Tag Archives: New Adult

Lost in a Fantasy – Blood and Ashes by Katie Zaber @Zaberbooks

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I shared Ashes and Blood by Katie Zaber for a tour, but I didn’t read and review it until the author asked me if I would like a copy. Of course, I said yes and I am so glad I did.

I have a thing for trees and love the cover. How about you?

Ashes and Blood

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I was first drawn to Ashes and Blood by Katie Zaber when I saw the cover. I love trees, whether real or fantasy.

What would you do if you are ambling along a familiar trail, and all of a sudden, you find a tree that was never there before? I think I would run, but before they can decide to do the same, things begin to change with every step they take and they are whisked away, into another world.

Sarah, Dana, Ciara and Megan are in for the time of their lives and I am along for the ride. Katie Zaber did a fantastic job creating a world filled with wonder and magic. I quickly became immersed in her world, created in vivid detail with characters I immediately became involved with.

Of course, we have to have one who is in the spotlight and that will be Megan, though all peripheral characters have very important parts to play to make this book a whole. Each has their own personalities and talents that will come in handy. They are tight and their ‘family’ grows as the adventure moves along.

Action and adventure abound and they find their destiny in a place they never could have imagined. Of course, we have to have a bad guy, and he hits very close to home, but there is someone involved who never shows their face. Are they there to save her, or want her for themselves. AND why do they want her? I am curious about who this ‘person’ is and maybe I will find out in the next book, which I hope Katie is rapidly writing.

As I searched around, Ashes and Blood is the only book I have seen by Katie Zaber. If this is her debut novel, she did a bang up job and I can only imagine what is to come. I plan on being along for the ride.

If you are looking for a story to get lost in and escape the real world for a while, I highly recommend Ashes and Blood by Katie Zaber.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Ashes and Blood by Katie Zaber.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

“I’ll start at the beginning. Long ago, before roads, before we built structures, before medicine was discovered, before the government was created, before man gained any knowledge, there were The Five. Independent from each other, The Five had a mutual respect for one another. They knew their roles in the world and their duty. They were gods…”

An adventure begins when an otherworldly tree captures the attention of Megan and her friends. The environment morphs around them, transferring them to an exotic planet. Stuck in a rural town still maimed by the plague, a chance encounter with a familiar face gives Megan and her friends some security during their adjustment period.

While settling into new, promising lives, they are attacked and stalked by planet Dalya’s humanoid inhabitants, who focus on Megan. One dark night, after an epic, magical attack, the Fae King’s knight is sent to fetch Megan. When she wakes up a prisoner, she learns that there is much more to this strange world, and it is oddly more like her own than she ever would have expected.

ABOUT KATIE ZABER

Katie Zaber

Katie Zaber is originally from Southern New Jersey. Her childhood home is just minutes from the Long Beach Island Bridge. When not writing, Katie can be found at wine tastings, sun bathing at the beach, going for hikes, screaming at Six Flags, reading, or in her favorite place, her kitchen, baking desserts and breads. She currently lives in Morris County, New Jersey with her boyfriend.

Website

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Giveaway – Legacy: The Awakening by Liza Malloy @AuthorLizaM @XpressoTours

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Legacy: The Awakening
Liza Malloy
(Legacy trilogy, #1)
Publication date: March 30th 2020
Genres: Fantasy, New Adult, Romance

College student Jessica craves a stable, ordinary life. But when she meets the alluring and irresistible Aiden, her life takes a thrilling turn. Jessica knows there’s something different about Aiden, but she’s shocked when she learns his secret. The further Jessica delves into Aiden’s world, the more consumed she becomes with him.

Heir to the throne of a secret kingdom of supernatural beings, Aiden yearns to fulfill his destiny. But from their first encounter, Jessica captivates Aiden. Aiden is certain that Jessica is his only chance at true happiness. But Aiden can’t deny that his presence in Jessica’s life threatens to destroy the very things he loves about Jessica—her generosity, compassion and innocence.

As Jessica finds her life filling with peril she never imagined, she must decide how much she’s willing to risk for love. And Aiden must choose whether to embrace his legacy or follow his heart.

Intensely compelling and powerfully gripping, The Awakening is the seductive first installment to the Legacy trilogy, an unforgettable, epic love story.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

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EXCERPT:

“So, we’re friends?” I turned to him as I spoke and read the regret on his face.

“Jessica, I’m sorry about last night.”

I felt my eyes warming up and willed myself not to cry.

Aiden reached for my hand. “I like you Jessica. Of course we’re friends, but I’m also…” He sighed. “We’re different, you and I, and we’re in completely different places now. It was wrong of me to kiss you.”

We stopped near the dry creek-bed, still holding hands. I glanced over at Aiden and realized he was watching me again, that same look on his face. He wanted me and I knew it, but something was restraining him.

Neither of us spoke for a moment.

“Aiden, the last time we were here, and I made that joke…” I paused.

“About vampires?”

I nodded, my heart racing in anticipation of pushing him away after he’d finally opened up to me. “It was only a joke,” I reiterated. “But I feel like you are hiding something or holding back.” I swallowed audibly.

He inhaled sharply and stepped closer to the water.

I followed him, but kept a few feet between us. “Aiden, I like you, and I want to know you better. I won’t judge you. I just want to know.”

“What do you want to know?” he asked, his voice so quiet I could barely make out his words.

“Everything. I want to know you, Aiden.” I bit my lip to keep from shouting at him, from insisting that he knew exactly what it was that I wanted to know, that I was the one who had no idea what he was hiding.

“What specifically?”

I blew out a sigh. “Why do you move around so often? Why can’t I go in your house? Why do you and your brothers all have long hair? Why couldn’t your sister wear a ponytail?” I held my breath and stepped closer, feeling uncharacteristically brave. “How did you know to get me out of that fire?”

Aiden turned towards me slowly, his head down. “Jessica, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have started anything with you. I just can’t…” He sighed, then made eye contact. “I can’t answer your questions. And we can’t be together, so I shouldn’t have kissed you.”

Without thinking, I leaned into him, pressing my lips into his. He hesitated, but then I felt his mouth respond to mine, his warm lips opening for me, the tip of his tongue gently tickling my lips.

I broke off the kiss before he could reject me again. “I know you care about me,” I said firmly, empowered from my boldness.

“I do,” he agreed willingly. “But that’s why I can’t…”

“Bullshit!” I interrupted. “I’m already involved in whatever it is, so you might as well tell me the truth. What are you hiding? You can trust me.”

Aiden’s eyes quickly darted around, scanning the woods behind me. Apparently satisfied we were alone, he turned back to me, locked his eyes on mine, then tucked his hair behind his ears.

I was so captivated by his stare, with those unnaturally vibrant eyes, that it took a moment for me to register that he was showing me something. I blinked, and refocused on all of him, not just his eyes. And then, I saw it.

Author Bio:

Liza Malloy writes contemporary romance, new adult romance, women’s fiction, and fantasy romance. She’s a sucker for alpha males, bad boys, dimples, and muscles, and she can’t resist a man in uniform. Liza loves creating worlds where the heroine discovers her own strength and finds her Happily Ever After. When Liza isn’t reading or writing torrid love stories, she’s a practicing attorney. Her other passions include gummy bears, jelly beans, and the occasional marathon. She lives in the Midwest with her four daughters and her own Prince Charming.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram


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Lumina by Paddy Tyrrell – Giveaway, Excerpt & Guest Post @PaddyTy @GoddessFish

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Welcome to my tour stop for Lumina by Paddy Tyrrell. Hope you enjoy your visit and don’t forget to enter the giveaway below.

Don’t ya just love that cover?

Luminaby Paddy Tyrrell

GENRE:   Epic Fantasy

BLURB

A generation designed by sorcery to destroy your people. Two races mired in conflict. Can a pair of outcasts unite them against an enemy who would enslave them all?

The birth of ‘bronzite’ babies in Lumina heralds the onset of war. The people take fright at the golden children and banish them from the land. A dangerous move. King Zheldar, commander of the black dragon, is attacking Luman borders. If he wins bronzite support for his army of monsters, Lumina is lost.

Davron Berates cannot share his people’s hatred of the children and, on discovering he has a bronzite brother, sets out to find him. At his side travels Chrystala. A bronzite, she has twice his strength and three times his determination.

When the black dragon kidnaps Chrystala, Davron is faced with a terrible choice: save his friend or save his nation.

Blog tour – Fundinmental  Topic: anything you’d like to discuss about the cover

Recently I made the big decision to publish a new cover for Lumina. I had been concerned for a while that my original cover was not attracting the right audience, and then I received a couple of review comments that highlighted there was a problem.  The cover was not doing a good job of representing the excitement of the story nor giving it the gravitas merited by a war among kingdoms. 

So I decided to bite the bullet and make a change, and I was determined to get it right this time! Since this involved investing in an expert, I thought long and hard about what would be important in the design. Lumina is just the first volume in an epic fantasy and so I wanted a cover that could provide a brand for the whole series, while allowing appropriate variations for the next two books. That meant having a central construction or theme and I liked the concept of an archway. I also wanted the eye to be drawn into the middle of the scene.

I thought the colors in the cover should reflect key themes from the book. Lumina is the city of light, and a light star battles the blackness of the demon in the final scenes. So a contrast of light and dark would echo this. Also, the story involves a bronzite race with golden skin and so I wanted some golden colors in the design.

The series is called The Dragonlite Legacy and dragonlites are the creatures that clean the dragon scales. Xeralith the black dragon is an evil figure:

“She was as old as the moss that ate the castle walls. Evil had putrefied her beauty, her once crimson scales stained black by Rach’s corruption. She thrust her head through the opening in the wall. Bony nodules covered her upper jaw and the dark armor plating of her head. Steam belched from her nostrils.

Jaldeen ran and hid behind the font, clinging to the carvings of the demons that served his god, as though they could protect him. He averted his face from the scalding droplets. Xeralith’s breath, heavy with malevolence, contaminated the air with the stench of burning metal and rotten meat. Stomach heaving, Jaldeen forgot to maintain his shield. Her eyes swirled and she locked her gaze on his. Trickles of flame erupted through teeth that could rip him in two. He lost control of his limbs and fell. She lunged at him and he scrambled back, his heels banging on the stone floor. The horns on her sinewy neck snagged against the outer wall and pulled her short. She screeched in frustration.’

In the first draft of the cover, I wasn’t happy with the dragon – wrong color and not scary enough. The dragon that made it into the final version is black with some nasty spines on its back – much better.

The story culminates in a big battle and the designers imaginatively replaced the ‘I’ in Lumina with a sword – I think this looks great. Finally, the cover had to be in a style attractive to epic fantasy readers. I believe the designers (100 covers) managed this very well but I would love to hear your comments and feedback.

EXCERPT

Jaldeen strode towards an ancient font at the far side of the tower and opened wooden shutters in the wall behind it. Leaning out, he checked the platform outside for any decay. It looked solid enough and he stepped over the windowsill and walked to the center. He cupped his hands around his mouth and spelled a summons, his voice a rasp of vowels that floated on the damp air. He ducked back inside. There was a thrash of wings and the tower shuddered. Xeralith, black dragon of Kuhla, had answered his call.

Any fleeting sense of power deserted him in the terror of her presence. She was as old as the moss that ate the castle walls. Evil had putrefied her beauty, her once crimson scales stained black by Rach’s corruption. She thrust her head through the opening in the wall. Bony nodules covered her upper jaw and the dark armor plating of her head. Steam belched from her nostrils.

Jaldeen ran and hid behind the font, clinging to the carvings of the demons that served his god, as though they could protect him. He averted his face from the scalding droplets. Xeralith’s breath, heavy with malevolence, contaminated the air with the stench of burning metal and rotten meat. Stomach heaving, Jaldeen forgot to maintain his shield. Her eyes swirled and she locked her gaze on his. Trickles of flame erupted through teeth that could rip him in two. He lost control of his limbs and fell. She lunged at him and he scrambled back, his heels banging on the stone floor. The horns on her sinewy neck snagged against the outer wall and pulled her short. She screeched in frustration.

AUTHOR Bio and Links

I was raised in Kent, the garden of England, and lived in an Oast House whose round rooms were once used for drying hops. Must be why I’ve enjoyed a drink ever since!

At university, I fell in love with medieval French writing, discovered The Gormenghast Trilogy, and became hooked on fantasy.

I have sailed down the Yangste, survived an earthquake in Cairo, and picnicked in the Serengeti. My travels for work and pleasure have inspired my fantasy world. I now live in France with a naughty Australian Labradoodle, a jealous cat and a squash mad husband. Our two huskies, Ice and Sapphire, are sadly now gone but are transformed into wolves and immortalised in my book. Lumina is my debut novel and the first in a trilogy.

Facebook URL http://facebook.com/thedragonlitelegacy

Website: https://www.paddytyrrell.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/paddyty

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Paddy-Tyrrell/e/B08284GP1Q

The book is $0.99.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the tour and comment. The more you comment, the better your chances of winning. Follow the tour HERE.

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Books From The Backlog – Boundless Sea by Nadia Scrieva @NadiaScrieva #booksfromthebacklog

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Books from the Backlog is a fun way to feature some of those neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread.  If you are anything like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in your stacks.

If you would like to join in, swing by Carole’s Random Life in Books.

Boundless Sea (Sacred Breath, #3)

Amazon / Goodreads

GOODREADS BLURB

An underwater kingdom. A missing queen. A modern man plunged into an ancient war…

Trevain Murphy’s new wife has been forcibly taken. He must do all he can to search for her without falling apart. His love was the noble Queen Aazuria, ruler of Adlivun, and he has been burdened with all of her responsibilities. The Alaskan man is unable to cope with the political unrest of his new nation, and turns to his wife’s younger sister for help. Princess Elandria is expected to assume important administrative duties, but she is overwhelmed with depression and completely useless to her endangered people.

With Adlivun facing a growing threat from the foreign submarine superpower known as the Clan of Zalcan, headstrong General Visola Ramaris becomes focused on seeking advanced military protection. Going against the ancient mermaid tradition to remain hidden from land-dwelling societies, Visola decides to reveal herself to the American public and make an eloquent appeal for assistance. But nothing comes for free. The countries of the Pacific Rim invite Adlivun’s diplomats to an APEC conference to present their conditions. The price for survival is outrageous and unexpected; if Trevain agrees, the small marine kingdom will play a crucial role in changing the infrastructure and economy of the world forever. But will the proud citizens of Adlivun sacrifice their freedom and dignity for security?

Meanwhile, on a dark and desolate continent, a displaced queen has been captured and imprisoned by enemy forces. Her only concern is concealing the child she is carrying from her deranged captor. Thousands of miles from any sign of humanity, Aazuria must battle the coldest temperatures on earth in order to find her way back to her husband–but even if she lives, will she be in time to save her beloved Adlivun from itself?

Goodreads rating: 4.13 Rating Details:  277 ratings  ·  22 reviews

The reason I added Boundless Sea on an Amazon free day, July 9.12, speaks for itself…mermaids!!! I added it to my TBR on 9.15.12. I don’t know if it needs to be read in order, seeing it is a part of the Sacred Breath series, but I will be checking for any other books I may have and read it regardless. After all, it’s mermaids!

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Cursed Key by Miranda Brock & Rebecca Hamilton @Miranda_Brock1 @InkMuse @XpressoTours

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The Cursed Key
Miranda Brock & Rebecca Hamilton
(The Cursed Key Trilogy #1)
Published by: Evershade Publishing
Publication date: January 14th 2020
Genres: New Adult, Romance, Urban Fantasy

A forgotten past, a dark mage, and an unyielding curse.

Another team beat free-spirited archaeologist Olivia Perez to the dig of a lifetime, and now she’s left with the choice to wait for scraps or brave a dangerous, dusty tomb in hopes of finding other priceless artifacts. Her reward? A mysterious key she has no idea is cursed. Soon, Olivia realizes she’s brought home more than just an ancient rarity.

Malevolent visions begin to plague her. Unnerved by what they reveal, she casts away the key…unknowingly placing it into the waiting hands of a dark mage bent on destruction. Only when a shifter agent from the Paranormal Intelligence and Tracking Organization arrives searching for the key does Olivia realize what a huge mistake she’s made.

Forced to team up with the ill-tempered shifter, her journey to reclaim the cursed key leads down a twisting path of dark histories, dangerous magic, and deadly obstacles. But Olivia’s efforts to take back the ancient relic before the dark mage can destroy the lives of humans, shifters, witches, and fae alike are thwarted by her own dark past…and a price steeper than what she’s willing to pay.

Fans of Tomb Raider and Ilona Andrews will love the blend of urban fantasy, magical adventure, and paranormal romance in THE CURSED KEY from Miranda Brock and New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Hamilton!

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play


EXCERPT

A quick glance over my shoulder showed the doorway was half the size it had been. Despite the chill in the air, sweat beaded on my forehead, and I swiped it away impatiently. Then, it clicked. I had been too caught up in searching for the similarities that I hadn’t realized the answer was in the differences. Placed throughout the runes were symbols that held none of the same angles, lines, or curves.

I twisted the outer circle, matching up symbols that held no relation. Even with this discovery, there could be any number of combinations, but I had to try. The grinding stone behind me told me I was rapidly running out of time. I paired the symbols, closed my eyes, and sent a silent prayer up to every corner of the universe. With tense muscles, I pushed and nearly cried when the lid gave way.

Not wasting a breath, I snatched a cloth-wrapped item from inside. It was like someone struck me in the chest as my I clutched it in my fist, but I didn’t have time to dwell on it. I started up the steep path as the stone door descended above. The moisture in these walls and stones had been no accident of nature. It was just one more safeguard to keep the unwanted from getting a treasure that was not meant to leave these depths.

Gritting my teeth, I used one hand to scrabble at the wall on the left to help pull me up. My muscles burned as I drew in quick breaths, struggling, eyes locked on the shrinking gap. A cry left my lips as a foot slid out from under me, earning me a sharp crack on the knee. Ignoring the pain, I tapped into a reserve of strength deep within me, pushing my legs until they felt like they would snap from the pressure.

I wasn’t going to make it. 

Author Bio:

New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Hamilton writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance for Harlequin, Baste Lübbe, and Evershade. A book addict, registered bone marrow donor, and indian food enthusiast, she often takes to fictional worlds to see what perilous situations her characters will find themselves in next.

Represented by Rossano Trentin of TZLA, Rebecca has been published internationally, in three languages: English, German, and Hungarian.

Author links:
Website / Facebook / Twitter

—

From an early age Miranda Brock has always loved fantasy and adventure everything. Since she doesn’t live in a world of enchanting powers, mythical beasts, and things unbelievable she has decided to write about them. (Although, if you happen to see a dragon flying around, do tell her.) Born in southern Illinois, where she still resides with her husband and two children, she grew up running through the woods, playing in creeks, and riding horses. What started out as writing poetry grew into short stories and eventually led to her first novel, Souls Discovered. Miranda lives in the country where she finds inspiration in the simplicity and beauty around her. With the help of a ridiculous amount of coffee and some good music she writes whenever she gets a chance.

Author links:
Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter


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Kingdom of Darkness and Light Collection @XpressoTours

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Kingdom of Crowns and Glory
(Kingdom of Darkness and Light, #1)
Publication date: December 18th 2019
Genres: Fairy Tales, Fantasy, New Adult

Fairytale heroes, but not as you remember them…

The age old tale of Good versus Evil comes to life in this epic boxset featuring only the heroes from your favorite fairytales.

Will light triumph over dark? Will the heroes beat the villains?
Be part of the battle and explore your favourite fairytales from different perspectives, in this one of a kind split fairytale anthology retelling collection.

This set by USA Today and Amazon Best Selling authors is like nothing you have never read before.

Paired up with The Kingdom of Villains and Vengeance boxset, you can now read the story from the perspective of both the heroes and villains. Come on a magical journey to see if good does always triumph over evil.

Stories included are:

The Little Mermaid Vs The Sea Witch
Snow White Vs The Evil Queen
Sleeping Beauty Vs Witch
Robin Hood Vs Sheriff
Alice Vs Queen of Hearts
Princess Vs Rumpelstiltskin
Peter Pan Vs Hook
Little Red Vs Wolf

Goodreads / Amazon

Excerpt from Anne Stryker’s book, Glacier featured in Kingdom of Villains and Vengeance. A story from the perspective of Rumplestilskin.

“Tell me a story,” she whispered, staring at the globe like her world rested within.

I took a deep breath and gazed at the sky. “A story? Since when do you like those?”

Her lips lifted in a small smile, and mine mirrored the action to match. I spun a recycled tale from fae lore, replacing our heroine’s name with hers—likely sacrilege, but for her growing smile, I didn’t care. She fought dragons and rode through plains upon her faerie steed, bolstering legend and carving her name into the world itself. As the theatrical rendition slipped to a close, her smile had fallen.

It took all my strength not to touch her then, draw her close, and whisper the truth, about everything. But I couldn’t bear to see hatred blister in her gaze, not tonight. Enough would happen tonight. And I couldn’t forfeit everything now.

She pressed the globe against her chest and stared up at the stars. “Thank you, my faerie,” she murmured, and a tear traced down her cheek.

My breath held.

She pinned me with those blue eyes that were an echo of mine. “I wish you were real.”

Kingdom of Villains and Vengeance
(Kingdom of Darkness and Light, #2)
Publication date: December 18th 2019
Genres: Fairy Tales, Fantasy, New Adult

Fairytale villains, but not as you remember them…

The age old tale of Good versus Evil comes to life in this epic boxset featuring only the evil doers from your favorite fairytales.

Will light triumph over dark? Will the heroes beat the villains?
Be part of the battle and explore your favourite fairytales from different perspectives, in this one of a kind split fairytale anthology retelling collection.

This set by USA Today and Amazon Best Selling authors is like nothing you have never read before.

Paired up with The Kingdom of Crowns and Glory boxset, you can now read the story from the perspective of both the heroes and villains. Come on a magical journey to see if good does always triumph over evil.

Stories included are:

The Sea Witch Vs The Little Mermaid
The Evil Queen VsSnow White
Witch Vs Sleeping Beauty
Sheriff Vs Robin Hood
Queen of Hearts Vs Alice
Rumpelstiltskin Vs Princess
Hook V’s Peter Pan
Wolf Vs Little Red

Goodreads / Amazon



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Giveaway – Two Thousand Lines by Michelle Jester @michelle_jester @XpressoTours

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Two Thousand Lines
Michelle Jester
Publication date: November 21st 2019
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance, Young Adult

Olivia Brooks has been able to keep her life in Sugar Mill, Louisiana held perfectly together, far away from the small town where she grew up. Even though her past still haunts her, she has found a perfect process of surviving, until a string of events brings Luke Plaisance to Sugar Mill and turns her organized life upside down.

While Olivia fights to hold on to the life she’s created, unraveling it may be exactly what it takes for her to truly survive. She must accept her past in order to live, or let it threaten the only future she’s ever wanted. Because some secrets can’t stay buried… and shouldn’t.

An inspiring and heartbreaking tale of abandonment, survival, and purpose. A harrowing journey of self-discovery and perseverance.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

Luke saw her red face and swollen eyes.

“Whatever it is, I’m sorry.”

“No need. Besides, maybe I just cut an onion.”

“I’m not asking you why, Olivia, but also don’t feel like you have to lie to me. It’s none of my business and I know that. You don’t owe anyone an explanation.”

“Then why are you here?” she turned abruptly to face him, obviously angered.

“I like cinnamon rolls.”

“You also don’t have to lie either.”

“Mama Gigi,” Luke responded quietly.

“What?” Olivia bowed her head slightly.

“Mama Gigi. She said when I smell cinnamon and baking bread, if I look over here and your kitchen door is open, and I quote, ‘go to her and stay until she’s safe.’”

Olivia looked up with tears welling in her eyes again, “I’ll be sure to close my door next time.”

“No, you won’t. Mama Gigi said you will always have your door open when you make them. She thought whatever you were mourning was pretty strong, ‘cause it obviously made you feel suffocated.”

“I miss her. I miss her so much.”

Luke stood quickly and went to Olivia. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and hold her. But, as he got closer she stepped back, so he stopped.

“I can’t leave until you’re safe.”

“I’m never safe,” she whispered.

“You’ve been safe since I got here.”

Author Bio:

Michelle Jester lives in Greenwell Springs, Louisiana with her husband, high school sweetheart and retired Master Sergeant. Together they have a son and daughter. She is a hopeless romantic and has been writing poems and stories for as long as she can remember.
One of her prize possessions is a bracelet with only a yellow, Rubber Duckie charm on it; which she wears every day to remind her to enjoy the fun and happy things of life!

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram


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Giveaway – Sweet Poisons by Natalie Bennett @AuthorNBennett @XpressoTours

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Sweet Poisons
Natalie Bennett
(Pretty Lies, Ugly Truths Duets, #1)
Publication date: June 18th 2019
Genres: New Adult, Romance

Rhett Sullivan.
Mysterious boy painted in shades of red.

Nova Markov
Eccentric girl dripping in sunshine.

He was the type mother’s warned their little girls about—a cocky, rich asshole with a pretty smile, unapologetically insane and wild.

I was the type guys like him usually ignored—a free spirit who hid my crazy beneath an odd good girl facade, and the art hanging on my studio walls.

We were opposites in every way but one, and we collided like two runaway trains that never had a chance of stopping.

What blossomed between us, our ‘relationship’, was maniacal.

We got stuck in a cycle of madness.

Rhett Sullivan became a bittersweet poison I couldn’t get enough of.

In the end, that’s what destroyed me.

Because in the end?
Our love was nothing but a lie.

I said I was done slapping warning labels on my book babies this year, but since I have never written full on NA yet, I’m going to give a tiny one now. This will be the only label this duet will have. If you are not a fan of twisted stories that deal with dark themes, rich assholes, and lots of filthy sex, this will not appeal to you. This couple is not unicorns and rainbows and neither is their story.

Goodreads / Amazon

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Author Bio:

Shameless author of twisted unconventional love stories.

Natalie has a penchant for (writing) villainous immoral men and tends to deviate away from traditional happily-ever-afters.

When she isn’t slaying words on multiple projects, she’s either sipping on a margarita or hanging out in the sunshine state with her husband, their three boys, and her pit-bull named Lulu.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Facebook Fan Group / Twitter / Instagram / Newsletter


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Giveaway – That Guy and That Girl by Natalia Albrite @NAlbrite @GoddessFish

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I am a cover girl, so having Natalia Albrite sharing her thoughts on book cover is very appropriate. Welcome to fundinmental and let’s get started.

How do you choose a book cover and what importance do you place upon a book cover? 

The Importance of Book Covers by Natalia Albrite

I place HUGE importance on a book cover and here’s why:

  • I only get one chance to make a first impression. Fair or not, we are a visual people who make all sorts of judgements based on looks. In the realm of personal interactions this can be very unfair. In the realm of professional work, it can still be unfair but fighting the reality would not be a good use of my time. The fact is that potential readers will make a judgement call about the quality of my work based on the cover of my book. I only get their attention for a few seconds and I want to entice them to stick around.
  • My covers need to reflect my brand. I strive for consistency across all platforms. I want to create a seamless experience for readers who look further into me and my work. I want them to explore freely without any jarring moments of, “oh that doesn’t fit.” I know that my books and I are not for everyone but if we are for you, I want you to stay and get comfy in my little corner of the romance world!

How I choose a book cover:

  • I use my gut. I decided to skip past any trend research. I picked something that I liked and reflected a larger sense of me. I want to sustain this career and I know that if I choose according to trend or market, that will wear me out in the long run. I would have a hard time staying excited about what other people like.
  • I want to be inspired. I sought custom cover design for That Guy and That Girl while still early in the revision process. I found my choice to be incredibly inspiring! I was inspired to make the best book I could so it would match up to a great cover!
  • I value the services of a professional. I love my writer’s lane and I respect the graphic designers’ lane. I like to think that I have a great sense of what I like but making it come to life visually is not a skill that I currently have. Fortunately, I had some savings that I set aside to hire a professional. I was so grateful for the work of Robin Vuchnich of mycustombookcover.com

What are your favorite covers? What catches your eye when you explore new authors and their books?

That Guy and That Girl by Natalia Albrite

GENRE:   New Adult Contemporary Romance

PLEASE NOTE: this book will be $0.99 during the tour.

BLURB

Olivia Meadows is excited to finish her senior year of college as a volleyball national champion beside her teammates and best friends. A complication arrives in the form of John Hunter, that guy, her brother’s best friend whom she has had a secret crush on since she was eleven years old. Effortlessly charming and handsome, with a body honed by years of playing football, John initiates his charm offensive and Olivia finds herself unable to resist him.

