Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Phantom Summer $50 Book Blast!


Phantom Summer by Amy Sparling

Seventeen-year-old Taylor Gray moves to Sterling Island to get over her dead boyfriend. Mom’s cool with letting her crash on the couch, but Taylor needs to get a job before the lights are cut off again.

When the tall, dark and crazy Raine Tsunami offers her a position at his thriving ghost tour business, she figures it’s an easy way to make some cash. Taylor isn’t afraid of ghosts--that crap is as fake as her mom’s boob job. She loves their adventures on the historic island, especially the secret places he shows her when the crowds go home. So what if all the ghost stories are just legends?

When Taylor comes face to face with a ghost and Raine crosses the line between friend and boyfriend--Taylor’s new life collides with her haunted past. If murdered people end up as ghosts, then that someone she was trying to forget is probably trying to find her.




Praise
"I was wonderfully surprised by Phantom Summer!!! I couldn't put it down. Loved everything about it."
~Amazon Reviewer Angelmusic

"The emotions are so well written... I would definitely recommend reading this."
~Goodreads Reviewer Lauren



Author Amy Sparling

Amy Sparling is a Texas native with a passion for young adult literature. In her free time she participates in an unhealthy amount of Xbox playing, attends nerd conventions and reads books with her daughter. She's studying to become a high school teacher and lives near the beach with her daughter and two cats. Amy Sparling is a pen name.












$50 Book Blast Giveaway

Ends 3/10/13

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.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Spotlight and Interview - HerStory by Delaina Waldron

Herstory
 
 

Book Synopsis
HerStory a novel by Delaina M. Waldron is a paranormal/thriller that takes the reader on a journey in the life of a young African slave woman named Ayira who has a dark secret.  A dark secret she does not understand and is beyond her control.
Ayira can see the past and the future and she can also speak to the dead. 
It is the beginning of slavery in America, a Native American tribe rescues Ayira and she struggles to balance her special powers and face her dark past to help the people around her.
Ayira must overcome her fears of her dark past, survive the present and accept her destiny to help prevent the Indian tribes fatal outcomes.
Author Interview
What was your inspiration behind writing HerStory?
My Inspiration was my admiration for the Native American Indian culture and trying to find a different concept in where Native American Indians in the 18th century might have coexisted with African slaves adding a twist of paranormal in the mix.
Would you like to share one piece of advice to other aspiring authors?
My advice to other aspiring authors are to never give up on writing your stories, the stories that drives you, the stories you can't seem to get out of your mind, the stories you so passionately want to bring to life.  There are reasons why you have that aching feeling to give your characters voices and share your characters with the world and you just might find the reasons when your done writing those stories, you never know.
If you weren't a writer, what else do you think you would be doing instead?

If I was not a writer, I would be creating films.  Whether it be by directing, producing or even acting, in one way shape or form, I want to entertain the world.
Do you have a special 'writing place' or are you fortunate enough to be able to write anywhere?

I am able to write anywhere I can, I am constantly writing scenes in my head on a daily basis.

Do you have a favourite scene in the book (without giving the story away too much)?
My favorite scene in the book is the flash back scene in the beginning of the book, because I give the reader a chance to get to know Ayira by letting the reader see her innocence and give the reader a glance in her normal life back in Africa...

Do you have any pets?
I currently have no pets.

What's you favourite way to spend your spare time?
I love writing screenplays and short stories.  The short stories and screenplays to me can become novels, If I choose.
What's one thing that most people wouldn't know about you?

I want to become a filmmaker.
What's one of the most surprising things that you've learnt about yourself since writing?

I've learned that if someone has a passion for writing although they might not have the proper training or education for writing, they can still write stories and create worlds if they have the passion and drive to make that happen.  Some of the best writers taught themselves how to write.
Do you have any new works in the pipeline which you care to share any details about?

I am currently writing a short screenplay that I will eventually produce myself about a group of people that go to the woods to pick up one of their friends that works as a nature guide.  As they wait for the guide to finish his shift, they go exploring on their own into the surrounding forests and on there way back home they realize they brought something or someone back with them.

Author Bio
Delaina M. Waldron is a Screenwriter, Novelist and freelance writer in her spare time.  She wrote two feature length screenplays one of which was adapted to her novel "HerStory" and the other a comedy called "Ghetto Ghost Hunters" was a finalist in the 2011 Hollywood Screenwriting contest.  She also wrote a short screenplay a thriller called "Peeper", which is currently in production.
Delaina M. Waldron is a single mother of one and is currently a city bus driver and a military veteran for the Army Reserves, based in New York City.
Twitter:  @delainawaldron
 
 

Friday, February 22, 2013

Release Blitz - Awakened by Inger Iversen



Blurb:

What must he overcome to protect her?

With no clue of what to do next and the responsibility of looking after Alex and Mia as promised, Kale is up to his ears in problems and no solutions. How will Kale save Ella, keep Alex and Mia safe, control Jace as well as control the Bloodlust that creeps beneath the surface waiting to be released? Will Kale be Ella’s savior or will he convict her to a fate worse than the one Laurent has already promised her?

What truths will she learn?

Ella knows that the choices she makes affects not only her but everyone else around her, but what about the choices made to find her? Ella learns the truth about the death of her parents, learns that the ones she thought she could trust aren’t so trustworthy after all.
How will Ella handle these betrayals, and will she be able to sacrifice what is necessary to obtain eternal life?

Inger Iversen:


Who is Inger Iversen? Just some chick that loves to read and write. Inger lives in Virginia Beach with her tree-hugging boyfriend Joshua and her overweight lap cat Max. When not reading or writing she spends her time watching re-runs of True Blood, lusting after Alcide or killing zombies in Call Of Duty.

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15923170-awakened
My site: www.ingeriversen.com

Excerpt:

“Ella,” Kale said.

I stopped short.

“We will talk about this when you come back down tomorrow.” His tone held no room for discussion, but I would fight him on this. He would fade away and leave me here to mourn him.

I could only stare at him. Deacon looked nervously between the two of us, and he was the only reason I didn’t lay into Kale. “There is nothing to talk about. I’m not leaving you here to rot in this cell, the same way you didn’t leave me with Laurent. I know what I want from this, and that’s you. We will figure out a way to make it work.”

I headed out the door without looking back. Jace stood in the hallway, waiting for me. He hated bringing me down here. He worried that Kale wouldn’t be able to resist temptation and break through the bars to attack me, although we already knew that he couldn’t get out unless the door was opened for him.

Little did Jace know he was worried about the wrong person opening those damned bars. I missed the feel of Kale’s arms around me and his kiss. I was so angry that I couldn’t touch him that sometimes I wanted to risk opening those doors, if only for a second.

“Let’s go?” Jace asked.

“No, I need to wait for Deacon.” I passed Jace and headed towards the living area.

“Why? You just saw him. What do you need to say to him that you couldn’t have said to him down there?” He looked annoyed. He hated coming here, but that was part of the agreement when I said I would leave and stay at the lodge with him.

I rolled my eyes. “None of your business, Jace.” I continued past him to the restroom.

When I was done, I entered the living room where Mia was sitting on the sofa. Deacon was leaning against the bar, smiling into his phone. I smiled. He and his girl were great together, even with the threat of La Luxure.

I stood off to the side, willing him to look at me. When he did, I pointed to the door, silently asking him to meet me outside. He nodded. I put on my coat and headed out the glass door. He followed me.

“I need you to take me to the Council.”

Deacon’s eyes widened, and he shook his head no.

“I need to figure out how Kale and I can stay together, and I only have one solution for this.”

Deacon frowned. “Look, Ella—”

“No, you look. I know you would do whatever it would take to be with Chelle. You would kill, maim and fight, and all I’m asking you to do is help your best friend do the same.”

“Yeah, you are right, but you seem to forget something, here.” Deacon placed his arms across his chest and towered over me. He was intimidatingly massive, but I knew he wouldn’t hurt me. “I am not your best friend. My best friend has already made his request of me, and I’ve followed through. We made this plan before you came back in order to protect you, and I promise you, there is nothing you can say or do to make me go back on my part of the deal.” Deacon’s tone was rough and unyielding, and a part of me broke.

Though I didn’t show it, I could feel my heart tearing in two. Jace couldn’t help me; he’d finally admitted that his “sabbatical” from the Council meant he’d defected. Darke was missing and presumed dead.

Deacon, my last hope, was turning me down.

His lips thinned as he moved closer to me. “Don’t do that.”

My brow furrowed in confusion. “Don’t do what?” Why was my voice nothing but a whisper? I needed to be stronger—I had to be.

“Cry. Please don’t cry.” His voice had softened, but his gaze still didn’t waver.

I touched my cheeks, surprised to find them wet. I sighed and turned away. Deacon didn’t need to see me cry, and though I wanted to use my tears to make him bend to my will, I knew that that wasn’t going to work with him.

“Tell me why you want me to defy Kale and take you to those people.”

“I need—”

Jace came outside. He looked from me then to Deacon, no doubt wondering why I was crying. His expression hardened, and he held his hand out to me. “Let’s go, Ella. Please.”

“Start the car. I will be out after I say goodbye to Kale.” I turned back to the pensive Deacon. Jace stood there for a moment longer before he turned around and headed back into the house.

Deacon stared at me. Not only had I not convinced him to help me, he might actually relay my request to Kale.

“Just think about it, Deacon. If I can get Aleixandre to change me into an immortal, then Kale and I would have forever to figure out how to keep La Luxure at bay.”

Deacon’s gaze held mine and betrayed nothing of his thoughts.

“It’s my only option. I know that he is strong enough to beat this, and I think if he has something to look forward to… well, then maybe he will try harder, fight harder— Hell, I don’t know, but I can’t do this without him, and I can’t do it without you.” I place my arm on his. “Please. Please just think about it.”

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Release Blitz - The Truth About Letting Go by Leigh T. Moore


A companion to The Truth About Faking (not a sequel; the books can be read out of order), The Truth About Letting Go (link) takes readers back to Shadow Falls, or more specifically Shadow Creek, with Ashley Lockett as she learns about real friendship, love, and letting go.
Get me
The Truth About Letting Go (link) by Leigh Talbert Moore Ashley wants to smash everything in her once-perfect life. Charlotte wants to walk in Ashley's seemingly charmed shoes. Colt wants to turn Smalltown USA on its ear--with Ashley at his side. Jordan wants to follow his heart... but Ashley is the one sacrifice he never expected to make. Up until now, Ashley Lockett has always followed the rules. She's always done the right thing, played it safe, and then her ideal life is shattered when her dad dies suddenly. Fueled by anger and grief, she vows to do everything opposite of how she lived before. She rejects safety, the rules, faith, and then she meets Jordan. Jordan has big dreams, he's had a crush on Ashley for years, he's a great kisser... but he's also safe. Enter Colt. He is not safe, and he's more than willing to help Ashley fulfill her vow. Get it today on Amazon * Barnes & Noble * iTunes * Kobo Add it on Goodreads. Excerpt: I feel Colt laugh, and he looks down into my face. That’s when he seems to realize what I’ve been acutely aware of for the last several minutes—our bodies are pressed together. “It’s awesome, yeah?” he says. “Adrenaline rush.” “Yeah,” I breathe. “I guess.” I’m not sure if he’s going to kiss me until he does. His mouth covers mine, and energy mixes with the alcohol flooding my body. Our tongues slide together, and I grip his shirt so I don’t collapse.  Every single bit of this is wrong, and there’s no way I’m stopping it. It’s back, that good feeling. The sadness has been pushed out again, and in its place is this rush, this rush of adrenaline like Colt said.  He pulls back and smiles at me. “We’re going to start dating. Now. You’re my partner in crime.” About the Author:
Moore
Leigh Talbert Moore is a wife and mom by day, a writer by day, a reader by day, a former journalist and editor, a chocoholic, a caffeine addict, a lover of YA and new adult romance (really any great love story), a beach bum, and occasionally she sleeps. -The Truth About Faking is her debut young adult romance (on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, and Kobo) -Rouge is her first New Adult romantic suspense novel (on Amazon). Leigh loves hearing from readers; stop by and say hello! Blog * Facebook * Amazon Author page * Goodreads * Twitter * Tumblr

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

WWW Wednesday (20th February 2012)


WWW Wednesdays is hosted by Should Be Reading.

To join in all you need to do is answer the following three questions:

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

I haven't had as much reading time over the last week due to joining the Michelle Bridges 12WBT and therefore using practically every spare minute to exercise as much as I can rather than reading. Also, my little man is starting to give up on having a sleep during the day which was my little bit of relaxation time on the days I work from home, so unfortunately reading time has been very scarce lately.

Anyway, here is what I have been up to this week:

* What am I currently reading?
At the moment I am reading a nice short story which is The Girl With the Cat Tattoo.
I'm also currently listening to the audio version Full Dark, No Stars which I am loving so far.

* What did I recently finish reading?
Recently I finished reading Zoo and you can find my review for this book here.
I also just finished reading Guilty Pleasures (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, #1) which I will be reviewing shortly.

* What do I think I'll read next?
Next I'll probably start reading Fortress as part of a Goodreads Aussie Author Challenge.

I'd love to know what everyone else has been up to this week!

Michelle

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Review - Zoo by James Patterson

ZooZoo by James Patterson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Paperback, 416 pages
Published August 30th 2012 by Century (first published January 1st 2012)
Source: Own Copy
Challenges: What an Animal Reading Challenge, Genre Variety Challenge, A-Z Title Challenge

Synopsis:
'New York. Mexico. India. California. All around the world, brutal attacks are crippling entire cities. It isn't the work of terrorists, but of animals, and their somehow coordinated assaults are escalating at a terrifying pace.

Jackson Oz, a young biologist, watches the events with an increasing sense of dread. A coordinated lion ambush in Africa demonstrates the enormity of the violence to come. Could it be the beginning of an all-out war on mankind?

With the help of ecologist Chloe Tousignant, Oz races to warn world leaders before it's too late. The attacks are growing in ferocity, and soon there will be no place left for humans to hide.'


My Thoughts:
Well, everyone would know that I was so excited to finally get my hands on this book as I'd been looking forward to reading it from the day I first heard about it being released. But, unfortunately that was where the excitement finally ended.
For some reason this book just didn't end up grabbing me like I thought it would and I actually felt a little flat while reading it.
The storyline itself was fascinating and kind of scary because it's very realistic and makes you keep thinking 'what if this ever really did happen?' so I have to definitely give credit there, but I think the short and crisp writing style which is trademark Patterson just didn't work with a plot that to me could have been made much more complex and built upon so much more to really engage the reader.
I also kept jumping between liking the main character Oz, to thinking he was a very bland and unemotional character. There were some parts where his reaction to the situation just didn't seem to fit and this made the story feel a little disjointed to me every now and then.
There was also a lot of jumping between different narratives in a lot of the chapters and sometimes this left me feeling quite confused until I got a few paragraphs into it and realised that we were now seeing things from a different point of view.
I can't really say much about the ending either as it really wasn't what I was expecting and I still haven't been able to make up my mind as to whether I can accept it or not.
Overall, the theme of this book is very close to home and makes you wonder what humanity is really heading towards the more we invest every aspect of our lives in technology, but the actual storytelling just didn't do it for me unfortunately. I just felt that this book had the potential to do so much more......

Links:
Amazon
The Book Depository

Friday, February 15, 2013

Books I Must Read in 2013

After posting about my ridiculously large sized TBR pile here (which doesn't obviously include all my ebooks as well!!) I decided to make a list of the books I already own that I vow to read before the end of 2013.

Here is my list:


Fallen (Fallen, #1) Lisey's Story The Carrie Diaries (The Carrie Diaries, #1) Bloodlines (Bloodlines, #1) The Raven Boys (Raven Cycle, #1) Fifty Shades Freed (Fifty Shades, #3) Seriously...I'm Kidding Life of Pi

1) Fallen by Lauren Kate
2) Lisey's Story by Stephen King
3) The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell
4) Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
5) The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
6) Fifty Shades Freed by E.L. James
7) Seriously, I'm Kidding by Ellen Degeneres
8) Life of Pi by Yann Martel

These are all books that I remember getting so excited about when they came out or when I first discovered them and then they promptly got lost in my ever growing TBR pile to never see the light of day again.

Well, not anymore! I'm going to try very, very hard to include at least one of these in my reading pile every month until I get them all done.

Has anyone else made a bit of a 'must-do' reading list or am I the only hopeful one?

Michelle

Sunday, February 10, 2013

February Kindle Fire HD Giveaway!





Kindle Fire HD Giveaway!




The winner will have the option of receiving a Kindle Fire HD (US Only)


Or $199 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)


Or $199 in Paypal Cash (International)




This giveaway is sponsored by these Authors:


The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachael Anderson







Giveaway Details
1 winner will receive their choice of a Kindle Fire HD (US Only), $199 Amazon Gift Card or $199 in Paypal Cash (Internaitonal).
Ends 2/28/13

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 authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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