Tricia Copeland's Blog, page 42

New Release: In September College Romance

Happy Friday! Today I have the privilege of announcing a new release, In September by Alicia Cicoria. In September is a new adult college romance that promises to be a poignant read about love, loss, and healing. I'm excited about this male POV. It reminds me of my own fresh start romance featuring Zack from the Being Me Series, Deepest Scars .

From the back cover:
When Cole Austin moves into the dorms for his second year of college, he never imagines finding a girl who challenges everything he thought he knew about relationships. The second he sees her he can’t take his eyes off her, let alone stay away from her, but that’s exactly what his best friend keeps asking him to do.
 
Chloe Craven doesn’t have time to think about love. Raising a child with ADHD and fighting in the Universal College Fighting Association takes up every bit of extra time she has outside of her college classes. But that’s exactly what Cole wants from her is time. When convenience is all she ever needed from a relationship, will she risk taking a chance when Cole offers her convenience and more?
 
You can find more on Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49496591-in-september
 
More about Alicia Cicoria
She is the author of Greekorian, Unbreak Me, and her newest release, In September. Alicia lives in Oklahoma with her husband, their four kids, and enough animals for a small petting zoo.
 
She loves all things OU, coffee with Italian Sweet Cream, anything pumpkin spice, leg warmers, boots, animals, reading, writing, creating book covers and spending time with her family.
 
She wrote her first short story at the age of eleven which sparked an undeniable passion for words. Since then, she’s come up with several ideas for stories, though only three of them have made it to fruition.
 
Author Links:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2RUS2JE
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Alicia-Cicoria-Author-108688523967923/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17552489.Alicia_Cicoria
 
Buy Links:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/36rYsFi
 
Here's an excerpt for you to enjoy!
Tricia

Cole
 August
 
A piercing, repetitive noise blares through the speakers on my nightstand. I lift a hand and slam it down on the alarm clock, silencing it and rub at the corners of my eyes where the presence of sleep claims its territory.

