Jen McConnel's Blog, page 55
October 14, 2012
Cover Reveal: THE DOLLHOUSE ASYLUM by Mary Gray
My good friend Mary Gray is finally releasing the cover for her debut novel. I’ve been waiting for this for months, and I am so excited to participate. Without further ado, here it is:
WOW!!!!!!
The Dollhouse Asylum
A virus that had once been contained has returned, and soon no place
will be left untouched by its destruction. But when
seventeen-year-old Cheyenne wakes up in Elysian Fields–a subdivision
cut off from the world and its monster-creating virus–she is thrilled
to have a chance at survival.
At first, Elysian Fields,with its beautiful houses and manicured lawns,
is perfect. Teo Richardson, the older man who stole Cheyenne’s heart,
built it so they could be together. But when Teo tells Cheyenne there
are tests that she and seven other couples must pass to be worthy of
salvation, Cheyenne begins to question the perfection of his world.
The people they were before are gone. Cheyenne is now “Persephone,” and
each couple has been re-named to reflect the most tragic romances ever
told. Everyone is fighting to pass the test, to remain in Elysian
Fields. Teo dresses them up, tells them when to move and how to act, and
in order to pass the test, they must play along.
If they play it right, then they’ll be safe.
But if they play it wrong, they’ll die.
Title: The Dollhouse Asylum
Author: Mary Gray
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press (www.spencerhillpress.com)
ISBN: 978-1-937053-64-2
Release Date: October 22, 2013
Formats: Paper, e-book
If you’d like to request an ARC, please use the reviewer form on the publisher’s website.
Scottish Sundays: Edinburgh
Photo by Matthew McConnel
Welcome back! Thanks for joining me for another installment of Scottish Sundays. Today I’ll be talking a little bit about the city of Edinburgh, one of the places Lou visits in The Burning of Isobel Key.
There are some places on earth where time stands still. At first, Edinburgh feels like it is one of them. It’s easy to imagine you are walking the cobblestone streets of centuries past as you snake around the city. But then the modern character of the city intrudes on the illusion. It’s a city of contradictions living comfortably: pubs tucked in beside Asian take-out, Castles with double-decker buses parked in front.
There’s something for every traveler to enjoy in Edinburgh. The entire city is classed as a World Heritage Site, but even those folks without a passion for history will feel right at home.
Edinburgh is known the world over for its festivals, the most famous of which is probably the Edinburgh Fringe. Every summer, street performers from all over the world descend on Edinburgh, turning the city into a rollicking carnival.
In addition to the festivals and tourist attractions, one of the top ranked universities in the UK makes it home there: the University of Edinburgh. Scholars, pub crawlers, history buffs, and artists will feel welcomed by this quirky city.
When I was in Scotland, I’m sad to say I barely spent any time in Edinburgh. I did, however, have my first true pub meal there, and my first sip of whisky. More on that next week.
Have you been to Edinburgh? What was your favorite part of this unique city? If you haven’t been, what parts of the city are you most looking forward to exploring?
October 13, 2012
Cover reveal: LIGHT OF THE MOON by David James
BOOK TITLE: LIGHT OF THE MOON
SERIES: LEGEND OF THE DREAMER (BOOK ONE)
RELEASE DATE: 11/06/12
COVER DESIGNER: KEARY TAYLOR (http://www.kearytaylor.com/)
BLOG: http://djamesauthor.blogspot.com/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/DJamesAuthor
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/davidjamesauthor
GOODREADS: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16058646-light-of-the-moon
OFFICIAL BLURB from Goodreads: “One night long ago, a constellation disappeared and fell from the sky in the form of a boy.
Secrets are being kept in the sleepy town of Lakewood Hollow, Colorado. Nothing but pools of blood and dripping words are left where bodies once were, and no one but Calum Wade seems to be worried. Life unfolds in shades of red for Calum, until a mysterious girl named Kate Black enrolls at his school and everything changes. Suddenly a dangerous world of dream demons, elemental enchanters, and blood witches unfurls before Calum. He learns that the stars have forever held his destiny, and that the constellations above are much more than what they seem. As Kate and Calum sink deep into a paranormal war, they realize that an ancient prophecy might hold the answers they seek. But life is not so easy for Calum, and he can feel his heart beat faster whenever Kate is close. Worse, Kate’s blood holds a dark secret even more dangerous than the war between the demons and enchanters. Soon the two find that there are worse things than loving someone you shouldn’t. For Calum and Kate, even love and the fiery power of stars may not be enough to break a curse as dark as the blood that binds their destiny.
A romantic story of true love and dark curses, LIGHT OF THE MOON will leave you breathless.”
October 12, 2012
Cover Reveal: A Prescription for Delirium by Noree Cosper
Ninety years ago, Gabriella di Luca promised to protect the family of her dying lover. She failed to keep that promise. She was too far away to stop the devil that murdered the eldest Van Helsing son. Years later, Gabby learns the devil has resurfaced. She arrives in Hampton, TX, determined to stop the devil before it can lay a bloody hand on the remaining three brothers.
However, madness is spreading through Hampton. She suspects the devil is using this madness to test a drug which has a side effect of demonic possession. Gabby rushes to end the source of the madness only to fall victim to it. For a woman cursed with eternal life, dying is no threat. However, Gabby must stop the devil’s plot or risk losing her most precious possession: her mind.
A Prescription for Delirium is released on December 1st, 2012.
Bio:
Noree Cosper loves writing about magic in the modern world. While growing up in Texas she constantly searched for mystical elements in the mundane. She buried her nose in both fiction and books about Wicca, Religion, and Mythology. Everyday became an adventure as she joined a group of role-players, acting out her fantasies of vampires, demons, and monsters living in the world.
She embraced her nerdom wholeheartedly.
Noree grew, but never left her love for fantasy and horror. Her dreams pushed her and her hand itched to write the visions she saw. So, with her fingers on the keys, she did what her heart had been telling her to do since childhood. She wrote.
Noree can be found stalking people on Twitter and Facebook.
Be sure to check out her website for news on her works and tidbits of information
She also likes to ramble about things magical and supernatural on her blog Trip the Eclipse.
October 11, 2012
Book tour: DANGEROUS EMBRACE by Dana Mason
Review:
Today, I’m pleased to be able to introduce you to a suspenseful, edge-of-your seat novel. Dangerous Embrace, by Dana Mason, is the kind of book you don’t want to read late at night. Sarah, an elementary teacher, is assaulted on her way home from work. She fights the attacker off, but her near miss brings back painful memories of a previous abusive relationship. When Mark, a knight in shining armor with a security company, steps into the picture, Sarah is conflicted: on the one hand, she’s terrified for her life, and on the other hand, she’s strangely attracted to Mark.
Weaving two complicated, frightening story lines together, Mason has crafted a book that is emotional and terrifying. Although I love a good suspense novel from time to time, the extremely violent nature of this story made it hard to read. Sarah’s attack and her memories of previous attacks are brutal: this story isn’t for the squeamish reader, but fans of shows like CSI and THE CLOSER will enjoy the mystery that surrounds Sarah and Mark.
Excerpt from Dangerous Embrace
Sarah pried open her heavy eyelids and turned, trying to focus on the clock. “Ow, dammit!” She clenched her teeth and looked down at the sling tied to her arm. The smothering realization pressed on her chest. When the nausea hit, she flung the covers off and rushed to the bathroom, fighting to get to the toilet before her stomach heaved.
When the painful dry heaving stopped, she lay back on the cold tile floor, exhausted, and waited for the room to stop spinning. Her ragged breaths roared in her ears and seemed to echo in the quiet room. When her breathing slowed, the silence ebbed around her in waves, but when footsteps approached the bathroom door, she tensed again.
A bead of sweat dripped down her scalp and at the same time someone tapped at the door. Her pulse spiked and she fought like hell to remember who brought her home from the hospital.
She closed her eyes. “Who’s there?” The waver in her voice pissed her off. Gawd—please don’t let me be pathetic in front of whoever this is.
A hesitant and completely unfamiliar man’s voice said, “Are you all right? Do you need something?”
Sarah sucked in a hard breath. “Um…” She exhaled slowly. “Who are you?”
“Mark Summors.”
She stiffened and tried to sit up. “Do I know you?” she asked her voice pitching.
“I can explain if you open the door.”
She steadied herself against the bathtub. The sling had slipped up her arm, exposing the trail of bruises. She swallowed another wave of nausea and tried to put the pieces together. Mark Summors? She glanced around for something to use as a weapon just in case, then she wanted to laugh—and cry. Who the hell was she kidding? She rolled her eyes. Good plan, Sarah, take on a strange guy with a toilet brush.
“Can I come in?” His voice was muffled as if he was resting his face against the door.
“Go ahead.” She clamped her mouth closed to suppress a shiver, then said, “It’s unlocked.”
The door eased open and a cup of water shot out at her.
“Oh, thank you,” she cried out, relieved to wash the disgusting film out of her mouth. She snatched the cup out of his hand and gulped it, letting her eyes lift above the rim to see his face.
“Ah.” Sarah choked and inhaled the water. She set the cup down, almost upending it as she dropped it. “Oh my God!” She would never forget those intense blue eyes, just like she would never forget the smell of her attacker’s breath. They were all thrown together in the same horrifying memory.
Check out the other great tour stops:
October 4 - Crazy Four Books - Review/Guest Post/Giveaway/Excerpt
October 5 - Wonderland Reviews - Review/Interview
October 6 -My Reading Addiction - Review/Giveaway/Excerpt
October 7 -My Cozie Corner - Review/Giveaway
October 10 - Gothic Angel Book Reviews - Review/Guest Post/Giveaway/excerpt
October 11 - Jennifer McConnel - Review/Giveaway/Excerpt
October 12 - Tana Rae Reads - Review/Giveaway/Excerpt
October 15 - TE Garden of Books - Review/Giveaway/Excerpt
October 18 -Forget the Housework, I’m Reading - Review/Giveaway/Guest Post
October 19 - Up All Night Reviews - Review/Giveaway/Excerpt
October 20 - Ashley’s Bookshelf - Review/Giveaway/Excerpt
October 22 - Sit Here and Read - Review/Giveaway
October 24 -Lov Liv Life Reviews - Review/Giveaway/Excerpt
October 27 - For the Love of Film and Novels - Review/Giveaway/Excerpt
October 30 - Inside BJ’s Head - Review/Giveaway/Guest Post
October 31 - Beth Art From the Heart - Review/Excerpt
October 10, 2012
Writers on Wednesday: Wynne Channing, author of What Kills Me
This week, I’m happy to bring you a different kind of interview. Wynne Channing, author of the thrill ride YA novel “What Kills Me”, asked if she could interview herself. Enjoy the quirky ride!
Thank you to Jen for kindly offering me this space to do what I do (second) best — be nosy. Today Journalist-Wynne will be asking Novelist-Wynne a few questions about her debut book, What Kills Me, the sequel and what all of those butterflies in the story mean.
Q Whoa, Wynne. We’re wearing the same outfit.
A Very weird. But you have freakishly good taste in clothing.
Q So what messages did you want to convey in What Kills Me?
A What Kills Me is a story of bravery and survival. Sometimes terrible things happen in life. You cannot control them or prevent them. You can only endure, and be brave. Bravery isn’t the absence of fear. It’s moving forward in spite of your fear.
Q Is there a lot to fear?
A If every vampire in the world was trying to kill you to prevent some kind of apocalypse, you’d be afraid too. I think also, my heroine, Zee is scared of losing herself. Everyone keeps telling her that she is the monster of all monsters. Vicious. Dangerous. She struggles with who she has become, and who she is supposed to be.
Q I noticed that identity and change are themes that you touch upon.
A I use butterflies and moths in the book as symbols of transformation. Nothing stays the same; you must be willing to give up all that you are for everything that you could become.
Q What other elements were important to you?
A I wanted to have a multicultural cast. When I was growing up, I never saw myself and my friends reflected in books and movies. Zee’s background is purposely ambiguous. But some characters are of Asian descent, Middle Eastern, etc. The adventure begins in Rome and moves to Taipei. The sequel will feature several new settings as well. I wanted What Kills Me to be global.
I also wanted a realistic love story. I’m always suspicious of heroines who fall for heroes in the midst of death and chaos. (“I’m being hunted to the death and I will never see my loved ones again but wow, are you mega hot?!?”) Zee and Lucas form a connection over time. It also gives their relationship space to evolve in the sequel.
Q So what can we expect in the sequel?
A At the end of Book One, a revelation changes everything for Zee and the vampire 
empire. Book Two picks up from there with more Zee and Lucas, more twists and turns, old characters and new characters, and of course, more blood.
What Kills Me Links
Goodreads | Wynne Channing’s Website
Buy What Kills Me
Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N | Kobo | iTunes
About the book: An ancient prophecy warns of a girl destined to cause the extinction of the vampire race. So when 17-year-old Axelia falls into a sacred well filled with blood and emerges a vampire, the immortal empire believes she is this legendary destroyer. Hunted by soldiers and mercenaries, Axelia and her reluctant ally, the vampire bladesmith Lucas, must battle to survive. How will she convince the empire that she is just an innocent teenager-turned bloodsucker and not a creature of destruction? And if she cannot, can a vampire who is afraid of bugs summon the courage to fight a nation of immortals?
About Wynne: Wynne Channing is a national newspaper reporter and award-winning young adult novelist. Wynne loves telling stories and as a journalist, she has interviewed everyone from Daniel Radcliffe and Hugh Jackman to the president of the Maldives and Duchess Sarah Ferguson. The closest she has come to interviewing a vampire is sitting down with True Blood‘s Alexander Skarsgard (he didn’t bite). She briefly considered calling her debut novel “Well” so then everyone would say: “Well written by Wynne Channing.”
Connect with Wynne
Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
October 9, 2012
Teaser: ISOBEL KEY
My debut novel, THE BURNING OF ISOBEL KEY, is now available. I can’t believe it’s finally here! In celebration of the release (and to whet your appetite, I hope) I’m revealing the opening pages of the novel here. Remember to pop over to the official website to learn more about the story.
As the flames rose, Isobel stopped cursing and instead started to make a shrill, screaming whine, much like the sound of the sap boiling in the logs at her feet. It was so eerie, so utterly un-human that even the executioner, a man long seasoned to the sounds of death, wanted to cover his ears and sob into the skirt of the nearest woman.
The sound carried from the village green, through the streets and wynds, penetrating the windows and doors shut tight against the execution. It was as if not attending could erase the sin of allowing it to happen in the first place. No one who heard that sound could reconcile it with the once melodious voice of the burning woman. The evil thing at the stake was not a woman they remembered or recognized.
Their memories were as short as the day, from the morning after her terrible deeds were revealed and the witch was brought into town bound in the back of a pony cart. It was suddenly as if none of the villagers knew the poor creature at all. None could recall seeking her help, and none would avow that she had always been kind and ready to bake breads for town feasts or to watch the little ones play while their parents danced together. Kindness lingers less than murder, for it was obvious to all that the woman had murdered at least three souls, if not countless others. Justice was being served, and her blood would not stain the god fearing hands in St. Andrews. She was not their responsibility, and they wanted to take no claim for her evil.
From The Burning of Isobel Key, by Jen McConnel. Published October 1, 2012 by BrightFish Press.
October 8, 2012
Bewitching Book Tours: UNGENTLE SLEEP by B. Lloyd
I’m pleased to bring you another Bewitching Book Tour. Today, I’ve got some teaser material from UNGENTLE SLEEP, a historical ghost story by B. Lloyd. Check it out and enjoy!
Dust, darkness and cobwebs.
Snrrip,snip went the scissors.
A scrabbling, a squealing as Genus Rattus made his escape; some things are beyond the pale even for rodents of the night.
Snrrip, snrrip. Snip, snap.
Another cobweb, hanging by a thread. Snip went the scissors again. The thread snapped, the cobweb floated in drunken, gyrating fashion till it was swallowed up in shadow.
Ungentle Sleep B.Lloyd
Genre: paranormal/historical fiction
Publisher: Captive Press
ASIN: B008VIJFLI
Number of pages: approx 69
Word Count: 13,146
Cover Artist: B.Lloyd
Amazon UK Amazon US
Book Description:
1930
When Aubrey Marchant’s engagement to Eleanor Maydew was announced to his friends, he received mixed blessings.
‘The Maydews are a bohemian lot – not many servants, even before the War.’
‘Keen on brown bread and vegetables – don’t expect too much in the way of creature comforts.’
‘Brave chap, I am sure you’ll find the country air bracing.’
‘And Eleanor comes of good stock, too. Never mind the burst water pipes.’
Aubrey managed to shrug off most of these under a jocular guise. One of his closest friends however, let slip something that would come back to him later.
‘I wouldn’t mind the rest of it – only I believe it may be a House of Spirits. Hope you can sleep all right at nights.’
Aubrey laughed at the time. ”
A crowded house party – with more guests on the way. Despite instructions to the contrary, the older part of the house is opened up . . .and something is inadvertently let out, to wreak mild havoc and insanity on the Maydews and their guests. That nasty incident involving Eleanor, followed by unpleasantness over Penny’s dress, and what is it Aubrey can hear, on the outer edge of his dreams?
Hysteria, missed cocktails, and something nasty in the attic.
Snrrip, snrrip. Snip, snap.
Even the rats run away.
A ghost tale, almost not quite long enough to qualify as a novelette, created in celebration of M.R.James’s 150th anniversary.
About the Author:
A Bustle attached to a keyboard, occasionally to be seen floating on a canal …
After studying Early Music followed by a brief career in concert performance, the Bustle exchanged vocal parts for less vocal arts i.e. a Diploma from the Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia.
Her inky mess, both graphic and verbal, can be found in various regions of the Web, and appendaged to good people’s works (for no visible reason that she can understand).
Twitter: @AuthorsANon
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Google + : http://goo.gl/pbb2E
Authonomy.com: http://www.authonomy.com/writing-comm...
Catch the rest of the tour at these blogs:
October 8 Guest blog
Mondays as part of the paranormal perceptions series
http://www.pwcreighton.com/surveillance-report/
October 8 Promo
http://jennifermcconnel.wordpress.com/
October 10 Guest blog
Mama Knows Books
http://mamaknowsbooks.blogspot.com
October 9 Interview
Fang-tastic Books
www.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
October 11 Interview
Creatively Green Write at Home Mom
www.creativelygreen.blogspot.com
October 12 guest blog
Banshees, Books, & Baseball
LSMurphy.com
October 13 guest blog/promo
Lisa’s World of Books
www.lisaworldofbooks.net
October 14 Promo
My Life Through a Book
http://fictionaditction.wordpress.com/
October 15 Guest blog
Not Now…Mommy’s Reading
www.mommysreading.com
October 7, 2012
New Feature: Scottish Sundays
Happy Sunday! I hope you’re curled up with a cup of tea and a scone. Wait, you aren’t? Well, hopefully you’ll be able to remedy that soon!
To celebrate the release of my debut novel, The Burning of Isobel Key (which is set in Scotland), I’m starting a new feature here on the blog: Scottish Sundays.
Each Sunday, I’ll be posting on a different topic related to Scotland. If you have suggestions of topic that you’d like to see, leave ‘em in the comments!
So, welcome to the first Scottish Sunday.
I have a confession to make: when I traveled to Scotland in 2007, I hated it.
Oops.
In my defense, I was there in December, not a time where the weather is known for being idyllic. The sun came out once during the entire trip, so I was mostly cranky, cold, and suffering from vitamin D withdrawal.
But Scotland got under my skin. The lush green carpet of grass, even in December, was magical. The lavender clouds that hung low over the highlands filled me with a sense of magic, and the loud winter storms were filled with raw power.
It’s no surprise, then, that when I sat down to write my third novel, Scotland tapped on my brain. Enough time had passed since my drippy trip that I was able to forget the uncomfortable cold and remember the lilt of the accents, the beauty of the landscape, and the piercing warmth of whiskey.
If you want inspiration, Scotland is the place. The land is drenched in magic (and rain), and there are stories just waiting to be told around every corner and down every wynd.
Stay tuned next week for a post about the beautiful city of Edinburgh.
October 6, 2012
Cover reveal: AFTER THE FEAR by Rosanne Rivers
After the Fear
by Rosanne Rivers
You have not attended a Demonstration this month.
In Sola’s city, everyone obeys the rules. Stay away from the trigger cameras and regularly update your Debtbook, and you just might survive. But having to watch the way criminals are dealt with—murdered by Demonstrators in the Stadium—is a law Sola tries to avoid. When a charming Demonstrator kisses her at a party, however, she’s thrust into the Stadium and forced into the very role she despises.
Armed with only natural resourcefulness and a caring nature, Sola narrowly survives her first bout. Her small success means she’s whisked off to a training camp, where she discovers a world beyond the trigger cameras and monitoring—a world where falling in love with a killer doesn’t seem so terrible.
Yet life as a Demonstrator has no peace. Sola must train her way through twenty-five more Demonstrations before she can return home to her father. At the end of each battle, only one survivor remains.
Sola could face anyone in the Stadium . . . even a loved one.
