Vicki Tyley

NEW - Three Little Wonders: An Adoption Story $2.99

2012-02-23T11:24:00.001+11:00

A heart-warming tale of two dads and their Three Little Wonders...

Together for ten years, David and his partner made the decision to become dads. Figuring out they wanted to adopt was easy, the waiting and complications along the way were not. Follow their journey as this same-sex couple tried to start their family and prevent three brothers from being separated.

AVAILABLE FROM:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
David H. Burton was born in Windsor, Ontario to parents that instilled in him the love of the written word at a very young age. Throughout his childhood, David read relentlessly, often into the wee hours of the morning.

Fantasy and Science Fiction novels have always been David's greatest vice and he has indulged in the likes of Terry Brooks, Robert Jordan, Margaret Weis, Mark Anthony, J.R.R. Tolkien, George R.R. Martin, Robert J. Sawyer, Isaac Asimov, Melanie Rawn, Marion Zimmer Bradley, J.K. Rowling and for interest, some Margaret Atwood and Jose Saramago.

David graduated from the University of Toronto with a major in Biology and a minor in Classical Civilization. He also dabbled in Computer Science, to which he owes his current occupation in the Telecommunications world at one of the large banks in Canada.

When David isn't writing he enjoys spending time with his partner and three boys: hiking, swimming, kayaking, biking, and reading. David has a great fondness for Portuguese cuisine, good wine, and all things left of centre.

Young Adult Fantasy: Tempest by Holly Hook 99¢

2012-02-15T14:29:00.002+11:00

A 2010 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award semifinalist, TEMPEST is book 1 of the Destroyers Series by Holly Hook.

Sixteen-year-old Janelle never thought the gray spiral birthmark on her arm meant anything special. That is, until she meets Gary, a boy her age with a birthmark exactly like hers. Gary’s attractive, brooding, and perfectly normal…except for the fact that he materialized out of a dangerous hurricane right in front of her. Janelle’s certain of only one thing. Gary’s mark—and hers, too—mean something, but he’s reluctant to tell her what.

At last she squeezes the truth from Gary about their markings. And the truth is utterly terrifying: Janelle and Gary are more connected to the destructive power of nature than she ever dreamed possible. And learning the truth about herself is only the start of her nightmare.

AUTHOR WEBSITE: hollyannehook.wordpress.com

NEW: Bangkok Burn by Simon Royle

2012-02-14T14:05:00.001+11:00

“It took me a moment to realize, I couldn’t see her body, because it wasn’t attached to her head. I wiggled my toes and fingers.” – Bangkok Burn

Fast, furious and dangerous. A real page-turner. I’ll never look at a crocodile the same way again.

Take a walk on the darkside.

Orphaned as a child and raised as the only son of a Thai mafia godfather, Chance plans to quit the family business for the woman he loves.

Chance’s father is the godfather of Pak Nam and owner of the largest crocodile farm on earth. He didn't get to where he is without knowing a thing or two about people, including how long it takes for a crocodile to digest one. Before Chance can quit, his father asks him to “take care of a little something for me.” Then a bomb goes off.

Waking up in hospital later that night, his father in a coma next door, Chance’s troubles have only just begun. There are three guys dressed in black down the corridor and they aren't carrying flowers. Worse, Uncle Mike isn’t answering his phone, and a guy with a lisp is asking for a hundred million dollars in a week or “I’ll kill him, sthlowly.”

While figuring out who is trying to put the family permanently out of business, where to get a hundred million, and who’s got Uncle Mike, in the midst of a Bangkok gone crazy with factional fighting, quitting the family business takes a backseat to survival.

Survival begins with dying. And dying is the easy part.

AVAILABLE FROM AMAZON US AND AMAZON UK

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Simon Royle was born in Manchester, England in 1963. He has been variously a yachtsman, advertising executive, and a senior management executive in software companies. A futurist and a technologist, he lives in Bangkok, with his wife and two children.

Addicted to eBooks

2012-01-27T07:38:00.000+11:00

Addicted to eBooks is owned and operated by New Yorks Times bestselling author Victorine Lieske, who started the website to help readers find low cost eBooks ($5.99 or less).

One of the features of the site that I haven’t seen elsewhere is that content is rated. For example, Not What She Seems by Victorine Lieske ratings:

Profanity:
No Profanity

Violence:
Mild Violence

Sex:
No Sex
Kissing

The Kult by Shaun Jeffrey:

Profanity:
Mild Profanity

Violence:
Heavy Violence

Sex:
No Sex

Special Tribute to Indie Author L.C. Evans

2012-01-21T08:00:00.002+11:00

On the 24th January 2012, The IndieView is hosting a special tribute to indie author L.C. Evans, who lost her fight with cancer earlier this month. To celebrate and honour her life and her contribution to the Indie eBook revolution, The IndieView is giving away a whole bunch of free books.

In Linda's own words, from her IndieView a year ago...

“I want my books to appeal to everyone, though I understand that men in general aren’t fond of reading chick lit or romantic comedy.”

Buy her books, read her books, and make her words live.

If chick lit or romantic comedy is not your thing, authors who have been interviewed on The IndieView, will give you one of their books for every one of Linda's books that you buy. Visit The IndieView 24 January and help Linda's words live on.

Crowds, hospitals and offal…

2011-12-07T10:13:00.000+11:00

Wondering what those things have in common? Join me at fReado and find out:

www.freado.com/users/interview/5737/vicki-tyley

And while you’re there, why not check out what fReado has to offer? More author interviews here.

Wishing everyone all the best for the festive season. Merry Christmas.

Love
Vicki

The IndieView ARC Angels' Club

2011-11-11T13:55:00.000+11:00

The IndieView has a new feature: ARC Angels' Club for both readers and authors.

“The idea here is to help authors find advanced readers for their novels, stories, poems. For readers it is the opportunity to read some of your favorite authors, in advance of release, and perhaps even influence the outcome of a book.”

For more information, head over to New Feature the ARC Angels Club.

A Magazine is an iPad That Does Not Work

2011-10-14T12:26:00.000+11:00

NEW: Killers by Shaun Jeffrey

2011-10-11T10:58:00.000+11:00

From the author of The Kult comes this new psychological thriller:

Murder makes monsters of people. Prosper Snow knows that better than most. Now he’s back on the trail of another serial killer, only this time there’s far more to the case than meets the eye. Thwarted at every turn, Prosper unwittingly uncovers a human experiment more monstrous than anything he could ever imagine. Now the only way to crack the case is to work from the inside and join a shadowy government agency that operates outside the law. Only he might be too late as the experiment has spiralled out of control.

AVAILABLE FROM

AMAZON US

AMAZON UK

SMASHWORDS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shaun Jeffrey was brought up in a house in a cemetery, so it was only natural for his prose to stray towards the dark side when he started writing. Among his 30-plus writing credits are short stories published in Surreal Magazine, Dark Discoveries, Shadowed Realms, and Cemetery Dance. He has also had one collection published, Voyeurs of Death and four novels, The Kult, Deadfall, Fangtooth and Evilution. His novel, The Kult has been filmed by Gharial Productions and will hopefully be released soon. The next novel featuring the protagonist from The Kult will be released in the not too distant future.

Be Nicholson's Agent and Win 15% of His Ebook Revenue

2011-08-25T07:54:00.001+10:00

Best-selling author, Scott Nicholson, is giving away 15 percent of his September book revenues in the form of gift cards to Amazon and BN.com, as well as prizes to supporting blogs.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL DETAILS

NEW: Jungle of Deceit by Maureen A Miller

2011-08-21T10:26:00.000+10:00

Congratulations to Maureen on the release of her latest novel, JUNGLE OF DECEIT. I can’t wait to read it.

Mitch Hasslet, a war photojournalist relegated to a desk job, is the sole witness to a heist of Mayan artifacts. Recruited by the enigmatic director of the Museum of Art and Antiquities, Mitch is sent to Guatemala, the last location the shipment was tracked to. Acting as the museum staff photographer, Mitch joins a group of archaeologists. His goal is to locate the artifacts as swiftly as possible so that he can collect his compensation and get the hell out of the jungle.

