Title: The Stench of Honolulu
Author: Jack Handley
Narrator: Jack Handley
Pub. Date: July 16 2013
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Length: 3 hours
Audio book Info:
The legendary Deep Thoughts and New Yorker humorist Jack Handey is back with his very first novel-a hilarious, absurd, far-flung adventure tale.
THE STENCH OF HONOLOLU
Are you a fan of books in which famous tourist destinations are repurposed as unlivable hellholes for no particular reason? Read on!
Jack Handey's exotic tale is full of laugh-out-loud twists and unforgettable characters whose names escape me right now. A reliably unreliable narrator and his friend, who is some other guy, need to get out of town. They have a taste for adventure, so they pay a visit to a relic of bygone days-a travel agent-and discover an old treasure map. She might have been a witch, by the way. Our heroes soon embark on a quest for the Golden Monkey, which takes them into the mysterious and stinky foreign land of Honolulu. There, they meet untold dangers, confront strange natives, kill and eat Turtle People, kill some other things and people, eat another thing, and discover the ruins of ancient civilizations.
As our narrator says, "The ruins were impressive. But like so many civilizations, they forgot the rule that might have saved them: Don't let vines grow all over you."
Author/Narrator Info:
Jack Handey's bestselling books include the Deep Thoughts series, What I'd Say to the Martiansand Other Veiled Threats, and Fuzzy Memories. Jack's writing for Saturday Night Live is known worldwide. He has won two Emmy Awards and a Writers Guild of America Award, and his humor has been published in The New Yorker, Playboy, and National Lampoon. Jack's quotations recently appeared in his own line of American Greetings cards.
My review:
I did enjoy this audio book it was very funny. However while I thought it was very funny, I did not feel like there was much of a plot to this audio book, it was more like the author/narrator was just doing standup instead of reading an audiobook. I am a very big fan of Christopher Moore so I thought this author might have a simular style of writting but alas, Jack Handley did not, so I was dissapointed in this audio book as well. Also not all of the jokes were funny in this audio it was sometimes a hit or miss but that happens alot with comedy.
The narration of this audio book was good. I was actually plesantly surprised with it because usually when authors narrate their own audio books its not good. There were different voices/personalities for the characters and the tone of the narrator's/author's voice was very pleasing to listen to and made for an enjoyable listen!
Overall I think I would recommend this book to people who are fans of this authors writting style or who like humourous books but this audio book is not for everyone.
Welcome to Novel Publicity's latest publishing house blog tour. Join us as two new titles from Luminis Books--we're calling them the Luminis Duo--tour the blogosphere in a way that just can't be ignored. And, hey, we've got prizes!
About the book:
Would you risk your life--or your soul--for the sake of art?
Born into an impoverished Hawaiian family in the 1960s, Maile Manoa's quest for a life in music lures her to the high-stakes world of European opera. In Salzburg, Austria she attracts the attentions of powerful men and falls in love--with a troubled young musician, with the city, and the intrigue that surrounds her.
When Werner von Wehlen, the famous conductor at the center of Salzburg's glamorous music festival, offers her a leading role, she is forced to confront the Nazi heart of the classical music scene and von Wehlen's treacherous past.
With Soviet tanks threatening to invade the city on the evening of her much-anticipated premiere, Maile must choose between recognition on the world stage or leaving the city with her life--and her conscience--intact.
This debut novel hits all the right notes--following in the spell-casting footsteps of Ann Patchett's Bel Canto.
Pick up your copy of this Literary/ Historical through Amazon US, Amazon UK, or Barnes & Noble.
About the author:
Originally from Hawaii, Waimea Williams spent a decade in Austria and Germany as an opera singer and has received fiction awards from Glimmer Train, The Lorian Hemingway Competition, and Salamander Review. She has enjoyed the honor of a writing residency at the Ragdale Foundation, and her short story “Vienna Quartet With Dog” received First Prize from the Charlton Review in 2012. She currently lives near Honolulu. Connect with Waimea on her website, Facebook, or GoodReads.
About the prizes:
Who doesn't love prizes? You could win either of two $25 Amazon gift cards, an autographed copy of Aloha, Mozart by Waimea Williams, or an autographed copy of its tour mate, Maybe I Will by Laurie Gray. Here's what you need to do...
Enter the Rafflecopter contest
Leave a comment on my blog.
That's it! One random commenter during this tour will win a $25 gift card. Visit more blogs for more chances to win--the full list of participating bloggers can be found here. The other $25 gift card and the 3 autographed books will be given out via Rafflecopter. You can find the contest entry form linked below or on the official Luminis Duo tour page via Novel Publicity. Good luck!
Luminis Books was launched in January, 2010 by husband and wife team Tracy Richardson and Chris Katsaropoulos with a mission to publish thought-provoking literary fiction for children and adults. We publish what we love: Meaningful Books That Entertain. Our award-winning books engage and inform readers and explore a wide range of topics from love and relationships, teen sexual assault and homelessness to string theory, consciousness, and the Universal Energy Field. Luminis Books is a proudly independent publisher located in Carmel, IN. Learn more at www.luminisbooks.com.
My Review: I thought this book was ok. It was a different read for me which I appriciated but I just didnt find myself enjoying the book. I wanted to enjoy it because I thought this book is right up my alley, but I was disappointed with it. I think it was a couple things that made me just not like this book. First, I found that I could not really connect to this book and found it boring. Second, while I enjoyed the fact that it took place in the 60s, so some history was presented, I think the setting was somewhat out of place. I think it might have been more interesting if this took place back in the time of Mozart and all the other famous composers because when I think of the 60s I do not think of opera or classical music. This would have been great if the main character would have time travelled back to that time even. The last thing that made me disappointed with this back is that I found the main character and the other characters not well written either. For these reasons I would have to say that I do not recommend this book, it just wasnt for me but someone else may enjoy it.
Book Info: At fifteen, Anaii is the most important member of her tribe—and the most mysterious. Ever since Anaii can remember, the spirits of the wind have whispered of fertile hunting grounds and imminent enemy attacks. But when her people are ambushed by a brother clan without any apparent cause, the spirits remain eerily silent. As the village prepares to retaliate, Anaii is pressured by her best friend, Elan, to marry him. It’s an old plea—Elan has spent a lifetime loving her, but Anaii only sees a childhood playmate out of an imposing warrior. Stifled by Elan’s insistence, Anaii escapes into the forest where she meets Jayttin, the beautiful son of the enemy chief.
Enamored by Jayttin’s carefree spirit and hope for peace, she repeatedly sneaks away to be with him, but when her deception is discovered, Elan is devastated. Pledging his lifelong affection, Elan gives her a passionate kiss, and Anaii begins to see her friend in a new light. While Anaii is tormented over which man she must choose, the wind whispers of a new threat that could destroy both tribes. Only a union will afford a chance at survival, but the reality of that union is based on one thing—which man Anaii chooses to die.
Cover: Here is the cover that was created by Janice Duke!......................................................................
Title: The Irresistable Blueberry Bakeshop and Cafe
Author: Mary Simses
Narrator: Erin Bennett
Pub. Date: July 15 2013
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Length: 10 hours 15 Minutes
Audiobook Info:
A high-powered Manhattan attorney finds love, purpose, and the promise of a simpler life in her grandmother's hometown.
Ellen Branford is going to fulfill her grandmother's dying wish - to find the hometown boy she once loved, and give him her last letter. Ellen leaves Manhattan and her Kennedy-esque fiancee for Beacon, Maine. What should be a one-day trip is quickly complicated when she almost drowns in the chilly bay and is saved by a local carpenter. The rescue turns Ellen into something of a local celebrity, which may or may not help her unravel the past her grandmother labored to keep hidden. As she learns about her grandmother and herself, it becomes clear that a 24-hour visit to Beacon may never be enough. The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Cafe is a warm and delicious debut about the power of a simpler life.
My review:
This was such a cute, fun, and charming story that I wish I could have said I enjoyed but alas, it was ruined for me because of bad narration. The story in itself has great characters and settings
(I wish I could go to this cafe)! The plot is a little cliche (it has been done many times before), however I still liked the story. The audiobook also has a great title, however with these winning combinations you would think you would have a great narrator but it didnt.
This narrator while she had a nice sounding voice and tone, she didnt have a great peformance. All the characters sounded the same, you could not distingush between her reading the story or being a character in the story. This frustrated me a great bit because I like narrators who are animated which this one might have been but the key is you need to give each character a different personality or voice which I think this audio presentation was missing.
I would not recommend the audio version of this book. I would however recommend the print version of it because its a great story that as I said above its a fun, cute, and charming read!
I would like to thank Mitch from Hachette for letting me listen to and review this audiobook!
WUTHERING NIGHTS Romantics everywhere have been enthralled by Emily Bronte's classic novel of the tragic love between beautiful, spirited Catherine Earnshaw and dark, brooding Heathcliff. The restrained desire between these two star-crossed lovers has always smoldered on the page. And now it ignites into an uncontrollable blaze. In WUTHERING NIGHTS, writer I.J. Miller reimagines this timeless story to reveal the passion between Catherine and Heathcliff--in all its forbidden glory.
Set against the stark, raw beauty of the English moors, Heathcliff, an abandoned orphan, recognizes his soulmate in wild, impulsive Catherine, the only woman who can tame his self-destructive nature. And Catherine cannot deny the all-consuming desire she feels for him, despite his low birth. Together they engage in a fiery affair--one that will possess them, enslave them, and change their destinies forever...
Author Info:
IJ Miller is the author of five, distinct, literary, erotic works of fiction: SEESAW was translated into two languages, with over 130,000 copies in print; WHIPPED appeared in both English and German; SEX AND LOVE, a collection of short stories, made its debut in the summer of 2011; CLIMBING THE STAIRS, a novella, was released just a year later. WUTHERING NIGHTS makes its e-book debut on Jan. 29, 2013 and will be in bookstores on April 23, 2013. Miller has a Master of Fine Arts from the American Film Institute and has taught creative writing and screenwriting at the university level.
Visit IJ at ijmiller.com.
My review:
First I must admit that I have never read the original Wuthering Heights but I thought I would give this Erotic Retelling of Wuthering Heights a try. I was disappointed in the book. I thought the book was boring but I also thought it was terrible in that I felt some of the sex in this book was forced (and that is never ok!!!). I had trouble finishing this book but I stuck it out and found myself not enjoying it at all. It also makes me wonder why this book was even thought of? Why mess with the original? Have this bad experience though still wont deter me from reading the original and I suggest that my readers here do that skip this book and stick to the orginal because I wouldnt reccomend this version at all.
THE EX-WIFE She's the hottest relationship expert around. Her get-real advice and tough-world experience have earned Ayana Blue money, fame, and a successful life she never imagined. And handsome Realtor Cameron Small is the sexy, steady Mr. Right she wasn't looking for yet always hoped she'd find. But Cam's unstable, in-denial ex-wife, Yasmin, isn't about to let him go-or allow anyone else take "her place." And if that means wrecking everything Ayana has worked so hard to build, then so be it.
Now with her peace of mind shattered, her private business in the hole, and her reputation on the line, Ayana needs to figure out fast which dreams she can save, and what she'll have to let go. When it comes down to the ex-wife v. the next-wife, the only thing guaranteed is a scorched-earth battle-and it's winner takes all . . .
Author Info:
Candice Dow is a native of Baltimore, MD and graduate of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Johns Hopkins University. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked as a Software Engineer. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Rho Xi Omega Chapter in Baltimore. Candice is a frequent traveler and loves to analyze love, life, and relationships, and seeks to expose the answers in works of fiction.
Candice's titles include Caught in the Mix, Ain't No Sunshine, A Hire Love, and Tappin' On Thirty.
To share your thoughts with Candice, please email her at candice@candicedow.com. She would love to hear from you.
My review:
This book was well written, however I found the book dull and did not enjoy it. Stories like this have been told over and over again it ashame that this plot wasnt fresh because this author has talent. I have read other works by this author and this one certainly is not one of her best. Another thing that I dont like about this book is that although you can see to happening to some extent in real life, I think it still shows a sterotypical point of view. I of course do not think this is a good thing. I would not recommend this book some people may like it but the book was just not for me. Its not a profound, fun, or beach read, its just pulp.
In The Age of Akra, a pilgrimage to the Valley of a Thousand Thoughts brings together four children as an ancient prophecy is set in motion. Having triumphed against dangerous adversaries, Mai, Long, Akra and Sahib are now pursued by the melkarie and must escape to the City of Souls. In the land of Naroan, in a city hidden under a blanket of living green, they are confronted with the challenge to find the Singing Soul.
But the underworld has other plans, and a beast so fierce is conjured to stop the children from finding anything that will add to the power to the prophecy of the seven nations.
Vacen Taylor is an author, writer, storyteller, occasional artist and amateur photographer. She describes her writing as a basic prose style with the occasional splash of creative penning. She collects comics and loves superheroes, anime and science.
Giveaway Details
$10 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Open Internationally
Ends 9/8/13
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the publisher. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
*An additional $10 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash is available to anyone who shares this giveaway on their blog by 9/8/13 See link in the rafflecopter form.
Author Rachael Renee Anderson
Rachael Anderson is the author of five novels (Working It Out, The Reluctant Bachelorette, Minor Adjustments, Luck of the Draw, and Divinely Designed) and two novellas (Twist of Fate, from the All I Want anthology and The Meltdown Match from The Timeless Romance Anthology: Summer Wedding Collection). She's the mother of four and is pretty good at breaking up fights, or at least sending guilty parties to their rooms. She can't sing, doesn't dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.
Working It OutA chance encounter . . .Grace Warren's life is safe and predictable—exactly the way she likes it. But when she gets roped into going to an auction to help out a friend, everything changes. She meets Seth Tuttle—a guy who unexpectedly kisses her then disappears, leaving her flustered and upset. If she never sees him again, it will be too soon. A chance for love . . .Weeks later, when Seth limps into Grace's rehab clinic post surgery, she immediately recognizes him. Unfortunately, he's every bit as frustrating and annoying as she remembered. Yet there's something about him that makes her second-guess her carefully placed boundaries even though he's everything she's sure she doesn't want in a man. But maybe Seth is exactly what Grace has needed all along—assuming she's willing to risk safe and predictable for a chance at love.
Excerpt 1
Her eyes continued to search his face—well, more like probe—as though she could see into his mind and thoughts. She held up the brochure she carried, showing Seth the face of the bachelor he’d just bid twenty grand for. He took it from her to get a closer look.
“What do you plan to do about the incredibly expensive date you won?” she asked.
Seth scanned through Cameron’s bio, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He returned the brochure back to her and tapped the page. “Experience an unforgettable day of high adventure, apparently. Sorry if I, uh, took that away from you.”
She looked completely unfazed, as though this strange situation happened all the time. “You know he’s not gay, right?”
“I made that assumption, yes,” Seth said, wondering what was going through that pretty head of hers. “Why? Are you hoping I’ll hand the date off to you since I’m clearly not gay either?”
“Aren’t you?”
The way she said it made Seth’s jaw work back and forth. She looked so confident, so unshakable, reminding him of someone who got under his skin on a regular basis—Lanna. Except the two women looked nothing alike. Lanna was petite and fair, whereas this woman was taller, with darker hair and a darker complexion. But that expression—that impassivity—exactly the same. Maybe Lanna had given her lessons.
Yet for whatever reason, it bothered Seth that this woman might think he preferred men to women. “No, I’m not.”
“Then you won’t mind if I do borrow that date from you. I’m sure Cameron would prefer me over you anyway.”
If she didn’t look so sure of herself, Seth would have said, “Have it, it’s yours.” But something in the way she said it made Seth bristle. “Yes, I would mind, actually. I happen to like ziplining, parasailing, and . . . romantic horseback rides.”
“And Cameron, apparently.”
Seth took a step forward, leaning close so his eyes were only inches from hers. “Like I told you, I’m not gay.”
“Oh yeah? Prove it. Give me the da—”
Seth immediately dipped his head slightly and covered her mouth with his. Her lips were warm and soft, and she smelled faintly of citrus. For a second, it seemed like she responded, but then she planted her palms against his chest and shoved him away.
Forever Romance has their FIRST serialized novel out- THE DINING CLUB by Marina Anderson!
This erotica novel: published with 8 installments, one out each week-
with DESIRE: Part One out today (for special .99 price!), and continuing through October 1st.
For fans of New York Times bestselling authors E. L. James, Sylvia Day, and J. Kenner or anyone who loves a sexy story- each gorgeous cover and installment will reel in readers and have them waiting for the next!
Novella Info:
Young, ambitious theatre director Grace has no time for distractions, but she just cannot resist enigmatic city financier, David. Alluring, charismatic and an incredible lover - David never lets Grace get too close. So when he invites her to a weekend at his private club, Grace is thrilled.
Arriving at the secluded location, and excited by her nerves, David reveals the truth behind the Dining Club: a place where guests are taught to open their minds, and their bodies to erotic challenges. If she passes the tests, she is promised ecstasy beyond her wildest fantasies. If she fails, she's forbidden to ever set foot in the exclusive club again. But even as David's seductive commands make Grace feel more daring than ever before, she begins to fear for their future. What if she fails one of the Club's tantalizing trials? Will David still want her or will she lose him forever?
Today I am participating in a blog tour for the book Herstory. I will also have a guest post here on my blog with this author so I would like to thank her and welcome her to my blog!
In ancient times, women were regarded as sacred. They were thought to hold the
mystical power of creation—responsible for the continuation of our species. With
the rise of science and religion, these myths were dispelled and their plight
began.
HerStory: Fiction Honoring Women’s History Month is a
collection of flash fiction and short stories from today’s top authors featuring
female characters that exemplify strength of mind, body, and character. Some of
these tales are based on real people while others are purely fictional. However,
all are standing up for themselves and what they believe in.
Grab
yourself a glass of wine or favorite hot beverage and get comfortable as you
read about the lives of women who will light the fire in your soul.
This
anthology features stories by Alexandra Chauran, Angelique Mroczka, Dahlia
DeWinters, Danielle Villano, Dianne Hartsock, Dorothy L. Abrams, Gina Tonnis,
Mary Terrani, Jodie Baptie, Justine Dee, Laura DeLuca, Lisa A. Adams, Lisa
Cerezo, Lisa J. Yarde, Lori Beth Johnson, Lorraine Nelson, Marie Antonia
Parsons, Megan D. Martin, Michelle Cornwell-Jordan, Mirella Patzer, Morgan
Summerfield, Becca Diane, Lacey Wolfe, Sarah Cass, Shelli Rosewarne, Tara
Chevrestt, and Toni Rakestraw.
“Who has
authorization on-site at the moment then?”
One of the
foremen shifted uncomfortably.
“We have
two first-aiders underground, but we don’t know if they might be injured too.”
Maud shook
her head. “If they’re badly injured, they can go into shock when they get
moved. They need a shot first.”
He glanced
away. “There’s no one who can do it,” he said simply.
Before she
realized what she was saying, Maud replied, “There’s me.”
The yard
almost turned as one to stare at her.
The foreman
coughed. “Er, ma’am, you know that’s not possible. Women aren’t allowed
underground.”
She glared.
“Are you prepared to let people die because of that? Robbie Stanham, I knew
your mother and God bless her soul, she would be ashamed.”
He flushed
under the layer of coal dust and looked away.
“It ain’t
safe, ma’am,” he muttered, but she knew he was only saying it for show.
She
paused—was she really going to do this? Not only was it dangerous, but even if
she made it out again safely, she would be in world of trouble … maybe even
lose her job. Harry might be down there … or Danny. Even if they’re not, it’s
someone’s husband, someone’s son … you owe it to them.
She squared
her shoulders. “Someone get me a helmet.”
By the time
she was decked-out in overalls three sizes too big for her with an overlarge
helmet weighing down her head, she doubted her sanity. This was crazy—she’d
never been underground before. While she supposed she might have been a little
curious, both the rules and a well-placed sense of self-preservation had kept
it at just curiosity.
She
carefully checked her pack—that was the main thing, getting the first-aid
supplies down to those who couldn’t be moved safely without them. Focus, Maud.
Lives are at stake here … this is what your job is about, remember? She stepped
gingerly toward the entrance, where half a dozen waited to go with her. She was
grateful, knowing they could be risking discipline as well simply by helping her.
Lord, it
looks dark.She peered into the gaping hole in the earth. As though he read her
thoughts, one of the men stepped forward and gently flicked on the light on top
of her helmet. She smiled a little sheepishly at him and muttered her thanks.
The small bulb gave a pale watery glow, only seeming to deepen the shadows. You
volunteered for this. No backing out now. She shook herself and stepped into
the blackness.
It was like
stepping into another world. The darkness was so thick she could barely see a
few steps in front of her. The lights from their helmets and the lantern one of
the men carried reflected off the gray walls. As they moved away from the
entrance, the passages became narrower, the roof lower. Maud could almost feel
the dirt and stone pressing in on her. The light of the day didn’t penetrate
here and she could feel the cold and damp seeping through the heavy overalls.
She tried to take deep breaths, but that just seemed to fill her lungs with
dust and she found herself coughing.
The man
ahead of her turned back. “Are you okay?”
She forced
herself to nod and he smiled briefly at her.
“Always bad
your first time down. Turn your collar up and take shallow breaths.”
She did as
he suggested and although it helped a little with the dust, she felt the cold
settling into her bones. She tried to concentrate on the broad back of the man
in front of her.
Lord, she
couldn’t imagine doing this every day!
She focused
on the monotony, the stepping forward, the lamps set at intervals down the
passageway, the stamping of their footsteps and the constant grayness around
them. She didn’t even notice the man in front of her had stopped until she
nearly ran into the back of him. He turned to her and gestured to a slumped
form on the ground. Maud carefully stepped round him, gesturing for the man
with the lamp to come forward, as she crouched down beside the fallen miner.
The warm glow of the lamp glinted on his blood-stained form and the white shine
of bone poking through his shin. She gently touched his shoulder and he turned
pain-filled eyes her way.
“Am I
dead?” he whispered.
She tried
to smile reassuringly. “No, pet. The angels are a great deal prettier than me.”
I love music, I believe it a form of storytelling; it transmits passion, love,and also it encourages and inspires. I believe music transcends boundaries if Race, Gender and Age.
Music is fundamental, it seeps into your bones, tissue and blood, helps you to see the world clearer, well at least in my humble opinion.
So as it inspires, It can be inspired...there is separation the storyteller and his/her words and the musician, I believe need the other, feeds the others, aides the other.
So HerStory, which is a collection of stories that was inspired by the strength of women in history, has a theme that I have also viewed in music.
Below are songs and artist who also carry the theme in music of empowering and celebrating women...
I found this list on-line compiled by Yahoo contributor, Kathy Heydasch and felt it was perfect!
Michelle Cornwell-Jordan is a Young Adult/ New Adult Paranormal author. Her titles include a co-written work with Danny Jones called Reahket and her solo young adult novella series Night School Vampire Hunter Trilogy.
She is also the producer/host of the online radio segment, IndieReview Behind the Scenes, where she and her co-host Jamie B Musings interview Indie authors and musicians.
Michelle has been married for seventeen years and has a fourteen-year-old daughter. A book lover, her favorite genre has always been paranormal adventures.
Her story within the HerStory pages is Musings of an African-American cowgirl.
“Is that why you were living in the same city as me and you never came to see me?” I asked a
little bit more accusatorially than I meant to. “Why didn’t Mandy call me or come to see me?”
His jaw seemed to harden as he looked over the top of his sunglasses. “Do you want to know
about me or Mandy?”
I rolled my eyes. “You know what I mean.”
“Maybe I was just admiring you from afar as I always have.” Revell merged onto the highway
in the direction of Crossroads.
I snorted. “What’s Mandy’s excuse?”
Revell took one hand off the steering wheel and rubbed the back of his neck. “She took
Daddy’s death hard and she’s been busy with school there.”
“So for some reason, which you won’t explain to me, one of few people I consider a true and
loyal friend came to live in my home town and she didn’t even want to see me?”
Revell sighed. “Since you didn’t come here when Daddy died, maybe she thought your
friendship was over.”
“Is that what you thought? That our friendship was over?”
“We weren’t friends, Scarlett, don’t fool yourself into believing that!”
“Then I’d like to know what we were?” I countered angrily.
He wouldn’t look at me, and his voice was rough and tense when he spoke. “You knew I’ve
wanted you in every way a man can want a woman since you were fifteen.”
“Friendship is better than nothing, especially when what you wanted to happen between us
was completely inappropriate.”
“It was only wrong if it was one sided or if I’d acted on it when you were under age.”
“The summer I was fifteen and Mamaw found us in the deer stand you came pretty close to
you going to jail.”
“The age of consent in Alabama is bit lower than it is up North.”
“You were twenty, it was a crush on an older man on my part. What was it on your part?”
Revell paused, turned, and looked me up and down. “It was I’m going to rot in hell because I
want a minor or I’m going to die a slow death because I don’t believe I can live without her.”
I grumbled in disbelief, “And yet here you are perfectly healthy and happy.”
“You were the one who just said that I don’t smile the way I used to.”
I moved away from his ire closer to the door. “Are you blaming me?”
“I’m not blaming anyone, I’m just trying to tell you how I feel because you wouldn’t let me tell
you back then, and you never came back to let me explain how it was.” Revell sighed. “Why
didn’t you come when I wrote you?”
“I couldn’t.”
“Couldn’t or wouldn’t?”
“Couldn’t, Revell, couldn’t.”
Pre-order Stained on SMASHWORDS.
Add Stained to your GOODREADS want to
read list!
About the Author: Windy City writer, Elizabeth Marx, brings cosmopolitan
life alive in her fiction—a blend of romance, fast-paced Chicago living, and a sprinkle of
magical realism. Elizabeth resides with her husband, girls, and two cats who’ve spelled
everyone into believing they’re really dogs. She grew up in the city, has traveled extensively,
and still says there’s no town like Chi-Town.
Hey, blogger friends, listen up! I've got a chance for you to receive a free eBook and to compete for over $750 in prizes, and it's so easy to participate. Read on for more...
Novel Publicity is currently recruiting for one of our gigantic whirlwind tours. YAY! Each whirlwind tour boasts hundreds of dollars in cash prizes and autographed books, sometimes even Kindle Fires. NP also provide eBook copies for all reviewers. This time, they're touring the debut YA novel by Stephanie Fleshman, Render.
Choose to be one of the first to read this awesome new book, or, instead, host an excerpt, interview, or guest post. That’s right, you don’t even have to read the books to participate–although that's definitely an option. Novel Publicity will provide your choice of a pre-formatted excerpt, interview, or guest post to make participation easy.
Tour Dates: September 9 to 13, 2013
Genre: Paranormal YA
Page Count: 399
The Prizes:
* $100 Best/ most creative entry
* $100 Random commenter prize
* $50 Rafflecopter (2 prizes)
* $50 Random blogger award
* $50 GoodReads party prize
* $50 Facebook sharing contest
* $100 in the special author contest
* Kindle Fire in the special author contest
CLICK HERE TO SIGN-UP!
About Render
A betrayal born of bloodA curse for a gift
A love worth saving
Koldan Holdt knows what he wants. The problem is his future was decided the day he was born—a future void of everything he has ever known.
Days before summer vacation, Koldan’s grandfather suddenly dies, leaving the consequences that have followed him since he fled his country to fall to Koldan. As Koldan learns about his new fate, he must accept the terms to which he is bound and live without the one person he wants, or remain true to who he is and risk both their lives repeating the choices his grandfather made.
Seventeen-year-old Raya Whitney thought she knew Koldan…until a sudden turn of events threatens both their lives. While she is not willing to give up without a fight, she knows it is a deadly game to stay together.
Today im participating in a cover reveal for the book Worth The Fight by Vi Keeland.
Book info
Title:Worth
the Fight
Author:Vi Keeland
Publication date:October 3, 2013
Cover design: RomCon
Summary:Standalone, HEA
Blurb
It didn’t matter that the ref
called it a clean hit.Nico Hunter would
never be the same.
Elle has a good life.A job she loves, a great apartment, and the
guy she’s been dating for more than two years is a catch and a half.But it’s boring…and she strives to keep it
that way.Too many emotions are
dangerous.Her own past is living proof
of what can happen when you lose control.
Then Nico walks into Elle’s
office and everything changes…for both of them.But what can the tattooed, hard-bodied MMA fighter and the beautiful and
always steady attorney have in common?A
lot more than they bargained for.
Vi
Keeland is a native New Yorker with three children that occupy most of her free
time, which she complains about often, but wouldn't
change for the world. She is a bookworm and has been known to read her kindle
at stop lights, while styling her hair, cleaning, walking, during sporting
events, and frequently while pretending to work.She is a boring attorney by day, and an exciting USA Today Best Selling
smut author by night!
Today I am participating in a blog tour for the book The Orange Moon Affair by A.F.N. Clarke.
I will be having an interview and guest post here with the author so I would like to thank him and welcome him to my blog!
The Orange Moon Affair - by the bestselling author of CONTACT - is the first book of a compelling new thriller series, an action-packed conspiracy with a hero and heroine you hold your breath for. If you enjoy the action of Robert Ludlum, the intensity of Brad Thor and the international intrigue of Daniel Silva, then this book’s for you!
Ex-British Special Forces soldier Thomas Gunn is drawn back into his old life of international intrigue and danger following the murder of his billionaire father. The deeper he digs the more complicated the puzzle becomes until he finds himself working for MI5 uncovering a global conspiracy that puts the freedom of the western world at grave risk. His girlfriend Julie becomes his accomplice surprising him with her loyalty, strength of character and physical prowess.
While traversing the globe being shot at, shot down and losing loved ones – a haunting question tears at his soul – was his father really at the heart of this evil conspiracy? Or was he a pawn in a larger more insidious game that even he could not control?
Seeking the final answer could cost Thomas dearly, ripping from him all that he most loves and cherishes and leaving him questioning his past, his future and what kind of person he is or wants to become. The final outcome depends on him. Or does it?
As a former Captain of Britain’s elite Parachute Regiment and son of an MI6 operative the author brings his own unique and eye-opening experiences to the character and exploits of Thomas Gunn, as well as an unsettling blurring of the lines between fiction and reality when exploring the ruthless abuse of power and position for personal gain.
“… The Orange Moon Affair is timely, eye-opening, fast-paced … you will find you want to turn the next page, and the next page, and the next … the first of the Thomas Gunn series … you don’t want to miss them!” 5 Stars, Remy Benoit.
1.What’s your favorite place in the entire world? To be honest, one of my most favorite places in the world is being out on the ocean alone, on a sailboat, when the sky is blue, the sun’s warm, there’s a nice breeze and the water’s so clear I can see deep into it’s depths. With maybe a South Pacific atoll nearby as my destination where I can snorkel and see brilliant corals and marine life and marvel at the wonders of our natural world. I’m not a city person really, so natural beauty inspires and appeals to me much more.
2. What is your favorite color? If I have to choose one, I would have to say, blue. It is the color of the sky on a bright sunny day and the ocean surrounding coral reefs. It is warm, inviting and uplifting and always gives me a wonderful sense of well-being. Without blue, sunsets would be insipid, the ocean a dark menace and my life would be grey.
3.What’s your favorite food? A simple dish of shaved mozzarella cheese with sliced tomatoes, basil, generously sprinkled with olive oil with a little salt and lots of freshly ground black pepper. It’s what I lived on (accompanied by a good Italian red wine) when I sat down to write my first book and that turned out really well, so it’s been a favorite ever since and kind of my lucky dish.
4. What inspired you to write The Orange Moon Affair? It was an opportunity to draw on my father’s life as an MI6 operative, what I knew about the intelligence community, my own experiences of special forces and being in the army, and my intense interest in how power can corrupt even those we would least expect. I got the idea for the book many years ago from scandalous events surrounding the Delorean Car Company and dealings between America and the British government. My editor at the time thought my story too fantastical for it to be believable and had to eat his words when the scandal broke and was all over the news. He admitted he should have trusted my writer instincts and published it. It’s taken me many years to get back to it but I finally rewrote it recently and I know it’s so much better than it was back then as I have grown so much as a writer with 6 other books under my belt before this one.
I felt inspired to write a thriller series where I can develop the character of Thomas Gunn through many different situations and life events – it’s a huge challenge but one I relish. And I also just wanted to build a fascinating story with layers upon layers of intrigue that keeps readers enthralled and guessing to the very end!
5. How did you come up with the title? I have to be honest and say that titles of my books just come to me and I rarely change them once I decide on them – they determine the context within which I write and what flows onto the page. I guess I just have a weird mind that works in mysterious ways! 6. Who designed the cover of The Orange Moon Affair? I design my own covers. From an early age I have been able to draw, and indeed find design and drawing relaxes me and takes my mind off work and the problems of life. When I wanted to drive racing cars, I designed my own Formula Ford, built it and raced it professionally. When I was first published, I disliked the covers the publishers did for both the hardcover and paperback editions intensely, so when I retrieved the rights for those books, I redesigned the covers myself and have continued to design the covers for the seven published eBooks that are currently available on Amazon. Whether they are successful or not, is for the reader to judge. 7. How important do you think villains are in a story? I think villains are important in certain types of stories, the most obvious being in thrillers, suspense, espionage, action and adventure and in true stories of course where they’re real. But that role in other genres may equally be played out by someone who simply evokes strong emotions and creates dramatic tension, so that the energy of the story is carried forward through the actions of that character and the reactions of others to him/her. 8.What is your favorite quote, by whom, and why? It is difficult to choose between two that I love, because I think both give me great solace as an author and keep me going through the hard times, when the writing is difficult and the reviews harsh.
The first is from John Fowles in his wonderful novel Daniel Martin: “No creator can like critics. There is too much difference between the two activities. One is begetting, the other surgery. However justified the criticism, it is always inflicted by someone who hasn’t, a eunuch, on someone who has, a generator; by someone who takes no real risks on someone who stakes most of his being, economic as well as immortal.”
The second from TE Lawrence’s extraordinary Seven Pillars Of Wisdom: “All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake up in the day to find that it was vanity, but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible.”
9. Who is your favorite author and why? This is such a hard question because I have several favorite authors whose books I would take with me to a desert island, but I think if I was forced to choose only one I think that would be JP Donleavy. His books The Gingerman, A Singular Man, The Onion Eaters and many more, opened my eyes to the fact that creative writing is a living organism. When you write creatively you have the ability to invent in many ways, both grammatically and even with vocabulary, which, if it works, creates a vivid colorful and satisfying event.
10.What do you do to unwind and relax? I’ve always been very active physically so contrary to a lot of people who love to be still and lie on the beach and do nothing to unwind, I need to do something – go sailing and become one with the wind and the waves, ride a motorbike on an open highway and open up the throttle, or even just get up and make a fool of myself dancing myself silly to some ageing rock band’s greatest hits!
Guest Post:
Things They Never Tell You About Becoming A Published Author by AFN Clarke
When someone asks “what do you do?” and I say “I’m an author”, invariably the response is “wow, it must be great to just sit and write all day”. And of course I nod, but I secretly think “if only you really knew!”
Am I happy to be a writer? Of course I am. Am I bursting with creative energy that’s ready to flow onto the page effortlessly giving life to what is sure be the next best seller every day? In my dreams! So I got to thinking, what are the 10 things that I didn’t know about becoming a published author that I’ve learned the hard way?
1. Published authors have the privilege of developing really thick skulls.
Who else would work long hours with little sleep, no money, get rejected a million times and drag loved ones through hell and back to just hear that one precious word “yes”. Our bubble of denial and refusal to see reason actually cultivates miracles – how cool is that?
2. When people like what you write, they’ll only sometimes tell you so.
We are insecure, sensitive creatures who though we staunchly deny it, measure our own self-worth through someone else’s eyes. Positive feedback is like life support – so if you like my work put me out of my misery and tell me, so I don’t end up a blabbering mess of insecurity.
3. When people don’t like what you write, there’s no stopping them telling you so.
My big “aha” is that the moment a writer commits words to paper he/she becomes public property – a target to be criticized, loved, praised, or condemned a hundred times over. Live with it! I wrote my thriller An Unquiet American witha very politically provocative premise that dramatically escalates tension in the book - and also some people’s blood pressure! So be it, at least it’s generating heated discussions for them as much with those who love it – isn’t that the point? It’s all a matter of attitude.
4. Fame and success erase your battle scars but also common sense.
My first book CONTACTwas a best seller. I was on TV, in the newspaper, and felt invincible. When the limelight faded my publisher asked “where’s your next book?” “What book?” Oops, wrong answer! That rookie mistake took years to correct – so while the fans are still cheering take a bow, stick your ego in a box and quietly get back to work.
5. You will take your partner to the brink of madness.
After all these years, my wife deserves a medal. As with most authors I can be a self-indulgent hermit who’s rarely truly “present”. When writing I live in a parallel universe that only intersects hers at mealtimes at best. When I’m not writing I’m grumpy, as I’m upset I’m not writing. So authors – if anyone puts up with you, cherish adore and love them, because they’re a rare species.
6. Those pesky 140 characters will take you to the brink of madness.
Here’s the deal Twitter – my latest thriller The Orange Moon Affair has 479,180 characters and you want me to do what? Be meaningful in 140? You’ve got to be kidding right?
And of course I’m running out of characters already – so here are learnings 7, 8, 9, and 10:
7. You’ll become best friends with loads of people that you never even get to meet.
8. You’ll learn to see the silly side of everything life throws at you.
9. You’ll get to face your greatest fears, reveal the inner depths of your soul, open your heart and mind, become totally vulnerable, learn about things you never heard of and chase your wildest dreams.
10. And if you learn to get over yourself, you’ll live through it all to celebrate the most wonderfully satisfying and richly rewarding times of your life.
Being an author rocks!
AFN CLARKE is the son of a British MI6 operative, pilot, sailor, screenwriter, father of four who’s lived all over the world, served in the British Army and recovered from the physical/emotional traumas of war. His bestselling memoir CONTACT was serialized in a British newspaper and made into an award winning BBCTV film. He’s insatiably curious, loves heated discussions and has a rascally sense of humor. He now writes fiction of various genres – thrillers (The Orange Moon Affair and An Unquiet American); human drama (Dry Tortugas), humor/satire (Dreams from the Death Age; Armageddon), horror (Collisions) with more coming soon. For more information visit http://www.afnclarke.com, connect on Facebook or Twitter (@AFN Clarke).
Tour Dates: September 9 to 13, 2013
Genre: Paranormal YA
Page Count: 399
The Prizes:
* $100 Best/ most creative entry
* $100 Random commenter prize
* $50 Rafflecopter (2 prizes)
* $50 Random blogger award
* $50 GoodReads party prize
* $50 Facebook sharing contest
* $100 in the special author contest
* Kindle Fire in the special author contest
