Thursday, December 20, 2012

Cover feature and excerpt: DreamKiller by Heather Hildenbrand

AVAILABLE NOW!


As a special treat I  have an excerpt of Chapter 1 posted below


~Chapter One~ This wasn’t going to be easy. Marlena squared her shoulders. She’d have to do it anyway. There was no time now. She looked up through the glass ceiling at the moon one last time. It was fading from red to white with each passing second. It had to happen now or not at all. With superhuman strength and speed, she leaped from her hiding place high above the crowd and dropped to her feet. She weaved quickly in and out until her targets were within reach. She was careful to keep her hood pulled down until she reached the far end of the plaza. No one gave her a second look, including the two men she shadowed. Years of training had given Marlena the ability to blend into a crowd. Humans often only noticed the blatantly obvious. The shorter of the two men spoke quietly to the valet and handed him a ticket. Then he rejoined his friend at the curb as the valet wandered off. When the men were alone, she made her move. She had exactly thirty seconds until the valet brought their car around. She sprang forward, snapping their necks so quickly that the second one didn’t even have time to scream before it was his turn to die. When she was done, she faded back into the shadows, her mission complete. ***
-- Heather Hildenbrand Author of the Dirty Blood series --
View all my titles at: www.heatherhildenbrand.blogspot.com

Here are the links to buy at  Amazon  or barnesandnoble 

Monday, December 3, 2012

Review: Fading Amber by Jaime Reed


 Fading Amber is book # 3 in The Cambion Chronicles by Jaime Reed. In this book Tobias has gone missing and Samara keeps having blackouts. In fact her and Caleb had a blackout at the same time and neither of them are sure what happened other than Caleb's jeep getting banged up. Tobias being missing should be good news right? But since he also happens to be linked to Samara and in turn Caleb, it could mean danger for them as well. That's not the only danger looming over their head, they still have to face the notorious Santiago's to see if they will be sentenced for what happened previously with Caleb's father.

 Jaime Reed has done it again! Fading Amber is a riveting read and sure to excite and please existing fans. There are not many series that when I read them I think the next one can't possibly be better than this one, but then somehow it is. Well this is definitely one of those series. Each book seems to impossibly be even better than the last. There were moments when I could not believe what had just happened and others that I was so relieved that it went the way I wanted. Caleb and Samara still have that amazing bond that I love but it is truly put to the test in this book and there are quite a few moments I don't think that it can survive anything else, but then it does. Tobias really makes things crazy and for some reason you just can't help but love how much you hate him. It was fascinating getting to learn more about the cambion history as Samara did and I felt like there was some definite danger with the infamous Santiago's coming to judge Samara and Caleb. Almost like she had gotten caught up with the mob! I think this book has something for everyone to enjoy with the great action, suspense, love, and secrets. Jaime Reed is now way up there on my list of favorite authors. I would highly recommend this and the entire Cambion Chronicles to all fans of YA paranormal romance.
 NOTE: I highly recommend to read these books in order from book 1 forward.



** I received this book from Kensington Publishing in exchange for an honest review**

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Introducing: Something Witchy by A.J. Myers






