E.J. Stevens's Blog, page 84

Spirit Storm Giveaway Winner!

Congrats Heather of Buried in Books the winner of our Spirit Storm Giveaway ! 

Heather is the lucky winner of a Spirit Storm tote bag stuffed with Spirit Guide Series prizes including a signed copy of She Smells the Dead, signed copy of Spirit Storm, "I Smell Dead People" t-shirt (size XL), She Smells the Dead bookmarks, Spirit Storm poster, and Spirit Guide Series postcards.

Thank you to all who entered!

Didn't win?  Don't miss the Paranormal Spring Break Giveaway for Spirit Guide series prizes beginning tomorrow at Parajunkee's View and Tynga's Reviews , the March Madness Spirit Storm Giveaway at the Paranormal Romance Guild , or donate to Shelter Box to provide disaster relief to earthquake and tsunami victims (details here) and tweet your donation with the hashtag #thenameoftheshelterbox or  #thelastlittleshelterbox and be entered to win signed copies of She Smells the Dead, Spirit Storm, and much more!

**All From the Shadows giveaway winners are selected using Random.org**

Books for Earthquake + Tsunami Relief

I awoke to the terrifying news alerts regarding the earthquake in Japan and the subsequent tsunami damage.  As I write this post there are continued tsunami warnings and expected damage to homes, businesses, and potential loss of life.  I. Want. To. Help.

As many of my readers know, I believe in being proactive.  This was the catalyst for PNR4Wolves, a site I founded last month.  PNR4Wolves is a new way for authors and publishers to raise awareness and promote the rescue and preservation of wolves.  PNR4Wolves supporting authors contribute paranormal books, ebooks, and book related items to the annual PNR4Wolves giveaway.  Readers who agree to contribute to the rescue and preservation of wolves are entered to win prizes in the annual PNR4Wolves book giveaway.  Contributions may be in the form of volunteering with a local wildlife refuge or nature conservancy, joining a letter writing campaign, donating to wolf rescue organizations or wolf sanctuaries, or adopting a wolf. As a paranormal romance author with a love of wolves, I wanted to do something to bring attention to our wild neighbors.

Today I hope to bring attention to the Japan earthquake and following tsunami wreckage.  Disaster relief is desperately needed.  Two organizations that I support are the Red Cross and Shelter Box.  I have been on the street team spreading the word this month for Writers for the Red Cross.  I am also supporting Shelter Box with the donation of books and a portion of my Amazon Kindle sales.

I am donating signed copies of She Smells the Dead and Spirit Storm, the first two books in the Spirit Guide series, to the Shelter Box drive by author Maureen Johnson.  To learn more about this wonderful effort, please visit Maureen's blog post here. 

I am also pledging to donate 10% of all Spirit Guide series kindle sales from today March 11th to March 13th.  If you purchase a kindle copy of She Smells the Dead and/or Spirit Storm during this time period, a portion of the sale will go to Shelter Box. 

Let's help our neighbors during this difficult time.
xx,
E.J.

1,000 Followers Giveaway Winners!

Congratulations to our 1,000 Followers Giveaway winners!






















Congrats Enamored Soul winner of the $10 Amazon electronic gift card.

Book Flame is the lucky winner of a gorgeous Spirit Storm tote bag, signed copy of Spirit Storm, Spirit Guide series bookmarks and postcards.  Congrats!

Congrats Michelle of Novels on the Run winner of She Smells the Dead from The Book Depository.

Thank you to all who entered.

**All From the Shadows giveaway winners selected using Random.org**

Guest Author Interview: Allie Burke

Please welcome today's guest author Allie Burke!  Allie is the author of The Enchanters series including Violet Midnight and Emerald Destiny.

EJ:  When did you begin writing?

Allie:   I began writing a little over two years ago. Books had been my life for so long before that, when my imagination started running wild in between the pages of the books I disappeared into, I thought, "I can do this!"

EJ:  What brought you to the paranormal genre?

Allie:   The paranormal romance genre has always been my favorite to read. My problem was, after reading book after book off the YA shelf, I was missing that adult connection that I craved, that physical romance and a life beyond one where parents rule. On the other side, the suspenseful books I read lacked that sense of deep, true love that I cannot live without. So, in my quest to find some middle ground, I wrote a book that I genuinely wanted to read.

EJ:  If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?

Allie:  Vampire. Cliche, I know, but they are fascinating. Vampires have been reinvented so many different times, but (from what I've seen), they are always beautiful, they all have superhuman strength, and they all live forever. As humans, we wear makeup and get our nails done, we do our best to be our strongest inside and out, and we all want to live our lives in our own way. I think every person hopes for those vampire qualities, in one way or another, and I think that's what lures us into their world.

EJ:  Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.

Allie:  I've heard people say that my books are captivating in some ways, rare and unique in others. But most of all, my readers have said that Violet Midnight left them wanting more. Since the titles of the books in these series are based solely on color, I think readers will be very excited when they see the emerald theme of the new release. While Violet Midnight was one side of the story, Emerald Destiny is the other, and within that other side, there is a new story developing. Well, a couple actually. I think the new book will really give readers a chance to delve into the dark nature of every aspect of the story.

EJ:  If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?

Allie:  When I envision Elias I see Vin Diesel. As an actor, he's got that pure man element to him, but through his eyes and rare smile you can really see his depths. Ashley Greene is the only woman I can imagine beautiful enough to portray Jane. Wentworth Miller, with his hard face but ultimately calm demeanor, would make the perfect Christian. And I'll stop there, I don't want to spoil anything...























Emerald Destiny (The Enchanters, book 2) by Allie Burke.

The night was completely calm now, cool and slightly breezy, no trace of the earlier storm. The rain had been vicious, cutting through his skin like glass, his heart shattering as the shards poured into him from the sky. Not even Cameron's polished influence could muster a storm like that, one that drained his energy until he blacked out of his head. It had only ever rained like that a handful of times since Evan could remember, but every time it did, she was somewhere in the woods, crying. She said she didn't remember him. Abby was a lot of things, but never a liar. That is, until tonight.

Nineteen year old Evan spends his time in the woods of Dare Forest, as close to her as he can be, the girl that for fourteen years, his heart has ached for. The same girl that everyone around him forbids him to love.

Abby's nights are crowded between her Enchanter life, her dreading nightmares, and her enduring will to save her brother from his own inner darkness. But when Evan speaks to her for the first time in fourteen years, she finds she can no longer endure the sorrow crowding her world.

Countless times before them, the union between a Brooks woman and a Reed man has failed. The love in their hearts strives to be together forever, but will their destinies break them apart?


Thank you Allie for joining us here today at From the Shadows !

To learn more about Allie Burke and her books, please visit her website.

Spirit Guide Series Romance Trading Cards

Romance trading cards are the new big thing (click here to learn more about RTCs) so I decided to design character cards for each book in the Spirit Guide series.  A limited run of physical cards will be available later this year.

She Smells the Dead (Spirit Guide #1)

Front:

















Back:
























































































Spirit Storm (Spirit Guide #2)

Front:

















Back:





































Legend of Witchtrot Road (Spirit Guide #3)

Front:
Not yet revealed

Back:



















More cards coming soon.

Guest Author Interview: Hope Welsh + Giveaway

Please welcome today's guest author Hope Welsh.  Hope is the author of Forbidden and Once Bitten, The Storm Within, and Linked.

EJ:  When did you begin writing?

Hope:   I really don't remember a time when I wasn't writing. I wrote a play when I was eight. A Christmas play. My sister got married the night it was performed. I've never forgiven her for that, because I missed my own play—lol, being a flower girl. I'm pretty sure I frowned at her throughout the ceremony. I remember trying to convince her to get married the following night.

EJ:  What brought you to the paranormal genre?

Hope:   I have always enjoyed paranormal books. The first ones I read were back in the late eighties/early nineties. Authors like Teresa Medeiros were my staples back then. Linda Lael Miller and her vampire books—I was hooked. When I read, I want to escape from reality. What better way to do that than to read about angels, vampires, time-travel and shapeshifters?

EJ:  If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?

Hope:  I've actually thought about this. When I was a child, I desperately wanted to be clairvoyant. Of course now, I can't imagine the horror of seeing horrid things before they happen. (Although I love writing about clairvoyance.) When I was a young wife, I dreamt that my husband's plane went down into a lake during a flying lesson. I convinced him to postpone the lesson. That afternoon, a small plane went down in a lake.

