Pages

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

One Lucky Night Blog Tour: Excerpt and Giveaway!


Welcome to the ONE LUCKY NIGHT blog tour! I'm so excited to host these ladies! Read on for an excerpt and a giveaway!




One night can change everything…

The crew at Boston’s Brazen Head Pub hasn’t been very lucky in love. Can a mysterious visitor inspire them to look past old hurts and misconceptions and give romance a chance? One Lucky Night is a collection of five sexy interwoven novelettes by Aria Kane, Grace Teague, Ana Blaze, Constance Phillips, and Melinda Dozier.

Lucky Break by Aria Kane
Four years ago, chef Derek Chase walked out of Andrea Rivera’s life after a tragedy neither of them were prepared to deal with. When she’s called to the Brazen Head to repair a dishwasher, old sparks ignite buried feelings.

Lucky Star by Grace Teague
When her life is threatened by a mugger, Charlotte Price realizes she's in love with her best friend, Tommy Leung. The Brazen Head seems like the perfect neutral place to confess her feelings, but nothing goes according to plan.

A New Tune by Ana Blaze
When it comes to dating, Holly Hall has one unbreakable rule: no musicians. Not even gorgeous ones. Especially not gorgeous ones. Dating them only leads to heartbreak. So why did she let singer-songwriter Cian O’Neill kiss her? And why is she thinking about doing it again?

Lexi’s Chance by Constance Phillips
As a bartender, Sean Whelan meets all kinds of women every night, but none turn his head the way that Lexi has. She’s been playing cat and mouse with him for weeks. Tonight, Sean’s determined to get Lexi to quit teasing and take a real chance on him.

Drink or Dare by Melinda Dozier
A bachelorette party Drink or Dare game pairs paramedic students, Rachel Robertson and Killian Whelan, in a flirting match. Soon, the dares threaten to turn their academic rivalry into something much more.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21457339-one-lucky-night
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1iPnwKJ
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9781311147424
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-lucky-night-ana-blaze/1119268966
Other retailers: http://www.ariakane.com/p/one-lucky-night.html

Check out the book trailer!
 

EXCERPT:

“A New Tune” by Ana Blaze from One Lucky Night

Holly chuckled, then scanned the room for another empty glass or any new customers. Her gaze landed on Cian, playing and singing to a growing crowd.

Trouble.

The man made her ex look like he was still playing in the minors, but Holly had seen enough to know that any girl with an ounce of wits and a desire to keep her heart from being shattered into a thousand pieces would stay away.

Kissing him had only proved what she already knew: musicians don’t make good boyfriends. Cian might as well wear a flashing red danger sign. He was too sexy and too slick to be taken seriously. And he kissed too well. Way, way too well. Her traitorous toes curled at the mere thought of his hot mouth covering hers, of the wall supporting her back while his long fingers gripped her waist and his leg slid between her knees. “Just a friendly New Year’s kiss,” he’d asked, catching her alone in the hall by the office, off-guard a few seconds before midnight.

She should have said no, but persistence and his puppy dog eyes wore her down. Holly leaned toward him a smidge, prepared for a quick peck and found herself in the midst of the most thorough kiss of her life.

After, still clinging to his shoulders and fighting to catch her breath, she’d tried to call foul. “Friends don’t kiss like that.” Her voice had trembled.

“No.” He’d grinned before rubbing his cheek against hers. “They don’t. Maybe something to think about while you keep me waiting.”

Cian had followed up with another kiss: quick and possessive and every bit as shocking as the first. Then he’d let go and walked away ... whistling.

The bastard had whistled. Like he’d won something.


She shot a glance in Cian’s direction. He was playing a song she didn’t recognize, something light and pretty that suited his smooth tenor voice. He looked up just in time to make eye contact, as though he knew exactly what she was thinking about. Her stomach tumbled. She was going to have to be more careful, avoid working on nights he played there. She could do that. Or she could move to another city. Maybe one on the other side of the continent. That might work.

About the Authors

Aria Kane is a recovering mechanical engineer and romance writer. As a military brat, she grew up all over the country, but now lives in sunny Florida with a 60 lb mutt who thinks he's a chihuahua.


