K.B. Miller's Blog, page 10

Small Business Saturday

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During the holiday season, we have Thanksgiving evening specials, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Small Business Saturday. Today is that Saturday that the small businesses in our towns look forward to every year. Not only because they're able to actually make their profit margin, but also because they're able to network with the community. So show your support today! Go out, buy something and make a connection.

#ShopSmall


As always, until next time...

My Review of Beautiful Oblivion by Jamie McGuire

The Beautiful Disaster and Walking Disaster phenomenon continues in the first heart-pounding new adult romance in The Maddox Brothers series.

Fiercely independent Camille "Cami" Camlin gladly moved on from her childhood before it was over. She has held down a job since before she could drive, and moved into her own apartment after her freshman year of college. Now tending bar at The Red Door, Cami doesn’t have time for much else besides work and classes, until a trip to see her boyfriend is cancelled, leaving her with a first weekend off in almost a year.

Trenton Maddox was the king of Eastern State University, dating co-eds before he even graduated high school. His friends wanted to be him, and women wanted to tame him, but after a tragic accident turned his world upside down, Trenton leaves campus to come to grips with the crushing guilt.

Eighteen months later, Trenton is living at home with his widower father, and works full-time at a local tattoo parlor to help with the bills. Just when he thinks his life is returning to normal, he notices Cami sitting alone at a table at The Red.

As the baby sister of four rowdy brothers, Cami believes she’ll have no problem keeping her new friendship with Trenton Maddox strictly platonic. But when a Maddox boy falls in love, he loves forever—even if she is the only reason their already broken family could fall apart.

In the first installment of the Maddox Brothers books, readers can experience the rush of reading Beautiful Disaster for the first time, all over again.


My Review 5 Stars!
Another Maddox brother for us to swoon for, and to be quite frank to have our panties explode over. Jamie's writing just gets better with each book that she releases, and each brother only makes us pant harder for the next. Bravo! Jamie has a fan for life with me.

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As always, until next time...

Q & A with P.C. and Kristin Cast

P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast Q&A
1. REDEEMED, the final novel in the House of Night series just came out. How does it feel to reach the finale of the series?
PC: It’s bittersweet to come to the last HoN book.  I’m excited about the new trilogy I’m working on, but I also miss Z and the Nerd Herd.  I spent almost a decade with the HoN characters.  I know I’m going to feel their absence as I’m at my writing desk – and at my brainstorming desk!
KC: It’s sad that the HoN series is ending. Like Mom, I’m going to miss Zoey and the Nerd Herd, but I’m going to miss our fans most of all. I hope that they’ll continue to follow us as we each begin our new projects.

2. Do you have a favorite book in House of Night?
PC: For a long time I loved CHOSEN because of the mistakes Zoey makes in that book and the lessons she learns.  And my favorite novella is LENOBIA’S VOW.  Since finishing REDEEMED, though, I have to say that I love it best!
KC: My favorite is LENOBIA’S VOW. I love the story, and that anyone can pick it up and read it without having to read any of the other books in the series.

3. Is there a character that you feel closest to?
PC: Aphrodite is easiest to write, and I’ll always feel close to Zoey.
KC: I love me some Heath! I guess that also means that I love Aurox too!

4. House of Night is an international phenomenon! How has the success of the series changed your life?
PC: HoN has enriched our lives on many levels.  We love hearing from our fans about how they have grown up with Zoey and the group. Kristin and I get to take awesome road trips!
KC: I’ve gotten to meet so many people who have been inspired by HoN, which has made me a better person in a lot of ways.

5. Neferet is such a tragically flawed character. Her backstory made her more sympathetic, even though her choices are horrid. How much of her actions in REDEEMED, and previous books, is a result of her trying to overcome her past?
PC: Sadly, Neferet’s life choices were a direct result of her inability to let go of her father’s brutal attack and rape.  I think a big part of her reaction to his abuse was a direct result of “Emily’s” inability to forgive herself.  I do understand Neferet, often too well.  It saddens me that the HoN world lost what could have been such a great force for Light.

6. Where do you see Zoey in 10 years?
PC:  I see Z being a kick ass High Priestess!

7. Does Zoey and Stark’s relationship continue?
PC:  Absolutely!  Stark will always be Zoey’s Warrior.

8. Did writing the series together strengthen your relationship?
PC: Kristin and I have always been close, so that hasn’t changed.  I am appreciative of her editorial eye, and love partnering with her!
KC: Mom and I have always had an amazing relationship! Working with her has made me appreciate and respect her even more.

9. Do mothers and daughters read your books together?
PC: Yes!  We hear from mothers and daughters a lot!  We love that they read the HoN as a team.
KC: Hearing how our books have brought mothers and daughters closer is so amazing! I love that we’ve been able to inspire connection within so many families.

10. How did you decide to write a series about vampires?
PC: My agent, Meredith Bernstein, asked me to write a series set at a vampyre finishing school, and my imagination took off from there.

11. Who is your all-time favorite fictional vampire character?
PC: I love the vampire in Robin McKinley’s wonderful book, SUNSHINE.
KC: Spike! He’s totally my boyfriend.

12. Spike or Angel?
PC: SPIKE!  He’s been my boyfriend for years.
KC: No! He’s MY boyfriend, Phyllis.

13. Some have speculated that the huge surge of interest over the past few years in the paranormal romance/vampire fiction genre won’t last. What do you think?
PC:  I think it’s silly to worry about genres coming and going.  A good book is a good book.  Excellence in storytelling will never be out of fashion.

14. What is on your nightstand now?
PC: The first book in Anne Bishop’s Jewel series, Neil Gaiman’s THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE, and the latest copy of bitch Magazine.
KC: Benadryl, my dehumidifier, and stress relieving essential oils. (I have a bit of an allergy problem.)

15. What was your favorite book as a young adult?
PC:  Wow, there were so many of them!  When I was a young girl I read every horse and dog book I could get my hands on (LOVE Walter Farley).  As I became a teenager and a young adult, I didn’t read YA.  I read lots and lots and lots of fantasy, science fiction, and romance.  As a teenager my favorite series was probably Anne McCaffrey’s books about Pern.  I still want to ride a golden queen dragon!
KC: I was obsessed with GOSSIP GIRLS and Lynn Ewing’s DAUGHTERS OF THE MOON series.

16. Can you tell us a little more about the philanthropic organizations that you support?
PC:  I have an education foundation that helps kids through college. I’m also passionate about supporting the feminist bitch magazine and SageWoman.
PC & KC: We believe in supporting local charities like Tulsa Street Cats, the Oklahoma Equality Center, the Oklahoma Center for the Book, Philbrook and Gilcrease museums. We will also always support the Humane Society and SPCA.

17. You are about to embark on book tour – what are you most looking forward to?
PC & KC:  We haven’t toured in the US for several years (been too busy writing!), so we’re really looking forward to seeing our fans from all over the US!

18. What has the response been like to the House of Night clothing line?
PC: I’ll let Kristin handle this one, as this is her baby, but I will say that I heart me some HoN merchandise!
KC: It’s been fantastic! It’s amazing when I see people out in public who are wearing one of the shirts, or have a bumper sticker on their car. I feel very honored and fortunate to have such support from our fans.  

19. Your fans can’t wait for the HON movies to come out! Where are you in the process right now?
PC:  This summer I worked with our wonderful screenwriter, Marc Haimes, on the treatment (which is really just a long outline) of the first movie, and he has completed the first draft of the script.  Yes, I do love it!

20. What’s up next for you, PC?
PC:  What’s next for me is a fantasy romance trilogy of epic proportions that I’m really excited about.  I should have news for my fans in the next month or so!

21. What’s up next for you, Kristin?
KC: Right now I’m working on the first book in a new adult paranormal suspense series. Meredith Bernstein, my fabulous agent, is finalizing the contract with my new publisher and I will have exciting news this November! You can sign up to receive info about my new series at www.KCastAuthor.com.

My Review of Souls (Grimnirs #2) by Ednah Walters

CLEAN VERSION: YA-suitable for younger readers:- You asked for a clean version and I promised to publish it. The unforgettable story of CORA and ECHO from Grimnirs continues in the International bestselling RUNES series. 
Eighteen-year-old Cora Jemison knows what it’s like to date a soul reaper. There are no Friday night movies, no school dances, and no stolen kisses between classes. It totally sucks! What makes it even worse, souls pop up when she least expects it. The last one is not her fault, but it all adds up to zero quality time with her super hot, scythe-carrying boyfriend, Echo. 

Since Cora was etched with special runes by an evil Immortal, she understands why souls are drawn to her. She makes the best of it by helping souls find closure while Echo escorts them to the realm of the dead. Perfect partners, until a dark soul visits Cora in the dead of the night and Echo decides her soul-helping days are over. 

Cora can either listen to Echo or follow her instincts. To make matters worse, other reapers start stalking her, demanding she hand over the soul. Even her Valkyrie friends think she’s gone too far. But something sinister is coming their way, and the soul is the key to saving her town, her friends, and her relationship with Echo. Can she convince Echo to see things her way before it’s too late? 

READING ORDER: 
GRIMNIRS: A Runes story 
SOULS: Grimnirs book 2 
MONSTERS: Coming 2015 (last book) 

Grimnirs series, featuring Cora and Echo, is a spinoff the Runes series and can also be read as part of the entire series in this order: 

Runes (book 1) 
Immortals (book 2) 
Grimnirs (A Runes book) 
Seeress (book 3) 
Souls (Grimnirs book 2) 
Witches: (book 4, Coming Dec 2014)


My Review 5 Stars
Ednah Walters has done it again! Souls, book #2 in the Grimnirs series takes us further into Echo and Cora's story. And, oh what a story it is! I'm not going to go into detail, because I want you to experience the same pleasure I did with Souls. Grab you copy, your coffee/tea, and prepare to get hooked into the world Ednah has designed for us.

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As always, until next time...

Catching up!

Good Lord... I've already missed so much of the Fall TV line up that I love so much. But, fear not... I'm catching up!

NCIS
NCIS: LA
NCIS: New Orleans - All three have been off the hook! I do love me some "Gibbs"!

Grimm... oh, Grimm... only 3 episodes in and I remember why I love this show! 

Sleepy Hollow. I seriously want to have Ichabod Crane's babies!

Gotham is a new show and my son and I have to be on the couch at 7:55pm every Monday. It's amazing!

Once Upon A Time... I am loving the Elsa! Makes me want to watch Frozen everyday. "Let it go, Let it go!" I digress ;)

Resurrection. Fantastic story, period.

Stalker is another one of my new favs. Check it out!

Supernatural and Arrow... hell-o... Oliver, Dean, and Sam. Need I say more? Didn't think so.

Christley Knows Best... I want to be a fly on the wall just to hear Todd talk. He is one of the wittiest men in America! #TeamTodd!

The People's Couch. I know, I know... it's reality TV. However, they're all saying what we're all thinking! Love it!

And last, but DEFINITELY not least... THE WALKING DEAD!!
HOLY SHIT BALLS OF FIRE!! BEST. SHOW. EVER!

As you guys can see, while I can't... I'm catching up! Do you watch any of these shows? If not, what are some of your favorites?

As always, until next time...

Why is our society obsessed with reality TV?

I've been pondering this very question for some time now. 
What is it about watching ordinary people do absolutely insane things that intrigue us? Or watching "Housewives" live in a manner to which I have never seen any real housewife I know live. Have you noticed this too? 
Between the Honey Boo Boo's, Survivors of whichever crazy island they've been stranded on this season, to the glitzy, glamorous lives of waitresses and bartenders sleeping with anything and everything that moves, our society is completely hooked. We crave these shows worse than a fat kid craves a twinkie (By the way... I AM that fat kid!) Does this seem normal to you? I remember, and this is seriously giving away my age here (so be gentle) sitting on the living room floor on a Friday night watching Full House with my entire family. It was good, wholesome television that taught morals, love, and values families across America could enjoy and learn from.
Today's obsession with reality TV teaches our children to have unprotected sex with multiple partners, lie, cheat, and do whatever it is that they want to do without regard for consequences. Basically... it teaches them that there are no rules. That's why in my house there are strict rules against my child watching reality TV. When he turns 18, I know all bets are off, but until then I'm going to keep him on the straight and narrow, teaching what REALITY really is.
Recently, my father came to my house for a visit and I clicked the remote and turned on one of the "Real Housewife" shows that airs on Bravo just to see his reaction. After a few minutes, my father looked over at me, and honest to God said, "Where did they get these chicks? Rodeo Drive? They're not real housewives. Turn that stupid shit off. It'll rot your brain."
That was a common sentiment my Dad used to say to me growing up and I always rolled my eyes. However, now being a parent myself... I have to agree with him. Reality TV is going to rot your brains! Turn that shit off and pick up a book, any book.
So, do you think our society is obsessed with reality TV? And, if so... why do you think that is? I look forward to reading your opinions.

As always, until next time...

Soul Journey Tour / Guest Post

Book Title: Soul JourneySeries: Soul Series book 1
Author: Miranda Shanklin
Release Date: August 31, 2014
Presented by: As You Wish Tours




It has been many lifetimes since the cycle began. 
The cycle that still haunts Annisa Lawson. 
A spell cast in desperation to help, which only caused heartache. 
Now, Annisa has found her way out of the varying repeats of her past; only to bring more danger to herself, and those around her. Now she must learn to survive with the help of her friends: Chase, Penelope, and Landon have all gone through each life cycle with Annisa. Sometimes helping, sometimes hindering. Now that Annisa has broken the cycle of their collective punishment, she finds that she needs her friends more than ever to keep their enemies, known, and unknown, at bay. As the group of friends learn of their souls' journeys through their many life cycles, they must also learn to control the magick they have discovered within themselves and each other, in order to defeat the most feared assassin in their world. 




Why Miranda thinks book covers are so important...
A book cover is the first impression of your book to a potential reader. As a reader I often times will be drawn in to look closer at a book by the cover. If the cover catches the attention of the readers then they are more likely to look closer and see if it is something that they will enjoy. 
The opposite is also true. If your cover is something that the readers really just don’t care for or it blends in with the others then they are more likely to skip over it for a book that is close by that has caught their attention. 
Most readers have come to expect the cover of your book to reveal to them what genre your book is. There is a kind of expectation on what a cover should have. It should in some way indicate what the book is about. The days of just a “hot” model on the front of a book to sell that book are over. Those covers are immediately thought of as either romance or BDSM and if that is not the genre they are looking for they will pass right over your book and keep looking for what they enjoy. 
You have to be picky and know what you want for your cover. For my first book I used a pre-made cover. The only reason that I did that was because when I was looking at the site I had decided to use I kept coming back to that cover. I looked thoroughly looked through the whole site but that cover kept popping up in my mind. Since it had drawn my attention to that extent and it had the feel I was looking for it became the cover. I have heard from many people that the cover is what drew them to the book in the first place. 
Since my books are a series I have the rest of the covers being done as custom so that they will all be similar. For a series you want the reader to know at a glance that those books are all part of the same series. If the covers don’t have anything in common, then the reader will not connect the books right away and you might lose a reader that is looking for a series to read.
AMiranda Shanklin resides in Central Illinois with her husband and their two children. When she is not working at her day job as a paralegal, running her children to practices or supporting them at events she is writing. She has been an avid reader most of her life and has always dreamed of writing her own books someday. Now that her children are reaching their teenage years she is finding the time to sit down and chase her dream.Miranda loves to hear your opinions and uses the feedback to improve. You can find her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mirandashanklinauthoror email her at mlshanklin@gmail.com.

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The Parker Harris Series by Amy K McClung @AmythaMcclung

Cascades of MoonlightThe Parker Harris Series Book 1Pages: 259Publication Date: May 13, 2012 FREE

***UPDATED VERSION 07/11/13****Parker Harris was a normal teenage girl with a normal teenage life. That was true until two years ago when she was bitten by a werewolf, forcing her to endure the painful shifting each month during the full moon. She has kept this secret from everyone she loves. One day a stranger enters her small town and knows this secret. Nothing ever happens in the small town of Cascade Idaho, and new people rarely move in, but its Parker's senior year now and two new faces show up in town.  Shortly after their arrival, there is a brutal murder which becomes the first in Cascades history.
Dreams, Spells, and Moonlit Tales The Parker Harris Series Book 2Pages: 278Publication Date: December 18, 2012$1.99
Parker Harris desires a normal life, but it's just not in the cards for her. Parker is a werewolf. She has been for three years now. It’s the summer after she graduated high school and she is preparing for college. If only grades and college classes were her only worries. Parker and Jackie are trying to mend their fractured friendship from her betrayal. Jackie and Mitchell are working on their relationship, fighting jealousy and trust issues of their own. Quinn, a vampire, is the love of Parker’s life. He begins to look into his family’s past and what he finds is not pretty. In fact, it could mean the end for his relationship with Parker. A mistake from Parker's past is revealed and proves to be more enormous than she realized. Dreams—Parker is having dreams and visions of Will. She can’t decipher real from illusion it seems. Spells—Charisma, a new friend to the group, brings magic into the fold. Moonlit Tales—it seems that the full moon is not only a time for Parker to feel the pain of shifting. It’s also a time for unexplained occurrences and secrets being revealed. Can Parker and Quinn's love survive the obstacles they encounter? Is Jackie trustworthy? Are Parker’s feelings for Mitchell becoming too strong for her to ignore? Dreams, Spells, and Moonlit Tales summarize the events of Parker's life in this book.


The Dark Moon The Parker Harris Series Book 3Pages: 251Publication Date: May 5, 2013$1.99
This book picks up from the moment we left off in book two. Quinn received a call from Parker stating Will is alive. Quinn drops everything to rush to her aid. Will he make it in time or will his father stop him? Parker and Mitchell's feelings are not going away and they begin to take a toll on Mitchell's relationship with Jackie. Everyone seems to have a secret they are keeping from Parker and it seems they have feel "there's something she should know" and now is the time. Parker is overwhelmed with all the new information coming her way. Parker's secret life as a werewolf is on the brink of being exposed.



The Cold Moon NovellaThe Parker Harris Series Book #3.5 YA ParanormalReleasing: Aug 22

This is a story told from Mitchell's point of view. This is Book 3.5 in The Parker Harris Series. This novella is broken into three parts: The Change: In this portion we will learn what events happened leading to Mitchell's change into a vampire and how he dealt with it. Lupita and Fangs: The story of how their friendship blossomed into something more. What Happens Next: The lead in to the spin-off series, The Crispin Sinclair Chronicles. We'll learn what happened to the fab four after The Dark Moon ended. We'll also meet a new character who will be pivotal to Crispin's story



The Shimmering PoolThe Crispin Sinclair Chronicles Book #1 (spin-off from Parker Harris) YA FantasyReleased: Oct 3rd
Crispin Sinclair isn't your average teenage boy. He inherited precognitive dreams from his mother who died during childbirth. His other unique quality was inherited from his father; Crispin is a werewolf. Growing up as a supernatural being in a world that doesn't know they exist is difficult to say the least. Crispin's been lucky that his family is made up of supernaturals; witches, vampires, and werewolves. As he begins to obtain his werewolf abilities, his life will be thrown into turmoil placing everyone he loves in danger.
Amytha Roberts feels like the most ordinary girl in the world. She was adopted at age five but not by your traditional idea of parents; her mom's a werewolf and her dad's a vampire. Amytha's best friend Crispin is a werewolf with futuristic dream abilities, while she is a normal sixteen year old girl surrounded by paranormal beings. Stories of Amytha's past begin to surface causing her family to investigate more into where she came from.

Crispin and Amytha take turns telling this story of being in a family that you choose, being abnormal in a normal world, and the importance of friendship. Together they will go on adventures into a faraway place where they'll encounter new creatures and discover truths they never imagined.





Author Bio
Amy McClung was born in Nashville, TN. She is the second oldest of four girls. She married Daniel McClung in September 2005 and they currently reside just outside of Nashville. She graduated from Father Ryan High School in 1996. In 2002 obtained her general certification in medical coding and billing and in 2009 she obtained a specialty certification in Hospital medical coding and billing. Amy and her husband are both fans of fantasy novels as well as avid movie collectors. The Parker Harris Series is the first series of books by this author. Cascades of Moonlight is Book #1, Dreams, Spells, and Moonlit Tales is Book #2, and The Dark Moon Book #3 and The Cold Moon Book #3.5 a Novella from Mitchell's POV. Her second series is a New Adult Contemporary Romance, The Southern Devotion Series, with each book having as a standalone novel with crossover characters. The first book in that series is For the Love of Gracie. Curves in the Road is her newest release as Book 3 in the NA series. Her favorite past times include watching movies, drawing, and reading fantasy novels. Her first book was a means of therapy for her as it enabled her to escape reality for a while during a difficult transition in her life. Her current work in progress is a spin-off of The Parker Harris Series called "The Crispin Sinclair Chronicles" that will be released in October 2014 as a YA Fantasy series. 

Social Links:FacebookBlogGoodReads Author PageAmazon Author PageTwitter


Book Purchase Links:
Curves in the Road on Amazon  
Cascades of Moonlight (The Parker Harris Series Book 1)
Dreams, Spells, and Moonlit Tales (The Parker Harris SeriesBook 2)
The Dark Moon (The Parker Harris Series Book 3)
The Cold Moon: Mitchell's Novella (The Parker Harris SeriesBook 3.5)
The Shimmering Pool (The Crispin Sinclair Chronicles Book 1)

My Review of The Haunted Vagina by Carlton Mellick III

It's difficult to love a woman whose vagina is a gateway to the world of the dead... 

Steve is madly in love with his eccentric girlfriend, Stacy. Unfortunately, their sex life has been suffering as of late, because Steve is worried about the odd noises that have been coming from Stacy's pubic region. She says that her vagina is haunted. She doesn't think it's that big of a deal. Steve, on the other hand, completely disagrees. 


When a living corpse climbs out of her during an awkward night of sex, Stacy learns that her vagina is actually a doorway to another world. She persuades Steve to climb inside of her to explore this strange new place. But once inside, Steve finds it difficult to return... especially once he meets an oddly attractive woman named Fig, who lives within the lonely haunted world between Stacy's legs.


My Review OMFG!!! Where has Bizarro Fiction been all of my life? I loved this book!! I haven't laughed that hard in years!! This book was well written, and absolutely hysterical! If you're a prude, this book is not for you. Stacy has a haunted vagina. The female genitalia is talked about often. I won't give spoilers, but GET. THIS. BOOK! 

Pick up your copy at Amazon!


As always, until next time...

***NEW RELEASE*** The Dead Game by K.B. Miller

It's not just a game... anymore. What would you do if you found an antique ouija board in the attic of your new house? Would you be tempted to play? 

Never play with the dead.

That’s a rule twenty-one-year-old college senior, Alyson Taylor should have followed. After moving into a recently renovated house closer to school with her mother and sister, Aly and her friends find a new toy to play with in the attic─ a Ouija Board.

Aly, and her friends start communicating with a spirit through the board. They have no idea who or what they’re dealing with. Only one thing is certain, no one will be the same after the spirit is finished with them.

Will anyone survive The Dead Game?



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As always, until next time...