Night of the Fallen (Dark Tides #2) Cover Reveal

Today I'm excited to help reveal the second book in the Dark Tides series. After helping with the first book (you can find my review here), I jumped at the chance to help with Diana Bocco's second book. So, without further adieu, let me present Night of the Fallen!

About Night of the Fallen:
Isabelle’s mission seemed so clear: kill the king of the vampires to give humanity a fighting chance. Except she didn’t count on falling in love with him. And she didn't realize he held secrets that could actually end up saving the human race.

As the kingdom falls and Isabelle’s heart is torn between two worlds, everything changes. There’s something more dangerous out there, a plague that might destroy both humans and vampires alike. The only way to survive it might be to find a truce between species.

Peace will require the ultimate sacrifice.

And change the future of the world forever.


Buy City of the Fallen (Dark Tides #1):   Amazon   Nook

About Author Diana Bocco:

I've been a fan of all kinds of dark creatures since I was a kid (even before I discovered Stephen King at the age of 10). If it crawls in the night and tugs at your covers while you're sleeping, chances are I've written about it. It's probably no surprise that I'm a big fan of old buildings, urban exploring and things that go bump in the night. Oh, and Halloween, of course -- but that should go without saying.

Growing up, I wanted to be Indiana Jones. I ended up not pursuing a degree in Archaeology (although I toyed with the idea for a while) but I did become a huge lover of travel and history. Aside from traveling to all corners of the world, I've also lived in five countries in three continents -- including three years in Siberia and two in Vietnam. I'm currently living in Thailand.

I have a soft spot for animals (which is why you can be sure that in my stories, the dog will always make it) and right now have three wonderful -- but slightly crazy -- dogs in my life. And yes, they move with me from country to country. Too bad dogs can't accumulate frequent flyer miles!

In my other life, I also write nonfiction: articles, books, and even quizzes for the Discovery Channel website. I really can't help it -- I'm a nerd at heart and love research and discovering new things. Could be the Indiana Jones in me pushing me along.

When it comes to life, I'm pretty fearless. I figure life is too short to live it too safely -- so I take risks and I try to have fun, whether that means snowshoeing in the middle of Siberia or going ghost-hunting in an abandoned asylum. And yes, I've done both.

Find Diana:  Goodreads   Website

Death, and the Girl he Loves (Darklight #3)

By Darynda Jones

About the book:
The fate of the world is not something a girl wants on her shoulders, and that is especially true for Lorelei McAlister. Unfortunately for her, that is exactly where the world’s fate has decided to take up residence. Lorelei has seen firsthand the horrors that lie beneath our everyday world. And those horrors are getting her friends killed. Because of this, she agrees to leave the sanctity of her hometown and is sent to a different world entirely. A boarding school. But even here she is being watched. Someone knows what she is. What she carries inside her soul. And on top of that she’s seeing visions. This is nothing new for Lorelei. But these visions are something more: death, destruction, and the end of the world. Lorelei must face the fact that there are people who want her dead, and no matter where she goes, no matter how far she runs, the lives of her friends and family are in mortal peril. Lucky for her, her friends and family include the handsome Angel of Death, a fiercely protective half-angel, and a ragtag group of loyal supporters who aren’t afraid to get a little dirty in the name of fighting pure evil.

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

After reading the first books in the series, of course I jumped at the chance to be part of the third book's blog tour. (You can see my review of book two, Death, Doom and Detention here.) Darynda Jones keeps all of the wonderful elements that the second book has, plus adds more. Death and the Girl he Loves is definitely my favorite book of the series.

Lorelei has had an eventful and a complicated life--especially in the past few months. Can you jump in and read the third book first (or by itself)? Yes, but I really don't recommend it.  The first two books of the series set the story up and add lots of drama. This third book is basically do or die time. Darynda does a good job of filling in the important details of what has happened in the previous book and she catches readers up, but there is just so much extra info that you miss if you skip to the third book.

The story was rolling along smoothly (or as smoothly as can be with Lorelei trying not to be killed while also trying to unravel the prophecy). Then, about 2/3 of the way through, the story completely flips and changes direction. Like it literally flipped. I thought I was at the climax (and I was), but Darynda was sneaky. You never see the actual entire war, but the aftermath of it (sort of). Characters who were supposed to be dead weren't dead anymore. Main characters barely knew who Lorelei was. It will have readers scratching their heads as they and Lorelei learn what is going on. I definitely have to say that these few chapters were my favorite as I tried to guess what was actually going on.

