Welcome to the teaser tour for Collapse: The Illustrated Guide by Summer Lane! Collapse: The Illustrated Guide is a companion graphic guide to Summer Lane's bestselling New Adult post-apocalyptic Collapse Series. Today we are sharing some of the artwork inside as well as doing a giveaway for a piece of it!
About the Book:
Title: Collapse: The Illustrated Guide
Author: Summer Lane
Series: Collapse Series, Graphic Guide and Short Stories
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic
Release Date: July 17th, 2015
The Collapse.
After a technological attack destroys the United States, the world is thrust into Chaos. Omega - a shadow army arisen from the ashes - invades. Based on the Collapse Series by #1 Bestselling Author Summer Lane, this book is a guide to the world of Cassidy Hart and her friends from the post-apocalyptic battleground of California.
Explore designs from 20 of the most popular characters from the series. Enjoy concept art and three exclusive short stories from Chris Young, Sophia Rodriguez and Harry Lydell.
Cassidy Hart (This is the print that is also being given away below.)
Chris Young
Concept Artwork from State of Vengeance, featuring Cassidy Hart in preparation for a HALO Jump.
About the Author:
Summer Lane is the #1 Bestselling Author of the Collapse Series and Zero Trilogy, post-apocalyptic survival stories set in California. She owns WB Publishing. She is also an accomplished professional journalist and creative writing teacher. Visit summerlaneauthor.com to learn more.
Today's stop is the cover reveal of HUNGRY AS A WOLF by Elizabeth Einspanier, a horror/western available October 31, 2015.
BLURB
Wolf Cowrie is back in his second adventure! In the
Black Hills of the Dakota Territory in 1865, tensions run high between
white settlers looking for gold and the Sioux people who consider this region their holy ground. When Wolf is hired
to find out what happened to the workers of a mining outpost in the
area, the general theory in Goldwater is that they were slaughtered
by the Sioux. Wolf discovers something far more sinister lurking in
the Black Hills, an ancient evil whose unending hunger drives sane men
to ghoulish extremes.
EXCERPT
It was a young woman of perhaps nineteen years of age, with auburn
hair and brown eyes. She was well-dressed in a white blouse with leg-of-mutton
sleeves and a narrow column of ruffles down the front. A dark blue skirt
respectably covered her ankles and black boots, and her hair was pulled
back in a style he could not readily see from this angle, with wisps
curling delicately around her face. She was a pretty little thing as
well, and Wolf wished he could have made her acquaintance under better
circumstances—like, say, fully-clothed, rather than stark naked with
only his hat to conceal his shame.
The two of them stared at each other for maybe half a minute—him
in a state of poker-faced, heart-pounding embarrassment, her in open-mouthed
shock. Wolf’s heart and his stomach had lurched in opposite directions
when he saw her—his heart upwards to lodge in his throat, his stomach
downwards to gurgle in low panic somewhere around his knees. He swallowed
hard to try to clear the lump of nerves behind his larynx. Somehow,
Wolf was the first to find his voice.
“Ordinarily, miss, I’d be the first to tip my hat to a lovely
young lady like yourself,” he said as politely as he could manage,
with a glance down at the hat in question. “But I don’t think either
of us wants that right now.”
She blushed bright scarlet and whirled out of the bathroom without
a word, revealing the bun that secured her hair and slamming the door
behind her. Wolf put his free hand over his face.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Elizabeth Einspanier is the self-published author of the Weird Western
novella Sheep’s Clothing and the upcoming sci-fi romance novel Heart
of Steel. Her short stories have been published in Down in the Dirt and
Dark Fire Fiction. She is a member of the St. Louis Writer’s Guild
and an associate member of the Horror Writers of America. She lives
in St. Louis, but frequently spends extended periods in worlds of her
own creation.
Welcome to my stop on the virtual book blast tour for A TIME FOR EVERYTHING by Mysti Parker, a Historical Romance available July 7 from EsKape Press. This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.
BLURB
After losing her husband and only child to the ravages
of the Civil War, twenty-five-year-old Portia McAllister is drowning
in grief. When she sees an ad for a live-in tutor in another town, she leaves everything behind in hopes of making a
fresh start. But as a Confederate widow in a Union household, she is
met with resentment from her new charge and her employer, war veteran
Beau Stanford.
Despite their differences, she and Beau find common
ground and the stirrings of a second chance at love—until his late
wife’s cousin, Lydia, arrives with her sights set on him. Burdened
with a farm on the brink of bankruptcy, Beau is tempted by Lydia’s
hefty dowry, though Portia has captured his heart.
In another time and another place, his choice would
be easy. But love seems impossible amid the simmering chaos of Reconstruction
that could boil over at any moment into an all-out battle for survival.
Will Beau and Portia find their way into each other’s arms, or will
they be swept away by raging forces beyond their control?
EXCERPT
Brentwood, Tennessee — December 25, 1865
The angels are coming.
Portia lay on the frozen ground between her husband and daughter. Snow fluttered softly toward the
earth in delicate flakes, each one melting on her face with a pleasant
sting. She wouldn’t have to wait much longer.
The sunrise, hidden by snow-laden clouds, gradually lit the gray sky.
With numb fingers, she traced her husband’s name, carved into the
stoic slate. Jake McAllister, but let her hand drop to the ground before
she touched that wretched date. December 16, 1864 — the day her whole
world began to fall apart.
It had been a day as cold as this one when Jake returned. Portia had
stood on their porch, holding Abigail, both of them wrapped in shawls
and a quilt. Yet the cold had managed to seep inside, wrapping icy fingers
around her heart. Her husband lay lifeless in the back of a wagon. His
once-rosy face had turned ashen. Blood caked his Confederate jacket.
His hands, large and strong, yet once so gentle, were posed across his
belly. His fingers were stiff and claw-like, wrapped around a phantom
gun. He did not look like Jake. It had to have been a mannequin with
a wig the same dusty red shade of his hair.
“That’s not him,” she’d repeated to the men who’d so methodically
carried him into the house. Jake would pop out from somewhere, still
the jokester he had always been, and she would slap him for playing
such a cruel prank. Then she would laugh with him and hold him tight
because he had finally returned to her and Abby. But the longer her eyes absorbed the wretched sight, the more evidence
she had discovered. Little freckles and scars she knew so well. The
pea-sized patch on his jaw where his beard never grew. The missing end
of his middle finger, taken by a vicious dog when they were children.
It wasn’t a joke. Jake was dead.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Mysti Parker is a wife, mom, author, and shameless chocoholic. She
is the author of the Tallenmere standalone fantasy romance series and
The Roche Hotel romantic comedy series. Her short writings have appeared
in numerous anthologies and magazines. Her award-winning historical romance, A Time for Everything, will be
published this summer by EsKape Press.
Other writing pursuits include serving as a class mentor in Writers
Village University's seven week online course, F2K. She has published
two children's books (Quentin's Problem & Fuzzy Buzzy's Treasure) as Misty
Baker.
Today is the trailer reveal for The Silent Treatment by Melanie Surani. This trailer reveal is organized by Lola's Blog Tours.
The Silent Treatment (Katrina Jaitley #1) by Melanie Surani Genre: Mystery Age category: Adult Publisher: Booktrope
Blurb:
Twenty-eight year old Katrina Jaitley is rebuilding her life after escaping an abusive boyfriend. The last thing she needs is the mystery she stumbles on during a bout of retail therapy. But she can't ignore the coil of film -- a piece of movie history -- she finds hidden inside her purchase. Unfortunately, Peter, the handsome host of the estate sale, disappears before Kat has a chance to return it to him.
Curious, Kat watches the strip and is shocked to witness the murder of a famous 1920's silent film star by a fellow actor. When a news article cites Kat as the film's owner, her already complicated life goes from bad to worse. Someone begins stalking her. Are they trying to silence her or what she has discovered?
About the Author:
Melanie Surani is a blogger, hair stylist, and author with a heart for international travel. She grew up in Memphis, Tennessee before taking extended trips to Canada, Germany, and Philadelphia.
When she isn’t cutting hair, Melanie is thinking about ways to kill people (for mystery novels). DVDs of British comedies help keep her calm. She lives with her husband and cat in New York City, where she is hard at work on her next novel with Booktrope Publishing.
Her previous work includes The Morning After, Commanding Disappointment, A Body in a Seat, A Similar Fate, and The Silent Treatment, a novel soon-to-be republished by Booktrope.
Melanie is a member of the International Thriller Writers society. Her fiction can be found anywhere ebooks are sold. Follow her adventures at: http://melsurani.tumblr.com/
4 Fun Facts About Melanie Surani:
- Melanie enjoys visiting museums, especially wax museums. Madame Tussauds and the films House of Wax (1933/1953) were inspirations for her thriller novel, Awake.
- Melanie knows a lot about cats and cheetahs – like how to own one as a pet, though she’s only had house cats.
- Melanie was homeschooled as a kid in Memphis, so she learned a lot about writing, languages, and art at a young age.
- Melanie loves food and there’s almost nothing she won’t try once, including brains and offal. No bugs.
There is a trailer reveal wide giveaway for the trailer reveal of The Silent Treatment. These are the prizes you can win:
- Prize pack: ebook copies of The Silent Treatment and Awake (both by Melanie Surani) and one Trendimi gift voucher for a Make-Up Artist course (International)
How can the wounds that keep us from living the life we want to live be mended and healed? In Tattered and Mended, Cynthia Ruchti walks readers through a gallery of reclaimed and restored art as well as broken and restored lives of those who have gone before us. With a gentle touch and personable wisdom, Cynthia shows how even the most threadbare soul can once again find healing and hope.
Celebrate the release of Tattered and Mended with Cynthia by entering to win her Reclaimed Treasures giveaway!
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on July 27th. The winner will be announced July 28th on Cynthia's blog.
Plus, now through mid-July, sign up for Cynthia's mailing list for a five-day virtual tour around Madeline Island for the chance to win a Hemmed in Hope prize pack. Each day begins with an email from Cynthia that introduces where you'll be “visiting” that day (all key places from As Waters Gone By) with various interactive elements, including“I wish you were here” postcards, trivia quizzes, and an ongoing Island scavenger hunt. The person who interacts the most will win a Hemmed in Hope prize pack (valued at more than $200).
That includes:
The letterpress block Hope sign from DaySpring
A set of 6 Hemmed in Hope notecards showing a hope-themed Bible verse
A leather “I can’t unravel, I’m hemmed in hope” journal
Signed copies of each of Cynthia’s books, fiction and non-fiction
Can Silas and Kate overcome their rocky start and experience healing—and possibly love? Discover the answer in Melissa Jagears' new book, A Bride at Last. Neither Kate nor Silas is prepared for the secrets and past hurts that have yet to come to light as they attempt to prove nine-year-old Anthony's paternity to the court. Can their wounded souls bind them together or will all that stands between them leave them lonely forever?
Celebrate the release of A Bride at Last by entering to win a $100 Memory-Making giveaway and RSVPing to Melissa's August 4th author chat party!
One grand prize winner will receive:
A $100 gift card to Netflix (for a family movie night), Shutterfly (to create a family memory book), or TablePlayGames (for a family game night)
One copy of A Bride at Last
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 8/4. The winner will be announced at Melissa's 8/4 A Bride at Last Facebook author chat party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Melissa and fiction fans, as well as for a chance to win some great prizes!
RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 4th!
Today's feature is MADISON'S SONG by Christine Amsden, a paranormal romance, available today from Twilight Times Books. Purchase it now at Amazon and Barnes and Noble!
BLURB
Her voice is enchanting; his soul is black…
Madison Carter has been terrified of Scott Lee since the night he
saved her from an evil sorcerer – then melted into a man-eating monster
before her eyes. The werewolf is a slave to the moon, but Madison’s
nightmares are not.
Despite her fears, when Madison’s brother, Clinton, is bitten by
a werewolf, she knows there is only one man who can help. A man who
frightens her all the more because even in her nightmares, he also thrills
her.
Together for the first time since that terrible night, Scott and Madison
drive to Clinton’s home only to discover that he’s vanished. Frantic
now, Madison must overcome her fears and uncover hidden strengths if
she hopes to save him. And she’s not the only one fighting inner demons.
Scott’s are literal, and they have him convinced that he will never
deserve the woman he loves.
*Stand-alone companion to the Cassie Scot series
EXCERPT
The first police car screamed into the lot, skidding to a halt so
close to the front of the truck that it was a miracle it hadn't hit. They were caught. Madison glanced
at Scott for instructions, but his eyes were closed and he was muttering
something under his breath – casting a spell.
Two uniformed officers spilled from their car, but they didn't come
towards them. Instead, they went for Mick and his dad, cutting them
off before they could pile into a rusty Toyota. Then another squad car
screamed into the lot, ejecting two more officers who went into the
building.
“Go,” Scott murmured.
She barely heard him, but she obeyed. She put the truck in reverse,
carefully backed away from the police car trying to kiss their bumper,
then threw the truck into drive and peeled away. Madison kept glancing
at the mirrors, even though the angles were wrong, looking behind them
for the cars that would surely give chase. They didn't. The police officers
acted as if they couldn't even see them.
It wasn't just the policemen who couldn't see them, as Madison discovered
when she pulled into traffic. She screamed and slammed on the brakes,
barely missing a collision when a car changed lines directly into their
side.
“Are we invisible?” Madison asked.
AUTHOR Bio and Links
Christine Amsden has been writing fantasy and science fiction for
as long as she can remember. She loves to write and it is her dream that others will be inspired
by this love and by her stories. Speculative fiction is fun, magical,
and imaginative but great speculative fiction is about real people defining
themselves through extraordinary situations. Christine writes primarily
about people and relationships, and it is in this way that she strives
to make science fiction and fantasy meaningful for everyone.
At the age of 16, Christine was diagnosed with Stargardt’s Disease,
a condition that affects the retina and causes a loss of central vision.
She is now legally blind, but has not let this slow her down or get
in the way of her dreams.
In addition to writing, Christine teaches workshops on writing at
Savvy Authors. She also does some freelance editing work.
Christine currently lives in the Kansas City area with her husband,
Austin, who has been her biggest fan and the key to her success. They
have two beautiful children.
About the Author:
