Monday, December 30, 2013

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT/INTERVIEW: Samantha Jacobey ... New Year's Giveaway!!

Meet Samantha Jacoby

Samantha Jacobey…A friendly and outgoing person who will take up conversations with anyone. She has always been a daydreamer, and loves good stories that include mysteries, thrillers, suspense, and romance.


Sam lives in the Texas with her family. Currently, she is employed full time, but dreams of a time when she can devote fully to writing and sharing her stories with the world.



Can you please share with us a little about yourself?

I am 43 years old, have four boys, and my first grandchild (a girl!!!) was born Dec. 20th. I currently teach school and have released the first two books from my series, A New Life, which I am very excited about. I live in Texas, love cats (have five) and could go on forever if you don’t stop me…

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Actually no, but I have always been a story teller, so when I decided to put this one down on paper, it just flowed out. I love it, and I can’t wait to get on with writing the next ones.

Can you share with us your typical writing day. Is there anything you have to have while writing?

I do a great deal of my writing in my head, daydreaming more or less, so I don’t guess I have a typical writing day. However when I am actually putting it on paper, I really like to have the quiet, so it usually happens at about 3 am when the rest of the house is asleep.

What would you say is the most challenging or rewarding part of writing?

Challenging would be editing, and I don’t even want to go there. Rewarding is the fans. I love the people who read my stories and give me feedback, as I learn from all of them. I just love hearing people talk about my books and seeing how they react to them.

Can you please tell us about your latest book?

Actually, there are only 2 so far, and they are closely tied together, so reading Life of Recovery is pretty essential before you read Life of Doubt.

It is a series about a young woman who has been found in a house full of dead bikers, who worked as freelance mercenaries. She has no idea who she really is, and the FBI go to great pains to keep it that way. The story is dark, suspenseful, has romantic elements, a bit of mystery and adventure. Definitely for mature readers.

How did you come with the idea for this series?

I have been working on this story, more or less, for about 25 years or so. I started out with the girl and a story I heard on the news when I was a teenager and added a whole lot of imagination. Over the years, I just kept adding bits of truth and more of my own thoughts until it had grown into what it is today.

Can you share with us your current work in progress?

Life of Doubt just released on the 20th of December, and I am working on the final instalments for the series at the moment. I am looking forward to having them completed as I have ideas for several other stories that I want to get to work on as soon as I can get to them.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

This question always gets me… my favorite author is Charles Dickens. I know, not what people want to hear. But let’s face it, I rarely go for what is popular. He had strong writing skills, used tons of literary devices, his characters faced dire circumstances, and I really enjoyed his style.

More recently, I read a book by Jen Wylie that really wowed me, and I will definitely be looking for more of her work, so I can put her on my short list as well. Other than that, I just love good stories, and those come from lots of writers in many forms and genres.

Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style?

Most definitely. As I said, Dickens is my all-time favorite, and he loved to use names to describe the

attitudes and roles of the characters in his books. I took that straight from him, so look for it in my books.

Open your book to a random page and please reads us a few lines.

“At the time Eli presented his gift, she had remained stone faced at the offering, but inside she was ecstatic, first because of the book itself, and second because it had come from him. No one would ever take Henry’s place, but Eli was carving out his own spot in her heart, bit by bit.”

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

I am looking forward to reading Broken Prince, by Jen Wylie, Broken by Sandra Love, and the Sci-corp series by Margret Taylor. I have all of these on hand, just need the time to dig in.

Have you ever used anyone from your real life encounters in any of your books?

Haha of course. I hear people talk about their muse, like it is a single person, but I take bits and pieces from everyone around me, more or less. Not the entire person, but there are traits in nearly all of my

characters that I picked up from someone that I know or once knew. The fun part is seeing how those things can often mesh together, a little here and a little there to make a new unique individual.

What was the most surprising thing you learned about yourself while you were writing?

I have had this particular story in my head for a long time, and it really surprised me to learn that I could create something that other people would enjoy and find believable at the same time. I never shared it with anyone, mostly because I wasn’t sure how they would react to it. Now that it is out, I can’t believe I kept it in so long. It has been a real blast.


A New Life: Life of Recovery 


Publisher: Xlibris

Release Date: Sept. 30th and Revised Oct. 17th

Blurb:

The Dragons raised her to be tough. They taught her how to kill. They got more than they bargained for…

Tori Farrell is on a mission to find her true identity, to break the ties to a dark underworld for good…


She wants a new life, but first she must lay to rest the demons of her past.


Moving slowly, Tori was able to stand, her breast throbbing and her knees weak as she stumbled a few feet, then sank feebly to the ground. She looked up to see Henry staring at her intently, but didn't bother to ask what had happened. She kneeled for several minutes before asking him what she should do. His reply was direct and honest. "Do what he says. Do exactly what he says, when he says, and how he says. Do it for as long as you can, baby girl. It's the only way you are going to survive." Tori found little comfort in his advice, and tried to move closer as she reached out to him. She lifted her hand towards him, but he pulled away. "I can't touch you, baby girl," he said, the pain in his deep brown eyes evident; "if I do, he will kill you." Tori stopped moving, staring at him while the anger rose inside her. "Then I promise you," she hissed in a low whisper, "someday, I will put him in the ground." Immediately Henry winced, her words tearing at his heart, but deep down, he hoped that it was true.

Life of Doubt: Book Two of a New Life 

Release Date: December 10, 2013

The Dragons raised her to be a cold hearted killer, and they got what they deserved.

The FBI says they are helping her, but Tori can feel the scheme behind their lies...

She will soon be free, or so she thinks, but can she truly escape her brutal past, finding true love amidst the sex and intrigue? 

Tori Farrell is on a mission to find her true identity, to break the ties to a dark underworld for good, and to save the people she cares about most - the family she has never known.

She wants a new life, but first she must lay to rest the demons of her past.

Saturday, December 28, 2013

COVER REVEAL: Yes, Master by Margaret McHeyzer +GIVEAWAY

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Yes, Master CR pic

Yes, Master by Margaret McHeyzer

Dark Erotic Romance
Release Date: February 19, 2014
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My uncle raped me.
I was 10 years old when it started.
At 13 he told me I was no longer wanted because I had started to develop.
At 16 I was ready to kill him.
Today, I’m broken.
Today, I only breathe to survive.
My name’s Sergeant Major Ryan Jenkins and today, I’m ready to tell you my story.
***
“Master would flog me if I did, she won’t be happy when I tell her what happened here.”
“Master?”
“Stella.”
Oh, Master.

Yes, Master Cover


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“It’s just such a difficult situation.”

“Of course it’s difficult.” She stops talking and taps her fingernails again. My eyes go to where she’s tapping, and then follow up to her face. I try to avoid her abrasive orbs. “You’re overpowered by agony and torment, and it’s slowly claiming you day by day.”

I finally concede and look into Stella's eyes. Because every word she’s said, and every sentence that she’s breathed out has been so accurate about me.

“Freedom,” she says as I intake a huge gulp of air at that word. “I can promise you freedom if you can promise me you’ll never lie to me.”

Fuck.

I want it. I think I may even deserve my very own happily ever after. Are they real? According to movies and books they’re attainable. But this isn’t a movie, or even a fucking book.

This is my life.

And I’m going to try to get it.

“No lies, ever,” I whisper.


add-to-goodreads-button31 (1)

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I don't do 'normal'.

I've found that the more I write, the more I like being different to other authors. I write in first person, and I love to challenge a reader.
I take the normal and switch it around.
For me, I really enjoy getting a reaction from a reader. So if I can evoke an emotion (regardless of if it's the emotion the reader wants) then I figure that I've done my job as an author I want to be.
I really quite revel in taking people out of their comfort zones and pushing them to read something different.
My genre of writing is, well quite frankly, where ever my mind goes. I won't label myself because I don't like sticking to one genre.
My goal with writing is just to take people away from whatever is going on in their lives, even if it's only for a split second.
I'm a go with the flow sort of person and don't really take a course of action to get where I am going. I live in the moment and don't usually worry about tomorrow because whatever life is due to bring me, I'll be happy to accept.
I love my family and friends and will help anyway I can if someone needs it. I really don't like people that are nasty just because they can be, I don't believe that's necessary, I mean life's hard enough as it is!
I hope you enjoy my books, I've had a hoot writing them. There's more to come.....
Til next time.

