Cover Reveal & Giveaway: Smolder by Kelbian Noel

I'm excited to share the cover for Smolder, book three in the Witchbound series by Kelbian Noel. 

 

This is a YA urban fantasy series and the first two books are Roots and Sprung. Check out the gorgeous cover and then enter to win a $25 gift card!

Smolder (Witchbound #3) by Kelbian Noel

About Smolder

Calida Cevallos has never been special. In fact, as far as she’s concerned, there isn’t an exceptional bone in her body. But, this summer, she’ll discover extraordinary literally runs through her veins.

I’ve always been a burden. The girl people put up with, the one they tolerated. When I finally found someone who actually wanted me around, I couldn’t have be happier. But lately something’s been bubbling at the surface. Something wants to break free…and I’m afraid it’s me.

I love him. And, for a time, I thought I needed him. Now I’m not so sure. These days, I get the feeling I’m the one who’s needed. By whom? I’m about to find out.

Goodreads 

Roots (Witchbound Book One) by Kelbian Noel

288 pages

Seventeen-year-old Baltimore Land just wants to be normal, but magic has other plans.

I don’t consider myself a witch, that’s my parents’ thing. I’ve never really believed in magic either. Sure, I tried it a few times. Fell for the whole “magic happens” thing. But it didn’t happen to me. No amount of rhyming stopped my parents from moving me halfway across the country. Not one spell stopped me from being labeled the town freak.

And worst of all, no matter how many times I begged the Universe to bring my twin back, I was ignored. Until now.

He’s back all right. And in a magical bind of his own. Not the magic-won’t-work-for-me kind either. In fact, it’s working a little too well. Too dark. Too deep.

It turns out our entire family’s magical roots run just as deep and my brother didn’t end up where he is by accident. So I’m going to help him. But magic isn’t really on my side. Nope. Once I finally get the craft under control, I’m expected to abandon the one person in the world who’s closest to me, just to save myself.

Amazon | Goodreads

Sprung (Witchbound Book Two) by Kelbian Noel

336 pages

Since she discovered magic, seventeen-year-old Skye Jackson’s life is almost perfect. Almost. Even perfect has its glitches.

What happens when the one with all the power makes the biggest mistakes? Welcome to my life.

Four months ago, I couldn’t have been happier. When my parents got divorced, I wasn’t exactly thrilled. Especially when Mom married a guy half her age. But then I found out I wasn’t the average Joana. Discovering magic existed and, best of all, I could use it, made everything easier to deal with. That is until I got a little too spell happy. But what girl wouldn’t defend her best friend against a world-class creep? Now I’m stuck in a nightmare, forced to make life and death decisions I never dreamed I’d face.

Love the magic, hate the responsibility.

Book Trailer

Amazon | Goodreads

About the Author

Kelbian Noel was born on a warm June night in Moncton, New Brunswick. From a very young age, she loved to read. She found herself engulfed in novels by Janette Oke and L.M. Montgomery, but never seemed to find herself in the pages. At the age of 11 she declared she would simply have to rewrite them, and become the youngest author in history. But life was full of baseball, homework, BFFs and boys. Decades later, having studied writing in college and pursued it as a career, she rediscovered her hobby. She is excited to introduce The Witchbound Series to the world with hopes someone will love this story as much as she does. Kelbian lives in Toronto, Ontario with her two children (where, thanks to a thick layer of smog, Junes are much warmer than they used to be).

She is the founder of www.diverse-pages.com and blogs there often, in the company of some pretty cool people.

Website | Goodreads Author Page | Amazon Author Page | Twitter | Facebook 

 Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card (INT)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.

True Colors by Krysten Lindsay Hager: $50 Book Blast

Welcome to my stop on the book blast tour for True Colors by Krysten Lindsay Hager.

True Colors 

Landry Albright enters a modeling competition with her two best friends, but runs into jealousy when she advances to the next level without them. Enter the gorgeous Devon, who also makes the first cut of the modeling contest. Devon seems like the perfect new best friend, but can their friendship survive the competition? Throw in a new boy, jealousy and loyalty issues, and insults from hair stylists. How’s a girl to deal?

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Smashwords

Excerpt  

The competition was for girls between the ages of thirteen and seventeen, but it felt like Ericka, Tori, and I were the youngest ones there. I only saw a couple of girls from school, and the lineup looked more like something you’d see on a music video set. All the girls were gorgeous, and they had these curvy womanly bodies. I looked like a skinny little kid next to them. The first girl walked out, and I heard the judges say she “owned the runway,” and, “walked like a gazelle.” I was starting to feel ill. I wasn’t sure which way it was going to come, but I knew I had to find a bathroom — fast. I started to get out of line when Ericka grabbed my wrist.

“It’s almost time,” she said. A tiny bit of spit flew out of her mouth and hit my cheek.

I wasn’t sure why she was so intent on me going through with it, but she had a death grip on my arm, so I didn’t have much of a choice. Her number was called and she walked out to the stage. One of the other girls said she walked like a kid with sand bucket stilts on her feet, but she came back with a smirk on her face like she knew she’d get chosen.

“They said they had never seen such long legs,” she said.

Tori was next. “She walks like a gorilla at feeding time,” said the girl behind me. I went next, and I tried to focus on not tripping over my feet. My mom’s pumps had a rubber sole on the bottom, which probably wasn’t the brightest idea seeing as my shoes were making squeaking noises as I walked. I was so nervous I couldn’t stop smiling as I walked. I looked like the plastic clown who blows up balloons with its mouth at the Pizza Palace. When I got to the end of the runway, I tried to cross my feet to turn like the other girls had, but I over rotated and ended up doing a full spin which made my kilt fan out and gave the mall walkers a view of my blue underpants. I tried to act like it was intentional and did an extra turn. One of the judges put her hand up to stop me, and I held my breath as she started to speak.


 

Author Biography

Krysten Lindsay Hager is an author and book addict who has never met a bookstore she didn’t like. She’s worked as a journalist and also writes middle grade, YA, humor essays, and adult fiction. Her debut novel, TRUE COLORS, will be out June 17th from Astraea Press. She is originally from Michigan and has lived in South Dakota, Portugal, and currently resides in Southern Ohio where you can find her reading and writing when she’s not catching up on her favorite shows.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest

     

Blast Giveaway 

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 8/8/14

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the publisher. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Peter Jackson Talks Directing The Hobbit (+ Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit 4-Book Boxed Set)

Earlier this week, I reviewed the Tower of Obsidian by L.T. Getty, an epic fantasy available now from Burst Books. In the post, I asked readers to share their favorite epic fantasy story. One of my favorites - like many people - is the Lord of the Rings.

Sadly, I haven't read or watched the movie adaptation for The Hobbit yet. The novel is on my summer reading list this year.

What's on your reading list for the summer?

J. R. R. Tolkien 4-Book Boxed Set

J. R. R. Tolkien Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit 4-Book Boxed Set - $14.99

More details at Groupon

Check Out HitFix: Peter Jackson Talks Directing The Hobbit: an Unexpected Journey on Hulu.
"Peter Jackson talks directing the prequel on The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy. He explains what's new and and old in the first Hobbit movie."

Super Strength, Speed Reading: A One-Day Sale on Superhero and Action & Adventure Books

Readers rejoice! For one day only, Saturday, June 28th, you will be able to buy over a dozen great YA superhero and action & adventure novels for just 99 cents each.

You can buy the books here: http://bryancohen.com/super-strength-speed-reading/

While you're checking out the selection, the authors will be here on Facebook throughout the event ready to answer questions, talk about your favorite genres or just to chat. Buy some awesome books and make lasting connections with a group of wonderful authors!

Here are the books that will be featured:

1. Kelly Oram, Being Jamie Baker
2. Meg Collett, The Hunted One
3. Joshua Guess, Next
4. March McCarron, Division of the Marked
5. Cheree Alsop, Small Town Superhero
6. Colin Wright, Trialogue
7. Adam Moon, Apex
8. Michael Thomas, Legions of Orion
9. R S J Gregory, Cosmic Girl: Rising Up
10. Jason Cheek, Flight
11. P.S. Power, Proxy
12. Drew Hayes, Super Powereds: Year 1
13. Starla Huchton, Evolution: Angel
14. Jason Tesar, Paths of Destruction
15. William Massa, Silicon Man
16. Nick S. Thomas, Battle Earth

Please share the event with all your avid reader friends!



P.S.

Kelly Oram is also hosting another giveaway to win a signed copy of Being Jamie Baker. This is the link to the info about the Being Jamie Baker GIVEAWAY.

Post by Kelly Oram.

Transformers: Age of Extinction Official Trailer (+ Buy a Transformers Film on Blu-ray & Movie Ticket to Age of Extinction)

The official Transformers: Age of Extinction trailer starring Mark Wahlberg! See it June 27th.

Purchase a Transformers Film on Blu-ray + Movie Ticket to Transformers: Age of Extinction from $9.99

Transformers Films on Blu-ray

Transformers Film on Blu-ray + Movie Ticket to Transformers: Age of Extinction - from $9.99

More details at Groupon

Options

• Transformers on Blu-ray
• Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen on Blu-ray
• Transformers: Dark of the Moon on Blu-ray, DVD, and a digital copy

Each option includes a promotional code located in the packaging for a ticket to see Transformers: Age of Extinction, which opens in theaters on June 27. See Groupon for complete details.

Join the Odyssey Adventure Club for $5!

Are your kids in need of a safe and fun environment where they can explore, create and imagine, all while developing their faith and learning biblical truth? Enter the Odyssey Adventure Club (AOC)!

 
For a limited time, you can join HERE for only $5 (regular monthly membership costs $15 for up to six users)!

Families will be able to stream the Adventures in Odyssey library, plus listen to exclusive new monthly episodes.  Busy families will find 24/7 access to the content through the Odyssey Adventure Club mobile iPhone app.

Children can also read daily devotions, interact with hands-on activities and view video documentaries featuring a behind-the-scenes look into the production of the Adventures in Odyssey stories. Parents can feel confident their children are safe on the Odyssey Adventure Club website — Focus on the Family staff will be monitoring all comments before they’re publicly posted.

A portion of each Odyssey Adventure Club membership will benefit Focus on the Family partner relief organizations, including Christian Veterinary Mission, Operation Christmas Child and Compassion International. This provides parents with an opportunity to teach children about the value of giving and serving others.

Coming in July, Odyssey Adventure Club members get to listen to the brand new album, "The Ties That Bind," FIRST before it's available ANYWHERE ELSE!

Click here to join for only $5!

Want more summer activities for your kids inspired by the Odyssey Adventure Club? Check out this post.

Cover Reveal: Silent Echo by Elisa Freilich

Today we're excited to reveal the cover for Silent Echo by Elisa Freilich!

About the Book:

Rendered mute at birth, Portia Griffin has been silent for 16 years. Music is her constant companion, along with Felix, her deaf best friend who couldn t care less whether or not she can speak. If only he were as nonchalant about her newfound interest in the musically gifted Max Hunter.

But Portia s silence is about to be broken with the abrupt discovery of her voice, unparalleled in its purity and the power it affords to control those around her. Able to persuade, seduce and destroy using only her voice, Portia embarks on a search for answers about who she really is, and what she is destined to do.

Add it on Goodreads!

Available for sale:

Amazon ebook & paperback

B&N ebook & paperback

iTunes

Kobo

Audible Audiobook

 

About the Author:

Elisa Freilich has enjoyed a love affair with language from her earliest days. Raised in rural Monsey, New York, Elisa spent her days reading whatever crossed her path and developed a keen appreciation for the ever-present music in her home – from classical to rock. French lessons and creative writing workshops complemented her adolescence, which was also greatly enhanced by a summer spent abroad at Cambridge University. From the time she could read and write, Elisa could often be found composing poems, song lyrics and satirical newspapers.

Throughout the years, Elisa has retained her devotion to all genres of books and music and was determined to synthesize her passions into one refreshing and original platform. The result is her debut novel, SILENT ECHO: A Siren’s Tale, which will be published by Diversion Books in September 2013. With her own lyrical style, Elisa has created a world that young adults around the globe will find intensely gripping and refreshingly original. 

Links:

Website| Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Giveaway:

Awesome paper lashes like the ones on the cover, Signed poster of the cover and an ebook of Silent Echo

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Polar Opposites by Kai Strand: $100 Book Blast

Welcome to my stop on the book blast tour for Polar Opposites by Kai Strand. Polar Opposites (Super Villain Academy #2) is a young adult fantasy book that is available now from Whiskey Creek Press.

"The supers are balanced...and that's good, right?"

 

Polar Opposites 

Super Villain Academy #2  

The supers are balanced. Academies have altered their curriculum to teach both sides of the super power spectrum. All’s well in the super world. Right? When Mystic kidnaps Oceanus, Jeff learns it isn’t all right. Turning to the newly balanced supers for assistance, he panics to find they’ve done nothing to rescue Oceanus. When no ransom request follows, he worries Mystic’s plan never included returning his girlfriend. Frustrated, he’s forced to work with the only super willing to help. Oceanus’ ex-villain, ex-boyfriend, Set. Mystic isn’t the only one hiding something. Nothing about Jeff is balanced. Temper flares result in scorched clothing or flying furniture, and his charm has become an indiscriminating people-magnet. Jeff is convinced, or maybe just hopeful, that his lack of control is directly related to Oceanus being gone. But will he and Set find her before Jeff loses control completely and will they find her alive?

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

 

Excerpt

They never talked about how they ended the world. Twice. Jeff glanced at Oceanus, bent over her phone in the passenger seat of his car. A curtain of black hair shielded her profile from view, but he thought he saw her smile.

He reached over and tucked her hair behind an ear. Yep, she was smiling. So was he. He felt his skin heat, but not as a side-effect of his super power ability to create fire. This heat was due to thoughts of Oci running her small warm hands down his back and tilting her face up to accept his kiss.

“ How about a movie?” Oceanus asked.

“ Which one?” Jeff replied, scanning the traffic and then his girlfriend.

Oci’s thin arms, delicate wrists, and bird-like legs that barely reached the floorboards, all gave the impression she needed protection and caring for. Whereas, with her super strength, she could lift the car they drove in onto two wheels if someone were trapped underneath.

“ Oh, perfect!” Oceanus flung her hair over her shoulder and straightened in her seat. Her smile illuminated Jeff’s peripheral vision as he concentrated on traffic. “The one I want to see starts in forty-five minutes. That gives us plenty of time to get there, get popcorn and some good seats, and watch the previews. I love the previews, don’t you?”

Jeff glanced at her again. The devilish glint in her eye made him frown. “What movie?”

Oceanus peeked through thick black lashes. Jeff was pretty sure she even batted them a bit. “What movie, Oci?”

“Accidental Hero.” At Jeff’s groan, Oceanus chuckled. “Come on, you have to admit the storyline looks kinda familiar. Besides, the special effects look amazing. You love that crap.”

Jeff stared at the traffic and said nothing. He knew it was useless. He could mount the best argument against seeing the movie, but Oceanus always got her way. Cursing his Oceanus-shaped soft spot, he turned at the next intersection and headed toward the theater.

The whiny guitar tones of the heavy metal song Super Villain erupted from his cell phone. He looked at the display and saw Mother’s number. “Can you answer that?”

Reaching for his phone, Oceanus said, “You know, now that we aren’t technically super villains anymore, you should consider changing your ringtone.”

King of Bad

Super Villain Academy #1 

Jeff Mean would rather set fires than follow rules or observe curfew. He wears his bad boy image like a favorite old hoodie; that is until he learns he has superpowers and is recruited by Super Villain Academy – where you learn to be good at being bad. In a school where one kid can evaporate all the water from your body and the girl you hang around with can perform psychic sex in your head, bad takes on a whole new meaning. Jeff wonders if he’s bad enough for SVA.

He may never find out. Classmates vilify him when he develops good manners. Then he’s kidnapped by those closest to him and left to wonder who is good and who is bad. His rescue is the climactic episode that balances good and evil in the super world. The catalyst – the girl he’s crushing on. A girlfriend and balancing the Supers is good, right? Or is it…bad?

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Author Kai Strand 

When her children were young and the electricity winked out, Kai Strand gathered her family around the fireplace and they told stories, one sentence at a time. Her boys were rather fond of the ending, “And then everybody died. The end.” Now an award winning children’s author, Kai crafts fiction for kids and teens to provide an escape hatch from their reality. With a selection of novels for young adult and middle grade readers and short stories for the younger ones, Kai entertains children of all ages, and their adults.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Blog

Pinterest * Goodreads * Google+ * Youtube

   

Blast Giveaway 

$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 7/20/14 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the publisher. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

COVET's Terri Herman-Ponce Discusses the Inspiration to Her Writing

Welcome to my stop on the book tour for Covet by Terri Herman-Ponce, a mystery thriller with paranormal elements. Terri will be awarding one free Ecopy of Covet (book two of the Past Life series) and In This Life (book one of the Past Life series), to a randomly chosen commenter at each stop and a Grand Prize of a $50 Amazon gift card to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

Click here to see the other stops on the tour. Remember, the more stops you visit, the more chances you earn to win.

Blurb

Everyone wants something.

Even if it belongs to someone else.

And some will destroy the very thing they want, just so no one else can have it.

Professional soldier David Bellotti's latest mission seems simple: steal the key card to a drug lord's compound so the empire can be infiltrated and destroyed. But when David discovers evidence of his lover Lottie’s possible infidelity, his mission turns personal. He searches for answers others would kill to keep buried and discovers a link to the past he's been trying hard to ignore.

Ancient lives, twelve thousand year old secrets, murder, and primal instincts lead David on a journey through past lives and present danger—all to save the woman he loves.

Find your way back through history, when hunter-gatherers roamed and David and Lottie's past incarnations began. The Reading Café calls Covet, Book Two of the Past Life Series, "An amazing and fascinating storyline of suspense, mystery, betrayal, hatred and love."

Excerpt

I blew out the entrance and took off, hustling through the panicked crowd. Another gun fired and police sirens sounded in the distance. I made a left down a small street then a right into an alley, jumping a garbage can, hurtling over a short wall, and disappearing into the neighborhood. If Galen didn't make it to our backup rendezvous point, I had to get to the safe house and that was five miles away. And right now, I had no idea if Galen and Lady in Blue were still alive.

I skidded past a corner, wondering if I should take the chance and call an alert into HQ, when I heard screeching tires. I backed up, pressed myself against a wall, and realized who it was. Galen in a Toyota. He threw open the passenger door and I jumped in, slamming the door shut as Galen jammed the gas pedal.

“You get it?” he asked, swerving through a turn then dropping our speed so we didn’t draw attention.

I nodded. “Is Lady in Blue okay?”

Galen hugged another turn. “She will be. She came to when the gunshots were fired.”

I blew out a sigh of relief. It wasn't the first time a distraction job had taken a bad turn, but it was still a worry. “And the cops?”

“All at the nightclub. But we will have to lose the car.” He used his cell phone and dialed our contact, making arrangements for cleanup.

I pulled out Sahin’s wallet and lifted the keycard. “Payday,” I said, holding it up.

“Mommie Dearest says we should leave the wallet and card with the car.” Galen disconnected the call. “They will pick it all up at the Starbucks near the safe house in ten minutes.”

I drew in a breath and held it, forcing my heart and my lungs to calm down. Another close call. I loved this stuff.

“You love this stuff way too much,” Galen said, glancing my way.

I had known Galen all of three months, and he was far too good at reading my mind already. I was trying to get my head wrapped around the fact that we were connected in a way that didn't make sense, but that didn't mean I had to like it. Ignoring him, I sank into the seat, letting the adrenalin wear off.

“Let’s see what else we’ve got on this guy.” Inside his wallet I found a black American Express, a MasterCard, and over five thousand Euros in the billfold. A picture was tucked in with his identification. I pulled it out and held it up to catch the light from passing street lamps.

It was a photo of the love of my life kissing another man.

Inspiration to Your Writing

What inspired you to write the Past Life series and specifically, Covet?

Often, I get inspired for a story by a song. I can be in the middle anything – driving, running, cooking – and a song will come on and, like a thunderbolt, an image or a scene will pop into my head. It’ll be in 3-D surround sound, too. Like a movie, come to life, and one that I just can’t ignore.

When I set out to write the Past Life series, I was enamored with my characters but I was also intrigued by the idea of second chances. You know, what would happen if you got a do-over? And what would happen if that do-over didn’t turn out the way you expected? And because I’m also enamored with Ancient Egyptians and their conceptions of the afterlife, I thought: what if you had a second chance to right a wrong, or fix a mistake, from a previous life in the one you’re living now? The possibilities were endless!

Once I finished writing In This Life, book one of the Past Life series, I knew there was so much more story to tell. However, In This Life was written from Lottie’s point of view, and by the time I typed in “The End” I had become majorly intrigued with David’s character. For those of you who don’t know (yet), David and Lottie are soul mates whose relationships span millennia. And while Lottie’s journey in the first book was an emotional one with mystery and suspense added in, I knew David’s journey would be different. He’s an ex-Marine turned professional soldier, so he’s all about the action and making things happen and being a guy. And that meant I would have the chance to give my writing a different spin. Suspense, but more. Paranormal, but more. Ancient history, but more.

See, each book in the Past Life series focuses on a specific part of Lottie and David’s past lives, and while I’m intrigued with Ancient Egypt (the past life setting for In This Life) I’m also very intrigued with human history. Where we came from. How we developed. And the idea that our ancestors may have been more advanced than we give them credit for. Plus, I wanted David’s story in Covet to be older. Like, really older. So I thought about David’s personality, and the fact that he can sometimes fall into a caveman mentality, and decided to go with a Paleolithic backdrop.

As it turned out, writing Covet was a blast.

I not only got to write from a male point of view, but I also got to write about the one character I love (lust for) the most. I got to play with human history, work in the paranormal and, like In This Life, throw in a revenge that had, until now, been buried for nearly twelve thousand years.

So there you have it. My inspiration.

Thank you for having me here today! It was fun to share some of my thoughts that went into writing Covet, and I truly hope those who read it enjoy it!

 

About the Author

Terri looks for any opportunity to make stuff up. She thinks anything that can’t so easily be explained is worth an extra look and often makes a great story. She loves red wine, scotch, sunrises, Ancient Egypt, the beach—and a host of other stuff that would take too much real estate to talk about. The youngest of five children, Terri lives with her husband and son on Long Island. And, in her next life, if she hasn’t moved on to somewhere else, she wants to be an astronomer. Terri’s fascinated with the night skies almost as much as she’s fascinated with ancient Egypt.

Terri is a member of member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America, and you can read about her at http://terriponce.com/.

If you love social media, you can also find Terri on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Terri.Ponce.Author and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/TerriPonce. Come visit. She’d love to hear from you!

Links

• Amazon 
• Barnes and Noble  

Purchase at Amazon

The Rebel Cowboy's Quadruplets by Tina Leonard: $25 Book Blast

Welcome to my stop on the Super Book Blast tour for The Rebel Cowboy's Quadruplets by Tina Leonard, a contemporary romance available July 1, 2014 from Harlequin Publishing.

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Tina will be awarding a $25 Amazon GC to TWO randomly drawn commenters during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour. Remember, the more stops you visit and comment, the better your chances to win.

REBEL WITH A CAUSE?

Justin Morant can't believe he answered an online dating ad! Turns out, beautiful Mackenzie Hawthorne is looking for a ranch foreman, not a husband. Good thing, because marriage isn't in the injured bull rider's future. Justin is happy to take up the cause of saving the Hanging H ranch—and then there's the bonus of playing stand-in father to the sexy single mom's four angelic newborns.

Mackenzie doesn't know what miracle brought Justin to Bridesmaids Creek, Texas, but she'd be a fool to fall for the hunky cowboy who wears his rebel status like a badge of honor. Justin's a natural with her daughters and a whiz at ranching…yet one day she knows he's going to gallop off into the sunset. Unless, of course, the marriage-minded townspeople get their hands on him!

Now enjoy an excerpt:

Justin leaned against a post, crossed his arms. “Why are you so interested in Mackenzie’s welfare?”

“It’s not just her. It’s you, too. And Bridesmaids Creek, if you really want to know.”

“You’re trying to bring men into Bridesmaids Creek.” Justin shook his head. “They have a matchmaker here, you know. Aren’t you kind of bumping the competition?”

“Just giving the matchmaker some material to work with.”

“Why?” Justin’s curiosity was getting the best of him.

“You’d had to have grown up here to understand.” Ty shrugged. “The Haunted H was a great draw. Lots of jobs were lost when the Hawthornes had to close it down.”

“That’s what this is all about? Bringing jobs back to your hometown?”

“Not exactly.” Ty wouldn’t meet his gaze.

“Oh, I get it.” Justin thought he suddenly saw into the cracks of his buddy’s mercurial brain. “You’re trying to find a man for Mackenzie.”

Ty shrugged. “It’s complicated.”

“Not that complicated.” Justin snorted. “When did you decide to play guardian angel to Mackenzie?”

“Since I was the guy with the not-too-swift idea of setting her up with her ex. My onetime good buddy, who turned out to be a weasel of epic proportions.”

Justin stared at his friend. “Have you ever considered that maybe Mackenzie doesn’t want another husband?”

Ty snorted. “Don’t be silly. She’s a woman. A woman needs a husband to feel complete.”

“I’m not sure I ever saw this chauvinistic side of you before.”

“Yes, you did. You just didn’t recognize it, because you and I were thinking alike.” Ty laughed. “Don’t worry, good buddy. I’m not including you in my plan. Just the opposite. I’m clearing you out to make room for some cowboys who don’t wear the rebel badge as enthusiastically as you do.”

If being a hard-baked bachelor earned him that honor, he supposed he’d go with the rebel badge of honor. “And that’s why I’m being dragged on a recruiting tour? You want me out of the way so your matchmaking has a better chance of succeeding?”

“Look. The idea came to me after I’d sent you here.” Ty looked at him patiently. “I realized that Mackenzie didn’t just need help bringing back the old place—she needs a husband and a father to those children. I’m the man who fixed her up with the loser, so I’m going to put it right.”

“Why don’t you just put your own neck into the marriage noose and save everybody some agony if you feel so guilt-ridden?” Ty put up his hands as if to ward off the very idea. “My conscience is guilty but not stupid.”

Justin stared at his friend. It was true. Ty wasn’t husband material.

Neither was he.

Justin sighed heavily. “I think you’re nuts. But whatever. It’s not my town. Nor are these my friends.”

Ty brightened. “So you’ll do it? The lead stallion agrees to head off and leave the pen to the lesser junior stallions?”

“You make it sound like Mackenzie’s ever looked my way twice in a romantic way, which I can assure you she hasn’t. We haven’t spoken that much since I’ve been here.”

“Call it a hunch. Clearing out the pen, as they say. The ladies always want the one they can’t have. Mysterious types seem romantic. Like Zorro.”

Justin shrugged. “I think you took one too many falls off the mechanical bull, Ty, but whatever. I’ll go with you,” he said, “but you better hope Mackenzie never finds out what you’re up to. I have the feeling that little lady doesn’t think she needs any man to rescue her.”

“Mechanical bull! I was no dime-store cowboy,” Ty said, following Justin as he headed back to work. Justin couldn’t stand around examining the holes in his friend’s head any longer. Mackenzie hadn’t given one signal that she might be interested in him in more than a foreman–boss lady relationship.

Still, he had a slightly uneasy feeling about leaving her to the romancing of the Three Dating Daddies—a thought that totally brought him up short.

That’s what one of those men might become: a dad to Mackenzie’s four little girls.

Maybe the most troubling thought of all.

USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author Tina Leonard has sold over 2.6 million copies of her titles. She has made the USA Today Bestseller, Waldenbooks, Bookscan, and Ingrambook lists, and has written and contracted seventy-one books and special projects. Her work has been published by Harlequin, Samhain Publishing, Robinson Scarlet, and most recently Random House Loveswept contracted for a single title trilogy project, Hell’s Outlaws. Leonard was chosen to be among the first authors published for Robinson’s Scarlet line, writing four single title novels for that imprint. Not long after, she sold on proposal to Harlequin American, where she has since written several popular series, most notably the Cowboys By The Dozen, Morgan Men, and Callahan Cowboys series. Her newest single title project, HOTTER THAN TEXAS, was published in March 2013. Leonard is known for her fun sense of humor, endearing communities, snappy dialogue, and memorable characters.

Join Tina at www.tinaleonard.com

www.facebook.com/authortinaleonard
www.facebook.com/tinaleonardbooks
www.twitter.com/Tina_Leonard
www.pinterest.com/TinaLeonard1

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Cowboys-Quadruplets-Harlequin-American-Romance%5CBridesmaids/dp/0373755260/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1397386988&sr=1-8

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-rebel-cowboys-quadruplets-tina-leonard/1118053054

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20523679-the-rebel-cowboy-s-quadruplets?ac=1

Book Review and Giveaway: Tower of Obsidian by L.T. Getty

Welcome to my stop on the tour for Tower of Obsidian by L.T. Getty, an epic fantasy of 354 pages available now from Burst Books.

This post is part of a virtual review book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. L.T. Getty will be awarding a $25 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Click the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour. Remember, the more stops you visit, the more chances you earn to win.

BLURB

Journey back through time – to a kingdom where loyalties change hands and a duke plans to secure his kingdom through any means necessary, where oaths are broken and dismissed to forge new alliances, resulting in treachery.

Journey to save the one who was stolen from you – from the forests of the Emerald Isle to the icy waters of the Nordic New World. Journey by horse, ship, and wing.

Journey to the Tower – the Witch’s Tower that curses the people forced to serve it. Journey and kill the witch that plagues you and be free – face her dragons without becoming one yourself.

For the journey to the tower is only the beginning. Climb the tower and kill her; climb the tower and save her. The story has been told a thousand times, the only thing that is guaranteed to change is you.

EXCERPT

At first, he thought they were Vikings. Their attackers were large men with broad faces and full beards. He did not recognize their dark leather and metal dress or their pale, grayish skin painted white. It was late in the battle so their true color was easily seen underneath the smeared segments which weren’t spattered with blood. Braided into their hair and beards were the teeth and bones of both men and beasts.

Despite the chaos, he could see their ship, and then he heard a reptilian chortle from above. Not a sea serpent, but a great silver dragon, smaller than the ship he was on.

It rained down fire toward the sails. Several warriors from both sides were caught in the flames; some of who leapt into the waves. Kale took cover but was instantly dry; his back burned, for the corsair’s ship was already on fire, forcing him toward the ship’s stern. He had talked with Vikings before, their merchant allies, and even some captured enemies. He had tried not to listen to their pagan stories but became interested when they spoke of their ghosts.

One large, pale warrior was struck by a corsair’s blade, and he bled as dark as any man. Ghost or mortal, Kale had no idea, but the word draugr burned into his mind as he fought. He tried to remember the stories, but with what seemed like death battling him, his mind was of survival, not folklore.

The dragon then dove beneath the waves. He barely had time to parry the attack from a one–armed draugr. Parrying, Kale caught his scent. The warrior was no ghost. He’d received a cut to his head. He knocked Kale backwards, only for a corsair to shoot him from behind.

“Show them no mercy,” shouted the corsair. “I thought you were a great swordsman. Fight!”

MY REVIEW

Let me begin by giving the same advice that I gave people about The Girl with Dragon Tattoo: It starts slowly. Be patient. It's worth it. Trust me.

The novel opens with a truly magnificent prologue. One of the best that I've read in ages.

Kicking off in Killiath, Ireland (in 994), the story of the Tower of Obsidian starts off a little slow. It takes a while for the author to set up the theme and characters. That's not unusual for an epic fantasy. [There are many secondary characters and sub-plots in this story]

That said, once the quest gets going - it really gets going. Or should I say quests? There are actually two quests happening within the book. One quest is the adventure of a great hero (Kale) who is compelled to choose duty over love, only to be betrayed during his mission. The other is an adventure about a rebuffed maiden (Aoife) and a best friend (Aaron) trying to save someone who was stolen from them (the aforementioned Kale). 

Yup. The maiden attempts to rescue her lost love. She is not the rescuee.

Have you heard the phrase, "Go big or go home?" Getty goes big. I am talking love, dragons, magic, witches, misfortune and an ancient tower. Did I mention dragons? The twists and turns that bring the two adventures together are fast-moving and engaging.

What starts off slowly, turns into an epic tale that weaves a story of historical fiction, romance and mythology into legend. I especially liked the author's description of sailing across the the uncharted waters towards the Nordic colonies.

All in all, the novel is a promising debut. I would like to read more about Fianait's story (Aoife’s sister). Perhaps we'll get to see more of Fianait in another book.  

If I had to describe the book using books that I've read, I'd say Tower of Obsidian is Life Descending meets Lord of the Rings.  


Recommended for:

• Fans of Epic Fantasy
• Fans of Historical Fantasy

NOTE: I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. See the tour schedule for additional stops.

AUTHOR INFO

L.T. Getty started writing in Junior High, having devoured far too many novels by Edgar Rice Burroughs as a wee one, then just about any other science-fiction and fantasy novels she could find. Her debut novel, Tower of Obsidian, is inspired by Norse and Celtic mythology.

Blog: http://ltgetty.wordpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leia.getty

Buy Links:

Burst: http://burstbooks.ca/product.php?id_product=90 (This is the Ebook; print is also available)

Amazon: http://www.amazon.ca/Tower-Obsidian-L-T-Getty-ebook/dp/B00BAH9XSW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394632445&sr=8-1&keywords=tower+of+obsidian

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tower-of-obsidian-l-t-getty/1114919470?ean=9781927454770

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/300308

GIVEAWAY

Don't forget! L.T. Getty will be awarding a $25 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Leave a comment below and you'll be entered to win. You could:

• Ask L.T. Getty a question about Tower of Obsidian or writing.
• Tell us what are the most important elements in good epic fantasy storytelling, in your opinion? 
• Share your favorite epic fantasy story.

A Mother’s Secret | Kindle Fire giveaway from Amy Clipston

Don't miss the newest offering in the Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel series from Amy Clipston, A Mother's Secret. An unwed Amish woman yearns for real love and a family. The only thing in her way is the shame she’s been carrying for half of her life. The novel received 4-1/2 stars from Romantic Times and was chosen as a Top Pick.

Amy is celebrating with a Kindle Fire giveaway.

  
One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Books 1 and 2 in the Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel series, A Hopeful Heart and A Mother's Secret.

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on July 6th. Winner will be announced July 7th on Amy's blog.

 

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Amy's blog on July 7th to see if you won.

SEAGRASS PIER | Pre-order @ColleenCoble’s NEW book for just $4.99. Enter for a chance to win a Kindle Fire!

Don’t miss Colleen Coble‘s latest release in the Hope Beach series, Seagrass Pier. The book releases July 1st, and Colleen's publisher is offering the ebook at a special pre-order price of just $4.99 between now and 6/30 everywhere ebooks are sold.

PLUS . . . between 6/9 – 6/30 Colleen will be hosting a Kindle giveaway.

One winner will receive:

• A brand new Kindle Fire HDX
• Seagrass Pier and the rest of the Hope Beach series by Colleen Coble

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 30th. Winner will be announced on Colleen's blog on July 1st.

Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning and be sure to stop by Colleen's blog on July 1st to see if you won!

The Summer Sacrifice Teaser Tour + Paperback Giveaway

Upper middle grade fantasy THE SUMMER SACRIFICE will be available to buy from major online retailers as of June 21st 2014. Available in ebook and paperback form. (Audiobook to follow.)

Click here to read Chapter One of The Summer Sacrifice.Click here to listen to the first chapter of The Summer Sacrifice's audiobook. Click here to watch Holly visiting Dancing Ledge: the birthplace of The Summer Sacrifice.
 

Praise for The Summer Sacrifice
 

"The present world is often terrifying to a sensible adult. Hinton reflects its effect on youngsters in a powerfully imagined world that hums with poetry. In its pages, in the words of Yeats, a terrible beauty is born. Herein lies empathy, barreling adventure and an iconic heroine, Jamie Tuff."
 

Charles Bane Jr., award winning author of The Chapbook, and Love Poems; creator of The Meaning Of Poetry series for The Gutenberg Project, and nominee as Poet Laureate of Florida. 

Meet Jamie Tuff and her friends:

​ 
Jamie Tuff"I just happen to drop into other people’s bodies now and then, but don’t worry, I can't control it!"

​ 
Seveny Brown “Symbol my arse. That is a dead and stinking bird, attached to a dead and stinking snake!”

 

George Button “If I go to Askerwell I’ll be dragged down to hell! Can I take anyone with me?”

  ​ 

Max Lively“Did you see me smash it? Blake didn’t know what was coming when I wrestled him to the ground!” 

​

Ella Rose Last “Transparent means being honest, rule-abiding, nice and good. I’m all those things, aren’t I?”

Join Jamie Tuff and friends on their adventures through land, sea and sky, in a world where stars walk and Halfhawks fly.

Portraits and group painted by David Revoy.

 

Welcome to the Island

​

​Map designed by Joel Sams.

​

 No Place  
Only the Island survived the Great Storm. It's quite small and just a quarter of it is inhabited.
That quarter is called No Place.    

The Establishment  
The Establishment rule No Place. Here is what they have to say:
 “We in the Establishment save lives through the boundaries we create. Our boundaries are your protectors. And trespassers will be punished.”    

Pity Me
Pity Me is No Place's largest settlement and its capital.    

The Perfects  
The Pity Me Perfects are students selected by the Establishment to help them rule, both in school and out. Officially, they are selected for their objectivity and fairness. Really, they are selected from the ranks of the wealthy.
The Perfects do not live up to their name.  

The Tombland Gang  
The Tombland Gang are Pity Me School's resident thugs. As the Gang’s ranks have swollen, the number of orphans plummeting to their deaths has also grown.
The Gang do live up to their name.  

Funnella Fitzgerald 
  “I am the Headmistress of Pity Me School and the Head of the Establishment. But you probably all know that. At least, you ought to. . . ”  

Phosphor-Jones, Head of History 
 “Dreaming is of little use, and not to be cultivated.”    

Miss Humfreeze, Head of English  
The English teacher's eyes look like they could tell a thousand tales, and her wide mouth often tells them. The manshu and juvenites love her for this, lapping up her words like they are delicious drops of non- fermented Honeydew.  

No Place's Chief Doctor  
“What a wonderful specimen you are! You’ll look perfect sweating out your life in my Laboratory!”    

Illustrated Chapter Headings.

I drew some pictures to accompany the chapter titles. Below is a sample. Hope you enjoy!  

Chapter 1. Dancing Ledge
 

Chapter 2. Pity Me School (for No Place Boys and Girls)

Chapter 13. Miss Mackadoo and the Brainticklers

​Chapter 30. Little Sea

​

Chapter 31. Fireforge  

AUDIOBOOK DRAMA

The actor in me wants to read everything out loud.

Reading The Summer Sacrifice aloud resulted in multiple revisions being made to the book. Voicing the text let me get close to my characters, see the world from outside of my own head, and it helped me gauge flow, pace and tone. Recording an audiobook seemed a natural conclusion to the publishing process. I looked forward to bringing The Summer Sacrifice to life in this way, and was excited about the potential the book would have to reach a broader audience.

When I was researching how to make and produce an audiobook, I found a podcast on The Creative Penn website, a great site for writers created by author Joanna Penn. During this podcast, acclaimed audiobook producer and author J. Daniel Sawyer talks prospective producers through the process of recording an audiobook, from preproduction to distribution.

Sawyer's advice is fantastic. Though he stresses it's a time-intensive and potentially expensive enterprise, he gives clear examples of how to go about creating your audiobook so that neither its quality nor your sanity is compromised.

On his list of things you need, I already had my voice, a good microphone, a basic knowledge of Audacity (an open source sound editing program), a wonderfully geeky boyfriend with a not-so-basic knowledge of Audacity, and a quiet room. I was so excited to commit the story to tape, but on the first day of recording, my preamp broke.

Luckily, my boyfriend gave me a Zoom sound recorder for my birthday.

The actual recording was a bit of a learning curve, and it took twice the time I had anticipated. I was much more adept at the process towards the end of recording the book. With the knowledge I had gained, I then rerecorded The Summer Sacrifice from the beginning.

The audiobook has some sound effects and original music. A few of the sounds are sampled from Sound Jay. Most of the sounds are recorded by me. For example my cat Max has a starring role. He can deliver up indignance, joy and "please feed me!" on a sixpence.

As soon as I know when the entire audiobook will be available to buy, I shall shout loudly about it here. Until then, I hope you enjoy Chapter One!

About the Author:

Holly grew up in a small, sleepy village in Suffolk. The acting bug hit her at age nine, when she was asked to play Baboushka in the school nativity. That same year she played the lead role of a naughty black poodle in a pet parlour themed ballet, and she thought she had made it. Years passed, but the acting bug didn’t. She went to Goldsmiths, University of London to study Drama, after which she completed her actor training at Arts Ed.

Writing a book was never part of the plan. But life’s full of swerves and surprises and ideas dropping into people’s heads. Holly had an idea drop into hers, and that idea became The Summer Sacrifice, and The Summer Sacrifice became the first book of the Master Game Series.

For more information please visit: http://www.hollyhinton.com/

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GIVEAWAY!!!

Holly Hinton is giving away one signed copy of The Summer Sacrifice (Paperback), and a bookmark illustrated by David Revoy. Open Worldwide!

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