Tuesday, July 30, 2013

#ADivineLife~One Week to Go!







Join R.E. Hargrave and Renaissance Romance Publishing as we celebrate the release of book two of The Divine Trilogy with lots of games, teasers, prizes and fun! 

*Please note that this is an erotica series, 18 or older to participate based on US regulations.

time zones:
Pacific: 3-5 pm
Mountain: 4-6 pm
Central: 5-7 pm
Eastern: 6-8 pm
UK: 11 pm-1 am
AUS: 8-10 am (Wed, Aug 7)

Elizabeth M. Lawrence: Heat Wave BLOG TOUR


Please welcome Elizabeth M. Lawrence today. She is the author of Wishing Cotton, which is one of three novellas in the Beach Reads Volume 2 anthology: Heat Wave.


Blurb:

Throw a penny in a well, wish on a star, find a four-leaf clover . . . No matter which rituals people follow, none ever seem to work. But what if there were a way to make wishes come true? For best friends Olive Alexander and Blair Adams, a beach holiday provides the perfect opportunity to see if they can find the secret. Could fellow vacationer Peter Keyes hold the key to solving this puzzle?

Excerpt:

Pulling a piece of cotton candy from its cone, Olive rolled it around in her fingers, letting it get sticky and matted. She glowered down at the mess she was making without really seeing it and thought, “All I want is a man who will love me for who I am. Someone I can talk to and laugh with and be friends with. I just wish I could fall in love and know that it was real and true and forever. A man I can grow old with and go exploring with and just . . .”

“Hello.”

Olive jumped about half a foot. The unexpected greeting came from her left, where a man of about thirty sat grinning at her. She was certain he had not been there a minute ago. Even in her funk, she would have noticed the kind, dark brown eyes, expressive eyebrows, and generous lower lip that gave her some rather interesting ideas about potential nibbling. His hair looked almost as though he had been electrocuted, sticking up in all directions in a way that should have been a disaster, but he managed to pull it off somehow. It suited him.

She attempted to regain her composure, but her heart was still hammering in a rather determined manner. “Um . . . Hi.” Brilliant. Someone should give her the Pulitzer.

“So,” her new acquaintance continued in a smooth British accent, “are you having some sort of existential crisis, or are you just not a fan of funfairs in general? You looked quite cross when I sat down.”

“I suppose I did,” she agreed, not really wanting to tell this man that she’d been indulging in a bit of a pity party.



It's always a delight to hear from Ms. Lawrence, and today is no exception. I asked her to share three things with us that might surprise people. 
Here's what she had to say . . . 

        I’m not sure that there is anything genuinely surprising about me, but I’ll give it a shot. To be honest, I have a tendency to over-share that makes keeping things hidden rather difficult. One must also consider what sorts of things would be surprising: my writing life or my “real” life. Let’s see what I come up with.
Back when I knew nothing about the publishing world or the reality of a writer’s life, I used to envision published authors as boldly striding towers of self-confidence. To be fair, it’s difficult to picture Shakespeare or Tolstoy or Byron or whomever having fits of insecurity. But they must have done. Every writer I have spoken to has said the same thing. Seeing your words in print is exciting, of course, but it also feels like you have left the house in your unmentionables and not much else. It exposes you in a way that is unique to the creative world. Many people have been surprised that I experience this as well. Since I serve as lead editor for Renaissance Romance Publishing, there is an expectation of self-confidence that goes along with the job. Sure, I am confident when I’m slicing into someone else’s baby. My own stories, on the other hand… Even a cover reveal or an announcement of an upcoming release fills my soul with dread. There are moments when I want to take it back and tell the publisher I was just kidding. It’s pitiful. Still, I do manage to control those insecure impulses and carry on with my work. 
Another thing about me that might surprise people is that I am not an especially emotional person. Romance novels, by definition, deal with deep and often turbulent emotions, and the characters need to reveal their feelings through their words and actions. In real life, I am much more buttoned down. Both sides of my family shy away from emotional displays, so I suppose I just grew up in a less demonstrative environment. It seems strange to some people who know me in real life that a person like me would find romance an appealing genre, but it’s a mistake to equate lack of public expression with lack of comprehension. I do feel things very deeply, and I understand human emotion. All the same, it can be difficult to reconcile the real-life persona with the written word, and I think people who know me through my writing are surprised when they actually speak to me and find out I’m a much different person than the characters in my books.
I don’t know if this counts as “surprising,” but I have background knowledge in a very hodgepodge collection of subjects. Over the years, I have received at least rudimentary training in ballet, violin, piano, voice, drawing, Egyptian funereal art, theater, British literature, art history, business management, various areas of law, gothic architecture, Catholicism, Judaism, Methodism, Norse mythology, middle English verse, pottery, literary theory, American and British history, archeoastronomy, etymology, and Native American spirituality. All of this means that at any given moment, I may spit out a completely random fact on an obscure subject. My husband treats me like a walking Encyclopedia Britannica. To balance this out, I am completely useless at the most basic tasks like cooking, cleaning, and shopping. Friends have commented from time to time that I know more than they do, but I still envy all of them their ability to boil an egg without setting their homes on fire. 
So that’s it – the three most surprising things about me I can think of! Thank you for reading, and I hope you’ll also read and enjoy my story “Wishing Cotton,” which is being released July 23, 2013, as part of the Heat Wave anthology from Renaissance Romance Publishing.


About the Author:

Elizabeth M. Lawrence is the author of both contemporary and period romances. Each book incorporates its own unique blend of humor and reverence, the paranormal and the mundane, innocence and insanity. In addition to her novels, Elizabeth serves as Editor-in-Chief for Renaissance Romance Publishing. A lifelong writer and former paralegal, Elizabeth divides her free time between her husband and two sons, her three cats, her collection of cozy murder mysteries, her slight Doctor Who obsession, and her mildly severe caffeine addiction. A native of Lawrence, Kansas, Elizabeth now works from her home in Cleveland, Ohio.

Where to find Ms. Lawrence:


Elizabeth M. Lawrence Tour Schedule:

7/23: Promo/excerpt: Kim
7/24: Guest Posts: Nat Wood
7/25: Interview: Cait Jarrod
7/26: Promo/Excerpt: Jennifer Garcia
7/30: Guest Post: R. E. Hargrave
7/31: Guest Post: Mich
8/1: Review: Lorenz Font
8/2: Review: Rose Caceres
8/3: Review: The Hive
8/4: Guest Post: Matt Lutz






Friday, July 26, 2013

Tiny Teaser #ADivineLife

Jude Ouvrard: Heat Wave BLOG TOUR


Please welcome Jude Ouvrard today. She is the author of Under the Sun, which is one of three novellas in the Beach Reads Volume 2 anthology: Heat Wave.


Blurb:

Tracey Howard has put her life on hold for years to care for her grandmother. Now that her grandmother is gone, Tracey decides to spend summer at the beach and reflect on where she wants life to take her next. Jackson Phillips is her new neighbor, and he dazzles her from the first moment they meet. Will Jackson be able to show Tracey how to let go of old pain and embrace future happiness?

Excerpt:

It might have been my imagination, but when our eyes met, I felt something stirring inside me. I stared at her, wondering what had just happened, and I could still feel the tingling warmth on my skin. There was something between us, but I didn’t know quite what. Everything felt right, like we were supposed to be together.

Tracey looked away, breaking our connection. “Do you need help with anything?”

“Nope. Everything's ready.” Even though I could have stared at her all night, I didn’t want to ruin the evening. So I turned my attention to our dinner and got the bruschetta and the garlic bread on the table.

“Mmm, it looks delicious, chef.” Tracey laughed. She had quite the spirit, and unlike so many women, she didn’t appear to be complicated. When I placed the shrimp Alfredo linguini on the table, Tracey literally licked her lips. “I think I might join you for dinner every night. It smells so good.”

“I would love that,” I replied. “The company would be nice.”


Since this is Ms. Ouvrard's DEBUT PUBLICATION, I asked her if she'd share how she feels about the whole thing and if she faced any hurdles getting here. 
Here's what she had to say . . .

It feels GREAT. It is amazing. I don't think there is a word powerful enough to express how I truly feel. It is something that I've always wanted.  I've been counting the days since March 2013. I am not a patient person so yes. It feels absolutely wonderful to be a published author. I don't think I’ll be able to erase that smile on my face anytime soon.

 I’m happy and proud but I am also anxious to see the reactions from the readers. Will they like it or not? I know it's impossible to please everyone but I truly wish I could. I don't think I faced any hurdle with this novella. I honestly think I got lucky. It was my first time trying to get published and it worked. I wrote the story within two weeks, I sent it and they agreed to publish it. I still believe I’m dreaming sometimes. It's a good feeling. 

The only hurdle I can think of...The language. I know I keep repeating myself but English is only my second language and sometimes it is a struggle. I want my writing to be at the same level as any other English writers. This is something that I need to work on. If I look back a year ago, I’ve improved, I’ve learned and I will still be learning tomorrow. I think it's something I can be proud of.. 

I'm truly happy to have this amazing opportunity. I know there are a lot of writers out there. I'm going to keep writing and learn as much as I can. This is only my first book, I plan on publishing many more. I’m currently working on a new adult novel.


About the Author:

Jude lives in Montreal, Canada. She is the proud mother of a beautiful four year old son, and has spent the last twelve years with her partner, Cedric. French is her native language, but she prefers to write in her second language, English. Besides working full time for a title insurance company and being a mother, Jude has a passion for books, both reading and writing them.

Where to find Ms. Ouvrard:


Jude Ouvrard Tour Schedule:

7/23: Review: Rose Caceres
7/24: Promo/Excerpt: Cremona Cotovelea
7/25: Interview: Kim
7/26: Guest Post: Nat Wood
7/26: Guest Post: R. E. Hargrave
7/27: Promo/Excerpt: Jennifer Garcia
7/31: Promo/Excerpt: Martini Times Romance Book Reviews
7/31: Promo/Excerpt: Tbird London
7/31: Guest Post: Mich
8/1: Promo/Excerpt: Jody Joy
8/3: Guest Post: S.A. Jones
8/5: Promo/Excerpt: Brandy Dorsh









Thursday, July 25, 2013

Jane Reinhart: Heat Wave BLOG TOUR


Please welcome Jane Reinhart today. She is the author of Peeking Through Wooden Blinds, which is one of three novellas in the Beach Reads Volume 2 anthology: Heat Wave


Blurb:

Paige Henderson and Joey Novak are planning their wedding. But a devastating and mysterious phone call leads Paige onto a path of self-destruction and into the arms of the wrong man. Her ensuing marriage to Nick Bruska becomes a nightmare and she struggles to regain self-worth. Joey has never forgotten Paige. Will he ever see her again? Only then could they discover the terrible mistake that changed the course of their lives.

Excerpt:

 The invitation list included Bob and Maura, a couple who also grew up with Nick. While Paige was mingling with guests in the living room, Nick and Maura were in the basement playroom watching television. Bob walked downstairs to inform his wife it was time to go. All of a sudden, the irate husband came storming upstairs to confront Paige.

 "Do you know what your husband is doing?" Bob screamed.

 Paige was dazed and uncertain.

 "He is lying on the couch with my wife, and he has his arms wrapped around her!"

 While Paige was trying to create a suitable excuse for Nick's behavior, Maura ran upstairs to explain her innocence. After a brief scolding from her husband, she directed her comments to Paige.

 "Don't listen to Bob," Maura said. "He has a bad temper. You know Nick and I have been close for a long time, and he wasn't doing anything wrong."

 Bob and Maura left while the other guests were still trying to close their mouths.

 Paige knew Maura spoke the truth. Nick took all aspects of his personality to the limit, especially his affectionate nature, but she gave him an impending warning.

 "NIck," she started, "one day your over-friendless is going to get you into a lot of trouble."

 Nick agreed, but didn't absorb her warning.

 Insisting that it was "nice to be nice," the sociable husband assured his wife that he knew where to draw the line. For instance, Nick confessed that, once, when a young woman offered him her phone number after an evening of pinball challenge, he declined and told the girl he was married. With a gallant air, he shared the story now to prove his fidelity. Paige reminded him that if he spent hours cavorting with female competitors, he was already straddling the fence. Furthermore, she argued that women on the prowl always checked a man's hand to see if he was sporting a wedding ring. That was something Nick refused to do; explaining that, since he was a tradesman, wearing one presented the dangerous risk of getting the ring caught in machinery. He added that when he retired, he would wear the band of gold with pride.

 Trust regained its stronghold, and another obvious wave of the red flag was ignored.



Since Ms. Reinhart was coming by, I asked her to tell us what inspired Peeking Through Wooden Blinds. 
Here's what she had to say . . .


Everyone remembers their first love. Sigh. That impassioned experience is seared into our memory, and then we continue our quest to find that special someone who completes us.  I believe in the existence of soul mates. While emotions can betray our hearts and alter our intended destiny, is it possible that soul mates can transcend the normal scope of love and find each other in spite of insuperable odds and passage of time? I drew inspiration from the power of love and how it can affect our lives in so many ways.

In this story, the main character found her true love but relinquished him. The consequences of her unwise choices are explored when she finds herself in a destructive relationship. She is taken on an emotional journey where she uncovers truths about herself and others. Learning from her past mistakes, she is finally able to transform her weakness into strength in order to regain her self worth and emerge a survivor. 

There are times when we all struggle through unbearable situations, and I am always inspired by the fortitude of the human spirit to overcome difficult challenges. While Peeking Through Wooden Blinds is a touching love story, it is also a testament to enduring hope, courage, and the value of human dignity.


About the Author:

Jane Reinhart, author and poet, resides in Westchester County, New York, with her husband and three dogs. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and cooking. 

Where to find Ms. Reinhart:

Jane Reinhart Tour Schedule:

7/23: Promo/Excerpt: Stephenie Philipsen
7/24: Guest Post: Nat Wood
7/25: Guest Post: R. E. Hargrave
7/26: Promo/Excerpt: Tracy Riva
7/27: Review: Rose Caceres
7/28: Promo/Excerpt: Jennifer Garcia
7/29: Promo/Excerpt: S.A. Jones
7/31: guest Post: Mich
8/1: Review: Tbird London
8/1: Promo/Excerpt: Kim














Tuesday, July 23, 2013

BLOG TOUR: Ardor by Elena M. Reyes

Title: Ardor
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Erotica 
ON SALE NOW: Amazon

Blurb: 
Gregory Thomas has always had an easy life. When it came to his profession, he excelled, gaining himself the position of manager to one of the nation’s biggest wholesale retailers.  He was amazing at everything; except when it came to love. The night he found his ex-wife in bed with her gay best friend was the night he decided it wasn’t worth it. He was better off just focusing on his career, and nothing more.
He became content with just being. That is, until Jasmine Velez, his new employee, walked into his store.
Blunt, and honest to a fault, the woman captivates him against his will. Not only is she gorgeous, but she’s the first woman that doesn’t chase him around. Something that makes ignoring her that much harder. The last thing he wants to do is try to have a relationship with a woman again, and he knows that if he allows Jasmine in, that’s exactly what he’s going to go for.
Except, then he’s faced with the possibility of Jasmine being with someone else, and the choice is taken from him. He’s left with only one option: He needs to make her his. But that might prove harder than he originally expected.
How the hell does a man seduce a feisty woman who’s gotten tired of waiting for him and is hell bent on not giving into him?



Guess what? It's July 23 and that means my baby girl, Elena M. Reyes is taking her first step into the world of publishing with the release of her debut novella, Ardor. I had the great honor of being her preliminary editor and getting to watch her baby grow and develop in its early stages, so I'm just as excited as many of Reyes' fan fic readers are to see the final product. I'll be reviewing in the near future, but for today I nabbed up Reyes and invited her to my blog to launch her release. Of course, like all good mommas, I had to push her with a challenging guest post topic:  Discuss your experience with pull to publish. I know, "Groan," but this is your chance to take the floor and tell the readers WHY they should give your story a chance, rather than one-star it off the bat simply because of its roots. What have you done to take what was once a Twilight fan fiction one shot and make it YOURS?

Here is what she had to say (and I must admit it brought a proud tear to my eye) . . .

