Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday ~ Boarded by Love by Toni Aleo



Boarded by Love by Toni Aleo
Coming September 8th, 2014!

Jude Sinclair here, hockey player for the Bellevue Bullies and lover of all ladies. Hockey’s in my blood, and not to sound full of myself, but I’m good at it…really good. The draft is within my reach—it’s mine to take—but that’s not the only reason people know my name. They know me because of my way with women. They know the score, and I aim to please. I just tend to stay away from repeat performances. In other words, I don’t do relationships beyond my family and friends. I’m happy with life. However, I should warn you that my story and how I see it playing out is about to change due to a certain redhead on campus.
She’s beautiful. Stunning. Breathtaking.
She’s my game changer.
He’s trouble from the moment I see him. I don’t know what I’m thinking, but from the moment I meet his gaze, I’m his. It’s a scary feeling.

I’ve never trusted anyone outside my aunt and uncle—and even that took months. I didn’t have it easy growing up. My mom was usually strung out, and she didn’t give me a second thought. Drugs and the men who paid her were more important to her. It was horrible, but I’m stronger today. Because of my past, security is what I need most. Money assures me that I can take care of myself today, tomorrow, and next month. I don’t want to ever be hungry or go without again, so I work hard for every penny.
Oh, by the way, I’m Claire Anderson. I’m a hard-studying sophomore at the University of Bellevue, dancer for the school dance team, and a burlesque dancer at a club, but that’s my secret.
You may think you know how our story ends, but you have no clue. It’s not easy falling in love… or living happily ever after. At first it may seem so, but when is anything worth having ever won without a fight?
Especially when you’re boarded by love.
About the Author

Toni Aleo is the author of the Nasvhille Assassins series: Taking Shots, Trying to Score, Empty Net, Falling for the Backup, and Blue Lines.
When not rooting for her beloved Nashville Predators, she’s probably going to her husband’s and son’s hockey games and her daughter’s dance competitions, taking pictures, scrapbooking, or reading the latest romance novel.
She lives in the Nashville area with her husband, two children, and a bulldog. Read more about Toni here.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

Release Day Blitz ~ Whisper by Heather Hildenbrand





Whisper by Heather Hildenbrand
New Adult Paranormal Fantasy

The Cherokee believe when a person dies, their soul is reborn. Life is repeated. An endless cycle of lessons to be learned, love to be found, destiny to be fulfilled. For the past six months, in every flower, every bird, I’ve imagined my parents, relieved of their human forms.


Now, after five months at the Skye View Wellness Center, it was summer. A time for parties and friends, but that’s the last thing I want to do. So when my best friend Erin convinces me to attend a bonfire at Eagle Point, I can’t handle the crowd full of sympathetic stares or drunken class clowns who would use my tragedy as a way into my heart – or my pants. The solitude of the woods offers an escape, until I stumble upon a boy, unconscious and bleeding, his pockets stuffed not with identification but with poetry illustrating the beauty of dying. I’ve seen enough death. I will not leave this boy’s side.


Even after he wakes, when the only thing he can remember are visions of events that haven’t happened yet…  


Add to Goodreads

Purchase

About the Author:
Author of Across the Galaxy, Whisper, and the Dirty Blood series. I write, read, and fuss at my kids. Oh, and I do laundry, lots of laundry. I’m pretty good at it, too. Sometimes I even read WHILE doing laundry – and fussing at my kids. I’m a multi-tasker.

For more information on my books, release dates, or just general stalker material, um, I mean FAN material, visit my website. www.heatherhildenbrand.blogspot.com. I love hearing from readers!

Likes and dislikes? I love vintage tees, hate socks with sandals, and if my house was on fire the one thing I’d grab is my Amazon Fire TV! (oh yeah, I’m a fan of puns.)

Cover Reveal for Perception by Nealy Gihan, Scott C. Davis, Linda Davis, Mary Laufer & Heather Hildenbrand


The world will never look the same…

There comes a defining moment in every young person's life that irrevocably shifts their point of view.  For a new teacher who still compares herself to her students, it’s a missing girl and a false accusation that could cost her more than her career.  For a young man who settles into a rut that not even his broken marriage can pull him out of, it’s a drifter’s gun to his head.  For an idealistic college student, it’s her parents’ divorce pulling back the curtain on who they really are, shattering everything she thought she knew about love.  And for a recovering addict who's not ready to change, it might just be an unhappy ending to her illicit affair.

