Category Archives: Meet The Author

Romantic Suspense Giveaway: Award Winning Author Kay. C Beerman

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Twilight Starlight World Alight

The Bay Area Blues Book 5

by Kay C. Beerman

Genre: Romantic Suspense

 

2022 Independent Press Award Winner, 2021 NYC Big Book Award Winner –

 

Abby Stevens, a vibrant tech worker, resides comfortably in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her cool life is suddenly toppled over when someone starts threatening her for unknown reasons. Instead of brooding, kick-ass Abby decides to find the truth that lies beneath.
 
Dazzling FBI division assistant director David Harp, also a cyber expert, has the mother of all loads of trouble on his hands, including his girlfriend Abby who abruptly declares she’s leaving him, and he doesn’t understand why.
 
Meanwhile, the IRS Criminal Investigation Division sends a top agent to investigate a suspected money laundering case in Silicon Valley, CA, after one undercover operative goes missing.
 
At the same time, the NSA and FBI have intercepted a suspicious electronic message that could be a communication between an infamous dark website and terrorist-wannabes. As the FBI tackles the situation, a mysterious explosion sends the IRS investigation spinning in another direction, colliding with the FBI’s case. It quickly ups the ante when Abby faces unforeseen jeopardy. David has to decode the encrypted message ASAP to foil mass destruction and save her in time. Can he also win back her love?
 

 

**Also available in Audiobook!**

Audible * Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo * Goodreads

 
 
 

Kay C. Beerman is an award-winning author of Romantic Mystery/Suspense.

She has worked in Medicine and Foreign Affairs. Her stories are mostly about detectives, agents and medical examiners based upon her education and experiences.

The series The Bay Area Blues is about people dedicated to protect and to serve in the San Francisco Bay Area.

When she has extra time, she often likes to read and watch anything relevant to nature, planets, stars, galaxies and the universe. However, right now, she is extremely interested in finding beautiful photos of the San Francisco Bay Area.

 

 

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Amazon * Goodreads

 

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

$20 Amazon

 
 

…

She looked down at the letter in her hand. It was a plain white envelope with a pretty hibiscus stamp, and it clearly read, Attn: Abby Stevens above Google’s address in type. The postmark on the front was faded and unreadable, with no sender’s name or address. She held it up, trying to look through the inside under the light. She couldn’t see anything. It must be a security envelope.

She scoured through her desk drawer to find her paper knife. She hadn’t used it in years. “Aha.”

“Let’s see…” She incised the envelope carefully, trying not to cut too deep, or she might cut the letter inside.

It was like opening a treasure trove unearthed from an archeological site.

She pulled a piece of fancy letter paper out of the envelope and unfolded it.

Her eyes glued to the letter, she froze.

Dearest Abb,

How have you been? Hope this letter finds you well.

I miss you. Maybe we can get together sometime.

Do you know a secret behind the memories?

R.S.

“Who the hell wrote such a letter?” she mumbled, but she could guess who might’ve done it.

R.S. must be Ryan Stewart, her ex-fiancé. His signature had always been just initials.

Or someone who knew her past could’ve played a prank on her. But who? And why?

First of all, no one around her now had any knowledge of him except for her family and close friends. However, since it was the social media era, nobody had any actual privacy.

I miss you. Ooh, that was creepy. Maybe we can get together sometime. Nope, not gonna happen.

Then the last line in the letter. Do you know a secret behind the memories?

What the hell did it mean by a secret behind the memories? What secret? What memories? The memory of their disastrous relationship? The memory that she’d wanted to rub out? Was it a stupid example of failed rhetoric? Yup, he hadn’t even been able to write a small grocery list correctly.

Last time she’d checked on Facebook three years ago, he’d lived in Oregon. But who knew where he lived now? It could be on Mars.

She wished Mia wasn’t on vacation enjoying time in her sweet hometown, San Diego, surfing like hell. If she was here, Abby could’ve complained and ranted at her about the douchebag who’d had the nerve to send her this spooky letter.

She decided to ignore it and take it home, not discarding it at work. Even shredding it in the office seemed too embarrassing.

It was weird how sometimes, out of the blue, old wounds throbbed.

…

Book Boyfriend/ Romance Author #1 : What d’ya Know About Author Asar? #BlackAuthorsMatter #amreading #romance

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AsarHappy Sunday! Let’s get to know Author Asar, the first of our Book Boyfriends and  male Romance Authors of colour .  I have found that this author’s book covers really do speak to me, from what I’ve seen on Facebook he has some wonderful designs. Author Asar is signed to the publishing label Major Key, he has around seventeen books published in the romance genre, from a quick glance at his Amazon page That’s a LOT of books to discover!

Asar is a graduate of Gwynedd-Mercy University with a Bachelors degree in Psychology. A lover of art, he has been writing since high school with the support of his family. Living in Philly, he works with children with autism as well as working for the Free Library of Philadelphia.

I recommend that all romance lovers give Author Asar a try, I certainly will be.  His book cover’s give off a pure love and sensuality vibe. Not only that he comes across as a man with a tender side for sure, judging by his Facebook posts he often posts while he’s in the middle of a writing sprint. He also shares a lot of the time  very positive and loving posts about women (cue the hugs and kisses for Asar). Some of his posts also have a very spiritual and uplifting feel to them. On the 23rd June he released a new romance called, ‘When Love Comes Down’. It has a five star review on and could be worth a look into as well.  This was a cover that caught my eye on Facebook last month.

Fun Facts About Author Asar

Hails from– Philadelphia

Star Sign- Gemini

Favourite Colour– Red

Hobbies– Reading comic books

Here’s a book that Author Asar is ‘very passionate about’ in his own words, that he would like to share:

 

Accidentally in Love by [Asar, Jay Pen Literary Services]

Childhood traumas brought Keonte and Shea together so many years ago. Growing up, they truly became friends with benefits, but in the sexual sense of the term. They grew up almost like siblings; inspiring, motivating, and pushing each other to be the best versions of themselves.

It would look to everyone around them that the two are in a relationship although Shea has been married for two years. However, Shea’s happy marriage isn’t all it looks to be. She’s controlled and cheated on by her wealthy husband, Jason, leading her to reach out to Keonte for peace and freedom.

But what happens when one fateful night, Keonte and Shea cross the one line they’ve never crossed before. After a heated night of bliss, a passionate affair begins and friends with benefits takes on a whole new meaning for the two.
Keonte and Shea have always been friends with benefits, but will now going beyond the benefits cost them the greatest friendship they’ve ever had?

Check this book out on Amazon here.

To see all of Author Asar’s romance books check out his Amazon page here, and please leave him a review if you enjoy. I’m sure he’d appreciate it!

Street Lit King #1: What’d You Know About Author Rice? #amreading

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Author RiceWelcome to July, let’s get to know a new male author of colour. Author Rice is an urban fiction/street lit author also known as Malik Rice. He’s signed to the publisher Lock Down Publications, and hails from the USA.  Judging by his Facebook profile  he has a number of readers asking him ‘when’s the next book dropping?!” Sounds good to me!

At the time of posting you can check out two of Author Rice’s books on Amazon, they are free to read on Kindle Unlimited too. Give him a try…. you might be surprised, I’m not normally  a massive reader of this genre, however I did dive into it this year,  a particular author made me go ‘wow’. I’m much more open to trying new authors in this genre, let’s start with Author Rice.

 

Author Rice BookAfter killing a big homie from a rival organization, RAMPAGE earns made-man stripes. Now that he’s official, older members in his crew take him under their wings and help the youngin elevate from shooter to legend.

Despite soaking up knowledge from the old heads, nothing that Rampage has been taught prepares him for the level of deceitfulness, hatred, and harassment that he’s about to encounter. Along with the treachery, Rampage has inherited major responsibilities. Is the youngin cut out to be a Boss? Or will everything falter under his command?

Many amongst him root for his downfall, but Rampage just might use their hate as motivation to go harder. The pain that comes with being NEW TO THE GAME can make or break a man. But the realest of the real will always rise above it all.

After killing a big homie from a rival organization, RAMPAGE earns made-man stripes. Now that he’s official, older members in his crew take him under their wings and help the youngin elevate from shooter to legend.

Despite soaking up knowledge from the old heads, nothing that Rampage has been taught prepares him for the level of deceitfulness, hatred, and harassment that he’s about to encounter. Along with the treachery, Rampage has inherited major responsibilities. Is the youngin cut out to be a Boss? Or will everything falter under his command?

Many amongst him root for his downfall, but Rampage just might use their hate as motivation to go harder. The pain that comes with being NEW TO THE GAME can make or break a man. But the realest of the real will always rise above it all.

After killing a big homie from a rival organization, RAMPAGE earns made-man stripes. Now that he’s official, older members in his crew take him under their wings and help the youngin elevate from shooter to legend.

Despite soaking up knowledge from the old heads, nothing that Rampage has been taught prepares him for the level of deceitfulness, hatred, and harassment that he’s about to encounter. Along with the treachery, Rampage has inherited major responsibilities. Is the youngin cut out to be a Boss? Or will everything falter under his command?

Many amongst him root for his downfall, but Rampage just might use their hate as motivation to go harder. The pain that comes with being NEW TO THE GAME can make or break a man. But the realest of the real will always rise above it all.

Author Rice book 2All RAMPAGE and TOE-TAG ever wanted to do was get into the game and blow up. They had no idea that in order to win they would have to sacrifice their souls, but they would. And the streets spared no one.
After losing his comrade in the most heartbreaking manner, Toe-Tag vows to make better decisions, as he assumes sole control over the hood. No longer is he New To The Game. With the benefits of painful experiences, Toe-Tag moves with a sage and calculated strategy, but it might just be in vain.
In a culture where murder, robbery, and extortion is glorified to the highest extent, Toe-Tag struggles to maintain his calm demeanor. Will the challenges of the game elevate Toe-Tag’s social consciousness? Or will he become as ruthless as the Soulless Individuals that want to end his life?

 

Check out these books on Amazon here. Please leave Author Rice a review if you read and enjoy! I’m sure he’d love it.

Author Interview, Meet The Author: ‘Street Lit King’ De’Kari!! #amreading

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De'Kari's photo (2)Alright, alright UK and world wide  people let’s welcome De’Kari! We’re kicking off March’s Meet The Author by heading over to the West coast of the USA. Yasssssss we have another author from this part of the world, who I’m happy to have met, and to have read their work. I’ve personally dubbed him one of the ‘Street Lit Kings‘ as  I  found his work very engaging. I read Gorillaz in the Bay last month, and ya’ll know I don’t really read this genre. But, I really enjoyed it you can read the full review here.

From what I understand Author De’Kari has been causing quite a storm in the land of urban fiction, and scooped up nominations, titles/awards. Let’s get to know his style….

Hello nice to meet you! Tell us a bit about you where are you from and other than writing what else do you enjoy?

Hello, my name is Author De’Kari. I am from Menlo Park, the Bay Area of California. I love spending quality time with family, fishing, sports, rapping and writing music.

Kim- Fishing?? *Pulls a funny face* well, I’m surprised! I never would have imagined you sat with a fishing rod, kicking back and waiting for a good catch.

How did you start writing? What was your inspiration to create?

I discovered my passion during my childhood when doing creative writing in school. My inspiration for creating these stories were my experiences and things I saw growing up.

Who is your favourite author, is there anyone out there that inspires you?

K’WAN, Kwame, Ca$h, Terri Woods & Terry McMillan – I enjoy their style of writing and I don’t get bored. They all inspired me as well as my loved ones.

Kim- Love Terry McMillan yes!

What genre do you enjoy reading?

Romance, Suspense Thriller, love Western’s, Murder Mysteries, Urban Fiction.

Kim- Arrrgh really? Mmmkay… that’s interesting I write fifty percent of that genre list there. *Cheesy grin* 

How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?

I now take in consideration what my readers suggest from their reviews and feedback.

So you’ve published a series, what is the series about?

The rise and struggle of a Bay Area drug organization.

What was it like creating back to back stories that link?

After the first story, the ideas for the next one was fresh in my mind. It was easy linking them together.

Kim- Wozers, you know I really take my hat of to you series writers who can link stories. I’ve ever really been good at that. I have created a series…but standalone stories… with the same theme…. sooooo not the same. Well done you!

Where did you draw your inspiration for the plot in Gorillaz In The Bay?

Real life experiences.

Kim- I really think readers should check that out I really enjoyed it, and that’s from a  non-traditional reader of the street lit genre. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the reality, and clever plot. My full four star review is here.

It’s interesting that you used females ‘the she-wolves’ as female assassins and key players in GITB. What made you decide to have a female line up of this nature?

In many urban novels the men dominate, so I wanted to do something different. I grew up around women that were strong, leaders and knew how to handle themselves on the streets the same as any man.

Kim- was great reading, raw! But great.

How do you ensure when it comes to street lit as a genre, your stories are realistic and believable ? I must say, I found GITB to be very believable. There is a great deal of reality in my stories.

Things I saw growing up.

In your view, what would you say are the strengths of this genre? Why should readers consider it to read?

For so long no one ever told our story, stories of the hood. The authors I am familiar with (including myself), we are writing about true events and turning it into fiction. I think they are good-reads because of the creativity that goes into them.

In your view are there any weaknesses, or things to improve on in this genre?

The way a lot of male authors portray women in unrealistic role an demean them.

Kim- *takes a deep breath* Yeah, I kinda gotta agree. As a female this is the biggest turn off for me as a reader of this genre. And that’s probably the biggest reason I’ve kinda not really dived into it as a reader, which is a massive shame as I’m a big reader. But, what I have found is that the older or more mature the author is, the better I can  read and engage with their work. I found this with you, and with another male author. In all honesty, I do think the genre has some work to do to help improve  how women are portrayed. It’s interesting you used the word ‘unrealistic’, I’m glad someone else thinks so. 

Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre? If you could what genre would you like to dabble in?

Romance, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Suspense Thrillers and maybe Black Westerns.

Kim *grins* yeah I’d read all that if you did.

What has been your most proud moment as an author?

The moment I had one of my books in my hand and the first time someone I didn’t know told me they read my book.

Was there ever a time you wanted to pick up your laptop, and then launch it out the window with frustration?

Due to my situation all my writing is done by hand with a pencil. There have been several times out of frustration that I have torn the pages up and started over.

Kim- You’re the second author in about two weeks that has given me that same response! Salut to you!!

Are you a “plotter” or a fly by the seat of your pants “pantster” as a writer?

Fly by the seat.

Am I the only one who gets hung up on commas? Do they make you go blah! when you’re writing?

Not really, I was kind of a nerd in school, so it doesn’t bother me.

Kim- I hate you!

Every writer has a word(s) that they always slip up on when they write, then slap their forehead when they notice their typo. For me it’s further and farther exit or exists-  but hey I’m over it now.  Do you have a word (s) that make you go blah! Go away not another damn typo.

The words than and then, I correct many times.

What three tips would you give any aspiring writer?

Follow your passion, work hard and do lots of promoting. Write what’s in your heart, never give up or let someone change your story but you must be open to critical and constructive criticism.

Kim- Amen to that.

What are you working on now? What will you release next?

I have a 2-book series, the first one to be released in March 2020 called Tears of a `Gangsta. I am currently working on part 2.

Kim- Hmmm, mmmkay…

So…. where can we get your books?

Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Target.com, Walmart.com

Kim- Walmart! And Target amazing! I’m on the other side of the world and even I know how big those stores are in the USA. Well done you!!

What are the most important magazines for writers to subscribe to?

Not sure, I would like some suggestions.

Kim * Whistles*…. let’s get on to the next question, I ain’t gotta clue either that’s why I ask. LOLZ

What does “success” look like to you? When would you say “damn, I’ve made it baby!”

When I am on the “New York Times Best Seller” list.

Kim- Snap!

Does a big ego help or hurt writers?

Hurt, because you need to be humble but always have confidence!

Kim- Good answer.

What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?

When research is needed “Team De’Kari” does my research since I am not currently unable. They spend limited time on research because I come up with most of the stuff on my own.

What is your writing process like?

I get an idea and then the title comes soon after.

Is there anything you must have while writing? (Music, snacks, etc)

I have my snacks nearby. I usually block out time in the morning and late evening to write. While writing I like things quiet so I can have complete concentration. Leading up to me writing I usually listen to some mellow music, if I have access.

Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?

Yes, I read all my reviews. I enjoy the feedback. Most of my reviews have been positive. I have received some comments about grammar or something minor but if I do get a negative review, I will learn from it.

What was your hardest scene to write?

Writing scenes with conversations.

Kim- That part comes kinda easy to me… maybe it’s due to the many ‘staff meetings’ I hold with myself during the day. LOLZ

Do you Google yourself?

Yes!

Kim- F*ck I don’t I’m too scared too!

How long on average does it take you to write a book?

Approximately 3 months.

Kim- Just knock them babies out huh? *Totally jealous* writing for me can sometimes be like child birth…. slow and painful in places.

What would you like readers to know?

That I have a passion for helping people especially our Youth. I have spent most of my life helping others. I guess this has a lot to do with the suffering I endured as a child.

What’s your favourite movie?

Braveheart with Mel Gibson.

What’s your favourite book and why?

I have so many but the one that stands out now is the Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

What music do you like?

I like all kind of music, but R&B is my favourite.

Where would you like to travel to and why?

Africa, the home of my ancestors.

Kim- Ummm, me too.

Tell us about how you develop your characters?

From people I know / have met along my journey.

Which one of your characters is your favourite and why?

It’s hard to say just one because there are several characters that have a piece of me in them. If I had to pick one it would be Voorheeze because no matter what he went through, he survived.

Kim- Awww so I really need to read the next part in Gorillaz in The Bay now, to see what happened to him. You know I thought you’d say T’Rida for some reason.

Do you need a lot of sexual experience to be a good erotica author?

I think it helps. You can also learn from what you see in movies, etc. Also having a great imagination.

Kim- you know I put this question here for an erotica author I interviewed years ago, most authors skip over it. Glad you stepped up to the plate. I think imagination is everything really with erotic stories or sex scenes, regardless of experience.

If you could do it all again would you change anything?

Yes, I would have searched for a publisher years ago when I wrote my first book.

Pick one a one time “Bestselling author” or an author with longevity what would you rather?

I would say an author with longevity as long as people enjoyed my work / purchased my books.

Thank you so much for spending time with me today De’Kari, it’s great to put a face to the great book. And get to know you a little better. I would encourage those who enjoy raw tales, crime fiction, and urban fiction that’s realistic to give this series a try. With thirty nine positive reviews on Amazon on my last check, why not!? It’s also free to read on Kindle Unlimited at the time of this interview.

About The Series

Gorillaz In The Bay is the newest series to take the urban literary world by storm. Author De’Kari brings the pages of his novels to life with his descriptive depiction of California’s Bay Area Street Life. The vivid tale begins with the birth of Neva Die Dragon Gang. Then he takes the readers along as the gang surges its way to the top of the Underworld. The Neva Die Dragon Gang are hell-bent on a quest to Reign Supreme in the jungle called the Bay Area. The characters T’Rida, Tommy Guns and Jason Voorheeze will soon find out they aren’t the only predators in this jungle. Does this trio of Comrades have what it takes for their organization to be the Bay Areas Apex Predators?
Critics are saying that Gorillaz In The Bay is the modern day New Jack City. Follow the series and decide if you agree with the rest of the critics. Is T’Rida the new Nino Brown?

🔥🔥AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON🔥🔥
Gorillaz In The Bay Book Series
book 1
book 2
book 3
book 4

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Dekari.Beckum

Instagram – urban.novels.by.dekari 

Twitter – https://twitter.com/DeKari67503535 

Amazon Author Page –  https://www.amazon.com/DeKari/e/B07MCMJGXJ?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_fkmr0_1&qid=1556320531&sr=8-1-fkmr0

Goodreads Author Page – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18735895.De_Kari?from_search=true

About The Author

De’Kari, author of the newly released Gorillaz In the Bay, is a promising author whose work is nothing short of amazing. Though it’s his first book, De’Kari’s work provides readers with an authentic glimpse into street life. He currently writes urban fiction but plans to cross over to other genres.
The author was born and raised in Northern California.

The author experienced a challenging childhood. Riddled with abuse, neglect and witnessing violence first-hand, De’Kari’s early years were dark and pained. Due to the dysfunction that surrounded him, he was often uprooted and moved from place to place. After various placements with relatives, he found himself in foster care. He eventually turned to the streets which consequently led to a lot of bad choices. In turn those bad choices led to youth authority, jail & prison.
There is more to this author than the street-life. He always had a love for writing. In school he excelled in creative writing. He would always live-out the story as he was writing. Through his most difficult times, he used writing as a way to escape from his surroundings.

In additional to writing, he creates poetry, writes songs and does artwork. He loves spending time with family, fishing, sports and helping youth.
He is happy that he is finally able to share his writing with others, putting his passion to work! De’Kari, author of the newly released Gorillaz In the Bay, is a promising author whose work is nothing short of amazing. Though it’s his first book, De’Kari’s work provides readers with an authentic glimpse into street life. He currently writes urban fiction but plans to cross over to other genres.

book flyer all 4

Author Interview, Meet The Author- Peter Mack!

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What an absolute pleasure guys! I’ve not done a Meet The Author feature for a minute! This month we have two, first up is Peter Mack. I’ve read two of his novels which he describes as ‘love n’ hustle’. I found them to be great reads, with a great fast paced realistic feel to them. I’ve read Powder most recently, the review is here. It was a great five star read for me personally. And also a urban crime fiction Stone De La Bru which you can read the review for here. So,  with twenty-five books under his belt, let’s get to know Peter.

Hello nice to meet you! Tell us a bit about you where are you from and other than writing what else do you enjoy?

My name is Isiko Peter Mack Cooks. I’m from Los Angeles, California. USA. I’ve authored over 25 novels. I enjoy art, fine dining and pretty smart women.

Kim- LOLZ ‘pretty smart women’ mmm-kay *can’t stop laughing*

How did you start writing? What was your inspiration to create?

I began writing after an arrest for trafficking narcotics. I prayed that my life would change. After this prayer I dreamed my first novel and have been dreaming and writing novels for 12 years now.

Who is your favourite author, is there anyone out there that inspires you?

Walter Mosley is my mentor.

What genre do you enjoy reading?

I love to read all genres that reflect real life.

Kim- agreed, that in all honest is what really drew me in when I read your work, I found what I’ve read so far incredibly believable and I’m so far from LA!

How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?

My process has never changed. I still fold a sheet of paper in thirds and write out my outline using bullet points.

Kim- No way! Pen and paper  *salut.* That really is something, but I wonder why you fold it in thirds?… maybe that’s a conversation for another day… 

So you’ve published a series, or books that link what is the series about?

All of my novels are related as life and people are related. Each subsequent novel features a minor character from a previous novel while advancing common narratives.

Kim- that’s real clever! And as a reader, it does make you want to know the back story of the characters when you meet them, I liked that.

What was it like creating back to back stories that link?

It’s nice because everyone is represented with a new story to tell.

Where did you draw your inspiration for the plot in POWDER?

As many readers know Ayana is based on my relationship with a woman. POWDER represents the culmination of that relationship while featuring real life situations with Ayana.

It’s interesting that your male line up are very powerful men, but they are not stereotypical. These are business men, with overseas links in property, oil etc. What made you decide to have such a powerful male line up, that are not the norm? Was this a conscious decision?

Yes. These men represent a higher ideal of the norm. They represent the possibilities that exist outside the norm for perhaps inspiration. There may be a reader who discovers a new opportunity from what’s been introduced on the page. The Black Revolutionary Underground is prevalent in all my novels. They represent an organized pursuit for peace, power and position.

Kim- It struck me, I was really surprised at the level of power these men had, but power that was worth having and could really make a difference in their communities. Kudos to you.

Tell us a bit about Prada, your character I found her soooooooo interesting. What made you feature a trans-sexual character?

Prada was first introduced in my novel LICKS. This is at a time when the trans character from Orange Is The New Black debuted. I wanted to feature a character who was totally developed without her sexuality being the focus. It’s interesting that Prada gets so much positive attention.

Kim- Yes! Prada is amazing. I liked her from meeting her in POWDER. She is one of your characters I’d like to learn the backstory of. LICKS okay, noted I’ll read that one. I found her to be caring, feminine, strong and at time funny. But, boy did she know how to get what she wanted. *raises eyebrows* no spoilers from  me!

Your main guy in POWDER who is trying to take down the ‘family’ is a devil worshiper. Tell us about this, what made you spin this into your plot? I found him a very interesting character.

I knew a Satanist and was always interested in portraying and delving into this belief system. I’m always inputting real life situations and people into my novels for part education and part entertainment. Spider was my way of introducing Satanism in a way that could easily observed without judgment.

Kim- most people who know me know I’m as eccentric as f*** , and love learning about the ‘unusual’. This kind of worship has been linked to the music industry and all kinds of every day ways of life. Celebrities and call kinds. How much of this is true, if they do part take in this we’ll never know. That said, this school of thought about Satanism has been on the rise…. underground maybe. It’s kinda scary really, as much as I like to know a little about everything I find it all very bizarre and scary and that’s coming from a bit of an eccentric! LOL.  It made great reading with Spider’s character and totally fitting for the mission he was on.

Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre? If you could what genre would you like to dabble in?

I consider my writing senseless because of the various elements and subject matter explored. There will be a murder mystery while a romance is budding. The will be a crime while a thriller is being walked through. I consider my writing love and hustle. It has been my intention to return love and respect to the art of creative fiction.

You have written a lot of books, where should readers start from your catalogue? I intend to make my way through them all!

Start with my memoir, FILTHY to get to know where I come from and my influences. And my first Peter Mack novel is A Neighborly Affair. This is a great place to start to learn what defines my writing and subject matter.

What has been your most proud moment as an author?

I’ve been able to stop selling drugs. Writing has supplied me with all my needs and wants. Every time I see my vision in print is a favorite moment.

Kim- I’m so proud of you! That’s an excellent achievement. I can only imagine what the streets of LA are like, when it comes to the drug trade and doing it to keep yourself above water. 

Was there ever a time you wanted to pick up your laptop, and then launch it out the window with frustration?

Nope.

Kim- bursts out laughing!! That is so not fair!! It happens to me all the time.

Are you a “plotter” or a fly by the seat of your pants “pantster” as a writer?

I write from an outline and rely on bullet points to move the story along but invariably about two thirds through the novel it takes a different turn and this is when I begin to really get into innovating with the novel.

Am I the only one who gets hung up on commas? Do they make you go blah! when you’re writing?

I use commas when a rhythm needs to be established.

I really like Stone Sweetwater, how did you craft him and what was the inspiration?

Stone Sweetwater appears in several novels beginning with The Family Sweetwater. He is all that I aspire to be. He is a successful young man who makes all the right moves. He is respected and loved for his trustworthiness and generosity.

Kim- yeah, he came across a real sweetheart. I think readers would like him.

You also featured yourself ( kinda) in POWDER I loved this! Towards the end. Tell us about this why was this decision made, and what made you do it?

Well, I cameo my name in several of my novels as the BRU Capo. With POWDER there is the culmination of what I’ve been writing for. Freedom. Art mirrors life as I embark upon my release from prison. I’ve been able to write into existence through my novels and my release will be no different.

What three tips would you give any aspiring writer?

Keep writing. Learn your craft. Keep writing

What are you working on now? What will you release next?

Filthy 2 for summer 2020

So… where can we get your books?

Amazon. Also get a fuller experience with Amazon links, reviews and more at http://www.PeterMackPresents.com

What are the most important magazines for writers to subscribe to?

I subscribe to The Atlantic Monthly, Vanity Fair and Rolling Stone… .these help me stay abreast of current topics.

What does “success” look like to you? When would you say “damn, I’ve made it baby!”

Freedom. Making films.

What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?

Yes. I do research to make the experience authentic.

Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?

I do read reviews. From bad one’s I learn. Good ones I’m validated.

Do you Google yourself?

Ha! Amazing question. I did google #LiveRichDieReady only to learn this hashtag leads right back to me which is cool.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?

At a chapter a day after a two week outline it takes me forty to sixty days to complete a novel.

What’s your favourite movie?

The Mack. “Stick yourself Tony!”

What’s your favourite book and why?

My favorite book is Killing Johnny Fry by Walter Mosley. Its the best erotic novel I’ve ever read.

Kim- Oh wow, ever heard of that one.

What music do you like?

Hip hop and r & b.

Where would you like to travel to and why?

Anywhere outside this PRISON.

Tell us about how you develop your characters?

My characters are developed by my environment.

Which one of your characters is your favourite and why?

Ayana is my favorite. She has endured and mirrored my relationship with the woman who inspired her character.

How do you ensure when it comes to the urban genre, how do you ensure that your stories are realistic and believable ? I must say, I found POWDER to be very believable.

Well, my real life is infused in my novels. My inspirations and motivations are written on the page. Readers sometimes find it difficult to separate fact from fiction in my novels. That’s the trick. The more you read the more you know about me.

What would you like readers to know?

That I appreciate you.

Thank you so much Peter Mack, we readers appreciate you. I recommend readers check out this author’s  work. POWDER is out now, I read it and loved it. It’s here on Amazon. and free to read on Kindle Unlimited at the time of this interview!

 

 

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Nipsey Hussle’s murder rocks the streets of Los Angeles as the Black Revolutionary Underground, under federal investigation for drug trafficking, money laundering and organized crime, loses members to Spider, a Satanist, murdering his way to Ayana Cherry who’s saved by an arrest for the year-old murder of her boyfriend at Applebottoms Gentlemen’s Club.
**
Ayana returns to Los Angeles to assist her ailing mother when she finds love in an unsuspecting place, and in a man who is as mysterious yet familiar as he is wealthy.
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Prada enjoys a life of privilege and luxury. She travels the world and is adored by wealthy men for her secret treasure. But there’s something missing in her life.
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A mission of sexual intrigue brings Ayana and Prada together to save one from her past and the other from her future. The result will haunt them both.
**
Prada is called in to deliver Spider to Stone Sweetwater, a BRU member, when Ayana”s fiance and BRU moneyman is gunned down just as the BRU family embarks on a billion dollar economic platform in partnership with Nipsey Hussle.
**
What follows is the execution of a plan that includes sexual blackmail, torture and deception to capture Spider, free Ayana, return exiled BRU members, and restore order to the Black Revolutionary Underground.
**
Love can be conditional Loyalty must be absoluteBoth come at a price.
***
This novel also features Brenda (Brenda: Barely Legal), Nutcracker (S’Murda At Sweetwater Manor), Rev. Mathias Lovejoy (A Neighborly Affair), Starla ( LICKS: Dirty. Nasty. Daddy.) and Stone Sweetwater ( The Family Sweetwater) with excerpts from complimentary novels.
***
POWDER serves as the culmination of interwoven narratives from reader favorite novels, detailing the BRU family and the common goal they all share.
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POWDER also includes exclusive author photos and a Pascal DuPree Writing Gems Podcast interview of the author which reveals the motivation for his vision.
**
Peter Mack is the pen name of Isiko Cooks, recipient of a 2015 PEN America Center book prize for his memoir, FILTHY: Innocence Lost. He is President of Peter Mack Presents, LLC; founder of Signature Peter Mack Apparel, and author of over 25 books. He is from Los Angeles, California.
*
Learn more about this dynamic novelist and business owner. Interviews. Reviews. Videos. Bio. Pics. Social Media links and more at http://www.PeterMackPresents.com*Contact:Email: Isiko.raymond@gmail.com
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• FOLLOW. LIKE. SHARE. COMMENT. REVIEW. BE POWERFUL.
**
#LiveRichDieReady#DoTheWerkEarnThePerks

35+ Female Romance Authors Of Colour-FREE ROMANCE BOOKS #freebooks #romance #blackgirlmagic #amreading

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I am so proud to join forces with more than thirty five female  romance authors of colour around the world, between November 2019 and January 2020 to show case our work to bring some #blackgirlmagic and #browngirlmagic to the world of fiction. Women in general have had it hard historically, and sometimes we still do have to fight hard for our voice to be heard.

In  the literary world the female voice of colour is underrepresented in books, as characters, and also as published authors by the big publishing houses. No one can dispute that. It’s a fact when it comes to finding agents and approaching publishers ninety percent of the time women of colour are pitching characters that reflect what we would would like to read more about, for example crafting leads with darker skin, and females reflecting what we see in the mirror, or  just our experience as people of colour to people who  many find it hard to  really understand or even try to understand a different point of view, as they are from a different background and it’s not ‘normal’ to have a lead hero or heroine with skin darker than their own.  So therefore the agent and publisher loves to feedback that they ‘can’t connect’ with the characters or stories. There is also a serious case of  a lack of  agents of colour to open the doors to diversity for us. Therefore what chance do women of colour stand when our work is rejected left, right and centre because  1. the ‘gatekeepers’ don’t reflect us 2. or wish to try and take a ‘risk’ by understanding something different 3. we are seen as just ‘urban/street lit writers’ like we can’t write different mainstream genres with no drug dealers, gangsters and baby momma drama. 

Many talented and bestselling female authors of colour have spoken out about the unfairness  with getting our voices heard by the bigger publishers. Such as New York Times Bestselling Author Ms. Alyssa Cole.  A  woman of colour herself who has managed to kick down the door to the big five publishers, as a romance and Sci-Fi author and make a real name for herself as a successful author with characters outside of the norm, and has vocalised her experiences loudly. 

Let’s not forget women of colour who are writers don’t just write about characters that reflect us, we can and do  include characters from ALL backgrounds if we want. We can  cross over. So in order to spread the word, love, diversity, and #blackgirlmagic and #browngirlmagic between November 2019 and January 2020  I am heavily  invested in supporting my fellow  female romance authors of colour around the world in this group. I urge you  to test drive a new author, a female author of colour she could be Black, Hispanic,  Latino, of mixed heritage, Indian,  Asian Chinese  or something else magical with free books up for grabs on the below link. You’ll be transported to StoryOrigin and see a wonderful array of books to grab. What are you waiting for? Take a peek…

Authors of Colour

CLICK HERE TO BE MAGICALLY TRANSPORTED TO BOOK HEAVEN AND DOWNLOAD YOUR FREEBIES

Meet The Author: Misty Mount, Mystery & Suspense Author. @MistyAMount @AuthorMistyMountOfficial/

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R&R Book Tours

Thank you to R&R Book Tours for sending this author’s book my way! I am so backed up with read and reviews, I could not fit into her tour date a review, but I’ve sneaked in an interview, let’s get to know Misty’s style.

Misty

Hello nice to meet you! Tell us a bit about you where are you from and other than writing what else do you enjoy? 

Hello! I’m from smack-dab in the middle of the USA. I’m a wife and mother to an eight-year-old son. I’m also a caregiver to my 33-year-old sister with special needs. Most days my home life is busy and deafeningly loud. If I’m not writing, in my free time I’m hanging out with my brother watching Doctor Who, Star Trek and anything sci-fi.

How did you start writing? What was your inspiration to create?

 It started in kindergarten. My teacher was reading this story to the class and I was enraptured until the ridiculous ending, which ruined the magic for me. At home I rewrote the ending the way I thought it should go and I’ve been writing ever since.

Kim: You know, I am glad I am not the only one who has read stories and thought ‘ damn, I could of ended that better!’

Who is your favourite author, is there anyone out there that inspires you? 

I love classic sci-fi authors like Arthur C. Clark, Philip K. Dick and Larry Niven. I also love old mystery and gothic romance authors like Agatha Christie, Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt.

What genre do you enjoy reading? 

I’ll read just about anything (including shampoo bottles) but my favorite genres are mystery and science fiction.

Kim: *Scratches her head* you remind me of  my co-author the mystery and Sci-Fi mixture. I have never actually read this genre I’m rather ashamed to say! I hope to one day dive into Sci-Fi.

How did publishing your first book change your process of writing? 

I was first published in my very early teens and, honestly, it was a bit traumatic. I started worrying too much over how my writing would be received instead of enjoying the process. I was too young and sensitive to handle negative reviews and as a result refused to show anyone my writing for over a decade afterward. 

Kim: Really… oh my goodness! For decades? Girl the fact that you are doing this tour with R&R shows just how far you’ve come. Good for you!

Was there ever a time you wanted to pick up your laptop, and then launch it out the window with frustration? 

This is quite the common occurrence! It happens at least once every project, usually around the halfway point when I’m beginning to question whether everything will come together.

Kim: Haha, been there. And I’m still there writing a romantic thriller that I started in about three years ago, or maybe even more. Since then I’ve completed two novels and a couple of novellas. I have made a promise to finish it this year, still working on it as we speak!

Are you a “plotter” or a fly by the seat of your pants “pantster” as a writer? 

I’m 100% a “plotter!” I’m not good at improvising; it makes me anxious. I always go in with an outline and a plan.

Am I the only one who gets hung up on commas? Do they make you go blah! when you’re writing? 

This question is especially funny since commas are the bane of my existence! My editor will kindly but firmly attest to the fact that I can’t figure out what to do with them. 

Kim: I love the response I always get to this question, there is a common trend to all responses. ‘Ditto’ girl… ditto.

So…. where can we get your books? 

They’re available online through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and any major book retailer. 

What does “success” look like to you? When would you say “damn, I’ve made it baby!” 

For me, it was when my son asked for a copy of each of my books to place in his treasure chest. You can’t ask for a better feeling than that!

Kim: Oh how cute!!! Bless your boy.

Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones? 

I don’t anymore, or at least I try not to. My editor vets them for me and passes on ones she thinks I’ll enjoy. I’m very sensitive and don’t need any extra negativity in my life.

What would you like readers to know?

 I want my readers to know that I appreciate and value the support of every single one of you! Thanks for sharing in my inner world.

Twitter: Author Misty Mount @MistyAMount

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMistyMountOfficial/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/misty-mount

 

How cool is Misty, a mixture of mystery and Sci-Fi! Here’s some info on her latest book. I wish I had the time to read and review in time for her tour. Check it out

 

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The Keeper (The Underground Defenders Book 1)

Expected Publication Date:May 28th, 2019

Genre: Mystery/ Suspense

Page Count: 230 Pages

Publisher:  Liminal Books (Between the Lines Publishing)

When the Ericksons move home to care for their ailing grandmother, they’re told a stranger has taken up residence in the attic of the sprawling mansion. Upon investigation, the family isn’t sure the tenant is anything more than a figment of old Mrs. Erickson’s imagination—until a mysterious young woman begins to show herself to the family in fleeting, uncanny visits.

When unexplained things start happening under the mansion’s roof, suspicions arise as to just who—or what—she is. In the chaos that ensues, the family is forced to make a decision: trust the stranger or band together as a family against her—and their grandmother who’s protecting her.

Pre-Order on Amazon

About the Author

“I read because my grandmother showed me how to immerse myself in books for recreation, relaxation or even as a coping skill.

I write because my head is filled with daydreams and I like to choose the endings.”

Misty Mount has written since age five and was first published at fourteen. By day she’s a caregiver, wife, and mother to a young son but during the quiet hours of night she becomes a novelist.

Misty Mount

Release Day Interview: With CS Johnson @C_S_Johnson13 #RRBookTours1

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Should I go to College? What About Student Loan Debt?

Genre: Non-Fiction

Publication Date: March 14th, 2019

If you’re a high school student, chances are you’ve been thinking about where you will go to college. Or if you will go to college at all.
I’ve been there. And as a former teacher, I’ve seen thousands of students there, too. So I wrote this book to help you.
This book offers sound advice about deciding whether or not you want to go to college, and, if you decide to go, how you can save time and money along the way.

“This is the book about college I wish I had read when I was younger.” – My 30-year-old self

SHOULD I GO TO COLLEGE? WHAT ABOUT STUDENT LOAN DEBT?
•Describes what college is
•Promotes thoughtful self-reflection
•Outlines your options post-high school
•Offers tragically hilarious truths about teaching
•Reaffirms the code of personal responsibility
•Likens student loans to dragons that need to be slain

ALL PROCEEDS OF THIS BOOK GO TOWARD 
HELPING STUDENTS PAY OFF THEIR 
STUDENT LOAN DEBT.

Hello nice to meet you! Tell us a bit about you where are you from and other than writing what else do you enjoy?

Hi there! Thank you for having me! I always appreciate the time people take in getting to know me.

I am C. S. Johnson, and I write in a variety of genres, mostly fantasy or science fiction. I started writing largely as a way to cope with reality, and I found out that it really helped and I enjoyed it a lot. Since then, I’ve been working to keep at it. There are a lot of other benefits to writing I’ve noticed, and meeting new people and getting to talk about interesting ideas are just some of them.

For my own favorite types of books to read, I enjoy a variety, just as I enjoy writing. I think in a lot of my own books that there are several other books that lend their influence. I do have to laugh, because my favorite books are usually memoirs or biographies, but I write fantasy and speculative fiction.

Who is your favourite author, is there anyone out there that inspires you?

I have a large variety of favorite authors, and I am sure I haven’t read some of them yet. If I had one go-to author, I would pick C. S. Lewis; I have never read anything of his I haven’t loved, needed, or deeply appreciated in some way. As for inspiration, my mother is my first spark among the fires of my heart. She was the one who taught me to read, and she is the one who is still out-reading me every week. I love writing books I know she will enjoy, even if she is not as much of a fantasy reader.

So you’ve published a series, what is the series about?

I’ve published a couple of series now, and I’m working through the last book of one more. The first series I wrote was the Starlight Chronicles; it is my epic superhero fantasy adventure, about an egotistical teenager who, after finding out he is a fallen star with supernatural power, is reluctant to save his city from evil. It’s a very dry, sarcastic sort of series, alternatively cynical and poignant, as my protagonist faces off the trials and tribulations of high school life and growing up. So far, my other series are a little softer in tone and subtler at the satire.

What was it like creating back to back stories that link?

For me, it’s like watching a heartbeat on an EKG; book one sputters some, and then shoots up, fast and hard; book two dips down lower, almost in a needed recovery, before striking back; and then the rest of the series books’ start the entire process over again, offering a persistent rhythm that becomes the heart song of a story.

Kim: 🙂 I love that !! Haha, very good way to describe it.

What has been your most proud moment as an author?

My author career has been marked with a lot of proud moments—I’ve had a Hollywood producer tell me my series is wonderful and she’s rooting for it to be picked up by a studio (Please, Dear God, please, haha!), I’ve had a very famous movie star compare it to Harry Potter and Tolkien, and I’ve had a lot of great readers turn into friends as we’ve gotten to know each other. I have a whole list of people in that group that I’ve designated my “Almost Famous Readers,” since I jokingly say that as an author, I’ll be famous for being almost famous one day. I even had one of them make me an award plaque and send it to me, and I cherish it.

If I had to pick one moment, I’d say it has to be the day when my young son, who does not like to read that much, told me he wanted to write a book. I actually opened a document for him to work on my computer, and he wrote out a small book’s worth of a story. I was absolutely amazed and profoundly proud of him.

Kim: Ohhhhhh my  heart just melted, that is so sweet. I hope he continues. I love it when children get involved, especially boys who are less likely to read. My son thankful has learned to love to read, whether he’ll write is another story as he hates it, then again he’s only five. He would rather do colouring-in.

Was there ever a time you wanted to pick up your laptop, and then launch it out the window with frustration?

Yes. It happens almost every week, like swirly, sporadic clockwork.

Am I the only one who gets hung up on commas? Do they make you go blah! when you’re writing?

I think every author has a punctuation thing they either love or hate. I am a huge semicolon lover; give me a long sentence where it will list detailed, specific things, offering up new insights while solidifying the foundational logic as it rambles on. It is glorious to watch such beauty grow and unfold.

If I have a thing to hate about commas, it is when people use them wrongfully. Uncoincidentally, this usually happens when the comma is actually supposed to be a semicolon.

What three tips would you give any aspiring writer?

Since I have written a lot of books, I do get asked a lot of questions about how to write a better story. I actually wrote a book for them, and it just came out this year. The book is “Good Writing is Like Good Sex: Sort of Sexy Thoughts on Writing” and it’s a quick, provocative overview of what makes a “sexy” book. So to answer this question honestly, I’d say, “Buy my book, read my book, and then try to use what I say in the book.” But I feel like that might be a little too pushy, haha.

Kim: Girl… you just said it 🙂

What are you working on now? What will you release next?

Right now, I am juggling a few projects. I have two books I am working on this month. I mentioned it before, but I am finishing up The Order of the Crystal Daggers, my Cinderella meets Mission: Impossible historical fiction set in 1870s Prague. In this final book of the series, Eleanora, my protagonist, has to rescue a kidnapped prince and save the Emperor from assassination, all while working to repair her relationship with her brother and uncover the hidden truth about her mother’s past. Luckily, she’s got quite a few people to help her, although plenty of them are juggling their own problems and facing the consequences of their own secrets. The series has been so fun and wonderfully received, so I am sad to see it end, but I am also nervous about sending it off with the seriousness and the level of diligence it’s due.

The second novel I am working on my science fantasy story, Till Human Voices Wake Us. It’s toeing the literary fiction line, but it’s about a college student who finds out the hard way that his uncle’s stories about being held hostage by mermaids who don’t believe in humans are all true. It’s a book about questions of reality, insanity, hope, and meaning, and what it means to be human. I am hoping to have it out for summer.

I also have a few short stories I’m working on for publication later this year and early next year.

Does a big ego help or hurt writers?

I think pride is rightfully the most deadly of sins, and partially because it is something that must be closely monitored. Confidence as a writer will help; arrogance will only lead to harm.

If you have a lot of confidence as a writer, I think you also have to have a lot of humility to make it work. I think I am more likely to err on the side of hesitation as a writer just because I know my limitations as a writer very well. My husband works in healthcare and it is my apparently favorite joke ever to tell people he goes into work to save real lives, and I stay home and ruin fake ones.

My stories are icing on a cake, but in order to have the cake, we need people who know how to bake and people who can build things in which those things are baked. I offer stories to entertain, to get people to think, to reframe a perspective. They are part of my heart, but my heart was not made for everyone. Sometimes, it was not made for a particular person right now, either. I was utterly appalled the first time I read 1984 in high school. The second time I read it, after a few more years passed, I loved it. There is very little point in offering someone icing if they are looking for someone to give them bread.

I have had a few people recognize me off the street, and I am more dumbfounded than anything else when they do. I honestly never expect that reaction to change.

Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?

 

I am tremendously thankful to my readers for the time they spend inside one of my books. I know, as a writer, and as a mother, there is so little time in the world when one is attempting to read. When I get a book review, I am always grateful; but I am considerably, and understandably much more happy when I find that the reviewer has either enjoyed my books, or they found my books to be good despite the unmet expectations in my characters, plot, or presentation.

I know there are plenty of talented writers who write books that are more fun, more fantastical, or just more of what is expected than I do. While I do try to make it fun, and keep it fun, I write books that make you smile, make you think, make you laugh. I tell people that I don’t write “Candy bar books,” but I don’t write “full-course meal books,” either. Maybe a good meal replacement bar would be a good analogy for my work, or we can get the icing analogy back out and put it on some carrots (which, thanks to some of my pregnancy moments, I know is better than it sounds.)

Either way, I rejoice with the good reviews, and I call my mom over the bad ones. She knows I have a soft heart, even if I have to hide it from the rest of the world.

What was your hardest scene to write?

I feel bad for admitting this one, but when you’ve had a lot of “last battles,” sometimes it’s hard to just write out the fight scenes and the “save-the-world” moments without feeling repetitive or a case of oncoming “writer-ex-machina,” where convivence and coincidence just collide too much for the writing to be good. As I was finishing up my steampunk book, One Flew Through the Dragon Heart, I told some of my readers I was ready just to nuke everything and be done with it.

I had one of my snarky reader friends tell me that nukes aren’t steampunk-approved, and we had a good laugh about that, and that made it easier to go back and try again.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?

It always depends on the book, but six to eight weeks is my average lately. I have some novellas which are shorter, and seriously, those don’t take nearly as long. I have some longer books which don’t ever seem to take that long at all, but it depends on the size more than anything else. Life interrupts me a lot along the way, too. I am a wife and a stay at home mom with two young kids; I like making my house more of a home, and there are other things I love that require my attentions, and I have been trying to be better about making sure social media especially is more of a back-burner thing of late.

What’s your favourite book and why?

My most consistently favorite book is Till We Have Faces, by C. S. Lewis. I try to read it every year and every time I do, I get something different out of it. It was a book I first read during a tumultuous time in my life, and I have never forgotten the magic of the first readthrough. This past year I read it and felt more drawn than ever to Revidal, the main character Orual’s other sister, and I like books that make great use of their secondary characters like that. The sudden loss of her sister’s favouritism and their unity must have been devastating to her, and her growing loneliness and desperation as Orual took the throne seemed much more relatable to me as an adult.

 

Thank you for joining is this month, I wish the author well with her release, and you can connect with her below!

Goodreads

About the Author

C. S. Johnson is the award-winning, genre-hopping author of several novels, including young adult sci-fi and fantasy adventures such as the Starlight Chronicles, the Once Upon a Princess saga, and the Divine Space Pirates trilogy. With a gift for sarcasm and an apologetic heart, she currently lives in Atlanta with her family. Find out more at http://www.csjohnson.me

CS Johnson | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

New Release: ‘Sketch’ By Didi Oviatt ( YA Thriller Genre) @didi_oviatt #CreativiaPub

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Sketch cover

Wow! Talk about cover love! I am so happy to reveal this unique cover of upcoming book by Didi Oviatt, Called Sketch. Today, I also have a sneak peek for you, so be sure to read on!

Sketch

Expected Publication Date: June 2019

Genre: YA Thriller/ Psychological Thriller

Publisher: Creativia

When the body of the local girl, Misty Crawl, is found dismembered in an underground bunker, the town is thrown into a whirlwind of panic and speculation. Times aren’t exactly smooth sailing with a depression in full swing. The spaced out community of farmers pull together as one, trying to uncover the guilty party.

Thrown smack in the middle of such chaos, is a group of teens. They’re known troublemakers, but have good hearts. Although they’re innocent, the local law enforcers believe otherwise, and the true killer is lurking far too close for comfort. Will the four be able to uncover the truth before one of them pays the price for Misty’s death? Or will the brutal killer strike again, attacking the heart of the four?

*Sketch is a young adult psychological thriller. It’s a quick easy read, appropriate and gripping for mid-teens and up, with no sexual content and some bloody gore. Parent’s be advised.

Excerpt

As soon as Steven’s dad, Robert Smith, pulls down the road, they look mischievously at one another and then take off in a sprint down the steps into his basement. Steven’s always wanted to know what’s locked away down here. His father told him years ago that it was just a room full of old newspapers. But, Steven’s always known there has to be more to this dingy looking door all locked away. It doesn’t take Chloe long to pick the lock. She’s getting better and faster at it with every lock she opens. The door creaks as it swings open, and there it is.

“Holy shit,” gasps John.

“This is the best day of my life,” says Michael.

“Look at the dust on all this stuff. I’ll bet this door hasn’t been open in years! No one will even notice if we take it!” adds Chloe.

Steven whispers in fear, “I don’t know guys, my dad will kill me if he finds out.”

“No he won’t, Red, I can take him,” jokes Michael.

Staring back at them from the wall to wall metal storage shelves are two small crossbows and an open chest of arrows. Along with old war paint, hatchets, a couple machetes, rope, and one box of newspapers setting on the floor.

“What the hell was my dad doing with this stuff?” Steven asks, more to himself than the others.

Steven’s dad isn’t an adventuress man, and aside from the yearly deer and occasional bear he shoots, he doesn’t even like to get out and do much.

“The bears are getting out of control around here,” and, “we gotta’ have meat to survive,” is his logic for hunting.

He doesn’t enjoy hunting as a sport like the majority of other men and even women in town. It’s more of a chore for him. Which is only one step away from insanity, in Steven’s point of view. Hunting is Steven’s favorite thing to do with his dad, aside from throwing a football.

“Who cares why he has this stuff!?” John says, always the planner of the group. “Let’s just take it now and hurry, in case he forgot something and has to come back home. We don’t want to get caught carrying it all out of your house.”

They grab as much as they can lift and head straight for the woods. Distracted by all the cool things, they don’t even bother to glance at the newspapers in the box on the floor.

Pre-Order your Copy Today!

About the Author

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Didi Oviatt is an intuitive soul. She’s a wife and mother first, with one son and one daughter. Her thirst to write was developed at an early age, and she never looked back. After digging down deep and getting in touch with her literary self, she’s writing mystery/thrillers like Sketch, Search For Maylee, Aggravated Momentum, Justice for Belle, and New Age Lamians. Along with a six- piece short story collection called the Time Wasters. She’s also collaborated with Kim Knight in an ongoing interactive short story anthology The Suspenseful Collection. When Didi doesn’t have her nose buried in a book, she can be found enjoying a laid back outdoorsy life. Time spent sleeping under the stars, hiking, fishing, and ATVing the back roads of beautiful mountain trails, sun-bathing in the desert heat, along with watching the relaxing dance of a campfire plays an important part of her day-to-day lifestyle.

Didi can be found on her Website/Blog, Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and most importantly AMAZON!

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R&R Book Tours

Book Review: 3 stars – Willow #2 (Romantic Comedy) by Daphne Hargrow

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Publication Date: February 27th, 2019

Genre: Women’s Fiction/ Romantic Comedy

Length: 256 Pages

Blurb

How does a woman enjoy the company of a man without committing to a long-term relationship? Easy, love him for ninety days and leave him.

Willow gave up on love a long time ago, but she hasn’t given up on sex. So, to keep her chakras aligned and life force flowing, she abides by her tried-and-true rule: love him for ninety days and leave him. Consequently, she can feed her body while protecting her heart.

Willow’s practice of purposeful detachment serves her well until she sets her sights on Kendall’s friend Josh. Even though Josh expresses interest in Willow, he wants a more traditional relationship than she’s willing to give.

Despite their apparent differences, the universe seems to have other plans for the couple as their lives become increasingly intertwined. When Willow finally decides to follow the universe’s lead, she’s betrayed by her ninety-day rule and must rethink her life plan or face the future alone.

 

Book Review – 3 stars

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Thank you to R&R Book tours for a free Author Review Copy in exchange for an honest review.

I recommend this book to those who genuinely like romantic comedies,  as I was reading through there were some moments that I found amusing, and at times did more than turn the corners of my lips into an amused smile. I don’t often read this genre,  but I do enjoy it. The last book I did read in this genre well over a year ago (written by a man too!) really made  me want to read more romantic comedies. I was drawn to the blurb of this book and genre as I thought, ‘this sounds funny’ and also it reminded me of the movie Act Like a Lady , Think Like a Man with the 90 day rules, in reverse!  Overall, it is well written, some areas are amusing, and the writing goes in many directions with the plot. That said it took me one month to read less than 250 pages, I struggled a tiny bit at times to connect…I closed the book, reflected for a few days and settled on 2.5 – 3 stars based on my reading experience, and the story itself. While it was an okay reading experience, some stories call you more than others, I kept reading as I did want to see how it ended up, by the end I had three main areas that I found a little difficult  1. the story line 2. reality 3. the main female character herself…. here goes! ( I do recommend this book to romantic comedy lovers to check out though).

Story line & Reality; Willow is thirty, and has sworn off love due to a bad experience maybe ten years ago with an ex, but is happy to have sex with guys for just 90 days. To cut a very long story short there is a family gathering coming  up a wedding.  This messes with her rules, her mother does not want her to attend alone, as her grandmother will nag her ( the mother) and Willow for being a ‘spinster’. To not rehash the story or give spoilers, basically Willow’s mother tells her grandmother she has a boyfriend, a man they both know to stop her nagging.  This puts Willow in a ‘situation’ as you can imagine. As she moves on from this guy, the mother tells the grandma she has a new man, which of course Willow does not. At the family gathering Willow is forced to ‘act’ with the guy for the sake of what her grandmother will think. The  guy has no idea about Willow’s rules either.

Hmmm I’m a mother and I tried to imagine telling my mum, (my son’s gran) that he has a girlfriend who she  knows, to shut her up and stop her nagging him and me about him being single. I also tried to imagine my mum telling my gran, that I have a boyfriend to shut her up too.  As I was reading I found it a little hard to imagine any mother including myself, putting their child in this situation for the sake of  trying to stop ‘nagging’ over their child being single. I had a few other areas of the story line that I found hard to connect with.

Reality:  The romance genre is battered for having stories that are unrealistic, or ‘ insta-love’ between characters.  I don’t mind a bit of insta-love as a reader or as a writer either, but the reality of  it is important. The guy Willow’s drama surrounds is a man she met a year ago, at another wedding, slept with and never saw  or heard from him for a year- he never called her. Then, one year later they meet, have sex a few times,  circumstances throw them in each other’s circle, then all of a sudden (a matter of weeks maybe) ‘he loves her’,  she does not love him, but is pushed to tell him she does in order for the drama to settle.  I found the element of reality around their relationship as f*ck buddies vs love, and Willow being pushed a little hard to connect with too. Based on reality of not seeing someone for one year, having sex a few times and all of a sudden, it’s love.

Main character: ahhhh Willow…. she came across as a free spirited girl from a wealthy background, who smokes a lot of weed which gets her into trouble, and blames her need for sex on her ‘chakras’, she meditates to detach herself from men. I just could not connect with this chick or her motives.

This is just my experience as a reader, but I do recommend you check out this book and series if you really dig romantic comedy, don’t mind insta love, and Willow sounds like someone you’d find amusing. Final thoughts 2.5 -3 stars, there are areas that made me laugh, a little, the story has many different dynamics to it to keep you reading.  However, reality, time frame, and character development are areas that could be developed a tiny bit for me to of had a 4- 5 star reading experience. 

I do wish this author a lot of success with her series and hope she finds the perfect readership for her work. Romantic comedy lovers check her out!

Meet the Author

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Daphne Hargrow is a romance writer, avid reader, and novice yogi. She has also published a few young adult novels under a different name. When Daphne is not writing, thinking about writing, or reading about writing, she watches YouTube conspiracy videos and dreams of the day when she, too, can join the ranks of the Illuminati.

Author Website https://daphnehargrow.com/