Showing posts with label Love In The First Degree Anthology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Love In The First Degree Anthology. Show all posts

WIP Joy Challenge - Day Seven: Tell Us About YOU and Your Work!

For the month of January, I'll be taking part in the WIP Joy Challenge, created by Bethany A. Jennings (found via a share from Adam.C.Macdonald).



Well, for those new to the blog/ me/ my writing, I'm Clare, a thirty-something British Girl Woman, from the West Midlands.

Even though I've been writing since 2005 - starting out in the world of fan-fiction, before moving onto original fiction in 2010 when I took part in NaNoWriMo for the first time - I still consider myself a fairly 'new' writer in that I've only recently been published.

My first story, a paranormal-romance novella called SEEKING THE TRUTH, is part of the LOVE IN THE FIRST DEGREE ANTHOLOGY, which was published July 18, 2016.

My first full length novel, ALL IT TAKES, a contemporary romance about life, love, responsibility and self-discovery, will be published on February 14, 2017. 

I have a number of other novels, written mostly for different year's NaNoWriMo, which I may or may not return to in the future.

However, my focus right now is All It Takes' release next month, finishing my age-gap romance, and another project I can't announce just yet! 

Love in the First Degree Release Blitz


LOVE IN THE FIRST DEGREE;
AN ANTHOLOGY IN AID OF THE INNOCENCE PROJECT

Genre: Romance (contemporary and paranormal)

Date of Release­­: July 18, 2018

Cover Artist: The Graphics Shed

Find Online: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Goodreads

Description: Love In The First Degree is a collection of short stories written by seven authors who have come together to help raise money for The Innocence Project. This anthology includes stories by Laura Morgan, Allana Walker, Clare Dugmore, Kyra Lennon and Kirsty-Anne Still.

Each story speaks of crime, passion, determination, and most importantly, intense romance that will leave you thinking about the characters long after you have finished turning the pages.

Being wrongfully accused of a crime could happen to anyone, anywhere, and The Innocence Project works hard to overturn wrongful convictions and help innocent people get back to their real lives where they rightfully belong. All proceeds from sales of Love In The First Degree will be donated to The Innocence Project.

****


Author: Laura Morgan
Title: Ensnared
A hand outstretches amidst the chaos of a brutal attack, offering safety and protection—but only in the arms of a villainous gangster who certainly isn’t going to be good news. Take it and accept the consequences? Or refuse and risk losing it all in the aftermath?
That’s exactly what happens to Bree Locke the night she meets mobster Alexis Ramon.
What seems like a good idea at the time ends up being the turning point in her life, but how will things pan out, and will she be able to survive the consequences of her decision?

Because when you fall from the frying pan into the fire, you’re going to get burned…

****


Author: Allana Walker
Title: Believe

What happens when the one guy you thought would protect you, doesn't? What happens when your own family and friends turn against you in your time of need? What happens when all you want is someone to believe you? What happens when the one person you least expect does? Find out how one girl’s life turns upside down only to turn back with a few simple words... "I believe you."


****

Author: Clare Dugmore
Title: Seeking The Truth
Erin Reynolds has been on the West Midlands Police force for seven years. She’s seen some strange things in the line of duty, but nothing quite like this.
On her first day working as a detective Erin witnesses something that makes the whole department question her sanity, and leads to her being sent on a leave of absence.
Desperate to prove what she saw was real, Erin tracks down the only other witness, Arcane Specialist Morgan Jackson. The occult expert is as infuriating as he is charming. When the killer leaves a disturbing message on her answer phone, Erin is forced to work with Morgan in order to catch the culprit and get her job reinstated.
The hunt takes them around the West Midlands, visiting a flirty priestess, a druid on the wrong side of the law and a sorcerer from Morgan’s past. As Erin learns more about the supernatural world, she also realizes there’s more to Morgan than just his sarcastic wit and arcane knowledge.
She's drawn to him almost as deeply as she is to the truth of what she saw. Her feelings for him are bought into sharp when Morgan gets on the wrong side of the murderer and it's up to Erin to rescue him, and stop the occult forces plaguing the area before the darkness takes over.


