Monday, December 1, 2014

Blog Tour Excerpt feat Giveaway: The Wanderer's Children by L.G. O'Connor


Synopsis:
The Wanderer’s mission three decades ago: secretly sire children to hide his bloodline, and protect them until their destinies can unite in the final battle between good and evil. That time has come...

Cara Collins, the First of the Holy Twelve, longs for one last peaceful weekend with her bridesmaids as she plans her wedding to Simon Young, her former Trinity Guardian, before duty calls with the Angelorum to gather the Twelve and prepare them for battle. Life, as she knew it, has changed; weird is Cara’s new normal. Her newly acquired Nephilim DNA is wreaking havoc on her and those closest to her as her body transforms into Amazonian proportions and an overabundance of pheromones threatens to land her in hot water with Simon—not to mention a sudden suspicious outbreak of “insta-love” among her friends.

Michael Swift, Cara’s Trinity Messenger, has spent months running from his attraction to Cara’s brazen best friend Sienna, the only woman who has ever skirted his considerable defenses. But if he wants a future with her, he must confront his tormented past head on, or risk losing her and destroying the future of the Angelorum.

As dark forces and outside threats gather, Cara has more to worry about than fitting into her wedding dress and playing Cupid to her friends. A second encounter with rocker Brett King shows Cara once again that there are no coincidences. One of the Wanderer’s children, Brett and his secret siblings are the key to gathering the rest of the Twelve.

When the newly forming team finally comes together, an unexpected revelation shakes them to their core. They must all look deeper into their souls as new secrets come to light to discover what's really at stake in the final battle between good and evil…if betrayal and Lucifer don’t rip them apart first.



Excerpt:



Kathy King gazed down, her eyes filled with love at the newborn nursing at her breast. Her fingertips glided over the tiny arms poking out of the swaddling, drinking in the silkiness of his skin.

 Ten perfect fingers and ten perfect toes. Blond fuzz topped his head, and his eyes held the promise of the same blue as his father. She didn’t think she was being biased; he was truly the most beautiful baby she’d ever laid eyes on. Big and pink, bypassing the tight squeeze of the birth canal, he’d entered the world wearing the healthy glow of a caesarian baby.

She smiled, placed a kiss on his tiny forehead, and deeply inhaled his sweet baby scent. You had it pretty easy, little man. May you always be blessed with good fortune.

A wave of fatigue reminded her that she had asked the nurse to return soon to take him back to the nursery. Until then, she wanted to savor every moment with her beautiful baby boy.

Sensing she and the baby were no longer alone, her eyes shifted up.
“Hi, Kathy,” he said from the open doorway.

The air left her lungs. “Scott. What are you doing here?” she asked, breathless.
Pushing off of the jamb, he smiled sheepishly. “Not the greeting I hoped for, but one I can understand.”

A mixture of apprehension and desire churned up into the center of her chest. Dressed in jeans and a T‑shirt, his tawny-blond hair was tousled from wearing the motorcycle helmet he held in his hand. His arms were tanned and toned to Californian perfection like the fine rippled abs she knew lay hidden underneath his clothes. Although she hadn’t seen him in almost eight months, he still made her heart flutter.

She let out a silent sigh. He was more handsome than anyone deserved to be. Not to mention way too intelligent to be hanging around Hollywood working as a bartender waiting for an acting career that would most likely never come.
He held her gaze with glowing blue eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. I stayed away… like you asked. Mind if I come in?”

“Of course,” she said, forcing some of the tension from her shoulders and waving him in. Done nursing, she readjusted her gown to fully cover herself.
Under different circumstances, she would’ve enjoyed the sense of comfort and the overwhelming attraction she usually felt when Scott was around. 

Instead, her nerves ignited. If she hadn’t been lying in this hospital bed, she would’ve been dressed in her nurse’s uniform and working on the cardiac floor. Worry etched into her brow. She hoped no one she knew saw them together. The last thing she needed was pesky questions about why a sexy, younger man—who wasn’t her husband—was visiting her in the maternity ward.

Part of her still wondered how it had all happened. Ten months ago, when they’d struck up a friendship at the bar where he worked, she never envisioned herself ending up here. But stopping for a beer on Tuesday nights after her shift soon took on a life of its own, and it wasn’t long before the desire burning in Scott’s eyes matched hers. Then it happened. Only twice. Two nights filled with the most magical lovemaking of her life.

 No one had ever made her feel as beautiful or as desired, pleasing her in ways she never thought possible.

Funny, her Tuesday night drinking ritual started when she’d suspected her husband was having an affair. Frequenting The Boca where Scott worked was her one act of passive defiance. The irony of her situation struck her many times over the past nine months.

Scott pointed at the door. “Okay to close this? To give us some privacy?”
“Go ahead,” she said, cradling her newborn closer.
He slipped into the chair beside the bed and gazed with longing at the baby boy she held. Lifting his eyes to meet hers, he asked, “May I hold my son?”
Suppressing any residual apprehension, Kathy transferred her precious bundle into Scott’s hands.
He positioned the baby tenderly in his arms and settled back into the chair. His features softened as he beamed at his son. “What’s his name?”
“Brett,” Kathy replied, her lips turning up into a smile. Her heart unexpectedly melted watching Scott. Then a pang of disappointment followed, echoing inside her. She wished her husband radiated the same kind of love when he held the baby.

Scott looked at her in earnest. “If I send you something, will you give it to him when he’s old enough?”

She thought for a second and decided it was the least she could do. One of their amazing nights had given her Brett—her little gift from Heaven. “Yes, I promise,” she said, and then cleared her throat and attempted to lighten the mood. “So how are things at The Boca?”

He gave her a small smile, his manner unassuming and genuine. “It’s still standing. How are things with Richard?”

She nervously smoothed the thin covers over her lap. “Pretty good, thanks for asking.” Scott’s compassionate ear for her problems had initially gotten her into this situation. Her desire came later. But once she found out she was pregnant, she came to her senses and decided to make her marriage work for her twelve-year-old son, Colin, and for the baby Scott held in his arms.

A worried look passed over Scott’s face. He glanced at the contented newborn tucked comfortably in his arms. “Richard doesn’t suspect anything, does he?”
Kathy sighed and shook her head. “No.” Her blonde hair and blue eyes were similar enough to Scott’s. Richard wouldn’t suspect a thing. She’d taken a chance by telling Scott about the pregnancy. Fortunately, given his situation, he had no desire to openly stake a claim. Other than her, he was the only one who about knew Brett’s true paternity. For some unknown reason, she trusted Scott to keep their secret.

He blew out a breath, looking relieved. “That’s good.” He leaned down and kissed the baby’s forehead. “I’d better be going. Thanks for letting me hold him. He’ll grow up to be a good man with you as his mother, Kathy.”
Her lips turned up in a half-smile, and a tear welled in her eye. “Thanks. I’m glad you think so.”

He gave her one of his heart-stopping smiles. “It’s true.” Then as quickly as his smile blossomed, she watched it fade. “Just to set your mind at ease, I won’t be bothering you again. I’m moving back East.”

With one last look of longing, he handed their son back to her.
“Oh…” she said, trying to keep her relief from showing. “If you send me your address when you’re settled, I can send some pictures,” she offered, knowing her words sounded halfhearted. She couldn’t help it; she was glad that he planned to put some distance between them.

“I’d like that. Take care.” Leaning down, he kissed the top of her head and his T‑shirt softly brushed her cheek. The scent of cotton and citrus filled her senses as he pulled away.

She watched him go, and knew in her heart that she’d never see him again.


Scott walked out of the hospital into the dry heat of the sunny June afternoon, and his heart convulsed with pain. He brushed the back of his hand over his eyes, and swore this would be the last time he’d create a child and leave it behind. Even in the name of the Angelorum and for the good of mankind…


Author's website:  http://www.lgoconnor.com/site/


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Book Blitz Guest Post feat Giveaway: Compulsion by Martina Boone


Release Date: 10/28/14
ISBN: 1481411225
Simon Pulse, Simon Teen
448 pages

Summary from Goodreads:
Three plantations. Two wishes. One ancient curse.

All her life, Barrie Watson has been a virtual prisoner in the house where she lives with her shut-in mother. When her mother dies, Barrie promises to put some mileage on her stiletto heels. But she finds a new kind of prison at her aunt’s South Carolina plantation instead--a prison guarded by an ancient spirit who long ago cursed one of the three founding families of Watson Island and gave the others magical gifts that became compulsions.

