Posted in 5 paws, Blog tour, contest, fiction, Giveaway, Review on February 21, 2014


The first 2 books “Enticed” & “Entangled” to Ginger Voight’s newest series “The Fullerton Family Saga” are NOW AVAILABLE and we don’t have to wait to long for the conclusion of this series – Book #3 will be released in March!!!

Make sure to check out the Giveaway for Signed paperbacks of the entire Saga below! Be sure to join our Facebook Event for the Blog Tour – CLICK HERE to join.

 
 

The saga continues for Rachel Dennehy, the tenacious small-town teacher caught in between two compelling, powerful brothers.
 
****This is Book 2 in the series. Blurb may contain spoilers for Book 1.****
 
In Book 2 of the Fullerton Family Saga, teacher Rachel Dennehy heads back to California to save her favorite little boy from his rapid downward spiral. She feels responsible for Jonathan’s destructive behavior, knowing it was her broken promise that sent him off the rails. She moves in with Alex, a man who had been her nemesis for so long. Thrust together with the shared goal of saving Jonathan, they find more in common than they had realized.
 
In fact, it is Alex who comes to her rescue Drew confronts Rachel over her “betrayal.” The chemistry still burns hot between them, but Rachel cannot forgive Drew’s cruel deception. Unfortunately he is unwilling to let her go. Drew Fullerton doesn’t like to lose, especially to his younger brother. So he proceeds with his plan to win her back, using every trick in the book to force her hand, including his son.
 
Young Jonathan holds fast to his dream of a real family, which tears her in yet another direction. Her heart is torn between the three Fullertons, all of whom need her in very different ways. Someone is going to get hurt, no matter what she does. She struggles to do what is right, even when she finds it puts her at direct odds with what she wants.
How far must Rachel go to win back Jonathan’s trust, and protect the men she has grown to love?
 

Review

Like with Enticed, I loved Entangled despite being disappointed in Rachel in several spots. You’d think she would have learned from book 1 but it doesn’t appear that way. While she is trying to do the right thing by Jonathan, Alex, Max and herself she falls short.  This leads to miscommunications and misunderstandings and I don’t think Rachel is being true to herself.  Of course Alex is also having to learn to trust and that not everyone is out to get him.  Plus sometimes he seems just a bit too idealistic and is almost as bad as Drew in that he has a hard time bending and seeing the grey in the situations.  Not everything is black and white!

I liked the tie in to the Fierce novels with some of the characters, that was fun but wish there would have been just a little more of those characters in the book!

The book ends with an interesting event and it will be interesting to see how book 3 wraps everything up!

We give this book 5 paws.  Ginger has not written a book yet that I don’t love.

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Ginger Voight is prolific author, freelance writer and optioned screenwriter. Her fiction is diverse, with novels like the edgy, coming-of-age drama DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS, and the fun family adventure for kids of all ages, COMIC SQUAD.
Having grown up reading different authors like Danielle Steel and Stephen King, Ginger has always been drawn more to story than to genre. This shows up in her various stories. Titles such as MY IMMORTAL and TASTE OF BLOOD are a delicious, heady mix of horror, suspense, and romance.
Genre romance, however, has held a special place in her heart, ever since she read her first Harlequin novel when she was only eleven. As a result, Ginger is making a name for herself writing romances of her own, starring women who look more like the average American woman rather than those traditionally represented in the size-biased American media. Her Rubenesque romances were created especially for those heroines with fuller figures, who can still get the man of their dreams if only they believe they can. Such titles include UNDER TEXAS SKIES, LOVE PLUS ONE, THE GROUPIE TRILOGY, THE FIERCE TRILOGY and PICTURE POSTCARDS.
Ginger was included in the best-selling book by Smith Magazine NOT QUITE WHAT I WAS PLANNING, featuring her six-word memoir.

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Posted in Blog tour, contest, Giveaway, suspense, Thriller on February 21, 2014

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The Killing Times

Synopsis

Then: Salem, MA 1692. Burning, hanging, stoning and drowning were the way they killed a witch. The trials were a joke, and the deaths were a shame. The Killing times changed so many lives… forever.

Now: Salem, SC. Elizabeth LaRue has come home. After a stint in the FBI, a failed assignment and a disastrous affair, she has returned to a town she willingly walked away from, her body and heart battered and bruised. Her father’s sudden death has brought her home, opening up more questions that need answers. As she agrees to step in as Sheriff, she finds that the sleepy town isn’t quite as tranquil as she thought. A string of bizarre killings that are mimicking the Salem Witch trials is plaguing the town, and scaring the people she has sworn to protect.

Elizabeth now has to call in the FBI, and be faced with a past and people she is trying to forget.

Will Ethan Blackhawk be her salvation or her ultimate downfall?

Time is running out, bodies are stacking up, and there are only two options. Stop the killer, or die trying.

