Thursday, February 28, 2013

Innovera Yakov

YANR_BlogTour_IV_RDB

Title: Innovera Yakov

By: Kia Garriques

Summary:

Innovera Yakov is a beautiful world of crystals that turns under five moons and two brilliant suns that never set. Flitters take care of domestic chores while Starbirds and Starflies soar through the never-ending sunlight of this crystalline world. The Circle of Knowing decides their fate; the forbidden forests of the Dimmer Zone swallow trespassers. And at the very edges of Innovera Yakov there is the terrifying watery darkness of Verheer.

Guardians Inc The Cypher



GUARDIANS INC.: THE CYPHER
 



A chance reading of a newspaper ad will send 16 year old Thomas Byrne into the world within our world.



Following the ad he will find Guardians Incorporated. A seven thousand year old organization charged with protecting the balance between Magic and technology.

Through their guidance, technology has kept Magic at bay since the Renaissance, but the balance is shifting and soon all those creatures we've driven into myth and legend will come back with a vengeance.


To protect the present, Guardians Incorporated needs to know the future and to unlock the future they need a Cypher.




The Puppet Spell

Tour Schedule






The Puppet Spell



Unlike her rebellious sister Lucinda, fifteen-year-old Lexa prefers to spend her free time playing video games, fighting the forces of evil with her partner-in-crime Marlon. But when Lucinda steals an invisibility potion from their uncle’s storeroom, she unleashes chaos into their lives. Lexa and Marlon find themselves catapulted into a world far more dangerous than any video game, full of misleading illusions, sinister Conjurors and deadly Fey, and threatened by a man with a grudge known as the Puppeteer. Accompanied only by Lexa’s uncle’s unreliable (and rather dangerous) Chimera, Lexa and Marlon must navigate this world to find Lucinda- before they too fall under the spell of the puppet master...


Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Leap Into Books Giveaway Hop





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



There's nothing that I love better than leaping into a good book and for this hop I thought I would offer one by one of my favorite authors. Up for grabs is my copy of Alphabet of Thorn by Patricia McKillip.  I am offering this internationally and as always its not a requirement that you follow my blog but its always appreciated.



Blurb:
In the kingdom of Raine, a vast realm at the edge of the world, an orphaned baby girl is found by a palace librarian and raised to become a translator. Years later, the girl -- named Nepenthe -- comes in contact with a mysterious book written in a language of thorns that no one, not even the wizards at Raine's famous Floating School for mages, can decipher. The book calls out to Nepenthe's very soul, and she is soon privately translating its contents. As she works tirelessly transcribing the book -- which turns out to be about the historical figures of Axis, the Emperor of Night, and Kane, his masked sorcerer -- the kingdom of Raine is teetering on the brink of chaos. The newly crowned queen, a mousy 14-year old girl named Tessera who wants nothing to do with matters of state, hides in the woods as regents plot revolution. The queen's destiny, however, is intertwined with Nepenthe's ability to unravel the mystery of the thorns.


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Fields of Elysium



Fields of Elysium by A.B. Whelan



How can love mend a heart full of hate?



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

Keeper of the Black Stones







Title: Keeper of the Black Stones (Stone Ends)
Author: PT McHugh
Publisher: Glass House Press

Description:

Awkward in his own skin, shy around girls and worried about anything and everything, Jason Evans is just like a million other teenage boys in high school, with one very large exception: he has been given a gift that allows him to jump through time. A set of stones has fallen into his lap that gives him access to any place - and any time - that he chooses. But along with that gift comes the responsibility of stopping the man who is using those very stones to travel through time and change history for his own purposes. A man who is now holding Jasons grandfather hostage, and threatening the worlds very existence. Jumping through time with his best friend and body guard, Jason must enter the world of Medieval England, learn its customs, navigate unimaginable danger, and help Henry VII win the Battle of Bosworth, in the name of finding his grandfather, rescuing a beautiful girl from the clutches of a corrupt church, and destroying the one man who pledges to turn history inside out.



Author Links

Website  / Purchase on Amazon /Purchase on Barnes and Noble / Facebook /Twitter




About PT McHugh
 



PT McHugh didn't start out as a storyteller. He was, however, born into a family of that encouraged imagination. He became a fan of history in school and then went to college to become a construction engineer, to build a world of straight lines, angles, and equations.
He was just as surprised as everyone else when he realized that he believed in magic, and might just know the secret of how to jump through time. Since then, he's been researching the possibility and learning everything he can about history. Just in case the opportunity arises.
PT was born and raised in New Hampshire and currently lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with his wife, two daughters, and a dog named Bob, daring to dream of alternate worlds and cheering for his beloved New England Patriots.


Most popular question by adults: “With a wife, two kids, two dogs, and two cats, and a full-time job, how do you find time to write?”

This is a great question, and it’s a perfect of example of turning a negative in one’s life into a positive. I’ve been a chronic insomniac ever since high school. Instead of hitting the pillow and falling asleep, I’d go to bed and stare at the ceiling, worrying about things that in most cases I couldn’t control. Not a good practice, to be sure. But I’m sure a lot of people out there can relate. Sometimes your brain gets going, and just won’t stop. Game over – you’re up for the night, and it’s going to be awful.

Then several years ago, a doctor and friend of mine suggested that instead of thinking of this inability to sleep as a curse, I should treat it as a positive. After all, Benjamin Franklin only got three to four hours of sleep a night, and he seemed to do okay. Maybe it didn’t have to be as bad as I was making it. With those comforting words in mind, I set out to find a hobby. Something I could do quietly at night in the comfort of my own home. Something that wouldn’t keep my family up or damage them in any way. Something that would keep my mind busy and – maybe – be fun at the same time. I couldn’t paint worth a lick, but I always had an over active imagination, and I wanted to do something with it.

So I started writing. A lot of it was bad, and very little of it saw the light of day, but it kept me busy, and it was the beginning of a sometimes beautiful and sometimes terrifying relationship with the written word.

When it comes to Stone Ends and Keeper of the Black Stones, the idea started with the realization that most schools weren’t teaching history anymore. At least not to any serious degree. Reading, writing, and linear Algebra were being treated with more importance, and it rubbed me the wrong way. Now don’t take that wrong– I can certainly see why those things are important, but that didn’t mean I liked it. My daughters didn’t know who Napoleon was, let alone Richard III, and they certainly didn’t understand the impact that our founding fathers had on today’s America. We were slowly losing track of our past, and missing out on some really fantastic stories along the way.

I was fortunate enough to have a father who cared deeply about history, and who enjoyed telling me stories about what happened hundreds of years ago. Those stories had caught me in their spell when I was young, and I became fascinated with the idea of the men and women who created them. What were they like? Why had they made the decisions they made? What if I was in that situation? What would I have done? Would the world we live in today be the same?

From there, it was a quick hop, skip, and jump to forcing Jason into those very situations, and making him – and his friends – decide how they were going to handle it. It allowed me to put myself in those situations, and really live them. Getting to tell kids about history is just icing on the cake.

Monday, February 25, 2013

Between Dark and Light

 
 

Between Dark and Light Synopsis


The stakes are higher than ever in the fourth installment of the popular dwarven saga!
The Great Empire has surrounded the Kiredurks and are preparing to conquer the kingdom, but unknown to them, Kwarck, the mysterious hermit of the plains, has his own plan in action. To the east, he has summoned an elven army and charged Crushaw with leading them into battle. To the south, Roskin will gather an army from the fractured Ghaldeon lands. But to the west, an ancient and powerful evil stirs.
The Great War is about to errupt, if Roskin can overcome the Dark One...








Synopsis on the Rest of the Brotherhood of Dwarves Series Novels:
The Brotherhood of Dwarves


The dwarven saga begins... Roskin, heir to the throne of a remote, peaceful kingdom of dwarves, craves excitement and adventure. Outside his own kingdom, in search of fortune and glory, he finds a much different world, one divided by racial strife and overrun by war. The orcs to the south want to conquer all dwarves and sell them as slaves. The humans to the east want to control the world's resources. Caught in the middle, Roskin finds himself chased by slave traders and soldiers alike as he discovers that friendship is the best fortune of all. Just when he thinks he has triumphed, an act of betrayal sends him into bondage. His only hope of escape is the faltering courage of a disgraced warrior whose best days are behind him...








Red Sky at Dawn

The dwarven saga grows... Crushaw, Molgheon, and Vishghu have liberated the Slithesythe

Plantation. They must make their way to safe lands before being caught and returned to certain bondage. Across the orc lands, they and Roskin recruit and train an army of freed slaves, for between them and freedom are thousands of well-armed, well-trained orc warriors. Near the Pass of Hard Hope, in the shadows of the eastern mountains, they make their desperate stand. But even if they succeed, Roskin's ordeal is far from finished, as he is haunted by visions of something awful back in Dorkhun...








The Fall of Dorkhun
The dwarven saga continues…
The Fall of Dorkuhn, the third installment in The Brotherhood of Dwarves series, continues the

adventures of the dwarf Roskin. Having escaped slavery, and survived the Battle for Hard Hope, Roskin returns home to a kingdom divided by war with the ogres.
On one side, his father desires to restore peace. On the other, Master Sondious, hungry for revenge after having been crippled, seeks to escalate the aggression. Roskin and his friends hasten to the capital, to make a desperate attempt to resolve the growing rift, but unknown to the dwarves, new and powerful menaces threaten to destroy the entire kingdom...











D.A. Adams Information


Bio
D. A. Adams is a novelist, a farmer, a professor of English, and in my estimation, a true gentleman. His breakout fantasy series, The Brotherhood of Dwarves, transcends genre and illuminates the human soul in all its flashes of glory and innumerable failings.

He is active on the Con circuit and has contributed writing to literary as well as fine art publications, and maintains his active blog, "The Ramblings of D. A. Adams". He lives and works in East Tennessee, and is the proud father of two boys, Collin and Finn.

His ability as a storyteller breathes life into every character, and his craftsmanship as a writer makes these stories about relationships; human or otherwise.


