Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Catherine's Cross

Today's special guest is Millie West. A graduate of the University of South Carolina, Millie has a background in aviation, as well as in real estate, and has owned and been the broker of her own company. A licensed pilot, Millie was one of the first pilots hired by United Parcel Service when they started their flight crew department.
  
An artist in her own right and a collection of regional art—especially from Charleston—Millie is a supporter of charitable organizations, higher education, and the preservation of South Carolina’s historical treasures. A South Carolina history buff, Millie has spent countless hours exploring the rich historical vestiges of her home state. She has viewed many treasures of the past by taking less-traveled paths into the countryside that was inhabited by Native Americans hundreds of years ago.

Her love of the fascinating, complex, and compelling history of the South is expressed in her writing.

Millie resides with her family near Columbia, South Carolina, and is an active participant in her local writers’ group, the Chapin Chapter of the South Carolina Writers Workshop. To learn more about Millie West and her first novel, The Cast Net, and her latest release, Catherine’s Cross, visit www.milliewestauthor.com.


AN INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR

I noticed your book takes place in the Low Country of South Carolina. What is it about that particular region that lends itself so well to your book's plot?
The Beaufort, South Carolina area is perfect for the plot of Catherine’s Cross. Beaufort was founded in 1711. Over the centuries, a number of taverns were located along the waterways in Beaufort County, especially the Beaufort River and the Morgan River. Beer and wine bottles were thrown into the rivers after consumption. I have been visiting Beaufort for about twenty years and have seen these ancient bottles for sale in antique stores after they were recovered by divers. In my novel, Jenks’s identical twin sister dies while diving for artifacts in the Beaufort River. Bottles weren’t the only things she found.
Civil War Period: In the fall of 1861, the Federal Navy invaded Beaufort, Port Royal, and Hilton Head setting up a naval base that would be maintained throughout the war. Catherine’s Cross is a fictitious gold crucifix that was from the collection of Catherine the Great. A wealthy plantation owner, Luke Elliott, purchased it for his daughter, Iris, on a tour of Europe prior to the war. Early in the Federal occupation, the cross and other valuables were stolen from the Elliott plantation home by Union soldiers. According to legend, a ship bound for a northern destination sank near St. Helena sound with the cross on board—going to rest at the bottom of the sea—until, it was recovered.
Also, there are descendants of Gullah people (descendants of African slaves) who play an important role in my novel, spiritual advisor Meta Jane Andrews and her sister, Ida Mae. Meta Jane and Ida Mae are in possession of old diaries written by their ancestor, a slave, Joseph Andrews. These diaries document the Civil War period in Beaufort and include a valuable reference to the lost cross of Iris Elliott: Catherine’s cross.  Another figure, the old fisherman, Mose Lafitte, represents purity and honesty.

Can you tell us something about the Gullah culture and background, for those of us who know nothing about them?
The Gullah culture is unique to the Sea Islands of South Carolina, and Georgia. For many years, the Gullah people (descendants of African slaves) were isolated from the outside world, but due to development on these islands, their culture is changing.  Check out this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gullah Let me know if you need more information.

What type of research did you go into for the medium in your book?
The psychic, Meta Jane, is a composite of several people I have heard of and read about over the years. I gave consideration to an experience a friend of mine, Laura, had when she went to a psychic. After the death of her neighbor, who supposedly died after falling down a set of steps, Laura started to have a recurring nightmare. In the dream, the dead woman would appear to my friend and tell her to instruct her daughter, (the dead woman’s daughter) to continue to do what she was doing. My friend spoke with the dead woman’s daughter about her dreams. What her daughter was doing was engaging the Raleigh Durham police to investigate her stepfather for murdering her mother. The police investigation concluded that the stepfather had murdered his wife by repeatedly bludgeoning her in the head. The fall down the stairs was actually a push down the stairs. (This murder investigation was in the national news several years ago.)
In Catherine’s Cross, Gigi appears to Jenks with a gold cross with red stones on a necklace around her neck. A voice repeats the word twins. As Jenks discovers, she and her late sister are not the only set of identical twins important to the story.

