Monthly Archives: October 2015

October’s Hot Picks!!

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Source: queenofalltheworld
Source: mancrushoftheday
Source: mancrushoftheday

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Author Showcase – G. E. Stills (Zumia – Contest Included)

 
Grady and his partner Tuyen, contract to fly a passenger, Carson, from Houston to an island off the western coast of South America. The trip is routine until they fly into a sudden storm that nearly causes them to crash. The storm passes quickly but they can’t locate the island. Frustrated, Grady flies to the mainland. He is unable to find any familiar landmarks and the seaplane is running low on fuel so they land on a river. The next day they set out on foot to search for help. When they rescue a native woman, she tells them they are in a land called Zumia and she has never heard of a place called South America or Earth. Xaria joins them and their adventure begins.
 
 
Excerpt 
It took longer than Grady calculated but at last, the continent loomed ahead. As they drew near the coast, he expected to see signs of civilization but saw none. Even when they passed over the landmass, there were still no signs. They flew over an inlet that appeared slightly familiar but still looked wrong. Gazing down a frown came to his face.

“What?” asked Tuyen.

“Something doesn’t make sense here. Right over there should be Machala , Ecuador a sizable city.” Tilting the wings slightly, he pointed to the location, “but as you can see for yourself, there’s no sign of it. In fact, there isn’t any sign of people at all. I’ve flown over Machala several times in the past and this bay looks like the right one, but it’s somehow different. I’m going to fly up north and try landing near Guayaquil an even larger city. Besides I need to get this plane on dry land and assess any damage.”

“Grady, I haven’t been able to get anyone on the radio either. There’s nothing. I’ve searched many bands and there is just nothing. No chatter at all.”

When he was unable to spot any airports, he finally landed the plane in the large river that emptied into the bay. Extending the wheels, he drove up on shore. After shutting the engines down, he got out to begin his inspection. Both Tuyen and Carson went with him. Lush dark-green jungle foliage ended a few yards from the sandy shore.

“Grady, while you check the plane I’m going to look around a little,” Mr. Naplier said.

“I wouldn’t advise going into the jungle Mr. Naplier. Especially not alone,” Grady advised.

“No, I’m just going to walk along the beach. And please, call me Carson.”

“Okay, Carson , but stay close.”

“I will.”

He didn’t find any major damage and looked up at Carson ’s shout. When they joined him, Carson pointed to the tracks on the beach. They came from the jungle, to the water, and then led back into the jungle. The tracks were the right size and shape to be made by a person.

“Well I guess there are people around here. Maybe we can follow these tracks and find a village. Then maybe they can tell us where we are. If we’re really lucky, they may have a radio,” Grady said.

“Grady, I’ll remind you that I’m hardly dressed to go hiking through the jungle. Besides it’s going to get dark soon.” Tuyen nodded toward the setting sun.

“I think we should sleep in the plane and get an early start in the morning. Does everybody agree?” He looked at Tuyen and Carson who both nodded in agreement.

They stood facing the jungle and listened to the sounds of the birds chirping. Grady wondered how far they would have to walk before they found the village. The chirping stopped and the jungle grew quiet. Almost eerily quiet. The three of them nearly jumped out of their skins when an ear-splitting roar broke the silence. Dashing back to the plane they scrambled onboard. Tuyen looked at first Grady and then Carson in fear.

“What the fuck was that?” she asked.

Carson shrugged. “I have no idea. I’ve never heard a sound like that before.”

“I don’t know either, but I don’t want to be on this damn beach when we find out.”

Hurriedly, Grady went through the startup process and soon the engines roared to life. Turning the plane, he headed out into the water. When he was several hundred yards from shore, he slowed the engines and let the plane drift. Looking around, he spotted what he was searching for. The island was large enough to have some good-sized trees but small enough, he hoped, to be uninhabited by any large creatures. He had Tuyen idle up the engines to hold the plane in place. He stripped to his boxers and waded to shore with a rope that was attached to the nose of the plane.

After tying the rope off to one of the trees, he returned. Slowly, Tuyen idled down the engines and finally shut them down when they determined the rope would hold the plane in place. With the engines silenced, it was very quiet on the water. So quiet that they could easily hear the jungle noises in the distance. In addition to the normal chirping of birds and other sounds, they could not identify, several more loud roars, split the air.

Grady climbed back onboard, nodded to Carson along the way and squished to the cockpit in his wet clothes. “The current isn’t strong but to be on the safe side, I’m going to tie off another rope,” he announced. “In the meantime, how about getting out some blankets and pillows for us?”

Tuyen made an awful face. “You’re asking me to go back in that cabin alone with Mr. hands? You know how much I dislike him.”

“You could always go wading in your mini and tie off the plane partner. This is South America though, and there are many fine aquatic creatures that may be in the water Do I need to remind you you’re wearing a mini that is open at the bottom.”

“Ick that is a disgusting thought. Point taken though.” Tuyen tightened her lips. “Just be certain you hurry back if you want to find our passenger in one piece.”

To his relief when he returned from tying off the second rope, both Tuyen and Carson were in one piece. Blankets and pillows were stacked on one pair of seats. After raiding the snack supply for a meager supper, they sat talking and listening to the jungle sounds.

 
Book Trailer
 
BUY NOW AT AMAZON —–> KindlePaperback

 

Now that you’ve had a sneak peek at G. E. Stills new book, Zumia, WHO IS READY TO WIN?


Ladies and Gents, G. E. is offering ONE LUCKY WINNER a chance to receive a From the Distant Past spiral notebook. FYI: From the Distant Past is also available at Amazon. 🙂


 
 
To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment or question on this feature.

You’ll have until THURSDAY (midnight, central time) to enter. FRIDAY morning, I will post the winner’s name and attempt to message you. Please follow the comment thread or come back on Friday to see if you are the lucky recipient of this amazing prize.

Good luck!!!

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Sacked by Jen Frederick (Book Review)

 
511lfomsqwl
 
What he wants he gets…

 Knox Masters is a quarterback’s worst nightmare. Warrior. Champion. And…virgin. Knox knows what he wants–and he gets it. All American Football player? Check. NFL pros scouting him? Check. Now, he’s set his sight on two things. The national title. And Ellie Campbell. Sure, she’s the sister of his fellow teammate, but that’s not going to stop him. Especially not when he’s convinced Ellie is the one.

…but he’s never met her before.

But Ellie isn’t as sure. She’s trying to start a new life and she’s not interested in a relationship…with anyone. Beside it’s not just her cardinal rule of never dating her brother’s teammates that keeps her away, but Ellie has a dark secret that would jeopardize everything Knox is pursuing.

Knox has no intention of losing. Ellie has no intention of giving in.

 
 
—–> REVIEW <—–
 
From the cover, to the characters, to the love scenes, this book is hot….hot…HOT!!
 
Jen delivered a combination of sexiness, sweetness, and humor that had me turning the pages at record speeds. 
 
If you like football or romantic tales, then you’ll absolutely fall head over heels in love with Sacked. 
 
Trust me, this is a book you won’t want to put down!! 
 
 
 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤❤
 
 

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Author Showcase/Interview – A.B. Novak

Today, you are in for a special treat. Instead of the print version of my typical interview, A.B. had a most brilliant idea. She suggested her friend record her responses. I think you’ll love the final product. I sure did!!
 
 
 
FB Link – A.B. Novak
Twitter Link – @AB_Novak
Instagram – AB_Novak
Pinterest – @novakab
Website – www.abnovak.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
Release Date: 10.20.15
Publisher: CHBB / YA / Paranormal Romance
Cover Artist: Rue Volley
 
There is a reason behind superstition.  It’s because it’s all true.  Not believing does not make it go away. 
 
