Shadow of Danger - Goddess Fish Promotions Book Blast

Shadow of Danger

by Kristine Mason

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BLURB:

Four women have been found dead in the outskirts of a small Wisconsin town. The only witness, clairvoyant Celeste Risinski, observes these brutal murders through violent nightmares and hellish visions. The local sheriff, who believes in Celeste’s abilities and wants to rid their peaceful community of a killer, enlists the help on an old friend, Ian Scott, owner of a private criminal investigation agency, CORE. Because of Ian’s dark history with Celeste’s family, a history she knows nothing about, he sends his top criminalist, former FBI agent John Kain to investigate.

John doesn’t believe in Celeste’s mystic hocus-pocus, or in her visions of the murders. But just when he’s certain they’ve solved the crimes, with the use of science and evidence, more dead bodies are discovered. Could this somehow be the work of the same killer or were they dealing with a copycat? To catch a vicious murderer, the skeptical criminalist reluctantly turns to the sensual psychic for help. Yet with each step closer to finding the killer, John finds himself one step closer to losing his heart. 

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EXCERPT

Excerpt One:

Fingers clawing at the sheets, tearing them from the mattress, Celeste Risinski woke with a scream. Panicked, disoriented, she shoved at hands she swore still gripped her. As she struggled, she knocked the alarm clock from the nightstand. When it hit the hardwood floor, the radio blared. The loud music, laced with crackling static, startled her.

She whipped open her eyes, relief slowed her racing heart as she looked down at her body, to where her arms and legs were tangled in the thin sheets and comforter. Brutal hands weren’t holding her down. She wasn’t in the woods. She wasn’t fighting for her life. She was in her bedroom, waking up from another nightmare, another look into hell.

Dragging in a deep breath, she pulled herself to the edge of the mattress, bent and retrieved the clock. After turning off the radio, she placed it back on the nightstand, then wiped tears from her face she didn’t remember crying.

No, not true. In her nightmare, she’d cried and screamed, begged and pleaded, while trapped in the body of another woman. She hated the way her mind had been sucked into the woman’s soul. She’d experienced every ounce of the terror, and even the pain the woman had endured. She rubbed her neck where the phantom cord had been wrapped during the dream. Even though she was blessedly free of the nightmare and sitting in her bedroom, claustrophobia wrapped tightly around her, making it difficult to breathe.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

I didn’t pick up my first romance novel until I was in my late twenties. Immediately hooked, I read a bazillion books before deciding to write one of my own. After the birth of my first son I needed something to keep my mind from turning to mush, and Sesame Street wasn’t cutting it. While that first book will never see the light of day, something good had come from writing it. I realized my passion, and had found a career that I love.

When I’m not writing contemporary romances and dark, romantic suspense novels (or reading them!) I’m chasing after my four kids and two neurotic dogs.

LINKS:

FACE BOOK: http://www.facebook.com/kristine.mason.1029

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/KristineMason7

WEBSITE: www.kristinemason.net

Books available on Amazon, B & N, iBooks

AMAZON

BARNES & NOBLE

The tour dates can be found here: 

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/05/virtual-super-book-blast-shadow-of.html



'STARQUEST'    'CHILDREN OF THE MIST'  (The sequel to Starquest)  Dancing With Fate      'Freeread':'A BARGAIN WITH DEATH

                  Also available on Kindle

Release of Kiss Of Death by Sharon Donovan, and a very specal guest

I'm thrilled to announce the release of my dear friend, the late Sharon Donovan's, newest and sadly, last, book Kiss Of Death, starring her best loved creation, the gorgeous Oliver.

Sharon was working on this story before she tragically passed away in April 2012 following further heart problems and complications. Her editor, The Wild Rose Press's Lori Graham has worked closely with her family and friends to get the finished story edited and published as part of the Wild Rose Press Red Christmas series, and we are thrilled that after Lori's hard work, it is released just in time for Christmas, a wonderful gift for a friend or family member's Kindle or book reader - or for yourself.

I am delighted to have Lori herself on my blog to tell us a little more about Sharon and her writing. 




HL: Good morning Lori.  It's such an honour to have you here today to talk about Sharon's new book. I'm curious to know, how did you first come to be Sharon's editor? 

Lori: Sharon first came to me with a short story she had written for an inspirational line.  She was surprisingly timid in her approach.  The piece she had written had a lot of technical issues but the plotline was so cute, I couldn’t resist.  It took us longer to finish that story than I anticipated but when she submitted again, I was happy to contract her again.  Sharon was so creative and so eager that working with her was a joy.  We worked on a couple of short stories with her confidence increasing with each story.  It wasn’t until she came to me with the idea to do Her Biggest Fan that we started to talk about personal things and I came to know her.  I was shocked to discover she was blind but it also explained so many things I had wondered about during our editing phases.  Because she was so determined and the storyline was very inventive, I couldn’t resist taking on the challenge and partnering with her in that first full length novel.  We had our bumps but, it was such a fun journey, I have never regretted it.

HL:   What it was like to work with her, especially considering how much she had to cope with, and did her zany sense of humour come across .

Lori:  Like I said, for a long time, I had no idea what she coped with. Her upbeat attitude overrode everything else around her.  I always loved hearing from her because that positivity made it a joy to simply talk to her, let alone work with her.  During the course of time, Oliver was introduced into our lives.  This “concierge” on her website truly is the picture of her humor.  His clever quips and blatant innuendos were a joy and I can’t tell you the number of times I laughed out loud when I would “visit” her there. 
  

Oliver - (c) Sharon Donovan

HL: Oh yes, Oliver *sigh*. He had all the ladies who visited her blog in a swoon with his shameless flattery, and yes, who could help but smile at his "naughty but nice" comments and innuendos. (And I had the enviable job of "dressing" him for the blog.)  What an amazing character she created!

I'm sure everyone would love to hear more about any funny things that happened or were said between you.

Lori: I can’t even begin to count the number of times she cheered me up, whether it was her personally or her wit and caring through Oliver’s “voice.”  The thing I will also remember about her, though, was the caring she shared.  The first time she was in the hospital for the heart issues, I had been sending her flowers, cards and notes (knowing her family would share them with her).  Because she was in ICU for so long, it never occurred to me to do anything else—until the day I picked up the phone and heard her voice.  With everything going on for her, I could hear the smile on her face as we talked.  We talked several times after that.  The funny thing is she made the comment she was only in the hospital to gather information for a new suspense idea she had.  I sure wish we could have seen Oliver as a doctor.  I can only imagine how wonderful he would have been in that role.

HL:  Ah, Dr Oliver wouldn't that have been something! And yes, I know just what you mean about  the smile in her voice.  I was lucky enough to speak to Sharon on the phone myself a few times, and  her voice was like the sun coming out from behind a cloud! What do you think readers will love about this book?

Lori: Kiss of Death…oh my where do I start?  It might surprise you to know I actually rejected this story the first time around.  Let me surprise you further by saying she thanked me for doing so.  I hated to reject it. However, it just wasn’t quite there and I was pretty detailed in the information I sent her.  It was what she needed, though, to get the creative juices flowing and flesh out some areas that needed some work.  It occurred to me after she died that I would never get to see what she did with it.  I was so thrilled when I talked to her family and they asked me to finish it.  I feel so blessed and honored to have been allowed to play a role in the final phases of Kiss of Death.  While there were areas that I had to write and do the editing work without her, it definitely stays in her voice and you can feel her presence on every page.

Normally, when it is time for a manuscript to go to format/galley/publication, I am pretty ready for it to move along.  (By that time, an editor has read the story multiple times and is ready for a new challenge.)  With this one, it was really hard to let it go.  It actually took me two days to hit the send button but, in the end, I knew we had a deadline we had to meet to get it out this Christmas.

I truly hope you enjoy this last installment of Sharon’s journey with Oliver.  I know how much Sharon valued each reader who came through her life.  I can’t tell you the number of times she shared how humbled she was when people actually read what she wrote.  So on her behalf, thank you and I hope you enjoy Kiss of Death.

HL: Lori, thank you so much for sharing your lovely memories of Sharon with us, and I can well imagine how hard it was to finally let this story go. I'm sure Sharon is looking down from Heaven smiling and wishing she could send Oliver round with a tray of champagne, so before we find out more about Kiss of Death let's raise a toast to Sharon Donovan and Oliver,  and  to Sharon's wonderful editor Lori Graham!

KISS OF DEATH

BLURB:
Santa Must Die.The words in Camille Lafayette's dream are a chilling prelude of events to come. She sees herself as the killer, and when the murder is actually committed, she becomes the prime suspect.

When handsome Detective Oliver Sharone turns up at her New Orleans family home, he is searching for answers. The evidence against her seems damning. An image captured on the victim's camera resembles Camille, and the red feather mask worn by the murderer came from her shop.The instant chemistry between Camille and Oliver is an added complication, which grows deeper as they work together to discover the truth. It becomes a race against time to find the real murderer before he not only loses his heart completely, but the killer strikes again. And this time the victim could be Camille herself.

Excerpt: 

He flashed his badge and offered a cheeky smile. “Detective Oliver Sharoné, New Orleans P.D., Homicide. Are you Camille Lafayette?”

Lulled by the patois of Cajun French in his voice, Camille just stood there, mouth agape. Now that she could clearly see him, he had the most dazzling smile she’d ever seen.

