Sunday, June 30, 2013

Desolation Book Blast





ABOUT THE BOOK:

Asher St Paul thought it was just a typical zombie apocalypse like in the movies, until the necromancers crawled out of the woodwork. Since the undead have chased the living into hiding, the necromancers are able to roam freely in a new America of their making. Asher is seeking safe harbor. The need for safety is what drove him from his home in Philadelphia Pennsylvania before it was shelled. He has searched from quarantine to quarantine, always finding them overrun with zombies until he hears of The Refuge, a military compound in Binghamton New York.
With his family and lover lain to rest by his own hand, he has nothing left to lose and gives everything he has to reach the safe haven. But questions arise when he reaches The Refuge, mainly, how has he been able to sustain multiple zombie bites and not change? He thinks he has found safety in the military compound turned quarantine, but he was wrong. Even now there is a necromancer trying to make The Refuge their kingdom of the dead



ABOUT THE GIVEAWAY:


Must Be 13  To Enter | Open Internationally | Prize to be delivered via e-mail
One winner will get a $15 Amazon Gift Card
One winner will get a $10 Amazon Gift Card

Rafflecopter Code:

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

For WordPress and non-HTML blogs, link your readers to here for the giveaway :)
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e849f7572/


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4342608.Travis_Simmons
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TravisSimmons5
Website: http://www.travissimmons.net/

I have always been a do-it-yourselfer. I haven’t had any formal education on writing, and I haven’t been raised around writer types. For that matter, I wasn’t even encouraged to read when I was a kid, even though plenty of people in my family read. When I was a teenager, I discovered Cliff’s Notes on Mythology, and it sparked something in me. It was like a floodgate had been opened, and all of these stories started rushing in. I would get ideas at random times, and I would jot them down. I have a pretty big file system of everything I have ever written. Someday I will get to them and put them all into electronic files. There is some good material in there, but there are a lot of bad stories too.
I started writing when I was thirteen or fourteen. At an early age I was already writing books of Saracin (the world The Bonds of Blood takes place in). The first book I wrote of that place was “The Calling of the Two” (not yet released). While I was writing that, I kept thinking of these characters Jovian and Angelica. I knew they had a part to play in the storyline, but they weren’t going to be in the same series. For that matter, they weren’t even going to be in the same age. As I finished the first draft of “The Calling of the Two” I went on to write the first book of Angelica and Jovian’s story. At that time it was The Mirror of the Moon. Later an editor told me it was so massive that I should make the one volume into two, and so The Bonds of Blood was born, and The Revenant Wyrd Saga went from a planned three to six.
That story has taken many forms until now, and I am sure if I didn’t declare that it was “done” it could continue to transform.
Along the way, I discovered my passion for research. I absolutely love researching. It would be nothing for me to sit for days on end, barely eating, just getting up to take care of necessities, and research really odd theories and stories. I get my ideas from them to be honest. Of course, my idea’s are never the main theme of the research I am doing, but it always seems to come from some obscure topic mentioned while I am researching. For instance one book I am outlining now is based on something I heard while watching Ancient Aliens.
Unlike most authors, I have not always loved reading and writing. I hated it until I was in 7th grade. My teacher wanted us to read the entire semester. We would read a book and write in a journal about it. Back then the teachers were allowed to spend more time on what their passions were, and actually foster something in their students, and she did just that. She made me love reading and writing. She told me to go to her book shelf and pick out a book that I was interested in. I found one of my first loves: David Eddings’ Pawn of Prophecy.
Back then I was in remedial reading, and my teacher (Mrs. Peters) would sit with me for the time I was in her classroom, taking turns reading the story out loud with me. We would read where the adventure was taking Garion, and then we would flip to the beginning and look at the map so we could follow them as well.
I think it was at that point, getting lost in a book I love to this day, that I knew I had to do this. I had to create the same magic for others that Mr. Eddings created for me.
At times it is boggling. I have three series of books started, and 2 more forming in my mind (and outlined on the computer). At this point I have to step back and finish the ones I have started before I can let myself move forward.
I feel that I am blessed in being able to write, and forging a life of my passion. It is tough at times, but that is what makes the payoff all the sweeter. The writing business is a huge adventure, trying to figure out what to do and what not to do; when to do things and when not to do anything. Currently I am planning the release of the second book to “The Bonds of Blood”. This is the first time I am armed with the knowledge of what I must do for a book release, and I finally understand why it nerves so many authors up, but it is that excitement that makes me love writing. Every time I hear a reader I don’t know praise my work, it makes my heart race and brightens my day.
Travis is the author of The Bonds of Blood, the first book in his epic fantasy series The Revenant Wyrd Saga. He has also written a young adult novel called A Lament of Moonlight which is book one of his pre-apocalypse series The Harbingers of Light. He is currently seeking publication for the first book of a third series, a zombie novel called Desolation. When he isn’t writing he is helping his family and trying to live a normal, under the radar life. His interests lie in cooking, gardening, green living, and human rights advocacy. He is a huge supporter of the Trevor Project and all agencies that seek to preserve natural resources and protect pets from abuse.”

