This is the blog of Samie Sands, author of Lockdown. There will be many great books and projects reviewed here. For more, check out thelockdown.co.uk.

Thursday 25 August 2016

NEW RELEASE! Sarah Marsh – DARK REDEMPTION!

Dark Redemption banner fem
NEW RELEASE! Sarah Marsh – DARK REDEMPTION!
Available now!
Cover
Blurb:
Sofia Boon was ready to make changes in her life, but she didn’t see this coming…
Taking a chance, she finds the nerve to ask out her handsome neighbor, but when he doesn’t show up for their date, Sofia knocks on his door and meets a man claiming to be his roommate, and she soon realizes she’s made a horrible mistake.
Eitan Kent is a tortured man, haunted by a death he was unable to prevent…
Eitan believes he is unworthy of being loved. He buries himself in his work and takes a job to track down a wanted criminal, Ben Donovan. He locates Donovan’s apartment, but finds it empty—until Donovan’s “date” shows up.
Eitan doesn’t know what to make of sweet, curvy Sofia, but she’s the only lead he has…
Feeling he has no choice, Eitan decides to take her with him to see if she can somehow lead him to Donovan before it’s too late—or if her innocence is all an act and she’s involved in the bastard’s crimes.
Sofia is terrified and tries to explain to the dark stranger that she barely knows her neighbor and has no idea how to track him down, but Eitan knows exactly how to get the truth from her. Who knew a little torture could be so sweet?
Tag: “Who says it’s always the damsel who needs to be rescued?”
Purchase Links:
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2bjci5d
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2bhrazu
#Amazon #KU #KindleUnlimited #Paperback #eBook
Dark Redemption banner dude

EXCERPT:
That rat bastard! She thought as she watched him stroll out of the room just as though nothing had happened. As if he hadn’t just gotten her so turned on that she thought she’d spontaneously combust and then just…left.
Sofia didn’t think about what she would have done if he’d tried to have sex with her. That would just ruin the fury she was currently riding. She should be relieved he hadn’t tried to force her. She should have been, logically speaking, but she had to admit to herself her overheated body was ready to beg for release and that her traitorous hormones were killing the rational part of her brain. Sofia knew it was crazy, but all she could think about right now was that the most satisfying way to get some relief was under her sexy captor. It was an issue that only got worse as he walked back into the room with a tray of food and all that beautiful, tanned bare skin.
“Here, let me help you sit up so you can eat,” he said, putting the tray down on the nightstand and moving closer, “Or would you rather wash up and use the bathroom first?”
“Bathroom first, please,” she said immediately, thinking she could follow his lead and get some satisfaction while cleaning up.
But clearly her eagerness must have given her away because he raised one eyebrow in challenge.
“Okay, but you have ten minutes to shower, and you are not allowed to touch yourself other than to get clean―am I understood?” he said in a firm tone as he leaned forward and undid her wrists.
“You’re going to watch me?” she asked, not quite certain if she was offended or turned on at the prospect. She wondered for a second why his firm tone seemed to excite her more than it should have.
“Do you want me to watch you?” he whispered low next to her ear, causing awareness to spread through her entire body.
Sofia was a little breathless at the thought of putting on the same show for him as he did for her, but in the end, her pride won out over the wanton need she felt inside.
“No,” she barely answered, and it sounded weak even to her ears.
His deep chuckle at her answer made her nipples peak even more, and she was almost disappointed when he leaned back and pushed the timer on his watch.
“You’ve got ten minutes, Sofia. Then I come in and get you.”
Sofia had never used the washroom and showered so fast in all her life, she got done with barely a minute to spare as she put her bra and underwear back on and then wrapped herself in a big fluffy towel before she walked back out into the room.
“You can keep the towel until you’ve eaten, then it’s off,” he said once he saw her.
She’d take that small win, and she took her sweet ass time eating as well until he finally took the tray away after she’d spent five minutes chewing a single piece of melon.
“Now are you going to make this difficult on both of us or are you going to behave?” he said as he motioned toward the wrist cuffs once again.
She thought about it, but there was nothing she could do against his superior strength, so she begrudgingly laid back against the padded headboard and raised her wrists.
“Why are you doing this?” she asked quietly. “I told you everything I know already.”
“Well, I’ll see about that soon enough, won’t I?” was all he said in reply as he fastened the cuffs and picked up the tray before he left the room.
****
By the time Eitan had gotten the kitchen cleaned up from breakfast and returned to the bedroom, he was already half hard from replaying how she’d looked watching him come in the shower. He thought about putting on a pair of jeans, but why bother? He certainly wasn’t ashamed for her to see how she affected him and she sure as hell didn’t seem to be put off by his body, so he may as well use that to his advantage, right?
“Ready for the ankle cuffs?” he asked as he entered the room.
He saw her swallow hard and move her legs tighter together.
“Why do you have to?” she asked with a worried look. “Are you going to touch me?”
“You don’t want me to touch you?” he challenged, already knowing her body didn’t have any arguments.
“Of course I don’t want you to touch me!” she answered, clearly trying to sound offended that he’d suggest such a thing, “I don’t even know your name!”
“Well, that’s easy enough to remedy,” he said as he placed one knee on the bed and pulled up the first ankle cuff. “My name is Eitan. Now give me your leg, Sofia.”
He could tell she was surprised he’d given her his name, and to be truthful, he was a bit surprised by that himself. But the more he thought about his name on her lips as she moaned her pleasure, the harder his cock got. He was doing all sorts of things with this little captive that seemed to be breaking his rules, and Eitan wasn’t sure he really cared.
When she tentatively placed her little foot in his hand, he quickly attached the cuff and then slowly ran his fingers over the softness of her skin. Clearly she waxed her legs as the skin was still supple and hair free. That thought made him more aware of the noticeably smooth skin under those pretty purple panties, and his mouth watered as he imagined how soft it would feel under his tongue. As he fastened the second cuff and her legs moved further apart, it was all he could do not to crawl up her body and relieve her of those panties just as he’d fantasized about doing in the shower this morning. It was then that he finally had to admit to himself that this interrogation was probably going to be more difficult for him than it was going to be for her…because his self-control was already bucking to be let loose.
Cover 3
Author Bio:
Sarah Marsh was born in British Columbia where she still lives, she has only recently began her writing career finding it the perfect outlet for taking the edge off a nine to five office job. She’s been a science fiction and romance junkie for years and when her imagination started to take the characters she’d read about even further in their adventures she decided to try writing something of her own.
Sarah’s also a former pastry chef and spends a lot of time cooking and baking for friends and family as well as painting and knitting. Her biggest weaknesses are animals of any kind…she even loves the ones that wake you up at four in the morning because they can almost see the bottom of their food dish.
When it comes to life in general she’s a big believer that laughter is the best medicine and that there’s no such thing as too much love, which is why she’s such a sucker for a happy ending.
Social Media and Author page links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/sarahmarshfiction
Blog: http://sarahmarshfiction.com/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sarahmarshfiction/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SM_fiction
Facebook Street Team link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/955387561187276/
Evernight Publishing: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/sarah-marsh/
Limitless Publishing: http://www.limitlesspublishing.net/authors/sarah-marsh/
Bookstrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/sarah-marsh