Stuck with the ghosts of a generations-old feud and hunted by forces she cannot see, Barrie must find a way to break free of the family legacy. With the help of sun-kissed Eight Beaufort, who knows what Barrie wants before she knows herself, the last Watson heir starts to unravel her family's twisted secrets. What she finds is dangerous: a love she never expected, a river that turns to fire at midnight, a gorgeous cousin who isn’t what she seems, and very real enemies who want both Eight and Barrie dead.



Martina's
Ten Favorites Things


1. Favorite YA Novel (right now)

Still The Daughter of Smoke and Bone series by Laini Taylor and Maggie Stiefvaters THE SCORPIO RACES. But there are so many amazing books that came out this fall and Im reading some that are coming out in 2015 that just floor me. SO much lovely goodness.

2. Favorite Book of All Time

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

3. Favorite TV Show/Movie (right now)

Suits. I adore clever dialogue! And Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead.

4. Favorite Song (right now)

Theres an amazing mash up called Truly Brave, which is a mix of Cyndi Laupers True Colors and Sara Bareilles' Brave. It was done for childrens cancer, but its what Id love to play for Barrie, who starts of scared of pretty much everything and has to go through things that would make a Navy Seal feel fear. I think every young woman going out into the world for the first time should adopt this song as an anthem. Women need to be brave and make their voices heard.

5. Favorite Word

Magic. Or minion. Magical minions.

6. Favorite Snack

Nutella.

7. Favorite Movie

The Shawshank Redemption.

8. Favorite Personal Hero

Malala Yousafzai

9. Favorite Animal

Dogs, because they demonstrate the meaning of unconditional love. Cats because they are mysterious and enigmatic but loving. Horses because they are magic and grace and heart.

10. Favorite Place in the World

Prague, Czech Republic because its the next best thing to a fairy tale place.
Thinking way back to the beginning, whats the most important thing youve learned as a writer from then to now?



     Main Characters: Barrie, Eight, Cassie
     Family:  Seven, Pru, Lula, Mark, Wyatt
     Spirits:  Yunwi, The Fire Carrier
     Plantations:  Watson’s Landing, Colesworth Place, Beaufort Hall
     Watsons: Barrie, Pru, Lula, Watson’s Landing, Yunwi, Fire Carrier, Mark
     Beauforts: Seven, Eight, Beaufort Hall
     Colesworths: Cassie, Wyatt, Colesworth Place



The COMPULSION Dream Cast

Before I get to the human characters, I have to say that setting is very definitely a character in the HEIRS OF WATSON ISLAND trilogy. Watson Island is loosely based on Edisto Island, and I borrowed from actual Charleston area plantation history to create the three plantations that shaped who the three families became. There was tons of material to work with-I mean, pirate treasure, ancient spirit witches, blood feuds, lonely, demented characters, curses, forbidden romance . . . How could I resist?

My dream cast of plantations would include Boone Hall Plantation, with bits of Magnolia Plantation and Drayton Hall thrown in. For the ruins of Colesworth Place, Id love to use part of the columns that are all thats left of the Windsor Plantation in Port Gibson, Mississippi. There is a Windsor Plantation on Edisto Island, too, but it doesnt have the same level of drama and echoing sadness.
Okay, and now on to the fun part. Human characters.

Barrie.
Barrie first. Id love to Jennifer Lawrence play Barrie, of course, but basically, Id like Jennifer Lawrence to play the main character in every movie, so that may not tell you much. I might go with Nicola Peltz.

Eight (Charles Robert Beaufort, VIII)
Liam Helmsworth, I think, although Alex Pettyfer is probably the default here for most readers, and of course I wouldnt turn him down.

Barries cousin Cassie.
Rooney Mara. This ones a no-brainer for me. She could do Scarlett/Vivien Leigh, and I think shed pull off the various sides of Cassie with the complexity that Cassie needs.

Barries godfather Mark.
Idris Elba. I can picture him ROCKING a pink Chanel suit and heels and shaking his booty and singing along with Whoopie Goldberg in Sister Act doing Hail Holy Queen. I wonder if hed be willing to shave?

Barries Aunt Pru.
Hard to believe that Reese Witherspoon is about the right age, but she is. And she would do a fabulous job.

Eights father Seven (Charles Robert Beaufort, VII).
If they cast Patrick Dempsey as Seven, then McDreamy might finally get the girl he missed in Sweet Home Alabama. Maybe. Eventually. By the end of the seriesif I decide that Seven is truly good enough for Pru.


Buy Links:
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Compulsion is available anywhere books are sold. Signed copies are available from One More Page Books. You can also order with the special “I have a Compulsion for reading” bookplate from Eight Cousins.

About the Author:
Martina Boone was born in Prague and spoke several languages before learning English. She fell in love with words and never stopped delighting in them.

She’s the founder of AdventuresInYAPublishing.com, a Writer’s Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers site, and YASeriesInsiders.com, a site devoted to encouraging literacy and all this YA Series.
From her home in Virginia, where she lives with her husband, children, and Auggie the wonder dog, she enjoys writing contemporary fantasy set in the kinds of magical places she’d love to visit. When she isn’t writing, she’s addicted to travel, horses, skiing, chocolate flavored tea, and anything with Nutella on it.

Author Links:


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Blog Tour feat Review and Giveaway:
Perfect Chaos by Nashoda Rose



Perfect Chaos Blog Tour Banner

Title: Perfect Chaos (Unyielding 1)
Author: Nashoda Rose
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Official Release Date: November 25, 2014
Hosted By: Book Enthusiast Promotions

Buy Here: Amazon, Amazon UK, Barnes and Noble


Synopsis:

Georgie

I lie to survive.

Have since I was sixteen and my world fell into chaos. But I found a way to endure, or rather it found me. Now I’m a prisoner of my own doing, hiding behind a false mask so no one sees the truth. Not even the man I want but can’t have—Deck. But I messed up and the lies are spilling over, out of control.

Deck is unrelenting and will settle for nothing less than the truth. He demands everything from me—EVERYTHING—even if it rips me apart.

Deck

I kill for a living.

Unyielding—It’s how I survive in my line of work. I bend people to my will…except Georgie. But that ends now. I've played her game for far too long. Now it's time we play mine.


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My Review:

Georgie was always the good girl. She loved order. Following the rules. Everything had its time and place. But all of that came to an end the day she found out that her older brother, Connor, was killed in action. The worst blow of it all had been the fact that Connor’s best friend, Deck - the man that Georgie had a serious crush on – was the one to deliver the devastating news.

Deck is a man of his word. Having sworn to keep an eye on Georgie, he has kept her out of trouble more times than he can count. She’s become quite the rebel and it’s getting harder and harder to keep her safe. It’s also becoming quite difficult to keep his hands off of her. She is his dead best friend’s little sister, after all.

Both are harboring secrets and neither of them could have prepared for the dangerous game that they find themselves playing.

This book pulled me in from the very first page and I couldn't put it down. I was drawn, yet again, into this world that Nashoda created. It was full of laughs, suspense, and sizzling scenes that will leave you fanning yourself.

Deck is hot. Controlling. He’s the type of man that would do anything to make sure you’re safe. He also doesn't take any crap. I seriously LOVED his character!

Georgie is the girl that has a smart retort for just about anything. She hides behind her sass and once I read about all of the things she endured, I could easily understand it. You do what you have to do to survive, right?

Perfect Chaos took some turns that I wasn't fully expecting and I loved every minute of it. An Author becomes boring when their work becomes predictable, and that’s not the case with Nashoda. She always brings something new to the table and I love her for that.

I highly recommend this five star read. It’s one of those books that will fully immerse you into the story, keeping you glued to your reading device until you've read the end. So quit reading this review and just BUY the book. And whatever you do, don’t start it before work, school, bed, or cooking dinner. I take no responsibility if you lose all track of time.

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About Nashoda:

Nashoda Rose lives in Toronto with her assortment of pets. She writes contemporary romance with a splash of darkness, or maybe it’s a tidal wave. Her novella "With You" is the first in the Tear Asunder series, followed by the novel "Torn from You" and "Overwhelmed by You".

When she isn’t writing, she can be found sitting in a field reading with her dog at her side while her horses graze nearby. She loves interacting with her readers on Facebook and chatting about her addiction—books.

Follow Her Here: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads

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