Archive for the ‘Blitz’ Category

Midnight Fire Series

I’ll admit that cover art is a large part of why I choose a book. It has to grab me. Once I’m interested, then I check out the summary.

Check out these wonderful covers.

Now check out the sale!

Buy the entire series and you get the first two books free.

While you’re here, check out Kaitlyn’s interview and enter the giveaway!

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The Complete Midnight Fire Series (Midnight Fire)

by Kaitlyn Davis

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Release Date: 10/31/13

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**Get the first two books FREE when you buy the entire series at once!**

Summary

From bestselling author Kaitlyn Davis comes a paranormal romance perfect for fans of Twilight, The Vampire Diaries, and Buffy The Vampire Slayer.

“With one last look, one final search of the lines of his face for some sign, Kira turned and ran away from the sound of the man she loved laughing in the face of her death.”

When Kira Dawson moves to South Carolina, she meets Luke, a blond goofball who quickly becomes her best friend, and Tristan, a mysterious bad boy who sends shivers down her spine. Kira knows they’re keeping secrets, but when she discovers Tristan’s lust for blood and her own dormant mystical powers, Kira is forced to fight for her life and make the heartbreaking decision between the familiar comfort of friendship and the fiery passion of love.

The Complete Midnight Fire Series – Buy Links:

B&N / Amazon / Smashwords

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RAVE REVIEWS for the Midnight Fire Series!

“The writing is effortlessly mind blowing. I could not put this entire series down. Once you’re hooked, you won’t either because it’ll eat you up not knowing what happened! And then you’ll pick a team like I did and you’ll fall in love with all the characters and you’ll want all the bad guys to die horribly! Just trust me when I say it really is your loss to miss out on this series! It’s a blaze of glory!” – Happy Tales and Tails Blog

“Kaitlyn Davis writes some of the best action scenes I have come across in a young adult book; they are fast paced and so well delivered making this more than just a silly romance.” – Reflections of a Bookworm

“The only downside to this series, is that it ended. But the ending was beautiful.” – My Seryniti

“Kira isn’t a human girl who is one dimensional and in love with a vampire. She’s a well-thought out character who comes to life from the pages and steals into your heart. Read the books. Do it.” – Urban Girl Reader

“I love and hate how fast of a read this was! I love it because I couldn’t get enough of it and hate it because once I finished I wanted more!” – I Just Wanna Sit Here And Read

“I really enjoyed Ms Davis’s writing, I was riveted throughout and was eager to see what would happen – there was drama, danger, action and romance that was wonderfully detailed and described.” – Obsession With Books

“You’ll make friends with Kira, choose sides with Tristan and Luke, and fall in love with the story at heart about a girl with so bright a future….even shades aren’t gonna cut it.” – Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

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Take a moment to enjoy this fun interview with Kaitlyn Davis 

What gave you the inspiration to write the Midnight Fire series?

I‘ve always been a huge fan of vampire lore (what up, Buffy!)! If there was a book, I read it. A television show, I watched it. A movie, I rented it. But I’ve always thought there is some more epic way they could be killed! Beheading? So old school. Stake through the heart? Too overdone. Sunrise? Talk about passive.

But one day, I was walking on the beach, and suddenly it hit me—the sun! Magical beings who fought vampires by channeling the sun! Once that idea came to fruition, the story just flowed out of me.

Can you describe your Midnight Fire Series in three words?

Thrilling, shocking and, of course, romantic!

Who is your favorite character from your book and why?

So tough! I definitely fell in love with my two leading men, but I have to say my main character Kira has got to be my favorite! She is thrown so many curve balls and her life is turned completely upside down, but she manages to keep it together and persevere. I love a girl who can kick some ass and doesn’t let the boys fight her battles!

Did anything (or anyone) surprise you while writing your series?

Um… everything? I always go into my books with a solid outline, but the story somehow gets away from me and gains a life of its own—and I love that! In particular, the story line for one of my male leads really surprised me 🙂 I can’t say which one or I might give the ending away.

What scenes in the books are you most proud of, and why?

If we are talking about the first book, Ignite, I would have to say a scene in the middle of the book that takes place in the school auditorium—if you’ve read it, you know what I’m talking about! In that moment, I truly believe my series separates from the plethora of paranormal romances out there and blossoms into something entirely its own.

But on the other hand, if we’re talking about Scorch, the final book in the series, it would be the second chapter from the end… you’ll just have to read it to find out why 🙂

Is there a message in your series that you want readers to grasp?

Life is a journey and you have to make your own choices. Don’t let other people decide your fate for you.

Can you tell us a little about how the covers were designed?

Thank you–I designed them! Fire is just so brilliant and striking, I knew flames would really pop against a black-and-white backdrop. And, well, fire is a VERY important part of my story—it means life for some and death for others, and it defines the course of Kira’s life.

Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned as a writer from then to now?

Trust in yourself and your fans. That is hands down the most important thing about being a writer in my humble opinion. There will always be an agent who rejects you, a reviewer who gives you one star, or someone else out there to hurt you in some way. It’s up to the writer to believe in his or her work, to continue pushing forward, and eventually it will payoff. Anytime I get a bad rating, I think about the amazing fans who comment on my Facebook wall, tweet at me or email me, and I know that I’m doing something right.

Anything you would say to those just starting out in the craft?

Write the story you want to tell—don’t worry about the trends, or what’s popular at the time, or what anyone else might think.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?

Anywhere and everywhere! Starbucks and my couch are probably the top two, but I also frequent the library, parks, and occasionally my desk 🙂 Normally, I like to write in the afternoon, but if I’m on a roll I’ll keep going until I fall asleep mid-sentence!

Do you read reviews written about your book?

Definitely! The great ones are amazing, and provide a much-needed ego-boost for those moments of complete self-doubt, but bad reviews have their place as well. No writer is perfect–at least I’m certainly not! And anytime someone gives useful criticism, I use it to improve upon my next writing endeavor.

What’s the hardest part of writing a book?

What comes after! During the writing process, I get totally lost in my own world and I let the characters take me on a journey. But after, I’m thrown back into real life and that’s when the doubts creep in! Will people like it? Does it suck? Is it totally boring? Is the romance completely flat? Can people see the curveball coming from a mile away? The hardest part about writing is cutting off those questions and trusting in the book I spent so much time crafting.

Who is your author idol?

It sounds cliché, but I have to say J.K. Rowling. To have your books touch the lives of so many people—it’s incredible! And even more so, I love that she took a chance on a new post-Harry project that was just completely different than anything she had written before. That takes guts!

State 5 random facts about yourself.

1) I’m scarily obsessed with puppies.

2) I chipped a tooth while surfboarding.

3) I’m a complete candy cane hoarder around Christmastime.

4) I love chick flicks—the cheesier, the better!

5) I detox with reality TV… and justify it as character research.

What’s up next for you?

In Feb 2014, I’ll be launching a new young adult epic fantasy series—think Game of Thrones meets Graceling! The first book is called The Shadow Soul, and it is about two magic wielding lost souls. A girl, Jinji, who can weave master illusions, and a boy, Whylrhen, who can pull burning flames into his flesh. But neither of them knows what they are truly capable of until a chance encounter brings them together. For their story has played out before, in a long forgotten time—an age of myth that is about to be reborn…

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Kaitlyn Davis

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Kaitlyn Davis graduated Phi Beta Kappa from JohnsHopkinsUniversity with a B.A. in Writing Seminars. She’s been writing ever since she picked up her first crayon and is overjoyed to finally share her work with the world. She currently lives in New York City and dreams of having a cockapoo puppy of her own.

Author Links:

Blog / Facebook / Twitter /   Tumblr

Wattpad / Pinterest / Youtube / Goodreads / Amazon

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3 Digital sets of The Complete Midnight Fire Series.

Each copy includes all FOUR books in the series – Ignite, Simmer, Blaze & Scorch (INT)

Click on the rafflecopter below to enter.

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Book Blitz Organized by:

YA Bound Book Tours

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the present below.

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Terah Edun is celebrating her brand new release Sworn To Conflict!

This is Book 3 in The Courtlight Series.

I’ve just started this series and look forward to each new chapter.

I’ll start posting my reviews in January so keep an eye out for them!

For now, check out the post, learn more about this exciting series and take advantage of the mega sale going on. You can get 6 full length novels by authors you may recognize for the amazing price of just 99 cents!

And Terah has a terrific giveaway for ya’ll!

Enjoy and good luck!

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Title: Sworn To Conflict

 Author: Terah Edun

 Series: Courtlight #3

Publication date: December 6th 2013

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

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SUMMARY

Ciardis Weathervane fought for the living dead and won. But worse than taking on a mass murderer, was her discovery that she had been deceived by her friends. Now she needs to not only fight a war in the North and survive, but also decide where she stands in the midst of competing sides.

A threat to all she holds dear lies in the North and her heart is not the only thing she might lose. A massive army awaits in the mountain pass, surging closer to the gates of the southern lands. Nothing the Algardis army has done so far has dissuaded their march forward and Ciardis finds out that her powers to enhance are needed now more than ever.

As she faces her greatest fears on the battlefields and her heart is torn between her love of Sebastian and loyalty to her family, Ciardis must choose her fate carefully. For in her path, lies the destiny of the empire.

This third novel continues the story of Ciardis Weathervane from Sworn To Transfer.

Connect With Terah:  Website | Twitter | Facebook
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Purchase Links: Amazon / B&N
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Are you new to the Courtlight series?

Well, you can grab the first book, as well as five other amazing Young Adult books, for less than the price of a Starbucks latte! That’s right, I’m offering Sworn To Raise in a new multi-author YA bundle with six authors from bestselling teen book series!

With 155 5-Star reviews and a regular price of $9.99, this Young Adult Paranormal, Fantasy and Romance bundle can’t be beat. So start it today!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

From High Action Fantasy To Contemporary Romance, This Six-In-One Author Bundle Has Something For Every Teen On Your List.

Six full-length novels.

Six authors with bestselling romance, fantasy & paranormal series.

On sale for $0.99 – Limited time offer!

Alexia Purdy – Ever Fire Bria Quinlan – Secret Girlfriend Kelly Walker – Severed Stone R.H. D’aigle – Shifting Terah Edun – Sworn To Raise CL Stone – The Academy

***Don’t forget to enter the International Giveaway below***

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Terah is giving away signed copies and swag for the Courtlight series.

There are 20 total winners!

Click on the rafflecopter below to enter.

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the present below.

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It’s Release Day for Isaura. The third book in Ruth Silver’s Aberrant Series.

This series has everything you could want. A YA, dystopian fantasy with elements of science fiction and some romance.

I’m in!

I have a special treat for you A character interview with Olivia!

Make sure you check out the seriously spectacular cover art, read up on what each book is all about, enjoy the excerpt, and don’t forget to enter the exciting giveaway.

You could win an ARC, the entire series, be named after a character in an upcoming Ruth Silver story or win a gift card!

Thanks so much to Ruth Silver for this epic celebration of the release of Isaura!

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Enjoy my character interview with Olivia.

Hi Olivia. It’s so nice to meet you. You’ve been through hell and back so I was thinking we would make this interview light and fun to give you a chance to unwind. Let’s get started shall we?

1)  If you could be a character in a book, which book would it be and which character?

I’d love to be King Arthur from Sir Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur.

2)  Are you a healthy eater or do you munch the junk food?

I suppose the food the government provided everyone in Genesis could be seen as healthy. I didn’t have the opportunity until I reached Haven to experience junk food. It was delicious!

3)  Do you have a current love interest, and if so, what is it that attracts you to him?

Joshua Warren. He’s the most loyal friend anyone could ask for. He’s also got an amazing smile, can make me laugh when I’m down, and he’s easy on the eyes.

4)  What do you feel is your best character trait?

I refuse to give up. I’m definitely not a quitter. Sometimes that can get me into trouble.

5)  Is there a fond memory of when you were young that stands out?

When I was about eight, Joshua was pushing me on the swings at the park. It was just the two of us hanging out together after school. I remember throwing my head back, staring up at the sky and laughing. I wasn’t paying attention and my hand slipped. Next thing I knew, I was falling backwards on the swings. I would have hit the ground but Joshua was behind me. I fell on him, hard. I probably knocked the wind out of him, but he took it like a pro asking if I was okay.

And Four Fun Shorts

1)  Favorite thing you do to pass the time?

I love training with Joshua. Although I don’t need to do it as often, it still helps me relax.

2)  Who would you vote for as the best bad guy, fictional or real?

Craynor, the former Governor. He’s the worst bad guy there is. He kidnapped Joshua! No one is worse than him. He’s unforgivable.

3) What did you want to be when you grew up?

