Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Fields of Elysium Book Blast


Fields of Elysium by A.B. Whelan

How can love mend a heart full of hate?

Small town girl, Molly Bennett, moves to Los Angeles where she becomes an outsider while attending Beverly Hills High School. It seems life cannot be any more dreadful. Then one day after school, something magical happens. On a secluded hike in the Hollywood Hills, Molly chases her disobedient mutt and only friend into a hidden cavern. She stumbles upon a strange glimmering gateway that transports her to Arkana, a planet that is the cradle of an advanced human race. There, teenagers navigate amazing flying vehicles, compete in perilous games for glory, and possess supernatural powers. While Molly tries to wrap her mind around this unbelievable discovery, she meets the alluring and mysterious Victor Sorren. He is a Sentinel Apprentice, whose hatred toward people from Earth is beyond understanding. Yet every time Victor unpredictably saves Molly's life, his heart draws closer to hers, no matter how much he tries to fight against it. It further complicates things that their growing friendship is strictly forbidden. Earth people are prohibited in Arkana, yet Molly continues to cross through the portal to Arkana to see Victor. Torn between their double lives, they go down a dangerous path, from where there is no return and multiple endings.

Fields of Elysium is a suspenseful, romantic tale full of forbidden secrets, unimaginable danger, deception, and the never-ending fight for true love.




PRAISE

"The novel's take on otherworldly travel is a compelling one, and the romantic plot will likely appeal to Twilight fans." - Kirkus Reviews

"I expected a good love story with a paranormal twist. I got so much more. I think you should take the chance and read it. Let this book take you on the adventure, fall in love." - Young Adult and Teen Readers

"Fields of Elysium is a fabulous read. ... Whelan paints her faith into the fabric of her story with deft, light brushstrokes, making her work accessible to all, no matter their spiritual beliefs or background." - Readers Favorite

"I escaped into this fantasy world, author, A.B.Whelan, created and I didn’t want Molly to go. From detailed descriptions, to sweet romance, and to all the twist and turns in the story, it had me captivated from page one." - Mary Ting, author of the Crossroads Saga

"Whelan's writing is very vivid and descriptive. It's more formal than the average YA novel, but I enjoyed the lyrical and mesmerizing quality to it. I thought the overall story read like a fairy tale--very sweet." - Megan Thomason, author of Daynight







Author A.B. Whelan

A.B.Whelan is a Hungarian born, American writer. She currently lives with her husband and two children in Southern California.
While growing up in a wealthy Eastern European family, she had a chance to travel Europe. Later as an adult, she visited Africa and the Middle East and lived in Ecuador and in Crete.










Tour Schedule






$50 Book Blast Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash plus a gift bag of one signed copy of Fields of Elysium, a scrabble-tile pendant with a butterfly image on a chain necklace, and a fridge magnet.

Ends 3/11/13

Gift Bag open to US only.  If winner is international they will receive only the gift card or paypal cash.
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, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


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Leap into Books Giveaway HOP




Leap Into Books Giveaway Hop
February 28th to March 7th
Co-hosted by Jinky is Reading



Thanks to these two blogs for organizing this awesome tour!!

For my giveaway, since I have a lot of international followers, I would like to offer up to $15 US to the Book Depository.  Book of your choice!!  How cool is that?  And I don't care if it's a pre-order or whatever kind of book you like!  Thanks for visiting my blog, and I hope you come back soon!


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Now Hop Away!!!




Sunday, February 24, 2013

Zoey's Adventures Big Things Come In Small Packages Review

Title: Big Things Come in Small Packages (Zoey's Adventures #1) 

Author: Mary Ting

Publish Date: Published May 10th 2012 by World Castle Publishing



Synopsis:
Hello! My name is Zoey. Do you feel like it’s difficult being a kid? We’re not grownups and we’re not babies. We’re in between, and sometimes don’t know what we’re suppose to do. Come join my friends Katie, Abby, Megan, Nathan and me. Read about my adventures at school, where I learn how to deal with problems, how to stick up for myself by using words, and that big things can come in small packages. Don’t forget to stick around for Zoey’s grammar tips!

Zoey’s first adventure is about lice….yep, I bet you said “ewe” and scratched your head, didn’t you.

 Well, that’s everyone’s thoughts about lice. Your first thought is being unclean. However, ANYONE can get lice. Zoey’s first adventure, Big Things Come In Small Packages, explains that perfectly through Zoey and her friends’ experiences. The worry about what others will think…the embarrassment…is sometimes only in the person’s thoughts that is experiencing it.


 It’s a great middle grade read that could help children of that age learn that it is okay. The pictures the children drew goes perfectly with the story. Zoe’s Adventures should be in every school library so children have access. It’s a fun and easy read that I feel ALL children would enjoy!

My Over All Rating:


Friday, February 22, 2013

Cover Reveal

Expected Release Date: February 25, 2013


Genre: Romance, Fantasy
Release date: 02/25/13 
Publisher: Time and Tide Publishing 

Ecopy
ISBN-13: 978-0-9856576-6-6

Print
ISBN-13: 978-0-9856576-7-3



Impending Reprisals

Jolyn Palliata

Blurb

Anya’s simple, medieval life spirals into a fantastical whirlwind the moment Merivic, a lord, decides to take her for his own. Succumbing to his charisma, Anya is whisked off to his distant kingdom. But shortly after her arrival, she is reunited with her lost love, Kael, when he is introduced as her personal sentinel, and it soon becomes apparent their feelings for one another remain unresolved.
Struggling with what her heart wants and what duty dictates, Anya is soon immersed into a world of manipulation, deceit, and dark magic. Surrounded by impending danger from an unknown enemy, Anya attempts to deny Kael—her protector—to pursue a life with Merivic—the key to the evil threatening her. And while one man seduces her mind with magic, the other captures her heart with love.





“Impending Reprisals

BUY LINKS
Time and Tide Publishing / Amazon / Barnes & Noble /ARe



About The Author
Jolyn Palliata writes romance for adults and young adults alike, and has dabbled in just about every genre there is (paranormal being her favorite). She lives in the Midwest with her highly patient husband and insanely energetic son.

She loves the interaction with her readers!


Where you can stalk Jolyn:


Blood Fugue and Witch's Nocturne Blog Tour and Giveaway



About the author:
Born and raised in Oklahoma, E.J. grew up in a land of good earth and better people. He holds degrees in psychology and counseling, but prefers to spend his time in the heads of imaginary people to real ones. He writes and lives in South Texas, and loves to chat about movies, books, music, food, and family.



Find the Author: GoodReads | Facebook | Twitter | Blog


About Blood Fugue:

“Some folks treated the past like an old friend. The memories warmed them with fondness for what was, and hope for what was to come. Not me. When I thought of long ago, my insides curdled, and I was left feeling sour and wasted.”

Jenny Schmidt is a young woman with old heartaches. A small town
Texas girl with big city attitude, she just doesn’t fit in. Not that she has ever tried.

Life has pummeled her heart into one big, lonely callus. She has no siblings, both parents were dead by sixteen, and her last grandparent—and caretaker—was in the ground before she turned twenty-one. She’s the last living member of her immediate family. Or so she thinks…

“We found my ‘grandfather’ sitting at his dining room table. An entire scorched pot of coffee dangled from his shaky hand. His skin was the ashen gray shade of thunderclouds, not the rich mocha from the photo I’d seen. There were dark blue circles under each swollen red eye. A halo of white hair skirted his bald head, a crown of tangles and mats. Corpses had more life in them.”
Suddenly, instead of burying it with the dead, Jenny is forced to confront the past. Armed only with an ancient family journal, her rifle, and an Apache tomahawk, she must save her grandfather’s life and embrace her dangerous heritage. Or be devoured by it.


My Review:
Jenny isn't your normal girl....being six foot tall with purple hair, no family, and a best friend as your land lord, she doesn't have many friends.  Except for those "on-line" friends that she loves to torture with her insane gaming skills.  She is a loner with her own computer repair business.
However, that changes when she is contacted by her grandfather...yes, the grandfather that died many many years ago.  This will change Jenny's life drastically.  She learns of her ancient heritage, and is given an old family journal with secrets that will help her with the Moonsong blood running through her veins.

I loved Jenny's personality.  Even though she is alone in the world, you can tell she still wants to make that connection with family.  She has a lot of spunk that I adored learning about.  I love ALL stories with ancient Indian history, especially being from native American descent myself.  I found it intriguing and tons of fun to read.  Novellas are fun...easy to read and complete in one night sitting.  It gives you that sense of accomplishment having a hectic day.  Blood Rogue has one of those endings that you least expect, giving it that "OMG" reaction.  Fast past, humorous bickering, action....it's a thrill of a read!!



About Witch's Nocturne:

After receiving an ancient tribal journal from her grandfather, Jenny is sent on a mission of discovery in an attempt to unravel clues to her family's monster hunting past. The journey becomes more than academic when she is asked to confront a coven of dangerous witches who plan to cast an insidious spell on the plains of West Texas.

Witch's Nocturne is the second of the Moonsongs Books, a series of paranormal-horror-action novelettes by author E.J. Wesley. These stories contain language and content better suited for mature readers.


My Review:
Jenny's journey continues in Witch's Nocturne.  Jenny and her best friend are trying to decipher the ancient journal so she can learn more about the Moonsong history....she's not having much luck.
Jenny is contacted by someone that wants to use her "services".  Jenny finds out that a coven of witchs are about to do something horrible to a community.  Can Jenny help in time?
As in Blood Fugue, Witch's Nocturne has that adventure and excitement and unexpected twist that keeps you wanting more.  Jenny's personality hasn't changed a bit, and the paranormal world seems to grow.  Novelettes are growing on me...I love that finishing- in- one- sitting feeling.  When you have all that action, twists, and paranormal beings, how can you go wrong?  It's a nice escape from the real world.  My heart did ache for Jenny in this story, her want to connect with someone is completely shown in this story.
I really look forward to what Jenny's is going to get involved with next.  I see this series going in a lot of directions....and with unanswered questions, leaves me wanting more.



Blood Fugue can be found at:



Witch’s Nocturne can be found at:





There is a whole lot of amazing stuff going on for this tour...Make sure you check out the Tour schedule to find out what and where you can learn more about this novella series!

For the Tour wide Giveaway, look at the amazing Prize!

The tour wide giveaway is:
·  1  Prize Package #1: Signed copy of Soul Screamers Vol. 1 by Rachel Vincent, Signed copy of Capital Hell by Alicia M. Long, signed copy of The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, and Texas (Little Known Facts about Well Known Places (Package open to US addresses only) by Victor Dorff

·  2 winners of a $15 GC to amazon or B&N

·  1 winner of $20 towards The Book Depository (INT ONLY!)







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AND, each blog is offering 2 sets of the Moonsong series in ebook format of your choice!!  How cool is that??


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THE TOUR SCHEDULE

2/4 Books and Things ~ Guest Post & Excerpt & it's a FREE for Kindle Day!
2/5 Missy's Reads and Reviews ~ Reviews 
2/6 Jessie's Book Place ~ Reviews
2/7 Kaidan's Seduction ~ Reviews
2/7 Lost in Books ~ Reviews
2/8 Bookhounds ~ Interview 

2/11 Far From Reality ~ Reviews
2/11 Defiantly Deviant ~ Reviews 
2/12 Words Create Scenes ~ Reviews
2/13 Lovely Reads ~ Reviews 
2/14 Deal Sharing Aunt ~ Reviews
2/15 Free Ebooks Daily ~ Something... & it's a FREE for Kindle Day!
2/15 Candace's Book Blog ~ Interview & Remember, it's a FREE for Kindle Day still!

2/18 Bookhounds ~ Reviews & it's a
FREE for Kindle Day!
2/18 Jean BookNerd ~ Excerpt & Remember, it's a
FREE for Kindle Day!
2/19 Girl With a Laptop and Books ~ Reviews 
2/20 Love is Not a Triangle ~ Reviews and Excerpt 
2/21 Buried in Books ~ Reviews
2/22 Curling Up With a Good Book ~ Reviews 
2/22 Insane About Books ~ Reviews

2/26 Book Loving Mom ~ Reviews
2/27 Amethyst Daydreams ~ Reviews
3/1 Oh Chrys! ~ Reviews
3/2 JC's Book Haven ~ Reviews  

3/4 Pages of Forbidden Love ~ Reviews
3/4 Crazy Four Books ~ Reviews and Excerpt


And a shout out to Candace, thanks for the awesome tours!!

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Random Acts of Kindness Giveaway Hop


Thanks to I am a Reader, Not a Writer  and Read for Your Future for organizing another amazing hop!!



For this giveaway, I am offering $15 to the Book Depository for your book of choice.  So of course, this means that it is international....thanks for following and visiting my blog...and do a Random Act of kindness...It makes you feel good too!!





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Continue Hopping !!!!!







Three Sisters and ShowStoppers Blog Tour and Giveaway


Tour Schedule



Three Sisters and Showstoppers by Helen Smith

Three Sisters and Showstoppers are two novella-length stories in the Emily Castles mystery series. The first full-length novel, Invitation to Die, will be published by Thomas & Mercer in October 2013.

The Emily Castles mystery series is set in present-day London. It features twenty-six-year-old Londoner Emily Castles and her neighbor, eccentric philosophy professor Dr. Muriel Crowther. In Three Sisters, Emily goes to a party in a big house at the end of her street. She's sure she witnesses a murder, but no one will believe her. She teams up with Dr. Muriel to investigate.

In Showstoppers, Emily helps out at a local stage school run by her neighbor, Victoria. Soon she's mixed up in a blackmail plot and two deaths. Emily and Dr. Muriel team up to prevent further a massacre live on stage during the end of term show.


