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Sunday, September 25, 2016

Vote Now! Where should I send my royalties?

The Ruthless Storm Trilogy is about Evan O'Conner's as much as it is about his victims. 

Read this then vote -- poll on the right side bar -- for who I send my In the Midst of the Storm royalties to.

In the Midst of the Storm Webpage.

In the first volume Eye of the Storm Eilida's Tragedy the reader meets Eilida, Evan's second victim and reads about the horrors she suffered at his hands.

In volume 2 The Calm Before the Storm Evan's Sins the reader is taken into his mind and world. They meet him up close and personal. This is the toughest of the series to read and takes a strong stomach but there's no other way to write it. Evan is an egotistical psychopath, even so, he was made into what he turned out to be.

Volume 3 In the Midst of the Storm Tommy's Deception the reader gets to know Tommy. Is he really Evan's protege, killer or something far worse and why? The reader also gest to know Eilida on a different level and see how the horror she suffered has followed her even after May 8, 2014. The reader also meets another victim -- one that has been a victim from birth. 

To go even further, reader's have asked many questions about the girls Evan left behind. They want to know what happened to them after. Those secrets will be exposed in the Evan's Girls series. The first book is due next fall and the first 2 chapters are at the end of In the Midst of the Storm.

With all this I decided to donate 100% of In the Midst of the Storm royalties for the entire month of October. That includes ALL pre-orders as I make no royalties on a pre-order until the books official release date.

I plead with you to vote -- poll on the right side bar -- for who I send those royalties to. Both places help victims of crime.

Don't be a slouch, take a vote. It matters. Help me help them.

Please share this post. The more people who are aware the more voting and money I will have to send.

Voting ends September 30th at midnight EDT! Then the winner will be announced with a post for everyone to share.

Chicanery by Barbara Chioffi Book Review

Another set of chilling tales by Barbara Chioffi. Last year she had three in Trickery this year she released eight!



My Review:

Eight chilling tales by author Barbara Chioffi. Each of these stories left me excited to read the next one and a bit sad when I got to the end. It’s a little reminiscent to me of reading Hitchcock or Poe short story collections.

I loved each one but The Basement was my favorite because unfinished basements have always freaked me out. The story is about a young girl who being adventurous and curious finds something outside her house that pushes her toward searching the basement. It’s something I might have done so was easy to relate with.

Another I really enjoyed is The Whisper. The protagonist is a horror book writer and she encounters a clown. No more said. It’s the perfect book for fall with its spooky tales and I’ll be reading it again and again.

Amazon
Barbara's Facebook Page

Stacking Promotions

It's become common and there's lots of talk about stacking book promotions recently.

It was shortly after In the Beginning Baby Girl Book I went perma-free that I started making a list of advertisers that got results. Each week or so I bought an ad somewhere and kept track of the sales data -- free downloads vs. sales of my other books. Spacing the ads at least a week apart gave me data. Remember I'm a science person and want to test only one variable at a time.

In the process of scheduling ads, collecting data, and determining which companies got my book results I accidentally scheduled two ads together. Uh oh! I kicked myself because the data would be skewed. What I found as is common with so many accidents while testing was my book soared for a longer period of time but I lacked data on which company got better results. I scheduled each at a later date on non conflicting schedules and got that data.

With my accidental discovery I used the data and companies to stack book promotions for the release of The Vampires Next Door and it worked like a charm. Stacking promotions wasn't all I did it was actually step 2. However, armed with data I implemented a plan and it worked.

If you're considering stacking promotions first get data that tells you where to go. Don't jump in blindly. The best advertisers take an approach that sends your book to readers who want it, your genre, not a blanket approach. 

Why is a genre specific approach good? It's simple. Your book goes to readers who are going to purchase, enjoy and come back for more. It's like sending an email. If you don't address it the email goes no where but once you put it the recipients name the email goes directly to that person. Targeted ads get the best results.

Once you know where to schedule ads then start stacking.



Saturday, September 24, 2016

What We'll Do For Blood by C.L. Mannarino Book Review

What We'll Do For Blood is book 1in The Almost Human Series. It's a fantastic book 1 to draw the reader into CL Mannarino's fictional vampire world.



My Review:
Thoroughly enjoyed it! It’s full of action and suspense. Scott has suspicions about a neighbor a colleague of his father’s. So he sets out to spy on her when his father and mother begin having problems. Creeping beneath Maria’s window he sees his father and her hot and heavy then the unthinkable happens when Maria takes a bite from his neck and drinks his blood. Scott can’t wrap his mind around it.

Overall this is a very engaging story. There was one part that through me. It seemed out of character but it was a small plot glitch and I'm not giving away any spoilers on my blog. This is a wonderfully written, captivating book.

The author kept me interested and reading. Absolutely recommend this book for those who love bloodsucking beasts and suspense.

Amazon
C.L. Mannarino Website

Claimed by the Lycan by Kristen Middleton Audiobook Review

Another hit! I've listened to many of Kristen Middleton's stories and really love the fast pace and action.



My Review:
This is a spinoff from Kristen Middleton Night Roamers series. Lycan Megan has been running for over a decade from an egotistical Lycan whore. She fears for the life of her daughter Caitlyn. After a premonition of sorts she goes back to Minnesota and faces the man who she fears.

As always with Kristen Middleton this story is exciting and filled with action. Megan is put in a situation where she has to rescue her daughter and mother. She enlists the help of the sexy Lycan Turin. There is an immediate attraction between them and the story gets a little steamy.

Maren McGuire narrates the story. Her voice matched the story as it made Megan’s character pop for me. If I have any complaint is that the story is too short. For readers of fantastic supernatural stories this is a fun one.

This book is available in Kindle for .99 and can be upgraded to audio for 1.99. It's a great bargain for $3. That's what I did.

Amazon/Audible
iTunes

The Hospital:The First Mountain Man Story by Keith C. Blackmore Audiobook Review

Not the best, not the worst. For a free book it was entertaining!



My Review:

I picked this one up free and it was intriguing enough I enjoyed it and listened to the entire story. Augustus lives in a world taken over by zombies and he’s doing his normal bit when he gets taken captive by a crazy old lady. The story was a little slow moving and had a major character hole for me. In the beginning he walks into a shop and hears strange sounds coming from upstairs. Tuned into the commotion upstairs he forgets his immediate surroundings leaving him vulnerable and gets him into a sticky situation when an elderly lady grabs his privates then knocks him out. Later in the story he gains backbone. The book is written through his point of view and he doesn’t appear to be a man who puts up with crap. This is where I see a major plot ripple. Why not using his fighting spirit in the first place instead of crumpling? It didn’t make sense or fit the character the author builds.

I also thought the descriptions that were at times hilarious also too much. The story moves slow because it’s filled with narration. An apocalyptic zombie tale I expected more action and less describing the nasty old lady. Overall the story is entertaining and short.

The narrator R.C. Bray has a great voice for the story and the part. He was the best part of the story for me. If I’d have gotten the ebook I most likely never would have gotten past the first couple pages.

Saturday, September 10, 2016

Maggie by Mya O'Malley Blog Tour



Have you ever wondered what it would be like to share your home with an unearthly spirit who can’t find closure? Living on the edge of a cemetery with souls dating back to the 1700s would be enough to spook anyone, but Naomi finds it oddly romantic, and becomes inspired to write her next novel. Why not, when her muse, Maggie, calls to her from beyond her own window? 




After all, the story couldn't possibly be as complicated as Naomi's own love life. Torn between Ryan, the mysterious and seemingly perfect man she just started dating, and Bryce, the sexy single dad who recently moved in next door, Naomi must navigate the tangled web of dating—all while trying to solve the mystery of Maggie's death.


When things turn dangerous, Naomi quickly learns whom she can trust and, more importantly, whom she can’t. Will she be able to write Maggie’s story and finally give Maggie the peace she deserves?


