June 30, 2014

Summoned Blog Tour: Dream Cast, Review + Giveaway

http://www.jeanbooknerd.com/2014/05/summoned-by-anne-m-pillsworth.html

Welcome to my stop on the official blog tour for SUMMONED! Today I have the author's dream cast for the book to share with you, along with my review. Don't forget to enter the tour wide giveaway either! To follow the rest of the tour, click on the banner above.


Summoned (Redemption's Heir #1)
Author: Anne M. Pillsworth
Genre: YA Fantasy/Paranormal
Release Date: June 24, 2014
Publisher: Tor Teen

Description:

When the Elder Gods extend an invitation, be wary of the strings attached

While browsing in a rare book store in Arkham, Sean finds an occult book with an ad seeking an apprentice sorcerer, from a newspaper dated March 21, 1895. Even more intriguing, the ad specifically requests applicants reply by email.

Sean’s always been interested in magic, particularly the Lovecraftian dark mythology. Against his best friend Edna's ("call-me-Eddy-or-else") advice, he decides to answer the ad, figuring it’s a clever hoax, but hoping that it won’t be. The advertiser, Reverend Redemption Orne, claims to be a master of the occult born more than 300 years ago. To prove his legitimacy, Orne gives Sean instructions to summon a harmless but useful familiar—but Sean’s ceremony takes a dark turn, and he instead accidentally beckons a bloodthirsty servant to the Cthulhu Mythos god Nyarlathotep. The ritual is preemptively broken, and now Sean must find and bind the servitor, before it grows too strong to contain. But strange things are already happening in the town of Arkham....
 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18490576-summoned?ac=1

Dream Casting of the Summoned Movie: 

Since it's dream casting, I'm going for the perfect looks, though the actors may now be the wrong ages for the parts. 

SEAN: Jared Padlecki a while back (the hair is just right): 
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EDDY: Natalie Portman a while back: 
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JEREMY: Viggo Mortensen, because Viggo! 
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HELEN: Scarlett Johansson, when she looks like this:
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UNCLE GUS: Bryan Cranston: 
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AUNT CEL: Cate Blanchett: 
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PROFESSOR MARVELL: Jason Isaacs forever: 
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MR. HORROCKE: Ian McKellen, already in the bookstore! 
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MR. GELDMAN: Alan Rickman, the Voice: 
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CYBELE: Amanda Seyfried a while back: 
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NYARLATHOTEP: Benedict Cumberbatch, that face: 
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AND OF COURSE: 

THE SERVITOR: Andy Serkis, back in the motion capture suit: 
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Summoned is the exciting first book in a young adult fantasy/paranormal series. Our hero, Sean, is obsessed with the occult - magic in particular. When he goes into an odd bookstore with his best friend Eddy, Sean finds a book over a century old with a strange classified inside. The date on the paper is from 1895 and says it is seeking an apprentice in magic. Even weirder is the part where the ad says to reply by email. Sean all this to be incredibly fascinating and decides to answer the ad - because it obviously has to be a joke. The answer he receives, however, is no laughing matter - and Sean finds himself following the occult master's orders to disastrous results. Sean has let a bloodthirsty familiar into the world and must find a way to stop it before even worse things begin to happen.

This was a really fun and fast read for me. I read it in one sitting over the course of an afternoon. I love almost any book involving magic and the occult, so this was right up my alley. Sean was a great main character for the book - he's an average teen with a somewhat odd obsession with magic and the occult, due in large part to his Uncle Gus. He's smart, thinks outside the box, and is open to possibilities that others would immediately dismiss. I loved watching how his character grew throughout the book and how he handled all the strange and dangerous situations around him. The plot was full of ancient myths, gods, magic, spells - and just about everything related to them. I loved reading about all the various myths and magic along with Sean - and I hope that the author includes more of that information in the following books. The writing was well done with a fast-paced and fluid plot, a story line full of action, adventure, and fantasy - and it was all written with fantastic descriptions and vivid imagery that made it easy to slip inside the story alongside Sean. I'll definitely be picking up the next book in the series to see what happens next. Definitely recommended for fans of YA fantasy and paranormal fiction!

I was born in Troy, New York, but I currently live just outside Providence, Rhode Island, at the head of beautiful Narragansett Bay. New England has long been my spiritual home, and the region informs much of my fiction. One day I hope to find Lovecraft’s portals to his mythical towns of witch-haunted Arkham and Kingsport, shadowed Innsmouth and accursed Dunwich. Until then, I’ll just have to write about them..

I am a member of SFWA and HWA and a rabid Austenite. Don’t those three always go together?

Apart from writing, I like gardening, swimming, king cobras, jumping spiders, and cats. No cobras or cats at the moment, but the jumping spiders are always with us. In spite of maintaining a mental age of between twelve and sixteen, I have just married my partner of more than thirty years. Thanks to the RI Legislature for finally living up to Roger Williams’ philosophy of crabbing at people he disagreed with but never denying the primacy of the personal conscience.

