Toni Decker's Blog: Toni Decker Books, page 5

February 5, 2015

Book Highlight – BURDENED by Peiri Ann



Title: Burdened


Author: Peiri Ann


Series: Burdened #1


Genre: New Adult, Paranormal Romance


(Warning: Burdened contains mature content and strong language some may not find appropriate for readers under the age of 17.)


Eighteen-year-old Tracey Warren is a ‘run-of-the-mill’ high school student on the verge of graduation. She has her friends and her fun; she has life all figured out. Or she thought she did.


Her pedestrian reality crashes around her after an innocuous touch from a diabolically handsome stranger. Just one touch from Nathan Newcomb and her head and her world spins out of control. Soon she discovers that the only cure for the uneasy feelings and pain is Nathan himself. A man whose very existence balances between violent chaos and rigidly controlled dangers.


Nathan knows that the life of a woman mated to a burdened Sephlem is destined for peril beyond a human’s reckoning. But Tracey calls to his desire to experience love in spite of the hazards. And Nathan’s impossibly potent magnetism draws Tracey into a bonding that will put her in mortal danger again and again.


Once the pair becomes one, the threat escalates and nowhere is safe. There are enemies that lurk behind every corner. But the greatest danger may be in the bloodlines that course through Nathan’s veins.


Can a love for all time survive or will their burdened souls surrender and fade away?





Purchase
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

______________________________________________________________

Excerpt

“Which house is yours?”
“Just five more houses. It’s a brown and white one with a garage facing us.” He nods in understanding. “You have been very nice to me and I appreciate it. I mean it,

you know…what you’ve done for me.” I pause to gather my thoughts. “So what’s your name? Sir hits a lot?”
He looks at me deviously, then turns back to the road. We are coming up on my house.
“Well, here we are,” he says, completely ignoring my insinuated question. He turns to look at me. “Hello Tracey, I’m Nathan. I apologize again, for hitting you. I give you

my word, it will never happen again.” He gives me a boring look. “Sorry you were wrong.”
“Wrong about what?” I ask as he pulls up in front of my house.
“My name.”
“Drat!” I snap my finger for extra exaggeration.
I sit, knowing I should leave, but I can’t. I need to, but I don’t want to.
He turns off the engine but does not turn off the truck. Getting out, he walks over to my side and opens the door for me. “Does your head feel any better? You really don’t know how sorry I am.” He says it in a way that seems like he is apologizing for more than just hitting me.
I shrug. “I’ll be fine after I eat and wake back up. If it gets worse, I’ll go to the doctor.” I smile. He unexpectedly returns it and I melt.
I reach out to grab the handle, in preparation to jump out of the truck. He grabs my outreached hand softly, taking me by surprise.
I am at ease, no pain. Comfort and happiness fills me, yet there is a fire. It is so…alive. It burns through my hand, starting in my palm, making its way up my arm, and

starts to creep through my chest.
It’s short-lived as the fire fizzles away with the release of his hand. Although it was burning, I welcomed it. There was a minor discomfort, but it was bearable and I want more.

Not more of the burn, but more of his touch.
I don’t even realize I am out of the truck and standing in front of him, when he clears his throat, drawing my attention. He is looking at me and we make eye contact. Unable to resist it, I stare into his eyes that are looking back into mine as they start to swirl again, turning into a deep ocean-blue with grey edges. Strikingly beautiful.
My eyes widen, and as if he realizes what I see, he quickly looks away, toward the setting sun. “I’ll watch you make it in the house safely. I’ll see you around sometime, Tracey. Sorry again.”
Through suspicious eyes, I drag out a “Yeah,” slowly stepping back. “Okay, Nathan.” He shivers. It is getting a little chilly suddenly. “And you don’t have to keep apologizing. It’s okay.” I turn, walking toward my front door.
“Don’t go to sleep just yet. Your car should be back within thirty minutes.”
I wave over my head saying, “Thank you.”



______________________________________________________________

About Peiri


Peiri Ann is author of the new released A Burdened Novel. She has been writing since childhood with her short stories and poetry published in school publications. She fell in love with the creation of new worlds and the people she imagined would live within them. Peiri has her Bachelor’s in Creative Writing and English and in Psychology. You can find her in the heart of the Windy City reading, writing, enjoying the loves of life.


