Archive for the ‘Vampires’ Category

Great news. I am hosting a giveaway for Shunned, The Amish Bloodsuckers Trilogy – Book Two.

My giveaway for Chosen – Book One ends at midnight November 20th.

For those who haven’t read Chosen, it will be free on Amazon November 21st23rd! You can get your copy and catch up on the series. You’ll be all ready for Shunned. You can purchase Chosen here .

Book Three, Reckoning is set to be released December 1st. I’m hoping to have a giveaway for it also, along with my review.

Shunned

The Amish Bloodsuckers Trilogy #2

by Barbara Ellen Brink

Shunned (Amish Bloodsuckers, #2)

ADD to Goodreads

I’m still lovin the cover art for this series. Take your time and really look at it!

They’re back! Most of my favorite characters are back plus I got to meet some new ones. Not saying they’re all nice, but they’re definitely interesting.

Spoiler Alert

Shunned is Book Two in The Amish Bloodsuckers Trilogy and just wanted to gives you a heads up. I don’t believe I will be giving anything away. I’ve tried to make this entertaining and fun without revealing any of the really relevant points of the story line.

Shunned takes up right where Chosen left us and Jael, the Chosen one, is in for big changes. She’s going to Minnesota to stay with her Amish grandparents. Til now she’s lived a somewhat normal teen-age life, except for the daily training in slaying vampires and the fact that no one is allowed to visit her at her house. But now she’s going to be living in an Amish community, learning and living by their customs.

Until recently she didn’t even know she had grandparents and she’s worried about how they will receive her. After all, her parents left the community before she was born, sneaking off in the night in order to protect their child from the Bishop, the community leader and a vampire. Most of the folks who live at Loon Lake don’t know about the vampires in their midst or about the Chosen one. Jael will be playing this on the down-low.

Knowing that her best friends Shadow and Brianna, now a couple, will be coming to spend the summer in Minnesota at Bree’s grandmothers house, only 20 miles away, gives her the courage to go to Loon Lake and face her newly discovered family.

Upon her arrival:

Jael drew a deep breath and moved tentatively closer, grasping the handle of her book bag at her side. She paused a few feet from the porch and looked into blue eyes faded with time.

Grandma? I’m Jael.”

The woman seemed to weave like a thick blade of grass in the wind and then she stepped off the porch and put out her hands.

“Jael?” Tears filled her eyes and she closed them for a second, before reaching out and taking Jael’s hands in hers. She pulled her close and kissed her cheek. She smelled of onions and cinnamon and her hands were worn and rough with calluses, but the joy in her eyes made everything right.

I love that her grandfather calls her little one. He is gruff and stern but also tender and giving. Jael’s fears evaporate and she begins to settle in.

I had plenty of laughs reading about her attempts to fit in. She learns to bake bread, of course, gathers the eggs, and milks Elsa the goat. She does all of this at the crack of dawn. And she finally consents to wearing Amish garb, long drab dress, prayer cap, and all.

The dress won’t help when she has to battle with a vampire. She gets in quite the fix then, but she improvises really well and manages to stay alive.

Jael has brought vengeance with her to Loon Lake and to the Bishop and his growing gang of vampires. She will not stop until his reins of leadership are broken and the vampires are all dead.

There is a story inside Jael’s story. One about another Jael from long ago, back in 1142 B.C. Present day Jael sees the other Chosen one in her dreams, like watching a moving picture. At first she’s confused by the dreams, but then I felt she drew strength from them. She came to accept what she was here for, what her purpose  was.

She may have matured but she’s still a teen-ager, with all the angst, insecurity and rebellion. I love her even more.

Things start to get dangerous and messy in Loon Lake and the stakes get higher. Her uncle Seth reappears and along with Bree and Shadow, they are right in the thick of it.

There are some great reveals and surprises as you read Book Two and one heck of a cliffhanger ending. I am so hooked!

          This series is heating up!!

I need to tell you that these are not stand alone books. You need to read the series from the beginning, but at only a few dollars a book, it’s so worth the price.

Giveaway

Barbara is offering two books for the giveaway. Paperback or e-book (winners choice).

Entry is easy. Just leave your email address and answer this question, “Do you prefer a tropical Christmas or one blanketed with snow?”

This giveaway ends on December 3rd.

My giveaway for Chosen – Book One ends at midnight on Nov.20th. You can still enter to win the first book in this series. Just go here .

Not required, but I’d love it if you followed my blog.

About the author

Barbara Ellen Brink is a multi-published author of mystery and suspense. She lives with her husband and their two mutts in the great state of Minnesota where mosquitoes are the only bloodsuckers she’s actually ever seen. This is Barbara’s first foray into the world of Amish and Vampires – both of which scare her – but it isn’t the last. The 2nd book in The Amish Bloodsuckers Trilogy – SHUNNED – is now available. The 3rd book – RECKONING – will be available for December 1st!

Author Website/blog: http://www.barbaraellenbrink.com

Amish Bloodsuckers website: http://www.amishvampireslayer.moonfruit.com

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

Twitter: BarbaraEBrink

To purchase The Amish Bloodsucker novels, just click on the images below.

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For more books by Barbara Brink click on these images.

Thank you for stopping by my blog. Wishing you the best for the holidays ya’ll!

GREAT NEWS! Barbara has added a paperback to the giveaway so now there are two chances to win. Everyone already entered will be eligible for this too.

Chosen

The Amish Bloodsucker Trilogy #1

by Barbara Ellen Brink

Chosen (Amish Bloodsucker trilogy, #1)

I  love the cover art for this book.  I just knew it was going to be a fun read, and it was! I mean,  Amish blood sucking vampires, now you know that’s going to be fun!

Jael is The Chosen One. She is descended from a long line of slayers. It’s her duty to save the Loon Lake Amish Community, which has been infiltrated by Bishop and his pack of vampires. He wants her dead before her 16th birthday, when she’ll come into her full slayer abilities.

Her parents, Miriam and Jesse, were forced to leave Minnesota when Miriam discovered she was pregnant. They knew she was carrying the next Chosen One and have been running ever since. Always moving, staying isolated, never in one place too long.

Jael never understood why they lived so far away from everyone, why she was never allowed to have friends over.

Jesse, Jael’s father, has trained her in martial arts and slaying with stakes for as long as she can remember. It’s only recently that she even knew she was Amish and The Chosen.

With the help of her uncle Seth, Jael goes on her first hunt.

Well don’t just sit there….. We have vamps to stake.”

A slow smile turned up his lips and he climbed out too.

Her dad had fashioned her a leather tool belt with enough loops to hold six stakes, two on each side and two in the back. She slipped it on around her waist and filled every loop with a pointy, curved stake. Inside the top of each of her boots she slipped a four-inch blade. She picked up the crossbow. It this isn’t enough firepower……

Could you picture her doing this in a long dress, apron and prayer cap. That would be a hindrance for sure! Luckily her parents don’t make her wear traditional Amish garb.

A quirky thing about The Chosen. They are all born with six toes on one foot. Jael’s parents had hers removed as an infant to disguise who she was. When the vamps are near, her phantom toe gives her a painful warning. This comes in useful.

Brianna is Jael’s best friend and couldn’t be more different.

If lives were fairy tales, Brianna would reign supreme as a Walt Disney princess, while Jael would live in the darker Grimm Brother’s version  where survival meant slaying dragons on a daily basis.

There are rumors going around at school that Jael lives in a commune and is a sister wife. Brianna has seen her bruises and believes she is being abused. A time will come when Jael will have to tell her the truth. But not yet.

Shadow is the “bad boy” personified. The one all mothers warn their daughters about, with a piercing gaze, lanky good looks and  a mouth full of sarcasm. He has an unusual effect on Jael. Not a romantic one, instead his proximity makes her nauseous. It appears there is more to Shadow than meets the eye.

Then there’s Bruno, a huge wolf hound and loyal companion of Jael’s. They seem to have a special connection.  She can get him to do some really fun tricks. He’s also a great deterrent considering he’s the size of a small horse.

Jael’s 16th birthday is coming soon and the vampires are searching high and low for her. Thet need her dead before she comes into her full slayer abilities, while Jael has no clue what the powers will be. She is going to need all the help she can get if she’s going to be ready to go after Bishop and his bloodsuckers.

I really like Jael. Barbara was able to make her a typical teen, with everyday worries and baggage, and also with a secret life as a vampire slayer, and made it believeable and really fun.

The bloodsuckers are nasty, Jael is double tough, her family is fiercely devoted and her friends are loyal.

There are some tender moments in this story and a whole lot of humor. You’d expect that with the title Amish Bloodsuckers! It’s all in good fun, but there is some serious slaying too! Jael didn’t go through all of that training for nothing. I felt some Buffy and Little Red Riding Hood in this story.

Chosen is well written, fast-paced and easy to follow. I like how Barbara was able to keep it simple with so much going on. It could have been complicated, but she feeds you the story in bites that are easy to chew. I’m hungry for more.

        A whole lot of fun!

I’ve just finished reading Shunned – Book Two and will be telling you about it soon. And more news! Book Three is coming very soon.

Excerpt from CHOSEN:

“Jael?” Brianna was watching her with a puzzled expression on her face. “Are you all right? You seem sort of out-of-it.” She closed her locker, her history book in the crook of her arm.

“Yeah, just tired. Up late last night,” Jael said, dropping her book bag in the bottom of her locker and sliding out the book she needed for first class – Trigonometry. Ick. She’d rather smell a rotting corpse on a warm night than solve math problems.

“Okay…well… I’ll see you later, right?” She backed up a couple of steps, holding her gaze as though Jael would disappear again as soon as she let her out of her sight.

“Sure.”

Brianna smiled, then turned and hurried down the hall toward Mr. Stanton’s history class. Jael watched her go, feeling as though she was losing the only real friend she’d ever had, and there was nothing she could do about it. She saw Marti stop Brianna outside the history classroom to say something and then they both laughed and went into class together.

Jael slammed her locker shut and twisted the combination lock. She couldn’t go on this way much longer. Kicking vampire butts at night and pretending to be an average girl during the day was just taking too much out of her. She wasn’t cut out to live a double life. She wanted to be normal. If only she could be like Brianna, have parents that were nerdy scientists, a baby brother who was already taking college classes cause he tested out of third grade and was considered a genius. Okay, maybe Brianna’s family wasn’t that “normal” but still.

“Hey, Jael,” a male voice whispered close to her ear.

She twisted around and was a tenth of a second from crushing the guy’s windpipe with the heel of her hand when she realized it was just Lyle standing there. She dropped her arms and blew out a confused breath.

“You scared me,” she lied, a flimsy excuse for cover.

“Sorry.” He backed up a step, as though sensing his near demise. “Just wanted to see if you were coming to the exhibition game against the Redville Scorpions tonight. Some of us are going out afterwards for burgers. Thought you might like to come along. Hang out. Have some fun.” He narrowed his eyes. “You live way out in the desert somewhere, don’t you? Like in a commune or something?”

“What?”

“It’s cool. I don’t mind.” He smiled, and stepped closer, leaning in against the lockers with one hand. A wave of minty fresh breath wafted over her. He was always sucking on those Altoids. Curiously strong indeed.

“Good to know,” she said, basking in the warmth of his gaze. The blonde basketball star could believe she lived in a cave in Afghanistan if he wanted to, as long as he looked at her like that.

“So…?” He leaned closer, pinning her against the lockers with the heat of his eyes and another wave of peppermint.

She smiled back. “I was thinking about coming to the game.”

“Cool. I’ll see you tonight then,” he said, and pushed off from the locker. He winked and walked away to join a group of guys waiting at the end of the hall.

Her arms and legs felt paralyzed as though she’d been shot with a tranquilizer dart. At least how she imagined it would feel to be shot with a tranquilizer dart. She forced herself to move, to look away from the group of guys and walk in the opposite direction. She couldn’t let Lyle know that he set her heart racing just by speaking to her and that her skin tingled with electricity at his proximity. He would think she was some crazy, stalker girl – someone to avoid, not date.

The bell rang as she slowly moved toward the trigonometry room. Her legs refused to hurry, regardless of being tardy. She paused outside the door, listening to the sound of voices and laughter and scraping chairs as kids settled down for class. Mr. Winchester’s gruffy baritone rang out calling for attention.

Jael suddenly realized the predicament she’d shoved herself into. Since when had she ever thought about going to a game, much less believe her parents would allow her to be out of their sight that long? She blew out a frustrated breath. Since a hot guy asked her out on a date–that’s when. She had to get into town for the game tonight. It was her only chance to be normal. If it were up to her parents and Uncle Seth, the only socializing she’d ever do would be with undead creatures in the dark of night.

This was a once in a lifetime. She never thought Lyle would give her the time of day much less invite her out for burgers. Okay, maybe it wasn’t a real date; just a group thing. But it was a start.

Barabara has given me one e-book of Chosen to giveaway!

Bonus! Barbara is also giving away a paperback copy! For those who have already enterewd, you’re eligible to win this also!

It’s east to enter. Just leave your email address and answer this question: “What would you use to kill an Amish vampire?”

Giveaway ends November 20th.

Book Description

Chosen (Book One)

The Amish Bloodsuckers Trilogy

With tongue firmly in cheek and genuine Amish-made stakes at hand, The Amish Bloodsucker Trilogy sets off like a bat in the belfry. Jael the vampire slayer is ready to kick some serious bloodsucker butt. Seriously.

Move over Buffy – there’s a new slayer in town! Raised in the desert of Nevada, and destined for the Minnesota Loon Lake Amish Community, Jael Shetler is the Chosen One.

Trained by her uncle and father in twenty-one different forms of hand-to-hand combat – she also throws a knife with the speed of a bullet, and is accurate to within two centimeters of a cold, dead heart with her crossbow – she is a bloodsucker’s worst nightmare.

Her parents, forced to leave their plain and simple upbringing to escape the clutches of the new Bishop – an ancient and powerful vampire with plans to use the Amish Community as his own personal Jamba Juice – raise and train their daughter to continue the fight begun thousands of years earlier by another Jael, and to fulfill the prophecy in the Book of the Shunned.

Soon Jael is turning sweet sixteen and then … all hell will break loose.

Barbara Ellen Brink is a multi-published author of mystery and suspense. She lives with her husband and their two mutts in the great state of Minnesota where mosquitoes are the only bloodsuckers she’s actually ever seen. This is Barbara’s first foray into the world of Amish and Vampires – both of which scare her – but it isn’t the last. The 2nd book in The Amish Bloodsuckers Trilogy – SHUNNED – is now available. The 3rd book – RECKONING – will be available for Thanksgiving!

CHOSEN is available now in kindle and paperback until Dec 31st and then will be available in all ebook formats as well.

Purchase CHOSEN here:

Createspace paperback https://www.createspace.com/4032836

Amazon kindle/paperback http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009JYT3B0

Purchase SHUNNED here:

Createspace paperback https://www.createspace.com/4041332

Amazon kindle/paperback http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009VQIXF8

Barnes & Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shunned-barbara-ellen-brink/1113600422?ean=2940015877427

Author Website/blog: http://www.barbaraellenbrink.com

Amish Bloodsuckers website: http://www.amishvampireslayer.moonfruit.com

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

Twitter: BarbaraEBrink

You can purchase these books by clicking on the images below.

 

Time to announce the winners of The Blood Run Giveaway!

Winner of the Blood Run Trilogy (Complete set) : Mallory Anne-Marie Forbes

Winner of First Promise (Book One) : Ravanier

Winner of First Promise (Book One) : Emma Meade

  Congratulations!

I have sent the winners an email and notified the author.

Thanks to everyone for their comments. You’ve made this my biggest giveaway yet!

A huge Thank You to you, Christine, for allowing me to host this giveaway. I look forward to having you back again soon!

You can purchase this series by clicking on images below.

Look at what I’m reading! It’s Witch Blood : Vampire in the City (Book Three). And it’s now available for everyone!

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For those of you who aren’t familiar with the Vampire in the City series and for those of you that, like me, have been anxiously waiting, Witch Blood is now available! You can purchase a copy of all three books in the Vampire in the City series by clicking on the images in the left hand sidebar.

I’m thrilled to hear there will be a fourth book in this awesome series, Cold Blood. This is great news!

Here’s a bit about the book:

Vampire Emma Hammond and her best friend and roommate Tammy Torres have rarely had a disagreement, but that’s all about to change. Apart from hating each other’s boyfriends, the duo have more monumental problems to deal with, like controlling Emma’s growing and increasingly dangerous bloodlust and trying to get blood stains out of the carpets. And when new witch Tammy joins a coven whose leader’s lust for power knows no bounds, Emma is unwittingly pulled into their plan.
I’ve read the first two books in this series and absolutely loved them! Let me show you.
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New Blood

Emma Hammond is a normal young woman living in New York City whose life changes forever when one misstep brings her very close to death. Luckily, Alex Thompson, a handsome stranger (who also happens to be a vampire), jumps in to save her, turning Emma into a vampire. She quickly discovers the numerous advantages (no more allergies, glasses, or acne) and slight drawbacks (wanting to eat her boyfriend) of joining the ranks of the creatures of the night. But Emma soon finds out her new undead life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be when she gets pulled in to an age-old dispute between two feuding vampire clans.

You can read my review here

Loved it!!

Wild Blood (Vampire in the City #2)

Recently-turned vampire Emma Hammond is not only getting used to her undead lifestyle, but also to living with her new and unlikely roommates–her human best friend Tammy, and David, a werewolf. While the girls speculate as to possible drawbacks to having such a fuzzy tenant (shedding and marking of territory, to name a few), nothing will prepare them for the dispute that is to come between the NYC clan of vampires and an upwardly-mobile werewolf pack from the suburbs. Will Emma be able to get out of it with both her undead life, and her blossoming friendship with David, intact? And, perhaps more importantly, will she be able to choose between Alex Thompson, her sire and sometimes lover, and James, a slightly-unhinged vampire with a mysterious past?

You can read my review here

  Loved it! Howling for more!

Donna also was so generous and allowed me to have a giveaway for each book and she took time out from her busy schedule to sit down for an interview. She also let the roomies stop in for an interview. We had a lot of fun and I hope to have Donna and the girls back again!

 

About the author and where to find her
Donna Ansari was born in New York City and has lived there for most of her life. Donna graduated from Pace University with a BA in Literature and Communications. Since then, she has been working as an editor, primarily in the field of medical education.
Donna lives in Queens with her husband, son, and large black cat. She is not currently aware of any vampires in her neighborhood.
Tp purchase New Blood ,  Wild Blood and Witch Blood,  just click on the images on the left hand sidebar.

 

I’m sorry to see the Blog Tour for Heart Search is coming to an end. But, I’m thrilled to be a part of it and what better day than Halloween. So pull up a chair and stay for a “spell.” (Pun intended!)

Congratulations on your debut release of Heart Search. Thanks so much for allowing me to be a part of your Blog Tour Carlie. I’m thrilled to be able to help spread the word for your wonderful book.

Thank you, Laura. It’s been an exciting time, that’s for sure! It’s me who should be thanking YOU for taking part in the Blog Tour, not the other way around – I’m honoured that you wanted to be involved and your support means a great deal. I’m so happy you liked my book – as a writer that’s the best validation of my work.

I know you’re very busy so let’s get started with our interview shall we?

Absolutely! Fire away!

Could you please tell us something about your book and what inspired the story?

Sure. Heart Search: Lost is about a young couple, Remy and Joshua, who are on the verge of getting married. Joshua gets bitten by a vampire and begins to change. When he hurts Remy twice, he can’t live with what he’s done to her and disappears a couple of days before the wedding leaving just a note.

Remy is understandably distraught and after encouragement from her twin sister, decides to try and find him. She embarks on a long, lonely journey where strange things begin to happen.

In the meantime, Joshua has transformed into an immortal, found his maker and is introduced to coven life and feeding from humans. He also discovers he possesses some amazing talents. He becomes embroiled in coven politics and a power struggle ensues leaving him literally fighting for his life.

The book ends on a cliff-hanger.

As for what inspired the book, it was actually gifted to me by my Muse. She plonked the idea in my head one day and as I was thinking about how I could write it, Remy and Joshua stormed into my head and demanded I tell their tale. They were very persistent and wouldn’t leave me alone until I agreed. Once I started writing, they took over – they wanted the story told their way.

A question I keep forgetting to ask. How did you pick the time period for your book?

I didn’t pick it – Remy and Joshua did. They told me it was set in ‘present day’ and wouldn’t let me deviate from it. When I was thinking about how I would write it (before my two MC’s charged in), I was mulling over some of the advice I’d read about writing what you know so I think I’d have written it the way they wanted anyway.

Did you write Heart Search on your computer or the old-fashioned way, with pen and paper. and do you have a ritual when writing?

I do all my writing on my laptop. The only time I use pen and paper is when I’m out and get some inspiration, I jot it in the notebook I always carry with me.

I don’t really have any rituals as such. I usually make sure I have a fresh cup of tea by my side and as my computer is waking up I close my eyes and ask my Muse to guide me and that’s about it.

Assuming you have time, what are you reading now?

Funnily enough, I’ve read more in the last four weeks than I have for the last 2-3 months. This is mainly due to the fact that I can’t sit for very long at the moment and have to lie almost flat for a while a couple of times a day, so when lying down, I’ve been reading.

At the moment I’m reading ‘Dead Until Dark’ by Charlaine Harris (the first in the Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood series). I’m hooked on the TV show (I wonder why that is – maybe it’s got something to do with vampires. [laughs]) and now I’ve started on the books.

Do you have a favorite genre you like to read?

Oh, that’s an easy one – fantasy &/or paranormal.

Do you get most of your books from a book store or on-line, and do you prefer physical copies or e-books?

I like to support book stores as much as possible and they are my first choice. I much prefer printed copies to e-books – there’s just something about being able to touch the paper and the smell of a book. Although I do read from my Kindle and can see the portability advantages, give me a paperback any day!

Can you tell us where you’re at with the rest of the series?

Are you trying to get a spoiler from me, Laura? [Laughs] Tough luck! I’m keeping it securely under wraps for now. I have started writing book two in the series and am at the beginning of chapter fourteen. I’ve had to put it on the back burner whilst doing the Blog Tour, but I’m going to be a NaNoWriMo rebel and use the month to write my 50,000 words for the second book. My plan is to finish the chapter I’ve started and begin NaNoWriMo from chapter fifteen – no cheating that way!

How did you celebrate your debut release of Heart Search?

If my circumstances had been different I might have had a party, but having had surgery on my spine ten days before the launch, it wouldn’t have been a good idea. I was still on medication so couldn’t drink alcohol either (damn it!). [Chuckles]. My daughter and I had a lovely meal, just the two of us and some non-alcoholic drinks to clink glasses with. It was a lovely evening.

Is there anything else you would care to share with us?

Ooo now there’s a leading question. This could take me in all sorts of random directions . . . Hmmm, well I could share that I’m in the early planning stages of the book I intend to write after the Heart Search series is finished. It will be a fantasy novel in honour of the lovely lady I use as my avatar. She gives me lots of inspiration and I think she deserves her own book. I’ve got some serious world-building to plan and magic systems to create before I start writing it though.

Five Fun Shorts!

Favorite Junk Food?

Easy one! Pizza – preferably Hawaiian, with loads on juicy pineapple on it. And it has to be deep pan too.

If you could be an animal, what would you be?

Not so easy – I’m stuck between two. I love dogs, but particularly Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (I had one as a child and she was beautiful) and I also love Dolphins with a passion. Hmmm, I think I’ll go with a Dolphin – the thought of discovering the depths of the ocean and all the beauty which lies there coupled with the possibility of swimming with mermaids and mermen is very attractive right now.

Favorite Holiday?

I have to say, I love Christmas. I still get a big kick out of watching my daughter open her gifts on Christmas morning, even though she’s in her twenties now. I love decorating the house and the dream of actually having a white Christmas. I also love the traditional yuletide drinks and fare.

Do you prefer your movie theater popcorn buttered or not buttered?

Ah, we have different popcorn over here in the UK. We have sweet or slightly salty popcorn in our movie theatres (we call them cinemas) and I prefer sweet.

How do you like your steak cooked?

a) rare – it could moo

b) medium rare

c) medium

d) medium well

e) well done – tough as cowhide!

I like mine well done, but NOT as tough as cowhide (and if it’s cooked right, it shouldn’t be)!

Thanks for fitting me into your busy schedule Carlie. I’m looking forward to more great reading from you in the future.

Thank you so much for inviting me here today, Laura. I’ve had a great time answering your questions and I hope your followers enjoy reading about me. Now where’s that cup of tea you promised me??

You can read my 5 star review of Heart Search here .

Guest post with short story by Carlie here .

Excerpt from Heart Search here

Carlie M A Cullen was born in London. She grew up in Hertfordshire where she first discovered her love of books and writing. She has been an administrator and marketer all her working life and is also a professional teacher of Ballroom and Latin American dancing.

Carlie has always written in some form or another, but Heart Search: Lost is her first novel. This is being launched 8th October 2012 through Myrddin Publishing Group and work has started on book two: Heart Search: Found. She writes mainly in the Fantasy/Paranormal Romance genres for YA, New Adult and Adult.

Carlie is also a professional editor.

Carlie also holds the reins of a writing group called Writebulb. Their first anthology was published September 2012.

Carlie currently lives in Essex, UK with her daughter.

http://carliemacullen.com/

http://twitter.com/carlie2011c

You can purchase your copy of Heart Search (Book One: Lost)  by clicking the links below.

Amazon US http://amzn.to/OLwU59

Amazon UK http://amzn.to/PhC0Gu

When Joshua Grant vanishes days before his wedding his fiancée Remy is left with only bruises, scratch marks and a hastily written note. Heartbroken, she sets off alone to find him and begins a long journey where strange things begin to happen.

As Joshua descends into his new immortal life he indulges his thirst for blood and explores his superhuman strength and amazing new talents while becoming embroiled in coven politics which threaten to destroy him. But Remy discovers a strength of her own on her quest to bring Joshua home.

Fate toys with mortals and immortals alike, as two hearts torn apart by darkness face ordeals which test them to their limits

Last Chance (Blood Run SeriesBook Three)

by Christine Dougherty

Last Chance

Add To Goodreads

Another great cover.

Promise has returned to Wereberg.

Promise and Peter left, seeking a cure for vampirism. After losing her parents to the vampires, she lost her little brother, Chance, just one week later. He was bitten and turned.

Her promise to Chance, “I’ll make it alright.”

She’s went through hell trying to keep that promise. Her and Peter may have found the cure. But it has never been tested on a human subject. It could turn half-and-halfs into full vampires and just might kill one that’s fully turned. Could she risk using it on Chance? Should she?

That question will have to wait. That twit, Deidre, who’s so jealous of Promise, has let Chance go. Now they have to find him again. She pays dearly for her foolishness.

It’s great to be back in Willow’s End. So nice to see Lea and Mark, and they’re  very much a couple now. What they’ve done for Promise, keeping Chance alive, shows their love for her and their courage. It’s dangerous to feed a vampire.

There is one character who’s stolen my heart, Evans. He’s like a big brother. Always there to protect you from the bad things. I could read more about him. My hero.

The vampires are more dangerous than ever, the battles are bloodier and the characters are at their best. I was sad to see it end.  Christine wastes no words, the story builds and builds and rushes to a great ending. She puts you right in it!

          Loved it! Loved it!

And a bonus rating for these two!

Tribute to Snow and Ash. No animals were injured during the writing of these books!

You can read my review of First Promise – Book One here .

My review of Two Riders – Book Two is here .

A special treat for you. I have Christine here for an interview and she is letting me host a fantastic giveaway!

I’m so glad to have your here on my blog Christine. I love your books and want everyone to meet you. So let’s get started!
I love the cover art for your Blood Run series. They make me think “Classics.” How did you choose them?
They were a real struggle. My husband helps me with the covers and by ‘helps’ I mean ‘pushes’. He never lets me get away with anything that looks lazy (but it’s hard because with some things, I AM lazy!). We were back and forth with putting Promise on there. People respond to faces, so it can be a good way to get a book looked at. But I also had the idea of this very elegant cover with just a hint of the menace in the story. I think they worked out okay and they look great as a set!
Your characters are so easy to relate to. Do you have a favorite? I won’t tell the others:)
It’s difficult because I relate to each of them. Promise for her fighting, bullheaded nature. Lea because I understand her shy reticence. Mark because of how much he comes to appreciate Lea. Peter for his conflicted nature. And Evans, well, I love Evans, but it might take a reader some time to find out why.
How did you feel after finishing this series? Was it hard to say goodbye to your characters?
I hate finishing books. Hate it. My husband always tries to do something to cheer me up because I usually cry and then drag around like a lost dog for a while. I think about the characters and in a weird way, I always wonder what they are up to after the book ends. Which is probably borderline psychotic, right?
I am reading your collection “Darkness Within” right now. Where do you get your ideas from?
The ideas come from everywhere. Half or more from my husband (are you seeing the theme?) and the rest are usually based off my personal fears. I am easily spooked and I find the world a hard, scary place to be.
I’m also reading The Boat. I know, it’s crazy to read two books at once! The story line and the zombies are quite unique. What inspired this book?
I usually have a few books going at once as a reader. It’s a mood thing, isn’t it? The Boat sprang from a conversation my husband and I had in the grocery store. (I’m lucky to have him, aren’t I?)
You have written many books. Do you have a favorite?
I don’t have a favorite. But there are some characters that keep popping into my mind as though they have more to say.
Are you working on anything now, and if so, can you share something about it?
I am finishing up short stories for a new collection which will be out soon. Hopefully some time in November. I am very proud of the stories going into this book. I think it’s some of the best writing I’ve ever done. I am grateful to my short story teacher, Season, because even though I’m not taking classes anymore, she is still teaching me!
Five Fun Shorts!
1) favorite genre (to read or write)?
My favorite genre as a reader is general, character driven fiction. And I am a re-reader. I’ll read the same books over and over. Freaky, right?
2) creepiest monster?
Creepiest ‘monsters’ to me are the real life serial killers. They make my blood run very, very cold.
3) Why did the chicken cross the road?
Curiosity. Which he better be careful of. Just ask the cat.
4) favorite TV show?
The Walking Dead and HGTV’s House Hunters.
5) worst movie you’ve watched?
God, so many. We watch movies constantly so it would be hard to say. Joe Dirt comes to mind, though I watch it occasionally now. I have such a high tolerance!
This has been fun. Thanks so much for answering my questions Christine. I look forward to having you back soon!
Thank you, Laura.  I’m glad you gave me this opportunity to be on your blog. Although I still don’t know how you have the time to do all the wonderful things you do. All the best.

And now for the giveaway!

The first place winner will receive e-books of the complete Blood Run Series! That’s right. You will win First Promise, Two Riders and Last Chance!

And that’s not all. Two more lucky winners will get an e-book of First Promise, the first book in the Blood Run Series! Isn’t that awesome?!

Entry is easy. Just leave your email address and answer this question, “How would you feed a vampire?”

Giveaway ends November 4th.

It’s not required, but it would make my day if you followed me on twitter and my blog.

You can find Christine Dougherty here:

Website

Goodreads

Twitter

Amazon

Facebook

If you think this giveaway is awesome, please hit that like and tweet button:)

Two Riders (Blood Run Trilogy, Book Two) by Christine Dougherty

Two Riders

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I love the title for this book. It really is about two riders.

In First Promise (Book One) Promise has a sleek black stallion named Ash and Peter (half-vampire also called half-and-half) has a stocky white mare named Snow. You can read my review here .

In Two Riders (Book Two) Promise and Peter join a group of soldiers from the National Guard. They are being escorted to New Jersey.  There is a scientist working on a cure for vampirism, and Promise is hoping to bring that cure back for her little brother, Chance.

She lost her parents to vampires and not long after her brother was turned after being bitten.  She is doing everything she can to keep her promise to him. To make everything alright again.

The soldiers are a mixed bag of volunteers and enlisted. There is one that is causing lots of problems for Peter. Evans is drawn to Promise, but despises Peter and uses every opportunity to make this known. He is always one step away from putting an arrow through Peter. As Peter is finding it more and more difficult to resist the dark urges of the virus running through his veins, the journey is fraught with tension. These two are dangerously close to killing each other.

The trip is slow and arduous, the soldiers having to keep their humvees moving at a pace that the horses can maintain. With the vampires getting more brazen, it wouldn’t do for the riders, Promise and Peter, to be left behind.

Without giving too much away, I’ll tell you that not everyone makes it to Jersey. Three will fall, but I won’t tell you who.

Of course, I’m very fond of Peter and I love Promise. She is young and vulnerable, and recognizes this. She’s also intuitive and very quick thinking. She is growing up fast.

Evans, the cantankerous, gruff soldier, really got on my nerves at first. I was thinking, this is the bad apple. There is one in every story, the one you love to hate.

But that changed over time. I learned his story as he revealed it to Promise. He actually became likeable, someone I would want on my side. I would love to read a book about him.

The writing is smooth, with no wasted words. The vampires are more vicious, the scenes more bloody, and the characters are becoming my friends. I am completely involved in this series.

Christine wraps it up nicely. I like how she gives you an ending in each book and also a lead in to the next one. I guess you could read each one by itself, as she gives a recap at the beginning of the second and third book. But I recommend you read them in order and get the complete experience. I wouldn’t want you to miss out on that.

  Still loving this series!!

I’m finished reading Last Chance (Blood Run Trilogy, Book Three), the last book in this series. I’ll be back to tell you about it soon!

About Christine Dougherty and where to find her.

Christine Dougherty

Christine Dougherty is at home in South Jersey with a husband, dog, and two cats. She has published short stories in The Absent Willow Review, Necrotic Tissue, Fiction at Work, and Niteblade.

Christine’s greatest influences are Stephen King, Margaret Atwood, Anne Tyler, Dean Koontz, Wally Lamb and a fascination with the scarier aspects of life, be they paranormal or criminal.

Christine writes in the genres of horror, paranormal, and psychological thriller and is never happier than when she is tackling the undead, the walking dead, werewolves, vampires, zombies, ghosts, aliens, spooky scenes, scary characters, psychics, demons, devils, and quirky heroes and heroines.

Website

Goodreads

Twitter

Amazon

Facebook

To purchase the Blood Run Trilogy click on the images below.

Christine has written many books. You can find them all here .

I’m so excited! Carlie M.A. Cullen is going to be my very first guest post!

Please make her feel welcome on this stop in her Heart Search Blog Tour!

For today Carlie has given us one of her Short Stories.

Take her away Carlie.

A Mirror Never Lies

Elena delved into her bag, grabbed her new glitter lip gloss and walked over to the mirror to apply it. She loved Fridays; clubbing with the girls was a weekly ritual. As she looked at her image, it appeared hazy around the edges. Raising her left hand, she stroked it down her sleek hairstyle to smooth it, but it made no difference to her reflection.

Elena reached for a tissue, moved closer and polished the mirror with it, removing a fine layer of dust. When she finished she stepped back and looked once more. Her eyes narrowed, furrows creased between her brows and her lips pursed; if anything her image was more blurred than before.

Walking from the bedroom Elena crossed the hall and entered the bathroom. She moved over to the mirror above the basin and studied her reflection. A gasp rocketed from her lips – not only were the edges fuzzy, her image had an ethereal quality. “What the hell?” The lip gloss slipped from her fingers and clattered on the porcelain as the blood in her veins turned to ice. Countless emotions trampled through her head like a stampeding herd.

Squeezing her eyes tightly together, she willed everything to be normal again. Elena slowly opened her eyes and looked at herself; there was less substance to the vision than before, it was as if she were fading away before her very eyes. She shook her head in denial. Somebody had to be playing a joke on her – surely.

Elena turned away. She left the room, ran downstairs and into the lounge, stopping in front of the large ornate mirror that had once belonged to her grandmother. No-one would dare mess with this mirror, she thought, then slowly raised her eyes to gaze on her countenance. “NO!” The word exploded from her lips. She dropped her face into her hands and turned away, but what she saw seared into her brain like a branding iron.

She stumbled across the room and flopped onto the sofa. Her eyes pricked with tears she could not shed and shivers coursed through her limbs. Her breath hitched in her throat, a sob shattered the silence. Elena inhaled deeply; it felt wrong somehow, but she began to drift toward calm. She steeled herself. She needed to find an explanation for why her latest reflection was so transparent she could see objects through the image.

A thought popped unbidden into her mind; was this strange phenomena connected to the enigmatic stranger she met at the club last Friday? She struggled to recall the events of the evening…

She remembered dancing with a gorgeous hunk, who had the most mesmerising eyes she’d ever seen, before leaving the club with him. He walked her home and arranged to meet the following evening. Stefan was a perfect gentleman; they went for a drive in the country arriving at a small wood with a lovely clearing edged with flowers. Stefan had spread a blanket on the grass and pulled out a picnic hamper containing various delicious pastries and a bottle of red wine.

Elena couldn’t recall him eating anything, but they consumed the delicious honeyed wine and opened a second bottle. He was good company and had an olde worlde charm. Their first kiss had been passionate yet sweet, as were the ones that followed. It was strange – she couldn’t remember the drive home – her next memory was waking the following morning.

She had seen Stefan the next night; he came to her house and brought more of the delectable wine. His kisses that night were so deep, so ardent, the spirit of his desire mingled with hers yet he remained a gentleman, leaving her wanting more.

Wednesday evening Stefan came over, again armed with the same wine. His embrace left her breathless as his lips travelled from her wrist to her shoulder, across her collarbone, up her neck and across to meet hers. Strangely, Elena couldn’t remember much else about that night. She did remember the light hurt her eyes the next morning, sending shooting pains through her head and compelling her to wear sunglasses all day for two days running. Yet now the day had drifted into dusk, her eyes were fine.

Elena pondered. Did Stefan have anything to do with this? A chuckle escaped her lips – how could he? He hadn’t done anything to her except kiss her. She stood and crossed to the mirror once more. She inhaled sharply. All she could see was the room reflected back and no sign of her at all.

A faint brush of fabric sounded in her ears and she whirled around. A startled cry rushed from her throat; Stefan stood behind her, a gentle smile gracing his lips. He opened his arms and drew her to him, enveloping her in his tight embrace. Elena snuggled into him as a sense of peace rolled through her.

“Oh, Stefan, I’ve been so scared. I don’t understand what’s happening to me,” her soft voice calmer than the words belied.

Hush, darling, you are with me now . . . forever.”

Thanks so much for sharing this with us Carlie. It’s a perfect pick to go along with your tour!

Don’t be late for the party! To find the complete tour list and catch all of the reviews, interviews, excerpts and a huge giveaway go here !

Carlie M A Cullen was born in London. She grew up in Hertfordshire where she first discovered her love of books and writing. She has been an administrator and marketer all her working life and is also a professional teacher of Ballroom and Latin American dancing.

Carlie has always written in some form or another, but Heart Search: Lost is her first novel. This is being launched 8th October 2012 through Myrddin Publishing Group and work has started on book two: Heart Search: Found. She writes mainly in the Fantasy/Paranormal Romance genres for YA, New Adult and Adult.

Carlie is also a professional editor.

Carlie also holds the reins of a writing group called Writebulb. Their first anthology was published September 2012.

Carlie currently lives in Essex, UK with her daughter.

http://carliemacullen.com/

http://twitter.com/carlie2011c

You can purchase your copy of Heart Search (Book One: Lost) by clicking the links below.

Amazon US http://amzn.to/OLwU59

Amazon UK http://amzn.to/PhC0Gu


Welcome back to the blog tour! As I promised. It’s time for my review of Heart Search. There’s so much to tell you.

Heart Search: Lost (Heart Search, #1)

Only two weeks until the wedding. Joshua is anticipating Remy’s return tomorrow. This is the first time they’ve really been apart and he is looking forward to holding her in his arms again.

While walking through the country park, Joshua spies a secluded bench and stops to rest for a bit. The next thing he knows, it’s dark out and the park gates are locked. He’ll have to sleep in his car until the park rangers open up in the morning.

Remy disembarks from the plane and searches the crowd for Joshua.  Her heart leaps when she meets his warm gaze. Rushing to him, she’s crushed in his embrace. His enthusiastic kisses turn painful and sensing Remy’s discomfort, he apologizes for getting carried away.

After a passionate night of lovemaking, Remy awakens to unusual soreness. Her reflection in the mirror shows bruises all up and down her body. After the way they pounced on each other last night, she figures they both got a little crazy after two weeks apart. Then it happens again, only this time she has scratches and abrasions all over and she’s stiff and achy.

When Joshua sees what he’s done, he’s shattered. He would never hurt Remy. Why is this happening? Remy assures him she’s okay but Joshua won’t be consoled. He rushes out the front door, calling to Remy that he loves her and he’s sorry.

With little time to worry about Joshua’s sudden departure, Remy heads off to work. When she returns home later, she senses something is not right. She spots the letter on the table. She reaches for it with shaking hands, fearing what’s inside.  It’s goodbye. Calling himself a monster and a danger to her, Joshua has left, never to return. She races through their home and sure enough, all of his clothes and toiletries are gone.

Her world crumbles and she faints.  Some time later she awakens and finds the strength to call her twin sister Becky, who rushes right over. Becky consoles her through the long night.

By morning, Becky has a plan of action. She knows how much Remy and Joshua love each other and she urges Remy to fight for that love, to find Joshua and bring him home. It sounds like a good plan, but Remy has no way of knowing how long it will take, and what surprises lie in store on her path.

All Joshua knew was he couldn’t stay with Remy any longer. He was a danger to her.  Stopping at a rest area to collect himself after his emotional departure from what was once home, he starts to remember some of that day in the park. He’d donated blood and taken a peaceful walk in the park, resting on the park bench for a bit. He’d awakened in the dark, the arm he’d donated with hurting more than it should.  He peeled back the bandage to see not one, but two punctures.

He’d noticed changes in himself, many changes, but his conclusions about them couldn’t possibly be right. He goes to an internet cafe, goes on-line , finds the site he is searching for and compares his notes about his changes to what is listed on the web page.

Eyes sensitive to light, especially the sun

Skin much paler than normal

Incisors much sharper and more pointed

Eye colour changing

Excellent night vision

Normal food makes me sick

Prefer uncooked or barely cooked meat

Hearing so much sharper

Much stronger

He laid the pen next to the keyboard, put his hand on the mouse and moved it to click on another page. Cross-referencing the information on the screen with the list he had compiled, a new understanding swept over him, a huge wave crashing onto a cliff face in a storm. Now he knew what he was becoming . . . a vampire.

And this is just the beginning of Remy and Joshua’s story.

My heart went out to Remy. I’ve had my heart broken before and it still hurts when I think about it, even though it was long ago. She cries at the drop of a hat. Anything can set her off, which I find very believable.  Her decision to fight for Joshua, to hit the road and find him, bring him home, is quite brave. Remy drives from town to town, checking all of the places where he could be staying.  Soon the search starts to break her down. Each negative response she gets when she inquires as to whether they have seen him, is another dagger to her weary heart. But she won’t give up. She knows he is out there somewhere, and she will not stop until she finds him.

Poor Joshua. His visions of the future are not to be. He can’t be with Remy, can’t be her husband.  Especially now that he knows what he is becoming, a vampire. He will disappear from Remy’s life, let her forget him and find someone who can be the husband she deserves. He should have known she wouldn’t give up on him that easily.

A voice speaks to Joshua, speaks to him in his mind. It tells him to come home. What home? Where? He finds himself driving, heading to who knows where, with no conscious thought as he makes turns and exits. It’s like he is being guided to his destination.  He is anxious to get there. Anxious to have answers to his many questions. Why me? Now what do I do? Those are just some of the questions racing through his mind as he draws nearer.

I now understand why this book is titled Heart Search. But there are really two hearts searching in this story.

I can’t tell you much more than I have already. I can’t wait for you to read this book. You may think it is a love story, and you’d be correct. But lets not forget that Joshua is now a vampire, and the ones you meet in Heart Search are not vegetarians! I really loved how Carlie portrayed them and their lack of empathy for their victims. To them, they are just doing what they do, feeding to stay alive.

I cried at times, got mad, rolled my eyes, gasped and had some Oh, I see moments while reading. There is so much to entertain you in Heart Search. I am thrilled to know that this is just Book One in the  series.

I’ll warn you right now, the ending is a killer! Carlie better write fast.

After finishing Heart Search I was “gobsmacked” as Carlie puts it!

 Loved it!!

You can check out the other stops on the blog tour, catch all of the great reviews, excerpts, interviews and a huge giveaway here .

You can purchase your copy by clicking the links below.

Amazon US http://amzn.to/OLwU59

Amazon UK http://amzn.to/PhC0Gu

Behind this innocent looking book cover is one hell of a great vampire story. Don’t let this cover art fool you!

First Promise (Book One in the Blood Run series)

By Christine Dougherty

First Promise

Add To Goodreads


I nabbed this book for free off of Amazon. The blurb made me curious. I am so glad I did.

First Promise sat in my kindle for a few days, and as I was browsing to see what I might like to read, I happened on this book.  I opened it up, started reading, and a couple of hours later, I was finished. I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t want it to end. I was so pumped up I wanted to hit something! Just kiddin. But I was anxious to read more of this series.

I hopped over to Goodreads to check out Christine Dougherty. I was surprised that I had not friended her. Her books are my kind of reading, wonder how I missed her. Be sure, I friended her now! And I spotted the next two books in the series. They are available on Amazon and now I don’t have to wait to dive back in!

Let me tell ya’ll about this story.

It started in 1983.  News reports and rumors about vicious attacks trickled into the small town of Willow’s End. The townspeople soon start to believe the reports are true as the outbreak escalates, spreading to all corners of the Earth by the end of 83.

It takes a while for the infected to reach Willow’s End.  It’s now 1985. People start to go missing and some are found dead, their bodies ripped apart. Then the worse happens. The vampires get Promise’s parents. Promise, only eighteen years old, now has to protect and care for her nine-year old brother Chance. They are all each other has.

One week later, she loses Chance also. The survivors of the surrounding towns have taken shelter in the high school. It is a secure outpost, like many scattered throughout the country. They should have been safe. Then someone leaves a door open, and the vampires come pouring in from the darkness outside. It’s a bloodbath. So many die. And Chance is bitten. It doesn’t take long for him to change into a bloodsucker.

The others want to stake Chance, but Promise forbids it. As he howls and gnashes his long incisors in her face, Promise cries out to him to stop. He seems to have enough humanity left in him to hear her, and he dives out the window and runs off into the night.

Promise was not  always her name. She changed it from Destiny because she made a “promise” to her little brother. Since she first laid eyes on him as an infant, she always felt like he was her child. Now she has to hunt him down and end his pain.

Her promise, “I’ll fix everything. Until the day I rest in my grave, I will look for him.”

Now she shares a room with her horse, Ash, and her friend Lea, a quiet, shy girl, head-over-heels in love with Mark, who is hopelessly in love with Promise. Quite the pickle they are in. Promise has no interest in Mark besides friendship and they all manage to remain close, looking out for each other.

Then a newcomer arrives. A handsome young man, several years older than Promise. They seem drawn to each and not just because Peter has a horse also. The stories going around that he’s half-and-half are true. He has been bitten and survived, unchanged. The fact that his dreams are filled with a lust for blood will remain his secret.

Okay, I have to stop here. It is really going to get cranking now.

This little jewel is screaming at me to keep telling you more.

I am so glad there are two more books in this series. I have fallen hard for Promise and Peter, along with Lea and Mark. There are some periphery characters I like also and they help keep the story flowing and make it plausible.

I love how the author describes Promises’s feelings about vampires. They echo my own, and I’ve never seen it mentioned before.

It still felt weird on her lips and in her ears. Vampires. The word was squirmy and old-fashioned and almost… embarrassing.”

There is one other moment in the story where this happens. It is like the author knows how I feel. It has to do with Peter and Promise, and what she discovers about his life before the outbreak. See if you catch what I mean. It’s like the author read my mind.

This would be a great read for young adult and more mature readers.

I’ve only touched on this story. There is so much in store for you. You have to read First Promise!

 

5 for 5 plus a pinch more because I don’t have to wait for the next two books. They are available now!

My review of Two Riders (Book Two in the Blood Run Series) is coming soon!

About Christine Dougherty and where to find her.

Christine Dougherty

Christine Dougherty is at home in South Jersey with a husband, dog, and two cats. She has published short stories in The Absent Willow Review, Necrotic Tissue, Fiction at Work, and Niteblade.

Christine’s greatest influences are Stephen King, Margaret Atwood, Anne Tyler, Dean Koontz, Wally Lamb and a fascination with the scarier aspects of life, be they paranormal or criminal.

Christine writes in the genres of horror, paranormal, and psychological thriller and is never happier than when she is tackling the undead, the walking dead, werewolves, vampires, zombies, ghosts, aliens, spooky scenes, scary characters, psychics, demons, devils, and quirky heroes and heroines.

Website

Goodreads

Twitter

Amazon

Facebook

To purchase the Blood Run Trilogy click on the images below.