sacred Fire in the Temple in an attempt to call forth more information.  A voice calls out from the fire, "Dreamweaver, you are summoned."  An image appears of an ancient path through the Mist Shrouded Forest leading to a hidden gate into the Crystal Caverns below the mountains.  The Guardians have summoned her on a quest that will take her to the four realms of light within Feyron in search of answers and aid.

Information About the Book:
Author: Diana L. Wicker
Link to Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16133339-the-dreamweaver-s-journey
Publisher: ----
Release Date: Released
Links to Buy:
Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/The-Dreamweavers-Journey-Awakenings-ebook/dp/B00A111KL6/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_3_S7G4

Amazon Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/The-Dreamweavers-Journey-Awakenings-Ripples/dp/1480166804/ref=tmm_pap_title_0

Average Rating (from Goodreads): 4.00
Rating from EBR: ----

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Saturday, March 16, 2013

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Spring Break!

Wow! Finally had some time to relax.  Hope everyone is enjoying your spring break.  I was looking through my list of to-reads on goodreads and just realized that the two books I really REALLY want to read is going to be published during the last week of May.  So bored now. Post below for book recommendations.

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0

Giveaway: My Wishful Thinking by Shel Delisle

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Synopsis:
WHAT WOULD YOU WISH FOR?  Birthday candles, dandelions, turkey bones or shooting stars-- seventeen-year-old Logan Carter never passes up a chance to make a wish. But there's nothing magical about her life until the day a genie goes poof and promises to grant her every desire.
Can she finally bring her father home? Help her mother? Find true love?
It all seems possible--if she can figure out one little complication. She has to share the genie with her best friend Emily, and their desires only come true if they wish for and receive the exact same thing. It's time for Logan to compromise, because no two people--no matter how close--can agree on everything.
( Taken from Goodreads)





Information (about book):
Author(s): Shel Delisle
Rating (On Goodreads): 3.62
Rating by EBR: ----  
Release Date (Estimation): October 20, 2012
Link to Review on EBR:----

Information (about giveaway):
Start date: March 16, 2013
End date: April 9, 2013
Format of Prize: ePub, PDF or mobi
Information need to participate: 
  • Read "Terms and Conditions" before entering

*We are not responsible for the damages, lost prize, etc. We are NOT the ones who mail the prize to you, therefore, Ethereal Book Reviews is solely not responsible for anything.

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Friday, March 15, 2013

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Author Interview: Shel Delisle

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About the Author:
Shel Delisle is the author of the popular teen novels Dolphin Girl, Winging It! and My Wishful Thinking. Most days she wishes she had angel super powers or a genie to help with the housework. She enjoys living in Florida with her hubby, three boys, and a very sweet dog and loves to hear from her readers. 

Interview:


What made you want to become a writer?

For as long as I can remember I've told stories.  I used to make construction paper books in elementary school for my classmates. Or at slumber parties, I'd tell made-up scary stories. I don't know where that desire came from, but it's something that I love doing. 
 
Where do your inspirations come from?
Oh,  I get inspiration from practically everywhere. For my first book Dolphin Girl, I took a dolphin swim. Recently, I've been working on the follow up to Winging It! as part of the Angel in Training series and I used a video from YouTube of Grand Central Station. Music also plays a big part in inspiration. On my blog, I feature songs in Music Monday posts to tell how they inspired me. But there's also other books and movies and life. 

Other than writing books, what else do you do in your free time?

I don't really think of writing as free time. It's more like my job that I go to everyday!  But when I'm not working...I have three sons and they all play sports, so I attend a lot of games and try not to embarrass them by cheering too much. :D  I also love reading, baking, and exploring new places and things.   


If you could work with another author, who would it be?
I'd love to collaborate with one of my critique partners, because we've been friends for a long time and can complement each others strengths and weaknesses. I don't know if that will ever happen. but it's a dream of mine. 
 
What are major themes of your work?
Staying true to yourself and forgiveness.   

