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Big Girls *Heart* Books: May 2013 -->

Friday, May 31, 2013

Cover Reveal: Speak Easy by Melanie Harlow- Giveaway


Title: Speak Easy
Author: Melanie Harlow
Expected release date: July 22, 2013
Genre: Historical
Age Group: New Adult
Cover Designed by: Tom Barnes Design


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 July, 1923. The ‘20s are roaring, and twenty-year-old Tiny O’Mara is desperate for a little anything-goes excitement. But when her father is kidnapped by a mobster in Detroit's exploding organized crime scene, she’s shocked to find herself caught up in the bootlegging wars of Prohibition—and torn between two gorgeous gangsters on opposite sides. To save her father’s life, she’ll have to choose between them. But deciding whom to trust isn’t easy in a world where everyone wants something—be it booze, money, power, or sex—and no one cares what it takes to get it. Temptation is everywhere.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

  About the Author

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 Melanie Harlow likes her martinis dry, her lipstick red, and her history with the naughty bits left in. SPEAK EASY was inspired by her cocktail-culture obsession, her affection for good gin, and the view from the end of her street. She lifts her glass to NA readers and writers from her home near Detroit, MI.  
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Nevermore PR: Caleb by Kim McNiel- Excerpt


Caleb
By Kim McNiel

Living a double life, Caleb is a hard-working and self-assured man, who doubles as an arrogant, cocky and womanizing prick. With his choices of women on a layaway plan, he’s never lonely.

Caleb believes he’s nailed the market on being the ultimate playa and never wonders what the consequences could be if Sarah, his live in, ever found out…until she does. When Sarah turns his life upside down, Caleb loses it and catastrophe follows not far behind.When his world gets flipped right size up, he begins to realize the things that are really important to him. Although Caleb makes some ultimate sacrifices to save his pride, ego and relationship with Sarah, he still hides one very important secret.

And today, we have an excerpt from Caleb!

Stopping at the florist on the way home, I pull in and pick up a dozen pink roses for Sarah. Yes, sucking ass big time.
Hey, if it works…then I’ll be all good. When I’m good, everyone is good. God forbid I get red roses, she’d want to run off to the fucking chapel. That isn’t going to happen to me, not in this lifetime anyways. I stroll in the house.
“I’m home babe,” I yell out, dropping the folder on the table.
“Upstairs,” Sarah yells back. I know this tone.
Skipping two steps at a time, I follow the circular staircase. I dodge the hanging chandelier with my head. Something else she had to have, forgetting I am well over six fucking feet tall.
“Hi darling, these are for you,” I hand her the flowers.
“Why? Because you slammed the phone down in my ear earlier?”
And…here we go! She’s such a bitchacoholic.
About The Author


Kim McNiel is a good ole' country girl at heart. She was born and raised in a small Texas town called Spring. As the mother of three, she spent most of her adult life dedicated to raising her family. With her children almost grown, she decided to fulfill her dream of writing. Her best friend, told her 'pen to paper sweetie, never give up, and never let anyone tell you that you CAN'T--" she heeded his advice and didn't. She writes contemporary and steamy romance and several memoir pieces on the back burner.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Few Are Angels Birthday Bash




Few Are Angels
Few Are Angels Series #1 
Inger Iversen 

After a fatal hit and run accident, Ella Monroe fears that she’s lost more than her beloved parents. Horrifying visions of a past life and a disturbing voice in her head have psychiatric professionals convinced that she’s lost her sanity as well. But when Kale--a dark and handsome stranger with a mysterious past--reveals the true meaning of her visions and the tremendous power she wields through them, Ella must come to terms with the devastating truths of her own past, while eluding an ancient Dark Prince who seeks to control not only her future, but all of mankind’s, by means of abilities that Ella is only beginning to understand.

