Excerpt: The Lebrus Stone by Miriam Khan

The Lebrus Stone by Miriam Khan

Series: Lebrus Stone Book One

Release Date: November 28, 2014
Publisher: Rogue Phoenix Press

Genres: Fantasy

When eighteen-year-old orphan, Crystal Valdez, accepts an invitation to the small town of Blacksville, West Virginia, she hopes to have a summer to remember and a chance to learn more about her parents, to also get to know the family she never knew existed.
But the Lockes begin to act strange and erratic; eerie movements in the night fuel her vivid and gruesome nightmares. To complicate her summer further, she becomes attracted to the menacing yet handsome Cray Locke: her none blood related cousin.
He seems determined to keep his distance. The only bonus to her trip seems to be the housekeeper and gardener.
And when a local informs Crystal of the secrets buried at Thorncrest Manor, the kind consisting of a forbidden relationship and a war between hidden worlds, and witchcraft, she must decide whom to trust. Even if it means leaving behind those she has come to love.

 

EXCERPT

 

I lay back and tried not to over think things to calm the storm in my head, but a knock on my door moments later interrupted it.

"Come in!" I called out, sitting up to retrieve my book.

Syd entered, carrying in what looked like a sandwich and a glass of her homemade lemonade.

I could have done with a hot soup.

But I blew a sigh of relief it wasn't one of the Lockes.

"Isobel said to make sure you had some lunch by now," she said, placing the tray on my bedside cabinet.

"Thanks, Syd."

"Any reason why you're hiding in here?" she asked as she sat on my bed.

I tensed. Being told I was hiding annoyed me, but I wasn't annoyed at Syd, just at myself. I had come too far in life to start acting like a coward, especially over something clearly in my head.

I fingered the dog-eared cover of my book.

"I think I just need a quiet day to myself. It could be some type of…delayed jet lag." It could be partly true, I thought. It had taken two flights to get from Salt Lake City to Blacksville; six hours in total. I smiled, pleased with the conclusion. Exhaustion could have been why I had such a freakish dream.

"I see," Syd said, seeming unconvinced. "Well, do you think you'll be joining the Lockes for dinner?"

"Do I have to?" No matter how much I was becoming fond of Syd, she worked for the Lockes. They could try and make her tell me what do.

"No." She chuckled. "But I think you should try to interact. Cray's alright, by the way. A little scratch like that won't do a boy like him any harm."

Boy like him?

So, I had hurt him. My chest tightened.

"Oh, don't look so beat up about it, honey. The boy is as tough as old boots." She chuckled again. "And luckily for you, he's not as vain about his looks as you would think. He won't hold what happened against you." She patted my hand.

I gulped. "Has he…said something?"

"No. He left early this morning. He didn't say where he was going, and Isobel never dares ask these days. He's a very private person, as you've probably noticed. She respects that. We all do." She looked lost in thought for a moment, then smiled in her sad little way, and asked, "So, are you ready to talk about what happened last night?"

My mouth felt too clamped to begin

"I have to say, not many girls would have left home to meet so many strangers. I admire your courage."

Her comment only made me sound irresponsible. I gritted my teeth.

"I don't feel very courageous," I admitted. "I feel pretty stupid right now."

Thanks for the added comment to make me feel even more naive, I wanted to add.

"I don't think five months was long enough to think this through," I said.

She nodded. "Maybe. But everything happens for a reason. You followed your heart. It's all you can do in life. It's your only real compass."

I wanted us to keep talking. When Syd wasn't nicely pointing out my flaws, she had a way of calming me until I felt optimistic about my trip again. But she had dinner to prepare, so she reluctantly left me after insisting I get ready to face my evening with the Lockes.

Something about her was becoming familiar. It could have been the warmth in her eyes and how they reminded me of Selma. She had always been as hospitable and over helpful.

I still missed her. Talking to Syd was like getting back something that had been cruelly taken away, too. It wasn't just my parents I'd lost, but my pride, self-worth, my best friend, at times my composure. It had been an uphill struggle this past year or so. But I was finally feeling on top of things…I think.

I sure wasn't going to let it keep me down.

Coming to Blacksville was my new start as the new and improved me. I really had to keep believing that.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Miriam is from Cheshire, England and a family of six siblings. Her love for creativity led to acting at her local theatre before being a lead vocalist in rock bands. During those years, she often found solace penning her thoughts and feelings through lyrics or poetry. She chose not to continue singing in 2006, and two years later she woke up with the idea for The Lebrus Stone and began typing. revising and editing it for the next six years. She is now eager to see what readers will think.

