Interview & Excerpt with Stephanie Queen, author of The Hot Shots

Adult Romance

Scotland Yard Exchange Program Book #2

Decorator Sophia Alano’s career gets side-tracked from the moment she meets hot shot Scotland Yard detective Chauncey Miller. On the run in Boston, Chauncey must now protect this spitfire Pixie from the madman out for revenge. But once he catches their would-be killer, how does he hold onto his Pixie
decorator?

Tell us a bit about yourself

Thanks for inviting me for an interview! About myself--first of all, I’m a Queen. Queen of my story

world—a vast place. Secondly, I don’t wear a lot of pink—only splashes here and there. Third, my cat,

Kitty, is not my best friend. She’s too bossy. Finally--and this is key--don’t listen to anything Myren, my chauffeur, says about me. Unless it’s good. (One more thing—I don’t take interviews seriously.)

Have you ever been discouraged in regard to your writing ability and if so, how did you get past it and move forward?

I haven’t been discouraged since I was an undergrad and my creative writing professor told me I’d

never win a Pulitzer—or some writer-type prize. Then I realized—so what? Writing stories is a kick and I can make a living at it!

What's your favorite thing about writing?

I love making things up. I love making up people and having them do whatever I want—it’s a Queen thing. But seriously, the best stories are when the people stop doing what you want and get a life of their own! The surprises knock me out! (Okay, not literally…I mean, I don’t actually lose consciousness.)

What is your writer food?

When I’m writing, my food tends to become very crunchy. And smoky. Kind of like charcoal. I’m on

first name terms with the local firemen. Not a bad thing.

What inspires you to write?

Do threats to foreclose the castle’s mortgage count?

How many books have you written and which is your favorite?

I’ve written 5 complete novels and about 753 partial novels. Favorite?! That’s like asking a mother to

choose her favorite child! (But if you don’t tell the others, so far, The Throwbacks is my fave.)

What inspired you to write The Hot Shots?

I love a good British Alpha Hero, like, say…Bond—James Bond. Sean Connery can be very inspirational. The Hot Shots is more romantic comedy than thriller, but Pixie, the heroine uses James Bond references to give Chauncey, the hero, reality checks now and then. I have to say that writing The Hot Shots was more fun than jumping into a pile of leaves! (Note: Leave-pile-jumping was fun when I was ten and my knees were newer).

Would you say you relate to any of your characters? If so, which one and why?

I feel like I’m related to all my characters—like I’m their mother. (That doesn’t sound quirky-crazy,

does it? Oh, who cares—I’m the Queen after all!)

“I have a favor to ask,” Grace said from behind her desk, pencil in hand and dimple in place. “I need you to pick up David’s latest recruit from Scotland Yard at Logan Airport today and keep him busy for the day. Show him around.”

Sophia couldn’t stop her usual sarcasm in spite of the fact that Grace was her boss as well as her best friend. This so-called favor made no sense. Even for Grace.

“Are you serious?” Sophia planted her hands on her hips. “Let me make sure I understand you- 

-You’re asking me to babysit one of David’s Scotland Yard hot shots on the eve of my possible career breakthrough?”

Grace nodded. Her big blue eyes were wide and honest. Something was up.

“That’s crazy talk. Tomorrow’s the shoot for the audition tape.” Sophia knew that Grace knew this since Grace helped set it up for her, but she felt it was worth mentioning the obvious.

“Yes. I know.” Grace smiled then looked back down at her drawing. “And a distraction is exactly what you need to keep your nerves at bay.”

“What? My nerves are fine.” If her dam voice hadn’t squeaked at that moment, she’d have been more convincing. Something was definitely up. And Sophia would never admit it to Grace, but she did feel a bit edgy--if edginess included nausea, headaches and sleeplessness.

“I know you.” Grace paused and gave her the serious-yet-loving older-sister type look that she mostly put up with. “This will be good for you and…and I’d really appreciate it.”

Grace was playing dirty pool now with that appreciation bit, but Sophia still didn’t buy it.

“And what if I didn’t have time today? Were you going to tear me away from my project?”

“Actually, yes. I wasn’t going to mention it, but some of the men were complaining about your presence at the set and asked me to have you back off just a smidge.” Grace scrunched her brow. “But don’t worry, honey, they think you’re wonderful. It’s just lately...”

“Great. That’s great.” Her hands flew into the air. “I got painters and paperhangers and carpenters talking to my boss behind my back.” This was not good. She plunked herself on the edge of Grace’s desk and folded her arms. She tried staring at the stack of fabric samples on the other side of the office so Grace wouldn’t notice if a tear slipped out. Because, damn it, she might be on the brink of crying.

Grace picked up the box of tissues and handed it to her. “You’ll be alright, Pixie honey. This is the perfect way to get your mind off everything to do with decorating and the design show audition filming and TV cameras. I’m asking for a one-day one-shot favor.”

Grace’s voice sounded a little too sweet, even for her, and “Pixie honey” or no “Pixie honey”, that was cause for suspicion. She blew her nose. Okay, so maybe she needed a break, but she wasn’t convinced that playing tour guide to some British guy fresh off the boat...or rather airline--was the way to go.

“I’m saving up my vacation time and I don’t think you have the authority to assign me to pick up some random guy at Logan Airport and show him around town while I’m on the clock. We’re in the decorating business.” She remained seated on the edge of Grace’s desk, tossed the balled- up tissue in a basket halfway across the small office and re-folded her arms. “Besides it doesn’t even sound safe.” She blew the blunt-cut bangs off her forehead for emphasis.

Grace looked at her with that smile and said, “He’s from Scotland Yard, honey. Of course it’s safe. It’ll be fun. I don’t know what you’re worried about.” Her face brightened and she added, “You don’t have to use vacation time. Consider it a client recruitment assignment.” Grace went back to the sketch she’d been working on.

Sophia looked at her best friend and boss with a suspicious squint. What it sounded like to her was another one of Grace’s blind date set-ups in disguise.

About the Author

Stephanie Queen lives in bucolic New Hampshire where writing happy, snappy romances takes most of her time. However you can also find her watching UConn football and basketball games whenever they’re on TV, and sometimes even in person. Right now, she’s busy writing her next book in the Scotland Yard Exchange Program Series. Visit her website to learn more at StephanieQueen.com or connect with Stephanie Queen on Twitter or Facebook. http://www.stephaniequeen.com/

Cover Reveal: Fallen From Grace by K. Anne Raines

Seventeen year-old Grace grows up knowing she’s different, but she always attributed it to a mother who didn’t want her, a father who abandoned her, and a curse that sets her apart. Despite those struggles, her grandfather remained her rock and confidant. Her life irrevocably shatters the day her grandfather dies.

The day of his funeral sets off a chain of events, making Grace question everything she’s ever known to be true, and as a result, who she can truly trust. She inherits his house, part of his money, his Guardian and something that ties them together.
Just before Grace’s 18th birthday, she is thrust into a world she couldn’t fathom existed and does everything she can to thwart the destiny suddenly forced upon her. She’s been chosen for greatness, but at what cost? With eyes now open, she must choose to either be Chosen, or watch those around her suffer the consequences.

between the man who’s come to protect her and the one sent to destroy her, she teeters on the edge of decision, trying to come to grips with who she is, what she wants and what all of that means for her, those she loves and the rest of mankind.

http://www.facebook.com/raineskanne

http://www.twitter.com/kanneraines

http://www.kanneraines.com (still under construction, but will be up soon) 

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6580110.K_Anne_Raines 

 email: kanneraines@gmail.com

Cover Reveal: Shadow of Time by Jen Minkman

Title: Shadow of Time

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance

Author: Jen Minkman

Cover Designer: Jen Minkman

Cover reveal organized by: AToMR Tours

Expected release date: January 1, 2013

All Hannah needs is a nice and quiet vacation after her first year of teaching French at a high
school. She joins her brother Ben for the summer in their mom’s log cabin in Arizona. There, she
meets Josh again, Ben’s childhood friend from the Navajo reservation. The little boy from the
rez has grown up fast, and Hannah can’t help but feeling more for him than just friendship.

But fate apparently has something else in store for her. And it’s not peace and quiet. Night after
night, Hannah is plagued by strange nightmares about the past of Navajo Nation and terrifying
shadows chasing her. They seem to come closer – and why is Josh always present in her dreams?

Sometimes, the past has a way of catching up with you.

 About the Author


Jen Minkman (1978) was born in Holland, in the town of Alphen aan den Rijn. When she was 19, she moved between The Hague, Salzburg (Austria), Brussels (Belgium) and Cambridge (UK) to complete her studies in intercultural communication. She is currently a teacher of English, career counsellor and teenage coach at a secondary school in Voorburg, Holland. She tries to read at least 100 books a year (and write a few, too!). She is a published author in her own country, and translates her own books from Dutch into English for self-publication.

In her spare time, she plays the piano, the guitar and the violin. For every novel she writes, she creates a soundtrack.

Jen Minkman | Facebook | Twitter

Excerpt: When Copper Suns Fall by KaSonndra Leigh

Young Adult Dark Urban Fantasy

This is the Expanded Edition which now includes previously unpublished scenes and a handbook for surviving in the futuristic world of Castle Hayne.

In fifteen-year-old Chela Prizeon’s city, alchemy is forbidden and angels hide among the mortal. With a deadly virus ravaging the globe, Chela’s nightmarish memories compels her to experience a past riddled with gloom, and now her brother is infected. Chela’s only hope is the Caduceans, slayers sworn to protect the last seven Light Keepers and the ancient memories they share. A group led by the sometimes elusive, sometimes infuriating boy who intrigues Chela. But can she trust this boy with the mysterious past, someone who can influence her memories? With the Caduceans aid, Chela races to defeat her rivals, to unearth dark family secrets, and to find a cure…only to discover the glutovirus is far more than a simple disease.

In this haunting debut, KaSonndra Leigh offers an escape into a world filled with celestial creatures, fascinating villainy, high- stake choices, and a secret romance, When Copper Suns Fall, is a fresh and original urban fantasy—with a dystopian twist—that will take readers on an unforgettable adventure.

Scurrying down the theatre’s deserted hallway, I came to the women’s bathroom and grabbed the knob. Nervousness was working overtime on my rationality, I guess. I pulled the handle. The lever didn’t budge. My bladder expanded by the second. Wonderful. Surely the Thalian’s staff kept repair people on duty.

I turned back to the knob, yanking it again and again. Why did they lock the doors on a day like this? Laser eye power would come in handy right about now.

I crossed my arms, uncrossed them, tapped my foot, and flirted with the idea of using a memory technique. But that’s how I ended up standing here kicking a door. Nerves rolled up in me. All I could
think about was facing the crowds while I smelled like urine. Maybe not taking the ale-meds made me
weaker.

“Don’t panic yet. Figure out something,” I said aloud.

“Door troubles?” A boy’s calm voice spoke behind me.

Horrified I’d been caught talking to a door, I turned to face a dark-haired boy a few years older than me. Wavy silver strands framed his face. He wore a silky, smoked gray shirt, opened to expose a star-shaped tattoo at his throat. He stared at me with blue-black eyes that had no reflection of anything in them. They were the darkest, lovely blue I’d ever seen. I blinked and lowered mine.

“I—I, it’s locked, I think,” I said to the floor.

“Let’s have a look.” He reached over me and pulled the door open as if it were a feather. “See. Magic. Put your mind to it, well then, anybody can do it.”

My cheeks burned. “Thanks, um…”

“Seth Alton.” He held out his hand, long and svelte like the rest of him. An earthy scent surrounded him. It reminded me of the incense Alexa’s mom used to cover the watery smells inside their house sitting beside the marshes.

“I’m Chela. Wish I could talk more, but I…”

He laughed softly. “Duties first, of course.”

Those blue-black eyes stared at me. No blinking, or anything. He moved closer to my neck, sniffing the
air around me. “Nice scent. What is it?”

“Lotus. I—I, um, it used to belong to my mother.”

“Used to?” He raised his left eyebrow, something I thought only girls could do so well. It intrigued me in a strange way.

“My mother is, well um, she died when we were babies. I—I wear her old perfume for luck,” I said.

Okay, so why are you stuttering?

“We?” he asked.

“My twin. But he’s, um, not here today,” I said, chest filling with a tinge of sadness.

“Sorry to hear that. About your mother and brother, that is.” He moved back, freeing me from whatever
thing I needed to relieve myself from. He wore no clothing that offered any evidence as to what group
he belonged to.

“She died two months after we were born. So it’s—I don’t remember her.” I truly didn’t understand why I chose to reveal my private stuff with this stranger. If I stood around talking much longer, I’d probably be asking him to come home for ale-med tips.

“Luck to you today. Although, I’m sure you won’t need any. Don’t get lost on the way back. These
hallways are…tricky,” he said. I nodded like a mute standing there plastered against the wall beside the
door. “We’ll see each other again soon, Chela Ceylone.”

He gave a short bow and strolled away.

Seth turned the corner. I peeled myself off the wall and exhaled. Wait, I didn’t even realize I’d been holding my breath. I glanced at the handle, stepped into the bathroom, but stopped in the doorway. Seth called me Chela Ceylone.

Only Father and Micah knew my middle name.

About the Author


KaSonndra Leigh was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. She now lives in the City of Alchemy and
Medicine, North Carolina. Her two sons, aka the X-Men, have made her promise to write a boy book
next.

She holds the MFA in creative writing, and loves to play CLUE, Monopoly (the Indiana Jones version), and Pandora's Box (good writer's block therapy). She lives in an L-shaped house with a garden dedicated to her grandmother. It has a secret library complete with fairies, Venetian plastered walls, and a desk made out of clear blue glass.

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Cover Revamp & Giveaway: Significance by Shelly Crane

I can't tell you how excited I was to learn that Significance was being made into a movie. I cannot think of a more deserving person than Shelly. She is such a sweetheart <3 With that being said, Significance is now sporting a NEW COVER!!! The cover is a still from the movie and the actress that plays Maggie is beautiful. Here it is!!

YAY!!!!!! I'm so excited! Just a little FYI, the last book in the series is due out in December :-) Everyone should check out this series. If you haven't, today is your lucky day! To celebrate Shelly's new cover and movie, I will be gifting 1 ebook of Significance to the winner of the Rafflecopter. If you have already read Significance, you can choose another book by Shelly and I will gift that one. 

Good Luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Stalk Me Blog Tour & Giveaway: Meet Brooklyn

Mature Young Adult Romance

The Keatyn Chronicles # 1

Gossip girl meets Hollywood in this new series by Jillian Dodd

Keatyn has everything she ever dreamed of. Her life is following the script she wrote for the perfect high school experience. She’s popular, goes to the best parties, dates the hottest guy, and sits at the most coveted lunch table.

She’s just not sure she wants it anymore.

Because really, things aren’t all that perfect.
Her best friend is threatening to tell everyone her perfect relationship is a scam.
Her perfect boyfriend gets drunk at every party they go to.
It’s exhausting always trying to look and act perfect.

And deep down, she isn’t sure if she has any true friends.

To add to the drama, her movie star mom has a creepy stalker.

A hot, mysterious man keeps flirting with her and telling her they should make a movie together.

And she’s crushing on an adorable surfer. Dating him would mean committing social suicide.

So she writes a new script. One where all the pieces of her life will come together in perfect harmony.

But little does she know, there's someone who will do anything to make sure that doesn’t happen.

The thing I love about Jillian is that she thinks of EVERYTHING!! She put together these "looks" that Keatyn wears throughout the book. You can see those fabulous looks HERE. There is also a link for the Dream Cast and some other goodies you should check out.

Merch

Setting

Dream Cast

The Soundtrack

Support Group

MEET

Age: 19

Physical description from the book: He’s eighteen, has shaggy blond hair and eyes the color of the ocean. He’s tan, almost six feet, and kinda thin, but he has the strong core of a surfer. As in abs to freaking die for. Drool over.

Quote that fits his personality: “I know you, Keats. You’re not the same when you’re with your friends. You turn into a high-strung, power-hungry popularity whore when you’re with them. That’s not you. You’re my little laid-back surfer girl.”

Best quality: Doesn’t care what other people think.

Worst quality: A little too laid back and gets very uncomfortable outside his comfort zone.

Book #2, KISS ME will be released November 28, 2012!! 

STALK ME will be on sale for $0.99 the week of the tour then return to its normal price of $2.99 on December 2.

Buy Links:

Amazon

B&N

Kobo

Also available on iTunes

About the Author

Jillian Dodd grew up on a farm in Nebraska, where she developed a love for Midwestern boys and Nebraska football. She has drank from a keg in a cornfield, attended the University of Nebraska, got to pass her candle, and did have a boy ask her to marry him in a bar. She met her own prince in college, and they have two amazing children, a Maltese named Sugar Bear, and two Labrador puppies named Camber Lacy and Cali Lucy.

She is the author of the That Boy Trilogy and The Keatyn Chronicles Series.

Jillian Dodd | Facebook | Twitter

Website

Pinterest

Twitter

Facebook Fanpage

Goodreads

Amazon Author Page

Keatyn Chronicles Fanpage

Keatyn Chronicles on Twitter

US/Canada Giveaway

2 Signed paperback copies of STALK ME

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Open International

10 eBook copies of STALK ME (copies will be gifted from Amazon or Barnes and Noble)

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Review: The Lightrider Journals by Eric Nierstedt

Contemporary Fantasy

The Lightrider Journals is the tale of Joe Hashimoto, a man brought back from the dead to be the Lightrider, the leader of the Elementals Knights. Created by the Architects, the creators of the universe, the Knights are half-animal beings gifted with the power of the elements and charged with keeping balance between good and evil.
Joe's struggle is not only with these new responsibilites and powers, but also his difficulty with the killing invovled in his duties, as well as his longing for home. But Joe must over come these to face his greatest threat- the Chaos Demons, the ancient enimies of all life.
The Lightrider Journals is a tale of magic and action, mixed with the struggles of finding a place in a new world. It's the perfect read for anyone looking for reaffiramtion in what they can do, or someone who just wants an adult newbie magic user that doesn't go to magic school.

Source: Received the book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Did not receive any payment for review.

My Review

I have a weird relationship with Fantasy novels. I either love them or hate them. I really enjoyed this story. You have the Architects of Creation who are the creators of our world. They put together a team of Elemental Knights to fight for the balance between good and evil. Sounds cool right? At first, the Knights have a hard time grasping their new existence and they don't all agree with the task that they are given. They take an oath to become immortal and fulfill their duties and begin training to use their special powers.

There are a lot of characters in this novel and it was hard for me to keep up, at first. That's mainly the reason I steer clear of fantasy novels...too much going on lol. Moving on... I grew to love some of the characters. My favorites were Sandshifter and Groundquake. They were the most defiant of the group(go figure, that's probably why I liked them lol.) They both made such huge transformations by the end of the book. Of course, the biggest transformation was the main character, Joe. But I don't like Joe. I can't explain why I don't like him, but I spent most of the book just groaning at his indecision and whining.

The action scenes in this book were SOOOO GOOOOOOD!!!! Each character learned more of their abilities with each fight. It was so cool to hear about their powers and how they started working as a team to defeat the demons. The imagery for the demons was fantastic. Not just the demons, but everything. I really felt like I was on the sidelines watching it all unfold. I really enjoyed it and I hope you will all check it out.

https://www.facebook.com/TheLightriderJournals
http://www.thelightriderjournals.com

I thought I'd share some of these character drawings with you because they are AWESOME!

Artwork by Derrick Fish. You can see all of the character illustrations on The Lighrider Journals webpage.

                        Joseph Hashimoto/Lightrider                                  Nightstalker

          Knight of Light and Leader of the Elementals   Knight of Shadow and second in command

                                         Forger                                                       Wavercrasher

                                  Knight of Metal                                             Knight of Water 

Cover Reveal(18+): Why Yellow Jackets Can’t Find the Hole by Jewels Moss

***This book contains mature subject matter that is not suitable for readers under the age of 18***

Midnight Fire Erotic Publishing

Release Date – December 15th

Cover Designer: Alexia Purdy

Bryant belongs to a club where you do not engage in carnal activity until you have found your wife. The club membership is passed down through families at the all boy school he attends. When they realize girls live next door to Bryant and his fellow yellow jackets they find it difficult to keep their oath to the club. Bryant especially struggles due to the super hot Summer who enjoys tempting him any chance she gets.

Oath of the Yellow Jacket

"The yellow jacket will not sting, will not step outside his means. He will not go and seek to partake in the act of love until he's found his mate. Of a lady's flesh he will not see, until he meets his honey bee."

That weekend was the first time that Bryant had a chance to sit down and think. Between Yellow Jacket meetings, school, home work, and cleaning up after Roy’s party he hadn’t had any time. He assumed Summer was busy as well, but she was never far from his mind. He was having intense sexual dreams about her.

Summer and Holly showed up that afternoon right before he was going to take a shower. He went down to talk to them for a bit and saw Henry in the kitchen. Roy was out buying beer and food for the

weekend, they planned on breaking in the new grill.

Summer looked amazing; her white tank top didn’t leave much to the imagination. She wasn’t wearing a bra and her breasts were still perfect and perky. Her hips were hugged by a pair of low slung shorts and he could see the tops of her hip bones. He resisted the urge to pant out loud. This was the first time they would talk since their simultaneous orgasm the other evening, and he almost didn’t believe that it had really happened.

She was looking at him in a way that told him it definitely happened. She must be one of those girls that

can get off on someone watching, and that was okay with him. He walked over to her and leaned on the wall next to her.

“Sup,” he instantly regretted his greeting choice when she gave him a funny look.

“Hi Bryant,” giggling as she touched his arm, “how was your week, sleeping okay?”

Was she making fun of him? He instantly felt warm when she touched him, and just thinking about the

early night was going to get him hard again if he didn’t say something.

“Like a baby,” nice save he thought to himself.

“I’ll bet,” she gave him a knowing look and then turned back towards Holly. “Should we tell them what we found out about them? “

Holly laughed and walked over to Henry, “Absolutely.”

Summer looked over at Bryant and smiled, making him think they were up to something.

“We asked around because we wanted to know what the Yellow Jackets were all about. Our girlfriends

tell us that you guys are a purity club and that you are all virgins. Is that true?” She tilted her head and

looked into his eyes; he knew she was thinking about the other night.

There were two options here and he rolled each one around in his head as he thought of how to respond. He could lie and tell her that it was just a front and he was actually a lady’s man, or he could

tell her the truth. He went with the truth.

“Yes, we are virgins.” Looking at his feet he looked back up at Summer, “is that a big deal to you?”

Her eyes widened and she exchanged a look with Holly that looked a lot like Jackpot! “Of course not, I

think that it is sweet.”

Holly piped up then, “I think Summer has just always wanted to deflower a virgin,” she elbowed her

giggling.

“Holly,” she shrieked and actually turned red, “you are so bad. Don’t listen to her.”

Holly looked Henry up and down as she said almost too quiet to hear, “I know I have.”

Summer looked like she was plotting something, but she just smiled and said goodbye to them as they

linked arms. They both giggled a lot as they went out the door, making him very nervous.

https://www.facebook.com/JewelsMossFans?fref=ts

http://www.midnighthourpublishing.org/#!jewels-moss/c10jd

http://naughtytales.webs.com

Review: Bone Wires by Michael Shean

Mystery-Thriller

In the wasteland of commercial culture that is future America, police are operated not by government but by private companies. In Seattle, that role is filled by Civil Protection, and Daniel Gray is a detective in Homicide Solutions. What used to be considered an important – even glamorous – department for public police is very different for the corporate species, and Gray finds himself stuck in a dead end job.

That is, until the Spine Thief arrives.

When a serial killer begins harvesting the spinal tissue of corporate employees all over the city, Detective Gray finds himself plunged into the first truly major case of his career. Caught in a dangerous mix of murder, betrayal and conflicting corporate interest, Gray will find himself not only matching wits with a diabolical murderer but grapple with his growing doubt toward his employers in the dawning months of the American tricentennial. A thrilling mystery set in the same world as the Wonderland Cycle, Bone Wires is a grim trip into the streets of the empty future.

 

My Review

I received this book from the author to give an honest review.

I have to say at first I was going to give 4 1/2 stars it just seemed so slow for me and I was not captured into the book. When I first started it, I found myself re-reading sentences to make sure I understood. The first 33 percent in I was wanting to put it down, but after that mark I found myself so engrossed in the book that I did not want to put it down. So I now give it 5 stars. 

Bone Wires took off with action, suspense, mystery, romance. The characters were well-developed and the world was very futuristic. Det. Dan is wanting to catch a big case that will move him up in the ranks and earn him an Amber Shield. Finally a case lands in his lap, but all is not what it seems. There are secrets and mystery surrounding the case of the serial killer dubbed. "The Spine Thief."

At what depths will Det. Dan go to, to find out everything and uncover all those involved will it take his humanity?

He gets his promotion, the girl, money, his name out there but at what price? Is is all that he wanted and more? And can he accept what he finds out?

All these questions and more are answered in this book. If you enjoy fantasy, sci-fi, mystery-thriller, suspense a bit of romance then READ this book. 

 http://www.michael-shean.com/

https://twitter.com/@pseudohumanist 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Michael-Shean/235340276494024 

http://www.amazon.com/Bone-Wires-ebook/dp/B008MOYTZ8/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1353957028&sr=1-1&keywords=bone+wires 

 

Why Indies Rock Blog Tour!!

To start, here are some indie authors that rock my world!!

I don't have a picture of this author...now that I think of it, I don't think I've ever seen a picture of him LOL. I'll put pics of his books instead. David Mayer's books rock my socks off...for reals!! I tend to avoid books that seem heavy on the fantasy because lets face it, I can be dumb as rocks sometimes. Mainly because they are a lot to process and I like to breeze through my books. This series is so unbelievably awesome that I wish I could tell the whole world and have them all read it! I almost gave up on the first one because it was a lot to process, but I'm glad I did. Turns out, they were so amazing that they are now my favorite books. Go read them...seriously.

Nicole Williams is definitely tied for first in my book. Her newest novels have been picked up by a publisher but I had love for her before she hit the big leagues. Her Eden Trilogy had me in frickin tears. I absolutely loved it and read all three books in 2 days. I literally needed to have my Kindle forcibly removed from my grasp! LOVE HER!!

My next pick is Shelly Crane. If you want to read the best happily ever after stories, read her books. I fell in love with all of the characters in her Significance and Collide series'. They are really good paranormal romance books. Shelly's books actually introduced me to indie books, so thank you Shelly!!

Abbi Glines is another favorite that was recently picked up by a publisher. I bought the Vincent Boys last December and I fell in love. Abbi is another go to author when I want a happy ever after. Not to mention that the Vincent Boys was frickin' smoking hot for a YA. 

Rachael Wade is my home girl!! Love her books and she's awesome to talk to. She is super supportive of the blog. 

Now for the so called bitchy part. This is where I'm supposed to have my rant about the people who doubt self-pubbing. This part will be a bit short. Lets face it, I'm not really a negative person and I like to focus on the positive, not the negative. 

I'll start with my biggest gripe. I see a lot of bloggers that started out by reviewing indies and now refuse to even review them. I'm talking about the bloggers that now have thousands of followers and have a holier than thou attitude. Yeah, you heard me right...I'm bitter about it. I've actually seen some nasty rants from said bloggers about their reasoning for not reviewing indies. Frankly, I didn't see any merit in the rant and just thought they were being a**holes. Some complain about author retaliations from bad reviews. S**t happens, just deal with it. I personally don't like to write bad reviews but I'd be damned if I'd get upset over a pissed off author. I've seen so many positive, professional indie authors that it cancels out those bad apples.

That's my rant, now for my good stuff :-) I know life isn't always rainbows and gumdrops, but I love rainbows lol. I love reading my indie books. Yes I have read some that I didn't think were that great, but I have read some mainstream books that I thought were terrible as well. With a lot of indie novels, you get the story that the author intended for their readers. Yes, some of them have editors but for the most part, the book stays true to who they are. I absolutely love reading a book and knowing the author put their heart and soul into it and it stays untouched. Perfect <3 

Thanks for stopping by my blog for the Why Indies Rock Blog Tour. I hope you enjoyed by post and will stop by the other blogs on the tour.  XOXO

Release Blog Tour & Giveaway

Power Will Flourish

Lives Will be Lost

Nothing, Will be Forgotten

Chase Williams is a demon hunter in the Circle, or at least he was supposed to be. On his fifteenth birthday, Chase stepped up to the altar to claim his elemental power, but it never came. Elemental magic is passed down to a hunter through the bloodline, but on Chase's birthday, the bloodline stopped.

Exiled without the Circle's protection, Chase has spent two years trying to survive a world riddled with half-demons and magic. When he has a run in with a frightened and seemingly innocent demon, he learns the Circle's agenda has changed: the Circle plans to unlock a portal and unleash pure-blood demons into the world. 
Vowing to stop them, and knowing he can't do it alone, Chase forms a reluctant alliance with Rayna - a sexy witch with an attitude and a secret. In their attempt to stop them however, Chase and Rayna find themselves in the middle of the Circle's plan, leaving one of them to decide what their friendship is worth, and the other's life depending on it.

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I’d had several jobs in the past year. This one I’d managed to keep for a few months. Most of my employers frowned on me coming to work with cuts and bruises all the time. It made for “poor presentation,” they’d say. I was thankful it hadn’t interfered with this job, yet.

I finished up my shift and had started my walk home from the burger joint when I felt it. A hunter doesn’t mistake the feeling that demons are around. It moves down your spine and chills your bones. Feeling it proved I was indeed a hunter, even without an element.

The August air was warm for the late hour, and a thick layer of sweat made my white shirt cling to me. I stopped and unzipped my duffle bag, locating the silver dagger inside. Silver was great no matter what you were fighting; it could do serious damage to anything of the Underworld.

The tingle shot down my spine again. If I focused, I could feel each hair on my neck rise. I saw a blur of movement across the street and watched it disappear into a shadowy alley. I moved across the street in a low crouch, resting my weight on the balls of my feet. I slowed my breathing and pulled the dagger from my bag before I slipped around the corner.

My senses were alive and strained to see movement, or hear the sound of feet shuffling against loose rocks. As a hunter, I could see well in the dark, though the only light came from a single flickering street lamp.

I was almost to the end of the alley when it hit. I couldn’t tell what “it” was, but it struck my back and launched me forward. My feet tumbled over my head and my back smashed hard into the concrete wall at the end of the alley. Hands grabbed me and lifted me to my feet, dragging me a few steps before throwing me back the other way. I flew through the air, hit the ground and rolled out into the street.

I used my momentum and came up on one knee to recover. My back burned where pavement had grated the skin off, but I pushed the pain aside as the figure stalked towards me.

“Your death will bring me great glory, hunter. Killing the son of Riley Williams will make me a legend among the Underworld,” the low voice gloated.

“That’s really great, good luck with that,” I said.

He smiled and the fangs that slid down from his gums were long and sharp. His pale skin started to thin as the vampire changed into his demon form.

Milky skin faded into transparent flesh, revealing the moving muscles beneath. Veins ran black through the vampire’s face and limbs, pushing against the thinning clear skin. Strange muscles in his hands pushed bony talons out over his finger nails, and the whites of his eyes disappeared, filling with an inky blackness. The dark orbs stared at me as his fanged mouth curled into a smile, and in a blur he sprang forward, talons swinging.

I ducked as they sliced through the air over my head. I brought the knife up into his stomach and twisted the blade before I pulled it out. Blood spilled onto the ground, but I knew the wound wasn’t enough to kill him. Cut off his head or pierce his black heart – those were my options. I could light him on fire, but I was fresh out of matches.

I brought my foot up and kicked the vampire back to give myself some room. I steadied myself, waiting for him to charge, but his body jerked and the point of a silver blade appeared in his chest before he could move.

The vamp’s body went limp and collapsed, then exploded in a flash of orange light. It burned away into a cloud of ash and littered the pavement, revealing the girl – of all things – who had beaten me to the kill.

Raven hair spilled over her pale shoulders with hints of red highlighting the occasional strand. A tight leather top revealed a sliver of toned stomach and a tease of cleavage. Black pants hugged her hips and long slender legs and met knee-high boots. Her skin glistened in the light, but the most noticeable of her features were her eyes.

Bright green orbs sparkled with an odd glow: demon’s eyes. They had the slit pupils of a cat that I’d never seen on anything other than a house pet or a shifter in animal form. I slipped back into fight mode. I’d never watched one demon kill another, but I suppose for the fame of killing me, why not?

I lunged and threw a punch at her face, but she dodged it with ease.

“You almost messed up my kill,” she snarled, and I had barely enough time to dodge her powerful kick.

“Your kill? You stole it from me!” I swung my fist and hit her stomach. She bent over, winded, before she stepped back and caught her breath, regaining her stance and composure.

“Stole it? Please, I’d been tracking him for blocks.” She spun and caught my chin with the heel of her boot, snapping my head to the side. I rubbed my jaw where she’d hit me and smiled.

“Well then, I guess it’s a good thing I was here to slow him down. Who knows if you would have been able to catch him?”

She moved in for another kick but I was ready. I grabbed her foot and pushed her back. She fell to the ground but quickly came to her feet. “I would have gotten him just fine on my own. Hunting is an art. It would’ve gone on as long as I deemed necessary.”

“Call it hunting if you want, but a filthy demon killing her own kind is still just that: a filthy demon.” I could tell I’d offended her even before she hit me.

My eyes watered when her fist smashed into my nose and her foot connected with my stomach in quick succession. I jerked back to avoid the knee that flew towards my face and pushed it to the side, but she was already moving towards me. Her hands hit my chest hard and I soared through the air for a long moment before I hit the ground. I felt a sharp pain shoot up through my spine and I could hear her laughter as I struggled to my feet.

“I have to admit I expected more from you, Chase, being the infamous son of Riley Williams and all.” I gripped my dagger until my knuckles turned white and spoke through gritted teeth. “I’ll try not to disappoint.”

My fist hit her jawbone and made a loud crack. I came back with my other hand and wrapped it around her throat. I stepped into the movement and threw her forward in a burst of hunter’s strength. She slammed into the ground but recovered faster than I anticipated. Before I could brace myself she was on top of me.

I pulled her body down and we rolled over each other against the cold concrete until I was on top. I kept a handful of her hair wound tight in my fist and pushed my blade against her throat. “More what you expected?”

“Not really.” She smirked.

I felt the point of a knife pushing against my stomach. Before I could react, a commanding male voice came from behind us.

“Enough!” it boomed.

I didn’t take the knife or my eyes off the demon beneath me.

“But we were just starting to have fun,” she complained. The smile on her face was anything but threatening. If this was her idea of fun, I didn’t want to know what she considered boring.

“Rayna, enough,” the man repeated.

She sighed, sticking out her bottom lip in a pout before the knife left my skin. “Truce?” she said with an innocent face.

“Not a chance,” I replied, pushing the knife harder against her throat.

I was pulled away from Rayna and pressed against a wall, thick hands around my throat. I raised my blade but my opponent blocked and twisted my arm at an awkward angle. The man ripped the blade from my hand and I squirmed.

“Calm down, Chase. We are not here to hurt you,” the voice said. A complete shadow hung around the figure, moving as he moved.

“So she attacked me for fun?” I snapped.

“If we wanted you dead, you would be,” he said, releasing his grip, and I fell to the sidewalk. He stepped back slowly and the shadow peeled itself from his body. As it faded, it revealed a large man whose magic I’d never sensed before.

“If you don’t want to kill me, what do you want?” I asked.

The man reached forward, a large dark arm holding out my dagger. I wrapped my hand around it in confusion. The contrast of our skin was drastic; my pale flesh glowed against his midnight color and the size of his hand alone made me feel small.

“What Rayna told you was true. We were tracking the vampire, not you. Although I’m happy to finally meet you, I’d imagined this moment under different circumstances,” he said.

“There are ways to meet people besides attacking them.”

“I agree. You must forgive us; Rayna is quick to lash out when insulted.” My eyes met his and I couldn’t read his expression. I knew I hadn’t been polite, but I wasn’t about to apologize to a demon. “You know, your father would not have hesitated to kill her, no matter his position.”

“Congratulations, you’ve discovered I’m not my father. What the hell would you know about him anyways?”

He turned his head to the side and as the light hit his neck it revealed a tattoo. It was the one every hunter received after their ceremony. The one I never got.

The tattoo made me realize why he could bend the shadows; he was an air elemental and a powerful one at that. I had heard stories of hunters being able to work with shadows, but I’d never seen it done firsthand.

I looked him over, not sure what to think of a hunter working with a demon. He was taller than me by an inch, around six-foot three. His head was smooth shaven, though there was a small patch of hair under his lower lip. His skin seemed like a smooth dark chocolate. His body was large and square, broad shoulders making him a massive column of strength and power. He filled out a sharp black suit jacket and wore black loafers, leaving the only color on him a flash of bright blue dress shirt.

“You’re a hunter.”

“Once upon a time, yes I was.”

He broke eye contact and cleared his throat, extending his massive hand towards me. “Look at my manners. Let me introduce myself. I am Marcus Starkraven.”

My eyebrows shot up; I knew that name! “You’re supposed to be dead.”

“Is that what you heard?”

“You used to hunt with my father.”

He nodded slightly, but otherwise ignored the comment. “You already met Rayna,” he said, taking his unshaken hand back.

I looked at Rayna and got caught in the depths of her green, slit eyes.

“What are you doing with a demon?” I said, spitting out the last word like a curse.

“How’s your nose?” Rayna asked.

I touched it and looked at the blood on my fingers. “Lucky shot.”

She chuckled and stepped towards me. “Care to go again?” Marcus put an arm in front of her.

“Not what we’re doing right now,” he said.

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“She is my student. And my friend.”

I couldn’t respond. I didn’t believe it. A hunter being friends with a demon was unfathomable.

“I would have thought, being out in the real world, you’d have come to understand, Chase. Some Underworlders don’t fit the Circle’s black and white image of good and evil,” he said.

“The only Underworlders I’ve come across have tried to kill me.”

“Your name is feared by many in the Underworld. Your father has created quite the reputation for himself, so they fear you as well,” Marcus said.

I smirked. “As they should.”

He shook his head. “That wasn’t a compliment.

M.R. Merrick is a Canadian writer and author of The Protector Series, a Young Adult mash-up between Urban and Epic Fantasy. Having never traveled, he adventures to far off lands through his imagination and in between cups of coffee. As a music lover and proud breakfast enthusiast, he’s usually found at the computer between a pair of headphones and in front of a large bowl of cereal.

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Devastated by a terrible loss, Chase is trying to balance the life he’s been left with, a family he’s still getting to know, and power he never thought he’d have. He doesn’t understand why the Goddess has named him the Protector and granted him two gifts: the Mark, a tattoo that now covers his back, and the ring. But between getting interrogated by the Circle and psychic attacks from Riley, the Mark is the least of his concern. There’s a demon inside Rayna that’s fighting to be released, and it’s not her inner witch. It’s something else—a monster threatening to tear her apart.

As Chase struggles to control his magic, his enemies are closing in. Everyone has staked a claim on his ring, and destroying it may be his only chance to stop Riley. But Chase must decide if stopping him is worth risking the lives of everyone he cares about, or if protecting the ring will be enough to save his world.

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