Friday, December 28, 2012
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Christmas Puzzle by Kenneth Weene
Hello everyone. Today the author Kenneth Weene has joined me in exile. Kenneth, the man who gave us the quote, "The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single frustration". Yes, Kenneth has written a very special story for us today called Christmas Puzzle. Thank you for joining me today Kenneth! Everyone enjoy and have a very Merry Christmas!
The cold, wet night was made more
miserable by the reflection of Christmas lights in the puddles. The blare of
carols echoed flatly off buildings. The racket of harried cab drivers filled
the streets.
Matt Desmond was interviewing
witnesses. Their stories were the same, not so much the same as would raise a
flag, not as if they had been practiced. It was like putting a jigsaw puzzle
together. Pieces fit; and when they did, the picture got clearer.
Matt Desmond liked puzzles.
Twenty-three years on the force, the last fifteen and a half working homicide,
and that was what he liked about his job—the puzzles.
He had loved doing puzzles with
Sally. They would spread the pieces in the middle of the living room floor
while Jaquie groused about the mess and his teaching their only kid to be as
big a slob as he.
“Daddy, when I grow up, I’m going
to marry you,” Sally would peep.
Matt would laugh and say, “I love
you, too, Sally-Sweet.”
He had shared her tea parties and
gone to her school assemblies and games. Not a lot of fathers did, especially
not fathers who were also cops; but Matt and Sally were different.
And they talked—about everything.
He never told her she was too young, too little. When she asked, he shared
cases: Maybe he shouldn’t have, but Sally never seemed upset. They were just
puzzles, and she loved puzzles.
Then without warning, those days
were gone. Sally was gone. That was a puzzle Matt had never solved. Neither had
the entire New York City police department.
“Maybe somebody’s got her in Mexico
or Haiti or one of them other countries?” Morrison’s comment had not been
helpful. What the hell could the light of his life be doing in some other
country, some other world? Matt had thought of drugs and whorehouses and wept.
The girl whose body was splayed on
the road—bones broken and her body contorted—appeared to be about the same age
as Sally, as she had been—fourteen-fifteen?
Matt hated days like this, days
that reminded him.
Dumb
kids.
“Just exactly what happened?” he
asked the next one, a young guy who was scarcely bundled against the cold.
“Dunno. Didn’t see.”
“Your friend dies and you ‘dunno?’”
Matt tried to mimic the boy’s tone. He took note of the piercings; for Matt
they were just another offense.
Nose,
both ears—not even the same size holes, chin, left eyebrow, and that big thing
in his tongue. What the hell is the matter with them?
“That’s right, Chief. I dunno. See
I was in the can taking a dump. I mean you wouldn’t want me going out here.”
Matt grimaced. “Over there,” he commanded
pointing in the direction of the kids he had already questioned.
The next was a girl, maybe a bit
older than the dead girl maybe not. Thin, dull-eyed, long hair needing a wash.
Something insubstantial about her.
“Who the hell’s Ralph?” she
responded to his first question.
Matt pointed to the piercing-pocked
youngster he had just questioned.
“Oh, Slim Jim, he was in the john.
Missed it all.”
“What was he doing in the john?”
Even as he asked, Matt regretted the question.
The girl didn’t crack a smile.
“Taking a crap.”
“You call him Slim Jim?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
“Cause he eats them, Slim Jims. You
don’t want to be around him when he farts.” Her tone stayed flat, her face
unchanged.
“So, tell me about the accident.”
“What accident?”
“Your friend, she’s dead.”
“Not my friend.”
“But you were here.”
“Duh. Yeah, we were all here.”
“What happened?”
“We was car surfing, she wanted to
try, she slipped. End of story. End of her.”
“What’s her name?” So far nobody
had known.
“Don’t know. Never seen her before.
That’s how it happens.”
“How what happens?”
It was gnawing at Matt: the absence
of caring, of involvement. Not a tear, not a smile, not even a grimace. He
glanced over at “Slim Jim.” The boy was staring at him. They all were. They weren’t
talking, not the way kids should, not the way Matt expected.
“How we join up. People drift in.
People drift out. Some stay. Them that stay got names; the rest don’t.”
“Everybody has a name.” One name
kept repeating itself in Matt’s head, “Sally, Sally.” He would never give up
loving her, wanting to find her. That was what had ended their marriage. Jaquie
had had enough. Matt figured any sane woman would have. No, it wasn’t that I missed her so much. I did. I do. But I can’t put
it together. I got to figure—
“Sure,” the girl responded, “we all
got the names our Moms and Dads gave us, but those aren’t our names, not once
we’re here.”
“And you don’t know her name?”
“Nah. Not here long enough.”
“What about you?” Matt asked. “You
got a name?”
“Sure. They call me Homer.”
“Homer? Why’s that?”
“’Cause I tell the stories.”
“What stories?”
“’Bout the first ones.”
“The first ones?”
“Yeah, the first ones.”
Uncomfortable, Matt did something
he often did, something of which he was usually unaware. He pulled out his wallet
and flipped it open to the photograph, the one he always carried. The one that
gave him a moment of—not peace, but respite. Yeah, it gave him relief.
