July 2017 - A Life Through Books

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Blog Tour Giveaway

Virtual Book Tour: Rising Tide: Dark Innocence by @Bella623 #interview #giveaway

Virtual Book Tour: Rising Tide: Dark Innocence by @Bella623 #interview #giveaway
7:13 AM 2 Comments


Young Adult/Paranormal Romance/Mystery
Date Published: Feb 18, 2014
Publisher: Ingramspark

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2015 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Winner for YA Mystery
2015 RONE Award Finalist for YA Paranormal

2015 New Apple Top Medalist for Young Adult Ebook

Chosen as one of 400 for the second round of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award for 2014!!!
Rising Tide will sink its fangs into you, keeping you awake into the wee hours of the night

Could Maura's life get any worse? ...turns out it most certainly can.

Isolated and sheltered by her lonely mother, Maura's never been able to make friends. She seems to drive her classmates away—except for the odd times they pay enough attention to torture her—but she doesn’t understand why. Maura considers herself to be a freak of nature, with her unusually pale skin and an aversion to the sun that renders her violently nauseous. Her belief is only worsened by the fact that almost everyone around her keeps their distance.

Even her own father deserted her before she was born, leaving Maura alone with her emotionally distant mother, Caelyn. Even though Maura is desperate for answers about her unknown parent, Caelyn remains heartbroken and her daughter can’t bring herself to reopen her mother’s wounds. Or is there a more sinister reason Caelyn refuses to utter a word about her long-lost love?

When a cruel prank nearly claims Maura’s life, one of her classmates, Ron, rushes to her rescue. Darkly handsome & mysteriously accepting, Ron doesn’t seem to want to stay away, but Maura is reluctant to get too close, since her mother has announced she’s moving the two of them to Vancouver…nearly 3,000 miles away from their hometown of Indiana, Pennsylvania.

If life wasn’t already challenging enough, Maura begins to experience bizarre, physical changes her mother seems hell bent on ignoring, compelling Maura to fear for her own life. Vicious nightmares, blood cravings, failing health and the heart-shattering loss of Ron—as well as the discovery of a tangled web of her own mother's lies—become obstacles in Maura's desperate quest for the unfathomable truth she was never prepared to uncover.


Interview


What is the hardest part of writing your books?
It has always been finding enough time. Not having a day job at the moment definitely frees up time that can be spent writing. A collection of short stories is also more difficult, as I have to jump into the heads of several different characters rather than one single narrator.


What songs are most played on your Ipod?
Bad Romance – Lady Gaga
So Happy I Could Die – Lady Gaga
Under Your Skin – Aesthetic Perfection
I’ll Tumble 4 Ya – Culture Club
Karma Chameleon – Culture Club


Do you have critique partners or beta readers?
Nope, just a really harsh editor, lol.


What book are you reading now?
Crimson Moon by Sherri Wingler


How did you start your writing career?
I started writing stories when I was five, but in 2008 I got serious about finishing Rising Tide and did so six years later, lol.


Tell us about your next release.
I’m finishing up a Christmas anthology, The 12 Terrors of Christmas, with eleven original works by me included. There will also be a bonus story by author, Lynn Lamb. One of the stories will be a bonus peek at Maura’s family during the skipped over Christmas in the third book Riptide. Readers will learn a secret there that was not disclosed in the first trilogy ;)
I also have my second children’s book being illustrated right now. This will also be a Christmas book and both will be released in early November if all goes as planned.




About the Author


Claudette Melanson writes dark fantasy in Kitchener, Ontario with four bun babies: Tegan, Pepper, Butters & Beckett. She graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a BA in English, BS in English Education and an MA in Literature. Harboring a deep admiration of vampires since the age of five left her with the desire to eventually become one, and now fuels the creation of her favorite paranormal characters. She hopes to one day work full time as an author, since there are many, many stories playing out inside her head.

In her very scant spare time, she enjoys watching Japanese Anime and reading vampire stories...along with other genres of great fiction, as well as riding every roller coaster she encounters in both her hometown and away at signings. An advocate for good health and ketogenic eating, her favorite foods are bulletproof coffee, cashew-flour crust pizza and treats made with xylitol and almond, coconut or cashew flours.

