Thursday, January 31, 2013

Review of 'Witch Way Bends' by Olivia Hardin

Book blurb from Amazon:

Devan Stowe has only one thing on her mind—shutting down her father’s child trafficking business. Her determination sets her on a journey to discover her true strength and the one man she was destined to love.

In his arms, she’ll learn the meaning of trust, honor, and courage. She will unlock an amazing gift that will free her from her past and open up a future full of magic, faeries and more things than she ever imagined possible.

But no good deed goes unpunished, and Devan’s quest may have deadly consequences not only for her, but for those she cares most about.

**My thoughts**

I have been hearing wonderful things about Olivia Hardin as an author for quite some time now. I had downloaded this book several months ago, and it has just been collecting virtual dust on my TBR pile. When the opportunity to review the third book in the series came about, I finally had the reason to bump it up on my list!

When I first started it, I was a little unsure. The story seems to just dive right in and I was a little confused. As the story continued, it started to make more sense. I realized that I was learning the facts at the same time that Devan was learning about herself, her powers, and her past. She was also coming to terms with the fact that someone wants her for her powers. The more that I got to know, the more I was drawn into the book. At its end, I was glad to know that I already had the second book on tap to continue it!

Devan is a very strong character who knows what he wants. Anger and revenge can make a person even stronger. So can love, which she seeks from Kent. Langston is a great protector and she also relies on some old friends to help her come to terms with her father and her fate. I'm eager to devour Bitten Shame! 

Buy links: (FREE) Kindle \ Paperback 

'Returning for Valentine's' Book Tour & Review


Contemporary Romance Novella (8000 words)
Title: Returning to Valentine
Author: Victoria Pinder
Date Published: 1/1/13

Nathan loves Beth, though he’s never believed she loved him. He left to get over her, and on Valentine’s Day he decided to risk everything, including his heart, and tell her.

Beth lost her heart to Nathan Sommers years ago. After a night at a friend’s wedding, he took off. She tried to move on, with a guy who she could’t love, but that didn’t work out. Now that it’s Valentine’s Day, she’s determined to go out and find her true love. Speed dating is better than no dating.

Why would Nathan show up now? Can she believe in love and happy ever after? And what will his mother do next to her if she lets him in?



**My thoughts**

Nathan and Beth have known each other since they were kids. Beth has always been in love with Nathan and he broke her heart. She has never believed that Nathan was truly in love with her. She finds out quite differently one Valentine's Day when she goes to one of those speed dating events, and he ends up being one of her "dates." 


There was a lot of background given in the story, so that you knew where these characters had been. Some parts of it really felt like they could have gone into more depth. For example, why does Nathan's mom hate Beth so much? Why does Beth's mom interfere so much? What really happened that fateful night, that caused the two of them to become so confused?

The romantic element of finding out the man of your dreams really does love you and is worth millions is a great fantasy. Part of the storyline in this aspect reminded me of the movie The Bachelor, starring Chris O'Donnell and Renee Zellweger. This novella shows signs of potential if the story can continue and be fleshed out more.

Author Bio:

Victoria Pinder also writing under Greta Buckle grew up in Irish Catholic Boston before moving to the Miami sun. She’s worked in engineering, then became a lawyer. After realizing she hates clients, she became a high school teacher. Teaching is fun, but writing is a passion. She wrote one hundred and one fan fiction stories online before deciding to transition into writing her own stories. Never ask her to republish her fan stories from age eleven- horribly written stories of princesses. Victoria dreams of writing professionally, where her barista can make her coffee and a walk on the beach, can motivate her tales. Theseus story came to her when she was a freshman in high school as her English teacher, the nun, told her how life was hard and tragedy teaches lessons. The sci fi stories come from years of Star Trek and Star Wars fandom. Victoria’s love of writing has kept her centered and focused. How is she crazy? The voices in her head are characters in novels and she’s not insane.

Contact Links

Authors Website:  http://www.victoriapinder.com 

Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/pages/Victoria-Pinder-also-writing-as-Greta-Buckle/294685373900979 

Twitter:    http://twitter.com/victoriapinder 

Tumblr:    victoriapinder.tumblr.com 

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/victoriapinder/ 

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=200859737&trk=hb_tab_pro_top 

Google+ https://plus.google.com/105161432419802350109/posts/p/pub 

Interview with Victoria Pinder, Author of 'Returning for Valentine's'


Get to know author Victoria Pinder, and her alter ego Greta Buckle, a little bit better in this interview!

What was the inspiration behind 'Returning to Valentine's'?

I’ve watched so many anti-Valentine’s Day in recent years, and laughed with the best of them. But I love and adore romance too. I might be single this Valentine’s, again, but in 2013 it’s good to be happy for those who find love. Plus I’m a sucker for romance stories where the guy comes back unexpectedly.

Which character was the most fun to write?

Beth was fun because she went out, on her own, and despite not having the ability to be vulnerable in front of Nathan, she’s fronting such an independent spirit. It was fun writing a simple needs to see with new eyes story.

What other projects do you currently have in the works?

I write everyday, and I wish for this to be a full time job. I’m writing the third book of my contemporary series this month. Two Weeks in Miami is the first brother, but Bobby had four brothers. The second book is on submission now, and the third book is being written. I tried so hard to write a secret baby storyline, but I could never understand why a girl wouldn’t tell that hero. So I ditched the story idea, listened to the characters and it’s coming along now… without any pregnancy. For Beth and Nathan, I’m planning on revisiting them soon. Perhaps for Easter, but more likely Mother’s Day. Beth loves the holidays, and I have this fun soon to be mother-in-law, and writing holidays before a wedding where the mother-in-law sabotages Beth’s happiness once or twice… It could be fun. But this is just planned. I have to get my full lengths out.

Tell us more about your writing alter ego, Greta Buckle.

Greta loves action adventure, science fiction and mythology. My real name might be Victoria Ann Margaret Pinder, with the initials VAMP, but I cannot write vampire novels. I’m my father’s daughter in this way, and Greta really walks that line. Science fiction is predominantly written in the male POV. I find no space stories out there written by women, and Greta is not the only fan girl at a Science Fiction convention. Romantic science fiction with humor, and female characters who make mistakes… Greta must walk her own path. Greta finished a full length science fiction romance story, and decided to submit it around. The sequel to mything you is unedited, and needs some work, but it’s written. Plus Greta has her homage to more comic book type of world building that’s more than half way done. Victoria loves guys in this world, but Greta has her running shoes on and going forward doo.

Describe your perfect leading man.

The perfect leading man for a story, for life, or in a movie actor? For books, I realized the former lawyer knew too many male attorneys, and too many jaded personalities. When I write, my heroes are less jaded than the ones I know in real life, and unlike the men in my life, they know the woman they want. I find that hero who goes after the heroine, absolutely delicious. For my life, someone whose fun to be with and can deal with my many personalities. I go from serious to joking to practical to fanciful all on a dime, and someone who either balances or goes along sounds fun. And for movie actors… 2012 was the year of Thor. But I’ve always loved darker haired men. Gerard Butler or Jeremy Renner are my ideals.

What would your high school teachers say if they could see you now?

I went to Catholic school until 11th grade. Writing the word ‘sex’ might shock a few nuns. More than a few English teachers would hate everything I ever write. In high school, I was so math and science everything. Writing was subjective and up to the whims of strange women with what they assigned, not that they assigned free writing to me anyhow. One high school English teacher though, he forced me to be political, meet the President of the United States at the time, and go after my dreams. He didn’t make me hate the subjective, and asked me who I was. My answer was wrong, but he’d be excited for me.

Does your own teaching career have any influence on your writing?

Yes and no. I went to school to be a lawyer, but teaching helped reconnect me to my soul. Teenagers are not jaded from the real world yet, and still have what we adults lack often… energy and ideals. A teenager will listen to all sides, then make a decision and forge ahead. Adults tend to lose the ability to make a decision. I like this about them. Plus when I’m telling them to go out and be productive in this world and be entrepreneurs, I’d be a hypocrite if I don’t listen to what I’m saying. So it’s motivating to teach loanable funds, money market graphs, foreign exchange rates, then go home and say ‘now it’s time to be productive, Pinder.’

Do you still write fan fiction?

No. I would if I had the time write up something for Mindy/Danny or Jess/Nick, these days.

Where is your ultimate beach vacation destination for writing?

I live in Miami, Florida. I set Returning to Valentine’s, Two Weeks in Miami, and the current book I’m writing has the first few scenes here in sunny Florida. It might not be Hawaii, but we have great beaches here. I’ve written at Starbucks right on the beach many times. On January 28th I’ll be returning from a writers cruise where my computer and I went to Cozumel. But to write, I tend to dream of a huge stone fireplace, snow outside and stay inside my cabin in Maine. It’s no wonder Steven King writes so much, though perhaps I don’t need to be looking over my shoulder all the time, waiting for the axe murderer. But I miss the literary culture of the North, where there is time to read and people discuss books.

What is something readers may be surprised to learn about you?

I wish I was far more organized of a person and less sensitive. I’m not much of a partier, and I don’t like to stare at my dark side often. Despite everything, I deny the wild child in me, then when it comes loose, it’s overwhelming. Accepting my crazy side and my serious, must accomplish side has made my much more of a settled person. I still believe there is so much to see and do in life, but I’m happier now than I was for years and years and years. Getting too settled would take the adventure away, and Victoria and Greta need to be ready for whatever’s next.

Anything else you would like to add?

If anyone knows a reasonably priced vacation for March where non-jerk men roam, let me know. Worse thing that will happen is I have a new idea for a story.

Thanks for your time!

 Buy link: http://amzn.to/YjfxJe


Author Bio:

Victoria Pinder also writing under Greta Buckle grew up in Irish Catholic Boston before moving to the Miami sun. She’s worked in engineering, then became a lawyer. After realizing she hates clients, she became a high school teacher. Teaching is fun, but writing is a passion. She wrote one hundred and one fan fiction stories online before deciding to transition into writing her own stories. Never ask her to republish her fan stories from age eleven- horribly written stories of princesses. Victoria dreams of writing professionally, where her barista can make her coffee and a walk on the beach, can motivate her tales. Theseus story came to her when she was a freshman in high school as her English teacher, the nun, told her how life was hard and tragedy teaches lessons. The sci fi stories come from years of Star Trek and Star Wars fandom. Victoria’s love of writing has kept her centered and focused. How is she crazy? The voices in her head are characters in novels and she’s not insane.

Contact Links

Authors Website:  http://www.victoriapinder.com 

Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/pages/Victoria-Pinder-also-writing-as-Greta-Buckle/294685373900979 

Twitter:    http://twitter.com/victoriapinder 

Tumblr:    victoriapinder.tumblr.com 

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/victoriapinder/ 

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=200859737&trk=hb_tab_pro_top 

Google+ https://plus.google.com/105161432419802350109/posts/p/pub 

'Dressed in White' by Jessica Gibson - Cover Reveal!

Coming June 2013

Adult Contemporary Romance




About the author:

Jessica Gibson is a recovering bookaholic, she's down from four books a week to a more reasonable one. It was that love of words and creativity that made her dream about writing her first book. That dream was hidden for years, always put on the back burner, filed away in the "someday" section, until her husband Matt gave her the kick in the pants she needed to actually get off her butt and write.
 
Jessica and Matt live in Southern California and have a serious addiction to reality tv shows like Pawn Stars and American Restoration. They have one son and hope to add to the family in the near future.

Aside from writing, she runs an online event planning business called the Release Day Diva. In addition to novels, Jessica writes and maintains the blog Book on the Bright Side. Keep up with Jessica and her latest releases and events on her blog.

Follow Jessica:

Facebook \ Twitter \ Release Day Diva \ Amazon Author Page

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

'Holding Off For a Hero' Super Book Blast

Holding Off For a Hero
by Gail MacMillan

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Beautiful, vivacious Emma Prescott has a love-'em-and-leave-'em reputation. Fact is, Emma's holding off for a hero. When she moves to a cabin at wilderness Loon Lake and meets her one neighbor biology professor Frasier MacKenzie, he's still just another guy, even with his killer blue eyes and body that just won't quit...until he rescues her and her Pug from one danger after another. Then he definitely falls into hero territory. But the professor has no intention of filling the role of white knight in Emma's life. All he wants is to be rid of her and her annoying little dog so he can get on with his research. In fact, he's ordered to get rid of them whether he wants to or not. Looks like Emma may have to go on holding off for a hero...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Read an excerpt:
She floored the gas, and they took off with a squealing of tires.

Hey, hey!” he yelled. “Slow down! The speed limit is 100 km. You’re heading to 130!”

Look, I told you, I’m in a hurry!” she exploded.

I’ve got a ton of things to do back at the cabin. You see,” she continued, quieting and sounding sly, “I’m having a party tonight. I have to get ready.”

A party? You’re having a party? At the lake?”

Ah, man, that just about tears it.

Actually, a bachelorette bash. One of my teacher friends is getting married next week, and a bunch of us decided we’d give her a real whing-ding of a sendoff…up at my cabin where there’ll be no witnesses. Teachers and the likes of myself have reputations to think of, you realize.”

She cast him a wicked glance.

So there’ll be music and a lot of noise and…”

The Professor’s blood pressure would skyrocket when he gave him this information.

Oh, y-e-a-h.” She dragged out the last word.

Couldn’t you have it somewhere else? Like a male strip joint in town?”

Didn’t you hear what I just said about teachers and others of that ilk? We can’t be seen parading into one of those places. Our superintendent would suspend every last one of us. Anyway…” She looked over at him. “I don’t see why it should be such a big deal for you. You don’t have to keep banker’s hours. If the noise bothers you, stay up, watch a video, and sleep in on Sunday morning.”

Okay, okay, but will you please keep your eyes on the road? And slow down! There’s a speed trap somewhere along…”

Behind them a siren wailed.

Quick!” she ordered, pulling over as the police cruiser rolled alongside. “Hunch over and clutch your chest!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~


~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

 
AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Gail MacMillan is a three-time Maxwell Award Winning writer and author of 26 published books. A graduate of Queen's University, she lives in New Brunswick Canada with her husband and two dogs, Fancy a Little River Duck Dog and Bruiser the cover guy and hero of Holding Off For a Hero.

Gail's web site is www.gailmacmillan.ca


Gail will award two $5 Amazon GCs and three digital copies of "Lady and the Beast" to randomly drawn commenters during the tour. Follow the tour for more chances to win!

'Ocean Kills' Book Tour & Review

Ocean Kills 
Ocean Breeze Series Book One
Jade Hart
Genre: new adult sexy urban fantasy
Word Count: 97,000
Book Description: 
Around the world, murderers and rapists pick off the innocent. Killing loved ones, separating families, and ruining lives.
As an eight-year-old girl, Ocean witnessed her family’s massacre and something altered inside her. Twisting her genetic code… unlocking an ability to teleport.
Ocean Breeze was never destined to be normal, especially being named after air-freshener. She’s a shadow, a ghost—a dark savior of the innocent. Armed with a switchblade in her bra, and a box-cutter in her pocket, she hunts the filth of the world.
Callan Bliss is a Sydney Police Officer whose skill set is far above a normal cop. All his fellow officers see is a hard-worker who loves to catch perpetrators and surf, but that’s because they don’t know his past. When Callan arrests a suspicious looking prostitute, coming face to face with a self-confessed vigilante, his secrets aren’t that easy to keep silent anymore.
Ocean hates the police with a passion, and has no intention of being held captive by a cop, even if he is sexy as hell. Teleporting from under his nose, Ocean hunts her next target—a man responsible for the largest sex ring in South Africa—and he’s about to die. But she doesn’t count on Callan giving chase, nor the body-quaking lust which consumes them. However, Ocean's dark hobbies take precedence over what her heart wants—her thirst for murdering is killing her too, and not even Callan can save her.

Read an excerpt:

My name is Ocean Breeze. Yep. Ocean freakin' Breeze. It was my mom's attempt at some posh-sounding name. She was inspired by—get this—a bottle of toilet air-freshener. My heart squeezed at the thought of a cookie-scented woman with hugs that held sunshine.
The sound of my Nikes pummelling the pavement chased away my thoughts. The slapping of rubber against asphalt was similar to the slap the last prostitute-abusing john gave me. Stinking bastard. No one raises a hand to Ocean Breeze without losing an appendage. Or more, as the case may be.
I swiped my hands on my vinyl, red miniskirt. It wasn't exactly an attractive outfit—Nikes with a miniskirt? But I've learned the hard way. Running in heels never worked. Ever. The sleazy men who paid for sex didn't care what was on my feet, only what was between them.
I jumped and jived through the crowd. It was two in the morning, and the streets of Kings Cross, Sydney, were a hive of activity. Drunken students hauled themselves from karaoke clubs. Rich business men back-slapped each other for the lap dance from the uni-student, who pocketed their tips to pay for her law degree. This place was full of clichés and smut.
And I loved it.
I could disappear here. I was a nobody. Even boasting a pair of ruby lips and a figure that could've graced the center fold of Playboy, I didn’t stand out. Beauty was coveted in the Cross, and plastic surgery was the salvation if nature didn’t do the work.
So why was I running?
I just killed a guy. That's why.
I bolted past the three-story sized Coca-Cola advertisement, blazing red and white, and disappeared into an alley full of meth-heads and crack whores. I leaped over comatose figures, sprinting toward the city centre. Keep running. Get far away.
The night was heavy with muggy heat, unusual for this time of year, and sweat made my miniskirt slide against my thighs.
Kings Cross embraced sin and naughtiness. The suburb encouraged unleashed pleasure and endless partying. It also encouraged rapists and murderers who lurked in the shadows. . . waiting.
A flash of blue and red lights.
Sirens.
Fuck! I pirouetted on my heel and charged down another alley, passing a gay club blasting Kylie Minogue. Ugh.
“You! Stop!”
Yeah, no chance of that, Fat Cop. I flipped him the bird, and kept running. He jumped back in his cruiser and gave chase. Lazy bastard. Too many kebabs and doughnuts for that slob. He wouldn't catch me. No one ever caught me.
I smiled. I loved the chase. I loved the kill. Well, that wasn’t entirely true. I didn’t enjoy murdering someone, but I did enjoy the knowledge that he’d never hurt another. My cut-throat actions saved other would-be victims. Plus, that john deserved it.
Memories overtook my vision. Heavy breath on my cheek, rancid smell as he slobbered on my neck. Then warm, oozing blood as my weapon of convenience—a long skinny oyster knife—buried deep in the man's groin. Ridding him of a vital piece of his anatomy and draining his body of crimson. One moment alive, the next—not. Then rushed practicality: Dispose of my surgical gloves. Wipe the corpse with antiseptic wipes. Remove the man's DNA, fingerprints, and blood from my body.
Adrenaline spiked, dousing my already overloaded system. My heart thudded as fast as the bass at a techno club. The pavement flickered and I stumbled.
No, not now! My vision danced like a mirage. I no longer had control of my body.
Sirens were closer, breathing down my neck. Keep moving, Ocean! For freakin' sake, move!
No amount of yelling could stop the migraine from consuming me. I screamed and clutched my temples, slamming to the concrete. The sidewalk danced under my phantasm goggles, no longer acting like rock and tar, but candy floss and gossamer. I'm going. I'm going. . .
Cold claws grasped my bare shoulders. “You're coming with us.”
No! The unrelenting crush of pain ricocheted in my skull. I wanted to die. Cuffs shackled my wrists, and I was dragged, then stuffed into the back of a police car.
The agony danced with nausea, tangoing in a way that tested my stomach’s willingness to evacuate its measly contents.
Precious minutes passed while I grappled with the migraine. When only a gentle pounding remained, I opened my eyes. I didn't know where I was.
The tense shoulders of policemen kick-started my breathing. I narrowed my eyes. This was quite a predicament: shackled in the back seat of a police vehicle.
I glared at the fat, uniformed man who'd cuffed me. “You have no reason to arrest me.” Please tell me they didn't find the john. There was no way they could’ve found him already. And I knew there wasn't a drop of blood on me. There never was. I was clean. Efficient. Ruthless.
While I waited to be graced with an answer, the lull of the car tires slowed my heart, and the rest of my headache seeped back like a tide.
“You're a working girl. We have every reason to arrest you.”
I sighed, slouching into the cracked vinyl seat. Relief flooded me. If this was just a routine grab-and-administer-friendly-sex-education, that was fine by me. I might even get a free dinner out of it. My stomach rumbled in agreement. Food would be good. Food was hard to get when you had no cash. Too long this time, Ocean. You need to suck up your pride and go back.
The cop mistook my relief for annoyance. He turned in his seat, pointing a finger in my face. “You listen here, girl, we're only looking out for you. Don't pull that attitude.”
I slipped into slutty prossie. An act I'd perfected, but never played in real life. It was all an act—my entire existence. I didn't know the real me anymore. Batting my eyelashes, I pouted. “Attitude? I don't have an attitude. But if you let me go, I'll make it worth your while.” I licked my lips suggestively. Ugh, this was gross. As if I would stoop to sleeping with strangers.



**My thoughts**

The premise and the beginning of this book reminded me a lot of Dexter. I am a fan of both that book and TV series, which lured me to take on this book tour. Both characters were "born in blood" as they witnessed the brutal murder of family members and sat in blood for days until the police finally arrived. Both are vigilante killers, seeking revenge for their lost innocence and then unable to stop. Both are adopted by a father figure who embraces them for who they are, yet also tries to help them to better cope. Both have difficulty with their relationships.

But Ocean is different. She loses more and more of herself the more that she seeks her revenge in life. She also has this ability to teleport, adding a fun paranormal twist to her story. You feel sorry for her past, but sometimes wonder if you really like her or not.

Her story is action-packed, which keeps you up reading, even though the book is quite long. The narration alternates between her and Callan telling the story. That allows for an extra level of intimacy while also providing multiple points-of-view. I will be interested to read the next one!

Buy links: Paperback \ Kindle

Author Bio: 
Jade Hart is a self-confessed book worm who is happiest glued to a lap-top with an eternal battery life, and typing up stories running rampant in her head.
Her three favorite things are:

1. Unlimited books on an Ebook Reader

2. Cracking the sugar on a creme brulee

3. Travelling

Jade currently resides in Middle-Earth, but has lived in Australia, England, and Hong Kong.

She writes New Adult 'smexy' fiction. 
www.dreamwritepublish.blogspot.com 


Twitter: @jadehart8


  

'The Exception to the Rule' Promo Blitz!


Contemporary Romance
Date to be Published: 12/19/2012
Synopsis: 

When Katrina “Kat” Vallia, an idealistic if somewhat naive 20-something American pediatrician travels halfway across the globe to volunteer in a poor African village, she looks at it as a means of closure. Following a bitter breakup with her unfaithful boyfriend, she decides to throw herself into her work without any distractions from a man. That’s until she encounters Dr. Julian Kiron, a handsome, career driven pediatric oncologist. Even though she tries to fight it, Kat finds herself falling deeply for him; until she painfully realizes that they both want totally different things from life. Not willing to compromise for the other, they sadly say goodbye, cutting all ties. Five years later, Kat’s happy world is turned upside down when she is given devastating news. She must now confront her past and the secret she’s harbored for years. But will saving the one she loves most also rekindle the love she let slip away?

Read an excerpt:

We talked for some time and I could tell he was getting tired, his skin looked paler than usual and the light color of his eyes just enhanced the dark circles that were beginning to form underneath. 
“Are you tired?” I asked. 
“A little,” he finally admitted. 
“But I thought you didn’t get tired,” I teased as I got up to grab the blanket from the other couch, turning off the overhead light. I looked out the window to see a light snow falling. I sat back down on the couch covering us both with the blanket as we watched TV with just the glow of the fireplace and Christmas tree lights. He had his arms wrapped tightly around me as I rested my head on his chest.  
“Thank you,” I whispered. 
“For what?” he asked. 
“For being here.” 
 I smiled when he pulled me closer and gently kissed my head. It didn’t take long before I heard his breathing begin to change and as I looked up I saw he was sound asleep. I put my head back down on his chest, kissing it softly. Just knowing he was here beside me, listening to his heartbeat and feeling him breathe, put my mind at such ease that it wasn’t long before I was fast asleep too.
 
Buy links: Paperback \ Kindle 

Author Bio

Ever since I can remember, I have always enjoyed Creative Writing. There was always something about being able to travel to a different place or become a different person with just the stroke of a pen - or in today's world a touch of the keyboard. I have been writing poetry for years and finally got the inspiration to write my very first novel about a year and a half ago. Once I started the idea's kept flowing, my fingers kept typing - and here it is! It's a beautiful love story that focuses on so many different relationships: the love of a man and a woman, a parent and a child, friendships and those that are not bound to us by blood but by love. So, I'm hoping all of you get as much enjoyment reading this as I did writing it! Oh and here's a little bit about bit me - my life is not as interesting as the story or the characters in it, but then again whose life is? I was born and have lived in New Jersey my whole life. I'm a mom of twin teenage boys, a teenage step-son, a crazy Border Collie and a cat with an identity crisis! I guess you can say writing is my form of Calgon! I am married to a wonderful guy - but we'll keep that between us, I don't want him getting a big head! Thanks for taking the time to learn about my book and me! If you decide to read it (and I hope you do!) please be sure to go on and review it for me - yes, even if you don't like it!


 

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

'Psychic Visions #4: Garden of Sorrow' by Dale Mayer Book Barrage!

Garden of Sorrow (Psychic Visions #4)
by Dale Mayer
Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Published by Valley Publishing (Indie)
Release Date: December 3, 2012
Heat Level: Steamy
Length: 330 pages

Blurb
Her world is in chaos. His world is in order. She wants to help the innocent. He wants to catch the guilty. But someone is trying to make sure that neither gets what they want.

Alexis Gordon has spent the last year trying to get over the loss of her sister. Then she goes to work on a normal day...and reality as she knows it...disappears.

Detective Kevin Sutherland, armed with his own psychic abilities, recognizes her gift and calls in his friend Stefan Kronos, a psychic artist and law enforcement consultant, to help her develop her skills. But Kevin has never seen anything like this case - a killer with a personal vendetta to stop Alexis from finding out more about him...and his long dead victims.

The killer can be stopped. He must be stopped. But he's planning on surviving...even after death.

Warning: This title is intended for readers over the age of 18 as it contains adult sexual situations and/or adult language which may be considered offensive to some readers.

Read an excerpt:
"Ouch." A thin stream of red oozed up from her mud-covered fingers. Whatever that thing was, it had scratched her palm. She stared at the surrounding puddle. Where had it gone? There, beside her right foot. Alexis leaned over for a closer look.

It couldn't be.

Several voices called down to her. She ignored them, and tugged the muddy piece free. Blowing away several strands of hair blocking her view, she swished the item around in the rainwater and managed to clean off most of the dirt.

Small, white and with a distinctive shape, it resembled a bone. More like several tiny bones barely connected by stiff mud. And oh, God… It looked like…a finger!

Ice settled into her spine. She held a finger.

A tiny finger.

A child's finger, still wearing a toy ring.

Her fingers tightened around the bones. Her insides warred to keep the precious item safe while another part of her wanted to throw it far away from her.

Then something changed.

Dizziness and nausea fought for supremacy as her vision blurred. Disoriented, she wavered as the ditch before her suddenly lengthened and narrowed, morphing into an interior hallway.

Alexis froze, her horrified gaze locked on the changing scene.

Dear God, what was going on? Her mind raced to sort out the change. How had the dirt bank turned to gray paint? And the sewer smell smothered by heavy cooking odors? Fried chicken?

Where was she?

Alexis stared down the hallway. A young child, caught inside this peculiar scenario, stumbled toward her with both hands clasped over her ears. Tears streamed down her young face, and her t-shirt was inches above the dirty shorts. Bruises decorated her lower legs, and well…dirt covered the rest of her. As if she'd recently been playing in a dirt pile. Alexis tried to run to her, to hug her tight, to protect her…only to find she couldn't move. Her feet were paralyzed in place. Terror filled her heart.

She opened her mouth to scream. No sound came out.

Run. The scream seared through her mind.

Dimly in the background, loud crashes and yelling could be heard, as if someone gave chase. Fear of retribution accentuated every step the distraught child took. The sound and tone distorted.

Alexis shuddered. Tears clogged her throat and pain choked her heart.

"Alexis. Alex? Alex!"

Scott's alarmed voice pulled at her from outside the vision that held her transfixed. Caught between two realities, Alexis jerked toward Scott, the object dropping from her fingers.

Instantly, the hallway disappeared.

It was if a vacuum sucked the dirt walls back into place, with a rush so powerful it forced Alexis to lean forward. Then as if caught in a giant rubber band, the force suddenly released, to throw her into reverse. She flew backwards and landed, once again, on her butt in the middle of the large puddle.

Her gut screamed and bile tried to escape her throat. She shuddered. What the hell had just happened? She swallowed convulsively, willing her breakfast to stay down. Tremors started at her toes and rattled up her spine.

"Alexis, damn it. Answer me!" Scott demanded.

"I – I'm fine." Was that croaking her voice? The finger... Where was it? More than a little daunted by the prospect of touching it again, she remained seated and eyed the surrounding mud.

There.

It rested on the muddy surface…waiting for her.

Eerie. She hated to touch it again, the last experience too horrific to repeat. She reached for it, but her fingers shook so badly she stopped. Yet, she couldn't force herself to leave it behind. Compromising, she pulled a tissue from her pocket and gingerly picked it up.

The size bothered her. The vague image of the running child from a few moments ago slammed back. Ruthlessly, she pushed the vision out of her mind. She couldn't even begin to analyze what had happened. It had been way too weird. Alexis focused on what was important right this moment. Where there was a finger…

She studied the high expanse of dirt wall. She dimly remembered digging her fingers into the bank on her downward tumble. But how high up had that been? The ditch stood eight to ten feet deep.

"Here's the ladder, Alexis," Scott said as Mike, another coworker arrived with the ladder. Scott held the long metal structure several feet off to the side.

"No!" she motioned. "Please, bring it over here. Where I fell in."

Scott shrugged and the two moved the ladder to the right spot.

Alexis struggled to position it the best she could near her original flight path. Once the ladder was secured, she moved upward, one rung at a time. At each new level, she stopped and searched. The bone had to have come from somewhere.

"Oh, for the love of God. Alexis, what are you doing?" Scott peered over the ladder at her.

Alexis didn't answer. What could she say? Three, maybe four feet from the top, a speck of white caught her eye. Reaching between the ladder rungs, she gently brushed some of the dirt away. Another bone, possibly another finger. Vomit lined her throat. She rested her forehead against the steel frame of the ladder for a long moment.

"Scott?" Her hands squeezed the ladder tight. She kept her voice low.

"Yes, beautiful. What's going on?" He crouched down for a better look, but he was at the wrong angle.

"Are there any police close by?" She cleared her throat, tears suddenly clogging her throat. Willing him to not ask her any questions. "If not, go get one – now."

Startled, Scott stared at her for a brief moment before disappearing from sight, his heavy footsteps fading rapidly. Mike held the ladder steady. Alexis rested her head against a rung, and waited with her arm wrapped around one side of the ladder. The steel dug into her forehead as she realized something important.

This wasn't just a ditch. This was a grave.
 

Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars--BEST of the Psychic Visions Books
I've been a fan of this series ever since I read Tuesday's Child. The whole concept of psychics who work alongside police and rescuers and use their talents to tap into victims and killers really grabbed me. Because of their psychic abilities, these people are special and yet are often outsiders to society, trying to fit in. This is #4 (I think) in the series, and it's the best so far. with one, platonic with the other--no menages in this book!) and endearing. If you've read the earlier books, you'll remember Stefan and he's more central in this story. I rate it as a Must Read.”--Amy Atwell "Getting To The Heart of the Story"
5.0 out of 5 stars--Fantastic!!
Wow! Dale Mayer has done it again. I've read this whole series and it is exceptional. This is the fourth book in the series (I hope there will be many more) and I think it's the best one yet. I love a book that pulls you in and this one definitely does that. Be prepared to read it from cover to cover in one sitting. A definite MUST read.”--BizzyBee

5.0 out of 5 stars--Dale Does IT Again! Another Page Turner
I've been a student of intuitive development for ten years, and this book could be an instruction manual - boldly going where no one has gone before. Great plot. Great suspense. The characters are realistic. The crime is real. The author's compassion for humanity shows through in this page turning novel. I didn't want it to end. I WANT MORE. Gimme more!”--Angelika Love "A Love"

Buy links: Paperback \ Kindle \ B&N 

About the Author:
Dale Mayer is a prolific multi-published writer. She's best known for her Psychic Visions series. Besides her romantic suspense/thrillers, Dale also writes paranormal romance and crossover young adult books in several different genres. To go with her fiction, she also writes nonfiction in many different fields with books available on resume writing, companion gardening and the US mortgage system. She has recently published her Career Essentials Series . All her books are available in print format as well.

Visit Dale online at:


BOOKS BY DALE MAYER
Psychic Vision Series

Single Title Romantic Suspense/thrillers

Novellas
It'sa Dog's Life- romantic comedy

Young Adult Books

Non-Fiction Books


Giveaway Info:

Prize is 15 eBook copies of "Garden of Sorrow" (1 each to 15 winners). Contest is tour-wide, open internationally and ends Feb 4. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.
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