Welcome to Jessica :)

Welcome to Jessica, I'm excited to have you here today. So on with the show, I have a few questions for you. Firstly, lets show off your fantastic cover!

     

     1) Share with our readers a little about your book. (Remember to make it so they want to read more LOL)

“Breathless” is a romantic ghost about a young woman, Leah, who is travelling alone in the British Virgin Islands. The action begins during a scuba dive at a sunken wreck, supposedly haunted, when Leah discovers her oxygen tank is empty. This story is inspired a little bit from my own experience. I actually ran out of air during a dive about two years ago. Obviously, I survived. But, I’ll tell you, it was pretty darned freaky. In Leah’s case, she turns to one of the dive instructors, Dale, an Operation Enduring Freedom veteran, to get her back to the surface safely. The shared exhilaration of their experience forges a connection between these two. I bet you can see where this is going …

As the tour group moves from the boat to the beach for an overnight campout, Dale and Leah are drawn to each other. They discover they’re each searching for ghosts, but for very different reasons. Throw in a moonlight hike, a salt pond, a bonfire …

I love a little supernatural with my romance, so I set out to give readers a contemporary, real-world story, with paranormal flair.

It’s up to you to decide if Leah’s and Dale’s ghosts are real.

            2) Tell us about yourself and what brought you to writing?

I have a career that is very different from writing, but writing is something I’ve done since I was a kid, although not seriously until 2010. I tried to write my first book in high school, and even got a bunch of chapters done. I have it somewhere in my house. I should dig it out and see how awful it was. I started another one right around the time I began grad school, which took over my life, and I totally forgot about the book. Years later, I got the writing bug back. I found the book I started in grad school, threw out almost all of it, and then finished it a year later. I’ll confess: it was not good, but it was one of the best moments of my life. I wrote my second book the next year while rewriting the first—a task that took three years, and I’m sure an editor would still give me plenty to do on it. Now, I’ve written four novels and a whole slew of short stories, one of which is “Breathless.” In the last five years, I’ve grown so much as a writer, largely from meeting other writers and from practice. I must state: the network I’ve built—these people are incredible. I could never do this without them. We’re there for each other every single day. 

 3. Do you believe in Bigfoot?

Absolutely not. But we’re Bigfoot fans in our house. My husband, Eric, bought us our very own garden Yeti, complete with a sign, warning everyone to beware. Eric’s Bigfoot impersonation is superb, by the way. Despite my skepticism, one of my future projects will contain a Yeti. My second book is called “Therapist of the Damned,” and it’s about a psychologist who discovers her patients are vampires and all manner of supernatural creatures. I love this concept, although I’m well aware that vampires are a tough sell these days; if I’m never able to get it published, I’ll probably continue to develop the stories, because they’re pure fun. So, one night, over dinner, Eric and I were brainstorming characters for my book. He suggests I add a Yeti to my series, and I’m like, no way. Then, I realize the brilliance of his idea. A yeti in treatment for social phobia! Too perfect. My main character will definitely need a larger couch.

Thank you Jessica, it's been a blast having you here! and I can't wait to read this fantastic sounding book.

 

Sheri Verlard's Re-Reveal, not to be missed!

Good evening everyone tonight I'm delighted to have back on my blog the lovely Sheri Velarde who is here to re-reveal her book. I've never had one of those before so I'm looking forward to this!

Before I hand the floor over to Sheri, I'd just like to let you know that on Saturday I have a post of my own to put up so I hope to see you back then.

Over to you Sheri!

So you may be asking why I am having a cover re-reveal or what is a re-reveal anyways? Well you see, life sometimes gets in the way of the best laid plans and changes sometimes have to be made. When I had my first cover reveal back on February 1 (I know because it was my birthday) Quest for Redemption seemed to be on the fast track to coming out, but then life happened. 

I can't remember which happened first, but both my editor and I got sick. Like not a cold or flu sick, but majorly sick. I had a major flare in my multiple sclerosis which left me pretty much useless until it began to subside. School, which I was taking just for fun, began to demand more and more of my time. This caused a delay in edits, hence the delay in Quest coming out. Things happen and I can't say that I am truly shocked the Quest for Redemption hit a few bumps on its way to publication. You see, this book has been nothing but bumps and a test in perseverance. 

Quest for Redemption has been a mountain for me to climb, over three years in the making and I have finally reached the summit, publication is in sight. This started off as a novel written during National Write a Novel Month, so needless to say the first draft was a hot mess. It got tabled for a while, then I picked it back up and cleaned it up added things here and there, turned it into something readable. Finally I submitted it, it got accepted. During the time of pre-edits the story began to change again, becoming more fantasy than romance, the characters deepened and solidified. It was hard work this novel, my longest work to date and also my toughest to get through. 

Blood, sweat, and many tears went into this work and soon it will be out in the world! This is by far one of my biggest accomplishments as an author. My first full length novel, my first fantasy piece, my first book with my new publisher. Quest for Redemption represents over three years of hard work, sure it took me a little longer to get here bear the release date, but I got here and for that I am grateful. 

Quest for Redemption Cover Re-Reveal 

Blurbs:

The fate of the realms rests on the hands of an elven princess yet to prove herself and an orphan just learning his powers.

Zanna is an elven warrior princess, who seems to have it all, yet really has nothing. Her fate is not in her own hands. Instead, it is bound to an ancient magic she has no control over. She wants to rule the elves, yet must prove herself worthy before she is accepted. She also wants to find her mate, but after two thousand years, didn't hold much hope. Her existence has become mundane, and she craves something new. A routine assignment suddenly turns into something bigger that could ruin all of them. Is she strong enough to save the world and find her own happiness too? Can she change and help change the fate of the world with her?

Will is an orphan who has always been confused by his strangeness. He keeps himself apart, separate from those around him. A chance meeting with a remarkable woman changes everything. He not only learns about himself, but about a whole other world that he is a part of by birthright. However the father that abandoned him as an infant stands to ruin his future and the future of the world unless he can be stopped.

Will and Zanna must face loved ones who work against them and their past as well as find the strength to fight a bigger enemy and save the realms from evil. Can love, friendship, family, and acceptance defeat evil before it brings the realms crashing down? Can Zanna prove herself worthy to rule the kingdom?

Author Bio:

Author Sheri Velarde

Sheri Velarde is an author, artist, independent comic creator and jewelry designer out of Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is a creative soul with eclectic taste and style when it comes to her art and writing. Sheri is a multi-publisher romance author who is now branching into fantasy as well with her Defender of the Realms series. When not creating (which her fiancé argues is never), Sheri can be found spending time with her fiancé and their two dogs, reading, watching fantasy movies, attending metal concerts and just taking time to stop and enjoy life. 

You can view Sheri’s work on her website/blog: http://sherivelarde.weebly.com/, on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sheri-VelardeKelly-Ryan/, and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Sher_V.

Quest for Redemption will be out on Three Worlds Press April 23, 2015!

Excerpt:

Zanna stood, stunned into immobility. While with Alana, she would have to travel the human way. The thought slightly annoyed her, yet fascinated her at the same time. "I do not travel by vehicle, so I will be forced to ride in yours." She could still smell and see the fear in Alana, so she tried to lighten the mood. "You know I have never actually ridden in a car before."

"Really?" Alana seemed shocked.

"I have never had the need. I simply come and go in this world when I want. I usually arrive and leave the very spot I wish, and there is never a need for me to travel from place to place while in this realm. Not to mention I find the transportation of humans to be quite slow and cumbersome." Nonetheless, Zanna elegantly bent her long frame into the passenger side, slightly curious to see why many humans loved their cars so much. Sitting inside one, she felt rather cramped and uncomfortable, and while it was a fast means of transportation for a human, she didn't understand what was so special. Maybe one had to be human to fathom why vehicles fascinated them so.

Alana very nervously started her car and began to pull out. "Aren't you going to put your seatbelt on? We don't want to get pulled over."

"Excuse me?" Zanna had no idea what the sprite spoke of.

"The human law enforcement requires all people within a vehicle to wear a seatbelt." She pointed to the belt around herself.

As she pulled the belt and fastened it like Alana's, Zanna asked, "What is it for?"

"Protection in case of an accident. Stops you from flying through the windshield," she explained. 

"How curious. You know it is completely unnecessary for me. But if it will keep human law enforcement from interfering, so be it. The less I have to deal with humans, the better." 

The drive to Alana's home did not take as long as Zanna expected, especially considering she was used to arriving in places almost instantaneously. She actually found the trip rather interesting, seeing the human world in a way she had never experienced before. The tall metal buildings and the harsh exteriors held a beauty to them in their angles and order that she had never realized before. While she could never give up the open airiness of the magical realm, viewing this realm as a human gave her some insight into humans and their nature. Alana pulled into the parking lot of a very tall and nice-looking apartment building. She turned off her car and Zanna could see that she was once again trembling. 

"What are you going to do to me and my mother?" She spoke so quietly that a mere human would have had a hard time hearing her.

"I am going to gather information. The more I hear about how little you know, the less inclined I am to punish you. I would like to know why you and your mother, who have magical blood, cannot enter our world. It is your birthright. If you cannot enter our world and have not been allowed those privileges of being two-natured, then I cannot punish you for not following our laws." Zanna tried to smile and reassure Alana that she meant her no harm. Judging by the look on her face, it worked. Zanna had been told before that when she smiled at humans and stared directly into their eyes they believed whatever she said. It came in handy when questioning them before erasing their memories. 

Alana took a deep breath and stepped out of the car. Zanna attempted to follow, but forgot to take off the seatbelt and found herself still restrained. To her surprise, Alana giggled, and after a moment, so did Zanna. That shocked her even more. She rarely laughed, let alone giggled like a young girl. Kalan had been right saying that something was up with her tonight; she definitely was not herself.

As Alana took the lead, she said, "My mom's going to freak out that an elf is coming to our home. She always talks about how strong, powerful, and beautiful elves are. She's going to be so pleased, but mad that I didn't call to warn her that you were coming."

"I told you I mean no harm to your mother. There is no need to warn her."

"No, you misunderstand. She's going to wish she had time to clean and dress nicely for you. To make our home and herself more presentable to you," Alana explained.

Zanna was about to answer that this would not be necessary, but they had just walked inside the apartment building and a young man in the lobby, apparently leaving, walked right toward them. Alana and Zanna both stopped talking, not wanting to be overheard. Zanna also noticed that Alana's posture stiffened, and she could smell a little fear coming off her once more. She could tell that, this time, she was not the one causing the reaction. Zanna glanced and saw that Alana was blushing and peering shyly at the young man coming their way.

Franny Armstrong in the Spotlight

Spotlight for Heart in Hand by Franny Armstrong

Heart in Hand is the first book that Franny Armstrong has published with Three Worlds Press. Franny likes to write about heroines with a tough edge and Heart is Hand is not different, she combines romance, mystery and suspense, and a little humor, in her work. Never one to have a dull moment, she writes to entertain and keep you on the edge of your sear. All she asks is that you sit back and enjoy the ride!

Tagline: Together, they must battle an invisible killer, or die.

Daphne Wilcox is a tough as nails cop, determined to stop the Heart In Hand killer. She has a history with Bryce that she can't fight. She left him because he was a daredevil, and she keeps her feet on the ground, working by the book.

Trigger is her canine partner, ready to give his life for her.

Detective Bryce Ramsey softens her edges. Framed for murder, he must depend on Daphne to prove his innocence. He still loves her, and can't help but want her back.

Can the two of them get over their past to work together and find the killer, or will one of them lose their lives to the serial killer out to ruin them?

Links:

Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00TY4YHAW

Other formats available March 4^th at Three Worlds Press:   http://www.threeworldsproductionsllc.com/?page_id=65

Excerpt:

Since becoming a cop, she seldom had reason to dress up. She didn’t want to admit it to herself, but she wanted to look nice for Bryce, watching sensual pride glow in his eyes when he saw her. She’d put on an emerald lace bra and G-string panties, along with garters and black nylons that stopped at mid-thigh.

Frustrated that she couldn’t do up her zipper, she finally gave up. She brushed out her long, amber-brown hair one more time, leaving it down. Checking her makeup, she nodded in satisfaction. The eyeliner made her baby-blue eyes stand out. She regretted that she had to give in and ask for help.

Opening the door to the hall, she called out. “Bryce?”

“Yeah?”

“I need you for a second.”

“Sure. I’ll be right there,” he said, still in his bedroom.

Taking one last glance at her room to make sure to leave it tidy, she turned off the light and walked to the kitchen to wait for him. While she'd put the dishes away, she heard a long, slow whistle.

A twinge in her back stopped her from putting a glass in the cupboard. Bryce stood beside her in an instant, taking the glass and finishing the job, to her annoyance.

Then she caught his scent, freshly-washed male: shaving cream, soap, and laundered clothes. For once, Daphne remained speechless.

She kept her head down and stared at the counter, her fingertips touching the edge but staying completely still, waiting…

“You wanted me?”

“I never said that!” she protested, then realized what he meant. “I mean, I need help doing up my zipper, that’s all.” Her face flushed with heat, which only stirred her temper.

He slowly began zipping her up, moving her hair away from the nape of her neck, his fingertips brushing over her delicate skin. His warm breath whispered over the sensitive skin on her neck, and she shivered.

Thinking he'd finished, she pulled away, but he’d blocked her in against the counter and spoke close to her ear.

“Wait. I have to finish with the clasp.”

“Hurry up,” she snapped, her voice throaty and sexy.

When he was done, he stepped away and went back to his room, leaving her shaking with need.

“One of these days, I’m going to kill that man!” she grumbled. All week long, Bryce made subtle passes at her, but then he’d simply walk away like nothing happened. It drove her crazy!

Clearing her throat, she yelled, “Hurry up, we’re going to be late!”

“I’m ready and waiting for you,” he said, leaning on the doorjamb.

Rolling her eyes, she picked up her coat about to put it on, but he took it from her and helped her into it.

“Since when do you have manners?” she grumbled.

“I’ve always had them. I just never used them.”

“Don’t I know it?”

Turning to Trigger, she bent over to pat him.

“This is one party you’re going to have to miss, pal. Sorry.”

“Lucky dog,” Bryce said as they walked to the front door.

“Why?”

“Because, you’re always nice to him. You’re seldom nice to me.”

“You don’t deserve it. He does.”

Bryce slipped on his coat and shoes, and followed her outside to the SUV. She insisted on driving and barely waited for him to buckle up his seatbelt before she barreled down the road at a fast clip.

“Why don’t I deserve it?” Bryce asked.

“Because,” she said, leaving no room for discussion.

“Tried without a jury. Nice.”

“You’ll get your jury in the new year, Ramsey. One trial at a time.”

Franny Armstrong Bio

Franny Armstrong is a mother of three and a grandmother of four. Her husband supports her imagination and has the patience of a saint. She’s been writing since she was a child, creating plays to act out in front of the neighborhood children. .She charged them five cents admission to join her in the family garage for the play.

Since 2002, after a serious breakdown, Franny had to express herself on the computer since she couldn’t speak, everything coming out gibberish at that time. She’s slowly healed to the point that she can function fairly well. Writing was the best medicine for her, and still is.

Franny loves to write about rainforests and Caribbean islands rather than about cities. Her characters are well rounded and share her wacky sense of humor.

Heart in Hand is published by Three Worlds Press. For more information on this book or their other works please visit: Three Worlds Press.