Black and Blue
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Shadows of Bourbon Street
Shadows of Bourbon Street
Book Description (from B&N)
From USA Today bestselling author, Deanna Chase, the fifth book in the Jade Calhoun series.
Starting a new job is tough...especially when your boss thinks nothing of interrupting your wedding.
After a year of battling ghosts and demons, white witch Jade Calhoun is finally marrying the man of her dreams. Or is she? Minutes before Jade and Kane say I do, the High Angel arrives with a job for the newly appointed shadow walkers. Another witch’s life is on the line and it’s up to Jade and Kane to save her.
With a black magic user intent on destroying one of Jade’s friends, more demons on the loose, and a hard to find incubus, can the almost newlyweds save the witch and get their own happy ending?
Starting a new job is tough...especially when your boss thinks nothing of interrupting your wedding.
After a year of battling ghosts and demons, white witch Jade Calhoun is finally marrying the man of her dreams. Or is she? Minutes before Jade and Kane say I do, the High Angel arrives with a job for the newly appointed shadow walkers. Another witch’s life is on the line and it’s up to Jade and Kane to save her.
With a black magic user intent on destroying one of Jade’s friends, more demons on the loose, and a hard to find incubus, can the almost newlyweds save the witch and get their own happy ending?
My Review
I am a big fan of the Jade Calhoun series. I just loved book 5!! I am so invested in these characters and root for each and everyone. We get some more characters in our cast this book. The new characters were totally unexpected and it was so much fun getting to know them! I can't wait for the next book and find out what trouble Jade gets into next. No matter what they go through Jade and Kane just keep getting closer and I love watching it!! This is an amazing series Read it!!
The Well House [Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway]
The Well House
A Man's Incredible Journey To Save His Pregnant Wife From The Ultimate Evil.
By M.S. Matassa
Blog Tour From July 28th to August 1st
Hosted By Ashley's Addictive Book Promotions
The dream is back and Ben Carson is terrified. His pregnant wife, Anne, is locked in a coma and Ben is the only person who can save her, but he has no idea how to accomplish this. His dreams contain clues, but they make no sense. Ben can’t figure what a small white well house and black flying creatures have to do with Anne.
Then he meets a mysterious woman named Thelma Grippe. What he learns from Thelma shakes him to the core, but gives him the knowledge to free Anne from the force keeping her in the coma. Once he locates the
well house, Ben finds a passage to another dimension, where he searches for Anne. After a long, arduous journey, Ben faces the ultimate evil that holds Anne captive.
The Well House is an exciting, unique and thoughtful story of a man’s fight against unbelievable odds to save his wife. Part drama, part fantasy and part parable, The Well House is a multi-layered tale that takes readers on an amazing journey from the mountains above Boulder Colorado to the depths of the dark zone.
The Well House is the first novel by Michael S. Matassa, an attorney and Municipal Court Judge in Arvada, Colorado. He discovered the well house in the late summer of 1994, standing by a field of corn on a small farm just south of Brighton Colorado, where it still stands today. Mr. Matassa studied at Regis College in Denver and the University of Colorado School of law. He has also written several short stories, a screenplay and is presently working on a sequel to The Well House and a ghost story called “The Baby Carriage.” He writes under the pen name of M. S. Matassa.
What
would you like to tell everyone about you that they wouldn't already know from
reading your books?
I am an attorney, municipal court judge and now
an author. I am 68 years old and live in Arvada Colorado. I was married for 42
years and my wife is deceased. I
have 5 children and 7 grandchildren. I graduated from Regis College in
Denver and obtained my law degree from the University of Colorado in
Boulder. I coached youth club soccer for
15 years and am a Denver Broncos fan
What
inspired you to write your first book?
I always wanted to write a novel but never had the time when I was
working and raising a family. I first saw the real
well house in 1994 on Hwy 85 south of Brighton Colorado and I had this idea
that it would be interesting if I went inside the
well house and it was a huge room even though it was a
6x5 structure on the outside. The story developed over the years in my
mind and on paper into what it is today. It didn't take 20 years to write but the story sat around for a long time. I finally got more serious in the last few years and decided to
finish it. This is really a personal story with many elements from my
life interspersed throughout; so I was rather apprehensive about letting the
world see what I had written. I decided that 2014 was the right time for me to
publish the book.
