Category Archives: Books

Cutthroats and Curses…ahoy there!

Ahoy there shipmates! If you’re looking for a swashbuckling, piratical tale…you need look no further…for ‘Cutthroats and Curses – An Anthology of Pirates’ is now out!

Cutthroats and Curses - An Anthology of Pirates

Cover art by Kit Cooper. Her art is also available to buy!

Featuring eleven great writers: Michael Wombat, Lisa Shambrook (yes, that’s me!), Boyd Miles, Marissa Ames, Bryan Taylor, Beth Avery, Matt Jameson, Eric Martell, Michael Walker, Stephen Coltrane, and Alex Brightsmith, there will be something for everyone!

My tale is: Paroxysm

A Steampunk tale of Captain Jericha Blacklocke’s bid to survive both catch twenty-two and a vengeful dragon to save her crew aboard The Paroxysm. A story thick with emotion and tension, corsets and longing, goggles and jewels, and a desire to survive and atone…

Pick up this intriguing eBook at Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon Canada or any other Amazon near you!

Go on, me hearty, put it on your Kindle, or phone, or Ipad – something to read in the sun, or the rain this Summer, depending on where you live!

And, before you landlubbers leave, check out The Anthology Club‘s excellent debut release ‘Soul of the Universe’ with reviews such as:

‘This collection was absolutely breathtaking, and has introduced me to some new genres I wasn’t overly familiar with, and showed the extraordinary range of writing styles that all bring their own meaning to a story.’ – Sorcha

and: ‘Soul of the Universe is a collection of stunning short stories that can leave you smiling, crying or just in a state of wonder.’ – BekahCat

My Creative Process – The Grand Blog Tour

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Thanks go to Nettie Thomson for nominating me for this Blog Tour…I got asked when it was named My Writing Process, but I was too busy to take part, so this second chance is much appreciated! Go take a look at Nettie’s answers here, then see what I’m doing…

Writing © Lisa Shambrook

What are you working on?

Right now I’m editing ‘Beneath the Old Oak’ and I’m very appreciative of beta readers! Sometimes you can be too close to your story and your writing and only someone else can catch the little things – or maybe the big things…

‘Beneath the Old Oak’ is the sequel to my debut novel ‘Beneath the Rainbow’ and continues seven years later following Meg, Freya’s best friend. Meg is now fourteen and her life is in turmoil. This story is close to my heart. They say write what you know – many of both Meg’s and her mother’s problems are things I’ve fought and done myself. Depression and anxiety affect entire families, not just the sufferers, and it’s a subject I’ve enjoyed tackling. Those who know my writing will appreciate a tough subject, but dealt with in an uplifting way.

The tentative blurb for ‘Beneath the Old Oak’ is:

‘Meg’s mother is anxious, depressed and neglectful. Meg thinks her mum is broken and wonders if she’ll be next, or is she already broken too? Meg wants to escape, but her mum beats her to it. Solace is found in a huge, old oak tree and Meg begins to learn to grow…’

Prior to resuming my editing, I’ve been writing flash fiction and enjoying submitting to contests and anthologies: Audiomachine’s Phenomena: Epic Heroes Event, The Anthology Club’s Pirate Anthology, Dirty Goggles 2014 and J.A.Mes Press Rebirth Anthology to name a few, along with traditional flash challenges like Blues Buster and Five Sentence Fiction.

World Book Day © Lisa Shambrook

How does your work differ from others of its genre?

I write eclectic flash fiction and enjoy experimenting with genres!

‘Beneath the Rainbow’ is placed in contemporary fiction, but it’s been enjoyed by everyone from 9 to 99 years old. ‘Beneath the Old Oak’ will hit the market as YA contemporary fiction.

How does my work differ? My writing definitely has its own voice, vibrant, lyrical and emotional. I work with the senses, description and colour, and my imagery stands out. If you really want to ‘feel’ what you read, try mine…

Why do you write/create what you do?

I write because it’s an urge I cannot deny. I’d go mad if I couldn’t lay down my thoughts on paper! I’m a creative soul, I need an outlet and it takes whatever forms my inspiration demand, from art to short stories, scrapbooking to photography, and craft to novels…

Notebooks everywhere © Lisa Shambrook

How does your writing/creative process work?

My heart is in control of my process, and I often have to rein it in, or nothing would get done!

I keep my inspirations jotted down, but generally only work on one big project at a time. Right now I will finish and release ‘Beneath the Old Oak’, and then work on the final book ‘Beneath the Distant Star’ which waits in its first draft form.

After that…who knows? I have a lovely children’s dragon adventure trilogy, and an epic dragon fantasy in the works…

I’m a planner. NaNoWriMo taught me discipline and that I need to plan! I pretty much work out a novel with a chapter-by-chapter plan, which will then spawn scenes and then writing. I also keep scrupulous notebooks of information eg: chronology, dates and times of sunsets/rises, flowers in season, character info, eye colour…it’s so easy to switch eye colour half way through a book, or a car model…been there!

My heart will determine my next work…

Flowers_Fairywings_Wood_Anemone_Last_Krystallos

Fairywings Anemone © Lisa Shambrook

What I love about this Blog Tour is all creatives are catered for…and you need to look out for the following on the 26^th when they take the baton for this tour:

Amanda Makepeace: www.amandamakepeace.com Her art is not to be missed!

Ruth Long: www.ruth-long.com Her words just blow me away!

Bekah Shambrook: www.bekahcat.wordpress.com If you want scary zombie make up, she’s your girl!

Website © Lisa Shambrook

You can also check out my website: www.lisashambrook.com

And find ‘Beneath the Rainbow’ on Amazon UK and Amazon US.

Rebirth: Spring Symphony

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A Spring tale of rebirth for J.A.Mes Press Rebirth Anthology. All proceeds will go to a UK Stroke Charity.

Spring Symphony

Spring Symphony © Lisa Shambrook

Spring shivered in delight as Jack’s intoxicating cloud of glitter eddied about her. She stared in awe at his ethereal design, an ice tattoo, shimmering like frozen lace across her scales. “Stay a little longer…” she begged, her work forgotten as she trembled beneath the newly painted webs of frost and feathers of rime that now patterned her violet wings. The cold wind whispered in her ear, but she snubbed the wind’s wise words, snorted and called after the playful pixie instead, “Wait! Wait for me!”

Jack grinned and ran his fingers through his silver hair, eyeing the dragon with amusement. He hopped up onto her back, over her spines and nestled between her vast wings. She launched into the air leaving a sparkling trail in her wake. She rose above shimmering trees, above the deep evergreens and ascended into fluffy clouds. She climbed until the air sent thrilling chills across her hide and her eyes shone as adrenalin pumped. Jack whooped and wrapped his arms around her neck and frost danced across her rainbow scales. For the first time in a long time, Spring felt more invigorated than ever before.

…

This is a preview to the story that can be found within A Symphony of Dragons. It has become one part of my symphony, a composition, of A Symphony of Seasons… You can find this enchanting book of short stories in many outlets in both paperback and eBook or at my publisher BHC Press.

Read previews to Autumn’s and Winter’s tales: Autumn Flame and Winter Hope.

Mother’s Day: Give an enchanting gift…

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Your mother’s heart will be captured as this uplifting tale charms her…give her an enchanting gift for Mother’s day this year!

Mother’s Day is a time to think of families and flowers…so give the gift of an enchanting book this Mother’s Day. ‘Beneath the Rainbow’ is on sale from 23rd to 30th March on Amazon. Kindle UK £1.35 and US $2.25. Also available in paperback.

“This unforgettable novel combines the imagery of poetry with the simplicity of a fairy tale to create a story that steals your heart from the first sentence and refuses to let go.” – Lara Hays, author of the ‘Oceanswept Chronicles’

Note: Mothering Sunday is on Sunday 30th March in the UK and Sunday 11th May in the US and much of the rest of the world.

New Release! Bound by Time by A.D. Trosper

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Bound by Time is a YA paranormal romance by A.D. Trosper, the bestselling author of the epic fantasy series,

Dragon’s Call. Once again, I have to thank Blue Harvest Creative for everything they do and for the incredibly beautiful book they have designed. From cover to cover, they outdid themselves.

Can he save her this time or are they bound to be separated for eternity…

Isobel Moore is looking forward to spending her summer break alone while her parents are overseas. Until she returns from college to find her home isn’t quite the welcoming place it used to be. The stained glass window her parents installed is more than just a beautiful piece of history; something sinister is sealed within the colored glass.

When Isobel meets her new neighbor, Damien DeLuca, she discovers the gorgeous and mysterious stranger has plenty of his own secrets. Including the knowledge of what’s happening in her home.

As her world spins out of control, she unravels a past that not only tests her limits, but also everything she thought she knew. The darkness within the window yearns to be free and it will do anything to escape—including killing Isobel.

Click HERE for a quick preview of the front and back covers and peek at the interior

Buy now in either E-BOOK or PAPERBACK or visit the AUTHOR PAGE

About A.D. Trosper

Writer, mother, ruler of the world inside her head.

A.D. Trosper is the author of the bestselling, award winning Dragon’s Call series. The first and second books are already out under the titles Embers at Galdrilene and Tears of War. She has also written a children’s book and has three books planned for release in 2014. A.D. enjoys writing in a variety of genres including epic fantasy, urban fantasy, and paranormal romance.

An avid lover of animals, she has rescued and rehabbed horses, goats, dogs and cats. When not writing, she spends time with her family and pets. She is convinced chocolate is a necessary food group and magic is real (not always the way we think it is, but real nonetheless).

You can connect with her at her

Blog

or on

Facebook

Beneath the Rainbow Book Talk: WI

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Yesterday, I hid my nerves and set out for my very first book talk.
Last November our local WI (Women’s Institute) booked me for a talk about ‘Beneath the Rainbow’ and I spent time deciding how to present my book to its best effect.

Lisa_Shambrook_Beneath_the_Rainbow_display_March_2014

WI Display ‘Beneath the Rainbow’

I took Bekah, my daughter along for support, and we arrived early to set up, then we relaxed while the ladies went through their business meeting. This not only helped to keep me calm but meant I was able to gauge my audience. This was a lovely group of ladies, and they matched the WI theme ‘Inspiring Women’…it was great to give my first presentation to such a positive and supportive group!

I introduced myself and talked of my love of reading, writing, and creativity, before moving onto my book and its central themes. I chose to use photographs and pictures, including some from my book trailer, to illustrate my talk. This served two purposes: to allow me prompts on their reverse and to engage the audience with images. Images are so intrinsic to the way you want to paint with words that pictures are a really good prop, and were received with enthusiasm.

Lisa_Shambrook_WI_Talk_audience_march_2014

WI book presentation

I mingled questions in regard to the book themes to the audience during the talk to encourage interaction and got a great response. I closed by reading an excerpt of the book. It is heartening and incredibly reassuring to receive nods, and smiles, and applause!

Lisa_Shambrook_Chapter_excerpt_WI_Talk_march_2014

Author Lisa Shambrook reading ‘Beneath the Rainbow’ excerpt

I then opened the floor to questions, and enjoyed sharing my answers with these lovely ladies. Questions included:
Do I write shorthand on paper or on a computer?
What age range is my book suitable for?
Do I have any specific writing qualifications?
How did I get published?
Am I writing a sequel or any further book?

The WI showed me much warmth and invited me to draw for their raffle and to judge their ‘favourite book’ competition. I was congratulated on my confidence, my display and my presentation! My nerves didn’t show and I am very grateful for my history of teaching at church, which has allowed me confidence in front of a group!

I handed out free ‘Beneath the Rainbow’ bookmarks and chat with the women, made a few paperback sales and signed books!
I have much appreciation for this group of women who made my first presentation enjoyable and fun. I am now confidently available for further talks and book chats! Check out my website: lisashambrook.com for details and how to contact me.

Note: March 6th is WORLD BOOK DAY and ‘Beneath the Rainbow’ will be on offer on Kindle at just 77p or $0.99 AmazonUK and Amazon US

Lisa Shambrook World Book Day 2014 Quote

World Book Day March 6th 2014

Red Nails: New Book Release for D.C. Legendre

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With Valentine’s Day only just gone…grab an opportunity for a fun romance with D. C. Legendre’s new release ‘Red Nails’. I thought I’d take a moment to get to know this lovely new author:

How long have you been writing, and when did you decide to write a novel?
I’ve been writing since I was a child. I remember writing a short science fiction story when I was eleven years old and received an “A”. I was so surprised! I had ideas for a historical romance novel in high school and still have the notes I made. Over the years I have written fairytales and short stories that are yet to be published. “Red Nails” came to me several years ago but it is not until this point in time that I chose to publish it as it is. And, the name for the novel came to me on a long drive late one night last fall and afterwards I realized it should have been so obvious. I did a “word search” on my manuscript that night and the references to “red” and “nails” were unbelievable. I will admit the story is intense but the circumstances of the story will allow the reader to see the reason behind this as they “experience” the novel.

Share one positive thing writing does for you?
Writing allows me to share my memories, imagination and feelings in the hope that somewhere along the way even one person will find a bit of understanding in their own life. I always hope that I will bring a moment of joy or hope to the reader in some way.

‘Red Nails’ sounds like a hot read, just right for Valentine month, how would you like to be romanced?
I would love to meet and be loved by someone who will accept me for “me”. In the end, I think we all hope for this. Sometimes we think we have found it, but then it disappears. I would love to meet someone in the midst of a thunderstorm in a beautiful castle and find a love that lasts forever. A dream to hope for…..if this happens I will consider writing a sequel!

Cover design by
Blue Harvest Creative

Blurb:

Red. It becomes the color that Hunter sees every day. After fifteen years of marriage, her husband, Jon, leaves her and their life behind. Hunter is left with the revelation that only she can find the truth behind all the comments about red nails, blonde hair and what happened to her fairytale marriage. One night she discovers a clue on a credit card statement and creates an alter-ego to tempt Jon… into a relationship that will be a source of laughter, discovery, fantasy, and tears. Intense innuendo is the basis for their communications and she learns more than she ever thought possible about herself and Jon. Red Nails is a story of endings and new beginnings and one of beautiful memories and hope for the future.

D. C. Legendre is a freelance writer, aspiring fundraiser and designer who lives in New England. Thunderstorms, fairytales, and castles are some of her favorite things, as well as uncovering the mysteries in life. She believes without a doubt that life is an endless journey of the heart.

Available now on Kindle AmazonUK, Amazon.com and paperback.

Wind Chime Café by Sophie Moss: New Release

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If you loved ‘The Seal Island‘ Trilogy by Sophie Moss then you’re in for a treat with her brand new book in The Heron Island series.

*Note: If you haven’t got lost within the selkie myths and legends…go buy The Seal Island Trilogy and rectify your omission…fast…you’ll thank me for it!

Today sees the release of ‘Wind Chime Café’.

Wind Chime Café by Sophie Moss
Adult Contemporary Romance

When single mother, Annie Malone, purchases a quirky Main Street café on Heron Island, she thinks she’s finally turned her dream of opening her own restaurant into a reality. Hearing rumors that a developer is about to build a five-star resort on the sleepy Chesapeake Bay island, she plans to transform the café into a premier upscale bistro. But Navy SEAL, Will Dozier, has no intention of selling his grandparents’ property to a developer. Back on Heron Island for the first time in ten years and secretly struggling with PTSD, Will decides that a fling with the new girl is the perfect way to help him “get his head straight.” The last thing Will expects is to fall in love…with his hometown and with Annie. But Will’s life and career are in San Diego with the SEALs. Can Annie’s love and the healing magic of the island be enough to convince him to stay?

Available on Kindle and in Print as of 7th Feb 2014.
Find the book on Goodreads.

Sophie is also running a giveaway with $50 Amazon Gift Card and Three Signed Paperbacks (ebooks if winners live outside US & Canada) on Rafflecopter…please enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was lucky enough to be given an ARC copy of ‘Wind Chime Café’ which I devoured as soon as I could! This is my review:

‘A beautiful story which hooked me immediately with an opening that pulled on my heartstrings.
We begin with Annie, a single mother, arriving on Heron Island searching for a new beginning with her daughter. The author’s beautiful words weave an intricate and believable relationship between mother and child, and hint at a damaged past as they try to renovate a local café.
Then we meet Will, a rough and ready Navy SEAL, battling his own demons.
Can Heron Island provide safety and more?
The author has a way with words that draws you deep into life on the island and connects you with her characters. Every character is well drawn and fully developed to the point that you become part of them and their dreams. Gorgeous detail and imagery bring Heron Island to life setting you right within the story, making you twirl like a butterfly as the island infuses your senses. Taste the ocean, see the colours and inhale the aroma of sweet cinnamon rolls. You’ll hear crashing waves and the story will touch you, leaving you wanting more…’

Sophie Moss is an award-winning author of four full-length romance novels. Known for her captivating Irish fantasy romances and heartwarming contemporary romances with realistic characters and unique island settings, her books have appeared twice in USA Today. As a former journalist, Sophie has been writing professionally for over ten years. She currently lives in San Diego, California, where she’s working on her next novel. When she’s not writing, she’s walking the beach, testing out a new dessert recipe, or fiddling in her garden. Sophie loves to hear from readers. Email her at sophiemosswrites@gmail.com or visit her website at sophiemossauthor.com

Connect with Sophie:

Website: http://www.sophiemossauthor.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SophieMossAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SMossWrites
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/sophiemoss/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5318290.Sophie_Moss

Composers for Relief: Beyond the Binding

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I recently wrote a piece for the ‘Composers for Relief Companion Collection’ ebook. I wrote to a beautiful piece of music called ‘Fighting Back’ by Dreammaker. This is my story: Fighting Back.

Now the ebook is here ‘Beyond the Binding’:

Embark on an exciting journey “Beyond the Binding” of the imagination with 29 authors from across the globe, in a groundbreaking collaboration where music meets fiction. Surrender to soaring compositions as they surge through the veins of every story, capturing the triumphant pulse of the notes in heart pounding sci fi, enchanting fantasy and gripping slices of realism.

Cover designed by Jennifer Redstreake Geary

All proceeds of the Composers for Relief album and Companion Collection ebook will go to Gawad Kalinga (“give care”) and GVSP (Gualandi Volunteer Service Programme), to support the relief efforts for victims of the deadliest natural disaster in Philippines’ history, Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

Ebook available from Amazon, Amazon UK, iTunes, B&N, Kobo, Sony, Diesel & Smashwords.

Composers for Relief album available on ITunes, Amazon, CDBaby & Spotify

Read more about this fantastic project and read Samantha Redstreake Geary’s gorgeous tale incorporating all the pieces of music on her website.

Press Release: Authors Supporting Our Troops

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Just sent a couple of my signed books to this worthy cause…and other writers who wish to can get involved. Authors Supporting Our Troops…

Rymfire Books

Rymfire author Armand Rosamilia, author of the Dying Days series, has launched the Authors Supporting Our Troops (A.S.O.T) book drive. Rosamilia is reaching out to fellow authors and publishers to seek donations of the authors’ books, signed, for distribution to United State Armed Forces stationed in Kuwait and Afghanistan. The author book drive for troops is currently underway and runs through April 1^st, 2014 but may be extended due to overwhelming response.

Message from Armand Rosamilia on Authors Supporting Our Troops Facebook page:

“I’ll be collecting fellow authors’ books to send to our troops stationed in Kuwait and Afghanistan in April. Interested in donating some of your books? The men and women of the Armed Forces love receiving signed books from authors to read and pass around while they’re over there! If you’re an author and want to help, join this page and then get in…

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