Saturday, March 14, 2015

A Ghostly Undertaking by Tonya Kappes - Review & Giveaway

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Ghostly Undertaking '


A Ghostly Undertaking 
Ghostly Southern Mysteries #1

Tonya Kappes

Genre: Mystery & Detective/Cozy
Release Date: February 24, 2015
Publisher: Witness Impulse an imprint HarperCollins
ISBN: 9780062374646
ASIN: B00KPVCEDU
Pages: 304
List Price: 7.99 USD    

~Synopsis~
From USA Today bestselling author Tonya Kappes, comes a brand new hilarious and fun paranormal mystery series about Emma Lee Raines, a funeral home director who can suddenly see dead people!

Bopped on the head from a falling plastic Santa, local undertaker Emma Lee Raines is told she’s suffering from "funeral trauma." It’s trauma all right, because the not so dearly departed keep talking to her. Take Ruthie Sue Payne--innkeeper, gossip queen, and arch-nemesis of Emma Lee’s granny-she’s adamant that she didn’t just fall down those stairs. She was pushed.

Ruthie has no idea who wanted her pushing up daisies. All she knows is that she can’t cross over until the matter is laid to eternal rest. In the land of the living, Emma Lee’s high-school crush, Sheriff Jack Henry Ross, isn’t ready to rule out foul play. Granny Raines, the widow of Ruthie’s ex-husband and co-owner of the Sleepy Hollow Inn, is the prime suspect. Now Emma Lee is stuck playing detective or risk being haunted forever.

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

If I could see ghosts, the last place I'd want to work would be a funeral home... but main character Emma Lee wasn't so lucky. After a bonk on the head by a decorative Santa Claus, she can now see and hear ghosts as clear as though they were alive. Unfortunately, since the funeral home is the family business, she can't even leave. Makes for some pretty humorous scenes :)

I read this on the beach while on vacation in San Diego. It was light, funny, and interesting enough to keep my attention through the noise of my fellow beach-goers. With summer rapidly approaching, I'm always on the lookout for great vacation reads, and A Ghostly Undertaking fit the bill.

I really enjoyed the characters in this novel- they were quirky and fun to read about. I immediately connected with Emma Lee as she dealt with her annoying sister, vindictive granny, and riotously funny murder victim. Ms. Kappes did an amazing job creating an array of unique, intriguing characters.

The story was fast-paced with lots of witty dialogue which I always love. I enjoyed Ms. Kappes writing style- everything flowed smoothly from one scene to the next as Emma Lee played detective in an attempt to solve Ruthie's murder. I also liked romantic interest Jack, the town sheriff- he was the only one who believed Emma was seeing ghosts and not suffering from "funeral trauma".

Overall I enjoyed A Ghostly Undertaking. I loved the paranormal mixed with cozy mystery aspect. Fun characters, some humor and romance, along with a quirky murder victim made it an interesting read.

 
~ About the Author~
Tonya Kappes 
 Tonya Kappes has written more than fifteen novels and four novellas, all of which have graced numerous bestseller lists including USA Today. Best known for stories charged with emotion and humor and filled with flawed characters, her novels have garnered reader praise and glowing critical reviews. She lives with her husband, two very spoiled schnauzers, and one ex-stray cat in northern Kentucky. More than anything, Tonya loves to connect with readers, and has a ‘street team’ of fans and followers on social media. Be sure to checkout her Facebook, Twitter, blog and newsletter!

Connect with the author  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Giveaway

5 individual promo codes for a free download of the book for an entire tour. Winner must have access to Bluefire Reader and have an Adobe account to receive free download.

Friday, March 13, 2015

Maiden by C.L. Marin - Guest Post & Giveaway


I'm so pleased that C.L. Marin is with us today to share a bit about her new paranormal romance, Maiden!


Thank you for letting me speak today about my debut novel, MAIDEN. This is the last day of my blog tour so let’s dig a little deeper into its pages.

Tara is like a lot of kids today—growing up without a dad or at least a dad who plays an active roll in her life. She feels like she’s not “good enough” for him to love, and if she was just “better” maybe he could. Maybe he’d never want to be without her. Sorry to all of you reading this...you’ll just have to purchase MAIDEN to find out how Tara’s relationship with her father works out, but I want to tell every young man and woman that DNA DOES NOT MAKE A DAD!