Do
you have a specific writing style?
My writing style is straightforward and descriptive. I develop the
story in my mind over several months and then write the book like I am watching
a movie. When I start a chapter I have a general idea what I want to write but
at least 50% of what makes it to the page happens as I write. I always say that
the story writes itself. I make a brief outline of what each chapter will deal
with after I develop the story in my mind. Then I just start writing and see
where the story goes. I generally know where I want the story to end up but how
I get there is always a surprise. I like
to write mostly short chapters of 4 to 6 pages, so readers have a place to
easily break. That's the way I like to read. And I also want to make sure the
story has a satisfying ending. My stories are a mix of reality and fantasy,
which overlap each other to keep the reader guessing.
How
did you come up with the title?
The main focus of the book is the well house. It is a portal to
another dimension. The well house actually exists on Highway 85 in Adams County
Colorado. It is a small structure that houses a water pump that pumps the well
water to the fields next to it. I never
considered any other name because the name is mysterious and the well house is
the central character in the book. I visited the well house and the neighboring
cemetery a month ago to scout the location as I prepared to start the sequels.
What
do you want your readers to get out of your novels?
My main aim is to give the readers an interesting story that will
keep their attention until the end. At the end of the book, I want the reader
to feel he/she experienced an interesting story with a satisfying ending. If
this is the case, then I feel my writing was successful.
However, all my books have multiple themes that can further
enhance the reader's enjoyment. I come from a religious/spiritual background,
so I intersperse elements of spirituality in my stories along with multiple
themes. I want the reader to have
whatever experience they personally get out of the book whether it is the basic
story or whether they can follow one of the other themes. In "The Well
House", I there are at least 5 themes that people who have read the book
have discovered.
Is
the book mostly fantasy or do you think these situations could actually happen?
This
book takes place in the mountains above Boulder, Colorado, in the cities of
Boulder, Denver, and Wheat Ridge and on highway 85 in Adams county Colorado.
All of the locations referred to in the book are real locations. The rest of the book takes place in another
dimension called the dream world and the dark zone.
Everything
that happens in the real world can definitely happen. Much of what happens in
the other dimension is a parable of the struggles that people encounter in
their real, daily lives. The events that
occur in the other dimension are a fantasy I created but what happens
represents real issues that people can encounter. This story is a unique look
at the age-old conflict between good and evil. So looking at this book as a
parable of the conflict of good versus evil, yes, much of it can really happen.
Are
the experiences fact based or from your imagination?
Many of the experiences in the book are actual events that
happened to me. This book was a catharsis for me to be able to address many
issues that had troubled me through my life. It was a great experience to be
able to write about things that had bothered me for years. When I go to book
club discussions/signings, I am asked questions about different aspects of the
book and I enjoy letting people know how and why I wrote what I did. It is
liberating.
Which
other authors do you feel have had the most influences on you as both a reader
and a writer?
Stephen King, Michael
Crichton and Dan Brown
What
book are you reading now?
Dr.
Sleep by Stephen King
What
are your current projects?
I am writing two sequels to
"The Well House". The first
sequel takes place about 7 years after the end of "The Well
House". It will be the middle book
of a trilogy and is tentatively named "The Well House, Book 2: Jack's
Revenge". It will not end well for
the Carson family. I will write the
third book immediately after the second book and it is tentatively named "The Well House, Book 3: Taylor's
Redemption".
If you like the
first book, you will definitely like the next two. The second book is meaner
and more sinister. The last book will try to put the family back together. I am
hoping that the three books taken together will provide quite a ride for the
readers. After I finish the trilogy, I have a ghost story in mind. Also I have
several short stories that I may publish.
Do
you see writing as a career?
At this point I have had a
career as an attorney and a municipal court judge. I would love to write full time but I don't
see that I could make enough income from writing, so I will probably continue
to work in the legal field and see how the writing develops. I'm definitely not
ready to retire and intend to write more novels.
Who
designed the cover?