Enter the shrouded world of an age old battle between an ancient race known as the Immortals and their bitter enemy Laurent, the so-called Dark Prince, who commands an army of half-breed vampires known as Chorý. Both sides have been desperately searching for the prophesied emergence of the Arc, a clairvoyant with unparalleled power to recall the past and a soothsayer with clear vision into the future. 

The Council of Immortals has sworn to protect the Arc, whom they have identified as young Ella Monroe, a college freshman from Virginia living quietly and unaware of her powers or her past. But a renegade Chorý has other plans for the protection of a girl he has loved through the ages. Can Kale convince Ella of who she is, what she is destined to become, and what he once meant to her? Is he truly the best protector to shield the world from the devastating misuse of her powers that Laurent is bent on controlling? Or will the forbidden love they share and Kale’s cursed condition as a wretched and hated Chorý be used against them both?

This paranormal romance told from the heroine’s perspective builds in intensity and intrigue to a finale you won’t see coming. Heart pounding action mixed with heartwarming friendships and heartbreaking romance will leave you breathless and begging for more.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

The Wanted Bride by Sylvia McDaniel Tour-Top Tens & Spotlight with Giveaway



Title-The Wanted Bride
By-Sylvia McDaniel
Genre: Short Contemporary


She’s a Runaway Bride
Valerie Burrows is running from a wedding, her attorney fiancé and the law. Pampered Valerie takes a bus to nowheresville, where she learns her cash and credit cards have been stolen. Left with only her designer clothes and luggage she takes on a new identity and must learn to be self-reliant. She swears off men, especially attorneys, only to find the one man who refuses a one night stand and wants a relationship.

He’s Looking For A Wife
Matt Jordan, the Colorado Crusher, is the most successful liability lawyer in the state. After the death of his brother-in-law, he realizes he’s ready to settle down with a family of his own. His only requirements are intelligent, great-looking, wants more than a hook-up and doesn’t lie. After witnessing the lies his father told his mother, he demands complete honesty. Yet Valerie Brown shows him sometimes in order to find yourself, you must become someone else. Even if that means lying.

Links:

Girls Heart Books Tours: Playing The Maestro by Aubrie Dionne- This or That Interview


 

Playing the Maestro
By Aubrie Dionne
Publication Date: February 11, 2013
Published By: Entangled Publishing: Bliss 

Melody Mires has sworn off dating musicians, but when the sexy European conductor Wolf Braun takes over her struggling symphony, her hesitation almost flies out the window with the notes of her flute—until he opens his mouth. Wolf is arrogant, haughty, and seems to have a personal vendetta against Melody. Oh, and he’s her boss. If she wants to keep her job as principal flutist, she’ll have to impress Wolf while simultaneously keeping her undeniable attraction to herself.

Wolf came to America to get as far away from his past as possible, and to recover some of the swagger he had as one of the world’s best maestros. He never imagined being forced to reassess the entire orchestra’s talent—and potentially fire anyone who doesn’t make his cut. Dating the attractive flutist is out of the question, but as their feelings reach a fever pitch, can they risk both their careers for a chance at love?




Kobo



Coke or Pepsi? 
Actually I LOVE Mountain Dew! I buy the little cans because it makes me jump off the walls. 



Dystopian or Paranormal? 
Dystopian. I grew up watching Mad Max, Terminator, and all the End-of-the-world 80’s and 90’s movies. 


Book or Movie? 
I enjoy both! I just saw Star Trek into Darkness and loved it. My review can be found here:


And I’m currently reading Game of Thrones and loving it- despite the darkness and icky sex scenes. Way too much information sometimes, Mr. George Martin! 


Print or eBook? 
I love holding print books in my hand. Although, e-readers are great for long plane trips so you don’t have to pack a bunch of books. The longest plane trip I had was to Hawaii from the East Coast. I WISH they’d invented e-readers by then, but alas all I had was a few print books. That makes me sound REALLY old. I’m getting wrinkles just thinking about it! 


Coffee or Tea?
Both- anything with caffeine. The only tea I don’t like is Earl Grey- which pains me beyond belief because that’s Captain Jean Luc Picard’s favorite tea. I wish I could like it. 


