Thursday, May 30, 2019

BLOG TOUR & AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Danika Stone for "Switchback"

Switchback
by Danika Stone
Published by: Swoon Reads
Publication date: May 28th, 2019
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
An epic YA adventure story about two friends lost in the Canadian wilderness from Danika Stone, the author of All the Feels. 
Vale loves to hike, but kind of hates her classmates. Ash is okay with his classmates, but kind of hates the outdoors. So, needless to say they are both fairly certain that the overnight nature hike with their PE class is going to be a hellish experience. But when they get separated from the group during a storm, they have worse things to worry about than bullies and blisters. 
Lost in the Canadian wilderness with limited supplies, caught in dangerous weather conditions, and surrounded by deadly wildlife, it’s going to take every bit of strength, skill, and luck they can muster to survive. 

~AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Danika Stone~

1) What gave you the inspiration for the storyline?

All my books have many inspirations, but two particular things stick out for Switchback. The first was a prompt by Jean Feiwel. She knew that I wrote mysteries based in my small mountain hometown of Waterton Park Alberta, and suggested a YA that takes place there. The second inspiration was my cousin who was lost in that park, even though he’d grown up there and knew the trails inside out. That idea—of being lost in the mountains—terrified me, and I knew it’d be a great premise for the book!

2) Are there any hidden themes in the book that you hope readers will discover?

The main theme is survival, and Switchback definitely is full of that. A secondary theme—that a few readers have picked up on—is the idea of being lost in a crowd. Vale, the aroace main character, is bullied by her classmates and that experience isolates her as much as being lost does. By the end of the book, she must deal with both aspects of her experience.

3) Are any of the characters based on real people you know?

All my characters have bits and pieces of friends (and sometimes even my enemies!), but most of their personalities are developed independently. I don’t “know” the character until I start prewriting. During the weeks before I write, I gather up little details, trinkets and so on, and keep them in a box. As the box fills up, I come up with anecdotes about the character’s life. One item for Vale was a little hand-held flashlight. For Ash, it was a 20 sided die. When I finally put pen to paper, the character I’ve developed is as real as the people I see on the street and he or she is the one who starts talking.

4) Who has influenced you most as a writer?

Everyone influences me. The writers I love to read certainly inspire me, but so do the people I know in real life, current events, too! But if I have to choose just one person, I’ll select my father, as he was the one who inspired me to read and that led, very specifically, to this career. Sadly, my dad died in 2009—many years before my first book was ever written—but I think he’d be proud!

5) If you could have any three literary characters over to your place for game night, who would you invite, what would you play, what would you serve, and why?

I’d invite Ash (from Switchback) since he’s a diehard gamer, Luna Lovegood (from the Harry Potter series) since she sees the world in a completely unique way which would help with strategy, and Starr Carter (from The Hate U Give) because she is super smart and knows how to read situations and people in ways most people don’t. I’d serve pizza and wings, the perfect game night combo!

6) Do you feel that you can ever have too many books?

NEVER!  As Stephen King once said: “books are uniquely portable magic.” I agree.

Author Bio:
Danika Stone is an author, artist, and educator who discovered a passion for writing fiction while in the throes of her Masters thesis. A self-declared bibliophile, Danika now writes novels for both teens: INTERNET FAMOUS (Macmillan, 2017) and ALL THE FEELS (Macmillan, 2016); and adults THE DARK DIVIDE (Stonehouse, 2018) and EDGE OF WILD (Stonehouse, 2016). 
When not writing, Danika can be found hiking in the Rockies, planning grand adventures, and spending far too much time online. She lives with her husband, three sons, and a houseful of imaginary characters in a windy corner of Alberta, Canada. 
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Tuesday, May 28, 2019

COVER REVEAL for "The Hollow Queen (Stolen Empire, #5)" by Sherry D. Ficklin

The Hollow Queen 
(Stolen Empire, #5)
by Sherry D. Ficklin
Published by: Clean Teen Publishing
Publication date:
September 23rd, 2019
Genres: Historical, Young Adult
As a princess of the Romanov Empire, Elizabeth has enjoyed a life of luxury and privilege. But the sudden deaths of her parents leaves her unprotected – awash in the dangerous tide of her family’s political rivals. When the supreme council crowns her half-nephew Peter II in her place, Elizabeth is left with no title, no power—and no allies. Now little more than a bastard in the eyes of the world, she is sent to serve in the palatial home of Prince Menshikov—the real power behind the boy king. 
But Elizabeth won’t fade quietly into the background. 
Determined to uncover the truth behind her mother’s murder and expose the men who mean to rule Russia in secret, she grows closer to the handsome young king, and swears to protect him and his rule at any cost. But the forces that oppose them are as dark as they are far-reaching–and this time, Elizabeth could lose more than just her title…

Author Bio:
Sherry is the author of over a dozen novels for teens and young adults including the best selling Stolen Empire series. She can often be found browsing her local bookstore with a large white hot chocolate in one hand and a towering stack of books in the other. That is, unless she's on deadline at which time she, like the Loch Ness monster, is only seen in blurry photographs.

