Monday, October 31, 2016

Horror and Adolescence by Michael J. Bowler (Author of the novel Spinner)


Horror and Adolescence

Horror and adolescence go hand in hand for many reasons, which explains why teens tend to thrive on horror films and books more than any other demographic.
            Adolescence is a time of great change for kids – a transitional period between childhood and adulthood. No, teens are not young adults until they reach the age of eighteen (despite the media obsessively referring to 11 year olds as “young men” or “young women”), but their brains and bodies are changing at such a rapid pace that these years teeter between exhilarating and terrifying on a daily basis. The adolescent brain has one foot firmly planted on the accelerator while the other foot struggles to find the brake. Teens seek out thrilling experiences that pump the adrenalin and pound the heart. Hence the love of amusement park thrill rides, fast driving, and the heart-pounding experience of a good horror film or book.
But the “thrill gene,” as it’s been loosely dubbed, in teens isn’t the only correlation to horror, or the only reason teens love the genre. Fear is a HUGE part of adolescence, and teens stress over how best to manage that fear. What fears do teens face on a daily basis? Depends on where they live and go to school. For many, the fear is physical. Will they make it through the school day without getting bullied? Will they make it home without getting jumped? Will they fail yet another class and have to take it over? Will dad be drunk again tonight? Will mom tell them they’re losers? Will there be any food for dinner or will they have to go hungry until school the following day? These are but a few of the real fears no kid should have to live with, but far too many in America do.
But, above and beyond these issues, every adolescent is afraid to be different, to stand out from their peers, to not fit in. This is a palpable fear that guides almost every decision teenagers make. While some parents may encourage kids to embrace their differentness, most want their kids to be “mini-me’s” and conform to the “accepted societal norms” so they (the parents) don’t look bad in the eyes of other adults for having “that weird kid.” Such parents are embarrassed to have a disabled child, or one who isn’t good at sports, or who doesn’t get all A’s in school or who’s LGBT. By the time the adolescent brain kicks in, the wiring is geared toward socialization and social acceptance, so teens squelch their innate differentness in order to fit in. They live in fear every day that the mask they wear will be knocked off, the real “them” will shine through, and they will be ostracized as a result. So they dress the same, talk the same and act the same as their peers out of fear that their real selves will be rejected.
How does this fear relate to horror? Look at the huge number of horror stories that feature a kid who’s odd or different or possessed or threatened by nightmares that expose his secrets to the world. Look at how many feature a damaged character that hides behind a literal mask. Horror often features the outsider kid, the one nobody likes because he or she is “different” as the hero, the one who saves the day when his or her “conforming” peers are getting knocked off one by one. The plethora of possession stories speak to teen fears of having someone inside themselves, i.e. the real human being, revealing itself to the world and not being accepted. For LGBT youth, this fear is profound because they know how society consistently rejects kids like them for being born “different.” I supervised the GSA at my high school and, sadly, most of those kids were more afraid of their parents than their peers. Many kids wanted to attend meetings or functions, they’d tell me in private, but were afraid other kids would turn against them or, worse yet, inform their parents.
Special Education (SPED) kids harbor a similar fear. As a teacher to disabled students, I know from experience that their greatest fear is for peers to find out they’re SPED. I know the fear – I’ve lived with hearing impairment my whole life and there was not a single kid like me at any grade level up through and including graduate school. I never told peers that I couldn’t hear clearly. I just laughed if other kids did, even though I didn’t hear the punch line, or I stayed silent and nodded if I didn’t clearly understand something. I shied away from group sports or dances or activities that were loud and had many kids talking at once because I was afraid I’d have to admit my weakness and then get mocked for it. So it’s no surprise that even as a child I loved horror films and books. For me, seeing people manage fears that were greater than mine helped me deal with my own. These stories also raced my heart and fueled my imagination and inspired me to be a writer when I grew up. Horror is a thrill ride teens hope they never have to live through in real life, but they thrive on the adrenaline rush of being chased by the guy with the chainsaw, or having an exorcism performed on them, or having a guy with blades for fingers reach out of their dreams to try and kill them. Their hearts pound, blood rushes, and then they get to walk away unharmed.
For these very reasons, the best horror stories feature teen protagonists. Teens are always more willing to take risks that adults won’t – like opening that cellar door to see what’s down below, or sneaking into a graveyard to dig up graves or playing with that Ouija board that they know from countless films will lead to disaster. Teens are risk-takers, and horror stories are about managing fear while taking extreme risks, the kind that can often be deadly.
Spinner features a cast of teen characters with disabilities who have to solve a centuries-old mystery, as well as a string of murders quite possibly committed by one of them, all without the ability to read or write or, in Alex’s case, walk. Like gay kids and bullied kids, these characters face real fear every day just by going to school where they know they’ll be mocked and ridiculed for being “different.” But being different doesn’t stop them from bonding together and risking their lives for each other. At the heart of any good horror story is friendship between characters who have to make life and death choices that the viewing audience, or the reader, hopes never to have to make in the real world. Horror teaches kids valuable lessons without being dogmatic or preachy. Some lessons are complex, like how the smallest choices can have the biggest consequences, while others are minor – like don’t go into a dark basement alone when you hear sounds down there.
Being a teen today shouldn’t be the equivalent of a horror film, but it sadly often is; reading a novel or watching a film can be cathartic and help kids survive by reminding them that the different one, the “odd kid out,” the bullied kid, the kid who thinks outside the box will be the last man standing. Within these fictional forays into terror, kids see how their true selves, the ones they hide from the world, are the ones that ultimately survive and save others along the way. In teen horror, “different” is the new “normal.”