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Excerpt

      ~Prologue ~

Twelve Months Earlier

It was all wrong, and he simply couldn’t accept it. There had to be something connecting these deaths, and he just wasn’t seeing it clearly. Sheriff Charlie LaRue sat at his desk in his home office, eating his dinner with his case files open on his lap. As he compared the three victims, there had to be a reason their lives all came to an end. It wasn’t as if these were the first deaths the town had seen, and yet something rubbed him the wrong way. Just last year there had been a drowning in the lake, but they chalked it up to too much booze on the holiday, but these three… they truly screamed ‘foul’. Charlie was bothered enough to keep digging through the information. Eventually, he would get to the bottom of it, even if it became his life mission. Now he was a dog with a meaty bone, and plenty of time to strip it bare. It seemed that all he had left at this point in his life was time.

He’d been a lawman for thirty years now. Charlie worked his way up through the ranks in the big city, supporting a wife and daughter on his salary. He truly loved the job. Then one day, that all came screeching to a halt. His wife, on her way to a soccer game with their only child, was killed in a car accident. He then was forced to become the mom and dad to a stubborn little spitfire. Big city life had to come to an end. When they had the chance, he moved them to Salem, to slow down the pace. This would ensure that he would live long enough to raise his daughter.

In his opinion, there was nothing like living in the Deep South. In the north, time moved forward quickly, where in Salem- it didn’t. It stayed a sleepy old town.

His work there was gratifying as sheriff. It wasn’t always exciting, but he got to interact daily with the people he swore to protect. It also allowed him to watch his daughter grow up into a fine young woman. Sadly though, slow town life didn’t suit her at all, and once she graduated college, Elizabeth was off to Quantico to become part of the FBI.

Pride swelled in his heart as he stared over at her picture on his book shelf. She was the spitting image of her momma, and the stubborn duplicate of her father.

God help the world!

As he refocused on the files in front of him, Charlie continued eating his salad, despite how much he loathed the leafy clippings. It reminded him of lawn cuttings and tasted just about the same. But a promise was made to his daughter, one he intended to keep. If he ate better and stopped smoking, then maybe he would get to see grandkids one day.

He glanced down at the greens that he had dumped from the big container in his refrigerator. Yeah, this was going to be torture. His ex-wife couldn’t get him to eat healthy, but his daughter and a promise of grandkids one day certainly could.

In her last email, she mentioned a possible second date. It gave him hope that it would lead to more. Charlie desperately wanted her to find the love he once had with his first wife. She had been his soul mate, and he desired that for his daughter too.

Since he’d been thinking of her and the emails, he needed to send one back. Maybe he should ask for a second set of eyes to take a look at these files. It was possible a trained special agent with the FBI would have a better chance at sorting through all this crap. Then possibly, Elizabeth could give her old man a clue.

He rolled his eyes in disgust as more greens went down the gullet.

Apparently, Charlie would do anything to one day see those grandkids.

As he began to type the email, he felt a quickening in his pulse and a tightening in his chest. Possibly, he was pushing himself a little too hard. In his medical history, there was a slight arrhythmia that gave him concern. The doctor assured him with medication, he would be fine. Maybe taking the rest of the night off would be a good thing; after all, he wasn’t a young man anymore. Sixty was right around the corner, and he hadn’t exactly lived a clean life. Yeah, the smoking and beer were catching up to him, so maybe he’d just finish his lawn clippings and head to bed.

Charlie was almost done. All that was left was to hit send. Before he could, there was a scraping noise from the patio. It sounded like someone was opening his door, trying to get into gain access to the house. Immediately, Charlie shut down all his files and closed his laptop.

It would have to wait until his company was gone.

In his mind, Charlie had plenty of time.

Charlie tried to stand, but the room swam and his throat began to constrict.

Oh God, something was wrong!

He reached for the phone to dial 911, but it slipped from his hand. All the feeling in his hand was gone, as the numbness spread to his legs, his thighs, and finally his chest. Suddenly, he wished he sent the email, or better yet had taken the time to call his daughter.

“Did you enjoy your salad, Charlie?” questioned the voice from the doorway.

Charlie tried to speak, but his tongue felt incredibly swollen. He couldn’t understand why the visitor was in his house.

Uninvited.

“Oh, don’t worry, Charlie. While you were at work I mixed you up some special greens of my own.”

Panic set in as his breathing slowed. How he wished he could get to his gun and take one well aimed shot.

“I’m sure you realize now what Foxglove can do to the body. It’s very toxic and the poison works fairly quickly. Isn’t it delightful that digitalis is both a toxin and a cure? Nature can be such a wicked thing. As can humans, Charlie.”

He knew it was over, and he began whispering a mental goodbye to his daughter. He prayed when she was forced to come home, that she wouldn’t stay. If she remained, ultimately she would die too.

“It’s time to end your reign as Sheriff, Charlie. You won’t be investigating these deaths anymore. It’s time to sleep,” mocked the voice, as the man slowly began to slump over his laptop.

Breath shuddered, as everything came to a stop. He swore he heard the last beat of his heart. Soon, all his last cognizant thoughts were gone before the blackness came and swallowed him.

