Hi guys. I've been blogging pretty much non stop for 3 years, and feel like it's time to take a short break!! I'm not sure when I will be back but for the moment I'm going to take a month off to catch up on reading and just take a breather. If I feel I need more time, then I may not come back till after Christmas. I will definitely be back and the blog won't be quiet all the time as I have some giveaways lined up and a review or two , but other than that I won't be posting. See you soon :)
Saturday, 29 October 2016
Friday, 28 October 2016
The Decision by L.K. Kuhl Book Blitz and Giveaway!
The Decision
L.K. Kuhl
(Everlasting Trilogy, #2)
Publication date: October 20th 2016
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
The guests are invited. The cake is all set. In just a few short hours Sophia Bandell will be saying “I do” to a guy she isn’t sure she loves. But where does she go from here? She feels her life is headed in a downhill spiral. Her first and real true love, Tate Forester, is a ghost. But he’s the man she wants to be with…the one she can’t live without. Sophia is faced with the toughest decision of her life. Does she forget about Tate and marry the egotistical lawyer, Aaron Stuart? Or does she take the plunge and join Tate to be with him for eternity?
—
EXCERPT:
Just then, all of my bridesmaids, my best friends—Claudia Bunker, Jenny Staid, and Laura Anderson—came out of the house to join them on the deck. All three of them, along with Kristy, were dressed in their lacy purple bridesmaid dresses, long diamond earrings, and flattering braided up-dos.
“Sophia, you’d better go break the news to them now. Don’t put them through this any longer.” Tate gave me a gentle nudge, urging me to put an end to this.
My chin trembling, I answered him with a small nod. I couldn’t speak, couldn’t answer, my mind tossing a stormy chaos of what to do next. Did I go break the news to everyone that the wedding is called off? Everyone go home. It’s over. There will be no Mrs. Aaron Stuart today. My eyes slanted back to the yard again. This time Aaron sobbed into his hands. I blinked, then blinked again, my vision blurry.
My chest ached, and I shivered as though the wind had shifted, wind that carried in cooler air— air consumed with an acidic premonition and a feverish guilt. My hands fell limp and I sagged against the tree, sliding down the length of the trunk to deposit my butt on the ground, too weak to stand.
I rubbed my face, trying to come up with the right words, words that wouldn’t disintegrate me— kill us. There were none. This was going to be the hardest thing I’d ever done in my life, but I’d been weighing the consequences since early this morning. Ever since Tate told me there was no possible way there could ever be a future for us, not in this life anyway. Carrying out this agonizing feat would mean shredding my existence, tearing every piece of livable being out of me and turning me into a hollow shell. But I saw no other way.
My breathing picked up pace, amped, making the dizziness spin my world out of control. I was losing it. It got so bad I could no longer breathe. I gasped and wrenched my body, reaching for the sun— grasping, grabbing, trying to save my life. But the air was gone. Nothing to sustain me.
Tate knelt beside me and clutched my shoulders to keep me sitting upright. “You going to be okay, Ladybug? I knew it was going to be hard, but I didn’t think it would be this difficult for you.”
Finally, my voice spewed the bitter, vile words out like a hot rush of lava. The knife had already sliced its way through and gutted me, my heart pierced to the end of the blade, long before they spilled forth. I was too debilitated to even clear my throat. I gurgled out. “I’m letting you go, Tate.” The repugnant, volcanic ashes floated to the ground in a hushed whisper, singeing the ground as they lit.
Tate tipped his head, his mouth falling open. His eyes wouldn’t move, they drilled into me. “What are you saying?”
The tears… I couldn’t stop them. They surged forth like a rapid river, spilling down my face. “I’m so in love with you and… and I know that this time… this time I’ll never be able to forget you. And I know what that means. It means that in six weeks you’ll be going away. But I can’t fight it anymore. My love for you is too strong, and I’m too tired.” Now that I said the words I knew there was no going back for Tate. He would be gone.
Tate lowered his head, his lips pressed into a thin line. He swallowed twice, a small sound escaping from the back of his throat like something wanted to burst forth but couldn’t quite get the job done, caught somewhere between hurt and anger. He sat back on his heels, looking at his hands that trembled on his thighs, then finally whispered. “Do what you have to do. For as much as it hurts both of us, I think it’s for the best. You’ll find someone besides Aaron and move on, and we’ll be together in eternity.”
Author Bio:
L.K. Kuhl lives in Nebraska with her husband Gene of twenty-nine years, young son, Nathan, and Greg, their Black Lab dog. She has two older daughters, Morgan and Brittani and son-in-law, Trevor. L.K. has been writing for over twenty years. She first began writing children’s books and poetry, moved on to writing music, and is now writing Young Adult and Adult novels. She loves spending time with her family, vacationing, writing, reading, and taking long walks. It’s the characters who write their own stories in her novels, and she is just their messenger, sharing it with the world.
GIVEAWAY!
Blitz-wide giveaway (INTL)
- $25 Amazon Gift Card
Thursday, 27 October 2016
Distant Horizon by Stephanie & Isaac Flint Book Blitz!
by Stephanie & Isaac Flint
Genre: YA Dystopian/Superhero
Release Date: October 27th 2016
Summary from Goodreads:
The Community is safe.
Unless you have superpowers.
Sixty years ago, a hallucinogenic plague annihilated half the world’s population, leading to the formation of the Community—an international government that promises its citizens safety, security, and efficiency. Every day, Community citizens swallow a mandatory pill to ensure their immunity to the plague. A year after graduating high school, they take the Health Scan.
Most pass, and continue with their lives. Others disappear.
Eighteen-year-old Jenna Nickleson hasn’t taken the pill since her senior year in high school. She feels more alive without it, and she hasn’t shown any signs of infection—at least, not until two days after a surprise Health Scan is announced and Special Forces arrive at her university campus.
Spurred by the recent string of hallucinations, Jenna searches for any inkling of what happens to those who fail the scan. Rumor has it that they’re sent away for treatment and, once cured, receive a menial job. But when she uncovers the cruel truth behind the plague, her ideal world is shattered.
Underneath the illusion of safety, Special Forces agents harbor a dark secret.
The plague is a lie.
About the Authors
Author Links:
Book Trailer
Wednesday, 26 October 2016
Giveaways!
Hi Book Lovers!! I've seen some amazing giveaways around the blogosphere that I wanted to share with you. Best of luck to all, click on the pics to enter :)
Win an iPad Air!! Click HERE!
Kindle Fire and $500 Giveaway for all of our #BookWorm fans! That’s a lot of books! #AmReading
#UrbanFantasy #PNR #Dystopian #Win $1000 #GiftCard + get 20 FREE #books
Big Box of Paperbacks Giveaway – Win a Mini Library with 62 #PNR and #UF #Books !
#UrbanFantasy #Win any 2 Urban Fantasy #Books + $250 Amazon #GiftCard #Giveaway
THE SCYTHE WIELDER'S SECRET Trilogy in paperback and a POP Figure!
Win an iPad Air!! Click HERE!
Kindle Fire and $500 Giveaway for all of our #BookWorm fans! That’s a lot of books! #AmReading
#UrbanFantasy #PNR #Dystopian #Win $1000 #GiftCard + get 20 FREE #books
Big Box of Paperbacks Giveaway – Win a Mini Library with 62 #PNR and #UF #Books !
#UrbanFantasy #Win any 2 Urban Fantasy #Books + $250 Amazon #GiftCard #Giveaway
THE SCYTHE WIELDER'S SECRET Trilogy in paperback and a POP Figure!
Silencing The Seam by Kathleen Groger Blog Tour and Giveaway!
Welcome to my stop on the Silencing the Seam bog tour! I loved book 1 and get to share my thoughts on this on too below. You can check out the full schedule HERE.
Silencing The Seam
Kathleen Groger
(Seam Stalkers, #2)
Publication date: October 18th 2016
Genres: Horror, Paranormal, Young Adult
Sixteen-year-old Sam Drake thought she’d left the horrors of spring break and Defiance Castle behind her. But back home, the spirits swirling around her are more demanding, more aggressive.
Fear of being institutionalized by her skeptical mother drives Sam to follow her dad to New Orleans. There she hopes to take back control of her life. But the French Quarter and the cities of the dead have other plans. Hour by hour they drain her, making it next to impossible to fight off a ghost who is determined to use her for its own revenge.
Ensnared in an ancient power struggle where Voodoo rituals, betrayal, and murder rule, Sam must determine who to trust. One step in the wrong direction will lock her inside the Seam to walk among the dead for eternity.
Sequel to:
After the events of the last book, Sam just wants life to return to normal, well sort of! She is finally coming to terms with the fact she can see and communicate with Ghosts. Her mum though is on the verge of putting her into an asylum, so she decides to follow her father to New Orleans on a trip and stays with her uncle, Eric, while her dad works. He still hasn't gotten over what happened to his crew. But unbeknownst to both, someone isn't finished with them yet and they have some unfinished business to sort!!
This was such an awesome second book! Sam has really come into herself and shines in this one. She is finally coming to terms with her ability and is becoming what she is supposed to. Eric though, is a shade of himself. He hasn't gotten over what happened at the castle and is intent on finding out all he can about Novak. His life seems to be spiraling yet he can't seem to help it. I felt so bad for him!!! He lost his crew, his job and his enthusiasm of the job and is plodding along. Then to top it off, women are being murdered in what looks like a ritual killing and the clues seem to point to Eric!! Sam is devastated but tries to find the truth. Then we have Kyle. He turns up in New Orleans and Sam is thrilled, though he doesn't seem to be acting normal. Maybe it's his close proximity to the birth place of Novak, or maybe his feelings for Sam have changed, either way Sam wants to get to the bottom of it.
