C.M. Brown's Blog, page 8

TEASER TUESDAY

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by
http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/of Should Be Reading.Anyone can play along!Just do the followingGrab your current readOpen to a random pageShare two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that pageBE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE ANY SPOILERS!
Make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away!

You don't want to ruin the book for others!
 
Third Vampire Shadows byZhu Hsia 
Ji Sun, heir to the powerful Lee clan of vampires and brings disgrace to her kind by not only mixing with humans, but leaving the clan to marry one, and she is banished for ever from her family.

After five years, Ji Sun’s happiness is threatened. For although she has no intention of returning to her life as a vampire, she has not yet renounced her inheritance, for to do so is to risk stigmatization and a much shortened life. However, Mun Oh, her younger brother, now fifteen years old and already a formidable bloodsucker, is ordered by his parents to visit his sister and demand that she goes through the Ritual of Renunciation in his favor.

But the spoiled and capricious Mun Oh, accustomed to getting his own way the minute he wants something, and his teeth into any human he fancies, encounters more obstacles than he bargains for, especially from Ji Sun’s troubled and troublesome step-daughter Hyeon Jin, the unpopular school bully.

Hyeon Jin hates Mun Oh and would get rid of him at all costs if she could. When Hyeon Jin discovers Mun Oh’s secret, she thinks she has found the perfect weapon. Mun Oh, however, detects certain weaknesses under Hyeon Jin’s hard exterior and plays on them ruthlessly. And it seems for while, that he has the upper hand . . . But then the trouble-making bloodsucker Han Kyung makes his appearance. He is jealous of the handsome Mun Oh, and would do anything to reduce him in the eyes of the clan.

Events start to spiral out of control. Hyeon Jin discovers what it is like to be on the receiving end of hurtful behavior, and as Mun Oh gets more and more attracted by the human world, he soon transgresses the strict rules of the bloodsucking clan. He is to learn the secret of the Rule of Thirds the hard way. But will he have to pay the heavy price for his disobedience? Will this vampire romance blossoms? How is this third vampire going to overcome the dark shadows lurking around him?

It is down to Ji Sun to find a solution. She has to make a choice. But will she have to sacrifice her happiness and that of her beloved husband and step-daughter to do so?
  
MY TEASER:



“Pest,” she muttered angrily. Without any warning, she stomped hard on Mun Oh’s left foot.

Instead of retaliating, Mun Oh simply snaked his way out of her sight and placed himself in front of Shin Erin. There was something happening inside of him. A familiar tingling sensation that could only mean one thing.

He had found his ideal catch.




   Third Vampire Shadows by Zhu Hsia,    Kindle Edition Location 655 of 4036

TEASER TUESDAY

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by
http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/of Should Be Reading.Anyone can play along!Just do the followingGrab your current readOpen to a random pageShare two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that pageBE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE ANY SPOILERS!
Make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away!

You don't want to ruin the book for others! 
Immortals And Melodies  (Blood and Guitars #2) byHeather JensenI’m no stranger to chaos, but even the life of a rock star couldn’t prepare me for the consequences of loving a vampire. I’m risking more than my career to be with Aurora. My life is in danger, threatened by the very group I must join to stay alive. –Trey
I have to keep Trey alive until I can make him a vampire, but my own kind will stop at nothing to prevent it. The Emissary is having me followed, and if I can’t figure out who is behind the violent attacks Trey won’t make it to the full moon. Am I even powerful enough to carry Trey through the change, or will he be left floating in the wake of destruction? –AurorMY TEASER: 
Rex gave a polite nod to the group, but his gaze stayed on me a little longer than was normal. He was a vampire alright and he knew that I knew. The fact that another vampire was on the boat, shouldn't have been startling, or it wouldn't have, if I was able to read his mind, or something.

Kindle: Immortals and Melodies location 3138

MIDSUMMER'S EVE GIVEAWAY HOP

Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop
21st to 30th June
Hosted by: 
I am a Reader, Not a Writer &Bookhounds
Celebrating another end to Summer reading for the northern hemisphere, I will be giving away a $10 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky entrant! Simply enter the giveaway through the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post! Be sure to visit all the other sites taking part in the Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop, for more chances to win other great prizes!
 *****
I am going to take this opportunity to showcase my yet to be completed third novel, "Forces of Mist."A futuristic, dystopian sci-fi set in Sydney, Australia.
  
Sarah, is the face of the sole surviving human encampment, facing threatening dangers in a battle for survival against an unstoppable alien force. Her task entails gathering intel on the movements of the enemy, infiltrating their bases and finding other surviving human settlements which haven't perished in the onslaught.  What she doesn't foresee is her growing entanglement with one particular Mist Warrior, Jackson, who winds his misty tentacles around her heart, encasing her in his charms.
****
If you would be interested in being a Beta-Reader for this novel, please leave a comment with your name and contact email address below. Please Note: You must be at least 17 years of age to participate and be happy to read a few chapters at a time.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

NEW RELEASE: BY JAMES WYMORE "EXACTING ESSENCE"

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Amazon
Barnes & Noble


Goodreads Giveaway: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/96437-exacting-essence

              
Book Blurb:Remember waking up late in the night after a nightmare? Your mother holding you tight and whispering it's all just a dream and everything would be all right?

She lied.

Evil clowns haunted Megan's dreams for years. Even though nobody ever said she was crazy, she knew they were all thinking it. With her life falling apart, she turns suicidal until a new therapist suggests the impossible: dreams are real. Nightmares are living, breathing predators, feeding on dreamers' fears by Exacting Essence.

Most, of course, forget theirs as soon as they wake up. Megan is not so lucky. She's also not so powerless.

But is even a power nurtured within her dreams enough to fight off the horrors lurking just beyond the veil of sleep?
Author Bio:On a lifelong search for fantastic worlds hiding just out of sight, James Wymore writes to explore.  With three books and six short stories in print after just one year, he continues to push the boundaries of imagination.  Journey with him at http://jameswymore.wordpress.com/

BLOG TOUR - CHERIE REICH "REBORN"

Today, I have invited Cherie Reich to my site as part of the blog tour for her newly released novel, "Reborn".  I asked Cherie a few questions relative to her new release and she kindly answered them, allowing me to share her answers with you. 

Some of her answers allow us to understand a little of who Cherie Reich is....and how she developed some of the names and landmark titles in this story.

Please join me and together we may learn how the characters and settings of "Reborn" came to be.

Don't forget to take the time to enter the Rafflecopter draw attached to this post to try your luck in winning some great prizes!

Carolyn

1.         From the blurbs of Reborn, which I have read, I can see that you have researched the book intensely. Would you mind sharing your starting point and where you found the most helpful information? I guess you could say my higher education was my research. I majored in Classics (Ancient Greeks and Romans) and minored in the Ancient Near East. My studies led me to various mythologies and ancient histories, which I pulled from when I wrote Reborn. Outside these studies, I researched mythological creatures (learned about karshiptas and woodwoses) and distances/travel (boat, horse, people, birds).
2.         Apenth, is a very unique name for the temple connected to your MC. Did you invent the name, or does it have a mythological tale attached to it? If so, would you like to share the story? Apenth’s name comes from three gods’ names squished together. “Ap” for Apollo (Greek/Roman mythology), “en” from Enki (Mesopotamian mythology), and “th” from Thoth (Egyptian mythology). I wanted a name to showcase who Apenth is, which is a joining of these three gods.
3.         Yssa, is also an unusual name, very fitting for a prophetess. Would you explain how you decided upon it? The idea behind Yssa’s story originated with a roleplaying character I had named Clarissa. I wanted to keep a part of the RPG character linked with Yssa, so I debated between Issa and Yssa. I ended up preferring the “Y” spelling, so Yssa’s name was created.
4.         I love the cover art! Laura Sava has done a wonderful job. Is this the first cover she has designed for you, or have you two worked together before? Did you find her easy to work with? Before Laura designed the cover art for Reborn, she designed the cover art for People of Foxwick and Their Neighbors (Forthcoming Fall 2014). I love working with Laura. I told her what I wanted. She did a few quick sketches to get a feel for what I wanted. I selected a sketch, and she took about a week to get me the cover art. She’s reasonably priced for original cover art and pretty fast. I feel very lucky to get a chance to work with her since she’s not taking on too many new clients, and I plan to use her expertise for Reforged(Book Two) and Redestined (Book Three)—and maybe Remarked (Book 1.5) if I can afford it.
5.         So Cherie, what is next for you? I’m working on Repledged, a prequel story taking place 800 years before Reborn. Repledged was originally titled Magna’s Plea and a short story I had published but decided needed to be longer. I’m enjoying spending time in Magna’s version of Amora, although I’m eager to get back to Yssa’s timeline too once I finish the first draft of Repledged. I am also in final edits for People of Foxwick and Their Neighbors, a collection of seventeen short stories.

