Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Blitz: Deviate by Tracy Clark

Deviate (The Light Key Trilogy #2) by Tracy Clark
Released: March 3rd, 2015
Publisher: Entangled Teen


Tormented after a daring escape, Cora Sandoval must find a way to stop the Arrazi from murdering innocent people and from violating, using, and killing the Scintilla for their powers. She must also accept one bitter betrayal: Finn Doyle—the Irish boy who has both a piece of Cora's heart and soul—is Arrazi... On the verge of extinction and sought by those who would either consume or destroy them, Cora and the remaining Scintilla survivors must solve the mystery of The Light Key. If they fail, the truth will stay buried forever and mankind will pay the ultimate price.

No longer will she hide.

No longer will her loved ones be hunted.

And she will have her vengeance...even if she shatters her heart in the process.

Buy Links:




Buy Links:




Excerpt

He threw me a smile that doubled as a challenge of some sort. Maybe he didn’t think I could grasp what he was trying to explain. “I shall try a new way to describe,” he said, rubbing the blond stubble on his chin. “Consider me now, the subject, looking at an object of beauty.” I felt heat rise up my neck as he held hard with his eyes. “That’s the first level of experience, that we are physical beings, experiencing each other as separate. Subject, object. See?”

“Go on. This had better matter.”

Giovanni stepped closer, his silver aura reaching beyond his sculpted edges, expanding and contracting with each breath. My pulse skipped, my aura beating in unison with his. “You and I, Cora, we see another level of reality. We see the spiritual essence of people, their feelings rippling through their energy field like watercolors, staining their auras with emotion.”

True. Beautiful. He took another sure step toward me. The look in his eyes made me breathe faster. I
wanted to kick my aura’s ass for being so in sync with his.

“I can see your emotion right now. I’m causing you to feel nervous and”—his aura flared and his voice coaxed—“a bit excited?”

I blushed and looked away. “You are not.”

“Science already has proved that there are other levels of reality that people cannot see with the naked eye, not even you and me. With the help of microscopes, we can look closer and see that we are billions of cells vibrating at extreme speeds. Molecules, atoms. Beneath what appears to be two separate beings are really clusters of energy dancing together in this space.”

He stepped even closer now, and I tried to account for my rapid heart rate and dropping stomach.

“And the truth is,” he said softly, standing so close I could feel the caress of his aura brush my skin,
“molecularly, there is no separation at all between us. My energy field is experiencing and appreciating your energy field, and since our energy comes from the same infinite source, we must be one.”

We stood a breath apart, auras and cells and molecules, or whatever, dancing and swirling. My heart
hammered with the energy of it, with the fascinating and bewildering truth of what I could see and feel.

Giovanni’s nostrils flared as his gaze met mine for a few beats, roamed over my face, then fell to my lips, lingering too long there. My body was a storm of confusion. Feelings rose up in me that felt forbidden.

My arms tingled. My stomach fluttered. My lips pulsed with want, and I became acutely aware of the
tickle of each breath that passed over them.

I had to remind myself that this was our Scintilla energy together. This was no different from what I’d done to Finn. Giovanni and I had no choice but to feel charged around each other, right?

 
About the Author
Tracy Clark is a young-adult writer because she believes teens deserve to know how much they matter and that regardless of what they’re going through, they aren’t alone. In other words, she writes books for her teen self.
She grew up a “Valley Girl” in Southern California but now lives in her home state of Nevada, in a small town at the base of the Sierra Foothills. Her two children teach her the art of distraction and are a continuous source of great dialogue. She’s an unapologetic dog person who is currently owned by a cat.
Tracy was the recipient of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Work in Progress Grant. A two-time participant in the prestigious Nevada SCBWI Mentor Program where she was lucky enough to be mentored by bestselling author, Ellen Hopkins, who taught her so much about the art of writing and cured her of her ellipsis addiction.
Her debut novel was inspired by her enchantment with metaphysics as a teen, seeing it as the real magic in life. Tracy is a part-time college student, a private pilot, and an irredeemable dreamer.

a Rafflecopter giveaway




Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Blast: Chasing the Other Tisdale by Jessica Jefferso




Chasing the Other Tisdale  (Regency Blooms #3) 
by Jessica Jefferson
Publishers: Soul Mate Publishing
Published: February 25th, 2015
Pages: 222

She’s the other sister . . .