John Hunter is pumped to finish his senior year of college as a football national champion beside his teammate and best friend. The only thing missing is that girl, Olivia Meadows, his best friend’s little sister. He needed to sow some wild oats before settling down with Olivia but now he is ready for something serious with the girl he has always admired. 

Be careful what you wish for. John and Olivia find themselves dealing with adult consequences very quickly and wondering if their young love can endure the pressures of adulthood. Will they find deeper love or implode from the pressures of their own making?

EXCERPT

I spot Marcus in my dad’s hand-me-down Maxima with John in the front seat next to him. Oh jeez. John Hunter. He’s that guy. He’s the stuff of young girls’ dreams and I gave him up long ago by trying to turn my eyes to other guys. The way I see it, it’s like this: 1) he’s Marcus’s best friend and I have no interest in messing up their friendship; 2) he’s not an intentional player but he’s a player just the same; and 3) thank you, but I’ll skip the broken heart, please. I’ve grown up in proximity to this handsome devil for most of my life and he still manages to make my stomach drop when I see him.

It’s such a cliché to say that he’s tall, dark and handsome but clichés work for a reason—they’re inescapable kernels of truth. John is tall at a striking six feet and four inches. He’s dark with his almost-black hair and deep brown eyes. I can’t forget the handsome with his perfectly structured jaw line. Ridiculous. Just by looking at him, I can feel my adrenaline kicking in and the sweat gathering. Great.

I plaster an annoyed look on my face because that’s how we interact with each other. That’s part of our unwritten script. He plays the charming rogue and I play the cynical wallflower who is suspicious of all his kind gestures. He jumps out and does a half-bow. “Madame, your chariot,” he says as he gestures to the front seat.

Natalia is a lifelong reader and lover of romance novels. Before finally tapping away at her keyboard to create her own stories, she tried all sorts of professions: elementary school teacher, barista, seller of make-up, baker, and the list goes on. When she isn’t pursuing the arts, she’s hanging out with her husband, two wacky children, and full-figured Corgi.

  • Website: www.nataliaalbrite.com
  • Twitter: https://twitter.com/NAlbrite
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCD-cYs7QgaRDMJMSy2QimNA
  • Instagram: http://instagram.com/nataliaalbrite
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nataliaalbrite/
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Encourage your readers to follow the tour and comment; the more they comment, the better their chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: https://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2019/04/vbt-that-guy-and-that-girl-by-natalia.html

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
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  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
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  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Cover Reveal – Dry Bones by Safari Spell @SafariSpell @XpressoTours

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BOOK DETAILS:
Dry Bones: The Valley 
by Safari Spell 
(Long Live Dead Reckless #3) 
Publication date: June 18th 2019
Genres: New Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Synopsis:

In the third novel in the LONG LIVE DEAD RECKLESS series, Talor must find a way to remember what everyone wants her to forget…or lose herself forever.

As a Grigori Princess, Talor has everything most women could ever want: love, eternal beauty, wealth, and power. Supernatural servants bend to her every will and no material desire is denied her, but that rose-colored reality begins to crack when she hears a mysterious voice speaking through music.

After a violent encounter with a sinister figure in the countryside, her husband Rami turns cold and possessive, blaming her for the growing storm between the Grigori and the Dissent. Confused and heartbroken, Talor soon becomes less like a princess and more like a prisoner in her own home.

But as the list of enemies seeking to abduct her from the Valley grows, she begins to wonder what it is they know that she doesn’t. When she is faced with an unthinkable choice, she must be braver than she ever thought possible if she is to discover the shocking truth that will change everything.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39216526-dry-bones?ac=1&from_search=true

AUTHOR BIO:Safari Spell is a native of Albany, Georgia. Author of the Long Live Dead Reckless series, she has a BA in Journalism from Valdosta State University. She currently lives in North Georgia with her husband, two children, and a backyard jungle harboring all the dinosaurs everyone thinks are extinct. Her dreams include chasing autumn around the globe and having a wallaby sidekick.

Author links:https://www.instagram.com/safarispellauthor/https://www.bookbub.com/authors/safari-spellhttps://twitter.com/SafariSpellhttps://www.facebook.com/safarispellauthor/https://www.pinterest.ca/SafariSpell/https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15299661.Safari_Spell

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!