Thursday, November 29, 2018

Gray Horizon NBtM

Blurb:
Sworn enemies. A stolen nuclear weapon. And the clock's ticking.

When Dr. Lillian Whyte learns a nuclear weapon is on the loose in Europe, she collides with a ruthless mercenary from her past. Isolated from her husband, a former CIA operative, Lillian tries to covertly help track the weapon. As she he joins the race to stop the bomb, she is drawn into a deadly game of chase. Despite her efforts, those intent on global catastrophe remain one step ahead of her.

As Lillian faces the fears of her past and deadliness of the present, can she secure the future of the world?



Excerpt:
“Dr. Whyte,” a guttural voice greeted her.

Her blood turned frigid and her stomach lurched as her heart thudded against her ribcage. As long as she lived, she would never forget that deep German accent—the voice of one of her captors nine years ago in Kenya.

The one that got away.

She was fairly certain Ivan Kleist would have only one reason for tracking her down: revenge.

Springing from the bench seat, she lashed a leg out into his gut. She saw a brief look of surprise on his pale face before she took off in a sprint.

Why now? Nine years he had waited.

The calculating killer had waited until she was out of the United States and away from Sean to corner her. She dashed in the direction of her hotel. Would she be safe in the lobby? In her room?

She slung her purse over her shoulder. Her phone was in the outer pocket, but she would have to slow down to make a call. Not happening. She would not slow until she reached the hotel.

Could she beat him to the hotel? His legs were longer, but she was ten years younger. But he probably hadn’t already logged twenty-six thousand steps for the day, as she had.

From her peripheral vision, Lillian saw an enormous object barreling toward her like a freight train. She barely had time to brace herself before Ivan plowed into her. She felt like she had been tackled by a linebacker. His large arms encircled her as she sailed to the ground. They rolled through the grass, her body encased by his.

He was so large he could probably crush the life out of her with his arms. She gasped for air. He wasn’t crushing her, but his grip was immobilizing.

Grunting, he hauled her to her feet. “Settle down, hase. Little white rabbit.”

Lillian, still dazed and sucking wind after her sprint, hardly put up a fight as he dragged her into an alley. Looking around frantically, her eyes couldn’t focus long enough to see anyone within shouting distance. She clawed at his large hand blocking her mouth from screaming.




Author Musings

One of the fascinating aspects of writing is how much I learn while writing a novel. I enjoy the challenge of taking knowledge and imparting it on the reader in a way that is enjoying and captivating without being burdensome to read. Since the main character in The Dr. Whyte Adventure series is an emergency room physician, there are medical emergencies in the books, but the novels are also rich with history—African history in Black Gold, biomedical warfare in Whyte Knight, and nuclear warfare history in Gray Horizon. One other fascinating aspect I pulled into Gray Horizon was Norse mythology. This was a perfect fit because the main character, Lillian Whyte, travels to Iceland for vacation (before getting blindsided by an enemy from her past).

Lillian finds herself relaxing in Café Loki in Reykjavik, as she enjoys her leisurely vacation. In the café, she observes a mural on the wall where multiple tales of Norse mythology are woven into one vibrant painting. Asgard, Loki (in his many forms), and Thor are represented. From this point onward, I weave in a few stories from Norse mythology throughout the novel using information from online sources and Neil Gaiman’s Norse Mythology (I highly recommend the audio book, read by the talented author himself).

Wait? Why are we talking about Norse mythology in a thriller book? Well, it turns out, the stories play quite nicely into a suspense thriller about a nuclear weapon on the loose. Lillian dreams of the nuclear weapon detonation in parallel with Ragnarok (the Norse equivalent of Doomsday). Her CIA husband searches for information about the stolen weapon with the tenacity of Odin searching for knowledge (perhaps not quite the extreme of Odin since he sacrificed an eye to drink from a well to gain knowledge). And one of the characters sees Lillian as something akin to Eir—a healer and Valkyrie with the power to save us all.

