Thursday 26 February 2015

Too Dark to Sleep by Dianne Gallagher: Interview + Giveaway

Too Dark to Sleep
by Dianne Gallagher 
Time to wake up…

Maggie Quinn was the top homicide detective in Chicago's Area One before she suffered a devastating loss. Now Quinn is damaged… perhaps beyond repair. Once the best detective in Chicago, she is haunted by dreams of a faceless man she could never catch. When the killer returns, Quinn agrees to serve as a consultant, but most cops in Area One tag her as a hazard. Except rookie detective Nick Dublowski who quickly realizes the only way the Chicago Police will catch this elusive killer is with the help of Maggie Quinn.

Back on the job, Quinn becomes as tenacious and sharp as ever. But as the investigation closes in on a suspect, the escalating murders hit dangerously close to home. Quinn’s sanity again begins to fray and her judgment is questioned. Did the suspect really do it? Or is Maggie’s tormented mind pushing her to ruin the life of an innocent man?

Avid readers of crime fiction, noir or psychological thrillers will find Too Dark to Sleep a fresh take on their favorite genre. This is the first book in a gripping new series and not to be missed.

Paperback, 390 pages
Published November 19th 2012 by Brayer Publishing, LLC

Find it on Goodreads
Amazon      Amazon.co.uk      Amazon Kindle      Amazon.co.uk Kindle
iTunes      Kobo      Barnes and Noble      !ndigo Books      Powell's Books

Readers agree Too Dark to Sleep is not to be missed. 
“Too Dark to Sleep is a brilliant, well-written novel... Maggie Quinn is an incredible main character, multifaceted and strong despite setback after setback… This riveting story tells of Maggie's battles with a brilliant "bad guy" and with the darkness that threatens her after her breakdown. The suspense in this story is first-rate from its opening pages to the story's conclusion and makes Too Dark to Sleep a spine-tingling book that readers everywhere will adore.” – Alice DiNizo, Readers Favorite (5 Stars) 

“In the vein of Jeffrey Deaver thrillers, Dianne Gallagher’s Maggie Quinn will draw you in and have you following her every move as she desperately battles her own demons while trying to outmaneuver a mind-game-playing killer.”  

“Good, gritty fun… A smart story and thoroughly enjoyable read that grabs you from the get-go and doesn’t let go.”  

“Looking forward to the next. I’m anxious to see where the author takes Maggie.”


Life is Never a Straight Line

Growing up in rural Minnesota, Dianne attended the University of Minnesota where she got a BFA in Theatre. Although her initial interest was in performance, Dianne eventually focused on playwriting and had competition-winning scripts performed at that school.

After moving to Los Angeles so her husband could attend film school, Dianne switched focus to screenplays. While writing her own spec material, Dianne formatted, edited, critiqued and wrote independent scripts. While in Los Angeles, she was approached by writer Karen Hall and asked to edit and mentor a young writer Hall discovered while doing research on death row inmates. The professional relationship which lasted several years gave Dianne a unique look into the prison system and into the individuals sitting on death row.

A move to the Chicago area translated into a new focus on novels as well as a love for the big-shouldered city. Dianne edited, critiqued and ghosted a variety of fiction and nonfiction pieces while having great fun with her family. As projects she worked on were placed with agencies like Writers House, Dianne decided to start writing for herself. The result is the debut novel, Too Dark to Sleep.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6592362.Dianne_Gallagher
Website: http://www.diannegallagher.net/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Dianne_Writes
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dianne-Gallagher-Author/122401147904733
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/dianne-gallagher/5/517/10a


Q & A with Dianne Gallagher

Q:  Tell us a little bit about your main characters.
A: 
Maggie Quinn is one of those characters I can put anywhere and the scene kind of writes itself. She's clever... which is always fun. And she's capable of doing anything if it gets her closer to her goal. On top of that, Quinn is pretty damaged. She starts the book at a very low point in her life. She's basically lost everything that defined her and now Quinn has to put things together so she can function. Make it through the day. Then making it through the day becomes solving a crime. Facing what she's most afraid of. She's dark. She's very unpredictable. But she has that bit of humanity readers can connect to. And even if you don't completely agree with all her methods, you'll still want her to win. Still want her to walk away whole. 

  I honestly look forward to writing Quinn and miss her when I'm working on other projects. Weird, but true. After my next book is done, I can hardly wait to start on the second book in her series. She's got an interesting arc to follow which makes working with her a lot of fun.

Q:  In your opinion, what makes a good, strong female character?
A: 
I guess I always think of this one from a writer's point of view. Never write her as a female. Write her as a person. A lot of the other things tie into Quinn's description. Smart. Capable. Truly multi-dimensional. And don't define her by her relationships with guys or her sex life. That doesn't mean that she hates guys or never has sex... but there's more to her than that. She should stand on her own two feet and be a serious force. And she should fall, so we can see her pick herself up.

See what that process looks like... because that's how we really get to know her. How we see what she's truly made of. And don't saddle her with limitations tied to stereotypes. Everyone's always more interesting if they are capable of doing anything. She doesn't have to(and shouldn't) win all the time, but she should always be capable of winning. And personally, I love to see her kick a little ass sometimes.

 Q:  What is the best advice you have been given?  
A:  "Screw everyone and just write." I think you lose the minute you start writing for other people. You'll never make them happy and you'll be saddled with a story you don't really care about. Write what you want to write. Oh, and don't give up. Persistence gets you there even more than talent. 

Q:  As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?  
A:  For the longest time, I wanted to be an archeologist. Then I got into acting. Then writing. But, yeah, digging in the dirt for bones was very appealing. If I could be anything now (other than a writer), I would like to try my hand as a homicide detective.   

Q:  If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
A:  New Zealand. Mostly because of Lord of the Rings. I'm a huge fan and would love to see some of those locations. Plus, I hear it's beautiful and unique. Two things that make it immediately attractive. 

Q:  If you could have any superpower, what would you choose?  
A:  Hard one. There's several I'd like. Don't want immortality because I don't think anyone should live forever. Mind reading would make you miserable. Flying would be cool, but I think I'd go for invisibility or healing powers. 

Q:  Which do you prefer: hard/paperbacks or ebooks? 
A:  I love turning pages, so my initial response is paperback or hardcover. But to be really honest, I kind of love being able to take carry my library with me. So when I'm home, I'll go paperback/hardcover when possible... but if I'm away, it's the e-reader.

 Q:  What book are you reading now? 
A:  Two, actually. I'm trying to finish a The Believing Brain by Michael Shermer. My current project is heavy neuroscience and psychology... so that one caught my eye. I was kind of turned off for a bit because Shermer can come off as pompous and there's a lot of his personal back story I could do without. I'm there for the science of it.  

For fun, someone recommended Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series. I wanted something fun and completely unrelated to what I'm writing and that fits right in. Oddly, I never read in my genre and I don't usually read fantasy, but Storm Front is a really good read.

 

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Saturday 21 February 2015

The King's Sword by C.J. Brightley + Interview

The King's Sword
Erdemen Honor #1
by C.J. Brightley


A disillusioned soldier. A spoiled, untried prince. A coup that threatens the country they both love. When retired soldier Kemen finds the young prince Hakan fleeing an attempted assassination, he reluctantly takes the role of mentor and guardian. Keeping the prince alive is challenging enough. Making him a man is harder. As usurper Vidar tightens his grip on power, Kemen wrestles with questions of duty and honor. What if the prince isn't the best ruler after all? Invasion looms, and Kemen's decisions will shape the fate of a nation. What will he sacrifice for friendship and honor?

Paperback, 314 pages 
Published June 26th 2013 by Egia LLC



Find it on Goodreads

Amazon      B&N

About the Author
C. J. Brightley lives outside Washington, D.C., with her husband and their two young children. When she's not busy writing, she teaches karate, bakes too many desserts, and makes jewelry. She loves to connect with readers!

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6590994.C_J_Brightley


Q & A with C.J. Brightley

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your main characters?
A:
Kemen was a soldier who excelled in nearly every aspect of military life. Yet after an
injury, he was retired (against his own wishes) and is now adrift in civilian society.

Hakan is the crown prince; he’s a bit spoiled and more than a little intimidated by
Kemen. Kemen wants to do what is best for the country, and he isn’t entirely sure Hakan would be the best choice as ruler. Kemen narrates, and one of my favorite aspects of the story is the difference between Kemen’s thoughts, his wry sense of humor and his analysis of the other characters, and what he actually says out loud.

Q:  How long have you been writing, and when did you first consider yourself an author?
A: 
I’ve been writing since elementary school (I’m not going to admit how long that’s
been!), but The King’s Sword is my first published work. I have four books out now and another coming out in the next month. Yet I still feel surprised when I think of the word “author” as applying to me! I’m a martial artist as well. Being an author is a lot like being a black belt. It seems so out of reach for so long… it acquires this almost mythical status. Yet you just keep working and working, and eventually you look back and realize “Oh. I’m here. I did it.” But you’re not done. Earning your black belt is like finally learning enough to know how to study martial arts seriously; you are now a no-kidding student of karate. Being an author is the same. I’ve published books, but there is so much more I can learn about writing! I’m not “there” yet, and I don’t think I ever will be. There is always more to learn and more room to grow.

Q:  What is the best advice you have been given?
A: 
To keep writing. Keep practicing. Keep learning. Don’t be afraid to fail. So many times writer’s block is fear of failure - fear of the words not being right, not being beautiful, not being what we imagine they should be. But much of the magic of writing happens during editing, and you can’t edit what isn’t written yet. Don’t be afraid of that first draft being awful, because it probably will be… and that’s fine! At least you have something to work with once that first draft is done.

Q:  As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: 
Everything. A veterinarian, a sword fighter, a black belt, a hero, a writer, a princess, a marine biologist, a mom, an explorer, a chemist, a spy.

Q:  If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
A: 
Oh, what a hard question! Probably my top two choices (I can’t decide!) would be New Zealand or Great Britain. I would take thousands of photos for writing inspiration and soak up the atmosphere and history. 

Q:  If you could have any superpower, what would you choose?
A: 
Super speed. I’m a terrible procrastinator, and I’m always behind on something. If it would help me write faster, all the better! 

Q:  Which do you prefer: hard/paperbacks or ebooks?
A: 
I prefer paperbacks but I read more ebooks now. I’m a stay at home mom of two little children. I read in stolen moments while cooking dinner, while folding laundry, etc. I read mostly on my phone because it’s easiest to carry around.

Q:  What book are you reading now?
A: 
I’m reading Green by Ted Dekker, A Story of Grace by Phil Metzger, Law of the Wolf by S. A. Hunt, and Sand of Bone by Blair MacGregor.

 
 
 
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Wednesday 11 February 2015

The Echoes of Love by Hannah Fielding + Giveaway

The Echoes of Love
by Hannah Fielding 
Set against the breathtaking beauty of Italy, The Echoes of Love is a passionate, heart-breaking romance to ignite the senses and rekindle your belief in the power of love. Seduction, passion and secrets... Venetia Aston-Montagu has escaped to Venice to work in her godmother's architectural practice, putting a lost love behind her. For the past ten years she has built a fortress around her heart, only to find the walls tumbling down one night of the carnival when she is rescued from masked assailants by an enigmatic stranger, Paolo Barone. Drawn to the powerfully seductive Paolo, despite warnings of his Don Juan reputation and rumours that he keeps a mistress, Venetia can't help being caught up in the smouldering passion that ignites between them. When she finds herself assigned to a project at his magnificent home deep in the Tuscan countryside, Venetia not only faces a beautiful young rival but also a sinister count and dark forces in the shadows, determined to come between them. Can Venetia trust that love will triumph, even over her own demons? Or will Paolo's carefully guarded, devastating secret tear them apart forever?
Paperback, 360 pages
Published December 6th 2013 by London Wall Publishing

Hannah Fielding is a novelist, a dreamer, a traveller, a mother, a wife and an incurable romantic. The seeds for her writing career were sown in early childhood, spent in Egypt, when she came to an agreement with her governess Zula: for each fairy story Zula told, Hannah would invent and relate one of her own. Years later – following a degree in French literature, several years of travelling in Europe, falling in love with an Englishman, the arrival of two beautiful children and a career in property development – Hannah decided after so many years of yearning to write that the time was now. Today, she lives the dream: she writes full time, splitting her time between her homes in Kent, England, and the South of France, where she dreams up romances overlooking breathtaking views of the Mediterranean.

Her first novel, Burning Embers, is a vivid, evocative love story set against the backdrop of tempestuous and wild Kenya of the 1970s, reviewed by one newspaper as ‘romance like Hollywood used to make’. Her new novel, The Echoes of Love, is a story of passion, betrayal and intrigue set in the romantic and mysterious city of Venice and the beautiful landscape of Tuscany. 


Website: www.hannahfielding.net
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/fieldinghannah
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/fieldinghannah
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5333898.Hannah_Fielding


From the author  

I first visited Venice as a young child. Then, as now, I was wide-eyed and enchanted by the beauty of the city. I distinctly remember standing in the main square, the Piazza St Marco, gazing up at the stunning architecture of Saint Mark’s Basilica, and feeling I had somehow entered another world – a fairytale world. Then I looked down, at the square itself, which was overrun by hordes of pigeons. There was nothing beautiful about those birds. They were quite spoiling the place. And it struck me then that Venice is a city of two faces: that which the tourists flock to admire, that makes the city the capital of romance, that breathes new life into the imagination and leaves a permanent, inspirational impression. And the other side, the darker side, that which is concealed in what Erica Jong called ‘the city of mirrors, the city of mirages’. 

When I returned to the city as an adult, I became quite fascinated by the concept of Venice – what it means to be Venetian; what the city really is beneath the layers of history and grandeur and legend. Frida Giannini wrote ‘Venice never quite seems real, but rather an ornate film set suspended on the water.’ I understand this quote – there is something fairytale about the place, and with that comes some reluctance, perhaps, to see the realism beyond. 

Venice so captured my imagination that I knew some day I would write a romance novel set in this most elegant and fascinating of cities. But it had to be the right story to fit the place. For me, that meant a story that reflected the two faces of Venice – the mask she wears, and the true form beneath. 

I very much hope that readers will enjoy my new novel, and will fall in love with its romantic Italian setting, as I did.

a Rafflecopter giveaway 
 
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