Unleashed - Book Blast and Giveaway

Choose the Intro to Unleashed

Sydney Rye is coming to Audio and we need your help picking the narrator!

Emily Kimelman's "Sydney Rye" series features a strong female protagonist and her rescue dog, Blue. It is recommended for the 18+ who enjoy some violence, don't mind dirty language, and are up for a dash of sex. Not to mention an awesome, rollicking good mystery!

Haven't read Sydney Rye yet? Download the first book, UNLEASHED, for free on Amazon, iTunes, B&N, or Kobo and see how she sounds in your head then vote for the best narrator!

Voting enters you to win all sorts of great prizes including Amazon gift cards, signed books, and the finished Audio book! Add to your chances of winning by joining Emily's email list, liking her Facebook page, or telling your friends about the contest.

Here are your choices: (Please vote via Rafflecopter Below)

https://soundcloud.com/emily-kimelman-gilvey/sets/sydney-rye-audiobook-intro

Prize Details

Every vote, like, share, or sign up is an entry for the "grand prizes" 

$20 Amazon or BN Gift Card
Copy of the Finished Audiobook

More about UNLEASHED:

UNLEASHED is the first book in Emily Kimelman's best selling Sydney Rye series of mysteries.

When the series begins Sydney Rye is named Joy Humbolt. She does not like people telling her what to do, so it comes as no surprise that she was just fired from her last job. When she buys Charlene Miller's dog-walking business on Manhattan's exclusive upper east side, it seems like the perfect fit: Quiet environment, minimal contact with people.

But then one of her clients turns up dead, and Charlene disappears. Rumors say Charlene was having an affair with the victim--and of course, everyone assumes Joy must know where she is. Joy begins to look into the crime, first out of curiosity then out of anger when there is another murder and threats start to come her way.

When police detective Mulberry is assigned to the case, Joy finds a kindred spirit--cynical and none-too-fond of the human race. As they dig deep into the secrets of Manhattan's elite, they not only get closer to the killer but also to a point of no return. One last murder sends Joy Humbolt hurtling over the edge. Her only chance of survival is to become Sydney Rye.

The Rest of The Sydney Rye Series:

DEATH IN THE DARK (A Sydney Rye Novella, #2) 

INSATIABLE (A Sydney Rye Novel, #3)

STRINGS OF GLASS (A Sydney Rye Novel, #4)

THE DEVIL'S BREATH (A Sydney Rye Novel, #5) Coming April 2014

Emily Kimelman Biography

Emily Kimelman is the author of the best selling "Sydney Rye" series of mystery novels including UNLEASHED, DEATH IN THE DARK, INSATIABLE, STRINGS OF GLASS and the forthcoming THE DEVIL'S BREATH. Emily lives with her husband, Sean Gilvey, and their dog, Kinsey Millhone "Pup Detective", on a trawler docked in the Hudson Valley during the summer. She spends her winters traveling to where ever the next Sydney Rye Novel takes place. Right now she is in Costa Rica working on Sydney Rye #6.

If you've read Emily's work and liked it please contact her. She loves hearing from readers. You can reach Emily via email ejkimelman@gmail.com or on twitter @ejkimelman. Follow her on Instagram to see pictures from Emily's latest adventures. Visit www.emilykimelman.com to learn more about Emily and the Sydney Rye series.

Links:

UNLEASHED

Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Unleashed-Sydney-Rye-Novel-ebook/dp/B004XDWJ18

Goodreads

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11296999-unleashed

Kobo

http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/UNLEASHED-A-Sydney-Rye-Novel/book-FLXSjQKQckyjsIbxbqwSkA/page1.html

Smashwords

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/60752

iTunes

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/unleashed-a-sydney-rye-novel-1/id665272929?mt=11

Barnes and Noble

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unleashed-emily-kimelman/1111867294?ean=9781463581978

Social Media

https://twitter.com/ejkimelman

https://www.facebook.com/EmilyKimelman

http://emilykimelman.wordpress.com

Newsletter sign up

http://typepad.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=8c975baa018d768aba0ac40d0&id=a5decbfaac

Follow The Book Blast Here For More Chances To Win

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday's Welsh legend. Cantre'r Gwaelod - the Welsh Atlantis.

The town of Aberystwyth, where I spent my childhood overlooks the beautiful Cardigan Bay, where dolphins and porpoises play with canoeists and surfers.

 According to legend, there was once a prosperous, low lying kingdom, known as Cantre'r Gwaelod, which stretched along the coast where now the waves lap against the sandy shores.The kingdom was a community of merchants and prices and comprised sixteen thriving cities.

In order to protect the kingdom from the sea, a number of steep embankments were built, with gates, or sluices which were only opened at lif water was needed to irrigate the fields, and kept closed at high tide.

