Emma Michaels's Blog, page 19
January 20, 2014
The Life & Death of Jorja Graham Blitz and Giveaway!
The Life & Death of Jorja Graham
by Brynn Myers
Publication date: January 21st 2014
Genres: Adult, Paranormal Romance
GoodReads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
A dark paranormal romance.
Jorja Graham was the quintessential southern bell: blonde, stunningly beautiful, and overtly enchanting. That was the face she shared with the world and no one would ever know the hell she had endured.
After returning to Savannah, Jorja had everything she’d ever wanted: a new home, a handsome suitor, and the job of her dreams as an antique dealer. Little did she know that the choice to move on with her life would be the last decision she’d ever make.
THE LIFE & DEATH OF JORJA GRAHAM. Not every romance has a happy ending.
AUTHOR BIO
Brynn Myers is an adult paranormal romance/urban fantasy author. After considering writing a hobby for years, she’s finally decided to turn her passion and talent into a career. She came into the paranormal book genre later than most but has always loved fairy-tales and all things magical. She uses that love to create her own charmed worlds by writing stories involving passionate, strong willed characters with something to discover. Brynn lives with her family in the Brevard County, Florida area.
Author Links:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5391472.Brynn_Myers
http://www.brynnmyers.com/
https://www.facebook.com/BrynnMyersAuthor
https://twitter.com/BrynnMyers
Giveaway
January 18, 2014
Illustraited Cover Love!
A friend and I were talking about covers when we noticed a trend; we LOVED covers for the younger crowd, filled with creativity, color and concepts that actually relate to the novel’s content. Walking through the aisles of a bookstore we noticed that a lot of covers didn’t match the content but in the middle grade, grade school and picture books sections the covers were almost always on the mark. Here are some of my current favorite illustrated covers (mainly from middle grade)!
January 17, 2014
Brilliant Darkness Blitz and Giveaway!
THE SCOURGE (Brilliant Darkness, Book 1)
Seventeen-year-old Groundling, Fennel, is Sightless. She’s never been able to see her lush forest home, but she knows its secrets. She knows how the shadows shift when she passes under a canopy of trees. She knows how to hide in the cool, damp caves when the Scourge comes. She knows how devious and arrogant the Groundlings’ tree-dwelling neighbors, the Lofties, can be.
And she’s always known this day would come–the day she faces the Scourge alone.
The Sightless, like Fenn, are mysteriously protected from the Scourge, the gruesome creatures roaming the forests, reeking of festering flesh and consuming anything–and anyone–living. A Sightless Groundling must brave the Scourge and bring fresh water to the people of the forest. Today, that task becomes Fenn’s.
Fenn will have a Lofty Keeper, Peree, as her companion. Everyone knows the Lofties wouldn’t hesitate to shoot an arrow through the back of an unsuspecting Groundling like Fenn, but Peree seems different. A boy with warm, rough hands who smells like summer, he is surprisingly kind and thoughtful. Although Fenn knows his people are treacherous, she finds herself wanting to trust him.
As their forest community teeters on the brink of war, Fenn and Peree must learn to work together to survive the Scourge and ensure their people’s survival. But when Fenn uncovers a secret that shatters her truths, she’s forced to decide who and what to protect–her people, her growing love for Peree, or the elusive dream of lasting peace in the forest.
A tale of star-crossed lovers, strange creatures, and secretive, feuding factions, THE SCOURGE introduces readers to a rich and exciting new world where nothing is as it seems.
BOOK BLAST SALE
From 1/17 to 1/23 The SCOURGE will be on sale for just .99 cents!
Grab your copy on Amazon
Praise for The Scourge
“Looking for a trenchant, imaginative, beautifully written novel to read? Look no further: it’s The Scourge, by A.G. Henley.”
– Sarah Cloots, former editor at Greenwillow Books, imprint of HarperCollins Children’s Books
“The prose flows smoothly and easily but there are much deeper issues lying beneath the surface of the story that are captivating and will hold the interest of readers of any age . . . I was quickly transported into the world of The Scourge and plummeted breathlessly toward the resolution. This is a very good book and a good look at just what science fiction can achieve when in the hands of a capable writer.”
– Josef Hernandez, Examiner
“From the moment I started reading this book I was hooked . . . The Scourge is not only a story of survival; it is also a story of awakening, love, family devotion.”
– ReadingDiva, blog review
“Lovable and relatable heroine? Check. Swoon-worthy, kick-butt hero? Check. Compelling romance that makes your heart melt and toes curl? Check. Captivating story and fascinating world? Check. Eagerly anticipating the next book? Check, check, check.”
– Refracted Light Reviews, blog review
BOOK BLAST SALE
From 1/17 to 1/23 The SCOURGE will be on sale for just .99 cents!
Grab your copy on Amazon
Excerpt from the THE SCOURGE
“Are you ready, Fennel?” Aloe asks. I nod. She embraces me, and whispers in my ear. “Don’t forget—never forget—you are protected. The Scourge can’t harm you. Remember that when you’re afraid.”
“I’m afraid now.”
“Then remember it now.”
She leads me to the passage that will take me back to the mouth of the cave. People touch me as I walk, murmuring good luck. Eland clings to me, followed by Calli. Her tears moisten my cheek.
“Here, Fennel.” Bear’s voice is even rougher than usual. He presses something silky into my hand, his fingers lingering on mine. “The foot of a rabbit, for luck.” It’s a charm, left over from the old days, before the Fall.
Then his hand is gone, and everyone is gone, and I stand alone in the passageway.
I start walking, rehearsing in my mind what I’ll do when I leave the caves, as Aloe taught me. Take the path to the clearing. Walk along the edge of the clearing. Find the sled track, and follow it down to the water hole, where the sled waits. I go over the number of paces it should take to complete each part of my trip, repeating them to be sure I remember. Then I try to wipe my mind clean.
I try not to think of the cries of the creatures the night before. I try not to think of the many stories I’ve heard about the flesh-eaters tearing apart their victims, or the agonizing transformation into one of them—half human, half dead. Instead I focus on the cool, lumpy rock under my hand, or the musty smell of the passage, or how many steps I have left until I reach the mouth of the cave. Anything else.
But it’s impossible.
My heart is a desperate animal, smashing against my rib cage. My shivering now has nothing to do with the cold. I sing—another trick Aloe taught me—but the closer I get to the mouth of the cave, the slower I walk and the softer I sing. Then I stop walking and singing altogether, trying to work up the courage to take the last few steps necessary to reach the sunlight.
Something’s thrashing through the forest, coming closer. I hear shrieking, like the dying people of my imagination. I tuck the rabbit’s foot into my pocket, and tug a scarf Aloe gave me up over my mouth and nose, preparing for the stench. For a moment I wonder if my protection will hold, but I push the thought away. It’s the gift of our Sightlessness, as I’ve always been told.
I think of Eland huddled in the gloom of the caves, eating the salty dried meat, waiting for his water ration. That does it. I take a deep breath, and step outside.
The creatures surge around me. Their howls pierce me. Even through the barrier of the scarf, I can smell their putrid breath. Something brushes my sleeve and I cry out, wrapping my arms tightly around my body like a shroud.
What if I’m not protected? What if everything I’ve been told about my Sightlessness—everything I’ve believed about myself—isn’t true? The Scourge will consume me, as they have so many others. Or worse, I’ll become like one of them, only knowing hunger, thirst, and the yearning for flesh. I yank the scarf down; it’s suffocating. I wait, shuddering, for biting mouths and tearing hands to find me.
THE DEFIANCE (Brilliant Darkness, Book 2)
It hasn’t been long since Fennel, a Sightless Groundling, and Peree, her Lofty Keeper, fell in love and learned the truth: the Scourge, and their world, are not what they seem.
Fenn and Peree are determined to guide their people to the protected village of Koolkuna, but first they must convince them that everything they believe is a lie. An impossible task, especially when someone seems hell-bent on trying anything–even animal sacrifice and arson–to destroy the couple’s new bond and crush the frail truce between the Groundlings and the Lofties. Not everyone wants to uproot their lives in the forest, and those who stay behind will be left terribly vulnerable.
Fenn and Peree’s resolve to be together, and the constant threat of the Scourge’s return, push both groups to the breaking point. Unable to tell friend from foe, Fenn must again decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice to ensure the future of the people of the forest.
Only this time, the price of peace may be too high to bear.
