Category Archives: Featured Authors

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Cover Reveal of Touching Fire by Airicka Phoenix

Touching Fire Front Cover

Touching Fire Full CoverBook Name: Touching Fire
Author: Airicka Phoenix
Series: Touch Saga, book 2
Publisher: Airicka Phoenix
Release date: June, 2013
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance.
Warnings: Strong language and mild sexual content
Formats: ebook & paperback
Other Novels:
Touching Smoke (Touch Series, book 1) ebook – http://www.amazon.com/Touching-Smoke-Touch-Series-ebook/dp/B008RB72NW

Touching Eternity (Touch Series Beginning) ebook – http://www.amazon.com/Touching-Eternity-Touch-Series-ebook/dp/B00AQQDVTU/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_1
Games of Fire (ebook) – http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BFIR2HU

Whispered Beginnings: A Clever Fiction Anthology (ebook) – http://www.amazon.com/Whispered-Beginnings-Fiction-Writers-Anthology/dp/1617521221
Midnight Surrender Anthology (ebook) – http://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Surrender-Paranormal-Anthology-ebook/dp/B009M9EMT0/ref=tmm_kin_title_0

Social Networks:
Twitter (@AirickaPhoenix) – https://twitter.com/#!/AirickaPhoenix
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Airicka-Phoenix/252135634831614?ref=hl
Design Page – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Airickas-Mystical-Creations/462373910480084
GoodRead – http://www.goodreads.com/AirickaPhoenix
Pinsterest – http://pinterest.com/airickaphoenix
Author Site – http://airickaphoenix.com/Author

Touching Fire Synopsis

Fallon’s on the run again, but this time, she’s not alone and she has a direction — she’s going to meet the man whose blood runs through her veins, the only man who can finally tell her who… what she is and why Garrison wants her so badly. But the truth may be more than she can handle when she falls from one world into another, one that shouldn’t exist and learns truths about herself that she may wish she never knew.
Faced with a reality so beyond comprehension, Fallon must accept the destiny she’s given because Garrison will stop at nothing to insure the success of The Amalie Project, even if he must do the unthinkable and become just like Fallon.
Touch Vengeance. Touch Malice. Touch Fire.

Excerpt
He was still waiting when I joined him again, composed. He stood with his back against the wall, his hands lost deep into the folds of his pockets. He was studying his shoes, his hair falling in thick fringes over his eyes. Those blue eyes rose, crystalline pools of electricity, and met mine, and my world stopped. My breath stopped. My heart would have stopped if it wasn’t drumming a tempo of pure elation at the sight of him. It ached, so desperate for the need to be closer. God, it was never close enough. I could crawl into him, burrow into his soul and it wouldn’t be enough.
I took a step closer, as unsteady as a new born calf. He caught my hand, reeled me to him without ever pushing away from the wall. I was pulled into the space between his feet, held there as he bent my arm and twisted it around my own waist. I was pressed into him, his thighs hard against mine. I felt his heartbeat through the fingertips he traced over the curve of my cheek.
“Stop touching me,” I gasped, cotton-mouthed, half-crazed by the possibility that he might take me seriously.
“Why?” His breath fanned over my dry and already parted lips.
I opened my eyes, surprised to find them closed. “Because I won’t want you to stop.”
The band of steel around my waist tightened until I was supported only by him, by his arm, his chest, his heat, his scent… God, I was home! My fingers curled into the soft material of his fresh, clean shirt. He must have changed, but it was yet another black t-shirt.
“I can’t.” His lips wrote each word against mine in the caress of butterfly wings.
My bones liquefied. I nearly fainted.
“Why?” The single word was a mere movement of my lips.
His free hand shackled my chin, guided my face up, held me prisoner to eyes much too animal to be human. “Because I don’t want to stop.”
If there was ever any possibility of remembering to breathe, it was gone. I was barely conscious, barely even sane as I sunk into blissful madness cured only by his lips… his touch.
“Touch me!” My desperate plea was met with a fierce growl.
His eyes, dark, feral, bore into mine. “Not here!”
I opened my mouth to protest, to beg, but his finger against my lips became a barricade, trapping the words on my tongue.
“Don’t!” he hissed. His finger drew back, traced the curve of my bottom lip. His eyes followed the slow caress the way a cat watches a canary. “I can’t promise I’m completely in control right now.”

Airicka PhoenixAuthor Bio
Airicka Phoenix is the best-selling author of the Touch Series with short stories in Whispered Beginnings: A Clever Fiction Anthology and Midnight Surrender Anthology. When she’s not hammering away at the keyboard, she can be found banishing pirates or crawling through the attic looking for lost treasure with her kids. She loves baking, gardening and reading. She also likes to travel and take pictures of everything she comes across. When asked, Airicka describes herself as a sarcastic basket case that has an unhealthy addiction to chocolate, old movies and really bad jokes. She loves to laugh, make friends and write. If she could have one wish granted, it would be to spend one day as a fly-on-the-wall inside Stephen King’s mind. If she could have two wishes granted, she would ask for a castle dedicated entirely to her overwhelming collection of books.

For more about Airicka, also on how to win giveaways, read author interviews and reviews, visit her website at: http://airickaphoenix.com/Author

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Interview with Author Claudia Whitsitt on her new release!

INTIMACY ISSUES (THE SAMANTHA SERIES) by Claudia Whitsitt

Please welcome Claudia Whitsitt, author of The Samantha Series. Book 2 in the suspenseful series was released April 8th. Claudia and I met at Printers Row in Chicago almost three years ago. She has a knack for page turner mysteries and is a talented writer and friend! Claudia will be chatting about her recent release and The Samantha Series.

 

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Claudia, if you had to describe your book in twenty-five words or less, what would you say?

Heartache, mystery, suspense, and love collide in INTIMACY ISSUES, Book 2, The Samantha Series.

I know that the heroine of your series, Samantha Stitsill, travels to Japan in this book. Did you travel to Japan to research?

As luck would have it, I traveled to Japan with my husband and daughter before I wrote INTIMACY ISSUES. During the time I visited Asia, I had no idea I would one day set a novel there, but I’m grateful that I captured prolific photos during my stay. Also, my husband’s many trips to Japan for business afforded me a personal research assistant. I believe I could have written the story without having visited, but I certainly made it easier for me to step into Samantha’s shoes having that prior knowledge.

If I remember correctly, it was the theft of your husband’s identity that spurred the writing of the series.

That’s right. Don’s passport was stolen twenty years ago. Not long after that, we received a threatening letter from Botswana, followed by disturbing late night phone calls. Ten years later, a strange woman showed up at my school. She thought I was married to her husband! The entire series of events was preposterous, yet I it provided me with such good material, I had to write the book. Thus, The Samantha Series was born.

Are there particular scenes that you have difficulty writing?

I struggle writing sex scenes. (Catholic school upbringing and being an elementary school teacher makes me tap the brakes!) I want to be sure to create the correct balance between enticing the reader and tugging on their heartstrings. For me, sex is about far more than the act; it’s about the emotion that both characters bring to the scene. I’ve always believed that the first brush of shoulders or the mere joining of hands can be incredibly provocative, even more so than a blow by blow description of the actual encounter.

What is your favorite part of writing a series?

Writing is one of the greatest joys of my life! I love stepping into Samantha’s shoes and living her life. She and I share much in common. Like me, she’s a schoolteacher and mother. But while we are similar in those regards, Samantha is spunkier and sassier than I’d ever dream of being. It’s thrilling for me to be so rooted in her life of adventure. I feel privileged that she allows me to accompany her on her life’s journey.

Samantha’s a real woman with real problems.  She’s tough, and faces adversity at every juncture of her life with grace and aplomb. It’s for this reason that I think Sam resonates with so many readers.

What’s your favorite reader response to The Samantha Series?

“And I can’t remember when I’ve enjoyed a book more. The author, without being presumptuous, spins a good tale that had me guessing the entire book. And I usually get bored with trying to solve the mystery, for I usually have it before the middle of the book. Some authors throw a kink into the mix late in the book and think that it adds to the mystery, but I find it deplorable. Ms. Whitsitt, much like the old “Nero Wolf” mysteries, puts it right up front, and she defies you, successfully, to solve the mystery. I find her writing style, her melding of characters, and plot twists, realistic and both terrifying and heartwarming. Not many authors for which I await the next offering, but I’m awaiting the next in this series with great anticipation.”

The reader had no way of knowing that this was what I had hoped to achieve, so this proved an extremely validating review.

Where is your favorite place to write?

I have a quiet study in my home, but I can write anywhere, anytime. If there’s sunlight streaming through the window, I’m that much happier.

Thanks for visiting, Claudia! I love your books and hope to see you soon.

Same here, Jen. I miss your smiles and your warm hugs!

claudia

About the author:

Claudia is a special education teacher and mother of five living in Michigan with her husband, Don. Her husband’s identity theft led her to the keyboard to write her first novel, IDENTITY ISSUES. As well as The Samantha Series, Claudia has written a coming of age mystery, The Wrong Guy, loosely based on The Michigan Murders of the late 1960s.

 

GIVEAWAY:

Two digital sets of Claudia Whitsitt’s thriller series, including Identity Issues and Intimacy Issues.

Enter now!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/OGE0MTk3ZjZhNjczYTcwMjMzNjNjOTVjODE5OTkyOjA=/

BUY links:

IDENTITY ISSUES:

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Amazon US- http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CAB2YU6

Amazon Canada- http://www.amazon.ca/Identity-Issues-Samantha-ebook/dp/B00AGLOJVY/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366466963&sr=1-1&keywords=identity+issues+by+claudia+whitsitt

Amazon UK- http://www.amazon.co.uk/Identity-Issues-Samantha-ebook/dp/B00AGLOJVY/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1366466453&sr=8-1&keywords=identity+issues+by+claudia+whitsitt

Nook- http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/identity-issues-claudia-whitsitt/1113865482?ean=2940016720784&itm=1&usri=identity+issues+by+claudia+whitsitt

INTIMACY ISSUES:

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Amazon US – http://www.amazon.com/Intimacy-Issues-Samantha-ebook/dp/B00CAB2YU6/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366467136&sr=1-1&keywords=intimacy+issues+by+claudia+whitsitt

Amazon Canada- http://www.amazon.ca/Intimacy-Issues-Samantha-ebook/dp/B00CAB2YU6/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366467209&sr=1-1&keywords=intimacy+issues+by+claudia+whitsitt

Amazon UK – http://www.amazon.co.uk/Intimacy-Issues-Samantha-Series-ebook/dp/B00CAB2YU6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366467266&sr=8-1&keywords=intimacy+issues+by+claudia+whitsitt

Nook – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/intimacy-issues-claudia-whitsitt/1115125575?ean=2940016693064

 

 

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New Release: Stone Cold by Jenny Hilborne

Stone Cold Front Cover Final

STONE COLD

In the competitive world of advertising, Charles Dean is at the top of his game; a ruthless boss driven by results. When a scandal threatens his prestigious advertising company, Dean is determined to find the person trying to ruin him and handle it his way.

Someone else has other ideas and their own reasons for bringing him down.

Then the murders of two senior corporate executives stun the Oxfordshire community and the dirty secret Dean has kept hidden for years is about to be exposed.

Set in the beautiful English Cotswolds, STONE COLD is a brand new psychological thriller, available now for Kindle. Also available in paperback.

Buy now on Amazon

 

Jenny_HilborneJenny Hilborne
Author of mysteries and thrillers 

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WITCH HUNT: OF THE BLOOD Blog Tour!

WHotbSmallWEBI have the awesome authors of Witch Hunt: Of the Blood on my site today. I asked them all the same question, I hope you enjoy their responses! Now don’t forget to go and check out this wonderful mix of stories!

 

Question:
What sort of witch do you think you’d make? If you were one…would you try to make any changes in the world?
 
 
Krista Walsh:
 
Sleeping Beauty’s Maleficient is probably one of my favourite witch portrayals, so I think I’d want all of her awesomeness without the cruelty. I don’t know if I could trust my spells to make the world better – what if they backfire? – so I think I’d work small and gather up all the stray animals in my city to create a little army.
 
Devin O’Branagan:
 
My very favorite fictional character ever is Granny Weatherwax from Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series of novels. I’ve often said, “I want to be her!” Why? Because she is tough, yet compassionate. She has an unshakable belief in her own abilities. She doesn’t use her magic to give people what they want, but what they need. She fights evil and is willing to lay down her life to do so. She’s not attached to things, but to her work of helping people and animals. She always does what’s right, no matter what the cost. And she really doesn’t care what people think of her because she is true to herself. Oh, yeah. I want to be Esmerelda Weatherwax in the worst way! She’s the kind of witch I’d aspire to be.
 
 
Keri Lake:
 
Ooh.  I’m not sure what kind of witch I’d make, I can be kind of feisty at times.  Maybe even wicked…hahaha.  Yes, I would definitely use my power to make some positive changes in the world…like strongly urging more vacation time in the workplace.
 
K.L. Schwengel:
 
This is a tough question because, to be honest, I probably wouldn’t be a very benevolent witch. I unfortunately succumb to things like shopping and road rage, and imagine I would be tempted to use my powers for not-so-nice purposes. I think it’s best if I don’t even dabble. Yep. Definitely best if I don’t.
 
 
Suzanne Hayes Campbell:
 
I’d make a terrible witch! I think to perform magic you have to believe it exists, and I just don’t. I am a scientific method gal all the way. Now that doesn’t mean I have it all figured out—certainly not. It’s just I am OK with the mysteries of the universe and don’t have any need to explain it for us mere mortals. It would be nice to believe in such powers, and if I had them I think the one thing I would do is to make it impossible for us to do harm or unkindness to each other. At the very least I would cast a civility spell. Imagine what would happen if you woke up one day and everyone was nice?!
Five novellas based on Devin O’Branagan’s bestselling novel, Witch Hunt!
 
You’ve closed the cover on Witch Hunt, but the story isn’t over … yet! Devin O’Branagan has handpicked writers to take up her characters’ stories and explore what happens next.
The anthology begins with O’Branagan’s own novella about Hawthorne matriarch, Vivian. Vivian and her fellow British witches work together to prevent a Nazi invasion during World War II. Then there is Colonial maiden, Bridget, who struggles with the guilt of failing her family in Salem, 1692. Her younger sister, Prissy, mysteriously disappears and finds another magical world. Julia, torn by family loyalties, love, and her spiritual quest, pays a huge price to continue the bloodline. And Miranda uses her powers against the great influenza outbreak of 1918—but finds the ultimate foe is prejudice against her kind.
 
Discover what was left out of Witch Hunt and revisit your favorite characters with these exciting novellas. The story isn’t done until the battle’s lost and won.
 
This anthology contains novellas by Devin O’Branagan, Suzanne Hayes Campbell, Keri Lake, K.L. Schwengel, and Krista Walsh.
 
All five authors of the anthology are available for discussion at Devin’s writers’ forum. This is the link to chat with them: Chat With The Authors!
Witch Hunt: Of the Blood is available in both print and eBook formats and may be found atAmazon, B&N, and Smashwords. (Smashwords provides copies compatible with almost all types of eReaders including Sony, Apple, Kobo, etc.) It is also available internationally via Amazon worldwide!
 
Two of the stories in this anthology are bridges to the upcoming sequel, Witch Hunt: Resistance, which will be released in 2013.
 
The original Witch Hunt is an international bestseller first published by Simon & Schuster’s Pocket Books. It has been translated into German and Turkish and is consistently on the bestseller lists. It is the story of 300+ years in the history of a family of witches, from the time of the Salem trials to a modern-day witch hunt. It begs the question: could it happen again?
 
Witch Hunt is available as both a paperback and an eBook. It is available at Amazon, B&N, and Smashwords.