Sally and him at Coney Island. That
had been the summer before. They had ridden the Cyclone and eaten hotdogs, and
laughed. He had felt good, young, alive. Father-daughter time. Then she had
told him about Harris, her first love, her first lover. Matt had taken it well,
only threatened to kill the bastard twice, cut off his balls—well that was a
few times.
But they had laughed. At the end,
they had laughed and asked one of the Japanese tourists to take their picture.
That had been outside the House of Horrors. “Monsters, Zombies, Vampires,” the
loudspeaker had proclaimed in tinny loudness. And Sally held the orange-rag dog
he had won throwing rings at soda bottles.
“I hope your mother won’t be too
jealous,” he had said; and they had laughed some more.
Coney Island: that had been her
choice. Not Great Adventure or a water park. Sally loved New York. Matt figured
that came from him, certainly not from Jaquie. His ex had remarried and moved
to Atlanta. What the hell was in Atlanta?
Then Sally was gone, disappeared.
Matt had found Harris, just a kid who had a new girlfriend. No leads. Nothing.
“Where’d you get that?” Homer
demanded, breaking into Matt’s reverie. Her voice was louder, but it contained
no hint of emotion.
“You know her?”
“Sure. That’s Her.”
Matt stood dumb.
The girl reached out for his
wallet. Matt handed it over.
“That’s Her,” she repeated.
“Who?”
“Mrs. Drac. You know, Her?”
“That’s my daughter. Do you know—”?
He had no time to finish. The girl
had wrapped her arms around him. With strength that belied her slight frame,
she pulled him to her and sank her teeth into his neck.
Then Matt understood. He thought of
weeping, but his feelings had died. At least his Sally hadn’t forgotten. She
had sent for him. It would be a good Christmas. That much he finally
understood.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Tales from a New Amsterdam - The Legend
THE LEGEND
The first in my experimental series, Tales from a New Amsterdam.
A short story of love and Cherokee Magic in a Heavy Metal world of the 1980s.
Available FREE via Kindle.Fun lunch reading. Download it today.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Respectable - Nic Taylor
Hello everyone. We are going into a new realm of authors today. This is the continuation of my Respectable authors. Dare I say it? We're going undercover with crime, political thrillers and who knows what we will find eventually.This series began in November with a visit from crime novelist Steve Christie as he discussed the best-seller, Good Deed.
Today we welcome Nic Taylor to Exile on Peachtree Street. Nic is from England and
has just released his first novel, A Plague of Dissent which is based
in the United Kingdom. This is a book full of political corruption, corporate
greed and illicit sex, something Americans know absolutely nothing about, so he
will be explaining it to us.
Welcome to Exile on Peachtree Street, Nic. How are you?
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Hello
Hunter, thanks for having me here today. I grew up in Penzance, Cornwall, England.
I have taught diving and escorted dive parties to remote locations throughout
the South China Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Indonesian archipelago. I have designed
the odd hotel or two in the Maldives and Thailand and expanded my photographic
repertoire to become one of the foremost photographers in that region.
I
eventually diversified into the motion picture industry to eventually shoot
several short films and documentaries including Burning Earth for the Discovery
Channel. I spent many weeks camped out in the burning jungles of Borneo and
hung out of helicopters with a camera on my shoulder.
Two things have changed my life, the first my marriage and children. The second is
my awakening to environmental issues. In
Plymouth, UK I have joined forces with Plymouth University to continue with my
environmental research and work towards a PhD.
I
spend time equally divided between my research, the Plymstock Oaks Rugby Club, and I run several projects including coaching rugby.
I
have worked as a photographer, cameraman and scientist and now I am trying to
concentrate on my writing.
What inspired you to write A Plague of Dissent?
I
guess the main answer to that question would be anger. Over the past few years
I have been getting increasingly angrier with both the government and the main
stream media. That probably seems an odd combination, you’ve read my book
Hunter, so will understand, but for those that haven’t, for many years they
have been working together for each other’s mutual advantage.
I
will cite a specific example of how our present Prime Minister (Cameron)
employed a News International editor as his PR man. The same editor that is now
being charged with corruption along with one of Cameron’s best friends Rebecca
Brookes another former Murdoch editor. This and a government that has
completely lost touch with its populous, that is driving the country even
deeper into a depression and making the rich richer and the poor poorer - those
were the original drivers for my book.
Is this the first book you've written?
It
is yes, although over the years I have sketched out a few ideas but never had
the confidence to pursue them.
How did you develop your novel?
As I
mentioned before the original driver came from what was occurring around me and
I felt I needed to say something. This I could have done through a blog but I
choose a different route.
I
decided to wrap up the message I wanted to get across into an entertaining
story, obviously it was going to contain a great deal of intrigue so it
naturally became a thriller. I took the scenario of greed, corruption, strikes
and riots that I saw around me and asked the question. What would happen if
these events where used by others to further their own aims? A situation we
have seen a lot of in the Middle East recently, into this I introduced the main
protagonists and let the story develop from there, some of which is based upon
my own experiences. I didn’t want to write just a thriller, so the plot
contains a love story with lots of sex and moments of humour, I hope.
