Books, Books, the Magical Fruit

Thursday, April 4, 2013

April Kindle Fire Giveaway

Kindle Fire HD 7" Giveaway

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HD (US Only)

Or $199 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)

Or $199 in Paypal Cash (International)

Sponsoring Bloggers & Authors

Giveaway Details

1 winner will receive their choice of a Kindle Fire 7" HD (US Only), $199 Amazon Gift Card or $199 in Paypal Cash (International). Ends 4/30/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Prize value $199 US.

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Cover Reveal: Off Limits by Sawyer Bennett

Title: Off Limits

Author: Sawyer Bennett

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Age Group: New Adult

Cover Designer: Vitalink

Expected release date: April 16, 2013

photo goodreads-badge-add-plus_zpsa971cb04.png

“There is a vulnerability there, hovering just below the surface. And I want to pick at it until I expose it. Then I want to kiss it."

Two years ago, Emily Burnham, had an epiphany about the shallowness of her life. And she made it her mission to become a different person…a better woman. Out from under the controlling thumb of her mother, Emily is tasting the real world for the first time. And she likes it.

Nixon Caldwell has served his time in the Marine Corps, surviving two brutal tours in Afghanistan. He is back home, surrounded by what he likes best…isolation. It's certainly the easiest way to avoid confrontation of the consuming guilt that is weighing him down.

When an accident brings Emily and Nix together, he soon learns he is not the master of his own fate. Struggling with his own pain, Nix tries to guard himself against Emily’s charms. He wants her in his bed, but he doesn’t want her in his heart.

Having grabbed life by the horns, Emily wants it all. But is she willing to accept just the small part of himself that Nix is offering? Can she reach the part of his soul that he has deemed to be Off Limits?

About the Author

photo SawyerBennettSmall_zps18129761.jpg

Sawyer Bennett is the pen name for a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. She is married to a mobster (well, a market researcher) and they have two big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn't have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.

Sawyer Bennett | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Author Guest Post: Eustice by Alex Gulczynski

Hey all. Q-ball here, Alex Gulczynski's two month old son. Now I know what you're thinking. Really, I do. This bald and giant head in proportion to the rest of my body size not only makes me adorable but in true fantasy clichéd fashion it gives me telepathy. All babies have it. It is how we know when you are the most tired and we just happen to be wide awake. You didn't think that was a coincidence, did you? Maybe, you might think this is mean but hey, when you can't consciously control your limbs, you take what entertainment options you can get.

Anywho, moving on what you were thinking. You don't know who Alex Gulczynski is and you were thinking who is this guy and why should I care? Well, he's my Dad and a great guy but that probably doesn't make you care. What you care about is quality, thrilling, engaging storytelling, with some plot twists, interesting characters, and maybe a ghost or werewolf thrown in so things don't get too boring. And you are in luck, because Alex Gulczynski has a new book out that has all of that (minus the werewolves. I'm allergic anyway.) called, Eustice.

It's great and if I could read or focus my eyes, I would be reading it right now. The book follows the story of a teenage girl, Eustice P. Jennings (title make sense now?), who wakes up in a mysterious world and finds herself drafted into the dangerous Reaper Corps. She struggles to find her place and learn the rules of her new world while getting involved in the sinister cold war between the Angels and Demons, unbeknownst to her of course. She tries her best to survive, find allies and friends, but everything seems stacked against her. It's all very engrossing. If I could sit up I would have been on the edge of my seat as my Dad explained it to me.

Also, when my Dad isn't changing me, feeding me, or staring lovingly into my eyes he is finishing up the second book in this three part series, The Reaper Corps. So if you enjoy Eustice, which my telepathy tells me you will, you won't have to wait long for the next part.

Now that you're all curious about this fantastic book, my job is done. My Dad was supposed to write this post but he is past out asleep on the sofa. I tried to get him up so he could finish this but he mumbled something about being up at two and three and four AM because it was his turn last night. I don't know why he is so tired. I was up at those times and I'm fine. Maybe I'll go drool in his ear to get him up.

Thanks for reading this and check out Eustice. You'll like it.

About the Book:

Eustice
Reaper Corps Book 1
Alex Gulczynski

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult

ISBN: 9781476255484
ASIN: B008I7N4ZA

Number of pages: 242
Word Count: 84000

Amazon smashwords

Book Description:

Eustice P. Jennings awakens alone and confused on an ugly piece of office furniture in Purgatory. Being dead is the least of her problems as she is quickly drafted into the dangerous Reaper Corps and plunged headfirst into the endless conflict between Heaven and Hell. Friends and allies are few and far as Eustice struggles to find her place in a surreal world she never imagined could exist.

About the Author:

Eustice is Alex Gulczynski's debut novel. He is currently living in Seattle and teaching science to elementary students. He and his wife had their first child in December. He is using these sleepless nights to work on the next book to further the story of Eustice and Thayer. He hopes to have it out by March 2013.

Facebook

Twitter: @alexgulczynski

GoodReads

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Promo Post: Ixeos by Jennings Wright

Tour Schedule

Book Excerpt

“There must be some kind of covering on the pipe,” Clay insisted. “That’s the only thing that makes sense!”
“The pipe is gone, man.
“Maybe there’s some kind of secret door that hides the pipe…” Clay said.
“It’s not hidden; there’s no door! We would have heard it. Heck, we’d have felt it — we were standing right next to the pipe. It’s gone. Which means we’re not in the dune, we’re not on the island… Can’t you tell from the smell? There’s no salt air, no sand. This is damp solid rock, and it smells old and mildewy.” Marty slapped the wall to prove his point.
“He’s right, Clay,” Neahle said softly. “I don’t think this is the island.”
“That’s not possible! Narnia wasn’t real! People in real life don’t end up somewhere else when they crawl through a pipe in the middle of the day!” Clay’s face was red in the torchlight; beads of sweat had popped out on his forehead. The hand holding the torch was shaking.
“I know,” Marty said, laying his hand on his cousin’s forearm. “But I think it’s true anyway.”

Ixeos

The McClellands are enjoying a lazy summer vacation at the beach when they are lured from our world into Ixeos, an alternate Earth. Finding themselves lost in a maze of tunnels under Paris and surrounded by strangers, they discover that they have been brought to Ixeos for one purpose: to take the planet back from humanoid aliens who have claimed it. With the aid of the tunnels and a mysterious man named Landon, the teens travel the world seeking the key that will allow them to free Darian, the long-imprisoned rebel leader. But the aliens aren't the only problem on Ixeos -- the McClellands have to deal with brutal gangs, desperate junkies, and a world without power, where all the technology is owned by the aliens, and where most of the population has been killed or enslaved. The worst part? There's no way home.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Author Jennings Wright

Born and raised in Florida, Jennings spent her early years reading anything she could get her hands on, when she wasn't spending time in and on the water. She won a prize in the 6th grade for her science fiction stories.

Jennings attended the University of Tampa, graduating with a B.A. in Political Science, and almost enough credits for B.A.s in both English and History. She attended graduate school at the University of West Florida, studying Psychology. She spent time over the years doing various kinds of business writing, editing, and teaching writing, but mostly having and raising her family, homeschooling her children, owning and running a business with her husband, and starting a non-profit.

Thanks to a crazy idea called NaNoWriMo Jennings got back into creative writing in 2011 and hasn't stopped since. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband, also a business owner and writer, and two children, and travels extensively with her family, and her non-profit in Uganda.

Facebook * Twitter * Website * Blog * Amazon * Goodreads

Blog Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 4/12/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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#A to Z Challenge - D - Giveaway - Dragon Egg by Mallory Loehr

Goodreads Review

A BIG EGG TOTTERS, tips, and falls out of its nest. It rolls down a hill, past a castle, and through a town. Along the way, curious people and animals gather to watch. When the egg finally cracks open, they get a surprise. Inside is a baby dragon egg

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#AtoZChallenge

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Promo: Crazy Dumplings by Amanda Roberts

Crazy Dumplings Cook Book

By Amanda Roberts

Hi! My name is Amanda and I am an American who has been living, writing, and cooking in China for nearly three years. China’s favored dish, the dumpling (or jiaozi in Chinese), can be found on every street corner, in every restaurant, and in every kitchen in China, but they are all pretty much prepared the same way: a bit of meat, some garlic and ginger, and a bit of vegetables if you’re lucky. Even a visit to the freezer section at any grocery store displays hundreds of packages of dumplings that all look and taste the same.

