Category Archives: Spotlight

Art, All About the Odds, Joshua Robertson: Monday Blog Post

Posted on by

Rufous Sided Towhee using Filters to Make an Oil Painting

 

Newest News:

I write this blog on Sunday for posting on Monday. So right now, I’m looking forward to going to a painting class in a couple of hours. I haven’t done oil painting for decades and when a friend invited me to come along, I jumped at the chance. I think I’ll enjoy a more physical and colorful method of being creative as a break from my daily writing. If it’s any good at all, or maybe even if it isn’t, I’ll share a picture of the painting next week.

I think I’ve mentioned before that I’m working on the second story in my All About Bob Series. Over the course of last week, I changed the name of it from All About the Game to All About the Odds. I have to say I’ve written my main character, Bobbie, into quite a pickle. Let’s see if I can get her out of it!

Did you know I have a Pinterest page? It’s here: https://www.pinterest.com/conniecockrell/. I have a board for my books and stories and just Saturday, learned how to link my book pin to the Amazon buy page. I’m so excited about that! I don’t have all of them linked yet, but soon. Anyway, I have lots of other boards on there, including one for Paleo recipes, so I hope you stop by.

Giveaways:

The Lovestruck Authors and Bloggers Valentine’s Day giveaway has 32 authors giving away at least two prizes each and there’s $100 in PayPal cash for the grand prize winner. This is a great way to find new to you authors, but it doesn’t last long. It’ll be over on Valentine’s Day. Check out https://conniesrandomthoughts.com/giveaways-and-prizes/ and click on the Rafflecopter link to enter the contest. Books, ebooks, jewelry and more is being given away. You don’t want to miss out.

Shout Out:

Author Joshua Robertson

Hey, it’s time to shout out to Joshua Robertson. Joshua Robertson is an award-winning author in epic, dark fantasy. You may recognize him as the dude whose dragons were said to destroy George R.R. Martin’s and Christopher Paolini’s dragons in a very biased Twitter poll. His first novel, Melkorka, was released in 2015, and he has been writing fantasy fiction like clockwork ever since. Known most for his Thrice Nine Legends Saga, Robertson enjoys an ever-expanding and extremely loyal following of readers. He currently lives in North Carolina with his better half and his horde of goblins.  You can find out more at: Newsletter

Amazon

Instagram

Facebook Page

Facebook Group

Twitter

Author J.C. Boyd

He’s co-authored his newest book, Heshayol, with JC Boyd. J.C. lives in the Midwest with his wife and two dogs and has an M.A. in English Literature. The first novel in his world, Blood and Bile, was released in 2017. Before completing junior high, J.C. had received his first box set of Dungeons & Dragons and devoured J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. Since, he has been heavily influenced by a myriad of fantasy authors, such as Weis and Hickman, Robert Jordan, and Ed Greenwood. You can find out more at: Amazon

Facebook Group

Twitter

Here’s a bit about Heshayol.

Over a millennium ago, at their father’s command, Tyran and Drast sent the Horned God to the Netherworld in hopes of gaining everlasting life. Instead, they sparked a chain of events that led to the near destruction of the Ash Tree and the liberation of the old gods. Now, with the world waning, the two brothers are freed from Anaerfell to travel to the frozen realm of the dead and resurrect their enemy with hopes of restoring balance. Tyran and Drast journey between time and space with limitless magic at their fingertips to face demon legions, forsaken immortals, and the realization that the malevolence of their father is not yet done.

They knew killing a dragon wasn’t going to be easy. Especially not one that was also a god. But they never expected to be punished so brutally, or for so long. Death is no escape when you’ve already slain the Horned God to the Netherworld.

Heshayol releases March 5th so get your Pre order for only $2.99 and for a limited time you can get the first book Anaerfell for only $.99.

Where Will I Be?

Check my website, https://conniesrandomthoughts.com/where-will-i-be/ for my next engagements.

The 20th Annual Women’s Wellness Forum
​Saturday, April 28, 2018

I’m excited to say I’m booked for the Payson Women’s Wellness Forum on April 28th, 2018. What’s more healing that getting lost in a novel! I’ll be there all day and you can buy, and I’ll sign, any of my books. SciFi, Fantasy, Cozy Mystery and more. You can find tickets at https://www.mhafoundation.com/upcoming-events.html

Newsletter Sign Up:

Click here to sign up for my newsletter. I’ve put sign-up gifts on both the regular and the Brown Rain newsletter sign-ups. That’s right. If you sign up for my newsletter you get a free story from me. Be prepared for fun and contests! Click on the video link for a short video from me. Hear what I’m working on. Join my “A” Team to be the first to read my books and hear what new books are coming.

Don’t forget to follow my blog, too. Different material goes in the blog as in the newsletter. You can share both, so spread the word!

Newest Book Release:

Tested released January 31st and I’m pretty excited about it. You can buy it and my other books at: Apple, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and Smashwords, today! You can also see all my books on https://conniesrandomthoughts.com/my-books-and-other-published-work/. If you’ve read any of my books, please drop a short, honest, review on the site where you bought it or on Goodreads. It’s critical to help me promote the books to other readers. Thanks in advance.

Special Post: Shauna Allen’s Release Day for Torque

Posted on by

One of the things authors do for other authors is give them a hand when their new book is released. Quite a few of my friends and family are Romance readers so this is for you. Shauna’s book torque is part of the Jack’em Up series. I’m sure you’ll love it. Here are some words from Shauna Allen.

It’s here! Torque, Shauna Allen’s newest novel in her Jack ‘Em Up series is now available for purchase!

Genre: Contemporary Romance

torque cover

torque cover

Torque blurb:

The darkness that fills him . . . the pain . . . they call to me.

I see so much more than his crime, his past, his demons.

I see the promise . . . the man who fills all the empty spaces inside me.

I’m not the perfect, untouchable girl he thinks I am. I’m just dirty enough to take what I want.

Him.

~

I could never deserve her.

She is the light . . . the sun, the moon, a billion stars.

She gives me hope.

But hope is a dangerous thing for a criminal like me.

I am hopeless.

Infinitely flawed.

Tainted.

We are more than opposites.

We are the dangerously perfect collision of dark and light and pain.

Available now!

Buy at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WIK8DU4/?tag=shaualle00-20

Buy at Barnes & Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/torque-shauna-allen/1121989904?ean=2940151564199

Buy at iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id993234314

Buy at Kobo:

https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/torque-7

Buy at Google Play:

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Shauna_Allen_Torque?id=5QIXCQAAQBAJ

Buy at All Romance

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-torque-1801544-149.html

Buy at Createspace:

https://www.createspace.com/5491855

Excerpt:

Did she honestly have no idea how close I was to saying ‘fuck it’ and throwing her down on her dining room table to taste her for the first time?

“Jesse . . .”

I waited, not sure I trusted myself to speak. I may be well read and reasonably intelligent, but right now I was practically drunk and stupid on her scent.

“What’s going on here, Jesse?” Her voice was rough and whisper soft.

Tread carefully, man. “Nothing. You’re hiring me to fix your bike—”

“That’s not what I meant and you know it.”

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. “I know.”

“And?”

I met her fierce gaze. “And I’m a felon, Rachel.” I would not voice the rest. Never. That was enough.

“So? You served your sentence.”

Ha. “I’m on parole for the next year. I’m not a normal guy who can just . . .”

“Just what? Spit it out, Joyner!”

That fine tether of control snapped deep inside me. Without another thought, I prowled toward her, intent on showing her just how she needed to stay away from me.

Her eyes widened, and with each step I took in her direction, she backed up one until I had her against the wall, our chests mere inches from each other. I brushed a wayward curl from her face, where it stuck to her lip.

Her eyes stayed pinned to mine. Wide, observant, but not scared. “Say it,” she pleaded.

“I can’t want you like this, Rachel. You need to stay away from me. I’m no good for you.”

Her breath heaved in and out, making her chest brush mine, as we stared each other down.

Seconds ticked by. She licked her lips. I thought I’d implode.

“Why don’t you let me decide what’s good for me?”

Then she tugged my head down and her mouth was on mine. Her tongue brushed my lips and I couldn’t help my moan as I gave myself over to her completely. It was my first taste of paradise. Dark and sweet and dangerously perfect.

 

***

Shauna Allen

Shauna Allen

Shauna grew up an only child with two open and loving parents in Central Texas. She’s married to her high school sweetheart and is the mother to three awesome teenagers, including one she’s about to send off to the Air Force. She is the award-winning author of the Cupid Chronicles series, including Charlie’s Angel and Cupid’s Last Stand. Shauna also writes emotional Contemporary YA novels as SC Montgomery, works as a freelance editor, and is personal assistant to two NYT Bestselling authors. She loves all things sexy, sassy, and Gerard Butler.

Shauna would love for you to visit her at her website and blog at: www.shaunaallen.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/shauna.allen.12

Twitter: http://tiny.cc/s0dlmw

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6916632.Shauna_Allen

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/shaunaallen7/

You can also sign up for all the latest Shauna Allen news with her Angel Kisses Newsletter here! http://eepurl.com/D_RcP

And please learn more about her YA alter-ego at: www.scmontgomery.com

***

Praise for Shauna Allen’s Crank:

Shauna gives you believable characters that you will fall in love with, she has wonderful supporting characters with feeling that you feel throughout the read. She gives you a wonderful compelling story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

Cyn’s Reviews

What an AWESOME book! Shauna writes with such emotion that will make you laugh and cry.

Gail, a Goodreads Reviewer

AMAZING – there is no other word for this book and series!!! Torque has so much emotion in it – you laugh, cry and cheer.

Nancy, a Goodreads Reviewer

Shauna Allen is a master of grabbing your heartstrings from the very first page and not letting go until the end.

Anna, a Goodreads Reviewer

 

New Book by Eric Alagan: Mechanic Leigh

Posted on by

As a writer, I follow many other author’s blogs, tweets, facebook and Google+ pages. One of those I follow is Eric Alagan. His newest book, Mechanic Leigh is now out in paper back. You can check out his blog at: http://ericalagan.net/

Here’s what he has to say about Mechanic Leigh.

I’m happy to announce that Mechanic Leigh, paperback, is now available from Amazon. Please click on image for Amazon USA:

Click here for Amazon UK

Mechanic Leigh

Mechanic Leigh

The back cover contains eight (8) comments, a small selection from the many supporters of Mechanic Leigh. I reproduce these comments below:

I enjoy your Mechanic Leigh stories. The info on Singapore, the language and the cultural info wrapped in a clever and enjoyable prose – Stephen Baum, California, USA

Loved it as it took me back to my evil teen years – Ian Grice, Queensland, Australia

This whole saga of Mechanic Leigh is so beautifully written – Soma Mukherjee, New Delhi, India

I really enjoyed these Mechanic Leigh stories – Melissa Perera, Maryland, USA

Eric is a living testimony to the belief that if we write from the heart, we will touch other hearts – Jane Thorne, Buckinghamshire, UK

The characters are funny and such fun – Val Logar, Texas, USA

Every single episode resonates with my childhood experiences. The stories are very entertaining, light-hearted and uplifting – Jasey Chua, Singapore (Jasey does not blog)

The ghostwriter device is genius! I’m still chuckling – Jane Stansfeld, Texas, USA

Thank you all for your generous comments and support. My gratitude has no expiry date 🙂

Have a great week.

****** Mechanic Leigh Video – Singapore Slant ******

Be a friend – Reblog, Retweet, or post on your Facebook or LinkedIn – and leave a comment/link below.

************** ### ****************

Blog spot for Debra Kayn’s Grasping for Freedom

Posted on by
 GraspingForFreedom - 500x
 
In Debra Kayn’s newest biker romance novel, Sergeant at Arms of Bantorus MC, Torque Kendler fights to keep his past hidden, while protecting the one woman who’s capable of bringing chaos down on Pitnam out of desperation and love.
Torque Kendler, Sergeant at Arms of the Bantorus Motorcycle club, tenaciously safeguards his marked past. Shot twice by Los Li and nearly killed last year, he wants to hold on to the familiar and retain his freedom. However, there are too many changes happening in Pitnam for him to trust anyone…especially the new chick managing the bar that’s giving him attitude and consuming his thoughts.
Sent by Los Li to work at a biker bar called Cactus Cove, Brandy Haas expects to get the information she came for and save her dad from the Mexican mafia. Worried about her dad, struggling at her job, and scared of failing again, she adds to her problems by lusting after the most dangerous biker in the MC. One biker, one hothead, one wonderful gift Torque unknowingly gives her could destroy everything she’s trying to protect.
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, All romance and where most ebooks are sold
Goodreads

Cover Reveal for A Lush Betrayed Novel by Selena Laurence

Posted on by

All you romance readers out there!

Selena is doing it again. She’s kicking off the first of her Lush series with a pre-read.

Join Selena Laurence and lots of friends for an exclusive pre-read of A Lush Betrayal from February 17-23. Sign up by commenting with your email address on the below Facebook page before Feb. 17th and you will receive a free advance copy of the book. Then join us online on Facebook, as we read, discuss and win prizes. There will be guest authors stopping by, blogger hostesses and lots of mancandy, so make sure to be here!
Here’s the location of that FB event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/580223195403003/
Image
Thanks so much everyone!
xoxo,
Selena Laurence
As Lush As It Gets (Lush #1) | February 2014
Buried (Hiding From Love #3) | April 2014

Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter where you’ll get first dibs on any promotions, book announcements, and other information. Go to the button on the right side of the blog or go to my Newsletter tab to sign up.

So, now to my newest release, A New Start, A Gulliver Station novel.

Several other e-tailers now have it out. It’s the first of a 4 book series about life on a space station. Hope you like it.

Spotlight: Selena Laurence’s New Book – Camouflaged

Posted on by

I don’t do book reviews very often and I’ve never done a spotlight. But Selena’s part of my writing group, Power Writing Hour, and we like to give each other a hand when our books come out. I’ve read both this book and it’s follow on book, Hidden. They’re both page turners to say the least. Here’s some info about the author and the book. For fun, I’ve posted an excerpt and a picture of the book cover at the end. If you’re ready to buy, there’s a link at the bottom that will take you directly to Amazon. Enjoy!

To celebrate the release of Camouflaged Selena is having a great giveaway, go to this rafflecopter link to enter: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ef955d0/

The Book

 Camouflaged (Hiding From Love Novella #0.5)

Gabe Thompson enlisted to help out his buddy, but three years later he’s 100% US military bad boy, serving in the desert of Afghanistan where the days are hot, but the nights are hotter.

Alexis Garcia is out to save the world. The University of Texas freshman has come to Afghanistan to do aid work with the United Nations. She’s all about the peace, and she has no use for the camp’s biggest, baddest, gun toting player.

But, sometimes camouflage is more than a color, and people aren’t what they seem. When conflict develops not only between Gabe and Alexis, but also all around them, they’re forced to look deeper, and what they find will rock their worlds and change their hearts forever.

Camouflaged is the prequel novella to Top 100 bestselling Military Romance, Hidden.

The Author

 Selena Laurence lives in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and spends a hell of a lot of time at soccer games, on her laptop, and reading. She requires a Mocha Latte every day to function, keeps a goldendoodle at her feet most of the time, and has more kids than she knows what to do with. Her husband, Mr. Laurence, spends as much time as he can at the office and the gym in order to avoid the kids, the dog, the laptop and the reading, but he always shows up for the soccer games, and he makes a mean Mocha Latte.

Selena can help you Escape the Everyday at these online locations: www.selenalaurence.com

Twitter: @selenalaurence

Facebook: SelenaLaurenceRomanceAuthor

The Reviews

 5 STARS: “absolutely amazing. Definitely another book that is going on my perfect romance shelf.” – Heather, Not Everyone’s Mama Book Reviews

4 STARS: “Selena does a fantastic job building the characters and the story line so that you’re sucked in from page one.” – Michele, Goodreads

5 STARS: “well written beautiful storyline and characters” – Caryn, Goodreads

5 STARS: “This is a perfect love story” – Mary, Goodreads

4 STARS: “Selena Laurence grabs you from the first paragraph and pulls you into Gabe and Alexis’ story which keeps you interested until the very end.” – Mary, Goodreads

The Excerpt

             I slowly looked down, meeting up with a tight t-shirt stretched across full breasts and a tiny waist that was followed by low-riding cargo pants which fell from narrow hips down long legs. The top of her head barely reached my chin, so I put her at about five foot four. Her crazy mess of hair was half hanging alongside her face in loose waves and I thought it would feel really good if I dug my hands into it while I yanked her in for a hard, hot kiss on those lips slick with some kind of girly lip crap.

“Sorry,” she said, looking at me like I was the enemy. Her voice was low and rough, like a great torch singer. I wondered if she was musical, because looking at her made my head spin like there was a song ricocheting around in it. I grinned at her a little to see what her reaction would be.

“No problem, babe. Can I do something for you . . . or even to you, if you’d prefer?” She scowled more and her eyes narrowed. “My name’s Alexis, not ‘babe,’ and I really doubt there’s anything you could do that I’d be interested in,” she snapped.

The book is now available on Amazon and other ebook retailers.  Here is the buylink for Amazon: http://amzn.to/1duopGr

Image

Spotlight: Seleana Laurence: Hidden

Posted on by

I’m trying something new this week, a spotlight on another writer’s work. I haven’t done this before so let me know how you like it.

Many thanks to Brianna Soloski for this post info. Check out her blog GirlSeeksPlace at: http://girlseeksplace.wordpress.com/2013/08/19/spotlight-hidden-2/

I’ve personally read this book and it is well done. It’s on sale this week so go ahead and check it out!

HiddenTourButtonHIDDENcoverSynopsis: Nick Carlisle comes to Hawaii to hide—from what happened during his service in Afghanistan, from relationships, from his future. Lyndsey Anderson came to Hawaii to hide too—from the man who abused her, from the sacrifices she made, from her dark past. But when Nick meets Lyndsey, Hawaii gets a whole lot hotter, and they find they can’t hide their hearts. As Nick fights to come to terms with what he’s done, Lyndsey struggles to forgive herself for the choices she’s made. But when the dangerous past threatens the beautiful present, can they survive to learn how to love? And who will finally reveal what’s hidden?
Add Hidden on Goodreads.

SelenaLaurenceAuthor bio: I love to write romantic stuff that helps you get away. Life can be a grind, and things like jobs and school and dirty dishes make Jill a dull girl – and me too! So, I write Contemporary and New Adult romances about hot guys and smart girls and cool places. It’s an Escape from the Everyday.

Find Selena on:

Facebook    Goodreads     Twitter    Blog

Purchase links:

Amazon

Hidden is on sale for 99c this week only!