Happy Release Day, Armada West! Book one in her paranormal series launches today. All proceeds from today will go to the charity To Write Love On Her Arms. For Details, click here.
Recently, I started to think about how important music is to our every day lives. Music helps us when we're sad. It can make us dance. It can hold a memory. Music influences us in many different ways, through every facet of our lives. This is true for authors as well. Invincible by Pat Benatar inspired the first chapter in Amethyst Chronicles: Winter's Kiss. Recently I've been revising the second in the series, Amethyst Chronicles: Croceus Poison while listening to music that's on my phone. Croceus Poison really turns the tide on the series. We've got a lot of angst and a love triangle to contend with.
Now there hasn't been a song that's directly inspired content, this book definitely has a soundtrack for me. I'm not going into a lot of details since we're still a ways until the May launch date, but this should give you a feel for the book and some cool music to listen to.
This is a great song to start off with. It really conveys how Ember is feeling at the beginning of the story. Spike's initial lines also echo Liam and Lewis' thoughts and emotions too, including (one of my favorite lines) "I hope she fries! I'm free if that b*tch dies! I better help her out."
I love this song. First time I heard it was at the end of a fan video for Star Wars featuring one of my favorite characters, Mara Jade. Ember is not in a good mental space in chapter one.
At the core, Amethyst is a team of genetically enhanced humans. The teams that endured and survived the Genesis Project stand head and shoulders above the other billions on our planet. But there are consequences. When one of them falls, what is left in the wake? "On the wings of invention now we hurdle toward our fate as sure as the sunset burns. Collective resignation, evolutionary fate. When will we ever learn?"
This song is very poignant for her in regards to one particular man. Really listen to the lyrics. It's pretty verbatim with how she feels in the beginning.
This is a completely change in gears, and of attitude. Ember may be a badass, but she has a soft heart. Very few people get to see it because she has her guard up. This is a personal song for Ember, to a very special man (and no, I won't tell who.)
Just a sampling of songs which echo within the heart of this book. There certainly are other songs that resonate with scenes or stories.
"The Glory of Love" is one of my favorite songs and I love New Found
Glory so I was thrilled when they came out with a cover. So much that
John plays this song to Maddie on their wedding day.
I LOVE this song! It's been stuck in my head for two days now. You will see the scene inspired by this in Amethyst Chronicles 3.
This didn't inspire any scene in particular, but I rediscovered Lindsey Stirling while working on promotions for Mirror Shattered and it's PERFECT.
I know, cheap plug, but this video created for me by one of Distinguished Press's own Armada West is awesome and fits with Mirror Reformed. Thanks for creating this fantastic video!
So that's my handful. What are your thoughts on my song choices, or do you have suggestions for me? Leave it in the comments!
Friday, March 6, 2015
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Grand Master's Pawn by Aurora Springer
Blurb
A thousand years in the future, wars and portal
failures disturb the fringes of the galaxy. On Terra, twenty-two year old
Violet Hunter seems an ordinary student of the Space Academy, who dreams of
exploring unknown planets. She applies to serve as the pawn of one of the
twelve Grand Masters, although her hidden talent makes her ineligible. Violet
has defied the prohibition against psychics for half her life. Why should she
stop now? When she meets the Grand Master, or rather his griffin avatar, she
realizes the danger. He must never learn her secret. He orders her on missions
to exotic planets where she gains powers and finds strange allies. In secret, Violet
seeks the truth about the mysterious Grand Masters. Who or what are they? Do
they threaten or benefit civilization? And, what is the connection to her
father’s death twenty years ago? While searching for answers, she plunges into
a world of intrigues and explosive conflicts, while the galaxy flies toward chaos.
Drink tea with the White Mother on Avalon,
fly with the dragon lords of Sythos, while Violet hunts for the evil conspirators
in Book 1 of the Grand Masters Trilogy.
Interview with the Pawn, Violet Hunter
Question:
Tell us a bit about yourself, Violet.
Answer:
I’m twenty two years old. I’ve earned master’s degrees in xenobiology and
geomorphology from the Space Academy, and I have certificates for proficiency
in single combat and target shooting. It’s all in the public records! Off the
record, I’m an empath, trained in secret.
Question:
Why do you wear a steel necklace with two sapphires?
Answer:
I have a pawn’s collar to show that I serve one of the twelve Grand Masters. I
found the sapphires on my first mission. My Grand Master watches through them
on my missions.
Question:
Do tell us about your mysterious Grand Master?
Answer:
Oh, he’s obnoxious. He won’t tell me his name and he likes to shove his psi
power at me. But, I’m going to fix him!
Question:
What does he look like?
