Friday 8 November 2013

NaNoWriMovember Update - Week 1

Here we are at the end of Week 1! How's everyone doing in NaNoLand? (And Movember Land, I know you're out there somewhere!) So far, I've been moderately pleased with my progress. In terms of word count, I've stayed just above the bar to stay on track, but literally by a dozen or so words. I was hoping to build up more of a bank, but in between various ailments, kids being off school and doctors' appointments, it hasn't happened yet. I'll see how next week goes.

In terms of story, so far it's been fairly linear. I'm planning to shake that up, though, with looks at other events for characters apart from my MC, and snippets of the past. I'm also looking forward to testing my MC's mettle in a big way. This is the second time I've written from a female POV, and I'm surprised by how easy it's been, although that could be due to the fact my protag is fairly "normal" as opposed to a psychopath. It remains to be seen what my CPs (all women) will make of it, though!

Here's a reminder of my blurb, and a little excerpt. I chose it because it doesn't give anything away that isn't in the blurb.

  • Novel: Truth Hurts (Working Title)

  • Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

  • Current Word Count: 13,374

  • Synopsis:
  • Sandra thought her world had fallen apart when her mum died, but she wasn't prepared for what was to follow. An overheard conversation at the funeral reveals that the woman who had nurtured and raised her - while her father was largely absent - was not her real mother.

    Confronting her booze-sodden father that night, he says that in not telling her, they had been protecting her. Sandra demands to know if her birth mother is still alive and, upon receiving no answer, storms out of the house on a quest to unearth the truth.

    Her trail of discovery starts to lead her down some very dubious and dangerous roads, and she starts to think that maybe her father was right. But why has he not come after her?

Excerpt:

There was nothing she wanted more than to run up to her room, slam the door and bawl her eyes out, but she had to see this through for her mother’s sake. She was the one, in charge, after all, for better or worse. As she made her way through the black-clad army of her father’s extended family, everyone felt like a potential enemy, even though there were some she barely knew. Apologetic smiles met her, but looked like they had been plastered onto faces. It was only five metres from the door to the coffee table, but it felt like a mile.

She straightened up, relieved at setting down her load - her physical load, at any rate. Subdued thanks emanated from those seated on the couches, who gave her the barest glance before helping themselves to more tea.

How long until everyone would start heading home? She glanced at her watch. Another couple of hours at least. This was suffocating, and she wanted these people out of the house. The grief was building up like a dam about to burst. She could be forgiven for taking five minutes to compose herself, couldn’t she? Fresh air would hopefully help. On the way to the French doors, she caught sight of her father, who had already had one too many, the glass of whisky in his hand waving through the air. She couldn’t make out his slurred speech, but he appeared to be laughing, sharing a joke with one of his brothers, relaxed and enjoying himself. Well, she couldn’t say she was too surprised.

The French doors were already open, as there were yet more mourners already out here - the smoking variety. A couple reflecting on the day’s events in between life-shortening puffs of nicotine - her Aunt Betsy and Uncle Stuart. They didn’t seem to register her presence as she stepped outside and sank into one of the ironcast chairs.

“Don’t know how she’s going to cope,” said Aunt Betsy. “We all know Michael is next to useless, and as a young girl, it shouldn’t be up to her to look after him.”

“Leanne did a good job of that, didn’t she? The woman was a saint, in my book.” Stuart took another deep drag of his cigarette and blew out a thin stream of smoke. “A lesser woman would have bolted long ago.”

“Yes, and raising a child that wasn’t even her own. You’ve got to give her credit, she loved that girl with her whole heart.”

Sandra had been staring down at the brickwork of the patio, but now everything swam out of focus. It felt as if someone had plunged her head under water and was holding it there. All sound disappeared but the roaring in her ears, and when she tried to look up, her aunt’s and uncle’s movements were slowed down, their arms making jerky movements as they raised their cigarettes, as if they were puppets. The world tilted on its axis.

WHHHHHHHAAAAAAATTTTT??? Not a word, but an earthquake going off in her head. She got up somehow, and took a couple of steps forward. To do what? Confront her father? Two steps were all she managed before everything went black.


And what of Movember? Well, here is the latest photo update (as of last night, anyway). Apparently I don't know where to look when someone's taking a picture on the iPad!



P.S. I know I said I wouldn't post anything except NaNoWriMovember during November, but make sure to check back on Monday for something big you won't want to miss!

Wednesday 6 November 2013

Dragonfly Warrior Cover Reveal

Hey everyone! I interrupt my NaNo scheduling to bring you something extremely cool - the new book cover from Jay Noel, one of the nicest bloggers I know. This is the first time I've had any steampunk on my site, but I'm sure it won't be the last! Here's all the details courtesy of Jay, and that awesome cover.


Dragonfly Warrior Blurb:
The Mechanica Wars: Savage Machines Are Afoot...

At the age of sixteen, Kanze Zenjiro's bloody footprints mark the bodies of those who stood in his way to protect the throne of Nihon. Now, the tyrannical Iberian Empire is bent on destroying his kingdom, and they send their steam-powered giants and iron spiders against him.
Zen embarks on a quest that takes him on the most dangerous journey of his life. To succeed, Zen must live up to his nickname, the Dragonfly Warrior, and kill all his enemies with only a sword and a pair of six-guns. He is called upon to somehow survive a test of faith and loyalty in a world so cruel and merciless, it borders on madness.

Book Information
Dragonfly Warrior is a steampunk adventure like no other. It's a dynamic mix of Asian and European mythology, the Wild West, martial arts, traditional fantasy, and high powered steam action that will keep you turning the pages.
Dragonfly Warrior is the first book of The Mechanica Wars, and will debut on January 6, 2014.

Author Bio:
After doing some freelance writing and editing for more than a dozen years, Jay decided to stop procrastinating and pursue his dream of being a novelist. He's been blogging for over eight years, and even had a comedy podcast syndicated all over the internet. All of that was fun, but all the steampunk-inspired stories in his head just wouldn't leave him alone. Jay spends his days working in medical sales, but he can be found toiling over his laptop late at night when all is quiet.
He draws inspiration from all over: H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, Shakespeare, Ray Bradbury, Douglas Adams, and Isaac Asimov.
And Jay loves cookies.

Jay Noel's website: www.jaynoel.com

Friday 1 November 2013

NaNoWriMovember - Day 1


So here we are on the first of November. I hope no one got too spooked out last night, and for those of you partaking in NaNo, that you're ready for a month of blistered fingers and chewed nails. Erm, I mean a scintillating month of joy and creativity!

Here is the short synopis for my novel as per the NaNo site:

  • Novel: Truth Hurts (Working Title) (hopefully I'll come up with a better one!)

  • Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

  • Synopsis:
  • Sandra thought her world had fallen apart when her mum died, but she wasn't prepared for what was to follow. An overheard conversation at the funeral reveals that the woman who had nurtured and raised her - while her father was largely absent - was not her real mother.

    Confronting her booze-sodden father that night, he says that in not telling her, they had been protecting her. Sandra demands to know if her birth mother is still alive and, upon receiving no answer, storms out of the house on a quest to unearth the truth.

    Her trail of discovery starts to lead her down some very dubious and dangerous roads, and she starts to think that maybe her father was right. But why has he not come after her?


If you want to add me as a buddy, you can do so here. We need friends at a time like this!

So Day 1 is now at an end, and so far I'm ahead - by twenty words. If I can keep up that margin for the month I'll be happy. I didn't have much time to write today, because we're getting ready for a fundraising fayre tomorrow, so I made a start at midnight and wrote the first 700 words, then got up at 5am to make the quota. I think the early starts will continue through the weekend until Tuesday, as the kids have got a day off on Monday. I'm also going to try and learn how to write in the middle of noise and interruptions, though. I think one of the points of NaNo is to bend and break our routines, and become more flexible as to when we write.

And of course me and Andrew are taking part in Movember throughout the month too. We'll be posting weekly updates on our hirsute exploits. Here we are on Day 1 - a fair way to go! Don't forget you can sponsor our efforts if you so desire, all in aid of Andrew's college fund.



Doing NaNo this year? Any tips? What are you doing if not? Any tache-growing tips - JeffO? :)

Monday 28 October 2013

Giveaway Winners Announced, NaNoWriMovember, and Curiosity Quills Anthologies

On an unusually stormy Monday here in the UK - although we seem to have escaped it in Scotland - it's time to announce the winners of my two year blogiversary giveaway. So, without any further ado...

1st place, winning a proofread and copyedit of a novel up to 100,000 words: Misha Gericke
2nd place, winning a proofread of a novella or short stories up to 30,000 words: C. Lee McKenzie
3rd place, winning a proofread of a short story or stories up to 10,000 words: Aldrea Alien

Congrats ladies! I'll be in touch ASAP about claiming your prize!



So, onto the next order of business: NaNoWriMo. I've been back and forwards over taking part this year, worried I wouldn't have time, but all the kids are now at school all day and well... I can't resist the challenge! I only got to 34k last year, so I'm on a mission. I've got an outline written out, which makes things a bit easier. It's open to change, of course, but once I've got it into a readable form that doesn't give too much away, I'm looking forward to sharing it with you all.

As an extra incentive to get to that finish line on time, I'm going to combine it with Movember and cultivate what will hopefully be a fine crop of upper lip hair at the same time as I'm growing my characters and plotlines. Andrew is joining in too - he grows a mean tache without even trying. If you'd like to sponsor us, with all proceeds going to Andrew's college fund, it would be massively appreciated - but I only get paid if I get to the 50k! As last year, I'll be posting weekly updates starting on Friday, this time with added tache pics from us two boys. Apart from this I'll not be blogging too much, but as always I will get back to everyone who comments.

And, last but by no means least... two anthologies, also for an excellent cause.


Support animals in need by buying Curiosity Quills' charity anthology Primetime. 10% of all
proceeds will be donated to humane societies on both the East and West coast
that spend well and do not stray from their “no-kill” policies.

Primetime brings together bestselling authors like J.R. Rain, Tony Healey, A.W. Exley, and more to create a spine-tingling, mind-blowing, quirky collection of short stories in
Curiosity Quills' first ever, annual anthology.

For a full list of the authors featured, and details on where you can buy Primetime, please see the Official Primetime page.



Support animals in need by buying Curiosity Quills' charity anthology After Dark. 10% of all
proceeds will be donated to humane societies on both the East and West coast
that spend well and do not stray from their “no-kill” policies.

Primetime’s steamier counterpart, Curiosity Quills: After Dark, where bestselling authors like A.W. Exley, Nathan L. Yocum, Jose Prendes, Jade Hart, and more come together to bring you hard-hitting, sexy, violent, and dark short stories to read when the sun has gone down and the kids are in bed.

For a full list of the authors featured, and details on where you can buy After Dark, please see the Official After Dark page.

Sound good, eh? See you all on Friday for the NaNoWriMovember kickoff. Have a great week!

Saturday 26 October 2013

The 13th Floor Complete Collection Blog Tour

Today I'm pleased to welcome back the supremely talented Christine Rains as part of the blog tour for the 13th Floor Complete Collection. She's talking about something that is tricky to get right, but very effective if done well. Over to you, Christine!



We talked about all sorts of villains this year in my guest post series. The tricksters, bullies, geniuses, and gods. There's one sort of villain that doesn't make an appearance in my series. One that I consider important in the realm of bad guys. That is the sympathetic villain.

This is the sort of character that falls into the antagonist role doing bad things, but there's a reason behind it that gains the reader's sympathy. Perhaps it's done through back story or through seeing how society treats him. He has a reason for what he's doing and perhaps he thinks it's good. It makes for fantastic characterization, but as much as we can sympathize, it doesn't change the fact he is the villain.

The sympathetic villain is becoming more popular these days. Two of my favorites are Dr. Horrible (Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog) and Severus Snape (Harry Potter series). I adore these characters, but no matter what anyone argues, they are still bad guys. They are, in a way, the anti-villain. A trend rising along side of the anti-hero.

Why is the sympathetic villain more attractive to people these days? Some suggest that we relate to the urge to do bad things more than we did a few decades ago. Or it could be that the heroes are too good to believe and so we flock to what we consider the more realistic character. Whatever the reason, I can see this trend continuing.

Perhaps we'll see more of George R.R. Martin's thinking: “There are no heroes or villains. Only characters with flaws.”


Who are your favorite sympathetic villains? Why do you think there are more anti-heroes and anti-villains these days?



Title: The 13th Floor Complete Collection
Author: Christine Rains
Genre: paranormal romance

Release date: October 13th, 2013

Blurb:

Six supernatural tenants
Living in a haunted apartment building
On a floor that doesn't exist.

Six novellas telling their tales.

A retired demon acquires a price on his head.
A werewolf is hunted by her pack.
A modern day dragonslayer misses his target.
A harpy challenges Zeus for the soul of the man she loves.
A vampire is obsessed with a young woman he can't find.
A banshee falls in love with someone who's death she has seen in a vision.
And a sweet ghost must battle a primal monster to save them all.

All the stories take place at the same time intertwining their lives together on the 13th Floor.

Includes “The Shadow,” a bonus short story.



Author Bio:

Christine Rains is a writer, blogger, and geek mom. She has four degrees which help nothing with motherhood, but make her a great Jeopardy player. When she's not writing or reading, she having adventures with her son or watching cheesy movies on Syfy Channel. She's a member of Untethered Realms and S.C.I.F.I. The 13th Floor series is her first self-published series. She has eight novellas and twenty-one short stories published.

Monday 21 October 2013

Launch of Beyond the Edge

Out now - congrats, Mary!

Some truths are better left unfound.


For two years Craze’s dear friend, Lepsi, has been missing. The murmurings of a haunted spaceship might be a message and may mean his old pal isn’t dead. The possibility spurs Craze and Captain Talos to travel to uncharted worlds, searching. Out there, in an unfamiliar region of the galaxy beyond the Backworlds, they stumble upon a terrible truth.


Meanwhile, Rainly remains on Pardeep Station as acting planetlord, dealing with the discovery of her lover’s dark and brutal past. Alone and questioning her judgment, her introspection unlocks more than heartache. Latent protocols in her cybernetics activate, forcing her to face a sinister secret of her own.


In the far future, humanity settles the stars, bioengineering its descendents to survive in a harsh universe. This is the fourth book in the science fiction series, The Backworlds. A space opera adventure.




M. Pax-- Inspiring the words she writes, she spends her summers as a star guide at Pine Mountain Observatory in stunning Central Oregon where she lives with the Husband Unit and two demanding cats. She writes science fiction and fantasy mostly. You can find out more by visiting her at:


Friday 18 October 2013

Dragon's Game cover reveal

Time for another cover reveal, this time it's the latest in EJ Wesley's Moonsongs series. Now this cover, in my opinion, is what you might call "badass". What do you think?



Jenny Moonsong recently inherited the title of "monster hunter" and an ancient tribal journal/how-to manual passed down by her Apache ancestors. She has already faced a werewolf, witches, and a troll. But nothing could prepare her for her latest confrontation...

Dragon's Game, Moonsongs Book 4, finds Jenny out of her rural West Texas element, searching for an evil witch in an urban Houston nightclub. After attempting to help a handsome and mysterious stranger out of a jam, she finds herself on the run from a ruthless gang who are even more dangerous than they initially appear.

Forced into a twisted game of life and death, Jenny must navigate the complexity of a budding relationship, and somehow survive a night filled with unexpected horror and paranormal mystery.

Dragon's Game is approximately 14,000 words or 45 pages, and is the fourth volume of the Moonsongs Books, an ongoing series of New Adult, speculative / urban fantasy novelettes by author E.J. Wesley.

(These stories contain language and content better suited for readers 17+)

~Moonsongs Series List~

Blood Fugue, Moonsongs Book 1

Witch's Nocturne, Moonsongs Book 2

Dark Prelude, Moonsongs Book 3

Dragon's Game, Moonsongs Book 4
COMING SOON to Amazon - B&N - Smashwords

Moonsongs, Anthology 1 (Collecting books 1, 2, & 3)
Paperback & eBook - Amazon / eBook - B&N

Praise for the Moonsongs series:

"You won't find any romantic, skinny, sparkling werewolves here. What you will find is something scary and atmospheric like King's "Cycle of the Werewolf" that will leave you wanting more." Michael Offutt, author of Slipstream

"-- a tense story with some unique elements. A very good read!" Alex J. Cavanaugh, Amazon Bestselling Author of CassaFire and CassaStar

"--reminds me of t.v. episodes; short, sweet, resolved in under an hour. But I’m talking good, interesting t.v.. The kind that draws you in and leaves you eagerly awaiting next week's episode." Books & Things Blog

"The writing is amazing - even in just a few short pages, you can see that right off the bat. It really engages you in the story and keeps you reading along until the end." Missy's Reads & Reviews Blog

"Blood Fugue has one of those endings that you least expect, giving it that "OMG" reaction." Insane About Books Blog

"His action scenes are thrilling, sometimes cringe-worthy. No doubt I spent the entire read curled over my computer not wanting it to end." robgirlbooks, Amazon Review

***
Add Dragon's Game to your Goodreads shelf!


And for a limited time, you can catch up on the entire Moonsongs series for just .99 cents (regularly $2.99) - Moonsongs Anthology 1 is on sale October 15th - 20th at Amazon and Barnes & Noble!

About the Author:

Growing up in small-town Oklahoma, there were limits on the amount and types of entertainment at my disposal. Perhaps that’s why I set my imagination free. After collecting degrees in psychology and counseling, life brought me to Missouri, Texas, and Northern California—where I currently read, write, and live. I fill my spare time playing video games, watching movies, planning for the zombie apocalypse, reading graphic novels, and playing with my dogs.

My passion for New Adult literature led me to producing the weekly New Adult Lit Chat on Twitter, and contributing to the NA Alley Blog. I’m also the author of the Moonsongs Books, a series of New Adult, speculative-rural fantasy novelettes.


Congrats, EJ! I've read the first of his series, which was gripping, and I look forward to catching up with the rest.

I'm back from my holiday today, so I look forward to catching up with you all. Don't forget it's the last day to enter my Two-Year Blogiversary Giveaway where you can win a full edit on your book. And have a lovely weekend!

Wednesday 16 October 2013

Butterman (Time) Travel Inc cover reveal

Today I'm taking part in a cover reveal with a twist for PK Hrezo's debut release. She'd like us to write about where (and when) we'd like to go if we could walk into a time travel agency and book a trip. Well, before we get to that, let's have a looksie at that fabulous cover.


Very nice, eh?

The possibilities are pretty much endless when it comes to time travel. I would definitely go and see what dinosaurs really looked like, at least the peaceful, vegetarian ones. And check in on the construction of the pyramids to see how they did it. Just a shame that so many slaves had to die. Probably most of all, though, I'd like to go back to the middle ages and see a real jousting match. Quite a spectacle, this was probably like the WWF Wrestling of its day. The atmosphere would have been immense.

So, what about you?

Let's find out a bit more about PK's book:

Welcome to Butterman Travel, Incorporated

We are a full service agency designed to meet all your exclusive time travel needs. Family-owned and operated, we offer clients one hundred years of time travel experience. A place where you can rest assured, safety and reliability always come first.

Anxious to attend a special event from the past? Or for a glimpse of what the future holds?

You’ve come to the right place. We’re a fully accredited operation, offering an array of services; including, but not limited to: customized travel plans, professionally piloted operations, and personal trip guides. *Terms and conditions do apply

Conference us directly from our Website. Our frontline reservation specialist, Bianca Butterman, will handle all your inquiries in a professional and efficient manner, offering a tentative itinerary and free fare quote, so you can make the most of your time trip.


We look forward to serving you at Butterman Travel, Inc., where time is always in your hands.   


You can get hold of Butterman (Time) Travel, Inc from the 12th of November.

PK Hrezo is a native Floridian whose life could easily be a Jimmy Buffet song. She shares her home with her firefighter husband and their two children. When not creating characters and their worlds, PK can be found at her other job of rearranging passenger’s itineraries for a major international airline. The only hobbies she loves more than traveling, are reading, writing, and music, and when the four are combined she exists in total bliss.  

She blogs regularly at PK HREZO: Fearless Fiction http://pk-hrezo.blogspot.com/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/PKHrezo  @pkhrezo
Website: http://down-the-rabbithole.com/

Congrats, PK!

