Release Day Blitz: Hearken Daughters Of the Sea By Kristen Day @kris10_day @MarkMyWordsPR

Hearken ( Daughters Of the Sea #4 ) 

Now Available!

7/22/14

When the evil you fear is born from within, who will save us…from ourselves?

Sometimes our souls hear what our minds and hearts refuse to accept. It will whisper its continuous cadence until we're strong enough to glimpse the truth. But when the soul's whispers morph into screams, we're forced to gaze into the mirrors of time and see ourselves for who we really are.

Grappling with her newfound leadership position, Stasia begins to experience a recurring nightmare of murder, as well as curious reveries about a violet-eyed girl who can control the moon. When tragedy grips the Tydes and several important relics are stolen from the Sons of Daimon, Stasia's Council leaves for the forgotten island of Atlantis. Unfortunately Atlantis harbors its own secrets, and they are all calling to Stasia. As her nightmares become worse and she begins to lose control of her mind, those around her must find a way to reach her…and fast.

Olivia Campbell is used to getting what she wants, when she wants it. But destiny never asked Olivia what she wanted. Being Chosen to be a Paladin at birth had not been something she wanted, and she definitely hadn't wanted her charge to be Anastasia. Unfortunately their irritatingly persistent Atlantean guide, Sebastian, seems to know all about her and the secrets she's been hiding. As she fights to protect Stasia from an unknown force, Olivia's own courage and loyalty will be tested in ways she never imagined. Will she be able to tell Stasia the truth before it's too late for them both.

Purchase your copy of Hearken today!

Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/1kaS2By

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/Hearken-SmashwordsLive

Kobo: http://bit.ly/Hearken-Kobo

Amazon: http://bit.ly/Amazon-KristenDayAuthorPage

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/BN-KristenDay

Haven't read the first 3 in the series?! 

"The rights to The Daughter's of the Sea Series is in the process of being reverted back to Kristen Day. Because of this, Forsaken, Awaken, and Chosen will no longer be available to purchase through the major online retailers until Sept 22nd. On that date, they will be available again for purchase To find out more information about The Daughter's of the Sea series please sign up for her mailing list or feel free to email Kristen's publicist at rachel@mmwpr.com "

Available for Pre-Order on Smashwords!

Daughters of the Sea Series! 

Book #1 - http://bit.ly/Forsaken-PreOrder-Smashwords

Book #2 - http://bit.ly/Awaken-PreOrder-Smashwords

Book #3 - http://bit.ly/Chosen-PreOrder-Smashwords

About Kristen Day

Website / Facebook / Twitter

 

I am a southern belle at heart with a crazy streak that desperately tries to escape at every opportunity. I love all things nostalgic, rustic, and quirky. I've been told I see the world through rose-colored glasses, but I prefer to think of them as kaleidoscope glasses - swirling and morphing reality into something I can digest (who hasn't pretended those pasty lima beans were really kiwi strawberry jelly beans?). 

When I'm not writing I'm making jewelry, painting, drinking sweet tea, watching the discovery channel, or going on random adventures in the mountains of North Carolina with my amazing husband.

Read More

3 Day Book Blast: Tatted Mom's Guide to NOT Screwing Up Your Kids By Morgan Moss @tattedmom81 @VBTCafe #Giveaway

Title: Tatted Mom's Guide to NOT Screwing Up Your Kids
By Morgan Moss
Book Genre: Nonfiction Parenting/ Humor Parenting
Publisher: Inklings Print
Release Date: October 17, 2013

Book Description:

Motherhood is chaotic.
Some days are filled with unicorns and fairy dust, and some days the unicorn craps on your brand new rug and the fairies are flying around, crashing into walls. Mainstream parenting books help with the unicorn and fairy dust days, but what happens when your kid drops the f-bomb in a crowded grocery store?

That's where "Tatted Mom's Guide to NOT Screwing Up Your Kids" comes into play, tackling situations in motherhood that you were definitely not warned about. Think of this book as your manual to the parenting problems that leave you throwing your hands up in the air, wondering if you are the only mom who goes through this craziness, and has you hiding in the back of your closet with a bottle of Moscato and a cheesecake (we've all been there).

"Tatted Mom's Guide to NOT Screwing Up Your Kids" includes:
~The myths that mainstream parenting books tell you, and how they don't apply to every mother.
~How to deal with temper tantrums from toddlers to tweens.
~How to "win" the various battles you will have with your children (like the Personal Hygiene Battle and the Clothing Battle)
~Tips on dealing with picky eaters and the difficult potty trainee.
~Helping build your tween's self esteem and creating a strong family unit.
~Motherly advice on parenting from birth until the tweenaged years (around 12 years old)
~Mom Competition, unplugging your kids, chores, peer pressure and more!

Written by an unconventional, tattooed, colorful mother whose out-of-the-box parenting tips have proven successful for many families, regardless of parenting style, "Tatted Mom's Guide to NOT Screwing Up Your Kids" weaves together helpful advice with humorous stories from the author's own trials and tribulations as a mom, as well as stories from other moms and dads on their own parenting journeys.

So get the kids in bed, grab a glass of wine and something sweet from your hidden stash of goodies (we all have one of those, too), and crack open "Tatted Mom's Guide to NOT Screwing Up Your Kids". Your mom-sanity will thank you.

Excerpt:

Chapter 7: Fixing More Than Macaroni and Cheese

Myth #1: Fixing my kids what they want ensures that they are at least eating something. If I don't fix them what they'll eat, they'll starve.

Tatted Mom's Truth #1: Your child will not starve themselves. I can 100% guarantee it. These are the same kids who make mud pies in the back yard and try them out to see what they taste like. They will not pass down a hot meal of seafood alfredo because the little shrimps look gross. They reason so many moms use this as an excuse is because they try for one meal to get their kids to branch out, and when it doesn't work, they give up. Let the kids skip that meal. I promise you, they won't skip the next one. And don't go letting them have snacks after the dinner they refused to eat, either. That just reinforces the horrible eating habits. This whole picky eating thing is usually a test of wills with kids. They love macaroni and cheese and chicken nuggets, so they turn down everything else put in front of them until you feed them their favorite meal again, and they stick to it. The more you give in, the more they will take advantage of you.

Tips for Creating Healthy Eating Habits in Children

1. Introduce your kids to the kitchen as soon as possible. Each of my kids was around the age of two when I had them actually help me prepare meals, but even before that, I'd put them in their high chair, give them a snack and pull the high chair into the kitchen while I prepared a meal with fresh meat and vegetables. I've always had my kids pick out meals for us, help cut vegetables, or even given them easy instructions for sauces. When they were too young for any of these options, I had them hand me things so I could cook. A toddler feels like king of the world when you say to him, "Hand Mommy that spoon right there, please," and even if he hands you the salt, a random apple or the cat instead, he's a big boy who helped his mom make dinner. Having the kids interact with the cooking process almost guarantees them to eat it, because their pride will kick in, as well as their curiosity. They'll think, "I helped make this sauce, so I wonder if it sucks or not." Plus, they'll see that, despite the fact that those shrimp look like fat worms, no worms went into the making of the meal.

2. Put the "Mom is eating something, I want a bite" quirk of motherhood to work for you. It never fails. As soon as you go to take a bite of your favorite cake or try and sneak a single M&M into your mouth as a mom, your child will appear out of nowhere and ask for a bite. I can remember one afternoon, when I was chopping up red peppers to go on a vegetable tray for a cookout we were going to, and as I popped a fresh red pepper slice into my mouth and started crunching away, The Girl, two at the time, appeared out of thin air and asked for a bite. I stared at the red pepper for a moment and thought there was no way she would eat it- two year olds didn't eat fresh red peppers. But, I handed her one anyway, she took a bite, and happily trotted off with a smile on her face. No dressing on it, no salt, nothing, and the child ate it and returned for a second one. Nine years later she's not a fan of red peppers anymore, but when I put a vegetable tray out for us to munch on, she'll eat carrots, celery, raw broccoli, cauliflower, cherry tomatoes and cucumbers. This concept worked at introducing my kids to sushi, too. Hubby and I love the stuff, so we would get some for just us and order the kids stir fry or their favorite Asian dish. Curiosity got the best of both of them, and soon they wanted to see why Hubby and I loved sushi so much. We let them try it, and they were hooked.

Author Interview:

What inspired you to write "Tatted Mom's Guide to NOT Screwing Up Your Kids"?

I was a humor parenting blogger for a few years before writing my book, and my readers kept telling me I should compile blog posts, add some new material, and write a humorous-yet-helpful guide. Of course, I couldn't have written anything, even my blog, without the craziness of my kids, so they are my true inspiration behind my writing.

When or at what age did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I don't think I ever consciously decided to become a writer. My mom is a writer, and has published a few books, so I grew up being heavily influenced by writing. I wrote short stories and poems as a kid, just to keep my imagination active. When I got older, I found writing on my blog to be therapeutic, so I wrote to process through things in my life.

What is the earliest age you remember reading your first book?

My mom says I was reading by the age of 5, but my fondest memories of reading only date back to when I was about 8 years old or so. I used to volunteer in the library with my grandmother during the summer, and after re-shelving a cart of books, I would pick a book at random, sit in the middle of the aisle and finish it all, then just place the book back on the shelf.

What genre of books do you enjoy reading?

I enjoy everything from chick lit to mystery, from horror to supernatural romance. I think they call my favorite genre "Magical Realism"- Books by Sarah Addison Allen, Alice Hoffman, etc.

What is your favorite book?

My favorite book from recent years is probably "The Sugar Queen" by Sarah Addison Allen. I laughed, I cried, I related to that book, and read it in about 4 hours one day.

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

Sarah Addison Allen, definitely. I just love how her books take ordinary life and make it magical. I can sit down with one of her books and finish it in a matter of hours, hungry for the next one.

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

I have a very strange fascination with the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, so I would travel back to Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963 to see if I could figure out who really shot him. It is a very strange fascination, yes.

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

I have easy days and hard days. When the timing is right, I get lost in writing, and before I know it, the kids were home from school and I hadn't eaten breakfast or lunch. Then there are days I would stare at my computer screen, drawing a blank. I don't force things on those days.

Do you have any little fuzzy friends? Like a dog or a cat? Or any pets?

I have a dog and 3 cats, but with our upcoming move to Japan (my husband just got military orders), we have to let a family member borrow 2 of the cats for a few years.

What is your "to die for", favorite food/foods to eat?

I recently found a dark chocolate candy bar with blueberries and lavender in it- I lay in bed at night and eat it while I read. It's definitely my guilty pleasure.

Do you have any advice for anyone that would like to be an author?

Write what you know, don't give up, don't push yourself on the days your brain just isn't working, and self-publishing isn't as hard as you may think it is, so always keep that option open in your mind.

About The Author:

Morgan Moss is the creator of The Inklings of Life humor parenting blog, which was named a Top 10 Mom Blog of 2013 by the parenting website VoiceBoks. Many of her parenting and motherhood articles have been featured on sites such as the Huffington Post, Babble, WhatToExpect.com, Mamapedia, Parent Society and BlogHer.com. She is a trained tattoo artist, and spends her free time creating mixed media art.

Giveaway:

Signed paperback of A Tatted Mom's Guide To NOT Screwing Up Your Kids

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Organized By Virtual Book Tour Café

Spotlight: Lovely, Dark, and Deep By Susannah Sandlin @SusannahSandlin @RoxanneRhoads #bewitchingbooktours

Lovely, Dark, and Deep
The Collectors, Book 1
Susannah Sandlin

Genre: Romantic Thriller

Heat level: moderate; language; violence

Publisher: Montlake Romance

ASIN: B00H27TJ6U

Number of pages: 320
Word Count: 95,000

Get it at Amazon

Book Description:

From award-winning author Susannah Sandlin comes a heart-pounding romantic thriller that pits a quick-witted scientist and a scarred ex-combat diver against a ruthless billionaire treasure hunter with ties to the White House.

When biologist Gillian Campbell makes an offhand comment about a family curse during a TV interview, she has no idea what her words will set in motion. Within days, Gillian finds herself at the mercy of a member of the C7, a secretive international group of power brokers with a dangerous game: competing to find the world's most elusive treasures, no matter the cost, in money or in lives.

To save her family, Gillian teams up with Shane Burke, a former elite diver who's lost his way, navigating the brutal "death coast" of the North Atlantic to find what the collector seeks: the legendary Ruby Cross of the Knights Templars, stolen by Gillian's ancestor and lost at sea four hundred years ago.

Excerpt:

He wasn't sure what woke him, but the first thing Shane Burke saw when he cracked open his eyelids was the bottle of Jack Daniel's, tipped over and resting on its side. He could've sworn he finished it off last night but there was at least an inch of rich amber liquid still resting inside.

Good. Now he didn't have to wonder what he'd have for breakfast.

The second thing he saw was a great pair of legs. Well, technically, a great pair of ankles above a pair of leather sandals, and then the legs.

Obviously, he was starting his Saturday morning with hallucinations.

Only one good solution for that. He dangled an arm off the side of his bed and almost had his fingers wrapped around the neck of the bottle when one of the leather sandals kicked his buddy Jack Daniel's under the bed, clipping his hand in the process.

"Ow." Hallucinations didn't take his booze and kick him in the knuckles.

Ignoring the throbbing in his hand and the stabs of hangover agony behind his eyeballs, Shane rolled onto his back and squinted at the rest of his non-hallucination.

Shoulder-length hair that fell in a sheen of dark chestnut brown, fair skin, fierce brown eyes, red lips compressed in a tight line, black skirt and white blouse, big briefcase-style purse. Had he picked her up at Harley's last night? If so, he had to cut back on the sauce.

"Sorry," he mumbled. "I forgot your name." Pity, 'cause she was a hot little number, way classier than the regulars at Harley's. It's not like he got laid so often that he could afford to forget it when he did.

