Meradeth Houston's Blog, page 41
September 26, 2014
First Look Friday with DR Graham #YAReaderWeek
We are wrapping up the #YAReaderWeek here with an awesome set of first peeks at new releases and some great reads. Today's post is sure to get you interested! If you're up for a little about my next release, Absence of Light, check it out here! And don't forget the GIVEAWAY and podcast going on here--lots of fun to be had :)
Hi Everyone! My name is Danielle. Besides my three-book Young Adult series Brampton Beach, I have two other New Adult projects also releasing soon. The first is a four book series titled Noir et Bleu. The first book is being released by Entangled Publishing this winter.
Excerpt from book 1 of the Noir et Bleu Series: One PercenterBoth sides of my family and their friends are filing down the aisle of the church. To my left, dark suits, expensive shoes, and conservative dresses. To my right, ripped denim, leather vests, and skanky skirts. A row of twenty uniformed cops are standing in wide stances along the back wall shoulder-to-shoulder with their arms folded across their chests.
My push up bra is creating way too much cleavage for a real church, but the Noir et Bleu club support logo that is silk screened across the chest of my white tank top is a necessary show of respect. If God is sitting somewhere up there in the rafters, he’s probably frowning and shaking his head at my trashy funeral attire. There’s no sign of him. Maybe he’s too scared to be here.
One of my dad’s old helmets is displayed on a chair next to me at the altar. My uncle Ronnie set it there so everyone would be reminded who my father was. My mom is sprawled across the bench in the front row to my right. Her blonde hair is matted, her makeup is smeared across her face, and she’s leaning on Uncle Terry’s leg as if she’s the one who’s dead. It’s pathetic in every sense of the word. The fact that everyone on the left side of the church is witnessing it is causing a tingling barfy feeling to creep up my throat. Too bad closing my eyes doesn’t make it all disappear.
The eulogy I wrote is rolled up in my clenched hand and getting soggy from the sweat. I place the curled paper on my lap and wipe my palms on my cut off jean shorts. It’s too hot in here. Shit. If they don’t get this over with soon I’m going to pass out and end up a worse mess than my mom.
Leland just walked in. Now I can’t breathe. The sun from outside is silhouetting his face, but the tailored suit and the way he’s standing confirm that it’s him. To avoid making eye contact with him, I focus on my auntie Elizabeth who is sitting in the front pew to my left – as far away from my mom as possible. She’s crying into her husband Blaine’s linen handkerchief. He smiles at me and mouths, Are you doing okay?
I force my head to nod and stare up at the ceiling to prevent tears from dripping out.
The minister sneaks out of a small door and slides onto a wooden bench behind me. It makes my hands shake, partly because it means we will be starting the service soon, and partly because if he sits there during my speech, he’ll have to stare at my ass in my short shorts the entire time.
My brother’s boyfriend is sitting in the third row sobbing. His parents and sister are several rows behind him and nobody is comforting him. I catch Auntie Elizabeth’s attention and point to the third row. She leans back and waves him forward to join them. He moves and leans against Elizabeth for a hug.
The door at the back opens and the Gyllenhalls walk in.
Aiden is staring at me. Now my entire body is trembling. I can’t swallow. Without breaking eye contact with me, he walks down the aisle. He’s wearing black jeans, motorcycle boots, and a white dress shirt under a leather vest. His sleeve cuffs are rolled up and the collar button is undone. A new tattoo is visible on his neck. He steps aside to let his dad and uncle file into the pew reserved for them directly behind my mom. Then he continues towards me. The church appears to be spinning around him as he walks. The faces and stained glass windows circle in a blur of colour making it look as if he’s in one of those kaleidoscope spy glasses kids play with. He takes the two steps up onto the red-carpeted altar, slides his left hand over mine, and squeezes it tightly. Feeling his skin on mine makes the spinning stop. My eyes close as he leans down. “Sorry, Ti,” he whispers. His right hand slides up by my neck and his lips graze my cheek.
The tears I’ve been blinking back win the battle and drip over my eyelashes.
I also have a single title New Adult book titled RANK releasing soon.
Excerpt from RANK:Tyson Wright, my brother’s best friend, stole a beer out of the cooler. He had a shiner from knocking the bull’s behind when he got thrown, so he squinted at me with one open eye as he said, “I came over to get you. Cole just took a crazy bet.”
“For how much?”
“Double or nothing on his prize money.”
“God damn it. What’s he planning on doing?”
“Ride Freight Train for eight.”
“When?”
“Right now. Before it gets dark.”
I hopped off the tailgate and jogged to the chutes cursing Cole under my breath. The grandstand was empty and there were only a few people still lingering around the edge of the arena fence. The bull named Freight Train was already loaded into a chute and Cole was taping his riding glove around his wrist. I shoved his shoulder. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Ron Miller is going to pay me two thousand dollars to ride one bull.”
“You mean you’re going to pay Ron Miller two thousand dollars to get tossed off one bull. I already told Mom you won.”
“I got this. Don’t worry about it.” He put his black mouth guard in then smiled.
“Freight Train is rank. He ain’t never been ridden. He put four guys in the hospital.”
Cole slapped my shoulder. “You worry too much. Besides, I already shook the man’s hand. Let’s go make some money.”
I shook my head and followed him. The only thing harder than getting Cole to do something he didn’t want to do was stopping him from doing something he did want to do. It was usually easier to just let him do whatever he wanted and clean up the pieces afterwards. We both climbed the chute. It was already loaded with a black hairy mass of bovine muscle that was trying to shoulder its way through the metal rails. “Where are the bullfighters?” I asked.
“This is between me and the bull.”
“Jesus, you’re going to get killed.”
Cole eased himself down onto Freight Train’s back. “Just pull my rope.”
“Cole, come on. This is crazy.”
He looked at me and smiled. “You’ll be thanking me later.”
“I doubt it.” I pushed my boot against Freight Train’s shoulder to get him to move over. Then I pulled the rope as tight as I could.
If you want to be personally notified of the release dates, cover reveals, and publisher giveaways for these titles please send your email via the contact form on my website or sign up for the street team below.
Author: D.R. Graham D.R. Graham is the author of Young Adult and New Adult novels. She worked as a social worker with at-risk youth for seven years before becoming a therapist in private practice. The clients she works with are children and teenagers. Her novels deal with issues relevant to young and new adults in love, transition, or crisis. She is also an award winning columnist for the Richmond News. She currently lives in Vancouver, British Columbia with her husband.
www.drgrahambooks.com
Bonus Giveaway: Everyone who joins the Graham Crackers Street Team during the Young Adult Reader Appreciation Week September 22-26th, 2014 will be entered into a draw to win a $10.00 Amazon Gift Card.
Check out the books that I will be giving away all this week on Twitter and in the raffle:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Hi Everyone! My name is Danielle. Besides my three-book Young Adult series Brampton Beach, I have two other New Adult projects also releasing soon. The first is a four book series titled Noir et Bleu. The first book is being released by Entangled Publishing this winter.
Excerpt from book 1 of the Noir et Bleu Series: One PercenterBoth sides of my family and their friends are filing down the aisle of the church. To my left, dark suits, expensive shoes, and conservative dresses. To my right, ripped denim, leather vests, and skanky skirts. A row of twenty uniformed cops are standing in wide stances along the back wall shoulder-to-shoulder with their arms folded across their chests.
My push up bra is creating way too much cleavage for a real church, but the Noir et Bleu club support logo that is silk screened across the chest of my white tank top is a necessary show of respect. If God is sitting somewhere up there in the rafters, he’s probably frowning and shaking his head at my trashy funeral attire. There’s no sign of him. Maybe he’s too scared to be here.
One of my dad’s old helmets is displayed on a chair next to me at the altar. My uncle Ronnie set it there so everyone would be reminded who my father was. My mom is sprawled across the bench in the front row to my right. Her blonde hair is matted, her makeup is smeared across her face, and she’s leaning on Uncle Terry’s leg as if she’s the one who’s dead. It’s pathetic in every sense of the word. The fact that everyone on the left side of the church is witnessing it is causing a tingling barfy feeling to creep up my throat. Too bad closing my eyes doesn’t make it all disappear.
The eulogy I wrote is rolled up in my clenched hand and getting soggy from the sweat. I place the curled paper on my lap and wipe my palms on my cut off jean shorts. It’s too hot in here. Shit. If they don’t get this over with soon I’m going to pass out and end up a worse mess than my mom.
Leland just walked in. Now I can’t breathe. The sun from outside is silhouetting his face, but the tailored suit and the way he’s standing confirm that it’s him. To avoid making eye contact with him, I focus on my auntie Elizabeth who is sitting in the front pew to my left – as far away from my mom as possible. She’s crying into her husband Blaine’s linen handkerchief. He smiles at me and mouths, Are you doing okay?
I force my head to nod and stare up at the ceiling to prevent tears from dripping out.
The minister sneaks out of a small door and slides onto a wooden bench behind me. It makes my hands shake, partly because it means we will be starting the service soon, and partly because if he sits there during my speech, he’ll have to stare at my ass in my short shorts the entire time.
My brother’s boyfriend is sitting in the third row sobbing. His parents and sister are several rows behind him and nobody is comforting him. I catch Auntie Elizabeth’s attention and point to the third row. She leans back and waves him forward to join them. He moves and leans against Elizabeth for a hug.
The door at the back opens and the Gyllenhalls walk in.
Aiden is staring at me. Now my entire body is trembling. I can’t swallow. Without breaking eye contact with me, he walks down the aisle. He’s wearing black jeans, motorcycle boots, and a white dress shirt under a leather vest. His sleeve cuffs are rolled up and the collar button is undone. A new tattoo is visible on his neck. He steps aside to let his dad and uncle file into the pew reserved for them directly behind my mom. Then he continues towards me. The church appears to be spinning around him as he walks. The faces and stained glass windows circle in a blur of colour making it look as if he’s in one of those kaleidoscope spy glasses kids play with. He takes the two steps up onto the red-carpeted altar, slides his left hand over mine, and squeezes it tightly. Feeling his skin on mine makes the spinning stop. My eyes close as he leans down. “Sorry, Ti,” he whispers. His right hand slides up by my neck and his lips graze my cheek.
The tears I’ve been blinking back win the battle and drip over my eyelashes.
I also have a single title New Adult book titled RANK releasing soon.