But the dumpling is so versatile! Have you ever tried stuffing a dumpling with chicken? Refried beans? Cheesecake filling? No? Hardly anyone has! My cookbook, Crazy Dumplings, takes this simple staple food and prepares it in ways you never thought possible! From buffalo chicken dumplings to pizza dumplings to apple pie dumplings, a world of foods is available to you in an easy dumpling wrapper with Crazy Dumplings.

EXCERPT/SAMPLE

Basic Dumpling Wrapper

3/4 cups flour

1/3 cup boiling water

Dash of salt

Flour for dusting

1) Mix flour and salt together in a mixing bowl.

2) Drizzle in water, mixing with a chopstick or fork.

3) Leave in bowl, covered with plastic wrap for 15 minutes.

4) Gather dough up into a ball and kneed on counter for a minute or two (until the dough is smooth)

5) Pinch off small portion of dough and roll into a ball (about 1 inch in diameter). Roll out into a flat circle on the counter, dusting with flour to keep dough from sticking.

6) Put small amount of preferred dumpling stuffing mixture into the middle of the flat dumpling wrapper. Pinch the dumpling closed.

7) Cook dumplings.

a. To fry dumpling, preheat oil for 30 second then lower heat. Cook dumpling on each side for only about one minute or until golden brown.

b. To steam dumplings, place in a steamer or on an elevated plate in a wok over water for about 10 minutes.

c. To boil dumplings, place in boiling water for about 5 minutes.

8) Always cut a dumpling open to make sure it cooked through.

9)Serve!

Taco Dumplings

½ lb ground meat (beef, pork, or turkey)

½ cup shredded cheese

1 tablespoon chili seasoning

1 tablespoon ground cumin

½ tablespoon garlic powder

¼ cup chopped cilantro (optional)

12 dumpling wrappers

Salsa, guacamole, cheese sauce, sour cream (as optional dip options)

1. Mix ground meat, shredded cheese, spices, and cilantro together in mixing bowl.

2. Spoon mixture into dumpling wrappers.

3. Fry dumplings for about 1 minute on each side or until golden brown (be sure to open one to make sure the meat is thoroughly cooked).

4. Serve hot with sauces for dipping.

Guacamole

2 avocados

1 small tomato, finely chopped

¼ of an onion, finely chopped

1 clove of garlic, pressed

a few sprigs of cilantro, finely chopped

1 lime or lemon, halved

Dash of salt

1) With a spoon remove the avocado meat from the rind and remove the seeds. Mash the avocado meat with a spoon and fork.

2) Mix in tomato, onion, garlic, and cilantro

3) Squeeze in lemon juice (watch out for seeds!)

4) Add salt to taste

5) Enjoy!

About the Author

Amanda Roberts received her master’s degree in English from the University of Central Missouri in 2009. In 2010, she and her husband moved to rural Hunan, China to teach English. Amanda has been

chronicling their adventures on her blog Two Americans in China for nearly 3 years.

One of her biggest obstacles to overcome was learning how to cook all over again. She discovered that this is a major frustration for most expats living abroad. Crazy Dumplings is her first book in what will hopefully become a full line of cookbooks for expats and people living at home who want to learn fun and more natural ways of cooking.

Website

A to Z Challenge - C - Giveaway - Colonel Daddy by Maureen Child

GoodReads Synopsis

Impossible! Could it be that Major Kate Jennings was going to be Major Mom? And the devastatingly handsome marine she'd had a long-distance relationship with was going to be a daddy - Colonel Daddy, that is! Suddenly things were becoming very complicated. Especially now that Colonel Tom Candello was her newly assigned boss...

Kate was sure the confirmed bachelor would offer her a marriage of convenience - after all, that was the honorable thing to do. Trouble was, how could Kate ever agree to an in-name-only union when her heart had secretly ached for Tom all along?

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#AtoZChallenge

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Spotlight/Giveaway: Violet Dawn by Lynn Rush

Violet Dawn
Violet Night Book Two
Lynn Rush

Release Date April 1, 2013
Crescent Moon Press

About the book:

In the darkest place, the Light shines brightest.

Emma’s love saved Jake from life as a vampire. But their happily ever after is threatened by a savage Vamp seeking retribution for destroying the Avenos Trinity of Evil.

A mysterious stranger enters the mix, coinciding with the first Vamp attack in months. Emma’s new friendship, and the suspicion and deceit surrounding it, further drives a wedge between her and Jake.

To complicate things, Emma is bitten by a Vamp with abilities no one has ever seen before, and that bite has left its mark.

A mark that might tear Jake and Emma apart forever…

~~~
Book trailer: http://youtu.be/MZE8Yyv2ZGM

Goodreads link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17160459-violet-dawn

Website link: http://www.lynnrush.com Website is called Catch the Rush®

About the Author:

Driven to write, Lynn Rush often sees her characters by closing her eyes watching their story unfold in her mind. Lynn Rush is a pen name that is a combination of two sources – Lynn, the first name of her mother-in-law, who passed away and Rush – since the author is a former inline speed skater and mountain biker. All of Rush’s books are dedicated to Lynn, her namesake, and a portion of the proceeds benefits cancer research and awareness.

Connect with Lynn online

Catch the Rush™: www.LynnRush.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LynnRushWrites

Twitter: www.twitter.com/LynnRush

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/lynnrushwrites/

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/f55fL

~~~See you in the paranormal~~~
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Cover Reveal: The Trouble With Goodbye by Sarra Cannon

Title: The Trouble With Goodbye

Author: Sarra Cannon

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Age Group: New Adult

Cover Designer: Okay Creations

Reveal organized by: AToMR Tours

Expected release: May 2013

One night can change everything…

Two years ago, Leigh Anne Davis shocked everyone in tiny Fairhope, Georgia when she broke up with her wealthy boyfriend to attend an Ivy League university a thousand miles away. At school, she finds a happiness and independence she’s never known.

Until one terrifying night takes it all away from her.

With no place else to go, Leigh Anne heads home to reclaim her old life. A life she worked so hard to escape. On the outside, she seems like the same girl everyone has always known. But deep inside, she’s hiding a terrible secret.

That’s when she meets Knox Warner, a troubled newcomer to Fairhope. His eyes have the same haunted look she sees every day in the mirror, and when she’s near him, the rest of the world fades away. But being with Knox would mean disappointing everyone all over again. If she wants to save what’s left of her old life, she has no choice but to say goodbye to him forever.

Only, the trouble with goodbye is that sometimes it’s about courage and sometimes it’s about fear. And sometimes you’re too broken to know the difference until it’s too late.

About the Author

Sarra Cannon grew up in a small town in Georgia where she learned that being popular always comes at a price. She is the author of the young adult paranormal Peachville High Demons series, which she first began self-publishing in October of 2010. Since the series began, Sarra has sold over 120,000 copies and recently signed a contract with Sea Lion Books to create a graphic novel adaptation of Beautiful Demons, the first book in the series.

Sarra lives in North Carolina with her amazing husband, her new baby boy, and her teeny tiny Pomeranian, Snickerdoodle.

Sarra Cannon | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

Blitz Tour: To Be Or Not by Margo Hoornstra

About To Be Or Not

Barry Carlson had it all, a successful career in professional baseball and the adoration of any woman he wanted. Except one. Forced to retire in his prime, Barry returns to his hometown of Summerville, New York to coach the Minor League Hornets.

