Archive for the ‘Romance’ Category

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page.
•Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
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My teaser for today is from MACTUS, Book Two of The Light Bearer Series by Emily Guido
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Mactus (The Light-Bearer, #2)
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Dmitri cried out, “The Prophecy says the Queen of Light will sit on the throne, the King of Night will fight as her champion, and their family will rule the Elders with truth, wisdom and justice!”
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ADD TO GOODREADS
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Go here to learn more about the author and The Light Bearer Series
Somehow this got unpublished, sorry it’s late!

Check this out. Another beautiful cover and more of the Witch Avenue Series!

Released Souls by Karice Bolton Cover Reveal: Released Souls by Karice Bolton

Released Souls, Book#3 of the Witch Avenue Series

Expected publication: January 2013

Triss and Logan’s love is becoming stronger by the day as they harness the powers between them, but will that make them blind to the evil they’re facing?

After uncovering startling information about her family, Triss is determined to right the wrongs of her ancestors. Triss and Logan uncover who has infiltrated the covens across the globe, and they realize the plans of the dark side are far more sinister than they’d ever imagined.

As the power of this hidden world is exposed, Triss learns her role in the covens. With Logan, Dace and Bakula’s assistance, Triss is now able to fully realize the abilities her ancestors have given her.

It won’t be long until the dark forces regain their strength, especially as their leader, Eben, continues his quest for a power that can never be revoked. Triss must stop him before it is too late.

 Cover Reveal: Released Souls by Karice Bolton


I have a giveaway going on right now for the Witch Avenue series.  You can win an e-book copy of Lonely Souls, Book #1 or Altered Souls, Book #2 (winners choice). Go here to enter.

  20121109 001556 Cover Reveal: Released Souls by Karice Bolton

It’s two weeks before Triss turns 18, and her world is about to change into the most magical one imaginable as she readies herself to enter The Witch Avenue Order… that is until her mother’s disappearance.  Instead of celebrating her transformation, she finds herself spreading rose petals into her mother’s empty grave.

When Logan, her best friend from junior high, moves back to town for college, he vows to help her find the answers she so desperately seeks surrounding her mother’s disappearance.  As they begin uncovering clues, it becomes apparent that the life of white magic they both grew up loving is not what the majority practices, and their lives are in danger.

With a haunting feeling that her mother may still be alive, she begins to hear a call to the wilderness.  Triss realizes that in order to find the answers she needs, she must learn the ways of her ancestors and become the hunter, not the hunted before it’s too late, and she becomes part of the lonely souls.

20121109 001602 Cover Reveal: Released Souls by Karice Bolton

The realm of Altered Souls brings nothing but unrest, deceit, and pain forcing Triss to come face to face with heartbreak from her past.

Facing a betrayal like never before, Triss questions everything she thought she knew about her family, coven, and abilities.

With the help of Logan, she embarks on a journey enabling her to confront the dark side of magic and the person who controls it. Realizing Triss’s ancestors have been seduced for centuries by the dark side, Triss and Logan must ensure no more in their world fall victim to the realm of Altered Souls, even if that means ending the ones they love.

I’ve just started this series and I’m thrilled to hear there will be more soon!

About the author:

Karice Bolton

Karice married the love of her life who she met in high school, and she still can’t get over how cute and funny he is. They have two English Bulldogs that are the cutest bullies in the world, and they use their cuteness to get what they want. Karice loves the snow and gravitates towards the stuff as often as possible! She enjoys skiing and tries really hard to snowboard, but often makes a nice little area to sit while everyone zips by on their board. She enjoys writing, and she also loves to read just about anything with print.

Karice Bolton | Twitter | Facebook

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To join in, copy and paste these rules and the above banner into your Fanged Mania post and add your link to this week’s Fanged Mania post at Elisabeth Wheatley’s Blog. Fanged Mania is a Friday meme counting down to the release of Fanged Princess and displaying all things vampire and awesome. Fanged Mania posts can be a review of a vampire book, a quote from the latest Vampire Diaries episode, a showcase of a cool vampire book’s cover, or whatever you like so long as it is vampire related. Don’t forget, participants will be entered in the drawing to win a fanged-abulous prize pack!

The prize pack I mentioned includes Vampire Diaries and Breaking Dawn posters as well as a paperback copy of Erica Steven’s Captured (my review here) and the complete collection of The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter stories by Jennifer Malone Wright, in paperback, too! =D

Oh, and the contest is international. And the more Fanged Mania posts you have, the more entries you get! So what are you waiting for? Hop on the bandwagon!

My Fanged Mania post is going to be about The Light Bearer Series. Emily Guido has written a wonderful series.

The Light-Bearer Series by Emily Guido

Charmeine: Book One

Charmeine (The Light-Bearer, #1)

Now available. Click here to purchase.

Can romance develop between a heavenly Light-Bearer and a hellish vampire Blood-Hunter?

Tabbruis is a Blood-Hunter, he drinks blood to survive. Over millennia Tabbruis has wandered the Earth alone aimlessly living through many historical events.

Charmeine just came to the Earth in 1997. Little did she know her destiny was to be Queen of all the Light-Bearers?

When Tabbruis meets Charmeine the attraction is immediate and passionate. They are polar opposites and clash together in a strongly romantic and dramatic way. When she meets Tabbruis, Charmeine’s powers as a Light-Bearer, one who throws lightning, is triggered and grows exponentially.

Charmeine and Tabbruis soon find out they were made by God for each other; however, on the day God cast Lucifer out of Heaven, they were split up by some mistake. Charmeine sacrificed herself to save her Tabbruis but they were sent to Earth as total opposites and in different times. Tabbruis never remembered Heaven, Charmeine or their child. Until he met Charmeine, he did not know he was the King of Darkness and destined to be her Husband on Earth as he was in Heaven.

Once Tabbruis and Charmeine proclaim their love for one another, they have to battle their way to freedom from the evil forces on Earth.

MACTUS: Book Two

Mactus (The Light-Bearer Series, Book 2)

Now available. Click here to purchase.

As Charmeine and Tabbruis unite to proclaim their love for one another it becomes apparent that a new and dark task has presented itself for the lovers to overcome. Even with the beautiful union between Tabbruis and Charmeine, destiny will surely reveal itself.

Being the Queen of Light, Charmeine is fated to bring light and love into the world, but yet her personal life can in no way interfere. Devoted to Tabbruis and her son Shane, it is all she can do to focus only on them. As the rule of engagement commences, she must first step up to the plate and bring forth a change that will only start an endless feud that has already been acclaimed centuries into existence.

As King of Darkness, Tabbruis has been placed in his position for a purpose. His love for Charmeine has only brought peace and clarity to his existence. With his family now back together, he must now stand against his own kind, not only to protect what is right but also to protect the world from the impending darkness.

Family bonds only strengthen the ties. Shane introduces his proclaimed love into the picture and in a jaw dropping course of events love is tested and the family is torn apart. They say that love can span the planes of existence, but can this family hold tight until the end and keep it together just long enough to face forces of darkness that is so hell-bent on destroying the world?

Carly Ann Wallace Acclaimed Author of “Southern Summer” and “Concrete Angel

ACCENDO: Book Three

Accendo (The Light-Bearer Series Book 3)

Now available. Click here to purchase.

Reality throws our star-crossed lovers, Tabbruis and Charmeine, for a spin as they now are faced with the evil lurking at their door step. Family must hold strong or pay the ultimate price.

Charmeine must choose to prove her strength and strive for her destiny or watch her entire life crumble around her. Lost in painful emotions, Charmeine has to sort out her husband’s wavering faith in her and her abilities. Trust can build nations as lack of trust can only bring down the world of one unsuspecting heart.

Rekindled love between Charmeine and Tabbruis has been tried and tested and now will become the support beam for the next revelation. With the most powerful evil knocking at their door, Charmeine and her family now will be tested like never before. Will faith and love will hold it together? Unimaginable forces are to be fought with the Elder Council, hunting not only Charmeine but Tabbruis as well. He broke the rules and now must pay the ultimate price for allowing the Queen of Light to live.

A tragic loss sends a shock wave of pain and sorrow through the family. When everyone thought it couldn’t get any worse it unobjectively does but there is always a silver lining. With enough faith in their family, secrets begin reveal a new dawn for Charmeine and her family. New days are coming and a fresh start is on the horizon.

SEDITIOUS: Book Four

Seditious

The Fourth Novel in “The Light-Bearer Series” is “Seditious.”  This book is the continuation of Tabbruis and Charmeine’s romantic and turbulent love story and mission on Earth to battle Lucifer’s minions! Tabbruis and Charmeine’s life at the ‘Castle Charmeine’ is blissful until reality of the ruling the Elder Council Blood-Hunters hits them in the face. In “Seditious” Tabbruis and Charmeine find that their love is tested in the most heinous way possible. Then, as a one-two punch, Lord Cromwell, one of the most deadly and powerful Blood-Hunter ever has escaped the Elder Council Prison.  Lord Cromwell sends his beautiful agent to cause trouble for Tabbruis and Charmeine and wants something that they have! Charmeine runs away from the ‘Castle Charmeine’ to forget the betrayal of her most beloved husband Tabbruis. Can Tabbruis win Charmeine back?  How can he make her understand?

RANSOM” Book Five

Ransom (The Light-Bearer, #5)

“Ransom” is the Fifth Novel in “The Light-Bearer Series” which is the continuation of Tabbruis and Charmeine’s romantic and turbulent love story and mission on Earth to battle Lucifer’s minions!

Tabbruis and Charmeine’s life at the ‘Castle Charmeine’ is blissful until the reality of ruling the Hellish Blood-Hunters’ Elder Council hits them in the face.  Then, as a one-two punch, Lord Cromwell, one of the most deadly and powerful Blood-Hunters on Earth has escaped the Elder Council Prison! Lord Cromwell sends a beautiful agent to cause trouble for Tabbruis and Charmeine! He also desperately wants something Tabbruis has!

There are more surprises in store for the inhabitants of the ‘Castle Charmeine’.

Will Tabbruis and Charmeine, two star-crossed and ill-fated lovers ever be at rest? Could this mean the end of harmony for Tabbruis and Charmeine’s family?

CONUMDRUM the sixth book in the series coming in 2013.

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOiaAGKlEN0]

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I will be posting my reviews for Charmeine and Mactus in January. Emily will be stopping by to tell you about Tabbruis and we are cooking up a surprise! Stay tuned.

I’m loving this series. Not only do we get to watch the characters grow, we also get to see Emily’s writing evolve as she writes her series.

About Emily Guido

Image of Emily Guido

Emily Guido is a very New Paranormal Romance Author.  She was inspired to start writing “The Light-Bearer Series” because one day she got an idea of two characters of light and dark who needed to have their epic romance story told.  Not ever dreaming a week later she would have over a 100,000 words written.  When Emily writes, it is similar to you or I watching a movie.  She pictures the characters in her head going through vivid descriptions of each scene.  There are so many nuances going through her mind that she cannot type fast enough. She has written five  novels, “Charmeine” “Mactus” “Accendo” “Seditious” and “Ransom”  The sixth novel in “The Light-Bearer Series.” is entitled “Conundrum” and will be released early 2013.

Where to find/follow Emily:

Website: http://authoremilyguido.com/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5764521.Emily_Guido

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Emily__Guido

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thelightbearernovelist

I’m excited to be a part of this event organized by AToMR Tours.

altered souls cover

Title: Altered Souls (Witch Avenue #2)

Author: Karice Bolton

Release date: Oct.31st, 2012

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Age Group: Young Adult

Book Description:

The realm of Altered Souls brings nothing but unrest, deceit, and pain forcing Triss to come face to face with heartbreak from her past.

Facing a betrayal like never before, Triss questions everything she thought she knew about her family, coven, and abilities.

With the help of Logan, she embarks on a journey enabling her to confront the dark side of magic and the person who controls it. Realizing Triss’s ancestors have been seduced for centuries by the dark side, Triss and Logan must ensure no more in their world fall victim to the realm of Altered Souls, even if that means ending the ones they love.

Altered Souls excerpt.

As our lips met, the search for our security began. Neither of us wanted to believe that we could lose this. Running my fingers through his hair, I gripped his neck with my other hand. I didn’t want this closeness to end. The firmness of his body stretched along mine as he lifted me into his arms. I wrapped my legs around his waist, not wanting to detach from his kisses as they led away from my mouth down my neck. Feeling his breath dance across my skin as he kissed my collarbone brought a shivery delight to my senses. The softness of his lips was such a contrast to the firmness of his grasp as he guided his hands down my back.

He spun around, pinning me up against the tree with his weight, as I let my mind wander to what might be waiting for me next. My breathing got faster with each second of anticipation. He slowly brought my chin up and his lips began exploring mine once more. With every kiss, his mouth pressed harder along mine, and my heart exploded with curiosity. I let my hands find their way back to his neck up to his hair, twisting and pulling him closer to me with all of my strength.

He pulled away slightly, and I opened my eyes to see him searching my expression for something. For what, I wasn’t sure.

“I don’t ever want to lose you, Triss.” Logan shook his head. “I couldn’t—”

“Shh.” I placed my index finger to his lips. “You won’t.”

My hand trailed down his chest to the first button that I attempted to unfasten.

Giveaway

It’s always wonderful to discover a new series. I have great news for you. This giveaway is for one e-book copy of Lonely Souls, Book #1 or Altered Souls, Book #2 in the Witch Avenue Series (winners choice).

So if you haven’t started this series yet, here’s your chance.

Please leave your email address and answer this question, “What do you love about a series?”

This giveaway is International. The book will be gifted from Amazon or Barnes and Noble, mobi or epub formats only.

Giveaway ends Dec. 27th.

If you don’t have an e-reader, you can download the Kindle app to your computer on Amazon.

Here’s some information about Lonely Souls, The Witch Avenue Series, Book #1

Lonely Souls (The Witch Avenue, #1)

It’s two weeks before Triss turns 18, and her world is about to change into the most magical one imaginable as she readies herself to enter The Witch Avenue Order… that is until her mother’s disappearance.  Instead of celebrating her transformation, she finds herself spreading rose petals into her mother’s empty grave.

When Logan, her best friend from junior high, moves back to town for college, he vows to help her find the answers she so desperately seeks surrounding her mother’s disappearance.  As they begin uncovering clues, it becomes apparent that the life of white magic they both grew up loving is not what the majority practices, and their lives are in danger.

With a haunting feeling that her mother may still be alive, she begins to hear a call to the wilderness.  Triss realizes that in order to find the answers she needs, she must learn the ways of her ancestors and become the hunter, not the hunted before it’s too late, and she becomes part of the lonely souls.

About the author:

Karice Bolton

Karice married the love of her life who she met in high school, and she still can’t get over how cute and funny he is. They have two English Bulldogs that are the cutest bullies in the world, and they use their cuteness to get what they want. Karice loves the snow and gravitates towards the stuff as often as possible! She enjoys skiing and tries really hard to snowboard, but often makes a nice little area to sit while everyone zips by on their board. She enjoys writing, and she also loves to read just about anything with print.

Karice Bolton | Twitter | Facebook

Where you can find Altered Souls

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Goodreads

I have another giveaway. But first let me tell about Mercy Amare’s debut.

Don’t Tell

by Mercy Amare

Don't Tell

ADD To Goodreads

When people look at Lucy, they see a beautiful, vivacious girl.

But it’s just a mask she wears. A mask to hide her pain, like the long sleeves and make-up she wears to hide the bruises.

Bruises left by Charles, her father.

It hadn’t always been like this. They’d been happy once, when her mother was still alive. Now, Charles is a mean, abusive drunk and he blames Lucy for her mother’s death. After all, she was on her way to pick up Lucy when the drunk driver smashed into her car, killing her.

Now everything is wrong. Her self-esteem is shattered and she’s afraid to trust anyone. The only one she let’s past her defensive walls is Tess, her best friend since grade school. But even Tess doesn’t know her secret.

Lucy’s never had a boyfriend, never been in love, but she yearns for it. If only she could be like a normal teen-age girl.

If there is anyone she could tell her secret to, it would be Ian. But as much as she likes him, she can’t bring herself to tell him the truth.

Ian’s the pastor’s son, captain of the football team, and every girl at school is crushing on him. He also has a secret. He’s been in love with Lucy since the first time they met. They were four years old and she kissed him on the cheek.

He’s seen her bruises, old ones and new ones. Someone she’s close to is abusing her, but Ian’s not sure if it’s her dad.

Should he tell someone? Wouldn’t that be betraying Lucy’s trust.

My heart went out to Lucy. She had her good days, especially when she was with Tess or Ian. She could almost believe everything was normal, was as it should be. Then the memories would sneak up on her, never letting her forget.

Then there’s Ian. He’s in a difficult situation. I’m sure teenagers have been in Ian’s and Lucy’s shoes. I wish it wasn’t so.

As for Charles. It’s sad and ironic that he becomes an abusive drunk. After all, a drunk driver was the cause of all his anguish. Instead of grieving and healing with his daughter, he uses the very thing that caused all this to numb his pain.

It’s very hard to feel sorry for a drunk. Everything about them can be so repulsive.

The author knows how to write about a tough subject and writing this story from Lucy’s and Ian’s points of view enables you to see how abuse has many victims, like ripples in a pond.

Having Lucy refer to her father as Charles shows how she doesn’t recognize him as her father any longer. She doesn’t know this monster.

I really enjoyed reading about the budding romance between Lucy and Ian. It had me smiling and remembering the sweetness and intensity of first love. I was really pulling for these two and was happy that Lucy had someone on her side.

I usually avoid reading about abuse, but I’m glad I read Don’t Tell. Mercy Amare showed me why someone wouldn’t or couldn’t tell anyone about being abused, and she told it in an entertaining and enlightening manner. While this is a story of darkness, there is also light, the shining light of love, friendship, hope and letting go!

     

Giveaway

The author has offered  5 e-books to give away.

Easy to enter. Just leave your email address and answer this question. “If a friend told you a secret and made you promise not to tell, would you break that promise if their health or life was at risk,  even if it meant you might lose their friendship?”

Giveaway ends December 22nd.

Merry Christmas and Good Luck!

About the author

I write YA contemporary fiction books. I have a slight addiction to NOS. My guilty pleasure is Pretty Little Liars.

Here are a few cool things about Mercy Amare:

1. I am very musically talented. I can play the guitar, bass, and drums. I also sing.

2. I got started writing at a very young age (2nd grade, I think)… My writing career started out with writing songs.

3. I am addicted to the energy drink, NOS. It’s amazing. But I only like the NOS in a blue can. Purple, green, and red? GAG.

4. My favorite color is pink. Pink is happy.

5. I’m very clumsy. I fall down a lot, and I always have. If it’s raining, I stay inside. (Me + slippery ground = bad).

6. I love to do zumba with my best friends, however, I suck at it.

7. I love books. Especially books in a series.

8. Vampires are awesome. Seriously. I love vampire books, shows, movies, etc. They’re all awesome.

9. I’ve had a LOT of jobs in my life. (Most ALL of them very crappy). Writing is the first thing I’ve found that actually makes me happy. So, I’m going to go for it, and hope I don’t fail.

10. My hair is naturally red (and curly). I love red hair. If you have red hair, you rock 🙂

Author contacts

Goodreads

Website

Twitter

To purchase Don’t Tell, click on the cover.

Merry Christmas To You And Yours From FUONLYKNEW!

Legend Unleashed

by M Latimer Ridley

Pretty cover isn’t it? Wait until you read the story!

Tick Tock, Tick Tock. That’s all that Ted hears as he rushes through the deserted streets of Carwick, heading for the Town Hall, where his office is located. He must hurry.

Carwick is a small, quiet town. The kind where people don’t lock their doors. It’s Ted’s job to keep it that way.

He reaches the building and enters his tiny office. It’s more like a broom closet, but hidden in the floor is a stairway down. Down there. Down to a hidden city time has forgotten.

Ted enters the underground city and rushes through the dark streets. Tick Tock, he must reach the old grandfather clock. He can’t let it wind down.

He finally reaches the clock, but it’s stopped ticking. When he dares to opens its door, it’s empty.What was inside is now behind him, it’s hot breath moist on his neck. He couldn’t turn around. He doesn’t want to see what’s coming.

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INjvvOIV38Q]

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In the unsuspecting town of Carwick, Christmas is coming. Temperance works with her father Pratchett, decorating their bookstore. The Haven is always the first shop to do it.

Her father has gotten out the spider web decoration for Boris, a ghost spider. Temp thinks it’s a convenient story that he’s a ghost, as only her father can see him.

They banter back and forth as they decorate, her father mentioning that his friend Cyprian has a nephew coming to stay with him. Alastair is right around Temp’s age, a not so subtle hint.

“Anyway, I’ve put the mistletoe over the door in case he comes while you’re in the shop.” Pratchett wiggled his eyebrows at her.

“Sometimes I wonder what age you really are,” Temperance sighed.

Her parents are always meddling in her love life, or lack of it, and it adds humor to this story.

It’s almost time for her classes at the university so Temp heads out. When she arrives the doors are still locked so she settles on a bench to wait.

She’s soon joined by a tall, handsome man who introduces himself as Alastair. She quickly learns how he knows her. Her father’s been busy. He gave her picture to Cyprian to pass on to Alastair. She doesn’t want to know what might be written on it.

The doors to the school open and out steps Cyprian followed by an older man with a walking stick. They seem to be arguing and when the older man bangs his stick on the ground, something strange and unnatural happens. But Alastair denies noticing anything.

Soon after, the man leaves and Cyprian comes to join them. He invites Temp to dinner and an evening at his place. At first she’s tempted to refuse, but then she remembers it’s the night of winter solstice.

Her parents were having friends over for a winter solstice gathering. She didn’t think she could face another of her mother’s versions of a Wiccan party. It would be crowded with menopausal women dancing naked around plastic cauldrons on the hill behind their house.

She sighed. “It’s true. I wouldn’t mind missing jangling crystals and saggy bits this year.”

She accepts the invitation, not knowing that life is about to take a dangerous turn. There are many strange things out and about in Carwick, some not human. After this night, people will huddle behind bolted doors in fear of the dark and what’s in it.

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSOZxhN4vXU]

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When I started reading Legend Unleashed, I was so engaged, I only stopped reading because my kindle battery died. Got to remember to charge it more often. When I resumed reading, I was held captive to the end. It’s not a long book, and with the mystery, humor and romance, not to mention the creatures, it’s very engaging and easy to follow.

If you like all of the above and reading about witchy, magical, and hairy things, you’ll enjoy Legend Unleashed. I sure did and can’t wait for more in this series.

           Magically Delicious.

Giveaway

Great news. There’s a great tour going on right now for Legend Unleashed with lots of prizes and great posts. Go here to check it out. Keep reading to find out how to enter a giveaway here!

I was too late for the tour but these great ladies have offered 4 e-books to giveaway here on FUONLYKNEW! Thanks so much Karen and Rachel.

Entry is easy. Leave your email address and answer this question, ” What legend do you wish was real?”

Giveaway ends December 22nd.

About the authors

M. Latimer-Ridley

Latimer (Karen) and Ridley (Rachel) are two eccentric best friends with far too many obsessions and a frightening addiction to tea. When they aren’t reading stories filled with magic, passion and adventure, they’re writing them. A writing duo for the last nine years, they’ve always dreamed of sharing their imaginary worlds and quirky characters with others. While they live in Ireland, they would love to spend their lives travelling the world. But for now, they can be found happily wandering the internet.

Website

Goodreads

Twitter

Get yours by clicking on the cover! A copy is waiting for you.

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To join in, copy and paste these rules and the above banner into your Fanged Mania post and add your link to this week’s Fanged Mania post at Elisabeth Wheatley’s Blog. Fanged Mania is a Friday meme counting down to the release of Fanged Princess and displaying all things vampire and awesome. Fanged Mania posts can be a review of a vampire book, a quote from the latest Vampire Diaries episode, a showcase of a cool vampire book’s cover, or whatever you like so long as it is vampire related. Don’t forget, participants will be entered in the drawing to win a fanged-abulous prize pack!

The prize pack I mentioned includes Vampire Diaries and Breaking Dawn posters as well as a paperback copy of Erica Steven’s Captured (my review here) and the complete collection of The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter stories by Jennifer Malone Wright, in paperback, too! =D

Oh, and the contest is international. And the more Fanged Mania posts you have, the more entries you get! So what are you waiting for? Hop on the bandwagon!

Today’s post is about the vampire novels I will be reading. To purchase them, just click on the covers.

Indiana, 1818. Moonlight falls through the dense woods that surround a one-room cabin, where a nine-year-old Abraham Lincoln kneels at his suffering mother’s bedside. She’s been stricken with something the old-timers call “Milk Sickness.”

“My baby boy…” she whispers before dying.

Only later will the grieving Abe learn that his mother’s fatal affliction was actually the work of a vampire.

When the truth becomes known to young Lincoln, he writes in his journal, “henceforth my life shall be one of rigorous study and devotion. I shall become a master of mind and body. And this mastery shall have but one purpose…” Gifted with his legendary height, strength, and skill with an ax, Abe sets out on a path of vengeance that will lead him all the way to the White House.

While Abraham Lincoln is widely lauded for saving a Union and freeing millions of slaves, his valiant fight against the forces of the undead has remained in the shadows for hundreds of years. That is, until Seth Grahame-Smith stumbled upon The Secret Journal of Abraham Lincoln, and became the first living person to lay eyes on it in more than 140 years.

Using the journal as his guide and writing in the grand biographical style of Doris Kearns Goodwin and David McCullough, Seth has reconstructed the true life story of our greatest president for the first time-all while revealing the hidden history behind the Civil War and uncovering the role vampires played in the birth, growth, and near-death of our nation.

Dear Mom,

I might be a wee bit late for Cousin Missy’s wedding. It’s been a tough week. Turns out, my blind date from hell was literally from hell. Guy bit me. Next thing I know, I’m being chased all over the city by vampire hunters. And did I mention that I got fired, too?

Bright side-I met a man. Thierry de Bennicoeur. How great is that name? Anyway, he’s sexy, six-hundred years old, and a tad suicidal, but no one’s perfect, right? And we have a deal-he’s gonna show me the ropes of the vampire world, and I’m supposed to help him end his existence. Or maybe I’ll just try to convince him life is worth living – no small challenge with the mostly immortal, let me tell you. I’ll admit it’s a complicated relationship. But with any luck, I just might have a date for that wedding after all…

Hugs and Kisses,

Sarah

The House of Night series is set in a world very much like our own, except in 16-year-old Zoey Redbird‘s world, vampyres have always existed.  In this first book in the series, Zoey enters the House of Night, a school where, after having undergone the Change, she will train to become an adult vampire — that is, if she makes it through the Change.  Not all of those who are chosen do.  It’s tough to begin a new life, away from her parents and friends, and on top of that, Zoey finds she is no average fledgling.  She has been Marked as special by the vampyre Goddess, Nyx.  But she is not the only fledgling at the House of Night with special powers.  When she discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school’s most elite club, is misusing her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must look deep within herself for the courage to embrace her destiny–with a little help from her new vampyre friends.

Daniel ‘Jerry’ Jericho is a your average teenager. Outgoing, curious, smart, friendly, likes cars, rock music, movies, drinks, smokes, is moody at times, a few parental issues, girl troubles, has supernatural blood, decapitates monsters in his spare time…you know, the usual.

Its been three months since he found out that vampires, werewolves, ghosts, witches and pretty much every other horrible thing you’ve ever dreamt about are real. That was around about the same time he decided he was going to protect as many people as he could from them.

Backed by his best friend Goose, his uncle Joe, the vampire vixen sisters, Cass and Claire, the annoyingly mature fourteen year old psychic Rachel and the peaceful super-vamp Sophinia, Jerry is going to school during the day and hunting evil at night all the while desperately searching for answers about his unnatural blood.

When large groups of supernatural creatures that were targeting him start getting massacred without warning, Jerry thinks it’s possible that he may have an ally out there protecting him.

Unbelievably powerful, undeniably intelligent and indescribably beautiful, Aria isn’t just an ally, she’s every teenage guys greatest fantasy. Not to mention the fact that she has a thirty foot wing span. And when she offers Jerry protection and answers to all the questions that have plagued him since this began, he thinks his dreams have come true.

So why are his instincts telling him that this woman is more dangerous than anything any of them have ever seen before?

Most preternatural creatures just want to eat people.

Aria wants to play…and this is a game like no other.

Start playing and start praying.

Let the games begin.

2/8 of the Blood Heavy series.

WARNING: This novel contains strong language and violence throughout.

“Perdu” –the first novella in the science fiction and fantasy series, Redire de Vampyrus…

“I hope it was as good for you as it was for me.”

Ruth and Eugene Flowers desired the American dream: two kids, a big house, and a dog. But it wasn’t meant to be–at least not initially. When a surprise package literally fell into their laps, however, the Flowers would finally get their wish (sort of). Soon, it all goes awry, as mysterious deaths followed by a disappearance permanently disrupt their lives. Meanwhile, many years later, a grown-up Valerie Green, a nearby neighbor’s daughter and high-school sweetheart of their son, Zan, hits it huge in the Big Apple, first landing at Columbia University, then at the New York Pioneer, the hottest online periodical in the city. When she is forced to cross the path of hotshot FBI special agent, Dr. Devean Rasr, she doesn’t realize she is also wading much deeper into the biggest, most dangerous, and most challenging killing spree in the history of NYC.

These are just some of the books on my huge list and don’t include the ones I’m already reading.

See anything you like? Click on the cover to get it. Got any new suggestions? Just let me know.

Soon it will be Christmas Day….

Silver Bells

I spotted this on Amazon while browsing for some Christmas reads. It’s a short story, didn’t take long at all to read it.

You can go here to get it free right now.

I wish it had been longer, as I fell in love with the characters and the whole story was just so ingenious. A new one on me.

Dash works on the old carousel in the South side of Howle. Not the nicer side of the town. He lovingly sands them and removes the graffiti the town kids paint on the animals, restoring them to their former glory for another year.

George, the night watchman, stops in for his daily chat, motioning to the harness and bells hanging quietly. He tells Dash, not for the first time, to get rid of them as the bells are broken, but Dash just shrugs. He could never part with them.

…..Dash knew the sound of those bells. The pure, beautiful chimes that stroked down his back with all the caress of a lover. They were silent now, but they hadn’t always been.

One afternoon, while working on one of the animals the door to his repair barn opens. Turning to see who has entered, he discovers a young woman. She looks down on her luck in her tattered clothes and exposed, reddened hands. It’s really cold outside and Dash sees no harm in letting her stay awhile.

Not wanting to frighten her, Dash turns back to his sanding. He hears a small voice behind him,

“So, what’s your name?”

and a friendship begins with Merry.

When it’s time to call it quits for the night, Dash tells Merry she’s welcome to stay in the barn. When he arrives the next morning, he discovers Merry gentle sanding a reindeer. She seems very adept at it. They sit quietly, working through the day and this becomes the norm.

Noticing that Merry’s cough is getting worse, he persuades her to stay at his house, in the spare room.  Their friendship has started to become something else, something more. But Dash has a secret, one he can’t tell Merry about.

The secret is in the bells. Why are they broken? Why can’t he hear their sweet sound anymore? There is only one way to get answers, and he’s getting them tonight.

Silver Bells is a sweet, romantic Christmas story.

There is a great surprise when you finally learn about the harness and its bells. The author came up with something so original and so cool. I loved the whole idea.

I gave Silver Bells Four Stars because it left me all warm and smiley inside and I loved the whole idea!

     

Silver Bells is FREE right now on Amazon. Get your copy now as I don’t know how long it will be free!

 Just click on the cover image to get it now!

About the author and where to find her

Sadie Hart often teases that, as a kid, she jumped right from the Saddle Club series to romance and never looked back. If only they knew it wasn’t a joke. From romance came fantasy, from fantasy came urban fantasy, and finally things came full circle when she stumbled on paranormal romantic thrillers. By then, she was more than old enough to hold a pen and had been scribbling down stories for years.

Currently, for half of each day she’s held hostage in a library, where she pretends to work as a secretary, but in reality spends most of her time trying not to read the books. As an avid animal lover, she currently owns two overly large mutts and is seriously debating becoming the crazy dog lady.

Sadie writes the Shifter Town Enforcement series, combining her love of all things animals, the paranormal, and an action packed plot, but she doesn’t plan to stop there. From post-apocalyptic worlds to dangerous hostage negotiation with monsters, every book is an action packed paranormal romance with a heavy dose of the things that go bump in the night–both the spooky and the naughty kind.

For all of her books go here .

Goodreads

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Website

Merry Christmas From FUONLYKNEW!!

Let’s get right to it!

The winners of Nobody Has To Know by Frank Nappi are

Lizzy @ Lizzy’s Dark Fiction

Scott Harris

*UPDATE

Scott has already purchased a copy so I am drawing another winner. Thanks Scott.

The new winner is: Emma

Congratulations ya’ll.

I want to thank everyone for their comments. It’s been fun reading them and I hope you continue to visit FUONLYKNEW!

For all of my giveaways go here .

Night Sighs

by Emma Meade

Night Sighs

Tristan and his band are a sensation. Their rock concerts are jam-packed show after show. There’s nothing he loves more than performing before a screaming mass of fans. Well, except for her.

Alex loves Tristan, can’t keep her hands off him. There’s just one problem. He’s a vampire, but that’s not the problem. The problem is he wants to make her one too.  As much as Alex loves Tristan, she doesn’t want to become a vampire.

He loved feeling her beneath him, her warm, beating body that knew his own so well. His next words were muffled into her curls but Alex heard him.

“I don’t have you completely. This world is so dangerous. You know that more than anyone Alex.”

“Shh, please,” she murmured and kissed the top of his head.

Alex doesn’t know how much longer she can put him off. Tristan is losing patience. She knows what she has to do and wishes there were any other way.

Two years later and Alex can stay away from Tristan no longer. She died a little on the day she snuck away. Seeing him, hearing his sultry voice on the stage, makes her wonder how she ever found the strength to leave. It didn’t matter now, she was here and she hoped Tristan would forgive her.

Later.

She felt his presence behind her but didn’t move, preparing herself for his questions. Finally Alex turned to face him.

“Tristan I -“

He flew at her bird-like and she hit the ground silently. Falling over her, Tristan clamped a hand over her mouth.

Alex’s chest rose and fell rapidly and her eyes were wide, pleading with him to understand. Tristan’s face was not the one she was familiar with. There was something crumpled about it, more human and paradoxically more sinister. He looked eerie now with his eyes just as wide and frightened as her own.

Slowly he removed his hand and sat back, allowing her to rise up to meet him at eye level. Both had ceased to listen to the clamour of the excited audience.

“You came back to me,” he announced as if it were an agreement.

Alex nodded, afraid now of this new Tristan. He was quieter than normal. The man she had fallen in love with had been impossible to shut up. What is it about him that changed? Maturity, it came to her. The child-like gleam in his eyes had gone.

“I missed you,” she told Tristan honestly and stroked his cheek.

He closed his eyes at the touch, lost for a second in anguish at long passed memories. Then he looked directly at her and Alex’s heart beat faster.

“Shh,” he whispered and she never got a chance to protest.

No, he doesn’t kill her. Well he does, but he doesn’t. You know what I mean.

Tristan may have changed, gained some maturity, but when it comes to his music and the band, he is still childishly stubborn.

The head of the vampire council forbids Tristan and the band from performing anymore. The risk of exposure is too dangerous.

Here’s where Tristan rebels. He and his boys continue to perform, thumbing their noses at the council. This will have consequences.

Night Sighs is several chapters in the lives of Tristan and Alex. They are insatiable and incorrigible. The sexual scenes are hot and steamy, Oh My! And there is plenty of danger and intrigue.

I read this front to back in one sitting and my only complaint is I want more. This is a great beginning and I’d love to read further into the adventures of Tristan and Alex.

If you like stories about vampires, adventure, dangerous predicaments, a bit of mystery, and steamy sensual romance, you’ll love Night Sighs. The title alone gives me goosebumps.

Priced at 99 cents, Emma is practically giving away Night Sighs.

           Sexylicious and fun!!

Another book by Emma that I really loved was Under the Desert Moon.

17 year old Erin Harris spends her time daydreaming, hoping to escape her small town life in Copperfield, Arizona.  When a movie crew arrives unexpectedly to shoot a vampire film over the summer, Erin’s small town world changes forever. Erin is positive she has seen the star, James Linkin before in a thirty year old TV show.  He hasn’t aged a day. How is this possible?  Erin is determined to find out, but how will James handle the scrutiny of an all too intelligent teenage girl?

Go here to read my review.

About the author

Author of Nights Sighs and Under the Desert Moon.

Emma Meade writes paranormal fiction.
She lives in rainy Ireland and loves all things supernatural. Stephen King’s The Stand is one of her most loved books. Books, DVDS & TV show boxsets take up lots of space in her home and she collects all the Point Horror books she can get her hands on.
She is not ashamed to admit that Dirty Dancing and Twilight make her top ten movie list but wishes to point out that The Last of the Mohicans, Reality Bites, Dead Poets Society, Stand by Me and The Goonies are in there too.

Writing supernatural stories & watching marathon re-runs of Buffy are some of her favourite ways of escaping reality.

You can find Emma here:

http://emmameade.com

Http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4229395.Emma_Meade

http://www.twitter.com/emmameade83

Purchase Emma’s books by clicking on images below: