JeanzBookReadNReview

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - ROBERT DOWNS

2012-03-08T13:00:00.000Z

Didyou always want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?

Not at all. When I was little, I wanted to be a garbage man, and Iused to practice when my mom and I went to the grocery store. I’d hang off tothe side, one-handed, and I’d toss random cans into the cart when my mom hadher back to me. But I did always love reading, and when I was smaller, beingread to. That was how I woke up in the morning: with a stack of books tallerthan I was and either my mom or dad’s lap. I’d sit for hours listening to storyafter story. Out of all the gifts they’ve been able to give me that wascertainly one of the best.

Whatinspired you to write? Did it take you long to get your first book published?

The movie Finding Forrester helped change my way of thinking when it came towriting. I always hated writing in school, because it was all about the rules(not necessarily a bad thing), and it was forced down my throat. I neverthought of writing for myself, until I watched Finding Forrester. After the movie, though, something clicked forme, and I realized for a shy guy I had a whole lot to say. I opened thismassive floodgate that I haven’t been able to close since. And if I’m lucky,it’ll never close.

It depends on your definition of long. Istarted writing about twelve years ago, and my initial writing was prettyawful, even though my mom told me it was good. Later I found out that shedidn’t particularly care for it, but she didn’t want to hurt my feelings. But Ilearned a lot along the way, and I constantly strived to improve my craft. Likemost writers, my first novel, FallingImmortality, wasn’t the first manuscript I ever wrote. When I startedwriting it, though, something just clicked, and as I started getting into thestory, it felt different than the other stories that had come before it. Sobefore I was able to publish FallingImmortality, I’d already completed work on two sequels.

Whatis the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarise it in less than 20words what would you say?

My debut mystery novel is called Falling Immortality. Casey Holden isasked by an attractive widow to solve a cold case, discovering more troublethan he expected.

Howlong does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea tofinished product?

It really depends on the book. You can’tmanipulate art, and you certainly can’t outsmart a fickle muse. When thewriting is going well, the words practically flow from my fingertips to themanuscript, without much effort on my part. And when it’s going poorly, you can’tbuy a vowel even if you have thousands of dollars in your pocket. But to answeryour question, I probably spent a year and a half or so of actual writing andediting time on Falling Immortality.Its sequel Graceful Immortality camea bit quicker. However, the third novel in the series took longer to producethan the second. So it really is a crapshoot.

Whatcan we expect from you in the future? i.e. More books of the same genre? Booksof a differentgenre?

I’d really like to find an audience for Falling Immortality, because I alreadyhave two sequels with my publisher. However, they’re a small, independentpress, so they want my first novel to have some legs before they commit todoing either of the two sequels. I’ve been told my writing has improved witheach manuscript, so I think I’m on the right track. Plus, Casey and I haveunfinished business together. And I’ve already learned a few things aboutmarketing a mystery novel, so I’m not ready to change genres just yet. I’vebegun work on manuscripts outside of the mystery genre, but I need to establishmyself as a mystery writer first.

What genre would you place your bookinto?

First and foremost my novel is a mystery.When you begin to narrow it down, I fall into the hard-boiled mystery category,along the lines of Mickey Spillane or Robert B. Parker. You could also classifymy books as MANfiction. My novel is written in first person, so I knew I neededa strong voice to sustain my main character through a novel, and ultimately, aseries of novels; I try to give the reader enough action to keep thementertained; and he drives a 2005 Dodge Viper SRT-10. I had no idea I’d writtenmyself into the MANfiction sub-genre, but I discovered later that I had all theelements of a MANfiction novel.

Wheredo you get your book plot ideas from? What/who is your inspiration?

From everywhere. God granted me the gift of an extremely analyticalmind, probably to my detriment, in some cases. But it does come in handy when Iwrite. I’m a huge fan of mystery and thriller novels, action movies, anddetective TV shows. On some level that I’m not even aware of, I channel all ofthis knowledge, pull out the different parts that I like the best, andhopefully create something brand new. I haven’t found a character like Casey Holdenyet, and so far neither has my publisher.

Doyou read all the reviews of your book?

Whether they’re good or bad, I read all thereviews of my book. If someone took the time to read my book, and then wentabove and beyond the call of duty by writing a review, I figure the least I cando is take the time to read what they have to say. I may not always likeeverything they have to say, or agree with it, but it’s only fair to give thema bit of my time, since they gave me a bit of theirs.

Doyou choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?

Again, it really depends on the book. Mostof the time I either have a title ahead of time, or I come up with a title veryearly on in the writing process. This was the case with Falling Immortality, and it was the case with many of my as yetunpublished works. I find the title helps give me a bit of focus for the novel,and since it can be tricky to choose a title, it’s nice to get that part out ofthe way. On the other hand, there have been times when I haven’t chosen aneffective title until the end of the process, but it wasn’t from a lack ofeffort on my part.

Howdo you market/promote your books?

Since this is my first novel, I’m tryingeverything I can think of to reach readers. But you also have to tailor yourapproach to what fits your personality. There are authors out there who believein the hard sell, but that’s just not me. More than anything, I’m trying tocreate awareness for my novel, so I’ve become fairly involved in socialnetworking (Facebook and Goodreads), speaking (I’m going to do a series oflibrary talks in New Mexico), advertising online, a website (it’s become standardnow), and of course, book signings. I’ve taken quite a few tips from JohnKremer, and I’ve tailored them to what I feel most comfortable doing.

Haveyou ever based characters on people you know or based events on things thathave happenedto you?

It’s really difficult to write (it’s suchan extremely personal endeavor), and not bring out various aspects of my personality.On one level or another, every character in my novels has personality traits orquirks that are either directly from me, or from people I have come in contactwith. Since writing for me is an escape from reality, I haven’t yet based anyof my plotlines on events in my life, because for the most part, my life ispretty boring, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Whatdo you think about book trailers?

I’m all for book trailers. I had COSProductions create a book trailer for FallingImmortality, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the result. But are booktrailers effective promotional tools for novels? So far I haven’t seen where ithas affected my book sales, but I hope it has increased awareness of my novel.Even if it doesn’t, though, I would probably still continue to do them, becausewhen they are done right, the end result is fantastic. Plus, I love watchingmovies, and I’ve always been a big fan of effective movie trailers.

Whatpiece of advice would you give to a new writer?

What I often hear and read frequentlymyself: never give up. Let’s face it, writing is extremely difficult, and it’seven harder to promote a novel than it is to write one. But if you can’timagine not doing it, and your main reason for writing is love of the craft, there’snot a more rewarding job out there. Nothing compares to connecting with areader, and having them actually get what you are trying to do; typing “TheEnd” on a completed manuscript; the entire creation process; or holding thephysical book in your hands. Not to take anything away from mothers (since Ilove mine and wouldn’t be the person I am today without her), but my novel ismy baby, and the entire experience will stay with me for the rest of my life.

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - FALLING IMMORTALITY

2012-03-08T10:00:00.000Z

MANfiction, as Steven King calls this genre of fiction. "Fallling Immortality" is a detective murder mystery written in the first person. The main character, Casey Holden, is a womanizing, smartass, Sports-car-driving trust-fund baby who doesn't have to work; but he's a darn good detective, especially when his client is gorgeous.

This book is in my to read and review pile as well as my mums pile and since robert kindly sent me a paperback my dad is also able to read and review this title too.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - AARON JORDAN

2012-03-08T06:00:00.001Z

What is your name, where were you bornand where do you live now?

My name is Aaron Jordan. I was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. I currently live in Charlottesville,Virginia, but only while my wife is in school.

Did you always want to be a writer? Ifnot what did you want to be?

I have wanted to be a writer for as longas I can remember, though I have wanted to do other things also. When I was a child and watched the televisionshow The Fall Guy, I wanted to be aHollywood stuntman. Later I wanted to bea jet fighter pilot and astronaut and study aeronautical engineering. By high school I wanted to be a pediatricheart surgeon, but this goal ended once I started the pre-medical program incollege. That is when I decided to get alaw degree and become a diplomat. I nowhave the legal education and have not entirely ruled out diplomacy, but I amnot actively trying to get into the Foreign Service at this time. I will probably continue to practice law . .. unless my writing takes me in a new direction.

When did you first consider yourself asa "writer"?

Probably when I was nine years old andwrote a Star-Wars-like science fiction story in elementary school.

Did it take a long time to get yourfirst book published?

It took probably about four or fiveyears to see my first novel in print after I first attempted to write a novel.

Do you work another job as well as yourwriting work?

Yes. I work as an attorney.

What is the name of your latest book,and if you had to summarise it in less than 20 words what would you say?

The name of my latest book is Insanity, which asks two main questions:Are people basically good or evil? Canthey govern themselves in freedom or not?

Who is your publisher? or do you selfpublish?

My publisher is Cedar Fort, Inc. It is a small publisher in Utah, where I usedto live. Cedar Fort publishes a lot ofLDS books, especially for the local Utah market, but it also publishesmainstream fiction for a broader national and international market. Insanityfalls into that broader category. Allbooks published by Cedar Fort have to meet certain basic standards to maintainthe publisher’s family-friendly image, so you won’t find any swearing orgraphic sex or extreme violence in Insanity.

Do you have plans for a new book? Isthis book part of a series?

Insanity is a stand-alone novel. Isuppose I could write a sequel to it, but I have no such plans at thistime. Right now I am getting close tofinishing a new novel that is more in the fantasy genre. It’s about a boy whose mother is dying, andhe is given an opportunity to travel into a parallel realm to obtain a uniqueflower that can heal her.

What genre would you place your booksinto?

My first novel, A Dream of Freedom, is historical fiction about a Soviet spy in theUnited States during World War II. Insanity is soft science fiction—dystopianscience fiction, to be more precise. Mynew novel, which I will probably name TheElixir, is fantasy.

What made you decide to write that genreof book?

I wrote Insanity as a dystopian novel because I felt that dystopia was thebest genre to address the moral and political issues that Insanity raises. Much of thereal world, especially in politics, reflects the sad tendency of human beingsto make imperfect reality worse while intending to make it better. It is the old tragedy of seeking perfectsolutions to life’s intractable problems. Some people eventually realize that they are chasing after castles inthe sky, while others never shake off their delusions and carry the fantasieswith them to their graves, sometimes leaving havoc in their wake. Insanityexplores different worldviews about human nature and political society.

Do you have a favourite out of the booksyou have written? If so why is it your favourite?

So far, my favorite is Insanity. I am a political junky who has always been asucker for dystopia. I put my heart andsoul into writing Insanity, and Ilearned much along the way. I hope thatin the future I will produce something even better for readers to sink theirteeth into.

Do you have a favourite character fromyour books? and why are they your favourite?

My favourite character so far isprobably Angela Turner from Insanity. I love her passion for human liberty and herkeen moral intuition.

Do you have a certain routine you havefor writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?

For the past couple of years, I havedone most of my writing in the front passenger’s seat of my ToyotaCorolla. As a lawyer, I drive all overthe Commonwealth of Virginia conducting real estate auctions at courthouses,and I usually have a little time each day while I am waiting for my sales. That is when I try to squeeze in my writing,because I find it almost impossible to get anything done at home.

Do you have anybody read your books andgive you reviews before you officially release them?ie. Your partner, children,friends, reviewers you know?

My mother read Insanity and hated it—well, she hated a particular scene in it anddemanded that I alter the plot. Herstrong, visceral reaction convinced me that the story had real punch to it, soI left the plot alone despite my mother’s objections. You know you’re doing something right whenyour mother reacts with such palpable intensity.

Do you gift books to readers to doreviews?

Right now, yes. But I can’t give away free books to everyone.

Do you read all the reviews of yourbook/books?

I’ve read the reviews of Insanity, but so far only a few peoplehave reviewed it. I look forward toseeing more reviews on the Internet, such as on Amazon and Goodreads.

Would you ever ask a reviewer to changetheir review if it was not all positive about your book/books?

No way. If you hate my book, let the world know why you hate it. All I ask is that you’re honest about it anddon’t misrepresent me or my book. As faras improving my writing goes, negative feedback helps me probably more thanpositive feedback, because it shows me what I should change. Of course, negative reviews might hurt thesales of my book, but then again, if my book isn’t good enough to earn positivereviews, then it does not deserve success, and I don’t want readers wastingtheir money on an inferior product that does not leave them feeling that theygot their money’s worth. Competition andfeedback are what the market is all about, and anyone who knocks me down in areview will see me rise again with a better product later on. So hit me with your best shot and show mewhere I need to do better. And if youlove what I have written, give me a boost.

How do you come up with the Title andCover Designs for your book/books?Who designed the Cover of your books?

Brian Halley at Cedar Fort isresponsible for the cover design of Insanity. I have never met Brian, nor did Icollaborate with him directly, but he did an awesome job. Cedar Fort asked me for suggestions for thecover, and I gave them some ideas. Iproposed a black book with a red title and a large, gray DNA double helix. I mentioned some other ideas, such as apicture of the world or the city where the story takes place. I even toyed around with images of mushroomclouds from atomic explosions. But in myresponse to Cedar Fort’s request for input, I dismissed these other ideas justas soon as I mentioned them, because I loved the symbolic imagery of the DNAdouble helix. I assume it was Brian whotook some of these secondary ideas of mine and incorporated them into the finaldesign.

So I helped with the concept for thecover design, and Cedar Fort added some other things, but ultimately Cedar Fortdid all the work on the design. Forexample, the idea of using the double helix as the “S” in the title was totallyCedar Fort’s, not mine. I thought thatwas a great touch. I also had nothing todo with the catchy phrase above the title that reads, “SOMETIMES THE CURE ISWORSE THAN THE DISEASE.” Another greattouch.

Do you choose a title first, or writethe book then choose the title?

I originally chose the title Millennium and then wrote the book, but whenI looked at what I had written, I realized that Insanity was a much better title. I originally had intended to write about the dystopian society thatexisted for a thousand years, but I had to write my story before I reallydiscovered it. The writing processrevealed the story to me, and in the end, that process showed me that my storywas not really about the thousand years of utopia, but was rather about thecollapse of that utopia and the consequences unleashed by its demise. So I guess the answer to both parts of yourquestion is “Yes.”

Are there any hidden messages or moralscontained in your books? (Morals as in like Aesops Fables type of "Themoral of this story is..")

Insanity is full of morals, metaphors, symbols, and lessons, but I, theauthor, do not know what all those lessons are. Some of them are hidden even from me! Only my readers can uncover them. I wrote Insanity with variousambiguities and different points of view built into the plot so that readerswill have to decide for themselves what the morals of the story are. I did not want to tell my readers what theyshould believe.

What piece of advice would you give to anew writer?

Never stop learning and never give up.

Your blog details?

http://www.aaronjordanauthor.blogspot.com/

Your web site?

www.amazon.com/author/aaronjordan

www.insanitybook.com

Your facebook page?

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aaron-JordanAuthor/216061015116924

Your Goodreads author page?

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1607096.Aaron_Jordan

Your Twitter details?

aaronjordan11

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - PERILOUS MOON

2012-03-08T06:00:00.000Z

BLURB from Amazon

Fired with a determination to find the reason why the Moon affects his planet so badly, Berannes gains the magical skills to transport himself there. On misty, sparsely-populated Lume he discovers the sorcerer Tironsar, bent on completing his mysterious Lodestone, which may give him supreme domination over many worlds; and the lovely princess Falmorwy of the Far Galaxy, who is somehow involved in the sorcerer’s plan.