Please tell us romance fans about the romance in your book. On a scale of 1 to 10, how hot is it? And why did you want to have their romance at that level?
Romance in Catherine’s Cross: I would say the romance level in the book would be about a level three. There are no explicit sex scenes in my novel. The reader knows Seth and Jenks are lovers, but I do not want to get into heavy descriptions. I prefer my readers use their imagination. 

Will there be more of Jenks in future novels?
There could be more of Jenks in future novels. The cross was the only piece of Gigi’s treasure that was recovered. The rest of what Frank Hiller got away with is still missing, and a sequel could result with a search for the other artifacts. We could hear from Seth and Jenks again!
 
ABOUT THE BOOK

When Jenks Ellington experiences a sudden, alarming sense of panic about her identical twin sister Gigi, she has to wait until nearly midnight before learning the reason for her unease: Gigi has drowned while diving for artifacts in a Low Country river near Beaufort, South Carolina. Although Beaufort County detective Seth Mason is suspicious of Gigi’s diving partner, there is no evidence of foul play. But, when Gigi’s Port Royal home is broken into and ransacked, Jenks discovers two clues—one of which leads her to the home of a local Gullah medium.

In a painstaking search for answers, Jenks delves more deeply into her twin’s life. Along the way, her bond with Detective Mason reaches unexpected depths. And what secrets could medium Meta Jane be holding? Was Gigi’s death really an accident?
 
AN EXCERPT

A sneak peek of the first chapter is available here:

 

LEAVE A COMMENT AND WIN A GIFT!

Millie will be awarding autographed copies of Catherine’s Cross to three randomly drawn commenters (US only) and a $20 credit to buy any book through BQB Publishing’s online store to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: 


Follow Millie here:



 

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Bad Publicity

Today's special guest is Joanne Sydney Lessner, the author of BloodWrites Award-Winner and Awesome Indies Mystery Pick The Temporary Detective, which introduces Isobel Spice, aspiring actress and resourceful office temp turned amateur sleuth. Isobel’s adventures continue in Bad Publicity. Joanne’s debut novel, Pandora's Bottle (Flint Mine Press), which was inspired by the true story of the world’s most expensive bottle of wine, was named one of the top five books of 2010 by Paperback Dolls. 

No stranger to the theatrical world, Joanne enjoys an active performing career, and with her husband, composer/conductor Joshua Rosenblum, has co-authored several musicals, including the cult hit Fermat's Last Tango and Einstein's Dreams, based on the celebrated novel by Alan Lightman. Her play, Critical Mass, received its Off Broadway premiere in October 2010 as the winner of the 2009 Heiress Productions Playwriting Competition.


ABOUT THE BOOK

In the world of PR, there’s only one crime worse than killing a deal—killing a client.

Aspiring actress and office temp Isobel Spice finds a warm welcome at Dove & Flight Public Relations, thanks to her old school friend Katrina Campbell. However, the atmosphere chills considerably when Isobel unwittingly serves an important client a deadly dose of poisoned coffee. Her stalwart temp agent, James Cooke, rushes to her aid, but balks when he learns that the victim was the fraternity brother who got him expelled from college. News that Dove & Flight is being acquired by an international conglomerate quickly supplants the murder as the hot topic of office gossip, but Isobel is convinced the two events are related. When all roads of inquiry lead back to Katrina, Isobel is forced to consider the possibility that her friend’s killer instincts go beyond public relations.



AN EXCERPT

Isobel Spice stared at the handsome young man slumped over his coffee cup and thought desperately: not again.

She carefully set her tray of melon chunks and assorted pastries on the credenza at the side of the windowless conference room and tiptoed over to the solitary figure at the large oval table.

He’d probably just dozed off. Or maybe he’d passed out. There was no reason to think he was dead just because she’d stumbled across a dead body in an office once before.

But something about the angle of the young man’s body was just plain wrong. Isobel gingerly pressed her fingers against the pale, slender wrist. She’d never been good at locating a pulse, even on herself—she’d lied to many an exercise instructor over the years—but somehow she knew that in this case, if there were a pulse to be found, she would be able to find it.

There was nothing. Not even the faintest throb.

Isobel let the man’s hand drop back onto the table. His gold signet ring cracked loudly against the wood, startling her. She turned his hand over and was disproportionately relieved to find the ruby-colored stone still intact within its school crest. Isobel gently released his hand and slipped out into the hallway, her panic rising as she gathered steam and burst into Katrina Campbell’s office.

“Your client is dead!”



LEAVE A MESSAGE AND WIN A PRIZE!

Joanne will be giving away the following prizes: At each stop, one ebook copy of her novel Pandora's Bottle, inspired by the world's most expensive bottle of wine. A grand prize of a $25 Amazon GC will be awarded to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. One randomly drawn host will receive a paperback or ebook copy of her novel Pandora's Bottle.

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/04/virtual-tour-temporary-detective-and.html


AUTHOR LINKS:


The Temporary Detective






Bad Publicity

Thursday, June 20, 2013

The Disillusioned

Today's special guest is D.J. Williams. With the DNA of a world traveler, Williams was born in Hong Kong, has ventured into the jungles of the Amazon, the bush of Africa, and the slums of the Far East, to share stories of those who are overcoming incredible odds. He is the co-author of Restoration Road with Mitch Kruse and has produced and directed over 140 television episodes syndicated on NBC, ABC, FOX and various cable networks worldwide. Currently, he lives in Los Angeles, California with his wife.


ABOUT THE BOOK

A mother’s suicide threatens to destroy a family legacy. Her sons, Sam and Daniel, are forced to leave their comfortable worlds behind and search for a woman they believe can unlock the secrets that have remained hidden. They are propelled into separate journeys from Los Angeles to the heart of the Zambezi where they are forced to confront a man known as Die Duiwel, the Devil. On their adventures they will find themselves in a place where death is one breath away, where thousands of children are disappearing into the darkness, and where the woman they are searching for is on the hunt for revenge. When they stand face-to-face with the forgotten slaves of Africa they will fight to redeem what has been lost.    

“A fast-paced mystery…you won’t put it down until
you’ve unlocked the secrets and lies to find the truth.”
Judith McCreary, Co-Executive Producer
Law & Order: SVU, Criminal Minds, & CSI

“Riveting...an indelible picture painted with suspense.”
Mitch Kruse, Author of Restoration Road

“An engrossing tale…makes you think about the world we live in and your place in it.”
Tony Guerrero, Founder of F.A.C.T. Alliance: Fight Against Child Trafficking

  AN EXCERPT

Ten years later I had my hands full with two young boys while John was busy traveling the world. I went with him on occasion, but for the most part I stayed home and watched my babies grow into young men. At times it was as if I were a single parent. I could’ve spoken up. I could’ve objected to the sacrifices we made in the name of God. Maybe I should have, but I didn’t. Instead I enjoyed the comforts of being a wife, our beachfront home, a private jet leased by the church, a cabin in Lake Isabella, John’s seven figure salary, as well as his book royalties. A bonus was the respect given to us whenever we entered a room by those who didn’t know us. It was flattering, and addicting.

This isn’t my life anymore.

I’ve been locked up here for one thousand and ninety five days. I’ve had time to think about the choices I’ve made. I’ve thought about what is best for everyone. I’ve become a burden. I know it. I feel it. I hate it. The whispers inside tell me there’s only one decision to make, undoubtedly the hardest one of all. It goes against everything I’ve believed.
        
But nothing is the same as it once was.
        
God forgive me.
 
LEAVE A COMMENT AND WIN A PRIZE!

One randomly drawn commenter will win a $30 Amazon gift certificate.

