Nacreous (Harmony Run #4) by Sarah Elle Emm

~ Release Day Blitz ~

About the Book:

After two members of The Freedom Front are arrested and interrogated by the UZTA’s tyrannical President Nicks, Rain Hawkins and her friends face the alarming reality that their plans to liberate the mixed zones across the United Zones of The Authority might not come to fruition. While the resistance movement is growing outside the walls of the zones, the president’s forces are strengthening and putting citizens everywhere in more peril than ever. When Rain receives warnings that her cousin, Calista, has agreed to support plans to kill the mixed zones, and that her life could be on the line at the upcoming pure zone initiation ceremony, she must decide where her loyalties lie and if all of her allies can be trusted. As The Freedom Front use their abilities to unravel the mystery of the ceremony, The Authority captures some of their friends, forcing TFF to either go into hiding, or plan a rescue mission that could jeopardize everything they’ve been fighting for.

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Hooray, it is finally release day for Nacreous! Thanks for stopping by the fabulous Release Day Blitz, organized by b00k r3vi3w Tours. To kick off the blitz, here are a couple of “Fun Facts” about my writing process… I hope you enjoy!


Writing Playlist:


So…Music. Some authors swear by it. They have their playlist set in the background while they pen their latest manuscript. Me? Not exactly. Music is very important to me. I believe in dance parties, and by dance parties I mean cranking up my I-pod to the music fitting my mood, be this salsa, classic rock, blues, country, classical, whatever, and dancing alone in my room or kitchen. (Yes, I said classical and country in the same list). My kids may or may not be in attendance. They like to watch and laugh. Sometimes, they join in. But as far as my writing process goes, the music is sort of my warm up. So I might turn on some music that fits my mood for parts of the story and listen to it in my car or at my desk before I write, but not while I am actually writing. I need it to be quiet in the room, so I can tell the story…(Ahem, hear what my characters are trying to tell me). ;) While I wrote Nacreous, and the other books in the Harmony Run Series, my favorite music warm-up to set the mood was Lorde. Specifically, the songs Team and A World Alone. In fact, if any of the books from my series could be made for film, I would beg producers to include one of those songs in the movies.


My Writing Process:


I can’t sit down and force myself to write everyday because it begins to feel too mechanical, but I am definitely one of those people who thinks about writing, story ideas, characters, scenarios all of the time, awake or asleep. I love using my dreams in my writing and have written a few of them into scenes in the Harmony Run Series. Back in college, the good ol’ stone ages, I had one of the most terrifying dreams of my life about a man with a triangular-shaped eye chasing me down a corridor, one door after the other, with this woman’s voice echoing all around us, telling him to kill me. When I got to the end of the corridor, I opened the last door, and he was standing there facing me. I woke up sobbing…About a year later, a psychology professor at my university asked some of us to share dreams with him so he could demonstrate dream analysis. I bravely raised my hand, (this was huge for me, since I am very shy in person), and shared my dream in vivid detail. After I finished talking, the entire class got eerily quiet and the professor told me I was dealing with issues beyond his realm of help, and went on to the next student’s dream. That student shared a dream about not being able to make a goal in a soccer match, and the professor dissected his dream in depth for fifteen minutes. Years later, I incorporated that dream, adding on some twists and turns of course, into book one from the Harmony Run Series, Prismatic. 


I also come up with ideas when I’m looking out of the kitchen window, when I’m walking, driving, cooking, gardening, taking my kids to martial arts, helping with their homework, basically, every waking moment. I take heaps of notes. I jot notes down for days. And when I’m ready, I sit down and type everything I can. I woke up the other night, and grabbed the notebook and pen beside my bed and wrote down an idea for another story. So my writing process is sort of a twenty-four hour thing. Oh, and probably the most important part of the process…How could I forget? My dog, Shorty, has to harass me to sit in my lap throughout the day. She eventually gives up and sleeps at my feet or nearby. She spares me the occasional glance or sighs every so often when I talk too much. Yes, I like to talk aloud to myself more often than not. If that dog could talk…Well, thankfully that’s not an issue. Here’s a photo of my writing pal…

Isn’t she cute? I hope you stick around to read about Nacreous. I’m going to look up that old psychology professor to see if he wants to read my latest book… ;)


Previous Books in the Series:

  

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About the Author:

Sarah Elle Emm is the author of the HARMONY RUN SERIES, a young-adult fantasy and dystopian series, released in May 2012 by Winter Goose Publishing. (PRISMATIC, May 2012, OPALESCENT, February 2013, CHATOYANT, September 2014, NACREOUS, August 2015) Her debut fiction novel, MARRYING MISSY, was published by Bird Brain Publishing in October 2011. Sarah is a graduate of The University of Evansville, she has lived and worked in Mexico, Germany, England, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and has traveled extensively beyond. Sarah lives in Naples, Florida with her family. When she’s not walking the plank of her daughters’ imaginary pirate ship or snapping photos of Southwest Florida scenery, she is writing.





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Normal Days #53

Feeling Good

For the first time in a very long time this whole month I was very happy. May be this is coz of the holy month we observe known as Shravan or may be it is coz I've left the toxic, the negative ppl out of my life, I've no idea how & when did it happen, but I'm smiling and loving every second of it.

They say when you're feeling low surround yourself with ppl who care for you, who were there for you, who you know will always be there for you. But trust me, it is my personal experience, one bad person makes you do all wrong choices. I know you just can't stand up and start blaming someone else for all your actions but it happened for me and I truly regret it.

Though let me not dwell on the negatives. This auspicious month brought me all smiles. I've built the bridges which were once burnt by me. I'm at peace and happy again, all thanks to the almighty. I've also deleted few of my posts and I didn't bother to change the posts titles, coz I need to be reminded the time I wasted on a wrong person. In the end those who were not "real" are standing by me and didn't I tell you, I've always felt better with imaginary ppl ;)

So, all you guys out there, no matter if we talk, if we don't but pls know I'm grateful to know you all. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to share the same space, even if it was virtual coz you are still beside me, smiling with me and I'm praying for you all. I only hope that we come back together more fiercely after that hiatus. And I appreciate all those who have forgiven and moved on. Pls know I'm truly grateful.

