Tag: book chat

Cover Reveal: Caledonia Destiny by Lexi Ander

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn book cover reveal, Book PromotionLeave a comment

http://www.lexiander.com/index.htmlLexi Ander is revealing the cover for her new MM historical fantasy/paranormal book, Caledonia Destiny – due out on July 9th:

A twist of fate changed both their destinies.

The wyrbears, once a long-lived species, were being lost to the forest in their prime. A people borne of a curse, their abilities not a gift but something wrongly taken, they nonetheless live in harmony with their animal spirits. But over time the curse they lived under changed, mutated, and now what once was a refuge from the world when they became too weary is culling mathan in their prime.

Ewen mhic Friscalach, the leader of his peoples, lost his father too early and is now a widower with four children. The vow he made as a youth to break the curse afflicting wyrbears has been buried by grief and responsibility.

Roi mhic Alric, a priest of Cerridwen and seer, watched his fellow priests slaughtered and his temple desecrated. The only thing that kept him going the last three horror-filled years was the vision Cerridwen had granted him of his emancipation. If freedom came at the cost of his life, well, he was more than ready for the Otherworld.

A fated meeting upon a bloody field of battle. A wrong done long ago. Their choices could save a people… or send them into extinction. Either way, their love will be legend.

Caledonia Destiny started out as 31k short story that had a happy for now ending. Now, years later, I have rewritten and expanded the original to 111k.

Buy Links Coming Soon 

Giveaway

Lexi is giving away three $10 Amazon gift cards with this tour – for a chance to win, enter via Rafflecopter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d4717/?

Author Bio

Lexi has always been an avid reader, and at a young age started reading (secretly) her mother’s romances (the ones she was told not to touch). She was the only teenager she knew of who would be grounded from reading. Later, with a pencil and a note book, she wrote her own stories and shared them with friends because she loved to see their reactions. A Texas transplant, Lexi now kicks her boots up in the Midwest with her Yankee husband and her eighty-pound puppies named after vacuum cleaners.

Author Website: http://www.lexiander.com/index.html

Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/lexi.ander.9

Author Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/LexiAnder1

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6521302.Lexi_Ander

Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/lexi-ander/

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lexi-Ander/e/B009PT22GM/

You Dear Sweet Man by Thomas Neviaser Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A fascinating blend of science fiction, fantasy and real world advertising create a unique and exhilarating read in author Thomas Neviaser’s novel You Dear Sweet Man. Here’s the synopsis:

In an attempt to bring his fast food company back to the heights of success it previously enjoyed, a CEO decides to change its image to include a healthy food venue.

The use of a sophisticated, beautiful, adult film model as the centerpiece of the ad and two youthful computer nerds, specializing in holography and animation, leads to a most intriguing and ingenious advertisement ever invented that only responds to vibrations of whatever vehicle on which it is attached; hence, an exciting yet subtle motion to entice viewers to concentrate on the company’s message.

The Ultimate Advertisement!

Of course, there are antagonists who are trying to sabotage the efforts of the company, but these attempts are thwarted through the devious and innocent maneuverings of the computer wizards.

The model’s temper leads to revenge when her suggestions for the ad are repeatedly rejected by the CEO and board members, and she secretly uses her sensuality and paranormal skills to telepathically force the creators of the ad to produce ads to include unhealthy food images such as burgers and fries. She invents an alter-ego to serve as a replacement for herself in these ads; however, there is one component missing. To finalize her ad, there is a need to add a contrasting overweight and unattractive man. To find that person, the alter-ego must leave the ad, become a human image, and succeed in seducing such a man to return to the ad with her.

In the end, she uses his hunger for a burger and fries to coerce him into entering the ad. As he does, he finds himself in an unexpected predicament from which there may be no escape. As a result, she considers the ad complete, falsely believing the ad will exist forever.

This story is like Mad Men and Black Mirror combined into one whirlwind of a show. The story is told from many different angles, from the fast food company desperate to revitalize their business to the overworked average Joe who falls into a fantasy world with the company’s model and the two tech whiz’s who bring the technology to life. The story does a great job of highlighting how easily manipulative ads can be and the way people can get sucked into fantasy worlds when their lives are so full of unexpected and unfulfilling things.

I loved the story itself. It was well written, and did a great job of exploring every aspect of the plot. The characters were sometimes relatable, sometimes annoying and always engaging, just as people in our daily lives are. The added sci-fi and fantasy element to this otherwise drama story was very fun to see unfold.

Overall I loved the story. Author Thomas Neviaser does a phenomenal job of creating an engaging and thoughtful read while entertaining audiences through every page. The story was evenly paced and did a great job of fleshing out it’s roster of characters. If you haven’t yet be sure to pick up your copies of You Dear Sweet Man today!

Rating: 9/10

Links for my Books:

You Dear Sweet Man: https://www.amazon.com/YOU-DEAR-SWEET-Thomas-Neviaser/dp/0976018527/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1498314450&sr=8-1&keywords=thomas+neviaser and  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/you-dear-sweet-man-thomas-neviaser/1126599897?ean=9780976018520

The Way I See It: A Head-to-Toe Guide to Common Orthopaedic Conditions 

http://www.amazon.com/Way-See-Common-Orthopaedic-Conditions/dp/0976018519/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451428717&sr=8-1&keywords=neviaser

The Comb in the Urinal: And other Perplexities of Life

http://www.combintheurinal.com/

Man’s Unofficial Guide to the Use of His garage:

http://www.mans-garage-guide.com/

Guest Post: Why Authors Should Get Social on Social Media Networking Sites by Michael Okon

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn Blog Tours, Book Events, Book Giveaways, book launch, book news, Book Promotion, Book Related Blog Posts, Guest PostLeave a comment

Hi Everyone! I am honored to share with you this amazing guest post from author Michael Okon on the importance of social media for authors. Enjoy!

Host Graphic

Why Authors Should Get Social on Social Media Networking Sites

By Michael Okon

Any serious author wanting to be discovered by readers knows how important it is to engage online. Whether we love social media or we hate it, it’s necessary for branding purposes. Authorship is a business. And like all businesses, you MUST actively participate in your marketing efforts. Social media platforms make this possible.

Truth be told, I actually despise social media. Yes, I said it. But that doesn’t mean I ignore it. It’s time consuming, and at times can be downright silly. All that follow to unfollow nonsense. Who has the time? I’d rather be writing than worrying about getting and maintaining followers.

At first, I did most of my social media management on my own. Trust me, I wasn’t an expert and I recognized that pretty quickly. There’s no shame in hiring someone to help out with your social media efforts. That’s what I eventually did, but I do still try to stay as engaged as I possibly can.

Now I have a team of social media experts who work tirelessly to get my name out there in front of as many potential readers as possible. Indie publishing is a tough business to be in and you absolutely need every edge possible to get people to notice you and your books.

If you don’t yet have the finances to hire a social media manager I implore you not to ignore this side of book marketing. Just posting once or twice a day on the biggies – Twitter, Instagram and Facebook – will help readers find you. And don’t forget to comment, like and repost while you’re at it. Social media is here to stay so you may as well get used to it!

Michael Okon is a bestselling author and screenwriter. Monsterland Reanimated, Book Two in the Monsterland series, was just released on April 13, 2018 and promises to be bigger and badder than Book One. Michael invites readers to connect with him on his website.  

Author Photo

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal: Cursed by the Crown by Hanleigh Bradley

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn book cover reveal, book news, Book PromotionLeave a comment

 

Cursed by the Crown by Hanleigh Bradley
Kumari’s Kitsune Book 1
Release Date July, 2019
Fantasy/Reverse Harem

 

Blurb:
Trust was a liberty that as Kumari, Bae could not afford, especially after the murder of Bae’s mother, the late Kumari. The Kumari bloodline had to continue regardless of the cost, even if it was the life of someone she loved.

 

There were only two things that a Kumari should trust; magic and her seven mates.



The race was on for Bae to find and claim her seven mates before she would have to defend her realm from an unknown enemy.

 

 

With them, she still might not win, but alone she would definitely fail.

 

 

Do you have a friend who you think would like to read Cursed By The Crown? Why not make a Goodreads recommendation!


 

Read the first two chapters for free: https://claims.instafreebie.com/free/8FPqxRKZ
Don’t forget to join Hanleigh in AFWB for her cover reveal party: https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorfriendswithbenefits/
 
The new Kumari must find her seven mates to save herself, save the realm and save magic in Cursed By The Crown, A Reverse Harem.
About the Author:
Hanleigh loves books more than nearly anything in the
world; whether its reading them or writing them, Hanleigh just can’t get
enough. She relishes in the way authors can create worlds with the words they
put in their books. She loves the way your imagination introduces you to a new
world when you read a book. It may well be a world completely foreign to the
one you live in. That world is brought to life; inspires you to dream,
captivates your imagination, entices your senses.
 
Hanleigh first took to reading as a small child
reading Dr Zeus. She then fell in love with romance literature when she first
read Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen; when she first swooned over Mr Darcy.
She’s read more books than she can count and owns more books than some
libraries.
 
Although born in Scotland, she sometimes wishes she
could live inside the world that she can create inside her mind, but since that
isn’t possible she puts pen to paper and shares that world with this world
instead. There is something addictive about being able to mould your words into
something that causes the reader to fall into your mind. When you put pen to
paper and create a world, it’s exhilarating. Every word has meaning. You know
every character intimately. You know every secret, every whisper, every smell,
every look; as the author you know the world you created and more so than even
the most avid of readers you can get lost in your own creation.
FB: https://www.facebook.com/authorhanleigh/
FB Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hanleighbradley/
Street Team: https://www.facebook.com/groups/hanleighsstreetteam/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HanleighBradley
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hanleighbradley/
Google + :
https://plus.google.com/u/1/+HanleighBradley
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14468232.Hanleigh_Bradley
Booksprout:
https://booksprout.co/author/2002/hanleigh-bradley
BookBub:
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/hanleigh-bradley
Books+Bites:
https://bookandmainbites.com/HanleighBradley

 

 

Interview with Author Sarah Baethge

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn InterviewsLeave a comment

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I’m Sarah Baethge and I’ve always loved reading. After a car wreck derailed my college career, I started reviewing stories and that eventually led to me trying to write my own.

2) What inspired you to write your book?

I self published a short novella a few years ago (free on Google Drive now) but it started somewhat abruptly, so I wrote this story to be a prequel for it because the whole story has just kept growing in my mind.

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

I hope that they can enjoy it. I wrote it as fun entertainment.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

I like to read it.

5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

I’d sit down with Ronald Carpenter, I’d like to know more about his view of The Eclipse company; I don’t feel like I describe it very well.

6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

I like using Twitter, but more people seem to be concerned with my Facebook page.

7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

Write what you like to read. Don’t give up just because you aren’t sure how other people will react.

8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

I have some plans for about four sequels to this Speed of Darkness book and a couple of Ideas for both a space story and a time-travel story. I’m not really sure which one I will work on first.

Interview with Author Wendys Donuts

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn InterviewsLeave a comment

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

 

Growing up I was always inclined more towards science and engineering. In fact I almost failed my English classes a couple of times in high school. Even in college I studied Mechanical Engineering.

 

But I’ve always been a fan of telling stories and coming up with outlandish jokes to make my friends laugh. It was my love of telling stories that first drew me into trying to put some of them down on paper and flex my writing muscles.

 

2) What inspired you to write your book?

 

The inspiration for The Sweetness Run came from my fraternity brothers and our fantasy football group chat. We constantly fire jabs at each other and often joked about what would happen if anybody ever saw the things that were said on the group chat.

 

I really wanted to come up with something to showcase the silliness of our friend group and give an idea of how close we are after all these years. The book started out as a few jokes sent across on the group chat and quickly ballooned into a full story.

 

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

 

When people read The Sweetness Run I would like readers to first have a good laugh. Even if they get nothing else from the book, as long as they have a couple of laughs I’m happy.

I would also really like to give the reader a deep look into the stereotype of a post-college man-child and hope they relate to some of the mundane struggles Jason has to contend with everyday. The idea being that when these seemingly small catastrophes take place in our daily lives it’s not the end of the world. We can always persevere through them, especially if you have a few friends to call in for support.

 

Lastly I really want readers to get an idea of the way guys bond together and how life is always better when you have your boys around you. Jason’s day always gets better when he’s around his friends.

 

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

 

I’ve always been interested in comedy. Stand up specials, comedy fiction, movies, podcasts, etc. You name it I love it. Not only that, I feel that joking around is the glue for a good friendship or relationship in general. If you’re not laughing with each other then what is the point?

 

My love for comedy and laughter is what kept me going and kept the ideas flowing when I was writing The Sweetness Run.

 

5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

 

I really like this question ☺

 

I would love to sit down with The Wizard. Even though he has a small part in the book he is a big part of the glue that holds everyone together. I would love to ask him where he got a poster of Courage the Cowardly Dog. I’ve personally always wanted a poster like that. The Wizard seems to have some pretty weird stuff floating around his house so I’d also love to get an idea of who he uses as a decorator.

 

6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

 

Facebook and Instagram have been the most useful for me.

 

7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

 

My advice would be to always keep writing. It’s very important to write a little bit everyday even when you feel nothing of value is being written. What I found is that if you just keep writing a little bit every day that first draft will come up in no time. Then comes the fun of editing and refining your story.

 

8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

 

I have a few different projects I’m working on. The first is The Wendys Donuts Report, which is a blog aimed at giving readers funny articles and outlandish solutions to problems that are seemingly unimportant but in reality, they are vital.

 

After that I have a few short stories I would like to release followed by part two of The Sweetness Run. Let’s not forget that her Majesty The Sweetness has to be rescued at all costs ☺

The Wall – Volume One by Some Guy Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book from Book Reviews 4 You in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A brutal look into the mindset of lifelong soldiers and the destructive road to villainy and bloodlust that can overcome the best of humanity comes to fruition in the hit graphic novel The Wall – Volume One by Some Guy. Here’s the synopsis:

A fast paced, sci-fi / fantasy graphic novella that explores the grey areas of the human conscience as it relates to honor, relationships, spirituality, and moral code. Forge (a.k.a. Gunns), the former leader of the UN’s elite task force now finds himself and his devoted crew doing “muscle” work for the current President of the United States. Things get complicated when he meets a man who challenges his current motivations and Gunns must choose between his team or what he believes in. Which wall will fall first? Read volume one to find out…

This intense novella explores the morality of war and the soldiers who fight it. What happens when a lifelong soldier is reduced to a mercenary, fighting not for honor or glory but for himself and his crew? Forge must navigate the corrupt halls of power he finds himself in as he works for a now corrupt President who has built a massive wall on the Mexico/US border, (sound familiar?). This story shows both the good and bad of being a soldier during times of war, and how doing the right thing can come with extreme consequences.

The story was well written, giving audiences a deep dive look into the horrors of war while implementing fun supernatural and horror based elements to create a one of a kind story. The imagery and graphic novel twist on the novella are unique and vivid, and is reminiscent of the graphic novels such as Outcast or Preacher. This is a must read novella that everyone should check out, so if you haven’t yet be sure to pick up your copy of The Wall – Volume One by Some Guy today!

Rating: 7/10

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079Q7S4XJ/ref=x_gr_w_glide_ku_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_glide_ku_bb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B079Q7S4XJ&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2

Right Now by Sarah Baethge Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A private investigating firm finds themselves in the middle of a strange phenomena in author Sarah Baethge’s novel Right Now. Here’s the synopsis:

Lilly Aldern finds herself without a job,so she is hired to work as a secretary for her brother and his partner. When investigating the workings of an aerospace company, Legacy Towers, they come across a strange man named Joe that should have his own knowledge of their workings; yet his memory of the past has somehow been almost completely taken away.

Strangely, this seems to have enabled a brief glimpse of the future for him.

This short read was a great way to delve more into the works of author Sarah Baethge. With her recent release The Illumination Query, it was fun to explore the creative force behind that novel in this short story. Exploring a unique twist on the time travel/seeing the future storyline, we get to see a man who’s memories are replaced with visions of the future, and one person’s struggle to accept that reality. It was full of strong imagery, and left things on a cliffhanger of sorts that begged for more story to be told.

Overall I loved the story. It was a very quick read, but is worth the purchase if you’re looking for a quick, gut-punch of a science fiction thriller. If you haven’t yet be sure to pick up your copy of Right Now by Sarah Baethge today!

Rating: 10/10

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1521049904/ref=x_gr_w_glide_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_glide_bb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1521049904&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2

facebook me

Twitter: http://twitter.com/22niel

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SarahBaethge/

Google+: http://plus.google.com/114072965466541753981

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/22niel/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5226644.Sarah_Baethge

The Illumination Query by Sarah Baethge Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A simple tale of a zoo keeper takes a dark turn in author Sarah Baethge’s novel The Illumination Query. Here’s the synopsis:

A surreal romp about a dissatisfied zookeeper’s endeavor to contemplate his toxic new allies as they create an terrible situation for his unintended enemy to grapple with.

—-

What makes someone a monster? 

The zookeeper Ronald Carpenter needs help recovering his escaped charges and is grateful when the secretive Eclipse company steps in to help. Little does Ronald know just how nefarious a company they really are and why they have such expertise in taking unwilling subjects captive. Can their offer of a higher salary make him leave a job he loves and help them do what he feels is just wrong?

Nigel Hunter’s experiment in an Eclipse lab looks like it could enable incredible movement powers. Intrigued with the prospect, he voluntarily gets the company’s help to try the procedure upon himself. The Eclipse now decide to take him prisoner with their other test subjects so that they can test the unbelievable speed it has given him more fully. 

When the Eclipse pits Ronald and Nigel against one another in this way, can either one of them manage to get away?

This story is like Frankenstein meets The Island of Dr. Moreau, where a zoo keeper finds himself in a deal he literally cannot refuse, overseeing security for some of the strangest and most dangerous creatures on the planet, while one scientist takes an experiment into his own hands and suffers the ultimate consequences. This story was filled with twists and turns galore, exploring a world of mad science and exploring the way humanity treats the animals of this planet, often caging them rather than letting them live free and open in the world.

The story and it’s background are what really thrive in this novel. The mythology being built of supernatural and scientific creatures alike, amazing abilities and dangerous science gone wrong are all so mesmerizing to read that one can’t help but be drawn into this amazing world created by the author. The scientific methodology used for this story all makes it so believable that you almost start to imagine what kind of secret organizations and creatures are hiding in the shadows of our world…

Overall I loved this story. It was fun to read, quick and fast paced, and delivered an incredible first entry in what should be a whirlwind adventure. If you haven’t yet be sure to pick up your copy of The Illumination Query by Sarah Baethge today!

Rating: 8/10

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1720469512/ref=x_gr_w_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_bb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1720469512&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2

facebook me

Twitter: http://twitter.com/22niel

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SarahBaethge/

Google+: http://plus.google.com/114072965466541753981

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/22niel/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5226644.Sarah_Baethge