Book Launch for charity: My Kort vir jou Sop (Afrikaans anthology)

It isn't everyday that I have the opportunity to introduce you to a book published in my mother tongue, Afrikaans, where I know at least one of the authors. Vanessa Wright, a member of my writers group recently had a flash fiction story published in an anthology with several well-known South African writers.

The anthology covers myriad themes as each writer decided what he or she would like write about. All proceeds will go to Kleinmond library and soup kitchen. The ebook is available on Amazon, Kalahari and soon to be released on Kobo. A paper edition is in the offing.

What the publisher and some of the writers had to say:

The publisher, Trisa Hugo, from Boekemakranka says the idea for the anthology presented itself while she was busy with the weekly ironing. She immediately stopped ironing, switched on her computer and started emailing writers. The response she received was overwhelming.

Rika du Plessis author of Flopsies met Floozies: 
The idea for the story came form an older friend of my mother who had been cheated on by her husband for many years before she decided to divorce him. She was the one who had all the money and he walked off with half of it. After the divorce she a family member died and she received an enormous amount of money. Her ex-husband was angry about the fact that he couldn't share in the wealth.
You can follow Rika on Twitter @RikaPlessis

Vanessa Wright author of Vyf en 'n drie-kwart ure in Gekkeparadys and Spieelbeeld: 
My ideas and subsequent stories seem to come from a darker side of me and the themes almost always involve loss. The seed of the idea takes a while to germinate until I wake up one morning with the entire story written in my head. I love this creative process. I tend to think visually and try to convey that to the reader.

You can follow Vanessa on Twitter @Artysoul1966

Book Launch: Sinners of Water and Fire by Charity Parkerson

Blurb:

Their love was legendary, cursed, and forbidden. 
The fates conspired to keep them apart, but destiny will bring them together again…
When one of their own becomes the target of a demon bent on revenge, the Society will do anything to keep her safe, including stealing a God from the Heavens.
Heru, son of Geb, once sold his soul to forget her, and now he’ll give anything to keep her safe. 
Gods and Demons collide in the final installment of Charity Parkerson’s award-winning “Sinners” series.

Excerpt:

“I dreamed about you last night.” Heat flooded her face at the confession. She knew it must be the shade of a strawberry, but she lifted her eyes to his, holding his stare steadily, as if daring him to mock her words. For a moment, she could have sworn a look of triumph passed over his face, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared.

“What was the dream about?”

Marissa had thought that it was impossible to be any more embarrassed than she already was, but at his question, she discovered a whole new level of humiliation.

“Um,” she stuttered before admitting, “I don’t want to tell you.”

“Oh,” he crowed. “It was that kind of dream, was it?” While his eyes were shining with mirth, her face was on fire, and she really wanted kick him.

“Shut up,” she hissed.

“Ever as you command,” he said, but she could still hear the laughter in his voice.

Fanning her face, Marissa practically danced in place in her discomfort.

“Are you having some sort of fit?” Adriana, Marissa’s mom, asked, slicing through her mortification.

Marissa had not heard her approach and she shot a nervous glimpse at the tree line to find Harold gone.

“I was attempting a spell.” Marissa answered Adriana’s question absently while searching for any sign that Harold was still hanging around. When her mom remained silent, Marissa glanced over to find her watching her closely, and she pasted a fake smile on her face in order to ease her mother’s obvious concern.

“Okay,” Adriana said, drawing out the word and sounding as if she didn’t believe her, which was a spot-on observation, since Marissa was lying.

Buy Links:

Amazon- US- http://ow.ly/jtGfn

Amazon –UK- http://ow.ly/jtu8c

Barnes & Noble: http://ow.ly/ju66m

Kobo: http://ow.ly/jyysl

Smashwords: http://ow.ly/jy5yh

All Romance Ebooks: http://ow.ly/ju3ob

About the Author:

Charity Parkerson was born in Tennessee, where she still lives with her husband and two sons. She is the author of several books including thirteen Amazon bestsellers. You can like her at http://www.facebook.com/authorCharityParkerson. Be sure to visit her at http://www.charityparkerson.com and you can read her blog at http://charity-thesinners.blogspot.com

Her “Sinners series” was voted one of the top ten best books by an Indie author in 2011- Paranormal Romance Reads

Her book “The Danger with Sinners” was named “Best Book of 2012” by Paranormal Reads Reviews and is a finalist for Favorite Paranormal Romance in the 2012 Australian Romance Readers Association Awards.

