Book Release: In Their Own Words by John Marani

Let me tell you about a very cool first that has recently happened around here: my husband’s first book, In Their Own Words: The Major Arcana of the Tarot, has been published! If you’re looking to learn something about the tarot or get a deeper feel for each card, this is the book you need. He’s been studying the tarot for longer than I’ve known him and reading at 13 Magickal Moons in Occoquan, VA for eleven years.

You can order his book here. As always, I ask that if you appreciate a book, please review it on Amazon, Goodreads, etc!

And to answer the inevitable question, there will be more books in this series! Look for the next one next year. And, yes, I am still working on my own books as well. I'll show you the cover of my next book as soon as I have a release date for it!

Free Spirit in Paperback

As of today, Free Spirit, the second book in my New Orleans Magick series, is available in paperback! Of course, it is still available for the Kindle as well, but I know some of you really prefer to read your books in paper. You can find it on Amazon via this link.

Once you've read it, please consider writing a review for it. It doesn't have to be more than "good book" or "skip it" if you want, and yes, I DO want honest reviews, so don't hesitate if it's not 5 stars. Both Amazon and Goodreads are great places to post your review. Thanks so much! It's hard to get noticed on Amazon, and reviews are a place to start. And by all means, if you love it, please share with your friends! Huge, happy hugs from me (and you guys know I'm kind of all about my personal space, so you know a hug means you're loved!)!

If you're in the Northern Virginia area, signed copies of Magick Charm, the first book in the series, will be available at 13 Magickal Moons in Occoquan, VA. As soon as I get my first box of Free Spirit in my hands, 13 Magickal Moons will have those as well!

I'm very excited to share this news with everyone, and I hope you enjoy the book!

A Writer's Life: Book Release Day!

Want a brief glimpse into a writer’s life? Here’s mine:

You know how people say writers have to have a thick skin because they have to be prepared for any kind of review? Know how they say you develop this skin over time? And you know how some authors even say they don’t read reviews at all?

Not me. I know, I know, I should just write the best book I can and then move on. And for the most part, I do. But I just have to know. I think it’s akin to that moment in a horror movie where the sorority girl comes out of the shower, hears a strange noise, and goes to investigate in a towel. We all know it’s a bad idea, but she HAS to know what that noise was. Well, that’s me. I have to know what that review said. And, yeah, it feels a lot like being naked in a towel in front of the world.

My point of this little story is to say that some writers like me pay close attention to the first few weeks of our book babies’ lives. Part of this includes the dreaded Amazon ranking. When you scroll down to Product Details on a book’s sale page, you can see a list of categories the book has been sorted into and where the sales are for that particular book at that particular moment in time.

I’ve watched it before, when I’ve run a sale or when a new book was released. I was like, yay, I broke the 10,000’s. Well, today was a first for me. I broke the top 100.

Let me say that again before I tell you the rest. I. Broke. The top. 100. Now the less impressive part. This ranking was only in a very specific category of books, but even so! I will take every scrap of goodness I can out of this publishing thing and celebrate it. So here’s where the first two New Orleans Magick series books stood as of yesterday evening:

Magick Charm's ranking Monday night

Free Spirit's ranking Monday night

A minor victory, but it feels kind of huge right now. I think I’ve earned that glass of champagne.

Book Cover Reveal and Giveaway

I'm excited to announce the book cover reveal for the second in my New Orleans Magick series, Free Spirit! The new book will be available on October 26th! I'm celebrating my cover reveal by giving away a $10 Amazon gift card. Check out the links below to enter.

The cover for Free Spirit was drawn by Brittany Michel of Bad Carrot Studios and designed by Samantha Harvey.

If you haven't read the first New Orleans Magick book, Magick Charm, there's still time to pick up a copy for only $2.99!

Wild child Rachel is having a week so terrible, not even a pitcher of margaritas will help. When her evil boss shows up on her doorstep with a sob story, her request to stay a few nights turns into a whole lot more. She can’t even escape into some of her favorite haunts in the Quarter since she seems to have garnered the unwanted attention of some rabid readers. When her ghost-hunting assignment goes unexpectedly awry, Rachel unknowing releases a vengeful spirit.

Enduring a wicked houseguest and hiding from an over-enthusiastic fan all while trying to put a spirit back in her grave where she belongs is more challenging than sobriety during Mardi Gras. Can she and her family work some magick to put things right in the Crescent City or has Rachel bit off more veggie muffuletta than she can chew?

Graphic by IndieSage PR

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1KTzGMm
Book One: http://amzn.to/1JDrJd3
Enter: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/5440a354526/

YA series, Enhanced, by Courtney Farrell

The Enhanced Series, a BTS Red Carpet Award nominee and finalist, has a creative take on the dystopian YA genre that makes it stand out in the crowd of YA novels.


Enhanced by Courtney Farrell
$2.99

At the Institute, they breed people like livestock. One powerful doctor decides which children get to grow up, and which will die. Losers are dumped in the savage slum outside Institute walls. Those kids never come back. Sixteen-year-old Michelle is a perfect specimen, destined for a luxurious life as a breeder. When her brother and her boyfriend are both mysteriously culled from the breeding program, she jumps the wall to find them. Alone in the ghetto, she’s in trouble until handsome, streetwise Dillon stakes a claim to her. She’s mortified by her attraction to a Normal. But the doctor is using the missing boys in a twisted experiment, and she needs Dillon’s help to stop him. Michelle must rescue the boys, but a plague is spreading, the doctor is after her, and Dillon isn’t thrilled to help find her lost boyfriend.



Sacrificed by Courtney Farrell
$2.99

At the Institute, they breed the best and kill the rest. Sixteen-year-old Michelle is a survivor, but she’s a pawn in their game. A remote arctic military base mysteriously goes silent. The Institute’s founder needles his old enemy, the colonel, by sending teenagers to help. Michelle’s half-breed boyfriend Dillon makes the team, along with her hot ex, who won’t give her up. At the base, Norms attack. The rebels capture Michelle, but they’re not the brutal savages she imagined. Their cause is a just one. Will she take up arms against her own kind? Meanwhile, Dillon faces his own temptations. As a half-breed, he’d never succeed at Headquarters, but military doctors think he’s special. The colonel offers him a sweet deal, with money, status, and beautiful girls. All Dillon has to do is wipe out the Norms who are harboring Michelle.


About the Author:

Courtney Farrell is a biologist who turned her love of books into a career as an author. She has published fourteen nonfiction books and three exciting novels for young people. Her first novel, Enhanced, has been nominated for the 2015 BTS Red Carpet Award in the YA division. The sequel, Sacrificed, is a BTS Red Carpet Award finalist. Courtney lives with her husband and sons on a Colorado ranch where they enjoy a menagerie of horses, dogs, cats, and chickens.

Get the Most out of your Amazon Prime - Free Books!

Do you have an Amazon Prime membership? Did you know you can borrow books for free using that membership? You can, and I’ll tell you how.

You probably got Prime for the fast shipping. I know I did. But Amazon has been adding a lot of extras to go with your membership, and my favorite one is the Kindle Owners' Lending Library (KOLL).

You are entitled to borrow a maximum of one book a month from the KOLL. You can keep that book as long as you want it, but you must return it before you can borrow another.

How do you find books that are eligible? How do you borrow them instead of buying them? I made a few images for an easy tutorial using (warning: shameless marketing ahead!) my new book as an example.

Make sure your Kindle’s wireless connection is turned on. Then navigate to Amazon’s library. You can do this by going into the “Books” tab, then clicking on “Store” or by simply clicking the “Shop” button.

Here’s your Kindle library page! Of course you can buy books from here, but we’re talking freebies today, right? If you want to peruse the books available for lending, click on the drop down menu in the upper right. It looks like a little block of three lines. At the bottom of the menu, you’ll see “Kindle Owners’ Lending”. This will open a new screen. Window shop to your heart’s content. Find something awesome and new to try. Of course, if you already have a book in mind and you want to see if it is lendable, you can use the magnifying glass icon to look it up. Example: “Magick Charm Wells”. (I warned you I was shameless!)

     

   

Finally, here’s an example of a book page. See the button marked “Borrow for Free”? Go for it. It’ll tell you the book is downloading. It will also inform you that you can borrow a new book again one month from today (remember you have to return this one first). That’s it!

It’s really easy, there are tons of books to borrow, and it’s a great way to try out a new author. Oh yeah, and it’s free. We all love that!

Go forth, my literary friends, and borrow! If you like the book, consider buying it, reading more of the author’s work, and/or reviewing it. Enjoy your new reads!

Series Recommendation: The Last Keeper's Daughter by Rebecca Trogner

If you’re looking for a unique take on the paranormal genre with stellar world building, check out The Last Keeper's Daughter series. Rebecca Trogner delivers a compelling blend of vampires, romance, and mystery you'll love reading.


The Last Keeper’s Daughter by Rebecca Trogner
$2.99

Lily Ayres is the privileged daughter of an old moneyed family. She is young, beautiful, and a talented horsewoman. All of which are enviably qualities, but few know that beneath this thin veneer of societal perfection lies a deeply troubled young woman. For Lily rarely speaks and is incapable of normal, human interaction. Unable to understand why she is this way, she further retreats inside herself, until memories and suppressed emotions begin to bubble to the surface. Murder, revelations of her family's hidden purpose and dark secrets are revealed as she is thrust into the supernatural world of Krieger Barnes, Vampire King of North America.




The Last Guardian Rises by Rebecca Trogner
$2.99

Lily Ayres, Sanguis Ancilla to Krieger Barnes, has retreated into her work in the royal archives, hiding from the king and the intense emotions he arouses in her. How long can she deny the desire she feels for him?

Krieger Barnes, Vampire King of North America, has shared his blood with Lily, his kingdom, and his heart. Unable to resist the pull of her being any longer, he commands her to his chambers determined to make her his, in all ways.

Merlin, the King's advisor, is struggling to contain the dark magic which flows within him and the knowledge of what must be done.




About the Author:

Rebecca Trogner lives in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, and frequently crosses the Blue Ridge Mountains that were the inspiration for Krieger's home. She always dreamed of being a writer, but got sidetracked by the day-to-day adventures of life. With the encouragement of her family, she has finished her first novel and is currently writing the next book in The Last Keeper's Daughter series. Rebecca lives with her husband and son, and a rescue dog named Giblet. To find out more about the author visit www.rebeccatrogner.com.

YA Titles You'll Want to Read Right Now!

A number of my very talented colleagues have been releasing new books you simply have to check out. If you’re a fan of the young adult genre, be sure to put The Boogeyman and Speak of the Devil on your TBR list.

Check back soon for more of my book recommendations!


The Boogeyman by Lillie J. Roberts
$3.99

The nightmare begins…
Two girls lost on a lonely country road. 
One killer thrilled with an unexpected opportunity.
Two families desperate to find their lost children.
One girl…lost
One girl remains…
Until a young boy joins her…
And discovers the Boogeyman is real.









About the Author:

Lillie J. Roberts is a multi-published, Amazon best-selling author who loves to read as much as she does to write. You can most often find her lost in her favorite genre, whether it be a hardback/paperback or an ebook (or maybe she's writing one), especially on road trips. She writes Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, Chillers/Thrillers, Suspense from Modern Contemporary to New Adult and YA.

She lives in central Illinois with her husband, three children, and one wild Westie (who is usually her reading partner, he also listens to all her new story ideas, almost always with a wicked sense of humor). She loves movies and listens to them while she writes, it doesn't matter if they're old or new, as long as they're engaging. She loves all kinds of music, especially if it has a hard driving beat. You'll find some on her favorite artists mentioned in the pages of her books.



Speak of the Devil by Shawna Romkey
$2.99

What happens when falling in love and falling from grace collide?

After dying in a car accident with her two best friends, Lily miraculously awakens to grief and guilt. She escapes to her dad’s to come to terms with the event and meets some people at her new school who seem all too eager to help her heal. Sliding deeper into sorrow and trying to fight her feelings for two of them, she discovers who…what they really are and learns they are falling too.

Can she find the strength to move on from the past, reconcile her feelings for Luc, figure out how to stop a divine war with fallen angels, and still pass the eleventh grade?




About the Author:

Shawna grew up around farms in the heart of Missouri but went to the University of Kansas, was raised in the US but now lives on the ocean in Nova Scotia with her husband, two sons and two rescue dogs, one of which is an overgrown puppy from hell. She's a non-conformist who follows her heart.

She has her BA in creative writing from the University of Kansas where one of her plays was chosen by her creative writing professor to be produced locally, and two of her short stories were published in a university creative arts handbook. She earned her MA in English from Central Missouri State University where she wrote a novel as her thesis.

She's taught English at the university and secondary levels for close to twenty years and can't quite fathom how all of her students have grown up, yet she's managed to stay the same. She's a huge geek and fan of Xena, Buffy and all kick ass women, and loves to write stories that have strong female characters.

Magick Charm Now Available on #Kindle! (#pnr #iartg)

Magick Charm on Kindle for $2.99

It’s official! My first book, Magick Charm, was re-released a week ago. It’s my first self-pub effort, and I’ve been busy figuring out all the details and getting everything set up and out there.

Now I’m busy working on several new things. I’m editing a novella that occurs about three months after Magick Charms ends. Voodoo Magick is a story about Officer Megan Beaty and a murder case that hits a little too close to home. After that, I’ll be working on two major rewrites. The first one is the second New Orleans Magick book. The second is a rewrite of the first book I ever completed. But I’m keeping the rest of the details of that project under wraps for now.

Recently, several of the authors from my former publishing house have been releasing new books. I’m going to take some time over the next several weeks to tell you about them. Please check them out and pick up a couple new reads!

Magick Charm Re-release Cover Reveal

             I’m excited to show everyone my new cover for Magick Charm! This book was originally released about four years ago, and the rights have recently been returned to me. I’ve been working hard at polishing up this second edition, and I’m proud to be self-publishing it on April 1.

            While I loved the original cover, I wanted a new look and something that will have continuity with the upcoming covers in this series. Luckily, I have a close friend, Samantha Harvey, who’s also a graphic design whiz, and I asked her for help. I absolutely love what she came up with and I’m sure you will too!

            We discovered two fantastic images on Flickr that were combined into the final cover photo. Bourbon Street at night was taken by Sara Kelly and the twin lightning bolts picture was taken by Broderick Delaney. You can find the links to their work and their pages below.

            If you’re looking for a cover design artist or website designer, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Samantha Harvey at contact[at]13magickalmoons.com. I’m looking forward to seeing what she comes up with for my upcoming titles Gypsy Magick and Free Spirit!

            In the meantime, it’s only 12 days until Magick Charm is re-released!

   by  MsSaraKelly 

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   by  wxcasterphx 

Hurricane Preparedness

We’ve made it through the latest hurricane with minimal damage – maybe a tiny leak in the window – but no power outages and no flooding or anything truly bad. We got lucky. Yes, we live inland, but many of our local friends have been without power for a day now, not to mention the reports I’m hearing of trees falling on houses, cars, fences… And that’s just here in Northern Virginia. I feel awful for those people in the hard hit areas of Virginia, New Jersey, New York, and everyone else in the path of the storm.

Certainly, we didn’t do well in this storm because of any decent level of preparedness on my part. Here’s what my hurricane kit looked like:

Let me give you a run-down on it.

• Water – This was John’s contribution, likely the most useful item here if we actually had lost power.
• Flashlight – Necessary if I want to read my…
• Kindle – When in doubt, read.
• Candle and lighter – Yankee Cozy Cabin scent.
• Settlers of Catan – An excellent board game that can be played by fall-fragranced candlelight in the event of a power outage.
• Rum – For when we truly get bored.
• Cat laser – For when the cats get bored.

Yes, I know. Pathetic. But you gotta think about cat entertainment when a massive hurricane is headed in your direction! What non-essential things made it to your hurricane kit this week?

Blogfest 2012

Welcome to Blogfest 2012! Each blog is giving away a prize, plus there’s a grand giveaway too! Visit as many blogs as you want from September 28-30 to participate. Here’s a few blogs to check out, and make sure you go to A Journey of Books for the entire list of participants!

Hildie McQueen – Writing by Moonlight 

A Passion for Romance 

Leeswammes’ Blog

At Home With Books

Becky Wicks

What am I giving away? An autographed copy of my new paranormal romance novel, Practically Dreaming! You'll also get this nifty pile of swag, including a custom book tote, a set of romance trading cards for both Practically Dreaming and my first novel, Magick Charm, bookmarks, and a charm.

About Practically Dreaming:

In a Zodiac-based world, finding a mate is easy. Falling in love is the hard part.

Astrology influences almost everything, from career choice to where people live. Even romantic matches are based solely on astrological compatibility and determined by the infallible Council of Venus.

Animal psychic Tierra has every reason to trust the Council save one. Her match with fellow Virgo, Evander, works better on paper than in person. But she stubbornly hangs on, believing their relationship will grow and develop, all the while trying to rationalize her feelings to Lachlan.

Veterinarian and Reiki master, Lachlan, hides a secret, which has kept him single for more than two years. This Pisces dreams of a happily ever after with Tierra, but believes it’s impossible for him.

Tierra and Lachlan must confront their doubts, differences, and society’s belief in the Council. Will they defy the odds and choose each other? Does astrological certainty eclipse the chance to fall in love?

To enter my contest, fill out the entry below. The only requirement is that you follow my blog, but there are a few options if you want additional entries to the contest. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Book Birthday to Goddess on the Run and The False Gwenevere!

Two new Crescent Moon Press books are being released today! Happy book birthday, Marne Ann and Suzanne!

Goddess on the Run by Marne Ann Kirk

All Fomorian Hells are about to break loose on earth, making human souls the daily special, if the Tuatha de Danaan can’t stop it.

Teagan, a Celtic demi-goddess hiding from her destiny in small-town Colorado, wants nothing to do with her mother’s forgotten realm or the drama of a battle of the gods. And Merric is forbidden fruit she’s too smart to taste.

Merric, leader of the Tuatha de Danaan warriors, has other plans. Teagan holds the key to salvation, for both him and their worlds, whether she wants to or not. He’ll do whatever it takes to convince her of her duty.

But can he find the key to her heart?

About the author:

Marne Ann Kirk lives in Western Colorado, where her husband, children, grand-children, and a herd of small animals ride roughshod over her or at least she lets them think they do. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, which she uses a bit as a writer and much less as a wife and mother. When she isn't escaping into the worlds her imagination creates, Marne can be found trying to get the last three of seven children safely through their teen years, playing with her grand-babies, baking, daydreaming in her garden, or learning to blog. Her favorite authors, Christine Feehan, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Lyndsay Sands, and Kresley Cole, inspire her. Marne is a member of Romance Writers of America, and its Future, Fantasy, & Paranormal chapter. She is the Vice President of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers for 2011, of which she's been a member since 2002.

You can find Marne hanging out with some close friends and fellow writers at: 
Cowboys and Dragons at the Cafe.

Marne Ann Kirk’s website

Buy the paperback

Buy the Kindle version

The False Gwenevere by Suzanne Shanken

Imagine living with hundreds of people in a large fortress, but you are practically invisible. This is the life of Gaenor aka Nora, an outcast fey child rejected by her mother and abandoned by her father. After her twin sister, Gwenevere, marries King Arthur, Nora journeys to Annwn and is now the center of attention for the first time in her life. For everyone but Nora believes she is part of a long awaited fey legend.

Merlyn sends Lancelot after Nora fearing that she is in danger. But Nora's not like the other damsels Lancelot's known. They were merely a means to an end; damsels rescued at Merlyn's behest in order to uncover the mysteries of his own lost past. However, Nora possesses courage and determination, compelling Lancelot to break his rule about avoiding romantic complications.

Once in Annwn, the pair must unite against an evil sorcerer who threatens everything.

About the author:

Suzanne received a university scholarship by winning a short story contest and earned bachelor degrees in both British Archeology and Ancient Religions. Her love of writing found a home in the university newspaper and while student teaching creative writing classes. Suzanne studied Arthurian legends extensively in college. Her goal was to write tales where the Arthurian women are good and not depicted as villains.

She is currently working on another fantasy romance about Morgana le Fey. In this story, Morgana is the protagonist, instead of the usual plots with her being an evil sorcerer.

As a history buff, Suzanne enjoys attending Renaissance Faires where she participates in battle reenactments and archery competitions. She lives 7,000 feet up in the mountain community of Big Bear Lake, California where primitive nature is a constant inspiration for expanding her metaphysical studies.

Suzanne Shanken’s website

Buy the paperback

Buy the Kindle version