Now, as someone that is a little older and hopefully a little wiser, now, I'd love to be an empath. The thought of being able to help others in pain would fit me to a T. I spent years as an EMT and as any EMT will tell you; they'd give a lot to be able to really help their patients.

I'm actually working on a book—The female protagonist is an empathic EMT. In Linked, the female protagonist is a clairvoyant woman that doesn't want a thing to do with her abilities.

EJ:  Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.

Hope:   I'm really bad at this kind of question. My best answer, I suppose, would be that I try very hard to make my novels allow a reader to escape into a world that is not black and white. I want them to feel what my characters feel. I want them to see and believe what my characters see and believe. I've always thought that if a novel can make a reader feel an emotional response to the book that the author has succeeded in doing her job.

In Linked, Lana Summers watched the hell her mother went through with her visions of the future. She wants nothing at all to do with her own abilities, and tries to disregard them totally.

When her mother's murderer threatens her life, Cole Willams comes to the rescue. In the book, she's forced to either accept her abilities in order to solve an ancient prophecy to thwart an ancient evil, or deny them and watch the world as she knows it change forever.

Any good story should answer this question: WHAT IF? Linked does that—in spades, I think.

EJ:  If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?

Hope:   I can't write a book without seeing my characters. The Evil One would be the guy that played in The Crow, Michael Wincott. He's got the voice to pull him off. Can't you see him playing an arrogant ancient evil? I sure can!

Lana Summers could be played by Olivia Wilde (from House) I think she has the personality to pull off Lana. Lana is a strong woman, and from what I've seen of Olivia's acting, she does that type of character very well.

Hugh Jackman for Cole Williams. Cole is a character that is a fixer. I can see Hugh Jackman as the type of man that would want to fix everything. Cole's character would need someone that can pull off a dominant personality.























Linked by Hope Welsh.

Evil is watching and time is running out. Tara Summers wants an ordinary life--and nothing to do with anything paranormal. She shuns her own paranormal abilities. When her home is broken into, Cole Williams comes to the rescue--and he's much more than he seems. Will they be able to stop the evil or is their joining going to be the cause of evil taking control?


Thank you Hope for joining us here today at From the Shadows !























**Hope Welsh Ebook Giveaway**

We are giving away three ebooks by Hope Welsh, Linked, The Storm Within, and Forbidden and Bitten, to one lucky winner!

To enter, please leave a comment on this post including your email address (so we may contact you if you win).  You do not have to be a follower to enter (though I always appreciate a follow!).  This giveaway is international.  Giveaway ends March 22nd midnight EST.

Guest Author Interview: Sharde Richardson

Please welcome today's guest author Sharde Richadson.  Sharde is the author of Watched.

EJ:  When did you begin writing?
 
Sharde:   In my second grade in-class detention chair, in which I authored and illustrated a comic strip based on my teacher. It was called, 'The Chicken Man.' But things got serious in high school when I wrote my first novel that weighed 35,000 words. I thought it was literary gold until I revisited it a few months ago. Awful much?

EJ:  What brought you to the paranormal genre?

Sharde:   It's fantastical. It's endless. And just kick-ass. It's what I want to write to take someone to a place implausible, and actually make them care and believe in it.

EJ:  If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?

Sharde:   Nice one. I'd have to go with persuasion. Maybe then, I could get my husband to do a little house cleaning. This is, of course, pending he's not immune to that power.

EJ:  Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.

Sharde:   WATCHED is quirky, YA goodness. It has a strong voice that captures or defeats you (depending on your taste) at the first sentence. YA genre readers looking for something different, something edgy will enjoy it, I think.

EJ:  If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?

Sharde:   WATCHED has two main characters: Mikayla and Lucas.
If I had to choose for Mikayla, I'd have to go with Jennette McCurdy. This girl is hilarious and dry at the same time. It's hard not to love her on screen.
For Lucas, my choice at the moment (although he doesn't meet the physical qualification height-wise) would be Andrew Lawrence. He's got that 'look', I can't explain it without seeming pedophile-ish, but he has it. He also has a seriousness to him on screen that Lucas enforces in the book.























Watched by Sharde Richadson.

Mikayla doesn't want much: just to rock out to her favorite band, become the next Kwiki Stop video gaming champion, and keep her Q-tip habit under control. What she does want is the sight of the sudden inexplicable dark auras around everyone to stop. Problem is, those auras are demons and Mikayla is the last trait holder with the power to ban them. Which is a total buzz kill.  To make matters worse, the town folk of Sulphur Springs don't look the same, and her classmates are a little dark in the eyes. There are murders, suicides, reckless skinny-dipping, gratuitous use of Q-tips, and newfound powers that Mikayla must learn to control.  Her past becomes present when a shape-shifter tells her what her true identity is, and how to keep the demons of Hell from nipping at her Converse. Through him she'll discover who to trust, who to kiss, and how valuable her abilities are to the right beings. Because the evils of Hell aren't staying down without a fight.  Or without her soul.


Thank you Sharde for joining us here today at From the Shadows !

To learn more about Sharde and her books, please visit her website.

Giveaway Winners!

February may be for lovers, but here at From the Shadows February was the month for giveaways.  Congratulations to all of our giveaway winners!






















Congratulations Bookadicia of Bookadicia LUV Books!  Bookadicia is the winner of our Truly, Madly: Lucy Valentine Giveaway and will receive a copy of Truly, Madly from The Book Depository.






















Congratulations Jennifer of Book Noise!  Jennifer is the winner of our Character Art Giveaway and will receive a signed, artist embellished matted print of the artwork, titled "Little Family", depicting Faust, Annie, and baby Erik by author and artist Danielle D. Smith.






















Congratulations Meredith, LunaMoth of Far From Reality, and Tanya1224!  Meredith, LunaMoth, and Tanya1224 are the winners of our Soul in Love Bookmark Giveaway and will receive Soul in Love bookmarks, and some surprise bookmark swag.

Congratulations also to Raelena winner of our Bloody Valentine Giveaway, previously announced here.

Didn't win?  Don't miss these great giveaways...

We are giving away a $10 Amazon Gift Card,  a Spirit Storm tote bag to hold your new signed copy of Spirit Storm and fun Spirit Storm swag (US), and a copy of She Smells the Dead from The Book Depository (international) in my 1,000 Followers Giveaway (ends March 9th). 

Also giving away a Spirit Storm tote bag stuffed with Spirit Guide Series prizes including a signed copy of She Smells the Dead, signed copy of Spirit Storm, "I Smell Dead People" t-shirt (size XL), She Smells the Dead bookmarks, Spirit Storm poster, and Spirit Guide Series postcards in the Spirit Storm Giveaway (ends March 11th).


**All giveaway winners selected using Random.org.  Winners will be notified by email.**

Guest Author Interview: D.A. Berry

Please welcome today's guest author D.A. Berry!  D.A. is the author of A Deepened Hunger and A Cry From Beyond.

EJ:  When did you begin writing?

DA:  I began writing five years ago. I wrote fan-fiction on several web-sites.

EJ:  What brought you to the paranormal genre?

DA:   Since childhood, I've loved the paranormal genre.  Staying up late on Saturday evenings watching the Chiller movies will always be one of my favorite memories.

EJ:  If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?

DA:   That is easy—a vampire of course!  The mystery revolving around their existence is fascinating. They are sexy—adventurous—cunning when the situation requires. And what I love most about this immortal being is their passion and fearlessness. Choosing only one supernatural talent wow—that is quite difficult. I would say possessing the power to transform one's body into a misty haze. Such a talent would enable one to be anywhere at any time.

EJ:  Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.

DA:  'Dark Secrets' will include two shorter stories. Since the release of my first novel 'A Deepened Hunger' my readers relate to the romance between Lucian and Jordan. He, being a vampire that lost all he cared for centuries ago—accepting change throughout, his long existence. She, being a successful modern business woman, whose life was turned upside down, is still capable of holding her own. The combination makes for a fiery relationship. In Dark Secrets Lucian's beloved wife Jordan will uncover the true mystery behind the death of Isabella. Plagued with the reality of it all, Jordan will be faced with some impossible choices.
The second story revolves around Kara and 'The Being' introduced in 'A Cry From Beyond' book two in my vampire series. Once again, evil is reaping havoc on New Orleans. And the ancient goddess will stop at nothing to protect the humans and those she cares for. This novel will also bring in play many characters revealed in my weekly blog A Vampire's Journal .

EJ:  If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?

DA:  Lucian Monroe~ George Clooney: His ability to adapt to any role and become that character is quite a gift.
Jordan Pierce-Shayne~ Scarlett Johansson: Her character in Iron Man 2 revealed she possesses the persona and ability to portray an immortal Jordan. And she is a stunning natural beauty.
Tristen Sinclair~ Keifer Sutherland: Besides being my favorite male actor. He above all possesses the talent to bring out all the qualities needed to portray this character.
Kara~ Susan Lucie: Strong minded, extremely talented, beautiful… Need I say more…























A Cry From Beyond by D.A. Berry.

Tristen Sinclair has existed for centuries, fighting evil, vowing to protect the one being he loved beyond reason, the woman he pledged his heart to. Centuries passed. As darkness covers the earth, the vampire awakens, consumed with agonizing pain, for he failed to keep his promise. Her death haunts him, ripping apart his soul. For nearly 200 years, the vampire has emotionally battled the beast within, wanting to end his existence, cursing his wife's dying words. "Tristen, you must carry on. Promise me, you will protect the innocent." Her dying words were forever embedded in his mind. Unable to bear her loss any longer, he plans his demise. Awaiting the rising sun, the vampire whispers a prayer, begging her forgiveness. Suddenly, his head begins to throb, a panic-stricken voice invading his thoughts. A shattered mortal woman pleads to be saved from a soulless monster, an ancient vampire believed no longer of this world. Ana Nichols~ At the tender age of seventeen, a monster existing to inflict pain all but destroyed her. The being possessed her soul, ripping apart her inner self, subconsciously tormenting her mind night after night. Overwhelming fear was her only thought once darkness covered the earth. That night, an institution for the mentally ill became Ana's salvation, her home. For 10 years Davis Hospital has kept her hidden from the being, until one cold December night, when once again the creature has found her. Sensing deep within that there is no escape and knowing the monster tormenting her thoughts will not stop until it owns her soul, she mentally cries out, not understanding yet believing the one with emotionless eyes possesses the power to save her. Welcome to their world, the realm of the undead.


Thank you D.A. for joining us here today at From the Shadows !

To learn more about D.A. Berry and her books, please visit her website.

Book Review: Jekel Loves Hyde

Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey.

Jill Jekel has always obeyed her parents rules;especially the one about never opening the mysterious, old box in her father's office. But when her dad is murdered, and her college savings disappear, she's tempted to peek inside, as the contents might be the key to a lucrative chemistry scholarship.  To improve her odds, Jill enlists the help of gorgeous, brooding Tristen Hyde, who has his own dark secrets locked away. As the team of Jekel and Hyde, they recreate experiments based on the classic novel, hoping not only to win a prize, but to save Tristen's sanity. Maybe his life. But Jill's accidental taste of a formula unleashes her darkest nature and compels her to risk everything, even Tristen's love just for the thrill of being . . . bad.

Review:

The word is about, there's something evolving
Whatever may come, the world keeps revolving
They say the next big thing is here
That the revolution's near
But to me it seems quite clear
That it's all just a little bit of history repeating -Propellerheads
It's all just a little bit of history repeating...  What if the story of The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson were true?  What if the formula that Doctor Jekel created really worked and altered the course of the Jekel and Hyde families forever?  This is the basis for Jekel Loves Hyde and Fantaskey, author of Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side, does a fabulous job of reeling the reader in from the very first page.  Jill Jekel and Tristen Hyde's lives are about to take a bizarre turn, but they are both so filled with realistic flaws and feelings that the entire scenario feels utterly believable.  Jekel Love Hyde will take you on a thrilling ride of danger and young romance.  A suspenseful paranormal read that young adult paranormal romance fans will drink up like the elixir within its pages.  A heady draught both bitter and sweet.

I recommend Jekel Loves Hyde to readers of young adult, paranormal romance, urban fantasy, paranormal mysteries, and especially to fans of paranormal suspense.  Jekel Loves Hyde may appeal to fans of The Hollow by Jessica Verday and Nevermore by Kelly Creagh.

Sensitive reader warning: mild violence, sexual situations.

Source: This book was purchased by E.J. for review.


Jekel Loves Hyde on Amazon.
Jekel Loves Hyde on Goodreads.