Kayla Curry's Blog, page 2
July 22, 2013
Liz Long #1: Gifted Excerpt
Today I am featuring the two excerpts from Liz Long's books. One from Gifted, which is below, and the other from Witch Hearts, which will be posted at noon!
GIFTED BLURB:
Even in a world of freaks, being a Firestarter is considered a dangerous Gift.
Lucy was born with the ability to create and control fire. She longs to leave the human world for one filled with Earthshakers, Transporters, and Chameleons, to name a few. When she rejoins the circus, it’s everything she hoped it could be—new friends, a potential love interest or two, and a place where she can be herself.
When troupe members begin turning up dead, however, Lucy is suspected of foul play. She must not only prove her innocence but also realize the full extent of her power. To find the real murderer, she must uncover the truth behind her father’s fiery legacy while figuring out whom to trust within her new circle. Little does she know the history of the Donovan Circus and its enemies might actually destroy the entire gifted world.
Gifted Excerpt:We followed the already worn walkway around a corner, where a sea of activity blinded me. Whereas the campers were quiet, the actual circus grounds thrived with members preparing for the day.
My senses hit overdrive—colors, smells, and sounds assaulted me. Costumes covered in sequins and feathers were traded off between artists; my nose detected popcorn machines, sawdust with hay, and sweat, both human and animal. And the sounds! It was so loud between the people yelling, animals’ screeches, and equipment in use to set up stands and booths. I would have to shout at Delia to be heard.
I suddenly became very aware of why Sheffield and Delia warned me against being surprised. People made no secret of their gifts in safe company. I saw another Runner dart in and out of the crowd while Levitators floated seamlessly between the bodies. Birds flew all over, carried messages or small objects such as tools or costume props. The air filled with sounds of conversation, animals protested their displeasure of cages, and men barked orders on the best way to get tents up fast.
My heart jumped when I saw two other male Firestarters walking together. One was dressed in half a clown costume. The other one flicked a lighter and began to juggle fireballs with the clown; they walked simultaneously as they tossed them back and forth to one another, gradually creating greater space between them. Walking five feet apart, they continued juggling and while most troupe members simply walked around them and rolled their eyes, a few walked through, seemingly oblivious to the fire whizzing past their heads.
A girl walking by bumped into me. Her eyes met mine and narrowed in question but she continued walking. I saw someone whisper to his friend while he looked at me. I could’ve sworn another girl pointed discreetly in my direction. Some of the looks weren’t entirely welcoming.
My stomach clenched and my hands went into a hot sweat. The scene slowed down as I looked at Delia—her mouth moved, she talked to me about something, but I had no idea what. All I could hear was white noise. Completely overwhelmed, my body felt like it was seizing up. Flames would escape my palms and engulf me if I didn’t calm down.
GIFTED LINKS:Amazon (ebook): http://www.amazon.com/Gifted-Donovan-Circus-Novel-ebook/dp/B007VT34J2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1336675611&sr=8-2
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13601567-gifted
WITCH HEARTS LINKS:Amazon (ebook): http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CIKKEV0
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17616067-witch-hearts
About the Author:Liz Long is lucky enough to have a dream career in magazine publishing as an editor and writer, yet still have time to create adventures on the side. If you catch her staring off into space or talking to herself, don’t worry – it’s just her imagination at work.
Liz graduated from Longwood University with a BA in English, though her professors might be disappointed to hear she reads more fantasy fiction than literary novels. She also loves action and thriller genres. Her books probably won’t change your life, but she hopes they steal you away from reality for a while.
Her newest release, Witch Hearts, will be for sale on Amazon on April 30th. Her first book, Gifted, a Donovan Circus Novel, is also available for paperback and Kindle on Amazon.
To learn more about Liz, visit her website: http://lizclong.com
Author Links:Website: http://lizclong.comTwitter: (Handle: @LizCLong) https://twitter.com/#!/LizCLongFacebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/lizclongauthorGoodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/LizLong
GIFTED BLURB:Even in a world of freaks, being a Firestarter is considered a dangerous Gift.
Lucy was born with the ability to create and control fire. She longs to leave the human world for one filled with Earthshakers, Transporters, and Chameleons, to name a few. When she rejoins the circus, it’s everything she hoped it could be—new friends, a potential love interest or two, and a place where she can be herself.
When troupe members begin turning up dead, however, Lucy is suspected of foul play. She must not only prove her innocence but also realize the full extent of her power. To find the real murderer, she must uncover the truth behind her father’s fiery legacy while figuring out whom to trust within her new circle. Little does she know the history of the Donovan Circus and its enemies might actually destroy the entire gifted world.
Gifted Excerpt:We followed the already worn walkway around a corner, where a sea of activity blinded me. Whereas the campers were quiet, the actual circus grounds thrived with members preparing for the day.
My senses hit overdrive—colors, smells, and sounds assaulted me. Costumes covered in sequins and feathers were traded off between artists; my nose detected popcorn machines, sawdust with hay, and sweat, both human and animal. And the sounds! It was so loud between the people yelling, animals’ screeches, and equipment in use to set up stands and booths. I would have to shout at Delia to be heard.
I suddenly became very aware of why Sheffield and Delia warned me against being surprised. People made no secret of their gifts in safe company. I saw another Runner dart in and out of the crowd while Levitators floated seamlessly between the bodies. Birds flew all over, carried messages or small objects such as tools or costume props. The air filled with sounds of conversation, animals protested their displeasure of cages, and men barked orders on the best way to get tents up fast.
My heart jumped when I saw two other male Firestarters walking together. One was dressed in half a clown costume. The other one flicked a lighter and began to juggle fireballs with the clown; they walked simultaneously as they tossed them back and forth to one another, gradually creating greater space between them. Walking five feet apart, they continued juggling and while most troupe members simply walked around them and rolled their eyes, a few walked through, seemingly oblivious to the fire whizzing past their heads.
A girl walking by bumped into me. Her eyes met mine and narrowed in question but she continued walking. I saw someone whisper to his friend while he looked at me. I could’ve sworn another girl pointed discreetly in my direction. Some of the looks weren’t entirely welcoming.
My stomach clenched and my hands went into a hot sweat. The scene slowed down as I looked at Delia—her mouth moved, she talked to me about something, but I had no idea what. All I could hear was white noise. Completely overwhelmed, my body felt like it was seizing up. Flames would escape my palms and engulf me if I didn’t calm down.
GIFTED LINKS:Amazon (ebook): http://www.amazon.com/Gifted-Donovan-Circus-Novel-ebook/dp/B007VT34J2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1336675611&sr=8-2
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13601567-gifted
WITCH HEARTS LINKS:Amazon (ebook): http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CIKKEV0
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17616067-witch-hearts
About the Author:Liz Long is lucky enough to have a dream career in magazine publishing as an editor and writer, yet still have time to create adventures on the side. If you catch her staring off into space or talking to herself, don’t worry – it’s just her imagination at work. Liz graduated from Longwood University with a BA in English, though her professors might be disappointed to hear she reads more fantasy fiction than literary novels. She also loves action and thriller genres. Her books probably won’t change your life, but she hopes they steal you away from reality for a while.
Her newest release, Witch Hearts, will be for sale on Amazon on April 30th. Her first book, Gifted, a Donovan Circus Novel, is also available for paperback and Kindle on Amazon.
To learn more about Liz, visit her website: http://lizclong.com
Author Links:Website: http://lizclong.comTwitter: (Handle: @LizCLong) https://twitter.com/#!/LizCLongFacebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/lizclongauthorGoodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/LizLong
Lauren Grimley #2: Unveiled Excerpt
The second excerpt from Lauren Grimley today is from Unveiled, the second book in the Alex Crocker Series. Also, don't miss the giveaway at the bottom!
To see the first excerpt from Unforeseen posted earlier today go here: http://paranormallounge.blogspot.com/2013/07/lauren-grimley-1-unforeseen-excerpt.html
Book Information:
Genres/tags: urban fantasy, paranormal romance, vampire series
Available formats: ebook and paperback
Publisher: Paramance
Website page: http://www.laurengrimley.com/Unveiled...
Trailer link: http://youtu.be/hfz5KLrVC9k
Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17...
Blurb:
With strength comes vulnerabilities. With love comes loss. With power comes pain. The world Alex now belongs to hinges on such balance. Her every step seems to be lurching her precariously closer to one wrong side or another.
Alex had known her life as a Seer wouldn’t be easy. She knew her gift would be difficult to control and constantly sensing others’ emotions would be overwhelming. She even knew she’d be hunted for the power it would provide whichever coven of vampires controlled her. What she didn’t foresee were the difficulties she’d have with the parts of her life she ought to be able to control: her decisions, her actions, and her relationships.
It isn’t until she’s botched every facet of her new life that the opportunity arises to make things right. Rocky’s lover has been abducted, and Alex’s gift is the best shot at bringing her home alive. But even that will require tipping the scales in a direction no one but Alex can understand.
This sequel to Unforeseen is a darker tale of the battles Alex continues to fight against her enemies, her gift, and even herself. This time victory might cost her sanity, her lover, or her life.
Purchase links for Unveiled, book 2:
Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Unveiled-Alex-Crocker-Series-ebook/dp/B00CXGQGPC/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1369217456&sr=1-3&keywords=lauren+grimley
Barnes & Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unveiled-lauren-grimley/1115393815?ean=2940016588780
Excerpt from Chapter 1, Unveiled:
Two hours later Alex was dressed and sitting cross-legged in the center of the bed debating her next move. And there had to be a next move, because status quo since she’d made her transformation from freakishly intuitive human to full-blown Seer involved spending her nights on the brink of insanity. She’d kept up the act as long as she could. It was time to do something or admit defeat. Alex didn’t give up that easy.
She opened the small wooden jewelry box that lay before her on the center of the bedspread. Stacked on top of the tangled mess of costume jewelry she’d accumulated during high school and college were the array of bracelets she had worn on her right wrist for years. She had taken them off and stashed them away last summer without a second thought. Now she fingered a studded leather cuff, two of frayed woven cotton in muted earth tones, and one of pewter maille made by a classmate in college.
Disgusted, she slammed the lid closed. The force of it sent a folded scrap of paper fluttering onto the thick comforter. She didn’t need to unfold it to see what it said. The words in Darian’s neat cursive were etched into her memory.
The last of three,
Where essence is strong, marred And before the turn, battle-worn From which will then be born to us A unique warrior
’Tis she who Sees a way
To victory.
This was the prophecy supposedly foretelling Alex’s future as a Seer. While her first impression had been that it read like poorly written mumbo-jumbo, she had eventually accepted there might be something to it. Boiled down it predicted that her two brothers would die, she’d be gravely injured, carried to the safety of the coven, and be the first ever female to fight alongside the warriors. So far every charming line had turned out true, except the last two, which implied she’d be the one to end the centuries-long feud between two covens of creatures who could crush her in a heartbeat. Since most Seers suffered early painful deaths, Darian likely hoped she’d get a move on and wrap it all up before she turned thirty, to boot. But no pressure or anything.
Alex angrily tore the paper to bits and flung the pieces into the air where they scattered among the mess surrounding her. She tapped her front teeth together as she examined the room she’d lived in ever since she had been brought to the Regan’s farmhouse and told about the existence of vampires, Seers, and prophecies, all things most people in the small city of Bristol, Mass., believed to exist only in books—or horror movies. The once neatly kept guest room now teemed with distractions: a set of Shakespeare paperbacks, well-worn and marked from her college literature classes; an old Latin textbook she’d borrowed from Sarah, in hopes of being able to understand a few words of hers and Markus’s upcoming mating ceremony; two equally worn and dirty pairs of running shoes; and a new silver iPod with matching speakers.
Sage had given her these last two items for her twenty-sixth birthday after an embarrassing incident the week before. Listening to her old iPod had been a source of refuge from her sense. The tirade of swears that had spewed from her mouth the night it died after a rainy run had been epic. As a Knower, who was constantly inundated with his friends’ thoughts, the way Alex was bombarded with their emotions, Sage understood her need to block out her sense at times. Still, the present had come with a warning.
“Don’t make us regret the speakers,” he’d said. “If I have to be subjected to that chick rock you listen to, no music is going to drown out my irritation.”
In the weeks since, she had regularly ignored this instruction, blasting her playlists packed with the anthems of emos everywhere, in a vain attempt to numb her growing sense. None of her housemates said anything to stop her. They were ever-supportive as she tried to adjust to her gift. Their ignoring the signs that she was slowly falling apart and her pretending she was holding it all together was just part of the dance they shared on a nightly basis now. Sarah’s turning to Darian with her concern over her weight loss had been the first sign that the dance was coming to an end. Looking across the bedroom to the mirror that hung above the cherry dresser, Alex admitted it was a miracle it had lasted this long. She flinched at her own reflection. Her face was as pale as it would be mid-January, despite being only a few weeks into September. The red- violet under-eye circles stood out sharply against the pallid complexion. She looked away.
She needed to learn control, but what she really wanted was release. Books and music were merely diversions, which lasted only as long as her attention span. These days that wasn’t nearly long enough. Running had always been her go-to, but even that comfort only lasted as long as her body could hold out. Although that was far longer than she was allowed on the fields surrounding the property most nights. One of Darian’s many new safety precautions—or power plays, depending on who was asked.
With emotions rather than reason in charge, her promise to Markus was soon forgotten. She grabbed the remote to her speakers. Maybe a good fight was just what she needed. She pressed play and then held her thumb over the volume button until the angry alternative beats shook the entire upstairs. She couldn’t hear the growl or the stomping that accompanied the aggravation she sensed from the approaching Regan. Her door swung open seconds into the first song and Darian yanked the cord from the wall.
“Do you mind? I’m trying to prepare for a meeting.” He stood glaring at her, entirely filling the doorframe. This used to intimidate her. If she were being smart and not being overrun by her sense, it might still.
“And I’m trying to drown out how you’re feeling about that meeting.” Fresh and invasive, it was a nice touch.
“Are you adding listening to music to my proscribed list of activities? What does that leave me, Regan, knitting?”
Darian’s fists clenched and unclenched by his side.
Go ahead. Give in to it. Hit me. I’ve wanted to project someone onto his ass ever since my gift matured.
His hands dropped to his sides. Apparently she was the only one giving into her moods tonight. Darian had done what she had been unable to do for nearly two months: control his emotions.
“Use headphones. Or at least turn it down.” He spun around, closing her door as he exited.
Before it had even shut, she hurled her copy of King Lear at the wall beside it. “Every inch a king, my ass.”
His footsteps paused; his anger blazed. Alex’s hope rekindled. Then his sympathy seeped in, dissipating his fury. Heavy tread could be heard again heading down the hall to his office.
“Damn it.” She thought of all the times she had wanted Darian’s indulgence and was denied. Tonight when she craved confrontation, he yielded.
She slammed her fists into the pillows until, too exhausted to continue, she collapsed onto them. Eventually her breathing eased. In a calmer state, she realized what she had just done. Her stomach flipped. Picking a fight with a vampire, a Regan, might have sounded braver than her newest plan. She doubted, though, if anything could be more foolish. Still, she sighed.
Turning her head she gazed into the adjoining bathroom as one hand drifted back to the jewelry box. There had to be a way to keep them safe without doing this. There had to be a way to keep herself sane without doing this. She wished desperately she knew what that way was.
Author Information:Author website: http://www.laurengrimley.comBlog: http://blog.laurengrimley.comTwitter @legrimley: https://twitter.com/legrimleyFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorLaurenGrimleyGoogle+: http://plus.google.com/u/0/105156245095191358255/posts//p/pubGoodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5825387.Lauren_GrimleyPinterest: http://pinterest.com/authorlegrimley/
Bio: Lauren Grimley lives in central Massachusetts where she grew up, but her heart is on the beaches of Cape Cod where she spends as much of her time as possible. After graduating from Boston University she became a middle school English teacher. She now balances writing, reading, and correcting, all with a cat on her lap and a glass of red wine close by.
Also by Lauren Grimley:
“Unknown” a short story from the Alex Crocker series:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1623750210/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1623750210&linkCode=as2&tag=laurgrim-20
Blurb:
Middle school is supposed to bite. Middle schoolers aren't.
Alex simply wanted to do a favor for a friend while taking a much-needed reprieve from her far-from-average life and returning temporarily to her teaching position. Torie was just trying to trudge through another day of middle school surrounded by naïve peers who had no idea what she was to become. Neither teacher nor student expected to glance across a classroom of normal human teenagers and into the face of their enemy. Neither Seer nor Knower could have understood how their gifts would leave them second-guessing everything they'd been taught to believe about the other side.
“Apply Liberally” a short romantic comedy/chick lit piece:
http://www.amazon.com/Apply-Liberally-ebook/dp/B00DP3YLK4/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372778578&sr=1-3
Blurb:
Lissa had decided when she left the stale air of her classroom that afternoon that she was not going to wallow. She would not give Tom, Mr. I'm-just-not-ready-to-commit-right-now, the satisfaction of devastating her summer the way he had destroyed her confidence and sanity the previous four months. No, she decided she would bask in the freedom of her single status. Or at least drown her sorrows in a pitcher of Margaritas, a torrid romance novel, and a package or two of Oreos enjoyed on the nearest vacant stretch of beach.
That's when it started raining.
Still, a single woman on a mission can not be deterred. And who doesn’t need a little sunscreen even in a thunderstorm?
a Rafflecopter giveaway
To see the first excerpt from Unforeseen posted earlier today go here: http://paranormallounge.blogspot.com/2013/07/lauren-grimley-1-unforeseen-excerpt.html
Book Information:
Genres/tags: urban fantasy, paranormal romance, vampire series
Available formats: ebook and paperback
Publisher: Paramance
Website page: http://www.laurengrimley.com/Unveiled...
Trailer link: http://youtu.be/hfz5KLrVC9k
Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17...
Blurb:
With strength comes vulnerabilities. With love comes loss. With power comes pain. The world Alex now belongs to hinges on such balance. Her every step seems to be lurching her precariously closer to one wrong side or another.
Alex had known her life as a Seer wouldn’t be easy. She knew her gift would be difficult to control and constantly sensing others’ emotions would be overwhelming. She even knew she’d be hunted for the power it would provide whichever coven of vampires controlled her. What she didn’t foresee were the difficulties she’d have with the parts of her life she ought to be able to control: her decisions, her actions, and her relationships.
It isn’t until she’s botched every facet of her new life that the opportunity arises to make things right. Rocky’s lover has been abducted, and Alex’s gift is the best shot at bringing her home alive. But even that will require tipping the scales in a direction no one but Alex can understand.
This sequel to Unforeseen is a darker tale of the battles Alex continues to fight against her enemies, her gift, and even herself. This time victory might cost her sanity, her lover, or her life.
Purchase links for Unveiled, book 2:
Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Unveiled-Alex-Crocker-Series-ebook/dp/B00CXGQGPC/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1369217456&sr=1-3&keywords=lauren+grimley
Barnes & Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unveiled-lauren-grimley/1115393815?ean=2940016588780
Excerpt from Chapter 1, Unveiled:
Two hours later Alex was dressed and sitting cross-legged in the center of the bed debating her next move. And there had to be a next move, because status quo since she’d made her transformation from freakishly intuitive human to full-blown Seer involved spending her nights on the brink of insanity. She’d kept up the act as long as she could. It was time to do something or admit defeat. Alex didn’t give up that easy.
She opened the small wooden jewelry box that lay before her on the center of the bedspread. Stacked on top of the tangled mess of costume jewelry she’d accumulated during high school and college were the array of bracelets she had worn on her right wrist for years. She had taken them off and stashed them away last summer without a second thought. Now she fingered a studded leather cuff, two of frayed woven cotton in muted earth tones, and one of pewter maille made by a classmate in college.
Disgusted, she slammed the lid closed. The force of it sent a folded scrap of paper fluttering onto the thick comforter. She didn’t need to unfold it to see what it said. The words in Darian’s neat cursive were etched into her memory.
The last of three,
Where essence is strong, marred And before the turn, battle-worn From which will then be born to us A unique warrior
’Tis she who Sees a way
To victory.
This was the prophecy supposedly foretelling Alex’s future as a Seer. While her first impression had been that it read like poorly written mumbo-jumbo, she had eventually accepted there might be something to it. Boiled down it predicted that her two brothers would die, she’d be gravely injured, carried to the safety of the coven, and be the first ever female to fight alongside the warriors. So far every charming line had turned out true, except the last two, which implied she’d be the one to end the centuries-long feud between two covens of creatures who could crush her in a heartbeat. Since most Seers suffered early painful deaths, Darian likely hoped she’d get a move on and wrap it all up before she turned thirty, to boot. But no pressure or anything.
Alex angrily tore the paper to bits and flung the pieces into the air where they scattered among the mess surrounding her. She tapped her front teeth together as she examined the room she’d lived in ever since she had been brought to the Regan’s farmhouse and told about the existence of vampires, Seers, and prophecies, all things most people in the small city of Bristol, Mass., believed to exist only in books—or horror movies. The once neatly kept guest room now teemed with distractions: a set of Shakespeare paperbacks, well-worn and marked from her college literature classes; an old Latin textbook she’d borrowed from Sarah, in hopes of being able to understand a few words of hers and Markus’s upcoming mating ceremony; two equally worn and dirty pairs of running shoes; and a new silver iPod with matching speakers.
Sage had given her these last two items for her twenty-sixth birthday after an embarrassing incident the week before. Listening to her old iPod had been a source of refuge from her sense. The tirade of swears that had spewed from her mouth the night it died after a rainy run had been epic. As a Knower, who was constantly inundated with his friends’ thoughts, the way Alex was bombarded with their emotions, Sage understood her need to block out her sense at times. Still, the present had come with a warning.
“Don’t make us regret the speakers,” he’d said. “If I have to be subjected to that chick rock you listen to, no music is going to drown out my irritation.”
In the weeks since, she had regularly ignored this instruction, blasting her playlists packed with the anthems of emos everywhere, in a vain attempt to numb her growing sense. None of her housemates said anything to stop her. They were ever-supportive as she tried to adjust to her gift. Their ignoring the signs that she was slowly falling apart and her pretending she was holding it all together was just part of the dance they shared on a nightly basis now. Sarah’s turning to Darian with her concern over her weight loss had been the first sign that the dance was coming to an end. Looking across the bedroom to the mirror that hung above the cherry dresser, Alex admitted it was a miracle it had lasted this long. She flinched at her own reflection. Her face was as pale as it would be mid-January, despite being only a few weeks into September. The red- violet under-eye circles stood out sharply against the pallid complexion. She looked away.
She needed to learn control, but what she really wanted was release. Books and music were merely diversions, which lasted only as long as her attention span. These days that wasn’t nearly long enough. Running had always been her go-to, but even that comfort only lasted as long as her body could hold out. Although that was far longer than she was allowed on the fields surrounding the property most nights. One of Darian’s many new safety precautions—or power plays, depending on who was asked.
With emotions rather than reason in charge, her promise to Markus was soon forgotten. She grabbed the remote to her speakers. Maybe a good fight was just what she needed. She pressed play and then held her thumb over the volume button until the angry alternative beats shook the entire upstairs. She couldn’t hear the growl or the stomping that accompanied the aggravation she sensed from the approaching Regan. Her door swung open seconds into the first song and Darian yanked the cord from the wall.
“Do you mind? I’m trying to prepare for a meeting.” He stood glaring at her, entirely filling the doorframe. This used to intimidate her. If she were being smart and not being overrun by her sense, it might still.
“And I’m trying to drown out how you’re feeling about that meeting.” Fresh and invasive, it was a nice touch.
“Are you adding listening to music to my proscribed list of activities? What does that leave me, Regan, knitting?”
Darian’s fists clenched and unclenched by his side.
Go ahead. Give in to it. Hit me. I’ve wanted to project someone onto his ass ever since my gift matured.
His hands dropped to his sides. Apparently she was the only one giving into her moods tonight. Darian had done what she had been unable to do for nearly two months: control his emotions.
“Use headphones. Or at least turn it down.” He spun around, closing her door as he exited.
Before it had even shut, she hurled her copy of King Lear at the wall beside it. “Every inch a king, my ass.”
His footsteps paused; his anger blazed. Alex’s hope rekindled. Then his sympathy seeped in, dissipating his fury. Heavy tread could be heard again heading down the hall to his office.
“Damn it.” She thought of all the times she had wanted Darian’s indulgence and was denied. Tonight when she craved confrontation, he yielded.
She slammed her fists into the pillows until, too exhausted to continue, she collapsed onto them. Eventually her breathing eased. In a calmer state, she realized what she had just done. Her stomach flipped. Picking a fight with a vampire, a Regan, might have sounded braver than her newest plan. She doubted, though, if anything could be more foolish. Still, she sighed.
Turning her head she gazed into the adjoining bathroom as one hand drifted back to the jewelry box. There had to be a way to keep them safe without doing this. There had to be a way to keep herself sane without doing this. She wished desperately she knew what that way was.
Author Information:Author website: http://www.laurengrimley.comBlog: http://blog.laurengrimley.comTwitter @legrimley: https://twitter.com/legrimleyFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorLaurenGrimleyGoogle+: http://plus.google.com/u/0/105156245095191358255/posts//p/pubGoodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5825387.Lauren_GrimleyPinterest: http://pinterest.com/authorlegrimley/
Bio: Lauren Grimley lives in central Massachusetts where she grew up, but her heart is on the beaches of Cape Cod where she spends as much of her time as possible. After graduating from Boston University she became a middle school English teacher. She now balances writing, reading, and correcting, all with a cat on her lap and a glass of red wine close by.
Also by Lauren Grimley:
“Unknown” a short story from the Alex Crocker series:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1623750210/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1623750210&linkCode=as2&tag=laurgrim-20
Blurb:
Middle school is supposed to bite. Middle schoolers aren't.
Alex simply wanted to do a favor for a friend while taking a much-needed reprieve from her far-from-average life and returning temporarily to her teaching position. Torie was just trying to trudge through another day of middle school surrounded by naïve peers who had no idea what she was to become. Neither teacher nor student expected to glance across a classroom of normal human teenagers and into the face of their enemy. Neither Seer nor Knower could have understood how their gifts would leave them second-guessing everything they'd been taught to believe about the other side.
.png)
“Apply Liberally” a short romantic comedy/chick lit piece:
http://www.amazon.com/Apply-Liberally-ebook/dp/B00DP3YLK4/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372778578&sr=1-3
Blurb:
Lissa had decided when she left the stale air of her classroom that afternoon that she was not going to wallow. She would not give Tom, Mr. I'm-just-not-ready-to-commit-right-now, the satisfaction of devastating her summer the way he had destroyed her confidence and sanity the previous four months. No, she decided she would bask in the freedom of her single status. Or at least drown her sorrows in a pitcher of Margaritas, a torrid romance novel, and a package or two of Oreos enjoyed on the nearest vacant stretch of beach.
That's when it started raining.
Still, a single woman on a mission can not be deterred. And who doesn’t need a little sunscreen even in a thunderstorm?
a Rafflecopter giveaway
July 21, 2013
Lauren Grimley #1: Unforeseen Excerpt
The first excerpt today from Lauren Grimley comes from Unforeseen.
Unforeseen, the first novel in the Alex Crocker Seer series, was Lauren’s debut novel, and she’s thrilled to be continuing the series with Unveiled. To learn more about her or her writing or to connect with her online visit her website at www.laurengrimley.com
Book Information:
Unforeseen (Alex Crocker series, book 1)
Genres/tags: urban fantasy, paranormal romance, vampire series
Available formats: ebook and paperback
Publisher: Malachite Quills
Website page: http://www.laurengrimley.com/Unforeseen.html
Trailer link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4jIAt-U1iQ
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13624479-unforeseen
Blurb:
Alex was quite sure gifted was a term delusional parents applied to their strictly average children, vampires were gorgeous dead guys in her eighth-grade girls' novels, and Seers was a middle schooler's misspelling of a department store known for power tools. Teachers, however, don't know everything–it’s Alex’s turn to be educated.
Running alone the night before school ends, Alex is violently attacked. Regaining consciousness, she finds herself in the home of the Rectinatti Regan, the leader of one of two covens of vampires battling nightly on the streets of her city. If that discovery wasn't enough to make her think she'd gone insane, she realizes she's sensing the emotions of another of the vampires as strongly as she feels her own. Discovering these creatures have the answers to what she is and why she was attacked, she decides she wants to stay, despite knowing it is a dangerous, possibly deadly desire.
Purchase links for Unforeseen, Book 1:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Unforeseen-Lauren-Grimley/dp/1623750210/ref=tmm_pap_title_0
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unforeseen-lauren-grimley/1110436184?ean=2940014543286
Excerpt from Unforeseen:
She knew he was out there. She hadn’t heard him approach over the music she’d been playing. And she couldn’t see clearly through the windows of the two double doors due to the reflection cast by the soft yellow light of the small desk lamp. But Alex would have bet her summer paycheck he was right outside, standing silently in the dark corridor.
That afternoon she had been out the door of the middle school where she taught before the dismissal bell had ceased ringing. The heat and charged end-of-year atmosphere had left her spent and desperate for escape. Unfortunately there was no escaping her uncompleted work. So as soon as she was sure the final after-school activity had ended, she had returned and retreated to the comfort and quiet of the air-conditioned library with her stack of ungraded essays. It had seemed like a pretty smart plan at the time.
As she tapped her front teeth together repeatedly, she was second-guessing her wisdom. She supposed it was too late to flick off the light, mute the music, and hide under the librarian’s desk. He knew she was in there, alone.
But why should she be the one hiding anyway? She had dumped him.
“Come on in, Peter.” Alex stood up and gave a quick tug to the bottoms of her skimpy running shorts. They were probably not appropriate attire to be wearing in the workplace, even after the students had all gone home. She supposed she had little to worry about, though. Peter, as vice-principal, was her boss, and he had seen pretty much all of her. That was more than three years ago, when she had been fresh out of college and easily won over. She’d grown past that stage. Peter had missed the memo.
“Sorry. I, ah, didn’t want to startle you.” He flashed her a guilty grin as he entered the room rubbing his hand over what remained of his buzzed hair.
“Skulking in the hallway was a good idea, then,” Alex said with just a shadow of a smile. Peter chuckled. “Do you use that kind of sarcasm in your classroom, Ms. Crocker?”
She groaned at his form of address. Ms. rang of wizened old spinsters who reeked of
chalk dust and sour coffee breath. At twenty-five, Miss Crocker was more of a laptop-and-sports- drink kind of gal.
“Are you here to kick me out, Peter?” She caught a glimpse of the clock over his shoulder. It was quarter of ten. She knew asking the night custodians to stay sixty seconds past their contracted hours could potentially lead to a union riot.
“Sorry, I know your place is a sauna on nights like this,” he answered, as if she needed reminding he had spent more than a few hot—make that lukewarm—nights at her small one- bedroom apartment.
Alex took a deep breath. He was a good guy, a good friend. But the puppy-who-refused- to-give-up-his-favorite-chew-toy routine was getting old. Not that the chew toy had found a new dog, unfortunately.
Ugh, she thought. Did he really have her equating herself with something plastic and squeaky?
She must not have been successful at hiding her aggravation, though Peter misread the reason for her mood. “You know, if you needed some money to buy an air conditioner—”
“I don’t need money.” Alex knew she snapped a little too fiercely at his generosity. One of her many flaws was a proud independent streak that often bordered on pigheadedness. She had her father to thank for that. Alex sighed and continued in what she hoped was a softer tone. “Thank you, though, for offering.”
“Right. Well, how about a ride home? At least allow me one act of chivalry.” He looked down at her with his deep brown eyes. For a fleeting instant, as she met them, his emotions waxed into hers. She had a bad habit of falling for guys simply because they fell for her. She knew it was how they had become a couple to begin with, but she just couldn’t help it. Some days everyone’s emotions felt as contagious as the flu germs her students passed around each January. She mentally pinched herself, hard.
“Thanks, Prince Charming, but you’ll need to find another damsel in distress. If I don’t run, I’ll never sleep.”
Peter furrowed his brows. “You and your late-night runs.”
“Yes, I’m such a wild child,” Alex laughed. She hadn’t been up past midnight more than twice in the last year. In fact, the most exciting thing she’d done since college had been with Peter—here at school, in a janitor’s closet. She blushed remembering. She peeked up to see he was rosy, as well. “I’ve gone cold-turkey on the Grey’s Anatomy marathons,” she assured him. Though it still seemed unfair that young doctors had all the fun. “Perhaps you should lay off the Law & Order reruns—I’ll be fine.” Alex slung her school bag over her shoulder, scooped her beat-up iPod from the desk and started to the door, patting her pocket to double check she had her key to her apartment.
After dropping her bag in her classroom, she walked with Peter as far as the faculty parking lot. He stopped before crossing the dimly lit pavement to his car. Jingling his keys in his hand, he turned to her one last time.
“Are you—”
“Yes. I’m sure.” Alex held up her right hand so he could see the bracelets that covered her wrist. She pointed to her runner’s ID tag and flashed him a grin. “Don’t worry, if some idiot kills me at a crosswalk, you’ll be the first to know.”
“Not funny, Alex.”
She was already heading to the sidewalk, slipping the headphones blasting her alternative rock mix into each ear. She raised a hand to him to say goodnight.
Once on the main road, Alex’s route home was practically a straight shot through the center of Bristol. The former mill city in Eastern Mass had its shabby sections, and it lacked the culture and sophistication of a bigger city like Boston, but it was her home and always had been. She had never felt afraid running the familiar four-and-a-half-mile trek between school and her place. Besides, what she told Peter was true: she needed to run. Handling her students’ hormone- enhanced emotions could be draining. She needed an outlet. Since she could no longer afford karate in addition to her student loans and grad classes, she’d turned to running.
As she closed in on the final street before she’d be on her own block, she watched her shadow grow and shrink in the peaks and valleys of light cast by the evenly spaced streetlamps. She turned around, jogging backwards a few paces. The street behind her, like that ahead of her, was empty. The usual light traffic and occasional dog walker had been kept home by the oppressive humidity and the evening’s earlier thunderstorms. It normally wouldn’t have unnerved her. As a city girl, Alex usually relished the rare opportunity to be truly alone, especially on a night when the rain-washed pavement left the city streets smelling clean for once. So, feeling the unmistakable nervous twinge that turned her stomach and tightened her chest, she cursed the power of suggestion.
“Damn you, Peter.”
Hoping to shake the ridiculous feeling of being followed and not wanting to squander the adrenaline, she took off at full speed. Her sneakers tore into the wet pavement, sending spray up her muscled calves. Halfway to the corner her lungs were burning. At just over five feet short, as her brothers used to say, speed had never been her thing.
Just to the next alley, she promised her aching chest. As soon as she reached the gap between the two commercial buildings, she let up. Her feet slapped the sidewalk as she tried to slow her momentum. She would walk the last block and a half home. It would allow her time to catch her breath, cool off, and calm down. She tried to focus on something mundane.
As she wiped the sweat from her brow, she thought about what Peter had offered. She’d never accept the charity, but she really could use a small air conditioner for her bedroom. She was sick of fighting with the landlord over the ancient hunk of metal that was supposed to cool her whole apartment. Midway through cursing the useless beer-gutted moron under her breath, she was overwhelmed with what might have felt like a wave of nausea to anyone else.
Alex was not anyone else. Part of being sensitive to others’ emotions was having a killer sense of intuition, and hers was suddenly on high alert. This was not the vague undefined fear of moments before—this was real and immediate.
Author Information:Author website: http://www.laurengrimley.comBlog: http://blog.laurengrimley.comTwitter @legrimley: https://twitter.com/legrimleyFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorLaurenGrimleyGoogle+: http://plus.google.com/u/0/105156245095191358255/posts//p/pubGoodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5825387.Lauren_GrimleyPinterest: http://pinterest.com/authorlegrimley/
Bio: Lauren Grimley lives in central Massachusetts where she grew up, but her heart is on the beaches of Cape Cod where she spends as much of her time as possible. After graduating from Boston University she became a middle school English teacher. She now balances writing, reading, and correcting, all with a cat on her lap and a glass of red wine close by.
Unforeseen, the first novel in the Alex Crocker Seer series, was Lauren’s debut novel, and she’s thrilled to be continuing the series with Unveiled. To learn more about her or her writing or to connect with her online visit her website at www.laurengrimley.com
Book Information:
Unforeseen (Alex Crocker series, book 1)
Genres/tags: urban fantasy, paranormal romance, vampire series
Available formats: ebook and paperback
Publisher: Malachite Quills
Website page: http://www.laurengrimley.com/Unforeseen.html
Trailer link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4jIAt-U1iQ
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13624479-unforeseen
Blurb:
Alex was quite sure gifted was a term delusional parents applied to their strictly average children, vampires were gorgeous dead guys in her eighth-grade girls' novels, and Seers was a middle schooler's misspelling of a department store known for power tools. Teachers, however, don't know everything–it’s Alex’s turn to be educated.
Running alone the night before school ends, Alex is violently attacked. Regaining consciousness, she finds herself in the home of the Rectinatti Regan, the leader of one of two covens of vampires battling nightly on the streets of her city. If that discovery wasn't enough to make her think she'd gone insane, she realizes she's sensing the emotions of another of the vampires as strongly as she feels her own. Discovering these creatures have the answers to what she is and why she was attacked, she decides she wants to stay, despite knowing it is a dangerous, possibly deadly desire.
Purchase links for Unforeseen, Book 1:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Unforeseen-Lauren-Grimley/dp/1623750210/ref=tmm_pap_title_0
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unforeseen-lauren-grimley/1110436184?ean=2940014543286
Excerpt from Unforeseen:
She knew he was out there. She hadn’t heard him approach over the music she’d been playing. And she couldn’t see clearly through the windows of the two double doors due to the reflection cast by the soft yellow light of the small desk lamp. But Alex would have bet her summer paycheck he was right outside, standing silently in the dark corridor.
That afternoon she had been out the door of the middle school where she taught before the dismissal bell had ceased ringing. The heat and charged end-of-year atmosphere had left her spent and desperate for escape. Unfortunately there was no escaping her uncompleted work. So as soon as she was sure the final after-school activity had ended, she had returned and retreated to the comfort and quiet of the air-conditioned library with her stack of ungraded essays. It had seemed like a pretty smart plan at the time.
As she tapped her front teeth together repeatedly, she was second-guessing her wisdom. She supposed it was too late to flick off the light, mute the music, and hide under the librarian’s desk. He knew she was in there, alone.
But why should she be the one hiding anyway? She had dumped him.
“Come on in, Peter.” Alex stood up and gave a quick tug to the bottoms of her skimpy running shorts. They were probably not appropriate attire to be wearing in the workplace, even after the students had all gone home. She supposed she had little to worry about, though. Peter, as vice-principal, was her boss, and he had seen pretty much all of her. That was more than three years ago, when she had been fresh out of college and easily won over. She’d grown past that stage. Peter had missed the memo.
“Sorry. I, ah, didn’t want to startle you.” He flashed her a guilty grin as he entered the room rubbing his hand over what remained of his buzzed hair.
“Skulking in the hallway was a good idea, then,” Alex said with just a shadow of a smile. Peter chuckled. “Do you use that kind of sarcasm in your classroom, Ms. Crocker?”
She groaned at his form of address. Ms. rang of wizened old spinsters who reeked of
chalk dust and sour coffee breath. At twenty-five, Miss Crocker was more of a laptop-and-sports- drink kind of gal.
“Are you here to kick me out, Peter?” She caught a glimpse of the clock over his shoulder. It was quarter of ten. She knew asking the night custodians to stay sixty seconds past their contracted hours could potentially lead to a union riot.
“Sorry, I know your place is a sauna on nights like this,” he answered, as if she needed reminding he had spent more than a few hot—make that lukewarm—nights at her small one- bedroom apartment.
Alex took a deep breath. He was a good guy, a good friend. But the puppy-who-refused- to-give-up-his-favorite-chew-toy routine was getting old. Not that the chew toy had found a new dog, unfortunately.
Ugh, she thought. Did he really have her equating herself with something plastic and squeaky?
She must not have been successful at hiding her aggravation, though Peter misread the reason for her mood. “You know, if you needed some money to buy an air conditioner—”
“I don’t need money.” Alex knew she snapped a little too fiercely at his generosity. One of her many flaws was a proud independent streak that often bordered on pigheadedness. She had her father to thank for that. Alex sighed and continued in what she hoped was a softer tone. “Thank you, though, for offering.”
“Right. Well, how about a ride home? At least allow me one act of chivalry.” He looked down at her with his deep brown eyes. For a fleeting instant, as she met them, his emotions waxed into hers. She had a bad habit of falling for guys simply because they fell for her. She knew it was how they had become a couple to begin with, but she just couldn’t help it. Some days everyone’s emotions felt as contagious as the flu germs her students passed around each January. She mentally pinched herself, hard.
“Thanks, Prince Charming, but you’ll need to find another damsel in distress. If I don’t run, I’ll never sleep.”
Peter furrowed his brows. “You and your late-night runs.”
“Yes, I’m such a wild child,” Alex laughed. She hadn’t been up past midnight more than twice in the last year. In fact, the most exciting thing she’d done since college had been with Peter—here at school, in a janitor’s closet. She blushed remembering. She peeked up to see he was rosy, as well. “I’ve gone cold-turkey on the Grey’s Anatomy marathons,” she assured him. Though it still seemed unfair that young doctors had all the fun. “Perhaps you should lay off the Law & Order reruns—I’ll be fine.” Alex slung her school bag over her shoulder, scooped her beat-up iPod from the desk and started to the door, patting her pocket to double check she had her key to her apartment.
After dropping her bag in her classroom, she walked with Peter as far as the faculty parking lot. He stopped before crossing the dimly lit pavement to his car. Jingling his keys in his hand, he turned to her one last time.
“Are you—”
“Yes. I’m sure.” Alex held up her right hand so he could see the bracelets that covered her wrist. She pointed to her runner’s ID tag and flashed him a grin. “Don’t worry, if some idiot kills me at a crosswalk, you’ll be the first to know.”
“Not funny, Alex.”
She was already heading to the sidewalk, slipping the headphones blasting her alternative rock mix into each ear. She raised a hand to him to say goodnight.
Once on the main road, Alex’s route home was practically a straight shot through the center of Bristol. The former mill city in Eastern Mass had its shabby sections, and it lacked the culture and sophistication of a bigger city like Boston, but it was her home and always had been. She had never felt afraid running the familiar four-and-a-half-mile trek between school and her place. Besides, what she told Peter was true: she needed to run. Handling her students’ hormone- enhanced emotions could be draining. She needed an outlet. Since she could no longer afford karate in addition to her student loans and grad classes, she’d turned to running.
As she closed in on the final street before she’d be on her own block, she watched her shadow grow and shrink in the peaks and valleys of light cast by the evenly spaced streetlamps. She turned around, jogging backwards a few paces. The street behind her, like that ahead of her, was empty. The usual light traffic and occasional dog walker had been kept home by the oppressive humidity and the evening’s earlier thunderstorms. It normally wouldn’t have unnerved her. As a city girl, Alex usually relished the rare opportunity to be truly alone, especially on a night when the rain-washed pavement left the city streets smelling clean for once. So, feeling the unmistakable nervous twinge that turned her stomach and tightened her chest, she cursed the power of suggestion.
“Damn you, Peter.”
Hoping to shake the ridiculous feeling of being followed and not wanting to squander the adrenaline, she took off at full speed. Her sneakers tore into the wet pavement, sending spray up her muscled calves. Halfway to the corner her lungs were burning. At just over five feet short, as her brothers used to say, speed had never been her thing.
Just to the next alley, she promised her aching chest. As soon as she reached the gap between the two commercial buildings, she let up. Her feet slapped the sidewalk as she tried to slow her momentum. She would walk the last block and a half home. It would allow her time to catch her breath, cool off, and calm down. She tried to focus on something mundane.
As she wiped the sweat from her brow, she thought about what Peter had offered. She’d never accept the charity, but she really could use a small air conditioner for her bedroom. She was sick of fighting with the landlord over the ancient hunk of metal that was supposed to cool her whole apartment. Midway through cursing the useless beer-gutted moron under her breath, she was overwhelmed with what might have felt like a wave of nausea to anyone else.
Alex was not anyone else. Part of being sensitive to others’ emotions was having a killer sense of intuition, and hers was suddenly on high alert. This was not the vague undefined fear of moments before—this was real and immediate.
Author Information:Author website: http://www.laurengrimley.comBlog: http://blog.laurengrimley.comTwitter @legrimley: https://twitter.com/legrimleyFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorLaurenGrimleyGoogle+: http://plus.google.com/u/0/105156245095191358255/posts//p/pubGoodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5825387.Lauren_GrimleyPinterest: http://pinterest.com/authorlegrimley/
Bio: Lauren Grimley lives in central Massachusetts where she grew up, but her heart is on the beaches of Cape Cod where she spends as much of her time as possible. After graduating from Boston University she became a middle school English teacher. She now balances writing, reading, and correcting, all with a cat on her lap and a glass of red wine close by.
BBF Kick Off Post!
Hey guys! Sorry it's been so quiet around here lately. I've been hard at work on the BBF and I haven't had much time for anything else. As some of you know, BBF is an event where authors and bloggers come together to showcase tons of books from various genres. The event officially starts tomorrow, but I'm here to tell you what to expect on Paranormal Lounge this week.
Each day of the BBF I will be featuring excerpts from a different author's work. The thing you will love about this is that all of these excerpts are from books that feature paranormal themes!
Monday: Excerpts from Lauren Grimley!
Tuesday: Excerpts from Liz Long!
Wednesday: Excerpts from M.L. Weaver!
Thursday: Excerpts from Nathan Squiers!
Friday: Excerpts from M. Pepper Langlinais!
Along with this, I have some news. I have made Ruby, the short story companion to Obsidian, permanently FREE on Smashwords. Some more great news? Obsidian is HALF PRICE on Kindle starting on Monday for the duration of the fair! Only $3.50!
Also, I have a giveaway going. It's a grab bag of my short stories. Winners can pick any story they want. Use the rafflecopter below to enter!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Each day of the BBF I will be featuring excerpts from a different author's work. The thing you will love about this is that all of these excerpts are from books that feature paranormal themes!
Monday: Excerpts from Lauren Grimley!
Tuesday: Excerpts from Liz Long!
Wednesday: Excerpts from M.L. Weaver!
Thursday: Excerpts from Nathan Squiers!
Friday: Excerpts from M. Pepper Langlinais!
Along with this, I have some news. I have made Ruby, the short story companion to Obsidian, permanently FREE on Smashwords. Some more great news? Obsidian is HALF PRICE on Kindle starting on Monday for the duration of the fair! Only $3.50!
Also, I have a giveaway going. It's a grab bag of my short stories. Winners can pick any story they want. Use the rafflecopter below to enter!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
July 15, 2013
Empath Cover Reveal: Sign up for an ARC #NA #Romance #UrbanFantasy
Today I'm part of the cover reveal blitz for Becca J. Campbell's new novel, Empath. I had the pleasure to beta read this and I think you guys will LOVE it!
I'm thrilled to unveil the cover art for my latest book, the first novel in the Flawed series. Steven Novak worked his magic and created this stunning design. Empath comes out August 20th, but if you are a book blogger or reviewer, you can sign up for an ARC now (details at the end of this post).
The Flawed SeriesFlawed is a New Adult series about people with super-human weaknesses, and each book focuses on a different main character, though the characters intermingle between the books. Each individual's flaw also has an upside--sort of like on Heroes or X-Men, though this series is geared more toward Romance fans. I would classify it as Romantic Urban Fantasy with a side of Suspense.
EmpathSupernatural empathy isn’t a gift, it’s a curse. Anywhere she goes, Jade’s emotions are replaced by those of the people around her.Jade grew up in a suburb of Colorado Springs, protected from other people by her parents. Now she faces college—and the world—with nothing to shield her from unwanted feelings.When Cam, a classmate with a major crush on her unintentionally hijacks her emotions, Jade struggles to keep from being carried away in feelings of attraction. When Ethan, a psychopath with a thirst for fear, fixates on her, the emotional impact could be lethal. Caught in a deadly trap, Jade must untangle the emotions and find a way to use her empathic curse to overcome this killer or be overcome by him.Want an ARC? Sign up now!Many of my beta readers have called Empath their favorite of my stories. Want to get a copy early? ARCs will be available in about three weeks, and you can get on my list now to secure your copy. You don't have to be a blogger to get one, but you do have to agree to post your honest review to the major book sites (Amazon & Goodreads). Also, I have a limited number of ARCs and I reserve the right to deny copies on a case by case scenario. I'm currently scheduling bloggers for the Empath Blog Tour, which begins September 16th. To participate you must be a blogger who focuses primarily on books. Reserve your ARC here. You can also email your ARC request to me at beccajcampbell@gmail.com. ~
Becca J. Campbell is the author of the New Adult Romantic Science Fiction novels Foreign Identity and Gateway to Reality, and Sub-Normal, a series of short stories. An avid lover of stories that tiptoe the line between fantasy and reality (even when they plunge off one side or the other), Becca looks for new angles on bridging the gap between the two. She holds a special place in her heart for any story that involves superpowers or time travel. Her passion is defying the limits of her own creativity. You can find her on her Author Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, and Amazon.
I'm thrilled to unveil the cover art for my latest book, the first novel in the Flawed series. Steven Novak worked his magic and created this stunning design. Empath comes out August 20th, but if you are a book blogger or reviewer, you can sign up for an ARC now (details at the end of this post).
The Flawed SeriesFlawed is a New Adult series about people with super-human weaknesses, and each book focuses on a different main character, though the characters intermingle between the books. Each individual's flaw also has an upside--sort of like on Heroes or X-Men, though this series is geared more toward Romance fans. I would classify it as Romantic Urban Fantasy with a side of Suspense.
EmpathSupernatural empathy isn’t a gift, it’s a curse. Anywhere she goes, Jade’s emotions are replaced by those of the people around her.Jade grew up in a suburb of Colorado Springs, protected from other people by her parents. Now she faces college—and the world—with nothing to shield her from unwanted feelings.When Cam, a classmate with a major crush on her unintentionally hijacks her emotions, Jade struggles to keep from being carried away in feelings of attraction. When Ethan, a psychopath with a thirst for fear, fixates on her, the emotional impact could be lethal. Caught in a deadly trap, Jade must untangle the emotions and find a way to use her empathic curse to overcome this killer or be overcome by him.Want an ARC? Sign up now!Many of my beta readers have called Empath their favorite of my stories. Want to get a copy early? ARCs will be available in about three weeks, and you can get on my list now to secure your copy. You don't have to be a blogger to get one, but you do have to agree to post your honest review to the major book sites (Amazon & Goodreads). Also, I have a limited number of ARCs and I reserve the right to deny copies on a case by case scenario. I'm currently scheduling bloggers for the Empath Blog Tour, which begins September 16th. To participate you must be a blogger who focuses primarily on books. Reserve your ARC here. You can also email your ARC request to me at beccajcampbell@gmail.com. ~
Becca J. Campbell is the author of the New Adult Romantic Science Fiction novels Foreign Identity and Gateway to Reality, and Sub-Normal, a series of short stories. An avid lover of stories that tiptoe the line between fantasy and reality (even when they plunge off one side or the other), Becca looks for new angles on bridging the gap between the two. She holds a special place in her heart for any story that involves superpowers or time travel. Her passion is defying the limits of her own creativity. You can find her on her Author Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, and Amazon.
June 23, 2013
Feature: From author Patricia D. Eddy, By the Fates, Freed
Today I'm hosting the book By the Fates, Freed by Patricia D. Eddy. It sounds like a great book and if you are okay with the warnings below, you should check it out!
By the Fates, Freed is a paranormal romance novel. There are dark, mature themes and steamy sex. It is ultimately a story of love, growth, and redemption.
Blurb:
Her unusual emerald aura makes the witch the target of a powerful devil clan. They bind her, taking her name, her voice, and her magic. Shackled inside the cold, stone walls of the devil’s prison, tortured and abused, she prays for a death she knows will not come.
Born a powerful protector, the warlock has always felt unfulfilled. His casual promise to his king’s Council results in a life-changing discovery. The imprisoned, nameless witch is his mate — the one witch he is fated to love for all eternity. He must free her or his very life will be over.
Freed, the witch must learn how to trust again. But the kind warlock with the face of a dark angel is hiding something — a secret that will give the witch the strength to help her to fulfill her destiny.
As she comes into her power, she will discover a pure truth that allows her to save herself and the man she loves.
This is the first book in the By the Fates trilogy.
Warning: This book contains disturbing and mature themes including rape and physical and mental torture. Suitable for adult audiences only.
Amazon
About the Author:
Patricia D. Eddy doesn't know how to relax. Really. She’s tried. But between a full time job, running, cycling, swimming, writing, reading, and the occasional movie or trivia night, it just doesn't happen. Despite routinely telling her mother that her life is boring, what she really means is that she doesn't have enough free time to get bored. She wouldn't have it any other way. She lives in Seattle with her husband and three cats. She has been known to participate in clandestine coffee bean exchanges in corner shops and is happiest when she’s mixing the perfect Manhattan.
Website
Facebook
Twitter
By the Fates, Freed is a paranormal romance novel. There are dark, mature themes and steamy sex. It is ultimately a story of love, growth, and redemption.
Blurb:
Her unusual emerald aura makes the witch the target of a powerful devil clan. They bind her, taking her name, her voice, and her magic. Shackled inside the cold, stone walls of the devil’s prison, tortured and abused, she prays for a death she knows will not come.
Born a powerful protector, the warlock has always felt unfulfilled. His casual promise to his king’s Council results in a life-changing discovery. The imprisoned, nameless witch is his mate — the one witch he is fated to love for all eternity. He must free her or his very life will be over.
Freed, the witch must learn how to trust again. But the kind warlock with the face of a dark angel is hiding something — a secret that will give the witch the strength to help her to fulfill her destiny.
As she comes into her power, she will discover a pure truth that allows her to save herself and the man she loves.
This is the first book in the By the Fates trilogy.
Warning: This book contains disturbing and mature themes including rape and physical and mental torture. Suitable for adult audiences only.
Amazon
About the Author:Patricia D. Eddy doesn't know how to relax. Really. She’s tried. But between a full time job, running, cycling, swimming, writing, reading, and the occasional movie or trivia night, it just doesn't happen. Despite routinely telling her mother that her life is boring, what she really means is that she doesn't have enough free time to get bored. She wouldn't have it any other way. She lives in Seattle with her husband and three cats. She has been known to participate in clandestine coffee bean exchanges in corner shops and is happiest when she’s mixing the perfect Manhattan.
Website
June 19, 2013
Feature: Colour Weilders by Dawna Raver
Today, I am hosting the book, Colour Wielders by Dawna Raver. You can read the blurb, read about the author, check out the beautiful cover and maybe even buy a copy for yourself. But before that, here is a word from the author about the book:
Colour Wielders is a unique, new adult, romantic fantasy that brings to life Gods, Demi-gods, & Fae of myth and legend and blends them into the everyday world. But more than that, it is the story of two people who've been screwed over by the people they trust most, learning to trust each other and the changing world around them. -Dawna Raver
Blurb:
Behind the Faerying Mysts, hidden from Mortal eyes, is a land where gods and creatures of myth and legend dwell. And in the Mortal Realm, their Princess is hidden away.
Quinn Sinclair lives an ordinary life with her less-than-loving mother in Conifer, Colorado, clueless of her true nature. On the night of her birthday, a staggering betrayal sends her life spinning out-of-control. As she struggles to pick up the pieces, a vision of a man with haunting tourmaline-blue eyes begs her for help, and she is transported into a Magykal battle—forever changing her life.
Arik Morgaine—Demigod bad boy and outcast of the Magykal Realm—tried to avoid contact with Princess Quinn for eighteen years, not wanting to make good on an old threat. But the fates have other plans.
Arik can no longer deny his growing desire for Quinn, or the need to protect her from those wanting to control her burgeoning powers.
Can the two of them come together and save the Magykal Realm from being destroyed by the Darkest of Magyks?
Check it out on Amazon!
About the Author:
Dawna Raver is an author of paranormal romance and urban fantasy. Colour Wielders, book one of the Heirs of the Magykal Realm series, is her debut novel. When she's not spending time in her fantasy world, Dawna loves football, reading, and pretending she's a top chef in the kitchen. Oh, and fawning over her dogs and husband, sometimes in that order.
Twitter
Facebook
Website
Colour Wielders is a unique, new adult, romantic fantasy that brings to life Gods, Demi-gods, & Fae of myth and legend and blends them into the everyday world. But more than that, it is the story of two people who've been screwed over by the people they trust most, learning to trust each other and the changing world around them. -Dawna Raver
Blurb:
Behind the Faerying Mysts, hidden from Mortal eyes, is a land where gods and creatures of myth and legend dwell. And in the Mortal Realm, their Princess is hidden away.
Quinn Sinclair lives an ordinary life with her less-than-loving mother in Conifer, Colorado, clueless of her true nature. On the night of her birthday, a staggering betrayal sends her life spinning out-of-control. As she struggles to pick up the pieces, a vision of a man with haunting tourmaline-blue eyes begs her for help, and she is transported into a Magykal battle—forever changing her life.
Arik Morgaine—Demigod bad boy and outcast of the Magykal Realm—tried to avoid contact with Princess Quinn for eighteen years, not wanting to make good on an old threat. But the fates have other plans.
Arik can no longer deny his growing desire for Quinn, or the need to protect her from those wanting to control her burgeoning powers.
Can the two of them come together and save the Magykal Realm from being destroyed by the Darkest of Magyks?
Check it out on Amazon!
About the Author:
Dawna Raver is an author of paranormal romance and urban fantasy. Colour Wielders, book one of the Heirs of the Magykal Realm series, is her debut novel. When she's not spending time in her fantasy world, Dawna loves football, reading, and pretending she's a top chef in the kitchen. Oh, and fawning over her dogs and husband, sometimes in that order.
Website
June 14, 2013
Martin Sisters Publishing brings you Moonstone very soon!
Moonstone is in the queue over at Martin Sisters Publishing. We'll be prepping it for release over the next few months. Before the second book in the series is released, however, I must give a shout out to my awesome publisher.
Martin Sisters Publishing is a quickly growing small publisher that really cares about the books they publish.
I found this publisher through Writer's Market. If you don't have a current Writer's Market and you are planning on going with traditional publication, you really need to pick one up.
MSP is run by two sisters who do most of the work themselves. They are good at what they do and they are passionate about putting out great books from all sorts of genres. Also, like a true publisher, they take care of all costs associated with publishing and they walk you through the entire process.
You can learn more about them and all the awesome books they've published on their website www.martinsisterspublishing.com. You can also visit and follow their Martin Sisters Book blog which will soon be busy with posts from the authors who have worked with MSP.
Also, don't forget to like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter!
Martin Sisters Publishing is a quickly growing small publisher that really cares about the books they publish.
I found this publisher through Writer's Market. If you don't have a current Writer's Market and you are planning on going with traditional publication, you really need to pick one up.
MSP is run by two sisters who do most of the work themselves. They are good at what they do and they are passionate about putting out great books from all sorts of genres. Also, like a true publisher, they take care of all costs associated with publishing and they walk you through the entire process.
You can learn more about them and all the awesome books they've published on their website www.martinsisterspublishing.com. You can also visit and follow their Martin Sisters Book blog which will soon be busy with posts from the authors who have worked with MSP.
Also, don't forget to like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter!
June 13, 2013
New feature on Paranormal Lounge!
Hello! I've come up with a new way to help promote you and your books!
There are actually two ways on my Get Featured page.
The first is a feature on this blog, and it is for paranormal books only. Just fill out the form and I'll be in touch.
The second is a tweet to my 2,000+ followers. The tweet can be about any book or writing related subject and you can send me a tweet once per week. The only thing I ask in return is that you follow me on twitter. I will follow you back too, which is a win/win situation.
Both of these services are FREE, but please respect the rules. Do not try to get your mystery featured on Paranormal Lounge and do not send me more than one tweet per week.
I'm looking forward to hearing from you on these forms and can't wait to help you expand your reach!
There are actually two ways on my Get Featured page.
The first is a feature on this blog, and it is for paranormal books only. Just fill out the form and I'll be in touch.
The second is a tweet to my 2,000+ followers. The tweet can be about any book or writing related subject and you can send me a tweet once per week. The only thing I ask in return is that you follow me on twitter. I will follow you back too, which is a win/win situation.
Both of these services are FREE, but please respect the rules. Do not try to get your mystery featured on Paranormal Lounge and do not send me more than one tweet per week.
I'm looking forward to hearing from you on these forms and can't wait to help you expand your reach!
June 4, 2013
The Places You Don’t Want To Go: A guest post by author Kourtney Heintz
Before I get started, I just want to thank Kayla for letting me write a guest post on her blog! *Big Wave*
Writing about a world where out-of-control telepathy existed sounded so cool; but writing from the point of view of an out-of-control telepath named Kai didn’t.
I had no idea how to get inside her mind and not get lost there. So I stayed on the periphery telling everything from the perspective of my other protagonist, her husband, Oliver.
It was easier to learn about her powers from him. To understand her through his eyes.
So I let Oliver be the point-of-view character for most of The Six Train to Wisconsin. As her abilities came under control, I reached a point where the story required her to be the narrator. Only then did I plunge into Kai’s point of view. And it was thrilling. Her powers affected her perception and her thought patterns. Her abilities intertwined with her so deeply and enriched her character so much.
I fell deeply in love with her character and realized I was doing a huge disservice to Kai. By refusing to go into her point of view in the beginning, my readers missed out on a key element of who she was. Or at least who she could be in her worst moments. The telling moments.
After I finished my third round of revisions, I knew Kai so well, I felt nearly certain I was up to the task of capturing her at her worst and still telling the story. I struggled with how much of her powers would eclipse a scene and how to not have the powers front and center all the time.
This wasn’t simply a story about telepathy. This was a story about a woman whose out-of-control ability threatened her life and a husband whose secret threatened their future. So I had to pick and chose the moments where her ability took center stage and the moments that it had to be a background player to the emotions or the plot.
There were times I had to go back and add more details about her abilities and other places I had to scale back. Sometimes I got so into how the powers worked I’d lose myself in them. It’s a dangerous path for a writer. Just because you’re enamored with the mechanisms of your world building doesn’t mean anyone else is.
One of the hardest things was figuring out ways to limit her abilities. I played with the idea of shield. The telepathy could reside in the background when she formed a psychic shield. Others could block her out with their shields. I didn’t want her powers to remove the opportunity for confusion and misunderstandings. In fact, I wanted them to exacerbate them.
In the end, the character that was the hardest to write became my favorite one. She challenged me and made me a better a writer. And I am so grateful that I stepped outside my comfort zone and into hers.
Author Bio:
Kourtney Heintz writes emotionally evocative speculative fiction that captures the deepest truths of being human. For her characters, love is a journey never a destination.
She resides in Connecticut with her warrior lapdog, Emerson, her supportive parents and three quirky golden retrievers. Years of working on Wall Street provided the perfect backdrop for her imagination to run amuck at night, imagining a world where out-of-control telepathy and buried secrets collide.
Her debut speculative fiction novel, The Six Train to Wisconsin, was a 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Semifinalist.
The Six Train to Wisconsin Back Cover:
Sometimes saving the person you love can cost you everything.
There is one person that ties Oliver Richter to this world: his wife Kai. For Kai, Oliver is the keeper of her secrets.
When her telepathy spirals out of control and inundates her mind with the thoughts and emotions of everyone within a half-mile radius, the life they built together in Manhattan is threatened.
To save her, Oliver brings her to the hometown he abandoned—Butternut, Wisconsin—where the secrets of his past remain buried. But the past has a way of refusing to stay dead. Can Kai save Oliver before his secrets claim their future?
An emotionally powerful debut, The Six Train to Wisconsin pushes the bounds of love as it explores devotion, forgiveness and acceptance.
My Links
Website: http://kourtneyheintz.com Blog: http://kourtneyheintz.wordpress.com Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/kourtneyheintzwriter Twitter: http://twitter.com/KourHei Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/goodreadscomkourtney_heintz Amazon Author Central Page: http://amazon.com/author/kourtneyheintz Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/kourhei
Buy Links
Paperback available from: Amazon Barnes and Noble
Ebook available from: Amazon Barnes and Noble Smashwords Kobo
iTunes
Writing about a world where out-of-control telepathy existed sounded so cool; but writing from the point of view of an out-of-control telepath named Kai didn’t.
I had no idea how to get inside her mind and not get lost there. So I stayed on the periphery telling everything from the perspective of my other protagonist, her husband, Oliver. It was easier to learn about her powers from him. To understand her through his eyes.
So I let Oliver be the point-of-view character for most of The Six Train to Wisconsin. As her abilities came under control, I reached a point where the story required her to be the narrator. Only then did I plunge into Kai’s point of view. And it was thrilling. Her powers affected her perception and her thought patterns. Her abilities intertwined with her so deeply and enriched her character so much.
I fell deeply in love with her character and realized I was doing a huge disservice to Kai. By refusing to go into her point of view in the beginning, my readers missed out on a key element of who she was. Or at least who she could be in her worst moments. The telling moments.
After I finished my third round of revisions, I knew Kai so well, I felt nearly certain I was up to the task of capturing her at her worst and still telling the story. I struggled with how much of her powers would eclipse a scene and how to not have the powers front and center all the time.
This wasn’t simply a story about telepathy. This was a story about a woman whose out-of-control ability threatened her life and a husband whose secret threatened their future. So I had to pick and chose the moments where her ability took center stage and the moments that it had to be a background player to the emotions or the plot.
There were times I had to go back and add more details about her abilities and other places I had to scale back. Sometimes I got so into how the powers worked I’d lose myself in them. It’s a dangerous path for a writer. Just because you’re enamored with the mechanisms of your world building doesn’t mean anyone else is.
One of the hardest things was figuring out ways to limit her abilities. I played with the idea of shield. The telepathy could reside in the background when she formed a psychic shield. Others could block her out with their shields. I didn’t want her powers to remove the opportunity for confusion and misunderstandings. In fact, I wanted them to exacerbate them.
In the end, the character that was the hardest to write became my favorite one. She challenged me and made me a better a writer. And I am so grateful that I stepped outside my comfort zone and into hers.
Author Bio:Kourtney Heintz writes emotionally evocative speculative fiction that captures the deepest truths of being human. For her characters, love is a journey never a destination.
She resides in Connecticut with her warrior lapdog, Emerson, her supportive parents and three quirky golden retrievers. Years of working on Wall Street provided the perfect backdrop for her imagination to run amuck at night, imagining a world where out-of-control telepathy and buried secrets collide.
Her debut speculative fiction novel, The Six Train to Wisconsin, was a 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Semifinalist.
The Six Train to Wisconsin Back Cover:
Sometimes saving the person you love can cost you everything.
There is one person that ties Oliver Richter to this world: his wife Kai. For Kai, Oliver is the keeper of her secrets.
When her telepathy spirals out of control and inundates her mind with the thoughts and emotions of everyone within a half-mile radius, the life they built together in Manhattan is threatened.
To save her, Oliver brings her to the hometown he abandoned—Butternut, Wisconsin—where the secrets of his past remain buried. But the past has a way of refusing to stay dead. Can Kai save Oliver before his secrets claim their future?
An emotionally powerful debut, The Six Train to Wisconsin pushes the bounds of love as it explores devotion, forgiveness and acceptance.
My Links
Website: http://kourtneyheintz.com Blog: http://kourtneyheintz.wordpress.com Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/kourtneyheintzwriter Twitter: http://twitter.com/KourHei Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/goodreadscomkourtney_heintz Amazon Author Central Page: http://amazon.com/author/kourtneyheintz Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/kourhei
Buy Links
Paperback available from: Amazon Barnes and Noble
Ebook available from: Amazon Barnes and Noble Smashwords Kobo
iTunes
