Tuesday 17 March 2015

Drama Queens and Adult Scenes by Kevin Klehr



Drama Queens and Adult Themes
by Kevin Klehr

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Adam’s about to discover how much drama a mid-life crisis can be. He’s obsessed with Mannix, the nude model in his art class. But Adam has been married to Wade for nearly two decades, and they don’t have an open relationship.

Little do they know that Fabien, a warlock from the Afterlife, has secretly cast a spell of lust on Adam and his potential toy-boy.

As things begin to heat up, Adam’s guardian angel, Guy, steps in. But what’s the best way to save the relationship? Should Guy subdue Adam’s wandering passions or instigate a steamy threesome?


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Excerpt One:

"Three aces or a royal flush?" asked Maude as Angela.
She was sprawled on stage across a couch. Her lavender dress spread against the striped upholstery, showing her bare feet. In hand was a glass of sparkling water, pretending to be gin and tonic.
Shannon stood nearby, in smart trousers and white shirt, rubbing his chin.
"Your line is 'What do you mean by the poker reference…?'" I said.

"Oh yeah," he interrupted. "What do you mean by the poker reference, Maude?"

"No, Shannon, her stage name is Angela." Our theater president bit her bottom lip. "Now let's start again."

"Three aces or a royal flush?" asked Maude.

"What do you mean by the poker reference, Angela?"

"You seem to hold your cards close to your chest."

"How so?"

At this point, Shannon's character Ronny was supposed to stand perfectly still, avoiding eye contact with a woman trying to seduce him. Instead, he stumbled, crashing into the grandfather clock we spent half an hour trying to get on stage. Its discordant chimes were as shrill as fingernails on a blackboard. Stephen rushed to it, trying to hold it still.

"Are you drunk, Shannon?" I asked.

"Huh?"

Maude gave him a death glare, as he lay clueless on the floor.

"This is a really important scene to get right. There's no comedy. Just coded words from a bored socialite and her young neighbor. If you can't portray this with just a hint of caution, then what are you doing here?"

"Sorry, Adam. I had a rough night. Sugar Daddy threatened to throw me out."

"So you're either still drunk from last night, or you've had vodka in your Coco Pops."



AUTHOR Bio and Links:



Kevin lives with his long-term partner in their humble apartment (affectionately named Sabrina), in Australia’s own ‘Emerald City,’ Sydney.

From an early age Kevin had a passion for writing, jotting down stories and plays until it came time to confront puberty. After dealing with pimple creams and facial hair, Kevin didn’t pick up a pen again until he was in his thirties. His handwritten manuscript was being committed to paper when his social circumstances changed, giving him no time to write. Concerned, his partner, Warren, snuck the notebook out to a friend who in turn came back and demanded Kevin finish his novel. It wasn’t long before Kevin’s active imagination was let loose again. The result was Drama Queens with Love Scenes, the first in a series of Afterlife tales.

Kevin is looking forward to thumping the keys on his laptop and churning out stories until it’s time for him to gain firsthand experience of the hereafter.

LINKS


Review

This is quite a complex book, actually, although it doesn't feel like it when you're reading it. There are multiple story threads - the menage a trois with Adam, Mannix and Wade, a contemporaneous story of the (evil?) sorcerer whose spell is causing the mayhem, and the guardian angel trying to limit the damage caused, a memory from Adam's past which is having serious implications in his life now, and finally the play Adam is directing, which has more than a few similarities with the memories and the behind the scenes action. In addition, the story is told from the POV of all the main characters in turn.

As I mentioned, despite the complexity of the weave, the story doesn't feel complex when you're reading it. It has a good flow and a three-dimensional feel to the characters and the story.

I have a few little niggles with the way it's written and some of the grammar used. For one thing, there are times when the action tags are revered - an example in the except 'asked Maude' rather than 'Maude asked'. In some places, this is quite dense. To others, this might not be the slightest issue at all, but it irked me personally.

There is a lot of humour and some wonderfully outrageous one-liners and even situations. Some of the supporting characters are larger than life and they are all well rounded. I loved the cast of the play, in particular.

I definitely think this book is worth reading. From my experience, it's totally unique and although I could guess early on where the story was going, it took some nice twists and turns with sweet and surprising moments and drama liberally sprinkled with humour.





