Konstanz Silverbow's Blog, page 21

Guest Post from Evelyn Ink ~ Author of the Dragon Bone Series

~ Book One on Amazon ~ Book Two on Amazon ~ Book Three on Amazon ~ 
About Book One: 
A door that leads nowhere…a key to open it. A map of a land that doesn’t exist,and a monster that does.
Four sisters; a hypochondriac scientist, a mordant writer, and two feisty twins aspiring to be pirates, set off to retrieve their eldest sister who has been kidnapped into an unknown world.
Their adventure involves a grim prophecy from the oracle Sybil, help from a rugged Viking named Barnabas, and the ever terrifying presence of Brakkus the dark-hooded villain who is in constant pursuit of them. The four sisters must work together to outwit the creature Brakkus, face their fears, and unravel the clues of the ominous prophecy to find their sister before time runs out…
“Follow the river of blood and you will find a coffin of leaves... You will find her in the clutches of two great forces seeking power. They both prowl behind curtains of violence, but one can deliver only evil and the other, possible freedom. The one you seek is in the jaws of the deliverers, but you must hurry, for like meat thrown to dogs she will be ripped apart.”

Guest Post: 
Dear Readers,
My name is Evelyn Ink and I am the sad conveyor of the tales regarding the ill-fated Darlington sisters. I must warn you, nail biting danger and bad behavior leaks from every page of the Sticks, Stones, and Dragon Bones books.
         Despite the redeeming aspects of this adventure (Vikings, pirates, a creepy oracle with bad teeth and a terrible prophecy) the escapades of the sisters are sadly marred by their distasteful conduct and poor choices. Bean, a resourceful and intelligent child of a scientific nature, sadly chooses to run headlong into dangerous situations at every turn. Paige, her older sister; a thoughtful and literary young woman with a rather pessimistic outlook on life, rarely bothers using her understanding of shady characters and bad situation to make cautious and prudent choices. Worst of all are the twins, Hayde and Dorrit, of whom live by their own set of peculiar rules (based loosely on the ideologies of piracy and not taking baths).      
         As a dedicated author I am obligated to record these terrible events from every poorly constructed insult to every illogical decision. However you, as a reader have no such obligation to read them, and I suggest you don’t. I’ve heard there are several fantastic books out about well-behaving gnomes, polite ponies, and tea-sipping princesses, perhaps one of those books might be more suited for you...
Sincerely,Evelyn Ink  
About Evelyn Ink:
The plaque on my lawn reads the Edgington Mansion, it was once thought to be lovely I suppose, though now rather decrepit and quite full of secrets. I live here with my husband. He is a philosopher, and quite mad. Our house is full of books. Stacked, piled, and always advancing out and away from the shelves that ought to keep them in. I paint and draw, write and read, and occasionally go down into the dark, dismal, cobweb-creepy dungeon, to do laundry.
If interested, you may choose to follow me on my blog or check in with me on facebook. However, due to my absolute terror of electronics and a crippling phobia of the social media (technical term: Socmephobia), my blog posts tend to be infrequent and erratic. Also, due to several post exile investigations I am generally prevented from giving any specific information regarding my whereabouts...
~ Facebook ~  Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ Blog ~  

Crush by Lacey Weatherford ~ A Book Review + Giveaway

Cami Wimberley has a plan, and that plan includes no room for boys—especially the big time party animal, Hunter Wilder, no matter how handsome and charismatic he is. She’s beautiful, a senior, extremely talented, gets good grades, and is working her way toward her dream college to be a musical theater major. Everything is perfect.

Hunter Wilder does not want a girlfriend—that would complicate his life way too much right now. He especially doesn’t want this girl, Miss-Goody-Two-Shoes, so how come he can’t keep his eyes off her? He tries to keep her at arms length, but fate seems to keep pushing them together. Before long, it’s obvious to everyone they’re crushing on each other. 

As sparks begin to fly, Hunter finds himself sinking deeper and deeper into hot water. Soon he’s scrambling to keep Cami from discovering his dark secret—one that can destroy their entire relationship.
My Review: 
When I downloaded the e-copy (free at the time of posting!) of Crush by Lacey Weatherford I thought I was getting a sweet contemporary high school romance. HA! What I got was SO much better! Action packed, rocking romance, suspenseful to the point my heart could hardly take it! WOW!

I got halfway through the book before I got on Amazon and ordered the entire trilogy in paperback! And despite this, as soon as I finished Crush I paid for the kindle copy of Smitten because I didn't want to wait for the hard copies to arrive!

I've read a lot of books. A lot of good books. But it is a rare treat to find a book/series that eats at me all the time. A story that I just can't get out of my head. That was this book (and the sequels). At work all I could do is wait to get home so I could read more. And when I finished? I still couldn't get the characters and the story out of my mind!

I'm not gonna lie, I had a pretty good guess on what was going on right in the beginning but the suspense and the twist and turns still had me guessing til the very end!




Book Links: 
~ Amazon ~ B&N ~ Goodreads ~ 
Author Links: 
~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Website ~ 

**GIVEAWAY**
The Prize: An e-copy of Smitten, book two in the Crush SeriesTo enter to win: In the comments, tell me about someone you have/had a crush on.Be sure to leave your e-mail in the comment as well so I can contact you if you win.
Bonus Entry: Share this giveaway with all your friends! Be sure to leave the link(s) to where you shared in the comments!  
One winner will be randomly selected at end of the giveaway.Giveaway is open internationally.Ends on July 26th at Midnight. 

Eskimo Princess Book Reviews 4,000 LIKES GIVEAWAY!!

One of my favorite blogger pages - Eskimo Princess Book Reviews - has reached 4,000 likes on Facebook! WHOHOO! Congrats! And so what's the best way to celebrate? A giveaway of course! <3

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kindle Fire GIVEAWAY!

Enter to win 1 of 2 great prizes both values at $229. Winner’s choice of a Kindle Fire HDX or $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 Paypal Cash! The first prize is available via the rafflecopter below. The 2nd is available only to bloggers who post about this giveaway. You can find info on how to enter the 2nd giveaway in the rafflecopter.  
Win a Kindle Fire HDX, Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash ($229 value)
All New Kindle Fire HDX 7" GiveawayThe winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HDX (US Only - $229 Value)
  Or $229 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)
  Or $229 in Paypal Cash (International)
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Dancing with Black Online Release Party - Happening tonight!

Book title: Dancing with BlackAuthor: Laura BinghamRelease Date: June 21stTour Dates: July 14th - August 14thGenre: YA contemporaryPublisher: Trifecta BooksTour Host: Silverbow Promotions

Book Synopsis:
Dancing is Cami's escape from her dark home life. It's the only thing that gives her hope - until she meets Adam Black. A talented dancer in his own right, he asks Cami to be his partner, and she gains strength and confidence as he unlocks whole new possibilities for her.
When Cami's abusive mother overdoses and her already-broken family falls to pieces around her, dancing with Adam helps Cami pull through. But he has secrets of his own, and someone wants him found at any price. Cami gets dragged into a web of danger and deceit. Now she must make a choice between familiar darkness and uncertain light.
Join the online release party HERE!

The Sapphire Flute is FREE!

Rasann is a world in dire need. The net of magic that has held her together for eons is eroding and the magi can’t patch it fast enough to prevent disaster. Volcanoes spew, waters rise, famine and flood and desolation threaten the world as they desperately await the coming of the Wolfchild to heal their home.
Three women begin quests for identity and freedom from the ties that have held them: Ember, from her overbearing and prejudice mother; Kayla, from the rigidity of the caste that has oppressed her family; C’Tan, from her dark and evil master, the Guardian S’Kotos. One will discover she is the first white mage born in three millennia, another will become guardian to the a keystone, the sapphire flute, and throughout it all the third will try to destroy them both.
FREE 
Amazon (Kindle) ~  Barnes and Noble (Nook) 

The original beginning of Only Half Alive

This is the original beginning to Only Half Alive. Sadly it was unusable in the final version but I still love it to death! 
Please know it is completely unedited! 
Copyright © 2013, Konstanz Silverbow
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to a real person, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
One: It was a night much like this one . . . the moment when humans found out that we are real. That vampires exist. Werewolves exist. That dragons breathe more than fire, but more importantly, that they are real. It was a cold fall evening that humans discovered the world is filled with supernatural beings.It was a cold night as the rain hit against the window panes like rocks, sharp and creating a haunting echo that filled each room of every house.It was a night so dark that no one dared leave home. This night was the night that changed many lives. Including mine. Not because I am human, but because I am what changed so much. For this night so many years ago, was the night that humans found out my kind exist. Demons are real.This night, seventeen years ago, I was born. And with my birth came great darkness, great sadness where there should have been happiness.  But there wasn't. I am feared, hated, and humans and supernatural beings alike will stop at nothing to kill me.But I wish they would succeed. Because I am not what they think I am. Yes, it is my nature to create and control the shadows. To haunt dreams and create nightmares. But it is not in my heart. For all I want is to be able to step into the light and feel warmth.But my story isn't the only one that humans have gotten wrong. Because every story out there is a lie. Vampires are real and yes, they drink blood. But they do not hunt humans. There is only one occurrence in a vampire’s lifetime that will make them drink human blood. Vampires don't normally do such a distasteful thing. They much prefer the blood of a werewolf. But should they fall in love with one, they cannot spill another's blood. And so they turn to humans to survive.And though creatures born of darkness, they do try to not be evil.Werewolves are born of light, and do not transform shape under moonlight, but sunlight. Which is why they avoid it as much as possible. For werewolves are creatures of light and so they become their true form under it.  But in the darkness they can hide among humans, undetected.Witches crave attention, mischief, and pain. They long to make others suffer in a way that would seem only as a joke to someone who do not know them. If ever facing a witch, don't trust a word she says.And then there are Faeries, who much like Vampires, Werewolves, and witches, can appear as human. But do not be fooled, or afraid. Despite popular belief, Faeries are very kind and caring which is rather funny considering witches created them. But that does not matter. Being of the light, their soul was born to match that of the sun. If ever in the dark, hope that a faery is nearby and all will be light and never again will you be lost.And though some believe the same of Unicorns, do not trust them. Unicorns may very well be the most evil of all. Unicorns by nature long to kill. If not, they would have no need for a weapon upon their head, a way for all to see that they cannot be harmed.Whereas dragons are the kindest and most noble of creatures. They do not so much long for gold as something they can look upon in adoration and know that it cannot harm them. If a dragon is willing to save you, you are being watched over and never again will you be in harm’s way so long as the dragon remains alive. And that they do, for a very long span of time.Then there are beings such as Elves who love the darkness they pretend to not be a part of and Dwarves who crave for the light they hide from. Necromancers who wish you no harm and the worst of all . . . humans.  Beings that believe they should be over the others. Beings that wish to strip away our powers and make us like them so that they are not the weak ones. Little do they know just how powerful they are.So why then, is the world fighting over me, a simple and lonely girl who wants nothing but to break the curse that haunts me, escape the shadows that bind me.Why is the world determined to destroy me, believing that I am evil when I am the most careful being alive? Never will I hurt another being intentionally. Never will I kill or lie or use my powers to harm others. But the world refuses to listen to me because of what I am.Perhaps this world would be better off if more would listen rather than look. Because the eyes can lie but the heart cannot.But even as much as they want to kill me, destroy me, I cannot hate them. I cannot wish harm upon them. And I cannot act on the feelings they stir in me when I hear them plan on ways to destroy me. Because that would only be proving them right. Because doing that would mean that this isn't a curse. This isn't something I can change. It would mean that deep down, I really am a demon.And that is a thought I refuse to believe.If I am a demon shouldn't I hate everyone and everything? Shouldn't I long to watch the world burn at my hand? That is what a demon is. I look like the others. I have no horns or tail. I am not a being of black shadow that flies about cursing and haunting others.I am a girl who has long black hair and light pale skin. With deep blue eyes the color of the ocean. I am a being that looks much like a human and speaks and walks like a human. I am seventeen and bound on finding a way to be just that; human.And from years of searching, years of hoping, there seems to only be one answer. Love. My issue lies with the fact that I am a seventeen year old female. Where am I supposed to find my soul-mate? Better yet, what boy is going to be searching for me? Would he believe me if I told him it were meant to be?And more importantly, how am I supposed to know if it is meant to be?The quest for love is a doomed one and so I avoid all thoughts of it. There must be another way. A way for me to find freedom. A way for me to stop the war bound to happen if I continue to exist.The world is an unfair place, and each story out there is twisted every way. Rarely are the stories told correct.
My name is Christina, and I am here to set the record straight. ~ ~  The end ~ ~ Get your copy of the published version and see what changed! :)  ~ Amazon ~ B&N ~ Smashwords ~ Etsy ~ 

You're all invited to the Newtimber: Fractured RELEASE PARTY on Facebook!

You're all invited to the party!! Come celebrate the release of Fractured by Karen E. Hoover! 
Giveaway Galore! 
Prizes include: 
MugsJewelryJournalsSWAGE- BooksPaperback BooksGift Cardsand MORE! 
Did I mention all giveaways will be open internationally? 
Join the Facebook party HERE! 
Don't forget to invite your friends. The more people who come, the more prizes we'll give away!
If you are an author or blogger looking for more exposure/advertising and are willing to donate prize(s) to the party, comment here with your contact information, send me a PM on Facebook, or e-mail me. 
nothought2small(at)gmail(dot)com

The Princess and the Prom Queen by Jaclyn Weist ~ Blog Tour Sign Ups!

Book: The Princess and the Prom QueenAuthor: Jaclyn WeistRelease Date: April 29th 2014Tour Schedule: August 16th - September 16thPublisher: Trifecta BooksTour Host: Silverbow PromotionsGenre: YA Fantasy
Book Synopsis:
Jenny’s had it with her life. Six siblings in an overstuffed house are enough to drive anyone crazy, and sometimes she dreams of escaping to some fantasy world. When she suddenly wakes up to find herself being kissed by a strange—but very handsome—prince, Jenny knows her life just got a lot more exciting. Now stuck in a medieval land of castles and royalty, when Jenny learns that the queen has agreed to marry her off to the prince, it’s time to take matters into her own hands. She goes on a quest to find out who dragged her to this time while trying to keep from falling in love with either of the boys vying for her attention.
Princess Genevieve has only known life under her mother’s rule. She wants to do more than go to battle or deal with suitors. She wakes to find herself in a new world filled with gadgets, electricity, and moving carriages. She finally has the freedom to be who she wants to be with a family who cares deeply for her and a boy worth any sacrifice. It’s more than everything she always wanted.
As Jenny and Genevieve settle into their new lives, they face an unknown evil which threatens everything they care about and makes them face tough questions—like who they are and what they really want their lives to become.
Sign up to be a part of the tour HERE!

Dancing with Black by Laura Bingham ~ Blog Tour Sign Ups!!

Book title: Dancing with BlackAuthor: Laura BinghamRelease Date: June 21stTour Dates: July 14th - August 14thGenre: YA contemporaryPublisher: Trifecta BooksTour Host: Silverbow Promotions

Book Synopsis:
Dancing is Cami's escape from her dark home life. It's the only thing that gives her hope - until she meets Adam Black. A talented dancer in his own right, he asks Cami to be his partner, and she gains strength and confidence as he unlocks whole new possibilities for her.
When Cami's abusive mother overdoses and her already-broken family falls to pieces around her, dancing with Adam helps Cami pull through. But he has secrets of his own, and someone wants him found at any price. Cami gets dragged into a web of danger and deceit. Now she must make a choice between familiar darkness and uncertain light.
Sign up to be a part of the tour HERE!