Renee's Author Spotlight

About the Book

Action. Adventure. Fist to face. The Generalist is a hard-hitting ride through the Los Angeles of tomorrow, stuffed to the brim with monster-gene humans turned cannibal, Artifacts of enormous strength warping the very fabric of reality itself, secret organizations seeking to out-maneuver each other for ultimate power, and every day a simple miracle just to survive.

And who's standing between the rest of us "mundane citizens" and the myriad forces that seek to devour and conquer this world and those beyond?

The two violence-prone action junkies of the Shop: Frank Todd, the Generalist, and Daniel "Dash" Hopkins, his troll-gened companion and partner-in-crime.

Taking on all foes and challenges no matter how great or small, the Shop will do the job, get the pay, and woe betide any and all who dare to thwart their will!

The Generalist! Because you simply cannot read about people getting punched in the face ENOUGH!

Get it today on Amazon, Smashwords, and Createspace!

Keep reading for an excerpt:

Tapping on his desk with a gloved finger, he growled, "No. By all means. I had a wonderful night and a delicious breakfast. Why would I want to not cap it off with this equally amazing cup of coffee? No, go ahead and regale me with your findings whythehellareyouhere?!"

Dawn looked about herself and drew a chair to the desk, setting down a series of notes and pouring over them as she spoke, "Oh, good! Thank you, Magus Todd. No, I was merely pondering the ramifications of how Obtenebration Magia specialists never seem to cast a Magic Circle. When a magic spell of exceptional quality or level is cast, known as Higher Works, then a Magic Circle is inscribed in base reality, one formed of naturally-formed energies - the proof of a magus' work spanning the Magical Realm and our own physical plane. Yes? Yet when an Obtenebration Specialist performs a Higher Work, the chance that they cast forth a circle is completely random, yet the Higher Work will still activate as if they had~! It seems to be a pattern amongst Shadow Magic users of the past, that even when performing a Higher Work they cast no Magic Circle upon activating the spell, thus it's harder to tell if they're casting a Higher Work and increasing their effectiveness in a duel or casting during combat. Magus Todd, can you tell me if there IS a pattern or not?"

Frank frowned deeply, pointing at her, "I know. Shut up," then swung his thick finger towards the door, "And get ou-huh?! Now what?!"

Filling the doorway with his mystical armor engaged, plate armor glowing and pauldrons large and bulky, Legatus Valken growled through the eldritch helmet adorning his head, "I have received your challenge. Outside. Now."

Frank grinned and stood up, going out of his way to push his chair in slowly as Dawn openly gawked at him, sputtering question after question at him concerning the challenge. Spinning at the doorway, he gently placed a finger against her lips and lifted his eyebrows.

"SHUUUUUUSH! Freakin' silence, just a little. This is part of today's plan, and I'm gonna want you to watch especially close, Miss Magicker. C'mon."

Turning, he stalked down the hallway, hands in his pockets as a wave of students gathered in his wake, Dawn at his side the entire time, attempting to appeal to his more civilized side.

Stopping at a clear-windowed quad, the outside world shining into the makeshift arena formed by the press of student bodies, Frank turned to her with an exaggerated grin and retorted, "In case you didn't notice, Officer-Magus Tanelin of the Special Jurisdiction Branch of the Order of Magi, I lack a civilized side to appeal to."

Thursday, 23 February 2017

The Cow in the Doorway by Gino Bardi

Gino B. Bardi was born in New York City in 1950, and lived on the South Shore of Long Island until he attended Cornell University in 1968, during the tumultuous era of Vietnam War protests. Armed with a degree in English/Creative Writing, he diligently sought work in his field and soon wound up doing everything but. For the next forty-four years he cranked out advertising copy, magazine articles, loan pitches and short stories while running a commercial printing company in Upstate New York. Along the way, he married his college girlfriend, became father to three lovely daughters and decided that winter was an unnecessary evil. In 2008 he sold the printing business, retired, and now writes humorous fiction in his home on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Two signs hang above his desk: "Bad decisions make good stories," and Mel Brooks' advice that "You only need to exaggerate a LITTLE BIT."

The Cow in the Doorway is his first full-length novel and won the statewide Royal Palm Literary Award for best unpublished New Adult novel for 2015.

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About the Book

Cornell University, Ithaca New York, 1968: The barking megaphones of the antiwar protests never seem to shut up. The cafeteria food is awful and the coffee even worse. Tony Vitelli doesn't feel properly dressed without a STRIKE! T-shirt and an Iron Butterfly album under his arm. He can't see the top of his desk for all the books and papers. And his new roommate won't acknowledge his existence. Tony's first year at college is a complicated and bumpy ride. And very, very funny.

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Keep reading for an excerpt:

This education thing was not working out. The lousy weather, loneliness, crappy food and cranky roommate were ganging up on me. My Blonde on Blonde songbook rested beneath the big twelve-string. What should I play? What was the perfect song? The picture of Bob Dylan on the cover looked just like I felt. I turned the pages to Visions of Johanna, a song with about a hundred verses. Okay, it has five verses—but five long ones, about pain and loneliness and awkward silences—it matched my mood perfectly. There are only three chords, which you can learn to play the same day you get a guitar. I didn’t know anyone who could remember all the words. That’s why I had a songbook.

The twelve-string was a little out of tune, which was normal. It was impossible to tune perfectly. I got it close, then began to play, carefully fingerpicking each note, working myself up to a genuine plaintive Dylan wail. “Ain’t it just like the night?” I asked the ghosts in the empty room, “To play tricks when you’re trying to be so quiet?” My voice bounced back from the stone walls.

The oak door opened with an ancient creek followed by a blast of cold air sweeping in behind a girl I hadn’t seen before. She carried a guitar case. I stopped playing but she nodded and smiled as if she wanted me to keep going. She slipped off her fur coat, sat on the steps and took out her guitar, a well-worn Gibson, a vintage six string with an orange macramé guitar strap. She didn’t look anything like the hippie folksinger types who filled the Echo Chamber on a weekend. Small and compact, she had long, straight brown hair, the color of roasted chestnuts, perfectly brushed, flowing to the middle of her back. Dark eyes. Big silver hoop earrings, tailored store-bought bell bottoms, not homemade from an old pair of dungarees. A beige turtle neck sweater just the right amount too big.

She put her ear against her guitar and tuned it to mine, so quickly and quietly I didn’t believe it would be in tune, but it was. Then, she watched my hand form a chord and she began to play, her long fingernails striking the strings more clearly than any finger picks, hitting each note precisely. She played with me note for note, then strayed off the melody and played new ones, like little songs, melodies that worked like they were written for it. As if she had discovered the only copy of an unpublished Bob Dylan songbook.

Then she began to sing. And I stopped. My hand felt paralyzed. I couldn’t force a sound from my throat.

“What’s the matter?” she asked.

“You sing like an angel. I can’t sing with you. I’ll ruin it.”

“That’s silly. You sound fine. Keep playing. Please.” So I did.

She started to sing again, in a soaring voice that filled the room, a voice that didn’t need the echo. She never looked at the songbook. She knew all the words, the lyrics to all the verses, complicated obtuse poetry, that seemed to make perfect sense in her voice. Then a shudder went through me…for the first time, the lyrics made sense to me also, though I don’t think I could explain why. Somewhere deep in the song, I sang too, and we harmonized. I felt like I was auditioning for the Queen. Somehow it all worked.

I realized something, something big. I knew right away that everything had just changed: God had put me on this earth just to sing and play with this girl whose name I didn’t know—not yet. We rolled into the last verse. On the last line, she bent the note and her voiced sailed up the scale to land a full octave above mine...a full octave! The song ended and an icy chill ran down my back as if someone had dumped a bucket of Ithaca slush on me.

The echo took forever to fade. She sat, hugging the guitar across her knees and smiling, waiting for me to say something. I realized I was suddenly, desperately in love with her. I had never felt this way before. Not with anyone, not ever.

“What’s your name?” I finally managed.

“Melissa.”

For the first time since leaving home I knew exactly what I wanted.

Monday, 20 February 2017

The Spark by Sylvie Stewart

Sylvie Stewart is an author of Romance and Romantic Comedy. Like the characters in her books, North Carolina is where Sylvie calls home these days, and she can’t get over how awesome NC is! She and her husband love arguing over which of them is the funniest. It’s usually a tie (or so she lets him think). When she’s not writing, she can be found hanging out with her husband and kids or reading, Romance being her favorite genre, of course. And she knows that life wouldn’t be worth living without a lot of laughter, friends, and wine!

Sylvie is currently releasing The Spark, which is the second book in her Carolina Connections Series which follows couples as they meet and fall in love. Each book in the series is a standalone with a HEA.

The first book in the series is The Fix and was released in June of 2016.

Sylvie's writing touches on relatable topics and her characters are down-to-earth and believable. With a bunch of humor and some steam added in, her books make for easy and fun reads. One of her favorite reviews sums her style up perfectly. The reader commented, “I was alternately laughing and ‘awww-ing’ the whole time!”

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About the Book

When your back is against the wall, can you change the person life’s experiences have molded you to be?

Fiona Pierce is many things to many people. Dutiful daughter to her loving parents, fiercely loyal friend to her very tolerant bestie, half-assed employee to her laundry list of bosses, and dedicated fashion goddess and spreader of good cheer to the world at large. But Fiona is hiding something behind her irresistible smile – something she’s determined to keep to herself.

Mark Beckett doesn’t do complicated. Saddled with lingering baggage from his childhood, Mark sails through life one girl at a time – with frequent gym breaks in between. He likes his life just how it is and doesn’t see any need to change his work hard/play hard attitude.

When an unexpected blast from the past threatens to turn his family's life upside-down, Mark finds help in the unlikeliest of places – specifically the pint-sized princess who has a knack for pushing his buttons.

Can you overcome your fears and embrace the happiness you might just deserve?

And, perhaps more importantly, can you really fall in love with someone who is so damn insufferable?

Find out in The Spark by Sylvie Stewart.

The Spark is the second book in the Carolina Connections Series from Sylvie Stewart. Each book can be read as a standalone with a HEA.

This book contains adult language and sexual content inappropriate for readers under 18.

Keep reading for an excerpt from the author:

Mark:

“Shortcake, I can actually hear you thinking, you’re doing it so hard,” I said as I pulled into a parking spot a block away from her building.

She scoffed and released her seatbelt. “For your information, I was thinking about my mother,” she lied – poorly.

“Oh?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact.”

I let that sit for a minute while I went around and helped her out of the truck. Her hand wasn’t shaking as it had been when we’d gotten to the restaurant, but she was definitely flustered.

“So, were you thinking about how to tell your mother about the guy you’re about to invite up to your bed?”

That earned me an indignant gasp and an arm punch. Totally worth it.

While she was busy assaulting me, I cut in with, “Because if that’s the case, you won’t have much to say. You can, however, tell her about the guy who took you to dinner because he likes you and enjoys your company. The same guy who is going to walk you to your door and kiss you goodnight – and then, tomorrow, he’ll call and ask for another date. That guy, you can tell her about.”

I don’t know that I’ve ever actually seen a person sputter, but that is the best way to describe the sounds that came out of Fiona’s mouth at that moment. I may have done the impossible and rendered her speechless. I pulled her along the sidewalk while she tried to recover. This time she didn’t even attempt pulling away.

Tuesday, 14 February 2017

A Rebel Among Us by J.D.R. Hawkins

J.D.R. Hawkins is an award-winning author who has written for newspapers, magazines, newsletters, e-zines, and blogs. She is one of only a few female Civil War authors, and uniquely describes the front lines from a Confederate perspective.

Her Renegade Series includes A Beautiful Glittering Lie, winner of the John Esten Cooke Fiction Award and the B.R.A.G. Medallion, A Beckoning Hellfire, which is also an award winner, and A Rebel Among Us, which has just been published. These books tell the story of a family from north Alabama who experience immeasurable pain when their lives are dramatically changed by the war.

Ms. Hawkins is a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the International Women’s Writing Guild, Pikes Peak Writers, and Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. She is also an artist and singer/songwriter. She is currently working on a nonfiction book about the War Between the States, as well as another sequel for the Renegade Series. Learn more about her at http://jdrhawkins.com.

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About the Book

After David Summers enlists with the Confederate cavalry, his delusion of chivalry is soon crushed when he witnesses the horrors of battle. Shot by a Union picket, he winds up at a stranger’s farm. Four girls compassionately nurse him back to health. David learns his comrades have deserted him in Pennsylvania following the Battle of Gettysburg, but his dilemma becomes much worse. He falls in love with the older sister, Anna, who entices him with a proposition. To his dismay, he must make a decision. Should he stay and help Anna with her underhanded plan, or return to the army and risk capture?

Get it today on Amazon and Smashwords!

Keep reading for an interview with the author:

When did you start writing?

I began writing when I was very young, and started out with songs and poems. From there, I advanced to children's picture books (I did my own artwork) and novels. I developed an interest in the Civil War when I took a trip to Gettysburg. That trip made a profound impression on me and gave me the inspiration to write the Renegade Series.

What is the biggest obstacle you face as an author and what do you do to overcome it?

Finding time to write. It's difficult because my latest novel, A Rebel Among Us, just came out, so I'm spending a lot of time promoting it.

Does your family support you in your writing, or are you on your own?

My family supports me 100 percent. My oldest son has read all my manuscripts and edited them, my mom has read my books and helped me research them, and my husband has accompanied me to many book signings and events.

What is the best compliment you've ever received as an author?

That my books are very well written.

Have you ever had a particularly harsh critique? How did you handle it?

I had one guy give me grief at a book signing because I didn't know that much about the Navy during the Civil War. I tried to explain that I hadn't researched that part of it because the Navy isn't in any of my stories, but he got mad anyway and huffed off. All I could do was shrug.

What is the best writing advice you've ever received?

Don't take criticism personally.

What do you enjoy doing aside from writing?

I am also a singer/songwriter, so I enjoy playing and performing. I also like to travel and spend time in the mountains.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, and you could only have five books with you, what would they be?

The Bible, Gone With the Wind, and my three books so I could continue writing the series and not forget any details!

How many books do you have on your "to read" list? What are some of them?

The Girl on the Train, Harry Potter books (I haven't read any), and a book a friend asked me to read for a review, titled Henry's Pride.

What is your writing process?

Each book takes me, on average, six months to research and six months to write. I like to listen to Civil War music when I write, because it helps put me in that time period.

Do you write about real life experiences, or does everything come from your imagination?

I combine both. In A Rebel Among Us, there is a scene where the main character, David Summers, cups his hands and whistles to make it sound like a mourning dove. My dad taught me how to do that when I was a little girl.

Do you ever base your characters on people you know?

Yes. I based the main character, David Summers, and his best friend, Jake, on my son and his best friend. I also combine characters with real people in my life, and take certain aspects of people's personalities to create a character.

Have you ever gotten an idea for a story from something really bizarre? Tell us about it.

In A Rebel Among Us, the main character, David Summers, looks up at the night sky and watches the clouds morph into what he perceives to be the devil. This actually happened to me one night.

What was the hardest part about writing your latest book?

Describing the prison camp scenes. These were all taken from actual accounts and journals the prisoners wrote. To understand that these terrible atrocities really happened is heartbreaking.

Do you have anything specific you'd like to say to your readers?

I chose to write about the Civil War because this era is so fascinating to me. The country was mixed up on its views. It wasn't just black and white, or north and south. I hope that, by reading my novels, my readers will learn something about the war they didn't know before, and hopefully feel compassion for the characters.

Saturday, 11 February 2017

Angels and Diamonds by TK Lawyer

Welcome to my world-

I have always had an interest in the strange and unusual and I’m a romantic by heart. So how did I come into writing, you ask? Well, I stumbled into it. Yeah, that’s pretty much what happened. I never pictured myself as a writer but sometime in 2011, craving some kind of excitement and adventure in my life; I jotted down a few notes for a book idea and never looked back. Funny part is, the notes I wrote never became a book, instead I took on subjects as wolf-shifters and angels and created their worlds and I have loved every minute of it.

I write passion-filled paranormal romance- weaving tales of alpha males willing to do anything for the one feisty, curvaceous, strong-willed woman who has won their heart. They will go to any length to please their mate, in and out of the bed.

I invite you, lovely readers, to enter my world, relax in an easy-chair, sip a soothing beverage, stay and be entertained. I write for you.

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About the Book

Angels and Diamonds spins seven heart-warming tales of finding love when you least expect it and the struggles of holding onto true love. Each fun tale depicts ardor, attachment and dedication while staying true to the theme of a Diamond and an Angel.

Puppy Love- Petra, an owner of a dog rescue group in need of financial assistance finds an unlikely funding source

Bride to Be- Diamond, a bridal shop owner meets a man who seems vaguely familiar. Little does she know he will change her future

Promise- Tauria’s relationship with an Archangel leads to her forgotten past

The Gift- Celeste’s gift is more than her Angel can handle

Hunted- Natasha’s encounter with a mercenary has an unexpected, mutually beneficial outcome

New Home- Marisole’s home search for a ‘friend of a friend’ thrusts her back into the life of a man she once craved. Sadly, he doesn’t know she exists.

Make a Wish- Are Stella’s dreamy adventures genuine or vivid imagination?

Get it today on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and 24Symbols!

Keep reading for an excerpt:

THE CONCRETE CRACKED AS BEAUTIFUL art turned into hideous reality.

Several horse sculptures detached from the ground and emerged above it, the color of midnight. The creatures came alive. They stamped the ground, snorted small circles of flame and lifted their glowing red eyes, turning as one to stare at Celeste in eerie silence. She watched them, calculating how much time she had before they made their move. Suddenly, one reared back and screeched, breaking her concentration.

She fled through an open field; the ground behind her roared with the thunderous pounding of hooves. Swerving to the right, she willed herself to run faster; her heart pounding wildly as six sets of eyes followed her. She made the line of trees and entered the dense, dark clearing She heard a loud crack. The powerful vibration snapped her ears and threatened to split her skull open.

Silently, she cursed. Hell was furious with her. No demon ever turned rogue. Why did she get involved in the first place? Ah, love, darn it. Her beautiful Roman.

The pounding of the horses’ hooves echoed in her ears. The ground below her turned treacherous and she was no athlete. No siree. She was running on adrenaline and fear. She glanced around at the trees and cursed some more, wishing she knew how to climb them and that she was agile and thin enough to do so.

“Roman!” She screamed, using the telepathic communication he taught her. “Roman, darn it, where are you?”

“Aaah!” Her leg buckled underneath her and she almost tripped. “Roman! They’re gaining on me! Roman!” She glanced back with wide eyes and then regretted it. The lead horse’s concentration did not waver, his mouth pulled back into a strange, creepy grin.

Her body was snatched into the air. She turned and saw flaring nostrils.

“Nooo!” A hoof turned into a long, sharp talon, poised to slice open her belly. She screamed.

Wednesday, 8 February 2017

Jasper (The Guardian League, Book One) by TK Lawyer

I have always had an interest in the strange and unusual and I’m a romantic by heart. So how did I come into writing, you ask? Well, I stumbled into it. Yeah, that’s pretty much what happened. I never pictured myself as a writer but sometime in 2011, craving some kind of excitement and adventure in my life; I jotted down a few notes for a book idea and never looked back. Funny part is, the notes I wrote never became a book, instead I took on subjects as wolf-shifters and angels and created their worlds and I have loved every minute of it.

I write passion-filled paranormal romance- weaving tales of alpha males willing to do anything for the one feisty, curvaceous, strong-willed woman who has won their heart. They will go to any length to please their mate, in and out of the bed.

I invite you, lovely readers, to enter my world, relax in an easy-chair, sip a soothing beverage, stay and be entertained. I write for you.

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About the Book

Tatiana seeks rare, coveted treasure: a strong, loving, committed male she can respect, be proud of and become her full-fledged, partner. She has sought this elusive prince among men, her own personal champion but instead found many, many frogs and quite a few toads. Does her hero exist on Earth or did she miss her opportunity?

Jasper isn’t seeking a mate. His only intention is to rescue Tatiana from a fatal car accident, but he finds himself drawn to her in ways he can’t explain. She’s a rare, precious gem and there’s no turning back for him. He must know her and introduce himself in some sort of “human” fashion, at some sort of “human” event, for he is not of Earth.

Once Tatiana finds out Jasper’s true identity, will she accept and trust him? Will Tatiana allow herself to enter into a permanent, loving relationship with an unearthly but powerful being who only wants to adore and protect her?

Get it today on Amazon!

Keep reading for an excerpt:

How it all started:

A tornado! That must’ve been what hit her. That was the only logical explanation for the sudden whirlwind rush that just upset her entire existence. She screamed silently in terror as her brakes squealed and her car spun out of control before careening over the edge of a grassy embankment. Helpless, she watched each segment as if she were stuck in a horror movie she couldn’t escape. As the main character, it all graphically played out in front of her and her heart beat wildly as she anticipated the unexpected, twisted end. Would the movie end first or her life? She hoped it was the former.

Her car violently slammed against the newly mowed ground. Instantly, she knew her beautiful, trustworthy car must’ve shattered into a gazillion jagged, metal pieces. But no, it hadn’t, she realized, as she looked around and her fingers slowly unlatched the seatbelt holding her tightly in place. Then boom—the airbag propelled all at once and slammed her head back onto the headrest, jolting her into a state of surreal unconsciousness. Oh god! This can’t be happening.

She recalled the events leading up to the horrific crash. She waited at a stop light when it turned green and her car crept forward. Then suddenly, it seemed, all hell broke loose. Her car was slammed, driver’s side first, by another and she careened out of control through the middle of the intersection and off to the far end of the street, unsure whether her car hit any others along the way.

Wake up! Wake up, she told herself, but all she wanted to do was sleep. Loud, obnoxious knocking on the window jarred her. Knock, knock, knock, knock. That sound again. Would it ever stop? It was getting louder by the second and was soon followed by a strong male voice.

“Tatiana, wake up! It’s not your time. Wake up, dear.”

Huh? Who called her? He sounded concerned and handsome if you could tell that from the mere timbre of a voice. She happily dreamed away, drifting back into dreamland. Maybe her handsome escort from this morning would come for her and rescue her?

Knock, knock, knock. The sound continued.

She bolted forward in her seat and grimaced as her shoulder protested. “Ungh!”

That sound again but it was coming from the passenger side of the car and not her side as she previously thought. The passenger door suddenly swung open. No, it couldn’t have, it was locked from the inside. Next, she found herself standing outside of the car beside a complete though very handsome stranger. He was radiant. He positively glowed from somewhere within and his winning smile was impeccable. He was the most magnificent male she’d ever encountered. She looked down at her disheveled clothes and groaned. In comparison, she looked horrible, in front of this Adonis.

No, you’re beautiful. Gorgeous.

Sunday, 5 February 2017

Evin by A.S. Crowder

A.S. Crowder has been writing stories ever since she first learned how to write. She’s got about a million stories left to tell; hopefully she’ll finish one or two of them. When she’s not writing, she teaches sociology at local universities. A.S. Crowder lives in the Deep South with her husband and her cats. She probably watches too much T.V.

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