What is the message you want readers to take away from
your novel?
Although
I believe in freedom of speech, being a writer I think it would be very hard
not to, I am of the opinion that the media who hold a great deal of influence
and therefore power over many of their readers and need to use this power with
restraint and a conscience . I also wanted the reader to think about of
corruption that is happening in today’s society particularly amongst those that
are supposed to represent us.
How do you believe A Plague of Dissent will translate
to an American audience?
Good
question and I don’t really know, you’ve read it and I think enjoyed it, so
there should be no reason why the general American audience shouldn’t. There is
as much corruption and personnel greed there as there is here and as Dianne
Harman said in her review of my book “I am married to a man who has been in the
highest echelons of California politics for years and I will tell you that, sad
as it is, his insight into politics has merit”
Do you have any future novels planned?
A
Plague of Dissent is
just being published and I am presently working on two sequels, Gaia’s Warriors and another with a
working title of Revenge.
Thank you for joining me today in exile, Nic. How can
readers connect with
you?
Monday, December 10, 2012
Femmes of the Frisky Quill-Featuring-Sommer Marsden!
Today we welcome the winter season by hosting Sommer!
Yes, the Dominatrix of Desire, the very talented erotica author Sommer Mardsen joins me in exile.
I am so thrilled! Everyone knows that
I adore Sommer and believes she greatly underrates herself as a writer and
author. Personally, when I read 50 Shades
of Grey, I thought if people like
this, wait until they discover Sommer. Yes, the one and only Sommer Marsden
is here and she is going to give us some insight into her art, and maybe even
let us know what her neighbors are up to…let’s find out more!
Sommer,
please introduce yourself in fifty words or less to our readers.
Professional dirty word writer, gluten free baker, sock
addict, fat wiener dog walker, expert procrastinator. Sometimes NSFW but only
when you least expect it.
Oh,
interesting – we will all make a note of that. Now, tell us Sommer, why are you
a writer?
I don’t know how to be anything else.
Have
you always been a writer?
From the moment I could hold a crayon. But somewhere in
there I was also a catering assistant, deli worker, cocktail waitress, grocery
store cashier, lipstick tester, bookstore customer service rep and
administrative assistant (that one lasted the longest).
Do
you have any other artistic inclinations?
I love to craft. I don’t do it as much as I used to but I
do my fair share when the mood strikes. I’m in the process of relearning how to
crochet and trying my hand at the ukulele.
What
lead you to be an erotica writer and author?
Complete accident. I was doing research for a mystery
novel (thought I was going to be a mystery writer…surprise!) and I found a
short story online. I read it and was impressed by how good it was. And I
thought: I wonder if I could write this stuff…?
And,
the rest is history, as they say. What is the most interesting proposal or
proposition you have ever received from a fan? Did you do it?
Actually, most people are super nice and super sweet and
very respectful. They just send nice notes. Sometimes they also send along
thanks from spouses. But no one has ever propositioned me that I can recall. If
they did, I’ve blocked it out. Sometimes I get a bit TMI from folks, but hey,
it comes with the territory I guess. J
You’ve
gotta love that – thank you notes from spouses! Your fans are very thoughtful.What
inspires you?
Everything! My family, my friends, TV, movies, people
watching, eavesdropping. I can find inspiration in almost any situation - which
is a blessing.
What
inspired your current work?
Hmm. Right now I am working on a love story that’s a bit
more…um…tame than most of my work. I was asked to do it by an editor I respect
immensely. I looked at it as a challenge (which I always find inspiring)
because it’s a bit more toned down than my normal stuff. I have no idea if
anything will come of it or not, but I’m enjoying the ride.
Please
tell us about your latest work.
I don’t talk in great detail about works in progress. I’m
very superstitious that way, I guess. I’ll say that I have a series in
progress. The first book Lion Hearted (Divination Falls Trilogy) was
out in October. The second book Beast in Me is imminent and the third book is
rattling around in my brain as we speak. Can’t wait to write it! But first I
have to write the one I mentioned in the question above. If only I had two more
sets of hands and an extra 12 hours in the day!
Where
can we purchase your book?
Lion
Hearted is currently on Amazon and Amazon UK. It will be coming
out in other venues (ARe, iTunes etc) in January 2013.
Can
you tell us about any future releases or events?
Like I said, upcoming is Beast in Me, the second Divination
Falls book from Xcite and a little ghost story I’ve very excited about, Under My Skin, will be releasing from
Resplendence Publishing in January 2013. There’s some other stuff in the works
but no firm dates yet.
Lightning Round:
Wine
- red or white?
Red!
Favorite
food?
French Fries
Favorite movie?
Gah!
That’s impossible. I’ll give you a top 5. Lake Placid
Favorite person from
history?
I’ll
give you a nation. The Cherokee Nation.
Dogs or cats?
Dogs
(but technically the answer would have to be both)
Connery or Craig in
James Bond?
Connery
but I’m really warming up to Craig. I mean…really.
Jack White, Jack Black
or Jack Daniel?
Jack
White
Satin or silk?
Silk
Heels or flats?
Flats.
Unless we’re talking about the bedroom.
.jpg)
The readers and I
would like to find out more about being a lipstick tester and exactly what that
involves. Of course, we can’t wait to find out about the TMI from your fans
either, so please plan on visiting again in the future Sommer Marsden! You are a
fabulous author and a fun guest. Continued success and thank you for joining me
today on
Exile
on Peachtree Street!
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Fables of the Reconstruction - A Whole New Genre
The reviews are coming in and readers are finding Fables
of the Reconstruction original and intelligent.
Reviews from Fables of the Reconstruction (Kindle
Edition)
5.0 out of 5 stars Unusual, December 30, 2012
By James - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Fables of the Reconstruction (Kindle Edition)
The author has written an unusual story that absorbs the reader and is one of those 'can't put down' books.
5.0 out of 5 stars Unusual, December 30, 2012
By James - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Fables of the Reconstruction (Kindle Edition)
The author has written an unusual story that absorbs the reader and is one of those 'can't put down' books.
Fresh
and Unique! December 1, 2012
By Regina Mitchell
I started reading this book as a recommendation from a
friend and am so glad I did. Hunter S. Jones takes the erotica genre and mixes
it with zombie horror. It's exciting, fresh, and extremely steamy!
I never would have thought of zombies as sexual beings,
but in Fables of the Reconstruction all things are possible. I loved
how the author combined the idea of voodoo zombies with horror film zombies and
created a whole new sexual monster. Back up vampires! Zombies are the new
thing!
I highly recommend this book to other lovers of both
erotica and horror. The writing is so smooth and the book is filled with
non-stop action. You won't want to put this one down for a second! Very well
done!
5.0
out of 5 stars A Whole New Genre? October 27, 2012
By
Beth H.
Fables
of the Reconstruction is an original and fascinating tale
told from several perspectives, taking place during the time of Jack the
Ripper. Author Hunter Jones offers an alternate recipe for turning the alive to
the undead, in this extremely erotic novella. This is certainly a book intended
for adults, but the writing is solid and intelligent, and the story
interesting, particularly within the context of Whitechapel and the era
represented. I recommend Fables for any fan of zombie fiction, historical
romance, erotica, and just plain fun (adult) reading!
Musician
Gerg Anidem of UNIR1 Empower Radio says Fables
of the Reconstruction is "Erotic,
Exotic and Hypnotic!"
It's called "Original"-"Psychedelic"-"Racy"
Buy it now - only on Amazon.com!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009SCXVMK/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_dp_w0tHqb0PVYPFZ
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Lucy Felthouse - When the Whip Comes Down
Please join me in welcoming the fabulous Empress of Erotica - Lucy Felthouse!
Lucy, it is my pleasure having you join me in Exile today. How are you? What have you been up to lately?
Why don't we begin by you introducing yourself in 50 words or less.
I'm an erotica and erotic romance writer from the UK. I'm with
several publishers and write in several sub-genres and pairings – and it's
great fun!
.jpg)
What books are you currently reading? Who are your favorite authors?
I'm currently reading Eighty
Days Red by Vina Jackson. My favourite authors in erotica and erotic
romance include Portia Da Costa, Saskia Walker, Janine Ashbless, and many, many
more. I discover new favourites all the time!
What inspires you to create?
My imagination, I guess! The more I write and get published, the
more I want to write and get published. Also hot guys are pretty
inspirational—I tend to write my celebrity crushes into my books.
Didn't you get into writing erotica because
of a dare?
I sure did! It was when I was at
University. I decided to do a Creative Writing degree because when I left
college I still had no idea what I wanted to do as a career, so I thought I'd
buy myself three more years to decide.
When I was there, I was sitting around the dinner table with a group of
friends. I don't remember the exact conversation, but I suspect it must have
been quite dirty because it spurred one of my friends on to make a comment that
I should try writing erotic fiction. I laughed it off to begin with, but then
he dared me to do it, so I couldn't say no, then! The rest is history!
What lead to the creation of the book we're discussing today?
I'd wanted to write for Ellora's Cave for a long time, so when I
saw that they were launching a range for men – Ellora's Cave for Men – it
spurred me on to have a think about aiming at that range to start with, then
hopefully to write other things for them. I like writing from the male
perspective, and I had a good think about what I could write that would be
suitable for men, utilising their fantasies, etc. I came up with the idea of a
young man on his gap year, having all sorts of sexual adventures. And that's
where it all started. A Taste of London
just released, and I can't wait to see what readers think. Also, there's no
reason why women shouldn't read it, too, if they enjoy hard erotica.
Do you have more planned? Is this book part of a series?
Yes, this is the first book in a series. Each one will be set in
a different place that the lead character, Ryan Stonebridge, visits on his gap
year. After London, he visits Paris, then Rome. After that... who knows? You'll
have to wait and see! J
Any plans to be in Atlanta soon?
