Katie Hamstead's Blog, page 76

Release Blitz: If Ever I Would Leave You: Arthurian Stories For A New Generation by Jessica Jarman, Bronwyn Green and Jenny Trout

If Ever I Would Leave You: Arthurian Stories For A New Generationby Jessica Jarman, Bronwyn Green, Jenny Trout writing as Abigail Barnette
Release Date: 07/2014
Summary from Goodreads:
Surfacing Bronwyn Green
A year after Tabby Nolan’s sister vanished from the Lake Michigan shore with her boyfriend, Liam, Tabby visits the spot where the two were last seen– and finds herself pulled into the crumbling world of Avalon.
Since his disappearance, Liam has been trapped in the mythical land, with no link to the world he knew. Now, their shared memories of Tabby’s missing sister are all they can cling to as Avalon dies around them.
But Tabby doesn’t want to be a replacement for her sister, and her growing attachment to Liam feels like a betrayal. As Avalon fades around them, Liam and Tabby must rely on each other– or be lost with the ancient kingdom forever.
Albion’s Circle: The Deepest Cut Jessica Jarman
For nineteen years, Anna has been plagued by dreams of lives lived only in legend. Finally free from the family that believed her hopeless and worthless, she’s ready to start her life over—alone.
When Anna meets an enigmatic stranger claiming to be the legendary wizard Merlin, she is forced to question the very reality she’s struggled to accept. With the mythic figures from her dreams intruding on her waking life, Anna learns that she’s been reborn to fight an ancient evil alongside King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.
Caught in an ages old conflict, Anna is the key to stopping a dark magic that will destroy the world—and Merlin wants to make sure that this time, Anna isn’t alone.
A Choice Fit For A Queen Jenny Troutwriting as Abigail Barnette
For perpetual overachiever Madison Lane, a summer studying Arthurian mythology in the Welsh countryside with professor Thomas Evans is a dream come true, and the adventure of a lifetime.
Of course, the enormous crush Madison developed on the professor after a semester of his lectures at U of M has absolutely nothing to do with her desire to learn more about the enduring legend of Camelot. At least, that’s what she’s telling her parents.
When Madison meets fellow student Rhys Crewe, sparks fly, throwing her plans for wild fling with Professor Evans completely out of whack—as do her unexpectedly complicated feelings for Thomas. With tales of Arthur and Lancelot haunting her every waking moment, Madison has to make the most difficult choice of her life.


Surfacing – Excerpt
Mustering up the small amount of strength I had left, I wrenched away from her and ran into the woods. Branches slapped at my face, and brambles scratched my bare legs while small, sharp rocks dug into the bottoms of my feet. I had no idea if Nimue was following me or not, but I wasn’t going to shorten my lead by turning around and looking. What I really needed was somewhere to hide. If this was like the rest of the islands around here, there would be a cave to hole up in or maybe some decent rock formations to use for shelter. Unfortunately, this looked like nothing but trees. I saw a few other paths as I ran, but I couldn’t make myself choose one. Instead, I just moved heedlessly through the woods, dodging branches as best I could and hoping Nimue wasn’t behind me. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t come across any other people—or even campsites. These islands were never crowded, but they were popular with the camping and hiking types. I wondered if this island had a ranger station on it. At the very least, there would be a satellite phone there and hopefully an actual ranger. I wanted to call out for help, but if I’d lost Nimue, I didn’t want to give away my location. Thinking I heard a noise behind me, I put on a burst of speed. At the very last second, I turned right, heading back toward the shore. I thought I remembered seeing rock formations that would make a good hiding spot. I ran into a clearing and skidded to a complete stop. There was a shirtless guy with an ax. A ripped, at least from the back, shirtless guy with an ax. I’d been so focused on getting away from the creepy castle and what might be inside that I’d forgotten I’d heard someone chopping wood, and I managed to run right into him.I opened my mouth to call out to him, but worry that he was one of the people Nimue had mentioned niggled at me, and I shut it. In those few short seconds, paranoia won out, and I desperately hoped I hadn’t made enough noise for him to hear me. Carefully, I began backing out of the clearing, but he turned. And I froze. He stared at me, eyes widening and mouth open. The ax fell from his hand and hit the forest floor with a dull thud that seemed to echo in my chest. My gaze crept upward from his slack hand to his corded forearm, over his tightly muscled stomach and chest to his face. There was something disturbingly familiar about him. My heart stumbled as I realized what it was. With the heavy stubble covering his cheeks and chin, he looked like a slightly older version of Liam. He took a step toward me, and I tensed, getting ready to run. “Tabby?”
I looked at him again. Really looked at him, this time. As he drew closer, I could make out impossibly green eyes—the soft green of new leaves. There was only one person I knew who had eyes like that.


Available from:


About the AuthorsJessica Jarman is an author, blogger, and rather
obsessive fangirl. Having grown up in Upper Michigan and currently living in Minnesota, she is a Midwestern girl through and through. And wouldn’t have it any other way.When Jessica isn’t working to get words on the page, she passes the time with her amazing husband and four children, attempting to be crafty (and failing miserably), squeeing uncontrollably over her favorite shows or curling up with a good book. 


Bronwyn Green is an author, blogger and compulsive crafter. She lives Michigan with her husband, two sons and three somewhat-psychotic cats. When not frantically writing, she can be found helping in her youngest son’s classroom or binge-watching Netflix while working on her latest craft project. Bronwyn loves to talk to her readers and can be found at www.bronwyngreen.com



Jenny Trout is an author, blogger, and funny person. Writing as Jennifer Armintrout, she made the USA Today bestseller list with Blood Ties Book One: The Turning. Her novel American Vampire was named one of the top ten horror novels of 2011 by Booklist Magazine Online. She is a proud Michigander, mother of two, and wife to the only person alive capable of spending extended periods of time with her without wanting to kill her. Visit her on twitter (@Jenny_Trout) or at her blog, jennytrout.com

GIVEAWAY:a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz Organized by:

World War One

On this day, 100 years ago, WWI began. Lest We Forget.

Blog Tour How to Date Dead Guys: Interview with Ann Noser

How to Date Dead Guys by Ann Noser
Series: Under The Blood Moon
Genre:new-adult, urban-fantasy
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Date of Publication: July 15th, 2014
Cover Reveal: June 2nd, 2014
Blog Tour: July 14 - 25th, excluding weekends
Cover Artist: Alexandria Thompson (http://alexandriadior.deviantart.com/)
How to Date Dead Guys on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21856356-how-to-date-dead-guys?from_search=true)
Description:
College sophomore Emma Roberts remembers her mother’s sage advice:  “don’t sleep around, don’t burp in public, and don’t tell anyone you see ghosts”.  But when charming Mike Carlson drowns in the campus river under her watch, Emma’s sheltered life shatters.
Blamed for Mike’s death and haunted by nightmares, Emma turns to witchcraft and a mysterious Book of Shadows to bring him back.  Under a Blood Moon, she lights candles, draws a pentacle on the campus bridge, and casts a spell.  The invoked river rages up against her, but she escapes its fury.  As she stumbles back to the dorm, a stranger drags himself from the water and follows her home. And he isn't the only one. 
Instead of raising Mike, Emma assists the others she stole back from the dead—a pre-med student who jumped off the bridge, a desperate victim determined to solve his own murder, and a frat boy Emma can’t stand…at first.  More comfortable with the dead than the living, Emma delves deeper into the seductive Book of Shadows.  Her powers grow, but witchcraft may not be enough to protect her against the vengeful river and the killers that feed it their victims.Inspired by the controversial Smiley Face Murders, HOW TO DATE DEAD GUYS will ignite the secret powers hidden deep within each of us.
How To Date Dead Guys Purchase Links:
Amazon US: http://amzn.com/1620075199 Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1620075199Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-date-dead-guys-ann-m-noser/1119938862?ean=9781620075197
Kobo: Forthcoming

If you would like to follow Ann's book tour, go here: http://curiosityquills.com/date-dead-guys-blog-tour/

This is such a fun interview, and I thank Ann for being so amusing. Seriously, everyone should get their hands on this book! 


What inspired you to write How to Date Dead Guys? (So you know, it's sitting on my kindle to be read very soon! I've been dying to read it since Pitcharama last year)
The sudden bolt of inspiration came from an NPR program on the Smiley Face Killers. Two retired NYPD detectives, Kevin Gannon and Anthony Duarte, proposed a controversial theory that many of the "accidental drownings" of college-aged men in the Midwest were murders.
But that wasn't the only inspiration stirring the pot. I'd just finished grad school, my life was a mess, and I'd just lost a good friend. Part of me missed undergrad. Thinking back, college life looks so easy from a distance, so carefree. There are no real responsibilities. Sure, you may have a job (likely in the food industry) and you need to go to class (and try not to fall asleep), but you have so much free time. I used to spend entire days tubing down the Chippewa River (this waterway is a prominent force in my book). As an adult, when do you ever take a whole day to just relax?
MY BELOVED CHIPPEWA RIVER

But, if you think closer, college is a stressful time. There are so many decisions to be made, and if you don't make a conscious choice it will be made for you, with perhaps not the results you want. Even if the worries and concerns of college seem petty to an older, adult world, they were real at the time. I strove to capture that.
When did you write your first book/story?
High school. I think only one other person in the world read it, and that's how I'd like it to stay. J
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
Running, reading, walking the dogs, hiking, sleeping, working with animals, playing with the kids, eating raspberries, watching Masterpiece Theater, listening to music, playing piano, staring at a blue sky filled with white clouds, throwing the ball for the dogs, and vacuuming (just kidding about that last one).
HOW I THINK I LOOK WHEN EATING RASPBERRIES…


HOW I REALLY LOOK WHEN EATING RASPBERRIES…


What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
That a person shouldn't double space between sentences. It sounds minor, but it blew my mind. In high school, that was hammered into our heads. It was very hard to me to change this, but now I'm used to it.
Who is your favorite author to read? What books strongly influenced your own writing?
Whichever author I'm reading at the moment is my current favorite. I feel like, with every page I turn, I'm meeting a new friend. J
My bookshelves are overfilled with the following authors:  Alcott, Austen, Collins, Dickens, Evanovich, Fielding, Flynn, Friend, Goldman, Green, Gruen, Harrison, Herbert, Herriot, Hoffman, Ishiguro, King, Kingsolver, Letts, Lewis, Lovelace, McCourt, McCullough, Meyer (yes, call it my guilty pleasure if you must), Mitchell, Montgomery, Nguyen, Rowling, Stoker, Wallace, Wilder, and Yoshimoto.  
What are you reading now?
Destruction by Sharon Bayliss. I'm really enjoying how she infuses the paranormal into adult life. I expected a YA book at first, just because I knew witchcraft was involved. How delightful to have been proven wrong!
 Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
Why ask me when Stephen King says it so much better? J


I'd read even more books if I wasn't writing my own.But I devour what I can with the time limits of each day.

As I've said before, I truly believe it is an act of bravery to put one's own words, feelings, and beliefs out there on the page. But, then again, I never planned to be a coward.
(To be honest, I've been accused of quoting "The King" a little too often on the topic of writing. Please excuse my obsession.)

Other nuggets of advice (these ones I thought up on my own):-        Build an excellent critique group.-        Write more than one book. (It's amazing what you learn.)-        To gain perspective, set a manuscript aside for a few months at least. Yes, it's hard to wait that long. J-        Bribe good-quality alpha and beta readers with food or offer to edit and beta read in return. Just keep these folks happy, because they are invaluable to your career.
THIS BETA READER PREFERS BAKED GOODS
(And watch Dukes of Hazzard reruns whenever you can.)

Thanks for the interview and make every day an adventure - Ann



About the Author:
My to-do list dictates that I try to cram 48 hours of living into a day instead of the usual 24.  I’ve chosen a life filled with animals.  I train for marathons with my dog, then go to work as a small animal veterinarian, and finish the day by tripping over my pets as I attempt to convince my two unruly children that YES, it really IS time for bed.  But I can’t wait until the house is quiet to write; I have to steal moments throughout the day.  Ten minutes here, a half hour there, I live within my imagination.
Like all busy American mothers, I multi-task.  I work out plot holes during runs.  Instead of meditating, I type madly during yoga stretches.  I find inspiration in everyday things:  a beautiful smile, a heartbreaking song, or a newspaper article on a political theory.  For example, a long drive in the dark listening to an NPR program on the SMILEY FACE MURDERS theory made me ask so many questions that I wrote HOW TO DATE DEAD GUYS to answer them to my satisfaction.
I’d love to have more time to write (and run, read, and sleep), but until I find Hermione Granger’s time turner, I will juggle real life with the half-written stories in my head.  Main characters and plot lines intertwine in my cranium, and I need to let my writing weave the tales on paper so I can find out what happens next.
Social Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
(website: http://annandersonnoser.blogspot.co.u... https://www.facebook.com/AnnMNoserTwi... https://twitter.com/AnnMNoserGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...)

Oh, and here is some giveaway goodness!



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Goodreads Book Giveaway How To Date Dead Guys by Ann M. Noser Giveaway ends August 14, 2014.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads. Enter to win a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal: Darkness Watching by Emma Adams

Date of Re-Release­­:September 1st, 2014Cover Artist: Amy Chitulescu (http://ameliethe.deviantart.com/) Goodreads
Eighteen-year-old Ashlyn is one interview away from her future when she first sees the demons. She thinks she’s losing her mind, but the truth is far more frightening: she can see into the Darkworld, the home of spirits - and the darkness is staring back.
Desperate to escape the demons, Ash accepts a place at a university in the small town of Blackstone, in the middle of nowhere - little knowing that it isn’t coincidence that led her there but the pull of the Venantium, the sorcerers who maintain the barrier keeping demons from crossing from the Darkworld into our own world.
All-night parties, new friendships and a life without rules or limits are all part of the package of student life - but demons still stalk Ash, and their interest in her has attracted the attention of every sorcerer in the area. Ash is soon caught between her new life and a group of other students with a connection to the Darkworld, who could offer the answers she’s looking for. The demons want something from her, and someone is determined to kill her before she can find out what it is.

In a world where darkness lurks beneath the surface, not everyone is what they appear to be…
About The Author:­Emma Adams spent her childhood creating imaginary worlds to compensate for a disappointingly average reality, so it was probably inevitable that she ended up writing fantasy and paranormal for young adults.She was born in Birmingham, UK, which she fled at the first opportunity to study English Literature at Lancaster University. In her three years at Lancaster, she hiked up mountains, skydived in Australia, and endured a traumatic episode involving a swarm of bees in the Costa Rican jungle. She also wrote various novels and short stories. These included her first publication, a rather bleak dystopian piece, and a disturbing story about a homicidal duck (which she hopes will never see the light of day).Now a reluctant graduate, she can usually be found in front of her writing desk, creating weird and wonderful alternative worlds. Her debut novel The Puppet Spell, published in January 2013 by Rowanvale Books, is a fantasy tale for young adults and the young at heart, featuring disappearing uncles, invisibility potions and chimeras.Emma also writes dark and creepy supernatural novels for older teens and adults. Her next book, Darkness Watching, is the first in the upper-YA/New Adult Darkworld series, and was published in October 2013 by Curiosity Quills Press.Find Emma Adams Online: Facebook | Twitter (@ELAdams12) | Goodreads | Website

Character interview with Lord Whetherford from The Right One by Samanthya Wyatt

Hello Katie, Thank you for having me as your guest.
As a child I had many desires, but the one thing that seemed to come natural was write. I wrote poems, short stories, and then tucked them away. When I graduated, I married a military man, we traveled the United Stated and abroad. Once I found historical romance novels, I couldn’t put a book down. I fell in love with the characters and needed to know their happy ending.
When my children were grown, I started writing again. I wrote a story and once again life took over, so I put my MS on a shelf. A few years ago I decided I wanted to pursue writing seriously. I entered a lot of contests, workshops, and made some good friends via e-mails. I pulled my story back out and finished my historical, The Right One, the first of a trilogy, “One and Only Series”. Here is a special interview with my main character.

Good evening, Lord Whetherford.Good evening, Miss Wyatt.Please call me Samanthya.A smile quirked up at the corner of his mouth.Since you’ve given me liberty to address you by your given name, please call me Morgan. I’ve only been home a short while and have not gotten used to the title.As I gaze at Morgan, I notice his eyes are as dark as his black hair. A few curls fall over his brow, he shoves his fingers through his hair—mine itch to do the same.Morgan, um, can you tell me about your education?My father sent me to Eton, as my brother before me. My older brother was to inherit. Who knew what was supposed to be and anniversary adventure would result in such tragedy?I’m so sorry for your loss.So am I, Miss .. er.. Samanthya.Would you mind telling us about your life after that? You disappeared.A lad of seventeen years, on the brink of manhood, I became an angry, temper-mental scoundrel. I left.It is rumored, you’ve been called the Dark Lord.Now, Samanthya. Do you listen to the gossip mill? The corners of his mouth lifted in a devastating grinEr…um.. Were you involved in secret missions?If I told you, then they wouldn’t be secret, now would they?You’ve been gone a long time. Why did you finally return home?To marry and produce the required heir, of course. But beyond that, I’d like to see Whetherford Manor thrive again. I have secured some remarkable horse flesh and I plan to breed my own stock. Oh Lord … er … Morgan, I am a romantic. Do you have someone in mind for the next Lady Whetherford?Miss Wyatt. You misunderstand. A man of my position must chose his bride carefully. And with a clear head. I assure you, there will be nothing romantic about my choice.

I get a lot of joy from creating new characters and bringing them together in a romantic tale. I am so fortunate to have my historical, “The Right One” in the One and Only series published in June and available at amazon. I am working on book #2 “The True One”, Stephen’s story. Right after that will be book #3 “The Only One” which is Giles story.
I enjoy penning a story with strong characters, a bit of humor, and active scenes. I invite you to lay the worries of the world off your shoulders and get lost in the pages of a romance, where you embark on a journey with the hero and heroine, become involved in a dream, plunge into a world of fantasy, live an adventure your heart can share.
Please visit my webpage:  www.samanthyawyatt.com  You can also find me on facebook, Goodreads, Amazon, and SMP Authors.Thank you for your interest. Tell your friends.



    The setting is 1825 England, Regency Period
He abducts the wrong woman . . . she proves she is the right one.
Morgan Bartholomew Langston, Earl of Whetherford, has finally decided to accept his fate. Tired of dangerous assignments and putting his neck on the line, he has returned to his ancestral home to accept the title of his birthright and produce the required heir. But, when he arrives, he finds his home has been invaded and a female has taken off with his mother’s jewels. Morgan decides the traitorous jade will not get away, so he sets into motion a plan to bring her back. When he abducts the wrong woman, his reaction to her brings him dangerously close to breaking his vow of forbidden emotions.
Katherine Elizabeth Radbourn is a strong, independent woman, and at the age of twenty three is still unwed. In a desperate attempt to find her brother, she is abducted which leads her on a journey to love and mistaken identity. Once she meets her captor, fear and indignation dissipates to an overwhelming awareness. Even though he tells her she is the wrong one, Kat realizes she has finally met a man that—not only she is attracted to—but has awakened her woman’s body. Does he really care for her or does he secretly yearn for the woman she is supposed to be?  Uncertainty makes her risk the very man she has given her soul.
Available at Amazon:  http://amzn.to/1lEk2qY

Cover Reveal: Fire in the Woods by Jennifer M. Eaton and Giveaway #M9BFridayReveals

Welcome to the Cover Reveal forFire in the Woods by Jennifer M. Eatonpresented by Month9Books!Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

When a plane crashes in the woods near Jess’s home, the boy of her dreams falls out of the sky—literally. But David’s not here to find a girlfriend. He’s from another planet, and if Jess can’t help him get back to his ship, he’ll be stuck on Earth with nothing to look forward to but the pointy end of a dissection scalpel.But her father runs their house like an army barracks, and with an alien on the loose, Major Dad isn’t too keen on the idea of Jess going anywhere. Ever. So how the heck is she supposed to help the sweetest, strangest, and cutest guy she’s ever met?Hiding him in her room probably isn’t the best idea. Especially since her Dad is in charge of the squadron searching for David. That doesn’t mean she won’t do it. It just means she can't get caught.Helping David get home while protecting her heart—that’s gonna be the hard part. After all, she can't really fall for a guy who’s not exactly from here.As they race through the woods with Major Dad and most of the U.S. military one breath behind them, Jess and David grow closer than either of them anticipated. But all is not what it seems. David has a genocide-sized secret, and one betrayal later, they are both in handcuffs as alien warships are positioning themselves around the globe. Time is ticking down to Armageddon, and Jess must think fast if she's to save the boy she cares about without sacrificing Earth—and everyone on it.

Title: Fire in the Woods
Publication date: September 2014
Publisher: Month9Books, LLC.
Author: Jennifer M. Eaton

Corporate Team Leader by day, and Ranting Writer by night. Jennifer M. Eaton calls the East Coast of the USA home, where she lives with her husband, three energetic boys, and a pepped up poodle.Jennifer hosts an informational blog “A Reference of Writing Rants for Writers (or Learn from My Mistakes)” aimed at helping all writers be the best they can be.Beyond writing and motivating others, she also enjoys teaching her dog to jump through hoops—literally.Jennifer’s perfect day includes long hikes in the woods, bicycling, swimming, snorkeling, and snuggling up by the fire with a great book; but her greatest joy is using her over-active imagination constructively… creating new worlds for everyone to enjoy.

Connect with the Author: Website | Twi tter | Facebook | Goodreads Complete the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!(Winners will receive their book on release day)a Rafflecopter giveaway

Reviewers Needed!

Hey guys!

So I'm looking for some reviews for Branded and Papina to go up on Amazon and Goodreads. If you're interested, or know of someone who might be, leave me your email in the comments and I'll send you a copy.

Thanks!

