{April 6, 2014} {ARC Review} The Here and Now by Ann Brashares

From Goodreads: An unforgettable epic romantic thriller about a girl from the future who might be able to save the world . . . if she lets go of the one thing she’s found to hold on to.

Follow the rules. Remember what happened. Never fall in love.

This is the story of seventeen-year-old Prenna James, who immigrated to New York when she was twelve. Except Prenna didn’t come from a different country. She came from a different time—a future where a mosquito-borne illness has mutated into a pandemic, killing millions and leaving the world in ruins.

Prenna and the others who escaped to the present day must follow a strict set of rules: never reveal where they’re from, never interfere with history, and never, ever be intimate with anyone outside their community. Prenna does as she’s told, believing she can help prevent the plague that will one day ravage the earth.

But everything changes when Prenna falls for Ethan Jarves.

From Ann Brashares, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, The Here and Now is thrilling, exhilarating, haunting, and heartbreaking—and a must-read novel of the year.
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This was unlike any other time travel novel I’ve ever read, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Traveling back in time, Prenna, her mother, and a few survivors have come to the present, though they have no intention of trying to stop the plague that runs rampant in their own time.

With technology beyond the current times dreams, the elders run a strict regiment, one that Prenna is intent on defying for the good of society.
It’s scary how efficient the elders are, and one must question why they choose to do nothing to alter the future or save the time they come from. As I read this novel, I was never 100% certain who was truly right—Prenna and Ethan in their suspicions, the homeless man, the elders… Brashares has done a superb job keeping the reader guessing as the novel unfolds, and as events come to a head, the truth, a stunning truth, is revealed to all.

I really enjoyed the characterization of this novel, though truth be told, Prenna was a little weak in my eyes. She must go against the grain, and that is hard for anyone, but there were times that I really wanted her to take control, only to have her rely on Ethan when I wanted her to care for herself. And yet, it works for this novel. Having been brainwashed for much of her life, it makes sense that she is not as strong as some female leads we see in novels, and in retrospect, her reactions help drive the novel onwards. Overall, this is a great read that I highly suggest. Four stars.

In exchange for an honest review, Random House Children’s and Delacorte Press have been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to its release on April 8, 2014.

Amazon | Kindle | Barnes and Noble

{April 5, 2014} {Review} The Savage Protector by Tamara Rose Blodgett (Savage #5)

From Goodreads: Queen Clara has chosen her future king but as the Wedded Joining draws nearer, the Kingdom of Kentucky’s sphere continues to degrade. Relations with the outside are non-existent and the beleaguered people housed within the confines of the kingdom will soon be loosed to join the fragment.

Calia and Evie join forces to escape the plan that Edwin has for Calia’s future. Frantic to locate the women, Maddoc, Jonathan, Philip and Daniel join forces to cinch the net of safety around the pair before it’s too late.

Calia doesn’t long for a future where a male is the answer. However, when biology and destiny collide, she will find the choice that she wants the least, may be the correct one.

Will Calia be allowed to remain true to herself by protecting those she has vowed to defend? Can she overcome her past and be healed by the love of her one, true soulmate?
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This is another beautiful novel written by the ever talented Tamara Rose Blodgett. Her ability to captivate readers with not only her storyline, but also her imagery, characterization, and intense action sequence always makes her novels a joy to read, and The Savage Protector is no different.

I was drawn into this fifth novel in the series from the very first page, and as Blodgett continues the perilous story of Princess Clara, the band, the spheres, and the fragment, I was riveted to the spot. I absolutely adore the writing in this series. A bit archaic in nature, this world Blodgett has created is beyond amazing, and she designs it perfectly, from the clothes and character mentalities to the language and mannerism, it flows off the page in perfection.

And the imagery? Wow. I don’t usually reflect on the writing in novels–I usually am too wrapped up in the story itself, but in Blodgett’s novels, her writing flows so beautifully that it’s impossible not to notice, and on many an occasion it brought me up short, going back and rereading the beautiful imagery Blodgett presents, even in the more dire of situations within the text.

“The mans flesh opened like a terrible flower in full bloom, blood pouring from the petals.”

“Though the temperature was not truly freezing, the bite of winter was evident everywhere, with small patches of the previous week’s snow surrounding stranded islands of blond prairie grass.”

It is just beautiful, and this, mixed with the heart-pounding sequence of events, is definitely a must read.

I also love the way Blodgett intertwines her story, shifting between character viewpoints throughout the novel. Though the entire novel reads in third person, events unfold simultaneously, which creates the need to follow different characters on their perilous adventures throughout the story, bringing each separate entity back to the main story and intertwining them perfectly. While this is indeed the fifth novel in this amazing series, and I do suggest reading these novels in order, all the novels in the Savage series read as beautifully as this, and I highly suggest you start from the beginning if you have not already done so. Five stars.

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

Kindle

And, if you haven’t yet read any of this series, make sure you pick up the first three books, which are currently FREE at the time of this post.

Kindle

{April 5, 2014} The 99 Cent Club–Feature 91–Ten Books for Ten Bucks

Every Saturday I run a feature for the 99 Cent Club, and below are the ebook picks for this week that caught my eye and are currently ONLY 99 Cents on Amazon, with a few on Barnes and Noble as well. Many of these are NOT permanent prices, so please don’t shoot the messenger, and double check pricing before pressing the buy button. Enjoy! (If you could help give these authors some love by spreading the word, that would be epic.)

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Stilts by Tim O’Rourke

While eighteen-year-old, Tessa Dark was serving her prison sentence for murder, the world beyond her cell walls changed forever. The thunder came and destroyed the world she had once known.

Trapped inside the prison and faced with no future, Tessa’s only glimmer of hope is her friendship with fellow inmate Joe McBride.

Despite Tessa’s fear, Joe decides to go beyond the prison walls to seek help. But when he fails to return, Tessa is determined to go and search for him.

To gain her freedom, Tessa must first learn to walk, run, and fight on stilts if she is to survive the new and terrifying world on the other side of the prison walls.

‘Stilts’ – the first book in a new dystopian trilogy by #1 bestselling author Tim O’Rourke.

Find it on Amazon.

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Do Anything by Wendy Owens

A broken heart is only the beginning for her.

Bookworm Annabelle Hart thinks she’s found the love of her life. But when her fiancé’s philandering ways shatter their happy future, she decides she’s through playing the victim. Now, rather than read about life, she wants to live it—starting with a sabbatical from her editing job in Chicago to travel the world. But the past refuses to let her go so easily.

He thinks he has his life figured out.

After watching the woman he thought he loved walk away from him, Holden Blackburn is still picking up the pieces. Content with his life as the owner of an English Inn, just outside the sleepy town of Alton, he’s living his new and peaceful normal. That is, at least, until Annabelle stumbles into his life, and he’s overwhelmed by a desire to learn all he can about her. Now if only he can get her to stay in one place long enough.

Will they risk their hearts on a new chance at love?

When her past returns in a way she can’t ignore, Anna panics, running from any possible future with Holden. She’s determined to keep her life from falling apart again, but she soon discovers the only place she feels safe is in Holden’s arms.

But some things even he can’t protect her from.

*This book is priced at .99 as part of a new release special. It will soon return to it’s full retail price of $2.99.

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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As I Am by AnnaLisa Grant

From the author of The Lake Trilogy, comes a story about what it means to be truly seen…and to be taken just as you are.

“You’re not invisible. You’re invaluable.”

When Kinley Carmichael looks in the mirror, she doesn’t see her blonde-haired, blue-eyed, size 4 twin sister. She sees her dark-haired, brown-eyed, size 12 self.

Kinley and her twin sister Addison are excited to start their second summer as counselors at The Camp at Lake Hollis. All Kinley wants is to earn enough money to meet up with her mother so they travel the world as professional photographers. All Addison wants is to work on her tan, seduce a boy, and build her fashion budget. And while Kinley and Addison couldn’t be more opposite, nothing has ever stopped them from being the best of friends.

It’s an especially great summer for Kinley as the official camp photographer with Notre Dame Quarterback Cal Harper showing interest in her. But when artist Miller Conrad arrives and rejects Addison’s advances, showing more interest in Kinley, true colors will shine and the sisters’ bond will be tested.

As Kinley and Miller’s connection deepens, Kinley feels like she can truly be herself without the internal scrutiny she’s developed in the shadow of her sister. But when Kinley inadvertently uncovers a terrible secret, Miller is left facing the demons of his own reasons for coming to Lake Hollis.

What was supposed to be the greatest summer of Kinley’s life turns out to be more life-changing than she ever imagined.