She was named as one of the top three Indie authors of 2012- EbookBuilders

She is a member of The Paranormal Romance Guild, is a Goodreads moderator, a member of Coffee Time Romance, and co-host of The Melissa Craig and Charity Parkerson show.

She won author of the week in August of 2011, and is a four-time winner of The Mistress of the Darkpath.

You can follow her on Twitter @https://twitter.com/CharityParkerso

Additional Links:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Smashwords

Punk & Sissy Publications

Book Launch: Blood Flows Deep in the Empire by N. Isabelle Blanco

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dyletri, God of Fertility, has locked away his powers. No woman is allowed to touch him,

not until he can return his long-dead lover back to life. All he has to do is sacrifice one human girl, a girl who unlocks his powers and rips his dormant lust right out of his body. Trapped by his promise, Dyletri has no choice but to watch Ismini die, no matter how much he wants her.
Yet the darkness of his calling is spiraling within him, demanding he claim the human as his. If he goes back on his promise, the energy of the Fates will cause untold destruction in the Universe. That doesn’t change how Dyletri’s begun exhibiting symptoms that point to more than just lust. How does he allow Ismini to die when she’s come to own him from the inside out?
Desire and torment spiral into something much darker than obsession, more turbulent than an addiction, and something much more brutal than a mere soul-mating. As a war is being rekindled right under his nose, Dyletri will have to come to terms with a destiny eleven thousand years in the making. He thought he’d known what path his future would take, but he’d been wrong. Now the one woman he truly loves might pay the price for his decision.
Blood Flows Deep in the Empire is the first in a series that will pit free-will against Destiny, Destiny against Fate, and love against brutal desire. Everyone likes to think they have a choice as to who they end up with, but as they rise to face the greatest threat they’ve ever known, even the Gods will learn they have to bend to Destiny’s whim to survive.

About the Author

N. Isabelle Blanco was born in Queens, NY (USA). At age 3, due to an odd

fascination with studying her mother’s handwriting, she had already begun to read and write. By the time she’d reached kindergarten, she had an extensive vocabulary and her obsession with words began to bleed into every aspect of her life. An avid reader in her teens, a fascination with Japanese anime eventually led her to the universe of fanfiction. 
Her on again, off again hobby for the next ten years, She amassed a following of fans that, by her own admission, she would never be able to live without. It was those fans who encouraged her to step beyond the fanfiction realm and try her talent in the publishing world.
 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/nisabelleblanco
Twitter: www.twitter.com/nyddi
Blog/Website: www.houseofmalfunction.com

Buy Links: Amazon
 

Cover Reveal: Shudder by Samantha Durante

Book Launch: Dark Persuasion by Vicki Hopkins

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2934631.Vicki_Hopkins_awa_J_D_Burrows

Synopsis:

Charlotte Gray couldn't believe that anyone in high society would care to introduce her to potential suitors. After all, a cruel accident left her blind at the age of eight. However, Lady and Lord Rochester, her aristocratic neighbors, have taken a peculiar interest in her welfare and offer to hold a debutante ball in her honor.

Inexperienced in the ways of men and vulnerable to a fault, Charlotte begins to traverse the unfamiliar world of courtship. To her surprise, two brothers become rivals for her affections. One she favors because of his gregarious and flattering ways. The other she spurns due to his unappealing demeanor and desperate attempt to win her heart.

Pressured by her family and brokenhearted over the risqué conduct of her first choice, Charlotte is persuaded to accept Patrick Rochester's proposal of marriage instead. Her surrender introduces her into the world of passion at the artful hands of a mysterious man. When the dark and alluring husband finally conquers her heart, a shocking secret about his true identity unfolds. As a result, Charlotte learns that love can be blind for everyone-even her.

Bio Info:

Vicki started her writing career somewhat late in life, but can attest to the fact that it is never too late to follow your dreams. Her debut novel was released in 2009, and four books later and another on the way, she doesn't think she will stop any time soon. Her usual genre is historical fiction/historical romance. However, she recently crossed the lines into contemporary romance under the pen name of J.D. Burrows, releasing "Conflicting Hearts."  She's been honored as an Award-Winning Finalist in the Fiction: Romance category of The 2012 USA Best Book Awards, sponsored by USA Book News for "Dark Persuasion."
​
With Russian blood on her father's side and English on her mother's, she blames her ancestors for the lethal combination in her genes that influence her stories. Tragedy and drama might be found between her pages, but she eventually gives her readers a happy ending.

