Tuesday 29 October 2013

***** for TOPAZ EYES


I'm delighted to announce that TOPAZ EYES  has just received another 5 * review on Amazon and Goodreads. 


"This is a skilfully paced and plotted novel, in which the various story-lines only come together at the very end"

5.0 out of 5 stars Topaz Eyes 29 Oct 2013
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
 
When Keira Drummond, an Edinburgh-based translator, receives an invitation to a gallery opening in Heidelberg, she sees it as an opportunity to revisit a city she worked in and loved some years previously. The invitation, however, turns out to be a pretext for an unexpected gathering, at which a plan is hatched to re-unite some family jewels long-since dispersed, for an exhibition. The plan has been drawn up by Jensen Amsel, a wealthy collector, and also present are Zaan de Raad, an antique dealer, and Teun Zeger. The three men are distant cousins. Keira, though connected to the family, is not related to them by blood, and knows none of them. Fascinated by the prospects, she becomes deeply involved in a quest that takes her to Minnesota, New York, Vienna and back to Heidelberg. It soon becomes apparent, however, that others are on the trail of the jewels and, sensing that she is being followed, Keira does not know who she can and cannot trust. This is a skilfully paced and plotted novel, in which the various story-lines only come together at the very end.

Monday 28 October 2013

Monday Moments with - To Love and Serve by Caridad Pineiro

Monday Moments welcomes back Caridad Pineiro. She's brought information to share today about another of her paranormal novels - To Love and Serve. 


Thank you for letting me visit with you today, Nancy!
I’m so excited to be here to chat about TO LOVE AND SERVE, the latest release in THE REBORN vampire series (formerly THE CALLING).


TO LOVE AND SERVE revisits old and very popular characters.  FBI Agent Diana Reyes and Southern vampire Ryder Latimer have been through a lot together, but this book will explore where they are now and whether they can deal with a very difficult possibility:   Diana’s death.
So many people have said to me, “But that’s easy.  Ryder can turn her.”  But think about what that means.  Think about losing all that you can have as a human.  Think about losing family and friends and all that’s familiar as year after year after year goes by and everything around you changes, but you don’t.  Think about the fact that becoming a vampire can bring out the worst and most dark aspects of your character.
Tough things to think about for Diana especially when she has to balance it against dying and leaving the love of her life, Ryder Latimer.  A caring, loving and sexy man who adores her and would do anything for her, including living with the guilt of taking her human life by turning her.
As you can imagine, TO LOVE AND SERVE is an emotional story as Diana and Ryder deal with all those issues.  It’s also action-packed as Diana and Ryder deal with a rogue slayer who is killing vampires in New York City and is threatening their undead friends.
Readers of THE CALLING series (now THE REBORN series) will enjoy not only Diana and Ryder’s story, but also the appearance of fan favorites from the earlier books.  If you haven’t read the series, don’t worry.  These stories standalone, but I hope they will hook you into not only Diana and Ryder’s story, but have you exploring how the many couples in the books got together.
Thanks again for letting me visit with you!  Now I have a question for you and your fans:  Could you choose undead life if it meant losing all your family and friends and everything that’s important to you?



Born to Love…
Five years ago, vampire Ryder Latimer stepped into the path of a bullet meant for FBI Agent Diana Reyes, at once saving her life and condemning her to death when his blood contaminates her open wounds. Now only an experimental treatment, transfusions, and allowing Ryder to sink his teeth into her when they make love keep her alive.
Born to Survive… 
Ryder has always known that no matter what they try, Diana can’t possibly survive what contact with his blood did to her. The reality for him is that no matter how much he loves her, he will lose her if he doesn’t turn her—a choice Diana may have put off for too long.
Born to Serve…
Even as her health continues to deteriorate and they battle with that difficult decision, Diana tracks a serial killer targeting their vampire friends. It’s a dangerous job, but she was born to it and, with Ryder’s help, she’ll serve and protect until the day she dies—or until a miracle turns their world upside down.


Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 
New York Times and USA Today bestselling paranormal and romantic suspense author Caridad Pineiro wrote her first novel in the fifth grade when her teacher assigned a project – to write a book for a class lending library. Bitten by the writing bug, Caridad continued with her passion for the written word and in 1999, Caridad’s first novel was released. Over a decade later, Caridad is the author of more than thirty published novels and novellas. When not writing, Caridad is an attorney, wife and mother to an aspiring writer and fashionista.

