Blog Tour: Awaking by Madeline Freeman (multiple giveaways!)

This virtual book tour is presented by Bewitching Book Tours.

You can see the entire tour schedule by clicking HERE.

You can enter to WIN an ecopy by filling out the form below and

also enter to WIN a print version by filling out the second form!

Welcome to The Wormhole and my day on the tour!

Featuring an interview with author Madeline Freeman!

Author Bio:

Madeline Freeman lives in the metro-Detroit area with her husband, her cats, her sister, and her sister’s cat. In her spare time, she reads, sews, rides her bike, and watches way too much TV on DVD.

She also loves anything to do with astronomy, outer space, plate tectonics, and dinosaurs. This is her first published novel.

 Connect with Madeline online:

http://www.madelinefreeman.net

http://twitter.com/laurealinde

http://facebook.com/madelinefreemanbooks

? When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

In a way, I think I’ve always know I was destined to be a writer. One of my earliest memories is of me walking into my bedroom and hearing my mom call something after me. In my mind, I tagged, “mom said,” at the end of her comment. In the fifth grade, I was writing short stories for fun. In middle school, I carried around teal notebooks and wrote longer stories and passed them around to friends. In fact, I started something of a trend among my friends on year, and many of them started writing stories.

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

Real jobs, or jobs just to work? I had a couple of retail jobs (Gadzooks, Borders) before I finished college. Currently, I’m a high school English teacher.

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

Depends on the book! I wrote the first draft of the book that was to become Awaking back in 2002 when I was still in college. Then I didn’t really do much with it for years. When I did come back to it (and completely reimagine it), I only wrote the first couple of chapters. When I finally decided that I was going to finish this book, it took me about three months.

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

I try to put inside jokes and references into my books. I try to make oblique mentions to things I enjoy. I guess these things are more for me (and maybe some of my friends) than it is for anyone else, but it amuses me.

? Do you have a routine that you use to get into the right frame of mind to write?

I love writing in my comfy rolling chair in my office. I have a wireless keyboard that I usually have on my lap so I can prop my legs up while I type. I work especially well when my cat, Fat Baby, is snoozing on the desk beside me.

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

It depends on the story. If the story comes first, then I fill in characters that would fit best in that story. If, as in the case of Awaking, the character comes first (Morgan appeared very clearly to me), then I try to come up with other characters that will complement the first character. Sometimes characters will take on the physical appearance of a person I’ve met. Sometimes characters will share characteristics with people I know. But a character is never a carbon copy of a real person.

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

I don’t know if I decide so much as I go with what moves me. I have dozens of first pages of stories or sketchy outlines, but most of them will probably never progress very far. I write the story that is begging to come out.

? What books have most influenced your life?

When I was younger, Just as Long as We’re Together by Judy Blume was influential. I liked how real the story was, how genuine the characters were. I don’t know if there are many books that have really influenced my life, but there are certainly ones that have influenced my style. When I read books by J.K. Rowling or Libba Bray, I’m inspired to write.

? What is the first book you remember reading by yourself?

I have a clear memory of going to the school library in first grade and picking out a Ramona book by Beverly Cleary. When I got back to class, I looked around and noticed that most, if not all, the other kids had thin picture books. I remember being pretty impressed with myself in that moment. I know it wasn’t the first book I read on my own, but it’s the memory that sticks out most.

? What are you reading right now? Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson and Three Girls and a Baby by Rachel Schurig.

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

I like snuggling with my cat, riding my bike, and watching TV on DVD (or on Netflix).

? What is your favorite comfort food?

Ooh… an excellent question. I enjoy mac and cheese, sure, but I think usually pizza is my go-to.

? What do you think makes a good story?

A good story requires excellent characters and a plot that isn’t ridiculously overdone. It also requires writing that is engrossing and that transports you into the world of the story.

? Who would you consider your favorite author and why?

I could go with Jo Rowling, but I think I lean a little more toward Libba Bray. There are other authors I enjoy, but the thing that I really like about Libba Bray is that she’s not one-note. The subjects of her books and the characters in them vary so much, but there’s a consistency in the way she tells a story. I enjoy her work.

? What book, if any, do you read over and over again?

Besides Harry Potter? The Crucible by Arthur Miller. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck.

  

Fun random questions: 

·        dogs or cats? Cats FOREVER!!

·        Coffee or tea? tea

·        Dark or milk chocolate? mile

·        Rocks or flowers? Depends on the rocks and flowers. If it’s lilacs, flowers all the way.

·        Night or day? Night—but only if I’m somewhere away from city lights and the sky is clear.

·        Favorite color? purple

·        Crayons or markers? markers

·        Pens or pencils? pencils

Now for the giveaways - here is the first form:



Here is the second form: 

Thanks for stopping by The Wormhole!

Happy Reading!

Review: No Cure for the Broken Hearted by Kenneth Rosenberg

No Cure for the Broken Hearted by Kenneth Rosenberg
**I received this book from the author - free of charge - in exchange for an HONEST review.


Amazon Product Description:
Katherine Spencer is an up-and-coming architect in New York City. Her professional life is on the fast-track. Her personal life is a shambles. Katherine compares every man she ever meets to Nick Bancroft, the billionaire’s son who broke her heart one summer long ago. Now, twelve years later he’s suddenly reappeared, asking her to design a house at the cove where they shared their first kiss. Is he looking for an architect, or something more? And should she forgive him?

My thoughts:
This book is wonderfully written!  Insightful and refreshing! A story of self discovery and the search for what is most important in life!
This is the first true romance that I can remember reading that the author was a man, where I opened the book knowing that the writer was a man and I wondered about perspective and voice.  I was impressed.  He has shown a fantastic grasp of the intricacies of the emotions of both men and women.  Kenneth Rosenberg has created characters that you can believe in.  He has cast them into a world where money is power (sound familiar?) and the wants and desires of some are disregarded.  
The characters are realistic and easy to invest yourself into. The relationships  portrayed are lifelike for the characters both when they are young and as they grow older.  
The story comes down to the choices between what you really want and what you are willing to fight for versus what is expected or desired by those in positions of power and wealth.
The characters drive the story and keep you turning the pages, but the story itself keeps you holding your breath and hoping.  
Of all the supporting characters, Byron stands out the most for me.  I think the friendship that he and Kate build is wonderful.  I was thrilled when he throws away "the napkin" (you'll have to read it for details!).  This action is him making what I believe to be one of the most powerful statements in the book; that he is no sell out and that honor and principles come before money!
I loved Kate, the beautiful and successful architect making it on her own.  Nick, what can you say about Nick...spoiled, rich, entitled, gorgeous, expecting.  Of course these are what you see on the outside.  On the inside they are both sad, unfulfilled, still hoping, still searching, still waiting.  Truly worth a read!  Don't miss out.

Blog Tour: Seers by Heather Frost

This blog tour is being presented by Cedar Fort Publishing.

Welcome to The Wormhole!

Please welcome the author of Seers, Heather Frost!!!

Heather Frost was born in Sandy, Utah, and raised in a small Northern Utah town. She is the second oldest of ten children, and she loves her family very much. She is currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in English. She has always been an avid reader, and reading and writing are among her most favorite things to do. She also enjoys playing the flute,  listening to all types of music, and watching a wide variety of movies. Ever since she wrote her first short story—at the age of four—she has dreamed of one day becoming an author. Seers is her first published novel. 

She has graciously offered the opportunity for us to get to know her a little better with this interview!

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

            Not really all that many. I still work as a writing tutor, I've done some freelance writing for websites, and I spent my teen years working as a babysitter. Those poor kids got subjected to all sorts of crazy stories! I think that's why my own siblings are so weird. (Love you guys!)

Do you have a routine that you use to get into the right frame of mind to write?

            First, I have to check my email. It seems unrelated, but it's almost like I need to know the outside world still exists before I start writing again. I have to pick out appropriate music that will help get me into the proper mindset of the story, and then I have to go back and read the last couple pages I wrote. If I skip any of those steps, I end up spending most of my time staring at a blank screen.

How do you decide what you want to write about?

            I like to play the “what if” game when I'm bored. I'm always wondering what could have happened in a story, and I go where my imagination takes me. Something like memory loss will intrigue me, and so I start brainstorming about the possibilities. Who, what, where, when, why, and how each come into play, and soon enough I might even have a character in mind. That's how my book “Seers” came about, but instead of memory loss it was immortality and the afterlife.

What is the first book you remember reading by yourself?

            Good Night Moon. I guess I got sick of waiting for my favorite bedtime story, so I read it on my own.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

            I love to spend time with my family, and my friends. I love playing board games, taking long walks, and I must confess I spend a lot of time watching movies. And, of course, reading. Lots of reading.

What is your favorite comfort food?

            Ice cream. I eat way too much of the stuff.

What do you think makes a good story?

            The best stories, to me, are the ones with real characters. I also love getting surprised, and the world needs to be engaging. I have to be interested by the setting, and it's got to be believable.

What book, if any do you read over and over again?

            “The Scarlet Pimpernel” by Baroness Orczy. I LOVE Percy Blakeney, and the story is just so brilliantly written. I have no idea how many times I've read it now, but I can hazard a guess—a lot. 

Dark or milk chocolate?

            Milk!

Crayons or markers?

            Crayons, definitely.

Pens of pencils?

            Pens. I love ink, even if an eraser would come in handy.

