Showing posts with label Blog Tours. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blog Tours. Show all posts

18 Days of Christmas Giveaways: Linky List


 
This is the last post of the 18 Days of Christmas Giveaways. All the days have been posted. Now what you get to do is scroll down, click on the links and play catch up. You have Until December 29th to enter any days you've missed!
 
If you are just joining us, take a look at the Rules and Regulations Page for more info on the contest. Or don't. It's really simple, just scroll down to the links, pick a day, read the post and use Mr. Rafflecopter to enter to win. But wait. What if you don't have Facebook or Twitter or can't do the other tasks before you? Have no fear! As a contingency, on the off chance people can't do the daily task, they can simply leave a blog comment! This way, everyone has equal opportunity to be enter to win the tons of prizes up for grabs!



 

18 Days of Christmas Giveaways: Day 10 Maer Wilson


Why, hello there, nice to see you and welcome to Day 10 of the 18 Days of Christmas Giveaways. First off I have a special note to sure in regards to Day 9. There was a glitch with Mr. Raffecopter, so please remember to go back and enter yesterdays giveaway!

Now, I've been  lucky enough to interview Maer Wilson! She's with us today not only for the Christmas Giveaways, but to introduce her latest release, Portals, as part of the Portals Virtual Tour from December 14- December 22!

The Giveaway Today is:
An Ecopy of Portals
The Rafflecopter Task of the Day is:
Subscribe to Maer Wilson's Website

 Welcome to the Blog Maer!
Avery, thanks so much for letting me stop by today! What a fun interview!

Can you tell us a bit about yourself? How about in five words or less.
Author, actor, gamer, teacher, friend. How’s that?

Now why don’t you tell us a bit about (recent book)? In five words or less, of course J
Magic returns to Earth.

What is your least favourite Holiday Tradition?
What an interesting question! As a kid I hated going to public Easter Egg Hunts. The big kids got everything and the little kids were left with empty little baskets. I was a little kid – maybe 4 or 5 years old - with my empty little basket. I think we only went to that once, though. That or I blanked out other years. I was really excited about getting to play treasure hunt, but it was useless. There were no eggs for the little kids. I think I got a giant chocolate bunny from my parents to make up for it, but it wasn’t about the prize. I was interested in the game itself.

You've decided to give everyone you know your two favourite books for Christmas, what are they and why?
Hmm, the least I can do is give them boxed sets of A Song of ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin and the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. Martin’s because he’s a brilliant writer and Rowling’s because she’s a brilliant storyteller.

What is the book that you are most looking forward to in 2014?
I doubt it will be 2014, but I’m very curious to read the next book in Martin’s ASoIF series.

How did you get your start in writing, was it always your dream?
No, it wasn’t a dream at all until recently. I started and completed my first novel in 2010. It was more of a lark than anything: sort of a let’s see if I can do this. I just decided to try it one day and wrote like a whirlwind until it was done. Of course, writing that fast means I edit slowly and I had a lot of work to do on that first book before it was ready to be published. Still it was published three years later and that’s not too bad in the scheme of things.

What was the hardest scene to write in Portals?
Portals expands on what happens when magic returns to Earth, with a lot of different things going on. It’s a transitional book, and was a lot of fun to write. I did have to make sure the rationale for the magic system worked on several levels. It was a lot of fun putting together, but I did run some things by some outside sources I don’t usually use.

What is one lesson you would tell aspiring writers that you've learned.
Keep the fire burning. If you really want to write, you need to be your own cheerleading section at times and keep yourself in the game. Don’t let negativity or your own lack of confidence get in the way. Believe in yourself and just do it. That is probably a lot easier to say than do for some folks, but they just need to stay positive.

Thanks, again for letting me chat with your readers, Avery. J

Thanks so much for letting me interview you! Now, let's check out the Portals cover and blurb!!


 For supernatural detectives Thulu and La Fi, “normal” is a relative term. La Fi is a medium, Thulu is a finder, and their usual clients are already dead.
But when their friend Reo is shot, and a group of stranded angels show up at their house for help to find a missing child, things are striking too close to home.

And now the portals that let the magical races return to Earth have started opening on their own.

With trips off-world, a kidnapped psychic and changes to their own abilities, Thulu and La Fi are hit with a lot more than they usually handle. Of course, their magical friends are there to help, but even they may not be enough to save an increasingly unstable Earth.

Portals is the sequel to Relics and is Book 2 in The Thulukan Chronicles.


Portals is the sequel to Relic, so if you haven't picked up a copy of Relics yet, here are the buy links!


Now let's find out a bit about the author behind Portals and Relic and if you want to stalk her, click the links below!

After a successful career being other people, and later teaching others the many tricks of that trade, Maer Wilson has decided to be herself for a while. Turns out she's a writer. She's always loved stories, especially fantasy, mystery and sci fi. Maer was born in the Year of the Dragon and has a dragon-themed room in her home, but sadly no dragons in the back yard. When she's not writing, Maer plays online video games, teaches college and reads. She also co-hosts the literary podcast, MythBehaving and writes for two gaming fansites. Maer lives in the high desert of Southern Nevada with her two dogs, a chihuahua and a poodle. Portals is Book 2 in The Thulukan Chronicles. You can find all books and novelettes in The Thulukan Chronicles at Amazon.

Website     Facebook     Twitter     Pinterest

Don't forget to come back tomorrow. Avery Olive (that's me!) will take over the 18 Days of Christmas Giveaways with the Cover, Blurb and exclusive excerpt reveal of her latest novel, Won't Let Go!

As always, if you are just joining us, take a look at the Rules and Regulations Page for more info on the contest. Or don't. It's really simple, just read the post, scroll down to Mr. Rafflecopter and do the daily task. But wait. What if you don't have Facebook or Twitter or can't do the other tasks before you? Have no fear! As a contingency, on the off chance people can't do the daily task, they can simply leave a blog comment! This way, everyone has equal opportunity to be enter to win the tons of prizes up for grabs! And don't forget, if you missed the previous days, you can go back and enter those too! Just check out The Linky List. The contest runs until December 29th, and of course, don't forget to come back tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: A Taylor-Made Life by Kary Rader


Welcome to the blog everyone, today I have a special treat! The talent Kary Rader is here with an exclusive excerpt for her new release, A Taylor-Made Life. I'm so excited to share this! But first, check out the blurb and cover!

They lived the life they were given; they loved the life they made.

 
Cheerleader Taylor Smith doesn’t want to die a virgin. Unfortunately, if the terminally-ill leukemia patient doesn't find a lover or a stem-cell match within months, her fear will become reality. When her cancer mentor is revealed to be a hottie entrepreneur from California, it seems fate might finally be on her side.

Tech-geek Gavin Taylor has everything he ever wanted, except someone to grieve for him when he's gone. With his melanoma cancer beyond the help of his riches, he agrees to participate in a cancer patient mentoring program where he's matched with a dying teen from Texas. Despite his immediate attraction, the Silicon Valley whiz intends only to provide friendship and happy memories to the beautiful, young woman who is determined to win his love.

When it's discovered that his frozen sperm and her harvested eggs could lead to a cure, Taylor's mother offers to be a surrogate. And Gavin must decide if he can risk the heart he has never given and a child he'll never know to a girl he just met.


 

Exclusive Excerpt from A Taylor-Made Life by Kary Rader

Avery, thank you for having me on the blog today. I loved A Stiff Kiss. I still think about that story.

My new release, A Taylor-Made Life, is a story that is so special to me I wanted to share an exclusive excerpt with you and your readers. The story is about opening up to love no matter how much life you have left to live. It follows two terminally-ill cancer patients as they walk the hard road of life and find each other.

This is a scene where Gavin has finally realized his feelings for Taylor are beyond mere friendship. And because of their limited timeline, he is proposing a permanent arrangement for them—well as permanent as any relationship can be in this life.

I hope you enjoy!

Exclusive Excerpt

He feathered kisses down my jaw to my ear and whispered, “Oh Taylor, what’re you doing to me? My life is slipping away, and now you’ve stolen my heart.” He nuzzled his face in my neck. I shivered when warm breath skimmed bare skin.

Oh Wizards. Was this really happening? Looping my arms around his waist, I pressed against him and breathed in his fresh scent. Not spicy like Matt or old like my dad, but like rain in the woods or the mint that Mom grew in the backyard and put in iced tea on summer days. His heart thumped hard and steady against my ear, and I smiled. “Does this mean we’re more than friends?”

He lifted my chin to gaze into my face. “We’re whatever you want us to be.”

I widened my eyes and tried to process what he meant. He was leaving us up to me?

He smiled and walked me to the living room. We sat on the loveseat part of the sectional. “I’ve wasted too much time already. Time neither of us has to spare.”

Sliding to his knee, he pulled out a ginormous ring with a honking yellow diamond—wait, that was my ring. The one I’d tried on. A tiny gasp escaped me, and a wave of waterworks built behind my eyes. I looked from the sunshine-colored stone back to him.

“I didn’t know at the time why I’d bought it. At least, that’s what I told myself.” His eyes glinted with emotion he didn’t even attempt to hide. “I want you to be my wife. Will you marry me?”

My face tingled as the blood drained from it, and the pulse in my neck beat out a reggae rhythm. “Marry you?” Was that squeaky mouse voice mine?

 

Thanks for letting me share. I hope you consider picking up

A Taylor-Made Life.

Thank you so much, Kary for taking over my blog for a day!!

 

To learn more about Kary and her books, click on one of the links below!


 

Blog Tour and Guest Post: Becoming Bryn by Angela Carling



Hello and welcome to the Becoming Bryn Blog Tour! I was supposed to have a super fun guest post for y'all today, but Blogger has been giving me nothing but grief! Argh.

So, I hope you don't mind simply learning about Becoming Bryn, reading my review and for fun, entering the Giveaway for a SIGNED PAPERBACK COPY of BECOMING BRYN (International Giveaway)

First off, if you weren't around for the cover reveal, let me introduce to you the cover and blurb!


For months, Jesse has been envious of her twin sister Bryn and even has a crush on Bryn’s gorgeous, popular boyfriend, Quinton. When Jesse awakens from a coma to learn that everyone thinks she is Bryn, the option of actually taking over her sister’s life is beyond tempting, but there’s a downside. She’d have to give up Ethan, her best friend and the only person she trusts. Could she actually live as Bryn for the rest of her life? And if her family and friends found out, would they ever forgive her?

IF you want to rush out and by Becoming Bryn right this second, clink on the buy links :)

Amazon                 Barnes and Noble 

Now, let's get on with the review!

I will come right out and say that I am no stranger to Angela Carling's work! I've read UnbreakableLove, her debut (a totally sweet romance with a few twists) and Shackled (a book every girl should read, and understand that domestic violence, of any kind, is not okay) so naturally I jumped at the chance to pick up her latest release, Becoming Bryn.

The blurb definitely grabbed my attention. I don't want to give away spoilers but this is a very fun, slightly heart wrenching beach read. I devoured it in about a day, because staying true to form, Angela has written a very well rounded novel with great characters, prose and a lesson to be learned.

What's that saying, to truly understand someone, you have to walk a mile in their shoes, I think that's how it goes.  When Jesse has the opportunity to take over her sister Bryn's life, she goes for it, thinking that her sister Bryn, has it all. But we're quick to see that's not the case, and what Jesse has to give up might not truly be worth it.

With twists and turns (make sure you have some kleenex nearby) this novel, has it all. We get an in depth look at both sisters (through alternating POV's) which I think really makes this novel. It wouldn't have been the same without the addition of Bryn, her thoughts and her opinions. We truly got an inside look at the two sisters, allowing us to connect with them. I love the males in this book, they've added some swoon worthy moments. But this novel isn't just about blossoming romance, it's about growing up, making the right decisions and of course redemption.

If you're looking for a great read with dimension, not your typical 'fairy tale' take on switching places, and novel that will tug your heart, pick up Becoming Bryn!

 

If you want to stalk Angela on the net, check out these links!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: Broken Wings by Cameo Renae


Welcome to the blog! Today we've got some fun stuff happening. I'm part of the Broken Wings Blog Tour! So, we've got Cameo Renae on the blog for an interview and an international giveaway!

I'd like to dive right in, but first I want to show off the cover and blurb!

 


Emma’s world is falling apart, and Kade, the only one who seems to hold her together, is missing. With death lingering right outside their door, decisions must be made before it’s too late.

The Midway has refused to send help, so they are left to seek out the only other who can stop Lucian.

A perilous quest sends Emma and a few Guardians into the Underworld, where the unimaginable abide, to beseech the Prince of Darkness himself. Lucifer.

Now, they must endure the deadly levels of Hell, which not one … mortal or immortal … has ever survived.

Prepare for love, loss, and the unexpected.


Hi Avery! Thanks so much for having me on your blog!
Welcome Cameo! Can you tell us a bit about yourself? How about in five words or less.
I haven’t grown up yet.
Now why don’t you tell us a bit about Broken Wings? In five words or less, of course J
HELL. Adventure. Suspense. Horror. Twists.
So many interviews tend to have the same questions, let’s shake things up a bit, shall we?
Every little store has those cheap 5 cent candies. If you had to choose, what would be your favorite kind?
I would have to say those sweet/sour candies…you know…like the sour patch kids. Love those!
You decide to spend the summer camping. Your tent only has room for the essentials and two books. What would be your all time favourite two books that you could not live without?
Oh gosh…THIS is a very hard question because I love so many books. BUT, since I’m not a good camper and it would be for the whole summer, I’d probably take Camping for Dummies, and the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. Just because that was the first book that sparked the fantasy desire in me.
But wait, you can also take one more important item with you (for fun let’s say it can’t be any bigger than a loaf of bread) what would it be?
Probably a radio so I can listen to music. I can’t stand the quiet for too long. I’m so used to noise that the quiet would probably drive me mad. LOL
Broken Wings is the sequel to Hidden Wings, did you face any struggles when writing this sequel? And do you have any suggestions for anyone about to embark on a sequel writing journey.
I did have struggles, especially knowing that they were going into Hell. I had to decide what kind of Hell to create. Stick with the norm, or create my own. I ended up creating my own, which was very difficult, and took me a long time to figure out. The ending of the story was totally not what I had planned, and also took me by surprise.
How did you get your start in writing, was it always your dream?
Every time I had a creative writing project in school, I felt right at home. I loved writing and loved creating new stories, and it was always easy for me…however, sports took over and I didn’t even consider being a writer until a few years ago. I wanted to try something different, and thought I’d give it a shot…and I’m glad I did. Now, I can’t see myself doing anything else.
Where do you see yourself as an Author in five years?
I hope in a much better place than I am now. I would like to have all the books and series I’ve started be complete in five years, and hopefully have made a name and living for myself.
Lastly, can you give us a teaser from Broken Wings? You know, something that will hook and send everyone out to go buy the book right this second.


Wow, you're ambitious, you love sweet and sour candies and you've given us one hell ;) of a teaser! Thank you so much for stopping by Cameo!
If you'd like to learn more about Cameo, feel free to stalk her on the web!

 

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: Speak of the Devil by Shawna Romkey


Hello and welcome to the blog. Today we have a guest post by the talented Shawna Romkey as she stops by to promote her release, Speak of the Devil!

Alright, Shawna, I’ll let you take it from here!

 
I write YA. Young adult. The age limits vary but we’re talking 12 – 18 as in the YA category, but women up to the age of 45 read it, too.  There is some talk in this genre about whether to write sex into YA, and there is much debate on this topic. I say, definitely not.

Some want to make it edgy or daring. And to be honest in my first draft of Speak of the Devil, I had swear words that started with every letter of the alphabet. I wanted to write Twilight with some sizzle, but the more I thought about it, the more I edited out my profanities. Why? Young adult is for young adults. It’s not as though they can’t go into any store that sells books and pick up Fifty Shades of Gray, uncensored, no identification required and read graphic sex if they wanted to. They can. If that’s what they want, they can get it without their parents’ permission and without question. Or they can go onto the Internet and find all the sex images, words and videos they want.

I keep it out because I think young adult girls are already bombarded with sex as it is. Music videos, magazine ads, TV shows… it’s difficult to watch a situation comedy that isn’t talking about sex repeatedly. I love the Big Bang Theory, but at its premise it is a story about whether geeks can get laid. Love is only sometimes part of that equation. Is sex really the end-all be-all of life? I don’t think so, but I think our young adults get the message that it is.

Maybe I’m a prude, but when I watch The Vampire Diaries, I’m thinking, these girls are iN high school and they’re drinking wine right out of the bottle at their slumber party? They’ve had sex repeatedly with multiple partners. They’ve grown up too fast, and some of them have had to after their parents have died, but is it a situation to be glorified? Shouldn’t it be one to be mourned?

Sure, I swore in high school. I had sex in high school. I drank in high school, but not on a constant, regular basis. Did I want to do all of those things if it got right down to it? Not really. Did I feel like I had to because that’s all anyone talked about? Pretty much. And back in the 80’s when I was in high school, the sexual pollution was significantly lower than it is today. That was before the Interwebs. That was before media regulation was thrown out.

So I think maybe, just maybe, teens need a break from all of the bumping and grinding and drinking and drugging. Maybe they need a safe place where they don’t have to worry about sexual relationships and growing up too fast. Maybe, just maybe, they need a place to escape where they can just be who they want to be and not who everyone tells them they should be. They need a Hogwarts. They need a Forks.  Adding in sex and swearing to be edgy and bold, isn’t edgy and bold at all. Everyone is doing it now. Just turn on the TV and watch a YA show. Save the edgy and daring for the NA genre and for the adult genre.

Give the YA a place to be YA.

 

Wow, thanks for the post, Shawna. I must say that I think I agree. I love a good romance, but I don’t think you need sex, drugs and alcohol to write a good YA novel. I think there is a time and place, some plots need these, but throwing it in for the sake of throwing it in doesn’t work for me. Then again, that’s just my opinion J

 

Now, here’s a little bit more info on Speak of the Devil.

What happens when falling in love and falling from grace collide?
 After dying in a car accident with her two best friends, Lily miraculously awakens to grief and guilt. She escapes to her dad’s to come to terms with the event and meets some people at her new school who seem all too eager to help her heal. Sliding deeper into sorrow and trying to fight her feelings for two of them, she finds out who…what they really are and that they are falling too.
 Can she find the strength to move on from the past, reconcile her feelings for Luc, find a way to stop a divine war with fallen angels, and still pass the eleventh grade?

 


 


 


 

Blog Tour and Book Review: Hidden Wings by Cameo Renae


I know, it’s been a while since I’ve posted anything. I can apologize, or I can admit, that sometimes blogging is the furthest thing from my mind, but hey, at least when I do post, it’s always good, right?

Today I have a review of Hidden Wings by Cameo Renae along with a tour wide giveaway!

I was gracious enough to receive a copy as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest review. First off, check out the cover and the back cover blurb!

Seventeen is a life changing age for Emma Wise.

As her family's sole survivor in a car crash, she is left with a broken arm and a few scrapes and bruises. But these are only outward marks; inside, her heart is broken and the pieces scattered.

Whisked away to Alaska, to an aunt she’s never met, Emma starts over. Secrets unveil themselves and now…she doesn't even know who or what she is.

A centuries old prophecy places Emma in the heart of danger. Creatures of horrifying and evil proportions are after her, and it will take Emma, her aunt, and six, gorgeously captivating Guardians to keep her safe. But, if she can survive until her eighteenth birthday... things will change.--Provided by Author

 
It’s not very often that I come across a book that touches me. I mean, really touches me. These days as an author myself and an avid reader, maybe my expectations are higher, maybe I’m just growing harder to please, or maybe I’m reading the wrong books. Either way, when a book causes me to literally stop breathing, well, it’s the sign of a good read.

I didn’t know what to expect when coming into Hidden Wings. I’m not going to lie, the premise didn’t thrill me. It sounded like so many other books I’ve read over the last few years. I sort of rolled my eyes and thought, what are the chances this one is going to be any different?

I was pleasantly surprised. Right away you are thrown into an impossible situation. Emma is the sole survivor of a devastating accident that has taken the life of everyone she holds dear. We see real, honest to god emotion from the character. I felt for the character, the situation and the emotion that was written on the page. Not only is the writing great, but the character development is exsquisit. The description and scenery paints a picture that played so real in my mind, I often did feel like I was in the middle of a movie theatre, rather than clutching my Kindle, hungry for more.

My only complaint is that the novel takes place over the course of only a few days. Though the page-gripping writing pulled me into the story, I wished, for a first book in the series, for just a little bit more. A times the plot seemed to move at hyper speed when I wanted to slow things down and really, truly enjoy what was happening. I expect so much more to come from future books in this series and hope that they all don’t move at lightning speed.

However, this is one well rounded novel! Over the short, starting out journey of the novel you can be sure to experience pain and sorrow, but you can also laugh out loud (there is certainly some humour within the pages) but most of all, like any good book, you can experience love.

Since I don’t like spoilers, and I do my best not to give too much away, I’ll stop here. Hidden Wings is an amazing novel, the series has so much potential and the writing is nearly flawless. I would recommend this novel to any YA reader who wants a taste of everything wrapped up in a fast-paced novel that only begins to breach the world that Cameo wants us all to experience and the characters she wants us to love.

If you want to learn more about Hidden Wings or Cameo Renae please click any of the links below!


And if you want to enter to win some great prizes, well, use Mr. Rafflecopter. Goodluck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: January Black by Wendy S. Russo


Hey Everyone! I’m sorry I haven’t been around, but I swear, it’s been for a good cause! I’ve been working extra hard editing, writing and well, living life. I must also take a moment and apologize for this post, I know, it's all weird, the format is off, the fact that these words are white with a black background... I tried, and tried to get it right, but, to avail. Sorry :( 

But today I have a special treat, I’d like to introduce you to fellow Crescent Moon Press Author, Wendy S. Russo and her novel January Black!

 

Check out this super awesome cover (LOVE!) and it’s super awesome blurb (LOVE X 2)

JanuaryBlackCover.jpg
 

Sixteen-year-old genius Matty Ducayn has never fit in on The Hill, an ordered place seriously lacking a sense of humor. After his school’s headmaster expels him for a small act of mischief, Matty’s future looks grim until King Hadrian comes to his rescue with a challenge: answer a question for a master’s diploma.

More than a second chance, this means freedom. Masters can choose where they work, a rarity among Regents, and the question is simple.

What was January Black?

It’s a ship. Everyone knows that. Hadrian rejects that answer, though, and Matty becomes compelled by curiosity and pride to solve the puzzle. When his search for an answer turns up long-buried state secrets, Matty’s journey becomes a collision course with a deadly royal decree. He's been set up to fail, which forces him to choose. Run for his life with the challenge lost...or call the king’s bluff.

 

 

Now, you can click on this LINK and read a great excerpt for January Black!

 

But wait! If you have your super secret spy goggles on and spot the hidden link within this post, it will take you to an even longer BETTER excerpt, but you’ll need the super secret password, that I’ll even give you a hint for: in all lowercase, you must know the main characters first name!

 

If you’d like to learn more about Wendy and  January Black check out the links below J