From A Dead Sleep Tour

Publisher: BQB Publishing  (June 25, 2013)
Category: Thriller/Suspense
Tour Date: June 24th-July 19th
Available in: eBook,  398 pages

Few residents in the small, secluded mountain town of Winston, Colorado, have kind words to say about Sean Coleman. He’s a bully, a drunk, and a crime‐show–addicted, armchair detective with an overactive imagination. After a night of poor judgment, Sean finds himself the sole witness to the unusual suicide of a mysterious stranger.

With the body whisked away in the chilling rapids of a raging river, no one believes Sean’s account. Tormented over the doubts and mockery of the people of Winston, Sean embarks on a far‐reaching crusade that takes him across the country in search of the dead man’s identity and personal vindication. At the end, he hopes to find redemption and the truth—but sometimes the truth is better left unknown. There are times when the truth invites evil. There are times when the truth can get you killed.

“Some writers are thoughtful. Some have style. John Daly has both. When I read his work, it’s time well spent.” – Bernard Goldberg, New York Times bestselling author of ‘Bias‘.

Review

Wow this book will keep you on the edge of your seat.  The character is very well written and he not what you will expect.  The story takes twists and turns that you just simply won't see coming.

This is a very exciting mystery and you won't want to put it down.  And I must say again how much I liked the characters and how they develop along with the story.

John Daly's writing style is a refreshing one.  And I must say that when I finished reading this book I wanted to read more by this Author.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well written mystery, full of suspense and drama.  Grab this book before it is even released.  You won't be sorry!

Details/Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for my honest review from the Author.  This free book held no determination on my final review.

About John Daly:

A lifelong Coloradoan, John Daly graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in business administration and computer information systems. He spent the next fifteen years developing accounting software and Internet-based workflow collaboration solutions.

With a thirst for creative expression that went beyond the logic and absolutes of computer programming, John developed an interest in writing. His early work included newspaper editorials and film and television reviews for entertainment websites. He later became drawn toward more substantive commentary on world events. He currently writes political, cultural, and media analysis columns for the website of Bernard Goldberg, former CBSNews journalist and The New York Times bestselling author.

John felt compelled to take his writing to the next level after watching a television interview with former NFL football player, Tim Green. Inspired by Green’s career transition from a professional athlete to an accomplished author, John found the motivation to begin work on his first novel, From a Dead Sleep.

From a Dead Sleep is the story of a profoundly flawed man who witnesses a tragic event that no one else believes, and that man’s quest for the truth and redemption. The mystery novel unfolds in the dense mountain ranges of Colorado where John has spent much time camping, hiking, and enjoying the outdoors.

John lives in Greeley, Colorado, with his wife and two children. You can visit John’s website at johndalybooks.com or fromadeadsleep.com.

John on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnDalyAuthor
John on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JohnDalyBooks

Pre-order From a Dead Sleep:

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
BQB Publishing

Giveaway is for one signed print copy, open to the U.S. 

If international, the winner will receive the ebook in pdf or epub.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Evan Elemental Blast

 Title: Evan Elemental

Series- Evan Elemental Book # 1

By-Crystal Groszek

Publication Date- May 3, 2013

Genre- Paranormal Fiction/Romance

Seventeen-year-old Evan O’Fion has it all: excellent grades, shining extracurriculars, and a loving family that wants nothing but the best for her. The problem is, something is missing. For as long as she can remember, there’s been a hole inside of her that she can’t quite fill, not with drugs, or drinking, or mosh pits. It’s a hole too deep to fix and it’s slowly consuming her.

Dancers and Divas Review

Today I have something extra special for you.  I have my review of Passion and Pain by Kathy Petrakis.  Now I must warn you, that the review will take time to load. It IS graphic intense!  But I felt it was the best way to express how I felt for this book!  So give it time to load and ENJOY!!!!  If you love the Performing Arts as much as I do, I'm sure you will enjoy my take on this fabulous book!

First here is the Book Information!

Contains mature content - recommended for ages 15+ 

Does passion and desire guarantee success? Can friends really be trusted? Can true love be found beneath lust and deceit? 

These are questions tenacious street dancer Elena Martinez faces as she struggles to compete against the most talented students at New York’s top Performing Arts High School. Along with her best friend, the carefree and mischievous Sebastien Duval, they are determined to make center stage. 

But the singing diva Letitia has other plans. Beautiful, talented and popular, her desire for revenge could ruin everything for Elena and Sebastien. Now, they must fight against prejudice, treachery and deceit as Letitia sets out to destroy Elena’s friendships, her romance, her dignity and her dreams. Can Elena win the battle for true love, happiness and success?

Buy Link

Passion and Pain (Dancers and Divas)

Continue on for my Review: remember to allow time for it to load!

Rowan Tour and Review

Rowan (Blood Crave #2) 

by Christina Channelle

Genre: Young-adult fiction

Published: April 26 2013

Publisher: Christina Channelle

Print Length: 305 pages 

Rowan is Book 2 in the Blood Crave Series.

Other Books in the Blood Crave Series: 

Dahlia (#1)

Fallen Tears (#1.5)

Dark. Night. Death.

Things Rowan has been trying to avoid for the many years since she was first turned. Her choice: to sleep away the darkness; it beats having to deal with the craziness of life. Or rather, death. However soon after awakening, she stumbles upon a lone figure whose presence is shrouded with mystery.

She assists him in his search for answers making it even more difficult for Rowan to forget her past. She realizes she can’t hide forever as she is literally being sucked back into her chaotic world: a world where both fallen angels and vampires exist, manifested on earth as lapsus and lamia.

Not particularly … friendly with one another.

Rowan struggles to resist her hunger as a demon vampire while dealing with unwanted desires for a fallen angel from the past: a relationship that could only spell trouble. Not to mention the unresolved feelings she still has for a loved one from long ago. While all of this is happening, they must all seek the hidden evil that hunts them—for there’s an ancient fighting to wake up and destroy everything Rowan holds dear.

Rowan (Blood Crave Series)

Love, Exactly Release Day Event!

Title- Love, Exactly

By-Cassandra Giovanni

Genre-New Adult

Publication Date-June 20, 2013

Blurb-

Emma Walker was a writer who'd lost herself to someone else's anger--who had given up on ever feeling like herself again.

Evan Levesque was a rock-god--the one all the woman wanted, but he'd never gotten used to the loneliness between the stage and real life.

With just one cup of coffee they'll begin a journey of self-discovery at each others sides, but can Emma handle Evan's fame while dealing with her own demons? Emma's checkered personal past, a bad relationship that haunts the edges of her memories, threatens to make everything implode on them when Evan takes matters into his own hands.

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but your words...they'll destroy my soul--Can Emma handle being put back together and facing who she's become because of it?

Links-

Goodreads

About the Author-

Cassandra doesn't remember a time when she wasn't writing. In fact, the first time she was published was when she was seven years old and won a contest to be published in an American Girl Doll novel. Since than Cassandra has written more novels than she can count and put just as many in the circular bin. Her personal goal with her writing is to show the reader the character's stories through their dialogue and actions instead of just telling the reader what is happening. In 2012 she became a published Young Adult author, releasing In Between Seasons (The Fall, #1) and Walking in the Shadows. In 2013 she branched out by using her artistic illustrating talents to publish her first Children's novel, The Adventures of Skippy Von Flippy: Tales of Friendship (Skippy Tales, #1). Cassandra will also release her first New Adult novel, Love, Exactly , in the Spring of 2013.

Cassandra is a freelance professional photographer known for her automotive, nature and architectural shots. She is the owner of Gio Design Studios, a photography and publication marketing company that designs covers and marketing materials for authors utilizing the company's photography. She is currently studying to receive her associates degree in Marketing. Cassandra is happily married to the man of her dreams and they live in the rolling hills of New England with the other loves of her life their dogs, Bubski and Kanga.

Links-

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6094287.Cassandra_Giovanni

Website- http://www.cgiovanni.com

Blog- http://cgiovanniwrites.wordpress.com/

Facebook Event for Release Day Event- https://www.facebook.com/events/117936041710168/

Facebook Event for Tour-  https://www.facebook.com/events/144033989123311/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Southern Haunts: Spirits That Walk Among Us Tour and Review

From the shadowed realms of the paranormal comes 16 chilling tales that dwell in the South and South West. Resurrected in your very hands are stories that will make you laugh, ponder, and shiver as the reader is introduced to spirits that are humorous, saddened, and vengeful. From 16 authors, learn of haunted homes, buildings, landmarks and roads where restless entities from beyond the grave desire acknowledgement amongst the living. Become acquainted with the aftermath of an eclipse that awakens the dead in a Memphis cemetery, see what horrors dwell in the woods at Hell's Gate, learn the dark secrets of Sidney's Cotton, and dare to travel down Ghost Road. These and many other tales are sure to keep you awake as you are introduced to what makes the South and South West so unique.... History and GHOSTS!!!!! So, sit back, dim the lights and prepare yourself to face the spirits that walk among us

Southern Haunts: Spirits That Walk Among Us

Review

What a fun little anthology.  I personally wouldn't consider this scary by any stretch of the imagination, however it was still fun to read all these wonderful authors.  The book begins with Ghosts and continues on with so many wonderful tales that it will keep you reading.  

It has wonderful short stories within these pages, and while some are more entertaining than others, it will keep you entertained.  As someone who loves to visit spooky old houses, and who has been to some of the most haunted places in the USA, I must say this has something for everyone.

If you are looking for a deep horror then this is not the book for you.  But if you are looking for some spooky stories that would even be suitable for the younger reader then this book is perfect.  I even read a few of these out loud to my 10 year old son.  He loved them, and no nightmares from them either.

Great little shorts in a bundle.  So go grab yourself a creepy book in plenty of time for Halloween!

Details/Disclaimer: I received this book for free for an honest review.  This free book held no determination on my final review.

Hearken Tour!

Today, I have something special for you. I have a brand new book by the AMAZING Kristen Day!  Yes I know her Daughters of the Sea was "supposed" to be a trilogy but that trilogy grew and we have a new book in the series!  Yes You read correctly it isn't a trilogy it IS a SERIES!!! So here is the cover and a bit about the newest book.  I've also given you links for the first three books, yes they are that good.  And my review of them to refresh your memories about what I thought of this series...  Now I have to wait patiently for this book to get into my hands.... Yeah I know Patience and I are NOT friends... Oh Kristen I need this book ASAP!!! :)

Title-Hearken

Series-

Daughters of the Sea Series # 4

By- Kristen Day

Expected Publication Date-September 17th, 2013

Blurb-

Sometimes our souls hear what our minds and hearts refuse to accept. It will whisper its continuous cadence until we're strong enough to glimpse the truth. When the soul's whispers morph into screams, we're forced to gaze into the mirrors of time and see ourselves for who we really are. Would you be able to handle what gazes back?

Links-

Hearken on Goodreads

Forsaken (Daughters of the Sea Trilogy #1) 

Awaken (Daughters of the Sea Trilogy #2) 

Chosen (Daughters of the Sea #3)

Writers Workshop of Science Fiction & Fantasy Review

Writers Workshop of Science Fiction and Fantasy is a collection of essays and interviews by and with many of the movers-and-shakers in the industry. Each contributor covers the specific element of craft he or she excels in. Expect to find varying perspectives and viewpoints, which is why you many find differing opinions on any particular subject.

This is, after all, a collection of advice from professional storytellers. And no two writers have made it to the stage via the same journey-each has made his or her own path to success. And that's one of the strengths of this book. The reader is afforded the luxury of discovering various approaches and then is allowed to choose what works best for him or her.

Featuring essays and interviews with:

Neil Gaiman

Orson Scott Card

Ursula K. Le Guin

Alan Dean Foster

James Gunn

Tim Powers

Harry Turtledove

Larry Niven

Joe Haldeman

Kevin J. Anderson

Elizabeth Bear

Jay Lake

Nancy Kress

George Zebrowski

Pamela Sargent

Mike Resnick

Ellen Datlow

James Patrick Kelly

Jo Fletcher

Stanley Schmidt

Gordon Van Gelder

Lou Anders

Peter Crowther

Ann VanderMeer

John Joseph Adams

Nick Mamatas

Lucy A. Snyder

Alethea Kontis

Nisi Shawl

Jude-Marie Green

Nayad A. Monroe

G. Cameron Fuller

Jackie Gamber

Amanda DeBord

Max Miller

Jason Sizemore

This edition also includes several full page illustrations from award-winning artists Matthew Perry and Bonnie Wasson.

Writers Workshop of Science Fiction and Fantasy

Review

This type of book is extremely hard to review.  First we have a number of authors contributing to the book.  Then add to that the type of book and it makes it very hard to give a review.  But I will do my best.

This book has several interviews from the authors listed above.  It gives some relatively clear cut thoughts on where they get their ideas from, or what the best way to build a world is.  

It is basically an advice book for want to be authors.  As an up and coming (hopefully soon) author I was really looking forward to reading this book.  Especially since the title said Fantasy and one of my novels is a fantasy.  But what I found is just opinions.  While this is helpful in some ways, it wasn't what I was expecting.  The tips the authors gave were general knowledge that I learned in my Creative Writing courses in College.

I will say this book was interesting and actually entertaining.  I will recommend this book to anyone who would like to know more about these authors or for that matter more about science fiction and fantasy genre writing.

Details/disclaimer:  I received this book in exchange for an honest opinion.  The free book held no determination on my final review.

The Writers Voice Special!

Tour Co-hosts:

Lady Amber’s Book Tours|
The Writers Voice Blog

The Writers Voice is a multi author blog where prominent authors from around the web come together and share their thoughts on all things literary or otherwise. Here is a peek at our team of authors!

Which came first for you

the characters, the idea for the setting,

or the plot?

“A side character almost always comes first, then the world and the main character.”
–Emma Michaels

“It’s been different for each book. For Becoming (the first book I wrote and then published), the idea for the characters came first. Amber is loosely based on a 17-year-old young woman I worked with when I served as a placement case manager for a nonprofit organization serving youth with mental illness and behavioral challenges. I wanted to feature a protagonist who dealt with multiple displacements and ultimately overcame that.”

–Raine Thomas

“The characters”
–Quinn Loftis

“This changes depending on the book. For my book Troy High, I knew the plot first—a modern day retelling of the Trojan War. I developed the characters as I wrote the book. For Surfacing and the rest of the Swans Landing series, I had the characters first—mermaid-like people who lived among humans on an isolated island. I figured out the plot and what was going on with these people as I wrote the story. For The Boyfriend Thief, I knew the plot first—a girl is paid to steal another girl’s boyfriend—and created the characters as I needed them while writing.”

–Shana Norris

“The thing that came first was the decision to write about something paranormal/supernatural in nature.”
–Tanya Contois

“… A tricky one; I'll go with the characters. But even though I think of them before I write about them, I don't put too much thought into them until I actually start writing about them. Then they come to life on their own. Actually, that's why I love to write; I feel like I'm being led by my characters, getting to know their personalities as I'm writing. Seeing them doing what their doing as they do it. Though of course there are times I'll say "Nah … that isn't working," and then I edit. :)”

–Victoria Simcox

“The Setting -The Characters - The plot.”
–Carlyle Labuschagne

“The culture actually came to me first for this book—the knife fighting. After that came Kit and Ryka, and then their worlds and how they collided.”

–Frankie Rose

“It changes, with The Soul Quest Trilogy I came up with the plot first, however, Wildflower inspired The Wildflower Series. The Soul Quest Trilogy evolved from a dream I had about a little boy (Hala) in a mirrored room of tragedy. Wildflower, the character, was conceived from an image of a girl with tattoos and the lyrics to Sheryl Crow’s song Wildflower.”
–Amy Maurer Jones

“Mostly, the plot.”

–Brenda Pandos

“The idea for the setting. Dehumanized started off as a simple thought, “A prison for werewolves.” From there I created the characters, their personalities and the such, and then the plot. I like to think of the setting first because it allows me to plan my characters accordingly, and once I have the characters set up I can work on the plot and what those characters do in the setting I’ve placed them in.”
–Michael Loring

“One character dictated a book to me. Pru has a strong hold on my brain and she insists The Legacy of Kilkenny series features strong women.”

–Devyn Dawson

Thank you for reading!

We hope you will join us soon at

The Writers Voice

http://OurBooksOurVoice.Blogspot.com