Thursday, September 18, 2014

Meet Your Baker cover reveal and giveaway!


baker
 
I'm so excited to help in the cover reveal of Meet Your Baker by Ellie Alexander. This is a cozy mystery that releases December 30th by St. Martin's Press. This is the first in the Bakeshop Mystery series!

MeetYourBaker
About the book:
Welcome to Torte—a friendly, small-town family bake shop where the treats are so good that, sometimes, it’s criminal…After graduating from culinary school, Juliet Capshaw returns to her quaint hometown of Ashland, Oregon, to heal a broken heart and help her mom at the family bakery. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is bringing in lots of tourists looking for some crumpets to go with their heroic couplets. But when one of Torte’s customers turns up dead, there’s much ado about murder…

"Sure to satisfy both dedicated foodies and ardent mystery lovers alike."―Jessie Crockett, author of Drizzled with Death

The victim is Nancy Hudson, the festival’s newest board member. A modern-day Lady Macbeth, Nancy has given more than a few actors and artists enough reasons to kill her…but still. The silver lining? Jules’s high school sweetheart, Thomas, is the investigator on the case. His flirtations are as delicious as ever, and Jules can’t help but want to have her cake and eat it too. But will she have her just desserts? Murder might be bad for business, but love is the sweetest treat of all…

"Alexander weaves a tasty tale of deceit, family ties, delicious pastries, and murder.” ―Edith Maxwell, author of A Tine to Live, A Tine to Die

Find on Goodreads!
 
About author Ellie Alexander:
Ellie Alexander is a Pacific Northwest native who spends ample time testing pastry recipes in her home kitchen or at one of the many famed coffeehouses nearby. When she’s not coated in flour, you’ll find her outside exploring hiking trails and trying to burn off calories consumed in the name of research. Follow her on Facebook or Twitter to learn more.

Find Ellie:   Twitter   Facebook 
 
Giveaway:
Prize package of goodies (US only)

MEET YOUR BAKER giveaway


 


Friday, September 5, 2014

The Change (Unbounded #1) review & giveaway


Book 4 in the Unbounded series has recently released. After reading the blurb, I knew that I definitely wanted to get my hands on this series! Check out what I thought about the first book, then continue on to find extra surprises from this action packed series!

About the book:
There are only two ways to kill Unbounded, and fire isn’t one of them—as law school dropout Erin Radkey learns the hard way. By fluke of a recessive gene, she has become Unbounded, a nearly immortal being with paranormal abilities.

Erin’s Change separates her from her loved ones and alters everything she believes to be true. A week earlier she was considering a marriage proposal; now she contemplates the best way to stay alive. Caught in a battle between two Unbounded groups, she is also hunted by a secret mortal society sworn to eradicate the Unbounded gene. Worse, a new identification software could mean death for all Unbounded—or enslavement for the entire mortal world.

As Erin plunges into this dangerous new life, she must carve out her own place in the madness, protect her mortal family, and decide which group she should join. Her powerful attraction to Ritter Langton, whose family was massacred by opposing Unbounded two hundred and forty years ago, complicates her choices. There are no second chances. Death, life, or love—Unbounded always play for keeps.

Non-stop action, terrifying consequences, and powerful romance make this an exciting addition to the world of urban fantasy

Review:
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Looking for a very dramatic story about supernatural beings that is filled with a lot of action? Then you will definitely want to pick up The Change, the first book in Teyla Branton's Unbounded series.

The story is told from Erin's point of view only. Readers feel her confusion as she enters the world of the Unbounded. With two opposing unbounded groups (the renegades and the emporium) wanted her to join their side, Erin must decided which side more closely aligns with her own morals and values. Both sides have double agents, traitors, and lies flowing throughout each organization. As Erin journeys through this secret world, she must decide not only which side she is on, but also who she can trust.

As Erin learns what has occurred to her and what it means to her life, she makes choices that have severe and deadly consequences. Since she is fed information a little at a time, her decision to visit her family and let them know that she is alive, means that she puts them in danger.  She is advised by the renegades that she doesn't need to visit her family. After she escapes them, because she doesn't trust them, she puts the ones she loves in danger by visiting them. I wanted to call her "stupid girl", but I would have done the same thing if I were in her shoes. Kudos to Branton for making her character frustratingly realistic.

The writing style throughout the book is very professional and efficient. It is easy to read and filled with the perfect mix of description and action. The result is a captivating story that is fun to read and hard to put down.

Throughout the beginning of the story, readers will wonder what Erin's special talent is. All unbounded have an affinity for something--fighting, tech, healing, etc. Ava advises that it should be fighting, so Erin trains with Ritter. As you read, question if that is true or if another ability might manifest. There are hidden hints throughout the story as to what her true ability is.

I loved this story, but hated the ending. There isn't a resolution to the storyline, but rather an abrupt stop. The storylines are left undone. It will have you wanting to pick up the second book in the series, The Cure. I get that authors give cliff hangers to generate sales for the next book, but I wish that a decent ending would have been given for this book.

This series is like a more adult version of the Revenants series by Amy Plum. Both super naturals are immortals battling a good or bad version of their own kind. This series is loaded with battles and rescues of various characters. Oh, and there is strong sexual tension between Ritter and Erin, but no "adult content" in this book.

 
Want to check it out for yourself?!   Grab your FREE copy today!

The Reckoning About The Reckoning (Unbounded #4):
Only One Can Survive The Reckoning

Erin Radkey has always known the day would come when she would have to personally confront the Triad leader of the power-hungry Emporium. But she never thought it would be with a snake in her head that feeds on her energy. Or that she’d be in the company of an uncertain ally who might turn on her at any moment.

The stakes are high as new intel uncovers a startling Emporium plot that will catapult the entire world into war. Erin is determined to save not only the mortals but also her friends—even if it means sacrificing herself and her newfound love for Ritter Langton.

Ritter is just as determined to save Erin and prevent what would usher in the most bloody century the world has ever known, but even he might not recognize the person she becomes. Every day the enemy grows stronger. There will be no second chance.

 
Excerpt from The Reckoning:
His lips found mine once more. I could feel exactly how he wanted to touch me, protect me, and make me laugh. His emotion filled me so full, there was no room for words. He groaned softly, lifting his lips from mine to say, “Lately, I always know what you’re feeling, even when you’re not sending it to me. Is this what you experience with others all the time?”
 
“Yeah. Kind of. With those who don’t block. Though I’m trying not to use my ability at the moment.” I shivered when I thought about Delia and what had just happened to me. How much time had passed since I’d touched the blue light?
 
His arms tightened around me. “Do you want me to come back for you later?”
 
“No, I want to come. Let’s go see what Habid has to say.”
 
Before I could twist free, he stilled, his eyes catching mine in the darkness. He brushed his lips against my cheek before he found my mouth, breathing me in for a long moment. Then he pulled back to search my eyes. “I know you’re afraid.”
 
I blinked at that, but before I could deny it, he squeezed my waist. “I feel it too, whenever I think of losing you, but then I remember one very important thing.” He paused as his thoughts spread through our connection, and I could see that he felt my determination every bit as much as my fear. I was scared, yes, but what we had together also made me courageous. That was what he remembered. He kissed me again, slower this time. The comfort he desperately wanted to give me ran through my body. This time when he pulled away, his touch lingered long after his lips left mine.
 
“You’re stronger than Delia is,” he said. “Don’t ever forget that.”

About author Teyla Branton:
Teyla Rachel Branton grew up avidly reading science fiction and fantasy and watching Star Trek reruns with her large family. They lived on a little farm where she loved to visit the cow and collect (and juggle) the eggs, usually making it back to the house with most of them intact. On that same farm she once owned thirty-three gerbils and eighteen cats, not a good mix, as it turns out.