Answer:
I’ve no idea! He has a griffin avatar with flashy blue eyes. For all I know, he
might be an alien or a robot.
Question:
What is your goal in life?
Answer:
My lifelong dream is to explore planets and meet weird aliens. And now, I’m
determined to discover the truth about the Grand Masters. Mother Tingu believes
some of them want to destroy civilization.
Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TP1N5PM
Bio:
After a successful career in science, I have
achieved my life-long ambition to publish novels. My published works include
science fiction and fantasy with romance and a sprinkle of humor. I was born in
the UK and live in Atlanta with my husband, a dog and two cats to sit on my
laptop. My hobbies, besides reading and writing, include outdoor activities
like watching wildlife, hiking and canoeing.
Media links:
Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Aurora-Springer/e/B00K2C4NL8
Twitter: http://twitter.com/AuroraSpringer
Sunday, March 1, 2015
The King's Mortal by Armada West
She had the kind of beauty that started wars. Wars that left a path of destruction and mayhem in their wake.
On March 6th, Distinguished Press is proud to present the debut book in Armada West's Wintertide series, The King's Mortal. On launch day, all proceeds will be donated to To Write Love On Her Arms, a non-profit movement dedicated presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide.
I invite you to join me in Cimmerian, the frigid vampire realm—the home to the huntsmen of God. They have been tasked with slaughtering the humans who've released the plagued doppelgängers of mankind from their hellish prison, and it is an eternally uphill battle. Hope comes in the form of young Lana Corvin, a psychic lingering on the cusp of death with a blood disease, and wasting her precious days as the main squeeze of a notorious drug dealer. When she becomes the target of Cerberus, a kingpin drug lord, Fate will teach her that life—no matter how much or how little of it you possess—gives no second chances. That is, unless the rogue Vlad Dracula, hellbent on usurping the throne to claim Cimmerian for himself, doesn't teach it to her first.
Excerpt:
“This is a private meeting,” Gavin said. His arms hung at his sides casually, but everything about his
stance was ready to move as he stared at Cerberus and his henchmen. There were
ten of them, not including the dogs bristling at the ends of their chain
leashes. Dear God, what kind of dogs are those? They were massive,
standing only a few inches shy of her mediocre five feet, and covered with
bushy fur. Maybe they were bears, not dogs at all. Lana glanced warily from
Cerberus to Mónica, Donatien, and Béla. Mónica had locked
up the artillery, and Lana noticed the appearance of a holster holding a gun at
her hip. Donatien and Béla were now on each
side of her and Gavin, and she got the uneasy sensation they were for her, not
Gavin. Meanwhile Blair, Russ, and Johnson were all starting to reach for the
heat they were packing.
“I was giving you the benefit of the doubt my invitation was just misplaced.” Cerberus’ beady eyes moved
over to Lana’s friends. “It looks like I was mistaken.”
“You were.”
Gavin’s tone never wavered as Cerberus strutted forward. Lana
shied away behind Gavin, biting down on her lip—Cerberus didn’t miss the
motion. Immediately his eyes flashed to her. He was a lone wolf who scented
blood.
“I know you. You’re Vic’s piece of ass.” His eyes had a cruel glimmer. “If you’re here, he won’t be. That’s rather
disappointing.”
It was a slap to her already wavering confidence and Lana physically
winced at the comment. All it took was that momentary distraction. She didn’t see him pull the gun out; she only heard the safety
clicking off.
“Now, this is going to be nice and easy from here on out. You three” —he waved the muzzle in Blair’s direction— “will load all of that into my car. I will pay you for the merchandise.” Cerberus was mindful enough not to point the gun at
Gavin. “And you . . .” He eyed her with hunger. “You can get in
my car, dear.”
“I’d rather shit in my hands and clap,” she said.
West
co-authored a romantic sci-fi short story, Space in the Fall, with fellow author and friend,
Jadeleath. The piece premiered in the Persephone's Song anthology from Keith
Publications.
In
2014 West was contracted by Distinguished Press for her series Wintertide, a
re-vamping of Bottom Feeders. The
King's Mortal will be available March 6, 2015. When the Gloves Come Off,
a full length novel adaptation of West's Undefeated, was picked up by Roane Publishing
in 2014. A release date is still pending.
As a model, Armada West has been featured in Riot Vixen magazine (February 2014) and on Inked Girls. She also worked with game developer, Jaime Fraine, for his 2014 "Tree Translator" Kickstarter campaign and was featured in two of his promotional videos.
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Embers by Karyn Pearson
It all begins with a Spark . . .
Ardentia, a demon hunter with a demon’s spirit bound to her own, goes on a journey to restore honor to her mother’s name. One by one, she hunts down the Saligia, who are responsible for her family’s curse. The closer she gets to bringing the Seven Deadly Sins down, the higher the chances are she’ll lose herself along the way. As the demon inside her awakens and grows stronger, it will only be a matter of time. Ardentia faces but one choice—trust the demon to help her break the curse, and pray he doesn’t betray her in the end.
. . . and blazes into an Inferno . . .
A new threat has emerged. Belial, one of four Crown Princes of Hell, has risen. The Crown Prince intends to free the rest of his brothers. If he succeeds, he will raise Lucifer from his centuries’ long slumber. Belial will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. His influence even extends past the defenses of the holy city of Salvatio. The Crown Prince must be stopped before the last great defense of mankind falls. Ardentia stands to answer the call. She knows the task alone will be dangerous, and that she could easily die in the attempt. But the threat of certain death won’t sway her. She and Noxius will do whatever it takes to thwart Belial, regardless of the consequences, even if those consequences mean paying the ultimate price.
. . . leaving behind a world of Embers . . .
Though she won the battle against Belial, the war for mankind has just begun. Lucifer is rising. With each passing day, time runs out for the human race. In sixty-six days, the fate of the world will be decided. But before Ardentia can focus on saving the world, she must save her demon. Noxius is dying, and his only hope for survival is to return to his own body. Ardentia must brave the horrors of Hell and its armies to reach Noxius’ court. If she manages to survive, she’ll still need to face the Lucifer, and something far worse—a foe far greater than the Devil himself.
On February 27th, the final chapter in Karyn Pearson's Hellfire trilogy will be told.
“You’re only human. Don’t ever forget that. Even the greatest of leaders can fall, but not all of them will succumb to darkness.”
A rushing sound filled her
ears, Noxius’ power surged to life within her, willing her to dodge to the
left. She whirled aside, watching as a hook-sword sailed within an inch of her,
the blade singing in the air as it passed. A nearby soul cried out as the sword
pierced him in a spray of blood. He slumped over and remained still, put out of
his misery at last.
“I thought I smelled a
mortal,” said the all-too-familiar voice of Malacoda. “What ever shall we do
with you, my dear?”
“She’s pretty,” said a
second voice. “Can we keep this one?”
“She is rather interesting, isn’t she?” Malacoda agreed. “How could a
mortal make it so far into Hell unscathed?"
The sound of wings was all
around them, the Malebranche laughing as they circled their prey. The huntress
didn’t need to look to know she was surrounded. This was it, they were done
for.
“Run!” Noxius yelled. “We need to make it to the next ring!”
Ardentia didn’t need to be
told twice. She broke into a sprint, moving as fast as she could down the road.
Behind her, she heard Malacoda wrenching his sword from the body of the
tortured soul he’d inadvertently killed. The demon was in quick pursuit; the
huntress knew she’d be no match for his speed. He was upon her within a moment,
so she did the only thing she could. She turned to fight.
Using her forward
momentum, she made a quick about-face, swinging her leg as she turned. Her kick
connected, the blow startling the demon for a few seconds, as black blood
seeped from a fresh wound on his cheek. He snarled at her in rage, raising his
hook and sweeping toward her. She dropped and rolled under it, the sword
passing over her head harmlessly. Her feet were back under her in an instant,
and she was up and running, the demon roaring from somewhere behind her as he
chased after her again.
“Keep running!” Noxius
encouraged. “We’re nearly there.”
She kept moving, her eyes
finding the end of the road ahead and what looked like the edge of a cliff. As
she neared the end of the road, she saw the ground gave way into a sharp drop
of at least one-hundred feet to the next circle below. To the far right, she
saw a set of stairs carved into the side of the cliff. She started for them at
once, moving off the road and cutting across a line of staked bodies.
Suddenly, Malacoda
materialized before them, standing at the cliff’s edge and barring their path.
He smiled, thinking he had her cornered. In her mind, she heard her demon
shouting for her to turn around and head the opposite direction. The huntress
ignored him, running toward the demon instead.
She barreled straight into
the demon, her full body weight slamming into him hard. He doubled over and
gave a grunt of pain, losing his balance, and together, they tumbled off the
cliff.
Pre-order your copy now at: Smashwords and Amazon And RSVP to the February New Release Round-Up! To celebrate this and other Distinguished Press releases.
Her upcoming project will be the first novel of a new
vampire series, Arcturian Bloodlines.
When she's not writing, Karyn can be found playing with her puppies or Googling
various dangerous topics for novel research that make her constantly question why
federal agents haven't yet knocked down her front door.