Ken La Salle Writes Of #Zombies, #Romance, #Love, #Art, #Cookies, #Fantasy @KenLaSalle

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GUEST POST BY KEN LA SALLE

I am so excited to have you here today, Ken. I have read books from you that have dealt with cookies, zombies, personal success, magic, fantasy and love. I have enjoyed each and every one. You are here to share your thoughts about your Heaven series. So…let’s begin.

Grief is Funny

(Emotional Honesty in Heaven Denied)

So, I’m sitting in a radio-show studio, just before going on the air – this was a couple of years ago – and one of the hosts asks me a question I’d been hearing a lot that still took me by surprise. Were we going to see a sequel to Heaven Enough?

I say the question took me by surprise because, ever since the day I put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) to write my first novel, I always had sequels in mind. Most of my brainstorming for any novel includes some strategizing as to where I take that story next.

But Heaven Enough was a different kind of novel for me. The idea sprang forth fully self-contained. For a novel about a man who had lost his wife to later find love on the Pacific Crest Trail; what more was there? I had even taken my wife on a drive through Warner Springs, telling her about the characters and pointing out where they would go, finishing with a definite conclusion – Heaven Enough would be a stand-alone story.

As so often is the case, life had other plans. The story of Matt Murphy and Heather Brooker and this unlikely pairing of one broken man who insisted he wasn’t with one indominable woman who bore a tragic secret caught on rather unexpectedly. Here and there, readers would inquire after a sequel. Until the day came when I was sitting in that studio and I realized that my readers were right: Heaven Enough needed a sequel.

… As it turned out, my publisher wasn’t interested. Too much time had passed since the first book’s release, I was told. I’d be smart to move on.

But if I was smart, I wouldn’t be a novelist. I had spent too much time thinking about a sequel to let it go – not just one but two! My publisher, Limitless, while not interested in the sequels, released me from my contract so that I could self-publish all of the Heaven novels. All that was left was to write them.

The smart move would be to follow that sad tale of Heather and Matt with a more upbeat chapter. Everyone was asking about Neal and Babette, the flamboyant cross-dresser who appeared towards the end of the first novel. Perhaps, some suggested, I focus more on them.

While I knew that might make for a more marketable title, I also knew Matt wasn’t finished with Heather. Babette and Neal will have their moment, of this you can be sure, but I couldn’t move on until Matt could move on. Only… how could Matt move on? Heather’s story was wrapped in a tight bow. Where could Matt turn to share his awful grief?

In Heaven Enough, I made it clear that Heather was not only alone in the world, she’d also never married and was still a virgin. That is ironclad. But that doesn’t mean she didn’t have a life, that she didn’t love. And, if the Heaven novels are about anything, they are about love and opening ourselves up to love. And, so, I planted an imaginary photograph on an imaginary Internet for Babette to find, a photograph of a much younger Heather with a much younger man posing outside of a chapel in Las Vegas.

That was all Matt would need. I knew Babette wouldn’t be able to keep his mouth shut, especially with a little help from Neal and Babs, Matt’s mother. Once he knew some strand of Heather’s life remained out there, somewhere, Matt would step onto the pages of a new novel, a more complicated novel than Heaven Enough. Part Bromance, part romantic comedy, part road trip, the new novel would touch on missed opportunities and regrets, love in all of its forms and coming to terms with who you are after who you are is almost unrecognizable.

That novel, I titled Heaven Denied.

Heaven Denied is now available in ebook and paperback, with an audiobook on its way. You can also pick up Heaven Enough in ebook, paperback, and audiobook. Look for the third novel in this series, Heaven For Now, coming late this year.

Congratulations, Ken, for having written a love story that has stuck with me, making me look inside myself, not just along for the ride. I am happy we will have a third book, and I hope you will put me at the top of list when it becomes available for review.

