Thursday, March 31, 2016

Give a warm welcome to

KARINA KANTAS




Karina has published eight books and 30 other publications. She is the author of the popular OUTLAW series, thrillers involving outlaw motorcycle clubs. I'll share that in a moment. But first, this is her latest, Illusional Reality. 




Nobody expects to stare death in the face only to find out your entire life is a lie. Rescued by Salco, marketing executive Becky finds herself in an unknown magical world filled with happy people that try to forget their land is on the brink of destruction.

Becky, now Thya, soon learns none of this was an accident, and the council of Tsinia are certain her union with Darthorn’s son, Kovon, will create peace. Although her future has been planned out, she gives her heart to another.






Amazon link:


Book trailer



And now for Karina's Outlaw Series

In Times of Violence    


Huntress


Lawless Justice


Road Rage



Other books by Karina

Stone Cold


Heads and Tales***short stories


Undressed***flash short fiction, poetry, and prose



As you can see, Karina is a prolific writer and one that you will love getting to know.

Find her here:



 Twitter  @KarinaKantas

You Tube channel 



Make sure to become acquainted with this lovely lady and her books.








Wednesday, March 30, 2016

I'd like to introduce a friend of mine.


Ian Thomas Malone

I had the pleasure of reading and reviewing one of Ian's books, Five College Dialogues, and was impressed with his intelligence. I reviewed several of his books to follow, the latest being Five High School Dialogues. He continues to pave the way for students, giving them valuable insights into sometimes difficult waters.

Ian Thomas Malone is an author and yogi from Greenwich, CT. He is a graduate of Boston College where he founded The Rock. He is the grandson of noted Sherlockian scholar colonel John Linsenmeyer. Ian has published thousands of articles on diverse subjects such as popular culture, baseball, and social commentary.


His favorite things to post on social media are pictures of his golden retriever Georgie and his collection of stuffed animals. Ian believes firmly that “there’s more to life than books you know, but not much more,” a quote from his hero Morrissey. When he’s not reading, writing, or teaching yoga, he can probably be found in a pool playing water polo. He aspires to move to the Hundred Acre Wood someday, though he hopes it has wi-fi by then.


Today, we celebrate his latest creation, Dead Batteries Tell No Tales, released on March 25.




Synopsis

Public transportation is a new experience for Amber. So is not having access to a cell phone. Luckily, a classmate named Jason is there to help. During their travel, Amber quickly learns that her perspectives on life aren’t quite the same as her peers. As they make their way home, they try to break down the foundation of their social structure in this exciting prequel to Five High School Dialogues.


EXCERPT

Act I – Bus Stop


Amber arrives at the bus stop in a state of disarray as she tries to convince her nanny to pick her up before her phone dies. Jason is seated reading a book while he takes an interest in the loud nature of Amber’s conversation. Amber looks to Jason for help, as she is rather clueless with regard to public transportation. 

  

Amber: Carmen, I don’t know when the bus is coming. Or even if it’s coming. It’s awful. You don’t understand how long it’s been since I had to ride one of these things. Well, maybe you would understand if you listened to a word I said. But you need to come get me. No, I can’t manage. I’m going to get lost. You know that. Ugh. Stop. I’m scared. Well, I could be. You’d never know. What do you mean you have errands to run? Do them tomorrow. Father won’t care. He only cares about me and you must make sure that I’m all right. That should be your number one priority. It is the only thing that matters. Hold on, my phone is making beeping noises. Crap. Carmen, can you hear me? Carmen? Ugh, dead battery. Stupid father didn’t get me the upgrade when it was first available. I told him these phones need to be replaced every year because the battery never lasts. Now look at me. Can I borrow your phone? I need to make an important phone call?

 Jason: I don’t have one, sorry.

Amber: What do you mean you don’t have one? Is this like when someone asks you for a stick of gum and you lie because you don’t want to give them one? It’s not funny. Please let me use it. This is serious.

Jason: I was being serious. I don’t have a cell phone.

Amber: How is that even possible?

Jason: It’s simple really. I’m a freshman. I don’t need one. There’s a payphone a few blocks down that way, but I’m pretty sure it’s out of commission. 

Amber: What is this, 2008? I got my cell phone in 7th grade. Everyone who’s anyone has one.

Jason: Well, I don’t so I don’t know what to tell you. I know plenty of people who don’t. My friends that do don’t have the fancy kind like the one you’ve got there.

Amber: Well, then how do they go on Instagram?

Jason: What’s that? Oh, isn’t that the picture website?

Amber: You’re kidding right?

Jason: Yes. 

Amber: What?