Alexandra Langley is about to run out of funds. She has yet to discover the lost Mayan civilization she knows lurks in the rainforest. To achieve her grant, she will accept the museum's latest nuisance, Mitch Hasslet, and any other obstacle that is sent her way.

Unsuccessful and desperate, Alex has decided to move the group to a portion of the jungle referred to as, “No Man’s Land”−a sector where archaeological teams have ventured but never returned.

As Mitch and Alex discover romance, will their bond protect them in a jungle filled with deceit?

AVAILABLE FROM AMAZON US, AMAZON UK, AND B&N

FROM THE AUTHOR:
I am known for writing cold, dark romantic suspense novels. But even I need to warm up after awhile. ENDLESS NIGHT will take you to the cliffs of Maine's rugged coast in the middle of a blustery nor'easter, but JUNGLE OF DECEIT will have you sweating in the jungles of Guatemala. Whatever your geographical or weather preference may be, chances are that I'm going to weave you a tale of romance and danger in one of them.

My first endeavor into romantic suspense was a novel called, WIDOW'S TALE which became a Golden Heart nominee with the Romance Writers of America. Since then I have added ROGUE WAVE, BORROWED TIME and EMOTIONAL WAVES.

NEW – Kitt Pirate: Snaggletooth's Treasure (Middle Grade)

2011-08-18T11:09:00.000+10:00

X marks the spot! Everyone knows that, but where’s the island to go with it?

Kitt Pirate knows that his crew of salty seadogs expects him to find the fabled gold from the treasure map. He is the youngest buccaneer captain sailing the Caribbean and he has more wits than any grown man, but Caverock Island? Well, that’s a bit of a problem.

The treasure beckons. Weeks tick by without a sign. Then an uncharted speck appears on the horizon. Land!

Kitt Pirate: Snaggletooth’s Treasure is a 17,000 word chapter book with a number of illustrations. Written for middle-graders, this book corresponds to a 128-page print chapter book.

AVAILABLE FROM AMAZON

Books for your Kindle for £6 or less... or US$5 or less.

2011-08-11T14:00:00.004+10:00

Looking for great reads at bargain prices? Check out:

Each day, DailyCheapReads list cheap reads available for your Kindle reader through Amazon. They guarantee no book will be priced over £6 in the UK or $5 in the US. At least once a day, they post a SuperCheap read for less than £2/$2. They also post FREE books as soon as they become available. The only thing better than cheap is free.

I’m a DailyCheapReads fan and follow them via their RSS feed (picked up many excellent reads, too), but you can also follow them on Facebook or Twitter to keep up with their daily postings and announcements.

P.S. I realise I'm probably preaching to the converted here. :)

OUT NOW: Fatal Liaison by Vicki Tyley

2011-08-08T07:52:00.000+10:00

I’m thrilled to announce the release of my latest mystery, FATAL LIAISON:

The lives of two strangers, Greg Jenkins and Megan Brighton, become inextricably entangled when they each sign up for a dinner dating agency. Greg's reason for joining has nothing to do with looking for love. His recently divorced sister Sam has disappeared and Greg is convinced that Dinner for Twelve, or at least one of its clients, may be responsible. Neither is Megan looking for love. Although single, she only joined at her best friend Brenda De Luca's insistence. When a client of the dating agency is murdered, suspicion falls on several of the members. Then Megan's friend Brenda disappears without trace, and Megan and Greg join forces. Will they find Sam and Brenda, or are they about to step into the same inescapable snare?

AVAILABLE FROM:

AMAZON US | AMAZON UK | BARNES & NOBLE | SMASHWORDS*

READ REVIEW AND ENTER MOTHERLODE GIVEAWAY

*Smashwords 99¢ coupon code PJ54D

Q&A at ePublishing a Book

2011-08-06T23:16:00.001+10:00

This week I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Patricia de Hemricourt at her blog, ePublishing a Book.

Please join me and check out Patricia’s informative blog. Other interviews include:

Michael Garrett (Stephen King’s first editor)
Terry O’Dell (multi-published author of “romance with a twist of mystery”)
L J Sellers (author of the bestselling Detective Jackson mystery/suspense series)

NEW: The Gifting by Anne Brooke

2011-08-05T17:11:00.001+10:00

“I always look forward to a new book by Anne Brooke as I know I will not only enjoy the story but I will have a truly entertaining read ... Here we venture into the world of science fiction and meet the residents of Gathandria who have been besieged, many are gone and their beautiful land is almost destroyed ... As on any quest, there is much to be learned and there are attacks along the way and Anne Brooke tells a wonderful story with fascinating characters.” – Amos Lassen Reviews

The mind-dwellers of Gathandria are under deadly siege. For two year-cycles they have suffered: their people decimated, their beautiful city in ruins. Their once peaceful life has descended into chaos and misery. Legends tell of the Lost One who will return at such a time to save them from their mortal enemy – the mind-executioner. This enemy knows their ways well, for he was once an elder of the city. Time is running out.

Johan and Isabella take up the quest, journeying to the Lammas Lands searching for their distant cousin and lowly scribe, Simon Hartstongue. The elders dare to hope that he is who they seek. Not everyone shares this hope; there is one amongst them who is bound to the enemy, shielding their secret thoughts from mind links while seeking to betray Simon.

Powerful lessons are learned as they travel through the mystical kingdoms of the Mountains, the Air, the Desert and the Waters. Deadly attacks threaten total annihilation and devastating sorrow strikes. Story-telling weaves a tenuous net of protection around them, but the enemy has absolute power with the stolen mind-cane in his possession. To his surprise Simon hears its song. Desperately he tries to understand and embrace his gifting, as he struggles to comprehend his inheritance.

A strong and pure mind is needed in the battle to defeat the enemy. If you are branded a coward, a murderer and an outcast, how can you be a saviour? Doubt creeps into the Gathandrians' minds. Is Simon truly the One?

This novel is the first in the Gathandrian Trilogy fantasy novels and is published by Bluewood Publishing.

AVAILABLE IN PAPERBACK AND EBOOK

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
I write gritty novels, energetic short stories and often quite dark poetry. I am also a regular reviewer for the Vulpes Libris review site.

I grew up on an apple farm in the heart of rural Essex. After gaining 3 A levels and 1 S Level, in which my specialist subjects were Oscar Wilde and Lord Byron, I read English at Durham University. There I focused on Medieval and Old English, and must be one of the few people who has read the Anglo-Saxon poem, "Beowulf", in the original language. However, I remember almost nothing about it now.

After University, I spent six months doing voluntary work before taking a series of administrative jobs in insurance, education and legal conferencing. When I could stand it no more, I went back to Durham University to take my MA in Medieval English and Latin.

I married my husband in 1993 and moved to Surrey, where I have lived for the last seventeen years. Interests include playing bad golf, theatre-going, birdwatching, reading books with at least one dead body in them, and of course writing, which - sometimes - keeps me sane.

My website can be found at: annebrooke.com and I also blog regularly at annebrooke.blogspot.com

NEW: White Gold by Rachel Amphlett

2011-08-03T12:34:00.000+10:00

A conspiracy that will end alternative energy research; an organisation killing to protect its interests – and a bomb that will change the face of terrorism...

When Sarah Edgewater’s ex-husband is murdered by a radical organisation hell-bent on protecting their assets, she turns to Dan Taylor – geologist, ex-soldier, and lost cause. Together, they must unravel the research notes that Sarah’s ex-husband left behind to locate an explosive device that is circumnavigating the globe towards the London 2012 Olympics – and time is running out. In an fast-paced ecological thriller that spans the globe, from London to Brisbane and back via the Arctic Circle, Dan and Sarah aren’t just chasing the truth – they’re chasing a bomb that, if detonated, will change the future of alternative energy research and the centre of England’s capital forever.

AVAILABLE FROM AMAZON AND SMASHWORDS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I have previously worked in the legal and economic publishing industry in the UK, and had undertaken several publishing specific courses at Oxford John Brookes University. Always a keen story-teller at school, a couple of years ago I felt it was time to sit down and write again.