Better question here, I think, is when hasn’t it been mine?
This is a tough debate both in the fandom and out. I consider myself to be a part of the Twilight crowd, and I am not ashamed of where I started. Now, with that cleared up, let’s tackle the ill conceived notion some people have about those of us that pull to publish.
Please follow me on this if you will…you, are the writer.
With me so far? Good.
You spend countless hours sitting in front of your computer creating a world for others that enjoy your hobby as much as you do to read. They love it, they send you reviews asking for more and you do…you give them your soul, but still it isn’t enough. So when one story finishes you write another and another. Each completely different than the last and the characters complete opposites of the beloved vampires Stephenie Meyer wrote.
You see your evolution as a writer and have fans, readers, and other authors telling you, “This is good and you should publish,” and you say to yourself…why not? Then get bashed over it by people going around and spreading words like ‘Unethical’ and ‘Thieves.’ How would you feel to have your work attached to lies such as these?
That is something that we see everyday and it isn’t fair!
Yes, I will give you the fact that they began as Twilight fan fiction, but they were written by women, and some men, that had a plot form and drive them up a wall until they put it down and shared it with the world. Stephenie Meyer didn’t write it. My neighbor didn’t sit and cry in front of his computer while getting frustrated when things weren’t coming out right. So why claim us to be fake?
The truth of the matter is, that the moment we take out the names and mannerisms of the Twilight characters, these stories stand on their own two feet.  I have spent the last five months reworking a one shot that was six thousands words and converting it into a small novella that stands at twenty-five thousand. I have gone back through every line and removed anything remotely close to Twilight. In fact, about sixty percent of the original is no longer there – like so many of my friends have done- but I will still get flack over it. And, again, I ask why?
I have sat back and watched the threads online, seen the hatefulness that comes from some of the people who bash these authors and it saddens me. Is it really a trademark of Twilight that a woman has brown hair and brown eyes? Because I’m a brunette with light brown eyes and so is every woman in my family.
Is being a klutz forbidden, because let me tell you, I have tripped over nothing and bumped my elbows more times than I could count with invisible corners  that jump when they see my strolling by.
And like me, I am sure there are thousands of women that could fall into these categories. So why make it hard on someone just getting their foot in the door? Why not embrace another author coming through- make friends and show support. I have met some of the most remarkable women in the fandom I call home, and it’s because of them that I’m taking this giant leap of faith and putting my work out there.
Call me a fake, a thief, unethical… I don’t care because at the end of the day my head is held high and I know  with certainty that it was my fingers that bled over that key board and wrote what has my penname attached to it.



Excerpt:

I pushed her forward with a gentle hand, removing that luscious ass from dangerous territory.  We both needed a minute to cool down. 

Jasmine’s breathing was harsh, and her body trembled as she stood facing away from me. I could hear her faint mumbling while she attempted to right herself. 

Was she regretting this? 

A blush overtook her cheeks, and I almost pulled her back into my front. The color looked so beautiful on her sun kissed skin that I needed to see more.

“Turn around,” I commanded, but she stood as still as a statue, shaking her head from side to side.
Please don’t shut down on me, baby . . . please give yourself to me. 

“Turn around, Jasmine.” 

She jumped from the force of my tone and diligently complied. 

Good girl.

“I’m sorry, Mr. T.” she sputtered, and then continued to blush under my unwavering stare. “I don’t know what came over me . . . please . . . please, don’t fire me.”

“Oh, sweet Jasmine, I’m not going to fire you. We both reacted to our natural instincts. I believe it would be for the best if we put this incident behind us, and never speak of it again.” At that she looked disappointed.

Perfect.

“Um, sure, Sir,” my coquettish clerk whispered. “If that’s what you wish.”

“For now, it is.” Her eyes snapped up and searched mine. 

The following thirty minutes were spent participating in the dirtiest foreplay session I’d ever been subjected to.

Inside my office, Jasmine made a direct bee-line for the small leather couch I had against the wall and made herself at home. 

When the smell of the specialty blend coffee saturated the space she moaned out and declared, “Fuck, that’s the good shit,” in the most sinful tone I’d ever heard from her.

I growled at her, but that only served to entice her further. The little minx let her eyes roll to the back of her head, and then arched her back so that her breasts pushed against her red polo.  Jasmine’s nipples pebbled while my eyes devoured her breasts. They were encased in what looked to be a flimsy piece of lace, judging by the pattern that could be seen in the taut fabric.

My feet began to carry me over to where she sat; in my hands I held a tray of guava and cheese filled pastries. I wanted to watch her lick the sweet concoction from her fingers, lips, and if possible, off my cock.
“Jasmine,” I growled low, and she trembled. I knew my face was showing her just how sinister I could be . . . how nasty. I felt the sneer on my face. “Care for a pastry or something else to entice those soft, plump lips?”

“Jesus, please . . . yes,” she mewled.

Placing the tray beside her on the small couch, I crouched down to her level. My fingers reached out to place a stray piece of her black hair behind her ear, all while my eyes were devouring the lust and want her caramel eyes were throwing back at me.

Perfect.

“Jasmine, tell me . . . what do you want?”

Nothing. Not a sound came from her in response.

“Answer me, sweetheart, or this ends now.”

Still I was met with silence.

“Now!” I yelled.

Her pouty lips crashed onto mine before my brain could process another thought. Sweet, succulent, and soft; they were giving me what I needed by yielding to mine.






Author Bio: 
Elena M. Reyes was born and raised in Miami Florida. She is the epitome of a Floridian and if she could live in her beloved flip-flops, she would.
As a small child, she was always intrigued with all forms of art—whether it was dancing to island rhythms, or painting with any medium she could get her hands on. Her first taste of writing came to her during her fifth grade year when her class was prompted to participate in the D. A. R. E. Program and write an essay on what they’d learned.
Her passion for reading over the years has amassed her with hours of pleasure. It wasn't until she stumbled upon fanfiction that her thirst to write overtook her world. She now resides in Central Florida with her husband and son, spending all her down time letting her creativity flow and letting her characters grow.

Where to find Elena:

Congratulations 
and best wishes for success, Elena!







Sunday, July 21, 2013

Luna Sanguis by Simon OKill BLOG TOUR

LUNA SANGUIS TOUR photo Luna_Sanguis_TOURBUTTON-300_zpsd0aab2cc.png




Blurb:

Paris 1925. A young woman is nearing her Eternal Vampire state as her birthday approaches. She is held captive by the hybrid vampire she created and slowly drained of her pure blood to keep his addiction in check. She outwits him and escapes to a chateau in the hope of reaching maturity. But he follows her unmistakable scent and massacres all that dare protect his supply of Eternal blood.

She awakens in a tiny room trapped and defenceless with amnesia, but something deep in her subconscious yearns to be set free by the next full moon – the date of her Eternal Birthday.

Her true self, Eternal, emerges in brief flashes of awareness to protect her from the horrors of this terrifying prison. Desperate, she forges an alliance with her true love, a gorgeous young doctor treating her.  

But her nemesis is out there somewhere, relishing the hunt for her blood – and nothing will stop him from becoming Eternal. 



Excerpt:
The Vampire Sucklings:

Over the next few weeks Claudette had become insatiable for blood and sex, the two usually going together like strawberries and cream. Jacques couldn’t risk any more exsanguinations at the rampant hands of Claudette or he’d end up at the morgue. He showed her how to entice the wandering adventurers who clambered for action at the city’s roughest areas and spike their drinks with the voodoo white stolen from a Bokor who had the misfortune to cross Jacques’ path. When they had enough, both booked passage to Marseilles. Oh, one more thing, Jacques had named his voodoo white - Forbidden Kiss.


About the Author:

I live with my wife, Shirlee Anne and our cat, in a pretty coastal town in South Wales, UK. We both love Stephen King and had read many of his books and enjoyed their transition to the screen. Due to our love of books, my wife and I dabbled in writing for some years as a hobby. We were approached by a film company to write a paranormal TV series. We struggled most nights and all through weekends to come up with 22 episodes only for the company to go bust. Then after an accident at work, I was forced into early retirement due to disability. I used my newfound skills as a writer to help with my depression. We decided to use our TV series episodes as templates for film scripts and novels. My writing became more serious as certain A-list actors expressed interest in my scripts and my debut novel Nobody Loves a Bigfoot Like a Bigfoot Babe was accepted by Christopher Matthews Publishing after so many British publishers turned it down.

Bigfoot Episode 2 – it’s a secret!

Luna Aeturnus is the sequel to Luna Sanguis and will be ready for release this Autumn.

SS-steppenwolf is a supernatural retelling of WWII involving the Occult Warfare department run by Himmler. Think Indiana Jones searching for a werewolf.

Scripts: 

‘Flip Side’ is one of my most exciting screenplays to date with its unusual slant on a supernatural gangster story that encompasses music and dynamic dance sequences to portray the action. The script has been optioned by Tasha Bertram of Brodie Films and Stuart St Paul has come on board to direct and co produce this fascinating piece of work. 

‘Nightmare Circus’ is a supernatural revenge mystery script set in the Australian outback. 

‘Dark House’ is set in Massachusetts, US, where a lonely female artist must overcome her agoraphobia to escape from three kidnappers holed up in a house haunted by a witch finder’s hanging tree. 

‘Circus of Blood’ is a horror script set in Rome AD79 where two citizens go on a dangerous quest to kill a brutal serial killer. Their adventures end in Pompeii.

‘Hunter’s Moon’ is a contemporary supernatural western script set on Bodmin Moor, Cornwall.

'The Last Warlord' is set during WWII and tells of Major Stewart of MI6 who must find the Nazi’s secret Atlantis base in Antarctica or the entire world will be doomed.

Where to find Mr. Okill:

Facebook I Twitter I Amazon I Goodreads I The Phantom Bigfoot

Follow the Luna Languis Blog Tour HERE: 

Saturday, July 20, 2013

NEW RELEASE: Sharing Harper by V. Murphy


Available NOW at these locations:



Summary: 
A pain too hard to understand.

A struggle too deep to reach.

A love too complicated to work…but too intense to let go.

Harper Mae ran as far away as she could from her abusive past. She went to a different city and numbed her pain by using men, never sleeping with the same guy more than once.

Ryder worked at a coffee shop trying blend in with the rest of the world, desperately trying to live a normal life. After leaving a relationship and losing his family, he vowed never to fall in love again.

Until one day they are unexpectedly drawn to each other unable to let go.

Harper and Ryder’s turbulent relationship, two people who are struggling to find themselves, realize the answer lies within each other.

Secrets, so deep, that both have, end up surfacing causing irrevocable pain.

Will their love be strong enough to survive or will their pain be the downfall to their relationship?

Will Harper open up enough to share her past with Ryder or will he be just another number on her list?

About the Author:

Her name is V. Murphy and she loves everything about reading (some may call her a bibliophile). She is a current graduate from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and heading out west to live the California dream while pursuing her masters degree in school counseling at the University of San Diego. You can find her writing in a Panera, small coffeeshop or on campus. When she is not spending her time in school or reading, she loves to write, bake and shop.

Where to find Ms. Murphy:

Join the Sharing Harper Facebook event HERE




Friday, July 19, 2013

A Moment of Reflection: Protecting Your Children

Good morning all my loyal readers. Today I come to you, not with a post promoting one of my books, or another author's for that matter, but with a plea. I am letting you into my pain and suffering, so that hopefully, you'll never experience this.


Yes, I have a book releasing in about two weeks, and I should be all about the promo and build up; however, I'm having difficulty with that. You see, earlier this week I had the rug pulled out from under me when our we gathered at the table Monday evening for dinner, and my middle son mentioned getting up for a drink of water about two a.m. As he walked down the hall, he heard talking from his nine-year-old sister's room.

Obviously, this alarmed us, and the questioning began. Let me preface this by saying that my kids are above average intelligence. Proud momma that I am, I brag about them all the time. I know bragging isn't nice, but hey, they're my kids, and they're pretty fantastic. The problem with having children who act like adults more often than not, is that it is easy to forget that they aren't adults. My boys are 17 and almost 16, another factor in the flexibility we've had in the house.

The harsh truth of reality: even super smart kids ACT LIKE KIDS and are naive to the perils of the world.



We've had the talks with them about 'stranger danger' in addition to the emphasis they place on it in the schools. However, as my oldest pointed out, "Mom, you think kids actually pay attention in those assemblies? They're boring, there's better things to think about it." We've also checked in with her in regards to what she was doing on her phone; how dangerous was it for her to be watching How To videos on painting her nails, braiding her hair, or working with polymer clay to make charms?

I can't go into too many details, as there IS a police investigation, but the long and short of the matter is this. My intelligent daughter used her phone (it was a hand-me-down android from when her brother's got upgraded) to download a chat app from the Google play store because she'd "seen an ad." In the wee hours of the morning she became the victim of an online predator, and we only knew because her brother happened to get up for some water.

He gave her a phone number (telling her she didn't have to give him hers, he could just call her - her eyes grew to saucers when I asked if she realized with caller ID, the moment she called it, he had her number anyway). He sent her less than appropriate pictures and sexted with her. He coerced her into sending pictures of herself (again, cue the wide eyes when I stressed how once something goes out on the internet or is transmitted through electronic means, its there forever). Upon talking with her, we found out that, while she hadn't realized she was doing it, she gave out her name, the city she lived in, and the school she attends.

HOW DID THIS HAPPEN? She's smart, she's loved, and yet, she was curious . . . after all, she's just an innocent child. No matter what her curiosity urged her to do or ask, the moment she revealed she was ONLY NINE, the man should have terminated contact with her. He didn't.

So, this is my plea. If you have children in your life, be they your own or your grand kids or your nieces/nephews - you get the idea - take a moment to review the rules. Life can be scary, and they need to know that. Don't just assume because its been discussed in the past, that the words are heeded when temptation arises. It's our jobs as protectors of the children to be vigilant. Otherwise, the predators will win.