Here's an excerpt of Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Parental Patrol All my problems started with a dead guy. Okay, maybe that’s not fair. I can’t blame all my problems on one guy. I only wish I could. No, my problems actually started before the dead guy showed up and finished off the destruction of a life that wasn’t all that normal to begin with. In fact, I would go as far as to say I had the kinds of problems that land most people in the psych ward, drooling and talking to the walls. But I was good with it. I knew how to handle it. And then, all that changed. Which is why I blame the dead guy. As bad days go, it was epic. First, my alarm decided to malfunction and I woke up over an hour later than I should have. Then, the hot water heater went out and I ended up taking the coldest shower in history. Seriously, why is it that the hot water always seems to go out right after you lather up your hair? Teeth chattering and feeling like a walking icicle, I finally made it downstairs with the intention of finding a Pop Tart on my way out the door. When I walked into the kitchen to find my parents lying in wait for me, I wished I had just stopped for a bagel on the way to school. It was crash test dummy time again. The suckiest part about having parents who are shrinks and published authors is that they always feel like they have to try out all their new techniques for communicating with a teenager on me. They had forgotten, again, that I’m legally an adult. That really wasn’t much of a surprise considering the Big Day had slipped their collective mind until two weeks after my birthday when I found a cheesy birthday card taped to my bedroom door along with the keys to a brand new Miata MX-5 convertible. It hurt that they had forgotten my birthday, but I got a new car out of the deal so I wasn’t holding a grudge. I knew what was up the second I saw my mother smiling at me. My mom never smiled at me unless she wanted to use me for practice—or if we were in public. Add to that the enormous stack of pancakes and the overwhelming scent of bacon and I knew I was in for a long morning. “Good morning, Ember,” Dad said with a grin as I walked into their trap. “Take a seat. It’s been a while since we’ve talked, so we thought we’d have breakfast together and catch up.” Translation: “It’s been a while since we strapped you into the passenger seat and sent it flying into the wall at a hundred miles an hour to see how much pressure your seat belt can take. Doesn’t that sound fun?” I had been a science experiment for as long as I could remember, so I knew the drill. I dropped my backpack, plopped my behind into the first available chair, and waited for the psychobabble to commence. Instead of starting in with questions like they usually did, my parents just looked at me expectantly. Ah, so it wasn’t a talking exercise we were doing, but a listening exercise. How to Listen to Your Uncommunicative Teen: Step 1: Stare at them like they’ve been taken over by aliens until they start to fidget. Wow, my parents were good! They had this crap down pat! “So what’s up?” My mother’s bright smile wasn’t quite enough to hide the irritation flashing in her eyes when I didn’t immediately start gushing about my life. “The usual.” I shrugged, reaching for the pancakes. If I was going to have to submit to this mockery of family togetherness, I figured I might as well eat. “You know, senior year stuff, like college apps, stuff like that.” “And how is that going?” my mother asked, her Dr. Sensitive face firmly in place. I shrugged again. I hadn’t really been putting a lot of effort into it, still unsure what my next move should be. With my SAT scores—a 2200 overall—I could have gone anywhere. I already had acceptance letters from Harvard and Stanford, who were both offering very generous scholarships. There was also one from Yale, where both of my parents had gone to college, hidden in my drawer upstairs where no one was likely to ever find it. It was my life, my decision, and I wasn’t going to let my parents or anyone else make it for me. My two best friends had already decided on NYU and I was seriously considering joining them. Knowing how horrified my parents would be if I gave up an Ivy League education to major in Journalism at NYU would have enough reason for me to go that route. But, honestly? I couldn’t see spending my college career without my friends. Sure, I could make new friends, but it wouldn’t be the same Apparently shrugging was not an acceptable form of communication. “Ember, you could at least try to learn to communicate,” my mother said with a scowl on her pretty face. “You’re about to be an adult—” “No, Mother, by law I am an adult,” I snapped. “An adult who is about to be late for school.” “Then it’s time you learned to communicate like one,” she snapped back, completely ignoring what I had said about being late. Yeah, her listening skills were superb. “This,” she lifted her shoulders up and down in an exaggerated shrug, “is not how adults communicate.” I shrugged again, just to watch her blood pressure go up, and went back to my pancakes. The glare she leveled at me was hot enough to blister paint, ruining what was left of my appetite. After two more bites, I decided pancakes and bacon weren’t worth dealing with my mother and gave them up in favor of escaping. “Ember, adults—” “I’m late, Mother,” I cut her off and shrugged yet again as I got up to put my plate in the dishwasher, curious to see if the throbbing vein in her temple would explode. “I don’t have time for a lesson in ‘adult communication’. Maybe you can fit me in between your patients sometime. Right now, I’m late for school.” “Ember, we only want to try to understand you,” my father said, trying to play peacemaker, as usual. “You can’t run from everyone who tries to get close to you. We’re your parents. Does it really seem so strange that we want to know you?” He didn’t want me to answer that. “I’m not running from anything,” I hissed, finally starting to lose my temper. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get going.” I didn’t wait for them to tell me to go—I just left, grabbing my purse and coat on my way out. I was closing the door behind me when I heard my father speak again. “Well, that went well,” he muttered sarcastically. I couldn’t have agreed with him more. Then, how had they expected it to go? You couldn’t ignore someone until they were convenient and expect them to pour out their heart to you because you decided it was time to pretend they were important long enough to write a new chapter in your latest manual on how to deal with a juvenile delinquent. My parents were as clueless about communicating with a teenager as the poor idiots who kept buying their books. ∞∞∞∞∞∞ Due to the Freudian breakfast, I knew there was no way I was going to make it to school on time. Not that I didn’t try. I ran three stop signs and a red light—it was for a good cause and there was nobody there!—and was picking up major speed when I saw blue lights flare to life in my rear-view mirror. Sure. Why not? I thought grumpily, pulling over like the good little citizen that I am instead of making a run for it—which is exactly what I wanted to do when I looked down and saw how fast I was going. Sixty in an area clearly marked with a speed limit of forty-five. Even if I cried and begged—hell, even if I stripped and gave the cop a lap dance—I wasn’t getting out of that ticket. I suddenly had a vivid mental picture of a little missile that said Insurance Premium on the side skyrocketing past the moon and into another solar system. My parents were going to murder me. With my stomach in knots, I started digging in my purse for my driver’s license, flinging lipstick tubes and half-eaten rolls of mints across the passenger seat and onto the floorboard. I had just unearthed my wallet when someone tapped their knuckles on my window. I looked up with my very best impression of an innocent smile plastered on my face and immediately felt it slide off again when I saw the officer who was waiting for me. No! I groaned inwardly, wondering how I’d landed in the seventh circle of Hell as I stared in horror at the officer motioning for me to roll my window down. Oh, no, no, no, no! Please tell me this isn’t happening! Sheriff Martin—better known as Deputy Donut to those under the age of twenty-five—had been the bane of my existence since I was old enough to get my learner’s permit. His beady brown eyes were lit with eagerness to torment me, and his flabby face was practically quivering with excitement as he reached up to push his flat-brimmed hat back to reveal his receding hairline. Every kid in Moonlight, Missouri, knew his name and dreaded the sight of his car. It was common knowledge that he wrote bogus tickets for stuff no one in their right mind would ever do. No matter how many times those tickets were appealed, they were never thrown out. He would look at the judge, appearing very solemn and dutiful, and lie his ass off without blinking an eye. And he was good at it. By the time you left the courtroom even you were wondering if you might have actually committed the crime you were accused of. “Well, well, well,” he crooned gleefully when I rolled my window down, “If it isn’t the little redheaded hellion of Moonlight. All right, Ember, you know how this works.” He held his hand out, already writing out my tickets for missing documentation in his head, but I was so ready for him. I slapped my license, registration, and proof of insurance into it with a smirk. He looked disappointed for a second, then started carefully examining each document, taking his sweet time like I had all day. I knew what he was doing. He was trying to get me to give him a reason to give me more than the speeding ticket I’d admittedly earned. Unfortunately, the whole town knew I had a temper and that I would blow like a powder keg if antagonized long enough. And no one—and I do mean no one—was better at making me lose my cool than Deputy Donut. We had been at war since sixth grade, when I accidentally broke his daughter’s jaw for calling me a cow. I honestly hadn’t meant to hit her that hard. Besides, I’d been aiming for her oh-so-perfect nose. It’s wasn’t my fault she moved! I was suspended for two weeks for that little love tap, and Stacy’s jaw was wired shut for five. Though the blessed silence had almost been worth it, that was about the point her father decided making my life a living hell was his personal mission. He’d been harassing me for one reason or another ever since. I’m not exaggerating either. I was probably the only twelve year old in history to have been charged with jaywalking, littering, disorderly conduct, and disturbing the peace. When I refused to play into Sheriff Martin’s hands, he finally started filling out my ticket. The thoroughly disappointed look on his face was enough to make me want to give myself a pat on the back. Until he handed me the ticket, that is. “I think you made a mistake,” I said, my eyes going round, as I read over it before I signed it. “I wasn’t doing eighty!” “My radar says you were doing eighty,” he said with a smug little grin. Yeah, and pigs fly. “You’re welcome to contest it in court. Considering your record, though, I doubt it would do you any good.” Don’t do it! Don’t say a damn thing! a little voice in my mind cried, jumping up and down and waving frantically through the wash of red painting my vision a really amazing shade of crimson. I swear, I tried to obey it. I tried to keep my mouth shut. I counted to ten, I took a deep breath—or four—but it was all for nothing. The second he smiled at me like Christmas had come three months early, I lost it. “That is such bullshit!” I yelled, flinging the ticket back at him. “If I had been doing eighty in a forty-five, you would be arresting me and we both know it!” He got this dreamy looking on his face at the thought of me behind bars and I gulped. Maybe I shouldn’t have suggested that… “Tell it to the judge, Ember,” he said, still looking like he was imagining my incarceration with an unhealthy amount of delight. “Now, if you’ll sign…” “No!” When he held the ticket out to me again, I batted it away, got out of my car, propped my hands on my hips, and prepared to fight to the death to get out of that stupid ticket that was probably going to cost me more than just my savings account. I was already kissing my car keys goodbye with the realization that I would probably be eighty before I got them back. “Look, Sheriff Martin,” I said, trying to stay calm even though I already had a bad feeling I was going to fail. “My parents are going to kill me when they see that ticket. Do you really want that on your conscience?” “Stacy’s jaw still pops. Did you know that?” he asked conversationally, flipping the ticket pad in his hand to the next page. “Then maybe she should learn to keep her bitchy mouth shut!” I knew I had given him exactly what he wanted when a sick, triumphant smile spread across his whole fat face. Ten minutes later, I had not only a speeding ticket—that still stated I had been doing eighty instead of sixty—but also one for not signaling properly when I pulled over to the side of the road, one for public nuisance because I was playing my music too loud, one for littering because an empty water bottle had fallen out of my car when I got out and I hadn’t picked it up, and one for verbal assault of a police officer because his daughter was a bitch and I’d told him so. “You have a good day now, Ember,” he said, laughing as he walked back to his car. “Yeah, because it’s been a great one so far,” I muttered under my breath as I got in the car and put my seatbelt back on. If only I had known how bad my day was going to get… < /div>

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway


About the Author:
AJ Myers lives in her own little world—but according to the IRS, she resides in Arkansas—with her awesome husband, four amazing teenagers, and a crazy cast of family and friends.  She’s always interested in hearing from readers, so look her up!




You can also see what’s new for the Mystics & Mayhem series by following us at:


Parasite is hosting a huge even in celebration of the release of Something Witchy on Facebook,as well. 



For the launch of Something Witchy, the uproariously entertaining first book in the YA Paranormal MYSTICS & MAYHEM series by AJ Myers, Parasite Publications will be giving away three $100 gift certificates and tons of cool swag! Drop by on the 15th of November to talk about the launch, or go straight to the Parasite Publications page sign up for your free stuff here: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=436577733073464&set=a.404963309568240.94368.393372634060641&type=1&theater&notif_t=like

Other events include:

11/8/12

Interview and Giveaway hosted by 1000+ Books to Read



11/12/12

Interview and Giveaway hosted by Paranormal Opinion



11/15/12

Interview and Giveaway hosted by Julie’s Book Review



11/15/12

Interview hosted by Starry Night Book Review



11/22/12

Giveaway/Promo hosted by GraveTells



11/26/12

Interview and Giveaway hosted by Ebook Obsessed

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Review: After Dark by Emi Gayle


 Eighteen year old Mac is a changeling. She can change into any supernatural being she wants after dark. Thing is by her nineteenth birthday she has to choose which one she wants to be forever. Mac is already having a hard time choosing when she meets a geeky boy named Winn who has this book that seems to have things about her that she was never told. So now Mac has to find out what has been kept secret from her.

 I started After Dark with great expectations, maybe too great. This book has a great storyline and a very original premise but it just never got in tune for me. I am typically not a very picky reader so I was actually quite shocked. I never really connected with the story or its characters and found myself sort of dragging through. I wondered how this girl could be eighteen and has never once wondered about her race or what that meant for her until now. It seemed to me everything was thrown together with at times a bit of randomness and hurry. If not for the originality I do not think I would have had enough curiosity to carry me through this one. Although I never connected with After Dark, I did find myself wanting to continue reading just to find out what would happen. So I do believe this book has great potential I just don't think we see it met in this novel. I do think that I would be interested in reading a sequel to see if the story grows and progresses any, maybe meeting the potential that I see in this novel. 



* I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review *

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Review: Touched by Corrine Jackson



Remy O'Malley has the power to heal others, the downside is every injury she heals, she then has to endure. Living with an abusive step father has made this an exhausting feat until one night he lands her in the hospital and she gets sent to live with her estranged father. Shortly after her arrival she meets an enigmatic boy named Asher that seems to have even more secrets than herself. Asher and Remy feel a strong attraction to each other and when they can no longer deny its pull they ind themselves in danger, not only from others if they found out but also from each other. 

Wow, Touched is my favorite book from the past year hands down. I love the whole concept of healers and protectors and think Corrine did an amazing job showing us her unique and satisfying take on it. The chemistry between Remy and Asher is so entertaining and I found myself smiling at little things Asher would do to get her attention. After all of the abuse that Remy has been through I really loved the connections she made once she moved in with her dad. Remy is such a perfect blend of vulnerability and strength, I don't think there could have been a more perfect main character for this story. I really felt connected to her and her struggles. Asher is every girls dream, the misunderstood bad boy with a good heart, that would do anything for the one he loves ( insert swoon here ). I can't think of a single thing I would change. The pace was perfect and the characters and world portrayed was believable and enthralling. I sure hope there is a sequel to Touched, because I want more of this fantastic story!                                           

* book received from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*                                                                                    
                                                                                          

Friday, October 19, 2012

Review : Dirty Blood by Heather Hildenbrand


Tara cannot believe what just happened . She just killed a girl. She had to, because this wasn't just a girl. This girl was a werewolf that just attacked her. Tara starts freaking out and that's when the sexy mysterious Wes shows up. He takes her home and so starts Tara's inevitable feelings for him and her discovery of her part in the dangerous world of hunters and werewolves.

I loved Dirty Blood! From the moment I started reading it I was  mesmerized and couldn't put it down until I knew what would happen next. Heather put a unique twist on the whole world of hunters and werewolves history and I thought the whole prospect of half bloods or as their called in the story " dirty bloods " was brilliant. Half werewolf half hunter and hated for it, that's awesome. I don't want to give anything away but their were definitely a couple things that happened that totally surprised me. All that mixed with the pure magnetism of Tara and Wes's attraction that flows through them like an electric current SO HOT! It is an amazing story that I can't wait to continue in book 2 Cold Blood.

* I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review *



Sunday, September 30, 2012

Review Decked with Holly by Marni Bates

Decked with Holly
 
 Holly gets stuck spending her Christmas vacation on a cruise with her family. It wouldn't be so bad if it were just her grandpa and her, but instead she also has to put up with her evil twin cousins and her Aunt that's constantly insulting her. To top things off Holly is experiencing extreme sea sickness and her cousins kick her out of their room. Not wanting to disturb her grandpa and in desperate need of somewhere to throw up, Holly staggers into a strangers room and uses their bathroom. When she comes out she gets assaulted with pepper spray and called a zombie by a guy calling himself "Nick". But when she tries to leave and gets bombarded by the paparazzi Holly realizes that Nick is actually "Dominic" a member of one of her favorite pop bands " Readyset". To avoid a scandal Nick talks Holly into being his fake girlfriend. Even though they can get on each others last nerve could this fake relationship turn into a real one?

I loved "Decked with Holly"! It was hilarious and intelligent I found myself laughing out loud continuously and loving how fun and unique the story was. Holly is definitely a "mess" but that's what makes her so cute and lovable. Nick can certainly get under her skin and vice-versa which made for a lot of cute banter. The point of view switches back and forth between Holly and Dominic which I feel gives us a better look into each character and helps us know what they are both truly feeling. I like that it clearly states who's point of view you are now reading so that it doesn't get confusing like some other books that I have read. I am definitely going to check out other books by Marni Bates after this great read. Overall it is a fast and fun read that will have you smiling behind its pages.

I think fans of romantic comedies of all ages would love Decked with Holly.





** Book received from K-teen books in exchange for my honest review **

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Review : Spark by Brigid Kemmerer

Spark is the second full length book in the Elemental Series by Brigid Kemmerer about four brothers that each have their own special ability to control a certain element.
Spark picks up where Elemental left off. Except this time we get to focus more on Gabriel. Oh Gabriel, how can I ever say enough about Gabriel?

Gabriel's element is fire which suits him perfectly. He's hot and hard to handle but also beautiful. When an arson epidemic breaks out in town all the evidence seems to point to Gabriel and it seems the only person who believes his innocence is a shy girl named Layne.

I absolutely fell in love with Gabriel  in Spark. We get to see a whole side to the tempermental bad boy. Under all that sarcasm is really just guilt from blaming himself for their parent's death and shame that he can't indulge in and control his element better. Layne really helps us see the true Gabriel and I love her for that. Altough we realize Layne has a few secrets of her own. I also really liked the unlikely friendship that forms between Hunter and Gabriel. They both really needed someone and they make each other stronger.There were a few times I wanted to kick the brothers for not believing in him more. But that just goes to show you how connected I felt to him in this book.

Brigid Kemmerer once again proves how complex and appealing her character's are. You can't help but get drawn in by them and sympathise for them. I can't wait to see what's in store for them.



 This book was received from the publisher for review purposes

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Review: Burning Emerald by Jaime Reed

Burning Emerald (The Cambion Chronicles, #2)     

Burning Emerald is book 2 in The Cambion Chronicles by Jaime Reed. In book one Samara meets Caleb and not only finds out about cambions but also becomes one thanks to her friend Nadine. This book picks up where there left off with Samara trying to come to terms with the "spirit" inside her and coping with Nadine's death. But then strange things start to happen at school surrounding this boy named Malik. When Samara and Caleb fall ill at a party putting Caleb in a coma, things start to unfold into a terrifying new reality for Samara. Malik is no longer the boy she grew up going to school with but is in fact a incubus named Tobias posing as him to get close to Samara or more accurately to get close to Lillith the spirit that now resides inside Samara. Samara belongs with Caleb but Tobias claims Lillith belongs with him, now that Samara and Lillith are a part of each other it becomes a dangerous mess.

I loved Burning Emerald. Just like Living Violet "Burning Emerald" is a real page turner. Although this one has more dangers and twists that make is deliciously tense. It really puts a whole new spin on love triangles with two of them residing in the same body. Not to mention there were some real wow moments in this one that left me reeling and aching to read the next book due in the series "Fading Amber".

I think anyone who likes a great YA paranormal romance will definitely love this one.                                                                                                                                               


Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Review Otherkin by Nina Berry



Otherkin (Otherkin, #1)Desdemona a.k.a Dez lives a normal teenage life. Until one night in a fit of rage over the back brace she has had to wear for the past two years, she transforms and realizes she is anything but normal. But before she even realizes what is happening to her, she is kidnapped and wakes up in a cage next to a mysterious and sexy guy named Caleb. Through him she discovers things not only about herself but also about this world and worlds beyond that she never thought possible.

This book was amazing! Nina Berry creates a world unlike any other,with a thin veil between this world and another and the amazing people here closer to it than anyone else,that enables them to have these amazing abilities. I loved that there wasn't just shapeshifters in this book but also callers and objurers as well. It made for a thrilling adventure of suspense and action. But I think my favorite things about this story were the amazing connection between Caleb and Dez and also Dez learning to truly find and except herself. Otherkin is enthralling from beginning to end  making  for a quick pace with lots of variety from adventure, love, action, and suspense to feed any reading appetite.


** Disclosure**
I received this book from Kensington publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Bitten Shame Tour + Giveaway


Bitten Shame (Book 2 of the Bend-Bite-Shift Trilogy)

Jill Prescott returned from self-imposed seclusion to help save her best friend Devan’s life. Throwing herself into Devan’s problems and bringing an evil organization to its knees might just be the distraction she needs to keep living without the only man she’s ever loved. Her life changed forever when she was hired to spend a week with Doc Massey. On the day she became a vampire her youthful innocence ended, but Doc’s love rescued her from being consumed by the darkness. The shadow of that former life continues to loom over her, keeping her from realizing her own self-worth. Running from her past only brings her closer to a destiny that is inextricably connected to what she is trying to escape… Every gift has both a reward and a price, because All of it fits…

                                           Kindle / Paperback


About the Author - Olivia Hardin realized early on how strange she was to have complete movie-like character dreams as a child. Eventually she began putting those vivid dreams to paper and was rarely without her spiral notebooks full of those mental ramblings. Her forgotten vision of becoming an author was realized when she connected with a group of amazingly talented and fabulous writers who gave her lots of direction and encouragement. With a little extra push from family and friends, she hunkered down to get lost in the words. She's also an insatiable crafter who only completes about 1 out of 5 projects, a jogger who hates to run, and is sometimes accused of being artistic, though she's generally too much of a perfectionist to appreciate her own work. A native Texas girl, Olivia lives in the beautiful Lone Star state with her husband and their puppy Bonnie. 
 Connect with her Online - Blog * Goodreads * Twitter* Facebook


 
Follow the Tour
Enter to Win - $100 Amazon GC & Signed books & 2 Necklace and earring sets and signed books. (Open US for Books & Jewelry Open Int for GC & digital books) a Rafflecopter giveaway Brought to you by Promotional Book Tours

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Blood Bond reveal

I have a surprise for you guys today... The cover reveal of Blood Bond book 3 in the Dirty Blood series by Heather Hildenbrand. Isn't it gorgeous! You can also read a synopsis for it below.


Hybrids.
If I had to choose one word to sum up all of my problems, this would be it.
Without hybrids, I wouldn’t have to watch my best friend slowly becoming a monster. Without hybrids, I could let go of the mentality “hunt or be hunted.” CHAS wouldn’t be scouring the Earth, intent on slaughtering and using Alex to do it. Without hybrids, I wouldn’t have to be on guard that losing my temper meant losing my shape. There would be no monster inside me, struggling to get out.
Then again, without hybrids, I wouldn’t have Wesley St. John.
****
Look for Blood Bond, book 3 in the Dirty Blood series, by Heather Hildenbrand, August 31st!

Just in case you haven't read the first two books yet you can find them on amazon kindle for just $2.99 each.




http://www.amazon.com/Dirty-Blood-ebook/dp/B004V08RS2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1339687117&sr=1-1










http://www.amazon.com/Cold-Blood-Dirty-Series-ebook/dp/B0068OD1U8/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1339687117&sr=1-2





What do you guys think of the cover for book 3?

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Author Sarah Ross has just released a new book Echo of an Earth Angel. Her book Awaken is also free on Amazon 6/14/12 

 Awaken Free Days 3.jpg

Monday, June 11, 2012

Deceived blog tour + GIVEAWAY


Deceived - Book 2 in the Gwen Sparks Series

The vampire drug, brew, nearly ruined Gwen Sparks’ life. Just when things started to get back to normal between her and Aiden, she is summoned by the North American Witches Council to their central city of Moon. A war is imminent between vampires and witches, and Gwen’s experiences with brew are being used to fuel the fire. She is about to discover just how powerful she is with the help of the ruggedly handsome Angel of Death and just how far some people will go to get what they want. Gwen is going to learn exactly what it means to be Deceived.         

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Thursday, June 7, 2012

Enemy Within Reveal + giveaway


Enemy Within
Coming August 30, 2012

Two guys who’ve stolen her heart.
Three races and only one of them worthy.
Countless enemies with insatiable bloodlust for power.
Will one girl's curse ultimately save her?
Half-vampire Brooke Keller barely survived the slaying of her worst enemy, only to learn that Zladislov—the world's most powerful vampire, leader of the vampire world, and her father—wants her dead. However, this time, she's not only fighting vampires but a raging monster within her that endangers what's left of her humanity. And when a deadly disease threatens to take her best friend's life, Brooke tries to convince Kaitlynn to accept a monster of her own: becoming a Zao Duh.
As a former slave to the Pijawikas, Mirko is driven to protect the innocent at all costs, but he has never faced a foe more formidable than Zladislov. And when the Commission bears down on Brooke, Mirko finds the stream of enemies runs deeper than he ever imagined.





CHAPTER ONE

Mirko

Immortality is a lie. It’s something the Pijawikas tell themselves to feel godly. Pijawikas and Zao Duhs don’t age like humans, but we do age and we can die. With Pijawikas directing the Zao Duhs to do their dirty work, the lie that they will never die is a lot easier for them to believe.

Not so for Zao Duhs. Death doesn’t just haunt me. It slaps me in the face, then holds my eyelids open as person after person dies. I’ve watched people I have known, loved, and who didn’t deserve to, die. Pijawikas don’t mind. As long as the person dying is only a Zao Duh or a human, nothing is lost to them.

Brooke is part Pijawikan and instead of them adding her to their list of sacred lives among the chosen, they see her as an abomination—a death sentence deserved. One I can’t allow them to make good on. I’ve fought for and against the Pijawikas, but I have never felt as strongly as I do now about not giving them what they want.

Brooke is innocent, and she holds a place in my heart so deep I didn’t think it existed before I met her. Pijawikas have broken my heart, and broken my body and almost my mind, but I can’t let them harm her. Not this girl.

When she ran out of her father’s house, the look on her face sent a cold chill through my limbs and sinking horror in my gut. Whatever we thought we conquered had come back tenfold.

She was tired and battered, barely able to clean the dirt and blood off her face and change into clean clothes. Even her nap on the plane couldn’t replenish her. Although she still had enough fight in her to make sure we went home and not on the run from her father.

“He’d find us anywhere,” she had said. “Please. I just want to go home and see my mom and Kaitlynn.”

She was right, and the bruised and heart-wrenching look she gave me melted any resistance I would have put forth. I wasn’t prepared to fight this battle. Not against the Head of Pijawikas. We needed resources and a plan. Garwin could provide the recourse. I still had to come up with a good plan, but no matter how creative a solution I could find, I knew my time with Brooke was limited. Zladislov would hunt her down and kill her. Realistically, I couldn’t save Brooke from her father, but I sure as hell had no doubt I would die trying. I knew my days were numbered.

Garwin came out the front door as we made our way up his steps. He met Brooke with open arms, and even though she whimpered a little when he squeezed her tight, the relief on her face was palpable.

“I’m glad you’re all right. I have been so worried about you,” Garwin said as he walked us inside.

Garwin had increased his security since the last time I was there. Strange faces littered the hallway, and a burly man stood by the marble statue. I took note to test his reflexes and agility later. We needed more than to look like a strong force. I needed everyone to deliver when Zladislov arrived.

“Where’s Mom?” Brooke asked as she looked around and eyed the security detail.

“She’s on her way,” Garwin said. “She’s been worried about you. I haven’t told her anything yet, only that you were coming home.” He eased Brooke down on the couch and then took a seat in a large chair by the fireplace. Jaren and I sat on the couch with Brooke across from Garwin. Yes, Jaren was still hanging around. I couldn’t seem to get rid of the kid.

“I understand you had to be discreet while talking to me on the plane, but I can’t wait for Brooke’s mom to get here. What’s going on?” Garwin had a calm demeanor, but I could feel the anxiousness stirring below the surface.

“Zladislov’s my father and he wants to kill me,” Brooke said. She didn’t sound scared, but she did sound hopeless and tired.

“Oh, dear God.” Garwin ran his hand along the outside of his mouth and stood. He walked over to his liquor cabinet and dropped two ice cubes in a glass, then poured his favorite brandy in after. He picked up his glass, swirled the liquid a couple of times and then took a swig. The whole time he stared ahead as if looking at something but seeing nothing. Wherever his mind was, it wasn’t in that room.

I had never seen Garwin speechless before. He always had someone to call or a brilliant idea to offer as a solution.

Brooke tensed. “Garwin? Say something.”

I knew our situation was daunting, but I never expected that eerily distant look in Garwin’s eyes, which only set Brooke further on edge. She was scared but fought to stay awake. Her eyelids grew heavier and heavier with every exhale.

Garwin stared on for a moment longer before he turned to us. “I have a lot to think about and you need to get some rest,” he said, then looked at me. “Will you make sure she gets to her room all right?”

“Of course.” I stood and gently tugged Brooke up by her arm.

She yelped and guilt sliced through me. She was injured and anywhere I touched her I’d cause her pain. However, she didn’t appear to have the strength to get off the couch, let alone climb the stairs to the bedrooms. I bent over and caught her underneath her knees. They buckled with ease and she rested in my arms.

Jaren rose with a scowl on his face and his footsteps sounded behind us. There was a reason Garwin asked me to take Brooke up to her room and not him; I was best suited to handle her.

Brooke’s breathing was rough and deep, full of both exhaustion and pain. I hoped once I laid her down, she would fall asleep and the pain would subside.

I walked as smoothly as I could and paid attention not to jostle her as I climbed the stairs. “Which room?” I whispered to her.

“It’s the second to last door on the right,” Jaren said. I didn’t like the idea of Jaren knowing which room belonged to Brooke.

“Hmph,” I huffed, and Brooke stirred slightly. I wouldn’t make any more of that. Brooke needed to rest, not worry about Jaren and me.

Jaren’s footsteps sped up as he went around us and then turned the doorknob. I paused for a second before entering. A part of me didn’t want to put Brooke down and that side struggled with the part of me that wanted her to be in a painless sleep. The selfish side lost and I moved forward and set her on top of the bed. A content sound escaped her lips, telling me she needed the rest as much or more than I assumed.

“Thanks for carrying her up,” Jaren said, as if I were doing him a favor.

“I didn’t do it for you.” A fuzzy blanket lay at the foot of the bed. I grabbed it and covered Brooke’s arms. She seemed to calm and her breathing became more relaxed.

I kissed her forehead, comforted because she was.

I walked away, but Jaren stepped around me and kissed Brooke on the cheek. Anger and possession flared up inside me. She had yet to choose me, but she was mine. My days with her were numbered and I wasn’t sure how many of them I could deal with this kid trying to one up me. I focused on Brooke to read her response to Jaren’s sign of affection, but there wasn’t one. I expected at least some sort of reaction, even in the slightest, but there was nothing. Almost as if he kissed the cheek of a corpse.

I had seen this before, but I had to make sure. I strode back over to Brooke’s side and shook her shoulder. “Slatki.”

Nothing.

She was still as a stone. My fears were confirmed.

“What’s wrong?” Jaren asked from behind me.

“She’s in a sleep.” Not even her eyes fluttered from behind her lids.

“And that means what?”

I turned to face him so he knew exactly how serious I was. “It means no one comes into this room alone. When she wakes up, she’s going to be ravenous for blood. Anyone in here when she comes to will not be you, or her mother, or anyone else she recognizes. Until she feeds, she will be completely controlled by that hunger. You are not to call Kaitlynn, and no one is to come in here without me with them. Is that clear?”

He glared at me and his jaw tightened but he nodded.

I smirked and waited at the door until he cleared it, then I shut it, letting him see that I alone controlled the access to Brooke. I wanted it clear that my commands went deeper than any boyish possession over her. Lives were on the line.

He marched across the hall, opened a door to another room and then closed it behind him. Did he think he was going to stay in the room across the hall from Brooke? I shook my head and looked to the doors next to Brooke’s. I moved to the one on the left and opened it. Furnished but bare of any personalization. I’d talk to Garwin about taking that one.

Brooke being in a sleep complicated things. It wouldn’t be easy to move her in her condition and any plans we made would have to be implemented without her input. We couldn’t wait for her to wake, though.

I descended the stairs two at a time and stopped at the burly guy standing at the stairs’ base. I didn’t need to ask Garwin his thoughts on him as the guy’s mere presence told me everything I needed to know. “Zao Duh?”

He nodded.

“Good. Don’t let anyone go inside her room. She’s in a sleep, but if you hear her come out, grab her.”

His nostrils flared. He knew what that meant, but I wasn’t sure if he’d seen it or just heard about it. “Are you Mirko?”

“Yes. And you are?” I was familiar with many Zao Duhs, but this one was unknown to me. That would normally make me unsettled, but I trusted Garwin’s judgment. Especially when it came to Brooke. He did hire me at the onset, which was the best call he could’ve made for her.

“Rorik.” He struck his hand out and I shook it. His grip was firm and assertive, a good indication he was confident in his stature. “I’ve heard a lot about you. It’s a pleasure to finally meet the infamous Mirko.”

I grinned. Damn right he’d heard of me. I lead some of the fiercest and most sought after group of Zao Duhs on the planet. “I’d like to say the pleasure is mutual, but I need to know a few things first.” Business before anything else. That’s the way I worked, which was what kept people alive. I wasn’t about to let my guard down because some guy was impressed with my name and told me so.

“I assume Garwin filled you in on why you’re here?”

He frowned. “Zladislov is after the girl.”

“And you care because?” His answer was crucial in gaining my trust.

“I had a sister about her age who was killed by Pijawikas. I aim to protect the innocent. No matter who the perpetrator is.”

“Do you understand if you get caught, you’ll be arrested for treason?” Not only was that a loaded question, asking him if he knew the full implication of his actions, but I wanted to see the look on his face when the idea of his death became fresh in his mind.

He didn’t even flinch. “Yes, sir. I do.”

I shook his hand again. “Good. I think we can work together.” That was one down. I only needed about one thousand more to call it a fair fight.

To get a few more, I went to the rental car for my phone and dialed Ace.

“Hey, man. How’d it go?”

“Jelena was neutralized—by Brooke, actually.”

“No shit? How’d she do that?”

“That will have to wait for later. I need a favor and what I’m about to ask you is huge. I’ll understand if you can’t do it, but I need you.”

“Bro, you know whatever it is you need, I’m there. What’s up?”

“Zladislov knows about Brooke and he’s going to kill her. I need reinforcements. I know it’s as close to a suicide mission as you can get, and I’d never ask this of you, but I have to put up some resistance for her—something to make Zladislov’s men think twice when they come for her. I can’t let her go down without a fight. I’m sorry, Ace, but I love her. I can’t not ask this of you.” Ace knew how deep my feelings for Brooke went. I’d made them clear when he and Brooke talked me into using her as bait for Jelena.

“Whoa. That’s pretty steep.” Silence hung in the air, and I almost regretted asking him. “But you know I’m with you. Where are you? Are you guys on the run?”

Relief the strength of something unnatural washed over me in waves. The kinship Ace offered was unlike anything I could’ve asked for in my life. Sure, I’d been there to save his ass more than I could count on two hands, but every time I was in a bind, he was there. Just like the time we met.

I was on a mission to save a kidnapped Pijawikan girl from a rogue Zao Duh. He’d captured her and threatened her life in exchange for money. Life as a Zao Duh is tough, but you don’t use a child like that. Ever. Let alone a Pijawikan child. They’re rare and almost revered within Pijawikan culture. It wasn’t just a recovery mission, though. It was a rescue and assassination. Things went wrong and when I thought my life was over, Ace came out of nowhere and rescued me. Bros ever since.

“I couldn’t talk her into running. And this might be her final days, so she should get to spend them the way she prefers. But she’s in a sleep right now, so any persuasion I would normally use to get her out of here won’t work, and I can’t just take her. No matter how bad I want to, it’d be wrong, and she’d never forgive me. I can’t do that to her.”

“A sleep? Talk about worst-case scenario.”

“God, you have no idea.”

“So where are you now?”

“Lexintgton, Virginia. Garwin Johnson’s home. Come and bring everyone who’s willing. Tell them what’s at stake and ask anyone who’s willing to please come. I can’t thank you enough for this, Ace.”

“I’m with you. Just hang tight. We’ll be there soon.”

I hung up the phone and smiled, an unexpected happiness started to take root within my chest. I may not be able to stop Zladislov completely, but I was one step closer to delaying him.

The next step was a plan and I needed Garwin for that, so I went back inside to find him. My phone rang before I reached the den. When I pulled it out of my pocket, Unknown read across the display. “That was quick,” I told Ace when I answered.

“Yes, I do pride myself on my efficiency.”

Acid rose in my throat. “Dikan.”

“It really is heartwarming to find you remember my voice. We’ve had some good times, haven’t we?”

The bastard taunted me. His idea and my idea of good times were not even in the same hemisphere. “How did you get this number?”

“A little birdie from The Base gave it to me.”

I growled.

“Ah, now don’t take it out on the little birdie. I’m a hard one to resist, as I’m sure you’re well aware.”

I knew exactly how hard it was to resist him. Resentment took hold of me so swift and strong I heard the phone creak as I squeezed it. I forced myself to release some of the tension in my fingers. I couldn’t afford for the phone to break and end the call. Dikan called for a reason beyond taunting me. Everything he did had ulterior motives. I had to hang on long enough to figure out what they were this time.

My jaw clenched beyond my control, so I had no choice but to speak between my teeth. “What do you want?”

Dikan chuckled. “I’m calling out of consideration for you, old friend. I saw how much you were taken by the young melez. It’s sweet really. And disgustingly fitting for you. Too bad it won’t last.” His smirk was layered within his tone. “Jelena’s death will be avenged. Your time with Brooke should be well spent as it will end soon.”

“You come near her and I’ll kill you. You have nothing to use against me this time.”

Dikan’s maniacal laugh filled the line. “I’m afraid that’s not so. But until then, I bid you farewell and a pleasant time spent with your lady friend.”

The call ended, and hatred I had long ago conquered swelled up inside me. Its tentacles took hold around my heart, in my gut, and possessed all possible thought within my mind. I rode it for a flurry of a few minutes until I realized I could no longer allow myself to be controlled by hatred and resentment. I had a purpose beyond revenge and bloodthirsty justice for a past so ugly and wrong. Brooke was my focus now. I pushed harder and harder on the hatred, trying to quell and lock it up enough to clear my mind and get a handle on the proper move I needed to take.

I concentrated on Brooke: her laughter, her blush, the smell of her hair, and the memory of her velvety skin as I stroked her cheek. The acute memory helped ebb the anger, but what replaced it was less satisfying.

I looked down on the phone and hit redial. Ace answered on the second ring.

“I know I said warn the others and to ask those who are willing to come. But I need more than that,” I said, hopelessness thick in my words. “Offer them money. If they won’t come for me, or for Brooke, or because protecting the innocent is what we stand for, offer them money. I’ll split everything I have with those who will be persuaded by it. Just get anyone and everyone you can.”

“Sure, sure. What happened?” Ace knew me and he knew it was unusual for me to sound like that—desperate.

“Dikan called. He’s up to something and I don’t think it has anything to do with Zladislov.”

“Oh, shit. I’ll see what I can do.”

Oh, shit was right.




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Brooke Keller's a high school junior who never spent much time living in one place. She's finally in a town long enough to almost snag the boy of her dreams, until her life is threatened by a fanged man in his attempt to kidnap her. Brooke begins a dangerous journey to find out who is after her a...

Monday, June 4, 2012

Review: Eternal Darkness by Natalie Hancock

Layla is incredibly stunning and equally deadly. She is a skilled fighter but more important than that she is also a dhampir, a half breed vampire who feeds on vampires blood to quench both her thirst for blood and power. This may cause problems for her since she now resides at the vampire academy to escape her past and train with other vampires. So now she has to be more in control than ever which may not be so easy when she meets a sexy vampire named Shade whose stare sends chills up her spine and tingles through her body from a single touch.

The characters in the book are very intriguing, especially our heroine Layla who is not only gorgeous and strong but also very guarded and mysterious. We get a few glimpses of some of her sorted past but I have a feeling there is much to be revealed in the next book. I love her connection with Nikalye and would love to find out more about their bond. But then there is also the sexy Shade which while steaming up the story for me also leaves me yearning to find out why he gets such a reaction from Layla. Nikalye breaches the subject but never exposes his thoughts on the matter. The story was really interesting and had some very unique and captivating aspects. My only issue was in some parts of the story poor editing made the story stagger a bit but as soon as it picked back up I was swept back into the story once again. I definitely think it's a fascinating read and I know I will seek out book two to feed my curiosity. Especially with that great cliffhanger at the end! I don't see how anyone could read just book one and not pickup book two (Dark Shadows) as well.




Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Review + Giveaway: Yellow Crocus by Laila Ibrahim

Yellow Crocus

From the time she is born Lisbeth Wainwright is cared for by her enslaved wet nurse, Mattie. Mattie does all the things for Lisbeth, that a mother would for her child. Although she is apart from her own son to be here with Lisbeth, she comes to love her as her own. Lisbeth shares the same love for Mattie, even though it is not a popular view in that time period. She grows up on a thin line between the slave world and being a slave owner. As Lisbeth grows older she learns of the inequality of her and Mattie's lives and struggles with sorting out her own feelings while upholding the expectations of those around her. Eventually events come to pass that make her have to decide once and for all where her beliefs truly lie.

Yellow Crocus is beautiful, powerful, and heart wrenching. I was not sure if I would like it as much as I did because of it being a historical read, but it absolutely blew me away! Never before have I read something so wonderful yet also so thought provoking. The characters were well developed and very engrossing. The voices of Mattie and Lisbeth are so strong and  vivid, I felt their love and heartbreak as my own. The writing brilliant and the flow effortless, Yellow Crocus strikes me as an instant classic. An amazing debut novel of love, loss, and redemption.
 I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants a story that truly touches the soul and leaves you better for having read it.



LAILA IS SO GENEROUS SHE HAS AGREED TO GIVEAWAY COPIES OF YELLOW CROCUS TO 3 LUCKY WINNERS! 


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Sunday, May 13, 2012

Review: Whisper by Heather Hildenbrand


Whisper has lost so much. For the past six months she has been trying to deal with her parents deaths. So it's no surprise that when she comes across a boy unconscious and bleeding in the woods that she refuses to leave his side. She refuses to let him die. But could it be more than just an act of rescue? When the boy wakes with amnesia but starts having mysteriously real visions tied to himself and Whisper, they must ask themselves this very question. Could they be linked together by something more real and magical than Whisper could ever have imagined?

I absolutely fell in love with this book! I loved the rich Cherokee background and roots that made this story so magical to me. The characters are all so vivid and full of personality, especially Whisper so full of love, compassion , and hurt. The relationship between her and Dylan is so mysterious and alluring but yet at the same time so tender and sweet. You can't help but to feel a real connection with the characters whether it's love and compassion or contempt and disgust. The pace of the story is right on key with impeccable timing, that let's the story just flow so naturally with just the right amount of tension. This story has all the makings of a great read: love, romance, action , revenge, and destiny. I feel like this story will remain real to me for quite some time and will hold a spot on my favorites list for years to come.

**I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. **






Wednesday, May 9, 2012

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While Olivia Martin observed life through her camera, the abyss gazed back at her. She discovers mysterious men follow her around, people close to her are dying, and her dreams are no longer her own as she falls head over heels for a perfect stranger. A chance encounter leads to an obsession that...








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