I never had the chance to really consider what I wanted to be when I grew up. In Genesis, food, clothing and shelter was provided to all its citizens. Jobs were assigned after “The Day of the Chosen” when we graduated from our studies. I had hoped I’d be a teacher or a journalist, like my father had been. The choice was never mine though.

4)  What do you want for Christmas?

The word Christmas was foreign to me until Jacqueline mentioned it once in Haven. I had no idea what it was, not until recently. It still puzzles me, the idea of festivities but now that things are settling in, if we did celebrate the holiday, I would want happiness for all my friends and family.

And one more!

Tell us one of your phobias.

I’m afraid I’ll wake up and find it was all a dream. That I’ll still be in Genesis and nothing has changed.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog today Olivia. It’s been fun getting to know you and I wish you a safe journey!

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Now check out Isaura and the Aberrant Series!

Title: Isaura (Aberrant 3)isaura 3d white

Author: Ruth Silver

Publisher: Patchwork Press/Lazy Day Publishing

Published On: December 4th, 2013

Cover Art: Erica Crouch (paperback), Lazy Day Publishing (eBook)

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Fantasy

Synopsis:

With Joshua’s recent disappearance, Olivia has little choice but to head into the dangerous Gravelands as the new government wrestles with fixing the damage to society. Joining forces with her estranged father and a girl from Haven, they go on a search-and-rescue mission to find Joshua and bring him back alive. If traveling through outlaw territory isn’t frightening enough, Olivia learns she has exposed her secret and is hunted by her allies.

Add to Goodreads

Available for purchase:

Paperback: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

eBook: Kindle | Nook

Excerpt:

“I’m fine!” I pushed harder on the gas. “They can’t be that far ahead of us.” I just hoped we were headed in the right direction.

We drove another twenty minutes north as I moved off the dirt road and onto grass. I glanced back at Rane. “Do you think Craynor could have found a place in Haven to keep Joshua?”

“I don’t know. Not much was left. There could have been a cellar or basement abandoned that didn’t get struck. That’s how I survived,” Rane admitted.

It at least gave me hope. As we drove north, the rain stopped and the clouds parted. Cresting a hill, I slammed the brakes as we jolted to an abrupt halt.

“What the hell?” Gavin’s voice echoed as the seatbelt restrained him and his arm shot up on the dashboard to steady himself. A few feet away, I saw outlaws with weapons pointed in our direction. “Hurry up!” His voice threatened in my ear as I slammed on the gas, but our car wasn’t going anywhere: the tires had blown from spikes in the road.

Locking the doors hadn’t helped. They busted the car window and flipped the lock, opening the door, dragging all three of us out.

Isaura-Final

eBook Cover

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Title: Moirai (Aberrant 2)

Author: Ruth Silver

Published: September 26, 2013 by Patchwork Press & Lazy Day Publishing (eBook)

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Romance

Synopsis:

Olivia has been on the run from the government of Cabal since the marriage ceremony. Finally settling in and finding herself a place to call home in Shadow, Olivia and Joshua prepare for the uprising that they and the rebel alliance have been planning for months.

With new abilities and special talents from Mindonsiphan, Olivia learns she can do more than most ordinary eighteen year olds. Learning both to hide and perfect her skills will be one of the biggest challenges she’ll be forced to face.

A constant rollercoaster of emotion and adventure await Olivia and Joshua as they embark on a journey to the rebel city of Torv, and what was once home, Genesis.

Add to Goodreads

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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Title: Aberrant

Author: Ruth Silver

Published: April 28, 2013 by Patchwork Press & Lazy Day Publishing (eBook)

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Romance

Synopsis:

In the future dystopian society of Cabal, the government instills equality for all and offers its citizens the perfect system. There is food, shelter and jobs for everyone. The one requirement is to follow the rules without question, including the government’s match in marriage and “The Day of the Chosen”, a lottery that randomly selects families to conceive children as natural means hasn’t existed in generations. Following her eighteenth birthday, Olivia Parker accepts her requirement to marry her childhood best friend, Joshua Warren, and is eager to start her work assignment and new life when it all comes abruptly to an end as she’s arrested and thrown in prison. The only crime committed, her existence.

Olivia is unlike the rest of the world born not from “The Day of the Chosen.” The truth haunts the government and puts her life in grave danger as one simple fact would destroy the perfect system. With Joshua’s help, Olivia breaks free of prison and is forced on the run. Together they set out to find the promised rebel town in search of a new home and new life together. Their situation seems less than promising as they reach the town of Haven. New rules and customs must be adhered to in order to stay. Leaving would mean most certain death in the large expanse of the Gravelands. Time is running out as the government mounts an attack to destroy Olivia and bury her secret with her. Thrown into a world unlike their own, they must quickly adapt to survive.

Add to Goodreads

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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Ruth Silver author photoAbout the Author

Ruth Silver attended Northern Illinois University and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Communication in the spring of 2005. While in college, she spent much of her free time writing with friends she met online and penning her first novel, Deuces are Wild, which she self-published in 2004. Her favorite class was Creative Writing senior year where she often handed in assignments longer than the professor required because she loved to write and always wanted to finish her stories. Her love of writing led her on an adventure in 2007 to Melbourne, Australia. Silver enjoys reading, photography, traveling and most of all writing. She loves dystopian and fantasy young adult stories. Her debut novel published by Lazy Day Publishing and Patchwork Press, ABERRANT, was released April 2013. The second novel in the series, MOIRAI, continues the saga. ISAURA, is the final installment in the ABERRANT trilogy. Ruth has been actively writing since she was a teenager. She currently resides in Plainfield, Illinois.

Author Links

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon Author Page

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A character is named after you in an upcoming novel/novella by Ruth Silver (INTL)

Signed ARC of Aberrant by Ruth Silver (US Only)

Signed paperback ARC of Aberrant Series (US Only)

$10 Amazon Gift Card

Click on the rafflecopter below to enter.

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the present below.

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*****

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I’ve got all kinds of goodies to share with you about Natasha Boyd’s Forever, Jack.

This is book two in the Eversea Series.

First thing that caught my attention was the title. It had me wondering who Jack was.

Then I spied the cover art. So pretty.  I was thinking Message in a Bottle.

I bet you’ll feel like me after reading this post. I want to read both books in this series and get to know the characters.

Remember to enter the giveaway after checking out the synopsis and the great teaser excerpt.

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Forever, Jack by Natasha Boyd
(Eversea #2)
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Amazon

Synopsis

A feisty small-town girl and the Hollywood star who broke her heart

An all-consuming love threatened by fame

One last chance at FOREVER

Keri Ann Butler’s life changed on the night she met movie star, Jack Eversea. She thought she knew a Jack that was very different to the man adored by fans the world over. In the wake of his betrayal and abandonment, Keri Ann has had to pick up and move forward with the life   she was supposed to live and has put off far too long.

Suddenly Jack is back, and his explanations for why he left seem more and more plausible, and his declarations more seductive. But being Jack’s latest tabloid accessory isn’t on Keri Ann’s career agenda, no matter how much she is attracted to him. And how can she can ever trust   him again?

Jack knows he let the only ‘real’ thing that ever happened to him slip through his fingers. And his hands have been tied to try and stop it. Until Now.

Jack is now fighting to save his relationship with Keri Ann, even as his crazy life threatens to tear them apart. Again. The question is, can he convince her she can have it all? And have him? Forever?

Read how it all began in “Eversea “…

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Excerpt

“I’m sorry,” he said.

Nothing. I felt nothing.

“It doesn’t cut it,” he went on. “I realize that. But I’m sorry.” Jack left the wall, braced his hands on the island, and hung his dark head for a second, before looking back up at me. “You have to understand something, I didn’t stay away because I wanted to. I stayed away because I had to.” Jack gritted his teeth and winced imperceptibly. “I know that doesn’t mean much to you, and I know you are dating someone else now, but I just needed you to know that. That’s all. That’s all I came to say.”

I gripped my glass of water tighter at his mention of me dating someone else. I’d been about to lift it and take a sip and his words stopped me cold. I guess he and Colt really did have a big old pow-wow on the side of the highway. Nice.

“I guess you spoke to Colt?” I was neither confirming, nor denying. But as I watched Jack carefully, and took in his tension and the way his hands gripped the counter, I realized I was admitting it. At least as far as he was concerned.

Jack nodded and cleared his throat. “He’s a good guy. Cares for you. A lot. That’s good.”

“I know,” I said simply and watched Jack’s throat bob as he swallowed. This was fascinating.

“It’s a pity for him,” he said with an even voice, “that I won’t be walking away anytime soon.”

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Author Natasha Boyd

Natasha Boyd is a writer with a background in marketing and public relations. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and lives in the coastal Carolina Lowcountry, complete with Spanish moss, alligators and mosquitoes the size of tiny birds.  She has a husband, two sons and a host of scared relatives that worry the next book will be about them.  She is a member of Georgia Romance Writers, Romance Writers of America and Island Writers Network, where she has been a featured speaker. Forever, Jack is the sequel to her award-winning and first full-length novel, Eversea.
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Two Giveaways!

First giveaway is for an eBook copy of Forever, Jack

To enter, please leave your email address so I can contact you if you win and answer this question:

“What did the cover art make you think of?”

For the second giveaway you can win:

 7″ Kindle Fire HD

(USA, CA, UK other countries option for allowed kindle)

3 Signed Paperbacks of Forever, Jack (Eversea #2)

Gorgeous Seaturtle Necklace, blue-green patina, leather cord, featured on cover of book!

Click on the rafflecopter below to enter.

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Book Blitz Organized by:

Xpresso Book Tours

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the present below.

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LastBastionoftheLivingBlitzBanner2

It’s Black Friday and Rhiannon Frater has all kinds of goodies for you!

The Last Bastion of the Living is on sale for only 99 cents!

Rhiannon is also telling us about her characters in the story and she has an awesome giveaway going on too.

Keep reading and join the fun!

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The Last Bastion of the Living by Rhiannon Frater

Publication Date: June 12th, 2012

Genres: Adult, Horror, Science Fiction

Synopsis

The Bastion was humanity’s last hope against the fearsome undead creatures known as the Inferi Scourge. A fortified city with a high wall, surrounded by lush land rich with all the resources needed to survive, protected by high mountain summits, and a massive gate to secure the only pass into the valley, the Bastion became the last stronghold of the living on earth. But one fateful day, the gate failed and the Inferi Scourge destroyed the human settlements outside the walls and trapped the survivors inside the city. Now decades later, the last remaining humans are struggling to survive in a dying city as resources and hope dwindle.

Vanguard Maria Martinez has lived her whole life within the towering walls of steel. She yearns for a life away from the overcrowded streets, rolling blackouts, and food shortages, but there is no hope for anyone as long as the Inferi Scourge howl outside the high walls. Her only refuge from the daily grind is in the arms of her lover, Dwayne Reichardt, an officer in the Bastion Constabulary. Both are highly-decorated veterans of the last disastrous push against the Inferi Scourge. Their secret affair is her only happiness.

Then one day Maria is summoned to meet with a mysterious representative from the Science Warfare Division and is offered the opportunity to finally destroy the Inferi Scourge in the valley and close the gate. The rewards of success are great, but she will have to sacrifice everything, possibly even her life, to accomplish the ultimate goal of securing the future of humanity and saving it from extinction.

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Havin a Black Friday Sale!

Rhiannon Frater has The Last Bastion of the Living on Sale for only !

Get yours now at one of the links below!

Links:

Amazon / B&N / iTunes / Kobo

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The Characters of The Last Bastion of the Living

By

Rhiannon Frater

One of the biggest challenges in starting a new novel is discovering all the new characters that will inhabit the world you’ve created. I usually have the primary characters fully-developed in my head when I sit down at my computer and type in the first sentence of a book, but the secondary characters are not always clearly defined.

While writing THE LAST BASTION OF THE LIVING, the main characters of Dwayne and Maria were incredibly vivid in my mind.  Their back stories came easily to me as I pondered the story and considered my approach to writing it.  Maria’s personality and appearance was the first thing that developed in my mind when the first seeds of the story germinated in my dreams.  I knew she was Dominican-Puerto Rican in descent, strong-willed, loyal, and the daughter of a soldier who died in battle and a mother who hated Maria enlisting in the military. Maria’s desire for a life with the man she loves without the threat of the dangerous Inferi Scourge (a type of zombie) was the central motivation for everything she does in the book.  Dwayne was much older than Maria, a career officer, a man stuck in a nasty divorce, a father of three children (two teenagers, one an adult), and someone who has lived a hard life and knows exactly what he wants out of the rest of his years on the Earth. Together, they shared a love bond that was deep and a wellspring of strength to both of them.

But what about the rest of the people surrounding them?

My novels run like movies in my head. I watch and attempt to transfer the images in my mind to the page. I am often surprised by what I observe, but that is some of the fun in writing.  A lot of times characters will make unexpected appearances in the narrative. When that happens, I have to ask the question, “Who are you?”  Surprisingly, a lot of the characters just drop into the story fully-formed.

Mr. Petersen and Dr. Curran were two such characters. As soon as they appeared on the movie screen in my head, I “got” them. Though they both surprised me in little ways throughout the story, their basic personalities and motivations never changed.

But another character became much more than I ever anticipated. She originally showed up briefly with Maria in a scene that I had considered cutting. I thought she was a one-off character, but the blond soldier hobbling with a cane became a vital part of the plot, much to my surprise. I gave her the name Lindsey after Lindsey Wagner (who played the Bionic Woman) and made her a veteran of the last push against the Inferi Scourge, which was the battle that left Maria and Dwayne with their battle scars. I gave her a job in the communication center of the Constabulary, not realizing how vital that position and her skills would be to the story later on.

Later, about a third of the way through the book, I realized I needed to show that big battle, which was not originally present when I started writing it. Therefore the prologue was written. Lindsey ended up with a part in that big scene along with another character named Ryan. Again, Lindsey and Ryan were created to show that Maria had friends outside of her romantic relationship, but both characters held the weight of something more than just walk-ons.  Suddenly, the relationship that Maria had to both of these characters added much more dimension to her personality and her future struggles.

That’s the fun of writing. The unexpected twists and turns. Discovering new and dynamic characters as scenes unfold.  Finding out that a character you thought would show up in one scene is actually a vital part of the overall plot.

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Author Rhiannon Frater

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Rhiannon Frater is the award-winning author of over a dozen books, including the As the World Dies zombie trilogy (Tor), as well as independent works such as The Last Bastion of the Living (declared the #1 Zombie Release of 2012 by Explorations Fantasy Blog and the #1 Zombie Novel of the Decade by B&N Book Blog), and other horror novels. Her next novel for Tor, Dead Spots, will be published in 2014. She was born and raised a Texan and presently lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and furry children (a.k.a pets).  She loves scary movies, sci-fi and horror shows, playing video games, cooking, dyeing her hair weird colors, and shopping for Betsey Johnson purses and shoes.
You can find her online at:
Email: rhiannonfrater at gmail.com

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A Signed copy of The Last Bastion of the Living and Swag (US Only)

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I recently read a wonderful series and the cover art was something like these.
Just look these. They’re so dazzling.
Now I’ve found a new series and author to follow and I’m happy I get to share this with you!!
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Deep Blue Secret is free to download and the author has a great giveaway for you!
I take my fantasy with a twist please.
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Title: Deep Blue Secret by Christie Anderson

Genre: Young Adult

A sweet, mysterious teen romance with a refreshing fantasy twist. California teen Sadie James thinks her life couldn’t get any better. She has great friends, an energetic mother she adores, and the beach practically in her own backyard. But her carefree life is turned upside down when she’s rescued by a mysterious and strangely familiar boy who won’t even tell her his name. Each time the boy appears, Sadie’s unexplainable attraction to him deepens along with her need to unravel his secrets. The boy is there to protect her, but as wonderful and exciting as it might be to have an irresistible boy with crystal green eyes protecting her every move, every minute of the day…why does Sadie need one? As Sadie finds answers, she realizes her life isn’t as perfect as she thought. Not only is she caught in a world of dangerous secret agents she never knew existed, but it turns out her true identity may be the greatest secret of all.

Deep Blue Secret is available free!

Just click on the links below to get yours!

 Amazon  |   Barnes and Noble   |  iTunes  |  Kobo  |  Smashwords

I moved near him and his hand guided me in front of the bench, but I turned to face him instead of sitting down. He immediately shifted back, pulling slightly away. I wasn’t sure if it was the bump on my head suddenly clouding my thoughts, or the romance of being swept away and rescued by a gorgeous, mysterious boy, or this little ache in my heart of forgotten memories and dreams, but something deep inside me drew me towards him.

I wanted to reach out and hold him, but I held the feelings back, unsure if I should act on them. Instead, I stood there unmoving, still gazing up at him. He was tall compared to most high school boys I knew. I searched his face for any sign of reciprocation and moved closer. This time he didn’t move away.

“Thank you again,” I said softly, looking up at him through my lashes.

There was a long, heavy pause as I waited breathlessly for his response. His glowing eyes met mine, and their radiance hypnotized me. I could see nothing else.

Then I felt it again, the unexplainable connection between us. Time slowed around us like a force field pulling us together. I had no desire to resist it; I let the feelings draw me in, and I inched forward, wishing for his lips on mine. His hand lifted gently to my waist, sending a thrill through me in every direction. Never before had I felt the desire to kiss someone so fervently, the divine first kiss I had always dreamed of.

There was no trace of resistance left on his face. He leaned into me and my heart raced. Our faces grew slowly together as I looked from his dazzling eyes to his inviting lips.

CHRISTIE

ANDERSON grew up in Southern California and goes back to visit every year. She

is a graduate of Brigham Young University and recently moved to Colorado with

her husband. Visit her web site at www.christieanderson.org

 

Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads

 

 

 

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LuckySevens_Banner

Look out Vegas, here I come!

I’ve never been to Las Vegas, so I take my trips there vicariously through stories.

Lucky Sevens sounds like it has everything. Magic shows, noir detectives, and quirky characters.

Read on to learn more about Lucky Sevens and don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

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Lucky Sevens

by Cynthia Vespia

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BLURB:

Luca “Lucky” Lucazi is a man who lives for the job, until the job starts to threaten his life. A former Navy Seal, Lucky is ideal as the head of security for Lucky Sevens Casino. But when major names at the casino start falling victim to deadly and suspicious “accidents” Lucky must fight his way through a cast of eccentric characters only Las Vegas could spawn, and his own battle with alcoholism, before his lover Brooklyn – the sweethearted stripper – becomes the next victim. But when Lucky faces off with illusionist Christopher King, endowed with real magic powers, will his luck finally run out?

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Excerpt

Predict, prevent and protect. The same words he’d learned as a Navy SEAL bled over into his job as head of security very well. But as Luca “Lucky” Luchazi stared down at the body of his friend and former mentor Charles Vega he didn’t feel as though he’d honored those words at all.

More than a dozen police vehicles converged on the scene. The black and whites of Las Vegas Metro were scattered everywhere. Their flashing light bars washed everything in red drowning out the mix of neon colors that came from the casinos neighboring Lucky Sevens.

