Tuesday 28 February 2017

#Spotlight ; Barry by L.M. Pruitt





Barry
Winged
Book 14
L.M. Pruitt

Print Length: 186 pages

Publisher: SP Press

Publication Date: January 14, 2017

ASIN: B01N22VUWH

A standalone novel in the world of the international bestselling WINGED series... a glimpse in to one man's past....

It was supposed to be a simple dinner. The repayment of a debt.

I should have known Lilith would find a way to make things difficult.

Three favors. Three stories of lovers past. As Lilith said, an easy task.

I remember them all.

WARNING: THIS BOOK CONTAINS GRAPHIC LANGUAGE AND GRAPHIC SEX SCENES. READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED

Excerpt:
I leaned back, unfolding my napkin and draping it over my lap. “So, what sort of delicacy is on the menu this evening?”
“Oh, who knows. I leave those sort of things to the kitchen.” Lilith waved a hand absently, brushing the question aside as if it was no more than a fly. “It’s time for you to pay your debt.”
“And I’m here.”
“Baraquel.” Her smile was the sort usually reserved for cute animals and slow adults. “Did you really think a simple dinner would be all the repayment I required?”
“Not really but I was foolish enough to hope.” Sighing, I pulled a cigar from my coat pocket and examined the tip. “How, then, am I supposed to repay you?”
“Three favors, correct?” Her smile grew when I nodded. “Wonderful. Three stories, then.”
“I beg your pardon?” I winced, shaking my head as she laughed. “Remind me to limit my time around Joanne. I’m picking up too many of her verbal ticks for my liking.”
“If it helps, think of this as more of a series of lectures on the right and wrong way to conduct relationships.” She propped her elbows on the table, steepling her fingers as she stared at me with the sort of fascination I’d seen on cats in the instant before they pounced. “After all, you have so much advice to offer. It would be a shame to let it go to waste.”
“My personal life is my own.” I set the cigar down, hating the stiffness in my voice and yet unable to do anything to correct it. “You’ve known me long enough to know that.”
“And I’m not asking for a rundown of every person you’ve fucked in the last few millennia.” Her smile widened, the edges turning cruel. “Besides, even if I did, I doubt you could provide one.”
“I remember.”
“Do you?”
“Yes.” I clenched my fist in my lap. “I remember them all.”
“Good.” She tapped her fingers on her lower lip. “Then tell me a story.”



About the Author:

L.M. Pruitt has been reading and writing for as long as she can remember. A native of Florida with a love of New Orleans, she has the uncanny ability to find humor in most things and would probably kill a plastic plant. She knows this because she's killed bamboo. Twice.  She is the author of the Winged series, the Plaisir Coupable series, Jude Magdalyn series, the Moon Rising series, and Taken: A Frankie Post Novel.






Sunday 26 February 2017

#Spotlight ; 1857 Dust of Ages by Vandana Shanker



1857 DUST OF AGES VOL 1:
A FORGOTTEN TALE
by
Vandana Shanker



Blurb

1857. The rebellion erupts in India. Despite its attempts to stay aloof, NAVGARH, a small town near Delhi, is drawn into the conflagration. And at its heart are Princess Meera and Captain Richard Smith, with their strange alliance made for the throne of Navgarh.

2016, Shiv Sahai, a young Indian art historian and Ruth Aiken, a British scholar discover an excerpt from the journal of an anonymous British soldier, searching for his wife in the chaos of 1857 Delhi. As they begin investigating the scandal, they become aware of the vague rumours that are told in the bylanes of Navgarh – about a princess who married a British soldier to save her kingdom.

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Read an excerpt from the book...

Prologue
Camp, Delhi Cantonment, 16 August, 1857.
Things have changed forever. A day spent in the company of my old friend Knox made it clear. These distances can never be bridged.
The pole of his tent snapped in the storm yesterday; and for the sake of old friendship, I offered Knox my humble abode. But his rancour was jarring. His determination to teach the enemy a lesson, the unshaken belief in the rightness of our mission– such bitterness asks too much of friendship and duty.
Earlier we went over the battlefield. One of our regiments was destroying the village near the bridge to prevent the enemy from getting cover in it. Elephants were pulling down the walls. The villagers stood by as their houses turned into mud while the monsoon clouds gathered on the horizon. Unfortunately, they were the Jats, who, for the most part, are our friends. We decided that the destruction of their homes and fields was necessary. Twenty-three men – their countrymen – were lying together in the ditch at the back of the village; we weren’t sure if they were the rebels. A party of Rifles killed then en masse, just to be sure.
We left the village with our bags swollen like raisins in water. And who can blame our light-fingered gentry? Armies are said to travel on their stomach.
At some distance from our camp, I can see the sun setting over the fort of Delhi. It isn’t much different from the first sunset I witnessed here years ago. How things have changed! We came with a mission – to know this exotic land, to bring the light of knowledge and civilization to its darkness. Now the memory leaves me embarrassed. These massive red walls made me uneasy even then. Today they mock our camp again. Whatever be the outcome of this devil’s wind, it has revealed the banality of our mission.
Knox’s bitterness is an expression of the anger in the camp. When the cannons are quiet, the silence resounds with confusion, with terror, with rage, but most of all with the question ‘Why?’ As we sit around a small fire every night, the question rages in every mind. ‘Why the mutiny? Haven’t we brought the glory of civilization to this land of superstition?’ These thoughts simmer as we deal with hunger, heat and rain.
But soon these questions will be forgotten. The winners will annihilate the other side. Already I see the madness in the eyes as rumours reach us from other places – Cawnpur, Jhansi, Lucknow. Madness will soon be let loose.
I often feel that the answers that elude me today were within my grasp a short while ago. They are somewhere near, yet unreachable, like the time gone by.
I promise to look for them once I have found her again. For she, I feel, holds a part of it.
So every evening, I try to escape this madness by thinking about her, Princess Meera of Navgarh, a rebel soldier and my wife. It is the third year of our marriage. Three years of tenuous links and fragile understanding. It was only a matter of time before an explosion happened. And it happened that eventful week when Navgarh too burnt in the fire raging all across India. The news that the sepoys in Meerut had rebelled spurred both of us. Did I expect Meera to be a dutiful wife when all her beliefs, her convictions pulled her in the opposite direction? Was I surprised on knowing that she was in Delhi, amongst the rebels? Would she be surprised on knowing that I have followed her as an enemy… a British officer? And as I follow her, I stand here once again, after five years, outside the walls of the Red Fort in Delhi.


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About the author




Delhi-born Vandana Shanker is the author of the series 1857 Dust of Ages, a historical fiction set in the year of the great uprising in India. A PhD from IIT Delhi, Vandana is passionate about history, storytelling and art. Apart from writing, she teaches literature and creative writing in Malaysia. She has also taught in Universities in India and Vietnam. She currently lives in Kuala Lumpur with her family and wants to travel the world. 

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Friday 24 February 2017

#Spotlight ; Her Secret Husband by Sundari Venkatraman




HER SECRET HUSBAND
(Marriages Made in Heaven Book #3)
by
Sundari Venkatraman



Blurb

The Maheshwaris are back, a little secretly this time!

What do you do if you find a man who looks like chocolate, speaks like warm syrup, looks at you like you were the most precious cake ever created, and he can bake too? You marry him, even if in secret.

Ruma Malhotra falls head over heels and a little more in love with Lakshman Maheshwari, but her parents insist that she marry a rich businessman of their choice. When Ruma's only option is to marry Lakshman in secret, she is left torn between her love for her parents and her passion for Lakshman. Is a secret marriage the solution or will it lead the way to a public disappointment?

Lakshman Maheshwari falls in love with Ruma Malhotra the first time he sets his eyes on her in Ranveer's office. Will he agree to marry Ruma in secret even if it means betraying his parents?

Psst... Those who have read THE MALHOTRA BRIDE might be happy to reconnect with Sunita & Akshay Malhotra in this one. 

