Book Blast: Twisted By N.L. Greene

Twisted

By: N.L. Greene

Genre: NA Contemporary Romance

Expected Release Date: September 13th, 2013 

Growing up isn't always easy.  But for most teenage girls, they can rely on their best friend to help them get through the process.  A BFF is something that is truly treasured and completely irreplaceable.  You share all of your secrets, and are loyal and honest with each other, even when you're acting just a little bit crazy.  You have each other's backs no matter what and you form a bond that is virtually unbreakable. 

At least that's what normal teenage girls experience. 

Nat and Mel have been bestie's since childhood and Nat has followed her blindly ever since.  But as Nat's friendship with Mel begins to lead her down the wrong path, she starts to question the sincerity of their relationship.  Nat starts to see Mel's manipulative, deceitful ways become more focused on her.  Will Natalie hold on tight to the friendship she's had her entire life, no matter what it cost her?  Or will she let her heart lead her to a relationship that's not so twisted.

Read More

Book Blitz: Hungry for Love Rachel Harris

Taste the Heat (Love and Games #1)
by Rachel Harris
Release Date: 07/08/13
Entangled Bliss

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBookstore

Summary from Goodreads:

One sexy fire captain. One Cajun chef, One combustible kitchen…

When chef Colby Robicheaux returned home to New Orleans to save her family restaurant, the last person she expected to reconnect with was her brother's best friend and her childhood crush. As tempting as a sugar-coated beignet, Jason is one dish she doesn't want to taste. Colby is counting down the days till she can leave the place where her distrust of love and commitment originated and go back to Vegas.

Fire captain Jason Landry isn't looking for love, either. He knows he should focus on finding the perfect mother for his daughter, but when he first sees Colby, all grown up and gorgeous, he can't help but be drawn to her. And when she suggests a no-strings-attached fling, Jason doesn't want to say no.

As their relationship grows more intense, Colby finds that Jason isn't as easy to leave behind as she thought. Could turning up the heat on something real be worth the possibility of getting burned?

**Guest Post***
A Dash of Spice: Are YOU Hungry For Love?

I love food. Growing up in New Orleans, events focused around meals were as big a part of my childhood as cartoons and chocolate. From seafood boils and barbeques, to red beans Mondays and fish-fry Fridays, my family and friends gathered together often with one objective in mind: to celebrate life via yumminess.

When I sat down to write Taste the Heat, I went in wanting to share this unique culture with the world. Over the years, Hollywood has certainly provided comedic fodder about my hometown, but rarely do they capture the strong family bonds and the deep-rooted love for community that makes up our lives. History is made and life is shared around our meals, and what better way for me to show that-and take it up a notch-than feature a trio of siblings who own a Cajun Restaurant.

Our feisty middle child, Cajun chef Colby Robicheaux, kicks off this culinary series of love and games, but she's far from the lone cook in this book. Jason Landry, aka our hottie fire captain hero, knows his way around the kitchen, too. And when these two collide on page, you best believe there's sparks. Because you see, food is more than just nourishment for our bellies. Or even a reason to gather with loved ones. Food is a universal language. Eating, and preparing a meal for someone special, is a sensual experience. And I have a lot of fun-some may say too much fun-exploring that in Taste the Heat

.

So this is my official warning: you will be hungry reading this book. Heck, you'll be hungry reading the entire series (Seven Day Fiancé featuring rugged big brother Cane releases October 14th). And to warn you properly, I thought it only fair to share one of my favorite excerpts… Bon appetit!

Delicious Excerpt:

Colby inhaled deeply, trying to get a hint of what Jason cooked. Not picking anything up, she asked, "What's for dinner?"

A muscle clenching and unclenching in his jaw was her only clue-and not much of one-before he said, "That's a surprise."

Curious, she let him pull her farther inside. But instead of heading toward the dining room as she'd expected, or even toward the more intimate kitchen table, he led her into the living room. He gently backed her against the leather sofa. "Take a seat."

Okay. No need for concern here, she told herself, sinking into the soft cushions. Just because she absolutely hated surprises, didn't trust them, and hadn't had a good one since her life fell apart twelve years ago, she didn't need to go mental. This was a date, and dates were supposed to be fun. Spontaneous. She could go with the flow.

Besides, it was possible he wanted to talk before they ate. Or watch a movie, breaking out the TV trays like they did when they were kids. She could handle that. It wasn't romantic, but she didn't need romance. She and Jason were just two old friends hanging out, throwing in some much needed benefits, and getting their freak on.

Do people still even say that?

Colby shook her head, her inner-monologue only confirming how long it had been for her. And how badly she needed this. She put on her sexiest smile and glanced up at him, feeling it freeze on her face when she glimpsed the object in his hands.

A black silk blindfold.

Now that was the type of surprise she could get behind.

"And the night takes a turn for the intriguing." She bit her lower lip as Jason sta rted rubbing the soft material between his long, work-roughened fingers. She cleared her throat and asked, "But shouldn't we eat first? You know, shore up our strength?"

Jason chuckled. "This is for eating." At her nose crinkle of confusion, he sank to his knees in front of her. "I'm going to feed you blindfolded."

Oh my.

She didn't know what she had expected from tonight, but this certainly wasn't it. Not that she was complaining. She knew very well how sensual food could be. And how turning off one sense heightened all the others. Colby swallowed hard as Jason leaned forward, gently stretching the elastic band of the blindfold.

"Do you mind?" His voice was a husky whisper at her ear. All she could manage was a small shake of her head. Already her pulse was taking flight and heat was pooling in her belly.

What will it be like later? Was it possible to self-combust from anticipation alone?

He chuckled lightly under his breath, most likely hearing the pant of her breath. She'd be embarrassed if she weren't so damn excited. As he secured the band around her head, the spicy scent of his aftershave flooded her senses, making everything electric. Goose bumps skittered down her spine as his palm smoothed the back of her hair. Just before tugging the silky material over her eyes, Jason looked into them and said, "Bon appétit, Chef."

A pop of a joint and the rustle of fabric told Colby that he was moving. The pad of his footsteps on the carpet grew faint, letting her know he was walking away, probably into the kitchen to get their dinner. She still couldn't pick up any scents, but then, the thrum of expectation coursing through her body made it hard to concentrate. Soon those same soft footsteps returned, growing louder as Jason neared. "I hope you don't mind, but I outsourced dinner. This is a three-course tasting."

She stopped herself from saying that all she wanted to taste at that moment was him. The admission seemed a bit over the top-even if it was the truth. Instead, she said, "Can't wait to see what you brought me."

The sounds of preparations stilled and then the warmth of Jason's hands pressed on her thighs. "Colby, before we start, I just want you to know that I care about you. And all I ask is that you trust me."

"I do trust you." Right now, in this moment, she couldn't think of anyone she trusted more.

He squeezed the sides of her legs and moved away, taking the heat of his skin along with him. A clink of glass meeting glass then, "Open your mouth and suck."

Colby barked a laugh. The teasing tone of his voice told her he knew exactly how that had sounded. "So that's how you're gonna play it, huh?"

His seductive whisper came at her ear. "Gotta keep you on your toes."

About the Author:

Rachel Harris grew up in New Orleans, watching soap operas with her grandmother, and staying up way too late sneak reading her mama's romance novels. As an adult, she continues to stay up late reading romances, only now she does so openly.

A Cajun cowgirl now living in Houston, she firmly believes life's problems can be solved with a hot, sugar-coated beignet or a thick slice of king cake, and that screaming at strangers for cheap, plastic beads is acceptable behavior in certain situations.

She homeschools her two beautiful girls and watches reality television with her amazing husband. She writes young adult, new adult, and adult Fun, Flirty Escapes, and LOVES talking with readers!

Website | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

***GIVEAWAY***

Grand Prize: (US only)
1-Cajun Wine Charm
1-Apron
4-inch mini icing spatula (great for frosting cupcakes or spreading just about anything), mini apple-shaped cutting board, microfiber dishrag.

International Giveaway:
$15 gift card to Amazon or Barnes & Noble

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz Organized by:

Read More

Book Tour: The Witches of Dark Root By April Aasheim

The Witches of Dark Root
The Daughters of Dark Root Series
April Aasheim

Genre: Paranormal/Fiction
Publisher: Dark Root Press

Date of Publication: June, 2013

ISBN-13: 978-0615819327
ISBN-10: 061581932X
ASIN: B00D6OUDDG

Number of pages: 350
Word Count: approx. 112,000

Cover Artist: April Aasheim

Book Trailer

  

Book Description:

Deep in the forests of Central Oregon is a town called Dark Root, a place shrouded in secrets, mystery, and witchcraft.

But for Maggie Maddock, Dark Root is also a prison, a place where she is forced to spend her days working in her mother's magick shop, forfeiting any dreams of her own. So when a mysterious stranger suddenly appears and offers to take her away from it all, Maggie jumps at the chance.

Now, seven years later, a strange phone call sends Maggie back to Dark Root and she is unprepared for what awaits her: a dying town, a sick mother, a renewed sibling rivalry, and a past she had hoped to forget.

Part Practical Magic, part Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, The Witches of Dark Root is a tale that seamlessly weaves the normal with the mystical, the mundane with the fantastic. Zipping in and out of time from Maggie's childhood as an apprentice witch to current day, where Maggie struggles with her increasing powers, as well as family obligations, The Witches of Dark Root is a book rich in both fantasy and heart which will leave readers believing in magic.

Excerpt:

Harvest Home, Dark Root, Oregon
October, 1995

"Maggie, wake up." Merry jostled her sister, rousing her from her nap on the couch.

Maggie sat up, rubbed her eyes, and looked around. For a moment she forgot that she was in the living room of Harvest Home.

"Already?" Maggie asked, pushing herself onto elbows.

A loud chime coming from the grandfather clock confirmed that that it was midnight, time for the ritual. Maggie felt the chill from the open door and looked around for her sweater.

"We aren't supposed to wear anything other than our robes tonight," Merry cautioned, but helped Maggie into the sweater, anyways.

"Where's Eve?" Maggie asked. If she was going to have to wander the woods in the middle of the night for some crazy ritual, then Eve better be up, too. Maggie saw her standing by the door, jumping up and down, not tired at all.

Miss Sasha and six of her friends emerged from the dining room, talking excitedly and exchanging knowing glances.

"You girls ready?" Miss Sasha asked. This was to be their first grown up moon chant and Miss Sasha could hardly contain herself. She noticed the sweater Maggie wore over her long blue robe and frowned but didn't mention it.

Merry, Maggie, Eve, and Ruth Anne followed their mother and her friends into the night.

