Friday, July 27, 2012

Interview: J.A. Belfield

Please help me welcome J.A. Belfield, author of the Holloway Pack series, among many other great reads!



It all started with a daydream.

One of those daydreams where a character or scene pops into your head, and you start controlling the little people inside your imagination as though you are the puppet master and they your toys. Questions arise: What would happen if ...? How would they react if ....? Who would they meet if ...? And before you know it, a singular scene has become an entire movie. Those characters you control will begin to hold conversations. Their actions will reflect the personality you have bestowed upon them. Within no time, they have a life, an entire world in which they live, a lover, a foe, family ... they have Become.
One day, I wrote my thoughts down. I've yet to stop.


The newest of her published works is out and ready to be devoured by all of her faithful fans!

An unmarried woman living in a house of men breeds hearsay and lore. If only the villagers knew the truth.
It’s not Jem Stonehouse’s marital status that brings unwanted strangers to town. Rather, it’s that she is the only female werewolf in existence — a prize to any pack.
Sean Holloway, the love of Jem’s life, has gone to great lengths to protect her. As a new attack becomes imminent, Sean realizes he must take greater measures with Jem’s safety or risk losing her forever.
His first task must be to marry her, but a force greater than the largest werewolf stands in his way.
Expected publication: July 2nd 2012 by J. Taylor Publishing

The Interview:

1) I love the “about” section on your site. Tell us about your decision to finally write it all down. 
Thank you. :) Well, I’d pretty much daydreamed since birth, but I’d never actually done anything with those daydreams—never even thought to do anything with them.
Until May 2009.
I have no idea why I had a sudden yen to write that particular dream down. I almost didn’t, because even though I wanted to, the idea of doing so felt kind of ridiculous to me. But then I told my sister and my best friend, and within days was scribbling away to the soundtrack of ‘Dooooo eeeeeeeeeeeet’. ;) 

2) How long was the story tumbling around in your head before writing it down?
Which one? First story ever (which I shall not name because it was meh!): a couple of weeks. Darkness & Light: couple of weeks. Instinct: around six months—same for Eternal. Blue Moon, I pondered over for around one week before I started on it. I think the longest I’ve waited to write an idea from concept to construction is a year.

3) Do you have a favorite Holloway Pack member? 

Gargh! Tough question! My favourite Holloway Pack member is often whoever I happen to be writing at the time, LOL. Which I guess makes me pretty fickle. Sean’s been in my head the longest, though, and he’ll always hold a special place in my heart.

4) Did you write yourself into any of your characters? 

Ha! Now that’d be telling. ;)

5) Tell us about “Into The Unknown” 

Into the Unknown is an anthology of three stories by three different authors. One of those stories—Marked—is a Holloway Pack mini, which falls time-wise between Darkness & Light and Blue Moon. It’s not essential reading for the series—more a bit of fun for any who’ve come to enjoy the characters. It’s also told from Sean’s POV—so a little like Instinct, except two centuries later. :)

6) Do you have any non-wolf-related stories currently bouncing around in there?
Funny you should ask. ;) My short story, Escort to Insanity, is due to release this December in the Make Believe anthology—and for the first time ever in one of my stories, there is not a werewolf in sight. I’m also hoping to find time to write a couple of non-werewolf YA novels I’ve had pinging in my head this year—though I don’t want to disclose what those will be about just yet. :)

7) Have you always loved reading/writing?
I’ve always loved reading, yes. My earliest favourite read I can remember was a book called: Teeny Tiny & the Witch. And I remember loving everything Enid Blyton, from Amelia Jane to Famous Five, before moving on to Judy Blume then my mum’s Mills & Boon. As for writing? For as long as I’ve been doing it, I’ve loved it yes. It’s as frustrating as heck sometimes, sure it is, but I have to love it, otherwise what would be the point? :)

8) Who/what are some of your favorite authors/books? 

Now? I’ve recently stepped into dystopia for my reading material and I’ve been loving what I’ve found there so far with Hunger Games and Divergent. I’m also pretty much in love with Jennifer L. Armentrout’s work—she creates great characters for readers to connect with. Rachel Vincent always seems to create males I can fall in love with. And Black Dagger Brotherhood, Karen Marie Moning’s Fever, and Georgina Kincaid are some of my favourite series’ to date.

9) Can you give us aspiring authors any advice on writing and/or getting published? 

Besides keep writing—as much as you can, whenever you can, to hone your craft—and never give up? Yeah, I’d say research. And I don’t mean research for whatever story you happen to be writing. I mean research of the industry. Get to know how the process of getting a book out there works. Take note of the publishers and what titles they produce, and the agents and who they represent. Follow blogs who post about book news and keep an eye on what’s going on. Without this knowledge, you’ll be going in blind. I often get asked ‘How do I get my book published?’ by folks who’ve decided to write a novel of their own. The information is out there in abundance. Read it, learn it, then use it to your advantage. Knowledge is power, after all—or so they say. :)

Buy the new book here
Or, any of her other titles, here
Thanks, again, to J.A. Belfield for taking the time to answer some questions (and for the awesome advise)!  I really enjoyed it, I hope all of you do as well!  

Thursday, July 26, 2012

The Tribe's Bride: Review and Giveaway

Thank you for joining me on today's stop along the Tribe's Bride tour, hosted by Page Turner's Book Tours Enjoy my review, and don't forget to enter the contest!! 

Blurb:
When a university job interview goes south, Carrie Wade isn't certain that she'll ever find work in her field of ancient Native American Culture. Knowing the only job waiting for her is waitressing at a coffee house, Carrie indulges in a post-disappointment shopping trip. An old necklace in an antique store window catches her eye and she immediately feels as if she cannot walk away without owning it. The very last thing she needs to do is squander her savings by investing in a necklace that may have, at one time, belonged to one of the tribes she studied...but she can't help herself. When she tries on the precious necklace at home, she passes out and wakes up in the tent of the necklace's original owners, three Native American tribesmen from the late 1600s. Will she be able to get back home to the future or will she find out that the one place she was always meant to be was back in time as the tribe's bride?

Novella: 26k Words
Self Published 

*This novella contains m/f/m/m interaction, three handsome brothers that will do anything for each other and their woman, and a magical necklace that brings them all together.

My Review
When I started this story, I honestly was a bit nervous.  I did not think I would enjoy the plot, a young woman traveling back in time and becoming the wife of three brothers.  To me, it seemed overwhelming, I have enough of a hard time being a wife to one man, I couldn't imagine three!  
I was very pleasantly surprised!  The story was tastefully written and never crossed the line into "oogy", one of my favorite words to describe what I honestly thought this story would be.  In each of the brother's there were qualities that would make up the perfect man..  if ever they could all coexist in one man.  
The descriptions in this book are told in such a way, that I could believe the author had a real working knowledge of life back in the 1600's for Native American tribes.  
In the end, I am glad I read this book and will look forward to reading more!
I give this book 3.5 stars!

You can buy the book here
Amazon USA
Amazon UK
Smashwords

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Check out the other stops on this tour!!
25th July - Page Turner Book Tours - Opening Post & Competition
26th July - My World - Review
27th July - R.E. Butler - Spotlight by Author
28th July - Pandragon Dan - Guest Post
29th July - Sheenah Frietas - Interview
30th July - Reading Writing And More - Guest Post
31st July - Red Phoenix - Interview
1st Aucust - Read 2 Review - Review
2nd August - Page Turner Book Tours - Tour Wrap post

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Circe: Guest Post & Spotlight

Welcome to my stop on the Circe tour hosted by Innovative Online Book Tours

Circe
When Dr. David Black takes an internship at a very old psychiatric hospital back home in Alabama, he vows two things—that he will be a better husband to his beautiful and loving wife Pria, and that he will stop cheating on her.

Then his enigmatic supervisor Dr. Cassie Allen, a self-proclaimed witch with ties to the underworld, begins to draw him into her darkness. David finds it hard to resist her wicked sensuality, but even harder to resist her evil pull.

As strange and violent deaths pile up left and right, David realizes that Cassie’s psychotic behavior is connected to the mysterious hospital itself. There a demonic force threatens to destroy everything that David holds dear—his wife, his family, even his very sanity.




Product Details

File Size: 344 KB
Print Length: 209 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1897562888
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Lachesis Publishing (November 15, 2011)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B0068QDD9U
Text-to-Speech: Enabled
X-Ray: Not Enabled
Lending: Enabled

About Jessica Penot (from her website)



I am a therapist and writer who lives in Alabama with my three corgis, children, husband, and other strange creatures. My short stories have been published in numerous literary magazines and anthologies including CSM, Summer Gothic, Bound By Blood, and Outer Darkness. I have ghost story columns in theValley Planet and White Cat Magazine where I share my love for ghost stories that send shivers down your spine and keep you up at night. I also share my passion for all things ghostly and haunted at my blog, ghost stories and haunted places.

I am currently working on my next Haunted America Book for History Press,Haunted South Alabama. Follow me at my blog to learn about the ghost stories I am chasing and collecting for this fascinating addition to Haunted America. I'm also workng on the next book in my Circe series. The demon is awake and waiting for my new heroine in the swamps of Southern Alabama. Click Here to Follow My Blog!You can contact me at jessica.penot@gmail.com



Guest Post

The Hospital that Inspired Circe

Circe was inspired by one of my favorite haunted places, Searcy State Mental Hospital in Alabama. I did my internship there a very long time ago and I fell in love with its history and its white chipped
walls. Everything about this old hospital spoke to me. It was even more remarkable because most of those who worked there and lived there every day were oblivious to its history. I found this hospital so fascinating that I had to write Circe.

Searcy State Hospital is located in Mt. Vernon Alabama. Prior to being a state hospital the old hospital has along and dark history that is very difficult to find, but easy to see upon casual observation. The hospital is encased in long, chipped, white walls that seem as old as anything in the United States.  From outside these walls, you can see a battered watchtower that gives testament to the fact that the hospital is in the same location as a 300 year old fort. The fort bears witness to American history and was originally a Spanish fort. It switched hands during the Louisiana Purchase and became a US fort.  After the US took possession of the fort it was converted to a military arsenal and became known as the
Mount Vernon Arsenal.

The Arsenal switched hands again several times and was taken by the Confederates during the civil war only to be passed back over the United States again in 1862. From 1887 to 1894, The Arsenal became a Barracks and was used as a prison for the captured Apache people. The most famous of the Apache people to be held in these barracks was Geronimo. The infamous Aaron Burr was also held at this secluded prison at some point.

In 1900 the Barracks were transformed once again and the prison became a mental hospital. Searcy hospital was built as the African American mental hospital in Alabama. Conditions in the hospital were beyond questionable and at one time there were over 2000 patients in the crowded hospital and all were seen by one psychiatrist. All patients were expected to work in the fields.

The hospital was desegregated in 1969, but its history is all around it. The hospital is still in used today, and although the residents live in new buildings, many tell stories of ghosts and devils that linger in the white walls and abandoned buildings that surround the new facilities. These stories are usually ignored, because the patients are crazy, but I’m not the only sane person who saw a few ghosts while they were
working there.

Monday, July 16, 2012

Interview: Jean Mckie-Sutton

  


Thanks for visiting me for my stop on The Fruits of Our Sins blog tour, hosted by Virtual Book Tour Cafe.

Please help me welcome Jean Mckie-Sutton
Picture
author of
Picture  
Genre: Fiction; Ethnic Fiction
Websites: www.redlotuspress.com
Purchase Links: www.barnesandnoble.com; www.amazon.com
Publisher: Red Lotus Press
Release Date: June 4, 2012

Book Synopsis:
The lives of Madeline and Sybil become intertwined in heated confrontation by the birth of a child - a child that each claims to have a right to. For one woman, possession of the child represents redemption; for the other, the repetition of generational sin.
The Fruits Of Our Sins chronicles the deeply flawed relationships these women have with their parents, the impact of those relationships on the direction of their lives and ultimately the lives of their children as they attempt to flee from, yet reconcile, the betrayals and abandonment of their youth.



The Interview:


1) Tell us a bit about The Fruits of Our Sins

This novel tells the story of two young women, Madeline and Sybil, who experience abandonment and betrayal within their own families at a very young age. Their lives soon become intertwined in heated confrontation by the birth of a child - a child that each claims to have a right to. For one woman, possession of the child represents redemption; for the other, the repetition of generational sin.
The Fruits Of Our Sins chronicles the deeply flawed relationships these women have with their parents, the impact of those relationships on the direction of their lives and ultimately the lives of their children as they attempt to flee from, yet reconcile, the abandonment and betrayals of their youth.

2) What inspired you to write this story?

I’d have to say I was inspired by my family. Although this novel is not at all biographical, developing the story lines of the characters helped me reconcile and understand some of the troubling, life-changing decisions made by the matriarchs in my own family.

3) Tell us about Red Lotus Press

I formed Red Lotus Press earlier this year solely to publish, market and promote my own work.  But since its inception, so many people have inquired about utilizing Red Lotus Press for their own books I’ve decided to promote other authors in their quest to become published. Red Lotus Press will specialize in novels, novellas, short stories and poems that are true to life with a focus on the theme of confronting and overcoming hardship or adversity, specifically in regard to parent/child relationships. We will be open to submissions in 2013.

4) What is a typical day in the life of Jean Mckie-Sutton like?

A Typical day? What’s that? I’m still in the midst of raising kids so every day is different and full!  In between carting my kids to baseball camp, swim lessons, basketball summer league and pre-season soccer, we manage to get some down time at the neighborhood pool. There, I sneak get in a few hours of writing time, otherwise, life doesn’t slow down until the evenings after everyone is settling down for bed or early mornings before the house awakens. At dawn I head out to the gym for a quick workout then rush home to check email, and update facebook, twitter, linkedin and my website.

5) Do you have any specific quirks or "rituals" while writing?

I have a few oddities. First, the house must be completely quiet while I’m writing. This is quite a feat with three kids, a husband, and a dog and cat in our tiny house. I have a colorful collection of ear plugs I use to block out all the noisy chaos, otherwise I wait until the evenings to write when everyone is already asleep.
Second, I often wake up in the middle of the night for no reason at all. It is during these moments that I experience my most creative insights. I keep a pen and table bedside so I can capture the rush of ideas that seems to come for nowhere.

6) What advice can you give the aspiring writers reading this interview?

Read as much as you can. It will help you get a feel for the techniques and styles of great writers, and ultimately assist you in developing your own unique writing style.
Write! Ideally you want to write daily, but this is not always possible given the demands of daily life. Set your time frame and stick to it. For example, if you decide to write four days a week for four hours each day, then stick to it and allow nothing and no one to impede on your time.
And last, but certainly not least, be open and look for advice everywhere.

7) What's next for you?

I’m in the middle of a collection of short stories focusing on family relationships - mostly mother/daughter relationships that involve transformation after overcoming steep obstacles. I hope to finish the collection later this year.
The second project I’m considering is a sequel to The Fruits Of Our Sins. I hadn’t initially planned on writing a sequel, but so many people have asked, I feel the need to at least consider the possibility.

8) Let us know where to find you.

Amazon Author Profile
Amazon Print
Amazon Kindle
Barnes and Noble Nook
Website: www.redlotuspress.com
Email: jmckiesutton@gmail.com


Check out the other great stops on this tour...
July 3 -      Introduction at VBT Cafe' Blog
July 6 -      Guest Blogging at Wise Words
July 10 -    Review & Guest Blogging at The Lucky Ladybug
July 12 -    Reviewed & Interviewed at A Book Lover's Library
July 16 -    Interviewed at My World
July 18 -    Interviewed at Reviews & Interviews
July 20 -    Reviewed at Books, Books, and More Books
July 23 -    Reviewed & Guest Blogging at Words I Write Crazy
July 25 -    Guest Blogging at AZ Publishing Services
July 27 -    Guest Blogging at Reading, Writing, and More
July 30 -    Reviewed & Interviewed at Nita Bee's WebBlog
August 1 - Guest Blogging at Mocha Girl Reads
August 3 - Reviewed at The Story of a Girl...
August 7 - Interviewed by Louise James
August 9 - Interviewed at Mass Musings 

Serenya's Song Interview and Giveaway

Welcome to my stop on the Serenya's Song tour, hosted by Page Turner Book Tours!  I hope you enjoy my review of the book and fill out the form below for the giveaway!

Serenya's Song (Tallenmere, #2) Serenya's Song (Tallenmere #2) by Mysti Parker
From Goodreads:  In the fantasy world of Tallenmere, no one ever said love was easy...
Serenya Crowe may be a half-elf commoner, but she's no ordinary woman. With the ability to interpret       dreams, and a birth defect that forces her to wear gloves, she’s endured small-town gossip and the cruelty of her husband, Sebastian, The Earl of Summerwind. All she's ever wanted is to live a quiet life and raise a family. When she meets the new stranger in town, her world and her heart, are turned upside down.
Wood-elf Jayden Ravenwing is an ex-secret agent who wants nothing more than to forget matters of the heart. He left the bustle of Leogard and his failed marriage to make a fresh start in Summerwind. He never planned to fall in love again, especially with the enchanting Serenya Crowe.
When a strange portal opens on the Crowe property at the edge of town, Jayden is thrown into an investigation, knowing that if he fails, Serenya and everyone in Summerwind may die.
Together, he and Serenya must overcome an ancient evil, and their own inner demons, to save Summerwind and find the love they've always dreamed of.

Enjoy the interview with Mysti Parker

1) Tell us a bit about Serenya’s song.
Serenya’s Song is a second chance love story. For both Serenya Barnaby-Crowe and Jayden Ravenwing, fate has dealt them a lousy hand when it comes to love. They meet in the small town of Summerwind, to discover they are perfect for each other, but fate once again plays a cruel turn—Serenya’s still married and Jayden is mourning the failure of his own marriage back in Leogard. Even crueler still is the emerging identity of who Serenya really is—her very existence may result in the end of the world, and Jayden will have to make the most difficult choices of his life.
Anyone who reads this story will be rooting for these two from page one, because it’s SO obvious they are meant to be together. But, their journey is fraught with one challenge after another, and soon, you’ll be biting your nails as you discover the terrible secrets that are keeping them apart.
By the climax, you’ll just know it won’t end well, but hang on to your seats, because it ain’t over yet!

2) Will we see a recurrence of any character’s from A Ranger’s Tale?
Oh yes, namely Jayden Ravenwing, the wood-elf former lead scout of the Leogardian Intelligence Organization. You’ll also get a hefty dose of Lillyanne Sawyer, his spunky halfling partner, plus a brief appearance from Galadin and Caliphany, stars of A Ranger’s Tale.

3) What inspired the Tallenmere series?
Lord of the Rings, online roleplaying games, and my love for the fantasy genre. Particularly, since I loved LOTR’s elves so much, I wanted to write at least a few books where elves were in the spotlight, not just whimsical supporting characters. You can read a recent article that I wrote entitled “Elves Are People Too—A Love Story” here:
http://blog.sarahmakela.com/2012/06/guest-author-mysti-parker.html

4) Are there any certain characters that are your favorite, or that you can personally identify with?
That would have to be Lillyanne, or Lilly, as she’s fondly known. She’s such a little spitfire. Besides keeping Jayden (and everyone else) in line, she adds a good bit of comedic relief. You can catch a glimpse of her in this fun little character sketch here:
http://triciakristufek.com/2012/06/25/blog-tour-serenyas-song/#comment-1924
I did identify with Serenya though, in having a stepfather who loved me like his own daughter. Since my own stepfather and I are currently estranged, it was pretty emotional at times to write about her and Douglas’s relationship, but I’m so glad I pushed through and did it anyway. Their story kicks the book off and sets the tone for the entire plot.

5) What is a typical day of writing like for you?

It’s been a while since I’ve actually sat and written on my WIP, but typically, once school starts, I get all the kids distributed to where they need to be, come home, and write, taking breaks for lunch and coffee until I have to pick them up or get them off the bus. Now that it’s summer, I’ve taken a break from the WIP to spend time with the kiddos. In fact, we’re tagging along on my hubby’s business trip to Clearwater Beach, FL, which is where I’ll be at the posting of this interview!

6) Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?

Read a lot, write a lot, find good critique partners, and never give up!

7) What’s next for you?

Next up is Book Three of this series, entitled Hearts in Exile. Here’s a blurb to whet your appetite:

In the fantasy world of Tallenmere, fate has a way of catching up with you...
Somewhere, hidden in the waters of the Southern Sea is an island unlike any other.  Within the amber glow of its pyrogem-laden cliffs, legend says the very heart of the dragon god Drae keeps the island, and its occupants, alive.
Loralee Munroviel, daughter of Leogard's High Priestess Arianne, had no idea what she would face when she arrived by boat ten years ago and was left alone in exile. All she knew about Draekoria's inhabitants was written in one tattered notebook. Now, her life revolves around keeping Drae's descendants happy. Never once did she imagine being a dragon keeper.
Captain Igrorio Everlyn, known as Sir Robert to his unit of Holy Paladins, has faced his share of hell, battling the evils of Emperor Sarvonn's tyranny and the dark god, Tyr's abominations. But nothing compares to the ten years of hell he's been without Loralee, presumed dead, struck down by a minor version of the Great Plague that took his mother and countless others years ago.
One freak storm changes everything. Now the two of them must fight to reestablish the delicate balance of the island before the dragons take things into their own hands.  Through it all, they discover the secrets that kept them, and their hearts, exiled for a decade.


8) Tell us where we can find you.

Well, right here, of course. Tee hee. Actually, you can find my online presence in numerous places. Namely:

Email: mystiparker@yahoo.com
Unwritten
Twitter: @MystiParker
Facebook Page
Goodreads Page
A Ranger’s Tale: Melange Books, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords
Serenya’s Song: MelangeBooks, Amazon



You can get this great book here.

Enter for a Copy of Serenya's Song!

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Saturday, July 14, 2012

Bridge of Deaths Review and Giveaway

Welcome to my stop on The Bridge of Deaths blog tour, hosted by Innovative Online Book Tours.  Don't forget to enter for the giveaway!

The Bridge of Deaths  The Bridge of Deaths by M.C.V. Egan
From Goodreads:  On August 15th 1939, at the brink of World War II, an English plane crashed and sunk in Danish waters. Five deaths were reported: two Standard Oil of New Jersey employees, a German Corporate Lawyer, an English member of Parliament, and a crew member for the airline. Here is a conceivable version of the events.

My Review

This book is a historical account of a plane crash from 1939.  It focuses around 3 main characters, Bill, Maggie and Catalina, as they piece together information about the events of the crash.  They soon realize they are uncovering a conspiracy.  A lot of hard work and research went into writing this story.
I have never been very good at history and there were parts of the book that I found hard to read, myself, but it was very well written.  There were many interesting bits of information and the book itself was very well written.  I could tell the story was very important and personal to the writer, and that made it all the more interesting.
The Bridge of Deaths is a great read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction and conspiracies.
I give this book 3 stars.


You can buy the book here


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Please stop by these other blogs on this tour!

6/8 Bibliophilia, Please /Guest Post
6/10 Just Heard, Just Read, Just Seen /Interview & Give Away
6/10Reviewing Shelf /Review & Give Away
6/18 The Story of A Girl... /Review & Give Away
6/23 Bunnys Review /Review
7/8 Cabin Goddess /1st Chapter & Give Away
7/8 A Great Book Is The Cheapest Vacation /Give Away, 1st Chapter
7/12 All Things Writing /Review
7/12 ¡Miraculous! /Review & Give Away
7/14 My World /Review & Give Away
7/16 Reader Girls /Excerpt
7/20 Window on the World /Review & Give Away
7/20 A Chick Who Reads /Guest Post
7/20 The Book Hoard /Excerpt
7/20 A Date with A Book /Excerpt
7/25 Book Lovin' Mamas /Guest Post & Give Away
7/30 My Cozie Corner /Excerpt & Give away
7/30Lissette E. Manning /Guest Post

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Interview: Robert B. Lowe


Thanks for stopping by for my day on the Project Moses blog tour, hosted by VBTCafe!
Help me welcome the author, Robert B. Lowe!

Project Moses (Paperback Version)


From Goodreads:  "...a taut thriller...with an ideal fusion of wile and wit." - Kirkus Reviews
"I especially liked all of the supporting players...from the slick and twisted CEO...to the sassy, gay police woman." S. Turtle Enzo Lee, 37, a burned out reporter, has forsaken investigative reporting on the East Coast to churn out feature fluff in San Francisco. He likes his North Beach apartment, steps away from his Chinatown roots. Running, tai chi, great food, women who are attracted to his exotic looks. Life is good. Then, Lee is ordered to cover the unexplained deaths of a local judge and prosecutor. Intrigued by the connection, and the judge’s attractive niece, Sarah Armstrong, Lee begins to uncover a bioterrorism scandal whose perpetrators - including government officials and Silicon Valley titans - will kill to conceal. When Lee and Sarah become targets, the question becomes whether the pair can evade their hunters and piece together the story before their time runs out. Project Moses is set in San Francisco, New York and Silicon Valley. By a Pulitzer Prize-winnng author.
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Publisher: Enzo Publications
Release Date: January 23, 2012



Robert B. LoweRobert B. Lowe is a Pulitzer-prize winning author whose fiction is based in San Francisco, his adopted home. His past experiences – a 12-year career in investigative journalism and a Harvard Law School degree – enable him to write gripping mystery thrillers in both the legal and journalistic fields. Lowe draws his inspiration from John Grisham, Dick Francis and Lee Childs and adds his own San Francisco twist. Readers will enjoy his references to the city’s landmarks such as Chinatown, North Beach and Pacific Heights and the Bay area’s foodie culture. When Lowe isn’t writing he enjoys a day at the golf course and spending time with his wife and daughters.

Purchase Link: amazon
Main Site Tour Link: http://www.virtualbooktourcafe.com/3/post/2012/06/project-moses-by-robert-b-lowe.html
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/AuthorRobBLowe
Website: http://www.robertblowe.com/
Email: Robert@robertblowe.com


Interview:
HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE MAIN PLOT OF PROJECT MOSES?
The main crime in Project Moses – aside from the murders of many possible witnesses – has to do with bioterrorism and the use of genetic engineering techniques to cause mischief.
I’ve long been interested in the technology and implications of various types of genetic engineering and simply understanding what genes do. When I was in law school, one of the requirements to graduate was to write an extensive paper – almost like a dissertation – about some topic with some significant legal issues. I tackled the implications of the genetic testing of people in terms of health insurance.
What happens when employers and insurers can tell through genetic tests whether you are a higher risk for heart attacks or cancer? One answer, of course, is that they might figure the smart business decision is to not hire you or give you insurance. But, the idea of everyone having their fates determined not based on merit or choices they’ve made but by the good or bad luck of their genetic makeup seems unfair in our culture.
Anyway, my interest in this realm was really the genesis of the main conspiracy in the book. I just started thinking about what might happen if some bad characters could use the technology of genetic engineering. Early in the book, I wanted to have a mysterious murder that would be one of the threads pursued in the beginning. I picked a plant as a key element and that sort of drove the plot toward a plant biology story.

WHAT ELEMENTS ARE NECESSARY FOR A GOOD MYSTERY THRILLER?
There are the things that I strive to have: a) Compelling narrative which means both not boring and with energy or pacing to keep the story and the reader moving. b) A tight plot with enough at stake to make it interesting but credible and without loose ends. c) Believable characters that people will react to in the way intended – particularly find your heroes likeable and believe it when romance occurs. d) New information about a profession, industry or science as an added “content bonus.”

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED WRITING?
I was a newspaper reporter for 12 years out of college so that career choice showed my interest in writing and, of course, those years helped my writing. Having written for a living in that format gave me confidence that I could write a book. Also, I worked in newsrooms where there was always someone working on a book and some were very successful. So, it seemed more doable that it would for someone without that background.

WHAT IS YOUR TYPICAL WRITING DAY LIKE?
A decent day of writing for me usually begins at 9 am. I’m out of pajamas, shaved, got a thermos of coffee and walk 120 feet to a room above my garage away from people and repair projects that
inevitably distract me. I work until lunch, with some breaks as I finish parts of what I’m writing. After lunch, I’ll work for one or two hours more depending on other commitments. So, 5 hours and, say, 1500 words is a good day for me. I’m almost always polishing and rewriting what I’ve done the last two days so a lot of editing is built in as well. I’ll cheat on that a bit – use the afternoon time to get exercise, etc. But, I also try to get a chunk of writing on the weekend, usually several hours on Saturday, which compensates somewhat. If things are going well, I can keep this schedule. If they aren’t, I start figuring out ways to cheat.

WHAT DO YOU PLAN FOR FUTURE PROJECTS?
I’m hoping to have the next one ready to go in the Fall. I’m half way through the first draft although I’m polishing as I go. If Project Moses is any guide, the second half will take me half the time as the first half. The setup is harder for me and some reviewers have commented on that as well. Enzo Lee again is the star. But, I again have a secondary character – a new one - clamoring for attention. I was pleased that no one was overwhelmed by everything that went on in Project Moses – and there was quite a bit. In fact, readers seemed to like that. That’s good for me because my big challenge is keeping things manageable and not overloading with too many characters and subplots.
I continue to set the story mainly in the San Francisco area since that is where I live and have worked for the past 20 years. It’s a place that people love to visit and have almost a Disney view of it. The Golden Gate. Cable cars. Lombard Street. It is quite a beautiful city with an amazing mix of lifestyles and ethnic backgrounds. So, it’s a beautiful and interesting frame for a story.

Please visit the other stops on this tour!
June 26 - Introduction at VBT Cafe' Blog 
June 28 - Guest Blogging at AZ Publishing Services
June 29 - Giveaway ($10 Amazon Gift Card + Rafflecopter) & Book Feature with Excerpt at So Many Precious Books, So Little Time 
June 30 - Interviewed at Hard Cover Feedback 
July 2 -    Interviewed at MK McClintock's Blog 
July 5 -    Interviewed at My World 
July 9 -    Review & Interview at A Book Lover's Library 
July 11 -  Review & Guest Blogging at Words I Write Crazy 
July 13 -  Review & Interview at The Writing World 
July 16 -  Review & Guest Blog at The Lucky Ladybug 
July 18 -  Reviewed at Books, Books, and More Books

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Guest Post From the Authors of Pack of Lies

Welcome to today's stop in the Pack of Lies tour, hosted by Innovative Online Book Tours! I hope you enjoy the "special" interview!

 From Goodreads: The last thing Allison Wright ever expected when she moved to Red Ridge, New Mexico was to come muzzle to muzzle with the wolf of her dreams.
Seventeen-year-old Allison Wright is convinced she’s losing her mind. Uncontrollable mood swings, hot flashes, and the urge to punch anyone who gets in her way are suddenly becoming everyday occurrences. Before her erratic behavior gets out of hand, Allison’s mother finally comes clean about her dark secret. Mom is a werewolf, and soon Allison and her brother Aiden will suffer the same fate. When Allison reaches her breaking point, the family leaves their life in Texas to move to Red Ridge, New Mexico where they rejoin the pack that Allison’s mother left behind almost 20 years ago.
Unfortunately, not everyone in Red Ridge is thrilled about Allison’s arrival, especially when she attracts the attention of the very handsome, very taken, soon-to-be alpha, Cade Walker. Little does Allison know, her mere presence is causing a rift in a once unified pack. Not only has Cade been forbidden from being with Allison by his father, the pack’s alpha, Cade’s girlfriend, Kendall Stuart, will stop at nothing to get Allison out of the picture. Well on her way to becoming the next alpha’s mate, Kendall expects to rule the pack by Cade’s side even if it means teaming up with a rogue werewolf with an agenda of his own. Determined to get rid of Allison permanently, when Kendall and the rogue join forces, all hell breaks loose and no one in the pack is safe, especially not Cade and his true mate.

The Authors
Sara & Staci Author Photo-2.jpg
Staci Weber and Sara Dailey

And now, for the "interview"

We are here today to interview Kendall Stuart, soon-to-be mate of the Red Ridge Pack’s future alpha, Cade Walker. Of course, a non-disclosure has been signed, and this information is strictly confidential and should not be discussed outside of our Pack, the Silver Ridge Pack, and is under no circumstances to be shared with outsiders.

Together the Red Ridge and Silver Ridge Packs have recently been discussing a partnership.  As our numbers have been dwindling over the years, it is of utmost importance that we begin to work together to strengthen our Packs, so I want to welcome Kendall and thank her for allowing us to interview her today.

Jessica: Thanks for meeting with me today, Kendall. We are interviewing important members of the Red Ridge Pack to help introduce you all to our Pack. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Kendall: Thanks for having me here. I can’t believe we are actually contemplating joining forces with another Pack, not that I think it’s a bad idea or anything, it’s just surprising, that’s all. A bit about me? Well, I will be the lead female of this Pack very soon. Cade and I have been together for a long time, and I am thrilled that it’s finally about time for him to take over. He will make a great leader, and I will be right there by his side.
Jessica: That’s very exciting for you. How do you feel about being the lead female?
Kendall: I was born to lead. I’ve been ready for a long time. I know Cade and I will make the perfect team.
Jessica: You sound confident. How do you feel about the new members that just joined your Pack?
Kendall: Oh, you’ve already heard about them? Very scandalous. My mom told me that the mother used to be a part of our Pack, a really special part. She was supposed to be Marcus’s, I mean Mr. Walker’s lead female. For some reason she left many years ago, and now she is back with a human husband and two teenagers.  I met them today, and between you and me, they seem a little weak for my taste, especially the blonde.
Jessica: A human husband … interesting, huh?
Kendall: Yeah, I guess. But if Marcus is okay with it, then whatever, but if you ask me, I’m surprised he’s okay with her being back since she ran off with another guy.  And now she shows back up with her half-breed kids. Umm …you know what, forget I said that.
Jessica: Your boyfriend Cade’s father, Marcus, the alpha, tell me about him.
Kendall: Marcus is great. Our Pack couldn’t ask for a better alpha, and I’m sure Cade will be just as wonderful. I can’t wait until he takes the reins. Marcus has taught him well and of course, I will be there to help them through the transition.
Jessica: How does your mom feel about you being the future lead female?
Kendall: She is ecstatic! Why wouldn’t she be?
Jessica: Of course she is. Silly question. It’s been great getting to know you. I’m sure you will make a great alpha female. Thanks for chatting with me.
Kendall: Sure Jessica. It’s been nice talking to you, as well. I’m sure we will meet again since I’ll be in charge before long [smiles].

And there you have it - our first interview with Kendall Stuart, future female alpha of the Red Ridge Pack. Be on the lookout for my interview with one of the newest members of the Pack, Allison Wright.


You can get the book here.


You can check out the rest of the stops on this tour here
7/4 My World
7/6 Soliloquy

The Release Day ALL REVIEW Blitz 

Monday, July 2, 2012

Servant of the Goddess: Promotional Tour

Servant of the Goddess (Immortyl Revolution #4)


From Goodreads:  Can an Immortyl society survive in a modern world? From the ashes of the first battle of the Immortyl Revolution, vampires Mia Disantini and Kurt Eisen set out to build a new Immortyl society. Trouble arrives in the person of Cedric MacKinnon, a runaway adept of the ancient arts, who brings tidings of upheaval at the chief elder's court that threatens everything Mia and Kurt have accomplished. Mia finds it hard to resist when Cedric pledges his service and tempts her with the legendary skills he learned as an Immortyl courtesan. Facing opposition from both within and out, Mia begins to doubt Kurt is up to the task of leading their followers to his vision of an Immortyl Utopia. Torn between her loyalty to Kurt and Cedric's insistence that she is the earthly manifestation of the Goddess Durga and destined to lead, Mia confronts the greatest challenge of her life.


Denise Verrico

Denise is a New Jersey native who grew up in Western Pennsylvania. She attended Point Park College and majored in Theatre Arts. For seven seasons, she was a member of the Oberon Theatre Ensemble in NYC. Denise has loved vampire stories since she was a little girl and a fan of Dark Shadows. She currently lives in Ohio with her husband and son and her flock of seven parrots. 

Please enjoy this excerpt from this great book!


A Taste of Servant of the Goddess

Sudden shouts battled against the sound of the wind. I peered down the block. Teen-formed Immortyls, sewer rats, closed a circle around a tall male, who held his hands high above his head. From the direction of the wind, I couldn’t yet ascertain this stranger as mortal or Immortyl. Best to investigate. I ran toward the disturbance, wrapping my fingers around the Glock strapped to my hip.
A shrill whistle split the air. Two of the sewer rats lunged for the stranger. He crouched and pirouetted on one leg, letting loose a rapid succession of kicks that knocked his attackers sprawling onto the sidewalk. A rat named Tommy growled and launched himself at the stranger. To my amazement, the stranger leapt high into the air and hovered there for a moment like a falcon before lashing out with both feet. Tommy’s head snapped backward, and he flattened against the pavement. The remaining rats hung back.
The slender figure of a boy maybe eighteen or nineteen touched down and crouched again, poised to strike. No mortal could perform such maneuvers with this speed and agility, not to mention almost ballet-like grace. The Immortyl’s face betrayed raw emotion, indicating he was new to the blood, probably not much older than his form suggested. Eamon, the rat pack leader, drew and aimed a pistol at him. The stranger raised his hands above his head once more.
I gave a sharp whistle for Eamon to stand down. “What’s going on here?”
Eamon lowered the gun and spit on the ground. His forever-twelve-year-old face scrunched up. “We found this one skulking about,” he said. Even after a century and half in New York his speech still gave away his Dublin origins. “Says he’s come from the chief elder’s house.”
 The wind kicked up harder. Long, auburn hair whipped about the newcomer’s face. He shivered, hugging an Indian-styled shirt around him. Traces of black kohl and sienna rouge clung to his eyes and mouth, as if he’d scrubbed the paint off in a hurry. The make-up and impractical clothing pointed to origins more exotic than the russet hair and milky complexion suggested. His story sounded plausible. However, the odds that this kid had escaped the chief elder’s compound near Calcutta and made it all the way to New York on his own were unlikely. No slave had ever left there of his own accord.
Kurt had stood trial at the chief elder’s court for inciting rebellion. He’d told me that the chief, Kalidasa, employed state-of-the-art security, as well as vampire-eating tigers. The place was a veritable fortress. Still, there was always a first time, and this newcomer had held his own against Eamon’s band.
I had to admire the kid for standing up to Eamon and his thugs.
The pack leader and I didn’t care much for one another, but he’d fought for Kurt in our recent war with a rival elder. For political reasons, I forced myself to take a civil tone with him. “Did you bother to ask his business before you ordered an attack?” I called to the newcomer, “You--come here.”
The boy lowered his hands and slinked forward. I’d never seen a man move quite like this, with delicacy just brushing the feminine, yet suggesting coiled up, sinewy strength like a jungle cat. Instinct prompted my hand to reach for the Glock concealed on my hip. The kid had danger scrawled all over him in big garish letters.
“Is this true?” I asked.
“I ran away from court,” the boy replied, his speech tinged with a Scottish burr. “I’m seeking refuge here.”
The plaintive tone struck a chord in me. I sized him up again. His winsome looks didn’t belong to the usual brand of vampire assassin, but to a household slave chosen for his decorative value. Still, his swift feet could kill if given the chance. Wouldn’t it be just like Giulietta to send death in such an appealing guise?
 “Kurt’s counselor, Chase Powers, can vouch for me,” he continued. “Take me to him.”
“You know Chase?”
“We met in India during Kurt’s trial. He said I’d be welcome here. Please Miss. You have to believe me. I’ve come such a long way and got nowhere else to go.” Desperation filled the spooky, green eyes. They almost glowed, more like a cat’s than a man’s. “There’s probably a bounty offered for my return by now.”
“What did you do?”
“It’s not what I did. It’s what I am.” He held out his hands. Henna tattoos snaked around the wrists and tops, elaborate whirls and spirals. “The marks of my order. I’m an adept of the ancient arts.”
He was an adept? I’d always imagined these temple devotees and de facto courtesans as Indian in origin. I gave the boy a closer look. His clothing had seen better days, but the sinuous way he moved made them a fashion statement. You couldn’t deny the perfection of feature and figure required of his order. He stood out from Eamon’s mangy lot like an emerald in a box of Cracker Jacks.


Sounds great, doesn't it??  From what I've gotten to read of this series, this book is well worth reading.  The writing is done very well.

If you'd like to check out more about this series, visit the website here.
You can buy the book here.
You can find the author, Denise Verrico, on facebook, twitter and goodreads.
You can get the first three books in the series here.