DSP Publications

Blog Tour—Comes A Horseman; by Anne Barwell

Today’s guest, Anne Barwell, hails from New Zealand. She is wonderful story teller and an even better person. Anne’s giving nature comes through in the passion she brings to her writing and the way she works to give the readers all that she can. The Echoes Rising is a terrific historical fiction series and I hope everyone reads on to learn more (and of course get the books!)

Working With History – Anne Barwell

Thanks for hosting me today as part of my blog tour for Comes a Horseman, the 3^rd and final book in my WWII Echoes Rising series from DSP Publications.

I have a Rafflecopter running as part of the tour so be sure to enter. DSP Publications also have the ebooks for Shadowboxing (book 1), and Winter Duet (book 2) on sale from 17^th July-August 4^th.

One of the daunting things about writing an historical is the research involved. But, on the flip side, often real events can inspire plot, and even get the characters out of a corner. In Shadowboxing, the first book in my WWII Echoes Rising series, I needed to get my characters out of a heavily guarded building, and couldn’t figure out how. History came to my rescue! I adjusted the dates in the story by a few weeks, and the Allied bombing of that area at the time gave my characters the break they needed. Sadly one of their own lost his life as well.

Historical events play a big part in Comes a Horseman. When I started writing the series, I knew I wanted it to finish with D-Day—the Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6^th 1944. The lead up to that event is well documented too, so my timing had to be just right. I needed to have my Allied team in Normandy so they’d be there to hear the original coded broadcast to the resistance on 1^st June so they knew the invasion was coming. I also had to get the weather right, as that impacted the date which originally was going to be a couple of days earlier. Not only that, but I needed to find out when the area was bombed and the specific times—as well as dates—of the crucial events leading up to, and of, the invasion.

When I started reading up on D-Day I discovered a rather cool coincidence. The Paul Verlaine poem which was broadcast over the radio as the coded signal to the French Resistance contained a line about the “heavy sobs of autumn’s violins”, and one my characters—Kit Lehrer—is a violinist. It was as though everything fell into place and not only that, had meant to be this way all along. I’d love to say I planned it that way, but I didn’t.

The attitude of Standartenführer Holm towards the imminent invasion is taken from historical accounts too. The Germans weren’t expecting an invasion in Normandy, so their attention was elsewhere. And the idea that the Allies would broadcast to the resistance on the B.B.C.? Ridiculous.

The timing of the action of the last few chapters of the book was crucial. I needed to have the bombs drop on my characters at ground zero so the timing was historically accurate. I wrote those last few chapters with an historical timeline written in my notebook for the series, and adjusted the timeline of previous chapters so that everything meshed. It also solved several problems the characters needed to figure out in order to complete their mission the way they’d decided it needed to play out.

I’ve learnt a lot more about WWII while writing this series than I ever thought I would, and despite the work involved, I’ve really enjoyed it. I still have a notebook, a folder, and bookcase full of information about the period, and although this team’s story is told, I wouldn’t be surprised if that information proves useful in another story sometime.

There’s always newsletter free stories and the ilk too. I’ve spent so many years writing these guys, I doubt they’ll disappear altogether. I kind of hope they don’t.

Blurb:

Comes a Horseman – Echoes Rising Book 3, sequel to Winter Duet

France, 1944

Sometimes the most desperate struggles take place far from the battlefield, and what happens in secret can change the course of history.

Victory is close at hand, but freedom remains frustratingly just beyond the grasp of German physicist Dr. Kristopher Lehrer, Resistance fighter Michel, and the remaining members of the team sent by the Allies—Captain Matt Bryant, Sergeant Ken Lowe, and Dr. Zhou Liang—as they fight to keep the atomic plans from the Nazis. The team reaches France and connects with members of Michel’s French Resistance cell in Normandy. Allied troops are poised to liberate France, and rescue is supposedly at hand. However, Kristopher is no longer sure the information he carries in his memory is safe with either side.

When Standartenführer Holm and his men finally catch up with their prey, the team is left with few options as they fight to keep atomic plans from the Nazis. With a traitor in their midst, who can they trust? Kristopher realizes he must become something he is not in order to save the man he loves. Death is biding his time, and sacrifices must be made for any of them to have the futures they want.

Buy Links:

DSP Publications:

Amazon:

Excerpt:

Matt nodded, his lips moving although he did not speak. He was counting, Michel realized, as they pulled away from shore, and using the rhythm of his movement to distract himself from the darkness.

The moon’s light highlighted the waves lapping around the boat—the water seemed to reach toward them before diving back again. Ken and Matt quickly settled into a unified motion, both focused on what they were doing, although Ken glanced at Matt a couple of times.

Frej signaled for Matt and Ken to change direction slightly and rest the oars. They did that for a few moments, letting the boat drift with the current. If Michel squinted, he could see the outline of the bridge in the distance and several shapes moving at either end of it. The guards on duty would hopefully stay focused on the bridge itself and not notice a small rowboat sneaking over the border. The area was well guarded, but as it had been secured for quite some time, they would not be expecting trouble.

On the other side of the boat, Liang quickly turned and leaned over the side. As soon as he started to make a gagging noise he shoved his hand over his mouth to silence it. If his seasickness got any worse, it would be difficult to mask the noise of him vomiting over the side of the boat. He was doing his best to silence his dry heaving, but his hunched posture suggested he felt miserable and unwell.

Frej leaned toward Ken and gestured. Ken nodded, rested the oars again, and then he and Matt changed direction. Matt was still counting under his breath, and he gripped the oar tightly.

“Who’s there?” The shouted question shattered the silence.

Kristopher glanced around, an expression of panic on his face.

Michel put a hand on his arm to calm him but didn’t dare whisper the reassurance he wanted to. He turned around and strained his eyes, trying to find the source of the disruption. Matt and Ken stopped rowing, the boat drifting back the way they’d come, caught by the current.

He heard boots against wood in the distance—the unmistakable sound of men running, probably over the bridge crossing the Rhine south of their position. “No farther or I’ll shoot,” one of them yelled.

Frej got down on the floor of the boat. Michel and Kristopher followed, then Liang. Matt kept hold of his oar, trying to keep it as still as he could. He leaned down into a crouch, as did Ken.

Gunfire sounded from the bridge. A couple of shots in succession before stopping. Michel heard an engine, a vehicle approaching. A door slammed, and then everything went quiet again. Logically he knew the bridge was a good few kilometers away, but Frej was right about noise carrying on the water. If felt too close for comfort.

Frej waited a few minutes. “Row,” he whispered urgently. “While they are distracted.”

Rafflecopter giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Other Tour Stops:

July 25 – MM Good Book Reviews

July 31 – Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

August 1 – Two Men Are Better Than One

August 1 – Top to Bottom Reviews

August 1 – Genre Talk at The Novel Approach Reviews

August 2 – Love Bytes Reviews

August 3 – Andrew Q. Gordon

August 3 – DSP Publications Blog

August 4 – Nic Starr

August 4 – Alpha Book Club

August 7 – My Fiction Nook

August 8 – Divine Magazine

August 9 – Aisling Mancy

August 10 – Lucy Marker

About the Author:

Anne Barwell lives in Wellington, New Zealand. She shares her home with two cats who are convinced that the house is run to suit them; this is an ongoing “discussion,” and to date it appears as though the cats may be winning.

In 2008 she completed her conjoint BA in English Literature and Music/Bachelor of Teaching. She has worked as a music teacher, a primary school teacher, and now works in a library. She is a member of the Upper Hutt Science Fiction Club and plays violin for Hutt Valley Orchestra.

She is an avid reader across a wide range of genres and a watcher of far too many TV series and movies, although it can be argued that there is no such thing as “too many.” These, of course, are best enjoyed with a decent cup of tea and further the continuing argument that the concept of “spare time” is really just a myth. She also hosts other authors, reviews for the GLBTQ Historical Site “Our Story” and Top2Bottom Reviews, and writes monthly blog posts for Authors Speak and Love Bytes.

Anne’s books have received honorable mentions four times and reached the finals three times in the Rainbow Awards. She has also been nominated twice in the Goodreads M/M Romance Reader’s Choice Awards—once for Best Fantasy and once for Best Historical.

Where To Find Anne:

Website & Blog:

Facebook:

Facebook page:

Google+:

Instagram:

Twitter:

Goodreads:

Dreamspinner Press Author Page:

DSP Publications Author Page:

Queeromance Ink Author Page:

New Zealand Rainbow Romance Writers:

Guest Post—Shadowboxing; by Anne Barwell

Knights and Pawns

Thanks for hosting me today.

The line between hero and villain is not always as clear as one would think. As a writer I find it much more interesting to write villains who are convinced they’re doing the right thing. In their mind they are the hero fighting for a cause they believe in.

In Shadowboxing—book 1 of my WWII Echoes Rising series—there are several men and a woman who have various ways of justifying their actions. The title for this blog post comes from a recurring chess theme within the story, and the fact that several of the characters enjoy the game, both on the board, and in reality.

SS Standartenführer Karl Holm, the main antagonist in the story, is an interesting character to write. In his mind, his intentions are honourable, and he doesn’t see himself as a villain. Even when he’s interrogating his prisoners, he convinces himself that they brought their torture on themselves. After all, he gave them the opportunity to co-operate, right? He prefers to use good manners and intelligent conversation in order to get the information he requires, only stooping to distasteful violence when it is necessary. Having lost family in the last war, he has little time for traitors and is loyal to the Fatherland.

On the other hand, his subordinate, SS Obersturmführer Reiniger is a man who enjoys violence and hurting people. He is a bully, and unfortunately in a position of power, and will use that to get revenge on those who made him lose face. I’ve written a couple of scenes from his perspective and it was a very unpleasant experience. However, the scenes flowed really well—should I worry about that?

Margarete Huber is a different kind of foe, and although she may appear to be on a particular side, she plays her own game. She isn’t military but has family connections to the person in charge of the project that Holm and Reiniger are tasked to protect. This gives her power that she has no qualms in using for personal reasons, which makes her very dangerous. She is also very manipulative, and influences people and situations from a safe place behind the scenes. Margarete likes to think she can predict everyone’s moves so when someone does something she does not expect, or turns down her advances towards them, she wants to know why. Not only that, but she wants to ensure it does not happen again.

Which of the three would you think is the most dangerous?

Blurb:

Echoes Rising: Book One

Berlin, 1943. An encounter with an old friend leaves German physicist Dr. Kristopher Lehrer with doubts about his work. But when he confronts his superior, everything goes horribly wrong. Suddenly Kristopher and Michel, a member of the Resistance, are on the run, hunted for treason and a murder they did not commit. If they’re caught, Kristopher’s knowledge could be used to build a terrible weapon that could win the war.