It was cold and the sisters shivered as they wound their way along an old dirt road shrouded by trees to a circular clearing, a half-mile away. The girls had played in the clearing many times during the day, but this was the first time they had seen it beneath the light of a full moon. The grass looked dewy and lush as the soft light fell upon each blade, but the trees that surrounded the meadow looked foreboding and ominous, as if their long, twisted boughs were ready to snatch the girls, if given the chance.

"What are we doing here again?" Maggie asked, as they made their way towards the center of the circle. "...And how long do we have to stay out?"

The adults moved to a point in the very center of the clearing and the girls positioned themselves a few dozen feet behind them.

Ruth Anne surveyed the area and sat, cross-legged, on the moist grass. "We are rooting out the evil spirits that are trying to infest Dark Root." Her voice was as flat and informational as an encyclopedia entry.

She reached into the pocket of her dress and pulled out a key-chain flashlight and a comic book and started reading.

"How do we do that?" Maggie asked, watching as the elders--five women and two men--linked raised hands towards the sky.

They began singing, a soft melodic chant that Maggie had heard before.

Merry answered, "Every fall, the Council of Seven places a protective spell around our town. It must be done before the second half of the year begins, on November 1st. It keeps out the dark energies and ensures that the circle is strong."

Maggie hopped on one foot, and then the other, trying to find warmth in the chill of the night. "But why do we have to do it now?" she moaned. "When it's so cold?"

Ruth Anne responded, never lifting her eyes from her book. "It's the witching hour. According to legend, the hours between twelve and three AM are when all things magical, including witches, are at their most powerful." She turned the page of her book and cracked a smile at one of the drawings. "...It's too bad we can't keep out the crazy."

Maggie widened her eyes. "But if witches are the most powerful now, won't the bad things be more powerful too?"

"I'm scared," Eve said, jumping in place as the elders continued their chant. Eve liked magick, but only the lighter arts, and those that yielded her a reward. Merry took Eve's hand and kissed it, and Maggie latched onto Merry's other hand. "I'm scared, too," Merry fibbed.

Merry wasn't afraid of anything.

There was a long silence, followed by the heavy beat of a loud drum. Miss Sasha looked over her shoulder at her daughters, letting them know that it was almost their turn. They had been practicing the spell for weeks now, and Maggie hoped she wouldn't forget the words.

Ruth Anne set down her comic book and the four girls clasped hands and waded towards the center of the circle.

Miss Sasha nodded and the girls began their incantation.

As the Witching Hour chimes
And the whole world sleeps and dreams
We join our hands in sisterhood
Staving back the darklings
The circle stands, its shape eternal
Though the darkness is still beckoning
Our light will ward back the infernal
And shield us from the doomsday reckoning

Maggie was still tired and stumbled on a few of the words, completely missing some of them; however, Merry spoke them as loud and clearly as she recited The Pledge of Allegiance at school. All the while, Eve played with her hair and hardly tried at all. For her part, Ruth Anne recited the words without emotion, anxious to get back to her comic book.

"Who wrote the spell?" Ruth Anne had asked their mother earlier that day while they were preparing. "It doesn't sound right."

"It doesn't matter if it sounds right or not," Miss Sasha had explained. "It's the power of words--especially when spoken in numbers--that matters. When we stand together, no enemy would dare traverse the boundaries of Dark Root."

Maggie caught a movement to her right. She thought she had seen a dark form take shape and then vanish. And then another. Were they coming or going? She couldn't tell.

My Review:

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

Maggie left Dark Root a long time ago with her boyfriend Michael. They travel around a lot at first and then Maggie found a house that she wanted to fix up. So they worked hard to get the money to buy the house. Michael and Maggie with help from the people in their little community helped them do all the repair work on the house. Maggie named it Harvest Home. Maggie was Michael second in command as well as his girlfriend. Maggie wanted to get married but Michael didn't want to.

Maggie's sister called her and told her she needed to come home and visit their mother. Maggie didn't want to go home she didn't leave home all those years ago nor did she run away from home. No she ran away from her mother and she didn't want to go back home ever again. Michael tried to get her to go back and visit with her family. Maggie had no plans to go back until she caught Michael in another woman's bedroom. After catching Michael in this woman's bedroom with her arms around his neck it hurt Maggie very much. Michael tried to apologize to Maggie he tried to tell her that he loved her and that it wouldn't what she thought it was. Michael was begging Maggie to forgive him. But Maggie wasn't listening to a word he was saying she didn't believe him. She knew what she saw, she saw her man with his arms around another woman. So Maggie packed her bags and hopped on the next bus out of town. She didn't want to go back to Dark Root but she didn't have much choice at the time.

The driver of the bus didn't like Maggie for whatever reason. After they had been on the road for a while the bus driver stopped at a store to let everyone off the bus for a while to stretch their legs and go to the restroom. Maggie kind of got hung up in line at the bathrooms talking to a guy from Dark Root where she was from and where she was returning to. So by the time Maggie got in the bathroom and took care of business and came back out the bus had left. Maggie was like pissed off. She wonders why he would leave without her. Maggie was standing around trying to figure out what she was going to do when a couple of guys attack her. Maggie tries talking to them at first to get them to let her go when that doesn't work she starts fighting them with everything she has. The guy that she was talking to while waiting in line for the restrooms who is from Dark Root came to help Maggie by dragging the guy off of her. The guy Shane well he turns out to be a real decent guy and gives Maggie a ride to Dark Root I mean he was going that way anyways. Maggie and Shane knew each as children and often played together.

