Guardians of Terath: Seeking Sorrow cover reveal & giveaway!

Welcome to the cover reveal for Guardians of Terath: Seeking Sorrow by Zen DiPietro! This is a modern fantasy with sci-fi and romantic elements. It is being published by Soul Mate Publishing on March 25 and will be available for preorder on March 14th.

About Guardians of Terath: Seeking Sorrow:
 An earth-like world of high-tech humans faces the reality that their world is not as safe as they thought it was. Five people are thrown together to quietly get to the bottom of an unfathomable mana event that must stay quiet. If the population of Terath becomes aware of the truth, it will spark a civil war. That war would pit the majority of the population against the powerful minority with the ability to harness and manipulate mana. The resulting cataclysm would decimate the population and tear apart the foundation of society.

The five people chosen for this must reconsider everything they thought they knew about mana, even as they learn to trust one another’s abilities. They must embrace everything they never wanted in order to prevent the devastation of their world. One of them will be forever changed. Love will be denied, badassery will be unleashed, and Terath will never be the same. 

Even success comes at a price.

Find it on Goodreads

About author Zen DiPietro:
 Zen DiPietro is a lifelong bookworm, a fantasy/sci-fi writer, a dancer, and a mom of two. Also red-haired, left-handed, and a vegetarian geek. Absolutely terrible at conforming. Particular loves include badass heroines, Star Trek, British accents, baba ganoush, and the smell of Band-Aids. Writing reviews, author interviews, and fun stuff at www.womenofbadassery.com. Very active on Facebook, Twitter (@ZenDiPietro), and Pinterest. You can also find her on Goodreads.

Giveaway:

Enter to win a $15 Amazon Gift Card (INT) / Women of Badassery mousepad (US)

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Speak of the Devil (Demon Legacy #2)

Love paranormal romance stories? Looking for a new series to try? Check out the Demon Legacy series by J.M. Gregoire. Scroll down to learn more about the series. Don't forget to read the teaser excerpt!

About the book:
Nearly half a year has passed since Asmodeus opened the gateway allowing an unknown number of demons to spill onto our plane of existence. A fatal standoff has left Dez on her own to hunt the stray demons down and send them back to Hell where they belong. Her life has become a never-ending cycle of violence and bloodshed, further tainted by a deepening depression and a longing for the person she had to leave behind.

When Dez receives an unexpected phone call, she makes her way to the northern Arizona desert to see an old friend. Upon arrival, there is a message waiting for her from beyond the grave, and she realizes before she can go any further, she must face the one thing she’s been dreading for months. To make matters worse, the message is meant to help her mission, but it forces Dez into an impossible choice.

Only Dez can decide which road to take, but will she be able to handle the consequences of her decision? 

Excerpt:
Michael opened his eyes to find himself in the middle of absolute nothingness.  There was no light, no colors, and no sound.  Just a spacious black void.  Although he could feel the solid ground beneath his feet, there was no surface to be seen.  He glanced at his surroundings, searching for something, anything, to give himself a sense of direction and found only more of the same.  He had no idea where he was or how he got there, and more importantly, he had no idea how to get back.  The soft whisper of a familiar voice right at his ear set every nerve in his body at ease.

“Don’t panic.”  He quickly turned and came face-to-face with Deziree, and she was stunning.  When he’d arrived earlier in the evening, he noticed she looked exhausted.  It was prominent enough in her features and in the way she carried herself that it caught his attention, even through his hunger. 

“Really, there’s nothing to worry about,” she assured him.

“What is this?”

“This,” she said, gesturing around them, “is hard to explain.  We are in the ether, but not dead.” 

She slowly turned and surveyed the space around them as she continued.  “Coming here is something I believe came along with the progression of my demon abilities.”  She turned back to him.  “Do you remember the first time I met Asmodeus?  In that dream?  That’s what this is.  You and I are still in Arizona, laying in each other’s arms, and by now, you’re probably snoring.”

“I don’t snore.”

“You totally snore,” she scoffed, and then continued.  “It’s a dream state of sorts, but I am able to connect with you through it.  I honestly thought I could only do this with other demons, but here you are.  Maybe it has something to do with the fact that you're a supernatural.  I don’t know for sure.  This is all still very new to me.  I haven’t exactly been practicing and it’s not like I have someone to turn to for lessons.”