She lives in the beautiful, but rainy, Pacific Northwest with a pesky cat who refuses to let her sleep in. Her hobbies include researching her English ancestry, traveling to England when she can afford it, and plotting her next book.

Links:

http://vickihopkins.com

https://www.facebook.com/Vicki.Hopkins.Author

 

https://www.facebook.com/authorjdburrows

Book Launch: Breach by KI Lynn

Delilah Palmer has control of her life and outward personality, blocking the truth just below the surface. A façademeant to be normal and hide the scars of her childhood. She’s made a good life for herself, became a lawyer, and is free from the tortured past that haunts her daily. Until he comes along and breaks open the cracks. 
 Nathan Thorne has a past of his own. On the surface he is loved by all, personable, extroverted; everything Delilah isn’t. Hidden beneath is a dark and tormented man that only Delilah has to power to unveil.
 Crammed in a small office together they see through each other’s masks, and the draw becomes too much, igniting an explosive relationship. Holloway and Holloway Law has a strict non-fraternization policy, forcing them to conceal their breach. Despite their efforts, separation becomes impossible, deceptions escalate, and Nathan has trouble coping; teetering on the edge of being overtaken by his past demons. 
 What secrets does he harbor that could keep him from giving in? What keeps him from healing and moving forward? And Delilah, where does she fit into all this turmoil?
 Can they accept love and deal with all the trials that come their way when secrets are exposed? Or will they fall through the cracks of their pasts and be consumed by all that haunts them?

Goodreads
Buy it online @ Amazon

Author Bio:

K.I. Lynn spent her life in the arts, everything from music to painting and ceramics, then to writing. Characters have always run around in her head, acting out their stories, but it wasn’t until later in life she would put them to pen. It would turn out to be the one thing she was really passionate about.

Since she began posting stories online, she’s garnered acclaim for her diverse stories and hard hitting writing style. Two stories and characters are never the same, her brain moving through different ideas faster than she can write them down as it also plots its quest for world domination…or cheese. Whichever is easier to obtain… Usually it’s cheese.

 
Author Contact Links:
Website: http://www.kilynnwrites.blogspot.com/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6553256.K_I_Lynn
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KI_Lynn_

 

Book Launch: Sacrifice by Stacey Rourke

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author Bio:
Young Adult and Teen Reader voted Author of the Year 2012.

Stacey Rourke is the author of the Gryphon Series. She lives in Michigan with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and two giant, drooly dogs. Stacey loves to travel, has an unhealthy shoe addiction and considers herself blessed to make a career out of talking to the imaginary people that live in her head. She is currently hard at work on the continuations of this series as well as other literary projects.

Social Media Links
www.staceyrourke.com
Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stacey-Rourke/
Twitter @Rourkewrites.





Summary:
Celeste Garrett has finally found a happy balance in her life as the Chosen One, thanks in large part to

a certain hunky Irishman. But if there’s any lesson she should heed since receiving her calling it’s that everything can change in the blink of an eye. Soon a terrible new threat, unlike anything she’s ever encountered, causes her to make a gut-wrenching choice that will strip her of someone she holds dear.

As much as she’d like to have a pity party for one, there’s no time for that now because wedding bells are ringing in Gainesboro! In between dress fittings and rehearsal dinners Celeste will have to fend off attacking demons and leering pirates. As if the Dark Army wasn’t scary enough our heroine is faced with the horrifying trauma of attending a bachelorette party with her mom and watching Grams do Jello shots. Is a walk down the aisle even possible for a member of the Garrett family when the Dark Army is out to destroy them? More importantly, will the Dark Army Glee Club sing at the reception?

Raise your glass to the happy couple, and get ready for a wedding…Conduit-style.

Buy links:
Amazon      B&N

Linzé's Interviewed Caleb and here is what our hero had to say for himself -

Please tell us a little about yourself. Where did you grow up? Who are you parents? What did you want to be when you grew up?