My Review:

Another great mystery Emily has gotten herself into!  Emily knows her neighbors just a little, however, she is getting to know them a little better through the little mysteries she seems to be getting involved with.  She is gradually coming out of her shell, with the help of those neighbors.

Showstoppers is a fun mystery about her neighbor Victoria being blackmailed.  Victoria easily comes clean, however that doesn't change the danger her stage school might still be in.

Showstoppers is another fun fast read, that keeps you wondering.  Victoria is a hoot.  I found her "drama" funny at times.  Emily, even though she doesn't want to get involved, is dragged into the blackmail mystery by Victoria.

I truly look forward to what Emily might get herself involved with.  This is all a great distraction from the death of her furry best friend.





Praise for the Emily Castles Mystery Series

Fast-paced, funny, and mysterious... Helen Smith is a master story-teller.
~Socrates Book Reviews

It grips you from the very beginning.
~Babs Books Bistro

Bright, colorful and full of surprises.
~Amazon Vine Reviewer

Fast-paced and unusual, I highly recommend this one.
~Eva’s Sanctuary



My Review:

What a fun, quick mystery Helen has created in Three Sisters.  The "circus" theme for the neighbor's get together keeps you guessing with all the strange and bizarre characters.  

When a performance goes wrong, or some what wrong, Emily sticks to her feelings that something is amiss without the party goers awareness.  As she investigates and find clues to solve the mystery.

This novella was a fun and quick read.  Emily is kind of a quiet - to herself person and it was out of her comfort zone to attend this party.  It was fun to see her come out of her shell a little.  And as with any mystery, it's never who the person you believe it to be that has done the crime.  It was refreshing to read a fun mystery that was easily finished in one sitting.




Praise for Helen Smith

Smith is gin-and-tonic funny.
~The Booklist


Purchase



Author Helen Smith

Helen Smith is a novelist and playwright who lives in London. She's the author of bestselling cult novels Alison Wonderland, Being Light and The Miracle Inspector as well as the Emily Castles Mystery Series.


Amazon * Facebook *  Twitter * Blog




Tour Giveaway
10 winners will each receive a Kindle Ebook copy of Showstoppers & Three Sisiters
Ends 2/28/13

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Thursday, February 14, 2013

BEAUTIFUL CREATURES!!!





Yep, that's me with Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl!!!  I can't wait to see this movie!!

Congrats on the Release!!!

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Phoebe Pope and the Year of Four by Nya Jade Giveaway


There is an awesome giveaway going on at I am a Reader, Not a Writer for this Great Book and Author...

GO CHECK IT OUT HERE

Monday, February 11, 2013

Doomed by Tracy Deebs Review

Title: Doomed

Author: Tracy Deebs 

Publish Date: Published January 8th 2013 by Walker Childrens


Synopsis:
Beat the game. Save the world. Pandora’s just your average teen, glued to her cell phone and laptop, surfing Facebook and e-mailing with her friends, until the day her long-lost father sends her a link to a mysterious site featuring twelve photos of her as a child. Unable to contain her curiosity, Pandora enters the site, where she is prompted to play her favorite virtual-reality game, Zero Day. This unleashes a global computer virus that plunges the whole world into panic: suddenly, there is no Internet. No cell phones. No utilities, traffic lights, hospitals, law enforcement. Pandora teams up with handsome stepbrothers Eli and Theo to enter the virtual world of Zero Day. Simultaneously, she continues to follow the photographs from her childhood in an attempt to beat the game and track down her father, her one key to saving the world as we know it. Part The Matrix, part retelling of the Pandora myth, Doomed has something for gaming fans, dystopian fans, and romance fans alike.


Doomed is THE novel that will draw gamers out of their virtual world into the world of the written word!!

 It’s Pandora’s birthday. When she first wakes up, she checks her messages and email….nothing…nothing from her mother to wish her a happy birthday. Pandora’s mother is out of town as usual for business, and her father has been out of the picture for ten years. Feeling lonely, Pandora tries to call her mother and gets the cold treatment….no mention of her birthday…typical for Pandora.

 As Pandora is getting ready for school, she decides to check her email one more time. She discovers an email from her father. After a great deal of indecision, Pandora decides to open the email. Her Father has sent her a letter with a link to a website. Living up to her namesake, Pandora goes to the site that is actually a blog, with pictures and letters from her father over the years. She decides to have the pictures printed since she has none of her father, and heads to school. 

At school, she meets the new step brothers, Eli and Theo.

 When Pandora returns home, she is anxious to explore the blog from her father, however, finds that the blog no longer exists and the email has also disappeared. Pandora finds this odd, and then starts having trouble with the internet, her cell phone, and power in her home. She runs over to the neighbors’ house to see if they are having difficulties too, and learns that Eli and Theo are her new neighbors. They too, are having trouble, then decide to go over to Pandora’s house when they discover a “package” on Pandora’s laptop screen. Theo talks her into opening the package. Pandora opening this “package” will change the world forever.

 Beat the game. Save the World.

 Doomed is just plain outright one of the best stories I have ever read. The world we live in is totally dependent on the technology that we have today- What if that technology was to crash??? All of it?? This question and more totally blew my mind with all the “what Ifs?” Doomed captures that chaos as Pandora, with the help of Eli and Theo, try to beat the game as they are on the run from the government, and trying to find the clues that Pandora’s father, Mitchell, left in the pictures. With each step they take, an obstacle arises in the virtual world and the real world. I loved all the characters and their personalities in this story. Eli and Theo’s devotion to Pandora and the cause is extremely captivating. The type of chaos, looting, and people turning against one another is captured within this story, however, the good to help each other also remains. It shows how an extremist can go way beyond the limits to prove his point.

 I am extremely excited about this book. Rare is there a book that keeps your total attention and leaves you “thinking” way beyond the last page.

My Over All Rating:


Friday, February 8, 2013

Reborn: A Goddess of Night Novella Review

Title: Reborn: A Goddess of Night Novella

 Author: Ley Mesina

Publish Date: Published May 26th 2011 by LEY MESINA




 Synopsis:
Lily Westbrook discovers that being half witch and half vampire is more of a challenge than she thought. When her powers mature on her eighteenth birthday, she unlocks a mystery that many witches thought was a legend. After moving back to her birthplace in Cedar Creek, MA to attend Kensington University, Lily is instantly pulled deeper into the world she was kept from- the world of witches and vampires-uncovering the truth about her past and discovering who she is meant to be.


Lily is about to leave her Aunt Trudy to attend Kensington University. Kensington University was founded by Lily’s father, Nathaniel. Centuries later, the college is still thriving. How is this possible? Lily is half witch and half vampire. She is so unique, that her existence has been kept secret from everyone but a select group. Secret because, Witches and vampires are sworn enemies.

 When Lily moves to Cedar Creek, her birthplace and location of Kensington University, she starts to have more visions. Her powers have become stronger since she turned 18. Lily tries to keep her true identity a secret, but circumstances lead her to reveal herself to Xander and Drew, vampire friends who knew her father. With their help, Lily tries to decipher the visions. Lily learns of the myth of the Goddess of Night, and wonders if she is this powerful being.

 Reborn is a fun and fast read for a novella. I loved the uniqueness of the half vampire and witch combo. It was a refreshing concept from the normal vampire lore. Lily proves to be talented in her powers without much training, proving that her destiny is in her blood. The characters draw you into the full adventure with their loyalty and the twists and turns keep your attention captivated. Of course, there is a cliffhanger, which keeps you hungry for the adventure to continue. I loved that Lily had journals from her father to learn of that history. It is a FUN read!!


My Over All Rating:


Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Author Kindle Fire HD Giveaway Feb 2013




Kindle Fire HD Giveaway!



The winner will have the option of receiving a Kindle Fire HD (US Only)


Or $199 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)


Or $199 in Paypal Cash (International)




This giveaway is sponsored by these Authors:


The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachael Anderson


One Classic Latin Lover, PleaseThe Reluctant BacheloretteBetrayal (Wounded Heroes, #3)Bellyache: A Delicious Tale Ethan Justice: OriginsI Have PeopleFor What It's WorthA Kiss of Ashen Twilight (Ashen Twilight #1)The Unraveling (Sage Seed Chronicles, #3)Fateful (Fateful, #1) Dracian Legacy (Dracian, # 1)Cascade Brides: The Complete SeriesA World ApartReality Bites: Tales of a Half-VampireFace-Off (Book One)Two EqualsThe Ghost of Josiah Grimshaw (Morgan Sisters, #1)One for KamiFreak of NatureGrace DollThe Secret of the Scarlet Stone (Gabby Girls Adventure, #1)Gallagher's Hope (Gallagher, #2)The Spy LoverPRIZE-WINNING PACIFIC STORIES  (SPECIAL EDITION, BOXED SET VOL I-III)RejectedRapunzel UntangledA Hard Act to FollowStarseed


Giveaway Details
1 winner will receive their choice of a Kindle Fire HD (US Only), $199 Amazon Gift Card or $199 in Paypal Cash (Internaitonal).
Ends 2/28/13

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, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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