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Saturday 14 March 2015

The Ragnarok Chronicles by Nicki J Markus


Title: The Ragnarok Chronicles
Author: Nicki J. Markus
Length (print): 678
Genre: Fantasy Adventure/Mythology/Romance
Suitable: 16 years and above













Synopsis

For Ragnarok will be completed….

Nothing marks Cassandra out—except her visions. She’s only ever seen small, insignificant things. That is until the strange frost arrives.

With her normal life turned upside down, Cassandra is plunged into an extraordinary and terrifying world of Norse gods and rampaging giants, ancient feuds and broken prophecies.
A handsome stranger offers aid. But can Cassandra really trust him? More importantly, can she trust her own judgment when his slightest touch sets her heart and her body aflame?

Book trailer




Buy Links:

Amazon US (Kindle): http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SW0TV46/
Amazon UK (Kindle): www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00SW0TV46/
Amazon AU (Kindle): http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00SW0TV46/
Barnes & Noble (NOOK): http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-ragnar-k-chronicles-nicki-j-markus/1121134764?ean=9780994234612
Kobo (EPUB): http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-ragnarok-chronicles
Amazon US (Paperback): http://www.amazon.com/Ragnarök-Chronicles-Nicki-J-Markus/dp/0994234600
Amazon UK (Paperback): http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ragnarök-Chronicles-Nicki-J-Markus/dp/0994234600
The Book Depository (Paperback): http://www.bookdepository.com/Ragnarök-Chronicles-Nicki-Markus/9780994234605

About the author


Nicki J Markus was born in England in 1982, but now lives in Adelaide, South Australia with her husband. She has loved both reading and writing from a young age and is also a keen linguist.
Nicki launched her writing career in 2011. She published works through Wicked Nights Publishing and Silver Publishing before both companies closed their doors. She is now self-publishing some of her works.
Nicki also writes M/M fiction under the alternate pen name of Asta Idonea and has had several short stories published by Wayward Ink Publishing.
Nicki works as a freelance editor and proofreader and in her spare time enjoys: music, theatre, cinema, photography, sketching, history, folklore and mythology, pen-palling, and travel.

Social media links
Blog: http://www.nickijmarkus.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NickiJMarkus
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NickiJMarkus
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolamarkus
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4567057.Nicki_J_Markus

Character Interview

I love character interviews. We get to know a bit about the character, and they're more real when we get to their story in the book. Usually, I name the characters but I'm going to be a real tease this time and leave it to you to guess who it is when you've read the book, which I'm sure you will because it's FAB!!

1) What or who is the greatest love of your life?

Look, I have never had much time for love. In the past I travelled a lot, going here and there for Óðinn. Naturally I met my fair share of women along the way and, trust me, I never left them disappointed. But love.... Who knows, maybe one day, but at present I have a mission which requires my undivided attention. That said, I may have a few minutes free later. *winks*

2) What is your favourite journey?

I have travelled to all the nine worlds bar one, and that one I have no intention of going to any time soon. I suppose my favourite would be Álfheimr. It has been many years since I last set foot there, but I remember it was a peaceful place.

3) What is your most marked characteristic?

Others would no doubt  tell you it is mischief, and I confess I have enjoyed playing the trickster, but just between you and me, I would say it is a need for acceptance. But do not tell anyone I told you that—I have a reputation to protect after all.

4) When and where were you the happiest?

My youth in Ásgarðr, I suppose was my happiest time. Back when my mother was alive, before everything changed.

5) What is it that you most dislike? 

Betrayal... and Heimdallr.

6) What is your greatest fear?

I am a god, I fear nothing! Why are you looking at me like that? Do you not believe me? Look, just move on, I have nothing more to say on this subject.

7) What is your greatest extravagance?

I am not certain I have one—not in the way you mortals do anyway. I have much more important things on my mind. I am the only one left to guard the nine realms after all, and that’s a full-time occupation.

8) What is your greatest regret?

That I.... *goes silent* It does not matter, please ask your next question.

9) Which talent would you most like to have?

My powers already grant me many of the skills and abilities you mortals so often crave. But the strength of my magic does rely upon regular offerings, so I suppose a talent to resupply my own reserves would be useful.

10) Where would you like to live?