"We haven't met." She propped her hands on her hips and muttered something that sounded like, "And you're supposed to help me?"

Help her with what? Wait, maybe she was a charter. Had he chartered The Evangeline out to a tour group or fishing party today? Surely he'd remember if there was money coming in.

Color him officially confused. He struggled to a seated position and gave her another look. "What am I supposed to help you with?"

She crossed her arms and raked a ball-shriveling gaze the length of his body. "I came here to offer you a job, but I don't think you're up to it."

He tugged the sheet up in self-defense. "I'm not at my best. Ever consider making an appointment? Not dropping in at the crack of dawn?" He had no idea what time it was but it couldn't be that late.

"It's past noon. And I didn't figure, given your financial situation, that you'd be so picky about what time of day someone offered you money." She shook her head. "Never mind. This was a mistake."

She banged her head on the low doorway out of the master cabin, which served her right, the sanctimonious shrew.

About The Author:

Susannah Sandlin writes paranormal romance and romantic thrillers from Auburn, Alabama, on top of a career in educational publishing that has thus far spanned five states and six universities-including both Alabama and Auburn, which makes her bilingual. She grew up in Winfield, Alabama, but was also a longtime resident of New Orleans, so she has a highly refined sense of the absurd and an ingrained love of SEC football, cheap Mardi Gras trinkets, and fried gator on a stick.

She's the author of the award-winning Penton Legacy paranormal romance series, a spinoff novel, Storm Force, a standalone novelette, Chenoire, and a new romantic thriller series, The Collectors, beginning this month with Lovely, Dark, and Deep. Writing as Suzanne Johnson, she also is the author of the Sentinels of New Orleans urban fantasy series. Her Penton novel, Omega, is currently nominated for a 2013 Reviewer's Choice Award in Paranormal Romance from RT Book Reviews magazine.

Website and Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Read More

Release Day Blitz: Minstrel's Serenade By Aubrie Dionne @AuthorAubrie @GHBTours

Minstrel's Serenade  

By- Aubrie Dionne

Genre- Fantasy/Romance

Expected Publication Date- July 21, 2014

Published By- Lyrical/Kensington

He's sworn to protect her, but can he save her from himself?

Danika Rubystone has hated the minstrels ever since her mother ran away with one. As Princess, she's duty bound to marry Valorian, a minstrel from the House of Song. But problems in the kingdom are mounting. With her father dead she's the sole heir to an imperiled throne, and wyverns attack Ebonvale's southern shores. But after Danika finds a lone survivor of a wyvern's attack who holds the key to protecting the kingdom and she finally meets the enchantingly sly Valorian, everything changes.

As Ebonvale's Royal Guard sails with the minstrels to smite the uprising of wyverns, Danika dances a line between sticking by duty like her father, or following her wild heart like her mother.

  

Read More

Release Day Blitz: Spirit Warriors: The Scarring By D.E.L. Connor @del_connor @writeawaybliss #Giveaway

The Scarring (Spirit Warriors #2)

by D.E.L. Connor

Genre: YA Fantasy

Publisher: Booktrope

Published: July 21, 2014

Length: 244 pages

Blurb:

"One of us would finally end what had been started by the machayiwiw so many years ago. I would have to kill him. It was just that simple. I never thought I would want to kill anybody or anything, but maybe I never had anything worth killing for before."

-Emmeline Rima Belrose, The Scarring (Spirit Warriors, Book 2)

In the majestic beauty of a Montana summer, Emme and her friends celebrate her near-drowning survival and their defeat of the powerful evil spirit, the machayiwiw. But even as they rejoice, things are amiss. Emme watches helplessly as her family divides, and her friends struggle to hold their relationship together. Worse yet, the love-of-her life, Charlie, announces that he will move back to the reservation, without Emme. Different nightmares take over and Emme realizes she must fight and kill-or watch those she loves be killed. Friends from the reservation reach out to Emme and show her what evil can steal from her. Emme believes that evil can never break her bond with the Spirit Warriors or the love she shares with Charlie. Or can it?

Goodreads

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | itunes

Although this is the second book in the Spirit Warriors series, it can be read as a stand alone novel.

Excerpt

Ron looked over at me. I stared back at him. "Do you understand what I have told you, child?" Ron asked me.

I nodded. "Charlie is a spirit mover."

Ron nodded. "Among other things."

Ron went on, "Charlie is having more and more speaking times with the warriors. There is a sense of urgency now that Charlie learns how to shift spirit warriors into human bodies. He has been practicing with Ryan and Hawke. He is making some progress, but it is taking a long time. Charlie is weakening with the increasing talking times. He does not know when they will come and he has been injured many times. Our people now make sure he is never alone. We cannot risk his injuring himself, or the machayiwiw finding him undefended. He has much to learn. You have much to learn. You must learn hand-to-hand combat. Hawke is our best warrior, both with a knife and a spear. He can cut the wings off a fly in flight with his knife. He will be training you." Ron looked at me.

"NO, I don't think so." I told Ron. "First, Hawke doesn't like me and I can't see him training me. Second, I'm not sure I could kill someone, even if it was the machayiwiw. In anger, I think I can, but I'm not sure."

Ron looked at me. "What if that person was trying to kill Charlie, or your friends, or Eros your bird?"

I shook my head. "I just don't think I can do this."

Ron lowered his gaze. "If you don't, you will die, along with Charlie, your friends, your animals, and your family. I will die, as will our people. He will finally destroy the one person who stands against him. The one person who has the power to destroy him. There will never be another you. Our people have waited many, many years for you. Golden Flower has waited many years for you."

"I don't want the responsibility!" I yelled at Ron as I stood up. "I might fail!" I jumped up and ran down the side of the creek. I ran as fast as I could and the sharp prairie grass cut my legs. I didn't feel it. I felt angry and sad at the same time. "Why me? Why not someone else?" I thought to myself. I rounded a bend of the river and I ran right into Hawke. The force of our collision knocked us both to the ground. I lay on the ground with the wind knocked out of me. Hawke stood up and looked down at me.

I stood up and brushed off my shirt. Hawke stared at me. I looked at him and asked, "Why do you hate me?"

Hawke glared at me. "Charlie is my cousin and my best friend. You have brought him nothing but heartache and loss. I suspect you will do something stupid and Charlie will be killed because of you. I really don't care anything about you and I'm sure as hell not sold on your 'savior' complex. I think you are full of shit and if something happens to Charlie, I will hunt you down and kill you myself."

I was horrified. "I didn't want this! I just want to be with Charlie. No matter what you think, I love him. I have always loved him and I will never stop loving him." Hawke stands with his arms crossed. "We'll see about that." Hawke brushed past me and walked back up the creek towards Ron and Charlie.

I walked back to the jeep. I climbed in the back with Charlie and it was quiet as Ron drove us back to the cluster of buildings. When we pulled up, Irene came running up to the jeep. "Come on, Emme, we are getting ready to eat." Irene grabbed my hand and pulled me in the building. Ollie and Jack were with Ryan. Jack motioned us over. Charlie brought me a plate of food. Irene squeezed her small body between Charlie and me. Charlie looked down at her. "Hey, Squirt, why don't you sit on the other side of Emme?"

Irene looked at me. "Are you in love with Charlie?"

I glanced at her small face as she slid her arm through my arm. "Yes," I whispered to her. Irene wrinkled up her face.

"YUCK! Boys are messy and yucky and stinky! Even Charlie." We all laughed as Charlie grabbed her and rolled her on the ground and tickled her until Irene begged for mercy.

After lunch, Charlie and I walked hand in hand down to the creek. We sat on the bank and stared at the water. I leaned over and put my head on Charlie's shoulder. Charlie wrapped his arm around me and pulled me close to him. We sat there quietly. I looked across the creek and saw Hawke staring at us. He had his arms folded across his chest. I looked at Charlie. "Can't we even be alone? Does he have to watch us?"

Charlie nodded. "He is just protecting me."

"From me?" I say sarcastically. Charlie shook his head. "No, not from you."

Hawke stared at me. I stood up and stared back at him. He reached in his waistband and pulled out his knife. I stared him down as he prepared to throw his knife in my direction. I was not scared of him. Something deep inside of me assured me that he would not kill me with his knife. I stood perfectly still as he pulled back his arm. In slow motion I saw the knife hurling through the air, handle over blade as Charlie screamed my name. I felt the knife come right by my head and I felt a sharp pain by my ear and the drip of blood on my neck. My face never changed as I stared back at Hawke. My friend, that red hot feeling that meant I could be something stronger than I was, overcame me and I felt myself soaring above the creek.

I heard Charlie calling my name. I looked around as I called out, determining where every living thing was around me. I felt the rattlesnake's presence before I saw them. I singled them out and waved my hands. Within minutes they were hissing in a circle around Hawke. Hawke was trying to back away, but he was backing into another snake. Charlie was screaming at Hawke to stand still. Charlie was yelling at me. "Emme, NO, stop it! Hurting him would only hurt me. Do you really want to hurt me?" My attention wavered from the snakes and I focused on Charlie. Instantly I was back in my body and looking at Charlie.

Charlie had me by the arm. "Stay here, Em, I'll be right back." Charlie waded into the water and ran to Hawke. The snakes were gone. Hawke was sitting in the dirt by the bank with his head in his hands. Hawke was visibly shaking as Charlie helped him up. I stood up and glared at Hawke. They waded back across the bank.

Charlie walked up to me. "Hawke is here to protect me and by protecting me, he is protecting you. Hawke has the skills to help you, to teach you what you need." Charlie looked over at Hawke. "Emme is not the enemy. Do you finally see what she is? Do you see the gifts she has? She is our people's last hope. She belongs with us."

Hawke nodded and walked over to me. He reached in his pocket and pulled out a piece of cloth. He reached up and wiped the blood off of my neck. "I'm sorry," he told me.

I grabbed his hands and held them between mine. "Me too." Hawke turned on his heel and walked back the path to the main building.

Charlie looked at me. "What the hell did you just do?"

I looked back at him. "I finally figured out that Golden Flower gifted me with the ability to talk to and control animals." I smiled questioningly at Charlie.

Charlie didn't smile back. "What else have you done?" I told Charlie about Ollie and the church and the birds. Charlie paced around me. "This is not good. The machayiwiw will notice a display like the one you did in town. You must not ever do it again in a public place where others can see you. Do you understand me?" I nodded with my head down. Charlie leaned forward and grabbed my face between his warm hands. "I have to admit that it was an awesome thing to do for Ollie, but we have to be more careful."

I laid my hands over his by my face. I leaned into this chest as he slowly lowered us to the ground. We laid on the ground facing each other. I stared into his eyes lost in his world. Charlie stared back at me and as the beautiful empty world and the warm wind eavesdropped on us, we talked. I told him about Bets, and Mom and Ben, and how hurt Ollie was at the church. I told him about Jack and the preserve and Rose and the baby. We talked laying down and facing each other with our fingers intertwined until the sun started its slow climb to the edge of darkness. The sky was an incredible shade of deep purple with shades of violet blue. Even in the beauty of the sunset, I felt the desperation creep over me. I started to shake. I didn't want to leave Charlie. I never wanted to leave Charlie. Charlie leaned closer. I could feel his breath on my cheek. He laid his gentle brown hands on my cheeks. I closed my eyes. "Let me take the pain away," he whispered. We stood up.

Charlie closed his eyes and he chanted in a low voice. I listened to his voice. I closed my eyes and leaned into Charlie. I laid my head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat. I felt the desperation leave me and I was filled with a sense of peace and serenity. My breathing slowed, and my mind was filled with the beautiful times that Charlie and I had shared. We were like one in my mind, our thoughts joined and our spirits connected. It was the most incredible intense feeling. It was what I imagined making love would be like. I felt dizzy and my body felt it was on fire from the inside out. My legs gave way and I dropped to my knees. Charlie grabbed me and slowly lowered me down to the ground. "What did you do?" I asked Charlie. He stared back at me. "I showed you our love. I showed you what is worth fighting and dying for."

As Charlie stood up, he staggered. I reached out and held his arm. "Are you okay?" Charlie put his hand over mine that rested on his arm. "Just tired. You wear me out." He grinned broadly as I swatted his arm. "Poor me," I told him. We held hands as we headed back to the main buildings.

Ollie and Jack were standing outside of the meeting room talking to Ryan and Hawke. Ryan looked up as we approached. "Hey, Em, can you come back next week? I want to run in the hills with you, and Hawke needs to start working with you on knife and lance throwing." "Sure thing," I told him. Hawke looked at Charlie and then at me. Charlie was leaning on the car while he talked to Jack. Charlie's face was pale. Hawke walked the short distance to me and whispered in my ear. "Every time Charlie carries your pain, he gets weaker. Every time you feel better in Charlie's presence, he pays the price for it. Is that what you want for him?" I shook my head "No." I looked at my feet as Hawke said, "Don't come back here. Walk away. His burden is too big to carry." I shook my head. "I'm sorry I can't do that. I just can't. I love him too much." Hawke shook his head and walked away.

We all walked to the car. I held Charlie's hand as long as I could. I climbed in the back seat and Jack and Ollie sat down in the Mustang. As we drove off, I turned around and stared back at Charlie. He stood there watching us drive off.

An Interview with Author D.E.L. Connor

What was your favorite book growing up?

When I was old enough to read it was the Little House on the Prairie series. I must have read and reread each of them a hundred times. I honestly thought I was Laura Ingalls Wilder. Most girls my age were into dolls and while I liked dolls and playing house, my version of playing house always had a log house and a covered wagon. They are still my favorite books to read to children. Can't you just picture yourself on a hot summer day bouncing along in the back of the covered wagon?

Who is your favorite author (living or dead)?

I have more than one. Obviously I love Laura Ingalls Wilder, but I am also a huge fan of Larry McMurray. I grew up admiring strong women writers like Margaret Mitchell and Harper Lee and more recently J.K. Rowling and Stephenie Meyers.

What inspired you to write the Spirit Warriors series?

Actually is has been a long time coming. I wrote the short story that the Spirt Warriors evolved from in college may years ago. The professor asked me to stay after class and he told me how good it was, but unfortunately, it was too dark to be a children's story. I put it away and went on with my career as a nurse. Finally J.K Rowling and Stephenie Meyers came out with new dark tales and the young adult market was born. The time was finally right! I finished Book 1 in two weeks. The struggle to get it published took more time, but here I am with two books in the story completed.

What character do you most identify with in Spirit Warriors: The Scarring?

Probably Lilly, I tend to be kind to a fault, and love my friends and family unconditionally. I think as a child I wished I could have been more like Bets and Emme. They are headstrong, brave and willing to fight for anything or anyone they cared about. I was shy when I was young, although no one believes that today! LOL

Can you tell us about your next project?

Why of course. I am about half way through book 3 in the series The Burning. There will be 6 books total in the series. Book 4 will be The Lamenting, Book 5 The Ensouling and then a Prequel to be named later. In between those books or after them I'm not sure which, I plan to write a new adult romance novel about loss and finding the chance to love again.

The Concealing (Spirit Warriors #1)

by D.E.L. Connor

Release Date: November 24, 2013

Length: 191 pages

Publisher: Booktrope

 

Blurb:
Sixteen-year-old Emme Belrose has it all: four best friends, a horse of her own, a hidden tepee hangout, and a blossoming romance with tall and handsome Charlie. These friends also have a secret. They can move their spirits into animal bodies: an osprey, a mustang, a grizzly, a mountain lion and a coyote.   But when Charlie, who has a gift for seeing the future, has a vision of Emme drowning in the icy Yellowstone River, the Spirit Warriors must train their animal bodies to kill an enemy they know is coming… but know nothing about. Suspenseful, romantic, and awash in Native American magic, Spirit Warriors captures the tragic enchantment of the American West-and confirms the power of friendship.

Goodreads

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Della was born in South Dakota and raised in the vastness and beauty of Montana on a farm. When she longed for the big city life, she moved to Texas where she attended college and received a PhD in nursing. When not nursing people back to health you can find Della huddled over her Mac writing the stories that have occupied her mind for so many years, or traveling with her best friends, the NOLA's, riding bikes across the Golden Gate bridge or exploring botanical gardens. She is the proud mother of a champion triathlete, two aging dogs and 1 grand-cat. Della has admittedly confessed to her coffee addiction and swears that her two hour coffee crawl while on vacation in Seattle -was the best two hours of her life!

Twitter | Facebook | Website | Amazon Author Page | Goodreads Author Page

Facebook Release Day Party - July 21st at 7pm - 9pm CST

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Read More

Book Blitz: Web of Light Web of Light Duology By Kyra Dune @KyraDune @GHBTours

Web of Light

Web of Light Duology #1

By- Kyra Dune

Genre- YA Fantasy

Published By-Shadow Portal Books

Publication Date- October 14th 2013

When Queen Eanndra calls the leaders of the Territories and their heirs to Star Mountain for a Conclave, none of them expect to have their lives changed forever by the repercussions of a war that ended three hundred years ago.

With the return of the Web of Light, chaos and destruction must surely follow.

Sides will be chosen.

Friendships won and lost.

For within every heart lies the dark seed of betrayal.

 

Read More

Book Blitz: Challenging Destiny By Cherie Colyer @cheriecolyer @NereydaG1003 #giveaway

Challenging Destiny

by Cherie Colyer

Release Date: 03/27/14

Summary from Goodreads:
Logan Ragsdale and his younger sister, Ariana, have been marked, chosen to be unwilling participants in a war between angels and demons.

Logan can sense something's not quite right. Like an unexpected chill on a summer's day, he can feel the unseen closing in. He's had these feelings before and, each time, someone close to him died. He's afraid this time it might just be Ariana.

Logan's fears are soon confirmed when he discovers their new friends aren't human, but rather representatives from Heaven and Hell sent to Earth to ensure he and Ariana accept their roles in an ancient prophecy. Demons want Logan to open the gates of Hell. Ariana has the power to stop them, but if she chooses to side with Heaven to spare the lives of thousands of innocent people, she'll damn her brother for eternity.

Together, they must derail the biblical event if they hope to save themselves and the future of mankind...but what price are they willing to pay to keep the other safe?

Available from:
Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo Books

Excerpt:


From Logan's point-of-view.

That night I awoke to a noise in our apartment. Soundlessly, I got out of bed, grabbed the metal baseball bat I kept near my door-a habit I'd picked up from my uncle-and went to look around. I pushed Ariana's bedroom door open a crack. Her room was dark. It smelled like the autumn-spice candles she always burned. She was fast asleep, curled up on her side under her thick cream comforter. A search of the family room and kitchen turned up empty. Relieved, I decided that I had to have been dreaming or had heard one of our neighbors out in the hall. I stumbled back to my room, cursing under my breath when I jammed my little toe on the edge of the doorframe.

My head had barely hit the pillow when a raspy, male voice barked, "Trap!"

My racing heart drowned out the rest of its words. I knew that voice, and there was never a person attached to it. My mind went numb with fear, and every muscle in my body tensed. I'd thought I was past hearing voices. I wanted to scream and would have, but I didn't want to wake Ariana.

The disembodied voice spoke again in a hurried whisper: "Must protect." There was a long pause. "Up to you."

And then silence. Outside, a distant horn blared and cars swooshed past the apartment complex. I sat in the shadows created by the moonlight and listened.

It didn't speak again.

What trap? Protect who? Why was it up to me? The words had been garbled so badly, I wasn't even sure I'd heard them correctly. Hearing voices freaked me out-it always had. And now I had more questions that I didn't know how to find the answers to.

A moment later, Ariana's blood-curdling scream had me out of bed and sprinting to her room.

About the Author

A little about myself: I write young adult and middle grade novels. I love finding new stories that keep me up late reading. While my favorite genre is fantasy, if the book is beautifully written with characters that come alive I'm all over it.
My debut novel EMBRACE is now available from Omnific Publishing.

Author Links:
   

GIVEAWAY:

$20 Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card (INT)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz Organized by:

Read More

Book Tour: Stains on the Soul By Jamie White @JamieWAuthor @VBTCafe

Title: Stains on the Soul
By Jamie White
Book Genre: Paranormal/New Age
Publisher: Pagan Writers Press
Release Date: November 27, 2013

Book Description:

It's her last summer before going away to college and Fiona finds herself facing more than she bargained for: A boyfriend she doesn't want who has a strange hold over her, a friend pushing her to expand her boundaries, and a new guy named Ted whose presence is more than a distraction.

If that isn't enough, Fiona is being haunted with horrifying nightmares of burning at the stake-nightmares so real, she feels as though she's losing her mid.

Are they only dreams, or are they trying to warn her about this new guy she can't help but want?

Audio Excerpt:

Guest Blog:

10 Things Reader's Would Be Surprised To Know About You

Hello! First, I want to say a big thanks for allowing me to hang out with y'all today as part of my Stains on the Soul tour with BK Walker's VBT Café. It's always a lot of fun to get to meet new readers and share thoughts with you. : Today, I was asked to share some facts about me. Let's get started!

10) I moved a lot as a kid. So much so, I ended up at nine different elementary schools, starting in pre-K until 5th grade.

9) I wanted to be Debbie Gibson when I was a kid. I just loved her music and thought it was amazing that someone her age was basically allowed to have the freedom to say "hi, here's my album" and that was the end of it. I also love the positive messages she puts out there.

8) I once had a sea horse as a pet.

7) Singing and music was an outlet for me when things were rough during my childhood and has probably saved my sanity more than once.

6) I was the first person to not only serve on my college's newspaper staff, but also the literary magazine, and another publication called Silver Sands. I was editor-in-chief of two of them.

5) I used to sell AVON.

4) When I was a kid, I considered being a teacher or nurse when I grew up.

3) I have a severe allergy to math, which probably led to abandoning the nurse idea fast.

2) I went through an insomniac phase where I basically got addicted to Nick at Nite reruns, starting my love of classic television like Dragnet, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and Bewitched.

1) I didn't try too hard to learn to ride a bike when I was little, so I didn't end up riding one until I was 11. I just got on a friend's on impulse one day and started riding like I'd been doing so for years.

About The Author:

Jamie White is an author, blogger, photo geek, music addict, editor, pop culture geek, paranormal junkie, and a pet servant.

She spent more than a decade as a Journalism student, geeking out over Pagemaker, layout design, and other stuff.

In college, she took it a step further and became the only student to be on all three of her college's publications, serving as Editor-In-Chief for two of them. Later, she went on to freelance writing and blogging.

Jamie began her journey into fiction writing in 2010 after joining a writing group. Since that first meeting, she has completed a bunch of short stories, five manuscripts, and several in progress. Her first novel, The Life and Times of No One In Particular, was released in 2012. She followed it up with a story in the Lyrical Muse Anthology in 2013. The end of 2013 will see two releases with Pagan Writers Press.

When Jamie's not writing or blogging, she takes pictures, meditates, practices Reiki and chanting, watches favorite shows/movies, takes walks, and serves as a volunteer for the Florida Writers Association by running their social media and a writing group (Gulfstream Writers).

Tour Organized By Virtual Book Tour Café

Read More