Contact


Platinum Reviews Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/PlatinumBookReviews

Authors, Publishers & Editors & Cover Models, please contact me at:
Arkgirl1@aol.com
(Vicki Rose) Or through my Facebook page.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Author Feature 2: G.S. Carr


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Platinum is happy to announce our second feature author in our "Meet-The-Author" series!
I'd like you to say hello to Ms. G.S. Carr, aka: Gabrielle! 

Gabrielle has just released her first novel "Freedom Of Love" and is well on her way to becoming an excellent new romance author with this amazing book! We took the time to sit & chat with Gabrielle recently & we've included her brief interview here for you all to see! 

We hope you'll take a peek into the wonderful world she has created with her first novel "Freedom Of Love"! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author Q&A Session With G.S. Carr



1) Why did you decide to start writing?

1) I never really decided to start writing. It's just always been something I've done. I literally have a report card from the third grade where my teacher praised my writing ability. It just gives me the most peace in the world. It's an escape for me.


2) Do you think authors can succeed in multiple genres or should they stick with a single genre?

2) I definitely think authors can succeed in multiple genres. I plan to do it myself. I don't sit down and say this would be a great story but it's not romance so I won't write it. If it comes to me and I like it I'm going to write it no matter the category it falls in.


3) What do you feel is the biggest reward to you with writing?

3) My biggest reward from writing is just the feeling I get while doing it. It's one of the few things in which I feel I am truly gifted and in which I excel. And I get the chance to make some space in my overstuffed mind by putting my thoughts and feelings on paper.

4) Who are some of your favorite authors & why?

4) My current favorite is Pepper Pace. She is sooooo good. Her characters are far from cookie cutter romance characters. They are all flawed which is what makes them so real. I can see parts of myself in them. She weaves her words so beautifully.

5) What are the biggest hurdles to overcome as an author?

5) I think the biggest hurdle is just giving yourself credibility and establishing yourself. Convincing readers that your book is actually good and someone other than your mother believes that.

6) Is there any advice that you can offer for new writers?

6) My advice would be to enter contests. It's a great way to quickly give yourself credibility as a good author. And it's a great way to get your work in front of other agents, editors, and publishers who may be judges on the contest panel.

7) Tell us a few random personal things about yourself personal & professional!

7) I want to be a vagabond but my need to be sure of when and where my next meal will come from won't let me. I would give anything to be free to travel around the world. One day I'll get there!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~





Wednesday, October 16, 2013

The Jewel Box by C. Michelle McCarty

The Jewel Box by C. Michelle McCarty
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This book followed the main character and her family and friends for a span of 30 years. It was full of details and events that occurred during that time. The author vividly recalled key moments in history with popular songs, descriptive details, and wonderful storytelling. I was enraptured with the trials and tribulations the main character, Cherie, faced throughout this book. In a time when things were suppose to be one way, she took the chance and went another, not for her, but for her child. All of life's ups and downs were touched upon and had me turning the pages eagerly dying to know what was going to happen next. I rooted for love and happiness, cried during pain and sorrow, and jumped for joy when the book hit its major climax. There was one particular part of this book, when the Jack of Clubs showed up at a crucial moment, that gave me goosebumps like you wouldn't believe. I too, felt what Cherie felt at one point, and I cried, yes I admit it, I cried because I JUST KNEW, I just knew what happened, when it wasn't fully at a later point. Although it was terribly sad, it was beautifully written and extremely heartfelt. There is not one bad thing I can say about this book. 
Thank you, C Michelle McCarty, for a truly amazing book. I have highly recommended it to others *you reading this, yeah you! You have got to read this book* 
My mother can't wait to start reading it, she after all, was the first person I recommended it to!!  
Platinum Reviewer ~ Jaime


Platinum Book Reviews gives C Michelle & The Jewel Box:
4.5 Platinum Rings




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Blurb:

A mouthy small town girl takes on big city life assisted by her "Spiritual guide through sin city" who pulls a Professor Higgins on Cherie while offering advice on single parenting and multiple affairs the heart... 

Back in the Sixties while Motown hits filled the airwaves, naïve Jill Novak acknowledged her knack for choosing losers when boring Husband Number One vanished, leaving her to support their two-year-old. The perpetual daydreamer soon morphs from small town Jill to sophisticated big city Cherie, but a new name does not a better future bring. In 1969 Houston, Cherie encounters a rogue’s gallery of characters unlike those from her small Texas hometown; a drop-dead gorgeous transsexual, a snarling wannabe Mafia hit-man, a hairy cop who incorporates fondling girls into his job, and a ditzo neighbor whose desire for friendship borders on stalking. But it is two distinctly different men—a middle-age gregarious gambler and a twenty-something gruff intellectual—who jump on board her turbulent thirty-year roller coaster ride and journey with her into the 21st Century and womanhood. A tough and tender Texas-sized romance with a mild metaphysical slant, The Jewel Box highlights moments from the mystical, laid-back Age of Aquarius through the materialistic, high-speed Internet era. Music and references to the times/political climate convey the nations rocky terrain (and subsequent growth) parallel with that of the main character. This is a story of an engaging and open-hearted woman with no plan, making her way through life by fits and starts, and ultimately succeeding by turning out to be stronger than she thought.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Excerpt:

Several coughs escaped between Beau's personal explanation and the actual quote:
"To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.
To weep is to risk being called sentimental.
To reach out to another is to risk involvement.
To expose feelings is to risk showing your true self.
To place your ideas and your dreams before them is to risk being called naive.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying.
To hope is to risk despair,
and to try is to risk failure.
But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life it to risk nothing.
The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing and becomes nothing. He, or she, may avoid suffering and sorrow, but simply cannot learn and feel and change and grow and love and live.
Chained by their certitudes, they are slaves who forfeit their freedom.
Only the person taking the risks is truly free."

I understood why the risk sentiment hit home with Beau, and wanted it to saturate my skull. Maybe the time for me to take risks and become truly free had commenced.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Friday, October 4, 2013

Author Feature 1: Jaz Primo

 


                              
                                     
                                                                        ´*•.¸(*•.¸♥¸.•*´)¸.•*´
                                                                        ♥«´¨`•°JAZ°•´¨`»♥
                                                                       .¸.•*(¸.•*´♥`*•.¸)`*•.
_____________________________________________________________________________

Author Jaz Primo is the first author to kick off our brand new Platinum Author Spotlight!

Jaz is releasing "Wicked Sunset" on October 8, 2013. Wicked is the 4th book in the Sunset Vampire Series!

Jaz is having an online Facebook release party on October 12, 2013 and it's open to all! It's hosted by us here at Platinum Reviews & Promotions! 
Jaz will be chatting with us during the party! He will have many prizes up for grabs including a Kindle! 

Here is the link if you want to join in:  ~~WICKED SUNSET RELEASE PARTY~~


Jaz took the time to sit down with us and answer a few questions for us! Enjoy his wonderful responses


ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ  ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ 


1) Why did you decide to start writing?

I wanted to share my imaginative stories with my fellow students. Of course, that was eons ago when I was in elementary school; the fifth grade, as a matter of fact. That same urge remains, only now I’m anxious to share with the other overgrown kids out there who are like me; appreciative for an imaginative story.

2) Do you think authors can succeed in multiple genres or should they stick with a single genre?

Authors should never limit themselves to only one genre…unless they only want to write in one. Essentially, any author should write about whatever inspires them, guided solely by their imagination at any given moment. Now, whether an author should necessarily publish different materials under the same name is another question altogether. Let’s face it, if E.L. James (of Fifty Shades of Grey fame) chose to write a children’s book, she should probably do it under another pen-name. What parent wouldn’t be suspicious to let their child read “The Princess Learns to Play” if they saw it was written by E.L. James? The title doesn’t necessarily conjure up overly innocent images with her name affixed to it, wouldn’t you agree?

3) What do you feel is the biggest reward to you with writing?

I receive a great deal of satisfaction just from completing a novel or story. However, it’s also highly rewarding when I learn about others who’ve enjoyed what I’ve written. It’s always flattering to know that something I’ve created made someone happy or entertained them.

4) Who are some of your favorite authors & why?

One of my favorite authors is L.E. Modesitt, Jr. (wrote the Recluse Series, et. al.). I admire the way in which he writes about seemingly ordinary characters who become heroes by honing and leveraging their innate skills, talents, or values. Modesitt also creates strong central female characters; a practice I not only admire and appreciate as a reader, but also try to emulate as a writer. Other authors whose works I both enjoy and admire include Simon R. Green, Jim Butcher, Katherine Kurtz, Lorna Freeman, Rachel Caine, and Neil Gaiman.

5) What are the biggest hurdles to overcome as an author?

For me, the biggest hurdle was learning how to handle the inevitable negative feedback from some readers. It’s impossible to write (or create) something that everyone will like; it’s a harsh reality, but also quite logical. However, nothing can prepare an author for reading or hearing negative feedback. The best thing to do is accept that negative feedback is a part of publishing…and then go write your next novel or story.

6) Is there any advice that you can offer for new writers?

My best advice is a simple quote I learned from a famous author named Neil Gaiman: “Make good art.” Take the time to carefully create your story, characters, and plot. Finally, even if you intend to publish your work yourself, you MUST seek (or hire) and heed the advice a professional editor. Unedited, sloppy writing is unforgivable if a writer expects to be taken seriously (and viewed professionally) as an author. But really, to me, it all still comes back to what Neil Gaiman said, “Make good art.”

7) Tell us a few random personal things about yourself, both personally & professionally!

I excel at rattling off random thoughts and ideas, so here I go! Many people may not know that I’ve been a college history professor for a number of years. Teaching is one of my passions. I enjoy making people laugh, but I’m actually quite shy in public, so I don’t see myself pursuing a career as a comedian. I’ve always been a dog lover since I was a child, but since meeting my wife (FYI: We met well before we were married, by the way) I’ve become quite attached to her cat.

[Intermission: Are my thoughts random enough for you?] 

Did you know that a rock band named Angelical Tears (they play Goth, metal, and alternative rock) wrote a song called “Sunrise at Sunset” that’s named after, and based upon, my first novel in the Sunset Vampire series? It’s the eighth track on their album The Eleventh Hour, and it sounds totally awesome! You must check it out on iTunes (or wherever fine music is sold). Speaking of music, I typically listen to music while writing in order to set a mood for the material or scene that I’m focused on. 

Well, that’s all the random facts I can think to share for now. That was fun!

________________________________

Author Bio:

I’m an author, history buff, pun-master, and all-around lover of kick-butt heroines in paranormal and urban fantasy literature, as well as graphic novels. While offering readers a conventional young adult paranormal romance with age-appropriate content, as I did in Gwen Reaper, I’m also redefining the traditional boundaries of urban fantasy and paranormal romance in some of my other work, including controversial themes and an alternative approach to handling gender relations for central characters. In the case of the Sunset Vampire Series, one should never underestimate the inherent strength and power of women and their capacity for dominance; sexual or otherwise.
My life has been a satisfying blend of personal, professional, and educational experiences. I’m very fortunate to have the support of family, friends, and professional associates to encourage and share in my literary journey. Thanks for being part of my journey. I hope that you enjoy the ride as much as I already am!
_________________________

Jaz's Book List:

Logan Bringer Series
   Bringer Of Fire

YA Paranormal Romance
Gwen Reaper

Sunset Vampire Series:

   Sunrise At Sunset
   A Bloody London Sunset
   Summit At Sunset
   Wicked Sunset

                             ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ  ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ ஐ 


                            ~~~CONNECT WITH JAZ HERE ON FACEBOOK~~~

                                  ~~~CLICK HERE FOR JAZ'S WEBSITE~~~
   


Friday, September 13, 2013

Draken by Solease M. Barner


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is the first release by a new author on the scene, Ms. Solease M Barner. It's a paranormal romance with many mouth-watering erotic elements. The book is a solid first time debut into the world of dragon shifters and the readers who love them.. It's written in the first person, using both main characters POV's. (points of view) 
The beautiful & headstrong Cess wants nothing more than to get through college but she wants to have a little fun while doing so.. She notices her sexy new neighbors & they notice her right back, introducing themselves as the handsome & enticing Draglen brothers.... However once Cess lays her eyes on the oldest brother, the drop-dead gorgeous Draken, despite his initial rudeness, both of them find themselves strangely drawn to the other... Draken wants to finish his assignment on earth & head home, however each time he sees the lovely Cess, he can't help but lose his focus.. How on earth do you explain to a human woman that you are a dragon shapeshifter??? Well, for starters, some steamy, hot sex to begin... Followed by a lot more temptation... Are Cess & Draken going to be able to honor their original paths and continue with their careers or is love blooming for this unlikely duo, human & dragon?.... Check this great debut novel out & see what happens!
Solease adds great detailing to each character & their personalities shine through.. You can visualize the Draglen brothers & their fine physiques and you can see what the gorgeous Cess looks like in your mind, as well.. It's an interesting new world & a wonderful start to what will be an enticing new series... Solease M Barner is one paranormal author to watch! I look forward to the next installments in this series.. For lovers of the paranormal, especially dragons, this novel is a must-read... Sexy, steamy, thrilling, mesmerizing & romantic... You'll want to check this book out today! 

Platinum gives Solease & "Draken":

4 Platinum Rings!




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Blurb:

Cess Lamil is determined to get her college degree with honors and start her career. When the new neighbors move in down the street, her plans change quickly. Draken, the controlling and obnoxious neighbor, is all she can think about. Despite her initial dislike, Cess feels strangely drawn to the mysterious, handsome Draken, but she soon learns that Draken has dark secrets.  
Draken Draglen is in town to get the family business in order. He lives by one rule: only sleep with women of his own kind. When Cess walks down the street to introduce herself, Draken fears he is going to break his rule. He is determined to stay away from her, fearing his dark secret may be revealed, but his need for Cess is too strong. Draken makes a decision that could change not only his life, but that of his family as well..

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt:

I’m glad it’s only six months this time. We are here for business only. The corporation needs to hire new management, as profits have gone down. I will not tolerant incompetence in our business. Every time we have to check on the businesses, no matter what state we are in, Showken always finds a girl for his pleasure. Well, not this time, I’m not having it, or I will send him back home. There are plenty to play with there. I just had to march some little girl off the lawn, on our first day, because Showken can’t keep his smile to himself. We must discuss this.
“Showken, no girls on the property, at the office, or in the car at all. Leave them alone,” I growl out. That girl, Cess, is going to be a problem, I can tell.
“Draken, listen, just because you have this “no play while working” doesn’t mean I have to follow. I like females and they like me, just relax, I never harm them,” Showken says, calmly.
"Six months and we are home, away from this place. Keep it in your pants, or I might ask you for something, just do as I ask.” I snap. We have finished the unloading, and Layern and Gemi are setting up downstairs in the basement.
“Draken, what are you thinking?” Layern asks with a narrowing of his eyes, Layern and his gift. Whatever you have got hidden in your mind or heart, Layern knows how to find it.
“I’m just thinking about the interviews coming up this week,” I say, trying to push it way down, so he can’t see it, but my brother’s perceptions are too fast.
“I could have sworn I saw you thinking about Cess, you know, the neighbor you were so rude to, and was looking at her legs.” Layern says with one brow up. Shit, what am I going to say? She is attractive, and she did make me want her even with her threats? That little girl has to stay away from me.
“Oh, so that’s why she had to leave, you want her. Brother, all you had to do was say something and I would have backed off,” Showken says with a frown.
“I don’t want that girl, and Layern, stay out my head,” I say, done with the discussion. I return to my office and start working on new layouts for the office here in Arizona. I hear Showken yelling through the closed door: “Draken, if you want her, just say it.” I totally ignore my favorite brother. I love all my brothers and sisters, but Showken is the only brother I never fought with growing up. Being the oldest, and heir to the throne, jealousy is common. I had the misfortune to be born first , andow I have all these expectations, not only from our parents, but all our kind as well. Showken treats me just like a normal brother. I fight with some of my other brothers, and blood has been shed more than once. When I got word that we had to visit Earth, I was displeased. I love living in Kalin, the home of the most powerful dragons. I’m what you may call a shifter. Not all in the land have this ability, but all the Draglen Brothers can..........

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

     ~~~~CLICK HERE TO CONNECT WITH SOLEASE ON FACEBOOK~~~~


Friday, September 6, 2013

WIN A Kindle Basic E-Reader (And more!) from Author Joanne Jaytanie!



Author Joanne Jaytanie is having a re-release party on Facebook, hosted by us gals here at Platinum for her fantastic debut novel "Chasing Victory"! Many prizes up for grabs, including a NEW KINDLE during the event!! Details below! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
**BONUS CONTEST**
Win a NEW KINDLE E-READER Basic 6 inch display in graphite grey! Contest open to residents Worldwide! 

*HOW TO ENTER*

1) Purchase a copy of "Chasing Victory" for yourself or a friend.. (Paperback or e-book)
2) Add your confirmation number along with the purchasing merchants name to the Pinned Post on the Facebook event page link:
~~~CLICK HERE TO HEAD TO ENTRY PAGE~~~

Be sure to "Join" the Facebook event, so we can contact the winners! That's it! Entry complete!

Purchase Links:
Smashwords: 
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/354565

Amazon US: 
http://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Victory-Winters-Sisters-ebook/dp/B00BYJ9Y44/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1378513864

Barnes & Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chasing-victory-joanne-jaytanie/1115119612?ean=9781482785203

Kobo:
http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/chasing-victory-1

Amazon UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chasing-Victory-The-Winters-Sisters/dp/148278520X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378515137&sr=8-1&keywords=Chasing+victory

Amazon CA:
http://www.amazon.ca/Chasing-Victory-Winters-Sisters-ebook/dp/B00BYJ9Y44/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378515175&sr=8-1&keywords=Chasing+victory

**No purchase necessary. If you'd like to submit a free entry, please print your name, address & email address on a 3x5 card & mail it to:
Joanne Jaytanie
PO Box 3465
Silverdale WA. 98383
One entry per envelope.

Winners will be chosen on 9/22/13 at 9:00 pm CST. Winner will receive a new Kindle e-reader basic, as shown here: http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Ink-Display-Wi-Fi-Special/dp/B007HCCNJU/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1378510790&sr=1-3&keywords=kindle


~~~ CLICK HERE TO FIND ENTRY INFO~~~