Free Book Alert (today only) & Current Reads

Posted on January 29, 2012 | Leave a comment

Just wanted to pop in here and let everyone know that Still Life Paintings is available for FREE download on Amazon, today (1/29/2012) only. Be sure to check the price before getting it, just to make sure that Amazon hasn’t taken it back to paid status though!

On a side note, this story collection is also part of the Kindle Lending Library, so if you are a Amazon Prime member and miss the Freebie promo, you can always borrow it later :-)

So what else is going on around here? Well, I’m back to the edits on Blood Chord– only I think I’ve fleshed out the series a little bit more. So now, I’m thinking the group of books will all be “Blood Chord: something” and so on.

I’ve been reading two books over the last few days. The first is side-splitting non-fiction, called A Walk In The Snark by Rachel Thompson. It’s witty, smart and Snarkaliscious. The perfect thing to read while locking yourself in the bathroom to escape your family :-)

The second book I’m in the middle of is Somebody Tell Aunt Tillie She’s Dead, by Christiana Miller. This is one of the best paranormal books out there. The magic is inventive (but grounded in legend and lore) and somehow feels more accurate than the glossed-over stereotypical para fiction that is becoming the norm. Any-who — I’m off to do more edits so that I can earn some more time reading :-)

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Tearing My Hair Out

Posted on January 25, 2012 | Leave a comment

So I don’t mean, literally. I’m too homely to make myself bald.

Unfortunately I don’t have the eight-foot, stick-thin model personae to pull that off. Plus, I get cold easily. No way could I walk around all bare-headed. But I digress.

So why, you may ask, am I stressed? Because it’s that time of year where all of my electronic devices only want to work in fits and starts. I swear they know I’ve spent all my money on Christmas and are doing it on purpose.

Last year, my Macbook and my Kindle died within days of each other– both right after Christmas. This year, my desktop is being retarded. I got a virus that didn’t look like a virus. I got rid of it, but in the process all my “pathways” to programs now have no destination. So basically I can’t open any programs. Except for Google Chrome– still not sure how that escaped the bug. I can open file folders and such, but running my word program or Photoshop (which I need, dammit!) isn’t happening.

I have an ipad, but I can’t format books or work images/ art on it. So no book business and no photography business. Basically, I’ve been at a stand-still. Trying to fix the issue… researching laptops to bridge the workflow gap. All the while ticked that I can’t finish edits on BLOOD CHORD. Super-frustrating to say the least.

Now that I finally have a working laptop, I’m busy importing files, organizing folders, installing programs, setting up Chrome bookmarks and trying to catch up on some of the housekeeping issues around here.

I’m mostly done, thank goodness. So I’m off to transfer Blood Chord over and recommence the edits! (Cracks whip at myself. “Get to it!” I say.)

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Hetaera–Suspense in Ancient Athens (Agathon’s Daughter) by Susan Tyrpak- Book Review

Posted on January 21, 2012 | Leave a comment

I just finished another book and it was so good I had to review it immediately~  Hetaera–Suspense in Ancient Athens (Agathon’s Daughter), by Suzanne Tyrpak.

I received a copy of the ebook after entering a giveaway on LibraryThing (I think)-my memory isn’t what it used to be. Some of you may remember that I reviewed Susan’s other novel, Vestal Virgin, some time ago, and after seeing that this novel was historical in nature too (and because Susan writes that sooo well) I just had to read it.

Unlike Vestal Virgin, Hetaera is a bit tamer, and the steamy moments mostly happen off-camera. But this second novel of Tyrpak’s is just as full of suspense, intrique and carefully constructed (i.e. real and flawed) characters as her debut novel. Like any good suspense novel, there are bad guys and good guys, guys that are good but do dumb things, meddlers and other unfortunate obstacles, and of course a heroine down on her luck.

But Tyrpak does more than just craft a page-turning read– she brings ancient Athens to life through her prose. So much so, that I could practically see it in my head. (Ok, so occasionally Spartacus tried to worm his way into my mind-movie too. What can I say, I’m a Blood and Sand fan :-) ) My only gripe is that I have to wait for the next book in the series to be released. Hope it comes out soon!

Five Daggers,uh, I mean Stars!

FROM AMAZON —-> “Agathon’s Daughter is a tale told by a writer who deserves your attention, a writer who certainly captured mine.” New York Times bestselling author, Tess Gerritsen–Foreword, Hetaera

Product Description
Hetaera–suspense in ancient Athens, is Book One of the Agathon’s Daughter Trilogy.

Born a bastard and a slave, Hestia has a gift: the power to read people’s hearts. And yet, the secrets of her own heart remain a mystery. Hestia’s keen intellect makes her a match for any man. But even a literate slave has little control over destiny. Sold to a prominent statesman with sadistic tendencies, Hestia becomes his hetaera (consort). As her wealth and fame increase so does her despair. She dreams of freedom, but she faces enemies at every turn. When Hestia is accused of murder, the mystery of her past unravels and fate takes another turn.

Hetaera: Agathon’s Daughter was awarded third place in the Maui Writers Rupert Hughes writing competition.

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Flirting With Death by Heidi Hall – Book Review

Posted on January 14, 2012 | Leave a comment

I snagged a copy of this book when it was offered as a freebie last week (I think, my days run together fairly often) because the cover was cute and who wouldn’t want to read a chick-lit Assassin novel? I’ve also noticed the author Heidi Hall around on Kindle Boards and the like, and she’s a Doll. Besides, what did I have to lose? The book was free after all.


So glad I downloaded it. Flirting With Death has a fairly unique plot (at least I’ve never seen one like it) and the writing was concise, fun and even a tad snarky. I just love me a good dose of Snark!

Compelling supporting characters gave bad-girl-turned-good-girl Kayla a lot to keep her busy while she tries to figure out how to live a “normal” life, who exactly tried to kill her, and why that earned her a one-way ticket out of the CIA. In the middle of all that, Kayla finds some time to right a few local wrongs, even if it means turning her kitchen into a temporary kennel. Who says assassins can’t have a heart of gold,even if it’s a little tarnished?

Flirting with Death is no longer free, but at $3.99 it’s still a Fab bargain. And right now it’s also ranked in the Top 20 of multiple categories on Amazon- so clearly I’m not the only one who loved it!

Product Description from Amazon: Is there a twelve-step program for recovering assassins?

Kayla McKenna is a covert assassin—and she likes it. After her father was murdered by terrorists, she was consumed by the need for retribution. But landing her dream job as a CIA assassin turns out to be merely a stepping stone in her plot to avenge the heartaches of the past… and present. One botched mission earns Kayla a burn notice, a bullet hole and a one-way ticket back to suburbia. Banished to her childhood stomping grounds with a meddling, shopping-addicted mother intent on grandkids, three overprotective cop brothers, a sexy criminal who can’t decide whether he wants to shoot her or date her, and a new boyfriend even her family loves, Kayla may finally get the chance to find out what really matters in life.

That is, if living a “normal” life doesn’t kill her first.

With a delicious combination of mystery, suspense, romance, edgy chick-lit, and a dash of paranormal, the first installment of the new Assassins Anonymous series is a wickedly fun treat.

*This is a full length novel at 342 printed pages.

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Friday Freebies – Free Kindle Books

Posted on January 13, 2012 | Leave a comment

Thought I’d start the (almost) weekend off with a bang and announce two of our books that are FREE today on Amazon as part of the Select program. Earlier in the week, I let Memories For Sale, SKIN, and Reflections of Motherhood go free for a day and the response was great!

That prompted me to go ahead and pull the ebook Still Life Paintings from Smashwords and B&N so that I could put the story collection into the program as well. So, today and tomorrow (Jan. 13th and 14th) only, Still Life Paintings is free for download on Amazon. It’s my hope that offering the book for free will encourage more reviews. The book has gotten great reviews, but what it needs now is more volume. Crossing Fingers!

Also, since I screwed up the previous freebie for Reflections on Motherhood (supposed to be free for two days, but the special only ran for one day) I’ve decided to go ahead and run another One-day-only freebie today (Jan 13th) for Reflections as well.

As usual, I’m blogging about the freebies, and I plan on posting on FB and Twitter, but I could always use the help spreading the word!

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SEED by Ania Ahlborn – Book Review

Posted on January 9, 2012 | Leave a comment

The second book in my 24-hour reading marathon was SEED by Ania Ahlborn. This was one of those books that made me tweet about it immediately upon reading the last sentence. Yum, it was good!

From the cover alone I expected creeped-out, pulse-pounding hours of reading. I mean, look at it, doesn’t it just give you goosebumps? The blurb is equally spooky. (I’ll post it below for the lazy :-) )

From the beggining I was hooked, and Alhborn just kept ratcheting up the tension all the way until the end. She writes with an honest elegance, cutting to the core of human emotions and fear without author-interjection, making the characters live and breathe within the pages of her words. 

I’m not sure why women are mostly absent from the list of stellar horror writers, but one thing is for sure, with Seed as her debut novel, Ahlborn is set on a course to take her rightful place beside notables such as King and Konrath/ Kilbourn very soon.

Product Description from Amazon
Fans of Stephen King, Jack Kilborn, and Blake Crouch… prepare to meet the Devil.

In the vine-twisted swamps of Louisiana, the shadows have teeth.

Jack Winter has spent his entire life running from something no one else can see. His childhood is his darkest secret, but after a near fatal accident along a deserted road, the darkness he was sure he’d escaped rears its ugly head… and smiles.

But this time, he isn’t the only one who sees the soulless eyes of his past. This time, his six-year-old daughter Charlie leans into his ear and whispers: “Daddy, I saw it too.”

And then she begins to change.

Faced with reliving the nightmares of his childhood, Jack watches his daughter spiral into the shadows that had nearly consumed him twenty years before.

But Charlie isn’t the only one who’s changing.

Jack never outran the darkness. It’s been with him all along.

And it’s hungrier than ever.

A new breed of dark fiction: the subtlety of Seed will haunt you, and the end will wickedly satisfy.

{See! How deliciously creepy!}

Oh, and don’t forget to head over to Amazon and snag your FREE copy of Skin. Today’s the last day it will be free for a good while!

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More Freebies! Two from Author Gabriel Beyers

Posted on January 8, 2012 | Leave a comment

In addition to the limited-time FREE promo for my short fiction collection, SKIN over on Amazon, I’ve just discovered that an author I featured here several months back also has FREE books on Amazon today, so I want to help spread the word for him.

Some of you may remember my feature of Gabriel Beyers a few months ago. If not, you can read his post here. Both of his books are Free today over on Amazon!

First up is Guarding the Healer:

Product Description
When Silas Walker is endowed with the power to heal, he soon discovers that no gift comes without a price.

A man possessed by an ancient evil is taunting the healer with photos of victims brutally murdered and marked with the crude image of an angel, and for Silas the slain are growing more familiar.

After he is given an ominous warning and an unbearable ultimatum, Silas sets out to draw his enemy away from those he loves, and discover the true purpose of his gift, which leads him inexplicably to a troubled young drifter named Tommy.

The Stalker is close on the healer’s trail, bringing with him an army of demons. Silas’s only hope rests in the hands of a guardian angel he doesn’t even know exists.

The Guardian is doing all within his power to save the healer, but he is certain Silas is heading into a trap. Time is running out. War is at hand.

But there is no turning back. For even an angel can’t alter a man’s destiny.

And then there is Contemplations of Dinner also FREE today as well!

Product Description
A secret hidden in a freezer. A lonely woman takes solace in an ancient cat. A boy is trapped in a barn with a gang of killers. An open grave awaits an occupant. A man is encouraged to kill by a long lost love. And more.

Here lies ten eerie tales from the mind of author Gabriel Beyers.

********************************************

So what are you waiting for? Go get yourself some Free Books why don’tcha!

(Don’t forget to snag a FREE copy of SKIN while you’re over on Amazon too!)

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Free Book Alerts: SKIN, The Devil’s Deep, Dark Horse and more!

Posted on January 7, 2012 | 1 Comment

I started to post just to let you guys know that I’ve decided to run a limited-time FREE promo for SKIN over on Amazon. But then I realized that I had several things to share… so I’ll get to the sharing!

For two days only (Sunday the 8th and Monday the 9th) anyone can download the kindle version of SKIN . No coupon or trouble at all. Just please check the pricing before you download to make sure it still says FREE, and not just Free to borrow if you are an Amazon Prime member, m’kay? (clicking on the book cover below or the link above will get you there.)

While searching for venues to announce the freebie ebook promo for SKIN, I ran across a site that had a great link to Amazon. Not sure how it works, but it takes you to All the free (and current!) ebooks on Amazon. How cool is that?

Lastly, I thought I’d post of few Free Books available from Indie’s that I’ve seen around on Kindleboards, Facebook etc. Feel free to add any more in the comments, but please keep it this side of Spam. Thanks!

Feel free share this post with your friends and what-not. I’ll send metaphorical hugs your way for #RT’s too!

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SKIN Gets a New Cover

Posted on January 7, 2012 | Leave a comment

So, I’ll admit I’m always tinkering with Photoshop (at work and after) and sometimes I’ll do something like make a whole new cover for a book on a whim. This time Skin got the makeover.

What do you think? Doesn’t he look so much more handsome now? Rugged too! (I’ll post the old cover right under the new one for comparison purposes!)

 New

 Old

For a change, my playing around on the computer has paid off. SKIN needed the makeover and I was never really satisfied with the original cover. Now, if my new cover will lure in more readers…

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Rock ‘n’ Roll is Undead by Rose Pressey – Book Review

Posted on January 6, 2012 | Leave a comment

So, my holiday hiatus from reading has finally ended. I’ve read two books in less than twenty-four hours and I’m churning to start another one. (This would be about the time that my dear husband starts to remark “I wish you’d put those books away for five seconds” followed by a distinct huff.) Before diving into another novel though, I thought it best to at least review the two I’ve read first.

