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Saturday, December 31, 2016

Savvy Saturday: Where to Find Our Authors in January

Lets bring in the New Year with our monthly special: Where to Find Our Authors! Make your New Year resolution to get to know these amazing people one-on-one, or to meet your favorite CBG author in person or virtually.

Most of our authors will be at our New Year Kick-off Party tomorrow, January 1st. The part starts at 11AM EST and ends at 9 PM EST. Stop by for tons of prizes and even more fun! https://www.facebook.com/events/952765498156451/

Amy McKinley
This lovely lady strikes again with a plethora of parties! Catch this author-on-a-roll all month on different blogs and at different events. 

January 1st - Champagne Book Group New Year Kick-off Party, Takeover at 5pm EST https://www.facebook.com/events/952765498156451/

January 6-9th - Naughty Elves Hop. This is a Facebook Hop, and you can start on Amy's Facebook page starting the 6th. https://www.facebook.com/amymckinleyauthor/

January 7th - Grand Opening. The Swag Queen event. Takeover at 12:30 pm (CST) https://www.facebook.com/events/103452156825999/

January 8th - January 14th. Auction to benefit Kathryn Jacoby's battle against breast cancer. Donated Hidden and Taken, along with swag. https://www.facebook.com/events/1203952306363798/?active_tab=about

January 9th - Book Club Gone Wrong 5K Likes Celebration, donated of winners choice: Hidden or Taken and swag https://www.facebook.com/events/222422048196790/

January 14th - New Year...New Reads. Donated winners choice of signed paperback: Hidden or Taken. https://www.facebook.com/events/162124534250003/

January 17th - Chasing Casey Release Event. Takeover 11am EST https://www.facebook.com/events/381385298881278/

January 31st - Heartbreak's a Bitch Release Party. donated winners choice of signed paperback - either Hidden or Taken, along with swag. https://www.facebook.com/events/1183003391767013/?active_tab=discussion


Veronica Helen Hart
Veronica loves to meet her readers in person, so make sure you stop by her signings!

Veronica will be at The Central Florida Book & Author EXPO on January 28th, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m, at the Eisenhower Recreation Center in The Villages, Florida.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dwight-D-Eisenhower-Recreation-Center/243419879176140
 





Kay Latour
Kay's book isn't out yet with us, but that doesn't slow her down in the least.

Check out her blog Fae and Witches and Ghosts--oh my! http://kaylatour.weebly.com. It will be featuring Wendy Hobbs the author of Claudia's Special Wish. Wendy is a returning guest. She was featured in June of this year (2016) for her debut novel Claudia Quash: The Spell of Pencliff. Our target date is January 10th, 2017.

Saturday, December 24, 2016

Savvy Saturday: Promotion Sucks! With Shiela Stewart

Promotion Sucks!

No one told me being an author would involve so much work. Sheesh, all I wanted to do was tell a tale and have others read it. Boy was I wrong. Writing is the easy part. Promoting it…well that’s pure hell. I kid you not. Its hell! Okay so maybe I’m exaggerating, but not by much. What the hell do I do to promote my book? Well, there are interviews, blog spots, commenting on other blog pots (to get your name out there) put your book cover on other websites. Buy ad space on high traffic sites and so on and so on. Makes your head spin. The inner child in me is screaming, “I don’t wanna do it and you can’t make me. I don’t wanna don’t wanna, no no no!!”

Okay, tantrum done…mostly. It tends to pop up now and then.

So, where was I? Ah yes, promoting. “Wahhhhhhhhhhhh!” Breathe, just breathe.

I’m not a people person. I like to keep to myself, hide in my little authors cave and write about love, ghosts, vampires, murder and mayhem. That’s my world. I live with Vampires, demons, ghosts and crazy people who are willing to do anything for love. The world outside is scary.

