Nicole Zoltack's Blog, page 26

Help Pick the Cover for Blood Bound by Keshia Swaim

This one's a bit tricksy, because it's a two-fer!



Spencer Hill Press is having trouble deciding which cover they want, so they are giving YOU the power!!!

(MWHAHAHAAAA!!!! Can you feel it going to your head yet?) 




So! Let's hear about the book first!





Blood Bound

   Starting college a year early is hard. Starting fae college and learning to protect the world from the Unseelie is harder.
   Brielle Reed has always been an over-achiever, but this time she may have bitten off more than she can chew. Between her crash course in fae politics, struggles to control her new mind-reading ability, training sessions with the demanding Dr. Schwartz, and discoveries about the father who is still a mystery to her, Brielle finds herself longing for a chance at a normal life.
   But she may not get that chance. Or chance at a life at all, for that matter.




Title: Blood Bound






Author: Keshia Swaim





Publisher: Spencer Hill Press (www.spencerhillpress.com) Please feel free to use any images, text, links, etc. from our website.






ISBN: 978-1-937053-45-1



Release Date: September 10, 2013


Formats: Paper, e-book




Keshia is previously published, but this is her first full-length novel to be unleashed on the world.




Now, the covers:






























Which design do you prefer, the one 

with the hand or the one with the girl on the cover?

Hand
Girl




Freeblogpolls

More polls: [image error]Memira






So which do you prefer? 

Does the hand make you feel like the power could be in yours? 

Or are you intrigued by what secrets the pretty lady is keeping? 

Don't forget to vote!

(you don't even have to register or listen to politicians or anything!)

Guest Post with Willow Cross, Author of Birthright - Halloween is nearly here!

Halloween is one of my two favorite holidays.  I suppose you won’t have any trouble guessing
the other one.  Growing up in rural
Indiana offered a unique Halloween experience most children don’t get to have
now. 

Every year,
my father would pull out the tractor and hitch up the hay-filled wagon in
preparation for the big community Halloween bash.  Mom had already gathered in bushels of apples
and those that hadn’t yet been made into applesauce or cider, were carefully
looked over and bagged for the bobbing tank. 


Weeks in
advance, my brothers and I combed through the attic.  Going through box after box of costumes and
masks from previous years.  A great
costume was the key to Halloween success. 
Everyone enjoyed the hayride, bobbing for apples, ghost in the corner,
haunted house, and trick-or-treating, but only two people could win the costume
contest.  And that was the very best
part!  Even the old farmer--that lived on the next farm beside us--tried
to take home that trophy.

The morning
of the party we’d get up bright and early. 
Our house always had many visitors and phone calls on that day.  At any given moment you might walk around a
corner and find Dad in deep conversation with another of the neighborhood
farmers.  Their voices would drop to
hushed whispers the moment they spotted you. 
Then Dad’s eyes would sparkle as he said, “Now you kids just get along
there.  This ain’t none of your business.”

Discouraged,
but not defeated, we’d wait for our next chance to overhear where the ‘ghosts’
and ‘ghouls’ would be hiding.  Without
fail, someone always screamed when the hidden farmers and their grown boys
jumped out from behind the trees.  And we
sure didn’t want the screamers to be us! 


One year,
they even rigged what we thought was a dummy from a tree.  He looked like an old cowboy that had been
hung.  He hung so low in the tree that if
you reached up just a bit, you could touch his dangling feet from the
wagon.  I’ll tell you what, when that old
cowboy started wailing and kicking his feet, we all nearly died of fright!  But it was awesome.

Memories of
those days gone by still bring a smile to my face.  From the hot apple cider to the hayrides,
bonfire, and ghost stories when the night grew late, it was an amazing time to
be a child!  I feel bad that my own
children didn’t get to have Halloweens like that.  Dad’s tractor was sold before most of them
were born.  But we still talk about it,
and around here we try to make Halloween just as Halloweeny as we possibly
can!!!








For one-thousand years, Druid prophecies foretold
of a young witch destined to alter the fate of both human and immortal alike.
This witch-turned-vampire would be capable of harnessing the supernatural
abilities of both and, in a bloody rise to power, would rule with unwavering
control. Unwillingly thrust into a world she never dreamed existed, Liz Markum
is catapulted into an ancient war between rival vampire factions. She must
choose between those she loves and the ever-present darkness attempting to
devour her very soul. Only one question remains: Will Liz claim her birthright
or surrender to the dark gift? One choice. One chance. Two destinies.




Buy
Links:




Amazon

Barnes
and Noble

Smashwords




Media
Links:




Facebook

Twitter

Website

Blog

  

About
Willow Cross









 Willow Cross resides in Arkansas with her
husband, two children still young enough to live at home, an enormous cat named
Bitsy, and a neurotic dog named Tank. Her home has been known to host the
occasional ghost and several of her friends profess to be witches. Although she
dearly loves Vampires and Werewolves, they are never invited for dinner.

Spooktacular G*veaway Hop - Woman of Honor, Knight of Glory, Champion of Valor

Welcome to Spooktacular Giveaway Hop! This hop is organized by The Diary of a Bookworm and by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer. There are more than 270 blogs participating, and it runs from 6 - 12 April!


I'm giving away winner's choice of an ebook in any format from my Kingdom of Arnhem trilogy! To enter, just fill out the Rafflecopter form below.



Aislinn of Bairbhe dreams of becoming a lady knight to honor the death of her fallen brother. To her mother's horror, King Patrick grants Aislinn's wish and she begins her long years of training.

Despite the mockery of the other pages, and the disdain of Prince Caelan who also trains to be a knight, Aislinn commits herself to her dreams and embarks on a journey of self-discovery and bravery. Through the years, Aislinn and Caelan grow from sparring classmates to good friends. They both know that someday Caelan will marry for the sake of the kingdom, but even that cannot keep them from falling in love. 

The threat of war with the Speicans is a constant threat, and one that grows more frightening as she and Caelan train toward their eventual knighthood. Aislinn has committed herself to serving Arnhem, and has promised herself as King's Champion when Caelan claims the throne. She is willing to give up everything... her childhood, her life, even her heart for Arnhem. No matter the pain it brings.


 

Sir Geoffrey, along with some companions, has been sent away from Arnhem, entrusted by Queen Aislinn for a special mission, and has to leave behind the mysterious lady Celestia. On his journey, he uncovers seeds of a sinister plot, learns a horrible secret, and makes a new friend in exile Jenanna.

Their mission completed, Geoffrey and his companions rush to two different kingdoms to ask for aid. Danger and betrayal lurks around every corner, and even allies have secrets that could prove deadly. Geoffrey's feelings for Celestia grow and wane. After learning some of Celestia's secrets, he begins to have second thoughts about his love for her and is even drawn to Jenanna.

Rumors abound that the Speicans have enlisted a mage of their own, to work unspeakable, forbidden magic. The war between Speica and Arnhem has just begun. Will Geoffrey survive the battle to live another day and discover which woman he truly loves?



The Mystical Conch Shell of the Sea has been stolen, and it's up to Selliki, the selkie, to get it back. Selliki sets across the continent of Alethereia to find Arnhem, and Gabrael, the mage she loves. Selliki knows that no union between a selkie and a human have ever had a happy ending, but neither can ignore their feelings. Each night, they experience terrible, real dreams that show how doomed their love is. 

The final war between Speica and Arnhem is threatening the entire world. Lucifer has aligned himself with Speica and wants nothing less than to bring about the Apocalypse before its time. In the last battle, cowardice is revealed, promises are broken, and many people die. Trolls fight icthyocentaurs, dwarves armed up against the Drow, angels against demons. Only one kingdom will prevail; that is, if the world doesn't end. 




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blast - The Emerald Talisman Audio Book by Brenda Pandos

The Emerald Talisman Audio Book by Brenda Pandos  

Read by Mary Morgan




You can run from
your destiny, but you can't hide.



