Tales of Crimes and Violence

Did you get an Amazon gift card for the holidays? Want a good crime story to start your new year? How about an entire set of stories?

 

This remarkable three volume collection encompasses numerous and varied stories of acts and deeds of crime and violence. Paul White has once again woven his masterly spell of intrigue into each stories plot. Secrecy, scheming, plotting and conspiracy live hand-in-hand with outrageous and shocking violence, viciousness and brutality.

All three volumes of Tales of Crime & Violence are packed with carnage and bloodshed and mayhem, while an ominous sense of sinister, physiological apprehension lingers in the dark shadows.

Tales of Crime & Violence contains graphic acts of violence, profanities and sexual reference. It is not recommended for reading for those under adult age.

Tales of Crime & Violence is available in a paperback collection of three volumes, or on Kindle as a complete ‘box-set’.

Ready to get your Kindle copy? Click here!

Would you like to know more? Here’s some light reading:

……….The Sheriff stopped, as did the two deputies in the following cruisers. Together we walked to the car. I handed one of the deputies the keys. You could feel the heat reflecting from the steel of the bodywork.

It was one hell of a hot day.

When the deputy opened the driver’s door a blast of superheated air escaped. It was so extreme it forced us to take a step backwards and twist our heads away from its intensity. But it was the smell which was most overpowering. I saw, but did not comprehend the glance between the law men. However, I knew that my day was going to get worse when they handcuffed me.

My day certainly became a living nightmare when they opened the trunk. Bobby lay inside. His throat had been sliced from ear to ear and his eyes gouged out. The heat had caused his body to swell and the blood to cook.

I only recognised him by his jeans and boots.

After that it was all a bit of a blur. I was bundled into the sheriff’s car and we raced the few miles to the motel. It looked as deserted as when I left a few hours ago.

From room fourteen all the way to room twenty the doors were open. They were the doors I kicked open during my frantic search for the others.

I explained this to the Officers.

The thing that interested the Sheriff was the sign hanging from the doorknob of room thirteen.

I had not noticed that sign in my earlier panicky state. It said ‘Do not disturb’. What was interesting to the lawmen most was the smudged bloody handprint on that sign.

The Deputies drew their guns and crashed the door.

It flew open. The intense odour of putrid dead flesh flooded my nostrils.

Inside the room, laid out across the bed were Kathy and Taylor. They were tethered to the bedstead with strands of rusting wire cable, spread-eagled and naked. Their stomachs had been slit open and their entrails extended across the floor.

Those black flies and an army of brown rats were busily feasting on their remains………

Now are you ready to check out Paul White’s work?

Get the US version paperback here

Get the UK paperback version here!

 

Introducing Shari Sakurai ….

Shari Sakurai is Goodreads Paranormal, Fantasy, Dystopia and Romance Readers, Writers and Reviewers group author of the week. She was born in Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom. She has three books under her belt and moonlights in administration.

Shari is very interested in other countries’ cultures and mythology; in particular Japan. Japanese themes and influences can often be found in her work.

Shari’s debut novel Demon’s Blood was released in eBook format on 25th January 2014. Since then, she’s published Perfect World and Adam.

 

 

If you’d like to learn more about Shari and her works, check her out at

Shari on Goodreads                                               Shari’s website

A Reveiw of Defects: The Reverians Book One by Sarah Noffke

In November, I was given a copy of Defects: The Reverians Book One by Sarah Noffke to read and review.

The description of this book on Amazon starts out with: “In the happy, clean community of Austin Valley, everything appears to be perfect. Seventeen-year-old Em Fuller, however, fears something is askew. Em is one of the new generation of Dream Travelers. For some reason, the gods have not seen fit to gift all of them with their expected special abilities. ”

I’ll be honest, I might not have picked up this book based on the cover. However, the description caught my attention. Dream Travelers. Expected Special Abilities. At this, I thought, “Go on…”

And go on I did. I read the entire book quickly. It’s the kind of book that builds on itself until the reader reaches a great crescendo of action. And, of course, there is the satisfaction, albeit partial, that can only come at the end of a book at the beginning of a series. The kid of ending that lets you come to terms with the events you’ve experienced while reading, but leaves you yearning for more.

Now, I could go into all the details of Em’s life as a defective Dream Traveler, her friendship with Zack, her seemingly  inability to do anything right by her parents, the incredibly painful injections she has to take to treat her “disability”, her affinity for the Middling (non-gifted by birth) life, and her romance with Rogue, but these things almost seem secondary to the main story line, which is the tyranny that the president of Austin Valley and his cronies, her father included,  want to impose on their world.  However, If I divulge much more information, it might count as a spoiler.

Em Fuller is a relatable character who’s easy to like. She doesn’t fit in to her cult-like society and becomes a heroine in danger because she’s smart,curious, and knows when something’s hinky. I love how she’s willing to give up everything she’s known to set things right in her world. I just wish that she would have been sensible enough to see Zack’s obvious feelings for her.

Zach is Em’s best friend, and keeps her out of trouble in the beginning. There was a moment that I was certain he was going to turn on her, especially since he has been friend-zoned so hard, but I think that when he learns what his former mentors are doing, he is as heartbroken as she is.

Rogue is a ghost from the past come-to-life in the form of a seductive cowboy-esque boyfriend. Adolescence doesn’t have a thing on him, and he is just the right mix of mystery, strength, wit, and sensitivity. No wonder Em is completely smitten with him from the time he reenters her life.  Though he is the same age as Em and Zack, he has lived on his own for a few years and had even built himself a house.  He is wise beyond his years and the person who reveals to Em why she hasn’t received her abilities.

Overall, I really liked this book and will be putting the next to on my TBR list. If you’re looking for a dystopia mixed with fantasy that has a believable style, then this is the book for you.

 

 

A review of Book Blog Tours by Barb Drozdowich

So I read a really good book during the hustle and bustle of December.

Book Blog Tours: An Essential Marketing Tool For Authors is a short (60 page) guide that covers everything from blog tour companies to review etiquette to how to set up your own blog tour. Barb includes tips on evaluating the benefits of a blog tour, expectations of authors, hosts, and blog tour companies, and even includes worksheets that help you keep your tour organized!

Barb Drozowich has a knack for keeping information short and simple, while giving plenty of detailed instructions. The worksheets are extremely helpful. In fact, the reason it took me so long to review this book was because I was so motivated and excited that I downloaded the worksheets and created my own media kit before I finished the book! If you are looking for an easy to read instructional guide on blog tours as a marketing tool, I suggest you get this one. I know I’ll be using it when my next book comes out.

Bah Humbug… or something like that.

Christmas is my favorite holiday. Since I was a kid, I’ve enjoyed everything from Christmas services, to decorating, to making cookies, and even family gatherings. But this year, I can’t find my Christmas cheer. I’m not sure what it is exactly, but usually I’m:

And this year I’m more like:

In fact, I should be taking advantage of the fact that my little miss is not home and flip on a  Christmas movie and wrap some gifts, but I’m blogging instead. That’s what I’d usually do, but this year I’m in a funk.

So, what have I done to try to get me out of the Grinchy mood? Here’s a list:

My car radio is set to a station that plays Christmas music 24/7.

Little Miss and I have picked up a toy to donate to Toys for Tots.

We’ve made a gingerbread house:

We went to the tree farm and cut our own tree.

Little Miss has told me The Christmas Story a few times, in a variety of ways, all including renditions of Silent Night and Away in a Manger at the end, of course.

I also wore this number to this month’s book club meeting:

See the photo bomber? That’s Say-Say. Her hobbies include eating presents left under the tree and dog yoga.

And, more recently, I enjoyed some cranberry wine while baking and sent this wonderful text to my sister:

Despite my best efforts, I’m still lower than usual on Christmas cheer, so if you have any to spare, please send it my way! Thanks.

Today only: 50 free books

This is happening today! Click on the picture to go to the page, and collect as many free titles as you like. 🙂 Happy Reading!

Free book event by #SupportIndieAuthors

Happy Holidays!

As a holiday gift to readers around the world, Support Indie Authors members are giving away over 50, that’s right, f-i-f-t-y, FREE books on Saturday, December 19th.

Below you’ll see all the details. Check out a few authors, or load your TBR list way up, the choice is yours, but don’t pass up this opportunity!

Feel free to check out the author’s below, and check out the other 30 authors at the blogs linked.

Tis the season when once again, the good folks over at Support Indie Authors are hosting another free book event. On Saturday, the 19th of December, forty authors will be offering more than fifty books in a wide variety of genres absolutely free! What better way to de-stress, decompress, and take a well-deserved break from the hustle and bustle of the holidays than to curl up with a good book? Once again, all of the free books will be listed on the official Book Blast website:

www.freebookblast.com

As is our tradition, each of the authors participating in the book blast has told us a little about themselves. Each name links to the author’s Goodreads profile, so feel free to give them a follow if you like what you see. Below are interviews for ten of the forty participating authors. At the end of this post are links to three other blogs with the additional thirty authors. Please be sure to visit each and thank you for continuing to #SupportIndieAuthors

What is your name?
Emma Woods
What genre or genres do you write in?
Science Fiction, Fantasy, Dystopian/Apocalyptic, Teen & Young Adult
Have you been naughty or nice this year?
Nice
Tell us a little about the book(or books) you are offering.

Lea is a reluctant huntress. Tanner is her prey. When both get caught up in a war of the sexes, can they help each other survive?
What is your favorite underrated holiday treat?
Homemade hot cocoa, as in made from scratch.
In the spirit of giving, tell us about your favorite charitable organization.
The Red Cross. They were wonderful when I was the victim of a natural disaster. http://www.redcross.org
Where can readers find out more and connect with you?
Website: https://theemmawoods.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/theemmawoods
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theemmawoods
Other: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/emmawoods

What is your name?
M.S. L.R./Stefany Rattles
What genre or genres do you write in?
Fantasy, Romance, Erotica, Teen & Young Adult
Have you been naughty or nice this year?
Naughty
Tell us a little about the book(or books) you are offering.

I am offering my erotic romance books Bad Romance Part 1 & 2 free. I’m also offering the first book in my Darkest Nights series – Dark Night: Episode 1 free. So if you’re into both genre’s or one or the other, you can have these books free for your starter library!
What is your favorite underrated holiday treat?
York Dark Chocolate Covered Peppermint Patties
In the spirit of giving, tell us about your favorite charitable organization.
Salvation Army http://www.salvationarmyusa.org
Where can readers find out more and connect with you?
Website: http://www.stefanyrattles.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StrlngGry
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Stefany-Rattles-628466587263459
Other: http://www.amazon.com/M.S.-L.R./e/B015TL1NBO

What is your name?
GG Atcheson
What genre or genres do you write in?
Urban Fantasy
Have you been naughty or nice this year?
Only a Sith thinks in absolutes.
Tell us a little about the book(or books) you are offering.

The Legacy: Fate: An alien named LX crashes on Earth and discovers a new breed of humans who calls themselves vampires. When fate brings a group of renegades casted out of his own planet thousands of years ago, he enlists the help of the vampires to save Earth from total annihilation.
The Legacy: Destiny: Something ancient and evil lurks under the beautiful city of Los Angeles, and it’s waiting for the right opportunity to take over the world.
What is your favorite underrated holiday treat?
Fruit jellies.
In the spirit of giving, tell us about your favorite charitable organization.
When I was younger, the firefighters in my city would gather old toys, fix them, repaint them, and make them like new again. They put their heart in it. They thought no child should be without a present under the tree. So, in the spirit of the Holidays, any charity that has children in mind is my favorite.
Where can readers find out more and connect with you?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GGAtcheson
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GGAtcheson/

What is your name?
Ellison Blackburn
What genre or genres do you write in?
Science Fiction, Visionary/Metaphysical Fiction
Have you been naughty or nice this year?
Only a Sith thinks in absolutes.
Tell us a little about the book(or books) you are offering.

Regeneration X is a story about having choices and dealing with the consequences; creating new memories and letting others fade; and making sacrifices in pursuit of happiness.
What is your favorite underrated holiday treat?
Terry’s Chocolate Orange
In the spirit of giving, tell us about your favorite charitable organization.
The Non-GMO Project – an organization committed to preserving and building non-GMO food sources, educating consumers. www.nongmoproject.org
Where can readers find out more and connect with you?
Website: http://ellisonblackburn.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ellis_blackburn
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellisonblackburn/
Other: http://amazon.com/author/ellisonblackburn/

What is your name?
Shoshanah Lee Marohn
What genre or genres do you write in?
Humor & Satire, Poetry & Verse, Art
Have you been naughty or nice this year?
Only a Sith thinks in absolutes.
Tell us a little about the book(or books) you are offering.

I wrote and illustrated two books. One is a comic travel memoir called, “Avoiding Sex with Frenchmen.” The other is a sinister and lovely book of haiku poems and pen and ink drawings called, “Coloring Inside the Dreams.”
What is your favorite underrated holiday treat?
Glög- sweet Scandinavian mulled wine with nuts and raisins.
In the spirit of giving, tell us about your favorite charitable organization.
It’s hard to choose, but Heifer International really helps people become independent and grow their own food. http://www.heifer.org
Where can readers find out more and connect with you?
Website: Dommn2703.blogspot.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/maddogmarohn
Facebook: Facebook.com/shoshanahart
Other: Shoshanah.space

What is your name?
Dwayne Fry
What genre or genres do you write in?
Humor & Satire
Have you been naughty or nice this year?
Naughty
Tell us a little about the book(or books) you are offering.
I am offering two satirical novellas about intense and angry individuals.
What is your favorite underrated holiday treat?
Mistletoe. So what if it’s poisonous?
In the spirit of giving, tell us about your favorite charitable organization.
Discovery Living, Inc. – A non-profit organization in Linn County Iowa, providing housing for adults with intellectual disabilities. http://www.discoveryliving.org

What is your name?
Charles Hash
What genre or genres do you write in?
Science Fiction, Fantasy, Dystopian/Apocalyptic, Horror, LGBTQ
Have you been naughty or nice this year?
Naughty
Tell us a little about the book(or books) you are offering.
Flawed characters. Tragedy. Blood, lots of blood.
What is your favorite underrated holiday treat?
Those tiny little oranges that are easy to peel.
In the spirit of giving, tell us about your favorite charitable organization.
Locks of Love, I’ve donated three times. http://www.locksoflove.org/
Where can readers find out more and connect with you?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DecayingGoddess
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The.Goddess.of.Decay

What is your name?
BR Kingsolver
What genre or genres do you write in?
Science Fiction, Fantasy
Have you been naughty or nice this year?
Naughty
Tell us a little about the book(or books) you are offering.
The first two books in The Telepathic Clans Saga. The Goddess blesses Her people with 25 Telepathic Gifts. In addition to Telepathy, the Gifts include command over Air and Fire, Telekinesis and Teleportation.
What is your favorite underrated holiday treat?
Banana pudding. It’s underrated for all occasions and should be part of the mandatory food pyramid.
In the spirit of giving, tell us about your favorite charitable organization.
The Polaris Project, https://polarisproject.org/ This is an organization that works to disrupt human trafficking networks, helping survivors restore their freedom, preventing more victims, and leveraging data and technology to pursue traffickers wherever they operate.
Where can readers find out more and connect with you?
Website: http://brkingsolver.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/BRKINGSOLVER
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/BR-Kingsolver/329557003754305
Other: http://www.amazon.com/BR-Kingsolver/e/B007XDV5OW/

What is your name?
Rhonda Parrish
What genre or genres do you write in?
Dystopian/Apocalyptic, Horror, Poetry & Verse
Have you been naughty or nice this year?
Nice
Tell us a little about the book(or books) you are offering.

White Noise is a collection of poems from the zombie apocalypse. Tim Deal, from Shroud Magazine described it as, “A collection of vivid scenes laid out in sharp and articulate verse, that when assembled, construct a grim narrative filled with tension, stark imagery, and unusual beauty. WHITE NOISE reaches in and evokes a visceral response— not always the one you’d expect.”
What is your favorite underrated holiday treat?
Are any holiday treats really underrated? I dunno… Some of my favourites include my husband’s Bûche de Noël, the vegetarian tourtiere we enjoy on the 24th but my absolute tippy-top favourite are butter tarts. Om nom nom!
In the spirit of giving, tell us about your favorite charitable organization.
I adore Fauna Foundation — http://www.faunafoundation.org/ They are Canada’s only chimpanzee sanctuary and do amazing work caring for our little cousins (and another animals as well). http://www.faunafoundation.org/
Where can readers find out more and connect with you?
Website: http://www.rhondaparrish.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rhondaparrish
Other: http://www.rhondaparrish.com/about/newsletter/

What is your name?
Frances Smith
What genre or genres do you write in?
Fantasy
Have you been naughty or nice this year?
Nice
Tell us a little about the book(or books) you are offering.

A brother and sister, who are estranged from each other, come to believe their sibling is in grave danger. Each works to try and save the other, one through battle, the other through politics, each believing the other in need of rescue. They are both right.
What is your favorite underrated holiday treat?
Stuffing. I can’t get enough of it.
In the spirit of giving, tell us about your favorite charitable organization.
The Fire Fighters Charity, helping injured fire fighters in the UK.
Where can readers find out more and connect with you?
Website: http://francessmithauthor.wix.com/frances-smith

Like what you see here? Want some more free books? Check out these blogs for some more:

mariejohnstonwriter.com/blog

http://www.marycriswellcarpenter.com

http://susancatalano.wix.com/susancatalano#!book-blast/tewy0

What I Learned from NaNo

Like many writers, I participated in NaNoWriMo in November.

 

 

I didn’t win.

I’m not taking this necessarily as a bad thing, though. I learned much about myself, other writers, and the NaNo experience.

What I learned about myself:

I’m not an organized writer. I tried to be, but it didn’t work out for me. Before NaNo commenced, I printed out two versions of plot outlines to help me plan what I was going to write. I filled out the less detailed one okay, but drew blanks when it came to the more detailed one. I wasn’t sure where I wanted my story to go.

I’m still trying to find balance. Social Media. Day Job. Family. Swim Schedule. On-the-side Editing Job. Writing. Holidays. Reading. Not in this order, but these are my priorities in life. While my day job is only 40 hours a week, it’s not a Monday-Friday 9-5. My husband works 24/48 shifts. Before I was “serious” about my writing, our family had to be creative with scheduling. Now, it’s an outright challenge.

I’m coming off the publishing high. When you publish your first work (or maybe any… not sure yet), you feel accomplished, exhilarated, and almost unstoppable. There’s a nervous energy that surrounds you. Stay up until 3am to blog? No problem. Wake up at 5am to answer that one really awesome person who commented on your tweet? Absolutely. After a while, the aura of happy energy wanes and you’re left bleary eyed while searching for yesterday’s coffee.

I’m not a social person. Well, at least not as much as I thought I was. As a person born in the murky years between gen X and millennials, I can swallow my anxiety and paste on a smile to socialize in person at a party or meeting, but it exhausts me after a couple of hours. On the other hand, I enjoy technology and have some nifty apps, but I have a hard time juggling all of my accounts and get overwhelmed with the amount of notifications I receive.

 

What I learned about other writers:

Most writers who participate in NaNo are supportive. I joined a couple of Facebook groups and found many writers cheering each other on as they raced toward their goals. Not only was there support about the numbers game everyone plays in November, but also  idea sharing, games for people with writer’s block, and general support in life.

Writers are as varied as the prose they write. You would think that this would be a given, yet I don’t know that it is. Close your eyes and picture a writer working. Did you see a person hunched over a desk littered with papers, notebooks, coffee mugs or tea cups? Someone who may or may not have a computer, or left that desk in a couple of days? I think that’s the stereotypical idea of a writer, but few are actually like that. Most of us have a life outside of the book world, like other jobs or school. Some of us leave our house every day, and a few of us even do “crazy” things like ride motorcycles or  get tattoos.

What I learned about Nano:

Nano is meant to be a habit builder, as in getting writers in the habit of writing a little every day. Sometimes, it works. Other times, people set aside specific days and write double or triple the amount they would if they wrote daily. In the end, really, it’s all about getting to that 50,000 word goal.

Am I disappointed I didn’t stick with it and win? A little.

Will I do it again next year? Probably.

What I’d really like to know is others take on NaNoWriMo.  Did you do NaNo? If no, why not? If you did, how did it go for you? Did you learn anything?

 

 

 

 

The art of getting back up and going on….

This can be applied to any goal. Writing, blogging, careers and businesses, finding your soulmate, starting a family, buying a house, saving for retirement. Good words from an insightful person.

Inspiration Unlimited

Life is a marathon. Not many realise that it is a long run that every one is in until very late, some even totally unaware. Many fally by the way side, many give up half way and some don’t even start. That’s how it is. However there are some who keep running fighting all the cramps, fatigue, pain and finish their run. I have seen some inspirational videos on the net where some of the particpants fall down just meters from the finish line but then get back up and limp their way to the finish line. Life is not about how you finish your marathon, whether first or last it is important that one finishes it.

Look at the infant babies. They go through stages where they roll to their tummies, crawl on four, sit and then stand up with assistance as their legs get stronger and finally start…

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Cover Reveal for The Solomon Project

Cover reveal party is tomorrow!!

Jessica Wren Fiction

Good morning, and I would like to extend an invitation to join me as I launch my second novel, a paranormal dystopian/historical fiction combo called “The Solomon Project.” I started this novel for NaNoWriMo after carrying around the idea for years. I don’t think I’ve ever had more fun writing a book.

The novel revolves around Eddie Ruiz, one of the so-called “solomons” who, under a cruel social experiment called The Solomon Project, is one of the approximately 15% of males spared mandatory sterilization at birth. He is also a medium who can summon the spirits of the dead. When the inevitable consequences of The Project start to surface–jealousy and resentment that divides families, the spread of a deadly disease, and the wicked one-world government’s horrific attempt to hide The Project, Eddie, along with his spiritual guardian Queen Bathsheba, uses his powers as a medium to summon The project’s namesake…

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