Guest Post and Giveaway: Cassie Scot: Paranormal Detective by Christine Amsden

Cassie Scot is the ungifted daughter of powerful sorcerers, born between worlds but belonging to neither. At 21, all she wants is to find a place for herself, but earning a living as a private investigator in the shadow of her family’s reputation isn’t easy. When she is pulled into a paranormal investigation, and tempted by a powerful and handsome sorcerer, she will have to decide where she truly belongs.

Purchase at:

Barnes and Noble

Amazon 

Amazon Kindle

Cassie came to me, I didn’t go to her.

I finished The Immortality Virus late in the fall of 2008, and though I took pride in my second novel, I felt worn out (creatively). When the new year came, bringing with it the opportunity for all kinds of writerly resolutions, I decided I needed to take the year off. I would read, blog, journal, but otherwise give my muse time to heal.

I didn’t make it a year. It turns out, I really am a writer. Writers write. We can’t not write. Taking the pressure off my muse did turn out to have been a great idea, but putting a time frame on it was a bit naive.

Cassie came to me in mid-February, as I played on the floor with me (then) 9-month-old daughter. I won’t go so far as to say she popped into my head fully formed, but it was close. I sat bolt upright, my eyes probably doing that cartoon bulge, as a light bulb appeared over my head.

What if… What if the hero of a fantasy story was the only one in it without magic?

I wrote the first line of the story as soon as my daughter went down for a nap. It read: “My parents think the longer the name, the more powerful the sorcerer, so they named me Nicolas Merlin Apollonius Roger Scot. You can call me Nick.”

Okay, so it needed work. It didn’t take me long to realize I wanted a female heroine. Nicolas (who does not go by Nick and might set you on fire if you tried) became the oldest of Cassie’s siblings.

After that, Cassie told me new things about herself every day. I had a rough draft by the end of June.

Christine Amsden has been writing science fiction and fantasy for as long as she can remember. She loves to write and it is her dream that others will be inspired by this love and by her stories. Speculative fiction is fun, magical, and imaginative but great speculative fiction is about real people defining themselves through extraordinary situations. Christine writes primarily about people and it is in this way that she strives to make science fiction and fantasy meaningful for everyone.

At the age of 16, Christine was diagnosed with Stargardt's Disease, a condition that effects the retina and causes a loss of central vision. She is now legally blind, but has not let this slow her down or get in the way of her dreams. (You can learn more here.)

In addition to writing, Christine teaches workshops on writing at Savvy Authors. She also does some freelance editing work.

Christine currently lives in the Kansas City area with her husband, Austin, who has been her biggest fan and the key to her success. They have two beautiful children.

Her latest book is Cassie Scot: ParaNormal Detective

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

WATCH THE TRAILER!

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Pump Up Your Book and Christine Amsden are teaming up to give you a chance to win a new Kindle Fire HD!

Here's how it works:

Each person will enter this giveaway by liking, following, subscribing and tweeting about this giveaway through the Rafflecopter form placed on blogs throughout the tour. If your blog isn't set up to accept the form, we offer another way for you to participate by having people comment on your blog then directing them to where they can fill out the form to gain more entries. This promotion will run from May 13 - August 16. The winner will be chosen randomly by Rafflecopter, contacted by email and announced on August 17, 2013. Each blogger who participates in the Cassie Scot: ParaNormal Detective virtual book tour is eligible to enter and win. Visit each blog stop below to gain more entries as the Rafflecopter widget will be placed on each blog for the duration of the tour. Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

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Cassie Scot: ParaNormal Detective Virtual Book Publicity Tour Schedule

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Monday, May 13 - Book reviewed at Sara's Organized Chaos

Tuesday, May 14 - Book trailer reveal at Margay Leah Justice

Wednesday, May 15 - Book spotlight at The Busy Mom's Daily

Thursday, May 16 - Character interview at Laurie's Thoughts and Reviews

Friday, May 17 - Book reviewed at By the Broomstick

Monday, May 20 - Interviewed at Review From Here

Tuesday, May 21 - First chapter reveal at Offbeat Vagabond

Wednesday, May 22 - Book reviewed at Offbeat Vagabond

Thursday, May 23 - Guest blogging at You Gotta Read

Monday, May 27 - Book reviewed at My Cozie Corner

Thursday, May 30 - Guest blogging at Miki's Hope

Monday, June 3 - Guest blogging at Janna Shay

Tuesday, June 4 - Guest blogging at The Book Connection

Thursday, June 6 - Book reviewed at Miki's Hope

Friday, June 7 - Book reviewed at Repeat Reads

Monday, June 10 - Interviewed at From the TBR Pile

Tuesday, June 11 - First chapter reveal at By the Broomstick

Wednesday, June 12 - Book reviewed at Waiting on Sunday to Drown

Thursday, June 13 - First chapter reveal at Butterfly-o-Meter Books

Friday, June 14 - Interviewed at Literal Exposure

Monday, June 17 - Book reviewed at Carol's Notebook

Tuesday, June 18 - Book featured at Naturally Kim B

Wednesday, June 19- First chapter reveal at Inside BJ's Head

Thursday, June 20 - Book reviewed at Quilted Reviews

Friday, June 21 - First chapter reveal at Literary Winner

Monday, June 24 - Interviewed at The Writer's Life

Tuesday, June 25 - Guest blogging at Janna Shay

Wednesday, June 26 - Book reviewed at From the TBR Pile

Thursday, June 27 - First chapter reveal at As the Pages Turn

Friday, June 28 - Interviewed at American Chronicle

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Pump Up Your Book! Announces May 2013 Authors on Virtual Book Tours

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Contact Information:
Dorothy Thompson
Founder of Pump Up Your Book! Virtual Book Tours
Email: thewriterslife@gmail.com

Pump Up Your Book! Announces authors on tour in May 2013.

Pump Up Your Book is thrilled to announce their May 2013 authors on virtual book tour. In May, Pump Up Your Book features 37 authors in a variety of genres. From paranormal mysteries and romances to fantasy novels, from children’s picture books to young adult novels, and from Christian memoirs to non-fiction crime books and more, you’re sure to find a book of interest. Follow our authors to see how you can enter for a chance to win fabulous prizes like Amazon or Starbucks gift cards or the Kindle Fire HD!

Look for Book Blasts from Rita Antoinette Borg and Milly Taiden this month. Book Blasts are just one of the ways you can win great prizes.

Christian fiction titles come to you from Sandra D. Bricker, Jim Kraus, Sherry Kyle, Cynthia Ruchti, and Linda White. Kraig Dafoe tours with his fantasy adventure novel, “Search for the Last Realm,” and Julie Flanders shares her suspense/urban fantasy novel, “Polar Night.” A variety of paranormal books come to you from Mark All, Christine Amsden, Ann Gimpel, Joshua Graham, and Joseph Spencer. Richard Stephenson talks about his dystopian thriller, “Collapse,” while Lindsey Fairleigh and Lindsey Pogue discuss their post-apocalyptic romance novel, “After the Ending,” the first book in a planned series.

For younger readers we have a middle grade fantasy novel by Yves Robichaud, and children’s picture books from Anne Sawyer-Aitch and Nancy Stewart. And don’t miss Carlos Nicholas and his young adult paranormal, “The Sixth Power.”

Other novelists on tour in May are: Dilbruba Z. Ara, Michael Bigham, Veronica Frances, O.S. Gill, Harris Gray, Allan Leverone, Morrie Richfield, Scarlett Savage, Val Stasik, and Alana Terry.

Memoirs come to you from Emma Clay and Ash Hoden, while Tami Goldstein shares her autism awareness book, “Coming Through the Fog.” Mark Geragos and Pat Harris discuss their non-fiction crime book, “Mistrial,” and Robert Henry continues his tour for his health/fitness book, “Age-Redefined.”

Visit YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGI-MhH33r0 to view a video trailer introducing our clients on tour in May.

Pump Up Your Book! is a virtual book tour agency for authors who want quality service at an affordable price. More information can be found on our website at www.pumpupyourbook.com.

Interview and Giveaway with Susan DiPlacido, Author of Shuffle Up and Deal

Susan DiPlacido is the author of 24/7, Trattoria, Mutual Holdings, House Money, Lady Luck, Shuffle Up and Deal, and American Cool. Trattoria was nominated for the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award for Best Small Press Romance 2005, and her short story, "I, Candy," won the Spirit Award at the 2005 Moondance International Film Festival. American Cool won the bronze medal in the 2008 IPPY awards and was a finalist in the 2008 Indie Book Awards. Shuffle Up and Deal was nominated for the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Small Press Erotic Fiction 2010. Her fiction has appeared in Susie Bright's Best American Erotica 2007, Maxim Jakubowski's Mammoth Book of Best New Erotica vol. 6 and 7, Zane's Caramel Flava, and Rebellion: New Voices of Fiction.

Please visit her online at www.susandiplacido.com or www.susandiplacido.blogspot.com.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susan.diplacido

Become her friend her on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/susandiplacido

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m from Pennsylvania, but I love Las Vegas, and you’ll definitely see that reflected in my work.

When did you begin writing?

After I saw the movie "Reservoir Dogs" Quentin Tarantino was just such a huge inspiration. I know he’s a screenwriter and not technically an author, but in his work and his writing, it was so obvious that he was going full guns for what HE loved onscreen, and he was doing his own twists on it and making it fresh and seemingly original. That sort of passion and talent and disregard for what the mainstream would purchase was entirely energizing and inspiring. I figured if he could write with that one thing in mind, so could I, and then hope my tastes matched up with a set of readers. But even if the audience didn’t come, at least I’d be writing what I loved.

What is this book about?

It’s a very sexy romantic comedy set primarily in Las Vegas. Here’s the pitch:

Meet Izzy Santillo. She's a charming-but-lonely thirty-four year old woman who loves poker and harbors a secret crush on the reigning king of Hold 'em. Meet Nick Nolan, the reigning king of Hold 'em. On the tables, he's fast and loose and almost always wins. But when it comes to women, playboy Nick holds his cards too close and always loses. When Izzy and Nick meet in embarrassing fashion at a Las Vegas poker tournament, Izzy's secret dreams turn into a public nightmare. But despite her humiliation, she may have finally sparked Nick's interest in something other than cards. Before long, Nick takes a gamble on Izzy and raises the stakes when he offers to help her sharpen her game. But Izzy's convinced that Nick is bluffing and will fold his hand after he's had her on the flop. But a string of outrageous proposition bets and steamy trips on the poker tour, from Los Angeles to Miami, make these two fierce competitors realize that it may be time to put all their chips on the table. Will Izzy and Nick pair up? Or will they lose it all if they go all-in for each other? Sit down, ante up, and hang on, as Nick and Izzy get ready to Shuffle Up and Deal.

What inspired you to write it?

Paul Newman. Both "The Hustler" and "The Color of Money" specifically. They got me thinking about mentoring someone with talent and the whole idea of teaching someone tricks of trades. With him, it was pool, but poker has exploded on the scene and it carries a lot of the same dynamics – even more so – when it comes to learning about playing people. And I thought it could be really fun to explore that dynamic between two people who are obviously attracted to each other, but are going to have basic trust issues because their profession is to literally lie, bluff and beat the other one.

Are you a member of a critique group? If no, who provides feedback on your work?

I have some wonderful writer friends who read and help tremendously. Mostly, Don Capone. He’s very talented and busy, but his input in invaluable.

Who is your favorite author?

I do not have just one. I love Anthony Bourdain, Chuck Palahniuk, Jackie Collins. In fact, I wanted to be Jackie Collins. Tom Robbins, Chris Moore, Elmore Leonard, Charles Bukowski. And, as you can tell, I love movies, so there are a lot of screenwriters I really admire. Jon Lucas and Scott Moore will forever have me jealous of what they wrote together. I know, you may not know their names, but I bet you’ve seen, and loved the movie they wrote.

Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?

Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with aspiring authors everywhere?

Just sit down and start typing. Thinking about it won’t make it happen. Ass in seat gets it done.

What is up next for you?

After Shuffle Up, I have one more book in my Vegas series titled Lady Luck. Though these books are all technically a series, readers can pick up any one and read them individually and not be lost. Lady Luck is one I’m also proud of, because it’s a comic version of Hamlet that centers around a Vegas showgirl who gets conked on the head and believes she’s the human incarnation of luck. Much like Shuffle Up was my take on “The Color of Money,” I would say Lady Luck is a love letter to both Shakespeare and Tom Robbins, another writer I adore. I wanted to try something fantastical.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Thank you so much for having me!

~ ~ ~ NEW KINDLE FIRE HD GIVEAWAY ~ ~ ~

Pump Up Your Book and Susan DiPlacido are teaming up to give you a chance to win a new Kindle Fire HD!

Each person will enter this giveaway by liking, following, subscribing and tweeting about this giveaway through the Rafflecopter form placed on blogs throughout the tour.

This promotion will run from December 3 – March 15. The winner will be chosen randomly by Rafflecopter, contacted by email and announced on March 16, 2013.

Each blogger who participates in the Shuffle Up and Deal virtual book tour is eligible to enter and win. Visit each blog stop as the Rafflecopter widget will be placed on each blog for the duration of the tour.

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If the Rafflecopter form doesn't load, please visit the Shuffle Up and Deal Tour Page:

http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2012/11/20/pump-up-your-book-presents-shuffle-up-and-deal-virtual-book-publicity-tour/

The Shuffle Up and Deal Virtual Book Publicity Tour Schedule

Monday, December 3

Book Trailer of the Week at Pump Up Your Book

Tuesday, December 4

Guest Blogging at Black Velvet Seductions

Wednesday, December 5

Interview at The Writer’s Life

Friday, December 7

Book Review at Sara’s Organized Chaos

Monday, December 10

Guest Blogging at Lori’s Reading Corner

Guest Blogging at The Bunny’s Reviews

Tuesday, December 11

Guest Blogging at Book Reviews and More by Kathy

Wednesday, December 12

Book Review at Love Books! Book Reviews

Thursday, December 13

First Chapter Review at Spicy Romance Connection

Friday, December 14

Character Dear Santa Letter at Literarily Speaking

Wednesday, January 2

Book Review & Guest Blogging at Jersey Girl Sizzling Book Reviews

Thursday, January 3

Read-a-Chapter at As the Pages Turn

Friday, January 4

Book Review & Guest Blogging at Bookish

Monday, January 7

Guest Blogging at The Story Behind the Book

Wednesday, January 9

Guest Blogging at Inside BJ’s Head

Thursday, January 10

Interview at Blogcritics

Friday, January 11

Guest Blogging at Ramblings From This Chick

Monday, January 14

Character Dear Reader Letter at Literarily Speaking

Wednesday, January 16

Interview at Examiner

Thursday, January 17

Book Trailer Spotlight at If Books Could Talk

Friday, January 18

Book Review & Book Giveaway at Deal Sharing Aunt

Monday, January 21

Book Cover Envy at As the Pages Turn

Tuesday, January 22

Interview at Books Books the Magical Fruit

Friday, January 25

Book Review at Herding Cats and Burning Soup

Monday, February 4

Book Review & Book Giveaway at Kaisy Daisy’s Corner

Tuesday, February 5

Book Review at Butterfly-O-Meter Books

Wednesday, February 6

Guest Blogging at Butterfly-O-Meter Books

Thursday, February 7

Guest Blogging & Book Giveaway at Night Owl Reviews

Friday, February 8

Book Review at Teena in Toronto

Monday, February 11

Book Review at Mommy Adventures With Ravina

Tuesday, February 12

Interview at Between the Covers

Monday, February 18

Book Feature at Book Marketing Buzz

Tuesday, February 19

Book Review & Interview at The Solitary Bookworm

Wednesday, February 20

Interview at Review From Here

Friday, February 22

Book Review at Book Lovers Inc.

Friday, February 28

Book Review at Book Briefs

Monday, March 4

Interview at Morgen Bailey’s Writing Blog

Tuesday, March 5

Interview at Literarily Speaking

Wednesday, March 6

Self-Publishing Report Interview at Broowaha

Thursday, March 7

Interview at The Book Connection

Friday, March 8

Book Review at Mommy Adventures with Ravina

Monday, March 11

Interview at Book Marketing Buzz

Tuesday, March 12

Interview at Beyond the Books

Wednesday, March 13

Book Review at Socrates Book Reviews

Thursday, March 14

First Chapter Review at Literarily Speaking

Friday, March 15

Guest Blogging at Pump Up Your Book

Interview and Kindle Fire HD Giveaway with Linda Kovic-Skow, Author of French Illusions

Linda Kovic-Skow resides in Kirkland, Washington. She earned an Associate Degree in Medical Assisting in 1978 from North Seattle Community College and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Seattle University in 1985. She has been married for 27 years and has two daughters. An enthusiastic traveler, Linda also enjoys boating, gardening and socializing with friends. French Illusions, her debut memoir, is the culmination of a three-year project.

Where did you grow up?

I spent my early years in Seattle. For a short period of time, during my adolesence, I lived on Whidbey Island, a rural part of Washington State.

What is your fondest childhood memory?

I’m so glad you asked this question. The following is an excerpt from my book:

Some of my fondest memories as a young child involved baking apple strudel with my mother in our tiny yellow kitchen.

“Lindy, don’t pull too hard,” she would murmur as we stretched the dough over a tablecloth before adding the filling.

I rushed the process often, and holes would form in the dough. She never scolded me, choosing instead to repair my damage and move on. A patient, loving woman, she told my brother and me that her heart was “too soft,” which I always translated to mean “no heart for discipline.”

What is this book about?

In the summer of 1979, when I was twenty-one, I contracted to become an au pair for a wealthy French family in the Loire Valley. To secure the position, I pretended to speak the language, fully aware that my deception would be discovered once I arrived at my destination. Based on my diary, French Illusions captures my often challenging, real-life story inside and outside the Château de Montclair. The overbearing, Madame Dubois, her accommodating husband Monsieur Dubois, and their two children are highlighted as I struggled to adapt to my new environment. Continually battling the language barrier, I signed up and attended classes at the local university in the nearby town of Tours. When I encountered, Adam, a handsome young student, my life with the Dubois family became more complicated, adding fuel to my internal battle for independence.

What inspired you to write it?

About four years ago, after my husband and I dropped our youngest daughter off at college, I went through a sort of mid-life crisis. I missed being a mom and I wondered how I would fill the void. Sure I had my part-time bookkeeping business, but it consumed only a few hours a day and it wasn't interesting to me any more. Something was missing, but what?

This prompted me to review what I like to call my "mid-life list." This is similar to a "bucket list," with an important twist. The idea was to refocus myself and figure out the things I wanted to do with my life in my fifties - while I could still do them. My list was short.

-Learn to play the piano
-Travel to Africa to see the elephants
-Travel to Tahiti and see the island of Bora Bora
-Travel back to France (with my family this time)
-Write a book

At the time, I didn't own a piano and, with two daughters in college (out of state no less!), I couldn't afford a trip to Africa or Tahiti. I had already traveled back to France in 2001 with my family, so that left me to examine the fifth item on my list more closely. If I did write a book, would it be fiction or non-fiction? What genre would I choose?

The answers to my questions came to me in the shower (which is where many of my ideas seem to materialize, strangely enough). I decided to hunt down my diary from my au pair adventure in France and compose a memoir. It took me three years and countless hours to write French Illusions, but now I can scratch another item off my mid-life list.

Who is your favorite author?

Arthur Golden. His book, Memoirs of a Geisha, is an incredible story filled with vivid descriptions and well-developed characters. The first time I read it, we were on a vacation cruise to Mexico and I just couldn't put the darn thing down. My husband kept scolding me for missing out on events because all I wanted to do was read in our stateroom.

Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?

It’s available online at all major retailers. The link below takes you to Amazon.com where you can purchase the paperback or kindle versions of French Illusions.

Do you have a website and/or blog where readers can find out more?

Yes I do. For more information, go to lindakovicskow.com. Visit my blog, Facebook Fan page and Pinterest boards. Stay a while, there’s a lot to see.


Do you have a video trailer to promote your book? If yes, where can readers find it?

Yes. You will find my video at my website as well. I searched the internet for weeks, listening to French music, trying to choose a song for my book trailer. When I heard "Imposture" by Danielle Pauly, from the album Café de Paris, my heart lurched. I loved the melody. I wasn’t sure what the title meant in French so I looked up the translation. It meant “fraud.” The song was perfect. Read my book and you’ll understand.

What is up next for you?

I’m currently outlining the remainder of my diary. In a year or so, look for French Encore, the sequel to French Illusions. Readers can visit my website and watch my progress.

~ ~ ~ NEW KINDLE FIRE HD GIVEAWAY ~ ~ ~

Pump Up Your Book and Linda Kovic-Skow are teaming up to give you a chance to win a new Kindle Fire HD!

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If the Rafflecopter form doesn't work, please visit the French Illusions Tour Page at:

http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2012/11/24/pump-up-your-book-presents-french-illusions-virtual-book-publicity-tour/

Book Review: Iconic Spirits by Mark Spivak (Kindle Fire HD Giveaway)

Iconic Spirits: An Intoxicating History is a fascinating and engaging look into twelve spirits that changed the world and ushered in a new cocktail culture. Written by award-winning writer Mark Spivak, who specializes in wine, spirits, food, restaurants and culinary travel, these absorbing portraits of moonshine, vodka, Cognac, and more are complemented by historical photos and recipes.

What a refreshingly different offering to the world of non-fiction. While I only drink the occasional cocktail, I was drawn to Spivak's book for the history behind these spirits that had such an impact on our world. Who knew moonshine could be so thrilling? Full of interesting details on the societies and eras into which these spirits were born, this is how history should be shared. If all history books were this engaging, no one would ever complain of it being boring. And I have to admit Spivak's credentials indicated to me that he could bring this subject to life for the reader.

Spivak's wealth of knowledge combined with his conversational style make this book a winner. I couldn't tear myself away. I learned more about spirits and the world in the 250-plus pages of Iconic Spirits than I have in a long time.

Highly recommended.

Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Lyons Press (November 6, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0762779268
ISBN-13: 978-0762779260
Also available in electronic format.

I received a free copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I have not been compensated in any way.

Mark Spivak is an award-winning writer specializing in wine, spirits, food, restaurants and culinary travel. He was the wine writer for the Palm Beach Post from 1994-1999, and since 2001 has been the Wine and Spirits Editor for the Palm Beach Media Group, as well as the restaurant critic for Palm Beach Illustrated. His work has appeared in National Geographic Traveler, Robb Report, Ritz-Carlton, Continental, Art & Antiques, Newsmax, Dream of Italy and Arizona Highways. From 1999-2011 he hosted Uncorked! Radio, a highly successful wine talk show on the Palm Beach affiliate of National Public Radio. Mark began writing Iconic Spirits after becoming fascinated with the untold stories behind the world’s greatest liquors. As a writer, he’s always searching for the unknown details that make his subjects compelling and unique.His latest book is Iconic Spirits: An Intoxicating History.

Visit Mark’s website at http://www.iconicspirits.net

Become a fan of Mark Spivak at Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mark.spivak.3

Pick up your copy of Iconic Spirits at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0762779268/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=0762779268&link_code=as3&tag=theboocon-20

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Pump Up Your Book and Mark Spivak are teaming up to give you a chance to win a new Kindle Fire HD!

Enter by using the Rafflecopter form below or by visiting the book's tour page at http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2012/09/30/pump-up-your-book-presents-iconic-spirits-virtual-book-publicity-tour-free-kindle-fire-hd-giveaway/ 

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First Chapter Review and Giveaway: Saving Grace by Pamela Fagan Hutchins

The first chapter of Saving Grace comes to us from author Pamela Fagan Hutchins. This is a women's fiction mystery type novel she is currently touring with Pump Up Your Book.

BLURB:  If you're at all inclined to be swept away to the islands to fall in love with a rainforest jumbie house and a Texas attorney who is as much a danger to herself as the island bad guys, then dive headfirst with Katie Connell into Saving Grace.

Katie escapes professional humiliation, a broken heart, and her Bloody Mary-habit when she runs to the island of St. Marcos to investigate the suspicious deaths of her parents. But she trades one set of problems for another when she is bewitched by the voodoo spirit Annalise in an abandoned rainforest house and, as worlds collide, finds herself reluctantly donning her lawyer clothes again to defend her new friend Ava, who is accused of stabbing her very married Senator-boyfriend.

COVER: I love the color scheme of this cover. The flash of blowing red hair and the yellow-orange dress works well against the green-blue of the water and that stunning sky filled with puffy clouds.

FIRST CHAPTER: After a tough win and an even tougher year, Katie Connell and her paralegal, Emily, head to Louisiana to join the rest of their law firm at a company retreat. While there, Katie hopes she might get a shot at spending some extra time with Nick, a co-worker she thinks has designs on her.

KEEP READING: Yes. At first I didn't really care for Katie. I mean, what attorney uses the word "suck" twice in five paragraphs? But as the chapter flowed, I discovered she might be rough around the edges, but she is definitely worth getting to know. She's had a difficult time dealing with the sudden death of her parents  who died in an "accident" on their Caribbean vacation, but hasn't had the time to deal with it because of this major case she was working on. Now that the case is won, she can wind down.

Nick and Katie have this playful relationship and it looks like it could be leading somewhere. I found Nick funny and sexy; two very good traits in a man.

While the opening didn't have much to do with the overall plot stated in the synopsis, it is a great way to share Katie and her world with the reader. It allows the reader to get invested in what might happen to her in the future.

AMAZON | BARNES& NOBLE

Paperback: 278 pages
Publisher: Skipjack Publishing (September 24, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0988234807

ISBN-13: 978-0988234802

Pamela Fagan Hutchins writes award-winning mysterious women’s fiction and relationship humor books, and holds nothing back. She is known for “having it all” which really means she has a little too much of everything, but loves it: writer, mediocre endurance athlete (triathlon, marathons), wife, mom of an ADHD & Asperger’s son, five kids/step-kids, business owner, recovering employment attorney and human resources executive, investigator, consultant, and musician. Pamela lives with her husband Eric and two high school-aged kids, plus 200 pounds of pets in Houston. Their hearts are still in St. Croix, USVI, along with those of their three oldest offspring.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOOGLE+ |GOODREADS | LINKEDIN | SKIPJACK PUBLISHING

Enter for a chance to win a Kindle Fire HD using the Rafflecopter form below:

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or enter at the Saving Grace Tour Page:

http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2012/12/26/pump-up-your-book-presents-saving-grace-virtual-book-publicity-tour-win-kindle-fire-hd/

I received the first chapter of this book from the author through Pump Up Your Book. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I have not been compensated in any way.

Interview with Rebecca Reid, Author of The Coop

Rebecca Reid was withdrawn from school due to illness at fourteen. Being limited in the things she was able to do, she wrote all the time − poetry, stories, feelings, thoughts. At 16 she had her own page in the local weekly newspaper, the Bangor Spectator, in which she covered anything and everything: fashion, beauty, film, teen issues etc. At 17 she became a model, doing catwalk, photographic work, and TV. In 2008 she graduated in English from Queens University, Belfast, and she was awarded an Arts Council writing grant in 2009. Married in 2007, she lives in N. Ireland with her husband and their three daughters. The Coop is her first novel, and part of the Thickets Wood Trilogy.

Follow Rebecca on Twitter:  www.twitter.com/thicketswood

Visit Rebecca Reid on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccareid.thicketswood

Pick up your copy of The Coop at Amazon!

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I am just shy of thirty, happily married with three children and embarking on the scariest, most exciting venture of my life.

Where did you grow up?

By the sea in Northern Ireland.

What is your fondest childhood memory?

I was lucky enough to have teachers for parents, lucky in the sense that they had prolonged holidays, so as a family we spent our summers traveling around Europe. We would set off for months, staying with my grandfather who lived in the south of France for a few weeks before moving on. I adored my summers. They were magical.

When did you begin writing?

I fell ill at just fourteen years old, forcing me to be withdrawn from school. At such a young age, I needed a vent for all the thoughts in my head. Writing was it. I created a life for myself on paper and never looked back. It showed me that something good could come from the hardship in your life.

Do you write during the day, at night or whenever you can sneak a few moments?

As I have three children I have to be very strict about my writing time. With Granny day care and school, I work three mornings a week, 9am-1pm. At that rate it takes me around six months to complete a manuscript.

What is this book about?

The Coop is a darkly compelling piece of psychological fiction in which I manipulate the unsuspecting reader through both the conscious and subconscious mind. The convoluted intricacies of this story build from its gentle beginnings to enthrall the reader through menacing happenings and strange, disturbing characters. The Coop is not what it seems − things are never that simple.

It follows two very different storylines; that of a girl, apparently imprisoned in a room, which is the thread of mystery running parallel to the tale of Thatchbury village. There, Howard and Lilly take you on a journey through Thatchbury where Mathew, the child from the coop, shoots Jodie Tiding, and so unravels the history of his loveless raising, her innocence and the dramatic events leading them to disaster.

What inspired you to write it?

I had a fleeting thought about how life would feel if it was hopeless. It was nothing more than a flicker. As time grew that notion began to nag in the back of my mind. It irritated me. I knew nothing more than that one thought but this constant drone told me I had to write, that there was something more. That eventually became The Coop.

Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?

It is available to download on Amazon worldwide.

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with aspiring authors everywhere?

If a thought comes to you, capture it before it is gone forever.

What is up next for you?

Books 2 and 3 of the ‘Thickets Wood Trilogy’ are already written, awaiting their final edit. Once I have done that I intend to begin on what will then be my fourth novel. As yet I have no idea what it will become but the nag is there, it has been for a while now.

Is there anything you would like to add?

If you are reading The Coop, I hope you like it.

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Interview with Brandt Dodson, Author of The Sons of Jude (Kindle Fire HD Giveaway)

Brandt Dodson was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, which he would later choose as the setting for his Colton Parker Mystery series. Although he discovered in grade school that he wanted to be a writer, it would be another twenty-one years before he would put pen to paper.“I knew in fifth grade that I wanted to be a writer. Our teacher had given each of us a photograph which we were to use as inspiration for a short story. The particular photo I was given was of several young men playing handball in New York City. I don’t remember all of the particulars of the story now, but I do remember the thrill that writing it gave me.”

Later, while in college, one of Brandt’s professors would echo that teacher’s comment.

“But life intervened and I found myself working at a variety of jobs. I worked in the toy department of a local department store and fried chicken for a local fast food outlet. Over the course of the next several years I finished my college degree and worked for the Indianapolis office of the FBI, and served for eight years as a Naval Officer in the United States Naval Reserve. I also obtained my doctorate in Podiatric Medicine, and after completion of my surgical residency, opened my own practice. But I never forgot my first love. I wanted to write.”

During his early years in practice, Brandt began reading the work of Dean Koontz.

“I discovered Dean’s book, The Bad Place, and was completely blown away by his craftsmanship. I read something like 13 or 14 of his back list over the following two weeks. It wasn’t long after that I began to write and submit in earnest.”

Still, it would be another twelve years before Brandt was able to secure the publishing contract he so desperately desired.

“I began by writing the type of fiction that I enjoyed; I wrote edgy crime thrillers that were laced with liberal amounts of suspense. Over the years, I’ve begun to write increasingly more complex work by using broader canvases and themes.

Since securing his first contract, Brandt has continued to pen the type of stories that inspired him to write when he was a boy, and that have entertained his legions of readers.

“I love to write, and as long as others love to read, I plan on being around for a long time to come.”

Visit Brandt Dodson’s website at www.brandtdodson.com.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I'm a Hoosier, born and bred, and grew up on the southwest side of Indianapolis, a blue collar, working-class section of the city. A good portion of my family was in law enforcement with police officers on both sides of my family going as far back as the 1930s. Today, when I watch television shows like Blue Bloods, I'm reminded of the dinner table conversations we had and the way in which my extended family interacted with each other. I was six years old when I met my first murderer, a sixteen year old who tortured a young girl to death. Law enforcement is in our DNA.  

What is your fondest childhood memory?

Christmas was always special in our house. We didn't get a lot during the year, but mom and dad always showered us at Christmas. Now that I'm a father myself, I understand the excitement I saw on their faces when my brother and I would slide under the tree and start the day.

It's still a big deal to me as well as the idea it represents. I'm the biggest kid in the house.

When did you begin writing?

I've always had a creative bent, going as far back as grade school.

I was in the first grade, and we were in art class. Our teacher had us paint on one side of a piece of construction paper and then fold it to make a symmetrical version of what we had just painted. I was really into it and having a great time when she suddenly paused at my desk and snatched my painting. She told all the other kids to put their brushes down. She held up my work and asked them if it was any good. They answered with a reverberating "no," and she set my painting down and walked away.

I can remember tossing my brush onto my desk with the realization I was never going to be an artist.

Fast forward to the fifth grade. Our teacher gave all of us a photograph with instructions to write a short story that matched the photo. I had a black-and-white picture of two kids playing handball in an inner city alley. I wrote a story about the ball containing a bomb that would go off and level the city if the kids quit playing. I'm not sure how I got them out their predicament, but the teacher read my story as an example of the type of creative thinking she wanted. I received my first affirmation as a writer.

What is this book about?

The Sons of Jude is about standing firm in the face of certain consequences. It tells the story of two detectives, Frank Campello and Andy Polanski, who are polar opposites and who despise each other, yet who must put aside their differences while battling ingrained corruption when investigating the murder of a young girl. Throw in a steely local reporter, Christy Lee, who has her own grudge battle with the police, and there's enough conflict to fuel a dozen stories. It was a lot of fun to write.

What inspired you to write it?

I was living in the Chicago area in the fall of 1986 and took the train into the city daily. After missing my train home one evening, I had to hang out at Union Station. I stumbled onto the set of Brian DePalma's The Untouchables when they were filming the climactic shout-out scene with Kevin Costner and Andy Garcia. It was fascinating, and I promised myself I'd see the movie when it was released. In the film, Sean Connery's character, Malone, refers to St. Jude as the patron saint of lost causes and policemen. When I was approached by a publisher about writing a police procedural, I remembered that line. A bit of research revealed that St. Jude is also the patron saint of the Chicago Police department. The concept fit well with the story I wanted to tell - that police officers fight a lost cause - and hence the book was born.                                   

Was the road to publication smooth sailing or a bumpy ride?

Both. I began writing earnestly after reading The Bad Place by Dean Koontz. I was impressed by the way he got into the head of Thomas, the character with Down's syndrome. Shortly after, I began writing and submitting, but after a few rejections, I knew I didn't have what it takes. So I took time to learn to write before re-submitting. It was a twelve-year learning curve for me, but I did more learning than submitting. When I did finally break through, it came from a novel that I had written in a week. The book poured out of me, longhand. I submitted the novel the next week and it lead to a three-book contract. So the road was arduous, but when I was published, it happened very quickly.

If you knew then, what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently?

I began my career by writing and submitting short stories because I thought it would be easier to break in and there would be less of a learning period. How wrong I was.

Short stories and novels are two different forms. Novel writing is fun. Short stories are far more difficult - for me, at least - and I would begin today by writing what I want to publish. I would begin by writing the type of novel I'd like to read but can't find.

Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?

The Sons of Jude is available in bookstores everywhere and on all internet outlets including Amazon. It is also available in Kindle format.

Do you have a website and/or blog where readers can find out more?

I do. My website is: www.brandtdodson.com. I also blog on the site, often writing commentary on high-profile crimes. I'm also on Facebook and Twitter.

Do you have a video trailer to promote your book?  If yes, where can readers find it?

The trailer for The Son of Jude is the best one I've had to date. My publisher put it together and went to considerable lengths to capture the noirish tone of the book. You can view it at my website: www.brandtdodson.com 

What is the best investment you have made in promoting your book?

The best investment I've made - and the one I recommend to any author, aspiring or otherwise - is to take the time to write a good book. No amount of marketing will sell a book that no one wants.

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with aspiring authors everywhere?

Read. Read widely and deeply. If you want to write mysteries, for example, then read Agatha Christie and Raymond Chandler. They are both mysteries, but very, very different. And read romance. And suspense. All good novels have elements of romance and suspense.

All of the novelists who broke through early in their careers did so by writing something that no one had ever seen. Stephen King's Carrie was a hit because he had done something no horror writer had done. He brought horror into our daily lives in the form of an average-appearing young girl.

Mario Puzo revealed the mafia as it really is. Dickens illustrated the truth behind child labor. Tom Clancy showed us the hardware on which our military depends, and in a way we could understand and appreciate. Patricia Cornwell exposed us to forensics in a way that was unique and entertaining, and still is.

The only way any aspiring writer can write something that's not been done is to read what has been done.

And then you have to write. Writing is like exercising a muscle. The more you do it, the stronger you get.

What is up next for you?

I'm working on the next book in The Sons of Jude series. Chicago Knights will take place in the CPD's 28^th district, but will feature a different cast of characters although some from The Sons of Jude will make minor appearances.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Thank you for the interview and for the opportunity to meet your readers. I hope they enjoy The Sons of Jude.

Visit Brandt Dodson’s website at www.brandtdodson.com.

Visit Brandt Dodson at Twitter: http://twitter.com/BrandtDodson

Like Brandt Dodson on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/brandt.dodson

Become a friend with Brandt Dodson at Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2597.Brandt_Dodson

Pick up your copy of The Sons of Jude at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Sons-Jude-Series/dp/0857212052

Book excerpt here.http://www.amazon.com/The-Sons-Jude-Series/dp/0857212052#reader_0857212052

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Interview with Mark Spivak, Author of Iconic Spirits (Kindle Fire HD Giveaway)

Mark Spivak is an award-winning writer specializing in wine, spirits, food, restaurants and culinary travel. He was the wine writer for the Palm Beach Post from 1994-1999, and since 2001 has been the Wine and Spirits Editor for the Palm Beach Media Group, as well as the restaurant critic for Palm Beach Illustrated. His work has appeared in National Geographic Traveler, Robb Report, Ritz-Carlton, Continental, Art & Antiques, Newsmax, Dream of Italy and Arizona Highways. From 1999-2011 he hosted Uncorked! Radio, a highly successful wine talk show on the Palm Beach affiliate of National Public Radio.

Mark began writing Iconic Spirits after becoming fascinated with the untold stories behind the world’s greatest liquors. As a writer, he’s always searching for the unknown details that make his subjects compelling and unique. 

Visit Mark’s website at http://www.iconicspirits.net.

Become a fan of Mark Spivak at Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mark.spivak.3

Purchase a copy of Iconic Spirits at Amazon!

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I’ve been writing since I was eleven. I have extensive experience in newspaper and magazines, but I also have had several careers outside the literary world (restaurant business, wholesale wine trade, etc.). I think I was fortunate in this, since it gave me a perspective that some writers don’t have.

Where did you grow up?

On Long Island, outside of New York City.

Do you write during the day, at night or whenever you can sneak a few moments?

Anytime during the day, but I find that the early morning hours are the vest. There are less interruptions.

What is this book about?

In Iconic Spirits: An Intoxicating History, I chronicle the untold stories of a dozen spirits that changed the world and forged the cocktail culture. Some are categories and others are specific brands, but they are all amazing stories----stories that are unknown to the average person.

What inspired you to write it?

The inspiration came one day when I was thinking about Campari, about how bitter it is and how unpleasant it is to some consumers (myself included), despite the fact that millions of cases are sold each year. I did some reading about the physiology of taste, and realized that the taste receptors on our tongues function as an early-warning system that we’re about to drink something toxic or poisonous. Your brain is telling you, “Don’t drink this---it might kill you,” and yet Campari is considered to be one of the sexiest things on earth. The more I looked into other spirits, I found the same kinds of compelling stories.

Who is your biggest supporter?

My wife, followed by my agent, Kate Epstein. Kate’s advice tends to be a bit more practical and hard-noosed, and hence more valuable (I’m assuming my wife won’t be reading this).

Are you a member of a critique group? If no, who provides feedback on your work?

I don’t join groups. I prefer to get feedback from individuals I respect.

Was the road to publication smooth sailing or a bumpy ride?

It was incredibly smooth this time around, compared to the bumpy ride I experienced with previous projects.

Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?

Here’s my Amazon page:

http://www.amazon.com/Iconic-Spirits-Intoxicating-Mark-Spivak/dp/0762779268/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345933059&sr=1-1&keywords=iconic+spirits

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with aspiring authors everywhere?

Don’t give up! Believe in yourself---you may have to endure years or decades of rejection, but success will come

What is up next for you?

I’m sworn to secrecy, but my next project will be focused on spirits and the enjoyment of life.

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