Archive for May 8, 2013

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How could I resist this tour!

The cover art intrigued me and after reading the synopsis I was sayin, “I want in!”

Melanie will be awarding the winner’s choice of a backlist eBook to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

Follow the tour to get more entries here!

Don’t forget to leave a comment at each stop.  More chances to win!

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Cover_BoundBlood

Blood Bound

by Melanie Atkins

AMAZON

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BLURB:

 

Fueled by grief after his fiancée is brutally murdered, Detective Sam Walker focuses on finding her killer — a calculating predator who binds books with human skin.  Dani Barrington, the newest member of NOPD‘s Victim and Witness Assistance Unit and a survivor of another frightening attack, helps him discover the terrifying link between the monster’s known victims.  Despite his anguish, Sam is struck by Dani’s strength and determination, especially when her inquisitive  nature makes her the killer’s next target.  He must find a way to protect her or risk losing the one woman who can bring his dead heart back to life.

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Excerpt

“Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned.” NOPD Detective Sam Walker’s low rasp echoed inside the tiny confessional within the deep recesses of St. Mary’s Church. He pressed his damp palms to his thighs. “It’s been nine months since my last confession.”

“Continue.”

“My sins are… indescribable…” He let the word trail off. Sweat pooled at the base of his spine. “I don’t know if I can–“

“You must voice your transgressions, son, to get them off your chest. It’s the only way to gain absolution.”

“I don’t deserve God’s forgiveness.”

“Sam, tell me the truth.” Father O’Malley cleared his throat. “Is this about Kristen?”

“She died a horrible death,” Sam whispered, his heart breaking all over again for his fiancée and the family he would never have with her.

The priest paused.

“It’s been a long time.”

“Eight fucking — sorry, Father.” Sam broke off and swallowed, doing his best to regain his composure. “Eight long months. I thought I was coping, but I can’t get past it. Especially since I’m the reason she’s dead.”

“How did you come to that conclusion?”

Sam pressed his lips together. Every time he thought about his fiancée’s brutal murder, his gut clenched. He should have taken her to dinner that night like he’d promised, instead of letting the job get in the way. The Glock riding his hip was a constant reminder he’d been a detective first, and her intended husband second.

God should damn me straight to hell.

Father O’Malley shifted inside the tiny booth, and the ornate screen between them shuddered. The too-sweet odor of funeral lilies wafted over Sam.

“You didn’t murder her, my son. Some sick, depraved individual did it.”

“I was supposed to protect her.”

“You were doing your job.”

“When I should have been with her. Keeping her safe.” Agony pierced his soul. He dropped his elbows to his knees and hung his head. His voice broke. “I let her die.”

“You didn’t let her die, Sam. A terrible thing happened. It wasn’t your fault. God doesn’t hold you responsible.”

“Well, He should. I’m guilty.”

“Sam–“

“He… he skinned her, Father. I don’t know why, but he did.” Tears burned his eyes.

Clearly shaken, Father O’Malley murmured more words of condolence. “I’ll say another prayer for her soul.”

“It’s my fault she’s gone. I can never do enough penance to make up for it.” Sam shuddered. “Not in this lifetime.”

“I want you to say one Our Father and one Hail Mary.”

Sam barked a harsh laugh.

“That doesn’t even scratch the surface. I can’t even–“

“Wait. I’m not finished.” Father O’Malley regained his poise, and his strong, even tone reverberated in Sam’s ears. “I also want you to pray for the person responsible for Kristen’s death.”

“Hell, no!” Sam blurted, the idea of absolution jolting his brittle psyche. “I can’t pray for that sick son of a bitch. He’s killed four women, including Kristen, after brutalizing them, and we have no idea who he is. We’re working day and night–“

“That’s your penance, son.” Father O’Malley said, gravely. “In addition, you must perform the Act of Contrition and say the Rosary. Don’t let that individual’s cruel soul steal yours.”

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I so have to read this book!