Excerpt from RANK:Tyson Wright, my brother’s best friend, stole a beer out of the cooler. He had a shiner from knocking the bull’s behind when he got thrown, so he squinted at me with one open eye as he said, “I came over to get you. Cole just took a crazy bet.”
“For how much?”
“Double or nothing on his prize money.”
“God damn it. What’s he planning on doing?”
“Ride Freight Train for eight.”
“When?”
“Right now. Before it gets dark.”
I hopped off the tailgate and jogged to the chutes cursing Cole under my breath. The grandstand was empty and there were only a few people still lingering around the edge of the arena fence. The bull named Freight Train was already loaded into a chute and Cole was taping his riding glove around his wrist. I shoved his shoulder. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Ron Miller is going to pay me two thousand dollars to ride one bull.”
“You mean you’re going to pay Ron Miller two thousand dollars to get tossed off one bull. I already told Mom you won.”
“I got this. Don’t worry about it.” He put his black mouth guard in then smiled.
“Freight Train is rank. He ain’t never been ridden. He put four guys in the hospital.”
Cole slapped my shoulder. “You worry too much. Besides, I already shook the man’s hand. Let’s go make some money.”
I shook my head and followed him. The only thing harder than getting Cole to do something he didn’t want to do was stopping him from doing something he did want to do. It was usually easier to just let him do whatever he wanted and clean up the pieces afterwards. We both climbed the chute. It was already loaded with a black hairy mass of bovine muscle that was trying to shoulder its way through the metal rails. “Where are the bullfighters?” I asked.
“This is between me and the bull.”
“Jesus, you’re going to get killed.”
Cole eased himself down onto Freight Train’s back. “Just pull my rope.”
“Cole, come on. This is crazy.”
He looked at me and smiled. “You’ll be thanking me later.”
“I doubt it.” I pushed my boot against Freight Train’s shoulder to get him to move over. Then I pulled the rope as tight as I could.
If you want to be personally notified of the release dates, cover reveals, and publisher giveaways for these titles please send your email via the contact form on my website or sign up for the street team below.
Author: D.R. Graham D.R. Graham is the author of Young Adult and New Adult novels. She worked as a social worker with at-risk youth for seven years before becoming a therapist in private practice. The clients she works with are children and teenagers. Her novels deal with issues relevant to young and new adults in love, transition, or crisis. She is also an award winning columnist for the Richmond News. She currently lives in Vancouver, British Columbia with her husband.
www.drgrahambooks.com
Bonus Giveaway: Everyone who joins the Graham Crackers Street Team during the Young Adult Reader Appreciation Week September 22-26th, 2014 will be entered into a draw to win a $10.00 Amazon Gift Card.
Check out the books that I will be giving away all this week on Twitter and in the raffle:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
September 25, 2014
#YAReaderWeek Throwback Thursday with Tiffany Truitt
I hope you all are enjoying these posts as much as I am! Today I'm hanging out here, with my own Throwback Thursday post. Stop by and say hello, why don't you? :)
I would like to start off by thanking Meradeth for hosting me today! I am so excited she agreed to be a part of the YA Reader Week Blog Hop ☺Now, let’s get to Throwback Thursday. I’ve always loved to write. I’m the type of kid who watched television shows and would make up side characters and my own storylines in my head. Hence, my dream to write for a television show one day. It all started in middle school. I had a 7th grade teacher who pushed the idea of creative writing in her classroom. Every Friday, she gave us the entire class period to write about whatever we wanted. All we had to do was track our progress and turn in one completed story every month. I wrote feverishly. As a teacher myself, I struggle to find a spot in the standardized test centered curriculum for such an experience for my students. I am lucky that I grew up in a time where imagination and creativity were encouraged and expected in the classroom. I don’t know that I would have stuck with writing had I not had such an experience. I then became quite the horror story writer. Inspired by the work of R.L Stine, alongside my friend, Laura, I wrote my own version of the Fear Street Saga. We turned some of them into our own homemade Made for TV Movies. Luckily for me, I think those tapes are long gone. Always a bit of a nerd in middle school, writing was my escape. I could create any world I wanted and be whoever I wanted to be in that world. In high school, I found my people. People who loved to learn and weren’t afraid to admit it. People who could talk hours on end about pop culture. People who embraced the Arts. But, for some reason, my passion for writing dulled. Maybe I was so wrapped up in living life that I didn’t see the point in boxing myself into the world of the written word.
It was teaching that sparked the passion back on. My classroom was filled with low-level struggling readers, and I was constantly on the search for books that would excite them. And so I devoured every YA book I could. And then I wanted to write. I wanted to tell the stories that would pull students back to reading. I wanted to tell the stories that I didn’t think were being told but needed to be. This August, my fourth novel came out, The Language of Silence. And I don’t see myself stopping anytime soon.
BUY LINKS:AmazonBarnes and NobleEvernight TeenAbout the Author: Tiffany Truitt received her MA in literature from Old Dominion University. Her debut Chosen Ones, first in the Lost Souls trilogy, is a searing look at what it means to be other and how we define humanity, as well as a celebration of the dangerously wonderful feeling of falling in love.
I would like to start off by thanking Meradeth for hosting me today! I am so excited she agreed to be a part of the YA Reader Week Blog Hop ☺Now, let’s get to Throwback Thursday. I’ve always loved to write. I’m the type of kid who watched television shows and would make up side characters and my own storylines in my head. Hence, my dream to write for a television show one day. It all started in middle school. I had a 7th grade teacher who pushed the idea of creative writing in her classroom. Every Friday, she gave us the entire class period to write about whatever we wanted. All we had to do was track our progress and turn in one completed story every month. I wrote feverishly. As a teacher myself, I struggle to find a spot in the standardized test centered curriculum for such an experience for my students. I am lucky that I grew up in a time where imagination and creativity were encouraged and expected in the classroom. I don’t know that I would have stuck with writing had I not had such an experience. I then became quite the horror story writer. Inspired by the work of R.L Stine, alongside my friend, Laura, I wrote my own version of the Fear Street Saga. We turned some of them into our own homemade Made for TV Movies. Luckily for me, I think those tapes are long gone. Always a bit of a nerd in middle school, writing was my escape. I could create any world I wanted and be whoever I wanted to be in that world. In high school, I found my people. People who loved to learn and weren’t afraid to admit it. People who could talk hours on end about pop culture. People who embraced the Arts. But, for some reason, my passion for writing dulled. Maybe I was so wrapped up in living life that I didn’t see the point in boxing myself into the world of the written word.
It was teaching that sparked the passion back on. My classroom was filled with low-level struggling readers, and I was constantly on the search for books that would excite them. And so I devoured every YA book I could. And then I wanted to write. I wanted to tell the stories that would pull students back to reading. I wanted to tell the stories that I didn’t think were being told but needed to be. This August, my fourth novel came out, The Language of Silence. And I don’t see myself stopping anytime soon.
BUY LINKS:AmazonBarnes and NobleEvernight TeenAbout the Author: Tiffany Truitt received her MA in literature from Old Dominion University. Her debut Chosen Ones, first in the Lost Souls trilogy, is a searing look at what it means to be other and how we define humanity, as well as a celebration of the dangerously wonderful feeling of falling in love.
September 24, 2014
Women Crush Wednesday with Sasha Hibbs #YAReaderWeek
Today we keep up the fun with Women Crushes! Don't tell me you don't have one :) I'm hanging out here, so be sure to say hello! ALSO, in other AWESOMELY fun news: there's a podcast interview with yours truly here, along with a giveaway, so stop by and have a listen? And maybe spread the word a little, too? :)
Woman Crush Wednesday: Right now, I’m totally crushing on my leading lady in Black Atonement, book 3 of the Vulcan Legacies series. Brandi Frasier aka the Seraph of Love and also nothing short of a blonde snarky bitch. Brandi is introduced in book 1, Black Amaranth, and the reader slowly discovers that Brandi wasn’t always quite so mean hearted and spiteful. You certainly hate her and over a series of grave mistakes, heartbreak and the ultimate sacrifice, you grow to…love her. Brandi is damaged but underneath her tough outer shell, you get a glimpse of the goodness that used to be there. It’s not until Brandi’s faced with the challenge of making a boy love her that she’s forced to hate her her entire life that the reader begins to weep inwardly for her, hoping there’s some kind of happiness she can find after all her misery. Synopsis: The burden of Dave’s girlfriend’s death pushes Brandi, the Seraph of Love, to abduct David Howels hoping she can protect Dave from his murderous father, Ragnar, and also atone for all her sins. Leaving a trail of broken hearts, will Brandi be able to show Dave that all in life is not lost in death? Twists and turns abound as Brandi discovers her own shocking revelation: That Dave has been her soul mate all along.
Separating Dave and herself from their allies on the threshold of the apocalypse, Brandi turns to an old friend for help-a witch-to aid her in her quest to prepare Dave to face his worst fears and her own. Filled with curses, secrets that threaten to destroy everything, Brandi must find forgiveness from within before she can find love with a boy she’s forced to hate her. In the past, healing a broken heart would’ve been easy, but now faced with the task of healing Dave’s broken heart while not exposing her own, Brandi learns why love is truly the greatest gift of all.
Coming September 26th, 2014 from Evernight Teen!
Find Sasha online:
Facebook: Blog: Goodreads: Twitter
Find Black Amaranth:
Amazon: ebook on Amazon: Evernight Teen
Find Black Abaddon
Amazon: ebook on Amazon
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Woman Crush Wednesday: Right now, I’m totally crushing on my leading lady in Black Atonement, book 3 of the Vulcan Legacies series. Brandi Frasier aka the Seraph of Love and also nothing short of a blonde snarky bitch. Brandi is introduced in book 1, Black Amaranth, and the reader slowly discovers that Brandi wasn’t always quite so mean hearted and spiteful. You certainly hate her and over a series of grave mistakes, heartbreak and the ultimate sacrifice, you grow to…love her. Brandi is damaged but underneath her tough outer shell, you get a glimpse of the goodness that used to be there. It’s not until Brandi’s faced with the challenge of making a boy love her that she’s forced to hate her her entire life that the reader begins to weep inwardly for her, hoping there’s some kind of happiness she can find after all her misery. Synopsis: The burden of Dave’s girlfriend’s death pushes Brandi, the Seraph of Love, to abduct David Howels hoping she can protect Dave from his murderous father, Ragnar, and also atone for all her sins. Leaving a trail of broken hearts, will Brandi be able to show Dave that all in life is not lost in death? Twists and turns abound as Brandi discovers her own shocking revelation: That Dave has been her soul mate all along.
Separating Dave and herself from their allies on the threshold of the apocalypse, Brandi turns to an old friend for help-a witch-to aid her in her quest to prepare Dave to face his worst fears and her own. Filled with curses, secrets that threaten to destroy everything, Brandi must find forgiveness from within before she can find love with a boy she’s forced to hate her. In the past, healing a broken heart would’ve been easy, but now faced with the task of healing Dave’s broken heart while not exposing her own, Brandi learns why love is truly the greatest gift of all.
Coming September 26th, 2014 from Evernight Teen!
Find Sasha online:
Facebook: Blog: Goodreads: Twitter
Find Black Amaranth:
Amazon: ebook on Amazon: Evernight Teen
Find Black Abaddon
Amazon: ebook on Amazon
a Rafflecopter giveaway
September 23, 2014
Transformation Tuesday with Kate Birch #YaReaderWeek AND a Cover Reveal for CUPCAKES & KISSES by Heidi Garrett and Billie Limpin
We have another awesome post today, in keeping with this week's hop! I'm hanging out here, so be sure to swing by and say hello, too!
The road to publication is always a difficult one to try map. This is as close as I could come:
Ten-year-old me: Brought my navy-blue notebook to school almost every day during fourth grade and spent all my free time penning (and illustrating) my very first novel.
Sixteen-year-old me: Precocious and sometimes a bit of a slacker in English class. When I didn't finish reading For Whom the Bell Tolls, I thought I'd just make up the essay questions (because I could write a book as well as Hemingway, right?).
Twenty-year-old me: Started writing my first non-grade-school novel. Brought my clipboard with my printed manuscript everywhere I went. Hmmm, maybe not so different from 10-year-old me.
Twenty-one-two-three-four-five-six-seven-eight-nine-year old me: Kept writing. Wrote short stories and essays and poems. Tried writing a novel in three days for the Three-Day-Novel-Writing-Competition-- twice! Realized how good it felt to finish.
Thirty-year-old me: Went to conferences. Wrote and illustrated picture books. Mailed them out. Got rejections. Kept writing. Tried writing a middle grade novel.
Thirty-one-year-old me: Started writing another middle grade novel. Finished it. Tried querying. Got many rejections. Kept writing.
Thirty-two-year-old me: Kept writing. Wrote a YA novel. Got my first essay published.
Thirty-three-year-old me: Tried Querying. Found an agent to who fell in love with my story. Went on submission. Got a lot of rejections. Almost got an offer. Almost. Wrote another YA novel.
Thirty-four-year-old me: Went on submission. Got a lot of rejections. Some almosts. Published my first short-story. Wrote another Middle grade novel.
Thirty-five-year-old me: Went on submission. Got a lot of rejections. Some almosts. Wrote another YA novel. Finally, finally, after all those rejections got a yes! And another yes!
Thirty-six-year-old me: Editing. Editing. Man it felt good to see some of that hard work pay off as two of my novels, DELIVER ME and PERFECTED were published.
Kate Jarvik Birch is a visual artist, author, playwright, daydreamer, and professional procrastinator. As a child, she wanted to grow up to be either a unicorn or mermaid. Luckily, being a writer turned out to be just as magical. Her essays and short stories have been published in literary journals including Indiana Review and Saint Ann's Review. She lives in Salt Lake City, Utah with her husband and three kids. To learn more visitwww.katejarvikbirch.com
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Website | Facebook | Twitter
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Genre: New Adult Paranormal RomanceRelease Date: November 18, 2014
ABOUT Cupcakes & Kisses:
One bite of her luscious cupcakes and you just might fall in love…
Nineteen-year-old Glynna Balcora’s super power is baking. A young witch, she’s lived her entire life tucked away in the quaint city of Spokane, WA with her domineering aunt and sweetheart of a grandmother. It’s not an ideal situation. Although Glynna loves her grandmother dearly, and treasures the special times they spend in their magical greenhouse, Glynna’s aunt keeps her niece on a tight leash using threats of vague enemies.
Since Glynna graduated from high school a few a months ago, her aunt’s be-home-before-dark curfew seems more ridiculous every day. It isn’t doing much for the young witch’s social life, either. With encouragement from her best friend, Glynna sneaks out one night to go to a bonfire party at the lake. There she has an unexpected encounter with Spokane’s most eligible bachelor, Ashton Bass. Glynna’s been crushing on Ashton since she was five years old. But when they share their first kiss, thunderstorms and lightning follow… and Glynna’s aunt realizes it’s time to tell the young witch the truth about who she really is.
Cupcakes & Kisses is the first book in a playful New Adult Romance trilogy…
Excerpt:
I race toward Kristeen’s burgundy Jeep Cherokee as if I can control the noise level blasting from her vehicle with speed. I can’t. Oops! Geez. I knew I should have tied my shoelaces, but there was no time. Now, I’m sprawled in the middle of the road. The bass booms, vibrating through my body as I pull myself back up. The beam from the jeep’s off-road lights flood the entire block, and I’m in the spotlight.
My excitement from moments before grinds into full-on panic. I’ve finally mustered the courage to escape my Aunt Ophelia enforced Rapunzel tower… and now, this! God of Cupcakes. Maybe it’s a sign I should have stayed home and finished my latest Colleen Hoover novel.
No! If I let a little spill like this stop me, I’m never going to get a life outside of the bakery.
Back on my feet, I duck as much to avoid the glare, as to avoid being caught by my tyrannical aunt. When I jerk open the passenger door, my friend is oblivious, rocking away to Nirvana’s “Smells like Teen Spirit”.
“Kristeen!”
Arms parallel to the dash board, she gyrates in the jeep’s front seat. “Hey, chica.”
“Turn the grunge metal—down!” I wave my hand as if it’s on fire.
“Excuse me? Just because Kurt Cobain is anti-pink—”
“Please, just get me out of here.”
“What’s up?” Kristeen peels out, tires squealing.
“Probably my aunt, thanks to you.”
“Oh, did Glynna whip up some grumpy cupcakes for dessert tonight?”
I’ve never confessed I’m a witch to my BFF, but she knows there’s a little something extra in my cupcakes, and she likes to tease. I ignore her jibe and sink into the ripped leather seat with my arms over my head. As if that will save me if my aunt saw Kristeen’s jeep hauling ass down our street. “Next time, why don’t you just knock on the front door and tell Ophelia I climbed out my bedroom window?” My friend rolls her eyes. “How many times have I spent the night with you, and no matter what we did, or how much noise we made, she never woke up. That woman could sleep through a zombie apocalypse. Besides, that be-home-before-dark curfew is like something out of the dark ages.”
She’s right, but what am I supposed to do about it? My aunt might be a deep sleeper, but until her head hits the pillow, she’s a drill sergeant. “I know.”
“And you also know you’re a scaredy cat for not standing up to her, right?”
“Sure.” I concede.
Ophelia is formidable. Especially when it comes to protecting me from the dangers which going out after dark exposes me to. Dangers Ophelia implies are connected to my baking magic cupcakes. But she’s never been specific about what those dangers are. Kristeen’s prodding goads my curiosity. Do I have the courage to make a stand? Probably not, just the thought of demanding answers from Auntie O makes my bravado shrivel.
Goodreads
~ About the Authors ~
Heidi Garrett is the author of the Daughter of Light series, a fantasy about a young half-faerie, half-mortal searching for her place in the Whole. She's also the author of the contemporary fairy tale novella collection, Once Upon a Time Today. In these stand-alone retellings of popular and obscure fairy tales, adult characters navigate the deep woods of the modern landscape to find their Happily Ever Afters.
Heidi is collaborating with Billie Limpin to write The Magic Cupcake series, a special blend of magic, romance, and humor.
Heidi was born in Texas, and in an attempt to reside in as many cities in that state as she could, made it to Houston, Lubbock, Austin, and El Paso. She now lives in Eastern Washington state with her husband, their two cats, her laptop, and her Kindle. Being from the South, she often contemplates the magic of snow.
Website | Facebook | Pinterest | Newsletter
Billie Limpin lives in the Philippines where the sun always shines and people always smile!
A hopeless romantic inside and out, when Billie’s not swooning over a book boyfriend (which she often does!), you’ll probably catch her daydreaming (over a fictional character!). A reader by heart, and now a writer for the first time, she’s thrilled to put her daydreams into written words.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest
~ Giveaway ~a Rafflecopter giveaway
The road to publication is always a difficult one to try map. This is as close as I could come:
Ten-year-old me: Brought my navy-blue notebook to school almost every day during fourth grade and spent all my free time penning (and illustrating) my very first novel.
Sixteen-year-old me: Precocious and sometimes a bit of a slacker in English class. When I didn't finish reading For Whom the Bell Tolls, I thought I'd just make up the essay questions (because I could write a book as well as Hemingway, right?).
Twenty-year-old me: Started writing my first non-grade-school novel. Brought my clipboard with my printed manuscript everywhere I went. Hmmm, maybe not so different from 10-year-old me.
Twenty-one-two-three-four-five-six-seven-eight-nine-year old me: Kept writing. Wrote short stories and essays and poems. Tried writing a novel in three days for the Three-Day-Novel-Writing-Competition-- twice! Realized how good it felt to finish.
Thirty-year-old me: Went to conferences. Wrote and illustrated picture books. Mailed them out. Got rejections. Kept writing. Tried writing a middle grade novel.
Thirty-one-year-old me: Started writing another middle grade novel. Finished it. Tried querying. Got many rejections. Kept writing.
Thirty-two-year-old me: Kept writing. Wrote a YA novel. Got my first essay published.
Thirty-three-year-old me: Tried Querying. Found an agent to who fell in love with my story. Went on submission. Got a lot of rejections. Almost got an offer. Almost. Wrote another YA novel.
Thirty-four-year-old me: Went on submission. Got a lot of rejections. Some almosts. Published my first short-story. Wrote another Middle grade novel.
Thirty-five-year-old me: Went on submission. Got a lot of rejections. Some almosts. Wrote another YA novel. Finally, finally, after all those rejections got a yes! And another yes!
