Saturday, November 15, 2014

Book Blast: The Earthkeepers by Shawn Underhill - $50 Amazon GC Giveaway

earthkeepers

The Earthkeepers

Shawn Underhill

From the author of The Great North Woods Pack series comes a new adventure...

Millions of people talk to animals every day. If you happen to be such a person, there’s nothing terribly unusual about you. But what if animals spoke to you in return? What if you could clearly understand them, while the people around you could not? That would be very unusual, remarkably interesting, and would likely be tremendously fun.

For nine-year-old Ethan Dewfield, talking with his dog is an everyday occurrence. Add to this the fact that he lives not in a regular house but in a sprawling hilltop inn, and what you’ll find is a highly unusual boy with a unique tale to tell. In this personally narrated account he discovers the depths of his abilities, makes new friends, goes for a long walk in the snow, meets a special pack of wolves known as Earthkeepers, uncovers a nasty scheme devised by his even nastier uncle, eats a stack of pancakes, and does all he can to save his beautiful home from the greedy men plotting to destroy it.   

*If you’re someone who likes a wide assortment of animals, with funny names and contrasting views of the world, and you like Christmas decorations, happy endings, and you’re open to the possibility of liking boys named Ethan, there’s a good chance you might enjoy this story.

*If you’re someone who admires deceitful, scheming, selfish people who manipulate others, who dislike animals, kids, beautiful buildings, and beautiful scenery, you might enjoy a long career in politics, but will probably not like this story in the least.

*If you’re someone searching for an epic, unrealistic romance between two people resembling Ken and Barbie, you are looking in the wrong place. You are now terribly lost. I’m shocked you’ve read this far. You should probably hit the back arrow now. There’s no telling what could happen if you don’t.

*If you’re someone shopping for affordable health insurance, you might try a different website.
  


Shawn UnderhillAuthor Shawn Underhill

The true story of Shawn Underhill may never be fully realized to the world at large. Theories and rumors abound, ranging from the fantastic to the absurd, but none can be entirely trusted. Most scholars agree that he is certainly a devoted admirer of Jack London, while less credible claims suggest that he is loosely related to the novelist, merely adopting the false name Underhill as a means to anonymity. The most bizarre of all rumors state that Mr. Underhill actually is Jack London reincarnate, that in his spare time he pilots experimental aircraft on dangerous test missions, and is slated to appear on DWTS. Attempts by this biographer to uncover solid evidence have proven frustrating at best, and dangerous at worst. Establishing contact with Mr. Underhill's family in the slim hope of acquiring trustworthy information has been, for the most part, an exercise in futility. The most viable explanation came by a series of mysterious phone calls leading to a secret meeting with an individual claiming to be Shawn's second cousin. This unnamed source (who only spoke with me under cover of darkness behind a Dunkin Donuts off highway 93 in rural New Hampshire) states that the author was last known to be located within his secret writing cave--a high mountain fortress, heavily defended by steep ledges and rushing waterfalls. The grounds near the secret trail leading to the hidden entrance are said to be patrolled day and night by wolves, watchdogs and bears. In an interesting side note, UFO's and Bigfoot sightings have been reported in the general area of Mr. Underhill's alleged stronghold, but none have been officially confirmed by any reputable organizations. The author's Facebook page, Shawn Underhill (Author) is the only known source of contact he has with the outside world.



book blast buttonBook Blast Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 11/30/14 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.   a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Giveaway Details $250 Paypal Cash Ends 12/15/14 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author, bloggers and publishers on the sponsor list. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, November 14, 2014

Blog Tour: The Soul Thief by Majanka Verstraete - Excerpt, Top Ten & Giveaway

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The Soul Thief
The Angel of Death Series #1
Majanka Verstraete

Publisher: Booktrope
Published: November 11, 2014
Genre: YA, Paranormal

9781620155585_front
  
 When sixteen-year-old Riley is injured in a car crash and sees a girl stealing a boy’s soul, she’s convinced she’s hallucinating. But when she sees the same girl at the hospital later, she knows she wasn’t dreaming. That’s when Riley learns her secret heritage and who she really is: a halfling Angel of Death. Riley must come to terms with her new reality and supernatural abilities, but before she can do this, girls her age start dying in mysterious circumstances. It’s up to Riley to figure out why, what the innocent victims have in common, and what she can do to stop them.