Thor or Iron Man? 
Thor. He’s beautiful. Iron Man is arrogant and snarky. And too old for me. LOL 


Pancakes or French Toast?
I will eat them both! Yummy! In reality, though I eat oatmeal for breakfast every morning to stay healthy. :( I know- my very boring life again. 


Melissa Marr or Julie Kagawa?
I have no idea who these people are! Wow, does that make me really old? 


The Beatles or The Beach Boys?
I listen to classical music mostly! LOL 


Faeries or Angels? 
Faeries all the way! 
Thanks for this fun interview! I had a blast.


About the Author


Aubrie grew up watching the original Star Wars movies over and over again until she could recite and reenact every single scene in her backyard. She also loved The Goonies, Star Trek the Next Generation-favorite character was Data by far-, and Indiana Jones. But, her all time favorite movie was The Last Unicorn. She still wonders why the unicorn decided to change back to a unicorn in the end.

Aubrie wrote in her junior high yearbook that she wanted to be "A concert flutist" when she grew up. When she made that happen, she decided one career was not enough and embarked as a fantasy, sci fi author. Two careers seems to keep her busy. For now.

Now for the professional bio:

Aubrie Dionne is an author and flutist in New England. Her writings have appeared in Mindflights, Niteblade, Silver Blade, Emerald Tales, Hazard Cat, Moon Drenched Fables, A Fly in Amber, and Aurora Wolf. Her books are published by Entangled Publishing, Lyrical Press, and Gypsy Shadow Publishing. She recently signed her YA sci fi novel with Inkspell Publishing titled: Colonization: Paradise Reclaimed, which will release in October 2012. When she's not writing, Aubrie teaches flute and plays in orchestras. She's a big Star Trek TNG fan, as well as Star Wars and Serenity.


Monday, May 27, 2013

'Feeling Death' by D.T. Dyllin Book Release Blitz




Feeling Death #1
Expected publication: May 27th 2013
 by Dragonfairy Press 
 Genre - Adult Paranormal Romance

Samantha Bevans is having the best sex of her life—but it's not with her husband. Fortunately for her marriage, the affair is all in her mind. Isn't it? As an empath, she senses other people's emotions. But her connection to the man with the chiseled face and haunting eyes seems so real.

There's no time for fantasies with a serial killer loose in Pittsburgh. The killer is targeting dancers at a strip club where Samantha used to bartend, back when drugs were the only cure for the torment of her abilities. As a member of a special task force, Samantha uses her talents to sense the victims’ final thoughts. Just when she thought the case was complex enough, she discovers one of the victims was thinking about her fantasy man when she died.


Who can Samantha trust when she can’t trust her own mind? An empath feels the emotional environment around her…and Samantha is surrounded by death.



Buy Links
Amazon
Publisher

About the Author
Cynical-Optimist. Chocolate-holic. Sarcasm Addict. Paranormal Believer. Self-Imposed Insomniac. Sci-Fi Geek. Animal Lover. Writer…are just a few words to describe D.T. Dyllin. She was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and now lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and two very spoiled GSDs.

Burning Sage by Deena Remiel: Sizzling PR



Burning Sage
By Deena Remiel

Sage Wilcot, an accomplished scientist, has set her sights on her lifelong obsession, studying the volcanoes of the island of Santorini. Once there, though, she gets more than she bargained for. The dormant volcano is waking and shaking things up in the process. 

An enigmatic stranger—from a mythical ancient city—comes to her rescue and challenges her to believe in the unbelievable. Will she take the huge leap of faith for love’s sake or stay cloistered in her fortress of certainty and solitude?



“Well, now what?” She brushed the sandy grit off her hands and sloshed her way to drier land. “I’m here. On a grumbling volcano. Alone. What the hell was I thinking?” She shook her head at her own audacity and stupidity.

