Friday, January 31, 2014

~Cover Reveal~ First Impression by Pauline Creeden



Title: First Impression
Author: Pauline Creeden
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Mystery
Expected Release Date: March 31, 2014
Designed by: http://www.alchemybookcovers.com/
Reveal Host: Lady Amber's Tours

Synopsis:First Impression: A Shadow Maven Paranormal
Chira Kelly thought she didn’t need anyone…until she met Ben.

Because of one ugly rumor, Chira lives as an outcast at her school. Which is fine with her, because she works better alone. Always has, always will. And at least she has her one and only true friend, Tasha. When Tasha insists that they join a group to visit a possibly haunted abandoned old schoolhouse, she's wary, but joins her friend. Because of that decision, their lives are in jeopardy as a malevolent spirit targets the group. Tragedies and accidents pick them off one by one, and Chira finds herself drawn to the one person who can see the truth. But can he protect her?Goodreads linkhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20618864-first-impression


In simple language, Pauline Creeden creates worlds that are both familiar and strange, often pulling the veil between dimensions. She becomes the main character in each of her stories, and because she has ADD, she will get bored if she pretends to be one person for too long. Pauline is a horse trainer from Virginia, but writing is her therapy. Her books have hit #1 on the Amazon Bestseller List and Armored Hearts won the 2013 Book Junkie’s Choice Award in Historical Fiction. First Impression: A Shadow Maven Paranormal is her first mystery. It’s a dark urban fantasy and will be released March 31, 2014.



Links:

Excerpt:

 (Please note that the Excerpt is from the Unedited ARC and may change a bit before the finished book is released)

Ben pulls open the office door and stands to the side to allow me to go first. The hallway that was empty only a short while ago is now full of kids and their incessant conversations. With a shrug, I eye his class schedule quickly. Except for second and sixth period, we have exactly the same schedule. He’s in all of the advanced classes, too. Only he has gym for second period, and Latin for sixth – opposite of my schedule, except I take French.

Piece of cake.

I glance up at him again, and his eyes meet mine. My breath hitches. Something in his intense gaze makes me feel like he’s measuring me. And there’s something strange about his eyes. They’re brown, but I can tell he has colored contacts. Why would anyone color their eyes brown?
Something about the way he’s looking at me makes my heart flutter. A sniffle escapes me before I can stop it. Ugh. I clear my throat and start in the direction of first period. “Follow me.”
We elbow our way down the freshman hall toward the second floor, but before we start up I point down the way. “Do you know what your locker number is?”

Ben nods and pushes his backpack up on his shoulder further.

I wait for a second and then smile. “What is it?”

“706.” He has a slight accent and his voice is deeper than I expect. I suppress a shiver at the jolt that the musical timbre of his voice sends through my body. I’m resonating like a tuning fork. I really want him to speak again with every fiber of my being. What’s with me?

“Uh…okay.” I swallow, trying to regain composure. And take him to the general area of the locker. “Here it is.”

He looks at it, nods, and returns his gaze to me.

“I know you don’t have any books to put in it, but do you want to try out the combination?”

He lifts one shoulder in a shrug and spins the combo quickly through the three numbers. I purposefully look around so he knows I’m not peeking. He opens the locker wide, nods toward me and then closes it again.

“Great. We have first period over here.”

“You and I have the same first period?”

My body vibrates again, and I blink hard. So glad my back was to him so he couldn’t see the effect his voice has on me. I swallow and face him. “Actually, yeah. Our schedules are very similar. It’s a smallish school so there’s only a few tracks that juniors can be on.”
He nods, and his eyes are half lidded as if he’s bored already.

I lead him toward our class room. “We don’t really have assigned seats, so you can pretty much sit anywhere you want. I’ll show you to the gym at the end of class. I have French next, but it’s not too far from there.” 

I lead him to the front of the class, and my friend, Tasha Brown gives me a wan smile and raises her eyebrows, looking back and forth between me and Ben. She mouths, Who’s that?
I roll my eyes and put up one finger toward her to let her know I’ll tell her in a minute. Then I turn to the teacher. I hand him the schedule from the office. “Hi, Mr. Scott. This is Ben Oscuro, a transfer.”

Mr. Scott sets down the Mountain Dew he was drinking and offers Ben a wide grin. He puts a hand out for him to shake. Ben hesitates but takes the hand in what looks like a firm grip. Mr. Scott shakes his hand afterward. “That’s some grip you’ve got there.” He laughs and leans down to the bottom drawer of his desk and hands Ben a Geography text book.
With a nod, I return to Tasha and squeeze into the desk next to hers. Because I’m at Jackson Hall partially on scholarship and partially on my father’s insurance money, I’m somewhat of a social pariah. My only real friend is Tasha, a pariah herself, being one of the few African-American kids in the school. Still she tends to be more popular than me, because at least her family does have money. And then there’s that rumor…

“So who is the new hottie?” Tasha hops up and down in her seat.

I shake my head at her. “You are one big hormone, you know that? Sure, he’s cute, but is there any guy in the room you don’t consider a hottie?”

Tasha scans the room, considering for a moment with her hand on her chin and a very serious expression on her face. Her hair is in the typical pigtail braids she usually uses to play up the uniform. She has on no sweater, and her shirt is one size too small, causing the buttons at the front to bow and expose part of her red bra. Finally she returns her gaze to me. “There’s only one guy in here that doesn’t rank hottie.”

“Really? Who?”

She leans in conspiratorially and whispers, “Mr. Scott.”

I nearly choke on a laugh as I eye the middle aged, balding teacher at the front of the room. But I have to admit, Jackson Hall is a prep school. And no one can afford to make their children look their best more than the wealthy. I guess if I take my father’s words to heart, it’s better to be the poor kid in the rich kids’ school…than the other way around. Right?

Tasha’s smile returns and I follow her gaze to figure out why. Ben Oscuro walks down the aisle between us and takes the desk right behind mine. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. He smells like pine and mint, and it reminds me of the outdoors. When I open them again, Tasha’s smile has grown impossibly wider. She leans towards me and whispers, “What was that you said about hormones again?”

I shove my elbow toward her but she dodges me with a giggle.






Goodreads Book Giveaway


First Impression by Pauline Creeden

First Impression

by Pauline Creeden


Giveaway ends April 30, 2014.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

~Cover Reveal~ The Retelling by Candice Terry






Title: The Retelling: A Light Him Up Novel
Author: Candice Terry
Genre: Adult Drama Romance
Release Date: Spring 2014
Cover Created by: No Sweat Graphics by Rachel Olson
Reveal Host: Lady Amber's Tours


Book Description:
Hell hath no fury like a southern woman scorned....

Krischa had her future all planned out- graduate high school, attend a great college and live a happily ever after life with her high school sweet heart, Josh. Though she never expected her plans to come crashing down after being betrayed by the one person she loved the most.
Heartbroken, she finds comfort in the tall, dark haired, blue eyed stranger that walks into the bar one night, filling her with lust.
Leaving her small town, family and heart ache Josh behind she realizes she may have made a grave mistake and married the devil himself.


Regret has filled Josh's heart for 10 years after hurting the only person he'd ever loved. With no word on where she is, he aches to see her face again. Though he knows Krischa belongs to another, he can't help the want to get her back. When his phone rings out of the blue one day and he hears her voice he knows he will run through hell to bring her home.

Love and revenge at it's finest.






Candice lives in Laurel, Mississippi with her husband and energetic toddler.When she's not chasing her son around she runs her photography business or is stuck in front of her computer pounding out stories.Her first short story was published March 2013 and she is currently working on two more short stories along with the first book of a three part series to release in 2013.






~Book Blitz & Giveaway~ The Forgotten Ones by Laura Howard



Title: The Forgotten Ones  
Author: Laura Howard
Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance

Blitz Host: Lady Amber's Tours

On Sale for .99 cents!!!!

Book Synopsis: 
Allison O'Malley's plan is to go to grad school so she can get a good job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She has carefully closed herself off from everything else, including a relationship with Ethan, who she's been in love with for as long as she can remember.

What is definitely not part of the plan is the return of her long-lost father, who claims he can bring Allison's mother back from the dark place her mind has gone. Allison doesn't trust her father, so why would she believe his stories about a long forgotten Irish people, the Tuatha de Danaan? But truths have a way of revealing themselves. Secrets will eventually surface. And Allison must learn to set aside her plan and work with her father if there is even a small chance it could restore her mother's sanity.


Laura Howard lives in New Hampshire with her husband and four children. Her obsession with books began at the age of 6 when she got her first library card. Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High and other girly novels were routinely devoured in single sittings. Books took a backseat to diapers when she had her first child. It wasn’t until the release of a little novel called Twilight, 8 years later, that she rediscovered her love of fiction. Soon after, her own characters began to make themselves known. The Forgotten Ones is her first published novel.


Social Media Links: 







Sean jogged over with the bat and held it out for me, grinning. “Pick your pitcher, Allie-O.”

The smirk on Ethan's face was a challenge, and I couldn't resist. “Ethan has the ball, he can pitch to me.”

He made a big show of stretching and winding up before he finally tossed the ball at me.

I smacked the ball over the pool house, and Sean started shouting and cheering, making me smile. Ethan shook his head, but he was smiling. He clearly thought I would be an easy out.

I made it all the way to the final round, kicking Sean and Jeff out of the game. I'd played softball and run track all through school to pad my transcripts.

“You gonna let her win, E?” Jeff called, winking at me from the picnic table where he sat drinking a beer.

Ethan chuckled, showing off those damn dimples. He looked down at the ball in his hands and back up at me with a grin. “If I do, will you let me take you out?”

I snorted, trying to look braver than I felt. “Not a chance.”

“Wait a sec. I like this. Let's make a wager,” he said.

The guys were all hooting and hollering at me, my face was no doubt crimson.

“What do I get if I win?” I bit my lip, feeling all their eyes on me.

“I'm thinking, hang on,” He held up his finger, his brow furrowed in thought. His eyes widened with excitement, and I knew I would regret whatever he had to say.

“If I win, I get a kiss.” If it was possible, my cheeks grew even redder. They were all laughing and making cat calls now.

“And, if I win?” I looked up at his face.

He looked at me for a second, considering. “If you win, I won't ever ask you out again.”

This earned a chorus of “Yeah, right” and “No way” from the guys.

My mouth fell open, I had not been expecting that, but his face was sober. The laughing around us fell away for a second, and I could only stare at him feeling the color drain from my face. His expression remained solemn, and he met my gaze head on.

I nodded stiffly, and swallowed. “All right.”

His grin came back in full force. “Oh, and Al?”

I raised my eyebrows at him.

“I won't lose.”

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Stolen Time by Angela Rae Harris



Genre: New Adult Paranormal
Publisher: Tri Destiny Publishing


Blurb:
Tragedy has made Keaira wise beyond her twenty years. Forced to work for the General, a commanding man who blackmailed his way into her life, she was ordered to study self-defense and master knife throwing. In the hidden community of Shifters, falcons are considered weak, a fact which may ultimately save her life. To escape his cruelty, she will need to call upon her quick-witted falcon side, but the General has other plans – ones which involve his only son, Carson.
When unexpected feelings form between Keaira and Carson, the General quickly moves his pieces into place, launching his quest to take over the world. If she wants to survive, Keaira must stay one step ahead in the General’s deadly game and discover his weaknesses. Even if it means risking her life and the lives of those she cares about most.
With war on the horizon, sides are being drawn.  Deadly secrets must be exposed. Time is running out for Keaira and all of mankind.


Angela Rae Harris:  Stories of Hope ~ Creating Dreams

Angela is an author, a wife, mother of two, and a part-time assistant office manager. She loves nights when her husband cooks. Her two kids keep her hopping and help her tap into her well of creativity and imagination.
At thirteen, Angela read Harry Potter and was reacquainted with books. She reads everything from Steven King to Will Hobbs. She started writing after her youngest was born. The characters started to visit and wouldn’t let her sleep until she wrote down their stories.
She'd love for people to get lost in her books.
Website/Blog / Facebook Fan Page / Twitter / Goodreads
Book Links:
Amazon / Amazon U.K. / Barnes & Noble / Smashwords / Goodreads


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Keaira jumped when her desk phone rang. Cursing, she picked up the phone.
“Mr. Scott’s office.”
“Hey, it’s Carson.”
Keaira felt her face light up.
“Oh. Hi. How did you get my work number?” Keaira shook her head at her own stupid question. “Ugh, I think I already knew the answer to that.”
“Sorry. I talked to my dad this morning. Just thought I’d warn you that he was asking questions about us.” He sounded a little unsure of himself.
“It’s not a big deal. So, what’s up?”
Keaira twirled her chair around to stare at the boring white wall behind her.
“I was just going to tell you I’d really like to see you again. How does tomorrow night sound?”
Keaira pushed her foot lightly against the floor to turn the chair the way around and rested her elbows on her desk. The deep sound of his voice made her feel a little light headed.
“I’m free.” Keaira caught herself before she giggled. I will not act like a giddy little school-girl over a guy, even Carson.
“Dinner and bowling with my friends all right with you?” He sounded nervous, not at all like the confident, easy-going Carson of the night before.
“Sounds like fun.”
“Last time you shot down my idea, so I just wanted to make sure. I’ll pick you up after work.” Now he was back to the cocky Carson she had been with last night.
“See ya then. Bye.”
Keaira turned back around to hang up, but the cord wouldn’t reach the cradle. She untangled it from around the chair and freed the finger that was all wrapped up in the cord from twisting it while she was talking to Carson. Gah, I am acting like a school-girl. Who doesn’t use cordless phones these days anyways.
Keaira was so distracted she didn’t see Mr. Scott come into her office. She nearly fell out of her chair when she looked up. She could understand not hearing or seeing him enter, but surely she should have smelled his cologne when he came into the room. I hate that cologne.
He tried to smile. To Keaira it just looked like a sneer. She’d love to be the one who wiped it from his face one day.
He said, “Sorry, did I interrupt something?”
She narrowed her eyes at him. He knew damn well she had just been on the phone with Carson.
“Not interrupting, no.”
He set a handful of papers on her desk. “New membership information.”
Keaira took the papers and started looking through them. Despite her obvious attempt to ignore him, the General didn’t leave. She avoided his gaze as she started transferring bank accounts and phone numbers to the computer. He pulled up a chair to the front of the desk.
“So how are things going with Carson?”
He unbuttoned his navy-blue suit jacket as he sat down, exposing the crisp white dress shirt underneath.
Keaira didn’t look at him.
“Considering you are my boss and he is your son, there are two strikes against you. I guess the fact that you hold my life in your hands is the third reason why I will not talk to you about anything having to do with me and Carson.”
The General chuckled. “I knew I could trust you to keep secrets.”
Keaira tried not to let him affect her, but the tremor, which ran up her spine, couldn’t be stopped. Her fingers clenched into fists, and she figured that while he was in a good mood she would broach the subject that had been nagging at her all day.
“Speaking of secrets, why are you keeping your, um, plans from your family?”
She held her breath, hoping she would not regret acting on her curiosity. She peered at him out of the corner of her eye.
The General sighed and looked at her oddly. Funny, he thinks he can trust me. Keaira inwardly laughed. She met his brown eyes as he stared at her. A minute passed with neither of them moving. He finally leaned back in his chair and closed the door. Keaira relaxed a bit, allowing herself to breathe.
“I don’t want to put them in harm’s way any more than I already have. Those who deny the rise of the higher class may try to get information out of them.”
He spoke quickly. Keaira had the feeling he wasn’t telling her the whole reason.
Not being the best at holding her tongue, Keaira whispered, “You don’t want them to try to stop you.”
The General suddenly stood and then returned the chair to its place in the corner. He turned back toward Keaira, and she slumped into her chair as his brown eyes bore into hers.
“I love my family. I will not let anything hurt them.” He gave her one last hard glance as he opened the office door and left.
Keaira sat there, mouth wide open and watched him leave.
She believed the General loved his family but on selfish terms. This man was insane, and he held her life and the lives of many others in his hands. If it were not for the collateral the General had over Keaira, she would want nothing to do with his scheme to rule over the humans. She swallowed the lump in her throat as she reminded herself he had the ability to take any life he wanted. She wasn’t the only one in danger. Right now she was just thankful her big mouth didn’t get her into even bigger trouble.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Blog Tour & Dream Cast: The Hunter, the Bear and the Seventh Sister by B. I. Woolet



Title: The Hunter, the Bear and the Seventh Sister
Author: B.I.Woolet  (Benji & Ila Woolet)
Genre: YA Fantasy

Tour Host: Lady Amber's Tours

Short Synopsis

Jackson is a quiet Midwestern teen who enjoys the solace of the woods and the splendor of stargazing. Beloved constellations come to life when he is thrown into Arcas, a mystical planet with ancient ties to Earth. Jackson and his stellar companions embark on an epic adventure to combat a rising evil threatening the future of both worlds. 

Back Cover Synopsis

When a beautiful and powerful stranger throws Jackson into the world of Arcas, his predictable Midwestern life instantly vanishes into an all-consuming adventure. 

The last kingdoms of Arcas possess enduring youth, beauty, and wealth but have slowly crumbled under the weight of endless apathy and a painful past. 

The rising evil of Gurges Ater now threatens to reopen the ancient kingdom pillars created long ago as passageways between Earth and Arcas. With access to both worlds, Gurges Ater will quickly conquer the weak kingdoms and establish his own throne

Can Jackson, along with a paranoid bear, a lone hunter, and the surviving seventh sister work together to protect both Earth and Arcas? 

Or will the unlikely heroes allow their own fears, pain, and past to paralyze them as Gurges Ater opens the pillars and claims the throne? 

Leave your own world behind, dive through the shimmering portal, and join Jackson to discover the beauty, danger, and adventure awaiting you in the world of Arcas! 

B. I. Woolet (Benji & Ila Woolet) is the author of The Hunter, the Bear, and the Seventh Sister, the first book from the World of Arcas series. Benji studied Music Composition leading to a Bachelor’s in Music, and Ila studied English leading to a BS in Education. When they aren’t working, writing, or chasing their three little girls around, they are active in their local community and church. The couple enjoys creating lyrical and literary arts, playing music together, and exploring nature. They are happily married and live in Indiana. 




Author Links:

 Twitter:   @worldofarcas


 Jackson crouched low, hiding behind Otava’s branches. The river flowed quickly enough that little effort was required to move the wooden canoe forward. The Hunter softly guided them to the middle and occasionally steered away from rocks, branches, or logs obstructing the smooth path forward. 
     The jungle around them remained still with only the sounds of birds and small, scampering creatures echoing within. It was peaceful and calm, but the companions felt watched, like at any moment some danger would bound out at them from behind the green, leafy shadows. But it was not from within the woods where the dangers truly lay. Danger lurked within the waters where little torrents of ripples slowly penetrated the surface, increasing in size, speed, and number. The canoe gradually began to sway lightly until the front and back end rocked up and down, not in a rhythmic, parallel motion but in a jagged, chaotic tumult as if an ominous war was waging underneath the water, and the heat of the battle was moving up from the deep toward the canoe. The Hunter turned his gaze from the woods and the curvy bend ahead to the waters underneath and then glanced behind him.
     “Hold on!” The Hunter commanded.
     “What’s happening?” Jackson gripped the sides of the canoe. 
     “Ursa Major! I knew I should’ve brought my harpoon!” Otava grabbed a spear instead and searched the water for a target. 
     Merope was close now. She sprinted out of the tree line onto the shore just behind the increasingly warring waves thrashing onward toward the powerless travelers. By the time she recognized exactly who she was following, it was too late to warn him. As The Hunter stood, facing a beast, Merope cried out—first softly in recognition and then loudly in warning:
     “Rigel? RIGEL!”





DREAM CAST


Tuesday, January 28, 2014

!Release Day Blitz! Fire & Shadows by Rochelle Maya Callen



Fire and Shadows is the SEQUEL to Ashes and Ice.
Join today's Online Facebook Release Bash!

Book Description:
Secrets. Silence. Sacrifice.

Jade is only beginning to unravel her own secrets. Facing fate, a murky past and a brutal inner battle, Jade must become what she fears without giving into the darkness.


If she doesn't, the world will be devoured by Fire and Shadows.














Rochelle grew up dreaming up stories. When she entered high school, she tucked away her creative side and jumped head-first into academics, work, and service projects. She graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Political Science and Communication when she was twenty years old. After years away from her writing, Rochelle picked up a pen and started fleshing out a character sketch that she outlined when she was twelve. That sketch was the start of the Ashes and Ice story. Rochelle lives in the DC metro area with her husband and daughter. Fire and Shadows is her second novel.
Www.RochelleMayaCallen.comfacebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rochelle-Maya-Callen-Author/478176392210312twitter: rockyiswriting




Haven't read Ashes and Ice yet?

ASHES AND ICE (BOOK 1) is on SALE for only .99!
Ashes and Ice, a Dark YA fantasy, debuted on the charts as a #1 AMAZON Hot New Release! Grab your copy before you pick up the sequel, FIRE AND SHADOWS!

THE STORY...
She is desperate to remember.
He is aching to forget.
Together, they are not broken.
But together, one may not survive.
Jade wakes up with no memory of her past and blood on her hands.
Plagued by wicked thoughts, she searches for answers. Instead, she finds a boy who doesn't offer her answers, but hope. But sometimes, when nightmares turn into reality and death follows you everywhere, hope is not enough.
LUST. LOVE. LOSS. Sometimes, all that is left are Ashes and Ice.
Praise for Ashes and Ice:
"For me, Ashes and Ice was a work of art. Rochelle Maya Callen wove a very intricate tale. A love story of sorts. Dark and sinister yet full of hope and light. Callen painted her world brilliantly. This story was intoxicating and electric. I was captivated to the very end."
-Shelley Bunnell, TSK TSK What to Read
"Dark and Wicked." -- The Book Diaries
"Dreamy and Poetic." -- L.L. Hunter, Author
"A stunning debut." -- Owlnestly Reviews
"This story will rock you to your core." -- The Shadow Realm

“Fans of Anna Dressed in Blood and Beautiful Creatures will love Ashes and Ice!”