Excerpt


THE WORLD EXPLODED IN a chaos of fire, debris, and noise. Sirens screamed and low voices mumbled in the background. I lifted up my head and groaned. My head weighed about a thousand pounds and throbbed as if someone had hit me with a hammer. The interior of the car swayed from left to right.

A dark fog rose up in front of the car. Vague specters moved back and forth in the mist. I squinted and the specters turned into paramedics dressed in white clothes with stains all over them, who ran from one patient to another. Four or more cars had collided and mine was the last in line. Two cars burned with tall, flickering flames. A woman crawled out of one of the burning cars, half of her face blackened.

My stomach twisted and bile rose up in my throat. I searched for the door handle without turning away from the apocalypse happening in front of me.

The woman with the burnt face started screaming. The sound shattered my eardrums. A paramedic rushed toward her and pulled her away from the searing car wreck.

My fingers found the door handle and I pushed the car door open. A gush of fresh air entered the car and I took a deep breath. The air filled my lungs, and even though my surroundings still swirled around as if on a carousel, they started to slow down. I fiddled with the lock of my seatbelt, trembling like a leaf. Eventually the lock clicked and I tumbled out of the car. I gripped the door handle so hard my knuckles turned white while I pulled myself up, leaning on the car.

“Are you okay?” Someone grabbed my arm and helped me to stand up.

My savior was a forty-something woman with a round face, large eyes, and a red flush on her cheeks as if she’d just run a mile. She was tall and chubby, and while she appeared friendly enough, she stared at me wide-eyed, the chaos of burning car wrecks and wounded people reflected in her irises.

“I don’t know,” I said. “My head hurts and the world is spinning.” She nodded and helped me to the nearest ambulance. “Sit down.” She waited until I’d sat down and then looked at my injuries. She dabbed a wet cloth on my forehead and when she pulled it back the cloth was stained red.

My gaze fixed on the scene unfolding behind her. Two paramedics took turns performing heart massage on a young boy, whose broken body was spread out on the ground. His skin was the color of a bridal gown and his lips had turned a faint blue. He couldn’t be older than eight or nine. Broken glasses lay next to his body.

Right when the paramedics switched places, a girl appeared behind them. She popped up out of nowhere. One second there was no trace of her, the next she stood there, as if she’d been there all along.

My heart raced in my chest. I wanted to say something but the words got stuck in my throat.

The girl’s red hair with black extensions reached to her shoulders. She wore a short checkered skirt, black combat boots, a venom-green tank top, and black stockings. A chain dangled from her skirt. She chewed bubblegum with her mouth open. Everything about her screamed wrong; from the way she’d suddenly appeared to how she carried herself, as if she was strolling around in the park on a summer’s day, not standing at the scene of a gruesome accident in the middle of autumn. Even her clothes didn’t match the weather.

She knelt down and put her hand on the chest of the injured boy. For a while, nothing happened. But then a see-through, shiny form rose above the boy’s body. The specter looked exactly like the boy — same age, same height, same clothes, but it shone like a diamond.


TOP TEN LIST

Top 10 Reasons to Read The Soul Thief

1. The main character – Riley -- is awesome. She’s definitely no damsel in distress.
2. It’s not a typical YA paranormal with the focus on the love interest. The focus is on the main character and what she’s going through.
3. No insta-love.
4. It has a few twists and surprises you won’t see coming (at least I hope not!)
5. It features angels. And they’re hot.
6. The main character has an actual family who cares for her and loves her, whereas most YA novels don’t mention family, or don’t focus on them at all.
7. Riley gets to fight vampires.
8. She also gets to hang out with her friends and crack stupid jokes, and even hang on with her Grandma.
9. There is some romance though, so don’t get turned off by number two from the top tens.
10. Someone might just come by and steal your soul tonight if you don’t read it.

About the Author

majanka

Majanka Verstraete begged her Mom to teach her how to read while she was still in kindergarten. By the time she finished fifth grade, she had read through the entire children’s section of her hometown library. She wrote her first story when she was seven years old, and hasn’t stopped writing since. With an imagination that never sleeps, and hundreds of possible book characters screaming for her attention, writing is more than a passion for her. She writes about all things supernatural for children of all ages. She’s tried to write contemporary novels before, but something paranormal always manages to crawl in. Majanka is currently studying for her Master of Laws degree, and hopes one day to be able to combine her passions for law and writing. When she’s not writing, reading or studying, she likes watching “The Vampire Diaries” and “Game of Thrones,” spending time with her friends, or playing “World of Warcraft.”

Tour Schedule

November 12 Write Away Bliss - Schedule / Excerpt The Musings of a Book Addict - Review Suzy Turner, Author - Author Interview The Best Books Ever - Character Bio, Dreamcast, Excerpt November 13 Country Book Bumpkin - Review, Soundtrack, Excerpt Reese's Reviews - Review, Character Bio, Dreamcast Pinky's Favorite Reads - Top Ten, Excerpt
November 14 Indy Book Fairy - Review, Excerpt Kimber Leigh Writes - Top Ten, Excerpt Here is What I Read - Author Interview, Dreamcast, Soundtrack, Excerpt Writing Belle - Character Bios
November 15 A Book Paradise - Author Interview, Soundtrack, Excerpt Endless Reading - Review, Excerpt The Literary Melting Pot - Review
November 16 Roxy's Reviews - Review, Character Bios, Top Ten Real Talk, Book Talk - Dreamcast, Excerpt Becca Anne's Book Reviews - Review, Character Bio, Dreamcast Nerd Girl Official - Excerpt November 17 Deal Sharing Aunt - Author Interview, Top Ten, Excerpt Star Shadow Blog - Character Bio, Dreamcast, Soundtrack Dystopia Capitol - Review
November 18 Kristy Centro - Character Bios Whispered Thoughts - Character Bios, Excerpt, Soundtrack Little Hyuts Reviews - Dreamcast
November 19 Step Into Fiction - Review, Excerpt Behind the Pages - Author Interview, Dreamcast, Excerpt This Redhead Loves Books - Review, Excerpt The Avid Reader - Soundtrack, Character Bios November 20 Tracy's Nook - Review, Character Interview The Pleasure of Reading - Excerpt Bex n Books - Character Bios Becky's Barmy Book Blog - Top Ten, Excerpt
November 21 Relaxed Reads - Dreamcast Renee Entress's Blog - Review Books and Friendz - Character Bio, Excerpt Pretty in Fiction - Top Ten, Excerpt Kat's Book Promotions - Dreamcast

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Melodramatic Musings: My Muse & Other Disasters

How many of you out there have a muse controlling your creative output?

Another November has rolled around and with it another NaNoWriMo. I'm not participating this year since I'll be spending a week in Orlando. But truth be told, I've never been very successful when it comes to NaNoWriMo. You see, I have a muse inside me, and she doesn't particularly like to be told what to do. Sometimes I feel like my rational mind has very little control over my creative output. I always have several projects going at once because she is flighty and tends to flit from one project to the next.

Telling my muse that she must work on the same manuscript for one month is like telling my dog not to bark at the UPS truck.


My muse hiding after I tell her to do something.

In August I was going full-steam ahead on Crimson Reflections, book two in The Orion Circle series. It was going so well that I ordered my cover with the intention to publish by October 31. Needless to say, my muse was distracted by something rather vile on the internet-- well three vile somethings. In fact she went on strike for the entire months of September and October. It's a rather long story dealing with online trolls and a writer's inherent sensitivity. There is no rationale for overcoming matters of the heart. In her devastation, my muse took an extended vacation. I suppose it happens to all writers at one point or another. We all wonder if it's worth the heartache and pain when nameless, spineless trolls can attack so viciously, without any regard for the individual.

Yes, my muse can be rather melodramatic.

