Sunday, June 8, 2014

The Dystopian Tour GRAND FINALE!!

A Prism Tour with Prism Book Tours


It's the Grand Finale for

THE DYSTOPIAN TOUR!

What will the future bring? We've featuring several possibilities. Did you miss any of them? Check them out now!!

May 28: What Tomorrow May Bring #1


Tomorrow becomes today.
What will it bring?




Our potential for good is matched by that of destruction. At any moment, change can fall on the world, people fight and die, and our comfortable lives can be lost to corrupt leaders. These are circumstances we can’t imagine, but places like this exist in the world today.



What if tomorrow brings that grave reality to us, and we wake to find our lives in flux, poverty and confusion? Perhaps humanity’s insatiable appetites drive us to the brink of survival where sanity is redefined and life, as we know it, changes forever.

Tomorrow, our lives could be very dark.



Dystopian tales take us to these lightless places where suffering is a daily chore. But they also show us that in the deepest part of the night, pitched against a backdrop of despair, a beam of hope will shine brighter than ever before. And in our darkest moments, it can show us the way back.




Goodreads - Amazon



Follow 11 authors into 11 dystopian tomorrows, where the dark portions of our humanity have taken hold of today, where the fabric of society is torn and greed consumes us all. Follow us down a dark path.



May 29: Terra by Gretchen Powell: 


Creating the Cover of Terra: A Behind-the-Scenes Look








No matter what anybody says, it’s pretty much a fact that people do judge books by their covers. And can you blame them? After all, book covers are an art in and of themselves these days – the beautiful images, illustration, and typography that are blasted across the internet pique our interest and drive our readers’ minds. The cover is a reader’s first impression of what your book will be like. It only takes a second for that instant connection to be made: Bad cover, bad book. Great cover, great book. 

Now, that doesn’t always hold true, of course, since I myself have read plenty of incredible books with terrible covers, and vice versa. But it doesn’t change the fact that—especially as a self-published author—covers matter. And I knew from the get-go that I wanted the cover for TERRA to stand out, but still feel appropriate for the genre and would “fit in” with its traditionally-published book brethren. So here’s an exclusive scoop on what went into creating my debut novel’s cover.

 

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Terra follows protagonist Terra Rhodon through a dystopian future where the planet’s natural resources have been depleted and the rich and powerful have fled to cities in the sky.



May 30: Stitch & Shudder by Samantha Durante

**What Everyone Had To Say About This Series**



“Seems like your normal, seemingly average university cross paranormal romance story... until the dystopian sci-fi comes in. Everything from there changes… I am gobsmacked.”

Behind the Pages



“Quite incredible… grips the reader and won’t let go. Officially entered a good book hangover.”

Parajunkee


  

Her heart races, her muscles coil, and every impulse in Alessa's body screams at her to run... but yet she's powerless to move.



June 1: Contributor & Infiltrator by Nicole Ciacchella

Unexpected Favorites



One of the things that consistently surprises me when I write is how fond I grow of some characters, especially when they start out as little more than a nebulous concept. Contributor is no exception. When I was peopling the world, I thought a lot about Dara, her parents, her boyfriend, Jonathan, and her mentor, Letizia. I certainly gave consideration to the other characters as well, but this was the core group I focused on, and so imagine my surprise when I developed a major attachment to a couple of the characters I thought would just be minor players.



The first is Javier Gutierrez, one of Dara’s rivals for the position of Assistant to the Head of Engineering...


 

Picture

Goodreads - Amazon


When the Great Famine threatened the existence of mankind, the Creators saved humanity. Humanity has been their loyal subject ever since.



June 2: What Tomorrow May Bring #2


THE DYSTOPTOMISTS: PART 1



WHAT TOMORROW MAY BRING, the YA Dystopian boxed set, is a collection of dark yet hopeful stories from eleven different authors. Each wrote a short essay on dystopian fiction calledMy Thoughts On Tomorrow, to introduce their novels. Here are excerpts from six of those essays, the full versions can be found at The Hunt For Tomorrow.



Meet The Dystoptomists: Shining Light on a Dark Future...


Goodreads - Amazon


Follow 11 authors into 11 dystopian tomorrows, where the dark portions of our humanity have taken hold of today, where the fabric of society is torn and greed consumes us all. Follow us down a dark path.




June 3: Among the Joyful by Erin Eastham


Q&A: Among the Joyful


Q: What was your inspiration for Among the Joyful?

A: I happened to see an article about smile surgery, which is a real thing. Some young women in South Korea have a procedure done so that their default facial expression is a smile, no matter what they’re feeling. It made me think about the pressure we all feel at times to act like things are fine when they’re not, to present a happy appearance to the world no matter what’s going on inside. That was what prompted the idea for the world of Among the Joyful, where negative emotion has to be hidden if you want to be a functioning member of society.



Q: What makes Among the Joyful different from all the other YA dystopias out there?

A: I wanted to create a dystopian society that could just as easily be described as utopian. The original founders weren’t setting out to oppress people—they wanted to make life better, and in many ways they succeeded. They created a culture where service to others is valued, where citizens contribute to the public good and take care not to have a negative impact on their community. Of course, there’s a price, and that’s where it gets interesting.



Everyone knows that it’s a citizen’s duty to smile; negative emotion is a social contagion, an aggressive act against society. For Alaire Larkin, staying positive has never been a problem.



