Posts Tagged ‘fantasy’

If you haven’t read The Guardians of Vesturon series by A.M. Hargrove yet, I have exciting news!

You can get Survival: Book One and Beginnings: The Prequel Novella, FREE today on AMAZON!

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I read and reviewed this before I started my blog.

Wanting to tell more about awesome books, I started my blog and haven’t stop talking since!

My Review

“Maybe I was caught between the two worlds. I was having serious trouble distinguishing fantasy from reality.”

While on a backpacking trip in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, nineteen-year-old Maddie Pearce finds her world has been thrown into a vortex and is madly spinning toward the impossible. Abducted by a mad psychopath, Maddie narrowly escapes with her life. But that is only the beginning. Her mysterious rescuer introduces her to a world that Maddie has difficulty accepting as reality. Will this strikingly gorgeous stranger be the key to her future or will she return to her mundane world, scarred from her experience? Follow Maddie as she is forced to make difficult decisions that carry her to mysterious places.

Click on the icon below to get your copy now!

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Reviewing soon

You met the Guardians of Vesturon in Survival and Resurrection.  Now read about how their parents, Rowan and Annalise met in Beginnings, the novella Prequel to The Guardians of Vesturon.  Learn more about Rowan and how Annalise unwittingly captured his heart and how his chance meeting of her took him on a journey of forbidden love.

Click on the icon below to get your copy now!

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Other books in The Guardians of Vesturon Series

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My Review

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Reviewing soon.

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A Praestani Series Novel

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My Review

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The Edge Series

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My Review

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My Review

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My Review

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Reading this now.

You can catch my review in the tour coming October 2nd!

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About the Author

Hargrove

One day, on her way home from work as a sales manager, A. M. Hargrove, realized her life was on fast forward and if she didn’t do something soon, it would quickly be too late to write that work of fiction she had been dreaming of her whole life.  So, she rolled down the passenger window of her fabulous (not) company car and tossed out her leather briefcase.  Luckily, the pedestrian in the direct line of fire was a dodgeball pro and had über quick reflexes enabling him to avoid getting bashed in the head.  Feeling a tad guilty about the near miss, A. M. made a speedy turn down a deserted side street before tossing her crummy, outdated piece-of-you-know-what lap top out the window.   She breathed a liberating sigh of relief, picked up her cell phone and hit #4 on her speed dial.

Boss:  Hello

A.M.:  Boss, is that you?

Boss:  Why yes, A. M., who else would be answering my phone?

A.M.:  Er… right.  Well, I’m calling to let you know you can pick up my luxury Ford Focus at Starbucks near the interstate.

Boss:  Why ever would I want to do that?

A.M.:  Because I quit!

A.M. hit the end button and speed dialed her husband.

A.M.:  Hi hubs, can you pick me up at Starbucks?

Hubs:  Sure… Having some car trouble?

A.M.:  Not at all.  I don’t have a car to have trouble with because I just quit my job.

Hubs:  WHAT?!

A.M.:  It’s time for a new career and I am going to be a very famous novelist.

So began A. M. Hargrove’s career as a YA/NA and Adult Romance writer! Her books include Kissing Fire, Edge of Disaster, Shattered Edge, the series the Guardians of Vesturon (Survival, Resurrection, Determinant, Beginnings and the upcoming reEmergent) and Dark Waltz.

Author Social Media Links:

http://www.amhargrove.blogspot.com

http://www.amhargrove.com

http://www.twitter.com/@amhargrove1

http://www.facebook.com/anne.m.hargrove

http://www.facebook.com/guardiansofvesturon

http://www.goodreads.com/amhargrove1

Straight from H. D. Gordon to you!

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Hey there, my beautiful Blood Warriors!
Today you can download Shooting Stars (Book one of The Surah Stormsong Novels) for FREE on amazon!

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Once upon a time, a common boy fell in love with a princess. It was a hopeless, forbidden love, grown in a world where sorcery and magic rule over all. Now, dark times are brewing, and destiny will bring them together, while fate works to keep them apart. Extraordinary battles will be fought, and extraordinary choices made. Join the author of The Alexa Montgomery Saga for the beginning of a tale of star-crossed lovers and magic, of hope and love and loss, of desperate wishes made on stars.

My 5 Star Review

***Click on the icon below to get your copy!***

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Since book two, Falling Stars, will be released SEPTEMBER 15th, now is your chance to catch up!

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Surah Stormsong’s life has fallen down around her in the past week. Her father is in a coma induced by demon poison, two Highborn Sorceresses have been murdered, and a crazed Sorcerer by the name of Black Heart has made it his mission to take the kingdom for his own. As princess, and next in line to the throne, Surah is his primary target. But he’s not the only one she has to look out for.
Now, Surah is on the run, having just helped Charlie Redmine escape from the castle dungeons. This makes her a traitor in the eyes of many, as Charlie is not only a common man suspected of murder and treason, but also Black Heart’s younger brother.
The stars are crossed against the two lovers, the universe trying to keep them apart. In the end, will the stars align for Surah and Charlie, or will they fall from the heavens, dead and lifeless, like the tears of angels?

