Salted With Fire blog tour

Hi everyone! Hope your summer's going with a swing. I'm still on a semi-break from blogging, but I always have time to help out my lovely author friends. So today I'm pleased to host another lovely friend, Nancy LaRonda Johnson, who has recently released her second book, which looks like a cracking collection of flash fiction and poetry. I plan to get my hands on it soon. So with no further ado, here's Nancy...

Salted With Fire

Black magic, murder, insanity… humor, honor and devotion. Salted With Fire is a journey of flash fiction and poetry that shows my writing transformation from worldly to wanting to please God.

Flash fiction is my passion; poetry is my release. I love creating a complete story, with a beginning, middle and end, with twists, drama, compassion and horror, all under 1000 words. Salted With Fire isn’t just a book of stories and poetry, it is my journey as a writer, from writing only for the mere joy of it regardless of the message, to writing stories that highlight God’s will for people, even if the stories are not religious in nature.

Inside are fifteen flash fiction pieces and twelve poems with full-color pictures, and short Biblical discussions after each story.

Bio

Nancy LaRonda Johnson has written short stories, poetry and personal journals most of her life, and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and a Juris Doctorate. A probation officer by day, she strives during her off-hours to write interesting characters who make it through trying times. Her first book, the literary Christian speculative novel Anticipation of the Penitent, about a serial killer and his mother, reached the finals in the Indie Publishing Contest sponsored by the San Francisco Writer’s Conference 2012. Salted With Fire is her second publication. She is working on several projects, including a sequel to Anticipation of the Penitent. Visit her website at www.nancylarondajohnson.com.

Flash fiction one-liners from Salted With Fire:

Too Bad! Too Late!

What would you do if you found a skeleton in your closet?

Secondary Illness

There’s a bit of insecurities – and madness – in all of us.

Sometimes You Get Shot

If you don’t consider the consequences of your actions, Sometimes You Get Shot.

Debt

When Sal doesn’t get paid… there is always Notorious Natalie.

Career Day

Experience the breakdown of one classroom on this special day.

You Are Not Going To Believe This

Perilous things happen when Mr. Titan Talé is not heard.

You Wanna Be a Funambulist?

Once you understand what that means, will you wanna be one?

Taxi!

Marcus would traverse the country to save his daughter.

Freeway

Finding that special, peaceful moment can be dangerous.

Quarter To

When Perry doesn’t heed the warning, he puts everything at risk.

Braden’s Pop

Henry will risk looking like a fool to save his town.

THE LESSON

Will Sandra learn in time before she totally loses it?

The X’es Mark the Spots

Two holes in the backyard; four places set for dinner….

The Other Side

Harry Montgomery drags through his days, until one special boy enters his life.

My Boaz

Some imaginations will cause even God to come in response.

Also enjoy Biblical discussions and twelve poems in Salted With Fire.

.99 cent eBook! – Available in print and eBook:

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CreateSpace

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/NancyLaRondaJohnson

Webpage: www.nancylarondajohnson.com

Blog: www.nancylarondajohnson.blogspot.com

Sounds good, right? AND, Nancy also has a giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Christine Rains - The Ghost blog tour

Hello everyone! It's time for the release of Christine's very last book in her fantastic 13th Floor series, The Ghost. I've been happy to host Christine for every release so of course I was going to be part of her final tour! Here's all the details you need to know (with another gorgeous cover, of course):

PRIMAL NEED

The 13^th Floor series has an amazing variety of villains. From the diabolical mastermind to the unrepentant thug to the evil within. The final book of the series pits the heroes against an unseen fiend that sets its sights on the 13^th floor itself. This monster isn't as mighty as Vetis or a genius like the Governor, but what makes it the most frightening is that it's driven blindly by the primal need to feed.

The fiend is never named nor does anyone ever hear it. It can't be reasoned with and nothing will deter it from its target. All the monster knows is unrelenting hunger. It feeds off the energy or life force of whatever tickles its appetite. Usually that's the most powerful being or thing within reach.

Chiharo Black is a ghost, and she shines with a brilliant essence. Nothing has ever terrified her, not even dying. Yet when this creature of unappeasable hunger grabs hold of her, she faces a waking nightmare. Chiharo is a sweet and smart phantom. The fact she can't use logic to help her get rid of this monster challenges her as nothing has before. It doesn't help that she's shiny and delicious in the fiend's eyes.