To save a kingdom, a prophetess must challenge Fate.


On the day of Yssa’s death and rebirth, the god Apenth chose her as the Phoenix Prophetess.
Sea serpents and gods endanger the young prophetess’s journey and sour the omens. Yssa is cursed instead of blessed, and her duties at the Temple of Apenth prove it. She spends her days reading dusty scrolls, which does nothing to help her forget Tym, the boy back home. But the annoying yet gorgeous ferryman’s son Liam proves to be a distraction she can’t predict, even though he rarely leaves her alone for two sand grains.
Her boring temple life screeches to a halt when visions of her parents’ murders consume her. Yssa races across an ocean to stop the future. If she can’t change Fate, she’ll refuse to be the Phoenix Prophetess any longer. Fate, however, has other plans for her and the kingdom.
Yssa must either accept her destiny or fight to change Fate.
Available in Ebook and Print!To purchase: 
Amazon | Createspace| Google Play | iTunes| Kobo | Nook| OmniLit| Smashwords | Other Retailers
Click here to add on 
Goodreads.
The authors of Untethered Realms and I are giving away over $50 worth of books to one lucky winner. The giveaway is open internationally.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Author Bio:
A self-proclaimed bookworm, Cherie Reich is a speculative fiction writer and library assistant living in Virginia. Her short stories have appeared in magazines and anthologies, and her books include the horror collection Nightmare, a space fantasy novella collection titled Gravity, and the fantasy series The Foxwick Chronicles and The Fate Challenges. Reborn is her debut novel. She is Vice President of Valley Writers and a member of the Virginia Writers Club and Untethered Realms. For more information, please visit her website.

TEASER TUESDAY

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by
http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/of Should Be Reading.Anyone can play along!Just do the followingGrab your current readOpen to a random pageShare two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that pageBE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE ANY SPOILERS!
Make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away!

You don't want to ruin the book for others!  Vampire Vacation (The V V Inn #1) byC.J. Ellisson 
Meet Vivian. She's a 580-year-old vampire who exudes sex, has a talent for drama, and is passionate about two things: her human husband, Rafe, and their resort for the undead. Her ability to project physical illusions has created the perfect vacation spot-a dark, isolated Alaskan hideaway where visitors can have their wildest fantasies come true.

Vivian knows the best performance requires perfect timing, but the powerful vamp is put to the test when she discovers a corpse in a locked guestroom minutes before the next arrivals. Always cool-headed, Rafe hides the body, convinced he and Vivian can find the culprit without disturbing their guests. Juggling the increasingly outrageous demands of their customers while tracking a killer isn't easy.

Will their poking and prodding give them the answers they need, or will it uncover secrets Vivian would kill to protect?
 
MY TEASER:

Rafe and Asa break through the woods, into the small ten-foot clearing. They skitter to a stop and take in the scene as well. Jon kneels in frozen gore, holding the remains of one of his wolves. The compacted ground reveals no obvious signs of a struggle, but plenty of night-hued blood. Jon’s dog must not have been out here too long, or the carcass would have been frozen to the snow.
Ellisson, C.J. (2014-03-17). Vampire Vacation (The V V Inn, Book 1) (p. 214). Red Hot Publishing. Kindle Edition.

KINDLE FIRE HDX, $229 AMAZON GIFT CARD OR PAYPAL CASH GIVEAWAY JUNE 2014

Enter to win 1 of 2 great prizes. Winner’s choice of a Kindle Fire HDX or $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 Paypal Cash! The first prize is available via the rafflecopter below. The 2nd is available only to bloggers who post about this giveaway. You can find info on how to enter the 2nd giveaway in the rafflecopter.  

Win a Kindle Fire HDX, Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash ($229 value)
All New Kindle Fire HDX 7" 
GiveawayThe winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HDX (US Only - $229 Value)   Or $229 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)   Or $229 in Paypal Cash (International)   Sponsors I Am A ReaderFeed Your ReaderAuthor Rachael Anderson  Author Karey WhiteChelsea Author PromotionsIllusio & BaqerBookReviewsAndGiveawaysAuthor Alecia StoneLori's Reading CornerAuthor Inger IversenShelf of ImaginationCandace's Book BlogWhere The Broken Lie by Derek RempferHelen Smith (author)Christine's BlogReviews from a BookwormMore Than a ReviewTressa's Wishful EndingsPieces of WhimsyLaurie Treacy, AuthorThe Loopy LibrarianAuthor Dorothy DreyerAuthor Deanna Lynn SlettenAuthor Steven BrownClaudia BurgoaLaunching Sisters to WitchCampRhiannon PailleAuthor Amanda TruMelissa McClone, AuthorAuthor Michelle MerrillAuthor M. KircherAuthor A&E KirkAuthor Melissa LemonMy Story That I Like BestReviews by Martha's BookshelfJ.L. WeilMaia SeppLuthando CoeurMaking it HappenJennifer Laurens AuthorExtraordinary ReadsGrimmtastic Girls series: Snow White Lucks Out (tween)   
 Sign up to sponsor the next Kindle Giveaway here:  http://www.iamareader.com/category/kindle-giveaway-sign-ups    
Giveaway Details 1 winner will receive their choice of an all new Kindle Fire 7" HDX (US Only - $229 value), $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 in Paypal Cash (International). There is a second separate giveaway for bloggers who post this giveaway on their blog. See details in the rafflecopter on how to enter to win the 2nd Kindle Fire HDX 7", $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 in Paypal Cash. Ends 7/15/14 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash.  Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. 
 a Rafflecopter giveaway

INSECURE WRITER'S SUPPORT GROUP

   IT IS TIME FOR 
INSECURE WRITER'S SUPPORT GROUPTo find out more about this group,visit:Alex J. Cavanaugh (The Ninja Captain)
at http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com.au/
TO SIGN UP TO BE PART OF THIS MONTHLY MEME, JUST FOLLOW THIS LINK:http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html
 THIS MONTH THE CO-HOSTS ARE:
  C. Lee McKenzie, Tracy Jo, Melanie Schulz, and LG Keltner!

JUNE, already! I know I seem to repeat similar statements each month, over and over, but hey, where the hell is this year going?
May flew by for me, I did engaged in a little blogging, but mostly I have been kept busy writing, Forces of Mist, which still has quite a way to go, but I must admit, I am happy where it is headed.
This week at work, we are being visited by an auditor, which, even though he is a pretty nice guy, does seem to cause stress in the workplace. Also, my classroom was sadly trashed by a group of students, who gained access through an unobservant teacher, booking the adjoining room to use lap top computers!
I came back to the room to find chairs placed under tables, lap top computers left unsecured around the room, graffiti, my resource books scattered around the room and now the windows won't open! I am wondering if the darling children, (left unsupervised) super glued them shut, or somehow jammed the locks! 
I am not a happy camper! lol!
But, I must add, once reported, my principal and line manager jumped up to the mark and addressed the issue immediately!
The adjoining room has been taken from the bookings sheet and the security issue is being addressed. I only hope my windows will soon be fixed, or I will end up baking in the demountable when summer comes.
Carolyn


 

TEASER TUESDAY

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by
http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/of Should Be Reading.Anyone can play along!Just do the followingGrab your current readOpen to a random pageShare two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that pageBE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE ANY SPOILERS!
Make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away!


You don't want to ruin the book for others! 


Cornerstone  (Souls of the Stones #1) byKelly Walker Epic Fantasy combines with Young Adult romance in this stunning new adventure set in a richly developed medieval world.
When Emariya Warren learns enemy forces have captured her father, she'll do anything to save him. Anything. Even marry a mysterious prince she knows nothing about in order to rally the strength to arrange a rescue. During her journey to Torian's foreign castle, Emariya comes face to face with her mother's killers--and a deadly secret.

Not only does Emariya possess a powerful but unexpected magical gift passed down through each of her families, the prince she's promised to marry possesses a third, and an ominous prophecy has warned the three gifts must never be combined.


If she breaks her promise to marry Torian, she won't be able to save her father and if she keeps it, she may bring a curse upon everything she holds dear. Determining which choice is best won't be easy, but when she meets the gorgeous prince who may desire more than just her heart, she realizes she will have to fight just to have a choice at all.


Her heart wants him desperately. Her head begs her to run. If she doesn't want to share her mother's fate, she'll have to find a way to untangle the truth from the lies in time to save herself.


Discover the heartbreaking betrayals, fascinating magic and fated love of Cornerstone.

MY TEASER:

 Emariya scrambled to get footing as she was dragged rapidly backwards. They were moving too fast and she couldn't get her feet under her. She tried to twist around, but it was no use. The man's hand was wrapped tightly in her hair, forcing her neck in a very uncomfortable angle. All she could see was the snow falling down toward her in the moonlight and a few branches from the scattered trees around the camp. The man’s other arm circled around her chest while his hand clamped down over her mouth, silencing her and holding her to him at once as he dragged her away from the fire. One of her arms was pinned painfully between her back and the man’s ribs.

Walker, Kelly (2013-12-01). Cornerstone (Souls Of The Stones) (Kindle Locations 1897-1900).  . Kindle Edition.

Walker, Kelly (2013-12-01). Cornerstone (Souls Of The Stones) (Kindle Locations 1895-1897).  . Kindle Edition.

TEASER TUESDAY

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by
http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/of Should Be Reading.Anyone can play along!Just do the followingGrab your current readOpen to a random pageShare two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that pageBE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE ANY SPOILERS!
Make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away!


You don't want to ruin the book for others! 


Heavenly  (Heavenly #1) byJennifer Laurens  I met someone who changed everything. Matthias. My autistic sister's guardian angel. Honest. Inspiring. Funny. Hot. And immortal. That was the problem. What could I do? I did what any other girl would do-I fell in love with him. Zoe's sister darts in front of cars. Her brother's a pothead. Her parents are so overwhelmed; they don't see Zoe lost in her broken life. Zoe escapes the only way she knows how: partying. Matthias, a guardian sent from Heaven, watches over Zoe's autistic sister. After Zoe is convinced he's legit, angel and lost girl come together in a love that changes destiny. But Heaven on Earth can't last forever. MY TEASERS:  I stepped back again, even though I knew I couldn’t outrun him. He was lean under those caressing clothes, and he wasn’t that much older than me. He’d have us both in a second, and then he’d let Abria go while he did whatever he’d come to do. I squeezed her against me.
Laurens, Jennifer (2009-08-15). Heavenly (Kindle Locations 89-91). Grove Creek  Publishing. Kindle Edition.   A thread sizzled through my body. Whoever he was, he had spunk. I liked that. I stopped inches away from him and looked up into his smiling face. A soft breeze lifted his toffee-colored waves, showing off flawless, smooth skin, except for a light scar above his left brow which I hadn’t noticed before.

Laurens, Jennifer (2009-08-15). Heavenly (p. 50). Grove Creek  Publishing. Kindle Edition.