Jason: I thought that was what you might want me to say. I’m joking, I know all about it. Here let me dig my phone out of its gold encrusted case. Oh dear. I must have left it in my other backpack. The one with the diamonds.

Amber: I’m so confused.

Jason. Backtrack then. To the website with the pictures and those things that make them look all fancy. Like a Photoshop for cell phones?

Amber: Oh dear God!

Jason: Am I mistaken?

Amber: It’s not a website. It’s an app. You look at it on your phone. There’s a difference.

Jason: Can you look at it on a computer?

Amber: You can look at it, but you can’t post anything unless it’s from a cell phone.

Jason: So what’s the difference?

Amber: Clearly not something you could ever understand. This stuff is important to know.

Jason: If you say so. Names are important too. Mine’s Jason.

Amber: How am I supposed to remember that?

Jason: It’s not a particularly unusual name. The J’s aren’t particularly well represented. Guess one of those and you’ll come close enough. There’s no one else around anyway.

Amber: No, I mean, how am I supposed to remember who you are?

Jason: I don’t follow.

Amber: You see, if you had a cell phone, I could put your number in and look at your photos and text you and then in a couple weeks after the memories of this bench were in the distant past, I could still remember who you are. A lot of work goes into remembering someone and you’re not making it easy with your lack of technology, mister.

 Jason: Or you could just remember that we go to the same school and that we once sat on a bench together. Does that make sense?

Amber: How do you know we go to school together?

Jason: I’ve seen you around. Don’t look so surprised.

Amber: Stalker much?

Jason: Whatever. At least I don’t need to use a cell phone to remember a face.

Amber: I don’t need one, it just makes things easier. Psh. Wait. Do we have a class together? 

 Jason: I don’t know. Why don’t you check your phone?

Amber: I can’t. It’s dead.

Jason: I was joking


Other Titles in The Dialogues Series include

Five College Dialogues
Available Now

Five More College Dialogues
Available Now

Five High School Dialogues
Available Now

Dead Batteries Tell No Tales
A Prequel to Five High School Dialogues
Available Now




How can readers contact Ian
or find out more about his work?


Author Websiteianthomasmalone.com

Facebookfacebook.com/ianthomasmalone

Twitter: twitter.com/ianthomasmalone

Instagram: @ianthomasmalone

Tumblrianthomasmalone.tumblr.com

Google +https://plus.google.com/115213608583036757605/posts

LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=153032355&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile_pic

Pinteresthttps://www.pinterest.com/itmalone/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8510012.Ian_Thomas_Malone

TSUhttps://www.tsu.co/ianthomasmalone



Friday, March 25, 2016

********FEATURE FRIDAY********

Check out this new emag that features many of our Indie friends. I'm in it with my short story, Moxie, and a blurb for Dark Lycan, my latest release. This link will take you to a page where you can download the emag. It's beautifully done.








Here's a link for the blog for Fantasy World emag, where you can see past issues and sign up to receive email notifications and/or posts. This, too, is a treat for the eyes.



Subscribe today.

Peace,
Barb




Monday, March 21, 2016

Welcome to Manic Monday



PROLOGUE


Dreaming is supposed to be pleasant, isn’t it? At least that is what I thought. It may have started after seeing “Little Red Riding Hood” with my mom at a local theater. Later, she laughingly told me that I had hidden under the seat after the wolf appeared, and had remained there for the duration of the movie. Nonetheless, the dreams were terrifying. Chased by a pack of ravenous wolves, I would run, only to be overcome. Their teeth would tear me apart, bit by bit, and every bite would be felt. I would wake, screaming. These dreams continued for years, and mom, being the person she was, would often stand at the bottom of the stairs and howl, and there would be one scared, shaking daughter. I slept in the upstairs room which was my refuge, supposedly. Funny now, not so, then.

When I moved away, after graduating college, the dreams lessened, although every now and then, one would creep in, leaving me shaking. Then one night, for no apparent reason, the dream was quite different and rewarding. As I opened the front door, standing here in a suit and hat with a bouquet of flowers and a box of candy was a wolf. No more frightening dreams after that, and I became enamored with wolves, learning everything I could about them.

Now that I am much older, I can look back with a smile at what frightened me so badly when young. Recalling the morning, a few years ago, when I looked out my window…a large, white wolf was in our neighborhood, walking through as if he/she owned every inch, sniffing the wind, and pausing to inspect a clump of bushes. A truly gorgeous creature, it took no notice of the insignificant human, and continued on its way.

And most recently, a few nights ago, half asleep and on the way to the bathroom… a sudden vision of a white wolf, only the head, with wise eyes. Appearing in the blackness, it said something odd… “We will be together soon.”

