Cover Reveal – “Olympus Confidential” by Robert B. Warren
Dragonfairy Press is pleased to present the cover for Olympus Confidential, book two in the Plato Jones series. Be sure to add this series to your TBR list!
Title: Olympus Confidential
Author: Robert B. Warren
Series: Plato Jones #2
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Dragonfairy Press
Expected Publication Date: November 6, 2014
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18481939-olympus-confidential
Synopsis:
When a band of super-powered humans stirs up trouble in New Olympia, Zeus knows just who to call.
Wisecracking private investigator Plato Jones is used to cleaning up the gods’ messes. But this might be his most dangerous case yet, placing him deep behind enemy lines, in Tartarus Maximum Security Penitentiary. After infiltrating the enemy’s organization, Plato inches closer to the truth. But he learns a hard lesson along the way: to defeat a villain, he might have to become one himself.
About the Author:
A fan of thrillers, fantasy, and science fiction, Robert B. Warren has been writing stories ever since he could hold a pencil. In 2009, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and creative writing from the University of Alabama—Roll Tide! He currently lives in the south.
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Cover Reveal – N.J. Cole and “Midnight Eternal” AND “Midnight Caller”
I’ve got the cover reveal for author N.J. Cole,and not one, but TWO books this morning! First, a little bit about the author…
NJ Cole is a witty, mid-western girl with a kinky side. She works by day and writes by night, all while being a mother to her wonderful boys and serving her Sir. Unlike many of today’s authors, she chooses to write in first person, allowing the readers to experience life through the eyes of the unique characters that live in her head. Her love of those characters and respect for their stories come through loud and clear in her writing. With over two million reads of her online work in the past six months, NJ Cole is clearly an up and coming author.
You can follow her on Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter.
And now for the books. First is “Midnight Caller”
Rebecca Summers enjoys pleasing herself with the curtains open. When a mysterious stranger calls to tell her that he is watching, fantasy becomes reality as she begins to perform for him. Following his instructions over the phone while he watches from afar, she finds herself craving more.
Oliver Durant has always been drawn to humans to exert the dominance and control his kind needs to feel alive. While secretly observing her and calling nightly, he can’t seem to get enough of Rebecca, whom he refers to as butterfly. His urges with her are stronger than the need to dominate, as he is driven to possess her in every way.
Both of their worlds are turned upside down when they finally meet and she agrees to enter into a Dominant/submissive relationship with her Midnight Caller.
You can buy it, right now, at: Amazon, and you can read more about it at Goodreads.
And you can win a free copy by entering this Rafflecopter drawing…
The second book is “Midnight Eternal”
Oliver Durant finally feels complete. With his butterfly now wearing his collar, he begins to introduce her to his world, taking her to his BDSM club and introducing her to his family. Things progress rapidly and she feels safe and welcome with them and his species. The longer they are together, the more she starts to become like his kind, offering him hope that he will be able to be with his mate for the rest of his life.
While Rebecca Summers is new to the BDSM lifestyle, she adapts quickly and serves her Master well, giving him everything he asks for. She loves pleasing him and spending time with his family, who has given her the sense of belonging she’s yearned for since her parents’ tragic deaths. She can’t imagine denying Oliver anything, and even asks to undergo the genetic transformation to become one of his species. Days before the event, they are given some news that changes everything.
Can these two find their happily ever after?
Or does fate have other plans?
It will be released later this summer, but you can read more about it at Goodreads right now…
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Indie Author Spotlight – J.H. Coates and “My Boyfriend is a Monster”
I’ve got ANOTHER great indie author for you – it’s your lucky week! Today it’s J.H. Coates, and his novel “My Boyfriend is a MonsteR”
J.H. Coates currently lives outside of Toronto with his wife, kids and cat: Senor Meow-Meow. An avid writer all through school J.H. Coates turned to film. After attending Film school and a bunch of indie projects, including one unsuccessful network show, he became very sick and put all ambitions on hold and concentrated on getting better. Years later, a bunch of wrong diagnosis’ that finally led to open heart surgery he began writing again. Perhaps it was realizing life was short or the sheer boredom of living in a hospital? He picked up where he left off and finished My Boyfriend is a Monster. He is currently writing the sequel, cleverly titled, My Boyfriend is a Monster 2.
Follow him all over the Intertubes:
Blog: http://myboyfriendisamonster.blogspot.ca/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorJHCoates
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Boyfriend-is-a-Monster/221243621377219?ref=stream
His book is “My Boyfriend is a Monster”
Her ex-boyfriend beat on her.
The new guy might literally eat her.
Boy can Lily pick them.
After fleeing her abusive boyfriend, Lily tries to salvage what’s left of her hopes by attempting to create the life she has always dreamed of. With the help of her friends she starts to put the pieces of her old self back together. However, she still can’t shake the feeling that a “Monster” is out there. But the people we label today as Monsters are nothing compared to what is in store for Lily. Because she is right, there is something out there with the makings of childhood nightmares. Question is does it want her for love, or does it want her for dinner?
You can buy it at:
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/my-boyfriend-is-a-monster-j-h-coates/1117637713?ean=2940045849159
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/431390
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/my-boyfriend-is-a-monster
And I’ve also got a great interview with J.H.:
Who is your favorite author?
I have a lot, but my first introduction into adult novels was Stephen King (Iwhat a cliché). I tried to emulate his style until I realized I wanted to read his stuff, not make it up. Dr. Seuss had a huge impact on my life as well, can’t forget about the good doctor.
How do you describe your writing style?
Dialogue driven with a slow and steady pace, but I’m trying to change that for My Boyfriend is a Monster 2. Not the dialogue, the pace.
Why should we read your book?
It’s in the reviews (the few I have gotten) it’s different and unique. Some people really don’t seem to like it, but most people are surprised and really have enjoyed it.
Have any of your characters been modeled after yourself?
Yes, Tyre is modeled after me. He has one scar, a large one down the middle of his chest, like me (heart surgery) which is explained later on but his kind do not scar, they heal. He is funny and angry and arrogant, selfish and sometimes a little over confident, just like me. I’m not bragging about these traits, I try and better myself every day.
If you could exchange lives with any of your characters for a day which character would you choose and why?
Tyre because in the book he is described as almost invincible, no wait, Nathan, he is described as almost invincible too but like really hot and a chick magnet. So yeah, Nathan so I can just leap around buildings smashing the shit out of stuff Hulk style and be all suave with the ladies and get me some. That would be a great day.
What books have most influenced your life?
I can just start listing hundreds and hundreds of books, 9 out of 10 books I read I enjoy on some level, so anything I read influences my life. That’s the amazing thing about books.
If you could select one book that you could rewrite and add your own unique twist on, which book would that be and why?
The Stand, I would add Zombies. Or A Song of Ice and Fire series, I would not kill off Ned Stark, or King Robert, or Drogo, Oberyn, or the Hound, I’d still kill Joffrey, so really my version would be a more PG “Feel Good” book, so maybe not.
Beatles or Monkees?
Beatles, but I do like the Monkees.
Why?
There is no other group that you know the words or beat to that many songs, I mean, come on, there are probably 20 you can name off the top of your head and another 20 that would make you go “Oh yeah, I forgot about that one.”
Who should play you in a film of your life?
Unfortunately, Jack Black, he’d probably get it right. Anyone else and it’d just be a Hollywood Lie, although Philip Seymour Hoffman if he didn’t die or Donal Logue if Jack Black was asking for too much money.
(James’ note: I’d actually pick Jack Black to play me in the film of my life, too!)
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Indie Author Spotlight – Joan Curtis and her upcoming novel “The Clock Strikes Midnight”
I’ve got a great indie author for you this morning – she’s Joan Curtis, author of “The Clock Strikes Midnight”
Joan is an award winning writer who has published 5 books and numerous stories. In her newest mystery/suspense novel, The Clock Strikes Midnight, we meet Janie Knox, a tormented young woman who escaped her home and family after a jury convicted her stepfather of killing her mother. Full of twists and turns, readers learn of a trail of long-hidden family secrets that plague the lives of both Janie and her older sister, Marlene. Not until the last page do all the secrets reveal themselves and the web of lies finally release its hold on the two sisters.
Joan has been an avid reader for as long as she can remember. She reads all kinds of books, including women’s fiction, mysteries, biography, and nonfiction related to her work. She does not read fantasy, horror or romance. Her passion as a reader lies closer to literary writing with a commercial bent. Her debut novel, The Clock Strikes Midnight, is scheduled for release in the Fall 2014. This mystery/suspense book is exactly the kind of book Joan loves to read.
“I write about characters who remind me of myself at times and my sister at times, but never fully so. My stories are told from a woman’s point of view. Characters drive my writing and my reading.”
Having grown up in the South with a mother from Westchester County New York, Joan has a unique take on blending the southern traditions with the eye of a northerner. She spent most of her childhood in North Carolina and now resides in Georgia.
You can follow Joan at her website – joancurtis.com. And while you’re there, you can sign up for her email newsletter AND get the first two chapters of “The Clock Strikes Midnight” free!
You can also follow Joan on Facebook.
I’ve got a great interview with Joan…
Who is your favorite author?
Because I read so much, identifying one author as my favorite is hard. But, I would say that Colette is one of my favorite authors. I devoured the Colette Omnibus (collection of her works) and was hungry for more.
How do you describe your writing style?
My style is crisp and clean, more like Hemmingway than Faulkner. I write with a lot of action and dialogue.
Why should we read your book?
Read my book if you want to be held in suspense throughout. If you want entertainment with twists and turns, my book is for you.
Have any of your characters been modeled after yourself?
I’d say there’s a bit of me in most of my female characters. In The Clock Strikes Midnight, Marlene, the older sister, is more like me than her sister, Janie.
If you could exchange lives with any of your characters for a day, which would you choose and why?
I might select Jenna in the e-Murderer. I’d exchange lives with her for one day, just to experience her quirky curiosity, to love on her two cats and to meet her handsome detective.
What books have influenced my life?
Difficult to say. Many books have given me inspiration to write. I love beautiful writing as well as strong character development. I read Colette’s Cherie two times as well as A Woman of Independent Means by Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey. I wouldn’t say they influenced my life so much as my writing.
Which book would I rewrite and add my own unique twist on?
I would not want to presume to write as well as F. Scott Fitzgerald, but I would love to change the ending to the Great Gatsby. Why does Gatsby have to die and the bad people (Daisy and friends) get away unscathed?. Granted the point of the book was to show how shallow people are but perhaps that could have been done without killing Gatsby. So, I’d kill off Daisy in the end at the hand of the devastated husband. After all, Daisy was responsible for the hit and run. I’d play with that idea to create tension and see where it led.
Beatles of Monkees?
Beatles
Who should play you in a film of your life?
A young Marlo Thomas (ha, ha)
And last, but definitely not least, Joan has provided us with an excerpt from “The Clock Strikes Midnight”…
The Yellow Star Café sat on the corner of a back street not far from the Emory University campus. She caught a glimpse of herself in the window as she neared the café. Her hair hung loosely around her face. She couldn’t remember the last time she had added highlights. She tucked the droopy strands behind her ears and pushed through the door.
Inside, several college-age boys in jeans and T-shirts lolled around the counter, drinking coffee and munching donuts. They didn’t even look up when Marlene sauntered by. Instead, they elbowed each other and snickered when an attractive girl in skinny jeans passed by the window.
She spotted Janie in a corner booth. From this distance her sister hadn’t changed much. She easily recognized the curly blond head glistening in the beam of sunlight from the window. Janie wore a gray suit with a white blouse buttoned high at the neck, very un-Janie-like.
She neared the table, wobbling on her three-inch heels but managing to keep her balance. When Janie rose to embrace her, she quickly slid into the booth, avoiding her sister’s attempt at a hug.
“Want some coffee?” Janie asked, settling back in her seat.
“Yeah,” She answered and caught the waitress’s eye with a motion for a cup.
Marlene clenched her jaw, not sure how to begin. She studied the waitress who poured from a steaming pot. The woman’s tired face was marred with wrinkles running across her forehand. She wore an apron, splashed with coffee and mustard. The waitress haphazardly poured fresh coffee into both cups without saying a word. Janie mopped up the spilled coffee with a napkin.
