Goddess Fish Promotions Tenth Anniversary

GIVEAWAY

Goddess Fish Promotions Tenth Anniversary

Welcome to the Goddess Fish Promotions Tenth Anniversary month-long celebration! The tour stops here today for a giveaway. Please be sure to visit the other tour stops as well.

Description

Who is Goddess Fish Promotions? And what do we do? We're glad you asked!

We didn't want your visit here to be dry and boring, so we decided to have a poetry competition and put what we do into verse. Here are the initial entries:

Marianne:

Roses are Red.
Violets are Blue.
I'm awful at poetry.
Coffee.

Judy:

We can edit your book
find things you didn't see
It will be fun to look
at the changes from me.

Yeah, for some reason, Judy won!

Even better, her poem is correct. We DO offer Editing as one of our options. We also offer Virtual Book Tours, Graphic Design, Bargain Book Promotion, and Twitter Promotion.

We hope you enjoyed getting to know us a little (more information is below) and we'd like to do the same. We'd LOVE to see a little poem that tells us a bit about you in the comments. We'll be awarding random book giveaways and $5 Amazon gift cards to some of the best poetry we find. It might not be at every stop, but when something really makes us smile, we'll reward it! Come on, be daring ...

Praise for Goddess Fish Promotions

Here are a couple of testimonials from clients:

“I worked with Marianne on a complete edit and was very happy with the results. Her feedback was clear, easy to follow, and she probed on things I hadn’t thought of. She was also responsive whenever I had questions and helped me work through a few issues. Her feedback and guidance improved the quality of my manuscript, all at a very fair price. I’m working on my next book and plan to use their services again.” ~ J B Glazer, author, In Search of Mr. Anonymous

“Choosing the right editor for a project is incredibly important to an author. Let’s face it, we want the best for our books. When I was considering editors for my first indie-published book, Regenerate, I naturally thought of Goddess Fish Promotions–and I’m so glad I did. Marianne Arkins and Judy Thomas are incredibly attentive and professional during the entire editing process. Their input was invaluable and the story is much stronger because they cared enough to help unsnarl plot points and find order in the chaos. I can’t wait to work with them again. Truly, a top-notch editorial team!” ~ Sarita Leone, award-winning author of Regenerate

You can see more testimonials here.

About Goddess Fish Promotions

Goddess Fish Promotions was established October 14, 2008. Why? Well, when Marianne became a published author and got her the first taste of trying to promote a book on a budget, there was only one other virtual book tour company in place at the time, and their fees were simply too high for a small press author. After coordinating and running her own tour, she knew other authors could use the same service for a reasonable price. Thus, Goddess Fish Promotions was born.

Because both Judy and Marianne were authors and editors prior to running Goddess Fish Promotions, they approach the business with a unique point of view and treat their clients how they would expect to be treated.

The people behind the fish:

Judy Thomas - The Goddess

Judy has a college degree in English and she’s worked in retail, education, at her local library as well as an editor for a small press and for the now-defunct ShadowKeep Ezine. She’s also a published author so can see things from both sides of the fence. In 2013, she “retired” and now spends her days helping authors make their dream come true - as well as working as much as she can with her local theater group.

Marianne Arkins - Fish

Grammar freak and coffee lover, Marianne wrote her first novel at ten years old, built her first commercial website in 2000, and published for the first time in 2006. She worked as a professional editor for just over a year and knows what it’s like to write, edit, and promote a book on a budget.

One of our interviews during the tour explains our nicknames ... keep visiting daily to find out!

Giveaways

Enter the tour-wide giveaways for a chance to win some great prizes.

