Disintegrate by Christine Klocek-Lim - Virtual book tour

Today we're visiting with author Christine Klocek-Lim on her tour with Sizzling PR for the YA, "Disintegrate".

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

I would tell my nerdy, glasses-wearing, bad-hair, introverted self to hang in there. Good things are coming your way. I have a very specific memory of what it felt like to be fourteen years old, the summer right after my freshman year of high school—I was standing on the shore of the Nescopeck Creek in northeastern Pennsylvania (near my family’s cabin), and thinking: I’ll never find a guy who will not only love me, but also be my best friend.

Turns out, I was totally wrong. I met my husband when I was seventeen, the second day of college. We met in an elevator. He was barefoot and wearing shorts. I was wearing a bright pink sweatshirt. He introduced himself. That was the beginning of our epic-romance.

The best part? He has been my best friend. He gave me a book of poems for my eighteenth birthday. He gives me space when I need quiet to write. He has always believed, from the very beginning, that I was a writer, long before I ever published anything.

What candy do you give out at Halloween?

Chocolate! Hershey’s kisses and Skittles. Both of my kids have severe peanut and tree nut allergies, so Halloween has always been the horror holiday in our life. Every time we went trick-or-treating, we’d come home with a bag full of peanut-butter candy. I got into the habit of buying GINORMOUS bags of Skittles so that my kids would always have something safe to eat on Halloween. The sugar-rush from Skittles? Colorful!

Coal or candy in your Christmas stocking? Why?

Would you believe that I once actually got coal? I’m not kidding. I grew up in coal-country in Pennsylvania. Our furnaces burned coal to heat our homes. One of my earliest memories was of when the coal delivery truck would come by. The chute that led from the truck to the house would go into a basement window, and then men would climb into the truck and shovel coal pieces down. It was mesmerizing. It had a peculiar smell, somewhat bitter and cold.

Of course, that doesn’t mean I wanted to get coal for Christmas! Somehow, my dad thought it would be hilarious if he tricked me by putting a few pieces of coal in my stocking when I was about eleven or twelve. I remember staring at the black rocks in my hand, confused, and then my dad started laughing and I knew it was a joke. I began to laugh, too, and then they brought out my real presents. Apparently the look of bewilderment on my face was epic.

For the stockings we pass around in my house now, I always make sure to put in candy. My favorite? Pop rocks!

 What superpower would you love to have? Why?

I have always said that I would love to have telekinesis. I want to be able to turn of the lights without getting up! And I’d love being able to get myself a drink or a snack without having to put my book down. On the other hand, I bet having the power to harness electricity would be cool. I have no idea what I’d do with it… maybe make my own fireworks? Out of lightning? That would be cool.

What book is on your nightstand currently?

I don’t keep just one book on my nightstand, I keep hundreds. My e-reader is the most amazing thing that’s ever been invented in the history of the written word—because I already own a thousand paper books and it was getting kind of ridiculous. I even have them shelved in the bathroom! The book I’m dying to read (as soon as I have time) is “Written in Red: A Novel of the Others” by Anne Bishop. It looks awesome. It’s next on my list.

Hunger Games or Twilight? Why?

Hunger Games, definitely! Because Katniss kicks butt. And Bella totally should have chosen Jacob (I know, I know, I’m going to be yelled at for that). Jacob is so nice and handsome and protective. I really found Edward frustrating. I mean, if you love the girl, what are you doing, running away like that?

What reality show would you love to be on? Why?

None! Not ever ever ever. Because I know that I would scratch my butt or pick my nose or something and you know that they would put that on television…

Okay, okay, if I had to pick? I’d love to do Dancing with the Stars. Except I’m not a celebrity, so, it’s kind of impossible. I love to dance, though, and have been taking ballroom dancing lessons for a few years. I’m not awesome at it, but I’m not hideous, either.

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

I would love to have Emily with me on a desert island. She’s strong and capable and can manipulate matter in a way that would help us survive. She never gives up. She just keeps going, even when everything seems impossible.

Favorite pizza toppings.

Sadly, I’m gluten-intolerant and I can’t eat pizza anymore (cue the sobbing…). When I was still eating pizza, my favorite had caramelized balsamic onions, basil, mozzarella cheese, and sausage. I can’t even begin to describe the bliss one experiences when eating that particular pizza. It’s the prince of pizzas. It’s the pizza every other pizza wants to be. It’s the kind of food you cry over. I, um, kind of miss it… a lot (in case you couldn’t tell).

Emily just wanted a normal life: a boyfriend, college, two parents who loved her. Instead, her dad disappeared when she was fourteen and her life at college is anything but ordinary. When you can manipulate matter like putty and you have no idea why, how do you pretend to be like everyone else? What happens when you meet a guy who has the same powers? Do you trust him to help you find the answers you need? Emily desperately wants to believe that Jax can help, but the stakes grow higher than she’d ever expected: someone is after them and they’re not afraid to use violence to get what they want.

Wolf Sirens: Fever by Tina Smith - Review Tour and Giveaway

This review is done in conjunction with the author's tour with Goddess Fish Promotions. Suzanne will be awarding some sweet swag (check out the pictures, below) to randomly drawn commenters during the tour, so leave a comment and you're entered! If you want more chances to win, visit the rest of her tour stops here.

Wolf Sirens: Fever by Tina Smith
Paranormal YA
405 pages
4 stars

Temperatures rise as the flames of longing still burn in the thrilling sequel to Wolf Sirens Forbidden. The legend continues. Apollo, god of deadly plague, conspires to undo his sister’s legacy. The wolves exist between two worlds, one in the town another in the forest.

Prophecy says hunters and wolves are cursed to a mutual attraction. Increasingly, each successive slayer becomes more alluring to the wolf. The predestined enemies struggle, to both resist and contain their fierce rivalry in a conflict powerful enough to tear two worlds apart.

