Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Blog Tour: Birthright Trilogy by Nicole MacDonald (International Giveaway)

This virtual book tour is presented by Enchanted Book Promotions.

Welcome to The Wormhole and my stop on the tour.
It is my pleasure to feature Nicole MacDonald and The Birthright Trilogy.

The Arrival

Cat, Kassie, Sian and Loi are anything but damsels in distress. Fed up with a lack of decent male specimens they cast a love spell in the hopes of finding their soul-mates. And inadvertently land themselves on another planet.
Oops… 
The Arrival, follows the girls' adventures as they stumble through a foreign and often hostile world where humans are NOT at the top of the food chain. Friendships are forged and love teeters on the horizon while the threat of civil war looms thanks to the girls' very unexpected 'gifts'. Will the girls master these gifts in time to survive a war in which, not only are they the ultimate weapons, but also the ultimate prize...

Awakening

Be careful what you wish for...
A seemingly innocuous love spell caused Catherine, Sian, Laura, and Kassandra to cross worlds in search of their soul mates. But more than love drew them to Gar'nyse. Truths are revealed and lives forever altered after an attack at the castle. An age old feud between two archaic families threatens to tear the world they've arrived in apart. As the ultimate weapons in such a war the four girls are the only hope for peace.
But one of them lies unconscious from the attack, and the destiny that awaits her when she wakes will change everything.


Feel the Burn:
The battle to save Gar'nyse is upon them and already the costs are insurmountable.
With no other option but to knowingly sail into a trap, the girls, the Griffon Guard, and the gathered forces set forth to reach the castle and destroy Jenviet. However the loss of Alek means the task sits fully on the four girls' shoulders and with only one of them at their full Elemental abilities, the risk of death, or worse—failure—is high. Now with nothing to lose, Catherine refuses to link with the other girls, hoping that she alone will be able to take Jenviet. But the malevolent Sorceress of Vo'Arum has other plans...


Nicole has stopped by for an interview:
? When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve always loved reading but writing was far too intimidating. Then, a few years ago, I tried it. And haven’t look back since!

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

*lol* I still work fulltime! I moonlight as a novelist. I really, really hope that one day soon I’ll be able to write fulltime. Currently I’m a receptionist and prior to that a PA, EA, Call Centre Rep, Bank officer and Administrative assistant.

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

My first book took eighteen months, now I have it down to about nine to twelve months.

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

Well it seems pretty normal to me, but I like to write from multiple points of view. Many readers find that rather unusual.

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

My friends, pets, family, work mates. People I see in the streets – life in general is very inspiring – it’s all a matter of perspective.

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

Usually an idea occurs that makes me laugh or shiver. And I go from there.

? What books have most influenced your life?

So, so many. The Little House books, Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series, Jean Auel’s Earth’s Children series. Historical novels, sci-fi novels and of course, fantasy novels.

? What are you reading right now?

Jane Eyre

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

Sew, watch movies, talk my dog for walks, visit our cabin in the bush, and of course read!

? What is your favorite comfort food?

Apple crumble with heavy cream.

? What do you think makes a good story?

A tale where you fall in love with the characters, where the pages pull you in and it hurts to turn that final page, to know you’ve finished.

? Who would you consider your favorite author and why?

I find it difficult to pick just one, but I’ll go with Diana Gabaldon.

Fun random questions: 
***dogs or cats? Both!! We have both and I adore them.
***Coffee or tea? Coffee in the morning and tea after that *grin* green tea & peppermint!
***Dark or milk chocolate? Milk, or even better, white – the really creamy sort.
***Rocks or flowers? CRYSTALS!!! Love pretty crystals.
***Night or day? Can’t pick, anytime there’s a thunderstorm.
***Favorite color? Green.
***Crayons or markers? Crayons
***Pens or pencils? Quills *lol* or those friction pens where you can rub the ink out.

Author Bio
Nicole MacDonald is a thirty something year old Kiwi who loves to read and moonlights as a novelist. From a young age she fantasized about being the heroine in the books and/or movies she watched and credits the series ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ for really inspiring her. Writing only occurred to her a few years ago after reading an abysmal tale with silly useless females where upon she decided to write a tale solely for herself where the girls got to kick butt without the usual sob story—betrayed/abused/abandoned etc. That little tale eventuated into the BirthRight Trilogy.
Nicole’s current daydream is that Joss Whedon (aka the genius of film) will discover the BirthRight Trilogy and demand the film rights to it. Until then, she’s working on several other writing projects and aiming to explore the world with her partner.
Links
The first book, The Arrival, is FREE everywhere.
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords (available in any format)
Kobo
Sony
iTunes US
iTunes UK
Wattpad – where The Arrival is now available
http://www.wattpad.com/11296258-the-arrival-book-one-of-the-birthright-trilogy

Giveaway:

Monday, May 6, 2013

Release Day Blitz: Werewolves Be Damned by Stacey Kennedy

Werewolves Be Damned
Magic and Mayhem, Book One

Stacey Kennedy
 
Genre: Urban Fantasy Romance

Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Date of Publication: April 15, 2013

ISBN: 9781622661046
ASIN: B00CBFZVU6

Number of pages: 267
Amazon  BN  Kobo   iTunes

Book Description:

Nexi Jones—part witch, part guardian, and wannabe kick-ass warrior—can’t throw a punch or conjure the simplest magic. But that doesn’t stop her from hunting the werewolves who slaughtered her human family. She’ll have her revenge, but only if Kyden, the elite guardian, would get the hell out of her way.

Kyden can’t decide if Nexi wants to get herself killed or if she just has no clue what she’s doing. But her father made it clear: keep Nexi safe…or else. Of course, the more Nexi runs toward revenge, the more she needs Kyden’s aid, and as she grows into her power and confidence, so does his desire to protect her. The only problem? She’d rather he dropped dead.

But when a vampire paints a bull’s-eye on Nexi’s back, she’s hard-pressed to deny Kyden and the help he’s offering. Even if it means getting her revenge will be a little bit harder. At least it will still be as sweet.
About the Author:

Stacey Kennedy is an urban fantasy lover at heart, but she also enjoys losing herself in dark and sensual worlds. She lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, who gave her a happily-ever-after. Together, they have two small children who can always make her smile, and who will never be allowed to read Mommy’s books. If she’s not plugging away at a new story, you’ll find her camping, curling up with the latest flick, or obsessing over Sons of Anarchy and Game of Thrones.

Website - 
http://www.staceykennedy.com/

Blog - 
http://www.staceykennedy.com/blog

Facebook - 
http://www.facebook.com/AuthorStaceyKennedy

Facebook Fan Page - 
www.facebook.com/StaceyKennedyFanPage

Twitter - 
https://twitter.com/#!/Stacey_Kennedy

Goodreads - 
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3473046.Stacey_Kennedy

Amazon Author Page –
http://www.amazon.com/Stacey-Kennedy/e/B004G9KR9A/


Friday, May 3, 2013

Free for your Kindle! The Search for Artemis by P.D. Griffith

Title: The Search for Artemis

Series: Chronicles of Landon Wicker
Author: P. D. Griffith
Publisher: Gryff Publishing, Ltd.

Release Date: June 1, 2011
Promotion Dates: 5/2/2013 - 5/6/2013

Original Price: $4.99
Promo Price: $0.00

Link to Amazon Product Page: http://amzn.com/B0053DQOIQ

Book Description: Consumed with guilt after a horrible tragedy, LANDON WICKER is forced into a life where teenagers can lift city buses with their minds and people don’t just see—but control—the world around them. Landon struggles to accept his new reality but finds solace in the company of hundreds of teenagers just like him when he’s taken to a secret training facility for psychokinetics—the Gymnasium.

But everything changes after a chance encounter with a mysterious girl. She propels Landon on a hunt for answers about the true nature of his abilities and his new home, and he soon uncovers some dark truths the Gymnasium would do anything to keep hidden.

Will he discover the truth? What is hidden in the Restricted Tower? And who is Artemis? Landon must choose where his loyalties lie, while he comes to terms with his past—and his future.

The novel is also available in paperback for $14.99 by clicking HERE.

Review: Voodoo for Two by Elle James

Amazon Product Description:

Be careful what you wish for…

Determined to marry the most eligible bachelor in the parish to save her family, Lucie LeBieu turns a “love bug” loose to cast its Voodoo spell. What she doesn’t count on is hitting two targets—the golden boy congressional candidate and her Cajun-hot ex. To set things right, she must undo the spell before she falls into bed—and back in love—with a certain down and dirty heartbreakin' cop or breaks another man's heart.

Undercover investigator Ben Boyette is back in Louisiana on special assignment when he runs across his old flame, brewing up trouble as usual. But when hometown threats turn deadly, Lucie's life is on the line. Determined to protect both her and his politician assignment from falling victim to a murderer, Ben finds that he's the one who's falling hard for the irresistible bayou temptress.

My thoughts:
This is the second Elle James book that I have read.  I fell in love with her characters and writing style with the first book, Voodoo in the Bayou, and was looking forward to this next installment.  I recieved both books from the author in return for honest reviews.  I didn't read the blurb beforehand - so I was surprised by the love triangle that we have in this story, even though the title is a giveaway on that idea. 

Elle James has once again created characters that a reader can really invest in.  I feel in love with Ben Boyette as soon as I met him and so I got frustrated with the love triangle more quickly than normal.  Eric too is a great character, but all truly hopeless romantics want the girl to go for the man she is head over heels for instead of the "perfect" guy.  The idea of true love and what you are willing to give, give up on, and give up for are ones we all think about - or at least should.

I enjoyed the story, but felt it dragged at times.  I had a hard time with a couple things:
First, Lucie searching for and finding (more than once) her love bug - it seems to me that it would be much harder to locate a specific lady bug in the bayou. Second, the return of Lucie's mother - I was expecting more expansion here, but the explanation that we get is complete and realistic enough.

All in all, I truly enjoyed the story.  I loved the characters, I was thrilled with the ending, and I can't wait for more books from Elle James.   This book is well worth the read. 

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Review: Vampyre 2000: Life to the Lifeless by Christopher F. Benson

Vampyre 2000: Life to the Lifeless by Christopher F. Benson

Amazon Product Description:
Cornelius was able to roam freely among the streets of the city undetected for one simple reason. If that man next to you on the train or that woman at the theatre told you that he or she was a vampire, would you believe them? After being turned into a vampire during transport to America to become a slave, he was thrown overboard and drifted ashore on the New England coastline in 1804. Now, hardened from a lifetime of death and solitude, he sensed a void within that left him feeling so very alone. In search of something or someone to give his life some meaning, Cornelius had walked the earth for centuries. Finally, he found what he had been endlessly waiting for, her name was Rita. But Cornelius had many secrets, most importantly, a frightening reminder of his past that had plagued him for over one hundred years. Inescapably, that past could no longer be ignored and would prove to be an obstacle that would prevent Cornelius and Rita from ever being together. If neglected further, it also threatened to end both of their lives, a life Cornelius saw as a new beginning. Even if he chose to confront his demons to find some closure and stop running, was he powerful enough to accomplish it? Staring deeply into the face of such an overwhelming situation, were they foolish to believe that they could be together?

My thoughts:
It took me awhile to get into the story.  It is nicely written and interesting.  I love the issues that run through the book and that the author was so insightful to offer such ideas in a vampire story, very original.  This is the first vampire book I have read that brings racism into the plot, that and revenge drive Gregory to hunt Cornelius.  To balance out the monster that is Gregory, the autor brings the reader love as the driving force for Cornelius and Rita. 

At the very start of the book, I wasn't sure if I truly loved Cornelius as a character.  I had a hard time with the fact that he had to kill to feed - just because it's different from most vampire stories.  But, as I read the story I found myself completely investing in Cornelius.  He is a carefully, thoughtfully created character who spans centuries with his ideas, ideals, and theories.  He is noble, compassionate and kind.  In contrast, Gregory is the very ipitmy of a heartless, thoughtless, vicious monster.  I love the twist with Gregory at the end. 

I liked Rita's character from the start, but wonder at how rapidly she falls for Cornelius considering how much he warns her against it.  Her dedication to Cornelius and her desire to protect and be with him are heartwarming. 

The book ends with an creative twist and I can't wait to start the next book in the series, Vampyre 2000: Ill of the Dead.

Click HERE to buy book one ~ Click HERE to buy book two

(I received this book in exchange for an honest review).

Uprising by LM Pruitt

Uprising by L.M. Pruitt

Amazon Product Description:
In the last year, Joanne Watson has died, fallen in love, fought demons and earned her Wings.

None of that compares to what's coming next....

Life as a member of the Winged isn't perfect--or easy. There's always some new camp drama. There's always a demon ready for a fight. There's always death.

And now there's the Resistance.

Joanne must choose again, this time between her fellow Winged and their burning desire for change or the archangels and the eternal vow she made.

Even in the afterlife, one truth remains--everything ends.

My thoughts:
I'm a L.M. Pruitt fan.  I was excited to read this series.  I enjoyed the first book, Winged and Uprising takes up where it left off; bringing us wonderful characters and a fast-paced, well written story.  
The storyline is clever and creative, the plot is twisty and emotional.  You will run the gambit with these fantastic characters - laughter and tears.  I love Pruitt's characters because I feel like I know them.  The book plays in your mind like a movie as you read.
I suggest getting both books from the go, you won't want to wait for Uprising once you finish Winged and you will be looking for more at the end of this one!