Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Review: The Willows: Haven by Hope Collier

The Willows: Haven by Hope Collier

***I received this (digital copy) book in exchange for an honest review and participation in the blog tour.

Goodreads description:
When tragedy strikes, seventeen year-old Ashton Blake sets out on a cross-country road trip, leaving the comforts of Malibu for the mountains of Kentucky. Along the way, she encounters Gabe Willoughby—the mysterious drifter with eyes like the sea and a knowing smile. Getting to know Gabe raises questions about her past. But no secret can be buried forever, and Ashton soon finders herself in a world where water is air and myth becomes reality.

Just as Ashton comes to accept her newfound heritage, she’s summoned to fulfill a treaty laid down centuries before — a treaty that will divide her love and test her loyalty. In the end, her future isn’t her biggest concern, her humanity is. To run may mean war, but is she strong enough to stay?



My thoughts:
This was a marvelous read!  Sat down to read a couple pages and then suddenly the book was ending!  Read cover to cover in one sitting.
Fabulous characters!  
     Ashton - spoiled, selfish and rich.  She is forced to rethink a great many things about her family, her life and herself.  I was thrilled to watch as she grew tremendously throughout the course of the book.  With the insight of some of the other wonderfully created characters, she was able to make great strides in an attempt to be the person she decided she wanted to be.  
       Gabe - mysterious, confident, caring and of course perfect! He has a job to do - you must read the book to get more about that - and my heart went out to him as he struggled to do the "right" thing.  
     Kevin - (Ashton's boyfriend) - obviously entitled, wealthy, and not used to having things NOT go his way.  He is easy to dislike from the go.   
     Kyle - Ashton's best friend and Kevin's brother - he is the guy we all want to know!  
The rest of the supporting characters are all just as well made and easy to invest in.


There is a little bit of love triangle going on as well as a little bit of the "it's all about what you want because everyone loves you" kind of thing - but none of it is over the top!  I usually get unhappy about all the men in a book being willing to die for the main female character, but this is pretty well done and vital to the story as a whole.


Hope has created a world I haven't seen before.  Fantasy is my favorite genre and I was thrilled with her creative, original world building.


The plot is thick with mystery, secrets, and twists.  Who is really who and what they say they are was a phrase I found myself contemplating throughout the story.


This story is well written, smoothly paced, and action packed with a little adventure, a little romance, a little mystery, a little fear, and a bit of mythology all mixed together!  I can't wait for the sequel!

Read-a-thon Wrap up post!

Hosted by On a Book Bender Bout of Books read-a-thon has ended!
Here is what I read:
True Believer by Nicholas Sparks
Vampire Curse by S.J. Wright
Burden of Blood by Wenona Hulsey
The Raie Chaelia by Melisaa Douthit
Hidden by Blood by Laurie London
Picture Perfect by Deena Remiel
The Willows: Haven by Hope Collier

Coming soon....from Ami Blackwelder!

Paranormal and SciFi Author Ami Blackwelder will have new books out soon! 
The Invasion of 2020, the first book in the Shifter Evolutions series is scheduled to be released Sept 1st 2011, (Books 1-5 are out now) The Invasion of 2020 is the prequel to Shifters of 2040. The Shifter Evolutions begins with the middle book, The Shifters of 2040, and gives the reader the choice for the past or future. This release of the first book in the series, The Invasion of 2020, will allow readers to engage the series chronologically also.  Readers will enjoying finding out more about Uri Petrov and Dr. Samantha Croon as they discover what exactly brought the shifters to Earth and what sparked human fears. Who was the young Marn and young Raul and what molded them into who they became?
Ami Blackwelder is a forbidden romance writer in the paranormal and historical romance genre. Growing up in Florida, she went to UCf and in 1997 received her BA in English and teaching credentials. She travelled overseas to teach in Thailand, Nepal, Tibet, China and Korea. Thailand is considered her second home now. She has always loved writing and wrote poems and short stores since childhood; however, her novels began when she was in Thailand.

Having won the Best Fiction Award from the University of Central Florida (Yes, The Blair Witch Project University;), her fiction From Joy We Come, Unto Joy We Return was published in the on campus literary magazine: Cypress Dome and remains to this day in University libraries around the country. Later, she achieved the Semi-Finals in a Laurel Hemingway contest and published a few poems in the Thailand’s Expat magazine, and an article in the Thailand’s People newspaper. Additionally, she has published poetry in the Korea’s AIM magazine, the American Poetic Monthly magazine and Twisted Dreams Magazine.
Find out more about her and her books at http://amiblackwelder.blogspot.com 
You can read my review of  Shifters 2040 if you click HERE.

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Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Blog Tour: Picture Perfect by Deena Remiel (Giveaway too!)

This blog tour is presented by The Bookish Snob Tours.
You can get to the entire tour schedule by clicking HERE.
You can get to my review by clicking HERE.
Welcome to The Wormhole and my day on the tour!
I am pleased to present  Deena Remiel!

It was the mystique of Arizona’s history and landscape that called to Deena and catapulted her career as an author. When she’s not writing novels and poetry in the wee, small hours of the morning or in the deep, dark of night, Deena teaches language arts to middle school students. She currently lives in Gilbert with her husband and two children, but New Jersey will always tug at her heartstrings.

Now - on to the interview:
? When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve always loved writing, but the first time I realized I wanted to do this as a career was a few years ago. I’d submitted a poem to a greeting card company. While waiting to hear, a story came to me, and when I sat in front of the computer to write it, I just knew this was what I had to do the rest of my life.
? How many jobs did you have before you became a writer?
I’ve had two jobs. One put me through graduate school to become a teacher. I was a fishmonger! Yup. I worked at a fish market. It was so much hard work and fun. I always reflect fondly on that time. Then I became an educator and have been so for over 20 years, teaching reading  and writing.
? How long does it take you to write a book?
It really depends on what’s pulling me at the time. I wrote Trinity and Relic in 6 months a piece. But my third novel, Elixxir is taking much longer because of the time I spend promoting the first two novels. I’ve also written a couple of shorts, so that took time away.
? What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
I must have peanut M&M’s next to me while I write. I don’t know what it is, but those are essential to my writing well-being. J
? Do you have a routine that you use to get into the right frame of mind to write?
Yes, I get my chocolate and drink ready. I go hide in my office. It must be quiet. I can’t write fiction with noise or music around me. Then, I close my eyes and let the movie in my mind begin. What I see I write down.
? Where do you get your ideas or inspiration for your characters?
Sometimes my characters’ traits are based on real life people I know. Other times, their appearance and personality speak for themselves and I have no choice but to listen.
? How do you decide what you want to write about?
Stories just come to me, and I prioritize which to write first. I consider my editing schedule and the timeline from writing to hearing back on a submission.
? What books have most influenced your life?
The Tao of Piglet, The Te of Poo, The Great Good Thing, Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
? What is the first book you remember reading by yourself?
Ohh, that would have been a LONG time ago. I’m thinking Frog and Toad? Or Dick and Jane?
? What are you reading right now?
I’m just about to start Wet Dream by Jm Madden. I just finished Tempting the Cowboy by Clarissa Yip. I love supporting my fellow Decadent Publishing authors.
? What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I love photography, scrapbooking, listening to music, and watching musicals.
? What is your favorite comfort food?
Chicken soup and matzo balls, OR grilled cheese and tomato soup, OR soft pretzels with mustard.
? What do you think makes a good story?
Strong characters with flaws, intriguing plotline with twists, and lots of romance!
? Who would you consider your favorite author and why?
Sherrilyn Kenyon is a favorite author because I consider her the master of world-building.
? What book, if any, do you read over and over again?
I read Nora Roberts’ Born in Ice. I just find a connection to her female lead and adore the ending.

Fun random questions: 
  • dogs or cats? Dogs
  • Coffee or tea? Coffee
  • Dark or milk chocolate? Milk chocolate
  • Rocks or flowers? Rocks
  • Night or day? Night
  • Favorite color? Orange
  • Crayons or markers? Crayons
  • Pens or pencils? Pens
The last stop on the blog tour is: Aug 31 – Deena Remiels' Site
You can buy your own copy by clicking HERE or HERE.
You can enter to win a copy by filling out this form:
Thanks for stopping by The Wormhole!
Happy Reading!

Monday, August 29, 2011

Review: Picture Perfect by Deena Remiel

Picture Perfect by Deena Remiel


*I received this book (digital copy) in exchange for an honest review and participation in the blog tour.  The blog tour is being hosted by The Bookish Snob Tours.


Amazon Product Description:
Jamie has it all, looks, brains, and a charming personality. But in this romance cover model’s world, those blessings become a curse when a colleague blurs the line between reality and fantasy. Will women only see him for his looks and never look below the surface to the man beneath? Hope had a dream job, working with sexy, hot photographs, turning authors’ dreams into reality. When laid off from her publisher as a cover artist she must find her namesake in life again…some kind of hope for her future. Can a birthday wish give her what she truly desires? They say be careful what you wish for. Destiny seems to bring Jamie and Hope what they need, each other. But a dangerous obstacle stands in their way as obsession turns deadly. Can Jamie trust in Hope’s grounded nature? Is Hope strong enough to live in Jamie’s world? Or will reality intrude on their fantasy of being together?
My thoughts:
This is a whirlwind romance!  Picture Perfect is a short story, only 72 pages, so a lot happens fast!  This action packed love story features romance, danger, a bit of steamy sex and characters that are "picture perfect." Jamie (James) the Adonis  male romance book cover model who has it all from gorgeous hair and a sex god body to a sweet down-home boy attitude about love and the woman of his dreams.  Then there is Hope.  Who miraculously is a romance cover artist.  She too is looking for "the one" and is open, understanding and everything Jamie has always looked for in a partner.  They meet and it's kismet!  In a matter of hours they find they have much in common besides their desire to find true love.  Of course it can't all be perfect...enter the stalker "I wanna be your everything" female model who turns to making their lives as not perfect as possible.  
I enjoyed the story, although I found that it all moved a little too fast from where they meet on the beach to where they are soulmates, but as I said it's a short story and had to move quickly.  I would have loved for the story to have been fleshed out a bit more.  I felt that the characters were created well enough that they warranted more.  The storyline is solid and the stalker woman was obsessive and creepy.  I look forward to more books by Deena Remiel.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Winners!

Congratulations to these Winners!
Accused by Kate Kaynak - - Fairy Penguin!
Silver Moon by Stacey Thompson-Geer - - Christine Davis!
The winners will be notified by email and the books sent out this week!
Thanks to all who entered!


Blog Tour: Burden of Blood by Wenona Hulsey (Giveaway too!)

This blog tour is presented by The Bookish Snob Tours.
You can get to the entire tour schedule by clicking HERE.
You can get to my review by clicking HERE.
Welcome to The Wormhole and my day on the tour!
Please welcome Wenona Hulsey and an excertp from her book for your reading pleasure!
No one wants to know everyone’s darkest secrets, especially not police officer, Nicole Keenan. All she wants is a blissfully normal life in the small, Alabama town where she was born. But as generations of power running through her veins start to wake up, an ancient grudge is ignited that threatens to push her over the edge. She can hardly believe in what she is, let alone that a dark force will not stop until she's joins them. Or is dead.

Nicole Keenan's life enters into a dangerous dance with warriors and gothic fairies. Southern tradition collides with Irish folklore as she learns about love, heartbreak, and The Burden of Blood.



Author Wenona Hulsey spends her time scaling roof tops, kicking bad guy tail and rescuing small kittens from tree tops.  But during the time when she isn’t asleep, she’s a mother of two beautiful children and fiancé to the man of her dreams.  She lives vicariously through great books and creates magical worlds in her spare time.  She is also an avid social networker, who loves to meet new people.  You can friend her on Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/WenonaHulsey, like her on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/WenonaHulseyAuthor or follow along on her Blog http://wenonahulsey.blogspot.com/.


The next stop on the tour: Aug 29 – Paranormal Opinion 
You can buy a copy of this great book Here and Here.
Check out one more chance to win below:
Thanks for stopping by The Wormhole!
Happy Reading!

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Review: Burden of Blood by Wenona Hulsey

Burden of Blood by Wenona Hulsey


*I received this book (digital copy) in exchange for an honest review and participation in the blog tour.  The blog tour is being hosted by The Bookish Snob Tours.


Amazon Product Description:
No one wants to know everyone’s darkest secrets, especially not police officer, Nicole Keenan. All she wants is a blissfully normal life in the small, Alabama town where she was born. But as generations of power running through her veins start to wake up, an ancient grudge is ignited that threatens to push her over the edge. She can hardly believe in what she is, let alone that a dark force will not stop until she's joins them. Or is dead.
Nicole Keenan's life enters into a dangerous dance with warriors and gothic fairies. Southern tradition collides with Irish folklore as she learns about love, heartbreak, and The Burden of Blood. 


My thoughts:
Wow!  This is one of those books where you wish that the characters were real people!  It would be amazing if we had police that could hear thoughts!  It would take the mystery out of deciding guilt.  It would be even more amazing if a man like Luke actually existed!
The characters are fantastic and for the most part drive the story.  Nicole is a great character.  Tough, seasoned cop with new found "super" powers that she has to not only learn to control, but learn to fight with - she becomes a force to be reckoned with.  I like the warrior/fae hybrid twist as well as the warrior/princess angle that the story takes.  Luke is (obviously) my favorite.  His character is just the right mix of bad boy meets angel.  I can't wait to see where the sequel takes Luke and Nicole.  The supporting characters are well done and vital to the story.
The book is set in today's world but has Nicole travel to the past in her dreams.  It is in these dreams that we learn about her grandmother, although this isn't where we learn who her grandmother really was.
There is a theme throughout the book of both sacrifice and family.  The characters are faced with loyalty, love and dedication but also of distrust, deception and secrets.  The story is filled with mystery and had me turning the pages faster and faster in an effort to find out what choices Nicole would make.  I found myself cheering for her, cursing her hardheadedness and hoping for her.  What would you be willing to do for those you love?
This is a fresh, new look at fae and magical powers.  I enjoyed the story very much.  It is well written, nicely paced, easy to read and truly entertaining.  I read the book in one sitting.  Be sure to give this one a read!!!

Friday, August 26, 2011

Blog Tour: The Raie'Chaelia by Melissa Douthit

Raie'Chaelia by Melissa Douthit

***I received this ebook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and participation in the blog tour!

You can see author information and the tour schedule HERE!

Amazon Story Summary:

When Chalice sets off for Branbury in the middle of the night with her grandfather's instructions, she has no idea of the dangers that await her. The King's men have destroyed her home village of Canton and she is suddenly thrown into a Terravailian world that she does not know. Lost and alone, she is hard pressed to evade the iron grasp of the madman that rules the land. With the help of a friendly Chinuk, an old man, and a book that she discovers along the way, not only does she find true love, but she also finds her true self and what it means to be the Raie'Chaelia.
My thoughts:
This is a beautifully written story.  The language is precise and descriptive.  The characters are wonderfully created and well-developed.  The story is filled with mystery, prophecy, and secrets.  This is an incredible adventure story!  The storyline and plot are complex and intriguing.  The story is fast-paced, but doesn't leave the reader behind.  The animals are fantastic.  Melissa Douthit must be a wordsmith!  She weaves the language in such a way that the reader is enthralled by the story.  This is original and unique in a world where sometimes stories can seem similar.  Her world building skills are incredible leaving us with fascinating scenes that come alive from the pages.  Her characters are the stuff a person wants to be made of: clever, brave, strong, honorable, driven, loyal, and loving.  
Throughout our lives, I believe we are all searching for something and it was refreshing to read this wonderful adventure in which the search is more than just the road and the prize is more than just the obvious.  I can't wait to read more!  

Blog Tour: Vampire's Curse by S.J. Wright (Giveaway too!)

This blog tour is presented by The Bookish Snob Tours.
You can get to the entire tour schedule by clicking HERE.
You can see my review by clicking HERE.
Welcome to The Wormhole and my day on the blog tour!
Please welcome S.J. Wright!
Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, at a time when children were still not required to use seatbelts in a vehicle, S.J. Wright grew up as the sixth of seven sisters.  She moved around a lot as a child, spent a good deal of her time reading books about horses, roller-skating (in an attempt to find Xanadu), and daydreaming about becoming a novelist.
She now lives in Little Elm, Texas with her husband, two sons, and one Jack Russell terrier that follows her around the house like a shadow.  She is the prime caregiver to her youngest son, who has spina bifida.  She loves horses (and swears one day she’ll actually get the guts to ride one again).
In February of 2011, she released her first paranormal suspense/romance novel called The Vampire’s Warden.  She plans to release a total of four books for the series.  S.J. (Stephanie) also loves hearing from her readers!  Be sure to check out her website at www.sjwrightbooks.com.
I am always curious about what makes writers tick and she was gracious enough to allow me an interview! So read on...
How many jobs did you have before you became a writer?
I love this question!  I’m forty years old and have done a lot of different kinds of jobs in the past.  I’ve probably had ten or eleven jobs before I became a writer.  The worst job I ever had was working in a plastics factory in South Bend, Indiana.  I had given birth to my first son six weeks before I was hired, and I was raising him by myself.  Getting up several times a night with a colicky infant and then going into a factory to work a twelve-hour shift is not a pleasant wy to pass the time.  But it did make me realize how responsible I could be.\

Do you have a routine that you use to get into the right frame of mind to write?
I wish I did have a routine.  One element that always helps me to get into the writing portion of this job is music.  Depending on what kind of scene I’m working on, music can really lift me up and move me forward into the story with a real sense of power.  While writing one of the fight scenes in The Vampire’s Curse, I was listening to “Fuel” by Metallica.  It totally gets the adrenaline going.

What are you reading right now? 
I just started reading The Traitor’s Wife by Susan Higginbotham.  It’s historical fiction set in the 1300’s in England.  I’m a freak for historical fiction but not strictly romances.  I’ve also begun reading more novels that document the U.S. during the Great Depression.  It’s fascinating to learn how different life was back then.

What is your favorite comfort food?
I love lime-seasoned nacho chips with southwestern ranch dip.  And if I have a book that I’m really into at that moment, I could stand at the kitchen counter and eat all day while I’m reading on my Kindle.  I try to avoid buying those chips very often.  Not a good habit to get into.  I’m also a fool for chocolate.


Random fun facts:
* Dark or milk chocolate? 
     I’ve developed a taste for dark chocolate rather recently.  Especially since that report came out that said the stuff is good for you.  Anybody who says chocolate is healthy deserves a medal, if you ask me!
* dogs or cats?  Dogs!  But cats do have their good qualities. 
Coffee or tea?  
Coffee in the morning with lots of cream.  Sometimes I drink iced tea in the afternoon if I’m all out of Diet Cherry Coke. 
And now . . . that giveaway!!!

The next stop on the blog tour is: Aug 27 – Adventures of a Cautionary Tale
You can buy her books at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.

Friday hopping and following fun!

The Friday Book Blogger Hop is presented weekly by Crazy For Books!
Follow my Book Blog Friday is presented by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read


So on Friday we all link up and hop around checking out everyone else's blogs!
I can't wait to see what everyone else is reading!
I have been trying to read like crazy and get all my reviews read and still get a few books off my TBR mountain - the mountain continues to grow not only because I am not getting enough of them read, but because I keep getting more and more books!
Enjoy the hop everyone and happy reading!
You can get to this weeks Follow My Book Blog Friday by clicking HERE.
You can get to Crazy for Books by clicking HERE.  (I will update the link as soon as the Book Blogger Hop post is up and the linky is ready).

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Review: Vampire's Curse by S.J. Wright

Vampire's Curse (The Undead in Brown County #2) by S.J. Wright

***I received this book (digital copy) in exchange for an honest review and participation in the blog tour.  The blog tour is being hosted by The Bookish Snob Tours.

Click HERE to read my review of The Vampire's Warden (The Undead in Brown County #1) by S.J. Wright.

Amazon Product Description:
Still reeling from the vampire battle that left her friend Alex as one of the undead, Sarah has to deal with the guilt of allowing him to be turned. She also has to face the one person she never thought she would lay eyes on again.
My thoughts:
Once again S.J. Wright brings us a fast, compelling read.  I enjoyed learning more about Sarah and the story of who she is and how she became that person.  I loved Michael in the first book, and continue to love him in this one.  He is my favorite character and my heart bled for him when he feels betrayed and lost.  I was torn between loving Alex and hating Alex - I guess that was the author's plan.  I was thrilled with the supporting characters and the roles they played in this book.  Katie gets a bit of page time in the beginning...but watch out for the end!!!  Once again we are left at the edge with the ending.  
     I will be on that edge awaiting book 3.  
I felt that this book was a bit more fleshed out than book one, but still got the impression that we could have used more information in a few places.  
     I truly enjoyed the story and am going with the belief that more will be revealed in the next installment of the Undead in Brown County series.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Happy Release Day! Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent


I LOVE Rachel Vincent's stories!!! Now that you know that - here is the next news tidbit...


Today’s the official Blood Bound release day!
(wait - my doorbell just rang...)
Hurray!!!!! I just left my UPS guy in shock!  I was sitting here typing this when (as you see above) the doorbell rang - so when I see him with a book box from Amazon - I squealed!  He thinks I have lost it!  But.....guess what was in my box?????
Blood Bound
I had preordered it as soon as a person could!  Totally excited!
(I have every intention of entering to win a signed one too though - If I win - someone will get this one in a giveaway!)
Can't wait.... buy yours HERE or try to win one HERE!

Now - even though I know you already know about this book - here is the blurb and the rockin' great video teaser for your reading and viewing pleasure!  

Official Book Blurb: By blood, by word, by magic…
Most can’t touch the power. But Liv Warren is special— a paranormal tracker who follows the scent of blood.
Liv makes her own rules, and the most important one is trust no one.
But when her friend’s daughter goes missing, Liv has no choice but to find the girl. Thanks to a childhood oath, Liv can’t rest until the child is home safe. But that means trusting Cam Caballero, the former lover forbidden to her.
Bound by oath and lost in desire for a man she cannot have, Liv is racing to save the child from a dark criminal underworld where secrets, lies, trauma and danger lurk around every corner…every touch…every kiss.
And more blood will be spilled before it’s over…

Here is the video teaser - soooooo makes you want to read it!


Monday, August 22, 2011

A HUGE Thank you for books I have received lately!!!!

I want to start with - "Sorry I am so bad at letting other bloggers know when I get books that have been sent to me.  You are all amazing and I should be more gracious.  For what it is worth, I am thrilled every single time I win a book!  I love when there is a package in my mailbox and I squee for each one."
What I am trying to say is:  THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!
If I have won a book from you and haven't posted it or sent you an email, please forgive me.
Here are some that I have gotten recently.
The Hot List by Hillary Homzie - won at Reading Lark
Hades (ARC) by Alexandra Adornetto - from publisher
Cipher by Moira Rogers - won on her blog
A Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep (signed!!!) - won at Words for Teens
Doodling by Jonathan Gould - won from Emily Muise
Thanks again!  If I have failed to contact you and you are wondering - please email me!

Blog Tour: Silver Moon by Stacey Thompson-Geer (giveaway!)

This virtual book tour is presented by Bewitching Book Tours.
You can get to the entire tour schedule by clicking HERE.
Welcome to The Wormhole and my day on the tour!
Please help me welcome Stacey Thompson-Geer!


Stacey is a wife and mother of three. She started writing in High School with horror short stories. One of her first is now published through the kindle - Silver Bullet. When she's not dreaming up her next story or novel, she can be found hanging out with her kids or reading one of her favorite authors. She is also an avid Facebooker and Twitter user. Stop by her website to see what she's working on and any of her backlist work. 

www.staceythompsongeer.co.cc
Twitter @staceytg
Facebook: 
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1529648509
...and on to the interview!
( When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?


I don't know that I really thought about it for a long time. I knew that I really loved to write, but I didn't really understand what being a writer meant. I guess I became a writer in my mind about two years ago and that was when I truly knew I wanted to be a writer.


( How many jobs did you have before you became a writer? A lot. I have done everything you could think of as a job. I did have my own business for 14 years as a bead articst just before I started writing again.

( How long does it take you to write a book? That depends on the book. Sometimes it comes out fast and gets written in a few weeks. Other times it could take months or years. Silver Moon took me almost a year and it's more of a novella.

( What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk? I have a few, lol. I think the most interesting one is that I write everything on Google docs. I know it sound a little odd, but it's a great platform and I can write with any computer, even my mobile stuff.

( Do you have a routine that you use to get into the right frame of mind to write? I don't really have a routine. I sit down and start writing. Some days I do like to have some music going, but it does alter my writing, so I don't do it all the time.

( Where do you get your ideas or inspiration for your characters? I take parts of people I know and people I see on the street. I wonder what thier story is and how it could become a book or short story.

( How do you decide what you want to write about? I don't really do a whole lot. I will sometimes get a story running in my head and jsust go with it. There are other times, I'll run across an interesting place or person and research it more. Sometimes that leads to a great story. With Silver Moon, I use St Thomas in Nevada. It has a neat history and is no longer a town, but the history of it caught my eye.

( What books have most influenced your life? Horror has influenced me a lot. I used to love reading lots of horror books and stories and still do. I also like adventure stories and find I still read them now.

( What is the first book you remember reading by yourself? I remember reading the Fear Street books. They were the first ones that really caught my eye. I loved them and would read them as fast as I could, just to know what happened in the end.

( What are you reading right now? Night Veil by Yasmine Galenorn.

( What do you like to do when you are not writing? I like to watch movies and read a lot. I still read a lot of horror, but Romance is something that has been creeping in.

( What is your favorite comfort food? A cheese pizza. I love eating a good old Tombstone pizza.

( What do you think makes a good story? Good characters. The story is not going to mean anything if the characters don't pull you in.

( Who would you consider your favorite author and why? Stephen King is probably my favorite. I love how he creates a world and pulls you into it.

( What book, if any, do you read over and over again? It's a tie between "Firestarter" and "The Three Musketeers".

Fun random questions: 

dogs or cats? Cats

Coffee or tea? Niether. I want a Pepsi, lol.

Dark or milk chocolate? Milk Chocolate

Rocks or flowers? Flowers

Night or day? Night.

Favorite color? Purple or Black

Crayons or markers? Markers

Pens or pencils? Pens
...and on to the giveaway!!!


You can buy a copy of this book HERE.
There is another tour stop today at: Authors By Authors
Thanks for stopping by The Wormhole!
Happy Reading!

Blog Tour: Indian Summer by Emily Cale

This blog tour is presented by The Bookish Snob Promotions.
You can see the entire tour schedule by clicking HERE.
Welcome to The Wormhole and my day on the tour!
...and now, for your reading pleasure... 
an excerpt from Indian Summer by Emily Cale!
(excerpt from Chapter One...)
     Watching cars, motorcycles, and rickshaws zip past her, Cara sat on the stoop of the guesthouse where she was staying. Each time a car would slow down, her hand would grasp the handle of her field bag, hoping that the car belonged to the diver who was to take her to the research office. So far, they had all been slowing down just to stop and stare at her. Colleagues had told her that people would stop to look at her pale skin, but she had thought they were exaggerating. After only a few brief moments outside, it was obvious it hadn't been a joke.
     Every so often, one of the bright yellow rickshaws would stop and offer her a ride, the man inside speaking a language she couldn't understand and motioning to the back of the cart situated atop a motorbike. Most left after she shook her head no, but a few would persist, calling her ma'am and saying please, the only English they seemed to know. If the morning hadn't already been so bad, she might have had more patience for thier antics, but at a quarter to seven, she already felt like the entire day had been a failure.

Intrigued?!?!?!?
You can buy your own copy of the story at Amazon!
The next stop on the blog tour is: Aug 23 – Every Day Is An Adventure

Thanks for stopping by The Wormhole
Happy Reading!

Review: Beautifully Broken by Sherry Soule

Beautifully Broken by Sherry Soule

***I received this ebook at no charge in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon Product Description:
Thirteenth Daughter. Heritage Witch. Demon Slayer.

They say every town has its secrets, but that doesn’t even begin to describe Whispering Pines. The townsfolk are a superstitious lot and the mystical disappearance of a local teen has everyone murmuring about a centuries old witch’s curse.

Sixteen-year-old Shiloh Ravenwolf is a heritage witch from the Broussard family, a family both destined and cursed. When she takes a summer job at Ravenhurst Manor, she discovers a ghost with an agenda. That’s where she meets the new town hottie, Trent Donovan, and immediately becomes spellbound by his charms.

Finally, Shiloh's met someone who is supercute and totally into her, but Trent may be the next victim on the supernatural hit list. And Shiloh is the only person with the power to save him. Complicated much?

It sucks to have a destiny, especially since Shiloh would rather spend her summer being a normal girl who worries about clothes and boys, not the supernatural. But she’s never been normal and the stranger things become the more her own magical senses awaken.

With cryptic messages from a pesky wraith, she will begin to understand the mysterious significance of the strange mark branded on her wrist and decide how much she's willing to sacrifice to protect the other teenagers in town.

Unfortunately, for Shiloh, not all ghosts want help crossing over. Some want vengeance. 


My Thoughts:
Wow! This is a fantastic read!  It is captivating!  Brilliantly written.  This alluring tale is original and yet classic at the same time.  It is more than just your average story of good (light) versus evil (dark).  This is a story of jealousy, greed, betrayal, sacrifice, desire, and love.  It is a story of what happens when what a person wants corrupts them into doing the unthinkable, and the results of that corruption.  I was left wondering...what price is too high?

The characters are fantastic.  They are creatively and carefully constructed.  Their lives, relationships, interactions, and emotions are so realistic that I was instantly invested in their lives.  Each of the characters is living through trauma and/or some kind of personal drama that they are forced to struggle with every day.  The characters are given strong personalities and I found myself on an emotional rollercoaster with them as the story progressed.


Sherry Soule has created a mystery steeped in history and heritage, and hidden by fear, lies, deception and secrecy.  I was thrilled with the witchcraft/Wiccan/Native American Shaman combination of magic.
The plot twists and turns, by the end of the book I was hanging on to my seat unable to read fast enough to find out more!  Now, I can't wait for the next book in the series!




Saturday, August 20, 2011

Blog Tour: Blood of the White Witch (giveaway: every comment wins a copy)

Welcome to my stop on the tour!
This Blog Tour is being presented by The Bookish Snob Promotions! 
Click HERE to see the entire tour schedule.

Today I am pleased to feature: Lacey Weatherford 
bringing us an excerpt from Blood of the White Witch for your reading pleasure!

Staring into the flames, I enjoyed watching them dancearound. I became mesmerized by the movements, and Ilifted my hands to mimic the motion I saw, movingthem from side to side. Centering my thoughts, I let myenergies flow out of me, until the fire started to followme in the same motion as my hands.

I was completely absorbed in my little game when Vance came to join me on the rug, setting his emptyglass on the table behind me.
He lifted my damp hair away from my neck, leaning in to kiss me there.
“You look enchanting sitting here in the firelight,”he whispered, and he nibbled and licked at my skin.
As usual, I tipped my head back to give him better access to the spot.
“So beautiful,” he said while he ran his fingersthrough the wet strands of my hair.
I closed my eyes, just enjoying his touch and the magical moment he was weaving around us.
He turned my face toward his and kissed me gently on the lips, parting them with his tongue, before hewrapped an arm around my waist and carefully laid meback onto the rug.
He kissed me like that for several long minutes, holding me softly, looking into my eyes. The rest of theroom began to melt away until all I could see was him.
I reached one hand up to thread it through his hair, and placed the other on his sculpted cheek allowing myfingers to trail lightly over the surface.
“I love you so much, Vance,” I whispered, completely wrapped up in his spell, always his willingcaptive.
“I’m glad. Loving you makes me happier than I could’ve ever imagined,” he replied as his eyes traveledover my face. “You cannot possibly know what it meansto me to have you as my wife.”
“Then why don’t you show me,” I suggested, moving my fingers up to trace over his brow.
I felt the pull almost instantly as his mind opened up wide and linked with mine. All of his thoughts and emotionspoured into my head, causing a rush of vibrations to movethroughout my body. The feelings he gave me were sointense I gasped out loud.
He chuckled softly at my reaction. “You asked for it,” he said, a seductive grin lighting up the masculine dimples onhis face.
“Yes, I did,” I replied, my breath quickening as sensations I never felt before danced through me.
“Whatever you’re doing, please don’t stop!”
“We’re doing this, Portia, both of us,” he explained. He sucked at my neck and my breath caught in my throat againwith the intense emotions he caused by adding that physicaltouch. “This is my passion reacting to yours, each of usechoing back and forth off one another.”
“But I have no idea what I’m doing! Why hasn’t it beenlike this before?” I asked. I threw my head back, as he lickedup the side of my throat.
“I guess because we were never mentally linked during our previous times together,” he mumbled against my skin.
“For heaven’s sake, why not?” I exclaimed in exasperation, wondering if he had been holding out on meon purpose.
“Too preoccupied … didn’t think of it … didn’t want to rush you,” he spoke in between kisses. “And I’m learning,too,” he whispered in my ear right before he nibbled at myearlobe, sending little waves of pleasure over me.
“Teach me everything you know. Don’t leave out a thing,” I begged, wanting to make him feel exactly as I did.
“That could take a while,” he laughed softly.
“I don’t care,” I replied, right before he took my mouth with his.

You can see my review by clicking HERE

Lacey Weatherford has always had a love of books. She wanted to become a writer after reading her first Nancy Drew novel at the age of eight. Lacey resides in the White Mountains of Arizona , where she lives with her wonderful husband, six beautiful children, one son-in-law, and their energetic schnauzer, Sophie. When she's not out supporting one of her kids at their sporting/music events, she spends her time writing, reading, blogging, and reviewing books.


You can contact Lacey by following her on her social medias:
Twitter at http://twitter.com/LMWeatherford
Facebook Fan Page at Of Witches and Warlocks- Paranormal Book Series http://www.laceyweatherfordbooks.com
http://www.ofwitchesandwarlocks.com.

Want to win a copy? Lacey has made it easy!!!
EVERYONE who commments wins!!!
Leave your name and email address in the comments
and you WIN!

Next stop on the tour is:  Aug 21 – The Bookish Snob


You can buy your own copy at AmazonSmashwords, or Barnes and Noble 
(just click on the store name to go there!)


Thanks for stopping by The Wormhole!
Happy reading!