So, enjoy the thriller and have fun learning a little mythology on the side.



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Author Bio and Links:
Christina is a practicing physician, mother of two boys and a terrier, and wife to a caring and supportive husband.

“I grew up reading Tom Clancy, Michael Crichton, and the Bourne books. I write seeking to create that level of action and intrigue but with female heroines. I love the quote, ‘She needed a hero. So she became one.’ My novels have empowered women overcoming powerful obstacles and the strong men who support them.”

Website    |    Amazon Author Page    |    Goodreads    |    Facebook 

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*Other links pending as book is currently in KU but will go wide Nov 1st.

An Alien Exchange Book Blast

Blurb:
Aimee Gwiazdowski has a passion for Alien Abduction romance stories. She vicariously lives through the heroines of her books to escape her lonely, loveless life. Until one morning, she wakes up in a strange, white room where an alluring voice invites her to the “Exchange” to find love and adventure in another world. Did she dare believe it? Could she leave everything behind and take a chance to become one of those heroines who finds true love among the stars?

Exiled Prince Qayyum E’etu and commander of the space vessel StarChance has a mission—transport the human women to the Exchange along with an offer he can’t refuse: find evidence against rumored human trafficking connected with the Exchange. If he can successfully bring the traitors back to Zerin for justice, it would give him a chance to return home. How was he supposed to know that meeting a human woman would put everything he was working for in jeopardy?

As unforeseen evil slowly brews discord within the galaxy, it works to tear Aimee and Qay further apart. If they don’t learn to overcome their fears and trust the love they have for each other, the coming cataclysm will devastate not only Zerin, but Earth as well.

An Alien Exchange is the first book in a sci-fi romance that features intergalactic action, engrossing plots, and courageous individuals. If you like fast-paced action, raw emotions, and sexy aliens, you’ll love this new space adventure.



Excerpt:
It was hard to tell how tall he was because he was sitting, but his enormous body hinted at him being one humongous character. The recessed lighting reflected off his bald head as it emphasized the sloping points of his ears. His lower face had raven-black facial hair in an old-fashioned Fu Manchu. His pencil-thin mustache sat atop a small black beard, flowing to his waist. His tunic and pants were made of a red color so deep and rich it bordered on being black.

The deep, depthless onyx of his eyes trapped her. Every Zerin she’d ever met had dual-color eyes with iridescent pupils framed in green hues. Not this man. His eyes had no contrasting color and were as cold and dead as a snake. Her involuntary shivers increased.

“What do you bring me?” the slow boom of the giant asked in a steady inflection. His icy stare never left Aimee as he continued to stroke the sides of his satiny mustache.

“Sire, I have brought you a wondrous gift.” Was that simpering, submissive voice coming from Aja? A glance confirmed it. The syrupy tone went well with the body bending routine of a subservient lackey. Well, wasn’t she lucky to live long enough to see the haughty Aja scraping and bowing like a good little lapdog.

The giant raised a scornful eyebrow. “I fail to see how that is so.” One thick finger beat a rhythmic tattoo on the armrest. Aimee wasn’t an alien expert, but to her, he gave a universal signal of someone fast losing his patience.



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Author Bio and Links:
“Author of otherworldly romantic adventures”

A writer since the age of twelve, Keri Kruspe has always been fascinated with otherworldly stories that end with the dream of Happily Ever After.  

A native Nevadan, Keri resides with her family in the wilds of Northwest Michigan where she enjoys the stark change in seasons and the pleasures each one brings. An avid reader, Keri loves an enjoyable bottle of red wine, a variety of delicious foods and watching action/adventure movies…usually at the same time. You can find her most days immersed in her fantasy world on her latest novel while foot tappin’ to classic rock. When not absorbed in her writing, Keri works alongside her husband in building their dream home or discovering intelligent life in America in their RV.