For the team sent by the Allies—led by Captain Bryant, Sergeant Lowe, and Dr. Zhou—a simple mission escalates into a deadly game against the Gestapo, with Dr. Lehrer as the ultimate prize. But in enemy territory, surviving and completing their mission will test their strengths and loyalties and prove more complex than they ever imagined.

Buy Link:

DSP Publications:

Excerpt:

Michel froze when several gunshots pierced the quiet Berlin night. “Kristopher…,” he whispered. No. Please no.

Beside him, Matt’s head jerked up. He swore loudly. A few moments later, another lone shot followed the first couple.

Walker and Palmer skidded to a halt, doubling back from where they’d gone on ahead.

“Elise’s Kaffeehaus.” Walker panted, trying to speak and catch his breath simultaneously. He and Palmer appeared to be much younger than their companions; Michel wouldn’t be surprised if this was their first assignment in the field. “Gestapo….”

“Matt….” Ken’s previous harsh timbre was replaced by something much gentler, but Matt ignored him and shook his head.

“No.” His voice shook, his words partly echoing Michel’s thoughts. “Not Elise. Please, not her, not now.” Matt leaned heavily against a nearby lamppost, his eyes glazed over.

“We don’t know who fired the shots, sir.” Palmer took over the explanation. At least he could pass for German if he stayed quiet and kept his head down. Hopefully it wouldn’t come to that, but there were no guarantees as to which way a particular mission might go. Michel had had that fact reinforced on more occasions than he cared to remember, but too many lives depended on them with this one. It had to succeed. “The Kaffeehaus is swarming with Gestapo, but there is no sign of anyone else.”

“We need to ascertain precisely what has happened before we move in. In order to do that, we will have to get closer.” Ken took charge—although Matt was the ranking officer, he appeared to be in no state to give orders. Whatever his relationship to Elise, this was not the time for him to be dwelling on what might be happening in the Kaffeehaus. Getting Kristopher and the plans to safety was still their priority.

“It’s damn obvious that someone’s been shot.” Matt visibly pulled himself together, although his voice hitched slightly before the word “shot.” “We need to get in there quickly in order to minimize damage. Gabriel, take Walker and Palmer and secure the back entrance. Lowe, Zhou, you’re with me. We’ll secure the front.”

“What if there’s another exit?” asked Liang, disengaging the safety on his handgun.

Matt shook his head, his matter-of-fact tone verifying prior knowledge of both the Kaffeehaus and its owner. “There isn’t. Not unless Elise has done some major renovations, which I doubt.”

“We’re probably more than outnumbered by Holm and his men.” Michel pointed out the inadequacies of the plan. “It would be more sensible to size up the situation first, as Lowe suggested, before we move in. The shot might be merely a warning. We don’t know for certain that someone is injured. If Dr. Lehrer and Elise have been captured, it would pay to wait until….” His voice trailed off, a grotesque image entering his mind—Kristopher lying on the floor of the Kaffeehaus, his fair hair stained red with the blood dripping from a single bullet hole to the temple. Michel quickly pushed it away. Holm needed Kristopher. He wouldn’t risk killing him. Elise could be used to ensure Kristopher’s cooperation. It made more sense that they were both still alive.

“I don’t care.” Matt’s previous calm was replaced by an edge of desperation that made him both unpredictable and dangerous. “I’m not just sitting here and waiting. To hell with procedure.”

About the Author:

Anne Barwell lives in Wellington, New Zealand. She shares her home with two cats who are convinced that the house is run to suit them; this is an ongoing “discussion,” and to date it appears as though the cats may be winning.

Where to find her:

Blog: http://anne-barwell.livejournal.com/

Website: http://annebarwell.wordpress.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/anne.barwell.1

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/115084832208481414034/posts

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4862410.Anne_Barwell

Dreamspinner Press Author Page:

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/AuthorArcade/anne-barwell

DSP Publications Author Page:

https://www.dsppublications.com/authors/anne-barwell-49

Release Day—Kings of Lore and Legend—Champion of the Gods, Book III

Today is release for Book III Kings of Lore and Legend. Unfortunately, this is a true series and I really need you to read Books I & II first. You can’t drop in here at this book, pick it up and really know what’s going on. Sure there is a synopsis of what has gone before, but you won’t be able to see the growth Farrell made; how much of an impact Miceral has on that development; the magic might not make sense, etc. To make it easier for you to get started on the series, I’m giving away a free copy of Book I – The Last Grand Master to everyone who wants a copy. You can get a copy by signing up for my mailing list, or you can download it free from DSP Publications. I’d recommend signing up for the mailing list. (Of course I would, but listen to why you should be your click the DSP Publications link.) In addition to monthly updates, I’ll be sharing a slew of “lost” scenes that were cut during the revision period. I also hold gift card giveaways every couple of months just for reading the newsletter.

Plus, DSP Publications has reduced the price of Book II The Eye and the Arm to .99 cents through May 1^st. For more details check out the links below:

GET YOUR FREE COPY OF THE LAST GRAND MASTER

Or you can down load it directly from DSP Publications:

Book two, The Eye and the Arm, is now just .99 cents. The sale is only until May 1, 2016.

Blurb:

Dumbarten should have been the end of Farrell’s efforts to find his distant ancestor Kel, but the Six have other plans. Farrell is told to continue his search for answers in Agloth, the temple city to Seritia. Forced by the Goddess to ride across the vast continent of Lourdria, Farrell and his companion learn that Meglar’s reach extends well beyond the borders of Ardus. And Agloth, despite being dedicated to the Goddess of Love, is also home to a millennia-old curse that Farrell must end if he wants to complete his task.

Answers don’t come easily, and Farrell determines he must travel to the Dwarf Kingdom of Colograd to continue his quest. When an ally of Meglar’s threatens Agloth, Farrell cuts short his time in Colograd and rushes back to defend Seritia’s home. The attack seems doomed to fail, but the death of one of his companions distracts Farrell at a critical moment. Battling against his crushing grief, Farrell struggles to save Agloth, his friends, and himself. And even if he survives, he still hasn’t found Kel or his answers.

Release Date: March 15th 2016

Publisher: DSP Publications

Cover Artist: Angsty G

Buy links for Kings of Lore and Legend:

ARe/OmniLit

Amazon

Amazon UK

Barnes & Noble

Mute Witness; by Rick R. Reed—Guest Post and Giveaway

A Tale of Two Covers: MUTE WITNESS

The DSP Publications version of Mute Witness is its second incarnation. The book was originally published by MLR Press, with a different cover (by Deana C. Jamroz). The DSPP has been extensively re-edited and has gotten a whole new face, thanks to cover artist Aaron Anderson.

I love the whole cover art process, but it always makes me wary because it’s so vital to the success of the book. After all, this is the first impression, the “face”, if you will, of the book!

Which cover do you like better? Let me know (and with maybe a reason why) in the comments below.

First we have the original, from MLR. Here’s what I wrote I was looking for in the cover art request form:

A very strong, simple image keeps running through my mind: the face of a child, perhaps wide-eyed, with the mouth completely blurred out, as if it doesn’t exist. Like a face without a mouth (mute witness…get it?). And maybe that’s all we need. The boy in the book is eight years old and has dark hair and green eyes, but those details do not have to be strictly adhered to.

Again, I prefer more straightforward photographic images as opposed to filtered art or illustrations.

The book is more of a thriller, so the typeface and mood should lend itself to that genre.

Second, we have the DSP Publications cover. Here’s what I wrote to the cover artist about what I had in mind:

The tone is very serious and the plot itself is somewhat mysterious/suspenseful. It’s about child abduction and abuse and the very erroneous belief held by narrow minds that gay people are somehow linked to pedophiles.

I think the primary focus should be on the missing child, who is truly the “mute witness” to what happened to him. I am attaching with the form several book covers that I think convey the right image (although I am open to any and all ideas—please don’t limit yourself to my thoughts). These are all photographic and fairly simple, with a somber tone (my favorite of which is THE GOOD GIRL).

And here are the book covers I attached for inspiration.

{Don’t forget to leave a comment and let Rick know which cover you liked better. – AQG}

TITLE: Mute Witness

AUTHOR: Rick R. Reed

PUBLISHER: DSP Publications

COVER ARTIST: Aaron Anderson

LENGTH: 290 Pages

GENRE: LGBT, Mystery & Suspense

RELEASE DATE: February 09, 2016

BLURB: 2nd Edition

The abuse of a little boy turns a community against a loving gay couple, and nobody comes out of it unscathed.

Sean and Austin have the perfect life: new love, a riverfront home, security. Their love for one another is only multiplied when Sean’s eight-year-old son, Jason, visits on the weekends.

And then their perfect world shatters.

Jason goes missing.

When the boy turns up days later, he’s been so horribly abused he’s lost the power to speak. Immediately small town minds turn to the boy’s gay father and his lover as the likely culprits. What was a warm, welcoming community becomes a lynching party out for blood.

As Sean and Austin struggle to stay together amidst innuendo, the very real threat of Sean losing the son he loves emerges. Yet the true villain is much closer to home, intent on ensuring the boy’s muteness is permanent.

1st Edition published by ManLove Romance Press, 2009.

IT WAS one of their rare lazy evenings. Summer, and the evening air was fresh and clean after an afternoon thunderstorm, with just a hint of a breeze. Normally, Sean and Austin were so busy that if they weren’t trying to change something about the little Cape Cod on the Ohio River they had bought a year before—adding a deck, putting in a new kitchen, stripping away years of white paint from the woodwork downstairs—they were too tired to do anything but crawl into bed and pass out, usually before eleven o’clock. Lovemaking, since they had bought the money- and-time-sucking house, had become relegated to weekend afternoons and the occasional early morning.

But today, Thursday, had been an easy one. Austin had called into work—the Benson Pottery, where he was a caster—and taken a mental health day. Things had just been too damn busy lately, and he needed the break. Waiting until Saturday was out of the question. Sunday seemed further away than the next millennium.

Sean, a reporter for the Evening View, the local thrice-weekly compilation of ads sandwiched in with a little editorial, had the day off. The couple spent the day in Pittsburgh, at the Andy Warhol museum, then had an early dinner at the Grand Concourse (the best paella on the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers), beat the brutal thunderstorm home, made love (acrobatically, in the kitchen, atop a butcher block), and now the two were curled up in front of the TV. Sean had rented Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and, after a bowl of Jamaican and a couple of vodka and tonics, the two were teary-eyed with laughter.

Sean looked over at his younger boyfriend and thought how lucky he was to have found Austin, especially in a town the size of Summitville, where the population hovered just above ten thousand. Even better, Austin was his fantasy man, with a broad, beefy body that his mother and her friends would have called strapping, sandy blond hair, and the bluest eyes he had ever seen. When Sean first met him, he thought Austin’s eyes had to be fake, enhanced by those tinted contacts that never looked real. But he found quickly that the young man was simply blessed with arresting eyes to go along with his broad shoulders, dimpled chin, and infectious smile. He wore that smile right now, coming down from a fit of inappropriate laughter after hearing Elizabeth Taylor tell Richard Burton something along the lines of “I’d divorce you if I thought you were alive.”

A sick sense of humor was yet another thing the pair had in common.

It was what they both would have agreed was a perfect day. Well, Sean might have had one more item to add to the “perfection” list. Having his son, Jason, around for at least part of the time would have been all it would have taken to make the day ideal, but these days, Jason was for the weekends only.

In any case, this was close enough to nirvana. He closed his eyes and let his head loll back on Austin’s shoulder.

Sean was just thinking about slowly undressing Austin and then leading him into the bedroom for round two when the phone rang. Its chirp startled both of them out of the cocoon of warmth that had surrounded them, a cocoon built from good sex, supreme relaxation, and the afore-mentioned Jamaican weed.

Austin said, sleepily from under Sean’s arm on the couch, “Don’t get it. Please don’t get it. Just let the machine pick up. I don’t want to talk to anyone. And I don’t want you to, either.” Sean eyed the little answering machine next to the cordless, wondering when they would enter the twenty-first century and use voice mail like everyone else. But, unlike voice mail, the machine did allow them to screen calls, and for two men who appreciated their privacy, this feature had voice mail beat all to hell.

Sean let the phone ring its customary four rings, although his tendency would have been to answer it. But if this would make Austin happy, then he was willing to do it. Especially since he had things in mind for Austin that did not involve the telephone. Things that would erase their fatigue and perhaps keep them up the better part of the night. Sean grinned.

On the fourth ring, Sean pressed the pause button on the remote control and sat up straighter to listen.

“Whatever it is, it can wait,” Austin whispered in Sean’s ear, flicking his earlobe with his tongue and giving his crotch a playful squeeze.

And then the moment shattered.

Shelley’s voice, almost unfamiliar under the veneer of tension that made it higher, quicker, came through. Shelley and Sean had been married once upon a time and their union had produced Jason, the best little boy in the world. As soon as Sean heard Shelley’s voice, he thought of his son, who shared his dark hair, green eyes, wiry frame, and his fascination with stories.

“Sean? Sean, I hope you’re there. This is important. Please pick up.” There was a slight pause. “It’s about Jason. He—”

Before she could say anything else, Sean sprinted for the phone in the entryway. “Shelley? Sorry, I was…”

“Jason is missing.”

DSP Publications (eBook)

DSP Publications (Paperback)

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Barnes & Noble

Rick R. Reed is all about exploring the romantic entanglements of gay men in contemporary, realistic settings. While his stories often contain elements of suspense, mystery and the paranormal, his focus ultimately returns to the power of love.

He is the author of dozens of published novels, novellas, and short stories. He is a three-time EPIC eBook Award winner (for Caregiver, Orientation and The Blue Moon Cafe). He is also a Rainbow Award Winner for both Caregiver and Raining Men. Lambda Literary Review has called him, “a writer that doesn’t disappoint.”

Rick lives in Seattle with his husband and a very spoiled Boston terrier. He is forever “at work on another novel.”

:: Website :: Blog :: Facebook Page :: Twitter :: Google+ ::

Winner’s Prize: E copy of Rick R. Reed’s psychic thriller – THIRD EYE

a Rafflecopter giveaway

February 9: Prism Book Alliance

February 10: Gay Media Reviews

February 11: Divine Magazine

February 12: Love Bytes Reviews

February 15: Bayou Book Junkie

February 16: The Land of Make Believe

February 17: The Novel Approach

February 18: Diverse Reader

February 19: Joyfully Jay

Visit the Website: Creative Minds
Email Sid @ [email protected]

Release Day For Purpose—October 6, 2015—And Blog Tour

Today is release day for the 2nd Edition of Purpose from DSP Publications. To kick this off, I have a blog tour planned.

Each stop will have something unique, either a post about the story, an exclusive excerpt or an interview. There will also be a giveaway, so check out each stop to learn more.

6 Oct – Elin Gregory (https://elingregory.wordpress.com/)

6 Oct – Jessie G Books (http://jessiegbooks.com/)

7 Oct – Divine Magazine (http://divinemagazine.net/)

8 Oct – Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words (http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords.com/)

9 Oct – Hearts on Fire Reviews (http://heartsonfirereviews.com/)

9 Oct – MM Good Book Reviews (https://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/)

10 Oct – Author Susan Mac Nicol (http://www.susanmacnicol.com/blog/)

10 Oct – Wake Up Your Wild Side (http://galestanley.blogspot.com/)

11 Oct – The Purple Rose Tea House (http://purpleroseteahouse.charliecochet.com/)

12 Oct – Love Bytes Reviews (http://lovebytesreviews.com/)

12 Oct – Queer SciFi (https://queerscifi.com/)

13 Oct – World of Diversity Fiction (http://wodfreview.com/)

14 Oct – Prism Book Alliance (http://www.prismbookalliance.com)

15 Oct – Diverse Reader (http://diversereader.blogspot.com/)

16 Oct – Loving Without Limits (http://lexiander.blogspot.com/)

17 Oct – Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents (http://fangirlmomentsandmytwocents.blogspot.com/)

18 Oct – BFD Book Blog (http://bfdbookblog.net/)

18 Oct – Wicked Faeries Tales and Reviews (http://wickedfaeriesreviews.blogspot.com/)

19 Oct – Molly Lolly (https://mollylollyauthor.wordpress.com/)

20 Oct – Drops of Ink (https://annebarwell.wordpress.com/)

If you want to buy the book, visit my book page for buy links around the world:

And in case you need more incentive, you can check out the new video trailer:

A Demon Inside; By Rick R. Reed—Cover Reveal and Giveaway

Blurb:

Hunter Beaumont doesn’t understand his grandmother’s deathbed wish: “Destroy Beaumont House.” He’s never even heard of the place. But after his grandmother passes and his first love betrays him, the family house in the Wisconsin woods looks like a tempting refuge. Going against his grandmother’s wishes, Hunter flees to Beaumont House.

But will the house be the sanctuary he had hoped for? Soon after moving in, Hunter realizes he may not be alone. And with whom—or what—he shares the house may plunge him into a nightmare from which he may never escape. Sparks fly when he meets his handsome neighbor, Michael Burt, a caretaker for the estate next door. The man might be his salvation… or he could be the source of Hunter’s terror.

Publisher: DSP Publications

Cover Artist: Aaron Anderson

Release Date: August 25, 2015

Excerpt:

Hunter wasn’t sure how much time had passed as he wandered the rooms, thinking, but he knew he should be getting back to Ian. He remembered there was a back staircase, not nearly as grand as the large curving one at the front, but closer. It led down to the kitchen and was narrow, for utilitarian purposes only.

The stairway was close… and dark. Hunter needed to grip the walls as he made his way down the raw wooden stairs. Before he even saw it, he felt it, the web of a spider, sticky yet almost ephemeral, clinging to his face. And in dim periphery, he saw a fat, hairy brown spider, alerted to a catch, begin to make its way toward his face. Hunter struggled to get out of the web, trying to tear the gluey strands away from him. He gasped as some of the web got into his mouth and was horrified at the thought that the spider might follow suit.

He pushed onward down the stairs, stumbling, the web clinging to him, accompanied by the crawly sensation of the spider now making its way through his hair. From below he heard laughter. He realized Ian must have returned to the house and glimpsed his predicament. The laughter grew along with Hunter’s horror at the web. He batted at it, struggling to get down the stairs and away from the spider.

After jumping down the last few stairs, Hunter managed to get most of the spider’s web off himself and at last to fling the advancing beast to the floor. He looked back to see it scurry away.

He had a few choice words for Ian, which he started right in on before even seeing the man. “What’s wrong with you? Couldn’t you have helped me? Who knows if that damn spider wasn’t poisonous? And to laugh at me! I just don’t get—” Hunter stopped talking all at once in the middle of the bright, sun-drenched kitchen.

He was alone.

“Ian?” Hunter moved through the other rooms. Ian was nowhere to be found.

“Ian? This isn’t funny. Come out now.” Behind him he heard giggling. Hunter whirled around and was confronted with only empty space. This was not like Ian at all, not at all like the kind but rather staid and humorless friend of the family Hunter had always known. He did one more search of the first floor rooms, assuring himself that all were empty.

Hunter hurried from Beaumont House and stood for a moment after closing and locking the doors behind him, composing himself. The sensation of being watched returned once more, and this time Hunter could pinpoint where it came from. He turned quickly, surveying the upstairs windows, but all of them were dark, reflecting only the sun.

Hunter knew the car was just a few yards away, but as he rushed to it, his foot caught on a bramble, which brought him to his knees. He skinned his hands as he went down. “Jesus,” he whispered… and then tensed. He could feel someone behind him, drawing closer. He was sure it wasn’t Ian. Hunter squeezed his eyes shut, muscles tensing, as he felt hot breath on his neck. He wanted to scream but had no voice.

He turned quickly.

And there was no one there.

Pre-Order Links:

DSP Publcations is running a promotion where if you pre-order the paperback, you get the ebook in all formats FREE.

eBook:

Paperback:

About the author:

Rick R. Reed is all about exploring the romantic entanglements of gay men in contemporary, realistic settings. While his stories often contain elements of suspense, mystery and the paranormal, his focus ultimately returns to the power of love. He is the author of dozens of published novels, novellas, and short stories. He is a three-time EPIC eBook Award winner (for Caregiver, Orientation and The Blue Moon Cafe). Raining Men and Caregiver have both won the Rainbow Award for gay fiction. Lambda Literary Review has called him, “a writer that doesn’t disappoint.” Rick lives in Seattle with his husband and a very spoiled Boston terrier. He is forever “at work on another novel.”

Where to find the author:

Web: http://www.rickrreed.com
Blog: http://rickrreedreality.blogspot.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rickrreedbooks
Twitter: www.twitter.com/rickrreed.
E-mail: [email protected]

Tour Stops:

Parker Williams, Mikky’s World of Books, Divine Magazine, MM Good Book Reviews, TTC Books and More, My Fiction Nook, Bayou Book Junkie, Inked Rainbow Reads, Jessie G. Books, Andrew Q. Gordon, Multitasking Mommas, Wake Up Your Wild Side, BFD Book Blog, The Fuzzy, Fluffy World of Chris T. Kat, Because Two Men Are Better Than One, Hearts on Fire, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Tara Lain, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Happily Ever Chapter, Molly Lolly, The Hat Party, Amanda C. Stone, Love Bytes, 3 Chicks After Dark, Vampires, Werewolves, and Fairies, Oh My, Velvet Panic, Dawn’s Reading Nook, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Elin Gregory, Up All Night, Read All Day

Giveaway:

Click the Rafflecopter Link for a chance to win a signed paperback copy of A DEMON INSIDE upon its release. {Note, the offer is available only to those residing in the US. Foreign winners will get an ebook copy in the format of their choice.}

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The Eye And The Arm On Sale For A Limited Time

First let me say to all authors, if you want to work with the best, submit to DSP Publications and Dreamspinner Press. Everyone loves their publishers and honestly, you should. But this is special. In the world of writing, I’m still relatively new—just don’t tell them that. They treat me like royalty and always have.

Now, I can hear the skeptics out there; “anyone can say their publisher is good, tell me why.” I’m glad you asked. One of the so called pro’s of self-publishing is the ability to give away your first book or cut the price of another to build readers. I wanted to do both with the first two books of the Champion of the Gods series. Having a publisher, I can’t do that. But they can—and they did!

So, as you’ve seen in my previous post, I’m going to do a monthly update email group and as an incentive for people to join, I’m giving away a copy of The Last Grand Master for free to anyone who signs up.

(⇓If you missed it, click the link below⇓)

And, if that wasn’t enough, they’ve agreed to cut the price of Book 2 – The Eye and the Arm, to encourage folks who’ve read The Last Grand Master to buy book two. I don’t know how long it will last, so get it while it’s only $3.99.

(⇓ Click the Banner Below ⇓ For Where To Buy Links ⇓)

Kings of Lore and Legend—Update

Kings of Lore and Legend, Book three of Champion of the Gods is done. Now to submit it and hope DSP Publications accepts it.

In King of Lore and Legend, Farrell and Miceral are going to endless Lourdria in pursuit of the Gifts of the Gods and hopefully more information on Kel. Their travels will take them to the center of the continent to Agloth, city of the Goddess of Love.

One of the things I’ve really not done much with is highlight the ‘beings’ of Nendor. Unicorns and Peregrines are not horses and birds in my world. They are highly intelligent beings who are favored of the gods. Not are they intelligent, they have their own ruling class and their own society. Although Miceral and his people—the Muchari—are charged with protecting and taking care of the Peregrine and Unicorns, neither group needs the Muchari. In KOLAL we’re going to spend more time—a lot more time—with both.

As the beginning of The Eye and the Arm hinted at, the dwarves of Nendor will have a prominent roll in the coming war. Since the dwarves of Trellham were tricked into starting the first war between the gods, it is fitting that the dwarves have a hand in the second war. In KOLAL, Farrell, Miceral, Nerti and Klissmor are going to Colograd, the ‘youngest’ of the three dwarf nations. By virtue of his ending the war and saving what was left of Trellham’s dwarves, Kel had close ties with the other dwarf nations. As Kel’s heir, Farrell is going to inherit some of that relationship. He’s going to learn more about dwarfish culture and his roll in their society.

Peregrines might be my favorite beings on Nendor. Although I’ve not done much with them, we’ll see more of them in the coming books. They won’t have the same prominence as unicorns because Nerti and Klissmor are closer to Farrell and Miceral, but Peregrines a favorite of mine. Rothdin, Farrell’s adoptive father, showed some of his mettle near the end of The Eye and the Arm. His wisdom and strength will be called upon later in the series, but in Kings of Lore and Legend, Grohl and Takala, Farrell’s adoptive brothers, will get a larger look.

If you’re new to the Champion of the Gods series, start with The Last Grand Master. Click the banner to be taken to the book page where you’ll find information about the book, reviews and buy links:

If you’re interested in more information about the series, check out Book Two: The Eye and the Arm:

Release Day For The Eye And The Arm –

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It’s finally release day. The Eye and the Arm has been a work in progress for a while. When I submitted book one in…wait, really? No way…yep way back in the Summer of 2012, I absolutely expected I’d have the next book released six months later and then a new one every six months until the series was finished. After all, the entire series is written in rough draft, how hard could it be to get them out like clockwork? Yeah, we see how that worked out.

For different reasons, none of which matter anymore, it took considerably longer to get book two out. The good news is Book Three—Kings of Lore and Legend is on schedule for a March ’16 release. And I’m very hopeful that the rest of the series will follow on schedule.

If you’ve not read Book One, The Last Grand Master, it’s still on sale for .99 cent but not for much longer, so get started now.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: The Eye And The Arm

Series: Champion of the Gods Book 2

BLURB:

After defeating Meglar at Belsport, Farrell returns to Haven to recover from his injuries, but Khron, the god of war, has other ideas. He gives Farrell a new mission: free the survivors of the ancient dwarf realm of Trellham from their three-thousand-year banishment. To fulfill Khron’s near impossible task, Farrell will need the help of his distance ancestor, the legendary wizard Kel. But Kel has been dead for a thousand years.

Farrell finds information hinting that Kel is alive, so he moves his search to Dumbarten, Kel’s birthplace. To reach Dumbarten unannounced, Farrell and Miceral disguise themselves as mercenaries on board a merchant vessel. Their journey is disrupted when pirates attack their ship. While attempting to subdue the attack, Farrell is struck down by one of Meglar’s minions.

Unconscious and trapped in his own mind, Farrell’s only chance for survival rests with Miceral and the peregrine king Rothdin entering his thoughts and helping him sort fact from illusion. To reach Farrell, they will need to rely on an untested spell from one of Kel’s spellbooks. If they succeed, Miceral can guide Farrell home safely. If not, Farrell will destroy not only himself, but Miceral, Rothdin, and everyone around him.

DSP Publications

Length: 99,775 words/296 Pages

Release Date: April 14, 2015

Check out the Video Trailer:

EXCERPT:

“Relax, my friend.” Klissmor’s voice calmed Miceral’s growing anxiety. “You won’t feel my presence.”

Miceral took a deep breath. “Will I be able to hear?”

“Every word. Ready?”

“No, but let’s do it.” He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

“I need your eyes open for everyone to see.”

He snapped his lids open, blinking several times before could focus again. “Sorry.”

“Master Teberus.” Miceral knew the words came from him, but as promised, he didn’t feel anything. “I have Masters Erstad and Wesfazial as well as Wizard-Priestess Glendora. Ask your questions to Miceral and we four will also hear you.”

“Astounding.” The elder Arlefor glanced at the high priestess. “All four at once?”

“Wizard.” Miceral had heard that tone enough to know Klissmor’s mood. “Maintaining this link, this far away with this many minds, is a strain. If we are to save Farrell, you must focus on him.”

“Of course. My apologies.” Teberus bowed deeply. “My examination of the one who did this to Farrell confirmed that he is no wizard.”

“Then how in the eight gates of Neblor did that man defeat Farrell?” Even though Teberus couldn’t know, Miceral recognized the voice as Wesfazial’s.

“The obvious answer is the correct one. A wizard gave this man the weapon.”

“But Farrell could defeat all four of us and all the other wizards you brought with you and not be tested.” Erstad’s steady temperament sounded tested. “No weapon used by a nonwizard should be capable of this.”

Teberus raised the crest of his hairless eyebrow. “But since that is what happened, we must use it as the basis of our search for a cure.”

No one answered. As the silence dragged on, Miceral’s anxiety slowly returned. If Haven’s senior wizards didn’t know what to do, who could?

“Tell us what happened.” Erstad’s request almost didn’t register with Miceral.

“No,” Klissmor said. “Show them. Let them see the memory.”

Miceral closed his eyes and focused on reliving the attack. The clarity of the image caused his chest to tighten, making it hard to breathe. He knew the result, but watching it again, almost in slow motion, added to his agony.

When the image played over again, he realized Klissmor must have been guiding his thoughts.

“My apologies, old friend—the need is great.” Klissmor’s voice didn’t interrupt the stream of images.

“Do whatever you need. Just find a way to save Farrell.”

“Your friends are doing all they can. Have faith that Lenore will send us what we need.”

When the memory started for the third time, he didn’t find any comfort in Klissmor’s assertion. The Six wouldn’t—couldn’t—help. He needed something that didn’t exist—a great wizard like Heminaltose or Kel.

“In theory, I recognize the magic.” Erstad sounded confused. “But I’ll need to find a reference to be sure.”

“What about Farrell?” He knew he shouted, or at least what Farrell told him passed for shouting, but he couldn’t prevent it. “He could be dead before you find that.”

“It can’t be helped, Miceral. I need to be sure before I suggest a counterspell. If I’m wrong, whatever I try might kill him.”

“He is in no immediate danger.” Teberus put his hand on Farrell’s forehead. “But my fear is the number of spells that draw on him for power. I can only give him but so much. If he doesn’t wake, his body will burn out.”

“Do what you can, Master Teberus. We’ll begin searching immediately and contact you when we find the answer.” When Erstad stopped speaking, Klissmor’s presence left with him.

“Hurry. Please.” Miceral knew no one heard him.

BUY LINKS

DSPP Link: http://www.andrewqgordon.com/2015/04/champion-of-the-gods-books-one-and-two-available-now/

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/The-Eye-Champion-Gods-Book-ebook/dp/B00VGZB6SS

Amazon UK Link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Eye-Champion-Gods-Book-ebook/dp/B00VGZB6SS

Are Omnilit Link: https://www.omnilit.com/product-theeyeandthearm-1773344-234.html

GIVEAWAY

FIVE Winners will win one e-copy of ANY book* each from DSP Publication’s backlist.

*Giveaway is of any currently released DSPP book, which excludes the books that are on pre-order and “The Eye And The Arm”.

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In The Flesh; by Ethan Stone – Guest Post & Giveaway

We are here today talking to Cristian Flesh and Colby Maddox of In the Flesh fame. Thanks for being here. Can you each tell us a little about yourself?

CF: Well, I’m a fucking awesome cop. And sexy as hell. I’m pretty much the best at whatever I do. Oh yeah, I’m quite humble.

CM: How do I top that? Wait…I top him all the time. I’m a lawyer, a pretty good one I think. I somehow got pushed to help this guy, and I’m damn lucky. It was the best thing ever to happen to me

Can you each tell our readers what your first thought was upon meeting the other?

CF: I was stunned when this black guy walked in. He damn near filled the doorway. I figured he was some spoiled, arrogant rich dude. And I was right.

CM: Whatever. If anyone is spoiled, it’s you. I give you whatever you want. I was pretty taken with Cristian the minute I saw him. Not just his looks, though he was, is, drop dead gorgeous, but it was more than that. I could see something sad and beautiful in his eyes and wanted to know more. Continue reading In The Flesh; by Ethan Stone – Guest Post & Giveaway