There has to be a connection somehow….from the dreams when small, to the liberating one when older, to the sighting, and finally to the vision. Was I a wolf in a past life? No answers come, but I feel as though the wolf is my spirit animal, having been with me all my
 life.


Saturday, March 19, 2016

*******LAST DAY*******

*********FREE BOOK ALERT*********


What's a faerie to do? Find out what has everyone chanting 


NEKKID DRAGON, NEKKID DRAGON!









Eros has done it now. 

After a fight with Psyche, Eros went on a drunken rampage shooting his leaden arrows at perspective lovers. On Valentine's Day, no less! Now that he and Psyche have made up, Eros is scrambling to find some way to save his victims.
Where does cupid turn for help?
To none other than his ex-flame Aine, Goddess of the Faeries. Aine has things well under control until she realizes three names were left off her list of victims.


Now Candice Lipton, Samantha Porter, and Marissa Garcia are in need of a little majickal help from Aine, Queen of the Faeries, and her fey trainees.


In this first installment, we meet Candice Lipton, a woman having one helluva time, both professionally and personally. Alone in the city, she lost her job a few days before Valentine's Day. If that wasn't bad enough, on the most romantic day of the year. she walked in on her boyfriend, Ethan, in bed with his best friend, David. Oh the heart ache. Now Candice is trying to get her life back on track. Is it possible all she needs is a little help from Sheridan, a Pixie Faerie in training, and Drake Fallen, a smokin' hot Dragon with a few problems of his own?





Friday, March 18, 2016

******FEATURE FRIDAY******

Thanna A. Setliff

In her own words:

Hello, I’m author Thanna A. Setliff, and I have the first novel in a Paranormal Vampire Romance series completed, Defying Darkness (Worlds of Darkness Book One). First, I’ll tell you a little bit about me, then I’ll tell you about my Worlds of Darkness. I have held a variety of jobs from waitress to manager of a race shop. I have nine cats at home and four are mine. I am a romantic at heart, and live in a dream world as often as I can. I am now sharing those fantasies with readers, thanks to great mentorship from Barbara Chioffi. I have a love of all things fantasy and vampires in particular.





Dorian is a 2,700+ year old Scottish Vahmpyr Ranger, who fights the Vydi. Maire is a Vydi over 600 years old and running from Overlord Prince Vydi, Sergei. Sired by an Ohn’vydi, Sergei wants his favorite, escaped toy back and has acquired mysterious powers to obtain them.
Vahmpyr: A hybrid of human and Vahmpyree. Also a child of two Vahmpyrs. Plural is Vahmpyrs.
Vahmpyree: A blood drinking race of Extradimensional travelers native to Nekhylm and possessing many psychic, transformative and manipulative abilities. Plural is Vahmpyreen.
Ranger: an elite hunter of Vydi.
Vydi: Damned. Refers to spiritual state of humans recreated a vampires by a satanic pact.
Ohn’vydi: First-Damned. Originators of satanic vampire creation pact.


Máire is being stalked by her Sire, a serial killer unequaled who is using new, otherworldly powers. She, and her former pack, is also being hunted by Vahmpyr ranger, Dorian, whom she mistakenly thinks is an Archangel sent to punish them. Dorian is rapidly attracted to and perplexed by Máire; how does a Master damned retain its soul?--or is it a ploy to capture him? When she leads Dorian into an ambush, he thinks he has his answer, but then the starving vampire uses precious energy to save him. Now she won’t survive teleporting, necessary to elude her Sire, unless Dorian feeds her. Could that make him damned? She’ll die if he doesn’t.






Just a glimpse at Dorian and a Vahmpyr's powers







From Thanna:

I’d like to talk about a nearly completed project now, the prequel in the World’s of Darkness, In Darkness Shining. It starts out with Nikolandui Antonis Verus, a Vahmpyr doctor and head scientist to the Vaelyzohn arriving for a prearrange marriage. Renée Celia D’Atrio is the Pyreen bride. Dorian returns as best man, and goes by Áengus while his brother, Antoni goes by Niko. Julie Nicholls will be doing the cover. She also did the one for Defying Darkness. Vaelyzohn: Leader of Vahmpyrs, Vahmeen, and Pyreens Pyreen: A human that mutates from drinking Vahmee, Vahmpyr or Vahmpyree blood. They also donate biochemicals and blood to Vahmpyric individuals. Vahmee: A Pyreen who mutated that somehow has powers very similar to Vahmpyrs. Plural is Vahmeen.