Thirty-six-year-old me: Editing. Editing. Man it felt good to see some of that hard work pay off as two of my novels, DELIVER ME and PERFECTED were published.
Kate Jarvik Birch is a visual artist, author, playwright, daydreamer, and professional procrastinator. As a child, she wanted to grow up to be either a unicorn or mermaid. Luckily, being a writer turned out to be just as magical. Her essays and short stories have been published in literary journals including Indiana Review and Saint Ann's Review. She lives in Salt Lake City, Utah with her husband and three kids. To learn more visitwww.katejarvikbirch.comAmazon | Barnes & Noble | Website | Facebook | Twitter
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Genre: New Adult Paranormal RomanceRelease Date: November 18, 2014
ABOUT Cupcakes & Kisses:
One bite of her luscious cupcakes and you just might fall in love…
Nineteen-year-old Glynna Balcora’s super power is baking. A young witch, she’s lived her entire life tucked away in the quaint city of Spokane, WA with her domineering aunt and sweetheart of a grandmother. It’s not an ideal situation. Although Glynna loves her grandmother dearly, and treasures the special times they spend in their magical greenhouse, Glynna’s aunt keeps her niece on a tight leash using threats of vague enemies.
Since Glynna graduated from high school a few a months ago, her aunt’s be-home-before-dark curfew seems more ridiculous every day. It isn’t doing much for the young witch’s social life, either. With encouragement from her best friend, Glynna sneaks out one night to go to a bonfire party at the lake. There she has an unexpected encounter with Spokane’s most eligible bachelor, Ashton Bass. Glynna’s been crushing on Ashton since she was five years old. But when they share their first kiss, thunderstorms and lightning follow… and Glynna’s aunt realizes it’s time to tell the young witch the truth about who she really is.
Cupcakes & Kisses is the first book in a playful New Adult Romance trilogy…
Excerpt:
I race toward Kristeen’s burgundy Jeep Cherokee as if I can control the noise level blasting from her vehicle with speed. I can’t. Oops! Geez. I knew I should have tied my shoelaces, but there was no time. Now, I’m sprawled in the middle of the road. The bass booms, vibrating through my body as I pull myself back up. The beam from the jeep’s off-road lights flood the entire block, and I’m in the spotlight.
My excitement from moments before grinds into full-on panic. I’ve finally mustered the courage to escape my Aunt Ophelia enforced Rapunzel tower… and now, this! God of Cupcakes. Maybe it’s a sign I should have stayed home and finished my latest Colleen Hoover novel.
No! If I let a little spill like this stop me, I’m never going to get a life outside of the bakery.
Back on my feet, I duck as much to avoid the glare, as to avoid being caught by my tyrannical aunt. When I jerk open the passenger door, my friend is oblivious, rocking away to Nirvana’s “Smells like Teen Spirit”.
“Kristeen!”
Arms parallel to the dash board, she gyrates in the jeep’s front seat. “Hey, chica.”
“Turn the grunge metal—down!” I wave my hand as if it’s on fire.
“Excuse me? Just because Kurt Cobain is anti-pink—”
“Please, just get me out of here.”
“What’s up?” Kristeen peels out, tires squealing.
“Probably my aunt, thanks to you.”
“Oh, did Glynna whip up some grumpy cupcakes for dessert tonight?”
I’ve never confessed I’m a witch to my BFF, but she knows there’s a little something extra in my cupcakes, and she likes to tease. I ignore her jibe and sink into the ripped leather seat with my arms over my head. As if that will save me if my aunt saw Kristeen’s jeep hauling ass down our street. “Next time, why don’t you just knock on the front door and tell Ophelia I climbed out my bedroom window?” My friend rolls her eyes. “How many times have I spent the night with you, and no matter what we did, or how much noise we made, she never woke up. That woman could sleep through a zombie apocalypse. Besides, that be-home-before-dark curfew is like something out of the dark ages.”
She’s right, but what am I supposed to do about it? My aunt might be a deep sleeper, but until her head hits the pillow, she’s a drill sergeant. “I know.”
“And you also know you’re a scaredy cat for not standing up to her, right?”
“Sure.” I concede.
Ophelia is formidable. Especially when it comes to protecting me from the dangers which going out after dark exposes me to. Dangers Ophelia implies are connected to my baking magic cupcakes. But she’s never been specific about what those dangers are. Kristeen’s prodding goads my curiosity. Do I have the courage to make a stand? Probably not, just the thought of demanding answers from Auntie O makes my bravado shrivel.
Goodreads
~ About the Authors ~
Heidi Garrett is the author of the Daughter of Light series, a fantasy about a young half-faerie, half-mortal searching for her place in the Whole. She's also the author of the contemporary fairy tale novella collection, Once Upon a Time Today. In these stand-alone retellings of popular and obscure fairy tales, adult characters navigate the deep woods of the modern landscape to find their Happily Ever Afters.Heidi is collaborating with Billie Limpin to write The Magic Cupcake series, a special blend of magic, romance, and humor.
Heidi was born in Texas, and in an attempt to reside in as many cities in that state as she could, made it to Houston, Lubbock, Austin, and El Paso. She now lives in Eastern Washington state with her husband, their two cats, her laptop, and her Kindle. Being from the South, she often contemplates the magic of snow.
Website | Facebook | Pinterest | Newsletter
Billie Limpin lives in the Philippines where the sun always shines and people always smile!A hopeless romantic inside and out, when Billie’s not swooning over a book boyfriend (which she often does!), you’ll probably catch her daydreaming (over a fictional character!). A reader by heart, and now a writer for the first time, she’s thrilled to put her daydreams into written words.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest
~ Giveaway ~a Rafflecopter giveaway
September 22, 2014
Man Crush Monday with Sasha Hibbs for #YAReaderWeek
Welcome to YA Reader Week! There's going to be some seriously fun posts around the interwebs this week, and I'm happy to be hosting five awesome authors here! Today we're talking man crushes, and if you're curious what I'd pick, check it out here! Today we have Sasha Hibbs:
Man Crush Monday: Oh shoot! I’m in the middle of a series with the first two out and the third slated for release Sept 26th. I’ve got 3 leading males. No worries, though! This isn’t a love quadrangle ☺ I simply feature a different leading male in each title. Book 1 of the Vulcan Legacies, Black Amaranth:Michael Blackwell: Sweet Michael. He’s the boy next door raised up right by his grandmother and happens to be secretly in love with Ally Watson, girl next door also known as Azrael aka the Angel of Death. Why do I love Michael? He’s swoon-worthy in a good guy-always-does-the-right-thing-sacrifices-for-the-girl-he-loves kind of guy. He’s my ultimate man crush!Meet Michael: (Teaser one from Black Amaranth)Ally couldn’t budge. “Michael?” She looked up, knowing hewould fix this, but when she met his eyes, her breath caught in theback of her throat. Heat spread up through her face as his blue eyesbored into hers. The Michael staring at her now wasn’t looking at heras friends look at one another, but as something much different: as aman who looks, really looks, at a woman.(Teaser two from Black Amaranth) Belle placed herself in front of Michael, blocking Ally andsaid, “Mr. Blackwell, for a human, you are a curious thing. Even themost powerful of us wouldn’t rush off into the arms of Death.”“With all due respect, ma’am, her name is Ally, and that’swho she’ll always be to me,” Michael said as he looked down at BelleCrow. They sized each other up, their gazes intense.Belle stepped in closer to Michael, tilting her head to one sideand narrowing her eyes as she said, “We might all be saved yet, boy.”And then she stepped to the side and allowed him to pass by her.
Book 2 of the Vulcan Legacies series, Black Abaddon:Marik, Prince Regent of the Nosferatu Nation: Marik is the silent hero in book 2 that sneaks up on you and grabs your bleeding heart. Why do I love Marik? Because he’s the devil-in-disguise-turned-angel-in-disguise-makes-you-want-to-wrap-him-in-your-arms-and-make-everything-better-for-his-broken-heart kind of guy. He’s my total dark and deadly man crush!Meet Marik: (teaser one from book 2, Black Abaddon)Ally didn’t move away as Marik scooted across the cell floorcloser to her. The only things separating them were the thick steelbars. Ally truly had no fear left. It was simply gone.“Was there truth to anything you ever said to me? Or was itthe Devourer the entire time masked as you?” Ally asked.Marik reached through the bars, gently brushing his fingertipsagainst Ally’s hand.She didn’t jerk away. She looked down to where his skintouched hers. Ally looked back up, as a single crimson red tear sliddown his cheek.“The Authority help me, but I never lied about the way I feltand still feel about you.”(Teaser two from Black Abaddon)He rested his forehead against hers, one hand cupping her face, the otherfirmly pressed into the small of her back. He whispered, “I love you.”Ally brought his lips crashing down on hers. She was lost. Theworld was coming to an end, the thunderous cracks of earthquakesshattering the ground below. She clung to Marik for dear life, gavehim everything she had, holding nothing back.Marik cupped the back of her head, his fingers through herhair, his lips moving over hers in a rapturous kiss. In that moment, inthat very kiss, they both gave into their pain, their hurt, their longing.They gave each other everything they had, two broken souls seekingeach other out for the end of the world.
Book 3 of the Vulcan Legacies series, Black Atonement: (Coming Sept 26th!)David Howels, recently turned Nashoba aka werewolf: Dave, my sweet, sweet, Dave. He’s the fun loving, goofy guy who met with a terrible fate that left him jaded and in the arms of a girl who has forced him to hate her. No pressure there for her to be the one to fix him. Why do I love Dave? Because he’s the sweet-innocent-the-world-dealt-him-a-cruel-hand-now-his-shattered-heart-needs-fixed-by-a-hateful-bitch-that-turns-out-to-be-awesome-and-he’s-just-that-perfect kind of guy. Dave undergoes such a transformation in this series, he’s my soul singing man crush. Meet Dave: (teaser one from book 3, Black Atonement)“How do you do it?” Dave said, his voice low. “Do what?” Brandi asked, tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. “Turn off your emotions. How do you not care? How do you cope? How did you get this way?” Dave asked. “I’ve had years of practice,” Brandi said. She wanted so badly to tell Dave the truth, but she couldn’t undo in a few days the damage she’d created over the course of several years. “How did you turn out like this?” Dave asked. Brandi lowered herself on the bed and stared up at the ceiling. There were a million answers running around in her head, but she didn’t say anything. There was no point trying to reason with someone who had only ever known her as the damaged Seraph she was. “It’s late, Dave. We need to rest and prepare for the long trip ahead of us tomorrow.” “I want to know. If you’re going to teach me how to turn off what I’m feeling now so I can be like you, I want to understand how you became like you are,” Dave said. (Teaser two from Black Atonement) “Do I know you?” Dave asked, the corners of his lips turning up into a smile. “Perhaps in a previous life we knew each other,” Brandi said, the truth painful. “What were we in our previous lives?” Dave asked. “Hmm…I don’t know,” Brandi said leaning in closer to Dave. “I know,” Dave said, twirling her out and then bringing her in closer and closer. “I was a composer and you were a ballerina, my little dancer.” “A ballerina?” Brandi said, arching a brow and smiling at him unconvinced. “Sure. I wrote music, not just any music, but I strung together sounds and melodies so great, they would have matched Amadeus, and they were written just for you. I can see you, a dress as elegant as the lines of your body. You’re in the distance, a soft spotlight framing your tiny figure, you gliding across the stage gracefully…a little ballerina. My little ballerina,” Dave said, his voice dropping an octave. 
Find Sasha online:
Facebook: Blog: Goodreads: Twitter
Find Black Amaranth:
Amazon: ebook on Amazon: Evernight Teen
Find Black Abaddon
Amazon: ebook on Amazon
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Man Crush Monday: Oh shoot! I’m in the middle of a series with the first two out and the third slated for release Sept 26th. I’ve got 3 leading males. No worries, though! This isn’t a love quadrangle ☺ I simply feature a different leading male in each title. Book 1 of the Vulcan Legacies, Black Amaranth:Michael Blackwell: Sweet Michael. He’s the boy next door raised up right by his grandmother and happens to be secretly in love with Ally Watson, girl next door also known as Azrael aka the Angel of Death. Why do I love Michael? He’s swoon-worthy in a good guy-always-does-the-right-thing-sacrifices-for-the-girl-he-loves kind of guy. He’s my ultimate man crush!Meet Michael: (Teaser one from Black Amaranth)Ally couldn’t budge. “Michael?” She looked up, knowing hewould fix this, but when she met his eyes, her breath caught in theback of her throat. Heat spread up through her face as his blue eyesbored into hers. The Michael staring at her now wasn’t looking at heras friends look at one another, but as something much different: as aman who looks, really looks, at a woman.(Teaser two from Black Amaranth) Belle placed herself in front of Michael, blocking Ally andsaid, “Mr. Blackwell, for a human, you are a curious thing. Even themost powerful of us wouldn’t rush off into the arms of Death.”“With all due respect, ma’am, her name is Ally, and that’swho she’ll always be to me,” Michael said as he looked down at BelleCrow. They sized each other up, their gazes intense.Belle stepped in closer to Michael, tilting her head to one sideand narrowing her eyes as she said, “We might all be saved yet, boy.”And then she stepped to the side and allowed him to pass by her.
Book 2 of the Vulcan Legacies series, Black Abaddon:Marik, Prince Regent of the Nosferatu Nation: Marik is the silent hero in book 2 that sneaks up on you and grabs your bleeding heart. Why do I love Marik? Because he’s the devil-in-disguise-turned-angel-in-disguise-makes-you-want-to-wrap-him-in-your-arms-and-make-everything-better-for-his-broken-heart kind of guy. He’s my total dark and deadly man crush!Meet Marik: (teaser one from book 2, Black Abaddon)Ally didn’t move away as Marik scooted across the cell floorcloser to her. The only things separating them were the thick steelbars. Ally truly had no fear left. It was simply gone.“Was there truth to anything you ever said to me? Or was itthe Devourer the entire time masked as you?” Ally asked.Marik reached through the bars, gently brushing his fingertipsagainst Ally’s hand.She didn’t jerk away. She looked down to where his skintouched hers. Ally looked back up, as a single crimson red tear sliddown his cheek.“The Authority help me, but I never lied about the way I feltand still feel about you.”(Teaser two from Black Abaddon)He rested his forehead against hers, one hand cupping her face, the otherfirmly pressed into the small of her back. He whispered, “I love you.”Ally brought his lips crashing down on hers. She was lost. Theworld was coming to an end, the thunderous cracks of earthquakesshattering the ground below. She clung to Marik for dear life, gavehim everything she had, holding nothing back.Marik cupped the back of her head, his fingers through herhair, his lips moving over hers in a rapturous kiss. In that moment, inthat very kiss, they both gave into their pain, their hurt, their longing.They gave each other everything they had, two broken souls seekingeach other out for the end of the world.
Book 3 of the Vulcan Legacies series, Black Atonement: (Coming Sept 26th!)David Howels, recently turned Nashoba aka werewolf: Dave, my sweet, sweet, Dave. He’s the fun loving, goofy guy who met with a terrible fate that left him jaded and in the arms of a girl who has forced him to hate her. No pressure there for her to be the one to fix him. Why do I love Dave? Because he’s the sweet-innocent-the-world-dealt-him-a-cruel-hand-now-his-shattered-heart-needs-fixed-by-a-hateful-bitch-that-turns-out-to-be-awesome-and-he’s-just-that-perfect kind of guy. Dave undergoes such a transformation in this series, he’s my soul singing man crush. Meet Dave: (teaser one from book 3, Black Atonement)“How do you do it?” Dave said, his voice low. “Do what?” Brandi asked, tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. “Turn off your emotions. How do you not care? How do you cope? How did you get this way?” Dave asked. “I’ve had years of practice,” Brandi said. She wanted so badly to tell Dave the truth, but she couldn’t undo in a few days the damage she’d created over the course of several years. “How did you turn out like this?” Dave asked. Brandi lowered herself on the bed and stared up at the ceiling. There were a million answers running around in her head, but she didn’t say anything. There was no point trying to reason with someone who had only ever known her as the damaged Seraph she was. “It’s late, Dave. We need to rest and prepare for the long trip ahead of us tomorrow.” “I want to know. If you’re going to teach me how to turn off what I’m feeling now so I can be like you, I want to understand how you became like you are,” Dave said. (Teaser two from Black Atonement) “Do I know you?” Dave asked, the corners of his lips turning up into a smile. “Perhaps in a previous life we knew each other,” Brandi said, the truth painful. “What were we in our previous lives?” Dave asked. “Hmm…I don’t know,” Brandi said leaning in closer to Dave. “I know,” Dave said, twirling her out and then bringing her in closer and closer. “I was a composer and you were a ballerina, my little dancer.” “A ballerina?” Brandi said, arching a brow and smiling at him unconvinced. “Sure. I wrote music, not just any music, but I strung together sounds and melodies so great, they would have matched Amadeus, and they were written just for you. I can see you, a dress as elegant as the lines of your body. You’re in the distance, a soft spotlight framing your tiny figure, you gliding across the stage gracefully…a little ballerina. My little ballerina,” Dave said, his voice dropping an octave. Find Sasha online:
Facebook: Blog: Goodreads: Twitter
Find Black Amaranth:
Amazon: ebook on Amazon: Evernight Teen
Find Black Abaddon
Amazon: ebook on Amazon
a Rafflecopter giveaway
September 21, 2014
Kiss Of Death by Kelly Hashway: Download it now for FREE!
Kelly is one of those awesome authors who is always willing to lend a hand in all kinds of fun. And her books are truly amazing, so I'm highlighting one of them here today because if you haven't had a chance to check it out yet, you're going to love it!
http://www.kellyhashway.com
Kiss of Death: Young Adult Paranormal Prequel Novella to the Touch of Death Series. This book is told from Alex's POV.
Want to know Alex's story and what he was like before he met Jodi? Now you can. Download it FREE here.
http://www.kellyhashway.com
Kiss of Death: Young Adult Paranormal Prequel Novella to the Touch of Death Series. This book is told from Alex's POV.
Want to know Alex's story and what he was like before he met Jodi? Now you can. Download it FREE here.
September 19, 2014
Spotlight on: LOVE IN A SMALL TOWN
Love in a Small Town: Ten Homespun and Heartwarming Contemporary Romances (Crimson Romance Bundle)
Amazon / B&N / Kobo / iTunes
California Sunset: Casey DawesDivorced mother Annie Gerhard meets rugged new bookstore owner John Johnson at the worst possible time in her life. Her high tech company is threatening to lay her off if she doesn’t move from California to New Jersey and her 15-year-old son David is causing trouble. The recession has hit Silicon Valley hard and there are no jobs for a middle manager, even if she hates what she does. And this is no time for romance, no matter how good the man looks in his jeans.
John has escaped Montana memories of a deceased wife and betraying girlfriend by buying an independent bookstore in California. He’s got bigger problems than falling for a spunky woman with control issues. Keeping a bookstore afloat in a recession and finding a home where he can stable his horse are all he can handle right now.
Unless . . .
John and Annie must both face their pasts in order to greet the future. Can they risk it?
Contemporary romance author Casey Dawes is an award-winning writer who believes in Casey Dawes contemporary romance authorthe power of friendship and love to change lives. Her novels are filled with real-life situations where people discover how to change their lives for the better to achieve real love.Living in the beautiful state of Montana gives Casey and her husband plenty of opportunity to hike, camp, and photograph scenery, animals, and birds. When weather keeps her in, Casey also enjoys quilting, knitting, and cooking.
Slow Ride: Kat MorriseyKyla O'Grady hit the gas and drove her Mustang out of Rock River, Pennsylvania with one goal in mind: find somewhere to start over. Her life had gone sideways back home and Kyla needs something new, something fresh, and she needs to find the music again. But on a stretch of road off the coast of Maine, her car has other ideas. Broken down just inside the town limits of Ashten Falls, Maine, Kyla is stranded.
Cooper Moretto has a problem. In fact, the whole town of Ashten Falls has a problem in the form of a corrupt town official. Cooper had enough on his plate to last a lifetime, but on a stretch of highway heading into the town he spots a '67 Mustang Coupe and does what any decent mechanic would do: stop to help. But getting this car back on the road is the last thing on his mind when he sees its owner, singing as if she weren’t in the middle of nowhere.
Kyla is speeding away from her past, unsure how to move forward. Cooper has been on cruise control, just hoping to get through every day without being arrested or harassed. Can the two slow down long enough to see that maybe the answers to both their problems lie in each other? And can they survive when enemies that are lurking in the shadows try to destroy them both?