Sherry also writes contemporary romance under the pen name SJ Noble. You can find her at her official website, www.sherryficklin.com, or stalk her on her Facebook page www.facebook.com/sherry.ficklin. 
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Monday, May 27, 2019

BOOK BLITZ & REVIEW for "Their Baby Dragon (Not This, #5.5)" by Annie Nicholas

Their Baby Dragon 
(Not This, #5.5)
by Annie Nicholas

Publication date: May 31st, 2019
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Paranormal, Romance
COUNT DOWN TO DRAGON BABY 
Eoin, Harbinger of Smoke and Darkness, and Angie, Angel Dragon of New Port are very pleased to announce they are expecting the birth of their first child in the Spring of 2019.
The popular celebrity couple cannot wait to meet their newest addition. They were recently spotted at the premiere shifter obstetrician’s office looking upset.
Stay tuned for updates. 
Warning: DO NOT approach couple, take pictures, or trespass on their land uninvited. Trust this reporter’s advice comes from firsthand experience.

Their Baby Dragon is currently on sale for just 99¢
but only during release week!

~ BOOK REVIEW for Their Baby Dragon ~

****(4) out of 5 Stars!

Though a bit light on the romance that this series is most known for, this is still a delightful addition!  There's a lot of interaction between Eoin and Angie, although it is more of him trying to keep her appeased than anything else.  As they wait for the arrival of their own little addition, things are a bit harried.  Angie has some renewed difficulties in regards to shifting, much of which might be resolved if she knew anything about her family.  Since they don't, Eoin calls in the troops by asking his sister to visit - who ends up bringing the whole family along.  Things, of course, become even more chaotic after that.  Add in a couple of former suitors, some wayward home remodeling by a shifter work crew, and things are really hopping!  Thank goodness, alls well that ends well, and end well this one does!  I can't wait to read more in the series, and hope that Eoin's family sticks around for the fun!

Author Bio:
Annie Nicholas writes paranormal romance with a twist. She has courted vampires, hunted with shifters, and slain a dragon's ego all with the might of her pen. Riding the wind of her imagination, she travels beyond the restraints of reality and shares them with anyone wanting to read her stories. 
Mother, daughter, and wife are some of the other hats she wears while hiking through the hills and dales of her adopted state of Vermont. 
Annie writes for Samhain Publishing, Carina Press, and Lyrical Press. 
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Saturday, May 25, 2019

BOOK BLITZ for "Kingdom of Sand & Wishes: A Limited Edition Collection of Aladdin Retellings"


Kingdom of Sand & Wishes: A Limited Edition Collection of Aladdin Retellings
Publication date: May 24th, 2019
Genres: Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Young Adult
Aladdin, but not as you remember it… 
On the dusty streets, around the bustling bazaars, being overlooked by a Sultan’s Palace was a land. A land of magic, secrets and treasures buried deep beneath the desert. 
Through Arabian nights, dark forces are at work. Dark forces that can threaten the peace of everyone in the Kingdom. Watch our authors as they answer the question, can three wishes save the day? 
Join our award winning and USA Today best selling authors for nine action packed fantasy and contemporary retellings with Sultans, sorcerers, romance and more magic than a genie’s lamp can hold. 
One click now for your happily ever after…

SNEAK PEEKS:

Three Wishes by J.A.Armitage
Her future was mapped out…
She would one day be queen…
When a curse was cast, trapping Jini in an old lamp, her life ended along with everyone she had ever known and loved. Centuries of darkness passed and then a young man made a wish.
He wanted to be the Sultan.

So did she.

The only problem? There already was a Sultan and his mysterious son had already laid claim to the throne
Read this powerful new rendition of the age old classic, Aladdin, where things are not as they seem and magic might not be enough to save them all.
The Djinn Curse By Margo Ryerkerk
How far will you go to reclaim your freedom?

My name is Roxelana, and my human life was stolen from me.

Turned by force into a djinn, I’ve waited for 100 years for a shot at freedom.

My current assignment in Istanbul presents an opportunity to break the connection to my lamp and escape my eternal slavery. There’s just one problem. Doing so means sacrificing the sultan prince to the king of djinns. I shouldn’t care about the prince, but I can’t stop myself. He has a pull on me I can’t explain. Coupled with his kindness and the care he shows his people, I’m in deep trouble.

When push comes to shove, who will I choose? Him or myself?

Filled with adventure, love, magic, and a strong heroine, this clean YA Fairy Tale is the perfect read!

If you like K.M Shea, Melanie Cellier, and Kiera Cass, you’ll love this!
Granting Wishes (A Once Upon a Curse Prequel) by Kaitlyn Davis
She’s about to discover a whole new world…
“His words come back to me—magic is the law. I guess I’m making my own set of rules.”
Alanna thought rock climbing in Yosemite National Park would be the trip of a lifetime. Until an earthquake strikes and she finds herself plummeting to her death. But instead of slamming into the forest floor, Alanna drops into a secret underground cave where she’s confronted by the impossible—magic.
A mysterious man named Erick uses incredible powers to save her life, then tells her that his magical world has collided with earth, merging the two together. Alanna writes it off as crazy, until he shows her a vision of her brother being dragged down a sandy cobblestone street in chains. Crazy or not, she’ll do anything to save him.
As Alanna and Erick team up to rescue her brother from the clutches of a decrepit sorcerer king, fate intervenes in the form of a handsome prince. Alanna doesn’t know who to trust, but in this foreign land, flying solo just might get her killed…
Don’t miss GRANTING WISHES, a fantasy romance from bestselling author Kaitlyn Davis that reimagines the classic fairy tale of Aladdin.
Sultana of Amethyst Sands by Emma Savant
A beautiful genie craves her freedom. A handsome prince longs to heal his kingdom. And a con artist named Aladdah has big plans for them all.
Between theft, sleight of hand, and her indentured servitude to a powerful magician, Aladdah has always managed to survive the brutal streets of Citron. But survival isn’t enough for a woman of Aladdah’s ambition. She craves more—more food, more power, and more magic than her master has seen fit to teach her.
When she demands a greater challenge, her master sends her on a mission into an enchanted cavern beneath the desert sands. There, in an abandoned garden glittering with the lights of precious jewels, Aladdah discovers a genie whose power and beauty are matched only by her determination to escape the bonds of her servitude.
But the genie is bound by her magic lamp, subject to Aladdah’s every wish, and it’s an opportunity no self-respecting street rat could resist. Aladdah forms a plan to use the genie to destroy the sultan and establish herself as a new ruler who will turn the savage inequality of Citron on its head.
But the sultan has many protectors, from his court magicians to the beautiful, idealistic son who infuriates and enchants Aladdah in equal measure. Her genie fights her at every turn. And her old master will not be dismissed so easily, not when he has a plan to gain power the likes of which the kingdoms have never seen.
Sultana of Amethyst Sands is a romantic, fast-paced adventure through the sands of a faraway kingdom of magic, genies, and wishes come true.

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Friday, May 24, 2019

BLOG TOUR & AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Chad Alan Gibbs for "Two Like Me and You"

Two Like Me and You 
by Chad Alan Gibbs
Publication date: May 20th, 2019
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
Edwin Green’s ex-girlfriend is famous. We’re talking cover-of-every-tabloid-in-the-grocery-store-line famous. She dumped Edwin one year ago on what he refers to as Black Saturday, and in hopes of winning her back, he’s spent the last twelve months trying to become famous himself. It hasn’t gone well. 
But when a history class assignment pairs Edwin with Parker Haddaway, the mysterious new girl at school, she introduces him to Garland Lenox, a nursing-home-bound World War II veteran who will change Edwin’s life forever. 
The three escape to France, in search of the old man’s long-lost love, and as word of their adventure spreads, they become media darlings. But when things fall apart, they also become the focus of French authorities. In a race against time, who will find love, and who will only find more heartache?

~AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Chad Alan Gibbs~

1) What gave you the inspiration for the storyline?

This book is a bit of a mashup of two stories I’d been kicking around in my head for a while. I’m not sure where the idea of two teens taking a WWII veteran back to France came from, maybe binge watching Band of Brothers at 3 AM when our oldest son was an infant.  But the famous ex-girlfriend story came from American Idol. I remember watching the show years ago, like season 2 or 3, and there was a contestant who always wore a flower in her hair for her boyfriend back home. Then one episode the flower was gone, and when Seacrest asked her about it, she said they broke up. Since then the idea of a boyfriend or girlfriend left behind after the other became randomly famous has always intrigued me.

2) Are there any hidden themes in the book that you hope readers will discover?

Yeah, there are themes and symbols in the book that I think readers will catch. Some on purpose, others happy accidents that even I didn’t notice until re-reading a late draft. I’m not sure if I could talk about them without spoiling a lot of the story, but there won’t be a quiz, so don’t worry if you miss them.

3) Are any of the characters based on real people you know?

Loosely, I suppose. Edwin Green has a lot of me in him, but all the characters are just inventions of my imagination sprinkled with the occasional character trait that I’ve observed in real life. 

4) Who has influenced you most as a writer?

The Great Gatsby is my favorite novel, and I read it every December. Unfortunately, my writing doesn’t resemble Fitzgerald’s whatsoever. I’d say I’ve always wanted to write books like Nick Hornby.

5) If you could have any three literary characters over to your place for game night, who would you invite, what would you play, what would you serve, and why?

Fun question! I’ll say Hermione Granger, Jay Gatsby, and Ignatius Reilly. For game night we’d play quidditch because if there is a witch in my house, I’m not going to miss the chance to fly on a broom because we were playing Monopoly. We’d leave for dinner, a super nice restaurant since Gatsby is paying, and we’ll probably get kicked out before dessert because Ignatius will cause a scene.

6) Do you feel that you can ever have too many books?

No, you can never have too many books! But in a few years when you see the head headline “Alabama man crushed in an avalanche of books,” you’ll know that I was wrong.




Author Bio:
Chad Alan Gibbs lives in Alabama with his wife, two sons, two dogs, and an embarrassingly large collection of Star Wars action figures. Two Like Me and You is his first novel. 



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Monday, May 20, 2019

BLOG TOUR & BOOK REVIEW for "Concerto (North Security, #2)" by Skye Warren

Concerto - BT banner.jpg

Samantha Brooks stands onstage as the curtain rises.

Her dreams are coming true.

She doesn’t know that her nightmare is coming, too.


Concerto

the highly anticipated second book in the North Security series

about the violin prodigy

from New York Times bestselling author Skye Warren

is available now!


Concerto

The spotlight lands on Samantha Brooks. Years of practice build to the opening night of a global tour. She plays her heart out, but there are darker forces underneath the stage.
There are eyes watching from the wings.
Liam North fights to keep her safe with every weapon he owns. She’s his greatest pride — and his greatest weakness. The danger comes from somewhere no one expected. Betrayal threatens to destroy everything he’s built. His business. His family. His life.
When the curtain falls, only one of them will be left standing.

Concerto - AN

Download your copy today!
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/ConcertoSW
Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2HWGDWg

~ BOOK REVIEW for Concerto ~

****(4) out of 5 Stars!

Once again, the author comes through with a hot and heavy tale, that is also full of all the emotional feels we love, and a lot of intrigue of which we are just barely beginning to scratch the surface.  

Samantha is out in the world and on her own...  And yet she is not.  She's still living in a rather cloistered, protected environment, continually shadowed by her assigned body-guard Josh.  He is a constant reminder of her past, and yet not the brother she wishes were with her.  Samantha is still inexplicably drawn to Liam, as he is to her; even when they are worlds apart.  Yet even when they are together, there are worlds between them.  Most of that is his doing, still trying to protect her and keep her away from him.  

      He cuts me off with his mouth over mine, a twisted punishment for gratitude he does
      not want, a possession that shows exactly how much he does care about me.

Despite the taboo nature of their relationship, this story feels sexy, not creepy.  Samantha is, afterall, now a grown woman, although admittedly a young and sheltered one.  But in many ways she is mature beyond her years, as she needed to be for most of her life, just to protect herself.  She knows what she wants and isn't afraid to go after it.  Liam, on the other hand, is still hung-up on the inpropriety of his attraction for her.  Even after a rather significant revelation though, he comes across as a tortured love interest, not a disturbing letch.  This is perhaps bouyed by the fact that he never showed the slightest bit of inappropriate attention to her when she was younger.  (So much so, in fact, that she actually feels rather deprived of human contact during her time being raised by the North brothers.)

Samantha and Liam both make some dubious decisions that have rather severe consequences.  In addtition to which, betrayal comes from some unexpected sources, one of which hit me particularly hard, and I'm not sure will be easily recovered from, if at all.  

