Promo Blitz: Taking Vengeance By M.K. Theodoratus @kaytheod @RABTBookTours

Taking Vengeance by M.K. Theodoratus

Historical Fantasy Novelette

Furious Half-Elven parents, Mariah and Ashton, seek vengeance for brutal attack on their daughter by vicious Sea Raiders.

In a tale older than time itself, Taking Vengeance tells a story about the strength and conviction of a mother's love against those who would harm her family. After witnessing centuries of fighting and chaos against her people and her own bickering with Linden, the ruler of the Far Isles Half-Elven, Mariah has withdrawn from politics to seek a peaceful life as a healer.

But Mariah's peace is short lived when Sea Raiders attack her daughter's family, leaving her at death's door. The act of bigoted cruelty plunges Mariah into despair. Her grief is sensed by Ashton, her partner who is far away spying on their southern enemies, and he uses his elven magic to rush to her side. The couple's rage boils over at the outrage. Ashton urges Mariah to belt on her sword and seek vengeance against their daughter's attackers.

Mariah discovers the Sea Raiders wield a strange new magic that threatens all they hold dear. But can she convince Linden that their country is in danger before it's too late?

Taking Vengeance is a tale set in the world of the Far Isles Half-Elven, who constantly fight among themselves even though they're beset by enemies on all sides

EXCERPT

        

The Half-Elven patients and their families cowered against the walls, increasing Mariah's anger at the stupid clod who dared to growl at her. Their audience rolled their eyes like nervous horses, fearing what the combatants might do. They pulled what energy they could from the air to strengthen their protective shields. Mariah's skin itched from the static raised by their efforts. But she focused her attention on the ruler who had once been one of her closest friends.

In a voice a third as loud as Linden's, Mariah said, "Calm down, you fool. You're disturbing the patients."

"Blast your patients. I'm warning you." Linden's face turned red. "Get your nose out of my business."

"I was just consoling the girl."

                                     

"My affairs don't concern you."

"Elysianna deserves better than being dropped cold by a coward."

Linden's face grew redder. "By the Fates, I wish Ashton was still here to put a leash around your neck."

"Well, he isn't here." Mariah controlled her sigh, hiding her sorrow at her ring-mate's absence. "You sent him spying on our southern enemies."

Mariah took a deep breath, ready to yell back at Linden's next comment.

The hall's head healer appeared in the doorway that lead to the consulting rooms, her hands folded in front of her. A scowl darkened her face. "Quiet, the two of you. Take your disagreement elsewhere."

Thick silence spread over the room.

"She rules here. Go drill your troops or something." Mariah whispered. "I came here to help not cause the patients discomfort."

The force of Mariah's glare pushed Linden towards the door. He stomped away, looking as mulish as he had when his father forced him to clean the byre as a boy. Mariah shooed him on his way as if her hands were a broom.

Her face calm in spite of her thumping heart, Mariah turned. "Who's next?"

No one moved until a small boy touched her hand. He looked up at her sideways, ready to run. "My granny's tooths hurt."

With a closed-lipped smile hiding her pointed front teeth, Mariah clasped his hand. "Shall we stop them from hurting?"

"That'd be nice, Lady. Then she can chew ham again. She does enjoy a nice slice of ham."

About the Author

Comics first hooked M. K. Theodoratus on fantasy. When she discovered L. Frank Baum's first Oz books, the strong female characters drew her into the possibilities of alternate worlds. Then, she stared writing in grade school when a teacher assigned a short story lesson. The assignment was incomplete at 25 pages, but she finished the book by the next summer. The Children's Librarian, the only other person who's read it, thought it well-done.

Theodoratus has enjoyed at least four writing careers, including non-fiction. Now she writes fantasy ... mostly because it amuses her. Theodoratus writes in the world of her grumpy Far Isles Half-Elven, often featuring Mariah del Oesti or Renna of Ren Creek. She also explores other magical worlds of ghosts, gargoyles, and Fae. Most of her newer stories are set in Andor where demons prey on humans. You can read more about her fantasy at http://www.mktheodoratus.com

Author Links

Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Google+ | GoodReads

Buy Links

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IBookstore | Smashwords

Read More

Book Tour: If Ever I Would Leave You: Arthurian Stories For A New Generation By Jessica Jarman, Bronwyn Green, Jenny Trout writing as Abigail Barnette @Jenny_Trout, @JessJarman, @Bronwyn_Green @NereydaG1003 #giveaway

If Ever I Would Leave You:
Arthurian Stories For A New Generation
By Jessica Jarman, Bronwyn Green, Jenny Trout writing as Abigail Barnette

Summary from Goodreads:
Surfacing
Bronwyn Green

A year after Tabby Nolan's sister vanished from the Lake Michigan shore with her boyfriend, Liam, Tabby visits the spot where the two were last seen- and finds herself pulled into the crumbling world of Avalon.

Since his disappearance, Liam has been trapped in the mythical land, with no link to the world he knew. Now, their shared memories of Tabby's missing sister are all they can cling to as Avalon dies around them.

But Tabby doesn't want to be a replacement for her sister, and her growing attachment to Liam feels like a betrayal. As Avalon fades around them, Liam and Tabby must rely on each other- or be lost with the ancient kingdom forever.

Albion's Circle: The Deepest Cut
Jessica Jarman

For nineteen years, Anna has been plagued by dreams of lives lived only in legend. Finally free from the family that believed her hopeless and worthless, she's ready to start her life over-alone.

When Anna meets an enigmatic stranger claiming to be the legendary wizard Merlin, she is forced to question the very reality she's struggled to accept. With the mythic figures from her dreams intruding on her waking life, Anna learns that she's been reborn to fight an ancient evil alongside King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.

Caught in an ages old conflict, Anna is the key to stopping a dark magic that will destroy the world-and Merlin wants to make sure that this time, Anna isn't alone.

A Choice Fit For A Queen
Jenny Trout
writing as Abigail Barnette

For perpetual overachiever Madison Lane, a summer studying Arthurian mythology in the Welsh countryside with professor Thomas Evans is a dream come true, and the adventure of a lifetime.

Of course, the enormous crush Madison developed on the professor after a semester of his lectures at U of M has absolutely nothing to do with her desire to learn more about the enduring legend of Camelot. At least, that's what she's telling her parents.

When Madison meets fellow student Rhys Crewe, sparks fly, throwing her plans for wild fling with Professor Evans completely out of whack-as do her unexpectedly complicated feelings for Thomas. With tales of Arthur and Lancelot haunting her every waking moment, Madison has to make the most difficult choice of her life.

  

Dream Cast:

Name: Anna Durant

Age: 19

Personality: First and foremost, she's a loner. Not by choice. She wants to belong…to be a part of something, but has learned that she will never measure up. Even though she chooses to be alone, she tries to see the best in people, to give them the benefit of the doubt that was denied her for so long. She doesn't do anything halfway, whether it's love, protect, or hurt. She's loyal to a fault, and will do anything for the people she cares for, no matter the personal cost.

Anna's most important truth: Alone is what she knows. Alone is safe.

Likes:

Merlin, although he seems too good to be true The smell on the air and damp earth during or after it rains Coffee - there's a reason she works at a coffee shop! Routine and normalcy Solid, dreamless sleep, as elusive as that is Running - relieves stress and she doesn't have to think

Dislikes:

Morgana

Her dreams - and how they make her feel Being less than - less than perfect, less than in control, just less than… The lengths she has to go to be calm and escape the chaos in her mind Talking about herself - her childhood, her dreams, her feelings Being lied to and manipulated Being used to hurt those she cares about

About The Authors:

Jessica Jarman is an author, blogger, and rather obsessive fangirl. Having grown up in Upper Michigan and currently living in Minnesota, she is a Midwestern girl through and through. And wouldn't have it any other way. When Jessica isn't working to get words on the page, she passes the time with her amazing husband and four children, attempting to be crafty (and failing miserably), squeeing uncontrollably over her favorite shows or curling up with a good book.

Bronwyn Green is an author, blogger and compulsive crafter. She lives Michigan with her husband, two sons and three somewhat-psychotic cats. When not frantically writing, she can be found helping in her youngest son's classroom or binge-watching Netflix while working on her latest craft project. Bronwyn loves to talk to her readers and can be found at www.bronwyngreen.com

Jenny Trout is an author, blogger, and funny person. Writing as Jennifer Armintrout, she made the USA Today bestseller list with Blood Ties Book One: The Turning. Her novel American Vampire was named one of the top ten horror novels of 2011 by Booklist Magazine Online. She is a proud Michigander, mother of two, and wife to the only person alive capable of spending extended periods of time with her without wanting to kill her.

