Victoria Simcox's Blog, page 136

~The Three Month Plan, Blog Tour~

Kelly Callahan had everything going for her. Everything that is, except for a relationship. It wasn’t for the lack of trying, it just seemed like she was a magnet for all the wrong ones. But all of that was about to change the minute she laid eyes on Jake.
On a dare from her close friend, Michelle, Kelly accepts a challenge to date and become Jake’s girlfriend within three months. The consequence of losing is global humiliation, and she refuses to lose. Enlisting the help of her childhood friend and confidant, Brian, Kelly manages to catch Jakes attention. She also unknowingly hooks Brian who tries to sabotage the plan. Kelly finds herself with a dilemma; take the final step with Jake and win the plan or follow her heart and reveal her feelings for Brian.
Author Bio
Horses were one of my first loves, and writing soon followed. As a child, I spent hours writing poems, and short stories (about horses). My parents realized that I was horse-obsessed and decided to buy me one after taking riding lessons for two years. I think they hoped that all of the hard work, and hours spent mucking stalls would help me give up this expensive hobby. They were wrong. Writing is still a passion of mine, although now I primarily write fiction. My first novel, Red Rock, was published in 2010, and big surprise, there are horses in it. My second novel, The Three Month Plan was released August 2013.Other Loves: My family, yoga, skincare and makeup, sushi, and raising money for pediatric cancer. I have two rescue dogs and would have more if there weren't zoning restrictions. I’m always trying something new, as I tend to get bored very easily. Thankfully, my love of driving around with the gas light on fuels some excitement. I love novels with happy endings, and am a hopeful romantic. My latest obsession is browsing Netflix, and I can name all 50 states in alphabetical order in under 30 seconds. Do I feel a wager coming on?


Author links:Www.redrockbook.comHttp://kimberleypatterson.wordpress.com Twitter @redrockbookFacebook KpattersonbooksEmail: redrocknovel@yahoo.com
Buy links - Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1490589899?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1490589899&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/261329
Excerpt:
The boardwalk wasn’t as crowded today, but it was still early, and the fog hadn’t yet cleared even though it was afternoon. San Diego fell victim to June gloom every year, and it always seemed to wait until summer had officially started. The patio on the Breakwater Café was the perfect place to sit and people watch and crush on the surplus of college students. It was an eclectic mix of teenagers and twenty-somethings flecked with small families here and there, not to mention this was the only restaurant in the area that had a man-made wave machine. When the sand was empty and the weather still cold, this was a popular hangout. It had only been two weeks since I graduated from high school and I was convinced now that it was summer I’d have more options for a boyfriend. “I just don’t get it,” I complained. “Sara Jennings has a great guy and she is awful.” “You just have to be patient, Kel. It’s not like you haven’t had your share of dates,” my friend Michelle assured me, “Besides, you’re only eighteen.” Michelle was right. It wasn’t for the lack of trying; it just seemed all the wrong guys clung to me like lint on velvet. I went through all of the stereotypes: the jock focused only on his next score; the quiet boy that couldn’t open up; I even dated a nerd that spoke in sexual innuendos.  I was ready for a real boyfriend, somebody I could be serious with. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” Michelle said, pointing in the direction I was staring. “Him?” “What?” I smiled, taking another sip from my soda. “No offense, but you do know he’s totally out of your league,” Michelle replied. I just ignored her and kept staring in his direction, admiring his short, dark hair. His eyes had a piercing blue quality that reminded me of the blue in the ocean. His casual demeanor showed in his flip flops, grey t-shirt and black and grey board shorts that hung low on his hips as he prepared to start the wave machine. “Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I said, meeting Michelle’s gaze. “But, I bet he’d be interested if he knew my awesomely charming personality.” I grinned. “Is that a challenge?” Michelle snickered. “You wanna make a bet?” I just laughed and shook my head. “Um, no,” I said flatly. “I wouldn’t even know where to begin.” “It’s not like you have anything to lose,” Michelle teased. “You don’t start your yoga training for another three months anyways.” I replied wistfully, “But he doesn’t even know I exist.” I looked toward him as he continued to ready the machine and talk to the crowd that had gathered. He yelled for the people to form a line – his voice deep, sexy and made me flush at the sound of it. “That is what it looks like, isn’t it?” Michelle said dryly, looking in the same direction as me. “Besides,” I explained, “he probably has a ton of girls throwing themselves at him.” I sighed and looked down to my lap disappointed at my own lack of confidence. “You can always ask Brian to introduce you.” Michelle grinned at me. I felt the heat really fan my cheeks. “Nooo, I'd be way too embarrassed.” Michelle looked at the guy again and said, “C’mon Kel, do you see how hot he is?” She lifted one of her perfectly shaped eyebrows. “Three months,” Michelle said, looking back towards me, smiling softly. “Three months for what?” I asked, meeting her gaze. “The bet. You have that much time to get him to date you,” Michelle replied smugly. “You can call it the three month plan.” “You’re serious about that?” I laughed, but was cut short when I realized Michelle was serious.  My expression quickly faded to a dull stare. “I wish you could see your expression right now.” Michelle chuckled. I paused at the silence, contemplating the challenge as I gazed in his direction. He was smiling to his latest customer who had entered the restaurant and climbed in line for the machine. Michelle had a point. I planned on making this a summer to remember. I wasn’t enrolled in college this fall since I had decided to take a year off before starting. And the yoga teacher training program didn’t begin until four months from now.  “You know,” I replied with a newfound confidence, “I think that’s perfect.” Michelle’s mouth fell open in surprise that all her prodding worked. “So in three months you will have landed him is what you are saying?” Michelle asked in disbelief. “Yeah. One way or another,” I laughed. “I’m gonna’ do, wear, and say everything that I would imagine a guy like that would want me to do.” Michelle grinned. “You’re crazy. A guy like that is gonna’ want you wearing nothing.” “Very funny, Michelle.” I playfully slapped her hands from across the table. “But since you were so instrumental in creating this bet, I am going to need your help.” “I was just kidding,” Michelle laughed. “Why am I getting dragged into this? You should ask Brian to help you.” “Well, you certainly encouraged it,” I responded and looked at the guy again. “But you’re right, how else am I going to get into his head, without some guy’s input?” “I’m sure his head isn’t the only place you want to get in to,” Michelle smiled. “Virginity is overrated anyways.” My face flushed, “You’re a bad influence, and you know that, right? I’m not going to sleep with him.” I must admit my mind did have a tendency to drift to such things. I’d never allowed the guys I’ve dated get very far with me, but watching him had me fantasizing of pressing against his lean body. “Of course. But you still love me anyways.” She grinned. “Yes, yes I do. But that may change after this whole three month plan is over.” I cocked my head to the side sarcastically. “Well, you had better get started then,” Michelle said. “And your first step might be getting rid of what looks like competition.” She lifted her head and looked behind me. I turned my head slowly to see him casually talking with what looked to be a supermodel. She twirled her naturally curly long blonde hair around her perfectly manicured pink nails, while batting her lashes up at him. Her low cut, cleavage revealing top left little to the imagination as she pressed her chest against his. She was thin, leggy, and annoying already even though I had never met her. “Uhm,” Brian cleared his throat, startling me. “Do you want any more drinks?” He arched his eyebrow at me, and I realized I had been scowling. I swear he was meant to be a spy the way he seemed to sneak up on us. Brian was my oldest friend, and before we were friends I had a huge crush on him. He never knew, and I was too afraid to tell him and ruin our friendship. Now he was more like a brother to me, although a much cuter brother than I imagined I’d have. Brian worked here part time as a server. It was yet another reason we came here. He always gave us a great discount. “Brian, thank God you’re here,” Michelle hurriedly said, “Do you know who that guy is over there talking to that girl?”

~Gravely Inanimated Blog Tour~

 

It has been thirty years since England was plagued by zombies. Humans fear for their lives while the dead kill the living.
By the cover of night, a man known only as Aeron hunts these creatures. On one foggy evening he finds Lucille Knight's life in jeopardy and Aeron's interest is instantly peaked when he saves the young lady.
But Aeron will have competition when Lucy meets Lord Garrett Ashdown, son of the Inventor, Earl Thomas.
Lucy is drawn to the masked man and equally mysterious Lord. With one concealing his true identity and the other hiding a ghastly secret, she does not know which one is less dangerous.
Will she be able to be with the man she chooses when she learns the awful truth? 
 Meet the Author Her name is Esther Wheelmaker and she is the author of the new, Zombiepunk Series.

With Gravely Inanimated (book one) coming to life, she is pounding away on her typewriter to try and get book two out. However, she is easily distracted by sparkly things.

Her background is a mystery and all anyone knows is she loves hugs, corsets, steampunk, books and Mozart…. Links:
www.zombiepunkseries.comwww.twitter.com/estherwheelmake www.facebook.com/esther.wheelmaker
 Chapter One Excerpt:

Z ombies limped toward me, bloody and disfigured, a chaste moon slinging shadows against their lurching fingers. Their crimson-splattered mouths were hungry for my flesh. A few pulled the lower half of their bodies with their ashen, supple hands. Some moved faster than others; they must have fed recently. How I had been stupid enough to head home from a friend’s house at such a late hour baffled me now.  Thirty years since the zombie apocalypse and sixteen years since my birth meant I had grown up knowing what should and should not be done. Yet here I was. Fear caused me to think as clear as a drunkard bent over a garbage pail. Even though Queen Victoria had commanded a good majority of her soldiers into the streets of England to protect her people, it still remained a bloody mess. Some of us   were still living with that false sense of security though. I screamed the sound echoing off the brick buildings. The streets were empty. Smart people were safe at home. The others were in taverns dancing and drinking. I wondered if anyone heard me or if everyone was ignoring me, as I had done so many times before. Puddles of water splashed against me as I ran. My boots kept my feet warm, breath heavy against the cold. My hand caught my fall as I skidded to the left, the back of my leather skirt ripping against a wooden box I raced past. The whistle of a train broke through the sound of death following close behind. I ran into a chain-linked fence, and my rubber soles scraped against the stone road as I came to a halt. I had misjudged my aim. I had meant to go down Lily Road, toward my house. Instead I went down Dead End Road…literally. With my back against the fence, I stared through my strands of shoddy raspberry-colored hair and into the dead faces before me. Ten of them. Slow and stupid, but large in numbers. The queen tried to keep these diseased creatures under wraps. Over the last few months, they began multiplying and soon became too much for our countries troops. Again, I let out a petrified scream, but no soldier came. I imagined my neighbors shutting their windows and locking their doors, like I had done so many times before. Another attack wasn’t anything new, and everyone depended on the Queen’s men to help. Here I was, at the mercy of these demons, my black-and-white thigh-high stockings slithering down from my ruffled petticoat. Even with gloves covering my hands, the coolness of the steel gate behind me seeped through. Crusty dried blood covered the mouth of the zombie closest to me, and I shut my eyes when his mouth showed teeth stained with yellow. “You can’t see me, you can’t see me.” I mumbled a childish thought, one would have when only a tot. The static tenor of a thunderous grinding voice reverberated in my ears. I opened my eyes. What sounded like the ringing of metal slicing through brittle rock was a sword splitting the flesh and bone of the zombie in front of me. I tried to back into the chain-linked fence, hoping to meld into it and be free from the havoc before me. Blood doused my chest; my eyebrows creased my forehead, my mouth deepening with a frown. A zombie with haggard brown pieces of hair staggered up to me. Her hand crept toward my face. My muscles clenched, matching my corset-tightened waist. I pressed the side of my face against the steel to the point I knew it would leave an impression. Peeking through the corner of my eye, I witnessed a blade strike her temple. The blood of the monster squirted against me. I flinched. A gloved hand grabbed my shoulder, and an arm came under me before I experienced cool air sweeping against my sweaty face. The ground became distant as I was lifted over the fence and to the open road on the other side. My blood pumped with fright while I pounded the body holding me, afraid I had been captured by another type of monster. Arms grasped me closer as if I was a bride and we were crossing the threshold. “Stop that or I’ll toss you back to be food.” He had an acute amorous voice. One calloused hand was around my thigh and his other held my waist. The rapid wind assaulted us, he took us both away from the zombies now obscured in my rear view. I was being rescued by some pale stranger with long black hair hiding behind a mask. Thoughts turned into a jumbled mess as I wondered if I should scream for rescue or hold on tighter. How could I know if he was truly here to help me or saved me only to murder me himself? It was hard to see through it all, but I knew his eyes were boring into me. My breath caught as I feared what we might run into with his vision diverted. My face flushed while fear continued to sear through my stomach with a stabbing sensation. “Stop looking at me and start looking at where you are going!” The strange man’s face hardened in contrast to his one high apple-shaped cheek bone I could see brushed with a light pink color. One eye had a monocle between his eyebrow and bottom lid, with two other monocles reaching up above the other. Through the dark lenses, I thought I glimpsed a red eye similar to those of the zombies. His dimpled cheeks creased into a smile. “Don’t worry, I can do both,” he assured me, yet my heart still pummeled and the stinging prickles against my skin gave no whisper of disappearing. “Put me down!” Between my endorphins running rapid, the shear shame of needing saving, and my fear of this stranger, I decided to resort to indignation. He slowed until he was at a jog. Now I could clearly see that his other eye was protected by a mask covering half of his face. The plate was made of leather with cog teeth at the bottom surrounded by a lighter beige oxhide. It appeared menacing and didn’t help to drown my dread in mud. “Die by zombie, die by running into a wall, they both leave my soul diminished.” “What? No thank you?” He came to a stop, still holding me firmly. My lips tightened with a hardness I’d inherited from my father. “Thank you, you silly boy.” I squirmed until he let me down. My knees buckled. He caught me before I fell and kept me upright. I tried to push him away. “I don’t need your help.” He didn’t even budge. “It would not appear that way.” He crossed his arms and cocked an eyebrow. When my legs felt sturdy, I stepped back and glared straight into his monocle. “I can take care of myself. Thank you for your help, but please leave me be.” My hand searched inside my pocket for my steam-ignited pistol, but I found nothing. I had left it on top of my dresser at home. Bloody hell, I was more absent-headed than normal tonight. He shook his head, his hair swung back and forth, stark against his pale face. “You are such a disappointment as a woman.” I gasped. “Pardon me?” My face pinched, and I clenched my fists. He sighed heavily as if bored with me. “I am met with hostility even though I saved your life.” “How dare you! What is your name? I shall make it a sin to be spoken.” The braveness of his chuckle along with his grin made me step back. “Aeron, and please make my name a sin to speak. You are a ghastly mess and should be taught proper manners.” With my feet planted on the pavement, I grew leery of what he might want in return for saving my life. The desperate groan of the zombies had faded, and my house was less than a block away. All I wanted to do was lay my head down to meet my pillow. “Thank you.” I tried to put more softness behind the words, but my gritted teeth didn’t help. “I’ll be fine now.” “You’re welcome, even though you are quite difficult.” His words sent bolts of electricity through my core. I turned around so he wouldn’t see the anger on face. “Try to keep yourself safe. I won’t always be around to save you.” His nonchalance was insulting, as if he thought I was a simpleton was loud and clear. God, he was so cocky! I didn’t need him, or anyone else, coming to my rescue. If he hadn’t shown up, I would have figured a way out. “I’ll be just fine!” The emptiness became apparent when the silence overcame the dim scenery around me. He had gone without a goodbye, and I jogged the rest of the way home. After removing the long chain from around my neck, I picked out the correct key and unlocked the door. I lived with my father and several servants in a double townhouse. We weren’t as upper class as that Aeron man thought, but we were known well enough throughout the city. When I was inside, I turned the golden knob to snap the lock back in place. Two automated arms came over the door and clasped each other at the mechanical wrists for extra security. I leaned back. My head hit the hard wood of the door, and I let out a breath. Dragging my feet up the stairs, I almost made it to my room without a hitch when I a squeak from down the hall caught my attention. “Good evening, Father,” I said without looking. “How many times are we going to have to go over this before I get it through that thick skull of yours? Walking around after sunset is dangerous, and you are forbidden to do so!” Forcing a bright smile, I went to him and wrapped my arms around his neck. “I’m fine, Father. Look!” When I stepped back, I opened my arms wide and did a circle. “See?” “Bloody hell, Lucy, look at you. Tights falling, skirt raised, hair askew… What were you doing tonight?” Bollocks, I should have fixed my clothing when I came in. “I was…I was running home because I heard a noise.” That was ten zombies behind me, hungry for my brains. “I came from Emily’s house. I lost track of time.” “You will help Olivia with the dishes after breakfast tomorrow!” “I am sixteen years old, Father! You must stop treating me as though I am a mere child!” “Until you are taking care of a husband of your own, you will do as I say.” His mustache twitched. “Now go to bed!” With a rumble of frustration, I stomped my foot and went off to my room. The first thing I did was tear off my clothes, leaving them were they landed, and changed into a long white gown before going to the vanity and taking a brush to my knotted locks. My father never talked about what happened when the zombies first rose, but I knew he had been through a lot. A vast majority of England had been wiped out when they first showed up. The zombies favored the night when partiers and drinkers were susceptible. From watching several during the day, it did give the impression that they were much weaker when the sun was up. If it had not been for the famous inventor Earl Thomas Ashdown and all of his automatons, England would be nothing more than a feasting ground for those disgusting creatures. When more time passed, his steam-powered inventions became more advanced and helped us build an army that could at least defend England from the creatures. However, with one dead, it was as if three more emerged. As of late, it seemed that more automatons were in need, and it had been over a year since a new model was made. Many stories about how the zombies came to be floated around. The most popular story became the gossip of a voodoo queen who obtained the souls of unsuspecting humans. It had been said that she captured the victim’s shadow, and then, little by little, took hold of their body until she possessed the entire person. The person would die, and the voodoo queen would raise them from the grave later that night and put them into a comatose trance. Which turned them into a slave, needing only needed human brains, flesh, and blood to survive. After that, the voodoo queen’s curse passed from the zombie to whatever human it drew blood from. One would become nothing more than an animated corpse soon to haunt the streets in tattered rags without any memory of whom or what they once were…or, at least, that was the rumor. Soldiers searched for the queen behind the wreckage, but not much was found to prove it. There was no other explanation, and the Royal Family was known for their secrets and keeping their people calm…well, calmer state by never acknowledging such a person existed. I could imagine the riots that would ensue, people searching any house they pleased to find out where she was. For a moment I stopped brushing my hair. I must say, I do wonder if their soul was trapped inside their body, and they realize everything they are doing even though they don’t really want to do it. They’re just remnants of a person who once was, dreaming of death as their flesh rots, entirely subservient and bound to the ascendancy of that wicked queen. People had whispered that they have seen her; she was said to have on a ball gown made of spider web and goblin silk, dirty matted hair twisted into dreadlocks, wild eyes that flashed red when looked into directly and dark skin that was no smoother than that of an alligator. Or so people alleged. I wasn’t sure anyone could see such a woman and not fall over dead where they stood! How ghastly it would be. I shuddered at the thought and put my brush down. The idea was less speculation since the outbreak began in London instead of somewhere else around the world. My bay window beckoned to me. Sitting on the thin cushion, I pressed my finger against the glass filled with condensation and pushed open the French-style window. Zombies had yet to climb trees to get to anyone so I didn’t fear my window being open. “I see you are home safe.” I covered my mouth before a small yelp came from me. When I scanned the street, I noticed Aeron leaning against a small tree. “Go away.” I tried to keep my voice low so my father wouldn’t hear. “I only wanted to make sure I had not gone out of my way for you to get into trouble a few steps from your house, Miss Knight.” He must have read my surname off our plaque. Shaking my head, I pulled the window shut and took to my bed, raising the covers high over my body. “What an annoying boy.” Still, he did save my life, the little voice in my head said as I stared up at the canopy above. Why did I treat him so harshly when he only wanted to keep me alive? I turned on my side and hugged my pillow tighter. Maybe it had been the suddenness of it all. I became caught up in the moment, truly upset with myself for being so naive and using him to take my anger out on him instead of berating myself. I was such a clever girl. He was still a stupid boy though. Sleep swept over me after that, and it wasn’t until the sun rose that I did as well. My wrinkled sheets testified to my tossing and turning all night. It would take a warm bath and a good breakfast to brighten my mood. My father, Julian Knight, was already at the breakfast table when I trotted into the room. I wavered for a moment, unsure if he wanted my company after the tiff we had last night. Without so much as a glance at me, he kept his nose buried in the morning paper while the maid pulled out my chair. He could have at least stood when I entered the room, but it was just the two of us, and dispensed formalities if he was being stubborn and only the two of us witnessed the lack of manners. I buttered a slice of darkened bread. “Good morning, Father,” I offered to no avail. God, the man could be a mule. “Mrs. North told me to send her greetings. Both Mrs. North and Emily were invited to the party being thrown at Duke Pyle’s residence this weekend. Did we receive an invitation? I was more than mortified that I couldn’t answer such a question.” His eyes stared at me over his round glasses before he folded the paper and putting it off to the side. “I believe we were invited. I, however, am unsure if I should allow you to accompany me to such an event.” Taking a sip of tea, he wiggled his salt and pepper mustache that matched his neatly trimmed hair. “You have been all over the place lately. Ever since…” His thin lips became a line, and his hazel eyes, which I had inherited, scanned the room. “Ever since the incident.” My heart fluttered, and warmth overtook my face. “Father, please…” The water forming in my eyes begged to be set free, but I shut them firmly to bargain them away. “I know I let you down last night, but I only let the time slip away because I was with Emily. I will not let it happen again.” Letting the breath of resistance toward my father’s rules dissipate, I got up and made my way over to him. From behind, I wrapped my arms around his wide shoulders and put my chin on top. “Please, Papa?” My voice was but a whimper: soft, sweet, like a child asking for a puppy. “I will be ever so good.” His cheeks rose high against mine, and I knew I had him. “Fi-i-i-ine. But until then, if you as much as disobey the tiniest of rules, I will have you locked up for a month!” My father’s rough grey suit was comforting against my skin as I held him firmly for a moment. When I had been a little girl, I would race to let him pick me up into his arms and hold me close after coming home from a long day. His bright tie had the color of a butterfly’s golden wings with a black top hat and goggles he wore when riding on top his steed. He could be such a gracious father at times. “Thank you, Papa!” I raced back to my seat with a smile. “This is going to be so much fun.” Bouncing a few times in my chair, I took a couple pieces of bacon and munched quietly. Duke and Duchess Pyle were the richest in the entire district, and it was more than an honor to be invited to an event held by them. Even people from Paris would travel the miles to be here for the evening, zombies or no zombies. It would mean buying a new dress, and for me, that was the best part. “Don’t forget about helping with the dishes when you are finished.” My shoulders slumped. I had hoped he would have forgotten that little tidbit.