“You were thinking of me, perhaps? I can only hope.”

Sage spun around at the sound of the low-timbered voice. “Emmanouel?”

He stepped out of the shadowy darkness and outstretched his arms in a welcoming gesture. “In the flesh. And you, Sage, are too, I see. Looking splendid.”

“Yes, much less dusty and grimy. It’s amazing what a shower and some clean clothes can do.” Really, Sage? That’s your big comeback?

He laughed lightly and sauntered closer to her. “So were you?”

“Was I what?”

“Thinking of me.”

“In a way.”

“In what way?”

“Annoyance, actually.”

“Why is that?”

“You disappeared on me earlier. You were following me out of the hole we were in, and then when I went to introduce you to a colleague, you were gone. I could have used some backup on my story about my face being injured and how you fixed it with that watery stuff of yours. See? It’s all gone. No cut, no bruise….”

“Just beautiful, soft skin that I long to touch.” His husky voice sent thrilling pulses through her body and a tingly sensation across her skin. He reached out, and with the back of his hand, tried to caress her cheek. Barely controlling her burgeoning lust, she stepped back.

“Now cut that out. I’m trying to be angry with you.”

“I’m sorry. Go ahead.”

“Well, I can’t now. You kinda fizzled it out of me.”

“Oh, good. So now I can touch you, yes?”

“No!” she huffed, and stepped farther out of his reach. “You can tell me where you went and why you’re here now. How did you know I’d be here?”

“I never left. I can never leave.”
And now, because we love you guys, here's a giveaway!



It was the mystique of Arizona’s history and landscape that called to Deena and catapulted her career as an author. When she’s not writing romance and urban fantasy in the wee small hours of the morning or in the deep, dark of night, Deena teaches language arts to middle school students. She currently lives in Gilbert, Arizona with her husband and two children, but New Jersey will always tug at her heartstrings. She believes in angels and loves connecting with her fans, so find her at deenaremiel.com. 


Girls Heart Books Tours: Playing The Maestro by Aubrie Dionne Review & Giveaway


 

Playing the Maestro
By Aubrie Dionne
Publication Date: February 11, 2013
Published By: Entangled Publishing: Bliss 

Melody Mires has sworn off dating musicians, but when the sexy European conductor Wolf Braun takes over her struggling symphony, her hesitation almost flies out the window with the notes of her flute—until he opens his mouth. Wolf is arrogant, haughty, and seems to have a personal vendetta against Melody. Oh, and he’s her boss. If she wants to keep her job as principal flutist, she’ll have to impress Wolf while simultaneously keeping her undeniable attraction to herself.

Wolf came to America to get as far away from his past as possible, and to recover some of the swagger he had as one of the world’s best maestros. He never imagined being forced to reassess the entire orchestra’s talent—and potentially fire anyone who doesn’t make his cut. Dating the attractive flutist is out of the question, but as their feelings reach a fever pitch, can they risk both their careers for a chance at love?






Playing the Maestro by Aubrie Dionne is without a doubt one of my very favorite kinds of books to read. There is nothing I love more than a sweet yet sassy romance to clean my palate between the darker, paranormal books I also enjoy. I just wish I had more time to read them all. 

Melody is such a fantastic character-you can’t help but connect with her from the very beginning of the story. Her humor, her love for her friends and family and her absolute passion for her profession make her immensely lovable. Then we have Wolf- he is the complete package, in my opinion. He’s sweet, he’s gorgeous, he’s smart and he loves kids! He is just totally swoon-worthy. At least I think so. I promise, if you read this book-you’ll agree! 
Dionne has crafted a fabulous story with humor, amazing characters and a sweet romance. I loved every moment and I really cannot wait to read more of her work. I have a new author to follow, I recommend you all do the same.


My Rating:
5 Stars



About the Author


Aubrie grew up watching the original Star Wars movies over and over again until she could recite and reenact every single scene in her backyard. She also loved The Goonies, Star Trek the Next Generation-favorite character was Data by far-, and Indiana Jones. But, her all time favorite movie was The Last Unicorn. She still wonders why the unicorn decided to change back to a unicorn in the end.

Aubrie wrote in her junior high yearbook that she wanted to be "A concert flutist" when she grew up. When she made that happen, she decided one career was not enough and embarked as a fantasy, sci fi author. Two careers seems to keep her busy. For now.

Now for the professional bio:

Aubrie Dionne is an author and flutist in New England. Her writings have appeared in Mindflights, Niteblade, Silver Blade, Emerald Tales, Hazard Cat, Moon Drenched Fables, A Fly in Amber, and Aurora Wolf. Her books are published by Entangled Publishing, Lyrical Press, and Gypsy Shadow Publishing. She recently signed her YA sci fi novel with Inkspell Publishing titled: Colonization: Paradise Reclaimed, which will release in October 2012. When she's not writing, Aubrie teaches flute and plays in orchestras. She's a big Star Trek TNG fan, as well as Star Wars and Serenity.


Unbreak Me by Lexi Ryan Release Day Blitz: Excerpt & Giveaway


Unbreak Me
By Lexi Ryan
Expected Publication Date: May 27th, 2013
Cover Designer: Okay Creations

"If you're broken, I'll fix you..."

I'm only twenty-one and already damaged good. A slut. A failure. A disappointment to my picture-perfect family as long as I can remember. I called off my wedding to William Bailey, the only man who thought I was worth fixing. A year later, he's marrying my sister. Unless I ask him not to...

"If you shatter, I'll find you..."

But now there's Asher Logan, a broken man who sees the fractures in my facade and doesn't want to fix me at all. Asher wants me to stop hiding, to stop pretending. Asher wants to break down my walls. But that means letting him see my ugly secrets and forgiving him for his.

With my past weighing down on me, do I want the man who holds me together or the man who gives me permission to break?
And now, an excerpt from Unbreak Me

“If you tell me you got to have hot pool sex with Asher ‘Sexier Than God’ Logan, I may never forgive you,” Hanna says.
“Right, but that’s just it. We didn’t have sex. We messed around, and then I took him back to my place for breakfast and took off my clothes.”
“And this is a problem because…?” Lizzy quirks a brow. “You’re not thinking of changing your naughty girl ways on us are you? Has Mom’s constant harassment finally broken you? Because, seriously, Maggie—if Asher Logan is in the picture, now is not the time.”
“No. He rejected me. Told me he wanted to get to know me.”
Oh,” the girls chorus. Judging by the disappointment on their faces, you’d think they were the ones left high and dry.
“Yeah. What the hell?”
Lizzy throws back her head and laughs, a full-stomach laugh that has everyone in the bar looking at us.
I scowl. “It’s not funny.”
She’s doesn’t even attempt to stifle her damn giggles of delight. “Yes, yes it is.”
Hanna nods. “It kind of is, Mags.”
“It’s not like I go after one-night stands often, but the few times I have I’ve never been denied. Now I know how guys must feel.”
“Maybe he’s gay,” Lizzy says.
“That would be a tragedy,” Hanna whimpers.
Lizzy nudges her. “Don’t be so narrow-minded. Gay boys deserve hot men too.”
I roll my eyes. “He’s not gay. Trust me. His attraction was physically evident.”
“Oh, yeah?” Lizzy props her chin on her hands. “How’s he measure up?”
I groan. “Why the hell do you think I took him back to my place and stripped down to my skivvies while he was trying to get out the door?”
Excerpt © Lexi Ryan, 2013

And now, because we adore you guys, here's a giveaway!


About The Author


New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Ryan writes romances with humor, heat, and heart. Her books are described as fun, flirty, and wickedly sexy. A lover of learning, Lexi has been in the classroom all her life and currently holds the title of assistant professor of English at her local community college. Lexi is a proud member of Romance Writers of America. She lives in rural Indiana with her husband and two children.






Friday, May 24, 2013

Welcome to the Family by Caroline F Levy: Author Interview

Welcome to the tour for Welcome To The Family! A debut vampire novel by Caroline F Levy, it’s out now at Amazon, Kobo, Smashwords, and Moon Rose Publishing. Why not check out a little more about the book below?


“Do you believe in things that go bump in the night?”


At only a few hours old, Angela is left on the steps of St Paul’s church. Alone in the world, the only link she has to her past is a pink blanket bearing an emblem with two crossed swords and a snake.

A troubled childhood spent in orphanages leads to Angela attempting to rebuild her shattered life as an adult. Meeting the priest who found her eighteen years previously, she gets a job and a boyfriend, and settles into her new life.

Until she meets Jack.

Drawn to her new boss, she throws herself into work, feeling an unusual bond with people she hasn’t known very long.

Angela becomes embroiled in this new life, feeling a change within herself. A change which isn’t altogether human. Within this change she finds a terrifying secret…a secret which involves her past, her present, and definitely her future…



And now, check out Lana's interview with Caroline!

*Hi Caroline! Thanks so much for doing an interview with us!
*waves* Hi Mel, Lana, and all your lovely readers, I’m pleased to be here :)



*Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I live in Yorkshire with my daughter and five, yes five cats  I have work nights in a print room which comes in handy as I have daylight hours for writing. Apart from writing I love to craft, I am a card maker mainly, if you get a card from me, guaranteed its hand crafted. I also love to bake, as my larger than life butt will attest to lol. Walking is a good pastime, especially as I like eating the cakes I bake  I will often have my camera to hand, although I would say I am more of a Saturday snapper than a photographer. I would love to write fulltime, but for now I have the bug, so no matter what, you will never catch me out and about without my tablet, or at least a notebook and pen. These pesky characters bug you at the most inconvenient time’s lol.

*What inspired you to write Welcome to the Family?
Welcome to the family started as a very short story for an assignment I was completing. The outline was, tell us about your first day at a new job. Angela was born in this short piece. Looking back, it was terrible lol I just can’t write short stories.


*Do you have a favorite author? Do you think they influenced you in your writing?

Laurel K Hamilton is my hero, her puppy piles are fabulous lol, her writing is captivating, and I am always sucked into the world of Anita. I have been known to sit and read her books from beginning to end, with the minimum of sleep. I would say she has been a big influence on my writing. She sealed the deal of loving the paranormal genre.


*When did you first know you wanted to be an author?

I have wanted to write in forever. I can remember being about ten and there was a competition at school. We all had to have a go at writing a new school song. Each year had to make up a different verse, with one being picked for each year. I was the one picked for my year. Was very pleased with myself lol.


*If you were stranded on an island with any literary character ever written, who would you want to be with and why?

Hmm… That is such a hard question to answer, I have so many to chose from 0_0

If I have to choose it would be… Jean Claude, from the Anita Blake series, and why? He’s a handsome vampire with a bucket load of charisma, who can hold his own on a dance floor, and he is intelligent with a sharp sense of humor to boot. I mean… perfection lol

*Mel and I have a weakness for really good cheesecake. Is there a dessert you just can’t say no to?

Chocolate Gateau … Sorry was lost drooling to myself. Give me a slice of choccy cake and I am one happy girly lol add in a cup of coffee to go with it and I am totally lost… in heaven ;)

*Can you tell us a bit of what’s next for you?

I am working on Nikki’s Revenge a paranormal novel, werewolves should be out late this summer and then I will be straight back into the family saga with Protecting the Family. Out by the end of the year all being well. There are other books in the pipeline but they will be in 2014. It’s full steam ahead :)
It’s been a blast girl’s :) I hope you all enjoy Welcome to the family as much as I loved writing it. Toodles for now :)

About The Author


I was born in Chatham, Kent in 1970. I now live in Yorkshire with my daughter and our five mad cats.

My first memories of any book would have been my mother reading The Enormous Turnip. It must have driven her mad, as it was always our first choice when asked what we should read tonight.

I grew up with the classics; Little Women, The Railway Children, but it would have been The House That Died and Bluebeard that I remember wanting to read.

I can remember writing a verse for the school song, and being chosen as a winner for what was then 3rd year juniors. I stopped reading so much in my late teens to my mid twenties. Life seemed to always be too busy for that pile of books I so wanted to read. It was when I went into hospital to have my daughter, that I had time to read again--and thankfully I haven’t stopped since.

However, it wasn’t until my late twenties that I realised I wanted to write. I have spent a few years trying to complete an online creative writer’s course; without much success, but it led me to what I am writing now. So never give up if you really want to write!

I am very influenced by Fantasy fiction / Horror, most of the books I read are in this genre. I have many Authors I like to follow; Anne Rice was very influential in the beginning. I also discovered Laurel K Hamilton and many, many more. I could go on about different Authors I like to read. However, I will say that this year I have also discovered there are literally, well, probably thousands of very talented Indie Authors out there. And a very welcoming and friendly bunch they are too, but I digress--yes, I get very excited about the subject of books!

I have finished my first novel called Welcome To The Family, which will be published April 29th 2013. I also have other novels in the pipeline, Nikki’s Revenge and Protecting The Family, due out later in the year.


Book Release Blast-'Broken Gates' by D.T. Dyllin



Paperback
Expected publication: May 24th 2013 by Dragonfairy Press 
 ***Genre - New Adult Paranormal Romance.

P.J. Stone is a Seer who saw too little, too late.

In the past, her biggest worries were boys and school—but war has a way of changing things. Now, the alien Riders are trying to overrun the world. As the last of their kind, P.J. and her friends must find a way to save humanity before there’s nothing left to save.

After choosing a mate, P.J. hoped she'd have time to enjoy her love life. But with everything changing so quickly and major secrets revealed, who knows what the future will bring?



Buy Links
Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Gates-Stone-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00CNVOJ0Q/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1369277255&sr=8-4&keywords=broken+gates
Publisher
http://www.dragonfairypress.com/dtdyllin/brokengates



About the Author
Cynical-Optimist. Chocolate-holic. Sarcasm Addict. Paranormal Believer. Romance Junkie. Self Imposed Insomniac. Animal Lover. Writer.
Website  /  Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Xpresso Book Tours: In Darkness We Must Abide by Rhiannon Frater: Guest Post


In Darkness We Must Abide: The Complete First Season
By Rhiannon Frater
Genre: NA Modern Gothic Horror 
Publication date: May 24th 2013

In Darkness We Must Abide is the epic saga of one young woman caught in the dangerous world of the creatures of the night.

Already living in the shadows due to her albinism, Vanora is just a little girl when her older brother inadvertently unleashes a terrible evil from the family crypt that changes their lives forever. 

As she grows up in a world where beautiful deadly beings hunt by night, one captures her eye and her heart. Yet, can she trust the mysterious Armando? For there is a powerful entity plotting to claim her when she reaches adulthood in order to fulfill an ancient prophecy, and her enemy has enveloped her in a web of deceit, casting doubt on all she believes to be true. Soon, she will have to fight not only to save those she loves, but also for her very soul.

Rhiannon Frater delivers a chilling adventure once again with this multi-part epic serial with a dynamic cast, old school vampires, bloody action, a smoldering forbidden love, and a terrifying villain set against the backdrop of a modern day vampire war.

This paperback includes all five episodes of the first season of the serial.

Goodreads
Amazon


In Darkness We Must Abide
The Origin of a Supernatural Serial

At the end of last year, I stumbled across an old manuscript lurking in the badlands of my hard drive. I was shocked to unearth the story, having forgotten I had it converted to Word years ago from my old word processing format. For years I had considered it trunked and lost somewhere in the storage in the garage.  Opening the file, I rediscovered a story I had sank most of my heart and soul into a very long time ago when I was just starting to write horror novels.
In Darkness We Must Abide was my first full-length original work. I spent hours at my old typewriter creating the first draft of the manuscript. Later, I bought a word processor and retyped the entire manuscript, saving it onto floppy discs.  Yes, this was a long time ago!
As I read over my old work, I realized several things. One, I still absolutely loved the two primary leads, Armando and Vanora; and two, the story was solid, but needed some revision. I was very young when I wrote the story, inexperienced in life, love, and long lasting relationships, and this clearly showed. Also, I was under immense pressure from people in my life to write something “nice and normal,” so I struggled quite a bit with certain themes in the story. Reading over the manuscript, I saw exactly the changes I needed to implement to make it a stronger, vibrant read. I set it aside, considering reworking it into a trilogy at a later date.
At the beginning of this year, I began toying with the idea of doing a serial. As The World Dies was originally written as an online serial, and I’d missed the immediate feedback that came with the release of each new part. I had an idea for a whole new fresh work, but was intimidating by having to fit it into my already overloaded writing schedule. Then I saw an article about taking an old manuscript and converting it into a serial.  Instantaneously, I knew that In Darkness We Must Abide was the perfect story to be converted into a serial. It was already divided into three distinct parts and it was huge! In fact, one of the reasons I couldn’t sell the book in its old form was that it was one massive book that far exceeded the word count limits of most publishers.
I instantly divided the first third of the story into the five episodes that make up season one. Extremely nervous, I started the revision process with the intention of each part reading like a television show in the reader’s mind. I was shocked at how easily the story fell into an episodic format, but was thrilled at the same time. Also, the voices of the characters readily reawakened in my mind, much to my relief.
In my youth, I had made several big mistakes. When a test reader had an adverse reaction to my lead character being an albino, I altered her appearance. I even changed her name to something I thought sounded fancier. When I started revising, the first thing I did was give Vanora her name back and restore her albinism. I had robbed my lead character of an important part of not only her physical appearance, but her life experience as an albino. I also embraced all the themes I had skirted around in the earlier drafts, out of fear of criticism.
Side note: Humorously, I spent a lot of time trying to avoid overt sexual themes out of fear of offending my mother. This is the same woman who would later call me up to tell me how much she loved the sex scenes in Pretty When She Dies because they were “hot.”
When I finally sent the first episode off to my beta readers, I was terrified. How would they react to a gothic horror novel I had conceived so long ago? When the rave reviews started flowing in, I was so relieved. My story had officially risen from the grave.
Since the release of the first episode of In Darkness We Must Abide, I’ve been having a great time discussing the story with readers. A serial feels much different from a trilogy or series because the installments come out much quicker and there is less waiting for the readers. As a writer, it’s a challenge to give the readers something they can enjoy in small increments, but also instills in them the desire to read the next episode. The immediate feedback is also a great way for me to gage what is working, and what’s not. Though the fan reaction will not affect the overall story arc, to some degree it does affect the presentation of it. Because of the mad love for Armando, I have expanded his role significantly in the first season.
I have enjoyed my serial experience so much. I’m already anticipating doing one next year! This time it will be a whole new writing project, but it was definitely worthwhile digging up In Darkness We Must Abide and sharing it with my readership.

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About The Author


Rhiannon Frater is the award-winning author of over a dozen books, including the As the World Dies zombie trilogy (Tor) , as well as independent works such as The Last Bastion of the Living (declared the #1 Zombie Release of 2012 by Explorations Fantasy Blog and the #1 Zombie Novel of the Decade by B&N Book Blog),and other horror novels. Her next novel for Tor, Dead Spots, will be published in 2014. She was born and raised a Texan and presently lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and furry children (a.k.a pets). She loves scary movies, sci-fi and horror shows, playing video games, cooking, dying her hair weird colors, and shopping for Betsey Johnson purses and shoes. 

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