Tuesday, April 30, 2013

The Bloody Sinful Original Legacy Tour Stop - Getting to Know the Books by J.L. McCoy


 
THE BOOKS:

Blood of the Son, Sins of the Father, The Original Sin, and Legacy of Blood

Skye Morrison Vampire Series   Book #1 - 4

J.L. McCoy

Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

Links for the Books:

Amazon Kindle links





 

Barnes and Noble Nook links:


 

Smashwords link:



 

 

 

BOOK ONE: Blood of the Son

Synopsis: After a shocking admission by Archer Rhys, Skye Morrison and the rest of The Mausoleum's vampire crew have to deal with the aftermath of Houston business owner and fellow vampire Greyson Mead's murder. A gruesome discovery in Skye's driveway forces her out of her house and temporarily into Archer's lakeside mansion with her co-workers Trey, Hunter, Quinn, Seamus, Lochlan, Jameson, and of course the ever jealous Aoife. Skye must now live under the same roof with the two men she wants most and things are bound to get complicated. With a psychotic murderer on the loose hell bent on killing vampires and the appointed army of The Faithful having no luck in finding them, will Skye's new boss and co-workers live to see next week? Will Skye make it out of Archer's mansion alive?

*Be advised: This book contains adult situations, steamy sex scenes, and cursing.*

 
 
 
 
Excerpt:

“With all those late hours, doesn’t Mrs. Rhys miss you?” I asked.

He raised an eyebrow. “No,” he said with a slight smirk. “There is no Mrs. Rhys.”

“Oh, sorry” I replied, a little embarrassed. “I just figured a guy like you would have been snatched up long ago by some gorgeous girl.”

He smiled and chuckled a little. “You’d think so, huh? I haven’t had much luck in that department...at least long term.”

“Sorry if I seemed nosy,” I said, looking down at my clasped hands. I felt like I had pried.

“Not at all, Skye. These are things you’ll need to know if you work for me,” he said soothingly. “Let me ask you a few general questions. Would that be alright?”

“Yes, please. Fire away,” I said, eager to change the subject.

“What do you like to do for fun?” he asked.

I looked up at him and wondered if I should give him the safe answer or the true answer. I decided to throw caution to the wind and let him see the real me. “Well, um, I enjoy painting. Abstract mostly...on big canvases. There’s almost nothing better than channeling your love, fear, pain, bad day, good day down into something and seeing the beauty of those emotions emerge. It helps me realize that no matter how bad my day was, or how hurt I felt...there’s always beauty in everything; that every emotion I feel is important and helps make me who I am. I love it. It’s freedom incarnate.” I smiled and remembered the last painting I did. It was after Jesse and I broke up. I put all the anger, tears, frustration, and ugliness down on the canvas. It turned into one of the most beautiful pieces I’ve ever done.

“I love to read,” I said, clearing my throat and continuing. “I’ve always preferred that over watching television. There’s not much imagination to television in my opinion. Also, dancing has always been in my blood. I love dancing whether it’s out at a dance hall or around my house. If hear music, my body just kind of responds to it. I like to catch Karaoke Night at the Blue Lagoon Lounge whenever I can. Their Cult Movie Show Tunes night is to die for. Don’t laugh. I know it’s cheesy, but I love it. And, I have to say, one of my absolute favorite things to do is go to my weekly Krav Maga class that I take with my best friend, Nikki,” I said, hoping that that wasn’t too long winded of an answer.

“Impressive, Miss Morrison,” he said with a cock of his head and appraising eyes. “I like a strong woman.”

I blushed and looked down at my hands. Small butterflies fluttered around in my stomach and I adjusted my body uncomfortably in the seat. I was embarrassed but a little excited at the look in his eye as he watched me talking. What is that...the way he’s looking at me? He likes a strong woman...what does that mean? Is he coming on to me? I laughed inwardly at the absurdity of my thoughts. Yeah right, Skye. He’s WAY out of your league, girlfriend. But, nice try. I looked up, into his eyes, and gave him a small smile and a shrug. “Me too. I grew up on Red Sonja comics. I wanted to be just like her when I was a kid.”

His eyes sparkled with his laughter and the butterflies in my stomach picked up again. Dammit, stop that! I silently told myself. Out of your league! And, he just might be your boss someday. Chill, hormones...

“What kinds of books do you like to read?” he asked.

I was surprised by the question. I guess when he said general, he really meant general. “I mainly read paranormal fiction, though I do enjoy the occasional historical drama or biography.”

“I’ve read up on preternatural things myself,” he said with a knowing smile. “What are your favorite subjects?”

