S.M. Boyce's Blog: My Journal, page 28

More Christmas Gift Ideas

Stay tuned! More Chirtmas gift ideas are on the way. A new author will be posted every day in the Twelve Days of Bookmas, so check back tomorrow!

The Real Grimoire Pendant | Make Your Own Grimoire

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Published on December 21, 2012 21:00

Move Over, Edward—the Vampire Myth Has Evolved

Note: Boyce’s novel, Lichgates (Grimoire Trilogy #1), is free from December 21 – 23. Go grab yours now!

Vampires

To say that the vampire myth has seen a resurgence in popular culture lately is a painful understatement. It’s gotten to the point where literary agents cringe when they read a query about another “teen vampire paranormal romance.”

Still, that doesn’t make vampires any less awesome. The fangs, the immortality, the dark humans-are-food thing…vampires rock.

But when I wrote the paranormal fantasy Lichgates(Grimoire Trilogy #1), I knew I wanted something different. Vampires had exploded in popularity, but I wanted to do something fresh. Exciting. New.

So I created isen.

Isen

Isen are soul stealers. For every soul they steal, they extend their youth and lives by ten years. An isen essentially becomes what they steal—they can take on their victim’s appearance at will, use the victim’s knowledge or skills, and even talk like them. Isen can be anywhere, and they can be anyone.

Of course, there’s a cost. Every stolen soul lives somewhere deep within their mind, trapped and rattling around. The more souls an isen steals, the closer to insanity they get.

If you’re an isen, you have a barb hidden in your right palm. It’s a long, purple thing that extends when you want to steal a soul—and all you have to do is stab your victim’s spine with the barb. Sometimes, your very faint scent that smells something like lavender and pine gives you away. But most of the time, you get your victims.

Being an isen is in your blood—you have to be born an isen. But many born isen don’t know what they are until their teens, when they’re awoken…and awakening is a painful experience. An already-awoken isen has to find you, prick your spine with their soul-stealing barb, and then kill you.

You meet Death: the blood-red guardian of the afterlife. And If you can prove that you have a life left to live, he’ll send you back—as a fully awakened and very powerful isen.

It’s a rough life filled with tragedy, but to some, the unlimited power is worth it.

How about you? Would you want to be an isen? Why or why not? Remember to grab your free copy of Lichgatesbetween December 21 – 23!

Buy Your Copy of Lichgates

(eBook is FREE on Amazon!)

Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK) | Print Edition | Barnes & Noble

Boyce’s Books

Lichgates (Grimoire Trilogy #1)

Treason (Grimoire Trilogy #2)

Heritage (Grimoire Trilogy #3)

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Awesome Extras

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WIN a guest appearance in Heritage (Grimoire Trilogy #3)

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Published on December 21, 2012 06:00

Christmas Gift Ideas: Twelve Days of Bookmas! Day 9: Multi-Published Author Riley J. Ford

Christmas gift ideas? I’ve got some for you readers out there. The Twelve Days of Bookmas showcases twelve days of great books by awesome new authors. If you’re looking for Christmas gift ideas for someone else or a treat for yourself, this is the place to start.

FYI:

A previous Twelve Days of Bookmas book is free today: Burning of Isobel Key by Jen McConnel. Go grab your copy now!

Today’s Christmas Gift Idea:
[image error]Into You

Riley J. Ford

What if you could know exactly what your friends are thinking? High school student Winter Reynolds can, but there’s a catch . . . She can only read people’s thoughts when she’s kissing them. When a member of the track team is murdered, Winter has an opportunity to use her special ability to find the killer. Trouble is, kissing everyone on the track team isn’t such a good idea when you have a new boyfriend. Talk about complications! Should Winter persevere using her secret power to catch the murderer still in their midst, even if it means risking her relationship with her one true love?

INTO YOU is:

A teen paranormal romance with a twist
A young adult romantic comedy that will tickle your funny bone with its offbeat humor
A murder mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end
A YA fantasy book that explores ESP and mind-reading
An exploration of social issues that teens face
A must-read that has already hit the teen best sellers lists

Disclaimer: Mild profanity and a graphic murder scene. While humorous, this book also explores the underbelly of teen life. May not be suitable for younger teens.