I have always loved the setting of New Orleans! It's a place that's steeped in history and reeks of paranormal activity!! It's a place that's on my bucket list ;) I think setting book 2 here was perfect as Sam is trying to get to grips with her ability and New Orleans seems to be swimming in Ghosts! Plus having it as the birth place of Novak was brilliant as we find out why he is the way he is!
In all, this was a great second book! We see Sam as her best and find out a bit of Novaks back story. It was a fast paced and addicting read and I really hope we see more from Sam! A perfect Halloween read!!!
Author Bio:
Kathleen wrote her first story in elementary school about a pegasus named Sir Lancelot. It had no plot or conflict, but it sparked a dream. After serving a fifteen-year sentence in retail management, the bulk in big box bookstores, she turned her love of reading into a full-time career writing dark and haunting characters and stories. She writes paranormal, fantasy, suspense, horror YA books. She is a contributing member of READerlicious, writers who love readers. Check out her blogs here.
She lives by the mantra that a day is not complete without tea. Lots of tea. Kathleen lives in Ohio with her husband, two boys, and two attention-demanding dogs. When not writing or editing or revising, you can find her reading, cooking, spending time with her family, or photographing abandoned buildings.
GIVEAWAY!
Tour-wide giveaway (US/CAN)
- a Kindle Fire
ECHO Campaign by Taylor Brooke Book Blitz!
by Taylor Brooke
Genre: YA/Older Teen Urban Science Fiction
Release date: November 1st 2016
Limitless Publishing
Summary:
Brooklyn Harper’s worst nightmare has become her reality. She has been captured by Isolation…
Trapped in a white-walled labyrinth by Juneau Malloy, Brooklyn is faced with the horrors of Isolation’s finest training yet. The skills she learned as an Omen Operative in Camp Number Eleven are put to the test in the form of brutal assessments of her strength, skills, and fortitude. Confused and disheartened, Brooklyn and the group of renegade Omens prepare for whatever trials Isolation has in store for them.
Juneau has caged her once again, but Brooklyn is far from broken…
When Brooklyn finds out her best friend Gabriel is alive, she goes on a violent rampage in search of her, but instead earns herself a stint in solitary confinement. Juneau attempts to tame Brooklyn through grueling exercises before offering her one radical choice. Brooklyn must hand over her freedom in order to spare her friends. She’ll become a showpiece Juneau will auction off to the highest bidder for her skills in assassination, defense, and combat.
There must be a way out, and the renegade Omens have to find it…
Brooklyn has no intention of becoming Juneau’s latest achievement. During a mind-warping training simulation, Brooklyn uncovers Isolation’s greatest secret and their darkest mistake. Juneau Malloy has created something far more sinister than the Omens, and it’s ready to eat the world alive.
As the battle with Isolation intensifies, Brooklyn is faced with her most dangerous choice yet…
Save her friends—or save humanity.
Omen Operation (Isolation #1) is FREE from October 25-30 on Amazon!
Get yourself a copy!
Book One (click on image for Goodreads link):
ECHO Campaign Excerpt:
Limbic Simulation Phase One—Proceed with Caution—Number 178
Music fluttered through the speakers of a room unlike any other
Brooklyn had seen at the facility. Tapestries hung from the ceiling, stitched
with patterns of the solar system. Grand images of suns and moons and stars
were placed upon the walls in the form of quilts, rugs, and blankets. Above
them was a line of thin candles cradled in iron sconces. Light from their
flames cast long shadows across the ceiling and darkened the bright threading
of the obscure cloths.
She didn’t recognize the song, but the gentle cries from a cello
filled the room with a sense of calm that Brooklyn wasn’t comfortable with. The
Limbic Simulation was a fear exercise, a way for Juneau to gauge their control
over primal instincts. Whether flight would overcome the urge to fight or vice
versa. Sweet chocolate and brown sugar filled her nostrils, the smell of baking
cookies. Brooklyn inhaled as much of it as she could.
As long as she kept her wits about her she could enjoy the small
moment of peace presented to her. The candlelight, the pleasant smell, even the
interesting tapestries made Brooklyn want to curl up on the floor and stay in
that room. Maybe she would. Maybe she would ignore whatever monsters Juneau and
his team had cooked up, and stay in this moment until it was taken from her by
force, like everything else.
A solid wooden door, carved with intricate swirling patterns and a
gold doorknob was across from her. She listened carefully, and beyond the
popping of the candles wicks, she heard a faint tapping, like fingernails
against the other side of the door. She glanced over her shoulder to the docking
station, wondering briefly if it would be worth it to turn around and not
cooperate. To walk out of the room and back into the white hallway where
Michelle and Gabriel probably waited for her.
The tapping turned into scratching, like cat claws in the center
of the wooden door.
Brooklyn rolled her shoulders and stretched out all her fingers,
cracking them against the side of her legs. Whatever was behind that door, it
was going to die. That was what she told herself as she took long strides past
the pretty hanging quilts, swallowed a last gulp of cookie scented air, and
swung the door open.
On the ground was Amber—a clone of her. It writhed with a hand
wrapped around the deep wound on its throat. Blood soaked its shirt and its
bulged eyes pleaded with Brooklyn for help. Its other hand, slick with syrupy
blood, scrambled over Brooklyn’s boot.
“Not supposed to happen like this,” it croaked. “He’s out of
containment.”
Brooklyn lifted her foot and crushed the clones hand beneath her
heel. “Who?”
“Stop the sim…stop…”
The clone’s voice faded and the life in its eyes dimmed. Brooklyn
listened to its heart simmer out one beat at a time.
Its crimson blood was the brightest thing in the room, harsh
against the eggshell walls, and dark as it soaked the light mauve carpet. She
stepped away from the body, well aware of the pair of eyes glued to her from
across the room. Brooklyn kept her body poised for an attack. Cloaked by a
slanted shadow in the corner of the near empty room stood another clone, one
she’d prepared herself to see.
Porter’s clone watched her, hunter and hunted,, but Brooklyn stood
her ground. She met his gaze, rationalizing the jarring bit of panic that flew
through her. The sight of one of their clones would always cause her nerves to
jump, wouldn’t it? This was no different.
Her initial thought was to flee, which surprised her, and the
following urge was to wait. She saw his bare feet tap against the carpet. Her
nostrils flared for a hint of emotion. Nothing. No fear, sadness, excitement,
nothing but stagnant air.
“Look at you,” the clone said. A peculiar grin moved across its
face, tongue darting out to wet its lips. “Now I can see it. You’re beautiful.”
Brooklyn bristled but stayed quiet.
“I’ve wondered for quite some time why he likes you. You’re
stubborn, irrational, explosive even, yet he chose to chase you. I see it now.
I see it clearer than ever before.”
Unwarranted heat rushed into Brooklyn’s cheeks. She straightened
her back and curled her fingers into fists. A pain suddenly spiked in her lower
abdomen, searing, achy knots. This clone was unlike any she’d encountered, and
the thought made her violently uneasy.
“Porter and I—we’re brothers. I feel connected to him more than to
my own father. Perhaps it was his visibility, his life, his accomplishments.
Maybe it was my own jealousy of him that built the bridge between us, I don’t
know. The only thing I do know for certain, Brooklyn Leona Harper, is that I
did not know envy until you. You…”
It slithered from the shadows, and like Porter, it had pools of
whiskey for eyes. His intense gaze pushed into her like a dagger. Her voice
crawled away, hidden in the back of her throat. He moved slowly like an ancient
predator, a scaled, winding dragon taking inventory of its meal.
“You are a star nursery, giving birth to clusters of energy and
fire and unrelenting anger. I can feel it burning the deepest parts of me, and
now, in your presence, I understand his love for you better than I understand
myself. The thought of taming a force like you, being sucked into your gravity,
it thrills me.”
Brooklyn wanted to back up but her legs wouldn’t budge. She tried
to reign in her runaway heartbeat, to squash the irrational fear that was
hollowing out her courage. The clone took another step, its nostrils flaring as
it leaned toward her face and inhaled. Its lips tightened, and when it let the
breath go Brooklyn could see the delicate curve of its cupids bow quiver.
“You,” it breached the space between them, cheek brushing against
Brooklyn’s face as it whispered against her ear, “You are a force, a goddess
among simple creatures.”
The fear buried inside her launched into her throat and Brooklyn
lashed out, shoving the clone backward. She raised her fist, aiming it directly
at its jaw.
Its long fingers gripped her hand, catching the punch before she
could land it. Her wrist crumbled. Her eyes watered. She felt all the strength
in her body push toward the surface, but it was no use. The clone, stronger
than anything she’d encountered before, slammed her smaller frame against the
wall. It held her arms above her head, fingers latched around her wrists, its
other hand snatching her jaw like a bear trap.
“We could take it all,” the clone’s mouth moved against her
temple, lips scorching a trail down to her chin. “You and I, we could lead them
all. Start over. There are enough of us.”
“What are you?” Brooklyn whimpered, kicking her feet against its shins.
Her strength was nothing against Porter’s clone. Her fear evolved
into dismay, and then into hysteria. She thrashed. Her breath was hard to catch
as the heated press of the clone’s body held her to the wall like she weighed
nothing.
The hand wrapped around her jaw moved down to grip her waist, and
the clone laughed, eyes leaving burns on her wherever they settled. It closed
the space between them, taking her lips in a searing kiss. She recoiled and
slammed her teeth into its lip until she tasted blood.
Shouts came from every direction. First she heard the clone, its
voice hot against her mouth, licking blood off her lips, “My brother is a lucky
man, Brooklyn. You are incredible.”
Next Brooklyn was falling, her body a heap, shaking on the floor.
Michelle burst through the door, a mobile radio in her hand.
“Asset 0 is out of containment!”
Taylor Brooke is the author of the upcoming sci-fi adventure trilogy The Isolation Series. She started out as a freelance makeup artist, and quickly discovered her love of elves, zombies, mermaids, kaiju, and monsters of all kinds. After receiving eight professional certifications in special effects makeup, working on countless projects, and fleshing out a multitude of fantastical creatures, she turned her imagination back to her one true love- books. Taylor has had a knack for writing since she was a little girl, and received recognition for her skills throughout grade school and junior college. When she’s not nestled in a blanket typing away on her laptop, she can be found haunting the local bookstore with a cup of steaming hot tea in her hands, scanning the shelves for new reads, or hiking one of the many mountains that surround her home in Oregon.
Author Links:
Tuesday, 25 October 2016
The Elf by Max Dune Review!
Title: The ElfAuthor: Max Dune
Pages: 318
Published: October 20th 2016 by David & Duke Publishing, LLC
Elves are dying in the North Pole, and none of their scientists can find a cure. They believe it’s a virus, unleashed by a powerful enemy. All signs point to Jack Frost, who’s been biding his time from afar. Watching. Waiting. Plotting. One brave elf, to save his kind, will venture out to meet evil in the eye. But he uncovers a mystery more dangerous than he could have ever imagined. Now Lucian must join a group of warriors and fight. Fuego; a flame-wielding pyro.Tiktok; a brilliant bomb expert, Yuriko; a deadly ninja assassin. And Bullets; a hot-headed gun aficionado. These unlikely heroes must learn to work together and defeat the rising evil. Or Christmas will soon be lost…forever.
My Thoughts:
What a surprise!!! I really didn't know what to expect when I went into this, but what I didn't expect was to be totally enchanted with this book!
Lucien, the elf, is on a mission to find Jack Frost and kill him. Why, because the virus that is happening to the elves, the one that took his parents and some of his friends, has manifested itself in his love interest! Lucien thinks that he may be able to get Jack Frost to give him the cure. But, what follows is a story full of betrayal, hurt, deadly enemies and will change Lucien's life forever.
Plot wise, this was one of the most enchanting and surprising book I've read this year. The plot was unique, fast paced, engaging and utterly addicting. The fact that the author took some beloved characters (Santa, his elves and Jack Frost to name but a few) and put his own spin on it was awesome! Especially with Christmas so close. It was incredibly fast paced and filled with suspense, thrilling action sequences but also some heartbreaking and heartwarming moments!!!
Character wise, this will blow your mind!! Some of our favourite characters are truly evil! I loved Lucien, indeed, I loved pretty much every character! They were all well written, developed and were so easy to become invested in. The reindeer's will even steal your heart. Lucien is such a plucky, brave, loyal, lovable, and adorable character, that he will be firmly on my favourite characters list!!!
In all, this was a truly amazing, modern tale of Santa and his elves that will grab you and bowl you over. I devoured it and can NOT wait for book 2, if there is one (there better be ;) ) Go read it, you won't regret it!!!
Curse of the Boggin by D.J MacHale Nerd Bast and Giveaway!
Hardcover
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers
Sep 06, 2016 | 256 Pages
Enter the Library, where no one knows how the stories end . . . and finding out will be terrifying.
There’s a place beyond this world, beyond the land of the living, where ghosts go to write their unfinished stories—stories that ended too soon. It’s a place for unexplained phenomena: mysteries that have never been solved, spirits that have never been laid to rest. And there’s only one way in or out.
It’s called the Library, and you can get there with a special key. But beware! Don’t start a story you can’t finish. Because in thislibrary, the stories you can’t finish just might finish you.
Marcus O’Mara is a 13 year old guy at a crossroads. He constantly finds himself in trouble at school, with his friends, and with his adoptive parents. Marcus doesn’t believe things can get any worse for him…until they get worse.
Much worse.
He begins seeing strange and impossible visions; gets thrown into paranormal danger and is haunted by a mysterious ghost with a singular goal: to give him a key.
It’s a key that opens the door to a mysterious library. When that door opens, the incredible adventure for Marcus and his friends begins as they learn the truth about Marcus’ past and uncover the strange world of unfinished stories that are found on the shelves of the Library.
AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
D.J. MacHale is a writer, director, executive producer and creator of several popular television series and movies. As an author, his ten-volume book series: Pendragon: Journal of an Adventure Through Time and Space became a New York Times #1 bestseller.
He was raised in Greenwich, CT where he had several jobs including collecting eggs at a poultry farm; engraving trophies and washing dishes in a steakhouse…in between playing football and running track. D.J. graduated from New York University where he received a BFA in film production.
His film-making career began in New York where he worked as a freelance writer/director making corporate videos and television commercials.
D.J. broke into the entertainment business by writing several ABC Afterschool Specials. As co-creator of the popular Nickelodeon series: Are You Afraid of the Dark?, he produced all 91 episodes. D.J. also wrote and directed the movie Tower of Terror for ABC’s Wonderful World of Disney. The Showtime series Chris Cross was co-created, written and produced by D.J. It received the CableAce award for Best Youth Series.
D.J. created and produced the Discovery Kids/NBC television series Flight 29 Down. He wrote every episode and directed several. His work on Flight 29 Down earned him the Writers Guild of America award for Outstanding Children’s Script and a Directors Guild of America award nomination.
Other notable television writing credits include the ABC Afterschool Special titled Seasonal Differences; the pilot for the long-running PBS/CBS series Ghostwriter; and the HBO series Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective for which he received a CableAce nomination for writing.
In print, D.J. also authored the supernatural Morpheus Road trilogy; a whimsical picture book The Monster Princess; and The SYLO Chronicles, a thrilling sci-fi trilogy. He also wrote Voyagers: Project Alpha, the first of a six book science fiction adventure.
D.J.’s newest book series is The Library, a spooky middle-grade anthology about a mysterious library filled with unfinished supernatural tales, and the daring young people who must complete them.
D.J. lives in Southern California with his wife Evangeline and daughter Keaton. They are avid backpackers, scuba divers and skiers. Rounding out the household is a spoiled golden retriever named Casey and an equally spoiled tuxedo cat named Jinx.
WEBSITE: http://djmachalebooks.com/
TWITTER: @DJMacHale
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/74046.D_J_MacHale
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorD.J.MacHale/
--Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter
- 1 Winner will receive a Copy of The Library Book 1: Curse of the Boggin + Signed Bookmark by D.J. MacHale
- 1 Winner will receive a $20.00 Amazon Gift Card.
Monday, 24 October 2016
The Reaping by Shirley Anne Edwards Book Blitz and Giveaway!
The Reaping
Shirley Anne Edwards
Publication date: October 23rd 2016
Genres: Horror, Young Adult
The quaint village where Adela Jane lives is surrounded by fear. At night, a centuries old green mist covers the land and controls the animals within the forest. Lately, Adela feels someone or something is following her every move. Unbeknownst to her, the mist waits for the perfect moment to make her his. Adela feels trapped by her small town life and burdened by her love she keeps hidden for her best friend’s older brother, Nathan Alexander. But all that changes on her eighteenth birthday when Nathan admits his love and desire to marry her. Adela’s joy is cut short when the mist kidnaps her and takes her to his secret underground lair. Her nightmare has only just begun when the mist makes Adela his bride.
What of the Jabberwocky fell in love with Alice from Lewis Caroll’s Through the Looking Glass? That’s the question tackled in The Reaping. A Young Adult with an atmospheric Gothic feel, and elements from such classic novels, as Gaston Leroux’s Phantom of the Opera and John Fowles’ The Collector.
—
EXCERPT:
I lay curled in a ball on the side of the pool as I woke from an apparent slumber. After taking some deep breaths and pushing my hair away from my face, I stood, cringing when my right calf cramped along with my stiff neck and arms. Limping over to a chair, I sat, doubled over, wishing the pain to stop. The clock on the wall pointed to the number six. Three hours had passed?
The urge to use the privy became very important. I prowled the large room, searching for such a place. But I couldn’t locate one and limped back up the stairs to the bedroom, hoping to find one there.I found an empty room in a corner next to the crate full of beautiful clothes. Inside, a porcelain bucket lay in the corner. After I finished, I then sat on the bed. More questions ran through my head.
Who would empty the bowl of waste and why was the table set with all that food? Where did all these things come from?
I laid my head on my knees while despair and anguish coursed through my entire body. Tears fell from my eyes and landed on my lips and chin.
If only Nathan Alexander was here to hold me and tell me everything would be all right.
But he wasn’t here, and it was my fault. Why didn’t I let him come with me to close my house?
My eyes closed as I remember our kisses near the lake and how wonderful it felt to be in his arms, where his whispered words of love and promises made me feel safe and protected….
The wind let out a muffled howl, and the slight dank smell rising from the stone floor met my nose. Goose bumps rose on my arms as I stood and paced the room. The place near the bed where I had been sick had dried, but it still smelled awful. Considering my current mood, it would remain a soiled stain.
Stomping down the stairs, I crumpled in a chair. Loneliness and fright crept up until I wanted to hide in a corner and rock and cry. My nose dripped, and tears trickled down my cheeks. Then something very strange happened. The owl clock let out a ding, and the howling wind stopped.
From one of the other tunnels leading to the unknown, a green haze poured out and made its way down the cavern stairs. Panicked, I jumped out of the chair and rushed back up the stairs to the bedroom. This stream of murk followed behind as I dashed to the crate to hide behind it.
The mist slinked across the room and stopped in the center, drifting back and forth, not coming any closer to where I stood. It had transformed into a strange, whirling circle. But it didn’t flood the entire room, remaining in that shaky sphere that turned toward the unmade bed and then back to me.
Trembling, I held back a whimper when the mist floated over the bed and toward me. Backing up toward the crate, I closed my eyes and prayed as a cold burst of air met my skin.
A voice spoke in my head.
“Why do you hide?”
My eyes opened, and I hit the wall. The mist floated right near my face as if to study me. The voice spoke again. This time it sounded deeper and hushed.
“Do not be afraid. Why are you frightened?”
It finally dawned on me—the strange and hollow-sounding voice came from the mist itself.
“I-I….”
The mist turned away and hovered near the corner where the privy bowl sat. While its attention was diverted, I ran out and down the stairs to hide in one of the dark caverns. Nearing the two stone dog statues, the mist blocked my path. With a startled yelp, I backed away toward the long table. It followed, and I darted around until the table separated us. Again, it molded itself into a ghostlier form and watched me.
One of its phantom limbs reached out and picked up the pitcher from the table. It floated in the air as the mist poured red liquid in a clear wine glass. It then grabbed a few slices of bread and fruit and placed them on a plate. I watched, captivated, uncertain what it would do next. There was no other place to run except back up the stairs or through the waterfall.
“Sit,” it said in a gentle whisper in my mind.
I shook my head.
It stared at me with those nonexistent eyes and pulled out a chair, letting the wood scrape on the rock floor.
“Sit here.” Its deadly tone frightened me, and I backed away.
The mist rocked back and forth for several seconds.
“You will sit. If not….” The unspoken words tore through me as the mist glided over. Repulsed by the thought of it touching any part of my body, I scurried to a chair and sat down.
It backed away, but not before it drifted next to my head and lifted a piece of my tangled hair. I clenched my fists in my lap and waited for it to release it. A moan echoed in my head, and my hair fell down my back. It then pulled out a chair and floated over it.
The cramp in my leg came back, and I winced, trying to rub the ache away. But I feared making any quick movements.
“Are you in pain?” it asked in a concerned voice.
I stared ahead, refusing to respond.
It waited a few beats for an answer and let out a sigh when I didn’t. The mist settled in the chair, which should have been funny, but, under the present circumstances, I found no humor in it. It pushed the plate full of food toward me, including the glass. “Eat.”
I viewed the plate and then back at the mist.
“Um. I….” I had no idea what to say.
The mist wavered, unable to stay still. Even though it didn’t have eyes, it stared at me. I shifted in my seat, clasping my hands tightly on my lap.
It exhaled, picking up a piece of dark-brown bread and holding it up in the air. It moved the bread in a circle.
“You will eat, or I will make you,” it said in a blunt, do-not-even-think-of-disobeying-me type of voice.
I had run out of options. Instead of taking the piece of bread it offered, I picked up a few grapes, some cubes of cheese, and chewed small morsels slowly, blinking away tears.
The mist remained silent. My mouth trembled as I continued chewing. After I swallowed, my confidence grew, but before I could say a word, it moved behind my chair and off to the side. A squeal left my mouth when music filled the room. I dropped whatever was in my hands and placed them over my mouth and closed my eyes, sitting motionless until my heartbeat returned to normal.
Its presence hovered near. Hearing the clatter of a dish, I opened my eyes to see my plate gone. My untouched glass remained.
“Drink.”
Sick of being ordered around, I slapped the arm of the chair.
“Eat, drink. What does it matter to you, or whatever you are, whether I eat or drink? What right do you have to bring me here? I want to go home!” I fumed, not caring if the mist became enraged.
“Can’t,” it said in a harsh whisper.
“Why?” I longed to pour my glass full of liquid over this wretched thing causing me such anguish.
The mist turned toward me. “Because I love you.”
—
Author Bio:
Shirley Anne Edwards is a Northeast girl who first found her love for books when she read Nancy Drew’s The Secret of the Old Clock Tower at thirteen. Shirley found her love for writing at a very young age, and since then has let her imagination run wild by creating quirky characters and vast worlds in her head.
Shirley lives in New Jersey and works in the entertainment industry in New York City.
In the immortal words of Mark Twain: “Life is short, Break the Rules. Forgive quickly, Kiss SLOWLY. Love truly. Laugh uncontrollably and never regret ANYTHING That makes you smile.”
GIVEAWAY!
Blitz-wide giveaway (US/CAN)
- A 3 month subscription to Birchbox at $30 + a print copy of The Reaping
Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy by Paula Berinstein Audiobook Blitz and Giveaway!
This is my stop during the book blitz for the audiobook for Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy by Paula Berinstein. The audiobook is narrated by Allan Corduner. Allan Corduner has narrated multiple books, one of them being The Book Thief and he does the voice of Severus Snape in the Harry Potter videogames.
This book blitz is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The book blitz runs from 24 till 30 October. Every day there will be a different guest post in which Paula talks about the process of making the audiobook. You can view the blitz schedule here.
Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy (Amanda Lester, Detective #1)Written by Paula Berinstein
Narrated by Allan Corduner
Length: 10 hrs and 47 mins
Genre: Mystery/ Detective
Age category: Middle Grade
Release Date Audiobook: September 27, 2016
Blurb:You can find Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy on Goodreads
A reluctant detective, a criminal mastermind, and sugar?
Amanda Lester wouldn't be caught dead going into the family business. Her ancestor, Sherlock Holmes's colleague Inspector G. Lestrade, is a twit. Nevertheless her parents refuse to see his flaws, and she's going to a secret English school for the descendants of famous detectives whether she likes it or not.
When Amanda arrives at the dreaded school, she considers running away - until she and her new friends discover blood and weird pink substances in odd places. At first they're not sure whether these oddities mean anything, but when Amanda's father disappears and the cook is found dead with her head in a bag of sugar, they're certain that crimes are taking place.
Now Amanda must embrace her destiny and uncover the truth. The only snag is that arch-villain Blixus Moriarty, a descendant of Holmes's nemesis Professor James Moriarty, might be involved, and he doesn't like nosy little girls interfering in his business.
You can buy the audiobook of Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy here:
- Audible
- Amazon
- iTunes
Listen to a sample of the audiobook here on Soundcloud
Get the e-copy for free!
The e-copy of Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy is free now on all vendor sites! Grab your free copy here:
- Amazon
- Barnes & Noble
- Kobo
- Smashwords
Guest Post:
So You Want to Make an Audiobook, Post 1: The Narrator
The Amanda Lester, Detective Odyssey with Paula Berinstein
How does an author go about making an audiobook? Even for someone with audio experience (I produced my own podcast for years), I had no idea what to do. I knew I wanted a professionally narrated, high quality product, but I had no idea how to make it happen. So my marketing guru, Lola, and I researched the question and entered the maze of royalties, distribution, and production. Argh. I just wanted Emma Watson to narrate my book. I didn’t care about all that stuff.
It’s true: I think big. I felt that for my book to get the attention it deserved, it needed a big name narrator. And the first name that occurred to me was, yup, Emma Watson.
You may laugh, but it isn’t impossible to get a name actor to narrate your book. I knew that fees for doing voice work are significantly lower than for other types of acting. I didn’t know exactly what that meant, but I felt the idea was worth investigating.
Of course it isn’t just a question of fees. The actor has to want to do the project, and I had no idea if Ms. Watson would be interested in Amanda. But first things first. I decided to see if she even does voice work.
I will admit that I took a spin around ACX, Amazon’s audio production wing that matches authors with narrators and producers, just for kicks. I didn’t expect Ms. Watson to be listed there, and of course she wasn’t. She doesn’t need Amazon’s help to find work.
The next step was to find out who her agent was and write to them. I found them, but it didn’t seem that she does voice work, so that was that. Goodbye Hermione. Now what?
Tomorrow I will tell you how I ended up with Allan Corduner, the greatest voice actor on earth.
About the Author:Paula Berinstein is nothing like Amanda. For one thing, she’s crazy about Sherlock Holmes. For another, she’s never wanted to be a filmmaker. In addition, compared to Amanda she’s a big chicken! And she wouldn’t mind going to a secret school at all. In fact, she’s hoping that some day she’ll get to build one.
You can find and contact Paula here:
- Website
- Goodreads
- Paula's blog on Goodreads
- The Writing Show podcasts
- Newsletter
Giveaway
There is a tour wide giveaway for the book blitz for Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy. These are the prizes you can win:
- 2 audiobook copies of Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy
- 2 amazon gift cards of 15$
For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