See My Reviews:

I didn’t realize I had read so many, each unique in their own way. I have laughed and cried my way through them, and I eagerly wait for the next one…

Take a look at these fabulous covers:

Wormfood IslandCookies: Sluts of the Snack World Once RemovedFalse Starts: Mistakes & Missteps Growing Up In The 70s Work of Art: An Intention of Flowers Climbing Maya Max Dedge in The Time of The Uniborg Heaven Enough Heaven Denied

 

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Giveaway – House of Madness by Sara Harris @SaraHarrisBooks @SDSXXTours

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House of Madness
by Sara Harris
Genre: Paranormal Thriller
Can You Ever Truly Put the Past Behind You?
Tim and Adelaide Smithfield are haunted by memories of loss too raw to forget, and too painful to remember. Their 11-year-old daughter, Michaela, has her own set of sensory processing challenges, not to mention an overwhelming sense of guilt that she might be at the root of her parents’ problems.
The sprawling ranch house on the outskirts of the quaint West Texas town of Big Spring promises a fresh start for a young family on the verge of collapse.
But the house is haunted by memories of its own… and a guilt that West Texas’ famed thunderstorms can’t wash away.
Sara is a mother of four, animal lover and advocate, and conservationist. Little House on the Prairie, Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, and Lonesome Dove are among her favorite shows/movies and books. Sara holds her B.A. in History and is the author of the historical romance series, An Everlasting Heart, from 5 Prince Publishing and recently debuted into the children’s book realm with Chunky Sugars (5 Prince Kids), written for her own chunky baby.
Follow the tour HERE for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!
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$50 Release Day Giveaway – Pathways by Camille Peters #CamillePeters @KathyHabel

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Pathways by Camille Peters

Eileen has never been interested in love. Ever since her father’s abandonment, she’s vowed to never experience such pain again. But the enchanted forest has different ideas. When the continuously shifting pathways lead her to a mysterious stranger, Eileen finds her promise to fiercely guard her heart increasingly difficult to keep.

One night when she becomes lost in a storm, the enchanted forest’s pathways lead her to the castle, home to the kingdom’s Dark Prince, where Eileen finds herself entangled in what many consider an opportunity but which Eileen believes to be a curse: competing for the Dark Prince’s hand through a series of tests that judge one’s royal worth. Eileen is neither royal nor interested in becoming a princess. But the mysterious stranger she met in the woods has his own reasons for helping her succeed, but the cost of his assistance may be too high: that of Eileen’s heart, the one thing she’s vowed never to give.

Inspired by “The Princess and the Pea”

Praise for the Book

“This was SUCH a cute book! The characters were very well developed…The supporting characters were just as endearing…as the main characters. The descriptions of surroundings were impeccable, I could just see the environment and feel the feelings that were invoked by them. The plot was really well thought out, the ideas were super creative, and I love the general fairy tale feel…I couldn’t put it down, I just fell in love with the characters and I can’t WAIT for the next one!”

“I ADORE the creativity in this book! The forest is so magical and has so many enchanting moments throughout the story. I loved being transported into a fairy tale theme as I read; it was a perfect escape into a sweet and charming era! I absolutely loved the direction the story went and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the adventure Eileen stumbled upon. There are so many fun characters in the story, each with unique personalities! This is such a darling story about loyalty, romance, friendship and all with a fairytale feeling!”

“This is a delightful story of romance and adventure, centered near a magical forest that guides its travelers to discover not only its own enchantments, but also to find true love along the way. It is also a story of growth and overcoming one’s weaknesses, and of going forward despite one’s fears. Both of those things are inspirational to me, and I found myself relating to the characters and hoping for their success. An enjoyable journey to give hope to your heart!”

“I really enjoyed this story. The characters are fun and delightful and they were well developed. I liked that it was only loosely based on an existing fairy tale and branch out in interesting ways to create romance and drama. I get really bored with the same re-telling over and over and this was fresh and new.”

