Official Upcoming Release Schedule!

Due to changes in how my publisher assigns dates, I won't have release dates until I finish the book. I'm currently working on:

Taking the Realm which is book 3 of Sha and Connor's trilogy (previously titled Shaking the Balance)

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

OMG I'm Published!!!

Let me let that sink in for you all. Lovelies, my dream is fulfilled. Today is the release day for the splendiferous anthology, Once Upon a Twisted Time, published by Moon Rose Publishing. I. Am. Published. I seriously can't stop saying that!!! I'm sharing my day with 2 of my wonderful friends, Kristie Haigwood and Ashley Fontainne, so be sure to read their release day posts too!!

Did I mention I'm published?? Ok yes I know I have but do you realize how much this keeps hitting me?? When the buy link went live and I could create my author page, my author page, I cried. Now you probably know all about the anthology by now, or at least you should because I have babbled about it for weeks and weeks. But just in case you don't, let me fill you in on it :)

Info

This is the official release day of Once Upon A Twisted Time, the first anthology from Moon Rose Publishing! A collection of dark adult fairytales, these stories will turn your idea of what a fairytale should be on its head! From Steampunk to Fantasy, there is something for everyone in this fantastic collection of four novellas. The novellas are based upon The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, Snow White, and Beauty and the Beast-see if you can work out which one is which! It is now available on the Moon Rose Publishing site, and from Amazon!


All images relating to Once Upon A Twisted Time, including but not limited to cover image and character renderings, are owned by Moon Rose Publishing and cannot be used or reproduced without the express written permission of Moon Rose Publishing

Buy It!!!!!!

About the Book!

Think you know your fairytales? Think again. These aren’t your normal happily-ever-after. Within these pages, a murderous Little Mermaid gets her revenge, the Cinderella doesn’t really want to wear the slipper, Snow White is up to her eyes in industrial experiments, and the Beauty is in fact the Beast. 

This collection of four novellas will surprise you, make you gasp in horror, sigh with relief, and sit on the edge of your seat. And most of all…they will make you rethink everything you think you know about dark fairytales…

Song of the Abyss by Lindsay Avalon

Princess Nerissa had envisioned a perfect wedding to a handsome prince. Instead, she fell into a nightmare. When her new husband tries to murder her just hours after pledging his life to her, she must flee towards the sea. Caught in transition from woman to selkie, she is trapped by the dark waters she hoped would be her salvation. Now her destiny becomes that of luring young men to their death…until one comes along that reignites the spark of love inside her. However to ensure her future, she must first face her past. Revenge must be taken…for both her life, and the life of the young man she now loves.





Miss Cavendish and the Spark of Salvation by Tara S Wood

In a city toiling under the iron fist of the Spiegel Syndicate and its monopoly on coal, Miss Georgina "George" Cavendish is on the brink of a breakthrough that could change the world forever. There's just one thing standing in her way, her aunt - Xenobia Cavendish. Threatened by her efforts, the Syndicate procures the services of a notorious assassin with a past tied to her own, known as The Huntsman, to dispatch the brilliant scientist. But once he gets a glimpse of the headstrong beauty, will he be able to do the job, or will Georgina sway him to The Cause? And will George find the breakthrough she needs in time, or is New London Town doomed to forever lie under the dark shadow of her aunt's factories?









Hawke and the Beast  by Trish M Dawson

Some curses last forever, and some can be broken with the whisper of three little words. Isabella Rose Woodward fell in love with a witch's son over a century ago. Her punishment for breaking the young man's heart was a beastly one. Every month she turns into a different creature, aging on the full moon when her curse allows for a brief return to her human form. Her only salvation is to find a man that will love her as she is…be it adorned in feathers, fur or scales. Has she found this love with the handsome Jasper Hawke? Or will a mysteriously determined Hunter find her first, and snuff out the life she so desperately seeks? A life of normalcy, where she loves and is loved in return… just as she is.








Reborn City by Miranda Stork

Nyx has one mission in life; bring down the brainwashing of New Omsk’s citizens, and release them from their mundane lives of toil. The year is 2355, and the world is a new place. A Governor is in charge of every city in the world, and humanity is attempting to rebuild itself after recovering from a war that nearly killed it. But this Governor has set his eyes on the intrepid little hacker, Nyx, and he will stop at nothing to get her. But perhaps he needs her more than he ever dreamed he would…as do his citizens.






Trailer!

Miranda Stork created this fantabulous tailer for our anthology!!







Meet the Authors!

Lindsay Avalon:


Tara S Wood:
Trish M Dawson:
Miranda Stork

Contest!!

Moon Rose Publishing, to celebrate its newest release, is also having a huge contest over on Facebook and their website!

One grand prize winner will win:
  • Five free ebooks, including a copy of the Once Upon A Twisted Time anthology
  • A personalised fairytale ring from http://www.etsy.com/shop/Coryographies
  • Once Upon A Twisted Time postcards and bookmarks
  • Exclusive charm necklace and bookmark from Tara Stogner Wood
  • Exclusive Once Upon A Twisted Time glossy poster.

And three runners up will win:
  • Five free ebooks, including a copy of the Once Upon A Twisted Time anthology
  • And bookmark and postcard swag!

You can enter by going to the link below, to the Rafflecopter contest! Or enter the Rafflecopter directly below!


Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Eternal Island Release Day!!!

Eternal Island

Lovelies I have the great honor of introducing the latest release by one of my dearest friends, Kristie Haigwood and Ella Medler!


A place where vampires rule, witches play, danger lurks and dreams really do come true.

Eternal Island is a paranormal suspense novel, deeply rooted into myth. Vampires and magic form a unique backdrop to a love story with long reaching consequences. Human girl Ariana Lochalan finds herself transported from the relative calm of her ‘Nowhere, Arkansas’ life into a diametrically opposite existence when she discovers she is a powerful witch and meant to wed High Vampire of Eternal Island, Abe Cambridge. Despite first-sight magnetism, the two protagonists are being pushed apart, obstacles tripping them at every step, outside forces interfering and threatening their peace, and ultimately their lives.

A world rich in magic and intrigue, Eternal Island is the first installment of a saga which has love at its core and delves through the mire that is human nature in a turmoil of feeling and emotion. Would courage, resilience and love be enough to bring together two soul mates?

How much would you sacrifice to save the one who owns your heart?

Adjusting Journal Entries...OUT NOW!!


Sometimes…Revenge Is A Bitch – The Long-Awaited Finale “Adjusting Journal Entries” Is Available Now!

The many facets of revenge are explored in this series. In the first novel, Accountable to None, the heroine experienced numerous life-altering events that set her on a course for revenge. The term revenge is a dish best served cold has never been more accurate. The flawed protagonist waited five years to wield her sword of vengeance and her rewards were sweet and fulfilling.

In the sequel, Zero Balance, the aftereffects of obtaining revenge are explored. Oftentimes while one is plotting and planning the downfall of others by making them accountable for their actions, they can suffer tunnel vision. They don't stop to consider how their actions, even if morally justified, will touch others. The quote by John Milton from Paradise Lost is in the beginning of Zero Balance and speaks this truth:  “Revenge, at first though sweet, Bitter ere long back on it self recoils;”

The third and final book, Adjusting Journal Entries, touches upon the depth of madness that anger and pain can drive someone to. How much emotional pain and heartache can one human being endure before their sanity breaks and they become a killer?

Revenge is a normal human response to physical and mental pain. I would imagine that most of you reading this have, at one time or another, experienced a moment where you wanted to make someone pay for the pain they caused you. The players in this series do just that--they live out that dark fantasy. Unfortunately, the repercussions are tremendous.

I invite you to explore the world of revenge in this series.

All books are available in eBook and print book on both Amazon US and Amazon UK.

Adjusting Journal Entries (Book Three of Eviscerating the Snake)

Click here to buy on Amazon US
Click here to buy on Amazon UK


Zero Balance (Book Two of Eviscerating the Snake)

Click here to buy on Amazon US
Click here to buy on Amazon UK


Accountable to None (Book One of Eviscerating the Snake)

Click here to buy on Amazon US
Click here to buy on Amazon UK


I would like to thank the fantastic team at Blue Harvest Creative for their outstanding work in creating the covers, interiors and eBooks for all three books in this series.



Synopsis:

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. But when it comes to human emotions, the reaction is never equal. No one understands this lesson better than the partners at the prestigious accounting firm of Winscott & Associates.

Greed, power, money and sex left six people dead and four in the hospital…

Audra Tanner never realized how far and deep the ripple she created in her revenge pool would extend. Now as the dust settles on the explosion that rocked not only her life, but the lives of countless others, Audra must fight to gain control over her life.

Because others are out to end it.

What People Are Saying About Adjusting Journal Entries...

“I just finished reading Ashley Fontainne’s Adjusting Journal Entries and was I pleasantly surprised! I am not sure what genre to place it in: Legal thriller? Psychological thriller? Mind blowing ass kicking thriller? They all apply. Five stars is an understatement. Damn good reading!”
– Zach Fortier, bestselling author –

Ms. Fontainne is an excellent writer and excels at creating tenuous plots with sudden new sub-plots that take the reader by surprise. For those readers who enjoy mysteries, intrigue, thrills and danger, I heartily recommend this story.
– Joan Adamak, Amazon reviewer –

Oh what a tangled web Ashley Fontainne weaves! The attention to detail throughout the series is astounding, leading up to an intense and insane conclusion. Nothing happens by chance or coincidence...everything that happens is tied together with a great big action-packed bow...Fontainne is an undeniable talent and is...a force to be reckoned with in the publishing world.
– Charlotte Foreman, reviewer for BestChickLit.com –

Nothing short of mind blowing. Nothing is predictable – that is what makes this series awesome. The story twists and leaves you shocked and on tenterhooks... Ashley Fontainne has created three dimensional characters, some you love, others you really love to hate. They have an impact on you, and even after you turn the last page and you know your time with them has come to an end, they live on inside you.
– author Lindsay Anne Kendal  –

Fontainne...has a brilliant way of bringing to life the twisted psyches of her antagonists and she does it again in Adjusting Journal Entries. Fontainne has the unique ability to juggle several themes throughout her books as she artfully weaves them together, like a beautifully wrapped present...this last book will not disappoint.
– author Joanna Lee Doster –






About Ashley Fontainne:

International bestselling author Ashley Fontainne is an avid reader of mostly the classics. Ashley became a fan of the written word in her youth, starting with the Nancy Drew mystery series. Stories that immerse the reader deep into the human psyche and the monsters that lurk within us are her favorite reads.

Her muse for penning this series was The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas. The revenge on all those who hurt and betrayed Edmond Dantes and the incredible rollercoaster ride his journey takes you on intrigued her. Ashley’s love for this book is what sparked her desire to write her debut novel, Accountable to None, the first book in the trilogy Eviscerating the Snake. With a modern setting to the tale, Ashley delves into the lengths a person is willing to go when they seek personal justice for heinous acts perpetrated upon them. The second novel in the series, Zero Balance, focuses on the cost and reciprocal cycle that obtaining revenge has on the seeker. For once the cycle starts, where does it end? How far will the tendrils of revenge expand? Adjusting Journal Entries, the third in the series, answers that question: far and wide.