M xx
Connect with Margaret on * FACEBOOK *


Yes, Master CR teaser 2
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Margaret is giving away (2) $10 Amazon gift cards and (2) $5.00 Amazon gift cards.


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The Plot Thickens by Danielle-Claude Ngontang Mba RELEASE BLAST




Polliannah's story is live! 
What led to that horrific phone call to Semya and Josh in the middle of the night?


When Polliannah Koch
Guryev meets John Allen, she thinks that she’s finally found her Prince
Charming in the form of a tall, blond and handsome banker. What could go wrong?
 John Allen has a job to do and getting closer
to the beautiful Miss Koch Guryev is supposed to be a means to an end. But then
they fall in love. He’s a hit man with a mission, she’s the sister of his
targets. What possible future could they have? Now he and his Russian Princess
have to leave London for their safety.
But it may already be
too late for them.


Buy links
B&N, Kobo and iTunes coming soon


Excerpt


John
heard the infamous familiar cackles
before Salomon ‘Sal’ Dovos stepped
out of the shadows. What the fuck is he doing in London? Sal moved his long dark
hair away from his face showing his scar. “Why so jumpy mate?”
“Why are you here Sal? I don’t
have time to babysit,” John said. Sal Dovos was the youngest son of Samuel
Dovos Jr., or commonly known as The Second since Samuel Dovos Senior passed
away over thirty years ago. For the people old enough to remember Samuel Dovos
Senior’s reign of terror, as bad as it was, it was child’s play compared to The
Second’s and young Salomon was a pure product of that evil.
“I can see that… so that’s the
Guryev’s whore, nice arse but I prefer her sister,”
he sneered. He looked at John’s gun. “Put that thing away John, you might hurt
someone.”
John put the gun down and back under
his jacket. “I won’t shoot you in the middle of the West End,” he said with a
forced smile. Not without my silencer
“Stay away from them Sal.”
He shrugged the comment off and
came closer to John. “I don’t know, I’ve heard interesting things about the
Slotin girl and her real mother…
she’s one sexy woman.”
John turned to face him. “Sal, I
won’t shoot you but I would leave you incapacitated
if it means that I get to finish my job in peace.” Sal Dovos was too
unpredictable and sadistic to be left to his own devices. He reminded him a lot
of Miska Guryev, same age, same villainous
behaviours. They even used to be very good friends before the assassination
attempts. “You can have Joseph,” he told him. It was more an order than a
suggestion.
“I’m not here for them John. I’m
here for Vincent.” His expression changed, Sal’s hatred for Vincent was
notorious. “I heard he’s in London. He’s mine,” he said touching his scar.


The Playlist


Other book from the Semya Slotin Mystery...

Bird Of Prey
24 reviews in amazon

Check out the steamy romance thriller that started it all!

Who killed the
infamous Johanna Cartier? Sémya Slotin is frown back in the business of solving
mysteries when she found her body. With the help of a new ally and the
mysterious Josh Heinz, she vows to see this through.



Currently
at $0.99 

Friday, December 27, 2013

BLOG TOUR: Insanity by Cameron Jace SPOTLIGHT+GIVEAWAY

JACE (1)
synopsis
Insanitycover
After accidentally killing everyone in her class, Alice Wonder is now a patient in the Radcliffe Lunatic Asylum. No one doubts her insanity. Only a hookah-smoking professor believes otherwise; that he can prove her sanity by decoding Lewis Carroll's paintings, photographs, and find Wonderland's real whereabouts. Professor Caterpillar persuades the asylum that Alice can save lives and catch the wonderland monsters now reincarnated in modern day criminals. In order to do so, Alice leads a double life: an Oxford university student by day, a mad girl in an asylum by night. The line between sanity and insanity thins when she meets Jack Diamonds, an arrogant college student who believes that nonsense is an actual science.
badge-addtogoodreads
excerpt
The writing on the wall says it's January 14th. I am not sure what year. I haven't been sure of many things lately, but I’m wondering if it’s my handwriting I’m looking at.

There is an strange key drawn underneath the date. It's carved with a sharp object, probably a broken mirror. I couldn’t have written this. I'm terrified of mirrors. They love to call it Catoptrophobia around here.

Unlike regular patients in the asylum, my room is windowless, stripped down to a single mattress in the middle, a sink, and bucket for peeing--or puking--when necessary. The tiles on the floor are black-and-white squares, like a chessboard. I never step on black. Always white. Again, I'm not sure why.

The walls are smeared with a greasy pale green everywhere. I wonder if it's the previous patient's brains spattered all over from shock therapy. In the Radcliffe Lunatic Asylum, politely known as the Warneford hospital, the doctors have a sweet spot for shock therapy. They love watching patients with bulging eyes and shivering limbs begging for relief from the electricity. It makes me question who is really mad in here.

It's been a while since I was sent to shock therapy myself. Dr. Tom Truckle, my supervising physician, said I don't need it anymore, particularly after I stopped mentioning Wonderland. He told me that I used to talk about it all the time; a dangerous place I claim I have been whisked away to when my elder sister lost me at the age of seven.

Truth is, I don't remember this Wonderland they are talking about. I don't even know why I am here. My oldest vivid memory is from a week ago. Before that, it's all a purple haze.

I have only one friend in this asylum. It's not a doctor or a nurse. And it's not a human. It doesn't hate, envy, or point a finger at you. My friend is an orange flower I keep in a pot; a Tiger Lily I can't live without. I keep it safe next to a small crack in the wall where a single sun ray sneaks through for only ten minutes a day. It might not be enough light to grow a flower, but my Tiger Lily is a tough girl.

Each day, I save half of the water they give me for my flower. As for me, better thirsty than mad.

My orange flower is also my personal rain check for my sanity. If I talk to her and she doesn't reply, I know I am not hallucinating. If it talks back to me, all kinds of nonsense starts to happen. Insanity prevails. There must be a reason why I am here. It doesn’t mean I will easily give in to such a fate.

"Alice Pleasance Wonder. Are you ready?" the nurse knocks with her electric prod on my steel door. Her name is Waltraud Wagner. She is German. Everything she says sounds like a threat and smells like smoke. My fellow mad people say she is a Nazi; that she used to kill her own patients back in Germany. "Get avay vrom za dor. I an coming in," she demands.

Listening to the rattling of her large keychain, my heart pounds in my chest. The turn of the key makes me want to swallow. When the door opens, all I can think of is choking her before she begins to hurt me. Sadly, her neck is too thick for my nimble hands. I stare at her almost-square figure for a moment. Everything about her is four sizes too big, all except her feet, which are as small as mine. My sympathies, little feet.

"Time for your daily ten-minute break," she approaches me with a straitjacket, a devilish grin on her face. I never get out. My ward is underground, and I take my break in another empty ward upstairs, where patients love to play soccer with a hedgehog’s head.

A big muscled warden stands behind Watlraud. Thomas Ogier. He is bald, has an angry-red face and a silver tooth he likes to flash whenever he sees me. His biceps are the size of my head. I have a hard time believing he has ever been a 4-pound baby.

"Slide your arms into the jacket," Waltraud demands in her German accent, a cigarette puckered between her lips. "Slow and easy, Alice," she nods at warden Ogier, in case I misbehave.

I comply obediently and stretch out my arms for her to do whatever she wants. Waltraud twists my right arm slightly and checks the tattoo on my arm. It’s the only tattoo I have. It’s a handwritten sentence that looks like a thin arm band from afar. Waltraud feels the need to read it allowed, “’I can't go back to yesterday because I was a different person then.’” I was told I have written it myself while still believing in Wonderland. “That Alice in Wonderland has really messed with your head.” She puffs smoke into my face as she mocks me.
The tattoo and Waltraud’s mocking is the least of my concerns right now. I let her tie me, and while she does, I close my eyes. I imagine I am a sixteenth century princess, some kind of a lucky Cinderella, being squeezed into a corset by my chain smoking servant in a fairy tale castle above ground, just about to go meet my Prince Charming. Such imagery always helps me breathe. I once heard that it was hope that saves the day, not sanity. I need to cool down before I begin my grand escape.
buyatAMZ
about author
CameronWonderlander, Neverlander, Unicorn-chaser, enchanter, musician, survived a coma, & totally awesome. Sometimes I tell stories. Always luv the little monsters I write young adult paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and science fiction mostly. The Grimm Diaries series is a seven book saga that deals with retellings of fairy tales from a young adult POV - it connects most of the fairy tales together and claims to be the truth about fairy tales. I live in San Fransisco and seriously think circles are way cooler than triangles.

Website: http://cameronjace.blogspot.ca/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/995289.Cameron_Jace

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/camjace
giveaway

Thursday, December 26, 2013

BLOG TOUR: Snow White and the Vampire by Marina Myles REVIEW/SPOTLIGHT


Snow White and the Vampire
The Cursed Princes
Book Two
Marina Myles

Genre: Historical/paranormal romance
Fairy tales retold

Publisher: Kensington
Date of Publication: December 19, 2013

ISBN: 9781601831002
ASIN: B00DV1ITOS

Number of pages: 244

Amazon     BN     iTunes     eKensington    Blio

Book Description:

Fog and Fascination

Alba Spencer thought her past in Romania and the dark magic that haunted it was behind her forever. She is one of the first female barristers now, safe in London. But London has its dark side, too. A man called the Ripper stalks the midnight streets. There are rumors that her hated stepmother has found her again, suggestions that the nightmares of her childhood are returning. And with them appears the cursed Gypsy boy she once loved, grown into a man more seductive and more terrifying than she ever could have dreamed…

Dimitri Grigorescu has become a surgeon, a gentleman—and a vampire. The lusts that drive his body are scarcely under control, and even he does not truly know what he is capable of. To fight evil and confusion, Alba must rely only on her wits—and a desire that overwhelms her doubts…

This book was given to me by the publisher through NetGalley and offered by Bewitching Book Tours for an honest review.
At first this books comes across as if it is going to be Snow White with a bit more paranormal twist…. But there were really a lot of stories wrapped up in one book with this one!! At the beginning, this book was a bit slow and difficult to get into, but I kept reading… not wanting to give up, and I managed to finish it!!
About 25% of the way through this book, I was able to get into it as it picked up. There were a few times where there was so much going on at once that I almost was overwhelmed, making me wish I hadn’t wanted it to pick up.. lol… But all in all, this is a very interesting read if you take the time out and put yourself into it, the stories come together nicely eventually…

I give this book 3 out of 5 shields!!




“I’m very grateful for Teddy’s friendship—and for the opportunity to be introduced to the people he’s acquainted with.” The surgeon lowered his tone. “People like you, Miss Spencer.”
His words encouraged the spattering of nervous blotches across Alba’s chest. “You’re too kind,” she murmured. “So you find this city a pleasant enough place to live?”
“Pleasant but for the brutal murderer who lurks in the Whitechapel District.”
“Are you referring to the killer the newspapers are calling ‘Leather Apron’?” she asked.
He evaluated her with interest yet said nothing.
“I understand this monster killed two unfortunates by ripping their abdomens wide open,” she went on, making no attempt to sugarcoat her words since she was speaking with a surgeon.
“Where did you hear that, Miss Spencer?”
“It said so in the penny dreadfuls. Oh, not that I read them frequently…”
Drake raised an eyebrow.
What am I saying? She didn’t normally babble on so, but this man had lit a fire beneath her, though she couldn’t say why.
To her great relief, the doctor didn’t seem to notice her jittering nerves. “Nasty business, preying on those unknowing women,” said. “I can’t imagine a man treating any female that way. After all, women are beautiful creatures to be coddled. Admired. Cherished.”
“That’s a lovely thought.” Alba repressed a girlish sigh. “It’s a shame the killer does not share your school of thought.”
Drake wrapped his hands around his back. “I daresay the police believe this murderer will strike again.”
“I fear that is why fewer people came to your party this evening than Teddy anticipated. The city is gripped with fear.” She paused to take a sip of champagne. “Perhaps we should talk about something more uplifting than murder.”
“Yes.” The surgeon took her glass and deposited it on a servant’s tray. With his hand pressed to the small of her back, he guided her to a quiet corner of the drawing room. As she turned to face him, she could smell hot liquor fumes and the scent of expensive aftershave. Surprisingly, she found that she liked the mixture of aromas.
“Teddy tells me you hail from Romania as well, Miss Spencer. What are the
chances of that?”
“Slim, I daresay.”
“You’ve lost a great deal of your accent, but if I had to guess, you are from Bucharest.”
“I am.” How did he know?
His features darkened. “It appears we were destined to meet. And since we have, I’d be fascinated to know more about you.”
Although Alba was taken aback by his boldness, nerves propelled her to continue their conversation in a blabbering rush. “I came to London when I was fourteen—to live with a family friend who runs the dormitory apartments of the Royal Opera’s corps de ballet. Just this year, I graduated from law school. That’s where Teddy and I met—at King’s College. Recently, I’ve been assisting Teddy’s father, Harold Rollingsworth, in the hopes that—”
“—you will become London’s first female barrister.” Drake completed her thought. Tilting his head to the side, he gazed at her with admiration. “Lovely, intelligent, and a pioneer. You are a rare gem, Miss Spencer.”
The Romanian’s hungry stare closed the small distance between them. Alba’s cheeks burned. We hardly know one another!
Desperate to steer the conversation away from herself, she cleared her
throat. “I have yet to wish you a happy birthday, Dr. Griffin.”
“Thank you.” The guest of honor did a cordial bow. “But ‘Griffin’ is merely my professional name.”
Alba frowned. “What is your real name?”
“Dimitri Grigorescu.”
Alba’s limbs froze and the room started to take on a slow whirl. “That’s curious,” she murmured. “I knew someone by that name in Romania.”
“And I once knew a girl named Alba ZÇŽpÇŽda,” Dimitri said as a curtain of desire passed over his face. “You.
His lips thinned into a familiar smile and Alba’s hand flew to her gaping mouth. Curse my poor eyesight! Now that she was this close to him she knew precisely who he was: Dimitri, the handsome Gypsy boy she’d fallen in love with at the tender age of fourteen.
Words escaped her while she gasped for air.
“Life is too short to be without the ones you love,” Dimitri purred. “Don’t you think?”
All at once, memories of the summer Alba spent in the Balkan countryside flashed through her mind:
The first kiss she and Dimitri shared amid a field of white poppies.
Simona, Dimitri’s raven-haired friend.
And the terrifying night the three of them spent in a haunted graveyard.
Her blood raced and the room spun in faster circles.
“I’ve been waiting an eternity to return this to you,” Dimiti whispered as he slipped a dried white poppy into her hand.
“But I thought you were dead,” she said before everything went black.




Although Marina Myles lives under the sunny skies of Arizona, she would reside in a historic manor house in foggy England if she had her way. Her love of books began as soon as she read her first fairy tale and eventually led to degrees in English Literature and Communications. Now, with her loyal Maltese close by, she relishes the hours she gets to escape into worlds filled with fiery—but not easily attained—love affairs.


She’s busy being a wife and a mother, but she is never too busy to hear from her amazing readers.