This one is for everyone. Prizes: one $50 Amazon/B&N gift card, two $25 Amazon/B&N gift cards, two $10 Amazon/B&N gift cards.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And this one is for authors. Prizes: Two $10 gift cards for any Goddess Fish Promotions service, Winner’s choice of either a free blurb blitz (2 weeks) or book blast (5 days), 50% off any tour (excludes Review Tour or Full Service Tour), four free 25-page complete book edit, Two winner’s choice of teaser or social media cover graphic design.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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"The Conclave" by Tenille Berezay

EXCERPT and GIVEAWAY

The Conclave
(The Converters Trilogy Book 3)

by Tenille Berezay

The Conclave, the third and final book in The Converters Trilogy by Tenille Berezay, will be released 21 July but is currently available for a special pre-order price. Also available: The Convergence (read my blog post) and The Keep (read my blog post).

The author is currently on tour and visits us today to share an excerpt and a giveaway. Please be sure to visit the other tour stops as well.

Description

Having escaped the dangers of The Keep, Desiree is determined to free Blake. But when a government-enhanced converter goes rogue, the ensuing battle for power, control, and lives makes Blake’s rescue a secondary mission. As Desiree struggles to overcome past demons and new, stifling expectations, she faces converters more powerful, dangerous, and desperate than ever. To protect those she loves, redeem the convergence, overtake The Keep, and honor the Conclave, Desiree will have to redefine her future.

The Conclave is the intense, action-packed final book in the Converters trilogy; the conclusion of Desiree’s journey.

Excerpt

Pausing at the door, I peer through the tiny window into the lab. Just as the doctor said, Michelle is there, her bright skirt touching the floor, her glasses firmly planted on the bridge of her nose, her small frame hunched over a stool.

The lab is like her; mostly organized with small spaces of chaos. Reminding myself of my sole purpose for visiting, my solitary question, I push through the door.

Glancing up, Michelle stills at the sight of me. Between open shelves filled with metal plates, computer chips and various other tools, her eyes go wide. Under dark frames her blue gaze studies me intently before softening. “Desiree,” she says and I can almost believe she missed me.

I pick up a remote-like object from the counter, shifting it from one hand to the other, suddenly as awkward as the scientist in front of me.

“It works almost like a magnet, you pass it over an ankle band or an Equalizer and they automatically open,” Michelle says, before stopping abruptly.

I set it down, thinking of the many times a device like that would have come in handy. Looking to the ceiling for surveillance cameras, I ask, “Is this lab secure?”

“One of the most secure locations in the building.” She glances down at the counter before her. “Damiz wanted all my inventions kept secret.” As I round the counter, I can see the pencil swinging in her hand, the drawing laid out before her.

“And Talbot?”

She looks back to me, curiosity overcoming her guilt. “What about Talbot?”

“How many secrets is he demanding?” I rap my fingers on the counter.

Michelle glances to the exit. Flipping the pencil, she taps the eraser on the paper. I allow the awkward silence, my fingers drumming, opposing her nervous beat.

Finally, her hand stills. The pencil drops and her shoulders slump. “The number doesn’t matter, does it?” I inch forward to hear her quietly whispered words. “One is enough. Enough to condemn me.”

Condemn. That’s what I’ve done to her—put the weight of my expectations and disappointments on her. If she had had more fight, would I have had less of one?

Staring vacantly at her paper, she reaches for the discarded pencil. “The least I can do is keep my work from hurting anyone else.”

“Do you trust Talbot?” I ask the question that’s been growing, clawing at my resolve since I stepped into Amplified Industries. The question I keep asking myself.

Michelle’s face becomes open in its honesty. “I don’t trust anyone anymore.” Her confession comes out pained. It was what I expected but hoped not to hear.

I shift away from her hurt, turning to the door. There, I pause, hand on the doorway when Michelle’s says, “It seems like the more secrets we have, the more threatened we are.”

Without turning back, I answer, “Then maybe it’s time to stop hiding.”