****

Author: Kyra Lennon
Title: Reasonable Doubts
Darcy Ryan is a woman on a mission.
A mission to take down the corrupt cops who ensured her best friend, Matteo Torres, went to jail for a crime he didn’t commit – the murder of his wife, Rebecca.
Darcy is willing to do just about anything to prove his innocence, including getting up close and personal with the case’s lead detective, Finn Drake.
She knows she’s playing a dangerous game, but it gets more dangerous then she could have ever imagined when she discovers everything she thought she knew about Rebecca Torres was wrong, and Finn Drake isn’t the man she thought he was either.

****

Author: Kirsty-Anne Still
Title: Love Me Not
Synopsis: I love him. He loves me. Our love story was that easy. I stuck by that, making sure he knew I was his person, his rock when he was arrested for murder. A murder that I knew he didn’t commit. But here I am, breaking his heart, unravelling our love story. All to save him. I’d break his heart – and mine – a thousand times over if it clears his name. *** I wasn’t raised to be a good man. I was loved to be one. She was the one constant when my world started falling apart. Until she wasn’t. I was no longer the man I had become. I was a murderer, a criminal, a broken man. She started to see me as the murderer I was branded, but mark my words, this doesn’t end here. When I’m a free man I’ll tear this world apart to get her back.

----


About Laura Morgan
Laura Morgan writes dark and powerful romance novels. She’s a hopeless romantic with a dark side. Be warned, she may give her characters their Happily Ever After, but makes them work hard for it!
You can join her for more information regarding her books at www.lauramorgan.co

****




About Allana Walker
Allana Walker is from Scotland. She began writing in secret then took the big leap into self-publishing in 2015. She doesn't have a specific genre, but she's all about romance and HEA's.
She loves mafia, MC and dark reads.
Always in love with the bad guy of books when she should hate them.
Her other passions, besides reading and writing, are baking, spending time with her family, watching wrestling and going to concerts.

www.facebook.com/authorallanawalker

****




About Clare Dugmore
Clare Dugmore is a thirty-something, married, mother of two from the West Midlands, of England.
In her spare time, Clare enjoys binge watching shows with her hubby,
spending time with her two sons, and playing video games.

You can connect with Clare via her website at http://www.claredugmore.com

****



About Kyra Lennon
Kyra Lennon was born on the South coast of England, and to this day, still lives by the sea. Fiction writing has always been her passion, but she also has numerous articles on a variety of topics published on prolific websites.

****


About Kirsty-Anne Still
Kirsty-Anne is a British author who stumbled across her love for writing just as she started university. Over the last couple of years she's found the style of writing that best defines her and her work. Her favourite genres to write are romantic suspense with dark themes, but loves to push her boundaries.
Find Kirsty on social media Twitter @KirstyAnneStill

Love In The First Degree Anthology Release Blitz Sign-Up





Hey readers!

Today, I'd like to invite you to take part in the Love in the First Degree Anthology Release Blitz; which will be held on July 18, 2016 to celebrate the release of the anthology which is being sold in aid of the Innocence Project.

Release Blitz hosts will be provided with a press kit, containing the cover, book description, and any relevant links.

ARCs will be available from July 10(ish), so if you're interested in reviewing this title, please let us know your preferred digital format - .mobi (Kindle), .epub (nook) or .pdf (most other eReaders)

Any questions, concerns or comments can be sent to claredugmore@gmail.com

Authors: Sarah Elizabeth & Ashlee Bryan, Kyra Lennon, Kirsty-Anne Still, Clare Dugmore, Allana Walker and Laura Morgan

Blurb: Love In The First Degree is a collection of short stories written by seven authors who have come together to help raise money for The Innocence Project. This anthology includes stories by Kyra Lennon, Sarah Elizabeth & Ashlee Bryan, Kirsty-Anne Still, Laura Morgan, Allana Walker, and Clare Dugmore.

Each story speaks of crime, passion, determination, and most importantly, intense romance that will leave you thinking about the characters long after you have finished turning the pages.

Being wrongfully accused of a crime could happen to anyone, anywhere, and The Innocence Project works hard to overturn wrongful convictions and help innocent people get back to their real lives where they rightfully belong. All proceeds from sales of Love In The First Degree will be donated to The Innocence Project.

Genre: Romance (Contemporary/Paranormal)

Release date: July 18th


Sign Up here:


COVER REVEAL: Love In The First Degree Anthology

2

2

Cover Reveal

Title: Love In The First Degree (a charity anthology raising money for the Innocence Project)

Authors: Sarah Elizabeth & Ashlee Bryan, Kyra Lennon, Kirsty-Anne Still, Clare Dugmore, Allana Walker and Laura Morgan

1.png
Blurb:
Love In The First Degree is a collection of short stories written by seven authors who have
come together to help raise money for The Innocence Project. This anthology includes stories by Kyra Lennon, Sarah Elizabeth & Ashlee Bryan, Kirsty-Anne Still, Laura Morgan, Allana Walker, and Clare Dugmore.
Each story speaks of crime, passion, determination, and most importantly, intense romance that will leave you thinking about the characters long after you have finished turning the pages.
Being wrongfully accused of a crime could happen to anyone, anywhere, and The Innocence Project works hard to overturn wrongful convictions and help innocent people get back to their real lives where they rightfully belong. All proceeds from sales of Love In The First Degree will be donated to The Innocence Project.
Genre: Romance (Contemporary/Paranormal)
Release date: July 18 th
**
Author: Sarah Elizabeth & Ashlee Bryan
Title: Forbidden Innocence
Synopsis:
Let there be love, or let there be hate.
But, what if there is both?
She’s from the good side.
He’s from the bad side.
We both hate.
And we both love.
We are a sin.
But, in the end, it all comes down to being in the wrong place, at the right time.
Only she can protect my future.
Only he has the power to allow that to happen.
Apart.
Together.
The end result is just the same.
One of us has the option to make the ultimate sacrifice.
But will she?
But will I?
Author: Kyra Lennon
Title: Reasonable Doubts
Synopsis:
Darcy Ryan is a woman on a mission.
A mission to take down the corrupt cops who ensured her best friend, Matteo Torres, went to jail for a crime he didn’t commit – the murder of his wife, Rebecca.
Darcy is willing to do just about anything to prove his innocence, including getting up close and personal with the case’s lead detective, Finn Drake.
She knows she’s playing a dangerous game, but it gets more dangerous then she could have ever imagined when she discovers everything she thought she knew about Rebecca Torres was wrong, and Finn Drake isn’t the man she thought he was either.
Author: Clare Dugmore
Title: Seeking The Truth
Synopsis:
Erin Reynolds has been on the West Midlands Police force for seven years. She’s seen some strange things in the line of duty, but nothing quite like this.
On her first day working as a detective Erin witnesses something that makes the whole department question her sanity, and leads to her being sent on a leave of absence.
Desperate to prove what she saw was real, Erin tracks down the only other witness, Arcane Specialist Morgan Jackson. The occult expert is as infuriating as he is charming.
When the killer leaves a disturbing message on her answer phone, Erin is forced to work with Morgan in order to catch the culprit and get her job reinstated.
The hunt takes them around the West Midlands, visiting a flirty priestess, a druid on the wrong side of the law and a sorcerer from Morgan’s past. As Erin learns more about the supernatural world, she also realizes there’s more to Morgan than just his sarcastic wit and arcane knowledge.
She's drawn to him almost as deeply as she is to the truth of what she saw. Her feelings for him are brought into sharp when Morgan gets on the wrong side of the murderer and it's up to Erin to rescue him, and stop the occult forces plaguing the area before the darkness takes over.
Author: Laura Morgan
Title: Ensnared
Synopsis:
A hand outstretches amidst the chaos of a brutal attack, offering safety and protection—but only in the arms of a villainous gangster who certainly isn’t going to be good news. Take it and accept the consequences? Or refuse and risk losing it all in the aftermath?
That’s exactly what happens to Bree Locke the night she meets mobster Alexis Ramon.
What seems like a good idea at the time ends up being the turning point in her life, but how will things pan out, and will she be able to survive the consequences of her decision?
Because when you fall from the frying pan into the fire, you’re going to get burned…
Author: Kirsty-Anne Still
Title: Love Me Not
Synopsis:
I love him. He loves me. Our love story was that easy. I stuck by that, making sure he knew I was his person, his rock when he was arrested for murder. A murder that I knew he didn’t commit. But here I am, breaking his heart, unravelling our love story. All to save him. I’d break his heart – and mine – a thousand times over if it clears his name.
*** I wasn’t raised to be a good man. I was loved to be one. She was the one constant when my world started falling apart. Until she wasn’t. I was no longer the man I had become. I was a murderer, a criminal, a broken man. She started to see me as the murdered I was branded, but mark my words, this doesn’t end here. When I’m a free man I’ll tear this world apart to get her back.
Author: Allana Walker
Title: Believe
Synopsis:
What happens when the one guy you thought would protect you, doesn't? What happens when your
own family and friends turn against you in your time of need? What happens when all you want is someone to
believe you? What happens when the one person you least expect does? Find out how one girls life turns upside
down only to turn back with a few simple words... "I believe you."
2.jpg

The Love In The First Degree Anthology Cover Reveal Sign Up



Happy Monday, folks!

As I've mentioned before, in July the Love In The First Degree Anthology, the proceeds of which are going to the Innocence Project, and that I have a story in, titled Seeking the Truth, will be released.

Before then though, we're having a cover reveal on June 17, so if you're interested in taking part, please sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/148BoJrfddR_zwg1Fmn6_J5-w3NHLfrc218skRwjbyIs/viewform?c=0&w=1

Hope to see you all next week for the reveal!


Writing Update

Now I'm not updating All It Takes regularly (*sad face*) it feels like I haven't posted here for ages, so I thought it was high time for a little writing update.

All It Takes is currently "resting" while I decide what to do with it in terms of publishing, querying etc. and I'm using that time to work on my story for the Love In The First Degree Anthology.

For those who're interested, here is the synopsis:


I'm also definitely not thinking about/ plotting a YA fantasy about a girl from the modern world who is transported to a medieval realm and discovers she's a long lost princess ...

What has everyone else been up to recently? Let me know in the comments below, I'd love to hear what you're doing!

Until next time,



Announcing: Love In The First Degree - an Anthology for The Innocence Project

Happy Monday, everyone!

I hope you're all having a nice Easter weekend, and even if you don't celebrate it, I hope you've had the chance to relax and spend some time with the people you love.

I'm here today to announce the secret project I mentioned in my last entry ...


About a month ago, the wonderful Kyra Lennon asked me if I'd be interested in taking part in an anthology where the proceeds go to The Innocence Project. Having become aware of The Innocence Project through the podcast Serial, I jumped at the chance.

Here's a little background on the Innocence Project...

Founded in 1992 by Barry C. Scheck and Peter J. Neufeld at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University, the Innocence Project is a national litigation and public policy organization dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted individuals through DNA testing and reforming the criminal justice system to prevent future injustice. 
The Innocence Project works with prosecutors or courts to agree on private or public labs to conduct testing on evidence connected to a particular crime. In 82% of cases for which records are available, prosecutors eventually agreed to grant testing. In other cases, access to DNA testing was granted through court orders. 
The few studies that have been done estimate that between 2.3% and 5% of all prisoners in the U.S. are innocent (for context, if just 1% of all prisoners are innocent, that would mean that more than 20,000 innocent people are in prison). 
The Innocence Project works to exonerate the innocent, improve the law, reform the law, and support the exonerated. 
As Kyra noted in her own post about the anthology,  I’m British. Why would I care about injustice in the US? I think her quote from Martin Luther King Jr sums it up perfectly: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

I'm lucky to have never been in trouble with the law, and I can't see that ever changing (touch wood), but what about those who aren't as lucky?

Situations like that in Serial and Making a Murderer, as well as things like the shooting of Michael Brown and other atrocities are happening throughout the world ALL.THE.TIME.

Innocent people are being wrongly imprisoned based on race, religion, social class, gender etc. and often times they can't afford the proper representation to help them clear their name, or the cases are filled with bias. The justice system in the western world is failing.

This is where the Innocence Project steps in, but as a 45% of their funding comes from individuals, they greatly rely on donations. Of course I could just donate to the Innocence Project, and I will be doing so, but I can do more.

I can join Kyra and the seven other authors she's selected to write for The Love In The First Degree anthology; a collection of intense romance short stories, some with an element of crime, with all proceeds from sales going to the Innocence Project.

The release date will be July 8th 2016, and that is just about all the info I have right now - though I will update soon with the blurb for my short-story.

Until then, you can keep up to date with the latest happenings on Facebook page and/or Twitter!