“Ma’am?” His lyrical voice was music to her ears. A rush of hormones surged through her, leaving her weak in the knees. Feeling a burning gush of desire, she forced herself to nod, running her tongue through a very dry mouth and pushing out the words.

“Yes, I’m Camille Lafayette. Is there a problem, Detective?”

Thunder and lightning crashed and collided, wilder and wilder, echoing the primitive beat of her heart. Silhouetted by roiling thunderclouds, Detective Oliver Sharoné looked like a dark and dangerous warrior. Dizzy and lightheaded, feeling drunk with emotion, Camille was as highly charged as the electrical storm. “May I come in for a moment, Ms. Lafayette? I would like to ask you a few questions in regard to a murder I’m investigating.” Camille’s breath caught in her throat. A bolt of panic surged through her. Shaken by the impact, she stammered for words and said nothing. Her pulse fluttered wildly in the hollow of her throat. This sexy cop was about to turn her world upside down.

More details on The Wild Rose Press Site HERE

Sharon was one of the authors on The Author Roast and Toast
Her blog is http://sharondonovan.blogspot.co.uk/
Her website is http://sharonadonovan.com/

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CONTEST

To win a copy of 'Kiss Of Death' just answer this question in the comments section.

Where does Camille Lafeyette live?

(The answer is in the post)

The winner will be announced on 10th December

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(I'm also featured on Nancy Jardine's Blog today with a little more about Sharon)
http://nancyjardine.blogspot.co.uk/

A tribute to Sharon Donovan, author and friend

Last week the world and I lost a very special person. It's taken me a few days to post this - partly because it's such a hard thing to write about the loss of a much loved friend, and partly because I can still hardly believe she's no longer here.

Sadly, despite a tremendously brave fight and iron will and determination, our beloved Sharon passed away on Wednesday evening, 11th April.   Many prayers had been said for her recovery, but it seems God in his wisdom decided her poor body had had enough, and Heaven needed a new angel.

I loved Sharon as a sister, even though we had never met in person. We first started corresponding when I dropped her a line after reading an interview about her where she talked about how she had turned to writing when she could no longer write after losing her sight. I was so impressed by her strength and determination in the face of her lifelong fight with diabetes and the fact that losing her sight did not deter her froim sharing her wonderful imagination with the world.  As she said, now she 'painted with words instead of paint.'  Her touching  Inspirational stories for the 'White Rose' line of the Wild Rose Press  were beautifully written and included 'Lasting Rose,' 'The Claddagh Ring'  and 'Touched By An Angel.'

We corresponded regularly, after that first exchange, and one of my dearest possessions is a little gold Claddagh Ring with an emerald

stone, which she sent me. She loved animals and roses (especially yellow roses, and the beautiful deep red Lasting Rose which inspired her Easter story.) She shared my love of horses and used to ride before she lost her sight. She also talked a lot about the little black cat she used to have.  I hope they've now met up over the Rainbow Bridge where I'm sure he waited patiently for his mistress.

I was happy when she asked me to help her illustrate her her delightful, witty blog posts.  Then we got together with Mary Ricksen and started a weekly 'fun' blog 'The Author Roast and Toast,' and were later joined by Patsy Parker. The trio now became a quartet and we had a very special friendship.  We four wacky hostesses had such fun being outrageous and not acting our ages, all with the object of promoting our weekly guest of honour in an offbeat, and hopefully amusing, way.  In case you are wondering, 'The Roast' will go on, for the time being at least.  We have guests scheduled whom we won't let down - Sharon wouldn't have wanted that, she loved the 'Roast' and although it will never be the same without her, she would have wanted it to continue.

When  Sharon produced her wonderful creation, the flirty  devastatingly handsome and charming 'Oliver', who was her butler by day and a private detective by night, I had the task of 'dressing' him for his appearances on her blog, and also for when he 'moonlighted' with us on the Friday 'Roast'. Oliver then starred in his own story 'Charade Of Hearts' which Sharon wrote as part of the  Jewel Of The Night' series, and it won the Predators and Editors Award in January, and although she was in hospital at the time, her sister Mary Beth was able to tell her that her story had won the award and that must have made her so proud and happy.


Among her other published books, was her memoir, 'Echo Of A Raven' written to help other people cope with diabetes and sight impairments and to know what help is available, and also to raise money for child diabetes research, which was something close to her heart, Her thrilling romantic suspense novels includied 'Mask Of The Betrayer' and 'Her Greatest Fan',

I was planning to fly out next month, and visit her with Mary , but it was not to be, although I will still make the trip and Mary and I will meet her sister and family, and see some of the places Sharon loved. My heart is full of tears, but also full of wonderful memories.  Sharon will never be forgotten, and her wit, wisdom and love will live on, forever, in her books. We love you, Sharon.

Obituary

On Wednesday, April 11, 2012, Sharon A. Donovan, 56, of Avalon, beloved daughter of James and Pearl Donovan of Avalon, beloved sister of Thomas (Priscilla) Donovan of Milwaukee, WI, and Mary Beth (Mark) McCauley of Mars; beloved aunt of Kendall and Connor, also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends. Sharon was very giving and loving, and a great inspiration to all.

She was an accomplished author and will be dearly missed. Friends received on Sunday from 1:00-3:00 p.m. and 6:00- 8:00 p.m. at the Lawrence T. Miller Funeral Home, Inc., 460 Lincoln Avenue, Bellevue. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday at 11:00 a.m. in the Church of the Assumption. Contributions may be made to the Diabetes Research Institute, 200 South Park Road, # 100, Hollywood, FL 33021. http://www.diabetesresearch.org/

If you would like to send flowers or find out more about her services, click here.

Links for Sharon's books can be found on her website: http://www.sharonadonovan.com/

BLOG TOUR AND GIVEAWAY - LIFE IN DEATH by HARLOW COBAN

I'm delighted to be the first stop on Harlow Coban's Blog tour with CBLS Promotions.


Here is the blurb and an excerpt from Harlow's wonderful debut release:

BLURB

When a girl that social worker Kari Marchant places in foster care is brutally murdered, she’s compelled to learn why. Her quest for the truth pits her against friends and coworkers. As Kari works to solve the horrific plot, more people die. She’s been targeted for death and she doesn’t even know it. How far should she go to learn the truth—even if it threatens her life? When homicide detective Rance Nicolet meets Kari, his attraction to her is powerful—and the feeling is mutual. But things between them go terribly wrong when Kari’s old lover is found murdered with a letter from her in his pocket. The evidence against Kari is damning. Rance’s personal and professional lives collide. Does he blindly believe the woman he’s falling in love with or follow the evidence no matter where it leads?

EXCERPT

“Frost. Call on line one.” The voice boomed overhead and interrupted Scott Frost mid-climb. He jumped off his truck, pushed up the sleeves on his dingy green work shirt and walked to the phone mounted on the wall, his face a scowl of irritation.

He grabbed the receiver. “Hello.”

“They found Patience,” his wife, Andrea, whispered.

Mammoth garbage trucks rumbled and shook the walls as they rolled out into the street for the day’s work, their giant bellies hungry for trash. Scott strained to hear his wife over the noise.

“I told you never to call me here.”

“Do you know what they did to her?” Her voice rose an octave.

"Hold it together.” He clenched his fist and resisted the impulse to smash it through the wall. “She’s the one who ran off.”

“She didn’t deserve that. Nobody deserves that.”

The phone slipped a bit in his sweaty hand. Tolerance had never been one of Scott's virtues, and what little he did have waned with each whiny word his wife uttered. “It’ll all be over soon, you know that.”

“They won’t let us out.”

He gnashed his teeth together until the noise in his head drowned out the roar of garbage trucks. The pumping of his heart escalated and Scott imagined he could feel his blood pressure rising.

“Damn it, Andrea, take a valium. These people are dangerous. They’ll kill us if we flake out.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Author Harlow Coban was born in Kansas City, MO, but grew up in Denver, CO. She relocated to North Carolina five years ago with her husband, two dogs, and 16-year old twins.

She shares a birthday with the notorious Napoleon Bonaparte. In keeping with his legacy, she is currently working on taking over the world. Harlow’s positive attitude and fresh take on life are her tools and conquest is certain.

She spends her free time writing, dancing, traveling and defending mailboxes from her 16-year-old twins’ driving.

Her debut novel, LIFE IN DEATH (February 2012), is a murder mystery which pulls from real-life situations from her own family history. She felt compelled to share her story with the world while offering a thrilling, entertaining, and amusing escape for readers.

In keeping with her commitment to improving the lives of children, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of her book will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club in her home state of North Carolina.

Twitter: @HarlowCoban

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Harlow-Coban/174596219285270

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5345608.Harlow_Coban

Blog:  http://www.harlowcoban.com/?page_id=53

Follow Harolow's Blog Tour here:
http://cblspromotions.blogspot.com/2012/03/vbt-life-in-death-kari-marchant-series.html.

GIVEAWAY

Everyone who leaves a comment here will be entered into a draw to win a download of Harlow's book

  'STARQUEST'    'CHILDREN OF THE MIST'  (The sequel to Starquest)  Dancing With Fate      'Freeread':'A BARGAIN WITH DEATH 
Also available on Kindle