Book- Marks the Spot

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

No Brainer by A.J. Lape Blog Tour {Excerpt + Giveaway}

To read my review of Grade A Stupid, the first in the series CLICK HERE!!! :D

Two weeks before junior year, Darcy hops a plane to Orlando for a little R&R with her best friend Dylan and his family. Fresh off the heels of solving three murders in Valley, you'd think she'd sit back and enjoy the vacation capital of the world … maybe if you're a noun. Darcy Walker, however, is nothing but verb.

Before her feet hit the Orlando soil, she's meddling in the disappearance of a five-year-old boy who vanished six months earlier.

With authorities still no closer to solving the case, Darcy is shanghaied by her impulsivity and runs headlong into that proverbial burning building, convinced she can bring him home.

She travels down a road that not only follows this missing child but branches off into the corrupt and sinister world of mob activity when she tampers in a case on which Dylan's detective grandfather is working.

After a near disastrous midnight meeting in a warehouse and a date with a mechanical bull, Darcy realizes she might've bitten off more than she can chew. Add the boiling flirtationship with her best friend and the appearance of his romantic rival, and she is in over her head.

Will she survive a life of flirting with death too easily? Or will her flirtationship with Dylan become the actual death of her instead?

For a girl with a habit of finding dead bodies, No Brainer gives Darcy Walker more of the same…surprising twists and turns…and running for her life.

EXCERPT:

TRAIN WRECK

Sometimes that light at the end of the tunnel’s not the hereafter … it’s a train.
We’d made it home in one piece, but as soon as Zander crossed the threshold, a whirly siren steamed like a locomotive while laser lights flashed like we were escaping Alcatraz. Good God Almighty, he’d set off the alarm.
“Darn,” I mumbled.
“Sh-sh-sh-shoot!” Zander shouted, hitting the deck. I didn’t need anyone to spell it out to me, the click of a 9mm handgun told me Lincoln was cocked, loaded, and aiming for a torso.
Zander stuttered as a child. When that happened, all he could manage was “D” instead of Dylan. I picked it up over the years because I didn’t want the boy’s infirmities to be more pronounced than they already were. In general, he grew out of it, but occasionally it cropped back up when he was scared. Problem was, the boy just yelled, “Shoot” when Lincoln had a gun. My guess was he opted against profanity, but in this situation, it might’ve been best if he let the four-lettered alternative fly.

QUOTE-

“I’ll never need anything or anyone to point me in your direction. I always … feel you.” Dylan Taylor, No Brainer

About the author

A. J. lives in Cincinnati with her husband, two feministic daughters, an ADD dog, a spoiled hamster, and an unapologetic and unrepentant addiction to Coca-Cola. She studied English, Journalism, and Political Science at Morehead State University and left the business world when her daughters were born. Her love for suspense and a good story was born from watching Mystery Science Theater with her sister during childhood. That and any B-movie with comedic undertones they could get their hands on.

From a small town in Kentucky, her sister and she lived in their imaginations on a regular basis, and A.J.'s love for the bizarre and paranormal still holds true to this day. She loves roller coasters, scary movies, and haunted houses and the weird sense of accomplishment it gives her when she can make it through without keeling over.

If Life has taught her anything, it's the need to acquire a wicked sense of humor, come up swinging, and to never, ever give up...no matter what obstacle is in front of you.

When she's not riding that razor-thin line between creativity and insanity, she likes to read, watch too much cable TV, or cheer like a banshee at her daughter's sporting events.

A. J. loves to connect with fans! You can find her via Twitter and Facebook or send an email.
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ajlape
Twitter: http://twitter.com/darcywalker13
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ajlapeauthor
Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/ajlape
Email: aj@ajlape.com

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!!

1- $30 Amazon gift card, 1- autographed copy of No Brainer, 4- Ebooks (either Grade A Stupid or No Brainer - winner's choice), and 2- SWAG pack winners (SWAG includes signed Iniquity Engineer bookmark, signed postcard of both books, and refrigerator magnet of both book covers)

Also be sure to leave a comment with your email address. A random commenter will be picked to receive an ebook.

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BE SURE TO FOLLOW THE TOUR!!!

JUNE 5^th-

Bex ‘n’Books - http://bexnbooks.blogspot.com

WTF R U Reading - http://www.wtfareyoureading.com

• Island Lovelies Book Club - http://islandloveliesbcb.blogspot.com

• Lil Bit of R&R - http://www.alittlebitofrnrreviews.com

JUNE 6^th-

• Fab, Fun & Tantalizing Reads - http://www.fabfunandtantalizingreads.com

• The Book Town - http://thebooktown.blogspot.com

• Yesterday & Tomorrow's Reads - http://yesterdayandtomorrowsreads.blogspot.com

• Fated Paranormals- http://www.fatedparanormals.blogspot.com/

JUNE 7^th-

• Krystal ClearBook Reviews - http://krystalclearbookreviews.wordpress.com

• Lady Pinks Book Shelf - http://ladypinksbookshelf.blogspot.com

• My Art to Inspire - http://www.myarttoinspire.com/myatiblogs

• Angela Orlowski-Peart - http//:www.angelapeart.com

JUNE 8^{th &} 9^th –

• No tour for the weekend!

JUNE 10th-

2 Bibliophiles Guides to Seriously Awesome Books - http://2bibliophiles.blogspot.com

• Author JD Nelson- http://nightaberrations.blogspot.com/

Author Fabio Bueno - http://fabiobueno.com/

JUNE 11^th-

• Book - Marks the Spot - http://caughtinasnyderwebb.blogspot.com

• Up All Night Book Addict - http://upallnightbookaddict.blogspot.com

• C. R. Everett – Author Blog -http://www.creverett.com/12801/64701.html

• I Feel the Need, the Need to Read - www.ifeeltheneedtheneedtoread.com

JUNE 12^th-

• My Cozie Corner - http://coziecorner.blogspot.com

• Author Tara West - http://tarawestauthor.wordpress.com/

• eBook Lovers Co-Op Blog- http://eblco.wordpress.com

JUNE 13^th-

• Author Lavinia Urban - http://laviniaurban.blogspot.co.uk

The Bookish Snob - http://www.thebookishsnob.com/

Angela Brown in Pursuit of Publishness- http://publishness.blogspot.com/

Monday, June 10, 2013

Flames by Jessica F.F. Evans Blog Tour {Excerpt + Giveaway}

I'd like to thank Irresistible Reads Book Tours for allowing me to be a part of this tour. :D To follow the tour be sure to click on the banner above.

Title: Flames

Author: Jessica F.F. Evans

Release date: May 5^th, 2013

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Tour: Irresistible Reads Book Tours

Book Description:

Seven years ago Jenna Farley left her hometown of Cedarville, Indiana and vowed never to look back. She created a thriving business and a quiet life on the sunny beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama. But seven years and hundreds of miles can’t keep the nightmares of her past and visions of a hellish future from plaguing her dreams.

With the fate of her first love resting solely in her hands Jenna must go back to the town she despises and risk everything for a man who is not at all pleased to find her on his doorstep talking about a murderer on the loose and asking him to trust her.

Nathaniel McGregor has put many years and many women between him and the memory of the only woman he ever loved. Now she's back and doing what she does best. Turning his life upside down and warning him of an obsessed pyromaniac hell bent on killing him. Can he trust her? Does he even have a choice? The clock is ticking, both their lives are on the line and they must work together to stop a determined killer or die.

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17913162-flames

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Flames-ebook/dp/B00CNY5B5U

Book Excerpt

She tore out of bed and looked at the clock. It was only seven thirty in the morning. Maybe she had a chance, it wasn’t even daylight out. In the dream it was closer to noon. Unzipping her suitcase with a fierceness that has never been seen Jenna grabbed the first shirt and pants she could find. The hell if they matched. Then bounded out the door with her purse and cell phone in hand.

Not thirty seconds later Shana called.

“You’re not coming home are you?” Shana sounded upset and Jenna could understand why.

“I take it you dreamt it too.”

“Someone is gunning for your man.” Shana said

“He’s not my man.” Jenna fired back out of pure reflex.

“I’m going to sidestep your little self-denial and get to the root of the problem.”

“Nathaniel’s in danger, again.”

“Did you forget how your dream started? With you. Tied to a post. Burning Alive.” Shana sounded like she couldn’t believe that her own death didn’t seem to resonate at all with Jenna when compared with the prospect of losing Nathaniel.

“Doesn’t change anything.” It didn’t. As long as Nathaniel was in danger, Jenna couldn’t leave.

“You can’t save Nathaniel if you’re dead.”

“I’m not going to die.”

“Jenna, I’ve seen it. Now you’ve seen it. Call Nathaniel, warn him to watch his back then get your happy ass on the first plane back to Florida.” If Jenna didn’t know any better she would say Shana sounded hysterical.

“I can’t.”

“Yes you can. You came. You fulfilled your obligation. You don’t have to feel guilty. He’s a big boy and if he decides not to heed your words then it’s not your fault.”

“I can’t.”

“Jenna you are risking your life every minute you stay in this town.”

“I… I still care about him, Shana. I don’t have a choice.”

“Shit.” Shana muttered

“I didn’t plan this.”

“Shit,” Shana repeated, “I should have seen this coming.”

“Shana I can’t talk right now. I got to get to Mickey’s Diner.”

By this time Jenna had made it to her car and started the engine. The inside still smelled like smoke from the night before and that smell strengthened her resolve to keep Nathaniel safe. She was about to click off when she heard Shana say one last thing.

“Twelve Thirty Six”

“What?”

“Nathaniel gets stabbed at Twelve Thirty Six tomorrow. You were too focused on him to notice the date and time flashing on the bank sign.”

“Good that gives me enough time to change it. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. Just Jenna,”

“What?”

“Be careful.”

“I will.” She said, then hung up her phone and started on her way to check out the diner. It sure beat worrying in her hotel room for the next twenty-four hours.

About the Author:

Jessica F.F. Evans lives in a little village in rural Indiana with her husband, daughter and crazy large family. She spends every chance she gets on the Gulf Coast. When not writing romance novels she enjoys woodturning, hiking and passing on her love of reading to her daughter.

Flames is her debut novel. Carry On is coming in September 2013 and is her second romantic suspense novel followed by her suspense novel: Under the Cajun Moon in December 2013 and her Young Adult novel: Lessons Learned by Arnold St. James in June 2014.

Website: http://www.jessicaffevans.com/

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!!!!!

Prize: 10USD Amazon Gift Card

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Friday, June 7, 2013

Bound by Prophecy Blog Tour {Review + Giveaway}

Twenty-two-year-old Aern is done watching his brother destroy the only thing that matters. He never wanted to take Morgan’s place among council, never wanted to rule their hidden world. But when the key to the prophecy is found, a young girl named Brianna whom Morgan will destroy, Aern knows he has to take action.
What he really wants, is for things to go back to normal. But now he’s kidnapped a girl, and his brother’s men are after him. His only hope is to join with the Division, but they have plans of their own, and it’s the last thing Aern is willing to do.
Emily just wants her sister back. She doesn't care about the prophecy, or realize what’s at stake. But when she goes after Aern, the truth of the matter uncoils, and Brianna isn't the only one who’s in danger.
Suddenly, they’re at the center of a secret war, and unless they can work together, they’ll both have a sacrifice too big to make.

Amazon׀ B&N

My Review:

Aern will do anything to stop his brother from fulfilling the prophecy, even kidnap a girl. She is not just any girl, though. She is the chosen one and Morgan will stop at nothing to get her. So Aern does the only thing he can do and he hides her, not knowing that she has a twin sister. Now he has to protect Emily and her sister from his psycho brother. And what he finds out while he is with Emily changes the whole game between him and his brother, prompting him to make the first move.

Emily just wants her sister back, doesn’t realize the danger she puts herself in trying to find her. She just knows that Brianna would not just leave her without telling her. When she finds out things she thought were fairy tales are true, she finally begins to realize the danger. The prophecy she has know her whole life suddenly begins to make sense and she has to deal with the aftermath.

Who can you trust when both sides have their own secret agendas? No one is safe once the truth comes out.

I was a little hesitant to read this book because the MC is a guy, but the book sounded too interesting to pass up. I’m glad I went with it, because I really enjoyed this book. The only reason I’m giving it a 4 is that, it never describes what Aern looks like. If it does I don’t know how I missed it because I was waiting for it. So I just went with the guy on the cover and that’s what he looked like. :D The story itself was fast paced and could change at a moments notice. You think they’re safe and then BOOM knives are being thrown and blood is being shed. It was awesome and Emily is no little fruit cake. She can hold her own and doesn’t need a man to help her, which she demonstrates on occasion. I was wondering about the prophecy the whole time and what it actually says and we don’t really learn about it till the end. Well played Miss Wright, well played. LOL. It was KILLING me. I had my ideas, but I told myself to shut up. O.o With everything that happened in this one I don’t know where Miss Wright is going to take it with the sequel, but I can’t wait. I know it will be just as spectacular as this one.

Overall: This book is full of mind control, knife throwing and a prophecy that will keep you guessing even after the book ends.

Emily: She is one determined chick and will stop at nothing to get what she wants and she wants her sister back. And she will drop you on your head if you are not careful. :D She makes it no secret that she trusts no one and she just wants her sister safe. She also is not one to hold her tongue; she’ll just spit out whatever comes to her mind. You don’t want to mess with this chick. I have a feeling in the next one we will be seeing more of her awesomeness.

Brianna- She is the complete opposite of her twin Emily. Brianna is more soft spoken and kind hearted. She is the sweetest thing and knows how to use it to her advantage. She is just as strong as her sister; she just doesn’t show it in the book. Her talents lie elsewhere.

Aern- He is no stranger to pain, but he can not bear to see Emily or Brianna hurt. That is why he must do everything in his power to make sure they are safe. He just didn’t expect how hard it would be. He follows no ones command and everyone knows it. He is a powerful man and a lot of people are counting on him.

4 stars

About the Author

Melissa Wright is the author of the Frey Saga and the upcoming Descendants series. Melissa spends her time working on novels, but when not writing she can be found on goodreads and pinterest.

melissa-wright.com | pinterest.com/melissawrights | Goodreads.com/author/Melissa_Wright

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!!!

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{Cover Reveal} Of Darkness and Crowns by Trisha Wolfe

Of Darkness and Crowns (Goddess Wars #2)

by Trisha Wolfe

Release Date: September 1, 2013

Cover artist: Steven Novak

Cover Reveal Organized by: YA Bound Book Tours

***WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS IF YOU HAVEN’T READ BOOK ONE***

Summary from Goodreads:

The moon goddess has taken up residency within Prince Caben, darkening his mind and soul. Now he hunts the very women he sacrificed his life to save, his conflicting desires for love and power raging a battle within him. Kaliope possesses the key to setting Bale free, and Caben will stop at nothing to see his goddess restored. Even if that means destroying the kingdom he’s sworn to protect, and the infuriating woman who torments his thoughts.

Kaliope, now the leader to the newly formed Nactue Guard, has vowed to save Caben. But with a traitor lurking among her people, and powers she’s unable to fully control, Kaliope’s mission becomes shrouded with doubt. Her new role as watcher over Caben’s kingdom brings a burden she’s unable to bear alone, and appointing the right person in charge of the prince’s affairs has turned a kingdom against the Nactue leader. Saving her stubborn, willful prince from the darkness overtaking him will be the battle of her life, and she needs people she can trust by her side. But bad blood between members of the Nactue obscure Kaliope’s journey, while her feelings for Caben cloud her judgment.

When the time comes to do what she must to destroy the goddess of chaos, will she be able to if it means losing Caben forever?

Book two of the Goddess Wars is told in dual point of view from Kaliope and Caben. New Adult Dark Fantasy, intended for readers 17 years of age and older.

***Excerpt (Caben’s POV)***

The Crusher grinds to a halt. I’m propelled forward, and my head smacks the low-hanging ceiling of the front compartment.

“Damn, you fool!” I palm my throbbing forehead, eyeing the driver of the Crusher—the machines I now call by their Otherworlder name.

“Sorry, my liege,” he says, backing against his seat, farther away from the glowing ribbons circling my fingers.

Ignoring him, I study the luminous white—like the surface of the moon—crawling beneath my skin, and marvel at the power. My power. Had I possessed it that day the Cavan Army forced me from my home, they never could have done so easily. But then, I never would have obtained this power. Ironic.

“Just drive,” I tell him. I take a seat on the front bench, away from the foul stench emanating from the back compartment—our diversion tactic that will gain me entry into my palace, where I know she’s being kept.

The glow beneath my skin illuminates brighter, reminding me of her skin. I curl my fingers into a tight ball.

The battle up ahead is only part of my plan, one that I know Kaliope will fall for. I need the reserves away from the palace. Then we’ll take care of her Nactue once we’re inside. My back molars clamp down hard at the thought of her—a mix of something like fire and nausea invading my stomach.

At one time, I felt things for the black-haired beauty. I chuckle to myself. Well, at least my groin did. Just thinking of her body makes me ache, and I have to adjust myself. But that was when I was weak, when I only thought and felt with that weakness. As much as I hated my father for thinking me too feeble to rule, he was right. I was pathetic.

Bale freed me. Released the part of me that I kept buried, locked away deep down, and I no longer fear anything. I think of everything that once made me shudder or quake with dread and laugh. It’s so simple.

Without fear, there is only freedom.

Power.

And if I free Bale completely, releasing her from within my being and making her corporeal, she’ll bestow me with even more power. I don’t care what the dark goddess does or where she goes once I restore Empress Iana’s relic. I don’t give a damn what happens to the maggoty Otherworlders or their realm.

I just want her out of my mind. And I want the power.

Then I’ll set my sights on Perinya, and on gaining what’s mine.

A deep cackle fills my head, deep and sultry.

“Quiet, woman.” I roll my eyes. We’ve come to a compromise, the goddess and I, that she may remain within my mind, but she’s to keep quiet. I got tired of her constant lectures and angry rants about her sisters. She does stay silent…for the most part. But the sooner I get her out of my head, the better.

Having a woman fill your thoughts is a weakness in itself. A sudden flash of a smiling, laughing Kal blurs my vision, and I shake my head.

There’s only one way to rid my thoughts of that woman.

Kill her.

“Burrow, leach,” I command the driver. “We’re coming up on the battle. Go underground.”

“Yes, my liege.”

Tonight, I plot. Find a way into the capital of Perinya and into my home. And then take back what’s mine. The goddess can have what she wants. I’m only interested in claiming what’s mine.

No one will ever take anything away from me again.

Don’t get in my way, Kal.

I shake my head harder, trying to quiet the pesky thoughts that always spring up when I think of her. Something left over from before—a residual feeling, an effect she has on me.

It won’t be there much longer. I smile, and Bale laughs.

***

Of Silver and Beasts (Goddess Wars #1)

by Trisha Wolfe

Release Date: April 19th 2013

Summary from Goodreads:

In the sand-covered queendom of Cavan, the goddess once saved a young Kaliope’s life, preventing the mercury her father attempted to hide in her blood from reaching her heart. Now, a cybernetic clamp filters it, but the silver streaks swirling faintly beneath her skin are a constant reminder that she’s different.

When nineteen-year-old Kaliope is chosen as head of the Nactue Guard, she becomes the sworn protector to her empress. In the midst of an invasion on a neighboring land, Kaliope is placed in charge of guarding Prince Caben, the last heir to his kingdom. But when they’re attacked by the feared Otherworlders, Caben and Kaliope are abducted and taken below to a realm where they must fight for their life in a caged arena.

Kaliope struggles to protect her princely charge, keeping him and herself alive while battling inhumanly opponents, and trying to save the stolen, sacred relic that will restore her empress’s life force and all of Cavan. And if she can somehow awaken the goddess within her, she may save what’s most important.

New Adult Dark Fantasy: Intended for readers 17 years of age and older.