I published my book through
Outskirts Press and hired a cover artist through them. His name is Lewis Agrell
and he is a very imaginative and talented cover designer. I gave him my ideas
and a synopsis of the book and he
created a cover that perfectly represents the themes in the book and everyone
seems to love it.
Do
you have any advice for other writers?
If you have a story you
believe in, then follow your gut feeling and start writing. Then re-read and
re-edit until you are satisfied with your product. Then have a professional
editor edit the book. I have 8 versions
of "The Well House", probably because I was an inexperienced writer.
Then I hired a professional editor to clean up my writing. Also I suggest that
any writer who is not an English major read books on how to write fiction:
beginnings, middles, ends and first 50 pages. Then read novels in your
genre. You really need to learn the
craft of writing in addition to having an imaginative mind before you dare try
to publish a book. But if you really want to publish a novel don't give up.
Which
comes first? The character's story, or, the idea for the novel?
I generally come up with the
idea for the novel, then develop a general plot, then add characters to the
story. Once I have a good idea of the story in my head, I turn the characters
loose on the page and let them go where the story leads them. I am always
surprised at what they do.
Have
you done any promotional tours for your books?
I have attended several book
club discussions and book signings. It was a great experience for me to talk
with a room full of people who had read my book. I have received great feedback
and am amazed at how different people read the same story but focus in on
different aspects of the story. It also helps me know what the readers liked in
the book, which will help me in writing the sequels. I also have a Blog tour
set up and an Internet radio interview.
When
did you first consider yourself a writer?
I considered myself an
author when I first held the paperback version of the book in my hands and read
the words on the book's pages that I had only seen in manuscript form. That was
an amazing feeling. Now I need to work on the craft of writing so that I can be
an accomplished writer. That part may never happen but I'm definitely going to
try to keep improving my writing.
Do
you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Thank you to everyone who
has gotten and read the book. I truly appreciate my readers because without
their support, my stories would only exist in my head. Readers let me share my stories with the
world.
Is
there anything else that you would like to add?
I invite you to take a
journey through the well house if you dare. Enjoy the ride.
From
above, Taylor heard a shrill scream and he opened his eyes again. Circling over
the house were several black shapes that made Taylor freeze with fear. He
stayed still on the lounge chair, pretending to be asleep. Taylor heard footsteps on the deck and looked
out of the corner of his eye in the direction of the sound. One of the black
creatures had landed about five feet from the lounge chair and walked slowly
toward him. Taylor continued to lie still, not daring to move. The creature
hopped up on the frame of the chair and opened its mouth. Taylor smelled a
sulfurous stench, making his stomach turn.
As
the creature inched forward, Taylor could no longer keep still. He bolted from
the lounge chair, yelling as loudly as he could, "Get the hell out of here.”
The
black creature jumped off the lounge chair and began circling to Taylor's left.
The creature was the size of a large raven, covered with feathers and scales.
Its beak gaped open in a hideous smile; its eyes glowed with a pale red cast.
The wings were held out slightly from the body, as if the creature was trying
to cool itself. Taylor moved back a step and noticed he was surrounded by seven
of these hideous things. They formed a tight circle around him. He was trapped.
Taylor stomped his feet in hopes that the creatures would take off, but they
stood their ground. Taylor kicked the closest creature, sending it flying
across the deck into the wall of the house, where it landed with a sickening
thud. It appeared to be unconscious, but in a few seconds the scaly creature
regained its senses and walked back to its original place in the circle.
"What
do you want?" Taylor yelled.
The
creatures started to shriek, causing Taylor to cover his ears. The pain was
excruciating and Taylor fell to his knees. Immediately the sound stopped.
Taylor saw that the creatures were changing shape. Their legs and torsos
elongated; their bodies took human form. Taylor stood frozen with fear. The
creature in front of him was now six feet tall and looked like a muscular soldier
covered with black scaly armor. A raven’s head was perched on top of the human
body; a red lizard-like tongue darted in and out of the large black beak. Human
arms and hands covered with black scales extended out from under the large
wings. Taylor felt strong hands grab him from behind and bind his arms to his
sides. He struggled, but was unable to move.
The largest creature approached and stopped within a few inches of
Taylor's face. Taylor looked into the eyes and could see flames flickering deep
in the sockets. The creature opened its mouth as if to speak, then breathed
into Taylor's face. A sick feeling rose in his stomach from the acidic stench.
His legs gave way, but strong hands held him upright.
"Are
you scared, boy?" the creature asked sarcastically.
Taylor
couldn't speak.
"Answer
me, you piece of crap."
Taylor
raised his head and whispered, "I'm not scared."
"Can't
hear you, boy!” the creature said.
"I'm
not scared,” Taylor yelled.
"Well,
you should be, boy, cause we're going to hurt you real bad. And then when your
father comes home we're going to have a barbecue. The main course will be
roasted Ben Carson. I bet you didn't think you were going to have Dad for lunch
today, did you, boy?"
"Who
are you?" Taylor asked.
"Just
a bunch of guys out for a little fun. Oh, by the way, your momma's dead, and so
is the baby."
"Shut
up, you bastard,” Taylor screamed.
The
creature let out a demonic laugh and grabbed Taylor by the front of his shirt.
"My boss doesn't like what your dad has been doing, so he sent us to give
him a message. Tell your dad to forget
the rescue. The bitch and the baby are ours. He'll know what we mean."
"Who's
your boss?" Taylor asked.
The
large creature let go of Taylor's shirt and walked to the edge of the deck.
"My boss is evil, not someone to screw with. That's all you need to
know."
The
creature turned, walked back to Taylor and said to the others, "Hold his
head."
Immediately
two of the creatures grabbed Taylor grabbed his head and held it immobile. The
black creature standing behind Taylor tightened its grip on his arms. Taylor
tried to struggle, but could not move. He had never felt such power.
"Listen
well, boy,” the large one said softly. "When your father comes home, tell
him about our visit. Let him know he is to stop all plans to save your mother.
In return, both you and he will live a long, successful life. I guarantee
it."
The
creature moved his face close to Taylor's face. "Look into my eyes. Do you
see the flames? This is serious stuff,
boy. Any questions?"
Taylor
said in a shaky voice, "No, I understand."
"Good!"
the creature said. "Oh, one more thing. I'm going to leave you with
something so your dad knows we are serious."
With the speed of a snake, the creature
inserted its open black beak into Taylor's right eye socket, grabbing the
eyeball, and crushing it slowly.
The
creature withdrew the beak and spit the crushed eyeball on the ground.
"And
now the other.”
Taylor
screamed as the beak slid into the left eye socket, crushing the remaining
eyeball. The other creatures released their grip and Taylor fell in a heap on
the wooden deck. The creatures shrank to their original size, and one by one
lifted off the deck and headed north.
Taylor
put his hands to his face and felt warm liquid flowing from his eyes. He opened
his eyelids, but no light reached his brain. In the distance, Taylor heard the
motor of his father's VW winding up the canyon.
SBM Book Obsession Review:
This book was brilliant. For me faith was the main theme of the book. Ben had to have faith in god, his family, and most of all himself. Through Matassa's wonderful writing I not only got a deep understanding of the main characters feelings and reactions, but also of other key characters in the book. I got a look at the situation through other eyes as the story went along. Matassa also gives a wonderful description of the background of the family. In the beginning it seemed slow while learning the background, but it was much appreciated once I got further into the story. It helped me to understand Ben's motives. I hope to read more from Matassa.
author website http://www.msmatassa.com/
Independant author network page http://bit.ly/1oY2j4S
Indiscretion Volume 1
Indiscretion Volume 1
Releasing August 4, 2014
Description of Book (from website)
F*ck and chuck. Pump and dump. Hit it and quit it. One night stand. Didn't matter how I brandd it-that's all she had wanted it to be. That much was clear when she left me with my pants down and my d*ck still out.
What she hadn't counted on was fate intervening and our worlds colliding-again
The day I showed back up in the life of Chloe Griffins, I knew I had to have her again. My body was hungry for another taste. Like an addict, I'd been craving another hit for months, and there she was-flesh and bone, tits and ass.
The fact that she worked for the competition should've been reason enough for me to leave her alone. I had a job to do that summer and f*ucking Chole wasn't part of it. But I was like a man possessed.
I'd do whatever it took to have her again.