*****You can catch my review and interview with Heather on September 6th!*****

If you’re interested, make sure you mark you calendars for Sept. 15th, because for a very limited time Falling Stars will be available for only $.99! I think you guys are gonna like this one. 🙂

Also, if you visit my author page on Facebook, you’ll see a contest pinned to the top where you can enter to win a Tiger Adoption Kit from WWF!

As always, much love brothers and sisters, and happy reading!
Heather (HD) Gordon

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THANK YOU HEATHER!!!

The Legacy of the RedCape Women New Banner

Wait until you read the sneak peek inside The Legacy of the RedCape  Women!

I was grinning and thinking, yum yum!

An alpha shifter and a tough lady drawn together like magnets. They say opposites attract. This should be fun!

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The Legacy of the RedCape Women by Zerlina Valinski

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When Tasia discovers her ancestry is tied to the mountains of North Carolina, she’s shocked but elated. Finally, she thinks she may have found what she’s missed all her life…family. Reaching her ancestral home however, leads her into the path of an Alpha shifter…and secrets some never want revealed.

Conal is the Alpha wolf, and the local law, still more than his interest is peaked when he sees the bedraggled woman sitting in his spot. He feels torn over leading her to her grandmother’s home…is this the beginning of their story? Or will the past destroy their future?

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A glimpse inside:

The door swung open and in stepped the biggest man Taisa had ever seen. The plaid button down shirt he wore clung to his broad shoulders.  He raked the wet hair back from his forehead, his clothes soaked.  His dark gaze swept the room before landing on her.

“Who’s he?” Tasia gulped down her water. Her unease was swiftly back.

“He’s our Al…Sheriff.  He eats here every night and you’re in his spot.”

“Oh. Should I move?”

“Don’t let him bluster you too bad, he’s a nice guy. I’ll be back with your dinner.”  Julia was out of the booth before the Sheriff reached them.  Tasia was sure Julia was escaping something, but she just couldn’t figure out what.

“You’re sitting in my spot.” The bear of a man towered over her.  His voice was so deep it vibrated through her.  “Who the hell are you anyway?  Is your car parked out front?  In my spot, I might add.”

“Well, one of the cars is mine, not sure where your spot is though.”

“The one with a hungry dog in the back seat.”

“I’ll take care of her when I’m done eating.  You don’t need to worry.  She’s well loved.”

“I guess, I can smell the dog all over you.”  He made a sniffing sound then glared at her.

“Right.  Listen, I’ll move as soon as I eat my meal.  But, you’re welcome to sit across from me.  If you can stand the dog smell.” She grinned up at him.  Tasia felt challenged, she did not like it.  She was never one to cower when her ire was up.   Foster care had taught her to be tough, resilient.  Although, this man made her feel dwarfed, but her instinct told her not to flinch.  When you flinch, you’re vulnerable.   I’m an idiot.  I should get out of his way.  She leaned her neck back to look up at him.  “Go ahead, have a seat.” She motioned to the other side of the booth.  “We can share.  I don’t bite.  And if I smell like a dog.  I have been traveling all day with Bella, a she’s a German shepherd.  She can’t help how she smells.”

“You don’t bite?”  He chuckled, the brusque manner fading.  “To bad.” He scooted into the bench across from her with the lithe grace of a wolf.

Crimson Frost Books Link                 Cover Art by Suzie’s Designs

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About the Author:

I am Zerlina Valinski. I am weaver of tales of sensual erotic romance. My stories will take you to places you have never been. You will see fantastic places and people. I will tantalize you with stories of Weres, Shape shifters, Witches, Warlocks, Fairies, Imps, pagan gods and goddesses and more mystical creatures. I will invite you into their sensual worlds where they don’t shy away from the carnal as humans do. They indulge their passion and they love without mortal confines of the human mind.

I invite you to partake in these sensual adventures. They will keep your interest.

The world is old and there are many beings here. Human’s ignorance doesn’t eliminate this reality. Humans are frozen in their ways, their beliefs. But not the creatures of old, they’re fully aware of the hidden world around us. Come with me to meet them and see their domains. To live with them and to love with them.

Author Links:  Site     Facebook    Twitter

Join Zerlina Valinski on August 24th at 8PM EST at Crimson Frost Books Discussion Group on Facebook

Author Charles Cornell has been working on a Top Secret assignment.

So closely guarded I can only “show you” this.

And even this isn’t the complete picture.

I swore an oath to show and tell no more!

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DragonFly is a sci-fi/fantasy story, with elements of steampunk, a new genre for Charles.

There will be many spinoffs, like short stories & novellas as well as a full length sequel.

I am one of the very lucky few who has got a copy of this new book, for my eyes only!

Since this is Top Secret, all I can say is Woo Hoo!

The story is about???with some fantastic????that reminds me of??? and???

