One Night in Dublin Review Tour

Blurb:

At her mother’s prompting (nagging) about grandchildren, Sive wonders if it really is time to settle down. She’s just finishing college so she should be thinking about her future. But is she ready to settle down? Is she ready for kids? And more importantly, which of the three men she’s been seeing does she want to spend the rest of her life with?

Sive has a choice to make, and only 24 hours in which to make it.

Excerpt:

Choices.

We all make them. From the moment we wake up, it's: “do I get out of bed now or hit the snooze button . . . again?” “shall I wear this outfit to work or that one?” “tea and toast or grab something on the way?”

It's all mundane bullshit. They’re all choices we make on the fly without even realizing we're making them.

Think about it. What choices do you make when you’re not thinking about them? Like going home from work. You get on the train, find a seat and wait for your stop. But when you get there, you wonder how the hell you got there because you don’t remember making the journey.

What I’m trying to say is that we often go on auto-pilot and just do what needs doing without any real thought, because there are usually more pressing things to think about—the important things.  Or seemingly so. Like, what movie to see, what restaurant to eat in, where to go on holidays . . . and for some girls, this pair of sensible shoes on sale or another pair not on sale but immensely sexier?

For me, today, my choices aren't so mundane, and they’ll require a lot of conscious thought. I have an important decision to make. One that could change my life forever, pardon the cliché.

They—whoever 'they' are—say there is someone for everyone, that we all have a 'type' of person we're attracted to. I'm still figuring it all out . . . exploring to see what is my type . . . that someone just for me. And it doesn’t help that my mum’s voice is in the back of my head, asking . . . i.e. nagging (yes, I just said i.e.) . . . when I’m going to settle down and give her grandkids.

First, let me say this: I'm not a slut. I'm not loose, I don't carelessly sleep around, and I don't do one-night stands. I just love men and all of their vast differences.

What can I say about my boys that every other woman out there doesn’t already know about men? Charmers, every one of them. But they all give me something I need.

Tonight I need to decide what, or who, I need the most—Fitzy, Moss, or Sully. 

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March 18: Sharing Links and Wisdom
March 25: Words of Wisdom from The Scarf Princess
March 25: Romorror Fan Girl
April 1: Paranormal Romance and Authors That Rock
April 1: Harps Romance Book Review
April 8: Marlow Kelly History and other Ponderings
April 8: The Reading Addict

Author Bio and Links:

Kemberlee was born and raised in Northern California in an area known as America's Salad Bowl. It was home to many authors, including John Steinbeck, and for a while Jack London and Robert Louis Stevenson. In 1997, Kemberlee had the opportunity to live in Ireland for six months, where she ended up meeting a man who convinced her to stay. Kemberlee is now celebrating her eighteenth year in Ireland and has been lucky to travel the country extensively, picking up a cupla focal along the way—a few Irish words.

Kemberlee has been writing since a very young age and over the years she has published dozens of travel articles and book reviews, as well as worked with some notable authors who’ve set their books in Ireland. 2006 saw the publication of Kemberlee’s first two stories, Tutti-Frutti Blues and Dude Looks Like a Lady, set in her hometown. Since then, Kemberlee has published a number of short stories and novels, many of which are set in Ireland.

Get in touch with Kemberlee:

Website     |     Facebook     |     Twitter     |     LinkedIn

Heart Shaped Stones     |     Hearticles:Articles with Heart

Tirgearr Publishing     |     Amazon

Drama Queens and Adult Themes Review Tour

Blurb:

Adam’s about to discover how much drama a mid-life crisis can be. He’s obsessed with Mannix, the nude model in his art class. But Adam has been married to Wade for nearly two decades, and they don’t have an open relationship.

Little do they know that Fabien, a warlock from the Afterlife, has secretly cast a spell of lust on Adam and his potential toy-boy.

As things begin to heat up, Adam’s guardian angel, Guy, steps in. But what’s the best way to save the relationship? Should Guy subdue Adam’s wandering passions or instigate a steamy threesome?

Excerpt:

"Is this what a midlife crisis feels like, Wade?"

"I don't think so, Adam."

"Why do you say that?"

"We still love each other."

"So?"

"Think about it, Adam."