The Prince Gwyddno Garanhir ruled over the land, and he  delegated the working of the sluices to the control of a man called Seithennin,  decribed as a notorious drukard.  One night he became so inebriated he forgot to close the sluice gates and the sea poured through, drowning the kingdom which vanished forever beneath the waves of Cardigan Bay.  At times of danger it is said the bells ring out from the ocean's depths. A famous folk song 'The Bells Of Aberdovey' supposedly refers to the legend.

About seven miles along the coast from Aberystwyth, between the town and Aberdovey, lies the old fishing village of Borth and Ynyslas, Every winter, after storms have scoured away the surface of the sand, at low tide large areas of peat appear, littered with tree stumps and fallen tree trunks. Radiocarbon dating suggests these trees died about 1500 BC. The remains of the ancient forest were especially evident earlier this year when fierce storms swept along the coast, causing much damage and uncovering fresh areas of peat. And in 1770, Welsh antiquarian scholar William Owen Pughe reported seeing sunken human habitations about four miles off the Cardiganshire coast, between the rivers Ystwyth and Teifi.
So perhaps the idea of a submerged kingdom may be more than just a legend, after all.


I often incorporate snippets of Welsh legends into my writing, and I mention the legend of Cantre'r Gwaelod in my  fantasy novella Dancing With Fate, only I use the more ancient name of 'Maes Gwyddno.'

"He’d never known anyone to dance as she did. The way she swiveled her hips had him mesmerized. Her voice was soft and clear, with a haunting quality. It reminded him of the musical bells of Maes Gwyddno, the civilization that now lay drowned beneath the sea. At times of danger, if one listened hard enough, one could hear the bells ringing from beneath the waves."

I  hope you've enjoyed hearing about today's legend.  Do you know any other legends which bear a similarity to 'Atlantis'?

Monday's Welsh myths and legends - the Welsh Loch Ness Monster.

Llyn Afanc is a lake near Bettws y Coed (Translation 'Prayer House In The Wood) in the Snowdonia National Park and is named after the legendary 'Afanc' (pronounced Ahvank)

A lake monster from Welsh mythology, the afanc can also be traced through references in British Celtic folklore, and has been linked to various other places in Wales.

The demonic creature was variously said to look like a crocodile, giant beaver or dwarf,and to attack and devour anyone who entered its waters.

There are many variations of the legend, including one which has the mosnter dwelling at Aberdyfi, and of King Arthur slaying the monster on the shores of Llyn Barfog (the Bearded Lake)  Near Llyn Barfog is a rock with a hoof print carved into it, along with the words Carn March Arthur (stone of Arthur's mare), supposedly made by the horse when Arthur lassoed the afanc with a magical chain and his steed, Llamrai, dragged it from the deep.

Another legnd says many men had tried to kill the monster but its thick hide was impervious to sword or arrow. The wise men of the valley decided  if force wouldn’t work, then the Afanc must somehow be enticed out of his pool and removed to a lake far away beyond the mountains, where he could cause no further trouble. The lake chosen to be the Afanc’s new home was Llyn Ffynnon Las, under the  shadow of Mount Snowdon.

Courtesy of Elle Wilson

The blacksmith  forged strong iron chains  to bind and secure the Afanc.  There was still the problem of how to entice the monster from the lake. It appears that the Afanc, like many other monsters, was rather partial to beautiful young women, and the brave daughter of a local farmer volunteered for the task. She approached the Afanc's lake while her father and the rest of the men remained hidden a short distance away. Standing on the shore she called softly to him,and when he surfaced sang him a soft Welsh lullaby. So sweet was the song that the Afanc slowly fell asleep.

The men leapt from their hiding places, and with a team of mighty oxen dragged the creature to Llyn Ffynnon Las. There the chains of the Afanc were loosed, and with a roar, the monster leapt  into the deep water, where it is said, he remains to this day, unable to escape to wreak havoc because of the steep rocky banks of the lake.

Welsh legend Monday - The story of Gelert

http://www.beddgelerttourism.com/

http://www.beddgelerttourism.com/

In the heart of Snowdownia, a short walk from the village of Beddgelert, (Gelert's Grave)  two stones mark a single, small grave, one at the head and one at the feet.
According to legend, the stone monument in the field marks the resting place of 'Gelert', the faithful hound of the medieval Welsh Prince Llewelyn the Great. The story, as written on each tombstone, one in English and one in Welsh, reads:

"In the 13th century Llewelyn, prince of North Wales, had a palace at Beddgelert. One day he went hunting without Gelert, ‘The Faithful Hound’, who was unaccountably absent.

On Llewelyn's return the truant, stained and smeared with blood, joyfully sprang to meet his master. The prince alarmed hastened to find his son, and saw the infant's cot empty, the bedclothes and floor covered with blood. The frantic father plunged his sword into the hound's side, thinking it had killed his heir. The dog's dying yell was answered by a child's cry.

Llewelyn searched and discovered his boy unharmed, but nearby lay the body of a mighty wolf which Gelert had slain. The prince filled with remorse is said never to have smiled again. He buried Gelert here".

Isn't that sad?  I suppose the moral is never act in haste, or jump to hasty conclusions. It makes me sad to think the loyal hound's bravery was rewarded by death at the hands of his beloved master, but he gained immortality as his story has been handed down through generations.

On the Roast today...

Portals - a fantastic fantasy anthology by some six authors. Come and enter the contest to win a copy plus a Gift Voucherhttp://authorroastandtoast.blogspot.co.uk/

Crossing into the Mystic

It's my great pleasure to welcome D L Koontz to the Flightdeck today, to tell us more about her book and why she writes about the paranormal.

Hi, Lyn. Thanks for letting me join your blog today to talk about Crossing into the Mystic.

First, an overview of the book, for perspective: After the deaths of her parents and sister, insufferably independent main character Grace is so grief-stricken that even years later, when she encounters a ghost, she is charmed into trusting him with the hope of (1) being able to help him solve his murder, and (2) making contact through him with her dead family.

As if the thrills and chills of ghosts and demons aren’t enough, she finds herself embroiled in a love quadrangle – with two living guys and one dead. 

The book addresses the notion that: Now and then, you see something that alters how you view the world.  And, it explores the question: Do ghosts exist, or are they demons in disguise?

Why Paranormal?

I’m often asked:  Why did you choose to write about paranormal? I even had someone ask: Why don’t you write about something more believable than ghosts, like vampires or zombies?

First, to address the second question, I guess that person felt that the living dead was more believable than the dead dead?

No matter; back to the first question. 

First, I’m fascinated with the notion that we probably don’t see and understand most of what’s around us.

Scientists say that ninety-five percent of the universe consists of dark matter and dark energy whose fundamental nature is a mystery. In short, you can’t see most of what’s out there.

Second, I harbor a strong faith in God and an afterlife, so I also believe in the potential for incredible miracles.

Third, I’ve met countless sane, successful, intelligent, well-educated people through the years who, in hushed tones, confess to having encountered a ghost. The revelation is generally accompanied with an agitation, annoyance, almost an apology, as though they’re concerned what my reaction will be. Their concern seems to be that I will label them as crazy. Instead, I walked away fascinated each time.

So, when you merge all that together your mind can go wild, as mine did. 

What’s more, according to Gallup polls, nine of out ten people believe in God.  And the Harris poll found that fifty-one percent of the public believes in ghosts.  So clearly, there’s an overlap.  I wanted to explore that notion.

The Bible is filled with references to evil and demons, and Christ repeatedly cast out demons, so I believe the universe is much more complex and mysterious than it may appear to our senses.

So, are the “ghosts” that Grace encounters actually demons in disguise? I don’t want to spoil it, so you’ll have to read the series to find out.

What about you—what do you believe? Ever experienced an angel? Ever seen a ghost? Do you associate ghosts as angels/demons?

Crossing Into the Mystic:

A Civil War Paranormal Romance

The Crossings Series

Book One of a Trilogy

D.L. Koontz

Genre: Inspirational Fantasy, paranormal elements

Print Length: 258 pages

ISBN: 1941103030

ASIN: B00J5GSSRM

Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing

of the Carolinas

Book Description:

Three years after losing her family in a car crash, Grace MacKenna is set to inherit her stepfather's ancestral estate among the mountains of West Virginia. Seeking solace and healing, Grace discovers the ghost of William Kavanaugh, a dashing Civil War captain in Virginia s 17th Infantry, haunts the property. When William charms Grace into investigating the mystery that led to his death a hundred and fifty years ago, she finds herself drawn into a world of chivalry and honor, but also deception with secrets too dark to speak aloud.

Meanwhile, Clay Baxter, home from service in Afghanistan, fights his own demons and ghosts. When Clay senses Grace falling deeper into the realm of the dead, he seeks to pull her back. But is he too late?

Torn between her love for two mysterious young men - one living and one dead - Grace stands in the shadows of the Antietam Battlefield with a choice: one that could leave Grace lost forever, "crossing into the Mystic."

Available at Amazon  Amazon Paperback    BN

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/4RKylDUi0sc

Reviews

In Crossing Into The Mystic, D.L. Koontz makes a very different world real. ~ Ann Vanino

The story is complex and unexpected and I enjoyed the twists of plot. by Felicia Bowen Bridges

I kept going back and reading a sentence, a paragraph, some of the time the whole page.~ Tricia Scoggins

www.lighthousepublishingofthecarolinas.com

www.facebook.com/lighthousepublishingofthecarolinas

Tour Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

D. L. Koontz was born in Pennsylvania, but with her husband, now splits her time between their home in mountainous West Virginia and their cattle ranch in coastal plains Georgia. She has a son and a stepdaughter. A member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and ASJA (American Society of Journalists and Authors), she is a former journalist, business consultant, spokesperson, and college instructor. After several non-fiction books, Crossing into the Mystic is her first novel.

www.dlkoontz.com

 https://www.facebook.com/DLKoontz

 https://twitter.com/DLKoontz

 http://www.pinterest.com/debralkoontz/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7882997.D_L_Koontz