Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Insanity (Asylum #1) by Lauren Hammond Book Excerpt


Sometimes love...can drive you crazy.
Adelaide Carmichael and Damien Allen couldn't be more opposite.
Adelaide's mother abandoned her when she was ten years old, leaving her to be raised by her abusive and alcoholic father.
Damien on the other hand came from a wealthy family, was a local celebrity, and seemed to have a bright future ahead of him.
Despite their differences, Adelaide and Damien were young, wild, and fiercely in love.
And they had a plan.
They were going to run away.
Be together forever.
And their plan was set in motion, until tragedy struck and for some reason, Adelaide wound up in The Oakhill Institution for the insane.
Adelaide has no idea what she did to wind up at Oakhill, but she knows one thing for sure...
She wants out.
And after Damien follows her there to aid her in escaping, Adelaide slowly begins putting together the pieces of her memory that are missing.
And it doesn't take Adelaide long to figure out that sometimes...
That one true love never dies.

Excerpt 1 ~
Shoving my feet off the side of the bed, new surroundings burn my eyes. Tan plaster walls instead of thick white padded ones. One oblong barred window. Two dressers. Two closets. Two beds.

They've moved me to a different room.

A gentle squeaking noise bounces off the walls and my eyes avert to my right. Oh crap. They put me in a room with a nut job. 

They say I'm a nut job. 

But not like this. 

Not even close.

She rocks back and forth on her cot, knees to her chest, twisting a piece of her wiry, red hair between her fingertips. Her freckled arms are trembling. She sings with vibrato.

I am slowly going crazy. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six.

Switch.

Crazy going slowly am I. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six.

Switch.

I think about screaming again. I think about plugging my ears. Somebody turn her off. 

She lifts her head slowly, a maddening look in her big, brown eyes, an eerie smile crawling across her pale, freckled lips. “Shh,” she whispers. “They're coming for us.”

“Who's they?”

She shakes her head and lets out a cackle laced with the deepest kind of crazy. I think they put her in here with me purposely. They're trying to break me. They think if they put me around truly insane people that I'll accept my place here. 

Well...They are wrong. 

Book Excerpt 2 ~ 

After supper, which consisted of rubbery meatloaf, a wax-like colorful vegetable medley, and a piece of stale bread, I retreat back to the rec room and stand at the window. The sun is setting now and the sky is splashed with darkened oranges, yellows, and browns. There is no one outside anymore and I keep my eyes glued to the ground, watching as the wind tosses up dead leaves and spins them around in tiny cyclones before depositing them back on the ground. 

For some reason, focusing on the skyline reminds me of summer. 

And Damien. 

We both used to sneak away from our houses at sundown. Daddy would be passed out by then and his parents were wealthy and donated a bunch of money to different charities so they always had some elaborate party to go to. In the summers they had one every night. Even on the weekdays. 

His deep husky laugh sounds off in my mind and I revel in it. I close my eyes and he's chasing me through the field. “You know I'm going to catch you, Addy!” His voice carries on the wind and as the wind tousles my hair Damien's voice caresses my ear lobe. 

I laugh and pump my legs harder, zig-zagging through the long, swaying grass, willing myself to go faster. “Ha! You'll never catch me, Damien Allen!” I shout back. 

His footsteps thunder in my ears and I can feel him coming up on me. Before I know his hands are wrapped around my waist and we're crashing to the ground, laughing so hard we can't breathe. 

A lonely tear escapes from my eye and I wipe it away quickly when open them. I miss him so much that since yesterday my heart has felt like a towering inferno and there isn't any water or a fire extinguisher around to put it out. 

The tips of my fingers graze against the glass window. It feels cold. Distant. Startling. I'm perplexed because Damien knows I know he's here. So why hasn't he sought me out? Why hasn't he come looking for me? I relax when I think of the consequences. What would they do to him if they saw us together? An orderly and a patient who the staff thinks is insane? He'd probably be fired and God only knows what would happen to me. 

I'd probably be given electroshock therapy or worse. 

No... Having Damien here is too precious. Too magnificent. Too amazing. 

And I'm not willing to risk giving it up. 

Taking one last look at the sky, I turn to go to my room when I feel a pair of hands sliding up my back. At first, I tense up because I'm terrified of who might be touching me. Then I see his blue blue eyes in the window. Damien. “You caught me,” I whisper musically. 

He flashes me a radiant smile that I can see through the window and then he wraps his arms around my waist. This feels like heaven. So beautiful. So blissful. So perfect. I never want this moment to end even though I know deep down inside that its going to at any second. His lips, his full luscious pouty lips are against my ear sending shock waves of desire through my nerves. I guide his hand down my stomach, feel the warmth of his fingertips through the thin fabric and just before his hand reaches my thigh he yanks it away. “No,” he whispers. “Not here. Not now.” 

“Then where?” I lean into him and his body heat sets me on fire. I'm burning, burning, burning. I want to burn eternally.

About Lauren: 
It all began with a dinosaur, a T-Rex to be exact. He was the main character in my very first short story. Me and T, well, we went places. He is the reason I won my first essay contest at age ten. And he is probably one of the number one reasons, I pursued a career in writing. 

Throughout high school, I was what you would call a rebel. Someone who had convinced herself that she had life figured out at age sixteen. Still, writing was my only safe-haven during that time. I wrote notebooks full of poetry, even writing fellow classmates papers for them. 

Unbeknowest to me, creative writing, seemed to be my one, true calling, my passion in life. 

At age twenty, I began writing my first novel. After that, everything seemed to fall into place. 

I won Best Poets and Poems of 2007, and The Editor's Choice award for my poem, Summer Days. 

Also, during that time I wrote or co-wrote fifteen different screenplays, some which earned me finalist spot in various screenplay competitions. 

In 2010, I've come full force, with my novel Love Sucks, that was released by Punkin House Press, in August of 2010. On top of Love Sucks, I have six novels that are slated to be released through the next five years. Also, doing some various marketing work for authors and publishers. 

I pride myself in telling fellow writers to always follow their dreams. Who knows where I would be if I would have given up. 

Lauren’s Links: 

Purchase links for Insanity: 


About Insanity: 
Released: May 8th 
Series: Asylum, book #1

Never Ending Stories.....: "Just Because' Giveaway": Rapture (Fallen #4) by ...

Never Ending Stories.....: "Just Because' Giveaway": Rapture (Fallen #4) by ...: Title: Rapture (Fallen#4) Author: Lauren Kate Pages :432 Goodreads Blurb: Like sand in an hourglass, time is running out for Luce and Da...

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

A Perfect Husband by Douglas Wickard Book Review

An abandoned cabin… a diabolical killer…a hidden cemetery… a deadly secret is about to be uncovered.
Far from the neon blur of Manhattan – the dizzy buzz of restaurants, theater openings and one too many cocktails – located seventy-two miles outside the City in the sleepy, rural township of Montague, New Jersey, Sami Saxton is looking to rebuild her life. A rebirth, one might call it. And, she intends to do this spiritual resurrection in a small, abandoned fishing cabin, built over forty years ago by her deceased father.
Not quite abandoned…
A lethal serial killer has taken up residence in the basement of Sami’s remote cottage, using her father’s carpenter table for a hobby much more sinister than woodcutting.
Sequestered deep within forty-two acres of tall pine trees, bristling brooks and fresh water lakes, Sami Saxton is about to fight for her life.
The hard truth… nobody will ever hear her scream! 

My Review
HOLY BATMAN is all I have to say! I want to thank Pilar for allowing me to read and review this book. I usually read YA books but this book gripped me right form the blurb. I just knew I had to read this book ASAP and I am so glad I did. Douglas has crafted a world where you can see into the mind of the killer and feel what he feels and see what he sees.

Sami is getting divorced and wants a change so she decides she is going to move back to her families cabin. She does not want to leave New York but she knows if she stays there she will not grow and move on like she needs to. The divorce is in the works and her soon to be ex-husband really does not want her to move away but Sami is ready to spread her wings and move on. 

Once there Sami realizes there is something wrong with her cabin. As the mystery unfolds she soon realizes she is in danger. What is a girl to do when she is faced with being the next victim of a crazy person? What will she do when she finds out who it is? Can a good guy go bad? Come along on this greatest mystery I have read in a long time. This book will have you at the end of your seat yelling OMG what the hell, look out..... and so much more. I am so grateful I was able to read this book and I am looking forward to many more books by Douglas. 

Meet Douglas
I wrote my first short story when I was twelve. It was titled Twelve and a Junkie. I persuaded my sister Karen to 'make it look professional' so I could submit it to the Reader's Digest First Person's Award. Ada, my mother, was mortified. Can you imagine? Small-town boys from Ohio, growing up in the 60's, hopefully, knew little about heroin addiction, or for that matter writing, but for me that experience opened a whole new arena of visual communication.

I didn't win the competition, needless to say, but I did uncover a link between my imagination and the written word. If I was willing to show up, sit down and spend some time alone, a story quite possibly could develop.

I left home early, at sixteen, and joined the military. By twenty-three I was a world traveler. I traded in my small-town upbringing for the City; Los Angeles first, then New York. For over twenty years I lived in the Big Apple, working in the hospitality industry, but I never stopped putting pencil to paper, fingers to keyboard. My introduction to professional writing began with musicals. My first optioned show was called Waiting. Head Over Heels and Lovers & Liars followed. Although Broadway was the goal, my shows never saw the light of the 'Great White Way.' But, my association and collaboration, at that time, with so many wonderful, talented musicians, singers and writers was a creative dream, a children's playground.

Several screenplays, a few novels and even a television script were developed, sent out and shelved. Some work gathered more attention than others.
Patience is the key in a writer's life.
And, perseverance.

My first published novel, A Perfect Husband, introduces Sami Saxton, a normal forty-something year old woman dealing with challenges; a bad marriage, a tarnished career, a mid-life crisis (what else is new?). A simple plan to escape from her past and begin anew comes to a terrifying halt when a series of events catapult her into a battle for territory, self-preservation and ultimately her Life.

Follow Douglas
Twitter: @DouglasWickard

Monday, May 28, 2012

Angel Eyes by Shannon Dittemore Blog Tour Stop

Once you’ve seen, you can’t unsee. Everything changes when you’ve looked at the world through . . .
ANGEL EYES
Brielle’s a ballerina who went to the city to chase her dreams and found tragedy instead. She’s come home to shabby little Stratus, Oregon, to live with her grief and her guilt . . . and the incredible, numbing cold she can’t seem to shake.
Jake’s the new guy at school. The boy next door with burning hands and an unbelievable gift that targets him for corruption.
Something more than fate has brought them together. An evil bigger than both of them lurks in the shadows nearby, hiding in plain sight. Two angels stand guard, unsure what’s going to happen. And a beauty brighter than Jake or Brielle has ever seen is calling them to join the battle in a realm where all human choices start.
A realm that only angels and demons—and Brielle—can perceive. 

My Review
5 Angel Wings
Thank you to YA Bound for allowing me to be a part of this tour. I have read a lot of books about Angels and Demons but Shannon has created a world where you feel like you are right there with the characters.

Brielle is a unique character in this story. She returns home after her friend is murdered. She blames herself and feels like she could have done something to stop it from happening but little does she know things or people are lurking in the background. When she is confronted with the things that go bump in the night she is not sure how to handle things. Her life feels like it is closing in on her until she meets Jake.

Jake is a great character in this story. Jake can heal with his hands and as he and Brielle get close things start to kick off. A secret world is revealed and Brielle will have to trust Jake or walk away. What will Brielle do in the end? Will she follow her heart or will she allow the devil to sway her to his side.

This story is a breath of fresh air and it allows the reader to see both good and evil and see what the consequences are for choosing evil. Brielle will have to face some hard core facts about God and Lucifer and when she meets Lucifers child she will have to decide if she will listen to him and be swayed to his side or will she chose Jake and the Angels. Come along for an adventure that is sure to tug at your heart. Love angels this book is for you. Love demons this book is for you. Which Team will you be on....... Team Jake or Team Damien? 

Want to win a copy of Angel Eyes And see what all the craze is about? Enter the rafflecopter and enter to win an e-copy or a paperback copy of Angel Eyes.
Shannon is a wife and mother. A sister. A daughter. A friend. She was raised in Northern California by her parents—pastors of their local church and constant figures of inspiration.

As a youth, Shannon traveled with an award-winning performing arts team, excelling on stage and in the classroom. As a young adult, she attended Portland Bible College, continued acting, and worked with an outreach team targeting inner-city kids in the Portland-Metropolitan area.

It was in Portland that she met her husband, Matt. They were married in 2002. Soon after, they took the reins of the youth ministry at Living Way Community Church in Roseville, California where they continue to serve in that capacity. In October of 2004, their son Justus was born, followed by their daughter Jazlyn, born in 2008.

ANGEL EYES is Shannon’s debut novel and the launch of a young adult supernatural trilogy. It will be published in the summer of 2012 by Thomas Nelson.

Shannon is represented by Holly Root of The Waxman Literary Agency and is an active member ofInspire Christian Writers of Sacramento.

“I’m a firm believer that books open doors into the imagination and remind us that we should venture there often. We should dream. We should try hard things. We should be fearless. And while there are many obstacles that stand in the way, I hope my stories remind readers that life is to be lived. Pain is to be tackled. Mountains are to be climbed. And while you may fall into dark places along the way, light is as close as the prayer on your lips.”

Follow Shannon Dittemore at the following places:
Twitter: @ShanDitty

Follow this blog tour for more giveaways and some awesome interviews and reviews

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Knee Deep By Jolene Perry Blog Tour Stop

Shawn is the guy Ronnie Bird promised her life to at the age of fourteen. He's her soul mate. He's more uptight every day, but it's not his fault. His family life is stressful, and she's adding to it. She just needs to be more understanding, and he'll start to be the boy she fell in love with. She won’t give up on someone she’s loved for so long.

Luke is her best friend, and the guy she hangs with to watch girlie movies in her large blanketopias. He's the guy she can confide in before she even goes to her girlfriends, and the guy who she's playing opposite in Romeo and Juliet. Now her chest flutters every time he gets too close. This is new. Is Ronnie falling for him? Or is Juliet? The lines are getting blurry, but leaving one guy for another is not something that a girl like Ronnie does.

Shawn’s outbursts are starting to give her bruises, and Luke’s heart breaks as Ronnie remains torn. While her thoughts and feelings swirl around the lines between friendship and forever, she’s about to lose them both.

My Review 5 Roses!
A Huge THANK YOU to Nicole at Tribute Books for allowing me to be a part of this great tour. Knee Deep grabbed my attention a few months ago when I saw the cover reveal. I said man this book is something I need to read when it comes out. The cover just screams READ ME....... READ ME.......

Knee Deep is a story of love, friendship and consequences of loving the wrong person. This story shows you the consequences behind actions made in haste. This is a must read for all teenage girls. When a girl loves hard she loves hard but with that also comes the crashing or falling hard on your face when the relationship does not work out.

Ronnie has loved Shawn all her life. She knows she is supposed to be with him. He is her soul mate and she will do and say anything to be with him. Then Shawn moves away and Ronnie gets close to Luke. Luke is her best friend and he will do anything for Ronnie. Then Shawn moves back and he and Ronnie become a couple. With this new relationship Ronnie and Luke's friendship starts to fade because she is spending all her time with Shawn.

Then Ronnie and Luke try out for the school play and Ronnie and Luke get the leading roles. Ronnie is excited because she gets to star opposite Luke and she will be able to spend time with him and build their friendship back up. But there is danger lurking in the background and someone is not happy about their friendship. Their friendship and love will be tested and when Luke finds out Ronnie's secret all hell will brake lose.

What will Ronnie do about Shawn? Will she have the courage to stand up and tell someone? Will she confide in Luke? What is a girl to do when she is torn between two guys? One guy is good and one is poison, who will she choose? When her love hits rock bottom who will be there to pick up the pieces of her broken heart? This is a MUST READ for all teenagers!

As I was reading this book I kept thinking about a song that describes Ronnie and Shawn's relationship and I think Cut by Plum is perfect for them.
Ronnie and Luke have this awesome friendship until something happens to it. 
So I picked Be Still by The Fray http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nUuBj...

Thank you Jolene for writing such an open and honest story that shows us some things are better off being said then keeping them secret. 

Jolene Perry's Bio:
Jolene grew up in Wasilla, Alaska. She graduated from Southern Utah University with a degree in political science and French, which she used to teach math to middle schoolers.

After living in Washington, Utah and Las Vegas, she now resides in Alaska with her husband, and two children. Aside from writing, Jolene sews, plays the guitar, sings when forced, and spends as much time outside as possible.

She is also the author of Night Sky and The Next Door Boys.
eBook
ISBN: 9780983741886
ISBN: 9781476060316
Pages: 240
Release: May 1, 2012

Kindle buy link - $2.99
Nook buy link - $4.95
iBookstore buy link - $4.99
Coming soon
Google buy link - $3.79
Smashwords buy link - $4.99
PDF buy link - $4.95

You can find Jolene at the following places:
Knee Deep web site:
Knee Deep Twitter hashtag:
Knee Deep GoodReads page:
Jolene Perry's Facebook:
Jolene Perry's Twitter:
Jolene Perry's Website:
Jolene Perry's Blog:
Jolene Perry's GoodReads:
Tribute Books website:
Tribute Books Facebook:
Tribute Books Twitter:
Tribute Books Blog Tours Facebook:

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Preservation By Rachael Wade Blog Tour Stop

Adult Contemporary Romance / Realistic Fiction
Fear is sabotage’s sweetest weapon.
Kate has no time for meaningless romantic charades, and definitely no time for hot college professors who are full of themselves and smitten with her. Constantly battling eviction notices, tuition she can’t afford, and a sick, dependent mother, the last thing she needs is to be distracted with someone else’s complicated baggage. 

When she stumbles into Ryan Campbell’s creative writing class, he is only “Mr. Campbell” to her, until Ryan finds himself captivated by her writing and she is forced to face their mutual attraction. His cocky know-it-all syndrome is enough to send her running in the other direction, and his posse of female admirers and playboy reputation are enough to squander any odds in her favor. 

But underneath Ryan’s abrasive facade is something to behold, and she can’t stay away for long. Ryan and Kate must decide who they’re willing to become and fight against their former selves if they want to make things work. That’s if academia, vicious vixens, old skeletons, and their own mastery at self-destruction don’t pummel their efforts first. 

Preservation On Tour! 

A sexy, arrogant, playboy professor. A stubborn, independent, aspiring writer. Both masters at the art of sabotage. Let the games begin. Available 5/25 from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords. 

Song: Love Song 
Artist: 311 version 
Tour Date: 5/23 
Venue: The Ladera Resort, St. Lucia, the West Indies 
Scene Snapshot: Kate reflects on the past and future of her relationship with Ryan 
Anthem: 
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am home again
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am whole again

Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am young again
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am fun again

However far away, I will always love you
However long I stay, I will always love you
Whatever words I say, I will always love you
I will always love you 

Fear is sabotage’s sweetest weapon. 

Kate has no time for meaningless romantic charades, and definitely no time for hot college professors who are full of themselves and smitten with her. Constantly battling eviction notices, tuition she can’t afford, and a sick, dependent mother, the last thing she needs is to be distracted with someone else’s complicated baggage. 

When she stumbles into Ryan Campbell’s creative writing class, he is only “Mr. Campbell” to her, until Ryan finds himself captivated by her writing and she is forced to face their mutual attraction. His cocky know-it-all syndrome is enough to send her running in the other direction, and his posse of female admirers and playboy reputation are enough to squander any odds in her favor. 

But underneath Ryan’s abrasive facade is something to behold, and she can’t stay away for long. Ryan and Kate must decide who they’re willing to become and fight against their former selves if they want to make things work. That’s if academia, vicious vixens, old skeletons, and their own mastery at self-destruction don’t pummel their efforts first. 

Video link: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egX9ZDaIrkU&ob=av2e 
 
Visit www.RachaelWade.com on Friday, May 25th for the Preservation launch party!

Anyone who knows me knows I love Rachael and her writing. She draws something out in you that makes you want to keep reading and reading until you reach the end. So because I love her so much I am giving away three yes three copies of Preservation. Just fill out the rafflecopter and see if you win. Good luck and happy reading!




Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Becoming a Butterfly by Mia Castile Blog Tour Stop

16 year old Lacey was never the center of attention, unless she was tripping, stammering, or being deposited into a pool by the local popular kids. All she wanted was to fit in, until one night when everything changed. 
Jade and Tasha, her two best friends, helped her create an online personality that was everything she wanted to be - and it was only the beginning. In doing so she attracted the attention of Henry, her lifelong crush and next door neighbor. Unfortunately it was Farrah, her online personality and not herself, he was interested in. 
She also attracted Chase the brooding, quiet, anti-social new kid of Brownsburg High School, who easily figured out her secret and blackmailed her. They forged a friendship that was both unique and complicated. 
Lacey must decide if revealing herself to Henry and her entire school as the cool, charming, and funny Farrah is worth possibly losing him forever, and she finds herself needing to make an even harder decision than she ever thought possible. When did the lines between truth and lies get so blurred?

Becoming a Butterfly is a story about coming of age and finding yourself when you never knew you were lost.

**This is a MATURE YA FICTION SERIES** 

My Review
5 BUTTERFLIES 
Mia has done it AGAIN! There are a few authors I love because they tell a story that needs to be told and they are not afraid to say what needs to be said and Mia is one of them. I had the privilege of receiving the ARC of Becoming a Butterfly this weekend and I read it in six hours because I could not put it down. Man oh man Mia had me hooked from the first sentence. "Splash! The water engulfs me as, humiliated, I sink heavily to the bottom of the pool. By sinking, I hope to avoid the fate awaiting me at the surface of the water where my wig floats."

This story is about love, lies and secrets. See some lies can lead you down a road where you don't want to go and at the end of the road you have to make decisions that will make you or break you. Love is funny because you think you are in love with someone only to find out that maybe your just infatuated with them. Secrets they are the worst. Some secrets should never be kept especially if someone is hurting themselves.

Lacey is your average teen who has loves, lies, and secrets. She must come face to face with her biggest fear and when she does she will have to decide what to do. She can either chose road A or road B either way she has some tough decisions to make. With her best friends and a new friend Lacey will face some things and learn what it means to become a butterfly. Once she spreads her wings she will fly and when she lands she will have to pick up the pieces.

BAB's Trailer

This is a must read book for all teens and anyone who loves a great book about overcoming the odds. I was listening to some music while writing this review and the song Invisible by Skylar Grey http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVVrT_... wraps this book up best!

Mia thank you for your honesty and openness to write such a gripping story. 

Here is the song Invisible by Skylar Grey

Today I am jumping up and down because The Band Cates Ashes is in the house! *jumping and squealing* (don't tell anyone but I have a HUGE HUGE crush on Chase)

Thank you guys for stopping by and telling us a little bit about your band and of course who you guys are and what instruments you play. 

How did you guys come up with the name CATES ASHES?
Well CATES ASHES is is the first initials of our name and where we live.

Chase 
AJ
Thax
Evan
Stain
So who plays what in the band?
Chase is the lead singer and plays guitar and writes some of the songs
Thax plays Piano
AJ plays Base
Stain plays Guitar
Evan plays the Drums

Guys tell me what song is your favorite from the album
Chase: Laced With Lies (He wrote this song)
She thinks She’s invisible When she hides Behind her makeup She doesn’t know That I see her.

When she disappears In the crowd. But that’s The way she likes it, Though she’ll never admit it. That’s the reason she hides, Behind eyes laced with lies. She thinks My heart is stone And my words Are made of rubber. She doesn’t know Her words burn through me, Leaving me severed. But that’s what She won’t understand; All she knows Is how to pretend.

Now everyone can see Her eyes laced with lies. She thinks She needs it, So someone can love her She’ll never understand That I could always see her I wonder If she’ll ever realize How beautiful She is to me. And that’s the reason I hide behind My eyes laced with lies.

Thax and Stain: I Rock Hard (They co-wrote that song)

Evan: Loves all upbeat songs. No downer songs coming from me.

AJ: I don't have a favorite yet but Laced With Lies is wearing on me.

Where do you guys see yourselves in five years?
We will be on the road making lot's of money and touring and doing what we love and that is playing music and sharing our passion with everyone!

Thank you guys for coming out and sharing yourselves with us ladies who love you. We look forward to hearing more music from you guys real soon.

Since I love this group so much and they had so much fun on here Chase, Stain, and AJ are giving away a guitar pick and Evan is giving away a set of drum sticks. We are also giving away two e-copies of BAB and as a special gift from the band they are giving away two leather bracelets with the bands name on it and some AWESOME swag. All you have to do is fill out the rafflecopter and sit back and wait to see if you won!
You can find Mia at the following places:

Follow along the blog tour to get some great info and prizes at every stop:
May 20th @ The Reading Nook http://thereadingnook123.blogspot.com/
May 21st @ Colorimetry http://burgandyice.blogspot.com/
May 22nd @ A Diary of a Book Addict http://adiaryofabookaddict.blogspot.com/
May 23rd @ Chapter by Chapter http://www.chapter-by-chapter.com/
May 24th @ Alluring Reads http://www.alluringreads.com/
May 25th @ Melissa’s Eclectic Bookshelf http://melissaseclecticbookshelf.blogspot.com/
May 27th @ Forget the Housework, I’m Reading http://forgetthehouseworkimreading.blogspot.com/
May 28th @ Lady Reader’s Bookstuff http://ladysbookstuff.blogspot.com/

Monday, May 21, 2012

My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century by Rachel Harris Cover Reveal

On the precipice of her sixteenth birthday, the last thing lone wolf Cat Crawford wants is an extravagant gala thrown by her bubbly stepmother and well-meaning father. So even though Cat knows the family’s trip to Florence, Italy, is a peace offering, she embraces the magical city and all it offers. But when her curiosity leads her to an unusual gypsy tent, she exits . . . right into Renaissance Firenze. 

Thrust into the sixteenth century armed with only a backpack full of contraband future items, Cat joins up with her ancestors, the sweet Alessandra and protective Cipriano, and soon falls for the gorgeous aspiring artist Lorenzo. But when the much-older Niccolo starts sniffing around, Cat realizes that an unwanted birthday party is nothing compared to an unwanted suitor full of creeptastic amore. 

Can she find her way back to modern times before her Italian adventure turns into an Italian forever? 

MY SUPER SWEET SIXTEENTH CENTURY hits bookshelves everywhere September 11, 2012, and is available now for pre-order atIndieBound, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, The Book Depository, and Books a Million

You can add it to your Goodreads shelf here.

Follow Rachel on Twitter and Facebook and visit her at her Website

And here is the first look at my new trailer, designed by the awesome Rachel Firasek:

Make Believe by J.A. Belfield, Jennifer M. Eaton, J. Keller Ford, Terri Rochenski, Kelly Said, Lynda R. Young Cover Reveal

Make Believe

Release Date: December 3, 2012

Target Reader: Adult

Back of the Book

Sacrificial Oath by Terri Rochenski
An impetuous act unwittingly makes Alesuela the fulfillment of the Sovereign’s Blood Oath to their Goddess. In five days, she’ll be forced to make the greatest choice of her life: become the virginal sacrifice already promised, or force the man she loves most to die in her place. 
With an impossible choice in front of her, she searches for ways to undo the oath, and in her quest, finds not everything in her life is as she expects.

The Amulet of Ormisez by J. Keller Ford
There is only one way to save Elton Fletcher’s brother from an insanity-ridden death.
After years away from home, fighting for his people, Elton returns to discover his only sibling, Cayden, possessed by greed and malice, and responsible for malicious, unthinkable deeds. Cayden, though, isn’t the only one afflicted by the Amulet of Ormisez, and Elton finds himself in yet another battle, where the price of failure could be his own life.

Birthright by Lynda R. Young
Christa can mask the pain and hide the scars, but running from a birthright is impossible. 
She’s tried to escape her grief by fleeing to a small town in Florida. Much to her frustration, the locals think they recognize her even though she's never been there before. To make things worse, a man named Jack spouts outrageous theories about her.
Both spur Christa to bolt, to start fresh yet again, but there’s something about Jack that intrigues her enough to stay. The only problem? Someone else wants her to leave, and they won’t stop until she’s dead.

Petrified by Kelly Said
A mysterious storm has replaced summer with winter, devastating crops and smothering Castle lands in snow. Prince Sterling August stands alone as a leader, lost in personal grief as well as a desire to help his people but with an inability to do either. 
The answers he needs await him, but without Lochlyn, a woman who’s just as isolated as Sterling, he’ll never see what stands before him, cloaked in illusion.

Last Winter Red by Jennifer M. Eaton
Emily is a Red, a woman whose sole purpose in life is to produce offspring. When her husband dies and leaves her childless, she risks her life and forsakes the safety of Terra—a disease-free city born after the nuclear holocaust. Beyond its boundaries, she knows, survives a man with whom she can be properly paired.
The Outside, though, holds secrets the government struggles to keep, and what Emily discovers on her quest for a mate will change her life forever.

Escort to Insanity by J.A. Belfield
From a charity auction, to a stroll in the park, to the craziest night of her life. Nicole Harrington can’t help but wonder how a simple event went so drastically wrong.
Of course, the male escort she booked is wholly to blame. Not only charming but shrewdly intelligent, Benjamin Gold drags Nicole into a platoon of unimaginable problems—ones from which she’ll have to find the courage just to survive.

Tallis by M.C. Rea Blog Tour Stop

The Empire of Andresium is threatened by the corruption of the immortals, ancient beings given the gift of eternal life after the death of the last reigning empress. A prophecy speaks of their eventual downfall at the hands of one of their own, however. Tallis is known by most simply as "The Loren," and seeks to avoid her destiny while trying herself to remain untainted by the decaying morals and indifference to the fates of men that plague her kind. As the events of the prophecy begin to unfold, Tallis finds herself conflicted between upholding her dedication to justice, and falling victim to the ramifications of following the desires of her own heart. 

My Review
A huge Thank You to YA Bound for allowing me to be a part of this tour and reading this book. I have to say at first when I started reading it I was hooked into a world I have not read before. The description of the world had me drawn in. I have to say I have never really read a book like this but I am so happy I did. I will say this the book was short! Lord I was reading and reading and then it was done and I screamed WHAT THE HECK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I need more ASAP! This book is so hard to review without be spoilerish so I will leave this review off with a quote from the book.

"The peaceful solemnity belied the chaos that would soon ensue. Such
are mornings at a facility of learning: hand-rubbed eyes, laden with the
dust of sleep, late hours kept in pursuit of knowledge. With the sun, the
purpose of pursuit is born anew. The world remakes itself once more,
pushing away all that happened on its last visit. The day is a newly hatched
egg, its surface smooth and white. The bell of the tower rings, the rooster
calls, the egg cracks. All must rise, all must to their duties keep. Each pupil
must pull his share."

Doesn't this scream READ ME....... READ ME........ 

Follow M.C. Rae on Twitter @killianmcra 
“Like” Swipe on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/authorkillianmcrae Become a Goodread’s Fan of Evan Angler http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4389465.Killian_McRae

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Follow Tallis's blog tour:  http://yabound.blogspot.com/2012/03/blog-tour-schedule-tallis-by-mc-rae.html

Saturday, May 19, 2012

The Summer My Life Began by Shannon Greenland Blog Tour Stop

Elizabeth Margaret—better known as Em—has always known what life would contain: an internship at her father’s firm, a degree from Harvard and a career as a lawyer. The only problem is that it’s not what she wants. When she gets the opportunity to get away from it all and spend a month with the aunt she never knew, she jumps at the chance. While there, Em pursues her secret dream of being a chef, and she also learns that her family has kept some significant secrets from her, too. And then there’s Cade, the laid-back local surfer boy who seems to be everything Em isn't. Naturally, she can’t resist him, and as their romance blossoms, Em feels she is living on her own terms for the first time. 

My Review

A huge THANK YOU to JKS Communications for allowing me to read an ARC copy of The Summer My Life Began as well as being on the blog tour. Months ago when the new summer line up came out and I saw this book I said I have to read this book. This cover screams SUMMER READ!

Em's life is controlled by her father and mother. She has no say in what she does because her father has already mapped out her life for her. She will go to the college her father has chosen which is the college he graduated from and she will come work for his law firm and follow in his foot steps. No questions asked she is to do what he says. So senior year she works her butt off so she can continue to get good grades and gets ready to do her summer internship at her father's law firm.

Then a letter comes in the mail a few days before graduation and Em's life is turned upside down. She gets a card from her aunt Tilly whom she did not know she had. Her family has never spoken of this aunt Tilly ever so Em and her sister have to pry all the information out of her parents and when they start to question her parents they tell her to leave it alone. But Tilly decides she will go to her aunt Tilly's house for a few weeks and then come back and work at her father's law firm. Her father is not happy with this but they eventually agree to let her go.

Once Em get's down to her aunt Tilly's house which is a bed and breakfast she starts to question everything she has known. There at the bed and breakfast Em will learn some things and what she learns leads her to make decisions she would have never guessed she make. She has to make decisions that will make her or break her. She will have to break free from her parents control but can she do that? She will learn secrets that will both excite her and upset her. She will also have to make the ultimate decision and that is whether to follow her heart and dreams or follow her controlling family.

This is a MUST READ for the summer! You will not be disappointed. Come along for a ride with Em and Cade. See the coastal Carolina's through the author's eyes. 

Today on A Diary Of A Book Addict I would love to welcome Elizabeth Margaret the main character from The Summer My Life Began by Shannon Greenland. Em I have to say I LOVED LOVED your story. It has all the ingredients of a story I love! It has secrets, love and of course there is change. What would life be like without a chance for change? So without further ado here are a few questions your fans would like to know about you and your experience of change. 

How did feel about having your life planned out for you by your parents? I didn’t think it was any big deal until I got away and realized their plans didn’t make sense for me. 

If you could choose a career what would it be? I want to be chef, most definitely. 

What is your favorite meal to cook? Lately, I’ve been experimenting with frittatas. 

What did you think about Cade when you first meet him? Ha! ‘Sexy loser’ popped into my mind first. 

What were your first thoughts when you arrived at your aunt’s house? How eclectic the entire place was. 

What did you think about Frederick? I felt like I was looking in a mirror. 

How did it feel to finally be out of your parents grasp and control for the summer? Literally a breath of fresh air. 

If you could give one piece of advice to your readers what would it be? Follow your dreams and don’t let anything stand in your way. 

Here is the fun part Em we want to know a few fun facts about you so here it goes……. 

Favorite color? Light blue. 

Favorite music? I’m old school rock. 

Favorite season? Summer. 

Favorite food? I’m ashamed to admit I have a weakness for oatmeal crème pies. 

What is your favorite book? Right now I’m reading Simone Elkeles’ Perfect Chemistry. 

Tell us something about you and Cade that we did not get to read about……. Even now when we kiss my stomach still flutters. 

Em thanks for stopping by A Diary Of A Book Addict! I had a blast and happy summer! No, thank you!

Friday, May 18, 2012

The Magician of Wall Street by Minta Hall Review and Guest Post On Hero's

Oliver Pendragon's days as the Magician of Wall Street are legendary. When he finds a way to get everything he's ever wanted—including Abby Daltry—of course he can't refuse, even though there will be hell to pay if ever Abby found out. But when he discovers his old business partner is out for Abby's blood, Oliver will do anything to protect her…and win her heart.

New Age bookstore owner Abby is perfectly happy with her life the way it is—the independence, the quirky clientele, and even the occasional tarot card reading—are all part of the charm. But when the cards reveal Oliver is back and bringing danger along with him, she refuses to heed the warning for another chance with the only man she'd ever loved.

As shots fly, the Magician will have to perform his best trick ever if he hopes to keep Abby safe and by his side forever. 

My Review
A huge THANK YOU THANK YOU to Danielle at Entangled for allowing me to read this book.Oh where to begin...... Oliver oh my lord Oliver! He is the kind of man you love to hate and hate to love. He is demanding one moment and then the next is at Abby's beck and call. Lord I love a man who talks trash and when it comes down to it knows his place.

Abby is in big trouble and Oliver comes to save her. He realizes he is madly in love with her and will stop at nothing to have her back. But in the end what will Abby chose? Will she choose love or will she go her separate way? Will she open up to Oliver in time to be saved? Come along for an action packed adventure with Oliver and Abby. I promise you you will not be disappointed.

This book is a short read and will grip you like no other. I have been reading a lot of romance books lately and this book met all my expectations and more. Minta did a great job of mixing things up and giving us a new swoon worthy guy to fight over. 

Title: The Magician of Wall Street
Author: Minta Hall
Genre: Category – Contemporary
Length: 244 pages
ISBN: 978-1-62266-911-0
Release Date: April 2012
Imprint: Indulgence

ON WHY MY HEROES AREN’T PERFECT 

Don’t you just love a sexy guy who’s got the hots for you? Don’t you think it would be the greatest thing ever for him to pursue you all the way across country, from New York City to southern California? I mean, how romantic is that? 

Pretty darned, if you ask me. 

Of course, he can’t be stalker-ish about it. But a guy who’s willing to go the extra mile—or 3000 of them!—to get his lady is just way too cool. 

People ask me all the time where I get the models for my heroes. Are they drawn from real people? Movie stars or other celebrities? Do I make them up completely? And what makes a perfect hero, anyway? 

The answer, of course, is that I find my heroes using a combination of many techniques. Usually I get a picture of what my hero looks like in my head. Once I do that I sometimes look around online for a picture of someone who looks just like the hero in my head. Other times, the image in my mind’s eye is strong enough that I don’t need to have an actual picture in front of me. 

For the book I’m working on now, though, I have a great picture of a young Pierce Brosnan, in low-cut jeans, open shirt displaying a mighty fine six-pack abdomen, a come-hither little smile on his face and those piercing blue eyes… 

Whew! You’ll have to pardon me while I recover from my palpitations… 

Where was I? Oh, yes. Heroes. 

The other thing, of course, is that I love the idea of a hero who isn’t perfect. After all, who wants to live with a perfect guy? The pressure to live up to all that perfection would be too much—certainly I’d never stick one of my heroines with that kind of impossible challenge! I figure, if I ever did that, sooner or later my heroine would get fed up dealing with anyone who was completely perfect, and she’d shove his head in the oven and turn it to broil. Or come up with something else equally unpleasant. 

No, I’m not looking to match my heroine to a perfect hero. Instead, I want to match my heroine to a hero who is perfect for her. Strong when she needs strength. Quirky when she’s too serious. Interesting enough to keep her on her toes and just a little bit off balance. 

And sexy. No, make that very sexy. 

Ahem. Where was I again? 

Ah, yes. Heroes. So, what’s your definition of a perfect hero? 

I’m now planning the hero coming after my Pierce Brosnan-lookalike. He’s a former intelligence agent, now working free-lance with his buddies (one of whom is the Pierce Brosnan lookalike). But while I know a lot about him, I haven’t yet decided what he looks like. Would you like to help me out? If so, go to my facebook page or my website and leave me a description of what my new hero should be like in, oh, about 25 words. Together we can make him a guy my heroine won’t be able to resist! You can find me at Minta Hall blog or at Minta Hall on Facebook

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway for a free copy (e-book) of THE MAGICIAN OF WALL STREET! 
Minta Hall
http://www.mintahall.com 
http://facebook.com/mintahall 
THE MAGICIAN OF WALL STREET 
Available now from Entangled Publishing’s Indulgence line 

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Worth The Risk by Robin Bielman Blog Tour Stop

Their love was ancient history...until their paths crossed again.
Samantha Bennett put Dean Malloy out of her mind five years ago, when he broke her heart after a summer fling. But now he's back in her life, and ready to steal a heritage protection contract that could make or break her career--if he doesn't steal her heart first. Samantha's vowed to hate him, but it's more than anger heating the competition between them. 
With sparks flying across the conference table and sizzling in every touch, Dean proposes a weekend liaison. Anything to have Sam again; anything to get her out of his system. But the unresolved feelings between them complicate both their personal and professional lives, and one wild weekend could turn into a disaster that would destroy the one job that means more to Samantha than anything. For a shot at love...is it worth the risk? 

My Review
HOLY BATMAN CHRISTIAN GREY YOU HAVE MET YOUR MATCH WITH DEAN MALLOY!!!!!!
First a HUGE THANK YOU to Danielle over at Entangled for allowing me to read this book. Lord the cover does not do it any justice at all. Sam and Dean met five years ago and had a whirlwind summer. You know those summer romances never last but sometimes they leave a very strong impression on the couple. This is what happens to Dean and Sam.

So when they see each other five years later they are taken by surprise because they still have feelings for one another. The only problem is is that they are vying for the same job bid and well old lovers can't become new lovers can they? In Worth The Risk Sam and Dean will have to overcome their fears and have a crash course in love in order to be together. Will Sam open up to Dean and give her heart back to him? Will Dean finally realize that Samantha is all he has ever wanted? Will Dean take down his walls?

Will it be worth the risk to open up their hearts again and really learn to love one another? Come along on a ride of a lifetime and see what happens with Samantha and Dean. Dean Malloy is totally SWOON WORTHY!

So want to see who I picture as Dean Malloy.......
Kekoa4-Jarrett-Rex
Today I would like to welcome Robin to A Diary Of A Book Addict. We had a lovely chat and here is what she has to share with us.

Thanks so much for having me on A Diary of a Book Addict, Tee! I’m delighted to be here with a guest post I’ve titled Sweet Wanderlust. J 

Dean and Samantha, my hero and heroine in my debut novella, Worth the Risk, love to travel. They long to see the world and help preserve its history. I’ve got a good dose of wanderlust myself. There are so many places I want to see. But since I have no immediate travel plans (darn it!), I got to thinking about feeding my local cravings. Feeding being the operative word. Because whenever one thinks about going somewhere, food is always involved, right? When you make plans with someone, it’s usually to meet for coffee, or lunch, or dinner. When traveling, it’s “Where are we going to eat breakfast?” Or my favorite, “Which tropical drink should I have this time?” 

You get the idea. 

We revolve around food no matter where we are. (What? You don’t? It’s just me. Crap. I have no willpower.) Well, anyway, when I heard about something so cool and yummy and only about an hour away from where I live, I had to go. I had to see it and have it for myself. 

This is what I’m talking about: 
It’s a Cupcake ATM! That’s right. A machine that dispenses sugary goodness. That means no matter what time—day or night—a craving hits, there are cupcakes available for consumption. Coolest thing evah! 

The Cupcake ATM is courtesy of Sprinkles in Beverly Hills. It opened in March and if the line I had to wait in to get my cupcake at four o’clock on a Sunday afternoon is any indication, it’s a hit! 

Oh, okay. Cupcakessss. (Who can eat just one?) 

It was easy peasy to get a cupcake: 1. Make a selection by touching the screen. 2. Slide your credit card. 3. Receive a cupcake. 4. Repeat. That square opening underneath the screen is where the cupcake came out. The little pink door slid open and a very cute brown box with a cupcake inside appeared. 
I chose vanilla and cinnamon sugar and both were delish! 

Samantha and Dean enjoy food, too. Here’s a quick excerpt that takes place in a bar and involves a little hot sauce… 

He cupped her cheek and looked deep into her eyes. “One kiss, Sam. I dare you.” 


Damn him. If she didn’t agree, he’d think he won something here, and she couldn’t let that happen. She couldn’t let him beat her over a silly kiss. Especially if he thought his kiss would distract her from the reason she was in town. 

“Fine. I’m game.” 

Whistles and sighs echoed around their corner of the bar while Joe grabbed two bottles of hot sauce off the table. “The rules are”—he looked at Sam as he spoke—“time starts when I say go. Your lips must stay in contact. Tongue is optional. As soon as you part, time stops. Ready?” 

With eyes stuck on each other, they nodded. Joe stood over them with a bottle of sauce in each hand and they simultaneously tilted their heads back to receive several drops on their tongues. 

“Go!” 

There might also be mention of cupcakes in Worth the Risk. What can I say? I like to write characters with “sweet” wanderlust, too. J 

What’s your favorite sweet thing? Please leave me a comment and you’ll be entered to win an eBook copy of Worth the Risk. 

A little more about Worth the Risk: 
Their love was ancient history...until their paths crossed again. 

Samantha Bennett put Dean Malloy out of her mind five years ago, when he broke her heart after a summer fling. But now he's back in her life, and ready to steal a heritage protection contract that could make or break her career--if he doesn't steal her heart first. Samantha's vowed to hate him, but it's more than anger heating the competition between them. 

With sparks flying across the conference table and sizzling in every touch, Dean proposes a weekend liaison. Anything to have Sam again; anything to get her out of his system. But the unresolved feelings between them complicate both their personal and professional lives, and one wild weekend could turn into a disaster that would destroy the one job that means more to Samantha than anything. For a shot at love...is it worth the risk? 

You can read the first two chapters of Worth the Risk here: http://www.entangledpublishing.com/worth-the-risk/

Buy the Book: 
About me… 
Robin Bielman lives in Southern California, a bike ride away from the ocean if she’s feeling really adventurous. She loves books and baking and running on the treadmill while watching her favorite TV shows. When she’s not reading or writing her next story, she’s spending time with her high school sweetheart husband and two sons, most likely watching, playing, or discussing baseball. She drives too fast, drinks too much caffeine, and if every day were Cupcake Day, she’d be a happy camper! She loves to connect with readers.

You can find her online here: