Friday, October 28, 2011

Giveaway: Pyxis - By KC Neal

GIVEAWAY!!

Enter to win an e-copy of Pyxis by KC Neal!


 



Two worlds... one 16-year-old girl must learn to protect them both.


The nightmares haunting Corinne and her friend Mason hint at a universe that exists beyond the one they know. Her destiny is to protect a weakness between the two worlds, but the person who was supposed to teach her everything is dead. As Corinne and Mason search for answers, she tries to ignore the sparks igniting between them, but can't deny she feels safe only when he's nearby. Will they find help before their nightmares break free?


Would you take on the challenge of protecting 2 worlds if you were in Corinne shoes?

Simply fill out the form below & even answer the question if you want to!
**Contest will run until Friday 11/4 @ 11:59pm**

 


Fresh Face Friday (46): KC Neal


Who: KC Neal

What: Pyxis

Two worlds... one 16-year-old girl must learn to protect them both. 

The nightmares haunting Corinne and her friend Mason hint at a universe that exists beyond the one they know. Her destiny is to protect a weakness between the two worlds, but the person who was supposed to teach her everything is dead. As Corinne and Mason search for answers, she tries to ignore the sparks igniting between them, but can't deny she feels safe only when he's nearby. Will they find help before their nightmares break free?

 
My Thoughts: This is actually my current read & I L-O-V-E IT! This was my tweet to KC last night, "@KCNealTweets DUDE!! 20% in and this books kicks ass!!", that alone should make you want this book!


Cover: B+, It's SUPER pretty....looks like she's at the cove...oh you'll have to read the book to know what that is ;)

 
Stalking Grounds: Facebook, Twitter, Website, Goodreads


Thursday, October 27, 2011

Cover Whore {1,348,295}

Since I figure this was like the millionth time I've done a Cover Whore piece, I'd give it am official number :)

**Please bare with me that this edition will be slightly long, simply because I have almost died from beautiful overdose lately. Seriously, there are some UH-MAZE-ING covers out there!**





Until I Die - By Amy Plum
(Release Date: 5/8/2012)
This is the Sequel to Die For Me, isn't the cover GORGEOUS?!















Born Wicked - By Jessica Spotwood
(Release Date: 2/7/2012)
Absolutely breath taking!










Swear - By Nina Malkin
(Release Date: 10/18/2011)
With the cascade of petals behind her, it creates such a statement. Like everything is raining down on her...















Josephine Lost - By Rebecca Gahagan
(Release Date: 8/16/2011)
I instantly fell for this cover! And I'm completely sure it has nothing to do with the fact that there's neon green all over it ;)












On a Dark Wing - By Jordan Dane
(Release Date: 12/27/2011)
Super ominous cover, with a hunky half-naked angel. Sold!

Review & Giveaway: Fierce Dawn - By Amber Scott


Author: Amber Scott
Website
Release Date: 3/30/2011
Purchase Info: Amazon, B&N, Smashwords


Snarling teeth, glowing eyes. Someone--something--is after her.


The man who haunts her dreams enters her reality, claiming she's transforming into a changeling--not quite immortal but no longer human.


Battlelines are drawn and blood spills as the two fight not only for her life, but for mankind's as well.
FAN-FREAKIN'-TASTIC BOOK!!!

From page one I was hooked! Like an addict needing their fix, I couldn't put Fierce Dawn down!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Review: Lord of the Vampires (Royal House of Shadows - Book #1) - By Gena Showalter

Author: Gena Showalter
Release Date: 9/2011
Purchase Info: Amazon, B&N, IndieBound

Nicolai the Vampire was renowned for his virility, but in a twist of fate “The Dark Seducer” had become a sex slave in the kingdom of Delfina—stripped of his precious timepiece and his memory. All that remained was a primal need for freedom, revenge—and the only woman who could help him.
In her dreams, a wanton vampire called to Jane Parker, drawing her to his dark sexuality and his magical realm. But for a human, all was not a fairy tale in Delfina. Jane was the key to Nicolai’s memory…but exploiting her meant dooming the only mortal he craved.


Hot, sexy & seductive from page one!


Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Reads During Halloween



Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme over at the Broke and the Bookish.

This week we're talking Halloween MUST READS!





The Witches - By Ronald Dahl
Growing up I would ALWAYS read this book around Halloween. (I think it's probably the reason I dressed up as a witch almost every year too)









The Restorer - By Amanda Stevens
This is a MUST read! Best ghost read I've ever had the pleasure of getting my hands on!












The First Days - By Rhiannon Frater
What's Halloween without a GREAT zombie read?








Monday, October 24, 2011

Interview & Giveaway - Kristie Cook


Welcome, Kristie Cook!

Author of The Soul Savers Series!


Thanks for stopping by!










How Many books do you see in the Soul Savers series?

7 in the main series (Alexis’s story) plus more novellas like Genesis (which just came out), short stories and maybe even full side novels









Who do you see playing Alexis & Tristan on the big screen?

I won’t say. I really have more of a composite of several actors in mind for each, but I won’t even share that. I prefer readers to come up with their own images. It makes the story more personal to them.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Vlog Review: Cross - By T.S. Worley

Author: T.S. Worley
Release Date: 8/19/2011
Purchase Info: Amazon, B & N

David Cross lies dying alongside a lonely forest road, his young, strong body broken and bleeding, death clawing at his tattered clothing. But soon, under fluorescent lighting and sterile surroundings, death is forever more held at bay. Under the watchful eye and skilled hand of the ancient vampire, Dr. Sonja Bashkar, David will gain eternal life and find himself thrust into a hidden world of vampires and werewolves, steeped in religious fervor and shrouded with doubt and mystery. While the few remaining vampires, all female, herald the arrival of the first male vampire to live in more than 2000 years, troves of voracious werewolves, well entrenched in modern life, seek him out for extermination, fearing his very existence may bring about the end of mankind.


Jesus was a vampire.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Review: Pulse of Heroes - By A. Jacob Sweeny

Author: A. Jacob Sweeny
Release Date:
Purchase Info: Amazon

Michelle used to feel like she was behind in everything, especially school and relationships. Her great aunt from the old country says she is like a bland meal, "no salt or pepper". But in junior year, everything changes. Her father takes a position on the Town Council, a popular boy in school becomes interested in her, and most importantly, the Hekademos Learning Center, a private school for 'troubled' students, moves into her quiet neighborhood amidst the protests of the entire town.

After seeing the School Regent out with a group of young guys just before Christmas, Michelle is convinced that there is something odd about them. Her curiosity gets the better of her and she embarks upon a mission to figure out what is really going on. After an embarrassing fall over the school wall, Michelle meets Elliot and her ordinary ‘bland’ life changes its course forever.

Elliot is no ordinary human. In fact, no one at the Hekademos Learning Center is. Beautiful and fierce, they have survived throughout the millennia by weaving in and out of human events. Through them, Michelle learns that history and myths from around the world are dotted with references to their kind. Michelle falls madly in love with the ever-striking and mysterious Elliot and, as much as he tries to fight it, he develops strong feelings for her as well. Although Elliot carries numerous painful memories from his many pasts, he disregards his own better judgment and the advice of his friends, and finds himself falling for Michelle‘s offbeat personality. Their feelings grow in intensity, but when History catches up with them, the difference between their life paths threatens to destroy any future that they might have had together.

Michelle learns that there are infinite shades of gray between black and white, and has to deal with the bundle of contradictory emotions called love. After some unexpected twists during a family trip to Europe, she has to trust her intuition in order to face the danger and uncertainty of being drawn into Elliot’s wondrous world. Ultimately, it is up to Michelle to make the split-second, life-altering decision that will either tear them apart forever, or give them another chance.

OK....

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Lie Or Die: Judgement Time




LIE OR DIE – The Flash Fiction Reveal is Finally Here!

The day had finally come! We held a contest for the best flash fiction idea, we chose a winner, and we sent five authors out to spin the fabulous idea in their own direction. What was the winning idea? An awesome one from Aeicha Matteson:

The characters:

Ryder - female, human, teenager, short in height, long brown hair w/blue streaks, bright green eyes, smart, sassy, tough.
Ax - (short for Aximander), male, demon (but was once human before being sent to hell), as a demon he has no permanent form, thus he possesses humans. He's cunning, vindictive, but incredibly charismatic.

The conflict:
Ryder is a supernatural hunter (she hunts demons, monsters, evil baddies), but she has been possessed by the demon Ax, who has essentially bound himself to her...meaning no simple exorcism will release him. Ryder must find a way to break free of Ax while fighting for control of her own mind, body, and actions.

Their abilities:
Ryder - as a hunter she is skilled in weapons, fighting, and supernatural knowledge/lore but does not have "supernatural or magical" abilities of her own.
Ax - can shift/shimmer (teleport anywhere, including hell) and has enhanced/heightened abilities (strength, speed, hearing)...when possessing someone these abilities are transferred into them while Ax resides within them.


Here's the tale that my author, S.M. Reine, has spun for you all:

The Contract

     I see you.
     I angled my hand mirror so I could see the dark corner over my shoulder. It looked like something tall and slender cast a shadow against the wall—maybe the tree outside, or the lamp at the end of the couch, or even the bookshelf.
     But none of those things should have had glowing red eyes.
     “What are you looking at, Ryder?”
     I snapped my mirror shut. “Nothing. What were you saying about the master demon?”
     “Checking your makeup? Lovely. How professional. I’ll take my business elsewhere.” Trista, Governor of the Florida Fae, picked up the contract and headed out my front door. Gossamer wings fluttered in her haughty wake.
     “Wait!” I called, following her onto the porch. “I said I’d take the contract!”
     “You’re just a girl. I’m not wasting my money on you.”
     I glanced at the corner of my grandma’s living room, but there was nothing to see. The shadowy figure only showed up in the enchanted mirror I used to hunt evil spirits. “Trust me, I’m the only one who can do it.”
     Reluctantly, Trista handed me the contract. “Fine. Give it a try. I’ll pay you when—if—I see a body.” She got in her limousine and left me with a sour taste in my mouth. I might have been seventeen, but I was the best demon hunter in Florida, and I hated being underestimated.
     “You can come out now,” I said to the dark corner. “Don’t bother hiding. I know you’re there.”
     He appeared, and the breath rushed from my chest. It wasn’t just any evil spirit visiting me—it was a demon, and I recognized those rippling red muscles and easy smile.
     Trista had just given me a contract on his life.
     “Hello, Ryder,” he said in a smooth-as-oil voice. He oozed charm and heat. I could feel his fever from across the room.
     “What are you doing in here, Aximander? Grandma Betty’s doors and windows are warded against your type.”
     “But the hole in her basement isn’t.”
     He reached toward me with a red hand, and I could see the fires of hell smoldering in his eyes. I jerked away.
     “Don’t touch me—”
     But it was too late.
     The demon vanished from in front of me and slammed into my skull. My eyes bulged. I staggered, and my knees cracked against the wood.
     You think you can assassinate me? hissed Ax inside my skull. Assassinate this!
     The room shimmered and blurred. Grandma Betty’s flower-print couch began smoking. The yellow wallpaper turned black, and the air became hot.
     He was trying to transport us to Hell.
     I stopped him—barely. Only my grip on the enchanted mirror held me in place, like an anchor to the human world.
     He pried my hands open one finger at a time. I struggled against him, but his soul had seized hold of my body, and it was like being a marionette strung up with iron chains. The mirror bounced across the wood floors. My only defense was gone.
     “I’m seriously going to kill you,” I growled, but my quivering voice made it less threatening.
     The couch shimmered again. Without my mirror, we shifted.
     But we didn’t reappear in Hell. Instead, we appeared in a limousine. Trista, Governor of the Florida Fae, gaped at me. “Ryder?”
     Kill her! Kill her!
     “Screw you,” I spat at Ax, but my hand grabbed a bottle out of the minifridge and smashed it against the door anyway, leaving a broken stem in my hand. His laugh reverberated through me.
     Kill the faerie!
     “What are you doing?” Trista asked.
     “Killing you,” I said in a matter-of-fact tone. “You probably shouldn’t let me do it.”
     She shrieked, and jumped out of the way just in time. Ax roared with laughter as he swung the broken bottle at the faerie. I pushed it just a little further.
     I missed Trista, and the shattered end stabbed into my thigh. Blood spread across my jeans. Even though I had done it on purpose, I couldn’t help but scream. Ax screamed with me.
     “What in the name of Oberon is going on?” Trista cried.
     My blood sizzled when it hit the floor of the limousine, and I gathered all my strength to shove Aximander through the injury. He rematerialized in front of me.
     “Ryder—” he snarled.
     I didn’t let him finish. I drove the broken bottle between his ribs, aiming up into his heart.
His face went limp with shock. Aximander collapsed in the limo, and I stood over him panting. My leg throbbed, but I kicked him anyway. He didn’t move. Nothing like pulverizing the heart to kill a demon.
     My eyes met Trista’s. She was still gaping.
     “I said I would kill him,” I said. “Believe me now?”

The authors have plotted and toiled for many hours to create their unique flash fiction version of Ryder and Ax’s tale.  Now you’ll all get to read them! Each author is hosted on one of the below blogger sites:


Fiktshun - hosting Tiffany King

Magical Urban Fantasy Reads - hosting Megan Duncan
A Life Bound By Books - hosting K.A.Tucker
Two Chicks on Books - hosting G.P. Ching 
Taking It One Book At A Time (ME) - hosting S.M.Reine


So, go visit each site above and VOTE for your favorite! Why vote? Because on October 24th, a Grand Prize winner will be drawn. What could you win? A pile of signed print copies of the authors’ books and some swag. Check out the official page here for a list! (grand prize winner contest open to U.S. residents only but anyone can vote; one vote per person and you can vote on any of the blogs.) Want to earn an extra entry into the grand prize? Tweet the following and paste the link into the form with your vote:

“I voted in the #LieOrDie Flash Fiction Showdown. http://bit.ly/hOBJQb Why don’t you?”

So… GO check out the 5 fabulous versions of 1 amazing idea and GO VOTE for your favorite one!

Vlog Review: Savor (Warm Delicacy Series - Book #1) - By Megan Duncan

Author: Megan Duncan
Release Date: 10/2011
Purchase Info: Amazon, B & N, Smashwords

When Claire Miller turned eighteen all she wanted to do was celebrate her birthday, but after a night on the town with her best friend she awakes to a visitor she never expected.  The rulers of her region, a vampire royal family, have chosen her to be turned as their new heir and vampire princess.  In a world fueled by the power of blood, Claire quickly discovers the vampire royal family is not what they seem and that she has secrets in her past, she never knew existed.

Savor was awesome!

I will be writing a review, but for now I needed to let you all know just how great this book is!



Written Review:

What a book!
The world that Megan created around Claire is quiet brilliant!

Your 18th birthday is about freedom. Getting your ID, partying with friends, having your blood cataloged, you know the usual. Well in Claire's world, this is the usual. You are required to supply the vampire royal family with blood, in return you receive safety & rule of the government. As quickly as Claire's able to enjoy her future, it's taken away. Her blood is compatible with the King & Queen Vampire, and they want her to become the heir to their throne. Wait, what?? Claire is now faced with the decision to become a vampire or not. (In this part of the book I felt as though she truly struggled with her decision, which is why I connected with her so.) Feeling as though she's destined to do great things, Claire does step up to the plate and becomes a vampire princess.