Website |  Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

______________________________________________________________




Giveaway

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tonisignatureHappy Reading! Kira Sig
Tagged: #amreading, #bookhighlight, #Books, #Giveaway, #NA, #NewAdult, #Paranormal, #Romance
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Published on February 05, 2015 09:15

February 2, 2015

ABCs ~ New Adult Reads ~ Addicted to You by Krista and Becca Ritchie

abcNAStarting a new series over here. It’s simple. The ABCs of New Adult titles. Each Monday we’ll offer a book (or books or series title) to highlight. This is a completely unsolicited post designed to highlight some NA titles that may have been missed or flown under the radar or a boost to those that have been out a while. We may or may not have read the book. In rare cases, we may offer a quick and dirty review if we have read it, but not likely.


Of course there are a few rules…



It has to be an older pub. No new releases.
The title can not have been highlighted on this site in the past, for any reason.
And well, it has to start with the next letter in the alphabet.


So for our first book highlight, I actually picked something on my TBR list. And maybe this post will push it to the top of the order.


AddictedToYouCoverThe Letter: A

The Book/Series: ADDICTED TO YOU (Buy it)

The Author: Krista and Becca Ritchie (Bio)

The Blurb:


Book #1 in the Addicted series


She’s addicted to sex. He’s addicted to booze…the only way out is rock bottom.


No one would suspect shy Lily Calloway’s biggest secret. While everyone is dancing at college bars, Lily stays in the bathroom. To get laid. Her compulsion leads her to one-night stands, steamy hookups and events she shamefully regrets. The only person who knows her secret happens to have one of his own.


Loren Hale’s best friend is his bottle of bourbon. Lily comes at a close second. For three years, they’ve pretended to be in a real relationship, hiding their addictions from their families. They’ve mastered the art of concealing flasks and random guys that filter in and out of their apartment.


But as they sink beneath the weight of their addictions, they cling harder to their destructive relationship and wonder if a life together, for real, is better than a lie. Strangers and family begin to infiltrate their guarded lives, and with new challenges, they realize they may not just be addicted to alcohol and sex.


Their real vice may be each other.




The reason I picked this one… I have to be honest, the title caught my attention. So did the cover. But the blurb really piqued my interest. I mean, two addicts, two different addictions, and that logline… “Their real vice may be each other.” I *need* to know, is that their real vice? If so, sign me up. I’m in the mood for a good addictive relationship. Consider me currently reading ADDICTED TO YOU.



Wanna know more? Check out the Ritchie’s website. Or on goodreads.
Tagged: #amreading, #Books, #NA, #NewAdult, #Series, ABCsNewAdultReads
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Published on February 02, 2015 06:03

January 21, 2015

Cover Reveal ~ ALL PLAYED OUT

Holy smokes are we excited to bring you the cover for Cora Carmack’s ALL PLAYED OUT! ALL PLAYED OUT is a New Adult Contemporary Romance and is the 3rd book in the Rusk University Series, published by William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins. It is due to be released on May 12, 2015!! If you haven’t had a chance to read this sexy, fun series yet, be sure to grab ALL LINED UP and ALL BROKE DOWN!


 










 


Pre-Order Your Copy Today!
Amazon ** Barnes & Noble ** iTunes
Add ALL PLAYED OUT on Goodreads!

About ALL PLAYED OUT:


First person in her family to go to college? CHECK.

Straight A’s? CHECK.

On track to graduate early? CHECK.

Social life? …..yeah, about that….


With just a few weeks until she graduates, Antonella DeLuca’s beginning to worry that maybe she hasn’t had the full college experience. (Okay… Scratch that. She knows she hasn’t had the full college experience).


So Nell does what a smart, dedicated girl like herself does best. She makes a “to do” list of normal college activities.


Item #1? Hook up with a jock.


Rusk University wide receiver Mateo Torres practically wrote the playbook for normal college living. When he’s not on the field, he excels at partying, girls, and more partying. As long as he keeps things light and easy, it’s impossible to get hurt… again. But something about the quiet, shy, sexy-as-hell Nell gets under his skin, and when he learns about her list, he makes it his mission to help her complete it.


Torres is the definition of confident (And sexy. And wild), and he opens up a side of Nell that she’s never known. But as they begin to check off each crazy, exciting, normal item, Nell finds that her frivolous list leads to something more serious than she bargained for. And while Torres is used to taking risks on the field, he has to decide if he’s willing to take the chance when it’s more than just a game.


Together they will have to decide if what they have is just part of the experiment or a chance at something real.