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Tour Organized by:

Read More

Release Day Blitz: Twisted Fate By Sharon Rose Mayes @sharonrose @GHBTours

Twisted Fate

Series- #1

By Sharon Rose Mayes

Genre- YA Paranormal

Expected Publication Date- August 11th, 2014

History repeating itself is usually a joke people make to explain things that seem to happen over and over again. But what if it is more than that?

Amelia Fitzgerald is about to find out that the saying is more than what she ever thought it was.

After a tragic accident claimed the lives of her parents Amelia started having the most vivid dreams. The kind where the tears are very real, leaving Amelia convinced that her dreams are more than dreams. When she meets Liam it all seems to come in a bit of truth and even more questions.

She learns that everyone's fate is set, but that sometimes it gets twisted. Of course with the truth comes a price and there are those who want to make sure that the truth doesn't get out.

After all the good and the bad doesn't want the world to know, people just may start choosing sides.

About the Author-

Sharon lives in Lufkin, Texas with her two sons. She chronicles her daily life at her personal blog Not Your Mom Blog and has been active in the blogosphere for seven years. When she is not chasing her kids and playing soccer mom she writes and dreams of all of the places she can't wait to travel.

     

Read More

Review: The Betelgeuse Oracle The Betelgeuse Chronicles By Joseph Macchiusi @MkgConnections

The Betelgeuse Oracle
The Betelgeuse Chronicles
By Joseph Macchiusi
Publication: November 2012

Blurb:

The supergiant star Betelgeuse strikes. Our civilization collapses. Thousands convulse and perish. Electronics die. Aircraft plummet. Food and water are scarce. Trapped in this huge calamity, James Muir suffers bizarre visions. Desperate to reunite with his wife and young daughters, he cannot resist the command of a mysterious Voice berating him in ancient Egyptian. He must embark on a quest for 'the Stone.'

Haunted by the erosion of his own sanity, hunted by gunmen, James joins a group of strangers desperate to escape a metropolis transformed into a burning, violent wasteland. But what awaits them beyond the fringes of the city? The Stone has a fanatical will of its own. As strangers become friends and lovers, James realizes that even if the trek doesn't kill him, he may not be strong enough to match the Stone's baffling power.

The Betelgeuse Oracle is a sweeping saga of loss and heroism, mysticism and visceral horror. Reading this novel will change the way you see the world.

Advance Praise for The Betelgeuse Oracle

"Apocalyptic fiction has exploded with the turn of the millennium (see The Stand, The Hunger Games, Y: The Last Man, The Walking Dead) but Joseph Macchiusi has deftly pinpointed what would be the most catastrophic disaster of all…Try reading this beautifully written and gripping story and not have the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end, wondering, "What would I do?" A cautionary tale that is as terrifying as it is unputdownable."?- Nikki Stafford, author of the Finding Lost series of books

My Review

I received a free copy of the book from the author for my honest opinion.

The world as we know it has come to an end. Nothing works any longer. If it needs electricity to run then it will no longer work. Cell phones, iPads, iPhones, Kindles, PCs, Laptops, Tablets, Xboxes, Wii, and PlayStation are all dead. Cars, trucks no longer run. Everybody is in the dark. Some people are running around like chickens with their heads chopped off wondering what is happening and some have totally lost their mind and don't have a clue what they are doing much less anyone or anything else is doing.

James Muir works at York U as a security guard. James is sitting in a quiet place on campus with his laptop trying to write a story. James is a writer or wants to be but he is having a little trouble in that area at the moment. While James is eating his lunch and trying to write his story he has a seizure. When he comes out of the seizure he sees other people that are just coming out of a seizure as well. James starts trying to help some of the people who like himself were hurt while having a seizure. Then everyone sees something in the sky and are wondering what it is when they realize that it is an airplane falling out of the sky. During this time is when the sane people start realizing that nothing works. That everything is just shutting down. This is just the beginning for James and everyone else that is still alive in the world.

James starts thinking about his wife and daughters. His daughters are just little girls and are both probably scared out of their wits. All James wants is to get home to his wife and daughters to see if they are safe. But there is a voice in his head that keeps telling him to go northeast. At first James is like no way he is going home to his family. Well he finally makes it home and his home is gone, it has been destroyed by fire. There is nothing left of his home but the good thing is he did not find his family. Yes it is good because hopefully they are still alive and looking for him as well. So James decides to listen to the voice in his head and go northeast. What else is he going to do while he is looking for his family right? He can go northeast and look for his family at the same time. Hopefully the voice is leading him to his family.

James meets a lot of different people, characters on his journey to the northeast. They are all like him you knowing looking for their families or have nowhere else to go so they go along with him. It is too dangerous for anyone to stay in one place any longer. There are bad people in just about all of the towns. It is not safe to go into any of the towns but sometimes they have to find food. Some of these people are just like them just trying to survive and some that just want to be the boss and take control of everything and everyone. James and his group have to stay on the run all of the time they can't stay in one place to long because someone is following them.

The Betelgeuse Oracle will make you laugh one minute and then the next minute you want to cry. Sometimes you want to reach in and give some of the characters a great big shake and say what are you doing? The Betelgeuse Oracle will take you on a long journey with James and all of his new friends that he meets along the way. I loved all the gore among other things that I read in the book and how it was described. I loved how the author just put everything out there and didn't leave much to the imagination. He just told it like it is; there was no reading between the lines as they say.

About the Author:

Joseph Macchiusi's previous publications include two short stories, "Of Smelly Toilets and Wet Cheese" and "Triage". Another story, "The Pythagorean Theorem" was short-listed for the 2006 CBC Literary Awards and The Writers' Union of Canada 2010 Short Prose Competition for Developing Writers. "The Perseids" also made this short list. His current obsessions include Motorhead, the experiences of frontline soldiers during the First World War, and the pathological psychology of Ajax Quire. Quire is the hero of another (soon-to-be-published) Macchiusi novel, Lurking in Plain Sight. He is currently at work on The Prion File, the second of the Quire thrillers; and The Betelgeuse Shaman, the second book of the Betelgeuse Chronicles.

Giveaway:

eBook or paperback of The Betelgeuse Oracle by Joseph Macchiusi (winner's choice)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Read More

Cover Reveal: NIGHT SKY By Suzanne Brockmann & Melanie Brockmann @SuzBrockmann

Night Sky
Night Sky #1
By Suzanne Brockmann, & Melanie Brockmann

Release Date: October 7, 2014
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Genre: Young Adult (Paranormal)

Kindle Edition
Pages 496

Book Description:

Sixteen-year-old Skylar Reid is thrown into a strange world when she discovers that she has unique telekinetic and telepathic powers. After Sasha, the child she babysits, is kidnapped and believed to be murdered, Sky and her best friend Calvin are approached by Dana, a mysterious girl who has super-abilities similar to Sky’s. With the help of Dana and her sidekick Milo, the four teens embark on a quest to discover who killed Sasha, and to bring the killers to justice.

With Dana as Skylar’s surly and life-toughened mentor, Sky attempts to harness her powers to aid them in their quest. Complicating an already complex relationship with the older girl, Sky starts to fall for the dangerously handsome and enigmatic Milo – and begins to suspect that the attraction is mutual. But then Sky realizes that Sasha might still be alive, and the unlikely foursome’s mission becomes one of search and rescue, pitting the heroic teens against a very deadly enemy.

Look for a FREE prequel e-novella, Dangerous Destiny on August 26.

About The Authors:

Suzanne Brockman, a New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance author, has won 2 RITA awards, numerous RT Reviewers’ Choice, and RWA’s #1 Favorite Book of the Year three years running. She has written over 50 books, and is widely recognized as a “superstar of romantic suspense” (USA Today). Suzanne and her daughter, Melanie Brockmann, have been creative partners, on and off, for many years. Their first project was an impromptu musical duet, when then-six-month-old Melanie surprised and delighted Suz by matching her pitch and singing back to her. Suzanne splits her time between Florida and Massachusetts while Mel lives in Sarasota, Florida. NIGHT SKY is Mel’s debut and Suzanne’s 55th book.

Read More

Review: Honey Queen By Christina Mercer @cwritebuzz @NereydaG1003 #giveaway

Honey Queen
by Christina Mercer
Release Date: 05/31/14

Summary from Goodreads:
Love is honey sweet, but it comes with a fatal sting . . .

Melaina Maris needs wings to fly the gap between loving Sam and her family's ancient curse that forces carnal love and then kills the male lovers. She won't let the same fate that killed her father befall another. She refuses to allow her goddess-created bloodline to continue. But there's no easy way out, especially after the curse turns her into the Honey Queen-savior to honey bees-intensifying her charms.

To help her fulfill the curse's demands in the least harmful way, her grandmother takes her to mate with terminally ill Boyd. But Boyd's gay. And an expert in mythology. Instead of having sex, Melaina learns how she might summon the goddess who created the first ancestor bee-charmer and cursed her bloodline. Melaina's magic-tears to save honey bees from endangerment-could be enough to persuade the goddess to end the curse. But an unexpected discovery soon changes that hope, spinning Melaina into a swarm of love, friendship and death.

  

Praise:

"HONEY QUEEN will leave you tingling. Mercer delivers an unforgettable character connected directly to nature with a twist of mythology that exemplifies the power of love, and with enough courage, the power to change ones destiny." Rachel Allen Dillon, award-winning author and illustrator of Through Endangered Eyes

"In prose so delicious, you can taste it, Christina Mercer's HONEY QUEEN captures the genuine angst and yearning of YA fiction with a powerful honey-sweet twist of Mythic proportions. Readers will catch the buzz of Melaina's riveting journey to convince a Goddess to save her bloodline, the love of her life, and all the bees. A wonderful reminder of the indelible bond between humanity and nature." -Jordan E. Rosenfeld, author of Forged in Grace, Night Oracle and Make a Scene

My Review

I received a free copy of the book from the author for my honest opinion.

Melaina Maris is the last daughter of her bloodline. Mel comes from a long line of beekeepers. A long, long time ago Mel's bloodline was cursed by the first daughter, a goddess. And now when the daughters mate they always give birth to a daughter and on the day the baby is born the father dies. With Mel being the last daughter the curse has turned her into the Honey Queen. Mel has no intentions of allowing Sam the guy she loves and has been her best friend since they were small children die or anyone else.

Mel is determined to find a way to break the curse. Mel tries so very hard to stop the curse and not mate. Every time she and Sam are together she starts to heat up and all she wants to do is attack Sam. Her mind tells her no you can't do this he will die but her body has a mind of its own. They get into a couple of hot situations but her grandmother puts a little cold water on the situation to help put out the fires. Sam can't stay away from Mel he shows up at her house all hours of the night.

Mel's grandmother tries to help her out by introducing her to a young man about her age who is terminally ill and is going to die anyway. But Mel has such a good heart there is no way she can hurt anyone. She meets Boyd and they become real good friends. He is an excerpt or knows a lot about Greek mythology and hopefully can help her find a way to break the curse.

With everything that Mel has been through in her short life and is going through now has made her a strong woman. She has a very big heart and would rather hurt herself than let any harm come to another human being because of her.

Honey Queen is one of those books that leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. At times you feel the pain that Mel is experiencing but you also can feel the love and the happiness too. I loved all of the characters and would love to know more about them especially the first daughter. I would like to know her story as to why she did what she did. There is always two sides to every story so what is her story? What happened in her life to cause her to put the curse on her bloodline? And what about Sam's bloodline and his love for cows? What is Sam's family history?

About The Author

Christina Mercer is an award-winning author of fiction for children and young adults. Honored titles include Tween Fantasy ARROW OF THE MIST and its sequel ARMS OF ANU, and YA Fantasy/Romance HONEY QUEEN. Christina enjoys life in the foothills of Northern California with her husband and sons, a pack of large dogs, and about 100,000 honeybees. For more about her and her writing, visit:

Giveaway

1 $10 Amazon Gift Card (INT)
1 "Honey Bee" swag pack (USA). Swag will be bookmark, buzz card, beeswax lip balm, honey sticks, honeybee charm.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Tour Organized by:

Read More