I observed the appealing brick house we parked in front of. Someone had spent their hard-earned cash to buy it, and maybe someone had spent more money renovating it. Perhaps in old-world elegance or as an understated minimalist designer statement. They would have argued under its roof. Possibly committed illegal acts in the shed. Made love with the curtains open. Either way, someone has built up a past in this house, just as we had in our home. There was no chance in hell I would give it all up.

"You're right, we're still madly in love," I said. "Neither of us is stupid enough to believe that we've fallen for Mannix. We're just going through a phase."

"True, Adam. Let's not forget Simon and Jean. Now that's a midlife crisis!"

"Oh god, yes! I can see why a trapeze artist would be a good catch to a man with an uptight wife, but at least he could have stopped to think about what he was getting himself into beforehand."

"Two bratty kids to a second marriage when he should've been thinking about retirement."

"That Oscar and his little peeing problem. A six year old shouldn't still be wearing nappies when they visit friends."

Wade started the engine.

"They claim it's a medical condition, Adam."

"Medical condition, my ass! He wants attention, and Simon is past the parenting age. As for that trapeze artist, well, there's a circus short of a clown."

My Review:

4 stars

First off, this is book 2 of the series, and while it can be read as a stand-alone, I would recommend reading book 1 first. The characters from book 1 return in book 2, plus there are interlocking events that would make more sense if you read the books in order. Now, onto the rest of my review (and I swear, I’m trying to be as unspoilery as possible).

Yes, this book does bring back all the characters (though not quite the same as they were in book 1), including Guy. And yes, Guy steals the show again for me. I loved him in book 1, and I loved him even more in this book. I also liked the fact that the author didn’t spend a lot of time on sex scenes. I’m not the biggest fan of sex scenes, and they would have slowed down the plot of this book, so I’m glad the author resisted the urge to overdo them. Though the ones that are there…interesting, to say the least.

Now, onto the plot itself. I will admit, I was more of a fan of book 1, a lot of which is due to the plot. Not only is the plot convoluted, but the story jumps from the real world to the afterlife often. Following what’s happening gets confusing at times, and I made liberal use of the bookmark and note functions on my Kindle trying to keep track of what was going on. Plus, the books are very…I guess surreal would be the best description. The books are definitely Inception type reads.

So, if you like surreal fantasies with limited sex and a plot that actually requires you to think while reading it, I would definitely give this series a try. The book is well written and edited, and it is a fun story. Plus, all the cultural references definitely upped my enjoyment. I’m looking forward to book 3 (parts of which are hinted at in this book), and I can’t wait to see what Guy and company will get up to next.

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March 10: Unabridged Andra's
March 17: Sharing Links and Wisdom
March 17: Nephy's World
March 24: The Reading Addict
March 31: Lilac Reviews

Author Bio and Links:

Kevin lives with his long-term partner in their humble apartment (affectionately named Sabrina), in Australia’s own ‘Emerald City,’ Sydney.

From an early age Kevin had a passion for writing, jotting down stories and plays until it came time to confront puberty. After dealing with pimple creams and facial hair, Kevin didn’t pick up a pen again until he was in his thirties. His handwritten manuscript was being committed to paper when his social circumstances changed, giving him no time to write. Concerned, his partner, Warren, snuck the notebook out to a friend who in turn came back and demanded Kevin finish his novel. It wasn’t long before Kevin’s active imagination was let loose again. The result was Drama Queens with Love Scenes, the first in a series of Afterlife tales.

Kevin is looking forward to thumping the keys on his laptop and churning out stories until it’s time for him to gain firsthand experience of the hereafter.

Website     |     Author Facebook     |     DQLS Facebook

Twitter     |     Amazon Author Page     |     Booktrailer

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Tears for a World VBT

Blurb:

The holy artifact bonded around Marisylia Malludar's neck gives her incredible physical and magical powers—at a price. The bloody piece of vein is consuming Marisylia's body inch by inch, her skeletal hands and feet only the beginning of a slow death. A cruel sorceress and her assassins are on the hunt for Marisylia to steal the artifact. Religious fanatics, volatile and unstable in their blind faith, also seek her to exploit the vein’s most dangerous purpose—liberating the erratic Creator of the World, Lysielle, from her 1,000 year incarceration.

With the vein the key to Lysielle’s freedom, Marisylia must use her abilities to survive long enough to find Lysielle first. Then her most grim challenge awaits—deciding if the Creator has truly repented for attempting to destroy all life. To achieve global peace, Marisylia must discover faith in the unpredictable Lysielle or rely on her own instincts to set the world’s fate.

Excerpt:

Marisylia nodded, then reached out and touched his shoulder. “Thank you for watching over me, Krahn. You haven’t stopped doing that since the explosion. All those days I wrapped myself in seclusion, but I do realize how much you’ve been here for me.”

Krahn turned toward her on the bench. Unexpected heat rose in Marisylia’s cheeks as their eyes met. Her hand still rested on his shoulder. His arm moved as if to touch her leg, but his hand ended up on his knee. “You’re very welcome,” he said. “But I’m just doing my job, Mari. Security has been my life for many years. With Milick in Three Fingers, I can return to Lenth knowing you are safe.”

Disappointment pressed Marisylia like a weight, pinning her to the bench. Is that what he had been doing all this time, merely performing his job? Did he not care about their effort at a relationship that began in Lenth? Apparently he wanted to return home. She then felt a bit naïve as the warmth returned to her cheeks. Of course Krahn was doing his job, that’s what he had been hired to do. And truthfully, their short time together in the city didn’t warrant a full loving commitment, as if they had been a couple for years.

Still, after everything they had experienced together, she hoped Krahn had developed more affection for her. She certainly had grown to appreciate him, and found his company reassuring.

Alex, thanks so much for stopping by. So, why don’t you tell us a little about yourself?

Greetings, and many thanks for hosting my novel on your site. I grew up in southern California without having any idea what I wanted to do in life. That usually means a stint in the military is just around the corner. And here I am, a 21-year veteran in the U.S. Air Force and still going strong. Halloween is my favorite time of year, even though I’m afraid of everything in the dark. My favorite books are the Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander. I’m a fan of old video games and still rock my PS2.  


How did you get started writing?

Being fascinated by books as a child motivated me to start writing. I felt absorbed by the stories and I would become physically, emotionally, and spiritually a part of those adventures. Remember what happened to Bastion while he read The NeverEnding Story? That was me as a kid with whatever book I read. I wanted to duplicate those experiences when writing.


What was the inspiration for your book?

Throughout my life I had written several short stories with many different characters, but I never had a real focus for something bigger. The characters were a part of me, and I thought putting them all together in one solid story would be exciting. In Tears for a World, there are elements from each smaller story woven into the novel, which is cool because it reminds me of the short stories I had written long ago.


What’s the one genre you haven’t written in yet that you’d like to?

Romance. It seems like a good, enjoyable challenge that I would love to pull off.


Are there any genres you won’t read or write in? Why?
Hm, I don’t think there’s anything I’ve turned away from reading. If it’s on the back of a frozen dinner box, I’ll read it. As for writing, I’d stay away from a memoir due to my life story probably boring people to tears. 

So, what are you working on right now? Have any releases planned, or still writing?

My fantasy novel Tears for a World is part of the Lonely World Trilogy. Right now I’m putting the final touches on the 2nd book in the series, Tears for Love, and shooting for an early summer release. The 3rd book is barely in the draft stages right now, but I’m having a blast getting it off the ground.


Alright, now for some totally random, fun questions. Favorite color?

I love blue, the darker the better.

Favorite movie?

Not to sound cliché, but Braveheart is my favorite. For me, this film touched a huge number of emotions. I even shed a tear when it first came out in the theater. Good thing it was dark in there. Say what you will about the historical facts, but remember that it is just a movie. 

Alright, you have one superpower. What is it?

Invisibility. Now who wouldn’t have fun with that?


You can have dinner with any 3 people, dead, alive, fictitious, etc. Who are they?

1) Geraldine Ramirez. She’s the girl I had a gargantuan crush on in high school and was too terrified to even say a word to. I would just like to know how her life turned out.

2) Anyone from my father’s side of the family; I have never met any of them.

