Katie Hamstead's Blog, page 98

Africa at Summer Camp

So I'm pretty much obsessed with everything these two do together. They have fantastic chemistry and it turns out hysterically funny.

Cover Reveal: The Rogue King by Aldrea Alien

Release date: February 22nd, 2014
Blurb:Outside is dangerous.
Such is the warning Koral has heard for twelve years. Born a product of genetic manipulation, he knows little else of the world beyond the steel walls of his home.When fate gives him the choice between certain death and the unknown, there's no question in what he must choose. But he's about to find out the sands he must brave are full of more than mere monsters.Providing the desert doesn't kill him first.This is a world ruled by instinct, where innocence is drowned in blood. Here, men are offered up to the great Serpent God, Lorric, only to emerge as the most feared killers on the planet: The Rogues.With the god's sights set on turning Koral into a legend, he must sacrifice himself to survive and be reborn as... The Rogue King.

Author Bio:Born and raised in New Zealand, Aldrea Alien lives on a small farm with her family, including a menagerie of animals. Since discovering a love of writing at the age of twelve, she hasn't found an ounce of peace from the characters plaguing her mind.
Blog Facebook Twitter Goodreads

Weekend Inspiration

Cover Reveal: Severed Colours (Book 2 ) by Dawna Raver

The epic continues…Quinn Sinclair trusted Arik Morgaine until he betrayed her. Scared and alone, she finds herself delivered into the hands of the evil Morgana le Fay. When Quinn discovers Morgana's plans are beyond demented and seriously depraved—making life with the Changeling seem like a day at the beach—she wonders if death is a better option?
Arik Morgaine vowed he'd save Quinn no matter the price. When his well thought out plans go terribly awry, a desperate and heartbroken Arik is forced to beg the cruel Triarchia for help. Unwilling to go on without his Älskling, he answers a question that irrevocably alters their lives. Can Arik and Quinn find a way back to each other, or will the price of saving her rip them apart forever?

Goodreads
   a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: Mackenzie's Cross by @SEBarthel

Mackenzie's Cross
by Sarah Barthel
Publication: May 12, 2013 by Topaz Publishing
Genre: YA Historical



Mackenzie’s life has always been one of duty. However, in a land where even the Brotherhood of the Knights are becoming power hungry mongers, how can a young kitchen maid maintain her morals when tempted with all she’s never had? In the end, the truth is even more complicated than Mackenzie had ever imagined.

** Winner of the Topaz Publishing Publisher Award **


If it had been anyone else's voice, Mackenzie wouldn't have rushed, but Melissa was not one to draw attention to herself.Upon entering the room, Mackenzie rushed directly to the small crowd which had gathered around Melissa and the corner carving table. Pushing her way to the center of the commotion, she stopped beside Melissa. She was so focused that she didn't hear the whisperings around her. When she finally reached Melissa, Mackenzie exclaimed, "My goodness, Melissa. What's wrong?"Instead of speaking, Melissa pointed above the carving table. Mackenzie glanced up, and lost her breath for a moment. The carver's knives were hanging in a row. The largest knife was in its proper place, but blood dripped down the silver blade and created a puddle on the table. Such omens could destroy happy festivities."What does it mean?” One of the pages whispered. "To be sure, death and destruction is upon us," another replied.Mackenzie glanced around the kitchen for Adilla, but could not make out her form. Someone had to squash the panic forming in the crowd; unfortunately, that person had to be her. Mimicking Adilla, she clapped her hands and looked over the crowd. "We have far too much to accomplish to worry over childhood stories. In the excitement of the day, much has been forgotten. I'm certain that's what happened here. Now, get back to work. I don't want Adilla to discover that many precious minutes were wasted over a dirty knife."As the crowd dispersed, Mackenzie caught Squire John staring at her from the doorway. Once people were doing as they should, she turned her attention back to Melissa."I'm sure Laura simply forgot to wash this knife." Mackenzie tried to sooth her friend."Laura would never forget." Melissa lowered her voice and leaned closer to Mackenzie. "She knows what such a vision means.""What does it mean?" Squire John's voice rang clear, making Melissa squeal again. Mackenzie waved her hand to the few who looked up, bidding them go back to work.Melissa's voice broke into a husky whisper. "When a bloody knife is found hanging, as this one, it means something disastrous is going to happen."

Sarah Barthel

Her Facebook | Twitter | GoodreadsSarah Barthel was raised on a steady diet of old Hollywood musicals and classic literature. Nurturing her love of language, she learned French, Latin and Japanese. This led her to study in Paris and host a Japanese exchange student. She followed her passion to American University in Washington DC, where she studied British literature and history. Since then she has thrown herself into writing. She loves to find unique, and unexplored ideas in familiar settings. A member of the Society of Children's Writers and Illustrators, she currently lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, daughter and two crazy dogs.• $10 Amazon/B&N gift card {INT}
• Signed paperback copy of Mackenzie’s Cross {INT}a Rafflecopter giveawayBuzz event organized by

Cover Reveal: Branded by Me!

I am so excited to reveal this cover for my first non-Kiya book. I love this cover and I hope you like it too!


Blurb: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

Excerpt:The man ordered the soldiers to wait outside and he shut the door behind us. He stepped up behind me and ran his fingers through my hair. "You smell awful.""Good."He chuckled and ran his hands over my hips. "I think I'll send you to get washed first."I pulled away in disgust. He snatched my hair and pulled me back against him. His arm wrapped around my waist and he held me tight."You should be flattered. I'm the General who led the takeover of the Sydney region. I'm very powerful, and don't usually take an interest in filthy western women." He let go of my hair and wrapped his hand around my throat. "But I like you, you're beautiful."I struggled to pull free, but his hand tightened around my throat."Stop struggling." He whispered. "You can't get out of this. There are soldiers everywhere, so if you somehow manage to break free, you won't get far.""Don't you dare touch me," I snarled.He snickered, dropping his hand from my throat to grope my breast. "It will hurt less if you just submit."
The words of woman back in the room echoed in my ears, "The only way out is total submission or in the back of a truck."

