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Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Cover Reveal: Living Out Loud by Staci Hart




Living Out Loud Cover Reveal.jpg

Living Out Loud, an all-new emotional standalone from Staci Hart is coming February 1st!

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Title: Living Out Loud

Author: Staci Hart

Publishing Date: February 1st

Cover Designer: QuirkyBird Designs

Photographer: Lauren Watson Perry, Perrywinkle Photography



When Annie Daschel arrives in New York City, the only thing she can control is her list.
Not her father’s death or the loss of her home. Not the hole in her heart or the defective valve that’s dictated so much of her life. But she can put pen to paper to make a list of all the ways she can live out loud, just like her dad would have wanted.
See the city from the top of the Empire State Building: Check.
Eat hot dogs on the steps of The Met: Check.
Stand in the middle of Times Square: Check.
Get a job at Wasted Words: Check.
Two things not on her list: Greg Brandon and Will Bailey. And just like that, she finds herself caught in the middle of something she can’t find her way out of, with no clear answers and no rules.
List or no list, she realizes she can’t control anything at all, not even her heart.
Not the decisions it makes, and not the moment it stops.
Inspired by Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility.

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2rcBm5Z

About the Author:
Staci has been a lot of things up to this point in her life -- a graphic designer, an entrepreneur, a seamstress, a clothing and handbag designer, a waitress. Can't forget that. She's also been a mom, with three little girls who are sure to grow up to break a number of hearts. She's been a wife, though she's certainly not the cleanest, or the best cook. She's also super, duper fun at a party, especially if she's been drinking whiskey. From roots in Houston to a seven year stint in Southern California, Staci and her family ended up settling somewhere in between and equally north, in Denver. They are new enough that snow is still magical. When she's not writing, she's reading, sleeping, gaming, or designing graphics.

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                                                                Connect with Staci:

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

You

Someday. 

Sometime.

I will stop thinking about you. Random songs won't remind me of you. Certain sounds won't make me remember.

Someday.

Sometime.

Saturday, January 13, 2018

Spotlight Saturday: C.L. Monaghan




Welcome to Kira Adams' Spotlight Saturday! Every week I will be featuring a different author in the industry. Indie, trad, small press, etc. The point is to help get the word out about new authors and books they are releasing. Maybe you will find your next favorite author. Maybe you will find a story that will touch your soul. Maybe you will participate in the giveaway in hopes of winning a prize. Whatever the case may be, thank you for being here. 


This weeks featured author is C.L. Monaghan.




• What inspired you to begin writing?
It's something that's been on my mind since I graduated university in 2004. I began my first 'story' in 2005 but then got married again and had two more children and decided to homeschool. The writing got put on the back-burner for 11 years! Then, in 2015 I discovered the Indie writing community through the books of the late great, Ednah Walters. We became friends and I went to meet her in 2016, flying all the way from the UK to UtopiaCon in Nashville. She encouraged me to take up writing again and mentored me through my first novel. I published Immaginario in April 2017 and The Hollows in October.

• How long have you been writing? 
In my head, 11 years! Officially, about 18 months.

• What book inspired you to begin writing?
I think it's fair to say that no single book inspired me to begin writing, more that the worlds that I swallowed up, as a child and as an adult, fuelled a very overactive imagination that I just had to put to use. Studying history and classic English Literature at university enabled my love for all things Gothic and romantic.

• Who is your favorite author(s)?
Gosh, so many! Tolkien is my number one go-to in terms of pure mastery of words and literary style. I love the satirical storytelling of Sir Terry Pratchett (an author I would always recommend if asked.) I like Phillipa Gregory, Kate Griffin, Dan Brown and many, many more.

• If you had to choose a fictional character from one of your books to have lunch with, who would it be and why? 
Only one? Hmm, I'd say Joe from Immaginario. He's Italian and can cook and is very sexy so that's a no-brainer lol. But, I'd also love to lunch with Midnight from the Hollows. A wealthy Victorian lord of the realm with supernatural powers, who wouldn't want to lunch with him? It's impossible to choose!

• What has been your biggest accomplishment since publishing?
Actually publishing a book! It's hard lol. I was gobsmacked (quintessentially British word for you there lol) that Immaginario won a finalist place in the Indie Author Network book of the year awards 2017 for best paranormal. The Hollows surprised me even more by hitting the top 100 bestsellers lists in Gothic in 3 different countries! I told myself I'd be happy just selling 10 books so it was a nice, if slightly overwhelming, feeling seeing it reach those numbers. It's a great feeling knowing people like reading the stories I write.