3) Anyone who built the following: Machu Picchu, Great Pyramids, Stonehenge. I would ask them just how in the heck they moved and stacked those massive stones with no machinery or technology.


Last question: Which of your characters are you most like and how/why?

My protagonist Marisylia Malludar and I share some characteristics. Well, not the physical ones as she’s a 16-year-old girl and I’m an “older” gentleman. We share a passion for reading, not worrying too much about “what’s out there” since current life is busy enough, sometimes feeling isolated even though friends are around, showing raw courage and being steadfast when pushed to the limits.

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March 16: Sharing Links and Wisdom
March 17: Edgar's Books
March 17: Independent Authors
March 18: Linda Nightingale...Wordsmith
March 19: Room With Books
March 20: The Reading Addict
March 23: Long and Short Reviews
March 24: Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews
March 25: Writer Wonderland
March 26: Welcome to My World of Dreams
March 27: Books N Pearls
March 30: Kit 'N Kabookle
March 31: Yeah Books!
April 1: Readsalot
April 2: Unabridged Andra's
April 3: Laurie's Paranormal Thoughts and Reviews

Author Bio and Links:

Alexander Fernandez was born in Santa Monica, CA and grew up in Rancho Cucamonga. Currently serving over 20 years in the United States Air Force, he lives with his wife Helem in Rocklin, CA.

Alex has been writing fantasy stories since early childhood for both school and for pleasure. He hopes to make a lasting emotional impact in his readers. He thrives in the exhilaration of creating memorable characters and adventures that become a part of the reader’s life.

Author site     |     Facebook     |     Twitter

Buy Link

Beware the Ides of March!

Photo courtesy of regards.com

Yes, today was the fated day Julius Caesar was warned about. He ignored the warning, which is why today is also the anniversary of his death.

However, the Ides of March was originally just a fancy sounding name for the middle of March. Yep, every month had an Ides. The Ides were determined by the full moon, which usually occurred on the 13th or 15th day of the month.

After Caesar's death, the Ides of March became a turning point in Roman history, as one of the events that marked the transition from the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire.

Lesson learned: if a famous soothsayer tells you to beware the Ides of March, it might be a good idea to listen.

I just felt like sharing some interesting tidbits with y’all. If you're interested, check out these posts for more information: Inquisitr, About Education, and when all else fails: Wikipedia. Have a wonderful Ides of March!

On a totally random side note, today is also Hungary’s National Day, in memory of their 1848-49 Revolution and War of Independence. Google makes Google Doodles every year to celebrate this in Hungary, which you can see here.

Reviewing Life - Reviewed by Trix

Reviewing Life

By: Lara Brukz

A Review Story #2

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Recovering alcoholic Marshall Ellerbee still grieves the loss of his best friend and lover, Eric. After a year of sobriety, Marshall accepts a new job with the Wellness Center, something else to help him continue cleaning up his life. Things are finally improving when his sponsor has a heart attack. The counselor hired to replace him is none other than Kyle Young, the lost ex's best friend. Kyle has always hated Marshall, but now they must work together and move past their history. When Marshall saves Eric’s life, Kyle suddenly sees Marshall in a new light. But will romance unsettle Marshall’s hard-won new stability?

Trix’s Review:

4 stars

I had no idea that this book was the sequel to an earlier story when I read it; it works very well as a standalone. Judging from the predecessor's blurb and reviews, I may have felt very differently about Marshall's character if I had read FIVE STAR REVIEW first. However unsympathetic he may have been in the first book, the Marshall presented here is a careworn and touching character who genuinely wants to make amends. Kyle has his fair share of emotional baggage as well, and I rooted for the two of them separately and together. (Both have dealt with so much tragedy that I spent much of the book fretting about what would happen to them next, a testament to Brukz' ability to make the guys seem real.) In spite of the intense themes of loss and redemption, this is a surprisingly sweet and uplifting romance. I did sometimes find the guys'tendency to explain their feelings at length during any tender moment a bit much (especially in the earlier stages of their relationship). Of course, considering that both men work in counseling (with one having regular confessional moments at AA meetings), this isn't totally beyond the scope of belief. The story is refreshingly unpredictable right up to the very end, thanks to a few side characters. Without giving too much away, I will say that I fell hard for the adorable paramedic Dane, and I demand to read his story next!

