November 30, 2013

Angel Fever Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway

http://www.booknerdtours.com/2013/angel-fever-by-l-a-weatherly.html

Welcome to my stop on the official blog tour for Angel Fever! Today I have my review of the book to share and don't forget to enter the giveaway at the bottom of the post! To follow along with the rest of the tour, click on the tour banner above!


Angel Fever (Angel #3)
Author: L.A. Weatherly
Genre: YA Fantasy/Paranormal
Release Date: November 26, 2013
Publisher: Candlewick Press

Description:

As half-angel Willow strives to save the world from her parasitic otherworldly kin, romance and tension heat up to a climactic finale.

In the devastated remains of the world, millions of people live in "refugee" camps provided by the angels who have all but enslaved humanity. As this angelic stranglehold tightens, Willow and Alex are recruiting and training new Angel Killers while struggling to hold ground on the celestial battlefield. But Willow continues to have feelings for Seb, and her love and resolve are tested as a shattering revelation sends Alex on a separate journey. Now that the final battle versus the angels is about to begin-and the fate of the world hangs in the balance-each of them must face the consequences of their own choices. Will love endure? Will the human race survive?
 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10314229-angel-fever?ac=1
Angel Fever is the gripping conclusion to the young adult fantasy/paranormal Angel Trilogy. It picks up right where the previous book left off and continues to follow leading lady Willow Fields along with Alex and Seb as they try to figure out what to do next in their war against the angels. As more devastation rocks the world, they flee to a remote CIA bunker in the middle of the desert, where Alex, Willow, and the rest of the group begin to recruit and train new Angel Killers. Meanwhile, Raziel continues to have devious plans in the works - for both the humans and the angels. Alex discovers that there might be a way to finally defeat the angels once and for all, and heads back to his home base to attempt the feat himself. Willow, Seb, and the rest of the AKs keep training - preparing themselves for the war that is coming. Who will be left standing at the end? Will Willow and the AKs find a way to defeat the angels for good? 

This was one of the most compelling trilogies I've ever read and the final book didn't fail any of my expectations. There's a ton going on in the book - Raziel and his evil plans, training new AKs in the desert, Alex and Willow's relationship, Willow's feelings for  Seb, and the fact that a war is being waged by angels - is just the tip of the iceberg. The characters continued to be realistic and flawed - after reading the entire trilogy I really feel like I know them all by now. I liked getting to know the three main characters - Willow, Alex, and Seb - better throughout each book along with seeing how their relationships with each other changed. The plot was ridiculously awesome - filled with action, twists, a bit of mystery, romance - basically a bit of everything. I have to admit that with this trilogy, something really hit a nerve with me because I cried in this book - more than once. As I did with the second book. Let's just say that there were some points in the books  that made me so emotional that I literally couldn't continue reading for awhile because I was crying so hard and I was extremely upset. I normally don't react viscerally to books and when I do, I know that I've discovered a great author. Needless to say, these books are definitely on that list and I really haven't reacted to any characters that intensely before except for maybe a couple of other times. The writing was incredible - the plot was really fast paced and I literally couldn't stop reading. There was so much going on all the time - whether it was action with the AKs or relationship stuff with Willow and Alex, it was all exciting and I was hooked right from the start. I couldn't wait to find out what would finally happen in the war and how things would finish between Willow, Alex, and Seb. I don't normally like love triangles and this didn't change with this trilogy - it might have even made me hate them more. It definitely gave the book more depth and emotional action, but I have to admit that it made me mad sometimes. Overall, this was an explosive conclusion to the trilogy and I don't think it could have been done any better. I highly recommend this book - this entire trilogy - to fans of fantasy and paranormal romance as well as YA fiction. You need to read this series if you haven't already!!
L. A. Weatherly is the author of the bestselling Angel series, as well as almost 50 other books for children and teenagers. She’s originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, and lives in Hampshire, England with her husband. Her books have been translated into over 10 different languages. 


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 (3) Winners will receive a Copy of Angel Fever by L.A. Weatherly.
(5) Winners will receive a Surprise ART Bookmark by James Vallesteros.


(3) Winners will receive a Willow Fields and Alex Kyler ART Bookmark by James Vallesteros
 
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November 29, 2013

Black Friday Blitz + Giveaway: The Last Bastion of the Living by Rhiannon Frater

 

 For Black Friday, The Last Bastion of the Living will be on sale for only 99 cents! Grab your copy today!!


The Last Bastion of the Living
Author: Rhiannon Frater
Genre: Adult Science Fiction/Horror
Release Date: June 12, 2012

Buy Links:
Description:
The Bastion was humanity’s last hope against the fearsome undead creatures known as the Inferi Scourge. A fortified city with a high wall, surrounded by lush land rich with all the resources needed to survive, protected by high mountain summits, and a massive gate to secure the only pass into the valley, the Bastion became the last stronghold of the living on earth. But one fateful day, the gate failed and the Inferi Scourge destroyed the human settlements outside the walls and trapped the survivors inside the city. Now decades later, the last remaining humans are struggling to survive in a dying city as resources and hope dwindle.

Vanguard Maria Martinez has lived her whole life within the towering walls of steel. She yearns for a life away from the overcrowded streets, rolling blackouts, and food shortages, but there is no hope for anyone as long as the Inferi Scourge howl outside the high walls. Her only refuge from the daily grind is in the arms of her lover, Dwayne Reichardt, an officer in the Bastion Constabulary. Both are highly-decorated veterans of the last disastrous push against the Inferi Scourge. Their secret affair is her only happiness.