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Cover reveal: Eternity by Mary Ting



Synopsis for Eternity:

Having happily ever after is never easy when evil lurks nearby. Now that Claudia has her memories back and her life seems to have settled down, the fallen has come out of hiding with the news about Aliah’s and his demons’ death. The fallen coming out of hiding is not a concern; there are those who want to be left alone. However, one particular fallen, Dantanian, is hungry for revenge. Being one of God’s first fallen angels, he is the evilest of his kind, known as an angel of many faces. He will do anything to get his way, even if it means forcing others to join him. And he will stop at nothing to get Michael on his side.
Dantanian will torture, kill for pleasure, and concoct evil schemes to get Michael’s attention; and once in his hands, he will try to destroy all the happiness Michael fought so hard to gain. Having no support from the Twelve, and with Claudia temporarily losing her powers, the venators and the alkins must work together once again to save their friends. As death draws near to those captured by Dantanian, will the gang reach them in time? Or will Michael return to the dark angel he once was and destroy everyone he loves?


But that's not all, there is also a cover for Halo, the novella from Michael's Point of View!!


Can't wait for this

And right now, you can start the series for free....Crossroads is now free on Amazon...
Get it HERE

Follow Mary on Twitter @maryting

Crossroads on Facebook





Disneylanders Book Blast




Synopsis

In DISNEYLANDERS, 14-year-old Casey Allison, on the brink of starting high school, struggles to find a new identity on her family’s annual summer vacation, but with the help of an outgoing boy she meets while waiting in line, she discovers that Disneyland is the one place where her overprotective parents let her have the freedom to grow up.
Kate Abbott_small
Disneylanders is Kate Abbott’s first novel. She received an MFA in creative writing from UC Riverside, Palm Desert. Kate lives in Northern California with her husband, son, terrier, and tiny parrots.
bntdivider
kateabbott
One lucky winner will get this awesome Disney themed gift pack from Kate Abbott, including:
Note card set
Mickey Bookmark
A copy of Disneylanders
Must be 13+ to Enter
US Shipping Only
No PO Boxes


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Cover Real: 5th book in the Soul Saver series!

I'm so excited to participate in the cover reveal of Kristie Cook's next installment in the Soul Savers Series. But first – Kristie, Tristan (the major HOTTIE!!!! From the Soul Savers Series) and Tristan's advocate Lisa need your help!


Right this very minute Tristan is participating in his first match in the NA Crush Tourney!


Then go threaten everyone you know to vote for him … or ask nicely. Whatever works. If WHEN Tristan wins, Kristie will share "A never-before-seen scene written from Tristan's point-of-view that I promise you will love. And if he wins the whole tourney? You'll get to read about their wedding night from Tristan's POV.".

Okay, now on to the gorgeous cover and title for Soul Savers Book 5:


Isn't it amazing? I can't wait for this book! It comes out later this summer and don't forget to follow Kristie for up-to-date news. Now don't forget to go vote for Tristan! Want to know why you should? Visit Lisa's blog - A Life Bound By Books for her advocate post – you'll LOVE it and while you're there VOTE for Tristan!!!

Voting starts on Monday, June 24th at 11:59 PM EST and closes Tuesday, June 25th 2013 at 11:59 PM (EST)
(Opens Monday at 8:59 PM PST and closes Tuesday at 8:59 PM PST)

Here's the link:

Tweet like crazy! Be sure to include the following hashtags and the link in your tweets so we can find you and others know where they can vote for Tristan too!