The Argent Star VBT

Blurb:

What happens when your decisions affect an entire universe?

Ren Argent wanted to be an archeologist and spend her life exploring the lost cities of Earth.  But when a new planet is discovered and her father is appointed King, she has to leave behind everything she knows to rule over a place she’s only heard of in legends.

Not long after her arrival she discovers there are insurgents hiding in the darkened forests and the planet is on the brink of civil war.  It won’t be long until the Monarchy steps in to “neutralize” the threat.

Will she be able to stop the hostile takeover?  Or will her actions ignite a rebellion across the universe?

Excerpt:

“Well, when the Monarchy showed them this,”—Garret nodded to the paper—“and their current Prime Minister dead, his successor was very willing to pass the torch.”

Ren inspected the paper closer while Elian tried to remember what a Prime Minister was.  The only words she could make out were “Star Deed” and “Meredith Argent”, along with a seemingly random set of numbers.

“Something that isn’t widely known is that back on Earth in the latter twentieth to early twenty-first century, people would gift stars to each other,” Garret explained.

“Seriously?” Elian asked.

Garret nodded.  “And in 1984, a man named Daniel Argent gave his girlfriend and soon to be wife a star for their wedding.  Ring any chimes?”

“Bells,” Ren corrected.  “And yes, it does.  Are you saying because our ancestor named a star, through a company that doesn’t have any right to name stars I might add, that we own it now?  And by default, the planet that orbits it?”

“Absolutely,” Garret said with a grin.  Ren had hoped her corrections would make him think twice before opening his mouth, or at least put a damper on his mood, but it did neither.

“You are now the royal family of the planet Novae.”  Garret bowed towards the new royals.  “Welcome to the Monarchy.”

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6: CBY Book Club
7: StarAngels Reviews
8: 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too!
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17: Word Menagerie
18: Tina Donahue
19: Linda Nightingale...Wordsmith
20: Ye Olde Inkwell
21: Romance That's 'Out Of This World'
22: Two Ends of the Pen
23: A to Z Reviews
24: Sexy Adventures, Passionate Tales
25: Sharing Links and Wisdom
26: deal sharing aunt

Author Bio and Links:

Emerson Fray currently resides in Hamilton, Ontario.  While most of her stories happen on other planets, she remains on Earth 24/7 hunting down hawks and bugs to photograph, as well as chasing her mother’s dog to reclaim stolen shoes.  A self taught Pokemon trainer and coffee lover, she spends most of her valuable time pinning recipes she will never make on boards she will forget about.

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Author Interview - Chris Karlsen

Today, I’d like to introduce y’all to an author I’ve known for a while now. She just recently had a new release, Silk, book one of her new series, The Bloodstone Series, a suspense set in Victorian London. And so, without further ado, here’s my interview with the wonderful Chris Karlsen!

Chris, thanks so much for stopping by. So, why don’t you tell us a little about yourself?

I am an only child. Like many of us, I spent a great deal of time playing alone. I also came down with rheumatic fever when I was 7 and couldn't play outside for over a year, especially in the cold (we lived in Chicago). Those factors contributed creating playmates and places from my imagination. I think that was the start of my world building. That carried through to movies and books I read as I got older. I just automatically gave them my spin, my endings.

From the time I graduated high school, I traveled as much as possible (and still do.) When I'd find myself in a place that really moved me or a historical figure who lived in another time and place that fascinated me, I'd bury the info and used to tell myself: one day, if I ever write a book, I'm going use this setting or this person.

Once I retired, I had no reason not to try and tell stories I'd built up in my head.

How did you get started writing?

I retired in 2001 and began to write in mid 2002. I didn't know any writers or belong to any groups, I had no idea where to start other than to sit down and starting typing out the first story I wanted to tell. As I did, I began to go to conferences and taking online classes to learn the craft.

What was the inspiration for your book?

