Emma Michaels's Blog, page 22

The Line That Binds!

Synopsis

Stained with heartache and cursed with vengeance, a stone well lies on a nineteenth-century estate, waiting for the Stockton line to wish again.

When seventeen-year-old Lila Wayde’s father loses his high-paying job in Las Vegas, the family relocates to a Pennsylvania estate bequeathed by an estranged aunt. Lila begins a new life there, one not corrupted by wealth and fake friends. She soon meets Ben, the groundskeeper’s gritty grandson, and experiences the kind of happiness her life’s been missing. But as she settles into the ancient house, she learns information about her ancestors and the old stone well that may make her wish she’d never come.

Ben Shadows has lost enough in life. So when Stockton Estate’s owner, Janine, wills the land to her great-niece Lila, Ben fears for the fate of the property. He decides to find out Lila’s intentions as the new owner, but his grandfather wants him to protect her from Stockton Estate’s alleged curse. As Ben helps Lila dig through the estate’s history, they grow closer than he ever intended. Now, along with concerns about the property and the reality of the curse, he struggles with feelings he can’t ignore.

Will the secrets of Stockton Estate bring them together or will knowing the truth rip them apart?

**Recommended mature YA for mild language and mild sexual content**

Excerpt (Prologue)

Cursed

September, 1864

Chilly night air breezed through the bedroom window. Dahlia slid the patched quilt she’d stitched together years ago from her body, welcoming the cool draft. A wooden lantern hung beside the door, its flame weak and dim. But the moon’s hazy glow compensated for the dull flame nicely, brightening the otherwise darkened room. The soft light pressed into a crack in the window’s pane, projecting sparkles along the wall like hundreds of brilliant diamonds. She watched them for a while, wishing she was staring at a real one upon her finger.

Dahlia turned onto her side and ran her hand along the curve of Charles’ back, spreading her fingers over his relaxed muscles. He groaned in his sleep, a sound she’d heard many times before. She pressed her lips to the narrow line between his shoulder blades and smiled against his skin. She wanted to hear his sleepy sighs again; she longed to hear them forever. With him in her bed this night, the possibility remained.

Charles stirred, rolling onto his back, stretching his arms wide. She took advantage and pressed her body to him, draping her arm over his chest and nuzzling into his side. His arm folded around her, stroking her skin with his calloused fingers, sending shivers through her body.

“I love you,” Dahlia whispered and pressed tiny kisses down his chest.

Charles’ body jerked, waking fully and taking in his surroundings. He glanced down at Dahlia tucked under his arm. His eyes softened and the corners of his lips tipped down. “I have to go,” he said, sitting up and moving to the edge of the bed to don his pants.

Dahlia tucked the quilt around her, feeling the night air’s bite for the first time without Charles’ warmth beside her. But the air wasn’t the only reason for the chill. She now had his final answer.

He was leaving.

“Please,” she begged softly. “If it’s about your father, we can flee. We can go together to the north, or out west.”

“And you’d leave your mother alone to care for my family?” Charles asked, buttoning his pants while he peered out the open window. The moon’s fragile light glinted over the strands of his dark black hair. She noticed its growth and remembered the last time she’d cut if for him.

“She’ll call upon my aunt so she won’t be alone for long. She loves your family,” Dahlia replied, wrapping the quilt around her body as she stood behind him.

Charles’ gaze moved around the property. No one was awake yet to tend the gardens or work the fields. All was quiet─maybe quiet enough for him to forget. Dahlia watched his eyes look to the well, recalling last year when he’d returned to her after the war. She’d helped him set the very stones now shadowed by the night. She ran her hand up his shoulder, thinking back to that time when his promise was for forever.

Charles’ shoulders fell with a sigh as he shifted his view to the new mansion his father had built as a wedding gift. He turned back to the bed and grabbed his shirt. “You know I can’t do this, Lia. I’m to wed Sarah tomorrow. It’s expected of me.” Charles pulled his shirt on and stepped into his boots.

“Stop,” Dahlia said as Charles moved to the door. She tightened the quilt around her body, aching to go back an hour before when her body was covered only by him. Careful not to make a noise that would wake her mother down the hall, she moved closer and tugged his shirt. “You love me. Not her.”

Charles slid out of her grasp and removed the lantern from its peg then traveled down the stairs.

Dahlia followed, the quilt dragging at her feet as she stepped onto the dirt floor of the cellar. “You can’t do this, Charles. I love you. I want to be with you.”

“We can’t be together, Lia.” His eyes darted back to her, narrowed with pain and fear. He slid a long lock of her wavy brown hair off her shoulder and mumbled, “I shouldn’t have come tonight. I was mistaken and I’m sorry.” He pushed the wooden door open, holding the lantern toward the tunnel that led to the main house─Stockton House. “We can never do this again. I love her. Not you,” he said. His green eyes went cold then, like they’d never told the truth before, like they’d never see the truth again.

Dahlia freed one hand from the quilt and slapped it hard against his cheek. The sting echoed up her arm, returning all the pain to her heart. “You’re lying. I know you love me!” she cried and stepped closer to him.

She turned his body with one hand and pulled his face to hers with the other, dropping the quilt to her feet. Charles remained still as Dahlia pressed her lips to his wounded cheek. Her gentle kisses traveled along his face until they met his lips, where the kiss grew urgent with want, with love.

He responded, gripping her waist with his empty hand and pressing her between himself and the earthen wall. His hand clung to her bare skin as his mouth claimed hers with enough desire to haunt her for a lifetime.

Tears flowed from Dahlia’s dark eyes as his kiss began to fade. Charles looked down at her and backed away. “Wait!” Dahlia demanded, thrusting her body against his and looping her arms around his neck.

“No, Dahlia,” Charles replied sternly, shoving her body away.

“I will not let you leave me,” she said and moved close to him again, running her hands up his chest, her eyes pleading with his.

He scowled and whipped the back of his hand across her soft face. “You will know your place from here on, Dahlia.”

She crumpled to her knees in front of him, cradling her cheek. “My place is no longer here,” she said, her voice a mere whimper.

“Whether you stay or go, I will be married. And this will never happen again,” Charles said gruffly, turning toward the door.

“I will never forget you,” she said as she wept. It was not a pledge to him, but a harsh reality. She knew the memory would be the curse that lived with her forever.

The light of the room faded as the lantern’s halo disappeared down the passageway. Darkness consumed the room, accompanied by the sound of quiet sobs and the smell of wood and soil. And when her tears ran dry, no longer burning misery into her skin, Dahlia rose up. She vowed her curse wouldn’t be alone. She knew she would never forget, but she would make sure his family never remembered.

 

Teaser Pic

 

 

Meet the Author

J.M. Miller first discovered her love of writing in high school where she penned poetry for extra credit in English class and even braved the anxiety of an open-mic night at a local coffee shop. Life soon followed, with a couple of careers, marriage, and a baby. The urge to write again came not long after her daughter’s birth, this time calling for more than a few lines in a messy composition notebook.

She is a military spouse, and a veteran herself, who finds inspiration in the people she’s met and the places she’s lived and traveled.

 

Social Media Links

Goodreads ∫ Facebook ∫ Website ∫ Twitter

 

Giveaway (US & International)

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Cover Love 37

I ended up falling in love with these covers because of the haunting style and high quality work. Unwept and La Couronne de Flammes are two of my favorite covers I have seen in a while when it comes to featuring the ‘girl in a dress’ concept correctly. The concept is somewhat outdated currently but for Unwept the beautiful feel to the cover and the moth in her hands really brings the image in. In The Crown of Flames the crown is so beautifully done and the overall style is so clear that it really stands out and practically looks like a movie poster, I can imagine an entire story just looking at it.

I have loved each of the Tahereh Mafi covers since the revamps. The eye concept is so catching but mixing it with elements really made it a new and unique take. The quality of the covers is so high that I can’t help but admire them. In the case of Fracture Me it also brings a sort of whimsical sadness that I just love. I can’t help but think of the two feathers flying away as tears. The Phoebe North series just catches my eye so easily. The artist has a style that really crosses over well and is very distinct. You can tell that both Starglass and Starbreak are a part of the series even though the covers are vastly different. Expertly done.

Overall, this is a batch I am truly jealous aren’t my own work. I suppose that works as the theme for this week: ‘I wish I had created this piece of AWESOMENESS.’

 

The Watcher Giveaway!

The Watcher

Millennia ago, he fell from heaven for her.

Can he face her without falling again?

Fascinated with ancient civilizations, seventeen-year-old Mia Crawford dreams of becoming an archaeologist. She also dreams of wings—soft and silent like snow—and somebody trying to steal them.

When a horrible creature appears out of thin air and attacks her, she knows Michael Fontaine is involved, though he claims to know nothing about it. Secretive and aloof, Michael evokes feelings in Mia that she doesn’t understand. Images of another time and place haunt her. She recognizes them—but not from any textbook.

In search of the truth, Mia discovers a past life of forbidden love, jealousy and revenge that tore an angel from Heaven and sent her to an early grave. Now that her soul has returned, does she have a chance at loving that angel again? Or will an age-old nemesis destroy them both?

Ancient history is only the beginning.

 

From November 28th to December 1st The Watcher is on sale for just $1.99!

Download your copy today!!  

Praise for The Watcher

“Voisin’s THE WATCHER blends paranormal mystery and romance into a book that is sure to keep readers turning the pages late into the night.”

– Eileen Cook, author of THE ALMOST TRUTH

“Perfect for fans of angels and demons, Lisa Voisin has created an uplifting tale of redemption, love, and spirituality that gives hope. Never preachy, THE WATCHER is the perfect answer to critics who claim Young Adult literature is too dark.”

– Stephanie Lawton, author of WANT and SHRAPNEL

“The Watcher is stunning! A paranormal romance that you won’t want to put down. Voisin will enthrall you until the very last page.”

– Stephanie Keyes, author, THE STAR CHILD series

“Grips the reader, pulls them in and leaves them cheering for good!”

– InD’tale Magazine

“The Watcher is my favorite angel fiction tale yet.”

– Katrina @Kindred Dreamheart

“This book is phenomenal! I was hooked in right away and didn’t want to stop.”

– Michelle @Michelle’s Paranormal Vault

 

Book Trailer

Excerpt

Instead of saying more, he brushed his fingertips along my cheek, and his halo glimmered. I could hear the waves slapping the rocks behind us, the wind driving them in. That same wind whipped against my skin, but the touch of his hand on my face was all I could think about. It sent a current through both of us and filled me with longing for something I wasn’t sure I understood.

“I’m sorry.” He stepped back and shoved his hands into his pockets as the light around him faded. “You don’t know what it’s like. Being near you now, remembering those moments we had…” His hair blew into his eyes, but this time he didn’t move. I wanted to brush it back, but I didn’t know how he’d react. Would touching him be bad?

“You want to know who you were?” he asked. “You may look different, but you’re the same. I look into your eyes and see you.” He took in a deep breath, fixing his attention on the horizon. I’d seen and heard so much now that the logical part of my brain had long since given up arguing with me. I could feel what he was saying was true. All of it.

Author Lisa Voisin

A Canadian-born author, Lisa Voisin spent her childhood daydreaming and making up stories, but it was her love of reading and writing in her teens that drew her to Young Adult fiction.

A self-proclaimed coffee lover, Lisa can usually be found writing in a local café. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her meditating or hiking in the mountains to counteract the side effects of drinking too much caffeine!

Though she’s lived in several cities across Canada, she currently lives in Vancouver, B.C. with her fiancé and their two cats.

 

Twitter * Facebook * Website * Blog

 

BookBlast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 12/18/13

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

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Dangerous Depths Feature!

Dangerous Depths by Karen Amanda Hooper
Published by Starry Sky Publishing on November 20, 2013
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 282
Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Goodreads

Hell hath no fury like a selkie separated from his true love.
The gate to the sea creature realm is finally open. Yara wants to bask in the glow of her budding relationship with Treygan and explore Medusa’s world, but as the new leader of Rathe her powers are needed to save a sea creature she’s never met.

Rownan assumes the worst is behind him when he returns home to be reunited with his wife, Vienna, only to discover she’s gone. She traveled to the evil realm of Harte to find another gateway to Earth and was never heard from again. Rownan claimed he would go through hell to be with her, and now he must prove it.

Rownan, Yara, and Treygan will put their lives and souls at risk by traveling to the most dangerous realm of all. Love is supposed to conquer all, but no one has ever conquered Harte.

Karen was born and bred in Baltimore, frolicked and froze in Colorado for a couple of years, and is currently sunning and splashing around Florida with her two beloved dogs. She’s addicted to coffee, chocolate, and complicated happily-ever-afters.
Karen has been making up stories for as long as she can remember. Due to her strong Disney upbringing, she still believes in fairy tales and will forever sprinkle magic throughout all of her novels.


FACEBOOK / TWITTER / BLOG / WEBSITE / GOODREADS

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ARV-3 Release Day!

ARV-3

Author: Cameo Renae

Genre: YA Post-Apocalyptic/Dystopian

Release Date: October 29, 2013

Publisher: CHBB

Cover Design: Regina Wamba at Mae I Design Photograpy

Tour Host: Lady Amber’s Tours

June 6, 2014: The beginning of the end. The Apocalypse.

A nuclear fallout wiped out every living thing on the planet, except for a few thousand of us who took shelter in underground bunkers across the globe. Now, after thirteen long years, we were finally able to return to the topside to begin to rebuild.

We thought we were alone. We were never more wrong.

Before the fallout, scientists had worked on creating an anti-radiation vaccine (ARV). The first two attempts failed, but despite the incomplete tests and results, the government approved and distributed the third serum to the masses in an effort to aid those who had no shelter.

It worked, keeping those who remained on the topside alive, but it also altered and mutated them. This new and infectious threat had completely outnumbered us. Now, we not only had to rebuild our planet. We would have to fight for it.

My name is Abigail Park. I’m seventeen, and this is my story.

 

My family is what keeps my heart beating, and my world a happy place to be.

I love reading great books that whisk me away from reality, even if for a little while. Writing is my passion. I love creating new worlds and new characters, and taking wondrous adventures with them.

In My Dreams & Hidden Wings were both recently published through Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing. Descent (A Hidden Wings novella) will be released May 15, 2013, and Broken Wings (Book 2 in the Hidden Wings Series) will be released June 1, 2013.

One day I will find my magic wardrobe, and ride away on my magical unicorn… ♥ Until then… I’ll keep writing!

Follow Cameo on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CameoRenaeFa...

Blog: http://cameorenae.blogspot.com/

Website: http://cameorenae.com

Twitter: @CameoRenae

 

 

Kindle Fire Giveaway!

 

Just in time for the HOLIDAYS – Win a Kindle Fire HDX, Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash ($229 value)

 

This is a joint AUTHOR & BLOGGER GIVEAWAY EVENT!

Bloggers & Authors have joined together and each chipped in a little money towards a Kindle Fire HDX 7″.

All New Kindle Fire HDX 7″ Giveaway

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7″ Kindle Fire HDX (US Only – $229 Value)

 

Or $229 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)

 

Or $229 in Paypal Cash (International)

 

 

 

Holiday Kindle Fire Giveaway #1 Sponsors:

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Sign up to sponsor the next Kindle Fire Giveaway:

http://www.iamareader.com/category/kindle-giveaway-sign-ups

 

Giveaway Details

1 winner will receive their choice of an all new Kindle Fire 7″ HDX (US Only – $229 value), $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 in Paypal Cash (International).

There is a second separate giveaway for bloggers who post this giveaway on their blog. See details in the rafflecopter on how to enter to win the 2nd Kindle Fire HDX 7″.

Ends 12/18/13

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

 

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Cover Love 36

These beauties really caught my attention. I absolutely love the concepts for each of these. Take a close look at The Queen of Doorways cover to see just how amazing it is! While Lash and Emblazed have similar concepts, I just love the look, style and feel to both of them. They both give off such a passionate response! Love Letters to the Dead makes me flat out drool. I am so jealous that it wasn’t my design/idea! It simply beautiful!!! Last but not least Finding Meara really caught my attention, it gives you a very clear idea of what you are getting into and made me feel an automatic hunger for adventure.

Simply in love this week!

 

 

Rebels Blitz and Giveaway!

Rebels The world is on fire. From the ashes like a phoenix rises a new America, one that will save it all. Under one condition; absolute and complete surrender. The world complies without question. Those who don’t are destroyed. It is in this world, John is born. His very name is treason. If the New America, now known to everyone as the State, knew what John was, they’d kill him, but instead they give him a gift.

 

Praise for Rebels John has a lot of potential (especially for someone so young) in that he sees the flaws in this society. He wants to be like George Washington and knows a lot about the manner in which a government should be run… Highly recommended. ~Amazon Review

 

 

About the Authors Scott Powell was born in Burlington, Vermont, to a father who was a police officer and a mother who emigrated from South Korea. He received a degree in marketing from the University of Las Vegas, Nevada, and a master’s degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Scott served a two-year Spanish-speaking mission for his church. He is a mixed martial artist who continues to train with his father, a second-degree black belt in Tae kwon do and a kick boxer. Besides being married to Scott for over seventeen years, Judith Powell is a stay-at-home mom whose whole life has been full of stories. Being raised by an Irish storytelling father and a Native American mother, stories have filled her life and her head until they finally had no choice but to flow out through her fingertips.

Website * Twitter * Pinterest

Rebels’ Facebook Page

Judith’s Facebook * Scott’s Facebook

 

Tour Schedule

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

 

Dangerous Depths Book Release!

Add to Goodreads


Title: Dangerous Depths
Series: The Sea Monster Memoirs #2
Author: Karen Amanda Hooper
Release Date: November 20, 2013 
 ✳ SYNOPSIS ✳

 

Hell hath no fury like a selkie separated from his true love.
The gate to the sea creature realm is finally open. Yara wants to bask in the glow of her budding relationship with Treygan and explore Medusa’s world, but as the new leader of Rathe her powers are needed to save a sea creature she’s never met.

Rownan assumes the worst is behind him when he returns home to be reunited with his wife, Vienna, only to discover she’s gone. She traveled to the evil realm of Harte to find another gateway to Earth and was never heard from again. Rownan claimed he would go through hell to be with her, and now he must prove it.

Rownan, Yara, and Treygan will put their lives and souls at risk by traveling to the most dangerous realm of all. Love is supposed to conquer all, but no one has ever conquered Harte.
 
✳ TEASER ✳

 
✳ ABOUT THE AUTHOR ✳

 

Karen was born and bred in Baltimore, frolicked and froze in Colorado for a couple of years, and is currently sunning and splashing around Florida with her two beloved dogs. She’s addicted to coffee, chocolate, and complicated happily-ever-afters.
Karen has been making up stories for as long as she can remember. Due to her strong Disney upbringing, she still believes in fairy tales and will forever sprinkle magic throughout all of her novels.


✳ CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR ✳


FACEBOOK / TWITTER / BLOG / WEBSITE / GOODREADS

Cover Love 35

I fell head over heels in love with a few amazing book covers this week. Some were because of the concepts, others because of execution and even a few purely for their ability to constantly draw my eyes towards them. I am participating in NaNoWriMo and end up a bit book obsessed every time so you might see some extra bookish posts from me this month with all the reading I am doing.

Side note: I am really looking forward to another novel from Bree Despain! I absolutely loved her ‘The Dark Divine’ series!