I’m happy to be hosting a stop on the tour for Greg Carrico’s “Shadow of the World”

And here’s Greg!

Gregory Carrico is a former dental practice management consultant and software trainer. Abandoning his dream of working the daily grind until death, he was forced into the thankless life of a fiction writer. Now an Amazon.com Best Selling horror and science fiction writer, as well as a 2013 HFA Author of the Year Finalist, he finds a small degree of succor in crafting despicable bad guys and then tricking readers into caring about them.

When not creating new worlds and plotting their destruction, he advocates for adopting rescue dogs, and politely urges slower drivers to get out of the passing lane.

Follow Greg at his website, his blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pintrest and Goodreads.  And you can sign up for his newsletter right here.

His book is “Shadow of the World”

Mentally unstable, an ex-con’s barely controlled super-power to make people catatonic earns him an accusation of terrorism. A deranged killer looks exactly like him and stalks his daughter and grandson while he is questioned by the police. With time running out to rescue them, he can do nothing until he convinces the authorities of his innocence. Between the missing memories from his blackouts and video evidence of his guilt, he must convince himself, as well.

Either he becomes a superhero during his blackouts, or his powers are imaginary and he is a psychopathic killer who tortures and murders victims on camera. Another explanation: this is exactly what his mysterious doppelganger wants everyone to think.

My brief review (I’ll post a more detailed review once the book is live on Amazon.com):

Shadow of the World is a compelling and very effectively creepy story.  We meet Wayne in jail, chained to a chair and undergoing interrogation about something he doesn’t remember.  It’s the “sand” – his term for what feel like dust storms that rise up in his mind, blacking him out so that his body can do he knows not what.  At least, not until he awakes again and finds himself in police custody, or worse.

We spend most of the story in Wayne’s head (although it is told in third-person), and Greg does a great job of bringing home the confusion and fear of a protagonist who can’t trust his own mind and fears his own actions.  The writing is also very vivid and descriptive, bring a dark and dangerous world to life.  Wayne is a sympathetic hero and his journey is well worth following.  I’d give this book four stars and a definite good recommendation.

And just as a taste of the book to whet your appetite, here’s a very brief excerpt…

“Sarah?” Wayne asked. Urgency blasted through his hazy mind like a foghorn, kicking his pulse from ‘sleep’ to ‘sprint.’ She needed him. He had to go.

The room snapped into focus. He hadn’t been sleeping; not exactly. That just–woke–up grogginess clung to his brain like a tequila hang–over, but it didn’t come from booze. Every so often his body would take some “alone time” to do… god only knew what. His conscious mind either shut down during these hostile takeovers, or blocked out all recollection of whatever might have happened.

He thought he had beaten the blackouts in prison. His unexpected parole had been approved three months after his last attack, but less than a week of freedom had brought them back with a vengeance. The previous twelve–ish hours had been a string of shocked awakenings in unexpected places and situations. Just like this one.

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I’m thrilled to be hosting today’s stop on RaeBeth McGee-Buda’s book tour for her “Silenced” series…

And here’s the author herself…

RaeBeth McGee-Buda was born in southwestern Pennsylvania in 1987, the second daughter of Rachel Yost and Arthur Curtis McGee. RaeBeth grew up loving to read and write poetry, as well as short stories. Her childhood dream was to become a teacher. Rae Beth’s dream of writing was created in her eleventh grade literature class where writing became her passion.

RaeBeth married in August 2012 to her husband, Gregory Stephen Buda Jr. and resides in a small Pennsylvania town of Fairchance. RaeBeth is a full time mother of one beautiful daughter Emma, and a mother to an angel, Dakota Emily.

She graduated from American Intercontinental University in 2010 with her associates in business administration. She enjoys spending her time writing and feels connecting with readers and sending her messages are her main goals.

You can follow RaeBeth on Facebook, at her website and her blog and on Twitter.

Her first novel is “Silenced, Volume 1”

Amber Brown spent her entire existence believing Dave was her father. When her mother reveals this is untrue, she goes through an emotional spiral with depression. It’s hard for her to believe her mother had lied to her all this time.

A move to a new home and town causes Amber to be consumed by her “darkness” and reverts to cutting to free herself from her pain.

When Casey, her new friend enters her life, she introduces Amber to parties, drugs, and Amber’s new boyfriend Landon. The secret of cutting begins to take affect on Amber as she tries to hide it from her friends and family. In the midst of everything, Amber has the desire to find out who her biological father is.

Follow Amber through her trials of depression and cutting, along with the discovery of love.

Check out the video book trailer for Silenced right here.  And you can buy it at Amazon (Kindle or Paperback) and Barnes & Noble.

AND, just last month RaeBeth released “Silenced, Volume 2: The Overtaking”

In life when one thing goes wrong, it can feel like everything goes wrong. Secrets come to the surface while friendships twist out of control, romantic relationships end, and even a dear loved one can die!

In Silenced: The Overtaking Amber’s life turns to chaos when she finds out Sarah, her childhood friend dies suddenly, her stepfather reveals another devastating family secret, and her boyfriend begins pushing her away.

After all the truth comes out, Amber turns to her darkness for comfort when her worst fear becomes reality. Her secret with cutting is discovered when she loses control and ends up in the hospital. Amber’s long journey to recovery begins with a battle. While she’s fighting her way to freedom, she discovers the one love she’s been missing her entire life.

Will Amber overtake her darkness of cutting or will the darkness overtake her? 

You can see the video book trailer here.  And you can buy the book at…

I’ve also got an interview with RaeBeth:

Who is your favorite author?

I have so many favorite authors. Those who are well known would be James Rollins, Edgar Allen Poe, and Stephen King.

How do you describe your writing style?

My writing style is one where the readers feel my words. I strive to make my words as real as possible. I want the readers to be pulled into the story and be able to see it clearly within their minds. I write directly from my heart, therefore how I feel about what I am writing is clear within the words that are written.

Use no more than two sentences. Why should we read your book?

The message is the overall importance with my books because of the touch with depression and self harm. I’m trying to bring more awareness to such a taboo subject.

Have any of your characters been modeled after yourself?

Yes, as a matter of fact, Amber is modeled after me. A lot of what she endures within the series was what I endured within my own life.

If you could exchange lives with any of your characters for a day which character would you choose and why?

This would be hard to answer because I personally know each character within the series. I based each one off of a person I personally know.

What books have most influenced your life?

There has only been one…. my Bible.

If you could select one book that you could rewrite and add your own unique twist on, which book would that be and why?

Oh this is a tough one. But I would choose Nature Calls by Bonnie Bernard. There is one section within this book that really had me going and I’d love to base a story off of the one part.

Beatles or Monkees? Why?

Neither. I’m really not familiar with either…. LOL

Who should play you in a film of your life?

I would say Kate Hudson. I think she would do an amazing job. She’s my favorite actress and from some of the interviews I have watched, she and I are alike in many ways. 

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I’m now listed at Cliff Ball’s website, “Speculative Fiction by Christian Authors” – along with several other great authors.  Check it out!

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I love featuring my fellow indie authors here, and I’ve got another great one for you this morning…Darren Patrick:

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Darren grew up as most Winnipeggers do—surviving bone-chilling winters and mosquito-infested summers. Looking back now, he wouldn’t change a thing.

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Well, the online edition of USA Today, anyway.

As in, one of my books is mentioned.  There’s a weekly column, called “Robin Recs Trailers” in which author Robin Covington recommends three new video book trailers for her readers to take a look at.

Guess which one she recommends this week?  Mine!  You can see the article right here (scroll to the bottom to see mine), and you can watch my “Dream Student” trailer by clicking here.

And of course, you can buy the book at Amazon any time you like!

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Where does the time go?  I wish I knew, and I wish I had more of it.

I had no idea, before I went the self-publishing route, just how much time it takes to promote and sell books.  Here’s a snapshot of what’s on my plate (this is all in addition to my regular day job, helping to take care of my Mom, and all the other things that make up daily life):

I’m writing book #6 in the Dream Series (“Dream Reunion”).

I’m also writing “Queen of the Idiots”

I’m hosting several blog tours and other spotlights for other indie authors.

I’m reviewing five books (and those are just the ones that I’ve agreed to have reviews for in the next week to ten days)

I’m working with my narrator on the audiobook for “Dream Doctor”

I’m participating in the weekly Virtual Book Fair on facebook and in daily tweeting (or twittering, or whatever you call it) to promote my books.

I’m keeping up with my month-long virtual book tour for the Dream Series.

I’m trying to keep up with this blog and provide interesting content

I’m following up with the dozens of review requests and promotions and other things I’ve sent out for the Dream books.

Ugh. I’m tired just writing that!

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Literally – I’m the “Awesome Author of the Week” at Awesome Trilogies & Series…AND I got this amazing review to help qualify “Dream Student” as an Awesome Indie Approved book.

AND, on top of all that, I’ve got a major virtual book tour, starting tomorrow, courtesy of Around the Universe tours!

Here’s the schedule for the first two weeks of the tour, focusing on “Dream Student”:

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I’m pleased to be hosting a stop on the book tour for Aoife Sheridan and her Saskia trilogy.

Here’s Aoife…

Aoife Marie Sheridan has loved reading from a very young age, starting off with mills and boon’s books, given to by her grandmother her love for romances grew, by the age of 14 she had read hundreds of them.

Aoife had a passion for writing poetry or in her eyes her journal entries. It was something she did throughout her teens and into her twenties. Aoife won first place for two of her poems and had them published at a young age of just nineteen. Realising she needed to get a real job (What writing isn’t) she studied accountancy and qualified working in that field for many years, until her passion for reading returned and she found Maria V Snyder. Poison study one of her favourite books has been read and re-read countless times.

Aoife’s first book Eden Forest (Part one of the Saskia Trilogy) came to be after a dream of a man and woman on a black horse jumping through a wall of fire and the idea of Saskia was born. Now with her first novel published and taking first place for Eden Forest with Writers Got Talent 2013, Aoife continues to write tales of fantasy and is currently working on her third book for the Saskia Trilogy amongst other new works.

To contact Aoife you can email her at aoifesheridan101@gmail.com

You can follow her at her website, her blog, on Facebook, on Twitter and on Goodreads.

The first book in her Saskia Trilogy, out now, is Eden Forest:

Four banished Angels,

A world created by the hands of God,

A Kingdom on its knees,

A secret protected for centuries,

And one mortal can save them all.

 

Step into Saskia.

You can buy it at Amazon, Amazon UK, Easons and Synerge Books.

I’ve read it, and here’s my review:

Aoife Sheridan’s Eden Forest was a very compelling and exciting read. It’s the story of Sarajane Anderson, a young woman from “our” world who’s recently lost her mother and isn’t quite able to accept that she’s really dead.

Sarajane’s life takes a turn when she’s kidnapped and brought to an alternate, “fantasy” world called Saskia, a world of elemental magic, immortals, and court politics and intrigue.

As Sarajane struggles to understand this new world, she slowly discovers that she might have a destiny there, and that Saskia holds answers to questions she never even knew she had.

Sarajane is a likeable and relatable heroine; her journey from Earth to Saskia is believable – she comes to accept this new world and its differences, but not quickly, and not without reservations. Many authors have trouble with this kind of story, but Sheridan makes Sarajane’s transition seem natural and logical.

Besides Sarajane, all the supporting characters are well-drawn and interesting, especially Sarajane’s mother Marta, and her servant Alana. The worldbuilding is consistent and very interesting, and there are surprises all through the book (and, I imagine, in the subsequent books of this trilogy).

The prose is clear and readable, and it worked especially well for me as I’m a fan of first-person narration (the book is all in first-person, and we get a few scenes from the viewpoint of other characters besides Sarajane). There’s a fair amountof action, quite a bit of intrigue, some very dark moments, and a good bit of romance as well.

I’d highly recommend this book, and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of this trilogy!

And here’s an excerpt…

It’s so dark I can barely see two feet in front of me. Tristan walks behind me, and Legis leads the way. I don’t know where they’re taking me. Or what they want. Neither of them has said anything since taking me.

Legis stops abruptly, causing me to smack into his back.

He swings around, grabbing my arm to steady me. These guys move unnaturally fast.

“Legis, what’s wrong?” Tristan asks from behind me.

“Sir, I need some light.” He looks back at Tristan as he speaks.

“I shall lead and you stay behind her.” Tristan pauses as he walks past me. “Don’t try to run. I am in no mood to chase you.” He takes his position in front of me. Tristan does not move straight away. Instead, he holds out his hand in front of him and whispers, “Lux.” I can see a light radiate in front of him. I jump back, slightly startled.

“Let’s move,” he commands. Legis nudges me on. We start walking again. I’m trying to peer over Tristan’s shoulder to see where the light is coming from, but he’s too tall, so I just stare at his back.

After a few moments, Tristan makes a hand motion for us to stop. Then the light goes out. He swings around and places his hand over my mouth, startling me, while pulling me back into his chest. Legis stands as still as stone, not even blinking. We wait. I can’t hear or see anything, only Tristan’s heart beating fast. I’m too close to him for comfort. I can feel his muscles tense in his chest and stomach.

He makes a hand motion to Legis to get down. Then slowly he lowers himself and me to the ground, never taking his hand off my mouth. He lies down on his side right against me and pulls my hands to his chest, holding them with his other hand.

The heat radiates off his body against mine, making my back feel cold. I can now hear the shuffling in the distance. Maybe it’s Josh.

I try to scream, but my sounds are muffled. Tristan whispers in my ear. “Stop or we all die, you stupid girl.” I try to scream again and pull my hands free, but I can’t get them out of his iron grasp. So I bite his hand until I taste blood. He doesn’t even flinch. I know it’s hopeless.

The second book in the trilogy, City of Secrets, will be coming soon…

A war awaits her arrival,

A warrant for her arrest.

She must rise as a princess,

And Darkness shall fall.

But will their love survive this battle?

For Tristan and Sarajane?

 

Step back into Saskia.

Finally, I’ve got an interview with Aoife…

Question: How, and when, did you decide to become a writer?

Answer: I have always written but mostly poetry, it’s always been my way to deal with my emotions, no matter how big or small. Two years ago I lost two people I was close too. I had never lost anyone before, so I didn’t deal very well with it. One night I had a dream of a man and women on a horse, passing through a wall of fire. The dream lingered with me, as did my grief. So instead of writing poetry I started my story. My starting point was my dream and I worked my way from there. Eden Forest helped me once again deal with death, and all that comes with it. So in a way I am very grateful for this story.

I always wondered why God created us and what was our purpose, but those questions are unanswered. So in my story I give you the answers for this world called Saskia. In the story God creates a world parallel to ours, for four fallen angels.

Death is something that I also question now, like why do we die, is 60 to 90yrs of life enough, imagine having immortality what would one do to gain it? And that’s where a lot of my plot lies. The greed for immortality, for power’s that only God should wield, drives Saskia into war.

God decides to give one person all the powers that anyone could possess to banish evil, before it destroys Saskia and Earth. This one person happens to be a young lady called Sarajane Anderson who lives in the mortal world (Earth) but is actually from Saskia.

 

 

Question: Where can we find your published writing? 

Answer: I have my own website www.aoifemariesheridan.com

It displays my work, any links to where you can purchase my books, listen to my interviews, watch my book trailers and more.

 

Question: What is a typical day like for you as a writer? 

Answer: I work full time so, I write when I can, but always with pen and paper, never typing at first. I carry a pen and paper where ever I go and when an Idea comes to mind I jot it down. Also If I had any weird dreams (the ones that linger) I will keep them maybe for a different story. At present there are seven books I want to write. Since I started I just can’t stop.

 

Question: What types of writing do you do?

Answer: My writing I would consider fantasy. I write about the impossible, of different worlds that have magic in them. I always feel this can’t be it. All us on this little planet, floating in the galaxy, there has to be so much more. We just haven’t discovered it yet. Maybe in a couple of hundred years people will look back and say “They know all along that there was more”. Well that’s what I like to think.

 

Question: What are your favorite characters that you have created? Tell us about them 

Answer: My favourite characters in Eden Forest would have to be,

Queen Bellona, she was the most interesting to write about. Bellona is all that is bad in the world she is a combination of people that I have crossed paths with in my life. But she does not represent one person alone. Through her I could vent the injustice of people’s ways, and display it.

Secondly would have to be Sarajane she plays the main Character. She is relatable as in she isn’t perfect. I created Sarajane with flaw, as we all have them. Mine can be that I am selfish so that’s the flaw I gave Sarajane.

I am surrounded by very strong women in my life, and I am grateful for this. I take a lot of their personalities and place them in my characters, or something they might do, or even a facial expression. I love to watch people’s reactions as they talk to me, if they stumble on a line, they may chew their lip, in an endearing way. I note it and file it way for later.

 

Question: do you find you “mentally edit” other writers’ works as you read them? Does doing this help you or bother you?

Answer: Yes which I absolutely hate. I am so much more aware now. It drives me spare. But in another way it makes me feel better that I am not the only one who makes mistakes. LOL.

 

Question: What music do you listen to, while writing? 

Answer: My Music:

My favourite Musician would have to be David Guetta; Titanium and She wolf. I wrote nearly the whole two books too these songs, I find the words empowering and a story is told even in the beats.

 

Question: What do you eat while writing?

O God I am really bad, have a serious sweet tooth. I do try and control it, sometimes I do but other times I fail. So I love sour cream pringles. Yum. Cadbury’s cream egg. Love the centre.  After that I love sprite. These are my 3 enemies yet my favourite things ever. (apart from writing and reading, of course).

 

Five for Fun:

What is your favourite non-alcoholic drink?  Sprite I can’t get enough of it.

What is your favourite cartoon character? I would have to say Dora the explorer. My niece is a huge fan, and I think she is so cute.

What is your favourite movie of all time? Troy, I would watch it at least once a week. Brad Pitt is easy on the eyes.

What TV shows do you like to watch? I am not a fan of TV. I love movies or reading.

What do you like to do for fun or just to relax? Reading is my way of relaxing. Give me a book a glass of wine and I am a very content person.

 

Question: Where can we find you on the web?

Here are some places:

My website www.aoifemariesheridan.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Aoifemariesheri

Goodreads: Aoife Marie Sheridan

Twitter: aoifesheri

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I’m always happy to spotlight new authors, and here’s another one: Casey Harvell and her BRAND NEW novel, “Righteous Decisions”

Casey Harvell lives in the Hudson Valley of New York with her husband and their two sons. An independent author, this is Casey’s second novel, the first in a paranormal romance series. Casey is slightly zombie obsessed and known to use the word “boom” frequently.

Follow Casey on her website, Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.

Here’s her BRAND NEW novel, which is even FREE today!

When Lettie, a misfit photographer, realizes her nightmares have become reality she is more than a little freaked out, but as her world gets turned upside down, and at the top of a paranormal hit list, she discovers more about herself than she ever thought possible.

Lettie has always felt as though she doesn’t quite fit in. She suffers from a nightmare disorder and has a constant thought at the back of her mind, that something is just not quite right with her. She manages to maintain her blissful ignorance for quite some time, but eventually she must face her fate, particularly when circumstances throw it in her face, making it impossible to ignore. Lettie comes to the realization that she has to make some decisions. And these choices have an unimaginable domino effect, not just for her, -but for humanity. Thrust into having a new outlook on an imperfect world, Lettie discovers strength inside of her, unlike anything else. Her path of self-discovery is also the path to her salvation. With the help of a few friends, Lettie discovers herself, and what she is capable of.

You can find it at Amazon!

I’ve got an interview with Casey…

Favorite Author:

You mean I have to pick one? My favorite books of all time are the Hollows Series, by Amanda Hocking

 

My writing style:

Sporadic. I have two kids, so I take what I can get 🙂

 

Why should we read your books:

I’m an avid reader turned writer. My goal is to entertain my readers and give them books and characters to fall in love with.

 

Have any main characters been modeled after yourself:

I think all of my heroine’s reflect certain aspects of my ideals, but they also grow into their own personalities as I write them.

 

If you could trade lives with any of your characters for a day who would it be and why?

Probably Lettie, just to spend the day at the beach 🙂

 

What books have most influenced your life?

In the early days, it was Babysitters Club and Sweet Valley High. Later, came Gone With the Wind and Scarlett, then I discovered Nora Roberts. It’s definitely escalated since then. Everything I can get my hands on has an influence over my writing.

 

One book to re-write:

Can it be a sequel? I’ve always wanted to continue  where Scarlett, the sequel to Gone With the Wind, left off.

 

Beatles of Monkees? Why?

Trick question! 🙂

 

Who should play you in a movie about your life?

Sandra Bullock. She’s just awkward enough and falls down a lot. 

AND, we’re not done yet!  Here’s an excerpt to whet your appetite for “Righteous Decisions”

“Turn to the right just a bit.” I instruct. “Perfect, hold it right there.”
I smile at the bride and groom whose memory of this day would soon be
forever frozen in time by these photographs. I secretly envy the way
Kathleen and Gerard look into each other’s eyes and their light joking
manner. After capturing so many weddings on film, I can always tell the
ones that will last. This couple is a shoe in.
The day is bright and warm. Even the humidity seems to hold off for these
two, which is no easy feat for Florida’s east coast. The warm ocean breeze
dances over our skin and adds an ambiance that would otherwise be
impossible to create. As a photographer I could not ask for more perfect
natural lighting than the sun in the clear sky overhead. It seems Mother
Nature has as much faith in this couple as I do.
I release the glowing bride and groom to move on to the wedding party but
warn them not to stray too far as they will be needed for group photos
shortly. My mood lightens as I take a candid shot of the flower girl and ring
bearer acting as only children can. The young boy holds a small purple
wildflower out to the little girl and her smile is that of joy and innocence.

 

Her light pink dress ruffles slightly as a warm breeze passes. I am sure the
bride will love the photo of her niece and husband’s nephew.
The reception moves on quickly while I make sure it is all visually
documented. By the time the bride and groom run from the building trying
to avoid the birdseed being launched at them from all directions, I am spent
and sure that the happy couple will be grateful enough to give me a referral.
My business thrives on them and while I can make pocket money on the
tourists of my ancient city, this is where the future of my business will be.

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