Friday, March 1, 2019

A GUEST POST FROM KELLI WILKINS award wining ROMANCE AUTHOR

www.kelliwilkins.com


Hi everyone,
Today I’m sharing a look at my latest contemporary romance releases, Cupid’s Schemes - Volumes 1 & 2. As many readers know, I write romances in all genres (historical, fantasy, gay, paranormal, and contemporary) at all heat levels, but these novellas are something new for me. Instead of full-length romances, each book is a collection of flash-fiction stories.
Both volumes contain a dozen or more sweet romances where the characters meet under unusual circumstances and develop an intense connection. And that’s where I leave them—at the start of their relationship. Why?
I wanted to show how two people meet, feel a spark of romance, and then leave the rest of the story up to the reader’s imagination. What happens next is up to you. I end each story with the characters in good places and the potential to have a happy-ever-after ending with their new love interest. These feel-good stories are perfect for a boost of romance whenever or wherever you need it.
The settings vary from New Year’s Eve parties to snowstorms, summer picnics, and even a haunted corn maze. I grouped the stories by season, so as you read through each book, you’ll be following the calendar year. And believe it or not, some of these settings and “first meets” were inspired by true stories people have told me over the years.
Here are the summaries and links to each book, plus an excerpt from the first story in Volume 2.



Cupid’s Schemes - Volume 1
A Collection of Sweet Romances
In these 16 flash fiction vignettes, Cupid’s arrow hits the mark and ignites a spark between two strangers—whether or not they’re looking for romance. Their unusual meetings lead to new beginnings and new chances at love.
Sweet stories of couples falling under Cupid’s spell include:
* a Medieval knight courting a pretty lady
* two neighbors discover that romance can happen when you least expect it
* a dehydrated mermaid rescued by a handsome stranger
These lighthearted mini-romances are perfect reads for a quick lunchtime escape or an after-work indulgence.
Order your copy here:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/ebook/dp/B07JM9K1BB
All other platforms: https://www.books2read.com/u/boZxkZ

And don’t miss Cupid’s Schemes - Volume 2
Another Collection of Sweet Romances
In these 12 mini-romances…
* a photographer falls for a sexy cowboy in a supposedly abandoned ghost town
* new neighbors discover that romance can happen when you least expect it
* a long-lost love returns in an unexpected setting
Order Cupid’s Schemes: Volume 2 here:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MFR25KF
All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/mYrBBd

An Excerpt from…

New Year, New Love


“This New Year’s Eve party is going to be fun. I’m glad you could come at the last minute,” Sharon said to Diana as they stepped into the hotel lobby.
“Thanks for inviting me. I didn’t want to let your extra ticket go to waste,” Diana replied. She hated to admit that she’d had no other plans for tonight other than to curl up on the couch and watch a movie. She turned as Sharon’s boyfriend, Matt, and another man strolled up to them.
“You remember my cousin Eric, don’t you?” Sharon asked.
Diana gazed up at the six-foot-three blond hunk. Eric looked absolutely adorable in his dark gray suit, crisp white shirt, and blue and gray striped tie.
“Yes, of course.” How could she ever forget Eric? Even though she had only spent an afternoon with him, meeting a dreamboat like Eric stayed with a girl for a long time.
“Hi Eric. Happy New Year,” she said, then glanced at Sharon, confused. Why was Eric here? Was he alone? Where was his girlfriend, Melissa?
Eric stepped to her side. “Hi Diana. It’s nice to see you again. Can I take your coat?”
“Sure. Thanks.” She let Eric help her out of her gray wool coat. She caught his eyes roving down the front of her midnight-blue dress. She almost hadn’t worn the low-cut dress tonight, but then reconsidered. Why not? It was New Year’s Eve and she should dress up and look nice, even if she was single. One of her New Year’s resolutions was to jumpstart her boring life, starting tonight.
They handed their coats to the coat check attendant and strolled into a grand ballroom decorated in silver and gold. Eric kept pace with her as they followed Sharon and Matt to a table.
“This is some change, huh?” Eric said as he pulled out a chair for her. “The last time I saw you it was ninety degrees outside and we were both in a pool.”
Diana felt a blush creep into her cheeks. “I know. Sharon’s Labor Day party seems like yesterday.” She sighed as she recalled seeing Eric’s lean, tan body in nothing but blue swim trunks. She and Eric had gotten along fabulously at the party and they had a lot in common. They had been having harmless fun playing volleyball when Melissa showed up and everything went to hell.
But Melissa wasn’t here tonight. Did that mean Eric was single?
She looked at Eric and felt her pulse surge. Now she was elated that she had accepted Sharon’s invitation. This was one New Year’s Eve she’d never forget.
***

I hope you enjoy these collections of sweet romances. I welcome comments and questions from readers and other authors. Contact me via my site, blog, or social media pages.
Happy Reading!
Kelli A. Wilkins

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 19 romance novels, and 5 non-fiction books. Her romances span many genres and heat levels, and she’s also been known to scare readers with her horror stories. In January 2019 Kelli released the second half of her new flash fiction series, Cupid’s Schemes.

These two volumes of lighthearted mini-romances are perfect reads for a quick lunchtime escape or an after-work indulgence. She also authored her first online writing course,


Fiction Writing for Beginners, through Teachable. This course is perfect for anyone who wants to learn how to write. Visit: https://kelliwilkins.teachable.com/ for more details. Kelli’s historical romance, Redemption from a Dark Past, was published in 2018. This full-length Gothic novel is set in the kingdom of Hungary in 1723 and blends a sensual romance with mystery and suspense.

If you like horror fiction, don’t miss her latest novella, 
Nightmare in the North.
Kelli posts on her Facebook author page: 
Visit her website www.KelliWilkins.com and blog http://kelliwilkinsauthor.blogspot.com/ to learn more about all of her writings. CATCH UP WITH KELLI's BLOG  .

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Thursday, February 28, 2019

The Sound of Suffering (The Master of Perceptions #2) by Darin C. Brown


**Though The Sound of Suffering is a sequel, it can be read as a standalone as the first chapter summarizes book one.**

The Sound of Suffering (The Master of Perceptions #2)
by Darin C. Brown
Genre/Keywords: Young Adult Loners and Outcasts, Superheroes, genetic engineering, auras, autism spectrum disorders, bullying, healing energy
Release Date: February 21st 2019

Summary:

Hunter Miller has a secret.

He can read and manipulate the auras that surround everyone.

Having used his talent to dethrone the reigning school bully, thirteen-year old Hunter finds himself thrust into a new quest after hearing screams in the aura of a teacher.  Unable to resist this powerful siren song, he investigates—despite warnings from his family and friends. It nearly costs him everything.

Upon discovering the truth, Hunter seeks assistance in his mission to defeat his formidable adversary. As the situation escalates, the adolescent hero ultimately realizes that despite the risks, he must fight this battle alone.

In this second installment of The Master of Perceptions series, can Hunter use his extraordinary powers to rescue an innocent woman without losing himself in the process?


5.0 out of 5 stars Master of Perception Series ramps up! 
 February 5, 2019 
 Like Rowling's Harry Potter, young Hunter is gaining maturity and skill in each new book of the "Master of Perceptions" series. The reader shares his increasing grasp of the unique ability to see people's auras and manipulate them, and in Book 2 Hunter has a mission. He must deal with the very adult issue of domestic abuse. The perpetrator is a policeman, and his victim is a teacher at Hunter's school. He can hear her aura screaming for help, but what can a sixth grader do against an officer of the law? Dr. Darin Brown expertly builds the tension and leads us to understand this autistic young man's unique perspective. Imagine the power of seeing people's feelings and thoughts in their auras and also being able to manipulate the colors to affect their behavior. Hunter can already heal himself, but this skill comes at a price. It drains his energy, which can send him into the Void, if he is doesn't keep up his carbs and sugar. Believable - though fantastic - and engaging, I highly recommend the "Master of Perception" Series.

Book One:
The Sight of Demons (The Master of Perception #1)
Release Date: October 16th 2017
Summary:
Hunter Miller sees demons. The terrifying shadows engulf him and everyone he knows—yet nobody else notices their presence.

Hunter can’t escape them, so he sets out to understand them. Why do they follow him? What are they trying to tell him?

In this first installment of the Master of Perceptions series, pre-teen Hunter discovers that every sensation the demons produce—whether it be sight, sound, texture, flavor, or smell—has a different meaning. And that by breaking this code, he just might be able to harness their power.





















About the Author
DARIN C. BROWN spent the last twenty years saving lives as an emergency medicine physician in New Hampshire and Maine. His master’s degree in biomedical engineering and PhD in biophysics helped him conceptualize Hunter’s astounding capabilities. When he’s not writing, he directs Murder Mystery Dinner Theater, including the biannual shows on the Conway Scenic Railroad. In addition to his varied academic interests, he competes at the national level in master’s track. He currently resides in the White Mountains of New Hampshire with his wife, Dr. Sandra Brown, and their many pets.

Author Links:
   

Auras and other Metaphysical choices in writing
by Darin C. Brown
I have friends who see auras, although I do not myself. I spent many hours researching the occult, listening to hypnotists, mediums, Reiki masters, and many others in preparation for my novels. The reason why this all works well with The Master of Perceptions is the basic premise that Hunter perceives things differently that everyone else.
There are only really three “senses” from a strict perspective. Electromagnetic, tactile (which includes vibration, the actual definition of temperature) and chemical.  All perceptions are the brain’s interpretation of these sensed inputs. We all say “five senses” because Aristotle did many years ago. He was just plain wrong.
An individual’s perceptions are much more numerous. Sight (light is part of the electromagnetic spectrum), sound (vibration of the tympanic membrane in the ear transduced), smell (chemical), taste (combines chemical and tactile) and feel (tactile) are simply the most common, thanks to a dead Greek thinker.
Consider others like proprioception (the location of your body in space), direction, equilibrium (balance), attraction, acceleration, moisture, agency (sense of having made a decision) familiarity (recognition) anticipation, or social awareness. These are all truly unique to the brain of the person doing to perceiving, and therefore cannot truly be understood by anyone else. After all, there is no actual “light” or “sound” in your brain, only your individual perception of these stimuli. Who knows for sure if what actually exists in the world matches what each of us perceives? My son is color blind and can’t tell red from green. My mother cannot smell much of anything (which is why she was such a terrible cook). There are hundreds of similar examples.
If all perceptions are unique, what about auras? Maybe they give the perceiver unique perspective that others simply do not have. Might there also be ability to speak with the dead, or manipulate conscious thoughts, or anything else you might be able to imagine? Why not?
Hunter, as The Master of Perceptions, will gain control over many of these areas. His unique ability will hopefully give readers insights into their own potential.

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