Two Favorite Halloween Reads

Biography of one of my favorite authors and of two of my favorite reads. The Lottery and The Haunting of Hill House.

http://shirleyjackson.org/ 

Madison Knight is back! Giveaway with @Carolyn_Arnold

If you haven’t already, meet Madison Knight, the chocolate-loving detective, who is determined to solve murder and find justice for the victims—even if that means coming into contact with the sight of blood.

However, in Found Innocent, the latest release in the series (releasing October 16th!), she doesn’t have to face too messy of a crime scene, at least in one sense. What she does have to deal with is whether or not she’s willing to jeopardize departmental relationships and cross the wall of blue.

Here, this is what it’s about:


There's one code when it comes to the wall of blue...and Madison Knight may have to cross it. 

Any good cop knows you never report a brother for mishandling a case or accuse him of misconduct, but in order to find justice, Madison may not have a choice.

Lacy Rose had one goal for her twentieth birthday—to be found innocent of past sins—but her life is cut short.

When Lacy's remains are found in a garden and the investigation becomes connected to a closed case, Madison must face her past. The lead detective on that case was Madison's ex-fiancé. At the risk of jeopardizing departmental relationships, and churning up the attention of an old flame at the same time, Madison must push hard before the guilty are found innocent.

Excerpt, Chapter 1:

“He didn’t do it!”

The hysterical shouting pulled Madison’s attention from her monitor to a woman rushing toward her.  

The station was supposed to be quiet today. Sunday. She wasn’t required to be there, and that made it the perfect day to dig into her cold case.  She was so close to getting answers.

With one more longing look at her screen, Madison rose from her chair and held up her hands to stop the woman.

“Detective Knight.” She stated this as if they had met before.

Officer Ranson, the female officer who manned the front desk, came up behind them. “Come on—”

Another officer brushed past Ranson and slipped his hands under the woman’s arms. “Let’s go.”

He pulled on her, but she stayed still. Her eyes steadied on Madison.

“Please help me.” She attempted to shake loose from the officer’s grip.

Her frown lines were deep burrows, her eyes were sunken, and the flesh around them was puffy.  She appeared to be rough-edged, but there was something desperate about her, and she didn’t seem to be a threat to the lives of anyone here.

“I’ve got this,” Madison said.

“All right, your call.”  The male officer let go of the woman, and he and Ranson left.

“I saw your face in the paper.” The woman held up the Stiles Times. “It’s you, isn’t it?” Her lashes were caked with mascara, and she blinked slowly. Madison wondered if the cosmetic had sealed her eyes shut.

Madison passed a glance to the paper. It captured a moment she wished to forget. A day when she had been forced to speak in front of a crowd and to take pride in the job she had done. The thing was, though, a good cop couldn’t care less about the recognition.

The woman sobbed, yet her tears didn’t affect her makeup. “He wouldn’t do this…”

Madison summoned patience.  A list of envelope-printing companies—which could prove to be a vital link in the chain of evidence against the Russians—would be on her monitor, right now.  

She took a deep breath, passed another glance to her computer, and turned back to the woman.  “Come with me.”

Madison kept the woman to the side of her. Her first impression was the woman didn’t pose a threat, but she still wasn’t willing to sacrifice her back by leading the way into the room.

Inside, Madison gestured to a chair.

The woman dropped her red bag heavily on the table. It was large enough to serve as a duffel bag. She pulled off her jean jacket, folded it over the back of the chair, and revealed a pink sweater that displayed more cleavage than Madison could ever hope to see on herself. The woman went rooting through the duffel bag and she stuffed a stick of gum in her mouth.  She worked at chopping it into a soft, pliable distraction. It snapped in her mouth.

“Let’s start with your name—”

“Vilma with an ‘i’. Vilma Thorne, well, it would have been. My God, Kev!” She raised her face upward as if calling out to a Greater Being. Her gum chewing paused only momentarily.

“Vilma—” Madison had to tune out the noise and the display of her open-mouth chewing.  “Let’s start at the beginning. Why are you here?”

Vilma stuck a finger through one of the large gold hoops dangling from her ears and leaned in.

Madison detected the blend of cheap perfume and cigarettes. Maybe—she inhaled deeper, trying not to appear obvious—it wasn’t perfume but whiskey. It was hard to discern. Her eyes appeared normal, except for the abuse of eye makeup. Besides the thick mascara, her lids were weighed with the color purple. Her pupils weren’t dilated or pinpricks.

Still, she didn’t respond to Madison’s question.

“Okay, Vilma, if you need my help, I need you to talk to me.”

Possibly this woman was on a new line of drug that disguised itself behind brilliant colors? Maybe this was a mistake and Madison should have let her get hauled away.

“My family is against what he did. But he didn’t do it!” Her voice rose, tears flowed. She stopped chewing and, sniffling, went rooting in the duffel bag again. She came out with a bunched up tissue and wiped her nose.

Madison’s tolerance level had almost reached its limit. “You keep saying he didn’t do it.  Do what?”

A tissue still pinched on the tip of her nose, Vilma said, “He didn’t kill himself…someone killed him.”

Interested in reading more?

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Barnes & Noble

Apple

Kobo

The Madison Knight Series is a clean, murder mystery series meaning mild graphic violence and language. Each book is self-contained so you can read any of the books, and out of order, if you wanted to.  Books in the series in released order: Ties that Bind, Justified, Sacrifice, Life Sentence (Prequel in which Madison has a cameo role), and Found Innocent.

Carolyn Arnold started to take writing seriously six plus years ago when a co-worker said “tell me a story”. Since then she’s written nine novels and has plans to write many more. She has a love for the canine world and has two beagles that are affectionately named Max and Chelsea. Like her female protagonist Madison Knight, she loves her chocolate and has been known, on occasion, to speak her mind.

Website: www.carolynarnold.net

Blog: http://sassy3421.blogspot.ca/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Carolyn_Arnold

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCarolynArnold

In celebration of the release of Found Innocent you can enter for your chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card. You can enter as many times as you like and various ways. The contest lasts until October 31st.

Enter here 

Book Release--Five More Eerie Tales Plus One

This is a collection of five supernatural short stories which include: Visit to the Carnival (Story One of the Evil Doll Series), Shelby, The New Family (Story Two of the Evil Doll Series), The Giveaway, and The Haunted Tunnel. Included in the collection is an additional story first published as a bonus story in my novel The Letter entitled Megan’s Fear.

Find on Amazon

Author Tina Smith Guest Post

Wolf Sirens Fever (book#2) and Wolf Sirens Forbidden (#1)

About this author

Tina Smith is an herbalist, dog lover, Piscean and mother with a fondness for strong female protagonist's. She lives in Adelaide Australia and works at Mega Health as a Wellness Consultant. She is a part time student of Naturopathy. A love of the fantasy genre and the deep exploration of dark and evocative subjects inspired Wolf Sirens Forbidden.
Tina learnt to shoot for Wolf Sirens. She enjoys yoga, soaping, reading and is obsessed with writing. Night Fall, her third novel, was released in June 2013. Wolf Sirens Dusk in Shade, the fourth book in the series will be released in December 2013. Tina encourages readers to leave reviews online and to contact her author facebook page to say hello.

Facebook; http://www.facebook.com/wolfsirens

Wolf Sirens Forbidden:

AMAZON: Kindle: Forbidden; http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009GG06AS

SMASHWORDS: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/210115

Wolf Sirens Fever:

AMAZON: Wolf Sirens Fever; http://www.amazon.com/Wolf-Sirens-Fev...

SMASHWORDS: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/248222

Wolf Sirens Night Fall:

AMAZON: Night Fall: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D6BUDH0

SMASHWORDS: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/321480

Goodreads; http://www.goodreads.com/TinaSmith

Facebook; http://www.facebook.com/wolfsirens

Wolf Sirens Forbidden:

When Lila unwillingly moves to the country town of Shade, she can’t imagine the life-altering events that lie in wait for her. Shade has a curfew and has always been surrounded by myths. A central feature of the town is its famous statue of Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt. Lila falls in with a group of intriguing teenagers with luminescent eyes. Who keep their friends close and their enemies closer…

Cresida knows their fatal secret and she is honour-bound to protect those who are endangered. But she underestimates Lila’s passion for the mysterious and charismatic clan of youths.

Lila begins to feel a call she cannot ignore. Yet her heart is filled with vulnerable desires that begin to turn the underworld upside down, for both hunter and hunted, as she learns they have been waiting for her…

Inspired by the legend of the mythical femme fatale, Wolf Sirens is an intimate tale of unrequited and forbidden love in the underworld, a masterpiece of romance fantasy.

A compelling debut novel about how love and fate chooses you. Inspired by Grecian demigod Artemis and the mythical femme fatale, Wolf Sirens is sure to enthral all lovers of the fantasy, romance genre.

Wolf Sirens Fever:

Temperatures rise as the flames of longing still burn in the thrilling sequel to Wolf Sirens Forbidden. The intensity between two ancient enemies ignites as the legend continues. Apollo, god of deadly plague, conspires to undo his sister’s legacy. The wolves exist between two worlds, one in the town another in the forest.

Prophecy says hunters and wolves are cursed to a mutual attraction. Increasingly, each successive slayer becomes more alluring to the wolf. The predestined enemies struggle, to both resist and contain their fierce rivalry in a conflict powerful enough to tear two worlds apart.

The history of the wolf pack is revealed as devotion and desire in the underworld reaches fever pitch. Breaking away from the call of destiny and fearing betrayal, Lila makes a desperate escape in search of her lost beloved. Only, what will Lila do with the truth when she finds it. The sun has not yet set forever on a love that has defied time in a valley cursed for centuries.

Will the huntress or her heart prevail?

If the bite doesn't get you, then the fever will…

Wolf Sirens #1: Forbidden: Discover the Legend

Author: Tina Smith

ISBN: 978-1-4327-9357-9

Published: July 30, 2012
Language: English
ISBN: 9781476404059

The Mystical Bond, the Fatal Allure…of Hunter and Prey

When Lila unwillingly moves to the country town of Shade, she can’t imagine the life-altering events that lie in wait for her. Shade has a curfew and has always been surrounded by myths. A central feature of the town is its famous statue of Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt, whose spirit is said to protect the innocent.
Lila falls in with a group of intriguing teenagers with luminescent eyes and soon she is drawn into the shadowlands of fantasy and reality, where destiny collides.
A mysterious local girl, Cresida, warns her to stay away, but Lila is drawn to them like a moth to a flame.
Cresida knows their fatal secret and she is honour-bound to protect those who are endangered. But she underestimates Lila’s passion for the mysterious and charismatic clan of youths. Who are keeping their friends close and their enemies closer.

Lila begins to feel a call she cannot ignore. Yet her heart is filled with vulnerable desires that begin to turn the underworld upside down, for both hunter and hunted, as she learns they have been waiting for her…
Inspired by the legend of the mythical femme fatale, Wolf Sirens is an intimate tale of unrequited and forbidden love in the underworld, a masterpiece of romance fantasy.

A compelling debut novel about how love and fate chooses you. Inspired by Grecian demigod Artemis and the mythical femme fatale, Wolf Sirens is sure to enthral all lovers of the fantasy, romance genre.

Short Description: When Lila unwillingly moves to the country town of Shade, she can’t imagine the life-altering events that lie in wait for her. Shade has a curfew and has always been surrounded by myths. A central feature of the town is its famous statue of Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt. Lila falls in with a group of intriguing teenagers with luminescent eyes. Who keep their friends close and their enemies closer…

Wolf Sirens #2: Fever: Many are Born, Few are Reborn:

Author: Tina Smith

ISBN: 978-1-4327-9636-5

Published: Oct. 24, 2012 Language: English 
ISBN: 9781301871926

Eternally Cursed to Love & Not Purely Desire…

Temperatures rise as the flames of longing still burn in the thrilling sequel to Wolf Sirens Forbidden. The legend continues. Apollo, god of deadly plague, conspires to undo his sister’s legacy. The wolves exist between two worlds, one in the town another in the forest.

Prophecy says hunters and wolves are cursed to a mutual attraction. Increasingly, each successive slayer becomes more alluring to the wolf. The predestined enemies struggle, to both resist and contain their fierce rivalry in a conflict powerful enough to tear two worlds apart.

A shadow has fallen over the heartlands of myth and reality. The chosen is reborn broken-hearted, in the scorching embers of grief. Devastated, Lila trains tirelessly as the assassin. She must submit to deliver justice and protect the innocent of Shade.

But is it love or revenge which motivates her?

Will the huntress or her heart prevail? Breaking away from the call of destiny and fearing betrayal, Lila makes a desperate escape in search of her lost beloved. The intensity between two ancient enemies ignites. The history of the wolf pack is revealed as devotion and desire in the underworld reaches fever pitch.

If The Bite Doesn't Get You, Then the Fever Will.

Short Description: A shadow has fallen over the heart lands of myth and reality.

Breaking away from the call of destiny and fearing betrayal, Lila makes a desperate escape in search of her lost beloved. The intensity between two ancient enemies ignites. The history of the wolf pack is revealed as devotion and desire in the underworld reaches fever pitch. Only, what will Lila do with the truth when she finds it.

Tina Smith is an herbalist, dog lover, Piscean and mother with a fondness for strong female protagonist's. A love of the paranormal genre and the deep exploration of dark and evocative subjects inspired Wolf Sirens Forbidden. The sequel Fever further unfolds the tale of the heroine femme fatale, on her journey in the underworld between the lands of myth and reality.

“Rich, complex, and deeply fascinating. Smith’s creation stands apart from other books in the genre. Wolf Sirens has raised the bar for paranormal romance.”- Kevis Hendrickson, author of Rogue Hunter

"Smith weaves a thrilling and beautifully crafted tale that sinks its fangs in and refuses to let go."- Michael Alexander, author of The Vessel

“Fever does not disappoint! Tina Smith captures her readers on the first page and leads them on a fast-paced journey full of suspense and adventure as heroine, Lila, struggles towards the truth.” - Beverley Eikli, author of A Little Deception

Wolf Sirens #3: Night Fall: What Rises Must Fall:

Published: May 31, 2013
Words: 87,740 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9781301905492

Uncover what Happens after Dark in Shade...

In the rainy valley the sky is covered by cloud as the Thunder God wars with his son, Apollo. As dusk descends the wolves haunt the forest.
A crescent moon rises and all days are nights for the huntress, until the ancient battle is won. What lurks beneath the surface in the heartlands of myth and reality is a tale as insidious and devious as the wolves themselves.
The sun has not yet set forever on a love that has defied time in a valley cursed for centuries.
Lila has nothing to lose, except for the one thing that means everything. The unwilling heroine with a chip on her shoulder treads between two worlds on a path of inescapable fate that the Goddess has chosen for her.
Lila must follow a dark path towards a war that no one can win. Suspicions rage as the fight takes her into the belly of the beast.

---

New Book Release

 

 

Book Three in the Gypsy Spirits trilogy. Lena’s destiny lies before her. She has no idea what it is or where it will lead her. Her great-grandmother’s spirit, Magdalena, told Lena that her amulet would teach her what she needed to know. The amulet, warm against her skin, makes Lena feel safe whenever she touches it. Daniel and Garret’s spirits supposedly rendered harmless have found their way back. Daniel wants revenge and will do whatever he can to enact his evil against Annamarie and her family. Lena knows another spirit battle is likely. She is eager to find out if it will lead her to her destiny. Will it lead to her family’s demise? Lena is ready to face her future. What will it bring?

Lena Amazon Link

Wolf Sirens by Tina Smith

Wolf Sirens by Tina Smith

Publisher: Indie
Publication Date: July 2012
Genres: Paranormal/fantasy/romance/suspense


When Lila unwillingly moves to the country town of Shade, she can’t imagine the life-altering events that lie in wait for her. Shade has a curfew and has always been surrounded by myths. A central feature of the town is its famous statue of Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt, whose spirit is said to protect the innocent.

Lila falls in with a group of intriguing teenagers with luminescent eyes and soon she is drawn into the shadowlands of fantasy and reality, where destiny collides.

A mysterious local girl, Cresida, warns her to stay away, but Lila is drawn to them like a moth to a flame.
Cresida knows their fatal secret and she is honour-bound to protect those who are endangered. But she underestimates Lila’s passion for the mysterious and charismatic clan of youths. Lila begins to feel a call she cannot ignore. Yet her heart is filled with vulnerable desires that begin to turn the underworld upside down, for both hunter and hunted, as she learns they have been waiting for her…

Inspired by the legend of the mythical femme fatale, Wolf Sirens is an intimate tale of unrequited and forbidden love in the underworld, a masterpiece of romance fantasy.

A compelling debut novel about how love and fate chooses you. Inspired by Grecian demigod Artemis and the mythical femme fatale, Wolf Sirens is sure to enthral all lovers of the fantasy, romance genre.


About the Author:

Tina Smith is an herbalist, dog lover, Piscean and mother with a fondness for strong female protagonist's. A love of the fantasy genre and the deep exploration of dark and evocative subjects inspired Wolf Sirens Forbidden. The sequel Fever further unfolds the tale of the heroine femme fatale, on her journey in the underworld between the lands of myth and reality.

Purchase link:

Amazon

Darkridge Hall by Michael K. Rose book release

Announcing Darkridge Hall, a new young adult novel from Michael K. Rose, author of Sullivan’s War and Chrysopteron!

In his first major departure from the science fiction genre, Rose takes you to a boarding school dormitory in rural New England.

An evil lurks in the depths of Darkridge Hall, and Andy, a new student at Kransten Academy, is about to meet it face to face.

When threatening, shadowy figures appear outside his dorm room window, Andy decides to solve the mystery of just who or what they are. But those same shadows may be responsible for the strange deaths that have been occurring in the town of Bethlehem, Maine over the past several decades.

As Andy, his teacher Mark Harris and police chief Charles Buck struggle to put the pieces together, they soon realize that the answer may come too late for them to stop the malevolent power behind it all.

You won’t want to miss this thrilling paranormal adventure, now available from Amazon and Barnes and Noble!

To purchase your eBook copy of Darkridge Hall, please click on the appropriate link below.

Amazon’s US Kindle Store: http://amzn.com/B00ED36K7C

Amazon’s UK Kindle Store: http://amzn.to/12ZlG3T

B&N’s Nook Store: http://bit.ly/14xAc3Z

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Michael K. Rose works primarily in the science fiction genre but has written horror, fantasy and paranormal fiction as well.

His first major work, SULLIVAN'S WAR, has been called "… a sci-fi thriller that definitely delivers!" His second novel, CHRYSOPTERON, has been hailed as a "… gem of a novel…" and "a masterpiece."

Michael graduated from Maine's Gould Academy in 1997 and went on to receive a bachelor's degree in Anthropology from Arizona State University. He enjoys chess, tabletop gaming and classical music. He currently resides in the Phoenix area.

Connect with Michael:

Website: http://www.michaelkrose.com

Blog: http://myriadspheres.blogspot.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/MichaelKRose

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michael-K-Rose-Author/291149020948554

Best of luck with your new novel, Michael.