Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Blog Tour: Dysus Dreamer by J.A. Garland - tourwide author giveaway

This virtual book tour is presented by Bewitching Book Tours.
Click HERE for more information.
Welcome to The Wormhole and my stop on the tour.
It is my pleasure to feature J.A. Garland and Dysus Dreamer.

J.A. Garland has stopped by for an interview: 
? When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
JA: Well, originally I wanted to be a jet fighter pilot, of course. Okay, so that was just a phase...following the movie Top Gun. Seriously, I’ve wanted to be a writer from childhood, but as life has a way of doing, it moved me in a different direction. Becoming and being a firefighter is full of rewards. I love serving the public. But writing is a release--an addictive freedom. I am very lucky to enjoy two such different, and spectacular careers in one lifetime.

? How many jobs did you have before you became a writer?
JA: Ten! I’ve dabbled with writing for years, but only became serious within the last four. So there are lifetimes of jobs in there!

? How long does it take you to write a book?
JA: It depends upon the book. The first book I wrote took me years, and they weren’t fun years. Every step was agonizing. I was so relieved to finish and move on to the next story.

? What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
JA: I must drink a big mug of coffee first! I am a dedicated morning person. I get up before the sun, around 5 am. I then drink a carafe of coffee--I'm not joking--I have the blood pressure to show for it, lol. Then I go for a run. I run at least 6 days a week. My favorite place to run is at a nearby park. 500 acres of trails, I love it! When I run I think about the next chapter of my current W.I.P. So by the time I get home, I am all ready to have at the computer. I peter out around noon, but get a second wind in the evening. Then I usually edit paragraphs I've already written, I don't add anything new.

? What are you reading right now?
JA: Right now I am reading the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. It’s a great series about a modern day wizard. Very entertaining.

? What do you like to do when you are not writing?
JA: I love to trail run, cook, and spend time with my family. I’m also an avid reader who isn’t married to a specific genre. I’ll read anything as long as it’s well written.

? What is your favorite comfort food?
JA: Vegetable soup. I have a crock-pot recipe that is really amazing. I chop everything, fill the crock-pot, and in the evening it’s perfect! Which also reminds me of a great steel cut oatmeal, crock-pot recipe. I really should use my crock-pot more often…

? What do you think makes a good story?
JA: Action, character depth and believability. I can’t stand authors who handhold their readers. I want an author who lets me put two and two together. It annoys me when I’m spoon fed stories.

Fun random questions: 
·        dogs or cats? Neither
·        Coffee or tea? COFFEE
·        Dark or milk chocolate? Milk
·        Rocks or flowers? Rocks
·        Night or day? Day
·        Favorite color? Glacier Blue
·        Crayons or markers? Crayons
·        Pens or pencils? Pens

More about the author:
Writing urban fantasy under the pen-name J.A. Garland, Jennifer is a professional firefighter in the state of California. Jennifer is married and has two children, both of whom are as different as night and day. A graduate of Cogswell Polytechnical with a degree in Fire Administration, Jennifer always knew she wanted to be an author. (Except for a brief two month period after watching the movie "Top Gun," when she wanted to be a fighter pilot).

Jennifer admits she is an addicted trail runner, mostly because she is a devout consumer of all things cheese puff. If she misses you at the next mud run, you can come back here to see what's new in the world "where fantasy becomes reality."

http://jagarland.blogspot.com/
https://twitter.com/J_A_Garland
https://www.facebook.com/jagarlandurbanfantasyauthor

The Dysus Dreamer
Book Two, The Halfling Chronicles
by JA Garland

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: July, 2013
"A powerful half-demon is kidnapped, bloodthirsty werewolves are on the rise, and a planet is dying. A demon warrior and dark elf joining forces are the least of their worries."
Demon warrior, Slade Aesus, is determined to destroy the werewolves controlling his cousin. But a beautiful elf, consumed by her own vengeance, finds the wolves first. Botching her assassination attempt, Annwyn has the most powerful Packs in the world biting at her heels. Both fiercely independent, can the two join forces long enough to fulfill their missions and stay alive?

Book Trailer http://youtu.be/M0qIjt_iBxU

Excerpt The Dysus Dreamer:
     A solid assassination operation takes one part opportunity, two parts discipline, and three parts disposition. Having two out of three this chilly Seattle evening, Slade considered himself in abundance of good fortune.
     Parked in front of a solitary office building, in the zone clearly marked “No Parking,” Slade cleared his mind of distractions consisting of the little here and there that could creep in and throw him off, just a hair, but enough to jeopardize his mission. Satisfied, he slid out of the rental car and re-tucked a stylish black golf shirt monogrammed with “Constantine Vineyards” into a pair of crisp, steel gray slacks. In this particular scenario, image was crucial.
     Tonight, the element discipline presented itself by his waiting for the precise moment to strike.  He made a living analyzing people and their habits, so he knew his targets relaxed around the holidays and were less likely to see the danger lurking behind his smiling façade. The current festivity du jour was Christmas, and coupled with his gift, destined Slade a popular man. I'm counting on it.
     He moved around to the trunk, where he heaved free a slatted, wooden case. It smelled of musky oak. The peaceful scent hinted at candlelit dinners shared with a long time lover. His jaw clenched. Not in my past and not in my future.
     Slade lugged his precious cargo toward the sprawling metal office building. Immense, the structure stabbed farther into the heavens than any other in the area, yet fell short. Just like my target. Outwardly, Joe Larsen appeared a dedicated family man, a real pillar of the community whose flourishing internet and telecommunications business, ProCom, employed hundreds. In reality, the werewolf belonged to the Dirty Dozen, a group of the twelve most ruthless wolf Packs roaming the earth.
     How ironic. I was once your target. A year ago, the Dozen kidnapped his cousin Amber, a half-demon, half-human. Able to keep a shifter from shifting, Amber's ability proved irresistible, since more times than not, the Dozen's meetings devolved into an unproductive, fur-flying brawl. We saved Amber, but left behind some unfinished business. Starting with Larsen, the wolves would learn a lesson...a demon’s memory rivals the most scorned woman, and paybacks were indeed a bitch.

My thoughts:
I am halfway through the book.  The characters are fantastic - original, distinctive and well made.  The story is multi-faceted and interesting.  It is nicely paced and entertaining.  I am both dreading and looking forward to the ending - wanting to know the answers, yet not really wanting the story to end.


INSTINCT
Book One, The Halfling Chronicles

"When war erupts among the Shadow creatures, can enemies become allies?"

Lone wolf, Rory Archer, never failed a single mission. Now the hunted instead of the hunter, Rory unwinds a twisted trail leading back to Amber Arlington, a spirited Halfling tied to a world of Shadows. Bound to vows initially forged out of necessity, Rory and Amber's relationship surges into more than either of them had bargained on. Scrambling to identify their attacker before joining the casualty list, Rory is forced to do the unthinkable, or watch Amber become a slave for his species.

In the battle against Shadows, demons and all variety of monsters come out to fight. Can one wolf learn to trust in time to save them all?

Giveaway: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, July 15, 2013

Blog Tour: The Loneliest Alpha by T.A. Grey

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 tour.
It is my pleasure to feature T.A. Grey and The Loneliest Alpha.

About the Author:
I love to write the kind of stories that will keep you up late at night and make your heart pound. It's my goal to make each new book better, more exciting, and more action-packed to keep thrilling you. I'm always trying to push the boundaries with my imagination, and yours, to create something new and different.

Open up one of my novels and you will find hot, erotic stories that will make you laugh out loud, cry, and fly through the pages. I write addictive love stories and I hope you like them.

Visit my website to learn more about my books at www.tagrey.com.
Website – www.tagrey.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/T-A-Grey/122074687903394
Twitter - https://twitter.com/AuthorTaGrey
Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5049079.T_A_Grey
Blog - http://tagrey.wordpress.com/

The Loneliest Alpha
The Untouchables, Book One
by T. A. Grey

Genre: paranormal erotic romance
Number of pages: 350
Word Count: ~100,000
Cover Artist: Hallie Chandler

Book Description:

One look will change their lives forever.

Lingerie designer Alicia Clarkson just had to open her stupid mouth. Now thanks to trying to defend a fellow pack mate, Alicia’s been blindfolded, tied up, and carted off to the new alpha of the Oregon pack—Gavin MacKellen.

However, the blindfold doesn’t come off so soon. Alicia’s curiosity gets fired up when Gavin refuses to reveal his face to her. Just what happened to him? He talks to her from shadowy corners and behind closed doors. The man is as allusive as a squirrely fox, but Alicia doesn’t play games and the quiet spoken, hoarse voiced alpha doesn’t stand a chance against her. They settle on an agreement, thirty days for them to get to know each other because that’s the only way this cowboy alpha will have it.

Gavin MacKellen needs a mate. But he knows no good woman would ever want to look at his face after the incident he suffered. After one look at Alicia Clarkson all his plans fly out the window. The woman’s beauty has him damn stunned speechless. She torments his thoughts and Gavin finds himself yearning to know everything about her. As relationship forms, love threatens to grow between them but Gavin struggles to cope with his physical appearance in the face of the beautiful Alicia.

Will she be the one to stand in the face of a monster and accept or will she turn her back on him as everyone else has?

Excerpt:

“When is the last time you were with a man?”

Her body jerked. “Excuse me?”

He sighed, the sound thick not with impatience but caution. “I won’t repeat myself, Alicia Clarkson.”

She froze at the sound of her name even as a part of her understood that he had to know her name. The tone of his voice had changed though, the grating sound becoming a growl.

She answered as soon as she collected herself. “Seven months ago. No six. Yeah, six months, I think.”

“Were you sleeping with him?”

She bit the inside of her cheek, jaw flaring as a blush covered her face. “I don’t see what this as to do with–”

“Just answer the question,” he said in that slow, measured voice. He sounded like someone who didn’t waste words but chose them with care.

“Yes, I did.” Why that admission embarrassed her when she knew there was no shame in what she’d done annoyed her.

Then he spoke and every inch of her stiffened. Even her heart skipped a beat. “What do you look for…in a man?”

“What?” she said, her voice as soft as a whisper. He sounded curious, maybe even a little embarrassed.

“Answer the question, please.”

She shook her head sending locks of hair snapping across her cheek and stood, teetered, then widened her stance to steady herself. “No, I’m done with this. I won’t play your little games anymore. You either explain what this is about or untie me. Actually, untie me and show me the door. I’ve been ready to leave since I got here.”

He stood and she took an abrupt step back. Was it because she feared him—damn right.

“Turn around.”

“Like hell.”

“Turn around so I can untie you.”

Biting her lip, she debated his words. He could by lying. “Promise that’s all you want?”

He grunted some sound of agreement.

She was loathed to give him her back but she did, slowly. Better to show him her back than to keep the ropes on for god knows how long. He grabbed the rope binding her wrists and her heart jumped with fear. He could kill her; hurt her in so many ways.

“Stare straight ahead.”

Naturally, she tried to look over her shoulder but he grabbed the back of her head and turned it to face forward before she could catch a glimpse.

“Don’t.” A warning.

It became difficult to breathe. This close, she caught his scent. It was fresh and masculine smelled of something rugged and outdoors. The lykaen in her rolled onto its back and stretched, content. Whoa. Reel it in, Alicia.

She jumped at the sound of his voice so close to her ear. He had a gravelly, coarse voice, deep as a bass singers. He held the rope hostage as he spoke. “I’m searching for my mate, not lookin’ for no whore. I want you to stay here while we get to know each other. That means I’m gonna have some questions you’ll need to answer. You got that?”

Not really. “Yeah,” she said instead since she didn’t see any other options.

Another grunt of approval, then she heard the metal swish of a switchblade coming out. She wiggled, tugging to get her arms free as fear rode her.

“Please don’t hurt me.” She hung her head, arms trembling in his grasp.

“Stay still. I don’t wanna nick you.”

Like that her fear passed. The blade passed through the ropes with ease and her shoulders sagged with relief. The itchy, cursed rope fell away. She smiled at the tiny pleasure of being free.

“You’ll sleep down the hall. I’ll have Will show you the room.”

Fingers touched her forearms, strong and direct. And then it vanished in an instant.

Rubbing her arms at the sudden chill, Alicia turned back only to find he’d retreated back into the shadows.

She didn’t mean to ask it but the words flew from her lips. “Why won’t you let me see your face?”

He opened the door, stepping into the hallway. She was so certain he wouldn’t answer her that she fiddled with her reddened wrists to hide her eyes.

But then he did answer and his words couldn’t have shocked her more.

“I don’t want you to see my face ‘cause I’m an ugly son of a bitch and you’re too pretty to be looking at that.”

She gaped as he quietly shut the door behind him.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Chick lit author Michele Gorman has a YA alter-ego!

Chick lit author Michele Gorman has a YA alter-ego
Known for her best-selling chick lit (the Single in the City series and Bella Summer Takes a Chance), Michele also writes coming-of-age fiction under the name Jamie Scott and today sees the re-launch of her first novel, Little Sacrifices. This atmospheric, evocative depiction of the American South may just be the perfect summer read for fans of The Secret Life of Bees or To Kill A Mockingbird.
ABOUT THE BOOK
How much would you risk to stand up for your beliefs?


When the Powell family moves to Savannah Georgia in the late 1940s, they hope against hope that they'll be welcomed. But they're Northerners and worse, they're civil rights advocates almost a decade too early. The American South is deeply segregated.

At first their daughter, May, can pretend they're the same as everyone else. It means keeping quiet when she knows she should speak up, but it's worth the sacrifice to win friends. Unfortunately her parents are soon putting their beliefs into action. And when they wake to find that they're the only family on the block with a Ku Klux Klan cross blazing on their front lawn, the time comes for them to finally decide between what's easy and what's right.
Click here to download the free mini-book: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4js7yFveZLdNm9Jd0tOVThLckk/edit?usp=sharing

Bella Summer Takes a Chance
Sometimes the life you walk away from doesn't let you walk away

       
           

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Blog Tour: Vicious Moon by Lee Roland (Tourwide Giveaway)

This virtual book tour is presented by:
Paranormal Cravings | Book Tours
www.paranormalcravings.com

Welcome to The Wormhole and my stop on the tour.
It is my pleasure to feature Lee Roland and Vicious Moon.
About Lee Roland
     Lee Roland began her writing career in middle school when she wrote a short story for her brother. He turned the story in to his teacher as his own work.  To his amazement and terror, the teacher was so impressed that she read it aloud to the class—and asked him to write another one.  
     Lee notes that, other than motherhood, she’s never had an exciting job.  She might have dreamed of being  a lawyer, nurse or police officer, but finding the right person to share her life with changed her plans.  Her only credentials for writing are a terrific imagination, life experience and the love of words in a good story.  She reads voraciously, but particularly loves Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance.
     Lee lives in Florida and is a full-time writer.  She is a member of RWA National and the Florida based First Coast Romance Writers. Before being published, Lee won many RWA Chapter contests and garnered a Golden Heart nomination in 2008 with her post apocalyptic novel, LILITH’S CHILD.
     Lee is the author of the Earth Witches series published by NAL, beginning with VIPER MOON in 2011.

Contact Links


About the series:
Dynamic Urban Fantasy by Lee Roland
The Earth Witches, the keepers of the world’s magic, find chaos and desire in the hidden ruins of the Barrows.  Servants of the enigmatic Earth Mother, they battle men, monsters and personal conflicts to protect the world. With magic, modern weapons and strong companions, they persevere to save mankind from evil.

The books from this series:

Viper Moon  (Earth Witches #1)
 (352 Pages)
Cassandra Archer is the huntress. She has faithfully served the earth Mother for years, rescuing kidnapped children from monsters— both human and supernatural—dwelling in the 
ruins of the Barrows District. But when two children are kidnapped under similar circumstances, all clues point to a cataclysmic event on the next dark moon. Aided by police 
Detective Flynn and Michael, mysterious and dangerous resident of the Barrows, Cass must race against the clock and prevent a sacrifice that could destroy the entire town…

Vengeance Moon  (Earth Witches #2)
 (352 Pages)
Madeline Corso can’t rest until she hunts down the three men who killed her father and witch mother. Two of them are now dead by her hand.  Unfortunately, her second kill had 
witnesses.  Sent to prison, she is rescued Sisters of Justice—a mysterious order of female warriors with ties to her mother. Her fighting skills are honed by the Sisters, and they have tracked the last murderer to Duivel, Missouri.  He is hiding in the dark underworld of the Barrows. Once in the Barrows, she discovers that things aren’t what they seem.  The danger goes far beyond her need for revenge. Can she rely on Michael, a handsome and possibly deadly stranger, to help her navigate a world of men and beasts? Or will she lose her heart before the mission is complete?

Vicious Moon  (Earth Witches #3)
 (320 Pages)
Expected publication: July 2nd 2013 by Signet
Ex-soldier and Earth Witch Nyx Ianira is working as a PI in San Francisco when she sees the last thing she ever wanted to see:  the Sisters of Justice—the mysterious Earth Witch police force.  Three Sisters, a Triad, is usually a squad of executioners.  This time, thought, the Sisters mission is to capture and escort an unwilling Nyx back to Twitch Crossing, Georgia.  Nyx ran away from Twitch Crossing ten years ago to escape the stiff rules and duties of being a true Witch. She wanted a life of her own. Now she’s been dragged back to her swampy hometown because another life is in danger—her little sister is missing, and Nyx is the only one who can go to Duivel, Missouri and track her down.  But the key to finding her may lie with the dark and tempting Etienne—a sinister criminal with a fearsome reputation, a ruthless attitude, and a total immunity to magic…

My thoughts:
Fascinating characters.  Wonderfully thought out and well executed story.  This is a fast-paced, thrilling tale that had me turning the pages faster and faster.   I love a book that grabs you from the very first page and makes you want to put everything else on hold until you finish it - this is one of those books.