Praise for the Book

"Oh my HEAVENS!!!!! I'm coming off of an intense page turner read, a bibliophile adrenaline rush?! So good!!!" ~ Julie Carpenter

"This book had a lot of twists in the plot, keeping me on the edge throughout most of it. I would definitely say this is a lot more action packed, and the romance is merely a very small element to the book." ~ Mylissa's Reviews and Book Thoughts

"You expect certain things in the final installment of a trilogy. If the series is well-written, then tensions have been building to a head for two whole books until, finally, all is revealed. Everyone finds themselves squarely on one of two sides, and the knock-down, drag-out battle royale that follows will likely have a high body count. These are things I expected when I started The Conclave. And I got 'em." ~ Patrick Hodges

"This book is like a rollercoaster. Every time you think you're about to get off, it takes you around again. There's so much action and so many twists between these pages that it's just insane." ~ Michelle Lynn

"What a ride! This series has been non-stop tension, thrills, and action! The conclusion to The Converters Trilogy is a very strong finish and I enjoyed it immensely." ~ Reads & Reels

About the Author

After living throughout the western US, Tenille now claims rural Northern Nevada as her home. If she's not being consumed by a book - whether her own or another author's - she'd like to be found horseback riding, backpacking with her high-school sweetheart/husband, or photographing their three beautiful children.

Tenille loves to read any genre (as long as there's great dialogue with a touch of snark). She believes in authentic characters, romantic sub-plots, and realistic, happy endings.

Giveaway

Enter the tour-wide giveaway for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Plus, enter the Goodreads giveaway for a chance to win a signed copy of The Convergence by Tenille Berezay (US only, ends 21 July).

Plus, enter another Goodreads giveaway for a chance to win a signed copy of The Keep by Tenille Berezay (US only, ends 21 July).

Links

Add to Goodreads

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Amazon UK author page

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"The Wooden Chair" by Rayne E. Golay - Blog Tour

BLOG TOUR and GIVEAWAY

The Wooden Chair

by Rayne E. Golay

I am pleased to take part in my first blog tour with Bewitching Book Tours. The Wooden Chair by Rayne E. Golay is the winner of the Royal Palm Literary Award, Florida Writers Association. Please visit each of the tour stops listed below. Don't forget to come back and visit Books Direct on 10 October, when the author stops by for a guest post. I will also be sharing my review. Make sure you enter the giveaway for your chance to win some fantastic prizes.

Description

Set against the background of the Finno-Russian winter war, this story starts I Helsinki in 1943 and spans over fifty years of Leini Bauman’s life.

As a child, Leini stands ready to do anything to win her mother Mira’s love. This effort costs her the sight in one eye and as a result, causes her to endure bullying from kids her own age. As a teenager, with her Grandpa’s help, she undergoes one more surgery to straighten her eye, but the psychological scar of the events of her childhood remain.

Leini struggles to break free of Mira’s tyranny by leaving her native Helsinki to study psychology at Geneva University. A few years later, married, herself to a wonderful man, about to become a mother, she is determined with her own children not to repeat Mira’s behavior. With the help of a psychiatrist, she labors through the pains of past hurts to become a nurturing and loving mother and wife, as well as a successful professional, as she grows from victim to victor over adversity. Can her efforts lead her to the one thing she needs to discover the most - the ability to forgive her mother?

Praise for The Wooden Chair

The Wooden Chair is a beautifully written period piece. When I began reading, I didn’t stop until I turned the last page. Ms. Golay’s descriptions are so powerful, the characters so true to life, they’re unforgettable. Leini’s journey from an emotionally abused child to a self-confident woman should be read by all who’ve suffered any form of abuse and persevered. Quite the most powerful novel I’ve read in years." --Suzanne Barr, Author of Fatal Kiss