“Well, I suppose it would be vampires, werewolves, fae, and similar mythological creatures,” I said, hoping that’s what he meant.

He laughed and nodded his head. “I’m glad you enjoy those. I do, too,” he said.

I started wondering how these questions pertained to the job I was interviewing for. But, I shouldn’t complain, I guess. These questions were very easy to answer and it seemed like he was genuinely interested in hearing my answers.

“Do you have any first-aid knowledge?” he inquired next.

“Hm...well, yes. I took a first-aid course in summer camp when I was 15. I still remember the basics,” I said, a little confused as to where this was going.

“Good,” he said, and then looked thoughtful. “Would you know how to...let’s say for example...dress wounds and control bleeding?”

What the hell kind of interview question was that?! I thought to myself. I’d expect that if I was applying at a hospital or something, but... “Yes,” I said slowly, confused as to why I would ever need to know something like that working in a nightclub.

“Excellent,” he said smiling. “You never know when something like that will come in handy.”

 

 

BOOK TWO: Sins of the Father

Synopsis:

After a shocking admission by Archer Rhys, Skye Morrison and the rest of The Mausoleum's vampire crew have to deal with the aftermath of Houston business owner and fellow vampire Greyson Mead's murder.  A gruesome discovery in Skye's driveway forces her out of her North Central Austin, Texas townhome and temporarily into Archer's lakeside mansion with her co-workers Trey, Hunter, Quinn, Seamus, Lochlan, Jameson, and of course the ever jealous Aoife.  Skye must now live under the same roof with the two men she wants most and things are bound to get complicated.  With a psychotic murder on the loose hell bent on killing vampires and the appointed army of The Faithful having no luck in finding them, will Skye's new boss and co-workers live to see next week?  Will Skye make it out of Archer's mansion alive? 

Excerpt:

“Did you need something?” I asked.

Archer leaned forward in his chair and took off his expensive charcoal gray sports coat. “I wanted to see how you were handling all of this,”he said, throwing the coat onto the couch and moving to take off his cufflinks. I watched him struggle for a second before I intervened.

“Here, let me help you.” I said as I got up from the chair and walked around his desk. He smiled tiredly, sighed, and thanked me. I hopped up onto the desk, sat in the same place Aoife had only moments ago occupied and pulled his hand onto my lap. I slowly took off his left cufflink and sat it down on the dark desk beside me. I looked into his ice blue eyes as I rolled the shirtsleeve up his muscular forearm. “Honestly, Archer, I don’t know how I am handling this.”

He stared intensely into my eyes and searched them for clues. “Are you scared?” I nodded my head and gave him his arm back. I picked up his right one and began the same process again. “You know I’ll never let anything happen to you, don’t you?”

I watched my hands work as I thought about that for a few seconds.

“I know,” I said finally, looking back up into his beautiful eyes. Neither of us said anything for a long moment. “I’m worried about you...about all of you,” I admitted reluctantly, my fingers finishing their work.

Archer took one of my hands in his and leaned closer. “We’re going to be just fine,” he said, tucking a stray hair behind my left ear and then lifting my chin. “We’re a lot stronger than we look, Skye.”

I had a sudden flash of Greyson’s mutilated body and I swallowed hard, shaking my head. My eyes glistened with unshed tears. “But Greyson...,”

Archer shushed me with a gentle finger to my full lips. “Don’t,” he whispered, looking deeply into my eyes. “Don’t think about that.” He cupped my cheek and tenderly ran his thumb over my mouth, tracing my bottom lip.

“I’m sorry for how I acted earlier tonight,” he apologized gently, his eyes remorseful.

“I know,” I whispered. I tilted my head into his cool hand and closed my eyes. His touch was so comforting, his strong arms safe. I felt my body slowly start to relax for the first time tonight.

“I want you to stay with me tonight, Skye.” My eyes flew open in alarm and I sat up straight. “Us,” Archer amended quickly. “I meant I want you to stay with us...at my house.”

 

BOOK THREE: The Original Sin

Synopsis:

"Skye Morrison's life lately has been anything but ordinary. Attempting to pull together the pieces of her life that have been ripped to shreds after being kidnapped and tortured by Amun- who happens to be the father of all vampires-her dreams are haunted by memories of those recent fateful and horrific events. Skye struggles with her split feelings and the raw sexual tension with her lover, Jameson Doyle and boss Archer Rhys-the continuous object of her sexual fantasies. Residing at Archer's lakeside mansion with the rest of the vampire clan, Skye attempts to maintain a normal routine. With the vampire army, The Faithful, attempting unsuccessfully to capture Amun, her nightmares take her down a twisted spiral of entrapment and terror, taking its toll on her daily life. Haunted and hunted by the psychotic and mind-twisting Amun, Skye goes through dark and violent changes, revealing a side of herself she didn't know existed and ultimately leading to a shocking conclusion. With a climax that will leave you breathless and wanting more, don't miss the third chapter in the life of Skye Morrison. 