A member of Queensland Writer’s Centre since 2009, I undertook some of their courses to redevelop my craft. These provided me with the skills and dedication to return to writing and led to publication success both in Australia and the United Kingdom with my short stories.

In December 2009, I decided 2010 would be the year I would fully develop an idea for a novel. Twelve months later, I completed my first thriller, 'White Gold'. A sequel is currently being researched, while a further novel is in early draft stage.

I moved to Australia from the United Kingdom in 2005 and live in Queensland with my partner, Nick, and our two dogs.

VISIT RACHEL’S WEBSITE

NEW: The Black God's War by Moses Siregar III

2011-08-02T15:51:00.000+10:00

“Moses is a fine writer deserving of success, and I think that it will follow ... maybe his project will turn him into the next Amanda Hocking. Personally, I really enjoyed Moses’s work.” -David Farland, NYT Bestselling Author of The Runelords

“An inventive tale with high command of craft.” - Scott Nicholson, Bestselling Kindle Author

Against the backdrop of epic warfare and the powers of ten mysterious gods, Lucia struggles to understand The Black One.

Her father-king wants war.

Her messianic brother wants peace.

The black god wants his due.

She suffers all the consequences.

King Vieri is losing his war against the lands of Pawelon. Feeling abandoned by his god, he forces his son Caio, the kingdom’s holy savior, to lead his army. Victory ought to come soon.

To counter Caio’s powers, Pawelon’s prince enters the conflict. Rao is a gifted sage, a master of spiritual laws. He joins the rajah to defend their citadel against the invaders. But Rao’s ideals soon clash with his army’s general.

The Black One tortures Lucia nightly with visions promising another ten years of bloodshed. She can no longer tell the difference between the waking world and her nightmares. Lucia knows the black god too well. He entered her bed and dreams when she was ten.

The Black One watches, waiting to see Lucia confront an impossible decision over the fates of two men—and two lands.

***

This is the full novel (120,000 words/384 pages) promised by the much shorter excerpt novella, ‘The Black God’s War: A Novella Introducing a New Epic Fantasy’ (available FREE at Amazon and Smashwords).

READ MOTHERLODE REVIEW AND ENTER GIVEAWAY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Moses Siregar III is a co-host of the popular Adventures In SciFi Publishing podcast, where he has interviewed Brandon Sanderson, Patrick Rothfuss, Guy Gavriel Kay, Sherrilyn Kenyon, David Farland, Tracy Hickman, Dan Wells, Michael A. Stackpole, Eric Flint, Laura Resnick, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Nathan Bransford, Robin Sullivan, and Michael J Sullivan. The AISFP podcast has also interviewed Neil Gaiman, Kevin J Anderson, and Ray Bradbury, among others. Moses has a B.A. in Religion. He lives in Prescott, AZ with his wife and son. ‘The Black God’s War’ is his first novel.

AVAILABLE AT SMASHWORDS AND AMAZON

FREE: Simian's Lair (A Tale From The Land of Verne)

2011-07-27T08:59:00.000+10:00

From David Burton, the author of Scourge: A Grim Doyle Adventure, comes Simian’s Lair (a children’s fantasy short story) – FREE for a limited time. Grab your copy now! (If you don’t have a Kindle, you can download Kindle for PC for free – or download it to your iPod/iPad/iPhone/Blackberry/Android – and read it on your mobile device.)

This 'Tale From the Land of Verne' is a children's short story that takes place in the world of the Grim Doyle Adventures. Enjoy reading about some of the characters you know from Scourge!

Four orphans from the land of Verne are lured into Simian's Lair - a dark abode whose purpose has been lost to the ravages of time. In it dwells an evil that must be cleansed, and from it, they must retrieve a secret that's been locked away for centuries. Join them, along with Madam Patrice and Master Rickett, on a journey where courage is found in the darkest of places.

Also includes the first chapter of Scourge: A Grim Doyle Adventure

Available from:

Amazon US

iBookstore

Smashwords

NEW – Mean Streets: Tales of Urban Terror [Kindle]

2011-07-26T17:56:00.000+10:00

If the gunshots don’t wake you, the agonizing screams will. When darkness descends on the concrete jungle people check the bars on their windows and the locks on their doors, praying to stay safe during the night. The wicked are always on the prowl. People hunker down in houses, apartments, the back seats of cars, or inside cardboard boxes down a fog-shrouded alley trying their best not to be noticed by the people and things that walk and slither in the shadows. Most get lucky and are left alone. Most, but not all…

Evil never rests. Mean Streets presents seven chilling tales of urban horror and moral decay from acclaimed writers Gord Rollo and Gene O’Neill with a special introduction by Kealan Patrick Burke.

AVAILABLE FROM AMAZON AND B&N

New Forensics Blog for Writers

2011-07-07T08:57:00.000+10:00

Tom Adair is a retired, internationally recognized, forensic scientist/CSI in Colorado (US). I am excited to announce that he's recently launched FORENSICS4FICTION, a forensics blog aimed specifically at mystery/crime writers. (Fun categories for the historical, science fiction, and fantasy/paranormal writers coming soon.)

Tom welcomes questions about forensics and law enforcement in general . Email him your questions/suggestions.

Thanks, Tom.

On My Bookshelf: Stumbling Forward by Christopher Truscott

2011-07-02T16:06:00.000+10:00

“If this idiot gets elected to Congress, we’re moving to Australia.”

Categorized as a political novel, this book is so much more. I have to be honest and say that I don’t have a lot of interest in politics, let alone American politics, but Truscott’s easy writing style hooked me in the sample and kept me reading me to the end. What happens behind the political scenes was interesting, not to mention educational, but for me it was more about the character dynamics. A sprinkling of humor, some classic one-liners, and a dash of sexual tension all add up to make this a great read.

Clarissa Rogers is a young idealist who’s been given the opportunity of a lifetime.

Unfortunately, however, that means serving as communications director for a hopelessly egotistical, opportunistic and unqualified congressional candidate.

It isn’t too miserable at first. Alex Hogan has no chance of actually getting elected to represent Minnesota’s 7th District. Then he gets lucky—again and again and again.

As Election Day nears, Clarissa’s hit with the reality that winning may not be the best thing. Along the way, she captivates a womanizing political consultant, draws the attention of people who could change the world, and emerges as the one person who might actually be able to send Alex Hogan to Congress.

READ EXCERPT:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Christopher Truscott is a former journalist who now occasionally works as a political strategist. He’s a veteran of two dozen local, state and federal campaigns over the last 10 years. When he’s not obsessing about politics, he can usually be found watching the Minnesota Twins or telling people about his cats, Benny and Boo. He lives in a suburb of St. Paul, Minn., and can be reached by e-mail at chris.truscott@gmail.com. You can also follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/christruscott.

AVAILABLE FROM AMAZON, B&N, AND SMASHWORDS

Fair Dinkum Crime Baker’s Dozen

2011-06-30T09:22:00.002+10:00

Image courtesy of Pat at Lost and Found

Fair Dinkum Crime is a must-follow blog for all fans of Australian crime fiction. Hosted by Adelaide-based book bloggers, Kerrie and Bernadette, the site is a treasure trove of book reviews, author interviews, news, award updates and anything else relevant to Australian crime fiction.

One of Fair Dinkum Crime’s regular features is the Baker’s Dozen interview – their version of the author interview. Instead of the standard questions, the authors are provided with thirteen sentence beginnings. So far, they've "interviewed" Aussie authors:

I'm both honoured and humbled to be in such esteemed company – I'm a big fan of many of them. If you enjoy good crime fiction, you can't go past any of these authors. (Unfortunately, not all are available in digital format... yet.)

Q&A and Giveaway at The Frugal eReader

2011-06-15T07:44:00.000+10:00

The Frugal eReader is a site dedicated to featuring Frugal Finds Under Nine for the Kindle, as well as author interviews and giveaways.

I'm delighted to be featured as this month's The Frugal eReader's author. To celebrate, 5 Frugal eReaders will win a gifted Kindle copy of Brittle Shadows. PLUS, 3 Frugal eReaders will win an advance reader's copy of my upcoming novel, Bitter Nothings.

I also answer the following (and more) questions:

When did you first know that you wanted to write? What inspired you to start?

How would you describe the style of your writing?

How would you describe Brittle Shadows to someone who has not read any of your previous novels?

As I have a strong relationship with my sister, I am always intrigued by novels with sister relationships as part of the premise. How did you come up with the premise for Brittle Shadows?

What was your creative process for determining the final title and cover for your novel?

What were the challenges of writing this novel? Your favorite part of writing Brittle Shadows?

Any advice to those who hold the dream of becoming an author?

Are you working on anything new that you’d like to share?

NEW – Broken: A Paranormal Romance by David H Burton

2011-06-13T11:20:00.002+10:00

Three days before her twenty-fourth birthday, Katherine Gregory receives a letter from her deceased mother. It details a faery curse in which the eldest child in each generation will die in their twenty-fifth year.

Three days before her twenty-fourth birthday, a new love interest comes knocking, and her first love has returned - neither men are what they seem, and Katherine may have to choose between them.

Three days before her twenty-fourth birthday, Katherine must decide if this is all real, or if the strange visions she's been having are just a figment of her imagination.

The race to unravel the mystery begins, and Katherine must solve it - for any day after her birthday could be her last.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT DAVIDBURTON.COM

The Power of Words

2011-06-09T10:20:00.000+10:00

Do You Judge a Book by Its Cover?

2011-06-05T12:37:00.000+10:00

Maybe not judge, as such, but get a feel for the tone and style of the story? I only ask because when I picked up Catch an Honest Thief by Maria Schneider recently, I was pleasantly surprised to find that instead of the light-hearted cozy depicted on the cover (or at least that’s how I interpreted it), it was a taut, pacy hi-tech mystery – my sort of reading. Now, if it hadn’t been recommended to me, I probably wouldn’t have looked at it twice. I’m very glad I did.

Today, I received a message from Maria to say she’d redesigned the cover. I love the new look and think it fits the story much better. See what you think – old cover on the left, new one (design by Razzle Dazzle Design) on the right:

An Indiana Jones-style caper across the desert of New Mexico; high-tech gadgets, a mystery and a romance.

Alexia is trying to protect the crystals that power the city of Haven. Going undercover and stealing the crystals seemed like a great idea--until a real thief showed up.

Bait and switch is suddenly cat and mouse--but who is the real thief? And why is the new security chief spending so much time looking into her background?

Confessing her secret plans to protect the crystals might help the security chief narrow in on the real culprit, but it would cost Alexia her job, her freedom, and her status. Of course, if she keeps standing in the way of the real thief, it will cost her a whole lot more.

READ AN EXTRACT:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Maria Schneider grew up in New Mexico where the desert environment required that she embellish the landscape with her imagination. After working in the computer industry for twelve years, she decided technology moved too slowly, and again put her imagination to work, creating messes and then inventing characters to handle all the clean up. She currently resides near Austin, Texas.

For more information about Maria and her books visit: http://www.bearmountainbooks.com/

AVAILABLE FROM AMAZON, SMASHWORDS, AND B&N

Q&A at Maureen Miller's Place

2011-06-02T07:55:00.002+10:00

The delightful and talented Maureen Miller, the author of the newly released ENDLESS NIGHT (Carina Press) [see trailer below], posed me a few questions.

Please join me at Maureen’s place and check out her romantic suspense novels – highly recommended, especially if you’re like me and don’t enjoy over-the-top “romance.” With both the mystery and the romance aspects, the focus is on suspense.

AVAILABLE AT CARINA PRESS AND AMAZON

TRAILER:

The Editor: A Writer’s Fairy Godmother or Ogre?

2011-05-02T21:00:00.032+10:00

My article The Editor: A Writer’s Fairy Godmother or Ogre? features at American Editor today. I'd love you to come and join the discussion.

THIN BLOOD released as an audio book

2011-04-26T15:23:00.002+10:00

I’m delighted to announce that Thin Blood has just been released in audio.

Narrated by Basil Sands

Running time: 7 hours, 38 minutes | Unabridged

Produced by Perfect Voices

~~$34.95~~ $12.99 (save 63%)

Listen to SAMPLE/purchase at

SpringBrook Audio

Craig Edmonds, a successful stockbroker, reports the disappearance of his wife, Kirsty. What starts as a typical missing person’s case soon evolves into a full-blown homicide investigation when forensics uncover blood traces and dark-blonde hairs in the boot of the missing woman’s car. Added to this, is Craig’s adulterous affair with the victim’s younger sister, Narelle Croswell, compounded further by a recently acquired $1,000,000 insurance policy on his wife’s life. He is charged with murder but, with no body and only circumstantial evidence, he walks free when two trials resulting in hung juries fail to convict him.

Ten years later, Jacinta Deller, a newspaper journalist is retrenched. Working on a freelance story about missing persons, she comes across the all but forgotten Edmonds case. When she discovers her boyfriend, Brett Rhodes, works with Narelle Croswell, who is not only the victim’s sister but is now married to the prime suspect, her sister’s husband, she thinks she has found the perfect angle for her article. Instead, her life is turned upside down, as befriending the woman, she becomes embroiled in a warped game of delusion and murder.

RE-RELEASED: Tracking Perception by Cherri Galbiati

2011-04-12T11:41:00.001+10:00

An entertaining and engaging mystery, and one I'd recommend to all mystery fans, but especially those who are dog-lovers. Dogs play an integral part in the story and it is obvious that Galbiati writes from experience. (Tracking Perception was originally published by L & L Dreamspell as The Scent of Money.)

A bloody murder at the Piper Mansion. The only witness, Tasha – a German shepherd dog…

There’s been a murder in Spike, a small Texas town. The bank president and his wife were found in their home with slashed throats. The discovery occurred when four church ladies came to visit for the monthly financials. After stumbling onto the gruesome scene they decided to clean things up before calling the police, to spare the town from seeing the atrocity.

When Becky McAllen, who happens to be married to the chief of police, becomes Tasha’s caretaker, she becomes the killer’s next target… a murderer who’s after much more than blood.

“This is an intriguing mystery, filled with twists and turns that will keep the reader guessing throughout. Galbiati’s small-town descriptive draws the reader into the story with a sense of actually being there. Becca has a feisty nature and is a delightful character, a woman who has no problem standing up for herself and who loves her husband very much. The relationship between Matt and Becca is at the center of the story and offers a sweet touch against the dark premise of murder. Tasha, the German shepherd, is an added bonus among a cast of lovable characters. The Scent of Money easily meets the criteria for a guaranteed good read: engaging characters, realistic dialogue, a galvanizing plot, and action-packed suspense.” – Midwest Book Review

READ AN EXTRACT:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Cherri Galbiati grew up on the outskirts of a small town in rural Louisiana, but moved to Houston, Texas while still in grade school. By the seventh grade Cherri knew she wanted to be a writer. She attended college at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. After that she traveled throughout Scotland, London, Germany and France before returning to make Houston her home.

Her interests include reading, writing, knitting and crocheting. and she's also a coffee connoisseur. She enjoys her coffee. Really loves her coffee.

CANINE FAMILY - Animals are a huge part in Cherri and her husband's lives, as several German shepherds and a Great Pyrenees reside with them in their home. Two of her German shepherds were active Search and Rescue dogs. One is a retired canine police officer. These animals served their communities well and are retired from duty. Her dogs have inspired her series of books. Visit her at: cherrigalbiati.com

AVAILABLE FROM AMAZON

NEW: Annalisa's Highway Blues by David Reichart

2011-04-08T15:48:00.001+10:00

David Reichart spent eight years writing for newspapers, and another five as a freelance copywriter, but it was his work as an over-the-road truck driver that provided the inspiration for his debut novel, a romance with an anything but stereotypical heroine.

A family crisis forces Annalisa Rochon, a beautiful but inexperienced small-town girl, into the male-dominated world of long-haul trucking, where she finds danger, loneliness, hard work and something unexpected out on the road--the kind of romance she had always dreamed of.