I'm afraid not. If my books start to sell really well and make
me lots of money, then I'll definitely go travelling. And if I end up in
Atlanta, I'll be the one trying to sneak onto the set of The Vampire Diaries in
order to seduce Ian Somerhalder...
Thanks so much for having me here, I appreciate it! And thanks
to those who have stopped by J
*****
Ryan Stonebridge and his friend Kristian
Hurst are heading off on the trip of a lifetime. They’re spending their gap
year traveling the world and expect lots of sun, sights and sex. The guys have
a couple of days in the English capital before catching the Eurostar to Paris.
Unfortunately, a family emergency means that Kristian has to head back home for
a while, leaving Ryan to continue the trip alone.
Luckily for Ryan, he’s an attractive guy
and there is no shortage of gorgeous women available to help take his mind off
Kristian’s family drama.
More info, excerpt and buy links: http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk/published-works/a-taste-of-london/
*****
Lucy is a graduate of the University of
Derby, where she studied Creative Writing. During her first year, she was dared
to write an erotic story - so she did. It went down a storm and she's never
looked back. Lucy has had stories published by Cleis Press, Constable and Robinson,
Decadent Publishing, Ellora's Cave, Evernight Publishing, House of Erotica,
Ravenous Romance, Resplendence Publishing, Sweetmeats Press and Xcite Books.
She is also the editor of Uniform Behaviour, Seducing the Myth, Smut by the Sea
and Smut in the City. Find out more at http://www.lucyfelthouse.co.uk.
Join her on Facebook
and Twitter, and subscribe to her
newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/gMQb9
Monday, December 3, 2012
A Celtic Tapestry - Press Release from Moon Rose Publishing
United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland -- Free-Press-Release.com-- Dec 3, 2012 -- An anthology from several talented writers will be released in March 2013 by Moon Rose Publishing. It will be a collection of eight stories, each focussing around one festival of the Celtic year, in various genres, styles, and all with a romantic edge. The very title of the book conjures up ideas of something magical, 'A Celtic Tapestry'.
Moon Rose Publishing is a new indie publishing company, that focusses on great books from talented authors, without following the trends that traditional publishers do. So when this idea was suggested by another author (who is also featured in the book) they had to do it! Each story within the book, named 'A Celtic Tapestry', follows a romantic angle--but all of them have their own twists. There will be Historical, Paranormal, Contemporary, and Fantasy genres, as well as many others! Each festival has its own touch from the author writing it. Imbolc involves a young writer who finds his inspiration in a firey goddess, Samhain is still truly dark and shadowy when a young girl is plagued by ghostly figures of the past, and Lammas draws on the legends of Selkies and the Scottish.
Miranda Stork, the owner of Moon Rose Publishing, and also one of the authors taking part in 'A Celtic Tapestry', had this to say; "Although the anthology has clear Pagan and Celtic roots, this is a book that absolutely anyone can enjoy. There is truly something for everyone in this book, because the authors themselves are so varied in what they normally write. It's a real showcase of what can be done amongst indie authors when they work together to create something wonderful for their readers."
The book features authors who dabble in all genres, and all have success with their own indie-published books. Livia Ellis, Tara Stogner Wood, Hunter S. Jones, Carolyn Wolfe, Laura De Luca, Elodie Parkes, Elle J. Rossi, and Miranda Stork are all taking part in the anthology. The book will be available in both print and ebook format from 21st March 2013, from Amazon and the Moon Rose Publishing site.
All authors are available for interview and more information, please contact Moon Rose Publishing.
Moon Rose Publishing is a new indie publishing company, that focusses on great books from talented authors, without following the trends that traditional publishers do. So when this idea was suggested by another author (who is also featured in the book) they had to do it! Each story within the book, named 'A Celtic Tapestry', follows a romantic angle--but all of them have their own twists. There will be Historical, Paranormal, Contemporary, and Fantasy genres, as well as many others! Each festival has its own touch from the author writing it. Imbolc involves a young writer who finds his inspiration in a firey goddess, Samhain is still truly dark and shadowy when a young girl is plagued by ghostly figures of the past, and Lammas draws on the legends of Selkies and the Scottish.
Miranda Stork, the owner of Moon Rose Publishing, and also one of the authors taking part in 'A Celtic Tapestry', had this to say; "Although the anthology has clear Pagan and Celtic roots, this is a book that absolutely anyone can enjoy. There is truly something for everyone in this book, because the authors themselves are so varied in what they normally write. It's a real showcase of what can be done amongst indie authors when they work together to create something wonderful for their readers."
The book features authors who dabble in all genres, and all have success with their own indie-published books. Livia Ellis, Tara Stogner Wood, Hunter S. Jones, Carolyn Wolfe, Laura De Luca, Elodie Parkes, Elle J. Rossi, and Miranda Stork are all taking part in the anthology. The book will be available in both print and ebook format from 21st March 2013, from Amazon and the Moon Rose Publishing site.
All authors are available for interview and more information, please contact Moon Rose Publishing.
# # #
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Friday, November 30, 2012
Author Miranda Stork - Vigilante of Shadows
Today is the official release of
Vigilante of Shadows! The beginning of a new series from Miranda Stork, the
action begins fast and hard with a murder, an immortal murderer, and a bright
young police officer caught in the action. Oh, and shadowpeople and a demon.
Did I not mention those? Vigilante of Shadows sets the series off on a path
that will be humourous, horrifying, and just a little bit steamy. A path where
this time…the whole of humanity hangs in the balance.
Blurb:
Aodhan clutched uselessly at his head,
groaning. He knew it was useless, because the voice was not inside his head. It
followed him, skimming across buildings and land. It had followed him since he
was sixteen, and it still followed him today, like a memory too horrific to be
forgotten…
Aodhan
is a shadow-demon, hardened and cold after years of being alone, after his
love, his Entwined, was cruelly taken away from him. He has closed his heart to
the world, and now spends his life ridding the world of men like those who took
his beloved away, an immortal hit-man…
Arianwen
Harris is a young DCI, working for York City Police. When a known criminal is
found viciously killed, she finds herself trailing a hit-man who has seemed to
escape clutches again and again…but she begins to find herself drawn to his
dark charms and roguish good looks…
As
their two worlds collide, Aodhan and Arianwen find themselves coming together
to escape a far greater enemy, one that threatens to create a world far worse
than the one they live in. As they battle to hold back the oncoming forces,
fate has another plan; one to draw them together and heal their broken pasts
together…
Excerpt:
He
paced along speedily, hands shoved deep in the pockets of his jeans. The sounds
of the night surrounded him--distant cat song, the steady hum of far-off cars,
the soft sound of wind whistling underneath people’s windows. He loved being
out at night, not because it was a time when his ‘kind’ were more active, but
simply because it was so much quieter than the day. The sounds of people
rushing around disappeared, and left a peaceful calm with the soothing
darkness.
Of
course, there were the voices in his head, but that was another story.
He
shrugged his shoulders up, cutting off the wind whistling around his neck. He
wasn’t particularly cold, but the noise was annoying when your ears were so
sensitive that a pin dropping could sound like a two-ton weight.
Aodhan’s
mind went back to the girl from the bar. He hadn’t meant to be so brisk with
her, but it was really best that no-one got that close. He…didn’t do well with
people any more. They always brought back memories of simpler times, of her.
And besides that…he killed people. People who wouldn’t die if they hadn’t found
out about them…
Aodhan
was a demon.
A
rare demon, as well, a shadow demon. He had been born to a Scottish clan just
over eight-hundred years ago, to humans. Contrary to what he saw people
believed in the media and books, demons were actually born to humans. There was
no line of them, like vampires or werewolves. They were simply…random.
When
he had been born, there were no noticeable signs of what he was. He just looked
like any of the other babies born to them, strong and healthy, but definitely
human.
As
he grew older, he had shown great proficiency with all weapons, learning faster
than any of the other boys in the clan. Even some of the boys older than him
had a hard time keeping up. He was never big-headed about it though, simply
trying to fit in with everyone else. However, the clan talked about how the
strange-eyed boy was so much quicker and stronger than others twice his age,
and whispered about ancient gods coming back to the earth. His looks weren’t
too odd for his clan, everyone having black, brown, or auburn hair. But his
eyes were odd. All others in his clan had mostly blue eyes; some of them had
brown eyes. But he had startling clear green ones, more like a cat than a
human.
When
he was thirteen, he suddenly began developing strange growths near his temples.
After going to see the clan’s wise woman about it, she simply cackled, and
whispered, “Those who are given the gift of darkness, should not fear the
unknown.” He had shaken off the wise woman’s words, telling himself that she
had finally gone crazy.
The
growths had developed further, until they started to look like small dark
horns, about the length of his thumb. They curled close to the curve of his
head, smooth with small ridges forming at each stage of their growth. Luckily,
Aodhan’s hair grew wild and long, allowing him to cover them up as much as he
could.
By
the time his twentieth year was reached, he was a well-loved member of his
clan. He was kind and helpful to all, and helped to fight off their enemies
more times than he could count on both hands. But he was holding a dreadful
secret from his clan. Since his horns had grown, he had also noticed many other
things.
He
had begun to...see things. Shadows.
When
he was out hunting in the forest near to their home, he would think that he had
seen someone moving in the trees behind him. But when he swung around to face
them…nothing. Then he would hear a soft chuckle, his name being called on the
wind. At night, in his bed as he tried to sleep, he would see black figures
running around the walls.
He
had tried to tell the wise woman of the village again, thinking them to be
spirits sent to drive him mad, or something worse. She simply shook her head at
him, and chuckled, rocking herself to and fro. He had got used to the shadows
by now, drawing the blanket up over his head so that he couldn’t hear their
taunting murmurs....
Aodhan
suddenly stopped walking, snapping out of his daydream. He was sure he had seen
one of...them. Looking all around, he
scanned the buildings with his vivid eyes. The problem with them was that they could hide anywhere
they chose--walls, buildings, floors, anywhere--especially at night.
The
red brick buildings around him looked empty, the few alleyways just leading
alongside the backs of houses, a small number of bins scattered about. No-one
else was walking near him on the pavement, no sound anywhere.
Just
as he was about to turn around and carry on walking, pulling his jacket up
again, he heard something behind him. Something whispery and cold.
“Aodhan...”
Giveaway:
Rafflecopter link (on Moon Rose Publishing’s Facebook
page): https://www.facebook.com/MoonRosePublishing/app_228910107186452
Rafflecopter code (if you have Blogger):
<a
id="rc-7adce32" class="rafl"
href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/7adce32/"
rel="nofollow">Vigilante of Shadows Release Day Giveaway</a>
<script
src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>
Buy links:
Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Miranda-Stork/e/B0082YW92S/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1352814299&sr=8-2-ent
Bio:
I was born in
Guisborough, North Yorkshire in 1987 and have lived in various places around
Britain, including Newcastle and Glasgow.
My writing is
inspired by various writers, including the vivid characters of Charles Dickens,
the imagination of Stephen King, and the gothic imagery of Anne Rice.
My love of
horror began at an early age, when I was only three or four. I could read
proficiently at the age of three, and devoured fairy-stories, but I always had
a bent towards the darker stories, such as the Brother's Grimm's tales...Red
Riding Hood was always a firm favourite, although I always felt sorry for the
wolf, despite him having tried to eat everyone!
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Irish Author Jonathan Dunne
Good morning! Welcome to Exile on Peachtree
Street. It is my pleasure to introduce you to Irish author Jonathan Dunne. His
debut novel, Balloon Animals, is so amazing. It is great to have him join me today
in exile.
Jonathan, please introduce yourself in 50
words or less.
I’m Jonathan Dunne (Jon to friends and
beautiful strangers). Balloon Animals is my book. A tragic-comedy with
larger-than-life characters that make up for my own average being.
Didn't we meet in Amsterdam a few years ago?
Didn't we meet in Amsterdam a few years ago?
I once worked in Holland, sorting tulips
(the flowered and human kind). I stayed 3 months in an old ramshackle hotel on
the freezing coast with a bunch of drug-addicts. I was the only alcoholic so I
kind’ve felt proud of that. Everybody else went around with saucer-eyes, just
like owls they were, but I wise the wise old toad. I visited the Red Light
district one night but I’m sure that I didn’t meet you there. Then again, it is
Amsterdam...
Okay, it must’ve been another good looking Irishman. At least we have both been in Amsterdam at different times. So, tell me Jonathan, what books are you currently reading? Who are your favorite authors?
Dickens by Michael Slater and Confederacy
of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole.
What inspires you?
On my FB page I’ve got one inspiration: Sofia
Vergara (Gloria from Modern Family)
What are your writing habits?
I repeat an age-old mantra, thus inducing
myself into a mind-bending stupor. I insist on writing sitting down. I
occasionally listen to film soundtracks to heighten the atmosphere but no
lyrics as they tend to jar the written word. I don’t know why that is.
Having two sets of words going on at the same time jams the signal. I write in
a cabin next to my house. I lock myself in until I have cabin fever.
What lead to the creation of Balloon Animals?
My daughter and I were going for a walk in
our adopted town here in Toledo (Spain). She happened to have a red helium
balloon that day. She accidentally let go and it sailed upwards over town. She
bawled her eyes out and I was completely useless but to just watch as it
ascended until it became nothing but a passing bird. I compensated by telling
her “Granny caught the balloon and that she was happy to receive such a
thoughtful present”. My mom died in 2009 – so that was the seed: that image of
the red balloon against a blue sky, going somewhere from somewhere. The rest is
fiction. I see writing as a series of dot-to-dots on a child’s activity book.
Eventually you have enough seeds to join and get the bigger picture.
Why did you write it?
It had to be on paper.
Is it your first book?
Yes but I’ve been writing since I was a kid
and publishing the occasional short story. I’ve written a few more novels that
will remain hidden for now. I realized I was a writer when I joined the items
on mom’s shopping list to create a narrative plot: the carrots were soon
blaming the turnips for the murder.
Do you have more books planned?
Yes, my next book should be out sometime in
late Spring 2013, at the rate I’m going. It’s called Living Dead Lovers – My
Sick Romance. In a nutshell, it’s about a hell-raisin’ fiery-tongued gypsy
psychic medium who falls in love with one of her dead clients – a philandering
racing-driver. That’s all I can say for now. Let’s just say that she finds
herself in a predicament.
What message do you want readers to take from Balloon Animals?
Whatever they pick up from it...
Any plans to be in Atlanta soon?
Thought you’d never ask, Hunter...
Thanks for joining today Jonathan. Continued success to you. Cheers~
Here is my 5 Star Review of Jonathan’s
novel book:
This book is so well done I thought it was
an autobiography when I first started reading it. Mr. Dunne takes the reader on
a flight of fantasy in many ways. You will be captivated by the humanness of Johnny
Rowe, from the first chapter. Congrats to Mr. Dunne for being one of the brave
new wave of fiction writers that demands we, as readers, take a look--this is
where an imagination can take you.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Some Girls - Elodie Parkes
This is so great, today I'm joined in exile - Exile on Peachtree Street - by the enchanting Elodie Parkes. Elodie and I share a love of the written word, the erotique and we have a super secret that we can reveal to you in a few weeks.