Silk, my latest book, came from a visit I made to the South Wales Borderers Regimental Museum. The movie Zulu is a fave of mine so I made it a point to visit the regiment the movie was about. I told myself that someday I'd write a story and have my hero be from this regiment. I like writing other time periods and I hadn't done one in Victorian times and I love England so it was natural to use Victorian London. The hero, Rudyard Bloodstone, former soldier with South Wales Borderers, just came to me as I was writing another book

Sometimes, characters do sneak up on you as you're writing something else and you have to promise them, when you're finished, you'll give them their own book.  Most of my writer friends say the same happens to them:)

What’s the one genre you haven’t written in yet that you’d like to?

Historical fiction. I love Bernard Cornwell. I can't think of a better historical fiction author. Silk is close for me as possible right now  as it is a departure from my romances and it is historical suspense.

Are there any genres you won’t read or write in? Why?

Oh dear, I hate to speak ill of another genre. Let me just say I don't care to write Sci-Fi as I don't think I'd be good at creating other worlds. I like Star Trek etc. I just don't think I could come with Clingons or Romulans etc. I also don't read westerns or inspirationals.. Nothing wrong with them, I am just  not interested in the Wild West period and inspirationals don't generally hold my interest.

So, what are you working on right now? Got any releases planned, or still writing?

Silk has only been in release a short time. I am currently working on the first draft of the fourth Knights in Time book. I don't have a title yet. It 's different in that it has two heroines and two heroes. The heroes are from Journey in Time and Knight Blindness. The heroines are the sisters of the heroine in Knight Blindness. It's a time travel, which is a topic I enjoy writing. I hope to have it out in fall.

Alright, now for some totally random, fun questions. Favorite color?

Bright Copper

Favorite movie?

Tough choice but I'll go with Casablanca.

Book that inspired you to become an author?

Interview with the Vampire (that said, I have no interest in writing a vampire story) and Outlander (time travel taken to the limit!)

Alright, you have one superpower. What is it?

I'd like to be able to time travel but make myself invisible when needed.  I don't fancy getting labeled a witch and face burning at the stake!!

You can have dinner with any 3 people, dead, alive, fictitious, etc. Who are they?

I had to really think hard on this to be able to whittle down the list to 3. I'll take Queen Elizabeth the 1st, Oscar Wilde, and Dr. Neil De Grasse Tyson. I'd like to discuss how gutsy it was for Elizabeth to remain unmarried while under enormous pressure from her nobles to marry. Also, how she managed to know what advice to take that made England Queen of the Seas.

Oscar Wilde because of his wit and intellect and imagination.

Dr. Tyson because I want to talk time travel, Einstein's theory, life on other planets, the Big Bang, etc.

Last question: Which of your characters are you most like and how/why?

I'd probably go with Charlotte, my American nautical archaeologist from my Dangerous Waters series. I love history and archaeology and she works mostly in the Eastern Mediterranean, which is a setting I love. My second choice would be Shakira, my London attorney from Journey in Time. I did consider going into law when I was a detective. I thought about going to law school and taking the bar after I left law enforcement. I turned to the more fun challenge of writing. I also like her independence and her very logical way of looking at things. 

Author Bio:

Chris Karlsen is a retired police detective. She spent twenty-five years in law enforcement with two different agencies. The daughter of a history professor and a voracious reader, she grew up with a love of history and books.

An internationally published author, Chris has traveled extensively throughout Europe, the Near East, and North Africa satisfying her need to visit the places she read about. Having spent a great deal of time in England and Turkey, she has used her love of both places as settings for her books. "Heroes Live Forever," which is her debut book, is set in England as is the sequel, "Journey in Time," the third is "Knight Blindness." They are part of her Knights in Time series. She is currently working on the fourth in the "Knights in Time," series. "Golden Chariot," is set in Turkey and the sequel, "Byzantine Gold" is set Turkey, Paris and Cyprus. They are part of her Dangerous Waters series.

A Chicago native, Chris has lived in Paris and Los Angeles and now resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and four rescue dogs. A city girl all her life, living in a small village on a bay was a interesting adjustment. She'd never lived anywhere so quiet at night and traffic wasn't bumper to bumper 24/7.

Some of Chris's favorite authors are: Michael Connolly, John Sandford, Joseph Wambaugh, Stephen Coonts, Bernard Cornwell, Julia Quinn, Julie Anne Long, Deanna Raybourne and Steve Berry.