First up is Rock ‘n’ Roll is Undead (Veronica Mason Series, Book 1) It’s about a Rockabilly Witch (though a mostly failed one) who is the lead singer in a band. Just about the time her career is taking off, a fellow band member is killed, launching her into a race against the clock to figure out who the Big Bad guy is before he comes calling for her.

Overall, it was a compelling novel with interesting, quirky characters and a decently complicated plot. The writing was smooth as expected and I’d recommend this novel to anyone who likes their paranormal novels to be a unique amalgam of mystery, suspense and light romance. I wasn’t 100 % satisfied with the ending, as I felt one of the curve-balls was a little too out of left field, though I still felt satisfied in the end. All-in-all, a great paranormal novel and I’m adding the series to my list of those I want to continue reading. Four Stakes, um, I mean Stars. 

In my next post I’ll offer my thoughts on the second book, SEED by Ania Ahlborn!

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Shot of Tequila by J.A. Konrath – Book Review

Posted on January 3, 2012 | Leave a comment

Just finished reading Shot of Tequila by the big Indie man himself, J.A. Konrath. This is probably the third or fourth book of his that I’ve read, and while I really enjoyed his other works for their originality and concepts, this book was the best one yet. I can’t put my finger on why… Maybe it felt more polished/ complete, or perhaps it was the fast-paced, notched-up tension Konrath managed to hold throughout most of the novel.

Or perhaps it was the way Konrath managed to get me rooting for a career thug with a heart of stone. He managed to make the bad guy one of the good guys. I guess, like anything, it’s all about perspective.

At any rate, I found myself reading all through dinner, walking down the hall, even in the bathtub ( a big No-no on an ipad!) which is how I know the book had me roped in good. That, and the book read like a movie– meaning I could practically “see” the crazy, adventurous, bloody scenes in my head. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Shot of Tequila gets made into a movie. Of course, by the time studio execs were done with it they’d remove a few things that some might find too gory or violent, but that I think made the novel that much richer. 

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Character Sketches from Polyvore (Blood Chord Novel)

Posted on December 30, 2011 | Leave a comment

For lack of any serious drive to edit my forthcoming novel, Blood Chord, I decided to spend the evening in mindless Computer-dom. Enter wicked-kewl website Polyvore! I first noticed this site over on Shea MaCleod’s blog and then again the other day while hopping around the IWU Christmas Blog Hop, over on Christine’s site. Polyvore looked like the perfect way to waste away an evening, and I was right. Sort of.

Aside from the few hours I spent searching for the perfect inspirations for two of the main characters from my upcoming release Blood Chord, I discovered something interesting: I have a moderate boo-boo to correct in the novel. Confused yet?

I still am a little. You see, while compiling the polyvore board for one of my secondary characters, Bette, I discovered that I made her do something completely out of character towards the end of the novel. How did I figure that out, you might wonder? Well, I spent over an hour crafting Bette’s board and when I was done, I compared it to what I know of Bette in the novel to see if everything gelled. It didn’t.

Bette is sultry, seductive even without trying. She is controlled and coiffed. Bette is courtly, reserved. She is above flagrant dislays of emotions, especially in the presence of others. And I made her wig out- a complete scratch-your-eyes out hissy-fit. Bette would never do that. She’d rather take a stake to the chest, but that’s another topic altogether. So now I have to fix the gaffe, but I’m glad I discovered it sooner rather than later.

So I didn’t exactly waste my time tonight playing on Polyvore, now did I? On top of making my novel better in the long run, I’ve now discovered the first place I’m going to stop when creating new characters. It’s a perfect way to get to know the people inside my head that much better!

So what do you think of the Polyvore boards below?

Character Sketch - Bette's Style (Blood Chord Novel)
Character Sketch - Claire's Style (Blood Chord Novel)

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Walking On Broken Glass by Christa Allen – Book Review

Posted on December 29, 2011 | 2 Comments

I finally selected a new book to read- Walking On Broken Glass, by Christa Allen. Originally, I added the book to my samples pile in my Kindle because I adored the cover. I didn’t even know what the novel was about. I’m quirky like that sometimes. 

I downloaded the ebook months ago after seeing it offered as an Amazon freebie, even though the subject matter isn’t one that I generally gravitate towards. You see, the crux of this novel is Alcoholism. More specifically, it’s the story of one woman’s recovery from her addiction. Because of that, I expected this novel to be sad, bleak and depressing. I was wrong.

Walking On Broken Glass is an uplifting tale of healing and taking control of one’s life. Of owning your own failures and learning from them. Of forgiveness and the relationships that mold our lives. The novel is compelling, honest and at times even humorous. Allen writes with clarity as she carefully peels away the scabs from the main character, Leah’s life. At the end of the book I sighed and let my mind wander, rehashing the book in my mind. A good book will do that to you; refuse to let you go even after the last page has been read. A five-star read for sure.

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