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Showing posts with label Book Feature. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book Feature. Show all posts

Nov 19, 2013

Book Feature and Giveaway: Severed Colours ( A Colour Wielders Novel Book 2) by Dawna Raver

Book Feature and Giveaway: Severed Colours ( A Colour Wielders Novel Book 2) by Dawna Raver

November 19, 2013 0 Comments
New release by Dawna Raver. Severed Colours, Book 2, A Colour Wielders Novel.  
SCEbookcover

The epic continues…

Quinn Sinclair trusted Arik Morgaine until he betrayed her. Scared and alone, she finds herself delivered into the hands of the evil Morgana le Fay. When Quinn discovers Morgana's plans are beyond demented and seriously depraved—making life with the Changeling seem like a day at the beach—she wonders if death is a better option? Arik Morgaine vowed he'd save Quinn no matter the price. When his well thought out plans go terribly awry, a desperate and heartbroken Arik is forced to beg the cruel Triarchia for help. Unwilling to go on without his Älskling, he answers a question that irrevocably alters their lives. Can Arik and Quinn find a way back to each other, or will the price of saving her rip them apart forever?

New Adult. Recommended for 18 and above. Mature themes, sexual situations, and profanity.

Purchase at Amazon now!

  Colour-Wielders 

In celebration of Severed Colours' release, Colour Wielders will be on sale from November 18-20 for $.99. Purchase it at Amazon now.          

  a Rafflecopter giveaway  
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Feb 28, 2013

Promo Post and a $50 GC Giveaway: Odor of Violet by Ju Ephraime

February 28, 2013 32 Comments

Hi everyone! I hope you're all doing great! I'm here today to feature the book entitled The Odor of Violet by Ms. Ju Ephraime. Today we're all going to get a glimpse of what's inside the book. Plus the generous author is giving away a $50 GC to a luck commenter. Read on to know more about this giveaway!


BOOK BLURB:

STEP INTO THE SIGHTLESS WORLD OF DAMIEN FALCONER, AS HE STRUGGLES TO COME TO GRIPS WITH THE BLISTERING ATTRACTION HE FEELS FOR HIS NEW PERSONAL ASSISTANT, LISA ANDREWS.

Full of self-doubt as he struggled to regain his independence, the last thing Damien was looking for when he hired his new assistant, was to fall in love. So, he fought it for as long as he could, until the feelings he had for Lisa kept chipping away at him. Exposing a heart he had thought encased in stone, never to love again.

Lisa, a gentle, caring individual, a professional nurse, and inexperienced in matters of the heart, was ill-equipped to deal with the emotional and physical attraction she felt for her boss, Damien Falconer. Fully cognizant of the pitfalls that exist in such a relationship, Lisa fought equally hard to resist the powerful lure of Damien.

The blistering attraction between Damien and Lisa was searing in its intensity. Both were trying desperately to do the right thing, but the fates had other plans for them. Can two hearts that were broken be made whole again?…..




BOOK EXCERPT:



Ms. Andrews walked into the room, and Damien felt the air leave his lungs. He could not see her, but he felt Jake’s reaction also. He was not certain if he was mirroring Jake’s reaction to the candidate or his own overactive imagination. Whatever the reason, he had a physical reaction to whomever it was that walked into his library. She was polite and calm, and he sensed she had a smile onher face because Jake had an answering smile in his voice when he greeted her. Poor Damien, he couldn’t see a thing, but boy, was he aware of her. He could smell the fragrance she was wearing, and it was doing strange things to his body.


There was a hint of jasmine, mixed with a bit of musk, but the overwhelming scent was of violet. He recognized the scent because of the perfusion of violet plants that grew in the garden surrounding his house.

It was his favorite flower. He was never tired of sitting on the porch just inhaling its heady fragrance.

On Ms. Andrews, the fragrance was positively intoxicating. The mixture of violet with her unique scent was overpowering. Damien was almost in pain from the strength of his physical reaction to her. He was uncomfortable in his seat and kept fidgeting and moving to get a more comfortable position. He did not want either Jake or the young woman to notice his discomfort. He desperately wanted to see the woman who was in his library, but he had to be content with just listening to her responses to Jake’s questions.


She sounded a bit flustered because she would begin each response with a slight nervous laugh, and Jake would respond in kind. This exchange between the two infuriated Damien, who wanted to participate in the conversation. He interrupted one of Jake’s questions to her with one of his own.


“Tell me, Ms. Andrews, how long have you been out of school?”


Author Bio:



I can’t recall a time in my life when I wasn’t writing. I know I started a long, long, time ago. I began writing short stories for the local radio station in my home town, which were read on the air at
story time. After I had my children, I went back to school to further my education. I have since earned several degrees, including two Masters and a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration
from Northeastern University in Boston. During the course of my schooling, I wrote and published a working curriculum for a career school, as well as, other literary works. A couple years ago, I revisited my first love, writing for fun and enjoyment.

I live in a small town in Connecticut, where the closest thing to a mall is a shopping strip, so nothing exciting happens there. I’m a mother of three and a grandmother of five. My dog Bondine is my
favorite companion when I take up pen and paper to write.

Many of my stories are set in the places I've visited. The children I encounter during my travels determine the theme of the book. I love to write stories about talented, inquisitive, and curious
children who are thirsty for knowledge.

When I’m not writing my children books, I write romance novels under a pen name. Oftentimes, I take the time to visit the places in which my stories are set, which is the icing on the cake. My second love is traveling, and those times when I can combine writing with traveling, I’m usually in writers' heaven because I’m doing my two most favorite things...



http://www.juliaeantoine.com/default.html
http://www.facebook.com/juephraimeauthor?ref=hl
https://twitter.com/EditorJulia
http://juephraime.blogspot.com/
http://shop.envisionschoolpublishing.com/

Giveaway:


Ju will be awarding a $50.00 Gift Certificate, 
(winner's choice: Amazon, Kobo, B&N, or ENVISION) 
to one randomly chosen commenter. 

Just answer this question: 
What is your favorite fragrant/odor in the world? 
(it could be anything, food, perfume, flower, place.. etc)
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Feb 25, 2013

Blog Tour: Author Guest Post and Kindle HD/Paperwhite Giveaway: Turning Point by Tiffany A. Snow

February 25, 2013 4 Comments
Hi everyone! Haven't had a guest in Journey with Books in a long time, right?! Well, the long wait is over! Journey with Books blog have a guest today! Ms. Tiffany A. Snow, the author of The Kathleen Turner Series has graces us with her presence! She's going to give a few tips on how to write a successful Romantic Suspense novel for the Romantic Suspense author hopefuls out there.

And of course, there's a lovely, lovely giveaway for all of you down below. Trust me, you wouldn't want to miss this! You should also check out the tour schedule for more chances to win great prizes!

Author Guest Post:

Thank you to Journey with Books for hosting me on the blog tour for TURNING POINT, the third book in The Kathleen Turner Series.  There will be a total of five books in the series.  Book four, OUT OF TURN, will be released on 12/17/13.

Romantic Suspense (RS) is a genre that’s been around a long time, and there are as many variations of books classified as such as there are in paranormal or urban fantasy.  Before I crafted the story, there were some things I needed to decide up front.  For anyone else choosing to try their hand at RS, perhaps this will help.

1 – Decide how your character will be involved in the mystery. – Unless your heroine/hero is in the law enforcement field, a murder/mystery/etc. doesn't normally happen to them.  If they are in some kind of crime-related job, the tie-in is easy.  If not, then it’s more difficult and should be thought out to be as believable as possible (though this is fiction, so readers allow some leeway there).

2 – Plan how your hero and heroine will interact. – The hero and heroine not only have to solve a mystery together, they also have to fall in love.  So career choice and the How’s and Why’s of them working together need to be fleshed out so your readers can believe the necessity of why they’re together.

3 – The trail of clues. – You want your readers to not only be involved in the blooming romance between your hero and heroine, but to also be following along as they unravel the mystery.  Leave clues, let them figure things out the same as your heroine.  This is necessary so you don’t get to the end of the book and do an info dump of the Who, What and Why, which can make the reader feel cheated out of “solving” the mystery.

4 – Plan the Big Finish. – You want tension and danger to increase as the story unfolds, keeping the pace moving briskly enough to keep the reader interested but not so fast that they feel information and events are unfolding too fast to a) keep up or b) be believable.  The last couple of chapters should be where the hero/heroine are in maximum danger that resolves in a satisfying way with enough time for resolution and closure.  Readers can sometimes feel cheated in RS if there’s not a long enough “down time” after the conflict is resolved for your characters to wrap things up and have their HEA.

5 – Romance vs. Plot – This is a big one for me as one of my beefs with RS is usually that there’s too much plot and not enough romance to satisfy me as a reader.  There are readers who prefer a thriller with a dash of romance, just as there are readers (like me) who want a romance with a dash of mystery.  Decide ahead of time which one is right for you and plan accordingly.  The Kathleen Turner Series is much more romance than plot – the plot being what I prefer to call the “skeleton” on which I hang the “flesh” of my characters and their intertwined relationships.

Turning Point Book Blurb:


After her promotion from law firm Runner to Investigator, Kathleen Turner is learning the ropes of her new job from none other than assassin-for-hire Kade Dennon, a situation her boyfriend Blane Kirk is none too happy about. But the lessons with Kathleen take a back seat when Kade becomes a target. Previously untouchable, his enemies now know of the chink in his armor – his brother’s girlfriend.

And Kade’s not the only thing coming between Kathleen and Blane. From Blane’s inexplicable defense of a man guilty of a horrible crime, to a mysterious stranger from Kathleen’s past, to Kathleen’ risky investigation into human traffickers, the obstacles mount against a relationship that’s just begun to find trust again.

While Blane considers a job offer that would take him back to the front lines in the war on terror, Kathleen is determined to pursue her new career, with or without his approval. Unfortunately, her current case is far more dangerous than anyone knows. Someone close to Blane will go to extreme lengths to split them up, lengths that may prove worse than death for Kathleen.

Kathleen, Blane and Kade must atone for the sins of the past and the present. The fallout will force Kathleen to a turning point…in her career, and her life.






 


Giveaway:
Tiffany is giving away, a grand prize of the winner's choice, KINDLE Paperwhite or HD. Winner will be selected by Rafflecopter.   One lucky commenter a Kindle copy or print copy of one of her KATHLEEN TURNER books, winner's choice (Print copy is Cont US only) .



TURNING POINT TOUR SCHEDULE 

February 19

February 20 

 February 21

February 22 

February 23

 February 24

February 25 

 February 26 

 February 27

 February 28 
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Jan 23, 2013

Blog Tour: Book Excerpt and One $25 GC and Three $10 GCs Giveaway: Under Her Spell by Eliza Daly

January 23, 2013 11 Comments

Hello everyone! I'm here again with another blog tour! I'm featuring a book entitled Under Her Spell by Eliza Daly. You'll get to know everything you need to know about this book in this post. Take a peek inside it through a Book Excerpt. Plus, there's a giveaway for all of you down below! The author is giving away a  $25 gift card for either Amazon or B&N for you guys! The details are all down below, just read on!



 BOOK BLURB:

When a series of failed relationships and business ventures have Monica Jackson doubting her self-worth, she turns to spell casting to attract positive energy and the opportunities needed to achieve her goals. But can Monica’s belief in spells restore her belief in herself?

Monica creates a spell to find her soul mate, and one to ensure the success of her new romantic event planning company, Enhance Your Romance. Monica is confident she has found her niche until divorce lawyer Reed Walker opens a practice next door to her office. The anti-marriage slogan plastered on his office window, and his down-on-love clients, quickly prove detrimental to Monica’s business. When his arrival appears to trigger a string of bad luck,
Monica fears one of her spells sent negative energy into the universe and it has returned to her threefold. Although Reed is beyond sexy, and she admires his self-confidence, she’ll do whatever it takes to get the universe back on her side, and Reed out of her life. No way is she losing another business.

Reed finds himself attracted to Monica’s beauty and her optimism. His job and his parents’ divorce have made him a pessimist, especially when it comes to love. However, he soon finds
that Monica’s pro-love attitude is rubbing off on him, causing him to lose his edge. If Reed doesn't distance himself from Monica, he’ll likely destroy his reputation as a pit bull divorce lawyer.

Can Monica and Reed look past what they might be losing to realize the love they have found?

Book Excerpt:
“A spell … ” Hope mused, then her face lit up. “If there’s a spell to attract a man to a woman,there must be one to repel women from a man. Right?”

“Spells shouldn’t involve negative energy. Sending out negative energy can cause it to returnthreefold. They aren’t intended to harm someone or make them do something against their will.”Jordan had drilled this into her head.

“I wouldn’t be making Kyle do anything against his will. I’d be warning women to stay away fromhim.”

Sounded borderline.

“Please,” Hope whined, picking a clump of batter from her long, wavy hair.

Monica let out a defeated groan. “All right.” Hope would never actually cast the spell anyway. When they were young, Hope refused to wear a Casper costume for Halloween because she didn't believe in ghosts. She was closed-minded when it came to paranormal or New Age beliefs. And you had to truly believe in a spell for it to work.

Monica set down the bowl of salt and grabbed a pencil and pad of paper off her desk and handed them to Hope. “Write this down. It’s called,” she tapped a hot pink nail against her lip, “the dirtbag spell. Take one of Kyle’s socks, fill it with dirt, and add a photo of him. It’s critical you aren't in the photo.” Monica paced, tightening the sash on her lavender silk robe. “Include something of his like … ”

“His new Rolex?”

Personally, Monica would list the watch on eBay and pray for a bidding war. But Hope, no matter how ticked off, was too timid to sell Kyle’s precious watch, and too frugal to risk damaging it by mixing it with dirt.

“That’s fine. Sew up the sock and bury it in your front yard. It’ll warn all women he’s a dirtbag.”

Hope poised the pencil against her lower lip, reviewing the spell. “Don’t I have to say something when I bury it, like a chant?”

What happened to being spell ignorant?

“Bury it in the moonlight while saying … ” Monica scrambled for a few rhyming lines, “moonlight, glowing bright, warn all women in your sight, the man who lives in this house, is a dirtbag and a total louse.”

“Perfect.” Hope sprang from the bed, looking inspired. “Kyle’s at work. I’m going over to the house right now to bury that sock.” She turned and marched out, a woman on a mission.

Monica nibbled nervously on her fingernail. Hope wouldn't seriously go through with casting the spell, would she? A big part of spell casting was psychological, focusing all your energy on making something happen. Monica had never seen Hope look so determined, or vindictive. Hopefully, if she did cast the spell the negative energy didn't return threefold.

What was the worst that could happen?

About the Author:


Eliza Daly's first attempt at creative writing was in fourth grade. She and her friends were huge Charlie’s Angels fans and she would sit in her bedroom at night writing scripts for them to act out at recess the following day. She was Kelly Garrett. Fast forward to the present, she’s still writing stories about beautiful women who always get their men. The journey from fourth grade script writer to published author wasn't an easy one, but it was always an adventure and the final destination was well worth it.

 When Eliza isn't traveling for her job as an event planner, or tracing her ancestry roots through Ireland, she’s at home in Milwaukee working on her next novel, bouncing ideas off her husband Mark, and her cats Quigley and Frankie.
You can find Eliza on the web at:
Website: http://www.elizadaly.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ElizaDalyAuthor
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/elizadaly
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ElizaDalyAuthor

Under Her Spell is available at:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0099796BY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=journeyw-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0099796BY

 Barnes & Noble: 
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/under-her-spell-eliza-daly/1113004674?ean=9781440557347

 iTunes: 
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/under-her-spell/id561507321?mt=11

 Kobo: 
http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Under-Her-Spell/book-VnPZaXaSPky57fPfyZZzzw/page1.html?s=9CxkgaqX90CaozBdyyxJZw&r=1

 eBooks.com: 
http://www.ebooks.com/1036984/under-her-spell/daly-eliza/


Giveaway:
Eliza will be awarding one $25 GC, and three $10 GCs for either Amazon or BN to a randomly drawn commenters during the tour.

 Just answer this question:

If you could do a spell, to whom would you put the spell on and what kind of spell would you do?

Good Luck!!
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Jul 10, 2012

Book Feature: Pledged (Soul Wars Saga Book 1) by Gwynneth White

July 10, 2012 0 Comments

Hi guys! Today, I'm featuring a very nice and intriguing book. We're going to see what Pledged by 
Ms. Gwynneth White is all about. But based on the beautiful but intriguing cover, we're all gonna like it!

