Category Archives: Promos

Isolation Junction by Jennifer Gilmour Guest Post

January 12, 2018Guest Posts, PromosAbbie

I’m delighted to be helping Jennifer Gilmour with the promotion of her book, Isolation Junction, today. The fictional account of Rose, a young woman trapped in an abusive relationship, Jennifer has drawn on her personal experiences to write this book. She hopes that it will help others to recognise if they are in an unhealthy relationship and to enable them to see that they can break free from it.

Domestic abuse is a subject close to my heart and I am always pleased to support Jennifer in the work she does to raise awareness. For a limited time Jennifer has made Isolation Junction free on Kindle. Today is the last day it is up for grabs so grab it while you can.

I will now hand over to Jennifer to explain why she has decided to give Isolation Junction away for free.

My name is Jennifer Gilmour and I am a survivor of domestic abuse, I have pub-lished two books both with a focus on raising awareness about domestic abuse at their core. Whilst both aim to raise this awareness one is written as a work of fiction whilst the other is a compilation of survivor stories and therefore non-fiction. Both work in different ways to educate and raise awareness of this insidious and unac-ceptable behaviour.

Over Christmas, incidents of domestic abuse reported to the police rise. Assault and domestic murders increase 25% during the festive period with a third of them been on Christmas Day itself. Bombarded with images of the perfect nuclear family gathered around the gold baubles of a Christmas tree, it can be easy to forget that Christmas is a time of coercion, punishment and violence for many women* and men.

Now I know it isn’t Christmas anymore but January can be just as bad because all those credit card bills come in alongside your usual direct debits. There is even a day in January called Blue Monday and this year it’s on the 15th. The date is generally reported as falling on the third Monday in January, but also on the second or fourth Monday, or the Monday of the last full week of January.
The formula uses many factors, including: weather conditions, debt level (the difference between debt accumulated and our ability to pay), time since Christmas, time since failing our new year’s resolutions, low motivational levels and feeling of a need to take action.
Can you imagine this formula and applying it to an abusive relationship?

For 5 days my debut novel Isolation Junction is going to be FREE on Amazon Kindle, this is the first time ever to happen. It’s the week before Blue Monday, I wonder if those reading will be inspired to take action?

I ask you all to share the link and break the silence surrounding domestic abuse.

UK link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01LX4HLT0
US link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LX4HLT0

* https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/welfare/2015/12/it-s-hardest-time-year-why-domestic-violence-spikes-over-christmas

A huge thank you to Jennifer for doing everything she can to raise awareness about this issue.

Synopsis

Rose is the mother of two young children, and finds herself living a robotic life with an abusive and controlling husband. While she struggles to maintain a calm front for the sake of her children, inside Rose is dying and trapped in ‘Isolation Junction’.

She runs an online business from home, because Darren won’t let her work outside the house. Through this, she meets other mums and finds courage to attend networking events, while Darren is at work, to promote her business.

It’s at one of these events that Rose meets Tim, a sympathetic, dark-haired stranger who unwittingly becomes an important part of her survival.

After years of emotional abuse, of doubting her future and losing all self-confidence, Rose takes a stand. Finding herself distraught, alone and helpless, Rose wonders how she’ll ever escape with her sanity and her children. With 100 reasons to leave and 1,000 reasons she can’t, will she be able to do it?

Will Tim help her? Will Rose find peace and the happiness she deserves? Can Rose break free from this spiralling life she so desperately wants to change?

You can read my review HERE.

About the author:

Born in the north-east, Jennifer is a young, married mum with three children. In addition to being an author, she is an entrepreneur, running a family business from her home-base. Her blog posts have a large readership of other young mums in business.

From an early age, Jennifer has had a passion for writing and started gathering ideas and plot lines from her teenage years. A passionate advocate for women in abusive relationships, she has drawn on her personal experiences to write her first novel Isolation Junction. It details the journey of a young woman from the despair of an emotionally abusive and unhappy marriage to develop the confidence to challenge and change her life and to love again.

Since the publication of her debut novel, Jennifer has continued to be an advocate for those in abusive relationships through her blog posts, radio interviews and Twitter feed. Jennifer also gained a qualification in facilitating a recovery programme for those who have been in abusive relationships.

Jennifer continues to publicly support those who are isolated and struggle to have a voice. Jennifer hopes that Clipped Wings give’s a voice to survivor’s experiences and raise’s awareness further of the types of unacceptable behaviour which fall into the category of domestic abuse.

Blog Takeover/Promo – Patient Zero by Terry Tyler

November 17, 2017Guest Posts, PromosAbbie

I’m delighted to hand Bloomin’ Brilliant Books over to the fabulous author, blogger and reviewer Terry Tyler today to tell you about her latest book Patient Zero and a special promo.

A big thank you to Abbie for inviting me onto her most excellent blog to tell you about my brand new short story collection, Patient Zero, which will be *FREE* on release across all Amazon sites until midnight on Sunday 19th November (GMT). You can grab your copy HERE.

Patient Zero comprises nine stories from my post-apocalyptic world of 2024—a deadly virus is sweeping the UK, and normal life is breaking down. The stories are all completely ‘stand alone’ but run alongside my two novels, Tipping Point and its sequel, Lindisfarne. When I was writing these books, I would find myself creating minor characters for the purpose of the main plot, then developing their own stories in my head. I started to make notes; soon, I realised that a collection of shorts was the best way of telling their tales.

Some of the characters in this collection are mentioned just once in the main story, such as Aaron in #NewWorldProblems, who makes a two line appearance in Tipping Point. Others, like Flora in Princess Snowflake, play a larger part; she arrives in the second half of Lindisfarne. Princess Snowflake is her backstory.

I hope you will download Patient Zero while it is free, and please tell your friends!

The Blurb

The year is 2024.

A mysterious virus rages around the UK.

Within days, ‘bat fever’ is out of control.

1. Jared: The Spare Vial
Jared has two vaccinations against the deadly virus: one for him, one for a friend…

2. Flora: Princess Snowflake
The girl with the perfect life, who believes in her father, the government, Christian charity and happy endings.

3. Jeff: The Prepper
What does a doomsday ‘prepper’ do when there is nothing left to prepare for?

4. Karen: Atonement
She ruined her sister’s last day on earth, and for this she must do penance.

5. Aaron: #NewWorldProblems
Aaron can’t believe his luck; he appears to be immune. But his problems are far from over.

6. Ruby: Money To Burn
Eager to escape from her drug dealer boyfriend’s lifestyle, Ruby sets off with a bag filled with cash.

7. Meg: The Prison Guard’s Wife
Meg waits for her husband to arrive home from work. And waits…

8. Evie: Patient Zero
Boyfriend Nick neglects her. This Sunday will be the last time she puts up with it. The very last time.

9. Martin: This Life
Life after life has taught the sixty year old journalist to see the bigger picture.

Tipping Point and Lindisfarne are the first two full length novels in the Project Renova series. A third will be available around late spring/early summer 2018.

A huge thank you Terry for taking the time to tell us about your latest book. It sounds great, I particularly like the sound of Aaron’s story. What are you waiting for, folks? Get downloading HERE for free while you can!

The Big Dreams Beach Hotel by Lilly Bartlett – Launch Giveaway!

August 11, 2017PromosAbbie

I am delighted to be taking part in the launch celebrations of The Big Dreams Beach Hotel by Lilly Bartlett today and have a brilliant giveaway for you! Lilly’s new book is out on the 18th August 2017 and published by HarperImpulse. What’s the book about? I hear you ask … here is the all important blurb:

A heartwarming, cosy romance from Sunday Times bestselling author Michele Gorman, now writing as Lilly Bartlett.

This is a brand new standalone novel from the author of the Carlton Square series with a whole new cast of characters to fall in love with!

Wriggle your toes in the sand and feel the warm breeze on your face when you check into the hotel that’s full of dreams…

Three years after ditching her career in New York City, Rosie never thought she’d still be managing the quaint faded Victorian hotel in her seaside hometown.

What’s worse, the hotel’s new owners are turning it into a copy of their Florida properties. Flamingos and all. Cultures are clashing and the hotel’s residents stand in the way of the developers’ plans. The hotel is both their home and their family.

That’s going to make Rory’s job difficult when he arrives to enforce the changes. And Rosie isn’t exactly on his side, even though it’s the chance to finally restart her career. Rory might be charming, but he’s still there to evict her friends.

How can she follow her dreams if it means ending everyone else’s?

To celebrate Lilly is giving away a personally inscribed edition of The Big Little Wedding in Carlton Square. Here’s the details…

You’re warmly invited to the Wedding of the Century with all your favourite friends. It’s the most vintage fun you’ll have this year!

To WIN a personally inscribed paperback of this gorgeous book, simply sign up here:

http://eepurl.com/b96-Yz

Winners will be randomly selected and notified on August 18th via the email used to sign up.

Good luck everybody!

Promo – Jungle Rock by Caroline James Extract, Review and Giveaway!

December 11, 2016Excerpts, PromosAbbie

I’m absolutely delighted today to join Brooke Cottage Blog Tours on their promo day for Jungle Rock, the new novella by Caroline James, and bring you an extract, review AND an amazing giveaway in which you can win an ecopy of the book and a £10 Amazon gift card!!!

Jungle Rock Cover[1891]

The Blurb

Genre: Romcom
Release Date: 21st Nov 2016
Publisher: Ramjam Publishing
Romantic comedy author, Caroline James has written an entertaining novella with a Christmas feel Set in the Australian jungle, the book has been described as ‘entertaining and funny, a real feel-good read’ and fans of, I’m A Celebrity, Get Me out of Here are sure to enjoy it.

Handsome young chef, Zach Docherty is feeling the heat. Following an exposé in a national newspaper his fiancée Poppy Dunlop, has broken their engagement. Heartbroken at the thought of life without Poppy, Zach drowns his sorrows and when his agent suggests that Zach becomes a contestant in a reality TV show, Jungle Survival, he reluctantly agrees. Plunged deep into the jungle, with a bizarre mix of talent and trials, Zach meets glamour model, Cleo Petra, and the cameras go crazy. Will Zach survive and be crowned Jungle King? Or will his latest exploits push Poppy further away…

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Extract

“He’s doing what?” Hattie said. She had a mouthful of shortbread and a mug of coffee in her hand and stopped in her tracks as she watched Jo stare at her mobile phone.
“Zach’s going into the jungle. He’s a contestant on Jungle Survival.”
“Oh my.” Hattie smiled and wiped a spray of crumbs off her chest.
“He’s at the airport with Bob; they’re about to board a plane.”
“Well I never.” Hattie put her mug on the desk and stared at her friend. “How do you feel about that?”
“Astonished.”
“It might do him good.”
“Or not.”
“Fancy a bracer?”
“Start pouring.”
Cradling mugs of coffee, laced with a good slug of brandy, Jo and Hattie sat in the conservatory and looked out at the garden beyond.
“It doesn’t seem five minutes since he was a little boy running all over this lawn with his brother,” Jo said as she stared thoughtfully across the neatly manicured grass.
“And now he’s running off to Australia.”
In the distance, a group of guests appeared from the meadow, where a clairvoyance course was being run in an old gypsy caravan. Originally horse-drawn, the caravan had been John’s pride and joy, brightly painted with little wooden steps. It was a perfect setting for an intimate group. Boomerville hosted many courses for residents to enjoy and it was Jo’s hope that a stay at the hotel would inspire middle-aged boomers and set them up with new and inspiring skills to use in their later years.
“Another successful event,” Hattie said as she watched the beatific expressions of the participants as they drifted down the garden, confident that the spirits of their dead granny and Rover, the family pet, were beside them, whispering and woofing encouraging words from beyond.
“I wish I could see into Zach’s future,” Jo replied. “I hope he’s not making a terrible mistake.”
“Well, if he is, he’s picked the right place to make it. That show’s watched by millions. Perhaps we should run something similar here?” Hattie closed her eyes and began to plan out a jungle camp, set in the meadow. “The old ‘uns would love it! Prancing about like Bear Grylls, cooking over an open fire, sleeping under the stars. It has ‘winner’ all over it.”
“It has mass suicide all over it,” Jo replied. “Hyperthermia and food poisoning.”
“Think of the low overheads. We could bring Wonder Boy in to teach them how to skin a rabbit or two, a bit of camp-fire bonhomie and all that stuff.”
“Hattie, will you please be serious. My son is currently on his way to the other side of the world, where he’ll be exposed to any amount of danger; he’s emotionally vulnerable and I’m worried about him.”
Hattie sat up and opened her eyes.
“Oh, get a grip,” she said. “Can you imagine what he’s getting paid for this stint? How can he possibly go wrong? They’ll have him stripped down to his six-pack before the opening credits have run. He won’t even need to open his mouth and the phone lines will be pulsating as fast as every female viewer’s heart. Your Zach has made his finest career move yet.” Hattie reached for Jo’s empty mug. “Get that grumpy expression off yer face and let’s send him good luck wishes for his arrival in Aus.” She stood and glanced at the group in the garden. “Perhaps we can get that lot to send him a mystical sign…”
As Jo watched Hattie walk away, she felt cross. She knew that Hattie was probably right but Jo had a niggling feeling that Zach’s trip wasn’t going to run as smoothly or as successfully as everyone expected. A mother had an instinct about her offspring, but in this case, Jo hoped that her instincts would be proved wrong.

Jungle Rock is available as an ebook and paperback. You can purchase a copy HERE.

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My Thoughts

Jungle Rock is a welcome return to Westmarland and the lives of Hattie and Jo, their family and friends. Although part of the Coffee, Tea… series, Jungle Rock can be read as a standalone.

Caroline has packed a lot into this novella and it makes for a fun quick read with just a touch of Christmas to get you in the festive spirit. Zach the celebrity chef is taking part in the reality show Jungle Survival while coming to terms with the recent break up with his fiancée. Fans of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here will enjoy this book but it also works well for those who don’t watch it (like me). We also get the first glimpse into how Jo and Hattie’s new venture ’Boomerville’ is going.

Well written with Caroline’s trade mark humour, Jungle Rock is the perfect read if you are in need of a good giggle. Hattie is hilarious and you can’t help but love this larger-than-life, outgoing character. The friendship between Jo and Hattie is portrayed wonderfully and comes across with a real warmth.

There is the right mix of ’will-they-won’t-they’ romance as the story follows Zach and his ex Poppy with added comedy from Jo and Hattie at Boomerville making this a great light read. Caroline’s writing is great with her creating a real sense of place and ensuring the story moves a long at a quick pace keeping you reading to find out what will happen next.

Fast paced, light-hearted, funny and not overly festive, Jungle Rock is a book to read curled up with a cuppa to escape from all the stress of the Christmas period.

Thank you to Caroline James for the copy of Jungle Rock.

AUTHOR CAROLINE JAMES (PROFESSIONAL PROMO SHOTS 14.08.2015)

About Caroline James

Caroline’s debut novel, Coffee Tea The Gypsy & Me shot to #3 on Amazon and was E-book of the Week in The Sun newspaper. Her second novel, So, You Think You’re A Celebrity… Chef? has been described as wickedly funny: ‘AbFab meets MasterChef in a Soap…’ Coffee Tea The Caribbean & Me, an Amazon best-seller, was a Top Ten Finalist at The Write Stuff, London Book Fair 2015 and the judge’s comments included: Caroline is a natural story-teller with a gift for humour in her writing.” Her next novel, Boomerville will be published spring 2017.

Caroline has owned and run many catering related businesses and cookery is a passion alongside her writing, combining the two with her love of the hospitality industry and romantic fiction. As a media agent, Caroline represented many well-known celebrity chefs and her TV script, So, You Think You’re A Celebrity Chef? was runner up at the Winchester Writers Festival 2016.

She has published short stories and is a member of the Romantic Novelist’s Association. Caroline writes articles on food and celebrity based interviews and is Feature Editor for an online lifestyle magazine. She is a founder member of The Cheshirati and is available for inspiring and entertaining talks on anything related to the hospitality and publishing industry.

www.carolinejamesauthor.co.uk

Twitter: @CarolineJames12

Giveaway

To win an ecopy of Jungle Rock AND a £10 Amazon gift card click HERE.

Author Spotlight and Giveaway – Stacy McWilliams

August 23, 2016PromosAbbie

luminosity_and_ignition_horizontal_banner-Stacy_McWilliams-authorpa

all3-2d-Stacy_McWilliams-authorpa.com-1000px-04 Stacy McWilliams is the mum of two boys, a wife and a writer. She loves reading a variety of genres and enjoy a diverse range
of
movies.

She writes paranormal
romance and loves to meet new people.

Amazon Author Page

LinkedIn |
Stacy
McWilliams
Newsletter

Luminosity

Jasmine Johnstone’s life was
relatively normal until she was forced to live with the Stevenson
family. As she stayed she found she had no choice but to battle
mythical creatures. Strengths she never knew she possessed began to
surface, surprising those around her. Her only chance of surviving the
rising tide of evil was Nathan Stevenson. Could she really trust him
as he fought against his love for her? With the world against them and
time running out, would their love be enough to defeat demons? (204
pages)

Ignition

Life has never been easy for Jasmine
Johnstone, but failing for Nathan Stevenson brings a whole new level
of difficulty. Since she arrived at his home he’s blown hot and cold
with her, turned against her and revealed a deadly threat. He is sworn
to kill her, and fights against his love for her more than ever, but
he knows he can’t live without her.

As they run from monsters, and each
other, can their love survive?

Time begins to run out and with new
friends and enemies in the strangest places, will they learn who to
trust in time?

With their love stronger than ever,
but forces pulling them apart, is love enough to keep them together or
will Nathan’s parents succeed in pulling them apart? (214 pages)

Candlelight

***This novella is the prequel
to
Luminosity****

Life was full of nothing but darkness
for Nathan Stevenson until Jasmine appeared in his life. She brought
his innermost desires to the surface. She burned her way through to
his heart to become embedded in his soul. He knew she was dangerous
but would she break down his wall as he dreamed of her touch and
fought against the impulse to protect her? Would their love be enough
to defeat his demons? Was he strong enough to resist her or would her
light burn irrevocably? (95 pages)

Candlelight Excerpt

School passed in a blur and that night, I spent my time catching up on all
the work I had missed. The following day, an opportunity presented
itself to me and I couldn’t resist getting my message across to that
fucker.

James walked a little ahead of me during class time. It looked as if he
headed to the library. He didn’t notice me as I looped around the
corridor and caught him before he entered, pushing him into a disused
office. I slammed him full force up against the wall and put my arm
over his throat. I allowed my hands to morph into claws, holding them
at a vein in his throat as fury pulsed through me.

I froze him with my powers. I could feel his powers trying to find a way
around mine. I brushed them aside, as though they were no more than a
fly in my face. Demon power raced through me and I stood tall before
spitting out, “I know what you did and I know what you are trying to
do. You won’t succeed. For every single time you try, I will ruin
something you care about. You are not getting away with this; I will
make sure of it…”

I broke off and turned my hand back to normal before I punched him full force
in the nose. I relished the sound of the bone breaking. He would heal
it in seconds, though he wouldn’t be able to get rid of the blood from
Demon sight. Strolling towards the door, I called over my
shoulder, “Mop yourself up, you disgusting piece of filth.”

To request review copies, please stop
by here.

GIVEAWAY

2x 1 e-book copy of Candlelight
2x 1 e-book copy of Candlelight & Luminosity
1x 1 e-book copy of Candlelight, Luminosity & Ignition

a Rafflecopter giveaway