Emory Schneider on Characters, Contemporary Writing and their new release ‘The Truth Beyond the Bitterness (World of Love)’ ~ author guest blog

The Truth Beyond the Bitterness (World of Love) by Emory Schneider

Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Brooke Albrecht

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to host Emory Schneider on tour today for their new novel, The Truth Beyond the Bitterness. Welcome, Emory.

✒︎

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Interviews Emory Schneider

Does research play a role into choosing which genre you write? Do you enjoy research or prefer making up your worlds and cultures?

I like both. I am always ready to do research and broaden my knowledge and I enjoy creating worlds for my stories, too.

Do you like HFN or HEA? And why?

I’m a big dreamer and I wish every love story would have HEA. Life doesn’t work that way, and that’s why so many people enjoy happy endings.

Do you read romances, as a teenager and as an adult?

I didn’t read many romance books until I was sixteen or seventeen but haven’t stopped since then.

How do you feel about the ebook format and where do you see it going?

I live in the Czech Republic, so it is complicated and expensive to purchase any physical books by authors out of the Europian Union since I would have to pay duty on them and VAT twice. Therefore I prefer to buy ebooks. I do own a bookshelf full of books, love to hold them in my hands and sniff the pages, but ebook format makes books available for more people around the globe.

If you write contemporary romance, is there such a thing as making a main character too “real”? Do you think you can bring too many faults into a character that eventually it becomes too flawed to become a love interest?

That can happen. It might be an opportunity for the character to learn about their mistakes and change themselves. Of course, that requires a lot of time and the story would become boring, but I believe there is a way to handle it. I’m not so sure I would ever be able to write it, though. Also, it highly depends on the protagonist – if they are willing to support their love interest and wait for their transformation.

What traits do you find the most interesting in someone? Do you write them into your characters?

This is a hard question. I find every trait somewhat interesting. The most challenging thing is to combine them so the character is interesting and readers see them in the way I want.

Have you ever put a story away, thinking it just didn’t work? Then years/months/whatever later inspiration struck and you loved it? Is there a title we would recognize if that happened?

About two years ago I started writing a fantasy story and I got stuck six chapters in. Everything seemed wrong about it. I decided to put it away and worked on The Truth Beyond the Bitterness. There were two reasons for why the first story didn’t work – worldbuilding and confidence. When I got the deal for my novella, it boosted me to get back to the previous story.

With so much going on in the world today, do you write to explain? To get away? To move past? To wide our knowledge? Why do you write?

First of all, I write so my head doesn’t explode. I use it as a chance to také a break from everyday life, but in the same time, I feel other people might find it interesting to experience how someone from central Europe looks at the world. I mean I like to read stories from all around the world.

What’s next for you as a writer?

I am writing a fantasy novel right now. I hope I finish the story before the end of this year.

About the Author

Emory Schneider was born in Děčín, the Czech Republic, as the fourth of five children and later moved to the western part of the country to find a job. They ended up working as a brazer in Pilsen—yes, the home of the beer. Emory spent a lot of their childhood discussing possible scenarios for cartoon and manga series they watched with their brother and pretending they were a knight or a spy. Their love of books and stories in general motivated them to learn English, although they had nearly failed the subject for two years.

During their teenage years, they started to make up M/M romance stories, but it took them several years to put any of them on paper. When not working or writing, Emory tries to fight their laziness and burn some calories they probably gained from staring at chocolate bars at the shopping mall or drinking some of the Coke they bought for their husband.

You can contact me at:

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2DUKjY4

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2NY5vRH

Website: http://bit.ly/2OzZ0nw

The Truth Beyond the Bitterness

Can love erase a lifetime of fear and bitterness? Kuba flees the oppressive influence of his strict Catholic family as soon as he graduates high school. In the big city of Pilsen, Czech Republic, he can get a fresh start. Although he is fairly content sharing a flat with his coworker and filling it with books, he knows he’s destined to be alone unless he can come out of the closet. But he just isn’t ready to bare his soul to the world.

When he meets his roommate’s friend Emil, he begins to reconsider. Is a chance at romance with the gorgeous man—and fellow bibliophile— incentive enough for Kuba to face his demons?

World of Love: Stories of romance that span every corner of the globe.

Available for purchase at: http://bit.ly/2ze9AaY

A MelanieM Pre-release Review: Jacked Cat Jive (The Kai Gracen #3) by Rhys Ford

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Stalker Kai Gracen knew his human upbringing would eventually clash with his elfin heritage, but not so soon. Between Ryder, a pain-in-his-neck Sidhe Lord coaxing him to join San Diego’s Southern Rise Court, and picking up bounties for SoCalGov, he has more than enough to deal with. With his loyalties divided between the humans who raised him and the Sidhe Lord he’s befriended and sworn to protect, Kai finds himself standing at a crossroads.

When a friend begs Kai to rescue a small group of elfin refugees fleeing the Dusk Court, he’s pulled into a dangerous mission with Ryder through San Diego’s understreets and the wilderness beyond. Things go from bad to downright treacherous when Kerrick, Ryder’s cousin, insists on joining them, staking a claim on Southern Rise and Kai.

Burdened by his painful past, Kai must stand with Ryder against Kerrick while facing down the very Court he fears and loathes. Dying while on a run is expected for a Stalker, but Kai wonders if embracing his elfin blood also means losing his heart, soul, and humanity along the way.

In a series that by turns has been dark, gritty, wondrous, and wild in the previous stories, Jacked Cat Jive has me gobsmacked with it’s , dare I say it, jacked up gloriously layered plot, the multiple story threads running and twisting and turning each pulling your attention this way and that, while the author carefully weaves a vivid complicated tapestry that will pull them all back together into a stunning whole.