Charles had come to Vegas in its infancy and built his empire from scratch. Even while the others came crashing down to make way for the new mega resorts with their elaborate designs and theme park style attractions, Lucky Sevens remained standing as one of the last legendary casinos on The Strip.

Lucky had always admired the old man for remaining true to his ideals even when the casino was taking a pounding in the pocket book. Now he was nothing more than a sack of meat splattered all over the sidewalk.

Personnel from the county coroner’s office had also responded to the scene, but not soon enough. The vision of good old Charlie lying with his robe open exposing his wobbly bits to the world, and lying in a pool of his own blood, would haunt Lucky for the rest of his days. Even now as they draped him in plastic and wrapped him up tight for his last ride all Lucky could see was the blood. He’d witnessed his fair share of death during war but this time it was different. This was Charlie. He’d been like a second father to Lucky ever since he set foot in sin city. So when he overheard two Metro officers disrespecting Charles’ death with their blown out theories Lucky set them straight.

“Hey ease up,” Lucky said walking in between the two officers. “I never thought you were the type to spread gossip, Mel.”

Lucky had known Mel Harrison for many years. They’d done favors for each other multiple times. Harrison was the only guy on Metro that Lucky held any respect for. He’d always assumed the feeling had been mutual.

“Sorry Lucky, I know how much Charlie meant to you.” Harrison motioned to his partner. “Get the coroner over here to finish up.”

Harrison put a reassuring hand on Lucky’s shoulder and the two officers went on about their business. Lucky let them walk. He let them scrape Charles Vega off the sidewalk like road kill. He just stood there as a blast of hot wind rolled in off the desert and struck him like a blow dryer on high speed.

Damn weather had turned on a dime. What were they calling it? El Nino? Something Spanish – go figure. Name somewhat brought to mind hot sand beaches and girls in Brazilian cut thongs.

There would be questions about Charlie’s death, inquiries, maybe accusations but then they’d put everything to bed wrapped in a nice little bow. To the police, the papers, and the tourists (who even now posed for pictures in front of a real life Las Vegas crime scene) it would all be dusted off as just another gambling related suicide.

For Lucky the question would gnaw at his insides for eternity.

How could he have let this happen?

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

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Cynthia Vespia, “The Original Cyn,” has a background as a certified personal trainer; licensed private security guard; award winning video editor, and graphic designer. But the creative outlet of novel writing has always remained her first love.

Today Cynthia continues to write character driven suspense and fantasy novels. With a plot pace to stir the adrenaline and keep the pages turning, Cyn likes to refer to her novels as “Real life situations that you could find yourself in but hope to God you never do.” In her spare time she enjoys reading, movies that involve a strong plot/characters, and keeping active through various forms of martial arts and fitness.

Find out more at:

Website / Facebook / Twitter

Amazon Author’s Page

 Barnes & Noble

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Cynthia will be awarding an eBook copy of one of her backlist books to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour, and a Grand Prize of a T-Shirt (US ONLY) to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

***For more fun stops on the tour, click on the button below. And remember to comment. The more you comment, the more chances to win!***

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DrawnBlitzBanner

I’m thrilled to showcase Cecilia Gray’s brand new release DRAWN.

A crime mystery with a paranormal twist.

If the spectacular cover art doesn’t hook ya, the excerpt will!

Remember to enter the giveaway!

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Drawn by Cecilia Gray
Publication date: November 13th 2013
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult
Synopsis:

Take a journey into the gritty world of political espionage through the eyes – and lies – of one extraordinary girl. A wholly original tale of friendship and betrayal from the author of The Jane Austen Academy series….
Sasha has a secret – that she can make you spill your secret with nothing more than a question. Her strange gift makes her a burden to her foster family and a total freak of nature. Not that Sasha cares. Why should she when no one cares about her?
Then the CIA knocks on her door. They want to give Sasha a new identity and drop her into a foreign country to infiltrate a ring of zealous graffiti terrorists. They want to give Sasha something to care about.
To survive a world where no one is who they seem, Sasha needs to make people trust her. But when that trust blossoms into love, Sasha is forced to decide between duty and friendship, between her mind and her heart, and whether to tell the truth or keep her secrets.

Purchase:
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Direct buy links not yet available but will be found here come release day:
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EXCERPT: First 2 Pages

FBI Field Office, Atlanta, Georgia

I’ve studied Chelsea since the FBI teamed us up when I was twelve. She has a move…classic Chelsea. She turns the doorknob and her body stiffens, a metal rod shoved down her spine. As she sets a high heel inside the interrogation room, her southern accent and soft manners are buried beneath a terrifyingly sleek, blond exterior in a perfectly pressed pinstriped suit.

Four years of practice, two custom-cut suits of my own, and I still look epileptic when I try to project that sense of total control. Of I’ve got this. Even though I don’t have her drawl and my posture’s not bad.

I follow Chelsea, stiff as can be, into the room with the bright white walls. Our sicko suspect glances up from the steel table in its center. I flinch at his chilling stare. Flinching already, see. A slow smile bulges his cheeks as he studies me. Attention from a guy in an orange jumpsuit sitting at a steel table—to which he is handcuffed—is what Chelsea would officially term an undesirable outcome. More undesirable—me showing I care. Like she always says, “Don’t let ’em see you sweat, hon.”

No way am I giving this psycho the satisfaction. I suppress a shiver as the air conditioning kicks on with a groan. Tiny goosebumps break out on my forearms, raising the fine hairs to attention. Can’t rub myself warm—that’s a tell. Instead, when Chelsea slides into one of the fold-out metal chairs across from him, I follow her lead and take comfort in her giraffe-like posture in the chair next to mine.

Chelsea tosses a manila folder so that its contents spill across the table. The file details his alleged heinous crimes, the FBI’s efforts to track him, and the blood evidence in his garage that matches that of the latest missing girl—Georgia State art major, vegetarian, and more important to the suits, daughter of a local bigwig. Funny, the things you remember from a file when they have nothing to do with the case, like how she specialized in collages. They’d found cut-up pieces of magazines littered across the desk and floor of her dorm room. The pieces trailed into the hall like flower petals down a church aisle.

The strewn high-gloss photos of his suspected victims—his own personal collage of the young, female, and carved—don’t solicit a cringe from him when I can barely hold down my water and I’ve been staring at them for weeks. My gaze flickers to the one-way mirror—a silent promise: We’re gonna nail this freak.

“I’m FBI Agent Chelsea Tanner. This is my partner. How are you this evening?”

This is normally when a suspect will ask, with understandable outrage, why I’m party to the interrogation because aren’t I, at almost sixteen, too young to be in the FBI? Pinstriped suit or not, I look my age, maybe even a year or two younger because I’ve always been small—childhood malnutrition will do that to a girl.

It’s the suspects who don’t care that I’m in the room who worry me. Like this guy, whose pale eyes flicker to my throat.

I fight the urge to shift, even to clench my fingers tight into a fist. I don’t blink.

“Fine weather we’re having this winter.” Chelsea manages not to smirk at our sitting in a windowless room. Her face is unbreakable. “These are perfect skies for a getaway. Do you have plans for the weekend?”

When he doesn’t answer, she shares our itinerary—a leisurely drive to Savannah to visit her mother at their family wintering home. Yes, that’s a thing. The trip always involves mint juleps and wide-brimmed hats, not that Chelsea shares the finer details. A genteel background rarely earns cred with criminals.

She chit-chats as if he’s not imagining the slice of his boning knife into my neck. The careful incision he would carve against the clavicle, removing the flat bone from the ligaments attached to the shoulder. I don’t need my unique magic to know what’s on his mind. Some things in the case file stick for a reason.

My bone structure fascinates him. His gaze caresses my cheekbones, roams over the bridge of my nose, dips into the hollow of my neck, and brushes the stray dark corkscrew curls that drape over my sternum.

Don’t move. Don’t blink. Don’t even breathe.

“Savannah’s so beautiful this time of year. Any time of year. I go as often as I can. Don’t you think you should make time for family?” The word rolls off her tongue in three syllables, a rare ray of southern shining through her otherwise stiff facade.

Fah. Mil. Lee.

He closes his eyes as though in prayer. When he opens them, his pupils dilate to nearly black and he rubs his thumbs over his knuckles. He does not take the bait.

Come on, Chelsea. You work your magic and I’ll work mine.

That’s our deal. She gets them talking. I make them spill their guts.

~~~

Cecilia Gray

drawn cecilia-bio

Cecilia Gray lives in the San Francisco Bay Area where she reads, writes and breaks for food. She also pens her biographies in the third person. Like this. As if to trick you into thinking someone else wrote it because she is important. Alas, this is not the case.
Cecilia has been praised for “instilling a warmth and weight into her characters” (Romancing The Book Reviews) and her books have been praised for being “well-written, original, realistic and witty” (Quills & Zebras Reviews).
Her latest series of young-adult contemporary Jane Austen retellings was named a What’s Hot pick (RT Book Reviews magazine) and is a Best of 2012 pick (Kirkus Reviews) where it was praised for being a “unique twist on a classic” and offering “a compelling mix of action, drama and love.”
She’s rather enamored of being contacted by readers and hopes you’ll oblige.
**

~~~

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I have two giveaways.

I have one ebook copy of Drawn to give away.

To enter, please leave your email address so I can contact you if you win, and answer this question,

“What did you think of the excerpt?”

For the second giveaway:

$50 Gift Card to book retailer of your choice.

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What better way to celebrate her new release than with a giveaway!

A. Rosa’s Emotionally Compromised is now available!

I just love the cheeky lass on the cover. I bet she knows how to use that gun!

Can’t wait to find out.

Read the excerpt to get to know more.

And remember to enter the giveaways!

Did I forget to mention there are two giveaways?

ECCover

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Emotionally Compromised by A. Rosa
Publication date: November 15th 2013
Genres: New Adult, Romance, Suspense
Synopsis:

“A smile will get you far, but a smile and a gun will get you farther” –Al Capone.
Federal Agent Alex Turner deals better with guns than boyfriends, and prefers it that way. Her emotional range is bleak, but her aim is damn near perfect.
Thinking saving the world is a far easier task than dating, Agent Turner springs at the opportunity to prevent young scientist Marcus Gibbs from selling his biological weapon to the highest bidder. With her goal in sight, and Marcus eating out of the palm of her hand, an obstacle she doesn’t see coming interferes. Meet Jeremy Hunt — the distractingly handsome CEO of Sunscape Biotechnologies, and Marcus’s boss and best friend.
A man who is accustomed to getting what he wants, Jeremy’s never been one to take no for an answer, which has Agent Turner realizing for the first time that her wit might get her farther than her weapon. With no protocol or training to reference when it comes to matters of the heart, she worries that this might be her hardest assignment yet.

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Book Trailer:
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Enjoy this guest post by A. Rosa
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Pretty Package With a Bad-Ass Bow.

A. Rosa

I had one goal in mind when writing my first novel:

I wanted a strong, kick-ass female character. Period.  (No transitioning hormonal female pun intended).

While making it a point to read a lot of books last year, I realized I had pretty much only read Romance —this was an accident, but I found myself such a sucker for the genre. Who doesn’t love: girl-meets-boy, girl-falls-in-love with boy? *Fans-self* “Oh-Oh! ME!”

However, there was something frustrating about half of the books I read.

Their leading lady was flimsy, and at the whim of her leading man. The build of her confidence would be slow, and overwhelmingly frustrating to me, and all I thought was:

When does the girl get to take the wheel on this weird road of love?

Well, the truth of the matter is, men never let woman drive.

I needed to change that.

Finding that my first novel fit nicely into the genre of “Romantic Suspense” I found a home for my gun-wielding, witty main character, Special Agent Alex Turner, who’s lack of patience was a perfect characteristic for a woman who made her own destiny rather than simply let things happen.

I think Agent Turner, gives the female lead, and the avid romance reader, hope.

A main character perfectly flawed, but driven to do better, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. Not to mention I wanted my main character to have the emotional range of a teenage boy, because let’s face it, not all girls know what the hell to do with their emotions.

Okay, I must confess something though, because my main character is not only emotionally underdeveloped, but a federal agent; trained to kill on a whim, her morality hits a grey area constantly when it comes to the value of a human life, and on top of everything else she openly prefers her gun to a boyfriend.

So, is she an impressively strong female lead, or an emotional nightmare? I like the dichotomy.

This is why I fell in love with the idea of this novel.

You’re suddenly being lead by Agent Turner, and you want her to succeed in a myriad of different ways. In Emotionally Compromised, she struggles to do her job, somehow manages a potential love interest, while at the same time keeping her sense of self, and doing the right thing —whether that means pulling the trigger, or taking down her emotional wall to do something as simple as telling her boyfriend how she feels. She’d argue pulling the trigger might be easier.

With Emotionally Compromised I wanted a pretty package with a bad-ass bow to place on top of it. I wanted a fluid combination of personal growth, wonderfully complicated emotional range, and heartfelt struggles of a powerful woman that could kick the butt of the average female lead.

I think I might have done it, and I hope the readers think so too.

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About A. Rosa
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A. Rosa lives in San Diego, California. When she isn’t scouring city parks or cafe’s to write she is more than likely trying to convince her friends to join her on her next adventure. A sufferer of wanderlust, she is always looking for a new mountain to climb, a canyon to hike, or a plane to board. Her resume consists of coroner, to working at a zoo, and most recently as an executive assistant, but finds her home amongst words, whether it be in books, or in film. Her obsessions are on the brink of bizarre, but that’s just the way she likes it.
Author Links:
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I have one ebook copy of Emotionally Compromised to give away.
To enter, please leave your email address so I can contact you if you win and answer this question,
*
“What book do you want Santa to bring you for Christmas?”
*
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Grand Prize
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Open Internationally
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One signed copy of Emotionally Compromised and two book swag bundles
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Click on the rafflecopter below to enter.
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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!
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To see all of my giveaways click on Mr. Wolf below.
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40 days nights banner

The cover art for Forty Days and Forty Nights reached right out and grabbed me.

Then I read the synopsis, Noah’s Ark written from the perspective of a young woman.

 It’s her adventure and the awkward bloom of young love..

Check out the descriptions and read the excerpt.

You’ll want to read these as much as I do.

Something great too! Forty Days is free.

And there’s a giveaway too!

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Forty Days (Neima’s Ark #1)

by Stephanie Parent

Release Date: 02/10/13

 

Summary from Goodreads:

The entire village knows Neima’s grandfather is a madman. For years the old man has prophesied that a great flood is coming, a flood disastrous enough to blot out the entire earth. He’s even built an enormous ark that he claims will allow his family to survive the deluge. But no one believes the ravings of a lunatic…

…until the rain starts. And doesn’t stop. Soon sixteen-year-old Neima finds her entire world transformed, her life and those of the people she loves in peril. Trapped on the ark with her grandfather Noah, the rest of her family, and a noisy, filthy, and hungry assortment of wild animals, will Neima find a way to survive?

 

With lions, tigers, and bears oh my, elephants and flamingos too, along with rivalries and betrayals, a mysterious stowaway, and perhaps even an unexpected romance, FORTY DAYS is not your grandfather’s Noah’s Ark story.

 

FORTY DAYS is approximately 45000 words, the length of a shorter novel, and is the first installment in a two-part epic story. It does contain a cliffhanger ending.

 

Readers looking for a traditional, religiously oriented version of the Noah’s Ark story should be warned that FORTY DAYS may not appeal to them. The novel will, however, appeal to lovers of apocalyptic fiction, historical fiction, and romance, as well as anyone who’s ever dreamed of having a baby elephant as a pet.

 

Buy Links:

Forty Days is currently FREE!

Amazon / B&N

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Forty Nights (Neima’s Ark #2)

by Stephanie Parent

Release Date: September 2013

 

Summary from Goodreads:

Neima, her family, and her grandfather Noah have found themselves trapped aboard an ark as a great flood destroys all life in the world. As their time aboard the ark lengthens, food begins to run out, wild animals grow restless, and family tensions become as much of a threat as the flood outside. In the second and final installment of Neima’s Ark, the stakes are higher, the conflicts are greater, and Neima finds herself facing a choice as impossible as the destruction all around her.

 

Forty Nights is a continuation of the story begun in Forty Days, and it’s recommended that you read Forty Days first for the best experience. Forty Nights does, however, contain a character guide to refresh readers’ memories. The Neima’s Ark series is a historical, feminist reimagining of the story of Noah’s Ark rather than a religiously oriented one, and the novels are best suited for readers who are comfortable with new interpretations of biblical stories.

 

Buy Links:

Amazon / B&N

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PRAISE FOR THE NEIMA’S ARK SERIES: 

“Stephanie Parent takes a story I would have immediately shrugged off and turned it into a story with a surprising amount of reality and despite being religious based is not at all religious. Stephanie somehow created a paradox… When I think of a word to describe this story I think, layers.  The tension is extremely layered. We get internal tension among the characters, tension relating to the animals, and tension from the storming raging outside. It’s not even supernatural elements, it’s all practical points like food and animal needs. The characters are also well defined and fleshed out.”

–Michelle, In Libris Veritas

 

The romance is slow and imperfect, but it’s realistic and believable. I can honestly say that this love story is one of if not the best one I’ve read so far…a very thrilling read full of some great twists…[the ending] was everything I could have asked for and more, it was a perfect ending to an imperfectly perfect story.

–Zachary Flye, Zach’s YA Reviews

 

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EXCERPT

Shai turns toward the cage and says, “The other dove—he’s rejected Aliye, hasn’t he?  We can’t put her back in that cage now.  We kept them apart for too long.”

“Yes, I—I think so.”  I have the sick feeling that we’ve stepped beyond our place somehow, taking these animals, separating and pairing them off, keeping them caged here.  We do not own these creatures, don’t control them even if we try to—certainly we can’t control the tigers, the jackals, the wolves.  Look what’s happened when we’ve tried to interfere in the lives of just two little birds.

Another thought, less fully formed, tugs at the edges of my consciousness and leaves me feeling even sicker: isn’t this ark really one large, none-too-sturdy cage?  And that question leads to another, more unsettling one: If the ark is a cage, just how much longer can its bars hold us all together?  How long before, within its walls, we tear ourselves apart?

 

About the Author

40 days nights StephanieParent

Stephanie Parent is a graduate of the Master of Professional Writing program at USC and attended the Baltimore School for the Arts as a piano major. She moved to Los Angeles because of Francesca Lia Block’s WEETZIE BAT books, which might give you some idea of how much books mean to her. She also loves dogs, books about dogs, and sugary coffee drinks both hot and cold.


Author Links:

Blog / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

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*GIVEAWAY*

1- ebook of Forty Nights & $10 Amazon Gift Card (INT)

2- ebook copies of Forty Nights (INT)

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Book Blitz hosted by:

YA Bound Book Tours

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noah's ark photo: Noah\'s Ark NikonPics005.jpg