Thursday, January 31, 2013

Leopard Moon Book Blast


To help spread the word about the fact that Jeanette Battista's LEOPARD MOON, the first book in the Moon series, is available for free at Amazon for the Kindle until the end of the month we've invited the author to the blog to share a guest post about her experience writing the book.

The Moon series consists of four books - LEOPARD MOON, JACKAL MOON, HYENA MOON and HUNTER MOON - and is a series author Melissa Marr says, "... is filled with action and romance, shape shifters and strong heroines."

To check out all the books in the series on Goodreads, CLICK HERE.

The guest post follows below, but first here's some information about the awesome book and author and places you can find them both online!


About the Book

Title: LEOPARD MOON (Moon Series #1)
Author: Jeanette Battista
Publisher: CreateSpace
Release date: March 7, 2012
Pages: 204
Formats: Paperback, eBook
Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

***Kindle format free at Amazon - HERE***

Description:

How do you disappear when you come from a family of predators?

A wereleopard, Kess is forced to flee her home and family in Miami once her brother's obsession with her turns violent. She runs from city to city, trying to stay one step ahead of the investigators her family has dispatched to bring her home. Kess ends up in the mountains of North Carolina and attracts the attention of Cormac, a young man with a secret of his own. As she attempts to live as normal a life as her were-nature allows, her brother Sek continues to hunt for her. He believes she is the key to revitalizing their weakened clan and is driven to extreme measures to ensure their continued existence. As Kess' relationship with Cormac deepens, Sek closes in, threatening Cormac's life and Kess' freedom.

When the moon rises, the hunt is on….


Dimitri Williams Photography
Source: Author's website
About the Author

Jeanette Battista graduated with an English degree with a concentration in medieval literature which explains her possibly unhealthy fixation on edged weapons and cathedral architecture. She spent a summer in England and Scotland studying the historical King Arthur, which did nothing to curb her obsession. To satisfy her adrenaline cravings—since sword fighting is not widely accepted in these modern times—she rode a motorcycle at ridiculously high speeds, got some tattoos, and took kickboxing and boxing classes. She gave up the bike when her daughter came along, although she still gets pummeled at the gym on a regular basis.

When she’s not writing or working, Jeanette spends time with family, hikes, reads, makes decadent brownies, buys killer boots, and plays Pocket Frogs. She wishes there were more hours in the day so she could actually do more of these things. She lives with her daughter and their ancient, ill-tempered cat in North Carolina.

Find her: Goodreads | Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook


I'll be honest--I wasn't planning to write a book like Leopard Moon. I had an entirely different story in my head at the time, but it just wasn't coming into clear focus. That's the funny way writing works though: there I am, sitting at a red light on my way to meet my friends for a birthday martini and pedicure, listening to Florence + the Machine and WHAM! The song Howl comes on and this whole lovely scene just starts unfolding in my head. There was Kess, running through the woods, ripping off of her clothes as she triggered a change into a black leopard. And there was Cormac, standing in a different part of the woods being beaten mercilessly by the villain. I didn't know Sek was going to turn out to be Kess' brother, but I did know who he was as a character and what he wanted.

It was truly a gift: the entire final fight scene just unspooled itself along with the song lyrics. Each beat of the song matched a key point in the fight. The more I listened, the more I realized that the lyrics could apply to all of the characters in the main triangle at some point in the story I suddenly wanted to tell. And I wanted that story to be more than just boy meeting girl--I wanted that story to be about girl saving boy, but more importantly about girl saving herself. The song Howl gave me Kess first and Sekhmet second, so a lot of what I tried to do with them was to show them as two halves of a whole, two sides of a coin. Howl, at least to me, wasn't a love song at all--it was a song about possession and obsession and all of those things that show up in our animal drives. that we'd like to forget exists.

So when I began to craft Kess and Sek, Howl played on a continuous loop. And though the song speaks of wolves, I knew these two had to be cats. Wolves have a more social nature and are more easily understood by us--I think it comes from them being a a precursor to our beloved dogs. Cats are an unknown quantity, strange and separate, even if they choose to share space with us. I wanted real darkness there, not just a brief bit of danger that would be easily resolved. Obsession and mental illness gave Sek that scariness, but also--I hope--a bit of sympathy. He really does love his sister and wants what is best for her and his clan. I never intended to excuse his behavior, but I did want to try and understand it.

Just like the song made me understand that narrator of that story. I can only hope I did half so well.

***
To meet Kess, Cormac and Sek in this first book in the Moon series, head over to Amazon to download the Kindle eBook for free until January 31st.

It can be found HERE!

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Clayton Falls Blog Tour {Review + Giveaway}: Veer by Alyssa Rose Ivy

Click the banner for other stops on the tour :D

Hey Ya'll. Thanks for stopping by my stop on the Clayton Falls Blog Tour! Alyssa Rose Ivy is an absolutely wonderful author and we love her here at Book- Marks the Spot. I have a couple of things for you today. :) I have a Review of Veer (by yours truly), an author bio of the talented Alyssa Rose Ivy ( I find I have to keep repeating her full name..), and (du- na na na!) everybody's favorite: A giveaway. Lets get to it. :D

Also, here is a link to our previous reviews of  books by this author: 




Veer
Alyssa Rose Ivy
Series: Clayton Falls, #2
Publication date: November, 2012

Only when you let go can you learn to live.

Between the death of her mother and pushing through law school without her best friend, it's been a tough year for Becca. Needing a break from Boston, she moves to a tiny coastal North Carolina town for a relaxing summer. After bumping heads repeatedly with a local cop, she realizes her summer will be anything but quiet.

Three years after a career ending injury ruins his chance to play Major League Baseball, Gavin has a distrust of northerners and lately girls in general. He wants nothing to do with a girl who is only in town for the summer.

When the two give in to their impossible attraction, they realize that they may just have found the key to freeing themselves from the ghosts of their pasts.

REVIEW:

Alright, as you well know, this cover is HOT! She is all....take me, Gavin.  And he is all... muah! lol. O.o It just draws you in. okay, now that I am through with that. 

I love how this book has alternating viewpoints. In derailed, we did not get to know Ben as much as we get to know Gavin in Veer. I feel like the alternating viewpoints gave the characters more depth. Speaking of depth of characters, I love how Molly was still a part of this story and we can see how she has become a more vibrant version of herself in this book. 

I really liked Becca in this book. We did not get to know much at all about he in the first book. She is so sweet and innocent. And I love how she is all awkward with dates and make attention. haha. Makes me feel like a little less of a weirdo or being so awkward.

Gavin experienced a major change in this book. I mean, he came on strong and was charming and flirty in the first one. But in this one, he was was so passive, unsure,  and aggressive. I kind of liked it. lol. He just loved to argue in this one. 

Jake is still my absolute favorite character of both books and I cannot wait for his story!!!! hehe. Sorry, he is just so random and weird and funny. He is an..... well... adorable dorky weirdo. <3 why is that appealing to me... I have no idea. He is still fighting with Molly. And I love how he and Becca become friends. (: So sweet!

I love how the characters in this series have these shady pasts or traumas and the author is so good at keeping you in suspense! I was like... the scar, woman?!  What's up with the scar?! Want to know? Read the book, silly. ;)

fun fact: Some of the guys in here acted like major sleezeballs! haha
But this book was just as good as the first book in the Clayton Falls series. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series. (Jake *ahem*)



A little about Mrs. Alyssa Rose Ivy

Alyssa Rose Ivy is a Young Adult and New Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance and a southern setting. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.



and now....THE GIVEAWAY!
 (give it away, give it away, give it away now! Yes, that just happened.)

The Author has generously allowed us to host a giveaway for EITHER  an eBook copy of the first book in the Clayton Falls Series, Derailed, OR Swag (I know. It's okay.  My bff Tiffany squealed at the mention of Swag, too.)
And I have decided to allow the winner from my stop to choose their prize. again, you do not get both the eBook and swag. But- Before you have to make your decision, I know you want to find out more about Derailed. .....OK. :)
If you are not already aware (and I'm almost 100 percent positive you aren't), I participated in the cover reveal of Derailed (The first cover) .  I know Irrelevent.. anyways. :D Moving on: 





Derailed

Alyssa Rose Ivy



Series: Clayton Falls, #1
Publication date: September, 2012

When you're lost, sometimes the only place you can go is home.

Broken over the death of her fiancé, Molly leaves law school to return to her childhood home in North Carolina. Expecting to lay low until she can figure out what else to do with her life, she finds herself in the arms of her high school sweetheart, the boy who represents everything from the past she tried to leave behind.

Looking for an escape, she instead finds a way back to the girl she almost forgot existed and a future she never dreamed possible.

Also...the Book trailer! :D



Sound Awesome? Um, yes. yes, it does. Well Tiffany and I have both already read it and  loved it.  So yeah... :)


AND NOW THE GIVEAWAY

Alright. We will have one winner chosen by the Rafflecopter Ninja. We will email that winner with the option of an eBook or Swag. They tell us their choice. We send the message on down to the author. If it is Swag, she sends it to your mail lady. Your mail lady gives it to you. You squeal with joy. If it is an eBook, we send her your email and preferred format and she sends you the book. Get it? Got it? Good. Release the Kracken!



If you love Clayton Falls, be sure to check out the Crescent Chronicles! (Flight = amazing) Also, if you do not win this giveaway, come back on the 4th of February and enter my giveaway in conjunction with the Crescent Chronicles Book Blast for an ebook copy of Flight (or swag), the first book in this amazing author's alternate series! 

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Blog Tour {Review + Giveaway} A World Apart by David. M. Brown

Today we have a review stop for A World Apart. The Tour is also offering a giveaway to a randomly drawn commenter. (: Lets get to it.

A World Apart

Demetrius makes his first mistake when he lets his best friend Halcyon marry Eleyna, the love of his life, without saying a word. On the day of the wedding, he walks away from the Elencheran town of Dove's Meadow and joins the army.

He makes his second mistake when the pirate Black Iris tricks him into letting dozens of men, women and children die in a fire. Demetrius is imprisoned in grief and disgrace.

But he can atone. The Black Iris is dead. The Ivory Rose has risen to the top of the pirates and is leading brutal raids on the coast. If Demetrius can capture and kill her, he'll win his pardon.

And then Demetrius discovers the Ivory Rose is Eleyna. He must decide which will be his third mistake: losing his last chance at a pardon or destroying the one woman he's ever loved.

My short Review :)
What stuck out: I really like how the focus of the story changed from character to character throughout the beginning of the story. The first few chapters were solely about Demetrius's grandfather up until his son was born. Then the story followed both the grandfather and the father. After Demetrius is born, the story focuses on all three of them. The story then focuses soley on Demetrius throughout his childhood. When he meets Halcyon and Elyna, the story includes them as well. After that the story alternates between Elyna and Demetrius. I really liked the idea of getting to know each of the characters personally. 

While this book is incredibly long, it was an enjoyable fantasy set in an interesting new world. (: 



David will be awarding a $25 Amazon Gift Card to a randomly drawn commenter during this tour and the book 
blast So make sure you comment. (:

other stops on tour here

{Cover Reveal} The Space Between by Victoria H. Smith

I am pleased to be a part of the cover reveal of The Space Between hosted by AToMR. Before we get to the cover, let's find out a little bit more about the author. :D 

 About the author:

Victoria H. Smith has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. She puts it to good use writing romance all day. She resides in the Midwest with her Macbook on her lap and a cornfield to her right. She often draws inspiration for her stories from her own life experiences, and the twenty-something characters she writes give her an earful about it.

In her free time, she enjoys extreme couponing, blogging, reading, and sending off a few tweets on Twitter when she can. She writes new adult fiction romance in the sub-genres of science fiction, urban fantasy, and contemporary, but really, anywhere her pen takes her she goes.


Author Links: Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads



Now for the cover!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Title: The Space Between

Author: Victoria H. Smith

Expected release date: April 2, 2013

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Age Group: New Adult

Cover Designer: Okay Creations

Cover reveal organized by: AToMR Tours 

 Book Description:

 

When Drake started the night at his father’s campaign fundraiser, he never imagined he’d end it being conned into buying drugs on the West Side. Losing high-stakes poker has its consequences, but he’d repeatedly face them just to hear Lacey Douglas sing. Drake sees Lacey light up the stage, and he has to have her. But his intentions for being on her side of town turn out to be the reason he can’t.
Chicago native Lacey has dreams of the opera, but life has its obstacles. Lacey has come to know her hardships as part of living in the real world and accepts them fully. When Lacey meets the intense and invigorating Drake, a fire is lit inside her, unleashing those dreams again.
Two paths that should have never crossed prove to create the exact pairing the other needs. But when their worlds take time to catch up, everything they have is tested. Finding the space between the two sides that challenge them will be hard, but it’s the only place that will keep them together.
The Space Between is a new adult contemporary romance.







 I Love the cover. Do you see her shoes?!?! I love them, but I'll never be able to wear anything like that. LOL I love her dress too. Now that I would wear. :D
 SO what do you think of the cover and trailer?!?!?! Let me know in the comment section below. I'd love to know what you are thinking.




Monday, January 28, 2013

Touching Evil Blog Tour {Review + Giveaway}








With one touch, Leila can see it all.

Leila Marx is trying to put her life back together after her fiancé is murdered. When Detective Garrick Pearson enlists her help with a difficult case, she is thankful for the distraction and the opportunity to use her talents as a touch clairvoyant. Leila and Garrick delve into the mystery behind a series of missing teenage girls and mummified corpses while discovering their own growing attraction to each other.

Conner Hoffman is an intriguing lawyer and striking half-demon who enters Leila’s life unexpectedly. Although her visions are terrifying, she is fascinated by his charm and his legacy. When it becomes evident that the murders are linked to a paranormal event, Conner introduces Leila to a world unbeknownst to ordinary society. She suddenly finds herself immersed in supernatural politics, sorcery, and danger as she becomes the killer’s next target.

Staying alive will mean relying on friends, accepting the unbelievable, and trusting in her heart again.



My Review



Leila Marx hasn’t been the same since her fiancĂ© was murdered. What’s worse is that she saw it happen and there was nothing she could do about it. She is a clairvoyant and when she touches something she gets a glimpse of the past. On a rare occasion like with her finance, she can see future events. Her life is still on hold a year later until detective Garrick asks for her help. Girls are going missing and turning up brutally murdered. She thinks it’s going to be simple, touch something of the victims and she’ll know what happened and who did it. Turns out it’s not and what she sees will change her life forever. To top that all off Connor enters her life. She gets a creepy vision of him that she wished she could erase. After another girl goes missing, Conner decides to tell her the truth. What she learns is hard to believe, but she will stop at nothing to bring the girl home and bring down the sicko who is doing it. The question is, is she in to far over her head and will she make it out alive to see who the real killer is?


I’ve read other clairvoyant books before, but nothing like this one. The other one that I read, she could see into the future and this one see can see things when she touches objects. Which I think is way cool by the way. :D I loved the secret paranormal underworld and the mystery as well. This book had me laughing and crying throughout the entire book. Leila was very vulnerable during the book, but that didn’t stop her. With her not knowing much about her gift added to the story. I was learning with her how to use her gift and whatnot. Although the book was depressing in some parts, don’t’ let that stop you from reading it. This was an enchanting read and I can’t see what happens in the next one.

Leila- Like I said up top she is still coming to terms with losing the love of her life.  Know it’s been a year since her dies, but I think she handled it pretty well. I mean how do you deal with that? I lost my granddad and it still hurts everyday. So I know how she feels. She is a very strong woman. She also handles the paranormal world well too. I would be freaking out. I guess it helps being what she is. I loved her determination. I hope she learns more about her gift in the next installment. :D

Garrick- I was hoping to get a little more information about him. We know that he is a good guy and he is not married. He is a detective and that’s about it. I want more background info on him in the next one.

Conner- We get a little more info about him. Like what he is and how old. Why he is the way he is. I really liked him under the circumstances. I think he really wants to change and become a better person, but for him that is impossible. L I really really hope he is in the next one. If not I’ll be very disappointed.  


The Cover: When I first saw the cover I didn’t think it was anything special. When I finished the book, I was like this is the perfect cover for this book. It totally goes with the story and I love when a cover looks like a scene in a book.  


3.7 Stars  






About the Author

Amber Garr spends her days conducting scientific experiments and wondering if her next door neighbor is secretly a vampire.  Born in Pennsylvania, she lives in Florida with her husband and their furry kids.  Her childhood imaginary friend was a witch, Halloween is sacred, and she is certain that she has a supernatural sense of smell.  She writes both adult and young adult urban fantasies and when not obsessing over the unknown, she can be found dancing, reading, or enjoying a good movie.

Stalk Amber online at:

Goodreads



Giveaway time!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

As being a part of this tour I can offer one of my followers a ebook copy of Touching Evil or Furthermore. :D Good luck and anyone can enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway   


Tour Wide Giveaway!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

Follow the Tour


 

Sunday, January 27, 2013

{On The Spot Interview + Giveaway} Lavinia Urban- Author of The: Erin The Fire Goddess Series


That's right, people. Today, we are having our first On The Spot Interview on the blog. We are going to make this a regular occurrence  The interviews shall be a mixture of different Authors. Today we have a lovely author I met through Facebook, Lavinia Urban. Provided below are: A conversation/ Interview with the author, book descriptions and links, Author links, and a Giveaway! Yes, this delightful author has agreed to provide one of my lucky followers with an eBook of the first book in her series, Erin The Fire Goddess: The Beginning


The Interview!!
OK, it was more of a casual conversation/ Interview. But we had fun doing it. (: We wanted it to be a little more fun than a cut and dry interview.


Lavinia:  What a great blog. I feel so great to have been adopted and to have you offering to help to :)) 

Ryan: Aw, thanks. That is sweet of you to say. Well, let’s get this interview (okay, so it was more of a conversation) started, shall we? Your Bio says that you currently live in Scotland. Dude, that is so cool! (:



Lavinia: Yes, it’s lovely here. I stick out like a sore thumb, though, because of my accent. My girls have confused accents 

Ryan:  *laughs* Confused accents? I bet that causes some entertainment. (:  I can only imagine.

Lavinia: Oh, it is so weird. We use different words for so many things. I call a bin a bin. Up here, they call it a bucket. Small means wee etc. My husband has to watch his words around me. I want proper English *laughs*

Ryan: Bin, huh? Haha. Well, being a snotty (lol) American, we have a few differences as well. I can just see all of us in the room together. 

Lavinia: I have a lot of American friends and I remember one pm'd me and asked....... what is a spotted dick..?
Do you know? 

Ryan: The first thing that popped into my head was a breed of chicken.
Please be a breed of chicken.. 

Lavinia: *laughs* No it is a sponge cake with raisins in it.

Ryan: Well that's better than my second guess. 
And is the... er... spotted dick.. any good? *laughs*

Lavinia: Errr no i don’t like dried fruit 

Ryan: So, do you like cake, then?

Lavinia: Yes. chocolate cake for me :))

Ryan: oh, yum. 
I understand that you named the character in your book, Erin, after your own daughter.

Lavinia: Yep and she has a sister named Kasey-ray- who is my youngest lol.
In real life Erin is 11 and Kasey-ray is 6.

Ryan: Well, I'm not going to lie- That’s awesome! And totally sweet. 

Lavinia: *laughs*  yep. It all stems from a short story I wrote about Erin when she was 5 which is now displayed in her old school.
She came to this new school got bullied and begged for another story to help her through it. it definitely helped and now everyone wants to be her friend lol

Ryan: Wow, that is amazing. (: 

Lavinia: I just try and make that series so kids can believe in themselves, even though my readers are mainly older. I did a book talk one night to a group of 50 to 80 year olds *laughs*

Ryan: omg. (O.O) 80 year olds? 

Lavinia: Yes, 80. I was totally shocked. I could not believe they had read the book. It’s a teen read 

Ryan: I think it is nice that they are tapping into their inner child.

Lavinia: Yes, definitely. I am 34 years old and I love teen fiction. I love to read all of my daughter’s books before she does. (:

Ryan: Haha. Nice. Alight, it is time to get serious about these questions: What are your goals in regards to your writing?

Lavinia: My main aim for my books is to get it out there in America. Most people have no idea who I am. Everyone from over there have close circles. I am slowly getting into it though. Derinda Love from YATR says she has had great feedback from my writing. However some people have mentioned that my books have grammar issues so she wants to try and get me an editor for free to help me. As I cannot currently afford an Editor

Ryan: It sounds like it is pretty difficult.
Is the problem the same when American Authors branch out to the UK?

Lavinia: I don’t know. I think they have said they have found it easier to break into the UK. I am just starting to get to know a lot more people so I am slowly getting known, but most people still say who? *laughs*
Last year, I was over the moon that I sold books in Austrailia, I got my sales through kobo and amazon kindle xx

Ryan: Wow. That’s Great! (:
Have you experienced any other problems? I remember you said something to me previously about the cover for the first book. 

Lavinia: Yes, when it first came out it had an awful cover picture. You will see it on Goodreads. Then a friend suggested his nephew would be willing to make me covers for free. And he has been doing just that- even though he is now moving to Japan to make games and manga stuff. He is going to continue helping me. 

Ryan: What is your Erin the Fire Goddess series about?

Lavinia:  It is about a young girl called Erin who was born with a birthmark on the left side of her face. People think of her as a freak and she is bullied because of it.
Then she moves to her parent’s home town and strange things start to happen. Bullying escalates, all over a boy called Sean.
During Erin’s discovery of her special powers she finds she is not the only one and there is more to her parent’s home town than meets the eye.

Ryan: How many books do you plan to have in your Erin the Fire goddess series?

Lavinia: I am not actually sure. I am currently writing book 3, plus a bonus book. But I can see 5 books so far plus any bonus books I write.

Ryan: What are you currently working on? If it is the next book in the Fire Goddess Series, do you have anything planned after that?

Lavinia: I am currently working on the third book in the Erin the Fire Goddess series, plus a bonus book in the same series. I am also writing a zombie book and have just drafted a synopsis for a chick lit.

Ryan: Tell me something quirky/weird/strange/new/mundane/queer about your writing methods.

Lavinia: 95% of all of my writing comes from dreams. Before I fall asleep I tell myself what I want to dream about. For example I will choose a character or the last chapter I wrote etc. and just go from there.

  
****

Well there you have it folks! Thank you, Lavinia, for being my guest on the blog today. I look forward to reading the first book in your series.


Here are some links where you can contact Mrs. Urban.






The Books: 

Erin The Fire Goddess: The Beginning
&
Erin The Fire Goddess: Betrayal

   



     Goodreads page                                                Goodreads Page

     Amazon Page (eBook and Print)                   Amazon Page (Print)

    Barnes And Noble                                     Amazon (eBook)

    Kobo




The Giveaway!


The Author is offering one of my followers a prize.
The winner of the giveaway will receive:
1 (one) eBook copy of
 Erin The Fire Goddess: The Begging in the winner's preferred format

This is an eBook giveaway, so it is International. As long as you have an email address, you can enter!
Good Luck. 


Friday, January 25, 2013

Blog Tour{Review + Giveaway} Interred by Marilyn AlmodĂłvar



We have another awesome book on tour for you today. Interred- the first book of The Chronicles of the Interred- is making a stop at our blog today. And we are honored. So what do we have for you today? Well, as always, we have a bio of the author who, might I add, has a lovely name. (: We also have, as per usual, the book summary, links, a review (as provided by 'muah') and details for the giveaway- generously provided by the author. Don't forget to thank the author for her generosity! Well, lets get crackin'. [As always, the banner is a link to the other stops on the Interred blog tour.]


Author-
Marilyn AlmodĂłvar 
Marilyn AlmodĂłvar is the author of a series of YA paranormal novels. Born in Ft. Huachuca, Arizona, Lyn is a lover of words whose reading tastes range from Victorian novels to the books of Stephen King. Her favorite past-times have always been reading and writing, two activities that let her escape to other worlds.

It was this love that propelled her to choose Theater and French as majors in University, with a minor in English Victorian Literature. Lyn lived for almost a decade in England followed by three years in France before returning home to the States. A self-confessed citizen of the world, she is fluent in English, French and Spanish, with basic knowledge of the Italian language.
Lyn could happily exist breathing the clean air of Narnia, trapped in a cupboard under the stairs with Harry, fighting alongside Captain Jack Sparrow, doing an internship in Torchwood, or traveling around time and space with the Doctor…as long as she can have Mr. Spock, Captain Kirk and Captain Mal as companions.

Lyn currently lives in Central Florida with her French husband, English-born eldest son, and French-born youngest son. Her debut YA Novel, Interred, will be published by Iambe books on 01/22/2013.


Book- Interred

(Chronicles of the Interred #1)
by Marilyn AlmodĂłvar 
Release Date: 01/22/13

Time has never been an issue for Baxter Jacobs, but then she never knew she had the ability to Bend it.

As her sixteenth birthday approaches, Baxter inherits a pendant that will change her life. Connected to the pendant is a dark and mysterious young man named Declan Ashdown. Trapped in a Time loop for the past 122 years, Declan needs Baxter’s help to escape. The only problem is, she has no idea how to do it.

To acquire the power she needs to free him, she’ll become one of the Interred, those whose Magical abilities emerge as they come of age. When she does, she’ll discover that Declan isn’t the only one interested in the fact that she’s a Time Bender.

As the Interment arrives, Baxter knows this will be no Sweet Sixteen. A vengeful relative and ruthless Council are determined to control her. Declan’s powerful and charming descendant, Jack Ashdown, claims he can save her. She’ll soon have to decide who she can trust, and how to master her new abilities before Time runs out.



And now, a brief Review from your's truly

Well, I am just going to have to come right out and say it. This book sort of blew my mind. First off, the names of the characters were totally freaking awesome. Baxter and Declan? Jack's name isn't awesome, but I can forgive him, because he is awesome. I love the name Declan. I know, irrelevant, but still. moving on. 

The whole concept that the kids come into their supernatural powers at sixteen is really interesting. I mean, they are just automatically gifted with these amazing powers, that they have no way of predicting what they are going to be.
Concept of a hot guy with a cool name being trapped in time and Baxter is the only person who can see him because she can bend time. OMG, YES! That was totally awesome and excellent creativity on the author's part. 

I do not want to go into too much detail about the boys, Declan and Jack, because I am afraid of going on forever, but whew. It is kind of cruel to trap a girl between a guy and his ancestor. haha. I mean it is like having  a guy interested in you and also having his grandpa interested in you! I am just saying. but I loved both the guys for separate reasons. 

I though it was remarkable being her first work. Everything about the book is attractive: Cover (love, love, love the cover), the concept, and the names. I was drawn in by all of those factors and the promise of a good magical read and i was not disappointed. I cannot wait to see what happens to the trio in the next book in the series. 

Also, a side note: her mother is kind of awesome. Just thought I would throw that in there. (:

Highly Enjoyed as a book for a younger audience and a recommended read


and now...the Giveaway

The Author has generously [wow, I have said generously a lot. sorry.] included an AWESOME GIVEAWAY with the tour. here are the details:


The giveaway includes:

- One signed paperback of Interred
- One autographed Interred tote bag
- One onyx pendant inspired by the book
- One angel pin inspired by the book
- Misc. book swag (magnet, wristband, postcard, phone skin)
Open Internationally! (:

Here is the Rafflecopter code:




Good Luck, guys! This is a totally amazing prize pack that I would not mind having. ;) Don't forget to add the book to your to- reads shelf on Goodreads or wishlists on Amazon! Also, if you feel the sudden urge to go and like Mrs. AlmodĂłvar's page or fan her on Goodreads, I am sure she would not be opposed to the support! G'day peeps. Also, make sure you check out the other stops on the tour. 
You can click the tour banner up at the tippy top of the page- or- if you are feeling lazy, Just click riiiiiight---->HERE<----

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Blood on the Moon Blog tour {Review+Guest Post+Giveaway}




Title: Blood on the Moon
Author: Cassiel Knight
Published: October 1, 2012
Publisher: Champagne Book Group
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Word Count: 85,000
Content: Minor Adult Content

Synopsis:
Mia Langdon—tomb raider and adventure-seeker—has everything she wants. Freedom. Independence. No chains (a.k.a. a man). Her troubles begin when she’s attacked on a dig in Peru. Soon, she’s forced to use her tomb raiding talents to find the flaming arrows of an Egyptian goddess. In the wrong hands, this weapon could destroy the human race—and nearly had.

Used to doing things her own way, it isn’t long before she figures out that she needs the help of Harrison Braden Stanton, her stuffy, but so yummy, Egyptologist and ex-lover. There’s one problem. He despises what she does. As Mia and Harrison find themselves in the middle of a battle between the Egyptian gods and goddess, there’s no choice for the woman with a Grand Canyon-sized independence streak and the man working for the Egyptian god, Osiris, but to work together to prevent the destruction of all they love.





Excerpt:

What was with all the handsome blokes lately? It seemed she couldn’t go more than an hour without seeing men who were the poster children for every woman’s fantasy. Or were they just her fantasies?

He removed the gun from Gus’s temple but didn’t drop his arm. The man’s grip was steady, not quivering from the weight of the weapon. Strong, she figured. Used to holding guns to people’s heads. Lovely.

“My employer is getting impatient. She requires an answer.” His head cocked. “And for your sake, I hope it’s the right one.”

She? “An answer to what?”

Icy blue eyes looked deep into hers. “Don’t be coy, Ms. Langdon. It doesn’t suit you.”

“Well, you see, I’ve already given my answer so I really don’t understand your purpose in being here.” Mia placed both hands on her desk’s front edge. “I suggest you leave right now before I get madder than I already am.”

“Oh?”

“You and your men broke into my house, assaulted my employees and now threaten one of them with a gun. I’m plenty pissed right now, but still willing to let you walk away with your manhood intact.”

“And if I don’t comply with your eloquent demand?”

She shrugged. “You’ll leave me with no choice.” Her fingers tiptoed under the desk’s lip. “I’ll have to make you leave. On a stretcher.”

His laughter rippled forward, a rich, rolling guffaw that actually sent freaking shivers along her spine. Christ, Mia, just how long has it been since you had sex?

“And how do you intend to do that?”

She let a slow smile dance across her lips. “Like this.”

As she finished speaking, she tugged the stiletto from the hidden compartment under the desk and threw it at the man. At the same time, Gus collapsed to the floor and did a backward flip. The long slender blade with its needle-like point punched into the man’s shoulder. He let out a cry of pain and rage. Off balance, his fingers tightened involuntarily on the trigger. The Colt roared a single shot, splitting the wood of the paneled wall on the opposite side of the room.

She lunged across the desk, her ass sliding on the smooth surface and kicked the gun from his hand. Her feet hit the floor, and she immediately flipped a snap-kick at the man himself. He blocked her strike with both hands and before she could pull back, used her forward motion to spin her around. His right arm came from behind, snaked around her neck in a one-arm chokehold dragging her against his chest. The metallic scent of blood mixed with an outdoorsy odor teased her nose.

“Aside from the little poke, I expected more from you, Ms. Langdon.” His words blew a warm gust across her neck. Tiny hairs lifted. “I’m disappointed.”

She took a deep breath, suppressing the flush of rage clawing for release. Sparring while angry was a dumb way to get pulverized. “Don’t be,” she countered. “I don’t want to mess up my new carpet with more of your blood.”




My Review

Mia is a tomb raider. She has always had a knack for finding lost relics no one thought was real. The thing is that she didn’t know at the time that it is a gift so to speak. She also likes to do things her way and doesn’t like to be bossed around. To bad someone didn’t get the memo. But then someone kidnaps her friend and she will do anything to get her back. She’ll even ask her ex lover for help is she has to. In a race against time she has to find the arrows to save her friend, confront her feeling for Harrison, and find out that sometimes your enemies came becomes friends. Oh and not to mention the gods and goddesses breathing down everyone’s necks.

What a thrill ride. This was a book that I wouldn’t normally find myself reading. I usually read paranormal and all that. So this book was a little bit out of my comfort zone. Well let me just say that I’m glad I stepped out of it. This book was great. There was plenty of action and the characters were very relatable……with being in there situation of course. Mia comes on a little strong but that what made me like her. I don’t think I would have liked this book without Mia. This had plenty of action and it was not lacking in any area. There was danger, lots of tomb raiders, gods and goddesses, and of course hot guys. LOL and what’s a book without danger and trust me Mia likes danger. :D

Mia- she was a firecracker. She did not need anyone fighting her battles for her. No she is the type of woman who takes things into her own hands. She doesn’t get close to people often but when she does she cares about them deeply. She is the kind a person you don’t want on your bad side. I can see me and her being great friends. LOL

Harrison- “He has a stick entrenched up his butt” as Mia would say. LOL Yes, I toned it down a bit LOL While he was like this most of the book, I still liked him. He was just so yummy. He liked Mia but didn’t approve of what she does. So he left her. All I can say is that is a two way street. He could have changed to…just saying. All that being said he still cares about her and that’s what made me love him the most.

Overall fans of Indiana Jones and Laura Croft Tomb Raider will love this book.


3.5 STARS




About the Author:

In the job that pays the mortgage and allows her to indulge in her real passion, writing, Cassiel Knight works for Clackamas County in the beautiful state of Oregon. Crazy- passionate about the romance writing industry, Cassiel has a paranormal romance series featuring fallen angels and demons, an urban fantasy novella and a new paranormal romance series that started this fall with Champagne Book Group. She writes paranormal romances with kick-assitude that blend archeology and mythology – just a few of her favorite things. She can be found online at http://www.cassielknight.com.






Three things I learned while writing Blood on the Moon.

How much I enjoyed researching! I relied on the Internet and library research plus my own library is now filled with all kinds of reference books. They look so pretty sitting on my shelves. Happy sigh. Now, my pocketbook on the other hand is not so happy but too bad. J As far as what I researched, the first thing I did was find and read all I could on Egyptian gods and goddesses beyond the ones I knew about already. Then I found so many interesting myths and legends I have enough fodder for many more stories in this world. Before doing the research, I knew of Egypt and their gods and goddesses but I hadn’t realized the depths of the mythology. In the past, I’ve focused on Greek and Roman so finding Egyptian, gave me so much more. I found all this fascinating which became a bit of a problem when I spent more time on research than writing.  I can’t even begin to count the number of times I’d start somewhere and chase a thread to end up in an entirely different place! So exasperating—but so much fun!
Not so much learned as something that surprised me – how easy it was to pick out these character names. Let me explain.  It takes me forever to get a character’s name and my critique partners were always getting new pages and kept asking, who is so and so? I’d have to tell them that’s the heroine’s or hero’s new name. It got to be quite a joke. I’m not as bad now but it still takes me long time to settle on just the right name for my characters – all of them – big and small. Not this one. The names really just settled on these characters. It was quite an experience.
The more I wrote, the better I am at it and how well the words flow then. The last 50-60 pages of this story really just wrote themselves. Now if I only could keep that up. J




 GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!!!


There is a tour wide giveaway. Prizes include:
  • Ten PDF copies of Blood on the Moon (INT)
  • Blood on the Moon Bracelet (US Only)
  •  Key of Solomon Print Book (US Only)
  • $10 Electronic Amazon Gift Card (INT)



a Rafflecopter giveaway