Rachel A. Olson's Blog, page 49

Her Dragon to Slay #Review @juliamills623

Lots of sass and the patented cock of her eyebrow have gotten Kyndel through most anything life has thrown at her. But will her moxie help when her destiny falls at her feet? 
Over 100 years of honor and commitment to his ancient clan’s Guard have made Rayne the fearless leader all are proud to follow into battle. When the long foretold pull of his mate makes the calm, cool and collected Commander rush off to find the one who can complete him will he be able to save her from his enemies in time? 
The chemistry between this strong-willed curvy girl and fierce warrior makes all the difference in the world where nothing is as it seems. The existence of an ancient race of honor-clad, tradition-bound protectors might be hard to accept but now the dead are coming back to life and holding a knife to her neck. 
There are no coincidences. The Universe does not make mistakes. Can these fated mates defeat their greatest enemies and get their happily ever after? 
Warning: This book contains several love scenes and is intended for mature readers 18+.


This is a wonderful story one that you just cant put down. Needing to know what has happened on the next page. This is a thrill ride of where did he go and who done its. What happens next is on my list of ready to reads. This is a sexy love story. Happy Reading.
Reviewed by The Amazon

Carpathian Blood #Review @MichelleHoefle

All she wanted was a new life...now caught in the middle of a war...will he be her salvation or her damnation?

Enter a world where vampyres truly exist and join the Terranian Warriors and their mates who fight them.

Mackenzie Hilton and her young brother come to Romania to begin a new life. After an attack by a vampire, they are unwillingly brought into another world.

Vlad is the leader of the Terranian warriors. When he rescues Mackenzie and her brother from a vicious attack, he instinctively wants the lovely Mackenzie for his own.

Terrorized by a power-hungry vampire, will Mackenzie be able to trust in Vlad's love enough to save her? Or will being brought into his world of danger and war break her? 




I want to start by saying that I'm not a huge fan of vampires, especially if they "sparkle" in the sunlight, and anyone who knows me knows this BUT I absolutely loved this book and it had me riveted from the opening line. This was a really well written book that had a different spin on the myth of vampires that I liked, and no THANKFULLY they did not "sparkle" in the sunlight, this is the first in this series by Ms. Hoefle and I've got to say I am super excited to keep reading this series. I love the characters and the storyline and the detail she put into the story was just spectacular. I liked Mack and her strength and will and Vlad was just so yummy and I loved how he protected Mack and her brother a true hero. This is a must read and I promise you won't be disappointed. I think at this rate Ms. Hoefle will have me liking vampires in no time. (as long as they don't start sparkling in the sunlight anyways).
Reviewed by LainnieBug


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Dead Dreams Blog Tour @emmbeliever

Dead Dreams
By Emma Right
Blurb: Eighteen-year-old Brie O’Mara has so much going for her: a loving family in the sidelines, an heiress for a roommate, and dreams that might just come true. Big dreams--of going to acting school, finishing college and making a name for herself. She is about to be the envy of everyone she knew. What more could she hope for? Except her dreams are about to lead her down the road to nightmares. Nightmares that could turn into a deadly reality.

Dead Dreams, Book 1, a young adult psychological thriller and contemporary mystery.




Available to purchase at




Book Trailer









Prologue
They say each dead body, a human corpse, has a scent all of its own, a sweet-sour smell. A cadaver dog picks up the odor as clearly as a mother recognizes a photo of her child. Of course, I wouldn’t know, for I am no dog. I might as well have been, the way I’d stooped to yield to my basic instincts. My mind wandered to her, what her unique smell would be when, and if, they ever were to find her.

After what happened, I decided to write out the events that led to that day and details in case I’d missed something, or might need it for defense, or in case they found me dead. My relatives might need to piece together the things that had spiraled out of control, if they wanted to put me to rest, to forget me altogether. That would be least painful for them. I nodded to myself as I sat in the car. I thought of my most favorite girl in the world: Lilly. At least Lilly’d have my dog, Holly, to remember me by.

My friends used to call me Brie, short for Brianna. But, I could hardly count anyone a friend any more. I’d have to resort to back-watching if I wanted to survive.




Chapter One
It started on a warm April afternoon. Gusts of wind blew against the oak tree right outside my kitchen balcony, in my tiny apartment in Atherton, California. Sometimes the branches that touched the side of the building made scraping noises. The yellow huckleberry flowers twining their way across my apartment balcony infused the air with sweetness.

My mother had insisted, as was her tendency on most things, I take the pot of wild huckleberry, her housewarming gift, to my new two-bedroom apartment. It wasn’t really new, just new to me, as was the entire experience of living separately, away from my family, and the prospect of having a roommate, someone who could be a best friend, something I’d dreamed of since I finished high school and debuted into adulthood.

“Wait for me by the curb,” my mother said, her voice blaring from the phone even though I didn’t set her on speaker. “You need to eat better.” Her usual punctuation at the end of her orders.

So, I skipped down three flights of steps and headed toward the side of the apartment building to await my mother’s gift of the evening, salad in an á la chicken style, her insistent recipe to cure me of bad eating habits. At least it wasn’t chicken soup double-boiled till the bones melted, I consoled myself.

I hadn’t waited long when a vehicle careened round the corner. I heard it first, that high-pitched screech of brakes wearing thin when the driver rammed his foot against it. From the corner of my eye, even before I turned to face it, I saw the blue truck. It rounded the bend where Emerson Street met Ravenswood, tottered before it righted itself and headed straight at me.

I took three steps back, fell and scrambled to get back up as the vehicle like a giant bullet struck the sidewalk I had only seconds ago stood on. The driver must have lost control, but when he hit the sidewalk it slowed the vehicle enough so he could bridle his speed and manage the truck as he continued to careen down the street.

My mother arrived a half minute later but she had seen it all. Like superwoman, she leaped out of her twenty-year-old Mercedes and rushed toward me, all breathless and blonde hair disheveled.

“Are you all right?” She reached out to help me up.

“Yes, yes,” I said, brushing the dirt off my yoga pants.

“Crazy driver. Brie, I just don’t know about this business of you staying alone here like this.” She walked back to her white Mercedes, leaned in the open window, and brought out a casserole dish piled high with something green. Make that several shades of green.

I followed her, admittedly winded.“Seriously, Mom. It’s just one of those things. Mad drivers could happen anywhere I live.”

She gave me no end of grief as to what a bad idea it was for me to live alone like this even though she knew I was going to get a roommate.

“Mom, stop worrying,” I said.

“You’re asking me to stop being your mother, I hope you realize this.”

“I’ll find someone dependable by the end of the week, I promise.” No way I was going back to live at home. Not that I came from a bad home environment. But I had my reasons.

I had advertised on Craig’s List, despite my mother’s protests that only scum would answer “those kinds of ads.”

Perhaps there was some truth to Mother’s biases, but I wouldn’t exactly call Sarah McIntyre scum. If she was, what would that make me?

Sarah’s father had inherited the family “coal” money. Their ancestors had emigrated from Scotland (where else, with a name like McIntyre, right?) in the early 1800s and bought an entire mountain (I kid you not) in West Virginia. It was a one-hit wonder in that the mountain hid a coal fortune under it, and hence the McIntyre Coal Rights Company was born. This was the

McIntyre claim to wealth, and also a source of remorse and guilt for Sarah, for supposedly dozens of miners working for them had lost their lives due to the business, most to lung cancer or black lung, as it was commonly called. Hazards of the occupation.

And then there were cave-ins, which presented another set of drama altogether, Sarah said.

I sat across from her, the coffee table between us, in the small living room during our first meeting. “So, that’s why you’re not on talking terms with your family? Because of abuses of the coal company? ” I asked.

We sipped hot cocoa and sat cross-legged in the crammed living room, which also doubled as the dining space. I’d never interviewed anyone before, although I’d read tips on the Internet.

“I just don’t want to be reminded anymore,” she said, twirling her dark ringlets round and round on her pointer finger.

“But, it’s not entirely your dad’s fault those people died of lung problems.”

“I guess, but I just want to get away, you understand? Anyway, I’m almost twenty-one now. That’s three years too late for moving out and establishing my own space.” She took tiny sips of the cocoa, both hands cupping the mug as if she were cold.

I walked to the thermostat and upped the temperature. A slight draft still stole in from a gap in the balcony sliding door I always kept open a crack to let the air circulate.

“So, your family’s okay with you living here? In California? In this apartment that’s probably smaller than your bathroom? With a stranger?”

“First off, it’s none of their business. Secondly, you and I won’t stay strangers.” Sarah flashed me a grin. “Besides, I’m tired of big houses with too many rooms to get lost in. And, have you lived in West Virginia?”

I shook my head. The farthest I’d been was Nevada when we went for our family annual ski vacation. “I heard it’s pretty.”

“If you like hot, humid summers and bitter cold winters. So, do I pass? As a roommate?”

She looked about at the ceiling. I wondered if she noticed the dark web in the corner and the lack of cornices and crown moldings. I was sure I smelled mold in the living room, too. But I wasn’t in a position to choose. Sarah was.

“As long as you’re not a psychopath and can pay rent.” I returned her smile.

“I don’t know about the psychopath part.” She shrugged and displayed her white, evenly-spaced teeth. “But here’s my bank account.” She tossed me a navy blue booklet with gilded edges and with golden words “Bank of America” on the cover.

I fumbled as I caught it and was unsure what to do. “Should I peek?”

“Go on.” She gestured, flicking her fingers at me as if I were a stray cat afraid to take a morsel of her offering.

“No secrets. I can well afford to pay rent. And, I’m a stable individual.”

I flipped the first few pages and saw the numerous transactions in lumps my parents, who were by no means poor, would have gasped at. The last page registered the numbers: under deposits, $38,000. My eyes scanned the row of numbers and realized that the sum $38,000 came up every sixth of the month.

My mouth must have been open for she said, “You can stop gawking. It’s only my trust fund. It comes to me regardless of where I am, or where I stay. So, do I make the cut?”

I handed the bank book back. We discussed the house rules: no smoking; no drugs, and that included pot; no boyfriend sleepovers or wild parties, which was a clause in my landlord’s lease; and Sarah was to hand me her share of the rent, a mere $800 a month, on the twenty-eighth of every month, since I was the main renter and she the sub-letter.

She didn’t want anything down on paper—no checks, no contracts, and no way of tracing things back to her, she’d stressed a few times.

She fished in her Louis Vuitton and handed me a brown paper bag, the kind kids carry their school lunches in. I peeked inside and took out a stash of what looked like a wad of papers bundled together with a rubber band. Her three-month share of the deposit, a total of twenty-four crisp hundred-dollar bills. They had that distinct new-bank-notes-smell that spoke of luxury.

I gulped down my hot chocolate. “Why all the secrecy? I hope your parents will at least know your address.” I said as I wrapped up the interview. I could understand not wanting parents breathing down her neck, but as long as they didn’t insist on posting a guard at the door, what was the harm of them knowing where she lived?

Sarah glanced about the room as if afraid the neighbors might have their ears pinned to the walls, listening.

She leaned forward and, her face expressionless, said softly, “My parents are dead.”





Emma Right is a happy wife and home school mother of five living in the Pacific West Coast of the USA. Besides running a busy home, and looking after their five pets, which includes two cats, two bunnies and a long-haired dachshund, she also writes stories for her children. When she doesn't have her nose in a book, she is telling  her kids to get theirs in one.
Right worked as a copywriter for two major advertising agencies and won several awards, including the prestigious Clio Award for her ads, before she settled down to have children.


You can stalk, I mean follow Emma here

                   





1 Paperback copy of DEAD DREAMS (DOMESTIC ONLY – ebook for International)
1 Amazon Gift Card for $15



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Backward Compatible Cover Reveal

Title: Backward CompatibleAuthor: Sarah Daltry and Pete ClarkGenre: Geek Romance

Not too long ago,
in a town that,
depending on your current location,
is either not super far
or actually quite close…

It is a time of chaotic hormones.
Two nerdy gents
home for winter break
have discovered a female gamer
at a midnight release.

During the break,
the gamer trio manages
to reveal the game’s secret boss,
a hidden enemy
with enough power to destroy
anything in its path.

Pursued by other gamers
who want to be the first
to beat this boss,
George and Katie race to level up,
and, in so doing, restore decency
and sexual activity to their personal galaxy…

Buy Links:

No links yet!! December 2013 release

Playlist:

Link: http://hypster.com/create/playlist?playlist_id=6805166

Trailer:


Excerpt:

“These graphics suck,” George says and I look back at the screen. We’re standing in the middle of the Estate, colorful orbs quivering ahead of us. We each have to choose our starting advantage. Waterfalls shimmer in the distance and the sunlight streams over multicolored stones in the courtyard. “Amateurs,” Lanyon concurs. “I mean, they couldn’t have five waterfalls?” “Your ironic wit is mind blowing, but choose your damn orbs,” I tell them. I consider. Magic, defense, offense, stealth, and charisma. I always go for magic as a black mage, but I wonder if a druid needs something else. Screw it. I need charisma in real life, too. “Charisma?” Lanyon asks. “No one ever picks charisma.” “We’re a party of a thief, druid, and a bard. We’re screwed regardless.” “You two underestimate the mighty power of my lute,” George argues. “Did you start with charisma?” Lanyon asks. “Hell, no. I have charisma in spades. I started with stealth.” “Great. A stealthy bard,” I sigh. “She’s right,” Lanyon concedes. “We’re screwed.” However, it actually isn’t bad at all at first. We power through the Estate and make it to the Yobanaria Dale with no resurrections and all at level ten. I’m impressed. George hasn’t actually fought anything, but he has some pretty awe-inspiring charm mastery already. I think I might have a serious crush. He seals the deal when he buffs my hailstorm spell without even being asked. “Can you guys watch El Thiefelo? My mom wants me to eat supper,” Lanyon says. “Yeah, we’ve got it,” I tell him. “The first boss is in the elven ruins anyway, so we should grind a bit. I think he’s a twelve.” George and I explore the Dale, taking out bats and Joba spores. It’s fairly quiet, except for when we combo with his charms and my spells and he yells out, “Eat lute, bitch,” but it’s nice. We work well, almost inherently understanding each other. I’ve never been able to play this effectively with anyone. I try not to think about his eyes. Stupid boys, being cute and stuff. By the time Lanyon comes back, we’re all at level 12, although Lanyon leveled up just by standing by a door while we played. Still, we are ready to take on Balsa the Proud. As a black mage, it took me about nine seconds. Trees don’t like fire. However, druids don’t have the same level of black magic and all elemental magic is weakened by the need to draw from the elements nearby. Sadly, trees seem to avoid storing fire runes in their villages. I expect this to be a little more challenging. It might even take fifteen seconds. “First boss. Also known as the freebie bitch to sucker the young folks into a false sense of security,” Lanyon announces as he runs into the center of Balsa’s lair. The cinema plays and then, in a moment of pure absurdity, El Thiefelo is squished as Balsa steps on him. “Can someone revive me?” Lanyon whines.
Dream Cast:

About the Authors:

Sarah Daltry:

Sarah Daltry writes about the regular people who populate our lives. She's written works in various genres - romance, erotica, fantasy, horror. Genre isn't as important as telling a story about people and how their lives unfold. Sarah tends to focus on YA/NA characters but she's been known to shake it up. Most of her stories are about relationships - romantic, familial, friendly - because love and empathy are the foundation of life. It doesn't matter if the story is set in contemporary NY, historical Britain, or a fantasy world in the future - human beings are most interesting in the ways they interact with others. This is the principle behind all of Sarah's stories.
Sarah has spent most of her life in school, from her BA and MA in English and writing to teaching both at the high school and college level. She also loves studying art history and really anything because learning is fun.
When Sarah isn't writing, she tends to waste a lot of time checking Facebook for pictures of cats, shooting virtual zombies, and simply staring out the window. She has written several books, most notably Bitter Fruits, an urban fantasy in the Eden’s Fall series, and the Flowering series, including Forget Me Not, Lily of the Valley, and Star of Bethlehem.
Pete Clark:
Pete Clark likes writing, animals, potato chips, and cheese. Midnight Riders is his first published novel, although he can also proudly say he finally finished Helix Crashing, the fantasy novel he has been working on for over a decade. In addition, he has written Across the Barren Landscape, a collection of linked Western short stories. He also writes plays, both dramatic and comedic. When he is not writing, Pete tends to ignore everyone around him and obsess over sports.
Social Media Links:

Sarah’s Website: http://sarahdaltry.com
Pete’s Website: http://punchmyselfintheface.wordpress.com
Sarah’s Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SarahDaltryAuthor
Pete’s Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PeteClarkAuthor
Sarah’s Twitter: http://twitter.com/SarahDaltry
Pete’s Twitter: http://twitter.com/PeteClarkBooks

Top More than Ten:
Sarah’s Favorite Video Games:

1. Borderlands 1 and 2
2. Fallout 3
3. Persona series
4. Eternal Darkness
5. Silent Hill series
6. Final Fantasy series
7. Skyrim
8. Dragon Age series
9. Mass Effect series
10. Fable series
11. Bioshock series
12. Magic: The Gathering
13. Perfect Dark
14. Heavy Rain
15. LA Noire
16. Parasite Eve
17. Catherine
18. Zuma

Pete’s Favorite Video Games:

1. Bioshock
2. Resident Evil 4
3. Uncharted 2
4. Eternal Darkness
5. Goldeneye
6. Ms. Pac Man
7. Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood
8. God of War III
9. Dead Space
10. Silent Hill 2
11. Infamous 2
12. Portal
13. Defender
14. Super Metroid
15. Mass Effect
16. Castlevania
17. Call of Duty 4
18. Dragon Warrior
19. Perfect Dark
20. Arkham Asylum
21. Limbo
22. Rogue Squadron 2
23. Medieval
24. Parasite Eve
25. The Walking Dead
26. Metal Gear Solid
27. Team Fortress 2
28. Kagero: Deception 2

Unsettled Blitz

Title: Unsettled
Author: S.C. Ellington
Expected publication: December 10th 2013

Sponsored by
Blushing Divas Book Reviews and Book Worms
Synopsis:

18+ New Adult Romance 
 
After a horrific breakup with her longtime boyfriend, Brooklyn Caldwell is completely disenchanted with the notion of mingling with the opposite sex. Damon Williams had been everything she thought she wanted…until he wasn’t.
In an attempt to escape her heartbreaking past, Brooklyn seeks refuge in bustling Washington, D.C. where she folds into the fast paced society unnoticed…until she meets a young entrepreneur, Logan Colton.
Brooklyn is surprised to find that while she has been successful in keeping the opposite sex at bay, somehow she is defenseless against Logan’s confidence and charm—and it doesn’t hurt that he is absurdly beautiful.
As much as Logan didn’t plan on pursuing her, he is drawn to Brooklyn’s muted beauty and her witty persona. For all his success, Logan is ensnared in the coveted world of unequivocal wealth and power, but behind closed doors is taunted by demons and an undeniable need to atone for a monumental mistake.
As the two embark on a tumultuous obstacle course saturated with unknown twists and turns, Brooklyn is left to question whether she can endure the journey ahead.

Purchase Links:
Coming soon...
Social Media Links

Website: www.scellington.com
Instagram : http://instagram.com/authorscellington
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/SC -
Ellington/1392923607602579
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ScEllington
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/authorscelling/ boards/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/ show/18485102 - unsettled?ac=1


About The Author:
S.C. Ellington is an up and coming author who enjoys expressing her creativity through frequently writing contemporary romance novels that readers can relate to.
Her debut novel, Unsettled, is the first installment in the Unsettled series.
Unsettled is an emotional and enthralling tale of two tormented souls, Logan Colton and Brooklyn Caldwell, who attempt to find their way into one another’s hearts, while embarking on a tumultuous obstacle course saturated with twists and turns.
Aside from writing, Ellington enjoys curling up with her e-reader and absorbing herself in novels loaded with emotion, desire, and passion. She also likes to spend sunny, wistful afternoons, in her hammock thinking up new ideas for great stories.
Ellington currently resides on the west coast with her beautiful family and loving friends.

TEASERS





 

Possessed Blog Tour #Review @DanaMBurnett

Title: Possessed (A Spiritus Series Novel)Author: Dana Michelle BurnettGenre: Paranormal RomanceTour Host: Lady Amber's Tours
Every story has two sides...
Alastor truly believed that his life was over the night his wife Becca shot and killed him over a century ago, but now he has returned as a spirit to haunt the reincarnation of his traitorous, murdering wife. Why now? Why Becca after all this time?
When Becca moves into her ancestral home in Corydon, Indiana, her life takes a puzzling and thrilling turn when she meets the ghost haunting the halls. As the seductive spirit lures her closer and closer, she learns about her own past and starts to understand that some mistakes are meant to last.
To Becca, Alastor is a seductive spirit that seems to see straight into her soul. To Alastor, Becca is what he has waited a century for--A second chance. But a second chance at what? Love...Or revenge?
How far will each of them go to rectify the wrongs of the past?







It was easy enough for me to go to the school and find the dance simply by following the sound of the music. I floated invisible through the students in their formal attire, searching for Becca.
I found her and the boy standing along the edges of the dance floor. She was taking the paper cup of punch that the boy was offering her. I moved closer when she coughed after taking a sip.
“I’m sorry,” the boy said as he stroked her back. “I should have warned you that a couple of guys from the football team always puts a little something extra in the punch.”
“It’s okay,” Becca said between gasps of air. “I think I’ll just step out in the hall and get some water.”
I followed her, listening to the litany of thoughts going through her mind. She questioned if this was what she was supposed to want. She couldn’t understand why this was so hard for her.
“He’s not me…” I whispered inside her head.
She jumped and looked around.
“Go away,” she said aloud. “Don’t ruin this for me. Let me have this night.”
I did go away. I left her and went out to where the boy stood waiting for her to return. I looked at his boyish profile, unlined and unworn with adolescent stubble on his jaw. This was my rival. This was the “man” that was trying to take my Becca away.
The boy was speaking with that hateful Ashley girl, but I didn’t hear what he was saying. My mind was already turning to darker things.
So Becca wanted this one night...Well, so did I.
I pulled in my strength, gathering myself small and hard. I rose up above him, glaring down, before blasting myself into his body. There was a dizzy feeling, a sickening lurch to the left, and then I was back on the outside looking at him standing there with Becca at his arm.
I was weak, feeling the darkness trying to reach up and pull me down into the nothingness, but this time I wouldn’t go. I concentrated on the two of them, watching him try to recover just as I was.
The boy swayed a little from side to side as he smiled down at her, “I was just about ready to send a search party out for you.”
“Sorry,” Becca said as she reached up to stop the boy from falling right into her. “Are you okay?”
The boy staggered a little to the right and blinked as if trying to focus, “Yeah that Ashley just gets under my skin. She doesn’t know when to shut up and go away.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about,” she said as she took the paper cup from him and threw it in the trash barrel. “How many of those have you drank?”
The boy blushed and raised his hand to his forehead as he staggered to the right again, “I am so sorry.”
She reached up and grabbed his arm again to steady him, “Are you going to be alright?”
The boy shook his head, this time leaning dangerously to the left. “I’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure?”
“Not really,” the boy said, looking quite sick. “Why don’t I go splash some water on my face? Will you wait for me?”
“Sure.”
I followed the boy as he lurched off, staying close as he walked out into the hall. I was determined this time. I gathered again, pulling all of my energy before I dove directly into the center of his chest. There was the sickening spin as his consciousness fought mine, but at last there I stood living and breathing again, an interloper in the body of the boy.
There was no turning back now. I walked back out to where Becca was waiting. Seeing her there, looking so beautiful, it seemed impossible that in mere moments I would be able to feel her in my arms again.
“May I have this dance?” I asked, reaching my hand out to her.
It seemed to take an eternity for her to turn and put her hand in mine. My heart leapt the instant our hands touched and I felt her fingers in mine. I pulled her close, holding her against my body and lowering my nose to her hair. I inhaled deeply, there it was, the scent of honeysuckle and vanilla.
Becca...
“My beautiful Becca,” I closed my eyes and whispered against her forehead.
I felt her watching me, but I just stood there holding her close. She tried to shift away, but I held there against me.
“Don’t,” I begged and lowered my lips to hers. I tasted the delicious softness of mouth, so gentle at first, afraid at any moment that I would fade and this moment would vanish.
For a moment, neither of us moved. We stood there with our lips barely touching. I was shaking, near crying myself. This was real...This was happening...
I pulled her closer, this time allowing my mouth to linger over hers, my tongue licking the seam of her lower lip. I felt her tremble, her body pushing against me.
Suddenly she pushed me away and gasped, “Alastor!”
She looked up at me, searching another man’s face, but still somehow seeing me inside.
“How?” She whispered.
“Please don’t scream,” I said as I pulled her to me again and lowered my face into her hair.
“How did you do it?” She asked, a note of hysteria creeping into her voice.
“Does it matter?” I asked as we waltzed about the floor, “You asked for a kiss and I gave it to you.”
Becca began to tremble, shaking so badly that her teeth began to chatter, “Alastor…I can’t…”
“Please,” I begged. “Please, you asked me to give you this one night. I’m asking you to give me this one moment.”
Tears filled her eyes, “What do you want me to do?”
“Close your eyes,” I whispered against her eyelids.
“Now what?”
“Just be,” I said as I lowered my face to hers so that our cheeks touched. “Just be.”
“Kiss me again,” she said without opening her eyes.
I gladly took her face in my hands and brought my lips to hers. She brought her own hands up to cover mine as her own kisses became more urgent.
“I’m sorry,” she whimpered, holding my closer. “I’m so sorry for everything.”
I kissed her again, tasting her mouth like a man starved. The answer was clear...My soul would always belong to Becca...Always...



Dana Michelle Burnett spent most of her life writing short stories and sharing them with family and friends.
Over the years, her work was published in numerous commercial and literary magazines including Just Labs, Mindprints: A Literary Journal, Foliate Oak, and many more. Her short story John Lennon and the Chicken Holocaust was include in The Best of Foliate Oak 2006.
Dana Michelle's Spiritus Series introduced the idea of a ghostly romance and became a Kindle bestselling series. She's an avid reader of anything dark and romantic. Dana Michelle lives in Southern Indiana with her dancing diva daughter and an assortment of pets.

The Journey Blog Tour

Title: The JourneyAuthor: JaimeLynn BootheGenre: General FictionTour Host: Lady Amber's Tours
Samantha Jenson is trapped in a world like so many others; a world full of fear and death. A world where the disease of addiction has an iron grasp on her life and controls her soul so powerfully even the strongest of men would cower down on his knees and beg for mercy. A world where she struggles to escape and tries to live at least somewhat of a normal life.
Here is the story of a young woman, deeply addicted to the drug called “Intimacy”. Her life has been a disaster because of her addictions through the years but this particular drug is her master. Samantha has lost everything but most importantly her desire to live.
Can Samantha escape the talons her demons have on her? Can Samantha regain control of her life and tear down the walls of despair? Will she regain hope, her desire to live and her family? Travel with her on her journey and see what happens in her world. You just might be able to relate.









I wake up with the sunshine on my face and I smile as I hear the song of a bird on the window sill. I lay in bed for a few minutes with the knowledge that today is my day off and what’s in store for me. I get to see my little angel! I am so excited. I can’t wait to hold her in my arms again, to give her a kiss, and tell her I love her. I look forward to hearing her sweet voice and seeing her smile.
I look towards the window and I can see the bird who is blessing me with its song. What a lovely way to wake up, I think to myself. Closing my eyes, I lay, relishing the wonderful way it feels to be able to wake up in a comfortable bed, not feeling the way I used to feel, and having so many blessings in my life. I think about how the patients in Fellowship Manor are doing right now as they wake up. I remember how it felt to wake up there. It wasn’t easy at first but it got better.
I lay in bed for a few minutes more and I say a prayer full of gratitude and for everyone in there and whoever needs to go. I also know how hard it can be to make yourself go into a place like that. You have to need it and know it, that’s for sure. More importantly, you have to want it. Having to pee and wanting some coffee finally forces me from beneath the comfortable place my body would still like to be.
“I can’t stay in bed all day,” I say to myself. I go to the bathroom and relieve myself, wash my hands, and then go to the kitchen to make some coffee when my cell phone rings. I look at it and see that it’s my sister. In my mind, I think she is excited to see me and I smile at the fact she’s calling me. I answer the phone as I reach for the can of coffee out of the cabinet.
“Good morning, Sis,” I say to her with a smile still on my face. She doesn’t hesitate with me as she has fear in her voice that I sense immediately.
“There’s been an accident,” Harmony starts, “I am sorry to call you with this, Sam, but you need to get here as soon as you can.”
My heart drops and I can feel the fear of Beth being hurt overwhelm me. “What’s wrong? Tell me, what’s wrong? Is Beth okay?” I ask her.
“She’s in the hospital. She was hit by a car this morning and she’s in intensive care right now. Can you get here?” she asks me.
“Oh my God! I…I…I don’t have a car,” I tell her, “I will call a cab or call my roommate and see if she can take me. Is she going to be okay?” I ask her as tears fill my eyes and quickly overflow down my face.




JamieLynn Boothe is a laid back southern boy who was born and raised in the small town of Moneta, Virginia, currently residing in Torrington, Ct. however. Working a full-time job as he writes he works on fulfilling his lifelong dream of being a successful author.


JamieLynn enjoys the simple things in life such as good music, movies that make you laugh, cry, and afraid. He loves cats, eating good home-cooked southern food, art, travelling, nature, family and time with friends as well as time to himself.
Writing is his passion, and JamieLynn loves creating books that touch another person’s heart and soul. He has written two books so far. Nightmares and Dreams, a novel, and The Journey, a novella. He is currently working on the sequel to Nightmares and Dreams, and a new love story.
JamieLynn is currently single but hopes to find that special woman one day.

Life After Cover Reveal

Life After
By P.A Warren
Genre: New Adult Romance
Release Date: January 2014
Hadley is Lost. Living is a struggle with her family gone, leaving her the lone survivor of a horrible car accident. As Hadley struggles to overcome the grief that comes with the loss of her family, she wonders if she wants to continue living. Life doesn’t feel worth living until she meets Avery. Avery…who makes her want to feel things she shouldn’t so soon after her tragic loss. Avery…who makes her want to live. With Avery’s love, will she be able to overcome the grief or will it consume her?



Hadley with the help of Avery will find that after the storm come the rainbows 


P.A Warren currently lives in the fine state of North Carolina. She is an avid reader and blogger. P.A Warren first found a love of books while reading The Babysitter Little Sister series by Ann M. Martin and since then hasn’t looked back. Reading everything she could and would get her hands on. Befriending librarians was one of P.A Warren’s favorite things to do. She also has a huge love for squirrels.
She now has a Kindle and has found gold in Indie Authors. It has been a lifelong dream of hers to write a book. So when she was finally able sit down and put words to paper she was thrilled, and has been writing non-stop since.

You can find her at:

Seven Years Blog Tour #Giveaway @DannikaDark

Seven Years
(Seven Series, Bk #1)
By Dannika Dark

Blurb: 
Seven years ago, my world ended.Seven years later, my new life began.
It's been seven years since Lexi Knight lost her brother in a tragic accident. On the anniversary of his death, her brother's best friend shows up unexpectedly - a man she hasn't seen since the funeral. He is no longer the boy Lexi once knew, but a dangerous-looking man with tattoos and dark secrets. He broke her trust and abandoned her family, yet what he reveals makes it impossible to stay angry. Lexi has been secretly infatuated with Austin since childhood, so finding out he's a Shifter just makes him sexier. Dammit.
Austin Cole has returned to the city where he grew up, and just in time. He's lived a hard life these past seven years, and the shadows of his past are threatening to destroy Lexi's family. It's time that she learned the truth about her brother, but there is a shocking twist that Austin never saw coming. Now he must protect her family when her mother and sister wind up in mortal danger. Will Lexi learn to accept the truth about who he is, and can Austin salvage a relationship from the ruins of their past?



   

The closer I snuggled up to Austin, the more I craved that cozy familiarity—more than I would have cared to admit. I’d missed him. How do you not miss someone who was a huge chunk of your childhood and young-adult life who disappeared off the face of the earth? Almost every memory I had from kindergarten to age twenty involved Austin Cole.
The next thing I knew, my cheek rested on his bicep and I tucked my body against his like a puzzle piece. Just when I closed my heavy eyelids, he groaned.
Oh God, please don’t let him wake up now.
It was deep and guttural, and he shifted on his right side, facing me.
“You okay?” he murmured.
I didn't reply. I played dead and pretended I was asleep. It seemed like a good plan to avoid the embarrassment of explaining why I was latched on to him like a man-sucking leech.
A rough, warm hand cupped my cheek and I felt him scoot down a little. Maybe he thought I had fallen asleep, because his thumb brushed over my right eyelid softly.
Five times. I counted.
When his lips lightly touched mine, my brain just shut down. It was a soft, almost nonexistent kiss, but I felt it all the way down to my toes. Then it zinged back up to my hips and damn if I didn't moan.
Now we were both aware I wasn't asleep and he was kissing me. But it didn't stop. His kiss pressed a little bit harder and tingles roared through my body, and my breath was shaky and erratic.
When his tongue touched my lip, I quickly opened my mouth and kissed him back.
Hard.
Deep.
Kissed him like I’d fantasized about doing for the last seven years.


AUTHOR INTERVIEWYou're stranded on an island with one antagonist from any one of your books. Who would you choose and why?
Lorenzo Church from Seven Years. He’s not entirely wicked, or is he? Either way, there’s something about him that is alluring. He seems like the kind of man who would be a survivor if stranded on an island, and maybe instead of entertainment, I’d put up with him if it meant getting rescued.


If you were to name your child after any book character, what would you name him/her?Justus from the Mageri Series. I think of all the names of any book character, I love that one the most.

Have you ever gotten a book inspired tattoo? If no, would you? If yes, would you get another?No. Would I? If I did, it would have to hold special meaning and would probably come from one of my own books.

Is there any one thing you seriously can't live without? Air, general food, sleep, and water don't count.That’s a tough question. Thing excludes living beings, so I’d have to say my laptop. Not only do I write books on my laptop, but I’m able to connect with friends, family, fans, read up on news, watch TV shows and movies, and read books. I could literally get rid of my TV, DVD player, books, telephone, and still have all these things available to me through the laptop.

Have you ever reached a point during your writing where you've been so utterly frustrated/drained/ill that you considered giving it up?Not since I began publishing. I’m inspired every day I wake up because now I know what I’m supposed to be doing with my life. But I did feel that way years ago when I was a discouraged teen who submitted her writing to be published. But I still kept writing because I loved it. Every avenue that involved writing seemed impossible to get into, and eventually there came a point where I did give up for about five years.

If you were a superhero, what would be your powers and why?I wish alternate universes existed, because I’d love the ability to move through them. As a kid, I used to imagine that mirrors were portals and if you believed, you could walk into one and enter another realm. I had convinced myself that I failed because I didn’t believe enough. I guess it’s a good thing I didn’t think I could fly by jumping off a roof. :-) Flying would be useless since I’d probably slam into a bird, and invisibility would serve little purpose. So maybe the power would be the ability to teleport in some fashion - whether through another alternate universe, or simply zipping over to a random street in Tahiti. I could use a vacation. ;-)
What are some traits that you put in your characters that are actual requirements in your own life (if man shopping, that is)?A man who knows what he wants. A man who will compromise and respect the opinions of his woman. A man who protects family with his life. A man who knows how to cook.

Is there a physical trait that most people find unappealing that you actually find sexy?Scars. I’m not sure if sexy is the right word, but I think scars are the mark of a person who has a powerful story of survival or battle to tell. I see him as strong, a man who has endured pain and pulled through to tell the tale.
If I find out they are the mark of stupidity because he tried to throw a pool ball in the air and catch it with his mouth...NEXT! I think they can tell you a lot about a person, good or bad. ;-)

What's your biggest pet peeve?People who can’t stop texting in public.

If you got to choose how you died, what would be your way out?In the throes of passion with Chris Hemsworth? Ok, that’s naughty. I’d probably choose to pass away when I’m 143 - the oldest woman alive. Peacefully in my sleep, of course.

And maybe lying next to Chris.




This is the segment where you learn a little more about who I am, so here's what I can tell you:  I drink copious amounts of vitamin water placed precariously close to my laptop while writing. These are two healthy habits I have no intention of breaking. I'm a transplant living in the south, but I was born in the 70's to a military dad who moved us around the world.
When I'm not writing (which is all the time), I'm hunting down Indie music, watching movies, reading, eating Tex-Mex, discovering new ways to humiliate myself bowling, and burning up my laptop battery on the Internet. I have a relaxed, easy-going personality and don't like drama. I live with a cat who thinks she is a dog, or a goat (she eats plastic, so I'm not sure which).
Throughout my life, I've had insomnia. Counting sheep never worked and eventually I would imagine those sheep were the sole source of food after an apocalyptic battle where only thousands survived. I made up stories in a futile attempt to bore myself to sleep. The problem was, I got so wrapped up in my "head stories" that I would continue them through the following nights, changing it up each time to make it more exciting. Eventually, I started writing my ideas down - creating short stories, and then I discovered my love for poetry.
It's almost embarrassing how many spiral notebooks and stacks of paper I have of poetry and lyrics.
Another passion: digital art. I design all my book covers, marketing, and series art. I'm a very visual person and pursued photography as an avid hobby for many years.
I am not a YA author (I feel like I have to state this only because I've had a few people ask), but I think it's wonderful there are so many books available to teens in Urban Fantasy and Paranormal.
I am finally doing what I have always wanted to do: giving my characters a pulse through writing full time. I focus on adult urban fantasy romance, but I don't like labels and I enjoy blending genres to break out of the confines of predictability.
But it's what I love to do.

Danni


You can stalk, I mean find Dannika here: 
               


1st prize: 1 autographed paperback of Seven Years 1 key necklace 5 autographed bookmarks

2nd prize: 
1 autographed paperback of Seven Years 5 autographed bookmarks

3rd prize: 
1 Dannika Dark ebook (Winner's choice) 5 autographed bookmarks

a Rafflecopter giveaway


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Hard Money #Review @HardNakedTruth

"Something for the Ladies, and something for the Gents. 'Hard Money' has a bit of both. It pulls back the covers and reveals all the naughty bits you always wanted to know about, but were too afraid to ask . . . ."

Hard Money takes you behind the scenes and closed doors at a Sydney brothel, where anything goes, and everything has a price.

This anthology bridges the gap between literature and erotica. Soft enough for a woman, but hard enough for a man, the collection of stories that is Hard Money will entertain, amuse, and perhaps even arouse you.

It is not suitable for children, but is definitely filled with "need to know" erotic information for mature readers.

Hard Money was written by a woman, with a soft-edged, humorous writing style that appeals to both sexes. Pay your fee, step inside, and turn UP the lights . . . you will get your money's worth.







Review - 3.5 StarsI don't read much erotica. It makes me giggle and I have a hard time taking the characters seriously. Verity Marshall did a good job keeping the giggles at bay with HARD MONEY - The Naked Truth Behind the Red Light. This erotic story is actually a set of shorts inspired by a real life brothel in Sydney, Australia. I sort of expected a story like Memoirs of a Geisha, with a plot and a back story. That's not what HARD MONEY delivers. It is more of a "Day in the Life" sort of book, with stories detailing the brothel, the girls and the clients. It was abruptly realistic and while some of the situations were humorous, many were shocking, a few were disturbing, and a handful were downright gross.

Marshall's writing was solid. The style was more of a documentary but the stories flowed well and the "action" was incredibly detailed. I relished the information about each girl. I found it amazing some of their ages were close to my own, backgrounds and family statuses were varied, and the work environment mirrored a regular industry in many aspects. These personal details made every story feel more realistic. It made the characters easier to picture and relate with and as a result, I found the details an enjoyable part of the book.

My only complaint would be with the terminology. There were several "tricks of the trade" I could not figure out through context. I ended up using the Internet a few times. I very nervously hit search on my browser each time, unsure of what might pop up on my screen. Luckily, everything that wasn't described in the text itself ended up being fairly tame. I learned an incredible amount of wording for male body parts. I only found myself giggling once; I did find myself blushing often.

I give HARD MONEY a solid 3.5 stars and recommend drinking a large glass of Pinot Noir while reading. It will help you relax into unfamiliar territory and folks won't know if you're blushing from the wine or the stories! http://www.flickr.com/photos/apathy_g...
Reviewed by  Brewed Bohemian

Grab a copy now!