Buy links


Author Bio


Mya O’Malley was born and raised in the suburbs of New York City, where she currently lives with her husband, daughter and three step-daughters. The family also consists of a boxer, Destiny, and a ragdoll cat named Colby. Mya earned an undergraduate degree in special education and a graduate degree in reading and literacy. She works as a special education teacher and enjoys making a difference in the lives of her students.

Mya’s passion is writing; she has been creating stories and poetry since she was a child. Mya spends her free time reading just about anything she can get her hands on. She is a romantic at heart and loves to create stories with unforgettable characters. Mya likes to travel; she has visited several Caribbean Islands, Mexico and Costa Rica. Mya is currently working on her ninth novel.





 Social Media






Character  Interview for Naomi

DDB- Hi Naomi. It’s a pleasure having you with us today. Let’s get started. Can I just say that you’ve had a very busy time lately! Tell us about it.

Naomi- Hi there. Thanks for having me here. Yes, I guess you could say I’ve been pretty busy. I don’t want to give anything from the story away, but let’s just say that I have recently finished writing the most amazing story AND I helped some amazing people get the justice they deserved.

DDB-  So you’re a writer?

Naomi- Yes, and this particular story will stay with me forever. The past several months have been frightening, heartbreaking and beautiful, if you can imagine that.  Maggie’s spirit came to me, begging me to help solve a cold case and give her peace and closure. How could I resist? Maggie is a beautiful but tortured soul. I simply had no choice but to help and I couldn’t stop until I gave Maggie the justice she deserved.

DDB-  Sounds fascinating. I’ve heard that you met someone recently and fell in love. Is that true?

Naomi- Oh, that’s true. I met someone very special but it took me a while to figure things out. Let’s just say I was confused about the men in my life for a while.

DDB- Oh, come on. Who is it? Don’t leave us hanging like that!

Naomi- Sorry, if you want to find out, you’ll just have to read the story.
DDB-  Wow- you have been busy! Dealing with ghosts, a love triangle and helping to solve a cold case?

Naomi- Well, yes.

DDB- I hope you have a chance to relax now that your book is written and all.

Naomi-  Oh, I don’t think so. I’m starting to find out when you live on the edge of a cemetery, there’s not much chance for relaxing.

DDB- Wait- are you saying there’s more to the story?

Naomi- Let’s just say there might be a little bit more I have to add to my story now.

DDB- Are you saying that you’re working on a sequel to Maggie?

Naomi- (winks)

DDB- I can’t wait to hear more about that. For now, try to take some time to relax and enjoy that new boyfriend.  It’s been wonderful having you here.

Naomi- I’ll try. (laughs)  Thanks again for having me. 



Playlist

  1. Jar of Hearts – Christina Perri
  2. A Thousand Years- Christina Perri
  3. To Make You Feel my Love- Garth Brooks
  4. The Air that I Breathe- The Hollies
  5. Fire and Rain- James Taylor
  6. Your Wildest Dreams – The Moody Blues
  7. Someone Like You- Van Morrison
  8. Street of Dreams- Rainbow
  9. Against All Odds
10. If – Bread

xcerpt/Spoltligh



EXCERPT #1

“He scooped her up and placed her on top of the large rock. Following suit, he climbed up the slight incline and joined Maggie. Kissing her again, he cupped her head in his hands. Moments later, his hands smoothed over her body.
Maggie stiffened, pulling away. He sat back, eyes wide. “What is it, Maggie? What the hell is the problem now?”
“I’m just not ready.”
Placing his head in his hands, he sighed dramatically. “You’re not ready.” His laugh was sharp.
“Why not? Didn’t I just tell you I love you?” His tone rose in agitation.
Was that why he had declared his love for her? Her face must have given away her thoughts.
“Are you kidding me? You think that’s why I shared my feelings with you?” He stood and paced on the boulder. “Let’s go. Time to go.”
What had just happened here? How had everything deteriorated in a matter of mere minutes? And how much of it was her fault?

“No. Don’t. Sit down. Please.” Her eyes looked up at his height, pleading for him to stay.
“I don’t get you, Maggie. I have to be honest here with you. You’re kind of driving me crazy. Pushing my limits, you know?” His face flushed red as he paced.

How was she pushing him? “Sit, please just come back and sit beside me.” Maggie patted the spot beside her, her lip trembling. She didn’t know why he was so upset, only that she wanted things to return to how they were prior to this walk by the river.

“Fine.” He plopped himself beside her, leaving at least a foot between them.
Maggie reached over for him, taking his hand in hers. He didn’t
move closer but didn’t pull away either.

“Maggie. You’re killing me. I love you. I freaking love you, and I feel you not returning my feelings.”
“I…”
“Let me finish. I open up to you, try to show you how much I love you and I’m met with a slam of the door.” His hands moved dramatically. Maggie leaned back so that he wouldn’t swipe her as he spoke.

“No response from you, telling me that you love me back, and now I can’t even show you how I feel.” He was upon her, grabbing her face, his eyes intense.
It was true. She hadn’t said she loved him back. She hadn’t been ready. What she definitely wasn’t ready for was showing him. The words slipped out of her mouth before she could think. “I love you, too.”

Tears sprang from his eyes as he kissed her face over and over. “Oh Maggie, you have no idea how happy you have made me.”

Maggie’s shoulders slumped. Uneasiness washed through her. It was almost as if she had been bullied into saying the words. Then again, she had always had the tendency to overanalyze her thoughts and actions.
Maggie bit her lip and kissed him.


EXCERPT- #2

Sky high cliffs, the serene Hudson River, and blue skies surrounded them. Seagulls screeched overhead as they made their way up the wide, winding path. Maggie jumped out of the way as a cyclist whizzed past.
“Oh!”
He grabbed her waist, holding her tight.  “You need to watch out for those guys. They can be relentless around here.”
Didn’t she know it.  The local roads were dominated by the cyclists in the warm weather. More than once in the past few weeks, Maggie had to pull over to the side of the road to allow them to pass.
“This is nice.” Maggie followed the sound of the gulls’ cries overhead. Not a cloud in the sky.
“It is, but then again, anything would be nice with you by my side.”
“Thanks.” She snuggled her head against his shoulder for a moment as they walked hand in hand further up the path.
Walking in a companionable silence, Maggie was happy. This was nice, being here with him.  
“Would you look at that?” He pointed up toward the edge of the cliff. Maggie could just about make out the tiny figures of two people. She swayed slightly. They had to be nuts to get that close to the edge. They had to be nuts period.
“Yeah, well if you ask me, they’re crazy.”
“Crazy? How do you figure?” His eyes bore into hers.
“Going way up there? They must have a death wish.” Maggie nearly shivered even though the temperature was mild.
He stopped her, placing his hands on her shoulders. “You’re afraid of heights?”
“No, don’t be ridiculous.”
“You are, aren’t you?” His eyes lit up.
“If I’m not mistaken, it seems as if you’re deriving some kind of sick pleasure from this,” Maggie mumbled, head down.
“No, honey. No.” He wrapped his arms around her as more cyclists scurried by. “I didn’t mean to react that way. It’s just that in my eyes you’re perfect. I didn’t imagine you’d have a fear in the world.”
If only he knew. She had plenty of fears, but Maggie figured most people did.
“Really? That’s nice of you to say. Untrue, but nice.”
“Come on. Say, what’s your greatest fear? Top fear of all time?”
Strange turn in conversation. “Where are you going with this line of questioning?”
He blew out a hearty chuckle. “Come on, it’s all in good fun. I’m just trying to get to know you.”
“Okay. Heights. My top fear is heights.” She wished to change the subject but wondered what his own fears were now that the topic was on the table.







 Maggie



Friday, September 9, 2016

E.M.G. Wixley Kane's Cross Audiobook Review

This book is so wickedly weird it can be nothing than enjoyable!