In the years since I first published a novel, I’ve done more interviews than I care to remember. So many guest blog spots that it makes my head spin. But the ultimate worst was being interviewed on TV and radio. The book signing wasn’t too bad. Probably helped that my hubby sat with me….or tied me to the chair so I couldn’t run, but I got through the three hours I was under the spotlight. My book was the highest purchased trade paper back novel for three weeks straight. I was so thrilled. Then my second book was released and there I was, having to promote it all over again. Yep, same deal. Did the book signing, smiled though inside I was jelly. The instant it was over I retreated to my cave where my characters welcomed me with open arms. What a relief.

But, despite my hating to promote myself and my books, it is a necessary evil. And I do mean evil. If I’m scaring any would be authors out there…that’s good. You should be scared. Run now while you still can. Okay, okay, I’m joking. It’s not that bad. **cough**

The trick is staying on the ball. Keep up with the trends and never stop trying. Go with the flow. Don’t let it drag you down…into the muddy waters of hell. **cough cough** It is worth it in the long run.

Happy Promoting!! :D

Popular places to promote.

All Romance eBooks. www.allromanceebooks.com If you can get into one of their author co-op spots they provide in the Romantic Time Magazine it is well worth the money you spend.

Coffee Time Romance. http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/ Chats and guest spots as well as ads on their website.

Romance Junkies. http://www.romancejunkies.com/ Chats, interviews and ads on their website.

Whipped Cream and Long and Short of it. http://www.longandshortreviews.com/WC/index.htm Guest spots on their blog, interviews, and chats.

Since it’s the holidays I’ve decided to give one lucky commenter the first two books in my Darkness series. Seducing the Darkness and Desiring the Darkness. Please leave you email address to be eligible. You have until next Saturday to potentially win one of these great books!

Merry Christmas!

Shiela’s website: www.shielasbooks.ca

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shiela.stewart

Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/shiela.stewart

Where to find my books:

www.allromanceebooks.com



Saturday, December 17, 2016

Savvy Saturday: Interview with Gabriella from Tempting the Darkness

Hello Shiela! It’s nice to have you back. It looks like you have a new book out, care to tell readers about it?

Hi Kylee. Thank you for having me and Gabriella here today. I do indeed have a current release. Tempting the Darkness is the fifth book I my Darkness series. It’s is about one mans endless struggle to save the woman he loves who is dying from cancer. Despite being a vampire, Cooper Hawthorn fell in love with a human. He spent years keeping her a secret from his friends, and when she discovers she is dying from cancer he promises her he will find a cure. Putting her in a cryogenic chamber, he spends years trying to find a cure. With love blooming all around him, his heart longs for his lovely Gabriella. Desperate to have her back in his life, he decides to turn her into a vampire. Gabriella, however is not happy with his decision.

Is this lovely lady here with you from that book? By the way, who exactly is with us tonight?


Yes she is. Gabriella, Meet Kylee Howells, the Social Media Coordinator for Champagne Books.
Gabriella: Pleasure to meet you Kylee.

So Gabriella, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I’m thirty one years old…Or I was when my love put me to sleep in cryogenics. I’m an only child. My parents were in their fifties when I was born and unfortunately they passed when I was nearly twenty. I have always had an affinity for flowers so I opened up a floral shop and learned all I can about every breed. That was where I met my love, Cooper.

So you were asleep for many years. How was it being woken up in an entirely new era?

Unsettling. There are still familiarities from before my sleep, but when I was alive, vampires were not as known as they are now. It is the darkness and the dismal state of the city that is the most jarring. There is no beauty, just hardness and death.

Not only were you in a new time, but now you are a vampire. How is that going so far?

It's difficult to say the least. Blood repulses me, yet my body longs for it, craves it. Biting through flesh came instinctually though I prefer not to do it again. All of my senses are enhanced, which at times can be very annoying. With all of the people living under one roof, it can get quite loud at times. It is pleasant to be able to see in the dark, and my sense of smell is very enhanced which I love because I have always been delighted by smells of flowers and perfumes. 

If you could go back and change one thing, what would it be?

I would like to change my reunion with my husband. Being awoken from twenty years of sleep to find he has betrayed me and turned me into a vampire hurt. I wish he had woken me and discussed what he was about to do and what it all entailed. However awful the reunion, I can’t be angry with him any longer. We will be together for an eternity or more and that is all I’ve ever wanted.


Well that's all the time we have today. Thanks ladies for joining us, and we'll see you next week on Savvy Saturday!

Tempting the Darkness is available for purchase at these locations for only $3.99:
Amazon: https://goo.gl/C8UN3r
Kobo: https://goo.gl/45LsUX
Champagne Books: https://goo.gl/vLbzIS 

About the Author

Raised on a rural farm in Saskatchewan, Canada, Shiela Stewart relied on her vivid imagination to fill her days. Never did she realize that her need to tell a story would someday lead to becoming a published author.

In the fall of two thousand and six, Shiela published her very first book and she hasn’t stopped since.

When not writing, Shiela spends time with the love of her life and biggest supporter, William. She enjoys doting on her children and granddaughter. She has a strong affection for animals which is evident in the five cats, one dog, plenty of fish and one turtle she owns.

Some of her other passions are home décor, crocheting and knitting.

Saturday, December 10, 2016

Savvy Saturday: Exclusive Excerpt from Tempting the Darkness

Tempting The Darkness
Darkness, 5
By Shiela Stewart
Paranormal Romance
$3.99
Amazon: https://goo.gl/C8UN3r
Kobo: https://goo.gl/45LsUX
Champagne Books: https://goo.gl/vLbzIS


Death is not the end for a vampire in love.
Excerpt

Gabriella fought to open her eyes and couldn’t understand why they felt as if they were laden with lead. Struggling, she pushed them open and blearily tried to look around. It was all so fuzzy, as if something were coating her eyes, blurring them. She scrubbed her fists over them and blinked away the fog.

Where was she?

Her body felt…odd. Heavy, different. Energized.

She took a good look around. It was a bedroom. She was in a bedroom.

Cooper’s bedroom.

How had she gotten here? Her mind seemed as foggy as her eyes. Her mouth was as dry as the desert. She pushed the blankets aside, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. They were bare. Well, of course they are, you were in bed. She caught sight of the rest of her body and gasped. She was completely naked.

Then it all came barreling back into her mind.

Cooper had woken her. He’d bathed her. He’d made love to her.

He’d made her a vampire.

Her hand flew up to her neck and she felt the distinct impression of two marks just below her ear. He’d bitten her. While he’d poured himself into her, he had bitten her, drank in her blood, and made her like him.

“It’s the only way.”

She bolted out of the bed and her legs gave way, nearly sending her tumbling to the floor. Plopping back down onto the bed, she took a few deep breaths, then slowly got to her feet. Though they wobbled, her legs managed to carry her as she walked to the mirror over the dresser. The room was utterly dark yet she saw with perfect clarity. Her eyes were a translucent blue green with a tint of yellow. Opening her mouth, she saw the fangs penetrating from her gums

She gasped, backing up, and bumped into the bed.

Whirling around, her heart racing, she felt panicked.

She needed to get out of here.

In a desperate search, she ran about the room looking for her clothing. It was nowhere to be found. How was that possible? Spotting a robe hanging on the back of the door, she yanked it down and quickly slipped into it. It hung off her like a droopy sack of silk. She did her best to belt it up to cover her nudity.

He’d made love to her, then made her a vampire.

Why would he do that?

Carefully, she opened the bedroom door, peering through the crack. She saw no one and heard nothing. Throwing the door open, she bolted. She didn’t know where she was going, or what she was going to do, she just knew she had to run.

“Gabriella.”

She screamed and spun around to see Cooper standing before her. Her heart raced with both fear and love, and in the conflict of emotions, she was momentarily frozen.

“Are you all right, my sweet?”

“Don’t touch me,” she blurted out in a voice much too frail to be hers. Spinning around, she searched for an exit.

“You should be resting.”

“Leave me alone.” Seeing an escape, she bolted for the door, throwing it open as she ran. Her bare feet slapped on the paved steps leading down to a small cobblestone path. Everything was so dark. It felt so…unnatural.

“Gabriella, please, come back inside.”

His voice startled her and she ran a little faster. “No, leave me alone. Leave me alone,” she screamed as she ran.

“Gabriella, stop.”

She jumped when he appeared in front of her, and screamed even louder.

“My stars, love. What has gotten into you?”

“Don’t touch me. You turned me into a vampire. Just leave me alone.” Spinning around, she darted off, not knowing where she was or where she was headed.

“Gabriella. Please.”

Her blood curdling scream echoed in the still air as he grabbed her arm and stopped her. “Leave me alone. Please, please, just let me be.”

“What is going on?”

Her head twisted to the male voice behind her and she saw a man with dark hair and beautiful, glowing blue eyes. “Help me. Please, help me. Save me.” Jerking her arm free, she raced to the gentleman. She didn’t know who he was, but she hoped he would help her. “Please, don’t let him near me.”

About the Author

Raised on a rural farm in Saskatchewan, Canada, Shiela Stewart relied on her vivid imagination to fill her days. Never did she realize that her need to tell a story would someday lead to becoming a published author.

In the fall of two thousand and six, Shiela published her very first book and she hasn’t stopped since.

When not writing, Shiela spends time with the love of her life and biggest supporter, William. She enjoys doting on her children and granddaughter. She has a strong affection for animals which is evident in the five cats, one dog, plenty of fish and one turtle she owns.

Some of her other passions are home décor, crocheting and knitting.

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

New Release: Tempting the Darkness

Tempting The Darkness
Darkness, 5
By Shiela Stewart
Paranormal Romance
$3.99
Amazon: https://goo.gl/C8UN3r
Kobo: https://goo.gl/45LsUX
Champagne Books: https://goo.gl/vLbzIS

For twenty long years, Cooper Hawthorne has kept the brightest light in his bleak existence a deeply hidden secret. All this time, his beloved Gabriella has slept safely in cryogenic stasis, awaiting the day he finds a cure for her terminal cancer. As love blooms amidst the Darkness, and still no cure in sight, loneliness drives Cooper to drastic measures. He awakens Gabriella and breaks his last promise to her—by turning her into a vampire. Gabriella’s sense of betrayal weighs heavily on her attempts to deal with what Cooper has done to her. Pushing him away, she turns to his friends for support—and finds she isn’t the only one hurt by his actions. Cooper fights the temptation to use his powers to wipe her mind of the damning memories. But, when he comes face to face with the monster that created him, he knows what he must do.

Will Gabriella be able to save him before it’s too late? Or will the Darkness swallow him whole?

Saturday, December 3, 2016

Savvy Saturday: Where to Find Our Authors in December

Keith Willis

There's dragons galore on this guy's website!

From the man himself:

On Wednesday, December 7 @ 7:00pm I'll be appearing at the William K. Sanford Public Library Colonie, New York, (http://www.libraryinsight.net/eventdetails.asp?jx=vjp&lmx=576865&v=3) for a reading from Traitor Knight and discussion of writing, fantasy, and dragons. And there may be dragon cookies...

On Sunday, December 11 from noon - 5:00 PM I'll be participating as a vendor in the Altamont New York Victorian Holiday Celebration & Winter Market. I'll be in the Altamont Community Library with copies of Traitor Knight for sale. In addition I'll be raffling off some cool swag, and I'll have a special treat for any kids (or kids-at-heart) who come by--because everyone needs a dragon for a pet, right?

Amy McKinley

Check out her website for everything Amy!

December 10, 2016 Donation giveaway at Merry X-Mass Bash event beginning at 8:30 am CST. https://www.facebook.com/events/220046208430597/

December 10, 2016 Ani Bishop's Always You Release Party event takeover at 3pm EST. https://www.facebook.com/events/1128591860565405/?active_tab=discussion

December 13, 2016 25 Days of Christmas event takeover at 3pm. the event is presented by Books and Boys Book Blog https://www.facebook.com/events/396651237391882/?active_tab=about

December 14, 2016 Naughty or Nice event takeover at 9pm. Happening in The Party Palace Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/331392913872568/

December 15, 2016 12 Days of Kiltmas event takeover at 6pm EST. https://www.facebook.com/events/1615588348743472/

Amy's books are now available at the Tinley Park Public Library in Tinley Park, Illinois.


Veronica Helen Hart

Veronica Helen Hart will be signing books at Book Warehouse in Tanger Square Mall, Daytona Beach, Florida on December 17th, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Also with her will be Robert Hart, William G. Collins, and Lois Gerber.

Veronica's books are now available at the new Change Jar Books in Ormond Beach, Florida located on Nova Road.



Kay Latour

This new CBG author will be having a guest interview at her blog with author Natalia Brothers on December 15th.

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Tattle and Wrye column December 2016 edition

FROM THE DESK OF
DONA PENZA TATTLE, ESQ.
AND
ASSOCIATE WRYE BALDERDASH

Greetings,

“Brrrr, it’s chilly outside,” Tattle enters the office in a Mrs. Claus Suit.

“Not if you live in Arizona!” Wrye does a two step, ending with, “Ta…da!”

“Ah, so it’s duelling Christmas jokes ye are after, m’elfin friend.” She swirls about and verbally assaults. “What do you call people who are afraid of Santa Claus? Claustrophobic.”

Wrye thinks, huh, but counters, “Why does Santa have 3 gardens? So he can ho-ho-ho.”

Walking around Wrye, Tattle’s skirt swirls “Why was Santa's little helper depressed? Because he had low elf esteem.”

“What do you call an elf who sings? A Wrapper!”

“What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire? Frostbite.” She holds up a hand. “Enough. I win. Time for our Love of Literature Leap Reviews.”

Again Wrye thinks, huh, but bows concession and off they go.


The duo find themselves in BORN IN ICE by Linda LaRoque, a futuristic/sci-fi/romantic suspense.

Zana Forrester left her young daughter and elder mother to brave the unstable roadways in the year 2080. She lived in a world where global warming had taken control, and avalanches, like the one that killed her husband, were not uncommon. Having to survive and keep her family fed and warm, she works from home as a computer programmer, but now and then she had to leave to pick up supplies.

Not to overtax her mother, she had taken her baby boy Jonathan with her and left her daughter, Katy. Soon after they start out, they are consumed by an avalanche.

Seventy-five years later, Brock Callahan and his crew salvage a rare all-terrain vehicle buried in an iceberg. After outrunning a dreaded pirate, they take the vehicle aboard his ship. Inside, unconscious, Zana holds her dead son. In her time, drugs had been administered to keep tissue from freezing completely, which allowed for Zana’s rebirth. Her son had been too young for the treatment.

Hence, Zana awakes to a world much different from her own, without her son, and not knowing what had happened to her daughter or mother. Finding her daughter becomes her main concern despite being instantly attracted to Brock and the new life he can offer her.

Meanwhile, Brock, a widow, is immediately drawn to the lovely Zana, and believes she would be the perfect wife and mother to his own daughter. Yet he refuses to love her. Death always follows those women he had loved. Both have their own agendas, but fate keeps them together as they battle through the dangers and heartache of the weather torn planet and its survivors’ tumultuous days and nights.

To further complicate their goals, a foreboding evil stalks them. Though Zana had been reborn, death is once again at her heels, threatening not just her but those she is beginning to love. 

Tattle whoops, “Wow! If you like adventure, suspense well-dosed with the unexpected and romance, this is the book for you. The prose pulsates with persistent realism despite being set in a futuristic world. You find yourself glancing out the window to remind yourself you don’t live in a city under the sea or a modernized cavern. The story absorbed me within the first paragraph, and I felt the characters pain and trauma. I became Zena’s and Brock’s cheerleader as their fortitude helps them overcome both physical and emotional bouts of intense ordeals. This read became part of my heart long after I put the book aside.”

Wyre nods in agreement. “The story itself captivated me.  The characters crawled under my skin and held me enthralled. I was in constant anticipation of what would happen next, and whether or not they would survive. The writing itself was so accomplished and well-done, I could almost hear a musical score adding to the background suspense. It was such an enjoyable journey, I found myself wanting to visit that world, meet the people, and applaud their bravado. Many books have captured my interest, but this one baited, hooked, and cooked me well. I am forevermore a LaRoque fan!”



Tattle and Wrye read their way through CLAIMED by Andrea R. Cooper, a paranormal, fantasy romance. 


Dream jobs aren’t always the dream you expect them to be, and Renee Maxwell soon discovers that truth. Being an assistant to sensuous and dreamy archaeologist, Damon Cubins, in the ancient ruins of Turkey has its perks.  Mostly, it is gruelling work and feverish nights. Not, hot, ooh la la type of nights but actually feeling sick with a legit fever. It doesn’t help that visions insert themselves over reality. Damon, though, incredibly handsome to begin with becomes even more tempting, taking on the traits of a chiseled, perfect hot-to-the-bone god. Meanwhile, Travis, a volunteer, she swears is beginning to look gnome-like. Was it the heat? Was it the flu? Was it the weird dreams? No, no, and no! She had recently dug up a crystal, an insignificant find, she pocketed, intending to make it into a necklace, but it is also affecting her.

What she doesn’t know is that the crystal is the very one Damon has been seeking. Damon Cubins is an incubus and if he doesn’t find the crystal and feed off of its energy, he will turn into a full demon. Once he knows Renee has found it, he realizes he must get that crystal away from her. Ironically, the full-figured beauty has feminist views and, unlike most women who fall for his charms, she resists his romantic overtures. She is quite content to let his model thin girlfriend have him all to herself. Well, maybe content isn’t the exact word. Attempting to resist might be more accurate.

Damon though needs that stone. Though he can feed off others’ sexual energy, he refuses to do more than siphon a taste, rather than hurt them. Unlike his cousin, Clive who feeds off violence and war, Damon cares for humanity. He soon finds he also cares for Renee. Will she run when she realizes what he is? Will Clive create enough chaos to put them all in danger? Will Damon lose Renee and become a demon? Read to find out!

Tattle sighs. “This is one of those romantic, paranormal romps you want to jump into as if it is a shimmery lake and discover it has a tumultuous undertow.  It has just the right blend of danger, adventure, sexuality and romance to satisfy every emotional nook and cranny of your literary being. I really like Renee, especially how she keeps sticking to her views and independence. It was a hoot, however, watching the very likeable and sexy Clive not get the girl right off the bat. Cooper’s writing has a clean, crisp feel, giving the storyline a swift pace. The dialogue is very believable with a grand amount of bantering that kept me smiling even though I kept rooting for them to reveal their true feelings to each other. This is the perfect book to curl up with on a quiet, cozy night with only enough light to read by.

Wyre grins. “I thoroughly enjoyed reading CLAIMED. It is reminiscent of the grand style of romance novels blusterous beginnings. It is a compelling read yet had its own unique speed, I couldn’t put it down but I didn’t want to rush it. I felt the need to read each phrase, every word. I liked the play of good and evil, especially showing an incubus that is more than simply sexually driven. Cooper took paranormal to a different level, writing a story that wasn’t a clone of what is already out there. It had a unique plot and its own remarkable style. This author will quickly gain a following, and I am personally looking forward to her next book.”

Hope you all enjoyed our reviews! Until next month, keep reading.


Dona Penza Rutabaga Tattle, Esq. and Associate Wrye Balderdash
of Blather City, Wannachat

Created and written by:  Angelica Hart and Zi

Books by: Angelica Hart and Zi
KILLER DOLLS ~ SNAKE DANCE ~
CHASING YESTERDAY ~ CHRISTMAS EVE...VIL
Books by: Vixen Bright and Zachary Zane
STEEL EMBRACE
BOOK NOOKIE-A LIBRARIAN'S BUIDE TO THE DO-ME DECIMAL SYSTEM
angelicahartandzi.com




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