November 27, 2013

Legent of Me and The Winter People Cover Reveals!

I’m a little late on the reveal, but a couple days ago Rebekah Purdy and Entangled Teen Ember revealed the covers for LEGEND OF ME, releasing in early 2014. And THE WINTER PEOPLE, releasing July 1, 2014! Even though I’m late, I still wanted to share so check out the gorgeous covers, exclusive excerpts, and enter to win an eARC of each!



Legend of Me


Expected
Publish Date:
Early 2014

About the book:


Sixteen-year-old Brielle has grown up hearing tales of a beast that kills humans, leaving behind only a scattering of bones and limbs. Or so the village elders say. She thinks it’s just their way of keeping children in line, though it doesn’t explain her grisly premonitions of blood, claws, and severed heads.

When Lord Kenrick, Knight of the Crowhurst Order, shows up asking questions about the legendary monster and Brielle finds a mangled body in the woods, she begins to wonder if the grim stories are true. Her attraction to the handsome knight grows as she spends time with him searching for clues to the creature’s existence, and she becomes even more determined to help him discover the beast’s location.

But as her seventeenth birthday approaches, her nightmares worsen. If Brielle doesn’t figure out the connection between Kenrick, the monster, and visions of a ghostly woman in the woods soon, more people could die. Including those closest to her…

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Exclusive Excerpt!


Brambles scratched my legs, snagging my skirt. Gnarled trees bent in gruesome forms, while thick shadows splayed out beneath them. A heavy gloom settled over the woodland as wisps of fog slithered like snakes against the ground. I shivered.

Don’t think. I picked an animal trail to follow, stepping over dead branches and forest debris. Blood pounded in my ears and the hair on the back of my neck prickled. I twisted around to glance behind me.

Nothing there. Only the trees. Urgency gripped hold of me and I picked up my pace once more. As I scrambled through the thicket, an overwhelming scent of rotten meat made me gag. I covered my mouth with my hand and stopped running when a bright red piece of fabric caught my eye. With hesitant steps, I moved toward it.

“Oh God.” I stumbled. There, sticking out from beneath a barberry bush was a severed arm, its finger pointed at me in accusation. My breath came in gasps as I scanned the rest of the clearing.

My foot nudged against something and I looked down in horror to find the head of Liam Gatekeeper staring up at me.

I screamed, backing away as fast as I could. All around me were pieces of his body scattered like breadcrumbs. I shielded my eyes with my hands, until I bumped into something else.

With another scream, I whipped around only to find myself faced with an oak tree covered in dried blood and deep claw marks. My vision darkened and I prayed I wouldn’t faint, that I wouldn’t be stuck in the woods. Because somewhere out here, a monster lurked. If I didn’t believe it before, I did now. The beast was real.

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The Winter People


About the book:



Expected
Publish Date:
July 1, 2014

GoodreadsAmazonBarnes & Noble

An engrossing, complex, romantic fantasy perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore or Maggie Stiefvater, set in a wholly unique world.

Salome Montgomery fears winter—the cold, the snow, the ice, but most of all, the frozen pond she fell through as a child. Haunted by the voices and images of the strange beings that pulled her to safety, she hasn’t forgotten their warning to "stay away." For eleven years, she has avoided the winter woods, the pond, and the darkness that lurks nearby. But when failing health takes her grandparents to Arizona, she is left in charge of maintaining their estate. This includes the "special gifts" that must be left at the back of the property.
 


Salome discovers she’s a key player in a world she’s tried for years to avoid. At the center of this world is the strange and beautiful Nevin, who she finds trespassing on her family’s property. Cursed with dark secrets and knowledge of the creatures in the woods, his interactions with Salome take her life in a new direction. A direction where she’ll have to decide between her longtime crush Colton, who could cure her fear of winter. Or Nevin who, along with an appointed bodyguard, Gareth, protects her from the darkness that swirls in the snowy backdrop. An evil that, given the chance, will kill her.


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Exclusive Excerpt!


The sky darkened with ominous storm clouds. Giant flakes fell onto my face, sticking to my eyelashes and cheeks. Snow blew unhindered across the yard into what looked like small tornadoes.

