Monday, August 15, 2016

Smoke & Mirrors by Jess Haines - Excerpt




 Smoke and Mirrors

Jess Haines

YA/NA Fantasy
May 1, 2016

A girl who uses her illusions to fool the world into thinking she's just like all the other magi.

A dragon who sees through her lies.

Together they just might survive a world that wants to control or destroy them both.

Kimberly may wield ultimate cosmic power, but even a mage has to pay the rent. No one will hire her for her magic talents until she's got the credentials, so she’s stuck in a crappy rent controlled apartment with her mother, yearning for treats she can't afford at her part time job in a café, counting down the days until she graduates the secret Blackhollow Academy school for magi. Only then will she have the certificate she needs to land her dream job in a coven. 

The problem? She needs a familiar to graduate. 

As an illusionist, she doesn't have the ability to summon or create a familiar of her own. Her only option is to convince a supernatural creature to let her bind it instead. Since having a powerful Other at her beck and call would guarantee her a place in a coven after she graduates—and legendary treasure hoards are an added bonus—she thinks binding a dragon as her familiar will solve all her problems...

Because sometimes a girl needs a dragon, not a knight.
Purchase Links
Amazon Everywhere Else: http://hyperurl.co/d7dv3u 

Excerpt

Viper made a soft hissing sound of irritation between his teeth, pulling back from her. “Cormac has no vision. I know what I want and I’m prepared to offer anything to get it. You have but to ask.”
Well. There was one thing. Her cheeks flared crimson and she squirmed a bit before stuttering out another question, swallowing back her embarrassment.
“You keep a hoard like a dragon, right? I don’t suppose you would consider loaning me a little? I swear I’d pay it back.”
His head tipped to one side, and he looked her up and down anew. She suspected he was just noticing her frayed cuffs and cheap shoes. He’d been so intent on getting whatever it was he wanted out of her that he hadn’t paid attention to the package it came in until now. When she caught the very slight curl of his lip, there and gone in a flash, embarrassed heat filled her cheeks.
Feeling both dirty and humiliated, she ducked her head. “Never mind. I shouldn’t have asked. I’m sorry, I don’t think I can do this.”
“Come now, I’m sure it’s not that hard. All it takes is a yes.”
“No,” she said, this time with a bit more vehemence. Cormac was right. There was something off about Viper, and never mind what a perfect ass she’d just made of herself. Worst of all, that flash of disgust showed he obviously had no respect for her. At least Cormac never made her feel tolerated. “Thank you for the offer, but I’ll find some other way of getting what I need.”
He slowly rose to stand, heaving a sigh as he settled back on his heels.
“That’s unfortunate. This would have been much easier if you had agreed.”
Kimberly would have asked what he meant by that, but the look in his eyes froze her in place.
His eyes burned a molten gold as he spread his arms, which were expanding and shifting at an alarming rate. Faster than she might have thought possible, he was growing, his clothing melting and skin disappearing under a layer of metallic scales. Nearby, people were noticing, shouting and screaming in fear as they stampeded in every direction to escape the shapechanging Other in their midst.
When he ceased growing, from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail, he was over thirty feet long, with a wingspan half again that size.
Kimberly sat immobile, unable to so much as squeak in terror as the beast before her lurched back to arch its neck and spread its wings, barbed tail lashing as it growled at her. One thick, talon-tipped paw lashed out, flattening her on the grass and squeezing the air out of her lungs. It gave an awkward, one-legged hop forward to catch its balance before clenching its claws to dig deep furrows in the grass and close around her waist and legs, pinning her.
Then those wide, ribbed wings began to flap, the sun playing off the tones of brass and copper and gold. The ground fell away, people scattering before the airborne monster.
And Kimberly could do nothing but pray, staring up at this great beast that had her in its claws.
She’d gotten what she’d asked for. Now she would have to pay the price.

About the Author

I'm a displaced New Yorker with a penchant for the silly, the obscure, and the fantastical. These days, you can find me in the Tampa area. I'm currently working on the H&W Investigations urban fantasy series and the Blackhollow Academy young adult/new adult contemporary fantasy series. Find out more about my books, drop me a line, or join my mailing list at www.jesshaines.com!

Contact Information

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Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Never Kiss and Tell by Megan Gaudino










Welcome to Megan Gaudino, author of Never Kiss and Tell, with a post about a trip that inspired a scene in her latest novel!

I wanted to talk about something today that I think is pretty amazing. Amazing enough that I wrote it into this book and made it a key part of the story. What I’m talking about is the blue hole. There are actually thousands around the world, but I don’t think many people are familiar with them. They’re these little (or big) pockets of water with steep walls and are almost perfectly circular. They are essentially sinkholes that form within another body of water and usually date back to past ice ages. That might sound really cool to you or that might sound really boring but either way, if you saw one, you’d be impressed.

The blue hole in Never Kiss and Tell is completely based on my trip to the blue hole in Castalia, Erie County, Ohio. I don’t mention Castalia in the book but I do mention Erie County. I first heard about blue holes from my mom and grandmother. They would talk about their trips out to see this blue hole and the tales of this constantly freezing water and endlessly blue color just seemed like pure magic. I had to go. I had to see it. After some Googling I found out, to my dismay that the blue hole was now on private property and closed to the public but I was in luck, there was another blue hole.


I made the trip out to Castalia, just a little over two hours from my house, and I wasn’t disappointed. Getting there isn’t glamourous or even challenging. You just drive around to the back of the fish hatchery and see a plain road sign that reads “blue hole.”


I walked up to the small dock and there it was. In all its glory. I think being surrounded by the ordinariness of the buildings and the parking lot made it even more special. It was so blue. Like, ridiculously blue. And clear! You could see all the way to the bottom. The temperature is always at about 49⁰F and because of the water’s makeup it can’t support fish, but it was amazing. My mom said, and like the picture shows, you couldn’t get near the old blue hole but I could’ve jumped right in this one. That is if I wanted too.


I know I’m not giving the blue hole justice with my descriptions, and I promise you it is described to perfection in the book, but I do have a point. There are magical things everywhere. I know it can be completely explained by science, and I’m sure the people who see it every day aren’t that impressed, but to me standing there and dipping my toes in the water, I had found magic right here on earth. That makes me pretty happy and so impressed I made it a key point in a book I wrote. Moral of the story is, find the closest Blue Hole and check it out! Oh, and read about it in Never Kiss and Tell too!




NEVER KISS AND TELL
(Guardian Kiss, 2)

by Megan Gaudino

Romance/Paranormal/Teen
72K/Evernight Teen Publishing


Sophia Destino has a target on her back.
Someone is determined to make sure 
she doesn’t see tomorrow. 

When Leo takes off on a dangerous mission 
to track down her attacker, Sophia is left to 
deal with a life that’s been turned upside down. 

Then she discovers her importance to guardian legend. She thought she was strong. She thought she could trust Leo. Until she discovers that her biggest fear is Leo’s greatest desire. 

Leo wants to be human again, and Sophia is the key to him doing just that. But should she risk everything for Leo and their happily ever after, or has Leo been tricking her all along to get what he wants?


Buy Links:   Evernight Teen    Amazon     ARe
  
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14+ due to adult situations

Excerpt:

 “Don’t be afraid.” Leo’s deep voice wrapped around me like velvet.

 I bolted to the light switch and flicked it up. Was my mind playing tricks on me?

 “Leo…” It was barely a whisper and held a hint of a question.

 “My Sophia.” He stood up and held his arms out to me, just waiting.

 Waiting was something I’d done a lot of for Leo. I kept my spot by the door, with hopes so high they could kill me. He looked the same—out-of-this-world hot, and fortunately not injured in any way my eyes could detect. He wore severely distressed light-washed jeans and a plain black V-neck. His flaxen hair curled wildly around his face and his lips were tight.

 The look was so good on him I almost couldn’t take it.

 The dark look on his face told me he was feeling exactly the same way about me and my dress.

 Without knowing who made the first move, I ended up in his arms. Leo held me close to his chest as my feet no longer touched the ground. I clung to him with everything in me, not caring how hot his flesh felt against mine and forgetting to be angry with him for being gone so long.

 “I missed you,” he told me as his hand cupped the back of my head while his other supported the entirety of my weight.

 “I missed you more, I bet,” I told him, believing my words to be true. There were so many thoughts swirling in my head.

 “Impossible.” He sat us down on the edge of the bed and cradled me in his lap since I refused to end our hug.

 “Well, you could at least see me.” I had to point out the obvious. I’d had no way of knowing if he was even alive.

 Leo gently nudged my head up with his shoulder and tilted my chin with his burning fingers until it was level with his. “I’m sorry I left you.”

 Before I answered, his lips caught mine in a crushing kiss. My hands buried themselves in his hair and held his face as close to mine as possible. My heart was beating so loudly I was sure he could hear it and I couldn’t breathe but it didn’t seem to matter.

 Leo’s mouth only left mine to kiss my shoulder, then trailed down to my arm. Where his lips met my skin, visible puffs of steam appeared.

 “Oh, God.” He groaned and tried to pull away from me.

 “No,” I told him as I tried to keep him close.

 “I’m hurting you.” He brushed the hair away from my eyes, just barely touching me.

 “Stopping would hurt me.”

 My words were all it took for his lips to be back on mine. Leo fell back on the bed and pulled me with him. First I was on top of him. Then all of a sudden Leo was on top. My hands pressed into his back with all the strength I had as I pulled him closer to me.

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Books 1 and 2 now available HERE

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About the Author:

 Megan Gaudino works in a high school library by day and on her own books by night. She is particularly fond of every show on HBO and writes YA and NA novels full of emotions. Megan lives in Pittsburgh where you can find her reading, writing, and Instagraming.
  Goodreads- https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14238281.Megan_Gaudino
Instagram- https://instagram.com/mkgaud/       
Tumblr- http://mkgaud.tumblr.com/
WeHeartIt- http://weheartit.com/Mkgaud
Twitter- https://twitter.com/mkgaud
Wattpad- http://www.wattpad.com/user/mkgaud

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Giveaway:
$15 Amazon gift card,
a From the Page Leo's Scent candle,
a Craft'dVan custom magnetic bookmark,
and some healing crystal's used in the book

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Cover Reveal! Bleeding Hearts by Dana Louise Provo - Excerpt

Cover Reveal!!


Bleeding Hearts

Dana Louise Provo

New Adult Romantic Suspense
Clean Reads
August 25, 2016

Orphaned at an early age, now twenty-four-year-old Camryn Lucks is ready to commit to find that special someone, and so accepts a date from a charming, gallant, handsome stranger. The last thing she imagines after accepting that first date with Carson would actually be the beginning of her worst nightmare.
Red roses, a reminder of her parents' killer, soon become an emblem of horror for Cami as one by one, those closest to her fall victim to a serial killer. Cami becomes an obsession for Carson, the man she had finally allowed herself to love. Not only is he vying for her heart, but also her life.
Finding herself in a whirlwind of torments shadowed by the blood-colored bloom, Cami finds solace in Isaac, a neighboring police officer. She’s desperate to escape the haunting memories, but she must revisit them in order to catch her would-be killer. Living life in constant fear has driven Cami to second-guess every choice she makes. Will the police catch the illusive murderer, or will Cami be forced to face him once again?


Excerpt
My arm trembles as I grip the cool handle of my pistol, keeping a firm grasp to ensure it doesn’t slip out of my sweaty hand. It usually stands sentry in my left nightstand to scare the nightmares away. But this isn’t a dream. The room is dark and hides the face of the man whose intent is to kill me. But I know who he is. A metallic taste fills my mouth; I want to gag. My blood drips off the blade in his hand in slow, steady beats on the carpet. My arms shake as I lift the barrel and point it in his direction. He doesn't move. His heavy breaths alert me to the meager distance between us.
We’re at a stalemate.
A soft glow from the lamppost just outside my window casts a sliver of light on his face. His dark, beady eyes that I have grown to know rake over my body like I'm another one of his many victims. He lifts the edges of his mouth into a smile. My heart plunges into my stomach. I know what that sinister expression means, and I think back to all the times he had looked at me like that before. I had been so blind.
Before I react he lunges at me, grabbing onto my waist and twisting me to the ground. I shriek as my head slams against the bed frame. Black spots flood my vision. I squeeze my hand only to find it empty. My gun is gone. The sound of the knife clattering on the floor gives me slight hope. Not much though. He climbs up my body trying to pin my arms to the floor. I thrash my fists around, desperate to knock him off.
“Get off!” I scream, pulling on his shirt and kicking him off balance. Wrapping his hands around my arms, my attacker cuts off the circulation of blood. Rug burns flare across my skin as he drags me across the carpet. He closes his hands around my neck, shutting off my air supply. I pull at his hands but it's no use; he has always been stronger than me. My pulse drums a frantic beat in my ears. The air slowly leaks out from my lungs, killing any hope I may have left. I search for the gun around the room; it may be my only savior now.
"Why are you doing this?" I struggle to get the words out. He squints his dark eyes. I'm wondering if there might be a chance that he will stop this madness. I am wrong.
"It'll be over soon, sweetheart." His hands again tighten around my neck, blocking the air from entering my lungs. 

About the Author

Dana Provo has always loved books and reads everything from young adult fantasy to adult historical romances. When she’s not reading or writing her next novel, Dana can be found riding her horses and getting ready for competition. Dana lives with her husband and two house plants in Richmond, Virginia.


Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authordanaprovo/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanaProvo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icehorses12/
Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/user/DanaProvo
Blog: https://authordanaprovo.wordpress.com/
Tumbler: http://icehorses12.tumblr.com/
Google: https://plus.google.com/u/0/115997761074256146273/about
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Thursday, August 4, 2016

Interview with Rain Grey, Author of Vampire Creed + Giveaway


Welcome to Rain Grey who was kind enough to join us for an author interview!

Tell us about the main character. Who is Blaine?

He is a chivalrous entity. A person who puts himself over everyone. Someone who is prepared to die for others. 

What’s it like to live for so long? Does it impact decisions and romance?

Living so long is both a curse and a blessing. Every decision that is made is looked at not in a forever basis. 

What are some interesting things you learned while writing/researching Vampire Creed?

I contemplated a lot about how death. In a way the whole story revolves around the concept of life after death and whether or not an afterlife exists. 

Were there any scenes that were particularly difficult to write?

I am not a fan of writing love scenes. 

Is there anything you’d like to tell your readers about the Vampire Creed?

I have been toying with the idea of writing Vampire Creed for a couple of years before I put pen to paper. 

If you could visit anyplace in the world (cost is no object), where would you go? What about a fictional world?

I would visit Greece. To visit a place where democracy was born and where great philosophers such as Socrates and Plato once roamed is too tempting to pass. 

What’s your favorite TV show or movie?

My favourite move is My Fair Lady. Watched it countless times. 

What’s your go to comfort food?

Ice cream.

Where can readers find you online?

www.raingreyauthor.com


Vampire Creed

Rain Grey

New Adult Paranormal Romance
June 1, 2016

Barnaby Blaine Rice was a Vampire born in the depression with a very special power to see who people truly were. After a long, empty existence of witnessing the darkest points of humanity, Blaine happens to encounter a beautiful married woman named Mary Slate. Unable to handle his love for the beautiful human, Blaine accidentally kills another Vampire over her and is put under a serious debt with the Vampire Council.

Blaine reluctantly forces himself to forget the woman and allows her to live her life without his intervention. It wasn’t until 50-years-later that the distant memories of the captivating Mary are brought back to the surface. Blaine has the pleasure to encounter the young Wendy Slate, granddaughter of Mary Slate after a criminal vampire keeps her hostage. Blaine got there in time to stop the criminal, but not to stop the beginning of Wendy’s transition into Vampirism.

As he was forced to sire her into this new world, he discovers that Wendy is the most amazing person he’d ever met. Wendy has to make a life-altering decision as Blaine has to deal with his blooming feelings for a woman who was identical to his first love. This modern love story introduces the most influential turning point of these lover’s lives.



About the Author

Rain Grey is a psychologist by profession. However, she has been writing books since she was fifteen years old. She loves anything supernatural and her favourite genres are vampire romance and ghost fiction. Her home in England is close to the town of Stratford Upon Avon, where William Shakespeare was born.



Tour-Wide Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway


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Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Alone by SM Ford

Please help me welcome SM Ford, a fellow Clean Reads author! Her new inspirational romantic suspense, Alone, was released in June.


Alone

SM Ford

Inspirational Romantic Suspense
Clean Reads
June 28, 2016

Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo | Smashwords

Ready for adventure in the snowy Colorado mountains, Cecelia Gage is thrilled to be employed as the live-in housekeeper for her favorite bestselling author. The twenty-five-year old doesn’t count on Mark Andrews being so prickly, nor becoming part of the small town gossip centering on the celebrity. Neither does she expect to become involved in Andrews family drama and a relationship with Simon Lindley, Mark’s oh so good-looking best friend. And certainly, Cecelia has no idea she’ll be mixed up in a murder investigation because of this job.

Will Cecelia’s faith in God get her through all the trouble that lies ahead?


About the Author

SM Ford writes inspirational fiction for adults, although teens may find the stories of interest, too.
When she was thirteen, she got hooked on Mary Stewart's romantic suspense books, although she has been a reader as long as she can remember, and is an eclectic reader. Inspirational authors she enjoys include: Francine Rivers, Bodie Thoene, Dee Henderson, Jan Karon, and many more.
SM Ford is a Pacific Northwest gal, but has also lived in the midwest (Colorado and Kansas) and on the east coast (New Jersey). She and her husband have two daughters and two sons-in-law and three grandsons. She can't figure out how she got to be old enough for all that, however.
She also loves assisting other writers on their journeys.


Social Media:
Website: www.smfordbooks.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SMFordwriter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SMFordBooks
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