Born and raised in California, Ashley now calls Arkansas home with her husband and four children. She also enjoys writing poetry and short stories and recently published Ramblings of a Mad Southern Woman: A Collection of Short Stories and Poetry on Life, Love, Loss and Longing, which is available on Amazon. Ashley is also a supporter of the Joyful Heart Foundation that assists victims of violent crime seeking help and healing, and donates 10% of all yearly book sales to the cause.


Connect with Ashley:








Sunday, October 28, 2012

Interview with K.R. Morrison!!

Guess what time it is, lovelies? That's right, another awesome author on The Lindsay Show! Today I'm chatting with the fantabulous K.R. Morrison and can I tell you she has a special treat in store for you for Halloween? Her book Be Not Afraid has been known to keep readers awake at night, perfect for getting you in the mood for All Hallow's Eve, right? Don't worry though, Kathy's not scary herself, I promise :)

Kathy, I'm so glad you could join me today! I confess I don't normally read scary books but I'm going to have to make an exception for your book. Your title, Be Not Afraid, and cover are just too intriguing to pass up! I mean, check this out people...


Does that not make you want to read this or what? Well, I don't know about you guys but I'm ready to get started. Grab your coffee, sit back, and let's meet the lovely K.R. Morrison!

Interview

Once again Kathy, welcome! I'm so glad you could join me today *hugs* I've loved getting to meet so many wonderful people and being introduced to new genres I don't normally read. Let's dive right in...when did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve always liked to write, almost as much as I liked to read.  I spent most of my younger life drawing, though.  That was how I expressed myself.  But when the kids came along, the paints and paper got put away, and never really got reawakened.  I’d been writing the annual Christmas letter for years, and folks always told me how much they enjoyed them.

Then came this book, which was really a compulsion (which I will expand on later).  Once I got a publisher and saw my book in my hands—that’s when the writing bug hit.   I have so many stories in my head!  Getting them to line up and stay on their best behavior is a tough business.


Totally understand about the book being a compulsion LOL. That's how my books has been really. What has been the most difficult part about being a writer?

Today it was the frustration that comes with marketing and promotion.  It can sometimes get so discouraging.  But then someone gives you a compliment or BUYS YOUR BOOK and things start looking up again.  Gives you a reason to go on.


You know, that's something I'm already experiencing. If I start getting discouraged, a compliment can go a long way towards cheering me up! You said you love to read, so who are your favorite authors?

Modern-day authors:  Terry Pratchett and Jasper Fforde.  (No, that’s not a typo.)  Have you ever read them?  They are so funny!  I give them straight-As for imaginativeness.  Authors of writings past:  definitely Robert Louis Stevenson.  I have an old copy of “A Child’s Garden of Verses” and still read it when I can.


I have heard of Terry Pratchett but haven't had a chance to read much of his. I keep seeing his name thrown around though so I'll be reading more of his work I think! Who are the authors inspire you?

More writers than authors, really.  Screenplay writers.  It’s because I see my story unfold as if on the screen, and I take great pains in going into the right amount of detail without getting caught up in it.  Gestures, conversations, facial expressions—they take precedence in my writing over what the characters wore or what they ate, or the color of their eyes.  I only add that sort of thing if it is germane to the story.


Ooh I love that response! Sometimes my scenes play out like that too :) And speaking of scenes, do you like to plan your scenes out or do you just wing it?

I definitely plan.  But I don’t do outlines or write notes.  I walk.  A lot.  And as I do, I play the scenes out in my mind.  My writings are Christian in nature, so I wouldn’t dream of not getting the advice of my Collaborator.  Some scene shifts or outcomes are so unexpected that I just stop walking, my mouth open.


See I'm never able to plan so in a way, I envy you people that ability lol. We've heard your favorite authors, but what type of books do you like to read?

I’ve really become fond of YA.  But mystery is my usual choice, then paranormal (not horror, believe it or not), humor, adventure, inspirational (all faiths), and hiking narratives.  Depends on my mood, and how long I’ve been reading a certain genre.


I like that, a very good mix of genres :) What do you like to do in your free time? 

What I like to do in my free time is walk—and I don’t mean a leisurely stroll.  I am a race walker, although I am not the fastest horse in the stable.  But I get better the more weight I lose.  The first year I walked in the Portland-to-Coast Relay, the only sentient being I passed was a dead deer..  And even she gave me trouble…But now, after seven years, I can pretty much hold my own, even pass other walkers.

What I end up doing instead of walking, most days, is clean the house…


Wait a minute...there are race walkers?? That is just awesome!! I loathe running but I don't mind walking at all. I'll have to look into this more! We won't even go into how messy my house is lol. Where is your favorite place to vacation?

Best place I have ever been is Scotland.   My roots are there, in the far north, on the Isle of Lewis.  But the highlands call me.  There is something about that fierce solitude that connects with my heart.  My husband says we’ll go back in a couple of years.  Can’t wait!  

Until then, a trip to New Orleans next year will do nicely.


Ok now I'm jealous. Scotland is definitely right up on my list of places I want to visit. I'm going to be hitting you up to see pictures later so I can live vicariously :) We are just days away form Halloween so I must ask you...what is the craziest Halloween costume you’ve ever worn?

In my eight-grade year, the school had a costume contest.  I still remember going out into the backyard with rolls of heavy-grade wire and fashioning my costume.  A sturdy frame, hung from the branches of the maple tree, and tons of papier-mache; make sure there’s a way to get into the thing.  Yellow paint over all, and ta-dah!  I was a giant banana!  It went over really well in the contest.  I think I got first place.

However, I couldn’t sit down while wearing it.  Oh well.


OMG that is just awesome!! Who needs to sit anyway? ;) I'll be hitting you up for pics of those later too haha. As I'm sure people can goes from the cover, Be Not Afraid is horror. Why did you choose to write a horror novel?

This is the hardest thing to answer, because it makes me squirm.  I have an all-abiding horror of vampires—I can’t even look at the word without my heart racing.

I didn’t have this weird phobia until the night I had an all-too-real nightmare.  (Okay, breathe….)  I dreamt I was being attacked by a vampire, and it involved all of my senses.  I could feel the bite, the blood being pulled from my veins, the pain of their walls collapsing…

It was over in seconds, but when I woke up the dream continued.  In my conscious state, I could see myself in a church, begging God’s forgiveness.  From there, the dream became a storyline.  Which is pretty common, but there was a catch:  This line of thought kept playing over and over in my head, during all my waking hours, and every time it re-played, more detail and information would be added.  It got to where the story took an hour to get through to the end.  Then off it would go again.

After three weeks of this, I finally put pen to paper, and as I wrote the story out, the part that got written disappeared from my mind.  It was a great relief!  And I am really glad the second book did not have its start the same way.


Oh wow, that is intense. I'm so glad you could share that with us and I'm even more glad that part disappeared after you put it onto paper. Let's try for hopefully a lighter note...I love your title, Be Not Afraid! How did you come up with it?

There is a hymn by Robert J. Dufford, SJ, with the same title.  There is a line in it that the book gives a picture to:  “If you stand before the power of Hell, and death is at your side, know that I am with you through it all.”  I quoted that in the front of the book.  (Oregon Catholic Press very nicely gave me the necessary permission to use it.)


That is awesome, love the meaning! And that was so nice of the Oregon Catholic Press to let you use it! What has been the most fun about working on Be Not Afraid?

The extremely bestest, funnest, most wonderfulnest thing about the whole adventure was opening that box from the publisher and seeing my work, printed and bound.  I was PUBLISHED!  My work MEANT SOMETHING!!  It was somewhat akin to seeing the baby in the crib and thinking, “Wow!  I did this!”


I'm so happy for you!! Seriously, that must have just been the most amazing feeling in the universe!! *happy dance* :) How did you come up with the premise for your books?

Nightmares, both times, although the second one just uses a short “bad dream” I had years ago as a background, instead of taking over my entire life like the first one.


Well I suppose you can't get much better with horror novels than to be able to say it is literally the stuff of nightmares ;) Can you tell me more about the world in which Be Not Afraid is set?

It’s a world I know, one which I live in.  The neighborhood and town in the story do not look anything like mine, to my mind’s eye, but it has the flora and fauna of the Pacific Northwest.  The building in which Lydia works is pretty much the same, however, as the place where I work.  So much so that my co-worker recognized it right away when she read it, although no names were mentioned!


Haha I bet that was fun for her! I've heard some of the best advice for writers is to write what you know :) Do you have any favorite characters from your books?

That would be St. Therese, who helps Lydia through her times of doubt and fear.  I love this young saint.  Her life and philosophy of simplicity and humbleness before God and others are how I strive to live my life.  Doesn’t always work out that way, though.


I cannot wait to read more about St. Therese! She sounds wonderful. As you've mentioned already, Be Not Afraid has a bit of a spiritual twist. Can you elaborate on this?

This book is a message of mercy and forgiveness, about love, about sacrifice.  I emphasize in it that no one, and I mean no one, regardless of customs, beliefs, or geography, is exempt from the love of God—no matter  what the soul calls its Deity.  I use the Christian view because that is the one I know, but I include all of God’s creation.   God created all of us, and wants us to know of His love, and does not want to lose any of us.  So those who believe in a Higher Power, and love and respect all others above themselves, are not far from the kingdom of God.


I think that message is fantastic and I'm looking forward to seeing how you convey that message! I hear you have a prequel in the works. Please tell us more!

Resurgence:  The Rise of Judas” is a prequel/sequel.  It takes in a number of myths about the origins of vampires, starting right outside the Garden of Eden in Genesis.  From there we skip to the end of the New Testament, then to the Carpathian Mountains of the 15th century.  After that, it is a short time in Scotland, then across the Pond to the New World.  After 19th-century New Orleans, the prequel becomes the sequel.   Skipping over the first book, we arrive just in time for yet another skirmish between Heaven and Hell.


Ok Kathy, you are hooking me in without my having had a chance to read Be Not Afraid :) I'm for sure going to be checking this book out when it's finished! How many books are you planning for the series and when can we expect the next one?

I’d expected only two, but the characters had a meeting one night when I went out for beer.  They decided that two-year-old Toby would have a go at righting the wrongs of the world.  They were very clever in keeping it to themselves.  As I wrote out the chapter where this information emerged, I could almost hear them giggling in the background.

Now, whether or not I will be spurred on by another nightmare remains to be seen.  After “Resurgence”, I plan on making a lot of quilts and doing jigsaw puzzles.  But you know about the best-laid plans of mice and us…


LOL They had a meeting when you went out for beer? Love it! They were probably jealous of not being included ;) Well, I'm sorry to say we are running short on time. What's next for you?

I think I shall fly down to L.A. and demand an audience with Tim Burton.  Ha ha.  Oh, I amuse myself grandly…

Actually, no idea at this point.  I usually take things one day at a time.  I’m returning to voluntary servitude (meaning, a paying job), so my options are pretty narrow at the moment.


If you do that you must take me with you! Love Tim Burton :) Before you have to head off, anything else you want your readers to know?

I have met a lot of people on the interwebs in the past year or so.  I am so blessed to know all of you, if only your names and faces.  You are all important to me, and I am not just saying that.

Thanks for letting me be on your blog, Lindsay!  I really appreciate it.  


Thank you so much for stopping by Kathy! I have loved getting to know you and I'm very much looking forward to reading your work! I just need to carve out a little bit of time and then I'm going to curl up with my favorite security blanket because I have a feeling I might need it ;)

Well ladies and gentlemen, I hope you've enjoyed meeting the fantabulous K.R. Morrison! Now go get in the Halloween spirit and buy her book, Be Not Afraid! Keep reading for a bit of a bio on her as well as buy links for her book!

Join me on the next exciting installment of The Lindsay Show!


Be Not Afraid...Buy it Now!

War is imminent. Evil has overtaken the world, although the world does not know it. God must intervene on the behalf of those who love Him, and a war is brewing that will decide supremacy. 
God’s plan unfolds, and His subjects must retain their faith in the midst of every evil the Father of Lies can throw at them. Lydia, because of her strong faith, is particularly seized upon by Vlad, a demonic vampire. He brings her to the brink of despair, unknowingly causing her to cling even harder to her Lord and Savior. When she is miraculously saved, Vlad finds and then harasses her friends and family, unaware of the angels and saints who are on the brink of attack against him and his minions.
The faithful are tested to the ends of their abilities. Will they be able to stand fast against the power of Death, remembering that God is with them? Or will the Father of Lies rise triumphant?
Available in paperback, hardback, and ebook!!

Meet K.R. Morrison!

K.R. Morrison is the pen name for Kathy Ree, who has lived in Wilsonville for 22 years.  She came here from California, after the Loma Prieta earthquake caused her to rethink her stance on “never moving again”.  At her first sight of Oregon, she never looked back.
She wrote her first book, “Be Not Afraid”, after a nightmare she experienced would not leave her mind, even when awake.  Before this book, she had not written much of anything, outside of the annual Christmas letter.
A prequel/sequel to the first book, “Resurgence:  The Rise of Judas”, has just been finished, and hopefully will see publication soon.
When not writing or working, she quilts or works in the garden.
She lives with her husband of 26 years, their son and daughter, and two cats.  

Find K.R. Morrison online!

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Wicked After Dark Hop - Meet Nyx!!


Welcome to the Wicked After Dark Halloween Blog Hop!

*** Attention: Due to some fantastic responses, I will be adding a prize to my giveaway. Best comment on any post answering "What is the most wicked thing you've ever done?" will win a $10 Amazon Gift Card. 

If you already answered this, answer the question "What is the wildest Halloween memory you have?" Doesn't need to be PG :) This is in addition to the Rafflecopter below ***


This Halloween, my very first novella, Song of the Abyss,will be released in the anthology Once Upon A Twisted Time, brought to you by Moon Rose Publishing. I teamed up with the fantastic Miranda Stork, Tara S. Wood, and Trish Marie Dawson to bring you a collection of twisted fairy tales unlike anything you've ever read. Throughout this hop, I will bring you snippets featuring the heroines of each story. At the end of the hop, you'll have the chance to buy this spectacular anthology!!


Don't forget to go back to the last few posts on this blog where I introduced you to each of our alpha heroes!

Now without further ado, I would like you all to meet Nyx from Miranda Stork's Reborn City!


All images relating to Once Upon A Twisted Time, including cover image and character renderings, are owned by Moon Rose Publishing and cannot be used or reproduced without the express written permission of Moon Rose Publishing

This gorgeous rendering (as well as the cover) was designed by none other than the fantabulous Miranda Stork! 

Now everybody knows the story of Cinderella right? How she was a hacker? No? Oh, my mistake...guess you'll just have to wait for the anthology to come out ;) In the meantime, here's your snippet!

Her fingers trembled as she tried to fix the wires in place. A tickling bead of sweat rolled slowly down her temple, and she had to grit her teeth to resist wiping it away. Nyx blinked, trying hard to concentrate on the task before her. Her long fingers worked fast, twisting the small steel threads in one go. Heaving a sigh of relief, she pushed them behind the metal plate on the wall, darting a glance around to check she was still alone.
The lights above were off, leaving the passageway in darkness, except for the glowing panels along the walls. They created an eerie blue glimmer, resonating with a soft humming. Nyx swiftly grabbed up her bag, and ran along the corridor, her footsteps echoing. She winced at the sound, pausing for a second. Her breath caught in her throat as she listened for anyone nearby.
Her heart thundered in her chest. The leather suit she had forced herself to wear was far too warm, and it was making her itch in places she didn’t think existed. Rolling her shoulders in an event to make herself more comfortable, she tried to shift it around, to stop it sticking. It didn’t help, and only succeeded in fusing more of it to her awkwardly. Nyx let out an exasperated hiss, blowing a strand of hair from her forehead. Her footsteps clattered as she raced along the passage, darting into a dark corner, where she could just see the glint of a steel casing.
Placing her bag down, she rummaged around for one of her tools, the slender objects jostling together. She pulled out a long, tapered one, and began to pry at the edges of the casing. Gritting her teeth, she pushed hard on it, until the edges became loose. Nyx paused for a second, her wrist aching, and then began to push on it again. The casing creaked and refused to give way, until it suddenly fell off with a loud crashing sound, bouncing on the hard floor. 
Nyx held her breath, listening intently again. She inwardly cursed herself for being so careless, and snatched the plate up, leaning it carefully against the wall. She felt in the bag for a small wiry tool, which was resonating at one bulbous end. Holding it tightly, Nyx pressed the end against a section of coloured wires in the recess left by the metal plate. It began to burn brighter, and tiny sparks danced away from it as it touched the wires. The glow became heated, and the wires snapped, melted by the molten heat. Throwing the tool back into her bag, Nyx reached into her pocket and snatched out a small device, with more wires hanging from one end.
The object was no more than four or five inches in length, and flat. Grabbing the other wires, Nyx began to twist them onto the object, repeating her task from a minute or two ago. Her fingers moved fast as she clicked it into place, and slid the metal plate back over the recess again.
This was a difficult job. Nyx was a ‘Runner’; a computer hacker for the United Group for the Liberation of Individuals, otherwise known as U.G.L.I. The group was made up mainly of women, thanks to the first brainwashing of the citizens claiming most of the men. The women referred to one another as ‘sisters’, now made sisters through pain if not blood. 
The Governor was in charge of the whole city. Two-hundred and fifty-three years ago, in 2024, there had been a great war. It had nearly wiped out mankind, and it had taken another seventy years before humanity picked itself off the floor and dusted itself down. Small towns began to pop up, and some grew into cities. No-one was connected though. Only the Governors of each city or town met to discuss business with one another; trade for each place. Citizens were forbidden from leaving the towns or cities, and being found outside of them was punishable by death. Luckily for Nyx, she had never been found yet.
Looking up, she grabbed the bag again, and scampered along the floor, racing into another dark corner. She was about to reach into her pack once more, when she heard a sound. The blood froze in her veins as she realised she could hear heavy footsteps marching straight towards her. The darkened space suddenly didn’t seem big enough to hold her. 
An echo danced off the walls and mocked her, the steady rhythm of the steps getting closer and closer. Breath held in her throat, Nyx silently let go of the bag, and slid her hand inside her boot, drawing out an ebony knife. Her emerald eyes opened wide with anticipation as she readied herself, dabbing her tongue out at her dry lips. Blood pounded in her ears, a steady rhythm to the heated rush of adrenaline pumping through her veins, and she tightened her grip on the knife.
The footsteps were suddenly only a few feet away from her hiding space. Nyx pressed herself as close to the wall behind as she could, trying to dissolve into the shadows. She could hear heavy breathing, but didn’t dare take a look around the corner. There was a clunking sound, as though the panel had been pulled away again. Muttering came from behind the wall, and then a soft clicking sound, like a gun being cocked.
Nyx closed her eyes tightly, and counted to three under her breath, swallowing hard. 
Her body moved like lightening. Nyx jumped out from behind the corner, landing heavily on the body of the guard. His visor went flying off, revealing two shocked brown eyes. It only took a second for his reflexes to kick in, throwing her off, and reaching for his gun. Nyx jumped away, righting herself gracefully as she landed. Moving fast, she swung her leg out at the gun, kicking it behind her. As she moved, she veered her arm around, slicing the knife across his neck as he stood up. He hissed in agony, and grabbed at the open cut. It wasn’t a deep slice, but enough to bleed. The guard staggered forwards, reaching out for Nyx with flailing arms. Breathing heavily, she slowly stepped back, watching as he stumbled to the floor, trying desperately to reach for the communicator hanging from his belt. Her eyes stared nervously as he clasped it...and then fell flat out on the tiled floor.

Man is she tough! Well ladies and gentlemen, you've met our heroes and heroines. On Wednesday, October 31 our anthology Once Upon A Twisted Time will be available for purchase!! Can't wait!

Giveaway!

*** Be sure to leave your email address in your comment so I can contact the winner! Winner will be drawn Nov 2. Base prize will be $15 Amazon gift card but I reserve the right to add additional prizes during the blog hop.

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Click to Keep Hopping!


Friday, October 26, 2012

Wicked After Dark Hop - Meet Isabella!!


Welcome to the Wicked After Dark Halloween Blog Hop!

*** Attention: Due to some fantastic responses, I will be adding a prize to my giveaway. Best comment on any post answering "What is the most wicked thing you've ever done?" will win a $10 Amazon Gift Card. 

If you already answered this, answer the question "What is the wildest Halloween memory you have?" Doesn't need to be PG :) This is in addition to the Rafflecopter below ***


This Halloween, my very first novella, Song of the Abyss,will be released in the anthology Once Upon A Twisted Time, brought to you by Moon Rose Publishing. I teamed up with the fantastic Miranda Stork, Tara S. Wood, and Trish Marie Dawson to bring you a collection of twisted fairy tales unlike anything you've ever read. Throughout this hop, I will bring you snippets featuring the heroines of each story. At the end of the hop, you'll have the chance to buy this spectacular anthology!!


Don't forget to go back to the last few posts on this blog where I introduced you to each of our alpha heroes!

Now without further ado, I would like you all to meet Isabella from Trish M Dawson's Hawke and the Beast!


All images relating to Once Upon A Twisted Time, including cover image and character renderings, are owned by Moon Rose Publishing and cannot be used or reproduced without the express written permission of Moon Rose Publishing

This gorgeous rendering (as well as the cover) was designed by none other than the fantabulous Miranda Stork! 

So I bet you think you know the story of Beauty and the Beast, am I right? Well, you don't know this version :) This time around, our heroine is the one who transforms! And instead of changing into a single form, Isabella transforms into a different animal each month! Bet you can't wait to get your hands on this to find out how it plays out :) Don't forget to go back to the Alpha Heroes blog hop and read Jasper's snippet. It is HOT! 

She was out of her loose pajama bottoms before the two of them reached the bedroom door frame. Something fell with a crash to the floor as they bumped against the wall, arms wrapped greedily around each other, mouths tasting, fingers desperately exploring.
A deep sigh, very close to a growl, came from Isabella's lips as she tasted the sweet coffee on Jasper's agile tongue. She crushed her mouth to his so hard that she could feel the blood coursing below his taught skin. It was a steady whoosh-whoosh beat that rivaled her own, and it only turned her on further. With a rough tug, she freed him from his shirt, letting the warmed fabric fall to the carpet. It was just as she thought; every muscle of his slightly tanned upper body was tightly formed from chest to navel…conclave upon conclave rippled downward into a perfect V shape just above the top of his pants. With one finger, she ran a slow and seductive trail in a zig-zag pattern along the fine hairs between his nipples, slowly lowering her hand until her finger met the rough denim of his jeans. Using just her thumb and forefinger, she slipped the button loose.
Jasper groaned as she probed with first one, then two fingers into his boxer-briefs, lifting the waistband away from his skin as her hand slid deeper toward the ample bulge that strained at the tight fabric for release.
Suddenly, Jasper pulled his mouth from hers, and gently grasped her roaming hand, holding it tightly in his own against his abdomen. He took a shaky breath before speaking, "Wait…wait. I-I don't want you to do anything you don’t want to…" his voice wavered with lusty emotion.
The harlequin-green of Isabella's eyes flashed like spring and he saw not only youth in them, but hope. After a subtle push to his chest, Isabella slid against the wall, away from Jasper, until at least two feet were between them. The bedroom was at her back, so he could see the bed just behind her…almost beckoning, taunting him.
"Jasper," she said huskily, "I wouldn't be here if I didn't want you."

*fans face* Ok who needs some water? Or a sexy man? I'll take the latter ;)

Stop back tomorrow to meet another heroine! Now for the giveaway...

Giveaway!

*** Be sure to leave your email address in your comment so I can contact the winner! Winner will be drawn Nov 2. Base prize will be $15 Amazon gift card but I reserve the right to add additional prizes during the blog hop.  



Click to Keep Hopping!


Thursday, October 25, 2012

Interview with Debbie Heaton!!

Welcome lovelies to The Lindsay Show! Today I want to introduce you to a wonderful new friend I've made, author Debbie Heaton! Debbie is the author of The Haunting of Wolfe Haven, a very appropriate title for a book given the Halloween season isn't it?

Debbie, I'm so glad you could join me today! I can't wait to get started so has everyone got their coffee or tea ready? I've got my pumpkin chai tea all brewed and delicious so let's begin!

Interview

Thank you for taking the time to sit down with me on The Lindsay Show, Debbie! I love getting to meet new people and finding out about their books, and let me tell you The Haunting of Wolfe Haven grabbed me with that title alone :) 

We'll get to that in a few minutes though...first can you tell me when you first knew you wanted to be a writer?

I always loved to read but I knew that I wanted to write beyond a shadow of a doubt by the time I hit high school.


Oh I love that! I was a bit of a late bloomer in that aspect so I'm a bit envious that you were so sure at such a young age. What has been the most difficult part about being a writer?


Finding the time!  Life has this way of preventing me from spending as much time as I would like writing.



I can certainly relate to that lol. I have had so many issues finding time for my writing. Ever notice how just when you're about to hit your groove, life will spring up and toss up obstacles or distractions?? But I digress haha. Tell me, who are your favorite authors?


Lori Handeland, Juliet Blackwell, Paula Graves, JA Jance, Kat Martin, Allison Kingsley and Lorraine Bartlett.


Oh dear, I'm afraid I only recognize a few of those names. *sigh* Looks like my TBR pile is just going to continue to grow! Good thing my husband is going to be a doctor soon ;) Who are the authors that inspire you?

I'm inspired by women writers who so often balance family and the love of writing effectively.  Emily Bronte is probably the writer that inspired me the most.  She fearlessly pursued her dream at a time when women writers were not respected and she left us with one of my favorite books--Wuthering Heights.


You know, I'm the same way. Those women who can strike that balance are just amazing to me and a constant source of inspiration. Now let's dig a little deeper into your style. Do you like to plan your scenes out ahead of time, or do you prefer to just wing it?


I'm a planner but I have my moments when something strikes me and I just run with it and let it take me where it goes.


Hmm I may need to hit you up for advice on planning; I'm the world's worst planner lol. You've already mentioned some of your favorite authors, but what type of books do you like to read?

Mysteries, paranormal romance, and classics like Gone with the Wind and Wuthering Heights.


As a girl who lived in North Carolina for a few years, I've always been partial to Gone with the Wind myself :) What do you like to do in your free time (if you have any lol)?


Read (what a shocker!), watch classic movies (I'm an all-time Susan Hayward and Jessica Tandy fan!), hike, and spend time with my dog. 


Ok confession time...I have no idea who Susan Hayward or Jessica Tandy are, but I will be looking them up! Oh and you have a dog too! I love dog people :) Again, I digress. Where is your favorite place to vacation?

New Orleans--I love it!  But I admit that someday I would like to visit Australia and Ireland.



*Gasp* A woman after my own heart...I would love to visit Ireland one day too! Time to spice things up a bit. Since it's the Halloween season, what's the craziest costume you've ever worn?


This is so embarrassing!  Many years ago--on a dare--I dressed up like a dinosaur complete with purple leotard and handmade purple tail.


Oh wow!! Please tell me you have pictures someplace. I'm going to bug you for pictures on Facebook now, I hope you realize that *grin* I'll let you off the hook for now, but don't think I've forgotten this ;) I hear you’re a native of New Mexico, a state I've always wanted to visit! Besides your book being set in New Mexico, has the Southwestern region influenced your stories in any way? 

The Southwest is rich with folklore and tales of the supernatural not to mention many cultural influences.  I grew up in Albuquerque in a family of firefighters who were always sharing the unexplained things they encountered at the fires they responded to.  I hung on to every word they spoke just picturing what it must have been like to be there.  This led to an interest in the paranormal which influenced my reading material and I can't help it, the supernatural finds a way into my writing too.  So yes, the Southwest influences my writing.


I'm even more intrigued. I adore the Southwestern regions. not just for their cowboys, I promise! I've always loved their rich legends and folklore. Was there a particular reason why you chose to write a gothic romance?

Truthfully, it just happened.  This story changed so much from the original rough draft to the finished product that I sometimes think it had a mind of its own.  


That does seem to happen at times; stories just take on a whole life of their own! What has been the most fun about working on The Haunting of Wolfe Haven?

I had a lot of fun creating the characters.  They are all quirky, everyday people you might meet on the street and each of them has a uniqueness that stands out.  I also enjoyed creating the topiary garden of wolves that makes Wolfe Haven a tourist attraction in the story.


Love quirky people, no idea why seeing as how I'm perfectly normal myself of course *grin* How did you come up with the premise for this book?

After I had written the rough draft, my sister became extremely ill and spent a lot of time in and out of the hospital.  During that year, she nearly died on four separate occasions.  For my family and I that meant long hours in ERs and ICU rooms.  To keep myself focused, I worked on the story.  The main theme running through the book is that second chances do come along in life.  As people, we are not perfect.  We make poor choices, suffer the consequences, learn from the experience,  and hopefully move on to recapture forgotten dreams.  My sister made some poor health choices, suffered the consequences, worked to overcome her health issues, and is now living a productive life helping others to do the same.


Oh honey, I'm so sorry to hear about your sister but I'm so glad she's been given a second chance and seems to be making the most of it! Can you tell me more about the setting of Wolfe Haven?

Wolfe Haven is the ancestral home of Tristan Russell who is married to the main character, Riley.  The house has withstood the bloodshed of America being settled and has been rebuilt several times following fire.  On the property is a topiary garden of wolves that the family constructed to honor the many wolves that once freely roamed the area.  Its many rooms have been witness to birth, bloodshed,  death, and lays claim to being haunted by a long gone family member.


Wow, this setting sounds spectacular and I love the name! How did you come up with it, or is it based on a real location?

Wolfe Haven is fictional and exists only in my mind.  I always wanted to live in an old ancestral house filled with history and memories and I drew on this desire as the premise for the house itself.  The name came about because of the topiary garden of wolves.  I made the family name Wolfe so that I could connect it to the garden.  I spent quite a bit of time pairing Wolfe with various references to dwellings but when I wrote down Haven, it leaped out at me and I knew I'd found the right name.


Excuse me while I pout for a moment because I can't actually visit this place. *pout* Ok I'm done haha, we can continue now lol. So, do you have any favorite characters from your books?

Riley is my favorite character.  She represents the fears we all face, and learns how to deal with those fears, step by step.  Anyone who has been hurt or rejected from a marriage, a friend, a parent, can relate to her.  She says what most of us are thinking but are afraid to say out loud while embracing her weaknesses  and working toward positive change.


She sounds like a very relatable character. This clinches it, totally buying this, not that there was any doubt. I must know more about Riley. Truly, this book sounds fantastic. Will it be part of a series? Please say yes!

That's the plan.  I hope to have at least 6 books in "The Haunting" series by the time I'm done.  If all goes as planned the next book should be out in late 2013.


Yay! *happy dance* I foresee great things from you, I mean that. I haven't even had a chance to read The Haunting of Wolfe Haven yet and I'm already excited about the prospects of the future books in the series. So, what's next for you?

I'm actively working on "The Haunting of Summerwind," and loving every minute of it.


Woot! That makes me so happy! Well, I'm sorry to say we are just about out of time today. Is there anything else you'd like your readers to know?

I love to connect with readers and writers both.

Fantastic! Everybody, look down below for Debbie's contact details! Also keep reading for a bit of background on Debbie :)

Thank you again Debbie for taking the time to answer my questions. It has been a blast and I have loved getting to know you better!

The Haunting of Wolfe Haven...Buy it Now!!



About Debbie Heaton


About myself: A New Mexico native, I wrote my first novella in high school.  A voracious reader, I like books that pair tantalizing mystery, compelling romance, and a touch of the paranormal.  I learned to love reading early because the public library was close and free of charge.  My mother has repeatedly stated through the years that she never had to look far for me because I could always be found somewhere in the library stacks.  My love for books is so great that I applied to my local Library Advisory Board and now happily serve in that capacity doing everything I can to preserve this great American institution and also promote early childhood literacy.  I provide a parenting column to my local newspaper to promote positive parenting.  When I'm not reading or writing, I'm a master's level therapist, a domestic violence advocate, and a parent educator.  I am a member of the International Women's Writing Guild and the Paranormal Romance Guild.  I make my home in Southeastern Arizona.
Writing Background: I started keeping a journal by the time I was in middle school and never stopped.  By the time I was in high school, my English teachers were encouraging me to write.  By the time I graduated high school, I had written a novella as my final English assignment.  Initially in college I studied to be both a writer and a teacher.  By the end of my freshman year, it was clear my strengths lay outside of teaching and I changed my focus.  The writing continued and then my family came along and I was forced to put the writing on the back burner for awhile.  When I was able to pick writing up again, I produced a lot of short stories and entered every writing contest I could.  I continually got feedback from editors encouraging me to change my focus from short stories to full length novels.  Throughout my professional career, I have provided guest columns in my local paper.  Currently, I am writing a bi-monthly column focusing on positive parenting.

Find Debbie Online: