Monthly Archives: December 2021
Book Blast – MIRRORS AND MYSTERIES
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Rapunzel meets Jane Eyre in the epic conclusion of this fairy tale romance!
Grayson Eyre has left her old life behind. She’s no longer stuck serving Lady R, a sadistic Rapunzel from the Lowood clan of elves. Instead, Grayson now teaches at the Thornfield home for shifter orphans. Even better, her boss is none other than the sexy alpha, Dex. It’s all good until a mysterious witch, Jocasta, appears in a nearby tower, demanding that Dex and Grayson discover the true nature of all Rapunzels. If not, Lady R will return to claim Grayson… and Thornfield will be wiped out by the evil Prism Master. Can Dex and Grayson discover the truth in time? And what will it mean for their growing attraction?
Secrets are revealed and feelings explored in this epic conclusion to the story of Dex and Grayson!
Read an Excerpt from TOWERS AND TITHES
Grayson
Bonk, scrrrrrratch.
Bonk, scrrrrrratch.
I awaken to the unmistakable noise of a forest harpy knocking at my window. Again. That’s the third time this week.
And it’s the single best part of my day.
Yawning, I slide out of bed, cross the room, and open my curtains. Sure enough, a four-foot-tall creature hovers on the other side of the glass, her wings flapping in a steady rhythm. She has the head of a woman and the body of a hawk. Classic forest harpy.
I wave. “Are you here about a wolf pup?” Harpies act tough, but they have a soft spot for a certain baby animal. So do I, for that matter.
She caws. “Yes, I seek a healer.”
“That would be me.” My pulse speeds. I love holding and healing new pups. “Meet you by the front door.”
The harpy frowns, a movement that shifts all the dainty feathers covering her face. “You’re an elf healer?”
Here we go.
This happens all the time. Harpies are overprotective, especially when it concerns a baby version of their favorite animal.
And honestly, this chick should wonder about me.
About the Author:
Christina Bauer thinks that fantasy books are like bacon: they just make life better. All of which is why she writes romance novels that feature demons, dragons, wizards, witches, elves, elementals, and a bunch of random stuff that she brainstorms while riding the Boston T. Oh, and she includes lots of humor and kick-ass chicks, too.
Christina graduated from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School with BA’s in English along with Television, Radio, and Film Production. She lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and semi-insane golden retriever, Ruby.
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Monster House Books
Mirrors and Mysteries, Book 9 of Fairy Tales of the Magicorum
Towers and Tithes, Book 8 of Fairy Tales of the Magicorum
Christina Bauer will award a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. In addition the author is running an additional giveaway to celebrate this cover reveal.
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NOTE: The author is also running a separate Rafflecopter on her site:
Book Blast – SOFT HEART
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Can two broken souls be repaired with a lot of love and a little power from the gods?
Leto, the goddess of motherhood and womanly demure, wants to be anything but bashful. Working in Las Vegas in the music business has proven she can’t be coy if she has desires, but the man she loves isn’t available. What’s a goddess to do?
Help break a curse, that’s what.
Tommy has loved Leto since the day they met, but he never thought she’d want to be with him. He’s also got a girlfriend. When his girlfriend leaves him for his brother and curses him, it’s up to Leto and Tommy to admit their deepest desires—they want to be together.
There’s just the matter of breaking that pesky curse…
Read an Excerpt
©Megan Slayer, 2021, All Rights Reserved
Hera sighed. “I’ll need to contact Zeus to get this fixed. Keep an eye on him and I’ll get the security team to move him inside, too.” She left Leto alone with Tommy.
Leto spread her hand on his arm. Unlike when Hera touched him, he felt this contact. Her touch, warm and inviting, seeped into his skin. He looked into her eyes. What’s happening to me?
She smiled and kept her hand on him. “So, here’s the problem. You were cursed. I don’t know how it happened, but you were. I can’t fix it right now, but Hera can.” She stroked his arm. “You’re not dying, but it’s like you’re being frozen.”
The revelation wasn’t very comforting.
“Who hates you so much that they’d curse you?” Her brow crinkled. “I learned the hard way that no one should be punished this way.”
He wished he could tell her the truth, but without his voice, he was helpless.
“I’ll make sure you’re in our suite, so I can keep you company.” She yanked her fingers away. “Sorry. I shouldn’t touch you without your approval.”
I don’t mind. He liked the way she touched him with reverence. Like he mattered. I wish you could hear me.
She tipped her head, then frowned. “When I left you out here, Missy passed me. She had a guy with her. I don’t know him.”
Of course she didn’t. He refused to subject Leto to Duncan. He might be Tommy’s brother, but Duncan was a rotten man. Duncan couldn’t handle not being on top and Tommy couldn’t lose Leto, especially not to him.
“I’ll fix this,” she said. “I refuse to let you stay in the stone. Promise.”
When she said those things, he believed her. He trusted Leto, too. When she smiled, he saw her in a different light. She could be his salvation.
Right now, she was his only hope.
About the Author:
Megan Slayer, aka Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to LGBTQ and white hot themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been nominated at the LRC for Best Author, Best Contemporary, Best Ménage, Best BDSM and Best Anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com.
When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice. She’s an active member of the Friends of the Keystone-LaGrange Public library.
Megan Slayer will be awarding a prize pack featuring a necklace made by the author to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Book Blast – BEHIND THE MASK
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Seventeen-year-old Jesse has a babysitting gig at the Linderman’s house on Halloween. He loves watching Christie and Dylan and is thrilled to see them dressed up in cute, creative costumes. When he arrives at their house, Jesse knows it will be a fun-filled night of pumpkin carving and trick-or-treating.
But Jesse quickly realizes Halloween is not only about candy, pumpkins, and scary costumes. It’s known for tricks and ghoulish things and can bring out crazies. While trick-or-treating, he notices a strange person wearing a glow-in-the-dark mask watching him from the shadowy street.
The rest of the night turns into a cat-and-mouse game of survival. Strange things start to happen at the Linderman’s residence, setting Jesse on edge, making him apprehensive somebody might be taking the spirit of Halloween too far.
Will Jesse survive the things that go bump in the night, or will he become just another tall tale this Halloween?
Read the Excerpt
I leaned my forehead against the doorframe and closed my eyes, waiting a beat. When I opened my eyes, I watched the vehicle reverse and slowly pull out into the street, braking for children running by. The headlights bounced up and down as the vehicle’s wheels rolled downhill along the raised trajectory of the driveway.
As I watched the car drive off, its red taillights blinking as if in warning, my chest tightened like a clenched fist for some indeterminate reason, and an uncomfortable heaviness settled inside me. I let the curtain fall from my slippery fingers back into position, and I leaned against the wall to catch my breath and bearings.
I climbed the stairs and relieved Christie, telling Dylan he had to dry off, dress, and get into bed. He turned on his brotherly charm and debated with me about bedtime. “Your mom and dad were strict about what time you had to be in bed,” I told him.
“Just go to bed, Dylan,” Christie yelled from her bedroom.
Dylan sat on the bathroom floor, pouting and wrapped in a towel, as I drained the tub and put away his toys. “I’ll read you a story before I turn out the light,” I said.
“Batman, please,” he begged.
“Dry off and get into your pajamas.”
He stood and stomped out of the room.
“Stop being a baby!” Christie yelled from down the hall.
“I ain’t a baby!” Dylan shot back.
“I’m not a baby,” his sister corrected him.
I stepped out into the hall to referee their sibling mudslinging. “I can skip story time,” I said to both of them. “Is that what you want?”
A unison of “Nos!” shot out into the hall from their open bedroom doors, the only unanimous decision they’d made as brother and sister that night.
…
I read to Christie, who couldn’t keep her eyes open for more than five minutes. I gave Dylan a glass of water and set it on his night table. I ran my hand through his floppy brown bangs that had been spared from the vomit, and he fell fast asleep from the steady, relaxing raking gestures of my hand in his hair.
As much I enjoyed story time with the kids, I couldn’t wait to delve into my quiet corner of the house with a cup of tea. I wanted to start on my homework, especially after Dylan’s stomach-churning episode.
I pulled the comforter up around his back and reached over to shut the lamp off. I left the Godzilla nightlight lit up across the room and cracked the door open ajar. I checked on Christie one last time before heading downstairs. I poked my head into her room to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. After I’d finished reading Dr. Seuss to her, she told me that she didn’t sleep well when her parents were not home.
I told her that I’d be downstairs, and if she woke up scared to come down, I’d fix her a glass of milk. She felt safer with the door wide open, she told me. I wished her goodnight and crept downstairs to the kitchen.
I microwaved a cup of water and brewed one of Mrs. Linderman’s decaf black tea bags for five minutes while I rummaged in my bookbag for my math homework. Before sitting at the kitchen table, I plated three chocolate chip cookies from Mrs. Linderman’s fresh-baked stash.
I blew on the hot tendrils of steam wafting up from the teacup and dunked a cookie. My empty stomach growled at the aromatic chocolaty smell. I looked around the silent kitchen, chewing and dipping. Peace and quiet, finally, I thought, resting my elbows on the tabletop and sitting hunched forward under the yellow globe of light from the stained-glass ceiling lamp hanging overhead, savoring the deliciously sweet dessert.
Without Christie and Dylan talking and nagging and carrying on about something, I felt my thoughts winding down, the wheels in my mind slackening to the speed of a snail. My heightened anxieties dwindled like the setting sun. I worked on the half dozen Algebra questions for class, showing my work on separate pages in my notebook, and struggling with a few questions when a sound from outside jerked me out of my reverie.
I looked up and stared down the hall leading into the living room. Shadows danced beyond the drawn lace curtain on the front door. I thought I heard footsteps on the porch steps, but it was the wind tugging on the screen door, yanking it open, and slamming it against the side of the house.
I thought I had locked it.
About the Author:
Thomas Grant Bruso knew at an early age he wanted to be a writer. He has been a voracious reader of genre fiction since he was a kid.
His literary inspirations are Ray Bradbury, Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Ellen Hart, Jim Grimsley, Karin Fossum, Joyce Carol Oates, and John Connolly.
Bruso loves animals, book-reading, writing fiction, prefers Sudoku to crossword puzzles.
In another life, he was a freelance writer and wrote for magazines and newspapers. In college, he was a winner for the Hermon H. Doh Sonnet Competition. Now, he writes and publishes fiction, and reviews books for his hometown newspaper, The Press Republican.
He lives in upstate New York.
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Thomas Grant Bruso will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
VBT – THE ABANDONED
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Once an uninhabited island off the California coast, the government used Morple to quarantine minorities during the sonoravirus pandemic from 2030 to 2045. At its conclusion, Morple became the country’s fifty-first state. This is where sisters Robin Karros’ and Ariana Jackson’s tragic journey began. As two of the first children officials checked into and raised in a state-run program responsible for inflicting severe abuse on Morple’s youth, they shared hardships that strengthened their bond. After a social revolution put an end to the program and freed them, Robin and Ariana went their separate ways. Now that it is 2089 and each has achieved prosperity, their paths intersect after spending the latter portion of their lives apart. Even though it goes against protocol, Ariana reestablishes a relationship with her older sister and integrates with her family. In doing so, she risks her marriage and husband’s business interests, but it causes her to realize she must make up for her life’s biggest mistake. It soon becomes apparent the fate of Robin, Ariana, and others has been more intertwined than they ever could have imagined.
Read an Excerpt
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: As much as we hate him, the antagonist moves the needle! The beginning demonstrates he was, what appeared to be, a working man, but then it becomes clear he is deranged in the head. I also believe it contains enough intrigue to get readers interested without spoiling too much of the plot, even though this is significant to the story.
When he wasn’t indulging himself in a novel or soaking in his multimillion dollar vantage point, Reginald often reflected on his accomplishments and miscues. To the dismay of many, accolades riddled Reginald’s resume. He negotiated the details of historical mergers with clean energy companies that heavily impacted Morple’s economy, boosting the state’s impact on the US’ role in clean-energy initiatives across the globe. He bullied through legislation allowing the advancement of A.I. in The District to pass. He orchestrated deals involving Morple-based companies selling clean resources to states running out of them. Reginald’s fingerprints were all over Morple’s foundation. The good and the bad.
The years Reginald mentored Robin and Ariana were the most fulfilling of his life. Possessing that much power over two untouched girls was an incredible opportunity he felt extremely fortunate to experience. Regrettably, Reginald let it get away from him prematurely.
The night he let himself into the Sorens’ shitty apartment and found Robin on the couch alone he knew he had stumbled upon someone special. During their first interaction, he could feel their connection begin to take its shape, as she showcased her toys to him and explained what made each one unique. A gesture he would always remember with great fondness is when he rubbed her soft cheeks with his thumb and she smiled up at him with those jaw-dropping eyes, even so early on in her life. Robin was too young to express her thoughts, but Reginald detected their bond right off the bat. From that point on, everything he did was in an effort to earn Robin’s genuine love. Reginald became more enamored with her as she continued to develop throughout the years. Her body and mind began to take shape at quite a young age, and he considered it a privilege he was the first and, what he thought at the time, the only man who will ever have her. As in love as he was with Robin, Reginald was regularly depressed at his inability to mold her into who he wanted her to be. Yes, he punished her periodically by way of sex, but he had the best of intentions. He thought if he demonstrated what followed unacceptable behavior she would no longer act in that manner. This proved to be counterproductive because her disobedience continued, and she associated them becoming one as a punishment, as opposed to immersing herself in their affliction. If it weren’t for Richard, Reginald would have likely committed suicide well before Morvo, when he realized Robin would never truly love him. A few times standing at the ledge of his property, he almost found enough courage to do it, but he was too much of a coward to act on his true intentions. He told himself it was because he didn’t want to leave Richard without any parents, but the truth was he was too craven. Reginald’s disheartened love life took precedence over his only son’s well-being.
About the Author:
Jake Cavanah is passionate about writing imaginative stories that include messages he wants readers to apply to their own lives, utilize to better understand others, or both. If after reading his work people find themselves more capable of seeing particular situations they encounter from another perspective, he accomplished his goal.
When Jake is not writing he is reading, golfing, playing tennis, cooking, or enjoying the company of his dogs Murphy and Sophie with his girlfriend Scout. Aside from becoming a full-time author, one of Jake’s main aspirations is to move to Oregon and start a family.
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Jake Cavanah will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Book Blast – THE MOSCOW AFFAIR
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
“The Moscow Affair is a thoroughly entertaining and unforgettable thriller punctuated by smart dialog, richly crafted scenes, and a topical plot.” –Dave Edlund, USA Today bestselling author of Valiant Savage
In this fast-paced mystery, P.I. Nicole Graves agrees to an unusual, short-term assignment working for MI6 in Russia. It sounds straightforward, even pleasant: a two-week luxury riverboat cruise on the Volga, observing a group of fellow passengers and filing a daily report on their activities. It’s simple enough, except for one caveat: No matter what these people do, she’s to tell her handler at MI6—no one else, especially not the Russian police. When one of the riverboat passengers winds up dead, Nicole realizes this assignment was anything but straightforward.
Soon, Nicole is immersed in a high-stakes game of murder and espionage where trusting a stranger can be as deadly as a bullet.
“Nicole Graves is the best fictional sleuth to come down the pike since Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone.” –Laura Levine, bestselling author of the Jaine Austen Mysteries
The Nicole Graves Mysteries have been compared to the mysteries of Mary Higgins Clark and praised for contributing to the “women-driven mystery field with panache” (Foreword Reviews) as well as for their “hold-onto-the-bar roller coaster” plots (RT Book Reviews).
Read an Excerpt
When Nicole opened the door, Kolkov was even more abrupt than on his previous visit. No greeting, just, “Get dressed. I take you in for questioning.” He talked fast and fairly vibrated with impatience.
“Why can’t we do it here like before?” Nicole said.
“Get dressed!” He shouted, pointing to the bedroom. “I give five minutes.”
Kolkov was waiting at the door and seemed to be in a tremendous hurry. As she approached, he stepped toward her and firmly gripped her by the arm, as if he expected her to try to escape. She pulled back, pointing to the closet. “I have to get my jacket,” she said, pointing to the hall closet. He let go so she could pull out her zippered hoody and put it on. It was going to be cold out, and longed for her warm coat, but it was in the hamper, stained with Chet’s blood. Before she could finish zipping up the hoody, Kolkov took hold of her arm again and was pulling her out the door.
Other passengers stared as Kolkov led Nicole down to the main deck and across the ramp to the ship next to theirs. Surely they could tell she was being taken from the ship involuntarily; perhaps they recognized Kolkov from the day before. But no one stepped forward to ask what was happening. Nicole wondered what they were thinking.
The pair of them drew an even larger audience as they walked through the four vessels anchored between Queen of the Volga and the dock. Finally, they reached the street, where a boxy black sedan was standing at the curb with a uniformed policeman at the wheel. Kolkov put Nicole in back, not relaxing his hold on her until he was about to close the door. He climbed in the the front seat, and they took off.
About the Author:
Nancy Boyarsky is the author of the Nicole Graves Mysteries. Her sixth installment of the series will be released September 2021.
Nancy has been a writer and editor for her entire working career. She coauthored Backroom Politics, a New York Times notable book, with her husband, Bill Boyarsky. She has written textbooks on the justice system and contributed to anthologies, including In the Running about women’s political campaigns and The Challenge of California. She has also written for the Los Angeles Times, West magazine, Forbes, McCalls, Playgirl, Westways, and other publications. She was communications director for political affairs for ARCO.
In addition to writing mysteries, Nancy is producer and director of the “Inside Golden State Politics” podcast.
Amazon
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-moscow-affair-nancy-boyarsky/1138867170
Nancy Boyarsky will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Book Blast – FAR AWAY EYES
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
His lover died and Gage knows he’s got to move on but what if there’s a chance Rascal can come back?
Gage knows Rascal is dying. The gay cancer has taken over his life and is killing him more each day. Gage knows his love can’t save Rascal, but what if there is a chance to change the future?
Rascal isn’t done loving Gage. He’s not ready to die. If he’s willing to accept the magic from Darryl at Start Me Up, he can come back.
He’s going to return to his love and life, no matter the cost. Now if only Gage will accept him…
Read an Excerpt:
Copyright ©2021 Megan Slayer
“Okay?” Gage asked. “So? Do I take it to the apartment? What do I do with it? Is it a sex doll or something?”
I’m not an it. I’m still me. Rascal wanted to cry. The faraway look in Gage’s eyes cut him to his marrow. He’d made this man sad. He’d hurt him by dying. Damn.
“Oh, honey, you touch him to bring him to life. Once you enact the magic that way, you can talk to him and do whatever you want. He’ll be in there,” Darryl said. “He is in there.”
“You’re serious?” Gage turned his attention to Rascal. “It doesn’t look like him. This has the same eyes and hair, but not the tattoos.”
“It won’t for now. You have to establish the connection to him. Once you do, and talk to him, he’ll take on the characteristics of Rascal. He’ll look like himself again,” Darryl said. “Think of this as a pristine version of Rascal, ready to be brought to life and marked by time, just like the other. Create new marks and scars and memories this time around.”
Please touch me. I want the good, the bad, the joy and tears… I want you. He couldn’t say any of those things out loud to the man he loved.
“A touch?” Gage crooked his eyebrow. “And he’ll come to life if I do? Really?”
“Really.” Darryl nodded. “Try it.”
Gage shrank back. “No. I don’t believe this. The magic isn’t real. Magic is sleight of hand and all that jive.”
Gage. Rascal wasn’t sure how to reach his lover.
“Did you see Eric, Randall and Steve? They’re products of this magic,” Darryl said. “Ask them.”
About the Author:
Megan Slayer, aka Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to LGBTQ and white hot themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been nominated at the LRC for Best Author, Best Contemporary, Best Ménage, Best BDSM and Best Anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com.
When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice. She’s an active member of the Friends of the Keystone-LaGrange Public library.
Buy Links:
Megan Slayer will be awarding a prize pack featuring a necklace made by the author to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Portrait of handsome man in white shirt
VBT – The Romance Novel Formula
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Is there a secret formula for writing a successful romance novel? Backed by research and professional expertise, The Romance Novel Formula provides everything you need to take you from idea to first draft of your breakout romance novel.
Join best-selling romance author and academic researcher, Alicia Leigh, as you discover:
*How to take your love interests on the “lovers’ journey” – inclusive of ALL types of romantic relationships: ménage, alien, LGBTQI, polyamory, etc.
*A unique five-act structure to make your story easy to write and manage.
*The specific story “beats” exclusive to the romance genre (and which other books on writing typically exclude).
*The story and character arcs necessary to classify your book as romance.
*How to avoid stereotypes by focusing on archetypes.
*Popular romance tropes.
*Essential writing techniques.
*Advice on dialogue.
*The most common writing mistakes . . . and how to avoid them.
*Goal, motivation, and conflict.
*Fear, need, and flaw (what are they, and do you need them?).
*Much more!Complete with checklists and over 30 writing exercises, The Romance Novel Formula is the new essential romance writing guide for aspiring and experienced writers, plotters and pantsers, and professional researchers.
Read an Excerpt
Introduction
“Romance novels are written to a specific formula.” The number of times I’ve heard this insulting and patronizing phrase throughout my career as a romance writer would fill its own book! Yet, regardless of urban legends and popular culture tales, the simple fact is this: There is no romance novel formula. Let me repeat that with emphasis: There is no romance novel formula.
Now, it may seem I have contradicted the title of this book by saying that. However, there is more than one way to write a romance novel. This book is intended as a guide to assist you while giving you the freedom to find your own version of a formula. While there is no set formula per se, there is a structure you can follow that will aid you in writing your breakout romance novel. This structure isn’t used solely by romance writers. Different forms are used by all novelists (see, for instance, books such as Story, Save The Cat! Writes a Novel, The Plot Whisperer, and Story Engineering, which have a variety of formulas, guides and suggestions). In that regard, writing a romance novel is almost the same as writing any other novel. I say almost because the romance genre has necessary inclusions that are applicable to it alone.
This applies to every genre. These are called genre conventions. Whether you are a novice or a seasoned writer, this book can lead you through the quagmire of structure and help you find the unique path for your characters to follow on what I call the lovers’ journey.
About the Author:
Alicia Leigh is a bestselling non-fiction author, international-selling romance author, identical triplet, writing coach, and hot chocolate addict.
She uses her postgraduate degrees in counseling from the Australian College of Applied Psychology and editing from Macquarie University to create believable, three-dimensional characters. Her certificates in forensic science and forensic anthropology from the University of Strathclyde add layers to the realistic crime elements in her stories. She has completed her master’s degree in writing at Swinburne University and is currently embarking upon her PhD in Creative Arts (writing) at Central Queensland University.
When not writing, reading, coaching, studying, or enjoying nature, she can be found having fun with her three gorgeous children (plus one laid-back dog and one hypersensitive guinea pig).
She is active on social media and encourages readers and writers to interact with her there. She writes romantic fiction novels under the pseudonyms A.K. Leigh and Leigh Hatchmann.
*Fall in love … with Leigh*
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Alicia Leigh will be awarding a paperback copy of The Romance Novel Formula to 3 randomly drawn winners via rafflecopter during the tour.
VBT – JUST A GIRL IN THE WHIRL
Just a Girl in the Whirl
by Annie Wood
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Young Adult
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
A 17 year old girl is overwhelmed with responsibilities trying to keep her messy family together. Everything spins out of control when her addict actor dad who bailed on the family three years ago leaving her with her lovable but bi-polar mom and her two little sisters, comes back into town and wants to reconnect.
Writing poems is her only escape. Just a girl in the is about family, forgiveness, and having enough courage to live your own life, your own way.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT
In the past 747 days I’ve made 747th breakfasts for my family. I barely have to think about what I’m doing anymore, the eggs just poach themselves. Doing the same thing, day in and day out, gives my life the feeling of being stuck in slo-mo. In fact, I’m moving so freakin’ slowly I may as well be standing still. It’s like I managed to step into a vat of cement while everyone around me is coasting along on one of those people movers they have at the airports. Also, my particular vat of cement happens to be on a carousel, going around and around and around. So, sure, there’s movement, only I’m not getting anywhere.
“Damn it.” I bend down to pick up yet another broken glass. My bad. As usual. When my mind wanders, it takes my coordination with it.
“Lauren. Don’t say damn.” my kid sis reprimands.
“You’re right, Sara. Sorry. Finish your scrambled eggs, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Ouch.” I cut my pinkie on a sliver of broken glass.
“We’re out of Band-Aids,” Matty informs. “You should get more.”
“Gee, thanks, sis. Don’t bother getting up.”
“I won’t,” she tells me as she continues scarfing down the food I made her.
Yep, this is my brood. Not on purpose, though. I mean, I didn’t plan this brood or birth this brood, it just sort of turned out that they’re now, mostly mine.
My eighteenth birthday is in 99.3105497 days away and then I’ll be free.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Annie Wood is an Israeli-American, Hollywood native, and a lifelong actress and writer. The web series she created, wrote and stars in, Karma’s a Bitch, was Best of the Web on Virgin America (anniewood.com/Karma)
Wood was part of the NBC DIVERSITY SHOWCASE with her comedic scene, That’s How They Get You. She’s written 100s of scenes for actors that have been used by Emmy Award-winning TV director, Mary Lou Belli in her UCLA course and casting director, Jeremey Gordon in workshops all around town.
As an author, she has three books out: Dandy Day, Just a Theory: a quantum love adventure and her first YA novel, Just a Girl in the Whirl (Speaking Volumes Publishing)
Annie’s also an Internationally exhibited mixed-media artist, a produced playwright, and was the third female solo dating game show host in the history of television with the nationally syndicated show, BZZZ! that she also co-produced. (Which just re-ran in 2020 on BUZZRTV!)
Annie writes and creates art daily.
Writing: medium.com/@anniewoodinhollywood
Twitter: https://twitter.com/anniewood
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anniewoodworld/
Art: ArtistAnnieWood.com
Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/GoodVibesByAnnieWood
She also runs the Twitter account for the Women of the Writers Guild West Follow us here —> @WoWGAW
She is part of the Middle Eastern Committee at WGA
and a Dramatist Guild Member and an Authors Guild Member
Get the book!
https://amzn.to/3xL4hMI
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Soul Touching Work Of Art!
“This book made me tear up multiple times, as I felt a real connection with the characters and their struggles. I recommend it for all ages.”
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RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
Annie Wood will be awarding a $40 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Enter to win a $40 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Interview With …..
Hi Annie. Tell us about you as a person.
I’ve always had a lot of energy and passion for all things creative. I grew up in Los Angeles and I’ve been acting and writing since I can remember. I’m a mixed media artists too so I spend my days, after yoga and meditation, creating! I recently found out that I have ADHD. I know I’ve had it since I was a kid and I’m learning about what it all means now. It makes a lot of sense to me as I’ve always felt like I thought differently than a lot of folx. Not better or worse, just different. I’m married to an awesome Italian man and we have a cute little dog named Shanti. We visit his family every year in Rimini, Italy and I love it there.
If you could hang out with one famous person for one day, who would it be and why?
Leonard Cohen. He’s no longer with us so we’d have to go back in time or his ghost can visit me. I’m fine with that. I’d like to write poems with him all day long and have him sing some of my poems. If you don’t know who he is, please YouTube him. He’s my favorite singer/songwriter/poet of all time.
What’s the story behind your latest book?
I overheard someone talking once about how he has a standing date with his daughter in a restaurant so they can have dinner together one on one. I liked that idea but then my mind took off and thought – but what if it was a standing date the father makes AFTER he disappears for three years? And what if it’s three daughters and they are not happy with him? That’s how a lot of my writing starts. With questions. Then I write in order to find answers.
What is your writing process?
I write a screenplay first. Dialogue is my favorite part of writing. Usually my characters keep me up at night and I have to get out of bed to write down what they’re saying. After the screenplay, I convert it into a novel. I usually write in 2 hour bolts.
If your book was to be turned into a movie, who would play the lead role(s) and why.
I like Chloe Grace Moretz. She has a sweet, smart, grounded vibe about her.
What advice do you have for other writers who want to get the word out about their latest book?
To start a blog! To write stories that have to do with their book, or maybe include excerpts or a poem, or art. I like to write on the platform Medium. I recommend it for writers. If anyone wants to join, here’s my referral link: https://anniewoodinhollywood.medium.com/membership
List 5 things on your bucket list.
I never really think about bucket lists to tell you the truth. I just think of things I want to do as they come up and then I just do them. But I guess a few big things I haven’t done yet that I’d like to do are…
- Perform in a musical on stage. (I did play Frenchy in Grease in Jr. High but I’d like to do it again as an adult.)
- Be a series regular animated voice in a funny adult animation TV show.
- Be a New York Times best selling author.
- Have my art in museums.
- Create something that helps kids and teens learn how to love themselves.
In what way do you think that this current pandemic has changed the book & publishing industry?
I don’t know much about the publishing industry but I do think that maybe people read more books since they were home a lot.
Any final thoughts?
Yes, please keep in touch with me by signing up for my newsletter https://anniewood.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=bc1232344052ab42837ae5c90&id=fb73a45276
And by following me on my socials!
And lastly…here are my 3 Keeps:
Keep Creating.
Keep Positive.
Keep Showing Up.
Love and Good Vibes, Annie
C.A. Milson 