Excerpt:

“Stop,” I whispered as the tears finally began to spill down my face. “I can’t bear to hear anymore.” My heart constricted with the pain his words brought. “How can you do this to me? How can you when you know I’m with Jameson.”

I roughly wiped the tears from my cheeks, stood up, and stormed over to him. “What am I supposed to do with this, Archer? Huh? Leave your brother and jump into your bed? What about him? What about his feelings? How can you do this to me? Why couldn’t you have just left it alone? Why did you have to tell me?”

“You deserve to know how I feel,” he growled. “You were mine before you were his.”

“No,” I shook my head sadly. “I wasn’t.”

“Why couldn’t you have just talked to me, Skye?” Archer asked, his voice full of pain. “Why didn’t you give me an opportunity to explain the kiss you saw between Aoife and me before you ran into my brother’s arms?”

“I thought I knew what I saw,” I whispered, losing my fight.

“You knew nothing,” he whispered, matching my tone, as he closed the gap between us and pulled me into his arms. He bent down and nuzzled my hair, taking a deep breath in.

I wrapped my arms around him and clung to him tightly. I buried my face in his chest and succumbed to my waterworks. “I knew nothing,” I finally admitted tearfully.

He held me for a long time, neither of us saying anything. I think we were both just content to be in each other’s arms. We had been denying ourselves for the longest time. Holding him felt like coming home; like a cool drink of water after a long week in the desert.

“I’m so sorry, Archer,” I sniffed. “I’m sorry I hurt you.”

“I’m sorry, too,” he mumbled into my hair as he placed light kisses about the top of my head. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do now. The girl I love is sleeping with my brother.”

 

BOOK FOUR: Legacy of Blood

Synopsis:

Skye Morrison begged for death.  Fortunately, someone didn't listen.
Skye awakens to discover she has been irrevocably changed and the unprecedented circumstances of her rebirth have now created a new threat to her very existence. Sired by both the monster Amun and the vampire Archer Rhys, Skye must prove to the army of An Dilis (The Faithful) whose essence is most dominant within her and that she is not a danger to them or society.  The Faithful soon discover that she is unlike any vampire ever created before as she struggles to adjust to her new life and the changes that come with it.

Her recent brush with death has made Skye realize that life is precious and she wastes no time telling the one she loves how she feels about him.

But, Amun finds out that someone interfered with Skye's transformation and the intrusion makes him livid.  He gives Skye 7 days to come to him or he threatens to begin killing the ones she loves most. 
Will Skye be able to survive long enough to enjoy her new life now that Amun is hunting her and everyone she loves?


 
Excerpt:

As soon as my head hit my pillow, and I fully relaxed, my eyes began to grow heavy.   All of the excitement I had been through today had taken its toll on me mentally.  I desperately needed to sleep and recharge.  Before I knew it, I was out cold.

Images flashed behind my eyes, interrupting hours of deep, sound sleep as I softly heard someone whispering my name.  Something was pulling at my psyche, demanding entrance, and I finally gave in to the request. 

Amun was standing by large body of water with his back to me.  As soon as I took a step toward him, he whirled around looking surprised but relieved.

“What took you so long?” he demanded, his black eyes taking on anger.  “I’ve been reaching out to you all day.  I could feel you but I didn’t have access to you…I couldn’t access your mind.  Something is interfering.  HOW are you keeping me out?”

“Ha!” I laughed and sneered at the small victory.  “You mean to tell me you can’t just come into my dreams whenever you want to?”

He flashed to me and grabbed me by my throat.  “You drank their blood?!” he raged in my face as he glared back and forth between my now colorless eyes.  “But you are mine!”

“I am no one’s!” I yelled back as I ripped his hand from my neck and pushed him away from me; the action utterly shocking Amun.  “No one owns me!  No one will EVER own me!”

“A piece of my very soul is inside of you,” he growled, quickly recovering.  “You are mine and you will do as I say.  You will come to me this night!  I DEMAND IT!”

I put my hands on my hips and smirked at him.  “Demand away, Amun.  I don’t know what you’re expecting, but I’m not going to just come crawling to whatever hole you’re off hiding in.  You have no control over me.  Get used to it!”