If for no other
reason than to help endure the hormonal rush of high school, sixteen-year-old
Julia Parker would trade her ability to feel her fellow students' emotions in a
heartbeat, especially half the boys in class.


When the beguiling Nicholas uses his superhuman strength to rescue Julia from
the edge of a cliff before she's devoured by a bloodthirsty stalker, Julia is
suddenly thrust into an underground world where people and animals are often
one and the same. Fellow high school students disappear and only Julia and
Nicholas know the truth. While Nicholas, a vampire hunter, is out stopping the
ever-growing coven, an old friend entices Julia to join him on the dark side
and a psychic tells Julia she alone is the key to stopping the madness, problem
is it'll require Nicholas' life. 









Amazon * Audible * Goodreads * Sample










Author Brenda Pandos:  





Brenda
Pandos lives in California with her husband and two boys. She attempts to
balance her busy life filled with writing, being a mother and wife, and
spending time with friends and family. Working formerly as an I.T.
Administrator, she never believed her imagination would be put to good use.
After her son was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder her life
completely changed. Writing paranormal romance became something she could do at
home while tending to the new needs of her family, household, and herself.







Three
years later, Brenda now has five books published, The Talisman Trilogy: The
Emerald Talisman, The Sapphire Talisman, and The Onyx Talisman, and Mer Tales: Everblue
and Evergreen. She is currently working on the third book of Mer Tales, Everlost,
coming February 2013.







LINKS:


Website * Blog * Goodreads * Twitter * Facebook 





Audio Book Tour 







Readers
are invited to participate in The Emerald Talisman blog tour from 10/26-11/23
hosted by Confessions of a Bookaholic. There will be giveaways, interviews and
a scavenger hunt! 

























Book Blast Giveaway Details:



$100 Amazon Gift Card or $100 PayPal Cash from Author Brenda Pandos



Ends 10/30/12

*You need not enter your twitter name for each entry.  Simply enter it when you follow Brenda and leave the others blank.



a Rafflecopter giveaway





Open to anyone 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's permission. 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. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Cover Reveal: The Second Sign by Elizabeth Arroyo

Publisher: Sapphire Star Publishing

Genre: Young Adult Dark Fantasy/ Paranormal Romance

Release Date: February 07, 2013


   

Synopsis:

 

Bred to believe in the war
between angels and demons, Gabby has come to the conclusion that love is
responsible for war, jealousy, and all the other deadly sins she can think of.
So when she’s exiled to the middle of nowhere for getting kicked out of her fifth
school for fighting, she doesn't expect to meet Jake. Much less fall in love. But
Jake is quickly drawn to the eerie beauty of her violet eyes while Gabby is
unsettled by their undeniable connection.








When
a demon guardian comes to collect her soul, she refuses to give it up. She’s
not a demon. She can’t be. Her father and twin brother are angels. The demon gives
Gabby twenty-four hours to decide her allegiance, and then starts killing her
short list of friends, leaving a message behind: She is the Second Sign.








As
Gabby and Jake begin to unravel the mystery behind the Second Sign, she learns
Jake may be the key to saving her soul. But it means a sacrifice has to be made
that will change their lives forever.






Check out Elizabeth:






 

Website: www.elizabetharroyo.com

Blog: http://chandarawrites.blogspot.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EArroyo5

Facebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/elizabetharroyo.author

Top 5 Reasons Why Rachael Anderson Likes Writing Clean Romance

Today, we have Rachael Anderson, author of The Reluctant Bachelorette, with us today talking about why she likes to write clean romances.




1. I don't feel the need to use a pen name.

2. When my kids ask to read
my books, I can happily--and safely--let them borrow it. Or my nieces.
Or my neighbors kids. Or anyone. 

3. A cover with half-naked people on it
wouldn't fit the story, therefore, no one will ever have to hide any of
my covers when reading in public places.