My Review:

In this book the reader/listener meets Kane an ex-military man. He meets a young lady Poppy whom he helps. She reminds him of his sister who disappeared. He and Poppy grow close. Kane suffers from delusions and occasionally gets violent. Poppy sticks with him and they are an interesting couple between his PTSD and her own secrets. Neither one of them is really fit to work and face society. 

Like the first book in the series there’s plenty of material to twist the mind and the plot takes many turns. Strange happenings and action are woven into the story taking this volume to the next level. I listened to book 1 first but the way this book is written it’s not necessary to read it first, although, I advise it because Adam’s story is revealed and he’s important in book 2 as well. This story is for readers/listeners who enjoy horror and can stomach gory scenes. It’s difficult to find an author who can balance gore and great story. E.M.G Wixley is a pro at it.

Nigel Peever narrates this volume. It took me some time to get used to his voice, mostly because of the British accent. Accents always take me awhile and I prefer listening without them. That said I enjoyed the sounds effects he adds to intensify the story and his pacing is excellent. It’s not often a narrator adds all the extras he did. Well done!

Buy at:
Amazon/Audible

Saturday, September 3, 2016

Tainted Reality The Rememdium Series Book 2 by Ashley Fontainne Audiobook Review

Loved this one and applaud the author on writing a book 2 in which book 1 doesn't need to be read first.



My Review:
Very enjoyable! Zombies are running wild so a group of people hide out in Walmart. I thought that was hilarious but heck why not? They have access to drugs, clothing, food, bedding – everything. Their utopia is short lived when the government and military get involved. The Walmarters who are seeking a safe place are forced out or die.
As a science nerd I was amused by how the doctor determined what was causing people to become zombies. The explanation was sound enough to be believed yet corny in a sense. Brilliant. There’s plenty action, death and suspense. It was a difficult book for me to put down. I recommend listening to it in one sitting. It’s also fairly short.

Rebecca Roberts does a great job with the narration and performance. All around entertaining. I received this book free from Audiobook Boom for an honest review.

Friday, September 2, 2016

Lori Beasley Bradley Spotlight!

About the Author: 81bvGmYcIHL._SX150_.jpgLori Beasley Bradley was born in 1958 in Benton, IL, a small town in southern Illinois. Her mother was from that area and her father from Alabama. She has a great love for the South and has traveled extensively and studied the histories of most of those states. Her book, The Legend of the Swamp Witch takes place in southern Louisiana one of her favorite destinations. She is currently working on her second novel about a Kentucky girl who finds herself practicing prostitution in the Old West after the Civil War. Book 1 of The Soiled Dove Sagas, The Ruby Queen, was published in February 2015. Book 2, The Queen of the Cow Towns will be available later in 2015. The Soiled Doves Saga:
51115MUrlLL._AC_US200_.jpgWarning: For Mature Adult Audiences. Contains language and actions some may deem offensive. Sexually explicit content. Ranges from MF to Multiple partners scenes. Continuation storyline. In book one of Soiled Dove: The Ruby Queen is the story of young Mattie Wallace, who must make a living on her own in 1870. She meets a woman who shows her a way. Two women from different upbringings become friends in a time when the strength of a person’s will was the only thing that kept them going. Betrayal, heartbreak, and shunned, Mattie works to find her place in a time when men set all the rules.

51wSj2xsjSL._AC_US200_.jpgWarning: For Mature Adult Audiences 18+. Contains language and actions some may deem offensive. Sexually explicit content. MF. In book two of the Soiled Dove Sagas: Roxie learns that love is not enough to survive the bitter winters in the mountains, when it costs her everything she holds dear. With Mattie’s help, she moves forward, putting her life back together, piece by piece. As times change around them, she and Mattie continue to survive the only way they know how—together. But just as Roxie settles back into her life in the Trade, her past returns, opening wounds she doesn’t know how to close. Losing her heart once almost broke her. Will she be strong enough to keep it from happening again? Or has the path she chose to take in life left her doomed only to have happiness in her reach, then taken away by the callousness others? Join in the journey as two women brought together by circumstances learn to survive in a time when everyday life was a trial even for the fittest.

Southern Gothic Paranormal Books:
51rDrzfYJTL.jpgRaquel Clairvoux is taken through he history of her family and her relationship to a distant aunt the legendary Swamp Witch Angelique Clairvoux, a mullato girl born in the swamps of southern Louisiana and raised by her grandmother in the ways of Voodoo that she learned on the island of Martinique. Raquel learns the history of the region and culture of the original Creole people of Louisiana and her family. When slave catchers came into St Martinsville to collect undocumented people of color Angelique was attacked and mortally wounded flees into the swamp with her life savings she calls on the Spirits to guard her and her savings. Raquel then learns about the men who men over the next century and a half try to find Angelique's treasure and how they trigger the curse that finally brings them down. She is taken through the history and evolution of a unique culture and historic area of the country and must decide how she and her family fit in there now. While this is a story of pure fiction the author did exhaustive research of the area covering the years between 1712 and the present. The town of St Martinsville is an actual town in St Martin Parish, Louisiana and the Bayou Tesche is located there. St Martinsville was a town that was open to free people of color during the time of slavery and is considered to be the Creole capital of the United States. This book is a work of fiction that mixes historic fact and culture to transport the reader through decades of drama in an evolving southern Louisiana.

517EzaHllpL.jpgWarning: For Mature Adult Audiences 18+. Contains language and actions some may deem offensive. Sexually explicit content. MF.
Dalton La Pierre is an innocent who finds himself caught in the middle of fight between two covens. When one witch places the Loup-garou curse on him, he turns to another coven for help. Julia DuBois and her coven work to reverse the curse for her love interest before he doomed to change into a wolf-beast with every full moon. While she searches the Louisiana bayou for the necessary ingredients, her friends and family are attacked and Julia suffers a terrible loss, one she must set aside if she is to help Dalton. The DuBois coven is pushed to the very witching hour by the wicked Althea Rubidoux and her Coven. Will the DuBois be able to save Dalton and bring Althea to justice for breaking High Council Law? Can love overcome the curse of the Loup-garou?

51lnikkuaJL._AC_US200_.jpgWarning: For Mature Adult Audiences 18+. Contains language and actions some may deem offensive. The verbiage and content in this book depicts the timeframe of Historical 1800s. Sexually explicit content. MF.
An old curse is broken, unleashing an evil back into the world, leaving a man in black to haunt the Louisiana bayou. There are no clues for the modern police and forensics is non-existent. The only thing left behind are the rising number of bodies. One young witch has the ability to see him—the problem is—he can see her too.

51gZC67CTCL._AC_US200_.jpgSilas Tremball was a murderer in life. He was killed by Angelique Clairvoux's curse on the Bayou Tesche in 1867, but the curse has been lifted and Silas is free once more. Travis Maitre is a detective with the St. Martin's Parish Police Department and he's been tasked with solving the string of horrible murders. Kelly DuBois, a medium, steps in to assist with his investigation and they put their heads together to ferret out the killer. Kelly soon detects an ominous presence. Travis is a skeptic, but after Kelly studies some family Maitre family history he realizes his killer could very well be from another time.

Contemporary Romance:
51+Qlc0cRgL._AC_US200_.jpgWarning: For Mature Adult Audiences 18+. Contains language and actions some may deem offensive. Sexually explicit content. MF.
Ivy finds herself questioning where her life is headed. She’s been with the same man for a year but he seems to be in no rush to move forward. She wants more and is not sure if he will be able to give it to her. When circumstances bring Ivy to a place in her life that allows her to do for herself, it also brings a new man, leaving her struggling with what she knows or taking a chance on something new. How often do we say the words 'I promise'? How many times do we really mean those words? Are they hollow words ... our Promises? Ivy, at her mature age, never imagined how destructive promises could be. But when she does, she finds that with the right man, promises lead to a life and love she’s waited a lifetime for, showing that no matter your age, love and living life could be just a chance meeting away.
EXTRA EXTRA CONTEST ALERT:
http://www.cmwas.com/special-offers.html