  



 

~The Dark Side of Truth Blog Tour~

Soon after fifteen-year-old Will Reed and his friend Mason stumble over a corpse in the woods, Will’s ex-con father is arrested for the murder—and it’s Will’s fault. With the police about to close their investigation, Will must discover the identity of the ruthless killer before his father wrongfully goes back to prison.

In the spirit of City of Ember and The Goonies, it’s the discovery of a coded message that starts Will and Mason on an unexpected path of mystery and danger. Will hopes finding an ancient relic will guide him to the truth and prove his father’s innocence. Unfortunately, Will soon learns he isn't the only one searching for this valuable object. It’s a race to follow hidden clues until Will is confronted with a harsh reality. His determination to help his father has jeopardized the lives of the people he cares for. With a cold-blooded killer on his trail, Will must choose between the safety of his friends and family or freedom for his father.
Gary Caruso lives in northern Virginia with his wife Jill, but their favorite place is in Ohio with their three beautiful grandchildren. Although Gary is exhilarated when he sits down to write, teaching middle school science is his first love. He’s passionate about empowering students to make thoughtful decisions and positive choices in life. Gary enjoys reading, especially fiction that blurs the line between what’s real and what’s fantasy. He never imagined becoming a writer until an ordinary car ride on a spring day jolted an unlikely thought into his head. Gary’s early experience writing is a reminder that no matter how intimidating the challenge, action and determination are the foundations for fulfilling any dream. Gary has an insatiable love for writing, a blessing he’s excited to share with his readers.

Links:GR link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18131848-the-dark-side-of-truth
Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Side-Truth-Book-ebook/dp/B00FI4HMUE/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1381110520&sr=8-13&keywords=Gary+Caruso

~Eternity & Halo City Blog Tour & Giveaway~

 
Synopsis:Having happily ever after is never easy when evil lurks nearby. Now that Claudia has her memories back and her life seems to have settled down, the fallen have come out of hiding with the news about Aliah’s and his demons’ death. The fallen coming out of hiding is not a concern; there are those who want to be left alone. However, one particular fallen, Dantanian, is hungry for revenge. Being one of God’s first fallen angels, he is the evilest of his kind, known as an angel of many faces. He will do anything to get his way, even if it means forcing others to join him. And he will stop at nothing to get Michael on his side.
Dantanian will torture, kill for pleasure, and concoct evil schemes to get Michael’s attention; and once in his hands, he will try to destroy all the happiness Michael fought so hard to gain. Having no support from the Twelve, and with Claudia temporarily losing her powers, the venators and the alkins must work together once again to save their friends. As death draws near to those captured by Dantanian, will the gang reach them in time? Or will Michael return to the dark angel he once was and destroy everyone he loves?
Title: Halo City: Michael's Journey
Author: Mary Ting
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy 
  Synopsis:
When a massive group of angels known as nephilim—half human, half angel—had been found by the Royal Council, they were taken to Halo City. Instead of cleansing the Earth with a flood, which had been done before, the Royal Council created a place just for this group of angels. While they were being taken, one of the Twelve, named Aden, rebelled and convinced many alkins to join his cause—to live freely among the humans and take over Crossroads.
After the fall of Aden and his followers, Michael was taken to Halo City to heal. Not only did Michael had a difficult time settling into his new environment, he had conflicting issues regarding his past. Upon meeting the alkins, a particular one by the name of Davin refused to give up on helping him deal with his struggles. Together, they discovered a strange being that would appear at the Crossroads at unexpected times. Souls wandering there is nothing new, but this one aged as time passed. Mystified, they both searched for answers while refraining from telling the Twelve about her. Who is this being that had enraptured Michael’s attention? And will Michael finally forgive himself and find the happiness that he yearned to have? 

Author Bio:Mary Ting resides in Southern California with her husband and two children. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Writing her first novel, Crossroads Saga, happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother, and inspired by a dream she once had as a young girl. When she started reading new adult novels, she fell in love with the genre. It was the reason she had to write one. Why the pen name, M Clarke? She tours with Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children’s chapter book, No Bullies Allowed.You can find Mary at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMaryTing
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrosroadsBook
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaryTing
Website: http://www.authormaryting
Blog: http://www.marytingbooks.blogspot.com
Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...Buy Links:Crossroads (FREE) http://www.amazon.com/Crossroads-Saga-ebook/dp/B005F768GI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378598809&sr=8-1&keywords=Mary+ting
Between http://www.amazon.com/Between-Crossroads-Saga-ebook/dp/B006VXE1H8/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1
Beyond http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Crossroads-Saga-ebook/dp/B009FMMCMI/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1
Halo City http://www.amazon.com/Halo-City-ebook/dp/B00EHFTUH8/ref=pd_sim_kstore_2
Blogs blurbs for Eternity 

"Bittersweet to read, Eternity, the final & most heartfelt book in the Crossroads Saga. Truly a mesmerizing world created by a wonderful and talented author. Claudia & Michael's love story will live on in words amongst a books' pages and in our hearts now and forever." 

Jessica, Novel Words,

Teaser for Eternity
“If your soul is dirty and worn, we will cleanse you. If you are too blind to see the light, we will be your eyes. If the sea of evil darkness swallows you up, we will anchor you and won’t let you go. We’ll fight for you till the very end, till all of our strength and will had been spent, even if we’ll have to fight till our last dying breath, we’ll never let you go.

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~Hyde~ Blog Tour & Giveaway~

 
 Rebecca Hope has looked death in the face twice and lived to tell her tale. She and the love of her life, Justyn Patko, land a summer internship at a local dinner theater, performing the musical Hyde. While they are excited about their first paid acting gig, they soon find themselves surrounded by more experienced cast mates, jealous of their success. As if the tension isn’t bad enough, they soon discover that the business might be a front for something much more sinister.

When Justyn is accused of a crime that she knows he would never commit, Rebecca must decide if she wants to follow her head or her heart. While trying to prove his innocence, she makes a shocking discovery of her own. Everyone has something to conceal in the grand finale of the Dark Musicals Trilogy. Rebecca has to look beyond the façade to discover the true Hyde or face her final curtain call.


Author Bio:Laura “Luna” DeLuca lives at the beautiful Jersey shore with her husband and four children. She loves writing in the young adult genre because it keeps her young at heart.  In addition to writing fiction, Laura is also the editor of a popular review blog called New Age Mama. She is an active member of her local pagan community, and has been studying Wicca for close to eight years.  Her current works include Destiny, Destiny Unveiled, Phantom, Morrigan, Player, and Demon.

Links: Follow the author Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Pinterest

Excerpt The act ended with Hyde grabbing hold of a scantily dressed Lucy and pulling her into his arms. Then the lights on the stage were extinguished, and the silent crowd suddenly burst into thunderous applause—even some of the cast was clapping. Rebecca couldn’t help but notice Steve was watching the fanfare with a frown, especially when Fernando, dressed for the next scene as the butler, clapped Justyn on the back with undisguised approval and pride. Rebecca had the distinct feeling Steve was plotting something sinister and definitely Hyde-worthy.
From that point on, Justyn scarcely had a moment out of the spotlight. Rebecca didn’t even get a chance to tell him how fabulous he was. It felt as though the show had only begun when Rebecca found herself decked out in the splendid Victorian wedding gown signaling the final act was about to begin. The dress came complete with realistic bell sleeves, an excessive bustle, and a long, flowing trail embroidered with delicate lace. The elaborate wardrobes and happy wedding guests gave the audience the illusion that it might be a happy ending after all, but for Dr. Jekyll and Emma, that wasn’t meant to be. As soon as the reverend began to recite the vows, Hyde made his final deadly appearance.
At the beginning of the scene, it was sweet and romantic. Justyn started out holding her hand, looking happy, almost ecstatic to be with his true love. Then he suddenly started to sway. Tom, in his role of John, the best man, tried to steady him, but there wasn’t anything he could do to stop the transformation. Dr. Jekyll doubles over in agony and tries to run before Emma can see him change into a monster. Justyn was supposed to head toward the back of the stage where Rebecca would pursue him and eventually become Hyde’s captive. But they should have known no opening night could ever go exactly as planned, especially when it was obvious at least half the cast was out to get them.
Just as Justyn stumbled across the stage, Steve, who was blending in with the other guests on the sidelines, stuck out his foot. It was doubtful anyone else observed the sabotage, aside from Petya, who was smirking at her husband’s side. But Rebecca was at the perfect vantage point to see the intentional attack. Unfortunately, Justyn was so wrapped up in the role he didn’t notice the danger, especially since his loose hair was dangling in front of his eyes. Before Rebecca could cry out a warning, Justyn’s foot was caught in the snare. With a grunt, he tumbled off the side of the stage. Even over the background music and the gasps from the audience, Rebecca heard the loud thump as he hit the ground. She raised her hands to her mouth and couldn’t help but scream.



Be sure to add Hyde to your to-read list on 
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Awakening the Fire Blog Tour

Title: Awakening the Fire (The Inferno Unleashed Series, Book Two)
Author: Jake Bonsignore  
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy, Thriller
Tour Host: Lady Amber's Tours




  ** SYNOPSIS**

Breena Taljain’s idyllic days in Araboth came to a skidding halt when circumstances forced her into the dangerous hinterlands. The dire sacrifice she made to protect her comrades tainted her heart with hatred and despair. To cleanse herself she must outrun Death’s relentless pursuit and venture into the bleak unknown. With the odds stacked against her, stumbling into love when she least expects it may very well be her saving grace.

Meanwhile, succumbing to the Patriarch’s devious traps has Galbrecht Atalir questioning his motives. The folly of his recklessness has left him physical scarred and mentally traumatized. Now he must overcome more adversity as the wrath of the Sin Ministry bears down upon him. He will need more than wits and quick fists to find the truth he has sought for seven years.
Alas, every second Breena is apart from Galbrecht draws her further into strife. With her world rapidly crumbling inwards, she puts everything on the line for a last stand against the ruthless force that threatens to destroy all she holds dear….

Release: August 30, 2013 (Online release PARTY  https://www.facebook.com/events/391835377604418/  )Book Design: Regina Wamba of Mae I Design and PhotographyGoodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17992776 Book Trailer:   http://youtu.be/oKfRtBcb_jo  (by Amygdala Art)
 Author Bio:
Jake Bonsignore is the author of Descendant of Strife, Empyreal Illusions, and Awakening the Fire. he is a graduate of the University of South Florida with magna cum laude honors. Outside of his literary pursuits, he enjoys playing sports and is a fitness enthusiast. he is currently working on his next novel, The Lioness.