The laughter was sadistic and evil. “Tick, tock, Charlie. Now it looks like you’ll be my next victim. Sadly, they’ll think you had a heart attack, you old coot. Let’s keep that our own little secret. It appears you’ll be taking it to your grave.”

The voice placed the receiver back in the cradle and closed Charlie’s dead eyes. Now that he was gone, the purification of Salem could continue, but first, there would be a little break. There would be a new sheriff and the trail needed to temporarily go cold, until the replacement was found and studied. No need to draw suspicion with another death. There was plenty of time. Why rush and screw it up? After all, this was all a calling.

One from God!

Playlist

Within Temptation- Titanium

Kings of Leon- Sex is on Fire

One Republic –Counting Stars

Daughtry- Waiting for Superman

Maroon 5- Love somebody

Giveaway

Grand prize:  all 8 FBI series by Morgan Kelley ebooks

3 Individual ebooks of The Killing Times

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Posted in 4 paws, Blog tour, contest, Giveaway, mystery, Review on February 20, 2014

 

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Limoncello Yellow
Publisher: Gemma Halliday Publishing (January 4, 2014)
E-Book File Size: 1904 KB
ASIN: B00GK3LY92
Print Length: 250 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1493690817

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Synopsis

From debut author, Traci Andrighetti, comes a tale of murder, mayhem, and meddling Sicilian grandmas…

Francesca “Franki” Amato is a tough-talking rookie cop in Austin, Texas—until an unfortunate 911 call involving her boyfriend, Vince, and a German female wrestler convinces her once and for all that she just isn’t cut out for a life on the police force. So Franki makes the snap decision to move to New Orleans to work at her friend Veronica’s detective agency, Private Chicks, Inc. But Franki’s hopes for a more stable life are soon dashed when Private Chicks is hired by the prime suspect in a murder case to find out what really happened to a beautiful young boutique manager who was found strangled to death with a cheap yellow scarf. When she’s not investigating, Franki is hoping to seduce handsome bank executive Bradley Hartmann, but most of her time is spent dodging date offers from a string of “good Italian boys”—make that not-so-good aging Italian men—that her meddlesome Sicilian grandma has recruited as marriage candidates. As Mardi Gras approaches and the mystery of the murdered shop girl gets more complicated, Franki must decipher the odd ramblings of a Voodoo priestess to solve both the murder and the mystery of her own love life.

Praise for Limoncello Yellow

“Traci Andrighetti’s Limoncello Yellow had me tickled pink! Her smart, sassy heroine wacky cast of characters, and vividly original settings had me glued to the page. I can’t wait to read more from this author!”
– Gemma Halliday, New York Times bestselling author

“Traci’s writing is sharp and funny; the world she paints leaps off the page and makes the reader laugh out loud…. A thoroughly enjoyable new voice in fiction!”
– Kristin Harmel, Internationally bestselling novelist (The Sweetness of Forgetting)

Review

This is a fun new series set in New Orleans, well actually the book starts in Austin where Franki lives, but she decides that being on the police force is not for her after she is stuck with a partner that is not a good mentor to Franki.  So she packs it up and moves to New Orleans with her best friend and goes to work for Private Chicks Inc.  Luckily Veronica has a place for her to stay, with Glenda, a former stripper who has kept every costume she ever wore…and Glenda is no spring chicken!  To top it off, the house is decorated like a bordello.  This brings up one of my favorite quotes from Franki talking about her dog Napoleon:  “The bordello chic decor is really bringing out the animal in him.  Last night when I came home from the bar, I found him lying on his back sound asleep on the zebra print chaise lounge with his legs splayed wide open.”

Franki and Veronica have a great friendship and they both have skills that helps them with their PI business.  And by moving to NOLA, Franki can (sort of) get away from her crazy Italian family and overbearing parents and Nonna.  Nonna insists on setting her up on blind dates which puts Franki in a uncomfortable situation.  The men that she is being set up crack me up, they live with their mothers!  Then there is the body builder from NJ….I don’t want to give away too much so I’m going to stop there.

Here is another one of my favorite quotes in the book, this one is from Glenda: “I’ve got a reputation to protect, and I sure as hell don’t want people to think I’m running a home for wayward nuns”.  You’ll have to read the book to understand what this means, can’t tell you everything!

We give this book 4 paws up and suggest checking out this new series.

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About This Author

Traci Andrighetti-11bTraci Andrighetti is the author of the Franki Amato mystery series. In her previous life, she was an award-winning literary translator and a Lecturer of Italian at the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a PhD in Applied Linguistics. But then she got wise and ditched that academic stuff for a life of crime–writing, that is.

If she’s not hard at work on her next novel, Traci is probably watching her favorite Italian soap opera, eating Tex Mex or sampling fruity cocktails, and maybe all at the same time. She lives in Austin with her husband, young son (who desperately wants to be in one of her books) and three treat-addicted dogs.

Website * Blog * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads * Amazon

 

 

Giveaway

There are actually 2 giveaways going on with this tour.  I am giving away 1 print copy of this book (US Residents only, no PO Boxes please) and the tour is giving away this beautiful necklace!

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Tour Participants

February 10 – Darla King Series – Review
February 10 – Kelly P’s Blog – Interview
February 11 – Mochas, Mysteries and Meows – Guest Post – Giveaway
February 11 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – Review – Giveaway
February 12 – A Chick Who Reads – Review
February 12 – A Blue Million Books – Interview
February 13 – Queen of All She Reads – Review, Guest Post – Giveaway
February 14 – Socrates’ Book Review Blog – Review – Giveaway
February 15 – off
February 16 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Interview
February 17 –  readalot – Review
February 18 – Community Bookstop – Review – Giveaway
February 18 – A Date with a Book – Guest Post
February 19 – Mystery Playground – Interview – Giveaway
February 20 – StoreyBook Reviews – Review – Giveaway
February 21 – Books-n-Kisses – Review, Guest Post – Giveaway
February 22 – rantin’ ravin’ and reading – Review, Guest Post – Giveaway
February 23 – Chloe Gets A Clue – Interview

Posted in 4 paws, Blog tour, Cozy, mystery on February 18, 2014

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The Sinister Sitcom Caper (Sandy Fairfax Teen Idol Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Cozy Cat Press (December 3, 2013)
File Size: 571 KB
Print Length: 212 pages
ASIN: B00H3KTDVM
ISBN-13: 978-1939816238
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Synopsis

Sandy Fairfax, former teen idol and star of the ‘70s hit TV show “Buddy Brave, Boy Sleuth,” is now a middle-aged recovering alcoholic who realizes that making a comeback can be murder. He’s the guest star on “Off-Kelter,” a corny family situation comedy, and the lowest rated TV show of the 1993 fall season. Before rehearsals barely begin one of the actors drops dead at Sandy’s feet. He investigates, enlisting the aid of two of his new cast mates: a dwarf and an animal actor. During his snooping, we meet Sandy’s ex, his parents and his teenage son, all with their own “situations” going on. During rehearsals Sandy also encounters a beautiful choreographer—could this be love? Will Sandy solve the murder before the Friday night taping of “Off-Kelter” or will the elusive killer cancel our hero before the final credits? This book was inspired by the author’s experience working as a tour guide/page at Paramount Pictures in Hollywood.

Excerpt

The culprit had lashed me to a sturdy wooden chair with no armrests and a back of horizontal slats. My wrists were tied together behind the chair back; each ankle was bound to a chair leg and a rope across my chest held me in. I tugged on the ropes but they didn’t give. I tried to scoot across the floor but the chair was too heavy to budge. My fingers couldn’t undo the tight knots on my wrists. Whoever did this knew what he was doing.

I studied my surroundings. I was inside an empty soundstage, dimly lit by a single work light. The cavernous room had no set, which meant nobody was using the stage. I might have to wait hours—or days—before someone found me. Maybe my assailant planned to return to finish me off, in which case I needed to escape immediately.

In the corner something moved; was it a rat? I was so dazed from the conk on the head that I was hearing noises; I thought I heard a dog barking. Wait a minute—I did hear a dog barking. Maybe the dog had a person with him who could help. Or maybe my assailant had a pit bull that would finish me off. I could see the headlines: MANACLED MUSICIAN MAULED BY RABID MUTT.

I shouted, “Hey! Is someone out there? Help me!”

Scruffy trotted into view, dragging his leash on the ground. He must have slipped away from Frances. For the first time this week I was ecstatic to see the mangy cur.

“Scruffy! Come here, boy! Over here!”

The critter sat on his haunches before me, his fat tongue lolling out of his mouth as he panted.

“Scruffy! You remember me, don’t you, boy? The man on the show you like to kiss?”

The canine wagged his tail and gave a couple of friendly yaps. As a trained animal actor, maybe he could carry a message for me.

“Scruffy! Listen to me! Go get help! Fetch Frances! Bring your trainer here! Go on, boy! Go! Get Frances!”

The ditzy dog merely stared at me and barked. I repeated the command but he didn’t move. What rotten luck. Just when I needed Lassie to save the day, I was stuck with Scooby-Doo. Then Scruffy recognized me. He jumped up on my lap and started licking my face. The confused cur thought we were filming the show. With my hands tied I couldn’t push him off. I turned my face away from his slobbering tongue and he slurped my ear with gusto.

“Scruffy! Get off! Bad dog! Get down!”

The dog sat in my lap and barked happily in my face. I nearly died of asphyxiation from his doggie breath.

Review

When I first picked up this book, I didn’t realize that it was the second in the series.  However, this book only had a few mentions to the first book when Sandy was talking to Bunny, the President of his Fan Club and how she helped him solve a crime at a convention.  I like that there wasn’t a whole lot that seemed to be missing by not having read The Baffled Beatlemaniac Caper.

I thought there was good interaction between the characters and have to admit that Joseph was a hoot and kept me in stitches.  Sandy seemed to be a character that was trying to turn his life around after being a child star (and how we always seem to see child stars having problems with drugs and alcohol).  Sandy is even trying to have a better relationship with his children.  I did wonder how Scruffy (the dog on the show) ended up with Sandy when he was knocked out and tied up away from everyone.  I cracked up anytime Sandy referred to the show he was on and how his character got out of the messes he was in….no way those would be beneficial since it was the joys of Hollywood special effects!

I thought the author was creative at the end of the book putting together a list of Sandy’s songs/albums and what he performed in on television, not too different from what you might see on IMDB.

Overall we give this 4 paws up and think this will be a fun series to read.

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About The Author

CarpenterSally Carpenter is native Hoosier now living in Moorpark, Calif.

She has a master’s degree in theater from Indiana State University. While in school her plays “Star Collector” and “Common Ground” were finalists in the American College Theater Festival One-Act Playwrighting Competition. “Common Ground” also earned a college creative writing award and “Star Collector” was produced in New York City.

Carpenter also has a master’s degree in theology and a black belt in tae kwon do.

She’s worked as an actress, freelance writer, college writing instructor, theater critic, jail chaplain, and tour guide/page for a major movie studio. She’s now employed at a community newspaper.

Her initial book in the Sandy Fairfax Teen Idol series, The Baffled Beatlemaniac Caper, was a 2012 Eureka! Award finalist for best first mystery novel.

Her short story, Dark Nights at the Deluxe Drive-in, appears in the anthology Last Exit to Murder.

Faster Than a Speeding Bullet was published in the Plan B: Vol. 2 e-book anthology.

Her short story The Pie-eyed Spy appeared in the Nov. 23, 2013, issue of Kings River Life ezine.

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She’s a member of Sisters in Crime/Los Angeles chapter. Contact her at Facebook or scwriter@earthlink.net.

 

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

February 17 – Chloe Gets a Clue – Interview
February 17 – Christa Reads and Writes – Review
February 18 –StoreyBook Reviews – Review
February 19 – Kelly P’s Blog – Interview
February 20 –Queen of All She Reads – Review – Guest Post – Giveaway
February 21 –rantin’ ravin’ and reading – Review – Guest Post
February 22 –off
February 23 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Interview
February 24 – Books-n-Kisses – Review
February 25 – Omnimystery News – Interview
February 26 – readalot blog – Review
February 27 – Community Bookstop – Review – Giveaway
February 28 – Read Your Writes – Spotlight
March 1 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – Review
March 2 –off
March 3 –Brooke Blogs – Review

Posted in Games, nonfiction, Spotlight on February 17, 2014

Author Brad Berger Asks Readers to Unplug from Technology with Unplug & Play! 50 Games That Don’t Need Charging

unplug and play 

Today, author Brad Berger asks readers to unplug from technology and come together to enjoy his new book, Unplug & Play! 50 Games that Don’t Need Charging available at www.bradbergergames.com.

Since the turn of the 21st century the world has witnessed a decline in meaningful communication as advancements in technology such as social media and smartphones replace face-to-face interactions. Inspired by a time before the interruption of technology, Unplug and Play! 50 Games that Don’t Need Charging offers relief from America’s need to be constantly connected through technology and a way to reconnect!

Unplug & Play! 50 Games That Don’t Need Charging is the culmination of decades of games the author has played over the years. The book contains 50 games which test each player’s ability to strategize, bluff, read minds, memorize, think quickly, and solve puzzles, and it’s suitable for all ages.

Best of all, the only requirement to play these games is an ability to communicate and good old-fashioned pens and paper.

“Unplug & Play! 50 Games That Don’t Need Charging is a book you can take anywhere,” says Berger. “Whether you’re on vacation, on a plane or home for the holidays, this book is great for people interested in coming together and engaging without the constant disruption of technology.”

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About the Author

Brad Berger grew up in Great Neck, New York. He attended the University of Colorado where he earned a degree in French, Italian and German and spent several years living and working in Europe. He currently resides on Long Island where he works as president and publisher of a 130-year-old, family-owned publishing company.

Since his childhood, Brad has enjoyed bringing his friends and family together to play all kinds of games. However, with the invention of so much technology, Brad saw a decline in group-based activities within his own family and circle of friends. Inspired to bring people back together without technological interruption, Brad crafted the ultimate playbook of games he created to give people a reason to come together and “unplug” for a while.

 Unplug & Play! 50 Games That Don’t Need Charging is the culmination of decades of games Brad has played over the years. With 50 games which test each player’s ability to strategize, bluff, read minds, memorize, think quickly, and solve puzzles, Unplug & Play! 50 Games That Don’t Need Charging encourages people to come together for a few minutes – or a few hours – for a challenging and fun game that requires virtually nothing more than pens and paper.

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Posted in Cozy, Monday, mystery on February 17, 2014

dead-on-her-feet-cover-low
DEAD ON HER FEET: A Tango Mystery
By Lisa Fernow
Paperback: 280 pages
Publisher: Booktrope Editions
Publication date: February 14, 2014
Print ISBN: 978-1-62015-193-8

Synopsis

For those who dedicate their lives to “chasing the ghost,” searching for that elusive moment of perfect connection on the dance floor, tango is a drug. A drug that proves fatal.

When a much-hated member of the Atlanta tango community is stabbed in the middle of a dance, the last thing tango instructor Antonia “Ant” Blakeley wants to do is help the police work out how someone could have struck the fatal blow unseen. Her troubled nephew is first on the list of suspects, and she’ll do anything to protect him. Unfortunately for her, she’s up against Detective Sam Morrow, a former marine who will do anything to get to the truth.

Only one of them will get what they want.

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About the Author

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERALisa Fernow grew up on the classic mysteries of Ngaio Marsh and Elizabeth Peters, and is the author of Dead on Her Feet, the first mystery in a planned series set in the tango world. Her short story, Death of a Tango Dancer, was featured in King County Library System’s Take Time to Read program in 2010.

Lisa has danced Argentine tango since 1996, studying with legendary masters Cacho Dante, Susana Miller, Brigitta Winkler, and other inspiring instructors throughout the US.

She holds a BA in English and Theatre from Cornell University and a certificate in commercial fiction writing from the University of Washington. As a former PepsiCo and Time Warner global marketing executive Lisa
bowled with Michael Jordan, got sweat on by Cindy Crawford, taught capitalism to Hungarians and helped launch Scooby Doo merchandise into 150 countries.

Now living in Seattle, Lisa runs a consulting practice focused on innovation and loves toggling between business and mystery writing, as both require creativity and strong storytelling.

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Posted in fiction, Spotlight on February 16, 2014

sexual adventures

 

Synopsis

Once I dreamed a beautiful dream,
But now that dream is gone from me…

The Sexual Adventures of Time and Space is an award-winning epistolary novel told in the form of excerpts from a young man’s journal. After a group of friends becomes addicted to the concept of lucid dreaming, they find a way to medically induce themselves into comas with the goal of extending their lucid experiences. When things get out of hand and someone dies, the friends must find a way to cover it up.

Read the first 11 chapters on Brian’s website

 

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About the Author

If I wrote my “About Me” page I would just make myself appear to be Peter Venkman from Ghostbusters, so for the purpose of accuracy I’m going to have someone else write it.

“The 411 on Brian Sfinas”, by An Old Friend:

Brian Sfinas is a writer, musician, assassin, artist, hacky sack player, voice actor, narcissist and master manipulator. The only thing he likes better than watching the world crumble around him, is sex with multiple beautiful women in a public place while having cigarettes, vodka, and mashed potatoes within arms reach. Brian could be the world’s next Tolstoy, or he could be criminally insane; it’s a toss up. A warning to all of the ladies out there drooling over his remarkably romantic rhetoric: he’s great in bed, and I mean truly great, but your parents will hate him… so you’ll keep your legs crossed if you know what’s good for you.

Brian writes lyrics, poetry, prose, novels, plays, political commentary, erotica, battle raps, and insults. If you enjoy beautiful, honest, and somewhat offensive writing you’ve come to the right place.

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Posted in fiction, Historical, Interview on February 16, 2014

I was able to sit down (figuratively) with Alison and ask her a few questions about writing and such.  I’m happy to share the outcome of that discussion with you today.

 

What inspired you to start writing/become a writer?

I’ve written more or less all my life from my first play at age 7 to academic and business writing, articles and stories. And I’ve been a professional translator for many years – a place for juggling words and concepts until you find the absolutely right meaning.

But the trigger for writing novels? A really bad film. The cinematography was beautiful, but the narration and dialogue stilted and clichéd. “I could do better than that,” I whispered to my husband in the dark cinema. “So why don’t you?” he replied. Ninety days later, I had written the first draft of INCEPTIO,

Who are your top three favorite authors and why? 

Robert Harris, the author of Fatherland, the ultimate alternate history thriller. Not only is his writing succinct and clever, but he also ratchets up the tension mercilessly.

Lindsey Duncan, the author of the Falco Roman detective series. As well as accurate detail, you get humour, terrific characters and well-twisted plots.

J D Robb Her character Eve Dallas is tough, clever and vulnerable. Who could resist? The author paints a future world so deftly that it seems perfectly natural, if dystopian. And then there’s Roarke… (SBR – I LOVE this author too!!!)

What books are currently on your nightstand? 

I’ve just finished Life After Life by Kate Atkinson. She’s a great writer, but there seemed to be massive hype about the book. Now I’ve read it, I can see why. I’d recommend it to anybody. And in complete contrast, my previous read was Simon Scarrow’s Blood Crows, a Roman military “buddy” thriller. He writes so vividly, but with completely authenticity and the action scenes are terrific. My next book? I can’t decide between Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand and Robert Fabbri’s Tribune of Rome.

