Archive for the ‘Paranormal or fantasy’ Category

Cover Reveal and Sale ~ OUTSIDER : Book Two in the Flawed Series by Becca J. Campbell

Posted: May 2, 2014 in Cover Reveal, New Adult, Paranormal or fantasy, Romance, thriller
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I’m excited to reveal the cover art for Outsider, Book Two in the Flawed Series by Becca J. Campbell.

I loved the first book, Empath and included my review further down in my post.

I’m really anxious to get my hands on this and look forward to reviewing it and sharing my thoughts at a later time.

Check it out!

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Welcome to the cover reveal for Flawed: Outsider (book number two in the Flawed series) by Becca J. Campbell! This gorgeous cover art was designed by the talented Steven Novak.

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Is He Only Normal?

After a psychopath tried to kill his friends, Josh Schuyler figured ‘normal’ was far off. The real problem: Josh’s friends have all acquired supernatural abilities, while he’s still the same average guy.

Josh has always believed he was destined for greatness, but he’s been out of college for two years without a clue of his purpose. After watching his friends and siblings develop superhuman traits, he wonders if he might be meant for something grand, too. Can Josh even hope for an extraordinary event in his own future? And how long must he wait for this transformation – if there is one?

When Alex met the Schuylers, she was grateful for new friends to whisk her away from her lonely life in California and give her an escape from her divorced, bickering parents and aimless future. But Josh won’t drop his defenses, and Alex isn’t sure she wants to trade her old life for this new, uncertain one.

Nicodemus has an amazing ability he’s been milking for years to get whatever or whomever he wants. Things are going great until a young woman – Alex – inadvertently busts his latest swindle. Nic is furious when he discovers his power has been disabled, and he vows to find her in order to wreak his vengeance. She will be punished. All he needs is a little help from his friend, Ethan Black.

Josh has been waiting for his big break, or for the chance to be a hero, or just the opportunity to stand out in his own, extraordinary way.

Will Josh discover his purpose in time to stop Nic?

Outsider (Flawed, #2) Release

Add Outsider to your Goodreads to-read list here.

Outsider is expected out this August, so stay tuned! Want to know exactly when it’s released? Sign up for Becca’s Author Newsletter and you won’t miss a thing.

Oh, and if you haven’t read book one yet, now’s the perfect time because IT’S ON SALE!

A Celebratory Book Sale

To celebrate the cover reveal, Becca is running a discount on EMPATH (Flawed, #1) May 1st through 7th.

Grab the book for only $0.99 (normally $2.99) – this week only.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo

More on Empath (Flawed, #1)

Empath eBook cover MINISupernatural empathy isn’t a gift, it’s a curse. Anywhere she goes, Jade’s emotions are replaced by those of the people around her.

Jade grew up in a suburb of Colorado Springs, protected from other people by her parents. Now she faces college—and the world—with nothing to shield her from unwanted feelings.

When Cam, a classmate with a major crush on her unintentionally hijacks her emotions, Jade struggles to keep from being carried away in feelings of attraction. When Ethan, a psychopath with a thirst for fear, fixates on her, the emotional impact could be lethal.

Caught in a deadly trap, Jade must untangle the emotions and find a way to use her empathic curse to overcome this killer or be overcome by him.

 

 

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My Review

I’ve read Gateway To Reality by Becca and really enjoyed it so I didn’t hesitate to read and review Empath! This is quite different from her other book and it has some intriguing slants on empaths and some other abilities that the characters have in this book, a new approach and way to look at them, which I found very refreshing.

It probably wasn’t a good idea for Jade’s parents to keep her isolated while growing up. Now she’s starting college and going to her first class and she’s not yet learned to put up a protective barrier between her and other people’s emotions. She doesn’t just feel their emotions, theirs become hers, she feels and reacts to what they are feeling.

One good thing is she meets Cam. Yes, his emotions become hers when she’s near him, but his are sunny and pure and it makes it easy to be with him. He’s like a shield between her and others. That is, until his feelings for her deepen and she has to fight her reactions when he becomes more passionate.

A chance encounter at the grocery store exposes her to the dark, evil emotions of a stranger. Unbeknownst to Jade, Ethan has her firmly in his sights and can’t wait to add her to his collection.

My thoughts

The thing that most intrigued me about Empath was how the author introduced each characters unusual abilities and made it uniquely her own. They are more like a human condition than a supernatural one.

Some of the characters gain their abilities through physical trauma, but some, like Jade and Logan, a professor and loner at her college, are born with them.

Logan doesn’t know why he’s like he is and keeps to himself so no one will learn his secret. A casual encounter with Jade has him wishing he were different. He’s drawn to Jade but not sure if he should act on his attraction.

When Jade bumps into Logan on a hike in the woods, she’s pleasantly surprised to not feel anything from him. She doesn’t feel his emotions, and enjoys being able to feel her own when they are together. This, along with his rugged good looks, stir up an attraction, plus she’s curious to see what he may be hiding.

Jade now has some new friends and a possible love interest or two, but she’s also caught the eye of a sadistic predator.

The author writes in several points of view so you can see what each character is thinking and understand their actions better. The switches in points of view are easy to follow as they are written in their own distinct voices. I liked this as I was further connected to the characters and came to care for them, or in one instance, loathe and fear one.

There are some fun scenes when Jade steps outside her comfort zone and tries some new things and some scary, suspenseful ones as her predator approaches.

Empath is a clean new adult fantasy romance. There are no sex scenes and the predators actions are not explicitly detailed, leaving you to use your imagination.

I’m into this series now and looking forward to what comes next. While this chapter of the series is wrapped up, there are some teases at the end which raise your curiosity and make you want to come back for more.

5 Stars

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More About Becca J. Campbell

IMG_9817 a lowresBecca J. Campbell is the author of the New Adult Romantic Science Fiction novels Foreign Identity and Gateway to Reality, New Adult Romantic Paranormal Thriller Empath (The Flawed Series #1), and Sub-Normal, a series of Science Fiction short stories.

An avid lover of stories that tiptoe the line between fantasy and reality (even when they plunge off one side or the other), Becca looks for new angles on bridging the gap between the two. She holds a special place in her heart for any story that involves superpowers or time travel. Her passion is defying the limits of her own creativity. You can find her on her Author Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, and Amazon.

 

 

 

Almost more than I could bear ~ Dark Innocence by Madeline Pryce ~ Reviewing this addictive erotic series.

Posted: April 29, 2014 in Erotic, Novella, Paranormal or fantasy, reviews, Romance, Series
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I think I’m going to need a new Kindle. After reading Dark Cravings, my Kindle was in danger. Now that I”ve finished reading Dark Innocence, my Kindle is charging up again. I just hope the CPR works or I’ll be shopping for a new one!

I didn’t think I was a reader of erotic books, but I’ve changed my tune. I can’t imagine not meeting Madeline’s characters or immersing myself in their stories. Erotic it may be, but that’s only the icing on the cake. There’s so much happening in these books, you’ll be hoping for some hot sex to relieve the tension!

Check out my review of Dark Innocence. And I’ve also reposted my review of the first book, Dark Cravings, so you’ll see how much I loved these books!

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My Review

I had so much fun reading Dark Cravings that I was’ over the rainbow’ thrilled to get Dark Innocence!

In Dark Cravings I met Hannah and Dante, but they were not the main characters. In this second book, they are the stars and boy do they shine.

Hannah has a photographic memory and she’s so haunted by the memories of her abduction, rape, and torture. She feels worthless, so she drowns out her memories with booze, drugs, and loveless sex.

Her rescuer, Dante, is older than her, and dates super models. She can’t imagine he’d be interested in her.

When she desperately needs help, she reaches out to Dante, and the sexy lion shifter comes to her rescue again.

The sexual tension between the two could burn down a house, and it’s up to Hannah to seduce the lion, show him she’s stronger, more the girl she used to be, not a wounded lamb anymore.

They don’t get to savor their newfound passion for long. A vampire intrudes on their lives and Hannah’s enemies gather to strike again. She’ll have to draw on her new courage and strength if they are going to survive what’s coming.

When I read this was an erotic novella, I was thinking it would be a ‘wham bam, thank you maam’ read. Not so. Each time I thought it was safe to come up for air, I was sucked back in by several events that ripped out my heart, stomped on it, and left me begging for relief.

Dante’s travails had me crying and Hannah’s courage had me yelling, ‘give it to em!’

I’m giving you a heads up. This is not intended for young readers. There’s steamy sex scenes, violence, and strong language. If you don’t mind that, like me, you’ll love Madeline’s writing. Her characters aren’t perfect, which, to me, is a requirement if they are going to read as genuine. Without flaws, they’d feel flat, like paper dolls, and I wouldn’t be able to connect with them or care what happened to them. I cared so much it hurt.

Now, I’m bereft. Wanting more so badly. And I’ll have it. Madeline has a couple new releases coming very soon. Be sure to get started on this series now so you’ll be ready too.

5 Stars +

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Synopsis

Hannah Grey will do anything to escape the tortured memories haunting her. Every breath brings back the pain, the fear and the unbearable knowledge that she’ll never be the once-perfect girl everyone thought her to be. When the self-destructive fog of drugs, alcohol and meaningless sex starts to clear, Dante, a lion shifter sexier than sin itself, emerges through the darkness ready to rescue her for the second time in so many weeks.

In the safety of Dante’s embrace, Hannah allows herself to become the woman she’s always wanted to be—smart, sexy, capable and empowered. His every touch electrifies. His hot, hungry kisses set her senses ablaze. As Dante masters her body, Hannah finally finds the strength to master her fears.

Perfection shatters as a mysterious vampire escalates from anonymous phone calls to violent encounters. When Hannah’s enemies unite, placing both her and Dante in mortal peril, it’s going to take all of her newfound strength to face the coming darkness and save the man she loves.

A Romantica® paranormal erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave.

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I don’t normally rereview (is that even a word?) a book but when I heard about Dark Cravings I couldn’t resist. I adored this book when it was titled Blood Lust Rising and when I learned it was being released by Ellora’s Cave Publishing with a new title and new content, I had to read it.

I’m going to get right to it!

Dark Cravings

By Madeline Pryce

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MY REVIEW

I reviewed this story when it was titled Blood Lust Rising. Since then it has received a new title and cover art, the author has a new pen name, Madeline Pryce, and she’s added a whole bunch more to this story.

I mentioned in my review how the sex was so steamy it fogged up my Kindle! Well it did it again and yes, my Kindle survived round two! LOL

The characters are a bit older which makes it more appropriate as the sex is even steamier, more erotic. Don’t let that fool you though. There’s one hell of a lot of action and danger, much more to this than just romance.

The ending is different too but I can’t talk about it as it’ll spoil things and I don’t think you’d appreciate that much.

Here are my previous review comments:

This is one of the best first chapters I have read. I am not one to blush easily, but my whole face was rosy before I finished it.

You don’t have to kneel down and peek through the keyhole because the author leaves the bedroom door (or any door) wide open. The intimate, arousing sexual scenes fogged up my Kindle screen, they were that HOT!

About the story

They don’t get along at all. Micah and Ella are partners, working for the Shadow Agency. Their job, hunt vampires and demons.

A late night chase after a succubus through the cemetery does not go as planned. The Demon hits them with a spell that changes everything.

They awaken in a hotel 4 days later with no memory of how they got there. Both are exhausted and dehydrated, weak from a marathon of sex. Separating them is out of the question. The demon’s spell has awakened a yearning that can’t be ignored, an intense sexual need that was already there, just beneath the surface.

As their sexual desire deepens into something more, they join together, battling vamps, weres and numerous types of demons, while delving into Micah’s mysterious origins and fending off the unwanted and lethal attention of Julian, Ella’s sire.

What I felt

I feel a strong physical and emotional connection to Micah and Ella. I want them to be safe and I want a happy ending for them.

Characters

Ella starts out as a self-contained, don’t need anybody, kick-butt slayer. The author is able to show me Ella’s transformation, making me see all sides of her character, including her flaws. Ella is still tough as nails, but her fierce loyalty to family and friends, and her deepening love for Micah make her very real to me.

And Micah. I was already attracted to his oozing sexuality and sarcastic personality. As I read more, I was able to see his tender side, his love for family and his passion for and commitment to Ella.

Scenes to share – I want you to feel what I felt.

The green glow emanating from Micah’s eyes lit the night. Micah threw himself at Julian. The two men collided and rolled in the mud, a tangle of blood-smeared fists. They were both wearing black and, the more they coated themselves in mud, the harder it was to tell them apart.

Micah pulled his fist back, drove it into Julian’s face again and again. Crack. Crack. Crack. Julian threw Micah to the side, straddled his body. Blow after blow, they rolled and cursed, jockeyed for position. They pounded the holy living hell out of each other.

A body melting scene – Micah to Ella

“If you go upstairs with me. I’m not going to be able to stop from touching you, from stripping you naked. You’re tired and hurt and I can’t promise to be gentle. The Darkness.” He drew in a breath and corrected himself. “The demon wants you tied to my bed, wants you screaming and so drunk with pleasure you won’t be able to walk away from us. You are ours. The man and the demon. We need to claim you.”

Thoughts

It had to have been really challenging for the author to put her characters into very dangerous and compromising situations and make the conclusions believable and satisfying. She has shown that she can and has what it takes.

Blood Lust Rising took me by surprise. My connection to the characters was deep. The story was flush with sexual tension, grueling fighting scenes and compelling dialogue. I found myself immediately engaged and immersed in the book without even trying.

Quotes I loved. You will understand it’s significance once you read the book.

Slaughter. Defend. Obliterate.

Murder. Guard. Destroy

Something Funny:

I had Vampire ED, on top of everything else!

Something tender:

Micah pulled back, gave Hannah a smile that melted solid objects.

Warning:If your kindle starts smoking while you are reading this book, don’t be alarmed. Mine still works fine!

There you have it. I swear my Kindle was overheating. Either that, or I was!

When you think a book can’t get any better, think again. Dark Cravings did!

5 STARS Again!

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Synopsis

As a half-breed vampire, Ella Grey’s life sucks. She does her best to pass the time killing demons and secretly admiring her Shadow Hunter partner, Micah. He’s hot, dangerous and knows it. He’d be just Ella’s type if he weren’t likely to kill her the moment she put a toe out of line.

A chance encounter with a succubus changes everything. From the second the succubus’s spell washes over them, Ella and Micah are helpless to keep their hands off one another. The sex, when it’s not leaving them on the verge of death, is earth shattering and for the first time in ages Ella is connected with someone on a level she’d feared lost forever. But a dangerous prophecy has been set into motion, and if Ella’s not careful it’ll pull her straight from Micah’s arms and into the deepest bowels of the underworld.

A Romantica® Paranormal erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

Publisher’s Note: This book was previously published under the title Blood Lust Rising. It has been revised and expanded for EC.

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And the newest release by Madeline!

Claiming Ecstasy

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I’ll be reading this soon.

Synopsis

Jolie Dupree is prophesized to bring an end to the deadly war waging between the vampires and the Seelie court. Groomed from birth by a vicious mother, Jolie knows her future can only end in blood—and the murder of the one man she can’t resist. Consumed with guilt, Jolie can’t fight the lure of Nicolas Larkin, the vampire king. She returns to him over and over again, every caress of pain and every stroke of pleasure drawing her deeper into the darkness. She must decide between the concrete and the chaos, the light and the dark, for her choice will tip the scales between good and evil, and quite possible, cost Jolie her soul.
A Romantica® paranormal erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

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About Madeline Pryce and her books

Madeline Pryce wrote her first novel when she was ten, penned with neon-pink ink in a loose-leaf binder. Captivated by romantic literature, yet intrigued by the paranormal, she continues to develop her own voice, writing the kinds of stories that inspired her as a teen.

Blog ~ Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~ Ellora’s Cave Publishing

Madeline Pryce on Facebook ~ Madeline Pryce – Author on Facebook

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

Pre-Launch Sale and Festivities! Previously Loved Treasures by Bette Lee Crosby

Posted: April 29, 2014 in Book Promos, giveaways, New Release, Paranormal or fantasy
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Bent Pine Publishing is hosting a great Pre-Launch Sale as a special thank you to Bette’s newsletter followers and Facebook fans; so hurry over and grab this fun read at a fabulously low price!

For Three Days Only!

You can buy Previously Loved Treasures for only $2.99.

 

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Synopsis

A lonely widow and a young woman trying to rebuild her life discover a family connection and a run-down second hand store where the clairvoyant owner anticipates every need. When a pocket watch is stolen, he warns of the danger ahead, but will the young woman listen and heed his advice?

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You can read an excerpt HERE.

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 Enter the Goodreads Giveaway for a chance to win a paperback copy HERE.

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Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, Kobo

Click on the link to your favorite online retailer above to get your copy.

As of Friday April 25th, Previously Loved Treasures will be priced at $5.99 …but Bette will  be celebrating with a bigger than ever Facebook Launch Party! There will be contests, prizes and virtual partying from noon until midnight. The festivities start on Monday April 28th and continue through Tuesday the 29th. You’ll have a chance to meet the characters, and toss your hat in the ring to actually become a character in the next book.

To be included on the party list, CLICK HERE and stop by for a visit with Caroline Sweetwater. As you’ll soon discover, she’s a protagonist with more than a few secrets up her sleeve.

If you are going to be in New York City, stop by Bette’s booth!

May 29-31, 2014 Booth 2368
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You can find all of Bette Lee Crosby’s books on:

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Bette Lee Crosby

USA Today Bestselling and Award-winning author Bette Lee Crosby is originally from New Jersey, but now makes her home in Southern Florida where she lives with her husband Richard and a feisty Bichon Frise. A highly entertaining public speaker, Bette makes frequent appearances to support the various charities of women’s groups, and schedule permitting, she will join book talks and book club discussion groups.

In 1997 Bette abandoned the fast-paced world of advertising and embarked on a career as a novelist. Her books, often written in a Southern voice, cover a wide spectrum of locales and personalities as they tell tales of courageous women overcoming life’s obstacles. Her novels were first recognized in 2006, when she won the National League of American Pen Women Award for unpublished fiction with What Matters Most. In 2007 she won the National League of American Pen Women’s First Place Fiction Award for her novel Girl Child; and in 2009 her latest novel Cracks in the Sidewalk received the prestigious Royal Palm Literary Award from the Florida Writers Association; and in 2011 it won the FPA President’s Book Award Gold Medal. Bette has recently completed a biography of Lani Verner Deauville, the amazing woman listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s longest living quadriplegic. The book is titled “Life in the Land of IS…the Amazing Story of Lani Deauville, the World’s Longest Living Quadriplegic.”

Before redirecting her talents to works of fiction, Bette enjoyed a noteworthy career in advertising and marketing working in a diversity of industries ranging from financial services to collectibles. She served as Editor-in-Chief for Innovations, a new product development publication, and as Contributing Editor for numerous trade publications including Giftware News, Supermarket News and Packaging Digest.

As the U.S. Marketing Director for the distributor of world famous M.I. Hummel figurines, Bette served as a company spokeswoman and public relations figurehead. Much of her career, however, was spent in the challenging environment of advertising agencies—including a five-year stint as co-owner and Creative Director of the award-winning OTK Advertising Agency.

USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author Bette Lee Crosby will be a featured author at the Book Expo America May 29-31, 2014 Booth 2368. Please stop by for an autographed copy and free preview of her new release, Previously Loved Treasures.

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Edward Lorn has some Permanent Freebies for ya’ll!

Posted: April 27, 2014 in Freebies!, horror, Humor, Mytery/Thriller, otherworldly, Paranormal or fantasy
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I can’t say enough about Edward Lorn’s books.

I’ve read all of them and am now on Episode 3 and 4 of his gritty, in your face, serial, Cruelty.

E. has some exciting stuff happening and I’m thrilled to be a part of anything he has coming up!

Now, let’s get to E. and his exciting news!

You said even by smoke signals E!

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Here’s the skinny, straight from Edward!

The bigger my catalog gets, the more books I can offer for free. Here is the current list of free content from yours truly. These are not on sale or going through some kind of limited promo. These books/short stories are permanently free at their respective sites. Feel free to share any way you see fit: reblog, tweet, Facebook, telegram, snail mail, boat charter, Morse code, messenger pigeon, smoke signals…

Thank you, every one of you, for your past, present, and future support.

***Please note that clicking on the Goodreads link will AUTOMATICALLY start the download of that book’s PDF.***

BAY’S END: Amazon, Kobo, Goodreads.

WORLD’S GREATEST DAD: Goodreads

JUST SHORT OF PARADISE (Flash Fiction Goodreads Exclusive): Goodreads

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Don’t go yet. There’s more!

Hello everybody, E. here. Click HERE or on the cover below to be whisked away to a Goodreads portal for a free PDF copy of “Just Short of Paradise”. If you’d prefer .mobi or epub versions please send requests to edwardlorn@gmail.com and I’ll shoot you the proper format. Thank you and enjoy.

 

just short of paradise

 

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Whatcha waiting for? Go get em!!

Find out more about Edward Lorn and his books by clicking on the link below.

Edward Lorn’s Website

Humans have it wrong ~ Dead Girl Walking by Ruth Silver ~ Release Day Blitz Giveaway

Posted: April 26, 2014 in Blitz, giveaways, New Release, Paranormal or fantasy, YA
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DEAD GIRL WALKING by Ruth Silver

a Young Adult Paranormal Adventure

published by Patchwork Press

http://royalreaper.com

Dead Girl Walking

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Title: Dead Girl Walking (Royal Reaper 1)
Author: Ruth Silver
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Publisher: Patchwork Press
Cover Design: Erica Crouch
Length: 41k words (paperback includes a bonus story – Ashes to Ashes: prequel)
Book’s Website: http://royalreaper.com
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Forget everything you know about grim reapers.

Princess Ophelia Dacre sneaks out of the castle to visit her boyfriend in secret. A perfect night cut short when she’s brutally murdered.
Ophelia is given the rare chance to become a grim reaper. She must become Leila Bele, cut ties with her old life, and follow the rules of the reapers. Her greatest adventure begins with death.
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Excerpt
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“Forget everything you know about grim reapers, Ophelia. Humans have it wrong. It’s easier to believe in angels and demons, than to see what’s right in front of you. Who wants to believe the undead walk among us with beating hearts? It would frighten humans. It would probably send many to their graves faster,” Edon said.

Ruth Silver author photo

About the Author: Ruth Silver is the best-selling author of ABERRANT, a young adult dystopian adventure series published by Patchwork Press and Lazy Day Publishing. Silver attended Northern Illinois University and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Communication in the spring of 2005. While in college, she spent much of her free time writing with friends she met online and penning her first novel, Deuces are Wild, which she self-published in 2004. Her love of writing led her on an adventure in 2007 to Melbourne, Australia. Silver enjoys reading, photography, traveling and most of all writing. She loves dystopian, paranormal, and fantasy young adult stories. Ruth has been actively writing since she was a teenager. She currently resides in Plainfield, Illinois.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon Author Page | Goodreads

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$10 Amazon Gift Card

Click on the rafflecopter below to enter.

Raffle button

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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Magic, Murder, Menehunes, and Mermaids ~ The Elemental Detective ~ My Review

Posted: April 25, 2014 in Magic, Paranormal or fantasy, reviews, Romance, Series
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I just reviewed The Infernal Detective: Book Four and The Metaphysical Detective: Book One this week.

Now I’m reviewing The Elemental Detective: Book Five in the Riga Hayworth Series by Kirsten Weiss.

Go HERE to enter the giveaway and read my other reviews!

THE ELEMENTAL DETECTIVE

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Riga Hayworth, Book 5

Published by: Misterio Press

December 21, 2013

Genre: Adult, Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Mystery

Word Count: 70,647

BUY LINKS: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

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My Review

I had a lot of fun learning about Hawaiian magic and menehunes. Never heard of them before.

What should have been a wonderful honeymoon in Hawaii for Donovan and Riga, one long overdue, turns into a murder mystery when they come upon a murdered seal and a murdered man lying side by side on the beach.

Riga notices the magic symbols etched in the sand and jumps into the case. Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too?

Riga and Donovan are the perfect couple. They both have magical capabilities and both like a good mystery. They compliment each other at work and in love. I loved following their romance from first meeting all the way through their honeymoon.

The author really did her research, bringing Hawaiian myths to the story and describing the lush scenery in vivid color.

Once the story gets rolling, the danger rushes in and the suspects emerge. I really wasn’t sure who was behind the murders and whether it was caused by human hands or magical. Finding out what was behind it was an even bigger mystery.

It’s been such fun following this series, seeing how the characters grow with each lesson life served up. I hope there will be more. It’s hard to let go of characters I’ve grown to love.

5 STARS

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Some quotes I enjoyed.

“This is a terrible place for an investigation,” she said, exasperated. “It’s too beautiful. It’s making us lazy.”

Energy flowed through her, cool and dark, hot and light, there yet not there. She let it fill and empty her, and focused on what she needed: like calling to like. Necromancy to necromancy. Blood to blood.

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Synopsis

 

Mermaids, menehunes, and murder.

Riga Hayworth just wants to relax with her new husband on their Hawaiian honeymoon. But a body on a Kauai beach pulls them into a murder investigation, sending the supernatural world into an uproar.

 

When Riga detects traces of magic at a murder scene, she knows she can’t ignore the call. There’s necromancy afoot, and she must prepare for the battle to come. But can Riga fight the forces of nature? Or will they destroy her and everyone she loves?

 

Book five in the Riga Hayworth series of paranormal mystery novels, The Elemental Detective is a fun, fast-paced urban fantasy blending romance with the supernatural, and exploring the magic of Hawaii.

 

About Kirsten Weiss

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Kirsten Weiss is the author of the Riga Hayworth paranormal mystery series: The Metaphysical Detective, The Alchemical Detective, The Shamanic Detective, The Infernal Detective, and The Elemental Detective.

 

Kirsten worked overseas for nearly fourteen years, in the fringes of the former USSR and deep in the Afghan war zone. Her experiences abroad not only gave her glimpses into the darker side of human nature, but also sparked an interest in the effects of mysticism and mythology, and how both are woven into our daily lives.

 

Now based in San Mateo, CA, she writes paranormal mysteries, blending her experiences and imagination to create a vivid world of magic and mayhem.

 

Kirsten has never met a dessert she didn’t like, and her guilty pleasures are watching Ghost Whisperer reruns and drinking good wine.

You can connect with Kirsten through the social media sites below, and if the mood strikes you, send her an e-mail at kirsten_weiss2001@yahoo.com

 

You can connect with Kirsten on:

Kirsten’s Website | Kirsten’s Twitter Profile | Kirsten’s Facebook PageKirsten’s Google+ Page | Kirsten’s Pinterest Boards | Kirsten’s Amazon Page

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Lets get metaphysical with The Riga Hayworth Series by Kirsten Weiss ~ My Reviews and Giveaway

Posted: April 24, 2014 in Blog Tour, giveaways, Paranormal or fantasy, reviews
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Kristen Weiss' ELEMENTAL DETECTIVE Tour

Lets get metaphysical with Kirsten Weiss’s Riga Hayworth Series!

I read these books out of order starting with the fourth and fifth and then the first book. They can be read as stand alones. I like that.

For today I’ll be reviewing The Metaphysical Detective and also I’ve provided a link to my review of The Infernal Detective. Stop back tomorrow for my review of The Elemental Detective.

Then I’m hoping to read the second and third books!

Also got a great giveaway for ya so be sure to enter!

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THE METAPHYSICAL DETECTIVE

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Riga Hayworth, Book 1

October 24, 2011

Genre: Adult, Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Mystery

BUY LINKS: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

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My Review

I have already read Book Four and then Book Five in this series and had no difficulty getting into them. The author reintroduces you to the characters and past invents with no slowing down the new story.

I couldn’t wait to get to this first book so I could meet Riga as if for the first time.

What a rush this was. Riga took on a client who claimed her dead husband was trying to kill her. Voila, the client ended up dead and powerful magic was afoot.

The author lends Greek mythology and the power of Tarot to this mystery, keeping it interesting and driving the story forward.

As much as I was curious about who killed who, how, and why, I was also curious about an odd incident Riga had. She goes to the usual pub for some wine and encounters a sexy, enigmatic man who claims they know each other very well. Riga blows him off as a nutcase as she has no friends.

What tweaked my radar was a comment the bar owner, Takako, said. After Riga told her the handsome stranger was no friend of hers, Takako uttered, “But you two have been coming here together for years.”

With Riga’s powers acting wiggy, I wondered what in the world was going on and had a fantastic time finding out.

Meeting characters I already knew as if for the first time endeared them to me even more. I loved this book and can’t wait to read the next two!

I recommend this to everyone who likes a mystery in a mystery, lots of magical elements and strong writing with a mixed bag of characters, human and otherwise.

5 Stars

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Synopsis

Tarot, the Archetypes, Good Wine… and a Dog Named Dog.

When Riga Hayworth finds her new client dead, she smells a set up of metaphysical proportions. Now, to find a killer, Riga must travel from San Francisco to the underworld… and make it back alive.

Riga’s client, Helen Baro, believes her husband is trying to kill her. One problem: her husband died in a car crash last year. Riga isn’t sure what to think. Is Helen mad? Is someone else trying to harm the woman? Or is this really a case of attempted murder from beyond the grave? But then Helen is found dead, leaving a strange haiku and tarot for a clue, and Riga is hurled into an investigation that threatens the detective and those she loves.

An urban fantasy based in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Metaphysical Detective explores the power of the archetypes through the double lens of tarot and Greek mythology.

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THE ALCHEMICAL DETECTIVE

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Riga Hayworth, Book 2

May 31, 2012

Genre: Adult, Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Mystery

BUY LINKS:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Synopsis

 

Where Alchemy, Demons, and Good Wine Collide… with a Lake Monster Named Tessie.

A psychic has been murdered in an occult ceremony and the police pay a visit to Riga Hayworth, metaphysical detective. But this time, she’s not a consultant on the case. She’s a suspect.

There’s a storm on the horizon.

Riga’s lost her magic and has come to Lake Tahoe to recover and spend quality time with her new love. But life for Riga is never that simple. A psychic’s been murdered, and the police believe Riga has a connection to the crime.

They’re right.

And if that’s not enough, Riga is drafted as the host of a reality TV show about the local lake monster, and her niece is rejecting her metaphysical abilities. Juggling demons, daimons, and angry tarot card readers, Riga must catch a killer before she becomes the next target.

The Alchemical Detective is an urban fantasy exploring the world of alchemy and the imagination.

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THE SHAMANIC DETECTIVE

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Riga Hayworth, Book 3

October 19, 2012

Genre: Adult, Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Mystery

BUY LINKS:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Synopsis

 

A Fast-paced Urban Fantasy

When Riga Hayworth’s lover is arrested, she’s determined to unearth the truth, no matter the cost. But life – and death – get in the way.

All Riga wants is to clear the name of her almost-fiancée, Donovan Mosse. But a death faerie has other plans for her, and Riga is forced to protect a shaman with a house full of murderous relatives. The only way to stop this killer is to figure out who he, or she, is before the next strike. As the two cases become entangled, Riga must choose between facts and faith, and decide just how far she’s willing to go for love.

The Shamanic Detective is a paranormal mystery set in Lake Tahoe, exploring shamanism, the shadow, and the world of the fae.

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THE INFERNAL DETECTIVE

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Riga Hayworth, Book 4

Published by: Misterio Press

May 21, 2013

Genre: Adult, Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Mystery

BUY LINKS:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

 *****Check out my 5 STAR review HERE*****

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Synopsis

Murder. The undead. Irritating relatives.

When Riga Hayworth finds a dead body in her bedroom, it’s par for the course. When the corpse drives off with her fiancée… That’s a problem.

Riga knows dead. More intimately than she’d like. So when a murdered photographer walks away from her pre-wedding party, she believes there’s necromancy afoot. And when she discovers that several of her wedding guests are under the influence of dark magic, she’s certain. But how can she catch a killer and stop a necromancer when even her nearest and dearest are lying to her?

Marrying romance, mystery, and the metaphysical, The Infernal Detective is a fast-paced urban fantasy, where nothing is quite as it seems, and magic lies just beyond the veil.

“A high-voltage, cleverly spun mystery, that I couldn’t put down. Riga Hayworth is addictive.”

– Diana Orgain, Best-selling author of The Maternal Instincts Mysteries

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THE ELEMENTAL DETECTIVE

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Riga Hayworth, Book 5

Published by: Misterio Press

December 21, 2013

Genre: Adult, Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Mystery

Word Count: 70,647

BUY LINKS:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

****Stop back by tomorrow for my review!****

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Synopsis

 

Mermaids, menehunes, and murder.

Riga Hayworth just wants to relax with her new husband on their Hawaiian honeymoon. But a body on a Kauai beach pulls them into a murder investigation, sending the supernatural world into an uproar.

 

When Riga detects traces of magic at a murder scene, she knows she can’t ignore the call. There’s necromancy afoot, and she must prepare for the battle to come. But can Riga fight the forces of nature? Or will they destroy her and everyone she loves?

 

Book five in the Riga Hayworth series of paranormal mystery novels, The Elemental Detective is a fun, fast-paced urban fantasy blending romance with the supernatural, and exploring the magic of Hawaii.

 

About Kirsten Weiss

 Kirsten Weiss Pic

 

Kirsten Weiss is the author of the Riga Hayworth paranormal mystery series: The Metaphysical Detective, The Alchemical Detective, The Shamanic Detective, The Infernal Detective, and The Elemental Detective.

 

Kirsten worked overseas for nearly fourteen years, in the fringes of the former USSR and deep in the Afghan war zone. Her experiences abroad not only gave her glimpses into the darker side of human nature, but also sparked an interest in the effects of mysticism and mythology, and how both are woven into our daily lives.

 

Now based in San Mateo, CA, she writes paranormal mysteries, blending her experiences and imagination to create a vivid world of magic and mayhem.

 

Kirsten has never met a dessert she didn’t like, and her guilty pleasures are watching Ghost Whisperer reruns and drinking good wine.

You can connect with Kirsten through the social media sites below, and if the mood strikes you, send her an e-mail at kirsten_weiss2001@yahoo.com

 

You can connect with Kirsten on:

Kirsten’s Website | Kirsten’s Twitter Profile | Kirsten’s Facebook PageKirsten’s Google+ Page | Kirsten’s Pinterest Boards | Kirsten’s Amazon Page

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TOUR GIVEAWAY: US Only please

Grand prize: Riga’s mini-magick kit (including spell paper, a quartz crystal, herbs for incense, and a candle) and a signed copy of The Elemental Detective.

kirsten mini magick kit

****US Only please****

 

Second prize: a purse charm plus e-copy of The Elemental Detective.

kirsten mermaid purse charm

****US Only please****

 

Third prize: an e-copy of The Elemental Detective.

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****US Only please****

Click on the rafflecopter below to enter.

Raffle button

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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Awaken by Skye Malone ~ Cover Reveal and Giveaway

Posted: April 24, 2014 in Cover Reveal, giveaways, Paranormal or fantasy, Romance, YA
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I have a wonderful cover reveal for you today!

Check out Awaken by Skye Malone.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

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Title: Awaken
Series: Awakened Fate (Book One)
Author: Skye Malone
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Wildflower Isle
Expected Publication: June 3, 2014
Cover Designer: Karri Klawiter
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Running away from home was never Chloe Kowalski’s plan.
Neither was ending up the target of killers, or having her body change in
unusual ways. She only wanted a vacation, someplace far from her crazy parents
and their irrational fear of water. She only wanted to do something normal for once, and maybe get to know
her best friend’s hot stepbrother a bit better at the same time.

 

 

But the first day she goes out on the ocean, strange things
start to happen. Dangerous things that should be impossible. Things to which
‘normal’ doesn’t even begin to apply.

 

 

Now madmen are hunting her. A mysterious guy with glowing
blue eyes is following her. And her best friend’s stepbrother seems to be
hiding secrets all his own.

 

 

It was supposed to be a vacation. It’s turning out to be a
whole lot more.

 

[If you’re interested in being part of the blog tour for Awaken, click the banner above to learn more!]

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About Skye

 

Skye Malone is the creative mind behind the Awakened Fate series.

She also technically does not exist.

Skye was born on May 17th, 2013 as the pen name of author Megan Joel Peterson, to give Megan an outlet for all the stories running around in her head. She writes paranormal romance and adventure, loves wolves and the ocean, and might just take over Megan’s life someday.

 Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest | Tumblr
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Giveaway
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$30 Amazon Gift Card

$20 Amazon Gift Card

Click on the rafflecopter below to enter.

Raffle button

 

 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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WWW Wednesday #34 ~ Murmurings, Mind Games, and Steam and Sensibility

Posted: April 23, 2014 in horror, Paranormal or fantasy, steam punk, suspense, WWW Wednesday
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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?

Steam and Sensibility

by Kirsten Weiss

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Synopsis

Steam rising. California Territory, 1848. Gold has been discovered, emptying the village of San Francisco of its male population. Steam-powered technology is still in its infancy.

At 19, Englishwoman Sensibility Grey has spent her life tinkering in her father’s laboratory and missing the finer points of proper British life. But when her father dies in penury, she’s shipped to San Francisco and to the protection of an uncle she’s never met.

The California Territory may hold more dangers than even the indomitable Miss Grey can manage. Pursued by government agents, a secret society, and the enigmatic Mr. Krieg Night, Sensibility must decipher the clockwork secrets in her father’s final journal, unaware she’ll change the world forever.

Magic, mayhem, and mechanicals. STEAM AND SENSIBILITY is a pre-Steampunk novel of paranormal suspense set in the wild west of the California gold rush.

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What did you recently finishing reading?

The Murmurings

by Carly Anne West 

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Synopsis

Everyone thinks Sophie’s sister, Nell, went crazy. After all, she heard strange voices that drove her to commit suicide. But Sophie doesn’t believe that Nell would take her own life, and she’s convinced that Nell’s doctor knows more than he’s letting on.

As Sophie starts to piece together Nell’s last days, every lead ends in a web of lies. And the deeper Sophie digs, the more danger she’s in—because now she’s hearing the same haunting whispers. Sophie’s starting to think she’s going crazy too. Or worse, that maybe she’s not….

 

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What do you think you’ll read next?

Mind Games

Cassie Scot Book #3

by Christine Amsden 

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Beware your heart and soul…Evan broke Cassie’s heart two months ago, and she still doesn’t know why. She throws herself into family, friends and her new job at the sheriff’s department, but nothing helps. The only thing that finally allows her heal and move on is the love of a new man, mind mage Matthew Blair. Cassie finds him… irresistibleMatthew may also be the only one who can help keep the nonmagical residents of Eagle Rock from going crazy over the murder of a beloved pastor’s wife. It looks like a sorcerer is to blame, but while Cassie tries to figure out who, others take matters into their own hands. With tensions running so hot, a single spark might set Eagle Rock ablaze.

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So, whatcha readin?

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Ash Krafton’s Bleeding Hearts ~ Demimonde #1 ~ Blitz and Giveaway

Posted: April 21, 2014 in Blitz, giveaways, Paranormal or fantasy, Vampires, werewolves
Tags: , ,
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I’ve seen Ash Krafton’s Bleeding Hearts novel around for a while and I’m so happy to tell ya’ll about it.

I’m always up for weres, vamps, and some treachery.

Great news!

Bleeding Hearts is on sale at $1.99 on Amazon and Barnes&Noble until April 30th!!

I have an excerpt and a giveaway for you too!

Bleeding Hearts

(Demimonde #1)

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Synopsis

Sophie Galen is an advice columnist who is saving the world – one damned person at a time. Shy and sensitive Sophie has all but given up on love until she meets Marek, a mysterious stranger who seduces her with his striking good looks and his take-charge attitude. Yet the darkness she senses within him may be more than she is prepared to handle when Marek draws her into a world of vampires, werewolves, and treachery. Forced to leave behind the comfortable routines and certainties of her past, Sophie makes unbearable sacrifices and uncovers hidden truths about herself and the world around her.

Amazon – Barnes & Noble
Add Bleeding Hearts to your Goodreads list!
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Don’t forget to check out “Blood Rush” (Demimonde #2) and get ready for “Wolf’s Bane” (Demimonde #3), coming out this June!

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Ash Krafton

 

Ash Krafton

Ash Krafton is a writer of all things spec fic. She believes spectacular endings make the best beginnings… Why not? One billion black holes can’t be wrong. Her first novel BLEEDING HEARTS: Book One of the Demimonde is available through Pink Narcissus Press. The manuscript earned finalist distinction in several Romance Writers of America 2011 competitions and has earned several other awards. The follow-up BLOOD RUSH (Demimonde #2) was published in 2013 and the third installment WOLF’S BANE (Demimonde #3) is expected mid-2014. Her urban fantasy novelette STRANGER AT THE HELL GATE is available through the Black Rose line of The Wild Rose Press. In addition to novel-length fiction, Ash enjoys writing poetry and short fiction, some of which earned awards and distinction in several national competitions. One of her poems was selected as a Pushcart prize nominee. She’s a member of Pennwriters, RWA, Pikes Peak Writers, SFPA, and the Maryland Writers Association. She also contributes to Query Tracker’s blog at http://querytracker.blogspot.com. Ash resides with her family in a rural town in the heart of the Pennsylvania anthracite coal region. She’ll never leave, either, because coal is just another example of a spectacular ending waiting for a brilliant beginning. (It’s kinda fitting.) And because, like a black hole, once you’re in…you can never get out.

Website – Blog – Twitter – Facebook – Goodreads

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A $25 Amazon Gift Card & Swag

Click on the rafflecopter below to enter.

Raffle button

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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