Ex-Marine Mike Cindik, son of a wealthy industrialist, has a contentious meeting with Annalisa while she's delivering a load to one of his father's warehouses and, in the aftermath, becomes completely captivated by this exotic, strange-talking, truck-driving Louisiana girl…

READ EXCERPT:

FROM THE AUTHOR:
I thought about using a pen name for this novel, which I consider a romantic comedy, because a man’s name attached to a romance might have a negative effect. No doubt it would have been a disadvantage if I had gone through the traditional route, trying to interest agents and publishers. But I’m jumping into independent publishing with both feet so I decided to just enjoy being in control. What the heck?

I’m trying to build an audience for future books, so I guess it makes sense to use my own name. Subsequent works won’t be romance novels, necessarily, though romantic encounters are fun to write and will no doubt be a big part of the stories.

People who love romance novels have certain expectations, and they might not find all of them met in Annalisa’s Highway Blues, but I think they–as well as a general audience--will enjoy pulling for my heroine, Annalisa Rochon. It’s a story of two people from vastly different worlds who are actually quite right for each other, finally realize it, and then have to overcome difficult obstacles to eventually get together.

I was an over-the-road truck driver for two years, so this is painstakingly researched. Annalisa’s Highway Blues is the story that kept rolling around in my mind as I was driving around the country. I had to get it out of my system, and I finally did, thanks to Smashwords and Amazon.
It’s an exciting time for people who have stories to tell.

AVAILABLE FROM AMAZON

Books for your Kindle for US$5 or less

2011-04-07T12:01:00.000+10:00

Looking for great reads at bargain prices? Check out DailyCheapReads.

With 750,000+ ebooks now available at Amazon to say readers are spoilt for choice would be an understatement. But with such a huge selection, where do you start? DailyCheapReads search the Kindle Store to find the bargains so Kindlers have more time to read. Each day, they list cheap reads, with a guarantee no book will ever be priced over US$5. And at least once a day, they post a SuperCheap (less than US$2) and/or Free read.

DailyCheapReads have three sites:

DailyCheapReads.com for purchases from the US Kindle Store
DailyCheapReads.com/junior for young readers – children, tweens and teens
DailyCheapReads.co.uk for Kindlers in the United Kingdom (£6 or less)

Characterisation and Reader Emotional Involvement

2011-04-05T07:49:00.002+10:00

Check out and join Richard Adin's American Editor discussion: Characterization: How Important is Reader Emotional Involvement?

It struck me the other night while I was watching TV that in series like Spooks and NCIS, I remember (and love) the characters, but not the stories. In movies, it’s the storyline that stays with me, never the character. The difference between plot-driven and character-driven perhaps? I’d be really interested to hear others thoughts on this subject.

Does anyone have any recommendations for standalone (versus series) mysteries where the characters get inside the reader's head and stay there long after the book is finished?

An American Editor on Books Down Under

2011-04-01T11:11:00.000+11:00

Review republished courtesy of An American Editor:

ON BOOKS: MURDER DOWN UNDER

My reading habits seem to me to be odd. Why odd? Because I read genres in spurts. The spurts may be months or years, but I haven’t read a genre continuously throughout my reading life.

What I mean is this: Many years ago, the only fiction I read were mysteries written by authors like Ed McBain, Dashiell Hammett, Agatha Christie, Georges Simenon, Martha Grimes, P.D. James, Mickey Spillane, and Arthur Conan Doyle. I read those books for years, then one day I stopped and moved to another genre and didn’t pick up another mystery – that is, until recently.

Several months ago I bought the ebook of Vicki Tyley’s Thin Blood at Smashwords. The synopsis looked interesting, and several people on another forum remarked positively on the ebook. I thought I couldn’t go wrong at the price. Even if I didn’t like the book, it wasn’t much of an investment.

Thin Blood, which is the story of a reporter’s investigation of a decade old murder, reignited my interest in the mystery genre. Thin Blood is a compelling story with a twist, and Tyley keeps the reader’s interest with her articulate prose. The writing style reminded me very much of the Ed McBain/Dashiell Hammett style — sentences that have been stripped down to the barebones.

After reading Thin Blood, I had to read the other mysteries written by Tyley, Sleight Malice and Brittle Shadows. In Sleight Malice, the lead character is devastated by what she thinks is the death in a house fire of her best friend. Then she learns that the body found in the fire is male, not female, and she teams up with a private investigator to discover the truth.

In Brittle Shadows, the body of our heroine’s sister’s fiance is found hanging in his closet, presumably death by accident. Two months later, the heroine’s sister commits suicide, an act that our heroine cannot accept, especially when she learns that at the time of her death, the sister was 6 weeks pregnant.

Each of the three books is different, yet all are united by a single characteristic: strong, female leads. Tyley’s characterizations allow the reader to grasp the mental framework of the lead females. The writing is taut, direct, and without waste. Throughout the three books, there were only a couple minor grammar errors, at least from an American perspective. I admit that I am not familiar with Australian style.

What I find particularly interesting is that even with the very high quality of the writing, Vicki Tyley, as is the case with the exceptionally talented New Zealand writer, Shayne Parkinson (see On Books: The Promises to Keep Quartet), remains unsigned by the major traditional publishing houses. Makes me wonder if there is a Down Under bias.

There is no question in my mind that Vicki Tyley is the Australian P.D. James — a can’t miss read. The writing is outstanding, the stories creative. The one failing is that her female leads are frenetic. Interestingly, although the female leads are as strong a character as any of the males in the story, and often even stronger, they do not comport themselves as well as their male counterparts in stress situations, leaving the impression that they are weaker than their male counterparts. It is almost as if Tyley is suggesting that no matter how strong a woman is, she is still emotionally ruled whereas men are both strong and emotionless, or at least better capable of contolling their emotions and thus more objective under stress.

The significant difference between the Parkinson books and the Tyley books is how the lead female characters – Amy Leith, in the Parkinson books, and Jemma Dalton (Brittle Shadows), Desley James (Sleight Malice), and Jacinta Deller (Thin Blood) — emotionally involve the reader in their story and plight: In the case of Amy Leith, I was greatly engaged, whereas the Tyley characters didn’t rise to that level of reader involvement. My emotional involvement was minimal at best.

That, however, is no reason to not buy, read, and enjoy these books and to anxiously await the next Tyley Down Under murder mystery. On a 5-star rating scale, I would rate each of Tyley’s 3 books as 5 stars. In comparison, for those of you who took my advice and read Parkinson’s Promises to Keep quartet, the quartet’s rating would be 5 stars plus a smidgen more, the difference being the emotional involvement of the reader with the characters.

As I wrote earlier, Vicki Tyley is the Australian P.D. James — a can’t miss read. Her mysteries definitely are in the same class as McBain, Grimes, and James, and like Grimes and James, have that little bit of reserve that distinguishes the English-style mystery from the American-style mystery. And at $2.99 an ebook, the value is greater than that of the better-known but not more capable English-style mystery writers. I highly recommend Tyley’s three ebooks to mystery fans.

Ghosts Templar, a Jason Dark supernatural mystery by Guido Henkel

2011-03-19T15:16:00.001+11:00

Winner of The 2010 Occult Detective Award at www.occultdetective.com

“A briskly paced pulp fiction throwback full of gothic dread and shivery intrigue … A cult of sophisticated fiends who like their terror full of elegant dread and Victorian charm.” ~ Chris Alexander, Fangoria

“What amazed me, as I dug deeper into the series is the sheer, joyous brilliance of the project>” ~ Mirek Lipinski, Fantaterror

Undead Templar Knights haunt a quaint seaside village in Victorian England.

When the disappearance of the local Chief Constable brings occult detective Jason Dark and his partner Siu Lin to Swanage, they find the village terrorized by a string of macabre murders which swirl amidst rumors that undead knights have awakened to exact a bloody revenge.

Will they be able to stop the horror that arrives every night on ghostly steeds from the ruined monastery before the skeletal warriors claim any more innocent victims?

Experience this bone-chilling adventure, filled with enough mystery, drama and suspenseful action to transport you back in time to the sinister streets of a town riddled with horrible secrets.

