Thursday 31 May 2018

Cover Reveal: The Ghost In The Gardens by HL Carpenter...


Mirror World Publishing presents the cover reveal for The Ghost in the Gardens (A Flower Girl Mystery) by HL Carpenter.

About The Ghost in the Gardens:

Until the first spooky visit, ten year old Chrysantha Howe doesn't think about ghosts. She thinks about plants.

All.

The.

Time.

She has her future planned out, and that future includes plants. Chrys is going to be a plant scientist like her uncle and her favorite teacher, and she's determined to find the very rare Coralroot orchid.

The ghost is not in the plan.

But when her teacher disappears and the police suspect her uncle was involved, Chrys has to figure out what the ghost is trying to tell her—before it's too late.

Book Details:

Genre: Middle Grade Paranormal Mystery
Page Count: 152 pages
Publisher: Mirror World Publishing (http://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com/)

Pre-Order Links:

Mirror World Publishing


Meet the Author:


Florida-based mother/daughter author duo HL Carpenter writes family-friendly fiction. The Carpenters write from their studios in Carpenter Country, a magical place that, like their stories, is unreal but not untrue. When they’re not writing, the Carpenters enjoy exploring the Land of What-If and practicing the fine art of Curiosity. Visit HLCarpenter.com to enjoy gift reads and excerpts and to find out what’s happening in Carpenter Country.

Connect with HL Carpenter:





Monday 28 May 2018

Recipe and Read of the Month: DATE NIGHT DINNERS; Meals to Make Together for a Romantic Evening by Sloane Taylor...

In anticipation for Sloane Taylor’s upcoming new cookbook, DATE NIGHT DINNERS; Meals to Make Together for a Romantic Evening, here are two quick and easy meals that is sure to impress your special someone, family and friends. BTW – this cookbook makes the perfect gift for bridal and baby showers, and as an added bonus for a wedding gift basket filled with cooking utensils, gift cards or ingredients. Bon Appetit!

Allen0417 Pixabay
SAUTÉED SEA SCALLOPS

1 lb. sea scallops
1 ½ tbsp. olive oil
2 tbsp. butter
2 tsp. garlic, chopped
Freshly ground pepper to taste
¼ cup dry white wine
1 tsp. chives, snipped for garnish

Have everything measured and ready to go before you start cooking. This recipe only takes a few minutes so you must be prepared.
 
Preheat oven to 210° F.

Rinse and pat dry the scallops.

Add olive oil and butter to a frying pan set on medium-high heat. Add the scallops when the foam subsides. Sear 2 – 4 minutes per side. Make sure they are golden edging into brown before you turn them.

Add garlic when you turn the scallops.

When they have reached the proper color, remove the scallops to a bowl and set in the oven to keep warm while you make the sauce.

Spoon out the garlic from the frying pan. Skim off some of the fat that has floated to the top. Carefully add the wine, all the while scraping in any browned pieces on the sides and bottom of the pan. Cook until the mixture reduces by about ⅓.

Lay the scallops on a bed of orzo either on a platter or individual plates. Lace the sauce over the dish, top with chives and serve. Serve with sliced tomatoes, and a bottle of dry white wine. Be sure to drizzle plenty of sauce over the pasta.

CHICKEN STIR-FRY

A quick and tasty meal served over rice is perfect for those super busy days when you don’t want to spend a lot of time at the stove. Be sure to cook the rice first and keep warm in a 210° F oven while you make the chicken.

¼ cup olive oil
⅓cup honey
⅓cup soy sauce
¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
2 gloves garlic, chopped fine
2 boneless and skinless chicken breasts, cut in large chunks
1 medium onion, quartered
1 red pepper, seeded and chopped

Combine all ingredients in a glass or ceramic bowl. Marinate for 4 to 8 hours in the refrigerator.

Remove from the fridge one hour before cooking to bring mixture to room temperature.

Drain chicken and vegetables in a colander. Do no reserve the marinade.

Heat a large frying pan on medium-high. It’s ready to use when a sprinkle of water dances across the surface.

Add the chicken and vegetables to the pan. Sauté for 10 to 13 minutes or until the meat is no longer pink.

This dish can also be prepared as SHISH KABOBS on the grill.

Follow the recipe up to the cooking steps.

Soak the skewers in a dish of water for at least 30 minutes before threading the raw ingredients. This stops the skewer from catching on fire.

Preheat your gas grill on medium-high.

Thread the meat and vegetables onto wooden skewers chicken, onion, pepper. Repeat until all your ingredients are used. This recipe will make at least 6 skewers.

Grill 12 – 15 minutes. Be sure to turn often so they don’t burn.

May you enjoy all the days of your life filled with laughter and seated around a well laden table!

Sloane


Sloane Taylor is an Award-Winning author with a second passion in her life. She is an avid cook and posts new recipes on her blog every Wednesday. The recipes are user friendly, meaning easy.

