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Jun 30, 2012

Pages From My Thoughts: Exclusive Interview with Jennifer Bosworth (Struck) Plus Giveaway!

June 30, 2012 0 Comments

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Hi my lovely readers! Soumi from Pages From My Thoughts Blog got an EXCLUSIVE interview from Ms. Jennifer Bosworth, the author of highly acclaimed YA fiction entitled STRUCK!

To know more about the exclusive interview and the BIG Giveaway just click the link:







Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); 1 edition (May 8, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0374372837
ISBN-13: 978-0374372835

BOOK BLURB:
Mia Price is a lightning addict. She’s survived countless strikes, but her craving to connect to the energy in storms endangers her life and the lives of those around her.


Los Angeles, where lightning rarely strikes, is one of the few places Mia feels safe from her addiction. But when an earthquake devastates the city, her haven is transformed into a minefield of chaos and danger. The beaches become massive tent cities. Downtown is a crumbling wasteland, where a traveling party moves to a different empty building each night, the revelers drawn to the destruction by a force they cannot deny. Two warring cults rise to power, and both see Mia as the key to their opposing doomsday prophecies. They believe she has a connection to the freak electrical storm that caused the quake, and to the far more devastating storm that is yet to come.


Mia wants to trust the enigmatic and alluring Jeremy when he promises to protect her, but she fears he isn’t who he claims to be. In the end, the passion and power that brought them together could be their downfall. When the final disaster strikes, Mia must risk unleashing the full horror of her strength to save the people she loves, or lose everything.
Buy Here:


Jun 26, 2012

Blog Tour: Promo Spot: Watchers Trilogy by Karice Bolton (Free on Amazon)

June 26, 2012 0 Comments

Title: Awakening (The Watchers Trilogy Book 1)
Print Length: 322 pages
ISBN: 0615535186
Publisher: Bulldog Press (September 29, 2011)
Language: English
ASIN: B005R5GX9A

Book Blurb:


Alone in snowy, remote Whistler village, Ana tries to build a new life since losing her parents. With a cozy condo, a sweet-faced bulldog and an evening job to leave the days free for the slopes, life slips into a great routine. If only she could shake the guilt for not remembering anything about her parents and banish the night terrors that haunt her every dream.
On a whim, Ana goes out with Athen, a guy she’s just met in the Grizzly Pub... The only problem is that she feels like she already knows him.


Within 48 hours of meeting Athen and his family, Ana’s world implodes. She falls for Athen quickly and before she knows it, a past life begins to resurface. As thrilling as the revelations appear at first, she fights against the chilling information that Athen is from the underworld. Soon she begins to struggle as her own supernatural gifts are slowly unveiled, and she realizes that the nightmares she’s been having might be premonitions and not dreams at all.


 It is up to Ana to decipher between fact and fiction before it is too late, and her new love, Athen, follows in her same fate - one that is lost between two worlds.


Note: My review for Awakening will be posted within this week. So watch out for it! 


Download This Book For Free On:



Title: Legions (The Watchers Trilogy Book 2)

Print Length: 307 pages
ISBN: 0615579930
Publisher: Bulldog Press (December 4, 2011)
Language: English
ASIN: B006IEYSF0

Book Blurb:


As the magical holiday season is disrupted with an afternoon of horror, it becomes apparent that the Legions have begun their uprising around the globe, and Ana does her best to stay strong even though her world has been shattered. It is up to Ana to find the strength within and not fall prey to the dark side as she begins her chase to reclaim what’s rightfully hers. 


Realizing that Ana’s visions alone are not enough to protect them, her family begins her training immediately before she is targeted once more. The Legions will not quit until they get what they want, and they have made it clear that mortals will not be spared, leaving Ana little time to figure out what it is the demons are after.


As Ana balances her time between chasing after her destiny and spending her time relearning how to fight demons, she learns something about her past that could change why she’s fighting for anything at all. Clues continue to unfold in the form of yellowed letters she finds from Athen buried within an old Tudor home; and her future is signaled in a lone, white rose left for only her to see giving her the strength to persevere. She is determined to not give up faith that she will have it all once more.


Buy This Book On:



Title: Cataclysm (The Watchers Trilogy Book 3)

Print Length: 312 pages
ISBN: 0615625444
Publisher: Bulldog Press (March 28, 2012)
Language: English
ASIN: B007PPZNGO

Book Blurb:



When it becomes obvious that the dark side will stop at nothing to control the mortal world, Ana is faced with a decision that could determine the fate of Fallen Angels everywhere. 


Determined to not use mortals as pawns, Ana does her best to prepare for the battles ahead while protecting the innocent souls around the world. 


As danger looms at every turn, she realizes that the ones she thought were prey might actually be the predators, and it will take an army like never before to stop the wickedness from spreading throughout the world.


Buy This Book On:


About the Author:
Karice Bolton is a paranormal romance/urban fantasy author living in the Pacific Northwest. All three books in The Watchers Trilogy are available now, Awakening, Legions, and Cataclysm. Lonely Souls, which is the first book in her new series Witch Avenue, will be released in June 2012!

The Watchers Trilogy
Awakening (Book 1)
Legions (Book 2)
Cataclysm(Book 3)
2 Watchers Novellas will be released in 2013

The Witch Avenue Series
Lonely Souls (Book 1) June 2012

Karice married the love of her life who she met in high school, and she still can't get over how cute and funny he is. They have two English Bulldogs that are the cutest bullies in the world, and they use their cuteness to get what they want. Karice loves the snow and gravitates towards the stuff as often as possible! She enjoys skiing and tries really hard to snowboard, but often makes a nice little area to sit while everyone zips by on their board. She enjoys writing, and she also loves to read just about anything with print.

Karice would love if you stopped by her blog or FB page to find out the latest news on giveaways and upcoming releases, or you can just send her an email. She loves hearing from her readers and responds as soon as she can.


Jun 20, 2012

Author Guest Post: Michelle Beattie (Heart of Mine)

June 20, 2012 6 Comments


Hi my lovely readers! I trust that you're all doing fine. Today we have a very special guest. We have Ms. Michelle Beattie, the author of Heart of Mine (Bandit Creek), to share her thoughts to us. This would make us know more about her and her characters in her book, Heart of Mine (Bandit Creek). I won't make this any longer, please read on to Ms. Michelle Beattie's guest post..


Author Guest Post:


Who doesn't like a Cinderella story?  That idea that a person down on their luck, who has the worst parts of life constantly being thrown at them can find the happiness they deserve?  I love this concept and while I realize that it isn't a universal truth, that there are millions of people who only ever see the worst life has to offer, the romantic in me likes giving my characters the happiness they've struggled to achieve.


And so, take out the palace, princes and fairy godmothers and throw a flawed couple into the American West and you have a western, historical Cinderella story.


Jake is rich and bitter, tired of being used for his wealth.  Laura has loved Jake her whole life but he doesn't see her.  So when her father forces her into trapping Jake, she sees it not only as a chance to break free of her controlling father, but a chance to make Jake happy.  Obviously Jake doesn't see it that way, but Laura is determined to show him she isn't after his money, only his love.


What appeals to me, more than the downtrodden get a chance at happiness is the one truth I've always believed; money can't buy happiness.


It can't buy you the cure for cancer; it can't bring back a loved one.  It can't make people love you.  It can't help you love yourself.


And so, while it's always fun to play the "what would you buy if you had all the money in the world?" game, I thought I'd take this post down a more serious path.


If you had all the money you ever wanted but could trade it for ONE thing.  What would that be?

Interesting thoughts from Ms. Michelle Beattie. I guess, if I have all the money in the world I would trade it for simple happiness. I think that's the only treasure I would want to keep.

Thank you Ms. Michelle Beattie for this very interesting guest post. I enjoyed reading it.

I have read Ms. Michelle Beattie's "Heart of Mine" and I must say that I really enjoyed it. I will post the full review in the coming days.  But for now, I'm leaving you with this...


Heart of MineTitle: Heart of Mine(Bandit Creek)
Author: Michelle Beattie
Print Length: 94 pages
Publisher: Michelle Beattie (April 12, 2012)
Book Blurb:

To avoid a forced marriage, Laura Gibbs has little choice but to go along with her controlling father’s plan to deceive the man she’s secretly loved for years. Scared and alone, she lies next to a drugged and sleeping Jake knowing fully well the position she’s putting him in. Jake Evans has been burned in the past and has learned the hard way that nobody is interested in him, only his money. So when he wakes to find Laura in his bed, he’s convinced that she’s yet another in a long line of women who only wants his share of his recently inherited gold mine. A fact soon confirmed when her father storms in the room and demands Jake make an honest woman out of Laura, lest he be charged with rape and hanged. A bitter Jake agrees, but vows that money-grubbing Hugh will never see a cent of his money. As Laura gains freedom from her oppressing father, she also gains courage. Determined to make a real marriage with Jake, she refuses her father’s demand that she steal from her husband and instead concentrates her efforts on showing Jake the woman she truly is. Despite Laura’s deceptions, Jake can’t deny his attraction to her. With the physical attraction sizzling between them, Jake begins to believe he’s finally found the woman for him. But there’s trouble brewing. Hugh, neck-deep in gambling debts with no money in sight, seeks drastic measures that won’t only risk Laura and Jake’s marriage; it’ll risk her very life.

Where to Buy: 




About the Author:


Award-winning author Michelle Beattie has been writing since 1995. She sold her first book, What a Pirate Desires, in 2007.

She continues to write her pirate series as well as historical westerns and contemporary novels.

When she's not writing she enjoys reading, playing golf, spending time with family and friends and enjoying the outdoors.

Jun 18, 2012

Guest Post and Book Excerpt Plus a FREEBIE for everyone from Denise Verrico (Immortyl Revolution Series)

June 18, 2012 5 Comments


Hi my lovely readers! Welcome to Journey with Books Blog! Today, we have a special guest! We have Ms. Denise Verrico, the author of the Immortyl Revolution Series. Now, we're going to learn more about her work! Plus there's an excerpt for you guys! Also there's a freebie from Ms. Denise Verrico, so read on my lovely readers because you're gonna like it!


Author Guest Post:
Mia’s NYC

Thanks for having me here today! I’d like to offer every commenter who leaves a contact email a link and a free coupon code for my ebook of short stories, Annals of the Immortyls!

Today, I decided to let my heroine, Mia Disantini, take over. My books are largely set in Manhattan, with the exception of My Fearful Symmetry, book three, which is set in India. NYC is the ultimate setting for urban fantasy. I’ve lived in and around the city for many years. The spots Mia mentions are all found somewhere in my books. If you’d like a visual, I’ve included links from my Pinterest page where you can see some photos of these spots.



Mia’s Favorite Spots in New York City


1. Central Park- The park has a lot of great things to see. The Central Park Zoo is a charming place to visit. I also love the view from Belvedere Castle. Bethesda Fountain is another beautiful spot I like to haunt after dark.
 

2. Gramercy Park- I used to live on Gramercy. The park is only accessible to residents who have a key, but it’s a charming old neighborhood to walk around and photograph.

3.The Empire State Building almost goes without saying, but I recommend the view on a clear night. It’s truly breathtaking.


4. Battery Park - On the Southern tip of Manhattan, you can look out over the harbor and see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. You can buy tickets here to visit these sites. Ellis Island is a moving tribute to the immigrant experience.
 

5. Times Square - Yes, it is the center of the universe. If you like theatre, you can purchase your discounted tickets at TKTS. There is a statue of George M. Cohan too.
 

6. The American Museum of Natural History - You’ll want to reserve several hours to see everything. My wards always loved the dinosaur and marine halls best. 

7. The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Again, take your time, there is so much to see. My favorite spots: The sculpture court and the Temple of Dendur.

8.
Greenwich Village- Many interesting shops and buildings on the side streets—but take a map, every street seems to be named Bleecker or Waverly.

9.
Chinatown/Little Italy- Some great ethnic restaurants, but try to go on a weekday. On the weekends, you can barely walk down the sidewalks because of the crowds. Also, try to go to a dim sum restaurant. These little dishes of dumplings and other tidbits are amazing. You’re also close to other interesting neighborhoods you may want to visit, Soho, Tribeca and the Lower Eastside.
 

10. Upper Eastside - If you have expensive tastes, like a certain boy I know, you won’t want to miss all the upscale retailers and chic salons in this area. Cedric is known by name in these establishments. Of course, this is the neighborhood where my master, Ethan, threw me out into the snow to fend for myself. No good memories for me here.

11.
The World Trade Center Site- The newly completed memorial inhabits the footprint where the twin towers once stood, a place for meditation and paying respect to those who perished on that awful day.


There are a lot of neat spots in the city I haven’t yet mentioned. I’d also recommend the cloisters, the Bronx Zoo, the USS Intrepid, The Museum of Modern Art, The Guggenheim Museum and so many more. New York is and will always be, in my opinion, the greatest city in the world. Maybe I’m prejudiced, but I love my Big Apple.


Here are some more informations on the Immortyl Revolution Series:

Trailer: http://youtu.be/OSGZ1yXXkSY

Denise’s website: http://www.deniseverricowriter.webs.com

Blog: http://www.ImmortylRevolution.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/deniseverrico

Facebook fan page: http://on.fb.me/pwZB5L

Follow Cedric on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/ozVCZq

Cedric on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/cedricmackinnon




Current Release: Servant of the Goddess
Format: Print and multi format ebook




Book Blurb:

Can an Immortyl society survive in a modern world?

From the ashes of the first battle of the Immortyl Revolution, vampires Mia Disantini and Kurt Eisen set out to build a new Immortyl society. Trouble arrives in the person of Cedric MacKinnon, a runaway adept of the ancient arts, who brings tidings of upheaval at the chief elder’s court that threatens everything Mia and Kurt have accomplished. Mia finds it hard to resist when Cedric pledges his service and tempts her with the legendary skills he learned as an Immortyl courtesan. Facing opposition from both within and out, Mia begins to doubt Kurt is up to the task of leading their followers to his vision of an Immortyl Utopia. Torn between her loyalty to Kurt and Cedric’s insistence that she is the earthly manifestation of the Goddess Durga and destined to lead, Mia confronts the greatest challenge of her life.


Links to buy:

Amazon:

Amazon Page: http://amzn.to/K3NhVS

Servant of the Goddess Trade PB: http://amzn.to/K8uwPb

Servant of the Goddess Kindle: http://amzn.to/J0R2Id

Barnes and Noble: Servant of the Goddess Trade PB and Nook: http://bit.ly/IIz7ru

Omnilit: http://www.omnilit.com/product-servantofthegoddess-786819-139.html

All Romance: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-servantofthegoddess-786819-139.html




Book Excerpt:

Sudden shouts battled against the sound of the wind. I peered down the block. Teen-formed Immortyls, sewer rats, closed a circle around a tall male, who held his hands high above his head. From the direction of the wind, I couldn’t yet ascertain this stranger as mortal or Immortyl. Best to investigate. I ran toward the disturbance, wrapping my fingers around the Glock strapped to my hip.

A shrill whistle split the air. Two of the sewer rats lunged for the stranger. He crouched and pirouetted on one leg, letting loose a rapid succession of kicks that knocked his attackers sprawling onto the sidewalk. A rat named Tommy growled and launched himself at the stranger. To my amazement, the stranger leapt high into the air and hovered there for a moment like a falcon before lashing out with both feet. Tommy’s head snapped backward, and he flattened against the pavement. The remaining rats hung back.

The slender figure of a boy maybe eighteen or nineteen touched down and crouched again, poised to strike. No mortal could perform such maneuvers with this speed and agility, not to mention almost ballet-like grace. The Immortyl’s face betrayed raw emotion, indicating he was new to the blood, probably not much older than his form suggested. Eamon, the rat pack leader, drew and aimed a pistol at him. The stranger raised his hands above his head once more.

I gave a sharp whistle for Eamon to stand down. “What’s going on here?”

Eamon lowered the gun and spit on the ground. His forever-twelve-year-old face scrunched up. “We found this one skulking about,” he said. Even after a century and half in New York his speech still gave away his Dublin origins. “Says he’s come from the chief elder’s house.”

The wind kicked up harder. Long, auburn hair whipped about the newcomer’s face. He shivered, hugging an Indian-styled shirt around him. Traces of black kohl and sienna rouge clung to his eyes and mouth, as if he’d scrubbed the paint off in a hurry. The make-up and impractical clothing pointed to origins more exotic than the russet hair and milky complexion suggested. His story sounded plausible. However, the odds that this kid had escaped the chief elder’s compound near Calcutta and made it all the way to New York on his own were unlikely. No slave had ever left there of his own accord.

Kurt had stood trial at the chief elder’s court for inciting rebellion. He’d told me that the chief, Kalidasa, employed state-of-the-art security, as well as vampire-eating tigers. The place was a veritable fortress. Still, there was always a first time, and this newcomer had held his own against Eamon’s band.

I had to admire the kid for standing up to Eamon and his thugs.

The pack leader and I didn’t care much for one another, but he’d fought for Kurt in our recent war with a rival elder. For political reasons, I forced myself to take a civil tone with him. “Did you bother to ask his business before you ordered an attack?” I called to the newcomer, “You--come here.”

The boy lowered his hands and slinked forward. I’d never seen a man move quite like this, with delicacy just brushing the feminine, yet suggesting coiled up, sinewy strength like a jungle cat. Instinct prompted my hand to reach for the Glock concealed on my hip. The kid had danger scrawled all over him in big garish letters.

“Is this true?” I asked.

“I ran away from court,” the boy replied, his speech tinged with a Scottish burr. “I’m seeking refuge here.”

The plaintive tone struck a chord in me. I sized him up again. His winsome looks didn’t belong to the usual brand of vampire assassin, but to a household slave chosen for his decorative value. Still, his swift feet could kill if given the chance. Wouldn’t it be just like Giulietta to send death in such an appealing guise?

“Kurt’s counselor, Chase Powers, can vouch for me,” he continued. “Take me to him.”

“You know Chase?”

“We met in India during Kurt’s trial. He said I’d be welcome here. Please Miss. You have to believe me. I’ve come such a long way and got nowhere else to go.” Desperation filled the spooky, green eyes. They almost glowed, more like a cat’s than a man’s. “There’s probably a bounty offered for my return by now.”

“What did you do?”

“It’s not what I did. It’s what I am.” He held out his hands. Henna tattoos snaked around the wrists and tops, elaborate whirls and spirals. “The marks of my order. I’m an adept of the ancient arts.”

He was an adept? I’d always imagined these temple devotees and de facto courtesans as Indian in origin. I gave the boy a closer look. His clothing had seen better days, but the sinuous way he moved made them a fashion statement. You couldn’t deny the perfection of feature and figure required of his order. He stood out from Eamon’s mangy lot like an emerald in a box of Cracker Jacks.



Freebie Alert:

Ms. Denise Verrico was so generous because she's giving a copy of her book to every commenter on this post who leaves their email address on the comment section below.
This is the book you're going to get for free!

So, what are you guys waiting for? Hit the comment section now, leave a comment and don't forget to thank Ms. Denise Verrico!



Jun 14, 2012

Book Review: Dark Kiss (Nightwatchers Book 1) by Michelle Rowen

June 14, 2012 0 Comments
Author: Michelle Rowen
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Date Published: June 1, 2012
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373210477
ISBN-13: 978-0373210473


Book Blurb:


I don't do dangerous.  Smart, über-careful, ordinary Samantha-that's me. But I just couldn't pass up a surprise kiss from my number-one unattainable crush. A kiss that did something to me...something strange. Now I feel hungry all the time, but not for food. It's like part of me is missing-and I don't know if I can get it back. 


Then there's Bishop. At first I thought he was just a street kid, but the secrets he's keeping are as intense as his unearthly blue eyes. If he's what I think he is, he may be the only one who can help me. But something terrifying is closing in, and the one chance Bishop and I have to stop it means losing everything I ever wanted and embracing the darkness inside me.... 



My Thoughts:

Note: The copy used for this review was from the Netgalley with the permission of the publisher.


Dark Kiss is the first book of Nightwatchers Series by Ms. Michelle Rowen. I must say that this is a nice way to start a book series. it's full of intrigue, mystery and romance.


Dark Kiss is about a teenage girl, Samantha who lost her soul because of a kiss. It's supposed to be good when you're long time crush who didn't know you ever existed suddenly noticed you and kissed you. Well, the kiss was fabulous and great except because of it Samantha lost her soul and now she's always hungry and she's craving to kiss someone else's soul away.


The only one who could get her soul back is Bishop! The angel sent on a mission but he's slowly loosing his mind except when Samantha touches him, his sanity returns. (Yup! Go figure it out!)


Everything is changing and starting to get strange. It's up to Samantha and the angels and demons team to stop the foreboding catastrophe from happening.


I loved this book! The plot is great. It was awesome and a little bit different. Angels and demons on the same team is really nice and fun! I liked how the mystery of  the whole plot was maintained throughout the book. 


The characters were also great. They all complimented each other. I liked how the author made them work to be a team. Although, I couldn't really say that they are all ok now but it's a nice way to start a series. It makes me want to read more just to see how the team of angels and demons would progress more in the next book.


Samantha and Bishop's relationship was nice. I liked how it progressed from distrust into being something more. Their romance was nice to read. Their interactions are fun!


I also liked Kraven. He's quite a jerk but you know he's deeper than that. I really really want to know what happened between Kraven and Bishop before, when they were still humans. As I said the mystery and intrigue are a big part of why this book is so good.


Overall, I think this book is a really nice way to start a series. The whole book was cloaked with the air of mystery and intrigue. The romance part is there too and it is nice and fun, though sometimes frustrating. If you're looking for all of these ingredients in your next read, then you should probably give this book a try!


Where to Buy


Paperback Edition:

Kindle Edition:

About the Author:
Image of Michelle RowenMichelle Rowen writes paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and young adult fantasy. She has been on the Waldenbooks/Borders Group romance bestseller list and was the winner of the 2007 Holt Medallion for Best First Book and the 2009 Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award for Best Vampire Romance.

Please visit www.michellerowen.com to learn more about Michelle and her books.

Jun 13, 2012

Blog Tour: Author Interview: Linn B. Halton (The Quintessential Gemini)

June 13, 2012 20 Comments




Welcome to Journey with Books! Today is a very special day because we have Ms. Linn B. Halton, the author of The Quintessential Gemini here on my blog for an interview! This post is supposed to be posted last June 10 but I totally missed an email.. tsk..! I sincerely apologized to Ms. Linn B. Halton for the lateness of this post.


Anyways, I know you've all waited long enough so I'll stop all these ramblings! Let's all see what we could find about Ms. Linn B. Halton!


Author Interview:
  • Tell us something about yourself. Something that would make your name stay with us.

I’ve always been a firm believer in fate and astrology. However, believing in life after death is something entirely different. It wasn’t really until 2009, following the death of my mother than I had an epiphany. Literally. I’ve always had ‘experiences’, partly because I’ve lived in a lot of very different houses, some over 250 years old. For most of my life I acknowledged each incident that happened to me then looked for ways of explaining it away. If I couldn’t, then I conveniently filed it away. I never dismissed anything out of hand, because each time it was something unique. I was happy to be a sceptic because ‘coming out’ is the hard part. As a sceptic you have nothing to explain away; as a believer you have no real proof. My husband wouldn’t even talk about it, so I rarely mentioned anything that happened. Then we moved into some converted stables and as soon as I walked inside I knew the old lady was still there with us, watching what we were doing. A short time later my husband had his first experience. It was a while before he started talking about it, but by then he was regularly seeing orbs and we were both feeling the very real dip in the bed when she sat at our feet at night. Even then, it took a couple of years’ until we had moved into another house and began having separate, then joint experiences. The problem with an experience when two people witness or feel it, is that you can’t continue to ignore it or put it down to an over-active imagination. Since that time so much has happened that has been positive and reaffirming, suffice to say we now both believe in life after death. We’ve had enough proof and validation from loved ones to know when they are with us.

  • What made you decide to write a book?

My psychic experiences began when I was very young and I have always had a very acute intuition when something is wrong. I gave up my full-time career because I had this building sense of anxiety that my mother wasn’t going to be with us for very long. I had nothing on which to base that feeling and it was a drastic thing for me to walk away from a job I loved. Within three months she died unexpectedly from leukaemia. I was home alone whilst sorting out her affairs and I found myself sitting down and writing that book I always knew I would. I didn’t think I would have the time until I was retired and I certainly didn’t think I would end up writing full-time instead of being in employment. Since the age of eleven I’ve maintained a journal where I write ideas for stories, although while raising my family and then building my working career there was no time to write develop them. I did however write quite a few poems. It’s hard to stop the ideas flowing, but I sensed that one day the time would be right for me to take ‘me time’ and write. I also knew it would then take over my life and it has!

  • What is your first ever read? The one that made you fall in love with books?

Well, it has to be The Angelique series by Sergeanne Golon (pen name for Anne Golon). I was much too young to be reading those books and I believe the library assumed I was borrowing them for my mother. I loved the sense of period, history, danger and romance. I also fell in love with The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins and re-read it so many times as a young teen. Both of these authors made me want to create my own world of characters, it’s pure escapism isn’t it?


  • What is the hardest part of being an author?

If writing was simply about sitting down and being alone in the study with the characters in your head, life would be a dream. However, I’d probably become a hermit and life would pass me by (laugh) so I realise it’s ‘be careful what you wish for, it might just come true!’ So, all of the other things that go along with the job - like editing, promoting etc are an essential part of the process. Sometimes though you simply have to write and then the other things become distractions when you really want to be at the keyboard working on a new project.

  • What are the perks of being an author?

Without a doubt the amazing people you meet on your writing journey. Fellow authors, who are generous in sharing their knowledge, offering help and support. Wonderful book reviewers whose lives revolve around reading new books and spreading the word, the level of professionalism is astounding. Many have very busy lives outside of their reviewing and I applaud them. Also the thrill of receiving a new review, each one is precious. You get to see another person’s perspective of your work and whilst not everyone is going to think what you have written is wonderful, it allows you to take on board comments and continue to improve. I’ve also had some wonderful Emails from fans – and for a new author that is the highest compliment anyone can ever pay you. To touch someone with something you have written to the extent that they contact you personally, is amazing.

  • Where did you get the inspiration to give life to your characters?

The Quintessential Gemini was written as a fun, romantic read. I’m a Gemini myself and I know how complicated we are, and how complicated we tend to make our lives! I’ve read my daily horoscopes for over twenty five years and nowadays mine arrives on my Blackberry every night, so I check it before I go to sleep. I like to know what the next day is likely to bring. One night the thought hit me ‘what if someone really did lead their life according to their daily horoscope and what if something went wrong ….’
From there the story evolved quite naturally. I love writing about the way people interact and I usually write from the perspective of several of the characters. I find it interesting glimpsing the different viewpoints. I try very hard to make each character believable, to show the flaws and insecurities, the baggage from the past that often weighs us down. But I also live as an eternal optimist and whilst life can be hard at times, eventually the sun will come out! For me life has one purpose and that is the pursuit of true love. If you are in love with the person you are with, then no matter what happens to you in life you know you can face it. Romance doesn’t dull as a relationship develops, it becomes a much deeper and more meaningful thing.
Fun Questions:

  • When the word "Hunk" is uttered, who is the first person wthat comes in to your mind?
Daniel Craig, that moment when he walked out of the water in Casino Royale is imprinted on my mind forever.

  • Who is that one "HOT" celebrity you would want to marry? (If you're not married)
Well, assuming I was hot too – someone like Kristen Stewart, then I would go for someone who seemed sensitive and soulful. It would have to be Zac Efron, he’s amazing.

  • If you're going to heaven, who is that ONE person you'd want to be with?
Well, my husband is glued to my side and is going to follow me wherever I go, but if he wasn’t around it would be Robert Pattison, I’d never tire of looking at him!

  • If you're going to hell, who is that ONE person that you would drag with you?
Jason Statham – he’d be able to fight his way out of anything and be the perfect protector! Actually, I’d probably choose him for all of the above categories, but I figured that would be a little predictable.
Thank you for some fabulous questions and for being a part of the tour!

-Linn

And there you have it! Thank you so much to Ms. Linn B. Halton for this precious opportunity to get to know you! I am so happy and honored that you were game in answering all these questions. I am so happy to know that we both love Kristen Stewart! Yes! LOL! 


I hope the readers can get a glimpse of who you really are through this interview. And I also want to apologize for being late! I really you could forgive me. I didn't intend to miss this blog tour.



Paperback: 306 pages

Publisher: Sapphire Star Publishing LLC 
Publication Date: June 7, 2012

Language: English
ISBN-10: 1938404092
ISBN-13: 978-1938404092

Book Blurb:

For twenty-one years, the focus of Katherine Dale’s life has been her work. Love interests and hobbies came and went, but what has always been there for her was her nine to five habit. Until she’s replaced. With her confidence dented, Katherine is angry at life and at herself. 

She’s ignored hints of “changes to come” in her horoscope forecasts, written by the wonderful and renowned astrologer, Mark Ainsley-Thomas. 

Mark is now an “A” list celebrity in the UK and his new Agent is determined to raise his profile in America, so he has to take on the new, but talented, astrologer James Kingman to help him run his web-site.

Katherine lives her life according to her daily horoscope. When Katherine finds James has been writing her daily horoscopes rather than Mark, Katherine’s life explodes in confusion and, unexpectedly, love as the three lives become inextricably tangled. 

Now Katherine has to learn that the stars might be telling her that love is going to feature in her life, but when Katherine finds herself implicated in the headlines ‘Mystic Love Triangle Surprise’ she’s just as surprised as everyone else! None of the men in her life are love interests – so what exactly does fate have in store?

Note: My review for this book will be posted within this week. So watch out for it!

Buy the Book Here:


Paperback Edition:

Kindle Edition:

About the Author:
Author Picture
Linn B Halton lives in the UK, in the small Gloucestershire village of Arlingham, on the banks of the River Severn with her adorable husband and cat with attitude – Mr Tiggs! She writes romantic fiction with a psychic or astrological theme and many of the paranormal events that feature in her books are real life experiences.


Linn is also a featured new Author on loveahappyending.com and Editor of the feature ‘Author & Associate Catch-Ups’ including ‘Reader/Author Team Reports’ on the website’s magazine-style blog.





Jun 12, 2012

ARC Book Review: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

June 12, 2012 0 Comments
Author: Katie McGarry
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Expected Publication Date: July 31, 2012
Language: English
Pages: 416
ISBN-10: 0373210493
ISBN-13: 978-0373210497


Book Blurb:

So wrong for each other...and yet so right.


No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal. 


But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.  Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. 


And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.


My Thoughts:


Note: The copy used for this review was from the Netgalley with the permission of the publisher.

Pushing the Limits is the first work of Ms. Katie McGarry I've ever read and I can honestly say that this book totally owned  me! It took me on a ride on total roller coaster of emotions. 

The characters are so real and alive that I couldn't help but fall in love with them. Echo is a girl who was shattered and broken by an event in her life that she couldn't even remember. She used to be one of the most popular girl on school but something happened that left her scarred, broken and simply just a hollow shell of her former self. 

Meanwhile, Noah Hutchins, is a guy who was known as the bad boy in school. The stoner. The guy who only uses girls for a night. He was destroyed by the system that was supposed to protect him. He is a jaded young man who only lived for the day he could get his brothers back.

These two people who are so different on the outside and yet the same on the inside, were thrown together by the circumstances they find themselves in. At first, they couldn't stand each other but when  secrets are finally shared, they realized that the only person who could understand the pain that each of them go through is each other.

I really do love the way the romance was written in this book. The romance wasn't rushed. Echo and Noah didn't magically got together because of a silly attraction. It was a process. It was like one wall broken down after another with every interaction and realization from them. It was fascinating to read. It was heart felt and very real and believable. 

The plot is so real. The way Ms. Katie McGarry wrote this book is so good. Every emotion that the author wants to convey was felt through every word that shoots to the heart of the reader. I love the pace that the author took for this book. It wasn't an easy journey for Echo and Noah but I can say that it was so worth it.

I also love how the author didn't forget to add some wit and fun in this book. This book have a very edgy and deep plot but adding some fun to it is really good. The fun and sexy banters between Echo and Noah is really good to read. I also appreciate how the author gave importance to the other characters. They weren't just there to be a display. They were there to help build the characters of Noah and Echo. Through these characters, a reader would see their relationships to others and in turn that gives more credibility to the relationship Noah and Echo have.

Overall, I love this book! It was a perfect read to me! There is nothing that I didn't like or love at all. I enjoyed the roller coaster ride of emotions. It was definitely one of my best reads! If you want to read a book with a deep plot that has an edge of reality, a romance that could make you burn with emotions and characters that you could relate to, that you couldn't help but fall in love with them, then I strongly suggest that you get this book when it comes out on July 31 because this book is definitely for you!

I don't know if there are enough words to describe how great this book is or how much it affected me as a reader but I think telling you guys that I cried real tears for this book might be enough.

Pre-Order this book at:

Hardcover Edition

Kindle Edition


About the Author:
Katie McGarry

KATIE MCGARRY was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings, and reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan.


Katie would love to hear from her readers. Contact her via her website, katielmcgarry.com, follow her on Twitter @KatieMcGarry, or become a fan on Facebook and Goodreads.

Jun 8, 2012

Book Review: The Green by Karly Kirkpatrick

June 08, 2012 0 Comments


File Size: 319 KB
Print Length: 169 pages
Publisher: DarkSide Publishing (January 15, 2012)
Language: English


Book Blurb:

How far would you go to save your dream?


Seventeen-year-old Ariceli Pisa is a senior at the prestigious Cambridge High School and has her sights set on Northwestern University. She's a cheerleader, a member of the National Honor Society...and a drug dealer. That's not the only secret she has to keep from her best friend Naomi--she’s also madly in love with Naomi’s ex-boyfriend, James Bartlett. Trying to balance her life at Cambridge High with her new demanding job keeps her teetering on the edge of disaster. 


Warning:
The Green is a full novel at 53,000 words. It contains strong language and drug references and is advised for ages 14 and up.


My Thoughts:

The Green is the first novel from Ms. Karly Kirkpatrick I've ever read and I'm really surprised that I enjoyed it. 

The Green is about a teenager who was forced to make difficult choices in her young life to be able to make money for herself and her mother. At first, I didn't get Ariceli. She was the kind of heroine that's hard to like. She's not really nice. She's not perfect. She's ambitious and driven. I wouldn't call her bad either. I think I would like to call her as a teenager, a young girl who had a tough life and became tough because of how she's lived her life. Sometimes, she's selfish but as the story goes along, she grew on me. I don't particularly agree on her choices but as the story goes, I've learned to understand her and like her. 

The plot of the story is quite intriguing and at times intense. I liked how Ms. Karly Kirkpatrick tried to show through her book, how our young people are forced to do things because of the circumstances they find themselves in. 

I also liked the other characters of the book. They're quite interesting to get to know. 

The romance part of the book is also nice. Although, I wouldn't say that it's the main part of the book. It is nice and heartwarming. 

The only part where I had complaints is the way this book ended. I wished this book had an ending where everything is wrapped up tight and nicely. Don't get me wrong, it has a nice ending, there are just a few issues left open but other than that it's all ok.

Overall, I liked this book! It's nice to read a book where serious issues are discussed out in the open. I love the courage of this book to stay on reality. If you want to read a book that contains asweet romance with a lot of edgy reality, then I suggest you pick this book up because this is definitely what you're looking for.

Where to Buy:


About the Author:

Karly Kirkpatrick
I am a YA writer, avid reader, high school German and French teacher, and mother of a toddler. I live in Elgin, Illinois with my husband, daughter, and two stinky Shih Tzus. 

I also run DarkSide Publishing, specializing in publishing fantastic ebooks! We have some great titles available, including Anathema, a YA fantasy by Megg Jensen, The Soulkeepers by G.P. Ching, Dream Smashers by Angela Carlie, and Bloody Little Secrets, The Green, and Into the Shadows by me! Be sure to add them to your to-read list and check out www.darksidepublishing.com for more info.

Jun 5, 2012

Blog Tour: Guest Post by Naya Nikki (Familiar Ties)

June 05, 2012 0 Comments



Hi my loves! I'm back with another blog tour! Today, we have Naya Nikki, the author of Familiar Ties. She would be discussing her thoughts on her inspiration in giving life to a character. I'm not going to bore you with my nonsense words so just read on to know more about Naya Nikki's thoughts.




Guest Post

Giving life to a character is hard, for ‘Familiar Ties’ I picked on various features of people I know and my favourite TV show characters to breathe life into them. I needed to make sure people can relate to them, or knew someone like them. Characters need to have an effect on someone, whether it is a good thing or bad thing you want them to be remembered and have someone say ‘OMG I hate Jack for doing that’ or ‘I’m so happy Cassidy did that’. You want people to emote with your characters otherwise there is no point in writing them if they are going to be 2D and static because without great characters you won’t have a great book.

Thanks to Naya Nikki for giving us her insights about giving life to a character. I do agree on your thoughts about it. I believe that characters inside a book no matter what genre it is, should have an ounce of believability. It should be realistic enough to make the reader feel something about the character.


My review for Familiar Ties will be posted on the coming days.





Title: Familiar Ties
Author: Naya Nikki
Published Date: May 21, 2012 
Publisher: InkSpell Publishing
ISBN13 9780985011567


Book Blurb:

Max West is a widower raising Phoebe, his four-year-old daughter. Phoebe has to live with the fact that the day she was born is also the day of her mother's death. As her fifth year without her mother approaches, Phoebe finds solace in her godmother, Amy Riley, and her daughter, Grace Crawford, another single parent family.

Amy Riley is a successful fashion designer who spends most of her days raising her four-year-old daughter, Grace, while her wayward boyfriend is travelling the world making the next best film. As the fifth year without her best friend looms she finds comfort in her ex-boyfriend, Max, and his daughter, Phoebe.

These two “broken” families have a tough week to face as the dreaded day approaches. However through their past, present and debatable future will their choices affect the outcome both parents clearly want and are simply denying? Or will Phoebe and Grace lose the only “whole” family they have ever known?

Where to Buy:

Amazon Kindle:

Amazon Paperback:

About the Author:
Naya Nikki is a student author who spends her time writing short stories and novels in between doing an English with Creative Writing degree at Nottingham Trent University. When not at university she lives at home in London with her parents and spends time with her parents and friends. Her hobbies include reading and shopping.

Find Naya Nikki at:

Jun 3, 2012

Blog Tour: Author Interview and Giveaway: Quinn Loftis (Just One Drop, Book 3 of Grey Wolves Series)

June 03, 2012 2 Comments



Welcome to  Just One Drop by Quinn Loftis Blog Tour Stop here on Journey with Books blog! This wonderful tour was organized by Bewitching Book Tours. I want to apologize to Ms. Quinn Loftis and also to Bewitching Tours for posting this a bit late I lost my internet connection for two days and I just got it fixed today. Anyways, on to the fun stuff, we have Ms. Quinn Loftis here on the blog to answer a few questions so we could get to know her more.

Author Interview:


  • Tell us something about yourself. Something that would make your name stay with us.
When people meet me the almost always make reference to Dr. Quinn Medicine woman, Quinn the Eskimo, or The Mighty Quinn.
  • What made you decide to write a book?
I have always loved to write but was discroraged by the idea of never getting an agent. Once ebooks became all the rage and something attainable I thought okay, I can do this.
  • What is your first ever read? The one that made you fall in love with books?
A Wrinkle in Time
  • What is the hardest part of being an author?
Self discipline. Making sure you stay on task when you don't have a boss helping keep you accountable.
  • What are the perks of being an author?
Make my own hours, do something I love, meeting all the amazing fans and other authors
  • Where did you get the inspiration to give life to your characters?
My high school girlfriends

Fun Questions:

  • When the word 'Hunk' is uttered, who is the first person that comes into your mind?
My husband, no lie, he is mega hot.
  • Who is that one "HOT" celebrity you would want to marry? (If you're not married)
Already married to a hottie.
  •  If you're going to heaven, who is that ONE person you'd want to be with?
My son
  • If you're going to hell, who is that ONE person that you would drag with you?
I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Not since redemption is possible.

Thank you so much Ms. Quinn Loftis for being game to answer those questions! I had a really great time knowing you more. I want to apologize one more time for posting my stop for your tour.


Just One Drop
File Size: 423 KB
Print Length: 239 pages
Language: English
ASIN: B0075X9KPQ

Book Blurb:
Jennifer Adams, best friend to Jacque Pierce and Sally Morgan, spicy, out spoken, a little crazy and human...or so she thought. Jen has just found out that human DNA is not the only thing that resides in her veins, she happens to share that little pesky werewolf gene, although it isn't more than just a drop. Now that she and her friends are living in Romania with Fane's pack, she is also oh so conveniently stuck with the object of her affection, the fur ball Decebel. 

Drawn to each other by something they don't understand Jen finds herself frustrated by the lack of mating signs between her and said fur ball. Not only is she dealing with that not so un-frustrating problem, she now has been informed that because of that little drop of werewolf blood in her she is now required to attended a multi-pack gathering for un-mated wolves. This type of gathering hasn't taken place in over a century but with a shortage of females among the werewolf population the males are getting worried they won't ever find their true mates. 

Meanwhile Decebel struggles with the emotions he is feeling towards Jen. He tries to keep his distance but there is just something about the mouthy blonde that keeps him coming back for more of her verbal abuse that he just can't seem to get enough of...go figure.

Where to Buy:




About the Author:

Quinn Loftis


Quinn is a 31 year old wife, mother, nurse, and writer, not necessarily in that order.  She lives in beautiful North West Arkansas with her husband, son and Nora their Doberman pinscher. She loves writing, reading, and crocheting. Her favorite holiday is Christmas, favourite book(s) is Pride and Prejudice, The Alpha and Omega Series by Patricia Briggs, and the Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling. She loves to be silly and have fun, loves music and thinks there is no greater sound in the world than that of her little boy's laughter.  

@AuthQuinnLofti

Giveaway:

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Cover Reveal: Take Me in the Night by R.L. Kenderson

Today we have the cover reveal for R.L. Kenderson’s TAKE ME IN THE NIGHT! Check it out and pre-order your copy today!   Title: Take ...