Author Links:
Blog: miriamkhannovels.blogspot.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9793155.Miriam_Khan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007806765011&fref=ts

 

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Tour Sign Up: A Matter of Temperance by Ichabod Temperance

A Matter of Temperance by Ichabod Temperance

Series: The Adventures of Ichabod Temperance #1

Release Date: 17th April 2013

Pages: 303

Genres: Steampunk



In 1869, the Earth experiences the close pass of a new comet. In its wake, thousands of Terra's inhabitants find themselves strangely changed. Among humanity, many find that any talent they may naturally possess has been elevated to an astounding degree. Likewise, a number of animals become self-aware and intelligent. A young “comet prodigy” from humble beginnings, Ichabod Temperance, has become one of the world's foremost inventors in this age of prolific genius. Traveling to England to deliver his latest brilliant device to a famous explorer, the young tinker is unexpectedly struck by the fearsome hand of fate.

 

Meanwhile, a lovely young aristocrat, Miss Persephone Plumtartt, survives an experimental accident only to find herself imbued with a power she can neither understand nor control, while dark forces and malevolent creatures pursue her, leaving a gruesome wake of death.
Yet, worse is to come. The naïve young inventor and the lovely intellectual find themselves fighting not only to save their own lives, while concurrently coming to terms with their own budding romance, but to prevent the destruction of all life on Earth in this humorously told and poignant steampunk adventure! 

Brook Cottage Books is thrilled to be organizing a blog tour for A Matter of Temperance, a Steampunk  story and 1st book in the THE ADVENTRUES OF ICHABOD TEMPERANCE Series by Ichabod Temperance.  This book can be read as a standalone.

The tour will run from March 16th-27th and will include reviews, interviews, guests posts and promo posts. Unlimited booking on all dates is allowed.  To participate in the tour, please email brookbooks@hotmail.co.uk with the following:

• Your Name
• Blog Name & URL
• Date 
• Email Address if you're not already a BCB Tour Host

[Date]: 

- [Linked Blog Name]

[Date]: 

- [Linked Blog Name]

[Date]: 

- [Linked Blog Name]

[Date]: 

- [Linked Blog Name]

[Date]: 

- [Linked Blog Name]

[Date]: 

- [Linked Blog Name]

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Tour Sign Up: Seaside Secrets by Melissa Foster

Seaside Secrets by Melissa Foster

Series: Love In Bloom  #24

Release Date: 24th February 2015

Pages: 259

Genres: Contemporary Romance

 

Tony Black is the hottest surfer on the planet. He travels the world throughout the year and spends his summers on Cape Cod with his friends, at the Seaside cottages in Wellfleet, Massachusetts.  He’s got his choice of women, but Amy Maples is the one he wants. Fourteen years ago she was his for an entire summer, until a devastating accident changed everything, and what they had seemed like it had never existed—at least for her. 

Amy Maples is as consistent as the day is long. She’s spent summers on Cape Cod forever, she always does the right thing, and she’s spent years trying to reclaim the heart of Tony Black, the only man she’s ever loved.  She’s back for a summer of fun with her friends at Seaside, only this year she’s been offered the opportunity of a lifetime thousands of miles away, and she’s decided to try one last time to reconnect with Tony. But having a relationship with Tony means dealing with her past—and dealing with her past may knock her to her knees.

 

Brook Cottage Books is thrilled to be organizing a blog tour for Seaside Secrets , a contemporary romance story and 24th book in the Love In Bloom Series by Melissa Foster. This book can be read as a standalone.

The tour will run from 23rd February 2015 - 6th March 2015 and will include reviews and promo spots only. Unlimited booking on all dates is allowed.  To participate in the tour, please email brookbooks@hotmail.co.uk with the following:

• Your Name
• Blog Name & URL
• Date 
• Email Address if you're not already a BCB Tour Host

23rd February:

- Star Crossed Reviews
- Beppe DM Giveaway

 

24th February: 

- Curling Up With A Good Book

 

25th February: 

- 

26th February: 

- 

27th February: 

- 

2nd March: 

- Sterna Kruger

3rd March: 

- 

 4th March: 

- 

5th March: 

-

6th March: 

- Miss Book Eater

 

 

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Promo Post: Murphy's Heist by David Chilcott

Murphy's Heist by David Chilcott 

Series: McBride Series #1

Release Date: 6th November 2014
Publisher: Smashwords Edition

Genres: Thriller

 

 

David Chilcott is the author of the up and coming John McBride series: 'Murphy's Heist' and its sequel 'Cruise the Storm'. He is currently writing the third book of the series, planning to be published in early April.

Murphy's Heist, the debut book, follows artist John McBride as he stumbles upon a series of strange events. He finds that the biggest bullion heist since the eighties is about to be committed by the small time criminal, Belfast-born Eamonn Murphy, now living in England. His cruelty and greed exceeds his ability, and results in a bungled heist. However, he does get away with twelve million pounds worth of bullion. He struggles to get the haul out of England, but will his luck hold with McBride chasing him all the way?

 

Closely following is David's sequel, Cruise the Storm. This time we follow John aboard an upmarket cruise ship, The Helena, setting sail for the Mediterranean. It is already in the Solent before the owners realise there are several members of a far right group aboard, and they might be aiming to hijack the ship, though they are sure that due to stringent security there can be no weapons aboard. Matters are discussed with MI5, and one of their operatives agrees to board the ship in Spain to monitor the situation. Encouraged by his agent to act as an art tutor, John McBride finds a role in the potential danger aboard. When the Captain learns that McBride used to be in the SAS, he thinks he might be useful if things get out of hand. Though it is not just a hijack that takes place; a rebellion by the passengers loathe to have their holiday ruined. A rare but not unknown hurricane in the Mediterranean engulfs the ship. At this point the Captain, on his last voyage before retirement, thinks life couldn't get any worse. Though with the last hijacker roaming the ship in disguise, will he kill him?

 

The third book of the series will see John McBride meeting a girl who has lost her brother. He has gone missing, and the police aren't interested because he is an adult. McBride follows the trail to a prison camp in Russia. The task isn't just about breaking out, they need to find a way back to England. The SVR are trying very hard to stop them.

 

David's inspiration comes from a few admired authors... "Firstly, the king of all thrillers, Elmore Leonard, who made writing look so easy. All his books are hard to put down before the last page is turned. Secondly, Robert B Parker is another gifted writer in the genre. Peter Temple living in Australia is one of the tops, and writes must-read thrillers. I could go on, there are many others, especially American writers". Further chat from David advises to write about what you know; if you write about something you don't know, you are in for a lot of research. Knowing about the subject gives an authenticity research will never give. This is why David's passion for thriller novels has created such success in his own work.

 

David told us about the methods of the novel writing process… "Every author uses a different technique to end up with 80,000 plus words on paper. I know some spend a lot of time on the plotting, and have everything in detail mapped out. I have the plot framework before I start to write, but it is a roughly drawn map on how to get from A to B. Then I just start writing, two thousand words a session, perhaps finishing many chapters, before going back and doing a first edit. When I finish the book, I'll spend many weeks sharpening it up before I send it to my editor".

 

 

 Having been an avid reader of fiction for a long time, David has toyed with writing a novel a few times previously. The first occasion was in his late twenties, a science fiction book that was never finished. Ten years later David completed a thriller novel, though never succeeded in getting it published. Third time lucky, with the knowledge of his ability to write thrillers, David set out to write for the e-book audience. He admits that when the first book went online, it has not undergone any editing. After this being pointed out in a review, David withdrew the book and had it edited. This resulted in him partly rewriting it, thus improving its rating to four stars!

 

Readers of David Chilcott seem to be more enticed by each book they read. Cruise the Storm has been described as "a fast, pacy read and it draws you in" as well as "a tale of deception, intrigue and crime".



 http://www.davidchilcottauthor.com/

 

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Review & Giveaway: To Fall In Love Again by David Burnett

To Fall In Love Again by David Burnett

Release Date: 30th November 2014

Genres: Romance, chick lit



 

Drew Nelson did not plan to talk with anyone that morning. He did not plan to make a new friend. He certainly did not plan to fall in love.

He resisted all of Amy’s attempts to draw him out− at the hotel, at the airport, on the airplane− giving hurried responses and burying his face in a pile of papers. It was only when the flight attendant offered coffee, and a muscle in Amy’s back twitched as she reached for it, and the cup tipped, and the hot liquid puddled in Drew’s lap that they began to talk.

Earlier in the year, each had lost a spouse of over thirty years. Drew’s wife had died of a brain tumor, Amy’s husband when his small airplane nose-dived to earth, the engine at full throttle − an accident, it was ruled.

They live in the same city. Both have grandchildren. They are about the same age. Consciously, or not, they both are looking to love again.

But relationships do not exist in vacuums. Drew is wealthy, and Amy is middle class. Amy is “new” in town – she and her husband moved to Charleston twenty-five years ago – while Drew’s family has lived there for three centuries. Drew lives below Broad, a code word for high society, old families, power, and money. Amy’s home is across the river.

Class warfare may be less violent than it was in the past, but when Drew invites Amy to the St Cecelia Ball, battle lines are drawn. In a city in which ancestry is important, the ball’s membership is passed from father to son, and only those from the oldest families attend.

Family, friends, co-workers all weigh in on their relationship and choose sides. Allies are found in unexpected places. Opposition comes from among those who were thought to be friends. Though they are gone, even their spouses − through things they have done and things they have said − wield influence in the conflict that follows.

Amy begins to suspect that Drew is one of them, the rich snobs who despise her, while Drew concludes that Amy neither trusts him nor cares for him. As each questions the other’s motives, their feelings for each other are tested, and Drew and Amy are challenged to consider if they truly want to fall in love again.

 



 

To Fall In Love Again is a beautiful and gentle love story that just has to be read. Amy and Drew are slightly older than the conventional couples in romance novels, both with grown up children and young grandchildren. And, this was for me one of the wonderful things about this book. It was lovely to read about the blossoming romance between them and the hurdles they had to overcome. Whilst most of the characters in romance novels have over-protective parents getting in the way and interfering, Drew and Amy had overly protective children trying to make sure they didn't get their hearts broken. The issue of class divide was a subject matter that was tackled in this book too. David Burnett has created likeable characters who show that despite age, your heart can be broken, won and completely set a flutter! To Fall In Love Again is a charming and sensitive read and at times it did make me feel terrible sadness for the characters as they struggled to overcome loss and deal with their grief whilst trying to move their lives forward despite being absolutely terrified!  This for me is a highly recommended read. After having previously read another book by David Burnett - The Handfasting, I knew I was not going to be disappointed in this one.

 

 



   a Rafflecopter giveaway   ABOUT DAVID BURNETT 

 

I live in Columbia South Carolina, with my wife and our blue-eyed cat, Bonnie. I enjoy traveling, photography, baking bread, and the Carolina beaches.

We have traveled widely in the United States and the United Kingdom. During one trip to Scotland, we visited Crathes Castle, the ancestral home of the Burnett family near Aberdeen.

My photographic subjects have been as varied as prehistoric ruins on the islands of Scotland, star trails, sea gulls, and a Native American powwow.

I went to school for longer than I want to admit, and I have graduate degrees in psychology and education. I was formerly director of research for our state education department.

We have two daughters and three grandchildren. To Fall in Love Again is my third novel.

http://davidburnett.yolasite.com http://davidburnettsbooks.blogspot.com/ http://www.facebook.com/pages/David-Burnett-Author/447290468681693?ref=hl

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Industry Promo Post: Polish Your Prose with Viv Moriarty

Getting your writing right!

Here at Brook Cottage Books you will see lots of promo posts for authors and their writing. However, I think its nice to highlight some of the other unsung heroes in the book industry. Those people who offer wonderful services and without whose talents many books simply wouldn't make it into the hands of readers.

 

Everyone knows how important it is to have someone cast a critical eye over your work to check for errors. As a reader, we often come across books that haven't been checked over properly and are full of errors. Every writer knows that its very difficult to check your own writing properly and that it's best to call upon the services of someone else. One lovely lady who offers such a service is Vivienne Moriarty. I'll let the lady herself tell you a little about what she can offer to writers.

On my first day as a newly qualified teacher the Head said: ‘Every teacher is a teacher of English, Mrs Moriarty.” This has been the fundamental tenet of my career in education. I understand the value of clarity both as a reader and a writer. 

 

My background as an academic has allowed me an analytical approach to writing and a meticulous attention to detail for language.

 

If you require a steely eye on your work, then please consider my services. I have competitive rates and am timely. I respect your craft and appreciate your efforts involved in producing prose.  

Viv Moriarty

 

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Promo Post: Love Lonely by William C Cole

Love Lonely by William C Cole

Series: Love Lonely Novel #1

Release Date: 30th Dec 2014
Publisher: Limitless Publishing LLC

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Espionage, Erotic



When an injury forced David into an early retirement from his professional hockey career, he accepted a position to oversee the operations of his father-in-law’s thoroughbred horse racing division.

 

David’s wife Sandy is referred to as one of the most influential and beautiful women in the world. However, her official role as the family’s philanthropist requires an exhaustive amount of time away from home.

 

Upon her return from a recent trip, Sandy took notice of her husband’s attraction to his assistant trainer Renée, instantly recognizing the magnetism between them.

Renée is a petite young French girl who is suddenly given the opportunity to work closely with David soon after the head trainer is forced to resign.

Now traveling companions, with each passing day, the sexual tension between the two intensifies.

Sandy knows all too well that she is on the verge of losing her husband. Will she be able to alter her existing lifestyle to save him?

Or is it too late…

 

About the Author

 

 



 

Born in Toronto and raised in Northern Ontario, I currently own a small business in the Sudbury region. My wife Diane has been by my side for 34 years, which I believe should propel her directly into sainthood. I have been blessed with an amazing and supportive family.

 

Creativity has always been a part of my journey. Writing seems to be a natural extension to my years in the music industry, where I had the pleasure of listening to songs I penned being played on the radio.

 When not working, sleeping, biking, or writing, I am on the golf course trying to keep up with my son’s Lee and Aaron.

Links: 

Website www.williamccole.com

Twitterwww.twitter.com/_williamccole

Facebook www.Facebook.com/williamccole

Blog  williamccole.blogspot.com

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/33782347-william-cole

Publisher www.limitlesspublishing.com

Linkedin.com/pub/william-cole/a5/76a/779/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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