The Wooden Chair took hold of me in the first paragraphs and never let go. I kept expecting—and wanting—someone to rescue Leini from her wildly unpredictable mother who told Leini she wasn’t wanted. Leini’s disappointments and longings as she faced serious issues for such a young girl kept me engrossed. I wept at Rayne Golay’s vivid descriptions of Leini coping in an unfair world, and I rejoiced at her remarkable quest to change, at her acceptance as she grew into adulthood. Rayne’s high quality writing in The Wooden Chair makes it an emotionally charged read, a compelling story of one woman’s valiant struggle to grow away from past hurts. A triumphant story! --Elizabeth (Bettie) Wailes, Author and Editor

From the Author

Whenever I pause and think about my past, I realized I've lived three lives in one. Some people are lucky to spend their whole life in the village or town or country where they were born. They're surrounded by relatives and friends they've known since childhood, have deep roots. I believe they are very rich. My life has been made of a different cloth with hues of the rainbow. It's been about change and adaptation.

I was born in Helsinki, Finland. For various reasons I changed schools three times before high school. When I was very small, my mother used to read to me. She helped me put letters together to form words. As she was done reading A Thousand and One Nights my passion was born. From then on, I read everything with the printed word: matchboxes, newspapers, pamphlet and books, of course. I was no more than six years old when my father obtained a library card for me. Believe me, that was one of the happiest days of my childhood. To this day, I read at least three books a week. In school, I always had high grades in composition and wanted to be a journalist, but my parents had other plans. I got a Masters degree in psychology, was certified as addictions counselor in England after studies in the United States.

Skilled in languages, from the age of fifteen I translated dialogues in Hollywood movies from English into Finnish and Swedish. This, my first paying job, came through my father, who was the Nordic managing director of a prominent American film company.

After graduation, I married, had two children in rapid succession. My then husband was transferred to Geneva, Switzerland, so that's where we moved with our two wonderful children.

In Geneva, I worked in a multinational company as an addictions counselor with responsibilities for all of the company's European subsidiaries. During this time, I wrote two nonfiction books: one about alcoholism, another about dysfunction in the workplace. I also wrote the script to "Something of The Danger That Exists", a 50 minute film, used within the company as part of an educational program, which I facilitated. In my function, I was a frequent speaker on dependence at conferences and business groups. As I oversaw company sites throughout Europe and the then East Bloc countries, I'm fortunate to have traveled extensively.

As an avid reader, I've read most American, French, and Russian classics, modern literature and poetry. It may seem that my books are autobiographical, particularly The Wooden Chair, but that's not so. I believe in writing about what I know, so my life has parallels in Leini's story, but I guess you have to read the book to find out more.

My whole life I've longed for the sun and warmth. When opportunity presented itself, I took up residence in Florida. I live here with my partner, my best friend and husband.

The award-winning novel The Wooden Chair is my second book. Life is a Foreign Language is available in paperback and ebook. At present, I'm editing my third story.

Every book is a journey so enjoy the trip.

Giveaway

Enter the tour-wide giveaway for your chance to win one of two $10 Amazon gift cards, one of ten ebook copies of The Wooden Chair, or one of ten postcards (US only).

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Links

Amazon US Kindle

Amazon UK Kindle

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Amazon US author page

Amazon UK author page

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Twitter @Rayne_Golay

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Blog Tour Schedule

16 September - Interview - The Creatively Green Write at Home Mom

17 September - Interview - Pembroke Sinclair

18 September - Guest blog - Rose & Beps Blog

19 September - Interview - The Simple Things in Life

20 September - Spotlight and Review - Faerie Tale Books

23 September - Interview - Reading in Twilight

24 September - Guest blog - Roxanne's Realm

25 September - Spotlight - Lisa's World of Books

26 September - Guest blog - Fang-tastic Books

27 September - Interview - Adrienne Woods Books and Reviews

2 October - Spotlight - Elfie Books

4 October - Guest blog - Bia's Wonderland

7 October - Spotlight and review - Book Bliss

9 October - Guest blog - Books, Books, The Magical Fruit

10 October - Guest blog and Review - Books Direct

11 October - Spotlight - Books & Tales

14 October - Interview - Dalene's Book Reviews