A shadow has fallen over the heartlands of myth and reality. The chosen is reborn broken-hearted, in the scorching embers of grief. Devastated, Lila trains tirelessly as the assassin. She must submit to deliver justice and protect the innocent of Shade.

But is it love or revenge which motivates her?

Will the huntress or her heart prevail? Breaking away from the call of destiny and fearing betrayal, Lila makes a desperate escape in search of her lost beloved. The intensity between two ancient enemies ignites. The history of the wolf pack is revealed as devotion and desire in the underworld reaches fever pitch.

If The Bite Doesn't Get You, Then the Fever Will

MY REVIEW:  Far darker than the first book, Wolf Sirens: Fever surprised me with its plot and the twists I never saw coming.

First, I highly recommend this only for older teens. There are mature subjects and themes, violence and language that wouldn't be appropriate for younger children.

Lila, devastated by the events at the end of book one, barely makes it through -- and when she does finally feel (relatively) human again, she's changed. Gone is any remnant of joy and kindness, and in their place is a hard shell with few soft emotions.  She demands to be trained as a huntress and is determined to find where Sky's body was burned and to get her revenge.

Like the first book, it moves slowly at first with introspection, some introducing of new characters (and old ones -- with a bit of description I think is to help those who may not have read book one ... something I highly recommend you do) and a slow plot build to the excitment of the second half, where things happen that are very unexpected.  I like Tisane and how she related to Lila, and I enjoyed how things changed with Reid and also with Cressida (who has a much larger part in this book).

The author's writing always has a poetic, mystical feel.  It's not urgent or fast-paced, but more lyrical and takes time to read and absorb.  That's not a bad thing, just different from many YA books of today.  I rather enjoyed being forced to slow my reading a bit and just enjoy the words.

Don't expect this book to wrap up much of anything.  While a few questions are answered, more are asked and everything builds toward an upcoming war between packs and others.  I look forward to finding out what will happen with the advent of a new enemy alpha and a few revelations that change Lila and Cress.  A solid second book in the series.


Now enjoy an excerpt:

The sun shone in the windows downstairs. Clean skinned, I descended the staircase in the silence, dressed in my grass-stained, ripped, thinning jeans and a clean singlet top, my dark hair soaking the material. The air was warm, it was late summer. The sounds of birds singing and fluttering in the birch and sycamore trees outside the kitchen screen door told of a fine day. Buds bloomed on the purple Agapanthus. I opened the fridge and made breakfast, surrendering to the hunger in my deprived stomach. I needed to keep my strength up.

Chewing my cereal with little appetite, I could feel that my nose had dried up; the sharp pain in my throat had subsided completely. The horrible dread, though, dragged through me still like the hands of death raking down my skin. The nightmare feeling of reality was worse than a dream, torturing me. I had to localize this feeling… and then I caught her scent.

When I turned around in the kitchen, Cresida was there. I had smelt her shiny olive skin. I knew I had waited for this opportunity.

“Teach me…everything,” I said dully, turning back to the sink.

“You look better,” she commented. Apprehension kissed her tone. I wasn’t to be trusted anymore - hence the missing bullets.

I turned again and stared at her, my lip curled. I knew what she meant. My skin was pale and glowing and the ghostly grey was gone from under my eyes, which glistened a clear green/blue hue. A stranger’s face had looked back at me from the bathroom mirror this morning, with pale smooth, luminescent skin. I had awoken as her or had she awoken as me? Any evidence of pain and sorrow was not apparent from the outside. I now donned the huntress’s shell. My hands were her hands now. She had become me.

Tina Smith is an herbalist, dog lover, Piscean and mother with a fondness for strong female protagonists. A love of the fantasy genre and the deep exploration of dark and evocative subjects inspired Wolf Sirens Forbidden. The sequel Fever further unfolds the tale of the heroine femme fatal, on her journey in the underworld between the lands of myth and reality.

“Rich, complex, and deeply fascinating. Smith’s creation stands apart from other books in the genre. Wolf Sirens has raised the bar for paranormal romance.”- Kevis Hendrickson, author of Rogue Hunter

"Smith weaves a thrilling and beautifully crafted tale that sinks its fangs in and refuses to let go."- Michael Alexander, author of The Vessel

“Fever does not disappoint! Tina Smith captures her readers on the first page and leads them on a fast-paced journey full of suspense and adventure as heroine, Lila, struggles towards the truth.” - Beverley Eikli, author of A Little Deception

Ebook Wolf Sirens Forbidden. Discover the Legend.By Tina Smith.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009GG06AS

http://www.amazon.com/Sirens-Forbidden-Discover-Legend-ebook/dp/B009GG06AS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1354969345&sr=8-2&keywords=wolf+sirens%3Aforbidden

http://www.goodreads.com/TinaSmith

Like me on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/wolfsirens.

The sequel Wolf Sirens Fever. Many are Born, Few are Reborn. By Tina Smith.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16120233-wolf-sirens-fever-many-are-born-few-are-reborn

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/248222

http://www.amazon.com/Wolf-Sirens-Fever-Reborn-ebook/dp/B009Z9EDQ4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1352189289&sr=1-1&keywords=wolf+sirens+fever

Youtube Videos

http://youtu.be/lxH8XWa5_RM

http://youtu.be/J5dkXaXXKCc

http://youtu.be/5HE-6oALPng

Culture Shock by Jeanette Pekala - Virtual Tour and Giveaway

Today we're visiting with author Jeanette Pekala on her tour with Bewitching Book Tours for the paranormal YA, "Culture Shock". There is a Tour wide give away of 10 eBook Copies Culture Shock, so make sure you enter via the Rafflectoper at the end of this post.

Jeannette answered many of my prying questions -- thanks!

Why YA? What draws you to it?

I loved being a teenager. It was quite possibly the best time of my life. Without the worry of responsibility and having enough time on your hands to get into a little trouble. Most of the scenes in Culture Shock I drew from my own teenage years. Macy, the main character, is seventeen. Many of the silly antics and circumstances she finds herself in mirror closely to my teen years.

What’s your favorite sweet treat?

Do I have to pick one? I try to maintain a healthy diet, but I do love sweets. Only a little taste is all I ever want. If I had to choose one, I would choose cheese Danish. So darn good. Cadbury fruit and Nut Chocolate bar would be a close runner up. Man…now I have a hankering for sweets.

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

What I wouldn’t give as a teenager to be able to get a letter from a future self. Number one thing I would write is to “have confidence”. It would be followed by, “you are just as good as everyone else. You can do anything you set your mind to. Embrace your uniqueness. Others may not have big frizzy curly hair, be under five foot or have a kooky personality, but that’s what makes you…you. It’s what sets you apart from the herd. Don’t be afraid to be yourself. People love you for being you.”

What candy do you give out at Halloween?

Usually, whatever is on sale, but I have a Halloween candy story for you. Okay, this one is funny or deranged depending on your sense of humor. One year, we were passing out candy to neighborhood trick-or-treaters. Little did we know the entire city and surrounding towns would show that night. They must have had a press release in all the schools that our neighborhood was hot this year for trick-or-treating. So needless to say, we ran out of candy pretty quick. I sent a friend to the store to buy any candy to fill the bowl since we were down to 20 pieces. I didn’t want 50 kids jacked up on a sugar high taking me down, so while we waiting for the friend to return from the store, I ran in the house and tried to find things to fill the bowl. All I found were leftover condiments; ketchup, soy sauce, grape jelly, mayo, mustard in little packets. Oh, and teabags. I figured the kids wouldn’t know the difference. I’ll just scoop up a condiment or candy so fast and drop it in their bucket/bag, they wouldn’t be any the wiser. Finally the friend returned and we dumped the candy in the bowl, order was restored, until we hear a kid that was walking down the street say, “Oh man! Who gave me soy sauce?” We died of laughter.

Hunger Games or Twilight? Why?

I love them both, I don’t want to pick (read with whiny toddler voice). I have a guilty obsession with vampires, so I do love Twilight (the books), but the movies kind of killed it for me. So I’ll have to go with Hunger Games. It was so different and so extreme. I think I read all 3 books in 2 days and the movie hasn’t killed it for me.

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

Culture Shock is witty a tale of romance and mystery with a large helping of southern hospitality and a dash of supernatural. It follows the personal journey to confidence for our main character, Macy Holmes. She moves from crazy Manhattan to the quaint town of Bougainvillea where she meets some interesting people (to say the least). Her dreams turn to nightmares so real she keeps waking in fear, physically shaking because she has the sneaking suspicion that these dreams are reality…

Note from Books in the Hall: That's a few more than 140, but we'll let it slide, lol...

Favorite hot beverage. Why?

Coffee. I am a coffee addict. I don’t know if they have coffee drinkers anonymous, but I heard the first step is admitting you have a problem. I don’t leave for work until I’ve had my daily fix of 4 cups. Then I usually have 1-2 cups in the afternoon and maybe a cup after my kids are in bed depending on the amount of work I have to do. I love any kind, but you may lose an arm if you try serving me decaf.

Culture Shock by Jeanette Pekala
Culture Shock Series Book One
Genre: YA Paranormal

Number of pages: 676

Word Count: 135,000

Amazon Kindle    Amazon Paperback      Paperback    BN Nook

Book Description:
CULTURE SHOCK is a witty tale of mystery and romance with a large helping of southern hospitality.

Macy Holmes is a seventeen-year-old socially-isolated introvert since her best friend's death a year ago. When her family decides to move from Manhattan to the quaint country town of Bougainvillea, Florida, Macy finds she's in a completely different world. Macy is no longer the outsider hiding behind designer clothes when she is sought out by three strange students, one of whom she is particularly interested in. The more time she spends with Chad the more things don't add up. When his true identity is finally revealed, Macy is pulled into a supernatural society with its saturation of inhabitants residing in Bougainvillea.

You would think she has enough on her plate, but no, then her dreams become infiltrated by an external magical force, Macy and her band of supernatural misfits must find the culprit behind the magic-induced nightmares. They must dodge zombie assassins, shifty shape-shifters and high school bullies in order to stop this perpetrator before Macy, her friends or her parents pay the ultimate price.

Especially when Macy has the sneaking suspicion that these dreams are reality...

Now enjoy an excerpt:

There were two guys and one girl. The girl had severely long red wavy hair and flawless fair skin. She was supermodel skinny. Heroin-addict supermodel skinny. Her back was to me so I couldn’t get a good look at her face.

The first boy was sitting next to her. His back also to me, but when I first caught them spying, I noticed something peculiar about this boy. He was wearing a black hoodie, with the drawstrings tied so tight, the hood was covering nearly his whole face. He had dark aviator glasses on and gloves. Seriously, it’s like ninety-something degrees outside. Why on earth would you wear gloves? His skin, what was showing of it anyways, was even paler than the girl’s.

About the Author:

After finishing her degree in Sociology from the University of Florida, Jeanette Pekala had no idea what she wanted to do with her life.

While her husband was deployed overseas, she focused on what she loved to do, write, where she has finally found an outlet for her overactive imagination.

She lives a not so normal life just a wee bit north of Bougainvillea where she resides with her husband and two children working on Shock Wave, book 2 in the Culture Shock Series.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeanettePekalaAuthor

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/goodreadscomlifeandliterature

Blog: http://adventuresoflifeandliterature.blogspot.com/

Website: http://jeanettepekala.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeanettePekala

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Alpha Girl by Kate Bloomfield - Virtual Tour and Giveaway

Today we're visiting with author Kate Bloomfield on her tour with Goddess Fish Promotions for the paranormal young adult novel, "Alpha Girl".  Isn't that a truly amazing cover? I love it!!