“You seem to have figured it out well enough,” he replied.  “So, is this what it looked like when
you saw Asmodeus?  This whole black hole effect is a strange sensation.” 

“No,” she answered, “this is just here.  I think I might be able to…”  Her words trailed off and she closed her eyes for a moment.  One minute they were standing in the middle of nothing, the next they were standing in front of the familiar plush leather couch, alone, in his living room.

“Better?” she asked, a sly smile on her face. 

“Yes, much better.”

“And we’re completely alone,” she added, the smile turning mischievous.  Michael felt his teeth extend at the suggestion in her words.  He stepped forward, took her hands, and pulled them up around his neck as he tasted her mouth, their tongues dancing in an erotic rhythm.  Their kiss deepened with intensity and a small moan escaped from Dez.  Michael was reminded of the dream he had on New Year’s Eve and hoped this was not another small act of torture, compliments of his subconscious mind.  He pushed the thought back and ran his hands down her arms, down her sides, allowing his thumbs to briefly brush over her nipples before proceeding down to grasp the supple curves of her ass. 

Before his hands could reach their final destination, the sound of someone not-so-quietly clearing their throat startled them both.  Michael spun around to see his brother staring back at him with a smile curling the edge of his lips.  He was so stunned it took him a moment to realize someone else was standing with Lucas.  Michael instantly recognized her as Natalia, the murdered records keeper for the covens.  Had he not been sent to investigate her death and seen pictures of her, he never would have known who she was, as they hadn’t had the pleasure of meeting while she was still alive.

“You two really should get a room,” Lucas said as he took a step toward them.  Michael still stood there, stunned.  It took him a moment to gather himself enough to speak.

  
Other books in the series: 
Click on the cover image to be taken to the book's Goodreads page!

PUBLISHED:

    

 

  COMING SOON:

   

About author J.M. Gregoire:

Bestselling author J.M. Gregoire was born and raised in New Hampshire, USA and despite her abhorrence for any season that dares to drop to a temperature below seventy degrees, she still currently resides there with her two children and her two cats. Always a passionate reader, her love of urban fantasy books eventually morphed into a love of writing them. She is currently working on the Demon Legacy series and has a Demon Legacy spinoff series, the Killer Instinct series, coming soon.

Find J.M. Gregoire:   Website   Facebook   Twitter   Goodreads   Amazon

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Unveiled: Tamar (Lineage of Grace #1) review & audiobook excerpt

About the book:
"Unveiled" is the story of Tamar, one of the women in the lineage of Jesus. Francine brings the story to life in her trademark style, showing the grace of God in the life of Tamar and her father-in-law, Judah. "Unveiled" is the first in the Lineage of Grace series of five novellas covering the stories of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary.

Review:

Many readers know Francine Rivers from her book Redeeming Love. I enjoyed that book so much that I picked up Unveiled: Tamar thinking it would be along the same lines. It is different from Redeeming Love in that it is not a parallel story based on the same bible plot points but with different characters, but rather a direct interpretation from the bible told from Tamara's point of view.

I didn't know who Tamara was, so a book about her and her importance made me want to read it, especially if she was art of the lineage of Jesus. Looking at the cover, it isn't something that would really stand out in a sea of books at the bookstore or library, but looks can be deceiving. And this story was interesting.

This story is based on characters in Genesis in the bible. I recommend reading Genesis 25-45 before starting this book in order to give you some background. Rivers does a good job giving you some of this in the beginning, but there is so much more. For example, the book references Jacob's sons and what they did in Schechem (Genesis 34), but this wasn't given in the book. It also references what Judah and his brothers did to Joseph, but Genesis 37 gives readers more details. Since this event impacted Judah so much, it is referenced several times throughout the book, and a base knowledge makes it easier to read.

The story of Tamar is very serious in tone and isn't very kid friendly, so I'd recommend this for adults. The basic storyline is about Tamar trying to get pregnant with an heir to continue Judah's family line. So yes, there are definitely sex scenes in the book, though these are done as tastefully as can be while Rivers tries to remain true to the facts in the bible. Be warned, the facts aren't always pretty though.

Poor Tamar. Your heart goes out to her, and yet I wanted to shake some sense into her! She started out in an abusive relationship with Er. Then she was forced on to Onan who was selfish, arrogant and refused to do what is right. When she pleaded with Judah to step in with Onan, he refused to help. The shrewd Bathsua tormented Tamar all throughout the story. Readers can't help but to dislike Judah's family. And because Tamar remained so loyal to them when she was wronged, she makes me admire her for her loyalty. Still, I want to tell her to wake up and punish Judah for the way he dishonored her!

Tamar is smart though. She comes up with a plan to force Judah to do what the laws at the time obligated him to do. When everything comes out into the open, readers see Judah finally do what is right. He even restores his relationship with God.

This is a novella, so there were 130 pages to the story, and then about a 40 page study guide at the end. The story can easily be read in a day, if not in one sitting. It would be perfect for a church small group.

Audiobook excerpt:
Want to know more? Check out the first five minutes from the audiobook!

About author Francine Rivers:

New York Times best-selling author Francine Rivers began her literary career at the University of Nevada, Reno, where she graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in English and journalism. From 1976 to 1985, she had a successful writing career in the general market, and her books were highly acclaimed by readers and reviewers. Although raised in a religious home, Francine did not truly encounter Christ until later in life, when she was already a wife, a mother of three, and an established romance novelist.

Francine and her husband, Rick, live in northern California and enjoy time spent with their three grown children and every opportunity to spoil their grandchildren. She uses her writing to draw closer to the Lord, and that through her work she might worship and praise Jesus for all He has done and is doing in her life.

Find Francine:   Website   Blog   Facebook   Twitter    

Firebird Vengance teaser and giveaway!

I'm excited to present the teaser tour for Firebird Vengeance by Orren Merton. This is the third book in the Sedumem Chronicles, a young adult urban fantasy series. Today we have a teaser for you to give you a taste of the authors style. This is not included in the book, but gives you a taste of it. And while you are here, don't forget to enter the giveaway. Without further ado, here is the teaser:

BRIEFING GIVEN BY COMMANDER LLAMAR WALTERS, 4TH PRECINCT COMMANDING OFFICER, SOUTHWESTERN DISTRICT, DETROIT, MICHIGAN

Walters: Thank you for assembling on such short notice. I realize how extraordinary it is to be called from your beats, but this is pretty extraordinary. I’d like to start by taking a moment to lower our heads for Officers Herrera and Nguyen, killed in the line of duty.

Officer Julie Conklin: Sir, what are those things?

Walters: If you’ve seen Lady Firebird’s video, you know as much as I do. She’s calling them “Possessed.” That’s important, people—remember, it’s not grandma any more, or your buddy from down the street. I know how much it hurts to think of them as walking lasers in a meat wrapper, but that’s basically what they are at this point.

Officer Frank Lee: Why here? I mean, why Detroit, not that I want them to be blowing up the 7th District or anything.

Walters: We’re not sure. She said something about those things trying to destroy the purest among us. Maybe there’s some really pure nuns or rabbis or imams in our district. I don’t know. But I do know that they’re here, and we have to do what we can to protect our citizens.

Officer Jennifer Maiz: But they can shoot through anything—cars, body armor, buildings, you name it. What are we supposed to do?

Walters: I’m getting to that Maiz. I just got off the phone with Sergeant Hector Godinez in California. He’s the detective who’s got Lady Firebird on speed dial. He says that any minute now, we can expect a couple of her…I dunno what the hell they are. I think he called them “Marzipan”—

Officer John Dunn: I think it’s “Mazzikim,” sir.

Walters: Thanks, Dunn. We’re getting a couple of those in a minute or two. They’re bringing specially treated shields, swords, and bows and arrows they say can protect against the blasts and hurt the possessing spirits inside. I don’t suppose we have any sword and bow experts in our precinct, do we?

Officer Brent Jeffers: I go bow hunting with my cousins up north sometimes, does that count?

Walters: Right now it does, thanks Jeffers. You and any others who have training, you’ll try to take out those Possessed things. The rest of us will try and clear out as many citizens as we can, and if you’ve got a clear shot, go for their eyes—that won’t kill them, but it will keep ‘em from firing at us. Then we can take ‘em out with swords.

Officer Gill Fernandez: How, sir?

Walters: Well, I’m not an expert, but I think we need to stick them with the pointy end.

Fernandez: Yes, sir.

Intercom: Sir…I…we…there’s two large beings at the counter right now. One looks like a gorilla with an alligator head, and the other some kind of bear with a tiger head. They’ve got huge bags over their shoulders, that firebird lady’s symbol on their shirts, and they’re…they’re talking, sir. They’re asking to see you…What do we do?

Walters: Okay officers, we’re up. Everyone grab a shield, and lets get these Possessed. Keep safe, and let’s hope that Lady Firebird knows what she’s talking about.

About the book:

When eighteen-year old half-demon Alexandra Gold uses her firebird spirit to save the soul of a murdered girl, it brings her to the attention of the most powerful beings in her parallel universe.

At first, she believes this is a blessing. When she discovers that she has been the unwitting pawn of an ancient vengeance that intends to destroy every living human and demon in both universes, she realizes that she's been cursed.

This ancient vengeance has the power to re-animate the dead and use them to murder the living—and for each of the thirty-six most righteous human beings it murders, the more powerful it becomes.

Alex is determined to protect the thirty-six and save both worlds, but she cannot defeat Vengeance alone. All she has is her demon blade, her spirit fire, and her wits—to prevail, she must convince those humans and demons who are terrified and blame her for this catastrophe to help her.

Find the book:  Goodreads   Amazon 

About author Orren Merton:
Orren Merton started writing fantasy and science fiction at an embarrassingly young age, mostly for

his own amusement. In high school, he listened to a lot of dark and moody rock, which inspired him to pick up guitar and start playing up and down California in a few bands, culminating in his Industrial rock group Ember After releasing their debut album, Grasping At Straws, and subsequently The Misery EP. During that time, magazines, developers, and corporations began to pay him to write and edit music software related articles, manuals, and books.

Since then he has written the urban fantasy novel The Deviant and the science fiction novel Skye Entity before working on his current series of YA novels. He lives in Southern California with his family, pets, collection of sci-fi/fantasy memorabilia, and curiously large stuffed animal collection.

Find Orren:  Website   Facebook   Twitter   Goodreads

Giveaway:
Enter to win one of five ebook copies of Firebird Vengeance by Orren Merton. Open worldwide. Ends Feb. 24th

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This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.

Five Stages of Falling in Love

Today I'm excited to help promote Rachel Higginson's new book, The 5 Stages of Falling in Love. Like contemporary romance? Then you will definitely want to grab this one!
   

About the book:

Elizabeth Carlson is living in the pits of hell- also known as grief.

Her husband of eight years, the father of her four children and the love of her life, died from cancer. Grady’s prognosis was grim, even from the start, but Liz never gave up hope he would survive. How could she, when he was everything to her?

Six months later, she is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life and get the kids to school on time. Both seem impossible. Everything seems impossible these days.

When Ben Tyler moves in next door, she is drowning in sorrow and pain, her children are acting out, and the house is falling apart. She has no time for curious new friends or unwanted help, but Ben gives her both. And he doesn’t just want to help her with yard work or cleaning the gutters. Ben wants more from Liz. More than she’s capable of ever giving again.

As Liz mourns her dead husband and works her way through the five stages of grief, she finds there’s more of her heart to give than she thought possible. And as new love takes hold, she peels away the guilt and heartache, and discovers there’s more to life than death.

Purchase on Amazon   iBooks   B&N   Kobo  

    
About author Rachel Higginson:
Rachel Higginson is the creator of The Star-Crossed Series, Love & Decay Novella Series, The Starbright Series, The Siren Series, Bet on Us and the soon to be released, The Five Stages of Falling in Love! She is also the co-creator of the podcast "Zach & Rachel Take Over the World."

She was born and raised in Nebraska, and spent her college years traveling the world. She fell in love with Eastern Europe, Paris, Indian Food and the beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka, but came back home to marry her high school sweetheart. Now she spends her days raising four amazing kids. In the few spare moments she has to herself, she is either reading for hours on end or writing her own stories.

Find Rachel:   Website   Facebook   Twitter

The Cure (Unbounded #2)

About the book:
Even When You CHANGE, Some Things Remain the Same . . .

Erin Radkey’s life has altered completely since her Change made her one of the Unbounded. Yet she has learned the hard way that some things never change.

Greed. Over the centuries the long-lived Unbounded have divided into two groups, the Emporium who craves money and power and will do anything to achieve its ends, including experimenting on its own people, and the Renegades who protect humanity.

Power. Now the Renegades are close to discovering a cure that will save many dying mortals, and the husband of Erin’s closest friend is first in line to receive the formula. But Emporium agents will stop at nothing to destroy the cure—until they realize the research might be exactly the weapon they’ve been searching for.

Love. Erin’s new abilities are tested as she and fellow Renegades fight the Emporium in a struggle that soon becomes all too personal, and where lines of loyalty are blurred by relationships of the past. Everything is at risk, including the lives of her friends—and the love of Ritter Langton, the Renegade Unbounded who both infuriates and excites her.

From the busy streets of Portland to the jungles of Mexico, The Cure is a page-turning urban fantasy that will keep you riveted until the end.

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

After finishing the first book in this series, the abrupt ending had me wondering what happened. The story stuck with me for several days after I finished it (I just love book hangovers!), so I knew I had to get my hands on the next book in the series. Want to know what I thought about the first book, The Change? Check out the review here.

To begin with, if you are reading the books back to back, you will initially be disappointed because the story doesn't pick up exactly where the first book left off. It actually picks up two months later. There are snippets that allow readers to find out what happened. For example, Ritter wasn't there when Erin woke from her surgery. No surprise there because that is Ritter!

This book feels the same and very different from the first book. There is still tons of action in it. The Hunters and Emporium are really a thorn in the Renegades' side. Erin however is not the same woman we saw in the first book. Her confidence has grown in the months that she has been Unbounded and she doesn't doubt her role in this new secret society anymore. She is 100% Renegade and she's out to recruit new Unboundeds to her side.

The characters must take a road trip to Mexico. This is also a reason why the "feel" of this book is so different from the first. The unfamiliar scenery as characters run through the jungle, adds a danger element to the plot. Enemies can hide so easily. If bullets start flying, it is difficult to spot Emporium soldiers in all of the foliage. It is hard to tell who is hunting and who is being hunted.

The same characters from the first book are in this second book plus a few extra. New talents are revealed that come in handy when the characters get in some sticky situations. Don't worry though, you're going to love these additions to the story.
 
Readers that love action, supernatural abilities and a hint of romance will definitely want to pick up this book. There is no sex in it, but there is some violence. It is definitely worth the read!

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 solitary 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 33 gerbils and 18 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 two-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: DANGER. WRITER AT WORK. ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK.

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.

Garden cover reveal

I'm excited to help reveal the cover for Garden by Jane Yates! Garden is a middle grade steampunk that releases in February 2015 by Autumn Orchard. Check out the book info and book trailer!

About the book:
Inspired by the classic novel The Secret Garden, Jane Yates introduces us to a steampunk world of bio-domes, robots and mysteries. Eleven-year-old Aberdeen is so used to being by herself that all she has to fill her thoughts are stories of mighty dragons and grand castles. Aberdeen’s world is soon thrown into disarray however; her parents murdered.

Having no choice, Aberdeen is sent to live with her uncle back on Earth where her fascination into her new surroundings begin to take hold. Untrusting of new people at first, it isn’t long before Aberdeen comes across three other children, and taking a risk, befriends them as she tries to adjust to her new home. And yet, along with Maisy, Peter and Lenard, Aberdeen comes across a riddle – a set of clues to reveal the hiding place of a lost manuscript. A manuscript that forces more questions than answers.

Oh, and there’s Frank too, Peter’s robot dog, who completes this special circle of friendship.

Garden is a journey of self-discovery, of trials and friendship. With adventure boundless, Jane Yates follows up her acclaimed Paradox Child trilogy with a new tale for young fans of steampunk and science fiction.

Amazon preorder   Goodreads

Book Trailer:

About author Jane Yates:
Jane lives in the historic city of Oxford, England with her two spaniels. She works at the Pitt Rivers

museum there too and is amazed and inspired by its wondrous array of objects. Being a museum of anthropology and world archaeology, Jane often finds herself influenced by its exhibitions. And indeed it has helped Jane write a trilogy for children – the Paradox Child series.

Jane is not only a mother, artist and storyteller, but dyslexic too, which only highlights her success even more. Jane refuses to allow the disorder to halt her dreams and continues to enjoy her favourite hobbies. Jane is a lover of steampunk, adventure and children’s stories, which often play a huge role in her own books.

Find Jane: Facebook   Twitter   Goodreads

This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.