Stay tuned for further developments!

Head over to Sherry’s post at Fundimental.

I’m curious to see what she has to reveal.

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More from Charles Cornell

Have you heard of Tiger Paw?

Let me show you!

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My 5 Star Review

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The launch of Carlie’s newest book, Heart Search: Book Two, Found continues!

It’s that time and I have some goodies for you.

This is going to be such a fun tour. So much more is coming!

For today I have a sneak peek inside Heart Search: Found!

Make sure to stop by next Monday for my interview with Carlie!

First, feast your eyes on her cover art. I believe she has a signature for her covers now. Further down in my post you can see the cover art for Book One, Heart Search:Lost and you’ll see what I mean.

Heart Search: Found, Book II

Blurb

One bite started it all . . .

Another mysterious disappearance sparks a frightening chain of events for Remy and her family. Events foretold come to pass, and more strange and alarming occurrences assail her life. Where can she turn?

Coven politics continue to threaten Joshua’s existence, but an even bigger menace looms . . .

And Remy’s life hangs in the balance – can Joshua save her?

Fate still toys with mortals and immortals alike, as hearts torn apart by darkness confront perils which could lead to their doom.

Go HERE for my 5 star review

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Enjoy this exclusive peek inside chosen by Carlie herself!

There was another group in the Steakarama; six lads seemed to be out on the razz just like us and were laughing and joking as much as we were. I glanced over and was delighted to see some serious eye candy. Nudging Sadie, who sat next to me, I inclined my head in the other group’s direction.

“Looky over there and tell me I’m not seeing things,” I said grinning. Sadie swiveled her head and did a double-take.

“Phwoar! Which one do you want?” Sadie replied waggling her eyebrows at me.

I laughed. “Hmmm, haven’t decided yet. Better make up my mind fast before the others see them.” Glancing up I saw it was too late as four pairs of eyes swept lasciviously in the lads’ direction. “I saw them before you lot so I get first dibs!” I announced, my eyes gently challenging.

A few good-natured grumbles later, they generously agreed. I turned my head almost casually in their direction and noticed a pair of startling blue eyes gazing back at me. Fluttering my eyelashes and playing coy, I smiled and was pleased when it was returned.

“Ooo, looks like Remy’s pulled!” Sadie announced, giggling.

“Which one?” Kelly demanded, her eyes automatically ogling the six lads.

“Ahhh! The blonde Adonis,” Sadie replied, sighing for effect.

I dragged my eyes back to the table and grinned at my companions. “You can divvy up the rest between you now,” I said magnanimously and revelled in the laughter which swept around our table.

There were quite a few meaningful looks being exchanged between our two tables. The girls were on fine form and some of the comments caused much hilarity.

“See the one in the green shirt?” Kelly asked. “I wouldn’t kick him out of bed on a cold, dark night!”

Christy, who was always the most outspoken and outrageous of us all, piped up with, “I want the one in the black shirt. I’d strip him naked, pour warm chocolate sauce all over those muscles of his and lick it all off . . . slowly.”

“I’ve got a hankering for whipped cream and cherries,” Lorraine said. We all turned to stare at her; she was normally the quiet one who never spoke out. A faint flush filled her cheeks.

“Get you! They say the quiet ones are the worst,” I chuckled and Lorraine grinned back at me.

“I don’t need all that kinky stuff – just gimme one of them stud-muffins and mamma will look after him real good!” Hanna rolled her eyes before continuing. “Anyone got any spare condoms?”

“I’ve only got apple and orange flavoured ones,” Sadie replied, arching her eyebrows and licking her lips. More laughter followed and I had to dab at my eyes with the napkin.

A few minutes later, we left the Steakarama and headed to the nightclub a few doors away.

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Heart Search: Found is now available to purchase!

Amazon US / Amazon UK

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Check out the new trailer!

Carlie has done something incredible!

You’re going to want to run right over and get this book. Just sayin!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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Carlie M A Cullen

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 was also a professional teacher of Ballroom and Latin American dancing until recently.

She has always written in some form or another, but Heart Search: Lost is her first novel. This was launched 8th October 2012 through Myrddin Publishing Group and book two, Heart Search: Found, is due out early July 2013. 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, The Other Way Is Essex, was published September 2012 under Myrddin Publishing Group. Their second anthology is in editing.

Carlie currently lives in Essex, UK with her daughter.

You can find Carlie M. A. Cullen at the links below:

Blog/Twitter

I’ve read Heart Search, Book One: Lost and loved it!

Heart Search: Lost (Heart Search, #1)

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Go here to read my 5 Star Review

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Stay tuned for more fun and exciting things to come as the tour continues!

Check out these others wonderful bloggers participating in the tour:

Tour host’s:

Sherry Fundin

Joy Keeney

Donna L Sadd

Michelle Birbeck

We will be revealing more about Carlie’s new release with interviews, reviews and exclusive excerpts

Come join the fun and help spread the word!

Guardian Angels VBT

I love angels and I believe we all have a guardian angel, even though I wonder where mine is most of the time. I picture ‘him’ standing on the sideline of my life, having a good laugh.

Enjoy my spotlight for Guardian Angels.

I have a sneak peek for ya!

Guardian Angels

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Guardian Angels by Andrew P. Weston

In a series of terrifying events, otherworldly beings intervene to save innocent lives. The world community reacts with relief as they realize that angels may in fact exist, and they are diligently protecting us.

But there are those who would seek to stop what they feel is a threat against their livelihoods. How far will some go to battle the Guardians? Is the fairy tale over before it even begins?

Guardian Angels is a powerful and compelling story about the catalyst that has the power to unite society in the hope for a better future. The spark of hope is fragile—can it last?

 Enjoy this sneak peek inside Guardian Angels

Making his way across the muddy fields behind the house of the Drake residence, David Collins had to smile to himself in satisfaction.

Sure enough, while the family had beefed up security at the front of their home, he had been correct in his assumption that they wouldn’t bother much with the back.

The low wire mesh fencing separated the home from miles of open farmland bordered by statutory brambles, thorns, and thistles.

They obviously didn’t think anyone would try to get through. And they were right—who in their right mind would traipse through this muck?

David amused himself with the fact that he probably wasn’t in his right mind. The people he represented were not just anyone.

That’s why he couldn’t afford to mess about any longer. They would want results, and he was here to get them. Heavily shielded, a taser tucked snugly in one pocket and a dart gun in the other, he was determined to come away with answers.

No more Mr. Nice Guy, he thought.

Coming at last to the back fence, he looked around to ensure no one was in a position to see it bend under his weight.

He climbed over. A dirty plastic swing and a deflated plastic paddling pool in the back yard confirmed he was in the right place.

Other toys were littered around the poorly kept garden—a bike, a ball, some cars along with a few “Action Man” figures, all scattered and abandoned along the concrete path. The back door was conveniently ajar.

Perfect!

Removing both the dart gun and the taser from his pockets, he started along the path, quickening his pace as he drew nearer.

Burst in, stun them, read them and then out through the front door with my face covered until I’m out of camera shot, then I’m away, he thought.

A rear window was also open, and he could hear the mother shouting to the boy inside to shut up, as she was trying to listen to the BBC Broadcast. He thought he heard something about her wanting to hear what the Guardian was saying.

He was surprised. Oh, they turned up then?

However, that wasn’t as surprising as what happened next.

He was about three yards from the door when he suddenly heard a thrumming sound and found a glowing, golden blade of light held about two inches from his throat.

He froze, looking along and over the long blade at the startling woman who held it there, her magnetic grey eyes boring into his soul, a look of warning flashing in their depths.

At six feet tall, and with a physique that looked as if a goddess had somehow been poured into her black uniform and molded into liquid marble, David knew instantly who had figured him out. Shit!

He felt an invisible pressure hold him still.

A voice in his mind spoke. Hello, David, my name is Victoria. Do I have your attention?

His eyes darted about, flicking from the blade to her, then to the house before returning to the blade again.

The same voice spoke again. Don’t worry about the people in the house. They’re blissfully unaware of our presence and we’re nice and safe within your chameleon shield. I asked you a question, David. Do I have your attention?

“Err, yes!” he replied, too shocked to utter a full sentence.

He looked more closely into the face of his adversary. Her dark flowing hair was tied back, cascading over one of her shoulders. Strong features highlighted just how beautiful she was. But those intensely grey eyes terrified him; they burned with a barely restrained power that caused his teeth to ache.

Taking a deep breath, David repeated more fully, “You have my full and undivided attention, yes.”

He relaxed as the Guardian sheathed her plasma baton, and David found he could move again.

We believe you may represent a group of people who have made several uninvited approaches to our members recently in the vain attempt to offer positions of employment to them.

While every member of the Guardians is free to do as they wish, you should be aware that we are very loyal to the cause we serve, and none of us appreciate your attempts. While we don’t know your reasons, we feel they must be of a somewhat darker disposition than we would prefer. Otherwise, you would have openly made contact with us.

Make sure you tell those you serve that they would be foolish to confuse our restraint with weakness. Just because we choose to act with patience does not mean our patience is limitless, understood?

“Yes, I understand.”

I hope you do, because we do not expect to have to bump into you, or your people again under these circumstances. Understood?

“Yes.”

Oh, David, not to labor the point, but that includes circumstances like this one, yes?

“Yes, I understand clearly. I’ll make sure that’s passed along.”

Tell those you serve that this boy is protected. He is not only important to us, but to the whole world. If your people make another ill-advised attempt to gain access to him, not only will they regret it, but those making the attempt will never be in a position to harm anyone ever again. Am I making myself crystal clear?

“Yes, Ma’am”

Also, while I am fully capable of mind-reaming you where you stand and leaving your skull empty of information or coherence, I won’t. Instead I will extend to you and your people something you have failed to extend to us, simple courtesy.

It is clear you are all gifted in some way. The world needs people like you, now more than ever. Seriously think about the path you are on, because if you don’t, you will all face the consequences. Is that clear?

“Yes, very clear.”

And with that, David experienced a moment’s disorientation and found himself standing on the sidewalk next to his hired car more than a mile away.

Needless to say, he was on his phone and updating his superior within seconds, very glad to be away from that compelling woman who was so terrifyingly beautiful.

Guardian Angels VBT

Buy Links:   Amazon         Barnes & Noble     Smashwords


About the Author:

Andrew P. Weston was born in the city of Birmingham, UK and grew up in the towns of Bearwood and Edgbaston, eventually attending Holly Lodge Grammar School for Boys where he was School Captain and Head Boy.

He was an active sportsperson and enjoyed rugby, martial arts, swimming, and was a member of athletics teams throughout the city.

On graduation in 1977, he joined the Royal Marines fulfilling a number of roles both in the UK and abroad.

In 1985, he became a police officer with the Devon & Cornwall Constabulary, and served in a variety of uniformed and plain clothed departments until his retirement in 2008.

Over those years, he wrote and illustrated a selection of private books for his children regarding the life of a tiny kitten, called The Adventures of Willy Whiskers and gained further qualifications in Law and Religious Studies. He was an active member of Mensa and continued to be an active sportsperson, providing lessons free of charge to local communities.

An unfortunate accident received on duty meant Andrew had to retire early from the police force, but after moving to the sunny Greek island of Kos to speed up his recuperation, he was at last able to devote time to the “Guardian Concept” he had developed over his years in the military and police.

When not writing, Andrew enjoys Greek dancing and language lessons, being told what to do by his wife, Annette, and hunting shadows in the dark.

Author Links:  Website   Facebook  Twitter 

ADELA ARTHUR AND THE CREATORS CLOCK Banner RDB

I extend a huge apology to Bewitching Book Tours and especially to Judyann McCole!

I was supposed to have my Release Day post up on Friday to celebrate the release of Adela Arthur and the Creator’s Clock.

I mistakenly transposed the date from the 26th to the 29th. Please forgive me.

I also apologize to my readers.

Don’t you love the cover art! It has a steampunk influence to it!

Make sure to read the peek inside! Enter Adela’s world of mythical creatures and exciting adventures.  You’ll have to get this book and it’s available now!

Adela Arthur and the Creator's Clock (The Chronicles of A, #1)

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Adela Arthur and the Creator’s Clock

The Chronicle of A Book One

Judyann McCole

Genre: Fantasy

Date of Publication: July 26th 2013

ISBN: 1490322345

Number of pages: 250

Word Count: 73, 909

Cover Artist: Daniela Owergoor

Book Description:

To Who Ever This May Concern;

I wish I could tell you the contents of this book were purely fictional. That I, Adela Arthur, was just a normal sixteen year old from Portland; that dragons, giants, elves and mermaids were just myths.  Legends shared from crazy old grandparents to crazy old grandparents around campfires; after all that is what I used to believe.

I never would have thought they lived on the other side of our mirrors in a world called Cielieu. But they do…

I never would have thought there were humans, better known as Volsin that lived among them with the ability to create light from a single thought.  But there are…

I never would have thought I was one of them… But I am…

I am the last Arthur and I was brought to the human world after a Volsin, filled with greed, began to strip the light from our kind.

The human world was supposed to be a safe haven… but he’s found us and the only way to stop him is to go back to Cielieu and begin training as a student in the Elpida Castle of Light.

Like I said I wish the contents of this book were purely fictional and not my life…

~Adela Arthur

Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

“You look nice,” her grandfather told her as she rushed out in to the kitchen to search for the bus pass.

“Grandpapa you’re blind,” she replied, looking inside the fruit platter.

Despite the fact that she was dressed incredibly plain, something she cared less about seeing as how they were poor. She wasn’t joking, Grandpapa Keane was blind, and to the best of Adela’s knowledge, he had always been so. Luckily, he had impeccable hearing, which made his job as a musical instrument repairer quite easy, but not many people went to the local blind man to repair their guitar.

He chuckled under his breath.

“Yes, but I believe you look nice,” he told her in his dry, low voice.

Grandpapa Keane was a somewhat tall man, with silver gray hair that stopped at a little past his shoulders and a large wrinkle creased his forehead. But what made him truly memorable was his dry, scratchy voice. It sounded like he had a smoke stuck in his lungs, which he most likely did with the amount of cigarettes he went through. Grandpapa Keane always made sure to smoke outside whenever he thought she wasn’t paying attention.

“Thank you. Have you seen my bus pass?” She smiled, leaning into the counter beside him.

“Adela that’s cruel. You know I am blind.” He pulled his pale lips in to a thin line before he was unable to control his laughter.

“Ha-ha very funny. But if I cannot find my pass or wallet, I won’t be able to get to school on time. As much I would love that, I would miss my own surprise party.” Her dark long hair swaying as she moved toward the living room to continue her search.

He tried to deny it.

“There is no party,” he claimed.

“Ok grandpapa.” She knew better than to believe him by now. There was a party, there was always a party. The guest list was short; not many people could fit in their run down home at the edge of town.

“It’s in the car.” He laughed at her as he ate a strip of bacon.

“We don’t have a—Grandpapa you didn’t!” she complained. He just ignored her, dragging himself out of the kitchen and through the front door.

There, sitting comfortably in the weed and fungus covered driveway of their home, was a very old black and blue Honda Civic. The colors suited it well; it looked as though it had taken many beatings in its day. The paint was chipping off on its hood; the tires looked depressed and tired. She ran her fingers over it as if to make sure it was really there. Bits of paint came off at her touch.

Adela smiled as she stared at the car before her. “It’s beautiful…” she told.

They could not afford this; she wasn’t sure how he had managed to even get her anything but a bicycle. That was why it was beautiful.

“I had the boy make sure it was safe.” The boy he spoke of was Adela’s best friend, Hector Pelleas, the smartest teen in all of Ashland, if not all of Oregon. You would not think of him to be the car fixing type, but he just knew things.

“Stop overthinking it and go to where ever it is you go during the day,” he said, throwing her the keys before walking inside.

She did not move, just stood there, shocked. She pulled on the door a few times; it seemed the rust on its outer edges had cemented it closed. When she took a seat the engine roared to life with great force before coughing like it realized it was not the grand car it once was in its prime. The whole car itself shook slightly as if it were a tractor-trailer.

“Hello?” she answered her old cell phone with the half broken flip screen.

“Glove compartment. Now go or I will be forced to drive you myself,” Her grandfather said before hanging up.

Opening the compartment it revealed not only her bus pass, next to her wallet, but it also let out a foul odor. One of which Adela did not even want to know the sources of. She pulled out her license with a frown. It was hopefully the last time that thing ever saw the light of day.

With all the technology in the world you would think they would be able to make the pictures flattering, she thought.

Shaking her head at the run down house in front of her, Adela backed out of the driveway. It may have been the first day of fall but it did not seem that way. She had only made it a few blocks from her home when the skies opened; a full on downpour ensuing as a result. But that was Oregon. One-minute perfectly sunny day and the next you’re under a cold waterfall. This was just one of the ways that today was going to suck. She could feel it; she didn’t know why but she had this odd feeling, like something bad was going to happen.

She parked in the student parking lot and watched as the students of Ashland High ran under their jackets and books to avoid the rain like animals clearing a watering hole. High school was a jungle and something bad always happened in the jungle. She double-checked her zipper on her backpack before putting it over her shoulder. As she zipped up her old tattered jacket, she took a deep breath and prepared herself for the mad dash she was about to take. The minute the door was open she felt the cold water soak her jeans. Closing the door quickly, she ran as fast as she could into the brick building.

About the Author:

Judyann McCole

JUDYANN MCCOLE was a senior in high school when she started working on Adela Arthur and the Creator’s Clock during her history class. It started off as short story for a group of young kids she babysat for and grew into an adventure she herself wanted to go on. She is currently attending college in Virginia. Where she hopes to finish the next adventure in Adela Arthur’s life. She begin writing when she was in middle school most of it was just simple poetry but she was inspired by Maya Angelou and even a little of Dr. Seuss.

http://judyannmccole.com

https://twitter.com/JudyannMcCole

FB Likes https://www.facebook.com/pages/Judyann-Mccole/133064490201081

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Book Fan Page https://www.facebook.com/TheChroniclesOfA

Shudder by Samanth Durante Blog Tour - June 15th to Sept 1st

I am beyond thrilled to be a part of the tour for Shudder, Book 2 of the Stitch Trilogy

I have an exciting sneak peek for you, along with my review!

And, a giveaway! Don’t forget to enter.

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Genre/Keywords: Dystopian, Paranormal Romance, Post-Apocalyptic, Young Adult, New Adult, Psychic Abilities, Empath, Clairvoyance, YA, NA
Length: ~80,000 words (348 pages)
Sample Chapters: Ch1-4 (31 pages)
Release Date: June 15th, 2013

Shudder Synopsis

It’s only been three days, and already everything is different.

Paragon is behind her, but somehow Alessa’s life may actually have gotten worse. In a wrenching twist of fate, she traded the safety and companionship of her sister for that of her true love, losing a vital partner she’d counted on for the ordeal ahead. Her comfortable university life is but a distant memory, as she faces the prospect of surviving a bleak winter on the meager remains of a ravaged world. And if she’d thought she’d tasted fear upon seeing a ghost, she was wrong; now she’s discovering new depths of terror while being hunted by a deadly virus and a terrifying pack of superhuman creatures thirsting for blood.

And then there are the visions.

The memory-altering “stitch” unlocked something in Alessa’s mind, and now she can’t shake the constant flood of alien feelings ransacking her emotions. Haunting memories of an old flame are driving a deep and painful rift into her once-secure relationship. And a series of staggering revelations about the treacherous Engineers – and the bone-chilling deceit shrouding her world’s sorry history – will soon leave Alessa reeling…

The second installment in the electrifying Stitch Trilogy, Shudder follows Samantha Durante’s shocking and innovative debut with a heart-pounding, paranormal-dusted dystopian adventure sure to keep the pages turning.

Shudder Purchase Links

Amazon (Kindle $2.99, print $8.99)

Barnes & Noble (Nook $2.99)

Smashwords (multiple e-book formats $2.99) Also available ($2.99 e-book) in the iTunes store, Kobo, and wherever e-books are sold

Buy Stitch on Amazon!

EXCERPT

Alessa looked back to Isaac, who was crouched and picking among the broken glass.  She watched him slip something into his pocket, but before she could ask what he’d found, a loud bang echoed from down the hall ahead of them.

Isaac looked up at her at once and they both froze, waiting.  The tension of the silence clotted in the air as Alessa held her breath in suspense.

When no other sound came, Isaac stood tentatively and inched over to Alessa, placing a gentle hand on the small of her back and motioning ahead with a nod.

She pointed the flashlight in the direction of the sound and they set off with quiet footsteps in search of its source.

As they reached the department store at the far end of the hallway, they paused, staring into the blackness beyond the threshold.  Alessa gripped the flashlight and felt Isaac’s hand slide on top of hers, the pressure of his fingers pointing the torch downward and flicking off the light with a click.

They were plunged into night.

They stepped tentatively into the dark room and gave their eyes another moment to adjust.  From what Alessa could tell, it seemed the clothing racks had all been pushed to the sides, leaving a big open space in the center of the room.

She took another few steps to get a better look.

And that’s when it hit her – an abrupt slam in the face as if she’d pivoted into a wall of brick, and the full-body crash of a tidal wave of pain.

Alessa sunk to her knees, a soul-crushing rush of sorrow and terror flooding her consciousness and draining every ounce of strength from her body.

Like a blow to the gut, the air raced from her lungs and she crumpled over, her face smacking against the cool linoleum of the floor.

A thousand images flashed before her eyes, people and places she didn’t recognize jumbled with thoughts and feelings that she knew were not her own.  Alessa squeezed her eyes shut, her mind pressing outward against the onslaught barraging her senses, but it was no use.

The torrent pounded through her, raging.  Helpless against it, Alessa poured her concentration into the only thing she could think to do – the simple act of breathing.

In, out.

In, out.

In, out.

She drank each shallow breath and waited in agony for the deluge to end.

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My Review

Alessa and Isaac set off to find a secure base for all of those wanting out of Paragon.

They worry that the virus may still be out there, but soon discover they are being stalked by creatures, swift moving things that remain in the shadows of the forest, shrieking their rage.

As they escape an attack, something happens to Alessa. She is frozen in place as her mind is overpowered with fear, frustration and fury. She doesn’t know how it’s happening, but she’s experiencing these creatures feelings and it terrifies her.

They have to hurry. People are waiting for them to return with a location for their safe haven and Alessa has to get her sister, Janie, out of the clutches of the Ruling Class.

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I finished reading Shudder in one sitting, never taking a break.

I could feel it in the authors writing, I was nearing the end of the book. No, not yet!

I needed to know why Joe featured so strongly in Alessa’s mind, what happened to her sister, and where the virus came from.

Samantha started to wrap up the ending while subtly layering in leads to the finale, Stuck. the last book in this trilogy. I liked that. Sure, I didn’t get all of the answers I wanted, but I did get a lot of insight into what the ‘stitch’ was and why and how it was used.

I also learned about the Ruling Class and their reasoning behind the stitch, even though I suspect some, if not most, of them were lying.

It’s no surprise that humanity didn’t learn its lesson. You’d think after all that has been written and studied, all of the wealth of info there is, they would know better. But no, the Ruling Class do the same things as before, believing they know what’s good for all. They buy into their own lies and block out the moral compass screaming stop, and do whatever is necessary to benefit the greater good. And we wonder why we don’t trust our government. Too many chiefs.

I felt twinges of The Matrix and Aeon Flux while reading this. Shudder reads like a dystopian, post-apocalyptic science fiction story. The author did an amazing job of blending these genre into an exciting, addictive series.

It makes me wonder. If Stitch and Shudder are so great, what is Stuck going to be like? I’m sure it’ll be thrilling.

5 Stars

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Haven’t read the first book in the series? Check out my review here

Just $0.99 at Amazon!

Stitch (Stitch Trilogy #1)

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 Blurb

Her heart races, her muscles coil, and every impulse in Alessa’s body screams at her to run… but yet she’s powerless to move.

Still struggling to find her footing after the sudden death of her parents, the last thing college freshman Alessa has the strength to deal with is the inexplicable visceral pull drawing her to a handsome ghostly presence. In between grappling with exams and sorority soirees – and disturbing recurring dreams of being captive in a futuristic prison hell – Alessa is determined to unravel the mystery of the apparition who leaves her breathless. But the terrifying secret she uncovers will find her groping desperately through her nightmares for answers.

Because what Alessa hasn’t figured out yet is that she’s not really a student, the object of her obsession is no ghost, and her sneaking suspicions that something sinister is lurking behind the walls of her university’s idyllic campus are only just scratching the surface…

The opening installment in a twist-laden trilogy, Stitch spans the genres of paranormal romance and dystopian sci-fi to explore the challenges of a society in transition, where morality, vision, and pragmatism collide leaving the average citizen to suffer the results.

Stitch Purchase Links.

Amazon (Kindle $0.99, print $8.99)

Barnes & Noble (Nook $0.99)

Smashwords (multiple e-book formats $0.99) Also available ($0.99 e-book) in the iTunes store, Kobo, and wherever e-books are sold!

Buy Stitch on Amazon!

~~~~

A little birdie told me the third book, will be releasing in 2014!

Stuck (Stitch Trilogy #3)

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Book 3 in the Stitch Trilogy.  Expected Publication: Summer 2014.  More information coming soon!

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I have an e-book copy of Shudder to give away!

To enter, click on the rafflecopter link below.

Rafflecopter Giveaway

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 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Samantha Durante lives in Westchester County, New York with her husband, Sudeep, and her cat, Gio. Formerly an engineer at Microsoft, Samantha left the world of software in 2010 to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams and a lifelong love of writing. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology, Samantha is currently working full time for her company Medley Media Associates as a freelance business writer and communications consultant. The Stitch Trilogy is her debut series.

— Social Media Links —

Facebook: Stitch Trilogy | Author Samantha Durante

Goodreads: Stitch | Shudder | Author Samantha Durante

Twitter: @SamanthaDurante | Hashtag suggestions: #Stitch, #StitchTrilogy, #Shudder

LibraryThing: Stitch | Shudder | Author Samantha Durante

Shelfari: Stitch | Shudder | Author Samantha Durante

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For all of my giveaways go HERE.

WWW Wednesday

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Hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading

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

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

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What are you currently reading?

 Written All Over Her by Mia Darien

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One word can change the story of your life forever.

Abduction. Torture. Surrender.

Eleven months from her adolescence have framed thirty-one years of Detective Nykk Marlowe’s life. Despite the trauma of her past, and the unique physical scars it left her with, she’s built a career as a detective for the Adelheid Police Department.

Her personal life might only consist of caring for her sister and a pet rabbit, but she accepts that.

She accepts that she’ll never be able to be like “normal” people, even the supernatural ones. As long as she can keep the past where it belongs, she’s okay.

But when the body of a teenage girl shows up with the same scars that Nykk sees in the mirror every day, her “okay” life gets turned upside down and she’s forced to confront the past she’s been looking away from for sixteen years.

And when it turns out there’s already more than one victim, the pressure’s on to stop the killer before any more girls are tortured, mutilated, and murdered.

~~~~~

What did you recently finish reading?

The Hunger Chronicles by Tes Hilaire

The Hunger Chronicles: A collection of shorts

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If you remember nothing else, remember this…

The nightmare is here. There is no way out. Even death isn’t an escape because it is death. And chances are it’s already taken everyone you know.

…You’re on your own.

Just because the face is familiar doesn’t mean they won’t kill you. Hiding won’t help. And it’s past time to run. They’re already here. And hunger is the only thing they feel.

~~~~~

What do you think you’ll read next?

Flesh and Bone by Jefferson Bass

Flesh and Bone (Body Farm, #2)

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.

Anthropologist Dr. Bill Brockton founded Tennessee’s world-famous Body Farm—a small piece of land where corpses are left to decay in order to gain important forensic information. Now, in the wake of a shocking crime in nearby Chattanooga, he’s called upon by Jess Carter—the rising star of the state’s medical examiners—to help her unravel a murderous puzzle. But after re-creating the death scene at the Body Farm, Brockton discovers his career, reputation, and life are in dire jeopardy when a second, unexplained corpse appears in the grisly setting.

Accused of a horrific crime—transformed overnight from a respected professor to a hated and feared pariah—Bill Brockton will need every ounce of his formidable forensic skills to escape the ingeniously woven net that’s tightening around him . . . and to prove the seemingly impossible: his own innocence.

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So, whatcha readin?

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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 tease for today is from Written All Over Her by Mia Darien

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“It happened really fast, you know? I barely even remember it, except that it was sudden and darkness followed. It’s like there were two lives, or maybe like there were two of me. There was the Nykk who existed before and then the long moment of darkness before the Nykk that existed after.”

“I guess that leaves a frightening question.” Her pale brow furrows in the most pronounced show of emotion you’ve seen yet.

“Who am I now?”

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Wow! That cover art is astonishing!

I’ve been wanting to know Nykk’s story. Now I will!

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How about you? Got a tease? Tell me!

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