A special thanks to those who have helped out: Cassandra Page, Aldrea Alien, Anabel Gonzalez, Lisa Collicutt, Lauren McKellar, Lisa Swallow, Clare Dugmore, Eliza Tilton, Mara Valderran, Darci Cole, Indie-licious, Rene Gilley

Channing Tatum

This video is just too funny for words....

Cover Reveal: Soul of Flame by Rebecca Ethington

Today is the cover reveal for Soul of Flame (Imdalind #4) by Rebecca Ethington!

Soul of Flame is releasing on December 2, 2013
The Time for the final battle has come.
Edmund's armies have surrounded the Rioseco Abbey, trapping the few survivors inside. The sight that Ilyan was given a thousand years ago is about to come to pass.
If only Joclyn was able to fight.
Joclyn is tormented by the hallucinations that Cail’s mind has left her with, her magic an uncontrollable torrent that even Ilyan cannot control. Her moments of lucidity are broken by fears of dripping pipes and bleeding walls, and a desire to kill Ryland that she is trying to ignore.
Love may be the only key to her sanity, to her strength, and to Edmund's death.
But that love may stand in her way, and a single choice may tip the scales and secure their future, or destroy their fate.
Add Soul of Flame to your Want To Read list on Goodreads
Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway  
About Rebecca Ethington

Rebecca Ethington has been telling stories since she was small. First, with writing crude scripts, and then in stage with years of theatrical performances. The Imdalind Series is her first stint into the world of literary writing. Rebecca is a mother to two, and wife to her best friend of 14 years. She was born and raised in the mountains of Salt Lake City, and hasn't found the desire to leave yet. Her days are spent writing, running, and enjoying life with her amazing family.

Website Facebook Twitter Goodreads

Review: Echoes of Dark and Light by Chris Shanley-Dillman

From Goodreads:Seventeen-year-old Bobbi (Roberta) Rivers disguises herself as a young man in order to fight in the Civil War. She dares this mission for two reasons: first to fight for the country she loves, and second to find her older brother who came up missing in the Battle of Gettysburg. Bobbi joins up with the 27th Infantry of Michigan Volunteers, and the story follows their real life time line through many battles including The Crater and The Wilderness. On her quest, Bobbi finds herself also battling issues within herself, like fear, trust, strength, morality, and falling in love.


My Thoughts:I loved this book. A bit of history, a bit of romance and a great heroine.Bobbi starts out in search of her brother, Robert, who went missing during the Battle of Gettysburg. In her heart she knows he's still alive, so disguises herself as a boy to join the Union Army.After an adventurous train ride, then journey on foot, Bobbi finds herself with the 27th and is assigned to bunk with Toby. Toby is seriously my new heart throb. He's sweet and optimistic despite the war and carnage he is surrounded by. Being from Texas, he has abandoned his home and family to fight for the Union army. This alone reflects how big of a heart he has, and how determined he is.Bobbi also makes friends with a nurse, Cora, who almost immediately picks up the fact that she is female. Cora helps her hide certain female habits and gets her through some tough times adjusting to army life.There are other great characters too; sweet Woody, brave Kenny and many more.All in all, an enjoyable read. Being Aussie, I don't know a whole lot about the American Civil War, so I used good old google maps to help me with the locations.  I believe this would be a good read for teens who have no real interest in history as a means to pique their interest. Bobbi is strong and easy to relate to, especially as she goes through her emotional dilemmas that would naturally come up during war time.

My rating; 5/5 stars.

Cover Reveal and Release Day: Torn Souls by Lisa Swallow

Now Available on Amazon!
SYNOPSIS:
Jack spends his life plugged into a fantasy online world he shares with his friends. Now he faces his hardest quest yet: leave home for college and live in the real world…Jack’s fantasy crosses into reality when he discovers his new girlfriend is better at killing demons than he is. Only the ones she kills are real. And he’s not 100% sure she’s human.Soul-hunter Dahlia’s role in the human world is to retrieve stolen souls from demons and return them to her superiors. Mixing with humans is an annoying necessity… However, when she meets Jack, she can’t avoid her attraction to him, or explain the strange connection they share. She is drawn away from her world into Jack’s, and makes a choice which ties her to his world forever. But leaving her world behind isn’t as easy as Dahlia thought. When her old life catches up with them, Dahlia and Jack are left facing a future they never imagined.**Torn Souls is the second book in the Soul Ties series and is the story of Jack and Dahlia. The book begins a year before Soul Ties and also covers some events in Soul Ties from Jack’s and Dahlia’s point of view. The continuation of the Soul Ties story will be in the third book of the series.**
AmazonSoul Ties (Soul Ties #1)Goodreads

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Lisa is an author of new adult romance and writes both paranormal and contemporary, often with a side of snark. In between running a business, looking after her family and writing, Lisa sometimes finds spare time to do other things. This often involves swapping her book worlds for gaming worlds. She even leaves the house occasionally. Lisa loves all things from the Whedonverse and preferred vampires before they sparkled. She is currently working on a number of projects including the remaining books in the Soul Tiesseries and a sequel to her new adult contemporary romance. Lisa is originally from the UK but moved to Australia in 2001 and now lives in Perth in Western Australia with her husband, three children and dog.Facebook Twitter Website Goodreads


GIVEAWAY
a Rafflecopter giveaway