1,400 miles.

3 countries

2 men she can’t trust.

What could go wrong?

FINDERS KEEPERS is the first book in the new Jane Barnaby Adventures series:

It should have been a simple job. All archaeology student Jane Barnaby had to do was pick up a box her professor needed and deliver it to him at his dig site, along with his new car. Yes, his office was in Oxfordshire, and his dig site was in Spain, a trip of 1,400 miles across three countries and two bodies of water. Still, it should have been simple.

And it was, until Jane discovered she picked up the wrong box by mistake. Not the one with boring pottery samples, but instead the one with priceless ancient Egyptian artifacts. The one that a team of international art thieves is after.

Now she’s chasing – and being chased by – the thieves. And she’s picked up a pair of passengers who claim they can help her outwit them, get her professor’s pottery back and return the artifacts to their rightful owner. If only she could figure out which one of them is working with the thieves and which one she can trust in this high-stakes game of finders keepers.

It’s available everywhere eBooks are sold:

Amazon (Kindle or Paperback)

Smashwords

Barnes & Noble (Nook or Paperback)

Apple iBookstore

Kobo

About the author

J.J. (James) Dibenedetto’s fans would swear he’s got a sixth sense when it comes to seeing into the minds of others and often wonder if his stories could possibly be fiction. He enjoys suspending disbelief with suspenseful paranormal tales that are a perfect blend of reality meets fantasy.

His popular Dream Series continues to delight readers with each and every exciting installment.

Born in Yonkers, New York, he currently resides in Arlington Virginia with his beautiful wife and a cat he is sure has taken full advantage of its nine lives. When it comes to the cat, he often wonders, but then again it might just be his imagination.

You can follow him at his website, on Facebook and on Twitter. And you can find all his books (including the complete Dream Series) on Amazon and on audiobook at Audible.com

Here’s an excerpt from Finders Keepers:

The thieves simply made a mistake. Whether Tom had put his box in the wrong room, or whether the thieves had gotten their wires crossed, who knew? She’d had trouble reading Professor Welldon’s writing; she hadn’t been sure if she was meant to go to Room 16 or Room 18 herself. It hadn’t mattered because the thieves had already gotten there and made the choice for her.

“When they finally got where they were going, they opened it up, and you can imagine their surprise.” Jane noted the vagueness there; she assumed Alex knew exactly where that was and, for whatever reason, didn’t want to say. She didn’t challenge him; she kept up her happy façade instead, and he went on. “They knew they couldn’t go back and steal the right box, but they had the label on your pottery, they knew where it was supposed to go.”

“They’re headed to Mallorca!” Jane couldn’t help herself; the words just poured out. “They’re going to wait there until I show up and try to trade, the pottery for the artifacts!”

She knew she’d said too much. Alex’s eyes lit up, just for an instant, when she mentioned Mallorca. That was something, obviously, he hadn’t known. But he caught himself almost immediately, and so did she. She wondered if he knew that she knew he was putting on an act. She wondered if he knew that she knew that he knew she was, too. And she wondered if she had any aspirin in her purse, because that train of thought was giving her a headache.

Last, but not least, to celebrate the launch of FINDERS KEEPERS, I’m giving away a signed paperback copy of either this new book, or any one of my Dream Series novels (winner’s choice). For your chance to win, just click HERE to enter!)

I recently followed a question someone posted in an author support group. It asked why most authors chose and preferred self-publishing over traditional publishing. Although I did not even have to think about my answer, as my decision was an easy one, I was surprised that so many other authors chose to self-publish for the same reason.

For me, I love the artistic control, along with the entrepreneurial aspect. After putting my heart and soul into writing a novel, which is extremely time consuming, I don’t want someone else deciding on the title and design of the cover. I’ve heard many complaints from authors who hate their covers but had no say in the decision. My art is a complete package.

I also don’t want anyone telling me what to write, and I can honestly say all my plots come from completely unhindered creativity. Surprisingly, this is the number one reason most self-publishing authors turn down traditional publishers. I’ve spoken to several authors and heard many best-selling authors who left traditional publishing say they could not stand what the publishing companies expected from them. “This needs sex.” “This needs more sex.” “Male on male is selling, so find a way to add that.” “There’s no market for this story.” “____ is what’s in right now. This story is outdated.”

Christian publishers offer a similar problem. “This story is too gritty to be considered Christian.”

Once upon a time, writers had to have their work approved by a select group of gatekeepers if they ever wanted to share their art with the world. Like the producers in Hollywood, those gatekeepers kept up with the latest trends. They even manipulated the market, flooding the stores with what they thought would sell the most.

Thank goodness those days are gone! I had to stop reading my favorite genre–urban fantasy– years ago, as it suddenly became saturated with human sex, creature sex, and even orgies. I’ve been reading that genre since childhood, but it suddenly took on a dark side. (I’m sure the gatekeepers from the big publishing companies took it to the extreme, telling their writers to push the boundaries.) And I’m not the only person this affected. I know many urban fantasy readers who switched to young adult fantasy due to the changes in the industry. Not everyone wants that in their books, yet it took over the genre.

How has self-publishing helped readers? Authors are no longer forced to go through the gatekeepers. We write what we want. Obviously, there’s a huge market for erotica, as I’m told that’s where the money is. However, I can now find clean urban fantasy. I can even find Christian romances that don’t contain horse and buggies or sweet characters I can’t relate to. (I just can’t do “sweet.” Christians are humans. They aren’t perfect, and God can turn a dark past into great things. Give me realism, but do it in a tasteful manner. If you’re creative enough, you can tell the darkest story in a way that doesn’t put certain images into my mind.)

I know there are a lot of complaints when it comes to self-publishing. “The standards are lower.” “Did this author use an editor?” “How is this even a story?” My advice is to read some of the reviews before downloading, and when you find a great author, write your own review and check out other books he/she has written. Be aware that anything goes now. There aren’t any rules when it comes to what’s in a book. If you’re anything like me, you don’t just go along with the latest fad. Know what you love, and seek it out. Don’t settle for books that take you where you don’t want to go.

Oh, and if you do find a book you love, tell the author how much you enjoyed it! (Reviews are always the best way.) Authors put a lot of work into their writing, and they often feel insecure (just like regular people). Do them a favor and brighten their day.

Title: Drawn To You

Author: Liwen Y. Ho

Genre: Christian Romance, Asian American Romance

Release Date: March 21, 2016

Blurb:

Wanted: A man who can handle his alter ego. Quick reflexes recommended.

Feisty and adventurous, art teacher Sam Koo is used to getting what she wants, including talking her way out of traffic tickets. When it comes to money matters though, she’s a lost cause. Her studio is in trouble, and there’s no way of charming herself out of this mess.

Police officer Lucas Choi is the last person she expects to rescue her. Handsome and rule-abiding, he was the best—and worst—part of her high school experience. When they meet a decade later, he’s still on her case and quick to point out her flaws.

Their differences drive each other crazy, but also draw them closer. The attraction is tangible, yet so are Sam’s fears. Will she choose to protect her heart or trust the only man who ever rejected her?

Get it now on Amazon.com. Add to Goodreads.

***This novella is part of the Taking Chances series, but each book in the series is a STANDALONE book.***

Can love overcome the past?

Can love be colorblind?

Can love embrace differences?

Liwen Y. Ho works as a chauffeur and referee by day (AKA being a stay at home mom) and a writer by night. In her pre-author life, she received a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Western Seminary, and she loves makeovers of all kinds, especially those of the heart and mind. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her techie husband and their two children, and blogs about her adventures as a recovering perfectionist at www.2square2behip.com.

Blog * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads * YouTube

BookBlast Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card (Open Internationally)

Ends 3/31/16

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. 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 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 and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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 Memory’s Wake, written by Selina Fenech, is the first book in the Memory’s Wake Trilogy. It starts out fast, diving straight into the story, with Memory waking with amnesia. She immediately meets another girl just before they run away from a group of dangerous men with a dragon.

Although the story is told from four different views, two females and two males, it’s not hard to follow. Each character has a different personality and reason for doing what they do. We get into each of their heads and easily understand them.

This was a fun story full of adventure and great characters. Not much for intrigue and suspense, so it didn’t tempt me into going on an all night book binge. Loved the illustrations.

As for my clean rating for a young adult, there’s a hint of a future romance that may go deeper in the next book. The kissing scene was PG rated, and the action wasn’t gory. The two girls also got drunk at one point.

The only problem I really had with this book–and it’s a big one due to my personal belief–was the one curse word this author chose to use more than once. It’s the most offensive one, which include’s God’s name. Coming from someone who spent her teen years in Florida–extremely wild and rebellious–that word was offensive back then by many teens using drugs and drinking. Today, my high school daughter tells me it’s still the same. If someone uses that word at school, usually another teen will tell them it’s just not cool. Maybe this is because I’m from the South (Bible Belt), but I just don’t believe it belongs in young adult books (or any book I want to read).

Since I go by the Goodreads rating system, I’m giving this book two stars. It was okay. It didn’t end on a cliffhanger but left me somewhat curious enough to read the next book in the series. However, I don’t think I will.