Maggie is returning home to help her sisters with their mother. Their mother is not doing well and now she needs her daughters to take care of her. Maggie is not thrilled about returning home but it is somewhere to go while she decides what she is going to do with the rest of her life. Maggie's little sister Eve has brought a guy home with her. She says that they are only friends but that is not the energy that she puts out. I think Shane and Eve's friend both may be attracted to Maggie. That is all I am going to say on that subject. Maggie is a witch, a witch who has never learned how to control or use her powers. But she just may be in for a surprise while staying at her mother's house which they call Sister House. Maggie is probably going to have to learn real quick how to use her powers with what is waiting for her at Sister House. I really loved reading The Witches of Dark Root and I liked all the characters, Maggie, Eve, Shane and Merry Maggie and Eve's sister. If you have not read The Witches of Dark Root then I highly recommend that you do especially if you like reading about witches. April Aasheim has done a wonderful job in writing The Witches of Dark Root it is a fantastic read.

About the Author:

April Aasheim spent her childhood traveling the Southwestern portion of the United States with her fortune- telling mother and her get-rich-quick dreaming stepfather. During that time, April and her family toured with a carnival company, sold bug repellant door to door, and resided in an abandoned miner's shack in The Superstitious Mountains of Arizona.

When April became a teenager she went to live with her biological father in California. Her father saw April's need to express herself and encouraged her to write her stories rather than tell them. By learning to write April was able to make sense of her family and the world she lived in. She continues to do that to this day.

April currently lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband. She is the mother of two incredible sons and the step-mother to a beautiful little girl. She is the author of numerious short stories, has contributed to several anthologies, and is the author of the well-received novel: The Universe is a Very Big Place.

The Witches of Dark Root is The first in the Daughters of Dark Root series and April looks forward to writing the second book in 2014.

Author Links:

Giveaway:

1 prize back featuring a mug, keychain, pen, signed book and a few assorted other goodies- open to US Shipping
5 Kindle Versions of the book gifted from Amazon
3 Signed paperbacks sent to winner- open to US Shipping.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Read More

Book Tour: Lord Griffin's Prize By Katalina Leon

Lord Griffin's Prize (Emerald Isle Fantasies)
by Katalina Leon
Paranormal Romance
Categories: Action/Adventure
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Release Date: July 10, 2013
Heat Level: Steamy
Word Count: 50,000

Available at:
Amazon | ARe | B&N | BookStrand | Ellora's Cave | Kobo

Description:

Part of the Emerald Isles Fantasies series

Tullamore Castle Ireland is an enchanted place where the unexpected happens. Phantom lovers materialize in haunted beds and a lonely griffin patrols the ramparts waiting to reclaim its mate. And that's just the beginning.

For the adventure of a lifetime Maeve de'Burgo visits Tullamore to study genealogy. Through a magical act and time travel she becomes embroiled in a dangerous medieval romance and the unfinished life of her ancestor. Maeve gets thrown back in time to be captured, ravished and cherished as a war chief's prize.

Ronan O'Griofa is a griffin-shifter, the most loyal of creatures. He's been trapped in limbo as the avenging guardian of Tullamore since 1332 AD and longs to be free. When the soul of his wife returns to the castle he's granted the privilege of becoming a man for one day to be her lover, win her heart and remind Maeve of a bond strong enough to last an eternity.

Warning: This title is intended for readers over the age of 18 as it contains adult sexual situations and/or adult language, and may be considered offensive to some readers.

Excerpt:

She walked around the room, making sure the door was locked and switching off the few lights still lit. The fading red embers of the fire glowed. The fire's soft illumination was lovely and provided just enough light to see. An errant sliver of moonlight cut across the room and lit Lord O'Griofa's portrait.

Maeve pulled the covers back and climbed into the massive bed, which could have comfortably slept several adults. She gazed up at the silk canopy. The viridian curtains surrounding the bed were woven with a subtle pattern that suggested to her tired eyes the faintest hint of feathery wings.

She noticed that the bed curtains could be drawn around the bed to either block light or create an oasis of privacy. She drew the curtains in hopes of preventing the first rays of dawn from waking her too early. She allowed her head to sink deep into the lush pile of pillows and sighed with pleasure that the bed felt as good as it looked.

She stretched across the crisp sheets with her eyes squeezed shut, wishing she had the energy or will to take off the bulky bathrobe, but before she could rouse herself to act she became aware of the warm weight of a solidly built man pressing down on her.

As if by magic a naked man materialized beneath the bedcovers. His warm skin radiated the faint but unmistakable scent of musk. He unknotted the robe and pushed the fabric aside, baring her breasts. A soft sigh crossed his lips.

She made a halfhearted attempt to stop him.

With gentle but decisive action, he took hold of her wrists and slowly slid her arms above her head, pinning her beneath him.

She gulped a startled breath as he parted her legs with his knee. The sensations were real. The wet tip of his heavy erection brushed between her thighs. She started to cry out in surprise.

"Hush," the man whispered. He grazed his lips against the side of her cheek. "Don't wake, my love-this is only a dream." The man's comforting voice was pure reassurance. "I've been waiting so long for you."

"Ronan?" She relaxed.

"Who else comes to your bed?" A quiet laugh crossed his lips as if it were a casual joke that often passed between them. He released his hold on her wrists. "Wrap your arms around me and make me feel loved." He leaned close and his warm breath flooded the side of her throat. "I need you, Maeve."