Now it's November. I haven't heard from my trolls in a couple months. With any luck they've moved on to more fertile pastures. But best of all, my muse has come out of her slumber and wants to write again. Yay! Only she doesn't want to work on the same thing I do. She has soared from her hiding place like Tinkerbell on steroids, pushing to write a novel that I had no intention of starting until next year. So here I am, trying to corral my muse like she's an unruly toddler, while begging her to settle down and finish what needs to be done. I'm trying to work on final revisions for my YA urban fantasy, Bitter Envy. It needed a major overhaul, and I'm close to finished with it. I really want to get that novel out on submission by January. My muse, however, has her own ideas.



Yes, that is my muse in her excitement about Silver Storm, book 1.5 in the Light Chronicles series. At the rate she's going, I may end up with a novel by the end of November after all. She always did have a soft spot for the character Taranis in the Light Chronicles novels. Silver Storm tells the story of how Taranis and Alexa meet. Personally, I like this story, it features lots of Taranis. I haven't decided if lots of Taranis is too much of a good thing... yet. Only time will tell on that front. Poor guy has his work cut out for him in this novel. Alexa is a fun character to write. She has a backbone and doesn't back down from a challenge... or what she wants (hmm, reminds me of my muse).


Me after a few hours of dealing with my muse.

So my muse is happy about Silver Storm, and I really don't mind all that much. Writing is ultimately a creative art form. I learned a long time ago that if I try to force my creativity, I end up with nothing but drivel. So I guess for now at least, Bitter Envy & Crimson Reflections will have to take a backseat to the new sparkly plot that has captivated my muse. Thank goodness I don't have a long string of unfinished novels lying in my wake, or I'd be concerned. How could this be, you ask? Sure my muse is frivolous and flighty, but lucky for me she absolutely loves revisions and despises leaving anything unfinished. She can have her fun for now because deep down I know we'll be back to revising Bitter Envy in no time.


Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Blog Tour: Anna Books- Neverland by Anna Katmore - Review



Neverland
Adventures in Neverland, Book 1

Anna Katmore

YA Fantasy Romance
April 11, 2014

Amazon * Goodreads

Why is there a boy who doesn’t want to grow up?

How can an apple start the sweetest romance in fairytale history?


And what does a ruthless pirate have to do with it all?


Angelina McFarland loves reading fairytales. But she never dreamed of falling right into one herself. That’s exactly what happens when she slips on her balcony and a flying Peter Pan catches her mid-fall.

Ending up in Neverland where no one seems to age and laws of nature are out of control, Angel has no idea how to get home. Worse, the ruthless Captain Hook captures her and keeps her trapped on his ship, the Jolly Roger, where she gets caught between the lines of a timeless battle. But the more time Angel spends with the captain, the more she sees beneath his ruthless façade.

As Angel desperately tries to find a way to return to her real life, she discovers a train ticket to London in her pocket. It won’t be any help in getting off the island, but as her memory fades away the longer she stays, this is all she has left to remind her of her former life and why she can’t give up trying.

Or is staying in Neverland forever the better choice after all?

Grab a happy thought and follow Angel on an adventure that will keep you breathless and smiling long after you read the last page...

Watch the book trailer here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx_6A...

Or listen to the first chapter on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg1sm...


My Review: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review

Neverland is the fourth book that I've read by Anna Katmore, and it is far and away my favorite. The only major downside is the pesky book one thing... I had to go and buy book 2-- you know how I hate cliffy endings. This novel is full of adventure, romance, and suspense. It's one of those books I just couldn't put down after I started reading. Definitely one of my favorites this year.

Somehow Angel managed to land in Neverland after she fell from the balcony at her home in London. Desperate to return home to her family, she searches for a way back. After being abandoned by a petulant Peter Pan, she finds herself a prisoner aboard the dreaded Captain Hook's pirate ship. Little does she realize how fortunate a turn of events this is.

James Hook-- what can I say but *sigh*. I loved his character. Ms. Katmore's take on the whole Peter Pan fairy tale was fascinating. Smee and Hook were by far my favorite characters in the novel. A far cry from the Disney adaptation we're all used to, her Hook and Smee were young men. Sure they were pirates, but other than fighting with Peter, I don't think they did much in the way of looting and pillaging. I can't get into the whole relationship between Hook and Pan without spoilers, but suffice to say it was intriguing.

Fast-paced, fun, adorable-- I just couldn't get enough of this book. Beloved characters mixed with new introductions made for an interesting read. The romance between Angel and James was sweet even though it was insta-love at its finest. They just seemed so perfect together that it didn't really matter. I can't wait to read the sequel, Pan's Revenge, since the cliffhanger ending is killing me!

About the Author

Anna Katmore grew up in Vienna. After she graduated from school at the age of 18, she moved to Austria’s country side.

Apart from traveling around the world, her one big passion is writing. She says about herself that she has been a storyteller all her life. Already in kindergarten, she came up with the most exotic fantasies and tales. Her teacher used to call her a liar. Anna calls it the cornerstone of her writing career.
Inspired by authors such as Lisa Jane Smith, Stepheny Meyer, and Becca Fitzpatrick, she started writing her first novel in 2009. Excessive reading and analyzing the structure and characters of her favorite books helped her develop the necessary skills and her very own voice. Because of her love for the language, she writes stories in English first, and when she finds a few weeks to squeeze into her tight writing schedule, she translates them into German later.

Her preferred genres are YA and fantasy romance.

In late 2012, Anna debuted with her novella PLAY WITH ME and later made this the first book of a series called Grover Beach Team. PLAY WITH ME was a finalist in its category for the RONE (Reward Of Novel Excellence) Awards, hosted by the InD’Tale magazine at the Romance Novel Convention 2013 in Las Vegas.

One funny fact: People always told Anna that she can’t make a living with being a writer. So when PLAY WITH ME came out and sold more than 500 units every day during the first four weeks, she was thunderstruck. It took her a few days to realize what was going on.

Anna is married and has a 12-year-old son. She loves her two cats, Lily and Emma, as much as she loves her family, tries to stay fit with ZUMBA dancing twice a week, and usually spends 86% of her day writing. The remaining time is used up for food and inevitable sleep.


If you still want to know more about me, my FAQ page is the right address for you. http://annakatmore.com/faq/
Twitter: @AnnaKatmore

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Book Blitz: The Book of Ivy by Amy Engel - Excerpt, Trailer & Giveaway




The Book of Ivy
(The Book of Ivy #1)

Amy Engel 

Entangled Teen
11/04/14

Summary from Goodreads:

After a brutal nuclear war, the United States was left decimated. A small group of survivors eventually banded together, but only after more conflict over which family would govern the new nation. The Westfalls lost. Fifty years later, peace and control are maintained by marrying the daughters of the losing side to the sons of the winning group in a yearly ritual.

This year, it is my turn.

My name is Ivy Westfall, and my mission is simple: to kill the president’s son—my soon-to-be husband—and restore the Westfall family to power.

But Bishop Lattimer is either a very skilled actor or he’s not the cruel, heartless boy my family warned me to expect. He might even be the one person in this world who truly understands me. But there is no escape from my fate. I am the only one who can restore the Westfall legacy.


Because Bishop must die. And I must be the one to kill him…



Available from:
AmazonBarnes & NobleKobo BooksiTunesGoogle Books

Excerpt

“You were right, Ivy,” [Bishop] says quietly. “It does bother me. The way our choices are taken away from us.”
I’m almost scared to breathe. He is confiding in me, opening up to me exactly the way my father and Callie wanted. “Why didn’t you say something right then?”
Bishop sighs. “I’m not…I’m never going to be the guy who lays it all out there. That’s not me. Until I really know someone, not much gets out. It’s just the way I’m built.”
“Okay,” I say, waiting. If nothing else, I understand what it’s like to have a part of your personality that’s not easy to change.
“But it doesn’t mean I don’t have feelings,” he says. “That things don’t matter to me.”
I take a sip of water. “I shouldn’t have said that, the morning we fought, about you not feeling anything. That wasn’t fair.”
“I understand why you might think that,” Bishop says. “But it’s not true.” He pauses. “I wanted something else, too. Something more than being your husband.”
“Like what?” I ask.
His eyes drop away from mine. “Nothing that matters now. This is what we have. This life. Each other. This house.” His hand thumps downward. “This couch.”
My heart jumps. Was all this a prelude to getting me into bed? I’m already kicking myself for sitting down on this stupid sofa.
“Relax, Ivy,” he says, a smile in his voice. “I’m not asking for anything.”
But someday he will. As far as he knows, this relationship is forever, and I can’t imagine he’ll want to sleep on the couch for the next fifty years. I’m not sure what I’ll say if he does ask. For the sake of my father’s plan, I know my answer has to be yes.
“Well, I’d better get to bed. Work in the morning.” I stand, set my cup down on the coffee table.
Bishop’s voice stops me before I get to the hallway. “You told me you were trying, remember?”
I glance back at him. “Yes,” I say, cautious.
“I’m trying, too.”
“I know,” I say, watching the way his eyes shine in the moonlight. I turn and go back to bed. 