Overshadowed by the beauty of her older sister, Lillian is better known as the other Tisdale; unremarkable and unsure how she will ever deliver on the promise of her family's name.

He’s a rake in need of reforming . . .

Will Colton leads a frivolous existence, embracing notoriety instead of managing his family’s fortune. Determined to forget his financial burden and his father’s growing resentment, he maintains a lifestyle dedicated to pleasure and self-indulgence.

When Will is invited to the Tisdale estate for an extended holiday, he never expects to become friends with the forgettable Lillian. But when a family secret comes to light, he must choose between leaving London and protecting the honor of one woman or staying and risking the reputation of another.

Upon his return, Will finds the girl he left behind has come out of the shadows and into her own. Lillian’s finally the center of attention, and not all of it good. With his own reputation in tatters, can a reformed rake lure her out of the hands of London's bachelors and back into his own arms? Can he escape his past and reclaim her heart, or has he lost her forever?

Monday, February 23, 2015

Release Day Blitz A Stolen Season by Tamara Gill



A Stolen Season  by Tamara Gill
Publishers: Entangled: Select Historical
Published: February 23rd, 2014
Pages: 222

One small mistake in the past will change everything about her future...

Archaeologist Sarah Baxter just broke one of the biggest rules of time travel: leaving a piece of 21st­century equipment in 19th century Regency England.

Unfortunately, when she goes back to retrieve it, she makes an even bigger mess of things—resulting in the death of an English Earl. Now his brother is not only out for revenge, but he also has Sarah's device. Which means an entirely different approach is needed. It doesn't occur to the new Earl of Earnston that his charming acquaintance is responsible for his brother's death. He is merely swept away by a passion that threatens his very reputation. Yet he gets the distinct impression that Miss Baxter is hiding something from him. Now Sarah must find a way to steal back her device, hide the truth about the earl's brother and—most importantly— not fall in love...

Monday, February 16, 2015

Blast: Secrets: Diary of a Gutsy Teen by Barbara Becker Holstein





Secrets: Diary of a Gutsy Teen  by Barbara Becker Holstein
Publishers: Sky Pony Press
Published: February 10th, 2015
Pages: 144

Following in the footsteps of The Truth, Secrets: Diary of a Gutsy Teen begins as the thirteen-year-old protagonist makes a move with her family to a new town. She has grown up a lot over the past year—and has made a list of everything that’s important to her now that she doesn’t want to forget when she gets older. But now, as she enters her early teen years, she begins to write down the secrets she wants to keep—and the ones she has no one to tell about. From new school experiences to a new baby in the family to a new crush, this new teen finally feels empowered on making her own decisions with confidence and keeping those secrets she holds dearest for herself.

In a positive and supportive diary-entry format, Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein encourages tween and early teen girls to carry the most precious parts of themselves into adulthood. A great book for mothers and daughters to read together, Secrets is aimed to improve communication, understanding, and self-esteem for young girls as they enter the rocky road of teenager-dom.

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Review: Henge by Realm Lovejoy


Henge (La Fay #1) by Realm Lovejoy
Publishers: Self Published
Published: November 11th, 2014
Pages: 322
Modern-day Camelot. Where knights no longer carry swords. Magic is dangerous. And those who seek control are not to be trusted.

Sixteen-year-old Morgan le Fay is a fire user. An ordinary girl with an extraordinary skill, she has the ability to create and command fire at will. Her dream is to become the Maven—the right hand of the future King Arthur. In the chance of a lifetime, Morgan is selected to join Arthur’s Round, an elite group of young magic users from which the new Maven will be chosen.

Along with the other fire, water, and wind users in Arthur’s Round, Morgan is rigorously trained and tested. The handsome Merlin, a brilliant water user, takes a particular interest in her. Is his friendship to be trusted, or is Merlin simply trying to win the position of Maven for himself? Among the many rivals Morgan faces is the current Maven, Mordred, who seems determined to see her fail.

But Morgan has a secret—years ago, her mother was executed for using fire magic, and Morgan’s desire for justice makes her more than ready to take on the challenge before her. Can she prevail in Camelot’s tests of survival and magic? Only time—and Morgan’s powerful fire—will tell.

Friday, January 23, 2015

Review: Viking King by Sky Purington



Viking King  by Sky Purington
The MacLomain Series: Viking Ancestors #1
Date of Publication: January 16, 2015 Number of pages: 240

Book Description:
Determined to take a break from her past, Megan cozies down in her million dollar Winter Harbor Maine home and focuses less on money and more on dreams. Building boats was a childhood desire she's determined to pursue. With a love for Viking shipwright skills, she constructs a small scale longship. What she doesn't anticipate is an unexpected call from the past.

Of dragon blood, Viking King, Naðr Véurr Sigdir 'the bold' knew that the bargain he struck with the seers would likely lead to an unpredictable outcome. What he didn't foresee is a beautiful, headstrong woman from the future washing up on his shores.

Caught between twenty-first century America and ninth century Scandinavia, two souls connect. Both determined and headstrong, their battle soon becomes not one made of the eras separating them but all the unexpected moments that drive them closer together.

Anger. Need. Distrust. Hope. Never-ending desire. All merge, warring and passionate, when a modern day woman and a Viking king surge forward together to conquer not only their enemies but what lies within their heart

 Available at Amazon iTunes Kobo BN




Excerpt

When a roar came from the ship, a louder roar echoed all around her. Excitement crackled in the air as three men left the boat and started down the dock. Megan narrowed her eyes as they drew closer.
Tall, muscled, all were too damned good looking no matter the century. But only one gave her an acute case of tunnel vision. The one in the middle. A black fur cloak stretched over his broad shoulders. With a black, leather jerkin and long leather encased legs that led down to heavy boots, he had a confident, easy swagger.
A searing burn broke over every inch of her skin and she dug her nails into her palms as he drew closer. Wind-blown, shoulder-length black hair brushed the nape of his strong neck and a light beard did nothing to hide his well-sculpted face. Her body started to tremble when he was only halfway down the dock. Clenching her teeth, Megan breathed deeply through her nose, her need to smell his skin so strong she put her hand on Guardian’s head to ground herself.
When had she ever wanted to smell a man?
Valan pulled Megan aside as several women were allowed to pass. There was never a more torturous moment than watching the young, beautiful women swarm around him. Like any ‘normal’ red-blooded pirate, sailor, or Viking, who had been out to sea for days would do, all three men linked arms with the women so that they each had one on either side. Megan barely comprehended that the low growl she heard was coming from her own throat until Valan looked at her and shook his head.
Megan cleared her throat and continued to stare at the man approaching.
To look away was impossible.
Suddenly, he stopped. When he did the girls on either arm purred and leaned closer. But it didn’t much matter. It almost seemed that he caught a scent on the wind because he leaned his head back slowly, closed his eyes and inhaled.
All went silent.
Megan watched, enthralled by the display. How did one man make so many people go silent in a moment? But somehow she knew deep down inside. A simple man couldn’t.
But a king could.
It almost felt like the shock wave she’d felt eighty feet beneath the Atlantic once more hit her when his eyes turned her way. Megan dug her hands further into Guardian’s pelt as he untangled from his women and approached. His eyes flickered to Valan then back to her before he stopped.
Holy mother of any god listening was he gorgeous.
Skin darkened by the sun, his face was a masterpiece up close. A little over a foot taller than her, his lips curved so well they’d make a woman stare forever. His jaw line was a fraction off from being square and his eyebrows arched slashes. But none of that compared to his eyes.
They were his everything.
A light but bright cobalt blue framed by a bizarre circle of dark blue with flecks of silver, they were so unusual that it almost seemed a mirror was behind them. In fact, one nearly got the impression they were looking back at themselves when they looked into this man’s eyes. Megan was tempted to look away from his unusual gaze but knew she couldn’t…that she never would. He’d captained that Viking longship. Desire pounded through her blood so harshly it took years of dealing with powerful men to keep her body tremble-free and eyes locked. Because there could be no doubt…
He was her Viking king.
“Naðr Véurr,” she whispered.
And she knew she was right.
Of course he wasn’t fazed by his name on a stranger’s lips. He’d likely dealt with it before. And unlike most men, he wasn’t put off by her unnatural eye color in the least. Rather, he seemed to spend an overly long moment holding her gaze, so much so that she had to work at keeping a neutral face. No easy task. One thing was for sure, she’d never had such a strong sexual reaction to a man.
He smelled of sea and storms, of dark nights and even darker pleasures.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Hell, was her heart going to beat out of her chest?
Megan worked at breathing evenly and never let go of his gaze. For a split second, she thought he sensed her nervousness. And it seemed she might be right.



Review:
I don't normally do time travel, but this description sounded too good for me to pass up. 
I can't really say anything bad about the book - Megan is doing something that I think we all need to do. Instead of focusing on material wealth she's hunkering down in her "million dollar" home to focus on ship building. 
It's a darn good thing that she focuses on Viking ships because guess what? She's going to Scandinavia! To a king no less, so it's good that she's headstrong and a good female lead because she needed to be with him. Nadr is a headstrong King that will do whatever is best for his people. 
They were perfectly suited for each other. I liked how there were love scenes that weren't too erotic and there are battle scenes that can be pretty realistic, so if that's an issue for you then be forewarned. 
Overall 4 Triquetras - if you like Vikings, ships or time travel then this one is for you! 

Sky Purington is the best-selling author of fourteen novels and several novellas. A New Englander born and bred, Sky was raised hearing stories of folklore, myth and legend. When combined with a love for nature, romance and time-travel, elements from the stories of her youth found release in her books.

Purington loves to hear from readers and can be contacted at Sky@SkyPurington.com.
 Interested in keeping up with Sky’s latest news and releases?
 Visit Sky’s website, http://www.skypurington.com to download her free App on iTunes and Android or sign up for her quarterly newsletter.

Tour Giveaway:
1 $25 gift card to winner’s choice of Amazon or Barnes & Noble



Sunday, January 18, 2015

Review: Ensnared by A.G. Howard


Ensnared (Splintered #3) by A.G. Howard
Publishers: Amulet Books
Published: January 6th, 2015
Pages: 384
After surviving a disastrous battle at prom, Alyssa has embraced her madness and gained perspective. She's determined to rescue her two worlds and the people and netherlings she loves. Even if it means challenging Queen Red to a final battle of wills and wiles . . . and even if the only way to Wonderland, now that the rabbit hole is closed, is through the looking-glass world--a parallel dimension filled with mutated and violent netherling outcasts. In the final installment of the wildly popular Splintered trilogy, Alyssa and her dad journey into the heart of magic and mayhem in search of her mom and to set right all that's gone wrong. Together with Jeb and Morpheus, they must salvage Wonderland from the decay and destruction that has ensnared it. But if they succeed and come out alive, can everyone truly have their happily ever after?

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Promo: Beautiful Curse by Jen McConnel


Out now from Swoon Romance.

Sixteen-year-old Mya Jones is cursed. 

She is, hands down, the most beautiful creature on earth. But beauty can wound, and Mya finds herself reviled and shunned by her peers. If there is even a chance that she could start over, Mya longs to take it, no matter the risks. 

So when the strange Mr. Merk offers her a new life away from home, Mya is hesitant but hopeful. Only she didn't count on the mysterious Ross, or her feelings for him.

BEAUTIFUL CURSE is a contemporary retelling of the myth of Psyche and Cupid.


Amazon | B&N | Kobo |







About the Author

Jen McConnel first began writing poetry as a child. A Michigander by birth, she now lives and writes in the beautiful state of North Carolina. A graduate of Western Michigan University, she also holds a MS in Library Science from Clarion University of Pennsylvania.  

When she isn't crafting worlds of fiction, she teaches college 
writing composition and yoga. Once upon a time, she was a middle school teacher, a librarian, and a bookseller, but those are stories for another time.  Her fiction titles include DAUGHTER OF CHAOS (YA), THE SECRET OF ISOBEL KEY (NA), and the recently released sequel, HER SECRET INHERITANCE. Visit http://www.jenmcconnel.com to learn more.

Connect with Jen











Excerpt

“Please call me Ross. I hope that we’ll be friends.” 

I paused, considering. Everything had been so dreamlike, so magical, since coming to the 
palace, that I had almost set aside the initial fears that had plagued me when Mr. Merk took me. 

Almost, but not quite. “What’s the price of your friendship?” I tried not to sound combative, but 
I was leery, on edge. 

A sad sigh filled the room. “I ask only that you remain here with me. I will give you all 
that you wish for, and ask for very little in return.” 

“That’s not an answer.” I tried to reason with the voice in the dark, but it was like 
fighting with my shadow: impossible to catch, and yet at the same time, totally familiar. There 
was something about the voice that made me feel safe, but my brain refused to let go of my 
earlier caution. 

“Then here’s an answer. Tonight, the price of my friendship is that you dine with me.” 

“Here? But it’s pitch black!” 

“Even so, this is how I choose to dine. Will you join me?” 

I hesitated, and a warm hand closed around my wrist. I jerked back, but even as my 
companion turned me loose, I felt the flood of heat that surged up my arm where he touched me. 

“I am hungry,” I admitted, trying to get a grip on my emotions. His hand had felt human ... and 
strong. 

He didn’t try to touch me again, but instead said, “Step forward three even paces. There 
you will find the table.” 

I walked cautiously, but I was able to take three steps across the darkness without 
obstruction. My fingertips brushed the polished surface of the table. 
There was a scraping sound close by, and the voice commanded me again. “The chair is 
immediately to your left. Will you please sit?” 

I lowered myself into the chair gingerly, groping in the dark, but it was solid beneath me. 
I relaxed slightly, even though my nerves were still on edge from the absolute darkness of the 
room. 

“Why do you eat in the dark?” I asked curiously. 

His voice was silky and laced with innuendo. “I find that it heightens the senses. Perhaps 
you’ll tell me if you agree after the meal.”




Friday, January 16, 2015

Cover Reveal: Everlost by Candace Knoebel

BOOK & AUTHOR INFO:

Everlost by Candace Knoebel
(Night Watchmen #3)
Publication date: Summer 2015
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult

Synopsis:

One truth will unravel them all.
Faye Middleton thought the worst had come to pass the night she and her friends barely escaped from Ethryeal City and the clutches of the evil Priestess Clara. Officially shunned from the Coven, Faye is forced to lay low in order to come up with a plan to bring Clara down.
At Jaxen’s childhood manor, they were supposed to be safe from any outside issues, and they were… until his long-lost mother shows up. Determined to win back what she lost so long ago, Evangeline reveals a secret that could shatter their beliefs, or be their saving grace.
Now, with two Covens searching for Faye, they must find a way to start over. With the help of the Rebellion, they begin the arduous task of forming their own army. However, the choices they are faced with leave them questioning everything they’ve ever known.












AUTHOR BIO:
Candace Knoebel is the award-winning author of Born in Flames-book one in a young adult fantasy trilogy. She discovered in 2009 through lunch breaks and late nights after putting her kids to bed, a world where she could escape the ever-pressing days of an eight to five Purgatory. And an outlet for all the voices residing in her head.

Published by 48fourteen in 2012, Born in Flames went on to win Turning the Pages Book of the Year award in February of 2013. In January of 2014, the last book in the trilogy, From the Embers, was released, thusly completing the trilogy. She now works on the Night Watchmen Series, while guzzling Red Bulls and pretending to be a ninja on Heelys.

Author Links:
Website: https://www.candaceknoebel.com
Blog: http://candaceknoebel.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CandaceKnoebel
Twitter: www.twitter.com/candaceknoebel
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6458922.Candace_Knoebel