Wednesday 24 August 2016

Author Ysa Arcangel' Den: Happy Release Day! LOCKDOWN by Samie Sands

Author Ysa Arcangel' Den: Happy Release Day! LOCKDOWN by Samie Sands: Title: LOCKDOWN Author: SAMIE SANDS Series: AM13 OUTBREAK, BOOK 1 Cover Designer: DERANGED DOCTOR DESIGNS Release Date: MAY 3, 20...

Dane Cobain #Competition

Here is a link to a Rafflecopter giveaway, where you can #win some of Dane Cobain's books:

No Rest for the Wicked
(supernatural thriller)
When the Angels attack, there’s NO REST FOR THE WICKED.

Father Montgomery, an elderly priest with a secret past, begins to investigate after his parishioners come under attack, and with the help of Jones, a young businessman with an estranged child, Montgomery begins to track down the origin of the Angels.

When Jones himself is attacked, Father Montgomery knows he has to act fast. He speaks to the Angels and organises a final showdown where he’s asked to make the ultimate sacrifice.

 No Rest for the Wicked by [Cobain, Dane]
Eyes Like Lighthouses When the Boats Come Home
(poetry)
Eyes Like Lighthouses is Dane Cobain’s first book of poetry, distilled from the sweat of a thousand memorised performances in this reality and others. It’s not for the faint-hearted.
“I’ve never seen anyone do a stream of consciousness piece as talented as that. Very impressed.” – Mark Allard-Will, author of Saskatch-A-Man and co-founder of Cuckoo’s Nest Press



 
Former.ly: The Rise and Fall of a Social Network
(literary fiction)
When Dan Roberts starts his new job at Former.ly, he has no idea what he's getting into. The site deals in death - its users share their innermost thoughts, which are stored privately until they die. Then, their posts are shared with the world, often with unexpected consequences.
But something strange is going on, and the site's two erratic founders share a dark secret. A secret that people are willing to kill for.
Find out more.
 



Social Paranoia: How Consumers and Brands Can Stay Safe in a Connected World
(non-fiction)
Social Paranoia: How Consumers and Brands Can Stay Safe in a Connected World is the true story of how sometimes the updates that you post come back to haunt you. Filled with real case studies and practical advice, it’s a guidebook for everyone who has an online presence from consumers to massive corporations.
Sometimes, people really are out to get you. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Find out more.