Ghosts Templar is a 24,000-word dime novel, the equivalent of about 90 book pages.

READ EXTRACT:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Guido Henkel is the author of ten Jason Dark supernatural mysteries, including DEMON'S NIGHT, HEAVENS ON FIRE, DR. PROMETHEUS, THE BLOOD WITCH, TERRORLORD and the award-winning GHOSTS TEMPLAR.

You can find out more about the books at http://www.jasondarkseries.com/ or follow his blog at http://www.guidohenkel.com/

AVAILABLE FROM
AMAZON AND B&N

SPECIAL: The Merry-Go-Round by Donna Fasano $0.99 (Offer ends 31 Mar 11)

2011-03-18T13:58:00.001+11:00

Donna Fasano is an award-winning, best-selling author whose books have sold over 3.5 million copies worldwide. Grab a copy of her romantic comedy, The Merry-Go-Round, at the bargain price of $0.99 before 31 March 2011.

Lauren Flynn is riding life's merry-go-round--literally. She won the dilapidated amusement park ride in the divorce settlement. Since then, her life's been a three-ring circus.

Ladies and gentlemen! In ring number one is a barrel of quirky clients. In ring two, a hypochondriac, live-in father. And in ring three, the 'perfect' man, the one who could possibly make all her dreams come true. Life has become Lauren's carnival, her ex, a lingering ringmaster. And Lauren...

Well, step right up, folks, and see if she makes a grab for the brass ring.

"The Merry-Go-Round is an utterly charming romantic comedy that pulled me in right from the start. Award-winning author Donna Fasano skillfully weaves a story consisting of funny, imperfect characters, love lost and found, sexual attraction, and an old merry-go-round. Told with humor and honesty, this novel is an entertaining and satisfying read. I highly recommend it!" ~ Karen McQuestion, author of A Scattered Life

READ AN EXTRACT:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Growing up the third child of five-yes, smack dab in the middle and the only girl to boot-Donna Fasano had no idea she would one day be a published author. Her story-telling talents came to light when she conjured lively and elaborate tales of pure blarney (yes, she has a bit of Irish in her blood) for, first, her youngest brother, and years later, her children. Donna sold her first manuscript in 1989, and since then has become a bestselling, award-winning author of over thirty novels and four audio books. She writes under her own name as well as under the pen name, Donna Clayton, and is known for her "smooth, polished" writing style and for creating "strong, complex" characters. Reviewers have described her stories as "poignant," "richly textured," "enticing," and "absorbing." The writing process can be extremely engrossing for Donna, so much so that she's missed appointments with dentists and doctors, lunches with friends and family, and once she even forgot her carpool run. Luckily, the people in her life make allowances for this quirk. Still happily married to her high school sweetheart, she is the mother of two grown sons who have flown the coop. She and her husband share their home with Jake, a black and white, couch-potato border collie, and Roo, a spotted red and cream Australian cattle dog that looks (and acts) like a wild dingo. Donna's spare time is spent reading, walking the countryside and beach, or trying out new recipes from one of the many cookbooks she has collected over the years. Oh, and one night a week she and her hubby nab some alone time from their busy schedules, enjoying a nice glass of wine and a video-preferably a romantic comedy.

SPECIAL PRICE AVAILABLE FROM AMAZON AND B&N

Currently reading: Storm Surge by J.D. Rhoades

2011-03-15T18:04:00.001+11:00

Looking for a top class thriller full of adventure and intrigue, you can't go past this one. And only $2.99. Highly recommended.

DIE HARD meets KEY LARGO in the first e-published novel by the Shamus-Award nominated author of BREAKING COVER and the Jack Keller series. As a hurricane bears down on the luxurious Pass Island resort, waitress Sharon Brennan and her daughter are trapped with some very bad people and a handyman who's more than he seems. Amiable Max may not be a good guy...but he may be just the bad guy they need.

READ EXTRACT:

FROM THE AUTHOR:
I'm the author of BREAKING COVER, published in July 2008 by St. Martin's/Minotaur, and the Jack Keller series of thriller novels: THE DEVIL'S RIGHT HAND, GOOD DAY IN HELL, and SAFE AND SOUND, also from St. Martin's. In my day job, I practice law in a small town in North Carolina. My family and friends call me Dusty. Website: jdrhoades.com

AVAILABLE FROM SMASHWORDS AND AMAZON

NEW: Crimson Leaf by SM Jonas $2.99

2011-03-11T09:24:00.001+11:00

Orphaned by a double murder, Crown Prince Travis celebrates his freedom from a loveless and strict upbringing by running riot with his teenage friends. Travis doesn't curb his behavior until warned by his elderly guardian and then threatened by the Lord Chief Justice.

Following the coronation, much stranger Guardians concern themselves with the young king as a new sword master and a maid start work at the palace. Not long after, Travis' brothers and sister are subject to murder attempts. It seems that a complex plot threatens the entire royal family.

In a race to find the murderer before he strikes again, the Guardians and the king's advisors become dangerously at odds. Meanwhile, Travis goes on a clandestine mission that will lead him to the unimaginable truth.

"Here is an enigma, Gareth, and it's my job to unravel enigmas. Besides, consider her eyes - you know my weakness for fine jewels" - Lord Chief Justice Oakley

READ EXCERPT:

TRAILER:

FROM THE AUTHOR:
SM Jonas is my pen name for fantasy, which was my first love, though I now write contemporary thrillers. With Crimson Leaf, I wanted to create a mystery that would keep the reader guessing till the end, but also engage them emotionally with the main characters. I hope that I've achieved those aims, but only you can tell...

AVAILABLE FROM AMAZON US, AMAZON UK, AND SMASHWORDS

Read an E-Book Week (6-12 March 2011)

2011-03-05T16:08:00.002+11:00

For full details visit: Read an E-Book Week - E-Book and E-Reader Information

Industrial-strength espresso... Aussie style

2011-02-27T19:19:00.000+11:00

Coffee Art by Susan

Blogger and avid reader Susan's photographic intepretation of this sentence from Sleight Malice:

"What she really needed was an industrial-strength espresso."

I especially like the detail of the Australian raw sugar. Thanks, Susan. You made my day. :)

Seeing is believing. Demons are real...

2011-02-26T13:30:00.000+11:00

Joanna just has to convince everyone else before it's too late.

Dead Man's Eye
by Shaun Jeffrey $0.99

Blighted by an eye disease, Joanna Raines undergoes a corneal transplant operation to stop her going blind. The procedure is successful, but in the weeks that follow she begins to see dark coronas surrounding certain people. By turns fearful that something has gone wrong and worried that she's going crazy, Joanna searches for an answer to the phenomena.

What she finds will change her life forever. The transplant has opened a door in her mind, and the strange coronas are not legacies of the operation but proof that a legion of demons plans to invade the earth!

Now the only thing that stands between the demonic horde and their plot to take over the world is Joanna, a young woman with the power to see them for what they really are.

Available on Kindle from Amazon

READ EXCERPT:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Shaun Jeffrey was brought up in a house in a cemetery, so it was only natural for his prose to stray towards the dark side when he started writing. He has had three novels published, 'Evilution', 'The Kult' and 'Deadfall', and one collection of short stories, 'Voyeurs of Death'. Among his other writing credits are short stories published in Dark Discoveries and Cemetery Dance. His novel The Kult was optioned for film and shooting has just finished.

NEW: Modesty (Excuse Me, Miss Series) by Phillip Thomas Duck $2.99

2011-02-25T17:06:00.002+11:00

Eight calls...

From an unfamiliar number...

For rape survivor and "infidelity photographer" Terri Welker the question is far greater than should she answer. The question is: What should she do now that she has been found? Run again? Or stay and fight for the new life she has created photographing cheating spouses for James Boston Investigations?

The breathtaking continuation of the Excuse Me, Miss Series.

***CAN ALSO BE READ AS A STANDALONE***

Available on Kindle from Amazon

Praise for EXCUSE ME MISS:

The unusual premise, great characters, and intriguing plot made this a fun, highly enjoyable read. I really can't wait to find out what happens next. ~ The Romance Reviews

This is a sexy suspense short fiction novella that has an interesting premise. Mr. Duck has created a strong, but vulnerable, woman who needs to face her past and get on with her future. ~ Eclectic Reviews

READ EXCERPT:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Phillip Thomas Duck straddles the line between two worlds. For paranormal fans, no he isn't a vampire or werewolf, but instead an accomplished author that has published works with traditional publishers (Harlequin and Simon & Schuster) as well as independently. The author lives in New Jersey with his daughter.

Congratulations D.B. Henson!

2011-02-22T10:25:00.000+11:00

"D.B. Henson's self-published Kindle bestseller (and Kindle "customer favorite") DEED TO DEATH, featuring a successful young Nashville real estate agent who, in the aftermath of having to bury her fiancé on their wedding day, is determined to prove the police's suicide theory wrong and soon uncovers a deadly web of lies, to Lauren Spiegel at Touchstone, for publication in July 2011, by Noah Lukeman at Lukeman Literary Management (World)." ~ Publishers Marketplace

Congratulations, Debbie. Wishing you much success. xx

The Grand Conversation on ebooks

2011-02-21T15:21:00.001+11:00

Shane Jiraiya Cummings, one of Australia's leading dark fantasy and horror authors, is hosting a month-long “Grand Conversation” on ebooks.

“I’ll be canvassing a diverse range of opinions on ebooks (for and against), and I’ve invited many of Australia’s bestselling authors and publishers, plus many award-winning writers, editors, publishers, literary agents, booksellers, and readers from around the world to this discussion.”

Participants to date include Alan Baxter, Keith Stevenson, Mark Coker, Martin Livings, Stacey Storch, Nathan Lowell, Robert Hoge, Ellen Datlow, Chuck McKenzie, Patty Jansen, Jason W. Chan, Gary Kemble, Elfwreck, Scott Nicholson, Stephen M. Irwin, Sean the Blogonaut, Amy Shojai, Lee Harris, Stephen Dedman, Benjamin Solah, and Jeff Ritchie.

Shane was also kind enough to invite me to contribute a post, which can be found here.

.....................................................

Shane’s books are priced between 99c and $2.99, and one, his Japanese fantasy novella The Smoke Dragon, is FREE on Smashwords (available in all formats, including PDF for non-ebook readers).

You can buy these books from Amazon (Kindle), Amazon UK (Kindle), Barnes & Noble (Nook), Diesel (epub), and Smashwords (all formats – including Apple, Sony, Kobo, and PDF for non-ebook readers).

Say it with flowers...

2011-02-21T14:05:00.001+11:00

Today marks the day that friend and award-winning author Scott Nicholson becomes a fulltime fiction writer.

"It's the day I became (or am becoming) a full-time fiction writer. Well, also an editor, gardener, and occasional non-fiction writer. Plus maybe other things for money. But it's cool to say, very pompously, "A-hem, I am a full-time fiction writer." Back when I was a writer, I never told people I was a writer. Now I'm a writer and I feel pretty much the same, except I wear clothes with holes in them and don't have to comb my hair.

Anyway, when they unroll the crumbling scrolls in 2049 and look back at the myth that was Scott Nicholson, this will be the birth date. I expect to fail spectacularly, but it also feels so completely natural, as if all my life has pointed and led to this, that resistance is futile. Success, come and take me. I no longer fight you, and I'm no longer afraid one way or another." ~ Scott Nicholson

Help Scott celebrate with FLOWERS, his fantasy and paranormal collection – only 99 cents at Amazon and BN.com.

Contains the Writers of the Future Award-winning story "The Vampire Shortstop" and 11 other tales of magic, romance, and the supernatural, including the Makers series in which children control the essential forces of the world. Includes "The Boy Who Saw Fire," "In The Heart of November," and "Invisible Friend."

Congratulations, Scott. Here's to you...

NEW: Save My Soul by Zoe Winters

2011-01-27T14:23:00.001+11:00

LIMITED TIME SALE (regular retail price: $4.95)

All he’s asking for is her soul...

After buying the antebellum home she’s fantasized about since childhood, Anna Worthington discovers Luc, a dangerously seductive incubus who has been trapped in the house by a fifty-year-old curse. To rid herself of her problem house guest she’ll call on a priest, gypsies, ghost hunters, and the coven of witches from lust bunny hell. All she has to do is resist him long enough to break the spell so they can go their separate ways. If she doesn’t, she could die.

And that would be the best case scenario.

HEAT LEVEL: Some sexually explicit content. 3 out of 5 flames.

EXCERPT:

Instead of Beatrice, it was about the best looking man Anna had ever laid eyes on––airbrushed magazine spreads notwithstanding. Dark hair fell around his face, framing an olive complexion and cold, bright green eyes that appeared to burn with a light of their own.

They seemed to pull her in, hypnotize her. They were eyes that had known violence. Whether as the victim or the perpetrator, it was too hard to tell, but she suspected the latter.

His lips were as full as any man’s had a right to be, and Anna had to stop herself from imagining nibbling on his lower lip. He had the kind of cheekbones sculptors spent a lifetime learning to chisel into stone. Rather than sitting in the chair, he seemed to drape. Casually. Sinfully.

Shirtlessly.

She closed her eyes and raised a hand to her head, feeling for bumps. After what she’d just experienced the last thing that seemed normal was lusting after a hot stranger in her bedroom. Maybe she was dreaming again.

The next words to fly from her mouth were so stupid she would later blame a mild concussion. “You should know this house is haunted, and the last guy who tried anything got beaten bloody for his trouble. So you should ask yourself if it’s worth losing your good looks over.”

His deep, familiar chuckle slid into her, too fluid to be human. Anna vaulted out of the bed, taking the sheets with her, wrapping them around her frame as she went.

“I’ve seen it all,” he said waving a hand away as if he could never be moved by such banal things as nudity.

Not while I was conscious, Anna thought. She backed farther away as he stood and advanced on her. “Um . . . so Beatrice isn’t here?” Diversionary tactics weren’t her strong suit.

There never was a Beatrice. It was him. Her throat tightened again as that thought slammed fully into her brain. She tried to shut out the memories of all the times she’d been a little too naked in the house, either ignoring the ghost or thinking it was a woman.

A slow smile spread over his face. “I’m the thing that killed her.” Fear pulsed through her at his words, and he seemed to savor it like wine. “Beatrice went to Heaven where all good girls with intact souls go when they die. Tell me, my dear, do you think your soul will be intact when I’m finished with you?”

Anna wasn’t sure what was required to keep her soul intact, and was even less sure she could manage to follow whatever the rule was. Especially since she found herself simultaneously repelled and attracted to him.

TRAILER:

Book Trailer: Save My Soul by: Zoe Winters from Zoe Winters on Vimeo.

Available for the Kindle from Amazon and for the Nook from B&N.

Forget Large Print Books

2011-01-16T18:15:00.001+11:00

I received a lovely email from a Canadian reader yesterday. She mentioned it was her 93-year-old father who put her onto Kindle: “His eyesight has not allowed for much relaxing reading in the past few years and let's face it, it won't be improving at his age. He calls it the "Best thing to happen to him in years" and is once more an avid reader.”

A number of my readers (that I know of) have vision impairment or failing eyesight. Yet with all the debate over the pros and cons of ebooks, this is one aspect that is often overlooked. No longer do people with vision problems have to rely on a limited selection of large print books for their reading matter. Ebook technology means that the reader gets to control the font size (and depending on the reader, sometimes the font type). And it’s not like reading text on a computer screen.

Then there’s text-to-speech technology. Don’t want to or can’t read the text, no worries: the ereader will read the book out loud. Isn’t this something we should be shouting from the rooftops? Sharing with those whose love of reading has been hampered through no fault of their own that there is a solution?

I haven’t been able to wear reading glasses for the last few months. All I can say is thank goodness for ebooks.

Can the book survive? (Good Weekend, 15 Jan 2011)

2011-01-15T19:59:00.000+11:00

This weekend’s Sydney Morning Herald’s Good Weekend (readership 1,623,000) featured an article on the rise of the ebook and the future of traditional publishing:

THE RISE OF THE E-BOOK HAS CAST A SHADOW OVER THE FUTURE OF TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING. NIKKI BARROWCLOUGH INVESTIGATES WHETHER WE SHOULD TAKE IT AS READ THAT THE PRINTED BOOK WILL BE CONSIGNED TO THE PAGES OF HISTORY.

Guess which Aussie mystery writer got a mention? :-)

‘“When you've got your very big authors walking out the door, taking their book sales with them, there won't be the money to invest in new people,” says Hamley . “It’s going to be an interesting landscape.”

It already is. New Zealand-born Vicki Tyley, who now lives in Victoria, writes mystery and suspense novels. For years, her US-based agent, Robert Fleck, battled resistance to Australian mystery novels from American publishers. So he and Tyley decided to go the e-publishing route.

In October 2009, Tyley put up one of her novels, Thin Blood, on Smashwords, an e-publishing website. Six months later, she was chosen by an American online journal, Suspense Magazine, as its featured new author for April 2010. Then in May last year, Tyley self-released Thin Blood live on Amazon through the US-based online retailing giant’s Kindle publishing program – and by the end of June had sold in excess of 25,000 copies (at $2.99 a book, earning the author royalties of 70%).

Fleck is currently negotiating with a major print publisher to release all five of Tyley’s novels as mass-market paperbacks, although Tyley has told Good Weekend that she’s hoping to keep the electronic rights. In November, Thin Blood was named one of Amazon’s best of 2010 customer favourites.’

Unfortunately, I can't post the whole article, but if you'd like to read it online, the issue is available for US$0.99: The Sydney Morning Herald - Good Weekend online

Crime doesn't pay... but neither does journalism

2011-01-14T08:38:00.000+11:00

CRIME BEAT by Scott Nicholson out today!

DRM-free and 99 cents for a limited time.

When John Moretz takes a job as a reporter in the Appalachian town of Sycamore Shade, a crime wave erupts that boosts circulation and leaves people uneasy. Then a murder victim is discovered, and Moretz is first on the scene.

As more bodies are discovered, Moretz comes under police suspicion, but the newspaper's sales are booming due to his coverage of sensational crime. His editor is torn between calling off his newshound and cashing in on the attention, plus the editor is romancing the big-city reporter assigned to cover the suspected serial killer.

And Moretz seems to be one step ahead of the other reporters, the police, and even the killer himself.

Available for the Kindle from Amazon and for the Nook from B&N.

Sleight Malice a Grace Krispy 2010 Top Four Read

2011-01-09T19:51:00.001+11:00

Grace Krispy, educator and psychologist by day, avid reader and indie book reviewer by night, was asked by author Maria Schneider to contribute her top 4 Kindle reads of 2010 for the DailyCheapReads blog. I'm honoured and delighted that Sleight Malice made her list. Thanks, Grace!

Check out her other top picks here: 2010 Top Four Reads: Grace Krispy

Blog Hop

2011-01-02T10:10:00.000+11:00

Dear friends...

2010-12-24T01:00:00.011+11:00

Merry Christmas and/or happy holidays to all my friends, old and new. I’ve met and connected with some wonderful people this year. I have my writing to thank for introducing me to readers and writers alike. I can’t express how much your friendship and support means to me. Thank you.

Season's Greetings

2010-12-23T14:28:00.000+11:00

I wanted to send some sort of holiday greeting to a wide range of friends and colleagues, but it is difficult in today's world to know exactly what to say without offending someone.

So I met with my solicitors recently, and on their advice, I wish to say the following:

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender neutral celebration of the summer solstice holiday, practiced with the most enjoyable traditions of religious persuasion or secular practices of your choice with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all.

I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2011, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make our country great (not to imply that Australia is necessarily greater than any other country) and without regard to the race, creed, colour, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee.

By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms: This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her/himself or others and is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher.

This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.

Disclaimer: No trees were harmed in the sending of this message; however, a significant number of electrons were slightly inconvenienced.

[Author unknown]

NEW: Jason Dark - Ghost Hunter, Volume 9: Terrorlord by Guido Henkel

2010-12-21T14:57:00.005+11:00

I'm delighted to announce that the 9th volume in the popular Jason Dark series, Terrorlord, has just been released. To celebrate, and for ONE DAY ONLY, author Guido Henkel is making it available for the giveaway price of US$0.99. Hurry, don't miss out!

Conjured from the bowels of the abyss by ancient magic, the Terrorlord has one desire — to open the Seven Gates of Hell and unleash the horrors of the undead upon mankind.

Reliving the nightmares of his youth where an encounter with the Terrorlord left him scarred for life, Jason Dark must once again confront the powerful gatekeeper from Hell before his reach and power spiral out of control. With the help of Siu Lin, the ghost hunter will have to put an end to the Terrorlord's dark reign before he can devour our world in his evil blackness.

This is the ninth volume in a series of gothic horror adventures where Jason Dark, a fearless and resourceful ghost hunter, follows in the mold of a Sherlock Holmes combined with Randall Garrett's Lord D'Arcy. Written by Guido Henkel, the designer who brought Germany's famed "Das Schwarze Auge" series to computer screens, this series is filled with enough mystery, drama and suspenseful action to transport you to the sinister, fogshrouded streets of Victorian England. Your encounter with the extraordinary awaits.

Reliving the nightmares of his youth where an encounter with the Terrorlord left him scarred for life, Jason Dark must once again confront the powerful gatekeeper from Hell before his reach and power spiral out of control. With the help of Siu Lin, the ghost hunter will have to put an end to the Terrorlord's dark reign before he can devour our world in his evil blackness.

This is the ninth volume in a series of gothic horror adventures where Jason Dark, a fearless and resourceful ghost hunter, follows in the mold of a Sherlock Holmes combined with Randall Garrett's Lord D'Arcy. Written by Guido Henkel, the designer who brought Germany's famed "Das Schwarze Auge" series to computer screens, this series is filled with enough mystery, drama and suspenseful action to transport you to the sinister, fogshrouded streets of Victorian England. Your encounter with the extraordinary awaits.

Brittle Shadows Now Available!

2010-12-13T12:15:00.002+11:00

Thank you to all those readers who’ve been patiently waiting for the release of Brittle Shadows. That day has finally arrived… just in time for Christmas.

I’m thrilled to announce that Brittle Shadows, my third Australian murder mystery, is now available on Amazon, Smashwords (use coupon code CM47L) and B&N for the special holiday price of $0.99 (limited time only).

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:

When soon-to-be-wed Tanya Clark is confronted with her fiancé's naked corpse hanging from a wardrobe rail in the upmarket Melbourne apartment they share, her life is torn apart. Two months later, distraught and unable to cope, she drowns her sorrows in a lethal cocktail of alcohol and prescription drugs.

On the other side of Australia, a grieving Jemma Dalton struggles to come to terms with the suicide of her only sibling. Despite there being no evidence to the contrary, Jemma refuses to accept Tanya had intended to kill herself. Not her sister. Then the coroner's report reveals that at the time of her death she had been six weeks pregnant. The will, too, raises more questions than it answers. How did a young woman on a personal assistant's wage amass shares worth in excess of $1,000,000?

In a desperate bid to uncover the truth, Jemma puts her own life at risk and starts to probe the shadows of her sister's life. But shadows, like bones, grow brittle with age. The consequences can be deadly.

Happy reading and season’s greetings from Down Under.

Cheers
Vicki

Chapter Chicks Review

2010-12-13T12:12:00.000+11:00

Chapter Chicks' review of SLEIGHT MALICE just in.

YouTube Review

Blog Review

Thin Blood Trailer

2010-12-06T10:25:00.001+11:00

New Release Special: Sleight Malice $0.99

2010-08-18T11:49:00.001+10:00

To celebrate Sleight Malice’s release, I’m offering it for the special price of US$0.99 (normally US$2.99):

- Sleight Malice at Amazon

- Sleight Malice at Smashwords (use coupon code KP64D)

Limited time offer. Expires 30 September 2010.