Teyla always had her nose in a book and daydreamed about someday creating her own worlds. She is now married, mostly grown up, and has seven kids, including a one-year-old, so life at her house can be very interesting (and loud), but writing keeps her sane. She thrives on the energy and daily amusement offered by her children, the semi-ordered chaos giving her a constant source of writing material. Grabbing any snatch of free time from her hectic life, Teyla writes novels, often with a child on her lap. She warns her children that if they don’t behave, they just might find themselves in her next book! She’s been known to wear pajamas all day when working on a deadline, and is often distracted enough to burn dinner. (Okay, pretty much 90% of the time.) A sign on her office door reads: ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK. WRITER AT WORK.

She loves writing fiction and traveling, and she hopes to write and travel a lot more. She also loves shooting guns, martial arts, and belly dancing. She has worked in the publishing business for over twenty years.

Giveaway:
Enter to win $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash.


Giveaway ends 9/18/14. 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 publisher. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Monday, September 1, 2014

Dead New World cover reveal & excerpt!


deadcover


I'm so excited today to be a part of the cover reveal for Dead New World by Ryan Hill, an action dystopian that releases October 13th by Curiosity Quills Press. Check out the cover, an excerpt and don't forget to enter the Goodreads giveaway!

Dead New World
About the book:
Zombies aren’t mindless anymore.

Before the world fell into chaos, the undead existed only in the imagination. Now, more of them walk the earth than living. Zombies move about freely, while humans entomb themselves inside concrete barricades to stay alive.

All that, while the leader of a powerful cult - known only as Reverend - becomes the next threat to the rebuilding United States. Believing zombies to be God’s latest creation, making humanity obsolete, he wants to give every man, woman, and child the chance to become one. With his combined army of humans and zombies, he may well get his wish.

Best friends Holt and Ambrose went up against the Reverend once. Holt lost a foot and a zombie bit Ambrose…though he survived the virus, only to become a human-zombie hybrid, reviled by the living and unwelcome among the dead. When the Reverend kidnaps the woman Holt loves, the race is on to save her from a fate worse than death.

Add on Goodreads 

Excerpt:
I tried to get a good look at him, but the lack of light made it impossible. “They said most people don’t last a day after being bitten. You’ve made it four. I guess I should congratulate you.” Surviving this awful disease longer than most. What a terrible silver lining. I bet he wished the virus would get it over with and turn him.

“Yeah, lucky me.” Ambrose coughed into his bed sheets. “Maybe they’ll give me a prize, like some bacon or something.”

“What… what does it feel like?”

Ambrose shrugged. “Kind of like being sick. Had a fever at first, then some numbness over part of my body.”

“Is it getting any worse?”

“No.” Ambrose sniffed. “Some parts still feel like me, others… like these gray parts, nothing.” He pointed at his arm where the skin had turned a sickly gray. “They’re dead, I guess.”

Nancy loudly cleared her throat. “We need to get you back to your room. They patrol this place pretty regularly, especially when we have… guests.”

I nodded to her, then turned my attention back to Ambrose. “I have to go. I’m sorry. I wish it was me in there, instead of you.”

Ambrose stepped up to the window. The light from the hallway revealed his face. For the first time, I got a glimpse of what his loyalty to me cost him. I froze, unable to take a breath for a long beat. One of his eyes remained normal, but the other took on that awful redness. Patches of dead skin were all over his face. The guilt rising up seemed almost too much to bear. What kind of hell had I sent my friend to?

ryanhill (1)About author Ryan Hill:
Growing up, Ryan Hill used to spend his time reading and writing instead of doing homework. This resulted in an obsession with becoming a writer, but also a gross incompetence in the fields of science and mathematics. A graduate of North Carolina State University, Ryan has been a film critic for over five years. He lives in Raleigh, NC, with his dog/shadow Maggie. Ryan also feels strange about referring to himself in the third person.

Find him at:   www.ryanhillwrites.com   Facebook   Twitter @J_Ryan