The House in Quill Court by Charlotte Betts

1813. Venetia Lovell lives by the sea in Kent with her pretty, frivolous mother and idle younger brother. Venetia's father, Theo, is an interior decorator to the rich and frequently travels away from home, leaving his sensible and artistic daughter to look after the family. Venetia designs paper hangings and she and her father often daydream about having an imaginary shop where they would display the highest quality furniture, fabrics and art to his clients.
When a handsome but antagonistic stranger, Jack Chamberlaine, arrives at the Lovell's cottage just before Christmas bringing terrible news, Venetia's world is turned upside-down and the family have no option but to move to London, to the House in Quill Court and begin a new life. Here, Venetia's courage and creativity are tested to breaking point, and she discovers a love far greater than she could have ever imagined . . .
From the multi-award-winning author of The Apothecary's DaughterThe House in Quill Courtis a gorgeously evocative Regency novel bursting with historical flavour and characters you won't forget. If you love Philippa Gregory and Joanne Harris, you will adore Charlotte Betts.
Review: Charlotte Betts is one of my favourite historical romance authors, so I already knew that I was going to like this one before I opened the first page, and I was not disappointed. The world of Jack and Lovell is well written, clearly researched and exciting up until the very end. It isn't just a romance... there is so much more to this novel than that. Highly recommended - give it a try, whatever genre you love to read. 

Tuesday 23 August 2016

Furious Rush by S. C. Stephens

"Add
icting and heart pounding--you won't be able to put it down until you've devoured every word."
--- Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling author on Untamed


The first in an emotion-fueled, New Adult series from the #1 bestselling author of the Thoughtless novels.
Too fast, too furious-and way too hot to handle . . .
Mackenzie Cox has a lot to prove. Daughter of a racing legend, she is eager to show the world that she has inherited her father's talent in the male-dominated sport of professional motorcycle racing. The last thing Kenzie needs is to be antagonized by her rival team's newest rider, Hayden Hayes. Plucked from the world of illegal street racing, Hayden immediately gets under Kenzie's skin. His insinuations that Kenzie is a spoiled princess who was handed her career fuels her desire to win, and much to her surprise, Kenzie soon learns she performs better when she's racing against Hayden.

As Kenzie and Hayden push each other on the track, the electric energy between them off the track shifts into an intense--and strictly forbidden--attraction. The only rule between their two ultra-competitive teams is zero contact. Kenzie always does her best to play by the rules, but when her team slips into a financial crisis, she has no choice but to turn to Hayden for help. The tension simmers during their secret, late-night rendezvous, but Kenzie has too much to lose to give in to her desires. Especially when she begins to doubt that Hayden has completely left his street life behind...
Review: I am a massive fan of Stephen's other book series, so I was very excited to start this one - and although it's quite different, it's got the promise to be just as amazing. Kenzie is a badass chick with attitude, who finds herself embroiled with a guy from the wrong side of the tracks. Their steamy chemistry is exciting as it builds and the fast and furious race scenes simply add to that. The ending left with a promise of more excitement in the next installment, and I can't wait to read it. 

If I Only Had a Duke by Lenora Bell

After three failed seasons and a disastrous jilting, Lady Dorothea Beaumont has had more than enough of her family's scheming. She won't domesticate a duke, entangle an earl, or vie for a viscount. She will quietly exit to her aunt's Irish estate for a life of blissful freedom. Until an arrogant, sinfully handsome duke singles her out for a waltz, making Thea the most popular belle of the season.

The duke ruined her plans and he'll just have to fix them.

Dalton, Duke of Osborne, is far too heartless for debutantes or marriage--he uses dalliances and public spectacle to distract from his real purpose: finding the man who destroyed his family. When his search leads to Ireland, the last thing he needs is the determined, achingly innocent Thea, who arrives in the dead of night demanding he escort her to her aunt. His foolish agreement may prove his undoing. The road to the Emerald Isle is faught with unforeseen dangers, but the greatest peril of all might just be discovering that he has a heart...and he's losing it to Thea.
Review: love the disgraced duke series! They are historical romance with a difference, and Thea and Dalton's story is no different. It'll make you laugh and cry, luring you in and keeping you gripped until the very last page. Brilliant!

Monday 22 August 2016

Burn by Suzanne Wright

Part of a small demon lair in Las Vegas, tattooist Harper Wallis lives a pretty simple life. That changes overnight when she discovers that her psychic mate, or 'anchor', is a guy who's rumoured to be the most powerful demon in existence. Compelling, full of secrets and armed with raw sexuality, Knox Thorne is determined to claim her as his anchor, creating a psychic bond that will prevent their inner demons from ever turning rogue.

The billionaire also wants Harper in his bed.

She's not so sure she wants either of those things. No one seems to know what breed of demon Knox is, only that he's more dangerous than anything she's ever before encountered. But he refuses to walk away. And when an unknown danger starts closing in on Harper, it seems that Knox is the only one who can keep her safe.

As Prime of his Las Vegas lair and a successful businessman, Knox Thorne is used to being in control. He's also used to people fearing and obeying him. Harper does neither, which unexpectedly amuses him. Unpredictable, elusive and complex, she draws Knox and his inner demon like nothing ever has.