Why I wrote this book [written in the 1st person]

I was reading one of my favorite Sci-fi romances on my electronic reader after watching the latest’s news about computer hacking. It got me thinking…what if aliens hacked into my reading habits to find someone like me who liked alien romances. Wouldn’t that be a perfect way to find women who might be willing to leaving Earth to find love among the stars…

I envisioned Star Wars meets Pretty women. And that, they say, was that. My story “An Alien Exchange” was born.



Buy An Alien Exchange to experience the first installment of this exciting trilogy!

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Dedication

I dedicate this book to those who are alone in a crowd. To those who are desperately trying to right a wrong they’ve done in the past. Sometimes taking a chance may seem crazy, but you’ll never know until you try.

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Dickensen Academy VBT

Blurb:
Dickensen Academy isn’t a typical boarding school. The faculty is hiding an unbelievable secret within their fine arts program. When Autumn Mattison receives an invitation to attend the high school, she yearns to escape her overbearing father yet remains reluctant to leave her mother and brother. Her doubts fade away when a vivid dream convinces her she belongs there.

Away from home, Autumn discovers a unique school environment that awakens her creative potential, and her new friends become like a second family. However, as she uncovers more about the dark side of the school and struggles with its curriculum, she questions whether Dickensen Academy is truly where she belongs.

When tragedy strikes, Autumn must learn to believe in her own power and stand up to her greatest fear or risk having her memories destroyed to protect the school’s secrets. Caught between secrets and dreams, can she find her true self?



Excerpt:
“I feel like there’s something big we don’t know about. Something those students were protecting. I mean, really, why are we here?”

I thought it was just me who was confused. “Well…the recruiters said we’re creative and focused.”

“Yeah, that’s what Principal Locke said too.”

“And we have the right personality.”

Ben looked up at the sky, sighed then turned toward the forest. “What did he say…something about how it will soon become clear why we’re here, and there’s some ultimate purpose for our creativity?”

“I know. That whole creativity part was a bit bizarre.”

He shrugged. “It seems everyone is going with the flow. But I have so many questions.” Then he touched my arm to stop me, so I turned toward him. “I’m thinking they’re isolating us for some special reason,” he admitted in an embarrassed tone.

I tried not to laugh—he was acting paranoid. But I didn’t know Ben well. Maybe he was joking, trying to freak me out. Or was he hitting on me? The flutter in my chest moved to my stomach. I was already anxious about being away from home and whether or not I could hack the academics. I didn’t need to obsess about anything else. But I still had to know about Ben’s dream.

“So…I also had a dream about Dickensen before I accepted the offer.”

Ben’s head snapped toward me. “You did?”




Christine Grabowski released her debut novel, Dickensen Academy, last month. Christine often finds wisdom in quotes, so she thought she’d share her favorite quotes about dreams since her young adult book deals with multiple definitions of dreams. (Some of these are used in so many places, the original author is unknown.)  

1 - A dream is a wish your heart makes when it’s fast asleep. ~ Cinderella

2 - Cherish yesterday. Dream tomorrow. Live today.

3 - Don’t dream your life, live your dreams.

4 - Laughter is timeless. Imagination has no age. Dreams are Forever. ~ Tinkerbell

5 - If you can dream it, you can do it. Always remember this whole thing was started with a dream and a mouse. ~ Walt Disney

6 - All of your dreams can come true, if we have the Courage to pursue them. ~ Walt Disney

7 - Dream as if you could live forever… Live as if you only have today.

8 - Dreams don’t work unless you do.

9 - It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live. ~ J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

10 - If you work hard, your dreams may become your reality. ~ Josh from Dickensen Academy



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Author Bio and Links:
Dickensen Academy is Christine’s debut YA novel. After graduating from the University of Washington, she earned her MBA at the University at Albany. She honed her technical writing skills in marketing and consulting but attributes the creative part of the process to her passion for reading.