Oh God. It’s happening again. The frigid air. The creaking of the treetops beneath the wind. Even the way the snow blew across the yard.

I only had one more feeder. Just needed to toss the seeds in then I could leave. Be safe.

The pond water rippled, while the trees bent beneath the strong gusts. Soon, everything became so white I couldn’t see the house. In the distance a strange tinkling sounded, like dozens of wind chimes.

What had the shrink told me to do?

Ten, nine, eight. Breathe. Seven, six, five. Shit!

Panic stole my thoughts. I backed away from the pond as the flurries swirled toward me. Chasing me.

Then, I bumped into something—something that felt quite human. A firm chest, arms, hands. Not something, someone. A shriek tumbled from my lips and I spun around to face my captor.

“It’s okay. I won’t hurt you,” a soft masculine voice said, pale hands clinging to my arms as he kept me from falling.

My gaze followed those long fingers, up black leather sleeves, to the most gorgeous face I’d ever seen. My breath caught in my throat. I’m gawking. But I couldn’t help it. His raven hair shot with strands of blue, his face pale and perfect, like an ice sculptor had chiseled it into existence. His eyes—oh God, his eyes. They were the palest blue I’d ever seen. Glacial. He had to be over six feet tall, muscles evident through the tight shirt he wore beneath an unzipped jacket.

His mouth turned up at the corners as if enjoying my scrutiny. A cocky grin that made my cheeks warm.

“You’re trespassing.” I tried to keep the tremble from my voice. “This is private property, or can’t you read the signs?” Bravo, that’s right, scare him off with your bitchiness.

He chuckled. And it sounded like the low song of the chimes. “Doris doesn’t mind me coming around. In fact, I’ve met you before, Salome.”

My name on his lips made my knees go buttery. I groaned inwardly.

“You know my grandma?” I fidgeted with the bucket still in hand.

He gave a nod. “Yeah, I’ve known her for years. But I haven’t seen you since you were a child.”

Warning bells went off in my mind, but I pushed them aside. If he knew my grandma, then he must be okay. “Funny, I don’t remember you at all.”

“Don’t you, Salome?” Strands of my hair blew about my face. He reached a hand out as if to touch them then stopped, dropping his arms back to his side.

“No. Grandma’s never mentioned you.”

He gave me another cocky grin. “Well then, maybe we should be reacquainted.”

“Or maybe not.” I snorted. “I’m not sure how you got on the property, Grandma keeps all the gates locked.”

He produced an antique-looking skeleton key. “She gave me this. Like I said, Doris has known me for a long time.”

“I’m sorry. I’m not trying to be a jerk or anything, it’s just my grandma never mentioned I’d have visitors.” In fact, I wondered why she didn’t ask this guy to watch her house instead of me.

The arrogance left his face and he stared at me. “Perhaps, we can try this again.” He held his hand out to me. “I’m Nevin.”







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November 26, 2013

Black Arts Blog Tour Beast’s Guest Post



About the Author


FAITH HUNTER writes bestselling dark urban fantasy: Skinwalker series, featuring Jane Yellowrock—Skinwalker, Blood Cross, Mercy Blade, Raven Cursed, Death’s Rival & Blood Trade. Rogue Mage, a post-apocalyptic, alternate reality series, features Thorn St. Croix, a stone.



☆ How to find Faith ☆
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About the Book

Jane Yellowrock is a shape-shifting skinwalker who always takes care of her own — no matter the cost….

When Evan Trueblood blows into town looking for his wife, Molly, he’s convinced that she came to see her best friend, Jane. But it seems like the witch made it to New Orleans and then disappeared without a trace.

Jane is ready to do whatever it takes to find her friend. Her desperate search leads her deep into a web of black magic and betrayal and into the dark history between vampires and witches. But the closer she draws to Molly, the closer she draws to a new enemy—one who is stranger and more powerful than any she has ever faced.

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5 Things to Bring to New Orleans
Adapted from a Bitten By Books interview of 2012


I am big-cat. I am Beast. Beast is not prey. (Looks at reader. Reader understands prey and Beast.) This is good.

I go where Jane goes, on Bitsa, her Harley-bike. Bitsa is a machine. Machines are confusing—they have hearts and breathe. They roar like lion in far-away place called Africa, but then they die and sit silent until they come alive again. Bitsa is alive and not-alive, but not dead. Confusing. Like vampires. I do not understand, but I like Bitsa. Bitsa is not prey either. Bitsa is predator, hunter like Jane. (rolls over and looks at winter sky, paws in air)

Jane was mountain predator, like Beast, but now Jane lives and hunts in New Orleans, in the city Leo Pellissier claims as hunting territory. Leo is a vampire and I want him as mate. He is good, strong hunter with much hunting territory and many prey to feed upon. But Jane does not think Leo is good mate. Jane thinks Ricky-Bo is good mate, but Ricky-Bo cannot mate now. He is sick with were-cat-taint. And Bruiser… (Beast rolls back to paws, thinking.) Bruiser would be good mate, but Jane cannot see this. Jane is confusing, too.

Jane wants me to give five things her fans should bring to her city. Leo’s city. I can count to five. (Shows killing teeth to reader.)

5. Reader must bring own deer. Deer are small here, but are mine. (Starts low growl, deep inside.) Deer here are Beast’s! Beast has claimed hunting ground and deer. (lifts lips in snarl)

4. And rabbits. Reader must bring own rabbits, reader’s own meat and reader’s own prey. Beast will not share except with kits and mate.

3. Reader should bring big rock to sleep on in sun. New Orleans has no rocks. Bring your own rock, so sun will warm it. Or you could use log. But rock is better. (flicks ear and thinks) That is three. (flexes out claws, still thinking)

2. Bring killing claws. Must be able to defend self and mate and kits. Jane uses steel claws, and flying claws that she throws. Jane has longer reach than Beat’s claws, and Jane is good hunter. Jane brings down big prey.

1. Bring killing teeth. To hunt and bring down prey. To defend against vampires. To defend against were-creatures.

I am Beast. Jane will take you dancing. I will take you hunting. (huffs with amusement) Embrace your inner Beast!


November 25, 2013

Rebecca Zanetti's Sweet Revenge Book Blast!



The Books

Forgotten Sins


His Secrets Can Destroy Her

From the moment Josie laid eyes on sexy, mysterious Shane Dean, she was in love. Their desire ignited a passionate affair, and within weeks, Shane had slipped a ring on her finger. It seemed her every fantasy was coming true . . . until her new husband disappeared without a trace. Now, two years and one broken heart later, Josie is shocked when the hospital calls: Shane has been found . . . at a crime scene with no memory of how he got there.

Her Love Can Save Him

Shane can’t remember the blue-eyed angel at his bedside-or who he even is-but he knows something isn’t right. His hearing is razor sharp, his physical strength incredible, and the urge to protect Josie overwhelming. For powerful enemies are hunting him, and Josie is the key to discovering why. As Shane struggles to unravel his past, dangerous new truths come to light. Can he protect the only woman he’s ever loved? And can Josie trust a man she thought she knew-one who carries such a deadly secret?

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Sweet Revenge

The One Man She Can't Have

Matt Dean was born to fight . . . and kill. A member of a secret black-ops military unit, he and his brothers were genetically engineered by the government to be the perfect soldiers with an expiration date. Now, with time running out, he's gone rogue in a relentless quest for the one person who can save them. His mission leads him to Charmed, Idaho . . . and to a beautiful woman with eyes like emeralds and a body made for pleasure.

The One Woman He Can't Resist

Laney Jacobs knows the mysterious, handsome stranger is trouble from the moment he walks into her bar, looking for a job. She's spent years running from her own past-the last thing she needs is a romantic entanglement. But Matt's strong arms offer her protection and his gentle touch promises passion unlike anything she's ever known. As lethal forces surround them, revealing explosive secrets about Matt's past and putting everything-and everyone-he holds dear in danger, can he save them all before time runs out?


☆ Find Rebecca ☆
WebsiteTwitterFacebook






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November 22, 2013

Introducing Top 10 of 2013 - Sign up now!



WOW! Can you believe ANOTHER year of fabulous books has already flown by?!

Well, I can’t either! But it’s true. And that means it’s time to get ready for another fun filled “Top 10” week where we look back at the best of all things books of 2013, and excitedly look forward to the fabulous new releases in 2014.

Last year, I had a total blast co-hosting the event with some of my favorite bloggers, and this year I know I’ll have just as much fun co-hosting with Rachel from Fiktshun and Jaime from Two Chicks on Books. But unfortunately Lisa from A Life Bound By Books and Jessica from Confessions of a Bookaholic won’t be able to co-host the event this year due to their busy lives. Jaime, Rachel and I will miss them, and we hope they’ll be back co-hosting in 2014!

Now on about the event! We hope you’ll join us for this year’s event because the event is a lot of fun! This year’s “Top 10” event will run for five consecutive days, during the last week of the year. And it will be a glorious 5! days of some of our favorite book-related lists, so we want to invite ALL of YOU to join in on the fun and share your favorite lists with everyone too!

So, make sure you stop by one of the hosting blogs on each day of the event, make sure you share your own favorite list each day in the Linky that will be provided, and make sure you follow the Linky lists that goes up each day to check out other’s lists.

Speaking of lists... here's one for this year’s event

Monday, December 23rd - Best Books I've Read in 2013 (Doesn't have to be released in 2013, just a book you've read in 2013)

Tuesday, December 24th - Best Book Covers of 2013 (MUST be a book released in 2013. Would be best if it's a book you've READ in 2013, but it's not required)

Wednesday, December 25th - Best ________ Of 2013 (Readers/Bloggers choice. Please fill in the blank with one or more of these topics - Villains, Contemporaries, Dual POV's, Novellas, Adult titles, New Adult titles, Love Triangles, Couples, Bad Boys, Debuts, ect. REMEMBER - this list MUST be from books you've READ in 2013)

Thursday, December 27th - Best Book Boyfriends of 2013 (MUST be from a book released in 2013 and from a book you've READ in 2013)

Friday, December 28th - Top 10 Books I'm looking forward to in 2014. (This list should be comprised of books released ONLY in 2014)


How you do these posts/lists is totally up to you . . . the books, covers and characters you pick are all your own.

The only rules you need to follow are:
1) Your post must be “on topic”
2) Your post must be limited to 10 items; and
3) Your post must be posted on the dates we've provided.

Now, I know what you're all thinking, “It will be really difficult to keep my list to only 10 items.” So, some of you might like to break the lists up a bit. For example, . Working with a Top 10 for YA books and then a Top 10 for Adult titles. Feel free to add honorable mentions if you're also having a hard time sticking to 10. However, with the honorable mentions, please try to keep it to a minimum or it kind of defeats the whole purpose of things.

Our main focus of this event is for YOU to join in and share your lists with us all, and for everyone to visit each other’s blogs' and see what books have made it on THEIR lists.

The event is simple. Follow the dates and list topics as provided and fill out the Linky below. This gives us an idea who will be joining us for the Top 10 week. THEN, be sure to come back to one of our blogs on each of the five days and link up your post for that specific day! Just remember, each day will have a linky for THAT Top 10 topic.

Also, you don't want to miss a day during the event. We just might have some giveaways up our sleeves. So participating in the event and keeping up with our and everyone’s lists just might help you enter to win! Additional giveaway details to follow, so keep checking back to find out what we're giving away and when!

And don't forget to snag our button and to help spread the word for the event. We'd love to have anyone and everyone join us this year. The more the merrier!



NOTE: this is the SAME Linky on each of the Co-Hosts Blogs, so please only enter your Name, Blog Name and URL on one blog. Thanks!



We hope that everyone who reads this will be as excited for this event as we are and we can’t wait to check out all of your lists!



November 21, 2013

Kicking It Blog Tour



About the Book


KICKING IT
Edited by Faith Hunter and Kalayna
December 3, 2013

Featuring stories by FAITH HUNTER * KALAYNA PRICE * RACHEL CAINE * CHLOE NEILL * ROB THURMAN * SHANNON K. BUTCHER * LUCIENNE DIVER * CHRIS MARIE GREEN * CHRISTINA HENRY

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine has modern-day potions witches Holly and Andrew facing off against a firebrand politician who wears literally killer boots in a Texas-sized rodeo of trouble.

Boot-loving Cadogan vampire Lindsey must team up with off-again, on-again vampire partner Luc when a woman from her past is targeted by supernaturals in New York Times bestselling author Chloe Neill’s all-new adventure.

And New York Times bestselling author Rob Thurman features Trixa Iktomi from her Trickster series dealing with magical vengeance and magical footwear.

Taking kick-ass urban fantasy literally, USA Today bestselling authors Kalayna Price and Faith Hunter bring together the best of the genre to once again prove when you’re fighting supernatural forces, it helps to keep your feet on the ground.
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Find Chris Marie





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About Christina Henry




CHRISTINA HENRY is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago and enjoys running long distances, reading anything she can get her hands on and watching movies with samurai, zombies and/or subtitles in her spare time. She lives in Chicago with her husband and son.

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November 20, 2013

Impatiently Waiting! Evertrue by Brodi Ashton



Expected publish date:
January 21, 2014

Now that Nikki has rescued Jack, all she wants is to be with him and graduate high school. But Cole tricked Nikki into feeding off an Everliving three times, and she's begun the process of turning into an Everliving herself . . . which means she must feed on a Forfeit soon—or die.

Terrified for Nikki's survival, Nikki and Jack begin a desperate attempt to reverse the process through any means they can think of. Even Cole, who they expected to fight them at every turn, has become an unlikely ally—but how long can it last? Nikki needs to feed on Cole to survive; Cole needs Nikki to gain the throne in the Everneath; Jack needs Nikki because she is everything to him—and together they must travel back to the Underworld to undo Nikki's fate and make her mortal once more. But the Queen has not forgotten Nikki's treachery, and she wants her destroyed for good. Will Nikki be forced to spend eternity in the Underworld—or can she bring down the Everneath once and for all?

In this stunning conclusion to the Everneath trilogy, Brodi Ashton evokes the resiliency of the human spirit and the indomitable power of true love.



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Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.




November 13, 2013

The Murder Complex by Lindsay Cummings



Expected publish date:
June 10, 2014

Meadow Woodson, a fifteen-year-old girl who has been trained by her father to fight, to kill, and to survive in any situation, lives with her family on a houseboat in Florida. The state is controlled by The Murder Complex, an organization that tracks the population with precision. The plot starts to thicken when Meadow meets Zephyr James, who is-although he doesn't know it-one of the MC's programmed assassins. Is their meeting a coincidence? Destiny? Or part of a terrifying strategy? And will Zephyr keep Meadow from discovering the haunting truth about her family? Action-packed, blood-soaked, and chilling, this is a dark and compelling debut novel by Lindsay Cummings.


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Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.




November 11, 2013

Pawn by Aimée Carter - Interview + Giveaway!



About the Author


Aimée Carter was born and raised in Michigan, where she currently resides. She started writing at age eleven and later attended the University of Michigan, graduating with a degree in screen arts and cultures. Currently she spends her time continuing with The Goddess Test series and working on new projects. You can tweet her at @aimee_carter or catch updates on her website.

☆ How to find Aimée ☆
WebsiteBlogFacebookTwitter
Goodreads

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About the Book



YOU CAN BE A VII. IF YOU GIVE UP EVERYTHING.

For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country.

If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked—surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter.

There's only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered, the same one that got her killed …and one Kitty believes in. Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that's not her own, she must decide which path to choose—and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she's only beginning to understand.

☆ How to find Pawn ☆
AmazonIndieBoundBarnes & NobleBook Depository



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Mindy: Hi Aimée! Thank you so much for stopping by Magical Urban Fantasy Reads! I’m more than a little excited that you are visiting for the release of Pawn!
Aimée: Hi Mindy! Thanks so much for having me!

Mindy: Can you describe Pawn in 10 words or less?!
Aimée: Twisty meritocracy dystopian without a love triangle.

Mindy: I’m a huge fan of your Goddess Test series! To write your Goddess Test series, I’m sure you had to already know a lot about Greek Mythology, or you had to do a lot of research on the subject. Did you have to do any research before writing Pawn and/or before creating the world for the entire The Blackcoat Rebellion series?
Aimée: I studied politics in college, and the various kinds of society always fascinated me. But as far as direct research goes, while I definitely abused Wikipedia for certain things, especially geographical locations, much of the groundwork for the society the protagonist lives in has already been set up by our own modern world.

Mindy: Was it easier for you to write in an Urban Fantasy setting or in a Dystopian setting?
Aim̩e: Writing in a dystopian setting was definitely something new for me Рbut it was great to stretch those writing muscles and really see what my brain could come up with.

Mindy: How many books will be in The Blackcoat Rebellion series?
Aimée: Three. The first, PAWN, is out November 26th. The second, CAPTIVE, will be out late next year, and the third, QUEEN, will likely be released in 2015.

Mindy: Do you already know how the The Blackcoat Rebellion series will end?
Aimée: I’ve been kicking around a few ideas, but I’m not entirely sure what’s going to stick yet – I’m extremely excited to find out though!


Getting to know Aimée:
Phobia or fear? I’m severely cleithrophobic, which basically means I’m terrified of being trapped. Often confused with claustrophobia, but I don’t mind small spaces as long as I know I can get out of them.

Guilty pleasure? Harry Potter. And movies.

Strange quirks? If I were to start listing them, we’d be here all day.

Facebook or Twitter? I use both, but I prefer Twitter.

Most visited online website? imdb.com, Facebook, Twitter, and thesaurus.com.

Kindle or Nook? Nook, though I own both

Preferred weapon? Words

Top 5 authors that inspire you? JK Rowling, Terry Brooks, Suzanne Collins, John Saul, Anne Bishop

Top 5 fave movies? Closer, The Lion King, Spice World (I know, I know), Blow Dry, Stardust. I also love Easy A and No Strings Attached, along with about a hundred others.

Top 5 fave books? You’re trying to kill me, aren’t you?

Favorite TV show and/or movie when you were a kid? Hercules and Xena. I loved The Santa Clause, too – I saw it so many times in theatres that I can still quote it. But The Lion King is and always will be my favorite kids’ movie.


Thanks again Aimée for stopping by Magical Urban Fantasy Reads! You’re a rockstar!!!




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All entries into the daily giveaway count towards the grand prize giveaway of a HarlequinTEEN tote bag full of books! Including 2 copies of PAWN, Crash Into You , Waterfell, Witchstruck and and ARC of White Hot Kiss!

US/Canada ONLY


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☆ The Tour ☆

Tuesday, November 5th - Harlequin Paranormal Blog
Wednesday, November 6th - Alice Marvels
Friday, November 8th - The Cozy Reader
Monday, November 11th - Magical Urban Fantasy Reads
Wednesday, November 13th - Me, My Shelf and I
Friday, November 15th - Books Complete Me




November 6, 2013

Impatiently Waiting! Steadfast by Claudia Gray



Expected publish date:
March 4, 2014

New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray's dazzling Spellcaster series continues in Steadfast, as Nadia battles the dark forces that were unleashed in her small town. Nadia, Mateo, and Verlaine have saved Captive's Sound from the dark Sorceress Elizabeth...or so they thought. Despite their best efforts, a crack opened and a new, greater evil seeped through. With Mateo as her Steadfast, Nadia's magic is magnified and she is more powerful than ever. But there is still so much she doesn't know about the craft, leaving her open and vulnerable to a darker magic...which has begun to call Nadia's name. Perfect for fans of Claudia Gray's Evernight series as well as the Beautiful Creatures and Secret Circle series, Steadfast is richly woven with New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray's signature dark magic, captivating mystery, and star-crossed romance.


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Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.




November 5, 2013

Because the Night Release Day Blast!



The day has come! Today is the release day of Because of the Night by Kristen Strassel! It is the first book in her New Adult series, The Night Songs Collection.

As part of this blast, the author has shared an awesome scene - the original opening - from Tristan's POV, which you can also find on her BLOG along with all sorts of other Because of the Night goodness.

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About the Author


Kristen shares a birthday with Steven Tyler and Diana Ross. She spends each day striving to be half as fabulous as they are. She’s worn many hats, none as flattering as her cowboy hat: banker, retail manager, fledgling web designer, world’s worst cocktail waitress, panty slinger, now makeup artist and author. She loves sunshine, live music, the middle of nowhere, and finding new things to put in her house. Because The Night is the first book from The Night Songs Collection.

Kristen is represented by Pam van Hylckama Vlieg of Foreword Literary.

☆ How to find Kristen ☆
BlogTwitterFacebookGoodreads

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About the Book



Description: Immortal Dilemma is the hottest band in the Las Vegas vampire rock scene. They draw insatiable fans from around the globe, thanks to a supernatural attraction called Bloodlust. Tristan craved such an opportunity to fill his empty mortal life, and now he has eternity to earn his place along the legends of rock n roll debauchery. Callie always feared that Tristan’s excesses would get him into trouble, but she never thought they’d lead him to immortality. To reconnect with him, she must weave her way through a world not only she had no idea existed, but does not welcome her. Blade turned down a spot in Immortal Dilemma after learning what he must sacrifice for that lifestyle. He finds Callie a refreshing change from the girls in the vampire rock scene. When Callie drags Blade back into the world of Immortal Dilemma, his resistance drives her into the waiting arms of Tristan, who shows her the true meaning of Bloodlust. But the very things that Callie fights so hard to save are the very things that fight to destroy her.

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Tristan Scene

Sweet Oblivion


Tristan, Los Angeles, Two Years Earlier.

All I could see through my haze was blonde hair. I was already well on my way to oblivion that night, but I couldn’t let this one get away.

Who was this chick? She stared me down, but didn’t approach. I didn’t chase women. They chased me. Numb to the burn, I finished my drink in one gulp before I made my move.

“I can make you a star in your own right, Tristan,” she whispered in my ear as she ran her hand lightly down my chest. I shuddered as her cool fingers trailed down to my stomach.

This I had to see. I could wipe my ass with my father’s money. What could she have that I needed? I closed my eyes, moaning as she nibbled at my neck. Whatever she offered, she had my attention. I savored her scent. Sunshine. Familiar.

I had to be tripping. She wasn’t here.

As my lips met hers, I led her to the dingy backstage area, just like I did after every show here. My post show ritual never changed, not even for her. I navigated down the hallway, lit only by blacklight, careful not to bang up against the sticky walls. I eased her down towards the couch, which had seen plenty of action of this kind, and kicked the door closed behind us.

“What’s your name?” Just a formality.

“Talis,” she pulled her cool mouth away from my body long enough to respond. “I’ve been watching you.”

She had made her way down below my stomach, licking and playing with the hair that trailed down below my belt buckle. I arched my back, unable to take much more. Was she trying to make a fool out of me? I had started to undo my pants to free myself, but she slapped my hands away, like I had done something bad. This wasn’t right. I was supposed to be in control. But with her, this was almost a relief.

I’d do whatever she wanted.

Somehow, she had my on my knees, kneeling on the couch cushion. She crawled back up my body, wrapping her arms around my shoulders and placing herself in my lap. Her hair and smile glowed in the darkness, blurry with her face so close to mine. “I’m going to be your whole world.”

“Show me, baby.”

She pushed my shoulders and pinned me down. Now she had my attention. This chick was strong. Maybe it was just the dope messing with me. She leaned over me, her cold eyes demanded an audience.

“This is going to be everything you ever wanted.”

Kissing me again, she worked her way down to my neck. She licked and nipped it, sending a shiver through my body.

I could get used to this.


November 2, 2013

Slayers 2: Friends and Traitors Blog Tour!




About the Author!

CJ Hill is a pen name for a YA author who is best known for writing romantic comedies. (Slayers will be her 18th published book.) Her writing has shifted away from the romantic comedy genre, so her editor thought a pen name would be a good idea. (New books will include: dangerous dragons, time travel to dystopian worlds, and flesh-eating beetles.) Since the publisher refused to let her have the pseudonym : The Artist Formerly Referred to as Princess, she chose a name to honor her mother. CJ Hill was her mother's pen name, or at least it would have been if her mother had published. Her mother wrote a few children's books and a middle grade novel but was taken by cancer before she had fully learned the craft.

(Most writers' first novels aren't publishable. CJ Junior's first novel wasn't, but somehow was published anyway. Now, even though it is out of print, it remains forever available on Amazon, where it taunts her with its badness. This was another good reason to use a pen name.) CJ Hill has five children, three of whom like her on any given day depending on who is in trouble. She has lived in Arizona for the last half of her life, but is still in desert denial and hopes that one day her garden will grow silver bells and cockle shells or maybe just tomatoes.

☆ How to find CJ ☆
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About the Book!
Slayers #2


In C.J. Hill's action-packed sequel to Slayers, the group of teens known as Slayers have been betrayed—but they won’t give up without a fight.

Tori’s got a problem. She thought she’d have one more summer to train as a dragon Slayer, but time has run out. When Tori hears the horrifying sound of dragon eggs hatching, she knows the Slayers are in trouble. In less than a year, the dragons will be fully grown and completely lethal. The Slayers are well-prepared, but their group is still not complete, and Tori is determined to track down Ryker—the mysterious missing Slayer.

What Tori doesn’t bargain for, however, is the surprising truth about her powers. She isn’t just a Slayer, she’s part Dragon Lord, too. How can Tori fight to save her friends when half of her is programmed to protect dragons? And with a possible traitor in their midst, the Slayers will be divided in more ways than they ever imagined.
☆ Where to Buy ☆
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Shang: Mindy at Magical Urban Fantasy Reads suggested a blog post where a minor character interviews one of the main characters, so I’m here interviewing Tori Hampton. (Shuffles his papers filled with questions with irritation) Although, I should say, I hadn’t realized I was a minor character until Slayers: Friends and Traitors was written and I barely showed up in the book.

Tori: Don’t stress, Shang. We’re all important when it comes to fighting dragons. It takes teamwork.

Shang: That’s right. It definitely takes teamwork to take down a dragon. I especially know this since I’m the one character in Slayers who can actually claim that he killed a dragon.

Tori: You’re an awesome fighter.

Shang: Yeah, let’s do the interview. (gestures to Tori) You’re awfully busy in Slayers: Friends and Traitors. You fly around DC, discover a traitor, talk to the president, fight a dragon, and have a romance or two.

Tori: (laughing) You make it sound more glamorous than it really is. A lot of embarrassing moments happen during those times. For example, I was wearing a Supergirl costume when I flew around DC. There’s just no good way to explain that to people on the ground.

Shang: You still haven’t killed a dragon, though.

Tori: What?

Shang: I’m just saying that some of us have actually killed a dragon. And we were hardly mentioned in Slayers: Friends and Traitors.

Tori: Um . . .

Shang: This is what I get for being a nice guy. The prima donnas—they all got big parts in Slayers: Friends and Traitors.

Tori: That’s not true. A lot of characters were left out of the second book.

Shang: Such as?

Tori: The horses . . . and Bess’s mom . . . Is Theo in Slayers: Friends and Traitors? I don’t really remember seeing him . . .

Shang: Great. Now I have the same billing as the computer geek, comedy-relief guy. Am I even going to be in book three?

Tori: (leaning toward Shang conspiratorially) Look I spent a lot of time with the author while she was writing Slayers: Friends and Traitors—and trust me, you should be glad you missed the late nighters where she rewrote our fight scenes, like, six times. She did a lot of moaning and eating chocolate while we all stood around twirling our weapons waiting for her to decide how many bad guys should attack Ryker’s house.

Anyway, a few of us mentioned your absence to her. She said she left you in New York to add suspense to the storyline. This way no one is sure whether the dragon lord got you or not. We have to wait until book three to find out.

Shang: So I might be a vital plot element—or on the other hand, I might be dead.

Tori: Either way, you’re important. I mean, readers always cry when one of the good guys gets knocked off.

Shang: (straightening) That might be okay then.

Tori: (smiles with relief) It’s all about teamwork

Shang: So who exactly mentioned my absence to the author?

Tori: Oh, um, Lily of course. She went on and on about you. Jesse wanted you around because Team Magnus needs your help. And Rosa—you know her, she worries about everyone.

Shang: You didn’t mention me, though?

Tori: (putting her hand to her chest) I would have, but as you said, I was really busy during the book. I was jumping out of planes and saving lives and everything.

Shang: (puts down his interview questions with a sigh) All right. That concludes my interview. I’ll see you in book three. Maybe. If I’m still alive.








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