Something I think about while I’m putting my poor characters through hell is; what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. Tara struggles but she must learn from every painful hardship. So should you. And, hey, at least you’re not fighting Stygian Imps along the way! Don’t let the actions of another human being—or witch—who calls himself your dad, define you. Rise above it. Besides, just think of the advantage you’ll have over the other survivors of the apocalypse. People will turn to YOU for direction because you’re a survivor—a warrior—you’ll eat cold beans from a can by a dumpster-fire a call it fillet mignon! Sorry…I got a little carried away.

I’m not someone who has an absentee father. My dad has been in my life, married to my mom, since I breathed my first breath. I have, however, seen the effects it can have on the most innocent of people. Take a lesson from Tara, and whether you make amends with the guy or not, grow and be strong, and know you are a brilliant person, not in spite of, but because of the life experiences you have.
  


Maiden

C.L. Marin

YA Paranormal Romance
Evernight Teen
March 6, 2015

Evernight Teen | Amazon | ARe | B&N


Tara secretly wished her estranged father would want her around, so when he unexpectedly contacted her, she agreed to get reacquainted. That wish turned into a nightmare. She learned that she is an Authentic Witch—the Maiden of the Moodus Coven—and the key to obliterating the black magic Haddam coven. 

Tara’s mother took her into hiding when she was small in order to keep her alive but the Haddam’s found her. Now Tara must trust the help she’s found in her three close friends, one mystifying new love, and a father she barely knows as she fights for the life of her mother using a power she doesn’t yet understand.

And one of those trusts might cost Tara her life.



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Thursday, March 12, 2015

Garden by Jane Yates - Character Interview



Garden

Jane Yates

New Adult Dystopian/Steampunk/Sci-Fi
Autumn Orchard
February 12, 2015

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Smashwords

*Smashwords code for 35% discount- EN36V

‘Garden is very charming with some lovely parallels …’ Sharon Sant – Author of The Sky Song trilogy
Inspired by the classic novel The Secret Garden, Jane Yates introduces us to a steampunk world of bio-domes, robots and mysteries. Eleven-year-old Aberdeen is so used to being by herself that all she has to fill her thoughts are stories of mighty dragons and grand castles. But Aberdeen’s world is soon thrown into disarray however; her parents murdered.
Having no choice, Aberdeen is sent to live with her uncle back on Earth where her fascination into her new surroundings begin to take hold. It isn’t long before Aberdeen befriends three other children – Maisy, Peter and Lenard.
Oh, and there’s Frank too, Peter’s robot dog, who completes this special circle of friendship.
Garden is a journey of self-discovery, of trials and friendship. With adventure boundless, Jane Yates follows up her acclaimed Paradox Child trilogy with a new tale for young fans of steampunk and science fiction.
Praise for Garden

‘Garden is very charming with some lovely parallels …’  – Sharon Sant – Author of The Sky Song trilogy

‘This is an absolutely lovely story with a really intriguing mystery …’ – Jaimie Admans – Author of Afterlife Academy

‘Garden made me smile from start to finish.’ – Dan Thompson – Author of Here Lies Love

‘Jane Yates has written a wonderful story of self-growth, courage and learning how to love.’ – Book Raiders Blog

Character Interview with Mrs. Merryweather

Tell me something about yourself?
My name is Mrs Merryweather. I am not going to tell you my age. I am a widow with no living relatives. I am head housekeeper and have been working for the master for 20 years. I started as a cleaner and then gradually worked my way up to this position. Of course, I have my beloved Keys, my robot - he’s my right hand man.

Do you enjoy your job, why does this role interest you?
Well I have to keep all my staff on their toes, more so since the accident. I don’t want people giving up and getting down. I am a firm believer that hard work is good for the mind and the soul. So I sometimes invent jobs or make my staff do the job over, just to keep them busy. It’s a kindness really.
My husband when he was alive was a deep fish seaman. He used to tell me that when they transported the tanks of cod long distances, they would put a few large cat fish in the tank with them. The fisherman did this to keep the cod on the toes, as it were. They needed the cod swimming and moving about to keep them fresh and in good shape. Cod are clever fish and knew if they didn’t keep moving and sink to the bottom the cat fish would eat them! I think of my role as a bit of a cat fish, with a touch of dragon thrown in for good measure.

What is your greatest strength?
I have so many strengths, so I will list a few here. I am physically fit and strong for a lady of my age. I am honest, trustworthy and loyal. Polite, I believe manners make a man.

What is your greatest weakness?
I have to admit that I am not very flexible, I don’t like change. I think that’s why I may have been a bit hard on Aberdeen when she came. Everything was ticking along, and she set the cat amongst the pigeons, as it were. However, no, I have to admit I am glad she did come after all, and I’d not change her or any of it. But don’t tell the child that! I shall deny it if you do.

Do you have any hobbies outside of work?
I am a collector, and I like to collect historical items that are used for cleaning a home. Vacuums and other cleaning gadgets. I have an extensive collection with some very unusual ones, rare and unique. I even have the original boxes!

Are you ambitious? Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
This is my home, I look after the master and Lenard. I want to see in the next generation. I can’t imagine being anywhere else.

Before you go, Mrs Merryweather, where were you when the gamma ray hit Earth? What did you think was happening?
Luckily I was inside the house when it hit, unlike the poor mistress who was in the walled garden. I had no idea what was happening. I understand now that the government had prepared for it. However the likes of me weren’t told.
We had to move to an underground shelter to begin with. But it was not long before the master arranged for the bio-dome to be built.
It was good to be back in the house again, even if we could not see the sky. Looking back, I guess we were lucky; it could have been a lot worse. Lots of people died, my husband was out at sea when it happened. He never came back.




About the Author

Jane lives in the historic city of Oxford, England with her two spaniels. She works at the Pitt Rivers museum there too and is amazed and inspired by its wondrous array of objects. Being a museum of anthropology and world archaeology, Jane often finds herself influenced by its exhibitions. And indeed it has helped Jane write a trilogy for children – the Paradox Child series.


Jane is not only a mother, artist and storyteller, but dyslexic too, which only highlights her success even more. Jane refuses to allow the disorder to halt her dreams and continues to enjoy her favourite hobbies. Jane is a lover of steampunk, adventure and children’s stories, which often play a huge role in her own books.

Autumn Orchard Links – 


In the Time of Dragon Moon by Janet Lee Carey - Giveaway




In the Time of Dragon Moon

Janet Lee Carey

YA Fantasy
Kathy Dawson Books
March 24, 2015

AMAZON | BARNES& NOBLE
BOOKDEPOSITORY


An epic fantasy about dragons, dark secrets, Pendragons, and magic

On the southernmost tip of Wilde Island--far from the Dragonswood sanctuary and the Pendragon Castle--live the native Euit people. Uma, who is half Euit and half English, and not fully accepted by her tribe, wants to become a healer like her Euit father. But the mad English queen in the north, desperate for another child, kidnaps Uma and her father and demands that he cure her barrenness. After her father dies, Uma must ensure that the queen is with child by the time of the Dragon Moon, or be burned at the stake.

Terrified and alone, Uma reaches out to her only possible ally: the king's nephew Jackrun, a fiery dragonrider with dragon, fairy, and human blood. Together, they must navigate through a sea of untold secrets, unveil a dark plot spawned long ago in Dragonswood, and find a way to accept all the elements--Euit, English, dragon, and fairy--that make them who they are.


photo by Heidi Pettit

Janet Lee Carey is the award-winning author of nine Young Adult novels including her newest release, In the Time of Dragon Moon, book three of the Wilde Island Chronicles, ALA Best Books for Young Adults. Winner of the Mark Twain Award and finalist for the Washington State Book Award, her books highlight the courage of children and teens, and explore the challenges of staying true to your values while following your dreams. School Library Journal starred review calls her work, “fantasy at its best-original, beautiful, amazing, and deeply moving.” Statistics have shown that children who read are more compassionate. Janet links each new book with a charitable organization empowering youth to read and reach out. She tours the U.S. and abroad presenting at schools, book festivals and conferences for writers, teachers, and librarians. Janet and her family live near Seattle by a lake where rising morning mist forms into the shape of dragons.




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Wednesday, March 11, 2015

One Crazy Night - An Anthology - Giveaway

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One Crazy Night - An Anthology
Sara Furlong Burr, Teshelle Combs, Emma Faragher, R. Holland, Louise Nicks, Aoife Marie Sheridan, M. H. Soars, and Sharon Stevenson
Publication date: March 10th 2015
Genres: Paranormal, Dystopian, Fantasy
One-Crazy-Night-V2_ebookNightshade Reads presents their debut fantasy anthology, featuring eight of the genre’s freshest up-and-coming independent authors. Get ready for One Crazy Night, packed full of magical encounters, dark secrets and shocking revelations.

Get a glimpse into a powerful queen’s dark and brutal backstory in Aoife Marie Sheridan’s Bellona.

In Louise Nick’s Love Magic, a homemade love spell goes disastrously wrong for two amateur teen witches.

A young woman is captured by beautiful, dangerous creatures in M.H. Soars Elements.

A teenage boy falls in love, but things quickly become complicated in R. Holland’s Lady in Black.

Sara Furlong Burr brings a broken man’s troubles to light as he is offered a solution by a mysterious stranger in The Recruit.

Emma Faragher spins a dark origin tale of sisterhood and magic in Necromancer Lineage.

The kindness of a stranger takes a homeless young man by surprise in The Keymaker by Teshelle Combs.

Sharon Stevenson’s Reanimator brings death and magic together to change the fate of one young man’s life.


All proceeds from this Anthology's sale will go to The Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Organisation.

Purchase Links:

The Recruit quote 1Elements quote 1Reanimator quote 2


About Nightshade Reads:
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Nightshade Reads is a group of YA and NA authors who love to spin Paranormal and Fantasy stories. The group is composed by Sara Furlong Burr,Teshelle Combs,Emma Faragher, R. Holland, Louise Nicks, Aoife Marie Sheridan, M. H. Soars, and Sharon Stevenson.

Connect with the Nightshade Reads Authors:
Sara Furlong Burr | Teshelle Combs | Emma Faragher | R. Holland | Louise Nicks | Aoife Marie Sheridan | M. H. Soars | Sharon Stevenson

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Cover Reveal: Nexis by A.L. Davroe


Nexis
A.L. Davroe

Release Date: 12/01/15
Entangled Teen

Summary from Goodreads:


In the domed city of Evanescence, appearance is everything. A Natural Born amongst genetically-altered Aristocrats, all Ella ever wanted was to be like everyone else. Augmented, sparkling, and perfect. Then...the crash. Devastated by her father's death and struggling with her new physical limitations, Ella is terrified to learn she is not just alone, but little more than a prisoner.

Her only escape is to lose herself in Nexis, the hugely popular virtual reality game her father created. In Nexis she meets Guster, a senior player who guides Ella through the strange and compelling new world she now inhabits. He offers Ella guidance, friendship...and something more. Something that allows her to forget about the “real” world, and makes her feel whole again.

But Nexis isn't quite the game everyone thinks it is.

And it's been waiting for Ella.



About the Author

I write both YA and adult speculative fiction. I prefer revisionist tales in paranormal, romance, Steampunk, and fantasy. I'm the author of Salvation Station (adult psych horror), The City Steam Collection (adult psych horror), For Your Heart (YA Paranormal Romance) and my YA Sci-Fi novel, Nexis, is coming out with Entangled Publishing in 2015!

By day, I live in Connecticut with my two feline hench-creatures.  I'm a terrible blusher, have a weak spot for cuddly animals, love Laffy Taffy and Cadbury MiniEggs, and I'm a huge advocate of alternative healing methods.  I also wear Vibram five-finger toe shoes and corsets...Though not always in the same ensemble.  I'm a Capricorn, a Hufflepuff, and a few nuggets short of a Happy Meal.  I also suffer from Resting Bitchface Syndrome (RBS), so even though I might look like I'll tie you in a knot if you come near me, I'm more afraid of you than you are of me (see blushing problem above).

Author Links:
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Tuesday, March 10, 2015

The Enchanted Rose by Nadia Nader - Guest Post, Excerpt & Giveaway



The Enchanted Rose
Misty Hills, Book One

Nadia Nader

YA Paranormal
January 14, 2015

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Goodreads


When Vivian’s mother dies in a tragic accident, Vivian’s world is turned upside down. Her life, as she knows it, is over. A new life, full of her mother’s secrets, begins…

Sent away by her father to live with two eccentric aunts on the mysterious Tremaine Estate, Vivian comes to learn that a powerful curse lurks over her family – one that only she may have the power to break. With each day she spends in Misty Hills, Vivian uncovers more unsettling discoveries about the town, her reclusive family, and herself.

Can Vivian let go of every truth she’s ever believed and discover who she really is, before the dark secrets hidden within the supernatural town threaten to consume her and those she loves?



Guest Post by Nadia Nader

The Story Behind the Story

Hello, my name is Nadia Nader and my debut novel The Enchanted Rose is a paranormal story set in the fictional town of Misty Hills. The book starts with Vivian having to move to the mysterious town due to her mother’s sudden death. She’s distraught as she’s sent to the small town she’s never heard of to live with two aunts she didn’t know existed.

The seeds for The Enchanted Rose were planted during a family gathering several years ago. My parents and I were visiting our relatives. It was a small family gathering composed of my aunt, uncle, and two cousins. There was also a girl there, one that I had never met before. However my parents seemed to know her very well. They kept asking her detailed questions about her life. The more knowledge they showed about her life, the more curious I became about how they knew her. After we were done with lunch, I pulled aside my cousin and asked her who the girl was. With a surprised look at me, she replied, “My sister.”

I was shocked. How could I not have known of the existence of her sister? My world shifted slightly off its axis and rearranged itself. I began asking myself, “What else don’t I know?”

When telling my friends the story, we bounced ideas around asking each other what would be the strangest thing you could find out that would change the way you viewed your world. What event would have you questioning your life?

I knew then that I wanted to write a story about that and explore the emotional aspects of your whole life turning upside down and having to question every truth you’ve ever known. I liked the idea of Vivian having to return to a town her mother ran away from and discovering family secrets. Especially when those secrets turn out to be paranormal in nature.

 Writing The Enchanted Rose was a wonderful experience and I am currently working on the second book in the series. Vivian has had an interesting start to life in Misty Hills but she has more secrets to uncover. Life is going to be a little rocky for her in the next couple of months but I know she can handle it!

Excerpt

A couple of pots were bubbling atop the stove emitting delicious smells. My mouth watered, and I realized how long it had been since I'd had a home-cooked meal. My father and I had lived on ready-made meals since mother’s passing. I briefly wondered how my father would manage without me there to make sure he ate. I blinked back the tears that threatened to spill over.
“Have a seat at the table.” My aunt gestured to a cozy table along the wall. Two places had been set. With an efficient stride and swoop, she took a seat. “I’ve made beef stew with vegetables and rice.”
“It smells delicious.” Despite the lump in my throat and rock in my stomach, I salivated.
With a serving spoon, Aunt Agnes scooped rice onto my plate and added a healthy helping of stew alongside it. She did the same for her plate and then sat watching me as I raised a spoon to my mouth.
I took a bite and reveled in the taste. She smiled at my blissful reaction. The smile softened her face, making her appear kinder.
“This is amazing.”
“Thank you.” The smile disappeared as suddenly as it had appeared. Her face clouded over again. “We take turns cooking here. Beatrice actually made that. Of the three of us, she’s the better cook.”
“I can cook too, if you like. I used to cook for my parents sometimes. Mom taught me some family recipes.”
Aunt Agnes studied me for a few seconds. “That would be nice. It’s good to give Beatrice a break from time to time.”
We ate the rest of our meal in silence. The beef stew filled my stomach and warmth spread across my body. In the cozy atmosphere of the kitchen, with pots bubbling across the countertop, I almost felt content for the first time that week. Before I could enjoy it for too long, my aunt spoke.
“You won’t be expected to go to school tomorrow. I’ve told them that you’ll start on Friday, so no reason to go and mix them up.” She frowned at me. “I don’t normally encourage slothfulness, but I supposed you could take the day to recover from your travels. If you’d like, you can explore the grounds. You can also go down to town if you wish.”
I nodded gratefully.
“Is there anything you would like to ask me?” Aunt Agnes peered at me down her thin nose.
“Yes.” I hesitated, not sure it was the right time to ask. Then I decided to take the plunge and pose the question that had been bothering me since I'd found out I was being sent to live with them. “Why didn’t my mother ever mention she had sisters?”
If I hadn’t been intent on observing her reaction, I would have missed the fleeting expression of anger and grief that crossed her face. But I was watching closely.
That expression disappeared quickly, and she looked back at me in disapproval, her face becoming more pinched looking. Her lips thinned to a white line until they almost disappeared. The silence went on long enough for it to become awkward. Soon, all I could hear was the loud ticking of the grandfather clock.
When I thought I couldn’t bear the tension any longer, my aunt finally spoke. “Your mother never mentioned us because she was desperate to break free. Mentioning us would have made her escape futile.” She looked at me with an intensity that made me lightheaded. “As it is, you are back with us, so she never managed to truly escape.”

About the Author

Nadia Nader lives in Kuwait with her family. 

You can contact Nadia on her blog http://www.nadianader.com





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