Elodie, thank you so much for joining me. It is so nice to kick off the Holiday Season with someone like you who is so naughty and nice.
Why don't we have a cup of tea and why don't you bring the readers and me up to date on your latest news.
Hi Hunter thank you for inviting me to the
blog.
Can you tell us when you started writing and what you love about it?
I started writing when I was seventeen, but
never took it seriously. I had some love poetry published in a couple of
magazines. (smiles)
I started writing again properly a couple of
years ago because I had so many stories in my head.
I have published three contemporary erotic
romance books to date and I am working on another book right now.
They are available on Amazon kindle. I love
eBooks myself, and it’s rare now for me to buy a paperback or hardback.
Elodie, what do you read and what inspires you?
I read heaps myself from across all types of
genres.
For my own writing people and emotions
inspires me. The complexity of life spurs me to write.
What category features your works?
My books fall into the category of erotic
romance because I do write the sex scenes graphically and that’s because I want
the love the characters feel to show up properly in my stories.
I think too that readers have become used to
reading more. They don’t want the description of the romance to stop at the
bedroom door.
Can you tell us about your latest release and possibly share some with us?
My latest release ‘The Horoscope Writer’ was mostly inspired by signs along a country
road when I was out driving one day in another county.
The main characters just started to flow into
my head and by the time I had driven home, which was a three hour journey
through the countryside, I had the book and characters completely ready.
‘The Horoscope
Writer’
is about a man, Dominic, who is a writer and has lots of different writing jobs
for magazines amongst which is that of horoscope writing. He is a lonely soul,
living in the country on a funny country lane where a few artisan’s workshops
are. Fortunately he has a friend there too, Jeremy, who has a workshop, design
studio there on the lane.
Dominic is lonely. His last relationship
broke up a couple of years prior to the opening of the story and he really
wants love.
Dominic Reed the horoscope writer is
desperate for love. He doesn’t know he has never had the kind of love he
suddenly finds with Cassie the female lead character. It ignites a sexual
passion in him he didn’t know he could feel.
There is a workshop to let on the lane and
Cassie comes along to rent it.
Dominic is instantly attracted to her when he
sees her in Jeremy’s office and she finds Dominic irresistible.
There is a mild paranormal streak running
through what is an erotic romance because Dominic has been influenced by his
great uncle who was also a horoscope writer.
This is a love story, erotic and enticing.
My books do contain graphic sex in the love
scenes but they are love scenes, romantic, and the characters are driven by
love.
EXCERPT 18+ only From The Horoscope Writer
Dominic walked up behind Cassie as she sorted
paintbrushes into a box on one of the workbenches and put his arms around her
waist, kissing her neck from behind. She stopped sorting the brushes, and
placed the whole bundle on the shelf next to the container to lean back into
his arms.
Dominic transferred a hand to cup one of her
breasts through her shirt and nuzzled her neck. Cassie felt herself grow weak
with longing and began to turn to face him. They pulled each other close
kissing each other and moaning just audibly.
Suddenly Dominic smiled against Cassie’s lips
and she drew back a little to look into his eyes.
“What Dominic?”
He shook his head. “Nothing bad, I am so
desperate to make love to you I can’t think straight”.
Cassie nodded again. “Dominic I want you too.
We could just go over to your cottage”.
Dominic didn’t need another prompt. He took
her hand and walked her over to his place.
Once inside the house they began to undress
each other, and they made it upstairs. Dominic was soon dressed only in his
jeans and he lifted Cassie up pulling off her boots and jeans as he kissed her.
His kisses were so intense they drove Cassie to gasp. Dominic pulled down her
lace underwear, and began to whisper to her as he found her wet for him and
pushed his fingers into her.
“Cassie, I’ve never felt like this. I want to
say things to you that I have never said to a woman. I want to push into you so
hard, and so deep you moan, and come again, and again for me. It’s
overwhelming”.
Cassie held his head and kissed him hard.
“Say them Dominic, the words, say them”.
He had his eyes closed as she kissed him, his
fingers inside her and his erection pressed into the side of her body where he
had her lifted to him.
He groaned and shook his head slightly. He
was shocked by it. Instead, he lay her on the bed, and entered her with a low
moan thrusting deep until he felt as if he would come without giving her the
pleasure he wanted to, and he slowed down.
“Cassie ride me”, he whispered, turning over
holding her, so that she straddled him.
Cassie sat up on him. She moved on him only
for seconds before her orgasm ripped through her making her lie forward over
him and try to reach his lips. Dominic caught her head to his and kissed her.
He left his lips against hers but moved his hands to hold her hips and press
her down to meet his thrusts. His orgasm knocked the breath out of him and he
groaned into her mouth.
Copyright Elodie Parkes 2012
Delicious! Thank you for stopping by today Elodie. I look forward to hearing more from you in the future and wish you continued success! Readers, you can find Elodie at all the folloing spots. Cheers~
Buy the Book
Find me online:
Find my books:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)