Rocks or flowers?

            I love rocks—But I wouldn't want a bouquet of them. The perfect flower would look like a daisy, grow as easily as a weed, and smell like lilacs. I've put some thought into this.

Favorite color?

            Green.

Thanks for stopping by ~ Happy Reading!

Blog Tour: Betrayed by Ednah Walters (Giveaway too!)

This blog tour is presented by The Bookish Snob Tours. 

You can see the entire blog tour schedule by clicking HERE.

Welcome to The Wormhole and my day on the tour.

Today please welcome Ednah Walters and

an excerpt from Betrayed.

Excerpt 04-Lil and Bran’s Tender Moment

I gasped when Bran scooped me up in one clean swoop, one arm behind me and the other under my knees. “What are you doing?”

“Distracting you.” He sat on my chair and settled me on his lap. “When are you going to be done?”

“Soon.”

Bran peered over my shoulder as I typed, his warm breath brushing the side of my face. Mmm. Minty. I wanted to turn my head and kiss him, but I knew I wouldn’t want to stop and I needed to finish my homework. His energy caressed mine and I caught my breath. It was so hard to resist him, especially when I knew how badly he wanted to kiss me.

“I can type faster than that,” he whispered.

“Show off.”

“Just stating a fact. You can link with me and tell me what to write. Oops, spelling error there,” he teased.

I ignored him, finished the last sentence, and clicked save. Scrolling to the top of the page, I reviewed the finished report.

“Hmm, the opening paragraph is pretty good,” he said, lifting hair from my nape to plant a kiss there.

The snappy retort I planned died when I looked at him over my shoulder. His wolfish smile dared me to seize the moment. I wanted to send him away until I completed my work, but his smoldering emerald eyes kept me rooted. Turning slightly, I leaned forward to taste his lips.

He took over, forking his fingers through my hair to grip the back of my head. Homework ceased to matter. Worries about the mediums flew out the window and into the cold night. His energy and scent wrapped around me like a cocoon. I wound my arms around his neck and savored the taste of him, the feel of him.

One second we were trying to be as close as physically possible with our clothes on, the next my back connected with the soft cover of my duvet. He’d teleported us to bed.

I giggled, tugging him down. Our legs and arms tangled, lips dueled. We rolled across the bed then fell off, landing on the carpeted floor with a thud. I squealed and started to laugh, but one look at Bran and my laughter died a quick death.

He rolled back to his knees. Fire burned in his eyes. My floral yellow pajama bottoms and tank top, the navy blue robe and matching fuzzy slippers were nothing to brag about, yet the look in his eyes said I was the sexiest girl he’d ever seen.

Kiss me, I telepathed him.

Always impatient. He ran a finger down my neck and paused at the neckline of my pajama top.

My breath stalled, heart pounding with excitement. Knowing exactly how he felt about me, what he wished we could be doing drove me more than a little crazy. Despite the promise he made Grampa, I wanted to fly with him and visit unknown territories. Maybe the meeting at HQ spooked him or something, but his thoughts matched mine.

Everything else became blurred as I focused on Bran’s gorgeous face. I wrapped my fingers through his, loving the feel of his large hands against my slender ones, loving the way his needs mingled with mine. My nerves wound tighter than a finely tuned musical instrument. One strum by his long beautiful fingers and I swear I would sing an aria.

My eyes widened when pain shot from him and slammed into me. He appeared to fold into himself.

*Quick Bio:

I grew up reading Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mysteries before I graduated to Mills & Boons (starting with Janet Daily's Shutter the Sky). 

I enjoy good love stories, tingly mysteries and wondrous adventures. When I finished college and decided to be a stay-at-home mother, I devoured books like they were going out of production, until reading just wasn't enough. So I decided to teach myself to write fiction. 

I've written picture books, contemporary and romantic suspense, biracial/multicultural books, and finally YA fantasy. Most of them are still taking up RAM on my computer. Awakened is the first book in The Guardian Legacy series. It was released in September 2011 with rave reviews. Betrayed (book 2 in the series) was released August 1^st 2011. Hunted, book 3 in the series, is due out in March.

When I'm not knee deep in battles between Guardians and demons, I write adult contemporary romance (the Fitzgerald family series), sassy, stubborn and gutsy women anyone can identify with and men anyone would be proud to claim. When not writing, I do things with my family, five children or my darling husband of 19 years. I live in a picturesque valley in Utah, the setting for my YA series.

The next stop on the blog tour: Sept 19 – Young Readers At Home

You can buy your own copy HERE or HERE. 

You can enter to win a copy by filling the form below.

For another chance to enter to win:

Review: The Last Dragon by Jane Yolen

The Last Dragon by Jane Yolen

I got this book at NetGalley.

