Publisher: Sartoris Literary Group, Inc. Release Date: July 5, 2013

Review:

This a a real small town feel mystery. The characters were at times laughable. I know! For a book that has murder in the title it is hard to believe. I remember a series The Scarecrow and Mrs King with Kate Jackson and I so pictured her as Lillie Mae. So Clare Ballard has a bruise and the entire town takes it and runs. The things they imagine. The ladies of the Thursday Morning Breakfast Club start gossiping that her husband Roger is  abusing her. 

All of this is going down and then another member Hester Franklin has to bail her grandson Patrick out of jail. He was arrested for drugs! Now she thinks her grandson is innocent, what else can she think in this case. 

So the body of a dealer is discovered and this causes an eruption. The gossip, rumors and accusations fly. When one of the original leaders Alice has an incident, it makes all of them re-think their positions. I was wondering who put the drugs into Patrick’s truck and it had me going!

I will say I found it to be a cutesy type of book. I know some of the subjects, like a drug deals and spousal abuse are not funny, but these ladies made me think differently. I adored the names and the descriptions. So if you adore cozy mysteries this is your cup of coffee or tea. This should be a series and I know I would read them all. Great job keeping me entertained!

Meet the author:

The Smoke and the Flame
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In The Smoke and the Flame, Colleen O’Banyon longs for love and adventure until she encounters Darius McLinnin, one of the fabled race called the Jinn. In each other’s arms they find all the passion, all the love their hearts desire. But there is a ring, ancient and powerful, and only it can control the Jinn. As the ruler of the Jinn and their kingdom, Kaf, Darius is sworn to keep his people safe from it. Willing to protect the man she loves and guard his kingdom with her life, Colleen vows to aid him. Alaster, an evil sorcerer, will stop at nothing to make the ring and Kaf his. The battle begins in The Smoke and the Flame. 

Shirley grew up in Baton Rouge, LA and started writing at an early age. Always talkative, when she was eleven she began to put her thoughts on paper, writing stories inspired by some of her favorite writers, Laura Ingalls Wilder and Madeline L’Engle. As she grew older, she developed a love of romance and in 2009 she decided to try her hand at paranormal romance. The result was The Smoke and the Flame and its sequel, The Wind and the Fire. The Smoke and the Flame is the first novel she has ever completed, although she has written several unpublished screenplays. 

Shirley graduated from Nicholls State University where she majored in History and minored in English. Since graduating (she doesn’t like to think about how long ago that was) she has worked at some of the best libraries in the Baton Rouge area. She makes her home there and enjoys spending time with family members that live in town as well as with those that live out of town. She also loves seeing movies, reading, and going to the park with her three year-old niece in her free time. Currently, Shirley is hard at work on her newest venture, tentatively titled Awake. It is a departure from her first two novels, as it is a contemporary romantic suspense.

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Harold and Lucille Hargrave’s lives have been both joyful and sorrowful in the decades since their only son, Jacob, died tragically at his eighth birthday party in 1966. In their old age they’ve settled comfortably into life without him, their wounds tempered through the grace of time…. Until one day Jacob mysteriously appears on their doorstep—flesh and blood, their sweet, precocious child, still eight years old.

All over the world, people’s loved ones are returning from beyond. No one knows how or why, whether it’s a miracle or a sign of the end. Not even Harold and Lucille can agree on whether the boy is real or a wondrous imitation, but one thing they know for sure: he’s their son. As chaos erupts around the globe, the newly reunited Hargrave family finds itself at the center of a community on the brink of collapse, forced to navigate a mysterious new reality and a conflict that threatens to unravel the very meaning of what it is to be human.

With spare, elegant prose and searing emotional depth, award-winning poet Jason Mott explores timeless questions of faith and morality, love and responsibility. A spellbinding and stunning debut, The Returned is an unforgettable story that marks the arrival of an important new voice in contemporary fiction.

Reviews:

“Thought-provoking, occasionally dreamlike, and centered around the most charmingly irascible couple in recent memory…”

–Shelf Awareness

“In his exceptional debut novel, poet Mott brings drama, pathos, joy, horror, and redemption to a riveting tale…”

–Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

“Beautifully written and emotionally astute… Poet and debut author Mott has written a breathtaking novel that navigates emotional minefields with realism and grace.”

-Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review) 

“Jason Mott is a voice to be noticed with amazing prose and the soul of a poet.  The Returned is a beautifully written and haunting story that will sneak into your dreams and will touch your soul long after you have finished the book.”

–Calvin Crosby, Book Passage

“In this sparely written first novel, poet Mott posits intriguing questions about our uneasy relationship with

death.  …A beautiful meditation on what it means to be human.”

–Booklist (Starred Review) 

Jason Mott 

Jason Mott lives in southeastern North Carolina. He has a BFA in Fiction and an MFA in Poetry, both from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. His poetry and fiction has appeared in various journals such as Prick of the Spindle, The Thomas Wolfe Review, The Kakalak Anthology of Carolina Poets, Measure and Chautauqua. He was nominated for a 2009 Pushcart Prize award.

He is the author of two poetry collections: We Call This Thing Between Us Love and “…hide behind me…” The Returned is his first novel.

The Returned has also been optioned by Brad Pitt’s production company, Plan B, in association with Brillstein Entertainment and ABC. The pilot is currently being filmed.

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This is my biggest giveaway ever! I have a new Coach Ashley Satchel (valued at $225.00) and lots of autographed books, swag and Kindle copies.

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This is my biggest giveaway ever! I have a new Coach Ashley Satchel (valued at $225.00) and tons of books, swag and Kindle copies of great books

      

    

Garrett Addison wrote a pretty good book here. The first part was slow, in a way that made you think “this is his life”. It is a narration and a direct pov which takes some getting used to. Faye was the spouse who hated that her husband was a consultant who did too much traveling.  While the traveling part is probably the best part of his life, his friend Emil is the best co-worker, in my opinion. The way they call the boss, who is a woman the “Anti Christ” is hysterical to me.

The book shows the totally mundane life lead by the traveler. While enduring the life of a consultant, he contemplates family, life general and murdering the anti Christ. I couldn’t really relate to his anger that much, seems like he needed a way to vent about work and the boss lady. Well no spoiler he may get a way.

When is able to create this nameless, faceless character into something that you hold close. You become witness to his turmoils as he wrestles with his self, and as he wrestles with the corporate world around him, and as he wrestles with his family. The overall story and plot were good. I might have a few say the beginning is slow, but stick with it.

Buy on Amazon The Traveller

Garrett is forty something, Australian, and also a geek, husband, father and novelist. He grew up in Perth, Western Australia, and has been lucky enough to live in or visit most of Australia and much of the world. He now lives in Melbourne with his family. Not averse to change, thus far, he has been an Army officer, software consultant and author. But this is just the beginning.

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Vixen in Vegas Teasers

 

 

 A fresh, meaty, sink-your-teeth-in-and-hold-on-tight new adult fantasy series kicks off with King Hall…

Scarlett Dawn’s debut was great! Yeesh got that out. Talk about being in a situation! I got the cover reveal and have had the book about 3 weeks. Then I read it and now fin it in the “to do”pile. I have been so behind. I have summer and the beach to blame. So much time to read, no time to write the reviews. Thank the heavens I use my notes and hi-lights to save things. This had a few things going on, first it is paranormal, then Young Adult paranormal. Some will appreciate the pg13 rating and I know some will say it needed spice, heat or a jalapeno, me I was great with it. Just coming off a 3 book bdsm series I appreciated that part. For those wanting more, close your eyes and use your imagination like Willy Wonka told you to.

The characters were all well rounded, well written and totally relateable. Without repeating a synopsis, I will say that the rulers training were the best part. Being that every generation has to have a new set of rulers we know that there will be more and hopefully a 3 book series. I know people who love the genre will agree there is a lot to offer here. Just like Ezra, my what a name, he was delish!

So the downfall is the new indie author. One who has a following and needs to get her name out there and spread the word. I am always willing to help, but mostly because we need bloggers to do the share and say “hey this was good, read it now”and let her get to work. SO much promise there. I look forward to more from her and I dont look forward to the never ending please “more, please write more, I need book 2, I need book 3, Ezra, Lily, Pearl, Jack”you know what I mean. I do love the name Pearl!

Visit her page on Amazon and PLEASE LIKE it

Scarlett Dawn is drawn to all things quirky and off-beat. She believes there are no boundaries for an imaginative soul. Her love of the written word started from at an early age, when her grandmother would take her to bookstores every weekend. Dreams came alive within the books she found there, and now, she is thrilled to share her stories with others who have fallen under the spell of taking fantastical journeys. Scarlett resides in the Midwest with her husband, three children, and two dogs.

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A great Interview HERE at Exploring the Mind Blog

Avery Aster pens erotic romance for Ellora’s Cave. As a resident of New York’s Upper East Side and a graduate from New York University, Avery gives readers an inside look at the city’s glitzy nightlife, socialite sexcapades and tall tales of the über-rich and ultra-famous. “I write about what I see in my metropolis that never sleeps–Manhattanites on the quest for a passionate thrill,” Avery says. “By and large, my characters are drop-dead gorgeous, ripped straight from the headlines and on the hunt for their next conquest.”

Undressed #1 (Lex & Massimo) launched The Manhattanites series, exploring people’s forbidden desires of lust and longing. Unscrupulous #2 (Taddy & Warner) is the highly anticipated prequel coming August 14, 2013. Also, stay tuned for the sequel with Unsaid #3 (Blake & Miguel) coming winter 2013.

The Manhattanites is an extended modern erotic romance series of full length juicy melodramas multilayered on love, friendship, scandal, and drama to the hilt. Fans who watch TV shows like Girls (HBO), Mistresses (ABC/BBC Drama), and The Bold & the Beautiful (CBS) love The Manhattanites series. Avery’s characters are over the top. They have raunchy sex, speak their minds and always get what they want. Each novel may be read as a stand alone.

*For Fans   **My Favorite Authors & Suggested Reading   ***For Aspiring Writers*Do you live in Manhattan?

Abso-Flippin-Lutely!! I moved to the city in the 1990s and never looked back. It’s simply the best place on Earth. I studied communications at New York University and have worked in media for most of my career. Currently I live on the Upper East Side.

I’m planning a vacation to New York. Can you tell me what the best place is to get a slice of pizza or the best musical to see?

I can’t tell you the last time I saw a musical or had a slice of pizza. I do fancy a good martini from time to time, though. And for that, I suggest the Bemelmans Bar at the Carlyle Hotel. Ask for the Vesper Martini. If you’re looking for the best spa in town, I recommend The Peninsula Spa for facials. Their detox skin treatment, Instant Brightener, is a must. My favorite hair salon in Manhattan, hands down, is Paul LaBrecque. And no, I’ve never been to Chinatown to look for fake handbags. If this is your first time to our city, consider taking a carriage ride through Central Park. Have fun, and tip your drivers!

Why do you use a pen name?

With a panache for narrating toe-curling orgasms, deep, penetrating backdoor sex, confident women who know what they want, men banging other guys, and the ladies who like to watch … you tell me? *wink*

Why is your picture not on your website?

I’m immersed in a career where I’m the face for several consumer brands, and writing fiction in any capacity would be a conflict of interest for them. I hope you can respect that and still enjoy my books on this entertaining journey.

When did you first know that you wanted to be an erotica romance writer?

In the ninth grade, my friend Julie and I got our hands on a copy of The Sleeping Beauty Trilogy by A.N. Roquelaure, a.k.a. Anne Rice. We were hooked. For years, we read every book available in the genre. Today, I’m pleased to say Julie is my #1 beta-reader and still my very dear friend. And yes, Julie is a character study for one of my heroines. But she’s asked that I not tell you which one.

Why erotic romance novels?

I love a happy ending! Life can be ugly, it can be lonely, and a romance novel with a satisfying finale most certainly can be that spoonful of sugar to help you through those bad times or to boost you higher during those great times. The erotica element is the added mint on the pillow, making it all that more extraordinary. I always say, “I’m a New Yorker. I don’t see a shrink. I don’t take anti-depressants…I write erotic romance.”

Are your novels based on your life?

Yes and no. Most of my characters are loosely based on friends that run in my social circle via Manhattan and the Hamptons. They find it amusing. Always a friend who everyone seems to tell everything to, I’d like to assume that I’m a great listener and a loyal secret-keeper. My clique trusts me implicitly with the most shocking information. My novels are a grand venue to be able to turn their stories into fictional tales that readers enjoy.

What can I expect when I pick up a novel by Avery Aster?

My novels are like opening up that periwinkle shopping bag from Bergdorf Goodman. They are opulent and feel luxurious. My characters enjoy lives that very few people in today’s economy dare dream of. Fortunately, the relationships my characters go through remain universal, something we all can relate to and, I hope, fantasize about. Everyone I know would like to give and receive love and, most importantly, enjoy their body in a healthy, fun way.

What types of characters do you write?

A cosmopolitan backdrop featuring eccentric, over-the-top characters who celebrate their insatiable yearning for passion, all packaged in a glamorous way. Mentally, my characters are experienced, at times slightly jaded, and yes, very much thrill seekers. Emotionally, they are vulnerable, a little guarded-yet crave new experiences. Spiritually, they respect and love all walks of life, including straight, gay, bisexual, and so on.Financially, they aren’t rich-they are the wealthiest people in the world. Intellectually, they are educated enough to know not to force their beliefs on others; they don’t hide behind a political agenda. Physically, my heroines aren’t pretty; they are yellow-cab traffic-stopping gorgeous. And the men aren’t endowed; they are hung like Grammy award-winning rock stars. Speaking of cocks and those of us who find them irresistible, I advocate safe sex in all of my novels-condoms are a requirement. When the storyline calls for uninhibited encounters and it fits, I go with it. Remember this is fiction. Don’t try it at home!

What can I NOT expect to read in an Avery Aster novel?

I promise all of my readers you will NEVER see me write about anything that’s demeaning to an individual or group of people: pedophilia, incest including first cousins and stepparents, rape as titillation, scat, necrophilia, weapons shoved into various bodily orifices, and certainly no bestiality.

Why did you elect to write a series and not a freestanding set of novels?

My dream as a kid was to be a soap opera writer for NBC’s Santana Barbara (1984-1993). I loved supercouples but often found myself disappointed when they’d split to thicken the plot and keep viewers interested. I started reading romance novels, because the couples didn’t break up. Sure, they have some shit storms, but we always get a happy ending, unlike some of my soaps.

How many novels did you write before you sold one?

Undressed was my first manuscript and sold to Ellora’s Cave within a month of completion. I chose Ellora’s Cave over other e-book publishers, because the editorial team is amazing. My editor, Krishan Trotman, also lives in New York, and it felt right when I received the contract from Marisa A. Corvisiero, Esq. at Corvisiero Literary Agency. Marisa said, “Avery, this is it!” Ellora’s Cave is the leader in the genre. I have the freedom to write what I like and am not confined to a specific word count, character profile, or theme. The team at Ellora’s Cave is also a bunch of fun ladies who make me proud to be a part of such a wonderful team.

When do you find time to write?

Awake at 5 a.m., I’m deep in my characters’ heads by 6 a.m. I have a very demanding day job, and I’m out the door by 9 a.m. I return to my writing at dinner time, revising what I wrote that morning or rereading it while on the elliptical at the gym. I write one novel while editing another before it goes to press, along with plotting and researching a third. My vacations are spent attending writers’ conferences and plotting workshops with my girlfriends. When I get stuck or can’t move a story along, I hit the treadmill and exercise the characters out in my head literarily, all while running at the same time.

Where do you write?

On an antique mirrored desk that was a gift from Nicole, a cherished friend. The desk is the showpiece in my living room next to a white marble fireplace. I love it. Usually for inspiration, I’ll surround myself in the streets of New York City. With my laptop, I plop down at my favorite coffee shop Sicaffé on the Upper East Side. They don’t have wireless, so there are no distractions. I only wish they didn’t close so early on weeknights.

What type of music do you listen to when you write?

I write to Jerry Goldsmith’s musical score to the erotica classic film Basic Instinct and the soundtrack to my favorite horror movie, Poltergeist. Goldsmith’s symphony tunes are eerie but stimulate my mind to type witty dialogue, especially his work with Sleeping with the Enemy and The Russia House. I also love ’80s icons like Laura Branigan’s “Solitaire,” Kim Carnes’ “Crazy in the Night,” and Sheena Easton’s “Strut.” When brainstorming a new novel I find myself only listening to operatic pop. Odd right? Some of my favorites are Amici Forever, OperaBabes, and the English trance music group Above & Beyond.

May I contact you?

Sure. I answer all emails.

Where can I buy your books?

My novels are available at Ellora’s Cave, Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, and Apple’s iBookstore.