Grace Teague lives in Pittsburgh with her spouse, children and a cat named Mr. Sushi.


Ana Blaze lives near Washington DC with her charming husband and three cats who firmly believe they are royalty. Ana is a member of Romance Writers of America.


Constance Phillips lives in Ohio with her husband, two ready-to-leave-the-nest children, and four canine kids. Her perfect fantasy vacation would involve hunting Dracula across Europe with her daughter, who also digs that kind of stuff.


Melinda Dozier teaches English to middle schoolers by day and writes at night. She lives in Guatemala, Central America with her college sweetheart and three sons.



Giveaway

The authors are giving away two Amazon Giftcards! 



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mortal Enchantment Book Blast and Giveaway!



“Mortal Enchantment spins a unique twist on elemental mythology. This series is not to be missed.” 
Jennifer L. Armentrout, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
 

In Kalin Matthew's world, elementals control the forces of nature. They are divided into four courts: air, woodland, fire, and water. At sixteen she will leave the life she's built with her mortal mother. Kalin will move to Avalon to rule with her father—the elemental king of the air court. Along the way, she's attacked by a fire court assassin and saved by Rowan, a swoon-worthy elemental with a questionable past. 

Worst of all, she learns her father is missing. 

To rescue him, Kalin will have to work with a judgmental council and a system of courts too busy accusing each other of deceit to actually be able to help her. But, they aren’t her biggest challenge. With the Midwinter’s Ball only five days away, Kalin must take over her father’s duties, which includes shifting control of the elements—power Kalin has yet to realize. 

As Rowan attempts to train her, a war looms between the four courts. If Kalin fails, her father will die and the courts will fall, but the betrayal she’s about to uncover may cost her even more...

Amazon eBook for $2.99: http://www.amazon.com/Mortal-Enchantment-Stacey-ONeale-ebook/dp/B00K5UCVQQ/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=1-1&qid=1400419129

Amazon Paperback for $8.99: http://www.amazon.com/Mortal-Enchantment-2-Stacey-ONeale/dp/1499372531/ref=la_B00IVS7FHE_1_1_title_1_pap?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1400420051&sr=1-1 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

I'm looking forward to this one! I read the prequel, The Shadow Prince, and really enjoyed it. (My review here.)

Monday, May 19, 2014

Killing Ruby Rose blog tour

I'm so excited to be part of the KILLING RUBY ROSE blog tour!!! Keep reading for my review and a GIVEAWAY!



About KILLING RUBY ROSE: In sunny southern California, Ruby Rose is known for her killer looks and her killer SAT scores. But ever since her dad, an LAPD SWAT sergeant, died six months ago, she’s also got a few killer secrets.

To cope with her father’s death, Ruby has been trying to stay focused on school (the top spot in her class is on the line) and spending time with friends (her Jimmy Choos and Mahnolo Blahniks are nothing if not loyal), but after months of therapy and more than a few months of pathetic parenting by her mom, District Attorney Jane Rose, Ruby decides to pick up where her dad left off and starts going after the bad guys herself.

But when Ruby ends up killing a murderer in defense of another, she discovers that she’s gone from being the huntress to the hunted. There’s a sick mastermind at play, and he has Ruby in his sights. Ruby must discover who’s using her to implement twisted justice before she ends up changing Valentino red for prison orange.


With a gun named Smith, a talent for martial arts, and a boyfriend with eyes to die for, Ruby is ready to face the worst. And if a girl’s forced to kill, won’t the guilt sit more easily in a pair of Prada peep-toe pumps?

My Review:

Seventeen-year-old Ruby Rose is a baddass main character. She is mourning the death of her father, an LAPD SWAT sergeant, by trying to hunt down five bad guys on his To-Do List. Unfortunately, she's not the only one doing the stalking...

KILLING RUBY ROSE is an exciting, action-packed thriller. Ruby has personality quirks that may turn some readers off, but I found them to be unique. Liam, the love interest, is smokin' hot and fun to read. The twist at the end was unexpected, and leads nicely into a sequel without leaving readers hanging. 

Buy Links:


About Jessie Humphries: Jessie Humphries was born and raised in Las Vegas, NV. She received a BA from San Diego State University, where she cultivated her love of the beach, then lived in France, where she cultivated her weakness for shoes, and finally earned a law degree from UNLV, where she cultivated her interest in justice. After practicing law for several years she began writing, and, appropriately, her debut novel Killing Ruby Rose is a thriller about vigilante justice set in sunny southern California with a shoe-obsessed protagonist. Jessie currently writes and practices law in Las Vegas, where she lives with her husband and children.


Social media links:
Twitter: @JessieHwrites

GIVEAWAY! Enter here, via the Rafflecopter! Jessie is giving away 4 Kindle paperwhites, 4 digital copies of KILLING RUBY ROSE, and 4 Skyscape/Amazon books + swag from the authors.





Friday, May 9, 2014

One Lucky Night Release Day!

Happy book birthday to One Lucky Night!



One night can change everything…

The crew at Boston’s Brazen Head Pub hasn’t been very lucky in love. Can a mysterious visitor inspire them to look past old hurts and misconceptions and give romance a chance? One Lucky Night is a collection of five sexy interwoven novelettes by Aria Kane, Grace Teague, Ana Blaze, Constance Phillips, and Melinda Dozier.

Lucky Break by Aria Kane
Four years ago, chef Derek Chase walked out of Andrea Rivera’s life after a tragedy neither of them were prepared to deal with. When she’s called to the Brazen Head to repair a dishwasher, old sparks ignite buried feelings.

Lucky Star by Grace Teague
When her life is threatened by a mugger, Charlotte Price realizes she's in love with her best friend, Tommy Leung. The Brazen Head seems like the perfect neutral place to confess her feelings, but nothing goes according to plan.

A New Tune by Ana Blaze
When it comes to dating, Holly Hall has one unbreakable rule: no musicians. Not even gorgeous ones. Especially not gorgeous ones. Dating them only leads to heartbreak. So why did she let singer-songwriter Cian O’Neill kiss her? And why is she thinking about doing it again?

Lexi’s Chance by Constance Phillips
As a bartender, Sean Whelan meets all kinds of women every night, but none turn his head the way that Lexi has. She’s been playing cat and mouse with him for weeks. Tonight, Sean’s determined to get Lexi to quit teasing and take a real chance on him.

Drink or Dare by Melinda Dozier
A bachelorette party Drink or Dare game pairs paramedic students, Rachel Robertson and Killian Whelan, in a flirting match. Soon, the dares threaten to turn their academic rivalry into something much more.

Goodreads | Amazon | iTunes | Other retailers
Check out the book trailer!





About the Authors

Aria Kane is a recovering mechanical engineer and romance writer. As a military brat, she grew up all over the country, but now lives in sunny Florida with a 60 lb mutt who thinks he's a chihuahua.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads
Grace Teague lives in Pittsburgh with her spouse, children and a cat named Mr. Sushi.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Ana Blaze lives near Washington DC with her charming husband and three cats who firmly believe they are royalty. Ana is a member of Romance Writers of America.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads | Tumblr

Constance Phillips lives in Ohio with her husband, two ready-to-leave-the-nest children, and four canine kids. Her perfect fantasy vacation would involve hunting Dracula across Europe with her daughter, who also digs that kind of stuff.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads | Tumblr

Melinda Dozier teaches English to middle schoolers by day and writes at night. She lives in Guatemala, Central America with her college sweetheart and three sons.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads


Giveaway

The authors are giving away two Amazon Giftcards!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

The Eighth Guardian Blog Tour


I'm so excited to be a part of the blog tour for THE EIGHTH GUARDIAN by Meredith McCardle! See below for my review and a chance to win a giveaway!

About THE EIGHTH GUARDIAN: Amanda Obermann. Code name Iris.

It’s Testing Day. The day that comes without warning, the day when all juniors and seniors at The Peel Academy undergo a series of intense physical and psychological tests to see if they’re ready to graduate and become government operatives. Amanda and her boyfriend Abe are top students, and they’ve just endured thirty-six hours of testing. But they’re juniors and don’t expect to graduate. That’ll happen next year, when they plan to join the CIA—together.

decades. And she receives the opportunity of a lifetime: to join a secret government organization called the Annum Guard and travel through time to change the course of history. But in order to become the Eighth Guardian in this exclusive group, Amanda must say good-bye to everything—her name, her family, and even Abe—forever.

Who is really behind the Annum Guard? And can she trust them with her life?



Release date: May 6, 2014
Publisher: Skyscape (Amazon)
Genre:  YA time travel thriller
ISBN: 978-1477847138
ASIN: B00DH3MP82

Buy links:

My Review:

Amanda is a student at Peel Academy, expecting to go into the CIA with her boyfriend Abe when they graduate next year. But when she is pulled after Testing Day a year early, Amanda is whisked away to become the eighth member of the Annum Guard, a secret time-traveling agency. She is allowed no further contact with anyone, including Abe, and is even given a new name--Iris. Even worse, she discovers her place in the Annum Guard is far from secure. If she fails, she'll be incarcerated in solitary confinement for the rest of her life.

This was a fun, entertaining read full of intrigue and twists. The historical parts as Iris travels back in time are interesting and well-written. The novel is fast-paced, and the characters we meet are compelling and fully realized. My only real issue was the romance. It didn't feel fully fleshed out to me, probably because Amanda is whisked away from Abe by the second chapter. I would have liked some flashbacks to their relationship so that when [something spoilery happens] it has more of an impact.

4 stars.





About Meredith McCardle: Meredith McCardle is a former lawyer who lives in South Florida with her husband and two young daughters. Like her main character, she has a fondness for strong coffee, comfortable pants, and jumping to the wrong conclusions. Unlike her main character, she cannot travel through time. Sadly. Her debut, THE EIGHTH GUARDIAN, will be published by Skyscape/Amazon Children’s in Spring 2014.


Social media links:
Twitter: @MeredithMcP

GIVEAWAY! Meredith is giving away 2 Kindle paperwhites, a signed hardcover of THE EIGHTH GUARDIAN, and a paperback + book-themed necklace.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, May 5, 2014

If Ever I Would Leave You cover reveal and giveaway!

Today, authors Bronwyn Green, Jessica Jarman, and Jenny Trout unveil the cover of their upcoming anthology:

If Ever I Would Leave You
(July, 2014)

Keep reading for a chance to win an Arthurian-themed DVD prize pack or a $25 Amazon gift card!


Surfacing
Bronwyn Green

A year after Tabby Nolan's sister vanished from the Lake Michigan shore with her boyfriend, Liam, Tabby visits the spot where the two were last seen-- and finds herself pulled into the crumbling world of Avalon.

Since his disappearance, Liam has been trapped in the mythical land, with no link to the world he knew. Now, their shared memories of Tabby's missing sister are all they can cling to as Avalon dies around them.

But Tabby doesn't want to be a replacement for her sister, and her growing attachment to Liam feels like a betrayal. As Avalon fades around them, Liam and Tabby must rely on each other-- or be lost with the ancient kingdom forever.


Albion’s Circle: The Deepest Cut
Jessica Jarman

For nineteen years, Anna has been plagued by dreams of lives lived only in legend. Finally free from the family that believed her hopeless and worthless, she’s ready to start her life over—alone.

When Anna meets an enigmatic stranger claiming to be the legendary wizard Merlin, she is forced to question the very reality she’s struggled to accept. With the mythic figures from her dreams intruding on her waking life, Anna learns that she’s been reborn to fight an ancient evil alongside King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.

Caught in an ages old conflict, Anna is the key to stopping a dark magic that will destroy the world—and Merlin wants to make sure that this time, Anna isn’t alone.


A Choice Fit For A Queen
Jenny Trout
writing as
Abigail Barnette

For perpetual overachiever Madison Lane, a summer studying Arthurian mythology in the Welsh countryside with professor Thomas Evans is a dream come true, and the adventure of a lifetime.

Of course, the enormous crush Madison developed on the professor after a semester of his lectures at U of M has absolutely nothing to do with her desire to learn more about the enduring legend of Camelot. At least, that’s what she’s telling her parents.

When Madison meets fellow student Rhys Crewe, sparks fly, throwing her plans for wild fling with Professor Evans completely out of whack—as do her unexpectedly complicated feelings for Thomas. With tales of Arthur and Lancelot haunting her every waking moment, Madison has to make the most difficult choice of her life.





Jessica Jarman is an author, blogger, and rather obsessive fangirl. Having grown up in Upper Michigan and currently living in Minnesota, she is a Midwestern girl through and through. And wouldn’t have it any other way.

When Jessica isn't working to get words on the page, she passes the time with her amazing husband and four children, attempting to be crafty (and failing miserably), squeeing uncontrollably over her favorite shows or curling up with a good book. 







Bronwyn Green is an author, blogger and compulsive crafter. She lives Michigan with her husband, two sons and three somewhat psychotic cats. When not frantically writing, she can be found helping in her youngest son’s classroom or binge-watching Netflix while working on her latest craft project.








Abigail Barnette (Jenny Trout) is a writer, blogger, and funny person. She has written award winning and bestselling erotic romance as Abigail Barnette. Writing as Jennifer Armintrout, she made the USA Today bestseller list with Blood Ties Book One: The Turning. Her novel American Vampire was named one of the top ten horror novels of 2011 by Booklist Magazine Online. She is a proud Michigander, mother of two, and wife to the only person alive capable of spending extended periods of time with her without wanting to strangle her. Visit her on twitter (@Jenny_Trout) or at her blog, jennytrout.com.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, May 2, 2014

Kindle Fire Giveaway hosted by I am a Reader

Enter to win 1 of 2 great prizes. Winner’s choice of a Kindle Fire HDX or $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 Paypal Cash! The first prize is available via the rafflecopter below. The 2nd is available only to bloggers who post about this giveaway. You can find info on how to enter the 2nd giveaway in the rafflecopter. Kindle Fire May

Win a Kindle Fire HDX, Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash ($229 value)

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HDX (US Only - $229 Value)
  Or $229 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)
  Or $229 in Paypal Cash (International)
  May Kindle Fire Giveaway Sponsors I Am A Reader Feed Your Reader Author Rachael Anderson Author A. Wrighton Fairiechick's Fantasy Book Reader Kindle and Me Author Kimber Leigh Wheaton A Bookish Girl The Bookish Babe Lori's Reading Corner LeahSay's Views Stacy Claflin, Author Generation iKid Kelsey Ketch Laurie Here - Contemporary Fiction and MORE Launching Sisters to WitchCamp Novel Moments Lia Fairchild Crystal's Tiny Treasures Zharmae Publishing Press Luthando Coeur F.W. Fife Jabari & Jaser LSM Books Barbara Silkstone Once Upon a YA Book Author Alecia Stone Reviews from a Bookworm Literary Sweet Author Rae Z. Ryans Bonnie Blythe's Pure Romance Bella Street's Weird Romance Author Inger Iversen Buried Under Romance Author M.A. George SMIBookClub Tressa's Wishful Endings Mother Daughter Book Reviews Helen Smith (author) Lena Sledge Book Reviews And Giveaways Auggie Talk Kelly's Lucky You Jetpack Dragons Gin's Book Notes Life of a Writer Extaordinaryreads News Letter Shannon and Elm Books The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something year Old Girl SR Johannes Author Steven Brown Author Rosanne Rivers Heather Gray (Author) The Reporter and The Girl Author FA Michaels Free Bookster   Sign up to sponsor the next Kindle Giveaway here: http://www.iamareader.com/category/kindle-giveaway-sign-ups   Giveaway Details 1 winner will receive their choice of an all new Kindle Fire 7" HDX (US Only - $229 value), $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 in Paypal Cash (International). There is a second separate giveaway for bloggers who post this giveaway on their blog. See details in the rafflecopter on how to enter to win the 2nd Kindle Fire HDX 7", $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 in Paypal Cash. Ends 5/31/14 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.  a Rafflecopter giveaway