Reader are told that Lorelei will stop the war before it starts (oooh, how possibly cryptic does that seem?). Throughout the series, I've tried to guess how Lorelei will accomplish this. There has to be a logical way, right? I'm pretty good about guessing plots, but Darynda got the best of me. The solution is/was very logical.  All the clues where there and some readers will figure it out. I wasn't one of them this time and I loved it!

I have to be honest. I have a love/hate relationship with the ending. It ended so good, but I want more.  I want an epilogue or something. And the last page of the book will have you dying to figure out more about what will happen.

Fans of the paranormal genre (both adult and teen) should definitely give this series a try. It has an original story line, plenty of action scenes and a touch of romance.

***SPOILERS***
There were some questions that Darynda left unanswered.
What about Malak Tuk?  Really.  You can't end it like that!!
What really did happen between Cameron and Glitch?
Did Tabitha get her justice regarding the guy?
What about Jared and Loreli? How did her family/friends take the news?


About author Darynda Jones:

NYTimes and USA Today Bestselling Author Darynda Jones has won numerous awards for her work, including a prestigious Golden Heart®, a Rebecca, two Hold Medallions, a RITA ®, and a Daphne du Maurier, and she has received stellar reviews from dozens of publications including starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and the Library Journal. As a born storyteller, Darynda grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, annoying man and beast alike, and she is ever so grateful for the opportunity to carry on that tradition. She currently has two series with St. Martin’s Press: The Charley Davidson Series and the Darklight Trilogy. She lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband of almost 30 years and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys. She can be found at www.daryndajones.com.

Find Darynda:   Website   Facebook   Twitter

Giveaway (Open Internationally):

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Seven Day Fiance Releases Today! (Love and Games #2)

Rachel Harris' SEVEN DAY FIANCE is finally here! 

You can get it in your hands (well, on your ereader) right now! You don't want to miss this fantastic Contemporary Romance from Rachel Harris. Book 2 in the Love and Game Series, SEVEN DAY FIANCE can be read as a standalone. Check out all of the information regarding this fantastic novel and Rachel Harris below! Then, celebrate Rachel's Book Birthday by entering the giveaway for an ecopy of Book 1, TASTE THE HEAT!

Isn't that cover pretty?? Read on and find out more! 

About Seven Day Fiance:

Angelle Prejean is in a pickle. Her family is expecting her to come home with a fiancé—a fiancé who doesn’t exist. Well, he exists, but he definitely has no idea Angelle told her mama they were engaged. Tattooed, muscled, and hotter than sin, Cane can reduce Angelle to a hot mess with one look—and leave her heart a mess if she falls for him. But when she ends up winning Cane at a charity bachelor auction, she knows just how to solve her fiancé problem.

Cane Robicheaux is no one’s prince. He doesn’t do relationships and he doesn’t fall in love. When sweet, sultry-voiced Angelle propositions him, he hopes their little game can finally get her out of his head. He doesn’t expect her to break through all his barriers. But even as Angelle burrows deeper into his heart, he knows once their seven days are up, so is their ruse.

Buy Links:  Amazon   Barnes and Noble

Add SEVEN DAY FIANCE on Goodreads

About author Rachel Harris:

Rachel Harris grew up in New Orleans, where she watched soap operas with her grandmother and stayed up late sneak reading her mama’s favorite romance novels. Now a Cajun cowgirl living in Houston, she still stays up way too late reading her favorite romances, only now, she can do so openly. She firmly believes life’s problems can be solved with a hot, powdered-sugar-coated beignet or a thick slice of king cake, and that screaming at strangers for cheap, plastic beads is acceptable behavior in certain situations.

When not typing furiously or flipping pages in an enthralling romance, she homeschools her two beautiful girls and watches reality television with her amazing husband. Taste The Heat is her adult romance debut. She’s the author of MY SUPER SWEET SIXTEENTH CENTURY and A TALE OF TWO CENTURIES. She loves hearing from readers! Find her at www.RachelHarrisWrites.com.

