Feb 28, 2014

Book Blitz: STALKERS - Damaged People by Nicki Scalise


Stalkers: A Collection of Thriller Stories
Release date: November 26th 2013
Publisher: Indie Style Press
Purchase: Amazon

Edited and compiled by Cynthia Shepp and Rene Folsom
Anthology
eBook and paperback, 498 pages

Shadows follow you in the darkness of the night and the eerie sensation of being watched crawls up your spine. Your sanity pulls apart at the seams as the terrors stalk their victims, leaving you too frightened to turn off the light.

These twisted stories will leave you breathless, dreading the horrors lurking around the corner.

Seventeen authors. Seventeen tales of terror. Infinite nightmares. 


TOUR SCHEDULE: 



GUEST POST by NICKY SCALISE
Inspiration for Damaged People
In Damaged People, the characters Jules and Marc, made their first appearance in another short story of mine, Little Tchotchkes. A few readers expressed interest in wanting to know more about these two crazy kids and I was happy to oblige. When the call for Stalkers submissions went out, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to tell more of their story.
The original inspiration for Jules came from a conversation I had with someone about a situation that happened to a friend. I elaborated, of course, but the basic premise was about a homeschooled girl who developed crush on the boy next door and made a phone call some years later, that left the boy feeling a little unsettled.
When writing Jules, I imagined someone who had been sheltered her entire life, and therefore, had become slightly socially awkward. Without much in the way of people skills, I thought that it wouldn’t be hard for someone, of that nature, to latch onto the tiniest kindness or morsel of attention. Then I took that idea and ran with it. As such, I found writing this character a lot of fun. She’s weird and clearly unhinged, but I found her to be almost endearing in her insanity. I hope readers will too.


About Nicki Scalise
Nicki Scalise lives in Colorado with her husband, Jon. They share their home with four dogs and a chinchilla. When not busy dealing with the chaos her four-legged critters bring, she spends her time reading, re-watching Firefly, and gazing out the window at the scenic mountain landscape… or staring at the wall. Prayer for the Dead, book one of the Revenants in the Purgatory series, is her debut novel.

http://www.nickiscalise.com/ | http://www.twitter.com/nickiscalise



GIVEAWAY

Feb 27, 2014

Release Day Launch: The Hazards of a One Night Stand & GIVEAWAY

THOAONS RDL Banner
We're so excited that Alyssa Rose Ivy's THE HAZARDS OF A ONE NIGHT STAND is finally here!!! THE HAZARDS OF A ONE NIGHT STAND is a New Adult contemporary romance and is a part of Alyssa Rose Ivy’s Hazards Series. It is priced at just $.99 right now. This will last for a limited time only to celebrate the release!
 The Hazards of a One Night Stand Cover
THE HAZARDS OF A ONE NIGHT STAND 

Synopsis:
One small town boy, one girl who wants more, one roll in the hay...

Hooking up with your high school crush is a bad idea, a really bad idea. It was only supposed to be one night, one brief departure from my real life, but nothing ever works out exactly the way you plan.

Colton Waters was everything from my past that didn't fit into my present, so why did he have to show up at my college and pledge the one frat I couldn't avoid?

Because nothing is ever meant to happen just once. At least not the life changing things that mean the difference between falling apart and falling in love. HOAONS Teaser 4  
EXCERPT:

Colt wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me closer. “No. I’d rather bother you.”
There was something kind of sexy about the motion, something more confident than his usual goofy flirting. His hand felt nice resting on my hip, so I let it stay. Was this really the same Colt? Since when did his touch have that kind of effect on me? “When did you get back to town?”
“About two hours ago.”
“You didn’t wait long to come out.” I took a big sip of the drink. It was starting to taste a lot better.
“I took time for a shower.”
“That was thoughtful of you.”
“Planning on getting close to me tonight?” He watched me intently.
“Maybe.” The flirtatious word flew out of my mouth without me realizing it. The alcohol and that smile of his was making me forget where I was. “Sorry.”
“Why are you sorry?” He moved his hand, turning me and wrapping his other arm around me so my body was pressed against his.
“Colton…”
“Mallory…”
I laughed. “What are you doing?”
“What am I doing? You’re the one telling me you might be getting close to me tonight.” His hand slid down slightly, settling below my hip. His touch felt so good.
“Your birthday passed, right? You’re nineteen now?”
He laughed that deep, throaty laugh of his. “I’m going to take it as a good sign that you’re checking to make sure I’m old enough.”
“I’m not supposed to be into younger guys.”
“I’m three months younger than you. I can’t help that my parents held me back a grade.” He leaned back against an old oak tree, pulling me along with him. The motion had me leaning into his chest.
“You’ve gotten hotter.” I couldn’t believe I’d said the words out loud. I also couldn’t believe I was thinking about Colton that way again.
He laughed once more. “So have you, although I wouldn’t have thought it was possible.”
I took another sip of my drink. “When did you get this cute?”
“Are you implying you haven’t been ready to jump me for the last five years?”
“I’ve never thought about it before tonight.” The words weren’t exactly true, but I hadn’t thought about it in a while.
“But you are thinking about it now?” He grinned, moving his hands even lower so they cradled my ass.
“Maybe.” His hands sent a thrill through me, reminding me of just how long it had been since a guy had touched me that way.
“That’s the second maybe you’ve given me. How am I supposed to make that into a yes?” He took the bottle from my hand and dropped it down on the ground next to his empty cup. The remaining liquid seeped out onto the dirt.
“I don’t know. It’s your job to figure that out.” I ran my now free hand down his chest. It was firmer and more muscular than I expected.
“My job, huh? I like the sound of that.” His lips tickled my ear. “I like the sound of anything involving you.” He took my hand and led me further into the grouping of trees. It wasn’t a dense forest or anything, but I knew he was looking for privacy. I didn’t object when he gently leaned me back into another tree.
I closed my eyes, ready to feel his lips and hands on my body. I was horrible at knowing what to do in those situations. I needed the guy to take control.
His lips brushed against mine as he rested his hand on my stomach. He slipped a few fingers underneath my shirt. “Am I earning a yes, or do I have more work to do?” he whispered with his lips right next to mine.
“You have more work.” I kept my eyes closed, taking in a breath as his hand moved further up my shirt.

  Buy Links: Amazon Barnes and Noble HOAONS Teaser 1    
Alyssa Rose Ivy- Author PhotoAlyssa Rose Ivy Bio: Alyssa Rose Ivy is a New Adult and Young Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance and a southern setting. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.
 
Links:




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Feb 26, 2014

Book Blitz: Of Sea and Stone by Kate Avery Ellison & GIVEAWAY



Of Sea and Stone by Kate Avery Ellison
Publication date: February 2014
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult


All her life, clever Aemi has been a slave in the Village of the Rocks, a place where the sea and sky meet. She’s heard the stories about the fabled People of the Sea, a people who possess unimaginable technology who live below the waves in the dark, secret places of the ocean. But she never dreamed those stories were true.

When a ship emerges from the ocean and men burn her village, Aemi is captured, and enslaved below the waves in Itlantis, a world filled with ancient cities of glass and metal, floating gardens, and wondrous devices that seem to work magic. To make matters worse, her village nemesis, the stuck-up mayor’s son Nol, was captured with her, and they are made servants in the same household beneath the sea.

Desperate to be free, Aemi plots her escape, even going so far as to work with Nol. But the sea holds more secrets than she realizes, and escape might not be as simple as leaving… 

Goodreads

Purchase:
AMAZON | B&N



AUTHOR BIO
I live in Georgia with my wonderful husband and two spoiled cats. When I'm not writing, I'm usually catching up on my extensive Netflix queue, reading a book, giggling at something funny online, or trying to convince my husband to give me just ONE bite of whatever he's eating.

Learn more about my writing and books at my blog (http://thesouthernscrawl.blogspot.com/), find teasers for upcoming works on my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/kateaveryellison), and subscribe to my new releases newsletter to be notified of new novels as soon as they hit stores (https://tinyletter.com/kateaveryellison)!


GIVEAWAY
$50 Amazon Gift Card (INT)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: The Bionics (Bionics, #1) by Alicia Michaels

The Bionics (Bionics, #1)
by Alicia Michaels
The Bionics is the first book in an pretty intense and intriguing NA series. I didn't know much about the book before I picked it up but it turned out pretty good. I loved the dystopian setting where people who have bionic parts are being hunted because they are supposedly dangerous. In Bionics, the Resistance against the government who hunts and kills Bionics is introduced.

I really enjoyed this book, even though it was really small and all the action is left for the next one. It was a great introduction to the characters and the Resistance and the world they are fighting against. The romance moved a bit fast but still I did love reading about all the characters so I didn't mind that much.

The ending left so much more to be expected. I am picking up the second book immediately.


Feb 25, 2014

Book Blitz: After the Curtain Falls by Ainsley Shay



After the Curtain Falls by Ainsley Shay 
Publication date: January 31st 2014
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

Erik never had to be anything other than a freak…until now.

Two hundred fifty-three days is a long time to fake being normal when night after night you perform miraculous feats on stage in a freak show. Thousands have paid to witness the miracle, suspecting nothing more than a hoax. But it is very real and it is slowly destroying him. Erik is weakened to the point where he’ll stop performing and start going to school for the first time ever—in his senior year. His only goal is to rebuild his strength so he can return to the stage and perform doing what he loves most in this world. What he didn’t plan for was the appearances of beautiful Addison and mysterious Naya. Now, unfamiliar feelings and bizarre new friendships threaten to unbalance Erik’s future as a miracle-performing freak.



Purchase (book is on sale for 0.99c during the blitz!):
B&N | Amazon


AUTHOR BIO
Ainsley Shay avoids insanity by living mostly in the fiction world. She believes surrounding herself with positive people, and strives for balance in everything. She owns more jeans with rips and holes than without; and has recently found the magic of patches. For her, reading or writing the perfect sentence is better than the smoothest piece of dark chocolate melting in her mouth. She is a deltiologist for pure enjoyment, not for the study of. She longs to move north one day, even though she hates the cold. (Go figure!) So, for now, she continues to live in warm south Florida with her incredible husband, three beautiful daughters, and two lazy cats. (We won’t mention the dog.)



Author Links:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7789269.Ainsley_Shay
http://ainsleyshay.blogspot.ca/
https://www.facebook.com/ainsley.shay
https://twitter.com/ainsleyshay

Cover Reveal: Desire by P.T. Michelle

Release Date: 04/01/14

Summary from Goodreads:
Now that Nara and Ethan are working together to uncover the Corvus’ secrets, they’re confident nothing can stop them.

But while they’ve learned to anticipate dark, outside forces gunning for them, neither is prepared for the insidious evil that slithers its way into their lives, nor the new challenges that surface so close to home.

Despite all the chaos and turmoil around them, the one constant they can depend on is their devotion and loyalty to each other. But as their relationship moves into deeper territory, sometimes the toughest battles are the ones waged within.

While the hunt for answers unravels more layers in the Corvus world, Ethan and Nara uncover new truths about themselves and their intricate connection to the powerful raven spirit.

When boundaries are suddenly redrawn and control shifts, Ethan and Nara will be forced to make choices that could bring them closer together or rip them apart forever.



Books in this series:
(covers linked to Goodreads)
 photo ethan_zps856392e5.jpg  photo brightestkindofdarkness_zps37595052.jpg  photo lucid_zpsd02b0538.jpg  photo destinypt_zpscec99147.jpg

About the Author
P.T. Michelle is the young adult and new adult pseudonym of Patrice Michelle, author of fifteen romance novels and novellas. When P.T. isn’t writing, she can usually be found reading or taking pictures of landscapes, sunsets and anything beautiful or odd in nature.

Author Links:
 photo iconwebsite-32x32_zps1f477f69.png  photo icongoodreads32_zps60f83491.png  photo icontwitter-32x32_zpsae13e2b2.png  photo iconfacebook-32x32_zps64a79d4a.png  photo iconpinterest_zps6fcf02a7.png

Cover Reveal Organized by:

Feb 24, 2014

Book Review: River of Bones by Angela J. Townsend


River of Bones
by Angela J. Townsend

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

River of Bones is the first book by Angela J. Townsend I've read but it won't be the last. That woman has a unique way to describe a story's setting. From the swamp to the little details of the house, she set the perfect creepy mood for the story.

In River of Bones, Dharma, her mother and her baby brother move to a new 'haunted' house as part of Dharma's mother job of performing fake exorcisms. Dharma thinks it'll be just another quick stop, a few weeks pretending to clear the house of malevolent spirits, before they pack up again and leave. But once they arrive, Dharma's mum goes missing and Dharma and her brother get chased to the swamp where Dharma gets cursed by the evil spirit residing in the water. Now, Dharma has to fight the evil spirit before it's too late for her.

The best thing about this book, as I already said, is the setting. It is so creepy and gothic. The old plantation and the swamp, the rooms inside the mansion. It all helps bring the story into live. And also creeps the hell out of the reader. Another thing I did enjoy a lot was the history of the place. The old family and the slaves and the curse. It all wrapped up pretty well.

What I did not enjoy that much was firstly the romance. I think the book would be so much better if Wolf, the love interest, was a girl and he was just a new friend for Dharma. I didn't care much for their growing love. And it was also kind of an instant love, which I am not a big fan of. Also I didn't really connect with Dharma, and since she is the main character that was a problem while reading the story. The one character I did enjoy was Sassy, the old lady that knew all about the house and the curse.

All in all, this was a creepy read. The story will definitely pull you in. It's fast paced and never really dull.

Cover Reveal: Tattoo by Cambria Hebert


Tattoo by Cambria Hebert
(Take It Off #7)
Publication date: March 10th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult

***This is a new adult contemporary novel and contains sexual content and graphic language. It is not intended for young adult readers.***

A tattoo gets them in trouble… He will get them out.

After years of cultivating an undercover identity, Brody West is finally off the case and free to live a life of his own. All that time spent in the company of criminals and killers left him a little jaded… and with an identity crisis. He isn’t sure who he is anymore, or who he wants to be.

To give him time to think, he takes a few days off to go fishing. On his way out of town, he makes a routine stop at the bank and finds himself flirting with the girl behind the counter.

But his flirtation is cut short when criminals burst into the bank and shoot her right before his eyes.

In attempt to administer first aid, Brody reveals a tattoo on his upper arm. A mark that will drag him and the girl into the kind of situation he was trying to get away from. But he can’t walk away because he’s the only thing capable of keeping Taylor alive and bringing down the guys who shot her—guys who are seriously dangerous.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/series/109142-take-it-off



AUTHOR BIO
Cambria Hebert is the author of the young adult paranormal Heven and Hell series, the new adult Death Escorts series, and the new adult Take it Off series. She loves a caramel latte, hates math and is afraid of chickens (yes, chickens). She went to college for a bachelor’s degree, couldn’t pick a major, and ended up with a degree in cosmetology. So rest assured her characters will always have good hair. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband and children (both human and furry) where she is plotting her next book. You can find out more about Cambria and her work by visiting http://www.cambriahebert.com

Author Links:
“Like” her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cambria-Hebert/128278117253138
Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cambriahebert
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/cambriahebert/pins/
GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5298677.Cambria_Hebert
Cambria’s website: http://www.cambriahebert.com

Feb 22, 2014

Book Blitz: Resistance by Jena Leigh & GIVEAWAY





Resistance by Jena Leigh
(The Variant Series #2)
Publication date: February 11th 2014
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

Alexandra Parker might be the most powerful Variant the world has ever seen—but even that won’t get her out of finishing her junior year of high school.

The challenge of keeping her abilities under wraps during class is daunting enough, but throw one surly, sandy-haired Jumper into the mix, and things can get downright complicated.

Declan’s new job? Watch over Alex while she’s at school and do everything in his power to keep her from losing control. But as sparks of every kind begin flying between Alex and her new bodyguard, she's left feeling more unstable than ever.

When avoiding her abilities results in a surprise visit from her parents’ killer, Alex’s worlds collide with a bang that nearly levels Bay View High.

With her freedom now squarely in the Agency’s crosshairs, Alex will be faced with the fight of her life... and a decision that could forever alter the course of her destiny.

Goodreads
AUTHOR BIO
Jena Leigh is the author of the Variant Series novels REVIVAL and RESISTANCE. Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, she spent ten years in the mountains of North Carolina before returning home to the lightning capital of North America. A shameless geek, she loves coffee, loud music, bad sci-fi movies, Skittles, and shenanigan-filled road trips to faraway concerts.

Author Links:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6581096.Jena_Leigh
http://blog.jenaleighbooks.com/
https://www.facebook.com/jenaleighbooks
https://twitter.com/jenaleighbooks

GIVEAWAY
- $50 amazon gift card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Feb 21, 2014

Book Blitz: BOMB by J.A. Huss & GIVEAWAY



BOMB by J.A. Huss
(Rook and Ronin Spinoff)
Publication date: February 17th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Spencer Shrike is a plotter. Known for his ingenious, albeit illegal, plans that keeps the Team running efficiently and out of jail, he carries this same love of order into his personal life. He’s kept his long-time main squeeze on the sidelines for years as he builds the Shrike Bikes empire.

Veronica Vaughn is an explosion ready to happen. Ronnie lives in the here and now. She lives for today. She knows what she wants, and she wants it now. And right now Ron the Bomb Vaughn wants Spencer shrike to leave her the hell alone. She’s done playing his game. She’s done waiting around. She’s moving forward with her own plots, plans, and dreams and she’s moving forward tonight. Ron the Bomb is finally—finally—gonna get some satisfaction.

Too bad Spencer Shrike is standing in her way.





AUTHOR BIO
J. A. Huss likes to write new adult books that make you think and keep you guessing. Her favorite genre to read is space opera, but since practically no one reads those books, she writes new adult science fiction, paranormal romance, contemporary romance, urban fantasy, and books about Junco (who refuses to be saddled with a label).

She has an undergraduate degree in horses, (yes, really–Thank you, Colorado State University) and a master’s degree in forensic toxicology from the University of Florida. She used to have a job driving around Colorado doing pretty much nothing but shooting the breeze with farmers, but now she just writes, runs the New Adult Addiction and Clean Teen Reads Book Blogs, and runs an online science classroom for homeschoolers.

Author Links:
Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

GIVEAWAY
Open INTL
$10 Amazon Card
Signed Copy of BOMB
Spencer Shrike Tote bag and Swag

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Feb 20, 2014

Cover Reveal: Unfiltered & Unsaved by Bridgette Luna, Payge Galvin

 
Unfiltered & Unsaved by Bridgette Luna, Payge Galvin 
(Unfiltered #3)
Publication date: March 14th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

After a night-shift shooting of a drug dealer in The Coffee Cave, twelve strangers each walk out with more than $100,000 in dirty money, a pact never to meet again, and the chance to start over …



Hope just wants some peace and quiet and spiritual space when she walks into her favorite coffee shop. What she takes away is a dreadful secret that preys on her mind, driving her away from the comfort of her faith and into the arms of Elijah, a handsome drifter with a ready smile out to sell her investments. But Elijah has a secret too: he answers to a dangerous boss bent on getting his hands on Hope’s blood money. She may have put her faith in the wrong man … or the only one who can help her do the right thing.
----

AUTHOR BIO
Payge Galvin has always wanted to be a writer.  She also loves spending time with her friends, so after a few cosmos at the pool with her friends, the idea for UNFILTERED was born.  Together the group wrote twelve books about a group of strangers who share a dark secret...and who all want to find love (because, really, who doesn't?).

Keep up to date on UNFILTERED news on UnfilteredBooks.com, or by following Payge on Twitter at @PaygeGalvin.

Bridgette Luna likes a calm life, contrasted with the occasional walk on the wild side. She loves her friends and the opportunity to try something new, exciting, and fearless … like writing in the UNFILTERED series with those good friends.

Follow Bridgette’s adventures through her Twitter at @BridgetteLuna15 or on her website: www.bridgetteluna.com.

Book Blitz: Lost in Us by Layla Hagen & GIVEAWAY


Lost in Us by Layla Hagen
Publication date: February 17th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Serena has learned to live with her past, locking her secrets and nightmares deep inside her. But when her boyfriend of six years abruptly leaves her, she’s catapulted back into pain, nursing a broken heart. When indulging in mountains of chocolate doesn’t work, Serena decides the best way to deal with her shattered heart is to indulge in something else. A rebound . . .

The night she swaps her usual Sprite for tequila, she meets James. The encounter is breathtaking.
Electrifying.
And best not repeated.

James is a successful entrepreneur in Silicon Valley. A man who has amassed a fortune by taking risks. A man who has shunned commitment completely, and still does. He’s the exact opposite of Serena. But sometimes opposites attract. Sometimes they give in to burning passion. Sometimes opposites are perfect for each other.

James is everything her damaged soul could want. His kisses are intoxicating, his touch out of this world. He makes her forget. He grants her peace from her pain. But as they grow closer, Serena discovers she isn’t the only one with a past. James carries the scars of a past much darker than hers. One that has left him damaged, hurt, and wary of love. A past that gives him the power to shatter her.

Now James and Serena must find a way to mend one another. Or risk losing each other forever.



Purchase:
Amazon



AUTHOR BIO:
My name is Layla Hagen and I am a New Adult Contemporary Romance author.

I fell in love with books when I was nine years old, and my love affair with stories continues even now, many years later.

I write romantic stories and can’t wait to share them with the world.

And I drink coffee. Lots of it, in case the photo didn’t make it obvious enough

Author Links:
http://laylahagen.com/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7520984.Layla_Hagen
https://www.facebook.com/LaylaHagenBooks
https://twitter.com/laylahagen

GIVEAWAY
-$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal cash (INT)
a Rafflecopter giveaway