Thursday, August 30, 2012

Texas Author Storms NY Police Procedurals


If you are reading this introduction, it means that Blogger is still having issues inserting all the nice pictures of the cover and Mr Hoss that I have.  Please click on the links below to see what the cover and Kenneth Hoss look like.

It is always a risk picking up a debut police procedural thriller with a female main character written by a man. Kenneth Hoss' Storm Rising-a Kelli Storm Novel is definitely worth it!


Kelli Storm, is a sharp and capable New York City Detective. Too bad that doesn’t carry-over to her personal life, which is nothing short of a mess. Kelli and her partner Bill investigate a series of drug-related murders tied to a Mexican-Colombian cartel in the Washington Heights section of New York. Kelli knows she is getting close when informants and witnesses turn up dead. Then evidence points to a connection between the events of today and her father’s murder twenty years ago  and things get even more interesting. When the cartel comes after her she figures that’s just part of the job. But when they attack her family and friends, Kelli will test her commitment to proper procedure even as events resurrect hurts, demons and perhaps an old love from her past.   

This terrific novel is tightly paced with well drawn characters and a finely crafted plot.  Mr. Hoss has introduced us to a female detective that is an experienced and somewhat jaded police officer who is at the same time vulnerable.  Mr. Hoss pulls off a fine balance of these qualities so that at no time did I feel like Kelli Storm was a cliché or stereotype.  He even handles the romance (no spoilers here) well. 
I am not an expert on police procedurals so I will only say that it worked for me. I do know that in fiction, including top rated television shows, license with procedure is taken for the sake of moving the plot along.  In real life, toxicology and DNA reports NEVER come back that quickly. I also know that there are patterns of dialogue in this genre and from what I can see Mr. Hoss has captured them.
But I have lived in New York City and grew up in Jersey City and Bayonne, all settings in the novel. So I will offer my opinion on that. I will say that Mr. Hoss gets the flavor of these locations just right. He captures the gritty darkness that surrounds them and all the shadows where the bad guys can hide.
To make this novel perfect, I would only make suggestions around minor editing and formatting.
This is a terrific first novel and one of three in a series. The next Kelli Storm book, Storm Warning is due out in September. While I’m told you don’t have to read this first…. don’t miss seeing where it all began. From what I have heard, Storm Warning will be even better.
I give Storm Rising 4.5 triskeles


Kenneth Hoss was born at Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, Texas in 1957 to Albert and Mary Hoss. He served a combined total of fourteen years on active duty from 1974 to 1987 in both the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy. His tour in the Army took him to Frankfurt, Germany where he had the opportunity to travel Europe. While in the Navy, Kenneth spent most of his time stationed in San Diego and Long Beach. His Navy travels took him to Hawaii, Guam, The Philippines, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Okinawa, the Middle East and Pakistan. He has lived in several States, including South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Washington and California.
Kenneth currently lives in Irving, Texas.

Storm Rising - A Kelli Storm Novel is a Police Procedural and is the first book in a three book series. Storm Warning, the next book, has a planned release of 9/15/12.



You may purchase Storm Rising at these online retailers:

Amazon:

Barnes & Noble:

Connect with Kenneth:
Twitter: @kenhoss

Monday, August 27, 2012

Zoe & Kim Giveaway: AND THE WINNERS ARE!



Below are the results from the AWESOME giveaway from Zoe Winters and Kim Kinrade. A big thanks to all who participated and congratulations to the winners.

Stay tuned! I will be posting reviews in the next few weeks of works from these wonderful authors. Love these ladies!


