Victoria Simcox's Blog, page 132

Finding Joy~Cover Reveal

Remembering Joyby Jenni MoenRelease Date: 12/13/13
Book Summary from Goodreads:
Love is patient. 

It can happen when you least expect it,
where you least expect it,
with whom you least expect it.
Love is kind.But love may not grow out of kindness. It can happen with the person who hates you mostbecause love knows no bounds. 
And it keeps no record of wrongs.Love doesn’t hold a grudge.Love forgives.Love forgets.
But when the healing of your heart breaks the hearts of the ones you love …it may seem impossible to
Find joy.
Book One:(linked to Goodreads)Available from:  
About the AuthorJenni Moen lives in Oklahoma with her husband and three crazy, exuberant kids that have the potential to burn the house down at any moment. When she’s not chauffeuring kids around town, performing her mom duties as a short order cook and maid, or vacuuming for her fastidious husband, she hammers away at her keyboard at her big girl job as a patent attorney. While vodka and exercise have provided some relief from the daily grind, it is reading … and now writing … that are her true escapes.

Author Links:      

Cover Reveal organized by:

Deep Blue Secrets, Blog Tour & Giveaway

A sweet, mysterious teen romance with a refreshing fantasy twist.California teen Sadie James thinks her life couldn't get any better. She has great friends, an energetic mother she adores, and the beach practically in her own backyard. But her carefree life is turned upside down when she's rescued by a mysterious and strangely familiar boy who won't even tell her his name. Each time the boy appears, Sadie's unexplainable attraction to him deepens along with her need to unravel his secrets. The boy is there to protect her, but as wonderful and exciting as it might be to have an irresistible boy with crystal green eyes protecting her every move, every minute of the day...why does Sadie need one? As Sadie finds answers, she realizes her life isn't as perfect as she thought. Not only is she caught in a world of dangerous secret agents she never knew existed, but it turns out her true identity may be the greatest secret of all.
Excerpt

I moved near him and his hand guided me in front of the bench, but I turned to face him instead of sitting down. He immediately shifted back, pulling slightly away. I wasn’t sure if it was the bump on my head suddenly clouding my thoughts, or the romance of being swept away and rescued by a gorgeous, mysterious boy, or this little ache in my heart of forgotten memories and dreams, but something deep inside me drew me towards him. I wanted to reach out and hold him, but I held the feelings back, unsure if I should act on them. Instead, I stood there unmoving, still gazing up at him. He was tall compared to most high school boys I knew. I searched his face for any sign of reciprocation and moved closer. This time he didn’t move away. “Thank you again,” I said softly, looking up at him through my lashes. There was a long, heavy pause as I waited breathlessly for his response. His glowing eyes met mine, and their radiance hypnotized me. I could see nothing else. Then I felt it again, the unexplainable connection between us. Time slowed around us like a force field pulling us together. I had no desire to resist it; I let the feelings draw me in, and I inched forward, wishing for his lips on mine. His hand lifted gently to my waist, sending a thrill through me in every direction. Never before had I felt the desire to kiss someone so fervently, the divine first kiss I had always dreamed of. There was no trace of resistance left on his face. He leaned into me and my heart raced. Our faces grew slowly together as I looked from his dazzling eyes to his inviting lips.

Deep Blue Secrets is available for free! Amazon Barnes and Noble Itunes Kobo SmashwordsAbout Christie Anderson



CHRISTIE ANDERSON grew up in Southern California and goes back to visit every year. She is a graduate of Brigham Young University and recently moved to Colorado with her husband. Visit her web site at www.christieanderson.org Facebook Twitter Goodreads

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Eternal Echoes: Book Blast and Giveaway

Synopsis She thought she stopped the evil.

She thought she was safe.

Everything she thought was wrong.

Almost four months have passed since Evie Starling learned she was a Tracker and helped defeat a Daevos Clan that was taking others like her—but that wasn’t the end of the abductions. As an unknown evil emerges, Evie vows to help solve the mystery of the missing Trackers, regardless of the risk.

With new powers she doesn’t understand and can’t control, she turns to Alex and Emil, her two soul mates, for help. But her feelings for them both are tearing her apart. She knows she has to decide between them; however, her memories are only making that choice more difficult.

As the world around her is thrown into chaos, Evie is confronted with what could be a destiny-altering truth. Will she accept her history, her memories, and her role in this life, or choose to ignore the echoes of her past?Book Link: 
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17450280-eternal-echoes Angela Corbett
Angela Corbett graduated from Westminster College with a double major in communication and sociology. She started working as a reporter for her local newspaper when she was sixteen and won awards for feature, news, and editorial writing. She has also done freelance writing. In addition to writing, she works as a director of communications and marketing. She loves classic cars, traveling, and listening to U2. She lives in Utah with her extremely supportive husband and their five-pound Pomeranian, Pippin, whose following of fangirls could rival Justin Bieber’s.
Angela writes under two names. Young Adult and New Adult titles are written as Angela Corbett. Adult titles are written as Destiny Ford.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AngCorbettFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Emblem-of-Eternity-Trilogy/137437460866Website: http://www.angelacorbett.com/index.html

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Arbitrate Tour Grand Finale!!!

Everything has changed...
Arbitrate Tour Grand Finale!!!
                                                     Arbitrate:

                         It's one year later. And everything has changed. 

Remember The Second Chance Institute (SCI). Earth's benevolent non-profit by day, Thera's totalitarian regime by night. They've stepped up their game on Earth and on Thera--infiltrating political parties, preying on the downtrodden, and planning offensive maneuvers. And they're handing out more "second chances" than ever before. The SCI's abuse of their charter leads to Arbiter oversight and bitter consequences.

Remember Kira Donovan. Broken, burdened, and evading those who wish her harm, Kira enlists the Arbiters' help when forced to return to the clutches of the SCI and her angry, estranged love.

Remember Blake Sundry. Exiled, determined, and packing an agenda, Blake seeks assistance on Earth and Thera to use his newfound knowledge to bring down the SCI.

Remember Ethan Darcton. Overworked, emotional, and holding a grudge, Ethan hunts down his stolen property, but finds himself in awkward territory, stuck between the Arbiters and the SCI.

Full of action, competing agendas, romantic entanglements, humor, twists and turns, arbitrate is book #2 in the award-winning, bestselling daynight series.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Goodreads

Did you miss parts of the tour? Catch it all now!!!
November 1st I Am A Reader, Not A Writer – Kick Off Colorimetry – Kick Off
November 4th
Emmy Mom-One Day At a Time – Review
"This book left me with one of those awesome book buzzes!  There are a lot of books I finish and feel happy, this one I finished and my head is swirling, in a totally awesome way!"
Victoria Simcox’s Blog – Spotlight
Wondermom Wannabe – Review
"My favorite aspect of the book is how well the author layers in themes and symbolism so that whether you are a casual reader just interested in a good plot line or you are a literature fanatic who loves to dissect every aspect of a book, you will enjoy reading arbitrate. In fact, I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t like this book unless you read strictly non-fiction."
fundinmental – Spotlight
Excerpt:"I nearly killed him. I can still feel the weight of the revolver in my hands, the cool feel of the metal against my skin, my finger pulsing against the trigger.I still want to kill him.Gads I hate him.I catch sight of my reflection in the mirror above my dresser and barely recognize what I see. Dark circles under the eyes, unshaven face, expression that screams failure. I hate that guy, too."- Arbitrate
November 5th
Mythical Books – Interview
Having in view the course of events, the characters must evolve. They have real and palpable problems. How hard is to change them but keep the interest of young adults for the book?I think that the only way to keep the interest of readers is to have the characters evolve. It was important to me that arbitrate have a very different feel and story than daynight. No one wants to read a rehashed plot. From day one, I knew that Kira would “break” post-daynight and that it would have a huge impact on everyone she cared about—that her choices would have long-impacting consequences. In arbitrate, Kira evolves from a relatively naive and idealistic teenager to a full-fledged adult. And Kira isn’t the only one who changes. All the characters change and evolve. It is one of my favorite things about arbitrate.
My Devotional Thoughts – Spotlight
Excerpt:“I’m angry at all of them. Every SCI leader. In fact Joshua gave me a list of those who are Earth-side. It makes for a great to-do list.” They all deserve to pay.I’m done talking. It’s time for some action.- Arbitrate
Reviews by Karen – Spotlight
3 Partners in Shopping – Spotlight
November 6th
Cuzinlogic – Interview
What Inspired you to write this book?
The series was inspired by a hike I took through the canyons of San Diego on a particularly hot day. I pondered how hot it would have to get before days and nights would have to be switched (sleep during the hot day hours and be productive during the night). From there, I thought about what kind of government would rule the ʺnight,ʺ and The Second Chance Institute was born.For arbitrate, I did not want a rehashed plot of the first book. I knew how I wanted it to begin, end, and a pivotal scene in the middle. I loosely plotted it and then revised continually as I had better ideas.
A Blog Hop Place for Books – Spotlight
Excerpt:One thousand one.
One thousand two.
One thousand three.
That’s all it takes to even out my breathing and steady my hand.
I shift the crosshairs on my target ever so slightly—from his heart to his hand—and pull the trigger. - Arbitrate
Realm of the Sapphired Dragon – Review
"I was not to be disappointed.  If anything I think arbitrate might be better than daynight.  There is so much going on in this story and Ms Thomason's expertly weaves all the different threads so that they entwine just where they need to in order to keep you in the story and moving forward to a conclusion which leaves you breathless and wanting more."
Deal Sharing Aunt – Spotlight
November 7th
Getting Your Read On – Review
"I'm so happy with where the story went romantically.  SO, so happy.  There were moments that just broke my heart too.  Such a roller coaster of great stuff.  I cannot wait to see where the next book takes me."
Bookwyrming Thoughts – Playlist(Click on Bookwyrming Thoughts' link to see the playlist.)
     "Note that all these songs are not the ones I listened to while writing but songs that I feel represent the plot of arbitrate as best as possible. While writing arbitrate, I listened to a lot of Imagine Dragons, Fun., Bastille, Of Monsters and Men, Fall Out Boy, blink-182, My Chemical Romance, Two Door Cinema Club, and dozens of other fabulous bands."
Mel’s Shelves – Review
"If you like out-of-the-box dystopia which deviates from the "formula," pushes the limits and leaves you breathless, this is the series for you! As for me, I am now anxiously awaiting generate (book 3)!"
November 8th
Brooklyn Berry Designs – Spotlight
Laurie’s Thoughts and Reviews – Spotlight
Excerpt:I’m looking for my next victim when the front door opens.My visitor looks at me like I’m a crazy man. I’d plead insanity, but that’d be as big a lie as he told me. - Arbitrate
The Wonderings of One Person – Interview
Is there a singular character that really touched your heart and why?All three main characters’ stories touched me in arbitrate (I spent a lot of time crying), but for a singular character…I will say Madison. She’s a new character that appears and her backstory is heartbreaking. She has had to endure more in two lifetimes than most people could even fathom for one. I’d like to do a novella that tells her story in more detail.November 9th
Darkmotive’s Books and More – Review
Fast paced, full of action and although it didn't go in the direction I expected, that made it even better.  After finishing this book it's still one of the best series I've read and I can't wait to see what's next in store for them all. 
Sweeping Me – Spotlight
Bound 4 Escape – Review
"This book is pretty intense. The plot is complex and there is a lot going on inarbitrate. On top of all that is going on in the world(s), Kira has her newborn babies and three men to deal with. Wow! She does figure out who she wants to spend her life with by the end of the book (my favorite…yay)."
Bookworm Lisa – Review
"Megan Thomason does a wonderful job at setting up a scene and bringing the right amount of information in play.  I love how she is able to work more information in later and leaving the reader engaged and waiting to see what happens next."
Gustosa Giveaway – Spotlight
Excerpt:The assailant dragged me to the main room and hefted me onto the table. I was paralyzed, unable to move, but still alert. My eyes were still open, yet my vision was blurred. I saw enough to see my attacker was a middle-aged, balding male. Taller than Blake, but shorter than Jax. - Arbitrate
November 12th
Spellbindings – Tens List(Read the entire list on Spellbindings' blog.)
10 things the characters must keep in mind about the SCI.1. They hide nefarious acts behind seemingly charitable ones.2. The leaders have chess-player mentality, always thinking ahead several moves.3. The SCI has people they answer to, so befriend those people... Michael SciFan – Review
"Arbitrate, the newly released sequel to Daynight by Megan Thomason, is really amazing. It went in a completely different direction than I thought it would, and that was a nice surprise. I won’t say I was always happy about where it went, but in the end, I completely agree with the journey."
Indie Author How-to – Spotlight
Excerpt:A tall marble glass cat comes to mind. My mother got it for me as a housewarming gift. I stalk out to the living room and seize it. It’s heavy and awkward and the perfect accessory to mayhem.

The bathroom’s my next destination. I flip on the light switch and take a deep breath. Is it so wrong to want something to be more broken than me?

As I slam the cat into the mirror, the falling pieces clang out a musical masterpiece.- Arbitrate
November 13th
Sher A Hart: Written Art – Review
Before it’s over, you’ll want to cry and/or cheer regarding multiple characters’ choices and the deadly or life-giving consequences—sometimes both for the same person. I think I’d better I leave it at that—awesome! 
From the Bootheel Cotton Patch – Spotlight
Curling Up with a Good Book – Interview
What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?
My favorite scene is the last. I cried buckets over it. It is bittersweet and makes me run the full gamut of emotions from sorrow to hope; it has tender moments, irony, and defiance. A major character “grows a spine,” and it is glorious to see.

Other books in the Daynight series:
  Daynight (Daynight, #1) and Clean Slate Complex (Daynight, #1.5)Click to see these titles on Goodreads


Bestselling, award-winning author Megan Thomason lives in paradise aka San Diego, CA with her husband and five children. A former software manager, Megan vastly prefers writing twisted tales to business, product, and marketing plans. When she isn't typing away on her laptop, she's reading books on her phone--over 600 in the last year--or attending to the needs of her family. Megan's fluent in sarcasm, could potentially benefit from a 12-step program for road rage, struggles with a Hot Tamales addiction, loves world travel & fast cars and hates paperwork & being an insomniac.

Website * Twitter * Facebook



&
"Grand Finale"

Giveaway:
Nov 1- 24$25 Gift CardSee Rafflecopter for restrictions.
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Gateway Book Blast & $100. Amazon Giveaway

Gateway by Christina Garner  Everybody has their demons. Some are just a little more real than others... Ember has always known she doesn't belong in this world, but when she tries to correct the mistake, she wakes to find herself in a mental institution. There she draws the attention of Taren, a mysterious boy who isn't what he seems. When chaos erupts, they are forced to flee the institution together, and the secret Taren has been keeping, brings Ember closer to understanding her own. And leads her to... the Gateway.     Praise  "I loved, loved, loved, Gateway. It kept me up all night, it kept me guessing throughout and stayed on my mind afterward. And that my friends, is pretty much my definition of a great book." ~ thatbookishgirl.blogspot.com "I enjoyed everything about this novel--the strong writing, the believable characters, the captivating plot and the subtle but sweet romance." ~ irresistiblereads.blogspot.com "I give this book 5 stars out of 5, for the sole reason that I can't give it more." ~ TheWolfsLibrary.blogspot.com   Author Christina Garner Christina Garner began writing stories at the age of six, with some help from her older sister. At eighteen, her aspirations as an actor had her loading up her Buick and setting off for Hollywood. Since then, she has written and directed 10 short films, including Rewind and Reminder, both of which received acclaim on the festival circuit. In 2006, she began writing screenplays. A year later, she even got paid for one. In May of 2011, her debut novel, Gateway, became an Amazon Bestseller. A year later, Chasm, Book 2 in The Gateway Trilogy, did the same. Christina lives in Los Angeles, and when she's not writing, spends her time traveling the world, watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer reruns, and playing with her dog, Griffin.     Book Blast Giveaway $100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 12/5/13 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spell Fire: Book Blast & Giveaway