"Come on, boy, your Momma's making pancakes." My Dad's voice booms from the other side of my bedroom door.
I know, without looking, that it's five a.m. It's what time I wake up every morning to help with the morning chores. My morning ritual is always the same.
I lift myself from the bed when I hear the scuffle of my Dad's boots along the hardwood floors of the staircase. I get up, dress, and scurry downstairs in time for Momma to sit down a plate in front of my chair.
"Morning, Momma." I kiss her on the cheek, feeling her smile as my lips land on her weathered skin.
Looking at her, I can see the hurt on her face though she's doing her best to remain a stoic statue. She doesn't want to make me feel guilty, but I do. I have since the day I agreed to the decision six months ago.
"Let's not think about that yet, okay?" I tell her. She forces a smile.
I realize it's hard for her not to think about it. After all, I am her only child, and I'm going away for my second year of college. Last year, I scheduled all my classes in the afternoon so that I could help in the mornings at the ranch. I drove to campus before my first class, and back after my last one. This year, I'm staying in the dorms with my best friend, Zane.
It's my Dad's idea I live on campus this year, scheduling my classes the way a typical college student would. He says it will put me in a routine for a better outcome as far as my grades are concerned. My final grades last semester begged for improvement, though they weren't the lowest of anyone in my class.
Over the summer, we sat down as a family and discussed what my options were. My Dad felt I would have a better GPA if I didn't have to focus on so much at home.
I cram forkfuls of the protein pancakes into my mouth, sinking my teeth into the wheat toast after every bite.
Ever since my grandma passed away from a heart attack, Momma has been finding new ways for us to eat healthier. It's been a learning process for my taste buds, but somehow, she manages to make the meals taste as they always have.
"Slow down, Cole, you're gonna choke." My Momma drawls in her specific southern accent. She's been saying this to me since I first discovered solid foods. I know that because there are several embarrassing videos of me as a chubby child eating in the same manner.
"Listen to yer Momma, son." My Dad says.
He's called me son for as long as I can remember, not for lack of not knowing my name, but it's a sign of endearment coming from him. My Dad's not an affectionate guy but shows, in his way, he cares.
"Sorry, Dad," I reply around the food I'm chewing. I wash it down with a hefty gulp of goat's milk before standing up to rinse off my plate.
I give Momma a kiss before heading out with Dad through the backdoor. Droplets of dew cling to the pasture of grass, creating a transparent snow-like effect on each blade. When the sun rises, you'll see the reflection of its rays in each drop, but right now, the sun is still hiding out behind the mountains, waiting for the moment to peek over the horizon. The light of the moon glows, lighting up the fields just enough. It's this exact moment we appreciate that the morning sun will overtake the nighttime hours. I take in a deep breath and look across the pasture, eyeing the movements of the horses. They're grazing, swishing their tails back and forth, and cocking their legs like they don't have a care in the world. It'll be hard, not seeing them every day. There's a lot I'm going to miss, but I can't deny how carefree my life will be without this ranch on my shoulders every day of the week.
"Ready, son?" My Dad claps me on the shoulders as he stomps down the steps of the back porch.
I nod and tug down on the bill of my hat until it fits snugly on my head.
Feeding the horses is the first chore on our list. While they're eating, we'll clean out the barn, removing any hay that's soiled and replacing it with new. If we try to accomplish it when they're not eating, they will find ways to get in our way, begging us for attention.
We have twenty-five horses on the ranch. We have three mares with foals. More than likely, I'll have to come back and help train them when they're ready. Though they won't be old enough to ride until they're at least two years old, Dad and I always start on their training a few days after their birth. We desensitize them to things that could spook them on trails, lead them around the pasture so they become use to the lead rope, and put them in the round pen for a few techniques that'll teach them to respect their handlers. Dad says I have a knack for training the younger ones, and I ride the older ones as if I'm a natural at it. He says my calming demeanor transfers over to the horse I'm working with, and it's entrancing to watch. However, the most enjoyable part to me is when the kids come around. Seeing their faces light up makes everything we do on the ranch worth it.
I scoop feed into the buckets. My Dad picks up as many as he can carry while I trail after him with a few others. When our hands are empty again, we go back for more buckets until each horse has their own. While they're waiting for us to hang their buckets on the fence, the horses lay claim on which bucket is theirs. The process takes at least thirty minutes, no less. We've thought about finding less time-consuming ways to get them fed faster, but my Dad argued the way we did it now kept us in shape. He said there's little time for developing an exercise routine and sticking to it. I tried so many times to add in training minutes outside of the walls of high school, only to find it never worked. He's right, as he always is.
"Things aren't going to be the same without you here, son," Dad says as he heaves the last bucket over the fence. "Won't be easy doing this all alone."
I chuckle and head back to the barn with him in tow. "Thought that's why you hired Kevin?"
Dad swings one of the barn doors open wider, hooking it to the metal ring on the outside of the barn, so it stays in place. "Even so," he walks away to bring the wheelbarrow inside the barn, "having a conversation with my son compared to having one with some guy that has no ties to this place, besides his employment application, aren't the same."
My Dad's a fibber. Always has been, always will be. We don't talk when we are doing chores, at least not much. We finish our work, appreciating the silence of words and the noises of hard work. When we complete our tasks, we finish up with a cup of coffee on the back porch. On infrequent occasions, we talk about the future of the ranch or what new surprise he's cooking up for Momma. The latter is my favorite conversation. Hearing about the love he has for her is unlike anything you'll find in a movie, even the sappy lifetime movies she watches every day. It's something I've always wanted to experience because he makes it look so easy, you could say it brings him to life and makes his misunderstood personality easier for others to relate. His interactions with her make him seem more personable. I guess that's why I haven't been able to find the right one. I'm always searching for the girl I can talk to the way my Dad talks to Momma. I refuse to waste time dating a girl if she won't be in my life long-term. I haven't made it my mission to find 'the one' yet. I figure if it happens, it's because it was meant to happen.
I pull two pitchforks off the home-made storage shelves and toss one to Dad. We start from the back stalls, working our way to the front. The barn is massive because it's the only shelter we have for the horses when it storms.
"Come on, your conversations might even be better quality because you'll have an old man like yourself around." I'm joking, but Dad throws an unimpressed glower my way. I stifle my laugh.
"You think you're hilarious, don't you?"
I continue with our task and shrug. "A little."
The silence invades our space, the grunting of our efforts become the music to the rise of the sun. I already feel the accumulation of sweat as it travels down my back; beads trickle down to the waistband of my jeans. A few minutes pass before I hear a huff from Dad. He stops, placing the palm of his hand on top of the pitchfork's handle. I lift my hat and using the bottom of my t-shirt, I wipe at the stream of sweat on my forehead.
"He's working on a pretty nice car. He used to race until he blew the motor." Dad looks out the barn, no telling what he's looking at if anything.
"That's awesome," I comment. "See, you'll have plenty to talk about."
The guilt that my Dad's dream still hasn't become a reality sits like a boulder on my back. I could lie all day and say I'm going to college to better my life, but I'm doing it to have my own money; money I can use to get my Dad a race car. It wouldn't be as fun if the paycheck I used to buy him a race car came from him. I know there's a reason he hasn't handed cash to the first available person who had a running race car. I'm not naïve to believe he even has the time to put towards a project like that. It'll be a few years before he can even think about that. By that time, I will have graduated from college, paid off my student loans, landed a position at the local hospital, and earned enough to buy him one outright.
"You'll return your mother's phone calls at least once a week, won't you?" He changes the subject, something else he's perfected.
I scoff, kicking up some dust with the sole of my boot. "You think I'm going to leave this place behind?"
He shrugs and starts shoveling again. I follow his lead, not taking offense to his lack of comment. I know he doesn't think I'll forget all about the ranch, he's merely making small talk. His words or actions may be hard for some people to decipher but not me. His shrug doesn't mean he doesn't believe me. It means he's becoming emotional, and he's trying to hide it.
We take two hours to finish the barn. We only clean it out once a week because of the time it takes to complete. We hang the pitchforks up and haul the wheelbarrows by the back porch, where Momma will transfer the manure into buckets, making the perfect fertilizer for her garden.
"Listen," Dad starts, grabbing my arm so he can swing me to face him, "this isn't going to be easy on yer Momma, so be patient with her." I can see the appearance of tears, but he pulls his cap lower until all I see are the dark shadows over his face.
"I always have the patience for Momma." I push back my own emotions, learning the habit from him.
The sun starts to emerge, making its grand entrance right as the rooster climbs to his perching spot. The colors of orange, yellow, and tinges of red blanket the ground, slowly stretching further and further along the earth. The dew transforms from looking like snow to mirrors as the sun reveals the truth in everything it touches.
The horses neigh, the clatter of their hooves on the soil reverberates, creating the perfect background of instrumentals to the rooster's crow. They take off, like a timed-dancing routine, in a sprint. Their shadows line the ground as if they rehearsed this a thousand times. They hold their tails high as they run, the strands whipping against the wind they're creating around themselves.
Dad nods at my response and drags me closer for a hug. He hates emotions unless my mother is involved, so knowing he's trying to let them out is a big deal. It even makes me choke up a bit.
"Get yourself cleaned up; I'm sure you've got a lot of packing to do." He pauses as he releases me. "I'll finish the chores."
I try to protest, but he squeezes me again, shutting off every single word I want to say to him. Instead, I say, "I don't have much to pack, but maybe that's just me being modest."
"You're like your father." He admits, walking up the porch steps with me.
The chickens need feeding, and their eggs collected, the goats need milking, the cows need herding into a separate pasture, and the lawn needs mowing. But Dad makes up his mind. I'll clean myself up and pack, and he will finish up, left alone to his thoughts.
I head upstairs and gather my clothes from their drawers, shoving them in my arms before entering the bathroom that connects to my room. I toss my hat on the sink and start the water. It rushes out of the showerhead with force. I grab a towel from the cabinet above the toilet and start peeling off my clothes. They're stuck to me like a second skin, the actual adhesive being the sweat that is courtesy of mornings in Texas summers.
I welcome the lukewarm water when I enter the shower. A dozen thoughts hit me as I stand under the showerhead, letting it soak the strands of my hair.
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to getting out for a bit. It'll be the first time I'll do things that have nothing to do with the ranch. It'll be my first time with little responsibility. I might find time to experience boredom. Though college is a huge responsibility, compared to what I've had to do my entire life, it falls at the bottom of the scale.
My parents already promised the entirety of the land, animals, and houses sitting on the stretch of property to me. It makes sense being as I have no siblings. It's not like I won't have the rest of my life to do what I've been doing for the last fourteen years.
I look forward to experiencing and becoming acquainted with boredom.
The ranch is a moneymaker. It created a carefree life for our family, but it doesn't come without consequences. I've heard the rumors about me before high school ended and even leading into the months after that. People think my parents gave me a comfortable life because of the amount of money people think they have. What they don't realize is, my parents didn't hand me everything. No, my Dad made sure I knew hard work looked and felt like. I've gotten paid as any other employee would. I even invited a few guys from school over to earn a few paychecks. They quit before the first day ended. They saw what I did every day and still joined in on the conversations about me.
Ten years ago, my parents came up with an idea for the ranch, back when it was becoming more of a burden than anything. Momma did some research on how animals could act as therapy for some people. When her boss let her go as a special-needs teacher's assistant, it prompted an insatiable desire to figure out what else she could do with her degree. She read that people used animals, specifically horses, as a part of a therapy program for many children. One article highlighted the benefits of horse therapy for kids with disabilities. She wanted to help kids who had autism and ADHD. Momma wanted to run a program where parents could bring their kids to the ranch to interact and ride the horses. Dad was reluctant to start it but agreed to try it out for six months. The six-month trial turned into them filing for a business name. Austin's Activities for Autistic and ADHD. Or, better known as the 4a's ranch.
Each applicant, once approved, moves into one of the cabin homes scattered on the property. It's a six-month program meant to rehabilitate the children that endure the misunderstandings of the outside world. It also works wonders for the relationships between kids and their parents. Over the years, my parents helped dozens of families. It brings in a nice chunk of change but brings more than that to the table. Besides, my parents don't do it for the money. Not anymore. My Dad now makes enough by piling investments into the stock market. Not sure how he does it, but he comes out ahead no matter what he does. He says luck. I know he's smarter than he thinks.
I finish my shower and hop out, knowing I spent way too long contemplating things. As I dress, my phone rings. It's Zane. Zane Barry, my best friend, and soon-to-be roommate in the dorms.
"Cole Austin!"
I don't bother answering with a hello anymore. Zane always greets me with the use of my first and last name as soon as I accept the call.
"What's up, man?!" He asks, laughing as he spits the words out.
"Trying to pack my stuff." I struggle while pulling on a pair of dark jeans over my legs.
"Hell, yes! I hope you slept in because we've got one hell of a night planned."
I button my jeans and sidestep to my closet, eyeing the collection of baseball hats on the shelf. I pick a newer one and put it on.
"Oh yeah?" I kneel and pull out a duffel bag from underneath my bed. It's big enough for what I need to pack into it.
"Um, yes. When you get here, we will meet up with Aiden to get your membership card."
"Membership card?" I ask.
I hear him shuffling something around in the background. "Dude, the underground fight club I told you about. You need a membership card to get in."
Zane informed me over the summer that I missed out on something monumental last year because I didn't live on campus. The underground fight club was the place to be on the weekends and sometimes during the week. It intrigued me when he first mentioned it.
I throw a few items in the bag, not bothering to keep their folded execution. "Oh, that."
He sighs. "It may not sound like a big deal, but trust me, you won't be able to watch just one fight. You'll want to go every night they schedule a fight."
"Maybe." I play it off like it's not a big deal, only because he's making it a big deal.
He laughs. "Chloe Craven, she's a fighter. Remember that name. I'll see you when you get here."
He hangs up, not giving me a chance to say anything else. I stare at the screen of my phone and frown.
Curiosity settles over me. I glance at the laptop that's done nothing but collect dust over the summer. My mom bought it for me at the end of last year to use this year. She said I needed it. While that was true, I wanted to buy it for myself. My Dad told me to stop being stubborn and accept it as a parting gift. I gave in.
Before I can talk myself out of it, I search for her name, something I've never had to urge to do before. For now, it's an itch I need to scratch.
Chloe Craven is a ghost. She's not on any social media platform. Zane gave me nothing else to go off except her name. If that even is her name.
I give up after five minutes of searching. I continue packing and finish right before noon. I haul the bag over my shoulder and stumble down the stairs. Regret rains down on me as I hit the bottom step, not prepared to say goodbye. The ranch means as much to me as it does to Momma and Dad. Even though I'm leaving it to see what it's like to focus solely on my schoolwork, it's harder than I thought.
My mom waits for me on the front step when I open the front door. She hands me a box of mason jars, filled to the brim with a white substance, goat's milk. She knows my stomach can't handle anything else.
"I hope there's a small fridge in the dorm room." She says, wiping away at the stray hairs that come loose from her ponytail.
"Zane has that covered, I'm sure."
She walks me to the driveway, where my Dad stands by my truck. It's old but dependable. Rusted, but nothing a quick paint job won't fix. At this rate, I fit into the role of a broke college student. I wouldn't have it any other way.
"I also made you these." She extends her arm, her hand clutching a bag of brownies. She doesn't know what she's supposed to say or do before I leave.
I take the bag from her shaking hands and sit the box on the tailgate of my truck. I tug her to me until I can wrap my arms around her.
"Thank you, Momma." I don't think this woman knows how much she means to me. Call me a momma's boy all you want. It'll never stop me from treating her with respect she deserves.
She pulls back from me, wiping at her eyes. Trying to make the tears evaporate, she shakes her head as though it'll help. "I knew the day would come where you would leave us, but I was hoping your last few years of high school would linger a little longer."
My looks favor Momma's. Her strawberry-blond hair reaches just above her shoulders. Her blue eyes highlight her features, sparkling when she talks. A speckle of freckles dance across the bridge and sides of her nose and fade away over her cheeks. Even though she's thin, she's not frail. She doesn't sit around all day, and her muscles prove it. Her sun-weathered skin shows she spends a lot of time outdoors.
"I'm not going far, and I'll come back to visit," I tell her, holding back tears of my own. I'm not big on crying, but even I have my moments.
She forces a laugh, and I hear a distinct sadness executed amongst the musical notes of her voice. "I know you will."
"You worked hard last year, and I know you're going to do no less this year." My Dad steps forward and digs his hand in his front pocket. When he pulls it out, he reveals a pair of keys that dangle from a guitar keychain. "I got you a little something." He lets the keys rest in the palm of his hand and thrusts them in my direction.
I'm shocked, words evading they even exist. "Your truck?" They're the keys to his truck, but they're attached to a different keychain.
His truck is a model from last year. It's a GMC Sierra in black with not a scratch on it. He doesn't use the truck to do things around the ranch, instead of using it for trips into town.
"I can't." I shake my head as I'm saying the words.
He pushes my hand away, the hand that I'm using to offer the keys back to him. "You've earned it. I may have been a little hard on you through the years, and I know this doesn't make up for that, but it's yours. From the moment I signed the paperwork, I knew I would hand it down to you. Besides, all it does is collect dirt sitting here all the time."
My Dad paid the truck off, and I remember the day he brought it home like yesterday. It'd been a long time since he'd gotten himself anything. Any vehicle purchase over the years went to my mother. He's never been the type to spend money on himself.
"Traffic is going to get heavy soon." He says, lifting the box of mason jars from my old truck to deliver them to his GMC. "You need to get a head start and get settled in."
Classes start Monday and I'm a little late getting my things into the dorm room. I toss my bag into the backseat, hesitant though because it doesn't feel right accepting the truck from him.
I give them both a hug before sliding in behind the wheel. I adjust the sunglasses, resting on my hat, over my eyes and shut the door. Emptiness envelopes me as I head down the long, winding driveway. If this isn't the hardest thing I've had to do in my life, I don't know what is.

Kingdom of Embers Audiobook is LIVE!

[image error] Happy, happy Friday! I am beyond excited to announce that the audiobook of Kingdom of Embers is now available on most of the audiobook platforms (Audible and Audiobooks.com coming soon). I've listened to it twice already and love it more and more each time. Amy Deuchler did an amazing job bringing Alena and all the characters of Kingdom of Embers to life! I can't wait for you to listen and tell me what you think.

New to this series? Kingdom of Embers is the first book in the enthralling Kingdom Journals YA urban fantasy series. If you like intriguing characters, shadowy magic, and a fresh twist on modern vampire storylines, then you’ll love this heart-stopping tale.

Alena's pale skin and weird diet make her a target at school. If only they knew the truth about her feeding habits…
 
Seventeen-year-old Alena Scott is tired of pretending to be something she’s not. As an outlawed vampire-witch hybrid, she’s forced to abide by the oppressive secrecy imposed by her Vampire Chancellor mother. But she’ll have to ignore the rules when she comes face-to-face with a handsome, full-grown version of her childhood imaginary friend.
 
Shocked that he recognizes her as his own pretend play pal, the two embark on a quest to solve the mystery of their fantasized companionship. And as they unravel their entwined destinies, Alena realizes she holds the key to a curse which could free them all—or condemn witchkind to eternal suffering.
 
I've created lots of extras for you guys to enjoy with the audiobook. If you head over to Soundcloud you can listen to two snippets of the KofE audiobook. Also if you love music as much as me, head over to Spotify for my Kingdom of Embers playlist.

What do peeps think of Kingdom of Embers? It was super fun for me to go to Goodreads and see new reviews...

Jan 19, 2020 Grady rated it 5* it was amazing
Comfortable atmosphere delivered with a wry humor – a fine opening for this interesting novel. ...The synopsis of the plot distills the story well – Tricia makes her story work, due in part to her accessible writing skills, but also to her colorful imagination and her ability to transform the world into make-believe – if only for the time this fine book is being enjoyed. Recommended for the chosen Young Adult cadre!
 
Sep 09, 2018 Angie rated it 5* it was amazing
Love love love love LOVED this book!! One of the best urban fantasy stories I have read to date. The character development was exceptional and whilst probably aimed at a young adult audience it held my attention fast and firm.
 
Feb 07, 2017 2OCC Reviews rated it 5* it was amazing
It's no secret that I adore Tricia Copeland's writing skills, I completely fell head over heels for Being Me series.. this book though has topped them all! I love Alena!!
 
Aug 04, 2019 Elysian Fields rated it 4* really liked it
Enjoyable story that has many layers. I liked the characters and their development. It was great to turn the pages and peel back the mysteries right along with the characters. This is a new and fresh take on the vsmpire/hunter/shifter themes and it's done well. I will be reading the others at a later date.


Can Alena and her impossibly familiar partner reverse an ancient spell before they’re sent to a mortal grave?

Find out in the Kingdom of Embers Audiobook or read on your favorite platform. Make sure to take advantage of the new release pricing on the audiobook platforms. KOBO is even offering it for free with a trial subscription.

Until, next time, happy listening!
Tricia

AfterLife YA Paranormal Fantasy by Sandy Goldsworthy

[image error] Happy Thursday! It's not often I am able to post two reviews in a week, but with the holiday weekend I got some extra reading in! Plus, this book was so fun, it kept me turning pages quicker than you can say jackrabbit. Sandy's first installment of this AfterWorld Saga is titled AfterMath and you can find out more about it by scrolling down through my blog posts or clicking here to go directly there .

This second installment of the AfterWorld Saga, AfterLife, besides having an amazingly beautiful cover, does not disappoint. Like the first in the series, AfterMath, it switches back and forth between two POVs. Emma is a seventeen-year-old senior in high school. Her boyfriend Ben, also seventeen (at least in his present body), is an immortal agent sent to earth to thwart evil. Ben and Emma were married in previous lives and in AfterMath we saw Ben find Emma and reunite with her.

With their romance going strong and a major bad guy in captivity it would seem nothing could come between them. Unfortunately Ben's job as an agent comes with complications and bad guys don't always stayed locked away...

My official review: BIG 4/5*
I love this story of Emma and Ben. Ben is an immortal (angel some may say) who finds his soulmate Emma in the first installment of this series. As an immortal agent however he can't control his assignments and his "job" creates challenges for staying in Emma's life.

Emma is a high school senior trying to figure out the rest of her life, but also she has strange dreams and hears strange thoughts. Throughout the story I wondered if she may be figuring out that she had a prior life with Ben. Both characters have depth and I became invested in each. The ending is surprising and satisfying and I can't wait to see what comes next for Emma and Ben.

To find AfterLIfe on Goodreads click here. You won't be disappointed. Plus, Sandy tells me she's working on the sequel right now, so fingers crossed the final chapter of this series isn't far off!

Happy Reading,
Tricia

Vanquished by Jo Michaels New Release w/ Review

Happy Tuesday! It seems like I have been waiting for months to share this with you. And I actually have! I read an advance copy of Vanquished by Jo Michaels in December and have been sitting on pins and needles for the release.

You all know I love vampires, anything vampires, well most anything vampires, and this book is no exception. I give it a raving 4/5 stars for great plot, characters, and a fresh take on vampire lore. Well done Jo! If you want to read the prequel novella you can check out 'Twas the Night Before that released in December (scroll down or click the title for my review and the links).

Here is all you need to know about Vanquished

Title: Vanquished
Author: Jo Michaels
Genre: YA PNR
Editor: Tia Silverthorne Bach with INDIE Books Gone Wild
Publication Date: January 21st, 2020
Hosted by: Lady Amber's PR
 
Blurb:
An angel fell in love with a vampire. This is what happened next.
 
 Victoria and Vance have been married for centuries, working for God and battling evil at His command. Now, the unusual couple are headed to New Orleans, Louisiana, to investigate why so many humans are losing their souls.
 
Victoria and Vance are tasked with stopping the thievery, but people aren't as open to speaking with the couple as they'd hoped. Stakes are too high, and the affected have an unusual power of their own.
 
It's a high-stakes gamble as the pair races to find answers before the humans' souls are lost forever.
 
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48908420-vanquished
 
Author Bio:
Jo Michaels loves writing novels that make readers gasp in horror, surprise, and disbelief. While her browser search history has probably landed her on a list somewhere, she still dives into every plot with gusto, hoping "the man" will realize she's a writer and not a psychopath about to go on a rampage. Her favorite pastimes are reading, watching Investigation Discovery, and helping other authors realize their true potential through mentoring. She's penned the award-winning Pen Pals and Serial Killers series and the best-selling educational book for children, Writing Prompts for Kids, which has rocketed the kids that use it into several awards of their own.
 
Most of Jo's books feature the places she's lived: Louisiana, Tennessee, and Georgia. That's given her a special amount of insight to what makes those locations tick. Her works are immersive and twisty, and she wouldn't want it any other way.
 
Author Links:
Website: http://WriteJoMichaels.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/WriteJoMichaels
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WriteJoMichaels
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/WriteJoMichaels
Instagram: http://instagram.com/WriteJoMichaels
Blog: http://jomichaels.blogspot.com
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2rkgBSZ
Radio: http://blogtalkradio.com/ADailyCupofJo
 
Buy Link:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/365VmX9

Twisted Lies Contemporary Romance New Release

Happy Saturday! Today I've got a romantic suspense cued up for your weekend reads. Here are all the details. Make sure you keep reading till the end because there's a special bonus link just for you!

Twisted Lies by Sedona Venez
Core McKay. Arrogant. Narcissistic. Prick.
The epitome of manhood. Pillow lips, manly beard, piercing eyes.
My new boss, and nemesis.
 
Love her? Ruin her? How about both?
 
Sinthia Michaels is a rising fashion star.
 
Core McKay is rich, sexy, and a former kingpin in NYC’s organized crime underbelly.
 
Together, they spark a romance that could ignite a corporate empire—or bring everything crashing down.
 
Spinning a web of twisted lies and dirty secrets, Core traps Sin in an enchanting realm of drama and danger. The fashion world is cutthroat, the political arena vicious, and the criminal underworld he’s involved in doesn’t play games.
 
Core wants to use Sin to get revenge on a corrupt politician who took everything—but he doesn’t expect to start an erotic affair with the very girl he plans to use as a weapon.
 
Sin didn’t become famous without knowing how to fight back…even against the man she loves.
 
An emotional page-turner with chemistry, betrayal, and the thrill of danger, Twisted Lies is a contemporary romantic suspense novella that’s hot, sexy, and haunting.
 
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22297199-twisted-lies
 

Author Bio:
USA TODAY Bestselling Author Sedona Venez lives in New York City with her hot ex-military hubby--hooah--and their fur babies. She loves writing sizzling, sexy intricate stories about strong but broken characters who push limits, overcome their fears, and risk it all for love.
 
Author Links:
Text "SedonaVenez" to 33222
Newsletter: https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/349313?v=7
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SedonaVenez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SedonaVenez
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2NomBU9
Web: http://sedonavenez.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6535416.Sedona_Venez
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sedona-venez
 
Buy Links:
Twisted Lies 1 (FREE): https://amzn.to/2zKT6tw
Twisted Lies 2: https://amzn.to/2mnyKNF
Twisted Lies 3: https://amzn.to/2zL9YAF
Twisted Lies 4: https://amzn.to/2Ni8IXi

Latest Read: One of You is Lying

[image error] Happy New Year! I hope that all of you had a wonderful holiday season. I was lucky enough to spend it relaxing with family and friends, reading, and painting (not the fun kind but that also was satisfying). I received One of You is Lying by Karen M. McManus as an Xmas gift from my daughter on recommendation from one of her friends.

It is definitely a YA/high school read but as an adult I loved the suspense and intrigue of the plot. I'm a YA reader at heart, but sometimes the high school teen scene can be too much. In this case it was not. The characters are multi-layered and interesting, and the story line held my attention.

Here's my official reivew: 4/5*

The premise: 5 students, a jock, nerd, cheerleader, druggie, and social scene blogger end up in detention together. The blogger dies of anaphylactic shock and the police determine someone put peanut oil in the cup he drank from. The thing is everyone hated this dude, Simon, because he blogged about everyone’s secrets. His final post gets released post-mortem and each of the others from detention are exposed for supposed scandalous behavior.

The book is told through the voices of the four characters that were in the room with Simon when he died and the reader is challenged to figure out who is lying, who is telling the truth, and who killed Simon.

It bothered me that this story was about a teen’s death and that the characters’ reputations were plunged into turmoil. I wanted it to be a dystopian book, but I can guess that similar situations happen in high schools all the time. Obviously, this is fiction, fictional characters with magnified traits to portray each type of social sect.

I tend to get very involved in my characters and sat on the edge of my seat wondering which teen killed Simon, or if they worked together. The ending was both surprising and original and I won’t say more about that so as not that so as not to spoil it. There are many players to doubt and to question and I couldn’t have guessed the ending. Pay attention and you may be able to though.

Release Review: 'Twas the Night Before

Happy Tuesday!

I'm excited to share this new release from my author friends Jo Michaels, S.J. Pierce, and Tia Silverthorne Bach. I had the pleasure of reading an advance copy a few weeks ago. This anthology includes three paranormal short stories that are unique and entertaining. I loved all of them. They're perfect for quick holiday enjoyment. Without further ado, here are all the details.

Title: ‘Twas the Night Before
Author: Jo Michaels, S.J. Pierce, Tia Silverthorne Bach
Genre: PNR Romance Anthology
Publication Date: December 17th, 2019
Hosted by: Lady Amber's PR
 
Angels, witches, and vampires. Three magical Christmas romance tales that will take you back in time and leave you breathless.
 
Spell of Snow - by S. J. Pierce
Life can be a witch...
 
Six years ago, I discovered my powers - I can make flowers bloom. But in a world where anything magical is met with judgement and swinging from a rope, I have to be careful... until one day I wasn't. The Witch Hunters have been alerted, and now no one, including my loved ones, can save me.
 
My name is Rosanna Frey, Snow Queen of Ipswich, and this is my story.
 
Christmas Savior - by Jo Michaels
Angel Victoria is on a mission from God: Save the illegitimate royal Catherine Carey from the dark ones.
 
Vampire Vance is on a mission from the head vampress, Cleopatra: Bring Catherine Carey into the coven so she can lead them to victory over the humans.
 
When the angel and the vampire meet, sparks fly. A bird may love a fish, too, but where do they reside?
 
Immortal Faith - by Tia Silverthorne Bach
Sometimes, faith is all that's required.
 
Lucent has lost everything: his mortality, his hope, and the love of his life. His faith is wavering, but he clings to it like a lifeline. When he meets a beautiful witch who makes his dead heart skip a beat, he fights choosing between the brightness of hope and the darkness he's become accustomed to.
 
Holidays past brought great loss and heartache, but a witch just might bring him a Christmas miracle.
 
ALL proceeds from this anthology will be donated to MS research.
 
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48637885-twas-the-night-before---a-magical-holdiay-romance-anthology
 
Author Facebook Page Links:
Jo Michaels: https://www.facebook.com/WriteJoMichaels/
S.J. Pierce: https://www.facebook.com/SJPiercebooks/
Tia Silverthorne Bach: https://www.facebook.com/tia.bach.author/
 
Buy Link:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2EogFIf

Happy holiday reading,
Tricia

Why "Own Your Magic"?

[image error] Happy Wednesday!

I've been thinking I wanted to expand on the why behind my "Own Your Magic" slogan Dani, of Love, Dani Studio, and I brought to life. Earlier this year, I noticed that Dani produced a journal for her collection. I'd wanted to offer my readers something different and fun and this seemed to be a fun way to do it. My next task was to come up with a slogan, something catchy, fun, and because you know, me and Dani are all about positivity and being your best self, inspiring. I also wanted it to fit in with my most recent series, the Kingdom Journals , and incorporate something about the supernatural world these characters live in. I brainstormed and came up with several slogans using the word magic and pitched them to Dani. "Own Your Magic" appealed most to her and we had a winner. But what does "Own Your Magic" mean?

I feel there are several parts to "own you magic". (And yes, I'm assuming we all have magic. Whether it is talent, skill, interests, or just part of who we are, those things are part of our magic.) First is to realize what your magic is, second to investigate how to apply your magic, third to decide on a path forward, and finally to put the plan into action. Let's break it down.

1. Realizing Your magic - Whether you are great at writing, dance, music, drawing, computer programming, math, history, organizing, connecting people, everyone has multiple of abilities to bring to the world. Make a list, brainstorm what activities make you happy, those you enjoy doing, ones you are good at.

2. Think of how to use your magic - What jobs, organizations, activities give you the opportunity to use your skills and talents. If one doesn't exist maybe you create a club or job for yourself.

3. Decide which path is right for you - We can't do everything. If you need to support yourself not working isn't an option. Can that job be something you love? Or is your job just a means to make money? What are your priorities? How much time do you have? How can you take time to do things you love? Balance work and play? Or meld them together? What is the best way for you to do what makes you happy?

4. Put the plan into action - Doing something different takes courage. (At least for me. I've heard of people who have no fear, but haven't met many.) Whether your plan is big or small, start taking steps to make it happen. Maybe it's five minutes a day, or thirty, or an hour.

The characters in the Kingdom Journals series go through the same metamorphosis. In the beginning some of them don't know they're witches or that they can do magic. One does, but she feels lost and unsure of where she fits in. Once they unlock their talents and role in the prophecy, they pool their abilities to discover how to break the curse and see their quest achieved.

For me, owning my magic is recognizing my creative side and seeing value in the stories that my mind creates. It took me a long time do decide to share them. Maybe it's not the most glamorous past time, sitting in front of my computer and creating characters and worlds, but I love it. Further, I enjoy talking to other books lovers about their reading experiences. I have no idea where my creativity will take me tomorrow, but for today, I'm going to keep sharing my stories.

Last but not least, don't forget to enjoy what you're doing and take the time to reflect, give yourself a big pat on the back as you are having a blast with your magical talents. If you haven't downloaded the Own Your Magic coloring sheet, you can sign up to receive it here. If you're interested in our journal you can click here. To find more Love, Dani products go to her website.

Until next time, keep on shining!
Tricia

The Dragon Princess: Sleeping Beauty Reimagined by Lichelle Slater

A few months ago at Penned Con 2019 in St. Louis I had the pleasure of sharing my author table with Lichelle Slater. I'd "met" her online but we'd never connected in person prior to the event. Believe me, you are in for a treat with Lichelle because to know her is to love her. But, on to more bookish topics. I don't read fairy tales a lot and have never read a dragon book (for those of you who read Kingdom of War, you may say... but you wrote... yes, yes, but no spoilers people!). I wanted to see what all the fuss was about, because let me tell you, people who like dragons, really like dragons! Maybe it's no different than my obsession with vampires, or witches, or more currently zombies, but I digress.

The Dragon Princess is a fun retelling of Sleeping Beauty although it strays far from the original plot line which made it unique and unpredictable. Princess Elisa is kept sequestered in her castle because she is cursed to become a dragon by her eighteenth birthday. On her seventeenth birthday she loses her temper. Claws form on her fingers and scales grow over the skin of her hands. She fears the worst is coming and decides to take matters into her own hands.

I give this book a solid 4/5 stars! I liked the fun plot line and that Elisa decides she needs to face her fate head on. You can read my full review here. The second book in this series, The Siren Princess, just released and I'm excited to read this Little Mermaid retelling as well. This is the second book of Lichelle's Forgotten Kingdom Series. If you sign up for her newsletter, you get the prequel to the series.

To celebrate the release of The Siren Princess, Lichelle has a special of $0.99 for the ebook version of The Dragon Princess, plus she's got a fun giveaway on IG. You can head there to enter and find more details here. You can follow Lichelle on Facebook by going here. If you're more of a Twitter person, you can find her here.

I'm excited to share more of my other recent reads by Jo Michaels, S.J. Pierce, and Tia Silverthorne Bach in the coming weeks. Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving and start to the holiday season!

Happy reading,
Tricia

Great read by Sandy Goldsworthy

[image error] Happy Wednesday! I'm excited to share with you my most recent read. I got the chance to catch up on my TBR list last week while traveling. I'll share more in the coming weeks. Today I am featuring Sandy Goldsworthy's Aftermath, Book 1 in the Afterworld Saga, published by Clean Teen Publishing.

Aftermath is written from the perspective of two main characters Ben and Emma. Ben is an "immortal agent", an angel of sorts whose is saving humans who aren't supposed to die yet and thwarting evil spirits. His personal mission is to find his wife Elizabeth and reunite with her. After decades of searching Ben finds her reborn in Emma, a high school student. Emma is a senior and having already lost her mother, loses her father in a car crash. She moves to a small Wisconsin town to live with her aunt. There she meets Ben who she is immediately drawn to.

The story line portrays Emma dealing with her father's death in a very typical teenage fashion. She has to adjust to a new high school and new friends as well as figure out who she is attracted to and why. Ben's story is rich and intriguing and there is an over arcing plot of an evil spirit haunting the small Wisconsin town where Emma lives. Ben and the other immortal agents must investigate and try to find the evil beings while pretending to be normal teenagers.

I enjoyed Ben's history as well as that of the other immortal agents and found it to add to the richness of this story. Emma is also a real and true to life character. The plot held my attention and kept me turning pages until the end. I definitely give Sandy's book a 4* thumbs up! After finishing I immediately went to Amazon and purchased the second book, Afterlife!

Kudos to Ms. Goldsworthy and happy reading!
Tricia

P.S. You can find Aftermath on Goodreads here.