Find Rachel: Website   Twitter   Facebook Goodreads Author Page

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If I Stay Book Excerpt and Giveaway

Synopsis via Goodreads:
Breakups suck. Gemma Davies, at twenty-two, has just learned this. It was also not what she had expected from her long-time and only boyfriend - ever. So when her best friend and roommate drags her out in hopes to help Gemma come alive again, the last thing she expects is to meet someone who manages to do just that. In a passionate night (on so many levels) that leaves her rattled long after she sneaks out of his hotel room.

But because nothing in Gemma's whirl-wind life can ever go seamlessly, she soon runs into the man that she'd left naked and in bed just the evening before...in the most unexpected of places. The classroom. As her Professor.

...if only the surprises stopped there.


Purchase: Amazon
Find on Goodreads

About author Evan Reeves:
Evan Reeves, unrelated to Keanu although sometimes she likes to think they're married, is a debut New Adult Romance author of If I Stay and the upcoming Fall Into Me. Evan considers herself to be living in the shire, while writing books just for fun.

Find Evan:   Website   Twitter   Facebook

Giveaway:

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Exclusive Excerpt from If I Stay:

As I stood there, hands in pockets and my eyes on the ground, looking at the little pieces of broken beer bottle glass that seemed to reflect the moonlight in a way that maybe Ben could write about, I heard the door open. I heard my name, although it seemed far away, and too soft to really grasp against the sound of the whipping air. But when his fingertips brushed against my chin, and I tilted my head (because he was tall, so ridiculously tall) up to meet his eyes, suddenly nothing that I was so busy heavily contemplating mattered anymore.

“Gemma,” Ben said, wrapped in a coat and scarf. Looking at him, he was shivering a little, which made me smile in a tender, endearing sort of way. “I'm sorry, I was worried. I swear to God that I'm not some sort of stalker or serial killer. I just...I had to find you.”

“I'm glad you did,” I said. In our shared gaze, I could see his eyes were searching for something. Sadness, anxiety, concern. His hands were at his sides; his body relaxed and yet totally prepared to jump at any time, like an animal waiting to pounce. I could read him so easily despite how little I really knew. He wore his desire like a caged demon, resting inside of him and bubbling up in his widening eyes. And I couldn't stop myself anymore.

His height proved to be a minor dilemma, given that I could only reach up and succeed in touching his torso. My fingers grazed over the back of his coat, up his spine, and over the barely-naked skin of his neck that I had to stand on my toes to reach as he leaned down to accommodate my stature. We locked eyes, his nose against mine, our breath like smoke in the cold air, our skin prickling from the single-digit temperatures and maybe something more.

Without waiting, for fear of suddenly losing him, I pulled him into the hardest kiss I've ever given anyone. His body froze, his hands fluttering nervously around my waist as I pulled away, his eyes hooded, unwavering. Completely locked into my own. Wordlessly, he moved my hair to the side, pressing my entire body against the brick wall, his lips on my neck as he tried to kiss softly, tenderly, his breath shallow and hands gripping me against him. With our difference in height leaving him leaning into me, he lifted me up so that my legs were around his waist, our hips pressed together, and with the softest of gasps he kissed me again. This time it was harder, more frantic, more panicked as if he knew, in his deepest core, that it was the only kiss we'd ever share. My hands were in his hair, around his neck, combing against his back as his mouth found that spot right below my chin, at the curve of my throat, where even the slightest brush of skin against skin sent me spiraling.

With his whole body against mine, our heat blocking out any wisp of cold air, I moaned into his hair and he responded with harder bites. He could bruise me all he wanted, I didn't care. In that small piece of perfection, I only wanted him.

Dawning Apocalypse Cover Reveal!

I'm excited to help reveal the cover of the upcoming book Dawning Apocalypse. It is the third book in the Dream Slayer series and it releases at the end of the month!

About Dawning Apocalypse
Protection, murder, deception....

No one can know Natalie works for a supernatural protection agency and is charged with protecting Meadow’s Creek from vampires. But as their numbers swell, their presence doesn't go unnoticed throwing her town under the microscope from the local government and the FBI.

Natalie’s job is pushed even further into the shadows where she must dodge the police, concerned citizens and even her own parents.

Meanwhile a deadly plague grips the town and Natalie suspects it’s more than just a hacking cough. While the stress of working overtime erodes her relationships she will race against time, illness, to face a familiar enemy, save an old friend, and stop an undead seize that wants nothing more than to suck Meadow’s Creek dry.

Series: Dream Slayer #3
Release date: October 29th 2013
Find it on Goodreads


About author Jill Cooper

By now, you should know Jill Cooper's name. She's the writer behind the best selling time travelling phenomenon 15 Minutes, as well as Glistening Haven, and Dream Slayer. Jill loves to blend horror, comedy, the supernatural, and love, through her novels. A fan of genre blending, her work strives to cross boundaries, but most of all strives to entertain. She loves soft cuddly cats, warm blankets, and paranormal romances. Jill resides in Massachusetts, is constantly renovating her home that she shares with her husband, young daughter, and two skittish cats.

Find Jill Cooper: website | Twitter


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Hero For Hire (Tales from Beyond the End #1)

About Hero For Hire
One day her prince would come…disguised as a zombie-killer.

Having been disgraced and tossed out by her own scientific community, Gwyn is convinced she can develop a cure for a SuperVirus that has turned the Infected into zombies. By pure luck and determination, she has survived on her own for years, but while out scavenging, a clash with the local zombies leaves her potentially infected. Now, running out of time, she needs help and takes a chance on a hero for hire.

Rafe loves the apocalypse. Since the world went to hell, everything’s come up roses for him. Having procured a mansion in the Hollywood hills, adopted a slew of homeless boys and one cantankerous but useful Doc, Mr. Charming is benefiting from the nasty zombie infestation. His job? Killing the bastards, which he considers fun anyway.

Gwyn Snow needs Rafe Charming to help retrieve her research from the Paragon Pharmaceuticals lab, also known as Zombie Central. Believing she can yet save the world, Gwyn makes Rafe question what’s right and what’s worth the fight.

CONTENT WARNING: Prince Charming, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves as you’ve never seen them before.

Get it on   itunes    Amazon

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

I decided to read this book because who can resist a fairy tale based story that is mixed with a zombie apocalypse.  I mean, isn't that set up pure book gold?!

The setting of the book should make the whole story very dramatic and serious. Authors Merissa McCain and Margaret Madigan, however, mixed the perfect blend of humor into the story so readers won't be too uptight about the dire futuristic setting. There were some scenes that had you holding your breath as characters battled zombies (what's a zombie novel without fight scenes?!), but the comic relief that came afterward allowed readers to catch their breaths before characters entered another dynamic situation.

The story provided a dual point of view that allowed readers to get in the head of Gwyn and Rafe. The story would have been lacking had the authors decided only to go with Gwyn's version of events.  Plus the story really needed it because the characters do get separated at one point and being in the head of Rafe of Gwyn really keeps the story moving and flowing well. It was a very wise decision by the authors.

My only push back to the story is why did it take Gwyn and Rafe this long to meet? I would think Gwyn would have sought help sooner than she did. I understand the circumstances behind it. She probably didn't have the opportunity until she saw the sign pointing her way to Rafe. She had to expand outward from her little hidey hole to seek supplies. If it were me, I would have tried to find somebody, anybody to help keep me company and to help watch my back. But that's a minor point. I bought into what the authors were telling, and I enjoyed their story.

The story is definitely geared to adults.  There's action, suspense, and some romance. Yes, there is a sex scene in it. It is tastefully written, but might not be appropriate for the young adult audience.

McCain and Madigan have put together a fun and entertaining story that's quick to read and very enjoyable. Don't dig for deep thoughts or themes in this one.  The plot isn't overly complex and the main characters are very fitting for the story. There aren't irrelevant characters that you have to try to keep up with. The best part was you can take their story for what it is--a futuristic version of a memorable fairy tale.  It's Snow White and the Seven Dwarves meets I am Legend.

About the authors:


Merissa McCain
My name is Merissa McCain. I grew up in the African bush, without T.V, and often without electricity. I now live in the deep South, with my very own superhero, and my three minons. Together, we attempt to take over the world. When not otherwise occupied with planning world domination, I love to read, write, drink strong coffee and eat dark chocolate--not necessarily in that order and sometimes all at once. I'm a voracious reader, and will devour any type of good fiction I can get my hands on, but I'm particularly partial to happy endings.

I write with a partner (Margaret Madigan) and on my own. We love to hear from our readers, so please shoot us an email at Merissa.mccain@gmail.com or mmadiganauthor@gmail.com.

Margaret Madigan
Hi. I'm Margaret Madigan. Or M.K.D. Bail, depending on what literary genre we're talking about. I live in the vast Northern Plains where it’s quiet and mostly empty, and very conducive to letting my imagination run wild. As a result, I have difficulty focusing on just one genre of storytelling. Of course, I love romance, so I write a lot of that, but I also write science fiction, a bit of horror, and dabble in other genres just for the fun of it.

When I’m not writing you’ll find me in a college classroom teaching English, or working as a literary agent for an amazing agency…and of course enjoying time with my family.

Giveaway:
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Invisible Sun

By David Macinnis Gill

About Invisible Sun (from Goodreads):
Obsessed with MUSE, the clandestine project that created the AI in his brain, mercenary chief Durango draws the ire of the government when he steals part of the secret project data and hightails it with his lieutenant, Vienne, to an ancient monastery. There, he meets the monks who raised Vienne from an orphan and also encounters soldiers working for his old nemesis, the crime lord Mr. Lyme. Lyme controls the territory surrounding the monastery, as well as the datacenters housing the rest of MUSE. 

Undeterred, Durango and Vienne pull off an ill-advised raid on Lyme’s complex. During the ensuing battle, however, Vienne is captured, and Durango is beaten and left for dead. Now, wounded and shaken, Durango must overcome bounty hunters, treacherous terrain, a full scale civil war, and a warrior monk with an eye for vengeance (not to mention his own guilt, self-doubt, and broken arm) to find Vienne and free her from Archibald, a brain-washing pyromaniac with a Napoleon complex who wants to rule Mars--and kill Durango in the process.

Review:
Invisible Sun is the sequel to David Macinnis Gill's Black Hole Sun.  Although Black Hole Sun was an enjoyable story, (you can read my original review here) I enjoyed Invisible Sun even more.

The story picks up shortly after Black Hole Sun left off.  Durango and Vienne are on the run from everyone because there's a bounty on their heads.  To hide, the duo goes to Vienne's childhood home  at an ancient monastery.  There Gill introduces us to the monks who raised Vienne who was orphaned.  But where these two go, trouble is never far behind. Soldiers who work for Durango’s old foe, Mr. Lyme, attack and the duo fight them off. Then they try to raid Lyme’s outpost to steal information, but Vienne gets captured, tortured and brainwashed to be a killing machine. Meanwhile Durango is beaten and left for dead. This sets the rest of the story up for Durango, along with the help of some of Vienne's monk family, to rescue her. The result is a fast-paced, edge of your seat thrill ride that mixed action, humor, sorrow, and a hint of romance.

As in Gill's previous book, Invisible Sun also incorporates a mix of foreign jargon and phrases. However, it seemed as if there were fewer phrases, and some of the meanings were more self-evident. Gill also translates the meaning of at least one phrase for readers--thank goodness for supporting characters asking!

This story is a must read for both girls and guys, and will have readers wanting another installment of Durango's story. Gill has definitely wins readers over with his writing style that grips readers and makes the book difficult to put down. If you are interested in trying the sci-fi genre for the first time, I highly recommend Gill's books to help whet your appetite. I generally don't read books set in space--or in this case, Mars--but Gill has made me a fan!

About author David Macinnis Gill:

David Macinnis Gill is the author of the award-winning novels Black Hole Sun and Soul Enchilada, both from Greenwillow/Harper Collins. His short stories have appeared in several magazines, including The Crescent Review and Writer’s Forum. His critical biography of young adult author Graham Salisbury, Graham Salisbury: Island Boy, was published by Scarecrow Press. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English/creative writing and a doctorate in education, both from the University of Tennessee.

He is the Past-President of ALAN (The Assembly on Literature for Adolescents) and an Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. His non-fiction, book reviews, essays, and academic work have appeared in a variety of publications, including The English Journal, Teacher-Librarian, and many others.

David’s teaching career began in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he was a high school teacher at Brainerd High School and briefly at the Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences. He later joined the English Department at Ohio University as an assistant professor. Currently, he is an associate professor of English education at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

David has been a house painter, cafeteria manager, bookstore schleper, high school teacher, and college professor. He now lives on the Carolina coast with his family, plus fourteen fish, two rescued dogs--an airebeagle and a border setter--and a nocturnal marsupial.