Phoenix Entertainment and Development

Phoenix Entertainment and Development

Saturday, July 30, 2016

Spotlight: 31 Ghost Novels to Read Before You Die by Deb Atwood



"As readers of Deb Atwood’s blog Pen In Her Hand know, Atwood is passionate about ghost fiction. Since 2011, Atwood has read, re-read, and written about ghost literature. 31 Ghost Novels to Read Before You Die presents a selection of the best of these posts. 

Among the books discussed are old favorites (The Turn of the Screw by Henry James, The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson) as well as some indie gems few people will know about (The 20’s Girl, the Ghost, and All That Jazz by June Kearns). There are ghost novels for every reader, in genres ranging from historical to literary to romance. "





Deb Atwood holds an MFA and lives in California with her husband and rescue dog Nala. Her time-slip novel Moonlight Dancer was selected as a front page Featured Review by Book Ideas. Deb's work has appeared in numerous anthologies. Her interests include ghost fiction, Korean culture, quilting, and, of course, reading.


Connect with the Author here: 
 ~ Website ~ Twitter ~

So, here's the question: Was my insomnia the result of an inability to abandon Bag of Bones until the final sentence?
Probably.
All I know is the night I started Stephen King’s novel, 2:53 AM found me munching cheddar cheese rice crackers and ploughing through page after page of Bag of Bones.
I was in love with this story from the first, empathizing with writer Mike Noonan as he struggles to come to terms with his wife's untimely death. I could not help but root for widow Mattie, her precocious daughter Kyra, and Mike who falls in love with both of them and joins their battle against a heartless and powerful grandfather.
I have to say that two thirds of the way through the book, the narrative veered into dark territory, and I experienced reader shock. My mistake. This is, after all, Stephen King. What began as a sweet damsel in distress love story (I don't mean that in a pejorative sense as Mattie possesses plenty of spunk and courage and strength) of the good guy vs. bad guy variety morphed into GOOD vs. EVIL on a magnified scale. (I’m thinking of the Richter scale here, and yes, I was quaking.)



To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page 



Thursday, July 28, 2016

Book Review: Accent Hussy by V. Kelly

About the Author

V. Kelly grew up in Reno, Nevada.
She now lives in Oklahoma where her family takes up most of her time. Not to mention a full time job, she writes in her spare time to break of the insanity of it all.
V. has always had the writing bug, but it wasn't until July 2, 2015, that her dream of becoming a published author finally came true. Writer of Contemporary romance, Erotic romantic comedies and everything in between, V's main focus is making people laugh.

If you love to laugh, smile, and have a good time while reading a book.
Then V. Kelly is for you! 

Check out more about V. Kelly and her books on Amazon.com




Accent Hussy
(It Had 2 B U Book 2)

I LOVE accents!
I HATE Caleb Conaway.
It’s true, I despise him! Caleb Conaway is an unaccented pain in my ass. No matter how many times I tell the sexy boxer I’m not interested in him, he just doesn’t listen to me. People call me an Accent Hussy. That’s because I’m only attracted to men with sexy accents, dripping in butter, oozing with sex and hit me straight in the vagina. Yup, that’s EXACTLY what I'm looking for. Caleb’s voice does nothing for me; it assaults my ear drums and makes me want to gouge out my eyeballs. I finally thought I got away from him, until a foolish date with a sexy Irishman ends with me arrested . . .

All I wanted was to complete my community service and go home. What I didn’t expect was to fall in love with the kids at the Youth Center or run into the one man that I love to hate . . . Caleb Conaway.

They say that every person has an Achilles’ Heel. I just wasn’t expecting mine to be Caleb Conaway.
 Pick up this incredible book on Amazon



Review 5 out of 5 *****

I read the first book in this series, Innuendo, and it was great. Book 2 in the series was even better. I love the comedic wit of V. Kelly in her books which really shows her characters' personalities. I was laughing through half the book because of how Everly and Caleb acted towards each other, but I think the priceless moments belong to Everly's parents who had hysterical. The book itself was very well written, and I am definitely looking forward to the third installment of this series.





Saturday, July 23, 2016

Great Summer Countdown Day 12: Donna Hatch




Donna Hatch, author of the best-selling “Rogue Hearts Series,” has won writing awards such as The Golden Quill and the International Digital Award. A hopeless romantic and adventurer at heart, she is a sought-after workshop presenter, and juggles multiple volunteer positions and her six children. A native of Arizona who recently transplanted to the Pacific Northwest, she and her husband of over twenty years are living proof that there really is a happily ever after.


Q&A With the Author:


5.    What is your favorite part of writing?
The first few chapters of the rough draft are the most fun. Usually that evil little voice hasn't started talking to me yet--you know, that little voice that whispers it's not good enough? Yeah, that one. Getting a jump on it is great for my ego. The first few chapters of a rough draft is also the point where I have not yet realized that I don't have a very well thought-out plot. Ah, that part is bliss.

6.     Do you have any advice for other writers?

1. Don't listen to that evil little voice. 2. Finish the rough draft before you begin revisions. 3. Accept advice and critiques with grace and humility, even if you don't plan to do what they suggest you do. 

Connect with the Author here: 


"Determined to help her father with his political career, Jocelyn sets aside dreams of love. When she meets the handsome and mysterious Grant Amesbury, her dreams reawaken. But his secrets put her family in peril.                                                 Grant goes undercover to capture conspirators avowed to murder the prime minister, but his only suspect is the father of a courageous lady who is growing increasingly hard to ignore. He can’t allow Jocelyn to distract him from the case, nor will he taint her with his war-darkened soul. She seems to see past the barriers surrounding his heart, which makes her all the more dangerous to his vow of remaining forever alone. Jocelyn will do anything to clear her father’s name, even if that means working with Grant. Time is running out. The future of England hangs in the balance...and so does their love."


~ Amazon ~ Amazon UK


Snippet:

“How can I thank you properly?” Jocelyn said.
Mr. Amesbury blinked as if unaccustomed to such an outpouring of gratitude. “No need. Their safety is enough. I enjoy administering a bit of justice now and again.”
The corner of his mouth twitched and an unholy gleam shimmered in the hardness of his eyes. For a fleeting moment, a vision of Grant Amesbury hunting down the criminal who’d attacked her and exacting some form of vengeance upon him flashed through her mind. He was like a rogue knight with his own code of honor and his own methods of justice.
Jocelyn studied Mr. Amesbury’s profile, fascinated with his cautious probing. He was so solemn, so intense. If only he’d smile. But no, perhaps it was best he didn’t. He’d probably be so handsome she would be rendered unable to utter an intelligent word.
When the butler opened the door to announce dinner, she said quietly, “I hope you don’t mind, Mr. Amesbury, but I’ve seated you next to me.”
He blinked as if he’d forgotten she stood next to him. “Why would I mind?”
She huffed out a self-deprecating laugh. “You seemed a bit ill at ease yesterday when you came for tea.”
His pale gray eyes passed over her. Again came that intensity. His hard edges softened. “Not because I object to your company, Miss Fairley.”
It was ridiculous, really, the warmth that wrapped around her like a blanket at his words. She probably grinned like some kind of silly schoolgirl. His crusty, protective barrier returned in his posture and his expression. How long would it take her to break open his emotional armor and find the real Grant Amesbury?


To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page 



Book Review: Redemption for Misty

About the Author:

Anne has written her entire life and has the boxes of angst-filled journals and poetry to prove it. She’s been writing for public consumption for the last four years. Currently she is writing two romance series. In Stories of Serendipity, she explores real people living real lives in small town Texas in a contemporary romance setting. In The Four Winds, she chronicles God’s four closest archangels, Uriel, Gabriel, Raphael, and Michael, falling in love and becoming human. She lives in rural East Texas with her husband and children in her own private oasis, where she prides herself in her complete lack of social skills, choosing instead to live with the people inside her head.
http://www.amazon.com/Anne-Conley/e/B00BL2P538/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1




 Redemption for Misty

A year ago Misty was kidnapped and left for dead in the floor of a dirty garage, when she was saved by the guys from Pierce Security. Since then, she’s been living with her brother to save money, while working to build up business for her coffee shop that donates proceeds to victims of violent crimes against women. But it’s a struggle
 https://www.amazon.com/Special-Forces-Operation-Redemption-Securities-ebook/dp/B01IS5QPVG/ref=


Rated 5 out of 5*****

This book was great. I loved the general feel of it. The pace of the story moved well, but sped up at the end, which made me want more from it. I thought Chris (Nova) was fun to read about, but wished there was a little more teasing of tension between he and Misty. I also wanted to read more about him, Crash and the other members of their platoon.
Although the story was a little shorter than expected, I loved the story and would love to read more.

Spotlight: Right Place, Right Time by Jennifer L. Allen


Right Place, Right Time

Book Two of the Second Chances Series
 by
 Jennifer L. Allen

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Kate Dumont is an achiever, completely focused on her future. Playing the role of brilliant pre-med student doesn't leave her much time for anything else. But is she working towards the future she wants, or the future her elitist parents have planned out for her?

Jay Spencer grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. He's made some mistakes, and one in particular will follow him around for the rest of his life. He spends most of his days keeping himself out of trouble by following his passion, riding and repairing motorcycles.

Two lost souls meet on the side of a South Carolina highway three years ago, neither one knowing what the other would eventually mean to them. Reunited in California, Kate and Jay feel a pull towards one another they cannot explain.

Will they help each other bring out the best in themselves? Or are their lives too different to even have a chance?



"Stupid, no good, piece of crap!" I wince as my sandaled foot comes into contact with the unforgiving tire of my hand-me-down Mercedes convertible. My scowl turns into a frown when I pull my foot back and see the black smudge across the white straps. This day just keeps getting worse!

I tip my head back, look up to the clouds, and pray for cell signal. When that doesn't work, I bargain. My first born ... my soul ... good behavior ... even better grades ...

No such luck.

I'm on a quiet stretch of the interstate, between Columbia and Greenville, where there have been too few passersby, not one of them kind enough to pull over and help the damsel in distress. And boy do I look the part of a damsel in distress in a white sundress and sandals with my long, dark blonde hair and big, doe-like brown eyes -- the picture of innocence.

If it weren't for the hot midday sun beating down on my shoulders, I'd probably be terrified. This whole situation has a classic serial killer vibe to it, add in darkness and I would not be standing outside my vehicle right now.

I lean back against the hot car and sigh. What a day. I drove all the way to Greenville to volunteer at a community clinic's event, just to be informed upon arrival that the event had been rescheduled. They'd posted a notice at the site, which is really helpful when you're one hundred miles away. I frown at my dirty sandal.

Stupid car. Yes, it's a Mercedes, but no, it's not brand new. It's a 1995 model passed down from my father. It has seen many, many better days in its lifetime. My dad has always taken very good care of his cars, hence the reason this fifteen-plus-year-old car is now mine. My parents may be mostly absent from my life, but my dad wouldn't have given me a beater for a car.

Truth is, I probably missed an oil change or something. Whatever. I don't know anything about cars. Ask me to recite all the bones in the human body and I'll do it. Ask me to name one part of a car and you'll get crickets I'm practically a genius, according to my latest IQ score administered by the director of the "gifted program" at my high school, so I'm sure the mechanics of a car wouldn't be too difficult for me to figure out and understand, but this is one of those instances where I'd rather succumb to the gender stereotypes and just play the clueless female role. There's enough information floating around in my brain without my choosing to add more, though part of me kind of wishes I at least knew how to pop my hood right about now.

Hearing the sound of a vehicle approaching behind me, I spin around to look. Smiling wide, I'm suddenly grateful for my vehicular ignorance and damsel in distress appearance. It's an older sedan, maybe not as old as my hand-me-down, but it doesn't appear to be as well kept. I can just make out that the driver is male through the dirty windshield.

Jeez. I hope he's not a serial killer or something! Seriously, Kate? You did not think this through at all.

I open my car door and busy myself looking for something that could be a potential weapon should this turn into Wrong Turn. Empty water bottle, a stack of flyers for another volunteer project I'm working on, a weathered copy of Gone with the Wind ... I eye the book. It's a hardback, it might be my best bet.

I hear a throat clear and pop my head up, narrowly missing bumping it on the roof of my car. I can only see his face over the roof of my car as he's standing on the passenger side, lower in the soft shoulder of the highway. My five foot two inch height doesn't help matters either. But wow, if his face is anything to go by, his body must be amazing. He has the most intense gray eyes, almost silver. His nose looks slightly crooked, like it's been broken once or twice, and he has a strong, squared jaw for subtle stubble. His hair is buzzed very short so I can't quite tell the color but it looks dirty blond, and he's hot--er--sweaty. Yeah, sweaty. His brow is glistening with it.

He's all man and my seventeen year old self doesn't quite know what to do with the attraction I feel. I have never felt so nervous around a guy before. Ever. I simply don't have time for this sort of thing. Not with my AP classes, studying, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and college applications. 

"Hey," I smoothly call out to him, if I do say so myself.

The corner of his mouth lifts in a slight smirk and butterflies take flight in my tummy He doesn't move to come around to my side of the car, which is just fine by me. If he were any closer, he'd see the slight trembling of my hands and he might actually hear the swarm of butterflies.

"Know anything about cars?"




 AUTHOR BIO

Jennifer lives in South Carolina with her husband and their four fur-kids She is in grad school, pursing a Masters in Psychology for Clinical Counseling. When she is not at work or taking classes, she is either reading or writing. Books have always been a passion. She also enjoys spending time with her family, traveling to new places, and music. She released her debut novel, Our Moon, in June 2015. 

 


Hosted by