In Perception, discover five captivating stories that explore what it means to be a new adult.

Perception, a New Adult anthology is coming 9/10/14


Links to find our authors:

Nealy Gihan, author of Drive, on Facebook
Scott Davis, author of Outlaw, on Twitter
Mary Laufer, author of Missing, on Facebook
Linda Davis, author of My Boyfriend is a Senator, on Elephantine’s author list
Heather Hildenbrand, author of The Talisman, on Facebook

For more information and other releases, visit us at

FICTION FREEBIES: free stories, excerpts, and interviews from Elephantine authors.

Book Tour {Interview & Giveaway} Sex, Lies, and Snickerdoodles by Wendy Delaney


Cozy Mystery – 300 Pages

SYNOPSIS

Everybody’s got a secret.

A secret crush. A secret liaison. A secret recipe. And for a deadly few, a secret murder.

Port Merritt’s favorite bad boy, Russell Falco, was a seasoned veteran of secret liaisons. But after his body washes up on the shore of Merritt Bay, Deputy Coroner and human lie detector, Charmaine Digby, suspects one of those liaisons got Russell killed.

Secrets. Lies. Cookie-baking rivals. And a dead guy. Char’s on the case and is determined to find the killer . . . if the killer doesn’t find her first!


Purchase Links

About the Author


Wendy Delaney writes fun-filled cozy mysteries and is the author of Sex, Lies & Snickerdoodles, the second book in her Working Stiffs Mystery series. A long-time member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and Romance Writers of America, she’s a Food Network addict and pastry chef wannabe. When she’s not killing off story people she can be found on her treadmill, working off the calories from her latest culinary adventure. Wendy makes her home in the Seattle area with her husband and has two grown sons. You can connect with Wendy on Facebook and via her website: www.wendydelaney.com.

Interview

How long have you been writing?
Quite a long time! I discovered that I liked to write back in my early high school days, but like a lot of people I put my dreams aside to pursue a more “serious” career that would supply a regular paycheck. Then, seventeen years ago I discovered some authors whose “voices” I loved, and I decided that I’d put my dream on hold for long enough. I took lots of classes, attended lots of writing conferences, and now (finally!) my dream of becoming a published author of the type of stories that I enjoy reading has come true.

What made you like to write?
I was rather shy back in school, but once my teachers started encouraging me to express myself in my writing, I think something sparked – a “yes, I can do this” kind of feeling. From speaking with a number of other authors I know we can be an insecure lot and often vacillate between feelings of “I can do this” and “what made me think I could ever do this?” But it was that initial spark that stuck with me, plus my love of stories that made me want to write.

Who is your favorite author and why?
Oh my, I have a long list of favorites. I love Janet Evanovich for her humor and for creating characters who I view as friends. Linda Howard for her storytelling and her fabulous characters. Other favorites: JA Konrath, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Ann Charles. My list could go on and on.

What are your favorite things to do besides writing?
I’m a huge football fan (go Seahawks!) so if the Seahawks are playing my butt is planted in my seat at the game or in front of the tube. Other than that I don’t watch a lot of TV with the exception of Castle and Game of Thrones. When I’m not on a book-related deadline, my husband and I like to travel. Our goal over the next few years is to visit every state in the U.S., that is, when we’re not doting on our new granddaughter!

What is your favorite scene to write?
My favorite scenes are ones in which I can mine for humor. My Working Stiffs Mystery series is populated with a number of opinionated oldsters who I love, a hunky cop/boyfriend, and a high maintenance, B-list actress/mother. Charmaine, my sleuth, interacts with them all, much to my delight. Truly, whenever she’s in a scene with one of these characters, I’m smiling as I write.

Who designed the book cover?
Adam Linstad, my talented cover artist, takes the bones of my ideas for the cover and then transforms them into a fun story image. I love his artwork and am thrilled to have him design my covers.

Who is your favorite character in your book and why?
Like a proud mom I love all my “children,” but if I can only pick one it has to be Charmaine Digby. I think she’s smart and funny, and she has a sense of daring that I envy. Maybe that’s why she’s the sleuth and I’m the writer. LOL!

When did you start writing?
I got serious about writing in 1997. Then, eight years ago I became especially serious about writing cozy mysteries. Soon after I met a “human lie detector” online, I started developing Charmaine’s character and realized I had a sleuth I would enjoy working with for many years, and the Working Stiffs Mystery series was born!