Future dreams include a cabin boasting a roaring fire, isolated inside a snow-filled wood in the Yukon—the perfect writing spot—and the completion of dozens of future novels and stories. A Rabbit Rescue fanatic and loving bunmom, she also hopes to help rescues all over the world save many innocent lives.

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Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Blog Tour Book Review

Virtual Book Tour: Grond: The Raven High by Yuri Hamaganov #review

Virtual Book Tour: Grond: The Raven High by Yuri Hamaganov #review
6:29 AM1 Comments

Young Adult Sci-Fi
Date Published: February 28, 2017


In the year 2086, Earth is exhausted. The seas have been emptied, the bedrock and soil stripped of their resources, and the superheated atmosphere churns with terrible storms. Those who can afford to do so live in the limbo of virtual reality, and the billions who suffer in poverty have no work, no clean water, and no security from the chaos.

The only hope for those trapped on a dying Earth are the Changed—the seven bioengineered post-humans who work in their separate manufacturing facilities orbiting high above the planet. Raised from birth for their work and fully matured at ten years old, their genius provides the nanomaterials that have begun to cleanse Earth of the pollutants that have wiped out almost the entire ecosphere.

But for Olga Voronov, youngest of the Changed, the isolation and endless toil are not the greatest of her challenges. Down on Earth there are those who resent and fear her talents—and would prefer that humanity not be given the second chance that only she could make possible …


Review 

This novel really starts off with a bang and doesnt let up. Olga is a very strong lead and while I didn't always agree with her decisions, I did like her overall as a character.  
She has a lot to deal with over the course of this novel. 
I loved the way Yuri Hamaganov told the story. It was very well thought out and this really showed through the characters and setting.


Author Bio:

Yuri Hamaganov lives in Moscow. He created the GROND series as a present for himself when he was twelve years old. This was the story he had always dreamed of exploring, and when he realized that nobody had written it for him, he set out to do it himself.


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Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Blog Tour Giveaway

Virtual Book Tour: The Toilet Papers by @theWRITEengle #interview #giveaway

Virtual Book Tour: The Toilet Papers by @theWRITEengle #interview #giveaway
11:26 AM0 Comments
Short story collection (horror, humor, & historical)
Date Published: 7/23/2017
Publisher: JME Books

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Have you ever noticed that reading a book on the toilet takes forever? Wouldn’t it be nice to have stories suited to your specific potty needs? This collection of short stories ranges from 50 words to more than 50 pages, separated in categories labeled to fit your bathroom needs: NUMBER ONE, NUMBER TWO, and FARFROMPOOPIN. The idea is to give you, the reader, a great deal of material to read, tailored and categorized to the needs of your intestines and bladder. So go ahead, get comfortable, pull out your Squatty Potty® and enjoy some fantasy, science fiction, horror, adventure, and humor from the comfort of your own throne…the john…the latrine…your office…the bathroom, whatever you want to call it. Just be sure to wash your hands once you’re done. 
Interview

What is the hardest part of writing your books?
Thank you so much for having me on your blog and helping promote my tour! I think the hardest part about writing is being consistent. Between life, home, marketing, and writing, there’s only so much time in a day. I have to balance it all and make sure I’m writing every day, 5 days a week, at least 1,000 words. 



What songs are most played on your Ipod?
My Pandora is my bestie when I’m writing. I love composers, so I’m listening to Danny Elfman Radio, Hans Zimmer Radio, The Hunger Games Film Score, and John Williams Composer Radio. My books appear in my brain as films, so these are the songs I envision playing in the background of my future movie. Plus, there’s no words, so it’s not distracting.


Do you have critique partners or beta readers?
I have two amazing friends who I can lean on for story support. They help me to flesh out my story and ask me those hard questions I know I avoid asking myself. My beta readers are essential to my editing process. I never use the same reader on the same book either. They already know the story, so they can’t be unbiased when reading new changes.

                         What book are you reading now?        
I’m reading The Lurking Man by my good friend and award-winning screenwriter Keith Rommel. I’ve read several of his psychological horror novels and I love them all. I’m also reading an ebook called Gamer Girl, which was introduced to me by my cousin in New York. The author came into her restaurant and she connected us. We bought each other’s books and now we have new fans. I love reading indie books and helping other authors just as much as I love reading my favorite A-List novelists.


How did you start your writing career?
I began by sending a sample story to my local newspaper and ended up getting a freelance writing gig. This expanded into several magazines and papers in my area. From there, I worked on short stories and published most of those, giving me confidence and writing credits. Actually, these are the stories that compose The Toilet Papers! From there, I indie published my first 7 books, became the publisher for a client, and now have my next 3 books with an agent. I love what I do, and feel very fortunate that so many doors have opened to me. And those that haven’t, I just kick them in!


Tell us about your next release.
The Toilet Papers is a short story collection of my own work. The concept came about when I was in the bathroom and picked up my bathroom book. I couldn’t remember where I was in the story because it had been a while since I’d read it. That’s when I thought: what if there was a book separated by word count so you could read a story based off how long you’d be on the toilet. I thought it was pretty funny, and it wasn’t until two years later that the idea became a bound book. And then, having Squatty Pottytm endorse it is bigger than I ever imagined possible. The stories are mostly horror, humor, historical, and almost all have been previously published. I’d say my favorite is “Moonshine on the Mississip’”, which is the story of a moonshiner, an Indian, and a guy caught in the middle of a great heist during George Washington’s Administration.


Thank you for having me on your blog! It was a lot of fun and it was great getting to share what I do with your followers.


 About the Author


Jaimie Engle was once sucked into a storybook, where she decided she would become an author. She has modeled, managed a hip-hop band, and run a body shop. She loves coffee, trivia, cosplay, and podcasting on ORIGINS, where myth and science meet (podcastORIGINS.com). Basically, if it's slanted toward the supernatural or nerdy, she's into it! She lives in Florida with her awesome husband, hilarious children, and the world's best dog. She also happens to have the world’s best literary agent, Saritza Hernandez. Become a fan at theWRITEengle.com. Follow on social media @theWRITEengle and pick up books at jmebooks.com.

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Rafflecopter: July 6 – Aug 6 ($30 Starbucks GC; Toilet Papers ebook) 

Goodreads Giveaway: July 1 – July 22 (3 paperbacks)

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Monday, July 24, 2017

Blog Tour Crime

Virtual Book Tour: Heart of Stone #crime #giveaway

Virtual Book Tour: Heart of Stone #crime #giveaway
7:58 AM1 Comments

Crime Fiction
Date Published: 7/4/2017

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Are the deacons of Shalom Bethel invincible? Legend has it that in the 1940’s, they came out of a gunfight with holes in their clothes but not their skin. Bullets bounced off of them. They walked through buckshots like water. That story is passed down by every deacon. The legend of Stephen Stone. That legend is about to be tested.

On the heels of a nightclub triple murder, a mysterious blizzard hits Shalom, a city normally warm year round. The blizzard brings with it bitter memories and ghosts Deacon Oak East thought were long gone: his prior drug conviction, his on and off relationship with his wife, the gruesome murder of his father and the role he played in it. But it's not just the past that haunts him. In the present, a homicide detective wants him and the deacons for the nightclub murders. And a gangster named Cap Morgan wants revenge. The snow is falling. But soon, it will be raining bullets. Is the legend true? Are the deacons of Shalom Bethel bulletproof?
About the Author


James Fant is an award winning author who lives in Charleston, SC with his lovely wife and two hilarious children. He received a degree in biology from College of Charleston and a master’s in business administration from Charleston Southern University. His love for literature was forged by the works of Eric Jerome Dickey, Walter Mosley, and Stephen King. He also finds inspiration from screenwriters Shonda Rhimes, Aaron Sorkin and Kurt Sutter. Literarily, James has always been drawn to intelligent yet imperfect characters and he writes novels with them in mind.
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Twitter: @jamesfantjr

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Friday, July 21, 2017

Blog Tour Interview

Virtual Book Tour: Nowhere is Home Since You Left by Madeleine Zeldin #interview

Virtual Book Tour: Nowhere is Home Since You Left by Madeleine Zeldin #interview
6:40 AM1 Comments

Death, Grief, Bereavement
Date Published: 1-6-2017
Publisher: Cygnet Publications, Cygnet Media Group Inc.

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When her beloved soul friend husband, Gerald, passed away a few years ago, and her friends and sons moved to distant cities, she found herself alone for the first time in her life.

Gerald, a professional artist, had his studio in their home. Their home was always filled with family life, art, music, joy and playfulness in the garden.
After his passing, the silence was loud. The joy was gone — her paradise — a lost paradise.

She had two choices, either to fall apart or to get on with life.  She chose the latter and traveled to find a home, a community — however - nowhere was home - since he left.
In writing Nowhere Is Home … Since You Left, Madeleine Zeldin shares her insights, emotions, and true life experiences as she journeys solo throughout the years following the sorrowful death of her soul mate, internationally renowned artist, Gerald Zeldin. She presents years of storytelling based on travel journals she wrote while traveling to countries such as Mexico, Philippines, Ecuador, France, Spain, and California, U.S.A.  Zeldin also reveals the intensity of the pain and sorrow experienced in her grief, along with the fulfillment, satisfaction and logistics of international travel. In her travels she volunteered in the medical field and gave help where help was needed. She brings inspiration to those of her generation, the 60’s, who find themselves alone.

Through her evocative tales of adventure, Zeldin reveals this life-changing knowledge to the world!

But ultimately where is Home?


Interview
What is the hardest part of writing your books?

Since my books are mostly 'my story', I find the nostalgia, the memories that creep into my mind and my soul as i write become a double edged sword ... which at times urge me to go forward and at times stop me in their tracks.


What songs are played on your IPOD?

Being very old-fashioned, I do not own an IPOD. However, you will most often hear old jazz of the '30's and '40's and sometimes, the deep souled voices of 
Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen ... songs of love and loss  ...
playing on my little stereo. One very special spiritual, a favourite of my late husband, as well as mine, which we often played for Gerald as he lay dying in our home, Nina Simone's Nearer Blessed Lord, has been played a million times since his death in 2010.  Less often you will hear classics and some opera.


Do you have a critique partner?

My audience, my readers become my critique partners in some way ...
but, of course, my own emotions will critique what I have written. 
My style of writing is free form style, written more like a 'sketch' or like a conversation. So, really, only I can change that 'drawing'.

What book are you reading now?

My reading habits have changed since my late husband passed away ...
they have become like a roller coaster ride.
At times I am unable to pick up a book, usually due to some nostalgic state.
At others, I read voraciously. Presently, I am reading 3 books ...

1. Benedict's Dharma ... Buddhists Reflect on the Rule of Saint Benedict.
    The basic premise of this book is ... Be Kind ... and be aware that all our
     actions have consequences.

2. Shake Hands With The Devil  ... The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda ...
     by Romeo Dallaire, the very brave and kind
     Lieutenant General in the Rwandan Civil War in the mid '90's .
     A quote from Dallaire that haunts me, speaking of the Rwandan General,
     Dallaire states, ' I know there is a God,
     because today I shook hands with the devil'.

3.  Goodnight From London ... by Jennifer Robson
     a touching story of love and loss set in WW 11 ...


How Did You Start Your Writing Career?

There was never really a beginning.  As far back as I can remember,
I was telling stories, which often amused people.  I guess I really consider myself 'a story teller' rather than a 'writer'.  As an artist, I often write a 'sketch' of my  
experiences.  
However, what really inspired me to write my first published book, 
Our Last Dance ... A Love Story, in 2011 was the wish of my late, beloved husband, my soul friend, Gerald.  We battled cancer for many years, during which there were many medical errors which caused Gerald unnecessary, intense pain and suffering, and perhaps, ultimately, his death.
It was Gerald's deathbed wish to have his story told, so that others may be helped.
In  writing, Our Last Dance ... A Love Story, I succeeded in having many 
much needed changes made in our medical system.