“Oh, I have plenty of control over you,” he sneered evilly as he took another step toward me.  “All those disgusting feelings of love and desire you felt for that Day Walker…Archer?  I put them there.  I made you dream of him, want him, make love to him…  I made you want to stay with him when you were so set on leaving.  I couldn’t very well allow you to leave and ruin all my plans!  But in the end, you betrayed me, Damu.  There will be a heavy price to pay for that.  You were supposed to stay, complete your change and then kill him and all his children.  Instead you drink his blood and pollute yourself?!  You could have been something great, something beautifully fierce and exquisitely savage, but now you are just another common, pathetic Day Walker!”

I felt my eyes flicker black as anger consumed me.  “I’m not your fucking toy, Amun!  If you think you can force me to feel things and do things for you, you have another thing coming.  I’m going to kill you for what you’ve done to me!  As God is my witness, you will DIE by MY hand!”

Amun chuckled as he looked me up and down and then tsked.  “Oh, my sweet Nisiqtu…you are still so headstrong.  I believe I was wrong about you.  You carry my mark in your eyes.  We are not so different after all, you and I.  You may be a Day Walker now, but the potential for greatness is still there.  The possibilities are endless now.  There is so much we can do to them now that you are one of them.  They will never suspect-”

“Fuck you!” I spat as I turned and walked away.  I didn’t have to listen to his bullshit.  He may have pulled me into this dream but, come hell or high water, I was going to walk out of it.

“You have one week to come to me, Skye,” Amun yelled at my back.  “If you do not obey me, I will start killing your friends and family one by one and I’ll start with that fiery girl who shares your home.  I believe I’ll sew her colorful skin into a new hat.”

I whirled around, my eyes wide and fearful.  “You lay one finger on her and I’ll-”

“Silence!” Amun roared angrily, his voice echoing loudly all around me.  “Seven days, Skye.  And you had better be wearing the presents I left for you when you come to me.”









Author Information:

J. L. McCoy resides in the beautifully weird city of Austin, Texas with her opinionated Pekiweenie Isabel and handsome husband Kenny.  She has always been a passionate reader and enjoys watching movies, traveling, listening to heavy metal/classic rock/80s music, getting mani/pedis with her girls, and singing karaoke.  She loves body art and is hopelessly addicted to Sonic’s ice and Route 44 un-sweet raspberry iced tea. 

 

If you’d like more information about her or her upcoming books, please visit her at the following links:

Author Links:

Blog: http://www.jlmccoy.com/my-blog.html

website:  http://www.jlmccoy.com/index.html

facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/AuthorJLMcCoy

my store:  http://www.jlmccoy.com/store.html

(I sell signed copies of my books in my store!)

 
 

Thursday, April 25, 2013

The Iron Locket ~ Samantha Warren

The Iron Locket
(Book One of The Risen King)
 
 
She was raised to hunt faeries. He was raised from the dead.
 
 
 

 

Aiofe Callaghan comes from a long line of faery hunters. Hired by one of the faery queens, they protect the human world from chaos and destruction. But when Aiofe stumbles through an open door into the land of Faery, she discovers the job isn't as simple as it seems, and neither is she.

Arthur Pendragon spent centuries in blissful nothingness, until the day the four queens banded together to raise him from the dead. Along with his twelve most talented knights, he leads the warring armies of Faery against the greatest enemy they have ever known: one of their own.

Can they overcome their differences to confront the greatest challenges either of them have ever faced?

A Sneak Peek Inside

Turning his horse around to face the throng of bodies behind him, he addressed the armies, hoping his voice would carry enough to be heard by at least half of them. "Down below us lies a fierce battle, one beyond anything many of you have ever seen. Do not fear. For while the enemy may be strong, we have fate on our side, and she will not abandon us. The vile witch Leanansidhe has taken your lands, killed one of your kings. She would enslave you if she could. Fight for your Queens, fight for your freedom. Fight to the death!"

He pumped his sword on the last word to emphasize his point and his knights roared. A few cheers went out through the rest of the crowd, but most of the faeries simply looked at him with a mixture of amusement and annoyance.

Arthur's shoulders slumped as his eyes darted over the crowd. He was used to his speeches being met with a resounding rumble of excitement, soldiers cheering and stomping their approval, weapons being drawn as the adrenal began to build. Compared to the armies he was used to, the creatures before him were somber and emotionless. He feared they did not carry the same drive to win that they needed.

"Humans and their speeches." Eden snorted beside him. She gave him a wry smirk and a shake of the head before kicking her horse hard in the flanks. As it plunged over the edge of the precipice, the telltale shnink of a blade being drawn echoed back to him, followed by a battle cry. That was all the faeries needed.

Following her lead, cries ululated around the valley, far surpassing the rumble he had hoped for. He and his knights followed Eden down into the valley, not so much by choice but because the mere surge of bodies behind them forced them forward. They reached the edge of battle much quicker than Arthur anticipated. As he plunged into the fray, he sent up a quick prayer, hoping that some god somewhere would hear him.


 
About The Author

 
 
Samantha Warren is a fantasy and science fiction author who spends her days immersed in dragons, spaceships, and vampires. With her pet dragon, Anethesis, she ventured to the ends of the universe, but the cost of space travel cut into her sock fetish fund, so she sold her ship and returned home. When she isn’t writing, she’s milking cows or trying to feed them Pop-Tarts. She spends a lot of time in her weed patch (aka: garden), watching any show featuring Gordon Ramsay, or posting random things on her blog.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Paranormal Books & Curiosities - A Bookstore's Perspective

People always ask me 'how did you get interested in this stuff?'. It is a fair question. I mean, they probably assume that I had some uncanny experience that set me on this paranormal path. Perhaps I was 'tormented by demons' as a popular tv personality states. Or, perhaps as a child the dead would reach out to me, desperate to communicate and solve their problems.


Nope. My answer is far more mundane, 'I was born this way'. Since I can recall I have had an overriding passion for all things fringe, unusual, paranormal. As a kid I wanted to hear all the dark and mysterious stories of our town. I lived across the street from the town burying ground and spent hours upon hours drifting through the old stones, reading names, pondering lives and just asking questions of the dead. The most prominent question was 'where are you now?'.

Year and years later, I still drift through old burial grounds, still ask thr same question. For a living.


I spent many years working in corporate America, doing things I really loved. Talking to people, learning about different cultures and developing events to halp people connect with their culture while living in the United States. I specialized in sports programming, cricket to be specific. As you can imagine telling people that my job entailed working in the Cricket community, as an Irish American female, raises some eywbtows. But tht was nothing compared to the looks I got when I branched out on my own five years ago and started a business that reflected my greatest interest, the Paranormal.


In 2008 I decided to try something on my own and I opened Paranormal Books & Curiosities in Asbury Park, NJ. It was not an easy sell, to convince a landlord that there was a sustainable business in the paranormal, but my background in television had told me that a brick and mortar paranormal business was viable. In fact, it's time had come. I knew that there were others like me, for whom the unknown was an irresistible lure. These people needed a place where they could get EMF detectors, night vision cameras, dowsing rods and even a book to teach them how to use it. For them, and myself, I wanted to try.


The store I opened on Friday the 13th of June - marketing genius that I am I kept insisting on a saturday opening until someone finally pointed out that if Saturday is the 14th then Friday is the 13th- is not the store I have today. It has been shaped by the people who come into it.


A day does not go by without a conversation that changes or enhances my knowledge or interest in the paranormal. More than just ghost stories, I get to speak with people about their most intimate fears, their losses and their renewed hopes. I also get to hear some of the craziest ghost stories you can imagine, like the realtor who was showing a house when a miniature old woman appeared holding a bushel of apples and shooed realtor and prospective buyer from the property. A spectral miniature woman, of course.


Through my own interests and the generosity of others I have collected an amount of paranormal 'oddities'. A gargoyle from a haunted mansion in New Orleans French Quarter, a brick from the hangar where the remains of the Hindenburg were stored, a palo mayombe cauldron - you know, stuff. In 2009, I decided that this stuff deserved to be showcased and I opened The Paranormal Museum.

Now, five years later, after hundreds of investigations, thousands of conversations and countless stories, Paranormal (bookstore. Museum, unique experience boutique) has grown and evolved into a Mecca for paranormal enthusiasts.

What I am proudest of is that we still ask questions, still explore, still seek knowledge.


That curiosity and passion that started the store is still there. People can come in, check out our wide selection of hard to find titles, walk through The Paranormal Museum, take a walking tour, go on an investigation, get a psychic reading and yea, even attend a seance. I am proud of that. Because the paranormal is about exploring, about pushing the boundaries of knowledge. It is about curiosity and passion and learning, listening to others, hearing their experiences and seeing the world as the incredibly complex, constantly surprising, organism it is.

Paranormal is about asking questions and letting nature and our interpretation of it lead you on the wildest journey you can imagine.

 
If you can't make it to Asbury Park, check us out online at www.paranormalbooksnj.com!

Monday, April 22, 2013

The Devil Knows Tour Around the Universe - Schedule!

Be sure to check out all the stops of my tour, brought you by Around the Universe!



April 21 - April 27

Author K.C. Cavanaugh brings her fabulous story...

The Devil Knows to Around the Universe Social Media Tours



April 21

The Cavanaugh Connection ~ The Author Herself



April 22







April 23







April 24




April 25







April 26







April 27




Just How Does the Devil Know?




Hi Everyone!

I'm K.C. Cavanaugh and I hope that if you've already purchased The Devil Knows, that you liked it. If you haven't gotten a hold of your own copy yet, I urge you to do so! (For those who purchased upon it's original release in February, there is a new edition available.)

Every book has it's critics, and TDK is not immune. However, I push aside the naysayers due to several reasons. The first and foremost being the fact that this wasn't originally something that I ever planned on being released. It all started as a form of self-therapy after a friend was diagnosed with cancer.

It was horrible! She is the last person that deserves something like this. Her family is wonderful and they are all lucky to have each other.

The news devestated me. While we live almost two hours apart, look forward to the one or two visits every year that we share. I began to wonder how many more visits we would have together, and it was all so.... unfair.

Then my mind started to wander, and my hand began to write. At first it was just a scene about a best friend being totally unglued over the news about her friend. Unfortunately, I didn't have much to go on at this point because my friend was still having tests and things done, so we didn't have any real answers. Once I found out the extent of the cancer, the writing began to come even more furiously.

It was the only way I really knew how to express what I felt inside. She deserved her 'happily ever after' and not have her life cut short over something as senseless as cancer.

While my friend is thankfully not paralyzed by the disease attacking her body, and she is currently responding well to treatment, much of what Anya faces is what my friend had to go through. Tests, diagnosis, treatmeant, etc. I am happy to say that they have now found the origin of her cancer and she may still have a few years of responding well to her current course of treatment. Eventually though, it will begin to lose effectiveness and they will need to try something else, something more aggressive like chemotherapy.

So, no matter what your struggle is in life, don't give up. People trudge through this life with disease, loss, and you would never know it. Be one of the people who don't let what they have define them; be someone who lets what they do define them. At the end of the day, you can't sell your soul, and you have to make the most of your life and the situation that you are in.

A portion of all royalties will be donated to help fight breast cancer, especially for treatment and diagnosis of breast cancer for those with dense breast tissue.


Want your own FREE ecopy?



a Rafflecopter giveaway




About the Author


K.C. grew up in a small town in Northeastern PA, she still lives close to her hometown, remaining close with her friends and family. She has been writing since a young age, and always wanted to be a writer. Before now, she focused on poetry and short stories. The Devil Knows is her debut novel, and was written after K.C. found out that a family friend was diagnosed with cancer.

With lots of projects in the works, she is hoping to release her second novel this summer. In the near future, you will be able to find her YA apocalyptic End of Days trilogy, her Eternal Trilogy (with a few additional shorts), and two YA paranormal mysteries!

You can see the latest news on K.C. and stay up to date on release dates via her Twitter @cavanaugh_kc, Facebook page www.facebook.com/cavanaugh.kc, and you can add her as a friend at www.facebook.com/author.cavanaugh.com, or follow her blog at www.cavanaughkc.blogspot.com. Her official website is www.cavanaughkc.com.

 
 
 
 

Thursday, April 18, 2013

In the Eyes of the Beholder - TWIST Short Story

In the Eyes of the Beholder is a short story about what the eyes say about a person, or more precisely people. Eyes are the window to the soul and what one sees may not be very pretty at all.

TWIST Synopsis
What began as an idea soon set into motion a chain of events that would lead to heart-stopping action, amazing suspense, and stories that will stick with you way after you are done.


Unique, unexpected, beyond imagining…shocking TWISTS that will have you frantically turning back the pages to see what clues you overlooked to have missed what was coming.

Paranormal stories that span across the genre and will wow you, shock you, and leave you gasping for more.

11 different authors, one main idea, and worlds that will TWIST your imagination…

Author Bio

Penelope Anne started writing as soon as she could hold a pencil correctly, and learned that crayons were not for eating. From haiku to essays, it wasn't long before writing was on equal footing with her reading. From a fascination with everything from serial killers to historical romance, her writing is as eclectic as her.

Wisconsin is where she calls home. She shares life, with her soul-mate and her daughter. She also has two grown sons, she is very proud to call family.

Previously published online and in a variety of magazines with her nonfiction articles on parenting and home education, "A Paranormal Anthology with a TWIST" marks her first foray into fiction. She plans to make many more.
You can stalk Penelope via the folling sites!

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Giveaway Winners Announced!

DRUMROLL PLEASE!!!

The following prizes are ready to be claimed! All winners have 72 (SEVENTY-TWO) hours to email me at cavanaugh.kc@gmail.com to claim their prizes. Prizes not claimed within 72 hours will be forfeited. Winners who do not claim their prizes will not be eligible for future drawings.


**How do you Spell Love? by Zanna Mackenzie (ebook) ~ Morgan Kelley
**The Devil Knows by K.C. Cavanaugh (ebook) ~ Alicia Batista
**The Iron Locket by Samantha Warren (ebook) ~ Lori Reeder
**A Paranormal Anthology with a TWIST (Kindle - two winners) ~ Harley Nader AND Kara Stangle
**The Killing Times (Kindle), Sacred Burial Grounds (Kindle), and True Love Lost (signed paperback) by Morgan Kelley - One Winner to receive the first three books in this hot series! ~ Tara Cross
**The Gathering: Book One of the Lia Fail Chronicles by S.L. Dearing (signed paperback) ~ Ida Jansson
**The House of Wood by Anthony Price (signed paperback) ~ Trisha Belamy
** Heart You by Rene Folsom (ebook, US winner only 18+, includes a free signed bookmark) ~ Marla James
** Voices of the Soul (Soul Seers #1) by Rene Folsom (ebook, US winner only, includes free signed bookmark) ~ Paris Hart
**Pre-made cover by Rene Folsom (Authors) or Facebook Banner (readers) ~ Crystal
**Banner Design Service by Titan Inkorp ~ Lara Stevens
**Two pre-made covers by Amygdala Design (two winners) ~ Lindy Zart AND J.J. Felton
**$10 AMAZON giftcard ~ Genna McCarter

Congrats to all the winners! Yay!!!

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Interview with Anthony Price



Hi Anthony! Thanks so much for being a part of The Cavanaugh Connection! It’s so good to have you! :)

        Please, tell the readers a little more about yourself and how you knew you wanted to be a writer!

My full name is Anthony James Price, but my friends call me Ant.  I do get the occasional Tony thrown my way too.  I’m 28 years old and I live in Canterbury, Kent in the South-east of England.  I think I’ve always wanted to be a writer.  It’s something that I just did when I was younger to pass the time. My Grandfather was a cleaner at a local High School and used to bring home spare notebooks.  I would go around their house and we’d play cards for a while, then I’d dive in to the notebooks and scribble away.  I filled them all with stories and poetry. 

         So you knew you wanted to write, but what was the catalyst that made you decide to actually do it? 

      I know a lot of people who have the passion, but not the drive, or the self-doubt is too great.
When I finished my second undergraduate degree, I really didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life, but I always knew I wanted to get a Masters Degree under my belt.  When I found that I could study Creative Writing at that level, I jumped at the chance.  It reignited my passion for writing.  I think self-doubt was probably in me somewhere, but when I set out to do something, I give it my all. I just had to take the bull by the horns so to speak.

  What has been your greatest obstacle to overcome?

I think that my biggest obstacle to overcome has been myself.  I’m one of life’s many procrastinators.  I never thought that I would have the discipline and the drive it takes to succeed as a writer.  But as I said, I just had to knuckle down and get to it.

  I'm a big procrastinator too! How did you overcome it?

I managed to knuckle down and gave myself a big kick up the bottom.  Doing my Masters degree in Creative Writing really helped me focus my writing and got me in to a good working routine that by and large, I’ve stuck to.  It was a case of wanting it not being enough.  I had to apply myself to the task.  Thankfully, I did it.

  If your life were a movie, who would you want to play you?

Ooo, that’s a tough one.  There are so many great actors out there.  I did see James McAvoy play a character with a similar disability to myself.  He really did the role justice, so I’d be honored for him to play me.  Plus, he’s a great Professor Xavier.

  Haha. Yeah, he is great. Can you tell me a little bit about the first project you ever completed?

Funnily enough, The House of Wood is actually the first novel I’ve ever completed.  Up until that point, I’d only written short stories and poetry.  It was an amazing feeling getting to the end.

   Getting to the end has always been a challenge for me! Until recently, it never happened... Do you have any projects that have been put on the back burner for a while, sort of forgotten about? If so, do you think any of them will ever see the light of day?

I always tend to have several projects going on at the same time and quite often, a few of them get put on the back burner.  Ideas seem to just come to me out of the blue and I’m the type of writer that has to start work on them immediately until it’s out of my system.  I get very excited by the ideas.  Hopefully though, everything that has been put on the back burner will see the light of day at some point, whether it be a novel, T.V show, or film.  They all still hold a place in my heart.

         I think a lot of writers feel that way. I currently have like 6 started projects! What happens, during the writing process, for you to decide to push a book away and not continue to write it?

It’s purely down to the fact that I get this burning desire to work on a new idea as soon as it comes to me.  Nothing ever gets forgotten and it all goes in my notebook for a later date.  I am getting better at working on one project at a time though!


            
             Now what about The House of Wood, where did you get the inspiration for this?

The House of Wood started out as a small exercise on my Creative Writing Masters.  I was originally going to write it as a short story, but there were so many things that I could add to it and ideas just kept coming to me, that I couldn’t do it justice in a few words.  It had to be a novel.

        Can you describe The House of Wood in 10 words or less?

A chilling portrayal of one girl’s attempt to escape her past…Ooops, that was eleven!  We won’t count the “a”.

       I know this is your debut novel. How’s it seem to be going so far?

It’s been going great.  There’s been some amazing feedback with regards to reviews on Amazon.  I’ve been very humbled by the support and enthusiasm from my readers.  It’s been amazing. 

        Where can readers go in order to get their very own copy?

The House of Wood can be found at a lot of places online.  Readers can pick up a copy at…

Amazon UK (Paperback and Kindle)

Crooked Cat Publishing (All digital formats)

Amazon US (Paperback and Kindle)

It'll also be available at iBooks, Barnes & Noble and Smashwords!

        How long did it take you to write it? Would you say it was in the average of how long it takes you to finish a book?

It took me a very long time to write The House of Wood.  Around about three years!  It kept getting put to one side due to university commitments and short stories that I was writing to get my name out there.  But if I was to put all of my writing sessions together, I would say it took around about two, maybe three months to finish at an acceptable level to send off to publishers.  Then I spent another month polishing it off after it had been picked up by Crooked Cat Publishing.

   What’s your favorite thing you’ve written?


In all honesty, I think my favourite thing is actually The House of Wood.  It started off as something so small and has grown in to something so big.  I always believed in the story and its ability to entertain and enthrall people.  I really enjoyed writing it and bringing the characters to life.  So much so, I’m writing a spin-off for it.

        Oooh! That sounds fun!  What are you working on now? Or is it top secret?

I’m actually working on a spin-off novel from The House of Wood.  I can’t say too much, as it’ll give away some of the plot twists in The House of Wood.  Let’s just say, I’m upping the scare stakes!

        Sounds awesome! If you could go back and change one thing you did in your writing career what would it be?

Well, my writing career has only just begun, but if I could change anything it would be to go back and start thinking about writing as a professional career much earlier and not spend so much time playing computer games.  Focus is the key.

   I hear you! I feel the same way. If you could have lunch with any famous person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
 
That’s a very good question.  I think as an alive person, I’d have to say Stephen King.  I’ve been a massive fan of his work since I was a teenager and if I become half the writer he is, I’ll be a very happy man.  I couldn’t pick a dead person, as they’re far too many people I admire.

  Stephen King is pretty awesome! As a writer, I’m sure you’re also a reader! What is your favorite genre to read? 

My favourite genre is definitely horror.  I’m a big fan of Stephen King, Dean Koontz, James Herbert and Clive Barker.  But I’m also a history graduate, so I do enjoy a good historical novel, mainly Bernard Cornwell.  His Sharpe series is excellent.

   Who are some of your favorite authors?

As I said, my favourites have to be Stephen King and James Herbert.  James Herbert was the first horror writer I read with his Rats series and Stephen King single handedly saved the horror genre from obscurity by giving it a fresh, new take with Carrie.  I admire them both very much.

   Have you made any connections yet through one form of social media or another, where you got to have even a quick exchange with an author who you look up to or have inspired you? 

I haven’t been able to find Stephen King on Twitter and sadly, after his passing, I won’t get a chance to connect with James Herbert.  But, I have made a lot of connections with other authors from all over the globe.  They’re a fantastic bunch and I’ve made a lot of friends, particularly with the authors at Crooked Cat Publishing.  They’re always there with advice and support when needed.

   Thanks again so much for being here Anthony! Is there anything else you want to add before we say goodbye? 

Thank you for having me.  It’s been great chatting with you.  Thank you also has to go to anyone that buys a copy of The House of Wood.  I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.  Look out for future updates on me and my writing.

   Where can readers keep up with you? (You can include links to blogs, websites, twitter, FB profile, FB fan page, Goodreads, etc.)

I seem to be all over the internet these days.  Anyone that is interested in following me and my writing can find me at…
Twitter - @anthonyprice84
I’m also on Goodreads, but I haven’t quite worked out how to use it properly yet.  Watch this space!