Sarah Ballance's Blog, page 42
February 27, 2013
$100 Book Blast: Guardians Inc.: The Cypher by Julian Roado-Machain ($100 #Giveaway)
GUARDIANS INC.: THE CYPHER
A chance reading of a newspaper ad will send 16 year old Thomas Byrne into the world within our world.
Following the ad he will find Guardians Incorporated. A seven thousand year old organization charged with protecting the balance between Magic and technology.
Through their guidance, technology has kept Magic at bay since the Renaissance, but the balance is shifting and soon all those creatures we’ve driven into myth and legend will come back with a vengeance.
To protect the present, Guardians Incorporated needs to know the future and to unlock the future they need a Cypher.
Book Trailer
Guardians Inc.: The Cypher is FREE on Kindle, Nook & iBooks
Praise
USA Book News 2012 Finalist -Young Adult Fiction
“Rosado-Machain brings a light, humorous touch to themes of teenage love, loss and betrayal wrapped up in a tasty package of magical coming-of-age.”
~Kirkus Reviews
“It’s like Julian Rosado-Machain took everything that I love about middle grade children’s fiction and slammed it into one awesome, well-paced fantasy”
~Emi London Oktopusink.blogspot.com
“The Cypher hooked me from the beginning. And kept my attention right through to the very end.”
- Heidi Roth reviewthebook.com
Get Your Copy for FREE
Amazon * Barnes & Noble
iTunes
Author Julian Rosado-Machain
Julian has enjoyed pizza in three continents, holds a degree in graphic design, built armored vehicles and computers, handcrafted alebrijes and swears has seen at least one ghost.
He is the Co-owner of Hacienda de Vega Restaurant in San Diego, California and enjoys the sun with his wife, three children and cat.
Website * Facebook
Book Blast Giveaway
$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 3/13/13 – YOU MUST ENTER VIA RAFFLECOPTER – CLICK HERE
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.
February 26, 2013
$50 Book Blast: Fields of Elysium by A.B. Whelan ($50 #Giveaway)
Fields of Elysium by A.B. Whelan
How can love mend a heart full of hate?
Small town girl Molly Bennett moves to Los Angeles where she becomes an outsider while attending Beverly Hills High School. It seems life cannot be any more dreadful. Then one day after school, something magical happens. On a secluded hike in the Hollywood Hills, Molly chases her disobedient mutt and only friend into a hidden cavern. She stumbles upon a strange glimmering gateway that transports her to Arkana, a planet that is the cradle of an advanced human race. There, teenagers navigate amazing flying vehicles, compete in perilous games for glory, and possess supernatural powers. While Molly tries to wrap her mind around this unbelievable discovery, she meets the alluring and mysterious Victor Sorren. He is a Sentinel Apprentice, whose hatred toward people from Earth is beyond understanding. Yet every time Victor unpredictably saves Molly’s life, his heart draws closer to hers, no matter how much he tries to fight against it. It further complicates things that their growing friendship is strictly forbidden. Earth people are prohibited in Arkana, yet Molly continues to cross through the portal to Arkana to see Victor. Torn between their double lives, they go down a dangerous path, from where there is no return and multiple endings.
Fields of Elysium is a suspenseful, romantic tale full of forbidden secrets, unimaginable danger, deception, and the never-ending fight for true love.
Amazon * Barnes & Noble
Goodreads * Facebook
PRAISE
“The novel’s take on otherworldly travel is a compelling one, and the romantic plot will likely appeal to Twilight fans.” – Kirkus Reviews
“I expected a good love story with a paranormal twist. I got so much more. I think you should take the chance and read it. Let this book take you on the adventure, fall in love.” – Young Adult and Teen Readers
“Fields of Elysium is a fabulous read. … Whelan paints her faith into the fabric of her story with deft, light brushstrokes, making her work accessible to all, no matter their spiritual beliefs or background.” – Readers Favorite
“I escaped into this fantasy world, author, A.B.Whelan, created and I didn’t want Molly to go. From detailed descriptions, to sweet romance, and to all the twist and turns in the story, it had me captivated from page one.” – Mary Ting, author of the Crossroads Saga
“Whelan’s writing is very vivid and descriptive. It’s more formal than the average YA novel, but I enjoyed the lyrical and mesmerizing quality to it. I thought the overall story read like a fairy tale–very sweet.” – Megan Thomason, author of Daynight
Author A.B. Whelan
A.B.Whelan is a Hungarian born, American writer. She currently lives with her husband and two children in Southern California.
