Search This Blog

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Valentine Countdown Blitz - 12 Days of Clean Romance Day 4 :)




ZINA ABBOTT is the pen name used by Robyn Echols for her adult Golden Oaks series which includes Family Secrets, the first book in the series, and her historical novels.

Except for the first year of her life, Robyn has lived in California. She started her young life in San Diego and has had gradually moved northward. She has been writing since she was in junior high school.

After working several jobs, including that of being a rural carrier and union steward for the California Rural Letter Carriers' Association, she has spent years learning and teaching family history topics. She enjoys focusing on history from a genealogist's perspective by seeking out the details of everyday life in the past. Several of her family history articles have been published in genealogy magazines.

She resides with her husband in California near the "Gateway to Yosemite." When she is not piecing together novel plots and characters, she enjoys piecing together quilt blocks.



Connect with the Author here: 


In 1868, Otto Atwell has a 160 acre homestead near Abilene, Kansas and a limp as a result of an arrow shot in his low back while with the 16th Kansas Cavalry on the Powder River Expedition in 1865. What he doesn’t have is a wife. Then again, what woman would want to marry a cripple? 

Libby Jones comes to Junction City as a mail order bride. Not only does the man who sent for her reject her, he tries to sell her to the local brothel to recoup his fee. Otto offers to marry her, but she rejects him in favor of a job with his relatives. 

Will Otto’s offer still stand when trouble from Libby’s past catches up with her?







~ Amazon ~ Amazon UK





Snippet:

“Put your brother to work plowing and planting the garden for you. He can bend and stoop better than you can.”

            “A truck garden is women’s work, Pa.”

            Both Jefferson and Otto turned to face Henry who had returned downstairs and stood in the doorway to the kitchen with a scowl on his face.

            Jefferson glared at his son with an expression that brooked no nonsense. “Plowing is men’s work, Son. And when there’s no woman around like in Otto’s case, then men need to put a garden in themselves if they want a decent root cellar of vegetables to eat from over the winter. You’ve helped your mother when you were younger, so you know how to form the furrows and bury the seeds. You do that for your brother, and I don’t want to hear any more about it.”


            Shaking his head, Henry stepped into the room and answered with a grudging tone. “All right, I’ll do it.” He turned to Otto. “You need a wife, though, Otto. She’d not only keep this place cleaned up and plant the garden, she’d be able to cook better than you, if that mess left on the stove is any clue to what I can expect for meals the next several weeks.”




To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page 



The Soldier's Return by Laura Libricz Blog Tour with Giveaway!

The Soldier's Return by Laura Libricz

Publication Date: September 15, 2017
eBook & Paperback
Series: Heaven's Pond Trilogy, Book Two
Genre: Historical Fiction
The year is 1626. A senseless war rips through parts of Germany. Ongoing animosity between the Catholics and the Protestants has turned into an excuse to destroy much of the landscape situated between France, Italy and Denmark. But religion only plays a minor role in this lucrative business of war. The young dutchman, Pieter van Diemen, returns to Amsterdam in chains after a period of imprisonment in the Spice Islands. He manages to escape but must leave Amsterdam in a hurry. Soldiers are in demand in Germany and he decides to travel with a regiment until he can desert. His hope of survival is to reach Sichardtshof, the farm in Franconia, Germany; the farm he left ten years ago. His desire to seek refuge with them lies in his fond memories of the maid Katarina and her master, the humanist patrician Herr Tucher. But ten years is a long time and the farm has changed. Franconia is not only torn by war but falling victim to a church-driven witch hunt. The Jesuit priest, Ralf, has his sights set on Sichardtshof as well. Ralf believes that ridding the area of evil will be his saving grace. Can Pieter, Katarina and Herr Tucher unite to fight against a senseless war out of control? ​ The Soldier’s Return is the second book in the Heaven’s Pond Trilogy.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound


***EXCERPT***

Katarina
March 1626
Katarina poked at the fire and threw two logs on the embers. Sparks sailed up the flue and the flames revived. Twice last night she’d been to the kitchen to keep this fire burning. Fire was the sustainer of life, the taker as well. She lit a tallow lamp, opened the door to the low-vaulted stable adjoining the kitchen and hung the lamp on a hook rammed into the sandstone. The two cows lowed and her goat yawned. Their water was empty, the troughs too. She crossed the hay-strewn stone stable floor and opened the door leading out to the paddock. Bleating sheep, more than the paddock could accommodate, threatened to break through the wooden fencing.
Strange rumblings groaned and swelled underground, traveling towards the Sichardtshof farm along the Aisch River. Katarina imagined some heavy, tethered beasts grumbling while pulling slow-rolling burdens. She brushed aside the memories of the last visits from the mercenaries like she was clearing sticky cobwebs from the rafters. The past was not to be relived, Herr Tucher told her. Rise above it or it will destroy you, he said.
She took her overcoat down from the peg on the wall, shrugged into it, grabbed a bucket and hurried back through the kitchen and up the few steps to the house’s main entrance. She pulled on one of the double doors. In the winter the wood door swelled and stuck in the frame, squealing on the stone floor as she pulled it open.
She rushed past the half-timbered barn and the adjoining stable that dominated the other outbuildings forming the oval farmyard. A lamp burned somewhere inside. Tanner the Elder was awake, tending the horses. Distinctive sounds rose above the rumblings now: men’s shouts and whistles, the clank of chains from animals’ harnesses. Katarina startled as a flock of waterfowl squawked into flight from the ponds that lined the lowest point of the hollow called the Edelgraben. The water reflected the eerie, pink light of the dawn. The hills that protected the farm on either side of the hollow were shrouded in mist. But the hills never stopped the soldiers from coming before. The men knew the Sichardtshof farm was here and what it had to offer.
It was too early in the year for soldiers to be traveling. The nights were still frozen and dark. Friert’s am 40-Ritter-Tag, so kommen noch 40 Fröste nach. Because there was frost today, March 10, the day of Forty Martyrs, the farmers said forty more days of frost would fall upon the land. But Katarina smelled a slight turn in the air, as if the emerging vegetation let off a scent to attract and entice—a lush, green smell. Buds developed on the low bushes surrounding the square stone well and when the leaves filled in, the bushes made a good hiding place for the children. After such a long, cold, dark winter, these inklings of spring should afford some comfort. But Katarina took more comfort in the fact that in the winter, the soldiers moved into winter quarters and stayed away. This past winter was peaceful and Katarina had almost forgotten the rest of the world, the troubled world beyond the farm.
Katarina’s trembling hand grabbed time and time again for the rope and finally pulled the bucket up out of the well, craning her neck to look over the bushes back to the crooked little workers’ house. Covered in bramble bushes, she could just make out the glow of a fire through the tiny kitchen window. A figure passed by inside. The Tanner family and the other workers must be awake too. Katarina set the full bucket down by a small surplus of buckets next to the well and ran back to the house. Brambles snagged on her trousers as she softly rapped on the door.
Who is it?” a man’s voice growled.
It’s me, Tanner, let me in.”
The door to the workers’ house creaked open. Tanner’s large frame filled out the doorway. Behind him, ceramic mugs clinked, water boiled, a baby cried, men spoke in low tones and a woman coughed. Tanner looked over Katarina’s head and sighed, running a hand through his short, dark-blond hair. His cheeks were flushed with the heat of the fire.
Listen,” Katarina said.
He nodded, understanding. “Wake the master.” 

***************

About the Author

Laura Libricz was born and raised in Bethlehem PA and moved to Upstate New York when she was 22. After working a few years building Steinberger guitars, she received a scholarship to go to college. She tried to ‘do the right thing’ and study something useful, but spent all her time reading German literature. She earned a BA in German at The College of New Paltz, NY in 1991 and moved to Germany, where she resides today. When she isn’t writing she can be found sifting through city archives, picking through castle ruins or aiding the steady flood of musical instruments into the world market. Her first novel, The Master and the Maid, is the first book of the Heaven's Pond Trilogy. The Soldier’s Return and Ash and Rubble are the second and third books in the series. For more information, please visit Laura Libricz's website and blog. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday, January 30 Interview at Passages to the Past Wednesday, January 31 Review at Cup of Sensibility Thursday, February 1 Excerpt at WS Momma Readers Nook Friday, February 2 Guest Post at Reading the Past Monday, February 5 Review at Svetlana's Reads and Views Tuesday, February 6 Feature at A Bookaholic Swede Wednesday, February 7 Review at Locks, Hooks and Books Thursday, February 8 Review at Clarissa Reads It All Friday, February 9 Guest Post at Let Them Read Books Monday, February 12 Review at Back Porchervations Wednesday, February 14 Review at Rachel's Ramblings Thursday, February 15 Review at Historical Fiction with Spirit Friday, February 16 Review at Donna's Book Blog Interview at Dianne Ascroft's Blog

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we are giving away a set of The Master and the Maid and The Soldier's Return to one lucky winner! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below. Giveaway Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on February 16th. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open to US & UK residents only. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. – Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen. The Soldier's Return Blog Tour

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Valentine Countdown Blitz - 12 Days of Clean Romance Day 3 with Giveaway :)




Amey Zeigler wrote her first mystery with her best friend in fourth grade. She wrote, the friend illustrated. It also had a cute boy in it with spiky hair (because that was the style back then). Not much has changed. She loves mysteries. She loves romance. She loves suspense. She loves action, adventure and comedy. But she wants it to have a happy ending.

Because she grew up moving all around the United States, Amey loves writing about different places. In her books, she explores the whole world.

Growing up, Amey was always trying new things. She played violin, drums, flute, piano, all before she was sixteen. She also discovered she didn't have much talent for music.

When people asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up, she was afraid to tell them she wanted to be a writer because she didn't know how to write.

She is so grateful for her Sophomore year Honor's English teacher who gave her a star and five points (out of five!) for Voice on her personal essay. Otherwise, she wouldn't have had enough courage to pursue writing.

In her spare time, she adopts stray furniture left on the side of the road, fixes it up and gives it a new look and home. Amey lives with her husband and three children near Austin, TX.

Connect with the Author here: 
~ Facebook ~ Website ~ Amazon ~
 ~ Blog ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~




Twenty-three year-old investigative journalist, Andy Miller is armed with her many disguises and creativity to take down the riff-raff of Saint Louis. When her stepbrother is murdered by the mob, Andy soon discovers she’s out of her depth.


Enter Hugh Donaldson who has reasons of his own for discovering the murderer. He’ll use everything in his power to achieve that, including lying to Andy about his past. Dangerous as he is attractive, his martial arts skills and his quirky ways raise Andy’s suspicions.

Although Andy balks at his lies, Hugh’s charms, twenty-inch biceps, and electrifying blue eyes are difficult to resist. Striking out on their own, Hugh and Andy try to outwit each other as they traverse North America tracking down people connected to the case.

As clues disappear and the body count climbs, Andy and Hugh must trust each other and use their combined skills to bring the murderer to justice.






Snippet:

She tiptoed to the door. Voices echoed in the spacious living area. Andy cracked the door. An eerie blue glow of the computer lit Hugh’s face in the darkened space.

“I’ll ask her,” he said, his voice low. “Nothing I could do, though, without compromise.”

A voice replied from the computer, “You did right. Anything else would’ve been risking too much.”

“What about the girl?”
“I trust you.”
Intrigued, Andy craned her ear. The door creaked.

Andy swore in her mind. Hugh glanced up, silencing his computer. “You okay?” he asked.

“I woke up. Did I disturb you?”
Hugh didn’t blink an eye. “Just watching a movie.”

He lied.






To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page 



Night Night, Sleep Tight A Horror Anthology Presented by Enchanted Anthologies


Night Night, Sleep Tight
A Horror Anthology
Presented by Enchanted Anthologies

Warning - These stories are not for the faint-hearted. This anthology is intended for readers aged 18+. 


'When you wake up randomly in the night, there's a good chance someone or something was watching you'
A bump in the night wakes you, the jolt just as you're about to sleep could be something much more sinister than you thought, the sound outside your window is much more than a branch knocking in the wind, and no, you didn't imagine that shadow in the corner of your eye...
Night Night, Sleep Tight explores the horrific things that happen at night, from sleep paralysis to monsters hiding under the bed.
So, Night Night, Sleep Tight, and don't let them get you...

Introduction by R. L. Weeks
Under my Bed - Erin Lee
Butcher's Wife - K. L. Roth
Embers and Ashes - Mary Duke
Villisca Unraveled by A. Maslo
The Pendant by Lorah Jaiyn









R L Weeks is the bestselling and award-winning author of the Dead Loves Life Series, Bloodlust, The Fallen, Willow Woods Academy for Witches, Cursed, and the owner of Enchanted Anthologies, publisher of Fractured Fairytales Books 1 & 2, A Deadly World: Vampires in Paris, Things Only the Darkness Knows, and Christmas Nightmares.
She lives in a small village in the UK.

When she's not writing, she's traveling, reading (paranormal, fantasy and horror being her go to genres) and designing covers for Dark Wish Designs.







Erin Lee is a dark fiction/reality author and therapist chasing a crazy dream one crazy story at a time. She is the author of books published by Savant Books and Publications, Limitless Publishing, Black Rose Writing, Zombie Cupcake Press, Bella Tulip Press, and Crazy Ink.
Her Diary of a Serial Killer Series is an international bestselling series as is the Moving On Series that she co-wrote with Chelsi Davis. Upcoming titles include Wendigo and Momma. She is a co-founder of the Escape from Reality Series and author of several books in that series.

Lee holds a master’s degree in psychology and works with at-risk families and as a court appointed special advocate. When she isn’t busy dissecting the human experience, she enjoys escaping from reality through reading and spending time with her muses and canine companions and therapy dogs—Thomas the Terrier and Milo Muse. To her, laughter is the best medicine of all.





K. L Roth is the award-winning, international bestselling author of The Royals Series, The Fallen, Bloodlust, and she has stories in Fractured Fairytales Book Two, A Deadly World: Vampires in Paris, and Night, Night Sleep Tight anthologies published with Enchanted Anthologies. 


She lives in the small town of Delphos, Ohio. When she's not writing she enjoys reading, participating in outdoor activities and teaching her son the outdoor way of life.

She writes erotica, paranormal, historical, horror and thriller. She is working on several series and anthologies for 2018.









Mary Duke
Mom & Realm Wrangler. Also the author of Vampire Girl: Divided.

#Fantasy #SciFi #SpaceOpera









                                                                                         A. Maslo
Created in Hawaii, Alicia has traveled the country in search of faeries, mermaids, unicorns, and all things pretty. 


She has two completely spoiled Rotties and is attempting to raise two gentlemen while living the life of a Soldier's wife. 

She spends her days caring for her family, and sneaking in a few moments to write and possibly have a cup of tea and a bubble bath.

She creates fantastical landscapes in oils and acrylics and even has her works in homes as far as Wales.




Lorah Jaiyn
My stories vary from sweet and romantic to whimsical and mischievous, to temperamental and moody. My fervent imagination makes all of my projects different.


I started to focus on my writing career after developing a nasty case of empty nest syndrome. My stories have appeared online at Speculative 66, 101 Words, Our Write Side, and Dark Chapter Press, as well as in anthologies published by Rhetoric Askew and Our Write Side. I have several anthology projects in the works, several working with various charities. 'Whisper of an Angel' is my first full length romance novel, but I have many more in progress that cover different genres, each blended with a romantic element. 

I spend my days behind a desk, and try to write in the evenings while entertained by my greatest distraction,my Jack Russell. I enjoy creating with polymer clay, hiking and exploring the great outdoors. I spend time volunteering at a local wildlife rescue and am a total Hallmark Channel addict.






Follow the tour HERE for exclusive content and a giveaway!


Pandora: Outbreak by Eric L Harry Book Tour and Giveaway :)


PANDORA: Outbreak
by Eric L. Harry

Genre: Science Fiction – pandemic 
Pub Date: 1/23/2018


They call it Pandoravirus. It attacks the brain. Anyone infected may explode in uncontrollable rage. Blind to pain, empty of emotion, the infected hunt and are hunted. They attack without warning and without mercy. Their numbers spread unchecked. There is no known cure.
Emma Miller studies diseases for a living—until she catches the virus. Now she’s the one being studied by the U.S. government and by her twin sister, neuroscientist Isabel Miller. Rival factions debate whether to treat the infected like rabid animals to be put down, or victims deserving compassion. As Isabel fights for her sister's life, the infected are massing for an epic battle of survival. And it looks like Emma is leading the way . . .





Raised in a small town in Mississippi, Eric L. Harry graduated from the Marine Military Academy in Texas and studied Russian and Economics at Vanderbilt University, where he also got a J.D. and M.B.A. In addition, he studied in Moscow and Leningrad in the USSR, and at the University of Virginia Law School. He began his legal career in private practice in Houston, negotiated complex multinational mergers and acquisitions around the world, and rose to be general counsel of a Fortune 500 company. He left to raise a private equity fund and co-found a successful oil company. His previous thrillers include Arc Light, Society of the Mind, Protect and Defend and Invasion. His books have been published in eight countries. He and his wife have three children and divide their time between Houston and San Diego.


Follow the tour HERE for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!