#NACrushTourney - #KnightRiders - http://bit.ly/3zlyR7


And don't forget to grab an eBook copy of the first book Soul Savers Series, Promise! It's FREE!!! On all platforms! Here's the links:

Order the FREE eBook Online here: AmazonBarnes and NobleiBooksKoboSmashwords
In the UK: AmazoniBooks

About the Author
Kristie Cook is a lifelong, award-winning writer in various genres, from marketing communications to fantasy fiction. She continues to write the Soul Savers Series, a New Adult paranormal romance/contemporary fantasy, with the first four books, Promise, Purpose, Devotion and Power available now and the next book coming in June 2013. She’s also written a companion novella, Genesis: A Soul Savers Novella, currently available. Over 160,000 Soul Savers books have been sold, with Promise peaking at #54 on the Amazon Top 100 Paid list and at #1 in the Amazon Fantasy category.
The Space Between, which releases April 2013, kicks off her second New Adult paranormal series, The Book of Phoenix.
Besides writing, Kristie enjoys reading, cooking, traveling and riding on the back of a motorcycle. She has lived in ten states, but currently calls Southwest Florida home with her husband, three teenage sons, a beagle and a puggle. She can be found at:

Author's Website & Blog: http://www.KristieCook.com
Soul Savers Series Website: http://www.SoulSaversSeries.com






Monday, June 24, 2013

Matt Archer: Legend Book Blast

Matt Archer Legend 680x453

Matt Archer: Legend When Matt Archer was fourteen, he was chosen—by a magic, spirit-inhabited knife—to hunt monsters with a special paranormal division of the Army. When he was fifteen, he was thrown into a global war the rest of the world didn’t know existed. Now Matt’s sixteen and the war has cost him more than he ever thought it would. He’s also learned that the knife-spirits have an agenda he doesn’t totally agree with. The only problem? The spirits have the upper hand, and they plan to control the fight—and Matt. Then things get worse: the next lunar eclipse cycle is starting, a prominent physicist has gone missing, and Matt’s best friend is thinking about quitting the team. If he loses Will—after everyone else he’s lost—Matt’s not sure how he’ll fight alone. As the source of his nightmares starts to creep out of the shadows, Matt knows he’ll need all the help he can get…because being alone could prove deadly. 
  
Buy Links for Matt Archer: Legend
 
Matt Archer: Blade's Edge When Matt Archer was fourteen, he discovered monsters are real. As if that wasn’t enough to go on for a few decades, Matt also found out that he’d been chosen to hunt those monsters--with a sentient, supernatural knife. Now fifteen, Matt has spent the last year working with a clandestine military unit, trying to rid the world of monsters, demons and other vicious creatures, all while keeping it a secret from nearly everyone he knows back home in Billings. Including his mom. Add in a new girlfriend, family secrets, sibling drama and enough homework to sink an aircraft carrier, and Matt’s life has become more complicated than he ever imagined. Worse, the knife has developed some very definite opinions about Matt’s personal life and it interferes in his business whenever it wants. More and more, Matt’s coming to realize that sharing brain-space with a spirit kind of sucks. When stories of decimated towns and hordes of zombies start pouring into the Pentagon from Afghanistan, Matt knows he’ll be called up soon. Between the new mission and the knife’s increasing control over his mind, Matt wonders if he’ll survive long enough to take his driver’s exam.

Buy Links for Matt Archer: Blade’s Edge
 

Matt Archer: Monster Hunter
Fourteen-year-old Matt Archer spends his days studying Algebra, hanging out with his best friend and crushing on the Goddess of Greenhill High, Ella Mitchell. To be honest, he thinks his life is pretty lame until he discovers something terrifying on a weekend camping trip at the local state park. Monsters are real. And living in his backyard. But that's not the half of it. After Matt is forced to kill a strange creature to save his uncle, he finds out that the weird knife he took from his uncle's bag has a secret, one that will change Matt's life. The knife was designed with one purpose: to hunt monsters. And it's chosen Matt as its wielder. Now Matt's part of a world he didn't know existed, working with a covert military unit dedicated to eliminating walking nightmares. Faced with a prophecy about a looming dark war, Matt soon realizes his upcoming Algebra test is the least of his worries. His new double life leaves Matt wondering which is tougher: hunting monsters or asking Ella Mitchell for a date?
 
Buy Links for Matt Archer: Monster Hunter
 

Author Kendra C. Highley
Kendra C. Highley lives in north Texas with her husband and two children. She also serves as staff to two self-important and high-powered cats. This, according to the cats, is her most important job. She believes chocolate is a basic human right, running a 10k is harder than it sounds, and that everyone should learn to drive a stick-shift. She loves monsters, vacations, baking and listening to bad electronica.
 

Book Blast Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 7/9/13 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.  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Cover Teaser for Soul Saver Series by Kristie Cook



I'm thrilled to share with you a teaser of the cover for the fifth book in the Soul Saver Series By: Kristie Cook that I LOVE! Take a look and see what you think, and keep an eye out for the FULL cover reveal coming this Tuesday!





Title: TBA on Tuesday!
Author: Kristie Cook
Publisher: Ang'dora Productions, LLC (Coming SUMMER 2013)
Find Kristie and her books on: Goodreads

Synopsis to follow!

Haven't read the series? How about a FREE eBook copy of Promise? It's FREE on ALL platforms! Yes it is! Here's links where you can get YOUR FREE COPY TODAY!

Order the FREE eBook Online here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Smashwords
In the UK: Amazon, iBooks


Okay, Lisa at A Life Bound By Books is still looking for HELP with the #NACrushTourney for none other than Tristan Knight himself! She's created a Street Team called #KnightRiders and would LOVE to have YOU help Tristan make his way to VICTORY!! The first round is coming up quick. Here's all the info you need to know so far.


Oh and EVERYONE who helps with the Tourney by joining the Street Team and doing tasks will be ENTERED TO WIN PRIZES!!! YES! PRIZES!!! More from Lisa about that later.

Now... Lisa can't do this on her own, so this is where you guys come in.

First and most important, Tristan has his first round coming up, so we all have to act fast! Voting opens for the first round on ****Monday, June 25th at 11:59PM EST (or for us on the west coast, Monday at 8:59PM PST)**** Once the post is up, the voting can begin and will only be open for 24 HOURS! You'll be able to VOTE both at A Life Bound By Books and at the NA ALLY! (During the 24 hour voting period I believe you'll be able to vote from multiple devices so everyone should keep that in mind.)

Wondering what we'll ALL win when Tristan WINS? Straight from Kristie herself -
And here's my reward if he wins Round 1 (please put in both posts): "A never-before-seen scene written from Tristan's point-of-view that I promise you will love. And if he wins the whole tourney? You'll get to read about their wedding night from Tristan's POV."

Looking to sign up for #KnightRiders Street TeamHere's the quick form to fill out. Every thing will happen in a few emails so not to worry about having your inbox bogging down. Also, all info, emails, etc will be deleted at the end of the tournament.


Grab the button below, add it to blogs, Facebook, change your twitter pic, etc! Put it up everywhere you can!!


 

Tweet like crazy! Be sure to include the following hashtags so we can find you on twitter -

#NACrushTourney #KnightRiders

Here's some other important links to follow and watch for -

Find on Twitter: A Life Bound By Books, Tristan, Kristie Cook
Find on Facebook: A Life Bound By Books, Tristan, Kristie Cook

Title: Promise (Soul Savers #1)
Author: Kristie Cook
Publisher: Ang'dora Productions, 369 Pages (August 11, 2011)
Add to: Goodreads
Order the FREE eBook Online here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Smashwords

Synopsis: New Adult Paranormal Romance ** Mature Content ** Recommended for ages 16+ due to sexual situations and language.

First installment of award-winning author Kristie Cook's bestselling Soul Savers Series

Alexis Ames has a life full of promise...but not all promises can be kept.

When Alexis Ames is attacked by creatures that can't be real, she decides it's time she learns who she really is, with or without the help of her mother, who guards their family's secrets closely. After meeting the inhumanly attractive, multi-talented Tristan Knight, however, Alexis retreats behind her façade of normalcy...until she discovers he's not exactly normal either. Then their secrets begin to unravel.

Their union brings hope and promise to her family's secret society, the Angels' army, and to the future of mankind. But it also incites a dangerous pursuit by the enemy - Satan's minions and Tristan's creators. After all, Alexis and Tristan are a match made in Heaven and in Hell.

1st Place - 2010 Royal Palm Literary Award - Fantasy (Published) by Florida Writers Association.
About the Author
Kristie Cook is a lifelong, award-winning writer in various genres, from marketing communications to fantasy fiction. She continues to write the Soul Savers Series, a New Adult paranormal romance/contemporary fantasy, with the first four books, Promise, Purpose, Devotion and Power available now and the next book coming in June 2013. She’s also written a companion novella, Genesis: A Soul Savers Novella, currently available. Over 160,000 Soul Savers books have been sold, with Promise peaking at #54 on the Amazon Top 100 Paid list and at #1 in the Amazon Fantasy category.
The Space Between, which releases April 2013, kicks off her second New Adult paranormal series, The Book of Phoenix.
Besides writing, Kristie enjoys reading, cooking, traveling and riding on the back of a motorcycle. She has lived in ten states, but currently calls Southwest Florida home with her husband, three teenage sons, a beagle and a puggle. She can be found at:

Author's Website & Blog: http://www.KristieCook.com
Soul Savers Series Website: http://www.SoulSaversSeries.com



Keep an eye out on A Life Bound By Books on all platforms for more info coming soon including - News, Giveaways and other Exciting things for the tourney!


Friday, June 21, 2013

Dark Dawn Review and Tour




Title: Dark Dawn

Author: Melissa Brodsky and Nicole Andrews Moore

Publish Date: Published June 13th 2013


Synopsis:
n the beginning God made the heavens and the earth, and everything in between. The In-between was unplanned, unexpected, and unwelcome. Every action causes a reaction and when mankind was born, so were the Fae. Suddenly it was up to Heaven to save Earth. God created Angels to right his wrong, to save human kind. A deal was made, an agreement of sorts. The Angels would protect humanity from Fae domination and destruction, and in return they would have inhuman strength and immortality. Thus a time of angels swooping in to save humans from free will, bad decisions, and big mistakes began. They protected humans from the Fae who intentionally enslaved them, leaving shells of humans, or worse, leaving nothing at all. Even God doesn’t always learn from mistakes. Angels were given freedom of choice. Some Angels chose wrong. When some of them spread their wings, they went too far, and just as Icharus was punished for getting too close to the sun, they were punished for getting too close to mankind. So they fell. Falling was the easy part.
When God created man in his own image, he made a world for them that was peaceful. However, what God did not plan for, for all good, there has to be evil to make the balance. Because of this, he created his Angels, the Guardians, to protect the humans from the evil Fae that they have no idea they exist. 

 Seth, Eli, Anna, Zoey, Caim and Gus all possess special powers to aid in their battle against the Fae. However, over thousands of years, their patience starts to wear thin over that chaos. And to make matters worse, they struggle to keep their emotions at bay from the humans and each other. 

 When an important artifact is missing, God demands that they retrieve it right away. If it gets into the hands of the Fae, God’s world will fall into ruins. 

 Dark Dawn is an awesome read that will keep your attention from beginning to end. It begins AT the very beginning with Adam and Eve, with God realizing his mistake, and his creation of the Angels to guard them. I found that beginning very important to learn about the angels and their relationship with each other. The plot thickens with the angels temptation and the missing artifact. The Fae are just plain evil. The characters each have their own unique personalities, which you see instantly how they all fit together. The Guardians loyalty is true, however their doubt raises slowly when they question God’s action, and struggle with their own emotions that have been building over the centuries. It’s a fun fast read that will intrigue your mind with the twists and unexpected turns.


My Over All Rating:



buy links for Amazon
NA:  

MA:




Author pages: 



About Melissa


Melissa used to tell everyone she was going to be a writer when she grew up. Well, she is suddenly a grown up and it looks like she was telling the truth.

Living in a modern-day "Yours, Mine and Ours" household, Melissa is the biological mother of 3 children and the full-time stepmother to her husbands 2 children. On some days, she may even be considered "evil"...and not just as the stepmother!

With a strange vampire fascination since she was young, it was only natural that Melissa began writing stories about the Paranormal. 

She is currently co-authoring a Paranormal Romance trilogy with fellow writer Nicole Andrews Moore called "The Dark Redemption Series". Book 1 is due out in June 2013.

And because she has so much free time on her hands, Melissa is also working on a YA Paranormal Series, the first book "Hallows Haven" will be available late summer.

About Nicole



Nicki has lived in Charlotte, North Carolina with her children for the past eleven years and her husband for the past two and a half. Her journey has barely begun and she's loving every minute of it. Every day of her life seems to bring new adventures, some bigger, better, shinier and prettier than others. She's still getting used to that new life smell she's experiencing, a combination of hope, love, and happiness. (The perfect scents to build a new life on...)

For fun, she spends time with those she cares about, cooks, reads, writes, and especially lives to travel. The current travel goal: visit every Margaritaville. Two down! (Eleven to go?)

In addition to writing on Suddenly Single Journey, Nicki blogs at What Dreamers Do. Her writing can also be found on Shine, where she is a Shine Parenting Guru and an award winning Yahoo! Contributor on YourWisdom as the relationship and dating expert. And she has been published by McClatchy News in their syndicated papers.


Thursday, June 20, 2013

More Book Blast





One summer.
One chance to forget the past.
One opportunity to make things right.

There’s no denying the heat between Jules Taylor and Foster Sutton. They are two wild souls with a fire burning inside. Together, they create a hot and dangerous mix of emotion and lust.

But after a terrible accident leaves one friend dead, Foster is bound by a secret that keeps him from getting closer to Jules. And he’s left with only one thing to offer her – friendship.

For Jules, her relationship with Foster is getting old. He falls down and she picks him up, but they never move forward. Their occasional hook-ups are no longer enough, and Jules vows that this is her summer to forget Foster and find love. If it were only that easy.

It seems fate is pushing Jules and Foster together at every turn. And it’s only a matter of time before they give up and give in.

MORE is the highly anticipated companion story to BEFORE YOU GO. It can also be read as a stand-alone book.



Clare James spent her childhood writing, reading, and dancing. Not much has changed since then, except she can no longer get up on toe shoes like she once could. And don’t even ask her to go into the splits because she may never get back up.

A new adult and contemporary romance writer, Clare loves a happy ending. She lives in Minneapolis with her two leading men—her husband and young son. BEFORE YOU GO is her debut new adult novel.

Social MediaWebsite  



7 Winners will receive an E-Copy of More by Clare James.
1 Winner will receive a $25.00 Amazon Gift Card
Must be 13+ to Enter

GIVEAWAY is International


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Wednesday, June 19, 2013

GFC is Leaving

Well From what I understand, GFC will be leaving July 1st.  I don't know if this is true or not, I have heard it at other places though.  SO, today I get an email from bloglovin on how to keep following your favorite blogs.  I'm going to put the links that the email provided, to help you out.  I sure hope you continue to follow me!!

Replacing Google Friend Connect with Bloglovin

My New Favorite reader: A Bloglovin Tutorial

I hope this helps you out!!  Please keep following Insane About Books by BlogLovin~~~

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

New Cover reveal for Stained by Cheryl Rainfield



ABOUT STAINED:
Seventeen-year-old Sarah Meadows covers the walls of her bedroom with images of beautiful faces she clips from magazines—and longs for “normal.” Born with a port-wine stain covering half her face, all her life she’s been plagued by stares, giggles, bullying, and disgust. Why can’t she be like Diamond, the comic-book hero she created? Diamond would never let the insults in. That’s harder for Sarah.
But when she’s abducted on the way home from school, Sarah is forced to uncover the courage she never knew she had. Can she look beyond her face to find the beauty and strength she has inside, somehow becoming a hero rather than a victim? It’s the only way Sarah will have any chance of escaping the prison—both seen and unseen—that this deranged killer has placed around her.

Excerpt from p. 3

I touch my fingers against the smooth skin of my cheek. I can’t feel where the purple begins and ends, aside from it being slightly warmer, but I know exactly where it is—it spreads out from the right side of my nose, almost to my ear, and comes down to my bottom lip in a lopsided triangle.

                I know I’m lucky; it could be worse. The port-wine stain just misses my forehead and eye, which means I don’t have glaucoma, seizures, and brain abnormalities. But I still feel like I’m from another planet. Maybe that’s why I love comics so much. Superheroes are always outsiders, and most had difficult childhoods. They feel like my people. I finger comb my hair over the right side of my face. I know from long practice by the weight of my hair and the angle it falls, that it’s covering my cheek enough to help me pass. I don’t need a mirror to know. Not that I own one.

BLURBS for STAINED:

“Powerful. I raced through it, wanting to know if Sarah would find a way to escape both her captor and her self-doubts. A real nail-biter! “
 - April Henry, New York Times-bestselling author of The Girl Who Was Supposed to Die
 
“A compelling, gutting, and ultimately triumphant read. You won't want to stop turning pages -- Or blink. Or breathe. -- until you reach the very last one.”
-Jennifer Brown, award-winning author of Hate List

“STAINED is dark, tense and gripping; a triumph of one girl's heart, soul and will to survive. Sarah's strength during her descent into terror kept me reading way past bedtime! “
-Laura Wiess, critically acclaimed author of Such a Pretty Girl

STAINED BOOK TRAILER with NEW COVER:
  
PREVIOUS MATERIAL that you can feel free to post again if you'd like:

FROM the AUTHOR:
Like I did with SCARS and HUNTED, I drew on some of my own experiences of bullying, abuse, and trauma to write STAINED and to give it greater emotional depth. Like Sarah in STAINED, I experienced abduction, imprisonment, periods of forced starvation, mind control, and having my life threatened. And like Sarah, I tried hard to fight against my abuser, keep my own sense of self, and escape. I hope readers will see Sarah's strength and courage, and appreciate her emotional growth as she reclaims herself.
  
Tagline for STAINED:
Sometimes you have to be your own hero.

You can buy STAINED on:  (just link to the ones you want to):
Amazon (hardcover): http://www.amazon.com/Stained-Cheryl-Rainfield/dp/0547942087 (well, it says you can get an email when avail)







Monday, June 17, 2013

The Portrait Blog Tour and Giveaway



About the book:

England 1812 Severely injured at the battle of Salamanca, Edward Thurston, the new Earl of Sinclair, returns home to his beloved Fly Hall. Determined not to present his prospective bride with the wreck he believes himself to have become, he decides to end his betrothal, unaware that Lady Jennifer, for vastly differing reasons, has reached the selfsame decision. Throughout the campaigns, Edward was often seen relying greatly on a miniature he carried, and it is to this token he clings upon his return. Will he eventually find happiness with the girl in the portrait, or will he remain firm in his resolve not to wed? Reason dictates one course, his heart another.


My Review

Edward Thurston is severely wounded during a battle.  Because of his injuries, he has been sent home, no longer a soldier.  Now being in charge of the household, he has to deal with his unruly brother, however, Edward has great patience.  He has decided to end his engagement with Lady Jennifer, not wanting her to have pity on him, and free her of the bethothal that was prearranged before he went to battle.  He feels like he is doing the right thing by her.

Edward and Lady Jennifer agree to be friends.  However, their paths cross more than frequently throughout the story.  Their lives are intertwined with their brothers being best friends at Oxford., causing more chaos than actual study.

Edward, even though quite strong, still suffers from nightmares about war.  Lady Jennifer not once pities him.  Edward is quite the teaser, however Lady Jennifer seems to be able to dish it right back at him. Neither Edward or Jennifer wishes to ever marry, however, fondness seems to grow between them, however they both don't realize it.

I Loved this story...It was a romantic read, about Edward giving up his love because he feels that its the right thing, even though Lady Jennifer is the one that helped him through the toughest part of his life.  I loved the Innocent bantering back and forth between the two.  They are both strong characters with strong personalities.  The story was refreshing, being cast back into the 1800's where you would think life would be more simple, however that's totally not the case.  If you love historic reads, this is the one for you.








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About the author:

Hazel Statham lives in England and has been writing on and off since she was fifteen. Initially she was influenced by Austen, the Brontes, and Sabatini but when Hazel turned seventeen, Georgette Heyer opened up the romance and elegance of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. She immediately knew she had found her eras and wanted nothing more than to re-create them in her work. Hazel lives with her husband, Terry, and a beautiful Labrador named Mollie.

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Giveaway:

To be in with a chance of winning a H/B copy of Consequence or a small item of jewellery. (e.g. pearl earrings) please leave a comment below with your email addie ANY comment you make during the tour on ANY post counts as an entry into the giveaway! The giveaway ends 30 June and a random commenter will be picked, emailed and announced on the Dilly Dally PR site. GOOD-LUCK!



The Tour


June 11:

Book Spotlight & Excerpt @ Storey Book Reviews
Review, Guest Post & Excerpt @ Heart Breaking Reviews
June 12:
Author Interview, Spotlight & Excerpt @ Clean Romance Reviews
June 13:

Book Spotlight & Excerpt @ Celticladys Reviews

June 14:
Book Spotlight @ Fantasy Books
Review, Spotlight, Top 5 Post @ Deal Sharing Aunt
June 15:
Review & Spotlight @ Toodles Book Club
June 16:
Guest Post, Spotlight & Excerpt @ The Book Divas Club
June 17:
June 18:
Review & Guest Post @ My Devotional Thoughts
June 19:
Book Spotlight & Excerpt @ Word to Dreams
June 20:


Review & Spotlight @ Recent Reads