Release Notes

New Review - Quick Kill by Patricia McCallum

2012-03-09T07:41:00.001-06:00

"Quick Kill" is the latest release by author Patricia McCallum and I must say it was interesting. I have to admit, there were several pros and cons about the book but overall, it was an enjoyable read. First, the pros:

This was a very interesting story. Random women are being brutally killed in Toronto and the police are racing to find the connection between them and stop the killer. Without witnesses or clues, the cops are working extra hard to stop him before he strikes again.
There are interesting characters. The main character, Sydney Granger, is a tiny but feisty detective, dedicated to her job and determined to find this killer. Her partner, Mike, is big and brawny and equally dedicated. Their relationship is filled with sexual banter, good natured ribbing and actual friendship. The glimpses into their personal lives makes them more real and enjoyable as characters. I'd really be interested in seeing more of them in future books.
Ms. McCallum really allowed you to see everything from the prospective of the victim. The reader feels like they have stepped into the victims shoes, seeing their life up until the moment of their death. Please note: The deaths are graphic but in this type of novel it's to be expected.
Minor characters are also well developed. Other police officers are interesting and allow you to see the dynamics of working in a major city's police department. There are interesting personalities and again, they would be interesting to see in future books.

Now for the cons:

There could have been more plot development. The premise of the story was very intriguing but it seemed to only remain surface level. Most of the story was wrapped up at the end after they caught the killer but it would have been nice to see some of this build up as the story progress. Instead, it felt like a hasty addition.
It would have been nice to see more actual detective work. There were crime scene visits, precinct meetings and talking with members of the victims families but not much more. With a police procedural, there's always the expectation of seeing more of the inner workings of the detectives and this was lacking in the novel.

Overall, it was a good read. I'm interested in seeing more from this series. The characters alone makes it worthwhile to continue the series and in spite of the flaws, I think any one who is looking for an quick, fairly enjoyable read will like this one!

New Review: The Egyptian By Layton Green

2012-03-04T13:24:00.002-06:00

The Egyptian by Layton Green is an explosive thrill ride from beginning to mesmerizing end. This is an intelligent thriller, with the world of modern biotechnology interwoven with ancient mysteries and beliefs. The result is a fast-paced, riveting tale of ancient magic, modern science and a splash of romance thrown in for good measure.

The main character, Dominic Grey is a deep, multifaceted character. A trained ex-soldier, on the surface he appears heartless and cold but as you read, you soon realize there is so much more to him. His motivations are complex and he turns out to be a noble character. His interactions with the other characters in the novel are great, you really get a chance to understand how he thinks, and by the end of the novel, you’ll just really like him!

The plot of the story is strongly tied into all of the modern biotechnology that exists in today’s society. The story takes you from hi-tech labs to the hidden secrets of the Sahara desert. The author does a wonderful job of weaving an ancient Egyptian tale into a modern thriller. What starts as a seemingly simple case of corporate espionage morphs into a hidden world of secret labs, clandestine experiments and the supernatural.

The amount of detail and scientifically accurate information in this novel is a testament to the amount of research Mr. Green put into this novel and it’s a better story for it. It’s easy to see that this wasn’t just a thrown together idea but a well thought out and greatly executed story. It was an enjoyable read from beginning to end. I totally and completely recommend it!

All New Giveaways! The Last Way Station Mega Book Tour

2012-02-21T20:41:00.004-06:00

Giveaways

Two signed, paperback copies of Kiwi in Cat City

One signed, Hardcover Edition of On Matissia Wings

Two ebook copies of Raven

Two ebook copies of Cloud Nine

Two signed, paperback copies of Ultimate Justice

Two signed, paperback copies of Carry on the Flame: Destiny's Call

Two signed, paperback copies of Blue Bells of Scotland

Two ebook copies of Damon (The Protector Series)

Two ebook copies of Covert Dreams

A Whitman's Sampler of Fictional Main Characters

Jon Reisfeld

It took Philadelphia-based confectioner Stephen H. Whitman and Son's, Inc. 70 years — or until 1912 — to finally hit upon its winning "Sampler" packaging formula that became synonymous with its name and iconic in the boxed-chocolates
industry. But the logic behind it was overwhelming. Personal tastes vary. Some people prefer chocolate-covered caramels. Some like nuget. Others, candies with butter-cream or mint centers. Still others prefer chocolate-covered cherries.
And, of course, many of us like all of the above, but wish to know precisely what we're getting before popping the individual sweets in our mouths.

To me, the genius of the Whitman Sampler was not, so much, the wide variety of chocolates contained in the box, but the diagram on the underside of the lid that identified all the candies contained within. (This simple innovation ended the unpleasant practice of 'pinching' chocolates, a practice which, while instructive for the "pincher," ruined the chocolate-tasting experience for those next in line for a treat.)

In the Whitman's Sampler tradition, authors of the following eight books, all featured in the Last Way Station Mega Book Tour, have helped us prepare a Fiction Sampler of main characters for you.
"The Last Way Station Mega Book Tour,"represents a new concept in virtual book touring, in which authors take part in tag-team guest blogs, like this one. The tour, which I founded, is named in honor of my book, The Last Way Station. Click here to take your chance at winning a Kindle Fire in the tour’s official Sweepstakes and then here to learn more about our featured authors and their books.

How Our ‘Sampler’ Works

Sample each book below by placing your cursor on its cover. Then, click once to read about its main character. Our sampler will help you identify the characters you relate to and that you would enjoy reading about.

Kiwi, Main Character in Kiwi in Cat City

“My name is Kiwi and I’m a cat. I’m about four, black and fluffy, but I make up for my small size with brains and bravery. I live with Amy and James, and their parents in the human world.
At night, when the moon is shaped like a cat’s claw, I like to visit my other home, the blue-lit Cat City, where the streets are paved with blue and white cat mosaics, and the sun sparkles orange. My favourite catizens are Inspector Furrball, Kip and Siam.

“I’m curious about everything and love solving puzzles. My other passion is traveling – I get that from my father, Delphinius, who used to rule Cat City. I miss him a lot. He was the one who first took me to the human world. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have met Amy and James.

“If I tell you a secret, do you promise not to tell? I’m magical! You might notice a faint purple glow to my fur and eyes – look closely or you may just miss it – that’s my magic glowing. I could take you to Cat City if you are very, very good and don’t tell a soul! Are you game?”

Brief Book SummaryFor readers age 9 and above ...One dark night, Amy cannot sleep. She looks out the window into the garden to see her cat, Kiwi, transfixed by the moon, which is glowing brightly and shaped like a cat's claw. Waking her brother, James, she suggests they follow Kiwi to see where she goes... whether on a hunt for mice or something else. Little do they know that, with a flick of her tail, Kiwi will magically change them into kittens and then lead them on the adventure of their lives to a land they never knew existed: the blue-lit world of Cat City. There the budding detectives will help Inspector Furrball solve the mystery of the missing catizens and find out what happened to Madame Purrfect.

Special Agent Trey Fontaine, Main Character in Ultimate Justice

As Trey Fontaine recuperates from a gunshot wound, his life gets more complicated than ever. He thought it was a good idea to spend some time back home, but Raven Bayou is not providing a restful respite. Trey pops pain pills like Skittles as he deals with a serial killer, an old flame, and various other conflicts.

All Trey ever wanted was to be a cop, just like his dad. And though Trey is now an FBI agent, he still tries to live up to the hero status of his father, who was killed on the job when Trey was 13. That was the year he kissed Gemini Taylor. And now she’s his godfather’s partner, a homicide detective in Raven Bayou.

When his Aunt Darlene is raped, beaten, and left for dead, the idea of rest and recuperation disappears, and Trey becomes a well-honed hunting machine. In the meantime, men are being gutted, and the killer of his godfather’s wife is on trial for vehicular manslaughter. One thing is sure. As compassionate as he can be, Trey won’t allow anyone to get away with hurting those he loves. Even his addiction won’t stop him from making things right.

Brief Book Summary. Special Agent Trey Fontaine has his hands full as he tries to juggle three different sets of cases in his hometown. While healing from a bullet wound, and on limited duty, he is charged with helping find out what's happening to young women who are disappearing without a trace. But that's just the beginning. Someone is beating and raping women in town, women who are related to his godfather, Detective Russell Coleman. And then, the bodies of men start showing up, eviscerated. Are the crimes related? Or has the town become a haven for all sorts of criminals?

Wile, Rocky, and Drew, three children from a violent home, take matters into their own hands and soon the small town of Raven Bayou, Louisiana is brimming with dead bodies. But the only victims are those whose background proves them to be deserving of such justice. Can Special Agent Trey Fontaine stop the violence? Or will he only figure out the truth after someone he loves is dead?

The plot's twists and turns will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout this page-turner.

Murkuria, Main Character in The Furlites of Aroriel: On Matissia Wings

Murkuria, of Clan Darius, is a Furlitian pre-adolescent female who belongs to a Clan of space travelers. A bipedal, saurian child with predominantly copper fur, she captivates even her own people with her large eyes of rare golden color, and is intelligent, sensitive, yet determined, ambitious, and stubborn. When she and her twin brother are forced to stay behind on the Clan’s historic mission to the stars, she is, initially, frightened by his suggestion that they sneak aboard as stowaways. However, once she buries her anxiety over leaving their snowy home world, Murkuria accompanies her brother and is instrumental in making the plan work. During the entire mission, her depth of knowledge in her chosen field surprises the crew, especially her very disciplined but hot-tempered father, who captains the star ship.

Large for her age, she strives to prove she belongs with her family, and is not a mere child on a space-bound joy ride. She empathizes deeply with all around her, takes criticism to heart, and despite her successes, has a hard time releasing guilt over the deaths of three crew members. While marooned on the Human’s world, she breaks the communication barrier, despite prior bad experience with the species. She embraces her new task as translator, but struggles with the fear that she may never return home again.

Brief Book SummaryThe cold distant world Aroriel — where primate species never evolved — has spawned a furry saurian race that now reaches for the stars. Commander Geupetus of Clan Darius, offered command of the first near-lightspeed starship, hesitates to take the job, as Furlitian law forbids his teenaged twins, Murkuria and Thorius, from accompanying their Clan on this historic mission to interstellar space.

Clan Darius, after careful deliberation as a family, driven by their rigid sense of military honor, discipline, and duty, decide they must squelch their emotions and accept the commission -- leaving the twins on Aroriel. Distraught, the twins deide to stow aboard the great starship, Sunpyne, with their winged pet, Matissia. They succeed but end up causing the ship to crash land on an alien world, where saurian life like their own is long extinct and where primate beings that call themselves, "Human," populate the planet. Will they ever see their beloved home again? Some sexual content.

Shardaie, Main Character in Raven

Shardaie is in quite a pickle. After waking up from a coma that has lasted nearly nine years, the 13-year-old girl discovers that a plague is spreading and that the undead are walking. Not only does she have to learn to protect herself from these monsters, she also must quickly come to terms with the world she lives in — a medieval(ish) fantasy world that’s composed of sixteen planets. Shardaie also suffers from a condition that alienates her from her classmates: She doesn’t understand emotions, the feelings coursing through her veins and the expressions flitting across the faces of those around her.
The condition leaves her with a monotone voice and a blank face, but it’s almost trivial to her. Shardaie is focused on discovering who she is, where she was born, and what has happened to her family? Where are they? Shardaie will press on to discover the answers, but she may not like what she finds.

Brief Book SummaryA girl, a coma, a Plague, and an empty grave. When Shardaie wakes up, she doesn't know who she is, why she cannot understand emotions, why she has been unconscious for nearly nine of her thirteen years, or why the dead just won't stay dead. The only clue to her past is a locket, but the Plague, which finally stretches its unnatural hand to her village, forces her to leave and to learn to protect herself. But everything has a cost: the protection against the undead reveals a secret that Shardaie and her classmates just don't want to accept, and at the end, Shardaie realises that some secrets shouldn't be revealed. Secrets have the power to destroy, and the power to change her view on humanity for ever.

Claire Grayson, Main Character in Cloud Nine

Claire is your normal teenaged girl from next door. She has a family who loves her, and friends who will do anything for her. She loves to laugh and have fun and just be goofy once in a while. Like other girls her age, she has trouble with boys and she’s just trying her best to make it to graduation.
Then, she wakes up one morning to find her life suddenly turned upside down. She does her best to cope. But it isn’t easy.

Learning that a Guardian (Angel) has selected you for protection is a lot to process at seven in the morning. But once her Guardian takes on a more comfortable, and pleasing, form Claire discovers she's strangely attracted to him! Soon, she realizes he's everything she wants. But can she have him? Can they make it as a couple or will forces beyond their control intervene? Will he decide she’s worth the fight, or will he throw in the towel before love has a chance to take hold?

Brief Book Summary What happens when you get picked by a guardian angel? What if you don't believe you need one? And what if someone wants you removed?

Claire Grayson is a self-reliant seventeen year old girl on the verge of graduating high school. Both her parents work long hours, so Claire pretty much takes care of herself. She even earns her own spending and gas money by working part time as a tutor for other students. Her best friends are the bright spots that keep her laughing through the trials and heart aches of adolescent life. After a recent breakup, it takes her a while to come back to the land of the living. Then, when she finally decides to move on, she meets Sterling Warde.

Sterling is a Guardian. He helps people in need and guides them to a better understanding of living. While wrapping up one assignment, Sterling catches a glimpse of Claire and is startled by his reaction to her. Puzzled, he follows her to discover the source of the spark. What made her reach out and touch his nerves and steal his breath. When he finally reveals himself to her, he frightens her and she doesn't want him around. But with time and patience, he works to see her safe.

Others have romantic designs on Claire and Sterling and want them for themselves. Together, Sterling and Claire will dissuade them. Someone will fall. Someone will hurt. And others will..

Sharay, Main Character in Carry on the Flame: Destiny’s Call

Sharay is a young priestess in modern day Glastonbury, England. And she’s not a kick ass heroine at the start of the book. Orphaned at age ten, Sharay becomes the ward of her deceptive Aunt Phoebe. Phoebe soon labels Sharay “insane” because of her psychic abilities, and unjustly accuses her of murdering her uncle, which lands Sharay in a mental hospital. Phoebe then uses black magic against Sharay in order to steal her unique magical powers and inherited wealth.

Sharay’s transformation begins in the psychiatric ward, where she meets an elderly sage and his mysterious grandson. Her magical adventures, steeped in Celtic tradition, are an invitation for her to step into her destiny as the “chosen one” in a lineage of priestesses, born to help humanity through the fear and dark times of today’s world.

In a mythical quest that takes Sharay through England, Wales, and Scotland, she learns her power is not worldly power, in the traditional sense. It is the mystical power connected to a love in her that is mightier than any sword, with the power to heal and transform not only herself, but also the turmoil of our times. Sharay must use that power not only to overcome forces set in motion by Phoebe, but to mange her own grief, loss, and dark side. She struggles against Phoebe’s black magic with her own inner light. As one of my readers said: “If you have ever felt you have a calling or a mission in life that you resisted, or if you are experiencing the challenges of stepping up to meet that call, Sharay’s journey is yours. If you feel you are not listening to your most authentic heart and want to, Sharay’s bumpy journey is yours.”

Brief Book Summary Humanity is in the midst of its greatest crisis ever. Sharay is the one chosen to show the way forward and help humankind move through today's fear and dark times. Born in modern day Glastonbury, England, into a line of priestesses, Sharay finds her way blocked by her jealous Aunt Phoebe, who uses black magic to steal her fortune and magical powers. When Phoebe commits Sharay to a psychiatric ward and accuses her of murder, Sharay struggles with the temptation to fight Phoebe's vengeance with her own. Through the ancient Celtic ceremony of Beltaine, Sharay experiences profound sacred union with the Welshman Guethyn, who shows her how to open her heart. But Sharay must learn to transform her hatred for her aunt in order to claim the mystery held deep within her cells that will allow her to fulfill her destiny and prove that the ultimate magic lies in the power of love.

Nicole Callahan, Main Character in Damon (The Protectors Series) Call

“After writing my first chapter,” Author Teresa Gabelman says, “I always stop and ask myself, ‘Would I want to be friends with this person?’ If I don’t like them then why should you? Nicole Callahan, the main character in Damon, is definitely a chick I would hang with. With her sense of humor and snarky comebacks she is definitely no pushover. Her passion for her job gives a sense of the strong and loyal woman she is, yet the importance of her job makes her realize she needs to accept whatever help she can get.

“Nicole is a social worker in a world gone crazy with vampire blood, Crimson Rush, being the new drug on the streets. Children are in the middle of the growing war between vampires and humans, and it’s up to Nicole and her colleagues to make sure they don’t fall between the cracks. Nicole resists Damon’s initial offer of help, because he is a vampire warrior. But her love and devotion to the children gradually convinces her to swallow her pride and accept his assistance.

“I write what I like to read. If a character puts a smile on my face and I’m cheering them on then I’m one happy reader.”

Brief Book Summary Damon DeMasters is a vampire warrior who has taken an oath to protect not only his own kind, but humans as well. Crimson Rush is the new drug on the streets and it's their duty to find who is behind the selling of vampire blood and stop it.

As a social worker, Nicole Callahan fights for the right of every child placed in her care. There's a war now as vampires have stepped out into the spotlight, taking their place in society, and the children are at the heart of it all.

The Vampire Council has ordered Damon and his fellow warriors to train Nicole and her colleagues in how to combat the dangers they now face. Sparks fly and tensions mount as Nicole and Damon learn they must depend on each other if they hope to protect the children of both races.

Author Michael Meyer Discusses Stan Halsey, A Main Character in Covert Dreams

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKGLeuGOVrQ?rel=0&w=239&h=162]

Brief Book Summary Is the mysterious disappearance of an American in today's Saudi Arabia somehow linked to a terrible murder in Munich back in 1984? Is B.J. living a nightmare, or is it reality? How can he dream the same dream night after night and know intimate details of Munich, a city in which he has never been? How can he speak German in his dream, a language he does not know? Why does everybody think he is losing it? Is he going crazy?

How can a woman suddenly disappear in the Saudi Arabian heat, along with every trace of her very existence? Why is there absolutely nothing, not one single detail in any records anywhere, to prove that she is indeed a living person and that her spouse is not crazy for thinking so? Why do both the American government officials and the Saudi Arabian authorities insist that she has never even existed?

What is real, and what is not? Who is really who, and why? What is behind the murder, the kidnappings, and the nightmares all leading up to what end? The mounting suspense moves from Munich, to London, to Rome, and to the burning sands of Saudi Arabia. What is the horrifying link between these two alternating stories? Do you love mysteries? Do you love thrillers? Do you love suspense? If so, then take on COVERT DREAMS.

Shawn Kleiner, Main Character in Blue Bells of Scotland, Vol. #1

Shawn Kleiner is the self-centered, womanizing main character of Blue Bells of Scotland. Some readers, like some members of Shawn’s orchestra, love Shawn for his charisma, humor, and devil-may-care attitude, while others hate him for his gambling, drinking, lying, and cheating.
Shawn, like all of us, is a mix of good and bad, fighting his demons. He’s trying to be better than he is, and, in truth, a little bit better than he wants people to believe. He has his own mixed-up reasons for acting the way he does, as we all do.

“What I like about Shawn,” author Laura Vosika says, “apart from his optimism and love of life, is that, despite his flaws, he can be jolted into awareness—even if it takes a time slip into a brutal century where men want to kill him! My beta readers have come to enjoy Shawn’s humor and antics, and also to care as they watch him struggle against the dangers of medieval Scotland and his own nature, to survive, grow, and get back to his girlfriend to make amends. I think we root for flawed characters because we see in them hope that we, too, could rise to the occasion if necessary.“

Brief Book Summary Shawn Kleiner has it all: money, fame, a skyrocketing career as an international musical phenomenon, his beautiful girlfriend Amy, and all the women he wants-- until the night Amy has enough and abandons him in a Scottish castle. He wakes to find himself mistaken for Niall Campbell, medieval Highland warrior. Soon after, he is sent shimmying down a wind-torn castle wall into a dangerous cross country trek with Niall’s tempting, but knife-wielding fiancee, pursued by English soldiers and a Scottish traitor who want Niall dead. Thrown forward in time, Niall learns history's horrifying account of his own death, and of the Scots' slaughter at Bannockburn. Undaunted, he navigates the roiled waters of Shawn’s life-- pregnant girlfriend, amorous fans, enemies, gambling debts--- seeking a way to leap back across time to save his people, especially his beloved Allene. But he finds himself liking Shawn’s life...

New Review - Curb Chek by Zach Fortier

2012-01-25T15:30:00.000-06:00

This was an entertaining look at the life of a street cop. Nothing is sugarcoated. Instead, the author allows the readers to see all the nuts and bolts of working the beat. Zach Fortier pulls no punches as he exposed the daily life of a police officer. You can't help but laugh at some parts but there were also brutal and heartbreaking scenes that brought on the tears. This book was a brutally honest and refreshing look into a world that is often hidden from ordinary citizens

Zach Fortier not only deals with the crime faced on the streets but also to in-fighting and jealousy that exists within the police department. Fortier also exposes the gritty politics that permeates every level of law enforcement. It was eyeopening and, at times, infuriating.

This book is a highly recommended read not only for someone who is contemplating the law enforcement field but also for anyone who wants to read a REAL portrayal of law enforcement.

"Last Way Station" Mega Virtual Book Tour and Giveway- Featured Authors, Melissa Smith and Lynn Hubbard

2012-01-25T06:00:00.002-06:00

Two Romance Authors Dish ... on Romance Writing

What's this "romance" thing about, anyway? Sex or love? Vampires or Six-shooters? Busty heroines or lusty heroes? What drives authors to write romance novels? What's the difference between a "good" romance novel a "great" one?

Join romance writers Lynn Hubbard and Melissa Smith, featured authors in "The Last Way Station" Mega Book Tour, as they discuss and explore these topics and more, shedding light on the story behind their romance novels.

Then, visit our tour site and enter your name in our Mega Book Tour Sweepstakes. Grand prize: a Kindle Fire!

Release Notes is thrilled to feature The Mega Virtual Book Tour. Today features an interview with Romance authors Melissa Smith and Lynn Hubbard. Melissa's novel "Cloud Nine" is availalbe at smashwords. Along with her interview, Melissa has been thoughtful enough to offer a FREE copy of her novel! Lynn's novel "Run Into The Wind" is also available. Take time to read the interview then make sure to visit the website to see other stops and make sure to visit those blogs to earn chances to win great prizes and purchase new reads!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

1. What, in your opinion, makes a novel a "romance" novel?

Lynn Hubbard: A romance Novel must contain a well developed story line, dimensional characters and sex. The level of sex is negotiable. I get very detailed with my descriptions, but it’s not raunchy.

Melissa Smith: The development of love between two people/beings. Their ability to choose to be together and to fight for it to happen.

2. What are the major categories of "romance" novels and where do your novels generally fit in?

Run into the Wind takes you back in time to when women were tough and men were hot!

Lynn Hubbard: Good Question! Books do cross over genres, and I like books that allow more than one. I write historical romances, they could also be included as a western, and some of mine, lean towards “Erotic”.

Melissa Smith: The major subcategories, as of late, and in my opinion, are Chick lit and Paranormal. My novels fit into the paranormal romance, as they have elements of the super natural in them.

3. Why do you write in the "romance" genre? Do you write in it exclusively? And what's its appeal for you?

Melissa Smith: While I didn’t start out intending to write romance, that’s where the story led me. It just came so easy that I guess you could say it was meant to be :)

What if you have a guardian angel you don't believe you need? And what if it wants you removed?

4. What, in your opinion, is the most exciting trend in romance novel writing today?

Lynn Hubbard: Paranormal romance is big but I love history, and love melding romance with history.

Melissa Smith: Again, I would have to say the paranormal. Because when a reader picks up a book, they want to disappear into another world/realm. And what better way to do that than with the paranormal! We, as authors, can create a whole world from scratch or take our own world off on a different tangent.

5. What do you think are the critical elements that make a good romance novel a great one?

Lynn Hubbard. For me, I like when the hero and or heroine stand up for their beliefs and/or love no matter what. I despise books where women/men can’t make up their minds or lie and deceive each other. I want a happy ending!

Melissa Smith: The ability to make the reader staring at the last sentence wanting to read more. I know that my own favorite authors have that ability to make me wish the story had gone on. So much so, that I end up re-reading it so I can again live in that world for a little longer.

6. What has happened to the traditional "bodice-ripper" tales? What made them so popular and how many of the romance novels written today still fall into that category? Do yours?

Lynn Hubbard. I read bodice rippers in high school. In my novels the women are more likely to rip the men’s clothes off. My ladies are strong willed and will stop at nothing to get what they want.

Melissa Smith: Ya know, I'm not sure what happened to those types of novels. I'm sure, in some degree, they're still being written and read, just not by me. My novels don't fall into that category at all. My stories are what you would call "closed door", as in all the sex scenes are left up to the reader to fill in the blanks.

7. Who is your audience, in terms of demographics, and how has this changed in recent years?

Lynn Hubbard. Mostly women, I have a lot of “female” humor in my books than men just don’t get. As far as ages 18+ (I hope!) to about 95.

Melissa Smith: My target audience is anyone from about sixteen and up. I write for everyone, again it wasn’t something I set out to do, it just happened that way and I have to say I like the direction my writing has taken me. And as I've only been activly writing now for a year, I still have time to grow :)

8. What are your readers looking for in a story?

Lynn Hubbard: An escape from everyday life. A peek back to “simpler” times, strong characters and great sex scenes.

Melissa Smith: I hope they're looking for what I've penned down. ;)

9. How do you think romance novel readers differ from other readers, in the way they relate to authors?

Lynn Hubbard. Romance readers are very loyal. I have many fans that have read all of my books and beg for more.

Melissa Smith: I guess it's in the ability to want the same thing. You choose an author based on what you want as a reader. And as a reader, you feel you can relate to them because of the story they've given you.

10. In what ways, if any, are you trying to challenge, expand, twist or enrich the "romance" genre? How is it working for you?

Lynn Hubbard: I’ve been told that there aren’t many new western romance writers, and they were glad I was awaking the west. Of course writing historical romances is very time consuming, much research is involved so not only do you have to create a story, but you have to make sure it is accurate.

Melissa Smith: Ha! I hope I'm attempting to do these things! I do try to create a story that hasn't been told before, or to give an old story line a new twist by adding some foreign concept to the mix. Again, I do try :)

11. What's your "formula" for writing/structuring romance novels, and how closely do you stick to it?

Lynn Hubbard: I don’t have a formula I just write whatever I feel like writing, whatever twists or turns occur are a complete surprise. My last book a character died suddenly and I cried for three days I was so upset. My fans cried as well, I guess that’s how you know you’re doing it right. When even a minor character is real enough to grieve over.

Melissa Smith: I write out the main plot in only a few sentences so as not to corner myself. I then write out a very loose outline that I only use as a guideline. Sometimes there are things I wrote down that I end up not using and adding things to it that end up working better.

12. What's more important in the appeal of a romance novel? The heroine the leading man or the villain?

Lynn Hubbard: The heroine, I always come up with the heroine first and I build a world around her.

Melissa Smith: I have to say it’s the heroine. I want to read of a strong woman who can show she needs and wants her hero. I don’t want my heroine to be so strong that it becomes almost an impossible stretch for the two lead characters to come together.

13. Who do you think is the best romance writer living today, yourself excluded. And why?

Lynn Hubbard. I love Kay Hooper, most people probably would not consider her a “Romance” author, but I love her books. She has a series about a psychic FBI team and in each book a couple meets and falls in love.

Melissa Smith: Without a doubt, it's Lynn Kurland. I absolutely love her work! All of it. I've yet to read anything from her that I didn’t want to re-read!

Thank you both for an interesting discussion!

About the Authors

Lynn Hubbard, author of Run into the Wind: " I'm a dreamer. I started writing to share my dreams with others. I hope you enjoy them!"

Melissa Smith, author of Cloud Nine: "I am a wife and mother with two teenaged sons. We live in the Midwest, in a house that’s over one hundred years old. During the day I work as a Preschool ParaEducator and at night, I come home, where I dive into my other worlds!"

Blog Tour De Force: Get Loaded January 23 - January 27

2012-01-23T06:00:00.001-06:00

Our latest Blog Tour De Force is starting up on Monday! The theme is going to be a Scavenger Hunt and the clues will be on the main IBC blog page each day. Just stop by http://ow.ly/8BwGR to find out the day's author and clues and use the clues to win prizes!

Who are the authors?

Jan 23-Chelsea Fine - ANEW - http://www.chelseafine.com

Jan 24- AK Taylor - Neiko's Five Land Adventure - http://www.backwoodsauthor.wordpress.com...

Jan 25- Jackie Chanel - A Hustler's Promise - http://www.jackie-chanel.com

Jan 26- Sherry Roberts - Book of Mercy - http://www.sherryroberts.com

Jan 27 - Liz Schulte - Secrets (Guardian Trilogy: Book 1) - http://LizSchulte.com

Here is a great opportunity to stock up on some fantastic reads and have a great time hunting for clues! Look forward to seeing you there!

Reading Romances Challenge 2012

2012-01-01T13:25:00.000-06:00

Reading Romances Challenge 2012

Release Notes is thrilled to be taking part of Reading Romances Challenge 2012. What is it exactly? Well, read below:

The Reading Romances Challenge is not about the amount of books you read, but the variety of titles you’ll have read when the challenge is over! Our goal is to read a bit of everything related to romance and open our minds to new genres we wouldn’t usually read.

For this month, here are the challenges:

- Read a book that is first of a series, by an author that is “new” to you or a debut novel by an author.

- Read a romance that has a teen as the protagonist.

- Read an Erotic Romance or Erotica.

Reviews will be posted monthly here at Release Notes. If you are interested in joining the fun, click the badge and sign up!

CBLS Virtual Book Tour - Fate's Second Chance by AJ Jarrett - Review and Excerpt

2012-01-01T06:00:00.004-06:00

Release Notes is thrilled to feature Fate's Second Chance by AJ Jarrett as a stop on the CBLS Promotions Virtual Tour. Below is a review of the novel along with an excerpt of the novel. ENJOY!

REVIEW:

The idea of death being the greatest opportunity to come your way is mind blowing but that is exactly what happens to Marie Carter. Marie dies and discovers she is given a second chance to fix things for her sister and her best friend since childhood and the love of her life, Shawn. The twist? Marie is now Marc! Failure means Sabrina will have a miserable life, Shawn will die of his broken heart and Ross, Marie's guardian angel, will lose his wings. What's a girl (or guy) to do?

This story was a humorous and a wonderfully written supernatural tale. The wit of AJ Jarrett shines through the characters and each one is enjoyable to read about. The novel contained romance, a touch of sadness and humor throughout. Getting a chance to finally set things right could be any one's wish and reading Marc's attempts to fix things is great.

This novel is M/M but don't let that distract you from an incredible story! Love and strong friendships can conquer any obstacle but having hot sex helps too! Make sure you scoop this one up!

Make sure you stop by other tour stops (Links below) for a chance to win this great debut novel!

12/21: An Open Book (Giveaway)

12/22: Sash's Secrets (Promo Only)

12/23: House Millar (Review/Interview)

12/24: Words of Wisdom from The Scarf Princess (Giveaway)

12/26: Fictional Candy (Giveaway/Guest Post)

12/27: Reviews By Molly (Giveaway)

12/28: Close Encounters with the Night Kind (Giveaway/Guest Post)

12/29: From the TBR Pile (Review)

12/30: Dawn's Reading Nook (Review/Guest Post)

12/31: Practical Frugality (Giveaway/Guest Post)

1/1: Release Notes (Review)

1/3: Mommies Point of View (Giveaway/Review)

EXCERPT:

I always assumed when I died my life would flash before my eyes, but that was so not the case. Sitting on an airplane with complete strangers as the massive piece of machinery plummeted to the ground, all I could think was why the fuck did I take the earlier flight.

I was being a little dramatic I know, but I was about to die and leave my sister and my best friend. The only people I loved in the world, plus the only family I had. I was more than likely leaving them due to faulty equipment or engine malfunction. What a lousy way to go.

My poor sister Serena, what would she do? Our parents died when I was fifteen and she twenty-two. We were all we had in the world, and now I would be bailing on her too. Of course, this entire situation wasn't my fault but it didn't make it any easier. She'd been my friend and parent for the past ten years. I loved Serena, she was truly the best sister slash parent a girl could ever have.

Then there was Shawn, my best friend since kindergarten. The only man I ever truly loved. He was there when my parents died, there when Serena caught me having my first beer, and there when my first boyfriend broke my heart. Whenever I needed someone, he was there to pick up the pieces no matter how big or how small. I couldn't have picked a better friend.

The only thing bad about being in love with Shawn was that he's gay. I'm a girl so a romantic relationship would never happen. Now I wouldn't even get the chance to say I love you in more than a friend kind of way. Maybe going down was for the best. Telling Shawn my true feelings would ruin our friendship.

These were the things going through my mind minutes before the plane crashed and I'd die. To have just one more chance to tell Shawn and Serena I loved them, I would have given anything.

The swift drop in altitude told me the engines had stalled. I heard other passengers screaming, crying, and praying, but I sat there with my eyes clenched tight. Behind my eyelids, all I saw were Shawn and Serena. Then nothing.

* * * *

Sometime later I woke up. I took in my surroundings--white walls, white bed linens, and I was wearing a white gown. My nose twitched at the sterile clean smell of the room. I had to be in a hospital.

How could I have survived a plane crash? Maybe I had dreamed the whole thing. I sat up and looked around me. I took notice of the large white room with fluffy white fog floating around the floor.

Okay, that was weird. I had to be dreaming.

"You're not dreaming, sweetheart. You're dead as a doornail."

What the fuck? I spun around and clutched my blanket to my chest. There was a man leaning against the wall. I could tell even in a relaxed state he would tower over my short stature. He had a golden complexion, platinum blond hair that came to his shoulders, and a smile on his face that lit up the room. Definitely gorgeous in a preppy guy way, as if he just stepped out of a J Crew ad. He wore all white as well.

What was up with all the white? Okay, this wasn't the time for stupid questions. I needed to focus.

"Yes, please focus since we don't have a lot of time here, sweetheart, but thanks for the compliment."

Okay, is he reading my freaking mind? I tilted my head to the side to study this apparent psychic medium.

"Yes, I can read your thoughts, but can you start using your mouth? It would make this less awkward," the man said as he pushed away from the wall.

I tried to swallow but my mouth was too dry. I wasn't sure if it was the rising fear or shock that had me unable to move or react. "Where am I?" Start slow, Marie, you can do this.

"Okay, once again, speak words to me. Reading your mind is giving me a headache and that's just poor manners." The man came and sat down at the end of the bed I was lying on. "To answer your question, you're in what we like to call limbo. There has been a mistake, or actually," the man let out a small chuckle, "a few mistakes but who's counting. My name is Ross and I'm your guardian angel."

The angel named Ross held out his hand for me to shake. So I did. After all, I was completely crazy. The dude just said I was in limbo. Crazy Town, population me.

"Girl, seriously, snap out of it. My name is Ross, your guardian angel. Let us speed this up, shall we? You remember the plane crash?"

Plane crash, plane crash, plane crash. Fuck! Ross nodded up and down. "I'm really dead. My whole life seems like a dream and I'm just now waking up." I looked around me to get a better look. "Is this the waiting room for Heaven?" I whispered as I leaned toward him.

Ross shook his head at me. Sue me; I was new to all this dying business.

"L-I-M-B-O. Did you get that? Jeez, you're slow," Ross said as he relaxed back on his elbows.

"Dude, you don't need to shout at me or spell shit. I hear perfectly fine and speak English. You're just a lousy explainer," I said as I pointed my finger at him. Okay, maybe yelling at the crazy man claiming to be my guardian angel wasn't the smartest thing for me to do.

"I'm trying to explain but you're not listening." I watched as Ross ran his hands through his white blond hair as he mumbled something I couldn't make out. "Okay, let's try this again. My name is Ross, you died in the plane crash, and you're sitting in limbo. Long story short, there's been a mistake and like I said this dying business isn't the first mistake to happen to you."

I chewed on my lower lip as I tried to digest all the info. All I heard was mistake, dying, and wasn't the first mistake. Where does a person begin?

"What do you mean mistake? To me someone dying is a huge thing to fuck up on. Don't you think?" I shouted.

"Okay, first off, you can't yell at me if I can't yell at you, and second you cuss way too much. I've always thought that, you know," Ross said as he flipped his hair back in a very feminine manner.

Was this guy serious? "Listen here, grandma, if you don't explain yourself I'm going to want to speak to your boss or manager or some shit like that." There, that didn't sound completely absurd or anything.

Breathe, Marie, everything is all right, you're not crazy. My breaths started rushing in and out of my chest with so much force I thought I might hyperventilate.

"Take deep breaths and calm down. Can't have you dying on me again." Ross started to laugh and I narrowed my eyes at him. "Too soon for death jokes?"

"You think?"

"Sorry, you need to lighten up and laugh, because you're going to be laughing after I explain this whole mix up." Ross sat up a little straighter and crossed his legs at the knee.

"Okay." What else could I say? I didn't know how to get out of this place so listening to Ross was my only option.

"Twenty-five years ago I became a guardian angel. The night I got my wings, I went and celebrated with some other angels. That ceremonial wine has a kick like you wouldn't believe." Ross started to laugh but at my lack of amusement, he went on with his story. "Anyway, I overslept my first assignment. See, when we get our wings, we're given charges to follow from birth to death and you are mine. Actually you're my only one."

"You sound bothered by that. Why am I your only one? Are you supposed to have more than one?" This dude sure wasn't gaining my confidence.

"Well, I made a mistake and until I fix this debacle, I'm stuck with just you. And let's just say you're not the most exciting person in the world."

"Hey! We are talking about your fuck–up, not my boring life. And for the record, my life is so not boring." I stuck my tongue out at him. Childish? Yes, but I didn't care.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

AJ Jarrett currently lives in the Midwest with her husband and four children. A lover of M/M romances she has started writing her own stories for others to enjoy. She is currently published through Silver Publishing and her first release Fate’s Second Chance is the first in the Twist of Fates series. When she is not chasing around her kids she can be found sitting on the couch with her trusted laptop giving life to the voices in her head.

http://ajjarrett29.blogspot.com

http://twitter.com/AJJarrett29

http://www.facebook.com/ajjarrett29

VBT - Lady of the Drake by J.V. Altharas - Review

2011-12-31T06:00:00.019-06:00

Warning: Don't let the hot sex in this book make you lose sight of the fantastic story!

Author J.V. Altaras has woven a wonderful tale of fantasy and passion. It would have been so easy to have one or the other lacking but the author has done an incredible job of making sure both aspects remain prominent in the novel. The world of lore and dragons create a wonderful paranormal tale. Lana, the healer for her village, finds her whole life changed when drawn into passion and romance when she meets Alaron, an mysterious alchemist who finds himself as attracted to Lana as she is to him. What ensures next is hot, steamy passion.

This story is filled with paranormal and fantasy but does not lose its erotic edge. This is definitely for adults as it features some spanking, a little BDSM and several forms of menage. This story is so hot and fans will be transported into the story by the great descriptions used by the author. It was so easy to become lost in this world of paranormal romance and believe me, the reader will thoroughly enjoy every second of it! For fans of paranormal romance, this is a can't miss!

For other stops on the tour, just click the links below!

1/1: Words of Wisdom from the Scarf Princess

1/2: Harlie's Books

1/3: theJeepDiva

1/4: Bookin' It Reviews

CBLS Virtual Book Tour - Farsighted by Emlyn Chand - Giveaway and Review

2011-12-26T06:00:00.003-06:00

Release Notes is happy to feature Farsighted by Emlyn Chand. Along with the review, Emlyn is also giving away a FREE copy of her award winning novel "Farsighted" First, the review then read further for details on how you can win your very own copy of this great book!

*Winner of the Alternative Booker Award, 2011

*Winner of the WritersType First Chapter Competition, September 2011

*You Tube Book Trailer - Click Here

As a debut YA novel, Emlyn Chand has created a hard act to follow with herself! This novel starts off with a blind lead character in Alex. He has a hard life, not only because of his blindness. He is bullied in school and his parents are going through financial difficulties and are overprotective of him. Because of his blindness, Alex's other senses are super sensitive and he has an hyper awareness of his surroundings. Alex also has another blessing - or curse. He discovers he is gifted with "second sight" and has the ability to see the future. As he makes a friend in a new student, Alex is faced with the challenge of using his gift to possibly change the future.

Ms. Chand did a great job of working around the fact that Alex is blind. The reader really become immersed in Alex's world. You can feel his "teen angst" at times and it helps to make him a realistic character. Alex doesent' inspire pity; instead, the reader gets a good view of how he lives his life as a blind teenager who just wants to fit in.

The story was great although the ending was quick. I'm hoping there are going to be more in the series because this was truly enjoyable and a highly recommended read!

If you are interested in purchasing this novel, you can find it here:

BUY LINKS:

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Farsighted-Emlyn-Chand/dp/0983930805/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1

B&N - www.barnesandnoble.com/w/farsighted-emlyn-chand/1106607652

Smashwords - http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/91611

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Emlyn Chand has always loved to hear and tell stories, having emerged from the womb with a fountain pen grasped firmly in her left hand (true story). When she's not writing, she runs a large book club in Ann Arbor and is the president of author PR firm, Novel Publicity. Emlyn loves to connect with readers and is available throughout the social media interweb.

Visit www.emlynchand.com for more info. Don’t forget to say “hi” to her sun conure Ducky!

The Giveaway!

Emlyn Chand is providing a copy of Farsighted to one lucky winner here at Release Notes. To enter just comment below, making sure you leave your name and email address! The winner will receive a e-book copy of Farsighted. Giveaway sign ups end on Jan. 1, 2012. For more chances to win, visit other stops on the tour!

12/19: Sapphyria's Book Reviews (Giveaway/Interview)
12/20: Lindsay's Scribblings (Giveaway/Review)
12/21: Hardcover Feedback (Giveaway/Review)
12/22: Book Talk (Giveaway/Review)
12/23: Simple Clockwork (Giveaway/Review)
12/24: From the TBR Pile (Giveaway/Review)
12/25: Guilty Indulgence (Giveaway/Review)
12/26: Release Notes (Giveaway/Review)
12/27: Moonlight, Lace and Mayhem (Giveaway/Review)
12/28: My Un-Entitled Life (Giveaway/Interview)
12/29: BookBreather (Giveaway/Interview)
12/30: Cocktails and Books (Giveaway/Interview)
12/31: Lindsay's Scribblings (Giveaway/Review)
1/1: Dawn's Reading Nook (Giveaway/Interview)

There is also an End-Of-Tour Giveaway at Coffee Beans and Love Scenes, the host of the tour! Visit here to enter for a chance to win one of THREE copies of Farsighted!

New Review - The Evil Within (Horror Anthology) - Various Authors

2011-12-18T22:34:00.000-06:00

This horror anthology was a total unexpected thrill ride! From one story to the next, the reader is thrilled, chilled and thoroughly terrified. From Amber Scott's foray into betrayal and deadly consequences to Cristyn West's bone chilling and horrifying saga of a family gone so very wrong, you can expect the feel the terror to the marrow of your bones.

Every story has it's own merits and all of them carry the chill factor. I was thrilled by the return of Cristyn's Kent Harbinger in her second offering in the book. Matt Posner's chilling tale of science goes wrong brings to mind the obsession science has with genetic experiments and the horrifying results. From ghosts to monsters to just plain crazies, this anthology has something for everyone. Believe me when I say, you want the lights on when you are reading and may need them after you have finished!

Bestseller For A Day - Featured Book - Soul Search By Amber Scott #IBC

2011-11-30T07:00:00.000-06:00

Release Notes is thrilled to help promote the next "Bestseller For A Day" Soul Search by Amber Scott. For more details, see below, then head to Amazon and buy the book!

Three years ago, one horrific night changed his life forever. And now the wolf soul that was invoked to save him is taking over his body, day by day.

Can he master his animal instincts in time to discover who is stealing children's souls before the delicate balance we all depend upon is shattered?

Or will he reject the one woman who can help heal his body and his soul?

What are reviewers saying about Amber Scott's Soul Search? See for yourself:

"I couldn't put it down. The only thing that got between this book and me was work. I could only read a few pages a night. This is the best book I've read this year." -Jacqueline Ortiz, "@jackiebkworm" Book Reviewer

"The twists and turns in Soul Search had me gasping out loud. Once again, Amber Scott delivers a delicious read." -Your Need to Read 5/5 Stars, Reviewer

"From the start, Soul Search grips you and won't let go. Two endangered souls forced to join together in the search for a missing child--a journey filled conflict and complications. Sizzling romance, heart-pounding suspense, and a touch of mystery make for an exciting, riveting read. Amber Scott has me hooked!"
-Ann Charles, Award-Winning Author of the Deadwood Mystery Series

This November, it’s your turn to grab Soul Search for the incredibly low price of 99 cents and see for yourself why it makes readers sigh with appreciation.

Just purchase Soul Search at the promotional price, send a friend who you know would love finding a fun, fast-paced read at an awesome price, and grab the 3 Bonus Buys that are the perfect companion reads to this supernatural suspense.

Buy to Win!!!

Enter to win a Kindle!!!

By helping us drive Soul Search by Amber Scott to the top of the Kindle Lists on November 30th, YOU can win, too!

Because Amber is giving away a brand new Kindle!

Simply purchase Soul Search on November 30th, then head back here (http://bit.ly/fDrPsN) and fill out the entry form (located at the top of the right hand column).

You will only need to enter your email address and the first five numbers from your Amazon purchase confirmation code.

And tah-dah! You just gained 5 entries to win a Kindle!

New Review - The Hero Always Win - By Robert Eaton

2011-11-25T19:02:00.000-06:00

Robert Eaton’s first dip into the writing world has come up aces! The Hero Always Wins is a wonderful fantasy tale that brings to mind many of the epic tales that we have seen on the shelves with a major difference. Eaton’s story deftly weaves magic, horror and fantasy into a outstanding story that immediately pulls the reader in and holds you until the very last word. There are so many twists and turns that help to keep the story engaging and keeps the reader on their mental toes!

Our hero, Darcy, is a new knight and longs to save his lands and people. The frustration he feels at being able to help everyone is palpitate and his struggles as he adjusts to his role as The Hero. The mystery intertwined within the story only serves to make the reading more enjoyable. I was completely hooked and I eagerly await the next installment in the series. This novel is a great first book from an up and coming author. I highly recommend it for anyone who is a fan of great fantasy.

New Review - Hide'N Go Seek by Dale Mayer

2011-11-13T13:57:00.001-06:00

As the second installment of the “Psychic Visions” series, Dale Mayer does not disappoint. Kali Jordan, famed search and rescue worker, has been hiding her psychic abilities from everyone as long as she could remember. Lately, the abilities have been getting stronger and unbeknownst to Kali, her success has caught the eye of a deranged soul. Suddenly, Kali and Shiloh, her rescue dog is in serious danger.

After receiving chilling letters from the serial killer, Kali has to work with FBI Special agent Grant Summers, a man who feels a strong bond with Kali even though they have only met once. As the chemistry flows between them, Kali and Grant race to stop the lunatic. Grant is determined to protect Kali and Shiloh at all costs.

This was a wonderful second installment! From the beginning to the end, Ms. Mayer takes the reader on a thrill ride. Until the end, the identity of the killer is a guessing game. The development of the story and the characters is great and the drama is top notch. I highly recommend this book if you a fan of thrillers, mystery and romance because this has it all!

New Review - The Ninth District by Douglas Dorow

2011-11-06T18:54:00.000-06:00

The Ninth District by Douglas Dorow is an outstanding crime thriller. Starting with the main character, FBI Special Agent Jack Miller, we are treated to a cast of well-developed and real-life characters. Agent Miller is a star in the FBI, chosen to mentor a new agent with a high-profile case. Jack's personal life, on the other hand, is unraveling. His wife, tired of taking the backseat to his job, has decided to leave with the kids. Jack wants nothing more than to solve this case quickly and convince his wife to come home. The "Governor", as the criminal is known in the press, is cunning and ruthless. He has no qualms about doing whatever it takes to achieve his goals, even if that means eliminating the agents who are hot on his trail. He is a worthy adversary for the seasoned agent and provides so much depth to the story.

Dorow does an excellent job of drawing the reader into the world of both the agents and the criminal. As the reader, you can't help but want Jack's family reunited and for him to catch this criminal. All the characters, from the rookie Ross Fruen, the flirty news reporter and the "Geek Squad" Jack uses to deal with the techie issues, are well written and are integral parts of the story. Everyone was well developed and you never felt any character served as a "filler".

If you are a fan of procedurals and thrillers, this is definitely the book for you. My only issue with the novel is the ending was rather abrupt. Since there is going to be a second book, I'm excited to see what is going on in the world of FBI Special Agent Jack Miller and if the "Governor" is truly gone.

New Review and Author Interview - T. Lynne Tolles, Author of Deadman's Blood

2011-11-04T18:10:00.001-05:00

I was thrilled to see this book pick up where “Bloodstone Heart” left off. The characters were so engaging and it’s nice to see a continuation of their saga. Josh has been accepted by the family and every thing seems to be going so well for the Larsens after all the turmoil when Dominic finds a mysterious prophesy. Soon things are going horribly wrong with the death of Josh’s adoptive parents, Bernard suddenly missing and so many other calamities. Time is running out to find out who the Dark Angel is before it’s too late.

This book does a wonderful job of not only merging the other stories into the final saga but also being new excitement to the “Blood” series. This was truly enjoyable story full of twists and turns but also full of love and romance as well as betrayal. Ms. Tolles has done an excellent job in crafting a wonderful paranormal tale. Deadman’s Blood serves as a great and fitting end to a great series! I do look forward to more from this dynamic author!

As always, Release Notes is thrilled to have a few words from the author. This is the 2nd interview with T. Lynne Tolles and her words are still as insightful as ever. If you are interested in the earlier interview for Bloodstone Heart, just click here. But for now, here is the latest from Ms. Tolles:

What interested you most about writing?

The same thing that makes reading intriguing…losing yourself inside another world. The only difference is that I writing it, not reading it.

Tell us a little about your main characters.

How did you come up with the storyline for Deadman’s Blood?

The storyline had been brewing in my head for a few books. I often get ideas for the next book from the previous books.

In Deadman’s Blood, all of the friends and family we’ve met along the way (through the series) are here to help the Larsen’s. Darby and Devon are still pretty prominent, but Josh, Anton and Dominic play huge roles in the last book. Can’t tell you why, you’ll just have to read it!

Who is your favorite character in your story? Why?

I really like them all for different reasons.

Do you like happy endings or open endings?

I guess I like both. My books always have a happy ending and they always wrap up the particulars of the story line for that book, but I do like to leave it with a cliff hanger.

Tell us a random fact about yourself.

I love scallops but am allergic to them.

Do you have any hobbies?

Sewing, Knitting, Cross Stitch and computer games.

Are there any projects you working on?

Just started a new book for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) based on a witch and a hellhound pup she finds and raises.

Where can readers purchase your book?

Pretty much anywhere. Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, All Romance, etc.

Where can readers connect with you on the web?

I’m always on the computer but I go to facebook several times a day, and I can always be reached through my website (http://tlynnetolles.netfirms.com)

In His Own Words- Guest Interview - John W. Mefford - Author of "Committed"

2011-10-31T20:02:00.000-05:00

Release Notes is glad to have author John W. Mefford as it's featured interview. Mefford is the author of the new release Committed, an exciting thriller. Without further ado, here is John W. Mefford in his own words.

When did you first realize you wanted to be an author?

My desire to write novels has hit me in waves through the years. It would creep up and stand on my shoulder and shout into my ear, “You can write compelling stories. You must write!” A couple of times I took a few minor steps, but self-doubt would inevitably knock it off my shoulder. Or my type A personality of performing fifty tasks at once would wear down my creative edge. I finally listened to my inner voice about two years ago. I locked myself away from every responsibility possible and focused on creating my writer’s mindset. Then, I started pouring out my thoughts. Fifteen pages into the story, I knew I could do it.

On average, how long does it take you to write a book?

This is my first! From the initial word until the final edit the creative process for Committed lasted about sixteen months. With future books I hope to complete the process in six months or so.

Where do you find writing inspiration?

Every person, story, interaction, vision, song, movie, dream, and job I’ve experienced. Depending on the scene, I might draw upon a similar emotion I felt at some point in my life. Or I might recall something I witnessed or even heard about second hand. Probably like many authors, I’ve been able to put myself in another person’s mind to see and feel the world through their eyes.

When did you write your first book and how old were you?

I think I wrote my first fiction book in the first or second grade. I can’t recall the title, but it involved a stork who was lost. I guess you could also say I was “self-published.” I remember drawing the cover art and piecing together the pages into a bound book. I was one proud boy.

What do you think makes a good story?

I think it’s more interesting to think about how a story is told. I could tell you two different stories: One is about a terrorist bomb-maker who meets and falls in love with a Jewish girl and must decide if he’s going to follow through on his assigned mission to blow up himself and the market his girlfriend’s parents own. The second story is about a black bird landing on the same mailbox every day when a young boy goes out to get the mail. The first story certainly sounds more compelling, more suspenseful. But it all depends on how it’s presented, how it draws in the readers, how it evokes emotion, and how it concludes.

Does your family (and/or close friends) know that you write and are a published author? If so, are they supportive of your efforts?

I came out of the closest in steps. I wrote my first manuscript with my wife being the only person in the know. Then, I shared it with others. After deciding to go the self-publishing path, I first completed a mammoth amount of research, had my cover art created, and picked a target release date before I shared the big news. My wife has been my number one supporter from day one. But as I’ve taken each step more and more people have encouraged me. Lately the support has been phenomenal. I’m very appreciative.

Is there a main genre that you would like to write for?

I have a number of story concepts that traverse outside of my current genre. One that stands out is a series of kids mystery books targeted at ages 8-12. On the way to school my youngest son begs me to tell him stories. Over the years, I’ve developed central characters and plots that take place in various locations. I’m curious to see if I could turn that concept into a long-running series. I think I could write about twenty of them.

Are there any other types of fiction/literature that you enjoy reading?

As much as I love fiction, in particular mystery / suspense / thrillers, I’m a sucker for a well-written memoir of someone I’ve long followed and admired. It’s shocking to admit, I realize.

How important is reader feedback, good or bad, to you?

I think an important skill for writers of all types is being able to weed out the extreme views and find that thread of constructive feedback. If you can treat the comments like those received in a focus group, it should help you further connect with your target audience.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

I enjoy a good workout. It allows me to not feel guilty when I’m sitting on the couch watching my teams play baseball, basketball, football, soccer, etc…Outside of playing with the kids at the park, I have to live vicariously through the athletes I watch now. My joints just can’t take the pounding. I coach my youngest son’s soccer team. My wife and I love going to the movies, and we love to travel – although we rarely get a chance to do it. But when we do, nothing beats reading a great novel while on the road.

What advice, if any, do you have for aspiring authors?

I think it’s difficult for anyone starting a new endeavor to determine if they should put their head down and forge ahead or solicit feedback from anyone who offers it. A lot depends on the writer’s personality. Trying to adjust your concept or narrative based upon Uncle Joe’s opinion might take you down a trail you’ll never escape. So, part of the journey of becoming an author is learning the most productive way you work as a writer. And don’t look at this as a single decision. Life evolves. We (hopefully) learn and grow. Book to book, you can alter how you work and from whom to solicit feedback. But, mainly, set your expectations so you can succeed. Look for opportunities to build your confidence and over time your wings will sprout and take you to places you never imagined.

New Review - Committed by John W. Mefford

2011-10-31T19:55:00.000-05:00

Committed is an exciting new novel from John W. Mefford. Using the world of corporate takeovers as a background for murder and deception, Mefford does a wonderful job of opening an inside view of the business world's more seedy side and the steps people will take to achieve power.

The main character is Michael Doyle, an emotionally stunted man who has chosen to keep his feelings to himself. He is emotionally distant from everyone, even his live-in girlfriend, Marisa. They have a loving relationship but Michael's reluctance to commit colors his entire life. Even the impending sale of the company he works for doesn't really crack his shell.

Everything changes when Michael literally stumbles over a body in a dark alley. They soon discover it's Tiffany, a temp that had been working for the company. Even though Michael didn't really care for her, he feels compelled to find out the real reason why Tiffany was killed. What he soon uncovers blows the lid off of corporate deception and greed. It also threatens his life and the life of the woman he loves.

This story is so very engaging from the start. The reader doesn't have a hard time understanding why Michael is so guarded but it is refreshing to see him come out of his shell as events continue to snowball into the rocking climax. This is truly a modern thriller, in today's climate of corporate takeovers and companies taking everything from employees, it's interesting to see the process from the insider's point of view. This story also contains so many interesting characters that complement Michael. Everyone of them stands on their own yet help move the story.

I really did enjoy this and finished it in two days! I would highly recommend it for fans of thrillers along the lines of John Grisham.

To find out more information about the author:

website: http://www.johnwmefford.com

If you are interested in purchasing this amazing novel:

Amazon (US): http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0060LL4IA
Amazon (UK): https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0060LL4IA
B&N.com: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/books/e/2940013250741

Bestseller For A Day - All Hallow's Eve by Cristyn West - New Review

2011-10-28T07:00:00.000-05:00

All Hallow's Eve by Cristyn West is the Indie Book Collective's Bestseller for a Day. Release Notes is thrilled to have had a chance to read this wonderful thriller and share the love! For today, this great book and several others are only 99 CENTS! If you enjoy horror, thriller and a good detective story,

this novel has it all!

All Hallow's Eve starts out in the days leading up to Halloween. There's a serial killer on the loose and Detective Paxton Prover and his partner Ruth Motte is out to stop him before he can strike again. Once they realize, the killer's master plan, it's a race against the clock to try and save as many innocent lives as they can.

This story reels you in from the first page. Ms. West has a gift for writing a very engaging story and realistically flawed characters. Paxton has family issues and uses avoidance as his method to deal with them. Ruth has her own issues as a suddenly single mother with a teen aged son. The tension between them is both stress and a strong attraction that neither is willing to act on.

This book contained one surprise after another and the killer was truly creative in reasoning for his choice of victims and the methods he used to kill them. Ms. West truly leads you on a chase to figure out who the killer is but I really think you'd be as surprised as I was when the killer is finally unmasked!

This book was a delight to read and so timely for Halloween! You might want to keep the lights on after you finish it!

Release Notes is proud to feature bestselling author Cristyn West as the Indie Book Collective's Bestseller for a Day!

Bestseller For A Day October 28, 2011. Featured Book- All Hallow's Eve By Cristyn West #IBC

2011-10-23T12:46:00.001-05:00

All Hallow’s Eve: The One Night it’s Bad... to be Good

People are being martyred but not for their faith. Instead the deaths are part of a serial killer’s sick game as he chooses his victim by their name… then kills them in that Saint’s grisly manner.

Buy to Win!!! Enter to win a Kindle!!!

That’s right!

By helping us drive “All Hallow's Eve” to the top of the Kindle Lists on October 26th, YOU can win!

Because Cristyn is giving away a brand new Kindle!

Simply purchase “All Hallow's Eve” on October 26, then head back to the Bestseller For A Day Website and fill out the entry form (located at the top of the right hand column).

You will only need to enter your email address and the first five numbers from your Amazon purchase confirmation code.

And tah-dah! You just gained 5 entries to win a Kindle!

For more info visit: http://www.bestsellerforaday.com/

But Wait!!!

There are more books for just 99 cents!!

To celebrate All Hallow's Eve, these authors are lowering the price of their books to 99 cents!

Fierce Dawn by Amber Scott

The Evil Within - An Horror Anthology

Widowmaker by Cristyn West and Elena Gray

Make sure you check out these fantastic reads and grab them for the great price of 99 cents!

In Max's Own Words- Interview with Maxwell Cynn, Author of The Collective

2011-10-22T07:00:00.004-05:00

Release Notes is thrilled and honored to have Maxwell Cynn, author of The Collective visiting today.

Maxwell Cynn is a novelist, freelance writer, amateur coder, webmaster, and Indie publisher who writes deliciously romantic speculative fiction and blogs book reviews on a wide range of genres. His website, with links to all of his social media connections, can be found at MaxwellCynn.com. I hope you'll enjoy!

In Max's own words:

I'm a pragmatic dreamer, a poet, a philosopher, and a construction worker. I enjoy fine art, literature, and classical music as well as Monty Python, dime novels, and hard rock. I prefer cheap beer to fine wine and a good play to professional sports. My interests include theoretical physics, classical history, technology, science fiction, psychology, philosophy, mythology, and the paranormal. I tend to be shy, but I love people. So look me up on your favorite social network, leave a comment on my blog, or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you.

When did you first realize you wanted to be an author?

I dreamed of being a famous author in high school, and later in my 20's I played at writing a few fan fiction stories, but it was in my mid 40's that I decided writing is what I wanted to do and started seriously pursuing publication.

On average, how long does it take you to write a book?

Writing is easy. I can type out a novel in 4-6 weeks when my muse is cooperating. Then there is editing, revisions, polish... So I'd say 4-6 months before it is ready for beta readers and advance reviews and a couple of months after that before it is ready for readers. It's easy to spend a year from concept to publish.

Where do you find writing inspiration?

In everyday life. I write speculative fiction which is simply saying, What if? What if a sexy desktop assistant program became sentient? CybrGrrl. What if a computer virus was designed to infect the user's mind? The Collective. I have a devious and over-active imagination, so I'm always thinking, what if?

When did you write your first book and how old were you?

My first attempt at a novel was a Star Trek fan fiction, but we'll skip over that. I was 45 when I wrote CybrGrrl and published it at 47. I have three other novels ready to publish: The Collective which releases Oct 22, .45 Caliber Jitterbug releasing in December, and La Belle Mort releasing in 2012.

What do you think makes a good story?

Good characters and character interactions. A great plot falls dead at the feet of poorly developed characters.

Does your family (and/or close friends) know that you write and are a published author? If so, are they supportive of your efforts?

My family and friends know and are supportive in a limited sense. Some of them are not avid readers and few have made the jump into eBooks. Being 50, a lot of my friends and family are not what you would call tech savvy and still have trouble with the internet - yes those people are still out there. I think they would be more excited and supportive if they had hard copies of my books.

Is there another sub-genre aside from your primary sub-genre that you would like to write for and why?

Speculative fiction is a wide genre and allows me great latitude in what I write. I've stayed mainly in SciFi and Tech, but I've also ventured into Historic Mystery and Paranormal. But everything has a romantic element because I'm a romantic at heart. I also dabble in non-fiction and would love to write for a local paper.

Is there a main genre that you would like to write for?

As I said above, journalism has a huge draw to me. .45 Caliber Jitterbug is a classic Cozy Mystery set in the late 1920's during Prohibition. The main character is a reporter for the local newspaper. It was my chance to write like an old style journalist (think Hemingway). I loved it. But it is my only novel in that style or genre.

Are there any other types of fiction/literature that you enjoy reading?

I'm an avid reader and read almost everything. If there isn't romance involved I tend to loose interest unless it's non-fiction, but I love fantasy, sci-fi, contemporary, historical, suspense, you name it.

How important is reader feedback, good or bad, to you?

Bad feedback is more important than good. Someone saying they like my work is encouraging, but not constructive. When someone tells me things that aren't working I can make it better and grow as a writer. But any feedback from readers is highly important. I write for readers, so their opinion is everything.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

Read. Seriously. I love reading. There is nothing better than curling up with a cup of coffee and a good book on my Kindle, except writing a good book myself.

What advice, if any, do you have for aspiring authors?

First, read and read some more. But read like a writer. Look at style, plotting, voice, characterization, everything. Then find your voice. Don't try to copy what you've read, but use the tools you learn from reading. Next, edit. I spend more time editing, revising, and polishing than I do writing. Find honest crit partners - not ones that tell you how awesome you are, or ones who tell you how much you suck, but ones who are honest enough to tell you either when appropriate.

One note about crit groups: Some writers (Hemingway, Stephen King) believe crit groups are not only a waste of time, but destructive. Others live by their crit partners. Crit groups are what you make of them and only as good as the members. I've known people who praise everything and others who trash everything (except their own of course).

You must take all of the advice, critique, and edit suggestions as just that - suggestion. You are the writer. It is your manuscript, your story. Ultimately you decide its final state. Listening, and following every suggestion will result in a total mess and your voice will be completely lost in the cacophony of differing opinions. Nothing will ever appeal to every reader, and often opinions will contradict.

Write what you write. Write well structured prose without spelling or grammar mistakes, but write in your style - your voice. Don't let crit partners or popular books pull you away from your voice in an attempt to be "commercial." Readers can tell a false voice or a copycat and they won't read it. If I want to read Nora Roberts, I buy her books, not books by a Nora wanna-be.

Blog Tour - The Collective by Maxwell Cynn - New Review

2011-10-22T07:00:00.002-05:00

Imagine... You have a virus on your computer. It's tracking everything you do and sending that information to the Collective. It can't be detected by any virus scan or blocked by any firewall. If you have a microphone, they are listening. If you have a webcam, they are watching you. But they aren't just watching. Flashes of light from your monitor are communicating with your subconscious. You are being brainwashed.

Dr. John Peterson discovers the virus and embarks on a mind altering search for the origins of the infection driving his patients mad. He discovers the Collective, and they discover him. A battle rages between the Nemesis virus and the ArchAngel network with the fate of mankind in the balance. Will man succumb to Nemesis and become drones of the Collective or rise as billions of individual archangels to light the world with freedom? One man, one woman, and a network of hackers hold the key.

This novel has it all! Intrigue, suspense, romance and science fiction! Maxwell Cynn takes advantage of something we use every day - computers and the web- and turned it into a bone-chilling tale of government secrets and the lengths they will go to in order to protect them. The idea that this could really happen is what makes the story so mind-blowing!

Dr John Peterson is a wonderful character, an every day, not so tech-savvy guy who realizes something is going on with a patient and it could be connected to the Internet. What he discovers is so shocking that he is willing to risk everything to stop it. Joined by an intrepid band of secretive hackers, Dr. Peterson races to stop the Collective before it's too late for us all.

This story really makes you wonder about what type of controls are lurking out their on the web. With privacy concerns at an all time high, Maxwell came with this story at the right time. It's a very realistic tale of "what if?" and the twists and turns it provides guarantee non-stop reading and complete enjoyment. It'll also make you wonder what's really going on behind your computer screen...

Blog Tour De Force - Masquerade - Day 4

2011-10-20T07:24:00.000-05:00

Thank you for sticking around our Masquerade Party. It’s been an adventure hasn’t it? Have you guessed the last 6 others correctly? If you have, #ssh , don’t tell. The big reveal is coming soon.

But first we have 6 more Masquerade-ers. Six more blogs filled with goodies plus the BIG REVEAL.

Which author will have the most correct guesses? Who doesn’t know how to hide? You know, the one that’s always found first during Hide & Seek?

Thanks for all the love you’ve been giving us on Twitter and Facebook, and Blog love…we’re overwhelmed with joy! We can’t thank you enough.

Now on to the good stuff…Today’s featured blogs.

Elena Gray: The Widowmaker http://elenagray.com/

Jeremey Rodden: Toonopolis http://www.toonopolis.com/

Remember, each commenter gets a #FREE copy of the author’s book AND entry into their special give-away. That’s 12 free books!

On top of that, each commenter will be placed in the Blog Tour de Force’s KINDLE giveaway! It’s doesn’t get much more awesome than that.

Stay tuned for more authors, stops and free ebooks tomorrow!

The IBC Blog is "home base" so if you get caught up in the fun and lose direction, just head there where all the authors and stops are listed each day.

Blog Tour De Force - Masquerade - Day Three

2011-10-19T07:29:00.000-05:00

Are you ready for another round of Hide & Seek? You should be a pro at this by now. Let’s check. What day is this?

If you said, Day 3 of Masquerade, you’re pretty sharp.

We're at the halfway mark and this party is still going strong!

Please continue to Tweet, Blog, and post about our game. And remember to wave your Masquerade flag proudly...or pretend you have a flad.

If you're tardy to this party, no worries. We have four authors still hiding. They were having so much fun that they just forgot to leave. #oops

Today, we have 2 more authors who are pretty fabulous. That wasn’t a hint by the way.

Augusto Pinaud: The Writer http://augustopinaud.com/

Ann Charles: Dance of the Winnebagos: http://anncharles.com/deadwood

Keep the guesses and comments coming! Remember, each commenter gets a #FREE copy of the author’s book AND entry into their special give-away.

And don't forget that there is also a Kindle up for grabs for one lucky commenter! After all you need somewhere to store all your free ebooks!

Stay tuned for more authors, stops and free ebooks tomorrow!

The IBC Blog is "home base" so if you get caught up in the fun and lose direction, just head there where all the authors and stops are listed each day.

Day One - Blog Tour De Force Masquerade!!

2011-10-17T07:31:00.000-05:00

THE BLOG TOUR DE FORCE Masquerade IS HERE!!!

Hold on to your costumes, scaredy cats, because the long awaited--much anticipated--Blog Tour de Force "Masquerade" starts TODAY!

Welcome to Day 1 of a SIX day broujaja of spooky fun where you get to guess who is disguised as who and along the way steal over 12 FREE ebooks.

We're talking bestsellers, award winners, and sleep with the lights on titles that will put you right in the mood for scare season.

#mwahahahaha

Plus every commenter gets a chance to win a brand, new KINDLE to read them on.

Plus every author has a thrilling prize to give away.

Plus, IF you guess correctly (to be revealed Monday October 24th) you get extra entries towards that KINDLE, not to mention all important "I told you so" bragging rights.

Don't forget to peek at each author's sponsor sites, too, for screams and extras. See what kind of reads you're getting and what book reviewers thought of them, too.

These 12 authors are in disguise...as each other!

Vicki Keiri--"Gifts of The Blood"

Augusto Pinaud--"The Writer"

Rachel Thompson--"The Evil Within" horror anthology

Maxwell Cynn--"The Collective"

Belinda Boring--"Cherished"

Jackie Chanel--"Change of Heart"

M. Todd Gallowglas--"First Chosen"

Elena Gray--"Widowmaker"

Amber Scott--"Soul Search"

Jeremy Rodden--"Toonopolis"

Lacey Weatherford--"The Demon Kiss"

Ann Charles--"Dance of the Winnebagos"

Who's under each mask? We're not telling, but each post will contain a hint or two. The fun starts off today at Amber Scott's then continues at Maxwell Cynn's.

Don't miss a single day of FREE! Go to http://blogtourdeforce.com/ to sign up for the newsletter and get a love note in your inbox each morning of a tour date.

Let the unmasking BEGIN!

Bloodstone Heart - Author Interview With T. Lynne Tolles

2011-10-16T15:56:00.000-05:00

Release Notes is thrilled to have CBLS featured author T. Lynne Tolles as guest author interview. I found her words to be interesting and inspiring! I hope you enjoy!

RN: When did you first realize you wanted to be an author?

TLT: I’m not sure. It certainly wasn’t my goal in life. I was actually trying to make a point with my teenager and it all kind of fell into place.

RN: On average, how long does it take you to write a book?

TLT: I would guesstimate somewhere between three to six months.

RN: Where do you find writing inspiration?

TLT: Everywhere, but if you want to get specific, most of my writing seems to happen in that pre-dream state just before I fall asleep. I work out most of my plots and problem areas in this state. I guess it is when my mind is the most open to ideas and doesn’t have the stress of life ruling it.

RN: When did you write your first book and how old were you?

TLT: I didn’t enjoy writing in school. I guess I didn’t like being told what I had to write about even if it was very general. It wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I even had an inkling of stepping up to the task.

RN: What do you think makes a good story?

TLT: Real People…I like to think that if you make your characters as real as possible with feasible conversations and plausible reactions, than the characters can carry the story. Using life experiences in your writing helps you to connect to your readers. A great story helps too, but if you can’t connect with the characters in the book than you’re probably not going to like any story that involves them.

RN: Does your family (and/or close friends) know that you write and are a published author of romance fiction? If so, are they supportive of your efforts?

TLT: Yes. My mom and step-mom are beta readers and have no problem telling me what I could improve on. My daughter has read some of the series, so yes all in all everyone has been very supportive

RN: Is there another sub-genre aside from your primary sub-genre that you would like to write for and why?

TLT: No, at least not at the moment, of course, that may change in the future, but for now I’m very happy in the genre I’m in.

RN: Is there a main genre besides romance that you would like to write for?

TLT: If I were to ever venture out of the Young Adult genre, I suppose it would still be paranormal romance, just a little spicier. (giggles) As it is I get embarrassed writing the love scenes even with them as tame as they are. That would be a pretty big leap for me.

RN: Aside from romance, are there any other types of fiction/literature that you enjoy reading?

TLT: Classics I suppose…Dickens, the Bronte sisters, Jane Austin, etc.

RN: How important is reader feedback, good or bad, to you?

TLT: It’s all good. I try to look at everything as a whole and that it is all a learning experience. I’d be insane to think that no one would hate my books, after all the world is filled with different personalities and we all don’t like the same things. Think how boring the world would be if we all like the same things. I love getting letters from people and try to take their questions as a priority. As for reviews…well I think they are important, but I try not to take them too personally.

RN: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

TLT: Love jigsaw puzzles, computer games, knitting, sewing and napping. (Yes napping – it’s my favorite past time)

RN: What advice, if any, do you have for aspiring authors?

TLT: Hold fast to your dream and it will take you where you need to go. It may not take you in the direction you think it will but you’ll never know unless you try.