Among the Branded by Linda Smolkin (VBB, excerpt, and GIVEAWAY) GFT

Among the Branded

by Linda Smolkin

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GENRE: Contemporary Fiction

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BLURB:

While attending Valor of the ’40s, art director Stephanie Britain stumbles upon a flea market selling letters from the war. She buys a handful, hoping they’ll inspire the redesign for a client’s website at her branding and design firm. She’s at first drawn by the lost art of penmanship, but soon discovers a hidden treasure nestled inside declarations of love from homesick soldiers. Stephanie enlists a coworker to translate one and realizes it’s not a love letter after all. When a shocking discovery about a client causes Stephanie to question her principles and dedication to her firm’s business, she’s forced to make a difficult decision—one that could give her peace of mind, yet ruin her career in the process.

Contemporary fiction with elements of suspense, Among the Branded explores family life, an unexpected friendship, and moral conflicts that make us wonder what’s more important: our livelihood, or our beliefs.

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EXCERPT

My phone pinged, and I grabbed it from my pocket. These days, I had to put all my reminders in the phone, or I’d forget to take care of them. Everything was in there. Change the sheets. Take Jack to taekwondo. Pay the bills. Water the plants. This time it was a more interesting reminder about our getaway.

We decided to take a short trip after dropping Jeremy off at college, and Jack would choose the place, within reason. For the past few months, we’d been so busy finalizing college plans, shopping for supplies, stockpiling food for Jeremy, and now it was Jack’s turn for attention. I cleared the reminder from my phone and asked if he’d made a decision.

“Let’s go to the Bahamas, to that resort in the commercials.”

“Sweetie, it’s hurricane season, and I can’t take that much time off work. What if we hit a few theme parks?”

“That’s boring.”

Sveta walked in, overhearing our conversation. “Since you like costumes so much, why don’t you go to Valor of the ’40s?”

“What do costumes have to do with it?” I asked.

“You were so good as Ripsie. Maybe you’ll want to reenact a war.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’re joking, right?”

“Only about dressing up. Jack would love it. They have World War II planes, tanks, all that cool stuff. And it’s near Jeremy’s college.”

“Mom, can we go?”

“Sounds interesting. But maybe something more relaxing?”

“You just said theme parks. How’s that relaxing?”

Jack had a point. He always had a point. He was twelve after all, and he was onto me like my expression lines.

 Amazon

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Linda Smolkin always wanted to be a writer—ever since she saw her first TV commercial and wondered how to pen those clever ads. She got her degree in journalism and became a copywriter. Linda landed a job at an advertising agency, where she worked for several years before joining the nonprofit world. She’s the author of the novels Among the Branded (May 2017) and The Arrival of Elsa (March 2018). When not in front of the computer, she’s behind the drums (slightly) annoying her husband, son, and their 70-pound dog.  She grew up on the East Coast and currently calls Virginia home.

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Website

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GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The tour dates can be found here

Daddy's Girl by Ben Burgess, Jr. (spotlight, interview, and GIVEAWAY) MFT

It is my pleasure to host an interview with author Ben Burgess, Jr.
(and to thank him for his service!)



ELF: When did you write your first book?

BB:  I wrote and published my first book (a Poetry Book) “Times Have Changed and Life is Strange,” in 2008. I promised my junior high school English teacher Mrs. Ladd-Marcus that I would publish my poetry one day, and I felt that was the time to do it.


ELF: What does your family think of your writing?

BB:  My family has been very supportive and they are proud of me. Whenever I win an award, my Mom is the first to brag to everyone she knows about it. My other family member have also helped to get my name out to the world by sharing my works with their friends.


ELF:  As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

BB:  As a child, I wanted to be a pilot! I used to watch a cartoon called “Tail Spin” and I wanted to fly plains.


ELF:  What do you like to do when you're not writing?

BB:  When I’m not writing, I love to hang out with my family and play with my daughter, play basketball, work out, and…play video games! LOL!


ELF: Do you write on a computer, dictate or longhand?

BB:  I do all of the above. I’m an NYPD Detective so whenever I have a free second; I’ll either jot something down on my Samsung Note 5, use the voice recorder, or type something quickly on my laptop. I like to write things down as soon as they come to me.


ELF:  Did you make any marketing mistakes or is there anything you would avoid in future?

BB:  Book marketing is a gamble. Somethings are effective; some aren’t. With each book, I try to focus on which marketing tools have been the most effective and stick with what works. I don’t continue to use strategies that I feel have not been effective. I also talk to other authors about what has been successful with them; I research companies online, and I read articles in book magazines to gain ideas for successful marketing. The mistakes I’ve made in the past is not doing my homework with book marketing promoters and companies.

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BOOK INFORMATION

Daddy's Girl

by

Ben Burgess Jr. 

GENRE – Contemporary Romance/ African American Fiction/ Urban Fiction
PUBLICATION DATE – June 13th, 2016
LENGTH – 478 pages
PUBLISHER – Legacy Books LLC
COVER ARTIST – Leah Frieday



BOOK SYNOPSIS:

Nick Johnson has always been an underachieving, borderline alcoholic. He soon finds himself in over his head when his affair with Vickie, an unhappily married homemaker, results in an accidental pregnancy. Vickie abandons Nick to raise their biracial daughter, Lynn, alone. Overwhelmed by the difficulties of single fatherhood and seeking comfort and help for himself in that stressful journey, Nick dates numerous women who will change his life forever.

Will raising Lynn force him to mature? Can a single father with a challenging past teach his daughter to become a strong, successful woman? Will a Daddy's Girl, raised primarily by her father, leave Lynn destined to fail from a lack of female guidance?

 

BUY & TBR LINKS

AMAZON KINDLE US – GOODREADS

AUTHOR BIO

Ben Burgess Jr is the author of the award-winning novels Monster, Wounded, Love and Happiness, and the new novel Daddy’s Girl. He is an active performer of spoken word poetry. Ben Burgess Jr uses his love of writing to inspire and influence youths to strive for what they believe in, and to never give up on their dreams. His novels Monster and Wounded are currently used in schools on the lower east side of Manhattan. Ben Burgess has a BA degree in Business Management and an MA degree in Educational Leadership. He is the proud father of his daughter Jaelynn and is active in trying to improve urban neighborhoods and communities.






AUTHOR FOLLOW LINKS:

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE – WEBSITE / BLOG FACEBOOK – TWITTER GOOGLE+ – PINTEREST GOODREADS

 

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GIVEAWAY PRIZES


(5) Kindle Copies

a Rafflecopter giveaway

K9 Blue: Ground Zero by Matt McCredie (VBB, excerpt and GIVEAWAY) GFT

K9 Blue: Ground Zero

by Matt McCredie

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BLURB:

Police dog handler Mike Winters and his furry partner Falcon love a good chase. They'll do anything to protect the streets of Sydney, whether it's tracking a murderer through the woods or breaking up a bar brawl. To them, it's all fun and games until the bad guy gets hurt. And then it's just fun.

Lately though, it seems that violent incidents are on the rise. When Mike and Falcon's beloved commander is killed in action, Mike is determined to bring the perpetrators to justice, but he has no idea just how deep this malevolent plot runs.

A terrorist organisation has devised a plan to attack the city from all sides, and they have taken over a refuelling ship in Sydney Harbour. Mike and Falcon must use all of their wit and courage to battle the killers, expose police corruption, and, if they're lucky, save a city from obliteration.

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EXCERPT

Mike looked down at Falcon, who was totally focused on the menacing figure in front of him. He knew then that there was only going to be one way to take this lunatic in: violently. He drew his .40-calibre Glock pistol, the curved rough grip of the handle fitting his hand comfortably, giving him confidence. Fifteen police rounds and a police dog versus a psycho and his knife. Mike liked his chances, but did not underestimate the ability of the man in front of him. He switched off the torch as he switched on the light source attached to the base of his pistol. Still enough to light up his target, but not quite enough to keep blinding him. There was no way he could wait for backup, as he had lost radio communications and didn’t know how many other coppers, if any, were following him in. He and Falcon were going to have to handle the situation alone. He couldn’t risk letting this criminal escape.

Falcon started to go berserk again, straining as they moved forward to take his target on. The dog didn’t know what this guy had done and he didn’t know how dangerous he really was. He just knew that he was going to take him down with his dad like they had done so many times before.

Mike and Falcon edged in closer. ‘DROP THE WEAPON. GET ON THE GROUND!’

At three metres, the phantom moved. He passed the glinting knife back and forth between his hands in an attempt to keep the pig and his dog guessing. Bending forward, he moved in a wide circle, daring the two of them to come in closer to where he could drive.

his blade through their flesh. Gutting them would be a pleasure. Unfortunately for him, though, his eyes were still trying to adjust from the torch’s intense light to the relative darkness supplied by the smaller light source. The loose branches and rocks strewn over the uneven surface of the clearing gave way beneath his boots, sending him down on one knee with the knife still firmly in his hand.

This was Mike’s chance. He didn’t hesitate for even half a second. Screaming his command for Falcon to attack, he released his aching grip from the straining harness. ‘GET HIM!’

Falcon shot forward with total focus and purpose. Flying through the air, he hit his target on the full and clamped his jaws down around the sinewy biceps of the murderer, who yelped when he saw a full white set of canines scream out of the darkness and straight into his arm. Mike’s command to attack wasn’t really necessary — Falcon knew what had to be done and he was doing it. The murderer was knocked completely off-balance, crashing to the ground. Mike quickly slammed his pistol back into its holster and grabbed hold of his large aluminium torch, all the while moving in to help out his mate. There was no hesitation; his partner had done the hard part, now it was Mike’s turn to earn his money. This psycho was still armed.

‘Good boy — give it to him, mate!’ The big cop came over the top of Falcon, who was still clamped down on the murderer’s arm and violently shaking his head back and forth, driving his canines further and further into the tearing flesh. The big dog growled as he pig-rooted his prey back towards the dark line of trees. Mike momentarily lost sight of the blade.

‘Shit, shit, shit. Where’s the knife?’ Mike swung the torch down as hard as he could on the murderer’s arm, just as he viciously hacked the blade out of the dark at Falcon’s snout. The torch smashed into the man’s forearm, shattering the bone with a brutal strike. It stopped the blade attack in its tracks and propelled the deadly steel onto the ground, clattering out of sight. Mike dropped the torch and drew his right fist high above his head.

‘Giddy up!’ he yelled.

His fist slammed straight down into the centre of the balaclava with a sickening thud that shattered bone and cartilage, spreading the man’s nose flat across his face. His head bounced off the unforgiving ground with a crack. Mike swore, rubbing his swelling knuckles in his left hand. The man went limp, his balaclava stained with the blood which poured from his broken nose. Falcon was still biting down hard and fighting, the punch spurring him on. He wouldn’t quit until he was told to. Triumphantly he dragged the unresisting carcass across the rocky ground. Mike located the blade and bagged it, and then yelled his command to Falcon, who reluctantly let go. He trotted back to Mike’s side, but never once took his eyes off the prized catch. Mike gave his dog a well-deserved pat on his head.

Buy Link
 
Amazon

NOTE: The book is only $0.99.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Matt McCredie joined the New South Wales Police Force in 1992 working in Uniform and plain clothes before being accepted into the elite NSW Police Dog Squad where he spent 13 years as a dog handler. During his police service Matt was awarded two Commissioners Commendations for bravery.  He has published two non fiction titles, Blue Paws (2009) and The Real Inspector Rex (2013). Matt is an accomplished public and corporate speaker and lives in Sydney with his wife and two children.

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GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The tour dates can be found here

Mama's Boy by ReShonda Tate Billingsley (spotlight)

 

Mama's Boy

ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Gallery Books

July 7, 2015

$15.00

A novel as timely as today’s headlines.

“…There’s plenty of top storytelling to keep pages turning. Her authentic portrayal of the fear an African American mother endures when her son is captured by police makes this a timely novel that belongs in all urban fiction collections.”

—Library Journal, Starred Review and PICK OF THE MONTH

“This is an outstanding story that handles every mother’s nightmare from multiple views while addressing one of society’s deepest controversies. The real emotions in this story caused this reader to finish the book in one sitting. The end was like watching a cliffhanger that one did not see coming!”

—RT, Four and a Half Starred Review and TOP PICK!

ABOUT THE BOOK:

When her son is in trouble, a heartbroken mother finds the courage and faith to save him, in ReShonda Tate Billingsley’s powerful family drama Mama's Boy—a novel as timely as today’s headlines.

The breaking TV news rocks Jasper, Texas, to the core: a white police officer is fatally shot in a scuffle with three black youths—and a cellphone video captures Jamal Jones, the sixteen-year-old son of esteemed Reverend Elton Jones, escalating the tragic encounter.  Now, as the national spotlight shines on a town already rife with racial tension, Jamal is a murder suspect on the run. And all of Jasper—even the reverend’s congregation—rushes to judge the teen they thought they knew.

But Gloria Jones knows her son best, and she races to find Jamal before the law does—to the outrage of her workaholic husband. Once she finds him, she has to decide whether to turn him in or help him run. With ruthless prosecutor and Houston mayoral candidate Kay Christensen hungering to put another young thug behind bars, Gloria will face her biggest battle yet. And when long-hidden secrets and shocking lies come to light, throwing Jamal’s case and his destiny into a tailspin, all Gloria can do is pray that the truth—and a mother’s unconditional love—will be enough to redeem the mistakes of the past and, ultimately, save her son.

Mama's Boy will have readers engrossed in thoughts of what they would do if facing the same situation, and inevitably having the conversation with others—a page-turner and conversation-starter all in one.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

ReShonda Tate Billingsley is the national bestselling author of 35+ books. Her sophomore novel, Let the Church Say Amen, has been made into a movie, directed by actress Regina King and produced by Queen Latifah's Flavor Unit Productions. Let the Church Say Amen will premiere on BET on August 30, 2015. ReShonda’s entire Amen series, as well as the novel I Know I've Been Changedhas been optioned by BET, and she recently secured a deal with TV One to bring two more of her books to film in the fall of 2016. ReShonda is a winner of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literature for her book, Say Amen, Again, and she was subsequently nominated for her book, The Secret She Kept. An Arkansas native, ReShonda is proud to have been inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame. 

In 2014, ReShonda co-founded Brown Girls Books, a boutique publishing company aimed at producing quality books from fresh voices and fan favorites. A proud University of Texas at Austin graduate, ReShonda is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Jack and Jill of America. She is the wife of Dr. Miron Billingsley, a vice chancellor at North Carolina Central University, and the mother of three children.

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Website

My Carolina Today (7/7/15)

COME MEET RESHONDA!

Saturday, July 11^th, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Books and Brunch, Forum Caterers, 4210 Primrose Ave., Baltimore MD

Brunch Early Bird, $35 / Brunch and Writers Workshop, $55 / Writers Workshop, $25

To register and make payment: http://www.jotform.us/form/50846354427156

Sunday, July 12^th, 3:00 – 6:00 pm

Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex, 8001 Sheriff Rd., Hyattsville, MD 

General Admission $25. To register and make payment:

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-summer-tea-tickets-038133516?utm_campaign=201308&ref=esfb&utm_source=Facebookenivtefor001

Monday, July 13^th, 6:00 pm

Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, Philadelphia, PA

Wednesday, July 15^th, 6:00 – 8:00 pm

The Twig, 306 Pearl Parkway Suite 106, San Antonio, TX 

Saturday, July 18^th, 2:00 – 4:00 pm

Houston Public Library, 5411 Pardee St., Houston TX 77026 

*An event with ReShonda’s daughter Morgan Billingsley

Tuesday, July 21^st, 7:00 pm

Barnes & Noble, Westheimer Crossing, 7626 Westheimer, Houston, TX

*An event with Victoria Christopher Murray

Thursday, July 23, 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Epps Memorial Library, 1324 North Simmons St., Lake Charles, LA

Saturday, July 25, 1:00 pm

Barnes & Noble, 4155 Dowlen Rd., Beaumont, TX 

Sunday, August 9^th, 3:00 pm

Durham County Main Library, 300 N. Roxboro St., Durham, NC

BOOK FESTIVAL: September 4^th – 6^th, 2015

Decatur Book Festival, Decatur, GA (10 minutes outside Atlanta)

BOOK FESTIVAL: Saturday, September 12^th, 2015

2^nd Annual Literacy Mid-South Book Festival, Memphis, TN

Saturday, September 19^th, 9:30 – 6:00 pm

Durham County Library, Southwest Regional Library, 3605 Shannon Rd., Durham, NC