Knox is used to getting what he wants, and he wants Harper. He'll have her, and he'll keep her safe from the threat that looms over her. Because Knox protects what's his. He won't allow anyone to take her from him. Even if it will mean letting the demon inside him rise and wreak the havoc it was created to make.
Review: Wow, what a great start to a new series! The ending of the book wasn't enough for me, I already want more. Set in Vegas, this epic paranormal romance had me so gripped that I finished it only a couple of days as I found myself sucked deeper and deeper into Knox and Harper's complex story. 5 out of 5 stars easily.  

Friday 19 August 2016

The Angels' Share by J.R. Ward

#1 New York Times bestselling author J. R. Ward delivers the second novel in her Bourbon Kings series—a sweeping saga of a Southern dynasty struggling to maintain a façade of privilege and prosperity, while secrets and indiscretions threaten its very foundation…

In Charlemont, Kentucky, the Bradford family is the crème de la crème of high society—just like their exclusive brand of bourbon. And their complicated lives and vast estate are run by a discrete staff who inevitably become embroiled in their affairs. This is especially true now, when the apparent suicide of the family patriarch is starting to look more and more like murder…

No one is above suspicion—especially the eldest Bradford son, Edward. The bad blood between him and his father is known far and wide, and he is aware that he could be named a suspect. As the investigation into the death intensifies, he keeps himself busy at the bottom of a bottle—as well as with his former horse trainer’s daughter. Meanwhile, the family’s financial future lies in the perfectly manicured hands of a business rival, a woman who wants Edward all to herself.

Everything has consequences; everybody has secrets. And few can be trusted. Then, at the very brink of the family’s demise, someone thought lost to them forever returns to the fold. Maxwell Bradford has come home. But is he a savior...or the worst of all the sinners?
Review: I loved the first book in the Bourbon Kings series, so I couldn't wait to read this one - and it didn't disappoint! Blood, sweat, tears and secrets make for a twisting and turning plot that hooks the reader in from page one. If you love gripping thrillers, then this book (and series) is for you!

Wednesday 17 August 2016

Dragonmark by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Centuries ago, Illarion was betrayed– a dragon made human against his will, then forced to serve humanity as a dragonmount in their army, and to fight for them in barbaric wars, even while he hated everything about them. Enslaved and separated from everyone he knew and from his own dragon brothers, he was forced into exile in a fey realm where he lost the only thing he ever really loved.
Now he has a chance to regain what’s been lost― to have the one thing he covets most. But only if he gives up his brothers and forsakes the oaths he holds most dear. Yet what terrifies him most isn’t the cost his happiness might incur, it’s the fact that there is just enough human in his dragon’s heart that he might actually be willing to pay it and betray everything and everyone– to see the entire world burn in Dragonmark, the next blockbuster Dark-Hunter novel by #1 New York Times bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon.
Review: I have read a few books in the Dark Hunter series and really enjoyed them, and this one was great for me because it took events that have happened in previous books, but showed them from a different perspective, which I really enjoyed. This is also a great way to catch up if you haven't read them all so far :)

Solitary Romance by Violet Sparks

A Solitary Romance: Book 1 in the Only Love Series by [Sparks, Violet]
Daydreamer Katrina Crimshaw just met the man of her dreams, again. A chance encounter with Robert LaSalla, the co-worker she admired from afar years before, brings the past alive for the shy auditor. Will she be able to juggle her secret life with her career and changing work situation?
Katrina leads a comfortable life with a loving family and close work relationships. She finds an outlet for her creative side by blogging about her passion for jewelry under a pseudo name. There's no room for romance in her life until she runs into Robert LaSalla, the man who caught her eye when she was just out of college and still stinging from a broken engagement. Although she hasn't seen him in years, he still intimidates her and sets her heart pounding. As unexpected opportunities arise from her blog, she finds herself drawn to a charming British museum director, while unforeseen circumstances throw Robert back in her path and upset her well-ordered life. When passion flares, will she let love slip through her fingers again? A Solitary Romance is a clean romance that will set readers’ pulses racing.
Author Interview:
Do you have a specific writing style?
I generally write in the third person limited or omniscient style.  I have to say, I begin by the seat of my pants and allow my characters full reign.  About one-third to half-way through the book, I'll sit down and outline the rest of the novel to keep things on track.  At this point, I've got a good idea where all the personalities will end up.
How did you come up with the title?
The main character, Katrina Crimshaw, is a jewelry aficionado.  She runs into a man from her past, someone she found incredibly attractive but was too shy to pursue.  I combined the idea of a solitaire ring, representing her love of jewels, with the loneliness that sometimes accompanies someone who is fearful or shy, and came up with A Solitary Romance.
What books have most influenced your life most?
The Bible has had the biggest impact on my life.  The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence, a Carmelite monk who lived in the 1600s, is an amazing book that I can read over and over.  Coming Out of the Ice by Victor Herman also affected me—it's a wonderful tribute to the human spirit.  I can't leave out the books by Dickens, Austen, and the Brontë sisters, which I read in my youth.  Their works definitely lent an idealism to my mindset (which does not seem to belong to this century!), and shaped my ideas of what romance and love should be. 
Do you have any advice for other writers?
My advice to other writers is to keep on writing!  Find a good editor you enjoy working with and don't rush your writing process.  Read and write as much as possible and do not allow others to discourage you. 
What books/authors have influenced your writing?
I've always loved how Charles Dickens could weave a story together with unforgettable characters and intersecting plots.  I appreciate how he inserted humor in his books as well.  I admire the way William Faulkner packed a punch and how the Brontës created amazing atmospheres, including unexpected twists in their stories.  The contemporary author, Carlos Ruiz Zafon, is a master of characters, atmosphere, and storylines.   
What genre do you consider your book(s)?
A Solitary Romance is a sweet, or clean and wholesome, romance.  It is book one of the Only Love Series, which currently consists of three books.  I have also written mysteries under a pen name.
Do you ever experience writer's block?
I haven't yet had a serious writer's block.  With every book, I do come to a place where I just have to grind out the story.  I don't particularly enjoy this part of my writing process, but I've yet to escape this phase.  Luckily, it only lasts for a chapter or two, and then I'm over the hump.
Have you ever hated something you wrote?
I would not say that I've hated any of my work.  Anything can be polished, rewritten, examined with a fresh eye, or edited for improvement.  I do go through some fear each time I start a new book.  Will I be able to come up with anything funny?  Can I do the characters justice?  Will unnecessary details hinder the story?  In other words, how can I possibly pull this off?
What is your favorite theme/genre to write about?
I cannot pick a favorite a genre.  All of my books have at least a hint of romance, so maybe that's my top choice.  The Only Love Series is straight-up romance, although the third book, A Calculated Romance, has a touch of suspense and mystery.  I like to incorporate a twist or even several unexpected events in my novels, so that's a theme to look for.
Where did your love of writing come from?
I have always loved storytelling.  My mother used to catch me as a toddler making up stories for my own entertainment.  She fostered my love of writing by introducing me to classic literature in grade school, and I won writing awards as a teen.  Then, life and career got in the way.  I always hoped to return to writing, and the encouragement of a friend got the ball rolling for me. 
What was the hardest part of writing this book?
The hardest part of penning A Solitary Romance was just taking the plunge.  I experienced a personal loss around the time that the idea started to sprout.  I think this book provided a much needed distraction during those first, early stages of grief.  With its overall light tone, the writing allowed me a welcome reprieve from reality.
What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
A Solitary Romance is ever so slightly autobiographical.  I enjoyed reliving my early career days and the fun I had with one of my girl pals.  Also, because everything in the book felt familiar, it required little research.  I appreciated how my writing could flow without stopping to investigate other subjects.  Because I love the arts, I savored drawing on my experiences at a major auction house.  There's a scene in the book where a character helps her friend squeeze into a gown in a dressing room by very creative means.  This actually happened, and my friend managed to fit me in that tight, red dress by the same method!  Just thinking about that little episode brings a smile to my face!
Do you write every single day?
I find I produce my best work when I am writing every day.  I aim to write six days a week, although I've slipped off a little this summer since my children are out of school.
Which writers inspire you?
So many authors inspire me.  At the top of the list are Charles Dickens, William Faulkner, Jane Austen, the Brontës, Carlos Ruiz Zafon, and Irène Némirovsky for her spectacular, unfinished, Suite Française.  I went through a stage where I only read history or biographies, and I greatly admire the work of David McCullough.  His books read like novels and bring the people of the past alive.  I always appreciate any writer who can surprise me with a plot twist or unexpected outcome.
What are you working on at the minute?
I am beginning the research for a novel set in the medieval period.
What is your latest book about?
My latest book is third in the Only Love Series, A Calculated Romance.  This is the story of Katrina's assistant, a young rock hound named Landi, and what happens when her path crosses with that of James Crimshaw.  James is featured in the first three books of the series.  He is Kate's brother and a naval intelligence officer.  Both he and Landi have murky pasts and a strong attraction to each other.

Tuesday 16 August 2016

Dark Carousel by Christine Feehan

In the new Carpathian novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan, a woman falls prey to the seductive allure of the past—and a vampire warrior’s intoxicating embrace...
 
The moment Charlotte Vintage walks into his club, Tariq Asenguard’s blood is set on fire. The ancient Carpathian had given up hope of finding his lifemate, but now he will do anything to make Charlotte his own. What Tariq doesn’t know is that Charlotte is using herself and her best friend as bait—to try to draw out the bloodthirsty killers who have already murdered Charlotte’s brother and mentor.

Charlotte is familiar with Tariq. Not only is he one of the richest and most eligible bachelors in the city, but he’s also a renowned collector of old carousel horses, which Charlotte restores. Their shared passion opens Charlotte up to trusting him with her life and with the desire she can no longer control. But it also makes her vulnerable to a centuries-old curse that will unite her and Tariq in a war against the enemies of humans and Carpathians alike...
Review: This is a Feehan book that's part of a series, but that can also be read as a standalone, and it really is a brilliant one. The characters within it remind me more of her older books, and although there are some more difficult reading subjects within it, the kindness in the male main character makes it that little bit easier. Tariq is protective, but not controlling, and Charlotte has some unexpected elements within her too! Highly recommended.