June 4: The Annihilation of Foreverland & Foreverland is Dead by Tony Bertauski


AUTHOR's INTERVIEW

Have you written in any other genres besides ya dystopian? What drew you to you this genre?



I’ve been fascinated by consciousness, identity and what this all means since I was young. I would read my grandfather’s science fiction books with elements of artificial intelligence and wonder what happened when they died? I suppose that’s why all of my writing deals with the big mysteries of life in one way or another. In a way, I write for my own exploration, in a sort of thought experiment approach, pulling apart our identities, exploring what makes us who we are. If I lost my memories, would I still be me? If I had my body parts replaced with synthetic replications, at what point would I not be me? Do I even need a body? What am I?

A few years ago, I figured I’d write a romance novel. Since all of my books have a romantic element, I thought it would be fun. Halfway through the novel, I found myself thinking more and more about the next project—a dystopian idea. So 40,000 words in, I scrapped the romance novel and got back to what I love.


 

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When kids awake on an island, they’re told there was an accident. Before they can go home, they will visit Foreverland, an alternate reality that will heal their minds.




June 5: The Breeders & The Believers by Katie French

Take 10 - Author Interview



What do you want to be when you grow up?

I’ve always wanted to be a back-up singer for some awesome artist. You’d get all the joy of meeting fun people and performing, but do not have to lose your freedom or worry about tabloids and paparazzi.



Who would play you in a film of your life?

Brad Pitt. It would be a really weird, concept movie.



Have you ever read or seen yourself as a character in a book or a movie?

All the time. Right now I’m pretty sure I’m Jessica Day from TV show The New Girl. But without the cute bangs. Man, I should really get some bangs.


 
Picture
Goodreads - Amazon - Barnes and Noble


Sixteen-year-old Riley Meemick is one of the world's last free girls. When Riley was born, her mother escaped the Breeders, the group of doctors using cruel experiments to bolster the dwindling human race.



June 6: What Tomorrow May Bring #3 

Meet The Dystoptomists: Shining Light on a Dark Future.



WHAT TOMORROW MAY BRING, the YA Dystopian boxed set, is a collection of dark yet hopeful stories from eleven different authors. Each wrote a short essay on dystopian fiction called My Thoughts On Tomorrow, to introduce their novels.



Part 1 featured excerpts from six of those authors.



Here, with Part 2, are excerpts from the remaining five. The full versions can be found at The Hunt For Tomorrow.



Join the mailing list for news on our upcoming dystopian scavenger hunt...


Goodreads - Amazon


Follow 11 authors into 11 dystopian tomorrows, where the dark portions of our humanity have taken hold of today, where the fabric of society is torn and greed consumes us all. Follow us down a dark path.


Tour-Wide Giveaway

Ends June 15th.



US Only Giveaway

Print copy of Terra + bookmarks

Print copies of Stitch & Shudder + bookmarks

Print copy of Among the Joyful



Internationally Open Giveaway

Amazon GC $15 (Megan) + $10 (Erin) + $10 (Samantha)

11 ecopies of What Tomorrow May Bring

Ebook of Terra

Ebooks of Stitch & Shudder

10 e-book copies of the complete Contributor trilogy, including book 3 (Kindle only)

Ebook of Among the Joyful

Ebooks of The Annihilation of Foreverland & Foreverland is Dead

Ebook of A Taste of Tomorrow Boxed Set

5 ebooks of The Breeders & The Believers



a Rafflecopter giveaway



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Prism Book Tours

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Destiny Bay Romances: Sweet Editions GRAND FINALE!!!!


On tour with Prism Book Tours


It's the Grand Finale of the REVIEW & EXCERPT TOUR for

Destiny Bay Romances: Sweet Editions

by Helen Conrad


Special Price!
Run Run Runaway (book one in the series) is FREE for Kindle from today through June 4th!!!



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Run Run Runaway

Letters from Annie Douglass Lima - excerpt

“Jennifer Thornton, when are you going to grow up?”
Her head shot up at the familiar voice, but the late afternoon sun was behind him, wrapping him in a mantle of light spears. All that stood out was a set of very wide shoulders and the vague outline of dark glasses hiding his eyes.


Christy's Cozy Corners - Excerpt

She smiled at him, and his face softened, eyes hooded but not unfriendly.
“I’ll be waiting for your call,” he teased back.


Kelly P's Blog - Excerpt

He turned and looked at her. “No pictures of boyfriends?” he asked softly.
“No one special in your life?”


My Ereader and Me - Excerpt

He hesitated for a moment, watching her. The tumbling chestnut curls invited an affectionate hand to rake through and put them in order. When she looked up at him, her eyes barely visible beneath the windblown hair, she looked so forlorn and vulnerable he had the urge to sweep her up in his arms . . .


I Am A Reader - Excerpt

Ah, if she only dared tell him! “Let’s race,” she challenged. “Down to the pier and back. The winner gets … a kiss,” she said wildly, dropping his arm.


All That's Written ... - Excerpt

Astrid laughed softly. “Don’t worry about it, dear.” She dabbed powder on her nose from a golden compact. “Reid is obviously fascinated with you for the moment.”


deal sharing aunt - Review

Who doesn't argue with their parents? I was proud that Jennifer went home and tried to reconnect with her parents. She definitely got her stubbornness from her dad. I enjoyed reading about Destiny Bay and I am reading A Little Blackmail next!


The Wonderings of One Person - Excerpt

She didn’t really panic. A strange, white blankness came over her. Her mouth opened in a silent scream, and she tried to think carefully, logically, all the while the earth was rushing toward her as though she were in a jet plane aimed into the side of a mountain.


Katie's Clean Book Collection - Review


Jennifer is quite the wild child. It remains a mystery why she chooses to throw herself out of airplanes, among other dangerous things, until later on in the book.


The Reading Diaries - Review

The book is a quick read that I finished in one afternoon it was hard to put down I had to see how Jennifer’s story would play out. I love a good clean romance that has a great story that is well written that teens as well as adults will enjoy. This is my first book by the author but I’m excited to read the next installment in the Destiny Bay Series.


Mythical Books - Excerpt

It occurred to Jennifer that the more she ate, the less time she’d have for talking. “You know what, this dessert list looks awfully good. Could you add a hot fudge sundae to my order?” She smiled at the waitress.


Tressa's Wishful Endings - Review

I liked how carefree, but responsible (because she really is regardless of what others think) Jennifer is. I loved her teasing and fun nature. She definitely had her insecurities and they were her downfall on more than one occasion, but they fit her character.


i blog 4 books - Review

I enjoyed the beach town where the book was set. It was fun to imagine what it would be like to live in a beach community.


Getting Your Read On - Review

I liked the interactions between Jennifer and Reid. You feel the history and connection between them.


My Love for Reading Keeps Growing - Excerpt

“We can’t talk in here,” Reid yelled, his lips almost pressed against Jennifer’s ear.
“You’re not supposed to talk in here,” she yelled back.


The Written Adventure - Excerpt

His smile grew slowly and he reached for her again. “Jenny, Jenny, how could I ever have doubted you? I think maybe you’re an angel sent to comfort us all.”


LibriAmoriMiei - Review
It 's a novel sweet, soft and clean, talks about love, friendship and family.





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A Little Blackmail

Kelly P's Blog - Excerpt

"Vanessa, Vanessa," he murmured, grinning. "How you've changed from the passionate woman of my dreams."
"I'm not Vanessa," she hissed.
"Sit," he ordered, and she sat. "What would you like to eat?"
"I'm not hungry," she said, though a sudden rumbling in her stomach reminded her that she hadn't eaten a thing since breakfast...


My Love for Reading Keeps Growing - Excerpt

"Look at her. After she travels, she goes into some sort of a time warp. She can hardly remember her name ..."
"I can remember yours," she said sweetly, pretending to smile, but glaring at him from beneath lowered lashes. "‘Mud,' wasn't it?"


Tressa's Wishful Endings - Review

Matt was also a fun male protagonist with all the usual charming personality (when he wanted to be charming) and good looks. There was definitely plenty of romantic tension between him and Janet.


All That's Written ... - Excerpt

“What?” His outrage echoed in her head. “Where are you?”
She hesitated. What in the world was she going to tell him? If she told him the truth, he and Howie would be over here in no time, ready to rescue her. She couldn’t have that.


I Am A Reader - Excerpt

“Do I look like her?” she asked.
“Like Vanessa?” He wasn’t sure, actually. He’d seen Vanessa’s picture in the magazine article about Matt and his enormously successful oil operations in Brazil and Argentina. He knew Vanessa was attractive, with long black hair — so that fit fine. That article was what had given him the idea to try this elaborate hoax.
“You’re much prettier,” he admitted.


My Ereader and Me - Excerpt

She frowned at him... “She was pretty surprised to hear she’d already been replaced by another phony Vanessa.”
He considered what she said for a moment, then shrugged, as though the whole affair hardly concerned him at all. “Never mind,” he said lightly. “You make a much better Vanessa than she did.”


The Wonderings of One Person - Excerpt

Maybe it was her sweet red mouth or the way her black hair brushed against her cheek. Maybe it was the way her smile seemed to light up the sky, sending a wave of intoxicating warmth through him. Whatever it was, for the moment at least, he was hooked.


Mythical Books - Intro from Author

Janet’s life has been academic and protected until now. Mistakes are made and her cat ends up being taken by Matt Carrington as a prop in a con he’s running against a sweet old lady. Janet takes the plunge into the dark side when she tries to steal her Alexander back and gets caught up in Matt’s plot, blackmailed into pretending to be his wife. Con men are usually charmers, and Matt is no exception. Soon Janet is torn between what she knows is right—and what her heart begins to feel.


Katie's Clean Book Collection - Review

I thought it was funny that the opening scene showed Janet as a cat burglar trying to steal a cat. She isn't that type of person at all. She values honestly above all else and hates to be caught in a lie, but that's exactly where she finds herself when she is discovered by the one who "stole" her cat--Matt.


The Reading Diaries - Review

I like that Janet is a character that feels real, she’s had loss in her life but she’s learned to move on. I knew right off the bat that Matt was perfect for Janet he just has to win her over and not scare her away


LibriAmoriMiei - Review
It 's a story written really well, is smooth and addictive, once you start it is hard to quit. It 's a novel sweet and funny , even a little mysterious .


i blog 4 books - Review

A Little Blackmail picks up with Matt Carrington (brother of Reid Carrington from Run Run Runaway). Matt is obviously hiding something, so Janet's unexpected arrival (behind the curtains of his second story bedroom!) definitely has the potential to complicate things. I was delighted by the "marriage" of convenience aspect—another favorite storyline of mine.