Title: Pledged (Soul Wars Saga Book 1)
Author: Gwynneth White
Print Length: 290 pages
Publisher: Swallow Press 
Date Published: June 3, 2012

Book Blurb:


Everyone has a soul mate. But what do you do when your soul mate would rather give his soul to the demons than be with you?


Seventeen-year-old Erin has a problem. Seth has been hers forever, but now an ancient curse is tearing him away. And the demons who invoked it will stop at nothing – even murder – to claim him as their own.


How can she win against a curse so binding that it has damned countless others to this same fate – an eternity alone?


The answer lies in the past. To find it, Erin and Seth must risk all, travelling back in time to a dangerous world where love is forbidden, and life – and death – hang on a pledge.


Follow Erin and Seth as they travel to ancient Shenaya and confront the curse that has plagued their families for millennia. Caught in a war between the Angelic Guardians and the Gefallen, the disembodied dead, they must fight to keep their souls in tact and their love untainted.


Where to Buy:


About the Author:
I have spent my entire life living in a parallel universe of make-believe characters, only coming back to reality for long enough to check that no one burnt the house down in my absence. A few years ago I decided to commit some of those 'friends' and their stories to paper. The "Soul Wars Saga" trilogy - "Pledged", "Sacrificed" and "Saved" - is the result of those efforts. Before that I co-authored two non-fiction travel books - "The Complete Guide to 4x4 Trails" and "The Ultimate 4x4 Guide". Both books became instant best-sellers in South Africa where I live. And before that even, I studied a degree in African History and Politics at the University of Stellenbosch. When I'm not writing, I am a wife to Andrew and a mom to Stephanie, Erin, and Kate, our teenage daughters. My family and I live in small town outside Cape Town with two dogs, a cat, a horse, and some neglected fish.

Now that you know a little about me, I would love to get to know you. Please befriend me at:

Twitter: @GwynnethWhite
Swallow Press Author's Page: http://swallowpress.com

So, what do you guys think about Pledged? Interesting right?! always be on a look out on Journey with Books for more Pledged updates and giveaways! We're going to have lots of fun for this book in the next few days!
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Jul 6, 2012

Book Feature: The Parrot's Perch by Karen Keilt

July 06, 2012 0 Comments

Hi my loves! I am featuring a very different book today. It's based on a true story! So anyone who loves to read real life stories, should check this intense book written by Ms.Karen Keilt entitled "The Parot's Perch". You guys can check out the other book lovers' reviews on the page below.



Paperback: 376 pages
Publisher: Xlibris, Corp. 
Date Published: June 28, 2011
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1462888518
ISBN-13: 978-1462888511


Official Book Blurb:

Brazil......Electric. Exciting. Hot. Brazil is famous for its world class beaches, beautiful women, Samba and soccer, but even its gently swaying palms and sultry nouveau beat can't cover up the sound of screaming. 


Soon to be a major motion picture The Parrot’s Perch scores high as it weaves together a chilling tale based on actual events in a triple play of greed, deception and betrayal conjuring up images of unsurpassed beauty and unimaginable horror.


Bright iridescent feathers, resplendent tropical hues, fast cars, and the ultra privileged life in the equestrian circuit are the lives of Catlin Lauria and her big brother, Freddy. But evil has found them, and it won’t back off until someone makes a final pay-off. 


A sexy-successful-girl-next-door, an uber-cute-party-boy, drugs, Carnival and the good life; dirty cops, corruption and torture, this story has it all, and you won’t be able to put it down for a second, wondering "Can this world be real?" It is. Fasten your seat belts as you take this journey of revenge, retaliation, and redemption; it’s gonna change your life.



Based on a true story, this international thriller about torture and corruption at the highest levels of law enforcement takes place in the seemingly tranquil upper-class world of two American families living in sexy, lush, Samba-soothed Brazil. Rogue American DEA agents "Red" Tucker and his partner Jack Kelly find a wealthy mark at Harvard and arrest him, then follow the arrogant student-turned-drug dealer home to Brazil.

In Rio de Janeiro well-to-do brother and sister, Freddy and Catlin Lauria are headed down diverging paths. Freddy is a ne'er do well ivy leaguer caught up in the treacherous, violent world of drugs and addiction, and seething in anger over a perceived slight from his father. Catlyn is on the  road to Olympic fame and a happily ever-after life with her high-society fiancee in the sparkling bright world of world-class show jumping.

Disaster strikes when their worlds collide and Catlin is put to the test of ultimate survival. Can Cat endure the ultimate test of sibling rivalry and torture and still come out golden?

From Harvard to Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, the action is hard and fast, kinda like Gossip Girls meets White Palace with a feel of The Departed. As two families struggle to save the Olympic equestrienne and her husband from a fate worse than death, the Parrot's Perch becomes a reality no one wants to believe.

Author Bio:



Born and educated in Sao Paulo, Brasil, Karen Keilt moved to the US at the age of 27.
Karen has enjoyed an eclectic career including Riding Master and General Manager of a men's pro hockey franchise though she always gravitated back to her love of writing; first as a newspaper columnist in South Carolina, and later writing four screenplays including: "The Parrot's Perch", "Bethebotu", a children's fantasy about pink dolphins and mermaids, "The Gnashing of Teeth", an adaptation of the coming-of-age novel by James Raymond about the Korean War and "Maracanazo", a wonderful story about two young men from different worlds both dreaming of winning the World Cup. Karen enjoys traveling, hiking, Anusara Yoga, amateur photography, and horseback riding and lives in Carefree, AZ with her husband and their dog Curly Canyon Dog.

On April 30, 2010, the Brazilian Supreme Court ruled to uphold a 1979 law stating that crimes committed by members of the military regime were political acts and therefore covered by amnesty. That law remains in place today. The Court's ruling makes it clear that the Amnesty Law violates Brazil's international obligations and that it represents an obstacle in the search for truth.

Amnesty International has condemned the Brazilian Supreme Court's blocking of this recent reinterpretation of the 1979 Amnesty Law that protects members of the former military government from being put on trial for extrajudicial killings, torture and rape.

"The ruling places a judicial stamp of approval on the pardons extended to those in the military government who committed crimes against humanity," said Tim Cahill, Amnesty International's Brazil researcher.  

In April 2010, Mr. Cahill went on to say, "In a country that sees thousands of extra-judicial killings every year at the hands of security officials and where many more are tortured in police stations and prisons, this ruling clearly signals that in Brazil nobody is held responsible when the state kills and tortures its own citizens," said Tim Cahill.

In 2014 Brazil will host The World Cup, followed soon after by the 2016 Summer Olympics. It is the author's sincere hope that the newly elected President of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff will use all the powers of her office to put an end to torture and corruption once and for all.

Where to Buy:




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Mar 27, 2012

Book Feature: Skater Boy (First Kiss Club) by Mari Mancusi

March 27, 2012 0 Comments




Hi my lovely friends! I'm back to feature another book entitled Skater Boy written by Ms. Mari Mancusi. I just love the book cover, don't you? It was beautifully done! It practically screams "Read Me!". Scroll down if you want to read the Book Excerpt!

This Blog Tour was organized by CBLS Promotions. 

And now, let's see what this book is all about...





Title:  Skater Boy
Author:  Mari Mancusi
Publisher:  NLA Digital Liaison Platform LLC
Length:  50,000 words
Sub-Genres:  Contemporary, Young Adult (YA)

BLURB:


Dawn Miller is sick of being good. Her parents have scheduled her to within an inch of her life and her popular friends can only think of hooking up and shopping. She's ready for a serious boyfriend, and it's definitely not the obnoxious rich boy everyone wants her to date.


Then she meets Starr, the headmaster's punk rock daughter who refuses to play by the rules. The differences between them are night and day but Dawn is fascinated. Starr introduces her to a world she didn't even know existed: hip indy record stores, all night raves, and cute skateboarders who hang out underneath a parking deck downtown.


Skateboarders like the gorgeous Sean, who's sweet, smart, and curiously serious --everything Dawn's always wanted in a boyfriend. Soon she finds herself head over heels and doing the unthinkable, lying to her parents and friends. Deep down she knows her parents will never approve of this boy from the wrong side of town...and her secret life is finally catching up to her. Will Dawn be forced to choose between the girl she was and the girl she is meant to be? And if she chooses, will she lose her skater boy forever?


"Mancusi has scored a hit. Dawn is likeable, and any teen girl--wealthy or not--should identify with her typical problems. From boys to friends to parents, the author covers it all. She even manages to include one or two deeper messages in the form of "straight edge" teens and a "perfect" wealthy boy who turns out to be a real jerk."-- Alexandra Kay, RT Book Reviews






Book Excerpt:


“Hey, that’s pretty good!” 


I look up with a start. I’ve been so wrapped up in my world that I hadn’t realized the new girl, the supposed Satan-worshipper who drinks snake blood, has sat down at the desk beside me and is eyeing my paper. 


Up close, I realize she has several piercings to go along with her already punk-rock look—a diamond stud in her nose and a silver hoop embedded in her eyebrow. Her face is pale white, almost as if she’s powdered it, and her eyes, a striking blue, are rimmed with a ton of black.  


“You read my poem?” I ask, feeling my cheeks flush. I mean, sure, I realize that if I win the poetry contest lots of people will end up reading it, but still, her peeking over my shoulder without permission seems a grave invasion of privacy. And what if she goes and tells everyone that I, Dawn Miller, friend of the Ashleys, was seen writing poetry in detention? I might as well put in my application for the loserville lunch table right now. 


Then again, she said it was good. Since I’ve never shown my scribblings to anyone before, I’ve never gotten an unbiased opinion on them. I mean, sure, I like them, but obviously I’m a bit prejudiced. 


“Are you just saying that?” I ask. “ ’Cause you so don’t have to.” 


She shakes her head, causing her straight black hair to flip from side to side. “No way,” she says. “I never say things I don’t mean. Life’s too short.” She pauses, then adds, “I was assuming it’d be bad, actually. But I guess you can’t judge a Barbie by its cover.” 


I frown. “I’m not a Barbie.” I just hang out with them. She shrugs. “Maybe you are, maybe you aren’t. Honestly, I don’t care either way. But you are a good writer.” 


A good writer. She thinks I’m a good writer. No one’s ever told me that before. I feel a warm pride settle over me and I decide to ignore the Barbie comment. Or at least prove her wrong. 


“Thanks,” I say. “There’s this poetry contest I want to enter it in and—” 


“Oh, the one in Faces?” 


I stare at her in shock. “How do you—?” 


“I read Faces all the time. It’s a great mag.” 


Wow. She actually reads literary magazines. My friends wouldn’t be caught dead reading literary magazines. In fact, we have a saying: If it’s not Cosmo, it’s crap. 


“I’m Dawn,” I say, extending a hand. 


“Starr.” She shakes my hand. I notice she has on black fingernail polish that’s half flaked off. 


Starr. What a cool name. 


“You’re the headmaster’s daughter, right?” I ask, assuming at least that part of the Satan-worshipping, snake-eating rumor is true. 


“Yeah. Got kicked out of my European boarding school and so I’m stuck in this hellhole now.” 


Wow. I wonder what she did to get kicked out. It had to be something pretty bad, I’d think. What would it be like to be a bad girl? Not to care what people think of you? To break the rules and buck authority? I bet her parents don’t dare schedule her life. And if they try, she probably laughs in their faces and then goes out and gets a new tattoo, just to spite them. 


“. . . and first day here, Sister Wart Nose catches me smoking in the bathroom and sentences me to detention,” Starr is explaining. “I mean, for smoking! In Europe, everyone our age smokes. Massachusetts is so puritanical. It drives me absolutely insane.” 


I nod sympathetically, not sure how to respond. Of course I’m not a smoker, so I can’t relate. But suddenly, I have the undying urge to impress her somehow. Make her see I’m more than just an airhead who happens to be able to write. Which is odd, since most people at Sacred Mary’s do everything in their power to try to impress me and my crowd, not the other way around. But Starr doesn’t seem to care that I’m one of the Populars. On the contrary, that status seems a negative in her book. Which makes her seem even cooler, somehow. 


“That ring rocks,” I say at last, noting the silver spider on her index finger. One thing I’ve learned from the Ashleys—when stuck for something to say, compliment their wardrobe. Works every time. 


She smiles and waves her hand in the air, allowing the ring to catch the light and sparkle. Evidently even punk rock chicks aren’t immune to flattery. “Thanks. I got it at this really cool thrift store in Boston.” She pauses for a moment, as if deciding something. Then she says, “You know, I’m planning on heading there after detention, if you want to come.” 


I raise my eyebrows. “You’re going to Boston? How are you going to get there? Do you have a car?” 


“Nah.”  She shakes her head. “I’m only fifteen. No license. But there’s a train about a block away.” 


She planned to hop a train? I try to imagine what The Evil Ones would do to me if they found out I’d hopped a train to the big city. Would they kill me quickly or devise a slow, torturous death to make sure I’m really, really sorry I disobeyed? 


“Come with me!” Starr says eagerly. “I know some killer used record stores.” 


I shake my head. “I’m already missing gymnastics ’cause of detention. My parents will totally kick my butt if I miss my Japanese tutoring as well.” 


Starr raises a pierced eyebrow. “Oh,” she says, her tone a bit colder than before. “I understand.” But she doesn’t sound like she understands. In fact, she sounds more like she thinks I’m the lamest girl on the planet. 


Boring Barbie, that’s me. 


It’s so not fair. I never get to do anything fun. Run off to the big city on a whim. I suddenly envy Starr and her laissez-faire attitude on life. 


Envy her and want to be her. 


Maybe I could call my tutor and tell him I’m sick. And then call The Evil Ones and tell them I’m going over to one of the Ashleys’ houses to work on a class project after my lesson. That should buy me at least ’til nine o’clock. Plenty of time to hit Boston and get back before they realize I’m gone. 


I feel a strange thrill well up deep inside. You know what? I’m going to do it. 


For once, I’m going to be a bad girl. 


“Maybe I will go to Boston with you,” I say, trying to keep my voice casual as my excitement takes hold. “Sounds like fun.” 


More about the Author:



Two time Emmy award winner Mari Mancusi used to wish she could be a vampire back in high school. But she ended up in another bloodsucking profession--journalism--instead. Today she works as a freelance TV producer and author of books for teens, including the award winning Blood Coven Vampire series published by Penguin Books. When not writing about creatures of the night, Mari enjoys traveling, cooking, goth clubbing, watching cheesy horror movie and her favorite guilty pleasure--videogames. A graduate of Boston University, she lives in Austin, Texas with her husband Jacob, daughter Avalon and dog Mesquite. You can find her online at www.marimancusi.com. 

Website: www.marimancusi.com
Email: mari@marimancusi.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bloodcovenvampires
Twitter: www.twitter.com/#1/marimancusi



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Mar 16, 2012

Book Feature and Giveaway: A Strange Fire (Florence Vaine 1) by L.H Cosway

March 16, 2012 0 Comments
 



Author:  L.H Cosway
File Size: 622 KB
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
Language: English
ASIN: B007K81D6U
Buying Link: A Strange Fire (Florence Vaine)

Blurb:
Flo has always had problems. Her stammer prevents her speech and her dad’s abuse makes her life a living hell. Not to mention she sees colours other people don’t.


When her dad decides to ship her off to live with her grandma in the sleepy town of Chesterport, Flo thinks that this is her chance for a better life. But on her very first day at her new school she is ridiculed and laughed at for having a stammer. One student sticks up for her and his name is Frank.


Frank’s body is surrounded by an aura of fire, but Flo is the only one who can see it. He lives in a foster home for troubled teenagers. Flo is drawn to him because he’s different and so is she.


Things are about to get scary, because Chesterport is not your ordinary suburban town. It’s infested by a coven of dark witches who prey on the young and the elderly. Soon Flo discovers that she’s next on their list of victims, and finds herself fighting a battle she never would have imagined possible.



About the Author:

L.H Cosway is a self-employed writer, editor and proofreader. She has a BA in English Literature and Greek and Roman Civilisation and an MA in Postcolonial Literature. She lives in Dublin city. Her inspiration to write comes from music. Her favourite things in life include writing stories, vintage clothing, dark cabaret music, food, musical comedy, and of course, books.


Giveaway:


The author is having a giveaway of five copies of the book to celebrate its release. So if you want to win a copy all you have to do is answer the following question (the answer is in the synopsis above) and email the answer to lhcosway@gmail.com, also state whether you would like a mobi or pdf copy of the book. 
You have until Saturday, March 17 of 2012 to email your answers to the author! Good luck!


Question: What supernatural beings have infested the town of Chesterport?


A. Vampires
B. Witches
C. Werewolves


I will be posting a review of this book by the end of March, so you guys better watch out for it!




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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 ...