So, let's move on together, create some smiles, live, laugh and be together for always. We are back together and I'm here to make you smile, make you feel beautiful, make you laugh and feel the bliss radiating in my chest.

Let's create magic.

(To be Contd..)

Normal Days #52

If You See Her, Say Hello

I was thinking to make this a dark one, as this might shadow around the topic like death. I know it is considered a bit spacey for normal dinner talk but tonight I wanna dwell on that road.

Today my friend told me that one of her friend passed away. I won't go in details how it happened as she is at a happy place now. She told me may be she was trying for the ultimate rescue. Then it got me thinking how lonely she must have been to take that step? How alone she must have felt to drown her pain in all other things and how strong she once has been that she chose to forget even herself? Some ppl might call it selfish but then what choices do we have but not to hide in our make believe world and tell ourselves that yes!, we have love.

The finality of the situation, the truth about the inevitable, in our religion it is believed soul never dies. It merely changes bodies and start fresh. And yet it is also believed that if you want to escape this cycle of life & death you should attain moksha or Nirvana. So, you see you are still here, quite alive, breathing and if you're listening to me pls don't forget that you're loved. I didn't have the pleasure to know you but I do love you. Same broken hearts in search of love and all. Letting ppl walk all over us just in hope that we will be loved. Trust me I know the feeling. I've hidden myself in that façade more often than not. So, I know when the other person is doing that. When you're fighting your hardest to care and wishing someone would just hug you and let you know how much they need you.

Strange how ppl think we need love, actually we love taking care of others. When someone says "We need you", we go beyond all measures to make 'em feel comfortable, happy and loved. This is what love is for us. But then we ask so much from ppl that they tend to forget that. No point in blaming. Ppl do that, and hence we are drawn to animals, non living things coz they don't desert us.

Damn I didn't want to be that open, that vulnerable about the innermost emotions. Though a piece of advise, we can be the cruelest too. No matter how much it breaks us once we are gone, we are gone.

So girl, I know you are up there, pls know you are remembered, loved and missed. I'll pray for you, always.

(To be Contd..)

Normal Days #51

Fix You

I don't know how to write this here. I've left this post in draft for 3 days, no clue from where to start or if I should start writing it for that matter. I'm doing it more as a therapeutic way to deal with the situations around me. I want to be honest about it and I could've but this isn't about me. I mean it is in a way that's why I'm writing it but I can only point out my flaws in front of everyone, not of ppl who matter in my life.

You can call it a venting kind of thing & this time I'm fixing myself as I've no one who will do that for me.

Melancholy and loneliness are the two things I'm getting familiar with now a days and trust me it is my choice all alone. I have no idea what I want. I just want to get lost in the nothingness. I'm waking up everyday, remembering all that was promised, all the sweet talks of the relationship, there is an ache in my heart, a constant jabbing, which I try to drown in work but whenever I've a lil moment it creeps upon me stealthily plunging the knife of betrayal a lil more deeper, making me wince, making me bleed. I thought it'd stop hurting after sometime  but boy was I wrong! Not a moment passes by when I do not think of every moment, every single second wondering what was the truth? What is the truth?

Is what I led to believe till this day is truth or what is happening now is the truth? The line is blurry, everything else is out of focus. The damn thing that I'm worried about is I'm not being able to read coz those novels destroyed me. I thought love was all about being in so much love that you forget your own self but practically if you do that ppl would walk all over you and blame you for that too.

Music is said to be ultimate reprieve, a safe haven but damn if it is not hard to listen to some songs even.

I'm taking it a day by day or rather I've divided my day into pieces as per my job breaks. One segment at a time.

Pray for me, coz I need too much love to survive. More than normal human being do, actually.

(To be Contd..)

Normal Days #50

Only A Dream

Today I think is the day of remembrance. A day to travel back in time and think of that one person whom I kept close to my heart and in some way I still do. Someway she is still with me, still in my head are her voices when we discussed politics, foreign policies, movies, songs, earth, environment, sex, sports, weather and what not. We covered every topic under the sun though I was advised not to do that. But when do I listen to what am I told?

I miss all those innocent moments, all those talks and all those discussions, all those times when there was this closeness, this feeling of oneness and I dream of this when I'm alone and wish if we both were in different times. We are actually in different times but you know what I mean. I hope she still feels the same, still there is something which was there before or may be we can let it all just what it was before, Only A Dream.

Reach out to me, a hand, a whisper, sing my name when you go to sleep as a lullaby, visit me when I go to sleep and sing all those lullabies and rhymes you used to sing for me. Make me feel like I still live in you coz it is the sense of being alone which gnaws at my soul and makes me feel like I'm fading away.

Reach Out to Me

(To be Contd..)

Normal Days #49

Drive Me Wild

This write is about that part of my life which has been a constant pain and more like a negligence on my part. The avoidance of this art or the way I avoided it all these years of my life is no longer hiding behind the excuses I gave to myself and others when I was asked about it.

So, here I'm proudly saying that after all these years on earth finally I'll be in the line of carbon emission personnel. Yes! You guessed it right I'm learning how to drive. Started with the lessons and everything this Friday. One thing before I proceed further to write about the experience I want to say that it was a scary experience. I was hoping to have some class or something beforehand, you know like notes or something but the guy who was giving me classes just told me within a second this is steering, this is clutch, this is brake, this is accelerator and this is gear and said go ahead! drive up.

There was a near death experience in that lesson also all coz it was my fault. But the one thing that keeps bugging me is that why my right shoulder was aching while I just held the steering that's all. I've no clue why is that even when the hold was light as feather. And even after 4 lessons I've no idea how to steer a car in right direction or how to keep it in a straight line. It might improve by time but as of now let me learn and practice and hope one day I might not crash it into something coz I'm driving on the highways.

And yes it reminds me of something, all this driving and highways.

**sighs**

(To be Contd..)

Normal Days #48

Why Does This Always Happen To Me

OK, so I'm a lil confused here, no not a lil actually, I'm more like confusion has become me. I need to figure out who is at the fault here as this has been going for quite sometime now. The only kind of ppl I'm scared of are sweet ppl. They are so sweet that they don't hesitate in stabbing you in the back and keep on smiling sweetly in your face.

And trust me there are plenty of that kind. And I always find my share of sweet ppl every time and at every step. Always there is someone with whom I've this tussle which I leave after we are done arguing but they hold on to it like life line and as soon as some opportunity arrives don't hesitate to push a knife through my back. I know 'em, like they work with me know but you know there are some faces around you whom you instantly want to punch, someone whom you look at and feel wherever God find material for his soul.

I know I'm not perfect. In fact if you ask these guys any opinion about myself they might paint me in such gory details that I'd try to kill myself let alone you but I know my faults. I own 'em. That doesn't mean I'm proud of this, ashamed would be a much fitting emotion.

Hence here I'm trying to figure out a way to live in civilized world, to behave but after 28 years of existence I can't figure it out and I'm not hopeful either. So, let everyone else be damned. I'll live like I love to. Carelessly.

What did Ms. Nelly Furtado has to say about that, what was that song

I'm Like A Bird

(To be Contd..)

Normal Days #47

That's How Strong My Love Is

One day you are living a life, you may call it awesome or whatever, you're high on what you think is love, but God has some other plans. God decides to bless you with His best creation just coz you still had some prayers left, some good deeds you did and she, my dear friend is answer to all those prayers.

Once I don't remember now whether I read it or watched in some movie or what but it got stuck with me since then

Marriage is the best thing that can happen to a guy.

I never thought that it could be this true, this to the mark. I've this perfect girl, an angel, my beautiful, hot & sexy wife and all her love. And by some miracle she loves me true & deep. I always thought myself as a helpless romantic but she is just great. We've our own moments as ours was an arranged marriage the adjustment period is still going on and given that she has to adjust with me, well, do I need to say more ;)

Anyway this is about my love for my wife, for all the moments we want to have for us and us alone and of course as it involves me there has to be love making, no doubt about it. I'm gonna make love, make her heart, body, mind & soul sing for me as I'm hers and hers alone. From now on no regrets, no looking back only ahead and moving together. No matter what I'll try to adjust and give up some of the stubborn streak in me, give up the aggression, and try to listen what am I saying and to cherish her every second of my life.

My beautiful darling, that's how strong my love is, I'd do anything just to see you smile and pardon me but I'm a selfish guy I want all your smiles for me my wife, my sexy, hot, smart, funny and beautiful wife. See you soon baby. I'm dying to be there in your arms.

It had to be you

(To be Contd..)

Sometimes When I CLose My Eyes

I've done all the things wrong in my life, every relation, doesn't matter what, be it friendship, relatives, love, I've screwed up 'em all. One by one, all of my life. I don't know what good I did must be something from my past coz I'm sure in this life I only hurt ppl, all around me.

Anyway this is not a sorry tale neither do I want to taint this with all what I'm. This is about the purest, the most beautiful, the most sensitive person in my life, my wife. I love you darling. And if I knew you'd be coming along after all these years I'd have saved this all for you. I want to. But I'll do it always till my life. very single moment of my life will be for you. After all I've to make up for all the years lost.

And one more thing before I proceed further, next life meet me a lil early baby. I'd really appreciate it. Save me from me. Save us from all the pains I've caused you, all the dreams I've crushed. You're the only person whom I was supposed to make happy, only person that matters in my life. You're my everything my Pari. I love you and only you. And I'm gonna prove that you every single day all of our lives.

So this one is for you my beautiful, sexy and hot wife, my Pari, here it goes..

Sometimes
When I close my eyes
I remember the times
when we were together
You & I

I reach out to those dreams
You'd wings and were trying to fly
Smile playing on your lips
Lovely & a lil shy
Just the way I like it
~& I dreamt of you all night

Sometimes
When I close my eyes

Love flows in us, through us
Our hearts same as our bodies,
intertwined
I trace your curves, longingly
feeling you on me, heavens inside
Let me love you my Pari
Today, tomorrow, all my life

Sometimes
When I close my eyes

Normal Days #46

 Nine Inch Nails

No! No! No!

No sexual entry, no innuendos, nothing raunchy. C'mon I know I've got a reputation but this isn't about any of those things. This post is about my fear, my phobia, if you must know. It is about the offshore industry and the stupid rules they have.

As you all know I work in offshore and I've to commute by chopper every month when I'm coming and going to & fro from work. The first time they gave me chopper induction (safety instructions) and showed me some videos how I've to sit and behave in chopper I thought this is the last time I'm going to live. I prayed and thought of all my sins which I'd committed till that date, trust me the list never ends, and I thought dude I'd be one damn lucky SOB if I came out of that alive.

Pardon the theatrics but seriously that is the scariest thing I ever had to do. It involves a dummy chopper, a 10m deep swimming pool, and 4, are you reading it, 4 times it will revolve me under that swimming pool and I've to get out of that chopper 4 times, one after the other. It is not that I'm afraid of water but the thing is that I'd be tied up with the seat belt. I can't move till the chopper turns and capsizes, release the seat belt, push the window and come up for air. This whole procedure takes hardly 15~18 secs but trust me this is the horror of the story and this is mandatory for every offshore personnel irrespective of designation.

I've to do that in May-2016, I'm scared out of my wits and I've no shame in admitting that I'm a coward when it comes to situations where I'm dependent on others for my life. Pray for my life ppl, pray that I live to see another day, live to love another day coz if I came alive out of this I'll be free from this shenanigans for next 4 years.

Love Me 2 Times I'm going away

(To be Contd..)

Normal Days #45

Love me like you do

Here I'm amidst the lonely sea and empty skies, counting the days when I'd be home again in arms of my lovely wife.

Yes, this is my first post as a married person, as a husband. To be honest it feels different, not in whole I'm in love kind of different but different as in responsible different. Like I've this person who is all for me and I've to be all for her. Given my past, about which she all knows, she still says "I'll always love you no matter what." And though I know her trust in me is very strong as of now but if I know me, she will find it very hard to love me no matter what. I can pray and wish that I don't so anything stupid to break her heart again.

All I'd was words and when she knew that I've said 'em all to some other girls the only person who matters the most in my life was not happy, she was sad and I hope that she isn't sad anymore coz I'll do anything in my power to make her smile all my life. I know I don't deserve her but then may be there was some good left in me and God decided to give me last chance with the blessings He has been showering on me. I'm in love with my wife not coz I'm supposed to just coz I'm, there is no reason for being in love and she loves me too. Or I like to hope that coz the way I broke her heart with all the antics from my past she has all the right to leave me but then I know she loves me and from now on all my life is for her.

So babe, this is for you, my love for you, coz I know from now on I can never love, never look at anyone else but the most beautiful you.

You can take my breath away

(To be Contd..)

The Accidental Wife by Simi K.Rao

About the Book:

From the author of Inconvenient Relations Simi K Rao!

If you enjoyed Inconvenient Relations, you'll love The Accidental Wife, a new contemporary romance from Simi K. Rao.


Some accidents are meant to happen…

Dr. Rihaan Mehta is a brilliant young neurosurgeon who has no inclination for love or marriage. According to him wives and girlfriends are annoying accessories that one can do without. But when his mother dangles the sword over his head in classic Bollywood style, he succumbs, and sets out in search of a bride who would fit his 'requirements'. But can Rihaan deal with what he gets instead?




Book Links:
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The Accidental Wife is now available on kindle for 99 cents Only! Go get it now as the offer is for a short period only !!

Excerpt:

PROLOGUE

“Another beer to calm the nerves?” A distant cousin who Rihaan had never the pleasure of meeting before, suggested with a knowing smirk.

This was followed by a loud burst of laughter. It was close to midnight, but the party had just begun at the usually serene Mehta abode in South Delhi. “Rihaan doesn’t need anything to cool him down. He’s going to be a full-on man tonight! Can’t afford to disappoint bhabhi, right?” This was promptly followed by another outburst of mirth.

Rihaan submitted to several friendly thumps on his back, returning them with the obligatory wry smile that could be interpreted any which way they desired. He didn’t care about their opinions.

It was true, he hadn’t let a single drop of alcohol pass through his lips. Not because he was anxious to perform well on his wedding night and impress his new wife. On the contrary, he wanted to keep all his faculties intact so he could confirm the suspicion that had been gnawing at his brain ever since the wedding ceremony. And with each moment that passed, his unease had grown steadily.

Unable to bide his time any longer, he stood up and went toward his room paying no heed to the numerous whistles and catcalls that followed in his wake.

Thrusting the door wide open he strode toward the marital bed. It was bare except for his bride’s wedding finery that lay in a neat pile in one corner. His heart now thudding at a frantic pace inside his chest, he scanned the vicinity, fervently hoping his concerns were for nothing.

He approached the wide open balcony door, and his pulse slowed down slightly. Perhaps he’d just been imagining it all?

A girl stood there leaning against the railing, her face upturned toward the full moon. On hearing him approach, she turned around. “Finally! I’ve been waiting like forever!”

He frowned, straining to decipher her features obscured by deep shadow. “Deepika?”

“Naa…, not Deepika.” She stepped forward into the light, a bright smile illuminating her strikingly graceful features.

His heart sank. Not Deepika.

“I am Naina—the girl you married. Goodbye, Rihaan.”

About the Author:

Simi K. Rao was born and grew up in both northern and southern India before relocating to the U.S., where she has lived for several years. She is the author of multicultural contemporary romantic fiction.

The inspiration for her books and other creative projects comes from her own experience with cross-cultural traditions, lifestyles and familial relationships, as well as stories and anecdotes collected from friends, family and acquaintances.

Rao enjoys exploring the dynamics of contemporary American culture blended with Indian customs and heritage to reflect the challenges and opportunities many Indian-American women face in real life.

Much of Rao's down time is devoted to creative pursuits, including writing fiction, poetry and photography. She is an avid traveler and has visited many locations around the world.

A practicing physician, Rao lives in Denver with her family. Her published works include Inconvenient Relations and The Accidental Wife. She is currently at work on her next release.

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Normal Days #44

And So It Goes

I was quite apprehensive when I was thinking to write this post. There were many questions, doubts, speculations going on my mind whether to write what am I feeling or to write what I should feel. But then I thought if I can't be honest with myself then what's the use of this blog. I started writing it coz I can be my moronic self here, with all the self loathing and naughty self.

I don't have to pretend anything with anyone. And also I don't like human population much when it comes to sharing emotions. They are always with the rules:

Don't whine!
Don't be a sissy!
Why are you always complaining?

Here? Here I can hide and rejuvenate myself, let myself feel whatever I want to and come back again to civilized world with a smile and happy face which they always expect from you. Too much explanations, doubt clearing sessions, interrogations, I'm not the kind of guy who can stand that. I get bored very easily and hence I do the best thing I know. I run and hide.

Oh & I forgot one more thing

Coward!

Too much is happening around me and my make believe world is collapsing under realities of life, the cruel truths and amidst all that destruction I want you to show some emotion for me, a real one, which is entirely for me. I'm selfish and I want all of you for me. But then when everything is going away and I've been struggling to stand on my feet I don't expect you to extend a hand. Even if you did I'm so down below I'd choose to ignore it wondering when you'll say enough is enough, man up already.

I'm getting up, to live another day, to smile, to laugh and to never let anyone know sometimes what I need is all.

Where's my poker face?

Damn you! (My favorite)

(To be Contd..)

Normal Days #43

Don't Forget To Write

I'm here, thousand of miles away and sometimes ocean & I talk to each other, he has the same loneliness as I do. But he has horizon, a place where he meets the sky and I, I just watch their love as a voyeur, shamelessly. I wonder how magical it'd be like to have that much of love and infinity. To meet the intensity of that it has to be sky only.

I'm at loss of words here. To form the intangible into a physical form and giving it a meaning too is always a difficult task. And to do that for loneliness, for a longing for someone you miss who is oceans apart from you is always impossible. One can do nothing but hope and wish the warmth of love flowing in the air and making you smile as you feel the caress of your lover. You dream of 'em whispering in your ears some sweet nothings, some promises for you and some naughty things that they have planned for you once you are in their arms.

So, here I'm dreaming, hoping, wishing for your love. Lie to me that you love me, make me hope and shatter it all over again. I love the pain and I'd welcome anything from you, leave me without saying good bye so that I'd always watch the sea and hope that one day like this sun you'll rise from the ocean bed and in the wake you will wake my smiles too. I want to dream again, of you, of all that is not possible and that you're mine, all mine.

You know I'm a dreamer

(To be Contd..)

Defined by Others by M.C.V. Egan

About the Book:

A word, a single word defines a moment for Anne. She needs to find a new one when her spouse leaves her at the age of 47, coming out of the closet literally in a closet. She finds herself back in her hometown amongst her high school friends which she left behind in her past.

An inheritance from a friend leaves her with the means to meddle and spy on the lives of some of their mutual acquaintances. In an attempt to run from her reality Anne gets engrossed in a game of "fun" and "flirtation" with her friend and fellow sufferer Connie at her side. Anne however did not read all the files and what to her is fun games turns into a deadly reality. It is no longer a game.

Life, death and not even a defining word can stop the reality of manipulation.



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TopTen about Defined by Others:

1. Amanda is dead, yet she controls the other women with a game she left behind.
2. Amanda, Anne & Allison were the Triple A’s buddies in Highcshool.
3. Anne loves words, not sentences, but single words.
4. Connie can cook the perfect food for any occasion.
5. Anne and Connie’s husbands Frank and Mike are in love.
6. Cyber Romances gone terribly wrong.
7. Deceptively dark
8. Midlife Crisis 
9. Snakes abound.
10. Entertaining and disturbing all at once.

TopTen about M.C.V Egan:

1. MCV in Roman numerals is 1,105
2. Some social media does not ALLOW MCV so people think I am McVegan.
3. I eat meat, often and a lot.
4. I am originally from Mexico City, Mexico.
5. I am the sixth child of eight.
6. I speak Spanish, English, French and Swedish.
7. To me writing is like breathing, I simply must.
8. I am pretty good at making Origami shapes.
9. I am really good at cooking
10. I am a MOTHER, Writer, Wife…yes in that order.

About the Author:

M.C.V. Egan is the pen name chosen by Maria Catalina Vergara Egan the author of The Bridge of Deaths and Defined by Others. Catalina is originally from Mexico City, Mexico. She has lived in France, Sweden and various parts of the U.S.A.

She has called South Florida her home for the last twenty-five years; she is a writer, a mother a wife and a pretty good cook.

Her first book The Bridge of Deaths is available in two different versions, her book Defined by Others is the first in a series Defining Ways exploring what makes us flawed and human.

Book two Climbing Up The Family Tree; Defined by Pedigree will be released in November 2015.

Contact the Author:

Website I Defining Ways Blog I Facebook I Twitter I Goodreads I Google+ I LinkedIn I Youtube

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Garden by Jane Yates

About the Book:
Inspired by the classic novel The Secret Garden, Jane Yates introduces us to a steampunk world of bio-domes, robots and mysteries. Eleven-year-old Aberdeen is so used to being by herself that all she has to fill her thoughts are stories of mighty dragons and grand castles. Aberdeen’s world is soon thrown into disarray however; her parents murdered.
Having no choice, Aberdeen is sent to live with her uncle back on Earth where her fascination into her new surroundings begin to take hold. Untrusting of new people at first, it isn’t long before Aberdeen comes across 3 other children, and taking a risk, befriends them as she tries to adjust to her new home. And yet, along with Maisy, Peter and Lenard, Aberdeen comes across a riddle – a set of clues to reveal the hiding place of a lost manuscript. A manuscript that forces more questions than answers.
Oh, and there’s Frank too, Peter’s robot dog, who completes this special circle of friendship.
Garden is a journey of self-discovery, of trials and friendship. With adventure boundless, Jane Yates follows up her acclaimed Paradox Child trilogy with a new tale for young fans of steampunk and science fiction.

Buy Links:
Amazon Kindle UK I Amazon Kindle US I Smashwords

Interview with the Author:

What inspires you to write?
My daughter Emily inspired me to write my first book. I was going to write a horror story first. Right up to the night before I started that’s what it was going to be about. But then a series of events happened and, to cut a long story short, I had to come up with a new idea. Emily said, why I don’t write a children’s book, as she said I was always making up stories for her as a child on the spot and never wrote them down. So that’s what I did. Also as I had to work still at the museum and its objects got worked into the stories.
Nice reviews from my readers keep inspiring me to write more stories.

How did you come up with the idea for your current story? 
My friend at work Beth gave me a copy of The Secret Garden as a gift. I had seen the film years ago and loved it. Then when I started to read the book I begin to imagine more of a story than there was. Read between the lines as it were. I thought the original was brilliant and, although it was written over 100 years ago, it still seemed fresh. However, I thought it be great to modernize it and as a steampunk writer give it a steampunk twist, but to still keep the message warm and the same – one of hope and self-discovery and dreams coming true.

Tell us about your writing process.
I have written three books for Nanowrimo, and two in between.
I would say I make no notes, just start writing. I usually write quick, as all my ideas come at once. My writing style can be jumbled. My second book of the Paradox Child series has taken the longest so far, being three months. What takes the time is getting the spelling and editing corrected. Poor people have to do that, as I am dyslexic.

What is your favorite scene in the book? Why?
I like all the bits were Maisy tells stories. I forget I am writing and feel as if I am listening alone. I write very quickly so I never really know how anything is going to end until it does. I liked the inner story of a tiger in India the best. I would love to go to India and travel on a steam train and see the temples and elephants.

Do you read? Who are your favorite authors and how have they influenced your writing style?
I do, read, only slowly. And I review the books that I like.
In fact Garden was edited by one of my favorite writers - Dan Thomson. He is a poet and every line of Garden he edited appeared to sing afterwards.
I love Amy Good and Sharon Sant, to name just a few. I was thrilled to have Sharon Sant endorse on the cover of Garden.

What is the best piece of advice you have received, as a writer, till date?
You are allowed to read out your work and not feel rubbish at it. I was told this just last week.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?
Don’t get discouraged. It’s free to publish your book on kindle amazon, go for it!! Even if under a pseudonym. Also join a NANOWRIMO group. Look out for free local writing groups. Read a lot of people’s work you like to give you inspiration.
If it’s too much distraction at home, write in a library or go for a walk somewhere away from everything and write there.

How do you spend your free time? Do you have a favorite place to go and unwind?
Go for walks, swim, bake, garden, talk to my children. I love to be near water. I used to live near the sea when I lived in Wales, I could just see it out my window. Now I live in Oxford, right in the middle of the country and nowhere near the sea.
However I live next to a river and there are canals.
I also have an allotment and I like to grow my own veg, herbs and flowers.

What do you have in store next for your readers?
I am writing the Octopus Pirate, which I wrote for Nanowrimo last year. It is a steampunk tale of a time traveling pirate that is part octopus.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with your readers?
My gratitude. Please message me on Goodreads. I love to hear your comments. It makes my day when I get a good review. You all make a difference to me. For years, until I was 50 years old, I did not think I could write or was even allowed to as I am so dyslexic and have low self-esteem. Then fate and friendship has brought me to this point and I hope to inspire other people, especially dyslexics to write.

Garden - ART

 

 

Book Trailer:

About the Author:

Jane lives in the historic city of Oxford, England with her two spaniels. She works at the Pitt Rivers museum there too and is amazed and inspired by its wondrous array of objects. Being a museum of anthropology and world archaeology, Jane often finds herself influenced by its exhibitions. And indeed it has helped Jane write a trilogy for children – the Paradox Child series.
Jane is not only a mother, artist and storyteller, but dyslexic too, which only highlights her success even more. Jane refuses to allow the disorder to halt her dreams and continues to enjoy her favourite hobbies. Jane is a lover of steampunk, adventure and children’s stories, which often play a huge role in her own books.

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Buy the Book at an 35% discount for the duration of the tour from SMASHWORDS using the code - EN36V

Doesn't Matter

This one I wrote y'day. I was feeling low, sometimes being at sea leaves you with a sense of longing for someone and you can hear the voice of the pain spreading in your chest, you can feel it radiating through your marrows and the best part of that is when you've to smile amidst all that gut wrenching experience.

Yeah, it hurts like hell. I can write more about this feeling but I guess it doesn't require any preamble as all of us are aware of that feeling & in case if you are not, you're not living right.

Pain is the thing that keeps you grounded and of course reality has to play the boss. So, this for those moments when reality gets to me :

Doesn't matter how hard I try,
Some pains I can't seem to leave behind

Like sand which gets stuck in crease of your clothes,
& with you travels like memories off the coast

Some moments when it was sheer joy,
& when you turn around it is all emptiness & a void

Doesn't matter how hard I try,
Some pains I can't seem to leave behind

I laugh with you & smile at your smiles,
But I know those are for everyone, not only mine

There is a fierce pain stabbing my heart,
& all the dreams I built slowly fall apart

Hope is shattered & so is my smile,
I'll be fine but this time it might take a while

Doesn't matter how hard I try,
Some pains I can't seem to leave behind

Normal Days #42

Give It To Me

I'm feeling naughty today. No! Before you comment or say anything on my current state of mind or roll your eyes I just wanted to make it clear this is going to be quite descriptive, so read at your own risk & don't blame me that I didn't warn you.

So, I'll go straight for the juggler. I'm in love with the curls, the complete bald look doesn't do the deed for me. I'm here not talking about the '70s like bushes, just trimmed curls get me there. You know the feel of softness around my tongue when I'm down there tasting the flowing nectar, I'd love to see the moisture glistening on 'em as the ambrosia like smell captures my soul and I feel like God when I taste that. Yes, I'm talking about the same thing.

Also I love the curves, skinny look isn't for me. As I love to blow, lick and bite so if there isn't any flesh there would be a slight disappointment. The last part (biting) is kind of ecstatic. Hence the curves.

And trust me the curve of neck & shoulders are the most enticing part. They bring out the beast in me and I really want to devour you starting from there. Or from your toes. I've thing for those too. Come to think of that I'm not particular about any single body part, if you'd ask me to bite behind your knees or your ankles or inside of your thighs I'd happily oblige. There's one more thing I love the most, the hollow of your small of the back. When you get on all your fours for me and I see that curve on your lower spine, that dimple is my undoing. Are you imagining what am I doing to you? what I want to do to you?

I love the ribs too, just below your breasts, where your heart is beating and I want to feel it on my tongue. Yeah, that too. Open your eyes baby, see the animal in me, see what you do to me. Hold me in your hand and show me what your curls are hiding, let me feel the soft, the wet, the sensuous you. And while we are at it, feel free to mark me yours.

Let's bleed, bleed in love.

Give it to me
**growls**

(To be Contd..)

Normal Days #41

Hate Me

Why don't I wish for a life filled with love? Why there's a doubt in my mind? I always say love like erasing yourself but then why I hold back myself, some part of me from being broken? Why don't I throw caution in the wind and let go of all the inhibitions?

 

May be I need to take a peek into my soul or may be there's something which will always haunt me. some ghosts never leave you, you just make friends with 'em and live like a haunted house, trapped, believing one day there'd be a miracle but when that miracle comes you're too afraid to let go of that ghost coz you're thinking you might lose this sense of belonging too, this friendship with your ghosts. So you shut the light out and laugh at the stupidity of the notion of some miracle along with your ghosts but secretly wishing that door would open and someone will hug you so fiercely and let you cry, sobs and all and won't hit you or push you away when you'd be insecure and cling on to 'em like lifeline. But then you'd get a tap on your shoulder from one of your ghosts and you'd smile and go back like the things were.

 

At night before you fall asleep you dream of some face you'd long forgotten, some memory you can't take out in the light of the day and you cry, silently feeling so broken that you know you can fix yourself but you can't, and you hurt yourself more, you hurt ppl around you. When they leave you, you scream from inside but your ghosts are too loud and too busy making you laugh at that. The dust settles, there's no one but you, alone in this world, fighting, laughing with ppl you know and they don't have any idea what is there inside you.

 

Polish yourself and smile bright you douchebag, nobody loves you.

 

(To be Contd..)

White Swans: A Regency World by Annamaria Bazzi

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Kendíka’s second chance at life begins as a nightmare.

Will the eerie eyes always looking down from the sky reveal themselves?

Kendíka challenges the aliens no one has ever seen to bring about a better life for the humans trapped in the surreal Regency world she wakes up in. While getting to know her alien owner, she discovers the aliens aren’t so perfect and have much to learn about humans.

Will Kendíka survive or perish, attempting to make life better for the people living on Regency?





Book Links:
Amazon.com I Amazon.uk I Amazon.au 

Excerpt:

Startled by the lack of movement, Kendíka sat up in bed, scanning the shadows in the moonlit room. Perspiration beaded her forehead while her heart pounded against her ribs. The last thing she remembered was sitting in the limousine next to Mr. Vetrano, arguing about her future. He insisted the will mandated her future, not him. Did the pill knock her out? How dare he drug me!

She blinked and, holding her breath, glanced around the unfamiliar room. When her lungs screamed for air, she exhaled then took another deep inhale. What the hell? What happened to the limousine?

Butterflies unsettled her stomach. Her back stiffened. Her heart drummed. Oh, my God! When did I get out of the car or come to this room? Why would Mr. Vetrano bring me to such a freaky place? Fear and the thought of her parents’ death brought fresh tears to her eyes.

She slid out of bed and shuffled her bare feet along the stone floor, hands held out to make sure she didn’t bump into anything hidden by the shadows.

At the opposite end of the room, she could make out a dark blob, which she hoped might be the door. Somewhere along the wall near it, she would find a light switch. She advanced slowly, making sure not to stub her toes. Her fingertips ran along the smooth wood. The handle felt cold. She pulled on the knob, but it didn’t budge. Strange! Her heart missed a beat. Why is the door locked?

With all her strength, she pounded on the door. “Mr. Vetrano?” She paused. “Is anyone out there?” She beat her fists on it a few more times, but when no one came to investigate the commotion, she slid to the floor and buried her face in her hands. Think, girl, think. Standing again, she moved her hands along the smooth walls at the edge of the molding, feeling for a light switch. Why can’t I find it? She tried again…nothing but wall. Why is no one coming?


Fun Facts:

- One of the more challenging items I researched was how to address people. I had been under the impression that I could refer to a duke as ‘My Lord.’ Boy was I wrong! To do so is quite degrading. A duke is addressed as ‘Your Grace’, and he’s introduced as, for example, ‘Charles Emory, the Duke of Deverow.’ Yes, he is one of the leading characters in my book.

- What about the funny little hat maids wore that looked like a shower cap? Well, that’s called a mob hat, and no, it has nothing to do with mobsters and gangsters. It was an essential part of a maid’s uniform.

- Speaking of servants, I had to understand what a footman does versus a butler. A footman did a variety of indoor and outdoor jobs. Important to me were the indoor jobs. Learning that a footman laid out the table, served the meal and tea, and assisted the butler helped me determine what Wordsworth’s duties had to be in the book.

- During this research, I learned that the butler was responsible for household security and most important, the wine cellar. The butler didn’t wear a uniform, but he wore a black cravat instead of a white one so he would not be mistaken for a gentleman.

About the Author:

Although born in the United States, Annamaria Bazzi spent a great deal of her childhood in Sicily, Italy, in a town called Sciacca. Italian was the language spoken at home. Therefore, she had no problems when she found herself growing up in a strange country. Upon returning to the states, she promised herself she would speak without an accent. She attended Wayne State University in Detroit Michigan, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Computers with a minor in Spanish.

Annamaria spent twenty years programming systems for large corporations, creating innovative solution, and addressing customer problems. During those years, she raised four daughters and one husband. Annamaria lives in Richmond Virginia with her small family where she now dedicates a good part of her day writing.

Contact the Author:

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Check in on Kendíka’s Facebook Page

Antique Forgery (Alicia Trent #2) by Eileen Harris

This second book in the series takes the reader further into the life of Alicia Trent and her friends. Magic, forgery, betrayal, and fabulous jewels surround Alicia as she struggles to find the reason for her friend's death.








Buy Links:

Wings e Press I Amazon I Barnes & Noble

Excerpt:

We were nearly halfway up the stairs when I heard Lawrence groan. I turned to see what had happened. He was deathly white, and while I watched, he sank down on the closest step. He was sweating heavily and clutching his stomach. He didn't seem coherent enough to answer any questions, so I ducked into my room and called for an ambulance. They only took about ten minutes to arrive, but it was horrible to wait. Lawrence was obviously in great pain, but couldn't tell me what was wrong.

The ride to the hospital took an eternity. They wouldn't let me ride in the ambulance, and I was so afraid of what would happen before he arrived. I was shaking and behind the wheel of a car was the last place I should have been, but as the ambulance tore through the streets with the siren blaring, I was right behind them.

I ran from the parking lot into the emergency room just in time to see them take Lawrence through a set of swinging doors where I couldn't follow. I slumped into a chair, and for the next two hours I sat in a waiting room with dull green walls and hard metal chairs. I never moved while I waited. My mind was busy begging Lawrence to hold on.

Since I was the only one waiting, when I saw an exhausted-looking man dressed in scrubs walk into the room, I took a deep breath and hurried to his side.

He said, “Are you the relative who brought Lawrence Hall in tonight?”

Afraid they wouldn't tell me anything if I confessed to not being a relative, I just nodded.

“Mr. Hall is a very sick man. He's been poisoned, and we think he must have eaten poisonous mushrooms. Our tests indicate they were probably green-spored lepiota.”

At this point I wanted to scream at him to just tell me his condition. He could explain the details after I knew how Lawrence was.

However, he wasn't finished explaining. “This particular mushroom doesn't normally cause death, but among its other symptoms it can dangerously lower blood pressure. Mr. Hall must be on some type of medication that has the same effect, or at least exacerbated the effect of the mushroom, because we nearly lost him. It's a good thing you got him here when you did. We have him stabilized now, and he should make a full recovery.”

I barely heard anything the man said except the last statement. Lawrence was going to be all right! My knees weakened with relief and I sank into the nearest chair.

He continued, “He's awake, and we need to monitor him closely for a while. We want to keep him tonight and tomorrow for observation, but he can probably go home after that. If you want to see him, you can visit for a short time, but first, can you tell me what type of medication he's taking? He was still pretty confused when I talked to him and wasn't able to tell me.”

“I don't know the exact medication. Lawrence is bi-polar, so it has to be something for that. I'll see if I can find out the name for you.”

I got the room number and was practically running in my need to see for myself that he was alive and recovering. I burst into the room, nearly knocking over a nurse on her way out. She cautioned me the patient needed rest and, with a frown in my direction, left the room. I pulled a chair up next to the bed and took Lawrence's hand. “You look so much better already. You have some color back.”

He said, “You look terrible. You can relax. I'm going to be fine. I was a little worried in the beginning because the confusion felt the way some of my episodes used to begin. The confusion is gone now, and I really am fine. It's left me very tired, but they don't want me to sleep yet. Tell me exactly what happened. I'm sure the gory details will help keep me awake. The last thing I remember is starting up the stairs, and then brief moments in the ambulance.”

I wanted to answer in the same matter-of-fact way he'd asked the question. I tried, but before I could begin, tears were running down my face and I couldn't find my voice. I didn't sob or howl. Strangely, I didn't make any noise at all. I just stared at Lawrence, horrified because he might have died trying to help me. All the while the silent tears kept coming.

He said, “Ali, we can't have this. I've seen you go through some horrible times, but I've never seen you cry. There's no need for you to be so upset. I promise you I will be out of here tomorrow, and all will be well. Even the doctor says so.”

I gulped a few times trying to find my voice. It didn't sound good, but I managed to say, “I couldn't bear it if anything happened to you. When you get out of here, you're going right back to Scottsdale! I should never have involved you in any of this.”

“Whoa there, girl! In the first place, I'm a grown man and you can't involve me in anything I don't choose to be involved in. In the second place, you and your crazy mixed-up life are the main thing keeping me from getting old and bored. Bad things happen sometimes, but none of this is your fault. Now dry those tears and tell me how I got here.”

I hiccuped a few times but got myself under control. “Okay, I'm not trying to take the blame for what happened, but I was so scared. It seems you were poisoned. I wasn't in much shape to listen to the doctor, but it was some kind of mushroom. There were mushrooms in the food we ate at supper, but we both ate those. Someone targeted you specifically. At the moment, I have no idea why they did it, but I don't think whoever did this was trying to kill you. The doctor said the symptoms were severe but not normally fatal. The problem seemed to be a reaction between the poison and your medication. Whoever did this couldn't have known that you take anything, or at least not that your medicine would react with the mushrooms. The doctor asked me to find out the name of your prescription.”

“I vaguely remember him asking me, but I was pretty confused then and couldn't remember. It's Geodon. They tried dozens before, but nothing worked until this came along. I'm one of the lucky ones, because it not only keeps the problem in check, but I don't suffer from any severe side effects. This reaction with poison mushrooms is something I certainly never expected. I should have told you ages ago in case of a relapse or some bizarre circumstances like these.”

“I'll let the doctor know the name of the medicine. I don't know if your medication lowers your blood pressure, but it dropped dangerously low. That's what had the doctors worried.”

“I don't know either, but the doctors will figure it out. I understand I have to be in here until tomorrow evening, even though I tried to talk them into letting me go sooner. You need to promise me you won't do anything the least bit dangerous until I get back. One day isn't going to make any difference. Whoever did this may have planned it to separate us for some reason. So promise me you'll be careful and not spend time alone.”

The frowning nurse came back and warned me I needed to leave. Visiting hours were over and the patient needed rest.

I said, “Don't worry about me. I promise I will take every precaution until you're out of here. I'll be back tomorrow afternoon and will drive you to the house when they release you. Just get well!”

Outside the room, Detective Wilton was waiting for me.


About the Author:

From living off the grid in the Arizona desert, Eileen has moved to the woods of upstate New York. She has authored a standalone adventure novel called Desert Shadow. She is also the author of Alicia Trent Series. The Black Cane : Dowager Diaries Book 1 is her latest release.








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