Marketing copy from NetGalley:
Master storyteller Jane Yolen (Owl Moon, Sword of the Rightful King) and celebrated fantasy artist Rebecca Guay (Swamp Thing, Magic: The Gathering) weave a textured and lyrical tale of adventure, homelands, and heroism the hard way.

Two hundred years ago, humans drove the dragons from the islands of May. Now, the last of the dragons rises to wreak havoc anew-with only a healer's daughter and a kite-flying would-be hero standing in its way.

* A compelling coming-of-age fantasy with exquisite fully painted art!    


My thoughts:
The art in this book is phenomenal!  Even the font has been chosen carefully to lend it's artistic edge.  I can't wait until this book is in print so I can buy it!  I was drawn in by the incredible cover and was hooked with the phrase:  "Or so the humans believed."
Love her work and continue to be impressed!  Strong characters - wonderful world.  Well worth the read!

Review: A Deadly Whisper and Whispers of Evil - both by Stacey Kennedy

The Watchers: Book One: A Deadly Whisper by Stacey Kennedy

Goodreads description:
Will destiny be enough to break her free of a lifetime of secrets?

Knox, the Seeker, has waited two hundred years for his Watcher and now he's found her. Paxtyn, however, is unwilling to join him. The more he tries to prove himself to her, the more she pushes him away.

Paxtyn has spent a lifetime keeping her secret hidden from the world, but now, she must confront these deadly visions head on. When a string of murders brings her into New Orleans, she must come to terms with her personal demons and use her gift to communicate with spirits to discover who has ended their lives.

The Watchers: Book Two: Whisper of Evil by Stacey Kennedy


Goodreads description:
Nayeli has been locked away, hidden from the world in a mental institution, all due to the whispers of evil which have corrupted her mind. Unbeknownst to her, the voices that have plagued her are a gift given to only one kind―Watchers.

Griffin, her Seeker, is about to break this cage of imprisonment woven around her and give her a new chance at life. But when a demon leaves the confines of Hell to create havoc in Louisiana, will his love for Nayeli free her wounded heart, or will she succumb to the whispers which threaten to steal her soul?
 *WARNING: Explicit sex between a timid Watcher and a gorgeous Seeker, and a ceremony that will certainly raise eyebrows!


My thoughts:
Wow!  I was excited to read these two books because I had already read A Warrior's Witch by Stacey Kennedy and completely fell in love with her characters and her writing style, and I was once again totally impressed!
In this series she has created phenomenal  characters and has given them a fantastic, well developed plot with a fresh twist on the demon hunter.  Her female characters are strong, powerful, funny, passionate, driven to make the world a safer place, sexy, compassionate, and smart.  Her male characters are all those same things wrapped in a body to die for, with a sex drive that would make anyone blush, and looking for "the" woman destined to spend eternity with them.  Really, who could want more?  
Wonderfully written! Exciting to read! She has designed her characters to get under your skin and into your heart, the plot to be heart-stopping and thrilling, combined to leave you unwilling to put the book down until you know that the end is what you are hoping for.


In book one, we see Paxtyn and Knox as the main characters.  They are destined to be soul mates and their very lives hinge on one another's existence, but they just can't seem to get it right.  It was a laugh out loud, cry for them, emotional rollercoaster from the start.  Knox is a Seeker and Paxtyn (unknowingly at first) is a Watcher.  Together with the rest of their team/family they hunt demons and attempt to keep mankind safe.  Paxtyn is strong willed, independent and not at all sure what Knox is all about.  Knox has been looking for his soul mate for an incredibly long time and is completely thrown for a loop when she doesn't seem excited about spending eternity with him.  It was fun to watch their struggle and the reactions of the rest of the family, especially when everyone knows how they feel about each other except them.  Loads of hot, steamy sex to go along with some discoveries about themselves and each other.  


In book two, it is Griffin's turn to find his soul mate; but what he finds in her is a broken shell of a woman who has no true sense of self or self-worth.  Stacey Kennedy has once again written a fantastic tale, she is truly gifted!  This story is emotion on a stick!  Nayeli is an amazing woman; raised with the belief that she was crazy and institutionalized since childhood, Nayeli finds herself in a family who loves and cherishes her while valuing her for her abilities.  She has no idea how to cope with any of it after spending the majority of her life believing that she was of no value.  This book is more than just the story of a group of super demon hunters and the battle of good versus evil, it is the story of one woman's search to find worth and one man's struggle to help her.  I found my heart going out to both Nayeli and Griffin while they forged ahead to conquer not only the demon set on having Nayeli, but to conquer Nayeli's fears and issues before more people die.  Not for the weak or sexually sensitive - graphic deaths and hot, hot, hot steamy romance!


****Fantastic author - Don't miss out on anything that she has written!