Blog Tour: A Cast of Stones: Release Day Blast!

In the backwater village of Callowford, Errol Stone's search for a drink is interrupted by a church messenger who arrives with urgent missives for the hermit priest in the hills.

Desperate for coin, Errol volunteers to deliver them but soon finds himself hunted by deadly assassins.
Forced to flee with the priest and a small band of travelers, Errol soon learns he's joined a quest that
could change the fate of his kingdom.

Protected for millennia by the heirs of the first king, the kingdom's dynasty is near an end and a new king must be selected. As tension and danger mount, Errol must leave behind his drunkenness and grief, learn to fight, and come to know his God in order to survive a journey to discover his destiny.

A Cast of Stones by Patrick Carr
Paperback, 400 pages
Expected Publication: February 1st 2013 by Bethany House Publishers

Goodreads - Amazon - Barnes & Noble

The Book Depository - Christian Book Distributors

Available Today!

Blog Tour: A Cast of Stones (+Giveaway!)

In the backwater village of Callowford, Errol Stone's search for a drink is interrupted by a church messenger who arrives with urgent missives for the hermit priest in the hills.

Desperate for coin, Errol volunteers to deliver them but soon finds himself hunted by deadly assassins.
Forced to flee with the priest and a small band of travelers, Errol soon learns he's joined a quest that
could change the fate of his kingdom.

Protected for millennia by the heirs of the first king, the kingdom's dynasty is near an end and a new king must be selected. As tension and danger mount, Errol must leave behind his drunkenness and grief, learn to fight, and come to know his God in order to survive a journey to discover his destiny.

A Cast of Stones by Patrick Carr
Paperback, 400 pages
Expected Publication: February 1st 2013 by Bethany House Publishers

Goodreads - Amazon - Barnes & Noble

The Book Depository - Christian Book Distributors

Available 2/1/2013!

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Patrick Carr on the creation of The Watchmen:

When I set about creating my fantasy world, the idea of a king’s personal guard appealed to me. It seemed reasonable that a monarch would have his own guards made up of the elite swordsmen in the kingdom. The idea’s not uncommon. After all you can find similar concepts in Jordan’s work where warders are assigned to Aes Sedai, and in Stephen R. Donaldson’s work (The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant) where you have the bloodguard to watch over the lords of Revelstone.

But I just didn't want to have a bunch of guys hanging out with swords, I wanted them to have a story. A hint of that history comes through early in the book when one of my favorite characters, Cruk, confronts a fellow watchman. Typically, watchmen don’t leave the king, yet we find that there are three of them in this little backwater and two of them are trying to kill my hero, Errol. What gives? Cruk doesn't know; he’s been gone for five years.

In the meantime, we get all these other questions. Why do the men of the watch wear black? How come none of them have last names? All of these kind of simmer through the story as Errol tries to stay alive. Then we get to one of my favorite chapters in “A Cast of Stones” called “Conger’s Tale.” It’s about halfway through the book when Conger, a defrocked priest, sets Errol straight on the history of the kingdom, but within that he fills him in on the background of the watch. It’s a really fun read.

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On tour now with Prism Book Tours!

1/23 – LAUNCH-DAY BLAST! – Backing Books – Herbwomen
1/24 – Christian Novels – Review – World
1/25 – I Am a Reader, Not a Writer – Readers
1/27 – Reads to Reels – Watchmen
1/28 – LDS & Lovin’ It – Clergy
1/29 – Proud Book Nerd – World
1/30 – Open the Page – Herbwomen
1/31 – Wonderings of One Person –Review – Readers
2/1 – RELEASE-DAY BLAST!
2/3 – Simple Wyrdings – Watchmen
2/4 – Bookworm Lisa – Review – Clergy
2/5 – Passion & Life – Readers
2/6 – Kari’s Crowded Bookshelf – Review – Herbwomen
2/7 – Coffee, Books & Me – Readers
2/8 – Backing Books – Review – World
2/10 – Letters to the Cosmos – Watchmen
2/11 – Jill Williamson – Review – Clergy
2/12 – ADD Librarian – Herbwomen
2/13 – Worthy 2 Read – Review – Watchmen
2/14 – Hey, Tara! – World
2/15 – Pieces of Whimsy – Review – Readers
2/17 – CTF Devourer – Review – Clergy
2/18 – Pause Time – Readers
2/19 – A Backwards Story – Review – World
2/19 – Christy’s Cozy Corner – Herbwomen
2/20 – Min Reads & Reviews – Review – Watchmen
2/21 – FINALE BLAST – Winner will be Announced!!