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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Melting Away The Ice by Mary Smith

Sara Smith, a hard working lawyer, thought she found her true love. Unfortunately, that was a huge mistake. Now she goes home at night and avoids people. Until one day her best friend forces her to go to a hockey game.

Lucas Sharp, the Captain of the Chicago Eagles, has focused on one thing, winning the Cup. It was not until a meet and greet after the game that he saw Sara.
After finally going on a few dates Lucas knows that she is hiding something, but Sara won’t talk about it.

Will Lucas be able to melt away the ice on her heart and still win the Cup? Or will Sara keep her true-self frozen away from finding happiness.

Find it on Amazon.

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Breaking the Ice by Mary Smith

Rachel Silver is independent and likes it that way. It hardly bothers her that she hasn’t even had a relationship in over a year. Her goals are firmly set on her career. That was until her love of hockey, and her best friend, crossed paths with Max Crawford.

Even though Max Crawford has had a wild side, there was something about Rachel when he saw her for the first time. Maybe it was her smart mouth, or her sexy lips? Nonetheless, he wanted her.

Finally, Max is able to start a relationship with her, but will her stubborn attitude be the downfall of their relationship? Or could Max break the ice that hold her firm?

Find it on Amazon.

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Dark Trade by Miranda Kavi

A dangerous man.

A corrupt corporation.

A twisted love story.

Sophia is a HR manager at an energy company on the path to recovery following a family tragedy. After the executives pull her into a strange work meeting with Russian business partners, her life changes forever.

She meets Dmitri, a rumored international arms dealer under investigation in twenty-two countries. She knows better than to get involved, but she can’t stop herself. Their tumultuous relationship takes her to dangerous places and leads her on a path that uncovers corruption with her company and in her own morality.

Loving a criminal has dark consequences.

*Dark Trade is a sexy, suspenseful, dark romance. It contains mature subject matter and is intended for adults.*

Find it on Amazon.

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Watch Over Me by Tara Sivec

Due to heavy subject matter, this book is recommended for ages 17+.

From the USA Today Best Selling Author of A Beautiful Lie.

Addison Snow is your typical teenager. She has a family that loves her, friends that make her laugh, and she’s wrapped up in the excitement of graduating high school and going off to college to pursue her dream of becoming an author. When her mother, who also happens to be Addison’s best friend, dies unexpectedly, her world comes to a crashing halt.

Death changes everyone…

To make the pain go away, Addison and her father travel down separate, dark paths. She chooses to end her grief forever, while he drowns his sorrows in the bottom of a bottle. How do you learn to live again when the most important person in your life is gone?

Addison struggles to pick up the pieces of her life. Instead of getting back to being the carefree teenager she once was, she’s stuck handling all of the responsibilities that should have been her father’s. She has no time to grieve, no time for emotions, and no time for happiness…until Zander Reinhardt walks in. All it takes is one little handwritten note on a napkin to kick-start her back to life and help her realize that maybe there’s more to that life than pain.

But can it really be that simple? Can she really trust this man who makes her feel alive again for the first time in a year?

*This book is priced at .99 as part of a special. It will soon return to it’s full retail price of $2.99.

Find it on Amazon.

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Finding Charley by Casey Peeler

One bottle of Jack and the words “I’m sorry” are all it takes for Charley’s world to turn upside down… again. Charley has a decision to make. Does she sink or swim?

After Dylan reminds Charley that he always has the upper hand, she decides it’s time break free. But how? She uses her past, present, and what she hopes to be her future to find her freedom.

With the help of Cash Money and the Kluft Girls, she devises a plan to take down Dylan. Will she succeed, or will she find that she will never escape his hold? Once this plan is put in place, who will be by her side when it comes to an end? And will this plan include Jackalope Joe?

*This book is priced at .99 as part of a new release special. It will soon return to it’s full retail price of $2.99.

Find it on Amazon.

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Epic Love: 8 Bestselling Authors, 8 Bestselling Romance Novels by Sawyer Bennett, Lauren Blakely, Violet Duke, Karen Erickson, Jessie Evans, Melody Grace, Kendall Ryan, Lexi Ryan

Eight novels of hot, sweet, sexy, and true love in one limited edition boxed set, brought to you by eight of today’s hottest bestselling contemporary romance authors – Sawyer Bennett, Lauren Blakely, Violet Duke, Karen Erickson, Jessie Evans, Melody Grace, Kendall Ryan and Lexi Ryan. This special edition will be available for a limited time through April 10, now for just $0.99 — a $26.00 savings off the cost of these books purchased individually!

-Off Chance by USA Today Bestselling Author Sawyer Bennett

-Trophy Husband by NYT and USA Today Bestselling Author Lauren Blakely

-Finding the Right Girl by NYT and USA Today Bestselling Author Violet Duke

-Indulgent Pleasures by USA Today Bestselling Author Karen Erickson

-Keeping you by iTunes and International Bestselling Author Jessie Evans

-With Every Heartbeat by USA Today Bestselling Author Melody Grace

-Unravel Me by NYT and USA Today Bestselling Author Kendall Ryan

-Text Appeal by NYT and USA Today Bestselling Author Lexi Ryan

Find it on Amazon.

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Alphas After Dark (9 Book Bundle of Sexy Alpha Biker Bad Boys) by Vivien Arand, Deanna Chase, Marie Hall, Crista McHugh, M. Malone, SM Reine, Roxie Rivera, Kit Rocha, Mimi Strong

Contemporary Romance:

COLLATERAL by Roxie Rivera
Mob enforcer Ben Beciraj will do anything to protect sweet, beguiling heiress Aston McNeil from the seedy underworld he inhabits.

TANK by M. Malone
Fighting is how Tank Marshall stays sane. Violence is all he knows. Until he meets HER. Emma Shaw is the only person who brings him peace. But even she isn’t what she seems.

BLUE ROSES by Mimi Strong
A gruff motorbike shop owner tries to win the heart of a jaded florist.

BEYOND SOLITUDE by Kit Rocha.
When a motorcycle accident leaves Derek Ford riding a desk at the O’Kane compound, the last thing he needs is a sexy new assistant upending his office and his life.

Paranormal romance:

CAGED WOLF by SM Reine
Ofelia Hawke is stripping for bikers in Lobo Norte, where she finds herself drawn to a wolf named Trouble.

COPPER KING by Vivian Arend
Lillie is in Sin City looking for a fling, and grizzly shifter Jim Halcyon is pleased to oblige.

MARKED BY TEMPTATION by Deanna Chase
Mati Ballintine is a sex witch looking for a hot one-night stand, and sexy Vaughn Paxton is cocky enough to make her work for it.

RUMPEL’S PRIZE by Marie Hall
The dark prince Rumpelstiltskin is in need of a woman to break a curse.

SHATTERED WEB by Crista McHugh
Marcus is ordered to a trading post to solve the mysterious disappearance of all its occupants. The clues point to a woman he loved and lost.

**ALL 9 COMPLETE BOOKS (No Cliffhangers!) ARE INCLUDED IN THIS SPECIAL OFFER!**

Find it on Amazon.

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If you could help give these authors some love by spreading the word, that would be epic.

For more information about books on sale throughout the week, as well as giveaway updates, be sure to like A Book Vacation’s Facebook Page.

{April 4, 2014} {ARC Review} Frenzy by Robert Lettrick

From Goodreads: 14-year-old Heath Lambert is spending his summer at Camp Harmony in the picturesque Cascade Mountain Valley. It’s the perfect place to enjoy the soothing calm of nature as he weighs a heavy decision. The camp offers distractions: his friends, Cricket and Dunbar, always up for trouble; his reluctant crush on Emily, one half of the beautiful Em & Em Twins; and hulking bullies Thumper and Floaties, who are determined to make him their punching bag for the summer. But no one rattles Heath like his creepy cabin mate, Will Stringer. Brilliant, cold and calculating, Will views the world as one big chess game, and he’s always three moves ahead of everyone else.

Heath soon learns there’s a much bigger threat to contend with. Something’s wrong with the animals in the surrounding forest. A darkness is spreading, driving them mad with rage. Wolves, bears, mountain lions-even the chipmunks are infected, spurred on in droves by one horrific goal: hunt and kill every human they find.

Heath and a ragtag band of campers are faced with a choice: follow Will’s lead and possibly survive, or follow the camp staff and die. But how do you trust a leader when you suspect he’s more dangerous than the animals you’re running from?

Heath came to Camp Harmony to be surrounded by nature. He’s about to get his wish.
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What would happen if the land-dwelling animals of the world suddenly lost their fear/love of humans and began outright attacking us? It would be like a zombie apocalypse, but with animals, which in my opinion, is even more scary… and that’s exactly what Lettrick pens in his exciting novel, Frenzy. With an airborne virus that spreads an altered version of rabies, animals of all shapes and sizes are infected, shedding their fears and lusting for blood–mainly, the blood of humans.

Enter Heath, a young man who’s already staring death in the face due to a resurgence of cancer, and the prospects don’t look good. But at least he has this last summer pretending everything is okay. That is, until a brood of animals begins slaughtering his campmates.

With the river as their only respite from the hoards of animals intent on obliterating their existence, Heath and his “friends,” Cricket, the Ems, Will, Dunbar, Miles, and a handful of others find themselves trapped and running out of options fast.

This is a fast paced read that I highly enjoyed, and I think most MG and YA readers will feel the same. There is a lot of death within the novel–animals are quick, as it is, but even so, it’s a believable and enticing enough read–and thankfully it’s not too graphic.

While there are a lot of characters, Lettrick makes it easy to tell them apart and their plights are believable. It’s awesome. Four stars.

In exchange for an honest review, Disney-Hyperion has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to its release on April 8, 2014.

{April 3, 2014} {Review} Blood Duty by J.R. Tomlin and C.R. Daems

From Goodreads: In a remote mountain valley, a scout is tortured and killed in a brutal rite of summoning. An army of demons will soon be on the move. Fellow scout Jessup Inntour wouldn’t care very much if the empire he reluctantly serves is attacked, but the woman he loves is another matter.

Tamra Dervon, Captain of the Guard of Wayfare Keep, thinks her biggest problem is her love affair with Jessup. The scout is holding things back from her, and she doesn’t know what. But when the seemingly unbeatable army of demons invades, Tamra’s personal problems look very small. Tamra and Jessup find themselves leading a last-ditch defense. Their army is defeated. Jessup disappears in the retreat. As Tamra continues the struggle to defend her homeland, she discovers that another duty lies ahead — to face a demon horde alone.
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For those who really enjoy Fantasy novels, I highly suggest this book. Although my tastes have changed over the past few years and I’m no longer a fantasy fanatic, this novel definitely piqued my interest and kept me captivated from beginning to end. It’s a fast paced novel full of battle scenes and preparation as a blood-lusting King and his army, full of dark magic, march across the land, leaving no survivors. Bent on taking the kingdom of Ilkasar as they approach, the dark King and his mages torture and kill those in their paths, using magic to bind the dead to huge creatures of the dark. Jessup and Tamra, the two main characters of this novel, work to battle against the incoming force, but the army they are up against is much more than they can handle, and it will take an offset of strong magic to break the dark King and his army from taking over all the land.

I really enjoyed the imagery in this novel, and for me, it was like the battles of Helms Deep and Gondor (Lord of the Rings Series) in my mind. With the lumbering monsters and the evil army attaching the forge, it played out in my mind much the same, and it was great fun to read, especially as the defending kingdom is caught completely unawares. The Ixich is a great beast full of magic, and I could see it in my minds-eye as it attacked, using magic of its own to take down the enemy… in this case Tamra and Jessup and their army.

I also liked that in this world, woman fight as warriors alongside the men, and while Jessup is a talented scout, Tamra is the leader of the Keep’s army. She is a great warrior, though tied to her duty even though she wants nothing more than to ride off into the abyss with be lover, Jessup. I love that she is strong and that both men and women alike are shown as strong entities in this novel—it was a fresh change from the many fantasy books I’ve read where the women are helpless and the men must care for all.

Overall, this is a great novel that I highly recommend. Four stars.

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

Kindle | Barnes and Noble

(Free at time of this posting)

{April 2, 2014} {ARC Review} Do Anything by Wendy Owens

From Goodreads: A broken heart is only the beginning for her.

He thinks he has his life figured out.

But some things even he can’t protect her from.

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Annabelle Hart doesn’t have the greatest self-esteem. She tends to settle more often than she should, and she very rarely fights back when someone wrongs her. But when her world comes crumbling down—her fiancé’s true colors coming forth—Annabelle finally speaks up and begins to live for herself. Caught in a whirl-wind romance she wasn’t expecting, Annabelle begins to find herself, only to have a bomb shell dropped on her that changes everything.

This is a beautifully written story of heart-ache, new beginnings, and the fierceness of a mother’s love. Truth be told, I thought this NA novel was lovely from the very beginning, but it wasn’t necessarily setting itself apart from the many others I’ve read before it. That is, until Owens threw a kink into the story that I never expected; a kink that set this novel apart from all the rest, placing it in its own category of love and protection. And I loved it!

The characterization is superb—all the characters, even the despicable fiancé, are extremely real and easy to relate to, given the shifting circumstances throughout the novel. Annabelle has some extremely difficult choices to make throughout the novel, and I must say, I don’t envy her at all. And while I might not have made all the same choices in the end, she is an extremely strong character that came into herself as the novel unfolded, and I really enjoyed her.

Holden is, of course, extremely swoon-worthy, and I want him all to myself… Owens has indeed drafted the perfect man, and as he too picks up the pieces of his life, both his and Annabelle’s happily ever after dream is realized. Four stars.

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

Available now for just 99 cents!!

Amazon | Amazon UK | Barnes and Noble | Smashwords | iBooks

{April 2, 2014} {Blog Tour Review} Desolate by Amy Miles (The Immortal Rose #1)

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Desolate From Goodreads: A wedding massacre. An innocence stolen. Mortality stripped away.

In a single night, everyone Roseline Dragomir has ever loved is slaughtered before her eyes. Alone in the world and bound by a solemn marriage vow to a vicious murderer, she must find a strength buried deep within her to keep going or risk completely losing herself.

When a mysterious stranger crosses her path, Roseline will discover that not all immortals are evil. Some even bear emotional scars that run just as deep as her own.

Will she uncover a will not just to survive…but to fight back?

***DESOLATE is the first book of the prequel trilogy to my YA paranormal romance AROTAS trilogy. This book contains elements that may be sensitive for some YA readers. Please download a sample before purchasing this book to ensure it is suitable for your teen***

Desolate is book I of the Immortal Rose trilogy, prequel to the Arotas series.

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This is my first novel by Amy Miles, but it certainly won’t be my last! Desolate, the first in a prequel series to the bestselling Arotas trilogy, is indeed a beautiful novel, and though dealing with difficult topics such as abuse, rape, and attempted suicide, Miles eloquently addresses these issues, breaking Roseline down before building her back up again. I can’t say I didn’t cringe as the story unfolded, but I will say that it is a beautiful portrayal of resilience and self-worth.

As Desolate deals with incredibly sensitive issues, I was thankful that Miles didn’t flaunt the events, or give the gritty details. She glosses over many, instead giving the reader just enough information to make the peril and torture Rose is experiencing obvious for readers, but also leaving much to the imagination. But even so, it is enough to cause my heart to bleed for Rose. Miles has put herself in the shoes of an abuse victim and shown the inner depths of hatred, fear, and loss of innocence.

The characterization of this novel was superb, and though I absolutely hate Rose’s husband, a forced union knit together through sociopathic tendencies on his part, Miles portrays a true sociopath vividly, putting the reader right in the midst of events. And while I truly don’t want to experience anything Rose goes through in this novel, Miles makes it impossible not to feel as the novel unfolds. Rose in my hero.

I will admit that some of the events in the novel proved to be a bit much for me; I can’t fathom anyone reading this novel and walking away unscathed, but Miles has done a superb job expressing Rose’s experiences, and I can’t wait for the next novel in the series, and to read the Arotas trilogy itself, as I know Rose becomes stronger for all her suffering. Four stars.

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

iBooks | Amazon | Amazon UK

Coming Soon:

Barnes and Noble

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About Amy Miles:

Amy Miles has been a carbaholic since birth and is hopelessly addicted to Frozen Cokes. When she’s not chatting with fans on Facebook she can be found goofing off with family, traveling or stomping her husband at golf. She is an obsessive writer and an avid reader who loves to chat about all things books.

She is the author of the Forbidden, Reckoning, Redemption and Evermore of the Arotas Series. Also Defiance Rising and Relinquish of the Rising Trilogy. She has a stand alone romance, Captivate and has just begun releasing books in her Immortal Rose prequel trilogy.

Want to know what she is currently working on? Check out her website: www.AmyMilesBooks.com
Follow on Twitter: @AmyMilesBooks
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AmyMiles.Author

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And don’t miss out on this deal: Get all three books in the Arotas series for just $4.99

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks

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{April 1, 2014} {Cover Reveals and Giveaway} Crows Row and Scare Crow by Julie Hockley

Crows Row (Crows Row #1)

(Re-edited & new content!)

Release Date: April 11th 2014

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For college student Emily Sheppard, the thought of spending a summer alone in New York is much more preferable than spending it in France with her parents.

Just completing her freshman year at Callister University, Emily faces a quiet summer in the city slums, supporting herself by working at the campus library.

During one of her jogs through the nearby cemetery while visiting her brother Bill’s grave, Emily witnesses a brutal killing—and then she blacks out. When Emily regains consciousness, she realizes she’s been kidnapped by a young crime boss and his gang.

She is hurled into a secret underworld, wondering why she is still alive and for how long.

Held captive in rural Vermont, she tries to make sense of her situation and what it means. While uncovering secrets about her brother and his untimely death, Emily falls in love with her very rich and very dangerous captor, twenty- six-year-old Cameron. She understands it’s a forbidden love and one that won’t allow her to return to her previous life.

But love may not be enough to save Emily when no one even knows she is missing.

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Scare Crow

(Crows Row #2)

Release Date: April 16th 2014

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Nineteen-year-old Emily Sheppard is losing her sanity.

Ever since her mob king boyfriend, Cameron Hillard, abandoned her for her own good, Emmy has been attempting to move on with her charmed college student life as if nothing happened. Now rejected from the underworld and left grieving over Cameron’s alleged death, Emmy realizes she belongs nowhere. Worse yet, she is now keeping a dangerous secret.

After just a short time with Emily, Cameron has lost control over his world.

As he miserably attempts to return to what is left of his life and unravel the mess he has made of the underworld, Emily’s hate turns to desperation. She needs to kill the kingpins responsible for Cameron’s death before they come looking for her. As Cameron secretly observes Emily, he has no idea of the danger he has placed her in—or that it may already be too late for him to save her.

***Scare Crow is a tale of revenge, terror, and love as Emmy and Cameron embark on separate journeys to face enemies, correct past mistakes, and…………..* *find their way to their destinies.***

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A former germaphobe and clean-freak turned mother of two, Julie collects enough tears and snot in a month to recreate Slimer Monster from Ghostbusters. Other than playing devoted wife and mama, Julie is the funniest person in the room (according to the 3 year-old and 2 year-old in said room) and can build the most awesome Lego rocket ship you’ve ever set your eyes on (according to her). Oh, and she has a full time career and has also written a bestselling novel. Superhero, or just downright insane?

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{April 1, 2014} Recently Released Giveaway Goodness #35–April

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

Many of these novels have recently released. I’ve included my reviews below to help you pick the novel you’d like to win!

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.

Bubble by Anders de la Motte
Alienated by Melissa Landers
Vengeance by Megan Miranda
Doing Harm by Kelly Parsons
Perfect Lies by Kiersten White
Anything to Have You by Paige Harbison
The Drowned Forest by Kristopher Reisz
And We Stay by Jenny Hubbard

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 May 1st. The winner will receive email notification! Please read my giveaway policy and leave me a comment!

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And, check out the other giveaways running on the blog:

Win a SIGNED Paperback of The Darkest Joy by Marata Eros–ENDS April 8

Win a Paperback of Easy by Tammara Webber–ENDS April 8

Win SIGNED Paperbacks of The Dowser Series by Meghan Ciana Doidge–ENDS April 8

4 Will Win a Ebook of The Kiera Hudson Prequels 2 AND a Signed Print of the Cover–ENDS April 11

Win 6 Awesome Novels in Celebration of 2000 FB Likes!–ENDS April 26

{April 1, 2014} {Press Release} Elephantine Publishing Grand Opening

While sharing marketing tips and discussing cover art, independent authors Amanda Aksel, Heather Hildenbrand, and Sara Panek all came to the same conclusion; wouldn’t it be great if there was a publishing house that offered all the resources of traditional publishing, while still allowing the creative freedom of independent publishing? They set out to create their vision, and Elephantine Publishing was born.

Elephantine is a collaborative publisher. Their goal is to partner with authors to turn a love of writing into a successful career for years to come. They work side by side with authors through every step of the publishing process to create a unique and professional title to share with the world. Using strategic marketing, Elephantine provides their authors with industry tools and resources to build readership and grow sales.

Elephantine’s aim is simple: To provide access to all stories worth telling, whether or not the words fit into a neatly labeled box. Words that resonate in your bones. Stories you’ll never forget.

Become a part of the herd!

Read the guidelines and submit your query.

{March 31, 2014} {Review} The Knowing by L.J. Charles (Gemini Women #1)

From Goodreads: Not everyone can stay sane watching murder through the eyes of the killer, feeling him kill. She’s Haitian, born from love, raised with strength. Can she stop the visions if she stops the killer? His secrets threaten to destroy her world. Which one will survive?
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This was a fun paranormal novel surrounding a psychic connection between a young woman and a murderer. Nia struggles when the snow comes; it means that the murderer is on the prowl, and soon she’ll witness him murder again, just as she does every year… but this year she decides to do something about it. Though perhaps not the most rational of ideas, she runs to the warmest climate she can find in a pinch: Hawaii. Little does she know, this is exactly what the killer wants…

Though a little unrealistic at times, The Knowing was a good read overall. It was fun getting to know Nia; she’s a little bit spacey and flakey at times, and I definitely had my “yelling through the pages” moments as she made a few poor decisions, but with the help of unlikely friends, she stays on top of it all in this game of cat and mouse, a game that ends with a suspenseful climax that had me on the edge of my seat.

Though I didn’t necessarily find Nia’s relationships with the people of Hawaii to be too believable—they were all just a little too accepting, especially Trace and Whitney—I also have never lived in Hawaii, and I have indeed heard it is a much more laid back place. While it has it’s own share of crime, the people there tend to be just a little more understanding, so as I reflect, I have to note that yes, it actually is possible… it just isn’t be the way I personally approach people. I would have liked the relationship building here to have been a little more in-depth, I guess, because then I might have felt it was more believable as I read, but either way, in the end, it works for the story.

There is a lot of action in the novel surrounding Haitian roots, and it was fun to learn the lore as well as learn the true reason that Nia is connected to a psychopathic killer. I have to admit I wasn’t ready for the reveal—and neither was Nia—but as it’s revealed relatively early on in the story, it grew on me and as everything began to fall into place, it began to make perfect sense. Three stars.

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

Amazon | Kindle | Barnes and Noble

{March 30, 2014} {Review} Blue Moon by Pat Spence (The Blue Crystal Trilogy #1)

From Goodreads: “Forget vampires,” he laughed dismissively.

“Who wants to drink blood for eternity? What we have discovered is far more seductive and a great deal more dangerous…”

When 17-year old Emily Morgan meets beautiful but strange Theo de Lucis, there is an immediate attraction between them. But what is his secret? What ancient link ties him to Emily? And what is the significance of the Blue Moon Ball?

As Emily is drawn irrevocably into the glamorous and mysterious world of the de Lucis family, so she is forced to change every perception she has ever had about life, love, aging and death. The truth is terrifying and the consequences unthinkable…

A supernatural horror story, based on society’s obsession with aging and the desire for eternal youth, Blue Moon is the first book in the ‘Blue Crystal’ trilogy…

“For all ‘Twilight’ fans who want a change from vampires, this is the book for you.”
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This is an interesting look at the fountain of youth myth that has followed mankind since its conception. No one wants to grow old and die, and the idea of an element that can stop death in its tracks is indeed a great one. Imagine if there were a crystal that, through bathing in its light could restore your youth to you for all eternity? Now, imagine shadow creatures who are forever searching for this crystal, wishing to become human, who will stop at nothing to obtain it? Intriguing, right? It is, and I really enjoyed this aspect of the novel, though I would have loved more of the story to be devoted to these two elements. As the novel stands, we are given glimpses of these entities, but their presence is more or less felt but not seen. Hence, I am hoping that more comes of them in the second novel in the series.

While I liked this novel overall, I will admit that there are a vast number of similarities between it and Twilight/New Moon, which I have to say lessoned a bit of the fun of this novel because the story itself was not necessarily unique in this aspect. The instant attraction between Emily and Theo, the underlying secret kept, Emily’s curiosity and sleuthing, the near fatal accident that puts it all in perspective for her, and the appearance of the three Guardians and their ultimatum are just a few of the many similarities that brought Meyer’s novels to the mind. In turn, this made it hard for me to really focus on Blue Moon because my mind continued to assess similarities while I read.

I’ve read many books that are similar to others in this respect, but depending on the storyline and the differences, it’s either easily overlooked on my part, or impossible to ignore. I’m sorry to say that in this instance, I had a hard time ignoring the similarities and focusing on the originality, but do note that originality is indeed there. Spence adds in elements of horror, though not horror in the way that I usually think of it—there is no blood and guts strewn about—but there is a darkness that follows the story, giving it small elements of horror in a more suspenseful manner, such as the shadow creatures.

I really enjoyed the introduction of the shadow creatures, the shape shifters, and the crystal itself, and I would have loved the novel to give a more intensive look at all these aspects instead of focusing so much on Emily, who is indeed a very aggravating character. But even so, Spence has created the perfect workings for her next novel should she choose to pursue the shadow creature angle.

In regard to Emily, well, she is not my favorite, which is unfortunate, but understandable. Emily and I are two completely different people, and whereas she acts and defies those around her, I tend to listen to reason and observe from the sidelines. Her intense desire to know everything that is happening around her puts her into situations that I found to have been avoidable had she thought more clearly before acting, but even so, she is not me. And though I do not agree with many of her choices throughout the novel, she is still a very real representation of rash, curious people, and although I personally didn’t like her, Spence did a great job making her a valid character.

Theo is perhaps my favorite of the novel. Intent on keeping Emily safe, though cryptic in his explanations, he has a good heart and will do anything for her and his family in order to keep them all safe. He, like Emily, is driven by passion more than reason, and yet it works for him… perhaps I dislike Emily so much because I am jealous?

The novel is told in first person from Emily’s viewpoint, but occasionally switches to third person in a few chapters as outside elements unfold—those Emily is not privy to. It was a bit jarring at first, but as the novel progressed, I found that it worked well and that I thoroughly enjoyed this style. First person narration is in fact my favorite narration, but in order to get all the information concerning events unfolding, third person was needed, and I think that was a great choice on Spence’s part.

Overall, this is a good story that looks at the depths people are willing to go to procure beauty. Three stars.

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

Amazon | Kindle | Barnes and Noble

{March 30, 2014} {Review} Enemy in Blue by Derek Blass (The Cruz Marquez Thrillers)

From Goodreads: YOU KNOW WHO YOUR ENEMY IS?

The streets aren’t safe when your enemy wears a blue uniform and a gold badge.

What if the good guys weren’t good?

What if a cop went rogue and killed an innocent man?

What if it was all caught on video and the cop would do anything to cover it up?

Chase this lawless cop through the streets and to a scintillating series of showdowns with Cruz Marquez, a young attorney trying to nail down his enemy in blue.

Will justice be served?

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Imagine if you witnessed a murder but couldn’t go to the police. Who would you turn to? As I read this novel, I kept thinking, call the police! But these people WERE the police, and obviously no help was going to come to their aide. I know there are crooked people in all walks of life, but this novel really made me sit back and wonder how many crooked cops are actually out there… I seem to hear about it on the news every other day, though I’d like to think that if I had a problem I could call on them. This novel, however, shows a very ugly side that I never want to see, and that I’m going to say is unusual and not the norm because it’ll help me sleep better at night.

This is definitely a thriller. The characterization is superb and it’s full of heart stopping actions that keeps going and going… it was really good, but it also felt just a tad too long. The novel came to its climax at about half-way through, and at that point, it could have ended, but instead it kept going, focusing more on new characters and situations that revolved around the original ones, but weren’t necessarily needed to carry the original story.

In light of the length, it seems that Blass has taken reviews of his original novel into account, and indeed did split his novel into two separate segments–The Chase and The Trial. In retrospect, I think this is a great idea on his part, and I’m glad he did so–though I read the original version which was the novel in its entirety. Regardless, though, it’s a very well thought out story that will leave readers questioning just how safe they really are… and I highly suggest picking up Enemy in Blue: The Chase to get a feel for Blass’ writing. The cover I have shown here is for part one: The Chase. Four stars.

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

Amazon | Kindle | Barnes and Noble

{March 30, 2014} {99 Cent Sale} Kiss Kiss: 12 Full-Length Novels in One Limited Edition Set

Fall In Love with 12 full-length novels in one limited edition set by some of today’s hottest romance authors, including USA Today Best Selling Authors, J. Sterling, Tara Sivec, and Tiffany King.

Authors and Books include:

Melissa Brown- Bouquet Toss

Jillian Dodd- That Boy

Priscilla Glenn- Back to You

Tiffany King- Unlikely Allies

Michelle Mankin- Love Revolution

Charles Sheehan-Miles- A Song For Julia

Michelle Pace & Tammy Coons- The Perpetual Quest for the Perfect Life

Andrea Randall- Ten Days of Perfect

Tara Sivec- A Beautiful Lie

J. Sterling- Chance Encounters

Michelle Warren- Protecting Truth

Ashley Wilcox- Waiting on Forever

Right now this compilation is on SALE for $.99 (at time of this post)!!!! PLEASE check the price before hitting BUY.

These e-books would cost over $40 if purchased separately.

This set will be be available for a limited time, so get yours today!!

Buy it on Amazon

{March 29, 2014} {Epic 99 Cent Sale} Destiny’s Dark Fantasy Boxed Set (Eight Book Bundle) by Tamara Rose Blodgett, JL Bryan, Karina Halle, Kristen Middleton, SM Reine, and Alexia Purdy

With over 1,022 5-star reviews across all 8 titles, this is a deal that you just can’t pass up–an eight full-length novel collaboration of New York Times, USA Today and Amazon Top 100 Horror Bestselling Authors at a special price, just 99 cents!!!

Explore eight different worlds of vampire, werewolves, post-apocalyptic aftermath, supernatural humanity, necromancy, zombies, government conspiracy, and ghosts in one tight bundle of bestselling dark fantasy fiction.

Young adult to new adult elements reign supreme in this tense collection of intrigue, suspense, thriller, comedic dialog, war, romantic tension and out-of-the-box writing styles. If you’re a reader that craves the unique, this bundle’s for you!

Get it on AMAZON

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DEATH WHISPERS (The Death Series) – Tamara Rose Blodgett

Almost fifteen-year-old Caleb Hart is a Cadaver-Manipulator in the year 2025. When teens receive a government-sanctioned pharmaceutical cocktail during school, paranormal abilities begin manifesting… making the teens more powerful than the adults.

After Caleb discovers he has the rare, Affinity for the Dead, he must do whatever it takes to hide it from a super-secret government agency whose goal is exploitation.

Caleb seeks refuge in his new girlfriend, Jade, until he realizes that she needs as much protection from her family, as he does from the government.

Suddenly, Caleb finds that hiding his ability while protecting Jade and his friends is a full time job; can he escape the government, protect Jade and lose the bullies that are making him miserable?

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BLOOD SINGERS (The Blood Series) – Tamara Rose Blodgett

A sub-species of human beings…

Twenty-year old Julia Wade, a young woman tragically widowed, is in the middle of a bizarre bid between two mythical species who are vying for the unique properties she offers; her blood. The vampires need her to balance the food load of the human species and give them their coveted “Lightwalkers.” The Were wish to be moonless changers; a Rare One can make that a reality.

Julia wants to belong to herself.

Can she free herself and begin a new life?

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THE PEARL SAVAGE (The Savage Series) – Tamara Rose Blodgett

Seventeen-year old princess, Clara Williamson, lives an old-fashioned existence in a biosphere of the future.

When her sadistic mother, Queen Ada, betroths her to an abusive prince of a neighboring sphere, Clara determines to escape Outside, where savages roam free.

Clara escapes tyranny only to discover the savages are not the only people who survived the cataclysmic events of one hundred forty years prior.

Once Outside, Clara finds herself trapped, unable to return to the abusive life of the sphere while facing certain danger Outside.

Can Clara find love and freedom with the peril that threatens to consume her?

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JENNY POX (The Paranormals)- J.L. Bryan

Eighteen-year-old Jenny Morton has a horrific secret: her touch spreads a deadly supernatural plague, the “Jenny pox.” She lives by a single rule: Never touch anyone. A lifetime of avoiding any physical contact with others has made her isolated and painfully lonely in her small rural town.

Then she meets the one boy she can touch. Jenny feels herself falling for Seth…but if she’s going to be with him, Jenny must learn to use the deadly pox inside her to confront his ruthless and manipulative girlfriend Ashleigh, who secretly wields the most dangerous power of all.

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Not recommended for readers under eighteen.

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DARKHOUSE (Experiment in Terror)- Karina Halle

There’s always been something a bit off about Perry Palomino. Though she’s been dealing with a quarter-life crisis and post-college syndrome like any other twentysomething, she’s still not what you would call “ordinary.” For one thing, there’s her past which she likes to pretend never happened, and then there’s the fact that she sees ghosts. Luckily for her, that all comes in handy when she stumbles across Dex Foray, an eccentric producer for an upcoming webcast on ghost hunters. Even though the show’s budget is non-existent and Dex himself is a maddening enigma, Perry is instantly drawn into a world that both threatens her life and seduces her with a sense of importance. Her uncle’s haunted lighthouse provides the perfect catalyst and backdrop for a horrific mystery that unravels the threads of Perry’s fragile sanity and causes her to fall for a man, who, like the most dangerous of ghosts, may not be all that he seems.

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ZOMBIE GAMES (ORIGINS)- Kristen Middleton

Seventeen year old Cassandra Wild thought living in the chaos of her mother’s home daycare and dealing with her developing feelings for Bryce, her new Martial Arts’ instructor, was a struggle, until the night her world turned upside down.

When an untested vaccine kills more than just a rampant flu virus, Cassie learns how to survive in a world where the dead walk, and the living…run!

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SIX MOON SUMMER (Seasons of the Moon)- SM Reine

Rylie’s been bitten.

She’s changing.

And now she has three months to find a cure before becoming a werewolf… forever.

Rylie Gresham hates everything about summer camp: the food, the fresh air, the dumb activities, and the other girls in her cabin. But the worst part is probably being bitten by a werewolf. Being a teenager is hard enough, but now she’s craving raw flesh and struggles with uncontrollable anger. If she doesn’t figure out a way to stop the transformation, then at the end of summer, her life is worse than over. She’ll be a monster.

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REIGN of BLOOD ( Reign of Blood)- Alexia Purdy

Never tease anything that wants to eat you.

My name is April Tate and my blood is the new gold. Vampires and hybrids have overrun my world, once vibrant with life, but now a graveyard of death shrouded in shadows. I fight to survive; I fight for my mother and brother. The journey is full of turns that I am quite unprepared for. And I’m just hoping to make it to the next Vegas sunrise…”

In a post-apocalyptic world, a viral epidemic has wiped out most of the earth’s population, leaving behind few humans but untold numbers of mutated vampires. April is a seventeen-year-old girl who lives in the remains of Las Vegas one year after the outbreak. She has become a ferocious vampire killer and after her family is abducted, she goes searching for them. What she finds is a new breed of vampire, unlike any she has seen before. Unsure of whom she can trust, she discovers that her view of the world is not as black and white as she once thought, and she’s willing to bend the rules to rescue her family. But in trying to save them, she may only succeed in bringing her fragile world crashing down around her.

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AMAZON

{March 29, 2014} The 99 Cent Club–Feature 90–Ten Books for Ten Bucks

Every Saturday I run a feature for the 99 Cent Club, and below are the ebook picks for this week that caught my eye and are currently ONLY 99 Cents on Amazon, with most on Barnes and Noble as well. I don’t know if these are permanent prices, so please don’t shoot the messenger, and double check pricing before pressing the buy button. Enjoy! (If you could help give these authors some love by spreading the word, that would be epic.)

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One Tiny Secret by Adam Kunz

**Mature Content Warning** Recommended for 17+ due to language, violence, and sexual content.

Just one tiny secret has the potential to ruin everything.

Being the daughter of the sheriff in a small town like Holden Ridge means that eighteen-year-old Danielle “Dani” Marks’ life is under constant surveillance. She’s made a habit of staying under the radar by being a floater among social circles at school, which has kept her out of trouble—until now.

After a missing persons case stirs up the entire town, Dani finds herself caught right in the middle of the scandal. When she’s labeled a possible suspect, things quickly go from bad to worse. The sudden return of her old flame, Parker Reed, manages to make her whole situation even more complicated.

When an elusive unknown person begins to blackmail Dani by threatening to reveal her deepest secrets, Dani refuses to play along. That is, until the person’s actions take a violent turn. Holden Ridge begins to lose its sense of quaint town security, and Dani is caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse.

Who can she trust when anyone around her could be a suspect?

One thing’s for certain though: Never underestimate the power of one tiny secret.

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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Devil Creek by Casey L. Bond

What is your greatest fear? For Aislin, it is the fear of being alone. She grew up in and out of foster care along with her brother, Declan. When he is killed by an IED blast while serving in Afghanistan, she leans on her brother’s best friend, Gabriel. The two become inseparable.

When she catches her fiancée in bed with another girl? She isn’t even that upset. Mad as hell? Yes. As angry as she should be? No. That’s the moment she realizes that she isn’t in love with her fiancée. She is in love with her best friend, Gabriel. The only problem is that Gabe doesn’t think he should cross the boundary between friend and lover with his dead best friend’s sister. He wants her. He just doesn’t want to want her. And, therein lies the problem.
After Aislin is attacked by a man she tried to love with her head in an attempt to heal her heart from rejection, she and Gabriel have one night of bliss together. Only one though. Gabriel gets spooked and runs. He is afraid. Afraid that Aislin will hate him for taking advantage of her vulnerability. Three years and nine months later, Gabe comes home to find Aislin with a dark-haired wanna-be rock star and a three year old little girl with familiar blue eyes. Seeing her with Jude, makes his blood boil. But does Gabriel deserve her? No. Does he want her? With every fiber of his being. He will do anything it takes to win her heart. He wants a place in her life and in the life of her daughter. What is in the cards for Gabriel and Aislin? Can love survive without trust? Welcome to Devil Creek.

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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Destiny’s Dark Fantasy Boxed Set (Eight Book Bundle)

An eight full-length novel collaboration of New York Times, USA Today and Amazon Top 100 Horror Bestselling Authors at a special price!

8 full-length novels

Over 1,022 5-star reviews across all 8 titles!Explore eight different worlds of vampire, werewolves, post-apocalyptic aftermath, supernatural humanity, necromancy, zombies, government conspiracy, and ghosts in one tight bundle of bestselling dark fantasy fiction.

Young adult to new adult elements reign supreme in a tense collection of intrigue, suspense, thriller, comedic dialog, war, romantic tension and out-of-the-box writing styles. If you’re a reader that craves the unique, this bundle’s for you!1 – DEATH WHISPERS (The Death Series) – Tamara Rose Blodgett 2 – BLOOD SINGERS (The Blood Series) – Tamara Rose Blodgett

3 – THE PEARL SAVAGE (The Savage Series) – Tamara Rose Blodgett

4 – JENNY POX (The Paranormals)- J.L. Bryan

5 – DARKHOUSE (Experiment in Terror)- Karina Halle

6 – ZOMBIE GAMES (ORIGINS)- Kristen Middleton

7 – SIX MOON SUMMER (Seasons of the Moon)- SM Reine

8 – REIGN of BLOOD ( Reign of Blood)- Alexia Purdy

Find it on Amazon.

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Twelve to Murder by Lauren Carr

Two people are brutally murdered in their summer place on Deep Creek Lake. Suspected of the murders, former child star and one-time teenybopper idol Lenny Frost takes innocent bystanders hostage in a local pub and demands that Mac Faraday find the killer. Can Mac save the hostages and himself from the wrath of the enraged has-been by piecing together the clues in less than twelve hours, or will it be a fatal last call at the stroke of midnight?

Find it on Amazon.

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Dear Emily by Trudy Stiles

Two women. Carly and Tabitha. They each have suffered life-altering events that have left them both traumatically damaged.

Carly Sloan’s life was perfect until her security and innocence was torn from her. The vast repercussions from horrific events threaten to destroy her stability and her chances for a happily ever after. Kyle Finnegan comes into Carly’s life at the height of her turmoil. Can he help her find what she desires most?

Tabitha Fletcher has constantly suffered from a very young age. She has been hiding from her past, which was full of sadness, loss and abuse. She has been so brutally damaged that she has very little hope for redemption. The revolving door of men only leads her deeper into misery.

What circumstance brings these two women together and can they help each other heal? And will they each find what they need?

Redemption.
Love.
Family.

“Dear Emily” is the first book in the “Forever Family” series.

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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Illusions Begin by N.L. Greene

Katherine Rebecca has always done exactly what was expected of her. Her prim and proper upbringing taught her the importance of family, sacrifice, and social stature. She has followed in her parents’ footsteps, being trained and groomed daily almost from birth, to take over the family law firm. It was never a question of IF she wanted to but WHEN she would take the reins of the company. She worked rigorously toward that predetermined goal her entire life. She gave up friends, boyfriends, and an exciting social life in order to propel herself through school and college. Katherine Rebecca strives to please her parents. More than anything, she basked in their praise and approval. But now, at 21 years old, she finds herself leading a life that is nothing like the life she imagined for herself.

Becky has always possessed a deep love of magic. Ever since she was a small child she has been fascinated with magicians, illusions, mystery, and the vague hope that there was some sort of real magic in the world. But this is a secret no one knows, or at least that’s what she thought. Until one day Becky finds a mysterious business card in her pocket that leads her to an equally mysterious man. He opens up a whole new world of possibilities to her, one with a tantalizing proposition that she never thought imaginable.

Could magic actually be real?

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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A Secret Life by Rachael Brownell

“I think you and I were meant to meet. I think all of this was supposed to happen. You are my destiny.”

She never thought that her life would be this complicated. Or this dangerous. Running from her past, Kat and her mom end up in a small Colorado town when Kat run’s directly into her future. She changes everything about herself to try and blend into the background, to go unnoticed. She pushes everyone away and erects walls around herself and her heart. As hard as she tries, though, Kat can’t seem to escape the pull that Cam has on her.

Cam has never been so intrigued by anyone. Not only is Kat the most gorgeous girl he’s ever seen but also the most mysterious. She’s hiding something and he’s hell-bent on finding out what it is. The only problem is that she’s trying to shut him out which only furthers his determination to get close to her.

When Kat learns that her past is catching up with her again she has to run, leaving Cam, and her broken heart, behind.

Find it on Amazon.

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Fall into Forever by Beth Hyland

A girl with a past she can’t remember. A guy with a past he can’t forget.

Ivy McAllister had it all. Perfect boyfriend. Perfect life. Perfect future. Or so they tell her. Because one night, on a dark country road, a fiery crash changed everything…and Ivy can’t remember what happened.

Now, two years later, at a new college far from home, she tries to regain control of her life, but her plans don’t include a tattooed, motorcycle-riding, indie music-obsessed guy with his own sorority girl fan club.

Jon Priestly is the hottest guy at Pacific State University. Just ask his groupies. But with a dark past he must keep hidden, he shuts himself off emotionally and trusts no one. That is…until he meets a broken girl with haunting green eyes and secrets of her own.

Ivy shouldn’t be attracted to Jon. They’re wrong for each other in every possible way. Yet as they spend time together, something about him—everything about him—feels so right.
But when threats from her past make her question what little she does remember, Ivy must decide whether to run again or trust the one person she can’t live without.

*** Due to mature situations, strong language and drug references, this is not intended for readers under 18. ***

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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Dressed in White by Jessica Gibson

Lorelei Peters had everything she had ever dreamed of. Amazing friends, a sexy boyfriend, and a job that she absolutely loved.

Dillon Brockwell was all she had ever wanted. Handsome, successful, and he loved her as much as she loved him. Life was going along the way it was supposed to, until someone from Dillon’s past shows up and shatters everything to pieces.

Can Lorelei and Dillon get through all the craziness and make it down the aisle? Or will lies of omission be enough to derail them forever.

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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More With You by Kaylee Ryan

Hailey and Aiden’s story

Hailey MacCoy has had a crush on Aiden since the day she met him. Over time that crush has intensified. Hailey feels she has to keep her feelings hidden due to his friendship with her brother. She struggles with the fact that Aiden only sees her as his best friends little sister.

Aiden Emerson is lusting after his best friends little sister. Hailey is all of a sudden grown up and Aiden can’t stop thinking about her. She has become an important part of his life over the last year. The thought of losing her is just not an option for him.

They find themselves thrown together and surrounded by wedding planning and events. Filling the roles of Maid of Honor and Best Man for their siblings. Hailey and Aiden are battling their hearts desire. Fighting against what they think they can’t have.

Can Aiden and Hailey resist temptation? Can they open their hearts for more?

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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If you could help give these authors some love by spreading the word, that would be epic.

For more information about books on sale throughout the week, as well as giveaway updates, be sure to like A Book Vacation’s Facebook Page.

{March 28, 2014} {Blog Tour: Review and Excerpt} Twelve to Murder by Lauren Carr (Mac Faraday Mysteries #7)

Twelve to Murder Review:

From Goodreads: Two people are brutally murdered in their summer place on Deep Creek Lake. Suspected of the murders, former child star and one-time teenybopper idol Lenny Frost takes innocent bystanders hostage in a local pub and demands that Mac Faraday find the killer. Can Mac save the hostages and himself from the wrath of the enraged has-been by piecing together the clues in less than twelve hours, or will it be a fatal last call at the stroke of midnight?

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If you’ve ever wondered about the has-beens, the child stars that disappear from view, who wake up one morning and realize they’ve passed their prime and they’re not even 20 yet, then this is definitely a story for you. Complete with murder, mayhem, and a mystery that will keep you guessing, Carr once again delivers a punch with her latest Mac Faraday novel, Twelve to Murder.

Like all Carr’s other novels, Twelve to Murder glued me to its pages from the very start, and while this murder mystery looks like it may be a cut and dried whodunit, Carr’s expertise keeps readers guessing as the twists and turns unfold.

Mac Faraday is perhaps my favorite sleuth of all time. He’s rational and extremely good at what he does, and I always get excited when another novel in the series releases. Carr’s novels maintains an air of mystery yet is offset with humor as Farday’s fiancé Archie and his canine “helper” Gnarly come of the scene. The characterization of all the characters, both stationary and new is always superbly done, and Carr’s latest release, Twelve to Murder, is no different. I love her attention to detail and the many “aha” moments as it all unfolds. The fact that each of these novels can stand alone is also a testament to Carr’s sheer writing ability, though you don’t want to miss out on any of Mac Faraday’s awesome mysteries, so make sure you read them all—Twelve to Murder is as good a place to start as any! Four stars!

I received this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review–scoop it up, it’s only 99 cents on Kindle!!

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Discuss this book in our PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads by clicking HERE

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Book Excerpt:

Stillman Mansion on Deep Creek Lake, Maryland

Sunday: 6:12 am

“Austin is back this year,” Olivia said in rhythm with the pace she had set for her power walk.

Two paces behind his wife, Roland took note of the white stone mansion along the chilly lakeshore. The mansion looked closed up. All was quiet, as it was with many of the estates along the lake in the early spring. With each passing day, the quiet was giving way to the snowbirds came in to roost at their summer homes in the resort town of Spencer, located in the corner of Deep Creek Lake in western Maryland.

As the middle aged athletic couple walked briskly on the running trail along the lake, they noted that that mansion was quiet. The only tell-tale sign of change from its winter hibernation was the yacht on the dock in the back. It had not been there the morning before.

“I wonder if Janice will be throwing her week long Fourth of July bash with all her has-been clients this year?” Roland asked.

“I can tell you right now that I’m not going if that loser Lenny is here.” Feeling her heartbeat slowing down, she picked up her pace.

“Come on,” her husband said with a laugh, “Lenny Frost isn’t that bad. He’s really kind of funny.”

“He’s crude,” she shot over her shoulder at him.

He was going to respond that he felt sorry for the least popular of Janice Stillman’s former celebrity client when a black Porsche almost hit the couple rushing pass them and turning sharply into the driveway of the white mansion.

“Do you two ever take a break?” the young man shouted at them when he threw open the door and climbed out of the sports car.

“Never,” Olivia answered with a frown at Derrick Stillman’s apparent lack of self-discipline displayed in the slight stagger in his pace, and clearly having slept in his clothes, or maybe not slept in them, but clearly having worn them the day before judging by their wrinkled and disheveled appearance.

“Well, you can work-out for me, too.”

“Party last night?” Roland asked.

“Date.” Derrick ran his fingers through his dark curly hair. “I was going to come in yesterday with my folks, but when I met Maddie the other day—“ He let out a cocky laugh. “Well, you know how it is.”

“I can imagine,” Olivia said in a bland tone.

“She’s got a body to die for and she’s crazy about me.” With a swagger in his walk, he made his way to the front door.

“Come along, Roland,” Olivia ordered.

The couple continued on their way. They had only made it to the other end of the property before Derrick’s screams stopped them. The young man was running out the front door and dropped to his knees in the yard when they made it back to the driveway.

Olivia rushed over to the young man, who had his face buried in his hands. “Cliff, what’s wrong?”

Shrieking, the young man pointed to the door.

Roland ran inside.

“What happened, Derrick?” she demanded to know. “What’s going on? What’s in there?”

His face white, Roland came running back outside.

Olivia’s heartbeat was racing. “Roland …”

“They’re dead,” he said in a panicked tone while taking his cell phone out of his pocket. “Both of them. Janice and Austin. I can’t believe this would happen here … in Spencer.”

“Who—“ she asked with tears in her eyes.

“Janice wrote something in her blood—” He stopped to turn his attention to the cell phone. “I’d like to report two murders.”

“Her killer,” Derrick spat out. “I saw it, too. Lenny. Why else would Mom have written out his name in her blood while she was dying? Lenny Frost did it. He killed my parents.”

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About the Author:

Lauren Carr is the best-selling author of the Mac Faraday Mysteries, which takes place in Deep Creek Lake, Maryland. Twelve to Murder is the seventh installment in the Mac Faraday Mystery series.