About the Book


Spinner
Michael J. Bowler

Fifteen-year-old Alex is a “spinner.” His friends are “dummies.” Two clandestine groups of humans want his power. And an ancient evil is stalking him. If people weren’t being murdered, Alex might laugh at how his life turned into a horror movie overnight.

In a wheelchair since birth, his freakish ability has gotten him kicked out of ten foster homes since the age of four. Now saddled with a sadistic housemother who uses his spinning to heal the kids she physically abuses, Alex and his misfit group of learning disabled classmates are the only ones who can solve the mystery of his birth before more people meet a gruesome end.

They need to find out who murdered their beloved teacher, and why the hot young substitute acts like she’s flirting with them. Then there’s the mysterious medallion that seems to have unleashed something malevolent, and an ancient prophecy suggesting Alex has the power to destroy the human race.

The boys break into homes, dig up graves, elude kidnappers, fight for their lives against feral cats, and ultimately confront an evil as old as humanity. Friendships are tested, secrets uncovered, love spoken, and destiny revealed.

The kid who’s always been a loner will finally learn the value of friends, family, and loyalty.

If he survives…

Spinner Buy links




 Spinner by Michael J Bowler was a fantastic suspense-thriller.  It is not the type of book I would normally pick up and read but I found myself unable to put it down and here’s why. First the main character and his friends are all in Special Ed. As a Special Ed teacher this makes me giddy. I have worked with “these” boys. The mannerisms, bonds of friendship and the emotions of each kid is spot on. I felt like each boy I had worked with at one point in my career. Spinner is in a wheelchair and has the ability to heal people. Because of this people are after him, wanting to use his abilities for evil.  He also has nightmares which become reality. Reason two is the subtle religious tones in the book. Spinner feels the one man he can confide in is the Catholic priest at the local church. Even he has some changes of the heart as he helps Spinner and his friends solve the mystery of how Spinner came to be. Another is the amazing way the characters deal with one of the boys being “different”. I don’t want to give spoilers so I will just say that the young boy did not need to be afraid to open and share his life. Lastly, and I think the biggest message in the story, is that even though bad things happen to you or in your life does not make you bad. We all have the choice to choose between the light and dark sides, good vs. evil; however you want to label it.  Each sub story in here was intriguing. I wanted to know more about each of the boys that helped him and called him friend.  There are so many great moments in this book that to share would spoil it for you. If this were a movie I would be hiding under a blanket holding my bestie’s hand and a tissue in the other. One moment I was scared, next saddened, and followed by a wash of relief. There are happy and funny moments too, so don’t worry, but have your blanket and tissue close and a mug of hot tea. I will read on, I want to know what happens to Spinner and his friends. 5 stars



Spinner by Michael J. Bowler is an exceptional roller coaster of a book. It’s been a while since I’ve read any YA, but this book was fantastic.
Our hero is a boy named Alex. He has spina bifida, is in Special Ed and has to live in a foster home run by an evil hag. He is extraordinary. Bowler has given him the angst and fears of any teenager, but a charming depth and poise we all hope our children will have. He is surrounded by his friends, an eclectic group of boys also in the Special Education program at his school. Each one is different and exceptional.
I really enjoyed the paranormal and religious mythology of this book. It took and original concept and wove it intricately through a variety of well-known religions. I loved that the boys had limitations, not just Alex’s spina bifida, but their mental restrictions, and still managed to find a way to understand. Not just one another, but whatever was thrust at them.
This is a YA book, but it is gritty and real and not for the faint of heart. There is danger, adventure and evil… real evil. The characters are fantastic, and the relationships intense.
I couldn’t put this book down. I read it in about 12 hours, and had to force myself to go to sleep. If you are looking for a adventure, mystery full of depth and originality, this is the book for you. 5 stars! Can’t wait to find out how the journey continues!



The Dream Cast of the Movie




Author Bio:

Michael J. Bowler is an award-winning author who grew up in Northern California. He taught high school in Hawthorne, California for twenty-five years, both in general education and to students with disabilities. He’s made low-budget horror films, written stage plays, and coached strength training at YMCA’s. He loves volunteering as a youth mentor with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and within the juvenile justice system in Los Angeles. He is a passionate advocate for the fair treatment of children and teens in California, and hopes his books can show young people they are not alone in their struggles






Saturday, October 29, 2016

Spooky Short from Tricia Owens



Title: Night of Jinxes: A Moonlight Dragon Short Story
Author: Tricia Owens
Series: Moonlight Dragon
8,700 words


About the Book

When a spooky, disembodied voice in Moonlight Pawn threatens to kill Anne Moody, she's angry and annoyed. She doesn't have time for this! But if she wants to catch a wink of sleep in the near future, she know she has to figure out which item in her magickal pawn shop is out to get her. Unfortunately that's easier said than done. Anne lives in the retail equivalent of a haunted house. As she and her best friend Melanie the monkey shapeshifter soon learn, everything is cursed! This is a fun and creeptastic Moonlight Dragon short story, available in KU. 


Moonlight Dragon Series

Descended From Dragons (Book One)



To save Sin City, she must battle Hell. Too bad the odds are against her.

Beneath the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas lies another city. A secret city in plain sight, full of warlocks and demons, shapeshifters and golems. A city that feeds off the chance magick that is generated by gamblers and which is ruled by mysterious beings called the Oddsmakers.

It is in this strange underbelly of the occult that Anne Moody runs a cursed pawn shop for the desperate, the curious, and the magickally inclined. The job can be tricky, but it keeps her under the radar. None of her customers have any inkling that she is a dragon sorceress with a power that's been feared throughout history. One day, a visitor to her shop pawns a stone statue that is more than it appears. The statue is a gargoyle named Vale, who is shrouded in mystery and secrets. When she learns that Vale is possessed, and that the person responsible for cursing him plans to take over Las Vegas with a horde of demons from Hell, Anne realizes it is up to her to defy the Oddsmakers and save the city, and possibly the world.

Descended from Dragons is the first book in an exciting new urban fantasy series for fans of Patricia Briggs, Annie Bellet, and Ilona Andrews. Watch for more books and short stories in this universe!

Book 1: Descended from Dragons
Book 2: Hunting Down Dragons
Book 3: Trouble with Gargoyles 
Book 4: Forged in Fire
Book 5: Rise of the Dragon

Join the mailing list for new releases: http://www.triciaowensbooks.com/list


About the Author


Tricia has been writing and publishing since 2002. She publishes her books to Amazon regularly. An avid traveler, she has visited over 80 countries and been struck by food poisoning only twice. She has been a casino table games dealer in Las Vegas and the onboard editor of a cruise ship. Visit her website at http://www.triciaowensbooks.com and join her newsletter to be updated on her latest releases, contests and promotions.




Friday, October 28, 2016

Book Tour: The Power of Mortals by Morgan Straughan Comnick








About the Book

Title: Spirit Vision 3: The Power of Mortals
Author: Morgan Straughan Comnick
Genre: Paranormal Romance

"You are the beacon of the Lord’s two worlds, but how can you protect them when you have lost your shining light?

When Stary Moon, the Spirit Warrior, awakes on the lunchroom floor of her school, battered and bloodied, she cannot recollect how she came to such a state. 

Stary ignores the concerns of her best friends, Chloe, Rin, and Lauren, and continues to go on with her life, but no matter how normal her days and Spirit Warrior duties are, she feels a lingering sorrow like someone is missing from her life. Her friends discover some shocking truths about Stary and realize they’re the only ones who remembers Umbra—Stary’s boyfriend who has mysteriously gone missing. Stary’s universe crashes around her and the fate of the world rests on her shoulders. 

Her objective is clear, but when she leaves on this mission, there is no turning back, and she will lose one of her worlds—the mortal world of her family and friends, or the spiritual world of her duty and missing someone, for good. Still, Stary has a point to prove to this dark presence that is threatening to consume the planet: there is power from those one least expects, and Stary is prepared to risk everything on this claim."

Author Bio
Educator of young minds by day, super nerdy savior of justice and cute things by night, Morgan Straughan Comnick has a love for turning the normal into something special without losing its essence. Morgan draws from real life experiences and her ongoing imagination to spark her writing. In her spare time, she enjoys doing goofy voices, traveling to new worlds by turning pages, humming child-like songs, and forcing people to smile with her "bubbliness." It is Morgan's mission in life to spread the amazement of otaku/Japanese culture to the world and to stop bullying; she knows everyone shines brightly.


To learn more visit at the following:
Website: http://morganscomnick.com         
Facebook: bit.ly/MorganSComnick
Twitter: @MorganSComnick
Youtube Channel: Sakurastar07


Book Excerpts
#1.
I felt like I needed reassurance.
            I clicked the volume up on our remote controlled door ringer so I could hear customers if they came in.  I ventured to the back of the massive building, the walls slowly going from drywall to brick and then hard concrete.  It was like I was stepping through time, the walls welcoming me to the past and yearning to tell me of their adventures as observers. When I made it to the back room, the vintage room, I was surrounded with colorful garments from the 1940’s to 1980’s, organized on racks by categories with my mom’s bright and adorable handmade signs. This popular section was my mom’s pride and joy, showing off the eras that helped raise her and inspire her loving, creative soul.  Shoppers found it charming, a rare, hidden gem, and they would get authentic, period pieces for costume parties.  
            There was, however, one other reason this room was a sweet retreat and bitter entrapment.
            That is why I was here at this moment.
            Sure enough, I was not disappointed at the insanity they saw. I saw the flash of fabric at the corner of my vision despite the fact I had been staring at the floor to mentally brace myself. At turtle speed, I lifted my head at the entryway to this part of the puzzle pieced together store that was my mom’s. There, I witnessed three dresses flying in a whirlwind circle that made me dizzy. A red and white checkered hoedown dress was ripped off the display wall from a sudden gale, swirling into the crazy above me, its poor, lacey underskirt frills flapping embarrassingly.   A green 80’s dress and blue bellbottoms joined the fray, this rainbow trapped in a spin cycle making my stomach clench.
            Wait for the wig…
            On cue, a rubber, black wig dolled up in a classy fashion was tossed into the air, the calling card for my so called troublemaker, one whose mischief needed to be managed.
            “Hello Natasha.”
            The wig stopped its trampoline routine, hovering three feet over from the robin-egg hued carpet.  The other wigs in the costume props bin vibrated, their metal clinking like the rattling of bones.  I heard something that sounded like an irritated grunt and a pouting whine, one that signaled me to continue.
            I plastered my calm, nurturing smile on my face, my voice becoming breathy, patient teacher mode kicking in, “Hi Natasha, I hope you’re doing good today.”  I pointed upward, grinning at the parade of dresses soaring through the air.  “I’m impressed with the show you did. I know it's lonely today, but in case we get any customers, we don’t want the clothes to get ruined. Do you think you could put them down for me, please Natasha?”
            There was a pause, the air heavy with her thoughts and the ectoplasma energy she was producing. A few long seconds rolled by, neither one of us backing down.
#2.
                As the inky, shadowy mirror to other places vanished into smoke, a rumbling was heard off where the lightning bolt had landed a moment earlier. The remaining stones that were not carried off by the harsh storm winds were now jumping, hopping up three feet as if they were on fire.  The earth shook, triggering an end to Rin’s shield as her cards lost their vibes, their vividness, and let out an ear shattering whistle. The barrier of red shattered in its pitch-like shards of blooded glass. Rin fell forward straight as a board, Lauren catching her waist from behind. Chloe tapped Rin’s cheeks to get her out of her groggy state.
                I called to my comrades, but I was only able to take one set of running steps before the ground cracked and began to fault under me. The vibrating pulses coming from the lightning bolt’s strike making it hard to think, to move, to not hurl. It was like being trapped in an isolation room with the bass in your ears and someone behind-the-scenes was in control of your destiny, cranking up the bass to the highest level.  I was shocked my head had not exploded, gory images from one of her game club buddies’ favorites, Mortal Kombat, wedging repulsion into me. I shook at the graphics I was placing in the curves of my mind!
                The shaking ceased slowly and the rumbling became a low murmur, but it was still hard to focus. I perked my ears, sensing too many vibes at once, so many that it was making my eyeballs try to go into the back of my head like a freaky horror film.  It was then I realized that the mumbles were not from an aftershock quake, but were actual voices blending into a zombie choir of incoherence, but it still sent a shiver of fear down my spine.  From the smoke and the raining of ashes from the gaping crisp hole of the lightning landing, looking similar to the portal Queen Grave had appeared from at school a few days prior, emerged a stampede of creatures. It was an army spotting flickering black and purple strobe light auras, dozens upon dozens of them with determined, vile faces and blank pupils, scarves of wet ivy tangled around them…
As I tried to control my bladder, a realization dawned: now I know how Simba felt.
                These must be Queen Grave’s troop that Rico and Maybelle warned me about. And their eyes are hollow white…Possession! She’s controlling these restless ghosts and confused spirits with her vines and magic. That explains the unstable black and red aura of evil and loss of control.  I deduced, although, right now, keep all of us alive was my biggest worry.
                Possessed ghost zombies. Wow, that was actually a new one.
#3:
He began wringing his hands together in intense, rapid motions, his long fingers twisting into themselves. “Oh, angels are not supposed to tell mortals about the life they had before they were angels, if they were granted angelhood. It is in Angelic to Earthly law, stanza 440-72…”
Heather patted Jacob’s hands tenderly, her now cerulean-toned fingernails sparkling blindingly in the spotlight we were granted from the canopy. Slowly, his eyes drowning with deep emotion seemed to mute their dark brown tone. She gave him a gentle, closed smile, a motherly look of understanding.  A desire to help twinkled in her pupil. “You’re anxious. You’re wringing your hands again. No need to be. I know you’re a rule follower Jacob, but Stary is the Spirit Warrior. She wasn’t supposed to tell anyone her secret and yet, these mortals were meant to know. I think it’s so nice that she wants to know about our story. Usually, we are the helpers.  For once, let’s allow someone to care for us.”
Jacob nodded slowly, a solemn pinch in his cheeks, but an accepting grin was creeping up on him as he addressed us. “Heather, you’re such a troublemaker, but I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have you with me.” His beam exploded then, twinkling like a heavenly body as he gave her a friendly, beyond-words glance.
Heather cupped her hand over her lip-glossed sparkled mouth, going into a fury fit of giggles that made her face rose-hued, her freckles almost hopping off her cheeks from excitement for getting praised by her partner. “I know I’m a troublemaker, but hey! I’m cute and everyone loves me!”
With this, we all joined her chorus in with laughs all our own, making a harmony, a connection, between the world of the living, the world touched by the light of Heaven. Chloe was complimenting Heather on her glittery, ever changing nail-polish, the two exchanging tips- I would have to ask them later how angels even wore make-up later- as we settled down, munching on our meal again. Our group was preparing ourselves for a storytime that would soar into our hearts like wings forever.
Jacob had agreed to tell most of the story and Heather would add in details if need be. Stroking his sixth dragon ball patch on his pants pocket, Jacob began, sweeping us up into his world. “Just to clarify before we begin: Heather and I were, once mortals like you, normal teenagers before fate took our life away.” He swallowed silently, but the pressure it put on him was easy to detect. Even Heather lowered her head, a forlorn expression passing over her face, but it vanished quickly, like the waves crashing gently against the shoreline before being pulled back with the tides. Jacob went on, deciding with a stronger voice that it wasn’t necessary for us to share in their sadness.





Thursday, October 27, 2016

Book Blitz & Giveaway: Stage Left by Ali Parker


Stage Left
Ali Parker
(Bright Lights Billionaire #1)
Publication date: March 20th 2016
Genres: Adult, Romance
From Best Selling Author, Ali Parker comes a new Billionaire Series filled with sexiness, humor and intense attraction…
Ethan Lewis has been in the bright lights for as long as he can remember. He’s just turned the cusp of celebrating his twenty-fourth birthday, and yet he feels more like eighty. Living the life of a celebrity isn’t all it is chalked up to be, and dealing with the unruly number of women who are more interested in his billions than who he is as a person is getting old. He has resigned himself to giving up on love and focusing on the only thing that truly gives back – his career.
Riley Phillips has always dreamed of being on a big stage with the warmth of the spotlight baring down on her, but she just couldn’t seem to catch the right agent’s attention. After giving a quick commencement speech as Valedictorian of her graduating class at Billmore High, she’s offered something she can’t refuse… The chance to work in Hollywood. It’s not all it’s chalked up to be, but she works hard and finally gets her big break four years down the line. There is a new movie that her agent wants her to audition for, and her co-star? The dreamy Ethan Lewis.
She scores the part, but soon regrets it due to his callous, overbearing persona. He’s nothing like the public touts, and she for one isn’t impressed.
Funny enough, he is – immensely.
Grab yours today for FREE!
Ali Parker talks about being an indie author and loving it!
I think from a young age I’ve always been independent, always looking for a way to forge a new path and climb a steep hill and do it mainly on my own. I think like most Indies, I started by trying the traditional route and after loads of rejection, it was just easier to forget it. A few friends of mine are making it big in the indie world and have reluctantly pulled me into it as well. I will tell you that it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.
I’m not a superstar, but a story teller – which is all I ever wanted to be. I set my schedule, write what I want, love on you guys by giving away whatever the hell I want to and life FEELS right/good.
Let me tell you why else I love being Indie.
1. No one will ever love my book as much as me. It’s my creation and having the freedom to choose what it looks like and where the plot goes is all mine to decide. I don’t have someone standing over my shoulder making it “better” by their definition of “better.”
2. I can spend as little or as much time, energy and money as I want. Obviously the more I put into it, the more I’m going to get out of it, but that’s with anything in life. The cool part is that if I’m a good editor or if I can design my own cover, then those are costs to be saved and skills to be used.
3. I belong. In a world of independent authors I find myself fitting in just perfectly. We all work hard and dream big and the encouragement is beyond belief. I don’t have to write a certain genre or stick to a certain structure in the plot. I simply write, promote and support and honestly feel great about myself at the end of the day.
Being an Indie author, to me, doesn’t really have anything to do with being Independent though. It’s a statement that says I’m capable of making every step along this book writing/producing platform to take a dream from start to finish. The truth of what Indie authors are doing is showing the world that there still exists hope. Hope to dream big and work hard to make that dream a reality.
That’s why I love being Indie!


Author Bio:
Ali Parker is a full-time contemporary romance writer who left a life in Corporate America to try out living a dream. She loves coffee, watching a great movie and hanging out with her hubs. By hanging out, she means making out. Hanging out is for those little creepy elves at Christmas. No tight green stockings for her.
Thanks for picking up a book!!
Ali also writes Sci-Fi Romance under Liza Probz - http://amzn.to/1KvnczE, and Western Romance under Jessica Mills - http://amzn.to/1P37NDz

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Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Blog Tour: Wicked Winter Box Set for Charity - .99¢ for 15 tales of Winter Paranormal Romance - PreOrder now!

Title: Wicked Winter
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Expected Release Date: December 6th, 2016
Cover Designer: Rene Folsom
Charity Anthology: Alzheimer's Association
Hosted by: Lady Amber's PR


Blurb:

Warm up your chilly nights with 15 stories by some of today’s hottest USA Today, and Amazon bestselling authors as they tell you tales of vampires, shifters, elementals, fae, and demons trying to find a little love this winter.

All proceeds will be donated to help support the Alzheimer’s Association in the fight to find a cure.




Pre Order Links: 




IMMORTAL REVEALED by Magen McMinimy

TAGLINE: How can one move forwards when their past comes back to haunt those they love?

TEASER: “So arrogant all you Fae warriors. Tell me where are your wings, little one?”
Holly’s grin widened as her wings sprang free of her back and with a quick push from the snow she was crashing both her body and the snarling wolf through the branches of the tree’s that were only seconds ago above them.
Dorthea’s gaze widened as she took in the spread of Holly’s stark white wings. “Those don’t belong to you… what are you?”
Holly tried not to flinch at the accusation. The wings weren’t hers… not originally, but they had been gifted from her father and every time she released the massive white feathers from her back, she felt her father’s presence. His strength supporting her, encouraging her to do what she had always been meant to do. To fight at her siblings’ and the warriors’ side. To help the Light Fae and keep the humans safe from what could slip from the Middle World, like the bitch she was holding a good sixty feet in the air.
“I’m the daughter of Try and the warrior who is going to end you.”

COLD HEARTS by Emma Shade

TAGLINE: Sometimes love finds your inner wolf.
TEASERS: I had finished my burger and moved on to the loaded cheese fries. However, something compelled me look up.
In walked a gorgeous guy that screamed tall, dark, and handsome. I knew the description was cliché, but daaaamn. He glanced around the restaurant and I noticed his eyes resembled mist on a foggy morning.
My inner wolf instantly perked up, my senses on overload. Then he looked at me and the world shifted. The busy diner disappeared as if we were the only two here. We both stared at each other as my long forgotten cheese fries dripped gooey sauce on my fingers.

THE OAK by S.L Dearing

TAGLINE: Passion. Devotion. Obsession. The Crusade to win her heart begins with The Oak.
TEASER: Keitha relished the chill in the air as the warmth of the sun broke through the winter cloud cover. Sunlight streamed over the forest, pushing through the pine needles and bouncing off the white mounds of snow. Pulling her cloak tightly around her as she maneuvered over the drifts, Keitha trudged forward until she came to a cluster of bushes covered in small red fruit. She opened her satchel and began plucking the small round rose hips from the frozen branches, humming to herself. So engrossed in her endeavor, she was unaware that she was being watched.
From several hundred yards away, Foley Guillory leaned against a tree, watching her intently. Knitting his brows together, he absently wiped his mouth.
“Are we going to hunt, or not?” came a whine from behind him.
Foley turned and stared at his companion. Cody Page was short and slightly pudgy with freckles and a head of ginger hair.  he folded his arms in front of him, a pale attempt to defy the handsome huntsman. Foley smirked before turning his attention back to Keitha. “We’ll go when I say we go.”
“Aww, c’mon, Foley. It’s cold out here. Why do you have to follow her everywhere anyway?”
“Because… she’s mine. She belongs to me… she just doesn’t understand that yet.”
FRIGID by Rene Folsom

TAGLINE: With the struggle to hone her powers as an elemental half-breed, Kirsi learns what it means to protect her heart all while keeping the town of Relic safe.

TEASER: I glanced over my shoulder while I ran, my hand holding my side.  The stitches there were tearing at my skin, the wound a painful reminder of last week’s run-in, and the heeled boots I wore tonight weren’t doing me any favors.  I had no idea why I decided to put them on.  I should've known better than to assume I’d have a normal night.
When was anything in my life normal?
The n-word was clearly not in my vocabulary.
I huffed and continued, practically holding myself together as I ran through the streets of Relic toward the forest. I didn’t care one little bit about the looks I was getting from mortali bystanders. I needed to make it to the perimeter of my land and that was my only focus. Once I hit the border, the wards I set would automatically protect me, keeping out any I didn’t choose to let in.
My date had been a disaster, ending with this God-forsaken chase. I could still feel the asshole’s slimy hands lingering on my skin.  Just the memory sent chills up my spine.  The fact I couldn’t pin down who—or what—it was had my insides coiling like I’d just swallowed a gulp of sour milk.
The malus approached me just outside the restaurant, its breath seeping into my sinuses like a poison, yet no verbal demand came from it.  Regardless of its physical appearance being that of a human male, I could tell by the look in its eyes and the stench on its skin that it was anything but.
It didn’t take a genius to know I had to get far away and fast.

HOLLY by Danielle Gavan

TAGLINE: Fantasies, Dreams, Nightmares... Ralph Holly’s world just got complicated.
TEASER: Careful to keep their fingertips from brushing, Ralph took possession of the tablet and accessed the surveillance files from Philip’s home. He queued up the video he’d discovered earlier and turned it for Reverie to view. A crease formed between her brows as the seconds ticked by, her eyes glossing over as sadness took root. Ralph pulled the device back and shut down the video feed before the tears started. He couldn’t handle tears. His mother had cried at the drop of a pin and it has ripped at his heart. Every. Single. Time. No. Tears were not happening. Especially not Reverie’s tears.
“So,” he sighed and cleared his throat. “That’s why I think your brother’s involved, as if his parents getting divorced isn’t enough of a nightmare.”
Reverie nodded, her perfect white teeth scraping over the sweep of her lower lip again. Focus on the task, Ralph reminded himself. Focus on the fucking task. He gave himself a mental shake and tried for a neutral expression.
“I’ve got a guy on the night shift in surveillance.” Ralph pulled his cell out from the holster on his belt and opened the messaging app. He tapped in a quick message and then looked across the table at her once more. “Let me check in with him and I’ll get back to you. I can’t guarantee it’ll be tonight, but as soon as I know anything you’ll know. Okay?”
“Okay.” She gave him a grateful smile and reached across, her small hand landing on the bicep he’d rested on the back of his chair. Every single one of the fine hairs covering his body stood at attention. Every neuron and synapse fired, tensing muscles and sending signals like crazy throughout his body. Her fingers squeezed his bicep and Ralph nearly swallowed his tongue. Fuck. If just one touch could make him react like that… What would full on contact be like?
PETALS IN THE SNOW by Jax Walsh

TEASER: Taking in the young woman in front of him, Abraham
couldn’t help but enjoy the view of her long dark curls clinging to her glistening face and body. Her skin was losing the flushed look from the hot shower he had clearly interrupted, but her complexion glowed as her green eyes sparkled back at him during their brief conversation. He was not about to walk away from this obsidian beauty.
Pulling a black and white photograph from his inside coat pocket, showing her the snapshot of a picnic scene with three adults and a little girl sporting pigtails clasping onto a raggedy panda bear, Abraham pleaded. “Please do not dismiss me. I can wait outside until you are suitably dressed and ready to receive me into your abode? Trust me, Ebony. I have information about your family.”
A thousand reasons why she shouldn’t trust him were probably flashing through her mind, but he knew the photograph held more than a distant memory for her. He could have the answers she wanted—no, the answers she needed. However the outcome unraveled, she would regret closing the door . She wrapped her fingers gingerly around the photograph, never taking her eyes from it as she retreated back into the safety of her home. Abraham was about to protest when two words silenced him. “Wait here.”

MATED by Katie Salidas

TAGLINE: Confirmed Bachelor.Serial Womanizer.Sex God.Brady wore those titles like a badge of honor.Boyfriend or ― a word that should never be spoken ― Mate.No. Way. In. Hell.He’d never let a woman tie him down… like that.
WINTER RUNES by Rebecca Brooke


BITTER by Alexia Purdy

TAGLINE: Becoming the Alpha is going to take all he's got.
TEASER: A large white and gray spotted wolf approached him snarling and baring his teeth through the rumbling growls. Hayden could barely get a good look at him as his vision refused to sharpen. He badly wanted to drift off into a beckoning sleep of nothing. The enormous wolf paused its snarls, sniffing him with a morbid curiosity increasingly interested in the blood trickling from the gash on his head. Hayden tried to shift his position slowly, but his body refused to cooperate, not moving. Yet, he could feel his strength returning as his vision cleared up and landed directly onto a pair of black outlined silver eyes.
Crap. This wasn’t good. There was nothing but malice guaranteed in a wolf’s stare down.
COOLING by Morgan Jane Mitchell

TAGLINE: While the other worldly town of Cooling heats up for its newest resident, Mardella Craft wants answers, not to be snowed in with the sexy demon. Will it take a devil to melt her cold heart?

IMARA by Jessica Cage

TAGLINE: Winter was her favorite season.
TEASER: It was the frost in the air that did something seductive to her. Most would claim the heat of the summer brought the months of highest arousal, but Imara disagreed with this theory wholeheartedly. The chilled air, the early nights, and the desire that winter brought, was the most gratifying for the sexually charged woman. Granted, Imara was far from being considered normal by any means. Standing on her balcony, she enjoyed the soft dusting of wintery flakes as she peered out over the city. The sheer robe that barely hid the deep chocolate tones of her skin, flew open as the winds picked up. The cool air caressed her flesh, touched the dark rings of her nipples, and aroused her. Behind the veil of her thick mane of curls, her eyes glowed with a deep blue—she was hungry.
Imara filled her lungs with a long pull of the wintery air. What she sensed was the heat of the people nearby. That was the thing about winter, it made it so much easier to target her prey. In summer, everyone was hot, everyone was ready, but in the winter, only those who were truly sexual by nature stood out to her. Those were the ones who tasted the best, those were the ones who satisfied her most.
Imara was born a succubus … half-succubus to be exact, which was why she was an outcast to her demonic family. Her father, a dark warlock who tricked her mother into bedding him, left them both high and dry. Hell, at least she inherited a bit of magic from him. It took years for her to learn to control the power, but somehow she’d managed. It wasn’t easy, as a lot of the witches she ran into weren’t eager to help the half demon. In fact, most of them actually tried to kill her. Excuse a girl for saying hello! This, of course, meant she had to deal with some of the shadiest people she would ever encounter.
What else was to be expected in the life of a succubus?

THE FALL OF WINTER by Virginia Cantrell

TAGLINE: Sometimes the wrong choices lead your heart to the right place.
TEASER: At the sound of the door slamming against the stone wall, I launched to my feet, but froze in shock at the sight that greeted me. A small, frightened girl was dragged through the wooden doorway by three burly sentinels. The girl thrashed against their hold, but she was no match against the soldiers. Their brute strength easily outmatched her own; not to mention, she was powerless against their ability to negate her natural command of one of the four elements. The sentinels were the perfect counter balance to an elemental, maintaining nature’s order.
It had been five long years since I had gazed upon that face, and I never imagined our reunion to be quite like this. Fear and confusion threaten to overwhelm me as time stood still and everything froze, all except my heart beating ferociously in my chest. The sentinels seemed just as confused as me as their gazes bounced between me and the now docile girl. Perhaps they weren't aware Ivey had a twin, much less expecting my presence at such a volatile moment. The soldiers on each side of Ivey retained their grip on her upper arms while the third sentinel held firmly to her shoulders, but still Ivey was able to reach her hand out to me.
“Annabelle,” she whispered imploringly.
The look of helplessness on my once-proud sister’s face had me automatically rushing to grasp her hand. Just as our fingers made contact, one of the soldiers bellowed, “Don’t,” and tried to wrench Ivey away, but it was too late. Catching them by surprise, Ivey sprang forward, clutching my hand. Quick as lightning, a familiar sensation coiled in my stomach. I tried to gain control of it, but it was yanked from me.
The blast of energy exploded in the air, emitting a heat so great, the sentinels were dead before they hit the ground. For a moment, my heart stopped beating and my knees threaten to give out, my legs suddenly unable to hold my weight. But before I could give into that weakness, Ivey’s words and accusatory tone caught my attention, stiffening my spine.
“Annabelle, what have you done?”
“I d-didn’t…” I tried to deny it, to explain, but no other words emerged through my shock. Vaguely, I noticed the glassy excitement that shown in Ivey’s eyes as my twin surveyed the destruction around us. Had she—
Just then, the sound of rushing footsteps could be heard through the door. Ivey snatched up my forearm in a biting grip.
“Run!”
That one whispered word echoed through my head as if it had been bellowed inside a deep cave. Acting on instinct, I didn't even think about it. I just did as my sister commanded. I ran.

THE COTTAGE by Lavinia Urban

TAGLINE: Forbidden gateway to the dark realm.















EVERLEE FROST by Emily Walker

TAGLINE: Everlee's new boyfriend is hiding something, sometimes secrets can be deadly.
TURNED by Katherine Rhodes

TAGLINE: She didn’t ask to be turned; she only asked to be loved.  

BLURB:
Waking up dead sucks.
Cracking her eyes open as one of the undead for the first time in the cellars of Castle Pietra, Sara immediately meets her guardian—well, werewolf. She witnesses him halt her summary execution and then save her life with his blood.
His sweet, delicious, magic-laced blood.
Slowly, through Michael Morchause's tutelage and the kindness of his family, she starts to adjust to being a vampire. It’s not the best un-life, but at least she can make sure her little brother Keelan is safe and cared for.
But all it took was one winter night. A night she was enjoying with her date, Marius, and trying to live just a little bit of the life she lost when everything changed. She, Marius and Michael are pulled into a world that was darker, more cruel, and bigger than they ever suspected.
And Keelan was their captive.


Magen McMinimy

Magen started writing as a hobby. Having been one of those people obsessed with the world of the paranormal for as long as she can remember, she loves creating her own worlds for readers to get lost in. She see’s life as a constant balance of what we want and what we need. A balance that we all have to create in our own way.
“Life is a constant balance of what we want and what that balance in her love of writing and cherishes every minute she’s fortunate enough chase her dreams. We need. It's also a lot like a Battle. A battle that we all have to fight our own way. I choose to try and love and cherish every minute that I get to chase my crazy dreams and create a world and characters to get lost in.”


Rene Folsom

Rene Folsom, author of paranormal romance and erotica, lives in Florida with her husband and three kids. She has officially diagnosed herself with creative ADD and often has a million and one writing projects going at once. In addition to writing, she is also a graphic artist who enjoys creating custom book covers for indie authors. She is definitely an artist at heart and would love nothing more than to be elbow deep in clay during her waking hours.
Rene believes that all fiction is based on some form of reality—otherwise we would never have the inspiration or knowledge to dream up the realistic situations we portray with our words. She is proud to say that her personal experiences have been inspirational, though perhaps not always identical to that of her fictional characters. Where reality and fantasy diverge, however, must remain her little secret…


Morgan Jane Mitchell

Bestselling Erotic Romance and Paranormal author Morgan Jane Mitchell spent years blogging politics and health trends before she rediscovered her love of writing fiction. Trading politicians for bloodsuckers of another kind, she's now the author of bestselling post-apocalyptic fantasy novel, Sanguis City. Her action packed series of vampires, witches, demons and zombies is paranormal romance, dystopia, urban fantasy and erotica in one bite. When Morgan Jane is not creating the city of blood or conjuring up other supernatural tales, she's dreaming up erotic and dark romances.
Keep up to date and sign up for her newsletter for exclusive giveaways, teasers and chapter reveals.


Alexia Purdy

Alexia is a USA Today Bestselling author who currently lives in Las Vegas and loves spending every free moment writing or hanging out with her four rambunctious kids. Writing is the ultimate getaway for her since she's always lost in her head. She is best known for her award-winning Reign of Blood series, and A Dark Faerie Tale Series.
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Jessica Cage

Born and raised in Chicago, IL, writing has always been a passion for Jessica Cage. She decided to take a risk and unleash the plethora of characters and their crazy adventurous worlds that had previously existed only in her mind, into the realm of readers. She did this with hopes to inspire not only her son but herself. Inviting the world to tag along on her journey to become the writer she has always wanted to be. She hopes to continue writing and bringing her signature Caged Fantasies to readers everywhere.


Rebecca Brooke

Rebecca Brooke grew up in the shore towns of South Jersey. Writing has always been a love for her, as well as reading. She loves to hit the beach, but always with her kindle on hand. She is married to the most wonderful man, who puts up with all of her craziness. Together they have two beautiful children who keep her on her toes. Rebecca is the author of contemporary, new adult, and paranormal romance.


Virginia Cantrell

Virginia's greatest passion has always been fiction, particularly romance. The innocent in her loves the idea of a happily ever after, but she has a massive soft spot for the bad boys. If you ask her, she'll tell you she's living her dream—getting paid to read and helping indie authors to create beauty by working as an editor for Hot Tree Editing. She's inspired by the many amazing indie authors she has met and has (finally) found the courage to follow her other dream by becoming a published author.
Virginia would love to hear from you at http://www.facebook.com/v.cantrell.author or please consider leaving a review at Amazon or Goodreads.


S.L. Dearing

Although she grew up in Arizona, Shannon L. Dearing was born and raised in California
and considers the Golden State her home. Shannon attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo,
studying biology, before returning to Los Angeles where she spent several years studying at
Los Angeles City College’s renowned Television/ Film program. Although she has directed, produced and performed several other crew functions, nowadays regarding her film career, she is a screenwriter and, on occasion, an awesome crafty (Craft Services).
Besides, screenplays, Shannon is also a published multi-genre author – currently working on the next book in the Lia Fail Series, The Bridging: Book Two of The Lia Fail Chronicles, due out in 2017 (book 1 and 1.5 are already available), and she is working on a Sci-Fi Romance novella, Captured, also due out in 2017. When not writing or reading, Shannon enjoys spending time with friends and family.  Her hobbies include making jewelry and book swag (she has an Etsy store, Underdweller Treasures), baking and candy making, learning the guitar and drawing. Shannon currently resides in Los Angeles.


Danielle Gavan

Danielle is an International Amazon and All Romance eBooks Bestselling Author. She is currently pursuing her dream of writing, editing and graphic design while maintaining a full-time job.
She resides in Guelph, Ontario, Canada with her two beautiful teenage sons. Her incredibly supportive, and loving partner is also never far from her side and cheering Danielle on like the Number One fan that he is.

Danielle welcomes email and you may contact her at danielle@daniellegavan.com
Twitter @DanielleGavan

Katherine Rhodes

Armed with a pen name, Katherine Rhodes has gird her loins and set her mind to writing erotic romances which are kinky, dirty, and fun. As a lackadaisical laundry goddess, and an expert in the profundities of bad music and awful literature-thanks to her husband-Katherine strives to find balance in the universe and time to cook dinner. An East Coast dweller, currently located in the Philadelphia Tristate area, she is the proud servants of three cats and would take a vacation in Prague over a day at the beach any time.


Katie Salidas

Author of the Immortalis, Chronicles, and Little Werewolf Series, Las Vegas native, Katie Salidas is a Jill of all trades.  Mother to three, Wife to one, and slave to the craft of writing, she tries to do it all, often causing sleep deprivation and many nights passed out at the computer. Writing is her passion, and she hopes that her passion will bring you hours of entertainment.

Twitter http://twitter.com/QuixoticKatie

Emma Shade

Emma lives in Indiana with her husband and three crazy cats. She’s currently pursuing a degree in Visual Communications with Photography. When she’s not busy writing her next novel or doing college homework, Emma enjoys spending time with family and friends, listening to music, taking naps, or curled up with a good book.

Lavinia Urban

Lavinia originally grew up in Cheshire and now lives in a small village just outside of Edinburgh with her husband and two daughters.
Writing has always been something that Lavinia have loved since an early age but it wasn't until 2010 when the idea came to her to write Erin the Fire Goddess.

Lavinia chose to name the main character and her sister after her two daughters, who inspire Lavinia to write every day.


Emily Walker

Emily Walker loves creating worlds and stumbling around in them. She is constantly losing her chap-stick, and has an obsession with the color pink. Currently a resident of the mountains and loving the view she writes mostly paranormal fiction, and horror. Her small family consists of her red bearded other half, a rat terrier named Rebel, and a little girl named Harper.

Jax Walsh

Jax loves to listen to music while closing her eyes and letting the stories unfold. This was her favourite pastime growing up in Scotland and today remains high on her list. Her father, James Walsh, introduced her to a world of fantasy and imagination with a visit to the local library, kick-starting a love affair with the written word. As an avid reader, she prefers paranormal romance, thrillers, and the horror genre; she relished in the new challenge of writing her own novella.