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

blood bound authormelanie

Melanie Atkins a multi-published author of romantic suspense, an editor for an online publishing company, and an avid reader. Writing is more than an escape for her—it’s a way of life. She grew up in the Deep South listening to tall tales and penning stories about her cats. Now she writes gripping stories of love, suspense, and mystery with the help of her furry little feline muses.

Melanie is an active member of Romance Writers of America®, the Magnolia State Romance Writers (MSRW), the Published Author Network (PAN), the Electronic and Small Press Authors’ Network (ESPAN), the Electronically Published Internet Connection (EPIC), Sisters in Crime (SinC), the Red Dog Writers, the Gulf Coast Writers Association, the Southern Writers, the Mississippi Authors Guild and the Byram Writers’ Group. She currently serves as Past President of MSRW.

http://www.melanieatkins.com

http://www.wordpress.melanieatkins.com

WWW Wednesday

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Hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

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What are you currently reading?

Night Realm (Night Realm, #1)

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Night Realm is a Paranormal Detective novel set on Australia‘s Gold Coast. It is the story of private detective, Ryan Fox. When he meets the beautiful Selena Thorne, Ryan’s life takes a detour into a dark world he thought only existed in folklore and in the minds of movie producers. Selena hires Ryan to acquire the unusual research of scientist, Doctor Marlon Becker. Becker is a hematologist and an expert in blood disorders. When Ryan discovers what the focus of Becker’s research is, it puts a whole new spin on things.

Chelsea, Ryan’s teenage sister, meets Travis and she soon realizes there is something very different about this attractive and mysterious new boy in town. A relationship quickly develops .No sooner has Chelsea fallen for Travis when she learns he’s not actually what he seems.

Meanwhile, Homicide Detective David Marks investigates a spate of strange murders, where victims appear to have had every drop of blood drained from their bodies, with the only apparent injuries being two puncture wounds on the throat. With no solid leads on a suspect and more people dying every few days, Marks is getting nowhere fast in his quest to apprehend the killer.

As the story unfolds the lives of the characters – both human and vampire – come together in a gripping climax where not everyone comes out alive, and not everything goes as planned.

Great beginning. Let you know more when I’m done!

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What did you recently finish reading?

The Dead of Winter

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College student Christy Brewer lives in a personal hell at home with an increasingly unreasonable and violent father while balancing school and a love life. Meanwhile, over a hundred miles away, in a small ski resort town, Police Chief Wayne Marski is suddenly dealing with a serial killer who is dispatching people in a particularly grisly manner. Worse, the few clues indicate that he is dealing with a human adversary.
Or is he?

Their stories coincide in a suspenseful and action-filled climax as a centuries-old curse comes home.

I’ll be doing my review next week!

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What do you think you’ll read next?

The Dazzling Darkness

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A secret lies buried beneath the haunting statuary in Old Willow Cemetery. In Concord, Massachusetts, the surrounding woods are alive with the spirits of transcendentalists Emerson, Thoreau, and Alcott. Elias Hatch, the cemetery keeper, is the last of modern-day transcendentalists. Does he know the secret power buried in Old Willow Cemetery? Would he ever reveal it?

Next door to this cemetery is a lovely gabled house. When the Brooke family moves in, the secret of Old Willow strikes. On a cold afternoon in March, five-year-old Henry Brooke does not arrive home from the school bus stop. Antonia Brooke is frantic her child is missing, or—the unspeakable—stolen. Adam Brooke spends a harrowing night searching the Concord woods, fear gripping him as hours pass with no leads.

Finally, a police dog tracks Henry’s scent inside Old Willow Cemetery. Detective Mike Balducci suspects that Elias Hatch knows the truth about what happened to Henry. Balducci knows Hatch’s metaphysical beliefs. What Balducci discovers buried in the cemetery is beyond the grave, beyond apparitions or shadowy drifts rushing through the pine trees.

There are the dazzled faces in the darkened air … and their secret.

The Dazzling Darkness is a supernatural mystery that parallels science with spirituality by exploring consciousness, death, and the afterlife.

This promises to be very good.

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So, whatcha readin?

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