 See Caridad at these places:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Thank you for visiting, Caridad. Wishing you the best with your paranormal series.

Slainthe! 


Saturday 26 October 2013

No Monsters Allowed


A friend of mine, also a Crooked Cat Publishing author - Jeff Gardiner - is one of the writers who have contributed to a new collection of horror stories! 




If creepy stories are your thing for pre- halloween have a look at what Jeff and his colleagues has on offer. 


What a scary cover!


'No Monsters Allowed' edited by Alex Davis, published by Dog Horn Publishing.
Blurb:
HORROR HAS A HUMAN FACE . . . In a world over-run with vampires, werewolves and zombies, No Monsters Allowed goes back to the very roots of horror – humanity itself. The vile acts of our fellow men and women, the fears that hide in our own minds, the nightmares that inhabit our everyday lives . . . You'll find all this and more in this collection of 20 stories. Featuring stories from: ALLEN ASHLEY, KEITH BROOKE, JEFF GARDINER, STUART HUGHES, AMELIA MANGAN, GARY MCMAHON, ANNA TABORSKA, and many more
Buy from:
Also Buy it here: http://www.lulu.com/shop/alex-davis/no-monsters-allowed/paperback/product-21240457.html

Best wishes with your collection, Jeff! 

Slainthe!

Thursday 24 October 2013

The Dark Marquis by Francine Howarth



The Dark Marquis 4 ½ stars

I really enjoyed reading The Dark Marquis. From the beginning, Francine Howarth draws you into a duel for a woman’s honour. That, in itself, is nothing new in Regency Romances, and indeed many parts of the plot are familiar to me from previously read Regency historicals, but there are sufficient plot twists in The Dark Marquis which keep the pace going throughout the story. The writing is excellent; there’s quite complex syntax suitable for the era which is consistently maintained; and really excellent period detail which is neither contrived, nor overt. I was kept on my toes to follow the plot near the beginning, until I understood the roles of some of the characters and decided who the main characters were.

The individuals are well portrayed with their little foibles and strengths, and I found it was in those little weaknesses that Ms Howarth makes a difference and brings freshness to this Regency novel. Any vacillations on the heroine, Estelle’s part, become clear as the story develops. A lady with a ‘past’ trod a very fine line in society and Estelle’s path has a few interesting twists. That very path allows for some fairly sensual detail in the novel which is well written – no cringing virgin common to many Regency novels and yet, Estelle still maintains an outward naivety. The Marquis of Rantchester has quite a history to overcome and I liked how Ms. Howarth dealt with the Regency upper class tendency towards opium use. 

The themes of different sorts of love and loyalties are nicely interwoven throughout, and I found it particularly appealing to read of the support of true friends during an era when gossip was a very damaging thing. The relationship between father and son- between the Duke and the Marquis - is quite a convoluted one, their relations with other characters potentially destructive, though the author ensures that isn’t the outcome. Deception was fairly common among titled men and mistresses, but it makes this part of the plot very believable. The murders are, in a sense, also neatly tied in to love and lack of love relationships- and add a little extra twist to the tale.

Winding up a tale is not always easy, and I found that the ending of The Dark Marquis was less appealing to me. Tying off loose ends is generally a good thing to do, and ‘evil or bad’ characters often get what they deserve, but I’m not sure the last scene worked for me in that it seemed to detract from the heady, happy romantic resolution/s. However, perhaps that’s exactly what Ms. Howarth intended!


Despite a dark secret and aware his father the duke will likely disinherit him for marrying below his rank, Rupert Marquis of Ranchester is nonetheless determined to wed his mistress. But Caroline Lady Somerville, an old flame of Rupert’s has returned from India a widow, and has every intention of once again leading him into vices of the flesh, gambling and the dream smoke.

Nervous but happy about imminent wedlock life becomes Hell for Estelle, when one man’s inner desires lead to blackmail, betrayal leads to revenge, and a string of murders place the duke in the frame as the killer. But what possible reason could the Duke of Leighdon have for terrorising Estelle, for killing the duchess, a portraitist, a whore and Caroline?



Slainthe!