 



And don’t miss the first two books in the Rusk University Series…

RU books 1and 2 Banner


 


ALL LINED UP, Book 1

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iTunes


ALL BROKE DOWN, Book 2

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iTunes


 


 


HeadshotAbout Cora Carmack:


Cora Carmack is a twenty-something writer who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She’s done a multitude of things in her life– boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). She enjoys placing her characters in the most awkward situations possible, and then trying to help them get a boyfriend out of it. Awkward people need love, too. Her first book, LOSING IT, was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.


 


 


 


Website ** Twitter ** Facebook ** Author Goodreads
Tagged: #amreading, #Books, #coverreveal, #NA, #NewAdult, #NewRelease, #ReleaseDay, #Romance, #Series
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Published on January 21, 2015 06:30

January 19, 2015

Book Highlight – Final Life by Rose Garcia

 






 



Final Life by Rose Garcia


Book #1 in the Transhuman Chronicles


Nothing sucks more than being forced to move cross country during senior year. And Dominique Wells doesn’t think things can get any worse until she’s invited to a quirky neighbor’s party. When pressured into playing a magical card game, Dominique’s world goes from sucky to terrifying. She begins having visions of a red desert and an evil presence–a presence who hints at past lives and promises to kill her.


Plagued by fear and suspicion, and unaware of a family secret kept hidden from her, Dominique is determined to live. Together with a mysterious and gorgeous guy who’s moved in while his parents are away, and a hot, popular guy from school, Dominique must seek clues to her past if she’s to survive. That, and keep her emotions in check for the two guys she suddenly can’t stop thinking about because if she doesn’t, she’ll be dead. For real.



 




Available on  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

___________________________________________________________

EXCERPT

 


            The image of blue sky, white sand, and calm waters popped into my mind, edging out the fear and panic that had taken over me.
            My body slipped to the ground. My knees sank into the cool, pebbly sand. A soft breeze flowed through my hair. Farrell stood beside me at the water’s edge, staring out at the still water. He extended his arm and helped me to my feet. I brushed myself off, recalling the terror and pain I had just left behind in the red desert. I patted my chest.
            “Am I really here?”
            “No,” Farrell said sadly. “Only your mind is here.”
            “Farrell, am I—?” I paused, not wanting to say the words, as if keeping them to myself would change my fate. “Am I dying?”
            “Yes.” He took my hand. “There’s nothing I can do.” His calmness filtered into me. And for a minute there, death didn’t seem so bad.
            My attention turned to a bird in the distance that soared through the cloudless sky. For eight lifetimes now I had died, and this was my last time. The world would never be the same, and it was my fault.
            Farrell squeezed my hand. “Remember what I said? The last time we were here?”
            Of course I remembered. “You told me the end is not yet written, and to trust myself.”
            The bird, a white Egret, flew closer and glided right over us, wings outstretched. A lone, feather escaped its plumage. The delicate quill drifted back and forth in the sky. Just like the feather from my dreams and the feather Ms. Ryken had given me that I had later seen at Jan’s. And then it dawned on me that it was the same color as Farrell’s aura. I extended my hand, reaching out for it. When it touched my palm, it disappeared.
            Like flipping a switch, I was back in the desert. Heat exploded inside me. The air in my lungs had almost emptied. Warm, thick blood dripped from my fingers. Farrell and Trent were on the other side of Tavion’s dark energy force, and I was still inside, barely alive. Tavion continued to lift me at my throat, squeezing the life out of me.
            “Dominique! Fight!” Trent yelled.

 



___________________________________________________________ABOUT ROSE







Rose Garcia is a lawyer turned writer who’s always been fascinated by science fiction and fantasy. From a very young age, she often had her nose buried in books about other-worlds, fantastical creatures, and life and death situations. More recently she’s been intrigued by a blend of science fiction and reality, and the idea that some supernatural events are, indeed, very real. Fueled by her imagination, she created The Transhuman Chronicles–a series of books about people who have overcome human limitations.

Rose lives in Houston with her husband and two kids. You can visit Rose at www.rosegarciabooks.com

___________________________________________________________


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Published on January 19, 2015 04:40

January 16, 2015

**SHOALMAN IMMORTAL – RELEASE DAY**

It’s finally here!
Shoalman Immortal – Book 2 in The Shoalman Chronicles and to say we’re excited, is a bit of an under statement. We’re beyond thrilled. And relieved. And maybe a bit anxious.

