Meet Casey Keen, author of 'I'll Be Damned (Anna Wolfe Book 1)'

Please welcome Casey Keen to the blog today. She is the author of 'I'll Be Damned,' the first book in the Anna Wolfe series.

What was the inspiration behind this book?

My inspiration came from the genre itself. After reading a HP Mallory’s series (my first paranormal romance), I fell in love with it! Its whimsical nature and ability to draw me in motivated me to create my own supernatural world. I’ve always been creative by nature, so naturally I was excited about it! When I found out HP Mallory started out as a self-published author, I decided to take a crack at it. I picked my setting (Savannah) and then the storyline flowed from there!

'I'll Be Damned' is the first book in the Anna Wolfe series. How many sequels do you anticipate?

For this series I anticipate three or four (fingers crossed)!

Do you have any other projects in the works?

Not at the moment!

Who are some authors who have influenced you and your writing?

HP Mallory was the biggest influence in writing my novel.

What are you reading right now?

Rose Pressey, Ghouls Night Out.

The idea of a witch finding out her destiny and being torn between two gorgeous paranormal men is a recurring theme. Why do you think readers can't get enough of this kind of story?

Great question! I think readers (especially women) love this reoccurring storyline/theme because the feeling of excitement and being wanted by two, gorgeous men never gets old… in my opinion! Also, I think Anna’s journey of self-discovery can be relatable to many people - whether they’ve been through one themselves or are on the brink of one.

How do you make yourself stand out in this competitive genre?

I do my best to have a presence on social media. Marketing experts say: a consumer usually views a product, ad, etc. three times before they buy it, so I’m constantly maintaining a strong presence in the media. Also, I think my book is unique with some choice characters and a plot of a Grand Witch unaware of who she is!

Philadelphia is a famously haunted city. Have you ever had a ghostly or otherwise strange encounter while living there?

That it is! I’ve had one small ghostly encounter in a home that used to be an old farmhouse back in the 1700-1800s (my friend’s father owns it) and the family claims it’s haunted by Civil War soldiers. I was standing alone in the living room one night, when I heard loud footsteps making their way down the wooden staircase. No one else was in the home/upstairs. Before I could see if it was an aspiration, I was halfway out the back door!

My father lived in Philly for a few years before getting married and loved it. What are some of your favorite "haunts" there, that future visitors must see?

What a small world! Eastern State Penitentiary is definitely a must see for tourists - it was built in 1829, and designed by Benjamin Franklin. The prisoners were held in solitary confinement and even exercised alone in individual yards!! This place is reportedly one of the most haunted in Philadelphia! I’ve been there a few times and just the landscape alone sends chills down my spine…

Another good haunt is the Betsy Ross House. Betsy had five daughters, but one died. Rumor has it that some visitors saw her ghost kneeling in the room her daughter passed away in crying…

City Tavern’s original framework was built in the 1700s, but burnt down after a fire. This same fire took place during a wedding, taking the lives of some of the wedding party, including the bride. Currently, this venue hosts weddings, and visitors’ claim that the bride appears in some of the photos wearing her wedding dress (yikes)!

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

As much as I love the supernatural/paranormal and ghosts, I’m pretty scared of them too! If I saw a ghost, I would run for the hills!

Thank you so much for your time!

Check out 'I'll Be Damned' at your favorite retailer:

Amazon \ Barnes & Noble \ Kobo \ Sony \ Smashwords

About the Author:

I was born in Philadelphia, PA and grew up in the suburban outskirts of this amazing city. I love anything paranormal and/or supernatural - seriously I live in Philadelphia! For those of you who don’t know, this city is an awesomely haunted place! This healthy paranormal addiction has provided me the motivation to write my first book, “I’ll Be Damned.”

I graduated from Drexel University with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and I'm currently working on the Anna Wolfe Series.

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7020153.Casey_Keen

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorcasey.keen

Twitter https://twitter.com/AnnaWolfeSeries

Website: http://www.caseykeen.com/index.html 

Tour wide giveaway

10 ebook copies I’ll Be Damned by Casey Keen

 

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'Embracing the Wolf (Anna Avery Book 2)' by Stephanie Nelson Book Tour Blast!

Embracing the Wolf by Stephanie Nelson

For the first time, Anna Avery was looking forward to the future. She’s mated to her soul mate. The pack has become her new family, and she has friends she can confide in. She had every reason to look ahead, until a vision put her future happiness in jeopardy.

Someone is set on destroying her mate, Adam, and only Anna can prevent this possible future. While trying to unravel the hazy web of her premonition, she finds out the annual pack conference will take place on her mountain. And Adam’s parents will be attending. As only a “made” wolf, Anna will have to face their prejudice and possibly make the hardest decision she has ever had to make. Because saving Adam’s life might just mean walking away from him for forever.

Buy: Amazon / Amazon UK / Barnes & Noble

About Stephanie
Stephanie resides in the Midwest with her husband and furry children. When she's not cooking up Gwen and Anna's next adventures, she enjoys reading, traveling and watching movies.

Follow Stephanie: Website / Facebook / Twitter

Join the Social Event on Facebook August 1 -3 to Get to Know the Author and for fun prizes

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'Unleashing Your Brilliance' by Brian E. Walsh, Ph.D - Special July Promo - Get a free DVD!

Special July Promo! Buy one print copy of 'Unleashing Your Brilliance' and get a FREE companion DVD!

Albert Einstein called our normal state the “optical delusion of consciousness.” Almost all of our awareness is processed in our conscious minds. The interesting thing is that 90 percent of our mental processing is not conscious at all. Like an iceberg, only about 10 percent is obvious.

Your brain learns in a way entirely foreign to how you have been taught. That’s a bold statement, and I am asking you to suspend your beliefs in traditional learning and teaching methods while you read this book. This will be to your advantage.

The author's purpose in writing this book is to share what he has learned from his experience as a corporate trainer working with various cultures, and his training and research as a hypnotherapist and a practitioner of Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP). A great deal of his study dealt with what lies beyond conscious learning.

In this book you will learn how the brain processes information, and how emotions and beliefs affect learning. You will discover that the way your brain is wired can be altered both intentionally and unintentionally. With this knowledge, you can effectively apply the accelerated learning tools and techniques found in the latter part of this book.

No matter how well you think you learn, after reading this book, you will be able to achieve more, in less time, with less effort.

The reader is given many tips on how to go beyond conscious learning to more easily absorb information. The content has been designed to appeal to visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles. Each chapter can be reviewed with both a crossword puzzle and an online introspective tool. This enables a deeper integration of the material. In easy-to-understand language, this book explains how the brain processes information, how learning is affected by emotions and core beliefs, and how innate brain wiring can be altered both intentionally and unintentionally. Ideal for corporate learners, college/university students, home-schooling parents.

Buy links: Paperback (USA) \ Kindle (USA) \ Amazon CA \ Barnes & Noble \ Chapters/Indigo \ Signed copy via website

 

Click here once you have your receipt of purchase, to claim your free companion DVD, through the month of July!

About the author:

Born in the U.K. and raised near Montreal, Brian Walsh was a journalist and broadcaster before joining a major international company. For much of his 30-year career he was involved in human resources, specifically training.

While living in the arctic, Brian studied anthropology and Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP). Those experiences combined with extensive international travel prepared him for working with other cultures. He was then transferred to China where he served as his company's General Manager.

After his return to North America, he elected early retirement to further his earlier interest in NLP and hypnotherapy. He returned to formal study, and within four years had achieved his Ph.D. His dissertation, which focused on accelerated learning techniques, inspired his passion and his book, "Unleashing Your Brilliance."

Dr. Walsh is dedicated to personal growth and enrichment through his workshops, teleclasses, audio and video products, and his many articles.

He is a master practitioner of NLP, an acupuncture detoxification specialist, an EFT practitioner, and a clinical hypnotherapist.