Ravage by Tillie Cole

Is finding one's true love worth committing the greatest sacrifice of all?
Taken as a teen, prisoner 194 was stripped of his name and freewill, meticulously honed to be a ruthless machine. Even as he tries to fight his captors hold on him he knows that obedience is the only way to save his sister, who is the one person that keeps him from turning into a monster.
As a young girl Zoya Kostava barely escaped the brutal attack that killed her entire family. Now twenty five she lives in secrecy. That is until she hears her brother also survived and is living with their greatest enemy.
Zoya risks her safety and anonymity to find the brother she thought dead and is captured by a beautiful, brutal man. A man who both captivates and scares her, in him she sees a soul as lost as her own.
They both have so much to lose will they be able to save each other…and survive.
Review: Oh wow - what an intense book! The plot is thick, twisting and very intense, making for a gripping read that you'll struggle to put down. I fell for Zoya right away, and watching her emotional turmoil as she finds herself in a very strange situation is compelling until the very last page. I cannot wait to read more in this series!

Tuesday 9 August 2016

ANNOUNCING TWO CONTESTS FOR AMAZON GIFT CARDS

ANNOUNCING TWO CONTESTS FOR AMAZON GIFT CARDS
AND AN EXCLUSIVE ANTHOLOGY
BOTH CONTESTS END ON AUGUST 31
Picture1 
Only Newsletter Subscribers are eligible to enter
Subscribe at https://debbiedelouise.com or email debbiewriter@yahoo.com with your address to ask to be subscribed. Prizes will only be awarded if a minimum of 10 people enter.
 PHOTO CONTEST FOR a $10 AMAZON GIFT CARD
 Submit a photo of you, a friend, or even a pet with my book, A Stone's Throw. All photos submitted to me by email at debbiewriter@yahoo.com by August 31st. will be entered in a random drawing for the $10 Amazon gift card. Those who submit photos agree that they may be used on social media.
 PURCHASE LINKS FOR A STONE'S THROW
Picture2
Amazon U.S.: http://amzn.to/1MjaJgN
Amazon Australia: http://bit.ly/1Sdh82D
Amazon Canada: http://amzn.to/1SdheHi
Amazon U.K.: http://amzn.to/1QutXBW
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1nQPyv4
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1KGYHep
Also available on iTunes and Ingram
 Anthology Contest + $5 AMAZON GIFT CARD
 
Picture3Picture4
For a $5 Amazon gift card and an anthology of romances written by 16 authors including myself, read the excerpt below and answer this question: What magical power did the stone have? Send your reply by August 31st. to debbiewriter@yahoo.com. Only newsletter subscribers are eligible to win, and this contest is not sponsored by Mailchimp or Yahoo. The winner will be announced in the September 1st. newsletter. 

Excerpt from The Seashell and the Stone by Debbie De Louise (c) 2016 Debbie De Louise

As Virginia and Stephen made their way toward the end of the boardwalk, the merry-go-round music that drifted along their path changed to a loud cacophony of whistles and horn blasts announcing “the greatest show on earth.” A man on stilts came hobbling toward them, his wide yellow polka-dotted pants flapping in the breeze off the ocean. “Good day, Ma’am. Good day, Sir,” he greeted them. “Right this way to the midway.” He chuckled at his use of words.


Up ahead, Virginia spotted the circus tents lined on the beach and the acrobatic high-wire strung high across two tall poles. 

“I guess you need to find the person in charge to ask about selling here.” 

Mr. Granger was scanning the crowd seated on folding chairs by the first tent where a magician was performing some tricks to the rapt audience. “Let’s look around first. Would you like to sit and watch the show?”

Virginia was pleased that he seemed more interested in her company than the business that brought him there. “No, but I would enjoy going there.” She pointed toward a tent that displayed the sign, “Madame Marie, Fortune Teller.”

“Are you serious? You know these carnival mystics are not worth the money.”

Virginia felt her anger flare again as it had when he had criticized her for feeding Seashell table scraps. “It’s my money to spend and that’s how I wish to spend it.” Her father had given her a $1 note as well as a few silver coins for carnival expenses. 

“Very well.” Mr. Granger followed her reluctantly toward Madame Marie’s tent. The psychic sat behind a round table covered in red velvet. She wore a matching red kerchief in her long dark curly hair. Several rings graced her hands as she sat turning over tarot cards and gazing into a crystal ball. At their approach, she lay down the cards and beckoned them with a smile missing several teeth. Virginia could smell the lady’s foul breath, onions mixed with garlic. She lay down one of her coins, but the woman pushed it away. “For you, I will tell a fortune for free. Please have a seat.”

Mr. Granger stood waiting by the side of the tent as Virginia took the chair opposite Marie. “Why are you not charging me?”

Marie shuffled the cards and placed them face down in a pile. “Direct your energy on the cards and then choose one,” the woman instructed ignoring Virginia’s question.

Virginia followed her directions while Mr. Granger stood with a bored look on his face shuffling from foot to foot.

“Ah,” Marie said as she turned over the card Virginia picked to reveal a man and woman with an angel above them. “The Lovers. How appropriate.”

“Does it mean I’ll be wed soon?” Virginia asked.

“Yes, my dear. There is a special gentleman in your life or will be soon.” She placed the card at the bottom of the deck and tapped the glass ball in front of her. “If you’d like to know more or ask a question, it will be 1 greenback, please.”

“Wait one moment,” Mr. Granger interrupted. “You told the lady your predictions were free.”

The psychic smiled showing her missing teeth again. “The tarot reading is free. There’s a charge for the crystal ball.”

“I guess you have to make money somehow. Come on, Miss Vance, let us move on.”

“Wait.” Virginia did not like being ordered around, and she was curious as to what Madame Marie would see in her crystal ball. She had her fortune told at the circus last year but by a gypsy man. Marie seemed to be new to the troop. “I told you I’ll spend my money the way I wish.”

A fire flared in Mr. Granger’s blue eyes. “You mean your father’s money, but, go ahead. She will only tell you what you wish to hear and what she observes from your reactions. I am sure the Tarot card was planted too. Most young women are looking for love. You don’t have to be a psychic to know that.”

Virginia stood up. As much as she disliked his words, she knew he had a point. None of the predictions made for her last year proved to come true. “Thank you, Madame Marie, but I may return after seeing more of the circus.”

“As you wish.” Marie glared after Stephen as he walked away with Virginia.

“If you really want to know your future,” he said as they passed several more tents, “I have something that can help.” 

“Whatever do you mean?” 

“I was not exactly honest with you about my occupation.” Virginia felt excitement flood through her at the thought that Mr. Granger was about to share the information she sought without her having to resort to any of her tricks to pry it out of him.

“Let’s sit on a bench for a moment,” he suggested guiding her away from the crowd.

He seemed to hesitate briefly as if he regretted his haste in revealing what he was about to say. Then he reached into his trouser pocket and retrieved a translucent stone. For a second she thought it was a Cape May diamond, the crystals that resembled the real jewels that Cape May residents and visitors searched for along the beach. However, they had not spent any time on the sand, and he had just arrived in town.
“You may have wondered why I did not bring along my merchandise to show the circus leader.”

Her eyes were focused on the glittery stone. “I thought they were too heavy to carry on our walk.”

“I would’ve at least brought a sample.”

“But what is that you have in your hand?”

“This is the reason I’m here. I’ve been following carnivals and circuses along the East Coast to offer my services, and this stone is one of my tools.”

“Your services?” This was more intriguing than she expected. “What exactly are your services?”

He smiled and, unlike Madame Marie, exhibited perfect white teeth. “I’m a psychic. A genuine one, but I need the stone to aid me. It was passed down to me from my father who received it from his own father. I believe it was originally found by my great grandfather.”

Virginia was not convinced. “Are you saying that rock guides you in telling the future?”

His smile deepened, and she saw a dimple appear in his cheek. “I guess that’s a way of putting it. If I rub the rock and ask a question, the answer appears in my mind.”

Monday 8 August 2016

When I'm Dead by Erin Lee

NOW LIVE! GET YOUR COPY TODAY AT https://amzn.com/B01H5KGNUS
What Goodreads reviewers are already saying about Erin Lee’s latest release, When I’m Dead:
This book is worthy of so much more then 5 stars!!! I have never read a book that has touched me and made me feel things that I had a hard time believing were out there....hope, faith, redemption.
I was overwhelmed with emotion and left speechless.
BLURB: Violet Hoffman is a planner. She’s had more than enough time—especially on holidays—to think this through. There’s really no point in turning back. Now, armed with a plan, Violet only needs to pull the trigger. She runs through her list of essentials: Motel room, check. Bottle of pills, check. Razor blades, check. Knife, yup. Purpose, check. Voice ready to be heard. Got it. Revenge, coming right up. Violet is ready. After all, she decides, everyone is born for a reason. For most of her life, she’s been different. Since she was nine years old, she’s carried a secret that made it impossible for her to be normal. For a decade, she’s been torn between loyalties and healing. But now, finally an adult, Violet can let it all out. And it isn’t going to be pretty. But then again, being ‘pretty’ and ‘special’ really aren’t what they’re cracked up to be. When I’m Dead is the story of an eighteen-year-old abuse victim alienated by her family. Ignored by a faulty system and shuffled from placement to placement, Violet is finally old enough to be heard. Sometimes, the best messages are given without words. And Violet’s always been a person of action. Where will Violet’s plan and actions take her? Will she finally get her message across? What will they think of her, when she’s dead? Will they even notice? 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Erin Lee is a hybrid author and therapist chasing a crazy dream one story at a time. She lives with her family in southern New Hampshire. She is the author of Crazy Like Me, a novel published in 2015 by Savant Books and Publications, LLC, reprinted as Her Kinda Crazy in 2016, Wave to Papa, 2015, by Limitless Publishing and Nine Lives (2016). She’s also author of the “Lola, Party of 8 Series,” When I’m Dead and 99 Bottles. Lee has published numerous magazine articles, particularly on the topic of mental illness. She recently contributed to the Anonymous anthology, in support of the Semi Colon Project with her short story “One Good Reason.” She holds a master’s degree in psychology and works with at-risk families and as a court appointed special advocate.

Raging Fire By Sara Schoen

Raging Fire
By Sara Schoen
@SaraNSchoen @Limitlessbooks #RagingFire #GuardedSecretsSeries
Release Date: August 18, 2016
Book 4 of Guarded Secrets Series
Cover Artist: Cover Crush Designs
Picture1
Blurb
CIRA agent, Spit Fire, has a mysterious past...
No one knows what she went through before joining the agency, and that's how she wants to keep it. She survived and managed to walk away, or did she? Even after establishing a life at the agency there’s something she can’t let go of—the need for revenge. She fights to keep innocent lives safe, but in her world, safety is only an illusion.
Especially when Camden Cardoza reveals her worst nightmare has come true…
Her stepfather, now under the alias of Harley Sanchez, is the new leader of the Cardoza Cartel. Harley knows she’s an agent and he’ll be expecting an attack from CIRA, but he won’t expect her to come alone. Spit Fire isn’t willing to risk losing any more lives to the Cardoza Cartel. She’s determined to put an end to Harley once and for all. Not only to avenge those she’s lost, but also to give others a chance to live. After all, he ruined her life and now she’s hell bent on returning the favor.
Revenge and the need to protect the other members of CIRA has always been her first priority.
For Spit Fire, this is her life and her family.
Family…that was always the problem
Picture2
 Series Synopsis’ 
Picture3
Book 1 - Suicide Mission
Sara Night lost her family three years ago in a car crash…
She tried to continue living a normal life, going to school, spending time with friends, and even trying to be a part of the family that took her in. She had almost gotten the hang of it, and moved past the suicide attempt.
Almost.
Then she was torn away from her new family, her old life, and thrown into a world of guns, knifes, criminals, and where every mistake could get her killed. She was needed for what seems like an easy in-then-out mission.
That was until she got caught.
Sara then had to form an uneasy alliance with a cartel member to escape, which reveals her family’s car crash wasn’t an accident after all.
Is her new life worth more to her than revenge?
Or will she die trying to figure out why her family was targeted?
Book 2 - Covert Operations
Picture4
CIRA agent Jackson Reeves won’t be denied his revenge…
He’s hunted down and killed the men responsible for his family’s fatal “accident”—all except the mastermind, Ash Crest. The problem is someone beat him to it, and Jackson won’t rest until he finds out who, and why. His search is complicated, because he’s several years into an undercover operation to take down the Cardoza Cartel and can’t risk blowing his cover.
Jackson’s sister Danielle is in danger from the very organization he has to pretend to support…
Camden Cardoza intends to take over the Cartel from his father, but to do so he needs a wife, and he has his sights on Danielle. Jackson knows he has to bring down the Cardozas before they claim his sister.
CIRA sends in more agents, including the beautiful and mysterious Night Stripe, whose task is to befriend Danielle and infiltrate the Cartel. Jackson struggles to find a way to communicate without giving both of them away…and falls for her in the process.
Jackson and Night Stripe walk the thin line between their mutual attraction, conflicting missions, and the danger of discovery, as Jackson’s objectives threaten to overwhelm him, putting those he loves in danger.
Can Jackson defeat the Cartel, save his sister, find Ash Crest’s killer, and complete his revenge—without losing his heart, mind, or life in the process?
Book 3 - Left for Dead
Picture5
Katya Petrov is supposed to be dead…
When Ash Crest can’t finish the job, Katya is targeted by her own father, Volodya Petrov. He decides to take matters into his own hands by killing Katya himself.
He never expected Night Stripe to interfere.
When Night Stripe killed Ash and shredded the files from his office, she hoped his hit list would die with him and the survivors would be able to live without fear.
She was wrong.
Renegade had been undercover with the Russian mafia. It was a dark, dangerous, and deadly mission, especially for those unfortunate enough to be in his way. Disbanding the Cardoza mafia took time. But now, with Renegade’s cover blown and other CIRA agents under protection, it’s only a matter of time before Night Stripe is exposed.
Leaving one man alive was his only mistake.
The goal is to remove Volodya from power and save Katya, but Night Stripe didn’t plan on going back to save her teammate—and being captured in the process.
She’s alone, trapped, and fighting to survive. Can Night Stripe save herself, protect Katya, and finish the mission she started so many years ago? Or will she be left for dead?





Cincopa Gallery

...