Spell Fire, The Teen Wytche Saga #3 By Ariella Moon  
Summary New school. New friends. New reputation. High school sophomore Ainslie Avalon-Bennett works hard to hide her Crazy Girl past. But as long as her best friend’s disappearance remains unsolved, she can’t shake the depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder that once landed her in a mental ward.   Ainslie’s tenuous control over her life shatters when her warring parents ditch her at Christmas. While they take a cruise to “work things out,” Ainslie must spend the holiday in Palm Springs with her aunt and uncle, owners of a struggling Mystery School and occult store. Plunged into the world of fire fortunes, dragons, entity eaters, and an ailing spell book, Ainslie is well beyond her comfort zone. Then she meets a boy who spikes her pulse and calms her OCD. But will she lose him once he discovers her past? Or will his deadly secret, hidden in plain view, be their undoing? 
Author Ariella Moon  Ariella Moon writes about magic, friendship, secrets, and love in her Young Adult novels, Spell Check, Spell Struck, and Spell Fire, Books 1, 2, & 3 in The Teen Wytche Saga. Ariella spent her childhood searching for a magical wardrobe that would transport her to Narnia. Extreme math anxiety, and taller students who mistook her for a leaning post, marred Ariella’s teen years. Despite these horrors, she graduated summa cum laude from the University of California at Davis. An author and shaman, she now lives a nearly normal life with her extraordinary daughter, shamelessly spoiled dog, and an enormous dragon.   Spell Fire Excerpt  
My body elongated, and I swore I grew six inches. Inside the cafe, there was no line. Another miracle. I paused beneath the fern‑painted ceiling fan and scanned the wall menu. I wasn't sure what I was looking for, but a weird craving fueled my search. The dragon exerted pressure between my shoulder blades, prompting me. "A Scorpion's Nest smoothie." Morningstar leaned over the high counter and gave me a once‐over. "You feeling okay?" I licked my lips. "Absolutely." I had never tasted an orange juice, vanilla ice cream, and peanut butter combo, but I slapped the countertop and said, "I'm fine. Hit me." Morningstar tilted her head to one side and studied me. Oh — crap. Maybe I'm dragon drunk. I wiped the drool from the corner of my mouth stood straighter. I could do this. I could act normal and in control. Behind me, the dragon blew on my hair. I clawed back the stray locks. "Strong ceiling fan." Morningstar glanced up. I held my gaze steady on her face and tried to remember if the fan was actually on. I couldn't hear the whir of its motor or feel the stir of cool air. I can't feel anything. I went for distraction and slipped a ten across the counter. Morningstar leveled her gaze, then handed me my change. "I'll bring the smoothie to your table." "Cool." My eyes crossed. I pivoted and fell out of my right flip‐‑flop. Fortunately, the place was almost empty, and I didn't think anyone saw me stumble. Still, my face heated as I chose a table with plenty of space behind it for the dragon and my invisible wings. "Mind if I join you for a minute?" Morningstar asked when she brought my drink. "Please." I giggled, giddy with dragon energy. I was a bright, beneficent angel among earthlings. I was — as crazy as my parents feared.

 Book Blast Giveaway 
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 12/20/13 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. 
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Branded: Book Blitz & Giveaway

Branded (Sinners #1)
by Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki
Release Date: 06/28/13
252 pages

Summary from Goodreads:
Fifty years ago the Commander came into power and murdered all who opposed him. In his warped mind, the seven deadly sins were the downfall of society. He created the Hole where sinners are branded according to their sins and might survive a few years. At best.Now LUST wraps around my neck like blue fingers strangling me. I’ve been accused of a crime I didn’t commit and now the Hole is my new home. Darkness. Death. Violence. Pain. Now every day is a fight for survival. But I won’t die. I won’t let them win.The Hole can’t keep me. The Hole can’t break me. I am more than my brand. I’m a fighter. My name is Lexi Hamilton, and this is my story.



Available from:  
(INSERT TEASER PIC & CHAPTER ONE)

CHAPTER ONE OF BRANDEDI’m buried six feet under, and no one hears my screams. The rope chafes as I loop it around my neck. I pull down, making sure the knot is secure. It seems sturdy enough. My legs shake. My heart beats heavy in my throat. Sweat pours down my back. Death and I glare at each other through my tears. I take one last look at the crystal chandelier, the foyer outlined with mirrors, and the flawless decorations. No photographs adorn the walls. No happy memories here. I’m ready to go. On the count of three. I inhale, preparing myself for the finality of it all. Dropping my hands, a glimmer catches my eye. It’s my ring, the last precious gift my father gave me. I twist it around to read the inscription. Picturing his face forces me to reconsider my choice. He’d be heartbroken if he could see me now. A door slams in the hallway, almost causing me to lose my balance. My thoughts already muddled, I stand waiting with the rope hanging around my neck. Voices I don’t recognize creep through the walls. Curiosity overshadows my current thoughts. It’s late at night, and this is a secure building in High Society. No one disturbs the peace here—ever. I tug on the noose and pull it back over my head. Peering through the eyehole in our doorway, I see a large group of armed guards banging on my neighbors’ door. A heated conversation ensues, and my neighbors point toward my family’s home. It hits me. I’ve been accused and they’re here to arrest me. My father would want me to run, and in that split second, I decide to listen to his voice within me. Flinging myself forward in fear, I scramble up the marble staircase and into my brother’s old bedroom. The door is partially covered, but it exists. Pushing his dresser aside, my fingers claw at the opening. Breathing hard, I lodge myself against it. Nothing. I step back and kick it with all my strength. The wood splinters open, and my foot gets caught. I wrench it backward, scraping my calf, but adrenaline pushes me forward. The voices at the front door shout my name. On hands and knees, I squeeze through the jagged opening. My brother left through this passage, and now it’s my escape too. Cobwebs entangle my face, hands, and hair. At the end, I feel for the knob, twisting it clockwise. It swings open, creaking from disuse. I sprint into the hallway and smash through the large fire escape doors at the end. A burst of cool air strikes me in the face as I jump down the ladder. Reaching the fifth floor, I knock on a friend’s window. The lights flicker on, and I see the curtains move, but no one answers. I bang on the window harder. “Let me in! Please!” I say, but the lights darken. They know I’ve been accused and refuse to help me. Fear and adrenaline rush through my veins as I keep running, knocking on more windows along the way. No one has mercy. They all know what happens to sinners. Another flight of stairs passes in a blur when I hear the guards’ heavy footfalls from above. I can’t hide, but I don’t want to go without trying. Help me, Daddy. I need your strength now. My previous desolation evolves into a will to survive. I have to keep running, but I tremble and gasp for air. I steel my nerves and force my body to keep moving. In a matter of minutes, my legs cramp and my chest burns. I plunge to the ground, scraping my knee and elbow. A moan escapes from my chest. Gotta keep going. “Stop!” Their voices bounce off the buildings. “Lexi Hamilton, surrender yourself,” they command. They’re gaining on me. I resist the urge to glance back, running into what I assume is an alley. I’m far from our high-rise in High Society as I plunge into a poorer section of the city where the streets all look the same and the darkness prevents me from recognizing anything. I’m lost. My first instinct is to leap into a dumpster, but I retain enough sense to stay still. I crouch and peek around it, watching them dash by. The abhorrent smell leaves me vomiting until nothing remains in my stomach. Desperation overtakes me, as I know my retching was anything but silent. My last few seconds tick away before they find me. Everyone knows about their special means of tracking sinners.           I push myself to my feet and look left, right, and left again. Their batons click against their black leather belts, and their boots stomp the cement on both sides of me. I shrink into myself. Their heavy steps mock my fear, growing closer and closer until I know I’m trapped. Never did I imagine they’d come for me. Never did I imagine all those nights I heard them dragging someone else away that I’d join them.    “You’re a sinner,” they say. “Time to leave.”        I stand defiant. I refuse to bend or break before them, even as I shiver with fear. “There’s no reason to make this difficult. The more you cooperate, the smoother this will be for everyone,” a guard says. I cringe into the blackness along the wall. I’m innocent, but they won’t believe me or care.          The next instant, my face slams into the pavement as one guard plants a knee in my back and another handcuffs me. A warm liquid trails into my mouth. Blood. Their fingers grip my arms like steel traps as they peel me off the cement. The tops of my shoes scrape along the ground as I’m dragged behind them until they discard me into the back of a black vehicle. The doors slam in unison with one guard stationed on each side of me, my shoulders digging into their arms. Swallowing hard, I stare ahead to avoid their eyes. My dignity is all I have left. The handcuffs dig into my wrists, so I clasp them together hard behind me and press my back into the seat, unwilling to admit how much it hurts. Did they need so many guards to capture me? I’m not carrying any weapons, nor do I own any. I don’t even know self-defense. High Society frowns on activities like that. The driver jerks the vehicle around and I try to keep my bearings, but it’s dark and the scenery changes too fast. Hours pass, and the air grows warmer, more humid the farther we drive. The landscape mutates from city to rolling hills. They don’t bother blindfolding me because they escort all the sinners to the same place—the Hole. Twenty- foot cement walls encase the chaos within. There’s no way out and no way in unless they transport you. They say the Hole is a prison with no rules. We learned about it last year in twelfth grade. To the outside, I’m filth now. I’ll never be allowed to return to the life I knew. No one ever does. “All sinners go through a transformation,” one of the guards says to me. His smirk infuriates me. “I’m sure you’ve heard all kinds of stories.” I don’t respond. I don’t want to think about the things I’ve been told. “You won’t last too long, though. Young girls like you get eaten alive.” He pulls a strand of my hair up to his face. Get your hands off me, you pig. I want to lash out, but resist. The punishment for disobeying authority is severe, and I’m not positioned to defy him. They’re the Guards of the Commander. They’re chosen from a young age and trained in combat. They keep the order of society by using violent methods of intimidation. No one befriends a guard. Relationships with them are forbidden inside the Hole. Few have seen the commander. His identity stays under lock and key. His own paranoia and desire to stay pure drove him to live this way. He controls our depraved society and believes sinners make the human race unforgivable. His power is a crushing fist, rendering all beneath him helpless. So much so, even family members turn on each other when an accusation surfaces. Just an accusation. No trial, no evidence, nothing but an accusation. I lose myself in thoughts of my father. “Never show fear, Lexi,” my father said to me before he was taken. “They’ll use it against you.” His compassionate eyes filled with warning as he commanded me to be strong. That was many years ago, but I remember it clearly. My father. My rock. The one person in my life who provided unconditional love. “Get out,” the guard says while pulling me to my feet. The vehicle stops, and I’m jerked back to reality. The doors slide open and the two guards lift me up and out into the night. A windowless cement building looms in front of us, looking barren in the darkness. The coolness of the air sends a shiver up my spine. This is really happening. I’ve been labeled a sinner. My lip starts to quiver, but I bite it before anyone sees. They shove me in line, and I realize I’m not alone. Women and men stand with faces frozen white with fear. A guard grabs my finger, pricks it, and dabs my blood on a tiny microchip. I follow the man in front of me into the next room where we’re lined up facing the wall. Glancing right, I see one of the men crying. “Spread your legs,” one of the guards says.        
   They remove my outer layers and their hands roam up and down my body. What do they think I can possibly be hiding? I press my head into the wall, trying to block out what they’re doing to me. “MOVE!” a guard commands. So I shuffle across the room, trying to cover up.       


About the AuthorsAbi and Missy met in the summer of 1999 at college orientation and have been best friends ever since. After college, they added jobs, husbands and kids to their lives, but they still found time for their friendship. Instead of hanging out on weekends, they went to dinner once a month and reviewed books. What started out as an enjoyable hobby has now become an incredible adventure.
Author Links:
         

***GIVEAWAY***2 grand prize winners with photo and notebook of Matt with signed paperback (INT)5 ecopies of Branded with promo pic of Matt (INT)a Rafflecopter giveaway
Book Blitz hosted by:

Ready To Go, Blog Tour & Giveaway

Ready To Goby  Stephanie Mann Release Date: 11/12/13Publisher: Swoon Romance

Summary from Goodreads: Daniel is sick of his wonderfully boring and predictable life. He dutifully gets up every morning, goes to class, goes to work, and it never changes. He does, says and even wears exactly what others expect of him. He's so predictable that he barely notices just how unhappy he truly is.

One afternoon, everything changes when David meets a girl on the run from her own demons. She doesn't need Daniel's help, but he offers and she accepts--setting a course for an adventure neither will soon forget.

Together, on an impromptu road trip, two strangers become friends and a bit more, all while facing money problems, car problems, and tourist traps and the naked truth: they can't run forever.

Will they finally stop running long enough to discover true and lasting love?
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18461605-ready-to-go?ac=1
Buy Links: http://www.amazon.com/Ready-To-Go-Stephanie-Mann-ebook/dp/B00GKTJVXC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384124876&sr=8-1&keywords=ready+to+go+stephanie+mann
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ready-to-go-stephanie-mann/1117361047?ean=2940148928690
About the AuthorStephanie Mann lives in Massachusetts. Besides writing, she spends her free time working with fan conventions. She loves to travel, and has visited many tourist traps along the way. READY TO GO is Stephanie Mann's first novel.
***Author Links*** http://www.steffm.com/ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1912545.Stephanie_Mann https://twitter.com/ghostlyburger

Excerpt
He chose a seat near the window, and she sat beside him, holding herself and her suitcase just so no part of her was touching any part of him. He had no idea what to make of her behavior. Yeah, they were strangers, but this was weird. She seemed terrified of him, and he had no idea why. Maybe terrified was too strong; it’s not like she was actively edging away from him. But she clearly didn’t want to be with him.The bus drove through the city, hitting every possible pothole as it went. The driver, like most city bus drivers, was reckless. There were moments when Daniel noticed the girl gripping onto the edge of her seat, her fingers poking into one of the many rips in the vinyl, but he was used to the crazy driving. He trusted the driver not to crash, or at least not to kill them all if he did.He pulled the cord for his stop. As he maneuvered past the girl, he told her, “The bus is going to make a major stop in about three or four minutes. Always lots of people. You’ll be able to pick it out. Once you’re past that one, pull the cord for the next. You’ll be able to see the library from there, but they close at eight, I think.”The girl nodded. “Thanks,” she said once more. This time, she just sounded distracted.He reached into his pocket as a thought struck him and pulled out the button. “And here. Because you were on the tour.”She took it, and a bemused smile crossed her face. “Uh, okay,” she said with a little laugh. “Thanks.”Daniel stepped off the bus and watched it drive away. He needed to pick up his car and go home. He had a lot of work to do.There was a bus that went directly to his apartment, but he drove anyway just because he liked to. Maybe it was that he loved his car too much, an old Mazda 626 that he kept in good condition. He was proud of driving it around. It got him anywhere he needed to go. He could drive this baby across the country and back, and nothing would be wrong with it except it being out of gas.Daniel checked the time on his phone as he walked, almost ran, to the parking garage. Then he had to pull the phone out of his pocket again when he realized he forgot to look at the time. It wasn’t too late. He’d have time to get his work for the day done. He averted his eyes as he passed a homeless man on the corner, mentally promising to drop a coin in his bucket another day.He got to his car, paid the parking fee, and started to drive back home. He wasn’t paying attention to the road. He watched for joggers and harried students crossing the street without looking for cars, but he wasn’t thinking of which turn to take or how fast to go. His mind was on the girl at the museum. It was rare that anyone his age went on the tour. She’d seemed out of place there, but she had been paying attention to his speech, which was more than all of the kids and most of the parents did. And she was cute, and she talked about Land Before Time without acting like she was too old for it. In Daniel’s opinion, no one was ever too old for a movie about talking dinosaurs. If she went on his tour again, instead of just giving her a pin, he’d ask her out. But he saw a lot of kids come through and never come back. Why would a twenty-something girl be any different?This twenty-something girl made it to the library and was still thinking about that tour guide. Nicole fingered the button in her pocket as she sat in the library, waiting for it to close. She knew there was no use thinking about that guy. He was kind of hot, she wouldn’t deny that, but there was absolutely no point to it. She would be leaving the city tomorrow and never see the tour guide again. She’d made it a point not to do anything that might be even slightly seen as flirting, even carefully making sure no part of her touched any part of him on the bus. Then he gave her that button and she figured she’d failed. But if he’d really been interested, he would have asked for her number or asked her to skip the library and just go to his apartment, some cheap shot like that. There was no use thinking about him, and she wouldn’t waste time worrying that she was disappointing him.“Attention, library patrons. The library will be closing in five minutes. Please come to the front to check out your books.”Nicole stood from her beanbag. She’d settled into the children’s section while she waited. She unzipped her suitcase just to make sure, once more, that everything was there. Money, check. Clothes, check. Subway sandwich that would be both dinner and breakfast, check. She zipped the case closed and headed not to the front, but to the restrooms.She figured she could hide in there, but what if they checked the stalls for people like her? The library must be like the Hilton for those without a bed. Cushy couches all over the place, air conditioning that probably wouldn’t be shut off. She entered a stall. She’d figure out what she was doing as she went. She hung her suitcase on the coat hook in the stall. It slid off and landed on her foot. Sucking air through her teeth in pain, she gingerly lifted up the suitcase and tried to hang it again. This time, it stayed. She backed up to straddle the toilet and carefully stepped up to stand on the ceramic seat, crouching down so she wouldn’t be seen over the top.. No one would look under the door and see anything suspicious.But what if they opened the doors? She couldn’t stay there. Nicole stepped off the toilet and tried to open the door. It swung open about four inches before the suitcase hanging off the back stopped it. There was no way Nicole was getting through that space. With a sigh, she dropped to her knees on the stall floor, then to her stomach, shimmying her legs into the next stall over. If she couldn’t go through the door, she’d go under the wall. There was a good foot between the divider and the floor, and she wasn’t exactly big.She reached her hands out and started to pull herself forward, using her toes to shove along. Her chest and stomach slid through a puddle of something very wet and cold. Probably just some water. She hoped it was just some water. Whatever it was, it was spreading across the fabric of her shirt and making Nicole shiver in cold and disgust. She made it through the gap and stood up in the stall. She was in the handicapped one, which afforded her space to stand up with ease. Now she had to figure out just what the heck she was going to do to hide in here. Crouching behind the toilet would be a bad idea, but it looked like the only cover in the open stall. Nicole sighed and leaned against the bar by the door, trying to figure out what she could do. Her sigh echoed throughout the empty bathroom. She glanced at the door. If she were any lighter, she could just hang off of that hook like her suitcase did. She doubted the suitcase was much heavier than her with all the stuff she’d jammed in it.But maybe it wasn’t impossible. She stood up straight, held onto the hook to balance herself, and stepped up onto the bar attached to the wall. The door swung towards her, and she hung on with all her might to keep on the bar. Finally, the door stabilized, and she was able to bring her other foot up on the bar. It was hard to stay there, but she grasped onto that hook and planted her feet onto the bar and waited.Her arms were close to giving out when she finally heard the door to the bathroom open. Someone walked over to the first stall and hit the door. It swung open with a loud BANG as it hit the wall. The footsteps moved on. The second door hit the wall a little more quietly, with more of a BAM. Nicole held her breath as the footsteps reached the stall with her suitcase. There was no bang or bam, but instead a muffled THUD. This satisfied whoever was out there enough that the footsteps moved to Nicole’s stall.She grasped the hook tighter and tried not to let her feet slip as she was pushed backwards. There was no sound as her body hit the wall, but apparently the guard wasn’t listening to that. The footsteps were fine enough with the fact that the door opened that they walked out of the bathroom. The lights were shut off, leaving Nicole in darkness.         To make sure she was completely alone, she whispered a song to herself to pass the time as she waited. Once the last bottle of beer was off the wall, Nicole stepped down. She stretched out her arms, finally feeling the cramps that had developed. The wetness on her shirt had mostly dried, but it still grossed her out to think about it. Besides, she had to go back through that puddle to get her suitcase.Once she’d crawled through the puddle of hopefully water again and retrieved her suitcase, Nicole stripped off her shirt. There was a bit of light in the bathroom, coming from under the door and reflecting off the mirror and sink. It was enough for her to see where the trashcan was and stuff her sopping wet shirt inside it. If she put it in her suitcase, it would get everything else wet, and there was no guarantee she’d have a chance to wash it anytime soon. She walked over to the sink, grabbed a paper towel, and started to wash off her stomach. She’d showered just that morning in the hotel, but she was ready to take another one now. But that wasn’t likely to happen for a long while, so the paper towel sink bath would have to do.Suddenly, she realized just how bizarre this was. She was standing in a dark public bathroom in just her bra, wiping at her stomach with the cheapest paper towel known to man. It wasn’t even a good bra, just one she bought because she liked the pattern of smiley faces and butterflies. It was her good luck bra, even though the straps were worn and the bright pattern could be seen through thin shirts. At least it hadn’t gotten wet, and at least no one was around to see her. Life’s little victories. She grinned as she kept wiping herself off. She may have been stuck in a library in a strange city because she couldn’t go home, but at least she could smile about it.


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Journey to Landaran Cover Reveal & $20. Amazon Giveaway

 
I'm excited to reveal the cover for the YA Fantasy, Journey to Landaran by Judy Goodwin.  This book is scheduled to release February 1st, 2014.
This stunning cover was designed by  Katt Amaral.
Book Description:

Aidah and her twin brother Tavish have always had a knack for getting into trouble. From pie stealing and pranks to hunting for magical creatures, they have always escaped notice in their tiny mountain village.Until now. Aidah begins seeing visions through her brother’s eyes. He’s a Firestarter, gifted with the Talent to control light and heat, destined to become a Sun Mage in the great city of Landaran. But he doesn’t want to leave without his sister. As storm clouds gather, Aidah dreams of a beautiful man, a frightening man, calling to her.
She fears the truth. That she may developing a Talent of her own, one that will change their lives forever.
The power to read minds. To possess bodies. To travel inside dreams. In the world of Ernid, Spirit is the ultimate power.
Nations will go to war over them.

 Add it to your Goodreads shelf!
Excerpt: Aidah's movement was too sudden. The branch she stood on snapped, and she fell back, tumbling down the nest towards the brink of the ledge. Tavish reached out and caught hold of her tunic as her legs slipped over the edge.  “Grab my arm! Pull yourself up,” he commanded as the fabric in his hand began to tear.  She tried to grab for his arm, but her body was turned awkwardly. At least her predicament seemed to have one benefit. The roc, startled by her fall, wheeled away.  Aidah didn’t have time to see if there were any other flying creatures down there, such as a few frightened wyrret parents. The tunic tore. Aidah scrambled to get hold of something, anything,. She felt herself falling, and then Tavish’s fingers clamped hard around her wrist, his short nails pinching into her skin.  “Sis, don’t move. I’m not secure here. Just stay still and let me pull you up.” She looked up at her brother holding her with one hand, trying to get a foothold or any kind of handhold on the cliff to brace himself in order to pull her back up. The fact she was looking up at him alarmed her--she was truly hanging off the cliff, her shoulders rubbing the hard granite of the edge, her lower body dangling.  Tavish found a rock to hold onto and pulled, but while the cords in his neck jutted out and his arm trembled with effort, he couldn’t pull her up even a little before his feet began to slip. She very carefully grasped his arm with her other hand, but still he was not quite strong or secure enough. Aidah’s heart pounded through her rib cage, as fear began to sink in. If she fell, it would be a messy death. Death wasn’t something she ever really thought about, yet here it suddenly was, glaring at her. The two of them struggled, trying to get her up, but it was useless. She swallowed back a moan as tears burned in her eyes.  “Gods, if I knew a spell to fix this!” Tavish gasped.  His words seemed to trigger something within her. Strength, that was what he needed. If only she could somehow lend him strength . . .  A blinding pain tore at the base of her skull, and she could suddenly hear Tavish muttering to himself, although his lips were firmly pressed shut. She didn’t have time to listen to what he was saying, however, before a pressure wave suddenly went through her body, traveling from the soles of her feet up through her torso and out through her hands where she gripped Tavish’s arm. As the wave passed, strength left her, darkening her vision. She opened her mouth to scream, thinking perhaps she was dying.  With a cry, Tavish pulled hard at her, and she found herself on the cliff again, in Tavish’s arms lying at the very back of the ledge. Apparently he had pulled so hard he’d sent both of them back several paces. Even now he looked ready to do it again--there was no trace fatigue. She, on the other hand, felt pale and sickly. The world spun, and she was afraid her knees wouldn’t hold her up. Trembling, she tried to get up and failed, falling back against her brother.  He set her down and got up, brushing snow and dirt from his trousers. “Wow, where did that come from, I wonder? I feel like a fresh ox! I think I could move a mountain right now! Did you do something, Sis?” He paced around stretching out his arms and legs, as if unable to stand still.  The world was graying out to Aidah and she found it difficult to follow what Tavish was saying. Her head was pounding with one of the worst headaches she’d ever had. “I don’t . . . think so. Maybe your magic helped you. Can we go home? I’m not feeling so well . . .” The world suddenly tilted and fell into blackness.

About the Author:Judy Goodwin developed a passion for writing at a young age, creating picture books from the time she
could read and write. She continued this passion throughout her schooling, earning her BA degree in Creative Writing from the University of Arizona. In her day job, she works as a technical writer in the healthcare field. She enjoys sharing her love of books and fantasy with her daughter and partner. They live in Gilbert, Arizona, with two Shiba Inu (Japanese) dogs, one wiener dog, and four black cats.
Ms. Goodwin has published short stories in small press and online magazines including Space and Time, Dreams and Nightmares, Alienskin, and Beyond Centauri. With the advent of eBooks and indie publishing, she decided to move into the brave new world of publishing with the debut of her first novel, Heart of the Witch.
Journey to Landaran is her second full length novel, the first installment of the Spirit Mage Saga.
Author Links: Website | Blog | Twitter | Amazon Author Page Giveaway:$20 Amazon Gift Card (INT)
2 e-Arc winners (INT)
2 Paperback ARC winners (US)  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Illuminating Gracie Book Blast & $100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Tour Schedule  Illuminating Gracie by Lisa C. Temple As an old woman's lifeless body lies on a cold stone floor, her soul stands before an angel who offers her a miraculous opportunity: the chance to do it all again. But that is easier said than done. In order to change the path her life has taken, she must put aside years of self-loathing and pain, so she can help the young girl she once was become the woman she should have been. At 17 years old, Grace Bennett is a bitter young woman. Though blessed with a loving family, looks and brains to spare, she hides her light under a bushel, spending most of her time in the darkness of her mind with little more than sarcasm and self-pity to keep her company. But things are about to change for Grace. While delivering food for her family's bed and breakfast, she turns onto a desolate dirt road and drives straight into her destiny. It's on this isolated country lane that the damaged girl meets a strangely familiar old couple and two mysterious young men. Together the group fights the demons that surround Grace, and they teach her what it means to let her light shine. "Illuminating Gracie" is, at once, a metaphorical tale of the fight between good and evil and a spiritual saga of one girl's journey from darkness into the light. If you liked "Twilight" and "The Hunger Games," you will love the story of Gracie.    
Excerpt: Because he was an angel, Lochedus carried the power of life and death in his touch. With the wave of his hand, he could calm an angry sea or rain down terrible destruction on the heads of the guilty. He could grant peace to the troubled and visit devastating disease on the deserving. But no matter how hard he tried he could not, that night, pull himself from the depression that threatened to tear him apart. It had taken the touch of a small boy to do what a mighty angel could not and the far- reaching fallout from the child’s selfless act would echo throughout eternity. Through the years, Lochedus had checked in on the boy, quietly keeping vigil – never speaking, only watching. Not one time did the boy acknowledge his existence or seem to see him again. Not even in his darkest hours did he call out for help. That is, until tonight. The boy, now an old man, didn’t beg for his own soul, but for the soul of another – the one he loved most in the world. And now, the angel would move Heaven and Earth – and Hell if he had to – to help the one to whom he owed so much.   Praise for Illuminating Gracie: "A well-paced fantasy story of redemption and self-improvement." ~Kirkus Review (Sept. 1, 2013 Magazine) "Just the right amount of love story to the action packed plot line left this book a perfectly balanced read." ~Maryann (Amazon “Top 1000” Reviewers) "The story also contains little mysteries that keep you turning the pages, as gems of insight turn up along the way. It is a story of hope and redemption, and a beautiful request of each of us to let our light shine brightly." ~Kimberly Raadt Higgins (Amazon Review) "On a personal level, I can relate to Grace in so many ways. As I read, a lot of memories and feelings from my teenage and young adult years have come flooding back, some a little painful, others fun and exciting, even hopeful. Yet it also has me contemplating where I am today as a middle-aged adult; am I who I thought I would be, who I want to be?" ~N.J. Collar (Amazon Review) "The plot is masterfully drawn and keeps the reader guessing until the end. This book tells the story of the fight between good and evil in a young woman's life. It is brilliant in its use of humor and emotion to draw the reader into the characters." J. Pitts (Amazon and Goodreads)   Author Lisa C. Temple On thirty-nine Senior scrolls, the Headmaster of author, Lisa C. Temple's, small, private school wrote "Good Luck and best wishes for a prosperous future!" On the fortieth and final scroll, which was Temple's, the Headmaster penned the words, "Lisa, I can't wait to see to what use you put your unusual talents!" Temple spent the next 30 years trying to assuage her former leader's curiosity - and her own. She sold BMWs in her hometown of Montgomery, Alabama, and hillbillies (as a booking agent) in Nashville, Tennessee. In an effort to escape the enforced servitude of the Junior League, she even attended and was graduated from law school and passed the Alabama State Bar exam in 2002. Through it all, she battled problems and illnesses, many of her own making. But, it wasn't until her father - her hero - was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS), that Temple found her true calling - the "talent" that she finds joy in putting to use. "Illuminating Gracie," is loosely autobiographical and born from a desire to, if only, metaphorically right the wrongs of Temple's own past. It tells the story of a miserable old woman who is given the opportunity - by an angel - to go back in time and help the young girl she once was become the woman she should have been. "Illuminating Gracie," is the first book in a four-book series. The second book, "Instigating Gracie," is due for release in December 2013. Temple laughs when saying she has a loving and complicated husband she deserves, and a wonderful son and two loving stepchildren that she does not. She also shares her life with her beloved pets: Pomeranian, Phebe; Bordernese, Flash; and Tabby cat, MInx.   


   BookBlast Giveaway  $100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 12/13/13 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway