Bewitching Book Tours: Chatting with Erica Hayes - Revelation

Interview at Immortality and Beyond:

Welcome to Immortality and Beyond. May I offer you a drink?

I’ll have a Zombie Blast, thanks. Hold the brains.

BK: LOL. No brains :) When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

Doesn’t everyone? What's not to love about creating worlds and torturing the hapless characters inside? Just like little fishies in a barrel, they are… But writing fiction for a job is brilliant. Your own hours, your own tasks. The only job I've ever had where I wasn't bored after six months.

BK: Please tell us a little bit about your current release...

Fallen angels, demons, the apocalypse, hot romance. And zombies! This one has a zombie plague in Manhattan. But it's really about saving the world, one soul at a time – and the idea that your fate is what you make it.

BK: What inspired this particular novel/book?

Well, I was at my crit partner's house, and I had this random idea about the Apocalypse and fallen angel warriors and seven vials of wrath. I don't know where it came from. I never know. They just appear. Is that weird…?

BK: How do you keep your writing different from all the others that write in this particular genre?

I include random homicides. You thought that guy was the hero? Bwahaha. Think again… no, wait, that's Game of Thrones. Damn...

Seriously? We're all different people. There might be no new stories, but only I write like me. Give five authors the same plot, they'll write five wildly dissimilar books.

I try to learn from my favorite authors, sure – I learn so much from studying what they do – but in the end, no one can write my story like me.

BK: What was the hardest thing about writing this story?

Actually, this one was kind of easy :) the characters just fell out from somewhere.

BK: Which character was your favorite to write for in this story? Why?

The hero, naturally! Lune is to die for. He's strong, gallant, always ready to act. And he tends to say whatever comes into his mind. He's not a subtle man. If he wants something, you'll hear about it.

BK: Tell us about the one scene you had the most fun writing…

Can't give too much away, but there's this one scene where the hero makes a desperately romantic sacrifice. It's totally swoon-worthy. Also, I do love my villains, and the demons in this series are particularly juicy and nasty. Sarcastic little worms, too.

BK: Will this become a series? If so, what inspired it to be a series? OR If it is a series, what inspired it to become a series?

REVELATION was always intended as book one of a series. There are seven plagues of the Apocalypse, after all. Can't fit 'em all in one book!

BK: Now for a little fun, and into your everyday life, What is a day in your life like?

What, when I've finished swanning about in my private jet and lounging in the sun at my Caribbean beach villa?

I get up. I feed the cat. I read emails and do author promo on the internet. I shower. I go to the coffee shop and write. Then, I come home. Eat dinner. Watch tv, usually, or play games. Yes, my life is that exciting…

BK: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

Slay zombies. They know this. They don't come round much anymore. So I like to go walking, and read, and play games. Currently I'm having an Assassin's Creed marathon. (Did I mention that Ezio is my secret boyfriend?) I also play a few instruments, so sometimes I even practice those, to my cat's disgust.

BK: What is one thing your readers would be most surprised to learn about you?

Me? This is just my mild-mannered secret identity. In truth, I am Cliché Woman, slayer of tortured billionaires and destined mates. Be afraid.

BK: What do you like to read? Who is your favorite author?

I don't have just one. Lately I've been reading a lot of fantasy. But I'm a sucker for a good historical epic. I'm obsessed with Hilary Mantel's WOLF HALL. Seriously, if you only ever read one 'literary fiction' book in your life… well, you won't read just one. I defy you not to one-click-buy the sequel immediately.

BK: What is one piece of advice you can give to aspiring writers/authors?

Don't be afraid to try new and strange things. You don't have to be like everyone else. Read other authors, learn from them, then go your own way.

And don't believe anyone who tells you indie publishing is sub-standard, or traditional publishers are eevil!, or agents are dinosaur parasites. None of it's true. We all have a place. Just get informed, and do what's right for you.

BK: What are you currently working on?

I finished a short story yesterday, called HUNTER'S HEART, about a demon-hunting vampire and her hellspawn lover. Phwoar. Moving on to something new and sekrit next…

BK: Where can readers connect with you?

Come by my Facebook Page (http://www.facebook.com/ericahayes.author) or chat with me on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/ericahayes). I'd love to hear from you!

About the Author:

Erica Hayes was a law student, an air force officer, an editorial assistant and a musician, before finally landing her dream job: fantasy and romance writer.

She writes dark paranormal and urban fantasy romance, and her books feature tough, smart heroines and colourful heroes with dark secrets.

She hails from Australia, where she drifts from city to city, leaving a trail of chaos behind her. Currently, she's terrorizing the wilds of Northumberland.

http://www.ericahayes.net

http://erica-hayes.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/ericahayes.author

http://www.twitter.com/ericahayes

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2922003.Erica_Hayes

Revelation
The Seven Signs, Book 1

Erica Hayes

Genre: paranormal romance, urban fantasy romance

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

ISBN: 978-0425258378

Number of pages: 330

Word Count: 100K

Cover Artist: Kris Keller

Paperback: Amazon Book Depository BN

Ebook: Amazon BN Sony iTunes

Book Description:

A fallen angel with a mission and a medical examiner who's lost her faith are fighting for their souls in a glittering, near-future Manhattan...

Blind faith is for fools. That's what Dr. Morgan Sterling believes. And she's going to prove it by curing the zombie plague ravaging her city's slums. She's certain it's not a sign of the End of Days, but a nasty disease—until an angel appears in her morgue in a flash of glory.

Luniel is not just a fallen angel. He's a powerful warrior sworn to fight evil in hopes of a chance at redemption. He's after the demon princes who are stealing the seven vials of holy wrath which, when perverted, will unleash eternal hell on earth.

To stop the plague, Luniel needs Morgan's help, and her faith. But Morgan believes science is their salvation. If the zombie plague is a demonic curse—and if Luniel is true—he’ll have to prove it. Even if he loses his heart to true love or his soul to Hell...

Excerpt:

White light erupted, brighter than any flashbulb. She gasped, dazzled. Breeze ruffled her hair. Her elbow hit the trolley, and the camera jolted from her fingers. A hand gripped her arm, steadying her. A man’s voice, deep and unfamiliar. “Sorry, lady. I didn’t think anyone would be here. Are you—oh, shit.” Her vision cleared, and she scrabbled on the floor for her camera. “Jesus, you scared the hell outta . . . oh!” She looked up, and fell right back onto her ass, her nerves in disarray. Whoa. Not just tall, or big. More, in every way compared to . . . well, compared to a normal man. This guy wasn’t normal. Black hair, blacker than soot and wilder than music. Blue eyes, hotter and deeper than summer sky, luminous pale skin, long dark lashes any woman would kill for. Arms thicker than her thighs in a dark shirt with no sleeves, strong wrists that made her weak, hands that could crush rocks. And his thighs in those jeans . . . long, powerful, rippling as he moved. His face was familiar, she realized. Those carved cheekbones and, umm, luscious lips. The bird man. Only Birdy was blond, and this guy was dark and . . . tasty. His gaze lasered onto hers, relentless, and she shivered. He looked dangerous. Driven. Not a patient man. Morgan scrambled up, struggling to keep her mind on the issues. This was Babylon, the psycho-killer capital. Well-adjusted guys didn’t break into morgues after-hours. But how Mr. Huge-dark-and-oh-by-the-way-totally-hot had gotten in here was beside the point. So was how easy it’d be for a guy his size to tear her limb from limb, or worse. He’d seen Birdy’s body. She couldn’t call security. Not yet. Not before she’d preserved the evidence. She licked her lips. “Um. Hi. I was just . . .” He strode up to the trolley, and his fingers clenched the edge, hard enough to dent the steel. On drugs. That explained the crazy swirl in his eyes. “You found my brother,” he said stiffly. “I guess asking how he died is redundant.” “Umm . . . he’s . . . well . . .” Morgan stuttered, unable to keep it in any longer. “He’s a frickin’ bird man! Who the hell are you?” He turned, and to her surprise, he laughed. Her guts melted, like warm honey, and she shivered again. So beautiful. So smooth and melodic. She wanted to press her thighs together, feel his tingling warmth . . . Or not. Her indignation sparked. He hadn’t answered her question. Who the hell was he? The guy with the Rohypnol laugh shook his head. “Bird man. Christ. You people. Never believe what’s right in front of you.” “Sorry, but I’m a scientist. I believe what I can see.” Morgan folded her arms, defiant, and edged closer to the wall where the alarm button was. Screw collecting more evidence. This guy was seriously creeping her out, and it wasn’t just because he had her thinking about sex instead of squirting him with capsicum spray. “You do, do you?” His gaze flicked to the alarm button, and back to her, and swift as the flashbulb he dived forward and grabbed her arm. “Then believe this.” Light shimmered again, dazzling. And glossy black wings burst from his shoulders in a rain of golden glitter. Morgan’s heart catapulted, and she gulped for breath. The golden light glimmered, and dissolved. But his lush midnight feathers didn’t. And he held her, his body close in the heady scent of altar smoke. His whisper rumbled through her chest. “I’m sorry. I can’t let you call your security. You never should have seen any of this, but it’s too late for that now. My name is Luniel. That’s Ithiel, my twin. He’s an angel. And so am I.” Morgan struggled, her mind blanking. It couldn’t be true. Not possible. She must be dreaming. Yet . . . She wriggled, beating at his massive forearm. “Let me go!” He let go. She stumbled away, rounding on him. More fool him. Whatever this guy was, he wasn’t to be trusted. “Sorry. Not possible. I don’t believe in angels.” “Not my problem.” The man—Luniel—shrugged, feathers ruffling. His accent was elusive, a mixture of exotic and familiar, like he came from no place in particular. “It’ll be your problem when I call the cops, you freak.” The dude still wore a shirt with no sleeves, and the wings—his wings—fit easily into the cutaway space. Blacker than black, like soot, broader than his massive shoulders, and long, the tips of the feathers reaching to mid-calf. It looked so real. Morgan’s mind stuttered. She must be dreaming. But if this was a dream, surely he’d be wearing white robes and a halo? Instead of all dark and smoldering and . . . and sinful, like some insane Mardi Gras biker? She sidled backwards, towards her desk in the cutting room. A girl didn’t grow up in Babylon without learning some self-defense. Her pistol was in the drawer. Maybe she could get away, lock him in, call security. 9-1-1 was a waste of time, despite her threat. Resources were stretched, and police response to anything short of a terrorist plot in progress just didn’t happen. Luniel stalked her, midnight wings flaring. “Freak? Wow. I’m so pleased to meet you . . . I’m sorry, what didn’t you say your name was?” “I’m Dr. Morgan Sterling. This is my mortuary. You’re trespassing.” Behind an autopsy bench, a few steps closer to the desk. He circled, leaning over the bench on two hands, muscles flexing. “As they say these days, Dr. Sterling: whatever. Tell me where they found my brother.” She fumbled against the desk, feeling behind her. “Screw you.” “Is that an offer? I’m touched.” His hot blue gaze drilled her, magnetic. “But not distracted. Come on, Doctor, it’s important.” She ripped the drawer open and grabbed the pistol, leveling it at him two-handed and thumbing the safety off. “So’s this. Back off.” “No.” He vaulted the bench with ease, landing silently before her on wafting wings. Careless of her pistol. Unruffled, like a panther facing a hissing pussy cat, some small, insignificant creature who posed no threat. His delicious scent paralyzed her, a rich toffee sweetness. Her mouth dried. He was luminous, dazzling, too perfect to be real. Certainly too perfect to be telling the truth. “Get away.” “Wait, let’s see. Umm . . . no.” He cocked his head, and reached for her hair, stroking it with one finger. “You’re very pretty, Morgan Sterling. Pity if that got spoiled. Tell me about my brother.” Now her gun was trapped between them. Her hands quivered, her memory of defensive moves a blank. “Get away! I’ll shoot!” “No, you won’t.” He wrapped her hair around his fingers, and leaned closer, sniffing her. “You’re a doctor. You don’t hurt people.” “Don’t bet on it.” She inhaled, and squeezed the trigger.

