Sorcha O'Dowd's Blog, page 39

Rachael Wade

Rachael Wade is the Amazon bestselling author of The Preservation Series, The Resistance Trilogy, and the upcoming sci-fi series, The Keepers Trilogy. When she’s not writing, she’s busy learning French, watching too many movies, and learning how to protect animals and the environment. Visit her at www.RachaelWade.com and www.LightsOnOutreach.com, or come chat with her on Twitter via @RachaelWade

Book Blitz organised by Xpresso Book Tours.

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on May 26, 2014 01:00

Book Blitz ~ ‘Intercepting Love’ by L.P. Dover.

Intercepting Love by L.P. Dover

(Second Chances #5)

Publication date: May 26th 2014

Genres: New Adult, Romantic Suspense

SYNOPSIS

Both have what she wants … but only one has what she needs.

Working with professional athletes and helping them recover from their injuries has always been Kate Townsend’s dream, but after an accident left her scarred and heartbroken years ago she refuses to let what happened in her past happen again. Staying focused is the key, as well as not letting her feelings interfere with her job … no matter the circumstances. All of that is easier said than done when not only one, but two men crave her healing touch, igniting every single desire she’s denied herself for so long.

Cooper Davis, NFL’s star quarterback and most eligible bachelor, packs up and leaves his home to move across the states to the East Coast after an injury results in the embarrassing trade to another team. Bitter from the pain, he deals with his problems through drugs and alcohol—almost ruining his football career—until he meets the one woman who makes him want to feel; the same woman who refuses to give up on him no matter how many times he screws up. He has to have her, and he’s not going to stop until he makes her his. Especially, now that someone else threatens to take her away.

Motocross champion and local bad boy Luke Collins never takes no for an answer. For the past four months he’s used his charms to get what he wants, and now he’s so close to getting the girl of his dreams … if she’ll give in just once. One time is all he needs, and he’s never been known to fail, but he’s also never had to fight for a woman’s affections. Only one man will win their way into Kate’s heart, but which one will intercept the other and take what they want? Which one will she choose?

Finally, Cooper gazed up at me, his eyes red and pained. “Please tell me you forgive me for this, Kate. You know I never wanted to hurt you.”

“I know, and there’s nothing to forgive,” I whispered, tears falling down my cheeks. “I’m so proud of you for pushing through it. I know it wasn’t easy.”

Nodding quickly, he got to his feet and pulled me over to my bed, holding my hands gently in his. With his weary gaze on my wrists, he thumbed the bruises gently and murmured, “Do you want to know why I don’t ever want to hurt you? Why it kills me that it was my hands that did this to you?”

“Why?” I whispered, holding my breath.

Sighing heavily, he lifted his gaze and placed both hands on my cheeks, wiping away my tears. “It’s because I love you, Kate, and people aren’t supposed to hurt the ones they love. The last thing I want is for you to hate me for what I did.”

~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon US ~

Me and My Broken Heart by Rixton
Story of My Life by One Direction
Not a Bad Thing by Justin Timberlake
Just a Kiss by Lady Antebellum
Chokehold by Adam Lambert
I Need Your Love by Calvin Harris & Ellie Goulding
Pony by Ginuwine
Together by Demi Lovato & Jason Derulo
All of Me by John Legend
Kiss Me by Ed Sheeran

~ YouTube ~

L.P. Dover

USA Today Bestselling author, L.P. Dover, is a southern belle residing in North Carolina along with her husband and two beautiful girls. Before she even began her literary journey she worked in Periodontics enjoying the wonderment of dental surgeries.

Not only does she love to write, but she loves to play tennis, go on mountain hikes, white water rafting, and you can’t forget the passion for singing. Her two number one fans expect a concert each and every night before bedtime and those songs usually consist of Christmas carols.

Aside from being a wife and mother, L.P. Dover has written over nine novels including her Forever Fae series, the Second Chances series, and her standalone novel, Love, Lies, and Deception. Her favorite genre to read is romantic suspense and she also loves writing it. However, if she had to choose a setting to live in it would have to be with her faeries in the Land of the Fae.

L.P. Dover is represented by Marisa Corvisiero of Corvisiero Literary Agency.

~ Amazon ~ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Pinterest ~ Twitter ~ Website ~

Book Blitz organised by Xpresso Book Tours.

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on May 26, 2014 01:00

May 25, 2014

Book Review ~ ‘Chasing Luck’ by Brinda Berry.

Chasing Luck by Brinda Berry

(A Serendipity Novel #1)

Publication date: May 2014

Genres: New Adult, Romance, Suspense

SYNOPSIS

Sometimes surviving doesn’t feel lucky. Especially when you’re a sole survivor…

At the age of seven, Malerie walked away from a bombing that left hundreds dead—including her mother. When a crazed gunman kills her guardian on her eighteenth birthday, Malerie suspects there may be more to her survival than luck. A mysterious code holds the key to her future, and a reluctant white knight holds the key to her heart.

A loner wearing emotional armor…

Ace is a twenty-year-old entrepreneur focusing on two things in life: financial security and a life without ties. A life that doesn’t risk losing the ones who matter. When Ace is hired to secretly act as a bodyguard for Malerie, he faces an unwanted attraction that threatens to sabotage his heart. Can Ace find the courage to love a girl with a death wish?

Book Review ~ ‘Chasing Luck’ by Brinda Berry ~ 5 Stars!

I knew from the first page that this was going to be a book I would really enjoy. From the get-go, the writing style was fresh, mysterious and the narrative voice was strong. However as the story continued, I became more and more intrigued, excited and nervous of the fate of the characters I had come to care for so deeply.

‘Chasing Luck’ was a suspenseful and exciting read. Malerie was a fantastic heroine, who I loved to see grow throughout the novel, she had some issues which were justifiable but she tried her hardest to break out of her comfort zone as her possible fate began to hang over her like a black cloud.

Ace was a character that I really connected with. There was something mysterious about him that I really liked, and made the relationship between him and Malerie really great to read as he started to open up to her. He was such a kind-hearted guy who tried to hide behind sarcasm, so I really enjoyed reading chapters from his point of view because it showed another side to Ace than the side that he felt he needed to show Malerie at the start of the book. Ace and Malerie’s slow burning romance was one of my favourite things about this book, as I loved the chemistry they had from the start when they meet just before a shooting that sets Malerie’s unsolved mystery in motion.

I loved how Brinda Berry very subtly and cleverly entwined Malerie’s past, present and future, giving us little details and snippets at a time so that the suspense and mystery build to a pulse-pounding finale. The suspense in this story made it stand out amongst the many other books I have read in the New Adult genre, as it felt like an exciting adventure to read rather than just simply a good story. It was brilliantly paced, and the story wasn’t too much driven by the outside forces, but by the characters and their need to solve the mystery and protect those they love.

This was a stunning novel which I know I will return to re-read in the future. This is one of my top reads of 2014 so far, so I give it 5 stars and a definite recommended read.

Review copy was kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon US ~ B&N ~ Kobo ~

Brinda Berry

Click the banner above to check out the ‘Chasing Luck’ book blitz, including excerpt and book trailer.

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on May 25, 2014 05:48

Book Blitz ~ ‘Mary Hades’ by Sarah Dalton.

Mary Hades by Sarah Dalton

(Mary Hades #1)

Publication date: June 2014

Genres: Horror, Young Adult

SYNOPSIS

Not many seventeen year old girls have a best friend who’s a ghost, but then Mary Hades isn’t your average teenager.

Scarred physically and mentally from a fire, her parents decide a holiday to an idyllic village in North Yorkshire will help her recover. Nestled in the middle of five moors, Mary expects to have a boring week stuck in a caravan with her parents. Little does she know, evil lurks in the campsite…

Seth Lockwood—a local fairground worker with a dark secret—might be the key to uncovering the murky history that has blighted Nettleby. But Mary is drawn to him in a way that has her questioning her judgement.

Helped by her dead best friend and a quirky gay Goth couple, Mary must stop the unusual deaths occurring in Nettleby. But can she prevent her heart from being broken?

The first in a series of dark YA novels, Mary Hades follows on from the bestselling Kindle Single My Daylight Monsters. A spine-tingling tale with romance, readers will be shocked and entertained in equal measure.

The whiskey, and Seth’s company, has elicited whatever happy hormones needed to help me slip into a state of relaxation. I lean back in my seat and tilt my head to the sky. On any other night I hate to look up at the stars. I hate to be reminded that we’re in this huge universe that we don’t understand, and we’re a speck of insignificance on a great big piece of rock circling around a ginormous lump of fire. Tonight, I could get lost in space. I could stare up at the moon all night.

“Shooting star?” Seth asks.

“No, an aeroplane,” I reply.

“Somewhere you want to go?” he asks.

I turn my eyes back to him. We hold gaze. “No.”

No smiles. No impish grin. Instead—his eyes on mine. His eyes coming closer, until I feel as though his eyelashes might graze my cheek. His lips near mine. The scent of musk, whiskey and smoke. Sweet. Sweet scent. Him.

Jolt.

The wheel stops. We break apart and laugh.

“Looks like Damo’s giving us a little sightseeing time,” Seth says. He pushes his fingers into his lush hair. There’s a ring on his right hand. The silver of it catches one of the flashing lights, so that it turns green, and then yellow. “You haven’t told me why you’re here? You local?”

“I’m on holiday,” I say.

He raises an eyebrow. “And you came to Nettleby?”

What I don’t tell him is that I’m with my parents. That would be even more embarrassing.

“Are you local?” I ask.

“Yeah,” he says with a sigh.

“Maybe you could show me around?” Mary, what on Earth are you doing?

He grins. “Sure.

He moves a little closer and wraps his arm around my shoulder, pausing not once but twice, as though almost changing his mind. There’s a slight flush of pink on his cheeks. It could be nerves, or it could be the whiskey. Lacey would be proud of me. For the first time ever, I’m on a normal date with a great guy, and it’s going well. There aren’t any Things, or ghosts, or people with psychiatric issues. There is me and Seth—alone.

Warm, fuzzy feelings spread through my arms as I lean into him. We stay silent for a while, watching the lights from the campsite. Beyond the fairground I know there’s a forest, but it’s now a black fade in the night. The fairground is dark, with the occasional torch light and one or two flood lights to help the men as they lock up for the night.

“Damo’s taking his time,” Seth says. His eyes narrow with concern.

“Something the matter?” I ask. We do seem to have been still for a while.

“I dunno,” Seth says. He turns in his seat so that he’s leaning over the ledge, and pulls his arm out from under me. Cupping his hands around his mouth he yells, “Damo! Hey, Damo. What’s going on, mate? You gonna get this thing started or what?”

A chill runs through me. Am I such bad company? Does he want to get rid of me? To get this date over and done with?

“Sorry,” he says, turning back to me. “I get a little nervous with these rides. When you know how they work, you know how much can go wrong.”

“Oh, okay.” I think back to his safety conscious worrying over the safety bar. Wow, a carnie who cares about welfare, that’s a first.

I glance at my watch. 11:30pm, time flies. I should try to get home before midnight so that the ‘rents don’t have simultaneous coronaries. When I realise that this is going to end soon, heavy weights pull at my stomach. I like being with Seth.

The wheel lurches forward with a groan.

