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Showing posts with label #giveaway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #giveaway. Show all posts

Thursday, October 31, 2019

Audio Blitz with Giveaway: Journals of Octavia Hollows

I have had fun listening to novellas 1 through 4 so far. Octavia is snarky even as she struggles to recognize the extent of her abilities. Bacon, is a cute, albeit unusual, pet who draws the loyalty of her human. I'll be posting my review by next week, as soon as I finish the final two adventures.


Do you like urban fantasy and snarky heroines? Then you'll want to meet necromancer Octavia Hollows and her sidekick Bacon.

We are celebrating the release of The Journals of Octavia Hollows by Stacey Rourke on Audio. This collection features all six journals in the series and was published by The Audio Flow. Come fall in love with this feisty heroine, her pet pig, and the brilliant narration provided by Brenda Scott Wlazlo.

⋇⋆✦⋆⋇ The Journals of Octavia Hollows ⋇⋆✦⋆⋇


Grab your copy: Audible | Audible UK

With a touch of her hand, Octavia Hollows can restore life. Yet, she couldn’t save the man she loved from the horrific accident that stole him from her. Octavia thought she could outrun the pain, but ghosts from the past refuse to be silenced. Out of options, she chooses to retrace her wayward journey across the country in search of answers. Surrounded by baffling mysteries of the undead, what she learns about herself along the way might become her greatest weapon.

This six novella series chronicles Octavia's adventures in:
Wake the Dead
Dead Man's Hand
Caught Dead
Drop Dead Gorgeous
Dead Ringer
Dead as a Doornail

⋇⋆✦⋆⋇ Listen to A Sample ⋇⋆✦⋆⋇



⋇⋆✦⋆⋇ About the Author ⋇⋆✦⋆⋇

Stacey Rourke is the award winning author of works that span genres, but possess the same flare for action and snarky humor. She lives in Florida with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and two giant dogs. Stacey loves to travel, has an unhealthy shoe addiction, and considers herself blessed to make a career out of talking to the imaginary people that live in her head.





⋇⋆✦⋆⋇ Giveaway ⋇⋆✦⋆⋇



One lucky US winner will receive a signed paperback copy of the Journals of Octavia Hollows collection. The book will be signed by author Stacey Rourke and narrator Brenda Scott Wlazlo.

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Thursday, July 18, 2019

Audio Book Review and Giveaway: The Hashtag Hunt by Kristina Seek

I enjoyed this quick, fun romantic comedy.
The Hashtag Hunt
By: Kristina Seek
Narrated by: Andrea Emmes, Tim Paige

Length: 5 hrs and 18 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 06-12-19
Language: English
Publisher: The Audio Flow, LLC
Genre: Clean Romance, Inspirational Romance, Romantic Comedy
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.


Publisher's Summary
The only reason Lauren entered the Hashtag Hunt was for the $10,000 grand prize. She needed seed money for her startup, and it sounded easy enough: 12 hours to text 12 photos to someone called the Wizard. For hashtag number five, Lauren needs a #HottieInTheWild, and with the help of her best friend, Ivy, she finds the perfect subject.
The only reason Brenner entered Barkley’s Pub was to have beers with Scott, an Army brother back in town. The reunion is interrupted when a woman is caught crouched in a dark corner, taking pictures of Brenner. Lauren explains, and though embarrassed, she accepts Scott and Brenner’s offer to help with hashtag number six.
While hunting for hashtags, Lauren finds adventure and romance with her #Hottie, but she must stay focused to beat the clock and win the cash.
©2018 Kristina Seek (P)2019 The Audio Flow, LLC


Review:
Lauren has a great group of friends who support her. Her friend Ivy has inherited funds and she would be more than happy to gift or lend the money Lauren needs to open her dream store, Paperback Vinyl, for used books, records and related items. But Lauren is set on earning her own way before opening the store. She has entered Hashtag Hunt, an online contest hoping to win the $10,000.00 prize. The hunt requires texting 12 specific images in 12 hours to the host, “Wizard”.

Ivy has helped Lauren get into the top five of the leader board as they begin Challenge 5 of 12: #HitW, Hottie In The Wild. The girls are ready to leave the current pub when a new man walks in. Lauren has found her HitW and sets out to surreptitiously get pictures of him. Then he and his service buddy, Scott, capture Lauren in the act.

When Brenner and Scott, “Skully”, learn the reason for the pictures, they insist on joining the party. Scott is immediately intent on getting to know Ivy better and Brenner is pleased to find out if Lauren has any flaws. The guys add great banter and romance on the hunt while Lauren calls other friends to help locate items needed which include: dumpster find, ‘old school’, pay phone and more. Lauren starts to fall for Brenner, but she has to keep her head about her to stick within the rules if she is going to win the contest.

I quickly was pulled in by the light tone of the story and the fun friend interaction. I’ve always loved scavenger hunts and road rallies and I loved the idea of this contest. The rules made it tricky and challenging which I liked. The addition of the romance interest is sweet and at times sappy. Not everyone believes in love at first sight (it’s how I met my hubby) but even if it is strong interest at first sight it makes the story upbeat and warm. I also liked how the story rotates POV between Lauren and Brenner. This kept the momentum and interest engaging for me. I would enjoy reading/listening to more fun stories from Ms. Seek and I recommend this to romance readers looking for a cute, lighthearted story.

Audio Notes:Andrea Emmes and Tim Paige do a great job with the narration. They share the light tone and fun energy. The narration enhanced an enjoyable experience.

Source: Blitz Tour through Caffeinated PR Tours to post 7/18/19. This qualifies for 2019Audiobook goal.


The Hashtag Hunt by Kristina Seek

The Hashtag Hunt by Kristina Seek narrated by Andrea Emmes -Award Winning, Best Selling Audiobook Narrator and Tim Paige. Check out the deets, listen to a sound bite and enter to win a fabulous prize. We think you're going to love this fun, original romance.

Grab your Copy Today: Audible | iTunes

Listen to A Sample




Enter the Giveaway


One lucky US winner will receive a paperback copy of The Hashtag Hunt signed by Kristina Seek and the narrators! They will also receive an Amazon Echo making listening to audios in your home a breeze. Enter today!

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About the Author

Kristina Seek's debut novel, The Hashtag Hunt, was published in 2018. She is a graduate of Queens College in Charlotte and a member of Romance Writers of America. In March of 2019, she quit her day job to focus on a career in writing. Kristina lives in North Carolina with her husband and son. She cherishes time with her friends and family, loves traveling to new destinations, and wants to cross off the other items on her bucket list.



Friday, November 24, 2017

MBS Giveaway for 7th Annual Black Friday Giveaway Book Bonanza Hop

Book Bonanza
Welcome to the 7th Annual Black Friday Book Bonanza Blog Giveaway Hop.
This event is hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer and Marlene @ Reading Reality.

I love sharing the blessings I get through the blogging community!

I hope you enjoy the blog hop to kick off the giving season!




Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Book Review and Tour Giveaway: The Fabergé Entanglement by Lesley Meryn and Elle Brookes

This has lots of 'James Bond' type action with sizzling chemistry between the characters.
The Fabergé Entanglement
by Lesley Meryn and Elle Brookes

File Size: 1672 KB
Print Length: 306 pages
Publication Date: July 13, 2015
ASIN: B011M2N7W2
Genre: Action & Adventure, Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0


Sabinne ‘Saber’ Darrieux’s father, the billionaire CEO of Frontenac Global Security has been kidnapped. His ransom is not cash in a numbered offshore account, or a briefcase of Bearer Bonds but something utterly unique, incredibly valuable, and until recently, hidden away from the world.
The kidnapper seems to know Saber very well, and knows that the next day, through her work as an elite translator she will be in the same location as the Object. She must steal the Object and deliver it to the kidnapper to ransom her father.
Adrian Steele, a British Intelligence agent has just come off of two harrowing missions. Upon returning to London for a well-earned rest, he learns that his friend and fellow agent, has been murdered in Moscow, but not before he made use of a unique Object as a mobile ‘drop site’ for the valuable intelligence he was carrying.
The drop site is traveling from Moscow to England. Steele insists on completing the mission to honor the death of his friend, Gerry Cornell.
At an ultra-chic quasi-diplomatic gathering in a mansion in Windsor, England, Saber and Steele meet and find themselves faced with a powerful, undeniable attraction. But at the moment, this compelling attraction is very inconvenient.
In reality they are at the mansion to check out the security arrangements — for their own reasons — to steal the Object, a FabergĂ© egg worth thirty million dollars. But who will get to the egg first?
Fabergé eggs are very famous for their unique surprises. Saber and Steele are about to be very surprised, indeed.
And when Saber clashes with Steele; more than sparks will explode!


Review:
Sabine is a beautiful, captivating woman who would rather be respected for her skills than her looks. Her family built its fortunes on thievery, but her father has moved the family businesses into legitimate fields. Sabine is one of their experts in security services and works as an elite translator when she is not accessing and improving security systems.

Sabine’s father has been kidnapped and the ransom message directs her to steal a FabergĂ© egg to exchange for her father’s life. Sabine happens to be attending the function where the egg is displayed. When she sneaks back to steal the item, she is surprised to bump into a handsome man who also wants the egg. Only one of them can succeed and Sabine is desperate.

Adrian Steele is a British Intelligence officer who just learned of a fellow agent’s murder. Although Steele should be going into down time, he pushes for the assignment to complete his friend’s mission. He is to ‘pick up’ a certain FabergĂ© egg as it has secrets hidden within it.

Steele is struck by a beautiful woman he sees during the party while casing the setting of the eggs. Later he is stunned to find her trying to steal the egg he needs to get. When she wins the first encounter to make off with the egg, Steele is determined to follow her to find out what her purpose is.

Sabine and Steele have zinging chemistry from the moment they see each other across a crowded room. Neither are accustomed to such reactions and it puts them off balance. Their opposing interests in the egg and powerful attraction to each other make for fun cat and mouse, back and forth, attention and dialogue.

The story starts with a little background set up but soon kicks up to fast-paced, pretty much nonstop action. The pair travels from London to LA juggling the egg along the way. Steele is aware that he is not the only one following Sabine. It will be a race to see who gets the egg and whether Sabine can save her father.

Steele is a character who had me thinking of a mix between James Bond and MacGyver. Sabine fits right along like a slick female operative even though she isn’t one. This is strong romantic suspense with a good plot and magnetic characters, I recommend this to readers who enjoy good action and romance with a lot of heat but without unnecessary graphics.

I received this title through iRead Book Tours.

To read more reviews, please visit the authors' page on iRead Book Tours.

Buy the Book:



Meet the Authors:
LESLEY MERYN
Enjoyed an exotic, adventure-filled childhood, following her anthropologist father and travel writer mother to the farthest corners of the world. She later took inspiration from her Aunt Sophia Francesca and became the author of romantic adventure novels. She alternates her time between Los Angeles, and a family property located in Yorkshire England.

ELLE BROOKES
She is the author of the first two books of the Time Frame Series, LUST. MECHANICS. MINI COOPER. and SEX. COFFEE. TIME TRAVEL. Loves travel, discovering new foods to try, reading and writing. She currently lives in the central highlands of Costa Rica with her dog Pixie and her hedgehog Quiller.

Connect with the Author: Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Enter the Giveaway!
Ends Nov 17

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Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Some Awesome Giveaways!


HURRY - these end 7/30 and 7/31

GET 30 FREE DYSTOPIAN NOVELS!



[Please Note - this link will take you to the giveaway using a url that will give me more entries so if you are interested and willing, I appreciate using these urls. Thanks!]
Fantastic Voyage eReader Giveaway!
Giveaway Ends July 30, 2017 11:00 pm UTC

[Please Note - this link will take you to the giveaway using a url that will give me more entries so if you are interested and willing, I appreciate your using these urls. Thanks!]
Limitless Worlds Sci-fi Giveaway
Giveaway Ends July 31, 2017 11:45 pm PDT

[Please Note - this link will take you to the giveaway using a url that will give me more entries so if you are interested and willing, I appreciate your using these urls. Thanks!]
Ultimate Paperback Giveaway!
Giveaway Ends July 31, 2017 11:45 pm UTC

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Book Review and Giveaway: Infinity (Horizon) by Tabitha Lord

This is another exciting installment -strong writing and plot make it engaging.
Infinity (Horizon)
by Tabitha Lord

File Size: 1041 KB
Print Length: 269 pages
Publisher: Pronoun (June 6, 2017)
ASIN: B072BGNC4N
Genre: Space Opera, Genetic Engineering
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0


In the second installment of the award-winning Horizon series, Dr. Caeli Crys returns to her war-torn world to fight for those she left behind.
Almagest, Caeli’s home, stands on the brink of revolution. Long hidden from the rest of the galaxy, the once-peaceful planet suffers under a regime that grows more violent and oppressive by the day. Marcus, Almagest’s dictator, is building an arsenal of alien weaponry by selling empathic children into slavery. A resistance has risen, but they are outmanned, outgunned, and in hiding.
Joined by Commander Derek Markham and his elite squadron of operatives, Caeli embarks on a dangerous mission to find the Resistance, rescue her captive people, and save her civilization from destruction.


Review:
This sequel picks up shortly after the end of Horizon. Derek and his team get intel that one of Caeli’s people, the Novali, has been sold in a space market. The intel reveals that Almagest is now trading with space opportunists and the use of these empathic people could be a fierce weapon…for good or evil depending on who controls them. This could endanger more than just Caeli’s home planet.

Derek’s commander agrees to allow Derek to take a team to Almagest to determine the extent of the problems. When the team arrives they soon discover the resistance struggling to face a cold winter with limited supplies. There are still contacts within the city but Marcus, the brutal dictator, is pushing hard to find rebels while arranging trades of ore and Novali to further his military growth.

The team must find new shelter as Marcus is sending planes out to locate and destroy their current camp. Caeli is already suffering PTSD and is emotionally injured again when not everyone makes it safely to the new location. The team plans a daring raid to take control of a supply train. The plan runs into a few hitches but does result in desperately needed food supplies for the resistance.

The team and resistance leaders realize they have to move soon as Marcus closes in. Derek decides to go undercover to approach Marcus so he can get a better picture of the situation. Although Caeli has been glad to see familiar faces, some events are triggering the PTSD that impacts her effectiveness at crucial times. There are more losses and betrayals before an all-out confrontation brings the rebels face to face with Marcus’ troops.

This story jumped into action and continued along at a good pace. Emotions ran on a roller coaster with sorrow and anger followed by joy and hope; then dropping again to more anger, sorrow and fear. The relationship between Derek and Caeli is strong and touching. I liked the inclusion of characters from the first book and there are some new characters I like and hope to see in the next book(s).

The author uses historic journals to explain how the Novali people came to be which was interesting once it became clear what this was. A simple tie in through the current day characters explaining they were reading the journal would have made this technique clearer. I liked the plot progress and the resolution on the planet. Then the author adds a last page hook of suspense to set up the next book. Hope it isn’t a long wait! I recommend this to readers who enjoy a good space opera with action, suspense and warm romance elements.

Buy the Book:
​Amazon  ~  Kindle
Add to Goodreads


I received this from NetGalley for tour review through iRead Book Tours. This qualifies for my 2017 NetGalley Challenge.



Check out my review of book 1:
Horizon.

Buy the Book:
Amazon~ Barnes & Noble
Add on Goodreads

Don't Miss the Giveaway
Prizes: ​
Win one of 5 prize packages that contains: Horizon (Book #1) and Infinity (Book #2) by Tabitha Lord and a $10 Amazon gift card (open to USA only - 5 winners)(ends 7/22/17)

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Saturday, June 17, 2017

Interview with Narrator Zachary Johnson and Giveaway for Quest of the Dreamwalker

Please help me welcome audiobook narrator Zachary Johnson to Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf.
M: Hello Zachary – Thank you for joining me in the blog world at Reviews by Martha’s Bookshelf and for sharing a bit about your experience as a book narrator.
ZJ: Thank you so much for having me! I'm thrilled to be here!
M: I’m going to jump right in and ask if you would briefly share a little of your background and more particularly, what experience you had with theater, media, announcing etc. that led to you becoming a narrator.
ZJ: Sure thing! In school, I was always the kid teachers would call on to read stuff out loud, so you could argue I got my start very young, but I actually didn't start formal training in acting until I was 21. I studied at a school called Anthony Meindl's Actor Workshop for two years. My dad and I actually took some classes there together. It was one of those “I secretly really want to do this but I'll only do it if you do” things. Probably one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life. I think that was what really made me want to give it a try in some form. The transition from the stage to the booth was somewhat jarring at first, but I'm an introvert, so it works well for me. It's kinda nice to have a little imagination chamber where I can act out the books as I read them and get paid for the privilege!
M: That is very cool to have taken classes with your Dad. As more background, did you always like reading and did you listen to audiobooks before entering the field?
ZJ: I loved reading from a very young age. My dad actually read the first four Harry Potter books to me when I was little. I think my interest really started there. I was just old enough to read books three and four myself, but I always liked it better the way he told it. There was something magical about it being brought to life by a good reader. He always put expression and nuance in the dialogue. It was wonderful. Plus we could geek out about it afterwards. I think, looking back, that's where my interest in the whole craft of reading out loud started, even if I didn't know it at the time. I became a pretty avid reader after that. I was always the kid with a book in high school, and in my adult life I really fell in love with science fiction and fantasy. I started reading Neil Gaiman, James S.A. Corey, whatever I could get my hands on. Still do. I just finished The Fold by Peter Clines, and, as of the time of writing, I'm reading The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell.

As for audiobooks, I had listened to a few before I tried my hand at it. Jim Dale's reading of Harry Potter was a big one for me. I absolutely loved his voice. I think that was my first example of an audiobook so perfectly cast you really can't imagine anyone else reading it. My in earnest consumption of audiobooks began shortly after I finished my third project, a book called SIMPOC: Human Remants. Someone who had listened to and enjoyed one of my projects was kind enough to invite me to a group of avid audiobook listeners on Facebook and I mentioned that I wasn't a huge consumer of the medium. A fellow narrator in the group promptly set me straight with the admonition that “listening to audiobooks is a critical part of our jobs.” I can emphatically state that he was right. I started listening to Scott Brick and was immediately hooked. Now I frequently have one playing on my commutes to work or any long drive, really. It's amazing what one can learn from another narrator's style of performance. They might have a speech quirk or an emphasis pattern or a delivery style or character voice that could be just what I need for a future project!
M: I agree that Jim Dale did a fabulous job with the narration of the Harry Potter series. 
How do you prepare for a particular work? Do you read the book or talk to the author beforehand? For example, when I listened to Quest of the Dreamwalker, it seemed like you knew the characters and you knew exactly where the book was going so it seemed that you had read the entire book first.
ZJ: Oh yeah. Both. All the time. Talking to the author and hashing out the voices is absolutely critical, as is reading the book beforehand. I like to go through and highlight the text to help me when I'm narrating. It indicates what lines require emphasis or signify a tonal shift of some kind. Notes in the margins, things like musings on the tone of the piece, or even just one-word reactions are good (frequently my one word reactions are just things like “s***” when something bad happens; seeing it while I'm narrating helps me get in that state of mind and live it with the characters). It also helps to know of any plot twists or major developments in advance of performing the book, as it helps to highlight the foreshadowing during the narration. For Quest of the Dreamwalker, I think I ended up reading it three times before I recorded it. I kept getting sick and couldn't record, so I'd just make more and more notes in the text so that, when I finally could, it would be the best it could be.
M: I was certainly impressed with your narration in Quest of the Dreamwalket which seemed "spot on".
Do you work on developing special voices for each character or do you focus more on the emotional inflection to carry the personality of the character? Does this vary depending on the project?
ZJ: I use accents frequently, though I always check with the author before incorporating those. Some, like Quest of the Dreamwalker, feature sprawling fantasy universes wherein it makes sense for the language to have diverged a bit from culture to culture, so I can vary accents by the region the character hails from, some with a Scottish accent, some with a British one, others borderline Australian, that kinda thing. In terms of doing special voices, I would say I'm definitely more in the “emotional inflection” camp if characters are from the same area and have the same accent. Certainly I can make one voice lower and another more nasal and another a bit more gravelly, but I have to be careful not to stray into caricature territory unless that's what the character calls for. Sometimes ridiculously exaggerated mannerisms work, but in those cases, I've found the author usually has a pretty specific voice in mind.

How I approach it is indeed unique to the project I'm working on, but I've found that, by and large, my biggest asset in character voice development is my tendency to read character dialogue out loud to myself anyway when I'm reading, whether for business or for pleasure. Usually, as I get to know a character, their voice will start to take on certain characteristics that come to define them, and, in some cases, it's even helped to write down a list of adjectives to describe the voice as it's forming. I also like to send a sample reel to the author before I begin performing, containing a line from every significant character in the book. That way, the author can direct me as much as possible before I really dive in.
M: I really enjoyed your accents in Quest of the Dreamwalker.
I'm curious, do you work in a studio or at home?
ZJ: At home. I lined my closet with foam mattress toppers to sound treat it and set up a microphone, an audio interface, a chair, and a little desk with a wireless keyboard on it so I can keep my computer outside and my booth free of fan noise. It also doubles as a wardrobe and a triples as a small book repository. It's cozy.
M: That does sound like a cozy spot - if a bit crowed - in a nice way with books especially.
In your opinion, what makes a good narrator? Do you have any advice you would you give to narrator-hopefuls?
ZJ: I would say that a good narrator is someone who is able to feel what the characters are feeling and who can bring that emotion into their read. I love when the narrator seems emotionally invested in what's going on. An audiobook told that way can take on the magical quality of stories told by firelight during childhood. It's amazing.

As for hopefuls, here are a few things I've learned:

  1. If you've not yet tried the craft, but are considering it, test yourself by reading out loud to yourself in a closet for an hour or two a day. Do this every day for two weeks. If you enjoy it, you're probably possessed of the temperament to narrate. So happy reading!
  2. Don't skimp on the equipment. Really do some research and get the tools that will make you sound professional. It'll take some saving up, but it's worth it. If you know a good sound engineer, talk to them. See what you can get that's both capable of producing a quality sound and saving your bank account undue evisceration.
  3. Listen to audiobooks. You never know what you can learn from a fellow performer.
  4. Understand that rejection is almost never personal. That author you've submitted to wants to make the job offer as badly as you want to get it, but it's just the nature of creative work that certain people are better suited for certain jobs. You could be an absolutely sterling example of your narration niche, but it's just that: a niche. No one voice is suited to every single story. Some require a deep, thrumming tone. Some require a gentle, soothing read. And some require you. Find those jobs, and be at your best when they appear. Lincoln said it best: “I will study and prepare myself, and someday, my chance will come.”
M: That sounds like very good advise.
I don't think I really appreciated how much work is involved, in addition to skills, in being a good narrator. The narration in Quest of the Dreamwalker helped me recognize this in you as a new narrator for me. You certainly succeeded as a wonderful storyteller for me. 
Thank you again for stopping by. It was nice chatting with you, Zach! Where can folks go to find out more about you and your work?
ZJ: It has been my pleasure! If you're interested in checking out projects I've narrated, you can follow this link here:
http://www.audible.com/search/ref=a_search_c4_1_1_1_srNarr?searchNarrator=Zachary+Johnson&qid=1497326122&sr=1-1

I can also be found on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/zacharyjohnsonvo/
[M comment: Zach has a cute bunny gif if you scroll down his facebook; not to mention a photo with his mouth stuffed with marshmallows for voice effect!]

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/zjohnson1020

And, of course, ACX:

And again, thank you! Happy listening, everybody!
-Zach


[M: Image from ACX]



GIVEAWAY:
TWO WINNERS: Audible Credit Code for Quest of the Dreamwalker download. One for US Listener and One for UK listener.
(Codes courtesy of the author and narrator.)

ENTRY FORM HERE

(Don't forget to fill in the form for entry!)
For 3 Extra Bonus entries
(a) comment on the review, OR
(b) Comment on this Narrator Interview.

* This contest is open to US and UK for Audible Code.
* This contest will close 5 PM (Central) July 1, 2017. Winner will be announced in the Sunday Post on July 2, 2017.
Winners are asked to respond on the winners form linked in the announcement or by email

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Guest Post: Story Ideas Ripped from the Headlines PLUS #Giveaway

Story Ideas Ripped from the Headlines
By Lauren Carr

“Where do you get your story ideas?”

“How do you come up with these ideas?”

Some readers, and a few of my relatives, think that I’ve got a twisted mind to have come up with some of my murder plots. Actually, in my own defense, I don’t always come up with the murder. Sometimes, I simply twist it around a bit.

Truth be told, often the germ of my ideas are—
Ripped from the Headlines!

Like all writers, I love stories. I like telling them, I also like hearing them. I have found that readers love to tell mystery writers stories about … you guessed it—murder. Often, it is a true story in which the story-teller will inject their own view of the facts.

Well, writers do the same thing. We just go further and actually write it down. Then we continue to twist and turn and stir and drain the facts until we come up with a book that more often than not, has no resemblance to what we had when we started out.

It’s a fact. Truth is stranger than fiction. Think about what you see in today’s headlines. Real people, especially those who are twisted, are much more imaginative than most writers. Good writers ask the right questions (usually, What if…) to make a great mystery out of it.

Such was the case for my latest Thorny Rose mystery, A Fine Year for Murder. A combination of headlines had captured my attention. From the discovery of a murder weapon, a hammer, warming up the cold case of a family murdered (Keddie Murders) to the sleepwalking defense—a defendant claiming he was innocent because he committed murder while sleepwalking.

The sleepwalking idea bloomed from a discussion at my table during a bridal shower. After a few games and sweets, the conversation turned to accidents in the bedroom. One young lady confessed that she had a tendency to be quite athletic after falling asleep. This young woman didn’t have nightmares, she just simply kicked and punched her husband. Unfortunately, she was unaware of how physical she was until after she had given him a black-eye on their honeymoon.

What if, I asked, Jessica Faraday gave Murphy a black eye on their honeymoon … as a result of nightmares … because she had witnessed a murder and had tucked the memory deep into her subconscious?

It is entirely possible. There have been numerous cases of victims of violence or witnesses to traumatic incidents repressing the memories only to have them re-emerge years, even decades later.
As these various ideas swirled around in my head, the writer in me asked What if
there had been a tragically brutal murder of a family—a case that has long gone cold. And what if, somehow, someway, Jessica Faraday had been a witness to this murder but has buried that memory deep into her mind—only to surface in her sleep—causing her to strike out at Murphy in her terror.

The cause for her nightmares remains a mystery until investigative journalist Dallas Walker tells the couple about her latest case, known as the Pine Bridge Massacre. Then, they realize Jessica may have witnessed the murder of a family living near a winery owned by distant relatives she was visiting.

Determined to uncover the truth and find justice for the murder victims, Jessica and Murphy return to the scene of the crime with Dallas Walker, a spunky bull-headed Texan. Can this family reunion bring closure for a community touched by tragedy or will this prickly get-together bring an end to the Thorny Rose couple?

As a murder mystery writer, I don’t make up the news, I only give it a special twist from the imagination.
Learn more about the book and the author in the Book Spotlight Post HERE.
#mystery, #ThornyRoseMystery, #giveaway

Giveaway:​
One winner will receive a $100 Amazon gift card (Open internationally);
Ends April 22

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Book Spotlight: A Fine Year for Murder by Lauren Carr

A Fine Year for Murder (A Thorny Rose Mystery Book 2)
by Lauren Carr

Book Description:

After months of marital bliss, Jessica Faraday and Murphy Thornton are still discovering and adjusting to their life together. Settled in their new home, everything appears to be perfect … except in the middle of the night when, in darkest shadows of her subconscious, a deep secret from Jessica’s past creeps to the surface to make her strike out at Murphy.

When investigative journalist Dallas Walker tells the couple about her latest case, known as the Pine Bridge Massacre, they realize Jessica may have witnessed the murder of a family living near a winery owned by distant relatives she was visiting and suppressed the memory.

Determined to uncover the truth and find justice for the murder victims, Jessica and Murphy return to the scene of the crime with Dallas Walker, a spunky bull-headed Texan. Can this family reunion bring closure for a community touched by tragedy or will this prickly get-together bring an end to the Thorny Rose couple?

Buy the Book:  Amazon  ~ Add on Goodreads

Book Trailer:



Author's Bio:

Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, romance, and humor.

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She lives with her husband, son, and four dogs (including the real Gnarly) on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

Connect with Lauren: Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook

Please see the author GUEST POST AND GIVEAWAY HERE.
#mystery, #ThornyRoseMystery, #giveaway

Full Tour Schedule can be found at the author's iRead home page.

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