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About the Author:

Patrick Carr was born on an Air Force base in West Germany at the height of the cold war. He has been told this was not his fault. As an Air Force brat, he experienced a change in locale every three years until his father retired to Tennessee. Patrick saw more of the world on his own through a varied and somewhat eclectic education and work history. He graduated from Georgia Tech in 1984 and has worked as a draftsman at a nuclear plant, did design work for the Air Force, worked for a printing company, and consulted as an engineer. Patrick’s day gig for the last five years has been teaching high school math in Nashville, TN. He currently makes his home in Nashville with his wonderfully patient wife, Mary, and four sons he thinks are amazing: Patrick, Connor, Daniel, and Ethan. Sometime in the future he would like to be a jazz pianist. Patrick thinks writing about himself in the third person is kind of weird.

Awards: ACFW Genesis Competition 2010 Finalist for “A Cast of Stones” in Speculative Fiction.

Find & Follow:
Website
Blog
Goodreads
Facebook
Music

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Tour-Wide Giveaway:

Grand Prize (USA & Canada):  Print copy of entire series of three books (#2 & #3 as they are published) + A Cast of Stones Mug + Lend your name to a character in book #3!!

2nd Prize (USA & Canada): Print copy of A Cast of Stones

International: eCopy of A Cast of Stones

Open only to those who can legally enter. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and the winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Burgandy Ice @ Colorimetry and sponsored by Bethany House & the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: A Cast of Stones: Launch Day Blast! (Giveaway)

In the backwater village of Callowford, Errol Stone's search for a drink is interrupted by a church messenger who arrives with urgent missives for the hermit priest in the hills.

Desperate for coin, Errol volunteers to deliver them but soon finds himself hunted by deadly assassins.
Forced to flee with the priest and a small band of travelers, Errol soon learns he's joined a quest that
could change the fate of his kingdom.

Protected for millennia by the heirs of the first king, the kingdom's dynasty is near an end and a new king must be selected. As tension and danger mount, Errol must leave behind his drunkenness and grief, learn to fight, and come to know his God in order to survive a journey to discover his destiny.

A Cast of Stones by Patrick Carr
Paperback, 400 pages
Expected Publication: February 1st 2013 by Bethany House Publishers

Goodreads - Amazon - Barnes & Noble

The Book Depository - Christian Book Distributors

Available February 1, 2013!

------------------------------------------------------

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Only on this tour will the author:

-Share the creation

-Share his goals.

-Share visuals & excerpts

on each of these mini-themes:

The Herbwomen of secret lore

The World of The Staff & the Sword

The Readers of the cast lots

The Watchmen, elite warriors

The Clergy of power

See the Tour below to catch all the great Guest Posts and Reviews!!

1/23 – LAUNCH-DAY BLAST! – Backing Books – Herbwomen
1/24 – Christian Novels – Review – World
1/25 – I Am a Reader, Not a Writer – Readers
1/27 – Reads to Reels – Watchmen
1/28 – LDS & Lovin’ It – Clergy
1/29 – Proud Book Nerd – World
1/30 – Open the Page – Herbwomen
1/31 – Wonderings of One Person –Review – Readers
2/1 – RELEASE-DAY BLAST!
2/3 – Simple Wyrdings – Watchmen
2/4 – Bookworm Lisa – Review – Clergy
2/5 – Passion & Life – Readers
2/6 – Kari’s Crowded Bookshelf – Review – Herbwomen
2/7 – Coffee, Books & Me – Readers
2/8 – Backing Books – Review – World
2/10 – Letters to the Cosmos – Watchmen
2/11 – Jill Williamson – Review – Clergy
2/12 – ADD Librarian – Herbwomen
2/13 – Worthy 2 Read – Review – Watchmen
2/14 – Hey, Tara! – World
2/15 – Pieces of Whimsy – Review – Readers
2/17 – CTF Devourer – Review – Clergy
2/18 – Pause Time – Readers
2/19 – A Backwards Story – Review – World
2/19 – Christy’s Cozy Corner – Herbwomen
2/20 – Min Reads & Reviews – Review – Watchmen
2/21 – FINALE BLAST – Winner will be Announced!!

------------------------------------------------------
About the Author:

Patrick Carr was born on an Air Force base in West Germany at the height of the cold war. He has been told this was not his fault. As an Air Force brat, he experienced a change in locale every three years until his father retired to Tennessee. Patrick saw more of the world on his own through a varied and somewhat eclectic education and work history. He graduated from Georgia Tech in 1984 and has worked as a draftsman at a nuclear plant, did design work for the Air Force, worked for a printing company, and consulted as an engineer. Patrick’s day gig for the last five years has been teaching high school math in Nashville, TN. He currently makes his home in Nashville with his wonderfully patient wife, Mary, and four sons he thinks are amazing: Patrick, Connor, Daniel, and Ethan. Sometime in the future he would like to be a jazz pianist. Patrick thinks writing about himself in the third person is kind of weird.

Awards: ACFW Genesis Competition 2010 Finalist for “A Cast of Stones” in Speculative Fiction.

Find & Follow:
Website
Blog
Goodreads
Facebook
Music

------------------------------------------------------

Tour-Wide Giveaway:

Grand Prize (USA & Canada):  Print copy of entire series of three books (#2 & #3 as they are published) + A Cast of Stones Mug + Lend your name to a character in book #3!!

2nd Prize (USA & Canada): Print copy of A Cast of Stones

International: eCopy of A Cast of Stones

Open only to those who can legally enter. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and the winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Burgandy Ice @ Colorimetry and sponsored by Bethany House & the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author Interview: Sherri Hayes

Sherri Hayes is the author of four published novels, Hidden Threat, Slave (Finding Anna Book 1), Behind Closed Doors and her newest release, Need (Finding Anna Book 2).


Welcome Sherri!

What inspired you to become an author?

I’m not really sure you could say anything inspired me to become an author. I’d posted a few stories online, which my publisher saw. They approached me, and as they say, the rest is history.

Who is your hero?

My grandfather. He died when I was thirteen, but he was the most compassionate man I've ever known. If more people were like him, the world would be a much better place.

Who is your favorite author?

Diana Gabaldon

Why do you write these kinds of books?

I write the types of stories I like to read. It’s just icing on the cake that other people love them too.

How did you come up with the idea for Slave and Need?

I’d been reading some D/s stories online when the news coverage for the Jaycee Dugard story began. Over the next few days, more stories on human trafficking hit the news, and I started to wonder what would happen if I mixed the two.

What other future projects do you have in mind?

We've just started edits on the second novel in my Daniels Brother’s Series, Red Zone. The first book, Behind Closed Doors, came out in February 2012. There will be four books in that series, one for each brother. I’ve also started writing book three in Stephan and Brianna’s story. Between the two, they should keep me busy for the next couple of years, at least.

Any advice for baby writers?

Keep writing. I go back and look at that first story I wrote, and it’s hard to believe where I am now, and what I’m doing. Find one or two good critic partners, people who will be honest with you. If all they do is tell you how great you and your writing is, then they aren't doing anything to help you become a better writer.

Biography:

Sherri is the author of several novels, and a short story. She lives in central Ohio with her husband and three cats. Her first love was singing. Throughout her school years she was involved in various choirs, and has had eight years of classical vocal training. She also enjoyed acting in her teen years and feels that has helped her in her writing. Her mother fostered her love for books at a young age by reading to her as a child. Stories have been floating around in her head for as long as she can remember; however, she didn't start writing them down until four years ago. It has become a creative outlet that allows her to explore a wide range of emotions while having fun taking her characters through all the twists and turns she can create. When she’s not writing, she can usually be found helping her husband in his woodworking shop.

She is currently working on the third book in the Finding Anna Series.

Favorite Books:

The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon, The Bronze Horseman Trilogy by Paullina Simons, The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer, Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell, Shadow Dance by Susan Andersen, and my current addiction, The Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.D. Ward.

Sherri's Books:

Where to find Sherri:

Goodreads - TWCS - Twitter - Author Blog - The Playroom Blog - FB Page

Blog Tour: Need by Sherri Hayes

Need by Sherri Hayes

(Finding Anna #2)

Author: Sherri Hayes

Publisher: The Writers Coffee Shop

Published: July 26, 2012

Formats: E-book & Paperback

Where to find the book:

Finding Anna Series Blog

Goodreads 

TWCS

Where to find the author:

Goodreads - TWCS

Twitter - Author Blog

The Playroom Blog

FB Page

Synopsis:

As Brianna comes to terms with the realization that she is no longer a slave, she must figure out what she wants for her life. Forgetting her past isn't an option. It is an integral part of who she is now, and it will forever shape her view of life. The one thing she knows is that she cannot imagine her life without the man who saved her, but can she be what he needs?

Stephan never imagined falling in love with the woman he rescued, but the thought of her no longer being part of his life is physically painful. The scars from her past continue to haunt her, and he is helpless to stop them. All he can do is try to help her work through the traumas of her past. Can he be everything she needs and help her move on?

Here is my review for Slave, the first book in this series, along with my review for Need.

Blog Tour Stops:
7/18 - Ali's Bookshelf
7/19 - Close Encounters
7/20 - Kinky Book Reviews
7/21 - Tattooed Book Review
7/22 - The Write to Make a Living
7/24 - Lori's Book Blog
7/25 - Ruby's Books
7/26 - Musings of a Bookworm
7/27 - Under the Covers Book Blog
7/28 - More Than a Reading Journal
7/30 - Addicted to Words
7/31 - Nightly Reading
8/1 - ME! :)

Hope you all enjoy! And thank you to
Sherri Hayes and TWCS Publishing
for the opportunity! Have a great day!

Book Review: Need by Sherri Hayes

Need by Sherri Hayes

(Finding Anna #2)

Goodreads - TWCS

SYNOPSIS:

As Brianna comes to terms with the realization that she is no longer a slave, she must figure out what she wants for her life. Forgetting her past isn’t an option. It is an integral part of who she is now, and it will forever shape her view of life. The one thing she knows is that she cannot imagine her life without the man who saved her, but can she be what he needs?


Stephan never imagined falling in love with the woman he rescued, but the thought of her no longer being part of his life is physically painful. The scars from her past continue to haunt her, and he is helpless to stop them. All he can do is try to help her work through the traumas of her past. Can he be everything she needs and help her move on?

My Review:

I loved this one just as much as the first one! But probably even more! And just like the first one, I wouldn't consider this erotica. Although it did have some sexy-times... I consider this more of a romance book with a little kinkyness.

Once again Stephan and Brianna were fabulous. Their connection/bond grew even stronger in this book. It was nice to see her growing as a character, coming out of her shell. In my first review I failed to mention my favorite side characters, Logan and Lily, and it was great to see them back. I love Lily, if she was a real person, I believe we'd be best friends.

So I was assuming this book would be all romance and good times, which it had, but what I didn't expect were the sudden "Holy shit! Did that just happen?" moments. And the little mystery throughout, and the suspense... What?! It rocked my world! I think it really added something special to the story. The author also stuck with the switching of the POV's, it was awesome, as was last time!

Also, I'm not quite sure what I was expecting for the ending, but I definitely was not expecting the ending I got. It was all cliff-hangery.. I did expect that to happen at some point in the book, but I thought it'd be a lot sooner, but I loved it. It made me want the third book even more! I absolutely can't wait for the third book.

This is gonna sound really weird, but the whole fact that she was a sex slave and was held captive for 10 months, and treated like complete shit. Like worse than a dog with a bad owner. And she made it through, even long enough for Stephan to find out about her and help her. It's just so unique. When do you ever read books about this?! Never! I haven't read one! It's just super interesting!

--I'm also on tour for this book, so be looking for that soon! I'll be having an interview with the author Sherri Hayes! Enjoy!

Just like Slave, I give it 5 stars! 

I'd definitely recommend this book, 

but be sure to read Slave first!

Have a great day!

*This book was provided by the publisher for review*