When she isn’t reading or writing, Christine can often be found running, skiing, or hiking. She lives in Newcastle, Washington, with her supportive husband, two avid teen readers, and their energetic wheaten terriers.

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Buy Links:
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Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Paradigm Shift: Future Comes From Behind Book Blast

Blurb:
Fighting what we've become.

An ancient dimension of dark echoes from the past.

Lisa and her family barely manage to escape an invasion from the Rebel army in their home of Malta. Shortly after this episode, she discovers Exo, the ancient dimension she cannot understand until her late 20s. Exo is made of memories of the past; it brings forth all the strong echoes we leave behind. Lisa desperately wants to resolve the conflicts of this inner world peacefully, but quickly learns she must fight the shadows in people's hearts, materialized through battle re-enactments, warfare and emotional turmoil.



Excerpt:
Soon the windows revealed smaller buildings and less crowded streets. The train grew emptier too. Lisa heard the monotonous hum of the wheels more clearly; it slowed her heartbeat down to a peaceful pace. In a flash, as she had done many times before, she crossed into what she believed to be a dreaming state of mind.

A dense forest surrounded her. It was cold, and patches of snow covered the ground.

It feels so real… But I wanted a nice view of wild, untamed mountains. And a waterfall. And why can’t I better control the season or the clothes I’m wearing? Lisa wondered, shivering a little. There! She finally spotted an exit from the curtain of trees.

Below, a large lake covered with floating sheets of ice lay at her feet. She was indeed on a mountain. The fresh air was freezing, but she breathed it in eagerly, ignoring the abundant vapors of her warm breath.

What could this resemble? Canada? Alaska? Lisa had learned that, by focusing very deeply with closed eyes, she could sometimes change her clothing or some of the details around her.

This time, only a long scarf appeared on her shoulders after she opened her eyes. “Not enough,” she said, shivering, but proceeded to walk along the cliff regardless. Minutes later, she stopped to take a better look into the distance. A boat? I don’t want to come across any other people this time...Ah, it’s just a log. She could not stand the cold any longer, so she thought about getting back.

Greg raised an eyebrow when he noticed her repeated blinking.

“Your lucid dreams again?”

Lisa nodded in confession.

“Where did you go this time?”

“Far…far from these many babylons.”

“Just another reason why we are a perfect match.” He smiled.

“They are so real. And they feel so long, though they really last just a fraction of a second.”

“Do you meet any people in there?”

“Yes, but I avoid them. It scares me to death how intense and unpredictable they are. Last week I met a tribe in Africa and before that I was in the middle of a medieval city.”

“Lucky you,” said Greg. “It’s a strange yet blissful anomaly, to escape reality like that.”



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About the Author:
A fan of nourishing SF&F fiction. Seeker of essential truths in historical non-fiction. Exploring life for almost half a century. Delivering action and matters of the inner self. "Chan has license to be more philosophical and issue-oriented, and on the whole he blends together different genres well." (John Staughton, SPR)

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Monday, November 26, 2018

Assassin's Honor VBT

Blurb:
Buddy flick epic fantasy! Joel Breckenridge and Garrett Kennard are King's Shadows, elite assassins serving the crown of Landria. When a shadowy itinerant holy man starts captivates the nobility with treasonous whispers, Ridge and Rett go rogue to stop the threat, save the kingdom and protect the king--while landing on the 'Most Wanted' list themselves.



Excerpt:
He rolled the warrant up and tucked it into Destwiler’s bloody vest, a formality. Ridge bent down to search Destwiler’s pockets, curling his lip at the still-warm blood that soaked the shoulders and sleeves of the man’s coat. He found a parchment note tucked beneath the vest and took it to read later, figuring that anything Destwiler found important enough to carry on his person bore looking at closely.

“Are you stealing from him?” Kelvin asked, still eying Ridge with a mixture of fear and awe.

