Books from the Backlog is a fun way to feature some of those neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread. If you are anything like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in your stacks.
450. Southwest Ireland. Daniel Milligan is born. And dies the same day. But his Life is not over. It’s just beginning. And he’s not a Vampire. Daniel Milligan has become an Angel. And a Warrior. The 13th in an elite legion of Angels. With a life and death mission: The preservation of Good and the death of Evil.
Their foe is the essence of evil incarnate. Satan. The Devil himself. Now allied with Dracula. Not Bram Stoker’s monster of Legend, Folklore and Myth, but the real flesh and blood creature. Will the Supernatural powers of their massed army of Demons, Werewolves and Vampires enable them to rule the World?
Earth’s landscape is soon to be reshaped. But for good? – Or evil? Magic and Wizards are powerless. Evil lingers in the abyss of night. And only the Epic Quest of Daniel and his Angel Warriors can challenge it.
But Daniel is torn between the family he never knew – and his duty to all mankind. Thrust into an unknown Paranormal World and time where the line between Fantasy and reality is vague – Daniel must choose between his Human family and his duty to all Humanity.
In the darkest tower of Draculas castle – an apocalyptic battle will decide the fate of all mankind. There can be only one victor. One who will write the final chapter in the Chronicles of Good and Evil.
Published: December 10, 2012 by First Class Artists
Language: English
Goodreads Ratings: 3.75 4 ratings 2 reviews
I added Dracula’s Lair by David C Murphy to my reading link on 3.8.13. I’m glad I came across this one, because I am in the mood for a good and evil battle between gods. How about you? Does this sound like one that would be a good fit for you.
Welcome to my stop for Devil To Pay by Renee Bernard.
I love covers and am so excited that Renee is going to share her thoughts with us and she would LOVE it, if you shared your thoughts with her. So please, let’s show this USA Today Bestselling author some love and leave a comment on how covers affect you.
She has some questions below to help and she does reveal her humorous side. You don’t want to miss this!
Renee is also sharing an exclusive cover reveal of Devil May Care, the next story in her wickedly romantic comedy series.
I am honored, Renee.
GUEST POST
Ooh, let’s talk covers! I think it’s one of those wonderful make or break subjects that authors either love or dread (depending on the amount of control they have over those fateful images!) Every author has his/her favorite covers of their books but also a few they wish had never seen the light of day—much less hit their readers’ square between the eyes.
I had some great covers and was Very Lucky and I’m generally known for my historical romances but here is one of my old covers that makes me cry…
I shouldn’t complain (everyone has the correct number of arms). Except that male model’s haircut is not even remotely close to being historically accurate for my hero. Sure, if he was a modern Navy S.E.A.L. but a doctor in the 1860’s… Let’s just say that the art department in NY let it slip that they’d dubbed this one the “Lucky Charms Cover” and let it go with that…but with traditional publishing, it’s so rare to have any power over what happens on your book cover. My editors would ask for physical character descriptions, suggestions, colors, you name it and I would have the illusion of having a voice/vote in the process but once they showed me what they had—the illusion ended. Small, tiny changes (hair color, etc.) were welcome but any hint of “why is she wearing a prom dress from the wrong century” was squashed.
Naturally, readers blame the author and wonder why they don’t know the difference between Regency and Victorian eras…or why the book they picked up based on a cover isn’t at all what they expected. It’s never fun and I try not to think about it too much for fear of being that growly, complaining person I never want to sit next to at luncheons.
So, when I started self-publishing my new historical novels, it was all about falling in love again with the notion that a cover could really be an extension of an author’s vision for their baby. I wanted something striking, non-traditional, where the heroine was the centerpiece with an artistic sensibility and Cora Graphics came through and took my breath away! Love Cora. She lives in Italy and is very glamorous…which apparently helps.
See the difference? The entire trilogy is out (and all three covers are gorgeous!) but I just wanted to have an example of the potential differences. And now with my contemporary paranormal romantic comedy, DEVIL TO PAY, I can be light, completely not-serious and frankly, step away from traditional layouts to let every reader imagine how the players will look…
Teresa Spreckelmeyer did the cover for DEVIL TO PAY and I don’t think I’m going to let her go…and just for you, Sherry, as a Fundinmental Exclusive, here is a sneak peek at the draft cover for DEVIL MAY CARE!
I still believe that covers make a difference and that first impressions to readers can mean a lot and can make the difference between picking a book up to check out the synopsis/story and decide if it’s a purchase or making a quick pass based on an amateur/cheap looking image that hints that all might not be well starting with page one. Covers can be brand builders as books from one author all have a similar look and feel, or just to help distinguish from one series or another. If they are too similar though, readers can’t tell at a glance if they’ve read it already or not and may mistake a new release for an old one. It’s a very real challenge to find the fine line between new and striking and alluringly familiar.
But I’d love to hear from your followers on this one. Do covers matter? Do they make you pay attention or do you ignore them? If an author is new to you, does the cover hold more weight? Do you like the book on your shelves to “match” a bit? Or does it make no difference at all and you’d pick it up if it had dancing wallabies on there—so long as the story was good?
Thanks so much for the wonderful post, Renee.
I will share my thoughts. I know you want to hear them.
I will admit, I am a cover “whore”. I can be bought. Sometimes I see the cover and that is all I need. I pick it up or not. I will pick up almost any book with water or a tree. I know I have missed some good books because of the cover ~ it’s usually a man’s abs with no head. 😳 You know what I’m talking about. I understand a lot of authors may not have the luxury of choosing their covers, but COME ON publishers. I am so over the abs.
Would I be telling you too much if I said dancing wallabies (?), I’d probably pick it up. LOL I like critters.
What do you think? Will you pick it up, just because it has abs 🙄 or are you like me and demand more?
Workplace comedy is always fun but when the company in question in H.E.LLc (Hades Enterprises LLc) and your job is being Lucifer, let’s just say, there are some unique challenges beyond Casual Fridays and who keeps taking your lunch out of the break room. Even if Hell really is just a place where evil is tracked and analyzed in endless cubicles-no brimstone and not a human soul in sight-there’s no room for error. This Lucifer (who is the seventh unlucky archangel to get the position behind the black onyx desk) is about to have his entire world rattled when a very sweet and likable mortal woman crosses his path.
After all, angels can’t lie. And when Jayne Hamilton wants to know what he does for a living, all bets are off. Because “dating” isn’t exactly in the cosmic scheme of the Eternity Gambit, but Love… Well, Love is never really off the table.
Now, if Lucifer can just figure out how to win the girl and get himself fired, he’ll be one very very happy angel.
“Filled with sparkling wit and devilish charm, DEVIL TO PAY is a delightful visit to the Shangri-La of Hell!” — Erin Quinn, The Three Fates of Ryan Love, NYT Bestselling Author
“Only Renee Bernard could make dating Satan sexy as sin! Funny, fresh, irreverent and utterly adorable!” – Dakota Cassidy, National Bestselling Author
First book in the new Eternity Gambit series from USA Today bestselling author Renee Bernard. This is a romantic comedy series with an original paranormal twist that defies categorization and turns every notion of Heaven and Hell on its ear.
“I think if we were having this conversation in a basement decorated with torn out newspaper articles, black-light posters and me drooling about how I have conversations with dogs and wear tinfoil underwear, you might have a case.” Luke deliberately glanced around the room, silently pointing out the lack of “mental” revealed by his beautifully appointed modern office and furnishings. If it weren’t for the black onyx desk, it would be easy to mistake it for an extraordinary executive’s digs. “I think we can rule out insanity—on both sides of this argument.”
“Right, since I’m not the one proclaiming to be the Prince of Darkness,” she said with a touch of sarcasm she couldn’t prevent. After all, even pretending to take him seriously made her consider that she might not be firing on all cylinders. Her hands were shaking, so she pressed them together as firmly as she could. Were crazy people like bees? Could they smell fear? “Is it possible you’re just a very wealthy man in need of medication?”
“Sure. Anything is possible,” he conceded, his open smile disarming her as he was obviously beginning to genuinely enjoy the debate. “Jayne, I could be an eccentric billionaire intent on impressing you by pretending to be Lucifer. Stranger things have happened.”
“Name one thing stranger than this.”
“Besides the fashion of the 80’s and people who resemble their dogs?”
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
What in the world is a retired Navy chaplain’s daughter doing writing scorching hot historical romances and paranormal romantic comedies and even comic books? Renee Bernard is applying a great education from traveling all over the world to story telling and doing her best to keep her father proud. Truthfully, her father is her number one fan, even though he has sworn never to read a single word of her books (a vow he has kept to this day!) Nothing stops him from telling everyone he knows that his daughter is now a USA Today Bestselling author or from handing out bookmarks on the golf course. Love can make even a minister do strange things!
Renee Bernard is a freelance writer and host of “The Romance Bookmark” on Readers Entertainment, as well as a contributor to Romantic Times BookReviews magazine. Renee currently lives in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Northern California. (Note an interesting proximity to great wineries!)
DEVIL TO PAY is available now online wherever books are sold and is coming soon to Audio! The Eternity Gambit series is a fun departure from her well-known Victorian set historical romances and creates a new world for readers unlike any other. DEVIL TO PAY is the first book in this new series and is gathering up 5-Star reviews and momentum as more readers discover that office politics can hit a whole new level of crazy when you work at Hades Enterprises, LLc (or H.E.LLc).
SEDITIOUS
The Fourth Novel in
The Light-Bearer Series
SYNOPSIS
Seditious is the perfect title for the 4th book in The Light-Bearer Series. This book captures jealously, deceit, and restoration of love flawlessly.
Life at the Castle Charmeine is blissful until reality of the ruling the Elder Council of the Blood-Hunters causes dissent. An unexpected depth to both Tabbruis and Dmitri’s personalities humanizes both men.
This novel shows a side to Tabbruis and Charmeine’s relationship which will throw any reader of The Light-Bearer Series off kilter. Seditious is the continuation of their romantic and turbulent love story and mission on Earth to battle Lucifer’s minions!
Lord Cromwell is a lethal Blood-Hunter who has escaped the Elder Council Prison. He sends his beautiful agent to cause destruction to those who live at the Castle Charmeine.
Bathsheba is a deadly, sexy, and vicious siren who threatens Charmeine and Baby Hunter. Not just with her present actions, but, with the past she shares with Tabbruis and Dmitri. However, the family works together to unravel Bathsheba’s deadly secrets.
Just when you think they are in the clear, a more heinous and ominous villain waits in the wings to tear apart our ill-fated lovers, Charmeine and Tabbruis.
Seditious is a heart wrenching and exciting story of passion, betrayal, and redemption you will not want to miss!
Excerpt from SEDITIOUS the Fourth Novel in The Light-Bearer Series
Charmeine knew this beautiful woman was a very powerful Blood-Hunter. She felt Baby Hunter kicking and fought to control her anxiety.
“Ah, yes, very good gentlemen. We have her now.” The mysterious woman told the men in a thick, French accent. She gazed with wide spellbinding eyes at Charmeine. She looked like a cat ready to pounce on her prey.
The man who held Charmeine pushed her to go out the terrace doors.
She knew this was a kidnapping and worried for Baby Hunter. Charmeine struggled to gain some kind of fighting advantage.
The Light-Bearers practiced their self-defense skills with her daughter, Sandra, and worked on how to get out these hand-binding holds. After Charmeine’s encounters with Pascal, she never wanted to feel helpless again.
With speed and accuracy, Charmeine used her power to fly up backwards over the head of the Blood-Hunter. She broke out of his grip. Immediately, she leveled him with a powerful and fierce bolt of white electricity which stunned him into a stupor.
Percival took this opportunity to sweep the legs of the man who held him. He stunned his assailant, and made him fall down in pain with a green charge which ran through his body.
“Use your light for Athena!” Charmeine yelled to Percival.
Percival threw a green lightning bolt at the man who held Athena.
Within a second, the Blood-Hunter was on the ground. A green current cursed through him.
“Halt!” the Blood-Hunter woman demanded.
Charmeine looked up and a hand gun was aimed at her belly.
The woman widened her indigo eyes with her fangs exposed. She threatened, “You really never know where a bullet will go? Do you?” she laughed.
Her maniacal giggles curdled Charmeine’s blood. She could tell the Blood-Hunter woman was telling the truth.
“Yes, the bullet could just land somewhere very unhealthy for your unborn spawn.” She circled Charmeine like a shark swimming around its prey. “Not that hurting spawn of this Light-Bearer scum would matter,” she quipped in a matter-of-fact way.
Charmeine began to feel waves of nausea and fought the urge to be sick.
“The offspring is just a by-product.” With a sinister laugh the woman scoffed, “Yes, a by-product which should be tossed aside and thrown away like the trash it is . . . as soon as we cut it out of you!”
She began to laugh with a vicious tone and stuck the gun in Charmeine’s belly ready to pull the trigger.
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GIVEAWAY ~ GREAT PRIZES!!!!
The prizes will be
Autographed Copy of SEDITIOUS – US, UK, CAN, AUS
Autographed Copy of CHARMEINE, MACTUS and ACCENDO – US, UK, CAN, AUS
A $25 Amazon Card
Seditious (The Light-Bearer Series Book 4) by Emily Guido
Link: http://amzn.com/B00Q3Z1RBW
The Ebook Pre-Sale e-book will run from December 3, 2014 for $2.99
The Physical Book will go live in January 21st for $9.99 and ebook $4.99.
Trailer for SEDITIOUS AND RANSOM: http://youtu.be/Hfa-s28ubKA
On a similar note (pun intended), what music (genre, artist, etc.) most inspires your writing?
I like to listen to classical or easy listening music with headphones on. I hate being interrupted while I write, so sometimes, I stay up all night and write.
Which of your own stories is your favorite?
I don’t know if I have a favorite story since it’s a series. However, I would love to have dinner with Dmitri. He is the oldest and wisest of all the Blood-Hunters. But he still is totally gorgeous with long black hair and deep blue hypnotic eyes. He has a sense of humor like you wouldn’t believe. I don’t think Dmitri would like anything else but blood for dinner, but I would chomp on my steak while listening to his interesting stories about his past on Earth and look into his dreamy blue eyes. Totally got a thing for Dmitri, sorry, he is my fav!
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Keep writing and know social media to promote your book but also just say to yourself each day this mantra…
It only takes one…
One person to read your book
One person to tell another person about your book
One person to buy your book
And so on…
Tell me about your current work-in-progress and what your plans are for it.
SEDITIOUS is my fourth novel in The Light-Bearer Series and is coming out shortly, published by PDMI Publishing. YEAH! In a month it will be out on pre-sell on Amazon. SEDITIOUS is the perpetuation of Tabbruis and Charmeine’s love affair. They are enjoying life until the reality of ruling the Elder Council and Temple Guards come crashing down on them. Then a sexy, mysterious and gorgeous woman appears at the Castle Charmeine ready to take what she wants by orders of her Master, Lord Cromwell. Twists and turns, ups and downs are in in this novel of passion and redemption.
What is your ultimate goal as a writer? (To write for pleasure? To be a best-selling author? Something else?)
I write strictly for pleasure. Oh yes, I dream of having my books read around the world. However, if I did this for money or to be famous, I would have never gotten this far. My goal is to enjoy and pass on this wonderful story of The Light-Bearer Series! I have spent a lot of money making these books come to life and promoting them. I also network. I have spent hours promoting these books. It is a labor of love, and if I make anything, I just put it back into the books and promotion.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Emily Guido is Paranormal Romance Author. She was inspired to start writing The Light-Bearer Series because one day she got an idea of two star-crossed lovers which needed to have their story told.
The Light-Bearer Series is Young Adult, Paranormal Romance, with Vampires, Angels, History, Action and Adventure. The novels Charmeine, Mactus, Accendo, Seditious, Ransom and Conundrum are the continuation of the wonderful adventures of the inhabitants of The Castle Charmeine!
Emily is currently works for a Fortune 500 Company and has a Master of Business Administration.
CHARMEINE the First Novel in The Light-Bearer Series on Amazon
MACTUS the Second Novel in The Light-Bearer Series on Amazon
ACCENDO the Third Novel in The Light-Bearer Series on Amazon
SEDITIOUS the Fourth Novel in The Light-Bearer Series on Amazon
Coming Soon
RANSOM the Fifth Novel in The Light-Bearer Series
CONUNDRUM the Sixth Novel in The Light-Bearer Series
Mel Goes To Hell is Book III in the Mel Goes To Hell Series by Demelza Carlton.
I have read the first two books and am eager to find out what happens next.
The covers are amazing and leave us to wonder who wins the fight between the angels and demons and heaven and hell.
MY REVIEW
Spoiler Alert: This is Book III in the Mel Goes To Hell Series.
The Mel Goes To Hell Series has been a hilarious romp through Hell with angels and demons vying for the souls of others. The witty dialogue and snarky repartee between Mel and Luce kept me laughing and hoping. Hoping that good will prevail and that Mel and Luce will be able to come to some kind of an agreement (?).
It is a story of love, sacrifice and redemption.
Yep. I thought that would happen and wondered how it would work out. But, I can’t tell you. You will have to find out for yourself and it is well worth the read.
Mel is bold, confident and calling in all her favors.
Love is Mel’s greatest strength.
Can it redeem Luce, the Lord of Hell? Or would she be the one to fall?
I am attracted to the bad boy. Can a bad boy change his ways? What do you think?
“Who would walk through Hell naked?
“I do it all the time. Well, usually with horns, the tail, the red skin…you know, the whole works . People seem to expect it on occasion…”
Mel Goes To Hell is a bit different from the first two books in the series. It is more serious in tone and storyline as the battle between good and evil escalates, but she does not forget the humor that, I believe, helps all friendships to grow and develop into long lasting relationships.
The series has such a unique storyline that it keeps me captivated and wanting more. The twists and turns, along with the surprises Demelza comes up with will, I hope, continue to entertain me. Is there more to come, Demelza?
I received the ebook for Mel Goes To Hell by Demelza Carlton in return for an honest, unbiased review.
5 Stars – Would Buy It For Them (lol)
~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Mini Review
Welcome to Hell by Demelza Carlton is a hilarious introduction to the Hell Corporation. Good for some giggles and laughs as Demelza pokes fun at Hell. Meet Lucifer, the CEO and quite the hunk. He’s already got an evil glint in his eye when he literally runs into Mel as she is applying for a job. How would you prepare for a job at HELL Corporation? (Health Environments Life and Lands Corporation) Raphael at the Helpful Angels Agency tells her Mel has the job. She would be at Hells door promptly at nine. Demelza describes Mel’s commute on the train after the interview. I couldn’t help but chuckle as she talks about the briefcase, but I burst out belly laughing when she talked about farting. Does an Angel fart?
The story is FREE, so grab your copy now and happy reading.
Pick it up for a laugh or two and find out if See You in Hell is for you. My review for See You in Hell is coming on Monday, June 30, 2014.
Hilarious. Uproariously funny. It is writing like this that makes See You In Hell a home run to me.
Demelza Carlton has always loved the ocean, but on her first snorkelling trip she found she was afraid of fish. She has since swum with sea lions, sharks and sea cucumbers and stood on spray-drenched cliffs over a seething sea as a seven-metre cyclonic swell surged in, shattering a shipwreck below. Sensationalist spin? No – Demelza tends to take a camera with her so she can capture and share the moment later; shipwrecks, sharks and all. Demelza now lives in Perth, Western Australia, the shark attack capital of the world. The Ocean’s Gift series was her first foray into fiction, followed by her suspense thriller Nightmares trilogy.
She swears the Mel Goes to Hell series ambushed her on a crowded train and wouldn’t leave her alone.
Interested in visiting her web page or reading about her writing process?
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Loralie will be awarding $10 Amazon Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner via the rafflecopter at the end of this post.
NOTE: This book is on sale for $0.99 through August 8, 2014.
SYNOPSIS
Ronnie has the job any entry-level angel or demon would sell their soul for—she’s a retrieval analyst for the largest search engine in the world. Ubiquity is a joint initiative between heaven and hell. Because what better way to track all of humanity’s secrets, both good and bad, than direct access to their web browsing habits.
She might appreciate the position a little more if a) she could remember anything about her life before she started working at Ubiquity, b) the damn voice in her head would just shut up already, and c) her boss wasn’t a complete dickhead.
As she searches for solutions to the first two issues, and hopes the third will work itself out in performance reviews, she uncovers more petty backstabbing than an episode of Real Housewives, and a conspiracy as old as Lucifer’s descent from heaven. On top of all that, if she forgets the cover sheet on her TPS report one more time, she’s absolutely going on final written warning.
Now Ronnie’s struggling to keep her sanity and job, while stopping the voice in her head from stealing her life. She almost misses the boredom of data analysis at Ubiquity. Almost.
EXCERPT
I straightened my clothes the best I could. Maybe I shouldn’t have fallen asleep in my clubbing outfit. Then again, I wasn’t sure I cared. I wasn’t exposing myself to the world, which was a good compromise for me. My breath caught in my throat when I yanked open the door. Nope, definitely not missionaries. But Michael looked incredible in a T-shirt and shorts.
Sorry, what? Too busy drooling.
Great. I thought she hated him.
Yeah, about that.
I wasn’t in the mood for her. My smile fell out on its own. “Hey.”
“Am I interrupting something?” He nodded at my outfit.
“Nah.…” The false bravado slipped away. It felt too cliché to say, “What, this old thing?” Besides, I kind of liked being honest with Michael. “I forgot to change before I fell asleep.”
“Did I wake you, then?”
“I also forgot to change when I woke up.” Too many more nights of missed sleep and I’d be forgetting a lot more. Maybe that was how I’d lost my memory. Had I done this before? Had the voice been there before I lost my memory?
You keep asking yourself circular questions. Let me take over for a while.
Nope. Not interested. Michael still stared at me, brow furrowed. I did a quick check of myself. Skirt wasn’t riding too high. Did I have mascara smeared across my face? “Is something wrong?”
He shook his head. “No. Just waiting to see whether you’re going to try and eviscerate me or just brush me off.”
Oh, that. He really did think I was insane. Or, considering the number of ways our encounters had started and ended, maybe he was just bored with something as basic as me in a mini skirt.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Loralie Hall is a full time corporate geek and a fuller time writer. Her spouse is her muse and their cats are very much their children. When they’re not spending way too much time gaming, they’re making the world more good by vanquishing one fictional evil at a time.
What in the world is a retired Navy chaplain’s daughter doing writing scorching hot historical romances and paranormal romantic comedies and even comic books? Renee Bernard is applying a great education from traveling all over the world to story telling and doing her best to keep her father proud. Truthfully, her father is her number one fan, even though he has sworn never to read a single word of her books (a vow he has kept to this day!) Nothing stops him from telling everyone he knows that his daughter is now a USA Today Bestselling author or from handing out bookmarks on the golf course. Love can make even a minister do strange things!
5 Stars – Would Buy It For Them (lol)
Demelza Carlton has always loved the ocean, but on her first snorkelling trip she found she was afraid of fish. She has since swum with sea lions, sharks and sea cucumbers and stood on spray-drenched cliffs over a seething sea as a seven-metre cyclonic swell surged in, shattering a shipwreck below. Sensationalist spin? No – Demelza tends to take a camera with her so she can capture and share the moment later; shipwrecks, sharks and all. Demelza now lives in Perth, Western Australia, the shark attack capital of the world. The Ocean’s Gift series was her first foray into fiction, followed by her suspense thriller Nightmares trilogy.
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