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/03/blurb-blitz-tour-disillusioned-by-dj.html

LINKS:

 

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Hidden

Today's special guest is M. Lathan. She lives in San Antonio with her husband and mini-schnauzer. She enjoys writing and has a B.S. in Psych and a Masters in Counseling. Her passion is a blend of her two interests – creating new worlds and stocking them with crazy people. She enjoys reading anything with interesting characters and writing in front of a window while asking rhetorical questions … like her idol Carrie Bradshaw.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Sixteen-year-old Leah Grant has given up on being normal. She’d settle for stopping the voices in her head, intrusive visions of the future, and better odds of making it to her seventeenth birthday.

That’s the thing about pretending to be human in a world where magic used to exist – at any moment, her cover could be blown and she’ll be burned to death like the rest of the witches.

Everything changes when she loses control of her powers and flees the orphanage she grew up in. She desperately wants to be invisible but finds her face plastered on every news channel as humans panic over the possible resurgence of her kind. And now the hunters won’t give up until they find her.
Making friends for the first time in her life and falling in love with one of them drives her to discover why she is unlike any being she’s ever met – human or otherwise. The dangerous powers inside of her that would repel Nathan, her new, handsome reason for living, are priceless to some. The locked up forever kind of priceless. And to others, they are too dangerous to allow her to live.

Let’s hope she can stay hidden.

AN EXCERPT

A far second to oranges, the song I sang in the shower every night had a way of soothing me. More than anything, it made me tired enough to fall asleep. With Whitney gone, I didn’t have to whisper it.
The stars are out,
It’s time for bed.
Now close your eyes,
And rest your head.
May angels shield you with their wings,
As you dream your little angel dreams.
I didn’t recall composing that song, but apparently, I used to think I was good and perfect like the angels. I knew better now.
I stepped out of the shower and tugged a brush through my unruly brown tangles. I stared into the mirror over the sink as I started the song again. My skin screamed winter. I should be a warmer tan; I looked less creepy in the summer. Maybe that was why the girls had been digging into me so hard. I looked rather witchy. The unease that made them mock me was probably their souls warning them, urging them to notice I was different and dangerous.
At my worst, it feels like the fire that could easily shoot from my palm is raging inside of me. My heart picks up, more than when I’m scared. It pounds, I can’t hear. My blood dances, taunting me, begging me to hurt whoever’s hurt me. And I know that I can. I feel that I can.
But I don’t. I breathe and pray and let the magic cool.
 
LEAVE A COMMENT - AND WIN A PRIZE!

 

One randomly chosen commenter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card.

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/04/virtual-book-tour-hidden-by-m-lathan.html

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Links:

Website: www.mlathan.com
Twitter: @hiddenseries

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Fatal Exposure

Today's special guest is Gail Barrett. A former RITA® and Daphne finalist, Gail has received the Book Buyer’s Best Award, the Holt Medallion, the Booksellers Best, The National Readers’ Choice Award, and numerous other awards.  She lives with her husband in Western Maryland.  Readers can contact her through her website: www.gailbarrett.com.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Cold-case detective Parker McCall has spent fifteen years trying to solve his brother’s murder.  Now a chance photo of the killer in the newspaper sets him hard on the woman’s trail.  A former teenaged runaway, reclusive, award-winning photojournalist B.K. Elliot chronicles the harsh reality of life on the streets -- until a photo in the paper reveals her identity, blowing the lid off her secret past.  With a powerful murderer now dogging her heels, and her police officer step-father determined to silence her permanently, the last person she can afford to trust is a cop.  So why does sexy police detective Parker McCall tempt her to break her silence and resurrect ideals she’d lost years ago?  As danger closes in, and with more than her own life at stake, Brynn must decide if the duty-bound cop will betray her...or heal her battered heart.


AN EXCERPT

His gaze swung back to hers. Several seconds ticked by. His scrutiny made her uneasy, the intensity in his eyes making it impossible to breathe.

