Books: The Cheapest Vacation You Can Buy











It’s that time again! For no other reason than that I like giveaways… we’re onto the TWENTY-SEVENTH Recently Released Giveaway Goodness Giveaway!

RRGG August

Many of these novels have recently released. I’ve included my reviews below to help you pick the novel you’d like to win. And honestly, there should be something here for everyone!

Interested? Of course you are! I’m offering ONE lucky winner one of these novels:

This is an INTERNATIONAL giveaway from the book depository, but you need to make sure they send to your country before entering–check here.

To enter you must:

-Be 13 years or older (or have parent/guardian permission)

-Fill in the mandatory question on rafflecopter (extra entries optional)

Click here to go to the Rafflecopter entry form!

This contest is open internationally and will end at 12:01am EST on September 1st. The winner will be announced later on September 1st, and will receive email notification! Please read my giveaway policy and leave me a comment!



17977051 From Goodreads: For months, Jesse has been envious of her twin sister Bryn and even has a crush on Bryn’s gorgeous, popular boyfriend, Quinton. When Jesse awakens from a coma to learn that everyone thinks she IS Bryn, the option of actually taking over her sister’s life is beyond tempting, but there’s a downside. She’d have to give up Ethan, her best friend and the only person she trusts. Could she actually live as Bryn for the rest of her life? And if her family and friends found out, would they ever forgive her?

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Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a twin? I have. Whenever I see twins, I’m always wishing that I had one, too. Sisterly love, someone just like me to confide it. Someone with which to share my secrets, dreams, and ambitions… the glamorization of twins has always made me jealous of those with that special bond. But glamorization is just that. The grass always seems greener on the other side, and truth be told, I can do all the above with a good friend or sibling, if I wanted to. What I can’t do, however, is switch places with them. But Jesse and Bryn can…

Carling’s novel, Becoming Bryn, follows the lives of Jesse and Bryn, identical twins, as they battle the drama that is high school. Told from differing viewpoints, readers get an in-depth look into the hearts and minds of both girls, which was an ingenious idea as it allowed me to connect with both on a deeper level than had the story been completely from Jesse’s point-of-view, which is what I expected. Through this process, we learn about Jesse’s jealousy and Bryn’s heartache, casting a differing light on the twins as they live their lives. However, it doesn’t end there. As you know from the synopsis, Bryn dies, and it is here that the inevitable twist occurs.

Thought to be the popular twin, Jesse is mistaken for Bryn, and when her feeble attempt to explain the truth to her mother falls flat and Bryn’s beautiful boyfriend Quinton comes to visit, the idea of becoming Bryn takes hold. But one can’t just become another overnight, twin or not. What I loved about this transition is that, even though Bryn is dead, we still get her point of view from the afterlife. She has yet to cross over, and we struggle with Jesse’s decision to take over Bryn’s life right alongside Bryn. We also learn that Bryn’s life wasn’t as perfect as Jesse thought it to be, and that Jesse’s life wasn’t as dull as she herself thought her own life to be, and it’s a wonderful portrayal of growing up, making life-altering choices, and having to deal with the lies and deceits we’ve spun. Though Jesse seemed a little like a whiner and many of her choices made me angry with her, I get it. And so does Bryn as she thinks over her interactions with her sister in the months leading up to her death. Being a twin doesn’t mean you know everything about one another, and maybe it’s better that way.

This is a story of love, healing, and redemption, and I really enjoyed it. I recommend a box of tissues as you read, because the ending will leave you a little bit raw. I listened to the last fifth of the novel on my Kindle as I drove down the highway on my way home from a conference because I couldn’t wait another moment to find out what happened, and let me tell you, I had to pull over and get myself together because the tears and overwhelming sense of joy and sadness made it impossible for me to function, so don’t follow my example there, don’t read and drive–the ending will leave you a happy mess. But do read it, because it’s great. Four stars.

4 stars

I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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And now for the giveaway!

We have one SIGNED paperback copy to give away!

To enter this giveaway, you must:

-Be 13 years or older (or have parent/guardian permission)

-Agree to HONESTLY REVIEW the novel via a blog (if you have one), or Goodreads, or any other media format you use for book reviews (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc.)

-Fill in the mandatory question on rafflecopter (extra entries optional)

Click here to go to the Rafflecopter entry form!

This contest is open to U.S. and Canada Addresses ONLY and will end at 12:01am EST on August 14th at 12:01am. Please only enter once. The winner will be announced later on August 14th, and will receive email notification! Please read my giveaway policy and leave me a comment!



Found RDL

17202502From Goodreads: Levi might be hot, strong, and have a cool set of wings, but it’s not enough to make up for keeping Allie in the dark.

Allie’s tired of being left with more questions than answers. She’s tired of loving a guy who refuses to level with her. Most of all, she’s tired of her life spinning out of control.

Desperate to save Jess no matter the personal cost, Allie has to face the possibility that the only one she can trust is herself.

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This final installment in the Crescent Chronicles finally finds Allie and Levi at peace, in love, and on the same wave length, well, most of the time.  The fighting is virtually over, and now that all the angst and trickery is out of the way, Allie and Levi are free to live their lives in bliss, except that Allie just learned something that has her questioning Levi’s love for her and her role in the Pteron world.

I enjoyed this novel just as much as the first two, but reader beware, Ivy is no long “fading to black” in her sex scenes, giving the full play by play, and it happens a lot as Allie’s and Levi’s newly reciprocated love has them whisking off for alone time much more often than not.  If you’ve been waiting for our beloved characters to finally make amends and truly be together, then this final novel will give you everything you want.  If you’re like me, then you’ll just gloss over those scenes and continue on with the meat of the story: how Allie is going to save Jess.

I have to say that I missed the constant bickering and banter between Allie and Levi in this novel, but Ivy makes up for it by finally putting the two lovers at ease with one another.  Although Allie learns something about herself that has her questioning Levi’s love, and the admiration of all the Pteron heirs in the country, she remains strong and endeavors to save her best friend and solidify the Pteron.

I enjoyed that this novel is much more laid back than the others, starting off almost floating along as Allie and Levi are finally able to just enjoy themselves and their relationship.  Interspersed here and there with the appearance of Allie’s deranged ex, Toby, and Levi’s callous grandmother, the novel gives readers jolts of anticipation, heeding the warnings as they come.  Thus, readers are given a sense of calm and joy and then are overtaken by a sense of foreboding as the novel unfolds, and I really liked this combination.  I was surprised by Allie’s decisions in the later half of the novel as everything began to heat up—her decisions to make a move for Jess on her own didn’t floor me, per say, because of her strong nature, but her bargaining and interactions with others made me tense.  It’s a beautiful ending, though.  Perfect in every way, but it’s not over.  Not really.  Ivy just announced that she’s not ready to give up the Pteron’s, and a spinoff series will be releasing late this year.  Oh thank heaven.  If you haven’t read the Crescent Chronicles yet, I highly suggest you do in time for the next installment.  Four stars.

4 stars

I received this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Check out the rest of The Crescent Chronicles:

Flight #1

Focus #2

Found #3

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alyssaroseivyAbout Alyssa Rose Ivy:

Alyssa Rose Ivy is a New Adult and Young Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance and a southern setting. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college.

After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.

Links: 

Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Website | Facebook | FOUND Goodreads

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And now for the giveaway!

Alyssa Rose Ivy is giving away TWO signed paperbacks of FOUND!

Click this Rafflecopter link to go to the entry form!

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UtopYA 2013 was one of the best experiences of my life, and I think the 300+ participants that were there with me this year would agree 100%. Right now, tickets for next year are on an early-bird sale, but they’ll no longer be on discounted sale after July 31.  In fact, you won’t be able to buy them again until Black Friday when they will be released for full price admission.  But never fear!! We’d love to see you down in Nashville, Tennessee, with us in 2014, and so, with the permission of UtopYA founder Janet Wallace, many authors and bloggers have come together to create TWO epic prize packs complete with one ticket to UtopYA 2014 (for 3-day pass to conference, admission to awards and after party, Friday night book signing, and Sunday write-in), a UtopYA 2013 t-shirt signed by a majority of the authors in attendance, signed books, ebooks, and swag.  The sheer amount of prizes and support from authors and bloggers for this giveaway just goes to show you how much we adore UtopYA and each other, and we’d really like to see you there (prize pack does NOT include transportation to the conference or lodging, you’ll have to provide that on your own, sorry).

Below is a list of what each Prize Pack includes:

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Prize Pack 1Prize Pack 1

  • One Ticket into UtopYA 2014 (for 3-day pass to conference, admission to awards and after party, Friday night book signing, and Sunday write-in)
  • One Signed UtopYA T-Shirt size L (womens)—Signed by the authors attending UtopYA 2013

Signed Books:

  • Signed paperback of Pieces of Me by Eisley Jacobs
  • Signed paperback of Awaken OR Echo of an Earth Angel by Sarah M. Ross (winner’s choice)
  • Signed paperback of one of Raine Thomas’ books—winner’s choice

Ebooks and Swag:

  • eARC of A Stroke of Luck by Desiree DeOrto
  • eARC of Steel Lily by Megan Curd
  • Ebook of Promise Me This by Sarah Ashley Jones
  • Ebook of Cornerstone by Misty Provencher
  • Ebook of Soul Quest by Amy Maurer Jones
  • Ebook of Wildflower by Amy Maurer Jones
  • Ebook of Reveal by Brina Courtney (Cryptid Tales 1)
  • Ebook of The Modified by C.A. Kunz
  • Ebook of One Tiny Secret by Adam Kunz
  • Ebook of Soul Survivor by Michelle Nicole
  • Ebook of Clicks by Amy Evans
  • Ebook of Bluffing the Devil by Christy Foster
  • Ebook of Forbidden by Amy Miles
  • Ebook of Reckoning by Amy Miles
  • Ebook of Touching Smoke by Airicka Phoenix
  • Ebook of Games of Fire by Airicka Phoenix
  • Ebook of Natural Selection by Elizabeth Sharp, autographed bookmark, autographed postcard for each of the Forces of Nature books
  • A leather bookmark from Chelsea Starling
  • A BookLover Journal and A BookLover Tee designed by Whit&Ware Design from Victoria Alday
  • A specialty signed goodie pack from Tiffany King

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Prize Pack 2Prize Pack 2

  • One Ticket into UtopYA 2014 (for 3-day pass to conference, admission to awards and after party, Friday night book signing, and Sunday write-in)
  • One Signed UtopYA T-Shirt size L (womens)—Signed by the authors attending UtopYA 2013

Signed Books:

  • Signed paperback of Promise by Kristie Cook and a set of embellished bookmarks
  • A signed copy of Awaken or Echo of an Earth Angel by Sarah M. Ross– winner’s choice

Ebooks and Swag:

  • eARC of A Stroke of Luck by Desiree DeOrto
  • eARC of Steel Lily by Megan Curd
  • Ebook of Kiss of Fire by Rebecca Ethington
  • Ebook of Eyes of Ember by Rebecca Ethington
  • Ebook of Scorched Treachery by Rebecca Ethington
  • Ebook of Semester Abroad by Elizabeth Kirke and 6 signed trading cards
  • Ebook of The Amulet by Alison Pensy
  • Ebook of The Emerald Staff by Alison Pensy
  • Ebook of The Cypher Wheel by Alison Pensy
  • Ebook of The Ice Diamond Cuff by Alison Pensy
  • Ebook of Reveal by Brina Courtney (Cryptid Tales 1)
  • Ebook of The Childe by C.A. Kunz
  • Ebook of Dark Days by C.A. Kunz
  • Ebook of Hale Maree by Misty Provencher
  • Ebook of Mercy, A Gargoyle Story by Misty Provencher
  • A leather bookmark from Chelsea Starling
  • Winner’s Choice Ebooks: Tiffany King Saving Angels Bundle pack (including ebooks of Meant to Be, Forgotten Souls, The Ascended) OR YA Contemporary ebook Bundle pack (including ebooks of Wishing for Someday Soon, Forever Changed, Unlikely Allies)

Honestly, I am salivating just looking at all the prizes in the Prize Packs! I am also in awe of the authors’ and bloggers’ willingness to donate so much, and it’s all because we really want you to come to UtopYA 2014 and experience how amazing the conference is for everyone in attendance: authors, readers, bloggers, publicists, editors… and the list goes on.

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Need to know more about the conference before you commit?  Click the links below to learn more and read real testaments from those who attended UtopYA 2013:

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To enter this giveaway you must:

  • Be 18 years or older (or have parent/guardian permission)

  • Plan to attend the UtopYA 2014 conference (the whole reason the giveaway was started was to give away tickets to this amazing event)

  • Fill in the mandatory questions on rafflecopter (extra entries optional)

**Disclaimer: The winner of this epic giveaway MUST plan on attending UtopYA 2014 in Nashville, have their own transportation to and from the conference, provide their own lodging, and accept the winning of the ticket along with all other prizes.  Should the winner already have purchased a ticket to UtopYA, we will discuss other options, such as the winner giving it to a friend of theirs, in which case we will purchase the ticket in the friend’s name, etc. These tickets hold NO MONETARY VALUE and cannot be refunded by the winner for any financial gain as the refund will come back to those of us purchasing the tickets for the winner.  Please do not enter this giveaway if you DO NOT plan to attend UtopYA 2014 or are under the pretense of accepting only the t-shirt, ebooks, swag, and signed books.  Refusal of the ticket will result in refusal of the entire prize pack.

Click here to go to the Rafflecopter entry form!

(Because WordPress doesn’t support Rafflecopter forms)

This contest is open internationally and will end at 12:01am EST on July 21th. Please only enter once. The winner will be announced later on July 21th, and will receive email notification! Please read our giveaway policy and leave us a comment!

And, MAKE SURE you ALSO enter to win tickets over on Supagurlbooks as well!  She’s running a giveaway too: UtopYA 2014… Take Me To Your Reader INFO and GIVEAWAY

ALSO, bookmark this site: https://utopya2014.eventbrite.com/ just in case.  Early registration ends July 31 and won’t open again until Black Friday (at full price).

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Giveaway Policy

  • Contests are international, unless otherwise stated.
  • Winners are chosen by rafflecopter and random.org.
  • Books and prizes may be sent from The Book Depository, the author/publisher themselves, or from A Book Vacation Reviews personally.  A Book VacationReviews  is not liable for prizes not sent by author/publisher or that are lost, stolen, or damaged by the postal service or The Book Depository.
  • Prizes will be shipped via postal service or electronically upon the completion of the contest and response from the winner.
  • Time frames for receiving prizes will vary immensely based on type of prize.
  • A Book Vacation is not at fault if winner in unable to read ebooks due to lack of technology or technological issues.
  • Entrants may only enter each giveaway once unless otherwise specified.
  • All contests have an age stipulation, either 13+ with parent/guardian permission, or 18+ years of age or older, and these stipulations must be adhered to or winner voids receipt of prize.
  • Winners will be announced in a blog post dedicated to the giveaway on the date the giveaway ends.
  • Winners will be notified by email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen using rafflecopter and random.org.
  • A Book Vacation Reviews is not responsible if the item is lost, damaged, or stolen.
  • A Book Vacation Reviews holds the right to end a contest before its original deadline without any prior notice.
  • A Book Vacation Reviews reserves the right to terminate a giveaway at any reason or to deny prizes should unforeseen issues arise.
  • No cheating. A Book Vacation Reviews will check each entry and cheaters will be disqualified without notification.
  • Your personal information will not be saved or used for any other purpose.
  • If you have any questions, please email A Book Vacation Reviews.  If you are the winner, please email upon receipt of prize.

 

hnvtc8bp9ldi18363wec -A Book Vacation



mail.google.comAuthors Melissa Turner Lee’s and Pauline Creeden’s novel, Armored Hearts, is on sale this weekend for just 99 cents, and to celebrate, they’re generously giving away 5 Kindle copies of their novel!  The cover is absolutely gorgeous and the synopsis sounds amazing, so make sure you enter pronto because this giveaway ends tomorrow!

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Synopsis:

When a crippled young lord rescues a girl falling from a tree, it reveals a secret about himself and his mother’s side of the family that could put him at the center of a war with beings he thought only existed in fairy tales. Tristan Gareth Smyth lived his entire life stuck at home at Waverly Park, left behind while his Grandfather makes trips to London, all because of his blasted wheelchair. Then an American heiress falls in his lap, literally, and he must find a way to keep her at a distance to protect not only his secret, but everyone around him from an assassin sent to kill him.

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Up to 5 Winners Will Be Chosen!!!

To enter this giveaway, you must:

-Be 13 years or older (or have parent/guardian permission)

-Agree to HONESTLY REVIEW the novel via a blog (if you have one), or Goodreads, or any other media format you use for book reviews (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc.)

-Fill in the mandatory question on rafflecopter (extra entries optional)

Click here to go to the Rafflecopter entry form!

This contest is open internationally and will end at 12:01am EST on July 14th at 5pm. Please only enter once. The winner will be announced later on July 14th, and will receive email notification! Please read my giveaway policy and leave me a comment!



EndureJuly (2)

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From Goodreads: Wrapped in darkness and woven with defeat, every action Chase has taken since being exiled from the Circle has been met with a devastating response. Now he’s been burdened with a quest that seems impossible, and he needs to evolve into something more, something greater than he ever thought he could be.

Armed with magic, friendship, and an unbreakable will, Chase must build an army and find a weapon capable of defeating the ultimate evil. But he knows that nothing great comes without sacrifice. Blessed by the very gods who have abandoned him and carrying the fate of all the worlds on his shoulders, Chase Williams is about find out just how much one man can endure.

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The final chapter in The Protector series, Endure, is the best yet by young adult author M.R. Merrick.  Full of fantasy, romance, and battles of epic proportions, the story captivates its reader from start to finish, lingering in their hearts and minds long after the last page.

Chase Williams is back, as determined as ever to stop his father, Riley, from achieving the resurrection of the god Ithreal, an evil force none will be able to subdue should Riley succeed. And up until this point, Chase has failed, and failed hard, to keep evil at bay and his father away from the artifacts that will help him unleash the worst of the gods upon every dimension in the universe.  Weak from the loss of his best friend at the hands of Riley and the dark Brothers, Chase must learn to overcome his own feelings of loss and blame, letting go and realizing that he can’t control others and that sometimes, death is meant to be.

Though there are many passages that wrench reader emotions, Merrick offsets the sad and gloomy with triumphant and blissful, creating a great ambience for readers as this epic saga concludes.  Whisked from dimension to dimension, Merrick captivates with his portrayal of these strange worlds where the inhabitants differ so much from those of the human spectrum, painting incredible pictures of the people, or monsters, as some describe them.  The worlds themselves differ in vast array, from red grass, to blue moons, each world is unique and unrecognizable to the human eye, and this wonderful creation of Merrick’s is one of the many aspects that I love so much about his writing.  Though I am unable to visualize what other dimensions and worlds would look like on my own, Merrick has shown me his rendition in such vivid color and detail that I am able to see his creation with little difficulty, and as the story progresses and readers learn about the inhabitants, their aggressions, and their attempts to aide or hinder Chase on his way to full protector status, the story unfolds into a beautiful tale you won’t want to miss.  I highly recommend this novel, and the entire series, for that matter, to any and all who enjoy strong characters, fantasy, world-building, and an all-around good YA read.  Five stars.

5 stars

To read how M.R. Merrick came up with this phenomenal series, click HERE.

Check out the whole series:

Exiled (#1)

Shift (#2)

Release (#3)

Endure (#4)

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Protector-4-Book-Series

Today’s letter is…

 0

Collect all 15 letters as you visit all the stops of the Endure tour (link below).  Unscramble the letters to make a 2 word phrase that will get you entered to WIN a $50 AMAZON gift card!

http://www.stuckinbooks.com/p/endure-tour.html

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MRMerrickAbout M.R. Merrick

M.R. Merrick is a Canadian writer, and author of The Protector Series, four books in all. Having never traveled, he adventures to far off lands through his imagination and in between cups of coffee. As a music lover and proud breakfast enthusiast, he’s usually found at the computer, between a pair of headphones and in front of a large bowl of cereal.

Links:

 Author Blog |  Twitter |  Facebook | AmazonBarnes and Noble | Smashwords | Kobo

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And now for the GIVEAWAY:

What you can WIN:

  • 2 Grand Prize (1 INT) All four books in The Protector series SIGNED plus swag pack

  • 5 winners Endure eBook (INT)

  • 15 Protector Series Swag packs (North America)

Click here to go to the Rafflecopter Giveaway!

M.R._Merrick_Fan_Club

I received a review copy of Endure from the author in exchange for an honest review.



It’s that time again! For no other reason than that I like giveaways… we’re onto the TWENTY-SIXTH Recently Released Giveaway Goodness Giveaway!

RRGG July

Many of these novels have recently released. I’ve included my reviews below to help you pick the novel you’d like to win. And honestly, there should be something here for everyone!

Interested? Of course you are! I’m offering ONE lucky winner one of these novels:

This is an INTERNATIONAL giveaway from the book depository, but you need to make sure they send to your country before entering–check here.

To enter you must:

-Be 13 years or older (or have parent/guardian permission)

-Fill in the mandatory question on rafflecopter (extra entries optional)

Click here to go to the Rafflecopter entry form!

This contest is open internationally and will end at 12:01am EST on August 1st. The winner will be announced later on August 1st, and will receive email notification! Please read my giveaway policy and leave me a comment!



Blood Rule

Book 4 in the Dirty Blood series

Coming 8/6/13!

Blood Rule Large

Synopsis:

Forty-six.

That’s how many hybrids survived the Hunter attack in the woods after I revived them with an injection of my blood. That’s how many followed me home to Frederick Falls. And that’s how many were now mentally linked to me through a blood bond.

Two days. Three valium. Fourteen hours of sleep.

That’s what it took to realize I wasn’t losing my mind as a result of the noise in my own head.

Sixteen.

That’s how many days have passed since I almost killed Alex. That’s how many days I’ve sat by his bedside, waiting for him to wake up. To ease the guilt, to understand his betrayal, to remember the exact shade of brown in his eyes.

Zero.

That’s my chances of skating by with Gordon Steppe and the Hunter Council. They want me for questioning. I’m afraid what’ll happen if I give them answers.

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SQUEEE!  I can’t wait for the release of this one!  If you haven’t yet started the Dirty Blood series by Heather Hildenbrand, then I highly suggest you start now, especially since the first book, Dirty Blood, is FREE!  This next installment in the amazing series is going to be epic!!

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

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And to celebrate, Heather’s running an epic giveaway as well!!

The prizes include:

  • e-book of Enemy Within by Angeline Kace

  • custom werewolf necklace

  • Dirty Blood omnibus e-book – all THREE books currently available!

  • signed swag pack including photo print of Blood Rule!

ENTER HERE!



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Click the blog tour button above for giveaway!!

Enemy Within by Angeline Kace

Vampire Born, #2

Accendo Press – April 2013

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12304744Synopsis:

Two guys who’ve stolen her heart.

Three races and only one of them worthy.

Countless enemies with insatiable bloodlust for power.

Will one girl’s curse ultimately save her? 

Half-vampire Brooke Keller barely survived the slaying of her worst enemy, only to learn that Zladislov—the world’s most powerful vampire, leader of the vampire world, and her father—wants her dead. However, this time, she’s not only fighting vampires but a raging monster within her that endangers what’s left of her humanity. And when a deadly disease threatens to take her best friend’s life, Brooke tries to convince Kaitlynn to accept a monster of her own: becoming a Zao Duh. 

As a former slave to the Pijawikas, Mirko is driven to protect the innocent at all costs, but he has never faced a foe more formidable than Zladislov. And when the Commission bears down on Brooke, Mirko finds the stream of enemies runs deeper than he ever imagined. 

Buy Now:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

 

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Excerpt:

Brooke

I chase after the vehicles as they tear down the street. Jaren’s bound and gagged in the first one, and Mirko’s bound and gagged inside the one directly in front of me.

I pick up my speed and dig deep to reach all of my Pijawikan strength, but I can’t tap into it right. No matter how hard I try, I can’t flex my Nestati right to jump space and arrive inside one of the cars, let alone go fast enough to touch the bumper. But when the cars accelerate, I’m able to speed up in tandem with them. What the . . . ?

Fear clutches at my heart. Both Jaren and Mirko captured at the same time. How did this happen?

I don’t know—I can’t remember.

I’m confused, frustrated I can’t gain any ground and do something to help them.

I chase and chase after the cars for what feels like hours, never gaining or losing ground, always the same distance between me and the cars.

The next thing I know, I’m in a big, open space.

A warehouse maybe?

Jaren’s tied to a pole holding up a ceiling beam; Mirko’s tied to another one across the room. Both are still gagged. Both look at me with horror in their eyes.

“Which one will it be?” a gravelly voice behind me asks.

I turn to see a man dressed in a sharp, expensive suit, but I can’t make out his features. They’re blurry, or dull, and when I try to focus on his nose or his chin, it swirls and changes and goes blurry again.

“You have to choose. You can only save one,” the faceless man says.

I turn back to Jaren and Mirko, but now men stand about three feet in front of each of them—holding rifles.

My heart stops.

“You have until my count of three to choose which one you will take the bullet for. “One,” he counts. Confusion drowns me.

Can he really do this?

Are the guns loaded?

Will those men really pull the triggers?

I can’t think.

I don’t know what to do.

I glance back and forth between Mirko and Jaren, both of them screaming at me with terrified eyes to save them.

I step toward Jaren to save him.

“Two.”

I hesitate and turn to Mirko, stepping toward him.

“Three.”

The guns go off and bullets tear into Mirko and Jaren at the same time.

I scream until my voice dies.

I can’t move.

Burnt gunpowder lingers in the air.

The gunfire rings in my ears as their bodies hang from the poles, bloody and broken.

I hesitated too long.

I didn’t save either of them.

I open my eyes to darkness.

My heart pounds, and I verge on hyperventilating.

I try to focus, breathing heavily in and out, and soon the moonlight allows the room to take shape. My desk, the closet door, the corner lamp.

Oh, thank God.

It’s only a dream. But that doesn’t calm me in the slightest.

I jump out of bed, run across the room, and throw open the door.

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Author Information

 untitledWebsite:  http://www.angelinekace.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Heather.L.Hildenbrand

Facebook Fan Page:   https://www.facebook.com/pages/Angeline-Kace-YA-Author/122820374454142?fref=ts

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Angeline_Kace

Goodreads:   http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4641669.Angeline_Kace



common descentNatasha Larry’s third novel in her Darwin’s Children Series will be releasing this July, and I’m excited to be sharing the cover with you today, as well as an opportunity to WIN a $25 gift card!!!

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Synopsis:

Eighteen-year old Jaycie Lerner’s telekinesis is finally in check—too bad levitating a picnic table is now a workout.  Not to mention her previously dormant telepathy is back and raging out of control. As she struggles to relearn her frightening power, the Dey-Vah announce they will soon unleash the supernatural world on the human race.  To make matters worse, people start dropping dead all over northern Alabama. Then, a mysterious new enemy emerges.

Jaycie must elicit the help of the world’s only master vampire slayer and an assassin who gets her tips from the voices in her head.  Strengthening the Core is the only way to protect mankind from the coming vampire army, and they aren’t even the most dangerous threat. 

Jaycie and her family face their darkest hour when an innocent young girl serves as a pawn to form a deadly Alliance. The perfect vampire, Lilith Bradshaw, becomes an eye-opening example of how far the Alliance will go to serve their own destructive ends. The world around Jaycie steeps into darkness, and betrayals from the past threaten to undo them all. 

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About the Author:

Natasha Larry is a self-professed comic book nerd and urban fantasy junkie. She has an M.A. in history, making her a professional cynic. She is the author of the YA paranormal series, Darwin’s Children. She resides in Alabama with her awesome daughter. For more information about her or her work please visit:

http://natashalarrybooks

@natashalarry

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And NOW for the GIVEAWAY!!

Click HERE to enter the rafflecopter giveaway for a $25 giftcard!

Good luck!



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Guest Post:

As a fantasy writer, sometimes I get asked, “Where do you come up with all of this stuff?” Though, to be fair, I think every writer gets asked that question a few times in their career. It all boils down to inspiration. Inspiration can strike anywhere and at any time.

For me, I get my inspiration through dreams or when I’m out and about. I’ve always had really vivid dreams that deal with magical realms or special powers. And often times when I’m out at the mall, I don’t really process what’s going on in my surroundings. There’s a good chance that I’ll end up daydreaming. I see people around me and I notice things, often minute things, but it’s sort of all jumbled up and my brain processes it as: that man looks like he could be a villain or I wonder if she has a secret life or that’s an odd looking item, I wonder if it used to belong to a witch and still has some semblance of powers within it.

If I’m suffering from writer’s block, often the inspiration that works best for me is to go hiking. Being surrounded by nothing but trees and natural landscapes is absolutely refreshing. You can just picture elves roaming around and nymphs skipping around to the nearest clearing to pick flowers. The landscape often finds itself back into my works, too. Experiencing the same sounds, lighting, smells, and foliage as my characters helps me with the description and atmosphere and hopefully helps make the world a believable place.

I suppose my brain, and other creative people’s brains for that matter, are just hardwired differently. We see the mundane and turn it into something less mundane. Why can’t pictures move like in Harry Potter and closets take you to a vastly different world where you learn you’re the ruler of a kingdom like in Chronicles of Narnia? Inspiration is everywhere around us. We just have to look and remember that seeing is not always believing.

–Sheenah

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The_NumberThe Number by Sheenah Fritas

Genre: YA fantasy

Kaia disappeared for five years. Now she’s back and her planet is on the brink of war.

The new “Numbers” program, created by the Tueors’ leader, tracks and isolates demigods. Kaia’s friend, Catrina, refuses to take part, and that makes her the most dangerous Number of all.

It’s Kaia’s duty to gather and protect the treasures of the gods. But neither the treasures nor Catrina are what they appear to be.

As the day a dire prophesy foresees draws near, will Kaia reverse the gears of fate, or will everything she’s ever loved be burned away by the flames of war?

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Buy The Book:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository | iTunes | Smashwords

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About the Author
A neek at heart, Sheenah Freitas has a love for the whimsical and magical. She looks to animated Disney movies and Studio Ghibli films for inspiration because of the innovative twists on fairytales, strong story structures, and character studies. When not writing, you might find her in a forest where she’s yet to find any enchanted castles.

Connect on Social Media:

Website | Facebook | Twitter

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And now for the giveaway!!!  Enter to Win:

  • Ebook copies of The Chosen + The Number
  • Your choice of art print by the author
  • Bookmarks

Click HERE to go to the Rafflecopter Giveaway!!!



1092252110815666Courtney Kirchoff is giving away TWO SIGNED paperback copies of her awesome, amazing, epic novel, Jaden Baker!  It’s phenomenal, and I was glued to the pages from the very beginning… it’s a masterpiece, and YOU can win a SIGNED PAPERBACK of this epicness!

Read my 5 STAR REVIEW HERE!

One winner will receive the FIRST edition paperback (on the right) ====>

<==== One winner will receive the SECOND edition paperback (on the left)

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To enter this giveaway, you must:

-Be 13 years or older (or have parent/guardian permission)

-Agree to HONESTLY REVIEW the novel via a blog (if you have one), or Goodreads, or any other media format you use for book reviews (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, etc.)

-Fill in the mandatory question on rafflecopter (extra entries optional)

Click here to go to the Rafflecopter entry form!

This contest is open to USA Addresses Only (sorry) and will end at 12:01am EST on July 15th. Please only enter once. The winner will be announced later on July 15th, and will receive email notification! Please read my giveaway policy and leave me a comment!



17983893From Goodreads: If you’d asked me a week ago, I would have told you that the best cupcakes were dark chocolate with chocolate cream cheese icing, that dancing in a crowd of magic wielders — the Adept — was better than sex, and that my life was peaceful and uneventful. Just the way I liked it.That’s what twenty-three years in the magical backwater of Vancouver will get you — a completely skewed sense of reality. Because when the dead werewolves started showing up, it all unraveled … except for the cupcake part. That’s a universal truth.

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This was a really entertaining story to read.  From the very beginning, I was drawn in by the main character, Jade, as she’s so down to earth and speaks to the reader as if we’re friends.  She launches into her story, explaining what happened to her over the course of the week, and it’s highly engaging!  In fact, all the talk to sweets and cupcakes definitely gave me mass cravings as I read.  I actually really loved the interspersing of the cupcake talk, and the fact that Jade owns a bakery meshes extremely well with the story.  Now, I’m dying to eat sunshine in a cup and all the other tasty treats Doidge weaves into this fun story. 

Complete with witches, werewolves, vampires, and necromancers, this novel will keep readers laughing and turning the pages as Jade tries to figure out the truth behind the deaths surrounding her—the deaths that all point to her.  Though a little slow on the uptake, as she’ll tell you herself, Jade is a wonderful character that sees the good in everyone and who wants to follow all the rules and bring happiness to all (hence her cupcake business).  Of course, it doesn’t always work that way, and Jade will have to break her good-girl image in order to understand all that is happening around her, and it’s a great ride. 

The truth behind the murders is heavily foreshadowed in this novel, and around half-way through I was able to pinpoint just who was to blame, but even so, the story still surprised me and egged me on, and I had a great time reading it.  It’s cute, it’s fun, and it’s an all around great read!  Four stars.

4 stars

I received an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review prior to its release on June 21.

AND NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY!!!

Meghan is giving away an ebook of this awesome novel to one lucky winner!

To enter this giveaway, you must:

-Be 13 years or older (or have parent/guardian permission)

-Agree to HONESTLY REVIEW the novel via a blog (if you have one), or Goodreads, or any other media format you use for book reviews (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, etc.)

-Fill in the mandatory question on rafflecopter (extra entries optional)

Click the Rafflecopter Entry Link to ENTER!

This contest is open INTERNATIONALLY and will end at 12:01am EST on July 2nd. Please only enter once. The winner will be announced later on July 2nd, and will receive email notification! Please read my giveaway policy and leave me a comment!



Tim O’Rourke’s latest novel, Moonbeam, has just recently released, and to celebrate, Tim is offering an awesome, generous giveaway in conjunction with my blog.  There will be FOUR winners total; TWO will win a signed paperback of Moonbeam, and TWO will win a signed paperback of Vampire Shift.  Good Luck!!

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18052313Moonbeam Synopsis

Winter McCall and Thaddeus Blake flee the burning mansion. Both are hunted by two relentless police officers and vampires. With time running out, Thaddeus leads Winnie towards Scotland, where he believes the Moonbeam, a precious stone with the ability to destroy those that hunt him, is hidden.

But Thaddeus has held the Moonbeam before and with it came betrayal, madness and murder. Will the Moonbeam protect Thaddeus, last of the werewolves, or is he truly the only surviving member of his race?

With her journey fraught with danger and haunted by Ruby Little, Winnie struggles with her growing feelings towards Thaddeus and what her life and she has become.

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11824848Vampire Shift Synopsis

When twenty-year-old police recruit Kiera Hudson is posted to the remote town of The Ragged Cove, her life is changed forever. Investigating a series of horrific murders, grave desecrations and missing persons, with her unique ability of ‘seeing’, Kiera soon realises her life is in danger.

But when Kiera is crewed with Police officer Luke Bishop, not only is her mind and heart opened to a terrifying new world, she comes to suspect that Luke might be involved in the killings.

In a race against time to unearth the truth, Kiera must discover the identity of who or what is behind the gruesome deaths on the ‘Vampire Shift’.

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To enter this giveaway, you must:

-Be 13 years or older (or have parent/guardian permission)

-Agree to HONESTLY REVIEW the novel you win via a blog (if you have one), or Goodreads, or any other media format you use for book reviews (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, etc.)

-Fill in the mandatory question on rafflecopter (extra entries optional)

Click here to go to the Rafflecopter entry form!

This contest is open INTERNATIONALLY and will end at 12:01am EST on July 8th. Please only enter once. The winner will be announced later on July 8th, and will receive email notification! Please read my giveaway policy and leave me a comment!



 

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Immortal_couple_mediumimmortalsgirl_mediumImmortals Synopsis:

Nothing can stop Raine Cooper when she wants something…

Raine finally knows that her gorgeous neighbor, Torin St. James, is a legend straight out of Norse mythology but that doesn’t stop her from falling hard for him. Torin is crazy about Raine too, breaking the one rule he lives by: Never fall for a mortal. The problem is he no longer remembers her or that she saved him by making a deal with Norns—Norse destiny deities—the same Norns who have now erased his memories of their past together to punish her. So Raine comes up with a plan… She will make Torin forget his one rule a second time and fall in love with her all over again. But before Raine can put her plan into action, the Norns return. This time, they demand she protects Eirik Seville, her best friend since childhood, from an evil so dark even the Norns are scared. But you know what they say about well-laid plans… Caught between protecting Eirik and convincing the stubborn, cocky Torin St. James that the two of them are meant to be together, Raine’s life slowly unravels. Friendships are tested. Enemies become allies. Desperate, Raine makes choices that could not only tear her and Torin further apart, but lead to the destruction of everything and everyone she loves.

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Release Date: August 5th 2013 by Firetrail Publishing

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About Author:

EDNAH WALTERS grew up reading Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys and dreaming of one day writing her own stories. She is a stay-at-home mother of five humans and two American short-hair cats (one of which has ADHD) and a husband. When she is not writing, she’s at the gym doing Zumba or doing things with her family, reading, traveling or online chatting with fans. Ednah is the author of The Guardian Legacy series, a YA fantasy series about children of the fallen angels, who fight demons and protect mankind. AWAKENED, the prequel was released by Pill Hill Press in September 2010 with rave reviews. BETRAYED, book one in the series was released by her new publisher Spencer Hill Press in June 2012 and HUNTED, the third installment, will be released April 2013. She’s working on the next book in the series, FORGOTTEN. Ednah also writes New Adult paranormal romance. RUNES is the first book in her new series. She is presently working on book 2, IMMORTALS.

Under the pseudonym E. B. Walters, Ednah writes contemporary romance. SLOW BURN, the first contemporary romance with suspense, was released in April 2011. It is the first book in the Fitzgerald family series. Since then she has published four more books in this series. She’s presently working on book six. You can visit her online at http://www.ednahwalters.com or www.ebwalters.com.

Connect with Ednah:

Website: http://www.ednahwalters.com/index.html

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4188120.Ednah_Walters

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EdnahWalters  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ednahwalters

Vote For Torin St. James at The YA SISTERHOOD Crush Tourney on June 17th.

 

 Rafflecopter giveaway–HURRY, this giveaway closes soon!



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The Perfect Flaw Anthonlogy Tour!

Genre: Dystopian

Perfect Flaw (editor Robin Blankenship): Readers everywhere are invited to experience adventures of a dystopian nature in the anthology Perfect Flaw, from editor Robin Blankenship! Featuring seventeen speculative fiction tales, spanning many genres, Perfect Flaw explores the subject of societies gone wrong.

From “utopian” societies masking an underlying controlled state, to stories of people fighting back against repression, in hopes of a better world, the flaws that create a dystopian atmosphere are brought to light. Thought-provoking and entertaining, Perfect Flaw will be a welcome addition to any reader’s collection of dystopian literature.

Leslie J Anderson – “Michael’s Gate”
Jason Campagna – “Hope Unknown”
Frank Roger – “Cracks in the Concrete”
Mandi M. Lynch “Under a Pomegranate Sky”
Shaun Avery – “The Job Hunter”
Cathy Bryant – “Cost Benefit Analysis”
Carolyn M. Chang – “Smilers”
SC Langgle – “The Bird Below Ground”
Delphine Boswell – “Tomorrow’s Children”
Tanith Korravai – “Your Comfort is Important to Us”
DeeDee Davies – “The Ultimate Sale”
Ellen Brock – “Useless”
Herika R. Raymer – “Seventh Degree”
H David Blalock – “Guardian”
H.S. Donnelly – “First Head”
Jay Faulkner – “System Error”
Michael O’Connor – “The Choosing”

But it on Amazon:

Paperback | Kindle

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PerfectFlaw-coverGuest Post: Top 5 Ways a Dystopian Society Might be Brought About

By Ellen Brock

Dystopian societies suck. They are these strange fictional places that (unlike Narnia and Hogwarts and the firefly-class spaceship Serenity) we don’t want to live in. We’d probably be too scared to even visit. So naturally we love them, in a morbid sort of way.

There are almost an infinite number of ways in which one of these sucky dystopian societies could be brought about. To put it simply, they happen when emotions are overruled by logic, when practicality trumps empathy, when efficiency is valued over passion, when uniformity is more important than uniqueness, or when mother nature is having a really, really bad day.

So here are my top 5 reasons (in no particular order) a dystopia might be brought about (plus a bonus reason, because I couldn’t choose):

1. Robots

Yes, robots always seem like a good idea, for about five minutes. Then they get super powerful and take over the world and we humans get screwed. Usually we become slaves. Sometimes we just become unnecessary burdens to our mechanical overlords.

Also, sometimes humans create dystopias for robots, but that’s a whole different story.

2. Genetic Testing

What could be better than knowing what you will probably die from? With genetic testing, you can take some pills or get a surgery and your life will be long and happy. But then some government somebody decides genetics are a good way to determine who gets which occupations and you’ve got yourself a caste system based on genetics. Then suddenly you can’t become an astronaut because you’re nearsighted and will probably have a heart attack some day.

3. Viruses

Whether it’s an accidental pandemic or biological warfare, killing most of the population (and/or turning them into zombies) is a pretty good way to create a dystopia. People get quarantined (which never works) and all the important people get flown away in helicopters. Then you either accidentally get quarantined when you’re actually totally healthy or you’ve got to travel around looking for other uninfected survivors to repopulate the planet.

4. Totalitarian Leadership

Those totalitarians, they always think they can make these crazy societies where everyone is repressed and nobody has any rights. The next thing you know you’ve got to send your kids off to kill each other or you’re not allowed to read books. But the good news is that totalitarian leaders are (usually) only human, and you can always overthrow (or kill) a human being.

5. The Eradication of Emotions

Humans have a lot of feelings, and sometimes these feelings are very inconvenient, especially when you want to make a lot of money or take away people’s freedoms. So what’s a fictional leader to do? Take the emotions away of course!  This is the happiest of dystopias because unless you forget to take your pills, you won’t know what you’re missing.

6. (Bonus!) Natural Disasters

This is one type of dystopia that doesn’t have all that much to do with humans. Maybe the sun blows up or a giant meteor destroys 80% of the earth or maybe the ice caps melt and everything is sucked underwater. Whatever the cause, fighting against nature itself can create a pretty frightening dystopia. You can’t just find a cure for the virus or unplug the robots or overthrow your totalitarian leader, you’ve got to dig deeper than that, you’ve got to rebuild with whatever the earth has left for you.

Check out 17 different views of dystopia in the Perfect Flaw (http://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Flaw-Robin-Blankenship/dp/1937929116/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1368812883&sr=1-1&keywords=perfect+flaw) anthology. My story “Useless” is at the very end.

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Ellen Brock PhotoAbout the Author 

Ellen Brock has loved books since the day she learned to read. She also loves animals (especially dogs and rats), hot sauce, paper crafts, and geocaching. She owns an editing company called Keytop, Inc. (www.keytopservices.com), where she edits manuscripts for established and aspiring authors.

Ellen enjoys sharing writing and editing advice on her blog (https://thewriteditor.wordpress.com) and is currently finishing a novel.

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RobinandAndrewbwEditor Bio

Robin Blankenship

Robin Blankenship, a freelance editor and book reviewer, has a background in teaching and social work.

When not working, or reading, or editing, she can be found at home in Kentucky with her husband, Andrew, and two children, Christian and Beatrix.

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AND, you can enter the tour wide giveaway for the Seventh Star Press Anthology Extravaganza below!  Prizes include:

  • 2 Grand Prizes: Each winner gets a hardcover copy of Writers Workshop of Science Fiction & Fantasy (never sold ANYWHERE, a true, rare collectible book, only 100 exist!) and $25 Amazon Gift Card (this prize limited to US/Canada residents)
  • 5 Winners get to pick whichever new anthology they would like in softcover! Choose from All 5 books featured on this tour! (this prize limited to US/Canada residents)
  • 10 Winners will get to pick whichever of the five anthologies featured on this tour they would like in eBook format (International)
  • 15 Winners get 2 eBooks of their choice from the SSP Catalog! Any book or anthology! (International)

Click HERE to ENTER this awesome Rafflecopter Giveaway!!

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Perfect Flaw Tour Segment

May 16    Armand Rosamilla, Horror Author     Guest Post

May 17    Laurie’s Thoughts and Reviews     Interview

May 19   Angela Meadon Blog    Guest Post

May 20     The FlipSide of Julianne     Guest Post

May 21  The Dan O’Brien Project   Guest Post

May 23  Workaday Reads   Guest Post

May 24   Books, Owls and Tea    Guest Post

May 30  Darlene’s Book Nook  Guest Post

June 1  Readings Sunshine    Review

June 4  Jess Resides Here    Guest Post

June 5  Book Reviews and More    Review

June 6  A Book Vacation     Guest Post  — ME!

June 7     Word to Dream s    Review

June 8   The Witchy Contessa   Review

June 10  WTF Are You Reading    Review

June 12  Bookishly Me    Review

June 14  Sweet Southern Home  Guest Post

June 16   SpecMusicMuse    Review and Interview

June 17  Spellbindings   Guest Post

To see the entire tour schedule for all anthologies, click HERE.

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Social Media Links for Seventh Star Press

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/seventhstarpress

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/7thstarpress

Website:  http://www.seventhstarpress.com

Blog:  http://seventhstarpress.blogspot.com

Contact: Stephen Zimmer at Stephen@tomorrowcomesmedia.com

Or C.C. James at ccjames@seventhstarpress.com



3054684Before Borders went out of business, I went on a serious book shopping spree.  And, in all the chaos that is a going out of business sale, I ended up with two copies of Stargazer by Claudia Gray, so I’m going to give one away.  It’s not signed, but it is a free book, so… if you’re interested, sign up to win!

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From Goodreads:

The vampire in me was closer to the surface…

Evernight Academy: an exclusive boarding school for the most beautiful, dangerous students of all—vampires. Bianca, born to two vampires, has always been told her destiny is to become one of them.

But Bianca fell in love with Lucas—a vampire hunter sworn to destroy her kind. They were torn apart when his true identity was revealed, forcing him to flee the school.

Although they may be separated, Bianca and Lucas will not give each other up. She will risk anything for the chance to see him again, even if it means coming face-to-face with the vampire hunters of Black Cross—or deceiving the powerful vampires of Evernight. Bianca’s secrets will force her to live a life of lies.

Yet Bianca isn’t the only one keeping secrets. When Evernight is attacked by an evil force that seems to target her, she discovers the truth she thought she knew is only the beginning….

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To enter my giveaway, you must:

-Be 13 years or older (or have parent/guardian permission)

-Agree to HONESTLY REVIEW the novel via a blog (if you have one), or Goodreads, or any other media format you use for book reviews

-Fill in the mandatory question on rafflecopter (extra entries optional)

Click here to go to the Rafflecopter entry form!

This contest is open to USA ENTRANTS ONLY (sorry) and will end at 12:01am EST on June 19th. Please only enter once. The winner will be announced later on June 19th, and will receive email notification! Please read my giveaway policy and leave me a comment!



 EndureSmallJune (1)

  Endure (The Protector, #4)

Available June 5th

Synopsis:

Wrapped in darkness and woven with defeat, every action Chase has taken since being exiled from the Circle has been met with a devastating response. Now he’s been burdened with a quest that seems impossible, and he needs to evolve into something more, something greater than he ever thought he could be.

Armed with magic, friendship, and an unbreakable will, Chase must build an army and find a weapon capable of defeating the ultimate evil. But he knows that nothing great comes without sacrifice. Blessed by the very gods who have abandoned him and carrying the fate of all the worlds on his shoulders, Chase Williams is about find out just how much one man can endure.

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Endure Cover

Excerpt:

I jerked up from the couch, but the repercussion that came with the motion made me curse. My chest heaved and sweat dripped down my face.

“Chase?” I heard a voice say, but it was groggy. I wasn’t quite in reality yet.

I cleared my throat and threw my legs over the edge of the couch. More pain came, but I didn’t care. I needed to touch the floor. I needed to ground myself.

“Chase, are you okay?” It was Rayna’s voice and she ran down the stairs.

I screamed as the scabbed over skin on my back tore open when I attempted to stand. I fell to the couch and beat my fists against the cushions as though that could alleviate the pain.

“Chase, hey…calm down.”

Rayna’s voice soothed me. She crouched in front of me and carefully touched my shoulder. Calming energy emanated off her body and soaked into mine. The adrenaline and pain faded, leaving an empty pit stirring inside me. I went completely still. The green cat eyes staring back at me had stolen my words and my breath. Swelling had formed under Rayna’s right eye and she looked tired, but she was as striking as ever.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

 Amazon | B&N | Kobo

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MRMerrickAbout the Author:

M.R. Merrick is a Canadian writer and author of The Protector Series. Having never traveled, he adventures to far off lands through his imagination and in-between cups of coffee. As a music lover and proud breakfast enthusiast, he’s usually found at the computer, between a pair of headphones and in front of a large bowl of cereal.

M.R. Merrick | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook 

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Book #1, Exiled, is currently FREE

Chase Williams is a demon hunter in the Circle, or at least he was supposed to be. On his fifteenth birthday, Chase stepped up to the altar to claim his elemental power, but it never came. Elemental magic is passed down to a hunter through the bloodline, but on Chase’s birthday, the bloodline stopped.

Exiled without the Circle’s protection, Chase has spent two years trying to survive a world riddled with half-demons and magic. When he has a run in with a frightened and seemingly innocent demon, he learns the Circle’s agenda has changed: the Circle plans to unlock a portal and unleash pure-blood demons into the world. Vowing to stop them, and knowing he can’t do it alone, Chase forms a reluctant alliance with Rayna — a sexy witch with an attitude and a secret.

In their attempt to stop them, Chase and Rayna find themselves in the middle of the Circle’s plan, leaving one of them to decide what their friendship is worth, and the other’s life depending on it.

Amazon | B&N | Kobo

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****GIVEAWAY****

5 winners will have their choice of eBook from the series.

1 Grand prize will win SIGNED copies of ALL FOUR BOOKS.

International

Click the Rafflecopter Entry link to ENTER!!!



I have literally JUST returned from Brigid Kemmerer’s Launch Party for her newest release, Spirit, the third novel in her epic Elemental Series, and I have goodies to share!!!

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But first, lets talk about today!  At the launch, Brigid read a scene from her book focusing on Hunter Garrity, answered questions about the covers (did you know authors have no say in their covers unless they pub themselves?), raffleled off some awesome gifecards to local stores in the area, shared stories about her school visits, and told us details about her dating experiences when she was in her late teens, early twenties!  It was an all around great time, and of course, I purchased a bunch of books–one of which is for one lucky reader of my blog!!

2013-06-01 15.02.05 2013-06-01 15.01.51Brigid also had stickers from her publisher, which she signed, and I’ve got one for the winner of the signed paperback as well!!  Are you excited yet?  I AM!

Originally I was planning to wait a few weeks to begin this giveaway since I already have two already running, but I can’t contain myself, so the giveaway is going live NOW!

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From Goodreads: With power comes enemies. Lots of them.

Hunter Garrity just wants to be left alone. He’s learned the hard way that his unusual abilities come at a price. And he can’t seem to afford any allies.

He’s up to his neck in hostiles. His grandfather, spoiling for a fight. The Merrick brothers, who think he ratted them out. Calla, the scheming psycho who wants to use him as bait.

Then there’s Kate Sullivan, the new girl at school. She’s not hostile. She’s bold. Funny. Hot. But she’s got an agenda, too.

With supposedly secret powers rippling to the surface everywhere around him, Hunter knows something ugly is about to go down. But finding out what means he’ll have to find someone he can trust…

To see my 5 star review, click HERE.

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To enter my giveaway, you must:

-Be 13 years or older (or have parent/guardian permission)

-Agree to HONESTLY REVIEW the novel via a blog (if you have one), or Goodreads, or any other media format you use for book reviews

-Fill in the mandatory question on rafflecopter (extra entries optional)

Click here to go to the Rafflecopter entry form!

This contest is open to USA ENTRANTS ONLY (sorry) and will end at 12:01am EST on June 25th. Please only enter once. The winner will be announced later on June 25th, and will receive email notification! Please read my giveaway policy and leave me a comment!



It’s that time again! For no other reason than that I like giveaways… we’re onto the TWENTY-FIFTH Recently Released Giveaway Goodness Giveaway!

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Many of these novels have recently released. I’ve included my reviews below to help you pick the novel you’d like to win. And honestly, there should be something here for everyone!

Interested? Of course you are! I’m offering ONE lucky winner one of these novels:

This is an INTERNATIONAL giveaway from the book depository, but you need to make sure they send to your country before entering–check here.

To enter you must:

-Be 13 years or older (or have parent/guardian permission)

-Fill in the mandatory question on rafflecopter (extra entries optional)

Click here to go to the Rafflecopter entry form!

This contest is open internationally and will end at 12:01am EST on July 1st. The winner will be announced later on July 1st, and will receive email notification! Please read my giveaway policy and leave me a comment!



et cetera