A quick note - I'm currently away camping and will reply to any comments after my return on Friday. You can still enter my Two-Year Blogiversary Giveaway with prizes including a full book edit up for grapes.

Friday 11 October 2013

Two Year Blogiversary Giveaway!

Yes, that's right... two years ago today I sat down and started a blog. I never could have predicted the friends and opportunities that would come my way - in fact, I didn't think it would amount to anything. Over the last two years I've written three books, self-published an anthology, participated in countless bloghops, challenges and contests. All of it has been with the support and encouragement of you lovely bunch. Some say blogging is a dying art, but I hope not. I don't know of another medium where relationships can be built on this level, allowing for serious debate, laughter and learning. I wholeheartedly recommend any writer thinking about starting a blog to go for it without hesitation. We can always do with more friends!

So, my anniversary falls on a Friday this year. Good excuse for a party, eh? In celebration of my recently launched editing service, I'd like to offer some editing prizes to three lucky winners, as follows.

1st prize: Novel of up to 100,000 words proofread and copyedited.
2nd prize: Novella or short stories up to 30,000 words proofread.
3rd prize: Short story/ies up to 10,000 words proofread.

I'm doing it this way because I don't want to edit parts of novels and then have people feel obligated to pay for the rest. It would be great if you could indicate in the comments which prize you would prefer, so I can allocate prizes accordingly.

Hope everyone has a great weekend! I apologise in advance if I'm not around too much - we're packing to go away on a big camping holiday next week, but thereafter I will be catching up. The kids are off school and we're taking the whole clan with dog in tow too!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday 9 October 2013

Indie Life bloghop - Selfy Publishers

Hello there. As part of my drive to get back into blogging, I thought I'd reinvigorate my posting for this group, which I've missed for several months. I'm still working towards self-publication of my novel and my WIP is undergoing revisions with this aim in mind. Today I'm talking about what it means to have validation as a writer.

I saw an item on This Morning recently (a daytime TV show in the UK, and no, I don't sit around watching TV all day; I'd done my work for the day and had just switched it on while making lunch. This particular segment was actually post-12pm!) They were talking about selfies, a phenomenon of which you are doubtless aware, whereby people take a picture of themselves usually to post on Facebook or Twitter. What I hadn't considered was that people are posting the pics specifically to get a reaction (along the lines of "Wow, you look cool/hot/smokin'/another temperature variant). Apparently they can be quite upset if no one responds. My initial reaction was that their lives must be pretty shallow if they need that type of reassurance, but then I told myself to shut up and stop being so judgemental. As writers, isn't part of our reason for publishing to receive validation, some signal that what we are doing is worthwhile?

Note I said reason for publication. I think many of us would agree that a big part of writing is to get a story out of our heads, exercise those characters knocking around in there and demanding we listen to their trouble. If that was all there was to it, that novel would be filed away in a desk drawer or hard drive and on we would go with our merry lives. But for most of us, at some point and after revising so hard we can't even see the words on the screen any more, we want to see if anyone else will like it too. (Let's face it, money is a very minor factor, if even a consideration at all in this game.)

A lot of people stress over reviews and take bad ones quite personally, although it's important to remember that it is based on the book, not you as a person. At least it should be... there is a notorious dark side to this whole thing, but in the main, reviewers are interested in the story, not the author. But it's human nature to see this as a reflection on ourselves and the tone of a review has the power to make or break our day.

What do you think? Do you need validation as a writer? What are your reasons for wanting to publish? Do you read your reviews, and what sort of reactions do you have to them?

Don't forget to head over to The Indelibles to check out loads more Indie Life blogs!

Tuesday 1 October 2013

Nick Wilford, Freelance Editor - Official Launch

The day has come - time for the official launch of my editing service! Thanks to everyone who's helping me out with it this week. Here's the lowdown on why I decided to kickstart my business and what sort of things I have to offer.

With the unstoppable rise of self-publishing, it’s easier than ever to put your words and stories out there in the world. This is a great thing, and I’m all for it. However, it’s not just about the story - although of course, that is the most important part - but the way it’s presented. After spending months or years on a novel, building an incredible world and honing your characters and storylines to perfection, the last thing you want is to be let down by a lack of editing. It’s just as important as an arresting cover image.

Nick Wilford, Freelance Editor is a one-stop shop for affordable editing, proofreading and formatting services. With professional training and ten years of experience as a journalist and editor, the time has come to transfer these skills in order to help out the fellow authors I have come to love.

But it doesn’t stop there. I’m ready to edit anything; from a crucial term paper, to memoirs and other non-fiction books, short stories, articles or job application letters. Let me put that finishing touch on your masterpiece.

Feel free to take a look at my website for further details of my services and prices.

Also, look out for something exciting coming a week on Friday - it's my two year blogiversary, and I'm planning to give away some juicy prizes relating to my business!

Monday 30 September 2013

The Ghosts of Aquinnah

Happy Monday! Time to reveal another luscious cover, and another intriguing upcoming book. Today it's Julie Flanders with her new novel "The Ghosts of Aquinnah".


Blurb:

A brilliant flash of light transcends through time.

Another freezes a cloaked figure within a frame of salty mist as waves crash against a rocky shore. Her harrowing expression shadows the beacon to a pinprick.

By the next blaze, she is gone. Only the lighthouse remains.

Hannah’s eyes blink in step with each heartbeat. Images of her deceased parents and Martha’s Vineyard explode like firecrackers inside her mind.

She shakes her head.

For weeks this eerie woman dressed in nineteenth century garb has been haunting my webcam, but tonight she stared into my soul.

Why? ...

Who is she? ...

Casting aside months of research on historic lighthouses, Hannah drives to the coast and boards a ferry.

What is the strange connection she has to this mysterious woman suspended in time?

Hannah finds out.

But, it’s not at all what she expects ...

Hannah unravels a century old murder.

Author Bio:

Julie Flanders is a novelist and freelance writer in Cincinnati, Ohio. She has a life-long love affair with the ocean and has spent more summer vacations than she can count on the island of Martha’s Vineyard. When not writing, Julie can be found reading, cheering on her favorite sports teams, and watching too much television. She is an animal lover and shares her home with her dog and cat.

Find Julie at:



The Ghosts of Aquinnah will be released by Ink Smith Publishing on December 5, 2013

Monday 23 September 2013

Getting Back in the Writing Saddle, and Exciting News

Hey all! Hope everyone had a great summer. It might be a bit late for saying that, now we are in the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, but I've missed chatting to you over the last few months. I've loved hosting various blog tour posts and cover reveals, but it's now time for an update on where I've been at.

Things haven't been all plain sailing round here, meaning my writing has been pushed back somewhat. My wife was off work for a protracted period of time with anxiety, due to various issues which are too lengthy to go into here. We've been spending a lot of time together which has been good for us and the kids, including three mini holidays in two weeks! She's now starting to get back on a part-time basis, taking one day at a time, and I've been getting back into writing and blogging - though feeling rather rusty.

I completed the first draft of my novella, still untitled, last week. It came to about 29,000 words, although most of the four months' drafting seemed to be spent on the last couple of thousand. So I'm glad that's out of my system, and I'm pushing ahead with edits on Black & White, which I hope to have ready for release around January or February.

I also have another small piece of news to share. For a long time I've been considering leveraging my editing and proofreading experience in order to benefit the writing community, and a short while ago I mentioned my plan to start a freelance editing business. That day has come and I'd love if you could pop over and check out what I've got to offer here. I'll literally edit anything that has words in it, but I'm particularly keen on helping out fellow indies in a world where it's paramount to offer a professional product, but editing services seem prohibitively expensive.

Although it's short notice, I would MASSIVELY appreciate it if you could help out with the official launch which I'm planning for next Tuesday, 1st October. You don't have to do a lot - if you sign up, I'll send out all the information for a post in the next few days. If you can't do next Tuesday, any brief mention during the week would be great - Tweets, FB, etc etc. Thank you!!

I'll leave you with one of the pictures from our adventures over the summer - me and Eve at Mount Rushmore. No, we're not giants, and yes, that is the Lego Mount Rushmore!


Monday 16 September 2013

The 13th Floor Collection cover reveal

It's here! The talented Christine Rains is set to release a complete collection of her superb 13th Floor tales, featuring the supernatural residents of a mysterious floor in an apartment building. I've read three of the stories, and can't wait to catch up on the rest in one place. Congrats, Christine!


Title: The 13th Floor Complete Collection
Author: Christine Rains
Genre: paranormal romance

Release date: October 13th, 2013

Blurb:
Six supernatural tenants
Living in a haunted apartment building
On a floor that doesn't exist.

Six novellas telling their tales.

A retired demon acquires a price on his head.
A werewolf is hunted by her pack.
A modern day dragonslayer misses his target.
A harpy challenges Zeus for the soul of the man she loves.
A vampire is obsessed with a young woman he can't find.
A banshee falls in love with someone who's death she has seen in a vision.
And a sweet ghost must battle a primal monster to save them all.

All the stories take place at the same time intertwining their lives together on the 13th Floor.


Author Bio:
Christine Rains is a writer, blogger, and geek mom. She has four degrees which help nothing with motherhood, but make her a great Jeopardy player. When she's not writing or reading, she having adventures with her son or watching cheesy movies on Syfy Channel. She's a member of Untethered Realms and S.C.I.F.I. The 13th Floor series is her first self-published series. She has eight novellas and twenty-one short stories published.

Thursday 15 August 2013

Felicite Found blog tour

Today I'm honoured to host the wonderful Julia King - aka Writing Jewels - as part of her tour for her newly published debut novel. I'm excited because I've never featured a playlist on my blog before. I'm also excited to read her book because it sounds excellent! Take it away, Jules:

Félicité Found Playlist by Julia King on Grooveshark

This playlist sets the mood for Félicité Found. It isn’t a flowers and moonbeams plot, but richer and darker. Enjoy the songs and the lyrics that Julia feels are most relevant to her book.

Endlessly by Muse

There's a part of me you'll never know The only thing I'll never show
Hopelessly I'll love you endlessly

Go by Hanson

I heard your moving van
But I didn't take a stand
You can't leave with them
You can't live without them
I never thought I'd want to let you go

Tonight I Wanna Cry by Keith Urban

I've never been the kind to ever let my feelings show
And I thought that bein' strong meant never losin' your self-control
But I'm just drunk enough to let go of my pain
To hell with my pride, let it fall like rain
From my eyes, tonight I wanna cry

The Reason by Hoobastank

I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
And the reason is you

Set the Fire to the Third Bar by Snow Patrol

I'm miles from where you are
I lay down on the cold ground
I pray that something picks me up
And sets me down in your warm arms

Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again by Andrew Lloyd Weber

Too many years fighting back tears
Why can't the past just die?
Wishing you were somehow here again
Knowing we must say, "Goodbye"
Try to forgive, teach me to live
Give me the strength to try
No more memories, no more silent tears
No more gazing across the wasted years
Help me say, "Goodbye" 

Everlasting Love by U2

Like the sun it shines
Endlessly it shines
You always will be mine
It's eternal love
Whenever loves are gone
Ours will be strong
We'd have our very own
Everlasting Love 


And here's the gorgeous cover and blurb:


Seventeen-year-old Pierre Rousseaux witnesses a young girl take a near fatal plunge off Pont Neuf Bridge into the freezing water of the River Seine in Paris, France. After diving into the racing river himself, he is able to rescue her from a watery death, but only after her head is bashed into the river
wall. Upon reviving her from unconsciousness, Pierre realizes she doesn’t remember her past at all.

The girl struggles to recall anything from before she may have tried to commit suicide, not only once but possibly twice. The few glimpses into her life are discovered through dreams that can only suggest her past was horrific and jaded by intense anger.

Her memories may force her to lose everything she has grown to adore, especially the boy she loves more than anything in the world: Pierre.

The girl, Félicité Moreau, must decide if the life she desires is enough to make things from her past right. Pierre struggles to resolve if Félicité means enough to him that he will fight for her, regardless of her past and despite his own personal demons.

With a paranormal twist, Félicité Found is Julia King’s debut Young Adult novel—a horrific love story.

Book Links:

Goodreads
Amazon (ebook)
Amazon (paperback)
Barnes and Noble (ebook)


a Rafflecopter giveaway