Monthly Archives: March 2013

Blue Horizon by J.L. Hammer-a review

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BLUE HORIZON by J.L. Hammer-a review

Blue Horizon

Amazon / Barnes and Noble

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 29, 2013

Part of a secret government project, Elena Davidson’s life is in serious jeopardy when she is kidnapped by terrorists. Safeguarding ‘Blue Horizon’ isn’t just a mission to Elena. She knows that if its purpose is revealed and if it falls into the wrong hands, it could be dangerous for the entire world.

Beckham Connors has a simple mission: the retrieval of Elena Davidson, no matter what the cost. He has orders to rescue Elena from her captors and to send her home to America, or if necessary—kill her. Whatever happens, she cannot be left alive on Iranian soil.

Forced into a whirlwind adventure, she can depend on no one. Elena must decide if she can trust the ruggedly handsome Beckham—or if he poses a greater danger than the terrorists.

*************

REVIEW: WOW! I’m amazed at this fantastic story. It’s a smaller book than usual (less than 200 pages) but is absolutely packed from the beginning with intense action, emotion and great characters. Written by J.L. Hammer this is a powerhouse of unexpected delight.

Here’s a little background on the main characters: Elena Davidson is a 27 year old engineer on a government project and is kidnapped by Iranian terrorists and subjected to torture and brutalization. Cole Davidson is a captain in the AF and is Elena’s big brother…when she is kidnapped he is frantic to do anything to save his little sister. Beckham Connors is a mercenary working with covert ops to retrieve Elena and her boss from the Iranians. Charity Lane is secretary to pentagon official McAllister (a double dealing jerk and traitor – but she doesn’t know that).

Ok, that’s most of the character setup, there are more secondary ones but these guys are the storyline principals. I don’t want to spoil the book for anyone because it’s really a great read. It’s a twisting and interesting tale of terror, rescue, love (two love stories), recovery and much more!

This is a real page turner….very hard to put down. The story is well crafted, action packed, and I can’t wait for more from this talented writer. How the author puts so much great and flowing story into such a small space is one of many mysteries

Reviewed by Georgianna S.

Copy supplied by author

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Against The Wind by Regan Walker – a Review

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Against The Wind by Regan Walker – a Review

against the wind

Links to order Against the Wind: Amazon / Kobo/ Amazon.uk

 

Against the Wind by Regan Walker is her second book in her Agents of the Crown series.

 

Description:
A night in London’s most exclusive bordello. Agent of the Crown Sir Martin Powell would not normally indulge, but the end of his time spying against Napoleon deserves a victory celebration. Yet, such pleasure will not come cheap. The auburn-haired courtesan he calls “Kitten” is in truth Katherine, Lady Egerton, a dowager baroness and the daughter of an earl as elusive as she is alluring. She flees a fate worse than death. But Martin has known darkness, too, and he alone can touch her heart—as she has touched his. To the English Midlands they will steal, into the rising winds of revolution.

 

Review:
Against the Wind begins with heart breaking tragedy for Sir Martin Powell.  Seems his enemies were closer that he imagined and he suffers a terrible loss while in France working for the Crown as a spy.  Once he returns a few years later to England at the end of his service, he finds out that there is one more mission the Prince needs his help with.  There are murmurs of a rebellion in the Midlands, and the Prince himself sends word that Martin is to look into what’s going on and report back.  So, staying with the Ormonds, whom we meet in Racing with the Wind, he decides on a night out in London at an exclusive bordello before he heads to the Midlands.  Who knew that choosing the wrong door at the right place would have such a profound effect on his life?
 
Lady Katherine “Kit” Egerton has seen tragedy of her own.  He much older husband died not long after their marriage and her sister, Anne, married a cruel man, the Earl of Rutledge.  To complicate things, Anne had taken very ill and Kit had moved in to help take care of  her sister.  Anne’s death sets into motion a series of events that take the length of the book to come full circle.  Seems Anne’s husband had wanted Kit all along, and with Anne’s death, nothing, or no one, would stop him from having what he wanted.  But Kit had other ideas.  Once she escapes his attack, she heads to the only person she knows that can help her.  Abby, a former nanny to Kit & Anne, and owner of Willow House, an exclusive brothel in London.  Of course Abby takes Kit in and puts her in a room where she can rest and not worry about Rutledge until she can figure out what she wants to do about her situation.  No money, no place to stay and no family………..  Who knew when her bedroom door opened that fateful night, that her life would be forever changed?
 
Against the Wind is another wonderful story in the Agents of the Crown series.  I think I’ve said before that I always feel a little smarter after I read one of Regan Walker’s books.  She does a fantastic job of weaving her story through actual events of the time.  From the author’s notes:
 
After the war with France ended in 1814, England suffered from great social, economic and political problems. Many of the major issues were the direct result of the war, but others were the necessary product of the changes occurring throughout society, some of which had begun earlier. The discontent that this change brought, and the distress in the lives of the working people, culminated in the series of events that occurred during 1811-1819, including the attack on the Prince Regent’s carriage, the March of the Blanketeers and the Pentrich Rebellion in 1817. 
 
And, even as I type this review, fantastic does not do Regan justice in how she tells her stories.  The fiction is brilliantly entwined with the history and grabs your attention before you know it.  Her characters are always relatable and totally believable.  From the footman to the Earls and Countesses, each character is tantamount to the story as she tells it.  Kit is a wonderful heroine who has suffered so much loss in her short life that you find yourself rooting for her right from the beginning.  And, Martin grabs hold and never lets go.  If I had any complaint about the book, it would be that he kept Kit in the dark too long as to what they were doing in the Midlands, but, I also know that was probably the way of things back then.  There is romance, more political intrigue, heartbreak and so much love in this book that you will not be able to put it down.  And, I love the way she keeps her already established characters from previous books relevant.  The next installment, Wind Raven, I believe comes out this year and I for one can’t wait!!!  Again, Regan Walker delivers a MUST READ for any fan of this genre!!
 