Ridge replied without looking up. “I’m trying to find the keys to those manacles, because I sure as hell don’t want to have to carry you and them out of here, and we need to leave.” He took the iron key off the strap and then stood and crossed the distance to where Kelvin huddled against the wall.

He stared at Ridge in wide-eyed apprehension, unsure what to make of his terrifying rescuer. His wrists were badly bruised from the weight of the iron, and the mark on his cheek suggested Destwiler or his guard had backhanded the child at least once.

“I’m here to take you back to your father,” Ridge said quietly, approaching Kelvin as he would a spooked horse. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

“Are you a Shadow Killer?” Kelvin’s tone shifted, still frightened but clearly intrigued. Ridge had always hated that term—he argued that it made it sound like they killed shadows.




 Gail, thanks so much for stopping by. How did you get started writing?
I realized when I was 14 that people weren’t born writers, they became authors. That’s when I decided that I wanted to become an author and write books that made people happy.


What was the inspiration for your book?
I wanted to write a buddy flick epic fantasy with humor and action, and create an epic fantasy feel to the story without epic fantasy length.


What’s a genre you haven’t written in yet that you’d like to?
I’d like to do a cozy mystery series and a horror novel. I’ve got things in mind, just need to clear time in the calendar.


Are there any genres you won’t read or write in? Why?
It all depends on the story idea. I’ve written eight non-fiction books, and in fiction I’ve written epic fantasy, urban fantasy, steampunk/alternate history and comedic horror. I’ve written dozens of short stories and novellas. And as Morgan Brice, I write urban fantasy MM paranormal romance. So it really comes down to falling in love with a story that needs to be told.


What are you up to now? Do you have any releases planned, or are you still writing?
I’m working on novellas in two new series for 2019, one is post-apocalyptic, and the other is 1920s urban fantasy. Then I’ll be writing another Morgan Brice novel, the second Badlands book, and a novella to finish off my Ascendant Kingdoms series. That should take me up to the beginning of 2019! We’ll have a lot of new releases, and several new series, coming out next year!


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


Favorite movie?    
The Princess Bride or Fifth Element


Book that inspired you to become an author?
There wasn’t just one book. It was all the books I read, and thinking about all the stories I wanted to write.


You have one superpower. What is it?
Fitting more hours into a day!
 

You can have dinner with any 3 people, dead, alive, fictitious, etc. Who are they?
Harry Potter, Harry Dresden, and Gandalf. Because I want to pick their brains about magic!


Last question: Which of your characters are you most like and how/why?
There’s a little bit of me in all my characters, if you know where to look. That said, I probably identify most with Jonmarc Vahanian, from my Chronicles of the Necromancer books. He gets knocked down, and keeps getting back up again.



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Author Bio and Links:
Gail Z. Martin writes epic fantasy, urban fantasy and steampunk for Solaris Books, Orbit Books, Falstaff Books, SOL Publishing and Darkwind Press. Vengeance is the second in the new Darkhurst epic fantasy series. Also new is The Dark Road, the second in the Jonmarc Vahanian Adventures series, and Assassin’s Honor (coming, October 2018), the first in the new Assassins of Landria series.

Her Deadly Curiosities urban fantasy series set in Charleston, SC has a new novel, Tangled Web, and two new collections, Trifles & Folly, and Trifles & Folly 2.

Other work includes the Chronicles Of The Necromancer series, the Fallen Kings Cycle, the Ascendant Kingdoms series, and the alternate history novel Iron & Blood and the Storm & Fury collection (co-authored with Larry N. Martin) She is also the co-author (with Larry) of the Mark Wojcik monster hunter series (Spells, Salt and Steel) and the upcoming Wasteland Marshals series and the Cauldron/Secret Council series from Falstaff Books.

As Morgan Brice, she writes urban fantasy MM paranormal romance. New and upcoming books include Witchbane, Burn, Dark Rivers, Badlands, and Lucky Town.