Villains that are intelligent give heroes the chance to reason with them, talk their way out of a bad situation, or, at least, distract them with words. There's always that small ray of hope because both sides can talk to one another. Yet when they're faced with a destructive primal desire, nothing is more frightening than a hungry monster.

Have you read any other books or watched movies where the villain was an unstoppable primal need?

Title: The Ghost (The 13th Floor series, #6)

Author: Christine Rains

Genre: paranormal romance

Release date: July 13th, 2013

Blurb:

Chiharo Black lives with six supernatural tenants in a haunted building's mysterious thirteenth floor. Of course, no one knows she's there except the cats. Being a ghost can be a bit frustrating and lonely, but it isn't as bad as her mother made it out to be.

Until another ghost intrudes on her territory. Jeremy Emerson wants revenge on the vampire that killed him and won't stop until he has it. To top it off, a nightmarish shade sneaks in and leeches the energy from the building's residents before setting its sights on Chiharo and the thirteenth floor. She can't decide which one is more frightening: the one wanting to eat her soul or the one who might win her heart.

Chiharo must convince Jeremy to stand with her against the hellish parasite. If they cannot work together, the greedy fiend will not only drain their energy but everything that supports the thirteenth floor's existence.

Add to Goodreads

Purchase Links:

Amazon

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Kobo

B&N

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.

Website 

Blog

Facebook

Twitter 

Goodreads

A Review of Aberration by Lisa Regan

Back around January, I was approached by the lovely Lisa Regan to read an ARC of her second novel, Aberration, which has now been released. I hadn't yet read her debut, Finding Claire Fletcher, but having read so many amazing things about it I jumped at the chance, and I thank her profusely for the opportunity. I quickly devoured Finding Claire Fletcher, and when Aberration arrived, I tore through it in two days (a record, if you know how slow I normally am!) I highly recommend picking up both these books, Lisa writes thrilling crime fiction with a unique twist.

Blurb:

When a series of sadistic murders bearing the same signature arise in different parts of the country, FBI analyst Kassidy Bishop is assigned to the “For You” killer’s task force—whose investigation leads right back to her. 

The homicides are both calculated and savage, occurring in different states, but bearing the same signature: the words “for you” scribbled at each crime scene. The case chills Kassidy, bringing back memories of her own encounter with a violent criminal five years earlier.

The stakes rise when the task force links the killer’s signature to Kassidy. As more and more bodies turn up, Kassidy must delve into her past and the mysterious death of her twin sister, which holds the key to uncovering the killer’s identity.

My Review:

This second outing from crime writer Lisa Regan cements her status as one of the most promising talents in the field. If you've read her first novel, Finding Claire Fletcher, that delicious sense of creeping menace is still present, along with a greater depth and complexity.

A serial killer is taking out his victims in a variety of perverted ways and leaving the words "For You" at each scene. We know from the start whodunnit (as we witness the murders from the POV of the perpetrator, and the matter-of-fact description here is quite disarming). The question is why, and for who? Regan dripfeeds backstory about the killer, and the investigating agent, Kassidy Bishop, judiciously, making you want to discover more and more.

Without giving too much away, there are certain conditions affecting both Kassidy and the killer that make things even more intriguing (and the killer doubly scary!)

I was also impressed by the meticulous research that was in evidence, regarding the FBI, and the behaviour of stalkers and psychopaths. It reads like a novel by a seasoned thriller writer. And if you want twists, you surely won't be disappointed - in fact, I want to reread the whole book in the light of what we find out by the end.

The pacing is excellent - well measured, and not frantic and headlong. Again, this is effective in the way it helps build the tension and danger.

Superb! I eagerly await further works from Lisa Regan.

Purchase Links:

Amazon (paperback)
Barnes & Noble (paperback)
Amazon (ebook)
Barnes & Noble (ebook)

Author Links:

Website

Blog

Twitter

Facebook

Goodreads

I know I've still been very AWOL with blogging, please bear with me as I try to get back into it! My good wife has had the use of my laptop to run her business lately while hers was sick, but it's all patched up now and back with us. When I've had my laptop, I've been trying to get some freelance work in editing and writing since my job dried up. I'll be making a big announcement about this soon, and I'd love if you could help. I'll be sending out emails soon, but feel free to mention below if you'd like to help spread the word! Basically, the idea is to offer affordable editing and proofreading services primarily to indie authors. Now I just need to figure out how to set up a website...

Oh, and we've also had this new addition to the family... the gorgeous Pippa. Though really, she's no trouble at all!

This is an old pic - she was bigger than that when we got her, but it's so cute I had to share it!

What have you been up to lately?

W.I.P. It Good Blogfest

The energetic D.L. Hammons, founder of the amazing WRiTE Club, is at it again with another great idea for the community. He's teamed up with the lovely Elise Fallson to bring us the W.I.P. It Good Blogfest, a chance to share a bit about your current work, hopefully get a wee bit of feedback, and even hook up with CPs and betas. What's not to like?

This came along at just the right time for me because I'd just started a new project when it was announced. I'm always keen to know what people think of my ideas, and have pretty much got over my previous extreme shyness when it comes to discussing my work, so I didn't hesitate to sign up!

DL provided some prompts for us to answer in the post, so let's get into this...

WIP title: Whoops. Sorry, I've got nothing. That is usually the case at this stage though.

Word count: This will be a novella of probably 20-25000 words. So far I have 9,773.

Genre: I guess the nearest one would be sci-fi, though it is set in a near future not drastically different from the present.

How long have you been working on it? About three weeks.

Elevator pitch: A man suffering from chronic self-doubt has neurosurgery to increase his confidence, but how far will this push him away from his true nature, and what happens when he seeks revenge on those who have wronged him?

Brief synopsis: Reuben, a timid man who suffers daily humiliation at the hands of his workmates and even his family, thinks his life can't get any worse. But then he is put in touch with a mysterious surgeon who claims to offer a radical procedure that can alter people's personalities. In the wake of the cosmetic surgery boom, Dr Mistuna claims to be at the forefront of the next wave, offering bespoke character traits to change patients' lives. Reuben can't find any further information on the doctor, and has many reservations, but on the other hand he's very attracted by the thought of having all the confidence and charisma he ever wanted. But what will be the consequences of changing someone's intrinsic nature?

OK, I'm still working on the answer to the last part... pantser through and through ;)

Are you looking for a Critique Partner or Beta Reader?

I've got a full roster of CPs, but I'd be really interested in garnering some Betas to offer opinions further down the line, whether you specialise in SF or not.

Check out the other participants here! I know I've been a bit AWOL over the last few weeks, and I'll be back soon with more of an explanation. But in the meantime, I'm going to try to get to as many other entrants as I can. Always nice to see what people are up to!

"The Ghost" Cover Reveal

It is time to unveil the gorgeous cover for the final episode of Christine Rains' outstanding 13th Floor Series!

Title: The Ghost (The 13th Floor series, #6)

Author: Christine Rains

Genre: paranormal romance

Release date: July 13th, 2013

Blurb:

Chiharo Black lives with six supernatural tenants in a haunted building's mysterious thirteenth floor. Of course, no one knows she's there except the cats. Being a ghost can be a bit frustrating and lonely, but it isn't as bad as her mother made it out to be.

Until another ghost intrudes on her territory. Jeremy Emerson wants revenge on the vampire that killed him and won't stop until he has it. To top it off, a nightmarish shade sneaks in and leeches the energy from the building's residents before setting its sights on Chiharo and the thirteenth floor. She can't decide which one is more frightening: the one wanting to eat her soul or the one who might win her heart.

Chiharo must convince Jeremy to stand with her against the hellish parasite. If they cannot work together, the greedy fiend will not only drain their energy but everything that supports the thirteenth floor's existence.

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 seven novellas and twenty-one short stories published.

Website 

Blog

Facebook

Twitter 

Goodreads

Congrats on reaching the conclusion of your amazing series, Christine! I'll be back soon with an explanation of why this is a day late and why I haven't been around much this week. But it is something I'm excited about. In the meantime, have a wonderful weekend!

"The Oracle & The Vampire" Blog Tour

Greetings! Today I'm pleased to welcome back the lovely Christine Rains, with a guest post on the latest in her incredible 13th Floor series, 1305 & 1306: The Oracle & The Vampire. Take it away, Christine!

We've seen a demon trickster, werewolf thugs, a dragon mastermind, and vengeful gods. What villain could be more terrible than those we've already seen in the 13th Floor series? There is something much worse. The villain that works against the hero every step of the way: himself.

Giving our characters flaws makes them realistic and sympathetic. Perhaps a fear of spiders or clumsiness. You can then take it another step and have that flaw work against the hero. There's nothing more horrible than being your own worst enemy.

In THE ORACLE & THE VAMPIRE, Vetis and his imps (from THE MARQUIS) make another appearance. While they do cause a lot of trouble, they aren't what constantly knocks our heroes down. Harriet and Kiral each have their own problems.

When Harriet was nineteen, a jealous fairy placed upon her the curse of the banshee. Every night, Harriet turns into a hideous old hag. Her young body becomes old, and she can barely get around except when motivated by a foretelling. When she has a vision of someone's death, she's compelled to mourn by screaming and running around near the person's residence. Harriet has no control over herself in these moments and cannot find a cure to her curse.

Kiral's weakness lies in his own making. He's a vampire with an addiction. For several decades, he fed upon humans who were high on drugs so he could get the rush too. Kiral has been clean for nearly three years, but it doesn't get any easier. Each day is a battle and the craving is powerful. It makes both his body and mind weak, and he has trouble functioning in every day, I mean, night life.

While a wonderfully wicked villain is entertaining, I think the greatest challenge for a hero is to overcome what lies within himself.

Who are your favorite flawed heroes?

Title: 1305 & 1306 – The Oracle and the Vampire (The 13th Floor series, #5)

Author: Christine Rains

Genre: paranormal romance

Release date: May 13th, 2013

Blurb:

Having fallen for her gorgeous neighbor might not be so bad if Harriet McKay wasn't in her hideous banshee form every time Kiral saw her. Such is her curse. True, he's a vampire struggling with a drug addiction, but he's a good soul. Yet no one could love a cursed witch, especially one not even her cats respect.

After having a vision of Kiral's death, Harriet makes it her mission to save him. Never before has she attempted to change fate, but so strong is her love.

Kiral Ozdemir struggles to make it through every day. The craving for blood laced with drugs directs his every thought until he tastes Harriet's potent blood. The magic immediately addicts him, but she disappears. He's desperate to find her, racing blindly into a city in chaos.

How can Harriet convince Kiral to see past her vile appearance and return her love? If only she can force him to listen to reason coming from a raving crone, perhaps she can save him from the demons hunting him and from himself.

Amazon

B&N

Kobo

Smashwords

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 seven novellas and twenty-one short stories published.

Website 

Blog

Facebook

Twitter 

Goodreads

A-Z Reflections Post

Better late than never, here is my A-Z Reflections post! I'm slowly getting back into the swing of things after the hectic month that was April.

It was my second time taking part in the Challenge and I had an even better time this year. I think this was down to the high level of reader participation involved. Each day I would write another sentence of a story using five words beginning with the previous day's letter. I never knew what turn the story would take next, which was very exciting, and I was pleased with how it turned out. I would like to do more with the characters that emerged.

And it was all thanks to you! Connections and forging new friendships are what the Challenge is all about, and I tried to get to five blogs that were new to me from the list each day. I didn't always achieve that while keeping up with my regular blogging buddies' themes, but I'm happy to have met a number of great and talented people that I look forward to getting to know better. These include: Melanie Schulz, Jean Davis at Discarded Darlings, Dee at Deecoded, Pete Denton, Fe at Felicity Writing Away, Rebecca Douglass at The Ninja Librarian (one of the best blog/book titles ever!), Jules at A Dose of Jules, Rhonda at Laugh-Quotes, and I'm sure there are others I forgot to mention in my tired state. I'm thankful to have gained about 50 followers via GFC, pushing me over the 400 mark.

A big shout out to Arlee Bird who came up with the whole shebang and his team of tireless minions for managing a list of almost 2000 bloggers. It can't have been easy.

And that's about it for me, it's 2am here and I'm whacked. Suffice to say that I had a blast during the Challenge and it is one of the best things you can do to make friends and become inspired as a blogger. I've already got a theme for next year, which will be factual and (hopefully!) pre-planned, which will allow more time to get out and about to the other participants. It'll be about something very dear to me, and, unusually for me, I'm looking forward to the research!