New Debut Authors - New Releases

While we feature new releases from debut authors on the first Thursday in every month, sometimes people don't join until after their book has launched into the reading world. The social media team put our heads together, brainstorming ways we could continue to support our members, and decided to do a twice a year "catch up" post. This post features releases from Debut Authors whose book released during the first half of the year.

Let's celebrate their accomplishments!

Lisa von Biela - The Genesis Code (DarkFuse) April 29, 2013

http://lisavonbiela.com

Obedience and submission…uploaded directly to the brain…

When Mark Weston is hired by OneMarket, the prestigious and premier supplier of global equity trading systems, owned by international business tycoon Simon Harris, he thinks he's found his dream job. Great pay, amazing benefits—and sure, the hours are long and the demands on his time are often extreme—but it means financial security for him and his wife Sheila, a new life and a new beginning, a fast track to success with a great company.

But deep within the walls of the enigmatic OneMarket, there is something unthinkable happening that only a select few are aware of, the development of a new kind of invasive technology dubbed THE GENESIS CODE, that could not only expand Simon Harris' empire, but create a new, more efficient and obedient workforce. Mark and his coworkers have unknowingly become part of a horrifying experiment they may never be able to escape, and time is running out.

A new kind of worker…a new kind of hybrid…a new kind of corporate slave…

Leslie Borghini - Angel Heat  (Suspense Publishing) February 18, 2013
www.angelofhorror.com

The two most powerful entities in the universe have a meeting, and it does not go well. The fate of all humanity is at stake. God and Lucifer remain at odds on how best to deal with mankind. 

While the Prince of Darkness’ minions continue to do his bidding, Heavenly angels have their own agenda. Only seven days remain before all life on Earth will be extinguished. Angels, witches, and demons must somehow set aside their differences and join forces to save the planet. Going against their masters, they struggle to save all of creation from a fiery destruction. God, who is frustrated and has lost faith in humanity, and the Father of Lies, who sees only opportunity, come to blows, and a powerful witch becomes the unlikely key to mankind’s survival. Lines between good and evil become blurred in a frightening tale of horror and betrayal, love and redemption. When neither God nor the Devil can foresee the outcome, what hope is there for the human race?

 “Angel Heat” is a roller coaster ride through Heaven and Hell, and readers are given a seven-day pass to buckle up and hold on for dear life.

Marjorie Brody - Twisted (Bell Bridge Books) March 20, 2013

 www.marjoriespages.com

Timid fourteen-year-old Sarah Hausman wants her controlling mother to stop prying into what happened the night of the freshman dance. Confess to the police? No way. Confide in her mother? Get real. The woman is too busy, too proud, and jealous of Sarah to really care if her life disintegrates. Besides, her mother will say Sarah is totally to blame for what the boys did--which Sarah believes is true. So she doubly needs to shield the truth. Not just from Momma. But from everyone. Including herself.

Beautiful, confident, eighteen-year-old Judith Murielle lives the ideal life. She has college plans, respect from family and friends, and a fiancé she adores. But as a mysterious connection pulls her toward Sarah, Judith's perfect world unravels. Acting as Sarah's sole confidante, Judith gains the power to expose her secret. Will the truth be worth the sacrifice? Or will Sarah stop at nothing to keep Judith quiet?

Sarah Castille - Legal Heat  (Samhain Publishing) April 2013

http://www.sarahcastille.com

Katy Sinclair made it to the brink of partnership at her high-powered law firm with hard work, dogged determination, and the ruthless self-discipline to cultivate a conservative public image. But when she follows an evasive witness into a sex club, she can’t deny herself a red-hot sexual encounter with the seductive bartender who sets her body on fire. She’s sure no one will ever know about her indiscretion—until she walks into the courtroom to find her dirty little secret is the opposing counsel in the most important case of her career.

As the managing partner in a struggling law firm, hot-shot attorney Mark Richards can’t afford any mistakes that might cost him his biggest client. Like getting involved with his beautiful, determined opponent—the mystery woman he hasn’t been able to forget. But when Katy’s quest for justice leads to death threats, Mark will sacrifice everything to protect her.

Now they’re risking their hearts…and their lives…in a race to catch a killer. Little do they know, the greatest danger lies closer to home.

Warning: This book contains explicit sex, light bondage, violence, murder, steamy shenanigans in the courtroom, naughty sexytimes in the boardroom, and an exceptionally hot hero with a versatile tie. Any objections will be overruled.

Linda Stasi - The Sixth Station (Forge Books) January 22, 2013

www.thesixthstation.com

Some say Demiel ben Yusef is the world’s most dangerous terrorist, personally responsible for bombings and riots that have claimed the lives of thousands. Others insist he is a man of peace, a miracle worker, and possibly even the Son of God. His trial in New York City for crimes against humanity attracts scores of protestors, as well as media and religious leaders from around the world. 

Cynical reporter Alessandra Russo heads to the UN hoping for a piece of the action, but soon becomes entangled in controversy and suspicion when ben Yusef singles her out for attention among all other reporters. As Alessandra begins digging into ben Yusef’s past, she is already in more danger than she knows—and when she is falsely accused of murder during her investigation, she is forced to flee New York.

On the run from unknown enemies, Alessandra finds herself on the trail of a global conspiracy and a story that could shake the world to its foundations. Is Demiel ben Yusef the Second Coming or the Antichrist? The truth may lie in the secret history of the Holy Family, a group of Templars who defied the church, and a mysterious relic stained with the sacred blood of Christ Himself.

June Debut Releases

It's the first week in June and that means new debut releases. 

Please take a look and let’s celebrate their success!

Piper Bayard - Firelands (Stonehouse Ink) June 2013

http://bayardandholmes.com

Eighty years in the future, America has devolved into a totalitarian theocracy. The ruling Josephites clone the only seeds that grow in the post-apocalyptic climate, allowing their Prophet to control who eats, who starves, and who burns in the ritual fires that atone society.

Subsisting on the fringes, Archer risks violation and death each day as she scours the forest for game to feed her people. When a Josephite refugee seeks sanctuary in her home, Archer is driven to chance a desperate gamble. A gamble that will bring down the Prophet and deliver seeds and freedom, or end in a fiery death for herself and for everyone she loves.

Seeds are life . . . Seeds are power . . . Seeds are the only hope of a despairing people. What will Archer do for the seeds of freedom, and what will she justify in their name?  

Alan Lee - Sandstorm (Forge Books) June 4, 2013

www.alanllee.com

Lurking in the shadows, away from any government oversight, a secret partnership has been formed between an Israeli spymaster pulling the strings of the most efficient killing machine the Mossad has to offer and an exclusive billionaire boys club that wants to dictate the New World Order. In their pocket is a powerful U.S. senator who aspires to the presidency. 

Success means vast wealth and increased power, and they’ll stop at nothing to succeed.

CIA operative Nora Mossa is trained to kill when the situation calls for it. She’s also capable of disappearing into thin air. Being efficient, deadly, and beautiful, however, won’t be enough to protect her after her mentor Erica Janway is assassinated in her Maryland home. With everyone in the Agency suspect, Nora turns to the only person capable of keeping her alive while she uncovers the truth behind Janway’s demise—her former lover and ex–CIA agent Alex Koves. That is, if he will even speak to her.

With danger lurking in every corner of the globe, Koves and Nora must stay alive long enough to piece together the clues to a deadly plot capable of killing thousands in the Middle East. And the clock is ticking….

Mary Louise Kelly - Anonymous Sources (Simon & Schuster Digital Sales Inc) June 18, 2013

www.marylouisekellybooks.com

An intriguing thriller from a former NPR correspondent about a reporter who must match wits with spies, assassins and a terrorist cell targeting the very heart of American power.

Alexandra James, devoted reporter for the New England Chronicle, is attractive, exceptionally smart, and used to getting what she wants. When she is assigned to cover the death of a Harvard student, the whirlwind investigation takes her from Harvard Yard to the courtyards of Cambridge, England, to a clandestine rendezvous in London, to the inside of a nuclear terrorist network.

But nothing is what it seems. Alex the hunter soon becomes Alex the hunted. An assassin is dispatched...Her laptop disappears...Her phone is tapped...And Alex begins to grasp that the Harvard man may have been killed to hide a terrifying conspiracy within the White House itself. Former NPR Intelligence correspondent Mary Louise Kelly has turned her own real-life reporting adventures into fiction with this stylish spy thriller.

Kristen Kittscher - The Wig in the Window (Harper Collins) June 18, 2013
http://kristenkittscher.com

Best friends and seventh graders Sophie Young and Grace Yang have made a game out of spying on their neighbors. On one of their midnight stakeouts, they witness a terrifying, bloody scene at the home of their bizarre middle-school counselor Dr. Charlotte Agford (also known as Dr. Awkward).
 
At least, they think they do. The truth is that Dr. Agford was only making her famous pickled beets. But when Dr. Agford begins acting even weirder than usual, Sophie and Grace become convinced that she’s hiding something—and they’re determined to find out what it is.
 
Soon the girls are breaking secret codes, being followed by a strange blue car, and tailing strangers with unibrows and Texas accents. But as their investigation heats up, Sophie and Grace start to crack under the pressure. Will solving the case destroy their friendship?

Robert Rotstein - Corrupt Practices (Seventh Street Books) June 4, 2013

http://robertrotstein.com/

A Los Angeles church, considered by some to be a powerful cult, charges Rich Baxter with embezzling millions. Rich reaches out to former colleague and star trial attorney Parker Stern to come to his defense. Parker despises the cult, but he hasn’t entered a courtroom since developing severe stage fright after his mentor, Harmon Cherry, committed suicide. Rich claims that Cherry did not kill himself—he was murdered by someone connected to the church. At first, Parker doesn’t believe it… until disturbing events force him to question what’s really happening.

As the case takes an unexpected turn, Parker surprises himself and agrees to take on the church. But to represent his client and uncover the truth he must overcome his own long-buried secrets. 

The Serial Novel: Is it Right for You?

By Andrew Peterson

Just after Thomas & Mercer acquired the Nathan McBride series, my new in-house editor, Alan Turkus, asked if I’d be willing to participate in Amazon Publishing’s new Kindle Serial program. I was a little confused. “Serial novels,” I asked, “you mean like the cliffhangers of yore? Like that?” Alan said that’s exactly what he meant.

I knew the folks at Amazon Publishing were forward thinking, but this sounded incredible. It also sounded intriguing but I had some reservations. I knew I couldn’t say yes or no until I had a lot more information. Only 100 pages of my third book had been written but Alan thought it was perfect for the Kindle Serial program and he wanted OPTION TO KILL to be one of eight books for the debut.

This wasn’t a decision I felt comfortable making alone. I needed help. Jake Elwell is not only a terrific literary agent he’s also a good friend. We needed to weigh the pros and cons before committing. After we got the scoop from Amazon, we talked it over and concluded I should give it a try. There were a lot of unknowns but we felt confident the folks at Amazon had a plan to make the program a success.

The challenge:

One thing was certain from the beginning, writing a serial novel was going to take a chunk out of me. Although I had a head start, I’d need to submit around twelve thousand words every two weeks over the next few months.

In the purest definition, OPTION TO KILL was a true serial novel. Its episodes were being released as they were written which created a unique challenge I hadn’t considered. Because the serial format wouldn’t allow me to go back and do any revising, all the episodes had to be edited and polished before I submitted them to Thomas & Mercer. I needed to make sure that each free standing episode worked in conjunction with previous and future episodes. I wasn’t breaking a completed book into pieces; OPTION was a work in progress. 

The delivery:

We knew there would be some resistance to serials because the electronic generation places a lot of emphasis on speed.

Faster internet. Faster cell service. And of course, faster delivery of eBooks.

Within seconds, you can download an entire novel from the cloud. So here was Amazon—a company built around the concept of ease and speed, offering readers an alternative. People now had the choice to slow down and enjoy a novel over several months, rather than days. I’ll tell you why I’m using the word “choice” a little later. I’d heard the expression, “the pioneers take the arrows,” but I was about to find out first hand what that meant.

The launch:

I scrambled to stay ahead of the submission schedule and turned in the first episode of OPTION in early August of 2012. A month later, episode one was copy edited and ready for launch. The first twelve thousand words of a planned 90,000 word novel were about to debut on Amazon’s Kindle Serial page. I was excited, but uneasy. Were people going to embrace serials, or reject them? I’d have my answer soon enough.

The initial response:

Feedback started appearing on the day of the launch because it only took an hour or so to read the first episode. I’ll be honest, when unfavorable reviews on the serial format started appearing, they really bothered me.

Alan Turkus was a gem and pointed out that although people loved the story, they were just expressing their displeasure about the delivery format, not the content. Yes, that was true, but all those one-star reviews affected the overall rating of the book. I found myself taking arrows—by the dozens. 

"Getting" the serial:

It’s unfortunate some people were critical of the serial format, even after knowing exactly what they were buying. Granted, there was some understandable confusion over the term "series" versus "serial." Many people just thought they were buying the next book in the series, not the first episode in a serial. I can only imagine the dismay and resentment readers must’ve felt if they hadn’t realized they were buying a serial and found the story ending with a cliffhanger.

In fairness to Amazon Publishing, it’s important to note that no deception was going on. The price of the entire serial was just $1.99. It didn’t cost any more to receive the rest of the episodes. Also, in the Kindle listing, Amazon mentioned the serial format in three different locations, even in green font.

I'm certain there were more than a few Kindle customers who simply weren’t expecting a serial novel in the Nathan McBride series, so they didn’t think twice about buying it. They just saw a new Andrew Peterson book and ordered it.

Reader's choice:

Here’s where the “choice” I mentioned earlier came into play. Okay, a customer bought OPTION TO KILL and discovered it was a serial novel. All they had to do was wait for all the episodes to download before reading any more of the story. Right? I mean, if you didn’t want to read it in serial format, you didn’t have to.

In concept, it was like a pre-order, with the option to read the novel in episodic format—or not. After making the purchase, the process became automatic. The customer didn’t have to do anything. Kindle devices and apps were updated as knew episodes were released every two weeks.

Opportunity and collaboration:

We all need to remember that Amazon isn’t some nebulous thing, it’s made of people and those people have been outstanding through my journey with them. The folks on the Thomas & Mercer team have been terrific and very supportive.

Quite literally, Amazon Publishing treats its authors like valued customers which leads me to another point. Writing a novel is a solitary endeavor, but after it’s complete, it changes to a collaboration. There are many people who were involved in the process of production, marketing, and distribution of the Kindle Serials and I can’t say enough about them. I never felt like I was alone.

The serial process also presented an opportunity for an interactive conversation between readers and the author during the writing of the book. Conceivably, although it didn’t happen in my case, readers could’ve influenced the story through feedback given along the way. So the serialization, coupled with real-time communication, takes an old concept and adds a dynamic new twist.

Changing reader's expectations:

About halfway through the serial release, the feedback changed to positive. It was like a light switch was flipped. People began to anticipate the episodes with ever greater interest and eagerness. The jury was split down the middle. Some people said they’d never buy another serial, while others really enjoyed the prolonged delivery. Do you watch Homeland in episodes as they’re released, or wait to buy the entire season on DVD? There’s no right or wrong answer. It’s a personal choice.  

I think the role of an author is evolving with the times. Back in the day when serials first emerged, authors didn’t have the level of interaction with readers like they do today. It’s not a profession for introverts anymore. The electronic age has lifted the veil. Is it a good change? I think it is.

Bio:
Andrew Peterson began writing fiction in 1990. He sold a short story, Mr. Haggarty’s Stop, to San Diego Writers Monthly in October, 1992. He continued to write, exploring both the novel form and screenplays. After attending his first writer’s conference in 2005, he became serious about writing the Nathan McBride stories. FIRST TO KILL is Andrew’s debut thriller which features Nathan McBride, the “brutally effective” trained Marine Corps scout sniper and CIA operations officer. He's since released FORCED TO KILL and OPTION TO KILL. New York Times bestselling author Steve Berry says, "Part Jack Reacher, part Jason Bourne, Nathan McBride is a compelling, conflicted hero. Option to Kill is a masterful thrill ride. Definitely one for your keeper shelf. I couldn’t put it down.”

Connect with Andrew:
Website
Twitter
FaceBook

Priming Your Brainstorm

By Katherine Ramsland

You know the feeling: You’re at an impasse with a character or plot point and you can’t seem to dissolve it. You’re frustrated, perhaps desperate. It’s going nowhere, but you’re on a deadline. You’ve run out of ways to spur your muse.

Consider this: Don’t work so hard. The less you push, the better your chances of getting what you need. Your brain actually requires some space to do its best work.

Science fiction writer Isaac Asimov realized this. Whenever he experienced writer’s block, he knew it was useless to force the issue. So, he’d go to a movie. He let his subconscious process the material in its own way. Once he returned, he invariably had new ideas. (I’ve tried this, and it works.) 

Many writers, inventors, scientists, and artists have discovered the same thing. The solution arrives – aha! – seemingly from nowhere. But these moments seem so random, as of those people just got lucky.

The truth is that you – any of you – can harness your resources to produce them. According to recent neuroscience research, with a little work you can prime your brain for “aha! moments.” You can also provoke them on a regular basis. They’re a direct result of balancing work and play. 

I call them “snaps,” because the flash of genius that really counts is more than just a shift of consciousness or new perspective. Snaps contain the trigger for momentum—they break through the impasse and snap us into action to switch strategy. So, first, you left brain work: do your research. Be diverse. Gather lots of different types of data, including items unrelated to your project. This “idea stew” forms your knowledge base.

Then, read through the material on which you’re blocked, pull away, and go do something fun. Relaxing your left brain releases your eager right brain to reshape the data you’ve stored into unique new patterns. When you least expect it, an idea will pop. 

Consider these examples: 

·

*Jonas Salk was working on a cure for polio in a dark basement in Pittsburgh. He failed time and again, so he went to Italy to wander through a monastery. There, he experienced a rush of ideas, including the one for the polio vaccine.

*Friedrich Nietzsche was out for a walk in the mountains when his famous Zarathustra tale tumbled forth.

*Martin Cooper was watching Star Trek when he first envisioned the cell phone.

*J. K. Rowling was on a stalled train when she snapped on a child wizard. “I simply sat and thought, for four (delayed) hours,” she said, “and all the details bubbled up in my brain.” 

So, walk, juggle, take a nap, or take a shower: do something that eases the left brain’s cognitive load. Give it the break it needs to stir up your idea stew and find a delightful aha! insight.

Bio for Katherine Ramsland 

I have been writing for over two decades, in several formats and genres. I started with an academic book about a philosopher, but then I wrote commercial biographies of Anne Rice and Dean Koontz. Shortly thereafter, I got involved in immersion journalism and penned a book about my exploration of the vampire subculture, followed by one on ghost hunters and another about people in the death business. At this time I was teaching philosophy at Rutgers University, but I left to get another grad degree in forensic psychology, which changed the focus of my writing entirely. I now teach psychology at DeSales University and have extensive experience in researching and writing about criminal psychology and forensic science.  

I have published more than 1,000 articles and 47 books, including Psychopath, The Ivy League Killer, The Vampire Trap, The Forensic Psychology of Criminal Minds, The Human Predator: A Historical Chronicle of Serial Murder and Forensic Investigation, Inside the Minds of Serial Killers and Inside the Minds of Sexual Predators. Additionally, I have published two vampire thrillers, The Heat Seekers and The Blood Hunters. My latest books are Blood and Ghosts and Snap! Seizing Your Aha! Moments. 

I train homicide officers, attorneys, and coroners, and speak internationally about forensic psychology, forensic science, serial murder, and narrative nonfiction. I have appeared on numerous documentaries, as well as on such programs as The Today Show, 20/20, 48 Hours, Larry King Live and E! True Hollywood Story. I was also the recurring expert on the ID network for Born to Kill and the American Occult series, and I’ve consulted for CSI and Bones. I have a blog on the Psychology Today site called Shadow Boxing, and my forthcoming e-book this summer is The Sex Beast.

Connect with Katherine:  

Website

Blog

FaceBook

Twitter

Book description: 

Snap! Seizing Your Aha! Moments

Sudden flashes of inspiration have triggered many discoveries and inventions throughout history. Are such Aha! moments merely random or is there a way to train the brain to harness these seemingly unpredictable creative insights? In this fascinating overview of the latest neuroscience findings on spontaneous thought processes or “snaps,” Dr. Katherine Ramsland describes how everyone can learn to improve the chances of achieving their own Eureka! moments by adopting certain attitudes and habits. Snaps are much more than new ideas. Snaps are insights plus momentum—they instantly snap us toward action. They often occur after ordinary problem solving hits an impasse. We may feel stuck, but while we’re in a quandary, the brain is rebooting. Then, when we least expect it, the solution pops into our heads.

Ramsland describes the results of numerous scientific experiments studying this phenomenon. She also recounts intriguing stories of people of all ages and from diverse disciplines who have had a snap experience. Both the research and the stories illustrate that it’s possible to enhance our facility for snap moments by training ourselves to scan, sift, and solve. SNAP teaches us how to cultivate our own inner epiphanies to gain an edge in business, career paths, and even our personal lives. 

Praise: 

“This is a fascinating exploration of the mind when it's in hyperdrive, as illuminating as it is fun to read.” – Dean Koontz 

“In this entertaining and thought-provoking study, Ramsland explores the phenomenon of sudden insight—‘a dramatic brilliance that floods the mind and clicks into place’--which she calls the ‘snap.’” – PW

“You may reach the end…and think, ‘Aha! I feel smarter than I did before I read this book.’”– Deborah Blum