Berannes finds his dreams of becoming a hero don’t always turn out the right way. The two “star-horses” may be allies, but they carelessly order him around; and dwarfish Dron and Lalmi also have a different agenda for him. Even his growing love for the princess brings him inner torment, as she insists on returning to the perils of the sorcerer’s Citadel on a quest for further information. And always he is conscious of the fact that time is running out—fast!

Available from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk £1.98 on kindle

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - CYNTHIA HARRIS

2012-03-08T03:00:00.000Z

Whatis your name, where were you born and where do you live now?

Hi,my name is Cynthia Harris, born in Sydney, Australia, and now living on a smallfarm about half way between Sydney and Canberra, with a wonderful husband andmany four-legged family members.

Didyou always want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?

Ialways wanted to be a teacher like my nana – and that’s what I became; butmaking up stories was something I did constantly for as long as I remember.

Whendid you first consider yourself as a "writer"?

I’vebeen one as long as I could write, but mostly a “closet” writer, extremely shyabout showing anyone else my weird burblings.

Didit take a long time to get your first book published?

In aword, yes. For decades I never even tried, but the coming of the internetopened up some opportunities and I became a little bit braver.

Doyou work another job as well as your writing work?

Yes,I’m still teaching (old teachers never die – my grandmother retired at 72,though I hope I can manage it before that age).

Whatis the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarise it in less than 20words what would you say?

Mylatest book is “Perilous Moon”: fantasy romance, suitable for YA (or older, dependingon your taste), sweet and clean but plenty of action. Escapist fun.

Whois your publisher? or do you self publish?

Thepublisher for this is Astraea Press, to whom I am very grateful. I also have anebook, “Undercurrents” (fantasy romance, slightly more adult) available throughUncial Press.

Howlong does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea tofinishing writing it?

Becausethere have often been work or family issues which have had to take first place,sometimes there have been long delays, but I would say a year is usual.

Whichof your books were easier/harder to write than the others?

Ihave lots partly written. If one seems to come to a temporary halt, I can moveon to another, but I mostly fix on one and keep going to the end, and I don’tthink any of them could be classified as hard to write. It’s just part of me,and if I don’t have time to write I do feel depressed.

Whatcan we expect from you in the future? ie More books of the same genre?Books of a different genre?

Anybooks I have written belong in the fantasy genre (which means no-one can reallydisagree with me!) and they are all “clean”. I like action and romance, but Idon’t write about blood and gore and I don’t do erotica. I don’t think I’llever change. I have been writing for Middle Grade recently, and am finding thisvery enjoyable.

Doyou have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?

I’mworking on a Middle Grade fantasy at the moment, the second in a planned series(no, not published yet). I say “Middle Grade” because any romantic element isvery toned down, but I don’t dumb down my language. I never use “adults only”themes anyway – I’m the sort of person who avoids news reports as most of themare so depressing.

Wheredo you get your book plot ideas from? What/Who is your inspiration?

I’mone of those who never plan beforehand. An image, a sentence, a name maybe justpops into my head, and I wonder “What happened there? I must find out”. By thetime I am about two thirds through the book I might have to do a bit ofcross-checking, but I seriously think the characters write the storythemselves!

Doyou have a certain routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit ina certain chair?

Ofrecent years, because I drive for three and a half hours daily to and fromwork, I let my mind drift on to what is going to happen next. (Believe me, I dokeep an eye on the traffic too, and switch my imagination off when I hit thecity!)

Doyou have anybody read your books and give you reviews before you officiallyrelease them?ie. Your partner, children, friends, reviewers you know?

Shockhorror, NO! I sometimes ask my husband if details about fighting are correct(he did Ancient and Medieval re-enactment), but actually no-one I know likesthe sort of thing I write, and I still feel really shy about confessing towriting.

Doyou gift books to readers to do reviews?

Withinreason! Not that thousands of people are likely to be seeking me out with thatpurpose in mind!

Whatdo you do to unwind and relax?Do you have a hobby?

Relaxation– what’s that? Fortunately, this year should be better (no extra after schooljob any more), and I hope to ride, sing or dance, study (yes, I’m a nerd), seemore of family and friends, and, of course, WRITE!

Isthere a certain Author that influenced you in writing?

Thereare a lot, because I have been reading diligently for …um, sixty years now(ssh, don’t mention the age!). I have so many favourites, but the top two wouldhave to be Tolkien and Georgette Heyer. Maybe that’s why my writing is a bit ofa mix-up. And I love unusual and old-fashioned words!

Whichformat of book do you prefer, ebook,hardback, or paperback?

Soundsstrange, when my two published (so far – hope there will be more) books areebooks, but I doubt that I will ever read an ebook. I love the feel of paper,the shape of books, the ease with which I can visualize where a special sceneis, the smell of books even. Books are like real people to me, and many of themcarry lovely memories. If the book is special to me, I prefer hardback: there’sjust something so satisfying about that.

Whatis your favourite book and Why? Have you read it more than once?

Myabsolute favourite is “Lord of the Rings”, truly the book of the century. Idiscovered it by accident in the local library when I was 14, was given thetrilogy for Christmas, and read it constantly for the next several years. Itaught myself Elven script, and could (still can) quote chunks of my favouritelines.

Doyou think books transfer to movies well? Which is you favourite/worst book to movie transfer?

You’llbe amazed to hear that my favourite book to movie transfer is … “Lord of theRings”. I understand that film is different from the written word, so am happyto feel that the book was “Manuscript A” and the movie “Manuscript B”. I reallyenjoyed the Harry Potter movies too (though some bits were too scary for me,world’s worst wimp). I often “see” parts of my own books in my head like amovie too. But there are some transfers that really don’t work for me.

Whatare you currently reading? Are you enjoying it? What format is it?(ebook,hardback or paperback)

I’mcurrently re-reading “Watership Down”, paperback: so beautifully written, somuch excitement in the story –and how amazing to create all this about a groupof rabbits. I wish I could write like Richard Adams.

Doyou think ebooks will ever totally replace printed books?

Icertainly hope not, because I’ll be in big trouble if that happens!

Doyou think children at schools these days are encouraged enough to read? and/ordo Imaginative writing?

No,they are not (at least, here in Australia, in my experience). Here comes my petpeeve: children should learn and practise the rules of writing, then cultivatetheir imagination and write lots themselves, and read lots and lots of goodbooks!

Didyou read a lot at school and write lots of stories or is being a writersomething newer in your life?

Ialways read, non-stop. It took me ages to get dressed, because I would have abook open in front of me all the time. I did go outdoors as well, don’t get mewrong there! I also wrote lots, including the little book (about a horse) Iwrote out neatly and illustrated when I was in my early teens.

Isthere a book you know you will never read? Or one you tried to read but justcouldn't finish?

Ihate to say this, but most of my favourite authors are dead! Thank heavensElizabeth Peters is still going strong! Just my personal preference, but I findmany modern authors too gory, too brutal, too graphic (sex or violence) tointerest me. Sorry – that’s just me.

So for a chance to win an ecopy of Cynthia's book Perilous Moon please leave a comment below with your email address and a winner will be chosen using random.org. You have until the 16th March to enter!

EXCERPT - TUNDRA 37 BY AUBRIE DIONNE

2012-03-07T12:00:00.000Z

ExcerptTundra 37 by Aubrie Dionne

Prologue

The Seers

I’mlosing her.

Abysmeguides the vessel in silence, her blind eyes rolling as she senses our course,two hundred years away from Paradise 18. She’s scattered her thoughts among thestars, and her mind drifts farther from the sister I once knew. I fear themachine has engulfed her individuality. She’s forgotten the meaning of ourgoal, the oath we took three centuries ago. Most of all, she’s forgotten me,creating an emptiness inside me more profound than the desolation surroundingus.

IfI had my arms, I’d reach out to comfort her and usher her back from the blackabyss spread before us. As children, I kept her alive through the destruction,signing us up for the Expedition and winning two tickets off Old Earth beforeit succumbed to hell. But can I save her now?

Isend impulses through my brainwaves and into the ship. Bysme, do you hear me?

Unlikeher, I have one operating eye and can see the control chamber we hang from.Twisting my head, I search her features. Her skeletal face twitches. Shewrithes and the wires holding her in place stretch taut. I wonder what I’vedone to us, the shock of our disembodiment jolting me. Every input hole drilledinto my skull snakes with activity. The ship surges through me, a vast intranetof information, names, status charts, and infinite trajectories. If I couldn’tfeel the cold, regulated air on the remnants of my torso, I’d be lost in themachine too. I remind myself of our mission and the perseverance flows into myveins.

Shedoesn’t respond and the fear wells up from within me. Can I guide the shipalone? I realize I’ve left her at the helm for too long while I drifted intomemories.

Statusof Beta Prime? Bysme speaks in monotone computer speech as she turns to thecorner of the main control deck where the orb glistens, tempting us with themysteries hidden in the cosmic swirls within its core. Sometimes, I wish we’dblasted the ball off the hull after its tendrils attached to the outer frameinstead of recovering it for study. We’ve guarded it for so long, Project BetaPrime has become part of us, yet we’re further than ever from unlocking itssecrets. All I know is the insistence of my memories, like ghosts that refusedto be ignored.

Unchanged.The weight of my voice in our mindspeak reflects my disappointment. Likeeverything else.

Bysmefalls silent, and I scan the systems searching for answers that aren’t there.

ChapterOne

Matchmaker

TheExpedition 2751

Namestrailed in pairs along the wallscreen as the next batch of destinies unfolded.Gemme pulled her hair into a ponytail and sipped her synthetic coffee,reviewing the computer’s choices. Beside her, a constellation of starsglittered on the sight panel. She studied the spherical pattern, content towatch the world float by from the safety of the Expedition’s computer analyticswing.

She’dlive and die on the decks of the aging transport ship. The certainty of herfate comforted her from the black void pressing in. Consistency gave hersolace, and in her life regularity reigned. She lived through her work, findinglife in numbers.

Afteranother long sip, she gazed up at the screen and read the first pair of names.

AaronTixton and Cassandra Smith.

Sheaccessed their profiles with the tip of her finger on her keypad. Both Liferstested well in energy maintenance and ship repairs. Their personalities weretype ISTP and type ENFJ, and their family trees didn’t intersect until thirdcousins in the first generation, providing a promising match. Neither showed anymanifestation of the rare hypergene they’d searched for since they left Earth,but no one she’d ever matched had. There were no guarantees the Seers wouldlast until the ship reached Paradise 18. Suppressing a moment of worry, shescratched her chin, then typed an affirmation on the touchscreen.

RayEllis and Melissa Stewart. Although they were three years apart, Ray being thesenior, their genes were optimally compatible. With resistance to Alzheimer’s,cancer, and heart disease, they would produce durable children. The touchscreenflashed as her finger pressed enter.

MollyFritz and—

Theportal beeped, interrupting her work. Who would visit so early on the firstmorning shift? She’d dragged herself out of her sleep pod for a reason. TheSeers expected the next report by fourteen hundred, and she didn’t have timefor unplanned meetings.

Gemmesighed and clicked off the screen. She couldn’t have an intruder spying on thenew sets of matches. She pressed the portal panel and the particlesdematerialized like falling stars, revealing a stellar beauty.

“Luna?”

“Gemme.”Luna shifted and leaned her busty body against the portal frame. “How are you?I haven’t talked to you in years.”

Fora reason.

Uneasinessspread through Gemme’s shoulders, making her neck tingle. A vision of Luna’shighly mascaraed teen face scrunched up in anger came back to her. “What am Igoing to do with you, you freckle-faced cybergeek? You make me look bad withall your studying and high test scores,” Luna had taunted before she smackedGemme in the chest, leaving a bruise that had lasted for two months. Sure,Gemme had pushed her back, but Luna’s final shove had landed her in therecycling bin. She’d suffered in that cold, metal container for four hoursbefore a custodian heard her banging for help.

Lunahad claimed it was an accident, and as the Lieutenant’s daughter, and thedescendant of the original founder of the Expedition, everyone believed her.Gemme hadn’t pressed the issue. No one messed with the Legacys. Since then,she’d stayed clear of the beauty and her bullying tactics. As Luna hovered overher, Gemme sensed where this conversation led, and it made the coffee in herstomach churn like acid.

“I’vegot a lot of work to do, Luna. What do you need?”

Lunaflipped her wavy blonde hair behind her shoulder and stared at her as if shehad a right to be there. “I want to discuss my pairing.”

“Youknow I can’t talk of future matches.” Gemme fought to keep her toneprofessional. “The computer makes the decisions. I only review the pairings anddouble-check for glitches.”

“Youhave more power than you let on, Gemme, dear.” Luna pushed past her and slinkedacross her office, tapping her fingertips along the keyboards.

Hotair flared out of Gemme’s nostrils. The nerve! Luna asked her to change thebylaws, to risk her job after years of bullying? Her cheeks burned like asupernova. The keys clicked under Luna’s long nails in a rhythmicpitter-patter. Thank goodness she’d locked down the system.

Theblinking button for the screen stood out like a dwarf star. Luna inched towardit. Gemme squeezed by her and stuck her small body between Luna’s ginormouschest and the touchscreen, turning her back on her to protect the machine.

“Ican’t change the pairings, only approve or disapprove.”

“Youcan disapprove of everyone for me.”

Theharshness in her voice made Gemme whip around from the controls and stare herdown. “You’re telling me you don’t want a lifemate?”

“Youdidn’t let me finish.” Luna’s lips slid into a smile. “Everyone, that is,except Miles Brentwood.”

Ofcourse. Gemme could’ve guessed that request from a parsec away. The computerhadn’t assigned Miles Brentwood a lifemate yet. Five years their senior, notonly was he powerful, attractive, and brilliant, his sweet charm could warmeven the coldest reaches of deep space. Somehow, even though Luna was gorgeous,Gemme didn’t think she deserved Brentwood, and she reveled in the fact that shecouldn’t honor Luna’s request.

“Thecomputer decides the lifemates, not me.” Besides, pairing Luna with LieutenantBrentwood would explode the mainframe of the lifemate pairing system. Thecomputer’s choices had an excellent success rate, much better than thestatistics she’d seen from Old Earth. She couldn’t imagine people choosing forthemselves.

Lunashrugged as if she discussed tricking a five-year-old instead of defying acenturies-old system. “If you deny every pairing for me, eventually his namewill come up.”

Gemmeheld her nose up, but her head only came up to Luna’s magnificent plungingneckline. Why didn’t her uniform ever look as good? “I’m not going to bend therules for you.”

Lunapulled back and pouted her full lips. “I thought you’d say as much. That’s whyI brought you a bribe.”

Shedropped a piece of paper on Gemme’s desk. Before Gemme could reply, Lunaslipped around her and jogged out the portal. “Think about it. Get back to me.”Her voice echoed down the corridor, cheerful, yet tense.

Gemmewatched her leave, stunned. What could Luna have that she wanted, besides anapology? She’d already earned a cushy job with a cosmic view. Gemme picked upthe piece of paper, feeling the strange thinness in her hands. Paper was onlyused for formal occasions. What could it be?

Openingthe folds of the document revealed a border of glittering gold. The writing wasetched in inky cursive. Gemme gasped as she studied the contours of theinscription.

Requestgranted. Please present this upon arrival on Control Deck 67.

Aticket to visit the Seers. This rarity was one more shred of proof the Legacyshad advantages others didn’t have.

Whywould she ever want to meet them? The Seers had sealed their chamber for thelast century for fear of weakening their fragile bodies with germs. Peoplewhispered about their transformation from real humans born on Old Earth toskeletons and machines. Just thinking about how they’d severed their arms andlegs after the limbs had atrophied to have wires run directly into their torsosmade her squirm.

Sherealized Luna didn’t know her at all. Status quo contented Gemme more than anyhigh position or special meeting. She wanted to live her life on theExpedition, drink her coffee, and play matchmaker in space.

Gemmeslipped the document underneath her keyboard. She’d have to return it to Lunaherself. This couldn’t be trusted with interdepartmental mail and she didn’twant Luna thinking she owed her anything.

Afterthe portal materialized, she flicked on the button for the pairing system andthe list of names blinked on her wallscreen.

Nowwhere was I? Oh yes, Molly Fritz and—

Aletter G stole her attention from halfway down the second column. She skimmedthe names.

Itcouldn’t be.

Gemmegasped and backed away from the wallscreen. Her touchscreen fell to the floorand rattled.

GemmeReiner and Miles Brentwood.

Herfirst thought was of Luna running at her with a laser gun.

ButI didn’t choose it. The computer did.

Sheknew the day would come when her name would cross the screen, she just didn’tthink it would be today or it would be him. Everyone would suspect she devisedthe pairing herself. She’d look like the most selfish, hypocritical computeranalyst in the history of the Expedition. She might even lose her job.

Shescrambled to the floor and collected the touchscreen. Her hands shook as shereplaced it on her desk. Wasting no time, she highlighted their names and thereasoning for the pairing. They both had history of mild high blood pressure,and a few minor propensities for anxiety in their family trees. They weren’tincompatible, but they sure as hell weren’t a perfect match either. Although,their first names sounded so right together: Gemme and Miles.

Shakingthe nonsense from her head, she forced herself to focus. The florescent yellowconnecting her name and his made her uneasy. Her finger paused over the worddelete. For a millisecond, she thought of his strong hands touching her cheek,running across the back of her neck and into her hair.

Stopfantasizing!

Whywould such a man be matched to her? Obviously the computer had miscalculated.Here lay the one glitch she was destined to fix. Gemme’s finger trembled as shepressed the touchscreen. In an instant, their names disappeared, deletedforever in the vastness of deep space. Even the Seers wouldn’t detect it intheir nets.

Aresponse beeped on the screen.

Pairingdenied.

Gemmebreathed with relief. She couldn’t have people thinking she’d manipulated thesystem, especially Luna. Besides, attraction shouldn’t factor in any of thematches.

Shepicked up her coffee mug just as a crash echoed above her head. The floorrumbled beneath her feet. Had her deletion wreaked havoc on the whole system?

Twomonotone voices echoed in unison out over the intercom. “Comet showerapproaching. Collisions imminent. Evacuate the outer levels.”

Gemmefroze. Danger to the Expedition? Impossible! The Seers would have detected anydanger from a parsec away. They could never be wrong. The Guide said so.

Anothercrash shuddered the floor and she fell to her knees. The wallscreen flickered.She gazed out the sight panel at the familiar constellation. Balls of red withtrailing tails streaked the sight panel. She fisted her hands. Had the Seersfailed? She had no time to ponder the impossible. Her office lay on an outerdeck. She had to get to safety.

Herfirst thought shot to the computers. Could she save her life’s work? Forprivacy, the Seers instructed each matchmaker to store all data on the computerin front of her. The lights flickered out and an alarm screamed down the hall.One of the fiery balls grew larger, hurtling right toward the glass separatingGemme from the void of space.

Forgetthe data.

Takingone look back at her touchscreens, Gemme sprinted to the portal and slammed herfist on the panel. The second it took for the particles to dematerialize tuggedon her nerves. Visions of space sucking her out haunted her more than visionsof being stuck to the ship like the Seers. Gemme clutched her hands togetherand bounced on her toes.

Theparticles disappeared, and smoke wheezed in. Bending down, Gemme covered hermouth with the sleeve of her uniform and ran. The ship pitched sideways, andshe fell into the wall, bumping her knee. Her leg collapsed, but she forcedherself up through the pain. The corridors lay empty. Was she the last one onthe outer decks? She hoped so. Most of the Lifers slept in their cells at theheart of the ship at such an early hour.

“Hullbreach imminent. Congregate to the inner decks immediately.”

Wasthere a hint of fear in the Seers’ voices? Gemme refused to believe it. TheSeers had everything under control. They always did. They wouldn’t let anythinghappen to her, would they?

Shepunched the portal panel in front of the elevators, but nothing happened. Feartwisted her stomach, climbing its way up her throat. She breathed in, and theair seared the back of her mouth. Coughing, she slammed the panel harder.

Comeon, you aging piece of junk.

Thepanel light flickered out like a dying sun.

Smokefilled the corridor and burned her eyes. She ran to the air shaft’s emergencyladders. Another crash hit the hull, and another. What were the Seers doing?Had they lost their minds? She clung to each ladder rung as she climbed down,afraid another shock would send her plummeting ten levels at once.

Asshe reached the next deck, the air spiraled over her head. Pressure sucked thebreath out of her lungs. A warning buzz sounded, and the Seers’ unison voicesechoed out, “Hull breach on Deck 86.”

Gemmesearched below her feet. She could climb down ten more rungs to close the lowerhatch, or climb back up five to close the upper hatch. Metal clicked, and theemergency systems made the decision for her. Beneath her feet, the particles ofthe lower hatch materialized.

Panicrushed up her legs along with the dwindling air. The Seers had locked her out.

Gemmestared at the spinning particles. If she fell too soon, she’d be stuck in theparticles of the hatch and the portal would rematerialize inside her. She hadto wait for the hatch to become solid.

Theair grew thin and she gasped for breath. The force of the suction pulled ather, yanking hair out of her ponytail. Once the hatch formed, she leaped downon top of it. Scrambling in the folds of her uniform, she brought out herkeytag.

Thankgoodness she’d worn it around her neck. Sometimes the cord irritated her skin,and she took it off, setting it by her touchscreen. Now, she wasn’t sure if hertouchscreen still existed. The thought of her office pummeled by comets flashedin her mind. She couldn’t go back for anything now.

Sheshoved the keytag into the portal panel and typed override. A message popped up.

Pleaseenter your security code.

Thetemperature dropped and she shivered, sucking in one last breath. Gemme forcedherself to type slowly to get it right. One missed touch would shut her outforever.

Herheart raced as she tapped the panel and the particles disappeared.

Awave of hot air blew by her as the hatch reopened. Gemme jumped down andslammed her fist against the panel to close it above her. As the particlessolidified, she climbed down to the next level and kicked something blockingher way.

“Whoa!Look out.”

MilesBrentwood gazed up from the toes of her boots, his green-flecked eyes piercingthe semidarkness. Gemme’s heart sped up. To see any person right now made heremotions crumble, never mind the man she’d been thinking of ever since she deletedtheir pairing. “If you’re going up, there’s no way out. I sealed the passage.”

“I’mnot going anywhere.” He took the sight of her in, traveling up her cheek to hereyes and she almost lost her grip on the ladder rung. “I’m looking for you.”

MilesBrentwood had come to spend the end of the world with her? Gemme’s mind reeled.Nothing that morning had made any sense. She felt stuck in some sort ofquasi-nightmare turned hot dream. “What?”

Althoughchaos crashed around them, his hair still looked perfect, the blond wave risingan inch above his broad forehead. “I’m retrieving all the stragglers. Ifollowed your locater number.”

“Oh.”She looked away, feeling sheepish and small. How could she have ever thoughthe’d know who she was, never mind go searching for her in particular duringthis disaster?

Hegestured over his shoulder. “There’s a safe chamber just down this hall. Followme.”

Gemmecollected her scattered emotions just as something crashed against the hatchabove them. The screeching sound of crushed metal echoed down the vent shaft.

Brentwoodshouted over the din, “This compartment’s losing pressure, come on!”

Shefollowed him down two more levels and through a side passage she’d never havefound by herself. They crawled through an air shaft, collecting dust webs undertheir fingers. A metal grating hung missing half its hinges. Had he come allthis way just for her?

Brentwoodlooked back at her over his shoulder. “It’s not far. You can jump.”

Hepaused at the hole below them and waited for her to make the first move.

Ofcourse, his valor screamed “ladies first.”

Gemmedangled her legs and judged the distance from the ceiling to the floor belowher feet. If she fell the wrong way, she’d break both her ankles.

Hemust have seen fear cross her eyes because he offered his hands. “Here, I’llhelp you.”

Thewarmth in his voice calmed her racing thoughts. She locked on his gaze. Theflecks of green were so pure, they reminded her of the foliage in the biodome.Those eyes could have been hers to gaze into. She damned the pairing program.Why had it ever put such an outrageous idea in her head?

“Takemy hands.”

Gemmeblinked her thoughts away and slid her hands into his. Their palms molded intoa perfect fit. His skin emanated heat, warming her cold fingertips. She closedher eyes as the ship crashed around them. She expected to feel pain, but alight-headed ecstasy bubbled over her.

Whenshe opened her eyes, the airshaft remained intact with Brentwood eagerlywaiting for her to move. All the crashing had happened inside her, levels beingknocked down to reveal surprising emotions she didn’t think herself capable of.Yet, the feelings stirred an undercurrent of familiarity. Gemme searched hisfeatures to see if he experienced any of the same emotions, but his wide lipsfrowned. He was more concerned for her than drunk on possibility He hoisted herdown and her feet hit the floor with a bounce. The ship pitched again, and shefell against the wall. Brentwood jumped behind her and ushered her forward, hishands along her waist.

“Justa few more steps.”

Theyran to the belly of the ship, where the structural integrity would hold underpressure. Brentwood slapped a panel and the portal disappeared to reveal abunch of colonists huddling together. Food rations were stacked against the farwall along with space suits. Panic worked its way up Gemme’s spine. If theyneeded those suits, they were dead already.

“Shouldn’twe run to the escape pods?”

Brentwoodshook his head. “Not yet. The Seers believe they can salvage the ship. Theescape pods would only scatter us into deep space.”

Gemmenodded and bit her lower lip. She’d known his answer. Escape pods were uselessunless they found a habitable planet. It would only delay inevitable death.

Hebent down, his face hovering a breath away from hers, lips slightly parted.Gemme froze in shock, noticing each light hair in his eyebrows and the moistureon his lips. Only lifemates leaned in so close. He pulled back, shaking hishead as if recovering from a trance.

“Myapologies. I must search for others.”

BeforeGemme’s heart could beat again, he’d disappeared down the corridor, smoketrailing in his footsteps.

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - AUBRIE DIONNE

2012-03-07T06:00:00.000Z

About the Author:

Aubrie is an author and flutist in NewEngland. Her stories have appeared in Mindflights, Niteblade, Silver Blade, AFly in Amber, and several print anthologies including Skullsand Crossbones by Minddancer Press, Rise of the Necromancers,by Pill Hill Press, Nightbird Singing in the Dead of Night by NightbirdPublishing, Dragontales and Mertales by Wyvern Publications, AYuletide Wish by Nightwolf Publications, and Aurora Rising by Aurora Wolf Publications. Her epic fantasy is published with WyvernPublications, and several of her ebooks are published with Lyrical Press andGypsy Shadow Publishing. When she’s not writing, she plays in orchestras andteaches flute at Plymouth State University and a community music school.

http://www.authoraubrie.com
http://authoraubrie.blogspot.com

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - NEW DAWN SERIES BY AUBRIE DIONNE

2012-03-07T03:00:00.000Z

Paradise 21

New Dawn #1
Author: Aubrie Dionne
Genre: Sci-Fi Romance
Length: Novel
Release Date: August 2011
ePub ISBN: 978-1-937044-02-2
Print ISBN: 978-1-937044-03-9

http://www.entangledpublishing.com/paradise-21/

Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8vCni_TZUA

Amazon Paperback Amazon Kindle

A New Dawn Book One

Aries has livedher entire life aboard mankind’s last hope, the New Dawn, a spaceshiptraveling toward a planet where humanity can begin anew—a planet that won’t bereached in Aries’ lifetime. As one of the last genetically desirable women inthe universe, she must marry her designated genetic match and produce the nextgeneration for this centuries-long voyage.

But Aries hasother plans.

When herdesperate escape from the New Dawn strands her on a desert planet, Ariesdiscovers the rumors about pirates—humans who escaped Earth before itsdemise—are true. Handsome, genetically imperfect Striker possesses the freedomAries envies, and the two connect on a level she never thought possible. Butpursued by her match from above and hunted by the planet’s native inhabitants,Aries quickly learns her freedom will come at a hefty price.

The life of theman she loves.

Tundra 37

ANew Dawn, #2

Author: AubrieDionne

Genre: Sci-FiRomance

Length: 288 pages

Release Date:February 2012

ePub ISBN:978-1-937044-49-7

Print ISBN:978-1-937044-51-0

http://www.entangledpublishing.com/tundra-37/

Tundra 37 BookTrailer:

http://youtu.be/3XcwFtmeTcM

ANew Dawn Novel, Book Two

Gemme is a hi-tech matchmaker who pairsthe next generation of Lifers aboard the Expedition, a deep space transportvessel destined for Paradise 18. When the identity of her lifemate pops up onher screen, she’s shocked that he’s the achingly gorgeous and highly soughtafter Lieutenant Miles Brentwood—a man oblivious to her existence. Believingeveryone will think she contrived the match, she erases it from the computer’smemory.

Just as comets pummel the ship anddestroy the pairing system forever.

With the Expedition disabled, thecolonists must crash land on the barren ice world of Tundra 37 where Gemme isreassigned to an exploratory mission, led by Lieutenant Brentwood. Only in the frozentundra does she understand the shape of his heart and why the computer hasentwined their destinies.

AHero Rising

ANew Dawn, #3

Author: AubrieDionne

Genre: Sci-FiRomance

Length: novella

Release Date:February 2012

ePub ISBN:978-1-937044-83-1

http://www.entangledpublishing.com/a-hero-rising/

Prequelto A New Dawn - Book Three

After watching his love leave on acolony ship, James Wilfred must save those left behind from a planetaryapocalypse. Their salvation lies in an unfinished ship tucked away in a secretgovernment base, and only James can break in and pilot him and his people tofreedom on a nearby space station.

Skye O’Connor’s boyfriend never returnsafter his gang attempts an assassination of the Governor, and the StateBuilding is destroyed. Worse, crazed moonshiners addicted to the chemicalMorpheus have stormed the city, and she must find a safe place for her and herboyfriend’s daughter. When a heroic man saves her, Skye asks to accompany himon his quest to find the last colony ship left on Earth.

As the city falls around them, James andSkye must work together to build a new future, all the while rediscoveringtheir ability to love, before the apocalypse claims them both.

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - LAURA BICKLES

2012-03-06T06:00:00.000Z

http://books.simonandschuster.com/Sparks/Laura-Bickle/9781439167687/excerpt

Author Bio:

LauraBickle hasan MA in sociology-criminology (research interests: fear of crime andvictimology) and a BA in criminology. She has worked in and around criminaljustice since 1997. Although she does read Tarot cards, she's never used themin criminal profiling or to locate lost scientists. She recently took upastronomy, but for the most part her primary role in studying constellationsand dark matter is to follow her amateur astronomer-husband around central Ohiototing the telescope tripod and various lenses.

