Night Owl Reviews is running a great Winter Booklovers Contest, and I’m one of the participating authors. There are some great gift card prizes to be won, so head on over to Night Owl Reviews on November 10th to December 10th and enter for a chance to win.
Fresh Fiction is hosting a terrific contest for me.
Entrants stand a chance to win a fantastic golden apple charm (14k gold over 925 stirling silver) and a silver pear charm (925 stirling silver), as well as a copy of The Golden Apple and The Silver AND an e-copy of Entranced: A Halloween Box Set which includes my paranormal short story, Breaking Out.
Go here to find out more: http://freshfiction.com/contest.php?id=6840
I heard over the weekend that Mistress of the Wind has been nominated by readers for the IRC Best Book 2014 in the fantasy romance category. I am really thrilled to be nominated, and particularly love that it is a reader nominated award. To celebrate, I’m giving away two print copies of Mistress of the Wind (or ebook, if the winner prefers). All you have to do to enter is join my latest release notification list (I only send out announcements when I have a new release, you can unsubscribe at any time and I will never share your details with anyone). I’ll enter anyone who joins my list from today until next Friday into the contest. If you’ve already signed up to receive my new release notifications, just comment on this post that you’re already on the list, and give the email you subscribed with when you fill out the comment form (no-one else but me sees the email addies).
About Mistress of the Wind:
Bjorn needs to find a very special woman . . .
The fate of his people, and his own life, depends on it. But when he does find her, she is nothing like he imagined, and may just harbor more secrets than he does himself.
Astrid has never taken well to commands. No matter who issues them . . .
She’s clashed her whole life with her father, and now her lover, the mysterious man who comes to her bedroom in darkness and disappears to guard his mountain by day as a bear, is finding it out the hard way. And when he’s taken by his enemies, no one is prepared for Astrid’s response.
It is never wise to anger the mistress of the wind . . .
A captivating and magical adult retelling of the fairy tale East of the Sun, West of the Moon.
GIVEAWAY WINNERS: The contest is over, and the winners are Janie and RLee! Congratulations to you both, I have sent you emails to get your addresses.
To post this Blitz and add your Social Media to the Rafflecopter,
email us at PrismBookTours(at)gmail.com with “A Dangerous Madness” in the subject line!
It’s RELEASE DAY for Michelle Diener’s third book in her Regency London Series,
A Dangerous Madness!
The Duke of Wittaker has been living a lie…
He’s been spying on the dissolute, discontented noblemen of the ton, pretending to share their views. Now he’s ready to step out of the shadows and start living a real life…but when the prime minister of England is assassinated, he’s asked to go back to being the rake-hell duke everyone believes he still is to find out more.
Miss Phoebe Hillier has been living a lie, too…
All her life she’s played by society’s rules, hiding her fierce intelligence and love of life behind a docile and decorous mask. All it’s gotten her is jilted by her betrothed, a man she thought a fool, though a harmless one. But when she discovers her former fiancé was involved in the plot against the prime minister, and that he’s been murdered, she realizes he wasn’t so harmless after all.
And now the killers have set their sights on her…
The only man who can help her is the Duke of Wittaker–a man she knows she shouldn’t trust. And she soon realizes he’s hiding behind a mask as careful as her own. As the clock ticks down to the assassin’s trial, the pair scramble to uncover the real conspiracy behind the prime minister’s death. And as the pressure and the danger mounts, Phoebe and Wittaker shed their disguises, layer by layer, to discover something more precious than either imagined–something that could last forever. Unless the conspirators desperate to hide their tracks get to them first.
Amazon * Kindle * iTunes * Kobo
SPECIAL OFFER
It just so happens that In Defense of the Queen, one of my Tudor-set historicals, is on special offer at the moment on Amazon, down to $0.99 from $4.99. The offer ends on May 24th, so if you like historicals with twists, turns and a lot of suspense, be sure to grab a copy.
Connections
I am so excited that my historical novel, A Dangerous Madness, releases today. A Dangerous Madness is set during the Regency period in London, and the plot revolves around the assassination of the British prime minister, Spencer Perceval.
A Dangerous Madness stands alone, but it is also connected to two other of my historical novels, The Emperor’s Conspiracy and Banquet of Lies. The fun part of connecting the novels for me was to revisit characters I love from the previous two books (which are also connected to each other) but introducing those characters so that a reader of A Dangerous Madness doesn’t have to have read the other two books to understand them. The characters have to stand alone, as much as the books do. But for those readers who have read either one or both of the previous books, they’ll see those characters again, and learn a little about what has happened to them since the last book.
I’ve had so many readers contact me and comment on how much they enjoyed catching a glimpse of one or other of their favorite characters, which I really love. And quite a few people who read Banquet of Lies went back to read The Emperor’s Conspiracy, and told me they found it equally satisfying, so readers don’t have to read the books in any particular order.
In this way, connected books are more versatile than a series, because most people are hesitant to read a series out of order, and I totally understand that. I also love that so many people wrote to me after Banquet of Lies, asking if the Duke of Wittaker would get his own story. It was very satisfying to tell them I had started working on it straight after I finished Banquet of Lies. 🙂
From the beginning of Banquet of Lies, the Duke of Wittaker is mentioned by various characters again and again, although readers only ‘meet’ him near the very end. But when he did arrive on the scene, he made a real impact. I wrote and rewrote the scenes with him in them, because he really shone as a character and I wanted to do him justice. I loved that readers felt the same way, and those who read Banquet of Lies and have been waiting for their Duke of Wittaker fix, I hope they enjoy A Dangerous Madness as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Michelle’s other historical novels include Daughter of the Sky, The Emperor’s Conspiracy and Banquet of Lies (loosely connected to The Emperor’s Conspiracy).
Michelle’s fantasy novels include Mistress of the Wind and The Golden Apple.
Michelle was born in London, grew up in South Africa and currently lives in Australia with her husband and two children.
Goodreads * Amazon * Website * Twitter * Facebook
Blitz-Wide Giveaways:
Grand Prize: Print copies of The Emperor’s Conspiracy, Banquet of Lies, and A Dangerous Madness
5 Print or Kindle copies (winner’s choice) of A Dangerous Madness
Both giveaway are open internationally.
May 19th – 26th
See Rafflecopter for restrictions.
Are you a blogger and want to receive information about new tours? Go HERE.
Today is release day for The Golden Apple! The Golden Apple is my second fantasy novel and it’s the first part of a two-part series. The second book, The Silver Pear, is due out in Fall 2014. The Golden Apple is loosely-based on the Norwegian fairy tale The Princess on the Glass Hill.
I’ve got a great contest going on for readers who read The Golden Apple and post a review. You can find the details here.
About The Golden Apple:
Kayla’s world has been turned upside-down . . .
Her father has made her the prize in a deadly, impossible tournament, and Kayla has retaliated in the only way she knows how; by choosing her champion beforehand. But taking control of the outcome changes the game completely, and when the real reason behind the strange test becomes apparent, Kayla realizes not just her life, but her entire kingdom is at stake.
Rane’s honor is torn in two…
In order to save his brother, Rane will do whatever he has to–including deceive and betray a princess. He knew nothing about this tournament would be easy, but when it turns into a deeper, far more sinister game, Rane is forced to see it through to the end, or leave his brother at the mercy of their enemy.
Now their fates are entwined, and they must venture into the deep, dark forest together . . .
Kayla and Rane are bound to one another by an enchantment and Kayla’s actions. But the sorcerer forcing them to do his will may have miscalculated, because no-one comes out of the Great Forest unchanged. No-one.
Available for purchase:
Coming soon to:
Book Depository | Indiebound | Kobo
To say thank you to readers for posting reviews on The Golden Apple, or any of my books, I’ve set up a Rafflecopter draw. All you have to do to enter is post your link to a review on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook or any venue of your choice of any one of my books, and each review counts as a new entry. There are twenty copies of any one of my novels to be won, winners’ choice.
The contest ends on April 24th.
Best of luck!
One of the things I’ve loved about my journey as a writer is the wonderful friends I’ve made on the way. Therese Walsh is one of those people who I am so grateful to know and love having in my life. Her wonderful book, The Moon Sisters, is set for a March 4th release.
Therese Walsh’s poignant and mesmerizing novel is a moving tale of family, love, and the power of stories. After their mother’s probable suicide, sisters Olivia and Jazz are figuring out how to move on with their lives. Jazz, logical and forward-thinking, decides to get a new job, but spirited, strong-willed Olivia, who can see sounds, taste words, and smell sights, is determined to travel to the remote setting of their mother’s unfinished novel to say her final goodbyes and lay their mother’s spirit to rest.
Though they see things very differently, Jazz is forced by her sense of duty to help Olivia reach her goal. Bitter and frustrated by the attention heaped on her sunny sister whose world is so unique, Jazz is even more upset when they run into trouble along the way and Olivia latches to a worldly train-hopper. Though Hobbs warns Olivia that he’s a thief who shouldn’t be trusted, he agrees to help with their journey. As they near their destination, the tension builds between the two sisters, each hiding something from the other, and they will finally be forced to face everything between them and decide what is really important.
“Both heartbreaking and hopeful, the Moon sisters’ journey is no quixotic quest, and readers will find themselves completely immersed in their transformative search. This magical, moving tale is not to be missed.”
“Luminous…a book packed with invention and rich characterizations.”
Pre-Order:
Random House * Amazon * Barnes & Noble * IndieBound * iTunes
SPECIAL!!!
We’re sending a copy of Therese Walsh’s debut novel, The Last Will of Moira Leahy, to the first 150 people who preorder their copy of Therese Walsh’s new novel, The Moon Sisters, and send us their proof of purchase before March 4th. To receive your copy of The Last Will of Moira Leahy, be one of the first 150 preorder customers to send your address and proof of purchase to CrownReadingGroups(at)randomhouse.com. Offer is limited to residents of the United States, age 18 or over. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Crown is not responsible for lost or misrouted submissions, interrupted or unavailable network or server connections, or other computer or technical failures.
Appearances & News from Therese Walsh
Up-coming Tour at TLC Tours
Therese Walsh’s debut novel, The Last Will of Moira Leahy, was published in 2009 by Shaye Areheart books (Random House). Her second novel, The Moon Sisters, will be published by Crown (Penguin Random House) in March 2014.
Therese is the co-founder of Writer Unboxed, a blog for writers about the craft and business of fiction. Before turning to novels, she was a researcher and writer for Prevention magazine, and then a freelance writer. She’s had hundreds of articles on nutrition and fitness published in consumer magazines and online.
She has a master’s degree in psychology.
Aside from writing, Therese’s favorite things include music, art, crab legs, Whose Line is it Anyway?, dark chocolate, photography, unique movies and novels, people watching, strong Irish tea, and spending time with her husband, two kids and their bouncy Jack Russell
Goodreads * Website * Writer Unboxed * Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest
Prism Book Tours Blitz: Feb 18 * Feb 25 * March 4
Receive an additional entry on the Rafflecopter for posting each! Email Tressa at TressasWishfulEndings@outlook.com to receive the html code for Blogger or WordPress
Enter to WIN The Moon Sisters or $100… or both!
Giveaway #1
Feb 18 – March 11
WIN $100 Gift Card – International
See Rafflecopter for restrictions
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Giveaway #2
Feb 18 – March 11
WIN print copy of The Moon Sisters – US/Canada only
See Rafflecopter for restrictions
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Are you a blogger and want to receive information about new tours? Go HERE.
Are you an author or publisher and would like to have us organize a tour event? Go HERE.
Bjorn needs to find a very special woman . . .
The fate of his people, and his own life, depends on it. But when he does find her, she is nothing like he imagined, and may just harbor more secrets than he does himself.
Astrid has never taken well to commands. No matter who issues them . . .
She’s clashed her whole life with her father, and now her lover, the mysterious man who comes to her bedroom in darkness and disappears to guard his mountain by day as a bear, is finding it out the hard way. And when he’s taken by his enemies, no one is prepared for Astrid’s response.
It is never wise to anger the mistress of the wind . . .
A captivating and magical adult retelling of the fairy tale East of the Sun, West of the Moon.
Praise for Mistress of the Wind:
“Diener’s adaptation retains the familiar elements of the original, echoing both the structure and spirit of the classic, but true to form, she puts her own spin both the plot and the narrative, crafting an intricately alluring tale of self-sacrifice, steadfast devotion and enduring love.“ Flashlight Commentary
“The story is fast-paced and never boring, the world a beauty and Michelle’s writing so wonderfully detailed that I felt I was with Bjorn and Astrid on their journey.“ Book Bird Reviews
Author Michelle Diener takes this re-telling to another level. She doesn’t restrict herself to an East of the Sun, West of the moon retelling. Instead we are also given parts reminiscent of Psyche’s quest. Which just allowed for a much more richer story. Paperback Wonderland
Check out each stop on the tour!
12/29: Launch
12/30: My Seryniti
+ Tome Tender
12/31: Kelly P’s Blog
+ Giveaway Breaking News for Indonesia
1/1: Mel’s Shelves
1/2: Mythical Books
+ Tressa’s Wishful Endings
1/3: Brooke Blogs
1/5: Leeanna.me
1/6: The Book Landers
+ Deal Sharing Aunt
1/7: So Many Reads
1/8: My Devotional Thoughts
1/10: saeit yahalomi
+ Colorimetry
1/12: The Reading Diaries
+ Bookish Outsider
1/13: The Wonderings of One Person
1/14: Dalene’s Book Reviews
+ A Greater Yes
1/15: A Backwards Story
1/16: Addicted Readers
1/17: Grand Finale
Michelle’s other historical novels include Daughter of the Sky, The Emperor’s Conspiracy and Banquet of Lies (loosely connected to The Emperor’s Conspiracy).
Michelle’s first fantasy novel, Mistress of the Wind, is set for a December 23, 2013, release.
Michelle was born in London, grew up in South Africa and currently lives in Australia with her husband and two children.
Goodreads * Amazon * Website * Twitter * Facebook
International Giveaway:
10 copies of Mistress of the Wind, Kindle or print, winner’s choice.
Are you a blogger and want to receive information about new tours? Go HERE.
Are you an author or publisher and would like to have us organize a tour event? Go HERE.
Banquet of Lies releases tomorrow, and today, in the lead up, there are a number of reviews and an interview from some great review sites.
Review: The Maiden’s Court
Review: Unabridged Chick
Review: So Many Reads
Review: New Age Mama
Interview and giveaway: Books For Life
I have one advance reading copy of Banquet of Lies left. To go into the draw to win the copy, either sign up for my newsletter by 30 September 2013, or, if you subscribe to my newsletter already, share the details of this contest on twitter (with the hashtag #BanquetofLies so I can track who enters) or share on Facebook (go here to share, so I can track your entry). If you tweet and share on FB, you get two entries. Good luck! This contest is international. Anyone can enter.
WINNER: Thanks to everyone who participated in this contest. Congratulations to Samatha Talarico. Random.org pulled your name out of the virtual hat and you win a copy of Banquet of Lies. I’ll be in touch to get your details.