About the Author
 Amy Engel was born in Kansas and after a childhood spent bouncing between countries (Iran, Taiwan) and states (Kansas; California; Missouri; Washington, D.C.), she settled in Kansas City, Missouri, where she lives with her husband and two kids.  Before devoting herself full-time to motherhood and writing, she was a criminal defense attorney, which is not quite as exciting as it looks on TV.  When she has a free moment, she can usually be found reading, running, or shoe shopping. The Book of Ivy is her debut YA novel. Find her online at http://amyengel.net/ or @aengelwrites.

Author Links:
 photo iconwebsite-32x32_zps1f477f69.png  photo icongoodreads32_zps60f83491.png  photo icontwitter-32x32_zpsae13e2b2.png

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Monday, November 10, 2014

Blog Tour: Protecting His Witch by Zoe Forward - Review & Giveaway



Protecting His Witch

Zoe Forward

Paranormal Romance
Entangled Covet
October 28, 2014


A paranormal category romance from Entangled's Covet imprint...

The last thing he wanted was to fall for a witch...

Veterinarian Kat Ramsey hasn't a clue that she's a witch. Sure, she can read minds, and there's the whole "dimension-hopping" issue that she can't quite control, but Kat is determined to keep things normal. That is, until she accidentally hops into the Otherworld, and runs smack into Matthew Ryan―the seriously hot one-night stand from years ago who shoved her out of his dorm. Naked.

And there's the tiny matter of the curse she gave him.

May you never find satisfaction with another woman. Billionaire and former druid Matthew Ryan hasn't forgotten the curse, or the witch who gave it to him. Kat's unexpected return means the curse will finally be broken. Unfortunately, his libido has other ideas―like how to get her back into his bed one last time. But far more worrying is his suspicion that Kat is the seventh Pleiades witch. Because while he's turned his back on his druidic ways, he's still bound to protect the woman who made his life hell...
My Review: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
Protecting His Witch is a fun, fast-paced paranormal romance that I found to be quite character driven. Give me two great characters, and I really don't care much if the plot takes a backseat to them. Kat and Matt were quite the couple... I'm glad I was reading on a Kindle or they might have scorched the pages :)
Kat Ramsey is equal parts sweet and sassy. She's confused about her dimension hopping, especially when it always seems to lead her to Matt. Add to that the overwhelming attraction she feels for him... well that just leads to one messed up situation. I love how she inadvertently curses Matt at the beginning of the novel... jerk deserved it! That's not to say I didn't like Matt. Poor guy was just as confused as Kat whenever she popped into his life. He can't resist her any more than she can him.
The story is very character driven, which I liked. However, there was so much more I wanted to know about the Druids, the Pleiades, and their world. Since this is the first book in the series, I assume the details of the world will be fleshed out in later books. The first half of the book flies by, as does the last quarter. Really, the ending was somewhat of a whirlwind.
I enjoyed Protecting His Witch and recommend it to anyone who likes sexy paranormal romance. I'm looking forward to reading more in the series.
About the Author
Zoe Forward is a hopeless romantic who can't decide between paranormal and urban fantasy romance. So she writes both. In addition to being a mom to one rambunctious kindergartener and wife to a conservation ecologist who plans to save all the big cats on the planet, she’s a small animal veterinarian caring for all the small furries, although there is the occasional hermit crab.
When she’s not typing at her laptop, she’s tying on a karate belt for her son or cleaning up the newest pet mess from the menagerie that occupies her house. She’s madly in love with her globe trotting husband of ten years and happiest when he returns to their home base in North Carolina.
Tour-Wide Giveaway

Book Blast: How We Fall by Kate Brauning - Excerpt

How We FallHow We Fall
Kate Brauning

Merit Press, F&W Media
Releasing November 11, 2014
Hardcover: 304 pages
ISBN-10: 1440581797
ISBN-13: 978-144058179

Ever since Jackie moved to her uncle's sleepy farming town, she's been flirting way too much--and with her own cousin, Marcus. Her friendship with him has turned into something she can't control, and he's the reason Jackie lost track of her best friend, Ellie, who left for...no one knows where. Now Ellie has been missing for months, and the police, fearing the worst, are searching for her body. Swamped with guilt and the knowledge that acting on her love for Marcus would tear their families apart, Jackie pushes her cousin away. The plan is to fall out of love, and, just as she hoped he would, Marcus falls for the new girl in town. But something isn't right about this stranger, and Jackie's suspicions about the new girl's secrets only drive the wedge deeper between Jackie and Marcus. Then Marcus is forced to pay the price for someone else's lies as the mystery around Ellie's disappearance starts to become horribly clear. Jackie has to face terrible choices. Can she leave her first love behind, and can she go on living with the fact that she failed her best friend?

Praise for How We Fall:

Kirkus Reviews: "Debut novelist Brauning tells a touching story of young, star-crossed lovers caught in a drama they have tried hard to avoid.... A sweetly written mix of mystery and romantic turmoil."

School Library Journal: "Heartbreaking and well-paced, this mystery novel challenges readers to look past preconceptions and get to the know characters, rather than focus on an uncomfortable taboo. Brauning's characters are well developed and their story engrossing. An intriguing thriller... this title will raise eyebrows and capture the interest of teens."

ALA Booklist: “…an unusual combination of romance and suspense…There is also something universal about Jackie’s struggles with her feelings and her desires, and readers will identify with her emotions, while going along for the plot’s ride. This quest for identity, wrapped up in an intriguing mystery, hooks from the beginning.”

How We Fall is available through:


All book lovers are invited to attend #YAlaunch, a giant book party for How We Fall and The Hit List on Monday, November 10th, from 6-9pm central time. Broadcast live over video, the party will allow you to see, hear, and interact with the authors. 10 YA and adult authors will be discussing everything from writing a series to how they write love interests. They’ll also be playing book games with the audience, taking questions, and giving away 100 books to guests attending online. Authors attending include NYT bestsellers Nicole Baart and Tosca Lee, Kate Brauning, Nikki Urang, Kiersi Burkhart, Bethany Robison, Alex Yuschik, Blair Thornburgh, Kelly Youngblood, and Delia Moran. It will be a fun and interactive evening for anyone who loves books and wants to spend some time with great authors. For more information and to sign up to attend, please click here. We'd love to see you there!


 



Author Bio: Kate Brauning grew up in rural Missouri and fell in love with young adult books in college. She now works in publishing and pursues her lifelong dream of telling stories she'd want to read. This is her first novel. Visit her online at www.katebrauning.com or on Twitter at @KateBrauning.

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Book Blitz: The Spirit Heir by Kaitlyn Davis - Guest Post & Giveaway




The Spirit Heir

Release Date: 10/30/14

Summary from Goodreads:

From bestselling author Kaitlyn Davis comes the second book in the thrilling A Dance of Dragons series--perfect for fans of Throne of Glass, Graceling, and Game of Thrones!

Drenched in darkness and surrounded by the echo of screams, Jinji waits deep in the dungeons of Rayfort, haunted by the memory of the knife stabbing Rhen, plagued by a foreign voice whispering through her mind. A few floors above, Rhen rests trapped in a coma, about to wake to a changed world—a world where his best friend is a woman, his nephew is the king, and an enemy army surrounds him on all sides.

But human wars are insignificant compared to the darkness gathering unseen. Memories of lives she never lived flash through Jinji's thoughts, hinting at a past that cannot be repeated. A mysterious phantom visits Rhen, carrying cryptic messages of the future. And somewhere out there, the shadow continues to lurk in silence.

Uncertain of their relationship and tempted by new feelings, Rhen and Jinji must find a way to work together. The fate of humanity rests on their shoulders and the real battle has only just begun…



Buy Links:


Book One:
(Currently FREE!)

The Shadow Soul (A Dance of Dragons, #1)
Release Date: 02/20/14

GAME OF THRONES meets GRACELING in a new fantasy series by bestselling author Kaitlyn Davis.

Jinji has been haunted by the death of her twin brother for ten years. Now, on the dawn of her joining, the nightmare that claimed him has returned for her.

Prince Whylrhen is determined to prevent the past from repeating itself. His kingdom is expecting a new heir, and he will stop at nothing to keep the child safe.

Though they've never met, the two share a deep secret—magic. Jinji can weave the elements to create master illusions and Whylrhen can pull burning flames into his flesh. But neither of them knows what they are truly capable of until a chance encounter brings them together. For their story has played out before, in a long forgotten time—an age of myth that is about to be reborn…

Get your free copy!


Guest Post by Kaitlyn Davis

Dream Movie Cast for the A Dance of Dragons Series!

Not all of these characters live, and some of them have died before the story even begins! Up to you to guess who makes it! 

Jinji – Shay Mitchell

Jinji is my female protagonist! In the first chapter of The Shadow Soul, she suffers a great loss and her actions for the rest of the series are motivated by a sense of vengeance and need for companionship. Jinji is in the process of rediscovering who she is, while at the same time trying to honor her past.
Shay Mitchell is best known for her role in Pretty Little Liars.

Rhen – Prince Harry
Rhen is my male protagonist! On the outside, he is a jokester and a womanizer—the third son of a king who has wealth and no responsibility. But on the inside he is hurting. All he wants is to feel worthy of his family and to mold a place for himself in the world. 

Prince Harry, is well, Prince Harry! Not an actor, but he is the embodiment of my ginger Prince Rhen.

Janu/Jin – Gus Carr
Janu is Jinji’s twin brother who has passed away a decade before the novel begins. However, upon meeting Rhen and leaving her home, Jinji disguises herself as her brother and changes her name to Jin.
Gus Carr is best known for his role in Bring It On: All or Nothing.

Calen – Logan Lerman
Calen is Rhen’s best friend since childhood. He is a bit of a rule follower, but that just makes it more fun for Rhen to tease him.
Logan Lerman is best known for his role in The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

Captain Pygott – Donald Sutherland
Captain Pygott is an old sailor and one of Rhen’s closest friends, almost like an uncle. He spins the most alluring tales and is always willing to help Rhen with a scheme.
Donald Sutherland is in a ton of movies! You all may know him best as President Snow in The Hunger Games—but mine would be a much kinder role!

Mikzahooq – Adam Rodriguez
Mikzahooq is a captured slave from the Kingdom of Ourthuro—but I don’t want to give anything else away!
Adam Rodriguez is best known for his role in CSI: Miami.

Leenaka – Nazanin Boniadi
Leenaka is a princess in the neighboring Kingdom of Ourthuro. Again, not giving anything away!
Nazanin Boniadi is best known for her role in How I Met Your Mother.



About the Author
I've always been a writer. I grew up duct taping my novels together, started writing complete manuscripts in high school and studied creative writing at Johns Hopkins University. Upon graduating, I decided it was finally time to actually give my dream career a chance. So, of course, I started writing a young adult paranormal romance series -- and no, I'm not jumping on the bandwagon. I've been a true paranormal supporter for my entire life! I blame my obsession almost completely on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, my all-time favorite television show. And, before you ask: Yes, I own every season... even the post WB ones! I especially challenge anyone to watch the first three seasons and not fall in love with Angel, securing a lifelong love of vampires! Other culprits of my paranormal obsession are some of my favorite authors: JK Rowling, Raymond Feist, Meg Cabot, Richelle Mead, Lynne Ewing and Tamora Pierce.

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