{October 22, 2013} {Release Day Blitz} A Risk Worth Taking by Heather Hildenbrand

A Risk Worth Taking by Heather Hildenbrand

Accendo Press – October 2013

Add to Goodreads

A RISK WORTH TAKING Synopsis:
When 22-year-old Summer Stafford’s parents split halfway through her senior year at college, Summer’s world is rocked. Everything she thought she knew—heck, everything she thought she wanted for her own life—feels like a lie. The truth is love is a risk. And the true kind, the kind that lasts, might even be a fairy tale.

Reeling from the divorce, Summer derails her own future by breaking up with her parent-approved boyfriend and giving up her lifelong plans for a big-city career. She moves back home, business degree in hand. Dad needs her to fill the gaps her mother left behind; Summer needs to find who she is outside of the cookie-cutter life that failed so miserably for her parents.

Ford O’Neal’s future involves one person: himself. He doesn’t have a permanent address and he definitely doesn’t commit. To a place or a person. Raised by hippies, he plans just far enough ahead to secure his next stop, this one landing him at a work-study program at Heritage Plantation where he can grow his own herbal and medicinal creations.

Summer is gorgeous and smart and fun to be with, the perfect way to pass five months. It won’t be love—Ford’s got too many things to accomplish, too many places to go, before he settles down. Yet Summer pulls him in, challenging him to rethink his own philosophy.

When Ford’s five months are up, each of them must decide if love is really worth the risk.

Buy on Amazon: http://amzn.to/H70sHD

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Heather Hildenbrands’ Bio:
Heather Hildenbrand was born and raised in a small town in northern Virginia where she was homeschooled through high school. She now lives in coastal VA, a few miles from the Atlantic Ocean, with her two adorable children. She works from home, part time, as a property manager and when she’s not furiously pounding at the keyboard, or staring off into space whilst plotting a new story, she’s lying on the beach, soaking in those delicious, pre-cancerous rays.
Heather loves Mexican food, hates socks with sandals, and if her house was on fire, the one thing she’d grab is her DVR player.

Heather is a co-founder of Accendo Press, a publishing group she operates with fellow authors: Angeline Kace and Jennifer Sommersby. Accendo (a-CH-endo), A Latin word, means “to kindle, illuminate, inflame, or set fire.” This is something Accendo strives to do inside a reader’s imagination with every title released. For a complete list of titles and author bios, visit www.accendopress.com.

Author Links:
Website: www.heatherhildenbrand.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Heather.L.Hildenbrand
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/HeatherHildenbrandsFanPage
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeatherHildenbr
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4607856.Heather_Hildenbrand
Newsletter: http://blogspot.us4.list-manage2.com/subscribe?u=77abacb38959bc9c0f7b4e81b&id=739fdcef83

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

GIVEAWAY:
Heather is giving away a gift basket with a hair flower, nail polish, bracelet, and a $20 Amazon Gift Card.

Enter the giveaway using this Rafflecopter Link!!

{October 21, 2013} {Review} Never Use a Chicken and Other Stories by Jim Newell

From Goodreads: They say crime doesn’t pay…but it can sure be funny Join Jim Newell as he takes you through an anthology of criminal caper short stories where the perfect crime goes horribly awry. In this book you’ll find everything from pampered cats to fat ladies singing, a woman on the run by way of bus to a woman fleeing it all by plane and go from cigar shoppers to bed hoppers. Just remember to leave your chicken outside (rest assured, the reason why is explained in this book), and you’ll be sure to enjoy these hilarious entries.

___________________________________________________________

This is a novella full of short stories that deal with crime, the main focus being robberies. They’re well written stories, and many are a bit funny, though as with any anthology, the reader isn’t going to love every single entry. My favorite of the stories were “Never Use a Chicken!” because it was just so absurd. Other than that, however, the stories somewhat blend together in my mind because I read them all in one sitting and they’re mostly about the same thing: a robber being taken advantage by another robber.

It’s always hard to review an anthology of short stories because I tend to like some stories more than others, and I felt like a lot of these stories were very similar, too similar even, so I suggest not reading the entire anthology in one sitting so as not to confuse yourself with the different entries. Overall, some of it was an okay read, and some I liked, but I would have liked it more, I think, had the stories been more spread out, dealing with different topics. Three stars.

I received this novella from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

{October 20, 2013} {Review} Awakening by Christy Dorrity (The Geis #1)

From Goodreads: Because some Celtic stories won’t be contained in myth . . .

A little magic has always run in sixteen-year-old McKayla McCleery’s family—at least that’s what she’s been told. McKayla’s eccentric Aunt Avril travels the world as a psychic for the FBI, and her mother can make amazing delicacies out of the most basic of ingredients. But McKayla doesn’t think for a second that the magic is real—it’s just good storytelling. Besides, McKayla doesn’t need magic. She recently moved to beautiful Star Valley, Wyoming, and already she has a best friend, a solo in her upcoming ballet recital—and the gorgeous guy in her physics class keeps looking her way.

When an unexpected fascination with Irish dance leads McKayla to seek instruction from the mute, crippled janitor at her high school, she learns that her family is not the only one with unexplained abilities.

After Aunt Avril comes to Star Valley in pursuit of a supernatural killer, people begin disappearing, and the lives of those McKayla holds most dear are threatened. When the janitor reveals that an ancient curse, known as a geis, has awakened deadly powers that defy explanation, McKayla is forced to come to terms with what is real and what is fantasy.

A thrilling debut novel based in Celtic mythology, Awakening is a gripping young adult fantasy rife with magic, romance, and mystery.

___________________________________________________

This story had a very interesting premise, mixing magic, Irish dance, an alternate universe, and a curse unlike any other in order to set the stage for the events that unfold within Awakening. McKayla is a great female lead, with a kick-butt mentality and faithful heart, she wraps readers around her finger from the get go, making them fall in love with her almost immediately. I really enjoyed her and, though experiencing many hardships, I loved that she kept her head up and stayed positive, which is extremely difficult in the face of adversity. Her slow acceptance of magic also gave her a more realistic feel as she didn’t jump on board with her Aunt Avril right away, and she questioned information put before her without blind acceptance. While I tend to really like blind acceptance in my fictional worlds, I also understand that it isn’t realistic, and so I believe Dorrity did a fantastic job bring McKayla to life.

The portion of the novel dedicated to dance, as it were, was a bit above me as I’m not a dancer and I have no ambition or care for anything dance related. But in truth, it is a very unique and interesting way to bring about the truth behind the mute janitor’s world, and I applaud Dorrity for presenting dance in this way, as I’d never have thought of it myself.

I think of all the characters, Aunt Avril and her eccentric ways, as well as the magical lizard, were my favorite. They were just so different and added a different feel to the entire novel, which fantasy lovers will no doubt highly enjoy as they’re completely different from any characters I’ve read about in my books.

Celtic mythology is also something I know little about, and this is the first book I’ve read that actually touches on the topic, as far as I can remember. It has actually really stirred my curiosity and now I’d love to do a little more research, and read more novels on the subject, as I feel it’s one not very many authors attempt. Overall, this was a completely unique novel (with an AMAZING cover) and I highly suggest magical lovers scoop it up. I am looking forward to more from Dorrity, though perhaps a little less dance on my end. Three and a half stars.

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

{October 19, 2013} {Blog Tour: Review and Giveaway} Meant For Her by Raine Thomas

From Goodreads: Photographer Sierra Stratton views the world through a lens all her own. She has an uncanny sense about people, something that often causes her trouble. When she meets the sexy and brooding Evan Dorsey, her intuition tells her he’s suffering, and she wants to be the one to help him.

Evan isn’t open to help from anyone, however. His focus is on his Major League career and making himself as marketable as possible for his upcoming free agency. He plans to ride out the season in Atlanta and then sign with another team, away from the painful memories that haunt him.

Someone’s eager to send him on his way, too. Between anonymous threats and equipment sabotage, it’s clear he’s earned himself an enemy along the way. To him, it’s one more sign that he’s right to move on.

But Sierra threatens his conviction. Her contagious smile proves hard to resist, as does her kiss. She tempts him in ways he never anticipated, making him question his plans for the first time. If he’s not careful, she might just convince him that he’s meant for her.

________________________________________________________

Raine Thomas has quickly become one of my top authors to read. If it has her name on it, I’m definitely going to pick it up, especially after being blown away by both this novel and her previous NA release, For Everly. Set in the same world of major league baseball, both Meant For Her and For Everly unite America’s favorite pastime with angsty men, exceptional women, a bit of mystery, and much intrigue in order to create breath taking, amazing reads.

While both novels are technically stand alones, Meant For Her takes place a few months after the conclusion of For Everly, following a completely different set of characters but also looking in on Everly and Cole, uniting the couples in friendship. I loved this because, after reading For Everly, I wasn’t ready to give up one of my favorite couples of all time, and it was great to see them in the background of this novel as Sierra and Evan took the lead and stole my heart.

Sierra is an amazing woman, and I love the splash of photography that Thomas adds into the mix, showing scenes through the lens of the camera and really painting an amazing portrait within this novel. Though Evan struggles to commit, Sierra’s understanding and love captures his heart, and her unwavering stance made me love her from the get-go. Evan has his moments when it’s easy to love him, but he also struggles with the recent loss of his mother and, unwilling to allow himself to feel this type of loss again, he pushes everyone away. At times, I really understood where Evan was coming from, and at others, I wanted to slap him in the face, yet Sierra never gives up on Evan and, though rebuffed time and time again, she ultimately breaks down his hard barriers.

I loved the relationship between Sierra and Evan in this novel, and I enjoyed the aspect of baseball as well. Though not a huge fan of the game, Thomas includes just enough that it’s intriguing but not overwhelming as most of the novel revolves around the relationships of the characters, and the threats against Evan as a newcomer to Atlanta. The mystery and intrigue arises here as Evan shrugs off the threats, ignoring Sierra’s intuition and, ultimately, putting himself and those he loves in great peril. Overall, the truth of the matter is somewhat of a shock because Thomas points in another direction from the start, which is another reason that I really enjoyed this novel. It’s a beautiful read, one I highly recommend, and once you finish, be sure to go back and read For Everly if you haven’t already. You won’t be disappointed! Five stars.

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

Purchase links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FXJ87TO
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/meant-for-her-raine-thomas/1117164890
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/meant-for-her-1
iBooks: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9781939453075

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18467599-meant-for-her

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Author Bio:

Raine Thomas is the award-winning author of a series of YA fantasy/romance novels about the Estilorian plane, including the Daughters of Saraqael trilogy and the Firstborn trilogy. She is also the author of the bestselling New Adult Contemporary Romance, For Everly, and the much-anticipated spin-off, Meant for Her.

She is a proud member of Romance Writers of America and is a contributing blogger to The Writer’s Voice. When she isn’t planning weddings, writing, or glued to social media, she can usually be found on one of Florida’s beautiful beaches with her husband and daughter or crossing the border to visit with her Canadian friends and relatives.

Ways readers can connect with Raine:
Twitter (http://twitter/Raine_Thomas)
Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/rainethomas)
Goodreads (http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5053436.Raine_Thomas)
Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/raine_thomas/)
Linkedin (http://www.linkedin.com/pub/raine-thomas/53/111/bb3)
Website (http://rainethomas.com)
Blog (http://RaineThomas.com/blog/)

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Enter the Rafflecopter to WIN great prizes!!!!

{October 19, 2013} The 99 Cent Club–Feature 67–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. 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.)

______________________________________________________________

The Lady Who Cried Murder by Lauren Carr

Fame comes at a price. Some pay with their privacy. Others pay with their pride. Khloe Everest paid with her life.

Determined to get her pretty face in front of the cameras, Khloe Everest fakes an abduction only to make a grand entrance in the midst of a press conference held by Spencer’s Police Chief David O’Callaghan.

Three years later, after failing to catapult her notoriety into a long-lasting celebrity, Khloe Everest returns to Spencer after her mother’s sudden death and seemingly finds another weapon to propel her into the spotlight. This time, someone kills her before she can make an entrance.

In Lauren Carr’s sixth Mac Faraday Mystery, Mac and his friends come up against reality stars, politicians, has-beens, and wannabes. Mac also finds himself face-to-face with an old foe from his past who had managed to escape arrest during their last encounter. Now, Mac sees that his adversary has only become more powerful, and dangerous, with the passage of time.

Intent to not let this killer escape again, Mac and his friends need to put all of their talents together to put a stop to a cold blooded lady killer.

Find it on Amazon.

______________________________________________________________

The Murders at Astaire Castle by Lauren Carr

Never tell Mac Faraday not to do something.

Spencer’s police chief, David O’Callaghan, learns this lesson the hard way when he orders Mac Faraday to stay away from the south end of Spencer’s mountaintop-even though he owns the property. It doesn’t take long for Mac to find out what lies on the other side of the stone wall and locked gate, on which hangs a sign warning visitors to Keep Out!

Topping the list of the ten most haunted places in America, Astaire Castle is associated with two suicides, three mysterious disappearances, and four murders since it was built almost a century ago-and Mac Faraday owns it!

In spite of David’s warning, Mac can’t resist unlocking the gate to see the castle that supposedly hasn’t seen a living soul since his late mother had ordered it closed up after the double homicide and disappearance of Damian Wagner, a world-famous master of horror novels.

Find it on Amazon.

______________________________________________________________

The Camilla Randall Mysteries 3-in-1 Box Set by Anne R. Allen

The Best Revenge is actually a prequel to the highly acclaimed Ghostwriters In The Sky, and takes us back to Camilla Randall’s early years, when she first met Plantagenet Smith.

Ghostwriters In The Sky fasts forward to a more mature Camilla Randall, hoping to have an easy ride at a writers’ conference in California. Needless to say fate has other ideas.

In Sherwood Ltd. Anne R. Allen conveys Camilla to the merry England of Robin Hood legend, where of course Camilla once again ends up in the most improbable, but always believable, circumstances.

Together, these three novels make up the Camilla Randall Mysteries. So far. But Anne will be bringing us more Camilla in the future, fear not.

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

______________________________________________________________

Sarah Woods Mystery Series Boxed Set (Books 1-3) by Jennifer L. Jennings

If you enjoy suspense, romance, humor, exotic locations, and intriguing mystery then follow amateur sleuth Sarah Woods on an exciting ride with three different adventures in this boxed set. This series is intended for mature audiences.

An Appointment with Murder

The first book in the series introduces you to massage therapist, Sarah Woods. While working late one evening at her office, Sarah finds her assistant has been strangled in the short time she was in the back with a client. Who would have done such a horrible thing? Was it a random killing or someone she knew? Although the police are investigating Sarah can’t seem to stay out of it and embarks on a journey to find the killer.

An Act of Deceit

Sarah Woods adventures continue in this book when she decides to work for Carter, the unorthodox private eye from Boston. Sarah must go way beyond her comfort zone as the pair find creative ways to expose a cheating husband, Marty Quinn. When Marty ends up dead, the assignment takes a whole new twist. This is a fast paced, fun mystery read. A great blend of witty dialogue, suspense and enough adult humor to keep it interesting.

An Island of Illusions

Sara and her husband are off to Hawaii to enjoy a much needed vacation, but when the PI she’s worked for in the past shows up, she realizes it’s a set up and he needs her help in finding a missing child. The suspense builds when Max, a security expert who Sarah holds a torch for shows up, and the main suspect in the child’s disappearance is killed. Can Sarah help find this missing child?

This adventure filled novel will keep you guessing until the very end.

Find it on Amazon.

______________________________________________________________

Small Town Evil by Ken Berglund

A father and daughter are haunted by a girl they thought they had run over in their car while returning home from a weekend vacation.

When the father realizes that his daughter’s condition is getting worse, and that the girl he hit may or may not even exist, he returns to the small town where he had the accident, hoping to find answers.

Find it on Amazon.

______________________________________________________________

Gingerbread Man by Maggie Shayne

When Detective Vincent O’Mally finds two missing children dead, his life turns upside down. When the FBI takes over the case, Vince agrees to take time off.

Traveling to a small upstate New York town, he meets Holly Newman–a fragile woman whose sister was abducted and killed years ago.

Convinced that Holly’s sister’s death is linked to the recent murders, he attempts to unearth clues hidden deep in Holly’s mind.

