Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Cover Reveal for The Phoenix Project by D.M. Cain

Well, like I said, it's a busy time in the world of authors! This week I get to introduce two of them to you (see my last post here)!

Today, I am thrilled to present a fantastic cover reveal!

Without further ado...


It’s here!


Dark, gritty psychological thriller The Phoenix Project undergoes a makeover in the brand new Booktrope edition. Completely re-edited and re-designed, don’t miss this stunning cover by the talented Amalia Chitulescu. 





The book will be available to buy soon from a wide range of digital and paperback distributors.

Author: D.M. Cain
Title: The Phoenix Project
Genre: Psychological thriller/Dark thriller/Dystopian
Book Content: Occasional adult language, graphic violence, and mild sexual content.
Original Cover Design from the first edition:  



Synopsis

How can you fight to the death, when you’ve given up on life?

A thought provoking and compelling dystopian world that will change the way you view justice...

A man fights for life—and redemption—in D. M. Cain’s riveting re-released novel, The Phoenix Project.

Britain has descended into chaos as violence and terrorist attacks seethe across this once-peaceful country. Outraged by the steady stream of lawlessness, citizens demand a harsher penal system, and the Phoenix Project is born.

In prisons across the country, inmates fight to the death in a weekly bloodbath while the nation cheers them on.

Raven Kennedy, a prisoner who has never forgiven himself for his unspeakable crime, struggles against his own guilt and self-loathing. But even as the real war wages on within himself, Raven is forced to battle some of the prison’s most ruthless killing machines. Can he survive long enough to unravel the anger and regret that shackle him—and one day find the forgiveness he seeks?



‘The Phoenix Project by D.M. Cain is a superbly written debut, soaked in tension and intrigue,’
~ Jack Croxall, author of the ‘Tethers’ trilogy.



Let's get to know D.M. Cain a little better!

D.M. Cain is a dystopian and fantasy author working for US publisher Booktrope. She has released two full length novels: The Phoenix Project - a psychological thriller set in a dystopian future, and A Chronicle of Chaos – the first in a dark fantasy series. She is currently working on the next novel in the series – 'The Shield of Soren' and a novella to accompany it.

D.M. Cain is also a member of the International Thriller Writers and is one of the creators and administrators of the online author group #Awethors.

Cain lives in Leicestershire, UK with her husband and young son, and spends her time reading, writing and reviewing books, playing RPGs and                                                                                  listening to symphonic metal.






Stalk D.M. Cain Here








Author Interview: Samantha Clarke

It's been a busy couple of months in the book world, peeps!

Part of it is getting to meet new authors just about every day! There are indie authors, and traditional authors, and every genre you can imagine! It's a pleasure, every single time I meet one!

Today's blog is an interview with Samantha Clarke: a lovely, young author who has writing coursing through her veins!
So, let's get to it...ladies and gents...Samantha Clarke!





When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I was probably twelve or thirteen, it was my freshman year of high school.


How long does it take you to write a book?
I’ve only published one book so far, but after I sat down and became serious about finishing it I was in the final stages of editing after four months.



What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
On days that I’m able to I will write for an hour or two in the morning, go about my day and then write for another hour or so before going to bed.



What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I write everything down in a notebook, including backstories, world building etc. before I type anything out.



Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
From reading or from the world around me.

When did you write your first book and how old were you?
As I mentioned I recently just published my first book, but the first book I have ever written I was the last part ninth grade, so I was probably thirteen at the time.


What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I like to read a lot but between school, work and writing I don’t get to read very much at all.


What does your family think of your writing?
My partner and their family is a lot more supportive than my own. The only people in my family that are supportive are one of my cousins, my mother and her parents. The rest of my family doesn’t take my writing very seriously at all.




What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
I pay very little attention to grammar when I’m ‘in the zone’. It took me ages to edit my book and finish all of my grammatical errors.


How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
I’ve written three, but only one has been published. I don’t plan on publishing the other two, as they were written when I was much younger.


Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Since I’m still learning the tools of the trade, I feel like I need advice more than I would be able to give it.


Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I’ve heard from a couple. They’ve all asked me when my second book is coming out and have told me that they can’t wait to read it.


Do you like to create books for adults?
Yes, however my target audience is young adults.


What do you think makes a good story?
Good world building and consistency.


As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
When I was very young I wanted to be a teacher and own a farm.


Thank you, Samantha!
If you'd like to find out more about Samantha, visit her here:

Thursday, October 1, 2015

YA Scavenger Hunt Fall 2015



Hey everybody! Welcome to the YASH Fall 2015!

I am Deidre Mapstone, your hostess on this leg of the hunt, representing TEAM PINK!


I am a stay at home mom who likes to bake, sew and write! Old fashioned loves for a new age society!
I invite you to check out the #Awethors & #IndieBooksBeSeen any time over on Twitter for some amazing authors and books! Welcome to my blog, and enjoy the hunt!


This biannual event was created by author Colleen Houck as a way to give readers a chance to gain access to exclusive bonus material from their favorite authors, and a chance to win some amazing prizes! You not only get access to exclusive content from each author, but you also receive a clue to continue the hunt! Add up all the clues and you can be entered to win TEAM PINK's fabulous prize: a signed copy of each book on the team!

Don't delay! This hunt, and all the authors' bonus material will only be available for 72 hours! 

Now, let's get to the rules so you can get on with the hunting!

How to Scavenger Hunt

Directions: Below you'll notice that I've listed my favorite number. Collect the favorite numbers of all the authors on TEAM PINK, and then add them up (don't worry, this isn't a test, you can use a calculator).

Entry Form: Once you've added up all the numbers, be sure to fill out the form here to officially qualify for the grand prize! You must have the correct final number to qualify.

Rules: Open internationally. Anyone under the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian's permission to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the completed entry form by October 4th, noon Pacific Time. Entries sent without the correct number or without contact information will not be considered.

If you have any problems or questions, go to the YA Scavenger Hunt page. There are 8 contests running in total! You can go enter all of them at the Scavenger Hunt page for a chance to win a whole other set of signed books!
With all of the technical jargon out of the way, let's meet one of TEAM PINK's authors!

I am pleased to be hosting Hilary Thompson!


I’m Hilary, and I used to be such a practical girl. Then I let the stories out.



Now I create worlds, people, and problems that are grounded in real life, if you accept that real life has magic around every turn.



I was born to parents who made a habit of taking roads less traveled. But I was also a first child, and an independent, willful child, so I’ve made a habit of taking a few roads on my own.



Now I teach Creative Writing, English, and AP Literature, write whenever and wherever I can, and read as much as my eyes can handle. I play superheroes and dress up games and read books in bed with my own independent, willful children and play at homesteading and world traveling with my wonderful soulmate of a husband. I tend to ignore laundry and dirty dishes.


Deidre here - I too ignore my dirty dishes and laundry...maybe it's a writer thing!


The book Hilary is sharing with us is Balance Broken Starbright, Book Two. Let's take a look!




The world cries for Order, but she’s igniting a revolution.

One hundred years before, the Great Sickness reduced the world to three cities. Now, Asphodel no longer lingers underground, and the Starbright Maiden of Justice has returned.

Everyone has faith in Astrea’s ability to save the world – but only she knows the dark truth about her powers.

Trea teams with Stian, Lexan, and Zarea to enlist the help of Lord Hadeon of Tartarus. They hope Hadeon will aid in attacking Asphodel’s First Leader Keirna, but the Destroyer usually takes lives, not sides.

As Trea discovers life outside of Asphodel, she begins to wonder whether the remaining world is too broken to save – especially since the price of freedom just might be her own life.



Wow! Sorry, Deidre here again - That sounds amazing! I absolutely am in love with all the names! It sounds like a riveting story! And a redhead on the cover...I am loving it all already!

You can find this and all of the Starbright series books at Hilary's Book Store!
!*!*!BONUS CONTENT ALERT!*!*!
A special scene from the Balance Broken story!

The Destroyer Finds Peace

            A man’s face bends closer to mine. I can barely focus my eyes, but I do notice the darkness, and the tickling scent of oranges.
            “What do you remember, Irana?” he asks, his voice kind and calm but oddly distressing.
            I do not want to answer the question, but he leans in closer. I try to clear the scratchiness from my throat. “The first thing I remember is my mother, telling me she would soon be employed by Lord Hadeon, and that there was someone she’d like me to meet.”
            I feel the grin in his mind before it spreads to his lips. I’ve always been able to sense things like that – satisfaction, displeasure. I try to move to adjust my arm, which is beginning to tingle, but I can’t quite figure out how to lift it.
            “The last thing I remember is Pacem. My friend. My everything else. Being dragged away. His beautiful brown eyes were afraid, but not for himself. For me. Afraid of Lord Hadeon, and what he might do to us, now that Mother had fled.”
            The smile dims a bit, leaning more toward displeasure. I wish I could see the man well enough to know who I am speaking to. I close my eyes to rest them, hoping the burning will soon stop.
            “And do you remember how to dance?” he asks when I have been silent for a few moments. My heart stutters, then seems to stop altogether. Only one man has ever seen me dance: Lord Hadeon himself. The smile has returned to his face.
            I squeeze my eyes tighter, but I still see the darkness, lit by that infernal grin. Finally, “Perhaps,” I hear myself whisper, although I’m truly not certain if I could ever dance again.
            There is nobody left for me to dance for.
            A soft flutter wakes me, followed by a light tapping on my stomach. I open my eyes slowly, noticing the light, and the scent of houseplants. Something is glinting, moving on my stomach, and I close my fingers around it tightly, meaning to crush its robotic life from it. But it is not one of Hadeon’s machines, I realize.
            Machine, yes. But I can immediately feel the balance of its parts – peace instead of the hectic grinding and clicking of the Destroyer’s creations. I bring it closer to my face.
            A bird – made of metal? Its head tilts, pin-point black eyes helping to focus and straighten my vision. Its beak opens and a red light blinks on, then off. The belly splits apart and the smallest scrap of paper is discharged. I grasp at it, and my heart leaps in my chest as I see the writing.
            11
            This is the number Pacem and I share – it is ours alone, and insignificant to anyone but us.
            It means he is alive, and he knows where I am.
            Tears wet my still-burning eyes, and it is only then that I begin to see where I am. A pure white blanket covers my legs, and a white tent, supported by golden filigree panels and arches curve above me. But not far above – the top is actually quite near. The space is egg-shaped and barely wider than my outstretched body.
            Unease begins to spread through my limbs as I struggle to move fingers and toes, one by one. I push up, wondering at how weak I’ve grown. I have no idea how long I’ve been here, or where here really is.
            Just then the tent begins to rise around me, leaving the arches and panels. I swiftly tuck the bird under the blanket. Swallowing around the lump in my throat, I can see now that I am in a cage. Lord Hadeon stands before me, sunlight glinting behind him, throwing his face into shadows.
            He sleeks his black hair and smooths his hands over his white tunic, fingering the golden fringe along the edges of his sleeves.
            “Where is my mother?” I ask, because I can’t bear to ask the location of anyone else.
            “She is no longer with us, I’m afraid,” Hadeon answers, his face grave. I lower my eyes and wait for the feelings of sorrow, but instead I feel soothed. Peaceful. My mother was never well – not in her body, and not in her mind. Death may be kinder to her than life.
            “And…and where are we?” I ask, again hesitant to ask the only question I truly need the answer to – where is Pacem?
            “In my throne room, of course. This is an antechamber, but through that lovely screen is the very room where we first met.”
            “What do you want from me?” I ask, my mind spinning with every horrific story I have ever heard about Lord Hadeon of Tartarus, the Destroyer of Lives.
            He steps closer, his eyes shining with blackness. “You, my dear, are the first glorious piece to the puzzle which the whole world is trying to solve. You are the maiden of Peace, are you not?”
            I’d like to tell him I’m not, but he’s right, and there’s really no sense in denial. “I am.”
            “Well, then EirĂȘnĂȘ, welcome to Tartarus.” He smiles and spreads his arms wide, as though to grant me the kingdom. Suddenly I feel very un-maidenly, and decidedly the opposite of peaceful.
            “You may call me Irana, and I already know exactly what Tartarus is. And who you really are.”
            His smile spreads even wider across his beautiful dark face, as self-delighted as a demon who has escaped the fire. “Will you stay with me?”
            I glance around at my golden cage, eyes narrowed in disbelief. “I am not a prisoner?”
            “No. Peace cannot be forced. Only chosen. So sayeth the Prophets.”
            “What is your bargain, then?” For there is one. There is always a bargain, where the Destroyer is concerned.
            He claps his hands lightly three times, and a screen slides apart behind me, opening what I had thought to be a blank wall.
            I breathe in too quickly and nearly choke when I see what the screen has been hiding.
            It is Pacem, but it is not Pacem.
            Not the way I once knew him.
            His beautiful brown eyes are no longer brown, but a glittering, glassine blue. His fine pale skin is covered over with metal sheeting, and his joints creak like those of the bird I still have clutched beneath the blanket. His steps stutter across the floor, uncertain as a newly-made child.
            My Pacem, my everything else, is barely more alive than my little robotic bird. Yet I know without thought that while he is here, I will be as well.
            Hadeon clears his throat gently. “I’ll ask again, then. Do you remember how to dance?”
            I nod without hesitation this time, and a sweet, peaceful music begins to play as I rise shakily to my feet, and Pacem is led away.





Oh, my aching heartstrings! I don't think I could go another 10 days without knowing what will happen! I don't know about you, but I am hooked! Stalking now! Feel free to join me:



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Thank you so much for visiting my blog today! It's been terrific having you! Because I love to give more than I receive, I am having a separate Rafflecopter giveaway below! Show the love and enter! Tell me in the comments when you're done, and how much fun you are having! What books are you looking forward to digging into?



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