His bestselling book, "Unleashing Your Brilliance" has a companion video - "Enriched Learning" that will soon be available for streaming on Amazon's Instant Video.

'The Fairytale Mother' by Heather Muzik

The Fairytale Mother

Once upon a time two lives intertwined…

A broken heart.

When Andrew Krenshaw’s wife goes missing, terror becomes desperation as he is forced to cope with a world of uncertainty where he has suddenly become a single father, an unfortunate celebrity… a potential murderer.

A hopeful heart.

Melanie Tull has everything she ever wanted in her life… except perhaps love. Her husband is absent and demanding all at once. Her home, a shell of perfection with a cold center. Her life, busy yet vacant.

… Herein lies the tale that binds them.

Buy: Kindle / Paperback /B&N (coming August 8th)

About Heather

After a childhood spent living in various northern states--New Jersey for half of that (South Jersey, exit 4, to be exact)--she struck out on her own. First stop, Atlanta, Georgia. After attending GA Tech to study Industrial Engineering, she settled down in a small town outside the city where she has remained ever since. She keeps house for one husband, two sons, and a thankless dog (who she adores anyway). Her loves: books, bacon, bargains... heavy metal, Christmas movies... a great pair of jeans... and anything cheesy. The four dirtiest words she knows: wash, cook, dust, iron.

Follow Heather

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Cover Reveal! 'Annie Crow Knoll-Sunrise' by Gail Priest

Hayson Publishing is proud to announce the forthcoming release of ANNIE CROW KNOLL-SUNRISE, the debut novel of Gail Priest. We're thrilled to offer a sneak peek of the cover and a preview of the story.

Annie Crow Knoll-Sunrise is the story of a place where people come to restore their spirits, heal their pain and reclaim their lives.

Annie is a determined young woman who is left to run her family's property after the death of her parents. Managing fourteen summer cottages with only the help of a family friend, she struggles to survive on her own. When she meets Drew, a young college professor, Annie thinks she's finally found a love she can trust.

But years of conflict and pain destroy their bond and leave Annie alone again, unless she can find lasting peace and passion in the most unlikely arms.

In this family saga, love, loss and history twine together the people whose lives are changed by Annie's fierce determination and the magic of her knoll nestled along the head-waters of the Chesapeake Bay.

 

'The Melody in Our Hearts' by Roberta Capizzi

Book Info-

Title-The Melody in our Hearts

By- Roberta Capizzi

Blurb-

Doctor Valerie Fogarty studied hard to become a competent surgeon, but losing a patient during an operation made her throw everything out the window and now she can't set foot into an operating room anymore. Until her best friend Ryan is brought into the ER on a stretcher, fighting for his life after a terrible car accident and she’s the only one who can save him. Meeting him as a teenager in their hometown in Ireland was the turning point in her life and she knows she will never be able to live without him. Will her determination and skills be enough to save Ryan's life?

Jazz Star Ryan Wyler grew up in Dublin, with a dream of becoming a professional pianist and continuing the legacy of his musical hero, Frank Sinatra. When opportunity knocks and he's offered the chance to pursue a real music career, he's happy to accept it, unaware that what he's actually accepting is a package deal he will have no control over. But when success keeps him away from Valerie, his best friend since adolescence, Ryan will have to question his choices.

A story about the value of true friendship, the power of dreams, and the unpredictability of love.

Buy links: Amazon \ Smashwords

Join the Facebook Event here.

 

About the Author-

 

An avid reader since her childhood years and being an only child, Roberta always enjoyed the company of her fictional friends from the children’s books she loved reading, while she dreamed of writing her own stories one day.

It was when she discovered novels by authors Rosamunde Pilcher and Maeve Binchy in her teenage years that she realized it was time she put down in words the stories she had kept well hidden in her mind until then.

What started as a hobby, soon turned into a real passion and a way of life, until she could no longer keep the stories to herself, and decided to get over her fears and share them with the world.

Roberta lives in Italy, but her dream is to move out of her country and live either in a thatched cottage in the Irish countryside or in a country house with a swing on the back porch, somewhere in the United States, where she would love to spend her days writing novels as a full-time job, and maybe one day even get as far as writing a screenplay for a movie.

Follow Roberta: Goodreads \ Website \ Facebook \ Twitter

 

'High Witch (High Witch #1)' by Mona Hanna

High Witch (High Witch #1)

by Mona Hanna

Paranormal/Fantasy Romance

Publisher: Self/Indie

Release Date: November 4, 2012

Heat Level: Sensual

Word Count: 25,000

Description:

Ariel is a High Witch, one of the most powerful witches in the world. There are only three like her in existence. She finally learns who she is, but immediately has to flee from a malicious warlock, out to claim her for his own. With Brayden, her new love by her side, she attempts to outwit the warlock, and the High Witch who protects him. But what will she do if she has to go through 'The Test'?

 Read an excerpt:

They traveled for a few more days, stopping one afternoon at an empty field to rest for lunch. Ariel had been practicing every day, Brayden astonished at how much she’d improved. They sat eating under a tree in the cold day, sunlight shining through the clouds. They didn’t speak, both very tired from all the traveling. Ariel finally stood up, saying she needed to work on her magic some more.

“Try to focus on nature, like we discussed,” Brayden said. “Remember, you can draw from every source of magic there is, from wherever there’s power. You’re doing so well — try to master this now.”

Ariel nodded, then walked several paces away to the center of the field, standing in a large expanse of grass. Brayden watched her from where he sat, thinking she looked so beautiful. She looked at him for a moment, then shut her eyes.

She held out her arms, standing silently for a long while, her hair slightly blowing around her in the breeze. She remained still for several more moments, then gradually the wind grew stronger. Ariel’s hair flowed behind her, her skirt twirling around her ankles. Leaves swirled around her; a howling sound was in the air. The wind was focused on her, turning around her as she stood on the spot, as if she was at the center of a tornado. Flashes of lightning cut through the sky. A white glow illuminated her skin.

The clouds above them became grey and dark. Ariel stood, frozen, at the center of the tempest. The wind swirled around her, howling, screaming. She maintained control of the storm. Thunder crashed above them, interspersed with more lightning. Brayden shivered in the now freezing temperature. Ariel didn’t move. The air around them screamed, building until it erupted in a thundering cry. Ariel held her face up to the sky, the elements under her control.

Finally, she lowered her arms. The sounds began to fade. The storm began to dissipate. Gradually the wind died down, the clouds became lighter and grew apart, the thunder and lightning dissolved. Eventually, things were as they were. Ariel looked over at Brayden, the faint white light still touching her skin. He rose and slowly approached her. He stood before her in amazement.

“That...” he began, then had to clear his throat. He was still stunned. “That was astonishing. Ariel, you’re amazing. I don’t know how you did that.”

She smiled at him, the glow around her fading, her skin returning to normal. Brayden looked around them, wanting to capture this moment; take advantage of her control of her powers.

“Try to lift one of those rocks,” he said, pointing to a small pile of rocks in the distance, similar to the pile that had been in the yard at the inn.

Ariel turned to them, and held out one arm. She moved one of her fingers, and a grey, fist-sized rock rose from the pile, hovering in the air. She moved her fingers again, then the other rocks joined the first, delicately balanced at head height, floating as if they were on water, as light as leaves. Ariel flattened her hand, and the rocks gracefully dropped back down to the ground. She turned to look at Brayden. She smiled.

“It’s easy, now,” she said. Brayden moved up to her and drew her into his arms.

“You’re wonderful,” he breathed, embracing her, holding her close. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and Brayden smoothed his hand over her hair. He couldn’t believe how amazing she was. He held onto her, mesmerized by her. His body was tingling just holding her. He felt her tremble.

“I hope I can save us,” she said, her breath against his neck. He couldn’t take it any more. He cupped her chin in his hand and kissed her, hungrily moving his mouth over hers, his other hand clutching her hair. She held onto him and he pressed her against him, unable to control his feelings for her. He groaned, loving how she tasted, the feel of her lips, the touch of her tongue moving with his. They clung to each other, unaware of anything around them. He couldn’t believe how good it felt. He began kissing her neck, and she moaned in his arms. His body was on fire for her.

“Oh, Ariel,” he breathed, wishing more than anything they were somewhere private. He was desperate for her. He kissed her lips again, then held her to him, his heart racing. She put her arms around his neck, and gently nibbled his ear. He couldn’t breathe.

“We should get moving,” he said, barely remembering his own name. “We can’t...I mean...we have to...oh, Ariel, you have to stop that.”

She laughed, stepping back a little from him. He gazed at her, consumed with thoughts of her. She looked back at him, a mischievous smile touching her lips. Oh, how he loved her.

“Not here, not when we’ve got a madman after us,” he said, kissing her roughly then taking her hand, leading her back to their things. She laughed again. He was addicted to her. Her laugh, her touch, her beauty — but, really, her. Her heart. Her soul. He wanted to love her for the rest of his life. To protect her. To always be with her. He wouldn’t be able to stand it if he lost her. He would do anything to keep them together.

Available at:

Amazon(US) | Amazon (UK) | B&N | iTunes

About the Author:

Mona Hanna is the author of the books The Nature of God and God's Promises of Love. She has been a devotional writer since 2008, creating the blog Mona Hanna Devotions, focusing on expressing God’s love, acceptance, and compassion. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Australia, with a sub major in professional writing. Mona is now writing fantasy books. Myriad is her first novella.

Connect with Mona Hanna

Website | Facebook

GIVEAWAY INFO:

Prize is 10 eBook copies (1 each to 10 winners) of "High Witch (High Witch #1)" from Mona Hanna. Contest ends July 15. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

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'Samskaras' by Melissa Lummis Book Tour Blast & Social Event

Samskaras by Melissa Lummis

When the universe conspired to bring Loti and Wolf together, it was just getting warmed up. After surviving Modore’s attempt to kill Wolf, the lovers want nothing more than some peace and quiet. But the universe has other plans. And Loti and Wolf are done waiting to find out what they are. All too aware there will be no happily-ever-after for them until Modore is dealt with, they form a dubious alliance with untrustworthy forces from Wolf’s past. While searching for clues to the homicidal vampire’s whereabouts, they uncover secrets that begin to unravel reality as they know it. Tangled up in the chaos of black ops conspiracies and fae treachery, they make a fatal mistake—overlooking the enemy in their midst. Can love and light survive a downward spiral into darkness?

Buy links

Join us July 16 - 18 for our Book Tour Social Event. Learn about Author Melissa Lummis, her books, and stick around for some fun Join HERE

About the Author

Melissa Lummis considers herself a truth seeker, a peaceful warrior, a paranormal and fantasy writer, an avid reader, a thru-hiker GAàME ’98, a wife, a mother, and a free thinker. She believes the universe conspires to help an adventurer. And if we live our lives as if it is a daring adventure (and it is!), then everything we need will find its way to us.

The author lives in rural Virginia with her husband, two children, an Alaskan Malamute and a myriad of forest creatures. The nature of her mind dictates that she write to stay sane. Otherwise, her fertile imagination takes off on tangents of its own accord, creating scenarios and worlds that confuse the space-time continuum. Namaste, dear friends.

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Follow the Tour Author Melissa Lummis is giving away a Love and Light Prize Pack for her book tour. Fill out the form below to enter (Open to US residents)

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Review of 'Paranormal Days Gone Awry: an Anthology'

Book blurb from Amazon:

Bad days, we all have them. Even the supernatural beings among us. Do their powers and abilities make it easier or harder? You be the judge! In this anthology you'll see those doldrums days from every angle. From funny to tragic, from dragon to vampire, whatever your paranormal craving we have a flavor just for you! Enjoy one short story after another from many of today's hot and upcoming authors!




**My thoughts**

Vampires, witches, and zombies, oh my! And elementals and weres! You name it, this book has it!

I had purchased this book during a sale, because I am familiar with many of the Anchor Group authors. I was ecstatic when my book club chose to read it this month. By this time, I was caught up with even more of the authors than I had been before reading it.

I love reading books by Elizabeth Kirke, Christy Sloat, Stacey Rourke, and Karen Pokras Toz. All four of these ladies have stories featured in here, along with 9 others. Some of the stories provide more insight into characters in the full-length novels, such as the short about Dani and the kids by Elizabeth Kirke. Stacey Rourke's story about Keni was already familiar, as it also appears in one of her novellas. Christy Sloat's short about a vampire is an example of an author showing off a different side of her writing skills. Karen Pokras Toz's Nate Rocks is one of my current favorite middle grade series.

I also really liked Dana Piazzi's "Full Moon Flip Flop" and "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" by Katherine Polillo. I am not usually a fan of short stories, but these kept me plenty entertained.

This book is a fantastic introduction to the authors who make up the Anchor Group. It has something for everyone. Following each story is that author's bio and a listing of their other books, so you can catch up on ones you may have missed before.

 Available at Amazon \ Barnes & Noble \ Smashwords

'The End of Athens' by Anthony Karakai

Urban Fantasy
Date Published: 5/2/2013

In the year 2091, humans have lost the ability to dream. After decades of financial and social depression, dreams and aspirations have become a recessive gene—an impossibility of the modern mind.

Greece is one of the worst social and economic disaster zones, and all hope of a better future has been lost. One young man, Nikos, discovers that he is not like everybody else—there is something different about him.

Believing that he may be going crazy, he soon discovers that he is the only person in Greece who has inherited the ability to dream. Time is running out as the government continues its tirade of corruption and suppression against the people, and Nikos must find a way to teach others how to dream so that once more society can free itself from the shackles of mental slavery.


Read an excerpt:

I looked into the face of death, and took his mask off. What was it that I was seeing? Stringent blue lights, creeping black shadows, and an entity as tall as myself. This wasn’t evil personified, this thing, this man, this sometimes boy, had a message. He mirrored my actions as I leant against the dark bluestone walls, in what would’ve been an alley if it were not for the enclosed, claustrophobic cube. His face was bare underneath the flowing black hood. We stared at each other, somewhat intently but more so with recognition. As he raised his right hand up towards my face, I found mine momentarily doing the same. Just as we were about to touch, as our hands were to feel the complexity of warm life and cold death, did this mirage disappear.

I find myself instantly in my bedroom, tired but awake, starting another day off the back of what I suspect is the beginning of the end.

As I make myself to work, I think constantly about these apparitional mirages and what it is I’m experiencing. I have no idea, I think I’m going crazy, and I wonder if I should tell somebody. This type of behaviour isn’t normal, as far as normalcy is concerned. I pay the young girl for my coffee- a long black, and saunter towards the entry of building Zero before walking the staircase. The staircase is long, it’s difficult to walk but I do this each morning under the misguided assumption that it will somehow keep me fit. As far as I know, since a desk job was invented the human body periled into a frivolous state of sugar, fat and general regression to what it was designed for in all those history books. We live longer, but for what, I’m not so sure.

After completing the ceremonious “hellos” and “good mornings”, I sit down in what can only be described as a pod and turn on the computer. The year is 2091, and I reside in Athens- the birthplace of democracy, the cradle of free thought and the place on Earth where the potential for civilisation to be civil all began. My name is Nikos, and I am 27 years old.

Buy it on Amazon

Anthony Michael Karakai was born in Melbourne, Australia, and is a dual citizen of Hungary. Holding an International Business degree, he is also a qualified percussionist and music producer, having studied music extensively since the age of seven. Working in journalism, his work has been published in various magazines and websites. With an insatiable appetite for travel and an eagerness to explore off the beaten path, Karakai travels at every opportunity- his travels and ongoing commitment to exploring the world are what inspires him to write.

Contact links:

Website - http://www.anthonykarakai.com

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/karakaibooks

Twitter - @AnthonyKarakai