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Thursday, April 16, 2015

Book Blitz: Half Breed Queen (Skatia Narratives, #1) by L.A. Hendricks @lohendri @NereydaG1003 #YABOUNDBOOKTOURS #Giveaway





Half Breed Queen (Skatia Narratives, #1)
Release Date: March 2015
322 pages

Summary from Goodreads:
Devastating tragedy puts 14-year-old high school freshman Marla Owens, on a fast-paced journey of survival, revival and coming of age. Driven by a force she can't begin to understand and a burning need to find out the truth, she heads toward her mother's home in North Dakota. She soon learns more about herself and her family than she could have ever imagined - her mother was royal heir to the powerful Skatian throne! And now the Skatian people need her to protect their world from those who wish to conquer it.

In a classic tale of good versus evil, set on Earth and beyond, a young girl fights to survive to become a young woman-and the reluctant queen of Skatia. Who can she trust? Will she be able to control her own immense abilities and justified anger to do what's right? One thing's for sure: Marla's not in Texas anymore!



Excerpt:

"Don't struggle, little heir. I need to take you back alive." His voice sounded like a snake's slither. He looked at Marla as though she were nothing more than money. His eyes, so pale a shade of blue they seemed white, made Marla shudder.

"Let me go!" Marla tried in vain to yank her arm away from her kidnapper, but he was a head or so taller and much stronger than she. He began to drag her down the street. "Who are you? How did you find me," she asked through her teeth. People on the street were beginning to stare, but no one seemed inclined to intervene. She was trying hard to hold her temper, but could feel it begin to slip away from her.

"I am Dovidas, little princess. And as for how I was able to find you, your ability's signature is very distinctive. All I had to do was follow your scent. Practicing all day, like a good little mark. It made my job much easier. I thought you'd have been smarter than that."

"Please, stop. Let me go." Marla was dragging her feet, refusing to walk. The man turned and slapped her. He picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder.

"Do not make me kill you, as Jurg had to kill your mother. I do not get paid if you are dead." He took off down the street once again. There were still people around, but it now seemed they were not to notice them. It was as though the man had made them invisible or something.

Hearing this strange man talk about her mother so carelessly snapped the tenuous grasp Marla held on her temper. She could feel herself morphing, growing even - arms and legs growing longer and more muscular, hands and feet lengthening and becoming claw-like. The man felt the shift in Marla's weight and looked up at her - and dropped her in surprise. Marla hit the ground with a noticeable thump. Her breathing was heavy and labored as her body changed.

The process took only a minute or two, but Dovidas was so stunned that he couldn't move. The teenage girl he'd taken from outside the restaurant was changing before his eyes. He knew that the clan was from another world, but he did not realize that their human form was merely a disguise, and he certainly had never seen one in their natural form. The girl-beast on the ground before him was exceptionally terrifying, even to one such as Dovidas. He turned on his heel and ran away.

The motion drew Marla's attention. She held her hand, if it could still be called that, out in the direction had taken off Dovidas was running. He stopped in mid-stride, frozen like a statue. Marla stood, stretching out and testing her new body. She slowly and deliberately walked over to Dovidas, enjoying his obvious fear.



About the Author:
LA Hendricks is an IT project manager by day and science fiction/fantasy novelist by night. A longtime lover of words, she reads science fiction, fantasy and paranormal romance novels regularly (when there is time). When not reading, writing or working, LA can most often be found watching football or basketball with her adorable cat, Mona.

Author Links:
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Release Blitz: Alicia (Blackbird Series) by Dahlia Donovan @DahliaDonovan @HotTreePromos #Giveaway




ON SALE FOR 99C FOR TWO WEEKS ONLY
Author: Dahlia Donovan
Book: Alicia
Series: Blackbird Series #5 (Can be read as a standalone)
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Cover Designer: Louisa at LM Creations
Born into a Moroccan family both wealthy and well-connected, Alicia has wanted for nothing her entire life. Choosing to abandon her family business for fashion, she has built her own business and lives off the fruits of her own labour. Her traditionalist mother has longed for her to settle down with a good man. 

Alicia has never wanted a good man until Josh Withers. Tired of meaningless flings, Alicia has found someone who challenges her in all the right ways. So what if he occasionally turns himself into panther? 

No one's perfect. 

Now in a fight for her life as enemies from both her family's past and her best friend Ivy's recent nightmares come hunting for her. Alicia can only hope Josh's military background and shifter strength will keep them safe.

Book Blitz: Finding Thor by Kai Strand @kaistrand @NereydaG1003 #YABOUNDBOOKTOURS #Giveaway







Finding Thor
by Kai Strand 
Release Date: 03/12/15
272 pages

Summary from Goodreads:
Tragedy has left Cara Cassidy broken and the only thing keeping her from giving in completely is her guilt. Until Nik Rock.

Nik stirs up feelings in degrees she has never experienced, and causes her to do things that most assuredly give him the wrong impression - like kiss him before their first date. Somehow, he breaks down the walls around her emotions until she has no choice but to forgive herself and feel again.

But a mysterious, troubled past follows Nik, and Cara may prove to be his weakest link.

When a royal princess shows up looking for Nik, and an international gang arrives looking for missing jewels, Cara lands in mortal danger. Will she be able to save herself? What will happen to her newly repaired psyche if she loses Nik?

Romance, mystery, and high stakes - just another day in high school. 

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Excerpt:

"Do you think they'll let you wear that dress?" Cara asked, eyeing how the fabric skimmed over Kelly's hip bone and even showed the curve of her thigh.

"What are they gonna do? Make me take it off?" Kelly asked.

"Kick you out."

"I'll wear a long wrap over it, so they won't know until I'm already in." Kelly closed herself into the dressing room again. "So, what do you say? Nik Rock is Towering Inferno, right?"

Cara didn't answer because standing three feet in front of her was Nik.

He raised his eyebrows at Kelly's statement and Cara wanted to crawl under the dressing room door and hide.

"Cara, don't you think so? I mean 'call the fire station' hot just isn't good enough for him,"

Kelly said. "Damn, this is even hard to get out of."

"What exactly is Towering Inferno, anyway?" Nik asked loud enough for Kelly to hear.

"Oh sssshyte." The door to the dressing room cracked open and Kelly's eye peered out. Seeing Nik, the eye slammed closed. "Hi, Nik."

"Kelly? Right?" Nik asked. A smile quirked his lips and he nodded in greeting before she chuckled and slammed the door shut, screaming like a crazy banshee chick.

During that thirty-second greeting, Cara's body had experienced dramatic temperature fluctuations from scorching hot embarrassment to frigid fear of having been caught, back to bubbling molten lava humiliation. Beads of sweat actually formed on her forehead and she knew her skin now had a strange underlying red tint, which under her oddly pale coloring looked more like a sickly orange.

When Nik's attention swung back to her, she saw concern flicker across his expression before he masked it with mirth. She gulped. Seeing amusement in his eyes, even a slight amount, made her stomach flutter and her head spin. She took a step backward and his expression grew wary.

Then a horrible thought struck her, and she blurted it before she could stop herself. "Are you shopping for prom?"



About the Author:
Kai Strand writes fiction for kids and teens. Her debut novel, The Weaver, was an EPIC eBook Finalist. King of Bad soared to the publisher's #1 spot its second month. She is a (very lucky) wife and the mother of four kids. The most common sound in her household is laughter. The second most common is, "Do your dishes!" Kai and her family hike, geocache and canoe in Central Oregon, where they call home.

Kai organized the free, themed, multi-author, short story blog, Lightning Quick Reads. She is available for personal appearances, workshops, and classroom or school visits. Feel free to contact her directly to discuss availability and request references.

Author Links:
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Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Cover Reveal: Tales of the Fairy Anthology: Volume 2: Steampunk Fairies @CathStovall







The contributors of the Tales of the Fairy Anthology: Volume 2: Steampunk Fairies are proud to present the official cover for this amazing collection of magic and machines, releasing on May 06, 2015. To join the release party for fun, games, and prizes, please click here.

About the Cover

This sensational piece of art was created by world renown artist and judge of the GSNTV television show 'Skin Wars', Mr. Craig Tracy. The very talented and generous Mr. Tracy owns his own art gallery in New Orleans, The Craig Tracy Gallery. For more information about Mr. Tracy, please click here.

About the Book

Never before have magic and machines come together in such a way as brought to you by the sixteen authors, poets, and artists of this collaboration. When the world of the Fae meets Steampunk, all things are possible and there are no limits to the places you will visit, the creatures you will meet, and the technology that you will discover. Put a little magic in your gears and open up your minds and hearts as you enter the world of Steampunk Fairies.

The Contributors

Lexi Ostrow

Samantha Allard

Andrea L. Staum

Kristin Snyder

Emma Michaels

Michael Cross

Beth W. Patterson

Michelle Cornwell-Jordan

Nicole L Daffurn

Audrey Gibson

Stephen T. De Marino

KC Finn

CL McCollum

Catherine Stovall

Samantha Ketteman

Jeannette Joyal


Cover Art

Craig Tracy of The Craig Tracy Gallery


Cover Design

Emma Michaels


Editor

Catherine Stovall


Publisher

Book Release Blast: Unattainable By Victoria Escobar @VEscobarWrites @GHBTours





Unattainable
By- Victoria Escobar
Genre- New Adult Contemporary
Publication Date- April 14th, 2015

Being the best comes with consequences.

She was the best thief Interpol ever tracked. When a job went wrong she had to make a deal with them to retain her freedom. Given the choice  between being locked in a cell, or complete a simple favor the answer should be obvious. But will that favor prove to be too big, even for the best?

He had been the best once. The right hand man of one of the most powerful women in the city, everyone respected and feared him. Then after a costly mistake he was left with an unpayable debt. He went from being the right hand to the collared dog. When he was tasked with creating ties that could subsequently wipe his debt, will he get out of the frying pan and into the fire? Or will freedom remain unattainable?

Cover Reveal: The Summer of Lost Wishes by Jessa Gabrielle @jessa_gabrielle @NereydaG1003 #YABOUNDBOOKTOURS




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The Summer of Lost Wishes
Release Date: 05/28/15

Summary from Goodreads:
When sixteen-year-old Piper Davenport's mom packs up their lives and heads to the coastal Florida town of Coral Sands, Piper doesn't care much for the view...until she catches a glimpse at Rooks Carter. 

Her mom's "look but don't touch" policy regarding the boy next door is all but impossible to maintain, especially since he's helping his dad restore Piper's new home, the Calloway Cottage. A gorgeous, shirtless boy makes this boring little town a bit more exciting.

But after Piper and Rooks discover a secret in the walls of the cottage, they have a chance to unravel the biggest mystery in Coral Sands history - unless someone unravels them first. 



About the Author:
Jessa Gabrielle is a young adult author who lives in the land of salt water, palm trees, and sandy shorelines. She believes that summer love is pure bliss and that she was a mermaid in a past life. Her debut, The Summer of Lost Wishes, will be out later this year.

Author Links:

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Book Blitz: The Ark by Laura Liddell Nolen @LauraLLNolen @XpressoReads @XpressoTours #XpressoBookTours #Giveaway




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The Ark by Laura Liddell Nolen
Published by: HarperVoyager
Publication date: March 26th 2015
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult

Synopsis:

There's a meteor headed for Earth, and there is only one way to survive.

With her criminal record, sixteen-year-old Char is never going to get a place on an Ark, one of the five massive bioships designed to protect Earth's survivors. The Arks are reserved for the real goody-goodies, like Char's mom, dad, and brother, all of whom have long since turned their backs on her.

With Earth on the brink of destruction, Char must use all her tricks of the trade to swindle her way into outer space, where she hopes to reunite with her family, regardless of whether they want to see her or not.

Once she arrives on the North American Ark, Char discovers that the remnants of humanity haven't achieved the egalitarian utopia they'd planned for. For starters, the "Officers of the Peace" are anything but peaceful, especially since stealing a spot on an Ark is a crime punishable by death…



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Excerpt:



On the last day of Earth, I couldn't find my hairbrush. That probably seems like a silly thing to worry about, what with the imminent destruction of, well, everything, but my mom was always after me about my usual ratty ponytail. Normally, I'd ignore her. Or, if I were having a really bad day, I'd tell her what she could do with her hairbrush. But like I said, it was the last day of Earth. And I figured, since it was the last time she'd ever see me, I wanted it to go smoothly. I wanted her to remember me, if not fondly, then at least without anger.

A girl can dream.

I slipped out of my cell as soon as the door swung open. I'd done the same every day for the past month, and my family had yet to show up. Their OPT-Off-Planet Transport-took off in eighteen hours, so they still had time. Barely. I couldn't blame them if they didn't come. It wasn't hard to imagine that they'd rather escape to the stars without so much as a backward glance at me, their big disappointment. Even my father's influence couldn't persuade the government to give me a spot on an OPT.

Turns out, when humankind is deciding which of its children to save, the last place it looks is in prison.

But I was pretty sure they'd come. West had said as much in his last transmission. The thought of my younger brother actually halted me mid-step, like one of those punches in the gut where you can't breathe for a few seconds.

"Looking for something?" The lazy drawl floated out of the nearest cell.

Against my better instincts, I turned to see Cassa lying on her bunk, her arm draped across Kip. My Kip. Or at least, my ex-Kip. Whatever. In twenty-two hours, I wouldn't have to think about him anymore.

See? Silver lining. And they called me a perpetual pessimist at my last psych workup.

They barely fit next to each other on the flimsy mattress, but that wasn't the weird part. The guys' ward was separated by a substantial metal wall. We were kept apart during evening hours, for obvious reasons. Not that anyone cared anymore. The med staff had been the first to go, followed by the cleaning crew, followed by the kitchen crew. To show you where girls like me fell on the government's list of priorities, there was still a skeleton crew of guards lurking around, despite the fact that I hadn't had a real meal for going on a week. The guards would be gone soon, too, and then there'd be no one in here but us chickens.

I figured either Kip had a key, or the guards had left already. A key could be useful. My curiosity got the best of me. "How'd he get in here before the first bell?"

He cocked an eyebrow. "I got some tricks you ain't seen, babe. Why don't you join us? End of the world and all."

The guards were gone, then. I felt a small trill of anxiety deep in my chest. If the guards were gone, my family was even less likely to show. But it was never smart to show fear. "The Pinball could be headed straight for this building, and I still wouldn't be desperate enough to touch you. Oh, wait. Guess you don't have to take my word for it."

I turned to leave, but he continued. "Now is that any way to treat your dear ole partners? Be nice or I won't give you back your stuff."

"Ugh, you were in my room?" I flexed my shoulder blades, making sure my gun was still tightly secured between them.

"Don't worry, Char. I didn't handle the merchandise. Didn't want to wake you up. Just lifted me a few keepsakes." He pronounced my name the way I like: Char, as in charred. Something that got burned.

I wasn't sure what Kip and Cassa were planning, but I knew I wouldn't like it. They were thieves and liars. I would know. I used to be one of them. That was before the last job, when Cassa had attacked an elderly man in the home we were robbing. She'd kicked him until he stopped fighting back. Kip had called her off after a few licks, but I just stood there, staring. The old man looked at me, like right at me, while we made our getaway, and my stomach twisted into a knot so tight that I tasted bile. That was the moment I knew I wanted out.

But by then, no one believed me. Or, if they did, no one cared. Except for Kip and Cassa, of course. They'd taken the news pretty hard, to put it lightly.

If I lunged for the box, I could probably grab my hairbrush and get out of there. I wouldn't have time for more than that. Then again, I'd be doing exactly what they expected, and I didn't have time for delays. My family could be in the commissary any second now.

"Ahem. Seeing as it's your last day of life, I might let you have one thing back," said Kip.

"In exchange for what?"

"I'm hurt. All our time together, and you still don't believe in my inherent generosity. But now that you mention it, I've got a hankering for some peanut butter crackers."

"Sorry, Kip. I'm fresh out of food. Kinda like everyone else."

"Nice try, Charrr." He drew my name out, as though tasting it. "I saw them yesterday. Figured you were hiding them under your pillow when I couldn't find them last night."

"You figured wrong."

All I could think about was my brother's face. And how I had this one last chance to apologize to my parents, for everything. I shrugged and turned to leave.

That was probably a mistake.



AUTHOR BIO:

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Laura grew up in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where she spent an excellent childhood playing make-believe with her two younger brothers. The Ark is the direct result of those stories and a lifelong devotion to space-themed television. It received a Work in Progress Grant from the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Laura has a degree in French and a license to practice law, but both are frozen in carbonite at present. She lives in Texas with her family.



Author links:

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Giveaway:

(1) ebook copy of The Ark Laura Liddell Nolen.
Open internationally.





Book Blitz Organzied By Xpresso Book Tours:

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BITTERSWEET by Michele Barrow-Belilse @MicheleBelisle @GoddessFish #Giveaway







BITTERSWEET
by Michele Barrow-Belilse
Published March 24th 2015


 BLURB:

To save the Faery world and her mother’s life, seventeen year old Lorelei sacrificed everything, and the dangerous bargains she made in Nevermore had lasting repercussions. Now safely back in her own world, Lorelei seems the same to her high school friends and her supernatural boyfriend, despite the dark magic growing within her. Love across dimensions is complicated, especially when an invisible veil between the two worlds is sealing, threatening to separate Lorelei and Adrius forever.

Determined to find a solution, Lorelei resorts to exploring her new found powers. But when her friends fall ill, and her healing touch only makes things worse, Lorelei can’t help but wonder if she's responsible.

Nightmares from the Nevermore tighten their icy hold when someone arrives determined to destroy Lorelei’s world, starting with those closest to her. Once again she’s forced to choose between her family… her friends… and a love that was ill-fated from the start.






Excerpt:

“One kiss and now you believe you love this creature? Preposterous. I will not have it. She has you hexed. Bewitched from your right mind. That is the only reasonable explanation to account for such impudence. Such lusting can only be derived from dark magic. It seeps from her pores, can you not feel it?” Mab, the Queen of Air and Darkness surveyed me with cold disdain before refocusing her wrath on her son. 

“I would never do that,” I blurted. “I’d never use magic to force someone into loving me.” Venus and I were very different that way.

Mab snarled. “Do not address me unless I have given you permission to do so,” she said. “I am the queen of this court. And you are nothing more than a whelp on the verge of losing her life.” Her cutting glare flicked back to her son. “I cannot allow this. You traipsing across lands following this…” she waved her hand in my direction. “It is madness. I prayed that after you'd taken a taste you would have been satisfied, satiated of such empty hollow carnal delights and moved on to saner tasks. Like serving your mother.”

“You removed me from your court, Mother. I no longer serve you,” Zanthiel replied evenly.

Mab’s voice lowered, and grew sickly sweet. “My darling, it was but to show you your love for me. Your loyalty lies within you still. It merely needed a subtle reminder.”

“By way of banning me from my home, and resigning me to live among thieves, shadows and the dead. It is an odd way of demonstrating motherly love.”

“There are many expectations of you. You cannot fulfill your duty with your mind blinded by your heart. This unhealthy obsession has you transfixed, Zanthiel. Can you not see? She has you immobilized.” Her voice grew louder and the rafters latterly shook. “And to what end?”

She looked at me, but I wasn’t certain she wanted me to answer, so I remained silent. I studied the chains enclosing Zanthiel’s hands and ankles. Could I break them open, dissolve them? What if something went wrong, and I hurt him instead? No, it wasn’t the right time. I glanced over at her statuesque guards, their skin blue from decades of cold. Two of them were studying me with a vile mix of curiosity and hunger. One caught my eye and he ran a bloated tongue across his chaffed lips. My stomach turned over.

“I am hers for as long as she requires my assistance. It has always been that way. Fated by prophecy. You know this to be true, Mother.”

He was having trouble speaking and yet his expression held that same icy glare. By looking at him you’d never know what pain he was in. But I knew him on a deeper level. I was beginning to see through his façade, like a smokescreen of glamour, I saw behind the mask. The fear and loathing and the inexplicable suffering as the iron ate into his flesh like acid.

The queen’s eyes narrowed and grew impossibly colder. “Why have you come? Surely you did not expect a grand and hospitable welcome. What purpose drew you into my court to face imminent death? Do speak now, whelp,” she said with sudden impatience. “And know that if you are caught lying I will cut out your tongue and feed it to the trolls.”

I shuddered, having no doubt she actually would. “We have a… request.”

I glanced at Zanthiel, blood seeping from the iron chains binding his wrists and ankles. I couldn’t let him continue to suffer. The poison would eventually seep into his bloodstream and kill him. Then she'd direct her wrath at me.

I took a tentative step forward, not fully convinced I wouldn’t be cut down where I stood, for being so bold.

But she leaned back against her throne and tapped a broken fingernail impatiently. “You have my full attention. Come out with it. What is this request of which you speak?” 


AUTHOR Bio:
A dreamer at heart, Michele Barrow-Belisle has always lived with one foot in this reality and one foot in another, one of her own imagining. So it follows that she would grow up to write about the characters from those enchanting worlds she knows and loves so well. A fan of all things romantic, her young adult novels are populated with scintillating witches, vampires and fey.  Her bestselling debut book series Fire and Ice (Faerie Song Trilogy) was optioned for a major motion picture this year. Michele resides in southern Canada with her hubby and son who indulge her never-ending obsession with reading, writing and most importantly… chocolate.  






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$10 Amazon/BN Gift Card





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