Writingas Laura Bickle, she's the author of EMBERS and SPARKS for Pocket - Juno Books.Writing as Alayna Williams, she's the author of DARK ORACLE and ROGUE ORACLE.

Moreinfo on her urban fantasy and general nerdiness is here: http://www.salamanderstales.com/

Laura/ Alayna’s blogs

http://www.salamanderstales.blogspot.com and http://delphisdaughters.blogspot.com

She’s also at Facebook

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - EMBERS & SPARKS BY LAURA BICKLE

2012-03-06T03:00:00.000Z

EMBERS

Anya Kalinczyk #1

Pocket Juno Books

Mass Market Paperback,$7.99

ISBN: 978-1439167656

April 2010

“One of the mostpromising debut novels I’ve read in a great while… I’d highly recommend thisbook to anybody who reads fantasy. It reminds me in many regards…of anotherexceptional first novel…Emma Bull’s seminal War for the Oaks, and there’s notmuch higher praise that I can give.”

—Elizabeth Bear on Tor.com

“Bickle has somethinggreat in Anya. Embers has everything: demons, ghosts, dragons, love, sex,police, and murder.”

—M.L.N. Hanover, bestselling author of Darker Angels

“Gritty but never grim,Embers is a truly urban fantasy, where the soul of a city haunts every page. Ican’t wait for more of Anya and the unforgettable Sparky!”

—Jeri Smith-Ready, award-winning author of Bad to the Bone and Shade

Unemployment, despair,anger--visible and invisible unrest feed the undercurrent of Detroit's unease.A city increasingly invaded by phantoms now faces a malevolent force thatfurther stokes fear and chaos throughout the city.

Anya Kalinczyk spendsher days as an arson investigator with the Detroit Fire Department, and her nightspursuing malicious spirits with a team of eccentric ghost hunters. Anya--who isthe rarest type of psychic medium, a Lantern--suspects a supernatural arsonistis setting blazes to summon a fiery ancient entity that will leave the city incinders. By Devil's Night, the spell will be complete, unless Anya--with thehelp of her salamander familiar and the paranormal investigating team --canstop it.

Anya's accustomed todanger and believes herself inured to loneliness and loss. But this time she'srisking everything: her city, her soul, and a man who sees and accepts her foreverything she is. Keeping all three safe will be the biggest challenge she'sever faced.

EMBERS is available nowfrom Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.

Read an excerpt at http://books.simonandschuster.com/Embers/Laura-Bickle/9781439167656/excerpt

SPARKS

Anya Kalinczyk #2

Pocket Juno Books

Mass Market Paperback,$7.99

ISBN 978-1439167687

September 2010

The second book inBickle’s series about Anya Kalinczyk is just as wonderful as the first—Anya isa compelling and likable protagonist and Bickle does an outstanding job in herportrayal of the city of Detroit; there are ruins, yes, but also hope in theashes. Anya never takes herself too seriously and there is a scene in a babysupercenter that is absolutely not to be missed. (4 stars)

- RT Book Reviews

...a charming andinventive read.

-Elizabeth Bear, Realms of Fantasy Magazine, December 2010

WITHOUT A TRACE...

Anya Kalinczyk is the rarest type of psychicmedium, a Lantern, who holds down a day job as an arson investigator with theDetroit Fire Department—while working 24/7 to exterminate malicious spiritshaunting a city plagued by unemployment and despair. Along with her inseparablesalamander familiar, Sparky, Anya has seen, and even survived, all manner offiery hell—but her newest case sparks suspicions of a bizarre phenomenon thatno one but her eccentric team of ghost hunters might believe: spontaneous humancombustion.

After fire consumes thehome of elderly Jasper Bernard, Anya is stunned to discover his remains—or,more precisely, a lack of them; even the fiercest fires leave some trace oftheir victims—and she is sure this was no naturally occurring blaze. Soon she’sunearthed a connection to a celebrity psychic who preys on Detroit’s poor,promising miracles for money. But Hope Solomon wants more—she’s collectingspirits, and in a frantic race against time, Anya will face down an eviladversary who threatens her fragile relationship with her lover, her belovedSparky’s freshly hatched newts, and the wandering souls of the entire city.

SPARKS is available forpre-order from Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Read an excerpt athttp://books.simonandschuster.com/Sparks/Laura-Bickle/9781439167687/excerpt

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - THE LAST BEGINNING BY RACHEL FIRASEK

2012-03-05T18:00:00.000Z

CURSE OF THE PHOENIX - Book 3

The Last Beginning
ByRachel Firasek
Genre:Paranormal Romance
Length: Novella
Release Date: February 2012
ISBN: 978-1-937044-56-5
http://www.entangledpublishing.com/the-last-beginning/
Sadie’sdays fighting off greedy claim jumpers ended in 1856 when Osiris snatched herfrom her filthy room and placed her with a trio of phoenixes. After 150 yearsliving a respectable life saving souls, she’s tired of playing by the god’srules. It’s time the master of manipulation learned her creed: live hard, playfor keeps, and never let the enemy see you suffer.
Osirisnever imagined the true queen he’s spent two millennia searching for would be ahalf-pint redhead with a mouth that makes him blush. She needs a gentle hand tobreach her defenses, but living with her and keeping his natural arrogance at asimmer proves a challenge worthy of any champion.
WhileOsiris teaches her the wisdom needed to rule a world with fairness, theirritating god only intensifies Sadie’s belief in her creed, reinforcing thewalls that keep her from happiness. If Osiris can’t win her hardened heart,Sadie’s ascension might threaten the world he’s struggled to create.
Book Trailer http://youtu.be/epOIgiSRUWo

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - THE LAST AWAKENING BY RACHEL FIRASEK

2012-03-05T15:00:00.000Z

CURSE OF THE PHOENIX -Book Two

TheLast Awakening

RachelFirasek
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novella
ReleaseDate: December2011
ISBN: 978-1-937044-44-1

http://www.entangledpublishing.com/the-last-awakening/

AmazonKindle

BookDescription:

For three hundred years, Arabella’s lifehas been one meaningless death after another. In a cruel twist of fate,Osiris–god of the Underworld–gifts the phoenix her mortality and returns hervoodoo magic. If she fails to harness her wayward magic and save a man worthyof a second chance, she’ll forfeit her power and her soul–forever.

Ex-soldier Greyson Meadows desperatelywants to be freed from the nightmares and guilt that haunt him after thetragedy that brought him and Ari together. Confronted by the waif of a womanwho forces him to face his worst fears, he resists, fighting the need to keephis personal demons hidden instead of setting them free.

When Ari becomes the target of her ownmagical blunder, it’s not just her life in danger, but now the one of the manshe loves.

Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ljDJMLPOn8&feature=colike

EXCERPT - THE LAST AWAKENING BY RACHEL FIRASEK

2012-03-05T12:00:00.000Z

TheLast Awakening Excerpt

Grey proppedhimself against the inside of the door. He’d given her a few minutes aloneafter work while he grabbed his bag from his car. In fact, he’d spent at leasta good ten convincing himself he could do this. Now, he wasn’t so sure, but hewould still fix her door before he left. Damn woman hadn’t even locked it. He’dknocked twice and stepped inside when she didn’t respond.

“Arabella?”

No answer.

He’d wait.Through the paper-thin wall he listened to the shower and then the light patterof dainty feet running across her room. This really was the worst apartmenthe’d ever seen. Worse than some of the military tents he’d lived in.

He sat his bagbeside him and tapped his fingers along the door. Any day now. Herbedroom door flew open, and she rushed out. He’d imagined her in silk pajamaswith beaded nipples teasing him and begging for his taste—not the sweatshirt orthe flannel bottoms. They weren’t bad either and actually may have added to her

appeal—there wassomething highly erotic about wondering what was beneath.

She sagged alittle and dropped a hand across her chest. The smile she’d met him withslipped. “What?”

“You’rebeautiful.” Damn, if he didn’t stop putting his foot in his mouth.

She blushed,painting her cheeks with the prettiest shade of pink before she ducked awayfrom him. “What’s in the bag?”

“You need moreprotection.” He pulled out his wallet and fumbled through the slots for abusiness card. She leaned in closer and stood on tiptoe, watching his everymove. “Nosy?”

When he handed herthe card, she frowned.

“What did youthink this was?” he asked.

She didn’tanswer, but her pink cheeks shouted it loud and clear.

“Did you think Iwas going for a condom?”

She turned away,sank down onto her sofa, and pouted.

Surely she didn’tthink…nah, no way could she want…He burst into a fit of laughter.Christ, how long had it been since he’d laughed? Really laughed? She wasfeisty as hell. He wanted more than anything to snatch her up and carry her toher creaky bed and let Mike—and whoever else wanted to—listen through her wallsas he connected with her in the basest of ways. But first, they had things toget out in the open.

“Don’t laugh atme.”

He chuckledharder and moved closer to her. “I’m sorry to disappoint you. I brought some locksover. Before I leave, I’ll install them.”

“You don’t haveto.”

“I want to.”

She sputtered.Her eyes sparked for a moment, and when she blinked a soft cloud covered theamber. Shit. Smoke floated across her eyes like something straight out of a Bmovie. He shook his head and pinched the tender skin above his brow. Damnhallucinations. He thought he was past them. “Are you okay?”

“You laugh at meand then want to know if I’m okay? Really?”

“Your eyes. Ithought I…never mind.” Shut up, man, before you show her what a fuckingfreak you are.

Ari spun awayfrom him. She gathered deep breaths, stretching the muscles in her back tight.“I’ll be in my room while you do whatever it is you’re going to do. Come get mewhen you’re done and can remember your manners, s’il vous plait.”

“Ari?”

She didn’t stopfor him. Damn, he’d been an ass. Exactly what he said he wasn’t going to do.His plan had been to fix her door. Maybe have a beer with her. Find out how shewas dealing with what happened, and possibly share some of his sorrow. But he’dthink twice about the drink if he was going to start seeing shit. He’d had allthe flashbacks he wanted in a lifetime, but to actually start hallucinating wastoo much. The alcohol was screwing with his head. Might be time to cut back.

He installed thenew deadbolts and loaded his tools. The bedroom door remained shut, but thelight peeked from beneath it. He crossed to knock softly on the thin wood.“Ari?”

No answer.

“I’m done. I’lllet myself out…come lock up after me.”

Yeah, he’dscrewed up and he’d be lucky if the one person he could connect with, who’dunderstand, ever talked to him again.

EXCERPT - THE LAST RISING, CURSE OF THE PHOENIX BY RACHEL FIRASEK

2012-03-05T09:00:00.000Z

Excerpt Book 1:

“Why is it I can’t get you out of my mind? You say we haven’t met,but my dreams remember you.”

Oh yeah, he’d dreamt of a womanfor months now. She resembled his dream woman in so many ways, but he’d neverseen his fantasy lover’s face.

She struggled against hisclutch. “Mr. Alcott, I assure you we haven’t met. And for your other question,I don’t know why,but you need to release me.”

Why did that quivering bottomlip make him suspect she was lying? Turner rested his forehead against the topof hers and sucked in her scent. “Please, tell me I’m not losing my mind. Tellme you don’t visit me every night and I’ll promise to leave you alone. I justneed to know.”

He sounded like a crazy man butshe had to tell him. She was the only one who could put a stop to his mind’sconstant fantasizing, and this feeling of déjà vu every time he saw her.

Ice wriggled in his arms, herthighs chafing against his slacks. “Mr. Alcott, you need to let me go.” Sheglanced around his shoulder. “Brodie is probably staring out that glass windowand I would hate for him to get the wrong impression.”

She was right. He needed toget ahold of himself, but he didn’t have the strength to walk away. Hishands traveled up and over her shoulders, stalling on her neck. Brushing histhumbs against her jaw, he pressed her head back and stared into hard eyes—noemotion. Couldn’t she see the battle he fought?

He teased the corner of hermouth with his thumb and her breathy gasp pleased him. So, she wasn’tcompletely immune to him. He dropped his head until his mouth hovered overhers.

“Mr. Alcott—”

“Shhh. I just need a taste ofthe sunshine.”

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - THE LAST RISING, CURSE OF THE PHOENIX BY RACHEL FIRASEK

2012-03-05T06:00:00.000Z

CURSE OF THE PHOENIX - Book One

The Last Rising
Rachel Firasek
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novella
ReleaseDate: September 2011
ePubISBN: 978-1-937044-28-2
MobiISBN: 978-1-937044-29-9

http://www.entangledpublishing.com/the-last-rising/

AmazonKindle

Book Description:

After payingtwo millennia’s penance to Osiris, world-weary Phoenix Ice has had enough.Saving souls without any hope for her own redemption isn’t how she imaginedspending eternity. Fed up, she decides her next death will be her last. Butwhen she sacrifices her own life for a sexy Texan in a catastrophic planecrash, she has no idea the consequences will be so great…or that she’ll end upback in his life for her next assignment.

Now that TurnerAlcott has survived the worst, finding a wife and mother for his son mattersmore than ever before. When the mysterious Ice comes into his life, Turnerknows she’s the one—but love is the last thing Ice wants. If he wants to winher heart, Turner must teach Ice how to forgive herself, and prove that love isthe ultimate sacrifice.

Book Trailer http://youtu.be/fd9wvz2gm_w

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - RACHEL FIRASEK

2012-03-05T03:00:00.000Z

About the Author:

Rachel Firasek grew up in the south anddespite the gentle pace, she harassed life at full steam. Her curiosity aboutmythology, human nature, and the chemical imbalance we call love led her towriting. Her stories began with macabre war poems and shifted to enchantedfairytales, before she settled on a blending of the two.

Today you’ll find her tucked on a smallparcel of land, surrounded by bleating sheep and barking dogs, with her husbandand children. She entertains them all with her wacky sense of humor or animatedreenactments of bad 80’s dance moves.

She’s intrigued by anything unexplainedand seeks the answers to this crazy thing we call life. You can find her wherethe heart twists the soul and lights the shadows… or at www.rachelfirasek.com.

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - SWEET AS SIN BY KENYA CARLTON

2012-03-04T12:00:00.000Z

BLURB from Goodreads

The rich and available Captain Drake Devlin had the biggest body count in World War I. Injected with serum that turned him into something unnatural, Drake’s troop annihilated the enemy, but once his tour ended, Drake was plunged into a world of family tragedy and financial ruin.

Sienna Caldwell is stunning to even the biggest cynic; with her exotic looks and rich brown skin, the playboy wasn’t exempt from her charms. Buckling under the pressure of his financially strapped inheritance, Drake makes a deal with the devil to marry the prosperous landowner in order to protect her. After one year, he can return the black beauty back to her island and collect on the fortune that will save his family’s reputation, but the task proves far easier said than done. The war may have made Drake into something lethal, but he soon finds his new bride was born more powerful than he could ever imagine. Not only does Drake have to figure out away to keep his hands off his alluring wife, but also he has to make sure she stays alive.

Available Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk £4.86 on kindle

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - JADED BY KENYA CARLTON

2012-03-04T10:02:00.000Z

BLURB from Amazon

War correspondent Mia James is back on US soil and ready to tackle a juicy political story that could make national headlines. A politician’s aid goes missing, and the son of the wealthiest family is the only suspect. Determined to take down the mayor of the small seaside town, Mia comes up against an angry ghost with her own agenda. Afraid she may be suffering from post traumatic stress Mia figures that she’s way over her head and enlists the help of resident black sheep Gabe Montgomery. Now, she must solve the mystery of her not so friendly ghost and stop herself from falling in love with the mysterious winery owner, while making it out alive.

Available from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk £4.81 on kindle.

EXCERPT - ROOK ALLIES WAR BY J.C. ANDRIJESKI

2012-03-03T09:00:00.000Z

I stared out thedirty window of the bottle-green Plymouth, watching trees and coast slide by.We were still on Highway 1, nearing where it merged with 101, not far from theOregon border.

I hadn’t been onthat stretch of road since I was a kid. What took minutes on Highway 5, or even101 from San Francisco to Eureka, took hours along Highway 1, making thetwisting two-lane road hugging the rocky coastline feel endless. But Revikwanted us off the main highway, at least until we crossed state lines. Even withinseaside towns, he took side streets, avoiding the main “strips,” if they couldbe called that in towns that maybe had four bars, a salt-eaten motel, a greasyspoon, a church, a head shop and one drive-through coffee stand.

Somewhere nearFort Bragg, he uncuffed me from the door. I suppose I should’ve been gratefulfor that, but as my hands and ankles remained bound, my gratitude was limited.I watched the sun slink into the Pacific as pelicans skimmed by, beating longwingspans.

I felt himlooking at me. When he didn’t stop after a few minutes, I exhaled sharply,facing him.

“What?”

He turned thewheel of the Plymouth, sliding behind the main street of another seasidevillage whose name I didn’t know. We passed a few bars and an auto shop. Hispale eyes shone in the neon signs.

“We are low ongas. Can I trust you?”

“Dehgo...whateveryour name is...”

“Revik.”

“Right. Are you going to tell me?What that guy meant about me ending the world?”

He exhaled.“Terian was trying to unbalance you. But it is true that they...” He amended, “...We believe you to be someoneimportant.”

“Important how?”

“Allie, can Itrust you, if I—”

“Revik,important how?”

Clicking tohimself, he pulled into a nearby Arco station. Stopping in front of a pump, heturned off the ignition. When an attendant walked right up to the window, Irealized with some surprise that we must be in Oregon. Revik rolled down thewindow, which stuck a few times. He gave me a last warning glance.

“Hey! Cool car,man! What can she do on the freeway...?”

The boy’s wordstrailed, just before his eyes filmed over.

Revik sat up totug the clip from his back pocket, handing through a few bills of paper money.I noticed the attendant’s eyes didn’t look at me as he took the folded paper.They also didn’t glance at the rust-colored stains on Revik’s shirt, or theslash of the same on his pale neck.

“Revik...”

Frowning, heglanced at me, then at the rearview mirror. I watched as he licked his fingers,rubbing at the dark stain on his neck. Then he leaned over my lap and pulledopen the glove box. Taking out an oil rag, he poured some water in it from aplastic bottle and rubbed it over his neck, erasing the mark completely.

“Revik, I’mhungry. I’m thirsty, too.”

Instead ofanswering, he handed me the half-full bottle.

I tilted it overmy mouth, drinking.

His toneremained neutral. “Like I told you...historical periods have beginnings,middles and ends,” he said. “At the end, the dominant species has anopportunity to evolve...in several possible directions. We seers call theseopportunities Displacements.” In the mirrors, he watched the boy hook the pumpto the tank. His fingers gripped the wheel, green in the florescent light.

“…In some humanmythology, this is called ‘Apocalypse.’ Do you know this word?”

I rolled myeyes. “Yeah. I might have heard it on one or two heavy metal albums.” I watchedthe blond kid in the dingy overalls enter the convenience store. He walked toone of the coolers in the back, pulled out a large bottle of water.

“...So youunderstand,” Revik said. “This will, of necessity, affect all of the species,not just humans. The elders have seen signs of the human displacementapproaching. Some of these signs relate to developments in the natural world.Others have to do with—”

“Okay,” I said,still watching the boy. “...So you’re paranoid. What does any of that have todo with me?” I watched the blond kid pull two plastic-sealed sandwiches out ofa cooler, two apples, a bag of chips...

“Burrito,” Iblurted. “Get me a frozen burrito...he can throw it in the microwave, right?”

A hint ofrevulsion grew visible in the set of Revik’s mouth, but when I looked back atthe store, the blond kid was stuffing a plastic-covered burrito into aindustrial microwave and twisting the grease-covered dial. When I glanced over,Revik was watching me again, his eyes narrow.

He said, “TheBridge ushers in the Displacement. They are the catalyst. They are also what wecall an intermediary being...one of the first. Historically, they gather threefriends—”

“Let meguess...the four of us, we all ride horses, right?” I propped my cuffed handson the armrest. “I do read, youknow.”

I leaned my headon the glass. Glancing in the side mirror, I winced. I looked like I’d escapedfrom a mental hospital, then got beaten up and thrown in a dumpster.

I saw himwatching me, eyes narrow.

“Trust me toattract crazies even among the seers,” I said. “...Jon will love this.”

Revik rolleddown his window, accepting the receipt from the blond in the dirty coveralls.The blue and white patch on his breast labeled him “Jerry.” Jerry handed apaper bag through the window that Revik placed on my lap, where its warmthsoaked through my waitressing uniform skirt.

“The Bridge isthe catalyst,” Revik repeated, like I hadn’t spoken. “They have their place,like any of the intermediary beings.” He turned the key, and the GTX’s enginerumbled to life. “You need to understand your importance. Not in terms of ego,but of role. It is a responsibility, Allie.”

I looked up fromthe bag. “So, just to be clear. You're saying I am going to end the world...atleast as we know it. And that this is a job that I should take seriously...anddo really, really well.” I tilted my head at him. “Did I get that right?”

I watched himthink. “Yes,” he said. “That is right. Simplistic, but ultimately correct.”Before I could speak, or even laugh, I saw his eyes click back into focus. “Youwill meet Vash. Then you will understand.”

“Did you justread my mind?” I said.

“Yes.”

“Is thatabsolutely fucking necessary?” I said.

He thought aboutthis also, glancing at me.

“Yes,” he said.

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - JC ANDREJESKI

2012-03-03T06:00:00.000Z

About the Author

JC Andrijeski is abestselling author who has published novels, novellas, serials, graphic novelsand short stories, as well as nonfiction essays and articles. Her short fictionruns from humorous to apocalyptic, and her nonfiction articles cover subjectsfrom graffiti art, meditation, psychology, journalism, politics and history.Her short works have been published in numerous anthologies, online literary,art and fiction magazines as well as print venues such as NY Press newspaper and holistic health magazines.

Obtaining an MA in political science from the New School for Social Research(NSSR) in NYC, she did her graduate studies in race and caste systems, slaveand ex-slave systems, religion and its impacts on social systems and otherhistorical weirdnesses which fitted her surprisingly well for both fictionwriting and being extremely annoying at parties. She moved from NYC to SanFrancisco in 1997, and otherwise has lived or spent considerable time inAlbuquerque, Portland, Los Angeles, Seattle, Vancouver BC, New York, Florida,San Diego, Prague, London, Berlin, Sydney and Swinoujscie, Poland. JC currentlylives and writes full time in Sidhpur, India, at the foot of the Himalayas inHimachal Pradesh, a location she drew on a fair bit in writing the Allie's War books.

website: http://www.jcandrijeski.com

blog: http://jcandrijeski.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/syrimne1

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Julie-C-Andrijeski/119289867659

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4470130.J_C_Andrijeski

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - GOLDEN CHARIOT BY CHRIS KARLSEN

2012-03-03T03:00:00.001Z

GOLDEN CHARIOT

By Chris Karlsen

Myth, murder,and money clash in this gripping undersea adventure.

BLURB:

The rarediscovery of a ship sunk during the time of the Trojan War has been found offthe coast of Turkey, near Troy. Charlotte Dashiell is an American nauticalarchaeologist and thrilled to be part of the recovery team. The wreck maycontain proof of her highly controversial theory about the Trojan War.

Charlotte is present when the Turkishgovernment agent assigned to guard the site is murdered. Her possibleinvolvement and a questionable connection to a private collector of blackmarket relics bring her under suspicion. Atakan Vadim is the Turkish agent sentto investigate her. Unknown to either of them, the smuggler behind the murderplans to steal a valuable artifact and frame Charlotte for the theft...afterthey murder her.

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - ROOK ALLIE'S WAR BY JC ANDREJESKI

2012-03-03T03:00:00.000Z

Rook: Allie's War, Book One

By JCAndrijeski

PublishedBy White Sun Press

28-year-old SanFrancisco native, Allie Taylor, at least thought she was human. But when shemeets her first real seer, a race of human-like beings discovered in the 1900s,he tells her that not only is she a seer, like him, but that all the otherseers believe she's going to end the world. Unfortunately, no matter what shedoes, everything that happens after that only seems to prove him right.

Smashwords

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - MORGAN HANNAH MACDONALD

2012-03-02T06:00:00.000Z

About the Author:

Morgan Hannah MacDonald writes Romantic Thrillers-Notfor the faint of heart. She has always been interested in writing and serialkillers, but it wasn’t until she found she had dated one herself that a truewriter was born. She belongs to Romance Writers of America’s San Diego Chapter,as well as the Kiss of Death Chapter. She resides in San Diego, Californiawhere she is busy working on her next novel.

Email: morganwrites@yahoo.com

Website: www.morganhannahmacdonald.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorganHannahMacDonald.Author

INTERVIEW WITH

MORGAN HANNAH MACDONALD

What is your name, where were you bornand where do you live now?

Morgan HannahMacDonald. I was born in Encino, California, and now reside in San Diego,California and I love it!

Did you always want tobe a writer? If not what did you want to be?

Nope, growing up I wanted to be asinger. By the time I was in high school that turned into a Rock Star! *Big Smile*

When did you first consider yourself asa "writer"?

Not until I gotSANDMAN published. This is my first book.

Do you work another job as well as yourwriting work?

No, I am afull-time writer now.

What is the name ofyour latest book, and if you had to summarize it in less than 20 words whatwould you say?

SANDMAN. A serial killer on the loose, a woman being stalked, and a homicide detectivewho must find the connection between the two before she becomes his nextvictim. Guess I can’t keep it to onlytwenty! You know authors can be a littlewordy. *giggle*

Who is your publisher? or do you self publish?

I’m selfpublished. New York is hard to breakinto. I found my books don’t fall into anice little genre. There are rules toRomantic Suspense that I didn’t want to adhere to. So by publishing myself, I can write thebooks the way I want. SANDMAN is more ofa Romantic Thriller. The romance issecondary to the plot.

How long does it usually take you to write abook, from the original idea to finishing writing it?
The average is three months, before the rewrites. * grin* You know what they say; The firstdraft comes from the heart, the second draft comes from the head!

What can we expect from you in thefuture? ie More books of the same genre?

Actually, I have atrilogy coming out next that is in the Paranormal Romantic Thriller genre. It’s called The Spirits Trilogy. Book one,SPIRITS IN THE TREES is due out May 2012. In that one I have a serial killerand ghosts!

Which of your books were easier/harderto write than the others?

SANDMAN, my firstbook, just flew out. I didn’t have aclue where it came from!

My second book inThe Spirits Trilogy, SPIRITS IN THE CITY OF LIGHTS is the hardest because Ihave to keep stopping to promote SANDMAN or do something else for SPIRITSIN THE TREES to get it ready for publication.

Where do you get your book plot ideas from?

The idea for SANDMANwas inspired by my own realization that I had dated a serial killer. When I found out I was shocked, of course,but at the time I didn’t know just how fortunate I was to have survived. I just thought; Wow, I’m lucky he wasn’t crazywhen I dated him! In denial much? So while I was getting ready for this blogtour, I googled his name to check on the date he was apprehended. I was right, it was my birthday 1998. There was an extensive article about him andas I read it, I was blown away. He didhave a troubled past. He was discharged from the Marines in the 1980’s formental problems. Eight years prior toour brief relationship he had been arrested for the brutal rape and beating ofa prostitute. The case was dropped due to lack of evidence. And his killingspree began three short years after we broke up.

Do you have a certain routine you have forwriting? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?
I get up in the morning, pour myself a big cup of coffee and sitdown at the computer. I’ll read my lastchapter to get myself into the story and then go for it!

Yes, I have a special chair. It’s a high backchair with an ottoman. I write with my legs up and my laptop, well in mylap! *giggle* I’m quite comfortable andmy shoulders don’t ache from sitting at a desk all day. I don’t know why everyone doesn’t it do itlike this! I see people sitting at desks in front of their laptops and justhave to wonder, why?

I don’t listen to music, because I’m asinger and would want to sing along. Too distracting. *grin*

Do you gift books to readers to doreviews?

Yes, in fact, at the back of SANDMAN Ihave a letter to my readers. I ask themto tell other readers what they liked about the book, then send me an email andI will gift them my next book as a thank you.

Do you read all the reviews of yourbook/books?
I’m sure I will. I don’t see me being able to stay away! *giggle*

Would you ever ask a reviewer to changetheir review if it was not all positive about your book/books?
No. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and I know I can’t pleaseeveryone.

How do you come upwith the Title and Cover Designs for your book/books?Who designed the Cover ofyour books?

Actually, SANDMANhas had several titles. When I firstwrote it the title was BLOOD IN THE SAND. Then it became, AND THEN YOU DIE as in Life’s a beach, and then youdie. But before I published it I askedmy friends on Facebook to vote on the different titles and SANDMAN won. That’s the name of the serial killer.

The cover of mybook was designed by me and my nephew, Owen Moody, who also designed mywebpage. I found a picture I liked andhe tweeked it for me. I wanted a simplecover that was sort of dark and ominous, which I think we achieved. The beach and the ocean play a big part inthis book. The main character, MeaganMcInnis, loves everything about the beach; the smell of the ocean, the relaxingrhythm of the waves, she jogs on the beach every morning and loves swimming inthe ocean as well. Then we have thekiller who buries his prey in shallow graves in the sand. His most favorite memory of childhood isplaying on the beach with his mother before she went away.

Do you choose a title first, or write the bookthen choose the title?

So far the titleshave been when I first start the book.

How do you market/promote your books?

Well, besides thisblog tour, I will do a few ads later on.

What do you do to unwind and relax?Do you havea hobby?

I’m an avidreader, of course. I play scrabble. Ilove movies and music. I have eclectic tastes, from The Rolling Stones to NineInch Nails. Boogie boarding. Swimming.Knitting. Gardening. Evenings with friends.

Which format of book do you prefer, ebook, hardback,or paperback?
I can’t choose. I love them allfor different reasons.

What is your favorite book and Why?

Thomas Harris’ Silence of the Lambs. Up untilI read that book, back in the late 1980’s, I had not read anything that delvedinto the mind of a serial killer and I found it fascinating.

Have you read it more than once?

No. There are toomany good books out there to read, so I don’t want to waste time readingsomething I already know the ending to.

What are you currently reading?

PREYby Linda Howard

Are you enjoying it?

I only just started it, but I’m sure Iwill. I’ve read many of her books and enjoyed each one.

What format is it?
Hard cover

Thank you for having me on your blog.

Morgan

Thankyou for taking the time to take part in this Interview.

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - SANDMAN BY MORGAN HANNAH MACDONALD

2012-03-02T03:00:00.001Z

SANDMAN

By Morgan Hannah MacDonald

Beware theSANDMAN he’ll put you to sleep. . .forever.

A serial killeron the loose, a woman being stalked, and a homicide detective who must find theconnection between the two before she becomes the next victim.

He collects women.He imprisons them, plays with them, tortures them. Until they bore him. Then he removes a souvenir. They call him theSandman.

Meagan McInnis isbeing plagued with late night calls, yet when she answers, no one is there.Then one night she makes a grisly discovery in her own backyard.

The caller issilent no more.

HomicideDetective, J.J. Thomas, realizes Meagan is the key to finding the Sandman. Nownot only must he protect her, but he must find the connection between Meaganand the killer before she becomes his next victim.

WARNING: SANDMANis a Romantic Thriller that contains adult language, explicit sex and graphicviolence.

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - SANDMAN BY MORGN HANNAH MACDONALD

2012-03-02T03:00:00.000Z

SANDMAN

By Morgan Hannah MacDonald

Bewarethe SANDMAN he’ll put you to sleep. . .forever.

A serialkiller on the loose, a woman being stalked, and a homicide detective who mustfind the connection between the two before she becomes the next victim.

Hecollects women. He imprisons them, plays with them, tortures them. Until theybore him. Then he removes a souvenir. Theycall him the Sandman.

MeaganMcInnis is being plagued with late night calls, yet when she answers, no one isthere. Then one night she makes a grisly discovery in her own backyard.

The calleris silent no more.

WARNING:SANDMAN is a Romantic Thriller that contains adult language, explicit sex and graphicviolence.

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - CHRIS KARLSEN

2012-03-01T09:00:00.000Z

A Little About The Author:

Chris Karlsen is aretired police detective who spent twenty-five years in law enforcement withtwo different agencies. Her father was a history professor and her motheran avid reader. She grew up with a love of history and books.

She has always lovedtraveling and has traveled extensively throughout Europe, the Near East(especially Turkey and the Greek Islands), the Caribbean, and North Africa.

Born and raised inChicago, Chris has also lived in Paris, Los Angeles, and currently residesin the Pacific Northwest with her husband and four rescue dogs.

You can contact hervia: Books to Go Now, P.O. Box 1283, Poulsbo, WA 98370

Or on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/chriskarlsenwriter

EXCERPT - JOURNEY IN TIME BY CHRIS KARLSEN

2012-03-01T06:00:00.000Z

Excerpt:

“Alex, what is going on?” she asked in afrenzied whisper.

“Shh.” After they mounted, Alex sidledover, so close their boots touched. “We’re riding into a very periloussituation. I’ll explain everything when we’re alone. Your life, my life,” hestressed, “depends on you being quiet until then.”

Confused it took Shakira a few secondsbefore she nodded yes.

“Remember what I told you,” he warnedand trotted ahead to chat with the knight he called Simon.

Get it for your Kindle

SPOTLIGHT PROMOTION - JOURNEY IN TIME BY CHRIS KARLSEN

2012-03-01T03:00:00.000Z

Journey in Time

By Chris Karlsen

Blurb:

TRAPPED IN TIME

London attorney, Shakira Constantine,finally agrees to spend the day with her handsome client, Alex Lancaster. Whileriding in the countryside, the couple finds themselves caught in a time warp andtransported back to the 14^th Century, and an England preparing forwar. Everyone believes Alex is the Baron Guy Guiscard...a baron who died in theupcoming battle.

If they can’t find a way to return tothe 21^st Century, Alex will have to sail with the army to certaindeath. Shakira will be left alone to survive in the alien and terrifyingmedieval world.

HANA - A DELIRIUM SHORT STORY BY LAUREN OLIVER

2012-02-29T03:00:00.000Z

BLURB from Goodreads
In the world of Delirium, love is a disease. And like all eighteen-year-olds, Lena and Hana must take the cure.At the start of their last summer of freedom, they were the closest of friends. Until Hana made a decision that tore them apart . . . In Delirium, we heard from Lena. Now, Hana gets to tell her side of the story. And nothing is what we first thought. Hana is a powerful, moving and beautifully told original eBook short story, with a shocking twist that will leave you with your heart in your mouth.

MY REVIEW

I have to admit I don't always read the "in between" books such as this one but as a fan of Lauren Oliver, I had to read this one, the more I thought about it the more I wanted to know what had been going on with Hana during Lena's story with Alex. I read this in one go as I just didn't want to put it down! I really enjoyed seeing what Hana had been up to, and seeing things from Hana's prospective too. I have already read Pandemonium (I was so lucky that Lauren Oliver sent me an ARC to review). So some would say by reading Delirium and then Pandemonium and then Hana I kind of read Hana out of the order it was meant to be in, but it really didn't matter, I truly enjoyed it. I slipped straight back into Delirium, and what had happened when etc. Lauren Oliver writes so well you just slide straight through the story with such ease she just carries you along with her and the book. This book made me want book three all the more.... and also made me wonder if we could have a short book like Hana but from Alex's point of view perhaps it could go along and tell us what happens to him when Lena makes it over the fence? or maybe we could have a spin off book telling us all about what's happened to Lena's mother and her story? I honestly cannot get enough of this series of books, I would really like more, more, more please!

So did I enjoy the book/novella? Yes, so much I would dearly love more of them! Would I recommend it? Yes I would, you could read the series without reading this novella but this novella really adds even more to the story so I recommend reading it too.

Available from Amazon.co.uk £0.99

And just to remind you all, though I am sure you don't need reminding that Pandemonium is OUT TODAY! see my review here

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - FOUR D BY GREGORY MORRISON

2012-02-28T15:00:00.001Z

FOUR D is a first book from the trilogy. It is a puzzle book. As storyline progress all characters will be interconnected...
Four D consists of four chapters: “Space”, “Four Rooms”, “The Principle of Luidgi”, and “Guest”.
“Space” is a story about disappearances. The characters lives in a world of disappearing people and objects, which might or might not be important. In such a flexible reality, one should not get used to or attached to anything. However, the main character falls in love and finds a best friend despite all risks. To top it all off, he is visited by Space—the power that stands behind all the disappearances.
“Four Rooms” is a story about a young woman called Elise. Elise had always been a prisoner of her own mind. But at some point everything took a turn. She had to make a stand when she found herself at a life changing situation in a dark room with four doors. She has to open all doors and enter every room with its own mystery and secrets and has to do it immediately. Going through the four rooms is a challenge Elise has to complete to find something she needs so badly – the truth.
“The Principle of Luidgi” is a story about Luidgi. Luidgi has everything: a beautiful girlfriend, a good job, a lovely apartment, trusted friends but instead of being happy and grateful he’s sick and tired of it all. Luidgi decide to change everything despite all costs.
“Guest” is a story about the character who wants to meet the Guest. Finally one day he makes decision to do “it” and Guest arrives. Now all his questions are about to be answered, but is it really what he wants?
These tense mysterious stories with incredibly engaging plots will not leave any reader feeling indifferent

Gregory has kindly sent me a paperback copy of this book, so I will be reading and reviewing soon, it is in my to read and review pile!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - GREGORY MORRISON

2012-02-28T13:00:00.000Z

Whatis your name, where were you born and where do you live now?

Hi!My name is Gregory, I was born in Kiev, Ukraine and at the moment I live inChiswick, London.

Didyou always want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?

Ithink, I’m always wanted to be a writer.If I wasn't a writer I’ll still find a way to express myself in the peaceful creative way.

Whatis the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarise it in less than 20words what would you say?

Mylatest book called “Four D” . It’s book about people who find themself inlife changing situation and how theydeal with it. It’s little bit of mystery, little bit of surreal realism,and sometimes its for reader to decide how story ends.

Whatcan we expect from you in the future? ie More books of the same genre?Books of a different genre?

I’mhoping to publich second part of “Four D”. Right nowI’m looking how readers will react on the first part and do they wantto know whats going to happen to the characters insecond part. Yes, I have an idea of the book of a different genre. I even have name for it, but I can’t tell youknow ).

Doyou have anybody read your books and give you reviews before you officiallyrelease them?ie. Your partner, children, friends, reviewers you know?

Mysister and my girlfriend read everything before its goes to publisher. Mysister use to work as an editor in magazine so I’m using herprofessional skulls as much as I can. And my girlfriend she‘s unusual reader, she’ll sense if story a weak.

Do you read allthe reviews of your book/books?

Not alwayspossible but I’m trying to read all reviews! Reviews makes you see in your bookwhat you can’t see from author point of view. Sometimes it’s something sonew, positive or negative its makes you want to improve yourself as awriter.

The Official GregoryMorrison Website http://gregorymorrison.net/

“Four D” facebook fan page http://www.facebook.com/FourD1

Goodreads author page http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5428412.Gregory_Morrison

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - DAN WELLS

2012-02-28T10:00:00.001Z

What is your name, where were you born and where do you live now?
My name is Dan Wells, I was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and I currently live about an hour south of there in Orem. If all goes well, though, I'll be living in Germany soon: my job doesn't tie me to a location, so I can live anywhere I want, so my wife and I said 'Why not?' We'll spend a year there, then move on to someplace new.

When did you first consider yourself as a "writer"?
I told my parents in second grade that I was an author. I wrote a CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE book, and it was terrible, but I loved every minute of it. I knew that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarise it in less than 20 words what would you say?
PARTIALS: Eleven years after the end of the world, a teenage girl struggles to give the survivors a future.

What can we expect from you in the future? ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?
Right now I'm writing the second book in the PARTIALS sequence, and after that I need to finish another SF book I'm working on called EXTREME MAKEOVER (a thriller/satire about cloning). After that is the third PARTIALS book, and then another book about John Cleaver, the main character of my serial killer series. After that, who knows? I'm always looking for something new.

Do you have a certain routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?
Every book I write has its own soundtrack--for PARTIALS I listened to Muse and The Rolling Stones almost every day while I wrote. That's a weird combination, I guess, but I like weird combinations. They help me think in new directions.

What was the toughest/best review you have ever had?
My favorite review is one on Amazon, of my first book: I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER. The guy absolutely loved it, said it was brilliant, then when he got to the supernatural part he reversed completely--he didn't just dislike the story, he said the writing itself was childish. The same book that was brilliant just a few sentences earlier. That review taught me one of the most valuable lessons I've ever learned about writing: people like what they like, and hate what they hate, and it's not your job to change their mind. Write a book you love, and if other people love it too, that's just a bonus.

Would you ever ask a reviewer to change their review if it was not all positive about your book/books?
I've heard about a few writers who've done that, and I've lost all respect for them. Cowboy up and accept the fact that different people like different things.

What do you do to unwind and relax? Do you have a hobby?
I have an entire room in my house filled with boardgames and card games and roleplaying games and everything else. I play every chance I get, and I love teaching people new games.

What is your favourite book and Why? Have you read it more than once?
My favorite book is Dune, by Frank Herbert, and I've read it five or six times. Just a brilliant piece of science fantasy, packed with more amazing ideas than any other ten books combined.

Do you think ebooks will ever totally replace printed books?
I'm enough of an environmentalist that I have to say 'I hope so,' but I know that's not a popular attitude in bookish circles these days. I don't think it will happen soon, but I do believe it's inevitable. Consider Star Trek: everything's digital, and the only paper books are antiques. I think that's more or less the way we will, and should, go, but I don't see it happening in my lifetime.

Do you think children at schools these days are encouraged enough to read? and/or do Imaginative writing?
Goodness gracious no. I've met college graduates who've never read a novel in their lives, and I think the world is poorer for it. I think that helping kids read, and (key to making that happen) finding the specific genre or category that each kid will love, is the single most important thing we can do for education. Give a child a love of reading, and everything else will fall into place.

Where can readers follow you?

Your blog details: www.fearfulsymmetry.net
Your facebook page: I'm on there, as is PARTIALS.
Your Goodreads author page: it's linked to my blog, though I plan to do more with it soon.
Your Twitter details: @johncleaver--I'm an avid tweeter.

PARTIALS BY DAN WELLS

2012-02-28T07:00:00.000Z

BLURB from Netgalley
Humanity is all but extinguished after a war with partials--engineered organic beings identical to humans--has decimated the world’s population. Reduced to only tens of thousands by a weaponized virus to which only a fraction of humanity is immune, the survivors in North America have huddled together on Long Island. The threat of the partials is still imminent, but, worse, no baby has been born immune to the disease in over a decade. Humanity’s time is running out.

When sixteen-year-old Kira learns of her best friend’s pregnancy, she’s determined to find a solution. Then one rash decision forces Kira to flee her community with the unlikeliest of allies. As she tries desperately to save what is left of her race, she discovers that the survival of both humans and partials rests in her attempts to answer questions of the war’s origin that she never knew to ask.

Combining the fast-paced action of The Hunger Games with the provocative themes of Battlestar Galactica, Partials is a pulse-pounding journey into a world where the very concept of what it means to be human is in question--one where our sense of humanity is both our greatest liability, and our only hope for survival.

MY REVIEW
This is a dystopian/post apocalyptic tale. I really enjoyed this book, it is quite fast paced, there's plenty of action and adventure going on. I loved the characters especially Kira, who is strong willed and has her own strong opinions on what is right and wrong. Once she gets sets her mind to doing something no one can change her mind. She becomes more determined to find a cure for the RM when one of her best friends becomes pregnant. Kira and her group of fellow misfits leave to try and find a cure. They lose people along the way and friendships are made as well as broken too.
I also love the mystery which is suggested at the end of the book as to who Nandita actually is and what her relationship with Kira is too.
I really like the cover too, the way it depicts Kira looking to a lonely landscape ahead of her. The whole concept of the Partials is a brilliant one too. Kira learns that it is not just her race that is having problems. A race that was literally built to fight wars for the humans. there are plenty of questions that rise during the book, such as Did the Partials really release the RM virus? Do they hold the secret elusive key to an antidote to the RM virus? What is the reality of the government? How much do they know about the Partials? Are they lying to the people? Is the Hope Act really needed? How low will the Age Limit be lowered in the Hope Act? Can Kira come up with a solution to the RM problem and the Partials problems too? Can the humans and the Partials ever find and live in peace?
These are just some of the questions raised in the book, some are answered, some are left to be answered in bk2 and some raise other questions for bk2.
So Did I like it? Yes! Would I read bk2?Yes please (when is it available?)Would I recommend it? Yes, especially to dystopian & apocalyptic lovers.

Available 28th February 2012 Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk £4.99

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - ANN GIMPEL

2012-02-27T18:00:00.000Z

What is your name, wherewere you born and where do you live now?

Ann Gimpel. I was born inSeattle and live in Mammoth Lakes, California now. There were lots of stopsalong the way.

Did you always want to be awriter? If not what did you want to be?

I wanted to be apsychologist. That’s what I was first, and still am.

When did you first consideryourself as a "writer"?

I suppose when my firstshort story was accepted for publication a couple of years ago

Did it take a long time toget your first book published?

That’s a hard one to answerbecause my first book never was published, nor the second. Writing is alearning curve. My third book found a home fairly quickly, however. And I recentlyreworked my first novel, turning it into a YA contemporary fantasy. I enteredit into Amazon’s Breakthrough Novel Award competition.

Do you work another job aswell as your writing work?

Not anymore. I retired acouple of days ago, literally.

What is the name of yourlatest book, and if you had to summarise it in less than 20 words what wouldyou say?

Psyche’s Search.

A psychologist with paranormal abilities islured into searching for a young woman who’s disappeared. Balanced against theimmediacy of planning an escape from a crumbling society in the dystopiannear-future, her quest leads her into the twisted world of dark magic.