Reviewed by Vickie

 

Copy provided by Author

 

About The Author Black and Blue


Regan WalkerFrom Goodreads:

I am an avid reader/reviewer of romances–mostly historical romance. And, since 2012, I am a published author of Regency romances. My work as a lawyer working issues across the globe gave me a love of international travel and a feel for the demands of the “Crown.” Hence, my first novels feature dashing heroes who are drafted by a demanding Prince Regent for “special assignments.” I hope my stories will sweep you away to another time and another place for adventure as well as love.

Follow Regan: Website / Goodreads/ Facebook/ Twitter

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The Beholder by Ivan Amberlake-A Review and Interview with the Author

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THE BEHOLDER ( The Beholder #1) by Ivan Amberlake-A Review and Interview with the Author

The Beholder

Amazon Paper / Amazon Kindle / Amazon UK Paper / Amazon UK Kindle / Amazon.ca Kindle

About the book:  From Goodreads Released January 26, 2013

In Asunción, Minsk and Sydney, people die under mysterious circumstances. Each branded with an arcane sign, they are pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. When more people are missing, with similar signs appearing in and around their homes, Jason, an average New Yorker, realizes the victims are a riddle addressed to him. He is the final piece.

Emily appears, the most beautiful woman with extraordinary powers and startling amber eyes, and tells Jason that powers dormant within him are about to wake. In the world of Light- and Darksighted, he is the only person who can prevent Darkness from enslaving the world. He is the Beholder whose advent has been awaited for many years. Setting out on a journey with Emily, Jason discovers many improbable things like Sight, Soulfusion, the Hall of Refuge, but the greatest surprise arrives the moment he sees Emily and finds real love.

*************

REVIEW: THE BEHOLDER is the first storyline in Ivan Amberlake’s Urban Fantasy series The Beholder. If you are a fan of storylines similar to The Matrix, a film based on the Sci-Fi novel Neuromancer by William Gibson, then The Beholder could be its literary counterpart in the UF genre.

The storyline focuses on Jason, a man who suffers from inexplicable painfully tactile dreams and nightmares that speak to him of danger, death and the battle between good and evil but his dreams are based in reality and most of what he ‘sees’ has or will come true. What Jason will soon discover is he is ‘The Beholder’-the savior of the Lightsighted-those with the power to use and see energy. The prophecies have foretold of The Beholder and the Lightsighted have been searching for The One who will save them all. But like every UF storyline there is the evil, the Darksighted who have been ordered by the Pariah to find and destroy The Beholder before he comes into his powers.

The storyline follows Jason and his friends Matt and Debbie ( A Trinity ), as they endeavor to learn about the world of the Light and Dark. The trio is a power unto themselves but there is never a thorough explanation as to the power of the three. There is an enormous amount of background information by way of interpretation regarding the use of energy, power and sight. The Beholder (Jason) is the key, the one with the power to save the world-but it is a world in an alternate reality. Time and space are different for the sighted and the battle is looming.

Like all UF storylines there is a battle between good and evil; light and dark; sighted and unsighted; love and loss. This is a storyline of romance, love, betrayal and hatred all mired in a contemporary fantasy world where good triumphs over evil-if only for a short time.

Ivan’s world building is fluid and tangible and, his characters are real. There is never any doubt about the direction of the story. But I want to add, that the premise appeared to be shrouded in theologian beliefs-whereby the people are waiting for their savior-the one to free them from an eternity of evil at the hands of the Pariah-and Jason-The Beholder-is literally the savior of the world. Will we eventually see Jason sacrifice himself to save the world from the Dark? There was nothing ‘preachy’ about the novel, only an overwhelming sense of faith and Christianity déjà vu.

The Beholder is a well-written novel that will pull you into the storyline as though you were experiencing the reality yourself. Congratulations to Ivan on an amazing piece of literary fiction. I am looking forward to the next installment.

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy

Interview white:black

I recently had the opportunity to read THE BEHOLDER by Ivan Amberlake and was so impressed that I thought I would bring the author to you.

Ivan AmberlakeTRC: Hi Ivan and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release of THE BEHOLDER.

Ivan: Thank you. It’s an exciting time for me, and I hope it will go on like this for as long as possible.

TRC: We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Ivan: I was born and live in Belarus, a small state bordering on Russia and Ukraine. “Amberlake” is a pen name I chose because I felt my real name would be difficult to pronounce and remember for most native speakers.

For a few years I’ve been working as a teacher of English, but now my ambition is to become a full-time writer, as writing is what makes me tick. I’m an avid reader of fantasy, proofreader, freelance editor, and member of a self-published writers’ group called Breakwater Harbor Books.

Besides literature, I love music, action movies, sunsets and the sound of rain pattering against the roof.

TRC: What or who inspired you to write your first book?

Ivan: THE BEHOLDER was not my first attempt at writing. I have a couple of unfinished drafts that became a kind of stepping-stones to my third book that I finally published. To tell you the truth, THE BEHOLDER started as a completely different book, the general idea similar to THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY, which may come as a surprise to those who have read the book. I was influenced by Oscar Wilde’s style, unaware of the modern principles of fiction-writing. Now it is a fast-paced, action-packed fantasy novel.

As to sources of my inspiration, my parents and wife are my main ones. They always ask how my book is doing, what reviews I’m getting. They are always ready to support me, and I’m trying to respond in the same way, so I dedicated my first book to my wife, and was so happy to see the smile on her face when she saw the dedication.

I enjoy listening to music, and I wrote most of Book 1 while listening to different genres –- from romantic ballads to melodic death metal. For example, the romantic episodes in the book were inspired by the music of the Swiss folk metal band ELUVEITIE and their album, “Evocation I: The Arcane Dominion”.

The BeholderTRC: THE BEHOLDER is the first storyline in your new series appropriately entitled The Beholder. Would you please tell us something about the
premise?

Ivan: THE BEHOLDER is not just about a man tormented by dreams where people are haunted and killed by shadows. I’ve always been intrigued by the idea of my mind being infused into the mind of a different person, so I wished to explore this idea in a book. I think that was how I came up with my main character, Jason Walker, being inside the victims’ minds, although Jason got a bit unlucky that he found himself in the minds of people about to die a horrible death. To Jason, these deaths are not only dreams but also a message that he is the last to be killed, that the shadows will come for his life.

TRC: Is there a message in the novel that you would like your readers to understand or grasp?

Ivan: As much as I love reading for pleasure, I love writing books that other people would enjoy. I’m not intent on teaching anyone anything, but I dwell on the concept of Good vs. Evil and offer my readers a vision of the world that I’ve had in mind for a few years now. It’s the world that I enormously love and want to share with as many people as possible. I’m trying to explain why things happen as they do in our lives, but I must say this concept will be developed bit by bit throughout the whole trilogy.

TRC: Your hero is Jason-the average working man who discovers he is The Beholder. Are the human characteristics of Jason based on anyone in your life or an amalgamation of different people?

Ivan: The character of Jason Walker has been changing with each rewrite of the book, so even if I wanted him to resemble me, Jason has become independent of me. I also used some of the best friends’ features for him and other characters. As for Emily Ethan, she was greatly inspired by my wife and her beauty.

TRC: How did you keep your plot unpredictable without sacrificing content or believability?

Ivan: “Believability of fantasy” is the term that I got acquainted with not so long ago. I was introduced to it by a Greek author Yannis Karatsioris who helped me grasp the notion so I could make THE BEHOLDER more believable than it initially was. But on the way of accomplishing that I had to cut more than 40,000 words and write another 15,000-20,000 words.

TRC: How much research (logistic, historical, philosophical, theological) was involved in the writing of this particular book and series?

Ivan: At the time when I started writing the book, Dan Brown’s THE DA VINCE CODE was much discussed, and I had an idea to use Freemasonry as the power in charge of Jason’s dreams and murders. I did a lot of research on them, and I’m so lucky to have changed my mind and decided against using them in THE BEHOLDER. I knew I had to come up with something of my own, and I promised myself that I would rely solely on my imagination, and there I came up with a world of Lightsighted and Darksighted.

TRC: What do you believe is the biggest misconception about your novel?

Ivan: I’ve come up with it only recently. While giving away Kindle copies of the book to people I realized that men strongly ignored my invitation to read the novel. Apparently, the words “love” and “romance” used in the blurb scare the bejesus out of them. I’ve always considered my book as a universal read, for men and women, for Young/New Adult and Adult readers, so if men are not sure whether they should try reading my book, I may assure them there is a lot of action there that they will love.

TRC: What difficulties have you had to face getting your novel to publication?

Ivan: I think my main difficulty was me. I was really insecure about getting it published, about my first reviews. Besides, I just couldn’t let myself publish a book if I knew it wasn’t finished. I am lucky to have so many friends who read the novel before it got published and helped me make it better. And I’m also grateful to my editor, Genevieve Graham, for spending awhile with THE BEHOLDER before it got published.

TRC: PATH OF THE HERETIC is the second storyline in The Beholder series. Would you please tell us something about the premise?

Ivan: I hope to make PATH OF THE HERETIC a much darker book. I’m planning on bringing the supporting characters of Matthew Allen and Debbie Eve to the fore, so that the readers would have stronger connection with them. I’m going to weave the main antagonist’s – Pariah’s — Point of View into the story, which I hope will add tension and suspense to the series.

TRC: Many authors bounce ideas with family and friends or, other authors. With whom do you bounce ideas and why?

Ivan: After I finished my first draft of The Beholder – naïve and inexperienced as I was – I started querying New York agents. Soon I came across a writers’ website hosted by HarperCollins UK, Authonomy. This is where I realized that I had so much work to do with THE BEHOLDER to make it right. After a year of writing and editing, I got the book to the Top 5 and it was selected for review by HarperCollins. I was lucky to have got a reviewer who gave me great advice on what to do with the book, so all in all it took me about 3 years to publish my debut novel.

TRC: What five things would you like to accomplish in the next ten years?

Ivan:
#1 – make my wife as happy as possible.
#2 – finally visit Great Britain and the USA!
#3 – become a traditionally published author.
#4 – complete “The Beholder Series” and start another series.
#5 – live a happy life and make other people happy.

TRC: How many books do you have planned for the series?

Ivan: It was supposed to be a 5-book series at first, but after a long consideration I decided it would be a trilogy. Yet I’m so in love with my characters that probably I’ll think of writing another book, but that might not happen in a long time.

TRC: If you could change something about yourself personal or professional,what would it be and why?

Ivan: I’m the world’s biggest procrastinator, in about everything. Maybe it is just everyday life that is always in the way, but it takes a long time for me to sit down and write. I do need inspiration for that. But when I do sit and write a line or two, or a chapter, I feel complete. It’s the feeling I’m eager to feel as often as possible in the near future.

TRC: Thank you Ivan for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations again, on the release of THE BEHOLDER. We wish you all the best.

Ivan: Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to be interviewed.

To Order THE BEHOLDER:
Amazon US Paperback: http://amzn.com/1481931024
Amazon US Kindle: http://amzn.com/B00B7TG2DC
Amazon UK Paperback: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1481931024
Amazon UK Kindle: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00B7TG2DC

FOLLOW Ivan:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/IvanAmberlake
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ivan.amberlake?ref=tn_tnmn
THE BEHOLDER page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Beholder/152577228229536?bookmark_t=page
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6907727.Ivan_Amberlake
Website: http://www.ivanamberlake.weebly.com
Breakwater Harbor Books: http://breakwaterharborbooks.weebly.com/index.html

Goodreads Giveaway

Ivan is offering a chance to WIN a paper copy of THE BEHOLDER at Goodreads.

Click HERE and  then ENTER TO WIN at Goodreads for your chance to WIN a paper copy of THE BEHOLDER by Ivan Amberlake

NOTE:  The Reading Cafe is not responsible for the Goodreads Giveaway.  This is a promotion through the author and Goodreads.

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A.B.Scott McKinley-Interview with the Author

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A.B.Scott McKinley-Interview with the Author

Interview blue:black

Scott McKinley

 

TRC: Hi Scott and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release of RUSSIAN ROULETTE: Kilted Desire 2. We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Scott: I was born and raised in Glasgow Scotland. I’m a former member of the British Special Forces and was injured on duty in Afghanistan. I’m prettysure I’m the only Scottish Male Romance Author with a Special Forces background 😉

TRC: RUSSIAN ROULETTE : Kilted Desire 2 is the latest release (December 2012) in your Kilted Desire series. Would you please tell us something aboutthe premise of the series? This book?

Scott: The Kilted Desire series follows Scott Maclaren and his adventures since leaving the military. It features lots of action inside and ootside the bedroom as he starts work as a private bodyguard back in the Middle East.

Book 2 which was released in December follows his life back in the US after the bodyguard job had finished. He had hoped fer a quiet life but things do nae exactly go as planned! The series is based on my real life experiences.

Kilted Desire

Kilted Desire: Sands of Betrayal–Amazon/ Barnes and Noble
Kilted Desire 2: Russian Roulette- Amazon/ Barnes and Noble

TRC:  How many books do you have planned for the series and Scott Maclaren?

Scott: At least 3, but nae entirely sure yet.

TRC: You are also a cover model as well as an author. What motivated you to enter the world of modeling? Writing?

Scott: The writing came fae people telling me I should write a book because of my experiences, so I did. The cover modelling came fae needing a low cost cover fer my book 😉

TRC: We have read where you will not reveal your face due to your involvement with the British Special Forces. How has this affected your personal life? public life as an author? As a cover model?

Scott McKinley collage

Scott: I cannae reveal my identity or exact location fer security reasons. Due tae the missions I was involved in there are people fae certain terrorist organizations who would still come after me today if they knew where I was. It does affect things a lot and looking back tae when I joined the Special Forces, I’m nae sure I fully understood at the time how much it would affect my life post military. It’s hard tae have a relationship as the lass needs tae understand the reasons that she cannae tell her friends or family what I did, that she cannae post pictures of us together online, that she could be in danger too if anyone does come after me! There’s a lot of serious things tae consider and fully understand and it’s nae easy! As an author it does make it hard too, I’d love tae go tae conventions and do real book signings but I just cannae. I guess that’s one of the reasons why I try tae be as interactive as I can be on the FB page – tae try and make up fer it a wee bit.

TRC: Other than your own storylines, are there any other covers that you are currently featured?

Aye, there’s a few. The cover modelling is very new but there are a couple of other books oot there and some more that are due tae be released soon.

TRC: How have your injuries affected your daily life? Your writing style?

Scott:I have metalwork in my spine and leg which slows me doon a wee bit but does nae really stop me fae doing anything. Several concussions and a skull fracture does give me headaches a lot of the time so I do need tae take breaks fae the computer regularly.

TRC: You have an amazing group of interactive fans on your facebook page. Is this a surprise that so many ‘followers’ have found your page and the fact
that most of your legions are female? 😉

Scott: Aye, it is a surprise, but a guid one. I do try tae interact with people as much as possible and they seem tae enjoy it 😉

Scott McKinlay 3TRC: Back to the facebook page: You use plenty of humor and Scottish idioms on your FB page. Does a sense of humor help in your daily life and how much of what we see on FB is the real you?

Scott: I use humor a lot nowadays, it helps me forget darker, more serious times! What yer see on FB is very much the real me.

TRC: What do you believe is the biggest misconception about you?

Scott: That I have an ego – I really am nae like that at all. The Cover Model title was said originally in a very ‘tongue in cheek’ way. Although I have appeared on book covers so it is technically true 😉

TRC: Who is the first person you think about when you need someone to talk with and why?

Scott: I’m a lone wolf.

TRC: What five things would you like to accomplish in the next ten years?

Scott: I dinnae think too far in the future. With my background I’m just used tae taking each day as it comes.

TRC: Many authors bounce ideas with family and friends, as well as other authors. With whom do you bounce ideas and information?

Scott: Like I said, I’m a lone wolf, I self bounce 😉

TRC: You call yourself a ‘lone wolf’ yet a lone wolf needs to run and play. What do you do for excitement?

Scott: I cannae say that I’ve had much excitement recently. Maybe one day something or someone will change that 😉

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Scott: KD3 Plotting 😉

TRC: If you wrote your autobiography and the book was brought to the big screen, which actor would you like to play your role?

Scott: My novel is very close tae being an autobiography, I still say Channing Tatum would make a guid Scott Maclaren if he could do the accent 😉

TRC: If you could go back in time, in which historical era would you like to live and why?

Scott: I’d like tae fight alongside William Wallace 😉

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Scott: Follow on=>

Facebook/ Website/ Kilted Desire Shop/ Goodreads

Kilted Desire: Sands of Betrayal-Amazon/ Barnes and Noble
Kilted Desire 2: Russian Roulette- Amazon/ Barnes and Noble

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food – Philly Cheese steak

Favorite Dessert – Dinnae really have one

Favorite TV Show – Modern Family / Big Bang Theory (tie)

Last Movie You Saw – 21 Jump Street

Dark or Milk Chocolate – Either

Dream Car – Prefer a fast sports bike

Last Vacation Destination – Does Baghdad count!

TRC:  Thank you Scott for taking the time to answer our questions. Your sense of humor and charm with the ladies is a welcome respite in our daily lives.

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Hard As It Gets by Laura Kaye-Cover Reveal

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Hard As It Gets by Laura Kaye-Cover Reveal

Hard As It Gets

Pre-Order: Amazon

Add to Goodreads: Hard as It Gets

Release Date: November 2013

Blurb:
Tall, dark, and lethal…

Trouble just walked into Nicholas Rixey’s tattoo parlor. Becca Merritt is warm, sexy, wholesome-pure catnip to a very jaded Nick. He’s left his military life behind to become co-owner of Hard Ink Tattoo, but Becca is his ex-commander’s daughter. Loyalty won’t let him turn her away. Lust has plenty to do with it too.

With her brother presumed kidnapped, Becca needs Nick. She just wasn’t expecting to want him so much. As their investigation turns into all-out war with an organized crime ring, only Nick can protect her. And only Becca can heal the scars no one else sees.

Desire is the easy part. Love is as hard as it gets. Good thing Nick is always up for a challenge…

********************

Laura Kaye-21About Laura Kaye:

Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of nearly a dozen books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter SignUp

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Rise of the Fallen Anniversary Tour and Celebration

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Rise of the Fallen Anniversary Tour and Celebration

ROTF Anniversary Tour banner

Happy Anniversary to RISE OF THE FALLEN !

Last March, I published my first book, Rise of the Fallen, which was the story of a tortured vampire named Micah Black. Micah had just lost his second mate (well, more of a half-mate) and was seeking out his own death when his angel, Samantha Garrett, found and saved him. Not only did she startle off the drecks who had beaten him to within an inch of his life, but in her Micah found his true mate. The one he was meant to be with forever. Sam brought him back and gave him a reason to live, but in doing so, she had put herself in danger. Not only did the drecks now have her on their radar, but her abusive ex-husband was trying to track her down, as well.

I won’t give away the ending for those who have yet to read the book, but in the year since Rise of the Fallen was published as the first book in my All the King’s Men series, I’ve seen an enormous outpouring of love for him and his world, which has grown now to four books in the series, with at least ten more to go, along with a sister series that’s in development.

Rise has earned a few accolades and recognition, as well, including:

    • A USA Today recommended read
    • Runner up for GraveTells’ Readers Choice for favorite story in January
    • GraveTells’ Reviewer’s Choice in January
    • A finalist in Parajunkee’s Best Adult Story 2012, which I’m particularly proud of because I was up against at least one NY Times bestselling author, and the other two finalists were with big publishing houses.

 

ROTF banner

Rise of the Fallen

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / KOBO/ Smashwords

In the streets of Chicago exists an uneasy, centuries-old truce between vampires and their distant cousins, a race of shifters called drecks. Vampire enforcement agency, All the King’s Men (AKM), is charged with maintaining the truce, but when volatile enforcer Micah Black loses his mate and falls into the biological agony that results from the broken bond, he tests the boundaries of the truce by seeking out Apostle, a leader in the dreck community. Micah wants Apostle to kill him, a request Apostle is more than happy to fulfill.

When ex-Army medic Samantha Garrett inadvertently disrupts the plot and saves Micah’s life, a chain reaction sets Micah’s heart on a collision course with Sam’s, but he will have to protect her from Apostle and her obsessive ex-husband, Steve, if they will have a chance at forever. Can Micah hold his emotions together to keep Sam alive?

Click HERE for our INTERVIEW with ANDREI ANDREI-cover model for RISE OF THE FALLEN and MICAH’S CALLING.

Click HERE for our INTERVIEW with SAM BOND-cover model for HEART OF THE WARRIOR

AKM collageREADING ORDER
1. Rise of the Fallen
2. Heart of the Warrior
3. Micah’s Calling
4. Rebel Obsession
About The Author

donya lynne

 

Donya resides in Indiana, with her husband and a small zoo of cats and dogs. In fact, her writing buddy, Lucky, might become more famous than she is, based on the feedback the ever-present feline receives on her Facebook page.

As a little girl, Donya always had a book in her hand. As she got older, the books became pens and notebooks, which she filled with stories and poetry. For as long as she remembers, she has been writing and dreaming up stories. Seems writing was her destiny.

Donya loves music and often finds inspiration for her stories in the wide range of music she listens to. Nothing like a little Korn to propel the angst in a scene, or Enya to evoke softer and more romantic storylines.

Connect with Donya:

Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

 Blog Tour Schedule-yellow

3/18 – Pimpin’ Reads
3/19 – I Smell Sheep
3/20 – Close Encounters With The Night Kind
3/21 – Books-n-Kisses
3/22 – Urban Girl Reader
3/23 – Ramblings From This Chick
3/24 – Jeep Diva
3/25 – Book Lovin’ Mamas
3/26 – The Reading Cafe
3/27 – Mad Hatter Reads
3/28 – Cocktails and Books
3/29 – My Secret Romance
3/30 – All The Fun Starts After Dark
3/31 – Riverina Romantics
4/01 – GraveTells
4/02 – Reading Between The Wines
4/03 – Alexx Mom Cat’s Gateway
4/04 – Paranormal Book Club
4/05 – Book Monster Reviews / Literal Addiction
4/06 – Page Flipperz

 

Giveaway Gold and Black

To celebrate my one year anniversary of the little book that could, I’m hosting a huge giveaway. Two prizes will be given away, as follows:

Grand prize

A prize back worth the envy of all your friends to include:

      • Autographed copies of Lover At Last and Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward
      • Autographed copy of Edge of Dawn by Lara Adrian
      • Autographed copy of Last Chance to Run by Diana Love (she co-writes with Sherrilyn Kenyon, as well)
  • If I Were You by Lisa Renee Jones (my favorite book from 2012)
  • Primal Bonds by Jennifer Ashley
  • Covet by J.R. Ward
  • Bookmarks from me, Lara Adrian, Louisa Bacia, and Jeaniene Frost
  • Confessions of a Naughty Nurse by Lily Harlem
  • The Art of Love by Michelle Graham
  • Year of Acheron ceramic travel mug from Sherrilyn Kenyon (I want this! LOL)
  • And from me:
  • An AKM fleece blanket
  • AKM Bookmarks
  • AKM keychain
  • A Rebel Obsession canvas tote bag
  • A Rebel Obsession notebook
  • 2013 AKM desk calendar

There are two ways to enter the Grand Prize drawing: 

The first will guarantee you an entry. Just email a screen shot or link to a review or rating you’ve written for any of my AKM books (Rise of the Fallen, Heart of the Warrior, Micah’s Calling, or Rebel Obsession) on Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes & Noble, or anywhere else to me at donya@donyalynne.com. Details can be found on my fan page on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/DonyaLynne.

The second way to enter is to leave a comment here.  This does NOT guarantee you an entry, but gives you a chance, because one person who comments on this blog will gain one entry in the drawing, which will take place on April 15.

Blog Prize

I will be giving away a smaller prize just for those who comment on the blogs I’ll be guesting on during my blog tour from March 18-April 6. This prize package includes:

  • An AKM fleece blanket
  • A set of all my AKM books in ebook format
  • An AKM keychain
  • A set of bookmarks from me, Lara Adrian, Louisa Bacia, and Jeaniene Frost

One person who posts a comment on each blog during my tour will be entered into the drawing, which will take place after I draw for my grand prize.

1.  Register using the login at the top of the page or by using one of the social log-ins.

2.  If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment

3.  You MUST post a comment as part of the Giveaway promotion

4.  Giveaway runs March 26-April 5, 2013

5.  Giveaway open INTERNATIONALLY !

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Game for Marriage by Karen Erickson-a review

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GAME FOR MARRIAGE (Game For It #1) by Karen Erickson-a review

Game for Marriage

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

GOODREADS –About The Book: Released January 11, 2013

He’s going in deep to make her his…

Struggling artist Sheridan Harper never imagined she’d spend a sizzling night with Jared Quinn, the smoking-hot star quarterback of her local professional football team, the San Jose Hawks. And she’s even more shocked when Jared’s publicist offers her a proposition: a fake marriage to keep Jared out of the gossip mags. Being that close to Jared would be too tempting, so to protect her heart, she insists on secretly including a clause forbidding sex between them.

Jared just wants to keep his starting QB job and keep it in San Jose. His reputation as a ladies’ man has landed him in the headlines one too many times, but there’s something about his kind, passionate new wife that tempts him beyond reason. Any sort of intimacy between them is completely forbidden, but as their bodies fall in deep, will their hearts follow suit?

********************

REVIEW: GAME FOR MARRIAGE is the first storyline in Karen Erickson’s new Game For it series focusing on a team of professional football players and their love lives or lack there of. This is Jared and Sheridan’s storyline

Jared has a reputation as a lady’s man but one that has been tainted by a scandal that has rocked his team as well as his personal and public life. Hoping to clear up any misconceptions, the team publicist/lawyer hopes to arrange a ‘marriage of convenience’ where both parties will benefit in the end: Jared’s reputation healed and the ‘bride’ will come away with money to spare. Following a one night stand with struggling artist Sheridan Harper, Jared and his legal team propose a marriage of convenience whereby after one year, both will go their separate ways.

As you can image, this is a contemporary romance storyline and our married couple will eventually fall in love. But there are many hazards and complications involved with a marriage in name only especially the clause of ‘no sexual contact’ added by Sheridan. Hoping to keep the arrangement professional, Sheridan didn’t realize that her growing attraction to her new husband included losing her heart to a man now suffering on the playing field as well as in his personal life.

The relationship between Jared and Sheridan is sexually charged as well as filled with tension and some heartbreaking moments especially when Jared discovers the who behind the ‘ no sex ‘ clause. When their secret marriage is discovered to be a ruse separation seems to be the only answer–Jared will continue to suffer on the playing field and it will the woman who has stolen his heart that must rescue the man with whom she has fallen in love.

GAME FOR MARRIAGE is a cute, charming romantic storyline about two people who belong together but because of a clause in the contract must suffer the rejection and heartbreak that only true love will know. When they finally acknowledge their love for one another, the journey will have been well worth the reward. 

Copy supplied by the author.

Review by Sandy

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Stephanie Rowe-Interview and Blog Tour with the Author

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Stephanie Rowe-Interview and Blog Tour with the Author

Interview blue:black

Follow Stephanie Rowe

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Four-time RITA® Award nominee and Golden Heart® Award winner Stephanie Rowe is the nationally bestselling author of more than twenty published novels with major New York publishers, including Warner/Grand Central, HarperCollins, Harlequin, Dorchester & Sourcebooks. Stephanie has received starred reviews from Booklist and high praise from Publisher’s Weekly. Stephanie writes romance (paranormal, contemporary and suspense), teen fiction, middle grade fiction and motivational nonfiction, including her bestselling dark paranormal Order of the Blade series.

Stephanie RoweTRC: Hi Stephanie and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release of Darkness Arisen.

We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Stephanie: On the writing side, I’m a lifelong reader who, as a child, won a blue ribbon at my town library for reading the most books over the summer. My love for books never faded, and I started telling stories to kids while I worked at day camp during college. Eventually that turned into writing the stories down, and everything evolved from there. I love to write, I love to read, and I love the magic that can happen when an author lets her passion and imagination run free. When I’m not writing, I’m a mom, I play tennis with my pals, and I am working hard training my new rescue dog, who is just the sweetest boy ever.

TRC: Many authors have faced challenges or difficulties getting their books to publication. What struggles have you encountered in your writing career?

Stephanie: Before I sold my first book, I wrote 18 complete novels and 9 partials. I had over 150 rejections as well. I have since sold more than 25 books to traditional publishers, and have loved the freedom of shifting over to indie publishing and using the training I received from the NY market to manage my own career and writing now. During the time I’ve been published, I’ve been rejected another 50 or so times. I’ve had four editors leave and been dumped by their successor. I’ve had four lines that I write for close. And I’ve had a publisher go bankrupt. I’ve had an agent who stripped me off all self-confidence and creative ability, and I’ve had a agent who was magic in her ability to uplift me on the tough days, and everything in between. So, it’s been a long, challenging road, but it’s what I love, so nothing has been able to knock me off track.

Darkness ArisenTRC: Darkness Arisen (Order of the Blade) is your latest release in your Dark Paranormal series. Would you please tell us something about the book?

ORDER LINKS: Amazon/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO

Stephanie: Darkness Arisen (Order of the Blade, Book Six) is the story of Ian Fitzgerald, a warrior we met in the first book. His story was introduced in more depth in his novella, FOREVER IN DARKNESS, and we finally get his full story in DARKNESS ARISEN. It’s sexy, passionate, dangerous and wickedly intense. Readers will meet new characters and explore an entirely new world from what they’ve seen in previous Order of the Blade books, but will still get plenty of their hot, tormented warriors. Here is the official blurb for the book:

Darkness Hunts Him.
Calydon warrior Ian Fitzgerald refuses to die. Cursed by black magic, he has stayed alive through sheer force of will and unyielding commitment to a mission he is sworn to complete. There is only one thing that can defeat him…and she has just found him.

Desire Torments Her.
Ravaged by her own passions, tarnished angel Alice Shaw is fighting desperately for salvation before all she cares about is lost forever. Her sensual allure, and the forbidden power buried inside her, are outshone only by the burning need she awakens in Ian.

Fierce Passion Ignites.
Raging desire explodes between Ian and Alice, pushing them to the brink of destruction. They cannot afford to succumb, but the cord that binds them will never let them go…not until their most dreaded nightmares come true. Together, they are destined to fail. Together, they will fight to survive the impossible.

TRC: If you could virtually cast the lead characters, which actors or models would best represent your ideal image?

Stephanie: Hugh Jackman for Ian, and Natalie Portman for Alice.

TRC: Which do you find more difficult to write and why? Full length story lines or novellas?

Stephanie: Honestly, they both take about the same amount time to prepare. My stories are character-driven, which means the plot derives from who the characters are and the choices that they would make. This means that regardless of whether I am writing a 30k novella or a 100k novel, I still have to know each main character in great depth. Once the writing begins, the novella takes less time to write because it is shorter, so from that perspective, it is easier, but before I start writing, it’s the same amount of work.

TRC: What do you believe is the biggest misconception about you?

Stephanie: Hmm… that is a tough one. I don’t know what people are thinking about me! I am one of those sensitive people that internalizes it when people don’t like me, so I honestly try to simply focus on my writing and doing the best job I can, and not letting myself be affected by other people’s perceptions.

TRC: If you could change something about yourself personal or professional, what would it be and why?

Stephanie: I wish I could stress less! I’ve actually been working very hard on this, and making some progress. It’s not an easy habit to shake, but it’s a very destructive thing to do to yourself, so I’m doing my best to learn to let it all go…

TRC: Who or what has been the biggest influence in your life and why?

Stephanie: Personally, it would have to be my mother. We have always been very close. She is an amazing woman, and I admire her greatly.

TRC: Who is the first person you think about when you need someone to talk with and why?

Stephanie: When I am stressing about my writing deadlines, the person I need to call is my brother. As a creative type, he understands about the difficulties of that lifestyle, and he always strikes the right balance of empathy, and telling me to get over it, stop worrying about it, and get writing.

TRC: Is there a question that you would like to be asked in an interview, but nobody has asked? If so, ask away!

Stephanie: Hmm… that is another tough one. I have no idea. Maybe when the wedding date is for me and Hugh Jackman?

TRC: What five things would you like to accomplish in the next ten years?

Stephanie:
1) I would like to reduce all stress from my life (realizing that stress comes from the pressure I put on myself and my reaction to things, as opposed to the events themselves).
2) I would like to become injury-free so I can get fit and healthy.
3) I would like to move to a house with a nice, fenced in yard and lovely neighbors.
4) I would like to be a great mom and continue to have a special relationship with my daughter.
5) I would like my writing career to be steady and reliable.

TRC: What are your thoughts on book reviews-good or bad?

Stephanie: I think book reviews are a wonderful way for readers to express themselves and for potential readers to get a sense of whether the book is something they would be interested in. I do feel sad when readers trash books for personal reasons, like when they give a 1 star review to a book that hasn’t even been released yet, so there is no way they could have read it. But for each reviewer that uses that forum to put bad energy out into the world, there are far more who are sharing valuable thoughts and responses. The positive, glowing reviews are wonderful to read on tough days, but the critical reviews can sometimes provide good insight for an author about how she can keep improving her craft.

TRC: Many authors bounce ideas with family and friends, as well as other authors. With whom do you bounce ideas and information?

Stephanie: I generally work solo, but recently my cover artist and I have created a new process in which he makes the book cover first, in any way he wants, and then I write to the cover. It gives him creative freedom on the covers, and it often pulls me into directions I wouldn’t have thought about on my own. For example, with the Darkness Arisen cover, when he sent it to me, I had the entire story plotted out as happening in the woods. Once I got the cover, and there was the ocean and these misty, ghost-like women on the cover, I completely changed the story and ended up with a really fun and new direction for the series.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Stephanie:
Today I’m actually doing my taxes, but once I get that done, I will be working on three projects:
1) PRINCE CHARMING CAN WAIT, which is the next EVER AFTER book,
2) GUARDIAN OF THE HIDDEN, which is the launch book for my new dark paranormal series, THE RUINED LORDS, and
3) DARKNESS UNLEASED, which is Ryland’s book, the seventh in the Order of the Blade series.

I am currently brainstorming all three of them, and whichever one comes together first will be the next one that I start writing.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Stephanie: Thank you very much for having me! It’s great to be here!

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food
Homemade chocolate fudge sauce

Favorite Dessert
See above, or key lime pie

Favorite TV Show
Currently getting excited for the next season of Dancing with the Stars. There is always a story of triumph over tragedy on that show, and I find it very inspiring.

Last Movie You Saw
The last Harry Potter movie (yes, I’m a little behind the times!)

Dark or Milk Chocolate
Milk Chocolate, all the way.

Favorite Flower
Hyacinth. The scent is simply magical.

Do you have any pets?
I have a dear, dear rescue dog named Muskie (aka Musketeer from Barbie & the Three Musketeers, as named by my daughter).

TRC: Thank you Stephanie for taking the time to answer our questions. We wish you all the best. Congratulations on the release of Darkness Arisen.

Stephanie: Thank you so much!

**************************

DARKNESS ARISEN:  The Order of the Blade #6

Darkness Arisen

ORDER LINKS: Amazon/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO/

DARKNESS ARISEN

The Order of the Blade Series, Book Six

Available March 25, 2013

Darkness Hunts Him.
Calydon warrior Ian Fitzgerald refuses to die. Cursed by black magic, he has stayed alive through sheer force of will and unyielding commitment to a mission he is sworn to complete. There is only one thing that can defeat him…and she has just found him.

Desire Torments Her.
Ravaged by her own passions, tarnished angel Alice Shaw is fighting desperately for salvation before all she cares about is lost forever. Her sensual allure, and the forbidden power buried inside her, are outshone only by the burning need she awakens in Ian.

Fierce Passion Ignites.
Raging desire explodes between Ian and Alice, pushing them to the brink of destruction. They cannot afford to succumb, but the cord that binds them will never let them go…not until their most dreaded nightmares come true. Together, they are destined to fail. Together, they will fight to survive the impossible.

Order of the Blade 2

READING ORDER: THE ORDER OF THE BLADE series
Darkness Awakened
Darkness Seduced
Darkness Surrendered
Forever in Darkness
Darkness Reborn
Darkness Arisen

Blog Tour Black and Blue

3/25 – The Reading Café
3/26 – Reading Between The Wines
3/28 – United by Books
3/29 – Book Monster Reviews & Literal Addiction
3/30 – Ramblings From This Chick
3/31 – Redheaded Bookworm
4/01 – Wicked Readings
4/02 – Beach Bum Reads
4/03 – Books-n-Kisses
4/04 – Riverina Romantics
4/05 – Close Encounters With The Night Kind
4/06 – Alexx Mom Cat’s Gateway
4/07 – GraveTells
4/10 – Romancing The Book
4/11 – Cocktails and Books
4/12 – I Smell Sheep
4/13 – Jeep Diva

Giveaway-Blue:Black

 

Stephanie is giving away winners choice of eBook from either the ORDER OF THE BLADE, EVER AFTER or ALASKA HEAT series to ONE winner at EVERY Tour Stop.

1. Please register using the log-in at the top of the page or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Giveaway runs from March 25-April 14, 2013

4. Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY

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