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Bewitching Book Tour: Insatiable by Emily Kimelman

Welcome to Immortality and Beyond. May I offer you a drink>

Zombie Blast on the rocks please.

Zar, our Zombie Butler will fetch that for you. Zar…

Thank you Zar

*Drools* while handing drink over…

*Rolling eyes* You may return to your quarters now. Please don’t mind him, sometimes he just gets so excited when we have guest authors. He’s only ever bitten somebody once, *grins*.

No problem, *sips from glass* this Zombie Blast is delicious. Zar might drool but he makes one hell of a cocktail. Thanks for inviting me on your blog and offering up such delectable concoctions.

Now that we’re settled in, let’s chat. Shall we?

BK: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I was in college, about 22 years old. After high school I moved straight to London and started working as a photographer. While that was great and took me some amazing places including four months in Brazil, I realized it was not the job for me. So I went back to school unsure where I was going.

My boyfriend at the time, my best friend, and my brother, all pushed me toward writing. I shied away from it at first because I’m very dyslexic which makes spelling and grammar tough for me. I felt that I could not write professionally with my disability.

But I loved reading! So one day I’m on the subway headed to class reading a mystery novel when I realized it was terrible. I mean absolutely awful. That’s when it dawned on me: I can do better. So I did. And I have a great copy editor who cleans up all my mistakes... except she didn’t read this interview so please don’t judge me too harshly!

BK: Please share with us how your current release came to life...

INSATIABLE is the third book in my Sydney Rye series but I actually wrote it second. While writing my first book, UNLEASHED, I created a very detailed outline and a third of the way through I had to throw the whole thing away because my characters took over. So when I sat down to write INSATIABLE I just put my hands on the keyboard and said, “Okay folks, let’s go.” Sydney took the thing from there and I just sat back and enjoyed. Of course, she totally buggered off when it came time to do the hard work of editing.

BK: Do you let your characters tell the story, or do you often fight with them on the direction it will take?

I’ve fought for a couple of things but mostly I listen to the characters. If I try and get too involved it starts to sound forced.

BK: How do you keep your writing different from all the others that write in this particular genre?

I am different from all the other writers in this genre so I make sure to fully express myself and that usually takes care of it. When editing if I find something that leans toward cliche I cut it quickly and without remorse.

BK: Which character was your favorite to write for in this story? Why?

I can’t pick! Really, I love them all. Malina is so powerful in her own way, her sexuality is her weapon and she wields it with grace. Dan is super laid back and brilliant not to mention totally sexy. Mulberry is one of my favorite people in the world (and yes, I think of him that way). Besides Sydney and Blue he is the only character to appear in all three books. He feels like an old friend. And Blue, come on, I’m pretty sure that dog walks by my side while I dream.

And then of course, there is Sydney Rye herself. She’s the one who tells me the whole sordid tale with details and excitement. She keeps me interested and on the edge of my seat. Sydney Rye is the reason I sit down in the morning to write.

BK: Tell us about the one scene you had the most fun writing…

A large portion of INSATIABLE takes place in St. Thomas where my Father grew up and I was married. It is a complicated place often only seen from the deck of a cruise ship. I enjoyed bringing to life the character of the island, exposing it’s grimy side, and showing off it’s natural beauty. The scene I had the most fun writing takes place on the island but I don’t want to give anything away by telling you the details. Suffice to say there are guns, a chicken doesn’t make it, and it ends with a drink at the bar.

BK: If you were stranded on an island, which character in your books would you most want to be stranded with and why, and what is one thing that would be a must-have?

Hmm, I’d probably take Blue. He wouldn’t be much help with the building of forts or gathering twigs for a fire but he’d make me feel safe and I’m hoping bring me some creatures to roast over the aforementioned fire. I’d need a good knife. Or a satellite phone... can I have one of those?

BK: Now for a little fun, tell us a bit about what your office looks like. Do you need silence to write?

Right now I’m on a veranda at my friend’s house in Goa, India. I’m lying on the day bed, the sun is just starting to set. There is pink and white bouganvia hugging the boarder wall that separates their property from the dusty, rarely traveled road. Next to me are giant terra cotta pots filled with water plants that have fish darting amongst their roots. Lulu, a street dog my friend’s adopted when she was a puppy, let’s me know when any creature passes our gate by howling out a warning. A man wearing only white shorts ran down the road throwing rocks at a pack of dogs a moment ago.

I’ll be here for another ten days then we’ll go onto Ahmenebad for the kite festival, I’m not sure where I’ll find to write there but I’m hoping it’s a swinging bench or hammock. I love to move.

BK: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

I hang out with friends, cook, read, drink, laze about in my PJs.

BK: What is one thing your readers would be most surprised to learn about you?

I think you can tell from my books that I am a thinking person who loves travel, dogs, and adventure. My stories are dark though, which readers might be surprised to learn I am not. I have nicknames that include “little miss excitement” and “little miss sunshine”, I am often accused of being a “positive polly”.

BK: What is the craziest thing you’ve ever wanted to write, or have written, even if it never reached public eyes?

I wanted to write a series called UNDERCOVER GIGGALO about a sexy man people would hire to help their shy friends come out of their shells. I wanted it to be a serial with each episode being a new case for him to “solve”.

BK: What is one piece of advice you can give to aspiring writers/authors?

I’m really trying to cut back on giving advise. But this drink is strong so I’ll dole out some nuggets (she says with a slur). This is an occupation not a job. Like occupy wall street, not like work on wall street. It is not easy to write books, long confusing, delightful, horrible little sh*t’s that they are, so get obsessed. I think about my characters all the time. They occupy my mind and my life.

Also, if you’re an author than you’re not normal so stop pretending to be. Get over trying to look good or be cool. Bare your soul (and avoid cliches).

BK: What can we expect from you in the future?

I’ve got a couple different works in progress but I don’t know which is getting done next. The only thing I’m sure of is there will be another Sydney Rye mystery coming out in 2013. Since I’m living in India for the next two months I think she’ll end up here for at least a part of the adventure.

BK: Where can readers connect with you?

I’m on twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and I’ve got a blog. Mostly I post pictures from where ever I am. On occasion I drop nuggets but first you have to get me drunk.

Thanks so much for having me on your blog. Your house is beautiful, your servant gruesome, and your beverages nice and strong.

Author Bio:

Emily Kimelman lives on a boat in the Hudson Valley with her husband, Sean and their dog Kinsey (named after Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone). Kimelman has a passion for traveling and spends as much time as possible in the pursuit of adventure.

Her Sydney Rye series feature a strong female protagonist and her canine best friend. It is recommended for the 18+ who enjoy some violence, don't mind dirty language, and are up for a dash of sex. Not to mention an awesome, rollicking good mystery!

Website/blog: https://emilykimelman.wordpress.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ejkimelman

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

Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4832911.Emily_Kimelman

INSATIABLE

A Sydney Rye Novel Book Three

Emily Kimelman

Dark Murder Mystery

ISBN: 1470136023

ISBN-13: 978-1470136024

Number of pages: about 320

Word Count:  75,000

Cover Artist: Autumn Whitehurst

Book Description:

INSATIABLE is the third novel in my Sydney Rye Series of dark murder mysteries. This series feature a strong female protagonist and her canine best friend. It is recommended for the 18+ who enjoy some violence, don't mind dirty language, and are up for a dash of sex. Not to mention an awesome, rollicking good mystery!

INSATIABLE begins with private detective Sydney Rye living a simple, disciplined life in London, but when a dangerous man from her past calls, Rye finds she cannot turn him away. Robert Maxim explains that the daughter of a powerful friend has gone missing and he wants Rye to find her. In exchange he offers her something she had given up hope of ever having; freedom from her past.

With her dog, Blue, at her side, Rye meets up with her new partner, a handsome man she's not sure she can trust. Heading for Mexico City, they go undercover, posing as husband and wife. After meeting with the bereaved parents, Rye starts to sense that there is more going on than just a missing girl. But it isn't until they arrive in the Yucatan Peninsula, hot on the girl's trail in Paradise, that all hell breaks loose. Sydney has to reach out for help from old friends and deal with the consequences of her past, if she's going to find the girl and keep them all alive.

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BBT: Interview & Giveaway with Jade Hart - Ocean Kills

Welcome to Immortality and Beyond. May I offer you a drink?

Thanks!  Um, all your cocktails sound very appetizing but I think I’ll go with a Witches Brew. (As long as there are no toads in it.)

No toads, I promise.

BK: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

Jade: I think I’ve always known. When I was little I constantly wrote short-stories. My imagination kept me entertained and I would always have my nose in a book. It wasn’t till four years ago however that I turned to my hubby and announced that I wanted to write and publish a book. That very afternoon I bought a little 10 inch laptop and started hammering away at the keys.

BK: Please tell us a little bit about your current release...

Jade: Sure! Ocean Kills is the first book in the Ocean Breeze New Adult Urban Fantasy series. (bit of a mouthful) I wanted to combine a kick-ass heroine with a swoon-worthy hero. Add in some bad guys and some sexy moments and Ocean was born. I’m very honored to receive positive reviews, but it’s the ones that say the story is well-written and unique which mean the most. That’s what I wanted to achieve. To put out a different-to-the-norm story and do it well.

BK: What inspired this particular novel/book?

Jade: Funny enough, I had a dream that hubby and I had gone overseas for a holiday and the hotel sucked. I closed my eyes and just wished that I was back home. A nosebleed and migraine later, I was in my bedroom. I thought, wouldn’t it be fun to have a heroine who could teleport, but paid for her gift with pain. Plus, I love Dexter so making her a vigilante seemed the smart thing to do. 

BK: How do you keep your writing different from all the others that write in this particular genre?

Jade: Not sure. I write the way I want to. I do what feels natural and go out of my way to learn fresh techniques. I think it’s the story of Ocean’s and Callan’s love that is rather unique. Callan isn’t a bad-boy. In fact, he’s a cop and arrests Ocean when they first meet. It isn’t a story about instant love either. Lust is a big factor, but they grow to love each other slowly.

BK: What was the hardest thing about writing this story?

Jade: Probably the traumatic issues I deal with in the book. I researched a lot of the sex-industry and learned what happened to young girls who were forced into sex-slavery. It was hard to research but important to create a world that was authentic. Ocean goes after the ring-leader and it gave me great satisfaction to write that.

BK: Which character was your favorite to write for in this story? Why?

Jade: Ah, this is hard to answer as it is a fair split. The story is told in alternating POV’s between Ocean and Callan. I adore Ocean for her fight and spirit, her willingness to overcome her past and sacrifice herself to save others. But I love Callan for his morals and affection for Ocean. He helps her grow and he never gives up on her.

BK: Tell us about the one scene you had the most fun writing…

Jade: Well, it was a scene in Bali. Ocean and Callan have arrived due to circumstances and it was a very emotionally driven scene… it ended, happily.  (Can’t explain more as it’s a sex scene.lol)

BK: Will this become a series? If so, what inspired it to be a series? OR If it is a series, what inspired it to become a series?

Jade: Yes, it was always intended to be a series: Ocean Breeze. Book one is Ocean Kills. Book two: Ocean Slays comes out in April 2013. Book three: Ocean Hunts comes out late 2013. The storyline came to me in series form. There are so many things that Ocean needs to overcome and her and Callan have a long way to go to cement they relationship. I really like long-running series, especially if I fall in love with the characters and wanted to do that for my readers.

BK: Now for a little fun, and into your everyday life, What is a day in your life like?

Jade: My life is great! My hubby is super supportive and I get to write most hours. I have a house-rabbit who pretends to chew my laptop cord if I don’t pay enough attention to her and generally have a dream existence. I have to fight myself to do things like house-work and not spend 12 hours a day in my imagination. I’m extremely lucky.

BK: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

Jade: Hubby and I love to travel. We go overseas every three months and I’ve lived in a few countries (Australia, England, Hong Kong, New Zealand) I use my travels as inspiration for my work and insert a lot of my experiences into the story. For example, Callan’s apartment in Bondi Beach in the book is MY apartment in Bondi Beach. It was fun reliving that part of my life and making it come to life again.

BK: What is one thing your readers would be most surprised to learn about you?

Jade: Um, not sure! How about… I was born in Hong Kong and when I was little and learning to talk, no one could understand me. I was taken to an English speech therapist who scratched his head in confusion. It wasn’t until a few weeks later while I was babbling and talking away that people realized I was speaking Cantonese. None of my English speaking family could understand how I spoke Chinese as my first language.

BK: What do you like to read? Who is your favorite author?

Jade: I love to read long running series. I just finished the Faefever series by Karen Marie Moning- which I enjoyed. But for inspiring authors I’d have to pick Liani Taylor. I adore her writing and thought Daughter of Smoke and Bone was done tremendously well.

BK: What is one piece of advice you can give to aspiring writers/authors?

Jade: Write in the style YOU want. I tried to force myself to write like authors such as Stephanie Meyer and other well-knowns, but it didn’t work. You need to listen to your imagination and create a writing style that flows. Also, understand how you work. I can write upto 12,000 words a day—but it is a very rough draft. I like to get the skeleton of the story down as fast as possible and then on multiple editing passes add in voice, feeling, description. And finally, take the pressure off. If you’re having a bad day, don’t automatically think you can’t write. Just like anything you have good days and bad days and that’s okay, and normally fixed by chocolate. 

BK: What are you currently working on?

Jade: I am currently working on five manuscripts (yes, crazy I know) but the two that are front runners are: Coffee and Cockpits: A New Adult Contemp Romance. About a flight attendant who can’t decide if the co-pilot or the engineer is the hottest and ends up having both. And Ocean Slays: Book Two of Ocean Kills. I love being in Ocean and Callan’s heads and I hope people enjoy the sequel as much as I loved writing it. 

BK: Where can readers connect with you?

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JadeHartAuthorPage

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&query=jade+hart

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Ocean-Kills-Breeze-ebook/dp/B00AJDN5QE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357852055&sr=8-1&keywords=ocean+kills

Twitter: @jadehart8

Blog: www.dreamwritepublish.blogspot.com

Joint Blog: www.falling4fiction.blogspot.com

Author Bio: 

Jade Hart is a self-confessed book worm who is happiest glued to a lap-top with an eternal battery life, and typing up stories running rampant in her head.

Her three favorite things are:

1. Unlimited books on an Ebook Reader
2. Cracking the sugar on a creme brulee
3. Travelling

Jade currently resides in Middle-Earth, but has lived in Australia, England, and Hong Kong.

She writes New Adult 'smexy' fiction. 

Ocean Kills

Ocean Breeze Series Book One

Jade Hart

Genre: new adult sexy urban fantasy

Word Count: 97,000

Goodreads

Book Description: 

Around the world, murderers and rapists pick off the innocent. Killing loved ones, separating families, and ruining lives.

As an eight-year-old girl, Ocean witnessed her family’s massacre and something altered inside her. Twisting her genetic code… unlocking an ability to teleport.

Ocean Breeze was never destined to be normal, especially being named after air-freshener. She’s a shadow, a ghost—a dark savior of the innocent. Armed with a switchblade in her bra, and a box-cutter in her pocket, she hunts the filth of the world.

Callan Bliss is a Sydney Police Officer whose skill set is far above a normal cop. All his fellow officers see is a hard-worker who loves to catch perpetrators and surf, but that’s because they don’t know his past. When Callan arrests a suspicious looking prostitute, coming face to face with a self-confessed vigilante, his secrets aren’t that easy to keep silent anymore.

Ocean hates the police with a passion, and has no intention of being held captive by a cop, even if he is sexy as hell. Teleporting from under his nose, Ocean hunts her next target—a man responsible for the largest sex ring in South Africa—and he’s about to die. But she doesn’t count on Callan giving chase, nor the body-quaking lust which consumes them. However, Ocean's dark hobbies take precedence over what her heart wants—her thirst for murdering is killing her too, and not even Callan can save her.

Excerpt:

My name is Ocean Breeze. Yep. Ocean freakin' Breeze. It was my mom's attempt at some posh-sounding name. She was inspired by—get this—a bottle of toilet air-freshener. My heart squeezed at the thought of a cookie-scented woman with hugs that held sunshine. The sound of my Nikes pummelling the pavement chased away my thoughts. The slapping of rubber against asphalt was similar to the slap the last prostitute-abusing john gave me. Stinking bastard. No one raises a hand to Ocean Breeze without losing an appendage. Or more, as the case may be. I swiped my hands on my vinyl, red miniskirt. It wasn't exactly an attractive outfit—Nikes with a miniskirt? But I've learned the hard way. Running in heels never worked. Ever. The sleazy men who paid for sex didn't care what was on my feet, only what was between them. I jumped and jived through the crowd. It was two in the morning, and the streets of Kings Cross, Sydney, were a hive of activity. Drunken students hauled themselves from karaoke clubs. Rich business men back-slapped each other for the lap dance from the uni-student, who pocketed their tips to pay for her law degree. This place was full of clichés and smut. And I loved it. I could disappear here. I was a nobody. Even boasting a pair of ruby lips and a figure that could've graced the center fold of Playboy, I didn’t stand out. Beauty was coveted in the Cross, and plastic surgery was the salvation if nature didn’t do the work. So why was I running? I just killed a guy. That's why. I bolted past the three-story sized Coca-Cola advertisement, blazing red and white, and disappeared into an alley full of meth-heads and crack whores. I leaped over comatose figures, sprinting toward the city centre. Keep running. Get far away. The night was heavy with muggy heat, unusual for this time of year, and sweat made my miniskirt slide against my thighs. Kings Cross embraced sin and naughtiness. The suburb encouraged unleashed pleasure and endless partying. It also encouraged rapists and murderers who lurked in the shadows. . . waiting. A flash of blue and red lights. Sirens. Fuck! I pirouetted on my heel and charged down another alley, passing a gay club blasting Kylie Minogue. Ugh. “You! Stop!” Yeah, no chance of that, Fat Cop. I flipped him the bird, and kept running. He jumped back in his cruiser and gave chase. Lazy bastard. Too many kebabs and doughnuts for that slob. He wouldn't catch me. No one ever caught me. I smiled. I loved the chase. I loved the kill. Well, that wasn’t entirely true. I didn’t enjoy murdering someone, but I did enjoy the knowledge that he’d never hurt another. My cut-throat actions saved other would-be victims. Plus, that john deserved it. Memories overtook my vision. Heavy breath on my cheek, rancid smell as he slobbered on my neck. Then warm, oozing blood as my weapon of convenience—a long skinny oyster knife—buried deep in the man's groin. Ridding him of a vital piece of his anatomy and draining his body of crimson. One moment alive, the next—not. Then rushed practicality: Dispose of my surgical gloves. Wipe the corpse with antiseptic wipes. Remove the man's DNA, fingerprints, and blood from my body. Adrenaline spiked, dousing my already overloaded system. My heart thudded as fast as the bass at a techno club. The pavement flickered and I stumbled. No, not now! My vision danced like a mirage. I no longer had control of my body. Sirens were closer, breathing down my neck. Keep moving, Ocean! For freakin' sake, move! No amount of yelling could stop the migraine from consuming me. I screamed and clutched my temples, slamming to the concrete. The sidewalk danced under my phantasm goggles, no longer acting like rock and tar, but candy floss and gossamer. I'm going. I'm going. . . Cold claws grasped my bare shoulders. “You're coming with us.” No! The unrelenting crush of pain ricocheted in my skull. I wanted to die. Cuffs shackled my wrists, and I was dragged, then stuffed into the back of a police car. The agony danced with nausea, tangoing in a way that tested my stomach’s willingness to evacuate its measly contents. Precious minutes passed while I grappled with the migraine. When only a gentle pounding remained, I opened my eyes. I didn't know where I was. The tense shoulders of policemen kick-started my breathing. I narrowed my eyes. This was quite a predicament: shackled in the back seat of a police vehicle. I glared at the fat, uniformed man who'd cuffed me. “You have no reason to arrest me.” Please tell me they didn't find the john. There was no way they could’ve found him already. And I knew there wasn't a drop of blood on me. There never was. I was clean. Efficient. Ruthless. While I waited to be graced with an answer, the lull of the car tires slowed my heart, and the rest of my headache seeped back like a tide. “You're a working girl. We have every reason to arrest you.” I sighed, slouching into the cracked vinyl seat. Relief flooded me. If this was just a routine grab-and-administer-friendly-sex-education, that was fine by me. I might even get a free dinner out of it. My stomach rumbled in agreement. Food would be good. Food was hard to get when you had no cash. Too long this time, Ocean. You need to suck up your pride and go back. The cop mistook my relief for annoyance. He turned in his seat, pointing a finger in my face. “You listen here, girl, we're only looking out for you. Don't pull that attitude.” I slipped into slutty prossie. An act I'd perfected, but never played in real life. It was all an act—my entire existence. I didn't know the real me anymore. Batting my eyelashes, I pouted. “Attitude? I don't have an attitude. But if you let me go, I'll make it worth your while.” I licked my lips suggestively. Ugh, this was gross. As if I would stoop to sleeping with strangers.

Feb 5 Review

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Feb 7 Interview and review

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Feb 8 Interview

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Feb 9 Promo 

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GFP Guest Blog & #Giveaway - Seven Point Eight by Mare Harbon

Okay, I'm a sucker for covers...Seven Point Eight ROCKS!! Please enjoy this guest post from author Marie Harbon today, touring with her book over at Goddess Fish Promotions. Marie is also giving you a chance to win some really cool prizes so be sure to leave a comment with your name and email.

Tips For Writers

A story follows what a character wants, what she’ll do to get it, and what costs she’ll have to pay on the way. The journey of your character is paramount, as your readers will track what she learns, the decisions she makes, and how her life changes as a result. This is the essence of myth – which is a journey leading to oneself. Myth relates to all stories, not just fantasy. You can use a physical journey as the basis for this, even if it’s only from one side of a city to another. A good example of a journey is in ‘Stand By Me’, when four boys walk on an adventure to see a dead body. Along the way, they discover a lot about themselves.

Flow is one of the most important elements of a good story. Ensure ease of reading for your audience, so that they’re not jarred by complex language or names that are difficult to pronounce. They’ll just substitute gibberish instead, and the human eye singles out difficult words. While you believe you’re being clever, most likely, your readers will find it a turn off.

Another key element is pace. A slow plod will cause the reader’s interest to decline, although it allows for greater detail. A hectic pace will take the reader on an adrenaline saturated rollercoaster ride, although it will exclude detail. This pace is perfect for suspense, whereas a slower pace is more appropriate for literary fiction, as it allows character development and analysis. Most genres strike a balance between the two.

My third key element is emotion. This is what really drives your story, not your flawless prose or your technical genius. Readers must feel what is happening to your characters, be joyful in their successes and tearful in their heartache. They must travel the journey by your character’s side, and care what happens to them. Make your reader feel excitement, tears, triumph, disgust, annoyance, and laughter.

Some authors give strict technical advice about the use of adverbs, semi-colons and prologues, to name a few. Excellent flow, pace, and emotion trumps technical factors, because readers don’t pick up a book to check out how many adverbs an author used. They read to be transported to another world. Perfect technicalities cannot mask a lame and pointless story. Many of Amazon’s best sellers are not works of technical genius: they merely take the fantasies of readers, translate them into words using the authors’ hearts and souls, and sell them back to the world.

What are the ingredients of a good story? Make a wish list of everything you’d like to see in a book or film, what interests you passionately, what entertains you, and the themes that capture your imagination. Choose some key elements that naturally intersect, and build your vision from there.

Don’t neglect the depth of your story world. It’s not necessary to describe everything down to the trees and the soil, but you should seek to capture an evocative snapshot of your world. Sometimes a bold metaphor can perform this job more effectively than a whole paragraph of description.

Play around with ‘what if’ scenarios. If it can happen, then let it.

When developing your lead character, remember, he/she must drive the action. This character doesn’t have to be instantly likeable or perfect. Sometimes, the most fascinating characters are those who are challenging, complex, and make mistakes, just like us.

Don’t develop one character and neglect the dimensionality of your supporting cast. Where relevant to the story, allow them to express themselves, without sidetracking. See all your characters together as part of an interconnected web, who interact, and affect each other’s emotions and decisions.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Marie Harbon has worked in both the retail and fitness industry. She has a degree in sport and fitness, and taught group exercise for several years, delivering aerobics and Pilates. For two years, she delivered BTEC sport courses and has also instructed dance and sport with children.

Marie is a member of Nottingham Writers Studio, Her future plans include not only completing the 'Seven Point Eight' series, but involve writing YA, children's and adult books, short stories, novellas and scripts.

Aside from writing, Marie is a self-confessed fabric geek and purveyor of beautiful, often ostentatious bags, bustiers and clothing. She lives in the town of Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, which is in England.

Website - www.marieharbon.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/marie.harbon

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SevenPointEightChronicles

Twitter - @marieharbon

BLURB:

Seven Point Eight:

'The Truth Will Set You Free'

In the second instalment of the Seven Point Eight series, the legacy of the OOBE project weighs heavily on the conscience of Dr Paul Eldridge. Tahra Mamoun needs to muster all her courage and venture back into the alternate dimensions of reality. Through a series of challenging, surreal and frightening experiences, she comes to comprehend the destructive power she can yield and must face her own demons in the process.

Paul continues his quest to understand the ancient knowledge of the cosmos, while dark forces seek to hijack his research to further a secret agenda. With their lives in jeopardy, Paul and Tahra confront their enemies against an international backdrop featuring the pyramids of Giza and the peaks of Switzerland.

Meanwhile, Sam and Ava endeavour to uncover their past, even though it may irrevocably change their lives.

In a tale of courage and tragedy, love and betrayal, their lives are interwoven around the demons of one man, Max Richardson, who'll stop at nothing to achieve his objectives.

Written in the style of a TV series, Seven Point Eight draws together quantum physics, psychic powers, alternate dimensions, time travel, past lives, ancient wisdom and conspiracy in a soap opera for the soul.

It’s the ideal read for lovers of sci-fi, contemporary fantasy, paranormal, metaphysics, ‘Lost’, ‘Fringe’, ‘Touch’, and Dan Brown books.

Titles included are: 

Eternal Island (Book 1 in the Eternal Series) by K. S. Haigwood & Ella Medler

Blood is Heavier by Ella Medler

The Transient by M.W. Russell

Betwixt by Melissa Pearl

Foundling Wizard by James Eggebeen

Paradox: The Angels Are Here by Patti Roberts 

Paradox: Progeny of Innocence by Patti Roberts

Accountable to None by Ashley Fontainne

Card Tricks by Jon Messenger 

Struglend Tales by Jan Jacob Mekes

Book of Curses by L.D. Hutchinson

Soul Sisters by Janiera Eldridge

Marie will be awarding a free copy of Seven Point Eight: The First Chronicle via Smashwords and a 12 ebook swagbag including, sci-fi, fantasy, paranormal and YA titles to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

January 21:  Racing To Read

January 22:  Books Amour

January 23:  Sandra's Blog

January 24:  Melissa Keir- Sexy Between the Covers

January 25:  Rogue's Angels

January 28:  Author Raine Delight's Blog

January 29:  BadBarbsPlace

January 30:  Bunny's Review

January 30:  STOP 2  Hope Dreams. Life... Love 

January 31:  The Write to Read

February 1:  The Cerebral Writer

February 4:  Immortality and Beyond

February 5:  Wake Up Your Wild Side

February 6:  Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews

February 7:  Andi's Book Reviews

February 8:  Books and Other Spells