Archive for October 3, 2013

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Grab your popcorn and cop a seat!

It’s time for Thursday Theatre!

I was over on Sherry’s blog fundinmental and while reading her review of MEG I spotted this book trailer. There’s always something fun happening on her blog!

I’ve read all of Steve Alten’s MEG books, plus Goliath and The Loch.

After watching this video I have to get this book.

Check out The Omega Project!

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWrNPGva0DA]

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Isn’t it fantastic!

I believe book trailers are a great promotional gimmick. I’ve bought many a book because of one.

What do you think? Have you bought a book because of its book trailer?

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The Calm Before the Storm VBT Banner (1)

This is a short story dealing in a dark subject manner, domestic abuse.

Many of us know someone who is in this deadly situation, and some of you may be caught up in one.

Joining this tour and spreading the word is one small step by me towards stopping this plague on women, men, and children.

The Calm Before the Storm is offered free on Smashwords.

Written by the author to raise awareness.

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The Calm Before the Storm by Tamaria Soana

The Calm Before the Storm

                        The last two years of Erica Bloom’s life have been spent looking over her shoulder. Sawyer Marsh promised the day she filed for divorce and left him, that if he couldn’t have her no one would. Even though Sawyer hasn’t contacted her in two years she’s still feared for her life. She remembers all too well the nightmare their marriage was and what it felt to be on the receiving end of his wrath.

The news of Sawyer’s engagement allows Erica to finally let her guard down and enjoy her new life and budding relationship with Brock Maxwell.

 

While away relaxing at Brock’s vacation home on the Willow Lake, the past comes back to haunt her. Were the past few years just the calm before the storm? 

Excerpt:

Erica picked it up and smiled when she saw it was Joann calling.

“Hey, Joann.”

“Hi, Erica. You busy?”

“No, not at all. I was just reading the paper.”

“Did you hear the news about Sawyer?”

Erica stood up.  Chills ran down her spine at the mention of his name. “What news?” she replied, just above a whisper.

“He’s getting married.”

The words stunned her.

“Erica, are you still there?” Joann asked.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm down so she could respond.

“How do you know?” she managed to stammer. So many feelings were flowing through her body as she paced the floor. They ranged from fear to relief. Was he truly moving on?

“Tim ran into his cousin at the hardware store. He said they’re getting married in a few months.”

“Wow.” Erica breathed out.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes. This is good news. He’s moved on. Maybe I can stop looking over my shoulder every time I go out. Do you know who she is?”

“No. From what I understand, some woman he met while on a business trip and Sawyer’s  cousin mentioned  that she’s much younger.”

“The poor girl doesn’t know what she’s getting herself into. I feel for her because I know all of his tricks. He’s sexy and charming in the beginning and you’re so over the top in love with him.  You marry him and get so caught up in the fairytale you believe is your life, until one day he changes into the man he truly is. A monster,” Erica stoically stated.

“Erica, I know you went through hell with him, but it’s been two years. You have a terrific man in your life. I think it’s time you let go of the past and live again.”

Erica sank down on the couch. She felt like she was hit by a freight train.  “I have a lot to think about. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Let’s get together soon.”

“Sounds great.”

“Erica, relax. The nightmare is finally over.” Her friend reassured her.

“Bye, Joann.” Erica ended the call and stared into space. Could it be that easy? Am I honestly free from that man once and for all?

FREE on Smashwords

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Watch the Trailer:

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQItNvn9QIo]

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From the Author:

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

I wanted to write a short story to raise awareness for Domestic Abuse. This cause is very near to my heart.

 the calm before the storm DVAM

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Here are some Domestic Violence Statistics

  • Every 9 seconds in the US a woman is assaulted or beaten.
  • Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women—more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined.
  • Nearly 1 in 5 teenage girls who have been in a relationship said a boyfriend threatened violence or self-harm if presented with a breakup.
  • Every day in the US, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends.

Those facts alone make you want to stand up and do something. One thing you can do if you’re in an abusive relationship or know someone who is please get help by calling the hotline.


National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−SAFE (7233) or TTY 1−800−787−3224

Things you can do to make a difference

Donate to The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence   NCADV Site

Support your local woman’s shelter by donating money, clothes,  and basic toiletries.

End the Silence on Domestic Violence   Dr Phil’s Site  View  Dr Phil’s Campaign

About the Author:

Tamaria Soana is middle aged, but just feels her life has begun. She writes sexy contemporary romance stories that always end with a ‘happily ever after’. Growing up she loved to read and make up new places in her head to escape to. In her late teens she began writing short stories and poetry; it wasn’t until her late thirties before she began to spin a full story.

She’s married and a stay-at-home-mom of two beautiful young girls, they reside in Western New York. Cuddling up with a good book under an electric throw is her way to escape the cold Buffalo nights.

Besides writing, she co-owns Shades of Rose Marketing and hosts a talk show on Talkshoe called Live with Tamaria ~ Giving authors a voice.

Author Links:    Site       Facebook Author Page     Twitter

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Tamaria is giving away a $5.00 Amazon Gift Card during her tour.

For a chance to win Just click on the Rafflecopter below.

RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY

Shades of Rose Marketing

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For all of my giveaways go HERE.

bronzeTour Schedule

Welcome to The Glister Journals : Bronze tour!

Read on to learn more about this award winning novel and don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

You can follow the tour for more fun posts by clicking on the banner above.

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Bronze

The Glister Journals: Bronze

Allison Anderson knows she’s a little different, but it hadn’t bothered her too much-until now. Moving away from everything she’s ever known to a new house, new neighborhood, and new school is bad enough, but it’s her first year of high school too, making it even more intimidating. She’s more aware of her social and physical limitations than ever before. And then there are the new people she meets: the tough-looking girl in her home room; the cute but dangerous-looking boy she first saw before school even started; the quiet, older girl who keeps to herself; the sullen-looking, seemingly isolated junior that doesn’t seem to trust or like her at all. Can she trust them? While the peaceful situation of her new home only amplifies the sound of her own doubts, she begins to learn that things are not always what they seem, and her world is turned upside-down by these new friends, two-legged and otherwise. Life soon becomes more complicated, and much more interesting!

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About The Glister Journals series:

The Glister Journals series is told from the perspective of a normal but not average teenage girl. It is not obvious, but Allison has a mild pervasive developmental disorder (autism spectrum). She thinks and experiences things a little differently from most of the other kids. In the past it has caused her to be alienated at best and bullied at worst. After the family moves, she becomes involved with a group of teens that open up new worlds to her. The four book series follows her through high school but is equally about her friends who have their own problems, fears, and aspects of their lives they’d rather keep quiet. There is action—mostly in the form of equestrian and extreme sports—and though there are only hints of it in Bronze, there is a love story which will play a more prominent part as the series progresses. The main story is about assumptions, acceptance, love, and friendship, though there are other themes running throughout the series.

Amazon * Indiebound * Barnes & Noble

Praise for Bronze

Allison narrates a gentle coming-of-age story that has a strong equine subplot…undeveloped plot points hint at future complications and will likely keep readers looking for the next entry. — Cindy Welch Booklist Online

Written with intelligent humor, this tale follows an awkward girl as she enters a new school…This is a strong first book, both for Shepherd and for the series. The friendships the characters build are realistic and lifelike, strong, and durable, just like bronze. — Beth VanHouten ForeWord Reviews

The story is well-written and sweetly told. Allison’s anxieties and insecurities are true-to-life, and so affectionately and clearly portrayed as to make anyone who’s ever been through adolescence wince in sympathy. Dave, Robin and Chris are complicated, intelligent, three-dimensional characters whom the reader enjoys getting to know, and all of the minor characters are vividly drawn and believably real. The author is adept at setting a scene, both external and internal, bringing Allison’s mind and world to vivid life. — Catherine Langrehr IndieReader

“Bronze: The Glister Journals” is a well-written novel of teenagers and their world. It is also a story of horses and teenage horsemanship. The main character Allison is a totally delightful fourteen year old girl whose innocence and awkwardness is refreshing. — Alice DiNizo Readers’ Favorite

indie readerLiterary Fiction IndieReader Award Winner

BBAuthor B.B. Shepherd

A graduate of Cal Poly with graduate work at Chapman and U C Santa Cruz, B. B. Shepherd has lived most of her life in California and loves the diverse beauty of its many landscapes. Music, horses, literature, and art have been her passions as long as she can remember. She enjoys road trips, almost all horse sports and extreme sports (as a spectator), and is addicted to research.

As a writer, Shepherd enjoys exploring emotions and motivations: why do people do what they do? She also likes trying to find the funny side of things. She admits to being a hopeless romantic and often gets in trouble for her sense of humor. Bronze is her debut novel, the first in a series of four called The Glister Journals. She currently works full time as a music professional and educator, and lives in the San Francisco Bay area with her youngest daughter and a very silly cat.

Website * Facebook * Goodreads * Twitter * Blog

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$100 BookBlast Giveaway

$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 10/18/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Click on the rafflecopter link below to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For all of my giveaways go HERE.

WWW Wednesday

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Hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

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What are you currently reading?

Shadow of Danger

by Kristine Mason 

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Four women have been found dead in the outskirts of a small Wisconsin town. The only witness, clairvoyant Celeste Risinski, observes these brutal murders through violent nightmares and hellish visions. The local sheriff, who believes in Celeste’s abilities and wants to rid their peaceful community of a killer, enlists the help of an old friend, Ian Scott, owner of a private criminal investigation agency, CORE. Because of Ian’s dark history with Celeste’s family, a history she knows nothing about, he sends his top criminalist, former FBI agent John Kain to investigate.

John doesn’t believe in Celeste’s mystic hocus-pocus, or in her visions of the murders. But just when he’s certain they’ve solved the crimes, with the use of science and evidence, more dead bodies are discovered. Could this somehow be the work of the same killer or were they dealing with a copycat? To catch a vicious murderer, the skeptical criminalist reluctantly turns to the sensual psychic for help. Yet with each step closer to finding the killer, John finds himself one step closer to losing his heart.

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What did you recently finish reading?

The Haunted House on Wheels

by Dennis Yates

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Brothers Jerry and Mark have taken a long summer trip to visit their cousin Cindy. When Cindy insists that they go see a haunted house at a traveling carnival, the boys are skeptical at first. It’s not until they actually see it for themselves that they begin to change their minds.

Even after hearing the chilling stories Cindy has told them about the man who built the house, they only have an inkling of what awaits them inside.

Little do they know how those stories barely scratch the surface, that there are angry ghosts within who have other plans for them!

And it’s way too late to back out now, never mind a refund.

Because it’s beginning to look like there’s no way out!

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What do you think you’ll read next?

Forever After

by David Jester 

 

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Forever After follows Michael Holland, a grim reaper in a grim town. An embittered and melancholic man who struggles to grasp the purpose of his own existence, or lack thereof. He is a minuscule cog in a monumental machine and knows less of his role than those surrounding him — from his boss, the mighty Angel of Death, to his friend and flatmate Chip: a grubby midget tooth fairy with an addiction to pot and procrastination.Brittleside is a dank, dark and decrepit town, and Michael Holland is its reluctant reaper. From dealing with the drunks, the druggies and the wasters, to tracking an escaped demon who believes he is Santa Claus; Forever After follows his escapades over four dark and humorous tales.A paranormal and comic romp through a fantasy world where the mythical, the fantastical, the insane and the typical combine. A mix of dystopia and comedy, if the works of Philip K. Dick and Terry Pratchett were to ever procreate, Forever After would be the bastard child of their creative communion.
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So, whatcha readin?

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