A shudder of desire seized her, impossible to deny. The man's voice was drenched with longing and coaxed myriad buried feelings to surface. She realized that every lover should plead for touch with this much conviction, yet so few did.

Dream or not, it had been ages since she'd felt sensations so fiery and she couldn't resist giving in. The dream man-Ronan or whoever he was-felt so good that she found herself wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders and drawing him close. The silky hair on his chest glided against her breasts. In a moment of uncharacteristic boldness, she reached down, took hold of his shaft and guided him between her legs. She rubbed the head of his cock against her with slow strokes, until he was slick and her clit peaked. Without further prompting she allowed him to glide inside.

"Oh Maeve." A husky groan escaped his lips as he sank deep.

Author Interview:

The Avid Reader: What inspired you to write Lord Griffin's Prize?

Katalina Leon: Griffins have always had a special place in my heart. According to 9th century Irish author Stephen Scotus, griffins mate for life and are "highly monogamous." If a mate dies the other will never re-mate, and that played a big part in my story. Griffins rule both air and land with justice and loyalty. So you see its hard to not love a griffin!

A few years ago, as an anniversary gift, my husband gave me a beautiful bronze casting of a griffin to place next to my writing desk. The Griffin is there as a symbol of eternal love and loyalty. My husband's a griffin at heart; he's protective, loyal and he never turns his back on his responsibilities. I brought as much of that sentiment as I possibly could to "Lord Griffin's Prize."

The Avid Reader: When or at what age did you know you wanted to be a writer?

Katalina Leon: I started writing about five years ago. Writing was something I sort of lucked into and fell in love with.

The Avid Reader: What is the earliest age you remember reading your first book?

Katalina Leon: This is easy to remember and totally ties in with Lord Griffin's Prize. Somewhere between three or four years old I became obsessed with an old set of Child's Craft books that I loved to look at. There was a beautiful illustration of a griffin lapping cream off the Milky Way. The griffin was my favorite illustration. It's still vivid in my mind. When I figured out that the words on the page corresponded to more information about the griffin-I was very motivated to learn to read.

The Avid Reader: What genre of books do you enjoy reading?

Katalina Leon: I read a little of everything. I'm always on the lookout for something inspiring.

The Avid Reader: What is your favorite book?

Katalina Leon: Boy this is a hard question to answer. I usually say "Jane Eyre" or "Wuthering Heights" because I truly love those books. Today I'll add Marion Zimmer-Bradley's "The Mists of Avalon". I read that book when I was young and it made a huge impression on me. Zimmer-Bradley did such a beautiful job of creating a mythical realm where the opinions and actions of women mattered.

The Avid Reader: You know I think we all have a favorite author. Who is your favorite author and why?

Katalina Leon: I love and respect so many authors, but here are a scant few: George Orwell is a master storyteller. Marion Zimmer-Bradley influenced my writing style. Truman Capote is perfect in his descriptions. Laura Kinsale made me fall in love with the romance genre-she was my first author's crush. That is today's short list. Tomorrow it will look different.

The Avid Reader: If you could travel back in time here on earth to any place or time. Where would you go and why?

Katalina Leon: This is easy to answer because I just wrote a book about it. "Fairy In The Flesh" is a contemporary woman's adventure at a summer art festival in Avignon France that turns into a trip back in time to Avignon of 1903 to meet her idol, Bohemian bad boy artist André Bosco. Magic, fated love and enchanted absinthe are part of the fun…

The Avid Reader: When writing a book do you find that writing comes easy for you or is it a difficult task?

Katalina Leon: Both! Some days it flows as fast as I can type, other days it's an act of self-discipline to stay put and write.

The Avid Reader: Do you have any little fuzzy friends? Like a dog or a cat? Or any pets?

Katalina Leon: I'm an animal lover. We've always had too many pets but right now we have only a freshwater fish tank and big beautiful Border collie mix named Molly.

The Avid Reader: What is your "to die for", favorite food/foods to eat?

Katalina Leon: I'll eat almost anything off the grill if it has char marks. Gooey dark chocolate desserts are good too.

The Avid Reader: Do you have any advice for anyone that would like to be an author?

Katalina Leon: Be persistent with your writing and honest but gentle in your criticism.

About The Author:

I'm an artist, an author, mother and wife. I write for Ellora's Cave, Loose Id Publishing and a couple new publishers to be announced soon. I try to bring a touch of the mystical and a big sense of adventure to everything I write because I believe there's a bold, kick-ass heroine inside all of us who wants to take a wild ride with a strong worthy hero.

Connect with Katalina Leon:
Website | Ellora's Cave | Loose Id | Amazon | All Romance eBooks | Night Owl Reviews Author Page | Pinterest | Facebook

Giveaway:

Prize is a $15 Amazon Gift Card. Contest is tour-wide, open internationally and ends Sept 14. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Read More

Cover Reveal: The Red Wife By Tyffani Clark Kemp

Read More

Review of Anywhere By J Meyers

Anywhere
by J. Meyers
Format: ebook

Publication Date: August 25, 2013

Buy Links:
Amazon | Smashwords

Blurb:

Skye Whitcomb is running from her troubles, and where better to run than Europe? Fresh out of college, she makes quick plans with her best friend Paige and hops on a plane.

Of course, nothing ever goes as planned—at least not for her. First, Paige has to bail, and Skye’s left to travel alone. Then she meets sweet and sexy Asher Benedict in Paris, and sparks fly after a night together on the train to Rome. He’s all kinds of perfect for her, but the timing couldn’t be worse since she was running from the altar when she left—so the last thing she wants right now is a relationship.

But Skye’s about to discover that no matter how far you run, love can find you anywhere.

My Review:

The following review is my honest opinion and not a paid review.

I don't read a lot of Romance books without a paranormal creature in it and wasn't sure I wanted to read Anywhere but when J asked me if I would review it I couldn't say no as I have read all of the books in the Intangible series and really loved them. I am so glad that J asked me to review Anywhere because I fell in love with it right from the very beginning. I touched base with Skye on so many levels that it was unbelievable. Her whole life Skye was always trying to get people to like her especially her mother by doing what she thought they wanted her to do. She tried to be what each person in her life wanted her to be so that they would like her. Skye's mother was always blaming her for things that were not her fault. She was always saying to her things like why are you doing this to me? After all I went through caring you for nine months. Why would any mother ever say that to their child? Why would any mother want to hurt their child like that? It's not like Skye ask to be brought into this world.

When Skye's boyfriend asks her to marry him she didn't want to get married but she said yes to him because that was what her mother and everyone else wanted her to do. All through college Skye planned to travel through Europe for a few months but her mother and boyfriend set a date and started making plans for them to get married after graduation. And Skye went along with it because that is what she had done her whole life. But she decided that she couldn't go through with it so before it was too late a week before the wedding Skye packed her bags went to see her boyfriend and told him she couldn't marry him and left with her best friend Paige and hopped on a plane for Europe. But upon arriving in Paris; Paige had to bail out early on Skye.

While in Paris all alone she meets a real nice guy Asher whom she starts to care about a lot. Skye is not looking for a boyfriend or to fall in love she just left a boyfriend back home and skipped out on their wedding. She is not looking for a relationship all she wants is to travel around Europe and find out who Skye is. She is tired of trying to please everyone else when they don't even know it. It doesn't matter what she does it is not right if it was not her mother's or her boyfriend's idea. She has figured out that she is never going to be happy if she doesn't stop trying to please everyone else and not herself. Skye is not a bad person and has always had a very kind and loving heart but man your heart can only take so much before it is ready to blow up.

Asher was such a nice and loving person as well. He let Skye be who she is and didn't try to make her into something else someone that he wanted her to be. He loved her for who she was and not for whom he wanted her to be. Asher could look into her eyes and see into her heart and he knew that she was a beautiful person inside. Asher took the time to listen to Skye when she talked. Everybody needs a pat on the back every now and again. They need to hear that they are doing well no matter what it is. They need to hear those three little words once in a while. Everyone needs to hear "I love you". If you never hear those words it doesn't matter what the person does it is not enough.

Anywhere really hit home with me and I am still thinking about it. I don't think that I will ever forget about Skye and Asher or about J's book Anywhere. It will always be at the back of my mine. J did a remarkable job in writing Anywhere I don't have the words to describe how great a book Anywhere is. I relate so much with Skye it is like J somehow got into my head and my heart and found Skye there. Thanks J for writing such a wonderful book. Anywhere is the best NA Romance book without a paranormal creature that I have ever read in my entire life. I don't think I will ever find another romance book to top it. If you like NA or Romance books of any genre even if you don't you will still fall in love with Anywhere I don't see how anyone could not love it. So I highly recommend it to anyone that is up for a challenge.

Author Links:

Read More

Cover Reveal: Aphrodite's War By Donna Milward

Book Title: Aphrodite's War

Author:  Donna Milward

Genre: Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy

Release Date: September 17, 2013

Blurb
Time crawls for bored gods. With no worshipers and no true purpose they grow weary of existence and long for distraction. Aphrodite and Ares, once lovers, now bitter foes, engage in a contest of wills using humans like toys. The stakes are high and the mortals are oblivious. 
Circumstance and chance brought Poetry, a jewelry artist and Adrian, a defense lawyer together. It's an unlikely but charmed meeting. Neither knows they are pawns in a battle much larger than their ordinary lives. Their world comes apart as they struggle through their feelings for each other...
Because Ares always cheats.

About The Author

Donna Milward lives with her beloved Troll and two cats in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. When she isn't writing, she can be found in her garden or planning Christmas.

Follow Links

Blog*Goodreads*Facebook*Twitter

Read More

Cover Reveal: Good Ghost Gone Crazy By Janiera Eldridge

I am happy to be a part of this cover reveal of Good Ghost Gone Crazy By Janiera Eldridge. Book #2 in A Killer Ghost Story. What do you think of the cover? Does it look kind of scary to you?

Synopsis to come soon!

Release Date: October/November 2013

****Other books by Janiera Eldridge***
Soul Sisters (Soul Sisters Series Book #1)
Dark Expectations (Soul Sisters Series Book #2)
Good Ghost Gone Bad (A Killer Ghost Story Book #1)
Zombie Cruise (Zombie Vacations #1)

About the Author:

Janiera enjoys feeding her book addiction when she not writing. Writing is therapeutic to her during her struggles with Fibromyalgia. Being unable to work a normal 9-5 is what encouraged her to write full time. She is also a book blogger at Beauty and Books where she mixes being a book nerd with keeping things chic. When not reading or writing she is freelance writing in the entertainment industry.When trying to relax she likes a huge yard sale on a Saturday morning, rainy days to read by and nacho cheese is her kryptonite. Soul Sisters is her debut novel.