Seventh Star Press Links


Excerpt

From Chapter One - "Confessions and Revelations"


The wind shifted from the north, carrying the stench of fear, and
Crushaw smiled. He sniffed the air, breathing in the ogres’ dread as
they trembled behind ramshackle fortifications. For as long as he
could remember, he had waged war on them, killing more than he could
count and driving them farther north with each year. His name a curse
on their lips, his silhouette a vision of terror. Today, he would
smash their lines and extinguish their last glimmer of hope.

Ominous clouds formed along the southern horizon, tall and billowy and
dark. He studied them while waiting for his runner to return with news
about his latest peace offer. The ogres would reject it, of course,
for the offer was little more than an insult. Unknown to them,
however, his archers were moving into position on the ogres’ weakened
eastern flank. He turned to his captain and pointed at the clouds.

“Nasty,” Captain Strauteefe said, seeing the menacing thunderheads
mushroom. “Should we halt the attack?”

“No. A little rain’ll wash off their blood.”

Strauteefe laughed but continued staring at the gathering storm.
Crushaw turned his gaze north, searching for his runner. The captain
was his favorite officer, the one being groomed as his replacement,
but sometimes, Strauteefe’s cautiousness worried the general. The
ogres were all but shattered, and any delay would afford them an
opportunity to regroup. All his experience told him, storm or not,
they would strike as soon as the archers moved into position. If the
runner were lucky, he would be back by then.

***

Crushaw bolted upright, sweat pouring from his body. Whenever the
nightmare started, he forced himself awake, and now, he peered out the
window, trying to shake off lingering memories. From the other room,
Vishghu’s snoring was loud and steady, a deep slumber from yesterday’s
labor. The heat of summer had taken its toll on them, but he couldn’t
sleep for fear of the recurring dream, so he rose from bed and went
outside.

The grass lay damp with dew, and dawn was still hours away, so he
walked to the barn and found the driest section of a bench that ran
along the outer wall. Sitting, he looked west and wondered if Roskin
was okay. Kwarck had said little since the earthquake a week before,
save the occasional reassurances of the dwarf’s safety. But Crushaw
wished he could see for himself that his friend was uninjured, for in
his heart, he knew Kwarck was hiding something.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Jael's Story

Women of the Bible: Jael's Story: A NovelWomen of the Bible: Jael's Story: A Novel by Ann Burton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was a wonderful story. This is the story of Jael who is briefly mentioned in the bible. She was married to Heber who was a blacksmith. Her family believed that he would provide for her and treat her well because of his wealth and social standing. Jael soon came to learn this wasn't the case. When she becomes part of his household as second wife she quickly learns how he treats his wives and concubines. And being women they have no protection against his abuse.

I loved seeing a glimpse of life during this time. And how even though life was difficult for women they found ways to be strong and cope. Jael was just a girl when she married Heber but with life experience she grew to become a strong woman. Its easy to see why Levi loved her.

I've read other books in the Women of the Bible series and I've not read them in order. They work just fine as stand alone novels and I recommend these to anyone who loves a clean romance or historical romance. I loved it and look forward to the last one in the series that I have yet to read.



View all my reviews



Thursday, February 21, 2013

Innovera Yakov Giveaway



Innovera Yakov: The Journey of a Thousand Eyes





Innovera Yakov – The Journey of A Thousand Eyes takes you into a world of excitement and danger where thoughts and feelings are overheard and minds can travel to other worlds.



Be prepared to immerse yourself in a world where falling in love could cost you your life and nothing is as it seems. Innovera Yakov – The Journey of A Thousand Eyes is the first book in an action-packed fantasy drama series where characters with powers of healing and destruction live, love, compete and disappear without a trace while they are being prepared for the Journey.











Audio Link






Author Kia Garriques



Kia Garriques studied writing and English literature at University and has been a published short story writer since 2009. Her first story “The Invisible Alien Watcher” was published by Micro Horror in 2009 and reprinted by Pill Hill Press in 2011. Innovera Yakov: The Journey of a Thousand Eyes – is her first novel in the ‘Worlds’ series.









Excerpt



Blu Tara stared her sister in the face. ‘Let me tell you what you don't know about love, Gamma. It is a curse. You will scoop out your core and abandon it just to have the Being that you love. You will steal another person's life force if it makes it easier to get it. You will abandon the world you have been cradled in, betray everything and everyone you care for. You’ll give up your name for it.’



Blu Tara's voice went soft and dreamy. ‘You will gladly close your eyes and embrace the world of darkness. You will kill or die for it. And you will hate yourself for the weakness that it brings on you. So don’t talk to me about love.’



Gamma shook her head. ‘You're not making sense,’ Blu Tara. ‘You talk as if... I’m the one who should be upset about all this.’



Blu Tara lifted her hand dismissively. She pointed a hot finger at Gamma. ‘Anyway don’t forget what we are.’



'And what are we?’ Gamma glared at her..



'Different. Strange. Something to be frightened of. Two Beings that can fuse and burn everything to ashes. That's the way they all see us down there. That's what the Stardog wants from you - the powers you possess.



‘I hate them all. With their suspicious, shiny faces and their empty games. I hate that Voice which drones on and on at us in the Learning Dome as soon as we've finished resting.



Innoverans! All those perfect, pretty Beings; they remember nothing — it’s the curse of this shallow, shining world. Tell me, Gamma - what do you remember of the world we come from before your Odors Apeno dumped us here?’



Gamma swung around to face her sister fully. ‘Blu Tara! What's got into you? Where’s all that coming from? I've never heard you speak like that before. This is about Krave and I- not you!’



Krave and you - don't make me laugh. And, oh! Here’s a big difference — between you and I this time, Twin Sister. It’s the answer to your question that you brought me up here to ask.’ Blu Tara mimicked Gamma's soft and musical voice, Why do you want to kill Krave?



Here's the answer, Gamma. I will do whatever I have to do to save myself. I'm the half of you that's not like you. I don't have a weeping heart. Now I'm out of here. I need my Rest.





Giveaway Details

1 ebook of Innovera Yakov + $10 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Open Internationally

Ends 3/10/13




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Wednesday, February 20, 2013

YA Paranormal Giveaway Hop




Young Adult Paranormal Giveaway Hop


February 21st - 27th


Co - hosted by YA Between the Lines


Featuring Young Adult Books with Paranormal elements.
 
 
 


Paranormal Fantasy, YA or otherwise, is one of my favorite genre. So needless to say, I was excited about this giveaway hop. Up for grabs is a book that I have recently read and reviewed, The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken. You can find my review here. This giveaway is open internationally and as always its not a requirement to follow me but its always appreciated.





 
 
 

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Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Earth Enchanted Book Blitz

 
 


Earth Enchanted
Brynna Curry
Genre: Romance/Paranormal
Publication Date: December 7, 2009
Series: Elemental Magic Book 1

ISBN-13: 9781616500986
Tag: When telepath meets ex-cop, will it be death or diamonds.

Blurb: Writer Liv Corrigan has the worst luck with men -- her telepathy tends to make them run for the hills. When she meets widower and ex-cop Jack Roarke, she decides to keep her talent hidden. Things are looking up until their third date crashes and burns as the man who murdered Jack’s wife turns out to be after him too.

Injured, Jack retreats with Liv to his house under armed guard. But with Liv’s mysteries rapidly coming unraveled, a diamond-thief killer to stop and passion in the air, the safe house is anything but safe for their hearts!
99 cent eBook available at: Amazon Kindle B&N Nook - I-TunesAReLyrical Store

Print available at: Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Createspace

Monday, February 18, 2013

The Hidden Village

The Hidden VillageThe Hidden Village by Greg Krehbiel

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was certainly an imaginative read. It started out with an ordinary concept of a father searching for his missing son and turned it into something much more complex. Interwoven with the world we live in is another world made up of Clans and Gamers who live by rules that only they know.

Geoff Franklin gets the call that all parents dread, his son's car has been found and no one has seen him in weeks. So he sets out to solve the mystery of his disappearance. In the process he gets more than he bargains for. He discovers that there are groups of people that live their lives in perpetual roll playing. But there is so much more to this story. Full of mystery and intrigue and cult like societies, this book keeps you interested from the start. And its very evident that this story hasn't ended here. And I am very much looking forward to seeing which direction this turns.

Overall, I loved it. I thought it was very imaginative and original. I would recommend this to anyone who loves a little mystery to go along with there sci/fi roll playing.



View all my reviews


This book is currently $2.99 on Amazon and very much worth it.


Popular





Title: Popular
Author: Gareth Russell
Pages: 326
Publisher: CreateSpace

Book Description:

On the first day of September, 16 year-old Meredith Harper rules over the teen it-crowd of Belfast, Northern Ireland. But beneath the surface, Meredith’s complicated web of manipulative lies and self-serving intrigue are slowly beginning to threaten her social position and she finds herself being challenged by handsome Mark Kingston, the only guy in the school who’s always hated her.
In a world where nothing stays secret for very long, Meredith and her friends will need all their skills to guess who’s in, out, coming out, going up, going down, dating, cheating, lying and trying to cope....
Let the games begin!

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Florence

Florence (Florence Waverley, #1)Florence by Ciye Cho

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


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

This was a fun read. It had a bit of a slow start but once I got into it I couldn't put it down.

Florence Waverly is a plain girl who tries to stay in the shadows. She really doesn't fit in anywhere. She still grieves for her dad and is unwanted by her mother. On a school trip to the beach she finds herself abducted by a mermaid and thrust into their world. And what a world it is. Deep beneath the ocean, breathing with the aid of a creature on her neck, she finds an entire world of mer-people, Niemela.
There are definite influences from stories like the Little Mermaid with a young mermaid completely obsessed with humans. There is also an intriguing love triangle with Florence and the two princes.

This story is full of life, adventure, and wonderful creatures both from the world of light and darkness. There is also a bit of mystery and intrigue as we try to figure out what is behind certain actions. Florence is a wonderful character that we see change and grow throughout the story. She begins very meek but towards the end certainly finds a place for herself.

Overall, I really enjoyed this different twist on the traditional mermaid story. I will definitely be continuing this series. I can hardly wait to see how things turn out for Florence.



View all my reviews


This read is currently 99c for kindle

The Prince's Day Out

I don't normally review children's books, but I have reviewed other types of books by this author and loved them all. So when I was asked to review this one I didn't pass up the opportunity.


The Prince's Day OutThe Prince's Day Out by Monica La Porta

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is such a cute children's story. A boy and his sister have a wonderful adventure using only their imaginations. They take rides on seagulls and visit imaginary places like Watermelon City. The drawings are beautiful and their trip so original. I've loved all of the books I've read by this author so far and this one is no exception.


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



View all my reviews


This book is currently available for kindle for $1.99


Random Acts of Kindness Blog Hop




 

Random Acts of Kindness Giveaway Hop.


February 17th to 24th


February 17th is Random Acts of Kindness Day


Read for Your Future & I Am A Reader, Not A Writer have sponsored this blog hop in celebration. I'm showing some kindness to those who stop by the Cotton Patch by offering up a chance to win a book of their choosing from either the Book Depository, Amazon, or a Kindle book in the amount of $15. This is an international giveaway and as always its not mandatory that you follow my blog to win but your kindness is always appreciated.







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Friday, February 15, 2013

Linda of the Night

Linda of the NightLinda of the Night by Monica La Porta

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I received a free copy of this short story in exchange for an honest review.


I have loved everything that I have ever read by Monica LaPorta and this one did not disappoint. Linda was born into a culture where standards or beauty are drastically different from our own. Her parents and all those in her family had told her how ugly she was her entire life. Isolated in a tower, she escapes into the night only looking for a bit of freedom when she finds a kind stranger. Unable to see her features hidden under heavy cloaks, he becomes her only friend.

There is so much in this short story. We feel the sadness of Linda as she is outcast and made to feel ugly. The differences in cultural norms aside, beauty is still in the eyes of the beholder and its is certainly more than skin deep. Diamante and Linda are wonderful characters, so alive and full of depth.

I loved this story and would recommend this to anyone who loves a good love story or fairy tale.



View all my reviews


This ebook is currently 99c


Pieces of Me

Thank you, Flora, for inviting me to share on your blog.

I thought I would talk about the elements of me that end up in my writing. I write in two genres. When I write in fantasy, everything is created in my imagination. I don’t tap into any of my own experiences because I’m creating an imaginary world and characters that are outside of myself, but when I write in YA, I admit that I often draw on many of my own experiences although I’m not so bold as to write my own life. Of course, I don’t give all of my characteristics to all of my characters, but within several of them, you can find pieces of me.
I described Aralyn Liddell in Plain Jane to look like me. My hair is naturally dark brown, and as a child I always felt that it was dull and bland. My lips are very thin, and it always bothered me. I felt lipless! The way she saw herself is the way I saw myself, but not all of her attributes were mine. I created in her the intelligence level that I always desired to have rather than the one I had. She was brilliant; I did well in school, but I had to work for my grades. Her struggle with self-esteem is one that I related to, but her life was not mine, her family dynamic was not mine, and her first experience with love was not mine. I did, however, experience similar triumphs and similar heartbreak. I knew what it felt like to suffer the darkness of depression, but my fall into the black abyss was different from Aralyn’s. My struggle to regain myself was much more complex, but I used the things that I had been through and reached down into every emotion that I had felt during those bleak years to write a story that depicted how a sweet, smart girl could end up in such a dark place.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

The Talisman of El


Tour Schedule


Talisman of El by Alecia Stone



WHAT IF YOUR WHOLE LIFE WAS A LIE?



One Planet.



Two Worlds.



Population: Human ... 7 billion.

Others ... unknown.



When 14-year-old Char­lie Blake wakes up sweat­ing and gasp­ing for air in the mid­dle of the night, he knows it is hap­pen­ing again. This time he wit­nesses a bru­tal mur­der. He's afraid to tell any­one. No one would believe him ... because it was a dream. Just like the one he had four years ago - the day before his dad died.



Char­lie doesn't know why this is hap­pen­ing. He would give any­thing to have an ordi­nary life. The prob­lem: he doesn't belong in the world he knows as home.



He belongs with the others.




Talisman of El (Talisman of El, #1)Talisman of El by Alecia Stone

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The Talisman of El was a truly enjoyable story even tho I can't say that it was original. Alecia Stone did a wonderful job of taking thread from fantasy and mythology and religion as well as other stories and weaving them together to create something that stands as its own story.

We meet Charlie who is an orphan that has been moved around alot with different homes who finds out that there is another world that he is a part of (reminiscent of Harry Potter) He finds some wonderful friends and an end of the world mystery that is left to him to solve. Charlie and his friends find themselves at the center of the world meeting up with angels and demons and other mythological creatures. Charlie finds that life is not as he thinks.

This is an awesome adventure, fantasy, coming of age story that will appeal to readers of all ages but particulary those of middle school age to young adult. If you enjoyed the Harry Potter series I would suggest that you give this one a try. There's alot of similarities but it is a story all its own. This is definitely a series that I will continue and I am looking forward to the next book.



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Book Trailer











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Author Alecia Stone







Alecia Stone is the author of Talisman Of El (Centrinian, 2012), the first book in the Talisman Of El trilogy. She graduated with a BA in Film & TV and has worked in television for a short period of time before branching out into storytelling. Alecia loves anything and everything paranormal. Her fascination with all things supernatural sparked her obsession with books, particularly young adult fantasy fiction, which she has never grown out of. She was inspired to become an author after reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen at the age of fourteen.



In 2008, Alecia started working on Talisman Of El, a contemporary young adult fantasy fiction inspired by people who disappeared mysteriously, including, but not limited to, Amelia Earhart and Percy Harrison Fawcett, who went on an expedition in search of an ancient lost city. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys going to the movies, listening to music, and travelling.



Talisman Of El is her first novel. At present, Alecia lives in England, United Kingdom with her family.











Blog Tour Giveaway

3 Print copies of Talisman of El

Open Internationally

Ends 2/18/13



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Wednesday, February 13, 2013

When I Fall

When I Fall (An Uncommon Whore, #2)When I Fall by Belinda McBride

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I can honestly say that I liked this read but not as much as the first one, An Uncommon Whore.

This book picks up from where the first one leaves off. Helios and Griffin have returned and Helios has become king. The story is told from Griffin's POV and we see just how different these two really are. Along the way we also learn more of their history and the romance they had before Helios was abducted. We also learn more about what really happened when their planet was invaded.

There are a lot of differences in writing style between the two books in this series. This one is more of a romance and less of an erotica. We see more of the political aspect of their society and more of the difficulties of not only being a same sex couple but one in power. They have the issues of continuing the royal bloodline as well as when it will be acceptable for them to marry. There were issues of secrets and trust between Griffin and Helios due not only to politics but painful aspects of the past. The strain on their relationship was evident as it must be in any couple living in the spotlight.

After reading An Uncommon Whore and enjoying it so much I was excited to continue with When I Fall. I don't think When I Fall could have been read alone, the first one could be. There's just too much that you wouldn't have understood without reading the first one. And I noticed that there is an opening for a part three. I wonder if she will continue the series even farther?



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If you are interested in this series, check out these Amazon links

An Uncommon Whore

When I Fall (An Uncommon Whore)

The Gates

The Gates (Samuel Johnson, #1)The Gates by John Connolly

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Loved! Such a fun read.

There seems to be a debate about whether this books is supposed to be for pre-teens or adults. Personally, I think its good for any age group from middle grade age on up to big kids like me. The main character is an 11 yr old boy who's parents have split up, he's misunderstood by most adults, and his neighbors have opened up the gates of hell.

I love the characters Connolly has created from young Samuel Johnson and his little dog to Nurd the Scourge of Five Dieties. This book is full of humor and satire and the macabre but its all in good fun. I laughed so much through this read.

Overall, I loved it. If you are looking for something that not so serious and could use a good laugh then pick this one up. You won't regret it.



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For more on this book, check out the Amazon link

The Gates

Circle of Lies

 
 



Title: Circle of Lies (Red Ridge Pack #2)
Authors: Sara Dailey and Staci Weber
Publisher: Boroughs Publishing Group

Description:
Aiden Wright is trying to figure out who he really is, but the truth could cost him his true mate—or his life.

Life has always been easy for Aiden Wright. He’s smart, athletic, funny, and the ladies adore him. But when tragedy strikes, Aiden discovers the truth about who he really is, and his whole world comes crashing down around him. Aiden thought that being a teenage werewolf was going to be awesome, but it might just cost him the one girl who could make him whole.

Since her mother’s disappearance, Teagan Rhodes’s life has been littered with her father’s empty beer cans and his hollow promises to change. Convinced that others would only let her down, she keeps everyone at arm’s length—but resisting Aiden’s charm is proving to be more difficult than she thought. Throw in a psychotic werewolf hunter out to terminate the species, and one wrong move, one wrong decision could destroy everything.

Author Links:








ABOUT SARA DAILEY & STACI WEBER co-authors of Pack of Lies & Circle of Lies - the first two Red Ridge Pack Novels
Both Sara Dailey and Staci Weber are avid readers, English teachers, friends, wives and soccer moms. They have been teaching together for the past ten years and writing together for six.

Born and raised in Houston, TX, Staci Weber is a graduate of the University of North Texas. Staci is a junior high school teacher with an addiction to reading romance novels. She considers herself incredibly lucky to have a close family, some good friends, a fabulous husband and two beautiful little girls.

Sara Dailey co-authored the Red Ridge Pack Novels with her good friend and co-worker Staci Weber. She has a degree in literature from U of H Clear Lake and is a graduate of The Institute of Children’s Literature. Sara is a native Texan and lives with her wonderful husband and son in League City, TX.



Excerpt

I didn’t want to let Teagan go. Ever. Even if I didn’t remember what had happened the last time I’d dropped her off.

“You going to be okay?” I asked, praying I wasn’t overstepping my boundaries.

“Yes,” she replied. “Don’t worry.”

I think she blushed. I wasn’t sure if it was from embarrassment about her father or pleasure at my concern, but it made my blood burn. I wanted to take her back to my car and continue were we left off. Kissing Teagan was unbelievable. The way she’d looked at me, the way she’d grabbed the back of my neck, the way her lips had molded to mine… Nothing compared. No girl. I hadn’t known a kiss could feel like that.

I was about to steal another delicious kiss when the door swung open, scaring the shit out of me. Teagan jumped, too. The man who stood in the doorway was a disaster. His clothes were wrinkled and dirty, and worst was the smell of cigarettes and beer that seemed to pour off of him.

“Who the fuck is this?” he slurred at Teagan. He stood there looking me up and down like he was trying to figure me out.

The memory of this guy belittling his daughter came rushing back. I could feel the tension in Teagan, and it made me sick. She tried to let go of my hand, but I wouldn’t let her. There was no way I was going to let this guy come between us. I hated him already.

Teagan looked at me, and for a moment I thought about picking her up and taking her away from all of this; the sadness and embarrassment in her eyes all but killed me. Reluctantly, however, I let her hand fall.

But I’d never felt this angry before. I couldn’t just let it go. He was a drunken bully used to pushing my girl around, and it wasn’t going to happen tonight. I would see to that. With full-on fury coursing through my veins, my jaw tight, I turned and looked her father straight in the eye. I poured every ounce of contempt that I felt for him into that glare, and her father visibly tensed. It made me want to smile.

I turned to Teagan, who was looking at her feet, humiliated. I lifted her chin with my fingers and grinned. I leaned over and whispered in her ear, “I’m going to wait out here until I see your light come on, okay? Call me if you need me. Anytime. Ever. I miss you already.”

Her smile made me bold. I grabbed her face in my hands and kissed her hard on the lips. I couldn’t help myself; I needed her dad to know that she was mine. Mine. And before I turned to leave, I stood toe-to-toe with him and said, “Lay a finger on her, you will regret it.”

Morigan






Title: Morrigan
Author: Laura DeLuca
Publisher: Pagan Writers Press
Pages: 320
Book Description:

Shuffled from place to place in the foster system, Morrigan doesn't know the meaning of home. Plus, she is different. She has power over fire, the ability to move objects with her mind, and glimpse into the future. Just when she believes her life can’t get any stranger, she discovers her true identity.

Filtiarn, a knight with a dark past and a surprising secret, has been tasked with guiding the heir of Tír na NÓg through countless perils to be returned to her family. Once Morrigan has been reunited with her mother and grandmother, their triad can save the forgotten land of magic from being devoured by an ancient evil.

Jack Templar Monster Hunter Tour



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Jack Templar: Monster Hunter



Orphan Jack Templar has no memory of his parents and only the smallest details from his Aunt Sophie about how they died. The day before Jack's fourteenth birthday, things start to change for him. At first it's great: A sudden new strength helps him defend his nose-picking friend "T-Rex" from the school bully, and even his crush, Cindy Adams, takes notice. But then a mysterious girl named Eva arrives and tells him two facts that will change his life forever. First, that he's the descendent of a long line of monster hunters and he's destined to be in the family business. Second, that there's a truce between man and monster that children are off-limits...until their fourteenth birthday! Jack has only one day before hundreds of monsters will descend on his little town of Sunnyvale and try to kill him.



As if that weren't enough, things get even more complicated when Jack discovers that the Lord of the Creach (as the monsters are collectively known) holds a personal grudge against him and will do anything to see that Jack has a slow and painful death. To stay alive and save his friends, Jack will have to battle werewolves, vampires, harpies, trolls, zombies and more. But perhaps the most dangerous thing he must face is the truth about his past. Why do the other hunters call him the last Templar? Why do they whisper that he may be the "One?" Why do the monsters want him dead so badly? Even as these questions plague him, he quickly discovers survival is his new full-time job and that in the world of monster hunters, nothing is really what it seems.






Author Jeff Gunhus



Jeff Gunhus grew up in Cyprus, Greece, and Saudi Arabia where there was a distinct lack of television. He quickly found books were the gateway to incredible adventures, fascinating characters and unbelievable discoveries. Now, with five children of his own (all who watch too much television, in his opinion), he has enjoyed revisiting his old books and reliving those adventures all over again.











Kirkus Reviews



"Gunhus brings young readers a monster-filled romp to read at their own risk. In the first few pages, Jack, the storyteller and main character, warns readers not to read about these real-world monsters that would seem to only exist in fiction. The tone is set--sarcastic, tongue-in-cheek and likable; rooting for Jack is easy...Gunhus masterfully introduces fully realized characters with whom readers can connect almost instantly. The pacing is quick but not rushed, and events seamlessly progress, complete with action, cliff-hangers and surprise reveals. "



Amazon Reviews



Watch out Percy Jackson here comes Jack Templar

Move over Harry Potter and Percy Jackson, there's a new kid in town - Jack Templar, and he will take you on a wonderful adventure of good vs evil, with friends and enemies at every turn. The twists and turns keep the reader on a roller coaster of entertainment in the way of JK Rowling and Rick Riordan. ~ Penny Brein



Fast paced adventure through and through

Written for middle school aged students, this book is action-packed from the beginning and will hold the attention of young readers. Not only that, as an adult reader, it was hard to put down, so parents will enjoy it as an easy read. ~ bluejellybean



Kids will love it!

Not only will kids love it, adults will too! I don't want to give the plot away but this is a book worth reading. This book is creatively written drawing in the reader to be a participant in the story. There is lots of action with enough blood and guts to be interesting without being gross. Girls will like it too with the strong female role models and the hint of romance. Even though this is a children's book, I couldn't put it down. I will definitely be adding this to my classroom library. I am looking forward to reading the book in this series and sharing it with my students. Awesome book! ~ pixiep





Purchase




Book Trailer











WARNING


Yeah, you read it right. I’m a monster hunter. Back before I actually became one, I would have thought that sounded totally awesome. And don’t get me wrong, in a lot of ways it is. But most of the time, I’m either running for my life or hiding in the shadows, praying the monster chasing me doesn’t pick up my scent. And I’m almost always scared to death. In a few pages, I think you’ll see why.

     But there are a few things I need to warn you about before I tell you my story.

     First, this isn’t a cartoon. These are bloodthirsty creatures who will stop at nothing to kill. They are scary. Very scary. Second, the only way to stop them is to kill them first…and that gets gross and messy. Third, this is all real.

     You think I’m kidding, don’t you? I can almost see you smirking as you read this. But this isn’t a joke. Monsters are real and the story I’m about to tell you really happened. If you’d rather walk through life believing that monsters are only found in books or on the movie screen, then you should shut this book right now and go do something else.

     I give you these warnings because the story I’m about to tell you isn’t for everyone. Not everyone can handle it. The blood. The gore. The monsters.

     This life was thrust onto me. I had no choice but to take up a sword and fight. But you can still walk away and pretend this dark world doesn’t exist. Or you can walk through the door that I’m about to open and find out the truth about the world around you.

     But I warn you (and this is a big warning), if you read this book, if you learn about the monsters that roam among us and the hunters who fight them, if you decide to learn the truth, then you will become fair game for the monsters to chase.

     Make sure you understand what I’m saying.

     If you read this book, you will be part of this world and the monsters will come after you too. You will start to see things that no other humans can see. The shadows will move when you walk near them. The creatures of the night will seek you out, testing the doors and windows of your house, looking for a way in.

     And, at some point, they will find you, just like they found me, and you will be forced to defend yourself.

     So, think carefully before you turn the page, because once you do, there’s no turning back.

     Ever.

     Once a monster hunter, always a monster hunter.

     See you on the other side.

     If you’re brave enough.












Blog Tour $50 Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash + Swag

Ends 2/18/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.





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Chapter Two Excerpt


At first, the monster appeared to be just a normal man walking toward me. I didn’t recognize him, but like I said earlier, Sunnyvale was a nice, quiet town, so there was no reason for me to be suspicious. I was just running by him, enjoying my newfound speed, when this guy stuck his foot out and tripped me.
I tumbled headfirst toward the cement. I was going down hard and I knew that hitting that sidewalk was going to hurt. Bad.
But then the weirdest thing happened. Without thinking, I twisted my body in midair, reached out and found the ground with my hands, spring-boarded off the cement and landed back on my feet, staring at the stranger who had tripped me.
I mean, it was like I had turned into an Olympic gymnast or something.
The stranger looked at me curiously, only mildly impressed by my tumbling skills. I wanted to demand why he had tripped me, but one good look at him and I somehow knew better than to say anything. I felt a chill pass through my body and my skin dimpled over in goose-bumps. I felt a little dizzy and I had to fight down a sudden impulse to turn and run. Whoever this guy was, every fiber in my body was telling me that he was bad news. I should have listened to my instinct and just gotten out of there, but I couldn’t stop myself from staring at him.
The stranger was pale white, with long, colorless, almost transparent hair down to his shoulders. His face was angular, with high cheekbones and a squared chin. I thought he might be an albino, because his eyes were a blue so pale that they seemed colorless. He wore an old-fashioned duster jacket that hung down to his knees and covered black trousers and heeled, leather boots. The outfit made him look like he had stepped out of a different time.
And then there were his hands. They were too long for his body and each finger was capped with a long black fingernail. He raised one of his weird hands in my direction and pointed one of those long black fingernails at me.
“Good,” the stranger hissed, “your change has begun. It will make things more fun when we find you tomorrow.”
Then the stranger smiled and that’s when I saw them. Long, pointed canine teeth, just like the vampires have in the movies. I couldn’t believe it, but not for the reason you’re thinking. At this point, I had no reason to believe that I was looking at a real-life vampire, so I assumed the teeth were fakes…and that the guy was a total freak. It’s one thing to see people walking around town as vampires on Halloween. But when they did that in the month of September, it was just plain creepy. No wonder I had goose-bumps.
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