Ásgarðr was and always will be my home, and one day I will see it restored to its former glory and I will take my place there alongside the other Æsir.

11) What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

       To fail in my mission. If I fail in this task, it will mean the doom of all the realms.


12) What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Confidence. I have bedded many women in my time, and I always prefer those who know their own minds, who know what they want.

13) What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

What is there to deplore about me?

14) What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Disloyalty and betrayal. And believe me I have encountered my fair share of both over the years. I have been accused of both as well, but I can tell you know that is all lies.

15) What do you most value in your friends?

Acceptance, respect, and loyalty. Although, so far I have only found those qualities in one person and he was lost to me.

16) Who is your favourite hero of fiction?

In Ásgarðr we never bothered about such things, but during my current visit to Miðgarðr, I did notice that I myself feature in a number of mortal tales, and so I would have to say... me! *grins*

17) Who are your heroes in real life?

My best friend years ago... he was adventurous and kind. He died, but one day I hope to see him again. Again my mother. She was strong, capable, and did not let the opinions of others sway her.

18) Which living person do you most admire?

Well, I am pretty amazing as it happens *kicks his legs over the arm of the chair and wriggles his eyebrows.
.
19) What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Compassion. It delays action and does nothing to address wrongs or fix problems.

20) On what occasions do you lie?

I never lie... at least not about anything important... and not to myself.

21) Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

By the nornir! I cannot help it—and those three have a lot to answer for if you ask me.

22) If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Why would I change this? *gestures down the length of his body* I have not received any complaints about it so far. Why change what is already perfect? Naturally I have changed it from time to time, but only temporarily when the situation called for it. Once this interview is over, we should retire to somewhere more private and I will regale you with the tale of the time I turned myself into a horse.

23) What are your favourite names?

The names of others mean little to me if that is what you are asking. As to my own names, I have many. Some are less than flattering, but others please me. One of my favourites is Loptr, which means ‘air’, and I do enjoy flying when I have enough magic flowing through me to conjure myself some wings.


24) If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?

What sort of a question is that? I have no intention of dying, thank you very much, and if I did, I would naturally remain as I am now, I would simply be forced to dwell in the realm of Helheimr with my daughter, no longer free to roam the other worlds.

25) What is your motto?

That is a very mortal notion. We Æsir have little use for such things. Though I have come across an amusing series of books here in which I read the phrase ‘mischief managed’ and that rather appealed to me. It would be appropriate, would it not?
.
Nephy: I think it probably would. Thank you for the interview. I have to admit you've always fascinated me and it's nice to get to know the face behind the legend - and the rest of you, too. Now, about that more private place.....


Friday 13 March 2015

His Soldier by Anna Lee

Book Name: His Soldier

Release Date: March 6, 2015


Sales Links:


Cover Artist: Emmy Ellis




Author Bio

Anna Lee graduated from the University of California Riverside with a Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing. Living with a disability, she has overcome many challenges and puts her passion for life and love into her writing. She lives with her family and dogs and enjoys writing late into the night. When she isn’t writing, Anna enjoys spending time with her nieces and nephew or chatting with her friends about her favorite books and TV shows.

Where to find the author:

Twitter: annalee59


Blurb(s):





Some Questions for the Author

50 – Favorite of your characters?
Ryder. He’s got a special place in my heart and I hope readers love him as much as I do.

51 – Harry Potter or Twilight?
Harry Potter.

52 – Three things on your bucket list?
To go to London, to travel around the world, and to meet the love of my life.

53 – You meet a time traveler who will take you ‘anywhen’. Do you go to the past or the future?
Past, though if it’s the Doctor with the TARDIS, we could wind up anywhere. Not that I’d complain. Lol.

54 – Cake or pie?
Cake.

55 – Dog or cat?
Dog.

56 – You’ve been bitten by something radioactive. What power do you get from it?
Ouch, I guess I’d get the power to fly.

57 – Eat out or dine in?
Eat out.

58 – What is the best gift you’ve ever received?
A friend once gave me a computer after mine crashed.

59 – Best gift you ever gave?
I took my whole family to Disneyland and spoiled the kids rotten. It was so much fun.

60 – What’s your favorite cookie?
Chocolate chip.

Tour Dates & Stops:
6-Mar

9-Mar

10-Mar

11-Mar

12-Mar

13-Mar


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