My Review
First I have to say that Contemporary Romance isn't my favorite genre. Saying that, this book was so good!!! It got my attention right from the start and I couldn't put it down. It was so hot, sensual, and sexy as hell!! I just fell in love with Max Richfield and wanted to just slap Chloe. You have a man like Max paying attention to you, you need to jump! He's so passionate and considerate. He knows what he wants and goes after it. He makes me swoon! I am so excited to read the next installment! I will be following this series to the end.
Justice Falling [Release Day Blitz]
Title: Justice Falling, Falling Series Book 3
Author: Audrey Carlan
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance (Erotic)
Sweet and naïve in the ways of the world, Camille “Cami” Johnston has done whatever it takes to survive in New York City. Unbroken by her tumultuous past, she is pursuing a stable and secure future that doesn’t include worrying about where the rent money will come from. Little does she know, a full-time position at Jensen Construction will do more than pay the bills, it will bring her everything she ever dreamed of having, but didn’t believe she was worthy of.
Known ladies’ man, Nathaniel “Nate” Walker, has never had a problem securing a date. As a widely successful lawyer and business owner, he knows exactly how to get what he wants, when he wants it, in and out of the courtroom… until he meets Camille Johnston.
Nate’s overly confident, alpha male tendencies toward Cami have her thoughts and emotions in a jumble of uncertainty and lust. But once the sparks fly between the cheeky lawyer and his precious Camille, the resounding flames are unstoppable.
As the couple try to find their way toward a future they both yearn for, secrets from Camille’s past and present start piling up into a vortex of half-truths and lies of omission. Now the instant connection that brought Nate and Cami together is held together by a tenuous thread.
With a little help from their friends, Camille and Nate’s steamy, romantic, breathless journey finishes off the third installment of The Falling Series.
Each book in the Falling Series can be read as a standalone but are better when read together. All three books are intended for readers 18+ due to language and graphic sexual content.
Suggested Reading Order:
Angel Falling – Book 1
London Falling – Book 2
Justice Falling – Book 3
Audrey Carlan is a professional fundraiser for an international healthcare related charity by day, and a sensual and erotic contemporary romance writer by night. She lives in the sunny California Valley two hours away from the city, the beach, the mountains and the precious…the vineyards. She has been married to the love of her life for 10 years and has two young children that live up to their title of “Monster Madness” on daily basis. When she’s not raising money, sipping wine with her “soul sisters”, three incredibly different and unique voices in her life, she can be found with her nose stuck in book or her Kindle. A hot, smutty, romantic book to be exact!
In life she believes that all things have their purpose even if we are unable to determine the purpose immediately.
Connect with Audrey Carlan:
Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.com/e/B00JAVVG8U
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/audrey.carlan.1
Bittersweet Revenge [Release Day Blitz]
Bittersweet Revenge
by J.L. Beck
Series: Bittersweet, #1
Genre: Mature YA/New Adult - Novella
Publish Date: July 26, 2014
.jpg)
I’m a slut. Or at least that’s what everyone calls me. I guess that’s what you get when everyone thinks you've slept with the whole football team and then some.
My junior year of high school I gave my heart to Corey Winchester. He was handsome, cocky, and a pure gentlemen. Then everything changed in an instant. When I found out he was spreading malicious rumors about me, after I refused to sleep with him I was utterly surprised. To add to it, he broke up with me in front of the whole school. I essentially became the laughing stock of the town. People that I once called my friends became my enemies. Finding a way to ruin my life one day at a time.
Now the shitty part is I should have known a pretty boy like him was too good to be true. After ruining my reputation and life I did everything I could to stay under the radar, but it just wasn't enough. I slowly learned that all the torment, and hate was all for one thing. Revenge. That’s what Corey wanted, and why I didn't know. Then Rex Winchester came along. Corey’s cousin, and someone I knew I shouldn't be getting close with. A whole six feet of hotness, a smile that melted the panties off of every girl in a fifty mile radius, and a heart of gold. He could have anyone he wanted, so why he chose me Corey’s ex, the bullied, slutty girl was beyond me. All I knew was that I wanted him. I wanted him more than anything. The problem was, I couldn't tell if Rex, was just like Corey or if his intentions were as innocent as he was making them out to be.
My names Jenna Haines, and this is the story of how the one thing I wanted.. turned out to be the one thing that would hurt me the most. What happens when the one thing you least expect to happen, does? When all the lies and secrets come out. Well you're about find out.
Our eyes met from across the table. His looking as if they were asking for more, answers. He looked curious, and I wasn’t looking for curious. “Yeah mine too. Let’s go get a shake. FFA still does that shake Friday thing right?” I asked. I could really go for a mint chocolate-chip shake right about now. We got up to dump our trays, but before I could move out of my seat an arm snaked around my shoulder pushing me back down. I turned all but growling as I realized the arm belonged to the mongrel Corey. “Remove your fucking arm from my body before I show you what it’s like to have your balls stuffed up your ass.” He smiled, a big toothy grin, dimples and all that use to have me melting in his hands, now I just wanted to puke all over his face. Distress singles were going off like crazy in my head.
“Tsk, tsk, is that anyway to talk to me Jenna?” He said his arm very much still around me. I was about to lose my shit. “Move on asshole, no one cares what you have to say.” Mimi yelled.
He tilted his head at her as if trying to find her one weakness. The best thing about Mimi was anything that he said to her she would brush off. I however wouldn't.
“Hmm. Why don’t you stop worrying about me, and put your tits back in your shirt. That is unless you're joining the slut club that Jenna here is the president of?” Mimi smiled, leaning across the table, giving him a huge eyeful of her cleavage. “I think your lost buddy, president of the slut club is Marie Jameson.” She replied in a sultry tone pointing to the end of the table.
“But in case you can’t find her let me draw you a map with some crayons, you go past leave us the fuck alone, turn right at fuck off, and oh look you're in slut country.” His eyes dilated, and I couldn’t hold my laughter in. Mimi always knew how to tell someone to fuck off.
I pushed his arm off of me, catching a smirk on Rex’s face at the end of the table, knowing he had probably heard the whole conversation.
Corey gazed at me, following my line of vision to Rex. As soon as I seen I was caught I dropped my eyes down to my tray. The last thing I needed was Corey having yet another thing to use against me. His face leaned into mine, I could feel his hot breath on my cheek. The last time we were in a position like this was the very last time he kissed me. It was the last time, he ever treated me like anything other than a door mat.
“I won't warn you off, because you know what I’m capable of Jenna. But if you think you have a chance with Rex you’re more than fucking wrong. Don’t cross me, you know as much as I do you don’t fit in with that crowd. I mean look at us, how well did that work out. If you think I make your life hard now, lets just say it can get ten times harder.” He whispered in my ear, wrapping a small strand of my hair around his finger before standing.
“Also you might want to start fighting your own battles. Oh and nice tits Mimi.” He said loudly well smirking. My heart was racing, as he walked away. An encounter like that never happened before. School had been in session only a week and I knew that he would more than live up to his word on hurting me.
“What a fucking douche-asshat-fucking-cumsucker” Mimi said under her breath as he walked away. I couldn't agree more, but I wasn't going to keep retaliating against him. One he wasn't worth it really, and two I would be out of here in nine short months. If I could just manage to get through it.
Mimi reached across the table and grabbed my hand, pushing me from my thoughts. “Don’t let his false threats get to you. He will get what’s coming to him, he will pay for what he’s done to you. Maybe not today, or tomorrow but someday. I swear to it Jenna.” She said sincerely.
“You know I love you right. If I was into girls I would totally choose you as my girlfriend. No homo of course.” She giggled. “Sorry love, but I’m very much into dick. Like a lot.” I laughed back. This was true friendship right here. Now to get through the rest of the day without another encounter from either of the Winchester boys.
J.L. Beck is an up and coming new author. Her book Bittersweet Revenge will be releasing August 12th. She has always had a love for books and, since she could reach the books on a shelf, she has been reading. In her free time when she’s not talking to the voices in her head you can find her spending time with her husband Brandon and their two year old munchkin Bella. Some of her favorite things to do are read (of course), spend time outside, and catch up on all the angsty drama filled shows she misses during the week. She has a major addiction to social media and Starbucks coffee.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)