*MARRIAGES MADE IN INDIA is a five-novella series that revolves around the characters you have met in The Runaway Bridegroom.


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Read an excerpt from #HSH

“What’s up?” he asked, trying to keep the situation light.
She winked at him. “Shouldn’t I be asking that question?” she asked, looking pointedly down at his lower body.
Reacting to her flirtation, his manhood immediately sprang to action, making Lakshman swear. “Cut that out, Ruma,” he growled, sidestepping her as she would’ve wrapped her arms around him. “I need a shower,” he insisted, not meeting her eyes. He went into the bathroom and locked himself in. The place smelled of Ruma. Cursing, Lakshman stood under the cold shower to tame his libido. She looked like she meant business. How could he convince her to wait till they got married? He dried himself with the towel that was on a rack, glaring at the mirror. He needed a shave. But no, they weren’t going to make love, so it didn’t really matter. Just then he realised that he would have to step out in the towel as his clothes were in the wardrobe. Swearing again, Lakshman walked into the bedroom.
“Laki,” called out Ruma, eyeing him avidly. Fascinated, she got up from the bed and walked up to him. He appeared like a Greek God with his chiselled body that was still damp from the shower. 
She stood close to him and raised her left hand to caress his rough cheek. Her right hand was hooked into his towel as if she was going to pull it off him any second. Lakshman clamped his hand on hers, his fingers holding the towel firmly. “No!”
“Huh?!” She looked deeply into his eyes, her brown gaze like melted cocoa, inviting him to make love to her. Her mouth was pouted deliciously, glistening wetly, begging for a kiss. Lakshman groaned deep in his throat, letting go of her hand to wrap his arms around her. He placed his lips on hers, sucking her upper lip. She tasted as sweet as honey, driving him crazy. His right hand moved down the curve of her hip to touch a thigh. He traced the curve, working his way under her nightshirt to encounter her bare bottom.
“Ruma.” He deliberately removed his hands off her and raised his head to look at her.
She stared back at him with slumberous eyes. “What?” A small frown puckered her forehead.
“We’ll make love after we get married,” he declared.
“What if I don’t agree?”
“I’ll have to beg, right?” he grinned weakly. “Please, my love. You know your parents won’t agree to a marriage between us. Doesn’t it make sense to wait until after the event?”
“What if I want you desperately?” She nuzzled his neck, her teeth taking a sharp nip.
Lakshman groaned again, his arms crushing her to his chest. “Do you love me or just lust after my body?”
“Can’t I do both?” 


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About the author


Her Secret Husband is the tenth book authored by Sundari Venkatraman. This is a hot romance and is Book #3 of the 5-novella series titled Marriages Made in India. Book #1 of the series is The Smitten Husband& Book #2 is His Drunken Wife. Other published novels by the author are The Malhotra Bride, Meghna, The Runaway Bridegroom, The Madras Affair and An Autograph for Anjali—all romances. She also has a collection of romantic shorts called Matches Made in Heaven; and a collection of human interest stories called Tales of Sunshine. All of Sundari Venkatraman’s books are on Amazon Top 100 Bestsellers in India, USA, UK, Canada & Australia under both #romance & #drama categories.

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Wednesday 22 February 2017

#CoverReveal ; Allerleirauh by Chantal Gadoury





Allerleirauh
Chantal Gadoury

Genre: Historical Fantasy /
Fairy Tale Retelling

Publisher: Parliament House
Publishing

Pending Release Date: August 22, 2017

ISBN: 978-1542850889

Cover Artist:  Parliament House

Book Description:

Long ago in the kingdom of Tranen, a king makes a promise to his dying wife to remarry only a woman who possesses her same golden hair. With time, the wicked king finds his attentions are captured by his maturing daughter. With her father’s dastardly intentions at her door post, Princess Aurelia wards off his advances by requesting impossible gifts…. Dresses created by the sun, moon and stars and a coat made of a thousand furs.

By the hands of horrible magic, the king is successful and the dresses are delivered and Aurelia decides to sacrifice her privileged life. She escapes her kingdom, the only home she’s ever known, disguised with a cloak and a new name, “Allerleirauh.”