*AMAZON BIG DEAL SALE*
FROM 1/17 to 1/23 THE DEFIANCE will be just $1.99
Grab your copy on Amazon
Praise for The Defiance
“Fans of The Scourge, you will not be disappointed with this sequel. The Defiance was thrilling, romantic, and full of surprises. Loved this book!”
– Imagine a World, blog review
“I had very high hopes for this follow-up novel, and Henley DEFINITELY delivers in her sophomore release!”
– Booking It With Hayley G, blog review
*AMAZON BIG DEAL SALE*
FROM 1/17 to 1/23 THE DEFIANCE will be just $1.99
Grab your copy on Amazon
Excerpt from THE DEFIANCE
The morning passes quickly. There was more wood to move into the storeroom in the caves this morning, new stores of salt meat and dried beans to deliver, and our herbalist, Marjoram, told me she has some poultices and teas she wants me to bring in. Marj was underprepared for the accidents and illnesses resulting from such a long confinement last time. She won’t make the same mistake again.
There’s plenty of space in the storeroom—it was almost empty by the time we left the caves after the Reckoning. It’s an easy job to stow the supplies neatly along the natural stone shelves. My stomach rumbles, anticipating a midday meal, as I cross the cavern to the storeroom carrying the second-to-last load of wood. Even the lingering stench of crampberries doesn’t deter my appetite.
“Fennel.” The word whispers across the cave.
I freeze. “Who’s there?”
“Stay away from the Lofty. Groundlings and Lofties aren’t meant to be together. You’ve been warned.”
I can’t tell anything about the speaker—man, woman, their age. But quiet as the person’s words are, it’s hard to miss the implied threat. I drop most of the wood, keeping one thick log as a potential weapon. The person is between the passage out and me.
I hold the log firmly in front of me, trying to tame my wild breathing so I can hear. Fear strangles my thoughts. An indefinable amount of time passes. Finally wrestling the courage to move, I step forward, keeping the log at the ready.
And I cough.
The air is wrong, and not simply human-waste wrong. Something else. There’s light where there shouldn’t be, and . . . smoke. That’s what I’m tasting and smelling.
There’s a fire in the passageway, and it’s blocking my way out. Terror doesn’t steal through me. It rips my head off.
Author A.G. Henley
A.G. Henley is the author of the BRILLIANT DARKNESS series. The first book in the series, THE SCOURGE, was a finalist for the 2013 Next Generation Indie Book Award.
A.G. is also a clinical psychologist, which means people either tell her their life stories on airplanes, or avoid her at parties when they’ve had too much to drink. Neither of which she minds. When she’s not writing fiction or shrinking heads, she can be found herding her children and their scruffy dog, Guapo, to various activities while trying to remember whatever she’s inevitably forgotten to tell her husband. She lives in Denver, Colorado.
Website * Twitter * Facebook * Pinterest * Goodreads
BookBlast Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 2/10/14
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 and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
January 15, 2014
Tick to the Tock Tour, Book Recommendation and Giveaway!
Tick to the Tock by Matthew Turner
Publication date: January 8th, 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult
GoodReads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Dante King is a young twenty something who discovers he’s dying. He won’t live to see his next birthday and time is ticking away to live life before it’s taken from him. With the help of his eccentric and wild-free friend, Wilbur Day, and stubbornly rational cousin, Ethan Knight, the three friends embark on a trip that takes them across Europe, Asia, Australia and beyond.
Dante clings to his past though and the many regrets he has, yearning for acceptance and finally understanding faith. He’s only loved once, and when Daniella Adams comes back in to his life, the pair realise how in love they are – but must battle what they previously did to one another.
This is a heart pulling journey of amazing scenery and adventurous ways, but built on a life that is soon to end. It follows the love of Danii and Dante, finally realising how much they mean to each other but having it ripped away before their eyes. It’s about love and hardship between friends, family, and a dying son’s regret of not being better.
It’s a roller coaster ride of laughs and tears and making the most of life before it’s too late.
What would you do if you had three months to live? That’s what Dante King faces, the indecisive twenty-two-year-old who must finally learn to embrace life and love.
Tick to the Tock is a Contemporary New Adult Novel about Dante coming-of-age during turbulent times. A story inspired by love, but with the gritty realities of regret, missed opportunity, and understanding life’s meaning under dire circumstance. But a single mind isn’t affected on this journey, as an eclectic group comes to terms with the past, present, and what lies ahead.
Dante must confront and accept his fate, but can he let go of Danni: his lost love and kindred dreamer? With his rationally stubborn cousin, and eccentric best friend, Dante witnesses a life of dream and wonder: embarking across Europe, tackling Tibet, travelling Australia, and defeating each lifelong wish one-by-one.
Follow this coming-of-age roller coaster as four lives change forever. We’re only given one, but it’s never too late to understand faith, discover acceptance, and uncover the true meaning of love and happiness. Dante will die, but not before Danii, Ethan, Wilbur and he undertake an intense and heartfelt journey.
Smile… Cry… Ask yourself what you would do with three months left… Because Love & Living Begins Now.
Author links:
http://turndogmillionaire.com/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6477140.Matthew_Turner
https://www.facebook.com/ticktothetock
https://twitter.com/turndog_million
ALL THE FEELZ.
This beautifully written novel is unnervingly accurate when it comes to the emotional reactions to a diagnosis. As someone who has had a number of loved ones die of cancer it was genuine enough to give me pause. The first line hit me hard because I am twenty three with a birthday only two days, a birthday that for a long time I didn’t think I would get to see. Though not because of cancer.
It was almost too much for me but stopped just short, I was simply too attached to the characters to tear myself away.
Matthew Turner was not on my radar before this tour but he is now. A lot of authors lean too heavily towards a heavily poetic style or a realistic style, the sweet spot in between can be hard to accomplish but with Matthew’s calculating skill he manages to weave a tragedy that is heartfelt and heartbreaking but so very human. I love the use of songs between sections to set the mood. Might want to have youtube up when you read this one because the music adds another layer to the entire journey.
The last three lines were so hauntingly beautiful they have stuck with me.
Worth the read but a truly emotional novel. As someone obsessed with different perspectives of life I really loved this read. While it is not for the faint of heart and might be a little too real for those it is too close to it is sweepingly beautiful and raw. Absolutely wonderful.
I’ve always found airports mysterious. They are, quite frankly, no different from any other busy aspect of modern life, with shops and rules and frantic bodies pushing past one another. However, there’s something strangely unique about these micro metropolises.
Sitting in a coffee shop at an airport is different to sitting in one anywhere else, as is walking into a shop or settling down with a book. Families that pass are not families, they’re nomads awaiting adventure; couples aren’t couples but two lovers on the verge of their first romantic trip; men in suits aren’t mere workers, but important folk off to close million-dollar deals. Airports are part of the everyday, but somehow overshadow it.
I’m part of this strange microcosm right now, living in the everyday but not. Behind is a wall of glass separating me from a fleet of planes and a rather long runway. The little boy to my right doesn’t lean on the room-sized window and peer outside, he inhales what’s beyond it. There’s a buzz of adrenaline in the air and a constant hum of ambient noise. But again, it’s not simply wayward sound, it’s unbridled adventure and hope.
Hope… an overused word of late, but one I finally understand.
It’s been two weeks since I finally decided to live. Time since has been a blur, full of exciting and terrifying tasks. Booking flights and spending money without rational thought was fun, but confessing my decision to my parents wasn’t. In some ways, this occasion was harder, for it was my own choice, not one delivered by fate. It’s hard to make them understand, but recently I can’t stop thinking about one of my early morning appointments in Manchester.
I’m unsure who the specialist was, or where on this journey it took place, but I do remember the near empty waiting room, and I most certainly remember the encounter: his shaking fingers; his desperation; a peek into my future.
It was early, so early the nurses and doctors were still arriving, whipping off their jackets and unveiling their white uniforms. My sleepy eyes ached, not only from the lack of sleep, but the process of tests and relaying my story and how I felt and what I knew, and did I understand this, and am I aware of the risks?
Keeping my gaze on the floor, I was aware of a nearby man, striding back and forth and picking up magazines before dropping them on an empty chair. My fidgety fingers scratched my thighs, and the tension in my neck clung tight to each fibre of muscle. I didn’t look up. I couldn’t look up. I knew if I did, this strange man would talk to me. He had an aura about him, a desperation of needing to unburden his troubles.
“I hate appointments at this time,” he said, ending the silence. “Waiting rooms, at this time, freak me out.” He said this time like it had another meaning.
I didn’t look up. “Yeah, a little chilling.”
“It’s my wife, you see,” he blurted. “She prefers to do this stuff early in the day. So she doesn’t have to worry all afternoon, you know? At least, she used to, anyway.”
I raised my head for the first time, following his black trousers up to where his white shirt tucked beneath the waistline. The plastic cup in his fingers shook. “The worrying is tough. I imagine it’s just as bad for you,” I said, honing in on his face: stubble surrounding his mouth and jawline, messy hair flopping over his forehead.
“Yeah, it’s tough. Still, worse for her, right?”
“Yeah.” His erratic blinking unnerved me. He looked on the verge of breaking, literally falling apart on the waiting room floor. I’d read articles online and blog posts and forums, but this was the first—and only—occasion I’ve spoken to someone going through the same torture as me.
“You want to sit down?” I asked.
“No, no, thank you. I prefer to stand.”
“How long…” I didn’t know how to finish my sentence. “I mean, has she been going through this long?”
He laughed, although it was more like a cough. “You could say that. It’s been years. We caught it early, so everyone was confident it’d be fine. I suppose it was, in the beginning. I mean, it was horrible, but the treatments worked, you know? But every time we thought we’d beaten it…” he sighed. “I can’t decide whether these last few years have spun by or crawled along.”
“I’m sorry. Is she…”
“Oh no. She’s getting worse. These last few months have been horrible. Worse than ever. I mean, I’ve imagined some bad shit over the years, but nothing as bad as this.” His shaking fingers proved too much for the cup, it slipping from his grasp and spilling some of its water. “Christ, I’m sorry. You don’t need to hear my problems. You’re… you’ve got your own worries right now.”
“No, it’s fine.” Although he was right, I did. And I didn’t want to hear any of it, but at the same time, I felt like I needed to.
“How far along are you?” he asked.
“Oh, my case is pretty rare. So… There’s not much time.” I didn’t want to elaborate. I was sick and tired of relaying my story over and over.
“I’m sorry. It’s a cruel process.”
“Do you mind me asking…” I hesitated a few seconds, choosing my words carefully. “What makes it worse now?” He seemed to deflate right then, literally shrink before my eyes.
Pushing his hand through his hair, he leant on the wall. “She’s changed. The truth is, she isn’t my wife anymore, and I know that sounds awful, but she isn’t. I still love her, but…” He moved off the wall and paced a few steps to my left. “It wouldn’t be so bad, but we have two kids. She thinks I’m trying to steal them away from her, so she takes them from school and creates these lies about me. She actually called the police last week and said I tried to kill her.”
I stood up. “That’s awful, I’m—”
“It’s the tumour, you see. She’s not the same person. Her mother makes it worse, too. She can’t believe her daughter would change like that, so she believes her.” He shook his head. “No, that’s not right, I don’t think she actually believes her, but she feels like she has to. Does that make sense?”
I nodded
“Her mother’s in there with her now. I have to come in a separate car these days. She refuses to be around me, but I can’t not be here, can I? She’s my wife. The mother of my children. I love her, but…”
“It’s fine, I understand,” I said. “Like you say, it’s a cruel process. I can’t imagine going through it for so long.”
It was his turn to nod. “God, I’m sorry. I don’t even know you, and here I am—”
“It’s fine, honestly. I understand.” And I did. I did understand. Part of me wanted to unload all my issues on him, too. “I hope she pulls through it. Becomes your wife again. Like you say, it’s the tumour. Not her.”
Another nod, but as he moved to speak, a figure behind him spoke. “Mr King. We’re ready for you.”
We exchanged a desperate and hopeless look, and I never saw him again. At the time, I tried to push the encounter into the back of my mind, but as I made my decision to leave and travel, the memory came forward and refused to let go.
January 13, 2014
Wasteland Book Blitz!
Wasteland by Lindsay Leggett (Flight #2)Published December 7th 2013
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult
Wasteland, the next book in the FLIGHT trilogy, takes place a few months after the ending of book one.
Trapped in a cell and experimented on, Piper Madden’s only hope is remembering Asher. Then, Elder Corp President Rupert Elder gives her new orders: to be a leader in a war against the Harpies. Without a choice, Piper must obey Rupert’s commands or suffer from paralyzing and painful Nanomachines. But the war is just beginning, and Asher has gone missing. The resistance is slowly building, and the upcoming war will be larger and bloodier than anything seen since the Devastation that ruined the earth. Throughout all of this, Piper remembers the time before she ran to Ichton, when David was alive and her hope in Elder Corp was still strong.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18682949-wasteland
Purchase:
http://www.amazon.com/Wasteland-Flight-Lindsay-Leggett-ebook/dp/B00GWW3OYE
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wasteland-lindsay-leggett/1117651138?ean=9781494287184
Nearly every writer struggles to put together information about themselves, perhaps because we’re so used to detailing the lives and ways of others. For the most part I am a writer, editor, photographer, and all-around artist living in the wilds north of Toronto, Ontario. I thrive on the juxtaposition of beauty and grit, enjoy urban crawls, indie everything, and time well-spent in the woods.
Author Links:
Website / Goodreads / Twitter
Witch Fall Tour, Giveaway, and Reccomendation!
Witch Fall by Amber Argyle
(Witch Song #3 (Prequel))
Publication date: October 24th 2013
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult
GoodReads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble All things fall.
Even Witches.
Supreme in their dominion over seasons, storms, and sea, the Witches have forgotten the unmatched destructiveness of mankind. And among the weapons men seek are the magical songs of the Witches.
Lilette is one of the few who see the decadence and decay weakening the Witches. As an outsider amid her own kind, can she help them survive the coming war?
It is interesting reading a story when you know how it ends. I am the type of reader who doesn’t mind spoilers overall because I like the journey and the individual ways an author expresses their perspective. Amber has a wonderful style full of creativity and backed by knowledge. Because of the placement of the story line this installment further fills out a story you are already somewhat familiar with but mostly in its ending. I always love a new perspective being added into the mix and feel that this really added to the series and the emotions behind the overall story arc.
Anyone who reads my recommendations regularly knows there is nothing I love more than a good flawed character. Lilette is no exception. Witch Fall is aptly named and a much more emotional read that the first two books in the series. I found myself more ensnared as what we thought we knew was shown to only be one layer of the story. Not only is it quiet revealing but it manages to be a quality above the others in the series showing that Amber just continued to deliver and exceed expectations.
Overall 5 stars and beautifully written!
Amber Argyle is the author of Witch Song and Fairy Queen trilogies. She grew up with three brothers on a cattle ranch in the Rocky Mountains. She spent hours riding horses, roaming the mountains, and playing in her family’s creepy barn. This environment fueled her imagination for writing high fantasy. She has worked as a short order cook, janitor, and staff member in a mental institution. All of which has given her great insight into the human condition and has made for some unique characters. She received her bachelor’s degree in English and Physical Education from Utah State University. She currently resides in Utah with her husband and three small children.
Author links:
http://amberargyle.com/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4629065.Amber_Argyle
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Amber-Argyle/165661500156934
https://twitter.com/amberargyle
Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
January 11, 2014
A Very Violet Cover Love!
My friend Keri Payton (from quillcafe.blogspot.com/) and I are in love with the color purple. By in love I may or may not mean obsessed. >.> Naturally, I have been noticing and falling in love with more purple covers. Here are a few purple beauties I have found around the web!
January 7, 2014
Backward Compatible Tour!
Backward Compatible
Sarah Daltry and Pete Clark
Genre: Geek Romance
Not too long ago,
in a town that,
depending on your current location,
is either not super far
or actually quite close…
It is a time of chaotic hormones.
Two nerdy gents
home for winter break
have discovered a female gamer
at a midnight release.
During the break,
the gamer trio manages
to reveal the game’s secret boss,
a hidden enemy
with enough power to destroy
anything in its path.
Pursued by other gamers
who want to be the first
to beat this boss,
George and Katie race to level up,
and, in so doing, restore decency
and sexual activity to their personal galaxy…
Buy Links:
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/382792
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/backward-compatible
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/backward-compatible-sarah-daltry/1117649953?ean=2940149060160
All Romance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-backwardcompatible-1351782-344.html
Playlist:
Link: http://hypster.com/create/playlist?playlist_id=6805166
Trailer:
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-0qwqxUYTw
Excerpt:
“These graphics suck,” George says and I look back at the screen. We’re standing in the middle of the Estate, colorful orbs quivering ahead of us. We each have to choose our starting advantage. Waterfalls shimmer in the distance and the sunlight streams over multicolored stones in the courtyard.
“Amateurs,” Lanyon concurs. “I mean, they couldn’t have five waterfalls?”
“Your ironic wit is mind blowing, but choose your damn orbs,” I tell them. I consider. Magic, defense, offense, stealth, and charisma. I always go for magic as a black mage, but I wonder if a druid needs something else. Screw it. I need charisma in real life, too.
“Charisma?” Lanyon asks. “No one ever picks charisma.”
“We’re a party of a thief, druid, and a bard. We’re screwed regardless.”
“You two underestimate the mighty power of my lute,” George argues.
“Did you start with charisma?” Lanyon asks.
“Hell, no. I have charisma in spades. I started with stealth.”
“Great. A stealthy bard,” I sigh.
“She’s right,” Lanyon concedes. “We’re screwed.”
However, it actually isn’t bad at all at first. We power through the Estate and make it to the Yobanaria Dale with no resurrections and all at level ten. I’m impressed. George hasn’t actually fought anything, but he has some pretty awe-inspiring charm mastery already. I think I might have a serious crush. He seals the deal when he buffs my hailstorm spell without even being asked.
“Can you guys watch El Thiefelo? My mom wants me to eat supper,” Lanyon says.
“Yeah, we’ve got it,” I tell him. “The first boss is in the elven ruins anyway, so we should grind a bit. I think he’s a twelve.”
George and I explore the Dale, taking out bats and Joba spores. It’s fairly quiet, except for when we combo with his charms and my spells and he yells out, “Eat lute, bitch,” but it’s nice. We work well, almost inherently understanding each other. I’ve never been able to play this effectively with anyone. I try not to think about his eyes. Stupid boys, being cute and stuff.
By the time Lanyon comes back, we’re all at level 12, although Lanyon leveled up just by standing by a door while we played. Still, we are ready to take on Balsa the Proud. As a black mage, it took me about nine seconds. Trees don’t like fire. However, druids don’t have the same level of black magic and all elemental magic is weakened by the need to draw from the elements nearby. Sadly, trees seem to avoid storing fire runes in their villages. I expect this to be a little more challenging. It might even take fifteen seconds.
“First boss. Also known as the freebie bitch to sucker the young folks into a false sense of security,” Lanyon announces as he runs into the center of Balsa’s lair. The cinema plays and then, in a moment of pure absurdity, El Thiefelo is squished as Balsa steps on him.
“Can someone revive me?” Lanyon whines.
About the Authors:
Sarah Daltry
Sarah Daltry writes about the regular people who populate our lives. She’s written works in various genres – romance, erotica, fantasy, horror. Genre isn’t as important as telling a story about people and how their lives unfold. Sarah tends to focus on YA/NA characters but she’s been known to shake it up. Most of her stories are about relationships – romantic, familial, friendly – because love and empathy are the foundation of life. It doesn’t matter if the story is set in contemporary NY, historical Britain, or a fantasy world in the future – human beings are most interesting in the ways they interact with others. This is the principle behind all of Sarah’s stories.
Sarah has spent most of her life in school, from her BA and MA in English and writing to teaching both at the high school and college level. She also loves studying art history and really anything because learning is fun.
When Sarah isn’t writing, she tends to waste a lot of time checking Facebook for pictures of cats, shooting virtual zombies, and simply staring out the window.
She has written several books, most notably Bitter Fruits, an urban fantasy in the Eden’s Fall series, and the Flowering series, including Forget Me Not, Lily of the Valley, and Star of Bethlehem.
Pete Clark
Pete Clark likes writing, animals, potato chips, and cheese. Midnight Riders is his first published novel, although he can also proudly say he finally finished Helix Crashing, the fantasy novel he has been working on for over a decade. In addition, he has written Across the Barren Landscape, a collection of linked Western short stories. He also writes plays, both dramatic and comedic.
When he is not writing, Pete tends to ignore everyone around him and obsess over sports.
Social Media Links:
Sarah’s Website: http://sarahdaltry.com
Pete’s Website: http://punchmyselfintheface.wordpress.com
Sarah’s Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SarahDaltryAuthor
Pete’s Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PeteClarkAuthor
Sarah’s Twitter: http://twitter.com/SarahDaltry
Pete’s Twitter: http://twitter.com/PeteClarkBooks
Top More than Ten:
Sarah’s Favorite Video Games:
Borderlands 1 and 2
Fallout 3
Persona series
Eternal Darkness
Silent Hill series
Final Fantasy series
Skyrim
Dragon Age series
Mass Effect series
Fable series
Bioshock series
Magic: The Gathering
Perfect Dark
Heavy Rain
LA Noire
Parasite Eve
Catherine
Zuma
Pete’s Favorite Video Games:
Bioshock
Resident Evil 4
Uncharted 2
Eternal Darkness
Goldeneye
Ms. Pac Man
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood
God of War III
Dead Space
Silent Hill 2
Infamous 2
Portal
Defender
Super Metroid
Mass Effect
Castlevania
Call of Duty 4
Dragon Warrior
Perfect Dark
Arkham Asylum
Limbo
Rogue Squadron 2
Medieval
Parasite Eve
The Walking Dead
Metal Gear Solid
Team Fortress 2
Kagero: Deception 2
January 6, 2014
The Sorcery Code Review & Giveaway
The Sorcery Code by Dima Zales Published by Mozaika Publications on December 2013
Genres: Fantasy, Romance
Format: eARC
Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Goodreads
From the internationally bestselling authors who brought you the Krinar Chronicles comes a captivating tale of intrigue, love, and danger in a world where sorcery is entwined with science . . .
Once a respected member of the Sorcerer Council and now an outcast, Blaise has spent the last year of his life working on a special magical object. The goal is to allow anyone to do magic, not just the sorcerer elite. The outcome of his quest is unlike anything he could’ve ever imagined – because, instead of an object, he creates Her.
She is Gala, and she is anything but inanimate. Born in the Spell Realm, she is beautiful and highly intelligent – and nobody knows what she’s capable of. She will do anything to experience the world . . . even leave the man she is beginning to fall for.
Augusta, a powerful sorceress and Blaise’s former fiancée, sees Blaise’s deed as the ultimate hubris and Gala as an abomination that must be destroyed. In her quest to save the human race, Augusta will forge new alliances, becoming tangled in a web of intrigue that stretches further than any of them suspect. She may even have to turn to her new lover Barson, a ruthless warrior who might have an agenda of his own . . .
Nice hook. I was torn between laughter and shock. I tend to enjoy fantasy, especially with eccentric male characters. Blaise is a unique and entertaining lead who is massively flawed in the very best of ways. Yet another plus since I always love a flawed character. If a character is too perfect I just can’t relate to them.
A few friends and I were talking about ‘stupid smart’ vs. ‘smart stupid’ a few days ago at a party. A joke we were making because when you are in a room full of highly intelligent people ultimately someone will say something that catches you off guard as either completely illogical or just plain ridiculous. Blaise is one of those eccentrics who is completely brilliant but remains ignorant of a few simple truths. Making him completely adorable in my eyes and spicing up his interaction with the other characters - especially Gala, Augusta and the other council members.
Gala was a wonderful character. Innocent but intelligent and intuitive as well, making her an unexpected pleasure because she had a unique world view. Augusta was wonderfully written and able to get under my skin. The switches in POV throughout the book kept the focus going without a need for the normal writing gimmicks many modern fantasy novels choose to insert.
Overall a fantastic adventure.
Well written, great world building, wonderful pacing and wildly entertaining.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Dima Zales is a full-time science fiction and fantasy author residing in Palm Coast, Florida. Prior to becoming a writer, he worked in the software development industry in New York as both a programmer and an executive. From high-frequency trading software for big banks to mobile apps for popular magazines, Dima has done it all. In 2013, he left the software industry in order to concentrate on his writing career.
Dima holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from NYU and a dual undergraduate degree in Computer Science / Psychology from Brooklyn College. He also has a number of hobbies and interests, the most unusual of which might be professional-level mentalism. He simulates mind-reading on stage and close-up, and has done shows for corporations, wealthy individuals, and friends.
To read more, click here!
Giveaway
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January 4, 2014
Haunting Covers!
These beauties have been haunting me all week!
