Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Author Michael H. Rubin



Cashed Out
Michael H. Rubin

Thriller

August 15, 2017

Book Description:

One failed marriage. Two jobs lost. Three maxed out credit cards. “Schex” Schexnaydre was a failure as a lawyer. Until three weeks ago, he had no clients and no cash -- no clients except for infamous toxic waste entrepreneur G.G. Guidry, who’s just been murdered, and no cash, except for  the  $4,452,737 Guidry had stashed with him for safekeeping.

When Schex’s estranged ex-wife, Taylor, is accused of Guidry’s murder, she pleads with Schex to defend her. He refuses, but the more he says no to Taylor, the deeper Schex gets dragged into the fall-out from Guidry’s nefarious schemes, ending up as the target of all those vying to claim Guidry’s millions for themselves.



About the Author:

A nationally-known speaker and humorist as well as a full-time attorney, Michael H. Rubin has had a varied career. He has also been a professional jazz pianist in the New Orleans French Quarter, a radio and television announcer, and an adjunct law professor. His debut novel, “The Cottoncrest Curse,” received the Book-of-the-Year Gold Award at the annual meeting of the American Library Association in 2015 and was named the top thriller/suspense novel published by a university or independent press. Rubin is the winner of the Burton Award, given at the Library of Congress, for outstanding writing, and is a member of the Author’s Guild, the International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, and the International Association of Crime Writers.






a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Author Donna Migliaccio

The place I like to visit most is probably closer to you than you realize. It may be just around the corner, or just a few miles’ drive away. It could be in a major metropolitan area, or it could be at your local high school or community center. I’m talking about your nearest theatrical stage, and the all the wonderful worlds you can visit there, all the interesting people you can see, all the amazing stories they can tell.

In addition to being an author, I’ve been a professional stage actress for more than thirty years. I’ve performed on stages from Broadway to the ‘burbs, from Virginia to Alabama to California, from Washington DC to Chicago to Honolulu.  And every time I perform, I’m in another world.

I’ve visited New York City’s immigrant slums at the beginning of the twentieth century, as a fierce anarchist speaking out for workers’ rights:

As Emma Goldman in the 2009 Broadway revival of RAGTIME (photo by Joan Marcus)

I’ve traveled to 1776 Philadelphia, where I created the first American flag and was in on the early drafts of the Declaration of Independence.

As Betsy Ross in Ford's Theatre's 2011 world premiere of LIBERTY SMITH (photo by T. Charles Erickson)

I’ve been stuck in a dystopian future where water is so scarce that even going to the bathroom is regulated by the government.

As Penelope Pennywise in Signature Theatre's 2004 production of URINETOWN

I’ve even gone under the sea to a fantastic world full of mermaids and other sea creatures!

As Ursula the Sea Witch in Olney Theatre Center's 2014 production of THE LITTLE MERMAID

And when I go to all these places, I and my fellow company members take the audience with us. That’s the beauty of live theatre – you can go anywhere, at any time. And you can be entertained, moved to laughter and to tears, even find inspiration in the stories you experience.

I find inspiration in both my writing and my acting. Sometimes I do them nearly simultaneously:

Writing backstage while costumed as Mazeppa in Signature Theatre's 2014 production of GYPSY


So if you’re feeling glum and out-of-sorts and eager for a change (but maybe can’t afford anything but a staycation), head over to your nearest theatre and see a show. See living, breathing people telling a story in real time, right in front of you – not on a screen, but right there in the same room with you. For the price of a ticket, you can take a trip to another place, another time, another world – and you don’t even have to leave your seat!

***

Kinglet
The Gemeta Stone
Book One
Donna Migliaccio

August 1, 2017

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Fiery Seas Publishing

Book Description:

Kristan Gemeta has lost everything:  his crown, his kingdom, his courage – even his name.

In the vast wilderness of the Exilwald, he's known to the other outcasts as Kinglet.  As long as Kristan stays hidden, he can elude the bounty hunters, brutal soldiers and terrifying spells of Daazna, the Wichelord who killed his father and destroyed his life.

But when a new band of pursuers comes looking for him, Kristan's wariness gives way to intrigue. For bounty hunters they're oddly inept, and a young woman in their company is leaving enigmatic drawings wherever they go.  As they plunge deeper into the Exilwald, Kristan follows. He discovers the drawings symbolize the Gemeta Stone, an ancient family talisman seized by Daazna but now in the little band's possession.

With the Stone's protection, Kristan might stand a chance against Daazna.  He could regain his birthright and his honor.  But to obtain the Stone, he must reveal his true identity and risk the one thing he has left...his life.

Amazon       Barnes and Noble       Kobo     iBooks



About the Author:

Donna Migliaccio is a professional stage actress with credits that include Broadway, National Tours and prominent regional theatres.  She is based in the Washington, DC Metro area, where she co-founded Tony award-winning Signature Theatre and is in demand as an entertainer, teacher and public speaker.  Her award-winning short story, "Yaa and The Coffins," was featured in Thinkerbeat's 2015 anthology The Art of Losing. 







a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Author Sandra Masters

My favorite vacation spot is actually on our acreage here. We back up to a dairy ranch where we can see and hear the cows and their heifers. It’s such a joy to sit on our own back yard, under an umbrella, sipping gin and tonics as the Mamas and their babies moo to each other. Coarsegold, California is an historic town because many of the Chinese immigrants worked on laying the rail tracks north and south. The name is derived from the fact that the gold that was found was not the purest, but it was a lesser nugget, and thus the name Coarse Gold.


Another delightful town in Italy is Abano Terme, which is the land side of Venice. The hotel is called the Sheraton Orologio (Clock of Gold) and was the summer palace of Franz Josef of Prussia before it was sold. One of the features is a “mud bath” over your entire body, from the hot mud of the mountains. Guests are given a physical and psychological exam so that they are not affected by claustrophobia. I had to have one arm without any mud so I wouldn’t hyperventilate. The service is grand, the view is breathtaking, and the stars are magnificent at night. Breakfasts are feasts of fruits and grilled meats. The berries were bigger than two thumbs and delicious. I could go on and on. I held an event there with international guests and we had the singers from the Milan opera perform for the main dinner event. Fortunes were told by Tarot Card Gypsies.  I was sorry when I left that job!!!




***

Title: ONE NIGHT WITH A DUKE
Series and Book # :  THE DUKE SERIES
Author/pen name: SANDRA MASTERS
 Genre:  REGENCY HISTORICAL (LONG)

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Tea Rose Edition

Date of Publication:  June 21, 2017

ASIN:  
ISBN: 978-1-5092-1478-2

Number of pages: 340
Word Count:  ll0,683

Blurb:

When a spirited woman disrupts the world of a duke who follows the rules, sparks fly, passions ignite and planets collide.
Reclusive, cold as ice, the politically powerful Raven, Duke of Ravensmere, denies love after the tragic deaths of his duchess and baby. He is bound by his vow never to allow love to enter his heart again. Samantha Winston permits him to seek refuge in her carriage in a time of need, and what started as a kiss in the name of safety, becomes something more pleasurable and not so safe after all. In spite of every caution, his interest escalates into unexpected desire.
Samantha, a young widow with a secret, irreverent and high-spirited, has constructed impenetrable walls against all men. When she and Raven meet again, strong wills clash. Political intrigues and a dreaded nemesis place his life at risk, and Samantha finds herself in a dire predicament. All the while, passion soars. 
Can Samantha’s barriers fall with more kisses?
Can Raven be released from his deathbed vow? 

Buy links: One Night With A Duke
http://amzn.to/2p0h4bu   Amazon US
http://bit.ly/2qx0Dr0 The Wild Rose Press





Excerpt:

“I do hope that none of the rakish kind will offer for my basket. Men do feel widows are fair game. I’m not sure how I would handle such rakes. I have insufficient experience, but I suppose I will have to learn.”
            “My dear Samantha, do you expect me to believe that in these past three years, you haven’t encountered disreputable men?” He laughed, “I do believe you will have a sufficient amount of reputable young men who will bid on you and your picnic basket. After all, it’s for a good cause, isn’t it?  But I do hope you will keep your conversation light, or you will suffer the young man to have indigestion or apoplexy.
Impishly, she said, “I deserved that. I like your sense of humor. It’s also good to hear you laugh. We do battle well.”  Perhaps he could be a man of consequence?
“Indeed, but I warn you, I have not started my retaliation. When one acquires an enemy, I don ‘t believe in keeping him or her closer; however, I might make an exception for you.”
“Oh, No, I’m not your enemy, Your Grace. Please don’t consider me as one.”
“Perhaps if you try hard, you can change my mind,” a small grin curled his lips.
“What would I have to do?” her large eyes implored.
“I leave that to your resourcefulness…and mine…under a starlit night with nothing but our naked imaginations.”
“Sweet heaven,” she muttered, cheeks crimson.

Author bio:

Fall in love with Romance all over again
with author Sandra Masters

From a humble beginning in Newark, New Jersey, a short stay at a convent in Morristown, N.J. at the age of fourteen, Sandra Masters retired from a fantastic career for a play broadcasting company in Carlsbad, California, and settled in the rural foothills of the Sierras of Yosemite National Park with her husband, Ron, and two dogs, Silky and Sophie. She traded in the Board Rooms for the Ballrooms of the Regency Era and never looked back.
She wrote her first book at the age of thirteen and since then she’s always traveled with pen and notebook for her writing experiences. It’s been the journey of ten thousand miles with a few steps left to go. She deemed it a pleasure to leave the corporate world behind decades later.

Nothing she expected, but everything she desired. Her business card lists her occupation as Living The Dream.

Author website and social media links:





Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Author Deborah Camp

I like New Orleans, Louisiana because it’s old and interesting. Through Her Eyes is partially set there. I also love to travel the “river road” between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. I’ve done this several times and stopped at all the plantations along the way, taken the tours of them, etc. There is so much history there! Both good and bad, as is the way with history. I remember one plantation that had a photo of a ghost. They’d been renovating the top floor and attic. The owner had snapped a photo from the main floor up through the ceiling (which had a hole in it at the time) to get an image of the old rafters way up under the roof. When the photo was developed, there was a ghostly woman leaning over and staring down through the hole. She’s wearing a gown and her hair is in upswept in an old-fashioned hairdo and you can see right through her! I’ll never forget that.


I went to New Orleans last year and early this year for research on Through Her Eyes and stayed at the places in the book. Here are some photos of those hotels and the suites. They were lovely places Рboth unique to New Orleans. Of course, I love the Caf̩ du Monde and the French Market. What great places to people-watch!



***
Through Her Eyes
The Mind’s Eye Series
Book Four
Deborah Camp

Genre: Romantic Suspense/Paranormal Romance

Date of Publication: July 24, 2017

ASIN: B071KC41NB

Number of pages: 415
Word Count: 92418

Cover Artist: Patricia Schmitt

Tagline: She can see evil and evil can see her

Book Description:

Psychic detectives Levi Wolfe and Trudy Tucker comb the streets of New Orleans in search of a serial killer who has claimed 19 lives and counting.

The suspect was in an accident almost two years ago that left him paralyzed in a wheel chair, but the murders continue. Is he faking it or has he enlisted a protégé to continue his reign of terror?

As Levi and Trudy draw closer to the truth, Trudy discovers new and unsettling psychic abilities in herself.





Excerpt:

“So, tell me about your experience,” Trudy said, sitting next to Levi.
“It was strange. Very strange. I was contacted – during a business meeting, mind you – by the dead son of the new contractor I was speaking with in my office. This kid – a salvage yard murder victim – popped into my head and started yelling at me. I tried to shut him out, but I couldn’t. I had to actually stop the damned meeting and tell the man that his deceased son was demanding an audience. Gonzo thought I’d lost my noodle.”
“Good Lord!” She covered her parted lips with her hand. “I’d say that was a heck of a coincidence, but . . .it seems to be so much more than that.”
“Yeah, right.” He sat back and drummed his fingers on the table for a few seconds. “Anyway, the kid – Clayton Nelson – was hitchhiking in New Orleans when a guy in a pickup stopped for him. He couldn’t see much of the man’s face because he wore a ball cap and sunglasses. He had a mustache that looked fake to me. He used the ploy of something being wrong with his truck to get the kid to look under the hood and then he knocked him out with a blow to the head. Clay came to in a basement, his wrists and ankles bound with plastic ties and chains.” He shuttered his gaze from her. “That’s where he was murdered.” A few seconds ticked by before his lashes lifted to reveal his dark blue eyes that never missed much. “You’ve been in contact with the murderer already, haven’t you?”
Her heart jolted. He was uncanny. “I was in contact with someone who’s warped. I don’t know if it was the salvage yard killer.”
“Was he murdering someone?”
“Something. A cat.”
Levi’s upper lip lifted in disgust. “Jesus.”
“Yeah. He was practicing, I think.” She shuddered and blocked out the memory.
“The kid in my head showed me a compass and pointed to the N on it.”
She gasped at the reference. “Your true north?”
“Bingo. His way of telling me that you were already part of this.”
She reached for her glass of juice. They must be destined to examine this case. How else could she explain what happened to Levi and what she’d already experienced?

About the Author:

Deborah Camp is the author of more than 50 romances, both contemporary and historical. She received the first Janet Dailey Award (given to a romance novel that best addressed a social problem). "My Wild Rose" dealt with battered women and children.

A bestselling author, Deborah's books have been praised by reviewers, bloggers, and readers who love complex characters and clever plotting. She always mixes in a bit of humor, even in her romantic suspense novels.
Communicating with readers and other writers is something she enjoys, so don't be shy about visiting her online. If you post a review of her books, you'll probably receive a personal "thanks" even if the review isn't entirely favorable!

Deborah lives in Tulsa, OK where she is continually inspired by real cowboys, real Indians, and real heroes and heroines.








a Rafflecopter giveaway


Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Author Verlene Landon

I am a southern girl at heart and always vacationed at the beach, but sadly, I haven’t had a true vacation in a few decades, but I do live in an amazing vacation destination, Vegas, baby! I do enjoy mini-stay-cations and camping weekends.

There is always something to do, see, and listen to. And a lot of it is free. Plus, we have great spots right outside of Nevada, within a day’s drive for a fun outdoor weekend.

Not to mention, Vegas is an amazing inspiration. The weird is the everyday here and has inspired a paranormal series of mine I have been working on from when the Sahara still stood.


So, while I miss Buschwackers on the beach in Pensacola and spring break at Panama City Beach, I live in one of the best vacation destinations you can find.

Me and some of the family right across the state line camping. See, we do have water in the desert.

Two thonged “rock gods” street performers on Fremont, because who doesn’t need to see ass mid-week.

Me and my cousin atop of Rio. The Vegas skyline is beautiful.

***

Title: Inevitably Yours
Series and Book #: Imagine Ink book 4
Author/pen name: Verlene Landon

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Rusty Halo Books

Date of Publication:  July 6, 2017

ASIN: B0719VQZPH
ISBN: 978-0998126715

Number of pages: Paperback – 300 Kindle - 261
Word Count:  75,000ish

Blurb:

Love can be unexpected, but sometimes, the fall is inevitable.

Augusta is a carefree soul with the heart of an angel, the face of a pixie, and the body of a…pregnant woman?
When she decided to carry a baby for friends who couldn’t do it themselves, she knew she’d have to give up a lot—coffee, seeing her feet, and possibly even her chance at happiness with the man she adored.

John doesn’t thrive in chaos. Control and routine are more his style. Some might even say he’s anal. This way of life has served him well for decades, but he’s due for a change. That’s easier said than done, though, particularly when your motivation is about to give birth to another man’s child.

When old wounds reopen, sometimes clinging on to tight control is the best way to survive the ride. But when the only way to grasp the future is to reach for it with both hands, you have to let go of something.

Some things in life are inevitable, but that doesn’t mean they’re easy.

(Although this book is the complete tale of a couple, I wouldn't consider it a stand-alone. For the richest experience, I recommend reading the series in order.)

Buy links:







Excerpt:

“Okay, look. I understand there is something we need to discuss.” Gus’ speech faltered as his chest encountered her back. His touch, his body heat scorched her very bones. When John’s inhale whispered along the nape of her neck and his shuddering exhale kissed the pebbling skin there, she experienced a glimpse of her own personal Heaven.
Trying to focus on her thoughts was about as effective as carrying sand in a sifter, as Francis would say. That peek into bliss cemented her need to postpone this conversation until later. A centering breath or two and she was ready to speak.
“Like I was saying, I know there is a discussion that needs to happen, but if you would indulge me this one last time…” Work-roughened hands skimmed down her arms to rest on her hips and robbed her voice once again. John’s exploration didn’t stop there, it continued as his hands made their way to the front of her hips.
The next kiss she experienced wasn’t an exhale, but the barely there grazing of lips softer than she expected, but exactly as she’d dreamed. It was so gentle and fleeting, she had to convince herself it actually happened. Before she knew it, the kiss-not-kiss was in the past, and John had laid his cheek against the crown of her head, while his hand slowly came around her belly and back to her hips, repeatedly. Gus focused her senses on another feeling, one of his growing erection against her back. His rather large…holy mother of God. She needed to not be focused on that. If she couldn’t drag her brain out of his pants, she might never speak again. Wouldn’t that be fabulous, rendered mute by a man’s cock.
“But I—”
John interrupted her. But this time, the emotions she heard were laced with arousal and tempered with defeat. “This sounds like a goodbye, Augusta. And if it is, at least let me touch you once. Allow me to bring you pleasure instead of pain.”

Author bio:

Verlene was born and raised in the south. Thanks to the military, she's traveled the US, but now calls Sin City home.
Self-proclaimed zombie apocalypse enthusiast, word porn peddler, human canvas, Manowarrior, serial grammar killer, rabid Bama fan, accidental dust bunny population specialist, and abuser of the word f*ck.
She's thrown live grenades, survived the tear gas chamber and forced road marches, but still thinks writing and publishing are more brutal.
She is currently publishing her contemporary romance series but has some other exciting writing projects on the horizon.



Author website and social media links:

Promo/Pimp Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/107577916500894/