From that, I just seemed to 'roll' into writing my next book, 
Nowhere Is Home ... Since You Left.  It was a natural progression of life and
what followed after Gerald's death.


Tell Us About Your Next Release.

My next book is a child's book titled Fiona ... The Fat, Fluffy Feline which was 
inspired by a true happening with my adorable granddaughter, Alessandra,
when she was just a toddler.
I am hoping this book will help many children work through their grief of any kind,
as well as amuse, teach and liberate.



About the Author

Professionally, Ms. Zeldin has been engaged in nursing and teaching. She has successfully advocated for changes in the medical field, along with homebirth and Midwifery. In her travels to out of the way places, she has been a keen observer of people and distant cultures, often writing a 'sketch' of her experience.

Madeleine is an advocate of advocacy.

Madeleine believes we can all make a difference.

Throughout her adult life she has successfully advocated for change. When she felt change was needed, she rallied. She lobbied. She started a group or joined a group.

In the late '70's, when her town council was considering tearing down old heritage properties in the name of 'Progress', she helped start a group of interested citizens in order to save these heritage properties. 'Progress' was stopped and many heritage buildings were saved due to the group's diligence.

Again in the early '80's, Madeleine herself changed local hospital policy to allow midwives to accompany couples in the birthing room, after the hospital refused to allow her midwife to enter.

She belonged to a group of informed parents who advocated for changes in the policies for vaccinations.

Madeleine volunteered at the local Health Center and advocated for improved health care for refugees. Improvements were made.

She successfully advocated for her soul-friend, late husband Gerald's medical care throughout their six year battle with cancer. Many important changes were implemented in our medical system due to her persistence.

Madeleine has been ahead of her time in her generation. She had many professions throughout her life including social worker, teacher, registered nurse. She also joined a group of midwives and again successfully advocated for choices in childbirth.

However, she considers her most important achievement as being a mother and grandmother. She has instilled in her family a sense of love and empathy and has taught them to love the earth and its people.

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Thursday, July 20, 2017

Blog Tour Giveaway

Virtual Book Tour: Coveted Kiss by @KTjebbenAuthor #interview #giveaway

Virtual Book Tour: Coveted Kiss by @KTjebbenAuthor #interview #giveaway
7:55 AM 2 Comments

Psychological Romantic/Suspense
Date Published: June 2017

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Bella Chan is a good girl surrounded by alpha-males who aren’t afraid of danger. Unfortunately, that danger comes back to bite her. She can still feel the deadly grip of Hazeem’s hands wrapped around her neck. If Jack hadn’t shown up at Savage Security, she’d be dead. Then, in pure alpha-male fashion, Jack appoints himself her personal bodyguard, but Bella soon realizes that Jack isn’t there to protect her. He’s there to win her heart.

And now, in the aftermath of the attack, the men of Savage Security band together to hunt down the terrorists living on American soil. As they navigate through the intrigue and deception that camouflages their assailants, they also confront the treason that threatens the Nation’s defenses.  
Interview

What is the hardest part of writing your books?

Finding uninterrupted time is a challenge in our house. During the school year, I work while my girls are at school. But during the summer, while I type away at our dining room table, my girls frequently ask me questions and want me to take them places. I love being with them, and realize how precious my time with them is, so my writing pace is much slower in the summer.


What songs are most played on your Ipod?
I love to use my iHeartRADIO app. When I first started using the app, one of my daughters was fixated on Taylor Swift. Now, according to iHeartRADIO, I am a country music fan. I’ve become a fan of Florida Georgia Line, and I haven’t heard an Ed Sheeran song that I didn’t like.

Do you have critique partners or beta readers?
I am fortunate to have two beta readers. Thank you to Melanie and Beth for their honest opinions and insights.

What book are you reading now?
I LOVE my Kindle app on my phone. If my eyes aren’t glued to the tiny screen, then I have my ear buds in and I’m listening to a book. Right now I’m listening to She Can Run by Melinda Leigh.

How did you start your writing career?
I’ve always thought it would be cool to write a book. In college, (while studying elementary education) in my literacy courses, I’d peruse the picture books and nonfiction children’s books and dream about writing my own book. At the time, it seemed impossible, but as the internet expanded and companies like Amazon grew, the dream started to take shape and become a reality. When my twin daughters went to kindergarten, I set aside time each day to dedicate to writing. Surprisingly, the story that unfolded in my head was not for elementary students, but it was better suited for young adults who enjoy supernatural thrillers. When I finished the first series, The Scintillate Series, I transitioned to adult romantic suspense and began The Savage Security Series.



Tell us about your next release.
I am working on the rough draft for the fourth book in the Savage Security Series. Stolen Kiss is about a serial killer who unintentionally crosses the paths of the men from Savage Security.



About the Author

Karen Tjebben lives in central North Carolina with her wonderful husband, twin daughters, and two hamsters. When her girls left for kindergarten, Karen discovered that she needed to fill her days with something, and that was the beginning of her writing career. She loves to create worlds filled with unique characters that she hopes will delight and raise goose bumps on her readers. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and seeing the world through her daughters' eyes.

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Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Blog Tour Book Review

Virtual Book Tour: The Compendium by @chris_a_hart #review

Virtual Book Tour: The Compendium by @chris_a_hart #review
7:23 AM 3 Comments


New Adult / Sci-Fi Romance / Paranormal
Date Published: July 13, 2016
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing


Irina and her renegade variant friends are scrambling to pick up the trail of their former employer, Ivan, and his globally catastrophic scheme.

Their attention develops a laser focus on an engineered earthquake mere days ahead of them in San Francisco. While they fight to stop the earthquake, Irina pushes the love of her life Jonah as far away as she can, trying to keep his unstable genetic degradation in check.

Irina’s friends think they’ve seen the worst that Innoviro could bring forth by the time they reach a secret facility in the Mojave Desert. As they near the property, the group uncovers a horror none of them had ever imagined.


 Review 

First of all, I think that the story itself was imaginative and the author did a great job of giving something new to the series in this installment. 

The characters are well developed and engaging. There are ups and downs for their relationship and you will most likely find yourself wondering what they are thinking some of the time. 

My only complaint would be that the story didn't have a big enough climax like the first one. 

I do, however think the genre was executed well. 




Located on BC’s beautiful West Coast, Christine writes speculative fiction for YA & NA readers.  She has an undergraduate degree in writing and literature, a corporate background in communications and design, and an Etsy alter-ego named Sleepless Storyteller. Christine shares her eclectic home and lifestyle with her metal working husband, dancing daughter and rocket enthusiast son.


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Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Blog Tour Giveaway

Virtual Book Tour: In the Beginning by @bceauthor #giveaway

Virtual Book Tour: In the Beginning by @bceauthor #giveaway
8:07 AM 2 Comments

Sci Fi/Space Opera
Date Published: Releasing Sept 5th 2017

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The origins of Judeo-Christian religion and mythology come together in this mature science fiction page-turner. 
To combat overpopulation on the planet Orion, the government releases a birth control virus to keep women from becoming pregnant. Only the brightest and most attractive of their species are allowed to mate. But the virus rages out of control, killing both mother and child. Attempts to develop a cure fail. They only have one option left: search other worlds for advanced societies that may be able to help.
The two most intelligent minds on Orion—and former best friends—Lucifer and Zues band together to search for a secret planet. When they finally arrive, they are greeted with unexplainable death and destruction. This planet is not the answer. Something doesn’t add up. They discover an extra unknown planet in the solar system.  
The new planet is covered in lush land masses and bodies of water. Different species of hominids run—and mate—freely. Fire-breathing dragons guard the land. Lucifer is determined to figure out who or what created this planet. He thinks it just might be the key to saving Orion and the Orionites.


About the Author


 BCE is originally from parts unknown and currently resides in areas of the planet yet to be explored. His favorite pastime is reading old encyclopedias while eating Peanut M&M’s. He does believe that the warehouse depicted at the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark actually exists. He has only one goal left in his life that he wishes to accomplish: to live long enough to see the aliens return so he may look over at his beautiful wife in her nursing-home bed and say, “I told you so.”

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Twitter: @bceauthor
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Monday, July 17, 2017

Blog Tour Giveaway

Virtual Book Tour: Crime and Catnip by @RoccoBlogger with a #giveaway and #interview

Virtual Book Tour: Crime and Catnip by @RoccoBlogger with a #giveaway and #interview
7:14 AM 4 Comments


Cozy Mystery
Date Published: December 6, 2016 
Publisher: Penguin/Berkley Prime Crime

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While catering a gala for the Cruz Museum, Nora Charles agrees to look into the disappearance of director Violet Crenshaw’s niece, a case previously undertaken by her frisky feline friend Nick’s former owner, a private eye whose whereabouts are also currently unknown.

As Nora and her curious cat Nick pull at the string of clues, they begin to unravel a twisted tale of coded messages, theft, false identities, murder, and international espionage. Nora dares to hope that the labyrinth of leads will not only help them locate the missing young woman, but also solve the disappearance of the detective. That’s if Nora can stay alive long enough to find him...

Interview
What is the hardest part of writing your books?

For me, plotting out the book from start to finish is always a challenge; I generally know how it will start and end and that’s pretty much it. Also, keeping the plots and characters fresh and exciting is a challenge for me as well.


What songs are most played on your Ipod?

I love the music from Phantom of the Opera, and often play that when I’m writing, along with the music soundtrack from the now defunct tv series SMASH.


Do you have critique partners or beta readers?

I do have a team of wonderful beta readers who keep me on track as to contuinuity, whether the story makes sense, etc.  when you have a full time job and can only write at nights and weekends you need an extra pair of eyes!


What book are you reading now?

The Wrong Side of the Paw by Laurie Cass.  I love cat series (surprise eh????) and the Bookmobile Cat series is one of my favorites.


How did you start your writing career?


I started out writing horror, until I was told that it was a “soft” market unless you were Stephen King.  J  So then I switched to paranormal suspense/romance and self-published several books.  I actually acquired my agent with a paranormal about an allergic vampire slayer that we have yet to sell.  In between I wrote the Nick and Nora series which we sold to Penguin and the rest is history.  J

Tell us about your next release.

Book Two in the Cat Rescue series will be out from Crooked Lane on February 13, 2018 (just in time for Valentine’s day!)  Here’s a short synopsis from the jacket cover:

Getting used to life back home in Deer Park, North Carolina, Sydney McCall and her right-hand tabby, Toby, are helping her sister Kat run the local animal shelter. Syd and Kat are all excited about the prospect of the shelter’s newest fundraiser: shopping channel queen Ulla Townsend. Shelter admin Maggie Shayne vehemently refuses to have anything to do with the woman, but the fundraiser ensues as planned. That is, until Ulla turns up dead in the middle of the event.

The cause of death is determined to be an allergic reaction, but Syd and Toby are sniffing out something fishy. When Syd met Ulla, it was clear she was distasteful and rude. And right before the event, Syd spotted some behind-the-scenes drama between Ulla and her manager. As they begin to investigate, they realize there is no shortage of suspects, and Maggie is at the top of the list.

Now Syd and Toby must claw their way to the truth before everything goes paws up at their animal shelter.


We have our fingers crossed Crooked Lane will want more in this series!  J  In today’s volatile publishing world nothing is a sure thing.

About the Author


While Toni Lotempio does not commit – or solve – murders in real life, she has no trouble doing it on paper. Her lifelong love of mysteries began early on when she was introduced to her first Nancy Drew mystery at age 10 – The Secret in the Old Attic.  She (and ROCCO, albeit he’s uncredited) pen the Nick and Nora mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime – and the just released Cat Rescue Mysteries from Crooked Lane!  The first volume, Purr M for Murder is out now! She, Rocco and company make their home in Clifton, New Jersey, just twenty minutes from the Big Apple – New York. Catch up with them at www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com or at www.tclotempio.net

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