Twenty years ago, Barry broke through Amanda Marsh’s trust issues. He melted her ice, won her love, then walked away without a backward glance to survey the wreckage. Now Amanda is the head of public relations for the Hornets and happily single—until Barry slides back into her life.

Still reluctant to trust, Amanda gives Barry another chance. But the announcement of their twenty-fifth high school reunion leads to an asinine bet between Barry and his old buddies, and threatens to ruin their new-found relationship. As scandals of the past and present converge, can Barry and Amanda get beyond their differences to find their second chance at love?

Excerpt

“I don’t think he was lying about this, because I was there too. Back at Doogan’s when you and your group of old buds came up with that—that—bet.”

As his memory completed a fast rewind of the specific event, the warmth in his heart turned to ice.

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about,” he hedged as his mind reeled with ways to talk himself out of the deep, dark pit he was about to fall into.

“Don’t you, Barry?” She gestured with a head toss over one shoulder. “According to him, the wager was your idea.”

He felt the pit begin to close in on top of him. “It’s not as bad as it sounds.”

When her gaze returned to take a vise grip on his, he saw only contempt. “So you admit to setting me up to win a bet with your pals.”

“What? Oh, God. No, Amanda.” Hearing the tears in her voice, a chill ran down his limbs. “It was nothing like that.” At the devastation in her eyes,
his gut twisted into knots and he could swear his heart stop beating. “Aaron Goodwin is an unmitigated ass. A jerk of the highest order. He
doesn’t have one cell in his body that isn’t selfish and self involved. In short, he’s a total and complete ass.”

The look of raw pain on her face was the same one that had haunted him for so many years. “It appears he has some competition in you.”

About Margo Hoornstra

My personal history in a nutshell is pretty simple. I’m a wife to one; mother to four—seven if you count in-law children which I do—and grandmother to four so far.

My work experience includes public relations specialist, magazine editor, television producer, and script and speech writer. I’m also a founding member of Mid-Michigan Romance Writers of America.

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Promo : Alejandro by K. Victoria Chase

Alejandro

K. Victoria Chase - Alejandro

Romantic Suspense

Date Published: March 2013

Add to Goodreads

Blurb:

Audrey Hughes hasn't heard from her sister Penny in years. When she receives a letter from her former drug-addicted sister that someone is going to kill her, Audrey believes her sister is being dramatic--until she discovers Penny is dead, and she's left behind a son Audrey never knew existed.It's his fault she's dead. Lana was his source, his responsibility. US Marshal Alejandro Santiago vows to avenge her killer, a drug trafficker who is the key to finding a dangerous fugitive. One problem: Lana's beautiful sister Audrey and her nephew have just become targets. Can he protect them both without his emotions compromising the mission? What will happen when Audrey learns the truth of his involvement in her sister's death?An interracial romantic suspense with a bit of faith weaved in.

EXCERPT

She backed herself into a corner, keeping her eyes straight ahead, and her chin high. Ale leaned against the opposite wall and hooked his thumbs on his belt loops. The longer he stared at her side profile, the more she fidgeted — checking her watch, gripping her bag, glancing up at the ceiling. If she were going to give him a hard time, he’d at least have a little fun.

“How do you plan to leave? If I recall, we drove here in my car. Yours is back at your sister’s.” He smiled triumphantly.

She favored him with half a glance before setting her gaze on the control panel. “I’ll call a cab.”

“No one is going to give you the number to a cabbie, on my orders.” She gave him a chagrined smile. “There’s an app for that on my iPhone.”

His eyes fell to her bag and he lifted his brows. “I’ll wrestle it away from you.”

“Ha! After our last fight? You wouldn't dare.”

“ Wouldn't I?”

Being reminded of his literally crushing defeat at the hands of a woman would've normally irked him, but he remained unbothered. In fact, the thought of another round with the pretty spitfire intrigued him. She gave him a slitted stare, and he responded with a wide grin.

“You have some nerve.”

“Actually, you don’t know the half of it.”

The memory of their kiss exploded in his brain, his blood pounding in his ears and racing throughout his body, warming muscles stiff after a long day’s work. Her eyes widened a bit, and he wondered whether her thoughts mirrored his own. Maybe they do…

K. Victoria Chase

From childhood, K. Victoria Chase enjoyed writing stories and plays and reading Christian romance. She received degrees in Criminal Justice and Diplomacy and worked as a federal law enforcement officer for several years before deciding to try her hand at writing a complete novel. Today, K. Victoria Chase is an Amazon bestselling author both in the US and the UK. She writes both clean and Christian interracial romance.

Authors Links

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Links to Buy

Amazon

Book Blast/Giveaway: Hunted by Ednah Walters

Hunted by Ednah Walters

Bran and Lil may have escaped an attempt to lure Lil to the dark side, and recovered the contracts damned people signed with Bran when he was a soul collector, but someone forgot to tell them that no one switches sides or cancels contracts without consequences.

Hunted by an unknown but powerful enemy, Lil, Bran and the Guardians must seek help from unlikely sources to avert total annihilation of the Guardians. When they finally face their enemy, one of them may have to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Purchase a Print copy for just $5.85!

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Praise

All in all, Hunted is a very enjoyable read, especially for those who enjoy angel/demon books. This one has everything you want in an angel book while still maintaining its own distinct feel.

~TeresaMaryRose

This series is addictive.

~Author Kate Kaynak

AMAZING! There is not enough words to describe how much I loved Hunted. Ednah Walters has outdid herself if that is even possible.

~Megan McDade

Author Ednah Walters

I grew up reading Nancy Drew and Hardy boys mysteries, hence Stratemeyer influence, before I graduated to Mills & Boons (starting with Janet Daily's Shutter the Sky) and the rest is history.

I enjoy good love stories, tingly mysteries and wondrous adventures. When I finished my college and decided to be a stay-at-home mother, I devoured books like they were going out of production, until reading just wasn't enough. So I started to write.

I've written picture books, contemporary and romantic suspense, biracial/multicultural books, and finally YA fantasy. Awakened is the first book in The Guardian Legacy series. I'm working on book 2, tentatively named Betrayed. When I'm not writing, I do things with my family, five children or my darling husband of 18 years. I live in a picturesque valley in Utah, the setting for my series.

Website * Blog * Twitter * Facebook

Tour Schedule

Book Blast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 4/25/13

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#A to Z Challenge - B - Giveaway - Beyond Ransom by Sophie Weston

GoodReads Synopsis

Her trip had unexpected results

Agronomist Julia Lennox, partner in a high-tech company, was in a small South American country to sell them a badly needed canal system.

Her kidnapping by revolutionaries intent on deposing the president was a shock -- as was enduring the company of their leader, the enigmatic Roberto Madariago, an international lawyer trying to stabilize the country.

When for her own safety Julia had to pretend to be Roberto's woman, her own reactions frightened her. In spite of all that had happened, Julia knew it was no longer pretence -- she loved him.

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#AtoZChallenge

Monday, April 1, 2013

Author Interview/Giveaway: Special Offers by M.L. Ryan

Little Blurb about yourself:
I am a profes¬sional woman — not that I gave up my amateur status, but rather I am over-educated with a job in which I spend a lot of time writing dry science non-fiction. In an effort to strength¬en the less logi¬cal side of my brain, I decided to write some of the many stories rolling around in my head. I live in Tucson, AZ with my husband, son, four cats, two dogs and two adopt¬ed desert tortoises.

1. Who or what inspired you to become a writer?
I wrote my first book when I was seven. It had something to do with an enchanted pony and the decline of the Ottoman Empire. It languished for many years, hidden in my dresser, and was rejected repeatedly by publishers who didn’t understand its inner meaning. Or the generally incoherent sentence structure and plot arc. More recently, I was inspired by the resurgence of paranormal-based books, as many of my ideas involve supernatural elements.

2. How long did it take you to write Special Offers?
It took six months of writing in the evenings and on weekends (damn day job).

3. While writing how many times do you go back and rewrite a plot?
I don’t rewrite the plot that much. Sometimes, though, a new twist comes to me and I have to change some of the earlier details to fit. In general, however, I know the basic plot line before I start writing.

4. You run into a bookstore, where do you go first?
Urban Fantasy. Then Sci-fi. Then Starbucks.

5. How many books in a month do you tend to read?
Unfortunately, I read less now that I am writing, but I still read between four and six a month.

6. In all the books you've read. Who is your most favorite character and why?
That’s tough. I guess I’d have to say Kate Daniels. She’s self-sufficient, fearless and has a whole lot of family issues. All of which make her incredibly interesting. And who wouldn’t like a lion for a significant other?

7. State 5 random facts about yourself.
1. I have a geographic tongue.
2. I have a Ph.D. in Immunology.
3. I despise hazelnuts.
4. I can identify almost every species of warbler that is normally found in the US by their song.
5. I’m teaching my tortoises to come when they are called.

8. Your favorite Genre?
I like paranormal romance, as long as the romance part isn’t too laden with soul mates or instantaneous love connections. But I think vampires, shifters and such are fascinating to read about.

9. What are you currently reading?
I am reading The Lost Dragon by Drako.

10. What is the best book you've read?
It’s a tie between J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and George R.R. Martin’s A Storm of Swords. I must be drawn to books written by guys with repeating middle initials.

11. Any new projects coming up?
Special Offers is the first book of the Coursodon Dimension Series. Book two — Special Rewards — was just recently published and I’m hard at work on book three.

Here’s your chance to market your book. Describe it. And why readers should pick it up?

I’ll give you my elevator pitch: Special Offers is about a woman who is possessed by a magical being from a parallel dimension who was previously trapped in her Kindle. It’s a combination of urban fantasy, paranormal romance and sci-fi with a lot of quirky humor. I hope your followers will give it a try. I think they will like it!

Book Description:

As soon as Hailey Parrish discovered her husband was cheating with her co-worker, she swore off men. She had to find another job when her boss went to prison for being a pimp in his spare time. Three years later, Hailey still hadn’t gone on a date and she milks chinchilla for a living. Her life is about to get weirder.

While in pursuit of inter-dimensional miscreants who use their arcane powers to prey upon humans, Sebastian Kess was ambushed and mortally wounded. To save his life, he used his own magic to convert his soul to binary code and transfer it into Hailey’s soon-to-be shipped Kindle eBook reader. When Hailey inadvertently releases him and he inhabits her body, she finally has a man inside her, just not in the way she imagined.

Hailey must come to grips with the existence of the parallel dimension of Coursodon and the realization that magically inclined non-humans walk the world while dealing with Sebastian’s arrogant banter in her head. Her predicament also introduces her to another supernatural, the handsome could-be-the-man-of-her-dreams Alex Sunderland. The action moves from Hailey’s hometown of Tucson, Arizona to New England and across Europe as she and Alex try to return Sebastian to his own body while staying one step ahead of the criminals who want to keep him where he is.

Special Offers, the first book of the Coursodon Dimension Series, combines paranormal romance, urban fantasy, a bit of science fiction and a healthy dose of quirky humor.

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http://www.amazon.com/Special-Offers-Coursodon-Dimension-Series/dp/0615672760 Create Space paperback

About the Author:

M.L. Ryan is a profes¬sional woman — not that she gave up her amateur status, but rather that she is over-educated with a job in which she spends a lot of time writing dry science non-Fiction. In an effort to strength¬en the less logi-cal side of her brain, she decided to write some of the many stories rolling around in her head. She lives in Tucson, AZ with her husband, son, four cats, two dogs and two adopt¬ed desert tortoises.

Blog: http://CoursodonDimension.blogspot.com

Website: http://www.CoursodonDimension.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/CoursodonDimension

Twitter: @MLRyan1

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3384189.M_L_Ryan

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After school on a crisp, bright day in Sunny Patch, the kids are itching to get outside. But when half the group wants to play basketberry and the other half wants to play soccerberry, an argument ensues. Come along as the kids learn a lesson about friendship and compromise--and how great it is to have fun . . . together!

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