Archive for June 13, 2014

School of Deaths copy banner

The minute I read reaper and death I’m drawn to this book like a magnet.

It’s going to be fun to read about a female reaper and a school of deaths, hmm….curiouser and curiouser.

Check out the fantastic cover, enjoy the excerpt and watch the fun trailer.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway.

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School of Deaths

by Christopher Mannino

School of Deaths cover

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BLURB:

 

A timid girl finds bravery as the first female Death.

Thirteen-year-old Suzie Sarnio always believed the Grim Reaper was a fairy tale image of a skeleton with a scythe. Now, forced to enter the College of Deaths, she finds herself training to bring souls from the Living World to the Hereafter. The task is demanding enough, but as the only female in the all-male College, she quickly becomes a target. Attacked by both classmates and strangers, Suzie is alone in a world where even her teachers want her to fail.

Caught in the middle of a plot to overthrow the World of Deaths, Suzie must uncover the reason she’s been brought there: the first female Death in a million years.

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[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXSSZN6L128]

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Excerpt

 

She tried to turn, but the scythe pulled her onward. She coursed through stars and space, beyond time and emotion. Lighter than a daydream, she slipped through a crevice: the gap between light and shadow. The blade twisted, finding its way.

 

A face appeared before her: an elderly man she didn’t recognize. Somehow, she sensed a name: Elias Stoneridge.

 

She landed hard, stumbling as her feet hit a tiled floor. Beads of white light trickled off the blade.

 

For a moment, she couldn’t tell where she was. She heard beeps and the slow intake of air.

 

Frank patted her on the shoulder. “You okay?” he asked.

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Remember, don’t let anyone else see us,” said Frank, looking around the hospital room.

 

Certified Deaths received special robes to help avoid mortal eyes. Ironically, the Deaths who’d inspired tales of the Grim Reaper throughout the ages had been students like her. Students and ones who didn’t make it back. She shuddered, remembering her skeletal appearance. It seemed long ago.

 

A man lay in a bed, connected to an array of tubes and machines. Suzie walked to the foot of his bed and read the name on his chart. “Elias Stoneridge.” The scythe quivered in her hand. The handle pulsed like a beating heart, or was that only her own heartbeat? No, the blade felt the soul, it was hungry.

 

“It’s his time,” said Frank, patting her on the shoulder. “Quickly, before someone comes.”

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

School of Deaths author Mannino_shot2

 

Christopher Mannino’s life is best described as an unending creative outlet. He teaches high school theatre in Greenbelt, Maryland. In addition to his daily drama classes, he runs several after-school performance/production drama groups. He spends his summers writing and singing. Mannino holds a Master of Arts in Theatre Education from Catholic University, and has studied mythology and literature both in America and at Oxford University. His work with young people helped inspire him to write young adult fantasy, although it was his love of reading that truly brought his writing to life.

Mannino is currently working on a sequel to “School of Deaths” as well as an adult science fiction novel.

Links:

Main Blog ~ Poets Fire Blog ~ Goodreads ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Muse It Up Publishing ~ Amazon ~ B&N ~ Smashwords

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The author will give a $20 Amazon gift card to two randomly drawn commenters.

Click on the rafflecopter below to enter.

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Click on the button below for more fun stops on the blast. And don’t forget to comment. The more you comment, the more chances to win!

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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I’m thrilled to showcase The Thin Veil Series by Jodi McIsaac.

I fell in love with the cover art for these books and was really excited after reading the blurbs and discovering there is a blend of fantasy, celtic myth, and mystery.

A great combination that’ll keep me reading from book to book.

Enjoy learning more and don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

THE THIN VEIL SERIES

by Jodi McIsaac

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BLURBS:

 

THROUGH THE DOOR (Book #1)

ThroughTheDoor

AMAZON

 

It’s been seven years since the love of Cedar McLeod’s life left with no forwarding address. All she has left of him are heart-wrenching memories of happier times and a beautiful six-year-old daughter, Eden. Then, one day, Eden opens her bedroom door and unwittingly creates a portal that leads to anywhere she imagines.

 

But they’re not the only ones who know of Eden’s gift, and soon the child mysteriously vanishes.

 

Desperate for answers, Cedar digs into the past and finds herself thrust into a magical world of Celtic myths, fantastical creatures, and bloody rivalries. Teaming up with the unlikeliest of allies, Cedar must bridge the gap between two worlds and hold tight to the love in her heart…or lose everything to an ancient evil.

 

The first in the Thin Veil series, Through the Door is a pulse-pounding adventure that takes readers across the globe and deep into the hidden realms of Celtic lore.

 

INTO THE FIRE (Book #2)

IntoTheFire

AMAZON

 

Cedar McLeod would like nothing more than to return to Tír na nÓg, help rebuild the mythical kingdom, and start a new life for herself and her daughter, Eden. But peace isn’t what Cedar finds after being reunited with her little girl.

 

Nuala—who kidnapped and terrorized Eden in her previous bid for power—has returned and is making a persuasive claim for the vacant throne. The devastation such a ruler would bring upon both the kingdom and the human world is unthinkable. With no one else to stake a convincing counter-claim, Cedar steps forward…but first she must prove her worth beyond a doubt.

 

Her opportunity comes when she is charged with finding an ancient treasure, the Stone of Destiny, and returning it to its rightful home. It is a quest that will lead her to question her beliefs, and push her loyalties to their limits. If she succeeds, Cedar could grant her new world and her new family a chance to flourish again. If not…destruction may be the only path ahead.

 

Into the Fire, the second book in the Thin Veil series, is a captivating blend of Celtic myth, mystery, and adventure that delves deeper into the ancient world first explored in Through the Door.

 

AMONG THE UNSEEN (Book #3)

AmongtheUnseen

AMAZON

 

Life just keeps getting more complicated for Cedar McLeod. As the recently crowned queen of Tír na nÓg, she’s trying to understand her magical new kingdom, even as she misses her life back on Earth. It doesn’t help that a dear friend has just betrayed her—a betrayal that almost cost Cedar and her family their lives. And things aren’t easy at home, either, as Cedar’s seven-year-old daughter, Eden, lost and lonely in Tír na nÓg despite her special powers, has become painfully distant.

 

Cedar vows to do whatever it takes to protect her family once and for all, and starts rounding up those who plotted against her. But then a new disaster breaks out: a mysterious sickness is plaguing the Unseen, Ireland’s magical creatures, including those Cedar knows and loves. With enemies still on the loose and not knowing whom she can trust, Cedar must race against time to reverse an ancient curse, in a journey that will take her from Tír na nÓg to Earth…and beyond.

 

Brimming with page-turning adventure, Among the Unseen—the exciting conclusion to Jodi McIsaac’s Thin Veil trilogy—weaves an enchanting, captivating spell.

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AMONG THE UNSEEN (BOOK 3) EXCERPT

 

Irial was lying on a rock, tanning his perpetually pale skin, surrounded by seals. This island off the west coast of Ireland was never exactly warm, but his body seemed to be acclimatizing itself to the winds and chills. He had felt exhausted of late, so this chance to soak up some rare late-summer rays was a welcome opportunity. He stretched his thin frame and opened one coal black eye, absentmindedly running his hand through his black curls. At a glance, he appeared to be a normal human youth, with strong shoulders, a tight waist, and powerful legs. And yet there was something unearthly about the way all his pieces fit together. Once you set eyes on him, it was difficult to look away.

 

“Ladies!” he called. “It’s a beautiful day! Why don’t you shed the coats?”

 

The seal next to him made a sound that he thought was supposed to be laughter—or it might have been a sneeze. It twisted its head and strained its neck, as if trying to push something out. And then the seal’s skin split neatly down the middle, and a dark-haired,

dark-eyed, and very naked woman eased her way out and lay down on the rock beside him, the sealskin tucked under one arm.

 

“Better?” she asked. Some of the other seals did the same, but the rest ignored him.

 

“Indeed,” Irial said, giving her an appreciative glance. He’d already tried with this one—Syrna, he thought her name was—without getting anywhere, but she did like to flirt. And flirting was something he’d been unable to do since realizing what he was, and what happened to the women who loved him.

 

“Shout if you see a human,” she murmured, resting her head on her arms and closing her eyes.

 

“You’ll have to keep watch yourself, my dear,” he answered. “I have a date with you in my dreams.”

 

“Are all gancanagh as lazy as you?” she asked, but he could tell she was smiling.

 

“I wouldn’t know. I’ve never met another.”

 

Syrna opened her eyes and turned to look at him. “Really? You’ve never met another like yourself?”

 

“Hard to believe, I know, when you selkies all live in colonies. But I’m afraid I’m one of a kind. At least, as far as I know. Maybe hundreds of other gancanagh are out there charming the ladies and doing who knows what else.”

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Jodi Martens Headshots for Writing

 

Jodi McIsaac grew up in New Brunswick, Canada. After stints as a short-track speed skater, a speechwriter, and fundraising and marketing executive in the nonprofit sector, she started a boutique copywriting agency and began writing novels in the wee hours of the morning. She currently lives with her husband and children in Calgary.

 

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ Google+

 

 

The Thin Veil Series on Amazon

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Jodi will award signed print copies of all three books in the Thin Veil Series to one randomly selected winner.

Click on the Rafflecopter to enter.

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Click on the banner below to follow the tour. And make sure you comment. The more you comment, the more chances to win!

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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M9B-Friday-Reveal

Welcome to the Cover Reveal for

The Perilous Journey of the Not-So-Innocuous
Girl by Leigh Statham

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presented by Month9Books!

Isn’t the cover art fantastical!!

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

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The Perilous Journey of the Not So Innocuous Girl

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Lady Marguerite lives a life most 17th century French girls can only dream of: Money, designer dresses, suitors and a secure future. Except, she suspects her heart may be falling for her best friend Claude, a common smithie in the family’s steam forge. When Claude leaves for New France in search of a better life, Marguerite decides to follow him and test her suspicions of love. Only the trip proves to be more harrowing than she anticipated. Love, adventure and restitution await her, if she can survive the voyage.

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add to goodreads

Title: THE PERILOUS JOURNEY OF
THE NOT-SO-INNOCUOUS GIRL
Publication date: 2015
Publisher: Month9Books, LLC.
Author: Leigh Statham

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Chapter-by-Chapter-header---About-the-Author

L. Statham

Leigh Statham was raised in the wilds of rural Idaho, but found her heart in New York City. She worked as a waitress, maid, artist, math teacher, nurse, web designer, art director, thirty-foot inflatable pig and mule wrangler before she settled down in the semi-quiet role of wife, mother and writer. She resides in North Carolina with her husband, four children, five chickens and two suspected serial killer cats. If the air is cool and the sun is just coming up over the horizon, you can find her running the streets of her small town, plotting her next novel with the sort of intensity that will one day get her hit by a car.

Connect with the Author: Website |Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Chapter-by-Chapter-header---Giveaway

Ebok copy of The Perilous Journey of the not-so-innocuous Girl and a $10 Amazon Gift Card

Complete the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!

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(Winners will receive their book on release day)

 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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