If your books were made into movies, who do you see playing the main characters?

A while ago, Meg Ryan and Val Kilmer, with Judi Dench and Alexander Siddig. Today, probably Bryce Dallas Howard and Orlando Bloom, with Meryl Streep and Ben Barnes.

What is your favorite dessert?

I should say should be good and say fresh fruit salad, but no, the winner is traditional Christmas pudding!

Thank you Alison for answering our questions and hopefully that gives you a little more insight into her and her books.

INCEPTIOPerfidita

Concept

Founded sixteen hundred years ago in central Europe by Roman exiles, Roma Nova today is a hi-tech, financially prosperous state, thanks to the discovery and exploitation of high-grade silver in their mountains, their efficient technology, and their robust response to any threat. In the dangerous times in Roma Nova’s first few hundred years, men fought to defend the tiny state full-time; women took over leadership roles in family, economic, social and political life. In the end, daughters as well as sons had to put on armour and carry weapons to defend their homeland and their way of life. Today, women and men play an equal role in Roma Novan life, but women head the important families and the government.

Synopsis INCEPTIO

New York, present day, alternate reality. Karen Brown, angry and frightened after surviving a kidnap attempt, has a harsh choice – being eliminated by government enforcer Jeffery Renschman or fleeing to mysterious Roma Nova, her dead mother’s homeland in Europe.

Founded sixteen centuries ago by Roman exiles and ruled by women, Roma Nova gives Karen safety, at a price, and a ready-made family in a strange culture she often struggles with. Just as she’s finding her feet, a shocking discovery about her new lover, special forces officer Conrad Tellus, isolates her.

And the enforcer, Renschman, is stalking her in her new home and nearly kills her. Recovering, she is desperate to find out why this Renschman is hunting her so viciously. Unable to rely on anybody else, she undergoes intensive training, develops fighting skills and becomes an undercover cop. But crazy with bitterness at his past failures, Renschman sets a trap for her, knowing she has no choice but to spring it…

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Synopsis PERFIDITAS

Captain Carina Mitela of the Praetorian Guard Special Forces is in trouble – one colleague has tried to kill her and another has set a trap to incriminate her in a conspiracy to topple the government of Roma Nova. Founded sixteen hundred years ago by Roman dissidents and ruled by women, Roma Nova barely survived a devastating coup d’état thirty years ago. Carina swears to prevent a repeat and not merely for love of country.

Seeking help from a not quite legal old friend could wreck her marriage to the enigmatic Conrad. Once proscribed and operating illegally, she risks being terminated by both security services and conspirators. As she struggles to overcome the desperate odds and save her beloved Roma Nova and her own life, she faces the ultimate betrayal…

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amazon buybn buykobo

About the Author

alisonAlison Morton, a translator with an MA in history, has been a ‘Roman nut’ from age 11, but it was the mosaics at Ampurias, Spain that made her wonder what a Roman society run by women would be like in a modern age. Perfiditas is the sequel to Inceptio, the first in a series of Roma Nova thriller novels.

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Posted in Book Blast, contest, Giveaway, Steampunk on February 16, 2014

Lumiere

Lumière by Jacqueline E. Garlick

One determined girl.
One resourceful boy.
One miracle machine that could destroy everything…

After an unexplained flash shatters her world, seventeen-year-old Eyelet Elsworth sets out to find the Illuminator, her father’s prized invention. With it, she hopes to cure herself of her debilitating seizures before Professor Smrt—her father’s arch nemesis—discovers her secret and locks her away in an asylum.

Pursued by Smrt, Eyelet locates the Illuminator only to see it whisked away. She follows the thief into the world of the unknown, compelled not only by her quest but by the allure of the stranger—Urlick Babbit—who harbors secrets of his own.

Together, they endure deadly Vapours and criminal-infested woods in pursuit of the same goal, only to discover the miracle machine they hoped would solve their problems may in fact be their biggest problem of all.

When darkness is safer than light…

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Praise

“One of the most inventive story worlds I’ve read in years…” Donald Maass, Author of Writing the Breakout Novel, Writing 21st Century Fiction, and The Fire in Fiction

“Such an engaging story featuring witty dialogue, gripping action scenes and a romance that will make your heart melt!” Laurel May

“I liked the mix of reminders I got from authors like Mervyn Peake, L.Frank Baum and Ray Bradbury. I’m sure that every reader will find shades of other famous writers, including or excluding these three.” Richard L. Bunning

“Eyelet and Urlick, the two main characters… There’s so much to love! They are like salt and pepper: totally different, spicy, argumentative, and brilliantly smart.” Rosemary Danielis

 

Excerpt From Lumière:

“Wait!” I shout, surging forward, shouldering my way through the crowd. I fight my way to the front and pound on the doors of the carriage. “Please!” I shout. “I need to speak to you!” But the stranger doesn’t hear.

He brings his whip down hard over his horse’s back and the carriage leaps forward, parting the angry crowd like soil in a furrowed field. “Wait!” I hoist my skirts and chase after the carriage. “Please!” I shout. “Please! Wait!”

A second crack of the whip and the carriage moves faster. I race on, struggling to keep up to its side. If I lose sight of the carriage, I’ve lost everything. All hope of ever leading a normal life.

I can’t let that happen.

Won’t let that happen.

He will not take my father’s machine.

“Please, I beg you, stop the coach!” I lunge, throwing myself at the back of the coach, barely catching a toe on the edge of the running boards, embedding my nails into the carriage’s seams. The carriage bursts forward through the streets of Gears, the city fast becoming a memory.

“Stop!” I plead as my boot slips from the running boards. I swing out to one side and dangle by one arm.

The stranger at the mount turns his head. “What are you doing?” he shouts. “Get off!”

“Get off?”

I kick my way back up onto the platform.

“I said get off!” he shouts again.

“I won’t!” I say, hoisting, myself up higher onto the cab.

My foot slips again and I sink beneath the rooftop, striking my chin hard on the way down. Grasping at the coach’s seams I desperately try to hold on, the toes of my boots burrowing twisted trenches in the dirt road below. My heart lodges in my throat as I lose my grip and swing out again to the opposite side.

“Bloody Hell!” I hear the stranger curse.

His face appears over the top of the cab seconds later. His eyes are lit like flares. I hang by the tips of my fingers, shocked, staring up at him. I don’t know whether to scream or cry.

 

jacqeAuthor Jacqueline E. Garlick

I’m Jacqueline Garlick. Author of YA, New Adult, and Women’s Fiction. I love strong heroines, despise whiny sidekicks, and adore a good story about a triumphant underdog. I love to read, write, paint (walls and paper) and plan cool writing events for cool writers. I have a love/hate relationship with chocolate, grammar, and technology. I prefer creating things to cleaning things, and baking to cooking. I believe laughter is a one-stop-shop solution to all that ails you and if that doesn’t work there’s always Ellen Degeneres. You will always find a purple wall (or two) in my house (perhaps even a door) and a hidden passageway that leads to a mystery room. (Okay, so you won’t find a hidden passageway but a girl can dream, can’t she?) Oh, and tea. There will always be tea. I love specialty teas…and collecting special teacups from which to drink them. (See website for collection.)

In my former life, I was a teacher (both grade school and college-don’t ask) and more recently I’ve been a graduate of Ellen Hopkin’s Nevada Mentor Program and a student of James Scott Bell, Christopher Vogler and Don Maass. An excerpt from Lumière earned me the 2012 Don Maass Break Out Novel Intensive Scholarship.

Lumière—A Romantic Steampunk Fantasy—is my debut novel, Book One in my young adult The Illumination Paradox Series. I am represented by Josh Adams of Adams Literary.

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BookBlast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 3/14/14

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Posted in Historical, Spotlight, Thriller on February 15, 2014

Please welcome author Alison Morton, author of the books Inceptio and Perfiditas.

INCEPTIOSynopsis

New York, present day, alternate reality. Karen Brown, angry and frightened after surviving a kidnap attempt, has a harsh choice – being eliminated by government enforcer Jeffery Renschman or fleeing to mysterious Roma Nova, her dead mother’s homeland in Europe.

Founded sixteen centuries ago by Roman exiles and ruled by women, Roma Nova gives Karen safety, at a price, and a ready-made family in a strange culture she often struggles with. Just as she’s finding her feet, a shocking discovery about her new lover, special forces officer Conrad Tellus, isolates her.

And the enforcer is stalking her in her new home and nearly kills her. Recovering, she is desperate to find out why this Renschman is hunting her so viciously. Unable to rely on anybody else, she undergoes intensive training, develops fighting skills and becomes an undercover cop. But crazy with bitterness at his past failures, Renschman sets a trap for her, knowing she has no choice but to spring it…

goodreads-badge-add-plus

bn buyamazon buykobo

Trailer

Perfidita

Synopsis

Captain Carina Mitela of the Praetorian Guard Special Forces is in trouble – one colleague has tried to kill her and another has set a trap to incriminate her in a conspiracy to topple the government of Roma Nova. Founded sixteen hundred years ago by Roman dissidents and ruled by women, Roma Nova barely survived a devastating coup d’état thirty years ago. Carina swears to prevent a repeat and not merely for love of country.

Seeking help from a not quite legal old friend could wreck her marriage to the enigmatic Conrad. Once proscribed and operating illegally, she risks being terminated by both security services and conspirators. As she struggles to overcome the desperate odds and save her beloved Roma Nova and her own life, she faces the ultimate betrayal…

goodreads-badge-add-plus

amazon buybn buykobo

Trailer

 

About the Author

alisonAlison Morton, a translator with an MA in history, has been a ‘Roman nut’ from age 11, but it was the mosaics at Ampurias, Spain that made her wonder what a Roman society run by women would be like in a modern age. Perfiditas is the sequel to Inceptio, the first in a series of Roma Nova thriller novels.

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