Letters from Annie Douglass Lima - Excerpt

He looked over at Janet on the bed, her dark hair spilled out in a midnight cloud. She looked like an angel against the white sheets. It had been a long time since a woman had captured his natural male inclinations like this one had. He tried to hide it with jokes and lighthearted banter, but it was there. It never left him.


Getting Your Read On - Review

Matt comes off as the bad guy at first but as bits of the story come out, we learn right along with Janet what Matt is really up to. Maybe he isn’t quite as bad as he first appeared to be.


The Written Adventure - Excerpt

She waited, heart pounding, in case anything inside was going to react, if any alarm was going to go off. There wasn't a sound. Holding her breath, she pushed a little more. The door glided smoothly, leaving a six-inch opening. Janet stared at it, waiting, her heart beating furiously.


Christy's Cozy Corners - Excerpt

He grinned. "Right after we're married."
"Oh." She hardly knew which way was up any longer. "Are we getting married?"
“Am I getting ahead of things?” he asked, looking alarmed. “I don’t want to scare you. Forget I said that.” He kissed her softly...




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Moving Too Fast


Kelly P's Blog - Excerpt

Reaching out lazily, he pretended to brush a curl from her cheek and tuck it behind her ear. He gave her another wink and turned to go, making his way back across the lawn.
Carrie watched him go, breathing hard in a way that was pure embarrassment...
“Do you know him?”
Carrie shook her head. “I’m not sure. Who is he?”
“Grant Carrington. The race-car driver.”



The author has created a great series with characters that could be my neighbors. The Carringtons are definitely sought after men. 



“To chance encounters,” he said, his eyes making the statement provocative.
“To miraculous escapes,” she countered, her chin rising with the challenge.
There was a charged tension between them as their gazes locked, and then the low rumble of his laugh spilled out, the rich, textured sound of it rubbing against her in a way that did nothing to soothe her jangled nerves.










Mythical Books - Excerpt

Grant’s cool gaze took in exactly what was going on. He looked at Carrie and immediately saw the anger in her eyes. They’d been baiting her and she was furious. A deep feeling of pure satisfaction filled him. Their loss just might be his gain after all.


I Am A Reader - Excerpt

“You came back,” he answered shortly. “I wasn’t sure you would.”
She gestured toward the padded table. “Of course I came back. You can’t scare me off that easily.”



The ocean breeze blew her hair across her face, and Grant reached to brush it back. Emotion welled up inside her, and she grabbed his hand, pressing it to her face, pressing the palm to her lips.
“Oh, Carrie,” he said, groaning as though in pain, pulling her into his embrace. “What am I going to do with you?”



Carrie is a very naive and inexperienced woman and feels that Grant is a danger to be around, just like a Big Bad Wolf (I loved that part!). She's also pretty stubborn and quick to assume. Yet, she sure is willing to give her heart away faster than she wanted to. 



“Do you always get what you want?” she prodded, gazing up from beneath her dark lashes.
He touched her chin with one lone finger. “Always,” he said, and it was as much a warning as a promise.



By far Moving Too Fast was my favorite from this series! It had a dark and brooding bad boy for the male protagonist and a sweet and lovable female protagonist. There was plenty of romantic tension with just a few intense kisses...



Grant has issues but maybe that’s why I like him so much he’s very much a broken guy who needs a girl to heal his heart.


i blog 4 books - Review
Carrie's determination to help Grant recover from his injury—despite the fact that he thinks he can recover on his own—was a great match for Grant's stubbornness. I enjoyed seeing how Carrie grew throughout the book, to the point where she was a strong character rather than someone who has trouble standing up for herself.



Carrie shuddered, averting her gaze. She was deeply troubled by what he’d told her. She was beginning more and more to understand why he was so hard on himself, so hard on her.



The attraction, chemistry and emotion in this book are on high at all times.



“You’ll have to accept it, Carrie.” His voice was rough, but gentle. “I don’t know who I am when I’m not racing. I need it. I have to go. And I may never be back.”
She was living her own worst nightmare. “I can’t accept that,” she repeated.



He sighed, shaking his head. “It’s different for me now.” Reaching across the gulf that separated them, he touched her cheek with his fingertips. “I . . . I’ve got you.”



This is the funniest novel in the series, but is also very sweet and romantic. 
The author has also created for this story characters realistic, fun and very different from each other.
A must read for those who love romance .........





Run Run Runaway
Destiny Bay Romances - Forever Yours
(Sweet Edition #1)
by Helen Conrad
Adult Romance
Paperback & Ebook, 169 pages
March 28th 2014 by Doorknock Publishing

Run Run Runaway is the Sweet Edition of My Little Runaway, the story of Reid Carrington and Jennifer Thornton.

It seemed like a good idea at the time. 

The trouble is, when you run from your problems, you often find out your biggest obstacle is along for the tripit's you! Reid Carrington realizes that when he finds Jennifer and recognizes the quiet desperation in her eyes. Can he save someone who doesn't want to be saved? Or like a lifeguard rescuing a swimmer, will she pull him down into the undertow in the end?

Recipes for Jennifer's Mango Salsa and Tilly's Bruschetta included. 

Purchase from Amazon.




A Little Blackmail


Destiny Bay Romances - Forever Yours
(Sweet Edition #2)
by Helen Conrad
Adult Romance
Paperback & Ebook, 172 pages
March 28th 2014 by Doorknock Publishing

A Little Blackmail is the Sweet Edition of Wife For A Night, the story of Janet Cardona and Matt Carrington.

Sometimes you have to break the rules to right a wrong.

Janet Cardona is usually a by-the-book good girlbut when Matt Carrington won't give her cat back, she sees red. Rules mean nothing when there's an animal to be saved. So when she's caught in a burglary and blackmailed for it, she finds she can't refuse. Matt only needs her to pretend to be his wife for a day or two so that he can run a scam he's involved in. But once the pretense gets going, he begins to yearn for the real thing. Now Janet has to decide if she can let herself fall for a con man.

Recipes for Crab Open-faced Sandwiches and Basic Asian Soup included.

Purchase from Amazon.




Moving Too Fast


Destiny Bay Romances - Forever Yours
(Sweet Edition #3)
by Helen Conrad
Adult Romance
Paperback & Ebook, 165 pages
March 28th 2014 by Doorknock Publishing

Moving Too Fast is the Sweet Edition of Too Scared To Breathe, the story of Grant Carrington and Carrie Harlow.

A sweet old-fashioned girl

isn’t what Grant Carrington is looking for. A man who lives for speed and danger, he’s only slowed down because he’s been forced to by an injury. Carrie Harlow isn’t his type, but he needs her in order to heal. She knows she’s playing with fire, but she feels she can help him and she goes for it—even though she knows she’s endangering her own heart as she fixes his.

Recipe for Carrie's Chicken Picatta included.

Purchase from Amazon.


Image of Helen Conrad



Helen Conrad is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than 90 romances (over 15 million copies sold) published under various pseudonyms with Harlequin, Silhouette, Loveswept, and others. She is currently revamping and rewriting much of her backlist--some available in the US for the first time--to present on Kindle.






A Little About the Destiny Bay Romances: Sweet Editions
From Author Helen Conrad

"The Destiny Bay Romances take place in the sort of beach town I've always loved--and now I live in one! But writing about beach towns came first and this series is centered on the rich, influential Carrington family living along the California Coast, and in Hawaii. These are good-looking, fast-driving, hard-hitting men and women whose impulses lead them into trouble every time--and inevitably to fall in love.

The original series includes language and love scenes that aren't, for the most part, especially harsh and explicit--but some of my readers from my years writing sweets for Harlequin as Raye Morgan have asked if we couldn't have sweet and clean versions--and I thought--what a good idea! 

These are basically the same stories...but with the conflicts softened a bit, the language cleaned up, and no explicit love scenes. There are still a few adult situations, but they're muted. Consider these the PG versions. 

I hope you enjoy them!"



Tour-Wide Giveaway


- US Grand Prize: $20 Amazon gift card and paperbacks of Run Run RunawayA Little Blackmail, and Moving Too Fast

- INT Grand Prize: $20 Amazon gift card and ebooks of Run Run RunawayA Little Blackmail, and Moving Too Fast
- 2 sets of ebooks of Run Run RunawayA Little Blackmail, and Moving Too Fast (INT)



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Prism Book Tours

City of Heavenly Fire: A Review


First of all, let me say that I have been in love with this series since the minute I picked it up and started reading it. Six years!!! AND when I read the first three books, that was back when there wasn't going to be a fourth, fifth, and sixth! I thought the third book was THE END. And, frankly, I was okay with that. It was a bittersweet ending, but everything ending somewhat happy.

Then one day, I was incredibly BORED in my computers class so I started searching the internet for a City of Bones movie. Granted, this was YEARS before the movie was even talked about or had a sound contract. (The movie, by the way SUCKED and was the WORST book to movie I had EVER seen. They changed the ending and SOOOOO MANY ASPECTS THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO BE CHANGED). So there's my rant.

Anyway, when I was looking for what I thought was going to be the most epic movie ever, I discovered that Cassandra Clare was adding three more books to the series!!! AHHHHHH!!! I was SO excited. Also, this was before they had real covers--it was just their names. I was blown away by their awesomeness. The covers really capture the feel of the series. Amazing!

AND THEN! A year later she came out with the prequel series, The Infernal Devices. LOVED THEM.

So that's my very shortened story of my discovery and love for this series.

I made this extra big, because it's awesome.
Description (goodreads):

In this dazzling and long-awaited conclusion to the acclaimed Mortal Instruments series, Clary and her friends fight the greatest evil they have ever faced: Clary's own brother.

Sebastian Morgenstern is on the move, systematically turning Shadowhunter against Shadowhunter. Bearing the Infernal Cup, he transforms Shadowhunters into creatures out of nightmare, tearing apart families and lovers as the ranks of his Endarkened army swell.

The embattled Shadowhunters withdraw to Idris - but not even the famed demon towers of Alicante can keep Sebastian at bay. And with the Nephilim trapped in Idris, who will guard the world against demons?

When one of the greatest betrayals the Nephilim have ever known is revealed, Clary, Jace, Isabelle, Simon, and Alec must flee - even if their journey takes them deep into the demon realms, where no Shadowhunter has set foot before, and from which no human being has ever returned...

Love will be sacrificed and lives lost in the terrible battle for the fate of the word in the thrilling final installment of the classic urban fantasy series The Mortal Instruments!


My Review (Spoiler ALERT like... a lot):

Let me begin by saying I love the connections. The incredible amount of foreshadowing that you HAVE to pay attention to or you might miss it. I love how characters from the prequel series ended up in this one. In fact, I would have been very angry if they had not shown up.

I LOVE YOU JEM!

Ahem. *Clears throat*

Cassandra Clare has an amazing way with words. My heart races, I scream out in frustration, and I even shed tears. I have fallen in love with these characters, and they always make me laugh. Simon and Jace's banter has made me laugh--out loud--ever since the beginning. Not to mention how each of the characters has their own sense of humor and adds to the fun of the story.

This series is also so in depth. The world building is incredible. The Shadowhunter families for instance--you have to keep up with all the famous ones, Herondales, Carstairs, Penhallows, Morgensterns, Fairchilds, Blackthornes, etc. I love it. I love how real this urban paranormal fantasy feels. It's like these are actually people and their incredible history is real.

Plus, there is SO much more history to these books that we can only glimpse at. Sad, but man. Clare is a freaking genius. She's awesome. My mind would explode (and kind of already is, with my own characters I write about) with so many histories and characters to take care of. She is by far one of my favorite writers.

Jace is one of my favorite characters (had there not been The Infernal Devices and a... Jem... he would be my favorite). He is funny, strong, and loyal. Despite the pain and the protective walls he has built around himself, he finally let it all go. He finally realized what it was to truly love someone. He opened his heart--TRULY opened his heart--to Clary and began to trust her fully. I loved that. I loved the way they worked together to bring about the end of Sebastian, aka Jonathon Morgenstern. Jace has always been my favorite. I will forever see him with the picture in my head--not the actor they got. Bleh.

Clary. Actually, until this book, she kind of annoyed me. I mean, she's strong, loyal and tough too, but in the beginning, she was very whiny. She grew on me, but she certainly isn't one of my top ten favorite female leads. (I don't even have a top ten, maybe a top two...?) Anyway, she grew so much at the end that maybe I'm willing to rethink the above. She finished with a bang and brought everyone together again.

Simon.

I was SO ANGRY WHEN HE FORGOT EVERYTHING!! I wanted to punch someone in the face, scream, cry, rage!

You can't get rid of SIMON!

But then...

His band was named The Mortal Instruments. I cried.

Everything ended okay. And I cried again and was very happy. My heart was happy and I was okay with this series again.

Simon is hilarious and... gosh. I just can't get over how much I love the banter between him and Jace. They help keep things light, even when the situation is dire and life-ending, they are always there to make me laugh. Simon is also a nerd, and well, I'm a nerd, so I love my nerds. I love how he always references his video games and then turns out being right. Tehe. Oh the nerdiness. Gotta love it.

Isabelle. She was awesome. I liked how she never took crap from anyone. How she constantly proved that she could kick anyone's butt whether they were demon, Downworlders, or other Shadowhunters in general. There were a few things I didn't really like about her, but over all, I liked her better than Clary.

Alec. He's a cool dude. Always standing up for what's right--even when Jace was in his jerk mode and gave him crap about it. I love how he and Jace finally understood what it meant to be paraboti by the end of this series. It really made everything come in a full circle.

Sebastian. I totally hated him. He was a freak show and a crazy dude. I loved how Raphael said so to his face. Poor Raphael... And JORDAN! I cried.

Jonathan Morgenstern. In all honesty, his death was sad. It was bittersweet and sad. The fact that all the evil was burned out of him, only for him to die in his terrible guilt was a tad sad. He was a victim of his crazy father, Valentine Morgenstern, who poisoned his blood with the blood of a demon. *Sigh* I thought I would be doing fist pump when he died. Instead I was like.... "Ooooh. That's kind of... sad..."

As for all the other characters... There are far to many to name and frankly, they aren't all main characters. So I am not going to get into it.

This series is by far one of my favorites. If you enjoy the really getting to know your characters, putting together puzzle pieces, action, mystery, love, romance, and demon killing hotties, then this is DEFINITELY your kind of book.

I will warn you though, this series takes a good memory. When the fourth book came out, I listened to the first three again on audio book because I wanted to remember everything that had happened.

Yet, in the end. It is SO WORTH IT!!

And... it's not entirely over yet...

WHOO HOOO!

TOTALLY A FIVE OUT OF FIVE FOR ME!!!

*I purchased this book of my own doing. I am in no way affiliated with the publisher, nor was I asked or paid to do a review. These are my own personal thoughts and opinions*

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Goddess Born: A Spotlight!

Goddess Born Tour




goddess born coverGoddess Born

Pennsylvania, 1730

Selah Kilbrid keeps a dangerous secret: she has the power to heal.

A direct descendent of the Celtic goddess Brigid, it’s Selah’s sacred duty to help those in need. But as the last of the Goddess Born living in the New World, she learned from an early age to keep her supernatural abilities hidden. The Quaker community of Hopewell has always been welcoming, but there’s no doubt they would see her hanged if her gift was revealed.

When a prominent minister threatens to try her with witchcraft unless she becomes his wife, Selah has only one hope—that her betrothed, a distant cousin from Ireland, arrives as planned. Marrying Samuel would keep her secret safe, preserve her sacred bloodline, and protect her from being charged as a witch.

But when news of Samuel’s death reaches the Colonies, Selah is truly on her own. Terrified, she faces an impossible choice—forfeit her powers and marry the loathsome Nathan? Or find an imposter to pose as her husband and preserve her birthright?
2013 RWA Golden Heart© Finalist
2011 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award semifinalist

Check out this Excerpt!

“Believe me, Mr. Alan, marrying you was truly my last option. Why else would I willingly connect myself to a servant when half of the single men in Hopewell wanted my hand?” Well,
maybe not half, but I wasn’t really going for accuracy at the moment.
 
“Then why didn’t you take one of them instead?” he asked, giving me a sardonic grin. 

“That is none of your concern.” I lifted my chin, but he was so tall my nose barely
topped his sternum, taking away from my attempt at a dignified air. “You are making such a fuss,
I almost wonder if you would have preferred Mr. Fletcher’s company to my own.” I smirked at
him, pleased with the insult. 

The elegant curve of his mouth tensed in warning, but I was not about to back down
after being so rudely insulted. It was high time he remembered who was an heiress to a great
fortune and who had arrived a day before, indentured for service with nothing more than the
clothes on his back. Undesirable, indeed! 

“Was it him you wanted instead of me?” I asked, pushing a little bit further
.
His green eyes flashed dangerously as he leaned over me, bringing us almost nose to
nose. “A wife should never doubt her husband’s natural desires,” he said menacingly.
Disconcerted by his closeness, I started to move away when he grabbed my upper arms
and pulled me hard against him. Inhaling sharply, my rational mind scattered beneath the heady
scent of soap and masculine spice. Without thinking, I drew another breath, and my eyes strayed
to his mouth. 

A soft chuckle vibrated deep in his chest. “So that’s why you’re angry.” 

I jerked my gaze upward. “What do you—” 

His fingers tightened on my arms. Then, with a dip of his head, he pressed his mouth
to mine. The suddenness so startled me, I forgot to kick and scream until his hold slackened a
moment later. 

The floor felt strangely off-kilter as I stumbled back a step. My eyes blinked open, and
Henry loomed large, looking angrier than before. 

“Are you satisfied now?” he asked in a chillingly quiet voice. 

Indignation roared to life inside me. “How dare you!” I cried, my hand rising in
retaliation. His reflexes were snakelike, and he caught my wrist in midair.
“There’s no need for that,” he said, guiding my hand back down. “A bride is promised
one kiss on her wedding day, but ask as you may, you’ll be getting no more from me.”




ABNA Publisher Weekly Reviewer
Set in the colony of Pennsylvania in 1730, this riveting novel begins as 18-year-old Selah Kilbrid runs into Quaker minister Nathan Crowley, a man who “labor[ed] under the delusion that [Selah] would soon be his wife” despite the fact that she was betrothed to a man on his way to America from Ireland. Nathan tells Selah that if she refuses him, he will have her “charged as a witch” because of her ability to heal the sick. To avoid Nathan’s plan to marry her the following Sunday, she leaves for Philadelphia to wait for the arrival of her betrothed and marry him before returning home. In Philadelphia, she discovers that her betrothed has died at sea. She then purchases Henry, an indentured servant, and convinces him to pose as her husband and help protect her from Nathan. As the story continues, the reader learns of Selah’s family history and the powers she possesses; Selah is half human, half goddess. It's important that her secret stay safe, because if discovered, she could be killed. The characters are well developed and relatable; the reader empathizes with Selah and her plight. The fast-paced plot is exciting and keeps the reader guessing and in suspense. The end leaves room for a sequel, which, after such a tremendous beginning, would be anxiously awaited. A clear winner!



Kari EdgrenAuthor Kari Edgren

Kari Edgren did not dream of becoming a writer. Instead, she dreamed of everything else and was often made to stay inside during kindergarten recess to practice her letters. Despite doting parents and a decent school system, Ms. Edgren managed to make it through elementary school having completed only one book cover to cover – The Box Car Children, which she read approximately forty-seven times. Things improved during high school, but not until she read Gabrielle Garcia Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude in college, did she truly understand the power of a book.

Ms. Edgren aspires to be a Vulcan, a world-acclaimed opera singer, and two inches taller. She resides in the Pacific NW where she spends a great deal of time torturing her husband and children with strange food and random historical facts. Ms. Edgren hasn’t stopped dreaming, but has finally mastered her letters enough to put the stories on paper.


Blog Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 6/22/14

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 and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


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Unstoppable $100 Book Blast!!


Unstoppable Unstoppable by S.R. Johannes:
After everything that has happened, Grace goes to the Everglades to live with her grandmother, Birdee. Even though she is now home-schooled by her bird-obsessed grandmother, the move gives Grace time to relax. She learns to scuba dive and starts boating with old man Rex, Birdee's casual friend/boyfriend.
One day while out in the marshes of the Everglades, Grace rescues an abused Florida panther, currently on the endangered list. The more she dives into the animal’s horrific condition, the more she ventures into the underground world of the roadside zoos that run rampant in Florida with a total disregard for the law. Eventually, she stumbles upon one large roadside zoo filled with a variety of endangered and illegal animals.
Before she can gather evidence and report her findings to the authorities, she is kidnapped by the ruthless owner and dragged deep into the Everglades for a hunting challenge. Only this time, Grace is the prey.
During a sick game of cat and mouse, Grace is offered one chance at survival. With a one-hour head start and very little supplies, time and skill are now all that stands between the hunter and the hunted.
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SR Johannes
Author S.R. Johannes:
S.R. Johannes is the award-winning author of the Amazon bestselling thriller series, the Nature of Grace (Untraceable and Uncontrollable). Unstoppable (book 3) is scheduled for May/June 2014. S.R. Johannes is currently repped by Lara Perkins at ABLA. For foreign rights on the Nature of Grace series, contact Jennifer Custer at AM Heath (London).
S.R. Johannes is the YA advisor of ALLi and a winner of the 2012 IndieReader Discovery Awards (Young Adult category) as well as a Silver medalist (2nd place) in the IPPY awards for YA Fiction. She was also nominated for 2012 Georgia Author of the Year (Young Adult category), a Finalist in The Kindle Book Review’s Best Young Adult of 2012, and a YA Finalist in the US Book News Best Book of 2012.
After earning an MBA and working in corporate America doing marketing for over 15 years (Spanx and Good hair Products were my fav because of the perks :), S.R. Johannes traded in her expensive suits, high heels, and corporate lingo for a family, flip-flops, and her love of writing. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her dog, English-accented husband, and the huge imaginations of their little prince and princess, which she hopes- someday- will change the world.


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Blast Giveaway

$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 6/16/19

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 and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Sunday, June 1, 2014

Moving Too Fast EXCERPT!!



On tour with Prism Book Tours


Welcome to my stop for the REVIEW & EXCERPT TOUR for

Moving Too Fast

Destiny Bay Romances: Sweet Editions

by Helen Conrad


Special Price!
Moving Too Fast is only $0.99 for Kindle from now until Sunday, June 1st!


Moving Too Fast

Destiny Bay Romances - Forever Yours
(Sweet Edition #3)
by Helen Conrad

Adult Romance

Paperback & Ebook, 165 pages

March 28th 2014 by Doorknock Publishing


A sweet old-fashioned girl

isn’t what Grant Carrington is looking for. A man who lives for speed and danger, he’s only slowed down because he’s been forced to by an injury. Carrie Harlow isn’t his type, but he needs her in order to heal. She knows she’s playing with fire, but she feels she can help him and she goes for it—even though she knows she’s endangering her own heart as she fixes his.

Recipe for Carrie's Chicken Picatta included.

Purchase from Amazon.


[Pin, share, or tweet this image for an extra entry in the giveaway.]




Image of Helen Conrad



Helen Conrad is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than 90 romances (over 15 million copies sold) published under various pseudonyms with Harlequin, Silhouette, Loveswept, and others. She is currently revamping and rewriting much of her backlist—mainly into the Destiny Bay Romances Series. The first six, the Forever Yours Series, are being rewritten as Sweet Editions.



Website - Facebook - Goodreads





A Little About the Destiny Bay Romances: Sweet Editions
From Author Helen Conrad

"The Destiny Bay Romances take place in the sort of beach town I've always loved--and now I live in one! But writing about beach towns came first and this series is centered on the rich, influential Carrington family living along the California Coast, and in Hawaii. These are good-looking, fast-driving, hard-hitting men and women whose impulses lead them into trouble every time--and inevitably to fall in love.

The original series includes language and love scenes that aren't, for the most part, especially harsh and explicit--but some of my readers from my years writing sweets for Harlequin as Raye Morgan have asked if we couldn't have sweet and clean versions--and I thought--what a good idea! 

These are basically the same stories...but with the conflicts softened a bit, the language cleaned up, and no explicit love scenes. There are still a few adult situations, but they're muted. Consider these the PG versions. 

I hope you enjoy them!"



Here's an Excerpt from Moving Too Fast:

“You’ll have to accept it, Carrie.” His voice was rough, but gentle. “I don’t know who I am when I’m not racing. I need it. I have to go. And I may never be back.”

She was living her own worst nightmare. “I can’t accept that,” she repeated.

He stepped back. “Then I guess it’s over.” He didn’t really believe that. He waited for her to do or say something that would change everything.

But she didn’t. With the last shreds of her dignity she turned away. “Yes.” She wouldn’t let him touch her again. “This is it.”

He couldn’t bear to see her like this, but he couldn’t give in. She was asking him to change his life completely, and he couldn’t do that. Maybe if he gave her some time to think it over, she’d come to her senses.

“I’ve got to go into town,” he said gruffly. “I’ll talk to you later.”

She shook her head slowly. “No,” she whispered, staring out the window. “I won’t be here.”

For a moment he stood helpless. Finally he turned away. She watched him walk to the car through a misty haze of tears. He got in and started the engine, and she bit her lip, thinking of the dangerous machine he would soon be driving at speeds of over two hundred miles an hour. The tears spilled down her cheeks. She could barely make out his form any longer. But she could feel him, hear him, smell him. How was she going to live without him?




Tour-Wide Giveaway


- US Grand Prize: $20 Amazon gift card and paperbacks of Run Run RunawayA Little Blackmail, and Moving Too Fast

- INT Grand Prize: $20 Amazon gift card and ebooks of Run Run RunawayA Little Blackmail, and Moving Too Fast
- 2 sets of ebooks of Run Run RunawayA Little Blackmail, and Moving Too Fast (INT)



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The other stops on this tour:



Run Run Runaway
May 12 - Book Intro


May 13

May 14

May 15

May 16

May 18


Moving Too Fast

May 26 - Book Intro

May 27

May 28

May 29

May 30

Jun 1

June 2 - Grand Finale



Prism Book Tours
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