Following her transformation jealous is a HUGE factor around the palace.  One of the families that has been living with the King and Queen for years thought that they'd be next in line for the throne, now with Claire as the heir, their b---not nice---daughter Ava feels the need to make Claire's life hell. (seriously, this chick has issues) Pushing through all this, the King & Queen (or mom and dad) inform everyone in the region that Claire will be placed with a Blood Mate to ensure her safety. Like her own personal security guard, but super strong & fast.

As the story unfolds, all the little loose ends suddenly come together. Creating a story that you NEVER would have seen coming a mile away. Then the book ends...of course...so now I am patiently awaiting book #2. Don't laugh, yes I have patience...sort of.


4/5





Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Review & Giveaway: Whatnots & Doodads - By Stacey Kennedy

Author: Stacey Kennedy
Release Date: 4/18/2011
Purchasing Info: Amazon, Liquid Silver Books


For Bryanna, a witch from the Asheville Coven, magic is on the fritz. Shunned by her coven and her boyfriend Layton for her unruly magic, she seeks a new life for herself. It just so happens, fate steps in and brings her to Strange Hollow–a place where being different is not only acceptable, but encouraged.
When Bryanna arrives in Strange Hollow, Zeke, a demon gone good, is burning with Hell’s fire over her. Not only has she set his world ablaze, but he’s found one soul he can save. He’s determined to free her from the insecurities that have damaged her soul.
Together they experience lava-hot passion as they weave their way through a tornado of emotions. But when Layton returns for her, will Zeke’s attempts to break the unworthy cage woven around her be enough to keep her in Strange Hollow forever?

Mmmmmm....Zeke......wanna talk about a seriously hot demon?! Damn!

Top Ten Tuesday: Books Whose Titles Or Covers Made Me Buy It



Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created over at The Broke and the Bookish. I am super excited that I am finally participating in it!

 This weeks topic is:
"Books Whose Titles Or Covers Made Me Buy It"
Shoot me now!
How can a Cover Whore like myself choose....but I must!
(do note that I these were all chosen because of the cover)
1. Wildefire by Karsten Knight


2. Blood Rights by Kristen Painter


3. Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning


4. The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney


5. Entwined by Heather Dixon
 

Friday, October 14, 2011

Fresh Face Friday 10-14-11


Who: Stephanie Nelson

What: Craved (Book #1 in the Gwen Sparks Series)

WITCH FOUND DRAINED

Gwen Sparks just wants to live a peaceful life in the supernatural town of Flora, but from the moment she read about the first murdered witch, all hope of peace was abandoned. Possessing the rare ability to read the memories of dead, she volunteers to help catch the culprit behind the string of drained witches. Gwen has to team up with the one man who broke her heart, deal with a ghost who pulls her into the deathly realm at will, and a fight off the advances of sexy but frustrating vampire who not only craves what runs through her veins—he wants her heart.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Vlog Review: Sunrise at Sunset - By Jaz Primo

 
Author: Jaz Primo
Release Date: October 2010
Purchase Info: Amazon, Barnes & Noble

When is a bloodthirsty predator the best protection against a psychotic killer?
When the predator is both a vampire...and the woman you love.

“We vampires are focused and tend to shape our own realities.”

My name is Katrina Rawlings, and I am a vampire. I declare that with neither pride nor ego. I am simply nature’s most dangerous predator. On occasion, it’s a very valuable quality. It helped me protect Caleb Taylor one day when he was very young. But that single, traumatic day is behind him now; wiped from his memory, or so I hope.
Caleb has finally matured into a rather striking young man, and believe me, I like what I see. I’ll readily admit that there are issues for us to confront and overcome, though a sense of mutual commitment isn’t one of them. I’m feeling hopeful for our future together, in fact. But an adversary from my past has returned to haunt me, and she’s trying to get back at me through Caleb. That was her first...and last...mistake. I’ll protect my Caleb at all costs, and I’ll make her regret the day she was born.
So, I suppose that I’m not just a vampire. I’m about to become someone’s worst nightmare!



So I felt as though a vlog would be the best way to express how the relationship between me & this book went....




*I will be writing up a review for this book to post to Goodreads & Amazon*