600x958_eBook_Shoalman_ImmortalBlurb:


Falling in love was never supposed to be part of the picture.


Kyrissa Spears was born with a powerful, and deadly, gift. When she paints, she captures emotions so strong they cankill.Desperate to find a teacher capable ofhelping her unlock and controlher abilities, Kyrissa’ssearch leads her toan artist who may be able to help her.And he’s the one person she can’t accidentally kill.


After five centuries of pain and loneliness, Robert Shoalman craves release from his immortality. He’s all but given up hope until he meets the beautiful and intriguing Kyrissa.She could paint his death and break the curse, but at the cost of destroying her gift and being lost to him forever—none of which will matter if the demon hunting him finds them first.


 


We can’t wait for you to meet Kyrissa. And Robert.



  Goodreads-badge-add-plus
SHOALMAN IMMORTAL
 
Available NOW on AMAZON
And for a limited time it’s only $.99.**
**until January 23rd, so get it while the price lasts.

                                                                                                                                                                                               



4500x2820_Amazon_eBook_Images_Eternal_final v1.0 Need to catch up on the series? Get the first book in the series, IMAGES ETERNAL, at one of the links below:

 


 


Amazon

Kobo

Nook
 

Goodreads-badge-add-plus
IMAGES ETERNAL

 



Don’t forget to check out the SHOALMAN IMMORTAL Blog Hop happening until January 23, 2015.
TWO different GIVEAWAYS happening and lost of fun posts with “lost” chapters, character interviews and more.

Want more chances to win? Follow Toni and Kira on their blog tour!



Week 1:
Jan. 12 – Krista’s Dust Jacket / Guest Post
Jan. 13 – Poisoned Rationality / Chapter Reveal
Jan. 14 – The Book Swarm / Guest Post
Jan. 15 – BookShelfery / Chapter Reveal
Jan. 16 – Step Into Fiction / Guest Post

Week 2:
Jan. 19 – Winterhaven Books / Chapter Reveal
Jan. 20 – Jenuine Cupcakes / Guest Post
Jan. 21 – Reads All The Books / Chapter Reveal
Jan. 22 – Read-Love-Blog / Guest Post
Jan. 23 – The Irish Banana Review / Chapter Reveal

 


 HAPPY READING!


Tagged: #amreading, #Announcement, #blogging #co-writing #nosleep #writinginthemoment, #Books, #Fantasy, #Giveaway, #ImagesEternal, #NewAdult, #NewRelease, #Paranormal, #ReleaseDay, #Romance, #ShoalmanChronicles, #ShoalmanImmortal, #ToniDeckerBooks
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Published on January 16, 2015 04:15

January 13, 2015

~Book Feature~ SON OF SET by Kelsey Ketch






We are pleased to present a feature post for Kelsey Ketch’s second book in her Descendants of Isis.
Check this out!






Title: Son of Set


Author: Kelsey Ketch


Series: Descendants of Isis #2


Genre: Upper Young Adult Fantasy


Publication: May 2nd, 2014


“. . . the Sons would never just let him go—alive.”


Seth O’Keefe has broken the laws of his god. He never thought he would sacrifice his own future to protect a Daughter of Isis. But when the Sons of Set discovered Natti is the Secret Keeper, he had no choice. Now, Seth and Natti are on the run from his father, who wants nothing more than to see Seth dead. With no allies, Seth turns to the Daughters of Isis for help, hoping they would protect Natti. But when they meet the Daughters, he discovers a secret that puts both their lives in more danger. Low on options, Seth sees only one possibility for survival. He must help Natti solve an ancient puzzle and find the secret name of Ra.


Natara “Natti” Stone is having a hard time swallowing the truth. She can’t believe what she has learned in the past twenty-four hours: Seth is a Son of Set blessed with charm; she is a Daughter of Isis blessed with a sliver of Ma ‘at; the locket her grandmother gave her holds an ancient Egyptian secret linking to Osiris and Isis. That along with being tortured and brutalized by the Sons of Set, she can hardly hold herself together. Thank God for Seth’s touch! That warm, tingling sensation that drowns it all out. Yet her heart struggles to stay focused. She must quickly embrace her destiny before the secret name of Ra falls into the wrong hands.


*Note: Content for Upper YA*










Purchase
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Smashwords





________________________________________________



•Excerpt•

Natti awoke and sat bolt upright in the bed, gasping for breath. Her heart raced and a headache flared right between her temples. The nightmare seemed incredibly real, Sean’s eyes and the dagger ingrained in her mind’s eye. Looking around the little hotel room, she pulled the sheets closer to her chest. She felt cold and alone in the queen-size bed, which only heightened her lingering fears. Everything appeared ominous in the dark; the shadows seemed to slither along the walls. These hauntings were eating her alive from the inside out.
 
Her pulse pounding wildly, she glanced at the second bed. Seth’s chest rose and fell under the blankets. He looked so peaceful, and though the idea seemed wrong, she knew she would feel much safer curled up in Seth’s arms, like back in the hospital when her friend, Wanda, had been drugged. She pictured herself resting her head on his chest, his warmth easing her back to sleep.
 
She knew she shouldn’t for a number of reasons, the top being he had the reputation of sleeping with half the girls at Setemple High School. And if it was true he had a power as mind-bending as a drug, then those girls, most likely, weren’t doing it of their own free will. The thought sickened her, yet it didn’t deter her need for his comfort. Was she becoming addicted, just like he had said? The Ma ‘at feather or whatever “blessing” she had was supposed to protect her, but if it was, she couldn’t tell.
 
If I even have a “blessing” at all.
 
She pulled her knees up to her chest, wishing Seth had brought Anubis, the stuffed jackal he

had given her at the Pharaoh’s Festival. It had become her most precious keepsake and a source of comfort when she felt lost and confused. She also wished Seth hadn’t surrendered the locket, which she never finished translating. At least that would have occupied her mind for a while as she tried to piece the family secret together. Except she already knew what the secret was, supposedly: the location of the secret name of Ra. And now it was in the hands of the cult Seth keeps referring to as the “Sons of Set” or the “Sons.”
 
The darkness seemed to continue to press in on Natti, making her restless. Wrestling with her conscience, she slipped out of her bed, lifted Seth’s covers, and crawled in. She was quiet and careful, trying not to wake him. Finally able to place her head on his pillow, she snuggled up next to him.
 
Her body jerked when his arm draped over her. “You have no idea how often I’ve dreamed of this

moment,” Seth whispered in a drowsy voice.
 
He moved closer, slipping one arm under to support her head and shifting the other around her waist. His hand slid under her “Keep Calm and Carry On” nightshirt to massage her spine, his nimble fingers rotating in small circles over her skin. Natti snorted softly, secretly loving his touch and hating herself for it. The feel of his flesh was smooth as silk and every lean muscle flexed steadily while he moved his hand up behind her neck. Her body warmed, completely aware of every place their skin made contact. Thank the lord for her nightshirt and the Calvin Klein pajama bottoms Seth slept in. There was hardly any space between them, and yet, he managed to pull her even closer.
 
“So to what do I owe the pleasure?” Seth asked.
 
“I couldn’t sleep,” Natti breathed, her galloping heart drummed in her ears.
 
“Hmm.” A smile pulled at Seth’s perfect lips. “So you crawled in looking for some company?”
 
“Well, I would have stayed in my own bed, but you forgot to pack Anubis.”

A laugh rumbled in Seth’s throat. “What is it with girls and stuffed animals?”



“Oy, you gave him to me,” Natti shot back while slapping her hand against his chest. “And he’s been providing comfort when I need it ever since. But since you left him behind, you’ll just have to take his place.”



“I guess I can live with that.” Seth stroked the back of her neck, sending goose bumps over her skin.



The room was quiet. With no sight and no sound, Natti was only left with her heightened sense of touch and smell. She memorized Seth’s embrace; every little shift of his muscles and every little movement of his fingertips. The gentle heat that took her breath away slowly radiated through her system. She felt closer to Seth right now than she had ever felt with anyone in her life. Yet she hardly knew him. She knew who he was and even what he was, just nothing really about him. What music did he like? What kind of films did he watch? What was his favorite past time? Well, actually, she already had a sense what his answer would be to that last question just by knowing his reputation. Still, she wanted to know more. Rattling her brain for a conversation starter, she asked the simplest question she could think of.



“What’s your favorite color?”



He groaned in response and crinkled his brow. “Is that what it would have taken to get you into bed with me? Knowing my favorite color? We could have fixed that long ago.”



“No,” Natti hissed. “This is just a conversation. You know, something normal people do.”



“I know what a conversation is.” Seth’s perfect grin glistened in the dark. “There’s just other things I’d rather be doing in the middle of the night, like sleeping or . . .”



Natti’s cheeks burned when his hand moved south. “Bloody hell, Seth!” She pushed his hand back to the small of her back. “I’m talking about things like your favorite class subject, when your birthday is—”



“What’s my favorite color?” Seth mocked with a hidden smile, his exhaustion weighing in his voice.



“What about you? What’s your favorite color then?”



Taken aback by his abrupt turnaround, Natti sputtered her answer. “Red.”



“Hmm.” Seth fell silent, his eyelids drooping a bit. Natti shifted, thinking he had dozed off. She closed her eyes, his warmth gently pulling her into sleep.



“History. March fifteenth. Black,” Seth finally responded.



“Wait—What?” Natti jerked, now fully awake again.



“The answers to your questions.” Seth’s eyes opened, taking her in while they laid together in the dark. His hand skimmed her hair, pulling a lock toward him. “My favorite subject is history. My birthday is March fifteenth. And my favorite color is black, like the color of your hair.”



A smile pulled at Natti’s lips. “Is black even a color?”



“Hey, don’t knock it.” He paused, looking deep into her eyes. “I’ll admit, though, lately I’ve also become enamored with a unique shade of purple.”



Natti swallowed a lump forming in her throat. Seth leaned his forehead to hers, their noses touching. Even in the dark, his gaze captured her, drawing her full attention.



“You know how tempting it is to kiss you right now?” he said, an intense, fiery tingling sensation growing strong throughout her body.



Natti could barely speak as she melted into the sheets. She really wanted to kiss him. He was too tempting with his heat, his eyes, and the feel of his body conforming to hers.



A sudden flashback to the halls of Setemple High caused her to hold back and bite her lower lip. It had been her first kiss with Seth. The very thought of it still coursed fire through her veins. It had only been a distraction. A method he used to pickpocket her grandmother’s letter before abandoning her and leaving her in the hands of his friend, Ky.



“Don’t push it,” Natti mumbled. “Not after you used the last one to pinch from me.”



His eyes searched hers, his voice deep with pain. “You really don’t remember then.”



Natti tried to think of what he was referring to. “Remember what?”



Seth attempted a charming grin, but it faltered. “Never mind. It wasn’t important.”



He lightened his touch, withdrawing a bit. The sensations that were running rapid finally eased. She watched Seth’s expression fill with disappointment, making her wonder what she had forgotten that had been clearly special to him.



She slipped her hand along his well-formed abs and over his chest. She could feel him shiver. Goose bumps appeared over his skin. Her own body also reacted to the touch, her skin prickling with little sparks. She froze when he caught her gaze, desire shining in his eyes like a beacon in the night. Reality struck, and it struck hard. She wanted him too.



“Maybe I made a mistake.” Natti’s body quivered, and she moved back. What had she been thinking, crawling into a guy’s bed? In a freaking hotel no less! What kind of impression does that give? “I shouldn’t have come over here. I’m sorry.”



Seth strengthened his grip, his voice tight with emotion. “No. It’s fine. Stay.”



A strange calm replaced her abrupt urge to run. She looked at Seth, feeling the tingle of magic under her skin. She was scared. She stupidly crawled right into his element, and she knew in her heart she was too weak to resist any advance. His fingers reached up and stroked her cheek. With the warm breeze from his touch, her excitement and fear were whisked away, leaving her to feel only a bliss that affected her very being. She lowered her body back into Seth’s arms. Her muscles relaxed into his embrace. She gave into the power, unsure if she was staying of her own free will or if he was controlling her actions. Either way, it was too late. She had stepped into his web, just like the oracle at the Pharaoh Festival had warned. But maybe if she kept him talking, nothing ominous would come of it.



Natti’s voice came out flustered when she finally spoke. “We used to talk about you. My mates and I, that is. Back in school.”



Seth perked up. “Really? What about?”



“Oh.” Natti tried to be sly with her words while thinking about Jen, Kevin, and Wanda. She missed them all very much. Even more than some of her friends back in London. “Different things.”



Seth raised a brow and smiled. “Like how devilishly handsome and extremely charming I am?”



“Actually, we couldn’t decide if you were a vampire, a werewolf, or a fae.”



“Say what?” Seth jerked. “What plebs have you been talking to?”



Natti rolled her eyes. “Well, you can’t really blame us. With your looks and how you charm most of the teachers and students, Jen figured you had to be paranormal.”



“And what did you think? Did you think I was a vampire or a werewolf?”



“No. I only thought you were a spoiled rotten rich kid whose only charm was his father’s money.” A malicious grin spread on her lips. “And I still stand by it.”



Seth crinkled his nose, smiled, and shoved her back slightly. Natti burst into laughter; her first real laugh since the day of the fire. Her body released all its tension in one fell swoop. The high was addicting, her adrenalin soaring to new heights. Finally, as her body became weary and calmed, she could still hear Seth laughing beside her. A laugh that was as soothing as Big Ben chiming out the time, giving her a sense of home. Natti basked in the sound until Seth abruptly faded from sight and Sean’s cold eyes flashed before her. She gasped and pushed away as the icy cold emptiness burned her insides.“Natti.” She felt Seth pull at her waist. “Natti, stop!”
 



________________________________________________


•About Kelsey•



During her high school years,


Kelsey Ketch could always be found tucked away in a little corner of the hall

or classroom, writing her fantasy worlds and creating illustrations and maps.

Today is no different, except now she’s writing in the break room at her office

building or at the tables of the Barnes and Noble Café in Cary, North Carolina.

She is also an avid reader, a part-time book blogger at Ketch’s Book Nook,

and lives with her two orange tabbies and awesome and humorous flat-mate.

For more information, please

visit her site at kelseyketch.com.


 


Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook



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Hosted by Good Choice Reading Blog Tours


 


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 HAPPY READING!
Tagged: #amreading, #Books, #Fantasy, #Giveaway, #UpperYA, #YA
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Published on January 13, 2015 05:10

January 12, 2015

Another Shoalman Immortal Teaser

Teaser2


 


 Free sneak peek chapters coming! STAY TUNED

 



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 Pre-Order Available on AMAZON


Tagged: #amreading, #Books, #Fantasy, #NA, #NewAdult, #Paranormal, #Romance, #ShoalmanChronicles, #ShoalmanImmortal, #Sneakpeak, #teaser, #ToniDeckerBooks, #writing
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Published on January 12, 2015 06:16

January 9, 2015

Art as Inspiration for ART – The Isle of the Dead

Isola_dei_Morti_IV_(Bocklin)The Isle of the Dead is a collection of paintings by artist Arnold Bocklin. I say collection because there are several versions of the main image, all painted by Bocklin between 1880 and 1886. Each version of the painting depicts a tiny rocky island, surrounded by dark, mysterious waters and a small rowboat arriving at the shore. Many believe that the oarsman represented Charon from Greek mythology and the white figure he welcomed ashore was that of a recently deceased soul being introduced to the underworld. This series of paintings has been used to inspire other paintings, films, books, and is at least partly, the source of inspiration for Shoalman Immortal.


1280px-Arnold_Böcklin_006We were fascinated by the painting itself (all five versions), the concept of the Greek mythology behind it and the idea that the artist painted five, almost identical versions of the same painting. Why in the world would any artist create five versions of virtually the same image? Unless he was a cursed immortal attempting to break the wretched holds of evil being that trapped him into the life he lives. I mean, that’s just one reason we came up with :)


Take a mystery collection of paintings, add one smoking artist that paints death into art, a gorgeous heroine that captures life in paint and you’re left with a romance that’s hot enough to make you wish you were the subject of this piece of art. Don’t believe us? Check it out for yourself on January 16th. Don’t forget to pre-order it now on-sale for $.99 until January 23rd.


Goodreads-badge-add-plus Pre-Order Available on AMAZON.
Stay tuned for FREE sneak peak Chapters during release week!

Have you checked out the inspiration for Kyrissa? Or seen the yumminess that inspired Robert? Go. Do. It. Now.



  Want to be a part of the RELEASE DAY fun? Sign up before January 10th to join the madness.

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Tagged: #amreading, #Announcement, #Books, #Characters, #Fantasy, #MustRead, #NA, #NewAdult, #NewRelease, #Painting, #Romance, #ShoalmanChronicles, #ShoalmanImmortal, #ToniDeckerBooks, #writing
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Published on January 09, 2015 04:41

January 7, 2015

*Series Highlight* International School – a series @ChanelCleeton








Title: I See London


Author: Chanel Cleeton


Series: International School Book #1


Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance


Maggie Carpenter is ready for a change— and to leave her ordinary life in South Carolina behind. But when she accepts a scholarship to the International School in London, a university attended by the privileged offspring of diplomats and world leaders, Maggie might get more than she bargained for.


When Maggie meets Hugh, a twentysomething British guy, she finds herself living the life she always wanted. Suddenly she’s riding around the city in a Ferrari, wearing borrowed designer clothes and going to the hottest clubs. The only problem? Another guy, the one she can’t seem to keep her hands off of.


Half French, half Lebanese, and ridiculously wealthy, Samir Khouri has made it clear he doesn’t do relationships. He’s the opposite of everything Maggie thought she wanted…and he’s everything she can’t resist. Torn between her dream guy and the boy haunting her dreams, Maggie has to fight for her own happy ending. In a city like London, you never know where you stand, and everything can change in the blink of an eye.



Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | iBooksRead an excerpt from I SEE LONDON

 




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Title: London Falling
Author: Chanel Cleeton
Series: International School Book #2
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance

We weren’t a relationship, we were a ticking time bomb…


Maggie Carpenter walked away from the hottest encounter of her life when she left the seductive glitz of England for summer break in her South Carolina hometown. Now that she’s returned to the International School in London—and sexy, privileged Samir Khouri is once again close enough to touch—she can’t help but remember the attraction, the drama … the heartbreak.


She can’t help but want him even more.


Samir can’t afford to fall for someone so far removed from his world, not when his time in London is running out. It’s his senior year—his last chance at freedom before he returns home to Lebanon. There, he’ll be expected to follow in his father’s footsteps—not follow his heart to Maggie. But when a scorching secret hookup becomes a temptation neither can resist, they’ll both have to fight to survive the consequences … and find a future together.



Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | iBooksRead an excerpt from LONDON FALLING



 



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Title: French KissedAuthor: Chanel Cleeton

Series: International School Book #3


Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance


On the surface, Fleur Marceaux has it all. If only the facade matched reality. With one year left at the International School in London, Fleur’s struggling to graduate, her love life is a mess, and she can’t stop thinking about Max, her ex-boyfriend’s best friend. But all that pales compared to the blackmailer determined to destroy her.


There’s a social hierarchy at the International School and Max Tucker is outside the velvet ropes. After watching Fleur break his friend’s heart, Max knows to stay away from trouble, despite the crush he’s had on her since freshman year. But when they’re partnered on a project, Max learns there’s more to Fleur than meets the eye, and she just might be worth the wild ride.


The more time they spend together, the further Max falls. And when a kiss awakens a passion Fleur never imagined, she’s unable to resist Max, who she had thought was all wrong for her but might be the only thing that’s right. But will he stand by her when her secrets are revealed?




Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | iBooksRead an excerpt from FRENCH KISSED

 






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About Chanel




Originally a Florida girl, CHANEL CLEETON moved to London where she received a bachelor’s degree from Richmond, The American International University in London and a master’s degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Chanel fell in love with London and planned to stay there forever, until fate intervened on a Caribbean cruise and a fighter pilot with smooth dance moves swept her off her feet. Now, a happily ever after later, Chanel is living her next adventure in Asia.


Law school made Chanel realize she’d rather spend her days writing sexy stories than in a courtroom, and she hasn’t looked back since. An avid reader and hopeless romantic, she’s happiest curled up with a book. She has a weakness for handbags, her three pups, and her fighter pilot husband.


She is the author of I SEE LONDON and LONDON FALLING, published by Harlequin HQN, FRENCH KISSED, and FLIRTING WITH SCANDAL, the first book in a new three-book series to be released by Penguin/Intermix in 2015.


 


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Tagged: #amreading, #Books, #NA, #NewAdult, #Romance, #Series
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Published on January 07, 2015 05:01

January 5, 2015

The First Teaser for Shoalman Immortal

Teaser1


Stay tuned for FREE sneak peak Chapters during release week!
Check out the inspiration for Kyrissa. Or see the yumminess that inspired Robert.

  Goodreads-badge-add-plus

 Pre-Order Available on AMAZON
 Want to be a part of the RELEASE DAY fun?

[contact-form]


 


Tagged: #amreading, #Books, #Fantasy, #NA, #NewAdult, #Paranormal, #Romance, #ShoalmanChronicles, #ShoalmanImmortal, #Sneakpeak, #teaser, #ToniDeckerBooks, #writing
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Published on January 05, 2015 05:16

Toni Decker Books

Toni Decker
Two authors telling one sizzling story after another about twenty-somethings getting along in their own crazy, fantastical worlds. Both women are wives and mothers, sharing brain cells and characters ...more
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