      "What will it take - some kind of sacrifice?"
      "You'd love that, wouldn't you?  That would be just the thing for you.  The Martyr.  
      The savior, I don't want you to hurt for me, Liam."
      It doesn't matter what I wanted.  That's what happened.

While nothing was actually resolved in this book, there were several story lines that were at least somewhat furthered.  Most definitely, there is a lot to be resolved in the next installment.  I hope it gives us all of the answers we're looking for, as well as closure, and preferably in a good way!

Excerpt:

One day I had been a man with a death wish—and the next I was responsible for a twelve-year-old girl. And then she grew up into a beautiful woman. At every turn she’s been a surprise.

I touch my fingers to her temple and stroke her cheek. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned in life it’s that everything will change. Don’t worry about your future. Do this because you love it, right now. Play. Compose. Perform. Sometimes all you have is right now.”

My hand trails down her jaw, until the backs of my fingers rest against her throat. Her vocal cords vibrate as she speaks. Ripples of pleasure and pain resound through my body.

“I’m not performing right now,” she whispers.

I have her tucked into the ivy, as deep as she can go. I’m blocking her with my body—keeping her within reach, keeping everyone else away. It’s the only way I’ve ever been able to breathe.

A knot forms in my throat. “What do you want?”

Right now. The words move between us like the cool night breeze.

It shouldn’t be possible for her to live up to the image in my head, the perfection that I’ve been imagining every goddamn night. Except it doesn’t even do her justice.

She’s living breathing perfection.

Somehow, I’m leaning close. Is it only me who wants this? Her breath brushes over my lips. What do you want? I asked her. “This,” she whispers, and then she closes the centimeters between us.

Four weeks. That’s how long I’ve been apart from her.

It might as well have been four years. A lifetime of silence. The moment her lips touch mine I’m suffused with music, thousands of notes that she’s played for me, a million heartbeats.

By the time she pulls back I’m breathing hard. I can run a marathon barely breaking a sweat. Being near this woman is enough to break my body into pieces.



Start the series with OVERTURE

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/Overture
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2ANRUDX
Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2GMaxMv

About Skye Warren
Skye Warren is the New York Times bestselling author of dangerous romance such as the Endgame trilogy. Her books have been featured in Jezebel, Buzzfeed, USA Today Happily Ever After, Glamour, and Elle Magazine. She makes her home in Texas with her loving family, sweet dogs, and evil cat.
Connect with Skye
Stay up to date with Skye Warren by signing up for her mailing list:
http://www.skyewarren.com

I received a free eBook copy of this title from Social Butterfly PR, 
and have willingly provided an honest review. 

Friday, May 17, 2019

BLOG TOUR & BOOK REVIEW for "Enemies with Benefits (Loveless Brothers, #1)" by Roxie Noir

EWB - BT banner.jpg

Enemies with Benefits
(Loveless Brothers, #1)
an all-new contemporary romance 
from Roxie Noir
is now live!

Enemies With Benefits Final

I don’t love him. I don’t even like him.
I just want him.
Eli Loveless was my nemesis from the first day of kindergarten until we graduated high school. Everything I did, he had to do better - and vice versa. The day he left town was the best day of my life.
Ten years later, the day he came back was the worst.
Now he’s my co-worker.
Grown-up Eli Loveless is sexy as sin. He’s hotter than asphalt in the summer. The irritating kid I once knew is gone, and he’s been replaced by a man with green eyes, perfect abs, and a cocky smile.
It’s bad that I want him.
It’s worse that he wants me back.
There are looks. There are smirks. There are smiles that make my panties burst into flame.
And then there’s a shared kiss that leads to the hottest night of my life.
This is no office romance. This is a five-alarm fire.
What’s a girl to do when the man I can’t stand is the one I can’t stop lusting after?
Enter into a friends-with-benefits agreement, of course.
No dates. No relationship. Just blisteringly hot sex, because if there’s one person I could never fall for, it’s Eli.
...right?

REVIEW:

*****(5) out of 5 Stars!

This story was absolutely delightful!  Violet and Eli are just adoreable together.  Okay, well, not at first.  In the beginning of this tale they are down right mean to each other.  We're talking not just rude but seriously vicious and spiteful!

Over time, as they reconnect and try working together as adults, they start to draw closer to one another.  And neither can deny the serious chemistry they share.  These two just about combust on the page!

Before too long, they agree to a strictly physical relationship.  But as with many best laid plans, theirs do not go as envisioned.  Soon, Violet and Eli are falling for each other, although neither is willing to admit it.  

There's some intrigue and suspense related to outside circumstances.  Which eventually do cause angst between our couple.  Luckily, however, there is no cheating or any such thing in this tale.  But it does take some time and effort before these two come back together.  

In the end, they do manage to achieve the happily ever after together that neither of them ever believed possible, but that everyone around them was just waiting for!

I believe this is the first in a new planned series, and I look forward to reading future installments.  I am hopeful that we'll get to see more of the Loveless clan in general, as well as follow up with Violet and Eli in particular.

Download your copy today!
Read FREE in Kindle Unlimited

Add to Goodreads:
https://bit.ly/2XE347l

EWB Teaser 4.jpg

Excerpt:

Don’t let him get to you, I tell myself, but it’s a feeble attempt because he’s already gotten to me. Eli’s been getting to me since we were five years old, and platitudes aren’t going to help the situation now.

Just don’t do anything stupid, I tell myself, and that one seems much more reasonable. That one seems like something I can handle.

The door opens. I brace myself. If I had a shield right now I’d put it up.

“Violet?” Eli asks.

Goddamn it.

“Yes.”

“You okay?” he asks, for the second time in two minutes.

“I’m fine,” I say, all the pent-up anger and irritation leaning on that second word.

“I’m just checking,” he says, letting the door shut behind him. “You practically ran out of the brewery like you were going to vomit or have a heart attack or —”

“— or before I finally lose my shit with you in public for acting like I need dart-throwing lessons?”

“Well, you do,” he says.

“I don’t!” I say. “I don’t care about darts! I don’t care that I’m bad at it!”

Eli just laughs. Somehow, we’ve moved closer to each other, close enough that I can feel his laughter rippling through the night air.

“Liar,” he says. “You’re pissed that I’m better than you at something and you’re terrible at hiding it.”

“No,” I say, swallowing hard. “I’m pissed that you followed me out here to keep gloating.”

“I followed you out here to see if I should call an ambulance,” he says.

“Liar,” I say.

I could swear that neither of us is moving, but we keep getting closer by centimeters, degrees. My heart feels like it’s punching my ribcage, my pulse racing. I’m praying that he can’t hear it and that he can’t tell that I feel electrified, like if he touches me I’ll spark.

I’m furious, and I want him, and I’m furious that I want him.

“You think I wasn’t worried when you sprinted out of there?” he says, his low voice getting louder, irritation edging in.

“I didn’t sprint.”

“Do you really think I’m incapable of concern?” Eli asks, his jaw tensing, his eyes glinting, the dark making them gleam gray.

“Not incapable,” I say.

I look him dead in the eye. My heart seizes.

“So I’m not a total monster,” he says, eyes blazing, voice dangerous and low.

His anger’s so real that it’s almost palpable. I feel like I could reach out and grab it, wrestle it with my own.

“I didn’t say that.”

“But it’s what you think.”

His eyes flick to my lips again, like they did inside, only now they stay linger there like he can’t tear his gaze away.

Please, whispers my body.

Hell no, whispers my brain.

“Since when do you care what I think of you?”

“I don’t,” he says, and his mouth finds mine.


About Roxie:

I love writing sexy, alpha men and the headstrong women they fall for.
My weaknesses include: beards, whiskey, nice abs with treasure trails, sarcasm, cats, 
prowess in the kitchen, prowess in the bedroom, forearm tattoos, and gummi bears.
I live in California with my very own sexy, bearded, whiskey-loving husband 
and two hell-raising cats.

Connect with Roxie:

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2GQlUUu
FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/RoxieNoir/
Join Roxie's reader group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theroxettes/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roxie_noir/
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/roxienoir
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/roxie-noir
Mailing List: http://roxienoir.com/newsletter


I received a free eBook copy of this title from Social Butterfly PR, 
and have willingly provided an honest review. 

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

BLOG TOUR & AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Shayna Grissom for "A Soul Reclaimed"

A Soul Reclaimed
by Shayna Grissom
Publication date: April 1st, 2019
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Hell is divided into seven regions. The first region is designated for the purest of souls, the seventh is for the evilest. There was once a king of Hell, but the steward family has ruled for centuries. 
Nora, the stepdaughter of the steward is undone when her mother and step-father take away her beloved tutor, Peter. When Nora confronts the steward and her mother, the discussion is heated and ends with the steward in inexplicable pain. 
Shortly after, Nora finds herself in the Starry Wood. Peter told her of the perils within the forest, and it’s not long before the inhabitants of the wood find her. 
A giant hunter named Aegis comes to Nora’s aid. He is drawn to Nora, compelled to protect her from the steward’s assassins, the giants, and the evil souls who escape the seventh region. 
Together, they travel the seven layers of Hell to discover why the steward is so threatened by a teenage girl.

~AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Shayna Grissom~

1) What gave you the inspiration for the storyline? 

Dreams give me most of my inspiration. Sometimes they are just images or ideas that I expand on, but in this case, the entire story was played out and I wrote it down.

2) Are there any hidden themes in the book that you hope readers will discover? 

There are things the souls misinterpret from the “other world” just as there are myths and legends that we misinterpret from Hell. One of the major themes is that we think we know regarding life and death are probably wrong or misunderstood.

3) Are any of the characters based on real people you know? 

No. Characters from other stories do bring inspiration, but it’s sort of a mashup to create the dynamic I want.

4) Who has influenced you most as a writer? 

Guillermo Del Toro. He mixes fairy tales and horror in such a beautiful way.
5) If you could have any three literary characters over to your place for game night, who would you invite, what would you play, what would you serve, and why? 

Virgil (A Divine Comedy) because it no doubt inspired A Soul Reclaimed. Jane Eyre, as I am currently reading her story. Lucille Sharpe because she is my favorite villain.
6) Do you feel that you can ever have too many books? 

Logistically, yes, I suppose it is possible to have too many books. That is why we have libraries and eBooks, fortunately.  

Author Bio:
Shayna Grissom was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. She currently resides in Seattle with her husband, two children, and her beloved pets. Shayna draws inspiration for her writings from binge-watching too many shows with far too much wine. She is a lover of the macabre, the strange, natural sciences, and films that feature vivid colors and imagery. Her favorite film director is Guillermo Del Toro, and her favorite books growing up were Anne Rice novels. 
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Tuesday, May 14, 2019

BOOK BLITZ for "The Rule of Many (The Rule of One, #2)" by Ashley Saunders & Leslie Saunders

The Rule of Many 
(The Rule of One, #2)
by Ashley & Leslie Saunders

Published by: Skyscape
Publication date: May 7th, 2019
Genres: Dystopian, Young Adult
Born to a death sentence in a near-future America, rebellious sisters herald a revolution — if they can survive. 
Twins Ava and Mira Goodwin defy the Rule of One simply by existing. The single-child law, ruthlessly enforced by Texas’s Governor Roth, has made the sisters famous fugitives and inspirations for the resurgent rebellion known as the Common. 
But the relentless governor and his implacable Texas State Guard threaten that fragile hope, as Roth consolidates his power in a bid for ultimate authority. 
As Ava and Mira relinquish the relative safety of their Canadian haven to stand against Roth, new allies arise: Owen, a gifted young programmer, impulsively abandons his comfortable life in a moment of compassion, while Zee, an abused labor camp escapee, finds new purpose in resistance. 
The four will converge on Dallas for a reckoning with Roth, with nothing less than their destinies — and the promise of a future free from oppression — on the line. 
Disobedience means death. But a life worth living demands rebellion.

Excerpt:

MIRA
Limos and luxury cars line the extensive circular driveway, stuffed with partygoers ready for the welcoming bash. Mrs. and Mr. Cross have already arrived with much fanfare from their son and his doting employees. I wonder if Ciro’s sisters are here.
I hear him get on the microphone, introducing his unwitting parents onto the stage of the overflowing banquet hall, the governor of Alberta and the mayor of Calgary looking on from the front row.
Everything’s falling nicely into place. If only the man of the hour would show.
I look at my watch: 7:30 p.m. He’s late. Ava’s knee bounces furiously, as if she can shake out her anxiety.
“He’ll come,” I say.
From our hideout in the corner of the foyer, shadowed and easily overlooked, we have the best seats in the house. A perfect vantage point to see and be unseen. Ava scans the budding festivities through the glass walls on our left. I keep my eyes on the glass windows straight ahead, seeing past the dazzling flares from the cars’ headlights, holding out for the first glimpse of the president.
A string quartet begins to play, and an electric energy pulsates through the hotel, enlivening the crowd around us with a giddy exhilaration, and I can’t help but feel it too. Eager, I spring to my feet. I pace up and down our tucked-away corner, checking the time, watching Emery from across the room, waiting on her signal.
“Do you hear that?” Ava asks. She stares up at the ceiling. I move beside her as we listen to the muffled roar of whirling blades slicing the air somewhere above the building.
“A helicopter,” Ava says.
“He’s here.”
We look to Emery, who stands near the entrance, her gaze locked skyward. Guests file past as she removes a headscarf from her pocket, drapes the silk over her distinctive curls, and pulls it into a tight knot at the back of her neck. She folds her right arm over her chest, our cue to move.
I feel, rather than see, Barend steal into place behind us, our long shadow, as we push to the end of the foyer. Pawel detaches himself from the crowd and crosses our path as he follows Emery out the front door. “Lots of luck,” he whispers earnestly. Like luck has anything to do with it. It’s all up to us.
Our target is the oversized clock that consumes the entire wall alongside the vacant concierge desk. Ava stops before the number six, and we slip behind a false door and stride side by side down an empty staff hallway. Three right turns, two left, a final door, and we’re outside.
There are no lights behind the hotel and no people. The night is chilly and moonless, but we find the footpath we were directed to take and make our silent way to the small grove of trees just twenty yards out.
Ten paces in, Ava and I turn from the path and weave through the evergreens until we spot the narrow clearing that is to be our stage. We position ourselves in its center, shoulder to shoulder, and wait. Somewhere to our right, concealed within the trees and darkness, Barend stands guard.
When told of the plan, Emery immediately authorized the private rendezvous. She knows pleading our case face-to-face with the president is the only way. Cameras and screens provide a barrier, Emery said. The media paints you solely as American rebels. Let him see how human you are. With Pawel at her side, Emery is to meet and escort the president here, while Ciro entertains his parents and guests, keeping them safely ignorant inside the banquet hall.
The minutes tick off, and Ava starts to shiver from either the cold or nerves. Or is that me shivering? Ava and I brought no weapons with us, to show good faith. No guns, no knives. Just us, with our naked conviction and hope.
This could be our last stop, a final end to the endless chase. A place to plan and plot and devise our crucial counterattack.
Ava nudges me with a sharp elbow. She points to the trees in front of us. Two distinct shapes emerge, a faint silhouette floating behind.
“Ready?” I whisper needlessly. Ava tightens her jaw, and I ball my hands into white-knuckled fists. I take a big gulp of air and exhale slowly. My breath comes out in swirling smoke, reminding me of a dragon. There’s a fire inside me, and suddenly I feel warm and calm. One look from Ava and I know she feels it too.
We’re ready.
The outlines become faces and bodies. Emery appears first, then President Moore, with Pawel a few steps behind. I stare at Moore, transfixed, my eyes glued to the man who can grant us refuge.
He stumbles forward, as if his own eyes have not yet adjusted to the dark. I search his every feature, looking for any hint of surprise, or shock, or understanding. But his face, though startlingly attractive in the starlight, is blank. Indifferent.
“President Moore,” Emery says, “this is Ava and Mira Goodwin.” He looks at us cross-eyed, his round eyes squinting as he takes us in. We all stand motionless, awaiting his response.
“You don’t look identical to me,” the president finally states, his thin voice magnified in the still night air. “One of you’s slightly taller, the other rounder.”
The leader of the free world opens with an insult. My first reaction is to defend my identicalness. Surprising, when all I’ve ever wanted is to be seen as different from Ava.
“Sir—” Ava and I speak at the same time.
The president laughs. “Ah, there it is.” The ground spins as he turns to leave. “This conversation will be moved to a different setting. Just the twins and me.”
Barend detaches from the shadows. Pawel and Emery enclose my sister and me. Ava grabs my arm, her grip tight enough to bruise.
“We do not agree to any change—” Emery starts, but Moore shouts over her.
“Security!”
Everything shatters, all plans and expectations smashed to pieces.
A gunshot rings out, then two more.
Run!” Emery yells.
The last thing I see is Ava’s face, twisted in fear and fury.
Then something covers my eyes. My mouth.
I’m thrown over a bulky shoulder, the deafening sounds of a helicopter growing louder with every footfall. With every one of my muffled screams.
I’m shoved against something solid. I reach out, arms flailing, but there’s no one beside me. Ava.
I feel the chopper lift into the sky. Two spinning blades taking me higher and higher away from Common ground.


Author Bio:
Hailing from the suburbs of Dallas, Texas, Ashley Saunders and Leslie Saunders are award-winning filmmakers and twin sisters who honed their love of storytelling at The University of Texas at Austin. While researching The Rule of One, they fell in love with America’s national parks, traveling the path of Ava and Mira. The sisters can currently be found with their Boston terriers in sunny Los Angeles, exploring hiking trails and drinking entirely too much yerba mate. 

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