Who is your publisher? ordo you self publish?

The publisher for my firstthree novels is Gypsy Shadow Publishing. I’ve had a variety of publishers formy ten short stories that have been accepted to date.

How long does it usuallytake you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?

I can turn out a 100,000word book in about three months. It might take me another three or four topolish it.

Which of your books wereeasier/harder to write than the others?

So far, they’ve all beenpretty easy. Fingers crossed it stays that way.

What can we expect from youin the future? ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?

Oh, I think I’ll stick withthe science fiction and fantasy genres. It feels like a comfort zone for me.

Do you have plans for a newbook? Is this book part of a series?

I’m done with Psyche’sPromise, last book of the Transformation Series. It’sslated for release in July 2012. As noted, I wrote a new YA novel, Fortune’sScion, that may well be a stand alone. I’m continuing towrite short stories. Not sure what the next novel project will be.

What genre would you placeyour books into?

Contemporary fantasy.

What made you decide towrite that genre of book?

I’ve always been a suckerfor Charles de Lint and other similar authors. I really like books set intoday’s world where the magic just sort of creeps up on you.

Do you have a favourite outof the books you have written? If so why is it your favourite?

Not really. Books are sortof like children. I like them all in different ways.

Do you have a favouritecharacter from your books? and why are they your favourite?

I think I like Trevor inthe Transformation Series. He’s overcome so much and still maintains his senseof humor and equanimity.

How long have you beenwriting?, and who or what inspired you to write?

I’ve been writing for aboutfour years now. I spend a lot of time in the mountains with a pack on my back.Stories have always run about in my head when I have lots of solitude. Ifinally decided to do something about it.

Do you have a certainroutine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?

Oh my, I wish I did. WhenI’m in the midst of a novel, or even a short story, the characters run about inmy head like little mad things if I’m not sitting in front of a keyboard. Ihave an upstairs study that looks out on a pine forest. I spent a lot of writingtime there.

Do you have anybody readyour books and give you reviews before you officially release them?ie. Yourpartner, children, friends, reviewers you know?

Yes, I have beta readersthat I ask for reviews. None of them are my immediate family.

Do you gift books toreaders to do reviews?

Sure.

Do you read all the reviewsof your book/books?

Yes, I do.

What was the toughest/bestreview you have ever had?

So far they’ve all beeneither four or five stars. My favorite was Kim McDougall’s review of Psyche’sSearch, though. Because she’s an established writerherself, her praise felt really good.

Would you ever ask areviewer to change their review if it was not all positive about yourbook/books?

No.

How do you come up with theTitle and Cover Designs for your book/books?Who designed the Cover of yourbooks?

I designed the cover of Psyche’sProphecy. It’s one of my photographs. (Another hobby.) Ihired Laura Jochum to do the cover of Psyche’s Search. Kim McDougall will be doing the cover for Psyche’sPromise. My publisher, of course, would provide covers,but they’re pretty busy and I don’t want to be a bother.

Do you choose a titlefirst, or write the book then choose the title?

I write the book and, whileI’m writing, the title emerges.

How do you market/promoteyour books?

I use a lot of social mediaincluding FB, Twitter, Goodreads, my blog and my website. I also have an authorpage on Amazon.

What do you think makes abook a really good/bestseller ?

Unforgettable characters.

What do you do to unwindand relax? Do you have a hobby?

I ski, backpack and climbmountains. I’m also an amateur photographer.

Is there a certain Authorthat influenced you in writing?

Not really. Some of myfavorites are Ursula le Guin, Robin Hobb, Patricia McKillip and Tolkien. I alsolike de Lint, and Lev Grossman.

Which format of book do youprefer, ebook,hardback, or paperback?

Probably paperback, but Iread a lot in e-format, too.

What are you currentlyreading? Are you enjoying it? What format is it?(ebook, hardback or paperback)

A couple of older CJCherryh books; one paperback, one hard cover.

Do you think ebooks willever totally replace printed books?

I hope not.

Did you read a lot atschool and write lots of stories or is being a writer something newer in yourlife?

I wrote poetry in school.I’ve always written a lot, though. Just not fiction until recently.

What do you think aboutbook trailers?

I think they’re great forpublicizing your books.

What piece of advice wouldyou give to a new writer?

Develop a thick skin. Askfor criticism and take it to heart. Edit the hell out of everything you write.A couple of run throughs are never enough. I still find errors on my sixth and seventhpasses.

Do you or would you everuse a pen name?

I don’t think so. It’s hardenough building up a social media presence with one name. The thought ofstarting all over with another one is so daunting I don’t think I’d want to.

Where can readers followyou?

Your blog details? http://anngimpel.blogspot.com
Your web site ? www.anngimpel.com
Your facebook page? www.facebook.com/anngimpel.author
Your Goodreads author page?http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4747003.Ann_Gimpel
Your Twitter details? @AnnGimpel

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - ANN GIMPEL

2012-02-27T15:00:00.000Z

About the Author Ann Gimpel

Bio:

Ann Gimpel is a mountaineer at heart. Recentlyretired from a long career as a psychologist, she remembers many hours ather desk where her body may have been stuck inside four walls, but her soul wasplanning yet one more trip to the backcountry. Around the turn of the lastcentury (that would be 2000, not 1900!), she managed tofinagle moving to the Eastern Sierra, a mecca for those in love with themountains. It was during long backcountry treks that Ann’s writing evolved.Unlike some who see the backcountry as an excuse to drag friends and relativesalong, Ann prefers her solitude. Stories always ran around in her head on thosejourneys, sometimes as a hedge against abject terror when challengingconditions made her fear for her life, sometimes for company. Eventually, shereturned from a trip and sat down at the computer. Three months later, a fivehundred page novel emerged. Oh, it wasn’t very good, but it was a beginning.And, she learned a lot between writing that novel and its sequel.

Around that time, a friend of hers suggested shetry her hand at short stories. It didn’t take long before that first storyfound its way into print and they’ve been accepted pretty regularly since then.A trilogy, the Transformation Series, featuring Psyche’s Prophecy,Psyche’s Search and Psyche’s Promise is complete. Theinitial two books have been published, with the final volume scheduled forrelease in 2012. One of Ann’s passions has always been ecology, so her talesoften have a green twist and the Transformation Series is no exception.

In addition to writing, Ann enjoys wildernessphotography. Part of her website is devoted to photos of her beloved Sierra.And she lugs pounds of camera equipment in her backpack to distant localesevery year. A standing joke is that over ten percent of her pack weight iscamera gear which means someone else has to carry the food! That someone elseis her husband. They’ve shared a life together for a very long time. Children,grandchildren and three wolf hybrids round out their family.

www.anngimpel.com

http://anngimpel.blogspot.com

http://www.amazon.com/author/anngimpel

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

@AnnGimpel (for Twitter)

EXCERPT - PSYCHE'S SEARCH BY ANN GIMPEL

2012-02-27T12:00:00.000Z

ExcerptPsyche’s Search

BookTwo of the Transformation Series

ChapterOne

Doctor Lara McInnisbegan the day clinging to a slender island of solace. Hours later, waves ofpatients, errands and phone calls had pounded against that island till it wasnothing but a rubble heap. Rubbing wearily at her eyes, Lara finally gave upand closed them. For a moment or two she thought she might get away with it,but then an image of Arabel, her long time receptionist, lying in a pool of herown blood rose out of some subterranean reservoir. The grizzly scene was soreal, Lara’s stomach clenched. And then, like an unwelcome tape loop, it playedagain. And again. Opening her eyes didn’t help one whit. Arabel was just asbloody and just as dead.

Lara collapsed intothe chair generally reserved for her patients. Outside her western window ascarlet sunset streaked the Seattle skyline, adding its bloody motif to the onealready playing in her head. Disgusted with herself, Lara got to her feet andbegan pacing the length of her spacious office, burning a track in the Orientalrug. She knew she should be boxing up client files, but couldn’t force herselfback to a task she was ambivalent about—at least not until she could get heremotions under better control.

The doorknob rattled.It startled her and Lara’s heart jumped into overdrive. In her current state, the familiar sound waslike a reproach. “How could I not have locked it with everything that’s goingon?” she muttered as she rushed into the outer office. Arabel’s desk, anotherOriental rug and ornate Victorian furniture with floral upholstery flashed pastthe edges of her vision, but she was focused on the door as she watched theknob slowly turning.

This is ridiculous,she told herself. It’s probably a pharmaceutical salesman thinking I’m apsychiatrist.

Or that demon that’sbeen dogging you, a darker inner voice insinuated.

Since the only otheroption was throwing herself out a second storey window and hoping for the best,Lara crossed the few feet to the door and yanked it open. A decidedlyoverweight woman jerked her hand away from the doorknob and eyed Lara balefullyout of rheumy, blue eyes. Pale brown hair, going gray, was gathered into anuntidy bun and fat rolls bulged over too-tight jeans and under an inadequate T-shirt.

“Missus Stone.” Laratried to smile as she coaxed her heart back to a normal rhythm.

“Hmmmmph, surprisedyou remember me.”

“Of course I do.” Larastepped aside, gesturing for the woman to enter. The last thing she wanted wasanother patient visit, but it would verge on the unethical—never mind therude—to ask Myra Stone to go away without at least finding out what she wanted.

Lara waited while Myrastalked past her, looked inside the inner office and circled back to stand infront of Lara, hands on her hips. “Guess she’s not here,” Myra snapped as shesat down in one of the reception chairs.

“If you’re looking forCaren, no, she’s not,” Lara agreed, mystified. “Is your stepdaughter missing?”

The woman grunted. Shestill had an expression on her face that could curdle milk, but she knotted herfingers together and said, “How about if you sit down and you and me can have alittle talk.”

“Okay.” Lara kept hervoice as neutral as she could, pulled the office door shut—taking care to lockit this time—and rolled Arabel’s chair out. Her butt had barely grazed the seatcushion when the woman started talking.

“I don’t thinkspending time here is helping Caren. Nope, not at all,” Myra complained in anunpleasant, nasal twang. “I never know where she is. She’s still taking whatdoesn’t belong to her and that father of hers, well he’s not any help at all.So it’s just me.” Accusatory eyes drilled into Lara. “All my real kids turnedout fine. This one, she’s just a bad seed.” Rooting around in a batteredhandbag, Myra pulled out a cigarette. “Do you mind?”

“Uh, yes, I’d preferyou didn’t smoke,” Lara managed, struck by the gall of the woman and offendedto hear her belittle her stepdaughter so blatantly. Caren had said Myra hatedher, but Lara had assumed it was just teenaged hyperbole.

Myra stuffed thecigarette into her T-shirt pocket and pushed her bulk upright. “Not much reasonfor me to stay,” she muttered. “Really thought she’d be here. You’re the onlyone she ever says anything good about.”

If she felt like oneof your real kids, maybe she’d say good things about you—or feel safe enough tolove you . . . Discouraged by the woman’s callousness—after all, Caren had beenthrough hell in her sixteen years—Lara stood, too. Trying for a positive spin,she said, “You must be concerned or you wouldn’t have come looking for Caren.Would you like to make an appointment, Missus Stone? I already told you on thephone I’m closing my practice, but I’d be glad to find a time slot for you inthe next couple of weeks. We could talk about some of the challenges ofstep-parenting and how hard it is for abused children to learn to trust—”

“Nah.” Myra waved herto silence. “Hell, my uncle did me and I didn’t turn out like her. I didn’t cutschool or steal stuff. Or carve on myself.” Shuffling over to the door, shepulled it open and stalked out into the hall, the tiny chink in her armorreplaced by a brittle, defensive anger.

“Well, think aboutit,” Lara persisted, addressing the woman’s back as Myra headed for astairwell. Drawing the door shut behind her, she retreated to her officethinking that Myra could do with a smattering of psychotherapy herself. Yeah,like about ten years worth. Crimson from the sunset bled through stained-glasswindows, casting her familiar furniture in an eerie light. Lara wrapped herarms around herself, seeking the warmth of her own body for comfort.

That poor child… Fromabusive kin to a stepmother who doesn’t want her. Sorrow for Caren replaced theArabel tape loop as color faded from the room. Lara decided it was animprovement, all in all, and she kicked a box over a few inches so she couldopen the lower drawer of her filing cabinet. Pushing her long red hair backover her shoulders, she proceeded to dump banded files into the banker’s boxwithout any particular regard for order.

The outer door of heroffice rattled again. This time, though, it was a key sound.

“Lara?”

“In here, Trev,” shecalled back, straightening to greet her longtime boyfriend.

Trevor, his usuallybuoyant mood notably subdued, held out his arms. “’Lo, Lara. Sorry I’m a bitlate but . . . well, never mind, it will keep.” He scanned the room with hisintensely blue eyes, taking in her half-finished packing job. “How much more .. .” he began tentatively as he put his arms round her for a hug.

Shooting him a lookthat was laced with pain, she shook her head. “I don’t know. I’m doing this asfast as I can in between seeing patients who want a last session or two. Thankgod Arabel started calling all of them before . . .”

His arms tightenedaround her. “Doesn’t matter, love. It’ll be done eventually.” Blonde curlsbrushing against her face, he kneaded her shoulders with both hands. “Bloodyhell, you’re wound up tighter than a spring.” The familiar clipped tones of hisBritish accent washed over her like a balm.

“Feels heavenly,” shebreathed. “I didn’t realize how . . .” Her voice trailed off. “Well, maybe Idid, but I’ve been forcing myself not to pay attention.” She pulled away,sinking onto the floral couch spanning part of one wall. Exhaustion dragged ather as she dropped her head into her hands, rocking slightly.

Pushing a couple ofboxes out of the way, Trevor joined her. “I miss Arabel, too, you know.” Therewas a catch in his voice that he tried to clear away. “Any of those ready to takehome?” he asked, pointing at the half dozen boxes littering the floor.

“Yeah, those three.”She jabbed her index finger at a corner of the room. “They’re records frompatients I haven’t seen in at least a couple of years.”

“What are you going todo with the others?” His voice was gentle, but he placed a finger under herchin, forcing her to look at him. “What are you saving them for?”

“Guess I can’t verywell keep any of them,” she muttered. “It’s not like we’re even going to behere after a little while.”

“No,” he agreedsolemnly. “It’s not. And we’re not.”

Pursing her lips intoa thin line, she found her feet. “Okay, then,” she snapped, angry with theuniverse that seemed to be stealing her life away. Pulling open file drawers,she grabbed a few charts and dumped them onto her desk. “I need these since I’mnot quite done with these people, but all the rest can go.”

Nodding, Trevor joinedher in front of the twin horizontal files, and together they began to movetwenty years worth of Lara’s psychology practice into the waiting cartons.“You’ll need more boxes,” he noted after a few minutes. “Lots more.”

“Thought we could fillthese, dump them at home, and then I’d just bring the empties back tomorrow andbegin all over.”

“Ah, brilliant. Ofcourse that’s the obvious thing to do.” Grunting, he shouldered a box andheaded for the door. “I’ll be back directly for another.”

“Right behind you,”she said, picking up a box. “I do feel better when I’m doing something otherthan wallowing in my own misery.”

“That’s my girl,” heshot back over his shoulder.

The minute Trevoropened the door of his old Mercedes convertible, Gunter, their eleven-week-oldGerman Shepherd lunged out of the car, making a beeline for Lara. The littleblack puppy yipped, whined and launched himself at her, pulling at her woolskirt with his claws. “There, there, little man,” she cooed, putting her boxdown so she could unhook his feet from the fabric of her skirt. “Yes, yes, I’vemissed you, too.”

As she fondled thepuppy, she glanced at Trevor. Dressed in faded blue jeans, a green chambrayshirt and a tan corduroy blazer, his tall, lanky frame exuded its usual casualelegance. “How’d your day go?” she asked.

“Not bad,” he replied,shoving his box of files into the car’s small trunk and reaching for the oneshe’d set on the sidewalk. “We’ll have to put the rest in your car, love. Nomore room in here.” He slammed the car’s boot. “I started really taking stockof what’s in our house . . . and making lists. Went down to the waterfront,too.” His lips curved wryly. “Didn’t find much in the way of antique farmequipment, but I did get some leads. Bloke at the flea market looked at me asif I was daft.”

She flashed him a weaksmile. “Well, dear, I suppose it’s not every day they get customers hunting forscythes, or whatever it was you asked for.”

“Let’s get those otherboxes down here. Then we can walk the pup before we go home.”

Lara inclined her headand turned to go back into her building Lucky for us the electricity’s not onthe fritz. It’s almost dark out here. Power outages had been hit-and-miss. Moreoften than not, she’d had to use a flashlight to find her way out of herbuilding. Back in the office, she continued throwing files willy-nilly into theboxes she’d bought earlier that day. An orderly part of her rebelled when shelooked at the files, no longer alphabetized, lying on their sides like beachedwhales. “It doesn’t matter,” she muttered fiercely. “All we’re going to do isburn them.”

She rememberedsomething Raven had told her. Your thought patterns are still trapped in yourold life. That is what has brought modern civilization to the brink ofextinction: an intransigent unwillingness to change anything.

As she thought aboutRaven, a vision of the tall, broad-shouldered Sidhe with his flowing black hairfilled her mind; and the amulet Lillian had given her, nestled between herbreasts on its golden chain, thrummed approvingly. Lara grasped the moonstonethrough the fabric of her teal silk blouse, enjoying its warmth. Raven andLillian: two ancient creatures, somehow alive and well in the early years ofthe twenty-first century. Doesn’t matter why or how, I’m just glad they’rehere, helping us.

Trevor strode backinto her inner office. “Got another box ready?” he asked, looking confused. “Iknow you told me earlier, but I don’t remember.”

“Uh-huh.” She crookeda finger off to the side. “That one. I’ll just finish this one and cart it out.Then there’ll only be two more to fill and we can head home.”

***

“Ugh,” Trevor gruntedas he shoved the last of the boxes into Lara’s silver BMW. “Glad you only gotsix boxes. I don’t think we could have crammed any more in with a shoehorn,since all that outdoor clothing we bought is still in there.”

“Brrrr . . .” shewrapped her arms around her upper body. “It’s getting cold. Why don’t you startfor home? I’ll be along soon.”

“Right, then.” Comingover to her, he gathered her close. “No wonder you’re cold, love.” He fingeredthe silky fabric of her blouse. “Be sure to put on your jumper before youleave.”

“Yes, Daddy.” Shesmiled into the folds of his blazer, thinking how good it felt to be caredabout.

He ruffled her hair,spun her round and gave her a friendly swat on the butt. “Off with you, love.I’ll try to have something started for supper by the time you get there. Youare leaving directly behind me?”

“Right after I lockup.”

Lara ran up the broadfront steps of her Victorian office building knowing she’d miss the old placewith its unique stained glass windows. Pulling the front door shut and takingcare to spin the deadbolt, she padded up the carpeted stairs to her office,opened the door and stopped short. Caren was sitting on the floor in thedarkened reception area.

“Caren! How on earthdid you get in here?”

“Back door was open.”The teenager’s voice was barely audible.

“I don’t think so,”Lara said, looking closely at her young client. “I distinctly remember lockingit earlier.”

“So, I helped it alonga little,” the girl said, her voice rising defiantly.

“It’s okay,” Laramurmured. “However you managed to get in, it must have been important for youto find me.”

“Uh, yeah. I—I didn’tbelieve what my stepmother told me. I thought she was just being mean. But it .. . it’s true.” Caren’s voice broke and a low, keening moan escaped her. “Ilooked in there,” she jerked a thumb towards the inner office where Lara sawher clients. “You’re really leaving, aren’t you? Just like everyone else hasleft me. You’re leaving, too.” Reproachful blue eyes vilified Lara.

“Oh, sweetie . . .”Lara began.

“Don’t sweetie me,”the girl snarled. “You really had me going there, Doc. I thought you actuallycared about me. But it was just a job, wasn’t it? Just a fucking job and nowyou’re . . . you’re . . .” Her face twisted into a rictus and Caren began tocry. Soft little animal sounds tore out of her as she turned her face to thewall.

Ach, what can I tellher that she’ll believe? “Do you mind if I sit down?” Lara asked, as she drewthe outer door of her office closed.

“I don’t fucking carewhat you do,” the girl choked out between sobs.

Nodding, Lara sank tothe floor, but not too close to Caren. “I can see why you’d think I’mabandoning you,” Lara began, as she reached out to her psychic side for help.Caren’s aura reflected the girl’s misery. Instead of lively colors, it hadreverted to an opaque gray.

“You are.”

“Well, I am leaving,”Lara agreed. “But I’m not leaving to get away from you.” Caren was silent, soLara forged ahead, hoping against hope the girl would listen for long enough tonot simply pigeonhole what was happening now into the long cavalcade of adultswho had let her down. “My receptionist, Arabel, was murdered during the riotslast week. She . . .” Lara swallowed hard. “She was like a mother to me, sincemy own mother died when I was very young. I . . . well, Caren, I just can’tstand to be here without her. I know it’s abrupt, and I would have liked tohave had at least a month to tell all of my patients goodbye, but . . .”

A tear dripped downher face and Lara brushed it away. “I don’t think I can keep on seeing peoplewithout Arabel’s help. What I do is hard work. I can’t do it if I’m emptyinside.”

“Oh.” The girl’s voicewas small and wounded. “You didn’t have a good mother either?”

“Uh-uh.” Fishingaround in her skirt pockets for a Kleenex, Lara wiped at her eyes.

“That’s why youunderstood . . . about me.”

“Yes, dear. That’spart of it.” Glancing at her patient, Lara saw that Caren had straightenedslightly from her slumped position in the corner where she’d looked like adiscarded rag doll. Her aura seemed just a bit better, too.

“But I don’t want youto leave.” The words tore out of the girl like shards of glass, painful tohear.

Lara held out herarms. “Come here,” she invited. “Let me hold you. You look like you could use ahug. And I know I could.” Figuring it was the last phrase that had done it;Lara took a deep breath as she closed her arms around the distraught teen who’dscuttled across the floor, flinging herself into the offered embrace.

“This is so hard,”Caren snuffled. “You’re the first one I’ve trusted in . . . in years. And nowyou won’t be here anymore.”

“But you’ll carry theknowledge in your heart that you can trust someone,” Lara murmured, strokingCaren’s soft, dark hair. “And I’ll carry you with me as well.”

“You won’t forgetabout me.”

“Oh, sweetie, howcould I?” Lara closed her eyes. Disclosing personal information ran against herprofessional grain, but what possible difference could the truth make at thispoint? Disentangling herself slightly from the trembling girl, Lara said, “Lookat me. I want to tell you something.”

When the girl’stroubled eyes met hers, Lara let out a breath. “I could never forget youbecause you remind me so much of me when I was young.”

Caren’s eyes filledwith tears. “You aren’t just saying that. You really mean it.”

“Yes, I really meanit. Now, when I called your stepmother, I asked her to find out if you wantedto come in for a last session or two. Did she tell you that?” Caren shook herhead and Lara was filled with silent fury at the woman. “How about tomorrowafter school?”

“I . . . I’d likethat.”

“Okay, let me take apeek at my schedule.” Lara heaved herself to her feet, feeling even moredrained than when she’d been packing boxes. Just then her cell phone trilled.Picking it up, she glanced at the number and then pushed the answer key. “Hi,Trev . . .” she began.

“Where in the bloodyblazes are you?” he snapped. “Please, please tell me you’ve got a good reasonfor not being home.”

“I’m almost out ofhere,” she replied carefully, aware Caren was listening. “I’ll call you fromthe car once I’m on my way. Don’t worry, Trev. I’m okay.” She heard his breathwhistling through the cellular system.

“Righto.” His accentwas very crisp, betraying his fear. “I’ll wait for you to ring me back.”

Of course he’d be worriedafter the riots and Arabel, never mind that patient of mine who tried to killme. Lips pursed together, Lara pulled up the calendar on her phone.

“Is your husband madat you?” Caren asked tremulously.

“No dear, justworried. Would three-thirty work?” Lara looked questioningly at the teenager.At Caren’s nod, Lara began tapping buttons. “There,” she said. “You’re in. Doyou have a ride home?”

“Yeah, I brought mycar. It’s in the, uh, alley.”

“Next to my backdoor?”

Caren dropped hereyes. “Yeah.”

“Okay, give me a secand I’ll walk you out.”

Lara slipped on a graytweed wool jacket, grabbed her phone, pager and purse and shepherded Caren outof the office, down the stairs and around to the back. “Is that it?” Laraasked, pointing to a yellow Volkswagen.

“Uh-huh.”

“Are you better?”

Caren looked at her,bit her lower lip and said, “Yes, some. But I still wish you weren’t going.”

I wish I wasn’teither. “Bye, dear. Drive safe.” Locking up, she marveled that the unruly teenhad managed to defeat a locking mechanism designed to stymie professionalburglars. After setting the building alarm, she hit the speed dial digit on herBlackBerry that would connect her to home. Trevor picked up on the first ring.

“Well?” he said, stillsounding half-sick with fear.

“It was one of myyounger patients,” she said as she walked to her car, “needing reassurance.She’d snuck in the back while we were out loading boxes and, well, she lookedround the office, put two and two together and panicked. Anyhow, I’m on my way.Can I tell you the rest when I get home? I’m tapped out, and I don’t want totry to talk and drive at the same time.”

“Sure, love.” Hisvoice had softened. “See you soon.”

“I love you.” She hitthe end call button and engaged the ignition.

Shutting her eyes fora few seconds to rest them before trying to deal with the glare from othercars’ headlamps, Lara grimaced. Her eyes felt gritty and she was so tired herbones ached.

Well, nothing’s goingto get better with me just sitting here. May as well get moving. As she guidedthe car into light traffic on her way to the freeway, Lara thought about thelast three weeks. Hard to believe it had only taken that short amount of timefor life-as-usual to collapse. “Get a grip,” she hissed as she drove, fingersclenched around the leather-clad wheel. “It’s not like Trev hasn’t been warningme for months there wasn’t enough gasoline or food. I just did my usual ostrichroutine and didn’t pay any attention to him.” She sighed. Truth, when it rearedup to slap her in the face, was always daunting. She knew she was a master ofonly looking at what she wanted to see. Yeah, I save the hard work for mypatients . . .

Her minded drifted toLillian. After years of a love-hate relationship with her own psychicabilities, Lara had finally made an effort to find someone who could teach herabout her magical side. “Heh! I got a tad more than I bargained for,” shemumbled, finding enough energy to laugh ruefully.

Lara’s foreheadcreased in thought. Everything that had happened since Ken Beauchamp hadaccosted her on the front porch of her office, threatening her because she’dtried to help his abused wife, merged into a confusing maelstrom. I can’t thinkanymore. Maybe I could just do some breathing . . .

When Lara finallyturned the car onto her street on Queen Anne Hill, she was painfully close tothe end of her emotional tether. Relaxation breathing hadn’t helped much andshe still felt like she was running on fumes. Her head throbbed dully. As shescanned the street for parking spots, she spotted one fairly close to thetwenty-five stairs leading to their house and maneuvered into it. Shutting offthe engine, she folded her hands together over the top of the steering wheeland rested her forehead on them. A sharp tap on her window made her jump, headswiveling quickly.

“Lara?” Trevor’svoice, muted by the thick safety glass, still sounded worried.

“Yeah, yeah. I’mcoming.” She pushed the door open and stumbled out into the chill damp of aSeattle evening. His arms closed around her. “Bring what you need, love. Or Ican get it for you.”

“Bag, phone, pager.”She drew in a shuddery breath. “Hell, Trev, I’m not that bad off. Nothing wrongwith my body. I’m just emotionally drained and my head hurts. If you hand thatstuff to me, you can haul one of those boxes upstairs.”

Wordlessly, heextracted the BMW’s keys from her, then reached inside to gather up her things.While he was doing that, Lara walked around to the back of the car. Stopfeeling sorry for yourself, an inner voice scolded. He needs your help.Straightening her shoulders and blowing out a couple of breaths, she calledout, “Hit the hatch release, would you?” Once it was open, she reached insideand grasped one of the banker’s boxes by its built-in handles. “Here.” Shewalked to the side of the car where he was standing, holding her things. “Justdrop them on top of this box.”

“Bloody bollocks,Lara. When you got out of the car, you looked like you could barely stand up.”

“Being home helps.Come on, dear. Please don’t fight with me.”

With an exasperatedsigh, Trevor clipped her phone and pager to her bag, then laid all three atopthe box she was carrying. “See you inside.”

“No, you’ll see meback out here in a couple of minutes. We can eat after all those boxes are inthe house. I can’t leave them out here. They’re confidential patient files.Burning them is one thing. Leaving them, even in a locked car, is quiteanother.” Turning, she began to climb the steps to the front porch of theirfive storey home.

“We could try one ofthose shredding services,” he called after her.

Balancing the boxcarefully on a step, she trotted back over to him. “No, we couldn’t,” she saidin a low voice. “Raven said it’d be dangerous for us if people know we’releaving. If we give hundreds of pounds of files to the shredders, someone’sbound to get suspicious. Especially since they, of all people, would know I’msupposed to hang onto things for at least seven years.”

Pulling the hatchclosed, Trevor picked up two boxes, one atop the other. “Hmmmmph, hadn’t thoughtabout it in quite that light. Lead on, then. I’m just behind you.”

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - PSYCHE'S SEARCH BY ANN GIMPEL

2012-02-27T09:00:00.000Z

ARe Bookson Board
Psyche’s Search

Book Two of theTransformation Series

Born with the sight, Laura McInnis is ambivalentabout her paranormal ability. Oh it’s useful enough some of the time with herpsychotherapy patients. But mostly it’s an embarrassment and aninconvenience—especially when her visions drag her to other worlds. Or intoGoblin dens. In spite of escalating violence, incipient food shortages andfrequent power blackouts, Lara is still far too attached to the comfortablelife she shares with her boyfriend, Trevor, a flight attendant who lost his jobwhen aviation fuel got so expensive—and so scarce—his airline went out ofbusiness. Forced to seek assistance to hone her unusual abilities in Psyche’sProphecy, Book I of this series, Lara is still quite the neophyte in terms ofeither summoning or bending her magic to do much of anything.

Reluctantly roped into channeling herunpredictable psychic talents to help a detective who saved her from apsychopathic killer, Lara soon finds herself stranded in the murky underbellyof a world inhabited by demons. TheSidhe offer hope, but they are so high-handed Lara stubbornly resists theirsuggestions. Riots, death on all sides,a mysterious accident and one particular demon targeting her, push Lara to makesome hard decisions. When all seems lost, the Dreaming, nestled in the heart ofCeltic magic, calls out to her.

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