Then one day Maria is summoned to meet with a mysterious representative from the Science Warfare Division and is offered the opportunity to finally destroy the Inferi Scourge in the valley and close the gate. The rewards of success are great, but she will have to sacrifice everything, possibly even her life, to accomplish the ultimate goal of securing the future of humanity and saving it from extinction.

 Excerpt from Prologue

A massive shockwave rippled through the perimeter wall, tossing soldiers off their feet and onto the catwalk, or over the wall into the Scourge horde below as one of the mobile units twisted around in one of the deeper craters and wrenched another unit completely about. The torsion between the two units sent another shudder through the perimeter wall and Maria clung to the catwalk as Ryan fell on top of her. Together, they rode the catwalk to the ground, tumbling into the mud. Maria immediately scrambled to her feet and gasped.

The steel mesh had torn free of one of the units and the Scourge were shoving their bodies through the frayed opening. The squads closest to the breach opened fire. The mesh wall shimmered as it wavered under the onslaught of the undead. The mobile units continued on their designated course to their next position, ripping another hole in the mesh wall.

“Fall back!” someone ordered as the Inferi Scourge shoved through the widening openings.

Ryan grabbed Maria’s shoulder and dragged her toward a section where the fallen catwalks formed a barrier along with some of the unpacked supply units. Lindsey scrambled to follow. The squads formed a line, shooting at the Scourge coming through the gap. For several agonizing minutes, they were successful at holding the howling creatures back.

“Tiltrotors are en route!” a voice intoned in her helmet.

Sweat poured down Maria’s face as she reloaded. Ryan lobbed several grenades toward the breach as Lindsey fired over Maria’s head.

“About that date…” Ryan said, grinning despite the fear in his eyes.

Maria slid around him into a better position and aimed at a Scourge trying to scale the fallen edge of the wall. “You’re supposed to give me a reason to live, dumb ass,” she groused.

Another soldier landed in the mud beside her and helped her obliterate the Scourge trying to scramble through another widening tear in the wall.

“This was a stupid plan!” she shouted.

“It seemed like a good one when we planned it,” the soldier answered.

It took her a full second to realize it was Chief Defender Dwayne Reichardt.

“Sorry, sir,” she said quickly.

He shook his head, still firing. “Let’s just live through this!”

The Scourge pushed further into the perimeter. Maria knew now it was only a matter of minutes before they were all dead. She tried not to hear the screams of the soldiers overcome by the Inferi Scourge. The Scourge tore at them, ripping at their body armor, trying to reach flesh so they could bite and infect. One soldier was pulled free of a group of Scourge, his armor still intact as his comrades gunned down the creatures that had attacked him.

Vanguard Stillson lobbed a grenade at a catwalk’s treads and the explosion toppled it over onto the Inferi Scourge.

They were losing ground swiftly and chaos ruled. No one was listening to orders barked over the feed anymore, but were just trying to survive. The perimeter wall attached to the city wall still stood intact with the catwalks still secured to it. Many soldiers clambered onto it, trying to escape the ground. Maria, Ryan, Lindsey and the Chief Defender started to fall back, providing cover to those trying to reach higher ground.

Rappelling ropes started to fall from the high wall. Frantic soldiers gripped the lines and climbed upward, their muddy boots slipping against the steel surface.

Maria tripped, falling on her ass, and the Chief Defender hauled her up swiftly. The Scourge were everywhere now, smashing through the clusters of soldiers, howling. Maria fired point blank into the face of one as it charged her. The Chief Defender knocked another one back with the butt of his rifle. Together they charged through the mud toward the city wall.

Ryan and Lindsey were just ahead of them and nearing the remaining catwalks when Maria saw a flash of light. A massive force slammed into her and sent her sprawling through the air. Blackness surged up to claim her, and she fought not to drown in it. Pulling herself onto her elbows, her body felt numb and her helmet was gone. Beside her, the Chief Defender struggled to get up. His armor was punctured with shrapnel and blood poured through the tears.

Lifting her weapon, Maria aimed toward the creatures trying to climb over the corpses of Scourge and soldiers the grenade blast had killed. Pulling the trigger, she felt the rifle pulsing as it hurtled bullets into the bodies of the rampaging dead.

“Tiltrotor!” Ryan’s voice screamed near her.

She kept firing, but flicked her gaze to one side to see Ryan carrying a badly-wounded Lindsey over one broad shoulder. The churning wind pulled her gaze up to the aircraft slowly descending over the fray. Beside her, the Chief Defender fell over onto his side, unable to get up. Maria grabbed his arm and shifted her body under it. Rising to her knees, she pulled him upright. He screamed. Together, they managed to get to their feet as Maria fired at the Scourge drawing closer.

Vanguard Stillson’s huge body moved through the crowd of Inferi Scourge like a rampaging elephant, tossing them left and right, shooting a few as he went. His helmet was gone and his armor was smoldering. Maria could see the shrapnel from the grenade had sliced away parts of his face. Yet Stillson kept fighting. The Scourge were so intent on him, Ryan and the others were able to skirt past the mob and head toward the aircraft.

Casting one last look at Stillson, Maria gasped as a Scourge grabbed the man’s thick neck and bit into his cheek, infecting him. Usually the Scourge abandoned a victim successfully infected with the virus and moved on to another, but this one kept tearing at Stillson, chewing and appearing to devour his flesh.

Reichardt stumbled, forcing Maria’s attention away from Stillson’s demise. Pulling her superior up to his feet again, she continued to fire at any Scourge rushing them. Around her, other soldiers continued to fall, fighting the undead to their last breath.

“Keep moving, Chief Defender,” she urged him. “I don’t want to die today.”

“Neither do I, and my name is Dwayne,” he said crisply, his voice filled with pain and determination.

“I’m Maria.”

“Nice to meet you, Maria. Now, let’s not die,” Dwayne said

“Is that an order?” Maria kicked over a Scourge and shot it in the face.

“Without a doubt,” Dwayne answered with a grin. 
 
Rhiannon Frater is the award-winning author of over a dozen books, including the As the World Dies zombie trilogy (Tor), as well as independent works such as The Last Bastion of the Living (declared the #1 Zombie Release of 2012 by Explorations Fantasy Blog and the #1 Zombie Novel of the Decade by B&N Book Blog), and other horror novels. Her next novel for Tor, Dead Spots, will be published in 2014. She was born and raised a Texan and presently lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and furry children (a.k.a pets).  She loves scary movies, sci-fi and horror shows, playing video games, cooking, dyeing her hair weird colors, and shopping for Betsey Johnson purses and shoes.  

You can find her online at:
Email: rhiannonfrater at gmail.com
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Cover Reveal: Drew + Fable Forever by Monica Murphy

I am extremely thrilled to share the cover of Monica Murphy's novella DREW + FABLE FOREVER. Fans of the One Week Girlfriend Series will want to preorder now for just $.99!!! We know you'll love this novella as much as I do! 


DREW + FABLE FOREVER releases on January 14!!


murp_9780804178631_cvr_all_r1 

ABOUT DREW + FABLE FOREVER: 

Monica Murphy returns with her most beloved characters, Drew and Fable, in this eBook original short story that brings her bestselling New Adult series full circle.  

Fantasy. How I ended up with NFL player Drew Callahan, the guy every woman wants, is beyond my wildest dreams. All I know is that once he chose me as his one and only, I sure wasn’t looking back. I had past wounds and he showed patience and concern—even accepting responsibility for my messed-up kid brother. Now, yet again, he's found a way to blow my mind: an exotic wedding and honeymoon miles and miles away from home. What else could a girl ever ask for? Reality. Except now the honeymoon’s over. Drew's football schedule takes him on the road constantly, while I need to stay put and look after my brother until he finishes high school—because God knows our sorry excuse for a mother won’t. I know Drew loves me with all his heart, and I’ll always be over the moon about him. This just isn’t how I imagined life as newlyweds . . . dealing with the distance, missing him constantly. But we’ve gone through hard times before. We can get through this, too, right? We’re Drew and Fable, together forever. At least I hope so. . . .  


“We should check out Ocean Avenue tomorrow,” Drew whispers close to my ear, amusement tingeing his deep voice. “What? Are you serious?” Even though I’ve come to terms with being here, it doesn’t mean I want to linger and make it a serious vacation. Besides, Drew needs to get back home so he can resume practice. “Well yeah, remember the spot where we kissed?” His eyes are warm as they search my face, filled with so much love I feel my heart swell. “Yes,” I whisper achingly. “Of course I remember.” “I want to go back there.” He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, his index finger lingering on my skin. “I want to kiss you again in that little alley and remember how wet we were from the rain. How nervous I was. I was scared you might reject me.” I’d felt the same way. We’d dealt with much of the same feelings and fears and hadn’t even known it. “I want to take you to that store where you got the dress that just about killed me and buy you whatever you want,” he continues, his fingers drifting across my jaw. My eyes flutter closed as memories rush back at me. “I want to sit outside the dressing room and have you come out to show me every single thing you’re trying on.” That he remembers all the little details sends a thrill of pleasure spiraling to the very depths of my soul. “And then I want to wander off for a bit and let you do whatever you want, secretly hoping that you’ll send me a text that says marshmallow. Though if you don’t that’s okay because I’ll send you one instead.” He offers up a crooked smile and the sight of it cracks my heart wide open, overflowing with so much pure love for him I want to cry. “Because we made a deal. Whenever we see or hear that word, the other comes running. I’ll always be the one to rescue you, Fable. You never have to worry about that.”    


MonicaMurphypic-250x373New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Monica Murphy is a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite. A wife and mother of three, she writes New Adult and contemporary romance for Bantam and Avon. She is the author of One Week Girlfriend and Second Chance Boyfriend.

Pre-Order Links: 
AMAZONUS 
AMAZON CAN  
AMAZON UK  
BARNES AND NOBLE 
iTUNES  

Links: 
Website: http://www.monicamurphyauthor.com/# 
Blog: http://missmonicamurphy.blogspot.com/ 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MsMonicaMurphy 
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MonicaMurphyauthor 
Author Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5934418.Monica_Murphy 
Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Monica-Murphy/e/B00AVPYIGG 
DREW + FABLE FOREVER Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18733803-drew-fable-forever



What do you think of the cover? Leave a comment!


  

Cover Reveal: Incubus by Rachel Bateman

 



 

Incubus (Episode #1)
Author: Rachel Bateman
Expected Release Date: January 7, 2014

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19025571-incubus
  
Description:

All Kyle Prideaux wants is a normal life.

But with a serial killer in town, murdering women the same way her mother died seven years ago, and a silent stalker watching her during the day and invading her dreams at night, normal is impossible.

After she's attacked at work one night, Kyle wakes in the hospital to discover things of nightmares exist and walk among us every day.

And she's the only one who can stop them.
Rachel Bateman is a writer and editor who spends too much time thinking she can out-bake the Cake Boss. (Spoiler: she can't.) She lives in The Middle of Nowhere, Wyoming, but dreams of living by the ocean. When not writing, editing, or reading books, she can be found playing with her husband, young son, and herd of alpacas.


Author Links:
 
 
 
What do you think of the cover? Leave a comment!
 
 
  

November 28, 2013

A Holiday Treat from Author Mari Mancusi!

Hey everyone! I'm so excited to be sharing some exclusive chapters and a prologue from Mari Mancusi's newest release, SCORCHED. For those of you who have already read the book, the following will let you experience part of the story that was never released. For those who haven't read the book, these chapters should definitely leave you wanting more!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16006945-scorched?ac=1

Discovering your story’s true beginning… 

Sometimes the most difficult part about writing a book is figuring out where to begin. And sometimes authors like myself end up with several false starts before finally discovering the true first page of their book. In the original version of Scorched I started the story with Connor and Caleb at age ten, on the day their father was killed and their destinies changed forever.

But while it’s certainly a dramatic, important scene with tons of dragon action, it doesn’t drop the reader right into the real crux of the current conflict—the dragon egg arriving at the museum and the soldiers trying to steal it. Ultimately, I ended up using a shorter version of this as a flashback later on in the final book. But I do still have some affection for this extended peak into the boys’ family life, before it was torn apart by dragons.

The second deleted chapter shows exactly how much a story’s backdrop can change over the course of editing. In the original version, Trinity goes to an Upper East Side boarding school in New York City, not Texas. And she has a history of hearing voices in her head, rather than hearing the first voice in the museum just before the break-in. And lastly, Connor is already there—watching her, readying to make his move, instead of arriving four months late. In this version you get to meet Trinity’s best friend Caitlin, who is mentioned a lot in the final version of Scorched, but never made a real appearance on the page.

It’s fun to look back at the story as it might have been. And I hope you enjoy the sneak peek into a writer’s head. Oh and by the way? At this stage the working title of the book was “Scales of Time.” (Which no one seemed to like but me! Sigh.)








Prologue
Year 100, Post-Scorch

“RAWR!!!”

Ten-year-old Caleb Johnson leapt from the pile of twisted iron wreckage he’d been hiding behind, arms outstretched and fingers curled into claws. “I am the dreaded ruby dragon, Epsilon!” he declared, a fierce expression on his sunburned, freckled face. “Beware or I will unleash my mighty flames upon you!” He roared again for emphasis.

His identical twin brother, Connor, squealed into a mixture of delight and surprise as he expertly dodged his brother’s charge and took off running through the Pre-Flag building—down a rubble-filled corridor, beneath a blackened archway, leaping over crumbling cinderblocks and ducking rusty steel pipes, his brother hot on his heels. From above, orange rays of light from the setting sun leaked through cracks in the battered tin roof, effectively illuminating his path.

"You cannot get away!" Caleb cried from behind him. "No one can escape a dragon! RAWR!"

Connor dead-ended in a long, chamber, filled with rotting wooden benches that faced some kind of elevated stage and dusty altar. The roof had held here, allowing him a better glimpse into what the room must have looked like, once upon a time. A church, his mother had told them when they’d taken shelter here earlier that day.

Caleb burst into the room, his crooked teeth bared in a ferocious snarl. Connor laughed, running down the aisle and grabbing a metal scepter that lay abandoned on the ground near the altar. Turning on his brother, he wielded the metal object as if it were a mighty gun-blade.

“I don’t need to escape,” he proclaimed bravely. “I am a Hunter. And I will take you down!” He leapt forward, ready to destroy the mighty dragon once and for--

"Caleb? Connor? Get back here where I can see you."

Connor lowered his gun-blade. "Awh, Mom."

"We're just having fun," Caleb added.

Their mother poked her head into the chamber. “Well, dinner’s almost ready," she informed them. "You do want to eat, don't you?"

It wasn’t really a question. Dropping his makeshift weapon, Conner scrambled after his mother and brother down the rubble-filled hall and into the stifling heat of a smaller entry room with four good walls, ceiling and door. His mother had swept out all the ashes when they'd first arrived and set up a makeshift camp—complete with cinderblock fire, on which she had set her large cast-iron pot. She looked over at her boys and smiled.

"And how are my brave little Dragon Hunters?" she asked, a teasing look in her eyes.

"Starving," Connor replied, peering into the cauldron where the soup bubbled and boiled. The smoke stung his eyes, but the smell more than made up for it.

"Well, you're in luck. My snares caught a couple of rats today. So there's real meat in the soup." She grabbed two cracked ceramic bowls from one of the worn knapsacks she’d piled in a corner, ladling the cauldron's contents into them and handing them to her sons. Mom was an expert at making what Dad jokingly called "stone soup" with the scarce ingredients she could scavenge while camping out on the surface lands.

The boys settled down on their sleeping mats and Connor brought the bowl to his mouth, burning his tongue on the steaming liquid. It was a bit bland--they'd run out of salt earlier that week--but it would fill his rumbling stomach and that was all that mattered in the end.

A sudden noise outside made Mom leap to her feet, grabbing the knife from her belt and gripping it tightly in her hand. "Who's there?" she demanded, her voice almost fierce enough to disguise her fear. "We're armed and will not hesitate to defend ourselves."

"Will you now, my love?" asked the tall, burly man sauntering through the door. The boys squealed in delight as they dropped their bowls to great their father. Mom set down her knife, letting out a sigh of relief, as Caleb and Connor fought to hug Dad first. He dropped down to their eye level and ruffled their matching brown heads of hair.

"My boys!" he cried, kissing each of them on the cheek. "Have you been good? Keeping your mother safe for me?"

"Yes, Sir," Connor assured him with a small salute. "She's all right. And there's rat in the soup tonight."

Dad flashed a smile at Mom. "Rat in the soup," he repeated. "Well, this is a good night indeed then." He rose to his feet and walked over to his wife, wrapping his arms around her and squeezing her close.

"Any luck today?" Connor heard her ask in a low voice.

Dad released her from his embrace and walked over to the corner to pull off his dusty jacket and boots. "No," he replied. "But he's out there. I can smell his smoke in the air. And his shadow crossed the sun at least twice today. It's as if he's searching for something."

Mom handed him a bowl of soup. "Forget him, then," she urged. "We've been out here thirty days now and he's not come down. We're out of food and it's not good for the boys to be out here so long."

"Is it really any better down below?" Dad asked her pointedly. "With no dragon heart, we have no money and no means to buy bread or meat. We'll end up living in Shanty Town. At least up here, we're free."

"Free to get eaten by a dragon or murdered by wandering bandits."

"But thirty pieces of silver, love! I slay this dragon and we'll live like kings and queens!"

"Please. I'd rather have you alive and well than be any kind of stuffy royalty."

Dad chuckled at her grumpy face. "Oh, wife," he teased. "What did I do to deserve you?" He planted a kiss on her sunburned nose. "Okay, you win," he said. "Tomorrow when the sun rises, we'll head straight to the C Gate. Go underground and regroup. Maybe send the boys to school for a bit." He sat down on his mat and started sipping his soup.

Connor and Caleb looked at one another with distaste. The last thing they wanted was to go below again. Where it was cramped and dirty and crowded with other people. They preferred it up here--a surface land filled with undiscovered treasures from the old world. Even if they did have to worry about--

An inhuman howl pierced through the evening air.

Dad was on his feet instantly. "It's him," he announced, looking over at Mom with an excited gleam in his eyes. "My last call must have reached him. He's coming in at last."

Mom swallowed hard, turning to the boys. "Go to the innermost chamber," she instructed, her voice thick with fear. "The one with the best roof. And wait there until you hear from us." She doused the fire and started grabbing their things, stuffing them into bags.

“But Mom!” Connor protested. He didn't want to miss out on the action.

“No backtalk. Do it now!” Her voice left no room for argument.

The boys reluctantly turned and headed down the rubble-filled corridor, toward the large chamber. When they were out of sight of their parents, Caleb turned to Connor, his eyes shining with excitement. I know a place we can watch from, he told him, using their silent twin speak that no one else could hear. I found it earlier today. Mom will never know.

Connor grinned. Major. Lead the way.

He followed his brother through a now darkened corridor, through a caved-in wall and up a pile of rubble until they reached a broken glass window that led out onto the
roof. Caleb squeezed his skinny body through and then turned, motioning for his brother to follow him.

Connor looked reluctantly at the window. I don’t know… he hedged.

Dad’s going to slay a dragon, Connor. You want to miss it?

Connor shook his head. “No, of course not,” he said aloud, making up his mind and climbing through the window, careful not to cut himself on the glass. Without proper medicine, the smallest cut out here could be deadly. He followed his brother up the metal roof, slick from a recent rain, until they could peek over to the other side of the building, where Dad was readying for his fight.

They looked at each other and grinned, then turned back to the scene. Dad had pulled his mighty gun-bade from its holster and readied his shield, the shiny metal gleaming in the dusky eve. As the boys watched, he scanned the darkened sky, eyes locking onto his target, far above. Connor followed his gaze. A Sapphire, he realized. Only half grown by the look of it. Should be an easy fight for an experienced Dragon Hunter like their father.

"It's so beautiful," Caleb said with a dreamy sigh. "It's almost a shame Dad has to kill it."

Connor shuddered, seeing nothing beautiful about the hard-scaled creature with razor sharp teeth and vacant eyes. The dragon seemed to dance through the sky, flittering about, toying with their father. Dad shrugged the gun-blade onto his shoulder and readied his first shot. Sucked in his breath, lining up his target. Then he pulled the trigger.

The dragon let out an angry screech as the bullet bounced harmlessly off its sapphire plated scales. He'd missed the sweet spot. The one soft scale under the left wing. Dad liked to brag about one-shot kills. But today evidently wasn't his day.

The creature released a stream of fire--scorching the ground mere feet from where their father had stood--Dad leaping backwards, just in time. Connor scooted further up on the roof, to get a better look, his heart feeling as if it would crack his ribs it was beating so hard.

Come on, Dad! he urged his father silently. Kill it!

Suddenly the dragon whipped its head around, stony eyes locking straight onto Connor as if it had heard his silent cry. Shock caused him to lose his balance on the slippery roof and a moment later he found himself tumbling down the other side, as the dragon's screech reverberated in his ears. He slammed onto the desert floor, a sharp pain shooting up his leg as his ankle crumpled and cracked.

"Connor!" Dad cried in a horrified voice. He started toward his son. But the dragon was too quick, coming down for a fast landing. Panicked, Connor tried to scramble away, but his foot dragged uselessly--his ankle likely broken.

He looked up and found himself face to face with the dragon, now standing only a few feet away, studying him with cold eyes. The creature pulled back its head, smoke billowing from its nostrils. Connor swallowed hard. One more moment and the fire would come. And it would be over forever. He squared his scrawny shoulders instead, ready to face death like a man and--

Suddenly Connor found himself being grabbed and thrown--like a sack full of hot potatoes. He hit the ground a few yards away with a hard thump, the pain shooting up his
leg all over again. But it scarcely registered as he watched the dragon let loose a stream of fire--striking his father--who had dropped his shield and gun-blade to save his son--full force in the chest. For a moment, his dad's body just stood there, as if frozen in place while being engulfed in a sea of flames. Then he fell to the ground, screaming with agony.

"No!" Connor cried. In a fit of adrenaline-pumped rage, he dove at the discarded gun-blade. Gripping it in his hands, he turned to the creature, and, before the dragon could conjure up another blast, charged full force. Stabbing the gun-blade straight into the creature's soft spot, just as his father had taught him to do.

The dragon bellowed in agony, collapsing to the ground and writhing in pain as the blade pierced its unprotected heart. Connor met the creature's eyes with his own, staring it down with defiant rage. He yanked out the blood-soaked blade and stabbed the now helpless creature again. And again. And--

“Connor, stop! He’s dead. The dragon’s dead!” He felt his mother’s arms grab him from behind and drag him away. He collapsed onto the ground, once again aware of the pain in his ankle. His mother dropped to her knees, searching his face with her own tear-stained one.

"Dad?" he managed to say, even though he already knew in his heart what her answer would be.

Mom shook her head. “I’m sorry Connor,” she said, tears streaming down her own cheeks. He buried his face in her chest, letting the grief take him. She held him close, rocking him gently, soothing him in soft whispers.

"I can't believe he's gone," he sobbed against her.

"I know sweetie," she murmured. "But he died a hero. Always remember that. And you're a hero, too. The way you killed that dragon..." He could feel the shake of her head. "You must have inherited your father's skills as a Dragon Hunter."

He shrugged, pulling away from her embrace and limping over to the dead dragon. He spit on the corpse, wishing there was some way to inflict even more pain and suffering on the creature who had taken his father away from them.

"I'll have my revenge on the rest of your kind," he whispered to the dragon. "I won't rest until dragons have been wiped out for good."




Chapter Two
New York City, Present Day


"Hey, don't look now, but that vampire over there is staring at you again."

Sixteen-year-old Trinity Brown set down her sandwich and spun in the direction her best friend, Caitlin Curry was gazing, across the high school cafeteria. Caitlin swatted her arm.

"I said don't look. Jeez!"

But it was too late and beyond the trays of mystery meat and half-eaten slices of pizza, Trin found herself locking eyes with the "vampire" in question, who was lounging a few tables away and indeed staring at her intently--not even having the decency to look away when caught in the act. With tousled brown hair, pale white skin and eyes rimmed in black kohl, she had to admit, he did kind of resemble a creature of the night and his
dark gaze sent shivers down her spine. Flushed, she hurriedly dropped her eyes and turned back to her friend.

"That's not a vampire," she replied, disguising her sudden unease with a loud, barking laugh. 
"There’s not a single sparkle on him.”

They erupted into giggles, breaking the spell and Caitlin, seemingly satisfied, dug into her cafeteria special--Salisbury steak. It was hard to fathom how the skinny girl wasn't three-hundred pounds, the way she wolfed down her food. Trin reached for her own tofu and cheese sandwich that her grandfather had bagged her that morning and took a bite.

But today, her favorite sandwich tasted more like cardboard, and she was unable to shake feeling of the boy's stare, scorching her backside with the intensity of a thousand suns. Annoyed, she tossed the sandwich back on the table.

"What?" Caitlin asked, her mouth full of mashed potato. It was always a surprise to her when people turned down food. Even if it was only tofu.

Trin frowned. "He's still staring." She wasn't sure how she could tell, sitting with her back to him and all, but somehow she knew it to be true.

"He's been staring at you all week, girl," Caitlin reminded her. She strained her neck to get another peek. "Don't worry--he looks harmless. Cute, even, if only he got rid of that eyeliner and made friends with a tanning bed. Looks to me like Mr. Goth hasn't seen the sun in the last sixteen years."

"So who is he again?" Trin asked. Caitlin was a walking Wikipedia when it came to the student body. Especially when it came to boys.

"New kid. Name's...Connor Johnson, I believe. Came here a week ago. From Seattle or something. They grow 'em scrawny out there. Bi-product of nineties grunge-era parents and too much organic at an impressionable age."

Trin processed the information. Then she shrugged. "Well, wherever he's from, I don't appreciate him staring at me like that," she replied with a scowl. "It's freaking me out." She squirmed in her seat, weirded out, but not quite knowing why.

"Don't worry. I'll take care of it," Caitlin assured her. And before Trin could stop her, her friend was on her feet. "Hey dude!" she cried, in a voice loud enough to attract half the cafeteria. "Lay off with the stalker thing, won't you? Girl's not interested!”

The cafeteria erupted in laughter and conversation as everyone turned to check out the scene. Trin watched as the boy--Connor--rolled his eyes and rose from his seat with a fluid elegance that surprised her. He grabbed his long, black coat and military style backpack, then strolled leisurely out of the cafeteria without another look back.

"There." Caitlin said, plopping back down on her own stool, a triumphant look on her freckled face. She pushed her glasses up her nose. "Edward Cullen won’t be bothering you again."

Trin pushed her sandwich away, no longer hungry. "Yeah," she said, her voice sounding more disappointed than she'd meant it to. "Probably not."

Situation seemingly satisfied, Caitlin launched into a lament about the obscene amount of homework Mr. Murphy had given her A period and how there was no way she'd possibly be able to do it all, especially when she had a date with Todd tonight. Trin tried her best to provide the expected murmurs of sympathy to fill the pauses in her best
friend's monologue, but found herself repeatedly stealing glances at the doorway in which Conner had disappeared.

But the strange transfer student didn't make a reappearance, which was, most likely, for the best. After all, Trin didn't need any more unwanted attention, that was for sure. And even if the guy did have some kind of new-kid crush on her, he'd learn soon enough from the other students why that was a very bad idea.

Still, there was just something about him. The way he stared at her, with those strange, haunted eyes of his. As if he were desperate to tell her something...

She shook her head. Don't even go there, Trin. Remember what happened the last time.

Speaking of eyes, she suddenly realized that by managing to shake off one boy's attentions, she'd managed to gain half of East Side Academy's. Hunching in her seat, she could sense their laughing mouths and bated breath, as if begging her to do something crazy for their lunchtime amusement. It was a small school, after all, and they all knew her history.

She rose from her seat. "I'm out," she said, grabbing her brown bag and shoving her sandwich into it.

"But lunch isn't over," Caitlin protested.

"I've got to hit the nurse's."

Her friend nodded understandingly and gave her a mock salute. "Love you girl."

"Love you, too."

Trin stuffed her ear buds into her ears, turning up her iPod full blast, as she maneuvered her way through the rows of tables, avoiding eye contact with anyone she
passed. The deep, soulful crooning of her favorite Goth singer filled her ears--a particularly effective mix for drowning out her fellow student body. Unfortunately, she didn't need her ears to know exactly what they were saying about her as she passed. They even had a chant, made up by Amber Madden during a particularly boring seventh grade recess, which had stuck ever since.


Trin Brown is insane
Something wrong with her brain
Hearing voices in her head
Seeing people who are dead.


For the record, Trin had never, at least knowingly, seen anyone dead. And the voices? The doctors had finally come up with a way to silence those permanently. Unfortunately that wasn't until after the long-ago Sixth Grade Incident of Crazy that no one at East Side Academy seemed willing to forget.

If only she'd been able to attend a different high school. One on the West Side, maybe, where no one knew about her and her broken brain. But East Side Academy was the only one willing to give her a full boat scholarship with her dubious medical record and her grandfather's dwindling bank account had guilted her into taking it.

Can't let a few bullies ruin a world-class education, she reminded herself, uttering one of grandfather’s favorite platitudes. Though sometimes she wasn't sure it was worth it.

Trin turned the corner and headed down the empty, florescent-lit hallway, lined with red lockers, toward the school infirmary. Pushing open the door, she greeted old Nurse Darien, who was sitting at her desk, as always, lost in a romance novel. The nurse gestured vaguely to a table full of prescriptions and Trin grabbed her own, dry swallowing two tablets and setting the bottle back down on the counter. It was a ritual they went through every day.

Might as well hit the library before class, she decided, having no desire to go back to the jeering faces in the cafeteria.

Trudging down the hallway, staring down at her black converse, music still blaring in her ears, Trin turned the corner, assuming the next corridor would be as empty as the last. Instead, she found herself slamming into something solid. Make that someone solid. Very solid, in fact.

"Sorry, she muttered, pulling the ear buds from her ears. "I wasn't looking where..." She trailed off, her eyes widening as she realized just who she'd slammed into.

None other than Mr. Vampire himself. 



Book Blast + $50 Amazon Gift Card/Paypal CashGiveaway: The Watcher by Lisa Voisin

the watcher coverThe Watcher 
Author: Lisa Voisin

Description:
 
Millennia ago, he fell from heaven for her. Can he face her without falling again? 

Fascinated with ancient civilizations, seventeen-year-old Mia Crawford dreams of becoming an archaeologist. She also dreams of wings—soft and silent like snow—and somebody trying to steal them. When a horrible creature appears out of thin air and attacks her, she knows Michael Fontaine is involved, though he claims to know nothing about it. Secretive and aloof, Michael evokes feelings in Mia that she doesn’t understand. Images of another time and place haunt her. She recognizes them—but not from any textbook. In search of the truth, Mia discovers a past life of forbidden love, jealousy and revenge that tore an angel from Heaven and sent her to an early grave. Now that her soul has returned, does she have a chance at loving that angel again? Or will an age-old nemesis destroy them both? Ancient history is only the beginning.  

From November 28th to December 1st The Watcher is on sale for just $1.99!

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Download your copy today!! 
 
Praise for The Watcher:

"Voisin's THE WATCHER blends paranormal mystery and romance into a book that is sure to keep readers turning the pages late into the night." -- Eileen Cook, author of THE ALMOST TRUTH 

"Perfect for fans of angels and demons, Lisa Voisin has created an uplifting tale of redemption, love, and spirituality that gives hope. Never preachy, THE WATCHER is the perfect answer to critics who claim Young Adult literature is too dark." -- Stephanie Lawton, author of WANT and SHRAPNEL 

"The Watcher is stunning! A paranormal romance that you won't want to put down. Voisin will enthrall you until the very last page." -- Stephanie Keyes, author, THE STAR CHILD series 

"Grips the reader, pulls them in and leaves them cheering for good!" -- InD'tale Magazine 

“The Watcher is my favorite angel fiction tale yet.” -- Katrina @Kindred Dreamheart 

“This book is phenomenal! I was hooked in right away and didn't want to stop.” -- Michelle @Michelle’s Paranormal Vault    




Instead of saying more, he brushed his fingertips along my cheek, and his halo glimmered. I could hear the waves slapping the rocks behind us, the wind driving them in. That same wind whipped against my skin, but the touch of his hand on my face was all I could think about. It sent a current through both of us and filled me with longing for something I wasn’t sure I understood. “I’m sorry.” He stepped back and shoved his hands into his pockets as the light around him faded. “You don’t know what it’s like. Being near you now, remembering those moments we had…” His hair blew into his eyes, but this time he didn’t move. I wanted to brush it back, but I didn’t know how he’d react. Would touching him be bad? “You want to know who you were?” he asked. “You may look different, but you’re the same. I look into your eyes and see you.” He took in a deep breath, fixing his attention on the horizon. I’d seen and heard so much now that the logical part of my brain had long since given up arguing with me. I could feel what he was saying was true. All of it. 
lisa vA Canadian-born author, Lisa Voisin spent her childhood daydreaming and making up stories, but it was her love of reading and writing in her teens that drew her to Young Adult fiction. A self-proclaimed coffee lover, Lisa can usually be found writing in a local café. When she's not writing, you'll find her meditating or hiking in the mountains to counteract the side effects of drinking too much caffeine! Though she’s lived in several cities across Canada, she currently lives in Vancouver, B.C. with her fiancé and their two cats. 
 







   
BookBlast Giveaway: $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 12/18/13


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Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

  

November 27, 2013

Soar Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway

 

Welcome to my stop on the Soar blog tour! Today I have my review of the book to share with you and don't forget to scroll to the bottom of the post to enter the giveaway!


Soar (The Empire Chronicles #1)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy
Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance
Release Date: November 19, 2013

Buy Links: Amazon / Barnes and Noble 

Description:
 
In the city that never sleeps the Chronicles continue…


Serving coffee is temporary, just like Casey's year off from school. She’s going to come up with a plan to stay in New York City and go back to college, and that plan does not involve dating a paranormal creature—let alone two.


Running the supernatural society of New York is not as fun as it sounds, especially when you still have to answer to your ex-girlfriend’s fiancé. Toby doesn’t mean to bring Casey into the chaos of his life, but he can't resist the girl who makes him smile when he thought no one else ever could.


Jared's in New York checking out a security risk for his best friend, the king. He plans to return to New Orleans quickly, but not if it means losing his chance with the brunette who pretends she wants nothing to do with him.


In over her head with a bunch of winged creatures who most definitely are not angels, Casey has to figure out who to trust with her life and maybe her heart.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18176657-soar?ac=1
Soar is the first book in a fabulous New Adult paranormal romance series. It follows our leading lady, Casey, as she struggles with her boring job serving coffee, all while trying to save money to return to NYU.  Enter in Toby - the gorgeous and sad guy who gets coffee from Casey daily - and Jared - the Pteron king's best friend who's visiting from New Orleans. Casey soon finds herself stuck between two guys - and ones that aren't even human at that. She must figure out which of the two she's ready to trust with not only her life, but her heart.

Having read several of the author's book before, I knew before even starting that this was going to be an awesome read. The characters were realistic and easy to identify with - especially Casey with her determination to stand on her own two feet as an adult and her willingness to do what she must to return to college. She has her flaws along with her strengths, which just made me like her more. Toby and Jared are both gorgeous supernatural guys, so naturally a love triangle/fight occurs between them all. I don't really like love triangles, but the author didn't make it the main focus of the book - so I didn't mind it. I enjoyed watching how Casey's relationships with both guys grew and how she adjusted to their world. The Pteron characters in the book are also from another series by the author, so I loved getting to know more about them and the Pterons in this new book. I'm hoping that we'll get to know even more about their history, society, and the other paranormal aspects that were just hinted at in the next book. The writing was very well done with an effortless flow and a natural pace. It had me almost immediately immersed in the world that the author created right alongside Casey. The chapters are told from different characters viewpoints - those of Casey, Toby, and Jared. I liked getting inside all of their heads to see what was really going on - what they were thinking and feeling. That type of writing really gives the reader a personal look at each of the characters on their own. Naturally, I am already wanting the next book to be released - but until then, I highly recommend this book to fans of paranormal romance and New Adult/Mature YA fiction. This is an author, and a new series, that you don't want to miss out on!


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.

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