[image error]Carpe DiEmily

Riley J. Ford

Emily Keane has her life all planned out. She’s played by the rules and never stepped outside her box, and now she will finally be rewarded with everything she always dreamed of: a job promotion, a fiance, and a future she can count on. But when her perfectly planned world falls apart, Emily is plunged into the wildest year of her life.

From the beaches of California to Jamaica, New York, and Europe, Emily finds herself on a madcap race against time, running from an unscrupulous organ broker who wants her dead, all the while checking items off her unusual bucket list. On top of it all, she’s falling in love with the most unlikely person, a man who can never return her feelings . . . but will his friendship be enough?

Confronting one hilarious misadventure after another, Emily finally learns who she really is and how to seize the day . . .

Carpe DiEmily is a raunchy, fearless comedy in the same vein as the movie Bridesmaids, to which it has been favorably compared. Both female and male readers will enjoy this zany comedic adventure.

More Christmas Gift Ideas

Stay tuned! More Chirtmas gift ideas are on the way. A new author will be posted every day in the Twelve Days of Bookmas, so check back tomorrow!

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Published on December 20, 2012 21:00

The Freebie Jubilee: Twelve Amazing Books, All FREE! (Dec 21 & 22)

Ten talented authors. Twelve FREE eBooks. One incredible holiday event!

Welcome everyone! I am so excited to be a part of this fantastic holiday event with some of the most talented authors I know! We have twelve amazing novels listed today and tomorrow (December 21st and 22nd) for FREE on Amazon! If you haven’t already snatched up these great reads, now is an excellent time to treat yourself for the holiday season.

Happy Holidays!

The Fall of Billy Hitchings

by Kirkus MacGowan

“…the actual source of Billy’s ‘fall’

is nothing short of creative genius.”

Genre: Mystery and Thriller

Amazon UK
Zero Balance

by Ashley Fontainne

“Revenge has a new name: Piper.

And she is ready for Audra to pay up.”

Genre: Suspense and Thriller

Amazon UK

When Empires Fall

by Katie Jennings

“Family may be the ties that bind but

sometimes they are the ties that kill…”

Genre: Family Saga and Romance

Amazon UK
Near Death

by Richard C. Hale

“Jake’s wife died in his arms. He needs to

talk with her. He may have found a way…”

Genre: Mens Adventure/Sci-Fi Adventure

Amazon UK

Closed Doors

by Richard Weatherly

“CDC investigators race against

time to prevent a pandemic…”

Genre: Suspense and Thriller

Amazon UK
Partners

by Mimi Barbour

“Hotshot, purse-carrying cowboy assumes

he can partner Miss Cranky, Vegas detective.”

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Amazon UK

The Circle of Law

by Lia London

“Two orphaned sisters discover they have the power to govern Hope…and Death.”

Genre: Fantasy

Amazon
The Pit Stop

by Carmen DeSousa

“When what seems like a normal pit stop turns to more than just gas and food, a lost couple finds themselves searching for the truth of a twenty-year-old mystery that may cost them their life.”

Genre:Suspense and Thriller

Amazon UK

Nobility

by Reb MacRath

“One Christmas Eve a broken man

confronts a brutal gang of thieves

with the help of a beauty who’s no angel–yet.”

Genre: Christmas thriller

Amazon UK
Southern Scotch

by Reb MacRath

“Boogie Nights meets Have Gun Will Travel

when a poor Scot, mistaken for somebody else, is beaten nearly half to death…and

comes back gunning for revenge.”

Genre: Hardboiled Mystery

Amazon UK

The Vanishing Magic of Snow

by Reb MacRath

“Starving and near-homeless,

Jay Penny turns to magic to beat the

Great Recession and Become Legendary.”

Genre: Christmas thriller

Amazon UK
Lichgates (Grimoire Trilogy #1)

by S.M. Boyce

“Discover a beautiful world full of terrifying

things in this young adult paranormal

fantasy adventure. The final pages will

leave you breathless.”

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Fantasy

Amazon UK

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Published on December 20, 2012 00:00

Christmas Gift Ideas: Twelve Days of Bookmas! Day 8: Multi-Published Author Rachel McClellan

Christmas gift ideas? I’ve got some for you readers out there. The Twelve Days of Bookmas showcases twelve days of great books by awesome new authors. If you’re looking for Christmas gift ideas for someone else or a treat for yourself, this is the place to start.