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

______________________________________________________________

Brothers and Bones by James Hankins

Charlie Beckham is a rising star among federal prosecutors until, on the morning of the most important court day of his career, a deranged homeless man turns Charlie’s life upside with a single word. He calls Charlie by a secret nickname known by only one other person in the world—Charlie’s brother Jake, who went missing thirteen years ago. Could the homeless man have information about Jake’s whereabouts after all these years? Is it possible that the long-haired, bearded vagrant actually is Jake? Charlie has a hundred questions but the homeless man disappears before Charlie can ask a single one.

So begins Charlie’s search for answers, and for his brother, a search that leads him down Boston’s darkest streets, into its blackest alleys, and, finally, into its criminal underworld. But if Charlie wants answers he’ll have to get them from some of the most feared and ruthless people in the city.

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

______________________________________________________________

Accidentally on Purpose by Jack Parker

Gracie Greene has secrets.

A teacher was found dead and a lot of other students have had accidents, some serious. Gracie Greene’s not so sure they were accidents, but can she find the pattern and motive before someone else dies?

Find it on Amazon.

______________________________________________________________

The Last Witness by K.T. Roberts

The first victim’s car is rammed into an embankment. The second takes a bullet to the back of the head. Two down and counting! Who’s next? Detectives Tate Kensington and Zachary Gerard of the NYPD have two seemingly unrelated cases on their plate and aren’t making much progress toward a resolution of either one. Complicating the proceedings are Detective Kensington’s personal issues with weak women, violent men, and death threats. Other than that, she’s doing just fine except her ex-beau is now her boss.

Can the two detectives put the killer away without a body? And what if a grammar-school prank becomes the key to solving these two major cases?

Find it on Amazon.

______________________________________________________________

Cry For Justice by Ralph Z. Zeta

An exciting thriller that takes readers inside one of the nation’s most exclusive bastions of wealth; Palm Beach. The story follows hot-shot attorney Jason Justice as he delves into the affairs of a young girl who needs assistance in locating her missing step father who may have not only staged her mother’s suicide, he also vanished with her family fortune.

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

______________________________________________________________

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.

{October 18, 2013} {ARC Review} Blood Chosen by Tamara Rose Blodgett (Blood #3)

From Goodreads: Julia has Awakened and in so doing bound herself to her one true soul mate, the king to her queen. The blood-binding which was foretold between fang and claw ultimately rescued her from certain death, the Circle of Protection is now complete.

Yet, another would-be queen vies for the position of ultimate ruler and believes she has found an ancient loophole that will upset the new balance of potential peace that has been put into play by Julia’s prophesied reign. Jacqueline will stop at nothing to achieve her goals, even using the dreaded Were to further her victory.

Cynthia and Adrianna form an unlikely alliance to survive against an enemy that now has help for his madness to take shape. Emmanuel, the Feral and Truman find themselves drawn to defend and protect a new order with a past that haunts their efforts, while a broken Were rises to a position of power through sacrifice and the one woman that holds his heart.

Can Julia and her one true mate bring peace to the species and rescue the ones they love? Will the Blood Singers fulfill their destiny to unite three groups of sworn enemies to come together as one?

**Mature Content Warning: This novel contains sexual inference, violence, and moderate profanity.**

____________________________________________________

This third installment of the amazing new adult Blood Series by Tamara Rose Blodgett takes on a much darker, edgier tone as tensions rise between the three groups: Singers, Vampires, and Weres. Julia, thought to be off the hook and out of danger since choosing a mate among the Singers finds rather quickly that some knowledge has been withheld—mainly, how the Queen Singer must align the three groups through marriage… something neither Scott nor Julia want to hear having just declared their feelings for one another.

To make matters worse, Julia’s husband (by human law), Jason, is on the prowl, and he’s none to happy to see his wife engaged to another, even if their past human lives bear no authority in the magical realm and he feels nothing for her… or does he? Mix in an honorable vampire, William, who is willing to risk all for Julia, and everything Julia thought she knew and wanted becomes extremely strained as tempers flare, profanities fly alongside fists, and dangers lurk around every corner.

Full of angst and with the reappearance of Jacqueline and the sadistic, misogynist Tony, relations are even further tested and, unbeknownst to our would-be heroes, there is more dangerous magic at work than they ever realized existed. Forced to put their anger aside and work together, Scott, Jason, and William along with the most trusted among their groups plunge head first into a war they most likely can’t win against an ancient and powerful magic they’ve never dealt with before. It is here that Blodgett really wows her readers with the insertion of a magical realm thought only to be a rumor amongst the groups, thrusting the characters into danger unparalleled in the previous novels and, sadly, ending with the death of a beloved character, for a magic this dark will cannot leave all unscathed.

I was completely blown away with Blodgett’s additional magical group—a group I’ve read much about in many other novels, but never thought would show itself within the Blood Series, and yet, they fit quite nicely, and Blodgett’s definitely done her homework concerning with sadistic group of meddlesome entities. But, no spoilers here. If you want to know who they are, you’ve got to read the series, because it’s a great one, touching on realistic emotions and not sugar coating the ups and downs of life. You’ll be hooked. Four stars.

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

{October 18, 2013} {Cover Reveal} 12 NA’s of Christmas

The 12 Days of Christmas Just Got Hotter!

Today I get to share with you the covers of 12 upcoming New Adult Novellas written by some of my favorite bestselling New Adult authors! These are 12 separate Christmas novellas (not an anthology or box set) that will all release November 1st! Some of the novellas are stand-alone and some are related to that author’s existing series. Check out each of the covers and then see a little bit about each upcoming title and author below!

These novellas are sure to get you ready for whatever you have planned for the
holidays.

______________________________________________________________________________________

About Magan Vernon and OFF THE MARKET:

Etta Davis didn’t have showing a house penciled into her Christmas plans, but with the other realtors already off enjoying their holiday, she’d been stuck with the task. It wasn’t all bad though, the house up for grabs used to belong to the family of her high school sweetheart, Andrew Larson.

Though now dilapidated, thanks to its current owners, it still held the power to bring back forgotten memories and turn the routine showing into something else entirely. Particularly when Andrew shows up, wanting to buy the house. Now Etta must decide whether a second chance is worth taking the house, and her heart, off the market.

www.maganvernon.com

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18106538-off-the-marke

______________________________________________________________________________________

About Zoe Dawson and BRAVE:

In the season of hope, in the season of giving… How far would you go for your friend?

Alissa Thompson has been the good girl her whole life. Her uninterested parents don’t understand her hopes and dreams. But this Christmas when her steadfast childhood friend Charlie needs her more than ever, she can’t back down. Crossing the line means being braver than she has ever been in her life. It means changing and growing and taking a stand.

Dakota Gray was brave in the face of debilitating fear. But he lost himself in that blood soaked day and has shunned everything he once knew. Now shattered and broken, he hides out in isolation, his wounds beyond healing. His heart closed, his emotions buried, he’s a man on the edge of self-destructing. Little does he know that courage would be found in another searching for the strength to be brave.

Now snowbound in the Colorado Rockies one week before Christmas, Alissa thought this was about her journey and her friend, about setting him free. But from the moment she meets Dakota, she learns about what real bravery is all about. What real love is all about. But is the season enough, her courage enough, her love enough to heal this hero’s brave heart and in the end set herself free?

www.zoedawson.com

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18106546-brave

______________________________________________________________________________________

About Tiffany King and CROSS COUNTRY CHRISTMAS:

With the holiday season upon her, Jamie Foster is once again stressed about making her yearly visit back home to Woodfalls, still single. Fate intervenes in the form of Grant Johnson, a boy she grew up with, who catches the same flight while returning home from a business trip.When a malfunction sends their plane crashing down on the runway upon takeoff, Jamie and Grant decide to rent a car and make the nine-hundred-mile drive home together. Ironically for them, anything that can go wrong does as they face one hysterical hurdle after another.

Christmas may finally bring Jamie the gift of love she has always wanted if she and Grant can manage to overcome a few obstacles along the way.

Ho-ho-ho!

Preorder links available now
Amazon Preorder Link
Apple Preorder Link

http://authortiffanyjking.blogspot.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18107073-cross-country-christmas—the-12-na-s-of-christmas?from_search=true

______________________________________________________________________________________

About Chelsea Cameron and CHRISTMAS CATCH:

She swore she was never going back to the tiny fishing village she came from.

So did he.

But when they’re both dragged back to Saltwater, Maine, they might realize it’s where they belong. Together…

http://www.chelseamcameron.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18106783-christmas-catch

______________________________________________________________________________________

About H.M. Ward and A LITTLE CHRISTMAS ROMANCE:

A sexy and sweet holiday treat.

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHMWard

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18106682-a-little-christmas-romance—the-12-na-s-of-christmas

______________________________________________________________________________________

About Breena Wilde and FROSTED MIDNIGHT:

Willow needs a miracle…

Twenty-year-old Willow is a librarian in the tourist town of Bandon, Oregon. During the summer the town is bursting with interesting people from all over the world.

Two summers ago she met Austin. He was everything she ever wanted in a man: smart, funny, and gorgeous. But after eight perfect weeks he left, and she hasn’t heard from him since.

Until Christmas Eve. She receives an email from Austin asking her to meet him at midnight so he can explain.

It might be a booty call, but Willow has to see him one last time, even if it’s just to say good-bye.

https://www.facebook.com/BreenaWildeBooks

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18106653-frosted-midnight

______________________________________________________________________________________

About A. Meredith Walters and WARMTH IN ICE:

It’s Maggie and Clay’s first Christmas together…

Spoilers for those who have not read Find You in the Dark or Light in the Shadows

Clay and Maggie have gone through the dark and come out on the other side. For the first time, they are on this journey together. Fighting for something they both need and can’t live without…each other.

But a long distance relationship is hard. Particularly for two people who are still trying to build something solid on a shaky and troubled foundation. Clay is finally out of treatment and is living in an out patient halfway house. He struggles with what he wants to do and where he wants to go. Questions he worries he will never have the answers to. Maggie is trying to transition into college life and learning how to create a future with someone who is over a thousand miles away.

As the months pass and they struggle with being a part, old insecurities and fears take root and threaten a love that has come so far.

When Maggie decides to fly to Florida as a surprise for Clay on Christmas, she is unsure whether it will be the first step toward what they both desperately want or whether it could possibly be the end of it all.

But with the holidays approaching, Maggie and Clay are reminded that even when the days are coldest, you can still find the warmth and that hope and love are the greatest gifts of all.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Meredith-Walters/311504738868378

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18106519-warmth-in-ice

______________________________________________________________________________________

About Sawyer Bennett and IF I RETURN:

Would you wait? College student, Hope Camden, is relentlessly serious, awkwardly shy and in complete need of taking a walk on the wilder side. At least, that’s what her sister tells her when she drags her off for an impromptu Christmas getaway in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Hope’s plans to keep her nose in a book the entire vacation are thwarted when she meets Jack Freeman, the gorgeous and enigmatic Army helicopter pilot staying at the same resort. What was supposed to be a quiet Christmas holiday turns into a life changing event for Hope and Jack. The only problem? Jack is headed off to war, and there is no guarantee he will come back.

http://www.facebook.com/bennettbooks

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18106691-if-i-return

______________________________________________________________________________________

About Shelly Crane and WIDE SPACES:

A novella for emma and Mason’s first Christmas together after Wide Awake.

Emma knows better than most that life can change from one second to the next. Mason knows that guilt can make you change so much, that you don’t even recognize yourself in the mirror. When they found each other, they knew that life had given them a second chance.

But can one night, one second, one misunderstanding change everything?

A life together that saved them will become a life they think is lost forever.

http://www.shellycraneauthor.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18068475-wide-spaces—the-12-na-s-of-christmas

______________________________________________________________________________________

About Addison Moore and WINTER KISSES:

Having a one-night stand with your ex is never easy.

She thinks its revenge sex. He thinks its make-up sex.

Things can only go wrong from here.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Addison-Moore/140192649382294?ref=hl

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18107070-winter-kisses—the-12-na-s-of-christmas

______________________________________________________________________________________

About Marquita Valentine and ALL FOR YOU:

Bully. Tormentor. Lover.

West Diaz has been all of these things to me.

After being gone for two years, he’s back, begging for my forgiveness. And not just my forgiveness… He wants more.

He wants… Me.

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMarquitaValentine

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18106807-all-for-you–the-12-na-s-of-christmas

______________________________________________________________________________________

About Sarra Cannon and A SEASON FOR HOPE:

After a devastating breakup, Bailey Houston just wants to give up on life.

But can sexy med-student Judd Kohler teach her that Christmas really is a season for hope?

www.sarracannon.com
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18106973-a-season-for-hope

{October 17, 2013} {Review} Far From the War by Jeffrey David Payne

From Goodreads: Economic ruin and partisan rancor have pushed America to the brink of a new civil war. Esther is caught in the middle, serving as a page in the United States House of Representatives when rogue politicians and military leaders stage a modern day coup d’etat. When the coup turns violent, she abandons Washington, D.C. for home. She must learn to survive on her own as transportation and financial networks fail, as the war disrupts food and water supplies. The result is a cautionary tale about political extremism and the true cost of war.

_________________________________________________

The fact that we live in the United States makes many of us feel rather safe. We hear about the civil wars breaking out in other countries, and we read about what’s happening in Syria, we protest wars that many of us don’t fully understand… but what would we do if a civil war broke out in the United States? We act like it won’t, can’t, shouldn’t, but the truth is, we never really know. There are a lot of things that could go wrong in our country, and Payne’s novel looks at just what could happen if war were to break out on our soil once more.

This is a scary novel, not in the horror type of way, but in the fact that it’s eerily possibly. Following the life of Esther as she becomes a page in D.C., we watch the world unfold and cave in on itself as a civil war breaks out, GPS, landlines, and internet capacities are turned off, and war strikes and kills many. Stuck in D.C., Esther must try to get home to the Orcas Islands, but that’s clear across the country, and her trip is not one of ease. This is the kind of novel that rears up and kicks you in the chest as you read, dropping the unexpected on you and making you reel in horror for the characters. There were multiple occasions as I read that I freaked out because Payne doesn’t hold back. He doesn’t sugar coat the war, and bad things happen to good people, terrible, terrible things that I didn’t expect and then BAM, it hit me like a ton of bricks. And I admire Payne for this. His writing is great, the story is extremely interesting (not too political, thank god, because I don’t know politics at all), and it just sucked me in and kept me turning the pages as Esther comes across carnage after carnage in her trek home. You’ve got to read this one. Five stars.

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

{October 16, 2013} {Review} The Murders at Astaire Castle by Lauren Carr (A Mac Faraday Mystery #5)

From Goodreads: Never tell Mac Faraday not to do something.

Spencer’s police chief, David O’Callaghan, learns this lesson the hard way when he orders Mac Faraday to stay away from the south end of Spencer’s mountaintop—even though he owns the property. It doesn’t take long for Mac to find out what lies on the other side of the stone wall and locked gate, on which hangs a sign warning visitors to Keep Out!

What starts out as a quick tour of a dusty old castle turns into another Mac Faraday adventure when Astaire Castle becomes the scene of even more murders. Mac is going to need to put all of his investigative talents to work to sort out this case that involves the strangest characters he has run into yet—including a wolf man. No, we’re not talking about Gnarly.

__________________________________________________________________

This is Lauren Carr’s first plunge into the world of the paranormal, and I must say, it’s absolutely thrilling! There is never a dull day in the life of retired investigator Mac Faraday, and finding out he owns a haunted castle piques his interest, regardless of what his friends tell him about leaving it well alone. And, with the investigation into the abandoned castle comes the appearance of a wolf man and the murder of two prominent celebrities, further stirring up the lore surrounding the disappearance of a horror author that once lived in the towers so long ago, creating many different avenues of adventure for both readers and characters alike. I love how seamlessly Carr is able to tie nearly everything together in the end, save the supernatural entities she evokes in this thriller, and as a paranormal and mystery lover, this novel is the perfect mix, providing enough evidence to explain away multiple happenings while leaving enough room for speculation for those a little more into the supernatural.

Carr’s intense characters, Mac Faraday, David O’Callghan, Archie Monday, and Gnarly, take readers on another amazing crime scene adventure you won’t soon forget, just in time for Halloween. If you haven’t read any of the Mad Faraday mysteries and you’re looking for a novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat, then I highly suggest you start with this one as each Mac Faraday novel stands alone. And, once you start, you’ll want to read them all. Five stars.

Acorn Book services has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read this novel, via Netgalley.

