Tuesday, December 3, 2013

The Saving of Benjamin Chambers- Release Day Promo/Cover Reveal + Giveaway

We're excited to announce the release of The Saving of Benjamin Chambers, a Uni Files novella by Anna Bloom. This tells the story of Ben and when he meets Lilah. You can read it before or after reading The Art of Letting Go.

The Uni-Files novels are NA/Adult British romantic comedies that will make you swoon, laugh and sigh. The first book, The Art of Letting Go is now available. The Saving of Benjamin Chambers releases December 4th.

The Art of Letting Go is FREE for December 4th only!

Excerpt:

Delilah, Lilah or whatever she is called is, standing over on the far side of the room, her back against the wall wearing a figure-hugging red, floor-length dress. Her dark hair and eyes stand out in contrast. She looks like a Forties movie star, all curves and perfect poise, watching everyone with a critical eye. She hates this place and she hates the people that are here, that is clear to me straight away.

I want to jump off the stage to get to her. I can’t tear my eyes away, even though Dave has picked up my guitar and shoved it back into my hands, hissing, “play, you idiot.”

I am walking to the front of the stage still staring when I notice that I am being watched but not by her.

Some guy who looks like a pretentious arsehole is watching me watch her and then he starts to move across the floor to get to her before I can leave the stage. I am stuck like a rabbit in headlights, rooted to the spot as I watch him clearly move towards her like he is proving he has ownership.

When he gets to her he pulls her in close and winds his hands around her waist. I have to physically restrain myself from leaping off the stage and punching him. That’s what I want to do, a deep urge burning inside me. Jump from the stage, bop him on the nose, hopefully causing significant blood loss, and then throw her over my shoulder and march her off with her someplace. Someplace where I can kiss her and talk to her, in no particular order. Then I may well ask her to marry me because I am pretty sure that I want to.

I don’t though, I don’t move from my spot on the edge of the stage. I start to play my guitar instead but not the song the rest of the band are expecting. Luckily it has a long intro so they are able to catch up.

As I start to sing ‘Wonderwall’ I watch as the banker wanker twirls her onto the dance floor.

It’s not a song for twirling, what is he doing the bloody arse?

She has her hands on his shoulders and her back to me but I can clearly see an enormous diamond ring sitting on her left hand from my spot quite a distance away on stage.

Damn it to hell.

I nearly stop singing, but I hold it together and as I head into the second verse my choice of song becomes even more appropriate.

The banker wanker pulls her in even tighter and I get a nasty taste in the back of my mouth. I am just in the middle of the chorus when they take a turn and I catch a glimpse of her face.

That’s what does it. That very moment gives me something completely different to live for.

Her.

She is biting her lower lip and the beautiful eyes are staring far away in the distance, framed by a frown. She looks like she would rather be anywhere then where she is right now. She looks lost, but on top of that she looks lonely and I feel a bubble of something well up inside me, something like joy. Joy at the fact that this guy holding her, who’s obviously bought her the ring, has no idea what she is feeling. I don’t think he has looked at her face once, not to read it the way that I am. This is good. It means that if I can get to talk to her again then I can make sure my words are the right ones, the ones to make her notice me, the ones to make her want to at least talk to me. And, well, if that fails then I will just crinkle my freckles at her, pick her up and throw her over my shoulder and march off with her hoping for the best.

I know that I will do anything to save her from whatever is causing her sadness and by doing that I have a feeling she will save me.

About the Book:

Benjamin Chambers needs saving, he just does not know it yet. Bored of his life of repetitive gigs with a band going nowhere fast and one night stands with girls who are only interested in his role as a lead singer, something has got to change. It’s just what do you do when the only life you know involves messing around with guitars and attempting to run away from any female attention that comes your way.
Ben has a New Year’s resolution and one that he is determined to keep, quit the band and get a life of his own. Little does Ben realise that on his last night with his band Sound Box he is going to meet a girl who will turn everything he knows upside down.
As Ben sets himself the challenge to find ‘The Girl’ again, he may be about to learn that in an effort to rescue her, he himself will be the one to be saved.

Find the book: Goodreads

Find The Art of Letting Go:Goodreads | Amazon US | Amazon UK

About the Author:

Anna Bloom is a contemporary romance writer who writes about life as it happens.

Combining a busy schedule of looking after two small children whilst working in a local school and completing The Uni Files series she also spends a lot of time imagining kissing hot guys – all in the name of her art.

Find the author: Website/Blog | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

Giveaway:

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Monday, December 2, 2013

Spotlight: The Shifting of the Stars + Giveaway

Tour Schedule

Series: Souls of Aredyrah
Book #4

SYNOPSIS

In this final installment of the award-winning Souls of Aredyrah series, Dayn and Reiv find themselves facing an old foe and falling into the trap of a new one. Struggling to make their way home through a bitter landscape, they soon discover they are not alone. A tribe known as the Taubastets has captured them in a life-or-death scenario, and the tribe’s chief is determined that one of them must be sacrificed. When a young warrior named Tyym vows to see them home, they face decisions that will not only affect their survival, but the spiritual salvation of their world.
While Reiv, Dayn, and Tyym navigate a web of conspiracy and doubt, Dayn’s sister Alicine struggles with loss and the impending threat of invasion. The king of Tearia has not abandoned his quest to slay them, and his seemingly unstoppable army is nearly through the pass. But when Tyym enters the scene, hope is rekindled. Even Alicine cannot deny the charisma of the mysterious warrior who has wormed his way into their lives, and into her heart.
The game is in play. A traitor is in their midst. Can the souls of Aredyrah hope to defeat a monster disguised as a king? Or will they succumb to a darkness beyond their understanding?
Amazon | Smashwords | BN | Kobo | Diesel | Goodreads

Excerpt:
Tyym leaned toward the polished plate that was tacked to Gair’s wall. In the early
morning light, he could barely see his reflection in the grimy blur of metal, and wondered why in
the world the man had it there at all. He leaned closer, tracing a piece of coal along the bottom
lid of his eye, but it came out thick and uneven, nothing like the swift, well-practiced lines he
usually drew. Tyym leaned back and shook his head. He had left Adjo too quickly to pack
personal items, and he now sorely regretted having left his tools. Since coming to this place, no
one had seen him without his paint, and he intended to keep it that way. Painting one’s face was
the tradition of his people, a way to respect their ancestors and the great cats that had guided and
protected them. Unfortunately, the way it looked now, there would be little respect for his
artistry.
“Curse this thing,” he muttered.
“Having troubles?” Gair said, yawning. He sat up from his cot and stretched his thick
“My apologies. I did not mean to wake you.”
“I was awake anyway.” Gair rose from the bed, the joints of the frame squeaking with
relief. “I don’t know why your kind insist on putting that stuff on everyday,” he said, scratching
behind his ear.
Tyym narrowed his eyes. “My kind?”
“You know, the face-painting kind.” Gair reached for a shirt that was hanging on a
nearby peg and gave it a sniff.
“Your face is painted,” Tyym reminded him.
“Not the same thing,” Gair said, tossing the shirt aside. He pointed to the tattoos that
encircled his own eyes and trailed down to his jaw. “My kind does it smart. My kind does it once
and makes it permanent.”
Tyym turned back to the mirror. “Well this will not be permanent. It looks…” He
frowned. “…wrong.” He grabbed a nearby rag and began to wipe it off.
Gair stepped toward him and eyed his profile. “You’re right. Looks like a damned storm
cloud.” He retrieved a jar from a nearby shelf. “Here, try a little grease.”
“What I need is my tools.”
Gair handed him the jar. “Well try this first.”
Tyym lifted the lid off the jar and gave the contents a sniff. He wrinkled his nose. “What
“Possum fat. Once it’s rancid, it’ll clean off just about anything.”
“And what cleans it off?” Tyym said. “I am sure to be banned from the naming if I go
smelling like…this.” He replaced the lid and handed the jar back to Gair. “Thank you. But no.”
He picked up the rag and continued to scrub.
“Don’t see that it matters much anyway,” Gair said.
“What do you mean?”
“When’s the last time you had on clean clothes?”
Tyym huffed. “I bathed last night. Is that not enough?”
“Would be, if your clothes had bathed with you.”
“Are you saying I smell?”
“Well, it doesn’t bother me any, but as for the ladies, I hear they’re particular about that
sort of thing.”
“Then it is a good thing that I am not interested in catching one.”
Gair snorted. “You can say that now. But the ladies will all be looking their best today.
And I’ll warrant they’ll have their eyes on you.”
“Why should they? I have done nothing to encourage it.”
Gair glanced around, as if to make sure he was not overheard. “You know how it is with
women,” he said. “They like their men kind of mysterious. And you, my boy, are the most
mysterious thing they’ve seen in a while.”
Tyym scoffed, but in truth he was rather intrigued.
“Course it’s one thing how you look at a distance,” Gair continued. “It’s another when
you get up close and personal with them.”
Tyym cocked his head. “And what of you, blacksmith? Which of the ladies will you be
tangling with tonight?”
Gair’s face went deep red. “I won’t be tangling, as you call it.” He looked away with
embarrassment. “But I’d sure like a dance with Brina.”
“Then I suggest you do something about your smell and quit worrying about mine.”
“I’m just saying…if you want to dance with the ladies…”
“I do not dance,” Tyym said. He turned back to the reflective plate. “And if I do not get
painted, I will not be attending either.”

Tracy A. Akers is a former language arts teacher and an award-winning author. She grew up in Arlington, Texas, but currently lives in Florida with her husband, three naughty pugs, and a feisty chihuahua. She graduated with honors from the University of South Florida with a degree in Education, and has taught in both public and private schools. She currently divides her time between writing, lecturing, spending time with her family, and costuming at fantasy and science fiction conventions.

Ms. Akers has won numerous awards for her Souls of Aredyrah fantasy series for young adults. As a Florida Book Awards winner, she was acknowledged for her contribution to YA literature by the Governor of Florida during the 2008 Florida Heritage Month Awards Ceremony. Books One and Two of the Aredyrah Series are included in the Florida Department of Education’s 2008 Just Read Families Recommended Summer Reading List. In addition, Ms. Akers has been an invited guest author at major book events and writers’ conferences, a panelist at fantasy and science fiction conventions, and was on the steering committee for Celebration of the Story, a literary event held at Saint Leo University.

The Souls of Aredyrah Series is Ms. Akers’ first series of novels for young adults.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

GIVEAWAY

$25 Amazon.com or BN.com Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 12/15/2013. Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com or BN.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. 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 Kisha from Indie Hoopla Services & Promotions, http://indiehoopla.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Review: Resilient by Patricia Vanasse

Description from Goodreads: Livia has never felt like she fits in. As normal as it sounds, Livia is anything but ordinary. She can feel every emotion of every single person around her, and it’s maddening. In pursuit of some psychic quiet, she moves with her family from New York City to Whidbey Island in the lush and sleepy Pacific Northwest. But when a horseback riding accident in her new home gives her a broken leg that heals in a day, she finds that another unexplainable ability has manifested, and her life isn’t about to get any easier.

Adam has no problem fitting in and making friends. In fact, he’s the top of the school, the boy everyone knows and loves. However, people only see what he allows them to. No one knows what Adam is truly capable of. After witnessing Livia’s accident, Adam sees something intriguing in her quick recovery, something that gives him hope that he’s not alone.

Adam is the only one whose emotions Livia can’t read. Afraid of not knowing what goes on behind his dark eyes, Livia decides to keep him at a distance. Yet the more she tries to ignore him, the more alluring he becomes, and while their personal quests for identity will inevitably bring them closer together, it is the confirmation of what they really are that threatens to tear them apart.

Resilient, told in alternating point of views, is a gripping story of survival and romance, in which two teenagers face the consequences of being anything but normal.

I received this in exchange for an honest review.

I was very intrigued with this one. Its full of action, suspense, and romance. It starts off with Livia's point of view. You learn that she's different. She has these abilities and she doesn't know where they come from. She can empathize with people and later learn about some of her other traits. Livia seems like a very sweet and intelligent girl but she can't get close to anyone for fear of them figuring out she's different and her not being able to shut out there emotions.
We then meet Adam. You think he's the typical jock, who gets whatever girl he wants. Also come to find out he's the only person that Livia cant read emotions from. He came of as kind of jerky at first but then you realize that there's more to him than you know. He's different too. He can control peoples anger. He finds out that he also cant control Livia's anger.
They have this undeniable connection with each other but still have that fear of getting close to other people for fear of their secrets coming out. They have to learn to trust each other. Also with a threat looming with these mysterious people coming around and asking questions. It was frustrating with the back and forth of them not trusting each other and saying I'll tell you my secrets if you tell me yours. I wanted them to just start working together. Then it was the typical it will be safer for you if we stay away from each other.
All in all I really enjoyed the two of them together and the story. They we're both great characters and you got insight into both of with the alternating POV's in the chapters. I had fun trying to figure out what they were. The only downside was it did end on a cliffhanger that has me anxiously wanting the next story.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Book Blast: Jasmine’s Tale: Darkness and Light

Tour Schedule

Praise for Jasmine's Tale: Darkness and Light
“(the) characterizations and descriptions are so vivid that I felt like I was following Jasmine through the centuries.” - Patricia Gligor, author of Mixed messages
“Unique, grabs the reader’s attention and holds it.” – Writer’s Digest
"The cover of this book had caught my eye on more than one occasion. I was excited when I finally got around to reading it... and I was not disappointed. Though the cover is stunning, as it turns out, it is the least impressive aspect of this book. Don't take this as criticism; this is a very, very good thing. The beginning of the story hits you with slap-in-the-face action that sucks you right in.
... I'd like to take a tiny detour; if I may - I have said that it's not often small presses can deliver such gems as Jasmine's Tale. This is the fifth book I have read which is published by Post Mortem Press, and I'm beginning to believe they are regular gem dealers."--5-Star Amazon Review, Emma Ennis

Jasmine’s Tale: Darkness and Light
Book One of the Jasmine and Sam Chronicles

When Sam Melody, a hardworking private detective, meets the beautiful Jasmine Pellitier, the consequences could be deadly. Although Jasmine seems like the perfect woman, she is actually a 2,500-year-old witch… and is being pursued by ancient enemies who will stop at nothing to learn the secret of her powers.
A fascinating marriage of witch-tale and detective yarn, Jasmine’s Tale: Darkness and Light takes the reader from Sam and Jasmine’s adventures in modern-day New York City to her ancient European beginnings and back again, as they try to elude their enemies in a running battle between good and evil.
From ancient times though the Crusades to the Salem Witch Trials and beyond, follow Jasmine and the man she loves in to a final showdown between the powers of Darkness and Light.

Amazon | BN

EXCERPT

How long she lay there she would never really know. She would never remember any thoughts or wants she might have had. Long past the point where she needed physical nourishment to survive, she lay there motionless as months turned into years. Vines wove over and around her, until she seemed to be part of the undergrowth. She didn’t feel the sun or the snow, the wind or the rain. The Earth and Sky that she had worshipped for centuries were beyond her reckoning, and she no longer cared. She had finally escaped her tortures the only way she could…by falling deep into total oblivion.
She didn’t know when she began to feel the presence. It was just there, and becoming almost imperceptibly stronger. With it came other things, just as slowly and dreamlike. The smell of the Earth, the dim sensation of a light shower, then the warmth of the sun as it streamed through the forest canopy. Slowly she felt herself rising up from her self-imposed depths, until finally her eyes opened.
Through the dark branches far above her she saw a full moon. Its light and her acute senses let the surrounding woods slowly come into view. She sat up, the undergrowth that had become her blanket falling magically away from her. She looked down at herself, and saw that she was nearly naked, covered only by rotting rags of old clothing. Dimly she noticed Aida’s ancient crystal still hung from around her neck. Then the presence that had made her stir caused her to raise her head, and she saw its source.
Standing before her was a tall, broad figure. Small braids were woven into both his long, unruly brown hair and beard, which were just beginning to go gray. His eyes blazed at her from beneath thick eyebrows. His formidable brow was scarred, as was one cheek. His thick neck disappeared into a rough shirt covered by chain mail, which was in turn covered by a leather tunic. From the wide belt that bound these hung a broadsword and a dagger. Below this was a kilt of muted browns and grays, and shoes of leather strips. A wolf pelt draped one shoulder, and on one arm was a round targe of leather-covered wood. In all, he was the fiercest looking creature the gentle Jasmine had ever seen, and the energy he radiated was overwhelming. She knew without being told that this was the Celt warrior that old Hanob had warned her of, and thought that all of her earned catastrophes had struck upon her at once.
When he spoke, his voice was as fierce as his visage.
“Rise up, Witch. It’s time you live again.”

More praise for Jasmine's Tale: Darkness and Light:
“A wonderful Book” – Lonna Kingsbury, Countering the silence, KET TV
“An Intensive novel.” – Mark DeWitt, Cover to Cover, WRRS radio
“…one interesting book.” – Tawana Thomas, Northern Kentucky Magazine

Brian Dobbins has had a wide variety of experiences, from artist and writer to videographer, graphic designer to bartender to salesman to factory worker… and so on. He attempts to draw on this varied background to spin tales of strong characters in unusual situations. He’s written everything from graphic novels to magazine articles to short stories to novels. His novels represent different genres such as Witchcraft, Detective and Western, and usually involve a good amount of historical background. He lives in Cincinnati, Ohio.

FB: Brian Dobbins Makes Stuff Up
Goodreads: Brian's Author Page
Twitter: @BrianEDobbins

GIVEAWAY

$25 Amazon.com or BN.com Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 11/30/2013. Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com or BN.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. 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 Kisha from Indie Hoopla Services & Promotions, http://indiehoopla.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, November 18, 2013

Seeking Her by Cora Carmack cover reveal!

SEEKING HER by Cora Carmack
A few months after being honorably discharged from the military, Jackson Hunt is still struggling to adjust back to the real world. He needs to get a job and find a sense of normalcy if he’s going to keep his own demons at bay. The job that falls into his lap, though, is anything but normal. Bodyguard (and baby-sitter) to spoiled-rich-girl Kelsey Summers isn’t exactly what he’d been looking for, but it’s a chance to travel, to get away from the home that has felt stifling ever since his return. It would be a pretty sweet gig if it weren’t for the fact that Kelsey’s father doesn’t want Kelsey to know she’s being followed. Hunt feels guilty (and a little bit creepy) as he watches her from afar. She’s vibrant and infuriating, exciting and reckless, mysterious and familiar. When he sees her falling into the same patterns that he suffered years ago, he decides it’s time to stop watching and help her instead. But getting to know her is more difficult than he thought, especially because the more he knows her,the more he wants her.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

To Love and Serve by Caridad Pineiro

To Love and Serve

by Caridad Pineiro

Caridad Pineiro Bio:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling paranormal and romantic suspense author Caridad Pineiro wrote her first novel in the fifth grade when her teacher assigned a project – to write a book for a class lending library. Bitten by the writing bug, Caridad continued with her passion for the written word through high school, college and law school. In 1999, Caridad’s first novel was released and over a decade later, Caridad is the author of almost forty published novels and novellas. When not writing, Caridad is an attorney, wife and mother to an aspiring writer and fashionista.

Links

Website http://www.caridad.com/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Caridad.Author

Twitter https://twitter.com/CaridadPineiro

Goodreadshttp://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2944621.Caridad_Pi_eiro
Buy Links:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

To Love and Serve:

Born to Love…

Five years ago, vampire Ryder Latimer stepped into the path of a bullet meant for FBI Agent Diana Reyes, at once saving her life and condemning her to death when his blood contaminates her open wounds. Now only an experimental treatment, transfusions, and allowing Ryder to sink his teeth into her when they make love keep her alive.

Born to Survive…

Ryder has always known that no matter what they try, Diana can’t possibly survive what contact with his blood did to her. The reality for him is that no matter how much he loves her, he will lose her if he doesn’t turn her—a choice Diana may have put off for too long.

Born to Serve…

Even as her health continues to deteriorate and they battle with that difficult decision, Diana tracks a serial killer targeting their vampire friends. It’s a dangerous job, but she was born to it and, with Ryder’s help, she’ll serve and protect until the day she dies—or until a miracle turns their world upside down.

　
You can read my review for this one HERE

Saturday, November 2, 2013

My October reading list

So I had on and off moments with reading in Oct. I just wasn't really feeling like it at points so not as much reading done as I'd like. At least I matched Sept. numbers though. This was all I read throughout Oct.