How many books did you write before you were published?
I wrote three books along with dozens of story partials that never got off the ground. I learned lessons from all of them—sometimes the valuable lesson of what not to do! But during this process I discovered that the activity of writing is a lot like physical exercise to build muscle. So, I like to think of the time that I invested prior to writing Trudy, Madly, Deeply (book one in my series) as building writing muscle. And it’s a good thing because I expect to be writing Working Stiffs cozy mysteries well into my dotage and who needs literary osteoporosis!?!

Thank you, Kelly, for the fun interview questions! I always love to chat about writing and the writing process.

Author Links
Facebook Wendy Delaney
Goodreads Wendy Delaney

Giveaway
One Print Copy

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Preorder/Promotion Post for Seven Dirty Sins by 7 Bestselling Authors

Even good girls do bad things. 

Seven Dirty Sins
an Erotic Romance Bundle 
Everybody has a dirty little secret, everybody sins.
What's yours?
Sinful pleasures find their way into your bedroom through seven bestselling authors
including USA Today bestsellers, Melissa Andrea, Clarissa Wild and Ella James in this sizzling anthology.
Whatever your sin may be you'll find incredible love and lust between the pages of Seven Dirty Sins meeting all of your dirty needs.
After reading Seven Dirty Sins you're going to have to go to church ladies.

 

Seven Novellas by Seven Sinful Authors.
Pandora's box will be opened and Seven Dirty Sins will release:
September 2nd, 2014
Preorders now available at most online retail locations,
special .99 pricing only available until September 3rd!



 
Join The Authors September 2nd 
for a Facebook Party!
The Authors will also be participating in multiple Takeovers throughout Release Week. Visit the Event Page for more details!


Teaser Tuesday ~ Something Forever by M. Clarke

Something Forever by M. Clarke
Series: Something Great #3
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Release Date: August 25th, 2014

A heated moment.

Desperate decision.

Life altering choices.

Max and Jenna are forced to test their relationship. Will they be able to embrace the challenges life throws their way?

Secrets can ruin the foundation of a relationship. Will Matthew choose to withhold vital information from Becky that could consume her with doubt about their future?

When it comes to love, Something Great can turn into Something Wonderful, but can it be Something Forever?


Other books in the series:

 

Purchase Something Great:

Purchase Something Wonderful:

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Teaser

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Mary Ting resides in Southern California with her husband and two children. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Writing her first novel, Crossroads Saga, happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother, and inspired by a dream she once had as a young girl. When she started reading new adult novels, she fell in love with the genre. It was the reason she had to write one-Something Great. Why the pen name, M Clarke? She tours with Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children’s chapter book-No Bullies Allowed.
Twitter † Instagram † Pinterest

Book Tour {Guest Post & Giveaway} The Cinderella Theorem by Kristee Ravan

A themed book tour through Prism Book Tours.

The Cinderella Theorem (The Lily Sparrow Chronicles)The Cinderella Theorem
(The Lily Sparrow Chronicles #1)
by Kristee Ravan
YA Urban Fantasy
Paperback, 367 pages
March 17th 2014


Fairy tales are naturally non-mathematical. That is a fact, and fifteen-year-old Lily Sparrow loves factual, mathematical logic. So when her mother confesses that Lily’s deceased father is (a) not dead, (b) coming to dinner, and (c) the ruler of a fairy tale kingdom accessible through the upstairs bathtub, Lily clings to her math to help her make sense of this new double life (1 life in the real world + 1 secret life in the fairy tale world = a double life).

Even though it’s not mathematical, Lily finds herself being pulled into a mystery involving an unhappy Cinderella, a greasy sycophant called Levi, and a slew of vanishing fairy tale characters. Racing against the clock, with a sound mathematical plan, Lily attempts to save her fairy tale friends while proving that normality = happiness.


Calling for Reviewers!

We're looking for reviewers! You don't need a blog to sign up, but you do need to at least post a review on Amazon. Other sites (blog, Goodreads, etc.) are also appreciated. Reviews must be completed by the end of November. To sign up, please fill out this form.

Kristee Ravan
Kristee Ravan lives in Oklahoma with her husband, daughter, and pet fish, Val (short for Valentine). She wanted to be many things as she grew up including a general, an artist, and an architect. But she never bothered to say, "I want to be a writer when I grow up." She was always writing stories and thought of herself as a writer anyway. She sent her first story to a publisher in the sixth grade. (It was rejected - in a nice way.) When she is not making up stories in her head, she enjoys reading, juggling, green smoothies, playing dollhouse with her daughter, and hearing from her fans. You can contact Kristee at the facebook page for her Lily Sparrow books: The Lily Sparrow Chronicles.


Guest Post

My Inspiration  
Once upon a time, in a library far, far away, I discovered the fairy tale shelf.  I remember it  was in a sunny area. The books were smaller than normal and were a part of a set.  I checked them  out over and over again. I’m sure my seven-year-old self had heard or had all these fairy tales read to her before, but this was the first time, I was able to read them for myself.  This began a life-long love for fairy tales, both their original versions (The Little Mermaid turns to sea foam and dies. Check. Beauty asked her dad to bring her a rose.  I know that.  Rapunzel’s name is derived from the name a type of salad green.  Bring it on!) and the modern versions.  My sister and I LOVED this weird film version of Cinderella called “If the Shoe Fits,” starring Jennifer Grey as the Cinderella character. We watched it over and over. My dad was often stationed overseas with the Air Force and would bring back fairy tale books from all over the world.  Korean Cinderella got some serious love in our family.  And when fairy tales began to be retold and expanded into novel form became popular, I read them right up.

                So once upon a time, on a break from college, I told my sister she should read Ella Enchante” by Gail Carson Levine.  I knew she would like it and she did.  She liked it so much she stayed up all night reading it.  (We both suffer from book self-control issues.)  She told me I should write a book like that, something with Cinderella.  I had started writing a LOT of books in my time and even completed a silly teen romance novel.  I stored her suggestion away in my mind….

Until once upon a time, in a college, far, far away, my roommate confused two simple fairy tales.  I don’t remember exactly what the mistake was, but it was something everyone should have known, like that Sleeping Beauty didn’t have a stepmother or that Rapunzel was the one locked in a tower.  Her defense for this error against all the loveliness of fairy tales was that she was too busy being a math major to remember that stuff.

I like math.  Probably more than the normal amount a person should like it, but less than a math major. I started wondering…what if a person,  really devoted to math and logic and order, found out she had a seriously illogical and unmathematical back story that she knew nothing about?

So while I was supposed to be taking notes about the teachers I was observing in student teaching, I started planning and writing The Cinderella Theorem.
Tour-Wide Giveaway

5 copies of The Cinderella Theorem (print for US winners, ebook for international winners)
Ends August 31st 


Book Tour {Promo Post & Giveaway} If Ever I Would Leave You: Arthurian Stories For A New Generation by Jessica Jarman, Bronwyn Green, Jenny Trout writing as Abigail Barnette

 

If Ever I Would Leave You: Arthurian Stories For A New Generation
Release Date: 07/2014

Summary from Goodreads

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.


 

Surfacing – Excerpt

Mustering up the small amount of strength I had left, I wrenched away from her and ran into the woods. Branches slapped at my face, and brambles scratched my bare legs while small, sharp rocks dug into the bottoms of my feet. I had no idea if Nimue was following me or not, but I wasn’t going to shorten my lead by turning around and looking. What I really needed was somewhere to hide. If this was like the rest of the islands around here, there would be a cave to hole up in or maybe some decent rock formations to use for shelter.

Unfortunately, this looked like nothing but trees. I saw a few other paths as I ran, but I couldn’t make myself choose one. Instead, I just moved heedlessly through the woods, dodging branches as best I could and hoping Nimue wasn’t behind me.

I couldn’t believe I hadn’t come across any other people—or even campsites. These islands were never crowded, but they were popular with the camping and hiking types. I wondered if this island had a ranger station on it. At the very least, there would be a satellite phone there and hopefully an actual ranger. I wanted to call out for help, but if I’d lost Nimue, I didn’t want to give away my location.

Thinking I heard a noise behind me, I put on a burst of speed. At the very last second, I turned right, heading back toward the shore. I thought I remembered seeing rock formations that would make a good hiding spot. I ran into a clearing and skidded to a complete stop. There was a shirtless guy with an ax. A ripped, at least from the back, shirtless guy with an ax. I’d been so focused on getting away from the creepy castle and what might be inside that I’d forgotten I’d heard someone chopping wood, and I managed to run right into him.

I opened my mouth to call out to him, but worry that he was one of the people Nimue had mentioned niggled at me, and I shut it. In those few short seconds, paranoia won out, and I desperately hoped I hadn’t made enough noise for him to hear me. Carefully, I began backing out of the clearing, but he turned. And I froze. He stared at me, eyes widening and mouth open. The ax fell from his hand and hit the forest floor with a dull thud that seemed to echo in my chest. My gaze crept upward from his slack hand to his corded forearm, over his tightly muscled stomach and chest to his face. There was something disturbingly familiar about him. My heart stumbled as I realized what it was. With the heavy stubble covering his cheeks and chin, he looked like a slightly older version of Liam.

He took a step toward me, and I tensed, getting ready to run.

“Tabby?”

I looked at him again. Really looked at him, this time. As he drew closer, I could make out impossibly green eyes—the soft green of new leaves. There was only one person I knew who had eyes like that.
You can buy the book here on Amazon.

About the Authors

 

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. Bronwyn loves to talk to her readers and can be found at www.bronwyngreen.com


Jenny Trout is an author, blogger, and funny person. 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 kill her.

Giveaway
Blog Tour Organized by


Monday, August 11, 2014

Book Teaser Blast ~ Wild Dreams by Dawn Pendleton

Title: Wild Dreams
Author: Dawn Pendleton
Series: Dreams Series #2
Publication: September 1, 2014

Dallas Montgomery doesn't do relationships. He bounces around from woman to woman, happy to live life as a bachelor. But a surprise excursion into the jungles of Africa has him wondering if “settling down” isn’t so bad after all - especially if it’s with the sexy Nicole Griffin.

Nicole can't stand Dallas. He's arrogant, full of himself, and drop-dead gorgeous - everything she vowed to avoid after her last relationship crashed and burned. Resisting him shouldn’t be a problem, until one wrong turn in the middle of the jungle puts her face to face with the real Dallas. The one who isn't such a jerk after all.

When they are brought together by a terrifying tragedy that threatens a friend’s life, Dallas and Nicole won't be able to escape their own demons. As one reconsiders life as a bachelor and the other struggles to put aside the past, they will ignite a desire as hot as the African jungle.





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Look for Crazy Dreams, available now!


Blog Tour {Giveaway} Pepped Up & All Pepped Up by Ali Dean


Title(s): Pepped Up & All Pepped Up

Author: Ali Dean

Tour Dates: August 11-15, 2014


ABOUT PEPPED UP:

Pepper Jones is ready for an epic cross country season. She wants to qualify for Nationals, and she’s 
willing to do anything it takes to make it happen. She can handle long miles and hill sprints, but boys? 
That’s an entirely different challenge. 

Pepper’s never considered revealing her deeper feelings for her longtime friend, Jace Wilder. After all, 
he’s got the personal magnetism and good looks to hook just about any girl in town -- and he has. 

Their friendship stands apart from high school social circles, and they’re both just fine with that (or at least they pretend to be). 

That is, until running star Ryan Harding moves to town. 

When it comes to running, Pepper’s goals are clear. 

But when it comes to Jace and Ryan, it’s nowhere near as simple. 

ABOUT ALL PEPPED UP:

Pepper Jones knew that being Jace Wilder’s girlfriend wouldn’t be simple. 

But she didn’t predict just how many complications would arise from his past. Jealous girls? 
That she expected. Family secrets? Not so much. 

At least Pepper can always hit the trails to clear her head… except when it comes to racing. 

The high expectations from her phenomenal cross country season haunt her, and she can’t seem to get 
psyched up for track season. 

Pepper’s junior year at Brockton Public is full of challenges on and off the track, but she’s not afraid to face them. 

EXCERPT FROM PEPPED UP:

Zoe offers me a ride home, but Ryan jumps in, saying I’m on his way. I watch him discreetly for a moment in the car. His forehead is damp with sweat from dancing, and his blue eyes look soft and sleepy from the long day. When he glances at me, and smiles, showing off those adorable dimples, he looks so happy. And it all seems so simple with him.
He likes me. I like him.
If it wasn’t for Jace, there would be no question at all what direction things should go with Ryan and me. And what’s stopping me now?

BUY LINKS:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ali Dean lives in Colorado with her husband, twin babies, and golden retriever. In addition to reading and writing, she loves the outdoors- everything from marathon training and biking to snowboarding and skiing.

WHERE TO FIND HER: