Brenda Sparks's Blog, page 61

Book Blitz: Magic School USA Easy "A" by Li Chaka

Title: Magic School USA: Easy "A"

Author: Charlie Fey 

Genre: Paranormal Comedy

Blitz Host: Lady Amber's Tours
Book Description:

Harry Potter meets Animal House in this magical comedy about a school crazier then any other!

Richard "Vegas" Beltran is an underachiever. That’s bad for any student, but it’s especially bad when you go to a wizardry school. Black Magic is something to be taken very seriously, but Vegas has been caught smoking “eye of newt” in the boys’ bathroom, and all of his bubbling cauldrons seem to contain ice and alcohol…

The principal, Professor Diaz, is ready to drop Vegas into a slower-paced magic class. But Vegas would rather die, Houdini-style, in a botched escape act than have to suffer through “remedial magic.” After all, Vegas only came to Absolution High, school for the “Special Sciences,” to learn a spell that would bring his girlfriend, Katherine, back from the dead.

Unfortunately, now that his tuition's been paid, he finds that resurrecting the dead is an act of Godslaughter—a forbidden form of magic—and at Absolution Academy, an illegal activity.
But “illegal” is a funny word…and one among many that Vegas doesn’t know the meaning of…

Author Bio:
Li Chaka is spends her time dreaming about drunken wizards, music obsessed necromancers and Bill Murray movies (Ghostbusters 2 being the FAV!). Sometimes she writes down these strange ideas just for her own enjoyment. Then she heard that some people actually make MONEY off of writing and selling their strange ideas. Lord have Mercy! Will wonders ever cease !? Magic School U.S.A is her first published book but it won't be her last.

 

Purchase a copy at: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CF8NPD4

Websites: http://www.charliefey.com

Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/MagicSchoolUSA

Excerpt:

There were only a few lights on in the hallways, but other than that, the coast was clear. The adrenaline was pumping in Vegas's body and, in a way, he felt awesome. Exhilarating! It probably wasn't good that he got such a rush from being bad, but it was what it was. He pulled a beer out of the pouch of his hoodie, cracked it open and started chugging it. More awesome!   He knew there had to be security cameras mounted up all over the dormitory, especially the little lounge area with the big screen TV. Magicians were known for stealing, right? As if half of magic isn't about making expensive shit disappear. The guards were probably half-asleep or jerking off to videos of the girls’ volleyball practice. Either way, he prayed they'd be too preoccupied to care what he was up too. Once he got outside, though, there would be other problems. The Tommy Walkers were being placed around the school grounds. He remembered what Wesley had said about them being created to restrict unauthorized magic. Those Illuminati death machines were made just for bad little monkeys like Vegas.

He felt the nice cool air blast his face as soon as he opened the heavy double doors. The cold of this island was something a California boy like Vegas was not yet accustomed to. But, as he wandered around the back end of the dormitories, he admitted that the Menzai nights were even more beautiful than the California nights. The sky was filled with stars and they seemed almost close enough to reach for. He'd been on earth for sixteen years, but night and day was still an amazing concept for him.

He wanted to break into Allen Allens’ lab, but he had to make it halfway across campus to do so. The box carrying Vladimir was clutched to his chest as he snuck around the back. He saw the guard station and ducked behind a tree. Dwight was inside the booth fast asleep. Vegas wanted to conjure up a spell to mess with him a little, maybe hex him a nice wet dream starring Barney, one of the other guards. Shenanigans like that would have to wait though. Vegas was on an important mission. He was gonna have to go stealth ninja mode and creep his way across campus.

"So I creep…yeah-aah. Just keep it on da down low…" Vegas sang the old T.L.C. song silently to himself, running and ducking behind another tree. "Nobody is supposed to know...yeah-ah…"

He shot from that tree and dived behind another. He went a little go hard and almost crushed Vladimir's box underneath him. Pushing twigs and nature crap out of his way, Vegas heard a low grumbling as he started crawling on the ground like a marine.

Yeah, we're effin' pumped! Absolution Academy security probably didn't call for this much stealth warrior-ness, but the Corona he'd been sipping was making Vegas action ready. Let's milk this adventure for all it's worth!

"Yeah, I CREEP…yeah-ah, so Dwight won't know what I do..." Vegas continued as he moved through the darkened grass. The grass felt moist, cool and amazing against his skin. He imagined that the bright, white lights shining from poles around the campus were moving, searching for him. They weren't; nobody cared. But this was fun; he was a big kid using his imagination, running around in the grassy night world like he was trying to escape from prison.

A squirrel darted out at him, and Vegas let out a surprised scream. The little furry jackass landed on his back, ran down his ass between his legs and then shot straight ahead, flying up a tree at sonic speed.

"Little fucker!" Vegas shouted at it. Even the wild life in this place was psycho.

"Creeping through the grass, squirrelly seems to like my ass..." Vegas rapped. "Squirrelly wants some nuts, what a kick! It's late on a school night, he wants to get romantic!"

He laughed, wondering how much he'd get paid to ghost write for Waka Flocka Flame, when something suddenly grabbed hold of his leg.

What the Fuck?! He let out a fart from pure excitement as another hand reached out of the ground and took hold of his neck.

"Aaaaaahhhhhh!!" Vegas yelled, struggling to pull himself up. Before he could break free, two more hands grabbed his shoulders, pulling him back down to the grass and dirt.

"DWIGHT! DWIGHT!" Vegas yelled. The hand around his throat squeezed tighter, but it couldn't get a strong enough grip to stop Vegas from yelling. Not that it made much difference; Dwight was in the security booth, napping away, as Vegas's nighttime assault continued on the security cam in front of him.

Vegas pulled his neck away from the hand. "DWIIIIGGHT!!!"

His attention turned to the spot in front of him, his green eyes growing wide as saucers, when two hands, one male and one with bright nail polish like a girls, sprouted from the ground like corn stalks. He watched as the arms reached four feet tall and continued to grow.

Frozen in shock, Vegas's eyes rolled up to gaze at the sprouting hands. Like sunflowers in a nightmarish inverse world, they remained high above him, illuminated by the moonlight. The fingers spread and easy, like flower petals.

Then, they bent at the elbow, palms slapping the ground. Whatever this creature was, it was trying to pull itself out of the dirt.

Please somebody, shoot me in the head! Gouge out my eyes! I don't want to see this!  He silently begged.

The horror flushed all thoughts of escape away as the soil in front of him moved and pulled apart. A human head unearthed itself, its black, hollow eye sockets turned to face Vegas. Mort immediately came to Vegas's mind, except this cadaver was so much more terrible. There was intelligence behind those eye sockets that couldn't be driven by anything but pure evil.

The creature finally made it out of the soil only to reveal its true form. It wasn't a rotting, smelly corpse after all---it was several rotting, smelly corpses all sewn together to make a Zombie Spider!

The arms that sprouted out of the ground were the creature’s long, spider legs. Its head was stitched onto the front of its body, barely erect, but able to turn and move around. Its abdomen was made of two human ones sewn together.

Vegas had never seen anything so disgusting in his life, not even in his drunken wet dreams. It was more than he could handle, and he began to feel a strange calm wash over him. By the time he realized he was about to pass out, there was nothing he could do to sto-...

The zombie spider moved towards Vegas as the unseen monster that had snared the boy began to pull him under. The earth rumbled again as the soft soil spread apart like water. And Vegas, trapped in the quiet dark of his unconsciousness, went down, down, down. As if being dragged to hell.

Book Review: Curse of the Egyptian Goddess by Lisa Rayns

Brenda's Review:
WOW! Just...wow!! 
I love Lisa's work. In fact, I've never read a Lisa Rayns book that I didn't adore and Curse of the Egyptian Goddess didn't disappoint.
The story is a novella, the first in a trilogy, but it reads like a stand-alone novel. The characters were lovable, the plot well developed and unpredictable, while the ending was amazingly satisfactory, even though Calvin and Cleo's adventures will continue in other books.
I was engrossed in the story from the first sentence. I loved the ending. It was a complete surprise, and I can't wait to see what's in store for Calvin and Cleo in the following books.
It is very difficult to write a novella and do it well, but Lisa accomplished just that. This story was unique and fascinating. It is a must read for any fan of Egyptology, paranormal/fantasy romance, or New Adult genre.
Book Blurb:
Given her ten-year curse that leaves her beaten and bruised, Emma Patrix has grown accustomed to drinking away the pain. And with a trail of dead bodies behind her, it was only a matter of time before the law caught up.

Now she's accused of murder and she must flee the country to find the one man who can help her break the curse-Calvin Konrad. She finally catches up with him in Egypt, but he's not the same sweet boy she remembers from her childhood. And getting him to help her proves more difficult than she ever imagined.

Book Excerpt: (This is one of Brenda's favorite scenes, by the way)

I panicked when he walked toward me slowly. My mind panicked anyway; my heart was racing, and my libido was screaming with his threat of barbarian sex. “Calvin? Please tell me you’re Calvin,” I said nervously as I backed away.


“Take off your shirt,” he ordered, stopping his advance.


Completely thrown by the request, I stared at him. “What?”


“Take it off. You say you’re Cleo Patrix, take off your shirt so I know for sure.”


I shook my head and pulled the necklace out from under my shirt. “You can see the necklace. I don’t need to take my shirt off for that.”


Ignoring my rebuttal, he advanced further. “I could do it for you.”


“No.” I gasped, holding up my hand to stop him. “Fine, I’ll do it.”


Heat rose into my face when I removed my shirt and his hungry eyes stared at my chest.


Finally, he grinned with satisfaction. “Ah… Cleo. You’ve grown up, I see. About goddamn time,” he growled, removing his own shirt.


My mouth fell open at the sight of his tan broad chest and ripped abs. I wanted to run my hand across each corded muscle and feel the texture of his skin.


Until he moved toward me again with angry eyes. His hard chest rose and fell with labored breaths, and I fought the urge to punch him before he violated me. From the look in his eye, I gathered it wouldn’t be a touchy feely kind of love. Tensing, I backed away until I hit a wall.


“Stop!” I screamed, outraged by his behavior. He’d been out of my life for ten years and never once called or sent a letter, but now he acted like he owned me.


His expression was dark and severe when he stopped only inches from me. “Why are you here?” he asked, his voice low and rough. “And why are you so desperate?”


“I’m not desperate,” I said, tilting my head to look up at him.


He laughed coldly and cocked his head. “You weren’t sure I was Calvin, yet you’re standing in my room half naked. That’s desperate.”


Buy links 

Amazon - http://amzn.com/B0061L8ZFE

B&N - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/curse-of-the-egyptian-goddess-lisa-rayns/1107043515?ean=2940013659971

Or get it free by leaving a comment here during the month of April! - http://lisarayns.blogspot.com/2013/04/an-oldnew-release-cover-reveal-and.html


Author bio:
Lisa Rayns lives in a small town in South Dakota. She gave up working with explosives to write paranormal romance and urban fantasy novels, so her occupation hasn’t changed much. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and two adorable Siamese cats.

THE NEXT BIG THING BLOG HOP

THE NEXT BIG THING BLOG HOP

What is a blog hop? Basically, it’s a way for readers to discover authors new to them.  I hope you'll find new-to-you authors whose works you enjoy.  On this stop on the blog hop, you'll find a bit of information on me and one of my books and links to another author you can explore!

My gratitude to fellow author Sallie Lundy-Frommer for inviting me to participate in this event. You can click the following link to learn more about her work:
http://yesterdaydaugher.blogspot.com/

In this blog hop, I and my fellow authors, on their respective blogs, have answered some questions about our book or work-in-progress (giving you a sneak peek).  We've also included some behind-the-scenes information about how and why we write what we write: the characters, inspirations, plotting and other choices we make. I hope you enjoy it!

Please feel free to comment and share your thoughts and questions. Here is my Next Big Thing!

I was so excited when the talented Sallie Lundy-Frommer tagged me in the Next Big Thing Blog Hop.  Sallie’s Next Big Thing is Yesterday’s Daughter, an emotionally laden paranormal vampire romance novel woven with layers of betrayal, love and loss. Though I have written about vampires as well, the story I am highlighting in this hop is my latest release about beings from another dimension who visit humans at night to feed from the emotion produced by dreams.

What is the title of your book? 
Weaver of Dreams

Where did the idea come from for the book? 
Please don’t roll your eyes, but a dream inspired Weaver of Dreams. Actually I had a nightmare. When I awoke, I could still feel the fingernails of my dream villain biting into my arm. It seemed so real, I started to wonder what would happen if there were beings who could sneak into our rooms at night to give us dreams, the physical sensations of which we’d still feel when we woke. Needless to say, I did not go back to sleep that night. Instead the entire premise for the book was developed by the time the alarm went off.

What genre does your book come under? 
I refuse to allow pesky human constraints to get in the way of telling the story, so I chose to write either paranormal or fantasy romances since the only thing limiting my stories is my imagination. This particular book is a fantasy romance.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? 
For Zane, the Peacemaker and hero, I’d cast Eric Martsolf. If you don’t know who he is, try googling images. You won’t be disappointed, especially if he has his shirt off. :)
I think Emma Stone would be perfect in the roll of Maggie O’Connell, stressed-out guidance counselor and heroine.
Together they would make the screen sizzle.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? 
When terrible nightmares plague Maggie O'Connell, a Dream Weaver eradicates the threat, but as the man of her fantasies becomes real, her true nightmare begins. 

Is your book self-published, published by an independent publisher, or represented by an agency? 
It is published by the epublisher, Soul Mate Publishing.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
The story follows guidance counselor Maggie O’Connell. She is plagued by terrible nightmares, and believes stress is the reason for her torment, but she couldn’t be more wrong. Unfortunately for Maggie, in the shadows of her dreams lurks a Dream Stalker who is addicted to the dark emotions produced by her night terrors.

Zane is a Dream Weaver from another dimension, who visits Maggie in her nighttime fantasies to discover there is more than just a Dream Stalker after her. He leaves his amazing technicolored world to protect the human who affects him as no other has throughout the centuries.   


If you'd like to learn more about Weaver of Dreams, please visit the For Readers section of my website for a deleted scene or my Sneak Peek Sunday blog posts for excerpts from the story. Thank you for visiting today. Please let me know what you think. 
I always love reading comments from visitors.

Who’s next on the NEXT BIG THING BLOG HOP?
So glad you asked! Below you will find the author who will be joining me by blog, next Wednesday. Do be sure to bookmark and add her to your calendars for updates on Works in Progress and New Releases! Happy writing and reading!

Cambria Hebert’s blog: http://cambriahebert.com/

Book Blitz: Morrigan by Larua DeLuca ( Don't miss the giveaway)

Morrigan
by Laura DeLuca       
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Tour Host: Lady Amber's Tours
Excerpt:

“Guardians!” A low snarl emanated from the back of his throat. “What are you doing with Guardians?”

“Stop it! Sit down!”

Morrigan wasn’t sure who she was addressing, the man or the animals. Luckily, they both obeyed her command. She stepped in between them to avoid any further confrontations. The cats took a seat on either side her legs, but their posture hardly relaxed. They still glared warily at the newcomer, even though their hisses died down to an occasional soft growl.

“Dirty, filthy beasts!” Tiarn snarled as he climbed to his feet. “I hate Guardians.”

“They’re just little cats,” Morrigan told him. “What’s the big deal?”

“Just cats! Hah!” He was standing at a careful distance, even though they had started licking their paws nonchalantly. “They are much more than simple cats! Though even those I find distasteful.”

 Morrigan narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean?”

“Never mind. It does not matter.” Tiarn dismissed her question with a wave of his hand. “They are not coming with us.

 “They most certainly are coming!”

Tiarn growled again. “I beg to differ with you, Your Highness. They would only get in the way.  Possibly even get killed.”

Danu raised her head from her grooming to hiss at him again, as though she had taken that last statement as a personal threat. The strange reaction of her faithful sidekicks made Morrigan wonder again just how much Tiarn could be trusted. She also wondered why, when she wasn’t sure she could trust him, she still felt the undeniable urge to wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him.

 “If they stay here alone, they’ll definitely get killed or at least sent to the pound,” Morrigan told him. “I can’t let that happen. So, they’re coming. End of story.”

Tiarn’s eyes flashed dangerously, and he looked like he wanted to argue, but thought better of it. “Very well, Princess. Bring your mongrel felines. Just keep in mind that Guardians and lycans do not mix well.”

“Lycans?” Morrigan repeated.

A sick feeling started to settle in her stomach, as the truth of his words sunk in. It all started to make sense—his hairy arms and chest, his reaction to the cats, even his earlier comment about smelling her out. Her dark knight had a much darker side than she had ever seen in her dreams.

 “Why yes, Your Majesty. Did you not realize? You are a witch and a sorceress. And I, your faithful traveling companion, am a lycan—a werewolf.”

Meet the author: Luna DeLuca Author Bio:

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

Author:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Pinterest

Find the Book 
Amazon   Goodreads   Books A Million  Barnes and Noble  Smashwords
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz: Milly Taiden

Title: Wolf Protector                    Author: Milly Taiden                           Genre: Erotic                                                             
Blurb: 

A woman with a secret…
The Federal Paranormal Unit is an elite squad of supernaturals dedicated to solving missing persons cases. Erica’s gift allows her a special connection with the crime, but it comes at a deep personal cost… Until now, she’s kept her gift a secret, even from the other members of the team. But this case will throw her together with Agent Trent Buchanan. He’s the object of her secret desires, but he’s also a cocky womanizer. She’d rather swim in shark-infested waters with a paper cut than admit she has feelings for him.


A man with one desire…
Wolf Shifter Trent wants Erica more than he’s ever wanted any woman. He’s spent years patiently waiting for her to admit that she wants him too. Working one-on-one in a race to find a serial killer, Trent’s patience and Erica’s resolve wear thin. When Trent discovers the truth about Erica, will he accept her for who she is? And can he protect her from the horrors that her gift brings?


A case that pushes them to the edge…
Erica will have to risk it all if she wants to stop the killer, and when she does, Trent may have to put his own life on the line to make sure his mate is protected…

 Meet the author: Milly Taiden 
Author Bio:

Want to know about me? Milly Taiden (aka April Angel) was born in the prettiest part of the Caribbean known as the Dominican   Republic. She grew up between New York, Florida and Massachusetts. Currently, she resides in New York City with her husband, bossy young son and their little dog Speedy.

She’s addicted to shopping for shoes, chocolate (but who isn’t?) and Dunkin Donuts coffee. 
A bookworm when she can get her hands on a good story, she loves reading all Mina Carter and Dianne Duvall among others.

Contact Info.
Email: millytaiden@gmail.com
Website:  http://www.millytaiden.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/millytaidenauthor

Books:

As Milly Taiden

Caged Heat

Wynter’s Captive

Halloween Heat III – Mate Event

Fate’s Wish

Sharp Change

Coming Soon

Fever

Wolf Protector

As April Angel

Party Crasher

Wicked Valentine – Sizzling Encounters – Book 2

Stranded Temptation

Mr. Buff – Sizzling Encounters – Book 1 

Coming Soon:

Lucky Break – Sizzling Encounters – Book 3 

A Hero’s Pride 
Blitz Host: Lady Amber's Tours

Wacky Wednesday (3 a.m. Wake Up Call)

What I'm like at work after my characters get me up at 3 a.m. 
with their latest escapades. 

Sneak Peek Sunday (Weaver of Dreams)

In this week's excerpt from Weaver of Dreams , Maggie sees the man from her fantasies in the real world for the first time. 


Maggie walked across the pavers and bent to retrieve the cell phone. From the corner of her eye, she noticed the shadows shift beside her and looked up. Her heart stopped.

Emerging from the shadows of the alcove was a man. Tall, with broad shoulders, his powerful chest narrowed to trim hips. Encased in a pair of jeans, his thighs were thick, but not overly so. Maggie could see the play of his muscles work under his clothes as he advanced.

Her eyes traveled back up his body to his face. Now free of the shadows, she could clearly see his strong jawline and patrician nose were the perfect complement to his azure blue eyes.

Maggie straightened. Blood coursed hotly through her veins. Her heart beat in her chest like a stallion running the Kentucky Derby, setting a fast and furious pace. Her mouth went dry at the sight of him.

He wore blue jeans and a black tee shirt instead of swim trunks or a chartreuse sweater, but there was no doubt who he was. Her dream man. His eyes held hers while he bent to retrieve her phone.

He stood and offered the phone to her in his outstretched hand. “I believe you dropped this.” The dark timbre of his voice slid over her like a warm caress.

Weaver of Dreams
COPYRIGHT © 2013 by Brenda Sparks

Want some more sneak peeks from some wonderful authors? If so, click the image above for a list of all participating blogs.

Wacky Wednesday (No comments, say it ain't so)

How it feels when no one comments on your blog post.

Sneak Peek Sunday (Weaver of Dreams)

For the past few weeks, we've gotten to know Maggie and Zane. I thought you might enjoy meeting the Dream Stalker who is torturing Maggie in her dreams. In the following excerpt, the stalker has just returned to his dimension from feeding on Maggie's terror. 

Weaver of Dreams
Copyright 2013 Brenda Sparks

The human woman’s dreams were vivid and provided a delicious source of energy. The Dream Stalker barely needed to influence them at all, thanks to her natural tendency toward nightmares. He’d only needed to steer them a little, add a few malevolent details here and there. Her mind did the rest.

It had been so easy. A set of blood-red eyes added by him, and she’d created the six wolves that chased her. A well placed root from him while her head was turned, and she tripped to find herself surrounded by wolves. With little interference from him, the human’s nightmare generated such fear that it became a tangible force in her bedroom, surrounding his corporeal form with its feeding energy. The emotions her dreams elicited were strong, raw . . . addictive.

If he had lips in this dimension, he would be licking them. He still rode the high her fear created as he fed on it.

Nothing compared to the sensation he got when he consumed negative human emotions. They made it worth taking the human form required to enter the mortal dimension to feed. The negative emotions caused his blood to surge, his heart to sprint. Endorphins flooded his brain, giving him a potent high that could not be matched by anything in this dimension.

With no physical body, there were no endorphins or physical rush, just the lingering impression of utopia in his mind. He floated in the air, bobbing at a frantic pace thanks to the rush of his feed. He felt excited, elated. Like he could take on the universe. Nothing in the world, his or the human’s, compared to this, and he loved it!

Like a blanket, the balmy air flowed around his energy, welcomed him with its warmth. His world seemed extra vibrant, a resplendent cornucopia of color and constant light.He pushed through the air, not caring in which direction he went. Feeling alive, excited, he just needed to move. Now!
Want some more sneak peeks from some wonderful authors? If so, click the image above for a list of all participating blogs.

Wacky Wednesday (and Weaver of Dreams book birthday)

What I want to say to everyone who reads one of my books... (Oh did I mention Weaver of Dreams when live on Amazon today?)