Kat Morrisey lives in a small town in central New York State where she splits her time between her family, her jobs as both teacher and lawyer, and the fictional characters she writes about. She can often be heard on social media talking about a wide range of topics, including Highlanders, book boyfriends, happily ever afters, Jane Austen, hockey, fictional characters, men with beards, and of course, zombies. She loves to hear from readers and can be found on twitter, @KatMorrisey, and Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/KatMorriseyAuthor
Coming Home: Christine S. FeldmanNo woman ever really forgets her first love. Callie Sorenson is no exception. Hers was tall, tanned, and - as her older brother’s best friend - completely off limits.
Danny McCutcheon.
It’s a name that Callie hasn’t spoken in years, even if the man to whom it belongs has never really been all that far from her thoughts. Or her heart. But now a twist of fate will bring her back to the childhood home she left behind years ago, and to the hometown boy for whom she secretly longed.
When her mother takes a bad fall and breaks her hip, Callie leaves the bright lights of New York City to fly back west and help with the rehabilitation. It’s a tense homecoming due to a long time estrangement between mother and daughter, and it drives Callie to confront both a painful personal loss and her unanswered questions about the father who abandoned her when she was just a child. It also brings her face to face with Danny again, and Callie quickly realizes that old feelings die hard.
But for Danny, it’s new feelings that are a problem. Callie is not the young girl he remembers but a woman now, and a very desirable one. They both have reasons to fight the growing attraction between them, but the temptation may just prove to be too much to resist, despite some very real risk to their hearts. The past casts a long shadow over the future, though, and Callie will have to overcome it or else face losing the one man who means the most to her.
Christine S. Feldman writes both novels and feature-length screenplays, and she has placed in screenwriting competitions on both coasts. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her ballroom-dancing husband and their beagle.
Begin Again: Christy NewtonWhat if one night changed your life forever?
Maisie Scott lost not only her husband and unborn child in a tornado two years ago, she lost her will to live. Keeping busy is the only way she can get by. This small town waitress won't let herself get attached to anyone . . . until Ryan, the new veterinarian for exotic animals, starts making regular trips to her diner. As hard as she tries not to feel anything, Ryan ignites a spark in her broken heart.
Ryan Tucker craves a happy family of his own more than his momma’s apple pie. Getting over his fiancée leaving him six months ago, he moves to Pleasant Valley for a fresh start. When he meets Maisie and notices the sadness in her eyes, he is determined to put a smile on her pretty face.
When another dangerous storm hits, Ryan stays by Maisie's side. She fills the missing piece in his heart, but will Ryan share his secret? Can Maisie move on from the past and learn to begin again?
Christy Newton is a hopeless romantic and writes many genres of romance. She just might be the only author out there that doesn’t drink caffeine, but dark chocolate is her must have. She falls in love with each of her heroes and hopes you will too! Learn more about her at www.christynewton.com, on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Christy-Newton/359791990763912, and on Twitter @CNewtonAuthor.
Lake Effect: Johannah BrysonShelby Aylesworth knows what real love feels like. She also knows the pain of losing that kind of love. With her faithful collie dog, Norman, she takes refuge on Whiskey Island to try to put her life back together. When Norman arranges a most unusual introduction to the island’s newest resident, Shelby finds herself wondering if it isn’t time to stop grieving and start living.
Wyeth Packard has come to Whiskey Island under the guise of restoring and making profitable an old vineyard and manor house. What he really wants is some peace and quiet away from the fast pace of NYC. Being considered one of the city’s most eligible has thrown him into the path of every gold digging society princess out there. He longs to find a balance but has given up on ever finding a woman who will love him for who he is, not what he has.
Together they navigate the slippery slope of what it means to begin again. Can a new love fill the void left by an old love?
Johannah Bryson lives in NE Ohio, near the shores of fabulous Lake Erie. In addition to writing she’s also a Certified Personal Chef. She shares her home with her husband, a ten year old collie and a three year old Border collie. When she’s not writing or cooking, she and her husband love to explore the amazing food and music scene of Cleveland and the surrounding area. She loves to hear from her readers: johannahbryson@gmail.com
All About Charming Alice: J. Arlene CulinerAlice Treemont has given up hope of meeting the right man and falling in love. Living in depopulated Blake’s Folly, a community of rusting cars, clapboard shacks and thirsty weeds, she cooks vegetarian meals, rescues unwanted dogs and protects the most unloved creatures on earth: snakes. What man would share those interests? Certainly not Jace Constant whose life in Chicago includes elegant women, fine dining and contemporary art. He’s in Nevada doing research for his new book but definitely won’t be staying: he hates the desert’s bleakness, the dust on his fine leather shoes and the dog hair on his cashmere sweaters. As for snakes — they terrify him.
So why does the air sizzle each time Alice and Jace meet? Why are they so fascinated by each other? Their feelings might go deeper than raw desire, but any long-term relationship is clearly doomed.
In need of juicy gossip, the other 52 residents of Blake's Folly have decided Alice has been alone for long enough. The attraction between her and Jace is so obvious, why worry about differences? If you trust in love, solutions do appear. But don’t those solutions call for too many compromises, too much self-sacrifice?
Born in New York, raised in Toronto, J.Arlene Culiner has spent most of her life in England, Germany, Turkey, Greece, Hungary and the Sahara but now resides in a 300-year-old former inn in a French village of no real interest. Much to everyone’s dismay, she rescues and protects all living creatures — especially spiders, bats and snakes; her wild (or wildlife) garden is a classified butterfly and bird reserve. She can be found at: www.j-arleneculiner.com and at: www.jill-culiner.com
Broken Wings, Soaring Hearts: Beverly A. RogersHailey Holman is a woman determined to keep her dad's memory and his dream of reopening their small-town Texas base station alive. Jack Stinson is looking for a peaceful place to escape the rat race of the big city life and big city business of his own family's airplane manufacturing business.
What a perfect match. Other than the fact that her mom hates the flying business with a passion and fights Hailey's every effort, and Jack's dad fought his every effort to make the break, then disowned him for leaving. Throw in two town bullies who insist on opening a base station of their own and reeking havoc on Hailey's plans and her own determination not to get personally involved with the employees, and it's anything but smooth sailing.
But these two focused pilots might just be surprised how things can work out with enough stubbornness . . . and faith.
Beverly A. Rogers is a Texas girl who writes with a heart as big as the Lone Star State. Her idea of a romantic man isn't someone who will promise her the moon and the stars. It's someone who will walk on the beach holding her hand, watching the moon and the stars from her eyes . . . and never complain about sand in his boots. Learn more about Bev at www.BeverlyARogers.com.
Charmed: Inés SaintJamie Sullivan is a fun-loving, widowed mother of twin five-year old boys. A creative goldsmith with her own line of designer charms, she is determined to forge her own unique brand of success. Jamie guards a painful secret that leads her to be emphatic about not letting a man into her life.
Nick Grey is the gorgeous, charming, and daydream-inducing headmaster of the private elementary school Jamie's children will attend. After single-handedly bringing up his daughter while earning his doctorate and proving himself to the school's board of directors and the community, he feels burned out. Come the end of the semester, Nick is taking a year off to travel the world.
When they meet, an instant attraction blazes through both. Nick and Jamie soon find their hardearned peace of mind threatened by meddling matchmakers, old rivalries, and children who can't keep their feet out of their mouths. But Nick's not interested in starting over and raising kids again, and Jamie's sure she can't trust her heart. Will they be able to nurture their friendship and attraction into something that can last forever?
Ines was born in Zaragoza, Spain and have moved approximately twenty times. I went to school in New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Puerto Rico and I'm bilingual and bicultural. I've spent the last ten years raising my fun, inspiring little boys and sharing my life with the man I'd always dreamed of. My greatest joys are spending time with family and close friends and coming up with characters and interesting situations.
Angel Without Wings: Mari ManningA war widow at twenty-six, Linnea Reyes is haunted by the soul-shattering fight she had with her husband just before he led his detachment into the ambush that killed him. When one of the wounded soldiers from her husbands battalion asks her to help save his family’s farm, she jumps at the chance for redemption. Unfortunately, she runs straight into a six-foot roadblock – the soldier's older brother who has plans of his own.After resigning from a promising army career to help his mother and wounded brother, Jesse McCormick is at the lowest point in his life. Now they are about to lose the family's organic farm and only one plan will earn him enough money to get his family out of debt and him off the farm – a dangerous assignment with a paramilitary group. He can brush aside the protests of his worried family, but the good intentions of Linnea Reyes prove to be more than he can handle.
Angel Without Wings is Mari Manning’s second book from Crimson Romance. She has always loved small towns and romance … and writing. The result is Angel Without Wings and her first book, Holding Out for a Hero. Mari has finaled in several contests, including the Golden Claddagh and the RWA Valley of the Sun’s Hot Prospects contest. She is also a member of RWA and the Chicago North Chapter for which she serves on the board. Currently Mari is working on a three-part series of romantic suspense set in the hill country of Texas and, in her spare time, blogging at www.marimanning.com.
Breaking the Rules: Melinda DozierA forbidden love affair in the past has led Hope Robinson, a middle school principal, to Harbor Bay, Florida, where she commits herself to play by the rules. This can be difficult for a perpetual klutz, who—even strapped in a cast—has to uphold a competent attitude at all times.
Luckily, she has Dr. Colin Calaway on her side, a widower and father of a student, who is ready to give love another try. When Colin convinces Hope they should explore the connection between them, a steamy romance develops, though it could destroy them both. They must decide if their jobs—and their hearts—are worth the risk.
Melinda lives in Guatemala, Central America with her husband and three boys. She teaches English to middle schoolers during the day and finds time to write at night. Melinda has always been an avid reader and writer, enjoys watching reality tv, blogs, and relaxes with Zynga games. You can find Melinda at www.melindadozier.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/melinda.dozier
BUY LINKS:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Love-Small-Town-Heartwarming-Contemporary-ebook/dp/B00MR5ZQ2S/ref=sr_1_5?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1409590999&sr=1-5&keywords=melinda+dozierB&N: comingKobo: comingiTunes: coming
Crimson Romance: http://www.crimsonromance.com/contemporary-romance-novels/love-small-town-10-homespun-heartwarming-contemporary-romances/
September 15, 2014
Kicking off the awesome #YAReaderWeek with prizes and an awesome blog hop!
It probably goes without saying that authors adore readers. Not just because they drive our book sales (though we do enjoy that part as well), but we love them because they inspire us in so many ways. Whether it’s great book discussions on twitter or awe-inspiring, witty book reviews on blogs, readers let authors know that all those countless, caffeine fueled hours of staring at a blinking cursor were not in vain. They challenge us to make our work better with every retweet and Facebook like.Readers are truly an inspiration, and it’s time we appreciate them.
That’s right, next week is all about you. And while we are busy giving away tons of fantastic prizes both on twitter and our YA Reader Appreciation Blog Hop, we will be introducing you to some of our favorite characters and novels. But let’s get to the good stuff first…the prizes. What and How You Can Win: There are two ways to win prizes during our YA Reader Appreciation Week September 22-26, 2014. All week make sure to follow the YA Reader Appreciation authors on twitter because they will be giving away a ton of swag. Not only will you get exclusive content from their latest works, but simply by hitting follow on twitter, you could win a ton of free books and book-related awesomeness. Just look at the twitter loot below:
#YAReaderWeek Twitter Prizes From Authors:
Tiffany Truitt (@tiffanytruitt) – ebook of The Language of Silence Shannon Alexander (@shanlalexander) - 4 Teal Toes prize packs (teal polish & teal nail kit in a teal burlap bag) and 1 Ugly Cry Reader Survival kit (tissues & Amazon gift card) Danielle Graham (@drgrahambooks) - 1 digital copy of PSI ANOTHER DAY by D.R. Rosensteel, One digital copy of WILL THE REAL ABI SAUNDERS PLEASE STAND UP by Sara Hantz, 1 audio copy of NEVER ENOUGH by Denise Jaden, 1 digital copy of HIT THAT AND YOU’RE DEAD by D.R. Graham Lisa Brown Roberts (@lbrownroberts) - 1 hard copy of ROCK ON by Denise VegaBut the fun won’t just be going on in the twitter universe. Each day of the blog hop, you can enter to win a HUGE, HUGE, HUGE prize pack of awesomeness. How? It’s pretty easy; follow the hop and enter the raffle.
Blog Hop Prizes:Ebook of The Language of Silence by Tiffany Truitt Ebooks of Colors Like Memory and The Chemistry of Fate by Meradeth Houston Ebooks of Model Position and Private Internship by Catherine Stine writing as Kitsy Clare Ebook of Love and Other Unknown Variables and a handmade math book magnet by Shannon Alexander 1 digital copy of Psi Another Day by D.R. Rosensteel, 1 digital copy of Will The Real Abi Saunders Please Stand Up by Sara Hantz, 1 Audio Copy of NEVER ENOUGH by Denise Jaden, 1 Digital copy of HIT THAT AND YOU’RE DEAD by D.R. Graham Ebooks of The Vulcan Legacies Series by Sasha Hibbs Swag bag of “Talismans for the Journey" inspired by the novel HOW TO DROP A CLASS & FALL IN LOVE by Lisa Brown Roberts 1 hard copy of KISSING SHAKESPEARE by Pamela Mingle
Now…on to the hop. Each day the authors below will be talking all things YA. And having a little fun doing it too. http://catherinestine.blogspot.ca/http://sashahibbs.blogspot.com/http://meradethhouston.blogspot.ca/http://www.lisabrownroberts.com/http://www.katejarvikbirch.com/http://www.shannonleealexander.com/http://www.drgrahambooks.worpress.com/http://tiffanytruitt.wordpress.com/
Monday (9/22) is Man Crush Monday where you can meet the leading males of some of YA’s hottest new novels. Catherine Stine hosts Kate Jarvik Birch Sasha Hibbs hosts Shannon Lee Alexander Meradeth Snow hosts Sasha Hibbs Lisa Brown Roberts hosts D.R. Graham Kate Jarvik Birch hosts Tiffany Truitt Shannon Lee Alexander hosts Catherine Stine D. R. Graham hosts Meradeth Snow Tiffany Truitt hosts Lisa Brown Roberts
Tuesday (9/23) is Transformation Tuesday where you will find out how your favorite novels went from simply ideas to published works. Catherine Stine hosts Meradeth Snow Sasha Hibbs hosts Lisa Brown Roberts Meradeth Snow hosts Kate Jarvik Birch Lisa Brown Roberts hosts Shannon Lee Alexander Kate Jarvik Birch hosts Tiffany Truitt Shannon Lee Alexander hosts D.R. Graham D. R. Graham hosts Catherine Stine Tiffany Truitt hosts Sasha Hibbs
Wednesday (9/24) is Woman Crush Wednesday where you will meet the leading ladies of some of YA’s hottest new novels. Catherine Stine hosts Tiffany Truitt Sasha Hibbs hosts Catherine Stine Meradeth Snow hosts Sasha Hibbs Lisa Brown Roberts hosts Meradeth Snow Kate Jarvik Birch hosts Lisa Brown Roberts Shannon Lee Alexander hosts Katie Jarvik Birch D. R. Graham hosts Shannon Lee Alexander Tiffany Truitt hosts D.R. Graham
Thursday (9/25) is Transformation Thursday where you will find out more about the lives of some of your favorite YA authors. Catherine Stine hosts Lisa Brown Roberts Sasha Hibbs hosts D. R. Graham Meradeth Snow hosts Tiffany Truitt Lisa Brown Roberts hosts Catherine Stine Kate Jarvik Birch hosts Sasha Hibbs Shannon Lee Alexander hosts Meradeth Snow D. R. Graham hosts Katie Jarvik Birch Tiffany Truitt hosts Shannon Lee Alexander
Friday (9/26) is First Look Friday where you will qet a sneak peek and exclusive content from our YA authors. Catherine Stine hosts Shannon Lee Alexander Sasha Hibbs hosts Meradeth Snow Meradeth Snow hosts D. R. Graham Lisa Brown Roberts hosts Tiffany Truitt Kate Jarvik Birch hosts Catherine Stine Shannon Lee Alexander hosts Sasha Hibbs D. R. Graham hosts Lisa Brown Roberts Tiffany Truitt hosts Katie Jarvik Birch
We hope you are just as excited as we are to celebrate some YA Readers! Help spread the word and check back on 9/22 for the start of the blog hop and tons of chances to win some great loot! But WAIT…you can start entering the giveaway today by following our YA authors and helping to spread the word. Click on the raffle link below to find out more!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
ELIXIR BOUND by Katie L. Carroll Blitz & Cover Reveal for MILAYNA by Michelle K. Pickett
Lots and lots of awesome going on today! I've managed to become majorly overbooked on one day. I guess there's something to the middle of September? (It's also my sister's birthday, so I guess so!) But some of my absolute favorite authors have some great stuff going on. Check it out!
ELIXIR BOUND
YA fantasy by Katie L. Carroll
Katora Kase is next in line to take over as guardian to a secret and powerful healing Elixir. Now she must journey into the wilds of Faway Forest to find the ingredient that gives the Elixir its potency. Even though she has her sister and brother, an old family friend, and the handsome son of a mapmaker as companions, she feels alone.
It is her decision alone whether or not to bind herself to the Elixir to serve and protect it until it chooses a new guardian. The forest hosts many dangers, including wicked beings that will stop at nothing to gain power, but the biggest danger Katora may face is whether or not to open up her heart to love.
Ebook on sale for $.99 until September 27:Amazon: MuseItUp bookstore
Signed paperback giveaway on Goodreads until September 28!
About the Author:Katie L. Carroll began writing at a very sad time in her life after her 16-year-old sister, Kylene, unexpectedly passed away. Since then writing has taken her to many wonderful places, real and imagined. She wrote ELIXIR BOUND and the forthcoming ELIXIR SAVED so Kylene could live on in the pages of a book. Katie is also the author of the picture app THE BEDTIME KNIGHT and an editor for MuseItUp Publishing. She lives not too far from the beach in a small Connecticut city with her husband and son. For more about Katie, visit her website at www.katielcarroll.com and follow her on Twitter (@KatieLCarroll) or Tumblr.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
COVER REVEAL:
MILAYNA by Michelle K. Pickett
In the battle for her soul, which side will she choose?
Series Name: The Milayna SeriesGenre: Young Adult (Paranormal Romance)Publisher: Clean Teen PublishingCTP Content Rating: YAmRelease Date: March 17, 2015
From the bestselling author of PODs comes an unforgettable tale of action, intrigue, and following your heart in the midst of betrayal.
It’s hard being good all the time. Everyone needs to be bad once in a while. But for seventeen-year-old Milayna, being good isn’t a choice. It’s a job requirement. And it’s a job she can’t quit. Born a demi-angel, Milayna steps in when danger and demons threaten the people around her, but being half angel isn’t all halos and happiness. Azazel, Hell’s demon, wants Milayna’s power and he’ll do anything to get it. But he only has until her eighteenth birthday, after which she becomes untouchable.
With the help of other demi-angels, Milayna thwarts the trouble Azazel sends her way. Fighting by her side is Chay. He’s a demi-angel who's sinfully gorgeous, and Milayna falls hard. But is Chay her true love… or her nemesis in disguise?
When she learns of a traitor in her group, there’s no one she can trust… not even the one she loves.
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Goodreads Book Giveaway
Milayna
by Michelle K. Pickett Giveaway ends November 01, 2014.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads. Enter to win
Did you add Milayna to your Goodreads TBR List?
ABOUT MICHELLE K. PICKETT:
Michelle is the bestselling author of the young adult novel “PODs.” She was born and raised in Flint, Michigan, but now lives in a sleepy suburb outside Houston with her extremely supportive husband, three school-aged children, a 125 pound “lap dog,” and a very snooty cat.
Red Bull or Monster Khaos are her coffee of choice, and she can’t write without peanut butter M&Ms and a hoodie. A hopeful romantic; she loves a swoon-worthy ending that will give her butterflies for days. She writes across genres in the young adult and new adult age groups. She loves to hear from her readers.
Michelle signed her new young adult contemporary novel— Unspeakable, with Clean Teen Publishing in 2014.
Keep up-to-date on her current and future projects at www.michelle-pickett.com.
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More from Clean Teen Publishing:
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BE THE FIRST TO KNOW about our GIVEAWAYS, NEW RELEASES, COVER REVEALS and MORE! Join our VIP Mailing List!
WWW.CLEANTEENPUBLISHING.COM
ELIXIR BOUNDYA fantasy by Katie L. Carroll
Katora Kase is next in line to take over as guardian to a secret and powerful healing Elixir. Now she must journey into the wilds of Faway Forest to find the ingredient that gives the Elixir its potency. Even though she has her sister and brother, an old family friend, and the handsome son of a mapmaker as companions, she feels alone.
It is her decision alone whether or not to bind herself to the Elixir to serve and protect it until it chooses a new guardian. The forest hosts many dangers, including wicked beings that will stop at nothing to gain power, but the biggest danger Katora may face is whether or not to open up her heart to love.
Ebook on sale for $.99 until September 27:Amazon: MuseItUp bookstore
Signed paperback giveaway on Goodreads until September 28!About the Author:Katie L. Carroll began writing at a very sad time in her life after her 16-year-old sister, Kylene, unexpectedly passed away. Since then writing has taken her to many wonderful places, real and imagined. She wrote ELIXIR BOUND and the forthcoming ELIXIR SAVED so Kylene could live on in the pages of a book. Katie is also the author of the picture app THE BEDTIME KNIGHT and an editor for MuseItUp Publishing. She lives not too far from the beach in a small Connecticut city with her husband and son. For more about Katie, visit her website at www.katielcarroll.com and follow her on Twitter (@KatieLCarroll) or Tumblr.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
COVER REVEAL:
MILAYNA by Michelle K. Pickett
In the battle for her soul, which side will she choose?
Series Name: The Milayna SeriesGenre: Young Adult (Paranormal Romance)Publisher: Clean Teen PublishingCTP Content Rating: YAmRelease Date: March 17, 2015
From the bestselling author of PODs comes an unforgettable tale of action, intrigue, and following your heart in the midst of betrayal.
It’s hard being good all the time. Everyone needs to be bad once in a while. But for seventeen-year-old Milayna, being good isn’t a choice. It’s a job requirement. And it’s a job she can’t quit. Born a demi-angel, Milayna steps in when danger and demons threaten the people around her, but being half angel isn’t all halos and happiness. Azazel, Hell’s demon, wants Milayna’s power and he’ll do anything to get it. But he only has until her eighteenth birthday, after which she becomes untouchable.
With the help of other demi-angels, Milayna thwarts the trouble Azazel sends her way. Fighting by her side is Chay. He’s a demi-angel who's sinfully gorgeous, and Milayna falls hard. But is Chay her true love… or her nemesis in disguise?
When she learns of a traitor in her group, there’s no one she can trust… not even the one she loves.
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Goodreads Book Giveaway
Milayna by Michelle K. Pickett Giveaway ends November 01, 2014.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads. Enter to win
Did you add Milayna to your Goodreads TBR List?
ABOUT MICHELLE K. PICKETT:
Michelle is the bestselling author of the young adult novel “PODs.” She was born and raised in Flint, Michigan, but now lives in a sleepy suburb outside Houston with her extremely supportive husband, three school-aged children, a 125 pound “lap dog,” and a very snooty cat.Red Bull or Monster Khaos are her coffee of choice, and she can’t write without peanut butter M&Ms and a hoodie. A hopeful romantic; she loves a swoon-worthy ending that will give her butterflies for days. She writes across genres in the young adult and new adult age groups. She loves to hear from her readers.
Michelle signed her new young adult contemporary novel— Unspeakable, with Clean Teen Publishing in 2014.
Keep up-to-date on her current and future projects at www.michelle-pickett.com.
[image error] [image error]
More from Clean Teen Publishing:
[image error]
BE THE FIRST TO KNOW about our GIVEAWAYS, NEW RELEASES, COVER REVEALS and MORE! Join our VIP Mailing List!
WWW.CLEANTEENPUBLISHING.COM
September 14, 2014
Cover Reveal for STOLEN by Becca Vincenza
Title: Stolen (A Rebirth Prequel)
Author: Becca Vincenza
Release Date: Winter 2014
Genre: Adult Paranormal
Cover Designer: Airicka Mystical Creations
Warnings: Language, sexual content, abuse and violence
Formats: eBook & paperback
Author Note: This book takes place before and during Damaged, it can be read before, but I strongly urge that this be read AFTER Damaged. (This isn’t a gimmick or anything, the way the story is set it does do spoilers for Damaged)
Xavier is set to protect the dying races. As a fierce gargoyle warrior, he isn't meant to love deeply. Drake is the last of his kind, and survival isn’t easy.
Xavier recognizes Drake as his true mate the first time they meet. However, Drake’s tormented past has led him to the wrong woman. Xavier must do what he can to save Drake from the choices he’s made. If Drake’s resentment, fears, and stubborn denial can be overcome, they’ll have a love that could bridge the races.
This isn’t a story of redemption. This is their story.
Warning: This is an adult book. There are exploit scenes of sex, torture, and violence. This isn’t meant for readers under the age of 18. Please note this is a Male/Male Romance.
![Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000039_00005]](https://theviolethourbookreviews.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/stolen-show-wrap.jpg)
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Excerpt:
So began the birth of our child. Coy screamed as she pushed our baby out, and I tried to watch out for both of them, I did. I knew something was wrong though. The umbilical cord wrapped around the baby. I looked up at Coy she was struggling. Her head lobbed forward, sweat was pouring down her face. “Coy, you listen to me, baby girl. You can do this. Stay with me.” I didn’t want to alarm her that something was wrong with the baby but she looked up at me. Tears in her eyes. “Save her. Please…save her.” My beautiful Coy, her small face that could practically fit in my palm of my hand, pleaded. Her eyes were slightly too big, her nose slightly crooked, her lips were full. Kissable lips that I leaned forward and pressed my own against hers. My dragon was calling out to her, screaming at her not to leave us. We needed her. I pressed my forehead to hers. “Please don’t make me chose. Please don’t do this to me.” My breath was haggard. “I’m not making you chose, I am not giving you a choice. Save her. Please. Love her, and make sure our child lives.” Coy moved away from me. I had never felt so far from her before. My heart was breaking and my dragon moved forward. He wanted to destroy the thing that would take away our Coy, our love. If she continued to push she would kill both of them, I couldn’t stop her from pushing. I moved down to our child and unwrapped the cord. My hands were covered in Coy’s blood in the matter of moments. She was losing too much, too fast. I looked up at her she was pale. I knew that she wasn’t going to make it. I didn’t want to go on. I didn’t care anymore. Coy was the only good thing I had found in this world. “Drake…” I was so far retreated in my mind I allowed the dragon to take over this form. He turned toward the stranger and snapped his teeth but did nothing more. Something about his scent called to my dragon, comforted him enough that the rage we were feeling only moments before started to dissipate. The stranger’s eyes were on my child though. My child. A growl ripped from my throat warning him.“I am not here to hurt you, or her. I want to help you.” I realized that my child was screaming in my arms. I moved the dragon over. He fought me at first snapping and whipping his tail. He wanted to be charge. I shoved past him so I could look at my child. She. It was a girl. Tears stung my eyes. A girl. Just like Coy had said. I moved next to my dying mate. She was so weak, barely even breathing but I brought our child next to her. “It’s a girl. You are always right. I hope you know that. I always knew you were right. She looks a lot like you. She has your face, beautiful round cheeks. She has my eyes though, a perfect mixture of you and me, just like you always said.” The stranger watched us, but he didn’t make a sound or move. I appreciated that. In a while I would ask who he was, what he was doing here. Why he smelled the way he did. My dragon kept pushing at my mind and I almost let him through. It was becoming too hard to fight. I looked down at Coy. She had stopped moving all together when I told her it was girl. I pushed away Coy’s hair and kissed her on the forehead.
Get caught up in the series:
Damaged (Free): There are some beings in this world, long thought to be extinct. Some seek to protect them, others want control, but some . . . some are hell bent on their destruction.
Audrey was taken from her father, hidden away from the world, and tortured for five years. She was rescued, but is she really safe, or is there someone else waiting to betray her? Can she trust those who saved her? Can she learn to accept who she really is?
Stone was on a routine mission to extract valuable information from a rival clan of paranormals. Instead, he and his team find something much more valuable: a scarred, damaged young woman who holds many secrets, and whose power is beyond anything they could ever have imagined.There is much more to Audrey than meets the eye and Stone is determined to protect her.
Audrey and Stone are about to find out it’s hard to know who to trust.
Buy Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Damaged-Rebirth-Becca-Vincenza-ebook/dp/B00I5N04AK
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/damaged-becca-vincenza/1118325790?ean=2940045586771
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/399992
Healed (Rebirth #2) - 2.99
The race is on to find the Rebirth paranormals. Elijah doesn’t have feelings. He doesn’t care, nor does he empathize, until the day Audrey was found. While searching her mind telepathically, things suddenly changed for him. He never imagined that he would face all the emotions plaguing him. Now he is on a mission to find the rumored Rebirth creature. What happens when a creature never meant to feel anything suddenly becomes attached to another? Valentine always knew there was something…different about her. While she hated even the thought of blood, she loved to help those in need. She felt an instant connection with her patients and always strived to save lives. Her adoptive sister always told her that she cared too much. That she couldn’t save everyone. And now there is a colder than ice man in her life that won’t go away, and won’t take no for an answer. The problem is, she never wanted to push him away, even though she knows he will be her downfall.
Buy Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Healed-Rebirth-Book-Becca-Vincenza-ebook/dp/B00MKYZ2HUUK Link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00MKYZ2HU?%2AVersion%2A=1&%2Aentries%2A=0
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/461577
Barnes&Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/healed-becca-vincenza/1120028672?ean=2940046068436
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/healed/id904283605?mt=11
About the Author:
Becca Vincenza lives in wonderful Michigan. She has a love for Skittles, rainbows, Star Wars, and reading about hot men. When she’s not wearing her author hat, she’s working to pay off her student loans for her recently acquired English degree. She recently released the two books in her Rebirth Series and is set to release the third at the end of the year.
Stalker Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beccavincenza
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeccaVincenza
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/goodreadscombecca_vincenza
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Becca-Vincenza/e/B00I5BJL5Q/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1 Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/rvmisura/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/1/
Website: http://beccavincenzaauthor.wordpress.com/
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