Kate will be awarding an autographed copy of ALPHA GIRL to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour (US ONLY), so leave a comment here and then follow the rest of her tour here.

Seventeen year old Rose Goldman is highly unpopular in the little town of Halfway. Ever since the 'attack' when she was a girl, people and animals have been afraid of her. She gets bullied in school, and called 'wet dog' because of the way she smells, despite being extremely hygienic. However, life takes a turn when a new teacher starts at Halfway High. Mr. Stone, the quirky and charismatic English teacher is twice Rose's age, but she feels an unexplainable pull towards him from day one. Despite her better judgement, Rose pursues a friendship with Mr. Stone, who seems unable to stay away from her.

What is pulling this unlikely pair together?

Alpha Girl is the first book of the Wolfling Saga, and is not intended for audiences younger than 15 years of age, as it contains scenes of a sexual nature, and coarse language.

Please do not read if you are easily offended.

Enjoy an excerpt:

Mr. Stone’s smile faltered. ‘I like my women to have a mind of their own – to be witty. Like you.’

My throat closed up. Like me?

‘You’re an amazing girl,’ he said suddenly.

His use of the word girl made my stomach twist painfully.

‘Am I?’ I asked.

‘Of course.’

‘A girl?’

He smiled knowingly. ‘An amazing woman,’ he corrected himself.

‘No one has ever told me that before,’ I said.

‘I don’t believe that,’ he smiled. ‘You’re clever, and beautiful, and damn witty.’

Mr. Stone’s jaw tensed as he realized what he was saying.

‘Beautiful?’ I asked, the word escaping as nothing more than a whisper.

‘Don’t you know?’ he asked.

My heart thundered as I stared at him. Oh please, my mind begged. Please tell me what is going on in that head of yours.

‘D-don’t I know what?’ I asked.

‘Don’t you know what you’re doing to me?’ He said as though I was torturing him.

‘What?’ My skin stung and my head swam with the possibilities.

‘Rose, I-’ He paused to collect his thoughts. ‘I’ve felt this … this pull towards you since day one. I can’t explain it.’

He didn’t need to explain it, because I felt it too. His eyes, his smile and his scent had me drawn in.

I placed a shaking hand over his, which was still on the steering wheel. He looked at our hands for a moment before allowing me to thread my fingers through his. I could feel his pulse in between each of my fingers.

Mr. Stone inhaled deeply. ‘Christ,’ he muttered, shutting his eyes tightly.

‘What’s the matter?’ I breathed.

‘That … that scent. The way you smell-’

I suddenly became very self-conscious. Bullies at school often accused me of smelling like wet dog. I sniffed my shirt, but I smelled perfectly normal.

‘What is it?’ I said defensively. ‘I showered this morning-’

Mr. Stone laughed, and I felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment.

‘No,’ he said with a small smile. ‘You smell amazing.’

‘I do?’

‘Absolutely. You always do.’

I never wore perfume, only regular home brand antiperspirant.

‘It makes me dizzy,’ he confessed. ‘It’s intoxicating.’

‘What do I smell like?’ I asked, rather flushed.

Mr. Stone licked his lips as though he could taste me in the air. ‘Sweet,’ he said.

My cheeks burned crimson, and I wished he would look at me. I couldn’t believe this was happening.

‘I want to kiss you so very badly, Rose,’ Mr. Stone said under his breath. ‘But I can’t … and it’s killing me.’

My heart hammered so loudly against my ribcage that I was sure Mr. Stone could hear it from where he sat.

Suddenly, I felt powerful. He wanted me … and it terrified him.

‘Mr. Stone,’ I breathed, but he still didn’t look at me. ‘Tom.’

A small groan escaped him as though his name leaving my lips was taboo.

‘Look at me,’ I said, my eyes fixated on him.

‘I can’t,’ he said, shaking his head.

Best-selling and independent Australian author, Kate Bloomfield, has successfully made a name for herself in the world of self-publishing at just twenty-three years old. Her newest and most precious book yet, Alpha Girl, is a controversial Paranormal Romance between a student and teacher. A book not for those easily offended.

Kate was born in Enfield, London in 1989, but has lived in Wollongong, Australia for most of her life.

Now working full time as an independent author, Kate has published four novels, and two short stories.

Her fifth novel ‘Alpha Girl’ is a paranormal romance that explores a complicated a student/teacher relationship. It is due for release on April 1st 2013.

For more information about Alpha Girl, please visit: www.bloomfieldkate.com

Blog: www.katebloomfieldauthor.blogspot.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/katebloomfield
Facebook: www.facebook.com/katebloomfieldauthor
Wattpad: www.wattpad.com/katebloomfield
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/KateBloomfield
Amazon: http://amzn.com/e/B0077DUFJO

The Ifs by J. D. Pooker - Virtual Book Tour

Today we're visiting with author J. D. Pooker on her tour with Bewitching Book Tours for the middle grade fantasy novel, "The Ifs".

J. D. answered many of my prying questions -- thanks!

Why Middle Grade fiction? What draws you to it?

I write both middle grade and YA fiction. I enjoy writing it because I love thinking about what things kids are worried about nowadays. With two kids of my own, I know they are going to face tough times, and I like to imagine how they would react in those situations and give them some guidelines in my story about what to do.

What books were your favorite as a youth and why?

I LOVED Christopher Pike novels. Such a fantastic writer!

What’s your favorite sweet treat?

I really don’t say no to any sweet treat, unless it has nuts in it. Bleh. I’m a huge brownie fan, so I’ll eat any type of brownie. I also love orange soda.

What superpower would you love to have? Why?

The ability to multiple myself. Then I could accomplish everything I need to accomplish in a day.

Favorite class in high school. Why?

English. My teacher was a huge influence on my writing. I’m thankful for his inspiration to create.

The Ifs by J.D. Pooker
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Publisher: Little Devil Books
Date of Publication: April 23, 2013
Number of pages: 146

Book Description:

Landon and Broden are brothers. Some days they DO NOT get along very well. They spend most of their time fighting, arguing and plotting ways to get revenge on each other.

Then, strange things start happening…

Noises in their room that are not the cat.

Homework is mysteriously finished.

A broken shoelace repairs all by itself.

Clothes are put in the hamper on their own. The brothers want to share their weird experiences, but they don’t know if they can trust each other. But when they find out who’s behind all the strange things around the house, they are called to battle.

Battle? Whoa! Right there in the forest by their house! A battle with the most unusual creatures and wildest of beasts. And when the battle turns more dangerous than they imagined, Landon and Broden must face their fears, put their grudges aside and learn how to work together.

Now Enjoy Chapter One:


“Good night, boys. I love you.” Mom smiled slightly as she blew each of the boys a kiss.

“Love you, too, Mom,” the brothers said in unison.

She clicked out the light and closed the door.

Landon settled into bed and closed his eyes.

He dreamt that he ran through the forest. His breath came in pants, his legs were heavy and hard to move. Something stomped behind him, breathing on his neck. When he glanced over his shoulder, there was nothing but trees. He turned back just in time to see a branch in front of his face. He ducked just before hitting it, but the movement shifted his weight and threw him off balance. He fell forward, rolling through dirt and leaves. As soon as he stopped, he held his breath and listened. The footsteps still sounded behind him. He tried to push himself up, but he couldn’t move. A puddle of mud surrounded him, and he sank into it. He grabbed at the tree roots in an attempt to save himself. Suddenly, the footsteps stopped. Landon quit struggling and glanced around. The forest grew darker, and someone laughed—a low, menacing laugh, like a villain in cartoons. The renewed desire to pull himself out overwhelmed him, but his movements caused him to sink faster. When the mud was about to cover his face, he jerked awake.

His foot connected with something on his bed, and it thumped onto the floor before scurrying across the room. Landon wiped the sweat from his forehead and rubbed his eyes. Cautiously, he glanced over the edge.

“Tiki?” he whispered. “Tiki is that you?”

He waited for the meow, but it never came. He shrugged and hopped off the bed, walking to the bathroom to get a drink of water. As he came back to his room, something clinked. What was that? He squinted in the darkness, hoping the gesture would allow him to see what made that sound.

“Tiki?” He walked to his bookshelves. He was sure the sound came from that area. “You know you’re not supposed to be up there.”

He stood in front of the shelves, patting each shelf with his hand, looking for the cat. A meow sounded behind him. Tiki stood in the doorway. Something thumped in the closet to his right. His heart began to beat rapidly, and he jumped back into bed, throwing the covers over his head. It was a zombie, he knew it. Mom and Dad told him they didn’t exist, but he was sure they did. What else would have made that sound? It was going to come out of the closest, its eyes glowing red and teeth dripping with spit, and eat him. The only protection he had was the force field created by his blankets. Hopefully, they kept him safe.

Landon listened intently, waiting for another sound to permeate the darkness, but nothing sounded. He relaxed. The zombie must have moved on. It knew it couldn’t get through his shields. His heart rate slowed; he took a deep breath.

Eventually, he fell back asleep.

His alarm woke him the next morning. He poked his head out of the covers and glanced at the clock. 7:00. He folded the covers to his waist and rubbed his eyes. He didn’t feel very rested. In fact, he was incredibly tired. He wanted nothing more than to roll over and go back to sleep. Landon finished rubbing his eyes and glanced down. Tiki lay at the end of his bed, staring at him and blinking slowly. Landon huffed. Dumb cat caused a lot of issues during the night, and she looked at him like she was innocent and did nothing wrong. It was her fault he was so tired. But what could he do? He had to go to school, and Mom would be mad if he hurt the cat. The only thing he had to look forward to was that it was Friday. He jumped onto the floor and turned to Broden.

“Hey.” He shook Broden’s shoulder. “It’s time to get up. We have to get ready for school.”

Broden rolled over and swatted at his brother but missed. Landon backed out of the way.

“I’m up, I’m up,” he said.

Landon felt ornery and punched him in the arm before running down the hall. Broden yelled at him from the bedroom. It wasn’t the nicest thing to do, but Broden needed some motivation to get up. As he turned to go downstairs, he heard Broden right behind him. Landon glanced over his shoulder, smiling. He took the stairs two at a time and went into the kitchen. Mom sat at the table, checking her email and eating a bowl of cereal. Phew! Landon was safe.

“Good morning,” she said between bites.

Landon was about to answer when Broden burst into the room. He tried to smack Landon on the head, but Landon blocked it, and the two started a slap fight. Broden must not have noticed Mom at the table, or maybe he didn’t care. With her there, Broden could get into a lot of trouble for starting a fight. After all, Mom didn’t see Landon hit Broden in the bedroom, so she couldn’t punish him for that.

“Boys,” Mom called over the melee. “It’s too early for that. Knock it off.”

“He hit me,” Broden whined.

“No I didn’t,” Landon protested.

“I don’t care who did what. Knock it off before I hit you both.”

The two settled down and grabbed a bowl and a box of cereal out of the cupboard. As they sat at the table, they kicked at each other. Landon tried to whack his brother good, but he missed and hit the table leg. He jammed his toe and yelped in pain. Broden laughed. Mom just stared at him, her lips pursed.

“I hope that teaches you a lesson,” she said and stood, taking her bowl to the sink. She walked out of the room without saying another word.

Landon put his foot on the chair and examined his toe. It was red and throbbing, but there was no blood, so he would be fine. Still, it upset him that Mom didn’t get Broden in trouble. She was there, she saw him start the fight. Landon didn’t know why he wanted Broden to get in trouble. He was tired and grumpy, so it sounded like a good idea. Maybe he wanted Broden to feel as bad as he did. Either way, it didn’t work out, and that made him angry. He wouldn’t have hurt his toe if it weren’t for Broden. That made him even madder.

“See, that’s what happens when you mess with me.” Broden smiled.

Landon flipped milk at him. There was no other way to retaliate. Plus, he knew it would upset Broden. He’d be sticky and dirty for school.

“Mom! Landon’s throwing food!”

“No I’m not!”

“Boys,” Mom called from downstairs, “you don’t have time for this. Did everyone finish their homework?”

Landon’s eyes grew wide. “Oh, yeah. My math.” He scarfed down the rest of his cereal and ran upstairs.

The night before, he’d been having a hard time solving a math problem. He agonized over it and tried several way to find the answer, but he never did. The paper was stained gray from him erasing his work so many times. He was determined to finish it, but he never got the chance. It was bedtime. His only hope was that when he went upstairs, a new idea would come to him and he would be able to solve it.

Once in his room, he pulled on his clothes, ran into the bathroom to brush his teeth, then sat at his desk. The anger and frustration from the morning faded away, replaced with determination to finish his assignment. He opened his math book and pulled out the paper. He grabbed his pencil and scanned down the paper, stopping on the problem he had been working on before bed. Determination was replaced with confusion. He was sure he hadn’t finished the problem, but as he stared at the paper, there were numbers filled in on the page. The writing was crooked and light, as if whoever had written it had a hard time holding the pencil. He scrutinized it for a long time.

Broden came into the room and pulled him out of his stupor. Landon placed the paper back into his book. He looked at his brother.

“Did you do my homework?”

Broden stopped getting dressed and looked at him. “Why would I do your homework?”

“I don’t know. To mess with me. The writing is all sloppy.”

Broden cocked his head to the right. “Landon, if I wanted to mess with you, I wouldn’t do your homework for you. I’d flush it down the toilet.”

Landon shrugged. “Well, someone did it.”

Broden pulled on his pants. “Maybe it was Mom.”

Landon nodded. “Maybe.” He placed his book in his backpack.

“Boys,” Mom called from down the hall, “are you getting ready?”

“Yes,” they answered.

“Mom,” Landon yelled, “did you do my homework?”

“What?”

“Did you do my homework?”

Mom poked her head into their room. “Why would I do your homework for you?”

Landon shrugged. “I don’t know. ‘Cause you felt sorry for me?”

Mom rolled her eyes. “First of all, sweetie, I didn’t even know you were having trouble with your homework. Secondly, I’m busy sleeping at night, not sneaking around in the dark finishing people’s homework. Maybe it was the homework fairy.” Landon chuckled. “Mom! You know there’s no such thing.”

“There is if you believe.” She knocked on the wall. “Now, c’mon, we’ve got to get to school.” She left the room.

After the boys were dressed and ready to go, they met their mom in the living room. They piled into the car and backed down the driveway. The ride to school was silent. Mom pulled in front of the building and turned to face the boys.

“Have a good day, angels.” She smiled. “Go straight home after school. Your dad will be waiting for you.”

“Okay, Mom,” they said as the climbed out of the car. “Love you!”

“Love you, too!”

Landon turned and waved as he walked toward school, but Broden was already half way to the playground. They played until the bell rang, then headed into their classrooms.

The first thing Landon’s teacher asked for that morning was the math homework. Landon turned it in, feeling pretty proud of himself that he had finished all of it, even if he had a little help. He came to the conclusion that he must have gotten up in the middle of the night and finished it in his sleep. It was the only way to explain it. Surely, the zombie in his closet didn’t do it, so who could have? And it would explain why he was so exhausted.

He went through the rest of his day without giving it a second thought. By the time lunch rolled around, the only thing he thought about was getting onto the playground and playing kickball. He ate his turkey and noodles as fast as he could, then ran outside. On his way, his shoe came untied. While retying it, the shoelace broke. He held the string in his hand and stared at it.

“Oh, man.”

“Landon, c’mon!” his friends called.

He put the lace in his pocket and headed onto the field. He’d have plenty of time to worry about it later. Right then, the most important thing was the game.

Landon’s team was up by two points, and it was his turn to kick. He was easily one of the best kickers in his class. The game would be won by the bell. There was a runner on second, and Landon was sure he could get him home. He lined himself up at the plate and eyed the pitcher. The boy watched him for a few seconds, his eyes narrowed to slits, before winding up his arm and tossing the ball. Landon steadied himself and watched the ball approach. He took one step forward and kicked. His foot connected with the ball with a thump, sending it sailing over the other player’s heads, along with his shoe.

At first he didn’t notice, the excitement of the great kick overwhelmed him, but when he started running, the gravel dug into the bottom of his foot. Still, he wasn’t going to let it slow him down. The runner on second base took off; Landon had to get to first. He would, even if he had to limp. He was half way there when he turned to see where the ball was. The shortstop was crouched down with his arms out. The ball bounced and he scooped it up, shifting it quickly to his right hand to throw. Landon quickened his pace. If he didn’t hurry, he would be out. As his shoeless foot came down, he stepped on a rock. Pain started in his heel and traveled up his calf, causing him to almost lose his balance. He wanted to yell, but the pain took his breath away. That, and he had to get to first base. There wasn’t time to yell. The shortstop cocked his arm back. Landon braced for the blow. Before it could come, the bell rang. Landon stopped in his tracks, and he and the other kids groaned with disappointment. He turned to get his shoe, then headed back into the building.

Landon was thankful to be able to sit down. The heel he hit on the rock was on the same foot he jammed his toe. His whole foot felt like it was pulsating. He lifted his foot to his chair and slid his sock down. The heel was already bruised. A black circle surrounded by red covered part of his foot. That was going to be sore for a while. He was a little thankful that he couldn’t tie his shoe. The pressure might have made his foot explode. He replaced his sock and put his foot on the floor as the teacher handed back their homework from the night before. Landon looked at his grade. B. He shrugged. Not bad. He glanced down the page to see which problems he missed. The first one that caught his eye was the one he didn’t finish. Not only was it checked, but the teacher had written a little note beside the problem. It read: “Please make sure I can read your writing. This is a mess.” Landon shook his head and stuffed the paper in his desk.

After school, Landon met Broden at the monkey bars, as usual, and they headed home. They only lived a few blocks from school, but their mom liked to drop them off on her way to work. They didn’t mind because that meant they got to sleep in a little bit longer. They didn’t say anything the whole way home. Landon’s foot was sore from the rock, although it didn’t hurt as bad as it had earlier in the day, and he had to concentrate on walking so he didn’t lose his shoe. Broden was busy kicking a plastic bottle cap down the sidewalk.

When they got close to the house, Broden turned and kicked the cap at Landon. It hit Landon in the hand, and even though it wasn’t going fast enough to cause real damage, it still stung. Landon’s gaze flicked up from the ground. Broden smiled, then took off running. How dare he! He would pay for that! Landon tried to follow him, but his shoe kept falling off, preventing him from running. He would have taken it off, but that would make his foot hurt even more. It didn’t really matter. There would be plenty of time to get revenge. Broden didn’t have anywhere to hide.

Landon walked into the house and noticed Broden hugging Dad around the waist. He would have to wait to get back at his brother.

“Hey, sport,” Dad said. “How was your day?”

Landon set his backpack by the couch. “Good.”

Dad smiled. “We’re going to go play some football in the backyard. Do you want to come?”

He nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah. Let me change my shoes real quick.”

He ran upstairs and kicked his shoe into the room. Sitting on Broden’s bed, he took off the other one and pulled on a pair of old sneakers. He ran back downstairs and joined his dad and brother outside.

Playing with Dad was always fun, but Landon’s foot still hurt, so he wasn’t overly excited. Still, he tried his best. Broden caught the first throw, so Landon promptly tackled him. The second one was his, and Broden whacked him hard. Broden’s shoulder dug into his back, which hurt, then when he hit the ground, the air got knocked out of him. That was painful, too. It took him a few moments to get to his feet. When he did, his arm was around his waist to help with the pain. He thought about quitting and going inside, but then Broden would tease him. He could stick it out for a little longer.

Mom got home a few hours later, and the family ate dinner and watched a little TV. Broden didn’t tackle him hard again, and Landon was thankful. By the time they sat on the couch to watch cartoons, Landon was so tired, he forgot about getting revenge on his brother. Landon and Broden went to bed at 9:00. All night, Landon kept dreaming that someone was poking his foot, right where he stepped on the rock, with a small stick. At one point, they poked it so hard, pain radiated through his leg, causing Landon to jerk awake. His foot throbbed again. He rubbed his heel for a moment, barely able to keep his eyes open. Right before falling asleep, he couldn’t help but think something weird was going on.

J.D. Pooker lives in wonderful Wyoming with her husband and two sons, along with a black lab named Ryder and a sweet kitty named Alia. J.D. likes to spend time with her family and go camping, fishing, and snowmobiling.

Her sons are the inspiration for writing children's stories. She wants to encourage them to be readers and show them how powerful and exciting the imagination can be. She wants them to see that countless worlds exist, and all it takes to get there is a good book.

http://jdpooker.blogspot.com/

Untellable by Suzanne Lilly - Review tour and giveaway

This review is done in conjunction with the author's tour with Goddess Fish Promotions. Suzanne will be awarding a backlist eBook (winner's choice of Shades of the Future, Bad Hair Day, or Rapunzel's Daughters) to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour, so leave a comment and you're entered! If you want more chances to win, visit the rest of her tour stops here.

Untellable by Suzanne Lilly
Contemporary New Adult Romance
129 pages
5 stars

Aspen Dwyer, recently emancipated from foster care, is searching for a place to hide from a past with secrets too dark to share. Honey Creek, Ohio, presents itself as the best place to start a new life and stay undercover. There she meets Colton Moraine, a man with strong family ties and an even stronger sense of loyalty. His boisterous, loving family welcomes Aspen with warmth she hasn’t felt in years. She’s surprised at how quickly and deeply she falls for Colton. When a dangerous criminal comes to Honey Creek, intent on his revenge against her, Aspen must choose between two options. Should she stay and risk her life and the rejection of the people she’s grown to love? Or should she run again, and leave behind any chance of a happy future?

My Review: I've never read anything by Suzanne Lilly before this story, but after enjoying Untellable, I'm planning on rectifying that mistake. She's written a truly amazing story, populated by real characters I truly cared about.

Untellable is part of a series set in Honey Creek.  The series appears to be written by many different authors, but I'm so intrigued by, and in love with all the characters, I'm sorely tempted to pick them all up.  If they're half as good as this book, I'll enjoy every word.

Aspen is our heroine, a former foster child on her own and hiding out from her father (who is not a nice man).  While he's in jail at the start of this story, it's clear it won't be that way forever.  She's determined to make a new start in a tiny, nowhere town and equally determined to keep from letting anyone close to her again.  But, in Honey Creek, that's not an easy thing to do.  Like any small town, everyone is in everyone else's business!

Colton is a hunky fireman who likes Aspen from the moment he meets her.  He's fun, caring and doesn't take no for an answer.  While he's certainly not perfect, he is a perfect hero for Aspen.

The plot is mainly about Aspen coming out her shell and finding herself (and the courage to stand up to the man she fears).  She grows as a person, and she learns that it might be scary to fall in love, but it's not always dangerous to do so.

The story had me smiling all the way through.  It's sweet, touching, a bit scary and nerve-wracking and ultimately satisfying.  The romance is sweet, and this is a book that could be read and enjoyed by readers from the mid-teens on up.

Now enjoy an excerpt:

I hoofed it to Java City, arriving before Margot. I ordered coffee for both of us and set it on the table. My leg bounced up and down uncontrollably while I played with my locket and waited for Margot to show up.

“Nice hairdo,” Margot commented, dry as toast. I’d forgotten about the French Twist.

“Grandma Millie and I were sort of playing dress up. She did my hair and said I look like someone named Grace Kelly.”

“Hmm. I can see that.” Margot eyed me. “Do some research on Grace Kelly. I think you’ll see what she’s talking about.”

“Grandma comes up with something new every time I talk to her. She’s never dull.” I was bursting to tell Margot about the coin.

“You know, being there for her every week means more than you realize,” Margot assured me. “You listen to her. Your presence helps her, even if she sometimes seems confused.”

“I hope you’re right. Some days she totally has it together, and other days, I’m not so sure. Today was a good day.” I took a sip of coffee, smiling at Margot over the lip of the cup.

She waited. She had saintly patience. Finally, her patience ran out. “All right, Aspen, out with it. You look like the cat that caught the goldfish. What’s up?”

“Grandma gave me something today.” I leaned in and whispered, a mirror of what Grandma Millie had done with me. “A family heirloom.”

“Oh? Why are we whispering?” Margot leaned toward me. “What is it?”

“A coin.” I paused. “A very rare coin. I think this is what Rick and Mom were fighting about the night he murdered her.”

Suzanne Lilly writes lighthearted young adult stories with a splash of suspense, a flash of the unexplained, a dash of romance, and always a happy ending. Her short stories have appeared in numerous places online and in print, and she has placed and received honorable mentions in writing contests. Her debut novel was Shades of the Future in 2011 followed by Untellable in 2012. She lives in Northern California where she reads, writes, cooks, swims, and teaches elementary students.

You may find Suzanne Lilly online at these sites:

Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Suzanne-Lilly/e/B006HY79IY
Website: http://www.suzannelilly.com
Blog: http://www.teacherwriter.net
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/SuzanneLillyAuthor
Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5258804.Suzanne_Lilly
Twitter: @suzannelilly http://twitter.com/suzannelilly

Buy links:
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/289280

Turquoise Morning Press: http://www.turquoisemorningpressbookstore.com/products/untellable-by-suzanne-lilly

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Untellable-Honey-Creek-Books-ebook/dp/B00BKTAXHK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361796979&sr=8-1&keywords=untellable+by+suzanne+lilly

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/untellable-suzanne-lilly/1114700545?ean=2940016203263

How Not to Train a Zombie by Annie Rachel Cole - Virtual tour and giveaway

Today we're visiting with author Annie Rachel Cole on her tour with Goddess Fish Promotions for the middle grade novel, "How Not to Train a Zombie".

The author will be awarding a $25 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour, so leave a comment today and follow the rest of her tour here.

How does a thirteen-year old become the most popular kid in 8th grade? He trains a zombie to be a pet... And that's exactly what Max Taylor plans to do, even if he had to lie, steal, and lose his best friend in the process.

Now enjoy an excerpt:

“That’s not only the stupidest idea I’ve ever heard, but it’ll get us in all sorts of trouble.” Chad’s nasally baritone voice blasted its way through the crowded hallway. Only the clanks of locker doors slamming shut were louder, but not by much.

Up and down the hallway, students turned and stared at Chad and Max. Some pointed and laughed, but most just ignored them as if they didn’t exist.

“Sheesh! Can you talk a little louder? I don’t think they heard you in the band hall.” Max’s face turned several shades redder than the lockers lining the wall. This wasn’t exactly the kind of attention he wanted, especially not after yesterday’s Career Fair. How his mom found out about it, was beyond him. He had thrown away the first flyer asking for volunteers to speak to his class about their careers over a month ago, and he made sure to throw away every flyer he had gotten since then.

But somehow she found out.

And yesterday, she showed up in a bright pink flower shirt and her overalls and talked to the class about the joys of being a gardener. Max wanted to die. Gardening wasn’t even her career. It was her hobby! And everyone knew it. And then his mom singled him out when she left. Shaking hands would have been okay, but is that what his mom did?

Oh no!

She hugged him in front of the whole class. Even having Eddy Pratt’s dad talk about being a zombie exterminator couldn’t erase the embarrassment and humiliation Max endured the rest of the day.

I live in Texas with my husband, son, and two cats who think they run the place. I read, write, play Texas Hold’em poker (I'm actually part of a local league), and occasionally I compete in BBQ competitions with my husband. Our team name is Outcast Cookers. I also teach in a public school.

My likes include: a wide variety of music (see my play list for book 2 on my blog), Star Trek (My son got me a signed picture of Patrick Stewart which sits on my desk.), Star Wars, Grimm (TV series), winter (though we don’t have snow), the holiday season, coffee, hot tea (with cream and sweetener), pizza (no anchovies though), puzzles, Edgar Allan Poe, Ray Bradbury, and JK Rowling.

http://annierachelcole.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/@AnnieRachelCole
http://pinterest.com/annierachelcole/

Buy Links
Amazon (Kindle): http://www.amazon.com/How-NOT-Train-Zombie-ebook/dp/B00BEB2YEY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1362452994&sr=8-2&keywords=how+not+to+train+a+zombie

Amazon Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Train-Zombie-Annie-Rachel-Cole/dp/1482348322/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1362452994&sr=8-2

Barnes and Noble (Nook): http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-not-to-train-a-zombie-annie-rachel-cole/1114502583?ean=2940016367675

KOBO: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/How-NOT-to-Train-Zombie-/book-nbRfqNj2ZEevgBkikZAqag/page1.html?s=YYcFvJjQx0CvQ7y1XEUBPg&r=1