While growing up in a wealthy Eastern European family, she had a chance to travel Europe. Later as an adult, she visited Africa and the Middle East and lived in Ecuador and in Crete.
Website * Facebook * Twitter
Tour Schedule
$50 Book Blast Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash plus a gift bag of one signed copy of Fields of Elysium, a scrabble-tile pendant with a butterfly image on a chain necklace, and a fridge magnet.
Ends 3/11/13
YOU MUST ENTER VIA RAFFLECOPTER – PLEASE CLICK HERE
Gift Bag open to US only. If winner is international they will receive only the gift card or paypal cash.
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.
Leap Into Books Giveaway Hop – February 28th – March 7th (INT $15 GC #Giveaway)
Welcome to the Leap Into Books Giveaway Hop! The hop is hosted by I Am A Reader Not a Writer and co-hosted by Jinky is Reading, and with almost 200 giveaways you’re sure to find something awesome to win. Hopefully that search starts right here with my prize for the hop. ;c)
The Giveaway
I am giving away a $15 gift card to Amazon or Barnes & Noble, winner’s choice.
To enter, please leave a comment with your contact info. (If you put your email address in the comment form, I will be able to see it. You do not have to post it publicly.) The only requirement for entry is to leave a comment, but I would also greatly appreciate if you’d click the Amazon “like” button for my new 99c release, LAST CALL. If you enjoy my blog and want to be the first to learn of new giveaways and releases, consider following me (email box at the top of the sidebar) and liking me on facebook (“like” box a bit further down in the sidebar).
For 150+ more fantastic giveaways, click the image above or head to the linky list by clicking here to see all participating blogs.
VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. For full giveaway rules, please click here.
CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO THE BLOG HOP!
February 25, 2013
$50 Book Blast: Phantom Summer by Amy Sparling ($50 #Giveaway)
Phantom Summer by Amy Sparling
Seventeen-year-old Taylor Gray moves to Sterling Island to get over her dead boyfriend. Mom’s cool with letting her crash on the couch, but Taylor needs to get a job before the lights are cut off again.
When the tall, dark and crazy Raine Tsunami offers her a position at his thriving ghost tour business, she figures it’s an easy way to make some cash. Taylor isn’t afraid of ghosts–that crap is as fake as her mom’s boob job. She loves their adventures on the historic island, especially the secret places he shows her when the crowds go home. So what if all the ghost stories are just legends?
When Taylor comes face to face with a ghost and Raine crosses the line between friend and boyfriend–Taylor’s new life collides with her haunted past. If murdered people end up as ghosts, then that someone she was trying to forget is probably trying to find her.
Amazon * Createspace * Goodreads
Praise
“I was wonderfully surprised by Phantom Summer!!! I couldn’t put it down. Loved everything about it.”
~Amazon Reviewer Angelmusic
“The emotions are so well written… I would definitely recommend reading this.”
~Goodreads Reviewer Lauren
Author Amy Sparling
Amy Sparling is a Texas native with a passion for young adult literature. In her free time she participates in an unhealthy amount of Xbox playing, attends nerd conventions and reads books with her daughter. She’s studying to become a high school teacher and lives near the beach with her daughter and two cats. Amy Sparling is a pen name.
Website * Goodreads * Twitter
$50 Book Blast Giveaway
Ends 3/10/13 – YOU MUST ENTER VIA RAFFLECOPTER – CLICK HERE
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.
February 24, 2013
Feb.24.2013 Today Only: HAWTHORNE is *Free* #WeWriWa #8Sunday #SnipSun
Don’t worry – LAST CALL will be back next week (and if you missed the news, it’s now available for just 99 cents – click here for blurb/excerpt/links). I wanted to take the opportunity to feature my ghost story HAWTHORNE because it’s free TODAY 2/24 ONLY. I will update here as soon as I have the code, but until then click here to visit the publisher’s blog.
This excerpt comes near the end of the book, but if you think you know where this is headed, better think again! (Muahahaha!) We’re in the POV of my hero Noah as he’s hit with the realization he’s going to lose Emma Grace all over again.
Every dream, every yearning for her existed in that moment. If he had any sense he’d have dropped the portrait and swept her into his arms. He’d have cradled her face in his hands, stroked her cheek, and buried his fingers in her hair—anything to convince his heart she was real, she was there. But he did none of those things. Instead, he froze, clutching the painting of the woman who ripped his world apart, his mind refusing to believe what sent his body reeling: Emma Grace had always been his.
Far too soon, she pulled away. She smiled, a sad one full of understanding, and in those precious seconds, he knew.
She was saying goodbye.
Want it for FREE? Today 2/24 only you can enter the code GS67E at Smashwords and it’s yours!
Praise for Hawthorne
“There was such a huge twist at the end of this book that it left me stunned and speechless, literally staring at my Kindle with my hands clutching my head. Mark my words. RUN, don’t walk to pick this book up. YOU HAVE JUST GOT TO READ IT!” — Sandy Wolters
“The story seamlessly flows to a shocking ending that is utterly brilliant.” – Laurie for Coffee Time Romance & More
“Sarah Ballance’s Hawthorne is haunting, lyrical, original, and incredibly well-written. I don’t know of many other authors who have a talent for weaving language the way she does, and evoking such a deep, emotional response. This story is an absolute must.” — Rosalie Stanton
Hawthorne
After a terrifying encounter with the unexplained, it took ten years and the news of her grandmother’s passing for Emma Grace Hawthorne to return to her childhood home. She sought peace in saying a proper goodbye, but what she found was an old love, a sordid family history, and a wrong only she could right.
Living in the shadow of Hawthorne Manor, Noah Garrett never forgot about Emma Grace. In a house full of secrets, his search for missing documents revealed a truth that could cost him everything. What he found gave Emma the freedom to walk away from the mansion, her heart free and clear, but at what price to Noah?
Title: HAWTHORNE
Author: Sarah Ballance
Genre: Paranormal Romance (ghost)
Publisher: Astraea Press, 2011
ISBN 13: 978-1-93685-244-4
Audio ISBN: N/A
HAWTHORNE is available from: Astraea Press, Amazon, Paperback, Barnes & Noble, Apple iTunes, Kobo, Books on Board, and more! Click here to add to Goodreads or here for reviews.
For more fantastic Sunday Snippets, click the image below.
February 21, 2013
Sariah Wilson: 10 Funniest Moments from “The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back” (Tour-wide #Giveaway)
First the blurb, then an awesome top ten list from THE UGLY STEPSISTER STRIKES BACK author Sariah Wilson!
The Ugly Stepsister Strikes BackEveryone knows how all those fairy tales go. The princess gets beautiful, nabs her prince, falls instantly in love, lives happily ever after and leaves her evil stepsisters in the dust.
But what happens when you’re the ugly stepsister and your obnoxiously perfect—read pretty, smart, and, worst of all, sickeningly nice—stepsister is dating the charming, tall, devastatingly handsome guy you’ve had a thing for since you were nine years old?
Quirky, artistic and snarky Mattie Lowe does not lead a charmed life. Her mother is constantly belittling her on Skype. Mercedes, the school mean girl, has made it her personal mission to torment Mattie. But worst of all? Her stepsister Ella is the most beautiful, popular girl in school and is dating Mattie’s secret longtime crush, Jake Kingston.
Tired of being left out and done with waiting for her own stupid fairy godmother to show up, Mattie decides to change her life. She’ll start by running for senior class president against wildly popular Jake.
Ella can keep her Prince Annoying. Mattie’s going to rule the school.
And no one, not even a cute and suddenly flirty Jake, is going to stop her.
Purchase: Amazon Kindle
Sariah Wilson: 10 Funniest moments in THE UGLY STEPSISTER STRIKES BACK(I only got through the first half of the book and I’d already hit ten of my favorite funniest moments, but I thought I should stop so that I wouldn’t give everything away! They’re in chronological order from the book.)
1. My name? Mattie Lowe. Actually, it’s worse than that. My real name? Matilda. I blamed my mother (and sometimes my dad, for not running any interference when my mother picked out the name). During one of our forced online chats, she said she named me after some old queen, that Matilda’s a strong name and meant “mighty in battle.” I was pretty sure it meant “my mom hates me.”
* ~ * ~ *
2. Every time my father stumbled across her cleaning something, it made him ask me why I was so lazy. He assigned me chores that I had to pretend to do until he forgot and I could go back to doing nothing. As far as I was concerned, she was putting our housekeeper’s job in jeopardy, which I refused to do, because I was not selfish like that.
* ~ * ~ *
3. He was smart and good at everything. I was so in love with him.
And I wasn’t sure if he even knew that I existed.
I sighed, because that was what unrequited love made you do. Sigh with self-pity.
* ~ * ~ *
4. I was alone with Jake.
And I had no idea what to do with him.
I had imagined this moment so often and now that I was here my throat closed in on itself. I couldn’t think of a single thing to say.
That was a lie. I could think of a lot of things to say, but I was pretty sure if I told Jake I wanted to bear his firstborn child, he might freak out a little.
* ~ * ~ *
5. He gave me a withering look, like I should have known better than to ask. “I’m looking at her playlist.”
Trent had this theory that you could tell everything you needed to know about a person just by looking at the music they have downloaded…
“Look at this,” he said with more excitement in his voice than I’d heard in years. “She has Saves The Day, The Smiths, and Sunny Day Real Estate on here. She’s the only girl I’ve met whose playlist doesn’t include at least ten crappy songs. Do you know how rare that is?”
He was talking about me. “Your theory is deeply flawed.”
“Says the girl with ten Justin Bieber songs on her phone.”
“There is no need to take the name of The Biebs in vain. You leave him out of this.”
* ~ * ~ *
6. “I mean, I don’t know what good it does me to be one-quarter Japanese. I didn’t get any of the good traits. I suck at math. I’m uncoordinated so there’s no way I could ever be a ninja, and I think Harajuku fashion is weird. On the flip side though, I am a very bad driver.”
* ~ * ~ *
7. She glared at me and then said, “We will resume this discussion when you stop being so deliberately obtuse.” She disconnected from our video chat.
I let out a squawk of indignation. Had my own mother just called me fat?
* ~ * ~ *
8. I suddenly felt all giggly and girly, which was a completely foreign feeling. If I started twirling my hair, I was going to have Trent shoot me.
* ~ * ~ *
9. He had no reason to want me though. Not when he could have any girl just by snapping his fingers. Well, not me, I decided. If he wanted me, he’d have to work for it. I wouldn’t be like those other skanks.
Okay, that was a total lie. If he had tried to kiss me they’d probably have to pry me off of his lips with one of those Jaws of Life.
* ~ * ~ *
10. I’m pretty sure I started saying some unkind things about calculus’s mother under my breath because Jake raised one eyebrow and looked over at me. “Jeez, what did calculus ever do to you?”
“Here’s the thing. Math and I broke up two years ago, and now whenever we get together it’s just weird and awkward for both of us.”
Praise
“My top pick of 2012 YA… This book is just. plain. fun.”
~Jordan McCollum, author of Saints & Spies and I, Spy
“Sariah Wilson’s new book, The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back, is hilarious…What follows is a story of fun and romance with some good non-preachy life lessons thrown in. The voice in the main character, Mattie, makes the whole thing. I thought it was definitely a book I’d recommend to anyone with teenagers or who just want to read a good teen romance.”
~Julie Coulter Bellon, author of All Fall Down and All’s Fair
“Sariah [Wilson] has written one of the funniest stories I’ve read in such a long, long time. I literally couldn’t put it down. Yes, my poor Kindle’s battery died and I was attached to a short power cord, contorted in a very uncomfortable position while I read to the end…. Sariah Wilson captured the back-biting, insecure, hormone-driven, clique-riddled high school atmosphere so perfectly you’d think she never grew up. I dare you not to laugh as you read this witty and oh, so, romantic story.”
~Debra Erfert of Windows into Writing
“Sariah Wilson writes like the best of/most popular YA teen fiction/teen romance authors - Sarah Dessen, Jennifer Echols, Susanne Collins, Cassandra Clare. She sucks you in and never lets you go. I finished the ~194 novel in one night because I just couldn’t go to sleep without knowing the ending! I hope that Sariah comes out with more novels, I know I’ll be re-reading this one all the time! She’s extremely talented and needs to be talked about. I highly recommend The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back! to anyone (over the age of 12) who wants a YA novel that’s a real modern-day fairy tale.”
~Hilary at Novel d’Tales
“This was such an entertaining story! I shouldn’t have started reading it so late in the evening, because I didn’t want to put it down to go to sleep…This is a book I can see myself reading several times. It’s a fast, clean read with great characters, and I highly recommend it.”
~Andrea of Literary Time Out
The book is wonderful. It’s quirky and fun. The story makes you laugh and you fall in love with the characters right from the beginning…This is a well-written book. It is one that will make you smile and sigh as you remember your first love. And it has a moral…be yourself, believe in yourself and maybe, just maybe, your fairytale will come true. Pick up this book.”
~Ana of The Book Hookup
Sariah WilsonSariah Wilson has never jumped out of an airplane, never climbed Mt. Everest, and is not a former CIA operative. She has, however, been madly, passionately in love with her soulmate and is a fervent believer in happily ever afters—which is why she writes romance. The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back is her fourth happily ever after novel. She grew up in southern California, graduated from Brigham Young University (go Cougars!) with a semi-useless degree in history, and is the oldest of nine (yes, nine) children. She currently lives with the aforementioned soulmate and their four children in Utah, along with three tiger barb fish, a cat named Tiger, and a recently departed hamster that is buried in the backyard (and has nothing at all to do with tigers).
Tour-wide Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 3/10/13 – CLICK HERE TO ENTER
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.
February 20, 2013
Terah Edun: 10 Reasons to Enroll in Madrassa (Tour-wide #Giveaway)
If you’re not yet familiar with Terah Edun’s THE RED MADRASSA, here’s a peek at the blurb, which is followed by Terah’s guest blog “10 Reasons to Enroll in Madrassa.”
The Red MadrassaA magical accident threw them together. But when Fate holds all the cards, it can be impossible to tell the difference between pure chance and Destiny…
The Madrassa, a magical school for mage practitioners, is the stuff of legend. With selective entrance exams and quotas for only the most advanced of mage children, it’s almost impossible to attend.
When Allorna, a guardian trainee for the royal family, ends up on the doorstep of the citadel on the eve of the final day of a recruitment ceremony, she decides it must be fate.
She was sure she knew the path her life would take before she enrolled. But sometimes life has a way of throwing in magical curveballs and strange friends, just to see if you’ll trip up.
Oh, and one of those friends is a mage accused of murder, another is a slightly psychotic dragon, the third a healer facing an existential crisis, and the last is a female storm-caller with more hidden secrets than a thief lord.
Do they all belong at the new school they call home?
Terah Edun: 10 Reasons to Enroll in Madrassa10. Your education will provide real-world use. I mean who wouldn’t want to be a wind rider and ferry messages across the Kingdoms atop a Pegasi?
9. Your education will never be boring. If you have to get ingredients in the middle afternoon from a dark forest then that’s what you’ll have to do.
8. Your teachers are always diverse and interesting.
7. Bullies are punished in creative ways – like cleaning out bedpans in the Healer’s Halls for three days.
6. Natural talent is the deciding factor between grades. Power is king but ingenuity is queen.
5. You are sorted into one of eight Schools: Air, Fire, Earth, Water, Healing, Politics, Research and the Unknown. From there you move into a gatehouse and make friends with people outside your classes.
4. You become one of the most powerful mage casters of your generation upon graduation.
3. The classes are amazing.
2. You run the risk of never wanting to leave.
1. You’re likely to be accused of treason.
Terah EdunTerah Edun is a young adult fantasy writer born and raised in the Atlanta metropolitan area, who transplanted to the Northeast region for college, and now lives in South Sudan. She writes the stories that she always loved to read as a young girl.
She prefers tales of adventure, magic, fellowship and courtship – in other words high fantasy. But she’s not adverse to the occasional contemporary fantasy coming her way. Sometimes you’ll see cloaks, daggers, independent and strong girls, independent and strong guys, sweet and soft spoken girls, sweet and soft spoken guys, markets, cute guys, sparkly magic and irritatingly know-it-all boys. The book she’s currently working on is SWORN TO RAISE, the first in the Courtlight series.
Outside of writing, she’s a international development professional with a penchant for Starbucks.
Website * Goodreads * Facebook
Tour-wide Giveaway
Terah is generously offering a $25 gift card and an ebook copy of RED MADRASSA to one lucky winner, while five more readers will win ebook copies of the book. The only way to enter is via the rafflecopter, which you will find by clicking here.
For more great guest blogs and interviews from Terah Edun, follow the tour by clicking here.
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 [on the tour page] 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.
February 18, 2013
#Blogger #Giveaway: Post a Promo or Host LAST CALL for a Chance to #Win a #Giftcard!
My new romantic suspense LAST CALL is now available, and I’d love for you to help me spread the word. In return, I’m offering two (or more!) $10 gift cards to Amazon or Barnes & Noble (or Starbucks or wherever, as long as I can send it to your email address without a service charge, LOL). Everyone who hosts me with be in the drawing for the chance to win one, so if you’re interested, keep reading!
To enter, simply post the promo for LAST CALL (cover image, blurb, excerpt, and buy links found below) on your blog any time between now and March 31. Make sure you leave a link to your blog so I can find you, and let me know which date you post or plan to post. On April 1 (NO JOKE!) I will let random.org choose at least two hosts for a $10 GC. If I have at least 30 takers, I’ll make it three gift cards. REALLY show me some love, and I might give away four or more! LOL.
I am also open to interviews and guest blogs, so if you are willing to host me in any capacity I’ll put you on the list for a chance to win. Feel free to email me at sarah at sarahballance dot com if you’d like to discuss other options.
THE PROMO
Available Now for just 99 cents: LAST CALL – Romantic Suspense from Sarah Ballance
LAST CALL
In a perilous game of trust, a shocking betrayal deals a dangerous hand.
An accidental witness to a murder-for-hire, ex-cop Rhys Clark becomes the target of ruthless killer—one determined to silence her at any cost. Playing dead seems to be the most likely way to stay alive, but when her protection comes in the form of mega-sexy former adversary Nick Massey, Rhys can think of a few fates worse than death.
Nick Massey may have walked away from his troubles, but he never got past wanting Rhys. Once paired undercover, they’d been nothing but fireworks until a botched assignment ended her career, sending his into a tailspin. Now a mysterious client threatens Nick’s life if he doesn’t keep Rhys safe, but it isn’t until fate takes a critical turn that he realizes the devastating truth: he’s been her greatest threat all along.
Title: LAST CALL
Author: Sarah Ballance
Genre: Romantic Suspense (sensual)
Publisher: For the Muse Publishing, 2013
ISBN 13: 978-0-9889995-0-3
Audio ISBN: N/A
LAST CALL is available from: For the Muse Publishing, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, andSmashwords (formats: .mobi, .epub, HTML, PDF, RTF, LRF, PalmDoc, and Plain Text). Click here to add to Goodreads or here for reviews.
Cover art by For the Muse Design
Last Call | Excerpt
Rhys Clark swore and jerked her foot from the murky puddle that had just claimed one of her new running shoes. Perfect. The day was now officially perfect.
She blamed Nick Massey.
Blaming him was easy enough. She didn’t know which required more nerve on his part—leaving town or crawling back—but both events left her bitter and raw. And wet, she grumbled inwardly. With the sky spitting rain and the occasional pellet of sleet smacking her face, she should have skipped her evening jog. The street was little more than a concrete alley of shuttered businesses, and the bleak weather amplified the emptiness. But tonight, with Nick hot on her mind, running through the cold was her last ditch effort to return to her senses.
It hadn’t worked.
Another blast of icy air howled through the narrow street. If she hadn’t been standing still, she probably wouldn’t have heard the shouting that followed.
A few months ago, an altercation wouldn’t have been unusual in this part of town. But the whole area was under reconstruction. Local crime dissipated to nothing with the razing of several apartment buildings, and until now Rhys had long found her route to be a place of solace. She glanced around as the voices drew closer and more intense. Rapid footsteps smacked the wet pavement. Then the echo of a gunshot cracked the night.
Where fear left her paralyzed, instinct insisted she get out of sight. She looked around and found an unbroken expanse of concrete wall offering few options. Heart pounding, Rhys ducked into the recessed doorway of a vacant storefront and hoped the deep shadows would keep her concealed.
Terrifying seconds passed. The sound of her own suppressed breath roared in her ears.
Voices came, clearer this time. Close.
“If we screw this up…” The words, terse and hushed, were encapsulated in panic.
“Shut up,” demanded a second voice. “No one messed up. He’s as good as dead.”
“You think you’re going to sell that without a body? We didn’t get paid to lose him.”
“He took one to the gut. He won’t get far. We’ll find him.”
“He’s leaving a trail. Blood. We got the big bucks for a clean—”
“Shut up.”
A hit? Rhys shuddered, fear scaling her spine. A professional hit would have been silent—something not accomplished by the gunshot or the ensuing conversation—but in this game, experience wasn’t always a prerequisite for willingness to pull the trigger. Two years of undercover work had taught her as much.
So had a bullet.
Rhys froze, waiting for the voices to pass. But luck was not on her side. Rather than drawing away, the footsteps ceased.
“Well, well, well,” said the confident one. “Looks like our little game of hide and seek is over.”
Hope crumbled. The voice was far too close. Had they seen her?
She dared not move. Through her lashes, she saw nothing in her narrow view of the dimly lit street but dirty puddles and the occasional bit of trash plastered to wet pavement. She prayed they didn’t look her way should they walked past.
Grunts erupted nearby, followed by the sound of sneakers scuffling on concrete. Then two shots fired, and all sounds of struggle gave way to profane celebration.
In the same instant, a man fell to the sidewalk in front of Rhys. His eyes, sightless and familiar, bore into her.
She choked a gasp.
A man stepped into her line of sight, his weapon at the ready. Before she could stop herself, she locked eyes with him. Big mistake. The decision threw her into a cloud of emotional shrapnel, the past flying at her in shards. She’d been shot once before.
It hadn’t ended well.
The gunman opened his mouth and formed an ugly grin, his breath coming in visible puffs through yellowed teeth. “Looks like a double header tonight, T,” he said, never taking his gaze off Rhys.
“Whaddya mean?” came the reply. The voice . . . she blinked until the second man shifted into focus.
She knew him. From where? She couldn’t think.
She glanced to the dead man, and her vision wavered. Panic shifted her world into a screen of jarred pixels, the flashback jagged and severe.
“Rhys! Stay with me, Rhys. Do you hear me? Rhys!”
Blood. So much blood.
“Nick.” She touched his face, feeling stubble beneath her fingertips. Then the weight of her arm was too much; as gravity won he slipped away. The world twisted into a sickening spiral until all that was left was his voice, the desperation in his tone bringing warmth to the darkness.
“Rhys!”
Motion jarred her to the present.
The gunman gestured. “Our witness here is about to have an unfortunate accident.” He raised the weapon, aiming for the kill.
It was a short view down the barrel at point blank range. She expected that.
What she didn’t anticipate was the speed with which he pulled the trigger.
Or how quickly the pain hit.
LAST CALL is available from: For the Muse Publishing, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, andSmashwords (formats: .mobi, .epub, HTML, PDF, RTF, LRF, PalmDoc, and Plain Text). Click here to add to Goodreads or here for reviews.
(END PROMO)
TOUR SCHEDULE through March 31st
Following are scheduled tour dates. ANY DATE you can post is fine (even if it’s “taken”). If you’ve signed up and you’re not on this list, give me a swift kick. I’ll fix it! ;c)
2/20 – Charmaine Gordon
2/27 – Kate Warren
2/27 – Ashley Rogers
2/28 – SJ Maylee
2/28 – KMN Books
3/? – Sandy Wolters
3/1 – Melissa MacKinnon
3/5 – Siobhan Muir
3/13 – Christine Warner
3/15 – Jenna Jaxon
3/15 – Mae Clair
3/18 – Joanne Stewart
Sign Ups
If you’d like to host the promo for LAST CALL (blurb, cover, buy links, and excerpt as found above) or offer a guest spot or interview, you can email me (sarah at sarahballance dot com) or reply via a comment with your date and blog link. You do NOT have to be a book blogger to participate. If you’d like to guest here, I’m happy to offer dates. Please email me for more info!
Thanks so much for your consideration – I look forward to lots of visits! (I do drop in and respond to comments, so I may make a pest of myself but I will NOT bring my kids, if that helps. *grin*)
February 17, 2013
$50 Book Blast: The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back ($50 #Giveaway)
The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back by Sariah Wilson
Everyone knows how all those fairy tales go. The princess gets beautiful, nabs her prince, falls instantly in love, lives happily ever after and leaves her evil stepsisters in the dust.
But what happens when you’re the ugly stepsister and your obnoxiously perfect—read pretty, smart, and, worst of all, sickeningly nice—stepsister is dating the charming, tall, devastatingly handsome guy you’ve had a thing for since you were nine years old?
Quirky, artistic and snarky Mattie Lowe does not lead a charmed life. Her mother is constantly belittling her on Skype. Mercedes, the school mean girl, has made it her personal mission to torment Mattie. But worst of all? Her stepsister Ella is the most beautiful, popular girl in school and is dating Mattie’s secret longtime crush, Jake Kingston.
Tired of being left out and done with waiting for her own stupid fairy godmother to show up, Mattie decides to change her life. She’ll start by running for senior class president against wildly popular Jake.
Ella can keep her Prince Annoying. Mattie’s going to rule the school.
And no one, not even a cute and suddenly flirty Jake, is going to stop her.
Purchase
Amazon Kindle
Praise
“My top pick of 2012 YA… This book is just. plain. fun.”
~Jordan McCollum, author of Saints & Spies and I, Spy
“Sariah Wilson’s new book, The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back, is hilarious…What follows is a story of fun and romance with some good non-preachy life lessons thrown in. The voice in the main character, Mattie, makes the whole thing. I thought it was definitely a book I’d recommend to anyone with teenagers or who just want to read a good teen romance.”
~Julie Coulter Bellon, author of All Fall Down and All’s Fair
“Sariah [Wilson] has written one of the funniest stories I’ve read in such a long, long time. I literally couldn’t put it down. Yes, my poor Kindle’s battery died and I was attached to a short power cord, contorted in a very uncomfortable position while I read to the end…. Sariah Wilson captured the back-biting, insecure, hormone-driven, clique-riddled high school atmosphere so perfectly you’d think she never grew up. I dare you not to laugh as you read this witty and oh, so, romantic story.”
~Debra Erfert of Windows into Writing
“Sariah Wilson writes like the best of/most popular YA teen fiction/teen romance authors - Sarah Dessen, Jennifer Echols, Susanne Collins, Cassandra Clare. She sucks you in and never lets you go. I finished the ~194 novel in one night because I just couldn’t go to sleep without knowing the ending! I hope that Sariah comes out with more novels, I know I’ll be re-reading this one all the time! She’s extremely talented and needs to be talked about. I highly recommend The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back! to anyone (over the age of 12) who wants a YA novel that’s a real modern-day fairy tale.”
~Hilary at Novel d’Tales
“This was such an entertaining story! I shouldn’t have started reading it so late in the evening, because I didn’t want to put it down to go to sleep…This is a book I can see myself reading several times. It’s a fast, clean read with great characters, and I highly recommend it.”
~Andrea of Literary Time Out
The book is wonderful. It’s quirky and fun. The story makes you laugh and you fall in love with the characters right from the beginning…This is a well-written book. It is one that will make you smile and sigh as you remember your first love. And it has a moral…be yourself, believe in yourself and maybe, just maybe, your fairytale will come true. Pick up this book.”
~Ana of The Book Hookup
Author Sariah Wilson
Sariah Wilson has never jumped out of an airplane, never climbed Mt. Everest, and is not a former CIA operative. She has, however, been madly, passionately in love with her soulmate and is a fervent believer in happily ever afters—which is why she writes romance. The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back is her fourth happily ever after novel. She grew up in southern California, graduated from Brigham Young University (go Cougars!) with a semi-useless degree in history, and is the oldest of nine (yes, nine) children. She currently lives with the aforementioned soulmate and their four children in Utah, along with three tiger barb fish, a cat named Tiger, and a recently departed hamster that is buried in the backyard (and has nothing at all to do with tigers).
Website * Twitter * Facebook
Tour Schedule
Book Blast Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 3/5/13 — ALL ENTRIES VIA RAFFLECOPTER – CLICK HERE TO ENTER
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.
February 16, 2013
Feb.17.2013 #WeWriWa #8Sunday with LAST CALL #newrelease #romanticsuspense
Yep, folks, you read that right. LAST CALL is available now for just 99 cents from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords (the latter in several formats including PDF and HTML). And on that note, here’s another eight sentence snippet. We’re nearing the end, but there’s still a twist or two coming, so don’t bail on me now!
Also, I’m looking for interview, guest blog, or promo spots for this book. Any blogger who hosts between now and the end of March will be entered in a $10 gift card giveaway with multiple chances to win. (I’ll post here Tuesday with full details of this promotion). If you have a spot, please let me know to contact you or email me at sarah at sarahballance dot com. Thank you, and on with the show!
NOW AVAILABLE: romantic suspense for only 99 cents!
Rhys’s anticipated showdown with their suspect takes an unexpected turn when she and Nick are escorted to a private room where three men await their arrival. Worse, after Nick’s strange behavior in a previous week, Rhys isn’t sure whose side he’s on.
Nick had morphed into a stranger and now they were staring down three men, not one of whom appeared friendly.
The soft whoosh of a door sounded at her back. Rhys turned to see Vincent Siegal. His face, a calm mask, looked out of place with the sinister glint in his beady eyes. With a neat salt-and-pepper blend of slicked-back hair and a tall, fit build, he appeared every bit the local royalty he portrayed.
“Detective Massey,” Vincent said [to Nick]. “I’m glad to see you’ve kept with our arrangement.”
To her horror, Nick offered no denial.
LAST CALL is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords (formats: .mobi, .epub, HTML, PDF, RTF, LRF, PalmDoc, and Plain Text) Click here to add it to Goodreads. (For the Muse Publishing; February 13, 2012)
For more 8 Sentence Sunday Snippets, please click the image below.