And, suddenly, Brynn suspected he knew more than he’d let on—about her relationship to her stepfather, about her troubled childhood, about the horrific abuse that drove her from home. That he was simply biding his time—like the trained interrogator he was—waiting for her to confess the truth.

She couldn’t believe how tempted she was to do just that—to forget that he was a cop, to ignore the danger hounding her footsteps and tell him the unvarnished truth.

But then, Parker’s expression changed. His eyes were just as intense, but hotter, more hypnotic, like whirlpools dragging her under—in a decidedly sensual way.

Her pulse battered her throat. He pushed away from the truck and moved even closer, trapping her against the cab. And that insane attraction rippled between them, that unruly maelstrom of need.

Her breath backed up in her lungs. Her belly tightened, acute tremors of excitement tripping along her nerves. She tore her gaze from his jet black eyes to the black stubble shadowing his granite jaw, and stalled on his gripping mouth. Then he reached out and stroked his finger down her cheek, sending a torrent of pleasure streaming through her veins.

Was he going to kiss her?

His gaze dropped to her mouth. Her heart nearly leaped from her chest.

And for a wild moment she wondered if she should push him away—or pull him close.
 
LEAVE A COMMENT - AND WIN A GIFT


Gail will be awarding a $25 Amazon / BN (or other bookstore of the winner's choice) GC to one randomly drawn commenter during this tour and her other Book Blast on June 21st.

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/05/book-blast-fatal-exposure-by-gail.html


Links to buy the book:

Barnes and Noble paperback and Nook:
 

Monday, June 17, 2013

No Gentleman Is He

Today we have two guests - the writing team of Lynette Willows and Carly Bauer.

Lynette Willows lives in rural Alberta, Canada. Her debut novel, No Gentleman Is He, is the first in the Sons of Liberty.
 
Lynette lived on an Indian reserve in a teepee with her young son for three months in the winter; she's chased storms, and worked as a social services aide on one of the most troubled and dangerous reserves in Canada, where she met great friends as well as made a few enemies.
She enjoys camping, movies, especially historical bio dramas, strange dogs, stranger cats, exclamation points, coffee mugs with stupid sayings, friends, the crazier the better, family, as long as they are crazier than she is, and she has a huge collection of shiny, outrageous earrings. Yes, she's a magpie. She'll only play chess with her husband because he’ll let her win.
If you’re curious about her favorite reading material, it’s very eclectic and varied. She's extremely picky about what she reads, so check out her “to read” list on Goodreads. You can also follow her and Carley, her talented, patient, and illustrious co-author at their fan page on Facebook at “Lynette Willows & Carley Bauer”. She's also on Twitter under @LynetteWillows, as well as Pinterest, though she's still figuring that out. You are welcome to also visit her and chat at “Lynette Willows, Author” at http://lynettewillows.blogspot.ca/.

“I have enormous respect for the reader. They are able to take symbols from a page that an author has invented, and turn them into images in their minds that create an enduring story. If that’s not artistry, I don’t know what is.”-Lynette Willows

Carley Bauer enjoys life on the eastern seaboard of the U.S. with her husband and their blue eyed feline, Noelle. After 30 years as a state contractor in a self employed capacity, she decided to try her hand at her first love, writing.

She loves being an empty nester, free to travel with her husband. Still involved with her children and grandchildren, Carley loves big family events. Some of her other hobbies are home decor, fashion, graphic arts, and the occasional bite of the Big Apple where the excitement feeds her natural love of city life.


AN INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHORS

Lynette, thanks for joining us here today! What time period does the book take place? Why did you select that particular era; what about it appealed to you?

Carley and I have been interactively writing for about ten years now. When we started this particular story line, set in 1775, the start of the conflict between the colonialists and the Crown, we realized this story was good enough to try to publish. In fact, within six months, we had enough material for a three book series. I admit, it was Carley who had a fascination for this era of American history, and she drew me into it. Being Canadian, I didn’t know much about the Revolutionary War until we did the research. Then I was fascinated.

The book takes place against the backdrop of breeding horses. Was that taken from your own love of horses or did you have to do a lot of research?
Both Carley and I love horses, and I have been around them for many years. I had to do quite a bit of research, since I was mostly just a rider like Carley, and I was an owner. While I knew the care and maintenance of them, I had to research quite a bit of the foaling procedure as it was done in that time, since I never bred horses, though I have witnessed a foaling or two. I talked to some friends who were veterinarians and horse breeders for technical advice on foaling and gelding, and whether the feed information was accurate.
Were Cassandra's and Colton's characters based on anyone in particular? How do you research personality traits?

Colton’s earthy, straight forward attitude is predominate in my area of farming and ranching here in Alberta. His personality concerning horses and life are typical. His bitterness towards people is not, though it has a reason. Carley’s portrayal of Cassandra is based on her admiration for strong women who could cope in any situation and still retain their femininity. Those qualities in women are timeless.
What is your favorite scene in the book and why?

I think the preparation and the actual battle at Concord. Writing those scenes were exciting! I just hope the excitement carries to the reader. I wish I could have done more with it, but it’s not conducive to romance.

 
ABOUT THE BOOK

Young, adventurous and widowed in a new land, Cassandra Courtney Brooks finds her dream of raising a superior breed of saddle horse slipping away with the death of her husband. Left with four horses, living in a tavern attic, and her scant savings depleting, she resolves to see her vision through to fruition by accepting the scandalous position of steward at Varina Farms.

Born in the image of his native ancestry, Colton Rolfe’s savage blood runs through his veins. Scorned by his father, Colt grew into a man of ill temperament whose only interest is the wild equine beasts on his plantation. His desire to breed his horses with the superior Thoroughbreds of the newly widowed Cassandra Brooks leads him to abandon societal rules. Colt’s growing resentment toward the Crown and his assistance to Sons of Liberty missions is complicated by the discovery that Cassandra’s father is a titled English nobleman.

Cassandra is soon forced to question the wisdom of her decision when she finds herself enamored with her employer. As fiery passion grows between them, Cassandra realizes her own spirit of independence, love of the land, and the savage man who is so much a part of it.
As the threat of war comes ever closer, wills are tested through gunfire, treachery, danger, and kidnapping. Does Colt dare trust Cassandra with Sons of Liberty secrets? More importantly, can he trust her with his heart? And will Colt ever trust Cassandra enough to love her as she longs to be loved?
  AN EXCERPT

The gathering dispersed in their arranged directions. Colt looked back at Cassandra, seeing longing in her eyes. If the British caught up with them, it was likely he would not see her again.

Against his better judgment, he pivoted toward her. She rose from the chair and walked slowly toward him.

"Be careful," she said. He could hear the quiver in her voice. "I...the British are so well trained and the militia is no comparison to them."

He touched her cheek and leaned in. "Are you saying you do not trust me to beat those pasty-skinned pansies?'

"You could take on the world," she managed a smile.

He looked into her eyes, his mouth moving to hers. Damnit it all to hell, if he was being sent onto a battlefield to die, he was taking her kiss with him. He tasted the sweetness of her mouth, the velvety softness of her lips and for a minute was lost in time. It was not until he heard a loud clearing of Jackson's voice that he let go of her. Without a word, he turned and walked through the door. He heard the faint sound of her voice but did not turn. If he looked at her once more, he may never leave.
 
LEAVE A COMMENT - AND WIN A PRIZE!

There will be two winners drawn at the end of the tour. Winner 1 will receive a lovely pair of colonial era  earrings (U.S. only please due to shipping constraints); Winner 2 will receive a $100 Amazon GC.

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/04/virtual-book-tour-no-gentleman-is-he-by.html

LINKS:

Email: carleybauer210 [at] gmail.com

No Gentleman Is He available for purchase at:

Tirgearr to Author Carley Bauerwww.tirpub.com/cbauer

Tirgearr Publishing: http://www.tirpub.com/NGIH