Today’s Christmas Gift Ideas:
[image error]Fractured Light

Rachel McClellan

Llona Reese is used to living on the run. After the Vykens killed her parents, she knew they would eventually come for her too. But she never felt ready to face them—until now. Defying the Auran Council and everything she’s been taught, Llona must learn to use her power over light as a weapon if she wants to survive.

[image error]Fractured Soul

(Available for Pre-order)

Rachel McClellan

Llona will do whatever it takes to protect her newfound friends and home, but the dark plot that is threatening Lucent Academy, a school that’s supposed to be a safe place for Auras, may be too powerful for even Llona to defeat. This fast-paced tale of love, loyalty, and overcoming the darkness will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last page!

[image error]Confessions of a Cereal Mother

(Available for Pre-order)

Rachel McClellan

In this narrative you’ll discover several mind-saving rules, which include:

Don’t throw your pregnancy test away before the full three minutes is up.

Unless there is a rush on the grocery store pending a zombie-virus outbreak, never take your kids shopping.

If your toddler is going to chew on a Band-Aid, hope it’s one found inside the community swimming pools chlorinated pool and not one found in their locker room.

Never throw up in a cookie sheet.

Things can always get worse. You could discover your child playing with a used tampon applicator. It’s not a whistle, sweetie.

And most importantly, the moment one of your children is seriously ill, forget about everything else. You have the greatest honor in the world – being a Mom.

More Christmas Gift Ideas

Stay tuned! More Chirtmas gift ideas are on the way. A new author will be posted every day in the Twelve Days of Bookmas, so check back tomorrow!

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Published on December 19, 2012 21:00

Guest Post {and give away} by Wendy Walter: Secret Warriors

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Hello, beautiful people! Wendy Walter is here today with a fun post about the fantasy genre, heroic women, secret warriors, and why it’s all awesome.

In fantasy, the rules are clear and the tasks are simple: save the universe or everyone dies. There is absolutely no ambiguity. It allows us to escape the shifty, gray edges of human morality. When we root for the good guys, it refreshes our view of reality. As much as we’d like to, we can’t slug our overbearing boss in real life, but if we can best a couple of demented demons in a fantasy such as Ambril’s Tale, it feels almost as good.

Recently, I’ve been thrilled by the proliferation of female warriors in fantasy stories. In our world, there are few outlets for women to be warrior-like as it counters our nurturing mother image. For both women and men, it’s electrifying to see through the eyes of a demon slayer and share the triumph when power is snatched from the hands of the evil overlord, isn’t it?

Secretly, I suspect that the women of the world would love to try swinging a sword around once in a while, and fantasize about it when they can.

Once more, into the muck

I’m one of those secret warriors. Fantasy books allow me to be physically adept and best the bad guys, at least some of the time. Battles in our reality are done with words and politics. Being shy, I seldom win when I’m forced to stand up in a crowd and speak. When I take up a cause and go once more into the breach, I usually find myself going off a cliff and into the mud…amidst laughter. It’s so humiliating.

Another Kind of Secret Warrior

In my book, Ambril’s Tale, our main character Ambril does indeed go up against a couple of powerful monsters. At first, she flounders. But, with the help of her friends and a little bit of luck, she takes care of business.

The real demons in Ambril’s life center around her father’s dishonorable death. His blackened reputation has marked her family. Despite the remonstrations of her mother and brother, Ambril secretly sets out to clear her father’s name as she feels it’s her family’s only hope.

Now that’s my kind of warrior.

Buy Your Copy

Amazon | Smashwords | Goodreads

Learn More About Ambril’s Tale

Facebook | Website | Book’s Illustrations

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About The Author: Wendy Walter

Writing was an early passion for Wendy. As a kid, she wrote lots of stories, but being shy, they usually ended up under the mattress. When she finally set out to tell Ambril’s Tale, she decided not to write a story but a world, full with her own marvelous illustrations. She considers The Return of the Dullaith as just the curly tip of the fairy boot. Wendy lives near San Francisco with her husband, daughters, cat and border collie. More information about Wendy’s book and art, check her site: http://wendydwalter.com.

Connect with Wendy

Author’s Website | Goodreads | Facebook

Giveaway Info

At each blog stop on her tour, Wendy is giving away a prize, a copy of one of her books (paperback or e-book). You can also enter her 12-12-12 Grand Prize Giveaway of a sterling silver pendant of the Tree of Life, and an End-of-Tour Grand Prize Giveaway of a hand-painted gnome, hand-painted by Wendy herself! There will also be some surprise giveaways along the way! Stay tuned!

1) To win a book: leave a comment on this blog post about what you like about magic to be entered to win a copy of Ambril’s Tale: The Return of the Dullaith in paperback or e-book format. Be sure to leave your email address in the comments so we can contact you if you’re the lucky winner. This giveaway ends five days after the post goes live.

2) To win one of the Grand Prizes: Click the link to go to Wendy’s website and enter the Rafflecopter at the bottom of the page. A winner will be selected on Dec. 12th for the 12-12-12 for the sterling silver pendant of the Tree of Life. Here’s Wendy’s site: http://wendydwalter.com/blog-tour/.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Published on December 18, 2012 21:00

Christmas Gift Ideas: Twelve Days of Bookmas! Day 7: What Kills Me by Wynne Channing

Christmas gift ideas? I’ve got some for you readers out there. The Twelve Days of Bookmas showcases twelve days of great books by awesome new authors. If you’re looking for Christmas gift ideas for someone else or a treat for yourself, this is the place to start.

Today’s Christmas Gift Idea:
[image error]What Kills Me

Wynne Channing

An ancient prophecy warns of a girl destined to cause the extinction of the vampire race.

So when 17-year-old Axelia falls into a sacred well filled with blood and emerges a vampire, the immortal empire believes she is this legendary destroyer. Hunted by soldiers and mercenaries, Axelia and her reluctant ally, the vampire bladesmith Lucas, must battle to survive.

How will she convince the empire that she is just an innocent teenager-turned bloodsucker and not a creature of destruction? And if she cannot, can a vampire who is afraid of bugs summon the courage to fight a nation of immortals?Show More Show Less

More Christmas Gift Ideas

Stay tuned! More Chirtmas gift ideas are on the way. A new author will be posted every day in the Twelve Days of Bookmas, so check back tomorrow!

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Published on December 18, 2012 21:00

Christmas Gift Ideas: Twelve Days of Bookmas! Day 6: the Vaempires Series by Thomas Winship

Christmas gift ideas? I’ve got some for you readers out there. The Twelve Days of Bookmas showcases twelve days of great books by awesome new authors. If you’re looking for Christmas gift ideas for someone else or a treat for yourself, this is the place to start.

Today’s Christmas Gift Idea:
[image error]Vaempires: Revolution

Thomas Winship

It is the morning of Princess Cassandra’s sixteenth birthday. Everyone’s attention is focused on the heir to the vampire throne. World leaders, the rich and famous, and VIPs from every corner of the globe have gathered in the nation’s capital to celebrate the momentous event.

Cassandra’s boyfriend, Daniel, is late for the party. He’s still outside the city when all hell breaks loose. What he believes is an act of terrorism proves to be a full-fledged revolution. Væmpires–former vampires who mutated into warm-blooded creatures with an insatiable hunger for cold blood–have launched coordinated attacks across the globe, with three goals: the eradication of humanity, the enslavement of vampires, and the ascension of væmpires as the dominant species on the planet.

The vampire and human leaders are killed. Cassandra is missing. Daniel is the acting king. Desperate to find the princess, Daniel and his friends fight their way across the besieged city. With the hopes of the free world resting on the shoulders of four vampire teenagers, væmpires unleash their secret weapons: a new breed of væmpire that is far deadlier than any ever seen before.

What can four teens do against an enemy that can shape-shift, fly, and walk through walls?

[image error]Vaempires: White Christmas

Thomas Winship

It’s almost Christmas. With the global holiday days away, the people of the world should be turning their attention toward celebrating peace and goodwill, but tension between humans, vampires, and væmpires is at an all-time high. Desperate for solutions, King Brant schedules a secret summit deep in North America’s Northern Forest. Along with Queen Anne, Princess Cassandra, Daniel’s family, and the human president and First Lady, the vampire leader seeks to reaffirm the ties between humans and vampires, while brainstorming ways to respond to the growing hostility among væmpires.

Meanwhile, Daniel and Cassie’s relationship is at an all-time low. The princess is still reeling from her breakup with Vielyn, and Daniel doesn’t know what he should or shouldn’t do to help. Little does he know that the summit will be flooded with surprises–guests, allegations, accusations, proposals, and even Christmas Eve revelations–but not all of the surprises will be pleasant.

[image error]Vamepires: Zombie Rising

Thomas Winship

The tale of the Evolutionary War resumes in Væmpires: Zombie Rising.

Væmpires have taken control of twelve major cities. Their leader, Vielyn, seeks the atomic weapons that will bring the rest of the world to its knees.

Vampire forces are reeling. As Linq and Ray race to the royal estate to rendezvous with Cassandra and Daniel, the princess is captured and Daniel falls.

With the fate of world shifting to their teenage shoulders, Linq and Ray must deal with tremendous losses while battling a most unexpected—and undeadly—new foe.

More Christmas Gift Ideas

Stay tuned! More Chirtmas gift ideas are on the way. A new author will be posted every day in the Twelve Days of Bookmas, so check back tomorrow!

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Published on December 17, 2012 21:00

Gorgeous Cover Reveal for THE KEY INHERITANCE by Jen McConnel

Cover art by Heidi Sutherlin, 2012.

Cover reveal: the sequel to The Burning of Isobel Key will be available in January 2013!
About the Book:

Ten years after the trip to Scotland that changed her life, Lou is back in the misty, magical country. This time, however, she’s not on vacation: Lou is there to settle some distasteful and depressing family business. When Brian, her old Highland fling, turns up, Lou is forced to wrestle with a past that she thought was dead and buried. As tension between the former lovers mounts, something wicked is stirring in Scotland. Lou must use all her strength to handle the increasingly desperate situation, but will she be strong enough to battle both a vengeful ghost and her heart?

The Key Inheritance is a novella that takes place a decade after the events of The Burning of Isobel Key. This contemporary story crosses into the supernatural as Lou discovers evidence of a long-dead spirit who refuses to rest in peace. Lou may have thought that she was finished with the witch Isobel Key, but her inheritance is more than the young woman can handle alone.

Want to read an ARC of The Key Inheritance? Sign up here for your chance to get an advance copy just in time for the holidays.

The Burning of Isobel Key, released by BrightFish Press.
Release date: October 1, 2012

When Lou travels to Scotland, she’s a mess. She’s twenty-six, unemployed, and unsure of herself. It doesn’t help that she’s traveling with Tammy, her best friend, who is everything Lou is not.

At first, the trip pushes Lou towards the brink of depression, but then she meets Brian, a handsome local tour guide. When Brian tells the tourists about the countless witches burned in Scotland, Lou starts to listen. And when she discovers information about Isobel Key, one of the victims of the seventeenth century, Lou finds renewed purpose.

She sets out to learn the truth of the condemned witch, but she isn’t prepared for the knowledge that waits for her. Lou must face her demons if she has any hope of righting the wrongs of the past.

THE BURNING OF ISOBEL KEY, available from Amazon Fall 2012.

Book Extras
Official Book Website | Book Trailer | Reading Guide
Grab Your Copy

Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK) | Goodreads Createspace

The Burning of Isobel Key

reviews: 30

ratings: 41 (avg rating 4.22)

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The Key Inheritance

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Published on December 17, 2012 06:00

Christmas Gift Ideas: Twelve Days of Bookmas! Day 5: A Prescription for Delirium by Noree Cosper

Christmas gift ideas? I’ve got some for you readers out there. The Twelve Days of Bookmas showcases twelve days of great books by awesome new authors. If you’re looking for Christmas gift ideas for someone else or a treat for yourself, this is the place to start.

Today’s Christmas Gift Idea:

[image error] A Prescription for Delirium

Noree Cosper

Ninety years ago, Gabriella di Luca promised to protect the family of her dying lover. She failed to keep that promise. She was too far away to stop the devil that murdered the eldest Van Helsing son. Years later, Gabby learns the devil has resurfaced. She arrives in Hampton, TX, determined to stop the devil before it can lay a bloody hand on the remaining three brothers.

However, madness is spreading through Hampton. She suspects the devil is using this madness to test a drug which has a side effect of demonic possession. Gabby rushes to end the source of the madness only to fall victim to it. For a woman cursed with eternal life, dying is no threat. However, Gabby must stop the devil’s plot or risk losing her most precious possession: her mind.

More Christmas Gift Ideas

Stay tuned! More Chirtmas gift ideas are on the way. A new author will be posted every day in the Twelve Days of Bookmas, so check back tomorrow!