Thursday, August 21, 2014

Blog Tour Review: Ash to Steele by Karen-Anne Stewart


Welcome to The Wormhole and my stop on the Ash to Steele Tour.
It is my great pleasure to again spotlight Karen-Anne Stewart and her great story.

Karen-Anne Stewart has always adored reading and has now fallen in love with writing. Her written works are The Rain Trilogy: Saving Rain, Healing Rain, and After the Rain, and the newly released stand alone novel, Ash to Steele. Her debut novel, Saving Rain: The First Novel in The Rain Trilogy, was a nominee for the Book Junkie’s Choice Awards, and Saving Rain and After the Rain were nominees for the 2014 RONE Awards.
When Karen-Anne isn’t writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, hiking, and visiting new places. She fuels her addiction of creating new stories by her only other addiction, caffeine, and listening to a myriad of musical genres. Tucked away near the Blue Ridge Mountains, Karen-Anne lives with her husband, daughter, two dogs, and their cat. She plans on writing new adult romance as long as her fingers maintain dexterity.
Visit her website at www.karen-annestewart.com.
(I received this book at no charge in exchange for an honest review and participation in this tour).

Emma
Who I am and all I believe is marred with just one glance into angry, steel blue eyes. He seems to control my air, my ability to breathe. He makes me crave everything I know is a sin. Pure becomes tainted and lines are blurred. It’s my fault; I’m the one who isn’t strong enough. I’ve been damaged…broken. Breck’s words haunt me…’There’s a consequence for every choice you make.’
Breck
I’ve had so many women I can’t even remember over half of their names, but none of them are mine; I make damn sure of that. I take what I desire and never look back. I don’t need or want anyone, ever…not until I met Emma. Those eyes bore into what’s left of my soul and her touch sears me, weakens me. I want to hate her for that. She is my ruin…my sweetest hell.
Disclaimer: Intended for readers 18+ due to strong language, mature scenes, and some violence.

My thoughts:
Wow!  I truly enjoyed this book!
I was expecting "that" story, you know the one...broken man meets wonderful, innocent woman - turns romantic and she "saves" him.  You know - that story.  

What I got was so much more than that.  
This story is "that"story, but it is also about courage (a lot about courage and bravery), choices, pride, self respect, belief, hope, friendship, family, faults, forgiveness, finding out who you are, accepting others for who they are, love and the power of love - so much about love.

All of the characters are fantastic.  Created with a realistic eye for details and a human eye for flaws, the author has filled the book with a host of people that any reader might know or  perhaps be.  The main characters are rich in personality; they are damaged by their pasts, driven by their desires, hoping for a future and bonded by their fierce desire to survive.  The secondary characters, although less detailed in the story, are still well built and draw an emotional reaction from the reader.  I found myself laughing, crying, worrying, hoping, angry, on the edge of my seat more than once - - but throughout the book, feeling.  

The world that these amazingly strong men and women live in is rife with challenges, some destined to make or break them.  They are haunted and shaped by the past, daring to hope for the future.  

I loved this story; the characters especially, but it is not for everyone.  
It is violent and scary, brutal and raw.  It is sexual and sensual, filled with emotions that run the reader ragged.  It is not all realistic and reasonable.  At times some of the ideas are larger than life. It has moments where we glimpse the honesty of the human creature - not all are impressive, but not all are ugly.  My favorite parts of the book won't be anyone else's favorite parts.  That of course is the best part of a well written book.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Blog Tour Interview: Ash to Steele by Karen-Anne Stewart


Karen-Anne Stewart has stopped by for an interview:
? When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? 

I’ve always adored reading but it wasn’t until college when I first realized I wanted to become an author one day.  When the professor assigned a short story to the class, I fell in love. 

? How many jobs did you have before you became a writer?

Ummm….a lot!  I still work a full time job along with writing my novels; I’m a busy girl ;). 

? How long does it take you to write a book?

With Saving Rain, my debut novel, I began writing in September 2012 and the book was published the first of 2013 (original version), but each book after has taken a bit longer than the previous because of marketing, social media, and planning for upcoming tours.  Feel, the New Adult paranormal romance novel I’m working on now, has taken me the longest so far, but I’m thrilled to announce that it will be live December 15th!

? What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

I don’t know if I would call it a quirk as much as a preference, but I love to write in my PJs with music busting my drums.

? Where do you get your ideas or inspiration for your characters?

Everyday life can spark an idea, from dining out to riding in my car and talking with my husband. 

? How do you decide what you want to write about?

I’m completely obsessed with romance, especially a powerful love story with a strong alpha male who has a sensitive side and will go through hell and back for his girl.  So far, I feel that all of my novels encompass this kind of hero, as well as a strong female lead who consumes their heart and soul.

? What books have most influenced your life?

I have wonderful memories of my father reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe to me.  My dad passed when I was very young, so I will always cherish this book.  Great Expectations is one of my favorite books of all time and I love the mixture of emotions and characters involved in this literary work of art.  Shakespeare has also been very influential to me, and the readers of The Rain Trilogy will see that weaved throughout the novels! 

? What are you reading right now?

Tempting Tatum, by Kaylee Ryan.  I’m loving it!

? What do you like to do when you are not writing?

I’m a pretty simple girl.  I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, hiking, watching movies, and, of course, reading. 

? What is your favorite comfort food?

Wine and chocolate.  My absolute favorite dish is Olive Garden’s Ravioli Di Portobello.

? What do you think makes a good story?

I can get completely absorbed in a book that has really well-developed characters who make me want them in my life.

? Who would you consider your favorite author and why?

James Patterson.  The man is a freakin’ genius; he can write everything!

Fun random questions: 
·        dogs or cats?
·         
I have both, but I have to choose, it’s going to be dogs.  We just adopted Jasper, a Peek-a-Poo puppy, and I adore him, even when he bites the dickens out of me with those sharp puppy teeth.

·        Coffee or tea?

Both, again J.  I’m not anywhere close to human until I have my iced coffee in the morning, but I prefer tea for lunch and dinner.

·        Dark or milk chocolate?
·         
Really?  I mean…it’s chocolate!

·        Rocks or flowers?

My daughter would choose rocks because she collects them obsessively, but I much prefer flowers, especially daises.

·        Night or day?

Evening.

·        Favorite color?

I can’t choose between pink and green because I love them both so much. 

·        Crayons or markers?

Crayons.  They remind me of Kindergarten. 

·        Pens or pencils?

Pens, but they must be medium point or my handwriting really sucks.  

Monday, August 18, 2014

Spotlight: Ash to Steele by Karen-Anne Stewart


Welcome to The Wormhole.
It is my pleasure to spotlight Ash to Steele and Karen-Anne Stewart.

Title: Ash to Steele
Author: Karen-Anne Stewart
Publisher: Karen-Anne Stewart
Pages: 342
Genre: New Adult Romance
Format: Paperback/Kindle
Purchase at AMAZON


Emma
Who I am and all I believe is marred with just one glance into angry, steel blue eyes. He seems to control my air, my ability to breathe. He makes me crave everything I know is a sin. Pure becomes tainted and lines are blurred. It’s my fault; I’m the one who isn’t strong enough. I’ve been damaged…broken. Breck’s words haunt me…’There’s a consequence for every choice you make.’
Breck
I’ve had so many women I can’t even remember over half of their names, but none of them are mine; I make damn sure of that. I take what I desire and never look back. I don’t need or want anyone, ever…not until I met Emma. Those eyes bore into what’s left of my soul and her touch sears me, weakens me. I want to hate her for that. She is my ruin…my sweetest hell.
Disclaimer: Intended for readers 18+ due to strong language, mature scenes, and some violence.


Short excerpt:  

   His confession knocks the air out of me, just as ruthlessly as if he punched me in the stomach.  I gasp, desperately try to fill my lungs with air, “I am yours. You’ve always had me; even when I hated you, you had me.” 
   All coherent thoughts disintegrate when Breck grabs my shoulders, pulling me against him.  The heat of his body radiates through my skin as his hand runs behind my head, sliding up my neck until his fingers are tangled in my hair, pulling it until my mouth is almost touching his.  The intensity of his gaze weakens me.  Steel blue phases into a stormy gray as his mouth collides with mine. 
   My head spins. My knees go weak as I collapse against him, my body not able to handle the intensity of the sensations exploding inside of me.  Breck’s lips claim mine with such power, for one second, I am afraid.  I know the danger of losing myself in him, but then the fear is gone; there is no one else I would rather lose myself to. 

   His hand fists my hair as his kiss deepens, his tongue pushing, probing, demanding access.  Opening my mouth, I kiss him back.  The feel of his lips conquering me, the taste of his tongue as it slides over mine, colliding, taming, plundering, sends the sweetest shivers down my spine.  His teeth graze my bottom lip, nipping and lavishing as his tongue tastes my lips, then plunges inside again, breaking me to his will.  I need him with such desperation, I cringe at my weakness but allow him to tame me.

For More Information




Karen-Anne Stewart has always adored reading and has now fallen in love with writing. Her written works are The Rain Trilogy: Saving Rain, Healing Rain, and After the Rain, and the newly released stand alone novel, Ash to Steele. Her debut novel, Saving Rain: The First Novel in The Rain Trilogy, was a nominee for the Book Junkie’s Choice Awards, and Saving Rain and After the Rain were nominees for the 2014 RONE Awards.
When Karen-Anne isn’t writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, hiking, and visiting new places. She fuels her addiction of creating new stories by her only other addiction, caffeine, and listening to a myriad of musical genres. Tucked away near the Blue Ridge Mountains, Karen-Anne lives with her husband, daughter, two dogs, and their cat. She plans on writing new adult romance as long as her fingers maintain dexterity.

Visit her website at www.karen-annestewart.com.


Check out the trailer:



Giveaway Details:

Karen-Anne is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card & one Kindle copy of Ash to Steele!

Terms & Conditions:
  • By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
  • One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one $25 Amazon Gift Certificate or Paypal Cash and one copy of Ash to Steele delivered by the Kindle store.
  • This giveaway begins July 7 and ends on September 26.
  • Winner will be contacted via email on Monday, September 29.
  • Winner has 48 hours to reply.

Good luck everyone!
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Monday, August 11, 2014

Cover Reveal: Catching a Man by Elizabeth Corrigan

Welcome to The Wormhole and my stop on the cover reveal tour.

Catching a Man
Valeriel Investigations
Book 1
Elizabeth Corrigan

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Elizabeth Corrigan

Date of Publication: November 2014

Word Count: 68,000

Cover Artist: Streetlight Graphics

Book Description:

Kadin Stone's life is finally going according to plan. She's starting her new job as a homicide detective's aide at one of the premier criminal investigation companies in Valeriel City, the capital of a 1950’s-style kingdom. Kadin is certain her new position will introduce her to any number of eligible men, so she'll finally be able to get married and stop burdening the brother who insists on supporting her.

On Kadin’s first day, the royal family calls in her team to investigate the murder of gossip-rag cover girl Queen Callista. Kadin’s superiors think it’s an open and shut case. The queen’s jilted lover Duke Baurus DeValeriel had motive, means, and opportunity, but Kadin can’t help but spot holes in their theory.

After checking into a few leads of her own, Kadin inadvertently ends up in the confidence of Duke Baurus. When she tries to share what she knows with the rest of the team, she finds them unwilling to listen to the opinion of a girl who they know is only after a ring on her finger. In order to see justice served, Kadin finds herself doing the last thing she expected when she started working for a homicide detective—solve a murder!

About the Author:

Elizabeth Corrigan has degrees in English and psychology and has spent several years working as a data analyst in various branches of the healthcare industry. When she’s not hard at work on her next novel, Elizabeth enjoys singing, reading teen vampire novels, and playing RPGs as medieval versions of her characters. She once made herself a birthday cake with five layers and two different kinds of chocolate frosting and is pathologically afraid of bees. She lives in Maryland with two cats and a purple Smart Car.




Twitter: @ercorrigan

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Thursday, August 7, 2014

Release Day Blitz: Sleeping Beauty and the Demon by Marina Myles

This virtual book tour is presented by Bewitching Book Tours.
Click HERE for more tour information.

Welcome to The Wormhole and my stop on the blitz.
It is my pleasure to feature Marina Myles and her newest book, Sleeping Beauty and the Demon.

Sleeping Beauty and the Demon
The Cursed Princes
Book 4
Marina Myles

Genre: Historical/paranormal romance
Publisher: eKensington
Date of Publication:  August 7, 2014
ISBN: 9781601832818
ASIN:B00IUPCLWW
Word Count: 75,000

Book Description:
Sleight Of Hand

Dragomir Starkov poses as an illusionist, a showman performing tricks, his Romanian accent and dark good looks all just a part of the drama. That’s how Rose Carlisle first sees him. She’s a respectable girl—she wouldn’t accept witchy birthday gifts from a demon.

But the hustle and bustle of 1912 New York City offers plenty of ways to slip around the strict old rules of propriety. A good thing, too, because once Rose meets Drago, she no longer cares about being respectable.

But the only illusion in Drago’s act is that his magic is smoke and mirrors. Every word of power he speaks is as real as Rose before him, in thrall to his lust and adoration. Drago knows about Rose’s curse, that she will die on her next birthday.

But the shadowy threat that stalks her hasn’t won her yet. If she can trust him, perhaps he can save her too…

Available at Amazon    BN    Kobo   iTunes  Google Play Books


About the Author:
Marina Myles’s love of books began as soon as she read her first fairy tale. During her college days, she received degrees in English Literature and Communications—and enjoyed the unique experience of being a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader.

Now that she lives under the sunny skies of Arizona, she hasn’t left her glamorous life behind completely. After all, she gets to divide her time between her loving family, her loyal Maltese, and worlds filled with fiery—but not easily attained—love affairs.

Visit her at www.marinamyles.comwww.facebook.com/marinamylesauthor 
www.twitter.com/#!/marinaauthor a Rafflecopter giveaway
CHAPTER ONE

New York City
1912

A torrential downpour bounced off the sloping roof of the Sunshine Theater. Inside the auditorium, an eager audience sat riveted by Dragomir Starkov’s onstage presence.
Dressed in black, he moved with confidence. With his hair slicked back from a widow’s peak and his eyes drawing the crowd into his mirage, he spoke in a heavy, Romanian accent. “Ladies and gentlemen, I will now attempt something few magicians dare. I will bring a creature back to life.”
Turning to the rear of the stage, he hid his hands from view. When he faced the audience again, he presented the body of what appeared to be a dead kitten. The small animal hung limply across his open palm. Murmuring a low chant, he waved it from one side of the stage to the other.  Then, with a flick of his white-gloved fingers, he urged the kitten back to life.
The small cat sat up erect and blinked in astonishment. As it let out a satisfied “meow,” it sprang to the floor.
The audience clapped wildly. In turn, Drago stepped forward. That’s when he spotted the woman he had willed to come to tonight’s show.
With an abundance of flaxen hair that swayed from a ponytail like wheat in a summer breeze, and a flawless complexion that glowed against the stage’s low-lying gaslights, the young woman’s beauty imprisoned Drago like a padlock. In the sparkle of her violet eyes he saw something amazing—a unique essence of goodness that compelled him as he often compelled
others.
She’s even more beautiful than she was in my vision.
The girl flashed him a smile—and when it illuminated his world of darkness like a bright spotlight, the need to protect and possess her rose within him. But it didn’t matter how he felt. He was here to banish a cruel curse cast upon her when she was a baby. And if he wanted to weave his unique spell around her, he needed to hypnotize her now.
A hush fell over the theater. Clasping his hands behind his back, Drago paced the stage like a caged animal. “For my next trick, I need a female volunteer from the audience.”
Numerous hands went up. He ignored them. Once he unlaced his dark cape, he threw it into the wings. “I need a very special participant for this mystifying trick.”
Pressing his forefinger to his temple, he pretended to use his powers of telepathy. Just then, the beautiful blond girl left her seat, accompanied by her dark-haired friend. They scurried to the theater’s center aisle, apparently adverse to the thought of being called on to volunteer.
“You there!” Drago thundered.
 The duo froze in their tracks and wheeled around.
Pulling on her thick, blond ponytail, Rose—her name popped into Drago’s head suddenly—blushed.
“You, my dear.” He galloped halfway down the staircase at the side of the stage and extended his hand.
“Go on, Rose!” her friend encouraged. Drago was right about her name.
Rose smoothed her gingham dress. She joined him on the shadowed staircase, then took his hand. As Drago grasped it, an alarming chill raced up his spine. And when her pink lips spread into another shy smile, he found himself completely enchanted.
Leading her to center stage he said, “Please tell the audience your name, Miss.”
“It’s Rose Carlisle.”
“Have we ever met before, Rose?”
“No.”
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to tell the spectators how old you are.”
“I don’t know how you could guess that, but very well,” she replied in a sweet, clear voice.
He cleared his throat. “Today is your birthday, and you are twenty years old.” The number surfaced in his mind as surely as he knew his own birthday.
 Rose’s jaw dropped open. She nodded vigorously. “How did you know?” Her friend, who had returned to her seat in the front row, mirrored her stunned expression.
Drago felt his affinity for the doe-eyed beauty grow. Yet he urged himself to be careful—and to make her feel as comfortable with him as possible.
“It doesn’t take a magician to see that you’ve attended this show without your parents’ permission,” he said. “Is that right, Miss Carlisle?”
The crowd chuckled lightly at the joke. Rose looked stunned. “I haven’t seen my parents since I was a baby. But my adoptive parents don’t know I’m here.”
“I see,” Drago remarked lightheartedly. But when he saw Rose clutching her hands together nervously, he sensed her pain ran deep.
“Have you ever been a magician’s assistant?”
“No,” Rose replied. “In fact, this is my first magic show.”
“We’ll have to make it one you’ll never forget.”
When he reached for her small, velvet hand, it trembled inside his at the suggestion.
“Promise me you won’t be anxious,” he said. “I would never allow harm to come to you.”
She slid a glance his way—and they locked eyes for what felt like an eternity.
 “I’ll try not to be nervous,” she finally promised. “What do I have to do?”
 “Absolutely nothing. Just close your lovely eyes and remain in one spot.”
 Rose did as she was told. Drago took the opportunity to study her high cheekbones, dainty mouth, and hourglass figure. Though she was tall, her demeanor lent her a fragile air. She seemed to him a delicate, porcelain doll which could be broken easily if handled improperly.
 Frowning, he tried to concentrate on performing his illusion. While Rose kept her eyes closed, he massaged the air in front of him with his fingertips. As he murmured something inaudible, he willed Rose’s feet to rise slowly off the ground.
It appeared as if someone was pulling her legs out from under her. Eventually, her torso, limbs, and head reached a plane parallel to the stage and she was levitating in space.
The crowd gasped as Drago reached for a large silver hoop. He proceeded to pass the circle back and forth over Rose’s stiff body. When he twisted and turned it in every direction, the audience gasped. The trick, which had been performed only one time before, proved it had the power to intrigue.
“Are you doing all right, Rose?” Drago asked in a gentle voice.
She nodded. Her ponytail swung toward the wooden floor.
“Excellent.” Drago passed the silver hoop to his brunette assistant, Katherine. “Ladies and gentlemen, I have a confession to make. The second half of this trick is new even to me. However, it’s something I feel bold enough to try with Miss Carlisle’s help.”
Drago’s assistant cast him an angry look. He continued on anyway. “Katherine, would
you hand me that red silk drape?” he asked.
Clearly irritated, Katherine moved to the tiny prop table in the corner. Once she passed a large cloth to Drago, he unfolded it and draped it over the length of Rose’s levitating body.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he said in a low tone. “Making a woman levitate in midair is one thing. But what if I made her …disappear?”
He whipped off the red drape and exposed nothing but air. Men in pinstriped suits leapt to their feet and women touched their hats in astonishment.
When the audience’s enthusiastic clapping subsided, Drago removed his gloves. “Now
I’ll make our lovely Rose reappear. Just… like… that.”
 Snapping his fingers loudly, he moved to a cabinet in the middle of the stage. He opened the cabinet’s door with an exaggerated gesture and there stood a pale-faced Rose. Grinning, Drago took her hand and helped her out. Together they walked to the front of the stage and were greeted with thunderous applause.
As he took one step away from Rose, Drago bowed to her as well. Her cheeks regained their color—and she looked at him as if he were the most wonderful man in the world.
 Although leaving her was the last thing he desired to do, he had no choice.  Drago came closer to her and pressed something into her hand. Then he mouthed the haunting words, “Wear this and come back to me.”


           Rose’s hand closed around the item the handsome magician had placed in her palm. The curtain closed with a dramatic whoosh—and as she stumbled up the aisle, she unfurled her hand and stared at the object. It was a beautiful amulet that bore a silver chain and mysterious Egyptian engravings.

Monday, August 4, 2014

Blog Tour: The Jones Men by Vern E. Smith

This virtual book tour is presented by Partners in Crime Book Tours.
Click HERE for more tour information.

Book Details:


Genre: Crime
Published by: Rosarium Publishing
Publication Date: May 2014
Number of Pages: 264
ISBN: 978-0989141185
Purchase Links:   

Synopsis:

DETROIT, 1974
To become the King, you have to take the crown. It won't be given up lightly. Heroin kingpin, Willis McDaniel, has been wearing that particular piece of jewelry for far too long, and youngblood, Lennie Jack, thinks it would look really good on his head. When a junkie tells Jack about a big delivery, the young Vietnam vet makes his move. Feeling his empire crumble, McDaniel puts the word out to find whoever's responsible. The hunt is on, the battle is engaged, and the streets of Detroit run red with blood.
In 1974 Vern E. Smith took the crime fiction world by storm with his debut novel, The Jones Men. Heralded as "a large accomplishment in the art of fiction" by the New York Times, The Jones Men went on to be nominated for an Edgar Award and became a New York Times Notable Book. The art of crime fiction has never been the same since.

Author Bio:

A native of Natchez, Miss., Smith is a graduate of San Francisco State University, and the Summer Program for Minority Journalists at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. He began his journalism career as a reporter for the Long Beach, Calif. Independent Press-Telegram.
From 1979 until 2002, Smith served as the Atlanta Bureau Chief and as a national correspondent for Newsweek.
Vern Smith's work as a journalist, author and screenwriter spans four decades.

Catch Up With the Author:   

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