Find her at www.GailZMartin.com, on Twitter, on Facebook, at DisquietingVisions.com blog, and on Goodreads. She is also the organizer of the #HoldOnToTheLight campaign. Join her email update and never miss a new release—plus get great free stories just for signing up! 

Buy on Audio, ebook, paperback or free on Kindle Unlimited here: http://a.co/d/aLiSoFi

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Song of the Boricua VBT

Blurb:
Puerto Rico an island of contradiction, serves as an enchanting backdrop following three generations of women.

Elena:  Resilient and ambitious, but trapped by duty to her children.
Maria:  Passionate and headstrong, but married to a man she does not love. Josephina: Optimistic and romantic, but in love with an alcoholic.
Isabella: Clairvoyant and spiritual, but denies her heritage and roots.

Like the land these women are held hostage, unfulfilled and unable to find their happiness. Each generation like the land is cursed. Can they defy the powerful bond of the curse and free themselves to find love everlasting?

New Author, Olivia Castillo, like the jibaros of the past weaves a tale of sorrow and joy. Castillos' fiction is timely, offering a glimpse into the islands rich history and offering insight into the story that has plagued women for all of time, the search for true love and acceptance of self.



Excerpt:
Maria
Bronx, NY, February 1957
As Maria glanced around she spotted the most gorgeous guy she had ever seen. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with thick brown hair pulled back in a shiny pompadour. He had olive skin and his eyes were a deep onyx. Under a letterman's jacket he was wearing a tight-fitting sweater.

She watched him from across the room, unable to look away. When he looked up, their eyes met. She felt a shiver go down her spine; he smiled at her, flashing dimples. Maria, trying to be nonchalant, walked over to the table and poured herself a glass of fruity punch, aware of his eyes still on her. She kept her eyes down and swayed to Elvis singing

“Jailhouse Rock.” Only seconds later she felt someone step beside her.

“Hi, doll,” the dark-haired guy said to her. “Are you new? I’m Rick, by the way.” He held out his hand in a friendly gesture.

Wow, he is tall! Maria thought in awe. Giving him her most beguiling smile she said, “I’m Maria, and no, I’m not new, but this is the first school dance I’ve ever been to.”

“Boss,” Rick said enthusiastically, showing dimples again, and brilliant white teeth. “So, who are you here with? Or rather, where is he?” Rick asked, looking around.

“No boyfriend,” Maria admitted, laughing a little. “My mother would flip. Unfortunately, I am here with my little sister,” Maria said raising her voice so Corinna could hear. Corinna, who had not gone too far, looked up upon hearing her name and waved.




Why has dance always inspired you?

I think back in my life and I see that dance has always been an outlet. It’s where I met my romantic partners and where I found myself.

When I was thirteen I started going to the church dances. It was at the end of the 1970s, so I remember twirling as I danced to a Donna Summer song. It is where I also started to notice boys. Every week my sister and I got ready for the dances, always hoping for tall, dark, and handsome, but getting small, nerdy and frisky. We had a blast escaping the house and beginning to explore ourselves.

It was also at a church dance where I met the first man who would change my life. We had moved to California and this man was tall, tan, and blonde. He was extremely awkward and I remember him inhaling the helium out of the balloons, talking to me and speaking in a squeaky voice.

It was dancing salsa twenty-three years later where I found myself again. I had gone through a grueling ten years and was going through a divorce. I had always wanted to learn how to salsa dance and one night my girlfriend and I decided to take the leap.

I am so glad I did. It helped me find my passion again. It helped me get in the best shape of my life and it helped me find the love of my life.

I will always try to have dance in my life. 



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Author Bio and Links:
Olivia Castillo is a New York native. After going to the prestigious Fiorello H. Laguardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, she went on to study graphic design at Otis Parson's College in Los Angeles. Along with being an entrepreneur, she is the mother of three children, and grandmother of two. When not writing or spending time with her family, she travels the world and paints. Song of the Boricua is her first novel.

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