Excerpt A knock sounded on the door. I bit back a sigh, both of impatience and relief. “Come in.”  I gasped as the door swung open, for it wasn’t Alaina who stood there but—“Aiden?”  He beamed, his eyes lighting up as they settled on my face. Warmth seeped over me to see him again after all these weeks, and my heart performed several cartwheels as he stared at me, his expression tender.  “Aiden!” I fell into his arms, burrowing myself against him.  He nestled against my hair. “It’s wonderful to see you. I admit I thought it’d be much longer before our paths crossed again, and I’m pleased that’s not the case.”  I tipped my head back to gape up at him. “Wait, what are you doing here?”  “An excellent question; one I was about to ask you. May I come in?”  I slowly nodded. He shut the door behind him, his eyes never once leaving my face. The shock of seeing him at the palace of all places slowly subsided and I tentatively smiled. “I can’t believe you’re here. I never thought I’d see you again.”  He returned my smile with a lopsided one of his own and my insides fluttered. “I promised we’d see each other again. How are you?”  I sighed. “I’m in a bit of a predicament.”  He raised an eyebrow. “Indeed. So you’re a secret princess keen on trying to persuade the prince to marry you?”  I pulled a face. “No, this is all some horrible misunderstanding.”  “Is it?” He folded his arms and leaned against my bedpost. “And how did a common girl end up in such a plight?”  I narrowed my eyes at him. A secret danced within his dark eyes, taunting me. “You don’t happen to know the answer, do you?”  He chuckled, and the warm sound I’d fiercely missed washed over me. “I do, actually.” His smile widened. “I’ve really missed you, Eileen. I’m so glad you’re here.”  “Why am I here?” I pressed my hands on my hips and glared at him, demanding he answer me.  He straightened and came over until he stood directly in front of me, enveloping me in his warmth and causing the strange sensations that only came from him to fill my heart. “It so happened I witnessed your unexpected arrival last night.”  “What are you even doing here?”  “Isn’t it obvious? I’m a member of the court.”  My brow furrowed. “I don’t understand. How does your being a member of the court explain why I now find myself trapped here?”  “Because thanks to my position, it wasn’t difficult to convince the guards that you’re one of the princesses come here to woo the prince.” He winked.  I gaped at him, my heart pounding furiously. With each beat my insides burned, my anger searing and poisonous. “You told them what?”  He frowned. “I told the guards that you’re a princess.”  “You mean to tell me,” I hissed through gritted teeth, “that it’s your fault I’m tangled in this dangerous mess?”  Perplexity twisted his expression. “Mess? It’s an opportunity.”  “An opportunity for what, exactly? To be executed?”  He rolled his eyes. “Why so dramatic?”  My fists tightened. “If I’m caught posing as a royal, what do you think will happen? You think the royal family will merely have a good laugh before releasing me? No, they’ll send me to the gallows.” My blood chilled. I needed to escape. I stomped to the door, but Aiden blocked my exit. 

Author Camille Peters

Camille Peters was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah where she grew up surrounded by books. As a child, she spent every spare moment reading and writing her own stories on every scrap of paper she could find. Becoming an author was always more than a childhood dream; it was a certainty.
Her love of writing grew alongside her as she took local writing classes in her teens, spent a year studying Creative Writing at the English University of Northampton, and graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in English and History. She’s now blessed to be a full-time author.
When she’s not writing she’s thinking about writing, and when’s she’s not thinking about writing she’s…alright, she’s always thinking about writing, but she can also be found reading, playing board games with her family and friends, or taking long, bare-foot walks as she lives inside her imagination and brainstorms more tales.

Website * Facebook * Newsletter

Giveaway Details

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 2/28/19

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from Clean Wholesome Romance and is sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Who Will Survive? Sister of Shadows by Eric Kent Edstrom @ekedstrom

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I have been reading the Scion Chronicles since the beginning, The Daughter of Nothing by Eric Kent Edstrom. Sister of Shadows is the third book and all I can say is Eric did not let me down.

Sister of Shadows (The Scion Chronicles #3)

Amazon / Audiobook / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

The evil of humanity oozes from the pages in the third book, Sister of Shadows by Eric Kent Edstrom. I am loving the series and can hardly wait to see how he wraps it up in the fourth and final book.

Sister of Shadows picks up where Child of Lies left off, so reading in order is necessary. I have loved each story, watching the children struggle to survive as they discover who they really are and why they were ‘born’.

The topic raises ethical and moral issues, while pointing out how power and money corrupt and some people will stop at nothing to get what they want.

I have a lot of notes, but because this is the third book, I tossed them to the wind. I will not spoil all the twists, turns and surprises that Eric has piled onto these resilient children. I have watched them grown and develop into young adults, pushed beyond anything they ever could have conceived. I have watched their leadership skills rise to the forefront, their maturity and creativity grow at a fast pace, forced because of their circumstances.

They make a run for freedom, for life, and the treachery and danger that follows them kept me in suspense, wondering who will survive, because Eric doesn’t hesitate to kill off his characters. I hope they haunt him at night. LOL One of my favorite newbies is Meow Meow and if you read the story you will see why. This girl is off the charts, afraid of nothing.

I find the story unique and original, and it sticks in my head. It is hard to surprise me with something new and different, so this is a refreshing story. A story that keeps on giving a high level of tension and pacing, keeping my total attention.

I laughed, I cried, I raged and I sighed…knowing Eric has more to come.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Sister of Shadows by Eric Kent Edstrom.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Escape. That is all Jacey cares about as the riveting story of the Scions continues.

Escape is in their grasp. The Scions now have a way off the island—a ship—but they have no place to go.

With an enemy hiding in their midst, and shaken by murder, kidnapping, and an impending military invasion, time for escape is running out.

A fast-paced rollercoaster of a novel, Sister of Shadows will keep you breathless all the way to the shocking finale.

Eric Kent Edstrom

ABOUT THE AUTHOR .

Eric is an author, songwriter, husband, father, and guitarist. He is the author of YA SF series The Undermountain Saga, which includes Undermountain, Afterlife, and Starkiller.Eric loves working out with kettlebells and eating pretty much anything with peanut butter. . Stalk Eric:  Website  /  Twitter  /  Goodreads .

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MY ERIC KENT EDSTROM REVIEWS

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Romance Amongst The Chaos – The Breadth of Creation by C S Johnson @C_S_Johnson13

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I am not a huge scifi fan, but after reading The Heights of Perdition by C S Johnson, I knew this was a series that I really wanted to finish. Thankfully, C S Johnson agree. So…here we are on The Breadth of Creation, Book II of the Divine Space Pirates Trilogy. You will want to read them in order.

The Breadth of Creation (The Divine Space Pirates #2)

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

The Breadth of Creation by C S Johnson is the second book in the Divine Space Pirates trilogy. I loved the first book and was ecstatic when I received the rest of the series. It’s rare when I do finish a series and this is one where I felt I had to know the ending. So let’s get started.

the Breadth of Creation picks up where The Heights of Perdition by C S Johnson left off.

Aerie is anything but predictable and that makes for some exciting reading. I like a person that bucks the system and shows some independence. After all, it is thinking outside the box that brings about advancement.

The Heights of Perdition made me think of the Patrick Swayze movie Red Dawn. I loved it, so it was easy for me to get lost in Aerie’s world.

To keep from spoiling things for you, I will only tell you that Aerie feels something in her life is very wrong. And that is putting it mildly.

Rebels, dissenters and the religious are ready to fight for their right to live in freedom. It’s the usual debate of those who wish to rule and use an iron fist to do it. Outlaw religion, the arts and anything else that helps people to dream of what could be. But…how far can you push someone before they push back?

C S John has created a believable world that shows both sides of humanity, with all the gray areas popping up, because that’s life. It could be our future. Lots of food for thought and seeing that the trilogy is complete, I will not have to wait to see how they resolve their lives. That is always a plus in my book.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Breadth of Creation by C S Johnson.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Life in the United Revolutionary States has never been easy for Aerie St. Cloud. Recovering from recent injuries and unable to recall the last few weeks of her life, she feels haunted by a growing absence in her memory. Stepping out in search of the truth, she is determined to get the answers she seeks—even if they only bring her more pain.

After losing Aerie, Exton Shepherd once more faces the temptation to take his revenge against the URS, and General St. Cloud in particular. With the help of his family, community, and Aerie’s long-lost mother, Merra, he leads them into battle to reclaim the Ecclesia’s outpost of Chaya in hopes of finding inner peace.

Surrounded by secrets and deception, and plagued by their own shortcomings, can Aerie and Exton find their way back to each other without sending the world into further chaos?

C.S. Johnson

ABOUT C S JOHNSON

C. S. Johnson is the author of several young adult novels, including sci-fi and fantasy adventures such as the Starlight Chronicles series, the Once Upon a Princess saga, and the Divine Space Pirates trilogy. With a gift for sarcasm and an apologetic heart, she currently lives in Atlanta with her family. Find out more at http://www.csjohnson.me.

Blog  /  Twitter

MY C S JOHNSON REVIEWS

The Heights of Perdition

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Giveaway – The Singular Adventures of Jefferson Ball @DKPLJW1 @SDSXXTours

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The Singular Adventures of Jefferson Ball
by David Perlmutter
Genre: YA SciFi Fantasy
There never was a heroine like Jefferson Ball. And, thankfully, there may never be.
She is, simply, the most powerful humanized female dog in a universe full of them. Faster, stronger, more attractive to boys. Unbeatable as a lover. Unfortunately, her brains are not up to this quality, but don’t tell her that.
About the only one who can is Major Hamilton Pomeranian, the diminutive ex-soldier who is Jeff’s best friend and conscience. When she gets too big for her limited clothing, Hamilton tells her what for. And it’s usually only after that point that they are able to escape from whatever convoluted situation they find themselves in.
This potential collection will have readers both laughing and awestruck at the events that happen. And, hopefully, you will be one of them.
David Perlmutter is a freelance writer based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He is the author of America Toons In: A History of Television Animation (McFarland and Co.), The Singular Adventures Of Jefferson Ball (Amazon Kindle), The Pups (Booklocker.com), Certain Private Conversations and Other Stories (Aurora Publishing), Honey and Salt (Scarlet Leaf Publishing), The Encyclopedia of American Animated Cartoon Series (Rowman and Littlefield, forthcoming) and Orthicon; or, the History of a Bad Idea (Linkville Press, forthcoming).
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Giveaway – For The Power by Debbie Cassidy @authordcassidy @XpressoTours

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Amazon / Goodreads

For the Power 
by Debbie Cassidy 
(For the Blood #2) 
Publication date: February 5th 2019
Genres: Adult, Post-Apocalyptic, Reverse Harem, Urban Fantasy

SYNOPSIS

Take the journey, find the lock that fits the key and get some damn answers.

Get from point A to point B. Stick to the mapped-out route and take shelter at the pre-planned times. It sounds simple enough, now if only we’d factored in getting attacked by djinn and having to take a detour through The Wilds.  

With obstacles at every turn, the last thing the fangs and I need on our arse’s is a new breed of Feral, but it looks like that’s exactly what fate us about to throw at us.

This trip is going to be anything but dull, but with the Fangs as back up, I may just make it to the Bunker in one piece and finally get some answers.

Whoever said road trips were fun can go suck it!

The Vampire Diaries meets The Walking Dead in this Post-Apocalyptic Urban Fantasy with a slow burn Why Choose romance

ABOUT DEBBIE CASSIDY

Debbie Cassidy lives in England, Bedfordshire, with her three kids and very supportive husband. Coffee and chocolate biscuits are her writing fuels of choice, and she is still working on getting that perfect tower of solitude built in her back garden. Obsessed with building new worlds and reading about them, she spends her spare time daydreaming and conversing with the characters in her head – in a totally non psychotic way of course. She writes Urban Fantasy, Fantasy and Reverse Harem Fantasy. All her books contain plenty of action, romance and twisty plots.

Author links: Twitter / Website / Facebook

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Giveaway – Honey and Salt by David Perlmutter @DKPLJW1 @SDSXXTours

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Honey and Salt
by David Perlmutter
Genre: YA Fantasy
Bravery comes in all forms: fighting bullies and fighting your own demons.
Honey and Salt is a superhero novella that will draw you in the just fight of a few super heroines. The story is packed with action and humor.
Their quest against evil superheroes and against their own weaknesses is refreshing. You can identify with them and embrace their battles.
Rousing fantasy action with amazing young girls ready to fight for justice and for the oppressed.
If you enjoy a good action with an unusual plot, then this is the book for you.
David Perlmutter is a freelance writer based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He is the author of America Toons In: A History of Television Animation (McFarland and Co.), The Singular Adventures Of Jefferson Ball (Amazon Kindle), The Pups (Booklocker.com), Certain Private Conversations and Other Stories (Aurora Publishing), Honey and Salt (Scarlet Leaf Publishing), The Encyclopedia of American Animated Cartoon Series (Rowman and Littlefield, forthcoming) and Orthicon; or, the History of a Bad Idea (Linkville Press, forthcoming).
Follow the tour HERE for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!
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