It’s a stunning series, grounded in a warped universe where dragons fly over cracked highways, elven palaces grow themselves, and the peace between humans and non is tentative at best in a world where neither quite understands the new laws of nature and reality can buckle along with the ground.

If someone would ask me what are my favorite elements, I couldn’t tell them, because there are far too many. From the world building to the characters and the weirdly complicated, often twisted relationships. This is a harsh landscape, not only of land but of the mind and soul. And Rhys Ford gives us the same tortured, determined, and incredibly real beings that now inhabit it.

Kai Gracen has undergone many changes since , the first story in the series, Black Dog Blues. He’s grown, learned more about his past, accepted responsibilities ,j and given much thought as to what his genetic pool makes him as a person. It’s a journey of self that continues, along with his relationship with Ryder, the High Lord of the Southern Rise Court (Mad Lizard Mambo (Kai Gracen #2). Talk about your slow burn! They haven’t even kissed yet! And it’s book three!

This story is so crammed full of high adventure, suspense, breathtaking hijinks and political manipulations of all sorts along with the just ol pull at your heart emotions that this author never forgets is needed as the heart that holds it all together. It’s the perfect combination of them all and I couldn’t stop reading once I started, I think I ended somewhere around 3 am.

We are introduced to new characters even as we brace to let old ones go. Ford breaks our hearts even as she prepares us for further attachments and excitement to come. Really this is my favorite story in the series yet. And that is saying something. Because this series is already full of favorites.

The writing is tight and flows like a fast moving river. The characters are both real and fantastical, flawed and incredibly moving. And the universe building, which continues to evolve, is absolutely stunning.

If you love urban fantasy, here is a series for you. But they are not standalone stories but should be read in the order they are written. Already I’m primed for the next in the series. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Kai, Ryder, and everyone they care for.

I highly recommend this and all the stories listed below. Stay tuned

Cover Artist: Chris McGrath. I like the cover, Bright, colorful although not quite as edgy nor my idea of Kai.

Sales Links: DSP Publications | Amazon

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 253 pages
Expected publication: March 5th 2019 by DSP Publications
ASIN B07L8LZSLK
Edition Language English
Series Kai Gracen #3

Mad Lizard Bites(.05)

Black Dog Blues

Mad Lizard Mambo

Jacked Cat Jive

A VVivacious Release Day Review: Helix by Anna Martin

Rating: 4 Stars out of 5

This is a very interesting novel. Also, I think I might have rated this one less than it deserved.

James’ truck breaks down and the guy who comes to tow his truck is Dylan. They are both attracted to each other and it is the perfect meet-cute if you ask me. Steve hooks up with Mark and they try to give it a go. Unknowingly, Steve is Dylan’s adopted father and Mark is James’ father and when the truth comes out it, everything comes to a head and with so many feelings mixed in they are going to be quite a few hurts to soothe when the dust settles.

This book is told from the alternating perspectives of James and Steve.

James and Dylan definitely stole the show from me. I feel like they were much more open regarding their relationship even if they didn’t go into specifics. Though Dylan did play it close to the chest for a while, I feel like that given his upbringing that was more because he wanted to protect himself than anything else.

I never did get where Steve and Mark are going with there relationship. Since we never do get Mark’s perspective it is hard to say where things are with regards to him but with Steve, you can tell that he has fallen hard but he is playing it coy in front of his friends and his son.

I really like the parent-child relationships in this one. Especially Steve and Dylan who are like the coolest father-son duo ever. I don’t care what Steve claims in the book he is a cool dad. I especially loved the fact that for Steve Dylan’s security and stability came over all else.

This book was one in which I really got to compare romances. A romance with younger protagonists who are still having their first experiences with love and another with older guys with responsibilities. There is just something about young love, about the innocence at the age that can’t be recaptured again. And personally, the fact that Mark and Steve are so prominently fathers and the fact we do get James’ perspective just made Mark and Steve very real parents. I realise I have read books where the MCs have kids but the fact that we never get the kids perspective in such a way that makes the MC a parental figure makes me ignore that label. Because truthfully I couldn’t ignore that label for these two. These two are super kinky but something about the fact that they are father-figures really made me cringe. I must confess that I am way closer to James and Dylan’s age than Steve and Mark’s and also I am not a parent so I can’t look at things the way Steve and Mark do. I can’t reconcile with Mark and Steve the parents with these kinky individuals. I truly understand James’ desire to ignore the fact his father might have sex at all. I never want to think about that either.

I realise that people who are parents would truly gain more from this book because they can identify with both sides of the fence but unfortunately I can truly only identify with one.

Also, there also remains the fact that the first thing that Mark focuses on when he realises Dylan is Steve’s son is his issues. I haven’t forgiven him for that. I know he did apologize but the fact that we don’t see it play out given our two narrators means there is something in me that needs closure regarding this issue. And since I can’t in all capacity forgive Mark I wonder how Steve can which just makes their relationship that much more complicated for me.

The fact that they are parents automatically puts them on a pedestal for me and I expect more but Mark and Steve truly have nothing figured out with regards to their relationship.

I would have definitely wanted more Frances but I get that the choice of narrators prevented that to an extent.

James and Dylan are the stars of this story for me. They are so cute. I love them so much. There are the snuggliest, cuddliest and squidgiest couple ever. I so totally want another epilogue like that epilogue.

This story blew my mind, it made me realise new things about me. I feel like people who can see themselves as kids under parental authority and who can see themselves as parental authority would gain much more from this story. Despite all that this story is still pretty amazing.

Cover Art by Garrett Leigh. I love the cover. It has a really fresh look and all that blue just reminds me of beaches and a cover that reminds me of beaches and water can never be bad.