Available at myBook.to/DefyingDarkness and https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/611219, You will find my 4.8 rated debut novel, Defying Darkness for sale. Please read Elle Klass’ review of my book at http://thetroubledoyster.blogspot.com/…/defying-darkness-by…. Excerpt of interview: This story is more than a paranormal romance. The intrigue and suspense levels are off the charts. It's an amazing start and a fabulous debut for Thanna A. Setliff.




Thursday, March 17, 2016

*********RELEASE DAY*********

DARK LYCAN
by
Barbara Chioffi


Tara Bentley has experienced much in her life. Losing her father while still in high school, she finds herself with a stepfather a year later. Rapid developments threaten to unravel her existence.

Attending dinner with her parents, she meets a young man who proves to be treacherous. She awakens in the woods, remembers being kidnapped, but the rest eludes her. Found by a handsome shifter, Tara is taken for treatment, returning home soon after.

Jared, her rescuer, begins to court her, and soon, they are in a loving relationship. Revelations come to light involving her true heritage. These bring joy but also danger to her, as well as to Jared and his family.

Faced with the knowledge that her attacker is still at large, Tara must decide to embrace her true nature to protect those she loves, or risk losing them.

18+ due to adult situations.







She had many questions, but one consumed her. “If I am a wolf, why haven’t I changed? What will happen when I do?”
Jared smiled. “It is different for each of us. You will choose the time and place.”
Wanting to know more, but at the same time afraid, she asked, “What will I look like? Will I be one of those horrid werewolves from the movies?”
Jared laughed. “No, Tara. You will look like a wolf, only a little larger.”
Knowing what a wolf looked like, she couldn’t imagine herself as one, and not being able to resist, she asked, “Please show me your wolf so I will have some idea.”
Jared took a deep breath. “I’m not sure you’re ready.”
“Yes, I am. Please.” She held her breath in anticipation, partly from fear, but mostly from curiosity.
He stood, moving to the middle of the room. His breathing became deeper, and his head went back. Closing his eyes and almost faster than she could see, he seemed to melt, flowing down and reforming. Tara’s mouth fell open. Standing where he had been was a large, black wolf with golden eyes. He was staring at her, making no movement.
Tara rose slowly and walked around the end of the sofa. Knowing Jared would never hurt her, she wasn’t as sure about this creature. She kept her motions slow but steady, stopping several feet away. He was magnificent, a true wolf, only much larger than she thought he would be. He glared at her, and she experienced a moment of panic.
As if to reassure her, the wolf reclined with its paws before him. Tara sank to her knees and moving closer, she calmed herself and put out her hand, palm up, allowing him to become used to her scent. Instinctively knowing this wolf had a mind of its own, she stayed still. Then he licked her hand. It tickled and Tara giggled. The wolf turned his head to one side as if he enjoyed the sound. Moving closer and looking into his eyes, she put her hand on his side. The fur was thick, and her other hand followed until both were lost in its softness. She closed her eyes and he licked her face. Laughing, she said, “That tickles.”
A growl sounded which caught her off guard, and leaning back, she blinked. The wolf was gone, and Jared was kneeling before her. "You taste like strawberries and spice.”



Friday, March 4, 2016

FEATURE FRIDAY
Julie Nicholls

Today, our spotlight is on Julie Nicholls. I became acquainted with Julie online last year and found her to be smart and kind with a wicked sense of humor. I had seen her videos on youtube and was impressed with what she produced. I watched her demonstrate how she used photoshop, amazed to see her talent come to life as she drew from a model. 

Julie inspired me so much that I began to write, something I had always wanted to do. She took an interest in my first story, giving me much needed advice. I count myself blessed to have her as my friend and sister of my heart.

Julie Nicholls was born in Hull, East Yorkshire, England. Her love of writing didn't fully develop until she moved to Bulgaria after retiring from work at the age of 42. Living in a small village in the South of Bulgaria with her husband and two dogs, Julie enjoys country-life and the freedom retirement brings.

Besides being an amazing artist, Julie is also a talented writer.

January 2016, she received AUTHORSdb. FIRST #1 Author award.


Julie has written the Fallen Angels series as well Blood Ties, the first installment in her Blood Trilogy.



http://www.amazon.com/Demon-Within-Fallen-Julie-Nicholls-ebook/dp/B00PV4K8P2





http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UCL1JB6






http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015NND63Q


You can also purchase the series in a box set.





http://www.amazon.com/Box-Set-Fallen-Angels-Ascension-ebook/dp/B015NP07KO


Blood Ties, the first in her Blood Trilogy






Her talents don't stop there. Julie is a cover artist as well.
She designed and made covers for her books as well as many other authors, including myself. 

http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fjulienicholls.com%2Fbook-covers%2F&h=zAQFVfqkW

http://julienicholls.com