What do you think people look for in a book?
Oh, that's a tough question!  Isn't it a little different for everyone?  But, my books definitely appeal to readers who like characters that feel "real" to them, light-hearted entertainment, a little romance, and some pure escapism. They're a little goofy, too. My books, that is, not the readers. :D 

Are there any recent works that you admire?
I just finished The Statistical Probability of Love At First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith and have been recommending it to everyone. I also loved Tammara Webber's Easy.  I seem to go through phases, dystopian/sci fi, adventure, romance.  Seems like I'm in a romance phase. 
*The questions and answers of this author interview are only for Ethereal Book Reviews to use.  If you would like to get interviewed, please visit our "Contact Us" page and send us an e-mail.

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0

Book Promotion: My Wishful Thinking by Shel Delisle

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Synopsis:
WHAT WOULD YOU WISH FOR?  Birthday candles, dandelions, turkey bones or shooting stars-- seventeen-year-old Logan Carter never passes up a chance to make a wish. But there's nothing magical about her life until the day a genie goes poof and promises to grant her every desire.
Can she finally bring her father home? Help her mother? Find true love?
It all seems possible--if she can figure out one little complication. She has to share the genie with her best friend Emily, and their desires only come true if they wish for and receive the exact same thing. It's time for Logan to compromise, because no two people--no matter how close--can agree on everything    





Information About the Book:
Author: Shel Delisle
Link to Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16060817-my-wishful-thinking

Publisher: Something Else Publishing
Release Date: October 20, 2012
Links to Buy:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/My-Wishful-Thinking-Shel-Delisle/dp/1480029009/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360420326&sr=1-1&keywords=shel+delisle
Average Rating (from Goodreads): 3.62
Rating from EBR: ----

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Tuesday, March 12, 2013

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Author Interview: Jennifer Leigh Wells

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About the Author:

Jennifer Leigh Wells is a freelance journalist and short story author.  Her work has appeared in such publications as Examiner.com and The Storyteller.  "Knight of the Purple Ribbon" is her first novel, and is based on the memoir of her ancestor Baron Christoph de Graffenried.

Interview:
What made you want to become a writer?
I have always loved books and any kind of stories, whether they were in print, on film or another medium.  I was drawn to writing because I wanted to use my imagination and create something that would be an entertaining escape for both myself and others.

Where do you get your inspirations from?
History is a big source of inspiration for me but like most writers, I can be inspired by just about anything.  Occasionally, I'll be inspired by people I've known or my own personal experiences.  Some of the things that stir my imagination most are books, film and music.

Other than writing books, what else do you do in your free time?
I like to sketch portraits, read, listen to music and watch movies.

If you could work with another author, who would it be?
One of my idols is Philippa Gregory.  Her books are brilliant.  She entertains readers and at the same time, teaches them so much about history, but in a full, non-acedemic way.

What are major themes of your work?
Specifically, in "Knight of the Purple Ribbon", I wanted to highlight Christoph's optimism and determination to succeed, despite the obstacles in his path.  I also wanted to show the importance of people working together for a common goal.  Another point I wanted to express through this book is that it's never too late to make a fresh start and to go after your dreams, even when it means taking risks and going completely out of your comfort zone.

What do you think people look for in a book?
I think most people want to be entertained, above all else, and get caught up into another world.  Beyond that, I think they look for books that will move them emotionally and teach them something.

Are there any recent works that you admire?
The most recent work that I admore are "Burning Bright" by Tracy Chevalier, " The Kingmaker's Daughter" by Philippa Gregory and a nonfiction book "Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle" by The Countess of Carnarvon.

*The questions and answers of this author interview are only for Ethereal Book Reviews to use.  If you would like to get interviewed, please visit our "Contact Us" page and send us an e-mail.

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Monday, March 11, 2013

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Book Promotion: Knight of the Purple Ribbon by Jennifer Layfferty

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Synopsis:
The sweeping historic drama "Knight of the Purple Ribbon: A Novel (Baron de Graffenried's Colonial Adventures), inspired by the founding of New Bern, North Carolina, is filled with action, adventure nad romance.

Set in 1709, against the backdrop of Bern, Switzerland, the British court and colonial North Carolina, this a very human take about German and Swiss settlers struggling to carve out a civilization in the wilderness.

Based in part, on the memoir of Baron Christoph de Graffenried, the story follows Christoph, the charming black sheep of an aristocratic family who leads this band of religious refugees to the New World to form a settlement that will become North Carlolina's second oldest town.  He and his young English bride, who leaves her fiance to elope with Christoph, are fish out of water in this primitive environment where he has chosen to make a new beginning.