Social Media:
  
You can purchase Summoned at the following Retailers:
        
(3) Winners will Receive a Copy of Summoned + Tote Bag by Anne M. Pillsworth.

Giveaway is International. | Must be 13+ to Enter




 

Book Blitz + Giveaway: The V Girl by Mya Robarts



The V Girl
Author: Mya Robarts
Genre: New Adult Dystopia
Release Date: July 1, 2014

Description:

In post-apocalyptic North America, rape and sexual slavery are legal. Lila Velez, desperately wants to lose her virginity before the troops visit her town and can take it away by force. She makes plans to seduce her only friend, Rey, the most attractive man in her town. Lila does not love him but he is the only man who has shown her true affection, an affection she is willing to take as a substitute of love.

Lila’s coping mechanism to her mother’s rape and kidnapping is her secret. A secret that will bring her closer to Aleksey, a foreign, broody man. Lila does not trust him because his links to the troops and his rough, yet irresistible appearance. Aleksey offers Lila an alternative to her plans, a possibility that terrifies her…and tempts her in spite of herself.

All the while Lila will have to find a way to live in the constant company of death, slavery, starvation, sexual abuse and the danger of losing the people she loves the most.
This book is recommended for readers over the age of 18 due to strong language and sexual content.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21799202-the-v-girl?ac=1

I am a bookaholic and regret nothing.

I spent years trying to become a contemporary dance choreographer. Eventually I realized that I enjoyed writing my stories rather than creating dances for them.

I am obsessed with books that present damaged characters, swoon worthy guys, controversial topics and happy endings.

Author Links: 

Purchase:

 Blitz Wide Giveaway:

(3x) eBook copy of The V Girl + 20$ Amazon Gift Card
(3x) T-Shirt + 20$ Amazon Gift Card
Open INT!








 

Book Blitz + Giveaway: Crushed by R.S. Novelle



Crushed
Author: R.S. Novelle
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Release Date: June 7, 2014

Description:

Brooklyn has decided to stick around campus to pursue her Master’s Degree while her boyfriend chases a job opportunity in Chicago. After discovering that long distance relations rarely work out, her best friend helps her to decide that she needs to put down the daily pints of therapeutic ice cream and join their local gym.

Though resistant to the idea at first, Brooklyn relents and finds that things quickly heat up with her new personal trainer Collin. Is it just a flirtatious crush, or is there something real there? And will the blind date her best friend has also committed her to have any weight in the decision on whether or not Brooklyn will pursue her chances with Collin?
  


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22447604-crushed?ac=1
As soon as I walked through the perfectly polished glass doors, I was assaulted by a rush of bright colors, vibrant music and overly friendly people just dying to put their bodies through the most grueling workout they could endure. And I had to admit to myself, their enthusiasm was a little contagious. People of all shapes, sizes and ages surrounded me, and I began to feel those nerves dissolve – just a little bit.

Maybe, just maybe, this wouldn’t be so bad after all.

And that’s when I saw him. He was leaning casually against the check-in desk, the absurdly chiseled muscles of his arm flexing under the weight of his perfect body. They were easy to see, thanks to the black top he’d cut the sides out of. His dark brown eyes glistened with boyish mischief while his lips curled into an appealingly delicious smile. The low rumble of laughter that flowed from his chest moved through me, over me, and almost immediately – I’m ashamed to say – I could picture myself in those sexy arms with his hands moving in all sorts of ways. It was one of those knock-down-drag-out images that stilled me in my tracks. And I’m pretty certain my face turned a million shades of red.

All at once, I felt those nerves flooding back. Only they were a thousand times stronger than they’d been in the parking lot, and for a fairly long second I thought I might hurl right then and there. But I swallowed down the sensation, clenched my jittery hands and tried my best to manage a natural smile as Savannah walked confidently up to scan her little card. As we approached the desk, getting closer and closer to the hottie at the side, I secretly wished I’d worn a cute little outfit like Savannah’s...

Everyone behind the desk greeted her by name – she was daily regular, and she had the body to account for it. I crept up timidly behind her, hoping that no one noticed me. But I didn’t stand a chance at that for too long. Before I realized what had happened, Savannah had turned around and gestured in my direction. “This is my friend Brooklyn, she’s signing up today.”

Suddenly, all eyes were on me. Including the hot stranger’s. And I felt my face blush against my will again. “Hi.” I waved timidly, and I could feel him smiling beside me.

“Cute name.” He said, but I’m pretty sure I was the only one who heard him. And I was also pretty sure I was crushing on him pretty hard.

After getting the necessary pre-requisites out of the way about how trials and memberships work, and after they gave me their boring sales run-down with the hopes of converting me right then and there, I was given a little card like Savannah’s that would only be active for a week. Then the main girl behind the counter with the too-chipper voice said, “You also get one free session with a personal trainer with your trial. Did you want to use that today? Most people say it helps them to get familiar with the equipment.” She shrugged.

I opened my mouth to object, but before I could push the words out, Savannah had gestured toward the hot guy who was still leaning against the counter. “Collin, you’re a personal trainer, right?”

My head jerked in his direction, and I wondered if my expression looked as panicked as I felt. Knowing Savannah like I did, I knew exactly where this was going.

“Yeah, sure am.” He smiled as he straightened.

“Great!” She was overly enthusiastic, and I felt my morbid embarrassment heighten. “Do you have time to show her around?”

“I’m on in ten.” After glancing at a clock on the wall, he turned his full attention directly to me. “Want to meet me over by the lockers?”

Everything in me wanted to scream yes! with the same force that it wanted to bolt right back out the door, get in my car, and never return. I was torn, undecided on which would be the least embarrassing, and the internal controversy had paralyzed my ability to respond with any ounce of smoothness. Finally, I felt myself nodding my head, and he seemed to accept this as a positive confirmation.

“Great. See you in a few minutes.” There was a slight chance he might have winked at the end. But it also could’ve been the sun streaming in through the all the windows at the front of the building, so I tried my best not to get my hopes up. As he walked away, assumedly to change into a less distracting ensemble, I wondered if anyone else noticed my gaping mouth as I stared at his impossibly tight ass and broad, well-defined shoulders. When Savannah nudged me, I decided that was confirmation enough.

Though I would never admit this to her in a hundred years, it was occurring to me that maybe my friend had been right – maybe this was exactly what I needed. Hell, I was beginning to feel better already.
Renee' Novelle is preceded by a long line of published family members, including Pulitzer Prize nominated author and Poet Laureate of Kentucky Jesse Stuart.

As a child, Novelle was already gaining recognition for several of her works, and in her formative years, she continued this trend by earning local awards for her short stories and poems.

Inspired to cultivate her talent, Novelle pursued freelance journalism and has found placement of more than 80 of her pieces in both online and print publications since 2008. Additionally, she has written multiple screenplays, and contributed her savvy, effective writing style to many non-profit and for profit organizations. She also launched several blogs over the years, which garnered international attention.

In 2013, Novelle returned to her first love - fiction. Writing under the names Renee Novelle and R.S. Novelle, she has a publication schedule that includes psychological thrillers, suspense, paranormal fiction, contemporary women's fiction, chick lit, and new adult.

Though she received her Bachelor's of Science in Communication, Summa Cum Laude, she considers herself a constant student of the written word. She's an avid reader, an enthusiastic quote poster, and rarely takes "no" as a final answer. She has an unhealthy obsession for theater, dance, music  and art, and strongly believes that wine is simultaneously the beginning of, and resolution to, all of life's problems. She believes in following dreams, and that in the end, you always end up where you're meant to be.

For more information, to view pictures, read blog posts and see the upcoming release schedule, please visit the website at www.RSNovelle.com

Author Links: 
Purchase:
Blitz Wide Giveaway: $25 Amazon gift card - Open INT!









 

Book Blast + Giveaway: Primordial Dust by Sarah Daltry



Primordial Dust
Author: Sarah Daltry
Release Date: June 30, 2014

Description:

A princess, trained to behave. An assassin, betrothed to her. A thief, whose eyes she dreams of at night. A kingdom at war, torn apart by the suppression of magic and truth, as well as family secrets that threaten to destroy decades of peace.
 

Questions of loyalty, of morality, and of free will culminate in a fantasy novel about forging one’s own path and choosing one’s own destiny.  
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22396653-primordial-dust?ac=1
Sarah Daltry writes about the regular people who populate our lives. She’s written works in various genres – romance, erotica, fantasy, horror. Genre isn’t as important as telling a story about people and how their lives unfold. Sarah tends to focus on YA/NA characters but she’s been known to shake it up. Most of her stories are about relationships – romantic, familial, friendly – because love and empathy are the foundation of life. It doesn’t matter if the story is set in contemporary NY, historical Britain, or a fantasy world in the future – human beings are most interesting in the ways they interact with others. This is the principle behind all of Sarah’s stories.

Sarah has spent most of her life in school, from her BA and MA in English and writing to teaching both at the high school and college level. She also loves studying art history and really anything because learning is fun.

When Sarah isn’t writing, she tends to waste a lot of time checking Facebook for pictures of cats, shooting virtual zombies, and simply staring out the window.


Website
   
You can purchase Primordial Dust at the following Retailers:
SMASHWORDS | iTunes | KOBO | All Romance

   

(3) Winners will receive an E-Copy of Primordial Dust by Sarah Daltry.
(1) Winner will receive a $10 Amazon gift card and Swag pack by Sarah Daltry.
(1) Winner will receive a Swag Pack by Sarah Daltry.
 
Must be 13+ to Enter / International Giveaway