Blog Barrage: Blind Lust by Annie Seaton - Review + Giveaway + Excerpt

Hey guys! Welcome to today's blog tour! :) Today's blog barrage features Blind Lust by Annie Seaton. Blind Lust is a paranormal romance, published by Musa Publishing. It is about 21,000 words long. After reading the book, I did rather enjoy it. Read on for my review, a short excerpt and a giveaway! :)

Blind Lust by Annie Seaton

A wager between the gods can change your life. Even if you are a witch…

When Venus has a wager with Cupid, that prudish librarian, Lizzy Sweet cannot be enticed to love, she neglects to tell her son that Lizzy is a three hundred year old witch. The first man Lizzy sees after Cupid shoots his arrow is Josh Deegan, a famous country and western singer who has come to town to rediscover his muse, in an old farmhouse haunted by a culinary ghost. Local warlock, Wesley Gordon, who has been hitting on Lizzy to no avail for over one hundred years, is not impressed. The quirky old folk of Silver Valley watch fondly as the battle between love and lust plays out. Leaden and golden arrows zing around, spells are magicked, potions stirred, and ghosts hunted. Who will fall in love and who will let the other go forever?

Buy it from Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Musa Publishing

Annie Seaton

Annie Seaton lives on the beautiful east coast of Australia, where she loves sitting in her writing chair, gazing at the ocean and writing stories. She has always been fascinated by all things historical and has found her niche writing contemporary romance and steampunk, where strong heroines and brooding heroes fight together to make their alternative world a better place.

Her debut novel, Holiday Affair, a contemporary romance set in the South Pacific was released as part of Entangled Publishing’s Indulgence line in March. The sequel Italian Affair is currently underway Watch out for the story of Tom and Brianna the sex therapist who spices up his life!

Winter of the Passion Flower was released through Lyrical Press at the same time. Currently immersed in the creation of Book Two, a full length novel, the adventures of Sofia and her Scottish laird, Annie is already looking forward to the rest of the series, particularly the adventures of Indigo’s four boys: Jago and Jory, Ruan and Kit. Strong sassy heroines and rebellious heroes have a rollicking good time as they work to make the world a better place--albeit their own steampunk world.

Blind Lust, a paranormal novella will be released by Musa Publishing on 15th June.

Annie lives with her husband, and ‘Bob’ the dog and two white cats, in a house next to the beach in a small coastal town of New South Wales. Their two children are grown and married and she loves spending time gardening, walking on the beach and spoiling her two grandchildren.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

Time for a short excerpt!

“Do you believe in ghosts, Josh?” she asked quietly.

He laughed uneasily, shaking his head. “If you had asked me that a couple of days ago I would have said you were crazy, but honestly now I don’t know.”

“What about witches?” She paused. “Magic spells and potions?”

“Give me a break,” he said, running his fingers through his shaggy hair. She was silent as she gathered her thoughts.

“You’ve been here for a week, haven’t you Josh?” she asked softly.

He nodded.

“Have you felt your Aunt Helen’s presence?”

He looked at her without answering and a strong gust of wind rattled the kitchen windows. The storm clouds scurried across the moon, the sky cleared and a shaft of moonlight shone through the kitchen window. Lizzy stood bathed in moonlight, the lace of the curtains fracturing the beam, and the power of the moon goddess entered her strengthening her will.

“Thank you, mother,” she breathed, her eyes closing as she let the power do its work. She stood motionless for a full minute.

“Lizzy, are you all right?” Josh sounded wary.

She stood tall and straight, holding her hand out to him. “It’s all right Josh, I’m sorry I upset you.”

He hesitated before crossing the kitchen and taking her hand. The look of adoration in his eyes sent sparks running along her nerve endings, all she needed was his touch. Closing her eyes, Lizzy focused on the power of the mother within, to resist succumbing to temptation once again.

Here's my review of the book. The direct link to the review on my blog is here.

My Rating

My Review

Blind Lust seemed like a very interesting read. Though it didn’t disappoint, I cannot say that this is a new favorite of mine.

Let’s start with the good things first shall we? So, Blind Lust was a fun read. It was light-hearted, easy and a very good novella to pass the time. The storyline was interesting too and the premise for it really intrigued me. The moment I saw the blurb, I knew I wanted to read it. I mean, Cupid plus a witch plus a lot of other things (ok, I can’t really remember) just makes for a very interesting plot. To be sure, the plot was interesting. It was pretty humorous at parts too. I liked seeing how they were both affected by the spell and even how she tried to overcome it.

Now for the bad/not so good. There wasn’t much character development, but seeing as this was a novella, its understandable and acceptable and thus isn’t one of my considering factors.

I guess what I really didn’t like was the abruptness of the book. I’m not going to give any spoilers, but let’s just say the book took an unexpected turn. I’m fine with that actually, thought it was quite a good twist. However, it happened way too late in the book! If it had happened a bit earlier so that the plot could be a little more fleshed out, it would have been good. As it is, it was too abrupt for my tastes. When I read the last chapter and the epilogue, I was honestly just confused. I thought I had read something wrong because there was not really any clues that could have led to that conclusion. It was just a little bit weird.

Overall though, the novella was pretty good and I did enjoy myself reading it. I was rooting for a certain couple though. They didn’t make it:( I was hoping that somehow they would fall in love. Alright, if you haven’t read this book, you probably don’t know what I’m talking about. :P

In any case, I did enjoy myself reading this book. A solid 3 stars. If not for the ending, it could have been 4, which would be very good for a novella. Generally, I don’t enjoy novellas as much due to the lack of space for character development. Still, this was a good novella! :)

P.S. I have no idea why I can only review novellas recently. But don't worry, I'm working on my other reviews! One is a full-length long novel, the other, a little shorter!

Note: This book was provided free in exchange for an honest review. No compensation was received for this review other than the book.

Time for a giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


So yep, that's about it for today! Go here to check out the other tour stops! You'll find loads of awesome stuff on the other tour sites too! :D Do leave a comment! :)

Blind Lust by Annie Seaton

First Published: 15 June 2012
Publisher: Musa Publishing
Words: 21,000
Format: Ebook
Finished Date: 2 July 2012
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Synopsis

A wager between the gods can change your life. Even if you are a witch…

When Venus has a wager with Cupid, that prudish librarian, Lizzy Sweet cannot be enticed to love, she neglects to tell her son that Lizzy is a three hundred year old witch. The first man Lizzy sees after Cupid shoots his arrow is Josh Deegan, a famous country and western singer who has come to town to rediscover his muse, in an old farmhouse haunted by a culinary ghost. Local warlock, Wesley Gordon, who has been hitting on Lizzy to no avail for over one hundred years, is not impressed. The quirky old folk of Silver Valley watch fondly as the battle between love and lust plays out. Leaden and golden arrows zing around, spells are magicked, potions stirred, and ghosts hunted. Who will fall in love and who will let the other go forever?

My Rating

My Review

Blind Lust seemed like a very interesting read. Though it didn’t disappoint, I cannot say that this is a new favorite of mine.

Let’s start with the good things first shall we? So, Blind Lust was a fun read. It was light-hearted, easy and a very good novella to pass the time. The storyline was interesting too and the premise for it really intrigued me. The moment I saw the blurb, I knew I wanted to read it. I mean, Cupid plus a witch plus a lot of other things (ok, I can’t really remember) just makes for a very interesting plot. To be sure, the plot was interesting. It was pretty humorous at parts too. I liked seeing how they were both affected by the spell and even how she tried to overcome it.

Now for the bad/not so good. There wasn’t much character development, but seeing as this was a novella, its understandable and acceptable and thus isn’t one of my considering factors.

I guess what I really didn’t like was the abruptness of the book. I’m not going to give any spoilers, but let’s just say the book took an unexpected turn. I’m fine with that actually, thought it was quite a good twist. However, it happened way too late in the book! If it had happened a bit earlier so that the plot could be a little more fleshed out, it would have been good. As it is, it was too abrupt for my tastes. When I read the last chapter and the epilogue, I was honestly just confused. I thought I had read something wrong because there was not really any clues that could have led to that conclusion. It was just a little bit weird.

Overall though, the novella was pretty good and I did enjoy myself reading it. I was rooting for a certain couple though. They didn’t make it:( I was hoping that somehow they would fall in love. Alright, if you haven’t read this book, you probably don’t know what I’m talking about. :P

In any case, I did enjoy myself reading this book. A solid 3 stars. If not for the ending, it could have been 4, which would be very good for a novella. Generally, I don’t enjoy novellas as much due to the lack of space for character development. Still, this was a good novella! :)

P.S. I have no idea why I can only review novellas recently. But don't worry, I'm working on my other reviews! One is a full-length long novel, the other, a little shorter!

Note: This book was provided free in exchange for an honest review. No compensation was received for this review other than the book.

Blog Tour: The Miracle Chip by Stanley Grainger- Promo

The Miracle Chip by Stanley Grainger

Yes, there are F.E.M.A. prison camps, but they were purposely constructed to distract us from the TRUE PRISON CAMPS; the prison camps that will detain those citizens that refuse to be implanted with the coming biochips….

Did you know, the Military has built its own prison system right here in the United States, and these prisons are not for housing military prisoners? In fact, military prisoners (soldiers who have been court martial-ed and transferred into the BOP system) are banned from being housed in these prisons located on military bases!

Everyone has heard about the F.E.M.A. prison camps. If it was such a secret, why does everyone know about them? They are small, insignificant pieces of property enclosed with razor-wire topped fences and a few guard towers. Have you seen the pictures? I mean, how many prisoners do you think these few F.E.M.A. camps could hold?

Of course, right now, most of these prisons located on military property are housing federal inmates for the Bureau of Prisons (BOP). A few of these prisons are already empty, waiting! For what?

However, like in the book The Miracle Chip, when the BOP starts administering the biochips to the prisoners, under the New Prison Reform Act, and the federal prison population is reduced tremendously, all of these prisoners housed on military property will be transferred back into the BOP institutions. This will leave the military with a complete prison system in place; vacant… ready to be filled with detainees.

National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2012 contains controversial provisions that allow the military to detain suspects (citizens) without due process or habeas corpus.

Now, you know where these citizens will be detained! Unlike these F.E.M.A. camps this prison system will be able to hold a mass number of the population without a problem.

Buy it from Amazon.

Stanley Grainger

Stanley Grainger was born in Alabama, but grew up in central Florida. After graduating high school, he joined the military. He also writes inspirational poetry as well as songs. This is his second novel, but first to be published. He resides with his father in central Florida.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Email

And now, let's welcome the author Stanley to join us for a short interview!

What inspired you to write this book?
The world news! And the bible.

The Government in books? What kind of research did you have to do?

Suffering the internet for the history and facts about the governments and of course the bible.

If you could talk with your character what do you think they would say?

That we had better wake up! And we had get prepared, because it’s coming!

Chips in people? If this ever happened do you think everyone would opt in or out?
Well, there will be the few who love idea. I mean if you’re not doing anything wrong, what do you have to hide. It is this attitude that will cause us to lose freedoms.

Would you get chipped if this happened?
No way!

So yep, that's about it for today! Go here to check out the other tour stops! You'll find loads of awesome stuff on the other tour sites too! :D

Blog Tour: Solstice by Donna Burgess - Promo

Hey guys! Welcome to today's blog tour. First up, I like to apologise for the late post. I got home rather late then before I could post this I fell asleep:( Its about 5.30am now, can't wait to go back to sleep heh! Anyway, Solstice is a Zombie Apocalypse Book. Read the excerpt, its absolutely amazing! So, yep, without any further ado, I bring you, Solstice by Donna Burgess! :)

Solstice by Donna Burgess

On the eve of winter Solstice, a massive flash envelopes the Earth and then there is nothing. The sun no longer shines and civilization is plunged into unending darkness. Those exposed to the mysterious flash have changed—they have become bloodthirsty, cunning, and determined to devour anyone who is not infected. They are Ragers.

In Sweden, a group of uneasy travelers hears a broken broadcast. There is hope. Something called Sanctuary waits, but it is thousands of miles away, somewhere on the shores of the British Isles.

Meanwhile, in a London supermarket, a high school English teacher from the States finds himself stranded along with a handful of students on a senior trip. Outside, hoards of hungry Ragers await, ready to tear them limb from limb. Their only hope is to find Sanctuary.

Solstice is a tale of hope, terror, survival, and finding love at the end of the World.

Buy it from Amazon! | Watch the book trailer here!

Donna Burgess

Donna Burgess lives with her husband, daughter, son, many cats and one goofy Golden Retriever in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. When she is not writing, she can be found on her longboard, behind a good book or on the soccer field. She is the president of E-Volve Books. She holds a B.A. in English and a B.A. in Journalism and is currently pursuing her M.F.A. in Creative

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Time for a short excerpt!

Tana was disoriented by the complete darkness. It was impossible to decide what time it was—what time it reallywas. She loved the sunrise, so where the hell was it? She was a true sun worshipper, often dragging her boys out into the rays despite their protests about leaving their precious video games. At times, she found even heavy cloud cover jarring. She found the current darkness went well beyond jarring and right into bloody creepy. With no clouds in the sky, stars twinkled like fairy dust.

The similarities to any kind of fairy tale ended there. The world had become mad, and there she was, a single woman alone with two kids, trudging down the street in the freezing cold. She had deadlines to meet. The lack¬ of sun and an ill child would not get her out of meeting those deadlines. How would she pay the lease? How would she put food on the table?

The lack of light was an annoyance, at most. It was an eclipse, perhaps. She never paid attention to the news networks. In a while, things would settle back into their normal routine. Aiden had a touch of flu and would have to stay home from school. He was given to serious bouts of flu a couple of times a year.

She would buy a few extra days. Self-employed web designers often begged for time. Well, the poor ones did, anyway. She wasn’t quite poor, at least not yet.

What she wasn’t used to was the inability to get through on her cell phone. She’d tried the pediatrician several times, but each call was answered with the dull beep beep of a dead signal. She wanted to sit down and rest, but the few people who were out acted funny, running back and forth, huffing and grunting. Stopping might draw attention from one of those crazies.

Aidan was small for a six-year-old, but at the moment, he was as heavy as lead. Her bedroom-slippered feet padded along the litter-strewn sidewalks, robe billowing behind her like a cape. Three steps behind, ten-year-old Davis trotted along, dressed in his Chuckie-T sneakers, Spider Man pajamas, and heavy coat.

The lack of electricity was a bigger issue than the lack of sunrise. The apartment would be freezing when they returned. Luckily, the stove was gas, so they could eat, and she could have her coffee. Even the streetlamps were out. The sidewalks were gloomy, and it was beginning to sleet. She wished for some traffic. Headlights to cut the heavy darkness would be a small comfort.

She wasn’t sure what had happened. She’d dozed on the sofa in front of a recorded episode of Being Human and was happily dreaming of becoming Mitchell’s next victim when Davis awakened her. He stood over her with his Luke Skywalker light saber. The pale blue light brightened his small face like an Avatar alien.

“Aiden’s sick, Mummy.”

She sprang to a sitting position. “Sick? Is he throwing up?”

“No. He’s breathing weird. It woke me up. When I looked at him, he looked… scary.”

“Scary?” Tana’s mouth felt dry. “Were you holding that thing? The blue light makes everything look scary.”

“Just come on, Mum.” Davis took her hand and pulled her from the sofa, down the hallway and toward their bedroom, the light saber a beacon in the shadowy apartment.

Aidan looked worse than scary. A weird burn-like rash ran along the side of his face. Fat, shiny blisters were already forming on his check. Tana touched his forehead and found it alarmingly chilled. He wouldn’t respond when she tried to rouse him. Increasingly panicked, she dialed the family doctor. Nothing. Next, she tried emergency. More nothing.

Her Fiat was in the shop, where it stayed more often than not. There was nothing else to do but take to the street and hope to catch a cab or a bus.

She considered a blackout of the city. How terrible would it be? The looting. The crime. It would be chaos. They’d be safer locked away inside the apartment, but with a sick kid, waiting was not an option.

Outside wasn’t what she expected. There was no chaos, no looting, no raping. There was just… nothing. The feeling of complete aloneness was more chilling than the sleet and the gloom. The crunch of the ice beneath their steps and the clicking of sleet hitting the unmoving cars and the sidewalk were the only sounds aside from the wind and their increasingly labored breathing. Tana’s lips and cheeks became numb, and her teeth chattered.

“Are you okay, Davis?” she asked.

“I’m cold.”

“Me, too, baby. Just keep going. We’ll be there soon.”

Someone screamed, and she flinched, nearly dropping Aiden. A teenaged boy dashed past, sobbing. He wove between a pair of stalled cars, then glanced back at Tana, his eyes wide with horror.

“Hide,” he hissed. Then he was gone.

Tana grabbed Davis’s shoulder and pressed him back against a wall, attempting to vanish into the shadows.

Next, a burly man lumbered into view, wearing a wife beater shirt and dirty, ill-fitting undershorts. No shoes. His big stomach swayed, peeking from beneath the shirt. Drool hung from his parted lips, frozen in mid-drip.

Once the man passed their hiding place, Tana stepped from the shadows and removed the blanket from Aiden’s face. Her stomach tightened. She wanted to cry or to call out for help, but what the hell good would it do?

“Aiden?” She kissed his icy forehead. “Hang in there. Mummy’s going to get help.”

She thought she heard a soft groan. Thank the angels above! He’s wasn’t gone, at least not yet.

“Mummy?” he whispered.

“Yes. Mummy has you.”

Aiden’s eyes slid open, but something was very wrong. His irises were nearly white, the same color as his pallid face. The hollows beneath his eyes were so dark they appeared like deep bruises on his smooth, baby-round face.

Then Aiden, her sweet baby, dropped his head back until his chin pointed to the sky, and he howled. He writhed in her arms until her hold on him loosened, and he slithered to the sidewalk. Davis stepped forward, took her hand, and pressed against her side, trembling. Together, they watched as the boy struggled to free himself from the tangles of the woolen blanket.

Once loose, he stood and glowered at her. He screamed again, and Davis screamed with him.

“Hush, babies. Shh,” Tana cried.

Aiden lunged, spittle spraying from his lips. He bared his teeth and screeched again, shrill and horrifying. Tana stepped backward, pulling her oldest child with her. “Aiden. Calm down, baby!”

Behind the mad child, a slumping figure approached. As the spindly shape drew nearer, Tana realized it was only an elderly man. Dressed in what would have normally been a smart gray suit and tie, he was covered in splattered blood.

“Run, woman! They’re monsters, now!”

Aiden spun, and in a flash, he sprang and was on the stranger. Blood flew, inky in the darkness as Aiden ripped out the man’s throat.

Tana watched for a moment, frozen with shock. Then, she came to her senses, realizing she had to get her other child to safety.

“C’mon. Quickly!” She gripped Davis’s small, cold hand and fled down the street. She didn’t dare look back. The gruesome sounds told her more than she would ever have wanted to know.

So yep, that's about it for today! Once again, my apologies for the late post!

Blog Tour: Protector by Vanna Smythe - Promo

Hey guys! Welcome to today's blog tour! I know I was supposed to post yesterday but my computer was annoying me because it refused to load. In any case, I will not be running the giveaway as I do not have the time to manage it. Apologies! Do check out this book though, it certainly looks interesting.

Protector by Vanna Smythe

Kiyarran just wanted to become a Protector of the Realm, a member of an elite order of fighters. Strange and powerful magical abilities awaken inside him once his wish comes true. The Priesthood that secretly controls the realm see his skill as a threat, and Kiyarran begins to learn that little about life as a Protector is what he thought it would be. To top it off, Kiyarran is falling in love with Princess Issiyanna, his friend of many years.

Issiyanna faces and arranged marriage, but she has been dreaming of another man, her one true love. Now her long gone mother is calling to her, promising she will return and take Issiyanna to meet the man from her dreams.
The world is split in half by a barrier called the Veil. A terrible sacrifice was made to put it in place and now, as the 1000th Anniversary of the Veil draws near, a second sacrifice is called for to keep it in place.
Both Kiyarran and Issiyanna are needed for the Anniversary. Even though they only just learned of the Veil and neither know the role they must play …

Buy it from Amazon!

Vanna Smythe

Vanna Smythe is the author of Protector, the first book in the Anniversary of the Veil fantasy series. She has been writing creatively since her early teens, though one could say her creative writing efforts started long before that. While still in kindergarten, she once tore up a library book to make alphabet soup, and has been fascinated with what words can do, the pictures and worlds they can create, ever since. Book two of the Anniversary of the Veil series, Decision Maker, is due out in Autumn, 2012.

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Time for a short excerpt!

Chapter Three - Cold Protectors

“I’m so happy, Grisella.” Issa threw her arms around the old serving maid as she entered her chambers. “Father has managed to postpone my marriage.”

Grisella returned the hug, patting Issa on the back. “That’s wonderful news child. But I still say marriage to Thomma won’t be as horrid as you imagine. We were all in your place once. Such are things and such is the way.”

“I will sooner stay alone than be married to someone I don’t love.” Issa released her maid. She sat down by the mirror, untied the knot in her hair and started brushing it out. “But I will not stay alone much longer. My love is coming.”

The gorgeous young lord from across the sea would be in Cer’Ine any day now. Last night Issa dreamt of him standing near the shore. He was turned away from her, gazing across the sea with a traveling trunk by his feet.

Grisella looked up from where she was turning down Issa’s bed. “Who might this be, girl?”

“The handsome man I dream of most every night now. In the dreams we hold hands and stare into each other’s eyes for hours and days, and I can see all his secrets as he can see all of mine. And at other times we sit side by side and he has his arm around my shoulders and I lay my head against his chest and listen to his heartbeat, and I know all will be well until the end of days, just as soon as we are together.”

Grisella walked over and took the brush from Issiyanna. Her maid’s light brown eyes, for the moment not obscured by the folds of her face, were fixed on Issa’s reflection in the mirror in front of them. She opened and closed her mouth a few times, before finally saying, “Issiyanna, child, you are experiencing the Dreams of the Other Half. It is no more than that.”

“What are Dreams of the Other Half?”

Pity filled Grisella’s eyes as she looked away and started brushing Issa’s hair.
“Your hair truly is lovely in the winter. The moisture in the air weighs it down and gives such magnificent shape to your curls. I almost do not want to brush them out.”
“The dream, Grisella?”

Her maid stopped brushing and looked at Issa again. “All right…I will tell you…I’d hoped your father had already done so by now…your mother never had the time…”

Issa waved her hand impatiently at the maid’s reflection. “Just tell me, Grisella.”

“We all have such dreams, Issa, in our youth and before we are wed. I too dreamt such dreams when I was your age. The boy I dreamt of had dark brown hair and beautiful green eyes, the color of the river after a hard rain and once the sun shines on it again. He looked much like Kae, really. He stood over two heads taller than me and his arms were strong and steady as he held me in the dreams. I always believed he must be from the north, from some village at the foot of the Mountains of Giants, where neither men nor women fear the twilight.” Grisella’s eyes were unfocused, as though she was seeing all the way back into her youth. “But after the priests wed me to dear, sweet Bern, the dreams stopped, and the longing vanished.”

It didn’t seem so to Issa. She could still hear the longing in the old woman’s voice and see it in her eyes.

Grisella resumed brushing her hair. “It’s said that the person who appears to you in these dreams is only a mirror reflection of your own self, but of the opposite gender. Once they start, it means that you are fit to be wed. You will see, when you are wed you will no longer dream of this young lord.”

Her love’s eyes were the color of the summer sea at dawn and his hair the color of wheat fields just before harvest. Issa’s own hair was the color of honey, her eyes the color of the sunlit summer sky. He was coming to her. When he did, a ray of the strong love they shared in the dreams would pass from one to the other, and back again. Then both would know that they were the one they seek, the one they long for and wish to wed and lie beside until the end of days.

Issa would be wearing her pale green silk dress when he came, the bodice of which was cut in a precise arrowhead shape. It accentuated her bosom, yet did not reveal too much and was lined with tiny pink pearls only found in the shells that lined the most dangerous parts of the cliffs. All Issa had to do was wait. Now that her wedding had been postponed, she had more time.

Grisella put down the brush and handed Issa her nightgown, “Here, child, it is getting late. Things will look brighter once twilight gives way to dawn.”

“Yes, yes, and such are things. Truly Grisella, there is good and light even at night. Why should we fear it?” Issa knew the answer before the maid gave it. What the priests taught, the lower folk believed.

So yep, that's it for today!

Blog Tour: Dragon Rider's Gift by KH LeMoyne - Guest Post + Excerpt

Hey guys! Welcome to today's blog tour! Do you remember back in March, I hosted Kate on my blog for the book Return of the Legacy? Return of the Legacy is the first book in the Portal of Destiny Series, you can see it here! However, this book, Dragon Rider's Gift is the first in the Portals of Destiny Tales, which is a spin off from Portals of Destiny Series!

Dragon Rider's Gift by KH LeMoyne

Roark of Nedres spent his life absorbing lore, legend, and rumor to claim his dragon beast in order to save his people. Nothing has prepared him for the ultimate bond fate will demand.

Princess Nira Meriel Estar was born with the power of prophecy. Her most recent vision forecasts a dire fate for her people, promises few answers, and will deliver the country of Fyrhall a victorious future or crushing defeat.

Kraz, an ancient dragon of mythical power and knowledge, has eluded capture for a thousand years. However, only a dragon of great wisdom would consider an eternal bond to his warrior rider to save his dragon race.

Three souls. Two hearts. One courageous calling.

Buy it from Amazon

KH LeMoyne

A former technology specialist, KH LeMoyne writes sensual romance: urban and high fantasy, and scifi/futuristic. She lives in Maryland with her wonderful husband and corgi. Much to her dismay, she rarely encounters supernatural beings other than on paper. Visit her website: http://www.khlemoyne.com/ or blog:

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Publisher

Time for a short excerpt!

Roark slid from the dragon’s neck and glanced to the king’s balcony. His liege was gone, the commander as well. A sole witness remained. A servant perhaps? Skin of pale cream and eyes that promised as much challenge as the dragon at his back froze him in place.
The tip of Kraz’s tail grazed across the top of his head. Pay attention, Rider. Much has been lost for the chase of a beautiful woman.
Unaffected by the chastisement, he grinned at the retreating form, mesmerized by the thick mane of braided auburn hair swaying against a pale-yellow gown.
“Roark of Nedres, the king will see you now.”
He clamped down on his reaction to the lady and turned. The scowl on Commander Deneagus’s face reflected obvious disapproval of his perusal.
“You would do well not to let him witness your appreciation of the princess.”
Kraz’s rumble chortled behind him as Roark’s stomach plummeted with the realization of his mistake.
Of course, Rider. Why choose a simple challenge? You aim for the evilest mage, the most precious of dragons, and the most spectacular of princesses.
Wind rushed at his back as Kraz took flight, but Roark didn’t bother with a counter response. Instead, he followed the commander’s rigid form with one last glance to the empty balcony.

And now, let's welcome Kate to the blog!

Victoria, thank you for hosting me on your blog today. In honor of the last stop in my PR tour for Dragon Rider’s Gift, the first in my dragon rider trilogy, I’d like to offer a special unpublished vignette as my post for your reader’s enjoyment. This scene occurs before chapter one and is a first glimpse of Roark of Nedres’s search for his legacy.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

~Kate

Closing Gambit – Dragon Rider’s Gift Vignette #2

Roark glanced at the pile of ingots, debating how many were lead painted with gold versus the real precious metal. Not that it mattered. His interest lay in the innocuous wool pouch tossed haphazardly onto the winnings by the Piceus peddler seated across from him. His true purpose in enduring five tedious hours of gambits.

Narrowing his eyes, Roark evaluated the multi-level playing board and the few pieces remaining. A quick calculation confirmed he needed one more circuit of his piece from the first level to the fourth to win the game, a path of sixty-four squares required on each level. However, that depended on the remaining cards. He eyed the deck and then the cavalry second-year guard, too inebriated to be much of a challenge, seated beside him.

Odds were in his favor. The second-year needed three circuits, and even with an excellent draw each time that wouldn’t deliver him a win. The peddler was a harder read, hanging behind Roark by only twenty points.

Black elven stink from the man invaded Roark’s nostrils, but he swallowed back disgust and withdrew five cards from the deck. He spread his full house on the table; missing the satisfaction an excellent hand usually produced. The vibration from the pouch was too distracting. Electric charges rippled from his fingers to his toes with a punch over his chest that vibrated like an external heartbeat.

Dark eyes gleamed at him from the peddler’s pudgy round face. Roark held back a snarl. Dark magic swirled around the man, black magic.

The second-year guard roused enough to draw and advance his piece one circuit.

Seven more turns, and Roark breathed relief as he lay down his cards for a two-point win over the peddler.

Prepared to reach for his winnings, Roark froze as the guard jolted out of his stupor and slammed his knife, point first, into the table. His strike landed between the outstretched fingers of the peddler, sneaking ingots in full view. It was enough to get a man, even an elf, killed.

“You didn’t win. Now pack your stinking bag and leave this town before we have you thrown out.”

“You cannot make me leave,” hissed the peddler. But he’d vacated his seat and retreated several feet from the table, shooting a narrow-eyed glare between the guard and Roark.

“I won’t need to bother. Two of the Vernu Alfar elves arrived an hour ago. They don’t much like your kind. Do they?”

Roark didn’t stay to watch the animosity play out, but swept the ingots into his satchel, pocketed the burlap pouch in his leather vest, and headed for the table by the back door. Biting several ingots to test for gold, he dropped ten solid ones on the table before the gambling hall

owner. A generous tip guaranteed more than just goodwill. He glanced over his shoulder toward his table.

“Don’t worry, soldier. We’ll delay the Piceus long enough to give you a head start.”

With a nod, he offered thanks and slipped out the door. It had been a year since he’d resigned from the border guard, much less worn his uniform, but many people along his posts still recognized him. A fact that worked in his favor, most times.

Roark pulled his coat’s collar tighter against the late night chill and headed along the winding cobblestones toward the gatehouse.

Three miles and forty minutes later, he paused in the isolated mountain pass and listened.

No sounds registered, but his gut twisted. A sign he never ignored. The next few yards would bring him to an overlook of the desert of Ouahe and a shear thousand-foot drop. Not somewhere he wanted to be trapped.

He glanced up. A rigorous climb would take him out of the pass, but he wouldn’t risk it at night. Backtracking to the last trail held risk as well, but he resisted going forward as if there were physically restraints around his body.

He’d turned and walked several yards when he heard the roar. Flinging himself to the ground, he glanced up in time to see the fireball whip past him and explode against the rock ahead. He rolled to the side of the pass. A check behind revealed the peddler crouched along the higher rocks, the claws of his fingers and toes gouged into the pass’s wall for purchase. His eyes flickered red before the next two fire balls spit from his mouth.

Roark dodged the first wad of flame, but rocks showered on him from its collision.

The second engulfed his coat. Busy wrenching his arms from the sleeves, he failed to see the next deluge of rocks. Pain splintered along the back of his head and down his spine. He flung the coat as he dizzily dropped to his knees.

Sensing the black elf’s approach, he collapsed to the ground.

He feigned unconsciousness during the kick to his ribs, and the following shove that rolled him onto his back. He even resisted reacting as the grimy claws frisked through his pockets for the pouch. Then the elf pulled aside Roark’s vest to the reveal his medallion.

“A dragon rider. My mistress will be most pleased, but it is your head she desires.”

At the blood-curdling scream, Roark froze in his grab for the peddler’s throat.

Above Roark one minute, and several feet away on his back the next, the peddler held his hand to his chest, spitting obscenities. He tried to roll up to sit, but only his shoulders left the ground before he flopped back like a fish. Each struggle to rise, forced the elf into a backward scramble.

Roark walked to him and planted his boot on the elf’s chest, while he gingerly dug in the man’s pants pockets for the pouch.

“You’ll never make it from this mountain alive, Rider.” The peddler muttered a garbled incantation with a smug expression, then screeched in delight as a flash of flame struck the ground and dissolved to reveal a tall, broad shouldered woman with hair the color of pitch and flashing red eyes.

“What mess have you wrought now, Dirkus?” she asked.

Roark stepped aside and poured the contents of the pouch into his hand. The dragon lace sparkled in the dying moonbeams. With minor interest, he listened to the peddler ramble nonsense to his liege lady of the Black Alfar court and watched the man point toward him.

“A rider, my mistress. As you wished.”

She glanced Roark’s way. Her eyes widened as they took in the medallion now hanging outside his vest. Then they narrowed as her gaze swept over the dragon lace. With an open hand, she turned and struck the elf across the head.

“You idiot. He has them both. We can’t touch him once the medallion and lace are in his possession. We can’t even touch the lace after it has chosen a dragon rider. You’ve wasted a precious and expensive opportunity.”

Dirkus cringed, jumping to his feet and backing away. “I did as you wished. We have him, my mistress.”

“We have nothing.” She grabbed him by his ear and with a high-pitched whistle began to spin. Mistress of the Black Alfar and her captive servant both rose in the air as the winds increased and the dust billowed around them.

Roark covered his face and turned to the rock wall, safeguarding himself against the violent dust storm that followed in the wake of her spell.

Minutes later, the black elves gone, he coughed to free his lungs and dug his way out of the dune that had engulfed him. He risked one more examination of the dragon lace before sliding it into the pouch and buttoning it back in his vest.

Picking up his coat, he shook it as he took stock. The sigil inside the coat had saved the fabric from disintegrating, though it wouldn’t have protected his flesh. An error he should remedy. Fortunately, the magical tattoo on his arm had repelled Dirkus’s attack. And the dragon lace, once matched with a dragon rider’s medallion, had taken on the weight of mountains. Only he could now wield them both.

With a satisfied smile, he skirted the piles of sand and resumed his journey.

He still had a dragon to find and a kingdom to save.

Copyright 2012 KH LeMoyne

Dragon Rider’s Gift is an adult fantasy romance, the first in the dragon rider trilogy and a Portals of Destiny Tale. For other vignettes, please visit my website http://khlemoyne.com/ under Portal of Destiny Tales – Portal Tales Extras.

So yep, that's about it for today! Thanks for visiting! Leave a comment and maybe check out some other posts! :)

Blog Tour: Racing to Love by Amy Gregory - Guest Post + Excerpt

Hey guys! Welcome to today's blog tour stop! Its a little late up, I apologise. Just got home after a long day at school. Its 1 am now gosh! So anyway, Racing to Love is published by Sapphire Star Publishing and is a novel of 79,000 words. It is the first book in the Carter's Treasure Series. Racing to Love is a contemporary romance, with aspects of comedy and drama in it. Take a look at the blurb, doesn't it look great? Thanks for joining me today and enjoy the post!

Racing to Love by Amy Gregory

From the outside, Molly West had everything, beauty, brains, and a career she’d retired from not once, but twice. Being in the limelight and in a sport that was male driven, she was often surrounded men. She ignored first the boys, and as she got older, the men. Unfortunately, they were all the same, all after one thing, and she had absolutely no use for them. Her cold shoulder and patented not a chance in hell look were usually enough to get her point across. Occasionally, she had to resort to her sass—and her brother.

Molly had no plans in changing what was a perfectly good system. That is until she walked into the pits. When she stood toe-to-toe with the sex in jeans, she knew right then and there that the man her adoptive mother always told her was out there, was now standing right in front of her.

Carter Sterling had traveled the racing circuit since he was a boy. He’d heard all the old standbys, She’s out there somewhere, love comes along when you least expect it. Good things come to those that… Yeah, he’d heard them all. The last place he expected to meet the love of his life was on a pro track. All she did was smile, and he knew, looking into her sapphire blue eyes, Molly West was his. Forever.

If it was only that easy. From the moment he laid eyes on her, he had a gripping feeling in him. An overwhelming need to protect her. A girl he’d just met. Carter had learned a long time ago that gut feelings are almost never wrong.

Molly now held his heart in her hands, but it was going to take a lot more than just love to protect her from the past she thought she’d buried a long time ago.

Buy it from Amazon Paperback | Amazon Kindle | Barnes and Noble

Amy Gregory

Amy Gregory leads an incredibly active lifestyle in Kansas City with her husband and their three fantastic kids who keep them running in three very different directions. When she’s not rushing her oldest daughter to tumbling, her youngest daughter to music lessons, or sitting track-side watching her son practice motocross, she’s taking the few minutes in between to scribble the next pages in her Racing to Love series.

When asked, “When do you have time to write?” Amy Gregory giggles. “In bits and pieces,” she says.

Amy is known for her snarky, off the cuff sense of humor, which you’ll find shining through in the characters she’s created. Her debut novel, Racing to Love, Carter’s Treasure, is set for release June 7, 2012.

I’ve spent my whole life trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up, and now I’ve finally found it. – Amy Gregory

Check out her Blog!

Time for a short excerpt!

They continued to walk back toward the pits, but he stopped when they were in the darkened hallway, just before they would have rounded the corner and been seen.

Molly’s heart sped.

He was still holding her hand, but turned to face her as he placed his other hand on her waist. She sucked in a breath when he stepped forward. Her first instinct was to be anxious, to cower back, but something in those ice blue eyes told her she didn’t have to be afraid.

When he had leaned in to kiss her when they were sitting on the track, she’d panicked. And then when he had started to move away, she’d panicked again—for a different reason entirely.

Those flip-flopping emotions were about to drive her crazy.

Now, in the dimmed corridor, Molly closed her eyes to catch her breath and to search for a decision. He’d been rubbing his thumb on her waist, but his movements stopped when her eyes dropped closed. The soothing strokes didn’t continue until she finally reopened her eyes and dragged her attention up his chest and past his Adam’s apple. She continued up until she locked her gaze with his. When she offered him a hesitant smile, he began stroking her again with a warm smile on his lips.

Staring down at her, he let go of her hand and skimmed the back of his over her cheek. She felt her heart thundering, her pulse racing when she ran her hands up his chest, feeling each and every rippled muscle. She’d never purposely touched a man like this before. Sure, she’d felt Brody’s muscles when she’d smacked him for one reason or another. Or when trying to push him off of her after he’d wrestled her to the ground being an ornery brother and all. But this? This was foreign.

Her eyes were back on her own fingers, taking everything in. She stopped at his heart and could feel it pounding hard beneath the soft cotton t-shirt.

“Just so you know…” he started in his slow, sexy voice.

She could tell he was waiting for eye contact again before continuing. “Yeah?” she whispered.

“I’m going to fall in love with you.”

Aww, that last line was so amazingly sweet:)


And now, let's welcome Amy to the blog! She is joining us today with an awesome guest post about her and writing! Enjoy:)

This has been a crash course for me. I have always been a creative type of person, but I didn’t really know my destiny until finally it all hit me about a year ago. I know I’ve talked a few times about how the Racing to Love series came to me in a recurring dream. It’s the second half of that story that I don’t really think much about because it’s been such a blur.

I didn’t have a college degree in creative writing when I sat down to type out my four hundred plus page dream I’d hand-written. I was lost when it came to figuring out what to do after I had my, now thoroughly loved baby, typed out. I didn’t know one person in the industry, I had no one to ask questions of or to turn to for advice. This was a sink or swim for me, and now I had figured out something that I really wanted to continue to do and that was write. But I didn’t want to just write for myself and let them pile up in my laptop. So, what’s a girl to do that has no clue what the next step is?

I bought book after book after book on publishing. Of course Writer’s Market was the best and I spent weeks researching publishers and agents looking for the right one. I forced myself to go beyond my comfort zone and actually use the Internet, falling face first into Twitter and Facebook. I followed one author, then that became two and so on. Those people were kind enough to answer questions here and there because I was very careful to not bombard them.

The rest is like I said earlier, a complete and utter blur. A hard road, sometimes so disheartening I wanted to cry. But here’s the thing…if you want it bad enough, it’s worth every moment of heartache. It’s worth the early mornings to fit in a few moments to write, it’s worth rejection after rejection, because when it’s in your hands, in print, it’s like a dream come true.

So yep, that's about it for today! Today's blog tour is brought to you by CBLS Promotions!

Book Blitz: Dreamwalker by Andrea Heltsley

Hey guys! Welcome to today's review blitz! Alright, its supposed to be a review blitz, but due to exams I am unable to post a review today. I'm sorry, but do watch out for it as I'm currently reading and reviewing it! And I do apologise for the late post. My computer keeps hanging.

Dreamwalker by Andrea Heltsley

Noel Kennedy lost her boyfriend, her job and her dignity all in one week. Then something happened and she began to dream of this stranger she had never met. She couldn’t resist the man of her dreams named Jared especially when she met him in real life. Entranced, she slowly unraveled a world she was meant to stay out of. Her life was not what she thought it was once a sexy Boone stepped into the mix and shook things up. Can she escape a life of servitude or immortality for a chance at love?

Kindle


Paperbook

Andrea Heltsley

I am a biology nerd who loves reading just about anything paranormal and some chick lit. I enjoy sunshine and my two Italian greyhounds with my husband. I always write to music, it helps the creative process. Dissolve is my first novel. I have been writing ever since I was in grade school and have finally decided to make a career out of it. More books to come summer 2012 and 2013.

Website | Facebook | Goodreads

Time for a short excerpt!

My eyes fluttered open and I saw something magical. I was lying on the ground next to Jared, my legs folded up, boots resting flat on the ground. I turned my head to the side, looked into his eyes and he smiled.

All around us, the tall green grass was mixed with red tulips tinged with silver and the field was whispering in the wind. A large white moon hung in the deep purple sky. I turned to peer into those smoky eyes that had me at hello.

“What is this place? It’s truly amazing. I have never seen anything like it.”

He smiled and just answered with a simple reply, “our wonderland.”

Then I gasped as Jared entwined his hand with mine and a shooting star came into view. The star seemed so close it appeared three-dimensional and was emitting a shower of stardust in its wake. Shimmering embers and sparkling bits surround us as I stared in awe.

So yep, that's about it for today! Watch

Blog Tour: Revealing Hamilton by Sarah J. Carr - Character Interview

Hey guys! Welcome to today's blog tour. Its a little late, I apologise, I had an exam today. SO yes, Revealing Hamilton is a science-fic novel released by Ruby Lioness Press on the 1st of June. This is the first book in the JackRabbit7 series.

Revealing Hamilton by Sarah J. Carr

A conversation with a stranger changes Amelia Hamilton's life forever. When she learns her grandfather faked his own death, normalcy slips from Amelia's grasp. To make matters worse, he is coming for her in less than seven days. What she hasn't determined is why.

Amelia's grandfather, Marius Benedict, once headed The Physician Coalition, an elite group of doctors who threw the Hippocratic Oath out the window. Years ago, they used a low-risk medical research study as a front for their experiments. Without their consent, innocents were injected with JackRabbit7, a hazardous substance used to alter their DNA. The victims were left with less-than-desirable super-human powers or excruciating death. Years after he disbanded the group, Marius has a new plan and is reforming The Coalition.

Max, a mysterious stranger from the Insurance Agency, offers to help keep Amelia safe. He introduces The Agency as an underground government organization that contains and eliminates those who intend to harm the world. To protect The Agency, the truth of their activities are concealed and replaced with sugar-coated stories in the media.

Over the course of the next week, Amelia has to accept the truth and learn who can be trusted. At midnight on her 23rd birthday, a contract between The Coalition and The Insurance Agency will expire, giving Marius full rein to approach his granddaughter and finish the project he started with her so many years ago.

Sarah J. Carr

Sarah Carr is a novelist who can be found most evenings with a cup of tea in-hand and her imagination racing from plot to plot. When away from her work, part of her mind is constantly brainstorming her next story and she always has writing paraphernalia within reach.

She wrote stories as a child, but became more serious about her passion during her twenties. In her spare time, she likes to read, splash in mud puddles, smell bookstores and eat Honeycrisp apples. Yearly, she participates in NaNoWriMo and has mentored others through the program. Due to her dedication to National Novel Writing Month, she is part of an amazing writing group.

Born and raised in Washington State, Sarah still resides in the area. Her life is richly filled with her supportive, yet swashbuckling husband and their golden Nugget.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

And now, let's welcome Amelia Hamilton, the main character of the book, to have a little chat with us! :)

Victoria: Hi Amelia! Welcome to the blog. Let’s start with something big. Can you tell me your first memory?


Amelia: Wow, you jump right into the heavy topics. **long pause** Well, I was three or four years old and it was a spring afternoon. The house was in disarray and I couldn’t find my parents after a nap. **shifts in her seat** My grandfather had this dishtowel and--- I’m really not comfortable talking about this. Can we change topics?


Victoria: Sure. Let’s go back to the basics. What is your full birth name?


Amelia: I suppose that depends on whom you ask. My real name is Amelia Noelle Hamilton. I don’t know the history behind my first or middle name. I assume Noelle is because my birthday is near Christmas. Since I turned 18, my identity has been a problem. I tried to change my name multiple times and it keeps coming back incorrectly from the state. I think it’s a sick game my grandfather plays from the grave.


Victoria: Speaking of your grandfather, tell me about your family.


Amelia: I was an only child and never found my parents after that first memory I explained earlier. Please don’t make me dive back into that topic. My grandfather, Marius Benedict, was in a massive accident and died when I was young. At that time, I was placed into foster care and shuffled from home to home.


Victoria: It sounds like you had a rough childhood. Has that affected your relationships? Are you in a romantic relationship?


Amelia: Romantic? I guess you could call it that. I’ve dated this guy named Connor for a while. We’ve been together for a while and I moved into his condo six months ago.


Victoria: Why are you frowning when you talk about him?


Amelia: He’s been distant lately. I know he’s under a lot of pressure at work, and when he drinks, he---never mind.


Victoria: Sounds like that’s a sore topic and there’s some fear on your face. What are your other fears?


Amelia: I used to fear my grandfather, but he can only haunt my memories now that he’s dead. My current fears are needles and mosquitoes.


Victoria: Who’s your best friend?


Amelia: I have two. The first is Kyra Thomas. She’s been acting odd lately. She has a toddler that keeps her busy so I don’t question it. My other best friend is Donovan Davis. We’ve known each other since elementary school and we work together at Ellie’s. He’s a little kooky, but has a good heart. I’m concerned he wants to be more than friends, but I do my best to not give him false hope.


Victoria: What’s the worst thing that can be done to another person and why?


Amelia: **silence**


Victoria: Is something wrong?


Amelia: This is off the record and don’t ask me to elaborate. The worst act someone can commit is **pause** being restrained on a table and injected with JackRabbit7. It felt like a lit match being thrown into a puddle of gasoline. I was four. You put the puzzle pieces together as to “why”.


Victoria: Since I’m not allowed to ask more about that topic, do you have any pet peeves?


Amelia: I HATE two things. First of all, I hate it when people lie to me. Second of all, I hate it when people answer questions with more questions.


Victoria: My last question is do you believe in superheroes?


Amelia? **smirks** Once upon a time, I thought they were fictitious and limited to comic books and TV; however, if you read my story, you might believe in them, too.

Victoria: Alright! I guess I've taken up enough of your time! Thanks so much for visiting the blog and I wish you all the best:)

So yep, that's about it for today! Go here to check out the other tour stops! You'll find loads of awesome stuff on the other tour sites too! :D

Blog Tour: Darkroom by Joshua Graham - Guest Post

Darkroom by Joshua Graham

After scattering her mother’s ashes in Vietnam, photojournalist Xandra Carrick comes home to New York to rebuild her life and career. When she experiences supernatural visions that reveal atrocities perpetrated by American soldiers during the Vietnam War, she finds herself entangled in a forty-year-old conspiracy that could bring the nation into political turmoil.

Launching headlong into a quest to learn the truth from her father, Peter Carrick, a Pulitzer Prize Laureate who served as an embedded photographer during the war, Xandra confronts him about a dark secret he has kept–one that has devastated their family.
Her investigations lead her to her departed mother’s journal, which tell of love, spiritual awakening, and surviving the fall of Saigon.

Pursued across the continent, Xandra comes face-to-face with powerful forces that will stop at nothing to prevent her from revealing the truth. But not before government agencies arrest her for murder, domestic terrorism and an assassination attempt on the newly elected president of the United States.

Darkroom is a riveting tale of suspense that tears the covers off the human struggle for truth in a world imprisoned by lies.

Joshua Graham

WINNER OF 2011 INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARDS, Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble #1 bestselling author Joshua Graham’s novel BEYOND JUSTICE is taking the world by storm, one reader at a time. Many of his readers blame him for sleepless nights, arriving to work late, neglected dishes and family members, and not allowing them to put the book down.

Suspense Magazine listed BEYOND JUSTICE in its BEST OF 2010, alongside titles by Scott Turrow, Ted Dekker, Steven James and Brad Thor.
His short story THE DOOR’S OPEN won the HarperCollins Authonomy Competition (Christmas 2010.)

Publishers Weekly described BEYOND JUSTICE as: “A riveting legal thriller…breaking new ground with a vengeance…demonically entertaining and surprisingly inspiring.”

Joshua Graham grew up in Brooklyn, NY where he lived for the better part of 30 years. He holds a Bachelor and Master’s Degree and went on to earn his doctorate from Johns Hopkins University. During his time in Maryland, he taught as a professor at Shepherd College (WV), Western Maryland College, and Columbia Union College (MD).

Today he lives with his beautiful wife and children in Southern California. Several of Graham’s short fiction works have been published by Pocket Books and Dawn Treader Press.

Writing under the pen name Ian Alexander, Graham debuted with his first Epic Fantasy novel ONCE WE WERE KINGS, an Amazon #1 Bestseller in multiple categories and Award-Winning Finalist in the SciFi/Fantasy category of The USA “Best Books 2011″ Awards, as well as an Award-Winning Finalist in the Young Adult Fiction category of The USA “Best Books 2011″ Awards, and an Award Winner in the 2011 Forward National Literature Awards in the Teen/Young Adult category. ONCE WE WERE KINGS is available in ebook and hardcover editions.

Look for his next Suspense/Thriller DARKROOM (Simon & Schuster/Howard Books) to be released May 1, 2012!

For Film Rights Josh is represented by UNITED TALENT AGENCY.   Please use the CONTACT button on this website for all inquiries.
You can visit his website at www.joshua-graham.com.

And now, let's welcome Joshua to the blog to talk with us a little about the life of a writer.

The Ever Changing Life of a Writer

Just when you think you’ve learned the ropes and mastered your system, things change. Isn’t that just the frustration of life? You can lament the fact that things keep changing and throw your hands up in defeat. Or you can embrace it and use the changes to your advantage.

As a writer, some things will never change. Writing involves creating characters for stories that challenge them and cause dramatic changes which reveal their true nature. So you always have to come up with the basic elements: character, setting, conflict.

However, one of the things that keep changing is the business of publishing.
There was once a time when in order to get your book published you had to print out all 400+ pages, find the name and mailing address of an editor, type and print out your query letter, your synopsis, your SASE (if you don’t know what that is, then you’re either a very young writer, or not a writer at all) and pack them all into a box or large enough envelope and drag it down to your local post office.

I remember a year when I submitted about 23 short stories to Pocket Books one year. I sent them all via priority mail, but at $3.75 each, it really added up. And this is not to mention that it took about 30 minutes just to print everything and pack it up. If you were sending a novel to say 10 editors, then the printing time for each manuscript would be about 10 times as long PER copy.

As you can see, it could easily take an entire day to submit your manuscripts to several editors the old fashioned way. Nothing wrong with this, some editors still insist on this method.

But then things started to change.

Writers began daring to think outside the proverbial box and break the “rules” and “guidelines” of submission with the hope that their books were good enough to cause the editors to overlook the fact that the submission guidelines were overlooked (e.g. send hardcopy only, no unagented submissions, etc.) They started sending their query packages via email. GASP! Yes, email.

Soon, many editors began to see that this was not only a “green” method, but a more efficient one as well. I used to send paper submissions and got very little response. Not even rejection letters. But as soon as I started sending email queries, I began to get replies within days. Some of them were rejections, others were requests for full manuscripts, and still others were very encouraging rejections which praised my work, but stated their publishing line was not a good fit based on the genres they publish.

Eventually, I gave up paper queries altogether. It became an economic impossibility to sustain, and it took way too much time. Most of all, it yielded the least results.

I sent email queries for my book DARKROOM and it was eventually acquired by Simon & Schuster/Howard Books and will be published in May 2011.
This is just one of the many ways the publishing industry has changed. It may not be the most dramatic change, but it has made my life a lot easier. And it works.

So yep, that's about it for today! Go here to check out the other tour stops! You'll find loads of awesome stuff on the other tour sites too! :D