AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT & GIVEAWAY: Christine Anderson

I was born and raised in the rural farming community of Three Hills, Ab. I love to write, I always have a story on the go, either in my head, jotted in a notebook, or taking up precious space on my phone. In 2010 I self-published Life of the Party, and in 2011 it was named a finalist in both the Young Adult and First Novel categories of the Next Generation Indie Book Awards. I've been thrilled with its success so far and am eager to get started again. (Taken from Smashwords)

Life of the Party

Seventeen-year-old Mackenzie Taylor can't wait to be free; free from high school, the shadow of her perfect older sister, and her disapproving parents. The rebellious party girl has a perfect accomplice in best friend Riley, a boy from the wrong side of the tracks who scores them drugs, booze and under-age entry into the only club in town. But then everything changes. A traumatized Riley suddenly decides to give up the party life, and a wide-eyed Mackenzie meets Grey Lewis, a broodingly talented, gorgeous older man she falls instantly in love with. Though Riley warns her to stay away, the aspiring rock star's body and ample drug supply are too tempting for her to resist. Previously inseparable, Riley and Mackenzie go their separate ways.

When summer hits, Mackenzie has new friends, a new apartment and new drugs to mask the pain of Riley's absence. And of course, she has Grey. But despite the fierce, consuming passion they share, the mysterious bad-boy always leaves her guessing. Is Grey really a good guy? Or was Riley right about him all along? Mackenzie's in too deep to care. Unable to curb her mounting addictions, before long the lust-for-life teen totally loses control. She forgets Riley, forgets life, forgets everything but Grey and their next hit. 

But luckily for Mackenzie...Riley has never forgotten about her.

Links: Goodreads l Twitter l Blog l Facebook

Buy Links: Amazon l Smashwords l Barnes & Noble

You can read my review of Life of the Party HERE

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GUEST REVIEW: Emily's House (Akasha Chronicles) by Natalie Wright

With her two best friends by her side and her mother’s memory in her heart, a teenager undertakes a journey to save the world from an ancient evil.

Emily Adams has always known she’s special. Throughout her whole life she’s had visions of things that haven’t happened yet and she could always read her mother’s mind. At least, she could until her mother died. Emily thinks her abilities are just about gone, but the arrival of a strange creature in her backyard one night proves otherwise. Emily discovers she is the last of the Order of Brighid, an ancient society of women sworn to protect the portal to the Netherworld. Now, with the portal under attack, it’s up to Emily and her two loyal, wisecracking friends to stop a villainous man before his actions destroy the world.

Review:

This is the story of Emily, a 14 year old girl who is going through a tough time in life- her mother passed away when she was 7, her father has turned zombie-like since her mother’s death, her mean Aunt has moved in with them, and she is doing poorly in school.  One day Emily hears a story about her ancestry on her mother’s side.  She learns that she has a role to play in the story- she must destroy an evil and save the world.  Emily and 2 of her friends go to Ireland.  Once there, Emily begins her journey, which involves travel to another dimension.  Along the way, she meets things such as fairies and masters who will teach her what she needs do to in order to destroy the evil and save the world.  While on her journey, Emily discovers who she is and what life is really about.  She also learns how to live in the present and let go of the pain she has from the loss of her mother.  This allows her to move forward with her life.  This book is very entertaining.  Emily is a very strong and courageous character and a good role model/example for young girls.  This is a Trilogy and I cannot wait to see what happens in Book 2!

This story makes you think about and question things such time, reality and are there other dimensions.  It is a great story for young girls showing that they can be strong and courageous.  The characters are very relateable.

3.5 Stars

Reviewed by Virginia Tesi Carey for YA Book Addict

Links: Goodreads l Smashwords l Amazon l Barnes & Noble

COVER REVEAL: Blood Doll (The Vampire Agápe Series #3) by Georgia Cates

Today we have for you the cover reveal for Blood Doll (The Vampire Agápe Series #3) by Georgia Cates.This cover is absolutely stunning!! I'm reading book one in the series at the moment and I'm loving it!! You can download it free from Amazon. I also have to say a huge thank you to SupaGurl Tours for the opportunity to be involved.

Solomon Alexander has faced huge obstacles during his existence, but they’re nothing in comparison to the one he’s about to hit head on. As leader of The Savannah Compound, part of Sol’s new position in the Coven of Landra is to guide the transition of fledgelings, newly turned vampires. It’s his job to save the unsavable. Being a Landra is what he’s done for over a century and he’s damn good at it, but everything he knows, practices and teaches is threatened when he is forced to drink from Avery Ferrand, a Blood Jewel. 

The Blood Jewel is enshrouded with mystery, but one fact is known. There’s never been blood more desirable or addicting than Avery’s and there are consequences for any vampire that drinks it...including Solomon Alexander. Although he adamantly denies his need to feed from her, Avery suspects he’s lying but she has secrets of her own about the night he drank from her. She wanted him to and now she finds herself being drawn to Solomon in a way she shouldn't. As Avery’s desire to be closer to Solomon grows, she finds herself considering something more dangerous than being found by the dangerous covens hunting her...asking Solomon if she can become his Blood Doll.

Expected publication: January 2013

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Georgia resides in rural Mississippi with her wonderful husband, Jeff, and their two beautiful daughters. She spent thirteen years as a labor and delivery nurse before she decided to pursue her dream of becoming an author. 

Blood of Anteros, Book One in The Vampire Agápe Series, was her first novel and it was released in September 2011. She decided to briefly step away from the paranormal genre to try her hand at a young adult contemporary romance when she wrote Going Under, but returned to the paranormal romance platform to complete the second book in The Vampire Agápe Series, Blood Jewel.

Her current works in progress are Shallow (A Going Under Novel) which will release on September 27th and Blood Doll (The Vampire Agápe Series #3), to be released in January 2013.

Georgia Cates Links:

Georgia Cates Blog

Georgia Cates on Facebook

Georgia Cates on Twitter

Shallow on Goodreads

COVER REVEAL & GIVEAWAY for the "My Merlin Series" Ever My Merlin coming this Fall!

I'm so excited today to be participating in the cover reveal for book 3 in the My Merlin Series. And it is stunningly gorgeous!! So read on and check it out!!

 

  My Boyfriend Merlin

He was a little older than he was letting on. By a few eons…

In this modern day teen Arthurian, 17 year-old Boston high schooler Arriane, aka Ryan, DuLac just found out the guy she's been crushing on, hot biker Matt, is a little older than he was letting on. In fact, he is really Merlin—the Merlin, King Arthur's Merlin, the greatest wizard who ever lived. Frozen in a cave for over fifteen hundred years, he's woken for a purpose. But Ryan's not impressed. Tired of being a relationship loser, she'd rather kick his legendary behind.

Sure, the world has been crazy ever since the sword and the stone fell out of the sky like a meteor. But despite gruesome gargoyles, a deadly new world of magic, and the guy driving her crazy, Ryan knows that family is everything. Will Merlin sacrifice hers to save the world? Will she be able to stop him?

Purchase on Amazon / Barnes and Noble

 

My Merlin Awakening, Book 2, My Merlin Series

If you haven't broken the rules, have you really lived?

Two wizard brothers. One sword. One chance to make a difference.

In this modern day teen Arthurian, Excalibur has been pulled from the stone, but what does it mean? 17 year-old Arriane (aka Ryan) DuLac has bigger problems—as student president, she's got to put on the Prom. While the Wizard Council debates their next move, she leaves the craziness behind and heads home. But she can't hide forever. Sooner than she'd like Merlin (aka Matt) has her chasing mermaids on the trail of the Fisher King. The wounded king defeated by Merlin's brother, Vane, in the past holds the key to save the future.

At a time of shifting alliances, she must decide whose side she's on—the brother who struggles to do right or the brother who dares to break the rules? And Ryan must decide who she is—a regular girl or a champion? One wrong decision and her family falls apart. One wrong decision and the world falls apart. No pressure.

Purchase of Amazon / Barnes and Noble  

Coming This Fall!

 

 

Priya Ardis loves books of all kinds—but especially the gooey ones that make your nose leak and let your latte go cold. She started her first book at sixteen, writing in notebooks on long train rides during a hot summer vacation in India. Her favorite Arthurian piece is the poem The Lady of Shalott by Lord Alfred Tennyson. A hopeless romantic, she's a longtime member of the Romance Writer's of America. When not living in her characters' world, she might be found at the local coffee shop—her nose buried in a book.

Website: http://www.priyaardis.com

Blog: http://merlinblogs.priyaardis.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/priyaardis

Twitter: https://twitter.com/priyaardis

 

Priya Ardis is giving away a prize pack of the first two books (signed) to one lucky winner!

Enter on the form below (Open US/ Can for print or Int for eBOOK) a Rafflecopter giveaway  

COVER REVEAL & EXCERPT: Bewitched (Heven and Hell #2.5) by Cambria Hebert

I'm so happy to be involved in the cover reveal for Bewitched, the next instalment in the Heven and Hell series by Cambria Hebert. This series is amazing and as usual another stunning cover!!

Title: Bewitched (Heven and Hell #2.5)

Genre: YA paranormal

Publisher: Cambria Hebert

Release date: October 5, 2012

Format: Ebook only (for now)

For years, I accepted that Heven was more popular than me. I never liked it but I lived with it. I walked in her shadow, I stood by her when no one else would. When I finally thought her spotlight was mine things began to change. She began to change. Now she hardly ever calls me back, she spends all her time with her hot new boyfriend and everyone at school thinks she’s back on top. She had it all. But apparently she wants more. She wants Cole – my boyfriend. What’s worse is that it looks like she got him. I’ve had enough and she’s going to be sorry. Why?

Because I am bewitched.

Expected Publication: October 5

BEWITCHED Excerpt 

Working out was for jocks. Homework was for nerds and I wasn’t a jock or a nerd. Yet, here I was, sweating through my favorite Victoria Secret yoga pants and tank with a headache the size of Macy’s. Learning about my powers was hard work. I thought it would come naturally. My brain was hurting from concentrating and my muscles were actually sore from effort. I thought longingly of the potion in the green bottle that Hecate had given me—a little sip would make it that much easier to use my powers, but she took it away. Apparently, I had all the power she wanted me to have. It kind of pissed me off.

   In fact, I was feeling pretty disgruntled all around.

   I was hot, I was sweaty, my head hurt and my hair was frizzy. Not to mention I had been wearing sneakers far too long. Thank goodness Hecate was gone. I actually had been glad not to be alone after the “bone incident,” but now I was ready for some alone time. I felt stronger.

   Feeling strong plus feeling disgruntled equaled somebody was gonna get hurt.

   I was standing in my yard near the lake and I glanced up at the moon before heading inside. It was low and swollen tonight—a haunting moon. It sent a shiver up my spine. I thought briefly about going to Heven’s and treating her to a little of what she deserved. I even looked toward the driveway as I walked, but I wasn’t going anywhere looking like this.

   I went into the house and began climbing the stairs. Halfway up, I heard a noise in the kitchen and I paused. My parents were still out of town. It wasn’t the maid’s day to be here… unless she came early. Another thud in the kitchen had me spinning on the stairs to see what it was.

   “Mary?” I called out. “Is that you?” Maybe she switched her schedule around and I didn’t know about it. Maybe I could get her to make me a latté.

  No one answered, and the noises in the kitchen fell silent. I stopped at the bottom of the stairs and listened, wondering if I had heard anything at all. “Hello?” I called again, this time more unsure. This time a fine chill raced up my back.

   Suddenly being alone in this big house was scary.

   Clink, clink, clink.

   Okay, I wasn’t hearing things. Someone was there.

   I stepped off the stairs and walked through the foyer in the direction of the kitchen. I heard the cat hiss and I paused again. Clover was too lazy to hiss at a mouse. Something in my stomach turned cold and hard.

   I looked over my shoulder at the massive front doors to the alarm keypad and the distress button.

    But it was too late for pressing buttons.

    Clover burst around the corner with a hideous screech and barreled into me, hitting me in the knees and causing me to stumble. The cat didn’t even stop. I could hear his claws scraping frantically across the tiles. “What the…” I began as I straightened, but then something lurched around the corner after the cat.

     It was hideous.

     It stood about a foot taller than me with wide shoulders that were uneven looking—one was lower than the other—and a wild mane of bushy orange hair that seemed to create a cloud around its pasty, white face. Its lips were black and it had a nasty row of teeth that had seen a lot of decay. It had large purple circles around its eyes, which seemed to have no color at all.

    It looked like a psychotic clown.

    I screamed and took a step backward, and the thing grinned. I went running but it lunged and caught me around the wrist, pulling me back. I struggled, kicking out, but it was no use, his grip was too strong.

     Without any warning it reached up and snatched my silver pendant right off my neck. “Hey!” I screamed as it shoved me away. I fell onto my butt and stared up at the glittering silver heart as it dangled from the nasty clown’s hands.

    Cole had given that to me. It was the last gift he had given me before we broke up.

    Anger surged into my chest, making me hot. “Give that back.”

    Freaky Clown gave me another frightening grin and ran back into the kitchen, disappearing from sight. I ran after it, running into a solid wall of… offensiveness.

LINKS: Facebook l Twitter l Website
Check out my author spotlight on Cambria Hebert and giveaway of the Heven and Hell series HERE

FIVE QUESTIONS WITH... Linda Benson

Linda Benson has written several young adult and middle grade books, including The Girl Who Remembered Horses, Finding Chance, The Horse Jar, and a brand new novel called Six Degrees of Lost. Her passion for nature and animals often finds its way into her writing. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and a variety of animals, and is hard at work on her next book.

Links: Website l Blog l Facebook l Twitter l Goodreads

Six Degrees of Lost

Olive’s mother is headed to jail and her brother to join the Army, so thirteen-year-old Olive is uprooted from sunny California and dumped in Washington State like a stray. That's exactly what she feels like surrounded by her aunt’s collection of homeless dogs, cats, and horses. 

Fourteen-year-old David’s future is already carved in stone. From a military family with two brothers serving overseas, he’s been pointed towards the Air Force Academy his entire life - but a rafting trip gone awry might ruin his chances. 

When a runaway dog is almost hit by a car, the search for its owner leads Olive and David, two teens from entirely different backgrounds, to an unlikely bond. Will their growing attraction to each other be enough to keep Olive from a foolhardy journey to find her mother? Will David risk his family’s plans to save her?

The Girl Who Remembered Horses

Sahara travels with her clan in a future, barren environment where recyclables are bartered for sustenance, and few remember horses or their connection to humans. But Sahara has recurring visions of riding astride on magnificent animals that run like the wind.

With the help of Evan, a young herder from the Gardener's Camp, Sahara discovers a valuable book and learns her visions are real. But will the hot-headed hunter Dojo kill the horses before she can persuade her clan of their usefulness? Will Sahara give up her quest to save them after she is labeled a foolish dreamer?

Following horse tracks up a remote ravine, Sahara discovers a gruesome scene, as well as a helpless baby horse. Now Sahara must use her wits and inborn knowledge to raise the young animal, finally convince her clan of the ancient bond between horses and humans, and discover the secret of her true identity.

Buy Links: Amazon l Smashwords l Barnes & Noble

FIVE QUESTIONS:

1. Why did you choose to write a book in the Young Adult genre?

I don’t think I’ve ever consciously started out to write a Young Adult book, or a book in any genre. Usually, at the beginning of a novel, a character speaks to me, and I write to tell their story.  I’ve written two books, Finding Chance and The Horse Jar, that are middle grade novels. My two most recent novels, The Girl Who Remembered Horses and Six Degrees of Lost, have young teen protagonists, who are working out a problem, coming of age, or chafe at the boundaries set for them, by either parents, society or circumstances.

I’m also working on a YA novel in verse right now, involving teen pregnancy. So I think the characters I write about, and their problems, determine the genre of the story.

2. Who is your favourite character you have written and why?

I’d have to say my favorite character that I’ve written so far is Sahara, from The Girl Who Remembered Horses. She is so determined, so brave, and she faces many hardships in her daily life. But she stands up for what she believes is right, and along the way has some amazing adventures.

3. Describe a typical writing day for you?

Mornings are the best times for me to write. Usually I wake up, drink a cup of coffee or two to get the brain cells working, and dive in. I usually start by rereading the chapter I just wrote, tweaking it a bit, and then starting from there.  At one point I take the dogs for a walk, and being outside refreshes me both physically and mentally.

4. What are you reading at the moment?

I just finished reading Shanghai Girls, by Lisa See, which was a book club selection, and should give us lots to discuss. Right now I just started a novel called Painting Naked, by Maggie Dana, who also writes the Timber Ridge Riders series. And after that, there are two YA books by Musa authors that I’m anxious to read: First Frost by Liz DeJesus and Persephone, by Kaitlin Bevis.

5. If you turned your ipod on now, what would be the song that is currently playing?

My musical tastes are pretty eclectic – country, rock, pop, bluegrass, folk, and even Broadway. But right now: Remind Me – Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood. (Yeah, I’m a country girl.)

COVER REVEAL: Flukes by Nichole Chase

Today we have for you the gorgeous cover reveal for Flukes by Nichole Chase. The cover was designed by Stephanie Mooney of Mooney Designs. A big thank you to AToMR for the opportunity to be involved!

Meena has a secret guarded closely by her family—a secret as dangerous as the sea, and buried just as deep. When court appointed community service workers are assigned to Flukes, the family-owned animal habitat, everyone is on high alert. It doesn’t help that Meena finds herself attracted to sexy-as-sin Blake Weathering, one of the new workers. If he wasn’t so distracting, she might be able to land Flukes a much-needed cruise line contract.

Blake Weathering, the first in his family to attend public school, has developed a tough image. Unfortunately it lands him in trouble. Now banned from his high school graduation ceremony, getting his diploma is dependent upon a community service gig cleaning fish crap. No diploma, no trust fund fortune—and no way to escape his overbearing father. The last thing he needs is the distraction of a mysterious girl with teal eyes who pulls at his heart strings.

When Blake discovers Meena’s secret, they are both thrown into a desperate search for information about her past. Two worlds pull them in opposite directions, and they will have to fight to hold onto all that really matters.

Expected publication: October 8 2012

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