{October 15, 2013} {Blog Tour: Playlist and Giveaway} Wicked Thing by Angeline Kace

To read my 5 star review: CLICK HERE

From Goodreads: Carmyn Rafferty witnessed the aftermath of her mother’s affair. She learned at a young age not to trust anyone. Especially not your spouse. So she’s planned. She’s planned every detail of her life: who her husband will be, what their careers will be, what their lives will be like. All to avoid the pain of infidelity.

Dallas Brown lives a life all his own. He doesn’t do relationships, he doesn’t care what anyone thinks of him, and he doesn’t live up to anyone’s expectations but his own.

When Carmyn’s fiancé cheats on her, it sends her into a whirlwind of one-night stands with the most infamous player on campus. She can’t seem to stay away from this tough guy and his dangerous motorcycle. Everything about him is the complete opposite of who she’d planned to fall in love with: tattoos, dark stubble along his jawline, and hair that brushes his shoulders.

As Dallas and Carmyn begin to fall deeper and deeper into each other, they learn that love can truly be a wicked, wicked thing.

Due to content, this book is not suitable for readers under the age of 18.
The Wicked Thing Playlist

Some of the songs on this list are on it because the words meant something to the story as I wrote the book. Others because the tone of the song captured the emotion, or mindset, or vibe I needed to write a particular scene.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Angeline Kace’s Playlist for Wicked Thing

1. Wicked Game, Phillip Phillips—This is actually where I got the title for the book. It was originally called something else, but then I found this song and it was perfect for the book.
2. Stay, Rihanna
3. Arms, Christina Perri
4. Home, Gabrielle Aplin—I listened to this song a lot while writing. It’s such an emotionally evocative song that it helped me tap into the emotions I needed.
5. Words, Skylar Grey—This one was right there with Home. Plus, the words of the song really fit a lot of what Carmyn was feeling at certain parts of the book.
7. Be My Baby, The Ronettes—The lake scene. ;)
8. Bourbon in Kentucky, Dierks Bentley
9. Consequences, Vanessa Daou—This song helped me write some of Carmyn’s scenes where I needed to channel certain emotions.
10. Changed by You, Between the Trees—Fitting for what Carmyn was feeling.
11. Find Me, Boyce Avenue—The song Carmyn dances to when her heart is broken. I actually listened to this song on repeat while writing that scene. Also cried through writing it as well.
12. (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life, Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes
13. Cold Blues, The Quaker City Night Hawks—I wrote the majority of this book listening to these guys on repeat. The songs helped me channel Dallas and the location and just everything. When I hear these guys, I think of Dallas and Wicked Thing.
14. Some of Adam’s Blues, The Quaker City Night Hawks
15. Ain’t No Kid, The Quaker City Night Hawks
16. Fox in the Hen House, The Quaker City Night Hawks
17. Rattlesnake Boogie, The Quaker City Night Hawks
18. Yellow Rose, The Quaker City Night Hawks

And you can listen to this playlist RIGHT NOW on Spotify!!!

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

GIVEAWAY:

One lucky winner will receive a WICKED THING charm bracelet with 6 charms.

They will also receive a Dirty Dancing blu-ray and some candy.

This contest is international.

Click this Rafflecopter link to enter!

{October 14, 2013} {Review} Unspeakable by S.R. Johannes (The Nature of Grace #2)

From Goodreads: This short story is a companion to Untraceable and is 5,000 words.

When Mo sees a strange girl in the woods, he follows her. He soon realizes they are both in a dangerous position and may not get out alive.

______________________________________________________________________________

This is very short, approximately 16 pages in length, but it’s so worth the read. I LOVE getting the perspectives of other characters, and that’s what Johannes provides as we learn what two scenes in the novel look like through Mo’s eyes. It’s very well written and leaves the reader hanging in a way that makes them want to read those scenes in Untraceable all over again. I actually think that this novellete should/could be read PRIOR to reading Untraceable, even though it’s labeled as 1.5, because it really piqued my interest and I think it might generate even more interest in Untraceable should it be read prior. It’s currently free on Amazon and 99 cents on Barnes and Noble, so if you’re interested in reading Untraceable, but aren’t completely sure yet, then definitely pick up this short novellete. It’s awesome.

I downloaded this novellete with Amazon when it was FREE.

{October 14, 2013} {Review} Untraceable S.R. Johannes (The Nature of Grace #1)

From Goodreads: 16-year-old Grace has lived in the Smokies all her life, patrolling with her forest ranger father who taught her about wildlife, tracking, and wilderness survival.

When her dad goes missing on a routine patrol, Grace refuses to believe he’s dead and fights the town authorities, tribal officials, and nature to find him.

One day, while out tracking clues, Grace is rescued from danger by Mo, a hot guy with an intoxicating accent and a secret. As her feelings between him and her ex-boyfriend get muddled, Grace travels deep into the wilderness to escape and find her father.

Along the way, Grace learns terrible secrets that sever relationships and lives. Soon she’s enmeshed in a web of conspiracy, deception, and murder. And it’s going to take a lot more than a compass and a motorcycle (named Lucifer) for this kick-butting heroine to save everything she loves.

__________________________________________________

I really thought I was going to dislike this novel because, for a majority of it, I found the pacing to be slow, and Grace drove me absolutely insane. Grace cannot make a good decision to save her life, and I mean that quite literally. I yelled at her the entire book, and because I felt that not much was happening in terms of plot aside from treks through the trees, I was really thinking that this was going to be a two star review at the most. And this, dear readers, is why I always finish my books, because around 60% the novel really picked up; the mystery became extremely intriguing! I suddenly couldn’t decide who was good and who wasn’t, and then my interest piqued to the point that I couldn’t put it down, instead reading far into the night. In other words, read it.

I never did come around to liking Grace—I found her decisions to be stupid, childish, and mortifying all the way to the very end. While I understand she’s going through a lot, and that she’s highly independent, she constantly pushes everyone away from her and instead decides to put all her trust into a stranger she meets in the woods, the very place her father disappeared. Ignoring the glaring holes in Mo’s story, she trusts him completely, even though he’s a 17 year-old college student living in the wild, unbeknownst to anyone, to study rocks, a revelation that should put Grace on edge. It doesn’t, though it did put me on edge enough for the both of us, so I guess that evens it out a little bit.

Mo is a mystery, and as the pieces begin to click together, and Grace continually choose the wrong path (a path that constantly puts her life in danger and sends her back into the very woods where she knows deranged animal murderers reside), I have to at least admire her gumption, even though I’m not really a fan of hers in the least. She definitely doesn’t allow anyone else’s thoughts or words to influence her decisions, and she’s hell bent on finding her father. As the only person still convinced he’s alive, she has her work cut out for her, especially as the police and her own mother seem to thwart her at every turn. So, it makes sense she doesn’t trust the people of her town, but at 16 I would expect just a little more common sense. I mean, the fact that she constantly stumbles on evidence to back her claims, but fails to ever take a picture with her phone drove me batty…

My biggest issue with the novel, aside from Grace’s awful decisions, is the timing and occasional holes that crop up in the story. For instance, in a gun battle between two people, it doesn’t make sense to me that there’s time for other characters to stop running away, turn around, and have a conversation with the person who was just shot. For starters, what about the person who shot the character? They’re still in the picture, but for some reason, do nothing… I probably just confused you… it’s like when you watch a movie and right at the climax the bad guy stops and divulges his entire plan, giving the good guys more than enough time to hatch a plan and save themselves. Does that make more sense? Well, basically, there just seemed to be too many instances where everything was hitting the fan in the novel and yet Grace had time to stop and talk to people and try to figure out what to do next when bullets are flying all around her, and that made the story a little less believable for me.

But, Grace’s characterization and plot holes aside, the mystery of her father’s disappearance was great once the story began to pick up, and the end kicked me in the gut. Reader beware, Johannes doesn’t believe in happy endings, that’s for sure, and I found myself sitting in my room at 3am freaking out as the major climax of the story comes into play, killing off a number of characters, which was the last thing I expected to happen, to be honest. And I cried I good bit then too, so I suggest you have tissues somewhere on the premises as your get closer to the ending. But, to juxtapose the bloody end of some characters, there is a small shred of hope, even after all the tragedy, that makes me yearn for the sequel because, as much as I really dislike Grace, I really am invested in this story and the remaining characters. Three and a half stars.

All Night Reads had been extremely gracious in allowing me to read this novel via Netgalley.

{October 13, 2013} {Review} The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

From Goodreads: Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning author John Green’s most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.

________________________________________________________

My friends told me I had to read this book. That it was one of the best they’d ever read, that I’d fall in love with the characters, that it’d leave me feeling broken and sad, but that I’d love it just the same. And so, I put it off for quite some time because I don’t really enjoy being sad. I also don’t like to physically borrow books from the library because they aren’t mine, and the ebook of this one was just too much money, in my opinion (at no point do I think ebook prices should be comparable to the paperback price). But then there was a sale and the ebook dropped down to only $3.99 on Amazon (and it’s still this price), so I scooped it up and, one Friday evening not too long ago, started reading it.

Initially, it didn’t pull me in. I wasn’t in love with the characters, the plot was like so many I’ve read before, and I just didn’t see what everyone was talking about (and I do mean everyone). Hazel didn’t tug on my heart strings—in fact, she was presented in a way that made me dislike her. Catty and unforgiving, she jerks her parents around and has all but given up, even though she has a second chance at life. I couldn’t understand her. Augustus was interesting, but he seemed unreal, almost forced to me, and I sighed and thought this was going to be one of those instances where I just didn’t feel the same as the whole world around me.

And then, at some point while I was reading (and I honestly can’t pinpoint it), I became irrevocably attached to the characters. Augustus seems to bring out the best in everyone around him, and Hazel’s snark stopped getting on my nerves and I began to love her, and all those around her. They jumped off the page and became real. And then, as John Green has a tendency to do, he ripped out my heart and left me blubbering for hours into the night, blowing my nose, soaking my shirt in tears, hiccupping for breath. The Fault in Our Stars is just that touching, and it truly left me breathless. And while I didn’t fall in love with the story right away, I definitely did fall in love with it. My friends were right, as they usually are. This is an amazing novel and I highly suggest you read it if you haven’t. I just hope the movie rendition does it justice, because this is a very powerful piece. Five amazing stars.

I purchased this novel from Amazon.

{October 13, 2013} Announcing the Winner of Descended by Blood by Angeline Kace

The giveaway for a singed paperback of Descended by Blood by Angeline Kace has just concluded, and I’m excited to say that the winner has been chosen via Rafflecopter.

And the winner is…

Kerry Amburgy-Dickson

A tweet has already gone out to the winner, and an email will go out later this evening! If I don’t hear from the winner within 48 hours, I will select a new winner using Rafflecopter.

Thanks to everyone who participated, and congratulations to the winner… but don’t despair if you didn’t win this round!

Enter to win my other great giveaways:

Win a Recently Released Book of Your Choice: Ends November 1

More to come!

{October 12, 2013} The 99 Cent Club–Feature 66–Ten Books for Ten Bucks

Every weekend 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 just a few on Barnes and Noble, sorry!). 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.)

______________________________________________________________

Keep Me Still by Caisey Quinn

Scarred by loss, Layla leaves her hometown of Hope Springs, Georgia, hoping to put her painful past behind her and start over in college in California. When she runs into Landen at freshmen orientation, she has a choice to make. Reinforce those steel walls she’s built up around herself or give the only boy who can keep her still a second chance.

Landen’s more than ready to tear down those walls, but this time when they come crashing down, they might bury her.

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

______________________________________________________________

Cache a Predator by Michelle Weidenbenner

Officer Brett Reed will do anything to gain custody of his five-year-old daughter, Quinn. But when the man-hating judge grants Brett’s drug-addicted ex-wife custody and slaps him with a protective order for losing his temper, he fears for Quinn’s safety. Who will protect her now?When Quinn is found abandoned on the streets, Brett’s worse nightmares turn toward a dark path. The child is placed in a temporary foster home until Child Protective Services can complete an assessment. It should only take a few days.But a lot can happen in a few days.

Especially when there’s a deranged psychopath on the loose, someone who’s attacking pedophiles, someone who wants to protect children like Quinn, and someone who’s planting body parts in geocaching sites.

Cache a Predator is a novel about a father’s love, justice, and the unhinged game of hide-the-cache.

Find it on Amazon.

______________________________________________________________

Princess by Jeff Menapace

THIS IS NOT A FAIRY TALE…It’s prom night. Samantha Kearns has been eagerly awaiting her date’s arrival. Except now her date is running late and Samantha begins to fear he may not show.Convinced there must be a perfectly good explanation, Samantha’s mother Tammy sends her husband John out to search for their Princess’s prince.

John obeys…for he knows the horror that lies ahead if he fails to find the boy.

A twisted tale that combines the elements of such classics as Psycho and Carrie, “Princess” is a 47 page story that will drag you into a world of madness, depravity, and murder.

Find it on Amazon.

______________________________________________________________

In the Shadows by Erica Cope

Mia Carrington is struggling to come to terms with the fact that she killed a man, while trying to find a balance between her role as the Princess of the Light Elves and attempting to lead the life of a normal human teenager.Too bad her dual life doesn’t come with an instruction manual.Just when she thinks that fate can’t throw anything else at her, the Duchess Isobel is found on the brink of death and Mia’s boyfriend Jacoby is the only suspect.

Despite the suspicion surrounding him, Mia is sure of the innocence of the boy she loves and she is determined to prove it no matter the risk.

The problem is, the one thing that can save Isobel and clear Jacoby can only be found in the shadows of the Underworld.

Oh boy.

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

______________________________________________________________

A Shade Of Vampire by Bella Forrest

On the evening of Sofia Claremont’s seventeenth birthday, she is sucked into a nightmare from which she cannot wake.A quiet evening walk along a beach brings her face to face with a dangerous pale creature that craves much more than her blood.She is kidnapped to an island where the sun is eternally forbidden to shine.
An island uncharted by any map and ruled by the most powerful vampire coven on the planet. She wakes here as a slave, a captive in chains.

Sofia’s life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn when she is the one selected out of hundreds of girls to join the harem of Derek Novak, the dark royal Prince.

Despite his addiction to power and obsessive thirst for her blood, Sofia soon realizes that the safest place on the island is within his quarters, and she must do all within her power to win him over if she is to survive even one more night.

Will she succeed? …or is she destined to the same fate that all other girls have met at the hands of the Novaks?

Find it on Amazon.

______________________________________________________________

Right Now by Marie Hall

Sometimes in life….Things were supposed to get better when Ryan met Lili. I was supposed to move on, get a life… but I’m stuck and lost. Things with my father are not good. There are demons in our closet, big ones. Ones I want to kill him for, I’m seeing a shrink, I’m trying to get better… but my life feels out of control, like I’m a raft adrift on the sea. I don’t know where to look, how to get anchored again, and then I meet Zoe Stone. Something about her draws me out of my rut, makes me laugh for real, smile, and for the first time in years I want to be more. But what will she think when she discovers who I really am?…all we have…

When Alexander Donovan, aka The Golden Adonis, walks into my tattoo parlor, I know I’ll do anything to make that man mine. There’s an instant connection, a need to know more about him. Everything about him. But there’s also a mystery surrounding the guy, when people look at him they only see the man that laughs, that cracks jokes and makes the world think that everything’s okay, but I see the truth… I see the darkness that lurks so deep inside few would ever recognize it. I want to help him, I want to be with him, now I just have to make him trust me enough to let me in.

Is Right Now

I leaned my head back and thought about the boy who was no longer really a boy.
Alex was a man.
And a tall, really tall, one at that.

The moment I’d seen him walk through the door, my heart had constricted. Painfully. It’d taken me a second to catch my breath. I’d dreamed about him all through high school, watched as he took one girl after another out around town.

I doubted he remembered the girl working the popcorn counter at the theater, but every weekend there was always a new girl on his arm, a new girl kissing him and rubbing her horny little body all over his, and it was a miracle my teeth hadn’t become filed points as much as I’d ground them together.

And maybe it shouldn’t surprise me that he didn’t have a clue who I was; I no longer looked even remotely similar to the girl who’d graduated valedictorian of J.J. Baines High.
My fingers twitched as I remembered the feel of his body in my fist. He was big, and so damn hard my thighs had trembled.

Fire and static and electricity and whatever other chemical combustion had detonated inside me. I’d gone from zero to horny in two seconds the moment he’d walked in.
His hair had glinted so many different shades of blond, from white to burnished bronze, and all I wanted to do was touch it, run my fingers through it, wondering all the while if it was as soft as it’d looked.

One look into eyes that made me think of a sky right after a storm and I could no longer control myself.

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

______________________________________________________________

Chosen by Heather Fleener

In the beginning…there were VampireMan’s fall from grace sparked the birth of the Dark creatures from the underworld. To counter the explicit threat to mankind, divinely-created immortals were brought forth. The Witch encompassed seven Castes of power; their magic was most effective against the nefarious agenda pursued by the evil ones.She is Chosen…
Kaitriana’s gift of magic is unrivaled. A descendant of the most powerful Ancient in existence, her birth was foretold ages before her time. Destined to lead the Witch faction, she is betrayed by her own kind, destroying her birthright and all hope of delivering the Realm from the sinister shadow of the Ancient Dark.

He is the Key…
Lorcan is a mighty warlord in the Vampire species. His animosity towards the magical immortals is personal – his mother was their Queen. Having long since severed all ties with his former kin, his existence remains plagued by the repercussions of her treachery and a secret that threatens to be his downfall.

They are the Prophecy…
An arcane prophecy from the time of the Ancients proclaims that only two in all of creation can bring peace to the Realm. When Kaitriana miraculously appears seeking his protection, Lorcan must forsake his duty and disregard the dictates of his breed to shelter the female. Together they must combat the Ancient Dark and surmount the forces within their own factions that would oppose the Prophecy. Their fates have always been entwined and only when joined can they triumph over a blood feud that has shadowed the Light for millennia.

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

______________________________________________________________

Choosing You by Allie Everhart

When Jade is given a scholarship to an elite private college in Connecticut, she sees it as a chance to finally escape her painful past and get a fresh start. She’s determined to succeed and that means keeping her focus on school and not guys. But her plan falls apart her first day on campus when Garret, a rich prep school boy with swimmer abs and a perfect smile, offers to help her move in.Jade tries to push him away, but she can’t deny her attraction to him and Garret won’t let her. Things quickly heat up between them, but then come to a sudden halt when reality hits and Jade realizes that a relationship with Garret may never be possible. He comes from a world of wealth where there are rules, including rules about who he can date. And not following those rules has consequences.As the two of them try to overcome the obstacles working to keep them apart, Jade is confronted with another challenge. On her 19th birthday, she receives a letter that her now deceased mother wrote years ago. In it are revelations that explain her traumatic childhood but also make her question the past she’s been running from.

Find it on Amazon.

______________________________________________________________

Finding Kia by Airicka Phoenix

“Maybe you should avoid me tonight.”
His arm slipped around my waist and I was drawn into his chest. “If I only have this one night with you, the last thing I’m going to do is stay away.”Kia Valentines had always accepted the fact that she was a nerd, a nobody. It was a badge she wore with honor, until the day she saved Claudia DeLorenzo’s life and lost herself.
When offered the chance to shed her identity for a single night, Kia never believed it would change her life. It was one night. It meant nothing, or it shouldn’t have. But that single night turned out to be her undoing when she finds passion in the arms of the one person she can never have.Adam Chaves was more than just a gorgeous face, he made her laugh, but more importantly, when he looked at her, she felt like the most beautiful girl on earth. But Adam has no idea that Kia was the girl behind the mask and Kia has no intention of telling him. But a secret could only be kept if no one else knows about it. Claudia knows and she wants something Kia isn’t willing to give in order to keep it.

Will Kia succumb? And just how far is Claudia willing to go to get what she wants?

Find it on Amazon.

______________________________________________________________

Lost by M. Lathan

Three months ago, Christine Grant found herself, love, and impossible friends, while losing the memories of the biggest piece of her past.Now, her powers are spinning out of control and must be tamed by the woman who saved the world, the same woman Christine is predicted to kill in less than a month. Wanting to punish catty orphans was just the beginning. It’s only a matter of time before she discovers that the world is not as safe from her as she hoped it was

Find it on Amazon.

______________________________________________________________

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.

{October 11, 2013} Meghan Ciana Doidge Birthday Book Sale and Giveaway!!!

Read my reviews of these novels:

After the Virus

Spirit Binder

Time Walker

Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic

{October 10, 2013} {Fall Into UtopYA Party} Halo City by Mary Ting Spotlight and Giveaway

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Halo City by Mary Ting

halo city cover

Synopsis:

When a massive group of angels known as nephilim—half human, half angel—had been found by the Royal Council, they were taken to Halo City. Instead of cleansing the Earth with a flood, which had been done before, the Royal Council created a place just for this group of angels. While they were being taken, one of the Twelve, named Aden, rebelled and convinced many alkins to join his cause—to live freely among the humans and take over Crossroads.

After the fall of Aden and his followers, Michael was taken to Halo City to heal. Not only did Michael had a difficult time settling into his new environment, he had conflicting issues regarding his past. Upon meeting the alkins, a particular one by the name of Davin refused to give up on helping him deal with his struggles. Together, they discovered a strange being that would appear at the Crossroads at unexpected times. Souls wandering there is nothing new, but this one aged as time passed. Mystified, they both searched for answers while refraining from telling the Twelve about her. Who is this being that had enraptured Michael’s attention? And will Michael finally forgive himself and find the happiness that he yearned to have?

Add Halo City to your Goodreads shelf.

Halo City is available for purchase at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

About Mary Ting:

M. Clarke also known as Mary Ting resides in Southern California with her husband and two children. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Writing her first novel, Crossroads Saga, happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother, and inspired by a dream she once had as a young girl. When she started reading new adult novels, she fell in love with the genre. It was the reason she had to write one-Something Great. Why the pen name, M Clarke? She tours with Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children’s chapter book-No Bullies Allowed.

Author Contact Links:

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ Website

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Enter this week’s Fall Into UtopYA Party Giveaway!

Click this Rafflecopter link to ENTER!

{October 10, 2013} {Review} Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling

From Goodreads: A copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them resides on almost every wizarding household in the country. Now, for a limited period only, Muggles too have the chance to discover where the Quintaped lives, what the Puffskein eats, and why it is best not to leave milk out for a Knarl.

Proceeds from the sale of this book will go to improving and saving the lives of children around the world, which means that the dollars and Galleons you exchange for it will do magic beyond the powers of any wizard. If you feel that this is insufficient reason to part with your money, I can only hope most sincerely that passing wizards feel more charitable if they ever see you being attacked by a Manticore.

-Albus Dumbledore

_________________________________________________________________________

I think this is a good read for the hardcore fan, and it boggles my mind that Rowling can be this detailed about her world. It’s phenomenal, really, and I must give her kudos for extending her amazing Harry Potter series as far as writing the textbooks as well! Brilliant! And there are so many interesting beasts in this world… Unfortunately for me, this text also reads very much like a textbook, which is the point, of course, but doesn’t really interest me. I liked how there are little notes here and there written by Harry, Ron, and Hermione, and I liked learning about the animals and the questions behind whether certain beasts were really beasts, but overall, it was a bit boring, in my opinion. However, it has sparked my interest in re-reading the wonderful Harry Potter novels, and watching the movies all over again…

Here’s my question, though. I’m hard-pressed to understand how a movie will be made out this textbook. I picked up this little novella when I heard the news the Rowling was making another movie, but I just don’t see how it will be a movie as opposed to showing visuals of the encyclopedia like book. Thoughts?

Two stars.

I was given a copy of this novella by a student.

{October 9, 2013} {Fall Into UtopYA} Drowning in Fire by Arielle Caldwell Spotlight and Giveaway

______________________________________________________________________________________

Drowning in Fire by Arielle Caldwell

Once again, Marya with Strong Image Editing, has done an amazing job with a cover! She had done each one for The Nerita Torlan Trilogy by Arielle. “Drowning in Fire” is book two in the series.

Synopsis:

Nerita is tortured and put through more pain than she ever imagined could happen. Ahlic has captured her and locked her in a room where there’s no chance of escape on her own. He forces her to watch the murder of a friend. She strikes a deal to try and save lives but Ahlic is not the bargaining type.

After escaping, Ahlic forces her to endure a traumatic loss and haunts her in her dreams. More powers emerge from her, shocking everyone and leaving them slightly afraid. While on her own, a witch shows her the future and tells her grave news. A battle rages in her heart; unsure of how to handle the revelation.

She seeks Ahlic…but not to destroy him. Feelings she can’t control drive her to insanity and lust. Will Nerita give in and fall for what she’s been trying so hard to destroy?