I was born in the hills of Ir’land in the 17^th century. We were peasants, but me Ma and Dah worked hard tah provide for my sis and I. But me whole life changed the day a demonic army stormed our tiny village. My parents loaded me into a cart along with the other village children and we were hurried us away. They thought we would be safe. They were wrong. That same army caught up with us af’er ransacking the town and took us prisoner. Ya ask where I grew up? In a demon dimension fightin’ for me life. What did I want to be when I grew up? Free. 

Where do you see yourself in ten years from now? A hundred years?

I try not to think too far ahead. With a ne’er endin’ stream of assassins out tah kill me, I found forethought just led to pessimism. I make my goals vague—in ten years I hope tah still be alive and kickin’.

Obviously being with Celeste can make for an interesting day. How do you deal with her family members? And the upcoming wedding of your sister?

I absolutely adore bein’ around her family. They’re human, they’re real. I lost my own humanity a long time ago, but bein’ around them I’m remind of what it was like. As for the wedding of my sis to Celeste’s brotha, I couldn’t be happier. I thought my sis long since dead, now I get to walk her down the aisle. I wouldn’t miss that for the world.

Tell us why you love Celeste? And what about her irritates you the most.

I love her heart. That gal would walk through fire and storm the gates of hell for those she cares about for no other reason than it’s the right thing tah do. She amazes me. As to what irritates me … do ya think I’m nuts? She’s the Chosen One and packs quite a wallop. No way am I sayin’ something that will land me on her bad side

What would you like to change about yourself? And Celeste?

I’d take the demonic bullseye off both our backs. Let us settle into normalcy for a tic.

Saving the world cannot be an easy job.

What additional power do you think you could do with to make it less of a struggle?

I’d love me pal Rowan’s mind control ability. All he has to do is look at a bloke and they turn into his little puppets. Fighting would be considerably easier if ya could just stare at yer opponent and convince them tah take a nap instead.

Book launch and Giveaway: I Know What You Read by Keara Kevay

Synopsis:

Ever wonder what some people might think if they knew what you read? Do you tuck that naughty novel inside a plain-Jane cover, or keep your e-reader turned at an angle so no one can see the dirty words? Jade always errs on the side of caution when it comes to sex. She’s never been risqué, but when she learns the thrill of reading erotica at work, things quickly change. She finds a note that says: I know what you read. Now she’s in trouble; someone has discovered her secret—and he wants to watch. It’s a blackmail scheme the likes of which she would have never imagined. Erotic stories are found on her desk with notes that say if she doesn’t sit there and read them, they will pop-up somewhere else in the office—with her name on them. She thinks she knows who is tormenting her; now all she has to do is get him to say, “I know what you read.”

Author Bio:
Keara is an Irish lass who loves to spin erotic tales, but the tale is the part she enjoys the most. She can be found on the sunny beaches of Florida, the lakeshores of Maine, or picking blackberries along the northern California pacific shore. Her works include:
 
Ain’t Even Done With The Night – Series – Book 1
 Hold On To The Nights – Series – Book 2
 The Ride
 Best Night Ever
 Best Night Ever II – Never Again
 I Know What You Read
 And coming soon: Because The Night – Series – Book 3

She loves to hear from her readers. You can contact her at Kearakevay@gmail.com, visit her blog at www.kearakevay.com, Facebook, or Twitter.

You can find her books on Amazon   Barnes&Noble    Smashwords

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book launch & Giveaway: I Kissed a Dog by Carol van Atta

Genre: Paranormal Romance/Fantasy on Goodreads & Amazon

 Synopsis:

  Chloe Carpenter isn't like other women. She can communicate with animals. A gift she unwrapped following one of her frequent dances with death.

   In her otherwise wacky life, she's finally found a semblance of sanity working at the Plum Beach Wildlife Park, where her unique talents can make life or death differences for the animals in her care. That semblance is shattered when a new veterinarian roars into the park in his spiffed up sports car and sets his golden gaze on her. If she had her way, he'd roar right back out.

  Problem: He's her new coworker and he's saved her life twice - in the past twenty-four hours.

  Zane Marshall, Enforcer for the Pacific Pack of purebred werewolves, has a job to do - figure out who or what is mutilating the young men of Plum Beach.

  With orders to find the woman who talks to animals, he accepts a position working alongside the fiery Chloe Carpenter, a female who ignites his interest far more than he ever expected. Remarkably, she's the one elusive female with potential to bring meaning and passion to his empty existence.

  Problem: She despises him.

  Together, they're forced to unravel a mystery of supernatural proportions, a murderous mystery with eternal implications for everyone. In the process, they discover opposites really do attract.

  Major Problem: Zane is pledged to another woman, and she'll do anything to keep him from Chloe.

Author Bio:

Like most authors, Carol Van Atta is no stranger to the written word. She penned a short novel at age 12. (somewhat frightening illustrations included), and had a creative writing piece published in her high school newspaper (about David Bowie’s Diamond Dogs LP). Yes, she’s an ex-80’s rocker chick.

    She has contributed to several popular inspirational anthologies and devotional books, and lives in the rainy wetlands of Oregon with one terrifying teen (another in college) and a small zoo of animals. She is taking an undetermined hiatus away from inspirational writing to delve into her darker side. It is rumored that this genre-jumping occurred after Carol discovered two suspicious read marks on her neck, and experienced an unquenchable urge to howl at the moon. 

Find Carol Van Atta on the Web

Facebook Page      Facebook   Website   Blog  Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal: One Shade of Red by Scott Bury

Women want the perfect man, so they can change him. But when university student Damian Serr discovers a rich, beautiful woman who’s voracious about sex, he doesn’t try to improve on perfection. It’s all that he can do to hold on for the ride.

Damian has always followed the rules, always tried to please others. At 20, he still dates the girl next door because his parents like her parents. When Nick, his university roommate, asks Damian to take over his pool-cleaning business so he can take an internship in London, Damian can’t say no — especially to Nick’s first and only client, a rich widow.

But widow Alexis Rosse is far from helpless or lonely. This beautiful financial genius is busy turning the markets upside-down, and she revels in sex wherever, whenever and with whomever she wants.

Over the summer, Alexis gives Damian an intense education. Day after day, she pushes him to his sexual limits. The only question he has is: will she break them?

On Tour: Hearts of Ishira by Bethany Aan

When Arianna wakes on a strange planet, she is the only human able to communicate psychically with the big, sexy Thorsani warrior who rides in with his men to rescue the Earth women from their crashed space transport. The Thorsani, humanoid but descended from sentient cats eons ago, are also marooned on this planet they have named 'Ishira'.

Hunter and his brother Jace are Commander and lead physician of Ishira colony. When the captured women tumble into their lives, the small Earthlings turn the men's world upside down. The girls bring drama and heartache, laughter and light...not to mention the first opportunity for sex in more than ten years. And though she's the oldest of her group, Hunter and Jace find themselves drawn to the lovely, curvy Arianna.

For Ri and her ladies, their tumultuous new life takes a very interesting turn when they discover that the Thorsani way is to marry in teams of men...

 

 

Author Bio:

Bethany has been a fan and a writer of romance, science fiction/fantasy, and erotic fiction for more than twenty years and is thrilled that the reading market has finally caught up to her love of all three so that she can share the stories she's always dreamed of writing.

Bethany Aan lives in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina with her husband and their dog, Loki.

You can find her author's page on Facebook, follow her blog at bethanyaan.blogspot.com, or keep up with everything at once by visiting www.bethanyaan.com. 

  

Buy Links:

Nook      Kindle

CreateSpace (trade paperback)

On Tour: Eternal Lovers by VS Nelson

Ancient Legends - New Worlds Humans weren't the only ones to migrate to America... When two hidden worlds collide near modern day Lake Michigan, Jennifer, a young Native American, is confronted with the reality not everything is as it seems and things do go bump in the night. The questions she has long since asked are answered in this epic tale of self discovery when she meets Gabriel; the director of Guardians Incorporated. Born in New Tuat, Netchkhet, now known as Gabriel, came to Earth some five thousand years ago to protect the human race, Disillusioned because of an unfulfilled prophecy, he has become cold and distant - even from those of his kind. Secretly, he waits for his enemy to take his head so he may leave this world for good. Can a tiny Selkie melt his hardened heart and restore his faith in a power far greater than himself? When history repeats itself, can he save her from death's embrace or will they be robbed of a future again?