Feel free to visit her book blog where she loves reviewing books and doing author interview at Books & Beauty. She loves feedback and welcomes any questions or comments to her email and FB Page and Twitter

Read More

Book Tour: Hugged by an Angel By Roberta Cappizzi

Title: Hugged by an Angel
By Roberta Cappizzi
Publication Date: July 22nd, 2013
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Sony | Kobo | Diesel

Blurb:

How can you ever love again when tragedy has crushed your heart?

Kathleen used to love life. She had plans, dreams, and faith in life; but that was before the accident that took it all away from her in an instant. Now that her beloved brother is dead and she's confined to a wheelchair, her future is but a dark cloud hovering above her head. How can she ever find the will to move on and keep living without him? Even the cares of the happy-go-lucky American physiotherapist who's helping her with her rehab therapies are all in vain. Life seems to have lost its meaning, until one night she receives an unexpected celestial visit…

Colin has been working as a physiotherapist in Dublin for almost five years, but he's never bonded so much with a patient like he is bonding with Kathleen; there's something about those sad blue eyes that makes him want to help her, to take away the pain that reminds him so much of his own. Having lost both his parents in a plane crash when he was only sixteen, Colin knows how it feels to have someone you love taken so abruptly away from you, and he makes it his mission to help Kathleen find her faith in life again. But something changes along the way…

Sometimes love can work miracles. If you believe.

Excerpt:

The last few months had flown quickly. So many things had happened, including the birth of Chris and Melissa's son. I barely had time to realize it was nearly Christmas until today, Christmas Eve. Now that I was in my mom's kitchen, baking gingerbread cookies with my siblings just like we used to do when we were children, I almost expected Declan to walk in at any minute and help us with the decorating.

"David, can you please stop ruining those cookies?"

Our mother sounded as if she was on the edge of exasperation, but I couldn't really understand why she had to make so much fuss about it. She'd been worrying too much about tomorrow's lunch, and I knew it was because of Colin and his grandmother coming over. He'd spend Christmas Eve with his grandmother and his aunts, but we'd agreed they'd both spend Christmas day with us so he could officially be introduced as my boyfriend, although everyone in my family knew we were dating.

Ever since I'd told my mom I'd invited them she'd become obsessed with food and kept fussing over the smallest details. Like the gingerbread cookies. David had appointed himself Official Decorator while Maggie and I kneaded and baked, and he'd actually been doing a good job so far.

"Why, what's wrong with my cookies?" David asked innocently, looking at me for support. I smiled.

"There's nothing wrong with them, David. I'm sure Colin won't mind if the gingerbread men have a silly face or Santa's suit," I said, and Mom snorted, shaking her head. I really couldn't understand why she acted as if the King of England was coming to lunch. It was only Colin after all and, knowing him, he'd love David's creativity. I looked at his last work of art and gaped at it when I realized what he'd done. "Gosh, David. Does that cookie have dreadlocks?"

Our mother's head whipped up, and she took a step toward the table, smacking David's head and causing me to giggle.

"Okay, okay! Got it, ma!" he said in a huff, and picked up the cookie, smirking at me. "This was my masterpiece but since no one seems to understand my talent, I guess I'll have to eat it myself. Want the head, sis?"

I grinned and he gave me half of the cookie, popping the other piece into his mouth and munching happily.

"Hmm…delifous!" he said with his mouth full, crumbs spilling over the table. I giggled, eating my share.

"David, you're such a child!" Maggie chided, shaking her head and playing the part of the adult for once.

"Here's the pot calling the kettle black. You're worse than me!"

"No, I'm not, you idiot!" Maggie retorted, throwing a dish towel at him that he deftly dodged.

"Your aim sucks, Maggie. Try again." David looked at me and chuckled, which infuriated Maggie even more. She tossed a coaster, and he ducked his head. It hit a plastic jar on the counter and made it tumble to the floor, rice spilling everywhere.

Our mother let out an exasperated snort and David stuck out his tongue at Maggie.

"Mom!" she whined, and I stared at the scene, feeling as if we'd gone back to Christmas Eve some fifteen years ago or so when David used to love teasing Maggie just for the sake of it.

"Yes, run to Mommy, Mag. That's all you've ever been able to do!" David said, in a childish tone and Maggie's cheeks turned red with anger.

"Stop it, or I swear I'll kick your arse!"

"You've gotta catch me first," he said with a smirk, and he was out of the door a second later with Maggie in hot pursuit, cursing after him. I couldn't help but laugh while I cleaned the mess they'd made. As my mom handed me a clean towel, she bent her head and shook it in resignation.

"You're lucky you don't live here anymore; sometimes I feel more like a kindergarten teacher than the mother of twenty-year-olds."

I smiled, knowing too well how childish Maggie and David could be. Still, the silly banter that had gone on between them had made me feel a little nostalgic, and for a moment I really wished I could turn back the hands of time and be back in this house, with my siblings running around and Declan still alive. My mom must have noticed the expression on my face because a moment later she crouched down on the floor next to me and laid a hand on my thigh.

"I still think of him every single day," she whispered, and I could hear the slight trembling in her voice. "Every time I stand in front of his grave I can't bring myself to believe my son is buried there. When you came home today, I almost expected him to show up, too, just like he did last year-like he did every year since he left home."

I took her hand in mine and squeezed it. I'd avoided talking about Declan, I'd never been to the graveyard with her, even though she'd asked me to, and now I felt awful about it all. I'd thought it would be best not to mention him because I didn't want to cause her any more pain than she was already in, but I hadn't thought that not talking about him wouldn't erase it. Pretending nothing had happened and that he was still living in New York wasn't going to help Mom or anyone else get over the sorrow.

"So did I," I whispered, and my mother looked at me with eyes filled with sorrow. "I miss him, too, Mom; I still wish it had all been a bad dream, that I'll wake up and find out the accident never happened."

She nodded and brushed my cheek, smiling condescendingly.

Top Tens:

Favorite authors

1. Rosamunde Pilcher

2. Maeve Binchy

3. Nicholas Sparks

4. Cecelia Ahern

5. Sophie Kinsella

6. Melissa Hill

7. Ali McNamara

8. Priscilla Glenn (indie)

9. Sophie Moss (indie)

10. Stephenie Meyer

About the Author:

An avid reader since her childhood years and being an only child, Roberta always enjoyed the company of her fictional friends from the children's books she loved reading, while she dreamed of writing her own stories one day.

It was when she discovered novels by authors Rosamunde Pilcher and Maeve Binchy in her teenage years that she realized it was time she put down in words the stories she had kept well hidden in her mind until then.

What started as a hobby, soon turned into a real passion and a way of life, until she could no longer keep the stories to herself, and decided to get over her fears and share them with the world.

Roberta lives in Italy, but her dream is to move out of her country and live either in a thatched cottage in the Irish countryside or in a country house with a swing on the back porch, somewhere in the United States, where she would love to spend her days writing novels as a full-time job, and maybe one day even get as far as writing a screenplay for a movie.

Author Links:

Facebook Event

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Read More

Book Blitz: American Girl on Saturn By Nikki Godwin

American Girl On Saturn

by Nikki Godwin

Release Date: 08/24/13

Summary from Goodreads:

The summer after graduation is supposed to be that first real taste of freedom - but not for eighteen-year-old Chloe Branson. Just as that breeze of freedom is making its way into her galaxy, her secret-service-agent dad drops a meteor-sized bomb of bad news on her and her sisters. An attempt has been made on the lives of Canadian boyband, Spaceships Around Saturn, during their USA tour, and the guys have to go into hiding ASAP. The only problem? In the midst of the crisis and media frenzy, their dad volunteered to hide the guys...in their house.

Six-year-old Emery is as ecstatic as any self-proclaimed Saturnite would be, but Chloe and her seventeen-year-old sister Aralie watch their summer plans crash and burn like a falling star. The SAS guys aren't happy with the situation, either. Bad boy Jules picks fights with Aralie about everything from his Twitter followers to his laundry, and heart-throb Benji can't escape Emery's fangirlisms for more than three minutes.

But after the super-cute Milo kisses Chloe during a game of hide-and-seek, she finally understands what Emery means when she talks about SAS being "out of this world." If this is what Saturn feels like, Chloe doesn't want to come back to Earth.

Excerpt 2:

Mom enters the kitchen and shreds away all of my half-courage. "Chloe, sweetheart, I need to talk to you," she says.

There's not a single social event I can think of that I may need to cancel today. No parties. No festivals. No lunch dates. Maybe Aralie had something planned, and I have to do damage control.

"This is really hard for me to say, but Ms. Sue called me this morning," she says. Who in the world is Ms. Sue?

"She said you stopped by their store last night," Mom continues. "She wasn't trying to rat you out, but she was very concerned and wanted me to be aware of what was going on."

Oh God. The cigarettes! I ease over a few steps and look into the dining room. Jules stares back at me, wide-eyed and stupid. Then he looks away and buries his face. Noah hits Jules's arm, and Jules motions for them to shut up. He's seriously going to let me take the fall for this! I turn my back to the dining room because I have to keep my composure through this, and seeing Jules Rossi right now is not helping my composure.

"Chloe, I know things have been rough these last few months," Mom says. It's the sympathy tone. "But smoking isn't the answer. If you need to talk to someone, you can always come to me or Dad or even Godfrey. Or we can pay for therapy sessions."

"Mom, I'm not smoking," I insist. "And I don't need therapy. I'm completely fine. Really."

She tilts her head and studies me like she did on graduation night, while she cried because her baby was all grown up. She has those same worried eyes now that she had when she talked about setting her baby bird out to fly on her own. Please, Mom. Don't call me a baby bird while 3/5 of SAS is listening.

"Sweetheart," she says. "I just know you went through a lot with that break up, and seeing Deacon the other day couldn't have made things any easier, especially when he acted like he did. I know you had big plans this summer, and I wish things could've gone as planned."

"I'm okay, Mom," I say through my teeth.

"Then why were you buying cigarettes, Chloe? Ms. Sue wouldn't just make that up," she says.

Her voice pleads with me, like she's truly heartbroken and worried. She doesn't even seem mad about it. I don't know who this Ms. Sue woman is or where she was hiding at that service station, but damn her all the way across the universe for running her big freaking mouth.

"They were for me." The voice is directly behind me.

But it's not Jules.

About the Author

Nikki Godwin is a Young Adult author from the southern USA. She is a city girl who can't live without Mountain Dew, black eyeliner, Hawthorne Heights, and candles from Bath & Body Works. When not writing, she's not-so-secretly internet-stalking her favorite bands. She is slightly obsessed with rock stars and surfers. She no longer hides her love for One Direction.

***Author Links***

   

***GIVEAWAY***

1 signed paperback + swag (US only)

3 e-book copies (INTL)