All posts by tricia kristufek

Blog Tour: Writers Workshop of Science Fiction and Fantasy

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Writers Workshop

 

Writers WorkshopTitle: Writers Workshop of Science Fiction and Fantasy

Editor: Michael Knost

Page Count: 210 pages

Genre: Speculative Fiction

Published: April 18th, 2013

Publisher: Seventh Star Press

Synopsis:

Writers Workshop of Science Fiction and Fantasy is a collection of essays and interviews by and with many of the movers-and-shakers in the industry. Each contributor covers the specific element of craft he or she excels in. Expect to find varying perspectives and viewpoints, which is why you many find differing opinions on any particular subject.

This is, after all, a collection of advice from professional storytellers. And no two writers have made it to the stage via the same journey-each has made his or her own path to success. And that’s one of the strengths of this book. The reader is afforded the luxury of discovering various approaches and then is allowed to choose what works best for him or her.

Featuring essays and interviews with:
Neil Gaiman
Orson Scott Card
Ursula K. Le Guin
Alan Dean Foster
James Gunn
Tim Powers
Harry Turtledove
Larry Niven
Joe Haldeman
Kevin J. Anderson
Elizabeth Bear
Jay Lake
Nancy Kress
George Zebrowski
Pamela Sargent
Mike Resnick
Ellen Datlow
James Patrick Kelly
Jo Fletcher
Stanley Schmidt
Gordon Van Gelder
Lou Anders
Peter Crowther
Ann VanderMeer
John Joseph Adams
Nick Mamatas
Lucy A. Snyder
Alethea Kontis
Nisi Shawl
Jude-Marie Green
Nayad A. Monroe
G. Cameron Fuller
Jackie Gamber
Amanda DeBord
Max Miller
Jason Sizemore

This edition also includes several full page illustrations from award-winning artists Matthew Perry and Bonnie Wasson.

Amazon Kindle | Amazon Print | Barnes & Noble | GoodReads

Michael Knost~ About the Editor ~

Michael Knost is an award-winning author, editor, and columnist in the Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror and Supernatural Thriller genres.

He has written several books and dozens of short stories, edited a number of anthologies, including the Legends of the Mountain State series, and he currently writes a column for Shroud Magazine.

He recently won the Bram Stoker Award in the United Kingdom for his book Writers Workshop of Horror, a collection of articles and interviews on the craft of writing.

He is currently working on a Mothman novel due to hit bookshelves later this year.

Michael has worked in the radio, television, and newspaper industries, and currently lives in Chapmanville, West Virginia with his beautiful wife and daughter.

Seventh Star Press~ About the Publisher ~

Seventh Star Press is a small press publisher located in Lexington, KY.  SSP specializes in speculative fiction (fantasy, science fiction, and horror).  The company was established in October of 2008.

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Blog | Seventh Star Soundoff

 

Rafflecopter Code: Knost Giveaway

Free Read: Skankenstein

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Free read!

Friday, May 17th to Tuesday, May 21st we will be offering our debut novel, Skankenstein, for FREE in the Amazon Kindle Store.

Interested readers can access the Kindle edition at http://www.amazon.com/Skankenstein-ebook/dp/B005UTD0KS.

Skankenstein CoverBOOK DESCRIPTION:

Sometimes the ugliest monsters come in the prettiest packages…

Victoria Frank is the picture of teen perfection – she’s talented, witty, and ruthless – but being queen of tiny Geneva, NY isn’t enough. Tired of merely designing the perfect outfit, she sets out to design the perfect person. But by the time she realizes beauty is only skin deep, she’s already unleashed her monster on the world. Now it’s a race against time to stop the vile creature from destroying her life, and she has to do it in the most evil place of all – high school.

After ditching her horrifying creation in L.A., all Victoria wants is the perfect senior year, but it becomes impossible when the dreaded beast shows up in her own backyard. Armed with a new body, a new attitude and a new name, M turns the school hierarchy on its head. But when M suffers the embarrassment of a lifetime and sets her sights on revenge, our queen bee finds herself pitted in a cat fight to the death where kid sisters, boyfriends and tiaras are all fair game. It’s a twist on Frankenstein unlike any before, with an ending so explosive it’ll leave your bowels quaking.

Continue reading Free Read: Skankenstein →

Cover Reveal: Angelstone

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Check out this awesome cover reveal! It’s so pretty!

Angelstone (Dark Angel #2)

By Hanna Peach

About Angelstone:

After escaping from the Hollows and the Michaelea lightwarriors, Jordan takes Alyx and Israel to Aradale, a secret Rogue community, where they appear to be safe – for now. But did they bring the enemy with them? “Mini”, the strange and speechless young girl they rescued from the Hollows, is not as she seems. Why was Elder Michael keeping her locked up? What is she hiding?

Alyx and Israel are driven further apart as Israel continues to obsess over making Adere human and Alyx hides two secrets from him: that he may be part-demon and that she may be carrying his child, a tri-blood keye that can be used to unlock Hell.

Out in the mortal cities, pieces of Black Stone, the only material that can disrupt the angels’ healing abilities, continue to be stolen to make weapons for Samyara’s dark army. Alyx and her friends must stop them, but this means infiltrating holy and guarded places to steal the Black Stone: a monastery in remote China, a mosque in Saudi Arabia, an art gallery in Florence and a cathedral in Peru…

Can they win this deadly race against the Darkened?

Release Date: 31 May 2013

Release Sale

For 31 May & 1 June only, Angelstone will be priced at US$0.99 at Amazon!

And if you need to catch up, Angelfire (DA #1) FREE from 28th May – 1st June!

Follow out more at

www.hannapeach.com

www.facebook.com/AngelfireBooks

FMB Blog Tour: No Greater Illusion

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No Greater Illusion Banner

Title: No Greater Illusion

Author: K. Baskett

Genre: Dystopian

Publisher: Self-published

Format: Ebook, Paperback

Length: 318 pages

Book Trailer

Buy Links: eStore | Amazon (Print) | Amazon (Kindle) |

Book Description:

In the very near future, surging advancements in technology have afforded American citizens with a number of conveniences. Of these, most notable is the SmartTag, a microchip embedded under the skin between index finger and thumb, housing all manner of personal information such as bank account details, medical history, voter registration and more.

This tightly-woven tale follows the lives of several very different people – Tealia, a free-spirited and intelligent photographer battling with conflicting emotions for her ex-lover; Mercer & Viera Scott, a power couple barely holding on to their marriage as the priorities of success and parenthood slowly become skewed between them; impoverished single mother, Naria, content with her reliance on both her current lover and government assistance to make ends meet; and the Holton family, wealthy beyond measure, enjoying carefree days of privilege and luxury.

Their status quo, however, is about to be undermined as America reacts violently to the brutal assassination of a highly esteemed female presidential nominee on the evening of the debates. As the entire nation struggles to make sense of the ensuing chaos, fear and distrust ramp up to dizzying heights. The end result is a series of grave consequences that will drastically alter life as they know it, making them all wonder how much of their world is but an illusion.

A captivating story that is at once gripping and dark, this brilliantly painted picture of a dystopian America cautions against the power of technology and the folly of taking anything for granted. Haunting and lyrical, No Greater Illusion is an astounding debut novel with a powerful message that lingers long after the final page is read.

Continue reading FMB Blog Tour: No Greater Illusion →

FMB Blog Tour: Dreams of the Queen

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Dreams of the Queen Banner

Title: Dreams of the Queen

Series: The Brajj #1

Author: Jacqueline Patricks

Genre: science fiction/romance

Publisher: self-published

Format: Ebook, Paperback

Length: 338 pages

Buy Links: Amazon | Smashwords | Kobo | B&N |

Book Description:

The alien culture of the brajj, to which Cass and her team are transported, is deftly revealed over time, not over-explained or tediously described. The interactions between humans and aliens are well handled. Plot twists at the end are genuinely startling, and leave the reader anticipating the sequel. IndieReader

Aliens, zombies, romance and a wormhole all wrapped up in a mystery!

*Rated Mature 17+ for violence, language, sexual scenes, gore* Science Fiction/Romance/Adventure

(Serious sci-fi with a romance-this is not a fluffy bunny)

Haunted by dreams of an alien world and obsessed with unlocking the mystery, Dr. Cass Baros does the improbable. She creates a wormhole. While her team preps to traverse it, she becomes more suspicious of her fiancé and co-project leader, Dr. Julian Saunders. Is he really so jealous and secretive?

Her boss, Dr. Janson, also has an agenda, which includes adding an U.S. Army contingent to her scientific team. Captain Lewis seems intelligent, but an army grunt is still a grunt, right? As if this isn’t enough to make a normal woman paranoid—and Cass is anything but normal—her dreams have altered to include an alien man who thinks she’s their predestined queen and savior.

Once through the wormhole, they make first contact with the brajj, and Cass meets Jeamon, the man from her dreams. According to him, she must be taken to the brajj’s leader, Master. Cass is conflicted. She is drawn to

Jeamon, but still engaged to Julian and rightfully uncertain, though she feels changes occurring within her.

Unable to return home and facing numerous dangers—external and internal—the team deals with this fascinating new world, including an altering Cass. How far is the team willing to go to discover answers? What is Cass willing to do if she is to be a savior? What will Jeamon choose when faced with split loyalties?

Forced to choose between their old lives and their new ones, Cass and Jeamon are plunged into an adventure beyond their control. One in which the rest of the team must struggle to survive along with them as they unravel the millennia old secrets of the brajj’s world.

Passion and love, genius and madness, jealousy and danger enough to cause the death of worlds await them through the wormhole…

Continue reading FMB Blog Tour: Dreams of the Queen →

New Release: Renegade

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Renegade Release Day Banner

It’s here! The last book in the Heven and Hell series!! Check out my review of Renegade and get yours today for a special release-day price of $0.99!

Renegade

Title: Renegade

Author: Cambria Hebert

Series: Heven and Hell Series

Genre: YA/Paranormal

Publisher: Self Published

Release Date: May 3 2013

Synopsis:

I’ve been beautiful. I’ve been ugly. I’ve died. I’ve been brought back. I’ve had abilities awakened within me. My strength has been tested. My beliefs have been tested.

Yet I stand.

What’s next when you’ve pretty much experienced it all?

The end.

Sam and I are picking up the pieces. We’re trying to come to terms with all we’ve lost. And as much as I would like to hide my head, ignore the reality I live every day, there is no forgetting.

Riley is in hell—I’m still not sure of his agenda. My mother’s past haunts me. And Kimber… Kimber is being herself. Cole sneaks glances at Gemma and she returns them when she thinks I don’t see.

But I do.

When Beelzebub escapes he brings his war to places I never thought he would. Earth. Maine. Home. Now everyone and everything is at risk. This has become bigger than my circle of friends. This has become bigger than me. I have to finish this. I have to find a way to stop him, to finish this war.

I just pray we will all be left standing in the end.

The conclusion to the Heven and Hell series.

release day promo Renegade

The Heven and Hell series reading order

Before (A Heven and Hell Prequel) .5

Masquerade 1

Between (A Heven and Hell Companion) 1.5

Charade 2

Bewitched (A Heven and Hell Companion) 2.5

Tirade 3

Beneath (A Heven and Hell Companion) 3.5

Renegade 4

Book Trailers

Masquerade:

Charade:

Tirade:

Renegade:

Renegade-by Cambria Hebert wrap

Rafflecopter Code: Renegade Giveaway

cambriahebertweb

Bio:

Cambria Hebert is the author of the young adult paranormal Heven and Hell series and the Death Escorts series. She loves a caramel latte, hates math and is afraid of chickens (yes, chickens). She went to college for a bachelor’s degree, couldn’t pick a major and ended up with a degree in cosmetology. So rest assured her characters will always have good hair. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband and children (both human and furry) where she is plotting her next book. You can find out more about Cambria and her work by visiting http://www.cambriahebert.com

Author Links

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cambria-Hebert/128278117253138

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5298677.Cambria_Hebert

Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/cambriahebert/pins/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cambriahebert

Website: http://www.cambriahebert.com

You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/user/CambriaHebert?feature=mhee

Cambria has had the covers of the other 3 full length Novels in the Heven and Hell series redesigned! Check them out!

Masquerade NewCharade New

Tirade NewRenegade

FMB Blog Tour: Trust

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Trust- A New Beginning Trailer Banner

Check out the trailer for TRUST: A New Beginning!

Contains strong language and graphic sex scenes. 

Capa A New Beginning

Title: Trust: A New Beginning

Series: TRUST #1

Author: Cristiane Serruya

Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance

Publisher: self-published

Format: Ebook, Paperback, Hardcover

Length: 393 pages

Buy Links: Amazon | B&N |

Book Description:

They are beautiful. They are rich. They are strong willed and successful. They have everything, but love. And each one of them has a dark secret looming in their past.

Sophia is a 25 year old Brazilian widow. Intelligent and ravishing, she flees from her own country after a tragic incident. Hiding from everyone and everything, she remains alone, torn between the love for a dead man, the torment of living without part of her memory and the fear of moving on.

Ethan is one of the most important tycoons in the steel industry. As the memory of an awful evening in his adolescence haunts him night and day, he keeps looking for an elusive woman whom he could love – and who would love him – as he never has in all his 35 years… Until he finds Sophia.

Alistair is a 34 year old powerful banker, searching for one–night stands with women who will warm his bed. And that he can punish physically to abate his anger for his late wife’s black deeds and his own guilt for being such a debauched man for so many years. Any woman will do, and he has many to choose from, as they all fall instantly for his manly, devilish charming ways.

In Europe, in the months after October 2009, their paths will cross and clash.

This is the first book of the trilogy TRUST, this is an adult contemporary romance lavishly set in a billionaire’s Europe, deriving its strength from realistic and dramatic character interactions in their hunt for trust and love.

Continue reading FMB Blog Tour: Trust →

FMB Blog Tour: A Tiger’s Claim

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Welcome to my stop on the FMB Blog Tour for A Tiger’s Claim! I got to review this one, so check it out!

TigersClaim72

Title: A Tiger’s Claim

Series: Ashwood Falls #1

Author: Lia Davis

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Fated Desires Publishing

Format: Ebook

Length: approx. 35,000 words

Buy Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ARe | Kobo

Book Description:

As the Alpha’s only daughter Shayna Andrews has always been treated like a rare gem, protected like royalty, and she’s suffocating.  Her longing to be independent has driven her to sneak out one evening after dinner. After relishing in being able to run free without an escort, she finds herself face-to-face with the enemy, miles from home, and nearly loses her life until a lone wolf comes to her aid.

Travis Hunter’s main objective is to destroy the Onyx Pack—a group of drug using, murdering rogue shifters. His seek-and-destroy plans are put on hold when he rescues a female from a brutal attack. The beautifully exotic tiger shifter, Shayna, stirs a passion he thought died with his long-lost mate.

When Shay’s first heat cycle slams into her, Travis has no choice but to submit to her needs—and his own. But there is always a price to sleeping with the Pack princess. Not only will they have to face her Pack, Shay and Travis will have to deal with a mating that is beyond a single night and could have consequences more than either of them had thought. And when Travis finds out Shay wears the enemy’s brand, things will go from bad to worse.

Warning: One alpha female who doesn’t take no for an answer, a wolf with more on the line than just his heart, and a combustible attraction that’s sure to cause more than one sweaty night.

Continue reading FMB Blog Tour: A Tiger’s Claim →

Review: A Tiger’s Claim

Reviews

A Tiger's Claim
A Tiger’s Claim by Lia Davis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I’ve trained to fight, navigate the forest by scent, and outsmart my brothers, but I’m not strong enough to see this through alone.

Shayna Andrews is the adopted daughter of the Pack’s Alpha, and as such, is protected to the point of suffocation. When she asserts her independence, she ends up tangling with the enemy. Lucky for her, lone wolf Travis Hunter comes to her rescue. But when her first heat cycle begins, they are thrown into a chain of events where both gets more than they bargained for.

The book is technically the first in the series, though reading Winter Eve would help the reader understand the character dynamics. The mix of weres (big cats living together with wolves) brings an interesting mix to the table, since they have different customs and strengths. This is a world where the reader must suspend disbelief about actual animal instincts and take the “anything (or any were) goes” approach to mating. Once passed that, it is a well-created story in a world alive with personality.

The sex, though present, is glossed over, lending more time for action/plot. There are a few touching scenes, and the ending tied up well. There could have been more done to make the book more in-depth, but as it is, it’s a short, quick read were-lovers will enjoy.

A Tiger’s Claim is a fast-paced, light read, and a good start to an interesting series.

View all my reviews

FMB Blog Tour: Blizzard

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BLIZZARD Banner

BlizzardTitle: Blizzard

Series: The Edge

Author: Taryn Kincaid

Genre: Erotica, Erotic Romance, Erotic Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Decadent Publishing

Format: Ebook

Length: 20 pages

Purchase: Decadent | Amazon | Barnes&Noble | All Romance  | Smashwords | CoffeeTime

Book Description:

Mandy Malone ditches her pharmaceutical convention and the married male colleagues hitting on her to hurry home to her waiting family. But she doesn’t bank on the blizzard that forces her off the road and into a deserted rest stop. When she meets another road refugee, their attraction is immediate and molten hot. Suddenly, getting stranded doesn’t seem like such bad luck after all.

Although totally unprepared for Mandy’s unvarnished proposition, Jack is intrigued by the erotic offer of a promising night of no-questions-asked sex. But when he notices the wedding band on Mandy’s finger, will he forego the lure of a torrid clandestine affair, or give in to the fantasy of blazing hot sex on a wintry night?

Continue reading FMB Blog Tour: Blizzard →