Taylor currently has seven romance novellas released by Toque & Dagger Publishing. Her first solo venture into non-fiction is a cookbook with eighty of her favorite recipes DATE NIGHT DINNERS, Meals to Make Together for a Romantic Evening releasing June 25, 2018.

Excerpts from her books can be found on her website, blog, and all popular vendors. Connect with Taylor on Facebook and Twitter.

Monday 21 May 2018

Book Tour: Mirror's Deceit by Justine Alley Dowsett and Murandy Damodred...


Mirena Calanais is destined to change the world. 
Her rival has made a desperate flight to the past to stop her.


About the Book:

A gifted student of majik, Mirena is on the verge of graduating from a secret college that will give her a leg up in her political career, when her achievements are overshadowed by the arrival of a mysterious woman with an unknown agenda. Desperate to keep what she sees as her rightful place in the spotlight, Mirena goes to astounding lengths including taking it upon herself to pose as a double agent to investigate a rebel force plotting to destabilize the government. Unfortunately, her actions cost her the trust of those around her, so when she is proclaimed the Dark Avatar of the Destroyer, she finds she has nowhere to turn. 

In a seeming utopia, Mirena is now a pariah with the force of Destroyer behind her and her once bright dreams have darkened, leaving her a threat not only to herself, but to those she cares about. Can she turn her life around, or will someone need to stop her before she goes too far? 

Book Information:

Publisher: Mirror World Publishing; 1 edition
Publication Date: May 17, 2018
ASIN: B07BNY8RVF

Genre(s): Dark Fantasy, Romance, Fantasy

Page count: 240 pages

Read an Exclusive Excerpt:  

“Why?” Caralain demanded, shaking her head in denial even as tears stung the open cuts on her face and raindrops continued to pelt her skin without remorse. “How could you…?”
His response was cold, calculated. “To secure our rule. The people here will one day have the power to destroy everything. Now they can’t. I’m doing this for us.”
Her eyes locked on to the hand he was using to keep her there next to him and she became aware of something she hadn’t seen before. Around his hands swirled a dark kind of energy, unlike the majik she was used to but familiar to her nonetheless. Caralain had read all about the Dark Avatar and the power of the Destroyer; she knew what she was looking at, despite having never seen it in person before.
“You have it too,” she whispered, staring at the darkness crackling around her wrist where he held her. “Just like your mother…”
“It’s my birthright. And through me, it can be yours to command as well. I would do anything for you, you just have to say the word.”
Horror filled Caralain and she stumbled back. This time, for a wonder, Greyson let her go. “I could never…” she began and then she stopped, looking up at him, trying to find some hint of the man she’d fallen in love with. “You’re a monster!”
Having said what she could, and still feeling the island she’d called home for the last decade crumble all around her, Caralain ran for all she was worth.
Greyson whirled after her. “Caralain!”
She ignored him, stopping only to stare back at the school she loved so much. There were people within, friends, mentors. As she watched, fire spurted from yet another window and the ancient stone cracked, splitting the building in two.
Greyson stood between her and the rest of the island. Dark power crackled around him like an aura now, and at every clench of his fist, another tremor shook the now uneven ground. His eyes were on her, but he showed no remorse, no sign of stopping, only a desire to bring her, too, under his control.
She choked back a sob. The Stoa may fall, but I won’t let him have me. I have to hope that the teachers get the students out in time, but my power is nothing compared to his. I can’t stop him… I have to flee. She realized abruptly where she stood, amidst the circle of tall standing stones this school existed primarily to study. She whirled and located the central pillar with her eyes and hands, scanning the symbols there. But where? Where do I go? There isn’t a place in this world beyond his reach.
Her eyes lit on a familiar symbol. It was the one Terrence Lee had been pointing at in the picture of him she’d spent the last hour half-heartedly staring at. It was on a row she didn’t recognize, but that wasn’t strange; there was so little they didn’t know about the Sentinal Stones. She didn’t really know where it would lead, but more than likely Greyson wouldn’t either.
One last look back showed the school almost completely in ruins, along with the livelihood and possibly the lives of all the people she’d known. And before it all was Greyson, on his knees now amidst the ruins. He hadn’t tried to follow her or stop her. Maybe he didn’t realize how serious she was about leaving him. She shook her head, letting the tears fall freely now.
You did this, she thought at him, and it was wrong, but maybe, just maybe there’s a way I can undo it all.
Caralain summoned her majik and poured it into the Stone as she shut her eyes tight against the flood of tears that threatened to overwhelm her and prayed.
Goodbye, Greyson.

Order from Amazon
Order Ebook from Mirror World Publishing
Order Paperback from Mirror World Publishing
Add to Your Shelf on Goodreads

Follow the Tour to Read Reviews, Exclusive Excerpts, and Spotlights:

Meet the Authors:


Justine Alley Dowsett is the author of eight novels and one of the founders of Mirror World Publishing. Her books, which she often co-writes with her sister, Murandy Damodred, range from young adult science fiction to dark fantasy/romance. She earned a BA in Drama from the University of Windsor, honed her skills as an entrepreneur by tackling video game production, and now she dedicates her time to writing, publishing, and occasionally roleplaying with her friends. 

With a background in Drama and Communications from the University of Windsor, Murandy Damodred enjoys fantasy fiction with strong romantic subplots. She is an avid role-player and is happiest when living vicariously through her characters. Though she'd rather think of herself as the heroine of her next novel, in the real world she is a new mom living in Windsor, Ontario, ready to embark on a new career as a medical technician. 

Connect with the Authors: 


Author Page: 





Monday 14 May 2018

Book Tour: Dog Eared by Jojo Debrazza, plus Guest Post; The Highs and Lows of Training a Dog...


Welcome to the virtual book tour for Jojo Debrazza's new children's book, Dog Eared!

Follow the tour to read reviews, excerpts, and book spotlights:



Publication Date: April 10, 2018
ASIN: B07C47Z4V4
Length: 140 pages
Genres: Children's Fiction



The Highs and Lows of Training a Dog
  
In Dog Eared, Sophie has to find a way to train her new dog, Lector, before her half-sibling is born. I’m no expert dog trainer but I’ve had experience of training an unruly dog. That dog is a mini-labradoodle called Fozzy. She came into my life bringing a lot of fun but also a whole load of chaos and destruction. She is the inspiration behind Dog Eared.

Like Sophie, I found the journey to having a perfectly trained pooch was not always an easy one. Here are four times when training Fozzy didn’t quite go according to plan:

1.      The first thing she did at her dog training class was pee on the floor. She knows how to make a good first impression.
2.      She spent most of the dog training classes hiding under a chair and refusing to take part. I thought these were obedience classes, not disobedience classes.
3.      She made me cross the road because she didn’t want to walk past a suitcase. She knows her own mind.
4.      The first time we let her off the lead, she bolted because she saw a bike. Now she chases them out of the park instead.

Top tip for anyone training a dog:

Persevere. It will be worth it in the end and you’ll have a well behaved, loving, loyal, and furry best friend.

About Dog Eared:

Dogs can’t read. Right?

When Sophie’s grandfather moves in to a retirement home, Sophie is delighted to take over responsibility for his super obedient dog, Lector. Her grandfather also gives her two journals for Lector and tells her how important they are. But listening isn’t one of Sophie’s strong points.

Sophie’s dream-come-true turns into a nightmare when the usually well behaved Lector turns super-bad overnight. After midnight on his first night with Sophie, Lector gets himself into all kinds of trouble and leads Sophie into a run-in with the local bully. Dogs in the town have been going missing too. Could there be a dog snatcher on the loose?

Sophie desperately needs Lector to return to his former obedient self, especially when her dad and step-mum-to-be announce, to Sophie’s horror, that they are having a baby.  Lector’s future with the family is in danger. If Sophie can’t retrain Lector before Sophie’s new half sibling is born, he’ll have to be rehomed.

Can Sophie discover the magical secret to training Lector, and keep him away from the dog snatcher, before it’s too late?

Read an Excerpt:

“I don’t think any of us were expecting this.” Sophie’s dad nodded toward Lector who was now trying to chew the bottom of a kitchen cupboard door. 

“He’s not normally like this,” she said hoping her dad wasn’t regretting his decision to let her have Lector. “He’s a good dog really. Maybe he’s missing Grandpops?” 

“Possibly,” said Sophie’s dad. “But he’d better get over it soon or else we’ll have no house left. You should’ve seen the state of the front room this morning. Emma was not pleased.” 

Sophie was careful not to let her dad see her rolling her eyes. Emma had been nice as pie earlier. She should have said if she was upset. “I saw the sofa, I’m really sorry about that,” Sophie said. 

“It wasn’t just the sofa,” Sophie’s dad pulled Lector away from the cupboard. “He ripped up all the magazines and papers that were on the coffee table to shreds too. With all the tiny bits of paper and foam from the sofa, it looked like it had snowed in the front room last night.” 

Sophie pulled Lector away from the cupboard again. “No Lector.” She turned to her dad. “Strange. He never chewed anything at Grandpops’ place and he had the run of the whole bungalow.” 

Sophie’s dad finished buttering a slice of toast and slid the plate towards Sophie. “Well, it’s all new for him, living here and being without Grandpops, so we can’t be too hard on him. We’ll have to keep him in the kitchen tonight though. He can only destroy so much in here and these units are falling apart anyway.” 

Sophie ran her fingers over the rough wood where the laminate was missing on the corner of one of the cupboard doors. She’d peeled it away as a small child. “Okay,” she said. Sophie wasn’t keen on confining Lector, but her dad had let her keep him rather than rehoming him to a stranger and she needed to make sure he didn’t regret his decision. 

Spotting an opportunity, Lector jumped up at the worktop in the direction of Sophie’s toast. 

“No,” said Sophie. “Off.” 

Lector’s front paws were on the edge of the worktop. He stretched his neck towards the toast. 

Sophie lunged towards him and reached for his collar, but it was too late. Lector had the toast in his mouth. He jumped down and danced around the kitchen as if the toast between his teeth was a fantastic prize. His tail swiped against the washing machine painting it muddy brown. Sophie’s dad grabbed Lector by the shoulders. 

Lector dropped the toast onto the kitchen floor.

Meet the Author:

Jojo is a writer from St Neots in Cambridgeshire, England—although she mostly lives in her head, a carefree happy place where everything is bright and fluffy. 

Her debut novella, The Charm, was published in 2014 and the sequel, Mind Games, in 2016.

Jojo likes to take photos of her dog and post them to Instagram and Twitter @jojodebrazza

More Jojo Debrazza stuff can be found on her facebook page, and her blog: https://jojodebrazza.com


Become a tour host for Sapphyria's Book Promotions

Monday 7 May 2018

Book Tour: Fey Spy by Tiffany Shand...


Sapphyria's Book Promotions presents a 1-week virtual book tour for Fey Spy, Tales of the Ithereal, Part 1, by Tiffany Shand. Follow the tour schedule below to visit spotlights and to read reviews and exclusive excerpts! https://saphsbookpromotions.blogspot.com/2018/05/virtual-book-tour-schedule-fey-spy.html

About Fey Spy:

A fey,

A world that’s against her,

A mission to save her people,

And a lost love.

Serafina Valeon fights to save her people by working in the resistance as a spy, in a world where she could be killed for being a fey. Only a scared artifact, the keystone, can help bring freedom to the fey. Sera must risk her life to recover the stone and venture into the mage city of Elmira.

Once there she stumbles across her childhood sweetheart, Bastian, who now works for the very people that hunt her race. Sera must find a way to work with Bastian, despite their differences and the forbidden desire between them. Will she be able to recover the artifact without revealing who and what she really is? Will Bastian be able to accept her, or will their love be the doom of her?

Book Details:

168 pages

Genres: Adult Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy

This book does not contain any sexual content.

Exclusive Excerpt:
Serafina Valeon crouched in the shadows watching as the swarm of villagers rushed past the houses. Now what? I don’t need this today. I’m supposed to be starting on my next mission. Her large wings glistened but she pulled them back inside her. No fey dared to show their wings anymore for fear of having them cut off.
She made sure her glamour remained in place, thankful it would disguise her true appearance. She rubbed the back of her neck, hating whenever she had to keep her wings concealed inside her body. In her vest and black leggings, she no longer appeared fey. Liana would be arriving soon, and she didn’t dare risk blowing her cover before her mission even began. Time to get to work.
She moved through the crowd of fey, wincing at their tattered clothing and skinny bodies. Despite being a place where fey and mages lived freely with each other, her people were still mistreated.
A shout rang out, two mage guards dressed in dark red uniforms dragged a bald man with sharp green eyes through the crowd by his arms. Sera winced. Yosef, the village leader of the resistance. Oh no! Her hand went to her pack where she kept her potions and other gear. She wished she could intervene but didn’t dare. You have a job to do, she reminded herself. By the ancestors, why does this have to be so hard?
“No!” someone cried and another man lunged at the guard.
Here goes. She pulled a vial and hurtled it at the oncoming attacker. Smoke exploded as the vial shattered, making the man double over coughing.
Another guard made a move towards Sera as more shouts rang out. The tension from the crowd grew and Sera feared they’d soon riot – the last thing she needed to happen was for the fey and mages to start having a go at each other again.
“Stop!” yelled another voice.

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Goodreads

Meet the Author:



Tiffany Shand is a writing mentor, professionally trained copy editor and copy writer who has been writing stories for as long as she can remember. Born in East Anglia, Tiffany still lives in the area, constantly guarding her work space from the two cats which she shares her home with.

She began using her pets as a writing inspiration when she was a child, before moving on to write her first novel after successful completion of a creative writing course. Nowadays, Tiffany writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance, as well as nonfiction books for other writers, all available through Amazon and on her own website.

Tiffany’s favourite quote is ‘writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go’ and it is armed with this that she hopes to be able to help, inspire and mentor many more aspiring authors.

When she has time to unwind, Tiffany enjoys photography, reading and watching endless box sets. She also loves to get out and visit the vast number of castles and historic houses that England has to offer.

You can contact Tiffany Shand, or just see what she is writing about at:

Tiffany’s Website

Tiffany’s blog

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads