"High In Trial" New Raine Stockton Dog Mystery by Donna Ball

Available on Amazon and Kindle

HIGH IN TRIAL is the seventh installment in the Raine Stockton Dog Mystery series, available March 20

Available on Amazon, Kindle, and at your favorite retail book shop.

Don't Miss Out On This Special Offer!

From Thursday - Sunday ( March 24 ), buy SMOKY MOUNTAIN TRACKS, the first in the series, for only 99cents on Kindle. A great way to see how it all started if you haven't read the early books!  Click this link to order.  


Note: The print version of HIGH IN TRIAL will come with a bonus: the Christmas short story ALL THAT GLITTERS, which tells how Raine and Cisco met.

About The Book:

Dog trainer Raine Stockton and her happy-go-lucky golden retriever Cisco have been looking forward to the opening weekend of AKC competitive agility all winter.  They travel to the low country of South Carolina to compete against some of the top dogs in the southeast for blue ribbons, squeaky toys, and perhaps even that elusive title of High in Trial.  But even in this carefree atmosphere of high-spirited dogs and dedicated owners ambition runs high, and when one of the competitors is found brutally murdered  it begins to  look as though corruption might have penetrated even this last bastion of decency and sportsmanship, the AKC. 

While Raine and Cisco stalk a killer, a twenty-year old mystery is unfolding back home that will have devastating consequences for Raine and those she loves, and  every hour that passes brings a deadly threat closer.   

About The Characters:

Raine Stockton is just a small town girl from the mountains of North Carolina with money problems,men problems, and dog problems.  She does the best she can to balance her full-time boarding kennel and dog-training business, her part time forest-service job, and her volunteer therapy dog and wilderness search-and-rescue work while trying to keep her mischeivous Golden Retriever, Cisco-- not to mention the rest of her canine crew-- under control. It would be a lot easier if she didn't keep getting distracted by murder...

Learn more about the Raine Stockton Dog Mysteries by clicking here.

Meet The Author:

Donna and Destiny

Donna Ball is the author of over a hundred novels under several different pseudonyms in a variety of genres that include romance, mystery, suspense, paranormal, western adventure, historical and women’s fiction. Recent popular series include the Ladybug Farm series by Berkley Books and the Raine Stockton Dog Mystery series. Donna is an avid dog lover and her dogs have won numerous titles for agility, obedience and canine musical freestyle. She lives in a restored Victorian Barn in the heart of the Blue Ridge mountains with a variety of four-footed companions. Visit her web.

 

Glitter

Rhythm

Read more about Donna Ball on Coffee With A Canine

Praise for the Raine Stockton Dog Mystery Series

"An exciting, original and suspense-laden whodunit... A simply fabulous mystery starring a likeable, dedicated heroine..."

--Midwest Book Review

"A delightful protagonist...a well-crafted mystery."

--Romantic Times

"There can't be too many golden retrievers in mystery fiction for my taste."

--Deadly Pleasures

Other books in the Raine Stockton Dog Mystery series:

Smoky Mountain Tracks

Rapid Fire

Gun Shy

Bone Yard (a novella)

All That Glitters (digital short story)

Silent Night

The Dead Season

Get the first book in the series, Smoky Mountain Tracks, for 99cents on Kindle from March 21 - March 24

Look inside feature on Kindle site. Click to go to Kindle

Links:

Author Web

Facebook

Pinterest

Amazon Author Page

Coffee With A Canine Interview


For The Dogs:

Dog Daze Journal

The Pet Coach


Buy The Book:

Amazon and Kindle

 

"BlackSnow Zero" A New Release by Lee Gimenez

Available on Amazon, Kindle, Barnes&Noble (PaperBack and Nook)

Blacksnow Zero is Lee Gimenez's 7th Novel, published January 2013, a riveting, can't put down,  mystery thriller

Meet author Lee Gimenez Saturday February 16 (tomorrow)

at the Atlanta Writers Club book fair.

 The event is being held at the Georgia Perimeter College in Dunwoody, Georgia (10:30 am - 12:30 pm).

We are pleased to have Lee Gimenez back for another visit with Book Talk. See his May 2012 post

Book Plot:

While investigating the murder of a prominent Senator, FBI Agent Erica Blake uncovers a drastic, top-secret operation. A group of rogue American generals are planning a ruthless attack on China, as a way to free the U.S. from the crushing debt the country owes the Chinese. Named Operation BlackSnow, the plan will be carried out without the knowledge of Congress or the public. Realizing the attack could plunge the U.S. into a world war, Erica tries to stop it.

Beautiful and smart, Erica is also a maverick, her lone-wolf approach usually putting her at odds with her own agency. Suspecting involvement by the FBI Director in BlackSnow, she enlists the help of her ex-lover, CIA Agent Steve McCord. Not knowing who to trust, Erica and Steve battle deadly black ops assassins, corrupt Senators, and their own complicit agencies in their attempt to stop BlackSnow. Do they succeed, or is the planet plunged into a world war?

What They Are Saying About Blacksnow Zero:

'An action-packed thriller. Plot twists and turns kept me guessing until the very end.'

'I discovered Lee Gimenez's work via his Science Fiction / Space Opera (Death On Zanath), which is what I normally read, but his mainstream Thriller is another fantastic piece of work!'


'This is a zippy political thriller that has it all - violence, sex, intrigue and huge explosions. I couldn't put it down and was sorry when it ended.'

About the author:

Lee Gimenez is the bestselling author of seven books and over fifty short stories. His latest novel, BLACKSNOW ZERO, was published by Double Dragon Press in Jan 2013. Four of his previous novels became ebook bestsellers. They are: THE NANOTECH MURDERS, DEATH ON ZANATH, VIRTUAL THOUGHTSTREAM, and AZUL 7. His novel TERRALUS 4 was produced into an Audiobook. THE TOMORROW SOLUTION is his collection of short stories.
His books are available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, the Apple Store, Books-A-Million, Books In Motion, Mobipocket, Amazon UK (England), Flipkart (India), Amazon CA (Canada), Booku (Australia), IBS (Italy), Amazon JP (Japan), Peerless, and many other retailers.  Lee lives with his wife in the Atlanta, Georgia area.

Links:

Author Web

Author Facebook Page

Twitter Link @LeeGimenez

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Contact Author

You Are Invited! Atlanta Writers Club Book Fair This Saturday, February 16th

 

Atlanta Writers Club to host its first Book Fair this Saturday.

The Atlanta Writers Club announces their first-ever Book Fair to be hosted this Saturday, February 16, 2013.

Over 60 authors and members of the Atlanta Writers Club will display and sign their books at Georgia Perimeter College-Dunwoody (2101 Womack Road, Dunwoody GA 30338). Featuring award-winning and Pulitzer Prize-nominated authors, the public event is a way for writers in Georgia to connect with other writers as well as their readers. Young adult, memoir, mystery and literary novels, among other genres, will be available for sale.

The book fair is a free event that begins at 10:30AM on the second floor of Building NB on Georgia Perimeter College-Dunwoody's campus. Sales of books will be provided by Peerless Bookstore in Alpharetta.

Immediately following the book fair is the Atlanta Writers Club's monthly meeting featuring guest speakers thriller-crime writer Amanda Kyle Williams, author of THE STRANGER YOU SEEK and STRANGER IN THE ROOM, and romance and women's fiction writer Anna DeStefano, author of over 16 novels in four genres. AWC members Mary Grace Schaap and Alexandra Hughes will also speak.

Like the Atlanta Writers Club facebook page!

"Paging Dr. Hot" by Sophia Knightly

Just in time for Valentine's Day - A chance to win a free e-book of Paging Dr. Hot.

Romeo is lonely and he's holding a contest for a Valentine's date.
Post your pup's picture on his wall for a chance to win an ebook copy of Paging Dr. Hot. Check out Romeo's facebook page for details.

Author Sophia Knightly

From The Author Sophia Knightly:

I wish dogs could live forever. Taffy, our darling Golden Retriever, was the fifth member of our family and a bit of a scamp. She had luxurious auburn fur, a ready smile and dark-rimmed, amber eyes filled with warmth and love. Her happy, wagging tail punctuated all her antics.

Taffy always had an opinion, offered at poignant times, and often in the most surprising ways. She had an uncanny ability to understand our conversations and would respond with comments of her own. At times, she emitted a long-suffering “Are you kidding me?” sigh, an “I want a taste” moan, a weary “We’ve been down this road before” snort, or a happy yelp that said, “Hooray, I’m coming with you!” when she saw me holding my car keys.

During her fifteen years with us, Taffy was also a couch-potato-TV-lover with a passion for westerns, especially John Wayne movies. She was as excited by a horse appearing on screen as she was at the nearby presence of a lingering cat. She’d crack us up when she would run to the TV, bark at the horses and wag her tail wildly as she greeted them.

Taffy was the winning combination of sweet affection and hilarious sassiness. With selective hearing tailored to her tastes, she was not persuaded by the most persistent of hollers to come in from a walk but the click of the cookie jar would send her sprinting across the kitchen floor.

Taffy’s humanity and ability to connect with our family made me want to write a book featuring the inner musings of the heroine’s pet. From that desire, emerged Romeo in Paging Dr. Hot, Francesca’s miniature long-haired dachshund. With Romeo’s blog in each chapter, we get his droll take on his mistress, Francesca’s hypochondriac tendencies and her subsequent quest to marry a doctor. Francesca’s search for her “Dr. Hot” leads her through many romantic misadventures until she finds the right one. Romeo also has a few romance issues of his own…

The lovesick Romeo is currently holding a contest to find a Valentine’s date. One lucky winner will receive an ebook copy of Paging Dr. Hot. To enter the drawing, post a picture of a cute doggy on Romeo’s page.

Book Blurb:

A love prescription so potent only the hottest doctor can fill it.

Miami TV reporter Francesca Lake is on a manhunt…or rather, a doctor hunt. Frankie wasn’t always a hypochondriac. Her motto used to be “Fear is not an option”, but everything changed with her mom’s near-fatal heart attack. Now a day doesn’t go by where she isn’t worried about something.

After a harrowing incident in the hospital ER, she has a life-altering epiphany. She needs to find a marriage-minded doctor ASAP—one who will calm her fears so she can get on with her life.

So begins a series of amorous escapades and startling revelations as she works her way through the list of eligibles: an outrageous Aussie sex therapist, a brilliant neurosurgeon (who’s wired the wrong way), and a handsome Cuban cardiologist.

None of them compares to hunky Dr. Harrison Taylor…but there’s a problem. Much as Harrison’s rugged physique, forest-green eyes and warm smile make her senses wobbly, she needs a people doctor, not the vet for her miniature dachshund Romeo. Besides, Harrison’s propensity for crazy stunts would only make her worry more.

Frankie is trying to be sensible, but her heart and her outspoken dog are conspiring against her…

Warning: Contains juicy secrets and romantic misadventures between a loveable hypochondriac and three hot doctors. Side effects may include intense yearnings for a strong doctor, an adorable miniature dachshund, and an impromptu trip to sultry Miami.

Bio:

Bestselling author Sophia Knightly loves to cook up hot romance and delicious humor in her feel-good stories. Whether it's romantic suspense or romantic comedy, her books are fun and sexy contemporary romances. Her popular Tropical Heat Series has been on several Amazon bestseller lists.

A two-time Maggie award finalist and a P&E Reader’s Poll finalist, she believes in love-at-first sight and happy endings, and she always enjoys a good laugh. When not writing or reading, she finds pleasure in walking the beach, exploring museums, going to the theatre, enjoying good food, and watching movies. One of her favorite pastimes remains simply watching people, especially those in love!

Links:

Contact the author by e-mail

Author's website

Twitter @SophiaKnightly

 Facebook Author Page

Romeo's Facebook Page

Buy The Book:

Kindle

Nook

Samhain

Apple

Kobo

"Seasons Of Emotions" Poetry by Elizabeth E. Castillo

Elizabeth C. Castillo

We've been gone over the holidays, but "Book Talk" is kicking off 2013 with author, poet, Elizabeth E. Castillo. Her poetry book "Seasons of Emotions" was released this month. She is co-author to more than 20 international anthologies. Castillo  is a professional feature writer, journalist, blogger, and poet from the Philippines. She believes her mission here on Earth is to touch lives through her pen pushing.

Welcome Elizabeth!

Purchase at LuLu

"Seasons of Emotions" is a collection of poetry depicting a roller coaster ride of various emotions just like the changing seasons.

Published January 6, 2013

69 pages, soft cover

What those who have read the book are saying:

"Her poetry touches all those who read, a must have!"

"AWESOME ....5 STARS ***** "

"A book of poetry about the "seasons" of our lives. It's an emotional ride that Elizabeth Castillo takes us on. A wonderful read!"

About the author:

Elizabeth E. Castillo has been featured in 20+ international poetry/prose anthologies in the USA and UK. She won the Best of 2012 Poems free book publication contest by Destiny to Write Publications, which has paved the way for her to have her own book, "Seasons of Emotions".

She is a columnist at Winning Strategies Magazine, an international publication, and was featured in an interview, and on their cover, after winning the contest.

Elizabeth Esguerra Castillo was the eldest among 3 children born to Elisa E. Castillo and the late Roberto N. Castillo from the tropical paradise, Philippines in Asia. A graduate of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, major in Management at the Philippine School of Business Administration, Philippines and another course in Computer Programming at Systems Technology Institute, Philippines.

Her poems were first published in Blue Collar Magazine by the Don Bosco Technical Institute during the 1990s. By the year 2005, at a local community newspaper Antipolo Star, she was given an opportunity to exhibit her writing ability as a news reporter and was also hired as a Feature Writer at the former Meralco Management and Leadership Development Center (MMLDC), now First Pacific Leadership Academy’s (FLPA) quarterly corporate magazine. Read more about the author on her Goodreads Author page.

Links:

Author's Blog

Goodreads

Facebook

LuLu

Twitter @snowy19ph

"Buddy: How A Rooster Made Me A Family Man" by Brian McGrory

Buy on Amazon and Barnes & Noble

This Thanksgiving my bird will be a rooster, not a turkey!

No, I'm not eating the rooster, I am reading "Buddy: How a Rooster Made Me a Family Man" by Brian McGrory. I was lucky to receive a review copy from the marketing department at Crown Publishing.

I probably should wait to post on my blog until after I read this book, but I know I am going to love  it! Why keep this new release (November 2012) under wraps until I read it - you could buy your own copy before I finish mine.

This is more than a bird story, it is a memoir that goes to the heart of the author's life, his childhood, and his beloved dog. Be ready for some tears and laughs.

I am borowing a few words I found on two great book blogs, Feathered Quill Book Reviews and The Relentless Reader . You can click on the blog names and read their full reviews. I suggest you bookmark these sites too, as they are a great source for book information.

Here is what these reviewers had to say about the book:

Buddy is the story of Brian McGrory, who after finding himself divorced and then losing his best friend, Harry the Golden Retriever, finally came to the realization that Harry’s veterinarian, Dr. Pam Bendock, might just be his soul-mate. But dating, and later marrying Pam, will force many changes on Brain, a diehard city boy. Pam lives in the suburbs, has two young girls, a couple of dogs, rabbits, and yes, a rooster named Buddy. While the other animals easily accepted Brain, and Pam’s daughters slowly came to appreciate their step-father, Buddy insisted Brian was an intruder and the rooster needed to protect "his flock.” ..... there is a fair amount of storytelling revolving around other characters such as Harry, the author’s beloved dog who introduced him to his future bride Pam.  Feathered Quill Book Reviews

Brian McGrory's life changed drastically after the death of his beloved dog, Harry: he fell in love with Pam, Harry's veterinarian. Though Brian’s only responsibility used to be his adored Harry, Pam came with accessories that could not have been more exotic to the city-loving bachelor: a home in suburbia, two young daughters, two dogs, two cats, two rabbits, and a portly, snow white, red-crowned-and-wattled step-rooster named Buddy....Brian McGrory's love for his wise and faithful Golden Retriever Harry is beautiful to read about. Their bond is incredible. I read the passage of Harry's death with very watery eyes.The Relentless Reader 

Intrigued? I certainly am. I love memoirs, dogs, and now I'm probably gonna love a rooster.  Probably gonna want some chicks for my back yard. Zoning won't let me, but the thought will stay in my mind!

Brian McGrory is a longtime Boston Globe columnist and an award winning journalist.

Links:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

I hope you have a grand Thanksgiving. Check out "Buddy" and let me know what you think!

Karen Fisher-Alaniz "Breaking the Code: A Father's Secret, a Daughter's Journey, and the Question That Changed Everything"

Available on Amazon where you can check out their 'Look Inside' feature and on Barnes & Noble.

This review is part of the author's continuing blog tour with Women On Writing (WOW)

A perfect read over Veteran's Day Weekend. This review is part of the author's tour with Women on Writing (WOW). Read the author's interview on The Muffin and follow her blog tour. Visit the author's website and enter a raffle through Dec. 7th and a chance to win a double-signed copy of her book. Bookplates will be signed by both Karen and her 91 year old father. Visit Twitter at #breakingthecode to see more reviews and contest.

Author's father 1945

A truly heart endearing memoir of a daughter who sets out to unravel her fathers past when he was stationed in the Pacific during WWII. On his 81st birthday, her father placed two old notebooks on her lap, with more than 400 pages of letters he'd written home to his parents. What started out as a simple quest to transcribe these letters, became a healing process for both, as the author discovers her father was a Japanese code breaker,  a secret he has kept from his family over all the years. Father and daughter began a nine year journey of healing and reaffirming their relationship. The author watched as her father painfully tried to bring back memories, often in pieces, that she has put together. The chronology of the book does not necessarily reflect the chronology of how his memories came back, yet the story is whole on what transpired during the war and in later years.

"I always knew my father had been in war. But as a child it was of little importance to me. I had bicycles to ride, friends to play with, and trees to climb.

He would tell us stories about the war. He was in the Navy and stationed at Pearl Harbor a few years after it was bombed in 1941. He spent his days working in an office. On liberty he went to the movies  or exploring with friends. These were the stories he told, which were never terribly interesting."

The stories were boring to young children. They were safe stories that didn't hurt anyone and didn't require answering questions. The author and her sister were tired of hearing them. Only later would the discovery of her father's secret life, his heroism, and the stress that followed him all his years after his service time, come to light.

This book is not only a personal story for the author and her father, but a look at history during WWII, presented in a way that is easy to read and highly informative.

I loved the layout of the book, the old photographs, and naive illustrations, bring the flavor of the period to life. The author has a way with narration, and dialog, that keeps the reader involved.

Author Karen Fisher-Alaniz

Karen's Father Murray Fisher

Daughter and Father at a recent book signing.

( 3 photos from author's Amazon page)