Aurelia enters the safe haven of the kingdom of Saarland der Licht, where she is taken under the care of the handsome and gentle Prince Klaus. Hoping to not be discovered by her father’s courtiers, Aurelia tries to remain hidden under her new false identity. Unexpected love is challenged between Aurelia and Prince Klaus with an approaching arranged marriage between the heir of Saarland der Licht and the neighboring ruler’s daughter. With danger and heartache hanging in the air, Aurelia must face the troubles of her past and her fears for the future in her journey of self-discovery.

Based on the Grimm Brothers’ Fairy Tale “Allerleirauh.”



Excerpt

“Have you forgotten your mother’s last wish? I promised her I would marry someone as beautiful as she. You're the only one who has the same golden hair, the same smile, the same beautiful eyes. You are the only one who will do, who I can love. The only one worthy of my love, my power, my body. You will be my bride,” he declared as he ran a finger through my hair.
My teeth clenched at his touch. The only thing keeping me in the room was the new plan wheeling through my mind. Perhaps it would be clever enough to save me from this fate. I could not live this life with him. I would rather die.
            “If I am to marry you,” I began softly, letting out a deep breath. “I have four simple requests.”
            My father grinned and nodded, “Go on…anything.”
            It was clear he underestimated me by way of his confident sneer. The way he stared down his nose at me, he anticipated my requests to be silly and pedantic. I unclenched my white fingers and licked my bottom lip.
“For our marriage to be arranged, I will require new gowns. I request three. The first, made and spun from the rays of sunbeams.  The second, silver and made from the full moon’s light. And the third, woven from the star dust that falls from the heavens.”
My father’s face contorted with question and he puffed himself up, but continued to listen.
            “My last request,” I continued, “A fur coat made from all the kingdom’s wild animals, so when the harsh winters come, I can keep sickness and death at bay.”
I could feel my hands tremble from my trepidation. I couldn't believe I had actually made such ambitious demands—things truly impossible. What would the people think once they heard of the kind, my father, going to these magnificent lengths to marry me? Would they think I was a harlot? Would they think I encouraged my father’s behavior? My stomach knotted.
             “And this is all you request from me?" he asked with his eyebrows lifted.
I could see the amusement light up his face. As my throat constricted, I slowly nodded to him.
Maybe this would actually work. Perhaps he would not see through my deceptiveness and agree. If he did, this would grant me more time to collect my chattels, arrange an escape from the palace, and move forward with my plans. I would never again be Princess Aurelia, but I would avoid a future most grim and contemptible.





About the Author:

Chantal is a 2011 graduate from Susquehanna University with a degree in Creative Writing. Since graduation, she has published three novels: “Seven Seeds of Summer” in March of 2014 with Waldorf Publishing, “The Songs in Our Hearts,” to be released in the Summer of 2017 with 48Fourteen Publishing, and “Allerleirauh,” which is to be re-released in a new edition by Parliament House Publishing, August 2017.

Writing novels for Chantal has become a life-long dream come true!
When she’s not writing a book, she enjoys painting, drinking lots of DD Carmel Mocha Iced Coffee, and watching Disney classics. Chantal lives in Muncy, Pennsylvania with her Mom, Sister and furry-‘brother’ (aka, puppy) Taran.









#CoverReveal ; Kinglet by Donna Migliaccio






Kinglet
The Gemeta Stone
Book One
Donna Migliaccio

August 1, 2017

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Fiery Seas Publishing

Book Description:

KristanGemeta has lost everything:  his crown, his kingdom, his courage – even his name.

In the vast wilderness of the Exilwald, he's known to the other outcasts as Kinglet.  As long as Kristan stays hidden, he can elude the bounty hunters, brutal soldiers and terrifying spells of Daazna, the Wichelord who killed his father and destroyed his life.

But when a new band of pursuers comes looking for him, Kristan's wariness gives way to intrigue. For bounty hunters they're oddly inept, and a young woman in their company is leaving enigmatic drawings wherever they go.  As they plunge deeper into the Exilwald, Kristan follows. He discovers the drawings symbolize the Gemeta Stone, an ancient family talisman seized by Daazna but now in the little band's possession.

With the Stone's protection, Kristan might stand a chance against Daazna.  He could regain his birthright and his honor.  But to obtain the Stone, he must reveal his true identity and risk the one thing he has left...his life.



About the Author:

Donna Migliaccio is a professional stage actress with credits that include Broadway, National Tours and prominent regional theatres.  She is based in the Washington, DC Metro area, where she co-founded Tony award-winning Signature Theatre and is in demand as an entertainer, teacher and public speaker.  Her award-winning short story, "Yaa and The Coffins," was featured in Thinkerbeat's 2015 anthology The Art of Losing. 









Monday 20 February 2017

#Spotlight ; Seraphina’s Initiation by Sheena Hutchinson






Seraphina’s Initiation
Seraphina Series
Book Two
Sheena Hutchinson

Publication Date: 2/20/2017

Publisher: Sheena Hutchinson LLC

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Page count: 298

ASIN: B01N1ON9GY


Book Description:

Seraphina Cross is unexpectedly thrown into this crazy, spiritual world of Angels versus Demons.Never did she expect to meet Nate who was just a figment of her imagination. Now she finds herself moving in with him because of her innate responsibility to protect her loved ones from harm.

Finally beginning to feel at home in her new house and with her new relationship. Nate begins training Sera in all that she can do, surprising even himself at times. Just when she is starting to feel safe and powerful, Lucifer finds a new way to attack her at her most vulnerable.

When her dreams are no longer a gift, can Sera control the powers needed to defeat what's coming before Lucifer fulfills his promise to her?

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About the Author:

Sheena is a born and raised New Yorker, even her writing can't seem to hide her hard sarcasm. She claims destiny has lead her back to her true passion for writing. 
She constantly strives to be a positive role model and writes stories that empower and inspire. Sheena always roots for the underdog, believes in love at first sight, and that everyone should have their happily ever after.

While God is currently still writing her love story, she continues to put all her effort into her writing as she is constantly getting new inspiration.

For more info, updates, and fun facts visit her online:







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#BookBlitz ; An Immigrant's Wayward Journey by Lopamudra Banerjee




THWARTED ESCAPE: An Immigrant's Wayward Journey
by
Lopamudra Banerjee





Blurb


How far can one truly go away from his/her ancestral roots, filial ties and the claustrophobic grip of traditions and the reminiscence of an emotionally fraught childhood and puberty? The book begins with this particular quest, and it is this quest which gains momentum as a woman seeks the essence of herself-identity ten thousand miles away from her Bengali hometown. 

With the lens of a time-traveler, her narrative journey encompasses her first sexual abuse, her first tryst with death, austerity, the strangeness of rituals, the inexplicable feelings of puberty and also her surrendering to love, procreation, motherhood. In herself-chosen exile in the US, she discovers that deep within; her ancestral roots are also the wellspring of her psychological, spiritual existence. In the process, she keeps on oscillating between assimilating and disintegrating, which forms the core of her journey. 



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About the Author


Lopamudra Banerjee is a writer, poet, editor and translator, currently based in Dallas, USA. She is the co-editor of Defiant Dreams: Tales of Everyday Divas, published by Readomania in collaboration with Incredible Women of India. She has also been the Creative Editor of Incredible Women of India and Deputy editor of the e-zine Learning & Creativity.

Thwarted Escape, her debut nonfiction novel/memoir has been First Place Category Winner at the Journey Awards 2014 hosted by Chanticleer Reviews and Media LLC, USA. Her literary works have appeared at numerous literary journals and anthologies (print and online), both in India and the US. Her poetry, fiction and nonfiction and also translation works are regularly published in Setu, the international bilingual journal, Cafe Dissensus, Different Truths, Readomania.com and other publications. She has received the Reuel International Award 2016 for her English translation of Rabindranath Tagore's novella Nastanirh (The Broken Home) instituted by The Significant League, a renowned literature group in Facebook.


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