• Do you have anything else in the works apart from your book/series?
I'm currently working on the final part to Immaginario, I have at least 3 more Midnight Gunn novels planned and next year I plan to start another new series about the Templar Knights. Lots and lots of research!

• What is the one piece of advice you would give to aspiring authors?
-The most important thing I tell myself is never give up. It's a long, hard slog and the work doesn't end when you click 'publish'. Be prepared to spend many hours promoting and marketing your books. Be prepared to accept constructive criticism and shrug off the not so helpful. Be prepared to learn your craft. Writing is an art, no beginner ever writes a perfect book. You will make mistakes, there will be tears and tantrums and you'll learn from them. I'm always looking to improve, I'm my own worst critic but that also transpires into a gruelling work ethic. I sit up till 3am reading, questioning and assessing my work. Ask for advice, practice, edit and practice more. Don't be afraid to put samples of your writing out there for others to appraise. Finally, be prepared for the long haul. 



(Editorial Review of The Hollows)
Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

The Hollows: A Midnight Gunn Novel is an historical mystery novel written by C.L. Monaghan. Detective Inspector Arthur Gredge had a serial assailant on his hands. The circumstances surrounding the latest victim, a Miss Emmeline Rowbotham, were particularly troublesome due to her being a member of a prominent family and to the fact that she had not survived the attack. The assailant’s other victims were from the lower classes of society and had been found alive, if barely so, and, while conscious, strangely devoid of volition. The case was bizarre and troubling enough that Gredge felt compelled to bring in Midnight Gunn, a paranormal investigator whose familiarity with the dark shadows made Gredge decidedly uncomfortable. But he was convinced that only Midnight would be able to resolve the situation.

C.L. Monaghan’s historical mystery novel, The Hollows: A Midnight Gunn Novel, had me hooked from the first page. Any Sherlock Holmes fan will delight in watching the two detectives look for clues in 1860s London and risk life and limb tracking down a diabolical miscreant. Midnight Gunn is one of the most exciting new detective characters to come around in some time. As I read this book, I began hoping that Monaghan comes up with any number of new and extraordinary cases to occupy the fine minds of Gunn and Gredge. This author makes her historical setting come alive, and watching as this finely plotted detective yarn unfolds is sheer joy. More Midnight Gunn adventures, please. The Hollows: A Midnight Gunn Novel is most highly recommended.

“Any Sherlock Holmes fan will delight in watching the two detectives look for clues in 1860s London and risk life and limb tracking down a diabolical miscreant. Midnight Gunn is one of the most exciting new detective characters to come around in some time. As I read this book, I began hoping that Monaghan comes up with any number of new and extraordinary cases to occupy the fine minds of Gunn and Gredge. This author makes her historical setting come alive, and watching as this finely plotted detective yarn unfolds is sheer joy. More Midnight Gunn adventures, please. The Hollows: A Midnight Gunn Novel is most highly recommended.” - Jack Magnus of Readers’ Favourite






C.L. Monaghan was born and raised in Lincolnshire in the UK. Aged 8 she moved to Sth Africa (a land of adventure!) with her parents where she befriended a mother cheetah and her cubs, chased gigantic dragonflies after the rain and watched the most incredible forked lightning split the sky!

A headstrong tomboy; she climbed trees and rooftops to read books from a very early age. Her childhood favourites were Enid Blyton's The Enchanted Forest, The Wishing Chair, Famous Five and Mallory Towers.

Discovering The Hobbit began a lifelong fascination with Tolkien and the fantasy genre.
In 2000 C.L. Monaghan attended Lincoln University and gained her B.A. Honours degree in History and English Literature. From there it has been her ambition to write her own adventures to share with fellow book lovers. Her debut book 'Immaginario' was placed as a finalist in the 2017 IAN Book of the Year Awards.

She lives in her home town in Lincolnshire with her husband, 3 boys, 5 cats (it's customary for writers to own several cats) and Casper the miniature schnauzer.




Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/Joesbookbar  










Saturday, January 06, 2018

Spotlight Saturday: Riley Jean


Welcome to Kira Adams' Spotlight Saturday! Every week I will be featuring a different author in the industry. Indie, trad, small press, etc. The point is to help get the word out about new authors and books they are releasing. Maybe you will find your next favorite author. Maybe you will find a story that will touch your soul. Maybe you will participate in the giveaway in hopes of winning a prize. Whatever the case may be, thank you for being here. 


This weeks featured author is Riley Jean.














• What inspired you to begin writing?
I started writing almost six years ago. It was just after I graduated college and got married. For the first time in forever, with no wedding to plan and no finals to study for, I had time to devote to my very own hobby. So, I rediscovered my love of reading. It quickly became an obsession. I devoured over 250 books that year. I lived and breathed words. Even my dreams were narrated. Naturally, my own creative juices started to flow.

I didn't set out to write a book. It was more like journaling. Thoughts about friendships, family, life lessons, grief. Sweet moments from the chaotic year that my husband and I first met. Because these days I can't remember why I walked into a room, and there are some memories I never want to forget :]

What began as a creative outlet to document my thoughts evolved into a cohesive story about angst, romance and coming of age that I was honored to share with the world!

• Who is your favorite author(s)?
Colleen Hoover and Amy Harmon. These women inspire me daily. Colleen with her community outreach and dry humor, and Amy with her humility and faith. Did I mention their unforgettable stories? "Slammed" and "Making Faces" are my all-time favorites!

• Do you have anything else in the works apart from your book/series?
Sadly, I am not like other authors that can whip out multiple masterpieces each year. (How do they do that?!) Or even balance writing and social media (FAIL). My first book took me three years to write, and I'm currently two years into my second. I'm SO excited for this one! It's the highly-anticipated spin off from my first book, titled "Lose Somebody." It follows Ricky Storm, a wandering artist who unknowingly meets a beautiful violin player moments before she goes missing. The next day when he recognizes her face on a flyer, he must retrace his steps, follow the clues, and ultimately battle with his own inner demons to save her. 

Meet Ricky Storm in Use Somebody, out now! And lookout for Lose Somebody in 2018!

• If you had to choose a fictional character from one of your books to have lunch with, who would it be and why?
Recently I've spent A TON of time in Ricky's head, so of course he springs to mind first. I find him fascinating. He traded in his tattoo gun and motorcycle to travel all over the country. He's seen sights, met people and lived a life on the edge that I secretly envy. If only I wasn't so... you know... conventional :]

But honestly, it makes me laugh to picture it... the two of us sharing a meal. Ricky's a bit rough around the edges, and I'm rather awkward. It takes a special leading lady (enter Giselle) to bring him out of his shell. We'd probably spend the time alternating between sitting quietly and me bringing up topics discreetly written on my hand while pretending not to be intimidated.

• What is the one piece of advice you would give to aspiring authors? 
Write from the heart. Don't scribble out a trendy trope for the sole purpose of making money. Tell YOUR story. Be unique. Take your time. Polish. Readers will feel the difference.





One broken girl. One irresistible boy. Can he bring her back to the light, or will they both succumb to darkness?

For straitlaced Scarlett Rossi, college was supposed to be all about finding herself. But when a whirlwind romance goes tragically wrong, what she finds is much darker than expected. Reeling from the fallout, she returns home, lost, alone, and scarred. Determined to rebuild what was stolen that night, she embraces the fighter within.

With a heart of gold and a smile like the sun, Vance Holloway can light up any room. So when his charms are rejected by the new girl at work, his curiosity is piqued. Vance sees right through Scarlett's stubborn walls. And he'll stop at nothing to break them. Over ice cream, music, and a handful of moments, he slowly earns her trust. Finally Scarlett's found somebody safe... that is, until he falls in love.

So begins an explosive tryst of push and pull between one broken girl and one irresistible boy. Scarlett won't survive another heartbreak. Can their friendship survive a compromise?

Vance may be set on healing her heart, but he has no idea what he's up against. As her walls continue to crumble, grief looms and triggers resurface. Until both are faced with the heart-stopping truth: what really happened the night she swore she'd never love another man, and whose hands are stained with his blood?


Join Vance and Scarlett on this powerful journey of romance, mystery, and redemption.

Use Somebody is a full-length standalone novel.































Life has made me fearless, God has made me strong, and being married to my best friend has me laughing every single day. Sunny Southern California is where we call home. I enjoy scrapbooking, autumn sunsets, and surrounding myself with music and books. By day I am Pepper Potts: pencil skirt rockin’ executive assistant to a top leader at a Fortune 100 company. By night I am Riley Jean: reader, writer, rock star in disguise.






Monday, January 01, 2018

The Start of a New Period?

I met someone. 
Finally.
They aren't perfect, but they feel right for me. 
There are some things we will need to work out, but for now, I am enjoying spending time with him. 
It feels weird to say but I don't want to see other people. 
I deleted my dating profiles: Tinder, Bumble, Plenty of Fish, Ok Cupid. 
I haven't done that for anyone in 8 years. 
He's so sure about me, and I'm still so hesitant about it all. 
We have all the time in the world, so I don't want to jump into anything. 
I really hope this is more, like he's been telling me. I really want to stop looking. 
He's an Aries. The first I've ever dated I think. 
I hope it works out. I hope it's real.