Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday


A couple of books that I can NOT wait for ... hurry... hurry...


This title will be released on February 4, 2014.

Sun, surf, and tropical breezes-too bad this mermaid's perfect vacation is about to turn into a menacing mystery!

Jade can't think of a better way to celebrate peace in the underwater mer-world than with a tropical vacation in the Bahamas with her family and BFF.

With nothing to worry about, Jade enjoys the tropical sunshine, all-you-can-eat buffets, and island day trips. But when a body splashes into the water as a cruise ship enters the harbor, Jade and Cori realize that there might be trouble in paradise.

And the mysterious boy selling conch shells on the beach definitely knows more than he's letting on. Time is running out to solve this tropical mer-mystery!


Expected publication: May 2014

ΕRCHOMAI, SEBASTIAN HAD SAID.

I am coming.

Darkness returns to the Shadowhunter world. As their society falls apart around them, Clary, Jace, Simon and their friends must band together to fight the greatest evil the Nephilim have ever faced: Clary’s own brother.

Nothing in the world can defeat him — must they journey to another world to find the chance? Lives will be lost, love sacrificed, and the whole world changed in the sixth and last installment of the Mortal Instruments series!

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

The School of Ministry by Braxton A Cosby - Virtual Tour, Tour Wide Giveaway


Today we're visiting with author Braxton A. Cosby on his tour with Bewitching Book Tours for The School of Ministry.  He'll be giving away a $20 Amazon gift card via the raffle copter at the end of this post.

Why YA (or Middle Grade) fiction? What draws you to it?

I love YA for the simple fact that I have never lost the joy of being young and the power of youth. I love to dream of places never seen before, characters that are interesting, and action that screams frenetic. And that’s just from a television or movie perspective. I grew up watching cartoons like He-Man, Johnny Quest, GI Joe and transformers. As much as those shows carried a cool factor with them, I really fell in love with the characters and the relationships they built amongst one another. That gave them life and that life, made me connect with them. With YA, more than other genres of writing, connection between the reader and the characters (especially the main ones) is critical and that has to be built early on or you will lose the reader. The richness of the storytelling compels you to dive into the worlds. There’s a sweet elegance to Young Adult storytelling that you have to be aware of wherein the reader is constantly wanting to see something new and fresh. Whenever I write, I’m conscious of this and if my stories ever begin to sound cliché, I immediately switch gears.

What’s your favorite sweet treat?

I love chocolate, mainly dark chocolate for health reasons, but I find it almost impossible to pass up on a good brownie, covered in ice cream and hot fudge.

What would you write in a letter to your teen self?

Self, get it together. Stop wondering or worrying what other people think about you and focus on you being the best you that you can be. Imagine, dream, visualize and establish your dreams. You are unique, and that makes you powerful because what you have to offer the world cannot be duplicated in any form or fashion.

What superpower would you love to have? Why?

If I could turn invisible I would not be a very good boy I’m afraid. Not that I’d steal or break the law. But because I’d probably disappear from my family so that I could get some me time. Then there’d be the occasional sneaking into the movies to screen it before I lay down my hard earned money. After the first thirty minutes, I’d know for sure if it’s a worthy investment. I have to do something a little devious with my powers, why not?

What book is on your nightstand currently?

My Lenovo touchscreen tablet/laptop. I usually fall asleep listening to some YA audiobook or jotting down and idea for a story that comes to me in my sleep.

Hunger Games or Twilight? Why?

That’s easy, Hunger Games. Not that I discount Twilight by any means, I love what Stephanie Myer did with it from a creative standpoint. The characters, the storyline, the vision, all very cool. But there’s something about Suzanne Collins’ writing that is ridiculously amazing. She teleports you into her world within seconds of reading. Her words become a part of you and you are Katnis. She can take a seemingly simple scene and stretch it out to 3-5 pages of glorious substance that makes you sad that it comes to an end .Her dialogues are brilliant and you understand each character inside and out. TO do such a thing from a first person perspective from a writer’s standpoint is incredible.

Favorite TV show from your childhood?

The Cosby show….I know, shameless Uncle plug, but really. Who didn’t love The Cosby Show. In a day and age where reality television sells more on sex and filth, it was nice to recall how Bill had a knack for making you fall in love with simple family issues that we all live with on a day to day basis. Comedy is the best medicine for most woes. Yet, nowadays, we turn other things to medicate. Simple television, like reading, leaves an opportunity for you to use your own mind.

Sum up your book for Twitter: 140 characters or less.

A desperate struggle for identity, built on perseverance, love and faith. Action packed, character driven storytelling.

You’re stranded on a desert island—which character from your book do you want with you? Why?

I’m bringing Francis with me. He slowly became one of my favorite characters, although admittedly, Ziv is probably my alto ego. Francis is cool, slick, and tough as nails while dripping with endless ‘swag’. Plus, I have a feeling that he’d easily figure out how to live on a deserted island and still manage a decent hair style. LOL.

Create an ice cream flavor. What’s it called?

Tootsie roll, Irish cream. I want to love Tootsie rolls, but it’s something about the after taste that kills it for me. If I were to add one of my favorite flavors, like cream soda and Irish cream, I think that would kill the after taste and completely make it amazing. I’d also have to add some pecans to it, being from Georgia!

You’ve just won a million dollars and you’re not allowed to save any of it. What do you spend it on?

Marketing my books, retirement and babysitting. You can never have enough of either when you are trying to create an empire of good stories.

Who was your teenaged crush? Why?

And still is, Jessica Alba. I love her on Dark Angel. *sigh*




The School of Ministry
The Windgate
Book 1
Braxton A Cosby

Genre: YA Paranormal
Publisher: Keith Publications
Number of pages: 367

Book Description:

TO CHOOSE, IS FATE!

A young man named Ziv struggles to find his place in life after both of his parents are murdered. Orphaned and alone by the age of six, he bounces in and out of foster homes hopeless and afraid, wondering if he will ever find a path to happiness. He resolves to accept a life of depravity, until one day he discovers he possesses the gift of sight: to see creatures from the afterlife, but not angels...demons!

Ziv is recruited by The School of Ministry, a secret society that promises to help him find his best friend Stephanie, who has gone missing. But there is one catch: he must agree to join them in their quest to eradicate evil and protect the weak. Ziv learns that he is a "Conduit," which allows him to cross over into the spirit world and transcend time itself.

When he is partnered with two other young men who have similar gifts, the unlikely trio is trained in the mastery of weapons and the art of Shouting, during treacherous challenges of the tortuous Quad in preparation for their mission: to secure the Windgate. Ziv becomes entrenched in a quest of identity, love, and will, until he comes face to face with pure evil itself--Akabod, the spiritual prodigal son to the School of Ministry and a master of talents.

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/jIuB6zXCnY4

Now, enjoy an excerpt:

It's Miss Evans!

I approach the tank and investigate it, looking for signs of movement from Miss Evans. She floats lifelessly in the water. Her hair flows, carried by the waves and her face appears angelic. I notice the softness of her eyelids and the elegant curve of her mouth as she floats. But the beautiful view is interrupted by a dramatic jolt of her body as her eyes open and a cluster of bubbles escape her mouth and nose. She stares at me and thrashes, eyes bloodshot as she slaps at the glass. I gaze back at her powerless, examining the tank for locks or levers; some way to release her from the watery prison.

I'm helpless as she continues to struggle for air. Then, an image flickers from the corner of my eye as a side door opens and Maxwell walks out, holding a staff of his own.

"Maxwell," I plead. "It's Miss Evans. Please help her!"

He shakes his head and lifts his staff in his hands, twirling it in a circle as he begins to slowly walk sideways, circling me like a predator, encasing me in a hedge of danger.

"Hold your ground. Make a choice: fight or flight," Maxwell bellows.

Miss Evans' banging on the glass behind me blends with the pounding of my heart. I lift my staff and spread my feet, turning my attention to Maxwell. As much as I'm afraid for my own safety, I find it impossible not to focus on Miss Evans. Her muffled scream comes from the tank and I look away from Maxwell to check on her. Her hands clutch her neck. Her face is bright red with a tinge of blue around her lips.

"No," I scream, stepping back away from the tank.

Raising my staff above my head, I crank back and rip it down, slamming it into the side of the tank, as I yell. The water explodes from the crack in the tank and glass shards crash to the floor below. I swing once more and this time the entire tank shatters, launching Miss Evans into the air toward me. I catch her in my arms and the force of the water propels us backward onto the floor. She coughs, gasping for air. I hold her in my arms and caress her head. Her sobbing brittles me and I'm relieved to see her skin color returning to its natural tanned shade.

We're here, an odd place, an unfamiliar place. But as I hold her delicately in my arms, it makes me feel like I'm heading back home. Not the place where I live now, but the place where I used to live, when mom and dad were still alive. The way she rests in my arms beckons me to a time when I used to hold my kitten, Priceless. She'd climb into my lap during the thunder storms. I was her comforter. Priceless would purr when I did it. And now, so many years later, I find myself feeling the same way as I hold Miss Evans. Her soft body pressing into my skin—warming me—calls me to hug her even closer with each passing second. The times when I needed someone to hold me reflect in my mind like a mirror as I stare at her. Her chest rises as her heart beat quickens, mixing evenly with her breaths. As warmth returns to her body, a subtle tremor comes over her; like a purr.

I can't resist. I have to do it. I must do it. I hug deeply, ignoring the senseless urge to pull away.

"Bravo!" praises Maxwell, exiting the room as the lights come back on.

Miss Evans resting in my arms and I comfort her, caressing her hair. She finally looks up at me and mouths, "Thank you."



About the Author:

A graduate of the University of Miami, Cosby earned his bachelors, masters and doctorate in physical therapy. He also is certified by the American Physical Therapists and is a Certified Sports Nutritionist.

And now he’s getting you in shape. “I feel that God has given me a calling to help people,” said Cosby. It was through his own injury that taught Cosby about “getting people back to their prior level of function.” He said he want to motivate “people to stay on the course” so they can meet their own individual goals.

Cosby is a personal trainer, nutritionist and physical therapist and is using his talents and knowledge to help bring attention to the health issues and disparities such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.

He was the featured keynote speaker at the 2012 Atlanta CARES STEMFest for Children and Young Adults event. He also was a presenter for Mercer College School of Medicine and the Louisiana Medical Society’s Focus on Exercise and Fitness. He has partnered with Emory University as a clinical instructor and worked with a major rehabilitation company in geriatrics.

The host of a weekly radio show – Ask the Fat Doctors, Cosby also is an award-winning author and has been seen on CBS, Fox and Atlanta Live. He’s teamed up with retired offensive lineman and NFL analyst Jamie Dukes to create a workout video for men called Chachersize (C_4).

Ask the Fat Doctors is where Cosby, Dukes and radio personality Tee Foxx where they cover a variety of topics from current events to obesity to disease prevention. Cosby also shares tips on how to lose pounds.

Cosby’s goal is to share information on how to create healthy habits and how they can counteract serious health ailments. His articles can be found in “OMTimes Magazine” and “Skinny Limits”. Cosby also posted regular workout tips on his YouTube page.

As the nephew of actor and comedian Bill Cosby, Dr. Braxton A. Cosby has charted his own path, but embodies his uncle’s creativity and vision for a healthier America. “Of course” he was an influence, the younger Cosby said. “He taught me how to develop a passion for what you do.”

And Dr. Braxton A. Cosby has a passion for fitness.

Find me online at:

@Cosbykid_fatdoc

www.facebook.com/DrBraxtonCosby

www.cosbyscorner.com

www.braxtoncosby.com

www.theschoolofminsitry.com
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Friday, October 25, 2013

The Strings of the Violin by Alisse Lee Goldenberg - Tour Wide Giveaway



Alisse Lee Goldenberg is being hosted by Bewitching Book Tours today. She's giving away 4 beaded bookmarks made by Custom Creations by Clarabelle Bewitching Book Swag (open to international shipping).


Pretend your protagonist is at school and opens his/her locker – what will we see inside?

If you were to open Carrie’s locker at school, you would find her school books, a purple lunchbox with a homemade lunch, several pictures of her and her friends Lindsay and Rebecca stuck to the inside of the door with stickers. She would have several fantasy novels piled haphazardly amongst her binders and several sweaters that she keeps meaning to take home, but forgets each day.

What books were your favorite as a youth and why?

My favourite books were The Faerie Chronicles by O.R. Melling, It by Stephen King, Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo. I had (and still do) a very eclectic taste in what I read. I was always bouncing around from fantasy to horror to sci fi and back again, with some of the literary classics thrown in for good measure.

What’s your favorite sweet treat?

I have an obsession with kettle corn. I can eat it by the pound! There’s just something about the salty/ sweet flavor that I can’t get enough of.

Sum up your book for Twitter: 140 characters or less.

Three average girls are ask to save a magical world from the dybbuk king.

What four literary characters would you most like to have over for dinner?

I would love to have the gentleman burglar Arsene Lupin from Maurice Leblanc’s books (they’re hard to find, but if you can I suggest you read them.), Mary Russell from Laurie R King’s Sherlock Holmes series, Finvarra the king of Faerie from The Hunter’s Moon, and Tyrion Lannister from A Song of Ice and Fire over for dinner. The conversation would be anything but dull at that party!

You’re stranded on a desert island—which character from your book do you want with you? Why?

I’m torn. I would want Emilia on the island with me due to the fact that she is knowledgeable about survival and edible plant life, yet for entertainment, I think I would like Lindsay for conversation and her musical knowledge. I think I would have to go with Lindsay and trust we don’t eat anything too poisonous. At least we wouldn’t get bored. Maybe I’ll make the stipulation that she’d have her suitcase with her. At least we’d have some supplies…

Playlist for your current book.

I had the album Sea of No Cares by Great Big Sea on repeat as well as the original cast recording of Into the Woods starring Bernadette Peters as the witch. I also listened to a lot of Barenaked Ladies particularly the album Gordon.


The Strings of the Violin
Hadariah Chronicles
Book One by Alisse Lee Goldenberg
Genre: YA Fantasy

Publisher: Prizm Books
Date of Publication: June 26, 2013
Number of pages: 212
Word Count: 55,000

Seventeen-year-old Carrie is lying in her backyard ignoring all the looming responsibilities in her life, when a fox makes a mad dash across the grass in front of her. After she manages to keep her dog from attacking the frightened animal, the fox turns to Carrie and seems to bow in gratitude before he disappears into the bushes. All Carrie knows in that moment is that something has unexpectedly changed in her life.

Carrie has been best friends with Lindsay Smith and Rebecca Campbell for years. During a summer when they should focus on choosing colleges, the girls suddenly find themselves swept away on the adventure of their lives.

The fox reappears three days later and reveals to Carrie that he is Adom, emissary to the king of Hadariah. With his land of music and magic in peril, Adom has been sent to seek help from Carrie and her friends. In the blink of an eye, the three teenage girls go from living an average suburban life to being the champions of a world where they must contend with giants, witches, and magical beings. Will they ever make it home once more?



Now, enjoy an excerpt:

Carrie Eisen lay in the grass, knees bent, a sweatshirt pillowed under her head. The sun felt warm on her body as she drifted off to sleep. She had gone outside intending to read the new fantasy novel she had bought. She had read a few chapters and put it aside, just soaking up the sun. In the backyard, her cocker spaniel, Finnigan, was hunting flies. So far, he had caught none. But he refused to give up, leaping about in the grass and futilely pouncing on the buzzing insects.

There was one month left in summer vacation, and come September, Carrie would start the twelfth grade. This was something she did not want to think about until it was absolutely necessary. To her, her final year of high school meant she would ultimately have to make decisions about her future, decide a path, and begin to grow up -- something she dreaded with all her heart and soul. She wished she could just run away and have an adventure like the characters in the books she loved.

Already her parents were on her case, encouraging her to research universities and pick out programs she liked. She was finding the entire thing overwhelming. At the age of seventeen, how was she supposed to decide these things? It was hard enough some days to figure out what she wanted to eat for breakfast. But they were pressuring her to start now. She would have to do her applications this year. Her mind swam with choices and questions. What if she was rejected from the programs she wanted? What if a school looked good on paper but was horrible when she actually got there? She knew she could always change her mind, but it might mean a wasted year. And what were her friends doing? She knew they were as confused as she was, and Carrie was thankful she was not alone. She dreaded going to a large university and knowing no one. She had this vision in her head of being a lost first-year student dwarfed by a cold and massive campus. She did not want this but feared it was inevitable.

Carrie was a tiny girl in all respects, except her eyes. She had huge green-blue eyes that seemed to take up a full third of her heart-shaped face. They peered out from behind a sandy fringe of bangs, always drinking in every aspect of her surroundings. She wore her hair in a shaggy pixie cut that she never let get any longer than chin length, but it was constantly out of control.

She had been lying in her backyard for over an hour. The idea of just being lazy and ignoring all responsibility had appealed to her, and she had indulged this whim with a vengeance. Barefoot, in a pair of raggedy cutoff jean shorts and an old T-shirt, Carrie had run outside and flung herself out onto the grass, prepared not to move until she absolutely had to. Finnigan had followed, leaping at her ankles, begging to play, but Carrie had turned away, resolving not to use a single ounce of energy on anything other than soaking up the sun on that hot summer’s day.

Now, after some time had passed, Carrie lay contented, her mind deliciously blank. She heard, as if through a fog, the barking of her dog and the buzzing of the flies. She could hear the happy panting as Finnigan occasionally walked up to her and left a present of an unfortunate insect. Silently, a new sensation crept over her body. Her blue eyes flew open, and she glanced around. Despite the sun’s warmth, Carrie felt goose bumps prickling up and down her skin. She felt a distinct feeling that someone, somewhere, was watching her. She sat up and quickly spotted Finnigan. She opened her mouth to call to her dog but could not find the voice to do it. The words caught in her throat. Finnigan was standing and staring at a small bush that grew in a corner of the yard. He was growling, a low rumble that Carrie could feel vibrating in the air around her. The guttural sound caused the hairs to stand up along the nape of her neck.

“Finn?” Carrie managed to get out. She could not believe how hoarse her voice sounded. Her pet’s behavior was giving her the creeps. “Finn, what is it?”

Upon hearing his name, Finnigan turned to Carrie and cocked his head to the side, as if asking if she saw what he did in the bush. When he got no answer, he turned back and continued to stare fixedly.

Carrie squinted at the leaves, wondering what it was that had so enthralled him and so spooked her. She peered intently and let out a small gasp when she spotted two coal-black eyes staring right back at her.

Carrie scrambled to her feet, never taking her eyes off the bush. A black, button nose appeared below the eyes. A long red snout. Two large ears, a face, a small body. Carrie made a grab for Finnigan as the fox sauntered out from within the branches.

“Oh no,” Carrie breathed. She knew not to make any sudden movements around a wild animal. Unfortunately, Finnigan did not seem aware of this bit of advice, and he lunged at the fox. He snarled, gnashing his teeth at this creature who dared to invade his yard.

Carrie let out a cry of alarm as her dog escaped her. “Finnigan!” she yelled and propelled herself forward as dog and fox made a mad dash across the lawn. Carrie ran, her bare feet skidding across the ground, arms reaching, desperate to get a hold of her pet. Finnigan leapt ahead, just out of reach.

The fox ran at the head of the chaseeither bolder than Carrie had first thought or spurred on by fear. Finnigan was merely a few steps behind him. Carrie made a leap for the spaniel and just missed him, falling face-first on the grass, staining her shirt and chin green. She quickly picked herself back up and tried to cut the animals off from a different angle, but again she was unsuccessful. Her mind filled with frightening ideas about what would happen if the fox turned on her dog. What if it was rabid? What if it bit Finnigan? A whole list of horrible scenarios filled her mind. She was panicking, not just for her dog but for the fox as well. She did not know what would happen if Finnigan got a hold of the animal. There was always a chance that he was not chasing it to play, but to hunt and hurt.

Carrie tried again to make a grab for Finnigan. This time she managed to get a hold of him, eliciting a yelp of surprise. He tried to bolt out of her arms, upset at the indignity of being kept from his prey. She held on for dear life as he squirmed and struggled to get back to the chase. She held tighter, and he finally gave up, panting against her chest.

Carrie stood and surveyed the yard, trying to see where the fox had gone. She finally spotted him sitting calmly by the same bush from which he had first emerged. He peered back at her with intelligent, thoughtful, almost curious black eyes, his red fur stark against the green of the bush. Carrie could not understand how he could have hidden so successfully inside it. The fox looked directly at her, bowed his head low in what seemed a gesture of gratitude, and disappeared the same way he had come.

Carrie sat down on the grass and stared long and hard at the bush. Had that fox somehow thanked her? What had just happened? All she knew was that something had changed. The air around her was uncommonly still. She stood up on legs that seemed to be made of jelly, hugged Finnigan to her, and was rewarded with a lick. Then she turned and entered the house, her day of laziness forgotten.


About the Author:

Alisse Lee Goldenberg is an author of Horror and Young Adult fantasy fiction. She has her Bachelors of Education and a Fine Arts degree, and has studied fantasy and folk lore since she was a child. Alisse lives in Toronto with her husband Brian, their triplets Joseph, Phillip, and Hailey, and their rambunctious Goldendoodle Sebastian.

Find me online at:

www.alisseleegoldenberg.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alisse-Lee-Goldenberg/254397934598975

@AliLGoldenberg


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Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Hidden by M. Lathan

Hidden by M. Lathan
Young Adult Fantasy
352 pages
3.5 stars


Sixteen-year-old Leah Grant has given up on being normal. She’d settle for stopping the voices in her head, intrusive visions of the future, and better odds of making it to her seventeenth birthday.

That’s the thing about pretending to be human in a world where magic used to exist – at any moment, her cover could be blown and she’ll be burned to death like the rest of the witches.

Everything changes when she loses control of her powers and flees the orphanage she grew up in. She desperately wants to be invisible but finds her face plastered on every news channel as humans panic over the possible resurgence of her kind. And now the hunters won’t give up until they find her.

Making friends for the first time in her life and falling in love with one of them drives her to discover why she is unlike any being she’s ever met – human or otherwise. The dangerous powers inside of her that would repel Nathan, her new, handsome reason for living, are priceless to some. The locked up forever kind of priceless. And to others, they are too dangerous to allow her to live.

Let’s hope she can stay hidden.

My Review:

I  liked the book. It had an amazing plotline and the content was wonderful. I really liked Christine's change of heart, from being a lowly, bullied "witch" to standing up straight to be all that she could be.

However, I discovered a significant number of grammatical problems in the text, mostly wrong words, such as personal pronouns being switched and typos that should have been caught. If the author put this through another round of professional edits, it would be a wonderful novel.

The plot itself was quite enjoyable, though I wish it had been less focused on the romance and more on the action and mysteries in the plot. I cannot wait to read the next in the series.

I would recommend it to lovers of fantasy, romance, and witchcraft.

Monday, October 21, 2013

Hollow's End by Marianne Morea - Virtual Book Tour



Today we're visiting with author Marianne Morea on her tour with Bewitching Book Tours for the paranormal YA, "Hollow's End".  Thanks to the author for taking the time to answer our questions!

Why YA fiction? What draws you to it?

Hollow’s End was my debut novel into teen fiction. I’ve always loved the genre, and have read and reread Harry Potter, Twilight, Possession and The Evil Within at least three times each. I have Beautiful Creatures on my night stand permanently, just for fun. There were two reasons I decided to try writing for teens: 1) because both my daughters asked me to write something they could read, and 2) because the genre is fun. Yeah, yeah…people (adults mostly) complain that teens are angsty and whining…and they usually cite Bella Swan from Twilight as the poster child for those qualities. BUT, in my eyes, with teens what you see is what you get. They wear their emotions on their sleeves and they FEEL everything. It’s all new to them…love and hate, jealousy and attraction, dealing with friends and the choices that they face…it’s all there to be learned. It’s exciting, and as an adult reading and writing in the genre, it allows me to look back and remember.

What did you want to be when you grew up? Why?

When I was younger I was in love with history. It was my favorite class, and I romanticized it in daydreams and doodles as I listened to my teachers talk about the American Revolution or Ancient Greece and Rome. If I could have built a time machine to go back and visit the places I learned about in class I would have done so in a heartbeat…so much so that I wanted to be an archeologist. I took that passion with me straight into college and actually studied archeology and anthropology. But art and English Lit ended up taking the reins, and I became a journalism major, instead. I still love history and how it still speaks to us. My love of all things past is what spurred me to write Hollow’s End…to find the historic core on which I could build my story.

What would you write in a letter to your teen self?

I would tell teenage Marianne to lighten up. To not be so focused on the end result that you forget to enjoy the journey. High School is hard, there’s no question about that, but it can also be wonderful if you take the time to count your blessings and focus more on the positive. The other thing I would tell teenage me is to talk more to my mother. This is going to sound stuffy and really, really old, but the truth is, once I became an adult I realized just how smart my mom was. I even joked with her once, saying, “Hey mom, how come the older I get the smarter you get?”

What candy do you give out at Halloween?

Everything! I LOVE candy and sweets, so I give out all my favorites… the ooey, goey chewy ones that are bad for your teeth…caramels and toffees and lots and lots of chocolate. It’s why my house never gets egged!

What superpower would you love to have? Why?

I love all things paranormal, in fact all my adult books to date are urban fantasy and paranormal romances, so I would either be a witch with powers that could allow me to be whatever I wanted or change whatever I wanted OR I would be a shape-shifter. I think it would be cool to be able to shift into any form I chose. But, if I have to pick only one, I would pick witch.

The dark water of the Hudson River isn’t the only blackness looming in the distance of the quaint river town of Sleepy Hollow. Two hundred years of secrets and lies are bleeding into the present, and high school seniors, Hunter Morrissey and Rowen Corbett, find themselves linked with unseen forces shrouded in mystery and violence.

Truths, buried and long forgotten, have risen at a time when the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest. Only Hunter and Rowen hold the key to locking the past in the past, and setting old wrongs to right. Can justice be served? Can the two find a way to straddle both worlds and solve the mystery when they don’t understand the clues?

Inspired by historical events that surround the village of Sleepy Hollow and the famous legend that shares its name, this Young Adult Horror takes you on a journey full of history and suspense with a splash of romance and the paranormal.



About the Author:

I'm a New Yorker, born and bred, and for the most part my stories and my characters embody the grit and complexity of the city. An avid traveler, I use my experiences from around the world in all my books. There isn't a place my characters live or travel to that I haven't been myself.

Like most authors, my love affair with the written word started as a child with the books I read. Even today, I love to read almost as much as I love to write. My favorite stories are the ones that transport me, that bring me to places and introduce me to characters that leave me breathless...the ones that spark the fire of my imagination, allowing me to dream in the world of 'what if?'

I've always been a scribbler, and from the time I could write my name I've been making up stories. So it was no surprise when I earned degrees in both Journalism and Fine Art, but after working in the trenches of Madison Avenue as a Graphic Artist, I decided to do what I love most full time. Write.

In the meantime I am also a founding member and former President of The Paranormal Romance Guild, a not-for-profit organization for readers and authors of the genre...and when I'm not 'bichok' (but in a chair hands on keyboard), I'm spending time with my husband and our three kids, traveling to exciting, romantic places ...for inspiration, of course!

Find me online at: http://www.mariannemorea.com/
https://www.facebook.com/mariannemoreaauthor
https://twitter.com/MarianneMorea
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4228374.Marianne_Morea

Friday, October 18, 2013

Review: Sylo by D.J. MacHale

Sylo by D.J. MacHale
Sci-Fi (Middle Grade/YA)
415 pages
Rated: 5 stars

THEY CAME FROM THE SKY parachuting out of military helicopters to invade Tucker Pierce’s idyllic hometown on Pemberwick Island, Maine.

They call themselves SYLO and they are a secret branch of the U.S. Navy. SYLO’s commander, Captain Granger, informs Pemberwick residents that the island has been hit by a lethal virus and must be quarantined. Now Pemberwick is cut off from the outside world.

Tucker believes there’s more to SYLO’s story. He was on the sidelines when the high school running back dropped dead with no warning. He saw the bizarre midnight explosion over the ocean, and the mysterious singing aircraft that travel like shadows through the night sky. He tasted the Ruby—and experienced the powers it gave him—for himself.

What all this means, SYLO isn’t saying. Only Tucker holds the clues that can solve this deadly mystery.

LOOK TO THE SKY because Pemberwick is only the first stop.
My Review:

This book was very good, and the ending left me with my mouth agape. It was one of the best books I've read so far, and I can't wait to read the next.

The plot, characters and the resolution was all very well situated and thought out, and I had no trouble reading and understanding the book at all. I could easily identify with the characters and their pain and suffering as they went through this traumatic section in their lives. I really liked how they were able to pick themselves up and work out their problems in order to save others or even their own lives. They weren't weak, stupid, sometimes argumentative, but everything usually worked itself out in the end.

 I honesty cannot say that it has any  issues or problems with the text or plot, and it is perfect for Sci-Fi lovers, and those who like books about warfare and battle.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

FALLING INTO FOREVER by Tammy Turner - Virtual Tour and Giveaway

 
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Leave a comment for a chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card--the other stops on the tour can be seen by clicking the tour banner. Remember, the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.


Why YA fiction? What draws you to it?

Unless you are a Kardashian or a Real Housewife being an adult can really just suck sometimes. Bills and bosses and babies – reality and responsibility – they take a toll on your patience and sanity. That is why I chose to write my first novel Falling into Forever in the YA fiction genre. I see enough adult issues in my own life and the world around me everyday that I do not want to recreate that in my fiction. I prefer a little escapism. In your tween and teen years you are not burdened down yet my having to be a realist and grow up and face the facts of life. At that age it is still okay to fantasize you will grow up to marry a prince or a rock star and live happily and wealthily ever after. With young characters an author can use naivety to conjure fantasy that is fun and juicy without being too provocative or over the top unbelievable.

Pretend your protagonist is at school and opens his/her locker – what will we see inside?

My protagonist is a shy, quiet seventeen year old high school student named Alexandra Peyton. She is a natural beauty who does not realize how pretty she is at all. She is strong and smart and boys and men alike are not sure what to make of her. So if we were to peek inside of her locker we would see this:
*Pop-Tart wrappers because they are yummy. Alexandra is not concerned about her diet. She can eat whatever she wants, and her nervous energy keeps the weight off of her.
*A full bottle of girlie pink nail polish her best friend Taylor Woodward gave her and Alexandra has never used but keeps in her locker for the day she stops biting her nails.
*A SAT preparation book
*A pack of cigarettes she stole from Taylor to keep her from smoking
*Taped to the back of the door would photo torn from a gossip magazine of Johnny Depp in full on Captain Jack Sparrow costume

What would you write in a letter to your teen self?

Everybody grows older, but you do not have to look old. Wear lots of sunscreen. Buy expensive moisturizer. Lots of it. Drink water and do not overdo the adult beverages or your face and your belly will get poofy. Everybody grows older, but you do not have to act old. Skip and dance in the grass because the sun is shining. Smile even when you do not feel like it. You never know who might be looking. Fall in love. Fall out of love. More than once. Do not be afraid of anything. Ever. Or you will always have regret.

What superpower would you love to have? Why?

I am thoroughly convinced from hours of watching TMZ that all Victoria’s Secret supermodels are born with a superpower. Eating double cheeseburgers and funnel cakes actually makes them taller, thinner, and blonder than mere mortal human beings. So I would definitely choose that superpower.

What book is on your nightstand currently?

I am nurturing an obsession with zombies right now so I just bought a copy of World War Z by Max Brooks. I have not seen the movie yet, but I am sure the book is better.

Immortality, thousands of years, and voodoo will make you fall in love . . .

High school senior Alexandra Peyton has a secret admirer with devilish good looks: shoulder-sweeping raven hair, brooding azure eyes, and a ten-foot wing span. But their thousand-year age difference may be a deal breaker for the shy seventeen-year-old. Kraven, the admirer (and immortal victim of an ancient curse), is certain that Alexandra is the reincarnation of his long-dead princess bride.

When Alexandra returns from a road trip to her grandmother’s beachfront estate on the South Carolina coast to the hectic, big-city life in Atlanta, Georgia, she possesses two souvenirs. The first is a once-lost package, sent to her by her now-missing father, which contains a mysterious pendant necklace. The second is a journal filled with the ravings of her dead uncle, an army officer who wrote of meeting the devil during his service in Europe during the final days of World War II.

However, a voodoo priestess who stalks the grounds of Peyton Manor is convinced that the journal will help her conjure the devil and wants the book returned at all costs. As school starts, a vicious wolf man, working for his voodoo mistress, plots an attack on Alexandra. When her life is threatened, the immortal stranger who has vowed to protect her reveals himself and changes her life irrevocably.

Now Enjoy an excerpt:

“Did your father ever tell you that once upon a very long time ago, a girl in our family was a princess?” Granny June asked as she picked up a lonesome yellow bucket and began to fill it with sand just like her granddaughter.

“My daddy never told me that. Please, please tell me about her!” squealed the girl.

"Her name was Princess Iselin,” Granny June said, rubbing the matted bangs from her granddaughter’s forehead. “She was beautiful and kind, just like you.”

Alexandra smiled. “What happened to her?”

“Her prince was put under a spell by an evil wizard,” Granny June continued. “On the day of their wedding, the wizard sent a dragon to attack the prince’s castle. But the prince sent his bride away to keep her safe.”

“Did he see her again?” Alexandra asked. “The princess always lives happily ever after.”

“Not always,” Granny June sighed. “The wizard turned the prince into a dragon.”

“How did he fit into his clothes?” asked Alexandra, wide-eyed.

“Good question,” said her grandmother, nodding her head in approval. “According to the legend, the wizard gave the prince eternal life as a man who could turn into a dragon and then back into a man whenever he wanted. Then the wizard gave the prince a choice. The prince could choose to be the wizard’s servant, and the princess would not be harmed, or the prince could choose to fight the wizard. Though if the prince did choose to fight, then the wizard swore that the prince would never see his bride again.”

“Which one did the brave prince choose?” asked Alexandra, patting the sand down on the sides of the castle.

“The brave prince chose to fight the evil wizard. But before their battle, the wizard found out where the princess was hiding, and he sent a dragon to attack her.” Alexandra picked up the blond doll from the sand and turned to her grandmother.

“What happened next, Granny? Please tell me.”

“The prince defeated the wizard and became king of his people for many years,” Granny June told her as she dumped her bucket of sand on top of the castle. “But he never saw his princess again.”

“That makes me sad. He didn’t have a queen,” said Alexandra, turning her head to the ocean behind her and gazing to the horizon. “What was his name?”

“Kraven,” said Granny June, drawing a letter K into the center of the sand castle with her finger.

“The dragon king,” she whispered.

“Kindergarten starts with a K,” Alexandra announced brightly as she read the letter her grandmother had drawn in the sand.

“That’s right,” Granny June said, hugging her.

“Mommy and Daddy said I have to go there in a couple of weeks,” Alexandra explained, hanging her head. “I’m five years old now.”

“Don’t you worry, Alex,” Granny June said, lifting the girl’s chin with her finger.

“Why do I have to go school, Granny?” Alexandra asked, an auburn curl falling in front of her wide, emerald green eyes. “Do princesses have to go school?”

"Is that what you’re going to be when you grow up?” Granny June brushed the curls from Alexandra’s freckled cheeks and tucked them behind her ear.

“Yep!” Alexandra shouted as she scooped a handful of sand into her red pail.


About the Author: Growing up in the coastal town of Charleston, South Carolina, instilled an infatuation with history, mystery, and legend in first-time author Tammy Turner. From the time she could shuffle along behind her father, they would hunt for sharks’ teeth, explore crumbling cemeteries, and dig for pirate gold along the low country beaches. Attending school in the heart of the city, the palpable lore of history fed her imagination and inspired her to craft her own stories. An honors graduate of Georgia State University, Tammy has a degree in journalism and works in the field of international trade. Now a resident of Atlanta, Georgia, Tammy plans adventures with her son and capturing the essence of make believe with her writing.

website: http://thetammyturnerbookshelf.com/

Buy Links:

BQB Publishing: http://shop.boutiqueofqualitybooks.com/Falling-into-Forever-978-1-937084-46-2.htm?categoryId=-1

Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Falling-Into-Forever-ebook/dp/B00864NZ7C

Amazon Print: http://www.amazon.com/Falling-into-Forever-Tammy-Turner/dp/1937084469

Barnes & Noble Print: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/falling-into-forever-tammy-turner/1110207402?ean=9781937084462

EMILY'S TRIAL by Natalie Wright - Book Review and Giveaway


This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Leave a comment and fill out the Rafflecopter at the end of this post for a chance to win one digital copy of "Emily's House" to a randomly drawn commenter at every stop, plus a Grand Prize of a $15 Amazon gift card + a digital copy of Emily's House--the other stops on the tour can be seen by clicking the tour banner. Remember, the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.


EMILY'S TRIAL by Natalie Wright
Paranormal Dystopian Fantasy YA
3.5 Stars


Two years ago, Emily Adams took a perilous journey, answered the hero’s call and became a modern Celtic Priestess. Armed with a magic dagger and powerful golden torc, she was entrusted with sacred magic and ancient wisdom.

But even a Priestess can know desire, feel temptation, and yearn for love. Will passion entice Emily to use the sacred magic entrusted to her in a forbidden way? Can new love take root in a world of nightmares? And will her friendships survive Emily’s Trial?



The Journey Continues . . .


My Review:

This is the second book of the series and, while I enjoyed the book, I highly recommend reading the first one. I would loved to have seen the background of Emily and her friends. In this book, you are thrust immediately into a situation where Emily and her friends are in school, people are aware of her abilities, and she's apparently been using her powers to entertain people. Not an auspicious start to getting to know Emily.

However, as the story went on--I grew to like her more and more. Yes, she's impulsive...yes, she's tempted by the fact the hottest guy in school is coming on to her...yes, she puts more effort into this relationship than into her friendships...but that just made her more real. I can see that happening...being a teenager is hard. And it sucks sometimes.

The action is non-stop...and I could really see this as a movie... very very visual. Good job on that, Ms. Wright. And, she leaves us with a humdinger of a cliff-hanger! I really want to read the next book in the series to see what's going to happen and how the story is going to be resolved. First, though, I want to read the first book. :-)

Now, enjoy an excerpt:

The Apocalypse didn't start with four horsemen, harbingers of the horror to come. It didn't start with a plague, or pestilence, or even zombies rising from the dead.

It came slowly, and without warning. It crept up on people in the shadows, no more than a vague darkness that spread like an unseen cancer.

And it wasn't set into action by a divine hand. A teenage girl was the catalyst for the End Times. I should know. I'm the one that started it.

I didn't plan to. I didn't want to start the End Times, and I'm not evil.

Madame Wong taught me to tell the truth, and so here it is. I'm the one responsible for the Apocalypse. And this is the story of how I unwittingly unlocked the door to the darkness; of how a Priestess of the Order of Brighid, entrusted with powerful magic that was supposed to be used for the benefit of all humankind, unleashed a force that would destroy it instead.

And it all began with desire.

About the Author:

Natalie is the author of The Akasha Chronicles, a young adult paranormal fantasy trilogy. When not writing, blogging, Facebooking, Tweeting, Wattpadding or eating chocolate, Natalie nurtures her young daughter, feeds her dog too many treats, and can’t resist watching Ancient Aliens, no matter how absurd the show becomes.

Natalie enjoys travel, good wine, and excellent food shared with family and friends. She was raised an Ohio farm girl, now lives in the desert Southwest, and dreams of living in a high rise in a big city.


Natalie enjoys chatting with readers, so stop by and say hi:

Blog: http://www.NatalieWrightsYA.blogspot.com

Twitter: @NatalieWright_

Facebook: NatalieWright.Author

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/468945.Natalie_Wright

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/WritesKidsBooks

Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/NatalieWright_

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/natwrites/

Emily's Trial Video: http://youtu.be/qMw7boPnIIE



Buy Links:

Barnes & Noble Ebook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/emilys-trial-natalie-wright/ 1112990363?ean=2940044978607

Barnes & Noble Print: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/emilys-trial-natalie-wright/ 1115658839?ean=9780615702766

Amazon Print: http://www.amazon.com/Emilys-Trial-Akasha-Chronicles-Volume/dp/ 0615702767/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1379030587&sr=8-1&keywords=emily%27s+trial

Amazon Ebook: http://www.amazon.com/Emilys-Trial-Akasha-Chronicles-ebook/dp/ B009LMAIGE/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1379030587

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/242466



Please use this Rafflecopter code for entries:

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Monday, October 14, 2013

SHIFTY MAGIC by Judy Teel - Virtual Tour and Giveaway


This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Leave a comment and fill out the Rafflecopter at the end of this post for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card--the other stops on the tour can be seen by clicking the tour banner. Remember, the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

If I wasn’t allergic to chocolate (I know, pity me), it would be chocolate. Otherwise coffee.

Which mythological creature are you most like?

I drew a blank on this one, so I asked the kids again. Answer: A unicorn, because they’re deadly and pretty. –Uh, huh. Trying to get back on the dedication list, I see.

What are four things you can’t live without?

Air, water, food and safe haven in that order. What I wouldn’t want to live without would be my husband and our three kids.




...some people will do anything for revenge.

A tough PI struggles to track down a vengeful serial killer only to discover that the murderer holds the key to her secret magical heritage.

Book One in the YA13 paranormal/mystery series Dangerous Magic by Judy Teel. "Expectaction, on-the-edge-of-your-seat suspense, and the perfect touch of romance."

 


Now, enjoy an excerpt:

Resting my right hand on my gun, I poked the yellow button of my office door’s remote with my left index finger. My muscles tightened for action as the thick metal barrier swung ponderously open with a long-suffering hiss of hydraulics.

Cooper’s curious gaze swept over me and around the room. Wizard’s attention swept over Cooper. When the two of them locked eyes, the Were tensed and the cat started purring. Wizard rose to her feet and arched her back in a luxurious stretch, her focused attention never leaving the Were.

He was dressed for work, which in the FBI world meant black slacks and shoes, crisp white dress shirt, black jacket and a tie. The tie was bright yellow with a picture of Bugs Bunny on it. He narrowed his luminous silver-green gaze on my cat, and then landed it back on me.

“You should check your video readout before opening the door,” he said with that kind of authoritative sternness that inspired people like me to do the opposite. I frowned at him.

“What do you want?”

“To hire you. But first I need your alibi.”

“It’s too early for alibis,” I said, taking a sip of coffee to cover my surprise. As far as I knew, I hadn’t done anything obviously illegal. At least, not lately.

He glided into my office in that graceful, menacing way Weres had, and I buzzed the door closed. Despite looking barely old enough to buy a beer, Cooper radiated energy and purpose like the sun did heat. As the door clicked shut, he filled the space making the bread-box size of my office feel more like a matchbox.

His expression sobered as he eased himself gingerly onto one of the spindly folding chairs. “Where were you last night between the hours of eleven and one?”

 I live in North Carolina with my boisterous family–husband, three kids, a dog and a geriatric bunny–and yup, I’m Southern so occasionally I let a “y’all” slip out. Maybe more than occasionally. I love my job and dedicate as much of my time to writing as I can. When I’m not doing the weaving of the adventurous and romantic tales, I’m running errands, driving people around (or crazy depending on your perspective), and generally pretending I’m a grownup. When I was fifteen, I knew I wanted to be a novelist–wanted to write for Harlequin actually. But the calling to tell stories came a lot earlier than that, I just didn’t know what it meant. I had a lot of growing up to do before I could manage it, though many would claim the growing up part didn’t take--you know who you are--but I finally have my dream job. Life rocks—so should the books you read!
Find Judy online at:

Webpage: http://judyteel.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JudyTeelBooks?ref=hl

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/judyteelbooks

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B008K8WHHI

Shifty Magic for Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shifty-magic-judy-teel/1115409891? ean=2940016703961

Shifty Magic for Kindle: http://amzn.com/B00CXQ7EOE


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Wednesday, October 9, 2013

FEARLESS by Chris O'Guinn - Virtual Tour and Giveaway



This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Leave a comment for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card--the other stops on the tour can be seen by clicking the tour banner. Remember, the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.


Why YA  fiction? What draws you to it?

The teenage years are tumultuous years, which makes them fertile soil for stories. This is the weird time of life where you are transitioning from being a child to being an adult, but where you aren’t actually either one. As a teen, you’re still trying to figure yourself out. The YA genre can have wonderful cross-generational appeal. For myself and other adult fans of YA, it can take you back to those complicated, painful and yet magical years where every day was crammed with trials and tribulations. Four years of high school can seem like an eternity. But four years to an adult is the blink of an eye. So it’s really fantastic to tell a story about a young person trying to navigate high school and all of the drama that involves.

Pretend your protagonist is at school and opens his locker – what will we see inside?

Justin would like you to know that the magazine with Justin Bieber on it isn’t his, he’s just holding onto it for a friend. There’s a picture of his best friend Liam in there, the one they had taken at the Valentine’s dance with them and their dates. It’s his favorite picture in the world. His textbooks are all piled in a haphazard mess. This usually results in a bruising avalanche that his boyfriend shows no sympathy for.

What books were your favorite as a youth and why?

My mother desperately wanted me to be a reader. I don’t know why. I don’t think she did that with my older brothers. Anyway, since I liked animals, she got me books about animals. What she didn’t know was these books usually had the animals die in some horrible way. That scared me right off reading until I was fourteen. Facing off with a massive plane ride, I got Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks from a swap meet. That led me to David Eddings, which then had me unwisely divert to Piers Anthony and then I found Guy Gavriel Kay. I was a total Fantasy junkie.

What would you write in a letter to your teen self?

Oh god, he would never listen to me. But I would tell him to go to college. It was never something my parents encouraged and I never thought I could, but if I had worked towards that goal, I could have done it. So that’s what I would tell him, “get your butt to college.”

What book is on your nightstand currently?

I’m currently working my way through the Section Thirteen series by J.L. O’Faolain. It’s a wonderful paranormal series. The author has a phenomenal grasp of faerie lore. And the main character is a lovable Sidhe bastard who is just alien enough to intriguing.

Hunger Games or Twilight? Why?

Truth be told, I’ve never read either. But from what I know of them, I would go with Hunger Games. The hero is a kick-ass young girl, and I believe very much in female empowerment. As with people of color and LGBT people, any time we can get someone other than a white dude to save the world, it’s a good thing.

What's your ideal summer vacation?

Perth Australia with my partner. Of course, I’d have to convince him to be on a plane for 17 hours, so it might not be perfect for him. But I just loved it when I visited the city a few years ago. Beautiful beaches and vineyards and such wonderful people.

What are your favorite pizza toppings?

Pepperoni, mushroom and bell peppers. Most anything really, other than pineapple. I have tried to kick-start legislation banning the use of those vile little slices of nastiness on pizza, but there seem to be Constitutional issues.

What's your playlist for your current book?

I’m not sure if you mean my dream soundtrack for the book or the songs I was listening to when I wrote it, so I’ll do a little of both. First, there’s a certain My Chemical Romance song which is basically the song for the end credits, but telling you what it is would be a spoiler. So, let’s go with….
My Own Worst Enemy, Lit
Demons, Imagine Dragons
Love is Blindness, cover by Jack White
F**kin Perfect, P!nk
You know I’m no good, Amy Winehouse
Stay, Rihanna.



At fifteen, Justin is already a cynic. He’s experienced too many betrayals, too many disappointments. He doesn’t want to be involved in anything. He doesn’t want to be popular. He doesn’t even want friends anymore, since they only ever let you down. He just wants to get through high school and the best way he can come up with to accomplish that goal is to simply be invisible. His self-imposed exile from high school life is threatened when Liam, the scary stoner, reaches out to him. What starts out as a strange and unsettling encounter with the unnerving, pot-smoking teenager evolves into the sort of friendship that changes the course of a person’s life. But as Liam drags the reluctant Justin out of his shell, Liam’s own secret is revealed. Fearless is the story of the myriad shades of love, how to find one’s courage and the transformative power of friendship.


Now, enjoy an excerpt:

“If I was just going to ask some dude out, like, just out of the blue—which I totally am not—it wouldn’t be Jimmy.”

“Ah ha!” he crowed. “So, who’s the lucky dude who has your eye?”

I wasn’t sure he could be trusted with my crush, but I supposed I had to stop thinking that way about everything. “This guy in my science class, Zach.”

“Zach Snyder?”

“Ew, gross.” Snyder was a mouth-breathing Neanderthal who was always picking his nose in class— when he wasn’t scratching his crotch. “I have better taste than that, come on!”

“Then which Zach is it? I can name like five—no, six—guys with that name.”

“Beal.”

Liam’s eyes lit up. “A senior! Wow, you really do go all out with a crush.”

My cheeks were burning. “He’s just this really fantastic guy—like, a really nice person, you know?”

“And the fact that he’s smoking hot doesn’t have anything to do with it?”

I fidgeted. “You think he’s hot too?”

“Dude, the guy is so good looking even straight guys want to do him.”

I snorted laughter. “You’re awful.”

“So ask him out.”

“Okay, no. I prefer admiring from afar—really far.”

Liam elbowed me. “Homecoming isn’t far off. You should ask him.”

He said it in this sing-song voice that didn’t make the idea sound any smarter.

 “For one, he’s a senior and I’m a freshman,” I said, ticking the irrefutable points off on my fingers. “For two, he’s so far out of my league that I don’t have the slightest chance. For three, if I tried, I’d have some kind of seizure and die. And fourth, oh yeah, he’s straight.”

Liam grinned at me. “One, two and especially three are lame. I’m throwing them out. So, let’s talk about four. How do you know he’s straight?”

About the author:



I’ve been writing since I was fifteen, not that those stories will ever be allowed out of the dark hole I buried them in. I focused primarily on the Fantasy genre for the first two decades, occasionally diverting into modern fiction. In 2010, I embarked in a self-publishing career, focusing on the young adult novel genre. When I’m not writing, I am contributing to TheBacklot.com, a gay entertainment website.

You can follow me on Facebook and you can keep up to date with my works via Lightbane.com.


Monday, October 7, 2013

The War Inside by M. Kircher - Virtual Tour and Giveaway


This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Leave a comment for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card--the other stops on the tour can be seen by clicking the tour banner. Remember, the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.

Why YA fiction? What draws you to it?

You know, I think that no matter what age any of us are, we all feel about sixteen inside. There’s just something amazing about the teenage years; a feeling like the world is yours to explore and change. Teens and young adults dream bigger, love harder, and feel deeper. I read YA fiction all the time and have been doing so since I was an actual teen myself. (Which wasn’t so long ago, I’m only 30 after all!) Also, so much of adult fiction is about selling books and using violence or dirty stuff to do so. YA fiction, on the other hand, seems to be able to stick to the basic principal that every book needs to tell a great story. If the story isn’t engaging, fun, gut wrenching, fantastical, or inspiring…what good is it? I love that YA books help new generations of teens, young adults, and readers of all ages to fall in love with reading again.

What’s your favorite sweet treat?

It’s cliché, but I am so addicted to chocolate. It’s not actually a dessert if there’s not some element of chocolate involved. Currently, I’m in love with this brownie recipe that I found online where you use baking cocoa instead of flour as a base. The brownies come out super chocolate-y and have the consistency of a flourless cake. To die for! I’m a big fan of online recipes instead of cookbooks. People can rate recipes, share what did or didn’t work, and give tips on how to make the recipe even better. It’s much smarter in my opinion, because not all of us can be five star chefs, but we want to be able to make something easy and delicious.

What would you write in a letter to your teen self?

Honestly, I would tell myself teenage self to take more risks. I’m an introvert, so I’m more than happy curling up in a quiet corner with a book all day. In high school I had good friends, but I think if I had made myself be a bit more outgoing, I could have had some great experiences. One of the best memories I have from high school is when a friend of mine (guy friend, and yes I was totally in love with him) gave me a ride home from school and we stopped, bought ice cream, and then sat in the woods overlooking a lake and talked. I never made a move! It seems that I gave off this “don’t touch me vibe” when inside I was dying, literally dying, for male attention. I wish I had just leaned over and kissed him. Maybe he would have been repulsed, but maybe he’d have kissed me back. And now I will never know! I think being open to failure and trying new things is also so important. The world likes to tell you that you have to conform to a certain set of standards. You have to do things a certain way. But you don’t. I’d tell my teenage self to dream big, take risks, learn from failure, and keep on trying new things.

What superpower would you love to have? Why?

Flying. Doesn’t everybody say that? I don’t know, I just think that out of the realm of superhero possibilities, the power of flight is the coolest thing ever. Plus, it’d save you from having to spend money on gas, you’d never have to sit in traffic, and you could drop water balloons on people and they’d never

What are your favorite books?

There are many because not only am I a total bookworm, I read really fast too. It’s the result of reading books instead of having friends over as a child. A few I’m reading right now are: Dragoon by A.R. Ivanovich, The Crowd, The Critic, and the Muse: A Book for Creators by M. Gungor, Black Amaranth by Sasha Hibbs, Lexicon by Max Barry, and Inferno by Dan Brown.

Hunger Games or Twilight? Why?

Hunger Games all the way. I loved Twilight, I really did, but The Hunger Games captured my imagination, made me think, and kept me reading into the wee hours of the morning.

At first, the plot of the book horrified me. A bunch of children fighting to the death? It sounded awful. And I will admit that the violence was hard to take. But as I read further, I began to see what Suzanne Collins was trying to make us understand. We have the ability to forget the innate worth of every human being, even to the point that we let our children kill one another. The Capitol is an exaggerated take on where our society might be heading; they’re people obsessed with money, looks, themselves, and completely ignorant of anyone else less fortunate. They see the other people of Panem as sub-human and so they forget to be appalled by the fact that they watch children massacring each other on TV as a form of entertainment.

It’s a brilliant series…I think even as insightful about today’s society as Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice was about the marriage market and the plight of women in her day. And on top of that, the books were amazingly well written and beautifully woven. Each third of the trilogy left you with a bit of a wrap-up so that you didn’t feel cheated out of an ending. One big, giant well done.

Sum up your book for Twitter: 140 characters or less.

The end of the world is only just the beginning. THE WAR INSIDE - A new YA Paranormal Dystopian novel by @MKircher83

You’ve just won a million dollars and you’re not allowed to save any of it. What do you spend it on?

I’m trying to work on being more generous, so at first I’d want to challenge myself to at least give about $200,000 of it away to charity or people in need. I’d love to figure out a way to change the nation’s foster care system. It’s a mess and if some money could help that mess, I’d write a check in a second. After that, I would buy a house. My husband and I have moved around a lot and probably will continue to do so. We’re sort of wandering souls that need big life changes every five years or so. But I’d love to buy a beach house somewhere that we could have for summers and vacations. The ocean feeds my soul like nothing else, so I’d want it to be somewhere warm, southern, and by the water. If I had any left over winnings after those two things, I’d put them into a fund for my two kids. Who knows what college is going to cost in seventeen years? I shudder to imagine.

Playlist for your current book.

Muse, the Snow White and the Huntsman soundtrack, Radioactive by Imagine Dragons, Switchfoot, Flyleaf, Gungor, Linkin Park (the earlier albums), and Lovestrong. by Christina Perri. Those are just a few bands and songs that were in my head as I wrote, and edited, The War Inside.

The end of the world is only just the beginning. So eighteen-year-old Thea discovers when her solitary life on a dying Earth is shattered by a mysterious dream, a devastating choice, and a strange gift that propels her on a journey towards the restoration of all mankind.

Thea is bitter and alone; eking out her miserable life on the sunless, cloud-covered Earth she inhabits. A terrifying dream convinces her to save the life of an injured girl, and despite her misgivings, Thea decides to rescue sixteen-year-old Viviana. She soon learns that gentle Viv has a life-threatening infection, as well as a freakish patch of glowing skin over her heart. When this light spreads to Thea, causing her palms to glow, she is forced to trust Caden, an arrogant, lazy, and annoyingly handsome boy she despises. Caden has a map to the last city on Earth, and the only place that might have a cure for both Viv's infection and the strange light on Thea's hands. As the trio embark on a journey through the barren wilderness, Thea and Caden discover, and try to fight, their mounting attraction to each other. Along the way they are joined by Rain, Naomi, and Enoch who explain that the light is not a curse, but a powerful gift meant to heal the polluted Earth and reconnect the remnants of humanity. When the group learns that Viv is the key to this planet-wide redemption, and that there are deadly shadows who will do anything to keep humans in the darkness forever, they each must make the difficult decision to help Viv fulfill her destiny...and save the world.

Don't miss THE WAR INSIDE, an exciting young adult dystopian/fantasy novel by debut author M. Kircher.


Now enjoy an excerpt:

“It’s real. All of it. And Viv. She changed me, even before I left, I think. I started to feel things, and it scared me. Is that what you want me to say, Thea? I was scared; I admit it.”

Thea hunched her shoulders, knowing Caden was right. If she had been in his place, she would have walked away. Without a second thought.

Caden stepped closer and pulled Thea to her feet. “I’m sorry I left. I’ve never cared about right or wrong before now. But somehow I knew I had to come find you.”

He took her hands, and Thea felt a tingle of sensation run up her spine. She knew she should pull away, but she stood frozen, unable to break the contact. Caden slowly unwrapped the strips of cloth that still covered her palms. When they fell to the floor, he took his thumbs and rubbed them in circles over her shining skin. It felt very warm.

“What do you want from me?” she whispered.

Caden ran his palms over hers. “A second chance,” he said softly, and Thea felt her heart jump. “Ahem!” Rain cleared his throat loudly, and Thea and Caden leaped apart. “I hate to break up this touching scene.” Rain grinned mischievously. “But Enoch wants us to go with Naomi. He says we need to practice. Whatever that means.” He looked from Thea to Caden. “Unless you two have other plans….”

“No!” said Thea quickly, her heart still pounding in her chest. She couldn’t even look at Caden. How had she let herself be drawn in like that? Ugh, no wonder he’d been with almost every girl in the Valley. The guy could turn on the charm, but she wouldn’t let him get to her. She could never forget what he had done.

“We’re coming,” she told Rain briskly.


About the Author:

M. KIRCHER graduated with a B.A. in Fine Arts from Gordon College and is currently an author and artist. "The War Inside" is her first novel, but there are more to come including the second book in The Horizons Trilogy, "The Gray Horizon" and "Dreamcatchers", a futuristic twist on the legend of Rip Van Winkle. She devours YA, science fiction, fantasy, and romance on a regular basis and is immensely happy to pour her time and energy into creating stories for other people to enjoy. Bob Ross and J.R.R. Tolkien tie for her two favorite people of all time. She and her husband write regularly for Relevant Magazine (www.relevantmagazine.com) and Simply Youth Ministry (www.youthministry.com). They also just had their first book published called "99 Thoughts on Marriage and Ministry", by Group Publishing. M. Kircher lives in Connecticut with her husband, one energetic son, and a new baby girl.

Find M. Kircher online at:

Website: www.mkircher.com
Blog: http://mkircher.com/blog/
Twitter: @MKircher83
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mkircher83
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7202354.M_KircherAmazon Author Profile: http://www.amazon.com/M.-Kircher/e/B00E8AKEGI