Winners for Zoe Winters and Kimberly Kinrade Kindle Fire Giveaway:


The winners are as follows:

First Prize: Signed copies of Zoe Winters’ and Kimberly Kinrade’s books (all the books pictured above): Alexandra Z. (email addy starts with “vair”)

Grand Prize: Signed copies of all books plus an Amazon Gift card for $200 (to purchase a Kindle Fire or whatever the winner would prefer instead.): Valerie L. (email addy starts with “just.v”)



Blogger Prize: (the blogger with the most comments on their post): Signed copies of all books: Gracen Miller (Road to Hell blog)


If you didn’t win but thought books from either of our authors looked good, then please support them and their work! Information again for the authors and where to find their books is below:

Learn more about Zoe Winters's Preternatural Series here:
Book 1: Blood Lust

Book 2: Save My Soul

Book 3: The Catalyst

Book 4: Life Cycle
Dark Mercy (novella)

And more about Kimberly Kinrade's Forbidden Series here:

Book 1: Forbidden Mind
Book 2: Forbidden Fire
Book 3: Forbidden Life (coming Oct. 2, 2012)


About Zoe Winters

Zoe Winters writes quirky and sometimes dark paranormal romance. Her favorite colors are rainbow and clear.
To receive updates on new releases from the author, send an email to: zoewintersbooks AT gmail DOT com with "Subscribe" in the subject line. Newsletters go out only when there is an actual new release or a big contest. Your inbox will not be cluttered, newsletters won't go out more frequently than once a month, and you may unsubscribe at any time.
You can visit the author at: http://www.zoewintersbook.com
Be sure also to visit http://www.theriantype.com for some fun supplemental material.



About Kimberly Kinrade

Kimberly Kinrade was born with ink in her veins and magic in her heart. She writes all things paranormal and fantasy, including award-winning young adult and children's books.

Also visit http://IPIAcademy.com to participate in a fun fan-based site with swag and info on all things paranormal. You even get to be a secret agent!




Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Are You Planting the Seeds of Success?


I was at a loss for an idea for today’s post. So what  did I do?  I asked.  Specifically, I posted on Facebook.  A friend suggested that I post about “editing tips for those who suck at it.” I was flattered. It meant that someone thought I knew something about the topic. I do a fair amount of editing for others and they have been pleased enough with my work to recommend me to others. But the mind will go where it will and this request started me thinking in terms of a bigger picture.
Don’t worry, the editing tips (developmental editing) will come later.
I have been in the business world for several decades now. I have spent time working for a Wall Street firm, a major national bank. I have taught high school sophomores Geometry and owned a gourmet shop.  Everything I what I have done has revolved around what most would call “selling.” And before you ask, let me see you keep the attention of five classes of 15 year-olds everyday while you try to convince them that theorems and postulates are good, important, useful and FUN.
One of the things I learned from all this and that I have applied to my passion for writing, publishing and promoting is to always be planting seeds.
I’ll bet you thought I’d say…always be selling. NO!
Don’t sell. Use your talents and gifts to fill a need.
Present the benefits of your product to those who have a need. Water with mutually beneficial contact. Let it mature and grow into a desire and both parties will win.
My passion for writing was ignited a few years ago and shows no sign of diminishing.  Am I a NYT bestseller. Not Yet. Will I be walking the red carpet at the premier of the movie version. Not yet.
But I plant seeds.  I share my enthusiasm because I AM excited about what I do.  Enthusiasm is contagious.  People want to know more about my book, Dark Dealings. They ask questions: why vampires, why druids, how did I get started, when is the next book coming out?  Then a wonderful thing happens--- they share their dreams of writing or that they written something. Or perhaps, they open up about their own particular passion: music, art, a sport, a charity you would be amazed and energized by the excitement that comes back to you. I have met some amazing people, some who have become readers, fans and/or clients.
In the current world of publishing, many are trying to out-shout the others and sell their book.  I am a builder. There are times for sprinting, in writing and promotion. But a sprint is just that—a short and quick.
Success in anything is a marathon. A long trip. Won step-by-step, mile-by-mile. One handshake, one word at a time.
   Me? I’m a marathoner. I spent years studying the craft of writing and I learn more everyday. I study and observe social media and marketing. I want to reach all my potential fans.  And regardless of what format someone buys my book in they want to connect with the author.
I am working with some wonderful upcoming authors to share what I have learned, am learning and my experiences. I format books for others to help add the final shine of a professional look. All along the way, I am having a blast and …..
Planting seeds.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

HOT SUMMER READS from Zoe Winters & Kimberly Kinrade


Summer is heating up, and we're making it even hotter with a sizzling summer promotion you won't want to miss.

Win a Kindle Fire and six signed paperback books from authors Zoe Winters and Kimberly Kinrade, and get ready to enjoy some sexy hot reads while having fun in the sun.

From August 5-18th, Winters and Kinrade are giving away two sets of each of their paranormal romance series (all signed) to two lucky winners. The Grand Prize winner will also receive a Gift Certificate for Amazon.com to cover the cost of a Kindle Fire (but we won't tell if you just want to buy $200 worth of books instead!)

Join us in celebrating the launch of the newest in Zoe Winters's Preternatural Series, Life Cycle (how much do we love love love Tamara and Cain? So freaking much!) which now includes one novella compilation and three novels. If hot & steamy paranormal romance is your thing, then you'll fall in love with all the hunks in this series, whether they be demons, vampires, werewolves or mages… they're all so deliciously bad they're good!

Life Cycle is book 4 in the Preternaturals series. However, new readers can read this installment first with no problems. Most of the books work as stand alones, and each book focuses on a different couple. The main theme of the Preternaturals is: “Everybody is the hero of their own story.” Some characters start out villains and become heroes. Some are heroes and turn into villains. Some are heroes to some characters and villains to others.

The series world has multiple dimensions, heaven, hell (which is earth), demon dimensions, and others. Magic, reincarnation, witches, vampires, demons, werecreatures of all sorts (called therians), gods, and angels all play an important role in the Pretverse.

It’s a world where blood is magic, authority is questioned, and soul mates always find each other, no matter how many incarnations it takes.

The Preternaturals contains a blend of snarky humor and angst that fans of the series have come to expect and enjoy.

As an extra bonus for this exciting launch, get signed copies of Kimberly Kinrade's award winning Forbidden Series—a YA paranormal romance/thriller.

"...a thrilling, dark and deeply romantic read that had me sitting on the edge of my seat and eagerly awaiting the next installment." - Refracted Light Young Adult Book Reviews

While light on sex (it is Young Adult after all) it's packed full of romance and a fast-paced thrilling adventure. Think X-Men meets Dollhouse if Professor X has been an evil human trafficking geneticist.

Paranormal teens with unimaginable powers. An evil organization with deep secrets. When Sam, a girl who reads minds, meets a boy who controls minds, she discovers her future isn’t what she thought.
Together they must escape and free the others… or risk losing everything–and everyone–they love.

Learn more about Zoe Winters's Preternatural Series here:
Book 1: Blood Lust

Book 2: Save My Soul

Book 3: The Catalyst

Book 4: Life Cycle

And more about Kimberly Kinrade's Forbidden Series here:

Book 1: Forbidden Mind
Book 2: Forbidden Fire
Book 3: Forbidden Life (coming Oct. 2, 2012)


About Zoe Winters

Zoe Winters writes quirky and sometimes dark paranormal romance. Her favorite colors are rainbow and clear.
To receive updates on new releases from the author, send an email to: zoewintersbooks AT gmail DOT com with "Subscribe" in the subject line. Newsletters go out only when there is an actual new release or a big contest. Your inbox will not be cluttered, newsletters won't go out more frequently than once a month, and you may unsubscribe at any time.
You can visit the author at: http://www.zoewintersbooks.com
Be sure also to visit http://www.theriantype.com for some fun supplemental material.



About Kimberly Kinrade

Kimberly Kinrade was born with ink in her veins and magic in her heart. She writes all things paranormal and fantasy, including award-winning young adult and children's books.

Also visit http://IPIAcademy.com to participate in a fun fan-based site with swag and info on all things paranormal. You even get to be a secret agent!









About the GIVEAWAY

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