“Looks like you could use a nice breakfast,” Janie said.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Janie blinked. “You look tired. Your eyes are all red and puffy. Are you okay?”
“Fine and dandy.”
Janie recoiled as if struck by a rattlesnake.
“What’s the matter with you?” Marlene asked.
Janie sipped the coffee. “You just look different. I’m trying to adjust. That’s all.” Her sister’s hand shook when she replaced the cup on the saucer.
Marlene let out a loud, ugly laugh. One of the boys from the counter glanced in her direction. “You don’t look so hot yourself.”
Janie didn’t answer.
“Well?” she said, after tasting the coffee.
“Well, what?”
“Come off it. You disappeared, vanished without a trace, and you pop in this morning as though you never left after almost twenty years of silence. How can you just sit there? Talk, tell me what happened. Why didn’t you write? Why didn’t you send me something, anything, to let me know you were still alive?”
#RockingSummerRomance – Tina Gayle and “Mating Rituals”
I’ve got something new for you this morning – an author exchange. I’ll introduce you to another fantastic indie author and her new book, and she’ll be hosting me on her website later this week. So, without further ado, meet Tina Gayle:
Tina Gayle is currently working on two different series. The last book in the Executive Wives’ Club series will be coming out 2014. This series combines elements of women fiction with the passion of romance.
The Family Tree series has two books out with Fallen Leaves release in April of 2014. A paranormal romantic suspense series, the books follow the keeper of the Winston manor and the trials she has to overcome to remain in the house of her ancestors.
Find Tina Gayle everywhere
Home – www.tinagayle.net
Blog – www.tinagayle.blogspot.com
Twitter – https://twitter.com/#!/AuthorTinaGayle
Goodread – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1641826.Tina_Gayle
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/tina.gayle
Google + – https://plus.google.com
Linkin – http://www.linkedin.com/pub/tina-gayle/11/689/759
Mating Rituals – Rules of The Ball #Excerpt
A full length – hot off-world fantasy
With rock-hard fortitude, Marohka Taunton battles to maintain her position as top mineralogist and refuses to see why she should marry even if the law requires she take a mate. Fighting her attraction for Stihl Fermesium, she struggles to save her father’s company.
Stihl, determined to win her as his mate, is faced with the commission deal of a lifetime and needs the money to save his family land. He wrestles with her emotional resistance and discovers someone other than Marohka is unhappy about their union. In fact, they want to separate them in the most basic of ways, death.
And here’s the excerpt…
“All right, ladies, please line up for the final event of the evening–The Ladies Parade,” a voice boomed from the speakers. “Give your partner a smile and a curtsy, and then ascend the stairs to the stage area.”
“Right,” Marohka reasoned, “like I need any man.”
Harold, the father presenter, liked to follow the old habit of bowing to one’s partner. The custom to him added romance and grandeur to the evening. She could’ve told him differently, but with him being an old stick from a bygone era and a hopeless romantic, he wouldn’t have listened.
“Now, gentlemen, here are the rules. Although, you might know them, I’ll restate them again so no problems will occur because you forgot what you’re supposed to do.” Harold paused a moment and scanned the crowd. “So listen carefully.”
Marohka and the other girls started up both sides of the twin staircases. Harold stood at the top of the landing, dressed in his usual green plaid suit. His cheeks colored with his excitement.
“Each one of these lovely ladies will be carrying a small placard with a number printed on it.” Harold showed them a sample card. “The number is not how many mates she desires.” The crowd broke into the expected laughter. Harold grinned.
She wished her sign displayed a zero. Even one man was more than she needed. All evening, she’d avoided them. If a man approached, she offered him a rude comment and walked away to prove her lack of interest in catching a mate.
“If you’re attracted to a certain lady and want to meet her in the mating arena, take note of her number. If you write down the wrong number, you’ll be matched with a different girl, which would result in an unwelcome surprise.” Harold released a small cough of humor.
“You can choose three women. In the end, however, you’ll only be mated with one.”
A good-natured roar of disappointment exploded from the men in the hall. Marohka rolled her eyes at the typical male response.
Harold sighed. “Sorry, boys, that’s the rule. The Council of Elders will determine which girl on your list will become your mate. Then it’s up to you to pass the next challenges. The first duel is at three sharp in the battling arena. Be sure to check the schedule. If you miss your fight time, you’ll be out of the running and will have to wait until next year.”
Turning to the girls standing beside him, Harold added. “Ladies, don’t worry. An escort will be sent to your room to make sure you arrive on time.”
As the oldest unmated girl, Marohka stood at the front of the line. Her future suspended on the edge of success. She’d led the other girls down the red carpet, along the edge of the dance floor, through the ballroom, and then back up the twin staircase on the other side of the room many times. She drew in a deep breath, preparing for her final steps to freedom.
Harold glanced at her and nodded. “At the top of the list from the Taunton family is our special princess, Marohka. A smart girl, she’ll offer any man a stimulating adventure, where life will never be boring. She works hard and . . .”
Stepping forward, she cut off Harold’s words by moving off the stage and out of the spotlight. She detested the Royal Presenter selling her to these men. With her job of finding qualtrilium and keeping her father’s company afloat, she had all the challenges she needed in life.
Lustralia’s law might require Royal girls to be present at the charade. But with this being her final year of mandatory attendance, victory stood in sight. All she had to do was navigate the man-infested waters between here and the staircase on the other side of the room. Freedom waited.
She reached the bottom of the staircase. Her path led her past a legion of men. From tall, dark, and handsome to fair-haired wonders, an array of eligible men lined her route. Dressed in fine, silk coats and tight fitted pants, they represented hundreds of Royal families across the great land. All showed excellent breeding and genteel manners. Any one of them would make a good mate to the girls behind her, but none tempted her to lose her freedom.
Staring straight ahead, she avoided eye contact with every man she passed. Moving along the edge of the dance floor, she wove her way back and forth across the assigned path. Her steps, jerky and clumsy, she hid her natural smooth gait. No man, in his right mind, craved an ungraceful wife. At least, she hoped not.
With the stairs a few steps ahead, she tasted victory and allowed herself a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness.”
A masculine voice in front of her chuckled. “It’s not over yet, princess.”
Read the first chapter at http://www.tinagayle.net/mrchapter.html
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Sneak Peek Sunday – #SPeekSunday – A Little Preview of “Dream Vacation”
I’m one of a couple of dozen indie authors who’ve got a sneak peak at an upcoming work, for today’s Sneak Peek Sunday (just follow that link to see a whole bunch of other great authors and their books!).
Since you’re here now, I’ve got a little preview of the next book in the Dream Series, “Dream Vacation”. It’s going to be released on October 31st, and here’s the opening page or so…
I knew this was a mistake, even though it was my own idea. I suppose it’s my comeuppance for teasing Brian about wanting to see him in uniform. Well, I got my wish.
Unfortunately, I forgot the old saying: be careful what you wish for.
My mother had a perfectly good suggestion for matching costumes for Brian and me. I should just have gone along with it.
About a month ago, we decided to host a Halloween party, and – stupid me – I mentioned that I thought it would be cute if Brian and I coordinated our costumes. Mom being Mom, she had an idea right away: we could go as characters from “Navy Cops,” or whatever that show is actually called.
Mom was very excited. She said that Brian could dress up as Mark Harmon and I could be the peppy, goth-looking forensic scientist. I had to take her word for all that – I’ve never actually sat down and watched an entire episode. But apparently it’s very popular. Dad certainly loves it, and clearly it’s grown on Mom. Or, maybe, it’s just Mark Harmon that’s grown on Mom, but I’m not saying that out loud.
Anyway, it seemed as good an idea as any, and Brian didn’t really care one way or the other. I would have done it, but then I had second thoughts when we sat down to try and figure out where to go to actually get the costumes. I started to feel weird about being a cop, even for just a few hours. Unpleasant memories started to push their way to the front of my brain, and – well, that was that.
A couple of days later, I was at the hospital, chatting with a patient, and she had the TV on in her room. She was watching an old rerun of “I Dream of Jeannie” and I had my brainstorm. Brian could dress up as Major Nelson, and I could be Jeannie.
It sounded like fun, at the time. And Brian was fine with it. But, now, looking at myself in the bedroom mirror, I realize just how terrible an idea it was.
I look ridiculous with this awful blonde wig And Barbara Eden might have been around my age when she played Jeannie, but I don’t have anything like her body. Our measurements don’t exactly match – I have too much belly and not enough chest to properly wear this outfit! And, to top it off, I don’t have the faintest idea how they managed to keep her navel covered. Unless I tape these horrible harem pants to myself, I’m going to be showing my belly button to half the town – not to mention most of my coworkers and all my children’s friends.
You can find the previous seven books in the series on Amazon…
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Freebie Friday!
It’s Friday, and everyone likes free stuff, so…welcome to the first (and maybe only) Freebie Friday here on my website.
It’s not even a contest – everyone who asks will receive one free ebook copy of one of my books. All you have to do is sign up for my newsletter (if you haven’t already), and then comment to this post to let me know you’ve done it.
To sign up to the newsletter, just fill out your email address in the box on the right side of your screen – it couldn’t possibly be easier! Once you’ve signed up and commented, I’ll email you and send you a copy of Dream Student in the ebook format of your choice (or as an audiobook, if you prefer). If you’ve already read Dream Student, I’ll send you the next book you haven’t read – just mention in your comment which book you want, and what format you need (all the books are available as mobi, epub and pdf, and the first four books are available as audiobooks).
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Blog Hop – All About Character
Here’s another blog hop. This one is all about characters, and I was tagged by Renee Meland…so, without further ado…
1) What is the name of your character? Is he/she fictional or a historic person?
Sara Barnes (at least in DREAM STUDENT; once she’s married, it’s Sara Alderson). She’s completely fictional.
2) When and where is the story set?
DREAM STUDENT is set in the winter of 1989-90, mainly at the (fictional) campus of Crewe University, where Sara’s a junior pre-med student. The second book, DREAM DOCTOR, is set in August-September 1991, on the same campus. Book three, DREAM CHILD, is set in December of 1996, partly in Washington, DC and partly in suburban Philadelphia. Book four, DREAM FAMILY, is set in September of 1998, and it takes place in Washington, DC, as do book five, WAKING DREAM (taking place in the winter of 2000-2001) and book six, DREAM REUNION (which takes place in October of 2001). Finally, the most recent book, DREAM HOME, takes place in November of 2003, in the fictional town of Aisling, NY (if you look on a map, Aisling would be pretty much where the real-life town of Cold Spring is, on the Hudson River, directly across from the campus of West Point)
3) What should we know about him/her?
Sara is very shy and bookish, at least when we first meet her. She’s very smart, and also very compassionate. But she’s also not always adept at figuring out social situations. She’s often the last person to get a joke, or to realize what’s going on with other people.
4) What is the main conflict? What messes up his/her life?
Her “gift” (or curse, sometimes) – the ability to step into other people’s dreams. She never asked for it; it just manifested itself during college. And it’s led her into life-threatening situations on many occasions.
5) What is the personal goal of the character?
In DREAM STUDENT and DREAM DOCTOR, it’s to fulfill her childhood ambition and become a doctor. Later on, it’s to save lives as a practicing doctor (and with her dreaming talent), and to keep her children safe and raise them the best she can.
6) Is there a working title for this novel, and can we read more about it?
The next book in the series will be DREAM VACATION. There’s not much to read about it yet (with only two chapters written), but you can see all the previous seven books at the links above and at the top menu bar here on this site, or at my Amazon author page. What I can say about DREAM VACATION is that it will follow Sara and her family on a European trip, where she’s going to be the Matron of Honor at a friend’s wedding. And it’s going to involve one (ormore!) of Sara’s children getting themselves into trouble that only Sara’s ability to see dreams will be able to get them out of.
7) When can we expect the book to be published?
DREAM VACATION will be out on October 31, 2014. The previous seven books are all available RIGHT NOW!
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June is Audobook Month
The Audio Publishers Association says that June is Audiobook Month.
And since I’ve got four books and a short story on audio, I’m all in favor of that!
To celebrate, anyone who comments to this post will be entered in a drawing to win a free copy of one of my audiobooks. And you can check them all out here or buy the books on Audible:
Dream Student, Dream Doctor, Dream Child, Dream Family and Betty & Howard’s Excellent Adventure
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