                                                               Read an excerpt




CHAPTER 1


COUNTDOWN


PURGAIRE






H
e took a hearty sip of his steaming coffee and settled into the hard, uncomfortable bench outside the Intensive Care Unit. Hospital shifts that seemed to drag on for a thousand eternities made him truly appreciate the magic of hot water and brown beans. He could not function properly without a caffeine boost on such a hectic evening. His taste buds relished the warmth as the potent beverage settled in his stomach. The rumbling it caused reminded him of how little he had eaten today. His hunger surprised him. An appetite was the last thing he expected to have after tending to so many injuries and ailments tonight, especially those to the youth in Room 316.
Years of experience in the hospital had taught him that the end results always remained the same. Only the names attached to the husks of flesh that came into the depressive rooms changed. Still, he had to be positive. Believing that he could make a difference in someone’s life was more than part of his job. It was his outlook. Attitudes were very contagious, though, and those of Doctor Atalir always found a way to spoil his. His near-feral reaction when they had discussed alternatives for the Taljain girl had been terrifying. Why he built such a strong attachment to a girl he had never before met was beyond Rivas. He just prayed that Galbrecht did not let his inner demons draw him into trouble or worse.
He’s probably getting drunk again at The Laughing Banshee.
Doctor Bardum downed the remainder of the coffee and reopened Breena Taljain’s file. His heart simply broke every time he scanned her intake sheet. He had never seen anyone with her injuries maintain such a tenuous grip on life. It was not as if she had the chance to avoid it. Fate had wronged her the day she exited the womb of a Purgairan woman. Kill or be killed; eat or be eaten. It was simply the way of things in the slums.
Her mother doesn’t even come to visit. She probably doesn’t even realize the poor thing’s gone. Another Nepenthe addict, I bet.
Against his will, Doctor Bardum slouched and let out a weary yawn. His wrinkled coat and plastic glasses were becoming very heavy. Morning could not come soon enough. Alas, such wishful thinking was not fooling anyone. His shift was far from over. Heavens only knew what other complications would happen between now and then.
He scratched the tiny, scruffy hairs growing along his cheeks. “Stick with it, Rivas,” he convinced himself. “Don’t get lazy now.”
For the second time that night he flipped through the report Doctor Atalir had put in Breena’s file. The poor, blessed thing deserved better. Her attacker’s chains had broken almost every bone in her body and had her trapped in a coma. She would never breathe or eat properly again, if she even survived at all. Her attacker turned her ribs and jaw into a jigsaw puzzle of bones. Though her limbs and pelvis fared no better, it was the fractures on her frontal and occipital bones that frightened him the most. At any time the arteries in her head could surrender to the trauma and burst. He knew not if it was God’s benevolent grace or cruelest torment that they were still intact.
Are Galbrecht and I the real monsters for letting her live? Where do we cross the line between doing our duties and being humane?
Rivas sighed. He hated himself for the sentiment. Not more than two weeks ago he had seen something similar happen to another child. The boy had arrived in the wee hours of the night, as she had. It pained him that he could not remember his name.
You’re a hypocrite, the voice in his heart of hearts reprimanded. You remember Breena but not him? What makes her so worthy?
Doctor Bardum shook his head to ward off his conscience. The boy had been in the ICU for less than two hours when one of the arteries around his sphenoid burst. The hemorrhaging that followed imposed a tragic death. More than anything, Rivas felt like a murderer for not being able to act quickly enough. He did not think he could bear the same fate befalling Breena. Heavens forbid.
He had to be practical, though. Her chance of survival was bleak. The fact that Galbrecht had already withheld Anodyne-94 from her did not please him, either. It was the only painkiller that let her sleep restfully. At least make her final moments restful!
He pitied the girl, yes, but she was not the only patient needing tending to. It was time to check up on the others. The night would only drag on if he did not keep himself busy.
Rivas passed Room 302 about twenty minutes later and sauntered in with fingers crossed that the patient inside was finally sleeping. The man was a glutton for conversation, despite the puncture in his side that—
“Doctor Bardum! Doctor Bardum!” The frantic voice of the nurse he had reprimanded earlier on filled his ears and stopped him in his tracks. Was there no rest for the weary?
He stepped outside the room and waited impatiently for the nurse to reach him. “Doctor Bardum, you’ve got to come quickly, please!”
Then why did you leave and run all this way?
“What is it now?”
“It’s Room 316, the girl—!”
Oh, heavens pity her!  “Breena T—”
“Yeah, doctor, that one!” She stammered out each word as if it were a chore and breathed through her mouth. Breena was on the other side of the wing. Where was the other doctor on duty? “She needs you now. Come on!”
“Get ahold of yourself! What’s the problem?”
“You’re wasting time, Doctor Bardum. She’s starting to hemorrhage!”
The blood rushed from Rivas’ face as if he had seen a ghost. Had he jinxed it? No, not her too! If the nurse is right, the girl is as good as….
He let the thought trail off. Her body was too fragile for surgery and could not tolerate any other anesthetics, either.
Curse it all! I need Doctor Atalir here! He shook his head and swore under his breath. With a flail of his arm and unintelligible command he hurried over to the ailing girl in Room 316. Where in blazes are you, Galbrecht?
��
“Ghariel! Oh Ghariel! Come out, come out, wherever you are!” Cain Valkyr purposefully dragged out each syllable in his maniacal, singsong rant so it echoed throughout Penance Row. He was clearly having fun taunting his enemy from the other side of the dank catacombs. “You can run, run, run, but you’re still going to die! Six minutes, Ghariel! Six more minutes until the hunt begins!”
Galbrecht exhaled slowly and wiped his brow. The Cardinal was far enough away to grant him a moment of reprieve yet still too close to shake off his dread. Crossing paths was inevitable. Cain held the key to get out of Penance Row. At least he says so. He had to believe that Tairo—the Patriarch of the Sin Ministry—was somewhere up ahead, too. Next time he would be more careful.
The real challenge would begin when the countdown ended and the Cardinal pursued him in earnest.
Galbrecht cringed and spat on the ground. The aftereffects of Cain’s recent torture were encumbering. He had to remember that the stolen Prodynorph-32 only numbed his pain. It did not actually heal his injuries. Over exertion was still a very lethal possibility.
He had to return to the hospital before it wore off. I need a miracle.
Galbrecht wasted just over one minute adjusting to the murky darkness and surveying his surroundings. Penance Row was more of a roach-infested maze of sewage than a prison. The sconces housing weak, dying torches were few and far between. Thick patches of scraggly lichen and fetid moss hung from the walls and the vaulted ceiling far above. Rusted bars chiseled into the stone walls were the only hint of captivity in the cells. Resting on the opposite side were piles of rat droppings and forlorn skeletons shackled to stone. Galbrecht grimaced; he pitied those whom the world had simply forgotten about. It’ll do the same to you, too, if you let it. Keep your guard up.
Narrow, rocky straits littered with refuse lined either side of the greenish-black waterways. Any intent of using them to hide from the Sin Ministers faded when he ran his hand over the surface and immediately recoiled. Hot! It was a wonder he did not scald his flesh.
The revelation made him screw up his lips. Was sensitivity a side effect of the Prodynorph-32? His senses were becoming too acute. Even the humidity was smothering and debilitating, enough so that he nearly shed his shirt and coat. He needed them as a layer of armor against Cain’s vicious claws.
Stay alert, Ghariel. You can take them. They’re just drugged up, worthless scum. Just look out for Cain. He’s no god. He’s barely a human.
His musing shattered easily later when he spied an olive-drab, scaly snout emerging from the fizzing water.
You should be thankful you’re even walking, he chided himself. He knew exactly what it was and the meal it would make of him if he ventured near. You won’t be if that gets to you. Think of what you’ve been through after your girls died. Embrace those instincts again. You know you want to. That’s why you still think of yourself as Ghariel instead of Galbrecht. You’ll never find out why Tairo targeted your family if you perish here.
Not for the first time Galbrecht wondered how everything had come to this.
You could’ve let sleeping dogs lie. You chose not to. Now deal with the consequences.
The loudening clamor of footfalls thrust him into motion.
He crossed one of the trash-lined channels with a running leap and immediately sought cover behind a stack of rotten, musty crates seconds before a Sin Minister strolled by. He was too busy marveling over a pair of stolen, steel knuckles to notice Galbrecht. So that’s where they went. His vulnerability was too much to ignore.
Galbrecht surmised only one way to get his trusted weapons back.
With a deep exhalation he darted forth and threw his hand over the Sin Minister’s mouth. The man scarcely had a chance to realize what was happening when the doctor slammed his boot against his Achilles’ tendon. Galbrecht grabbed his skull with the other hand before he finished falling and violently jerked his neck leftwards.
The harsh crunch that followed instantly silenced his wail.
Galbrecht frowned and gently laid the body onto the ground. The nagging sense of morals he was trying to overlook gnawed at him. He had shed too much blood in the name of justice. The fallen might have once been someone’s brother, father, or friend.
That was then and this is now.
Galbrecht eased the steel knuckles over his hands and dragged the body behind the crates. Ethics blurred when his survival was at stake. Every passing second left him in greater amazement of the person he had become.
No, more like animal. I might even blend in or fool the bastards for a bit.
He was flexing his hands and savoring the feel of cold metal upon his palms when he heard the strident clang of metal scraping against metal. The distant, maniacal bout of laughter that followed made his spine tingle.
“Are you scared yet, Ghariel? Have you gone mad, mad, mad with fear?” Cain let out another maddened howl. “The excitement makes me want to cut, cut, cut you to pieces now! I can’t take it! Two more minutes, Ghariel. Two!”
Galbrecht had not realized how hard it was to stay calm until now. He needed to be ready. At once he rummaged through the thug’s pockets for anything useful. All he found was a few flint matches and two unused syringes of Nepenthe. What a waste. Only dust and air kissed his fingers when he searched for more. He lifted—
The apocalyptic click of a crossbow trigger behind his neck halted his search.
Beads of cold sweat trickled down his brow. The Nepenthe fell freely onto the ground. How had he been so careless? Again. He was at the mercy of the Sin Ministry now.
“You weren’t much of a challenge. Get up and put your hands where I can see them.” His fetid, sour breath made Galbrecht want to hurl again. “I’m going to make a spectacle out of you for the Cardinal. He’d get a real laugh out of that.” The man prodded him twice with the blunt edge of the crossbow.
Get ready, Ghariel. He’s overconfident. You can do this.
“I don’t know what you did to tick off the boss but it’s pretty bad. You should be honored.” He laughed smugly and slammed the crossbow into the back of his skull. “Don’t speak or I swear I’ll spill your brains.”
Move on the count of three.
“The bolt’s got a splash of the Cardinal’s tropical frog sweat on it.”
One.
“A few drops will bring about paralysis. You should know.”
Two.
“No, I changed my mind. Talk…now. Beg me to—”
Three.
In a single, lightning-fast motion, Galbrecht bashed his heel into his captor’s shin and ducked. The Sin Minister screeched and haphazardly pulled the trigger. The poisonous bolt whizzed just over the doctor’s head before the crossbow tumbled harmlessly out of his hands. He gasped and stammered in confusion—
That was the only opening Galbrecht needed to grab the man and launch him over his shoulder. A loud splash sent a spray of warm water onto his clothes and cheeks.
He watched the Sin Minister flail about and gasp frantically in an attempt to breathe. He was completely oblivious to the bubbles moving ever closer as he swore boorishly and reached for solid ground—
Then eighty carnivorous teeth closed in upon his legs and pulled him under. A muffled cry followed by a horrifying crunch radiated throughout Penance Row. A successive bite consumed the Sin Minister’s torso up to his shoulders. Within seconds only a patch of bloodied breeches and a widening, crimson puddle remained of him.
Galbrecht did not move until the alligator plunged back into the murky depths. The sound of it devouring flesh, bone, and everything in between made his stomach turn. He had not intended to deliver the man to such a grisly demise. It was exorbitant. Cain would find the red stain he had left behind easy to follow, too. He wracked his mind for a way to cover it up but could think of nothing.
I’m no different than they are, he mulled over in disappointment. I’ve stolen another life and yet I’m only thinking about saving my own skin.
That could be you if you’re not careful, his reason warned. Get real! These bastards aren’t going to stand still while you overcome this petty regret. The dog threw in his lot with murderers and criminals. He deserved to die. You’ll slay more before this night is over, too. It’s just the way of things. Kill or be killed, Ghariel. Kill or be killed.
He clenched his teeth together and kicked the weapon into the murky water. It would do him no good against someone as fast and wily as Cain.
As if on cue, all the torches rimming the walls abruptly died out. Galbrecht could not see more than a dozen feet ahead. He realized he had not known true danger until now.
“Ghariel!” Cain’s familiar yet distant shriek made his temples throb. At least he had some breathing room. “Your time is up, Ghariel Lodan! You are still alive, yes? I heard that splash, splash, splash just now. You better not be dead. If you are I swear I’ll kill you again, and again, and again!” He chuckled and grated his claws against the iron bars six times in succession. “Beware the fiends in the water, Ghariel. They can’t have you. No, no, no, they cannot. You’re all mine!”
The harsh screech struck Galbrecht like the blow of a hammer. He could feel tingling waves shoot up his forearms. Even his eardrums felt on the verge of exploding. The Prodynorph-32 was clearly making his senses far too keen. Not for the first time he wondered if he would have been better off without it.
Don’t be stupid! Without it you’d be utterly crippled.
“Five nothings and four very hungry reptiles will join me in my hunt, hunt, hunt. Have you any last words, any dramatic confessions to make?” He let out a screeching hiss. “You’re a surgeon, Ghariel. You’re supposed to be, be, be smart! You could’ve figured out why, why, why the Lord Master took your family away! Look at where your oh-so noble quest for revenge got you. Look at it, Ghariel. Look hard!”
So, he’s not acting alone, the doctor considered. He tried to tune out as much of the Cardinal’s gloating as possible. Two are already down, which leaves three. I still don’t like the odds. To say that survival is farfetched is an understatement.
“It’s time for the hunt to begin! Ready or not, not, not, Ghariel Lodan, here I come!”



Links: Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/jakebonsignoreauthor Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/jakebonsignore Blog:  http://jakebonsignore.wordpress.com Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1438031   Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/author/jakebonsignore  (Direct links to purchase Empyreal Illusions and/or Awakening the Fire are available here)Signed Paperback (with Bookmark) – Contact Jake Bonsignore directly via Facebook or  jakebonsignore.author@gmail.com

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~Book Blast, Blog Tour & Giveaway~

                    Author William Hazelgrove
                     
Website * Blog * Facebook * Twitter
William Hazelgrove is the best selling author of five novels, Ripples, Tobacco Sticks Mica Highways and Rocket Man and The Pitcher His books have received starred reviews in Publisher Weekly, Book of the Month Selections, Junior Library Guild Selections, ALA Editors Choice Awards and optioned for the movies. He was the Ernest Hemingway Writer in Residence where he wrote in the attic of Ernest Hemingway’s birthplace. He has written articles and reviews for USA Today and other publications. His latest novel Rocket Man due out May 1, 2013 was chosen Book of the Year by Books and Authors.net. He runs a political cultural blog, The View From Hemingway’s Attic. A forthcoming novel, The Pitcher will be out Sept 1, 2013. He lives in Chicago.


 The Pitcher
“I never knew I had an arm until this guy called out, “Hey you want to try and get a ball in the hole, sonny?” I was only nine, but mom said, “come on, let’s play.” This Carney guy with no teeth and a fuming cigarette hands me five blue rubber balls and says if I throw three in the hole we win a prize. He’s grinning, because he took mom’s five bucks and figures a sucker is born every minute. That really got me, because we didn’t have any money after Fernando took off, and he only comes back to beat up mom and steal our money. So I really wanted to get mom back something, you know, for her five bucks.”
A boy with a golden arm but no money for lessons. A mother who wants to give her son his dream before she dies. A broken down World Series pitcher who cannot go on after the death of his wife. These are the elements of The Pitcher. A story of a man at the end of his dream and a boy whose dream is to make his high school baseball team. In the tradition of The Natural and The Field of Dreams, this is a mythic story about how a man and a boy meet in the crossroads of their life and find a way to go on. You will laugh and you will cry as The Pitcher and Ricky prepare for the ultimate try out of life.



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~American Girl On Saturn, Promo, Excerpt and Giveaway~

American Girl On Saturn
by  Nikki Godwin
Release Date: 08/24/13
Summary from Goodreads:
The summer after graduation is supposed to be that first real taste of freedom - but not for eighteen-year-old Chloe Branson. Just as that breeze of freedom is making its way into her galaxy, her secret-service-agent dad drops a meteor-sized bomb of bad news on her and her sisters. An attempt has been made on the lives of Canadian boyband, Spaceships Around Saturn, during their USA tour, and the guys have to go into hiding ASAP. The only problem? In the midst of the crisis and media frenzy, their dad volunteered to hide the guys...in their house.

Six-year-old Emery is as ecstatic as any self-proclaimed Saturnite would be, but Chloe and her seventeen-year-old sister Aralie watch their summer plans crash and burn like a falling star. The SAS guys aren't happy with the situation, either. Bad boy Jules picks fights with Aralie about everything from his Twitter followers to his laundry, and heart-throb Benji can't escape Emery's fangirlisms for more than three minutes.

But after the super-cute Milo kisses Chloe during a game of hide-and-seek, she finally understands what Emery means when she talks about SAS being "out of this world." If this is what Saturn feels like, Chloe doesn't want to come back to Earth.



http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17798679-american-girl-on-saturn?ac=1

http://www.amazon.com/American-Girl-On-Saturn-ebook/dp/B00EV5VCEI/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378617111&sr=1-1&keywords=american+girl+on+saturn
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/american-girl-on-saturn-nikki-godwin/1116796895?ean=2940148608561
http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/american-girl-on-saturn
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/352390
or: Goodreads │ Amazon │ Barnes & Noble │ Kobo │ Smashwords



***Author Links*** http://nikkigodwin.blogspot.com/ http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6895711.Nikki_Godwin http://www.twitter.com/NikGodwin http://www.facebook.com/NikkiGodwinWrites
or: Website │ Goodreads │ Twitter │ Facebook

Excerpt 1:

            He reaches toward the tray and grabs the lone Oreo. “Okay, this is my last one for the night,” he says. “Half it with me?”
Seriously? If I wasn’t the envy of every Saturnite in the world just by sitting across the table from him, I’m definitely the envy of them now because the Milo Grayson wants to half his precious Oreo with me. And the thing that sucks the most is that no one knows about it to be jealous of me!
He holds the cookie up and waits for a response.
“Yeah, we can half it,” I say.
I reach across the table for it, but he jerks his arm back. The sleeve of his T-shirt hugs his bicep tightly, and oh how I wish to be that fabric.
“Not so fast,” he says. “Let’s make it interesting.”
Could this be any more interesting? Hello – you’re gorgeous and famous and sharing cookies with me! Any more ‘interest’ and I might burst like a firework.
“If you get the side with the cream, I’ll give you my honest male opinion about your checkout line drama today,” he says. “But if I get the cream side, you have to tell me, honestly, who you think the best looking guy is in Spaceships Around Saturn.”
Oh God. He’s for real. Does he know? He totally knows. He knows I’m lusting for him from behind this glass of milk and tattoo magazine. He knows that his eyes make me melt and that I clearly watch him on Twitter because I know all about amazzzzzing. Now he wants to make me ‘fess up.
“Deal.” I say it before I can chicken out.
I can always lie and say Benji’s name. He’s the fan favorite anyway. Benji Baccarini is Spaceships Around Saturn for so many girls.
He leans forward, positions himself over the table, and holds up that fated Oreo. I push my glass of milk aside because the last thing I want is to knock it over with my quivering nerves. Then I lean toward him, grip the cookie with my fingers, and inhale every scent of his body wash that I can while I twist my half of the Oreo away from his half. 

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~Knights of the Round Table, Review and Blog Tour~

 
About the Book  


Title: Young Knights of the Round Table: The King's Ransom Author: Cheryl Carpinello Publication Date (Kindle): May, 2012 Publisher: MuseItUp Publishing Number of pages: 84 Recommended age: 9+ Summary (Amazon):

In medieval Wales, eleven-year-old Prince Gavin, thirteen-year-old orphan Philip, and fifteen-year-old blacksmith's apprentice Bryan are brought together in friendship by one they call the Wild Man. When an advisor to the king is killed and a jeweled medallion is stolen from the king’s treasury, the Wild Man is accused of the theft and murder. Filled with disbelief at the arrest of the Wild Man, the three friends embark upon a knight’s quest to save their friend’s life. To succeed, the three must confront their fears and insecurities, and one of them will have to disclose the biggest secret of all. Join Gavin, Philip, and Bryan on their quest and share the adventures that await them in the land of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.

  
 My Review

The story is set in medieval Wales and follows the legend of King Arthur. Twelve year old Prince Gavin, and his friends Phillip and Bryan will make it their mission to save a friend from being put to death. The three boys believe that the ‘Wild Man’ has been falsely accused of murder and of stealing the jeweled medallion (the king’s ransom).

On a single minded quest to find out who the real villain is, the boys will go on a dangerous adventure, which includes sneaking through a secret passage to listen in on the king’s conversation, visiting a woman, Seanna, known as the village witch, and ultimately risking their lives for getting involved in the case.
Filled with intrigue, suspense, mystery and non stop adventure, Cheryl Carpinello has written a fascinating tale that will take you back in time when kings, knights and villains were prevalent, and honor, loyalty and true friendship were held high.
I recommend this story to tweens teens and adults alike. I give it 5 stars



PurchaseAmazon * Muse it Up * Barnes and Noble 
The Buzz"The King's Ransom is a fast-moving story, a tale of knights and castles and villains. As Gavin, Phillip, and Bryan set about to save their friend, the reader is brought vividly into the medieval world of King Arthur. There is just the right balance of action and character development to entice young readers and reluctant readers to pick this book up, as was the author's intent. I recommend it to all middle grade readers." ~ Laurie C., Amazon, 5 Stars "The adventures these future Young Knights of the Round Table experience in their quest to save their friend are filled with the fantasy and adventure story elements that children love to read. There's a villain, secret passages in castles, swordplay, and even a witch. And with King Arthur's appearance, astonishing secret identities being revealed, and a happy ending, what more could anyone want in a good read?" ~ Tyler T., Amazon, 5 Stars"This was a great book! I liked all of the action and excitement in it. Ms. Carpinello wrote this book really well and it was very appropriate for kids even though it deals with fighting and a wrongfully accused person. Ms. Carpinello described the time period really well, I felt like I was a knight in medieval times! I really love that the story features a bit of King Arthur legends in it! The ending had a couple fo great twists that had me totally surprised!." ~ Erik @ This Kid Reviews Books, 5 Stars. 
Awards2013 EVVY Finalist and EVVY Merit Award for Juvenile/Young Adult from Colorado Independent Publishers Assoc.2013 Ariana Cover Finalist2012 Silver Award Recipient for YA Fiction from Children's Literary Classics and the CLC's 2012 Seal of Approval.2012 Finalist E-Book Children from USA 2012 Best Book Awards 
About the Author: Cheryl Carpinello[caption id="attachment_7979" align="alignleft" width="227"] Cheryl Carpinello[/caption] Although a retired teacher, Cheryl Carpinello still has a passion for working with kids. She regularly conducts Medieval Writing Workshops for local elementary/middle schools and the Colorado Girl Scouts. She is not the only one who loves Medieval Times and the King Arthur Legend. The kids thoroughly enjoy writing their own medieval stories complete with dragons, wizards, unicorns and knights! She loves to travel and her other job is with a major airline. Her favorite trip was a two week visit to Egypt with her husband that included traveling by local train from one end of Egypt to the other. Some of her favorite books include The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Once and Future King, and any by the duo Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child.
Author Site: http://www.beyondtodayeducator.com/Author Blog: http://carpinelloswritingpages.blogspot.comFacebook page: Author Cheryl CarpinelloGoodreads author page: Cheryl CarpinelloTwitter: @CCarpinelloGoogle+: Cheryl Carpinello 
Young Knights of the Round Table Blog Tour Schedule (2013) September 9
Mother Daughter Book Reviews (Launch)Victoria Simcox (Review)September 10
The Wise Owl Factory Book A Day (Review + Supplement)September 11
Fiona Ingram (Review)September 12
Mary Sutton (Author Interview)September 13
Tales of a Bookworm (Review)Kid Lit Reviews (Review)September 14
Jemima Pett (Review)Create With Joy (Review)September 15
S.W. Lothian (Review) September 16
Sher A Hart (Review)September 17
Mother Daughter Book Reviews (Review)Stitch Says (Author Interview) September 18
Fiona Ingram (Author Interview) September 19
Mommynificent (Review) September 20
Nik's Picks Book Reviews (Guest Post) September 21
Black Words - White Pages Kids (Review) September 22
WhenIgrowupIwannawriteakidsbook (Review)September 23
Fantasy Fun With Kirsten Pulioff (Review) Published Bestsellers (Review) September 24
Stitch Says (Review) September 25
Bookworm for Kids (Review) September 26
Inkspired: A Blog (Review)September 27
R.K. Grow- reading.writing.blogging. (Guest Post)September 28
Mel's Shelves (Review) September 29
Magical Middle-Grade Literature (Review) September 30
Le Vanity Victorienne (Review)  
*** Young Knights of the Round Table Blog Tour Giveaway *** Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or PayPal cash Contest runs: September 9 to October 6, 11:59 pm, 2013 Open: WW How to enter: Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. If you have any additional questions - feel free to contact Renee at Mother Daughter Book Reviews. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Double Cover Reveal ~Breaking Angelina 1.5 & Taking Chances 2~

Title: Paranormal Investigation Series (Breaking Angelina 1.5 & Taking Chances 2) Author: Rita & TJ Webb Genre: New Adult Paranormal Cover Reveal Host: Lady Amber's Tours


Blurb:
Powerless to silence the voices in her head, Angelina obeys their every command, even if it means ruining her college career, swindling money from her friends, or kidnapping and killing a siren so she can brew a love potion to ensnare the man she's crushed on since childhood.
The Hunter, a man-wolf-hawk chimera, drowns the memories of his murdered family in liquor. A tracker for hire, an honorable man who has misplaced his honor, a twisted soul with no heart left to care.
…until Angelina hires the Hunter to help her track down a siren and wakes him from his drunken stupor. What will it take to set them both free?


 
Blurb:
Someone — or something — vandalized Jason's new shop. Smashed windows, a broken cash register, damaged merchandise are strewn across the floor, but the culprit left the money.
The evidence: bloody bear prints larger than any bear Jason's seen, black ooze that can eat the flesh from bones, and a missing employee.
Bears don't wander into busy shopping districts, turn off security alarms, and break into stores. When more people go missing, Jason and Emma realize the cops aren't up to handling the situation.
Something’s going wrong in the paranormal world. Can Jason and Emma fix things before someone else gets hurt?
Links:Blog:  http://afantasyfiction.blogspot.com Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/ritawebbTwitter:  http://www.twitter.com/ritajwebbFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/RitaJWebb