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Dreamspinner

Book Details:

ebook, 1st edition, 200 pages
Expected publication: February 26th 2019 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN 139781640808904
Edition Language English

Cooper West on Thoughts about Beauty and her new novel ‘Mixed Signals’ (author guest blog)

Mixed Signals by Cooper West

Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Tiferet Design

Buy links

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to have Cooper West here today talking about her new novel Mixed Signals. Welcome, Cooper.

✒︎

When Beauty is a Mixed Signal

By Cooper West (2/18/2019)

Is there such a thing as “too beautiful”?

This question came to my mind years and years ago, when I made the accidental acquaintance of a truly astoundingly beautiful woman. By any measure of traditional beauty, she scored a 100%. Why she wasn’t a model, I’ll never know, but what I did come to know about her was that she was creative, intelligent, witty, a great dancer…

…and almost pathologically insecure.

It opened my eyes to the unique and often overlooked problems that people who possess exceptionally good looks have to deal with. For my friend, her astonishing features meant that she was in a constant state of being objectified and used by everyone around her. Men wanted her as eye candy and a status symbol; women wanted to be associated with her, or wanted to hate her for what she had that they felt they lacked. She believed that most people who tried to connect with her could not be trusted, and not without reason. On top of that, she was fully aware that her looks were transitory, that someday she would age out of the “beautiful young woman” category that she felt (incorrectly) was her only real social advantage, and that terrified her.

For someone whom I at first thought “had it all,” she was a person I eventually came to feel sorry for. What good is having it all if you are always alone and wary of everyone around you?

Years later, I decided to write that into a character, and that character is Frank (Francis) Sheldon in my new book Mixed Signals.

(Full disclosure: it’s not a new book, it’s a second edition, but instead of being a super short novella it is now a long and plotty book full of intrigue and, of course, romance!)

Frank is that guy: rich, privileged, gorgeous, popular. He’s got everything most of us think any guy would be thrilled to have.

And yet…

My goal with Frank was to show that sometimes, a charmed life might be privileged but not easy. Frank got washed out of the US Air Force under the old “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that ended so many careers of LGBTQ+ service members. He doesn’t particularly want to inherit all the responsibility and drudgery of his father’s corporate empire, nor does he want to go into politics like his older sister. He’s constantly preyed upon by people who are out for his looks and his money, and he finds it hard to trust anyone completely. He spent years carefully living in the closet only to be outed and have his career goals destroyed in one fell swoop.

He’s a lucky guy, is Frank, but he’s the only one who doesn’t think that’s true.

Well, he was until he met Benjamin.

Benjamin is not quite the everyday-Joe character, as he’s a bit of a brilliant computer nerd and a brat. He shares some of the insecurities most of us would identify with, I think (or maybe just me!): not spectacularly handsome, not spectacularly wealthy, and not spectacularly noticeable at all. Unlike Frank, Benjamin’s life has been marred by tragedy after tragedy as well as financial frustrations. He got a free ride for his doctorate but he also had to raise his younger sister after the deaths of their parents. My goal with Benjamin was to make him the one we can all relate to, despite his IQ and social klutziness.

Frank’s expectation is that he can pretty much seduce whomever he wants without working for it while also not having to commit to a relationship with someone he doesn’t trust. But, in a nutshell: Benjamin is not impressed!!! Frank is used to people seeing the surface-value aspect of his life — handsome! Rich! Envied! — and not seeing him as a person. Benjamin, though, pretty much only sees Frank as a person, and not only that, but as a person he is not particularly interested in (or is he?).

It was fun to write his story because I enjoy turning tropes upside down. This could have easily become a “billionaire daddy” romance because technically, yes, Frank’s family are billionaires and he can drop millions of dollars on a hobby without thinking much about it. While I have nothing against billionaire daddy stories, I wanted to show how that kind of advantage in life can work against a person in unexpected ways. I hope you enjoy the twists and turns Frank and Benjamin go through on their way to true love!

Blurb:

Devastatingly handsome pilot Frank Sheldon is doing his best to avoid his inheritance of money, charm, and good looks by rebuilding his life on his own terms after being discharged from the Air Force just before the repeal of DADT. When he unexpectedly meets the eccentric geek Benjamin Kaplan, sparks don’t quite fly, despite Benjamin’s obvious interest. Frank is not one to back down from a challenge, but what does any of that have to do with his sister’s campaign for governor, or the muckraking political website attacking her opponent, who just happens to be Frank’s unlamented, very closeted, ex-boyfriend? It’s hard to fall in love when all you are getting is mixed signals!

About the Author

Busting out of the fanfiction scene in 2012 with the publication of her first original full-length book, Dawn in the Orchard, Cooper West writes stories that capture the heart and imagination. She is now known for her bestselling book The Protector, set in her unique Guardsman’verse of weredogs and bonded pairs, and plans to continue to release more books in that series but also enjoys writing modern, quirky contemporary romance stories.

She’s still a fangirl at heart, with an everlasting crush on Chris Evans and an ever-rotating list of OTPs. Bisexual and raised in a queer household, Cooper has been writing “slash” since she was a teenager and did not understand much about biology. She’s learned a lot since then! *wink wink nudge nudge*

social media info

- Website: https://cooper-west.com/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/cooper_west
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorcooperwest/

FB banner cover (attached to email)

New Release Blitz and Giveaway for Helix by Anna Martin

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Dreamspinner

Length: 61,000 words approx.

Cover Design: Garrett Leigh @ Black Jazz Design

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Blurb

When high school student James has trouble with his truck, Dylan, who is studying to be a mechanic, comes to the rescue. James thinks he hides his immediate attraction well, but is happy to be wrong when Dylan asks for his number. Since James is new to romance, they take things slowly, and because Dylan is in college, James keeps the budding relationship secret from his overprotective dad.

Across town, Mark, a teacher and single father to James and his sister, Frankie, meets Steve at a bar for what both believe will be a quick hookup. Mark doesn’t see any reason to tell his kids about Steve or press Steve for details about Steve’s adopted son…. It’s just sex between them. Isn’t it?

Two very different love stories grow side by side, each hidden from the other. But all of that changes at a family barbecue, when Mark decides it’s time for his kids to meet Steve and for him to meet James’s boyfriend, who none of them realize is Steve’s son, Dylan. The inevitable explosion means the two couples have some explaining to do to soothe the hurt feelings of their families—and lovers.

Author Bio

Anna Martin is from a picturesque seaside village in the southwest of England and now lives in the Bristol, a city that embraces her love for the arts. After spending most of her childhood making up stories, she studied English literature at university before attempting to turn her hand as a professional writer.

Apart from being physically dependent on her laptop, Anna is enthusiastic about writing and producing local grassroots theater (especially at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where she can be found every summer), going to visit friends in other countries, and reading anything thatís put under her nose.

Anna claims her entire career is due to the love, support, prereading, and creative ass kicking provided by her best friend Jennifer. Jennifer refuses to accept responsibility for anything Anna has written.

https://www.annamartin-fiction.com/
http://www.facebook.com/annamartinfiction
http://www.pinterest.com/annamartinficti/
http://instagram.com/missannamartin
http://www.twitter.com/missannamartin

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Artist Spotlight: Reese Dante. Book Cover and Artist Month Continues. This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Cover Art by Reese Dante

Book Cover and Artist Month Continues

Artist Spotlight: Reese Dante

When people ask me to name favorite cover artists, Reese Dante’s name pops immediately into my mind. Over countless stories, from Amy Lane to Mary Calmes to T.J. Klune to C.S. Poe and so many other authors, there has been one stunning cover after another. These book covers offer an amazing arrange of tone, coloration, composition, and even style depending upon the needs of the author and novel. But they never fail to pull you in, hold your eye, make you linger over the artwork, and then want to read the story within.

These covers are gorgeous, compelling, and often magic.

Reese Dante’s designs can run from singular images to complicated forms and everything in between. From explosions of color to subtle hued covers in greys and whites, both carrying an impact.

I couldn’t wait to hear Reese’s answers to our questions. So on to our interview.

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Interviews Artist Reese Dante!

Thank you so much for the invite!

How long does it takes to put together a cover draft and whether or not they make multiple drafts to show authors/publishers?

That varies with each assignment. Image hunting is extremely time consuming, especially when character modifications are required. But once I have the images selected for a project and know all the character changes needed/requested, I move rather quickly through the design process. Start to finish (including finding the right pics to work with) can take anywhere between a few hours to a full week or more. Again, it all depends on the project.

How much of your covers are original art and how much do you rely on using content purchased elsewhere?

Most of my work involves photo manipulation. I would say about 80-90% of my covers use licensed stock material as a starting point. There are times when I can’t find a resource I need or I’m just too stubborn and want to incorporate something specific. In those instances, I digitally paint what’s needed (such as a tattoo design element, a piece of missing clothes, etc).

How much input comes from the author and/or storyline?

That varies with each assignment and client. With publishers, there are house styles to consider and some are more restrictive than others regarding the level of input to incorporate. For my non-publisher work, all assignments begin with a spec completed by the author. The responses address a mix of questions about their story (characters, tone, time period, design preferences, etc). Some authors start the process knowing exactly what they want while others give me total creative freedom. Even with that creative freedom, the idea is sparked from something the author noted in a response. And ultimately, the tone and theme in their story determines the colors and style I use to finish off a design.

How did you get to become a cover artist?

Years ago, one of my friends needed a cover for a poetry book and asked me to design the cover. When he published his second poetry book, he asked me to design the cover for that one as well. I enjoyed the process and it was a welcome escape from my corporate office job. Some time later, another author friend asked me to design a cover for his first book, and I agreed. After he published his story, word started spreading and I received requests from other authors. One cover led to another and so on.

What mediums do you use?

I would be lost without Photoshop and my Wacom tablet. I also use a mix of software for my vector and illustration work. And when push comes to shove, I revert to my older drawing days and sketch something out with pencil then scan it in.

Do you have a favorite cover you have done?

That’s like asking me to pick my favorite child. 🙂 In truth, there are too many and for different reasons (the author, the story, elements of the piece, or the overall experience). Some designs have challenged me to try new techniques and illustrate something original. While others provided a creative outlet to help me cope while dealing with something personal in life. I have many favorites, whether the author knows it or not.

Do you have a favorite cover artist yourself?

There are tons of cover artists who create beautiful covers and some are truly gifted in what they can do with their creativity. I have favorite artists for different reasons and specialties. It’s impossible to pick one. Some have a gift for using vivid colors, digital drawings that leap off the page, and some can make something so simple look absolutely breathtaking.

Did you look at book covers or were influenced by book covers as a child?

As a book cover designer, I do look at other covers in order to determine market trends for the various genres.

As a child, I spent more time watching movies than I did reading books. 🙂 I was obsessed with movie posters while growing up. When I was a teenager, I reached out to two store owners who received promo items for movies they were selling or renting at the time. When they cycled through movie posters and promos, rather than throw them out, they would give them to the nagging teenager (*me*). My bedroom walls were wallpapered by movie posters—even the ceiling (I did mention I was obsessed). So I can easily say movie posters are a huge influence on my work.

What do you find most rewarding as a Book Cover Artist?

So many things. I get to do what I love and I’m forever grateful. The creative freedom feeds my soul and the author squee is priceless. There’s nothing more exciting than an author telling me I’ve nailed their character or story on the design.

If you could ask yourself a question, what would it be?

Do you realize how much you obsess with details?

What or how do you see the role of the Book Cover?

Unless you’re an auto-buy author for the reader, the book cover is a critical marketing piece. The cover is the first encounter a reader has with any story when book shopping. Its job is to entice the reader to stop and take a closer look at the book.

How has the eBook format changed that , if any?

Book covers are still important when book shopping. With the dominance of eBook formats, book covers now need to show well as B&W images and at thumbnail size, more so than a printed paperback on a bookshelf.

What trends do you see in Book Covers in the industry? Past, present, and future? {for example the rise of the naked half male torso, model overuse ,generic covers ,etc.)

Trends cycle (and sometimes recycle) and vary by genre. Whether it’s a cropped face or naked torso, there’s a recent push toward single model covers.

How do you feel about them?

I don’t have an issue with single model covers (or any trend) if it fits the character and/or story.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by. And thank you for all the amazing comments, gifs, and messages over the years. ❤

For more of Reese Dante’s artist, don’t forget to check out her website and the portfolio. You will recognize many of your favorite stories and covers there! I’ve only given you all a tiny sampling here.

For more about Reese Dante, visit

Reese Dante | Book Cover Artist & Designer

https://www.reesedante.com/

Original drawing by the artist

About the Artist

Art has always been a part of my life.

Ever since I can remember, I’ve loved art. There wasn’t a safe piece of paper in my home. I doodled everywhere and everything…papers, magazines, envelopes, brother’s homework. Then I started sketching people. I’d go through a magazine and rip out ads, preferably in color, then try to redraw them in a pencil sketch. I’d obsess until I thought it was just as strong as the color photo.

I’m a perfectionist and enjoy a challenge.

I’ve drawn and designed for years, but my first professional logo was used in 1991 for a community development and my first (published) book cover design appeared in 2005. I hold both a BBA with a specialization in Marketing and an MBA. After working for a national corporation in a marketing position for 15½ years handling all creative aspects of the company, I realized it just wasn’t enough…something was missing. The day-to-day slowly overpowered the creative elements of the job until there was nothing left but management tasks and responsibilities. I realized I enjoyed art a little too much to let it go. I started actively designing book cover art in December 2009 to fuel my creative need. People began asking about my covers and availability (thank you – I am forever grateful). I am now a full-time book cover artist and designer, using my marketing background to create art that grabs the reader’s attention. And I’ve never been happier.

My only regret…not having started this sooner.

As a teenager, my walls were covered by movie posters. Maybe it’s subliminal after staring at movie posters for so many years. I don’t know, but I do love a good story, especially those told in a picture.

Reese Dante
Book Cover Art & Design
rdante@reesedante.com
reesedante.com
Twitter: @ReeseDante
Facebook

I hope everyone enjoyed this week’s spotlight with Reese Dante. Next week Paul Richmond will be visiting with us. It has been a joy getting to know her further. Please check out more of her artwork and stories at her website listed above.

Cover Artist Giveaway:

Please don’t forget to leave comments or questions for our artists to be entered into our Book Cover Artist Giveaway, a Gift Certificate for $10 the person chosen. Please leave a email address where you can be reached. Open until St. Patrick’s Day.

Now for this week’s reviews and tours. Happy Reading and Listening!

We have more Artist Spotlights Scheduled. The schedule to date (with links in case you missed one):

February 09: Aisha Akeju

February 10: Garrett Leigh

February 17: Meredith Russell

February 24: Reese Dante

March 3 Paul Richmond

Until next week, happy reading and listening! Here is our schedule at the blog this week. Enjoy!

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, February 24:

Artist Spotlight: Reese Dante. Book Cover and Artist Month Continues.
This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
Ties of Destiny by Caitlin Taylor Blog Tour
An Alisa Review : Letting Go (The Knights Club Series#2) by CJ Baty

Monday, February 25:

PROMO Empire of Light by Alex Harrow
BLITZ Severed by Shona Husk
Blog Tour Post for A New Life by Mel Gough
An Alisa Review: Fire and Ink by KL Noone
A VVivacious Review Snowed In: Nen and Anani by Nell Iris
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Audio Review: Magic Runs Deep by Alex Whitehall and Adam R Watson (Narrator)
A Chaos Moondrawn Review: The Case of the Arms Dealers (Kanaan & Tilney #1) by Jenna Rose and Katey Hawthorne

Tuesday, February 26:

Release Blitz – Brigham Vaughn – The Ghosts Between Us
Release Blitz – Anna Martin – Helix
ECHOES by LA Ashton Promotion
DSP POMO Cooper West on Mixed Signals
A VVivacious Release Day Review: Helix by Anna Martin
A MelanieM PRErelease Review: Jacked Cat Jive (The Kai Gracen #3) by Rhys Ford
A Free Dreamer Review: Treasure by Megan Derr

Wednesday, February 27:

Release Blitz – Touch Of A Yellow Sun – V.L. Locey
PROMO Emory Schneider
Cover Reveal – A.L. Lester – Shadows On The Border
An Alisa Release Day Review: Skin and Bone (Digging Up Bones #2) by TA Moore
A MelanieM Review: Echoes by LA Ashton
A Chaos Moondrawn Review: Concatenation (Lost in Translation #1) by Catherine Lievens
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Milo by Lily Morton

Thursday, February 28:

Release Blitz, and Blog Tour – The Rising by Morgan Brice
Cover Reveal – Murder At Oakschott Hall – Jim Austen
COVER REVEAL Becoming D’Vaire by Jessamyn Kingley
An Alisa Review Temporary Dad (Bad Valentine #4) by Dev Bentham
An Alisa Review:All He Needs (My Truth #1) by Ann Grech
A Free Dreamer Review: Empire of Light(Voyance #1) by Alex Harrow

Friday, March 1:

In the Spotlight Tour and Giveaway: Demon on the Down-Low by EJ Russell
Release Blitz – DJ Jamison – Rapid Response
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW TOUR – Dance For You by Colette Davison
A Free Dreamer Review: Ostakis by Angelica Primm
A Chaos Moondrawn Review Lord Seabolt (Four Families #2)by Megan Derr
A MelanieM Review A Miracle for Markie by Lynn Lorenz

Saturday, March 2:

Release Blitz and Review Tour – Brigham Vaughn – The Ghosts Between Us
Redeem by Christina Lee Release Blitz
A Stella Review – The Ghosts Between Us(The West Hills #1) by Brigham Vaughn
A MelanieM Review:That Feeling When (#lovehim #1) by S.M. James

Don’t MIss Out on Ithani by J. Scott Coatsworth! It marks the End of a Great SciFy Trilogy! (excerpt and giveaway)

The final MM sci fi book in J. Scott Coatsworth’s “Oberon Cycle” trilogy is out – “Ithani”!

Time is running out.

After saving the world twice, Xander, Jameson and friends plunge headlong into a new crisis. The ithani–the aliens who broke the world–have reawakened from their hundred millennia-long slumber. When Xander and Jameson disappear in a flash, an already fractured world is thrown into chaos.

The ithani plans, laid a hundred thousand years before, are finally coming to pass, and they threaten all life on Erro. Venin and Alix go on a desperate search for their missing and find more than they bargained for. And Quince, Robin and Jessa discover a secret as old as the skythane themselves.

Will alien technology, unexpected help from the distant past, destiny and some good old-fashioned firepower be enough to defeat an enemy with the power to split a world? The final battle of the epic science fiction adventure that began in Skythane will decide the fate of lander and skythane alike. And in the north, the ithani riseâ€¦

Ithani Buy Links

Book 1: Skythane:

Book Two: Lander:

Giveaway

Scott is giving away a $50 Amazon gift card and ten copies of “The Stark Divide,” the first book in his other trilogy, Â his other trilogy, “Liminal Sky,” with this tour. Enter via Rafflecopter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d4753/?

Excerpt

Venin stood under the dome of the chapel, the waters of the Orn rushing past the small island to crash over the edge of the crater rim, where they fell a thousand meters to the broken city of Errian below.

The Erriani chapel was different from what he was used to back home. The Gaelani chapel in Gaelan had sat at the top of a tall pillar of stone, open to the night sky, a wide space of grass and trees that intertwined in a natural dome through which moonlight filtered down to make dappled shadows on the ground.

This chapel, instead, was a wonder of streaming sunlight, the columns a polished eggshell marble with glimmering seams of gold. Red creeper vines climbed up the columns, festooned with clusters of yellow flowers that gave off a sweet scent.

Both were bright and airy, but the Erriani chapel lay under a dome supported by fluted marble columns, a painted arch of daytime sky and the rose-colored sun blazing overhead.

The last time heâ€™d gone to chapel had been with Tazim, before his untimely death.

Long before the troubles that roiled the world now.

Something drew him back. A need to reconnect with his past. To bridge the gap between then and now, between who he was and who he had become. Taz would have liked this place.

The chapel here had survived the attack, while much of Errian had not. The city below was a jumble of broken corrinder, the multistory plants that were the main building stock for the city. They would grow again, but the sight of the cityâ€™s beautiful white towers laid low struck him to the core.

So had Gaelan looked, after the flood.

Venin turned back to the chapel and unlaced his boots, baring his muscular calves before he approached the fountain that splashed at its center. The cool flagstone beneath his feet sent a shiver up his spine, and green moss filled the gaps between the stones.

Some builder whose name was lost to time had tapped into the river itself to make the fountain run, and the water leapt into the air with a manic energy around the golden statue of Erro, before falling back down to the pool.

Venin knelt at the fountainâ€™s edge on one of the well-worn pads, laid his hands in the shallow water, and let his wings rest over himself, making a private place to pray.

Erro and Gael, spare us from danger and lift us up into the sky with your powerful wings.Â He gave Erro deference, being that this was his chapel, but he hoped Gael would hear him too. The god of his own people had been known to intervene in mortal affairs before, and if what Quince had told them about these ithaniwas true, they would need all the help they could get.

Veninâ€™s wings warmed.

He looked up in astonishment to see the statue of Erro giving off an intense golden glow. His mouth dropped open, and he stood and stared at its beautiful male curves and muscles. Maybe the gods were answering him.

Venin reached up and touched the statueâ€™s outstretched hand. The shock knocked him backward onto his ass, and he hit the ground hard, slamming into one of the marble columns.

Venin groaned, stunned, and reached back to feel his wings and spine. He seemed to be in one piece.

Taz would have laughed his ass off at the whole thing.

After a moment he sat up cautiously. He wrapped his arms around his legs and stared up at the statue, his chin on his knees.

The glow was gone.

Did I imagine it?Â He stood and felt the back of his head. A lump was already forming there. Thatâ€™s gonna leave a mark.

Something had changed. Venin didnâ€™t know what yet, but he was sure of that much.

He pulled his boots back on and laced them up. With one last suspicious glare at the statue, he turned and stepped out of the chapel, taking a deep breath of the moisture-laden air.

Then he leapt into the sky to soar down to the broken city.

Author Bio

Scott lives with his husband of twenty five years in a Sacramento suburb, in a cute little yellow house with a brick fireplace and two pink flamingoes out front.

He inhabits in the space between the here and now and the what could be. Indoctrinated into science fiction and fantasy by his mom at the tender age of nine, he quickly finished her entire library. But he soon began to wonder where all the queer people were.

After coming out at twenty three, he started writing the kinds of stories he couldn’t find at Crown Books. If there weren’t many queer characters in his favorite genres, he would will them into existence, subverting them to his own ends. And if he was lucky enough, someone else would want to read them.

His friends say Scott’s mind works a little differently than most – he makes connections between ideas that others don’t, and somehow does more in a day than most people manage in a week. Although born an introvert, he forced himself to reach outside himself, and learned to connect with others like him.

Scott’s stories subvert expectations that transform traditional science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary worlds into something different and unexpected. He runs both Queer Sci Fi and QueeRomance Ink with his husband Mark.

His romance and genre fiction writing brings a queer energy to his stories, filling them with love, beauty and power. He imagines how the world could be – in the process, he hopes to change the world, just a little.

Scott was recognized as one of the top new gay authors in the 2017 Rainbow Awards, and his debut novel “Skythane” received two awards and an honorable mention.

You can find himÂ at Dreamspinner here,Â Goodreads here, on Amazon here, on QueeRomance Ink here, and on Facebook here.

Andrew Grey on Unique Beginnings and his new story Reunited (author guest post)

Reunited by Andrew Grey

Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Hannelore Nistor

Published February 20th 2019

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to host Andrew Grey here today on tour with his new book Reunited. Welcome, Andrew!

✒︎

Andrew Grey on Story Beginnings…

This story has a unique beginning. Last year at the Leipzig Book Fair I was speaking with the head of Cursed Verlag, they translate a lot of my work into German. They have been a wonderful supporter over the years and I wanted to do something special. So we agreed that I would write a short story for them. That story is Reunited. It was published in German first and then would be released in English. So our German friends got to get it before my English speaking readers. They really seemed to love the story. The cover that you see is the German cover. I wanted them to be the same across both languages. I really hope you like Reunited and enjoy the story.

Blurb

Back in high school, nobody noticed quiet nerd Kevin Howard.

But everybody noticed handsome, athletic, and ultrapopular jock Clay Northrup.

They had nothing in common and lived in different worlds.

But a lot can change in fifteen years, and when they meet again at their high school reunion, Clay is no longer the big man on campus, and Kevin isn’t hiding in a corner anymore.

Can they put aside who they were? Can one night really lead to forever?

About the Author

Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and works in information systems for a large corporation.

Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing) He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Author Links

Amazon Author Page

Barnes and Noble Page

Dreamspinner Press

Facebook

Facebook Group All the Way with Andrew Grey

Goodreads

Twitter @andrewgreybooks

Website

For Other Works by Andrew Grey

(Please Be Sure To Stop by His Website to See All of His Works)

A MelanieM Release Day Review: Diplomatic Relations (The Sci-Regency Series #4) by J.L. Langley

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

A Sci-Regency Novel: sequel to My Regelence Rake

Opposites don’t just attract… they sizzle.

A lusty special forces soldier who lives by his own set of rules, Dalton Fairfax decided long ago to stop wishing for his father’s love, and he found his calling. Now that he’s back home and between assignments, he finds himself at loose ends. When the opportunity arises to play bodyguard and help out his country, Dalton jumps at the chance. Not only does it keep him busy, but it just so happens that his charge is the man he saw on leave last month and hasn’t been able to get out of his head.

Heir to a dukedom and a conservative politician, Blaise Thompson strives to prove himself worthy of carrying on the family legacy as the next IN Councilman. However, his closest competitor keeps getting in the way and taking credit for Blaise’s ideas. Maintaining his stellar reputation isn’t easy to do while keeping his outrageous younger brother in line and foiling his rival’s personal attacks. He has no time for a guard and even less time for romance.

When a priceless antique goes missing, Blaise and Dalton discover that Regelence has larger problems than just IN plots. Now the only way to stop a scandal that threatens both of them is to compromise, and they are forced to confront the risk of losing everything… even each other

Diplomatic Relations (The Sci-Regency Series #4) by J.L. Langley marks the first departure from the original stories already published and for me that’s a plus here. I’m not a fan of the new versions of the original stories. I’ve done side by side comparisons with the beloved originals and the revised stories are pallid substitutes, imo, for the robust novels they replaced. Everything from the loss of the bdsm element in Aiden and Nate’s relationship in My Fair Captain to the revisionist aspects of the personalities of major characters, I have found these new revised stories to be very flawed for those of us who loved the original novels, characters and their relationships.

But I’m also addicted it seems to the series and need to see how the overall story arc plays out and what happens to various other characters. So onward I plunge.

Diplomatic Relations is focused on Dalton Fairfax, nephew to Raleigh (aka Cony) consort to King Stephen , which gives readers more insight into that side of the Royal family. Dalton is or was high society’s black sheep. Always at the center of scandals, always the rakehell. His last one gets him a ticket into the Navy and an admonition to grow up and take hold of himself, courtesy of his Uncle Raleigh.

Meanwhile, planetside, there’s Blaise Thompson, brother to the irrepressible Bannon (who appears in multiple stories), trying to adjust to his future as heir to a dukedom and as a politician.

The two become reacquainted when the treacherous plot between Regelence and the IN brings them together when Blaise needs a bodyguard. That’s a huge simplification of a Intergalactic plot that has been unfolding through four novels, and shows no end in sight. I really have enjoyed watching this complicated suspenseful, and action-packed element thread through every story. There have been kidnappings, murder, IT shenanigans, and, high rescues in space. It’s been grand and shows no sign of letting up.

But let’s trot back to Regelence. There’s some elements here I liked and some where the continuity again is severely lacking.

That continuity.

In the first three books, the Regency society culture, especially the Ton and High Society was rigid over its rules where its young men are concerned. Chaperones are a must. No public displays of affection, even among those affianced. Three dances at a ball? That is an announcement of an intent to wed. Bannon and Trouble’s (as well as Aiden’s ) in getting rid of their dance cards, while funny, was also running on the edge of ruinous. The previous books all took note of that… all it took was being “alone” in a room with another man in order to be compromised. That’s how innocent most of these young men were. Cloistered and insulated by Regelence’s culture to be virgins until married. That typified both Aiden and Payton’s background and attitude. Plus it’s standard “Regency” fair, whether M/M or M/F.

But here standards are relaxed to include kissing, PDA, and more which given no declaration of intent, meant that a reputation could or was on the way to be ruined (intentional or not). This book, unlike the others, doesn’t seem to take seriously the universe in which it’s situated. The other novels and characters within them understood the gravity of their actions,, said so, and then moved forward. There is none of taking responsibility here should they get caught. That whole aspect of virtue and its importance in Regency culture is ignored. Which is curious because the author uses the strictness of Regency morality when she needs to in another part of the story. Just not here. No, the ramifications of one’s actions in this society are intense and swift. Whether it plays out in the gossip column or in the government. But Langley applies that when it suits her, in scenes and to certain characters here and there. And the entire story suffers in my opinion from such an approach.

That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy Dalton and Blaise’s relationship, because I did. I liked that they balanced each other in their personalities.d But, the shaky framework it exits within is noticeable. Here there are women employed as man servants, something brand new and not brought up as a possibility in the other stories. One hand, it makes sense in a homosexual society, to include those of the opposite sex as butler etc. But in the previous stories, they were all men, no mention of women even attaining the roles. It would have been great to have some groundwork or foundation laid for women in these roles before seeing it here. It brings up so many questions. How widespread it this practice. Is it only in the Thompson family that it occurs? Like I said…questions.

The ending will make everyone happy, well except for Bannon who has the next story coming out. There is a excerpt for that after the ending. I am looking for it it. Especially as its off planet. What could go wrong?

I’m recommending this story. Those of you reading it as a new series are loving it as you have nothing to compare it to. Those of us who love the first series still need to know what’s happening to all the characters and the overall arc. This does both and gives us a lovely romance to boot.

Meet you all at Bannon’s story. See you then.

Cover Artist: Tiferet Design: This is a very nice cover. Brands the series and its bright and light.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 288 pages
Published February 19th 2019 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN 164080692X (ISBN13: 9781640806924)
Edition Language English
Series Sci-Regency #4

An Alisa Release Day Review: Diplomatic Relations (The Sci-Regency Series #4) by J.L. Langley

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

A Sci-Regency Novel: sequel to My Regelence Rake

Opposites don’t just attract… they sizzle.

I was super excited about this book. I have read the original three books more than once and I’ve read all the codas and short stories. I had given up hope that the series would be continued. Then when I saw the first three were re-releasing I was overjoyed with the prospects of a new book. I went in to this with high hopes. I’m very happy to say that this met my expectations and then some.

I was initially unsure when I read the blurb because I had figured the book would be about one of the other Townsend brothers. This one is about their cousin Dalton. After I started it I realized it was a great way to stretch out the series and introduce new characters. And, I loved Dalton. Like a lot.

Dalton is more of a handful than any of the other boys and he’s a rake in every way. But he’s a good guy at heart and once he starts to fall for Blaise he’s totally committed. Blaise was also a really done character. He’s Dalton’s opposite. Blaise is quite proper, is a virgin and very much cares what people think. I liked that Dalton didn’t try to corrupt or change Blaise. He was very respectful of Blaise’s beliefs. The chemistry between the two jumps off the page. This was more slow burn than the previous books.

There is the ongoing plotline of the corruption in the galactic alliance and there is also a plotline where Dalton & Blaise have their eyes opened to the poverty on their planet. Both plots were fast paced and entertaining.

It’s a fairly low angst book and the relationship is really sweet and lovely. There are some very romantic moments between these two. These two ended up being my favorite couple so far in the series.

For fans of the series I have great news. There’s another book already planned and there is an excerpt at the back of this book. There is also what seems like a set up for another book running through this story. It’s a match up I’m super excited about. I’m not telling you who either couple is though….you’re going to have to read this and find out.

I have no complaints about this story. I loved it from beginning to end and was really glad to be back in this world, with these characters.

Cover Artist: Tiferet Design: I love this cover. I think it’s very eye catching and attractive and the models are a good representation of Dalton and Blaise.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 288 pages
Published February 19th 2019 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN 164080692X (ISBN13: 9781640806924)
Edition Language English
SeriesSci-Regency #4

The Truth Beyond the Bitterness (World of Love) by Emory Schneider

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Interviews Emory Schneider

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Mixed Signals by Cooper West

Dreamspinner Press Cover Artist: Tiferet Design

When Beauty is a Mixed Signal

By Cooper West (2/18/2019)

Blurb:

About the Author

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Giveaway

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Book Cover and Artist Month Continues

Artist Spotlight: Reese Dante

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Interviews Artist Reese Dante!

Reese Dante | Book Cover Artist & Designer

About the Artist

Cover Artist Giveaway:

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, February 24:

Monday, February 25:

Tuesday, February 26:

Wednesday, February 27:

Thursday, February 28:

Friday, March 1:

Saturday, March 2:

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Ithani Buy Links

Book 1: Skythane:

Book Two: Lander:

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Reunited by Andrew Grey

Dreamspinner Press Cover Artist: Hannelore Nistor

Published February 20th 2019

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press

Andrew Grey on Story Beginnings…

Blurb

About the Author

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Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Tiferet Design

Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Hannelore Nistor