Review, Book Tour, and Giveaway: My Name Is Death by Laura Daleo

   

Review

When Death takes a vacation in New Orleans, he isn’t prepared to meet and fall in love with a young woman who is dying. However, that is exactly what happens to him. When Death sees Annaliese, a terminally ill young adult who has been forced to live life in a bubble, his first reaction is “She’s sitting on MY bench.” He notes the smell of disease on her and after pushing down his annoyance at this usurper on HIS observation spot, he sits down. Annaliese mistakes him for a pain-caused hallucination and pinches him—only to find out he’s real when he yelps.

Annaliese reveals that her life has been one continuous struggle with debilitating illness and she is done, done, done. Still in a hospital gown, she’d escaped from her medical keepers for an outing on her own terms. Death temporarily takes away her pain and they have a joyful day of going through the sights and shops in the French Quarter, including a photo booth where they mug for the camera. Alas, too soon, her parents, law enforcement, and first responders track her down to take her back to isolation. As they dance in the street to a jazz ensemble, she begs Death to take her and he complies.

Death, to his enormous surprise finds himself devastated by the loss of this human. Why? He has done this important job thousands of times. Why does this one make his heart break? He locks himself in his hotel room and grieves. Four days later, he returns to his bench to watch the ebbing and flowing crowd. Someone sighs. It is Annaliese! How is this possible?

Annaliese tells him she went to heaven and begged to return to his side. God granted her wish, making her immortal as an angel and she wings it right back to Death. She also tells him he needs new name. Death is not cutting it. She dubs him Clay.

Almost a year of bliss passes by. They enjoy their time together, living among humans in Clay’s sumptuous home. They attend a birthday bash for Annaliese, thrown by a wealthy human friend. When Clay leans in to kiss Annaliese, she pushes him away and bolts. As Clay nurses his grief with whiskey, a man named Domiel appears and tells Clay he’s being melodramatic. Clay has no idea who this person is and why he would say such things to a stranger. Or is he a stranger? Who is this and what are his intentions?

Cast aside your ideas of fully grown, asexual angels, absent desire for humans. Should angels live among humans? Would monsters such as the Nephilim be created from unions of angels and humans? You must read this story to find out the answers to these and other questions. This was an imaginative addition to angel stories, and the fermenting war between angels on God’s side and angels who disagree with God’s plans. I recommend this creative novel to anyone who enjoys romance and angel lore and give it 5 stars.

  

"I am known to some as the Grim Reaper, or the Angel of Death. Death is my preferred name. It's stylish and modern, and it goes well with my Armani suits. I don't have a fascination with robes, scythes, or skeletons, especially when I'm releasing souls."

My Name Is Death takes the Grim Reaper concept in a creative direction. Put aside the image of a scary, sickle-carrying, robe-clad entity. There are no shortages of Italian suits, velvet neckties, and oxford shoes in Death's wardrobe.

Death encounters a terminally ill young lady, Annalise, during a holiday in New Orleans. As she approaches the afterlife, Death wants to ensure she makes the best of her final moments. It is not long before they become friends.

A peaceful coexistence between angels and humans is what God desires. This plan is contrary to one of God's other sons' belief that angels are far superior to humans.

Devastation begins, and only God knows how it will end.

 "Nothing in life is certain except death and taxes. I hold this statement in high regard. Why? There are two possibilities. I could be a tax accountant-borrrinng-or I could be Death. If you guessed the latter, advance to go and collect $200. My name can influence anyone in a room; some say Grim Reaper, others say Angel of Death. I like to call myself Death. It has a pleasant ring and a powerful effect on people. The way "Death" embodies the style and pizazz of my attire, which includes Armani suits, ties, and shoes, influenced my decision to select it as my name. It had never occurred to me to dress in a dark robe, to carry a scythe or an hourglass, or to assume a skeleton physique."

 

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I was born and raised in sunny San Diego, California. A creative writing class in junior high ignited my passion for storytelling; however, it was Anne Rice who truly inspired me. Her novel, Interview With The Vampire, has become one of the best-selling books of all time and fueled my desire to craft my own vampire legend. In 1996, I created Immortal Kiss, which patiently waited until 2014 for its publication.

At present, my published works include Immortal Kiss, Bound by Blood, The Vow, The Vampire Within, The Soul Collector, The Doll, Once We Were Witches, and My Name Is Death. My current project is an urban fantasy titled The Wolf Experiment.

Here are some fun facts about me: I love enjoying Starbucks coffee while I write. I'm also obsessed with shoes. I have two furry kids named Rose and Cooper. And, of course, I'm a huge fan of all things vampire.

 

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Entry-Form

Never Give Up and Other Contrarian Advice

 

As a relatively recent arrival to the realm of “Published Full Length Romance Author,” I am here to provide the contrarian’s guide to achieving this status. There truly is no one route to publication. You really don’t need an MFA. You don’t even have to have majored in English, although being able to use the language correctly is a plus. You don’t have to starve in an attic writing timeless prose or poetry. You don’t have to have lived in the belly of the underworld and struggled with alcoholism and addiction, although that has worked for others. You don’t even have to have designated office space. What do you need? Here are my top ten tips for becoming a published romance author.

1. Never grow up. Be curious about the world around you and wonder, “What if?” Grownups (i.e., anyone who is done growing) are boring. Childlike curiosity is not childish. It enables you to see the world with fresh eyes and to bring a new perspective to a story. Look at F. Paul Wilson’s The Keep. Paul is a physician who started writing medical thrillers. Then he had a wild idea: what if Nazi’s encountered vampires in World War II? The result is a cult classic. Keep saying, “What if?”
2. Be yourself. There is only one you, and you have your own voice. Don’t try to be a clone of another author. And don’t promote yourself that way. Do not say, “Oh, my work is just like Nora Roberts.” Um, no it isn’t. You will only be a pale imitation of that author--but you are unique.
3. Get a job that pays. Money. Preferably with benefits. Because you have to live. While this flies into the face of those who say "do what you love and the money will follow," this is a tough business. Even for the most talented author, it takes time to climb the book rankings. Besides, who wants to live in their parents’basement forever?
4. Seize the moment. You can write in 15 minute blocks, at lunch, on break, in a fast food restaurant, on a napkin (yes, I’ve outlined entire books on a napkin), before the kids are conscious, in the bathroom, in the middle of the night when you can’t sleep. If you are passionate about writing, if it is an obsession, you will be unable to resist the urge to write. Where ever you go, have a notepad or phone and jot or text your ideas to yourself. I used the notepad app in my phone and made a list of story ideas. When I looked at it 3 years later, I had written all those stories. Carpe diem, carpe noctem, carpe wheneverem.
5. Get rejected. Yes, get rejected. You will learn from those rejections what works and what doesn’t. I was rejected by over 100 (no, that is not a typo) agents. That experience taught me to look at other avenues to publication.  Paper your office with your rejections. The right agent can be an author's best advocate in the competitive publishing world.
6. Have trusted readers. When I started writing my first novel, I needed a cheering section to keep me going, to give me the courage to keep writing. That first stage should not last more than a year--at most. The next step is to put your work out there for others to read and critique. No smoke blowing allowed. Regardless of what path you go--paid editor, critique group, critique partner--you must have other readers. Otherwise, it’s like well, dare I say it? Masturbation. It feels good for you, but it wasn’t good for the other person. Be brave, get alpha and beta readers and listen to their constructive criticisms.
7. Be persistent. Did I mention I received over 100 rejections from agents? If I hadn’t been persistent, I would have never had the courage to send my work to contests, I would have never won writing awards, I would have never had the chutzpah to send my little story to a small electronic publisher and gotten it published. You must press on.
8. Do not whine. No one, and I do mean no one, likes a whiner. If you get rejected, allow yourself no more than 24 hours to cry, stomp your feet, and have a pity party. After 24 hours, STOP. Be child like, but not childish.
9. Don’t take it personally. While the story of your heart is your baby and you know this is the best (fill in the blank) story ever told, publishing is a business. The publisher is not going to take a story that doesn’t fit with their lines or needs. They are in business to make money.
10. And finally, if it doesn’t fit, find another publisher--or publish it yourself.  Right now, we have a lot of choices as authors. Agents, editors and publishers are feeling the pressure to perform. Some are responding to the sea change and stepping up to the plate to market and promote our stories. I believe there are many great opportunities with traditional publishers.  I don't think this is an either or proposition. I see self-publishing as a great prospect (with some caveats) to connect with our readers and do what we do best: tell a story.

Book Tour and Giveaway: Stilettos & Whiskey Deputy Gemma Stone #5 by Gail Koger

 

 

Best Seller on Amazon!!

A fun combination of critters, murder, mayhem, geriatric shenanigans, and love.

Stilettos & Whiskey

Deputy Gemma Stone #5

by Gail Koger

Genre: Romantic Comedy, Police Procedural, Action

#1 Best Seller in Amazon’s Police Romance

 

My name may be Julie Garza, but I’m a member of the Stone family through and through. I was only eight years old when my parents were murdered and I came to live with them. It was then I vowed to make law enforcement my life’s work and bring my birth parents’ killer to justice. But I’ve been a Maricopa County Sheriff’s deputy for five years now, and so far, that hasn’t happened.

My personal life isn’t much better. I’ve been in love with my adopted brother, Lucas Stone, since I was thirteen, but he thinks of me more like an annoying kid sister than a full-grown woman, but what can I do? I had gotten good at suppressing my feelings until the kiss. For a brief moment, I thought he had feelings for me too, until he puked on my sneakers.

Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse. I find myself in the crosshairs of a murderous deputy and my estranged grandfather gets released from prison and promptly sues for custody of me. Hello? Did he forget I’m an adult?

Law enforcement isn’t for the fainthearted. Are you brave enough to enter my world? This time Armageddon is coming to Arizona.

 

What Readers are saying:

“Stilettos and Whiskey was another high-octane entertainment read from the Gemma Stone series that puts the romp in romantic suspense.” – Sophia Rose, Reviewer

 

“This book is sooo good! I couldn't stop laughing, she killed it with the humor. Armageddon was the best, the whole series was great, a must read.” – Chris, Reviewer

 

“I love this entire series. The only complaint I have is they are never long enough.
These books are full of riotous doings with women who own their femininity and their badassery. Add in the kind of family we all wish we had, cops, Alpha Dogs, bad guys, best friends, honor, shoot 'em ups, snark...the list goes on.
Whenever I need to forget life and grin I reread one of these books.” – Katy M, Reviewer

 

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Howdy. My name is Gail Koger and once upon a time I was a 9-1-1 dispatcher. Too many years of wild requests, screwy questions, bizarre behavior and outrageous demands have left me with a permanent twitch and an uncontrollable craving for chocolate. I took up writing science fiction romance to keep from killing people. So far, it has worked.

 

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Book Tour and Giveaway: Brianag The Blood Queen Book 2 by David H. Millar

 

 

Blood is the link between humans, demigods, and demons

—and is the Blood Queen’s domain.

Brianag

The Blood Queen Chronicles Book 2

by David H. Millar

Genre: Historical Fantasy 

Three childhood friends meet in the Scottish Highlands. Two hold secrets. One may be a monster.

 

As Gràinne reached for the still warm heart, tendrils of the red mist preceded her. When they touched the heart, she felt power drawn from the blood. She steeled herself and bit into the organ. Such was the curse of the Blood Queen.

 

Brianag is the sequel to The Blood Queen. It is 384 B.C. Ten years have passed since Sidheag’s execution. Gràinne Ni Fearghal, the Blood Queen, has ruthlessly consolidated her grip on the eastern tribes and reigns as High Queen. Meanwhile, her daughter imprisoned in a gilded cage grows in beauty and power and terrifies her guardians—the demigods of the Aes Sídhe. She must escape. Her grandma, the powerful Sídhe, Mongfhionn, agrees.

Brianag trembles at two questions: how will her mother receive her, and can she be redeemed?

 Sidheag, was not the only Blood Drinker. Two others, Áine and her daughter, Leannán want vengeance for Sidheag’s death. Both claim to be Sidheag’s mother. Yet is Sidheag dead?

 Can Cassán, Dùn Brion’s king, control his temper and work with the demigods to defeat the Blood Drinkers? Will the beast known as the Hound destroy every living being with three barks or will the ancient Cait People awaken and intercede?

  

Content warning: Brianag: The Blood Queen Chronicles contains scenes of sex and violence appropriate to the time it is set in (400 B.C.). It is not recommended for readers under 16 years of age without parental agreement.

  

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A ‘Bhanrigh Fuil

The Blood Queen Chronicles Book 1

"It is a king's decision," said Brion.
"It will not be you who deceives and delivers the lamb to the butcher's block," retorted Eimhir.

True evil is a persistent and tenacious beast. Its desire for existence is eternal and insatiable. It needs to infect only one mind for its insidious philosophy to take root and spread.

It is 394 B.C. At a remote loch in the highlands of Northern Albu, a priest sacrifices nine innocents. Below the water's surface, a shape feeds on their blood and begins to take form. Soon, it becomes sentient and begins to hunt. Sidheag has risen.

Humans cannot defeat the abomination. Neither can Mongfhionn, the powerful demi-goddess of the Aes Sídhe.

The only remedy is the Blood Queen, and Gràinne is the reluctant heir to that throne. Will the Blood Queen stand alongside Mongfhionn to confront Sidheag? The cost for Gràinne may be too much—unless her daughter, Brianag, is in jeopardy.

Passions, always near the surface of the Gaels, burst into flames in The Blood Queen, where father is pitted against son, mother against daughter, sister against sister, brother against sister, and father against daughter.


The Blood Queen contains scenes of sex and violence and uses language appropriate to the period it is set in, i.e., 400 B.C. It is not recommended for those under 16 without parental consent.

5/5 ★★★★★
Genre: Fantasy, Historical fiction
Review by Jan Foster/History Quill: Last updated Jun 12, 2023

A must-read Celtic ‘Game of Thrones meets Bernard Cornwell’, blending history with dark fantasy and a truly terrifying villain. The Blood Queen will keep you turning the pages deep into the night.

The Blood Queen is a dark fantasy nominally set in 400 B.C. Scotland, wherein a misguided priest sacrifices innocents in the hope of bringing forth an entity that will do his bidding. This starts a tale of ‘be careful what you wish for’, as the entity – Sidheag – forms a corporeal being and a consciousness complete with dark desires for domination. No one can resist Sidheag’s allure and subsequent enslavement, and few will survive her rampage across the land as she builds an army to fulfil her calling.

Aside from the descriptive prose and the brilliant battle scenes, the equality of the sexes feels genuine rather than a nod to political correctness. Women rule, fight, murder and fornicate as violently and passionately as the men and the female characters are badass!

I thoroughly enjoyed The Blood Queen, even at its most uncomfortable. The historical accuracy of weapons and battle strategies blended perfectly with the epic and fantastical storyline. I loved the tiny moments of humanity within the bleakest moments. Reading the novel felt like watching a horror movie unfold, compelling you to turn the pages in the hope that somehow, against the odds, humanity will win.

 

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Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, internationally published and award-winning author David H. Millar is the founder, owner, and author-in-residence of A Wee Publishing Company—a business formed to promote Celtic authors and literature.

David is the author of the five-volume, ancient Celtic-based Conall series and the spin-offs The Dog Roses, The Dog Roses: Resolution, The Blood Queen and Brianag: A Blood Queen Novel.

David resides in Houston, Texas, with his family and two recent family members, tuxedos Beau and Stiletto.

 

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Book Tour and Giveaway: Three Dogs, Two Murders, and a Cat Nicolette Briggs Mystery Book 1 by Rodney Strong

 

 

Nicolette Briggs doesn't do humans. 

Three Dogs, Two Murders, and a Cat

Nicolette Briggs Mystery Book 1

by Rodney Strong

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Nicolette Briggs doesn’t do humans.

As Wellington’s premier, and possibly only, animal detective, Nicolette mostly investigates missing pets and cases of animal cruelty. So when her latest client asks her to investigate a case of a poisoned cat, it seems right up her alley. Until a body shows up, then another, and suddenly despite her resolve to not get involved, Nicolette is right in the middle two murder investigations. Or is it just one killer?

When someone breaks into her house and one of her dogs is injured, Nicolette’s reluctance turns to determination to not only solve this thing before the police, but show up her stubborn police detective brother in the process.

Along the way she has to navigate a daughter about to turn 15, a dwindling bank account, and a dysfunctional family that seems determined to fix her. Not to mention a killer who’s turned their sights her way.

No wonder she doesn’t do humans.

Three Dogs, Two Murders, and a Cat is the first book in the clean, cozy mystery series. Gilmore Girls meets Nancy Drew, with a touch of dysfunctional families, a touch of humour, and a touch of caring.

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Rodney Strong quit a 9-5 job in 2016 to finally pursue his life long dream of becoming a writer (he still has the very first play he wrote at age 6). He lives in Porirua, New Zealand, with his wife, two children, and two cats. When he's not writing he attempts to stay away from chocolate, runs (sometimes), reads, and enjoys spending time with his young children (who contribute a lot to the running and craving for chocolate).

He always has a couple of projects on the go, but for now is focusing on his series of cozy mysteries.

One of his cats likes to help with the process by sitting on the laptop, while the other likes nesting on his shoulders (which was cute when he was a kitten, but now the cat is 11 years old, is less so).

 

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Book Tour and Giveaway: Stilettos and Outlaws: Deputy Gemma Stone Book 4 by Gail Koger

 

 

Fast-paced, funny and full of wild twists. Gemma is a force of nature in this quirky, action-packed ride through Arizona’s weirdest crimes.

Stilettos and Outlaws

Deputy Gemma Stone Book 4

by Gail Koger

Genre: Action, Romantic Comedy

My name is Gemma Stone and I’ve been a Maricopa County Sheriff’s Deputy for five years and nothing has prepared me for the return of the wild, wild West. A bloodthirsty outlaw gang straight out of the 1850’s is rustling cattle, robbing trains and killing people. These two-legged varmints are also linked to a dangerous enemy from my parents’ past who is determined to destroy our family.

My personal life got even more complicated. Off duty, I’m a ballroom dancer and my dad has always been supportive of my dancing, but to discover the reason why was jaw dropping. What other secrets was he hiding?

Dealing with hyperactive chickens blowing things up, an overprotective Brahma bull and Grandpa Reynolds suddenly parking his RV in our pasture makes me think Armageddon is coming to Arizona.

Law enforcement isn’t for the fainthearted. Are you crazy enough to enter my world?


Author’s note: I was a 9-1-1 dispatcher for way too many years and this novella contains some of the wilder incidents that occurred.

 

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**Don’t miss the other books in the series!**

Find them on Amazon!

Howdy. My name is Gail Koger and once upon a time I was a 9-1-1 dispatcher. Too many years of wild requests, screwy questions, bizarre behavior and outrageous demands have left me with a permanent twitch and an uncontrollable craving for chocolate. I took up writing science fiction romance to keep from killing people. So far, it has worked.

 

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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a $20 giveaway!

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Book Tour and Giveaway: Mesmerized by Nevaeh Ryn

 

 

For the longest time, I believed my grandma could do no wrong.

But then, puberty hit, my body changed, and I started noticing new things. 

Mesmerized

by Nevaeh Ryn

Genre: LGBTQ Paranormal Romance

Kamika Suzanna LeBlanc’s heart broke when her grandmother passed away at age 78. With a funeral looming over them, she and her mother travel from Miami to Gaville, the small Louisiana town her mother grew up in.

As Kamika grieves and reflects on her complex relationship with her grandmother, she meets up with her ex and first romantic partner, Larissa Harris, and discovers that she has changed in... unforeseeable ways.

As if grieving her grandmother’s death wasn’t already a challenge, her situation becomes more complicated when she meets Delaney, Larissa’s charming older cousin, and a mysterious man known as Beau. Soon, Kamika’s world gets turned upside down when she unearths the secrets Gaville and her family have been harboring.

 

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Since she was young, twenty-one-year-old Nevaeh Ryn has had a passion for storytelling. Writing is Nevaeh’s escape and platform for underrepresented literary voices.

Nevaeh’s storytelling shapes her, and she hopes to have a positive impact. In 2025, she obtained a BFA in Creative Writing at Full Sail University to hone her craft and intends to pursue further education. When she isn’t lost in her own world, Nevaeh spends her free time gaming on her  PC, cooking up new recipes, and of course, reading and writing. She’s an avid Sims player and expresses herself through an ever-growing collection of tattoos.

 

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