Information About the Book:
Author: Jennifer Leigh Wells
Link to Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17187221-knight-of-the-purple-ribbon
Publisher: ----
Release Date: Released
Links to Buy: 
Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Knight-Purple-Ribbon-Graffenrids-Adventures/dp/1481274899/ref=pd_rgf_dp_p_t_1_HP7F

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Knight-Purple-Ribbon-ebook/dp/B00AU4LHY4/ref=pd_rhf_pe_p_t_2_0T99

Average Rating (from Goodreads): 5.00
Rating from EBR: ----

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Friday, March 8, 2013

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Author Interview: PS Mokha

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About the Author:
I was born and raised in London.  Like millions of others, I spent my early working life commuting into the city and rading books on trains.  The books often transported me further and to more interesting places that the trains.  Currently living in the timeless and rugged beauty of New Zealand wilds, I am miles away from mains water, street lighting and other distractions so I can concentrate on completing book two of the series.

Interview:
What made you want to become a writer?
Story telling is the oldest way to share knowledge, predating even cave paintings.  They hook into the most ancient parts of our brain, yet activate the most creative and higher part.  What could be better than practicing such a fulfilling form art form?

Where do you get your inspirations from?
Everywhere; particularly where I live, which is close to a 10, 000 hectare forest not mar from where much of the Hobbit was filmed.  I work with young adults, who are an inspiration and unknowing beta testers for my young adult tales.

Other than writing books, what else do you do in your free time?
I love sports, reading and travelling.  I wish there were more than 24 hours in the day.

If you could work with another author, who would it be?
Ken Follett -- his epic tales are for adults, but his structure and meticulous research could be applied to any genre.

What are major themes of your work?
I avoid pinning my work to dimensional notions of good vs. evil.  Good prevailing is too predictable.  I look for themes that predate such modern notions.  A reader won't necessarily conciously spot the golden threads woven through my work, but the threads would resonate on an unconscious level.  Cycles of creation and destruction and the power of nature might be lost on some of my readers who simply want to enjoy ripping yarn filled with humour set in modern London.  I also ensure my characters are faced with impossible choices about friends and family that will make the reader wonder what they would do in similar circumstances.

What do you think people look for in a book?
Characters to empathize with.  They want to care what happens next, share in their successes and sympathize with failures.  They also want a page turner with a plot that keeps them guessing.

Are there any recent works that you admire?
Cassandra Clare is stylistically talented.  Although I find James Patterson's style two-dimensional, he is a money making machine, so there's plenty to learn there.  JK Rowling got kids reading again and Rick Riordan gave kids an interest in mythology, both admirable outcomes.

*The questions and answers of this author interview are only for Ethereal Book Reviews to use.  If you would like to get interviewed, please visit our "Contact Us" page and send us an e-mail.


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Thursday, March 7, 2013

0

Blog Tour: Just For Fun by Rosalind James

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 Synopsis:
What if the person who broke your heart turned out to be the only one who could mend it?

Nic Wilkinson is a responsible, organized, disciplined rugby player at the top of his game. Emma Martens is a sometimes-scattered, often-emotional, and always-broke would-be designer with a big chip on her shoulder where Nic’s concerned.

They have no history together, except one perfect week. Nothing in common anymore, except the most important thing of all.

Getting together again would be messy. Complicated. Scary. And, just maybe, worth every risk.



Author Bio:
Rosalind James is the author of Kindle's bestseller "Just This Once" and the three susequent books in the "Escape to New Zealand" series (#4, "Just for Fun", due December 8!).  She is a former marketing executive who has lived all over the United States and in a number of other countries, traveling with her civil engineer husband.  Most recently, she spent several years in Australia and New Zealand, where she fell in love with the people, the landscape, and the culture of both countries.

Author Interview:
Your series is called “Escape to New Zealand.” Why New Zealand?
I spent 15 wonderful months living and working in New Zealand, and fell in love with the country. The beauty and diversity of the landscape (not to mention the seascapes), the Maori culture and its integration into the country’s life, and, perhaps more than anything, the people: modest, good-humored, unfailingly polite and hospitable, and so very funny.

I think everyone would like to escape to New Zealand—I know I did!

On the same note, why did you decide on rugby players as heroes?
In New Zealand, being an All Black (a member of the rugby team that represents the country in play against other nations) is the absolute pinnacle of achievement—what every boy longs to be. But what’s different is that the players are expected to be model citizens off the field as well. These young men face so much pressure and are under such a spotlight—it’s a completely different environment from the U.S. sports world. The combination of superb athletic achievement and celebrity with the expectation that you’re still a “regular Kiwi joker” or a “good bloke” makes for fascinating hero material.

 How many books have you written and which is your favorite?
I’ve just finished my fourth book, Just for Fun. They are all my favorites while I’m writing them! Here’s how they fall out for me:
Most cathartic to write/favorite hero: Just This Once
Snarkiest banter/most interesting research (Maori hero): Just Good Friends
Funniest/easiest to write: Just for Now
Sexiest/most heart-tugging: Just for Fun

 Do you see yourself in your heroines? Which of them is most like you?
There’s something of me in all my heroines. Most like me: absolutely Hannah, in Just This Once. People say “write what you know,” so I did! That book has a fair amount of autobiography in it. The funny thing is that some reviewers haven’t liked her as well as my other heroines (I try not to take it personally!). They’ve thought her emotional issues should be resolved once she meets our wonderful hero. If only life worked that way, huh?

Least like me: Kate, from Just Good Friends. I wish I were that confident and tough.

What surprises your friends about your books?
That they’re so steamy! :)

When did you begin writing?
I’d been a marketing writer for 10 years, but I never had a thought of writing fiction.  I was on holiday in New Zealand with my husband almost exactly one year ago, and I had a story unfolding in my head as I so often do. For some reason, instead of telling myself to stop daydreaming, I let the story continue for days. I asked my husband, "Do you think I could write a book?" and being the great guy he is, he said, "Of course!" So I had him stop the car in Te Kuiti and bought a notebook, paper, and a pen. It was Oh So Scary to write the first sentence of “Just This Once.” But within two weeks, I was writing six hours a day on top of my regular job, and I knew this was all I wanted to do.

How long did it take to complete your first book?
Six weeks, while working at my “real job.” (I finished the book and quit the job.) I thinkup/write/edit a book in about three months, but that's because I've been a professional
writer working to deadline for so long--writing my own stories is so much more fun, it's
just a matter of keeping up on paper with what's in my head.

I notice that you’re self-published. Did you try the traditional publishing route first?
Any advice for other writers considering self-publishing?

I queried agents for about 3 months with "Just This Once," and got requests for more of the book from a few agents and one publisher. One day in June, I heard back from a very prominent agent, who'd requested the full manuscript, that she really enjoyed the story, but that "New Zealand rugby" would be too tough of a hook. An hour earlier, I'd heard from my doctor, who said, "I'm referring you to the oncologist, because we can't tell what your tumor is." My first thought was, thank God my children are grown. And my second was, thank God I have had the chance to find out what I wanted to do in life, and to do it. The one thing I knew for sure was that I didn't want to die without publishing my books. And the other thing I knew for sure was that "New Zealand rugby" was a GREAT hook! I finished writing "Just for Now" two days before going into the hospital and started editing again seven days after surgery. I decided that I still didn't want to die without publishing my books, so within a month, I’d published all three! And by the way: I’m not dying anytime soon, unless I get hit by a truck—lots more time, I hope, to write lots more books!

We’re living in a wonderful time when you can see for yourself if your book has “sales appeal” or not. Why not give it a try and see? The risk and cost are low--professional editing and cover design, an author website. The dream, of course, is to get that lucrative publishing contract—but whether or not that happens, doing it this way is working great for me so far, and I’m so very thankful to have the opportunity to share my work with so many people.

What have you learned from writing and publishing your books?
Life is all about taking risks. Anything that’s worth doing is going to be scary. The trick is to feel the fear and go ahead and do it anyway. Fall in love, write a book, pursue your dreams. That’s the underlying theme of my books, and my life.

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Security does not exist in nature, nor do the
children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than
exposure.
– Helen Keller

 Excerpt:
“Mum!” Zack burst in through the front door. “It was brilliant!” He kicked his shoes off impatiently, dropped his rugby boots next to them before struggling out of his jacket. Nic followed him in, grabbed the jacket and hung it on the brightly painted rack next to the door when Zack would have dropped it on the floor.

Emma reached out for a hug that, Nic saw, the boy was still willing to give his mother, at least here at home. Her eyes met Nic’s as she looked over her son’s head. How did she always look so soft? So . . . pettable? She was wearing another sweater, that was all, he told his troublesome libido. Another light, lacy one, prettily trimmed once again. A pale pink cardigan
with pearly shell buttons, edged in cream, over a long stretchy top and leggings. She looked like an invitation to cuddle. Like the best blankie ever.

“Can Nic stay for dinner, Mum?” Zack asked excitedly, offering a welcome distraction from his wayward train of thought. “He could help me tell you all the things we did. We’re having spaghetti!” he told Nic. “It’s really good.”

“Can’t, mate. Sorry,” Nic put in hastily at Emma’s instinctive shake of the head. “But I’ll have a glass of water, if one’s on offer.”

“Sit down,” Emma told him. “Please.”

Nic slipped off his own shoes before heading to the couch with Zack. “Cheers,” he said as she came back from the kitchen to hand each of them a glass, then took her own seat in a small armchair next to the couch, the only other option the little room offered.

“You look tired,” she said abruptly. “And bruised. Are you OK?”

“Just a bit confused on the sleep schedule, still,” Nic admitted. “I took a wee pill on the flight home, but it never works that well.”

“It’s a long way, Mum,” Zack put in. “South Africa’s really far.”

Nic took a long drink of the cold water, looked around for something to set the glass on.


“Coaster?”

“Just put it down,” Emma told him.

“Don’t want to spoil this,” he said, looking more closely at the coffee table. The simple rectangle had been transformed into a forest of ferns, with native birds peeping out from underneath fronds, perched in trees. The parson-throated tui making a meal of red fruit, the colorful, stumpy takahe on the forest floor, tiny fantails darting overhead.

“You can’t,” Emma assured him. “It’s all enamels. Everything in this house is pretty indestructible.”

“Did you find the ruru yet?” Zack asked him, leaning forward.

“Don’t tell me,” Nic said. “Let me look.” Zack watched him eagerly as he searched and finally pointed triumphantly to a notch in a tree where the owl blended into the bark. “There.”

“You did this too, eh,” he asked Emma. “Nice.”

“I did everything. That’s my decorating theme. Things I made.”

“I like it,” he assured her. The warm colors of the lounge seemed to cocoon them. Two walls were a rich caramel, the others a warm yellow. She didn’t even paint every wall in a room the same color, he realized. Well, at least in the kitchen it was all the same. Purple. He wondered what color her bedroom was. How it looked. And found himself wishing, against every better impulse, that he could see it.

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Book Promotion: The Last Sanctuary by PS Mokha

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Synopsis:
Can three orphans with a mysterious past unlock the meaning of a chilling 700 year-old prophecy; Three will arrive, one to give, one to die and one to live?

Secret forays from their London orphanage into the hidden world of Ammasaya reveal how their lives are entwined with blood-thirsty Spine Crawlers, secretive goblins, deadly scorpions, murderous witches, enchanting Spry and the powerful Dragons of Creation and Destruction.  A genocidal war and the evil Blood Empress are lurking in the shadows, waiting to change the orphans' lives forever.

Information About the Book:
Author: PS Mokha
Link to Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13618421-the-last-sanctuary
Publisher: ----
Release Date: Released
Links to Buy:
Amazon: http://www/amazon.com/gp/product/0987664654?ie=UTF8&tage=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0987664654&Subscriptionld=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-last-sanctuary-p-s-mokha/1113035492 
Average Rating (from Goodreads): 4.80
Rating from EBR: ----

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Friday, March 1, 2013

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Blog Tour: The Nightlife Series by Travis Luedke

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Synopsis:  
Her mother named her Esperanza de Salvador - Hope for Salvation. But when a girl works as an escort for Colombian cartel in the ghettos of Spanish Harlem, there wasn’t much hope, or salvation.

Hope’s telepathic ability keeps her a step ahead of ruin, but her unusual gift attracts the attention of a psychotic vampire bitch. Trapped in a Manhattan penthouse with the psycho, she thought she was dead meat.
Her survival lies in the hands of Vampire Master Enrique. He seems to respect her, perhaps even care. As a measure of protection, he makes her his personal Bloodslave. Helplessly addicted to his bite, Enrique rules her every moment. As always, Hope must adapt to survive.
Swept into the decadent nightlife of Manhattan's elite, she falls in love with Enrique and prays someday he may grow to love her, too. But is it simply a relationship of convenience? Is she nothing more than a concubine desperate to satisfy his nightly demands for blood and sex?
And forever in the background is the fear that one day the cartel boss she abandoned will hunt her down to collect on old debts.


Excerpt:
I awoke in the afternoon alone in bed.  I could still smell him on the sheets.  Like the fool I am, I thought he’d be there.  Wake up sex can be awesome, but I rarely if ever have someone there when I wake up.  And it usually isn’t someone I really want there.
A dining cart awaited me with pizza, bottled water, a couple cans of Ensure protein shakes, and a note.  The pungent aroma of the chicken pesto pizza had me ravenous.  I inhaled two pieces as I read Enrique’s little love note:
Dear Hope:Please eat and drink as much as you can.  You will be anemic constantly.  You must take very good care of your health.  The Ensure supplement will help.  There will be plasma and blood transfusions available soon, you will probably need them.  Take the sublingual strip Suboxone to hold off withdrawals until we meet again after sunset around 7:15 p.m.  The Suboxone goes under your tongue.I apologize for your situation.  I hope we can find a way to work through this and become friends.LoveEnrique
Okay … Suboxone.  Some of the guys at the Towers mentioned it once.  It helps fight off heroin withdrawals. One guy said it gave a slight buzz, but nothing like heroin.  I have never and will never try heroin.  I’ve seen what addicts look like, it’s really fucked up.So why would he give me Suboxone?
And why wait till seven?  Three hours from now.  I didn’t want to wait for him.  I wanted him here now.  Right now! I wanted him to bite me again right now!“Son of a bitch!  He got me with that fucking bite.  That’s what he’s been talking about.  He’s got me hyped on his bite!  Fucking vampires!”
I had a craving, a need, an unscratchable itch for Enrique.  Three more hours to go.

Giveaway:
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Follow This Tour...
1.Coffee, Books & Lipgloss - Review 2.Simply Sensational Book Fanatics - Review
3.The Boyfriend Bookmark - Review 4.The Book Diaries - Review
5.Crystal's Random Thoughts - Promo 6.Manhattan Reader - Review
7.Nette's Bookshelf Reviews - Review 8.Romance is in the Air - Promo
9.Kindred Dreamheart - Promo 10.The Fantastical World of Wonders - Promo
11.K is for Kechell - Review12.A Bookish Escape - Review
13.Ethereal Book Reviews - Review14.For the Love of Writing... - Promo
15.Inner Goddess - Review16.Forest of Drago - Review
17.Tome Tender - Promo18.A.R. Von DreamZ of Dragons - Promo
19.Debra Wattes - Promo20.Layla Moon - Review
21.C.M.Brown - Review22.BlookGirl - Review
23.Laura's Review Bookshelf - Review24.Kirstin Pulioff - Review
25.OlgaNM - Promo26.Share My Destiny - Review
27.Galericulate - Review28.Pamela Foreman, Published Author - Review
29.Read-Love-Blog - Promo30.A Daydreamer's Thoughts - Review
31.Rachel Tsoumbakos - Review32.Tugce'nin Kitapli?Ÿi - Review
33.Teen Blurb - Review34.Fifty Shades of Tribute - Review
35.Writers on the Wharf - Review36.My Super Book Blog - Review
37.Bookmarks, Spoilers and Happily Ever After - Review38.Drunken Space Penguin - Review
39.TwoGirlsReading - Review 40.Pezz Rambles - Promo
41.Orchard book club - Review 42.Sparkly Knickers - Review
43.Mandy - Review 44.Hardcover Therapy - Review
45.Erzabet's Enchantments - Review 46.Booksessed Bec - Review
47.Italian Brat's Obsessions - Promo

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