In addition to her series set on Deep Creek Lake, Lauren Carr has also written the Lovers in Crime Mysteries, which features prosecutor Joshua Thornton with homicide detective Cameron Gates, who were introduced in Shades of Murder, the third book in the Mac Faraday Mysteries. They also make an appearance in The Lady Who Cried Murder. Dead on Ice (A Lovers in Crime Mystery) was released September 2012. The second installment, Real Murder will be out in 2014.

The owner of Acorn Book Services, Lauren is also a publishing manager, consultant, editor, cover and layout designer, and marketing agent for independent authors. This year, several books, over a variety of genre, written by independent authors will be released through the management of Acorn Book Services, which is currently accepting submissions. Visit Acorn Book Services website for more information.

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She also passes on what she has learned in her years of writing and publishing by conducting workshops and teaching in community education classes.

She lives with her husband, son, and three dogs on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

Visit her author website at www.mysterylady.net.

Connect & Socialize!

Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads

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Twelve to Murder Tour Page:

http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2014/02/12/pump-up-your-book-presents-twelve-to-murder-virtual-book-publicity-tour/

{March 27, 2014} {Review and Giveaway} The Kiera Hudson Prequels 2 by Tim O’Rourke (The Kiera Hudson Prequels #2)

From Goodreads: When police recruits Kiera and Tom are ordered to stay away from each other by Sergeant Philips, they can’t help but be drawn back together again.

Working side by side Kiera and Tom solve three more unique mysteries. The first deals with betrayal, the second revenge and the third the greatest mystery of all – love.

Book Two in the ‘The Kiera Hudson Prequels Series’ set before ‘Kiera Hudson Series One and Two).

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In this second round of Kiera Hudson Prequels, readers continue to follow Kiera and Tom as they unintentionally find themselves encased in three more unsolved mysteries, unbeknownst to their police Sergeant. And as sparks fly between Kiera and Tom, and the harrowing situations increase, readers easily find themselves transported to the little seaside town, becoming a part of the mystery as it evolves.

It’s no secret that Tim O’Rourke is one of my favorite authors, and as his upcoming novel, Flashes, gets ready for release, O’Rourke is working to tie his characters and readers together as the characters novels branch off to their own novels, and I am so epically excited to read Flashes! Having read a adored the Kiera Hudson Series, both one and two, I am excited that O’Rourke is yet again creating a crossover series, tying together characters so seamlessly and allowing readers to experience the full spectrum of awesomeness that is O’Rourke’s writing.

Kiera can see what others miss—not in a paranormal manner, but more so like Sherlock Holmes, and these prequels, along with the first set, are definitely a must read, especially if you’re new to Tim O’Rourke’s writing. I definitely suggest picking up this series to whet your appetite. Five stars.

I purchased this novel from Amazon.

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Giveaway Information:

Thanks to Tim O’Rourke, FOUR Winners will receive:

An ebook of The Kiera Hudson Series Prequels 2 AND a Signed Print of the Cover

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 April 11th. The winner will receive email notification! Please read my giveaway policy and leave me a thoughtful comment!

{March 27, 2014} {Review} River in the Sea by Tina Boscha

From Goodreads: At fifteen, Leen De Graaf likes everything she shouldn’t: smoking cigarettes, wearing red lipstick, driving illegally, and working in the fields. It seems the only thing she shares with her fellow Dutchmen is a fear of the German soldiers stationed nearby and a frantic wish for the war to end.

When a soldier’s dog runs in front of Leen’s truck, her split-second reaction sets off a storm of events that pitches her family against the German forces when they are most desperate – and fierce. Leen tries to hold her family together, but despite her efforts, bit by bit everything falls apart, and just when Leen experiences a horrific loss, she must make a decision that could forever brand her a traitor, yet finally allows her to live as her heart desires.

Inspired by events experienced by the author’s mother, River in the Sea is a powerfully moving account of one girl reaching adulthood when everything she believes about family, friendship, and loyalty is questioned by war.

Readers who want to immerse themselves in a story with both a plot and characters that keep the pages turning will love River in the Sea. For fans of The Book Thief, Those Who Save Us, and Sarah’s Key.
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This is an absolutely stunning, captivating read that held me in its grip from the very beginning. I started it late at night, yet stayed up well into the wee hours of the morning to finish this gem–and it absolutely blew me away.

We hear much about the Holocaust and WWII, but I feel that we don’t hear as much about the other countries and people groups who were affected by Hitler’s regime outside of Germany and Poland, and this novel, River in the Sea, focuses on the German occupation of one small town and its people in the Netherlands in late 1944.

Leen De Graaf is just a young teen, but she knows the taste of fear and death; she knows to keep her head down and not draw attention to herself, but in one sweep of panic, upsets all the rules and barely escapes with her innocence intact. And with this simple misstep comes a series of events that create a domino effect, leaving none untouched.

As the underground resistance works to thwart the German army and save the innocent, intense fear, a lack of food, disunity among families, and immense feelings of sorrow and guilt splash across the pages and evolve in such a way that it makes for a truly superb, poignant, and beautiful read. Make sure you have a box of tissues nearby as the novel definitely tugs at the heartstrings. Five amazing stars.

I received this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review and I highly recommend it (especially at just 99 cents on Kindle!!)

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{March 26, 2014} {Giveaway} My 2000 Likes Giveaway!

In celebration of reaching 2000 likes on my Facebook page, I’m running a special paperback giveaway!

One awesome Facebook follower will win all six of the following paperbacks:

Silent Orchids by Morgan Wylie–Signed

Easy by Tammara Webber

The Darkest Joy by Marata Eros–Signed

Wicked Thing by Angeline Kace

Colin Preston Rocked and Rolled by Bert Murray

The Edge of the Earth by Christina Schwarz–ARC

Good luck!

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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 April 26th. The winner will be announced April 26th, and will receive email notification! Please read my giveaway policy and leave me a thoughtful comment!

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And, if you haven’t yet read any of this series, make sure you pick up the first three books, which are currently FREE at the time of this post.

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Stilts by Tim O’Rourke

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Do Anything by Wendy Owens

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As I Am by AnnaLisa Grant

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Melting Away The Ice by Mary Smith

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Breaking the Ice by Mary Smith

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Dark Trade by Miranda Kavi

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Watch Over Me by Tara Sivec

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Finding Charley by Casey Peeler

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Epic Love: 8 Bestselling Authors, 8 Bestselling Romance Novels by Sawyer Bennett, Lauren Blakely, Violet Duke, Karen Erickson, Jessie Evans, Melody Grace, Kendall Ryan, Lexi Ryan

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Alphas After Dark (9 Book Bundle of Sexy Alpha Biker Bad Boys) by Vivien Arand, Deanna Chase, Marie Hall, Crista McHugh, M. Malone, SM Reine, Roxie Rivera, Kit Rocha, Mimi Strong

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If you could help give these authors some love by spreading the word, that would be epic.

For more information about books on sale throughout the week, as well as giveaway updates, be sure to like A Book Vacation’s Facebook Page.

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And don’t miss out on this deal: Get all three books in the Arotas series for just $4.99

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Crows Row (Crows Row #1)

(Re-edited & new content!)

Release Date: April 11th 2014

For college student Emily Sheppard, the thought of spending a summer alone in New York is much more preferable than spending it in France with her parents.

Just completing her freshman year at Callister University, Emily faces a quiet summer in the city slums, supporting herself by working at the campus library.

During one of her jogs through the nearby cemetery while visiting her brother Bill’s grave, Emily witnesses a brutal killing—and then she blacks out. When Emily regains consciousness, she realizes she’s been kidnapped by a young crime boss and his gang.

She is hurled into a secret underworld, wondering why she is still alive and for how long.

But love may not be enough to save Emily when no one even knows she is missing.

Scare Crow

(Crows Row #2)

Release Date: April 16th 2014

Nineteen-year-old Emily Sheppard is losing her sanity.

After just a short time with Emily, Cameron has lost control over his world.

Scare Crow is a tale of revenge, terror, and love as Emmy and Cameron embark on separate journeys to face enemies, correct past mistakes, and………….. find their way to their destinies.

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

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

Click here to go to the Rafflecopter entry form!

And, check out the other giveaways running on the blog:

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Elephantine’s aim is simple: To provide access to all stories worth telling, whether or not the words fit into a neatly labeled box. Words that resonate in your bones. Stories you’ll never forget.

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Fall In Love with 12 full-length novels in one limited edition set by some of today’s hottest romance authors, including USA Today Best Selling Authors, J. Sterling, Tara Sivec, and Tiffany King.

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***Scare Crow is a tale of revenge, terror, and love as Emmy and Cameron embark on separate journeys to face enemies, correct past mistakes, and…………..* *find their way to their destinies.***