Introducing To Kill For His Queen by Carolina West!

Meet Carolina West

Carolina West is a high school student living with her mother and younger sister in Arizona. She has been writing since she was fourteen years old. This is her first book.

To Kill For His Queen by Carolina West (2012)

Length: 216 pages

Purchase your copy from IUniverse!

To Kill For His Queen Blurb: 

Living in the world of werewolves, vampires, and dark magic can have a certain effect on a child, especially when that child is Hassen Mason, who seems destined to bring ruin to those he loves. Hassen was abandoned as a child and was immersed in the world of magic by the strange creatures that raised him. His lineage was a mystery, but no mystery buried in the past can stay buried for long - especially when that mystery is strong enough to span centuries.

An accident leaves Hassen without memories, and he must find a way to remember who he was and what his life meant to him before his past creeps up and kills him. He encounters evils worse than abandonment - vengeful demons and walking dead. Somehow, Hassen’s family was involved in this dark underworld. Now he has to fight his own internal battle: Is he a good guy or one of the villains?

Then he meets Carissa - a woman he suspects he knew before he lost his memory. She has had a similarly troubled past, and although the two of them are from different worlds, they find a common bond that even dark spirits cannot break. Will Hassen’s good side be strong enough to battle the side that longs to be bad? Will Carissa’s love keep him sane, or will the truth about his family finally cast him into the endless abyss of insanity?

To Kill For His Queen Excerpt: 

He chuckled dryly, knowing he couldn’t have her. One, she was only seven, and two, she was human, although she was by far the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Her scent was intoxicating. The very thought of her glowing, innocent face set his nerves ablaze, and he couldn’t help but dream of a future with her, unknowing of everything that was yet to occur. He didn’t even know her name. He thought constantly of her wide blue eyes, her silky brown hair shining in the sun, her crystal laugh which sent his heart pounding. A blush formed on his cheeks the moment his brother entered the room.

“You’re thinking about her again,” Cadin said mockingly. He was fourteen, with much the same build of his brother, aside from his narrow shoulders. Hassen coughed.

“Yeah, so what?” he asked, turning away. His voice was rough from the illness. He heard Cadin’s ocean-like laugh.

“So what?” he repeated, mockingly. He sat down on the edge of the bed. “You’re disgracing yourself,” he said quietly. “It’s not natural. She’s beneath you.” that last remark sent him over the edge. Hassen turned on him, green fire blazing in his eyes, a deep growl escaping his throat. It was too late to move, and soon he had driven his brother to the floor. Cadin was momentarily shocked to find that he couldn’t fight the boy off. He then remembered overhearing his parents, talking about how Hassen was too strong for his age. He felt something drip from his hands, still trying to push him away. It fell in his eyes, blinding him as he finally kneed Hassen in the groin. Hassen fell away, gripping the spot while breathing heavily. Cadin stood, wiping red liquid from his eyes. Blood continued to flow from the wounds in his hands.

“What the bloody hell was that?” he asked, panting.

Hassen placed his hand on the wall, gazing fiercely at his sibling. “You know very well what it was,” he hissed, voice deeper than normal. He rose to his full height, clawed hands still clenched. “I used to be one of them, so don’t you dare say she’s beneath me.” froth flew from his lips as he spoke. He looked like a wild animal. Cadin cringed.

“I had forgotten that,” he said quietly. His eyes fell to the floor. He could see the red drops as they fell from his face. His only reply was a rough growl, followed by a series of pained screams. He dared not look up as a large grey streak flew past him. The first few changes were always uncontrollable. In a moment he heard his parents’ cries as Hassen rushed past them, but whether it was fear or joy was unknown. It was bad enough in human form, and he didn’t want to know what damage would be caused when he was in fur.

May you read well and often

Introducing Sworn to Defiance by Terah Edun!

Meet Terah Edun

Terah Edun is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of epic and urban fantasy. Her favorite writers include Mercedes Lackey, Tamora Pierce, Kristin Cashore, Robin Hobb and Maria Snyder.

Connect and Socialize with Terah!

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Blog * Newsletter

Sworn to Defiance by Terah Edun (2014)

Length: 311 pages

Purchase your copy from Amazon!

Sworn to Defiance Blurb: 

Ciardis Weathervane returned to the imperial court of Sandrin to unite her foes. But her efforts hit a stumbling block. The imperial kind. She never thought that before rallying an empire, she'd have to fight the emperor himself.

An imposter sits the throne and the court she turned to for help is in turmoil. Ciardis hasn't survived assassination attempts, torture and really bad luck to be taken down by her own ruler. So she devises a plan. But first she needs to get Sebastian and Thanar to agree. Each seems to love her in their own way. But neither is listening to her. Pushing them to put aside their differences, in an effort to ward off catastrophe, might be harder than displacing an emperor who would do anything to keep his throne.

Butting heads at court isn’t Ciardis’s only problem. With the princess heir’s threat looming she is forced to travel to the mythical city of Kifar, where it is up to her small group to stop the destruction of the entire city while heading a rebellion that could foment a revolution. It wouldn't be the first revolution that Algardis has ever known. But with Ciardis Weathervane at its head - it would certainly be the last.

This fifth novel continues the story of Ciardis Weathervane from Sworn to Secrecy.

May you read well and often

D. S. McKnight - Of Dreams and Shadow

32. Of Dreams and Shadow by D. S. McKnight (2013)
The Forget Me Not Series Book 1
Length: 275 pages
Genre: Paranormal Mystery
Started: 23 May 2014
Finished: 26 May 2014
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Dorothy at Pump up Your Book for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 12 April 2014
Why do I have it? I like paranormal mysteries and D. S. McKnight is a new author for me.

The furthest thing from Jenna Barton's mind is the possibility of an afterlife. We live, and then we die. To be completely honest, the question of whether or not there was anything more to life had never even crossed her mind. However, after moving to the coastal town of Parson's Cove, Jenna is about to find out that there is so much more to this life than only what can be seen.

She is totally heart-broken when she and her mother move to Parson's Cove, North Carolina. As any teenager would, Jenna misses her friends and the life that she had back in her old hometown. Although, given time, Jenna might come to accept her role as the new girl in town.

As a matter of fact, moving to this quaint little coastal town has Jenna stepping right into the middle of an unsolved mystery. Twelve years ago, a little girl named Sarah went missing. Unfortunately, the predator who grabbed her is still on the loose, and unwittingly, Jenna Barton has become his newest obsession. With a little luck and a bit of paranormal help, Jenna just might survive.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I usually enjoy reading stories with paranormal and supernatural touches to the plot, and because this was an unusual, but very intriguing premise; I was completely drawn into the story from the beginning. In my opinion, this story was very well-written and the characters sympathetic and well-developed.

I will certainly be on the look out for more from this author in the future; if that means waiting to read the next book in this series, then so much the better! I give Of Dreams and Shadow by D. S. McKnight a definite A+! 

A+! - (96-100%)

May you read well and often

Introducing The Color of Evil Series by Connie Corcoran Wilson!

Hello everyone! :) I'm delighted to announce that to celebrate the release of Khaki=Killer, book three of Connie Corcoran Wilson's hugely successful The Color of Evil Series, Amazon will be hosting several days of free Kindle downloads for each book in the series. These books will only be free for a short period of time, so you had better hurry and grab your copy today!

The free Kindle downloads begin with The Color of Evil - on May 17th to 21st, 2014! The free Kindle downloads continue with Red is For Rage - free from Amazon from June 26th to June 30th, 2014! The free Kindle downloads conclude with the release of Khaki=Killer - free from Amazon from July 8th to July 12th, 2014!

I had the pleasure of reading the first book in The Color of Evil Series, The Color of Evil, in December of 2012. Ms. Wilson was kind enough to send me copies of the next two books in the series: Red is For Rage and Khaki=Killer as well, so I hope to start reading them sometime very soon.

Meet Connie Corcoran Wilson

Connie (Corcoran) Wilson taught composition at 6 IA/IL colleges and wrote for 5 newspapers. She currently writes for 6 blogs, was named 2008 Content Producer of the Year by Associated Content (2009), Midwestern Writing Center Writer of the Year (March 30, 2010), received the Illinois Women's Press Association Silver Feather Award on June 6, 2012, and has received numerous E-Lit Gold Medal awards for her works, including the first book in The Color of Evil series. She currently is a Featured Contributor for Yahoo, reviewing movies, television, entertainment and politics.

A graduate of the University of Iowa, Berkeley, Western Illinois University, Northern Illinois University and the University of Chicago, she was film and book critic for the Quad City Times during the 70’s and 80’s. Her (Jan., 2011) nonfiction release It Came from the ‘70s: From The Godfather to Apocalypse Now consists of 50 reviews written during the seventies, with 76 photos, major cast and interactive trivia.

Connie’s continuing short story collection, Hellfire and Damnation, stories focused on the 9 Circles of Hell described in Dante's Inferno will soon have a third installment. Her screenplay based on her novel Out of Time was a winner in the 2007 “Writer’s Digest” competition.

In addition to interviewing Kurt Vonnegut, William F. Nolan, David Morrell, Joe Hill, Frederik Pohl, Jon Land, John Irving and Anne Perry for print and online publications, Connie taught for 33 years, founded and was CEO of 2 businesses (Sylvan Learning Center #3301 and Prometric Testing Center #3301), has a son (Scott) and a daughter (Stacey) born 19 years apart, is married 45 years to husband, Craig. Her twin granddaughters, Ava and Elise, who appear on the cover of her humorous book of essays, Laughing Through Life, turned four on January 11, 2013.

She lives in Chicago and in the IA/IL Quad Cities.

The Color of Evil by Connie Corcoran Wilson (2012)

Length: 254 pages

Purchase your copy from Amazon!

The Color of Evil Blurb:

Tad McGreevy has a power that he has never revealed, not even to his life-long best friend, Stevie Scranton. When Tad looks at others, he sees colors. These auras tell Tad whether a person is good or evil. At night, Tad dreams about the evil-doers, reliving their crimes in horrifyingly vivid detail.

But Tad doesn't know if the evil acts he witnesses in his nightmares are happening now, are already over, or are going to occur in the future. He has no control over the horrifying visions. He has been told (by his parents) never to speak of his power. All Tad knows is that he wants to protect those he loves. And he wants the bad dreams to stop.

At Tad's eighth birthday party (April 1, 1995) in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the clown his parents hire to entertain Tad's third-grade classmates is one of the bad people. Pogo, the Killer Clown (aka Michael Clay) is a serial killer. So begins 53 nights of terror as Tad relives Pogo's crime, awakens screaming, and recites the terrifying details to his disbelieving family. The situation becomes so dire that Tad is hospitalized in a private institution under the care of a psychiatrist--who also does not believe the small boy's stories.

And then the police arrest Pogo, the Killer Clown.

Flash forward to the beginning of Tad's junior year in high school, 8 years later. Tad is 16 and recovered from the spring of his third-grade year. When Michael Clay was caught and imprisoned, the crime spree ended and so did Tad's bad dreams.

Until now, in the year of our Lord 2003, when evil once again stalks the land.

This is a terrifying, intense story of the dark people and places that lurk just beneath the surface of seemingly normal small-town America. As one reviewer says, "Wilson nails the darkness beneath the surface of small-town Midwestern life with an intense story based on fact."

Tad must wage a silent war against those who would harm the ones he loves. A battle to the death.

Red is For Rage by Connie Corcoran Wilson (2013)

Length: 260 pages

Purchase your copy from Amazon!

Red is For Rage Blurb:

Red is For Rage is the second book in the award-winning The Color of Evil series by Connie (Corcoran) Wilson. The Color of Evil won the E-Lit Gold Medal for Horror (Jenkins Group), and the Silver Feather (IWPA). 

In Book Two, we learn more about the exact nature of Tad’s paranormal power, Tetrachromatic Super Vision. Can this keen sight help Tad find Stevie Scranton? Will Tad suffer another breakdown from reliving the crimes of serial killer Michael Clay (aka, Pogo, the Killer Clown), as he did when only eight years old? Can Tad learn to harness his special sight to help his loved ones?

When Stevie Scranton goes missing, best friend Tad vows to do everything he can to find him. Even if Stevie is dead, Sally and Earl Scranton, (his parents), and Shannon, (Stevie’s older sister), crave closure. Tad enlists the help of retired policeman Charlie Chandler and a team of volunteers, including Charlie’s old partner, Evelyn Hoeflinger. This rag-tag team of detectives continues searching for Stevie Scranton, the runty misfit of Cedar Falls’ Sky High. In their search, they discover a monster every bit as dangerous as Pogo and must confront him in order to save Stevie.

Tad sees auras around others that tell him whether they are good or evil. The truly evil are surrounded by a khaki aura (THE COLOR OF EVIL). At night, Tad suffers vivid nightmares that depict the crimes of the evil-doers. Michael Clay (the serial killer Pogo) escapes custody. On the loose again, Pogo’s actions restart the vicious cycle of violent nightmares. Pogo poses a threat to the entire town of Cedar Falls, but he is especially a threat to Tad McGreevy.

Pogo has one main goal: kill Tad McGreevy so that Tad cannot disclose Clay’s location. Pogo doesn’t realize that, up until now, Tad has been unable to harness the paranormal ability he possesses. Now, Tad McGreevy must try to learn to use his unique gift. Stevie Scranton’s fate hangs in the balance. Tad’s power, if precognitive, could save everyone he loves.

Jenny SanGiovanni returns from her father’s home in Boulder, Colorado, to finish her senior year with her old classmates. She brings home a new set of problems. Jeremy Gustaffsson, the fifth-year senior boyfriend in Jenny’s junior year, graduated. But Jeremy is still in town, still obsessed with Jenny, still dangerous. When Jenny broke up with Jeremy, it made Jeremy mad. Bad things happen to good people when Jeremy Gustaffsson gets angry and descends into a red rage.

All Jenny’s cheerleader friends from her junior year are back. Many, like Janice Kramer, Heather Crompton and Melody Harris, have problems of their own. Jenny deals with adolescent issues such as self-esteem and self-worth, problems that tax her soul. But Jenny is not alone. Another Sky High student is driven to the brink. Will that individual plunge into the abyss of despair?

And what of the adults? What has the stress of Stevie’s nine-month ordeal done to Earl and Sally Scranton’s marriage? What problems confront the other adults in Cedar Falls as three evil-doers rise up to create chaos and do them harm?

Red is For Rage and rage runs rampant in this small Iowa town in the year of our Lord 2004.

Khaki=Killer by Connie Corcoran Wilson (2014)

Length: 220 pages

Purchase your copy from Amazon!

Khaki=Killer Blurb:

Khaki=Killer, the third novel in The Color of Evil series, follows young Tad McGreevy and friends at Cedar Falls' Sky High Lab School through the second semester of their senior year.

Recently named a "PageTurner" by Shelf Unbound magazine and NABE Pinnacle Thriller winner, the series details the adventures of the young man (Tad McGreevy) with the power to detect auras around others (Tetrachromatic Super Vision) and to relive the crimes of those with "the color of evil" in his dreams. Khaki=Killer.

Praise For The Color of Evil Series:

As reviewer (True Review) Andy Andrews put it: "Wilson makes all this count and mixes the ugly and the good in ways that can turn out to be rewarding for readers...There are moments of a real gift here...deft touches...especially between Stevie (Scranton) and his girlfriend, that are quite touching and even inspired...So, I remain happy to follow this series, I am assuming this series will reach a conclusion and I cannot wait to see how Wilson writes it."

"Connie Corcoran Wilson weaves a deftly fine scalpel in an age where a crude blade is more the norm. Her work is a smooth, subtle hybrid mix of science fiction, thriller, and horror that realizes a unique and pointed vision in the great tradition of Phillip K. Dick and Ray Bradbury. Her voice is a wonder to behold, at once dark and somber while maintaining a glimmer of hope that shines in the hearts of her heroes, who cling to the light. Like Stephen King, nothing escapes her discerning eye, the result of which is tale after tale that bleed life onto the page, both literally and figuratively." - Jon Land, bestselling author of the Caitlin Strong Series

"Connie Wilson is back - She's good! She's DAMN good! In a world of mainly bad-to-fair writers, she stands above the crowd with plot, description , and strong character. Believe me, you'll enjoy her latest! that's a guarantee!...She's a born storyteller!" - William F. Nolan, Living Legend in Dark Fantasy, Logan's Run, Logan's World, Nightworlds

"Wilson's characters come alive on the page. Comparisons to Stephen King, Dean Koontz and Philip K. Dick aside, Wilson has spent 33 years teaching students in this age range. She knows what she is talking about."- Gary Braver, author of Flashback and 8 other thrillers.

"The Color of Evil series is old-school psychological horror, artfully blended with new-school shocks and twists. ..Bravo!" - Jonathan Maberry, New York Times best-selling author, multiple Bram Stoker winner

May you read well and often

Catherine Green - Life in the Palace

31. Life in the Palace by Catherine Green (2014)
The Palace Saga Book 1
Length: 257 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Started: 12 May 2014
Finished: 21 May 2014
Where did it come from? I originally downloaded a copy of this book for free from Smashwords. I downloaded a second copy for free from Amazon.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 21 February 2014 from Smashwords; Since 21 March 2014 from Amazon.
Why do I have it? I like fantasy and Catherine Green is a new author for me. I'm not exactly sure how I ended up downloading two copies of this book - I downloaded the first copy to be part of a Virtual Book Publicity Tour being hosted by Kathy at I am a Reader, Not a Writer. The second copy was an accidental download, but since it was free at the time I kept it.

Chloe Diaz's perfect older sister, Stacy had done the unthinkable when she hopped on the back of her boyfriend's motorcycle and rode off into the sunset. Her parents were furious, and so Chloe became the repository of all her parents' displaced hopes and dreams. It is becoming truly exhausting, so as soon as she's able, Chloe leaves for college several months early.

Once she's enrolled in summer school, Chloe's life begins to change in ways she never expected. She's more than happy to leave the super heroic, save the world missions to her new study partner, Tal - who claims that as one of 'The People', she was sent from 'The Palace' to maintain the cosmic balance between good and evil. Chloe assumes that this is code for "I'm a pamphlet distributing, incense burning, religious weirdo."

Chloe was certain of three things in her life: first of all, boys who looked as gorgeously suave as Seth Wilks never even looked at her twice; second, they sure as heck never claimed she was their soul mate (as appealing as that particular thought might be); and third, there would never come a time in Chloe's life when she would have to choose between following her heart towards her own happiness, and following a much different path towards her destiny. Chloe was wrong; the time for her decision has come...

Now the future of the world is in her hands, but what if the price is too great to pay? Chloe learns that, in the Palace, destiny is not enough...

I must say that I enjoyed reading this book very much. This was a very intriguing and unusual premise; slightly darker and grittier than most readers might expect when they think of religious-themed fantasy, but I found the characters sympathetic and well-developed, the story was well-written and kept my attention engaged through to the end. I certainly want to read the next book in this series - To Call Your Name. I give Life in the Palace by Catherine Green an A! 

A! - (90-95%)
 
May you read well and often

Genevieve Crownson - The Soul of the Sun

30. The Soul of the Sun by Genevieve Crownson (2013)
The Argos Dynasty Series Book 1
Length: 347 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Started: 17 May 2014
Finished: 19 May 2014
Where did it come from? I originally downloaded a copy of this book for free from Amazon; although, many thanks to Dorothy at Pump up Your Book also for sending me another copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 18 February 2014 from Amazon; Since 16 March 2014 from Dorothy
Why do I have it? I like fantasy and Genevieve Crownson is a new author for me.

Since the days of ancient Greece, a mystery has been passed down through the lineage of the Argos dynasty - a secret kept by the descendants of their family from generation to generation - in the hopes that the forces for good will be able to stop the destruction of planet Earth by the forces of evil. Since 1939, Margaret Ingall has been harboring her family's secret. Time is running short for the descendants of the Argos. It is said that a powerful healer and time traveler will be born of their blood. The one who will be called 'The Soul of the Sun'.

However, the only person who knows the true identity of the healer is Margaret's younger sister, Abigail. Before she can reveal the healer's identity, disaster strikes. Evil stalks them, watching and waiting to discover which member of Margaret's family has the ultimate power. Is it Margaret's own child, Astrid? Her beloved granddaughter, Emma? Or even Margaret herself?

Their only clue is a powerful amulet - the family's protection which will lead them all in a dangerous cat-and-mouse game to discover secrets as ancient as time itself. Margaret knows one thing for certain: if the shadowy darkness known as the Watcher discovers the truth before they do, all will be lost. Fate, time and love weave together in their struggle to fulfill their destiny.

Will Margaret's fears sabotage her family's protection? Can the healer accept her gifts in time? And once the Soul of the Sun is finally revealed, will it be too late?

Her power is incredible. The sacrifices required of her are immense. However, will it ultimately be enough to defeat the Watcher?

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The plot was intriguing and fast-paced; the story was engaging, and I was totally engrossed in the story by the end of the first chapter. I found the characters to be very well-developed and sympathetically drawn.

I can't wait to discover what happens next in the series. I give The Soul of the Sun by Genevieve Crownson a definite A! and I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series some time very soon.

A! - (90-95%)

May you read well and often

Introducing Ghost Sanctuary: A Journey Into the Spirit World and God With Actual Video and Photo Evidence by Becky J.!

Meet Becky J.

Becky J. is an equestrian lover and spends her days in Western activities, teaching, riding, training, and breeding horses. For more information about her unusual nonfiction tale, please visit www.GhostSanctuary.com.

Ghost Sanctuary: A Journey Into the Spirit World and God With Actual Video and Photo Evidence by Becky J. (2013)

Length: 166 pages

Purchase your copy from AuthorHouse!

Ghost Sanctuary: A Journey Into the Spirit World and God With Actual Video and Photo Evidence Blurb: 

Ghost Sanctuary is a factual accounting of a family’s struggle with ghosts living in their home. The book explains in detail the happenings faced by the family and their reaction to the invasion of the spirit realm into their own. The book contains fascinating photo and video evidence of what the family has and continues to experience. The author identifies how her own belief in God and the afterlife has helped her to overcome and understand the trials and tribulations of her family’s ordeal.

May you read well and often

Introducing The Luthier's Apprentice by Mayra Calvani!

Meet Mayra Calvani

Mayra Calvani writes fiction and nonfiction for children and adults and has authored over a dozen books, some of which have won awards. Her stories, reviews, interviews and articles have appeared on numerous publications like The Writer, Writer's Journal, Multicultural Review, Bloomsbury Review, and others.

She lives in Belgium with her husband of 25+ years, two wonderful kids, and her two beloved pets. When she's not writing, editing, reading or reviewing, she enjoys walking with her dog, traveling, and spending time with her family. She's represented by Serendipity Literary.

Visit her website at www.MayraCalvani.com.

Connect and Socialize with Mayra!

Twitter * Facebook

The Luthier's Apprentice by Mayra Calvani (2014)

Length: 184 pages

Purchase your copy from Amazon and Barnes and Noble!

The Luthier's Apprentice Blurb:

Niccolò Paganini (1782-1840), one of the greatest violinists who ever lived and rumored to have made a pact with the devil, has somehow transferred unique powers to another…

When violinists around the world mysteriously vanish, 16-year-old Emma Braun takes notice. But when her beloved violin teacher disappears… Emma takes charge. With Sherlock Holmes fanatic, not to mention gorgeous Corey Fletcher, Emma discovers a parallel world ruled by an ex-violinist turned evil sorceress who wants to rule the music world on her own terms.

But why are only men violinists captured and not women? What is the connection between Emma's family, the sorceress, and the infamous Niccolò Paganini?

Emma must unravel the mystery in order to save her teacher from the fatal destiny that awaits him. And undo the curse that torments her family—before evil wins and she becomes the next luthier's apprentice…

May you read well and often

Blog Tour For The Donor Part One by Nikki Rae From June 30, 2014 to July 21, 2014 - Come Join Us!

Hello Everyone! I am extremely happy to announce that Nikki Rae will be touring the blogosphere to promote the first part of her horror novella The Donor. This virtual book tour is being hosted by the author herself and will last from June 30, to July 21, 2014!

Ms. Rae is also doing an awesome giveaway - she is giving away an ebook of The Donor Part One (Just a friendly reminder: this is a serial novella told in parts. Each part is rather short, i. e. 20-30 pages in Word, but all three add up to a novella length) and a $10 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky winner at the end of her Blog Tour. Be sure to fill out the Rafflecopter form below, and I wish you all the very best of good luck in taking part!

The Donor Part One Blog Tour Information:

Meet Nikki Rae

Nikki Rae is a writer who lives in New Jersey. As an independent author, she has appeared numerously on Amazon Best Seller lists and she concentrates on making her imaginary characters as real as possible. Nikki writes mainly dark, scary, romantic tales, but she’ll try anything once. When she is not writing, reading, or thinking, you can find her spending time with animals, drawing in a quiet corner, or studying people. Closely.

Connect and Socialize with Nikki!

Goodreads * Amazon * Facebook * Twitter

About The Donor Part One:

Casey Williams and her family are poor. Her parents work non-stop and so does she, just so they can keep the trailer roof from leaking. They’re getting by fine enough when the headaches start. Then there’s the nosebleeds. And the inevitable doctor’s bills.

Fortunately for Casey, there’s MyTrueMatch.com: an exclusive, quick, and almost easy way to pay it all back before her parents even have to know. All she has to do is give a man she’s never met whatever he wants from her body.

Blog Tour Giveaway of The Donor Part One and a $10 Amazon Gift Card Ends July 21, 2014.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Donor Part One Book Publicity Tour Schedule: 

Monday, June 30: So Bookalicious

Tuesday, July 1: A Reading Nurse

Wednesday, July 2: Dark Obsession Chronicles

Thursday, July 3: Maureen's Books

Friday, July 4: SassyCat's Book Reviews

Saturday, July 5: Books And Other Spells

Sunday, July 6: What's Beyond Forks?

Monday, July 7: My Book Boyfriend

Tuesday, July 8: Lost In A Good Book

Wednesday, July 9: Shayna Varadeaux Books and Reviews

Friday, July 11: Richard Schiver

Saturday, July 12: Emeraldfire's Bookmark

Sunday, July 13: Electively Paige

Monday, July 14: (Release Day Blitz!!!): ALL THE BLOGS

Tuesday, July 15: The Violet Hour Book Reviews

Wednesday, July 16: Pure Jonel

Thursday, July 17: The Bookie Monster

Friday, July 18: The Indigo Quill

Saturday, July 19: All In One Place

Sunday, July 20: Indie Writers Review

Monday, July 21: Best Chick Lit

May you read well and often

Introducing A Woman Possessed by Marilyn Hering!

Meet Marilyn Hering

Marilyn Hering’s father was a weaver at the Paterson silk mill for many years, inspiring her to learn its history and write this book. She has previously been an English teacher, but she is currently dedicating her time to writing the sequel to A Woman Possessed. She lives in Harrington Park, New Jersey.

A Woman Possessed by Marilyn Hering (2011)

Length: 268 pages

Purchase Your Copy From IUniverse!

A Woman Possessed Blurb: 

In 1913, silk mill workers in Paterson, New Jersey, went on strike, demanding an eight-hour work day and better working conditions—reasonable requests that nevertheless led to the arrest of over 1,800 people. Young Eleanor O’Bannion was not arrested, but she was there. Living in the tenements of Paterson, she survived near starvation, poverty, and illness. She survived with the yearnings of love. Her heart belongs to the charismatic and passionate Dante Ravelli, a union leader, supporting the workers at the Great Silk Strike. But can Eleanor trust him to love her back? 

Against her better judgment, she decides to marry Charles Lafferty, the wealthy son of a silk baron. Charles is stable, dependable, and safe. So why does she continue to think about the dashing Ravelli? Eleanor carries her own secret past, and this secret robs her of any happiness as she struggles to look to the future and find fulfilling love with her husband. 

She has survived so much; she knows she will continue to thrive. Any choice she makes will hurt a man she loves. Who will she choose in the end: Ravelli or Charles—or perhaps, her own liberation?

May you read well and often

Introducing Stones of Power: The Exile by Eric Buffington!

Hello everyone! I'm delighted to announce that Eric Buffington, author of the young adult fantasy, Stones of Power: The Exile will be having a Smashwords promotion for his book throughout the entire month of June. Mr. Buffington tells me that the following Smashwords promotional code is good until the end of June, and you will be able to receive a free ebook copy of Stones of Power: The Exile. 

Along with this excellent promotion, Mr. Buffington has told me that his publisher has authorized him to give out another promotional code to give everyone a 33% discount on Book 2 of the series - Stones of Power: The Invasion. Book 2 will be available on June 10, 2014, but is available for pre-order now! Mr. Buffington's goal is to give away 10,000 copies of Stones of Power: The Exile by the end of June!

And, of course, you can all do your part. The promotional codes (which will be provided below) are free for everyone to use. Share them, tweet about them, give them out to your friends. It's a limited time offer, so definitely, take full advantage of it while you can!

Meet Eric Buffington

Eric Buffington was born in Ontario Canada, where he lived until he was eighteen. After that he traveled with a Canadian government program, for one year (what he did is top secret), he then moved to California to serve a two year mission working with the Laotian people.

Shortly after returning home he met the love of his life, moved to Pennsylvania and married her. He has since completed a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in education. He currently lives in Pennsylvania with his wonderfully supportive wife, and their four children. He currently works as a High School math teacher in an online cyber school. You can watch his math lessons on his Youtube channel.

Stones of Power: The Exile by Eric Buffington (2013)

Length: 288 pages

Purchase your copy from Smashwords!

Free until the end of June using this Coupon Code: sw69s

Stones of Power: The Exile Blurb: 

In a world where each person is born with a magic ability, the island of Denall is on the verge of an attack from a power hungry sorcerer, Mordyar, as he scours the world in search of the Stones of Power. While the stones are gathering and their power begins to be revealed, four boys leave their village on a rite of passage into adulthood and are swept into an adventure that will make men and heroes of them, if they can survive.

Stones of Power: The Invasion by Eric Buffington (2014)

Length: 288 pages

Purchase your copy from Smashwords on June 10, 2014!

Now available to pre-order! 33% Discount using this Coupon Code: uk44j

Stones of Power: The Invasion Blurb:

While Kaz and P join forces to overthrow Omer, the holders of the Strength and Magic Stones unite to hunt down Mordyar's minions and discover his plans. With each new discovery they are thrown farther into danger until they find themselves in hopeless peril. Will Prophecy overcome Mordyar's forces as they invade a broken kingdom, or has Fate already turned on the stone holders? The time for hidden silence ends, as the time of strength and magic begins.

May you read well and often

Francesca Pelaccia - The Witch's Salvation

29. The Witch's Salvation by Francesca Pelaccia (2013)
The Witch's Trilogy Book 1
Length: 352 pages
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Started: 28 April 2014
Finished: 8 May 2014
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Dorothy at Pump up Your Book for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 23 March 2014
Why do I have it? I like historical fantasy and Francesca Pelaccia is a new author for me.

Trendy urban princess Anasztasia Senaslau is hiding a secret that only her relatives, family physician, and her best friend Chloe know anything about. Annie is an actual princess, born shockingly mortal in an otherwise immortal family that traces its royal lineage back to the time when Romania was known as the principality of Wallachia. Five and a half centuries before - according to family lore - a witch's humanity was stolen by two immortal families. As punishment, the witch cursed the patriarchs of both families - casting one patriarch from his homeland and imprisoning the other in Wallachia.

Anasztasia has grown up with the knowledge that her grandfather was of the House of Senesti - the patriarch who was exiled so long ago. His counterpart - Alexandru Craiovescu - was the imprisoned patriarch of the House of Barbat. Annie had always been told that on her eighteenth birthday, the Senaslau family would return to Romania and have "the circumstance of her birth": her mortality - in her grandparents' words - "remedied".

Annie has always felt out of place within her family. However, having grown up around immortality all her life, she has never felt like her life was her own. The words of the witch's curse have constantly haunted her, and her fate has always been inevitable. When she is subsequently kidnapped from a royal ball honoring her family's arrival to Romania, Annie has no idea that she and her captor will soon become pawns in the witch's sinister scheme.

Desperate to find out any information about his missing father, Matthias Craiovescu - the mortal grandson of the patriarch of the House of Barbat - agrees to deliver the American princess Anasztasia to his family's immortal nemesis - the witch known as Strigoaic. To ensure Matthias' cooperation, the witch imprisons his best friend Austin within a mirror.

The Houses of Senesti and Barbat had denied her of her humanity. But she could be compassionate; their mortal descendants would be granted immortality - but only if they go back in time and restore the witch's humanity. She will also break the 550-year-old curse which imprisons Matthias' family in their ancestral home.

To make their lives their own, the heirs must return to the most perilous day in their families’ past, Easter Sunday, 1457. This is the day Vlad III, aka Dracula, massacred all nobles and their families involved in the death of his father and older brother. However, is it possible for Anasztasia and Matthias to reverse the past when their families will not speak of their wrongs? How can they possibly refuse when the witch essentially owns their lives?

Comprehensive and deeply engaging, The Witch’s Salvation takes readers on a remarkable journey that spans time, immortality, family curses, and illuminates one of history’s most infamous and notorious figures.

Let me say, first of all, that I've always been fascinated by the life of Vlad III - ever since I watched Dark Prince: The True Story of Dracula, when it came on television in 2000. So, that's initially what made me want to read this book. In my opinion, the plot was well-written and intriguing - the characters sympathetically drawn and fully developed.

This story completely captured my attention, and held it until the end. Ms. Pelaccia is a new author for me and in my opinion, this is an amazing debut. I give this book a definite A+! I absolutely loved this book and am looking forward to reading the next book in the trilogy - The Witch's Monastery.

A+! - (96-100%)

May you read well and often

Blog Tour For The Last Ancient by Eliot Baker From June 2, 2014 to August 29, 2014 - Come Join Us!

Hello Everyone! I am extremely happy to announce that Eliot Baker will be touring the blogosphere to promote his Supernatural Thriller/Historical Mystery The Last Ancient. This virtual book tour is being hosted by Pump up Your Book and will last from June 2, to August 29, 2014!

The Last Ancient Blog Tour Information:

Meet Eliot Baker

Eliot Baker lives in Finland. He teaches communications at a local college and runs an editing and translating business, but would be content singing for his heavy metal band and writing novels full-time. He grew up near Seattle, got his B.A. in World Literature at Pitzer College, and got his M.S. in Science Journalism from Boston University. He was an award-winning journalist at the Nantucket Inquirer and Mirror, and before that he wrote for the Harvard Health Letters. He spent four years pursuing a career in the sciences while at the Harvard Extension School, during which time he spun old people in NASA-designed rocket chairs and kept younger people awake for 86 hours at a time in a sleep deprivation study. He likes good books, all music, and bad movies, and believes music and literature snobs just need a hug.

His latest book is the supernatural thriller/historical mystery, The Last Ancient.

Visit his blog at www.eliotbakerauthor.blogspot.com.

Connect and Socialize with Eliot!

Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads

About The Last Ancient:

Around Nantucket Island, brutal crime scenes are peppered with ancient coins, found by the one man who can unlock their meaning. But what do the coins have to do with the crimes? Or the sudden disease epidemic? Even the creature? And who - or what - left them?

The answer leads reporter Simon Stephenson on a journey through ancient mythology, numismatics, and the occult. Not to mention his own past, which turns out to be even darker than he’d realized; his murdered father was a feared arms dealer, after all. Along the way, Simon battles panic attacks and a host of nasty characters - some natural, others less so - while his heiress fiancee goes bridezilla, and a gorgeous rival TV reporter conceals her own intentions.

Purchase Your Copy From Amazon!

Monday, June 2 - Interview at Between the Covers
Tuesday, June 3 - First Chapter Reveal at Pump Up Your Book
Thursday, June 5 - Guest Blogging at The Story Behind the Book
Monday, June 9 - Book Featured at Examiner
Tuesday, June 10 - Interview at PUYB Virtual Book Club
Wednesday, June 11 - Interview at The Dark Phantom
Thursday, June 12 - Book Featured at The Literary Nook
Monday, June 16 - Interview at As the Page Turns
Tuesday, June 17 - Interview at Fabulous and Fun
Wednesday, June 18 - Book Featured at What Is That Book About
Thursday, June 19 - Book Featured at Laurie’s Thoughts and Reviews
Monday, June 23 - Interview at Beyond the Books
Tuesday, June 24 - Book Featured at Mom With a Kindle
Wednesday, June 25 - Interview at Straight From the Author’s Mouth
Thursday, June 26 - Interview at Workaday Reads
Friday, June 27 - First Chapter Reveal at The Book Rack
Monday, July 7 - Interview at The Writer’s Life
Tuesday, July 8 - Character Interview at The Literary Nook
Wednesday, July 9 - Book Review at Deal Sharing Aunt
Thursday, July 10 - Book Review at Bound 4 Escape
Monday, July 14 - First Chapter Reveal at Literarily Speaking
Tuesday, July 15 - Book Featured at Cheryl’s Book Nook
Wednesday, July 16 - Guest Blogging at Lori’s Reading Corner
Wednesday, July 16 - Book Review at The Crime Scene
Thursday, July 17 - Guest Blogging at Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews
Monday, July 21 - Book Featured at Plug Your Book
Tuesday, July 22 - Book Review at Emeraldfire’s Bookmark
Wednesday, July 23 - Character Guest Post at As the Page Turns
Thursday, July 24 - Book Review at I Heart Reading
Monday, July 28 - Interview at SheWrites
Tuesday, July 29 - Book Review at So I Read This Book Today
Thursday, July 31 - Book Featured at CBY Book Club
Monday, August 4 - Interview at Blogcritics
Tuesday, August 5 - Book Review at Mary’s Cup of Tea
Wednesday, August 6 - Interview at Virginia Beach Publishing Examiner
Thursday, August 7 - Book Review at Bless Their Hearts Mom
Monday, August 11 - Interview at Literarily Speaking
Tuesday, August 12 - Book Featured at Booklover Sue
Wednesday, August 13 - Guest Blogging at Curling Up By The Fire
Thursday, August 14 - Interview at Allvoices
Monday, August 18 - Interview at Review From Here
Tuesday, August 19 - Interview at As the Pages Turn
Wednesday, August 20 - Guest Blogging at The Writer’s Life
Thursday, August 21 - Book Review at Hanging on Every Word
Monday, August 25 - Interview at I’m Shelf-ish
Wednesday, August 27 - Book Review at Svetlana’s Reads and Views
Thursday, August 28 - Book Review at Written Love
Friday, August 29 - Book Tour Highlights at PUYB Virtual Book Club

May you read well and often

Calling All Book Reviewers!

Hello everyone! :) I hope that you are all having a wonderful day today. I know that I am! ;) Anyway, I recently received an email from author Connie Corcoran Wilson, and because I think she is such a remarkable writer, I thought that I would make a request of all the readers of Emeraldfire's Bookmark.

Like so many authors out there, Ms. Wilson is always on the look out for more reviewers for her books. All that is required from these potential reviewers, is a willingness to read the book, and also to write a fair and honest review of what you read. As I've said before, this is just a request of all the readers of my blog - but if you do decide to review any of the books in The Color of Evil Series, I would appreciate it very much! And I know that Ms. Wilson would as well. ;)
   

Meet Connie Corcoran Wilson

Connie (Corcoran) Wilson taught composition at 6 IA/IL colleges and wrote for 5 newspapers. She currently writes for 6 blogs, was named 2008 Content Producer of the Year by Associated Content (2009), Midwestern Writing Center Writer of the Year (March 30, 2010), received the Illinois Women's Press Association Silver Feather Award on June 6, 2012, and has received numerous E-Lit Gold Medal awards for her works, including the first book in The Color of Evil series. She currently is a Featured Contributor for Yahoo, reviewing movies, television, entertainment and politics.

A graduate of the University of Iowa, Berkeley, Western Illinois University, Northern Illinois University and the University of Chicago, she was film and book critic for the Quad City Times during the 70’s and 80’s. Her (Jan., 2011) nonfiction release It Came from the ‘70s: From The Godfather to Apocalypse Now consists of 50 reviews written during the seventies, with 76 photos, major cast and interactive trivia.

Connie’s continuing short story collection, Hellfire and Damnation, stories focused on the 9 Circles of Hell described in Dante's Inferno will soon have a third installment. Her screenplay based on her novel Out of Time was a winner in the 2007 “Writer’s Digest” competition.

In addition to interviewing Kurt Vonnegut, William F. Nolan, David Morrell, Joe Hill, Frederik Pohl, Jon Land, John Irving and Anne Perry for print and online publications, Connie taught for 33 years, founded and was CEO of 2 businesses (Sylvan Learning Center #3301 and Prometric Testing Center #3301), has a son (Scott) and a daughter (Stacey) born 19 years apart, is married 45 years to husband, Craig. Her twin granddaughters, Ava and Elise, who appear on the cover of her humorous book of essays, Laughing Through Life, turned four on January 11, 2013.

She lives in Chicago and in the IA/IL Quad Cities.

The Color of Evil by Connie Corcoran Wilson (2012)

Length: 254 pages

Purchase your copy from Amazon!

The Color of Evil Blurb:

Tad McGreevy has a power that he has never revealed, not even to his life-long best friend, Stevie Scranton. When Tad looks at others, he sees colors. These auras tell Tad whether a person is good or evil. At night, Tad dreams about the evil-doers, reliving their crimes in horrifyingly vivid detail.

But Tad doesn't know if the evil acts he witnesses in his nightmares are happening now, are already over, or are going to occur in the future. He has no control over the horrifying visions. He has been told (by his parents) never to speak of his power. All Tad knows is that he wants to protect those he loves. And he wants the bad dreams to stop.

At Tad's eighth birthday party (April 1, 1995) in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the clown his parents hire to entertain Tad's third-grade classmates is one of the bad people. Pogo, the Killer Clown (aka Michael Clay) is a serial killer. So begins 53 nights of terror as Tad relives Pogo's crime, awakens screaming, and recites the terrifying details to his disbelieving family. The situation becomes so dire that Tad is hospitalized in a private institution under the care of a psychiatrist--who also does not believe the small boy's stories.

And then the police arrest Pogo, the Killer Clown.

Flash forward to the beginning of Tad's junior year in high school, 8 years later. Tad is 16 and recovered from the spring of his third-grade year. When Michael Clay was caught and imprisoned, the crime spree ended and so did Tad's bad dreams.

Until now, in the year of our Lord 2003, when evil once again stalks the land.

This is a terrifying, intense story of the dark people and places that lurk just beneath the surface of seemingly normal small-town America. As one reviewer says, "Wilson nails the darkness beneath the surface of small-town Midwestern life with an intense story based on fact."

Tad must wage a silent war against those who would harm the ones he loves. A battle to the death.

Red is For Rage by Connie Corcoran Wilson (2013)

Length: 260 pages

Purchase your copy from Amazon!

Red is For Rage Blurb:

Red is For Rage is the second book in the award-winning The Color of Evil series by Connie (Corcoran) Wilson. The Color of Evil won the E-Lit Gold Medal for Horror (Jenkins Group), and the Silver Feather (IWPA).

In Book Two, we learn more about the exact nature of Tad’s paranormal power, Tetrachromatic Super Vision. Can this keen sight help Tad find Stevie Scranton? Will Tad suffer another breakdown from reliving the crimes of serial killer Michael Clay (aka, Pogo, the Killer Clown), as he did when only eight years old? Can Tad learn to harness his special sight to help his loved ones?

When Stevie Scranton goes missing, best friend Tad vows to do everything he can to find him. Even if Stevie is dead, Sally and Earl Scranton, (his parents), and Shannon, (Stevie’s older sister), crave closure. Tad enlists the help of retired policeman Charlie Chandler and a team of volunteers, including Charlie’s old partner, Evelyn Hoeflinger. This rag-tag team of detectives continues searching for Stevie Scranton, the runty misfit of Cedar Falls’ Sky High. In their search, they discover a monster every bit as dangerous as Pogo and must confront him in order to save Stevie.

Tad sees auras around others that tell him whether they are good or evil. The truly evil are surrounded by a khaki aura (THE COLOR OF EVIL). At night, Tad suffers vivid nightmares that depict the crimes of the evil-doers. Michael Clay (the serial killer Pogo) escapes custody. On the loose again, Pogo’s actions restart the vicious cycle of violent nightmares. Pogo poses a threat to the entire town of Cedar Falls, but he is especially a threat to Tad McGreevy.

Pogo has one main goal: kill Tad McGreevy so that Tad cannot disclose Clay’s location. Pogo doesn’t realize that, up until now, Tad has been unable to harness the paranormal ability he possesses. Now, Tad McGreevy must try to learn to use his unique gift. Stevie Scranton’s fate hangs in the balance. Tad’s power, if precognitive, could save everyone he loves.

Jenny SanGiovanni returns from her father’s home in Boulder, Colorado, to finish her senior year with her old classmates. She brings home a new set of problems. Jeremy Gustaffsson, the fifth-year senior boyfriend in Jenny’s junior year, graduated. But Jeremy is still in town, still obsessed with Jenny, still dangerous. When Jenny broke up with Jeremy, it made Jeremy mad. Bad things happen to good people when Jeremy Gustaffsson gets angry and descends into a red rage.

All Jenny’s cheerleader friends from her junior year are back. Many, like Janice Kramer, Heather Crompton and Melody Harris, have problems of their own. Jenny deals with adolescent issues such as self-esteem and self-worth, problems that tax her soul. But Jenny is not alone. Another Sky High student is driven to the brink. Will that individual plunge into the abyss of despair?

And what of the adults? What has the stress of Stevie’s nine-month ordeal done to Earl and Sally Scranton’s marriage? What problems confront the other adults in Cedar Falls as three evil-doers rise up to create chaos and do them harm?

Red is For Rage and rage runs rampant in this small Iowa town in the year of our Lord 2004.

Khaki=Killer by Connie Corcoran Wilson (2014)

Length: 220 pages

Purchase your copy from Amazon!

Khaki=Killer Blurb:

Khaki=Killer, the third novel in The Color of Evil series, follows young Tad McGreevy and friends at Cedar Falls' Sky High Lab School through the second semester of their senior year.

Recently named a "PageTurner" by Shelf Unbound magazine and NABE Pinnacle Thriller winner, the series details the adventures of the young man (Tad McGreevy) with the power to detect auras around others (Tetrachromatic Super Vision) and to relive the crimes of those with "the color of evil" in his dreams. Khaki=Killer.

Praise For The Color of Evil Series:

As reviewer (True Review) Andy Andrews put it: "Wilson makes all this count and mixes the ugly and the good in ways that can turn out to be rewarding for readers...There are moments of a real gift here...deft touches...especially between Stevie (Scranton) and his girlfriend, that are quite touching and even inspired...So, I remain happy to follow this series, I am assuming this series will reach a conclusion and I cannot wait to see how Wilson writes it."

"Connie Corcoran Wilson weaves a deftly fine scalpel in an age where a crude blade is more the norm. Her work is a smooth, subtle hybrid mix of science fiction, thriller, and horror that realizes a unique and pointed vision in the great tradition of Phillip K. Dick and Ray Bradbury. Her voice is a wonder to behold, at once dark and somber while maintaining a glimmer of hope that shines in the hearts of her heroes, who cling to the light. Like Stephen King, nothing escapes her discerning eye, the result of which is tale after tale that bleed life onto the page, both literally and figuratively." - Jon Land, bestselling author of the Caitlin Strong Series

"Connie Wilson is back - She's good! She's DAMN good! In a world of mainly bad-to-fair writers, she stands above the crowd with plot, description , and strong character. Believe me, you'll enjoy her latest! that's a guarantee!...She's a born storyteller!" - William F. Nolan, Living Legend in Dark Fantasy, Logan's Run, Logan's World, Nightworlds

"Wilson's characters come alive on the page. Comparisons to Stephen King, Dean Koontz and Philip K. Dick aside, Wilson has spent 33 years teaching students in this age range. She knows what she is talking about."- Gary Braver, author of Flashback and 8 other thrillers.

"The Color of Evil series is old-school psychological horror, artfully blended with new-school shocks and twists. ..Bravo!" - Jonathan Maberry, New York Times best-selling author, multiple Bram Stoker winner

May you read well and often