Goodreads link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17235374-eternal-lovers 

Author Bio:  V.S. Nelson has always enjoyed reading stories with strong relationships and happy endings so it’s not surprising she found herself writing across the romance genre. Even her commercial fiction, Sins of a Man, the memoirs of a Mafia Hit man, is layered with romantic elements.

Landing in Arizona, after an exciting teaching career, which took her to the Middle East for several years, she lives in Arizona where she spend most of my time making love to her computer while writing, editing or researching, seven to ten hours a day. The days she’s not writing, you will find her with my critique partners at Starbucks, attending or presenting a workshop or at a RWA meeting.

Being a Native American woman and a Scorpio, she’s always had a fondness for history, mythology, the occult, and the unexplained events which have occurred on this world we call home. It was no wonder she found herself writing a paranormal series.

She enjoys hearing from readers, fans and people with similar interests. They are more than welcome to contact her through her website http://www.authorvsnelson.com

 

I am delighted to welcome author V.S.Nelson to (site) today. Virginia, thank you for being here today. I’d like to start off asking you, why do you write under your initials rather than your first and last name? Is it to hide your sexuality?

V: Not at all. When I first switched from writing non-fiction to fiction I felt a change was necessary. I, like most authors also googled my name. I was not surprised to find my name was being used by another author. What surprised me was she also writes paranormal romance often on the erotic side. We have since become facebook friends and joke freely about our common name. Virginia Nelson is my maiden name where it is her married name. Making a long story short I felt it best to use my initials for my fictional stories. There was never any intention on my part to hide my gender.

Interviewer: I think our readers would like to learn more about you as a person. Can you tell us at least five things most readers don’t know about you?

V: Well I’m not too sure what your readers know or don’t know about me so I’ll start off by stating some of the things that is mentioned on my website then share a few secrets with you. I’m Native American, a Scorpio and a grandmother who refuses to admit that I am as old as I truly am since I am still very young at heart. I wrote non-fiction and text books for years while I taught school in New Mexico and the Middle East. I’m retired now and spend my days writing fiction in sunny Arizona where I live with the light of my life who was also my high school sweetheart. (More on this personal story below.) I have a fondness for the occult, ancient cultures and religions which l believe led me to write paranormals and urban fantasies.

Now on to some of the things your readers may not know about me. 

(1)  I was diagnosed with MS in 1990 and was confined to a wheel chair for over two years. Thing got so bad with my health I feared I would spend my remaining days in a rest home. I made the decision to try several alternative healing methods, including acupuncture, to which I am forever grateful for. It is a long haul but I eventually regained the use of my legs and arms. 

(2)  As a young teenager, in 1964, I ran away with my high school boyfriend after my parents moved from Central California to Northern California. I hated my new school and was so lonely without him we choose to runaway to Reno to get married. Sadly, I chickened out once we pulled up to a wedding chapel.  He returned home as did I and we broke up. A year later my family moved back to central California and the two of us picked up where we left off. A few months later, fate deemed we would not end up together. He married someone else as did I. I hadn’t seen or heard from Tom in years until ten years ago when I received an email from classmates dot com that he was trying to find me. We emailed back and forth for sometime before the phone calls started. We decided to meet up in person and felt Las Vegas would be a central and safe meeting place. Our weekend adventure turned into a week. Two months later, Tom made the move to Arizona and we have been together ever since. We have been content with our relationship and both feel we are committed enough in that relationship that a formal ceremony was not necessary. – That was until Thanksgiving Day when we were discussing which conferences I would attend in 2013. A decision to take part in the http:/www.romancenovelconvention.com in Las Vegas was quickly made. While making arrangements for the conference on line, Tom suggested that since we would both be in Vegas we might as well go ahead and tie the knot officially. As it turns out the model, Jimmy Thomas, who is hosting the event will be officiating the ceremony during the conference’s costume ball. What better place to formally say our vows than at a romance convention? 

(3)  Another unknown fact about me is, after I retired from teaching college in New Mexico I ended up teaching for anther twelve years in the Middle East and Egypt. It was perhaps the most rewarding experience I have had the pleasure in my life. I lived in Qatar, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Egypt in addition to a few other places and wouldn’t change a thing about my life there. The people of those counties are rich in culture and I feel blessed to have known them. 

(4)  Much like the heroine, Jennifer, in Eternal Lovers – Sekhmet’s Guardians – Book One, I was raised by my grandparents until forth grade at which time I moved in with my mother and step-father.

Interviewer: Wow, you sure have led an amazing life. Do you draw on your personal experiences when writing your stories?

V: I think every writer no matter how their story comes to them will draw on their experiences and past emotions when developing their story lines and character profiles. As I mentioned, Jennifer and I share similar childhoods. 

Interviewer: So where do your stories come from? Do you plot them out?

V: I’m very much a seat-of-the-pants type of writer. I write what I see or feel. Each story comes from a different place inside me. Cupid’s story developed with a mere thought while Sekhmet’s Guardians was revealed to me through dreams. Gabriel the leader of Sekhmet’s Guardians came to me years ago when I was in Egypt. Too busy to give him the attention he demanded I placed him in the folds of my sub-conscious until he demanded I pay attention to him. That was three years ago. He still visits me nightly sharing the Guardian’s amazing tales and I continue to write them out.

Interviewer: Virginia, I’d like to thank you for being our special guest today. I hope you will consider coming back in the near future and sharing more of your exciting life with us.

V: Thank you. I loved being here and will check back later to see if any of your readers have questions for me.

Interviewer: If you would like to know more about author V.S.Nelson or her books I suggest you hop on over to her website http://www.authorvsnelson.com

Featuring Chess in my Books

With Keeper of the Dragon Sword approaching its date of publication (and I am very excited about that!) I have been making preparations for the launch both in my home town (if you can call Pretoria a town) and online.

Part of the visuals that will form part of the launch include swords and chess pieces. If you have read Géra's Gift, you will know that chess featured quite strongly when T'ara took part in a Strategy tournament on the planet Abea.

Although the swords play a more prominent role in Keeper of the Dragon Sword, Elizabeth's bodyguards play Strategy while they are guarding her.

If you are in Pretoria, or just in the vicinity, make sure that you keep a close eye on my blog, there are quite a few surprises that I am keeping up my sleeve for now, that will reveal themselves in April, May and June this year.

And one of those surprises ... Marisa van der Merwe, Founder and Owner of MiniChess, and Founder & Trustee of Moves for Life

Why would you encourage anyone to take up chess?
Chess is fun/creative/complex/universal/has endless options… Chess is an age-old game, yet links-up with modern thinking, computers, internet and social media. It exceeds all barriers of age, gender, culture, language, time and even physical disability. Playing a game of chess is like a total escape – almost like taking a journey to some fun exciting place, even if it is just a 5-minute game. You can play chess anywhere, anytime, even on the internet! On top of that: chess is cheap and keeps your mind active.

Read the full interview...

Cover Reveal: Vacant by Evelyn R Baldwin

• This book is set to release Feb 23rd via Mayhem Erotica.
• Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17342293-vacant
• Genre: Adult Romance / Erotica
• Cover Design: Mayhem Cover Creations


SYNOPSIS:
Ethan Parker gets up every day, surviving the only way he knows how—alone.
Orphaned as a child and forced into the child welfare system, he knows better than to depend on anyone but himself. He’s learned trust is a word used all too often, but rarely earned.
Ethan believes that his best chance for maintaining a simple and solitary existence is to live by a simple mantra: Don’t get involved. Keep things simple.
Take care of yourself!
When a young woman moves in next door, Ethan is forced to reevaluate his beliefs. He tries to keep his distance, but his new neighbor’s infectious smile and outlook on life leave him struggling with the decision of living the life he knows, or taking a chance on the unexpected.
As Ethan develops a relationship with his new neighbor, Emily, he realizes nothing is simple and learns that life is about more than just surviving… it’s about living. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Evelyn R. Baldwin was born in the Midwest and spent her childhood on a horse ranch. As an only child, Evelyn was often forced to entertain herself with the family’s horses as companions, and her imagination the only limitation. After moving to St. Louis to attend college, she earned a degree in Education. During her Master’s program, Evelyn discovered her fascination with behavior and psychology. Her first professional job experience was as a juvenile counselor, which led her to venture into other human sciences, eventually making a career with Behavior Analysis. While writing is a hobby for Evelyn, she often uses her experiences with human behavior to guide her characters. She’s written short stories since childhood but only recently began exercising her real writing muscles. While she does not consider herself a professional writer in any sense of the word, she continues to polish her craft and hopes for success in her writing ventures, even if they are just as a hobby.