Mr. Blackwell is set in the deep, bice, swampy waters of Louisiana.  Being out of her home state of Maryland and apparently out of her mind, novice journalist Vivienne Gray falls head over heels in love with a man she supposed to be interviewing.  His man of few words attitude and Vivienne’s need to know everything has set tension high as she is led by Jase into the back bayous.  As the daylight belly flops into moonlight Vivienne saves Jase’s life and they are pulled into an ancient curse that has plague the Blackwell family for years.

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Author Showcase and Interview with Ani Keating

 
Welcome, Ani Keating!!
 
1. For those who might not be familiar with you, would you be a dear and tell the readers a little about yourself? How did you get your start in the writing business?
 
(Ani) Hi, Kam. Thank you for having me on your blog (I love the Superman gravatar).
 
I’m a lawyer by day (please don’t stop reading, it gets better) and a writer by night. I have settled in Portland, Oregon, after trying out a few other places, and I love it here.  Rain, green forests, bookstores, and coffee shops… I had no choice but to start writing. J  It was something I had always wanted to do—since my first short story in third grade—but “real life” took its course. College, law school, job, family… It wasn’t until three years ago that I finally decided to go for it. I got this idea in my head that just wouldn’t leave me alone. Next thing I knew, I was outlining, then opening an account on fanfiction, then posting chapters online, and the rest became a roller coaster ride. I thought I’d be lucky if I had one or two readers and they’d both like it. I ended up finding quite a few more, then an agent, then a publisher.  And now here I am, with my first novel coming out on November 17, 2015.  I’m still trying to catch my breath, but I’m so glad I started.  Being a writer is one of the hardest things I’ve had to do (and I argue for a living) but it has also been one of the most beautiful and fulfilling experiences of my life.
 
(Kam) Yeah, Superman ROCKS!! 
 
2. Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, please share how you handle it.
 
(Ani) Ha ha, this is going to sound really weird, but I actually take a shower.  A really hot shower.  At the first sign of it. I’m not sure if the hot water relaxes me or what—but some of my best ideas have happened in the shower.  And some of my favorite character lines, too.  Let me tell you, there were some days when I was taking three showers per day. My husband thought I’d lost my mind (he was probably right). On the upside, I smelled good, so it all worked out.
 
3. Contrary to what some people envision about a romance writer’s life, it’s not all glitz and glam. Well not for the majority of us. With that bubble sadly busted, when you’re not writing, how do you spend your time?
 
(Ani) Ah the glitz and glam…#someday.  My “free time” is a mythological creature, I’m convinced. The more I look for it, the more elusive it becomes. But when I manage to find it, I usually go to my favorite bookstore, Powell’s Books, sit with some hot chocolate in a corner, emanate leave-me-alone vibes, and read the latest releases. When I’m done with that, I will most likely make dinner (I do love cooking), and my husband and I will watch whatever is on HBO. Glamorous, right?  To step it up a notch, we are taking a mushroom hunting class this fall. I hope I survive it.
 
4. I know many writers, such as myself, keep their pastime/career a secret. Do those close to you know you write? If so, what are their thoughts?
 
(Ani) Yep, I’m a closet writer, too. My family and some of my friends know that I write, but that’s about it.  They are very supportive, and I’m really lucky in that regard. My poor husband has had to do the dishes for months on end, and occasionally be my guinea pig for whatever scene I’m writing.  And my parents are over the top. They don’t speak much English (I was born in a different country) but from what they can get through Google Translate, they are convinced my book will win the Nobel prize.  🙂 Everyone else thinks I’m a serious, suit-wearing, hose-hating, argumentative lawyer who has an unhealthy obsession with Oxford commas.
 
5. Will you share with us your all-time favorite authors? If you’re like me, it’s a long list so give us your top ten.
 
(Ani) I’m glad you gave me a limit on this one, or we’d be here a while.  Okay, my all-time, favorite, desert-island authors are: Tolstoy, Jane Austen, Vladimir Nabakov, Pablo Neruda, Mark Twain, John Grisham, JK Rowling, Gillian Flynn, Bella Andre, and Alice Munro.  (I know, kind of an eclectic mix…)
 
6. If you could choose one book to go to the big screen, yours or otherwise, which book would you choose and whom would you love to see cast in the parts?
 
(Ani) Oh boy, this is a tough one. Can I pick two? Or three? I’m picking two. 🙂  I’d love to see Thirty Nights on it because I think it would make my readers really happy.  But it would be hard to cast the main heroine because in my head, she looks like a young version of Liz Taylor.  And my alpha hero looks like no one else… but since this is fantasy question, I’ll go with David Gandy (though I know he is in very high demand).
 
 
As for another book, I would love to see the Fairest series/Lunar Chronicles on screen, by Marissa Meyer. The imagination of mixing fairy tales with cybernetics is kind of genius. I have no idea how they would do it, but I would definitely go see it.
 
7. Would you care to tell us what you’re working on now? That is if it’s not top-secret information. If so, just whisper it in my ear. I swear it’ll go no further.
 
(Ani) Right now, I’m working on the sequel for Thirty Nights, called Ninety Days.  Ninety days follows the journey of the two main characters, Elisa and Aiden. I’m also outlining a separate book based on legends and descendants of certain legendary heroes. That’s all I can say about that one. 🙂 (Mostly because I haven’t gotten far enough into it.)
 
8. Where can we find your stories, and is there a particular reading order?
 
(Ani) Thirty Nights will be available for preorder on October 18, 2015 and the release date is on November 17, 2015. You can find it on the following:
 
Samhain Publishing
Amazon
iTunes
Kobo
Barnes & Noble
Google Play
 
It is the first book in the American Beauty series. Its sequel, Ninety Days, is still in the drafting stage.
 
9. Would you please share how your present and future fans can contact you?
 
(Ani) I would love to! Speaking to readers is my favorite thing about writing and I think the reason I keep going.  They can find me on my website at anikeating.com.  On Twitter @AniKeating (https://twitter.com/AniKeating). And on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ani.surnois or https://www.facebook.com/thirtynights
 
I am also on Pinterest at https://www.pinterest.com/anikeating/
 
10. Before we conclude this enlightening interview, do you have anything else you’d like to share? The stage is all yours.
 
(Ani) I would like to thank my readers who have been there from the first chapter I posted on fanfiction and who have been patiently for the book to come out.  There are too many of them to list or name but among all of them, I received thousands of messages that kept me going.  I hope other readers who read this interview will also give Thirty Nights a chance.  And if they do, I’d love to hear from them.
 
(Kam) I’m sure readers are going to adore Thirty Nights. Speaking of which, lets learn more about the hot read I’m sure fans have been clamoring for. 
 
 
 
American Beauty, Book 1 
 Thirty nights. Two hearts. One fate.
 
 
After her parents’ tragic deaths, Elisa Snow wanted nothing more than to escape her past. Eighteen and alone, she fled her quaint English village and moved to the United States. A starving science student by day and an artist’s muse by night, Elisa has slowly built a new life. She never dreamed she would lose everything again.

She is one week from graduation when her visa is unexpectedly denied. Given thirty days to leave the country, she must face the one thing she cannot survive again—saying goodbye and leaving her home. Yet within minutes of her world shattering, she meets a man with the power to piece it back together.

After finishing his tour of duty in Iraq, Aiden Hale traded battlefields for boardrooms, becoming one of the most successful venture capitalists in the nation. But all his wealth can’t buy him reprieve from the horrific memories of war. The only thing that gives him peace is a painting of Elisa.

Drawn together by their invisible wounds, they begin a passionate affair as they race against the clock to defy their pasts—and fight for their future.



Warning: Contains a blistering exploration of desire, sacrifice, and redemption…and love’s power to equalize us in ways laws cannot. 

 

PURCHASE LINKS: 

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