Monday, July 8, 2013

Cover Reveal: The Wind Whisperer by Krista Holle


The Wind Whisperer (young adult), coming this October
At fifteen, Anaii is the most important member of her tribe—and the most mysterious.  Ever since Anaii can remember, the spirits of the wind have whispered of fertile hunting grounds and imminent enemy attacks.  But when her people are ambushed by a brother clan without any apparent cause, the spirits remain eerily silent.
As the village prepares to retaliate, Anaii is pressured by her best friend, Elan, to marry him.  It’s an old plea—Elan has spent a lifetime loving her, but Anaii only sees a childhood playmate out of an imposing warrior.  Stifled by Elan’s insistence, Anaii escapes into the forest where she meets Jayttin, the beautiful son of the enemy chief. 
Enamored by Jayttin’s carefree spirit and hope for peace, she repeatedly sneaks away to be with him, but when her deception is discovered, Elan is devastated.  Pledging his lifelong affection, Elan gives her a passionate kiss, and Anaii begins to see her friend in a new light. 
While Anaii is tormented over which man she must choose, the wind whispers of a new threat that could destroy both tribes.  Only a union will afford a chance at survival, but the reality of that union is based on one thing—which man Anaii chooses to die.
About the author:
Krista has been writing since she was nine-years-old when she scribbled out her first adolescent work entitled Merish, the completely illogical but heartfelt story of a girl who was part mermaid, part fish. As a young mother, Krista added to her repertoire some middle grade readers and picture books she’s wary of mentioning.

In 2004, Krista began an intensive four year period working part-time as a critical care nurse while homeschooling her four children. During this hectic time, courses of writing were taught and learned, and rules of syntax were scolded to memory. Ironically this period of study equipped Krista with the tools she needed to enter the next phase of her writing experience. Now equipped with the mysteries of the comma, Krista was ready to tackle a much bigger project—a full fledged novel.

After the kids were enrolled in public school in 2009, it occurred to Krista that there is an insatiable audience of women and girls who want to read books filled with stories about true love. Convinced that there was an unfulfilled audience waiting for what Krista loves to write—romance, she sat down in the family’s dungeon, a.k.a. the basement, and began to furiously type. In no time, her first novel was drying on crisp white paper.

Krista currently resides in Midlothian, Virginia with her husband, four daughters, and an eccentric cat with an attachment to the family’s socks. She continues to write obsessively every chance she can get.
Click HERE to go to her website.
Click HERE to go to her Goodreads.
Click HERE to go to her blog.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Chameleon by Kelly Oram (author giveaway)

This blog tour is presented by Kelly Oram.
Click HERE for more information.
Welcome to The Wormhole and my stop on the tour.
It is my pleasure to feature: Kelly Oram and Chameleon.




Kelly Oram wrote her first novel at age fifteen–a fan fiction about her favorite music group, The Backstreet Boys, for which family and friends still tease her. She's obsessed with reading, talks way too much, and loves to eat frosting by the spoonful. She lives outside of Phoenix, Arizona with her husband and four children.



Chameleon
For small-town rebel Dani Webber magic and monsters are no more real than the Easter Bunny… until the day she accidentally stops time. Dani quickly discovers that not only do supernaturals exist, but she herself is one of them. This is great news for her life-long best friend Russ, who can finally come clean about his own supernatural status and his undying love for her. Before the two can start to enjoy the long overdue relationship, Dani is taken by a powerful council of supernaturals who believe she is the Chosen One destined to save them from extinction. 

As if being kidnapped and expected to save the world isn’t bad enough, an ancient prophecy warns of the Chosen One’s dark nature: “Only the truest love will keep her an agent for good.” The council believes they know who this “true love” is and, unfortunately, that person isn’t Russ. The mysterious, powerful and devastatingly handsome Seer is the last person Dani wants in her life, but when she starts having visions of a horrific future, she has no one else to turn to for help. 

Soon Dani finds herself torn between two very different boys with two very different opinions of whom she can trust. With the visions getting worse and time running out, Dani is forced to put aside her feelings and work with both the Seer and Russ before an ancient evil is unleashed upon the earth.


   *     *     *     *
My Thoughts:
Fantastic story.  Wonderfully paced and well written.  Original and fascinating, mysterious and gripping.  The characters are incredible.  Dani is great, I love her snarkiness and Russ is a dream - of course there can't only be one amazing guy - you must read it!  

Giveaway:


a Rafflecopter giveaway