Tuesday 22 October 2013

Another Shot at Love by Niecey Roy

~~Teaser Blast ~~


Series - What’s Love??? Book #1
Author: Niecey Roy
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romantic Comedy
Exclusive Amazon
Kindle release October 2013
Release everywhere November 2013

~~ Teaser~~
“Gennie-bear, you want another bite of this cupcake? You can use my fork,” Brent said and held it out to me. With his saliva on it. I had no idea where his mouth had been lately. Gross. I shook my head. “Uh, no thanks. I’m good. I’ll get another fork.” I said and shoved my chair back so hard it made a loud, screeching noise across the floor. I smiled an apology before I escaped and wondered how I could prolong the simple task of retrieving a fork. I took my time at the counter talking to Melanie about the weather, about cupcake batter and about where she got her plastic forks, anything to delay my return to the table. When Lexie sent me the twin death glare, I sighed and went back to the table. Brent had eaten half of my Lemon Drop cupcake. “That one was really good,” he said and sent me a sparkly smile. I almost stabbed him with my fork, but the bell above the door jingled and I looked up to see Matt standing there. The light flooding through behind him tipped his dark hair in gold. I nearly sighed. Was it weird I thought I heard sirens and angels singing? There he was, my knight in shining armor, saving me again. I threw the fork down and bounded from my chair. It tipped backward, but the sound of it crashing to the floor was muffled as everything else faded to the background. I rushed into his arms and he caught me to his chest with a deep laugh and it reverberated through my body like a bass drum. His arms circled around me, wrapping me in his warmth and I breathed in the scent of him, my face feeling like it might crack with my smile. His cheek rested against my temple and I sighed, content. Would my heart ever stop racing when my eyes caught sight of him? I hoped not. It was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. “You came,” I whispered, not willing to let him go. “Did you doubt I would?” He dropped a kiss to the tip of my nose, sending shivers down my spine, the butterflies knocking like mad into each other inside my stomach.  
 
~~ Blurb ~~
Imogen Gorecki has a problem—her twin sister just got engaged, and guess who’s the best man? That’s right, her scum-of-an-ex-boyfriend whom she caught cheating with a bottle-blonde, with fake breasts and a stripper’s flexibility. There’s a disturbing possibility her eyes will never recover.
Gen needs a date for the engagement party, but finding Mr. Perfect in a time crunch is proving impossible. Just when she’s about to give up, she face-plants into the crotch of the sexiest guy she’s ever met.
Matt Sesnick is everything Gen wants in a man —except he’s not interested in a relationship. Can she convince Matt to take another shot at love, or will Gen’s pregnant, hormonal older sister, her bridezilla twin, and all of her past Mr. Wrongs get in the way of their happily-ever-after?
Niecey here!!! Thank you so much for stopping by to read another teaser excerpt for Another Shot At Love. The book is set to release on Amazon Kindle October 21, 2013, with an official release everywhere in November. If you'd like to get Book Release Updates and my Monthly Newsletters, please sign up for my Newsletter on my website www.nieceyroy.com :)
Smooches!!!
Niecey

Available now from: 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G2CNJF8/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00G2CNJF8&linkCode=as2&tag=nieroy-20

Best wishes to you, Niecey, and thanks for sending along yoru teaser! 

Sunday 20 October 2013

4* for MONOGAMY TWIST Editorial review on Amazon.com!

On Amazon.com Editorial reviews

Four Stars for Monogamy Twist from Readers Favorite

Kristie I. at Readers Favorite has this to say about Monogamy Twist:

Greywood Hall is the setting for Nancy Jardine's romance novel, "Monogamy Twist," and this is the place where secrets and history are discovered and sorted out and love is found. From the very first time they see each other, there is attraction and chemistry between Rhia and Luke. Together they work on rebuilding and fixing up Greywood Hall and researching the history of this mysterious woman who owned this place, while at the same time living together and fulfilling a contract between the two of them. However, it is not that easy as Luke and Rhia find their feelings for each other growing and changing and wanting a real relationship instead of just a mere contract.

This book is well-written in a style that is easy to read and it will immediately draw you in and immerse you into the characters' lives. The writing is very descriptive and filled with imagery so that the reader will feel as if he or she is a part of the characters' lives and has an up-close, personal view of their world. The research that is done and the discussions of the past will transport the reader back in time, allowing the reader to unravel the mysteries along with the characters. Therefore, there are many things going on at once. The attraction between Luke and Rhia is strong and there are several "steamy" scenes throughout the book. Overall, this book is a quick read with lovable characters, a good mystery and a beautiful setting! 

Buy from; 


Amazon UK
 
Luke Salieri thought he'd seen everything. But when he inherits a dilapidated English estate from a woman he's never heard of—and with quirky conditions besides—it’s a mystery he wants resolved immediately. There must be a woman out there who can meet his needs. But how far will he have to go to persuade her? Lucrative employment for a whole year? The job of researching the old house and its fantastic contents is enticing – but Rhia Ashton can’t see herself living with gorgeous Luke Salieri and not wanting his body as well. Can she live and sleep with him for a whole year and then walk away? Rhia has her own ideas about what will make it worth her while.




Slainthe! 

Thursday 17 October 2013

The Howling Heart


Familiarise Friday features an adult paranormal romance - The Howling Heart  - by April Bostic. 


Paige Donovan is an ambitious college graduate who aspires to reach the top of the corporate ladder. She’s climbing fast when given the promotion of a lifetime at a prestigious fashion magazine in New York City. Her bright future comes to an unexpected halt after news of her father’s death. She inherits his old cabin in the Colorado Rockies, and just when she thinks her luck couldn’t get any worse, she has a car accident in the mountains and awakens in the small, remote community of Black River.
Soon, she’s engulfed in the mystical world of Varulv—wolves descended from 13th century Scandinavia and blessed by Norse gods with the ability to appear human. Paige is desperate to return home, but never expects to fall for her rescuer, Riley Gray, a charming young werewolf from England who offers her an alternate future with his pack.
Now, she must choose between the career she’s always wanted and the love she’s always dreamed.
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes


About April Bostic:
April Bostic is a New Jersey-based, Adult Romance author who enjoys unleashing her creativity and letting her imagination run wild. Her love of romance books inspired her to become not just a reader, but also a writer. In December 2008, she self-published her first novel, a contemporary romance with a supernatural twist entitled “A Rose to the Fallen.”
Her first short story, “Right Here, Right Now,” released in January 2012, is an erotic romance with a dash of S&M. The following year, she released two more short stories: a romantic urban fantasy inspired by the Greek myth of Eros and Psyche entitled “Eros, My Love,” and a sexy romantic comedy entitled “Love Addiction.”After five years, she released her second novel, “The Howling Heart” in August 2013, a paranormal romance that delves into the mystical world of werewolves and Norse gods. To end her busiest year in publishing, April will release her fourth and final short story in December 2013, a historical vampire romance entitled “A Dark Scandal.”
Website | Goodreads


Here's a teasing little excerpt to give you the feel of the novel...

I wasn’t expecting us to have this type of conversation so soon, but there we were, sitting on the riverbank while discussing Varulv sex. He didn’t seem embarrassed to talk about it, and I was getting more curious.
“Have you ever made love to a human?” I asked timidly. My ears felt hot, and I looked at him through shy eyes. I hoped I wasn’t overstepping the boundary of personal information.
He answered quietly. “No.”
His revelation came as a surprise, but I was still curious. “What about a wolf?” I don’t know why I asked. I knew there was no possible way this extremely attractive man was a virgin.
He hesitated this time. Seconds ticked by before he replied, “Pack law states we can only make love after we claim a mate and the leader recognizes our union.”
His indirect answer caught me off-guard, and I couldn’t keep the sarcasm from my words. “You’re not one to follow the rules, so I’ll take that as a yes.”
I looked away and lifted my feet out of the water. With my legs bent, I pressed my knees against my chest and wrapped my arms around them. I thought the conversation was over, but Riley was determined to have my attention. His fingers grasped my chin to turn my head toward him.
“That’s probably the only law I haven’t broken.”
Our gazes locked, and he almost stole my breath, again. “Why? I know abstinence can’t be easy for you.”
His voice was almost a whisper. “Not anymore.”
I noticed his green irises had flecks of amber in them—the same color as his wolf eyes. That’s when I realized our heads had moved closer.
Riley’s warm breath caressed my face, and it smelled of hickory and clove. “I’m not interested in any she-wolves in the pack.”

My thanks for featuring today, April. Best wihes with The Howling Heart!  

Slainthe!


Wednesday 16 October 2013

Bound To The Highlander

My leisure reading rate has been very curtailed lately with many domestic issues sucking up what would be reading time, but  I have recently finished Kate Robbins'- Bound To The Highlander.

This is the first in her 'Highland Chief Series' and has won the 2013 TARA Award for Historical Romance. 

Here's what I thought when reading it:



For me historical fiction comes in all sorts of forms. Some novels are serious and very heavy on detail. Others are much lighter on detail and less formal in that they give a gist of the period, just sufficient to give the reader a feel for the era. I’ve read a lot of ‘highlander’ romances and they have varied tremendously in the amounts of inforamation added and in the accuracy of the period. I found Bound To The Highlander an interesting mix. From the outset, there’s a formality to the syntax which is in keeping with the period, yet there was also a contemporary feel in some of the phrases used – mainly during banter that is more light-hearted - which was different and, to me, not in keeping with the rest of the atmnosphere. I thought at first the plotline was going to be quite simple to follow but was delighted to find that wasn’t the case –there were some unexpected scenes which kept me engaged and wondering what was coming next p-though some of these bordered on the comedic. 

Aileana’s uncle having arranged a marriage with the MacIntosh clan sets James and Aileana on an emotionally rocky road as their future is revealed. Mutual desire wasn’t expected in such engagements, far less a deep and abiding love  - but it's a romance and is what the reader is looking for! How they work through the ties that bind them is quite a tale of political intrigue and potential disaster!

I was quite partial to James MacIntosh who has everything a highland hero needs, but I was also drawn to his brother, Calum, who counterbalances James’ tough, hard edges. Aileana’s maid, Gwen, is a forthright character I liked very much- probably more than Aileana herself who was a mix of modern woman and naïve maiden.

If you like Highland Heroes - then Bound to the Highlander will entertain you!  

Slainthe! 



Monday 14 October 2013





Series-What’s Love? 
Book #1
Author:  Niecey Roy
Genre:  New Adult Contemporary Romantic Comedy
Expected Publication Date- November 2013















~~ Teaser~~
“You really should change that light bulb,” Matt said, glancing around us.
“I know.” I pushed aside my wallet to dig to the bottom of my oversized purse. “I kind of take for granted that this is supposed to be a safe neighborhood.”
“Until an alien abducts you off your poorly lit porch.”
“Very funny.” I glanced up from my purse with a smile. “But really, it’s late. You could have been home by now.”
“Gen, I’m glad to walk you to your door. I would have worried about you if I hadn’t.”
I considered him as we stood there on my porch, the light flickering above us. I didn’t want him to leave, but I didn’t know how to ask him to stay. Maybe I could ask him in for a drink, though I’d already had enough. 
But I have those cupcakes…
Yeah. I could offer him cupcakes. They weren’t his favorite, chocolate with sprinkles, but yellow cake with milk chocolate frosting had to be a close second, right? Hadn’t he said a cupcake will fix everything?
“I’m really glad we went out tonight.”
His voice made me jump and I dropped the keys. We both bent to pick them up at the same time and bumped foreheads.
“Sorry,” he said.
“It’s okay, I’m fine.” I clasped my forehead and laughed. Probably, I sounded hysterical. Like a rabid hyena. I couldn’t even look him in the eye when I took the keys from him. “Thanks for inviting me. I had a lot of fun tonight.”
“Me too,” he said.
I put the key into the lock, turning it slowly as I struggled with what to do about him and my out of control libido. Unlocking my door hadn’t given me enough time to figure things out, though, so I tried to prolong sliding the patio door open. That didn’t take long either, and I hesitated in the doorway, still unsure. I opened my mouth to ask him in, but nothing came out. So I stepped backward through the doorway, my gaze glued to his. After a moment, he followed me inside, part of his face lost in shadows.
Time stood still. My tongue darted out to lick my lips, and I lifted up onto my toes as he lowered his head to meet me halfway. The smell of his cologne surrounded me and my eyes drifted shut. He grasped me loosely around my back, pulling me close, sending shivers coursing through my body. His breath caressed my skin, his lips just a whisper away from mine, and my lips parted.




~~ Blurb ~~
Imogen Gorecki has a problem—her twin sister just got engaged, and guess who’s the best man? That’s right, her scum-of-an-ex-boyfriend whom she caught cheating with a bottle-blonde, with fake breasts and a stripper’s flexibility. There’s a disturbing possibility her eyes will never recover.


Gen needs a date for the engagement party, but finding Mr. Perfect in a time crunch is proving impossible. Just when she’s about to give up, she face-plants into the crotch of the sexiest guy she’s ever met.


Matt Sesnick is everything Gen wants in a man —except he’s not interested in a relationship. Can she convince Matt to take another shot at love, or will Gen’s pregnant, hormonal older sister, her bridezilla twin, and all of her past Mr. Wrongs get in the way of their happily-ever-after?


~~ More about Niecey ~~
   new fb pic

Wednesday 9 October 2013

A new 5* review for The Beltane Choice on Amazon, US and UK, Goodreads and Librarything.

 
 
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Nara is hunting wild boar when she is captured by a warrior, Lorcan, from a rival clan. With her as his prisoner, they travel back to his home but on the journey find themselves fighting mutual attraction. But when Lorcan makes the unexpected discovery that his beautiful captive is a virgin, the only explanation he can come up with is that Nara is more important than she pretends.
Nara is a princess and as such, untouched by the warriors of her own tribe. She has had a vision that the man she chooses to mate with on the festival of Beltane, will father a son who will be a great leader. When she is abducted by the virile Lorcan, she begins to suspect that he is the man predicted by her dream. But when Nara arrives at his fort, she is too important a bargaining chip to choose her own husband. It seems she must marry in order to unite two warring clans and her father will chose her mate...and it isn't Lorcan.
This book is a hidden gem. I say that because the innocuous brown cover gives no hint of the lush treasure within. The push and pull of attraction, the raw urgency of lust and the eventual soul-deep love between Lorcan and Nara is beautifully written. The characters have a satisfying depth and develop over the course of the book. I especially loved how Nara starts out as a fierce hunter, who would rather die than submit to an enemy, but is later shown to have emotional vulnerability in a very touching way. Lorcan also, goes from being a lusty warrior, to a man tortured by the conflicting demands of love and tribal honour.
The story never flags for a second and I heartily recommend it. Thoroughly engrossing. 
 
 
I'm delighted with this fabulous review and thank P. Elliot very much for reading and reviewing my work. You've made my day!

Slainthe!

Tuesday 8 October 2013

Taurus - My thoughts

Taurus by Christine Elaine Black

 - a fine 5* read!



I really enjoyed reading this book. From the very beginning the characters were well portrayed- good development on the part of Taurus. He’s the sort of hero you know needs to mellow. He does, and is very likeable for it. I was aware of less development of character in Kallie, though the ending proves all people change a little according to their circumstances. She was a very accomplished young woman at the outset and remains so throughout the story. There’s sufficient historical detail to satisfy the average romance reader; I personally liked this second book in the series better because there seemed more detail to plunge the reader into the era. The plot is simple yet interestingly fresh. There are a few fairly predictable twists, but the pace is excellent throughout which propels the story, and the reader to keep on reading right to the end. The writing and editing are excellent.  

There's a third book in the series -  Magnus - that I'll be looking into in the near future. I can definitely recommend Taurus for a quick but satisfying romantic historical read. 

Slainthe!

Sunday 6 October 2013

Featuring 'Wolf Within Series' - ***INTERVIEW, REVIEW and a GIVEAWAY***

It's a very busy feature today! 

There's an excellent interview with Amy Lee Burgess
My review of 'Beneath the Skin' -  Book 1 of the series
A short excerpt from 'Beneath The Skin'
***And a fantastic GIVEAWAY as well.*** 

Let's meet Amy first:
Amy Lee Burgess is a transplanted New Englander living in Houston, Texas with two dogs and lots of DVDs. In an attempt to bond with the city after being forced out of New Orleans post-Katrina, she turned to her writing. Determined to finally finish that novel she’d been hacking away at since high school, Amy managed to come up with a wolf shifter character named Stanzie Newcastle. She and Stanzie have been BFFs ever since.
In addition to Stanzie, Amy has also forged a relationship with several vampires, a witch or two, and other assorted supernatural creatures she hopes will entertain her readers. But she will always have room for coffee and butterscotch squares with Stanzie.
 Amy’s Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Here's what Amy answered when I put some questions to her....
Take yourself back 20 years and tell us if you had any aspirations to become an author at that time.
Twenty years ago I was writing a series of vampire novels that I shared only with a few friends. I never thought I’d have a prayer at being published so my aspirations were pretty low. I just knew I loved to write, but I didn’t have much confidence that anything I actually wrote would be available for more than just my friends. Luckily, times change and confidence grows!
I believe that is so true of many of us, Amy. What was your main daily occupation back then?
I was a scopist at a court reporting agency.  Court reporters took down depositions on their steno machines which fed into a translation program on a computer. It wasn’t 100 percent accurate so I would come in after that and translate things that didn’t make it through and fix mistranslations. Also edit for spelling and punctuation.  I think that gave me a rather overinflated sense of competency as far as the English language goes. I’ve been thoroughly disabused of that notion by the poor women who have edited my books. 
And today? How do you tend to spend an average day?
I still have to work in a corporate environment. I still deal with information management but not through court reporting.  I start each morning writing for an hour.
I wish I were so disciplined! Now jump forward 20 years from today. What do you think you’d like to be doing then?
Living in France writing full time.
That's an intreresting answer, Amy. I've lived in Holland and loved it, but although I understand a lot more of the French language I've only visited France a couple of times. Back to the questions... What’s your preferred genre for reading material?
I like all kind of things but I love paranormal romance, mystery, horror and urban fantasy the best.
I'm trying to broaden my scope in reading, and have been covering many different sub genres of fiction- though I still have my favourites!  What genre/ sub-genre do you feel comfortable writing in?
Paranormal anything, but mainly romance and mystery. 
What do you think will be the main reading materials within the next decade? Books, some form of portable tablets?
Oh, definitely tablets.  Books will never completely go away, but they will be more for sentimental value.  And for when the electricity and internet go down.
In recent years there’s been a movement towards popular cult-type stories- sometimes driven by what’s been popular on TV and the cinema, like Vampire, shifter, time-shift sub-genres. What do you see as being the ideal focus to capture the imagination in 5 years time?
That’s a good question. I’m hoping gargoyles. I just finished a novel about them.  I think shifters in general will be very mainstream on television and in the movies five years from now.  Another hot sub-genre will be technomagic I’ll bet.
Technomagic? Sounds like an area I need to gen up on though I'm fairly sure I won't be writing in it unless I learn an awful lot more about it! Can you give us an idea of what your writing schedule might be like during the remainder of 2013 and on to 2014?
The fall of 2013 will be taken up with editing a vampire novel I have coming out from Loose Id in December. Winter 2014 will be editing the next Wolf Within novel which will be coming out through Dark Continents Publishing.
Winter/Spring/Summer 2014 I aim to write at least two more novels, hopefully three.  Another Wolf Within, the second in my vampire series and the second in my gargoyle series. However, if I sell the gargoyles next year I will also have to make time to edit.  That’s my goal. 
Sounds like a busy schedule, Amy. Best wishes with fitting it all in. 

Fast and furious:
Ice cream or chocolate cake? Ice cream
Home made lemonade or rum cocktails? Rum cocktails for the win!
Cycling tour of France or a beach holiday in the Caribbean? Cycling tour of France. I speak some French. Luckily I know how to say “I’m tired” because if I have to ride a bike all day, that’s probably what I’ll be moaning.
A date with a politician, or a date with Gerard Butler? Is this a trick question? Gerard Butler!
Children or pets? My dogs emphatically ordered me to answer pets to this one.
Fantastic answers, thank you, Amy! 

My thoughts on 'Beneath The Skin'
(I was given a copy of this book for review)
Beneath the skin has many themes running through it. There’s abandonment, guilt, blame, love lost and love growing, insecurity and a lot of confusion of feelings. There’s a good pace throughout, which keeps the story ticking along. I’ve not read enough of the shifter paranormal sub-genre to know whether the notion, that as shifters they can change at any time, is a novel one - given that sex is involved as a catalyst – but in Beneath The Skin they don’t need to wait for that full moon, or other such natural circumstances. However, when Constance does eventually shift in the novel, the experiences are not as satisfying as she would wish them to be. It’s an interesting concept that she still has a lot to learn about the change, and like many human teenagers, she rebels against being constrained by rules. Fortunately, Liam Murphy is there to eventually help her become less impetuous. Unfortunately for Constance (an interesting choice of name), her first attempt in the novel to have sex with an old friend to initiate shifter-change, is beset by devastating circumstances. Nobody wants to be branded a murder but poor Constance is definitely in the wrong place at the wrong time and is blamed yet again for the demise of another Pack member. Those thought to be ultimately responsible for the unfortunate happenings to young Pack members around the world, provides quite a startling ending to this first novel in the series. The novel is well written, well edited, and is an easy read in one sitting.

Blurb:
If you could shift into a wolf, what would you discover about yourself?
Two years after the deaths of her bond mates, Constance Newcastle is ready to start over. The problem? The rest of the Great Pack, gathered in Paris to shift into wolves together, is not so sure she deserves the chance. Although the Great Council ruled the car crash an accident, even Constance blames herself. She was driving, after all.
Treated like a pariah by those she longs to rejoin, Constance reunites with an old lover. Everything looks promising until he mysteriously dies. Accused of his murder and desperate to clear her name, Constance joins forces with handsome, confident Liam Murphy, a former Alpha pack leader with a past as tragic and troubled as her own. Guided by the mysterious Councilor Jason Allerton, Constance and Liam discover they are not alone– throughout the Great Pack, people are dying. Can all the deaths be accidents, or is something more sinister going on?
CONTENT WARNING: Vulgar language, some sexual situations



 ***Amy's GIVEAWAY***
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the entire Series of The Wolf Within in ebook formats. 

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These are the other books in the series that you could win: 

Excerpt from Beneath the Skin:
Run. Run, run, run. Scared. Littles hide, no scrape legs, no make noise. Wind no push things. Fur stick up. Me scared. Me follow scent. Her. Me love Her. See big hard thing. Pushed in. Black water drip, drip, drip. Blood. Smell blood. Drip, drip, drip. Scared. See Her. See Her in big hard thing. Her two legs now. Her eyes no see Me. Look up to Big Shiny and little shinies. No see. Smell blood. Smell Her. No hear beat thing. No hear blood move under skin. Her no move no more. Her gone. Me look up see Big Shiny. Me cry loud.
* * * *
When I jerked awake, a smothered scream on my lips, the digital clock on the nightstand read five thirty-two in the morning. I rolled over and reached out instinctively for the reassuring warmth of Grey’s body, but of course he wasn’t there. He never would be there again.

Two years, I told myself as I threw back the covers of the single bed in a small, unfamiliar Paris hotel room and staggered for the bathroom to splash cold water on my face. The dregs of the dream slipped away under my fingertips as I massaged my cheeks and forehead, blond hair spilling over my shoulders into the wet stream of the water.

My hair was getting long. Two years, I told myself again, bitterness twisting my face.
I scowled into the mirror and saw my own reflection–as familiar to me as anything in the world. I thought of the wind, the trees at night, the scent of the pine needles embedded in the soft earth of the forest.

Everything conspired to create a wall between me and the rest of the world. I hadn’t connected with anything or anyone for so long I barely remembered what it felt like not to be alone.

My thirty-second birthday had come and gone three months earlier. Once upon a time there would have been a celebration. Grey and Elena would have been there with me. Presents. Cake.

Instead I’d sat in a dark theater and watched a horror movie while secretly envying all the couples who sat around me.

When I saw people in love, a strange, isolating ache gripped my whole body.
Two years, I told my reflection in the mirror.

Grey used to tell me I was beautiful. He loved to trace the contours of my face with his fingers–my high cheekbones, my full mouth, my eyelids and forehead. Even my nose, which I thought was too big but he pronounced elegant. Ha.

He was the elegant one with his sensitive mouth and long, thin fingers. A poet’s face. Hollow cheeks, dreamy eyes.

Elena had been the beauty in my opinion. Blond, like me, only hers was so fair it was nearly white. The milky translucence of her skin made me think of women in castles in the medieval days, women who stayed behind the castle walls and never saw the sun because of the feuds and fights their men waged for them.

Grey and Elena–my bond mates, my lovers, my friends.
There had also been Jonathan, Nora, Callie, Vaughn and Peter. Grandfather Tobias. My pack.
Two years ago, that is.
When everything stopped.

Thank you for featuring here, today, Amy. Best wishes with your tour!
Slainthe!