____________________________________________________________________________________

About Arielle:

Arielle Caldwell began writing in grade school but never pursued a career in it until early 2012. She started writing poetry in middle school and progressed to books a few years later. She is a proud Cajun from Louisiana but was raised in Pensacola, Florida. Shortly after graduating high school, she joined the US Navy where she met her husband and became the mother of two wonderfully crazy little boys. After separating from the military, she decided to go to college in Texas. A year later, she moved back to Pensacola when offered a job at the naval base as a civilian contractor. She is currently juggling college, work, family, writing, managing her website, Arc Indie Reviews, and being a columnist for APSS, the new Small Publishers of America newsletter. She loves going to the river with her family and friends or to the water park for a few hours. Her Kindle is overflowing with books, she loves rock music the most, and she loves to sing and dance with her children around the house. Her first series, The Nerita Torlan Trilogy, has two books currently released. “Burning in Water” is her debut book, also being book one in the series with “Drowning in Fire” book two, released as well. Book three is “The Awakening” and in the works. “After-Ending” is her dystopian novel that has a planned release of beginning to mid 2014. She resides in Pensacola with her husband, two kids, and their Great Dane, Scooby.

Contact Arielle:

Facebook: AFCaldwellsBooks

Email: Arielle Caldwell

Twitter: @ArielleCaldwell

Publisher: Nevermore Press

______________________________________________________________________

Enter this week’s Fall Into UtopYA Party Giveaway!

Click this Rafflecopter link to ENTER!

{October 9, 2013} {Review} Not Quite the Classics by Colin Mochrie

From Goodreads: Colin Mochrie, a man known worldwide for working without a script, has penned a collection of stories destined to make its own mark in the literary community. Borrowing from a well-known improve game, Mochrie takes the first and last lines from familiar classics and reimagines everything in between. With the same engaging humour he exhibits on stage, television, and film, he takes the reader in bizarre and hilarious new directions, using the original writer’s words as a launch and landing point. Imagine A Tale of Two Cities in which Wile E. Coyote gets his revenge on the Road Runner, Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat with zombies, or The Night Before Christmas with a time travelling twist. Imagine Sherlock Holmes devising a foolproof method for eliciting laughter and then taking the stage at a Victorian comedy club in Old London.

This inspired collection is comical, quirky, and clever classic Mochrie.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

I loved Colin Mochrie in “Whose Line is it Anyway!” That was such a great show, and I had high hopes for this novel because of it. I’m not really a classics fan myself, so I was looking forward to this wild spin that Mochrie puts on them. However, these tales didn’t really do anything for me. I didn’t find them funny, as I’d hoped to, and in the end, the entire compilation really just felt like a group of random short stories by one author. My favorite of all the tales was “Casey at the Bar” because it’s a poem, it was relatively short, and it had a funnier twist than the original did, (I thought the original to be quite good, too), but even so, it didn’t leaving me roaring with laughter like I’d hoped. I think that might be the downfall of a hilarious person writing a novel… because I expect it to be the same as their slapstick humor in real life, and in this case, it just wasn’t that way for me. Two stars.

Diversion Books has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read this novel via Netgalley.

Accendo Press – October 2013

Buy on Amazon: http://amzn.to/H70sHD

GIVEAWAY: Heather is giving away a gift basket with a hair flower, nail polish, bracelet, and a $20 Amazon Gift Card.

Enter the giveaway using this Rafflecopter Link!!

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Purchase links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FXJ87TO Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/meant-for-her-raine-thomas/1117164890 Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/meant-for-her-1 iBooks: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9781939453075

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18467599-meant-for-her

Author Bio:

Share this:

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.

Share this:

Share this:

The 12 Days of Christmas Just Got Hotter!

These novellas are sure to get you ready for whatever you have planned for the holidays.

About Magan Vernon and OFF THE MARKET:

Etta Davis didn’t have showing a house penciled into her Christmas plans, but with the other realtors already off enjoying their holiday, she’d been stuck with the task. It wasn’t all bad though, the house up for grabs used to belong to the family of her high school sweetheart, Andrew Larson.

______________________________________________________________________________________

About Zoe Dawson and BRAVE:

In the season of hope, in the season of giving… How far would you go for your friend?

______________________________________________________________________________________

About Tiffany King and CROSS COUNTRY CHRISTMAS:

Christmas may finally bring Jamie the gift of love she has always wanted if she and Grant can manage to overcome a few obstacles along the way.

Ho-ho-ho!

Preorder links available now Amazon Preorder Link Apple Preorder Link

______________________________________________________________________________________

About Chelsea Cameron and CHRISTMAS CATCH:

She swore she was never going back to the tiny fishing village she came from.

So did he.

But when they’re both dragged back to Saltwater, Maine, they might realize it’s where they belong. Together…

______________________________________________________________________________________

About H.M. Ward and A LITTLE CHRISTMAS ROMANCE:

A sexy and sweet holiday treat.

______________________________________________________________________________________

About Breena Wilde and FROSTED MIDNIGHT:

Willow needs a miracle…

Twenty-year-old Willow is a librarian in the tourist town of Bandon, Oregon. During the summer the town is bursting with interesting people from all over the world.

Two summers ago she met Austin. He was everything she ever wanted in a man: smart, funny, and gorgeous. But after eight perfect weeks he left, and she hasn’t heard from him since.

Until Christmas Eve. She receives an email from Austin asking her to meet him at midnight so he can explain.

It might be a booty call, but Willow has to see him one last time, even if it’s just to say good-bye.

______________________________________________________________________________________

About A. Meredith Walters and WARMTH IN ICE:

It’s Maggie and Clay’s first Christmas together…

***Spoilers for those who have not read Find You in the Dark or Light in the Shadows***

Clay and Maggie have gone through the dark and come out on the other side. For the first time, they are on this journey together. Fighting for something they both need and can’t live without…each other.

As the months pass and they struggle with being a part, old insecurities and fears take root and threaten a love that has come so far.

When Maggie decides to fly to Florida as a surprise for Clay on Christmas, she is unsure whether it will be the first step toward what they both desperately want or whether it could possibly be the end of it all.

But with the holidays approaching, Maggie and Clay are reminded that even when the days are coldest, you can still find the warmth and that hope and love are the greatest gifts of all.

______________________________________________________________________________________

About Sawyer Bennett and IF I RETURN:

Would you wait? College student, Hope Camden, is relentlessly serious, awkwardly shy and in complete need of taking a walk on the wilder side. At least, that’s what her sister tells her when she drags her off for an impromptu Christmas getaway in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

______________________________________________________________________________________

About Shelly Crane and WIDE SPACES:

A novella for emma and Mason’s first Christmas together after Wide Awake.

Emma knows better than most that life can change from one second to the next. Mason knows that guilt can make you change so much, that you don’t even recognize yourself in the mirror. When they found each other, they knew that life had given them a second chance.

But can one night, one second, one misunderstanding change everything?

A life together that saved them will become a life they think is lost forever.

______________________________________________________________________________________

About Addison Moore and WINTER KISSES:

Having a one-night stand with your ex is never easy.

She thinks its revenge sex. He thinks its make-up sex.

Things can only go wrong from here.

______________________________________________________________________________________

About Marquita Valentine and ALL FOR YOU:

Bully. Tormentor. Lover.

West Diaz has been all of these things to me.

After being gone for two years, he’s back, begging for my forgiveness. And not just my forgiveness… He wants more.

He wants… Me.

______________________________________________________________________________________

About Sarra Cannon and A SEASON FOR HOPE:

After a devastating breakup, Bailey Houston just wants to give up on life.

But can sexy med-student Judd Kohler teach her that Christmas really is a season for hope?

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

To read my 5 star review: CLICK HERE

Dallas Brown lives a life all his own. He doesn’t do relationships, he doesn’t care what anyone thinks of him, and he doesn’t live up to anyone’s expectations but his own.

GIVEAWAY:
Heather is giving away a gift basket with a hair flower, nail polish, bracelet, and a $20 Amazon Gift Card.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FXJ87TO
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/meant-for-her-raine-thomas/1117164890
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/meant-for-her-1
iBooks: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9781939453075

These novellas are sure to get you ready for whatever you have planned for the
holidays.

Preorder links available now
Amazon Preorder Link
Apple Preorder Link

Spoilers for those who have not read Find You in the Dark or Light in the Shadows

Due to content, this book is not suitable for readers under the age of 18.
The Wicked Thing Playlist