4. I've always liked to be different. And in the world
of romance, keeping it clean is definitely different.

5.
I get to prove that clean romance still gives people those happy,
fluttery feelings that allow readers to experience, or re-experience,
the blissful moments of falling in love. One of the best compliments
I've ever received was when someone commented that my book reminded them
of the time when they first met their hubby. Loved that.




I love keeping it clean, and I'll never write any other way.




The Reluctant Bachelorette Blog Tour - October 1st to 28th





October 12th

Book Readers - Excerpt

Walking on Bookshelves - Review & Excerpt

A Casual Reader's Corner - Review

Where Fantasy & Love Take Flight - Guest Post 





The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachael Anderson





Unknowingly cast as the bachelorette for her town’s charity event, Taycee Emerson wants out. Especially when she discovers her old teenage crush, Luke Carney, is one of the bachelors and it's up to the viewers--not her--to decide which bachelors stay or go.



Coerced into participating, Taycee does what any self-preserving girl would do. She launches a subtle attack on Luke’s good name with the hope of getting him voted off the show. Unfortunately, Luke's an eye-for-an-eye kind of guy, and when he discovers what she's up to, it means revenge.



But when their pranks go south, will they screw up any chance they have at a future together, or will they be able to forgive and forget and prove that love really does conquer all?







About the Author:

Rachael Anderson is the author of four contemporary romances: Divinely Designed, Luck of the Draw, Minor Adjustments, and The Reluctant Bachelorette. She's the mother of four, can't sing, doesn't dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.







Links:







FB fan page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachael-Anderson/174521852685105

Website:

http://rachaelreneeanderson.blogspot.com/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/rachaelreneeand

Goodreads:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3229576.Rachael_Renee_Anderson

Amazon author page:

http://www.amazon.com/Rachael-Renee-Anderson/e/B003357K70/



Tour Giveaway - October 1st to 31st:



Grand Prize

    Print copy of The Reluctant Bachelorette (Ebook for International winner)

    $15 Amazon Gift Card

    Copy of the DVD Sneakers (US only)



Print copy of The Reluctant Bachelorette



3 Kindle Ebook Copy of The Reluctant Bachelorette


a Rafflecopter giveaway





Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. 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's permission. 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. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.  If the grand prize winner is not in the US they will receive only the  Amazon Gift card & a Kindle copy of The Reluctant Bachelorette.  The Sneakers DVD would then be awarded to the winner of the print copy  who must live in the US.

Cover Reveal - Charity Bradford's The Magic Wakes

Talia has a secret, one that will save her world and yet rip it apart. Only she can decide if the price is worth it.


Scientist Talia Zaryn has always had visions of an alien invasion and of her own death. She’s kept it a secret, hoping they are nothing more than childish nightmares. But when her face in the mirror matches that of her dreams, she fears the dreams are prophetic. Talia must prove that life exists beyond their planet, Sendek; perhaps then people will prepare to fight.


Talia's work at the Space Exploration Foundation leaves no time for personal relationships, but Major Landry Sutton isn’t looking for a friend. He is looking for a traitor. His ability to sense emotions convinces him Talia is that traitor until a touch sizzles between them. In an instant their minds are connected and they can communicate telepathically. Just as the two begin to trust each other, the invading force arrives.



Talia and Landry must uncover the secrets of Sendek’s past if they hope to defeat these terrifying creatures. And Talia is the key—if only she can learn to trust the magic coursing through her veins.





The Magic Wakes coming Feb 19th, 2013 from WiDo Publishing. 



Goodreads
Facebook
Website
Blog

Twitter



Isn't it a beautiful cover? I love it and can't wait to read The Magic Wakes!

Book Blast: The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachael Anderson with $50 Amazon GC G*veaway

The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachael Anderson



Unknowingly cast as the bachelorette for her town’s charity event, Taycee Emerson wants out. Especially when she discovers her old teenage crush, Luke Carney, is one of the bachelors and it's up to the viewers--not her--to decide which bachelors stay or go.



Coerced into participating, Taycee does what any self-preserving girl would do. She launches a subtle attack on Luke’s good name with the hope of getting him voted off the show. Unfortunately, Luke's an eye-for-an-eye kind of guy, and when he discovers what she's up to, it means revenge.



But when their pranks go south, will they screw up any chance they have at a future together, or will they be able to forgive and forget and prove that love really does conquer all?
















About the Author:

Rachael Anderson is the author of four contemporary romances: Divinely Designed, Luck of the Draw, Minor Adjustments, and The Reluctant Bachelorette. She's the mother of four, can't sing, doesn't dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.











Links:

FB fan page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachael-Anderson/174521852685105

Website:

http://rachaelreneeanderson.blogspot.com/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/rachaelreneeand

Goodreads:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3229576.Rachael_Renee_Anderson

Amazon author page:

http://www.amazon.com/Rachael-Renee-Anderson/e/B003357K70/





http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/p/blog-tour.html


The Reluctant Bachelorette Blog Tour - October 2012




Giveaway Details:

$50 Amazon Gift Code compliments of Author Rachael Renee Anderson

Ends 10/31/12



a Rafflecopter giveaway





Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. 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's permission. 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. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Concilium by Michelle Pickett

About Author Michelle Pickett:



Michelle has been an avid reader since a young child.  She began writing for personal enjoyment in college, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in accounting.  Deciding sitting in a cubical all day was her form of cruel and unusual punishment, she decided to do what she really wanted to—share her passion for reading and writing with others.



She wrote her debut novel Concilium in 2010.  It was released July of 2012 by MuseItUp Publishing.  The sequel, Concilium: The Departure will also be published by MuseItUp Publishing with scheduled release date of November 2012.



Her Debut young adult novel, PODs, will be published by Spencer Hill Press and is scheduled for release in paperback June 4th, 2013.  Milayna, a young adult paranormal romance, will be released through Spencer Hill Press March 2014.



Michelle was born and raised in Michigan.  She now resides in a small community outside Houston, Texas with her incredibly supportive husband, four wonderful children, a 125-pound lap dog, a very grumpy cockatiel and a cat that thinks it's queen.



Michelle writes adult and young adult Sci/Fi and urban fantasy romance.






Links and Contact Information:



Website: www.Michelle-Pickett.com

Email: Michelle@Michelle-Pickett.com

Blog:  www.Michelle-Pickett.com/blog

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/michellepickettauthor

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/michelle_kp 

Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/michelle-pickett

PODs: http://www.site.spencerhillpress.com/PODs.html




Concilium by Michelle Pickett



A tale of deadly creatures and forbidden romance...



Leslee hit a strange animal with her car. Now she’s marked for death.



It was a simple car accident – the animal didn’t even die – but it drew the attention of the Cruor Imbibo. Driven by their insatiable need to feed, the secret society of Imbibo has devoured the dregs of civilization for centuries. Afraid Leslee will expose them, and put an end to their meal ticket, the Imbibo want her dead.



The Concilium is Leslee's only protection. Guardian of the ancient secret and the protector of humans, the Concilium fights to control the Imbibo and end their feeding frenzy. Miller works for the Concilium. Keeping Leslee alive is his next assignment.



Now Leslee is on the run, and the only thing between her flesh and the snapping jaws of the Imbibo is Miller. He and Leslee quickly form a bond, but will falling in love make Miller’s job more difficult? Because if he fails, Leslee will be next on the Imbibo menu.



The Cruor Imbibo are coming, and they're coming for Leslee.








Buy Links:   

MuseItUpPublishing * Amazon * Bookstrand * Omnilit * Smashwords * Kindlegraph


Book Blast Giveaway:



$50 Amazon Gift Code

Ends 10/2/12

Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. 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's permission. 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. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.










a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pitch Contest for YA, Fantasy, or Science Fiction

Have a YA or Fantasy or Science Fiction story that you're ready to pitch? Head on over to Dorothy's blog today or tomorrow and enter for the chance to win a full MS request from agent Rebecca Podos of the Rees Literary Agency. I entered!