Goodreads:
Terrorists have invaded Sydney, and Allison King barely escapes her brother’s wedding reception alive. She and her siblings flee, but their parents are killed by firing squad.
Now Ali’s on the run and terrified. While searching for other survivors, she is captured by the General who leads the invasion. He’s smitten by Ali, and when she refuses to submit to his whims, he brands her for death. In a wild act of defiance, she snatches the branding rod and sears the mark onto his face. Marking not only him but also sealing her fate. Ali manages to escape and flees into the bush once more where she finds a group in hiding. Even with the scars left by the General, Ali learns to love and falls in love with the young man who found her—Damien Rogers. 
But the General is hunting her. When he discovers their location, and finds her with another man—Damien—his wrath is kindled and his obsession is inflamed. Ali must put herself on the line or the General could kill her family, those who help her, and most significantly, the man she loves.

Goodreads:
Forrest and Braydon Miller moved to the small town of Papina to follow their dreams and start a family. Braydon loves her new life in the quiet town, kept alive by the prestigious boarding school overlooking the valley. She is so proud of her husband's work, helping the teens on the reservation.
Until one day, Forrest doesn't come home.
Scandal spreads when one of the teenagers is found missing, too. But Braydon refuses to believe her husband would leave her. When the teen is found, she isn't talking—literally.
While Braydon's heart is breaking, she needs to hold her crumbling life together, raise her son, and find a way to love the teenager enough to find the truth of what happened to her husband.

Cover Reveal: The Undead Playing for Keeps by Elsie Elmore

I am so excited for this book! This is one I acquired for Curiosity Quills, and I've watched Elsie and this story grow in leaps and bounds since then. It was great before, I can't imagine how incredible it is now! And this cover couldn't be more perfect. Definitely something you should all read, not just add to your TBR pile. THE UNDEAD: Playing for Keeps by Elsie ElmoreGenere: YA ParanormalPublisher: Curiosity QuillsCover Artist: Alexandria Thompson (gothicfate.com)Release Date: September 3, 2014 Blurb When an undead woman with serious de-comp issues stalks sixteen-year-old Lyla Grimm, her hope of rescuing her rock-bottom reputation takes a back seat. Especially once Lyla’s new talent of resurrecting the dead draws the attention of Eric, a Grim Reaper with a guitar and a chip on his shoulder.
While Lyla navigates the gossip-ridden halls, Eric works to gain her trust and discover why Death’s clients aren’t staying down. If she passes on her gift, his death-messenger destiny might be altered. But the closer he gets to Lyla, the less sure he is of his plan. The dead are way easier to deal with than the living.
Gossip explodes, the Grimm family implodes, and desperation sets in. Death wants the gift and a soul. Lyla and Eric face hard choices with hidden consequences. Sometimes life’s choices aren’t really choices at all.

Chapter One Excerpt

CHAPTER ONE Lyla

My stomach drops when I see the dead woman lying on the table. Convinced the dim light is playing tricks on my eyes, I reach over and flip the switch. The overhead fluorescents flicker on and light cascades down onto the body. Dread replaces the doubt. I move closer for a better look. She’s not peaceful like the others. This is bad, really bad. Mom will go ballistic when she sees this. “Lyla, what are you doing back here?” Ben whispers and gives me a playful shove. I flinch, almost coming out of my skin. Ben’s always been better at the scaring game we started a long time ago. While I both love and hate our game, I also suck at it. I turn and squint at him. “Asshole. This room should be off limits.” “Language,” he chides and clicks his tongue. After glancing at the body, he steps up beside me and snickers. “You’re in so much trouble,” he says, drawing out each word as if it were a paragraph. “No, I’m not.” “Where’s Kate?” “She’s gone, I guess.” Kate Huntington, the eccentric beautician with tacky green highlights is gone, and only her handiwork remains. Glittery blue eye shadow and sapphire eyeliner cover the dead woman’s lids. Black mascara coats her lashes so thickly that her eye sockets resemble piles of tangled spider legs. She looks like a showgirl, an old, dead showgirl. I don’t even want to acknowledge the dark foundation, the cherry red lipstick, or the words “I quit” scrawled in eyeliner across her forehead. “Mom and Dad are going to freak when they find out she left this. Mrs. Weller’s visitation is tonight.” “Wait.” Ben’s interest shifts and he takes a closer look at the still body. “This is Mrs. Weller?” “Yeah.” “Leave her. Nobody will come see her anyway.” His nose wrinkles at the lifeless form. “Everybody hated her.” “You hated her. I don’t think everyone else did.” “She was horrible.” “You’re still holding a grudge? You were in seventh grade when she busted you for taking off during the Chamber of Commerce field trip. Let it go.” I lean closer to Mrs. Weller’s face. She looks like a sweet old lady, if you ignore what Kate did, but Ben always hated her. Then again, Ben dislikes most of his teachers. They all want him to work harder to meet his potential. Ben has other plans for his potential. “Whatever. You wouldn’t know. Your nose stays stuck so far up their—” I elbow him in the ribs. “Grab me a wet washrag. I’ve got to fix this.” “No. I’m not touching anything in here, her included.” “I didn’t ask you to touch her. I just asked you to get a washrag. You scared?” “Disgusted is more like it.” I huff, walking over to the sink. The room reeks of disinfectant, but it’s better than the embalming room smell that clings to everything like cobwebs. “Are you worried Dad will mistake your help for interest? You know, this place isn’t the enemy.” “Easy for you to say. He’s not trying to steal your future.” He crosses his arms. Ben’s senior year has been a struggle about his future. He and Dad both want control. Grimm Funeral Home is now run by the fifth generation of Grimms. Dad worked here part-time as a teenager and returned after college just as his father before him had and so on and so on. “What are you doing here anyway?” he asks. “Mom and Dad will be pissed if they catch you back here.” “I came to ask Mom about spending the night at Cassie’s.” “But Mom’s not in here.” “I know. But I couldn’t walk by the door without peeking. And this is what I found.” The water from the faucet splashes around the big white ceramic basin. Every room down the back hallway has too much white: white walls, white counters, and white cabinets. Everything feels sterile, worse than a doctor’s office. “You’re really going to touch her?” Ben asks, now standing farther away from the table. “Yep. I am.” I haven’t thought about it enough to freak myself out, unlike Ben. “It’s just a body without a soul, like a table. No big deal. Well, except for the horrendous makeup.” “I wouldn’t. Mom and Dad are going to rail on you if you screw this up, which you’re going to do.” He sweeps his dark hair off his forehead while he inches backwards. “You don’t wear makeup. How are you going to know how to put it on?” “I’ll rely on my artistic ability.” I dab Mrs. Weller’s face with the warm rag. “Besides, I do wear makeup.” “Lyla, stop.” He points at the table. “Aren’t you supposed to be licensed or vaccinated to do this? What if she was sick or something?” Is that genuine concern in his voice? “I’ll be fine. Besides, it has to get done. Mom’s got too much going on today and Dad doesn’t know the first thing about makeup.” “Touching her is a bad idea,” he snaps.  

Want to put The Undead: Playing for Keeps on your Want To Read list on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22131059-the-undead?from_search=true
  Author Bio Elsie Elmore lives in North Carolina with her husband and two kids. With a science education degree from NCSU, she never imagined she would someday write stories that challenge the laws of nature. She loves the color red, has an appreciation for chocolate and coffee that borders on obsession, and wishes fall temperatures would linger year round. Elsie is a member of several writing organizations: RWA, SCBWI, and WSW. The Undead : Playing for Keeps is her debut novel. Find her on the web: on twitter at @ElsieWriter, her blog, or on Facebook.

Review: Synchrony by Cindy Ray Hale

From Goodreads:
When her parents discover she’s been sneaking out with Isaac Robinson, the forbidden Baptist boy, Mormon girl Destiny Clark decides it’s time to keep their relationship quiet. As their relationship moves to shakier ground, Destiny discovers that Isaac has a terrible secret, and she is left completely shattered.

The moment Destiny feels all hope is lost, Preston Nelson, her longtime church friend and Isaac's bitter rival, arrives like a beacon of light. It isn't long before two separate disasters strike for Preston and Destiny's best friend, Hannah. As Destiny helps them through their issues, she discovers that sometimes the best way to forget about your own problems is to help a friend in need.

Just as her heart begins to mend and her friendship with Preston begins to heat up, Isaac walks back into her life, threatening to rekindle the feelings she’d hoped to bury forever. Will Destiny and Preston find the synchrony they so desperately need, or will she find a way to forgive Isaac and return to his outstretched arms?

My Review:
I devoured this book as quickly as book 1 (Destiny) I need the next one right now!
In this book not only do we have Destiny and Isaac's perspectives again, but Preston's too. There's so much heart wrenching things going on in their lives, that they're all trying to balance while also working out their own personal dramas.
As much as I loved Preston's added perspective because he's probably my favorite character, I found this one dragged a bit in some places, thus why I didn't rate it as high as Destiny. But I still loved it, and kept my kindle with me all day, stealing snippets here and there.

Review: Destiny by Cindy Ray Hale, and Where I Discuss my Religion

From Goodreads:
Destiny Clark, a young Mormon girl living in Tennessee, is wildly infatuated with Isaac Robinson, the headmaster's son at her Baptist high school. When they're cast together in the school's production of Les Misérables, Destiny is horrified to find that she has to be publicly humiliated by acting out her true feelings of rejection onstage. 

As their rehearsals begin, Destiny realizes the unimaginable: Isaac has developed deep feelings for her despite their religious differences and the fact that he has a girlfriend. 

But will they be able to find their place amongst the backbiters of their ultra-conservative world?

Weaving around Destiny and Isaac's alternating viewpoints, Destiny is the first book in a series inspired by the characters of Les Misérables and explores heartbreak, self-discovery, intolerance, and love.


My thoughts:
So, a friend of mine referred me to this book. She isn't a Mormon, but knows I am. To be totally honest, I usually stay away from LDS literature, and not because I'm anti-Mormon. No, because I AM a Mormon, a strong, faithful member of the church. The gospel guides my life and I love it with my whole heart. Nothing brings me the happiness and light the gospel has and continues to bring.
That being said, most of LDS literature bugs me. Why? Well, it's usually either one of two things.
1. It's written by sheltered Utard types. Yeah, that's a super derogatory term, but I think any Mormons out there will get it. These books are written by members who spout out rainbows and butterflies and make me want to gag. Seriously, I wonder if these writers have stepped outside of their happy little "everyone is LDS and loves each other" bubble. Stop smiling for two seconds! They try to touch on issues, but end up sounding dumb because they are clueless. I avoid these books like the plague.
And 2. LDS books written by people who aren't LDS. Yes, seriously, that's pretty much it, the two extremes in the LDS world. Sickly sweet or inaccurate. Whenever I see a non-Mormon mention Mormons in their books, I literally feel sick. I get that Mormons are the among the fastest growing religions in the world, so our presence is getting far more noticeable, but you need to get the facts straight. We're not crazy Joseph Smith worshiping polygamists! There, it's that simple. I've said it, so not more excuses. But, whenever I read a book with a LDS kid in it by a someone who isn't a member of the church, they always make us look borderline (sometimes even completely) crazy. We're not extremists. Trust me, we are totally normal--as normal comes, anyway. It irritates me when they have these LDS characters spout off "doctrines" which are wrong, or wrongly skewed.
So, that being said, when I read the blurb, I grew nervous. I didn't want to delve into anti-Mormon sentiments. Growing up, I'd faced enough of that and it made me feel like crap. My faith is in my heart, and when people trash it, it hurts. A lot.
So, I researched the author. Cindy Ray Hale isn't from Utah, so a good plus for her! She attended BYU-I and has had articles in church magazines, so is definitely LDS. Reading up on her blog and other social media stalking, I got a sense that shes a normal Mormon who faced real anti-Mormon feelings in the bible belt. I can respect that. Growing up in Australia, Mormons are perceived as being a bit... let's just say, weird. In high school, I tasted what persecution really meant, and although it was tough, I'm grateful for the strength it gave my testimony as it forced me to stand on my own two feet and know for myself that the gospel is true. Hale definitely comes across the same way, and I respect that.
So, I made a request to review the book. Thanks to YA Bound for letting me be part of the review tour, and I will discuss the rest of my feelings regard this book below, and in the mean time, learn some real truth about Mormons here: www.lds.org

My Review:
Let's start out with Destiny. I loved her character. I related to her so well, for so many reasons. I knew exactly what she felt like being the freaky Mormon kid, and knew exactly what it felt like being treated like trash by people who others see as "perfect." I felt her reactions because they were the same as mine; anger and hurt burning inside, but too afraid to speak out. Then on the times she did, she was met with scorn. Yeah, it pretty much bites. But, she is so real because of this. I love Destiny, and I think I always will.
Isaac took me longer to like. But he goes through a nice character arch. Although, I'm still rooting for the other guy.
I honestly read this book in 24 hours. I couldn't put it down, and when I had to, to you know, function and take care of my family, I was thinking about it.
This is the most honest portrayal of a Mormon girl's life I've ever read. It's not heavy on doctrine, but is raw and real. I loved it. In fact, I've bought book two!
I applaud Hale for doing what so many others failed at in LDS literature; giving it a realistic voice through Destiny.