Inspire to Read: March 2018

Monday, March 26, 2018

Blood Mines by Lynelle Clark available In Kindle and Paperback

Book: Blood Mines

Author: Lynelle Clark

Pages: 300

Self-published

E-book Created in 2017

ISBN: 978-0-620-78336-1(e-book)

Printed Book Created in 2017

ISBN: 978-1-928434-52-8

Tanya’s life was turned upside down when her son, Steve was attacked by renegades and she had to dig deep facing her worst fear to save them both.

It is the year 2048, 30 years after a devastating quake had changed Gauteng’s geographic features. The effects of the acid water, that covered most of the area, was visible to everyone but the government. The silent death crawling closer leaving devastation in its path. Nothing is excluded from the terror.

Tanya and Steve’s path of survival meet up with the rebels in their search for clean water and she had to face much more than just acid water to stay alive.

A thrilling story of courage and survival.

Book links:

Paperback - Group 7 Printers

Kindle - Smashwords / Amazon

TBR List: Goodreads

Reviews:

Blood Mines is full of pain, desperate hope and a need to survive. A blink of the reality of life currently in South Africa combined with fiction and romance. It is definitely not for sensitive readers for it is an eye-opener for reversed racism and the possible outcome of it. Where current generations have to suffer for their forefather's mistakes even if they want to live in harmony and peace. I have to say Blood Mines had me in tears and in a desperate feeling to reach out. The author had the ability to mirror the emotions and the physical pain up to a tee.

A must-read, but be prepared to be confronted with harsh reality and the imagination of the author's prospects for the future. Corri Badenhorst

The part that came across as convincing was the love of a mother for her son. The plot twist that brings our female to the pivotal farm or smallholding is interesting but not very logical.

Unfortunately, the plot, though not meant to also come across as insensitive to me, a native to this country. Still, to broaden your pov. This is the ideal book to do it with. It has a lot going for it, the Afrikaans culture and usage of terms to name but a few. Wanda Hartzenberg

This story has an interesting and potentially realistic premise. The region of Gauteng in South Africa is heavily mined, with the threat of earthquakes due to the depths of said mines. The author has taken this fact and written a post-apocalyptic nightmare. I found myself completely hooked for most of the story. Told through the eyes of Tanya, I did find some of the plots a little far fetched at times; especially some of the scenes when the mutated animals appear, though this did get me wondering if there was some radioactivity going on rather than just cyanide poisoning, or other toxic chemicals causing the mutations. However, this is only my personal opinion. Other readers may not have this response. Another niggle I had with this story was how quickly the main protagonist trusted complete strangers, as well as how quickly the love interest grew between herself and Dirk. I can understand the instant attraction, but insta-love? Not so much. Another pet peeve of mine is the use of terms of endearment like sweetie, honey, or love (and many others) in a derogatory way. I don't know if this is what the author intended when she wrote the story, but I found these terms to be degrading and made me want to punch the characters for using these terms in a sarcastic or patronizing way. Maybe it's just a colloquial language difference. Who knows? Lynn Worton

“Set in a post-apocalyptic South Africa of 2048, where corruption, pollution, and vigilante militia are rife, Tanya and son Steve is attacked on their rapidly deteriorating farmstead. Water is scarce, contaminated by cyanide and other chemicals over spilling from abandoned mining operations, exacerbated by earthquakes. She and her son are rescued by a group of individuals known as The Phantoms (much like Fremen in “Dune”, stockpiling underground lakes of freshwater). There are unexpected plot twists and turns, as Tanya strives to help the Phantoms uncover more water caches, but it quickly becomes clear that greed is a bigger driving force than altruism, and no-one can be trusted. I share most of Lynn Worton’s concerns about the book, especially the irritating terms of endearment, but take my hat off to author Lynelle Clark for completing this story as part of a challenge to write a 50k word story in 30 days. I read the entire story in one sitting and enjoyed it, despite my aversion to this genre, and didn’t find it a chore. So, all in all, a riveting read.” Scott Richards

Thursday, March 15, 2018

Free Rom-Com—Shopping for a Billionaire (Book 1, Shopping for a Billionaire series) by Julia Kent (@jkentauthor)

Author: Julia Kent

Release Date: June 2, 2014

Genre: Romantic Comedy, Contemporary Romance

Description:

When mystery shopper Shannon Jacoby meets billionaire Declan McCormick with her hand down a toilet in the men's room of one of his stores, it's love at first flush in this hilarious new romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Julia Kent.

Buy links:

iBooks➜ http://apple.co/2oXQSNi

BN/Nook➜ http://bit.ly/2owPTWn

Kobo➜ http://bit.ly/2DJqFe5

Google Play➜ http://bit.ly/2BaBq6j

Amazon US➜ http://amzn.to/2owfjn0

Amazon UK➜ http://amzn.to/2oDUPrW

Amazon CA➜ http://amzn.to/2FEKbJz

Amazon AU➜ http://amzn.to/2F4hAMH

Print➜ http://amzn.to/2F0BrfH

Goodreads➜ http://bit.ly/2oHfpaL

Audible➜ http://amzn.to/2oBNLvU

iTunes➜ https://apple.co/2owHgeG

Author Bio:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Julia Kent writes romantic comedy with an edge. From billionaires to BBWs to new adult rock stars, Julia finds a sensual, goofy joy in every contemporary romance she writes. Unlike Shannon from Shopping for a Billionaire, she did not meet her husband after dropping her phone in a men's room toilet (and he isn't a billionaire). She lives in New England with her husband and three sons in a household where the toilet seat is never, ever, down

Social Media Links:

Website: http://jkentauthor.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jkentauthor

Excerpts

Whoosh! Whoosh! I flush both urinals, then rush over to toilet #1. Whoosh! I stand in front of the stall to #2 and get ready to flush that one.

I’m in my own little world and let my guard down to ponder the question. I am also exhausted and most definitely not in top form, because I let a few seconds go by before realizing that someone is coming in the bathroom. Out of the corner of my eye I see a business shoe, and that becomes a blur as I scurry into one of the stalls and shut the door.

Heart pounding, I stare at the dented back of the stall door. Then I look down. Chipped red nail polish peeks up at me from my open-toed navy shoe. Aside from being outed as a transgendered person in here, there’s no plausible reason why any men’s room stall occupant should have red toenails.

I quickly scramble to perch myself on the toilet, feet planted firmly on either side of the rim, squatting over the open bowl like I am giving birth. Because I am genetically incapable of balance—ever—and as my heart slams against my chest so hard it might as well be playing a djembe, I lean carefully forward with one arm against the back of the stall door, the other clutching my phone.

The unmistakable sound of a man taking a whizz echoes through the bathroom. I can’t help myself and look through the tiny crack in the door.

It’s Mr. Sex in a Suit, his back to me. Thank goodness, because if I got a full-frontal shot right now, then how would I answer the “aesthetically pleasing” question from a strictly professional standpoint?

The tiny bit of shifting I do to peer through the crack makes my right foot slip, and I make a squeaking sound, then lose my grip on my phone as my arm flails.

Ka-PLUNK!

You know that sound, right? I know, and you know, that I’ve just dropped my smartphone in the toilet, but he thinks the man—he assumes it’s a man—in here just delivered something the size of a two-hundred-year-old turtle into the toilet.

I look down. My phone is still glowing, open to the question “Is the bathroom aesthetically pleasing?”

Blitz organized by Writer Marketing Services.

Creating Characters by Paula Martin author of the Mist Na Mara Novels.

Creating Characters @PaulaRomances #characters #heroes #heroines #novels #romance #Ireland

I’m sometimes asked how I create my characters – and the short answer is that I don’t. I wait for them to create themselves. As soon as the idea for a story begins to take shape in my mind, the main characters are also there. To start with, I don’t even know much about them, apart from their names and (usually) their occupations. Soon, however, even when I’m still thinking about the story, they start to come alive for me. I can see them in my mind’s eye. Once I start writing, I can hear their voices, and I know what they’re thinking and feeling.

They are purely my own imagination, but they become as real to me as any real-life people. I don’t base them on anyone I know, or even on anyone I’ve actually seen, although sometimes, when I’m part way through a story, I may see someone on TV and think, ‘Yes, he’s exactly how I imagine Guy’. When I was writing one story, I realised that my hero looked rather like Colin Firth (or maybe my subconscious visualised him like that!)

This happens with the minor characters just as much as with the hero and heroine. I can visualise them all and they are as clear as if I was seeing and hearing them in real life.

Their personalities evolve as I write. Half the time, I don’t actually think about it, but it just happens, mainly because I become so immersed in their thoughts and feelings. Sometimes they surprise me, but I love those moments when they reveal something about themselves that I didn’t actually know beforehand.

In IRISH INHERITANCE, for example, Jenna has a friend named Charley, but I wasn’t sure whether Charley was male or female until part way through the story.

In IRISH INTRIGUE, I raised my eyebrows when Charley told Luke that she’d grown up on a small farm in Hampshire, as I hadn’t even thought about her childhood.

In IRISH SECRETS, I had to wait for Kara to tell me that she had dated her previous boyfriend for six months before she discovered he was married, and in

IRISH DECEPTIONS, I was surprised to find Dan had twin nieces.

By the end of the story, I can see how my characters have grown. Not necessarily changed, but learned more about themselves and/or about each other, or understood why and how they had made mistakes and made an effort to put things right – the possibilities for some kind of character development are endless.

I admit I am a total ‘pantser’ - I rely on my characters to take me through their story, and I enjoy the journey with them.

Excerpt from IRISH INTRIGUE, Mist Na Mara Series, Book 2

(Charley’s first meeting with Luke in a supermarket)

Charley started to push her trolley toward the cash desk, but stopped when the man said, ‘Thanks again, but don’t I know you from somewhere?’

With a small grimace of resignation, she half-turned back to him. She didn’t recall meeting him when she’d lived here in Ireland, but perhaps he’d seen her on television. Or else it was a clichéd pick-up line.

‘I don’t think so.’ She gave him a perfunctory smile as her glance took in rugged good looks in a square face and dark wavy hair. Not exactly tousled, but certainly untamed.

The man frowned for a moment before his face cleared. ‘You remind me of my mother-in-law.’

‘Really?’ She suppressed a grin. Being compared to a mother-in-law was a novel kind of comment.

‘Not really, no. Her hair’s short and straight, not long like yours, and her face is rounder.’

She couldn’t help but laugh. ‘So I’m nothing like her?’

‘You’re much younger, of course, but your eyes are the same colour. Unusual.’

‘Brown eyes are unusual?’

‘Kind of coppery. I’m useless with colours, but that’s what she said hers were.’

‘Oh, I see.’

It seemed an odd conversation to be having with a stranger in a supermarket, but her heartbeat quickened at the attractive twinkle in his dark eyes as he smiled.

He held out his hand. ‘Luke Sullivan. Pleased to meet you.’

‘Oh – erm – yes.’ As she put her hand in his, something low in her stomach jerked in response to his strong handshake. ‘Charley Hunter.’ Deliberately she didn’t use her professional surname, which he might recognise if the local press had reported anything about Waterside Hall being used as a film location during the next few weeks.

‘Charley?’

‘Short for Charlotte, but only my grandmother calls me that.’

‘Hunter was my mother-in-law’s maiden name. Maybe you share the same ancestry.’

‘Maybe.’ She’d no intention of telling him it was her married surname. ‘I’ve never done any family history research.’

‘Me neither. Can’t run the risk of finding ancestors who were sheep stealers, or cattle rustlers, or horse thieves. Could ruin my reputation.’

Intrigued, she raised her eyebrows. ‘Why?’

‘I’m a vet. My clients might think I’m out to steal their animals.’

She laughed. ‘I don’t think thieving is in one’s genes.’

‘Ach, I’m not so sure. I once stole six daffodils from the churchyard for my mam on Mother’s Day. I ’fessed up at the end of the day, though. Guilty conscience, it was.’

‘How old were you?’

‘Seven, and I’d spent all my money on a card for her, so I couldn’t afford any flowers.’

‘I’m sure she understood.’

‘She was relieved, ’cause she thought I might have nicked them from the shop in the village. But she made me buy and plant six daffodil bulbs in the churchyard later that year.’

Charley smiled. ‘Wise lady.’

‘Aye, taught me a lesson I never forgot.’

‘So your clients probably aren’t in any danger of you becoming a horse thief.’

He laughed, a deep rich laugh that sent a ripple through her. ‘I hope so.’

Blurb:

Actress Charley Hunter is forced back to Ireland to complete her filming of a TV drama series. She still hasn’t come to terms with losing her husband there two years ago, so the last thing she expects is her instant attraction for the local veterinarian.

After Luke Sullivan’s divorce, he vowed to concentrate on his two young children and his busy veterinary practice. Falling for Charley certainly wasn’t in his plans.

While trying to find their way together, Luke is suddenly faced with a series of unexplained crises at his clinic, as well as his ex-wife filing for custody. And has Charley put his children in danger? Has she betrayed him?

Can they reconcile their differences and find love?

Links to all four of my Mist Na Mara novels are shown on my Amazon author page:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2ELbXqo

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2om9MyM

Tirgearr Publishing page: http://www.tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Martin_Paula/

Bio:

Paula Martin lives near Manchester in North West England and has two daughters and two grandsons.

She had some early publishing success with four romance novels and several short stories, but then had a break from writing while she brought up a young family and also pursued her career as a history teacher for twenty-five years. She has recently returned to writing fiction, after retiring from teaching, and is thrilled to have found publishing success again with her contemporary romances.

Apart from writing, she enjoys visiting new places. She has travelled extensively in Britain and Ireland, mainland Europe, the Middle East, America and Canada. Her other interests include musical theatre and tracing her family history.

Links:

Website: http://paulamartinromances.webs.com

Blog: http://paulamartinpotpourri.blogspot.com

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

Follow the rest of my tour here! http://writermarketing.co.uk/prpromotion/blog-tours/currently-on-tour/paula-martin/

Undercover in an English Country estate - confronted by her first love, and her first deception – Shadows of Our Past ByTanya J Russell, #RomanticSuspense #Romance

Undercover in an English Country estate - confronted by her first love, and her first deception – Shadows of Our Past @TanyaJRussell, @evernightpub #RomanticSuspense #Romance

Blurb

Jackson Halland has spent ten years running from a mistake that cost him everything, including Amory Parker, the woman he loved. With his gut wrenching response to her reappearance, he realises that if she will forgive him, then maybe, just maybe, he can forgive himself.

After ten years of working undercover Amory agrees to one final mission. Vowing to get justice for the woman she promised, and failed, to protect, nothing will stand in her way, not the prolific criminal she’s determined to bring down and certainly not coming face to face with the man she fell in love with on her very first undercover assignment, even if he has no idea who she really is, or the part she played in his past.

Buy Links

Amazon.co.uk http://amzn.to/2oWRUuo

Amazon.com http://amzn.to/2FywJt8

Evernight Publishing http://www.evernightpublishing.com/shadows-of-our-past-by-tanya-jean-russell/

Excerpt

Amory was so engrossed in her thoughts she didn’t hear the approaching sound of bare feet, padding on the smooth wooden floor, until a deep groan broke through them and she looked up to see Jackson. His mussed, dark blond hair was shot through with strands of gold in the overhead lighting.

The man was incredibly made. His arms stretching up and behind his head caused the bottom of his t-shirt to lift a few teasing inches, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of a tanned, rock-hard stomach. They weren’t the sculpted lines that came from the gym, but powerful, solid muscles. A fine trail of hair led the way to the top of his loose navy shorts. As he reached the bottom of the stairs, her gaze was transfixed.

His legs were long and thick, every muscle rippling as he moved down the stairs into the hallway. A rush of heat shot through her body, setting every nerve alight. Her stomach rolled as she absorbed the sight while a little lower everything tightened and tingled. She’d hoped that her memory had been flawed, tinted by the rose-colored lenses of what she had long since accepted was her first love. That clearly wasn’t the case. Rather than letting himself go he had become more impressive. The slenderness of youth had filled out, living up to the promise of overwhelming masculinity.

His lean muscles had broadened, and whilst the softness of youth had faded from his features, it had left a strong profile in its wake. Jackson had grown up all man. She gulped, heat flooding her.

The good feeling from her run was replaced by a more base desire to touch every inch of his perfect body. To pull it hard against her own and feel those muscular planes mold against her. She unconsciously licked her lips as she watched him.

As she met his eyes, the feeling of heat evaporated, replaced by a harsh chill of dread that sank through to her toes. His emotions were playing across his face and it was clear that, despite her DCI’s reassurances, Jackson had joined the dots and figured out who she was. The recognition clearly shocked him as his whole body jolted abruptly to a stop.

Unable to move, she stared helplessly as he began to walk toward her, his face a mix of unreadable emotions. As he reached out, her body began to respond to the heat that rolled off of him. The scent of his skin washed over her, but she moved back defensively. It was a tactical mistake, giving away that she knew who he was, that she had known all along.

“Amory?” he whispered, hope shining oddly through that one word.

Almost imperceptibly shaking her head, all her professionalism flew out the window, and with her heart sinking she managed a stuttered whisper, “N-n-no… No, you’re wrong. I’m Olivia.”

No amount of training was going to get her through this. Despite her only half-admitted hope that he’d see who she really was, Amory knew too much was at stake for this to happen, but it had. Now she had to endure the awful consequences of him recognizing her, the hatred that would follow this moment.

Author Bio

Tanya Jean Russell writes romantics suspense and lives in England. She is married to an amazing Elvis & Neil Diamond Tribute artist, thanks to whom she has a house full of jumpsuits & trophies. Something which is, of course, a source of much embarrassment to her two teenage children.

She is a little obsessive about books and has an embarrassingly huge (and ever growing) pile of things that she just 'has' to read next to her bed. Something that isn't helped by being a part of the Romantic Novelist Association, or by being published by the amazing Evernight Publishing. With both organisations filled with talented writers, she keeps adding to her pile!

Tanya Jean squeezes her daydreaming ... ahem ... 'writing' around her family and her day job in HR, and is convinced that chocolate & diet coke should be considered a well-balanced diet.

Author links

https://www.tanyajeanrussell.com/

https://www.facebook.com/TanyaJeanRussellAuthor/

https://twitter.com/TanyaJRussell

Release blitz organised by Writer Marketing Services.

Friday, March 2, 2018

Twin Sacrifice by Jennifer Lane

Twin Sacrifice

by Jennifer Lane

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Release Date: February 28, 2018

My twin brother is determined to kill himself, but I won’t let him.

I just discovered the sacrifice he made for me when we were young.

Now it’s time I return the favor. This time I’ll be the one with the secret.

Psychologist Matthew Durante’s twin brother, Justin, has struggled with mental illness since their parents died in a house fire. After Justin is accused of setting off a bomb that killed an innocent woman, he lands in a maximum-security psychiatric hospital.

In the face of Justin’s unrelenting suicide attempts, Matthew grows frantic to keep him alive. And as the pieces of their past fall into place, Matthew decides bold action is his only choice, no matter the cost.

Set against the backdrop of weapons manufacturing, terrorism, and a dark family secret, Matthew and Justin fight for survival, redemption, and most of all, for each other.

Amazon

Psychologist/author (psycho author) Jennifer Lane invites you to her world of romance, sports, and suspense! By day she’s a therapist, and by night she’s a writer. She can’t decide which is more fun.

Jen’s first psychological thriller launches in 2018: Twin Sacrifice. Psychologist Matthew Durante risks his own life to save his twin brother’s as their foster father tries to take them down.

Jen loves to create sporty heroines and hot heroes in her college sport romances. Volleyball wonder Lucia Ramirez finds her love match in Blocked despite the glaring political spotlight aimed on her family. In Aced, the second book in the Blocked series, it’s her brother Alejandro’s turn to get lucky in love. Spiked (Blocked #3) completes the series and features Lucia’s younger brother Mateo.

A swimmer and volleyball player in college, Jen writes swimming-based romances as well: Streamline, a military mystery, and the free New Adult novella Swim Recruit.

Stories of redemption interest Jen the most, especially the healing power of love. She is also the author of The Conduct Series, a romantic-suspense trilogy that includes With Good Behavior, Bad Behavior, and On Best Behavior.

Whether writing or reading, Jen loves stories that make her laugh and cry. In her spare time she enjoys exercising, attending book club, and visiting her sisters in Chicago and Hilton Head.