“There, it’s—” My blood runs cold. The Ferris wheel jerks forward, no longer running smoothly like it did on the way up, but worse than that, worse than the possible failure of the ride, I see a dark shadow, and then I see it.

“No,” I mutter without meaning to.

“What’s wrong?” Seth says.

I shake my head. This can’t be happening now, not on the first date that has made me feel normal.

It crawls up the ride.

Bony fingers cling to the metal framework.

An x-ray of bones shine through its skin. I lean forward and grip the safety bar with my fingers, gripping so hard that the whites of my knuckles protrude through my skin, like the bones of the Thing climbing up to me.

“What do you want?” I whisper.

“What did you say?” Seth asks.

“Nothing,” I reply.

“Are you all right? You look a little pale? It’s the ride, isn’t it? Don’t worry, it gets a bit stiff sometimes, when it’s been inactive for a few minutes. Did I frighten you with what I said? Honestly, it’s fine. Damo knows how to—”

Screeeeeech.

The ride stops so abruptly that I’m thrust forward against the safety bar. My head snaps forward, painfully. One of the bears slips from my grasp and hurtles down towards the black ground below.

“Shit.” Seth grabs hold of my shoulders and pulls me back against the seat. “That’s never happened before. Are you all right?”

The Thing is gone. It has passed on the warning, showing me its hideous face. Now I have to wait for whatever horrible event is about to happen.

Are we going to die?

The Ferris wheel bench rocks back and forth, suspended halfway down the 80 foot full height of the wheel, as boasted on the sign by the ticket booth. Seth holds me tight, his anxious face turned down towards the control booth below.

“Damo?” he shouts. “Damo, what’s happening down there, pal?”

There’s the scrape of a door opening and a small voice calls up. “Summats up, mate. The controls have gone funny. I keep trying to get you down, but then it… it’s like it has a life of its bloody own.”

Seth rubs his chin. The wheel lurches forward again, this time making me cry out and grip onto Seth’s arm tighter.

“I’ve got you,” he murmurs. “It’s gonna be all right.”

I shake my head. No it isn’t. When the Things show up, it’s because someone is going to get hurt. It’s not usually me, it’s someone else. Death follows me.

“This is my fault,” I whisper.

“What?” he says.

“Bad things happen… you… you should get away from me.”

Our seat rocks forward, forcing us both up against the safety bar. “This isn’t your fault—”

The bench drops an inch to the left, but my heart drops to my knees. We slide together, hitting the edge. In a moment of utter panic I realise that the chain has come loose at the top. There’s a good chance it will break altogether and we’ll fall…

~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon US ~ B&N ~ Kobo ~ Smashwords ~

Five ways Mary Hades is different to your average YA series

I’m pretty excited about this project. I find Mary the easiest character to write because she is such a free spirit. However, there’s a part of me that’s nervous about this series. I’ve mixed things up. Mary Hades doesn’t follow a formula.

Here are five things you can expect, and five examples that are a little different to most YA books.

1. It’s not a trilogy:

At the moment, the series is open ended, which means I’m planning to keep it going for as long as I enjoy writing it. To me, this is almost like a long-running television series, where each book will focus on a specific challenge. I will be bringing in long-arc storylines at some point, but the first few books are almost standalones.

2. Each novel is a snapshot:

Like the novella that started it all—My Daylight Monsters—each novel, and each story, is a snapshot into Mary’s life. That means that not all the books will link on from each other. The first book has a resolution and no cliff-hanger, but it sets up the rest of the series, because it shows Mary what she wants to achieve with her life. This is going to continue throughout the series. Think of them as brief instalments into her very interesting life. Characters will come and go. Not all of the novels will be set in the same place. There is a lot of scope for the series. It could go on as Mary goes to University, or a spin off with different characters could occur. There are no set rules here. Think of it as an urban fantasy series, but more contemporary.

3. The novels are short:

The main reason I write Mary Hades at a shorter length is because the tone is very deep first person POV present tense. The books are meant to be all-encompassing. I want the reader to be drawn into Mary’s world, and that is an intense ride. These sorts of novels are almost always short. Think of the wonderful How I live Now, or the engrossing Never Let Me Go—they are both short novels and that suits them very well. The first instalment of Mary Hades will be about 280 pages. On the plus side, shorter novels means I can write the instalments quicker, so you won’t have to wait long for the next book. And, as the books are shorter, I’ve decided to charge less for them, so you won’t be paying more for a shorter novel. However, quality almost always beats quantity. ;)

4. This is dark fiction:

When I started writing My Daylight Monsters, I was very influenced by Gothic literature. That’s a very broad brush. I always loved Victorian Gothics, like Dracula and The Picture of Dorian Grey. These novels always have a supernatural element and always have some sort of dark, looming presence. In My Daylight Monsters, that presence is the hospital, and the deepest fears we harbour there. In Mary Hades, that looming presence is the Yorkshire moors—of course, inspired by Wuthering Heights. Other influences could include Daphne Du Maurier. I had a few scenes from Jamaica Inn playing in my mind as I wrote this book. Mary Hades is much more grown up than my other novels. In the past, my books like The Blemished and White Hart have been more suited to younger YA. Mary Hades is best for older teens and adults.

5.Horror AND Romance?

Yup, you better believe it. In the midst of fighting a really scary ghost, Mary manages a holiday romance. Hey, call me a romantic, but I think a girl needs to take some time off from her ghost hunting once in a while.

In all seriousness, I want the books to be scary AND uplifting. There’s a definite contemporary feel to the writing, and hopefully that ties in with the romance.

Prizes – open INTL:

*Ultimate Swag Bag*

*Signed paperback of any of Sarah’s books*

*3x eBooks of winner’s choice*

Sarah Dalton

Sarah grew up in the middle of nowhere in the countryside of Derbyshire and as a result has an over-active imagination. She has been an avid reader for most of her life, taking inspiration from the stories she read as a child, and the novels she devoured as an adult.

Sarah mainly writes speculative fiction for a Young Adult audience and has had pieces of short fiction published in the Medulla Literary Review, PANK magazine and the British Fantasy Society publication Dark Horizons. Her short story ‘Vampires Wear Chanel’ is featured in the Wyvern Publication Fangtales available here:

Sarah’s debut novel The Blemished is a fast paced young adult dystopia set in a fractured Britain. It follows the events of Mina Hart, a young Blemished girl who has a dangerous secret, as she tries to escape the dreaded Operation and get out of Area 14.

Book Blitz organised by Xpresso Book Tours.

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on May 25, 2014 01:00

May 24, 2014

Book Blitz ~ ‘Perfect Opposite’ by Zoya Tessi.

Perfect Opposite by Zoya Tessi

Publication date: May 18th 2014 (paperback)

Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Cover Artist: Deranged Doctor Design (http://www.derangeddoctordesign.com/ )

SYNOPSIS

Their wishes were simple and modest. Fate had other things in store though, and she can be a real bitch sometimes.

- All he wanted was to get the job done and somehow to endure those long months playing nanny to a spoiled little rich girl. Without strangling her with his bare hands in the process. Well, it is going to be much easier said than done.

- All she wanted was to escape the past and live like any other nineteen-year-old girl. Her plan definitely didn’t include the arrogant, tattooed savage, with his awful mohawk hair and lack of social graces, whose only mission was to stick real close and mess up her life.

But, people aren’t always what they seem to be, are they?

“Electrocuted!”

“Don’t you think it’s time to earn some of the money Nikolai pays you?” I asked quietly, careful not to let Beth overhear.

“On the contrary, Princess. I don’t think Nikolai pays me enough. Spending all my days in your sweet company qualifies me for special, early retirement.”

“Oh really…” I looked him full in the face and pointed to the chandelier, “The bulb blew this morning and needs replacing.”

“You’re right.” he nodded and continued to look at me, with no intention of making a move.

“Are you trying to make me lose it, or am I just imagining it?”

“No. I’m waiting for you to ask me nicely.”

“Are you serious?”

I couldn’t believe that he, of all people, felt entitled to instruct me about manners. God, he was infuriating. I narrowed my eyes and regarded him carefully, a wicked smile building at the corners of my mouth.

“Alex, honey, would you be so kind as to change the bulb in the chandelier, it would mean such a lot to me?” I asked in the most sugary voice possible.

I watched as a barely noticeable look of satisfaction appeared on his face, and smiled even more. Some men actually lived in the conviction that their word must always be the last.

“And please, while you do that…” I blinked at him like some kind of cartoon, “…be sure and get electrocuted, would you?”

~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon US ~ B&N ~

Interviewer: Hello, Sasha. It’s nice to have you here today.

Sasha: I’m glad to be here. Thanks for having me!

Interviewer: I’m sure our readers can’t wait to get to know you better, so can we start with you telling us something about you that no one else knows?

Sasha:Oh, you’re starting with the tough ones, I see that. ( smiling ) I’ll have to think about that.

Interviewer: Please, take your time. It can be anything, maybe something from your childhood?

Sasha:Well, there are some things from that time that I haven’t told anybody. Like the big clock in the hallway I broke once.

Interviewer: You didn’t!

Sasha:I’m afraid I did. I was around five, running through the house and playing around, when I saw that it was dinner time. I really didn’t want to stop playing, so I climbed up on a chair, opened the clock face, pulled off the hands and stashed them in the nearest drawer. I felt sure at the time that I’d be saved from having to eat green beans for dinner.

Interviewer: You sure were resourceful. And you knew how to tell the time when you were just five?

Sasha:Of course. Vova thought me.

Interviewer: Your father’s employee Vova?

Sasha:I’ve never seen Vova as just employee. He’s more like favorite uncle of mine, even though we aren’t really family.

Interviewer: You’re close?

Sasha:We were very close when I lived at my father’s place. He was my hero and he always saved me from trouble. When I got up to any mischief, I’d always run to his room and hide there. Like when I took sand from behind the shed and spread it all over the hallway floor.

Interviewer: Why on earth did you do that?

Sasha:I’d watched some cartoon about Indians, and wanted to see if I could read tracks. I was sure I was going to be a hunter when I grew up, and I wanted to practice my tracking skills. I was around seven then.

Interviewer: If I understood well, you didn’t have close connection to your father even then. What about your mom?

Sasha:She was very young when she married my father and I always had impression that she was more like a sister to me than mother. But, when I think of her now, I think she wasn’t mature enough to be a mother.

Interviewer: Why do you think that she wasn’t mature enough? She wasn’t responsible, or…?

Sasha:She was… extreme. In every way. Sometimes, she reminded me of a beautiful wild animal that got trapped and was forced to live in gilded cage. Unlike me, since I’ve always lived like that, my mom had been raised without any restraints and it was really hard for her to get used to having bodyguards following her everywhere.

Interviewer: I suppose it was very hard for you too, living like that, being treated in a different way to your friends. What was the hardest part?

Sasha:Holidays, definitely. I always dreamed of going to the seaside or visiting other countries with my friends, but I was never allowed. Don’t get me wrong, I know it was all for my own good, but even though I wasn’t exactly unhappy, I wasn’t filled with joy either.

Interviewer: And what is your idea of perfect happiness?

Sasha:Being able to decide, in the moment, to go somewhere for a weekend and just packing up your things. Doing that without looking over your shoulder to see if someone’s following you, or having the idea that someone might try to kidnap you round the next corner.

Interviewer: Do you think you’ll ever be able to feel that way? Completely free…

Sasha:Probably not. Habits are really hard to overcome. ( smiling ) But I am really happy now.

Interviewer: And what’s the reason for that bliss? Or should I ask ‘Who?’ … ( laugh )

Sasha:I think you know the answer very well. He came into my life like a storm. An unstoppable hail storm. It was enough for him to look me once with that icy gaze of his, so that I felt he’d poured all of his coldness right over my head and made a total mess of my life. But it seems like even the thickest of icebergs can melt, given time.

Interviewer: From what I know, he’s a difficult man to be around.

Sasha:I would say extremely challenging. I have an urge to kill him in cold blood at least once per day.

Interviewer: Have you tried? ( arching eyebrows )

Sasha:Many times, but he’s so damned agile. He dodges my every strike.

Interviewer: Lucky him. ( laughing )

Sasha:So far… My aim’s getting better every day.

Interviewer: And do you think that you two are a good match?

Sasha:The worst! It’s like putting two crazy, egocentric roosters in the same room. We can’t help trying to strangle each other. At first I was sure we were completely contradictory personalities with nothing in common. But… in time I realized that I was wrong. We’re more similar than I thought, but I’d never admit that in front of him.

Interviewer: How so?

Sasha:We both had the same fear – letting another person inside those defensive walls we built around us, to make them important to us. For Alex, it was the fear of having feelings for someone who he’d eventually need to let go. For me, it was the fear of watching people I loved getting killed.

Interviewer: But you overcame that fear of connecting with people. How?

Sasha:Hmm… there wasn’t any conscious decision like: “OK, from today I’ll let him be something more to me“, you know. It was more like: “Oh, shit. This isn’t happening!” ( laughing )

Interviewer: Were you scared when you realized that?

Sasha:To my core, yes. To be honest, Alex can be a really scary guy sometimes, and realizing you’re in love with someone like that, makes you seriously question your sanity.

Interviewer: He didn’t look very scary to me. I mean, OK, he’s pretty huge and those tattoos definitely don’t make him look cuddly, but he doesn’t look like a serial killer either.

Sasha:Hah! You’ve never seen him trying to strangle some random guy who dares to look at me the ‘wrong’ way.

Interviewer: He’s rather possessive, I see.

Sasha:Like a dog with a bone. It’s not like he tries to control me or anything, just… he doesn’t like seeing good-looking guys around me. Usually, he doesn’t say or do anything and pretends that he doesn’t even notice them, but I can see it in his eyes – that urge to grab me and drag me back to his cave. (laughing) Like a kid who doesn’t like to share his toys with the other children. It’s funny, really. And to be completely honest – it bothers me less then it probably should. I guess I feel flattered.

Interviewer: And what about you? How do you react when you see girls flirting with him? I suppose it happens a lot.

Sasha:All the time, but I’ve found rather productive strategy for those situations. And, it never fails.

Interviewer: Oh? Would you share it with us? I’m sure it would come in handy for our readers.

Sasha:Sure. It’s really simple. Whenever I see a girl flirting with him, I just put on my brightest smile and make she hears me when I say: “Honey, your parole advisor just called. Better call him back or they’ll haul your ass back to jail for another ten stretch.”

Interviewer: Well, that would do the trick.

Sasha:It does, every time.

Interviewer: Thank you so much, Sasha. Unfortunately, our time is up. Is there anything you’d like to tell our readers before we finish?

Sasha:Don’t be afraid to take risks and follow your heart. Most of the time you’ll end up hurt, but those few times when you don’t – they’re worth it all.

Exclusive Trailer Release

~ YouTube ~

Prize: Open INTL – Ends June 2nd

*50$ Amazon Gift Card*

Zoya Tessi

A teenager in an adult’s body. A rebel in the guise of an ordinary citizen. A lady with very unladylike language. A dreamer with a rational mind. A woman born into the wrong era, she still believes that chivalry’s a feat to define the perfect man.

Zoya spent years doing volunteering work all across Europe, from cleaning school basements in Northern Russia to excavating Stone Age artifacts in Euskadi (the Basque country) and renovating castles from the middle ages in Southern France. She always dreamed of working with ‘Doctors without borders’ somewhere out in Africa, but ended up doing an ‘ordinary job’ in one of the smaller European countries.

Her greatest passion is devouring each and every book that comes within her reach.

Book Blitz organised by Xpresso Book Tours.

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on May 24, 2014 01:00

May 23, 2014

Blog Tour ~ ‘London Bound’ by Nana Malone.

London Bound by Nana Malone

(Chase Brothers #1)

Publication date: April 1st 2014

Genres: New Adult, Romance

SYNOPSIS

It wasn’t exactly like spunky, photography student, Abbie Nartey ran away from her life…except, that she left under the cover of darkness and put three thousand miles between her and her ex-boyfriend’s betrayal. She went to London searching for her dream. She never expected to find love, or herself.

Heir to his family’s tech fortune, sexy, Alexi Chase, is looking for freedom—from his family and from his past. What he’s not looking for is love. With secrets like his, he can’t afford to let anyone get too close. But a chance rescue has him wondering if the price of keeping secrets is too high.

Will Alexi risk losing love to keep his past hidden? Will Abbie trust herself enough to love again? Or will their pasts keep them from accepting true love?

This book contains mature themes and is intended for audiences 18+

~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon US ~ B&N ~ iTunes ~ Kobo ~

Book Review ~ ‘London Bound’ by Nana Malone ~ 5 Stars!

London Bound is one of those books that sucks you in with an exciting storyline and some really fun and meaningful characters. Also it being set in London (Brit girl here) made me really excited as I really connected with the way Nana Malone wrote the story in this setting.

This novel was really clever in the way it put points across through its prose and actions. I connected with Abbie as a character right from the word go, and really admired her strength in escaping a life that had become suffocating and dangerous for her in order to find her dream. I wish I was as brave as Abbie, and I think her character is one that will inspire young readers in following their passions, and making the most of their life.

I loved seeing Abbie’s development progress throughout the novel, and it was beautiful to watch how the lovely Alexi brought her out of her shell and gave her a confidence and sparkle that had been trampled on after years of living with an abusive boyfriend. But what I loved most about her is that she never quite let her guard down. It sounds silly to say it as I loved Alexi so much, but I was pleased that she was being cautious with her heart, and I wanted Alexi to go out of his way to prove to her that she was the one he wanted to be with. I loved that Abbie’s confidence developed at a realistic pace, and it made the final product of her experiences all that more rewarding for both her, and for me as a reader.

Alexi was such a great character and I loved the relationship he had with his brother. There’s so many stories of strong sibling rivalry that it was so refreshing to read about two brothers, who whilst felt jealous of the other at times, their love for each other was the most important thing and they put each other first.

However, despite loving Alexi and Abbie, my favourite parts of this story were those with Xander. He was my absolute favourite character, and there are so many layers to him that I can’t wait to see unravel in another book. I’m one of those people who always takes sides in love triangles, but with this story, I really didn’t mind Xander’s attempt to seduce Abbie, as I really felt for him, and knew that he was just waiting for the right person that would heal him. I think whilst he had feelings for Abbie, the fact that he put his brother’s feelings first made him so honourable and I can’t wait to see whether he meets his perfect match, because whilst he was drawn to Abbie, I just know there will be someone out there who was made for him.

The characters, storyline and setting was all so wonderful to read, and once I started I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. The relationship between Alexi and Abbie was beautiful, and Abbie’s trials after leaving America, her family and life behind showed me that true friends will be there for you without question.

A brilliant read, and I really hope to see more from this series in the future.

5 Stars!

Nana Malone

USA Today Best Seller and iTunes Breakout Books author, Nana Malone’s love of all things romance and adventure started with a tattered romantic suspense she borrowed from her cousin.

It was a sultry summer afternoon in Ghana, and Nana was a precocious thirteen. She’s been in love with kick butt heroines ever since. With her overactive imagination, and channeling her inner Buffy, it was only a matter a time before she started creating her own characters.

While she waits for her chance at a job as a ninja assassin, in the meantime Nana works out her drama, passion and sass with fictional characters every bit as sassy and kick butt as she thinks she is.

Nana also writes sizzling erotic novellas as Q. Malone: http://www.amazon.com/author/qmalone

~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~ Website ~

Blog Tour organised by Xpresso Book Tours.

Click the banner above to follow the ‘London Bound’ Blog Tour.

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on May 23, 2014 01:00

May 22, 2014

Book Blitz ~ ‘A Sweet Life: A Charity Boxed Set’

A Sweet Life Boxed Set

(Fourteen Contemporary Romances by Bestselling Authors to Benefit Diabetes Research)

Publication date: May 1st 2014

A SWEET LIFE

I have no memories of my paternal grandmother. My best guess is that I was barely four years old when she died. But, I like to think I inherited my love of knitting from her. My older cousins tell the story of sitting in a semi-circle in front of her rocking chair and watching her crochet. Her fingers moved at a frantic speed as she rocked back and forth. The amazing part is that she was sound asleep and snoring!

My father, who was the youngest boy, was basically raised by his oldest sister, my aunt Betty, because my grandmother was diabetic. She was often tired and sickly, spending the majority of her time in bed.

Another memory my cousins have shared with me is of our grandmother boiling her hypodermic needles because she was insulin dependent. My father and three of my uncles were also diabetic and, by the end of their lives, insulin-dependent as well. And now several of my cousins are affected by the disease.

Like my cousins, for the last twenty-five years I’ve been a Type 2 diet-controlled diabetic.

Diabetes is a life-changing disease. It’s estimated that 25.8 million children and adults in the United States are diabetic. That’s 8.3% of the population. My guess is that we all know someone who is diabetic.

When Brenda Novak’s youngest son, Thad, was diagnosed, she went on a one-woman mission to do whatever was necessary to fund research for a cure to this horrible disease. If you’ve ever met Brenda you know she is passionate about making a difference. This is her tenth year holding an auction to raise money for this cause and to date her efforts have resulted in more than $2 million dollars toward research for a cure.

The book you’ve purchased will go toward making the dream of a world free of diabetes a reality. Each one of the authors on this long list of contributors has given of their talent and themselves to aid in this mission. You’re about to read some of the biggest names in the field of romance.

Three of these talented authors, Susan Wiggs, Barbara Freethy and Rachel Van Dyken, have scored #1 placements on the New York Times best seller lists. Now that’s impressive. The remaining eleven are all well established authors with booming careers. In other words, you are in for a real treat.

And really, isn’t this the best of all worlds? Not only is this an enjoyable read but at the same time your purchase is contributing to a worthy cause. You can’t ask for a better win/win situation.

It’s been my honor to write the forward. Keep at it, Brenda. Not only are you one amazing author, you’re a woman with passion and heart.

Now enjoy.

With warmest wishes,

Debbie Macomber

SYNOPSIS

Have your cake and eat it too–your purchase of A Sweet Life helps fight against diabetes!

Priced at only 2.99 (regular price 7.99), indulge in this stunning limited edition collection of fourteen contemporary romances by New York Times and USA Today Bestselling authors…

You can make a difference while you read! All proceeds from the sale of A Sweet Life will be donated to the Diabetes Research Institute via Brenda Novak’s Online Auction for Diabetes Research.

Featuring a foreword by #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Debbie Macomber.

Get your copy today!

1500 pages/ 675 000 words

I Only Have Eyes For You by Bella Andre (The Sullivans)

The only woman wealthy Irish pub owner Jake McCann wants is the one he can’t have–Sophie Sullivan, his best friend’s off limits sister. But when the beautiful librarian appears on his doorstep as his every fantasy come to life, even though Jake knows loving Sophie isn’t the right thing to do…how can he possibly resist?

On A Night Like This by Barbara Freethy (Callways #1)

From #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Barbara Freethy comes the first book about the Callaways, a big Irish family born to serve and protect, many as San Francisco firefighters.

May Day! By Heather Graham

Members of the Krewe of Hunters team plan a relaxing vacation to jolly old London for the English celebration–they never figured that a May Pole just might be murder.

Shopping for a Billionaire by Julia Kent

When mystery shopper Shannon Jacoby meets billionaire Declan McCormick with her hand down a toilet in the men’s room of one of his stores, it’s love at first flush.

Built to Last by Susan Mallery

The tale of Aaron Cross, a man who doesn’t know he needs saving…until he meets Marissa Spencer, a heroine inspired by the real life founder of the Motheread/ Fatheread Literacy Program.

A Baby of Her Own by Brenda Novak

Delaney is tired of waiting for the right man–all she wants is a baby. After seducing a handsome stranger, she returns to Dundee to find that same man is actually taking up residence on a ranch just outside of town–where he will very likely realize she’s expecting.

Dare to Love by Carly Phillips

In relationships, Ian Dare offers the bare minimum–until one glimpse of sensual Riley Taylor changes his perspective. Their affair heats up and love comes into play, but Riley’s secret past just might cost them everything.

Executive Seduction by Jennifer Probst

When Chandler Santell turns to Logan Grant, the most ruthless CEO in the finance industry to save her beloved Yoga and Arts Center, she never intended to have seduction as part of the plan…

In Too Deep by RaeAnne Thayne

Though fiercely drawn to the comfort of Andrea McPhee’s arms, Will Tanner isn’t sure he can find room for a woman like her in a life focused on vengeance–until he discovers she has secrets of her own.

Every Girl Does It by Rachel Van Dyken

Amanda gets a flash from the past when the nerdy kid she rejected in high school suddenly reappears in her life…dead sexy, he’s all man and he wants her.

Homecoming Season by Susan Wiggs

Miranda Sweeney and her family find hope and healing while spending an autumn at Willow Lake after Miranda survives breast cancer.

~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon US ~ B&N ~ iTunes ~ Kobo ~

Book Blitz organised by Xpresso Book Tours.

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on May 22, 2014 01:00

May 20, 2014

Book Blitz ~ ‘Not Quite Dead’ by Lyla Payne.

Not Quite Dead by Lyla Payne

(A Lowcountry Ghost Story)

Publication date: April 1st 2014

Genres: Mystery, New Adult, Paranormal

SYNOPSIS

A broken engagement sends Graciela Harper crawling back to Heron Creek with her tail between her legs, but finds the sleepy little town too changed to set her life right. Not even her budding drinking problem can obscure her Gramps’s failing health, or erase the mental picture of her first love happily married to her childhood best friend. To top it all off, she’s having a heck of time convincing the town’s dashing young mayor of her unfit-for-dating status.

When the ghost of 18th century lady pirate Anne Bonny starts insisting on a near daily audience, Graciela has to confront something else she never expected—being certifiably nuts at twenty-five years old.

Her brand new “I don’t give a crap” attitude makes it easy to dismiss the mysterious threats that seem to be tied to her search for more information on the long dead pirate, but when her family becomes a target, Gracie knows she needs to find out why the ghost insists on being a constant, reeking companion.

If Graciela can put aside her prejudice against people without a pulse, she may discover that Anne Bonny’s problems are intricately linked with her own. The past harbors answers could help the cantankerous spirit find closure, but she is, after all, already dead. If Graciela doesn’t move fast, she might find herself doing the haunting, instead of the other way around.

No one notices me leave the sidewalk and traipse around to the rear of my place of employment. It’s darker back here, away from any street lamps and lit signs. The unlocked window slides up under the pressure of my palm with no resistance and, most importantly, no noise. I have to jump a few times before my hands hook the sill, and it’s clear that I need to do more than walk to work if I’m going to get back into shape.

My grunts don’t carry far, and after a few more minutes of trial and error, I manage to hoist my hips over the painted wooden lip. It digs in, scraping hard enough that it’ll leave a bruise, but there’s no time to worry about that while my body is dangling half in, half out. The chance that anyone will wander back here seems slim, but there’s no excuse in the world that will work if I get caught like this.

I kick my feet and use my forearms to tug my body forward, which doesn’t work, until it does. I fly through the rest of the way, toppling face-first into the edge of the toilet.

“Holy shitballs, that’s gonna leave a mark.” Quoting Tommy Boy, even to myself, is usually good for a chuckle, but at the moment my face feels as though it’s made of broken glass and pulsing pain.

My nose throbs, my vision blurs, and it takes more than five minutes of sitting still with my head between my knees before the dizziness subsides enough to allow me to stagger to my feet. The mirror reveals a weeping red line across the bridge of my nose, which promises to turn into at least one black eye. So much for Gramps not noticing I went out.

Oh, well. Onward and upward.

There’s no alarm system in the library, and no one else is in the building. Neither fact makes me slow down or feel less watched, and my steps move quickly toward the front desk. Mrs. LaBadie keeps her key in the locked top drawer, but she doesn’t know about my long and storied career picking locks with nothing but unbent hairpins. Another Nancy Drew–inspired talent. The multiple Carolyn Keenes had no idea what kind of delinquents she would spawn with those books.

~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon US ~ B&N ~

Lyla Payne

Lyla Payne has been publishing New Adult romance novels for a little over a year, starting with Broken at Love and continuing with the rest of the Whitman University series. She loves telling stories, discovering the little reasons people fall in love, and uncovering hidden truths in the world around us – past and present. In her spare time she cuddles her two dogs, pretends to enjoy exercising so that she can eat as much Chipotle as she wants, and harbors a deep and abiding hope that Zac Efron likes older women. She loves reading, of course, along with movies, traveling, and Irish whiskey. Lyla’s hard at work, ALWAYS, and hopes to bring you more Whitman University antics and at least one more Lowcountry ghost tale before the end of the year.

Lyla Payne is represented by Kathleen Rushall at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

If you want to know more, please visit her at http://lylapayne.com

If you’re a fan of Young Adult fiction–science fiction or otherwise–please check out her work that’s published under the name Trisha Leigh. http://trishaleigh.com

Book Blitz organised by Xpresso Book Tours.

~ Book Review ~ ‘Wind Chime Café’ by Sophie Moss ~ 5 Stars! ~

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on May 20, 2014 01:00

99c Sale alert ~ ‘Wind Chime Café’ by Sophie Moss.

Wind Chime Café by Sophie Moss

Wind Chime #1

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance.

SYNOPSIS

When single mother, Annie Malone, purchases a quirky Main Street café on Heron Island, she thinks she’s finally turned her dream of opening her own restaurant into a reality. Hearing rumors that a developer is about to build a five-star resort on the sleepy Chesapeake Bay island, she plans to transform the café into a premier upscale bistro. But Navy SEAL, Will Dozier, has no intention of selling his grandparents’ property to a developer. Back on Heron Island for the first time in ten years and secretly struggling with PTSD, Will decides that a fling with the new girl is the perfect way to help him “get his head straight.” The last thing Will expects is to fall in love…with his hometown and with Annie. But Will’s life and career are in San Diego with the SEALs. Can Annie’s love and the healing magic of the island be enough to convince him to stay?

~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon US ~ B&N ~ iBooks ~

Check out my 5 Star Review for ‘Wind Chime Café’ at the link below.

Sophie Moss

Sophie Moss is an award-winning author of four full-length romance novels. Known for her captivating Irish fantasy romances and heartwarming contemporary romances with realistic characters and unique island settings, her books have appeared twice in USA Today. As a former journalist, Sophie has been writing professionally for over ten years. She currently lives in San Diego, California, where she’s working on her next novel. When she’s not writing, she’s walking the beach, testing out a new dessert recipe, or fiddling in her garden. Sophie loves to hear from readers. Email her at sophiemosswrites@gmail.com or visit her website at sophiemossauthor.com.

~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Pinterest ~ Twitter ~ Website ~

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on May 20, 2014 00:58

May 19, 2014

Blog Tour ~ ‘See Through Me’ by Sera Bright.

See Through Me by Sera Bright

(Lose My Senses #1)

Publication date: May 2014

Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

SYNOPSIS

There’s only one person I want to see when I return home. But I know he won’t be waiting. It’s the reason I feel safe enough to come back.

I’m so wrong.

Ash Townsend isn’t the same quiet boy from next door. He’s tall, dark, and demanding answers. He wants me, but he doesn’t trust me. Who can blame him? When his own family tried to break him down, he still sheltered me in this town full of liars. And I repaid it by leaving him without a word.

Because I’ll do anything to protect Ash. I have the scars on my wrist to prove it.

~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon US ~ B&N ~

Book Review ~ ‘See Through Me’ by Sera Bright ~ 5 Stars!

Reviewers note: Since reading this book the author has changed the last chapter, please note this review is of the previous edition, therefore may not be relevant to the ending of the new edition.

From the word go I was so enthralled by ‘See Through Me’. I was sucked in by the brilliant writing style that the author had, and the strong narrative voice that held its own and really made me feel connected to the characters and story. There was a quality about this book that made it very different than the average New Adult book, and it’s something that I can’t quite put my finger on, but nevertheless it made the reading experience that much more fresh and exciting.

I adored Katie as a heroine. I admired her strength and bravery as well as her weaknesses, which made her a very real character, and showed that despite the need to be strong, she was human and was allowed to fall at times. What made this story really great was how Ash never gave up on Katie. So often in these books, the heroine returns to find the hero has turned to drinking, sleeping around and giving them the cold shoulder, but Ash was waiting for Katie all the time she was gone, and still wanted to protect her and keep her safe. Although a little rougher around the edges after their separation, he was still the same Ash that we saw in Katie’s flashbacks to their time before she left.

Sera Bright very cleverly entwined the mystery and suspense throughout the novel as Katie finds herself targeted after she returned home. Her car being smashed up, and finding anonymous letters gave me shivers as it was so well executed and were added in not all at once but very subtly which built up the tension and had me on the edge of my seat and desperate to know what was going on and who was behind it.

The thing that stood out for me in this book was the incredible character and story development for Katie and Ash. I loved seeing how they had to fight their demons and their insecurities for them to come out stronger, and I know that no matter what awaits them in the future, even if they are separated and no longer in a relationship, their devotion and love for each other will have them finding their way back to each other.

This was a really wonderful, suspenseful and heart-warming read that started the story of Katie and Ash, and gave a brilliant opening to the series.

5 Stars!

Prizes: Open INTL

*50$ Visa gift card*

*25$ iTunes gift card*